'Yeh kisne likha hai?' Naina asked, her eyes wide.

'Maine.' Sameer stated simply.

She looked at the papers again. They seemed old, as if they had been read and reread number of times. But that wasn't what had shocked her. It was the content. What was the purpose of making such a document?

'But why?' She voiced her bewildered confusion, 'Hai kya yeh sab?'

He took a deep breath before looking straight at her, 'Meri ashiqui... tumhare liye.'

'Whattt?' She was not just astounded, but enraged too, 'What do you mean?'

He quickly raised one palm, shaking his head to dispel her doubt because what he said sounded completely the opposite of what he wanted to convey, even to his ears.

'Mera... mera matlab... yeh guarantee hai.' He stuttered, eager to explain, 'Guarantee hai ki hamara contract ek saal mein khatm ho jayega.'

She narrowed her eyes, waving the file in front of his face, 'Yeh bakwaas jo yahan likhi hai, yeh tumhari guarantee hai? Tum sach mein pagal ho kya? Yeh sab filmi scenes... inka matlab kya hai?'

Sameer gazed fondly at the file in her hand. It was something he had prepared over last several years. Whenever a particular movie scene left him dreaming about soft romance, he would pen it down. Earlier, it was just a way to keep it in his memory. But over the years, it became a habit... a yearning to relive those same moments in his life... with the girl he would fall in love one day. He would read them often, and by now, each scene was etched in his heart and mind.

He sighed, 'Yeh woh saare pal hain jo main jeena chahta hun, woh ahsaas hain jo apni dreamgirl ke saath feel karna chahta hun, woh ankahi chahatein hain jo uski aankhon mein padhna chahta hun.'

Naina's eyes widened even more. Was he really a grown up man or a naive teenager, who lived in a world of dreams that could hardly come true! The romance he was asking for, according to what she was seeing in those pages, was unreal. It was only in movies. Because real life was devoid of such feeling in humans. There was no love... not even for blood relations. Then how could there be love of this depth, this magnitude, this selflessness?

When she spoke, her voice was almost a whisper, 'Tumhe lagta hai asli zindagi mein aise pal aa sakte hain?'

A dreamy look glazed his eyes, while a smile touched the corner of his lips, 'Ayenge. Meri life mein yeh saare mauke ayenge. Jab mujhe woh ladki mil jayegi jisse mujhe pyar hoga.'

The fog lifted from his eyes and his smile vanished when he looked back at Naina, 'Isliye yeh tumhari guarantee hai. Yeh mat samajhna ki shaadi kar li toh tum phans gayi. Kyonki tumhare saath zindagi bhar rehne ka mera koi plan nahi hai. Tum safe ho. Ek saal khatm hote hi tum bhi free aur main bhi... ek dusre se.'

Rolling her eyes, Naina let out a swoosh of air, 'Agar tumhe pehle se nahi jaanti toh lagta medicines ka asar hai jo itni nonsense baatein kar rahey ho. Lekin tum... tumhe external help ki zarurat hi nahi. Tumhara poora system hi defected hai.'

Sameer plastered a fake grin on his face, 'Of course tumhe defected systems ke baare mein sab pata hoga... khud ke saath saath aas paas walon ka bhi hai. Ek tumhari woh Nutty, fir Param, aur ab... Sagar.'

'Listen mister, Nutty ke liye kuch bhi bola toh achha nahi hoga.' She warned in a stern tone before adding, 'Param is just a co worker. Aur Sagar? Woh Munna ka cousin hai. Main toh bas school mein jaanti thi usey.'

'Haan haan pata hai.' He waived his hand impatiently, 'School se ab tak tumhara deewana hai. Agar mujhe yeh baat pehle malum hoti toh usse kabhi help nahi maangta. Jiski choice itne saalon baad bhi tum ho uska system toh faulty hi hoga. Isiliye jaa rahi ho uske paas.'

Naina gritted her teeth, impatiently, 'Main uske paas nahi sirf usse milne jaa rahi hun. Because he's my friend. Samjhe? Tum mere doston ke baare mein apna opinion apne paas rakho.'

She snapped the file shut and placed it on the side table, 'Aur yeh tumhare khyali pulao... inhe pakate raho... jab tak jal na jaayein. Kyonki aise sapne sirf woh dekhte hain jinke liye life ne koi surprise ya shock nahi bheja hota. Kitni bhi movies ke romantic scenes ki list bana lo, yeh sab kuch filmy hi rahega... unreal... impossible.'

'Nahi.' Sameer picked up the file and clutched it hard, determination setting in his voice, 'Pyar sabse badi reality hai. Meri life mein pyar zarur ayega. Aur jis din aisa hoga na, sabse pehle tumhe bataunga. Remember that.'

