Happy PNSKLW anniversary 🩷
which falls tomorrow 🩷

Sameer called up Naina's number when he could not find her anywhere in the room. Though it was ringing, the phone went unanswered.

'Yeh kya tareeka hai. Kahin jaana tha toh bata ke jaana chahiye tha na. Ab mujhse koi puchega toh kya kahunga, ki meri biwi mujhe bataye bina pata nahi kahan gayab ho gayi. Yeh ladki...' He paced the room in frustration, '... yeh hamara bhaanda phod ke manegi.'

'Sameeeer.'

He heard his mother's voice from the dining room. Checking the phone, he realised it was dinner time. His brows knitted even more, 'Ab kya karun? Kya bolunga? Anu ki bachhi toh meri jaan kha jayegi. Ek number ki chamchi hai Naina ki. Oh God! Is ladki ne mujhe poora phansa diya.'

He tried her number again. The result was same. With a resigned sigh, he left the room. As he went down the stairs, a thought struck him, a way to avoid questions.

At the table, only his parents and Dadaji were present. Not only Naina, but even Anaya was missing. It was good for him that she was working late today. When the food was being served and still no one seemed to be inquisitive about Naina's absence, he knocked on the table to gain their attention.

Dadaji frowned, 'Yeh dining table hai beta, tere school ka bench nahi jo tu tabley ki tarah baja raha hai. Jo bolna hai muh se nahi bol sakta?'

He shook his head, and with a painful grunt, pressed his fingers lightly against his throat.

Ambika immediately got up and came to him, 'Kya hua? Galey mein dard hai? Kabse?'

Sameer gestured towards his mouth with one hand, shaking his head gently to indicate that he couldn't speak. He hoped they all would understand the message conveyed by his gesture.

Ambika worriedly placed a hand on his forehead, then exhaled in relief, 'Shukr hai fever nahi hai. Mausam badal raha hai isliye gala kharab ho gaya. Tune din mein jacket nahi pehna hoga. Maine kaha hai na badalte mausam mein zyada khyal rakhna zaruri hota hai. Abhi toh itne din mein jaakar theek hua tha ab fir se bimar padna hai kya? Tu meri...'

'Bas bhi karo Ambika.' Girish interjected, waving his head at the display of over concern that mothers are expert at, 'Sameer koi chota bacha thodi hai jo tum non stop lecture de rahi ho. Gala hi toh kharab hua hai. Do chaar din mein theek ho jayega. Itna pareshan hone ki baat nahi hai.'

Dadaji smiled, 'Haan bhai, ab iske haal ki khabar iski biwi rakh sakti hai. Tum in dono ko handle karne do Ambika.'

She sadly looked at Dadaji, 'Agar Naina yahan hoti toh main kyon fikr karti. Lekin apko pata hai na woh gayi hui hai. Aur dekhiye, uske jaate hi yeh ladka bimar ho gaya.'

Girish chuckled, 'Kahin uske jaane ki wajah se toh sahabzaade ki tabiyat nasaaz nahi ho gayi? Judaai bardaasht nahi ho rahi hogi.'

Sameer's senses were on alert. The remarks of his family were a clear indication that they were not only aware of Naina's absence, they also knew her whereabouts. She had told everyone except him. He gritted his teeth, but it wasn't possible to ask. Silently, he lowered his eyes to his plate as their laughter rang in his ears. The voice inside his head couldn't remain quiet though...

Damn Naina, tum ek second ke liye bhi mujhe chain se rehne nahi deti. Ek baar wapas aao fir batata hun.

Ambika fussed over him, giving him only some warm soup. He was hungry, but could not say that he wanted to have the yummy paneer and dum aloo. Later, in his room, he punched the pillow, threw away the blanket, scattered all books on the study table... but nothing could calm his heart or mind. When he tried to sleep, he couldn't keep his eyes shut for more than two seconds. All he could see was Naina's face, and feel her absence.

It was around midnight when his phone rang. He almost dropped it in the hurry to pick it up from side table. But seeing the name, his face fell again.

'Hi Natasha.'

Natasha's voice was a stark departure from the cheerful, vibrant demeanor he had always seen about her, 'Hi Sameer. I hope I didn't disturb you. Sorry, tumhe itni raat ko call kiya par baat hi kuch aisi hai.'

His heart skipped a beat. Within a second, a million questions and concern flooded his mind. The urgency in his voice was evident when he asked, 'Kya hua? Naina... it's about Naina. Right? Tumhe pata hai kahan hai woh?'