'Sure Mr Maheshwari.' She smirked, 'Yeh movie main bhi dekhna chahungi. Pata nahi woh kaun alien hogi jispe tumhara dil ayega. Kyonki is duniya mein toh tum apne se better kisiko samajhte nahi.'

He would have spun some more retorts had his sister not walked in at that moment.

'Sorry to disturb bhai... mummy ne Naina bhabhi ko neeche bulaya hai. Aur aapke liye soup bheja hai.' She flicked her brows, a smile sparkling with mischief playing on her lips.

Sameer looked at Anaya nervously, 'Naina ko kyon bulaya hai? Usse kya baat karni hai? Mujhe bata, main dekh lunga.'

'Uh Anu.' Naina interjected, with her own concern, 'Abhi se bhabhi... thoda odd lagta hai. Naina hi bolo please.'

Anaya placed the tray with soup next to Sameer before she grabbed Naina's shoulders, grinning, 'Ab toh aap aadat daal hi lo. Kyonki maine aapko permamnently bhabhi bana liya hai. Waise bhi, ab din hi kitne baaki hain.' She sighed, looking back at Sameer, 'Agar bhai ka accident nahi hua hota toh hamari shopping start ho gayi hoti.'

Naina shot an uncomfortable glance at him, prompting him to comprehend her cue, 'Tum iss condition mein shopping kaise kar paoge? Bohot strain ayega. Haina?'

Oblivious to her indirect hint, Sameer grimaced as he lightly touched the bandage around his head, 'Shopping choro, yeh socho ki main chot ke nishan ke saath dulha kaise ban sakta hun. Pictures kitni kharab ayengi.'

Naina gave him a shocked look, 'Seriously?' How could he be so sure that he would be posing for pictures as a groom in a month's time... was his grasping power in negative? Or he had actually damaged some brain cells?

Anaya misinterpreted her despair, and dismissed Sameer's concern, 'Aap uski fikr mat karo bhai. Makeup se sab kuch cover ho jayega. Date change karke bhabhi ko disappoint karne ki zarurat nahi hai.'

'Arey nahi main toh...' Naina started to clarify, flustered at what Anaya had construed, but the girl giggled before running away, her voice floating behind her, 'Sharmao nahi bhabhi. Hota hai. Jaldi aa jaana neeche, mummy wait kar rahi hain... byeee.'

Naina shot a glaring look at Sameer, ready to snap at him, but the expression on his face halted her instantly. His eyes were shut, and he was pressing one side of his head, his face scrunched in pain.

'Kya hua?' She rushed towards him, her anger replaced by worry, 'Pain ho raha hai? Main aunty ko bulati hun.'

Just as she turned to go, Sameer caught hold of her wrist. Naina spun around.

He was no longer flinching in pain. Rather, his eyes were filled with earnestness... such that she was taken aback.

'Maan jao Naina. Sirf ek saal ke liye is shaadi ko accept kar lo. Bas ek saal... uske baad hamare raaste kabhi nahi takrayenge. Main tumhari har shart manne ko taiyar hun, har condition manzoor hai mujhe. Main promise karta hun is ek saal mein meri family ki taraf se tumhe koi problem nahi hogi. Main bhi...' He gulped, '... main koshish karunga ki tum comfortable raho. Mere paas kisi naye plan ka time nahi hai. Tum jaanti ho shaadi ka decision mere liye bhi shocking tha. Par main apni family ke against nahi jaa sakta..'

When he paused, she uttered in a tired voice, 'Toh unhe dhoka bhi mat do na. Sach bata do. Sabke liye aasan ho jayega.'

He lowered his eyes for a moment, then met hers with guilt ridden face, 'Nahi bata sakta. Is waqt iss shaadi ki wajah se sabse zyada khush mummy hain. Agar unhe pata chala ki yeh sab fake tha toh... toh unke saath kuch bhi ho sakta hai. Unhe ek major heart attack aa chuka hai. Hum log unhe kisi tarah ki tension nahi de sakte.'

His revelation was a shock to her. His warm, affectionate, loving mother had a weak heart, and he had not thought even once before spinning a web of lies for her. Did he not care for her... for a mother who doted on her family and children? Or did he take her presence for granted, her love for granted, her acceptance for granted?

A painful lump reduced Naina's voice to a hiss, as she fought back the wave of anger, 'How could you? Tumhe unki parwah nahi hai?'

'Parwah hai isliye unhe sach nahi bata sakta.' He countered, desperate to make her understand, 'Parwah hai Naina, isliye tumhari help chahiye... iss jhooth ko sach banana ke liye, jisse hamare nakli rishte ki baat sunkar unhe jhatka na lage.'

'Yeh tab kyon nahi socha jab drama shuru kiya tha?' Naina muttered in disbelief, 'Aunty ki condition jaante hue bhi tum unse jhooth pe jhooth bolte rahe? Don't you know iska unki health pe kya effect hoga?'

Sameer defended weakly, 'Us waqt mujhe nahi pata tha baat itni badh jayegi. Dadaji ek ke baad ek ladki se milwate jaa rahe the, jinke saath main do minute bhi baat nahi kar paata tha. Ghar pe har waqt meri shaadi ka discussion hota rehta tha. I was frustrated. Aur achanak us din Dadaji ke aage galti se tumhara naam le liya. Fir socha, agar sirf naam sunkar sab log mujhe akela chor denge toh idea bura nahi hai. Unka pressure nahi hoga toh main apni pasand ki ladki dhoond sakta hun. Mujhe nahi pata tha woh tumse milte hi family ka hissa bana lenge. Na yeh malum tha ki shaadi ki date mere sar par hi rakhi hai.'

He let out a deep sigh, an exhalation of air that resonated with the weight of his internal tumult. All these thoughts had been plaguing him ever since the date was mentioned. He had no intention of carrying the drama this far, but the way things had unfolded, he was embroiled in a situation which did not seem to have a way out. His mom had started to treat Naina like her own daughter. In all his growing up years, many a times he had felt that his mom was partial towards him. She defended him even when he was wrong, protected him when Dadaji or his father wanted to reprimand him over usual mischief, even took his side when Anaya complained about him to her dad or grandfather. And now, he could see his mom pouring same affection on Naina, if not more. He feared that she was already too fond of Naina, to the extent that truth would give her a jolt... one that could bring such consequences that he was scared even to think about.

It was not his plan to mention all this to Naina. He did not want to share something so personal. It had, however, come up in the course of conversation in such a manner that he did not feel any hesitation even once.

*****

When Naina reached the cafe, Natasha was already seated with Sagar, both of them in splits over something they had been discussing.

'Aaiye madam.' Natasha looked up as Naina approached the table then glanced at her watch, 'Late ho gayi.'

Sagar swiftly got up and pulled a chair for her. With a smile, Naina greeted him. He stepped ahead with his arm open, but gave only a quick side hug before gesturing towards the chair.

Natasha raised a brow, 'Bade manners aa gaye hain tujhe? School mein toh ekdum idiot tha.'

'Waise main school mein bhi kaafi achha bacha tha. Tum logon ne kabhi dhyan se dekha hi nahi.' Sagar winked.

Natasha grinned, 'Achha tha tabhi hamare group mein tha... the famous gang. Kisi aire gaire ko entry thodi milti hamare gang mein.'

Naina whacked her arm, 'Dheere bol, Nutty. Koi sunega toh sochega pata nahi tu kaunsa gang chala rahi hai.'

Natasha quickly looked around. It was past lunch time so not many people were in the cafe. But a few glances were definitely in their direction. She scrunched her nose, 'Hamari baat kyon sun rahe hain? Cafe mein aaye hain ya paan ki dukaan pe jo taak jhaank kar rahe hain.'

Sagar laughed at her comparisons, 'Tum bilkul nahi badli Natasha. But not to worry. Bindaas bolo jo bolna hai. Aakhir lawyer friend hone ka kuch faayda toh hona chahiye. Koi problem aaye, bas mujhe call kar dena. Main sambhal lunga.'

His assurance brought a beaming smile on Natasha's face, 'Really? Tu help karega? Chal tera test lete hain.' She looked at Naina, 'Ghar ke baare mein puchein?'

'Nahi Nutty it's okay.' Naina shook her head, 'Sagar yahan hamara friend banke aaya hai koi lawyer nahi.'

Sagar could sense her inhibition. He himself was not comfortable when people solicited legal advice at social gatherings. But Naina and Natasha were not people... they were his close friends from school. They had not been in touch till now but he intended to keep the ties attached in future. And he genuinely wanted to help.

'You can tell me.' He prompted gently, 'Agar main kuch kar sakta hun toh zarur karunga. Warna tumhe legal terms mein sahi tareeka toh bataa hi sakta hun. If you don't mind, mujhe batao kya problem hai.'

When Natasha nudged her, Naina finally agreed to share. In next thirty minutes, she explained about the house and prospects of its sale. She skipped how strained her relationship was, earlier with her father and now with her brother and his wife. When Sagar got to know that it was her father's decision to transfer the house only in his son's name, he was not surprised. He had seen many cases to know that even today, people had a bias towards male child.

After learning about the whole state of affairs, he shrugged apologetically, 'Iss case mein koi legal help nahi mil sakti, Naina. Tumhare papa ne jo property khud purchase ki thi usey woh kisi ko bhi de sakte hain. Agar unka will nahi hota toh tum dono ka share hota lekin...'

Naina let out a long exhale, 'I know. Mujhe already pata tha ki kuch nahi ho sakta. Anyway, thanks.'

Frustrated with the outcome, Natasha exclaimed, 'Bhaiya ko uss flat ki value nahi hai par owner wohi hain. Naina ke liye woh flat nahi apna ghar hai lekin usey mil nahi sakta. This is so wrong.'

Sagar felt bad that he could not provide a solution. He had seen the flicker of hope in Naina's eyes when she was narrating, and had noticed how it was replaced by gloom at his verdict. Thankfully, she did not dwell on it for long. Soon, the three of them were talking about school days, and laughing hard as they recalled the incidents of their teenage years.

A couple of coffees and some munchies later, suddenly Sagar was hit with a thought.

'Naina, ek baat batao. Uncle ne jab woh ghar purchase kiya tha toh koi loan liya tha kya? Bank se ya kisi known person se kuch paise liye ho?' He inquired.

'Loan nahi lena pada kyonki mummy ki bohot saari jewellery thi jo sell kar di. Aur kuch paise mere dadaji ne papa ko diye the. Mujhe yeh sab nahi pata tha. Kuch time pehle jab bhaiya se milne gayi thi toh bhabhi ne bataya.' Naina informed. Tina had told her about the struggles of her father... how he had arranged for enough money to purchase the house, which he wanted for his only son. Of course, her intention was to make Naina feel guilty about thoughts of snatching away the flat that her father had so painstakingly purchased for Anuj.

But for Sagar, this piece of information was something else.

His eyes brightened, 'Iska matlab uncle ne sirf apni earnings se ghar nahi khareeda. This could be helpful. Tumhari mom ki jewellery aur tumhare Dadaji ka diya hua amount ancestral belongings maana jayega. Agar hum carefully isey plan karein toh tumhara share dikha sakte hain. Fir tumhara bhai tumhare consent ke bina ghar nahi bech sakta.'

Naina and Natasha were stunned.

Sagar carried on, 'Hum koshish kar sakte hain. Honestly, maine aise cases dekhe nahi hain par main study karunga. Agar hum yeh prove kar dein toh tumhe tumhara share ke paise mil jayenge.'

'Mujhe paise nahi chahiye.' Naina clarified, a new hope kindling in her, 'Main bas itna chahti hun ki bhaiya usey sell na karein. I know this is silly but...' She swallowed, '...mujhe uss ghar se emotional attachment hai.'

Natasha lightly pressed her forearm, to comfort her. Sagar looked at the two of them. His sharp lawyer eyes could see that there was more to the story than what had been laid out. But he knew better than asking any more questions.

With a new conviction, he stressed, 'Mujhe thoda time do. I'll find out everything. Next time jab milnege toh mere paas iska jawab hoga.'

*****

By the time they reached home, Naina was feeling drained out, both physically and emotionally. It had been a tough day.

As they together prepared a simple dinner later, Natasha observed how quiet she was. There was something playing on her mind... something more than what Sagar had said.

'Naina.' She decided to take the indirect path, 'Sameer kaisa hai ab? Aaj ghar chala gaya na?'

'Hmm.' Naina responded.

'Good. Ab tujhe roz hospital nahi jaana padega.' Relief was evident in Natasha's voice, 'Teen din se teri parade lagi hui thi.'

'It's okay.' Her voice lacked the irritation that usually followed every mention of Sameer's name, 'Accident was not his fault.'

Natasha stopped the chopping and walked towards the sink where Naina was washing rice for pulav. She turned off the tap and held Naina's shoulders, spinning her around.

'Kuch hua hai kya?' She asked, her sixth sense on high alert.

Naina silently looked into her eyes for a few seconds, then answered in a low voice, 'Main shart haar gayi thi.'

When the realisation finally dawned on Natasha, her brows shot up, 'Tu... tu Sameer se shaadi karne ko ready hai?'

Slowly, Naina confirmed with a nod.

I have taken some creative liberties to mention legal angle in this chapter and may do so in forthcoming as well. Please be informed that I do not have any legal knowledge and the possibilities mentioned are purely fictional. I just added a little twist to take the story ahead. Please read them as nothing more than a writer's free flowing thoughts.

Next update on Friday