Natasha was silent for a moment, before replying, 'Don't worry, she's fine. Woh hamare ghar par hai. Lekin...'

'Lekin?' A sense of trepidation made him tremble, 'Lekin kya Nutty? Jaldi bolo.'

Five minutes later, Sameer was speeding towards the society building he had visited several times in last few months, Natasha's words ringing in his ears.

'Naina ne thodi der pehle mujhe call kiya tha. I think... I think she's drinking. Sameer, believe me, usey peene ki aadat nahi hai. Usne sirf do teen baar mere saath drink ki hai. Usey toh yeh bhi nahi pata ki kaunsi drink kitni strong hoti hai. Tum please usey wapas le aaoge? Mujhe darr lag raha hai ki kahin kuch ho naa jaaye.'

He was shocked to hear this, 'Lekin Naina ke paas liquor aayi kahan se?'

'Ghar pe pehle se rakhi thi. Main leke aayi thi, airport duty free se. Naina apne birthday pe wine pina chahti thi, first time. Tabhi kuch bottles kharide they. Pata nahi aaj kyon...' She paused for a moment, before urgently asking, 'Sameer, kuch hua hai kya? Naina ki Sagar se koi baat hui? Woh kisi baat se upset toh nahi hai?

'Mujhe nahi pata.' The mention of Sagar added annoyance to his concern, 'Main jaake dekhta hun.'

Now more questions were added to his already long list. Why did Natasha take Sagar's name... why did she assume that Naina could be upset because of Sagar... what was going on between Sagar and Naina...

By the time he reached Naina's society, his mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Pushing them aside, he rushed to her first floor house, a bit surprised when the permission to enter was received by the guards almost instantly. Was she expecting him? Maybe Natasha had informed her.

The door opened narrowly within seconds of his ringing the bell.

With hooded eyes, Naina stood in the doorway, without looking at him, and extended her hand. Baffled, his eyes darted from her hand to her face and back.

'Offo kya laaye ho? Jaldi do.' Her voice was different.

Confused, Sameer asked, 'What? Kya dun?'

Slowly, she raised her gaze to his face, but there was no change in the indifference in her eyes, 'Arey bhaiya, jo bhi hai, courier ya khana, jaldi se do. Wait kiska kar rahe ho?'

'Bhaiya? Courier? Main tumhe courier wala bhaiya lagta hun?' Sameer could not believe his ears.

She narrowed her eyes, and took a step ahead, 'Toh kya Zomato wale bhaiya ho? Zarur Nutty ne kuch bhijwaya hoga. Okay, no issue. Lao.'

A surge of fury rushed through Sameer as he hissed through clenched teeth, 'Are you crazy? Main Sameer hun. Tumhara husband. Koi bhaiya waiya nahi hun tumhara.'

She kept looking at him with slightly open mouth, blinking a couple of times, before a smile of realisation spread on her face, 'Oops, main toh bhool hi gayi thi ki meri shaadi ho gayi hai. Tum toh sach mein mere husband ho... bade ghar aur... badi naak wale.'

'Naina.' Sameer gritted his teeth, 'Tum hosh mein nahi ho.'

'Achha?' She squinted, 'Main tumhe behosh lag rahi hun?' Slowly swirling on her heels, she started to point at random things around her, 'Main bata sakti hun ki yeh door hai, woh sofa hai, wahan lamp hai, yeh wall hai...' She completed the round and turned to face him, placing a finger on his chest, '... aur tum ho Sandeep, mere ek saal wale husband. Dekha, maine pehchaan liya. Iska matlab main behosh nahi hun.'

Before he could ask her who the hell was Sandeep, there was a sound of footsteps behind him. Probably someone was coming up the stairs. Sameer did not want any raised eyebrows, or worse, any scene because of Naina's condition. He held her by shoulders and shoved her inside the house, following her before shutting the door behind him.

Naina took a step back, pushing away his hands, 'Tum ghar mein kyon ghus aaye? Yeh toh Nutty ka ghar hai.' Her eyes went wide, 'Kya tumhe yeh ghar bhi le loge? Ab main yahan bhi nahi reh sakti?'

Sameer was puzzled for a few moments. What she was speaking was making no sense. Maybe it was just some drunken blabber.

He gently held her arms at elbows and stated, 'Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Main bas tumhe lene aaya hun.'

'Kyon? Main kyon jaun tumhare saath?' Naina threw back her head and looked at him, 'Tum bohot kudkud karte ho. Mujhe nahi rehna tumhare room mein.'

Her movement had brought her closer to him. Her upturned face was within inches of his gaze. Sameer looked into her eyes. They were partially open, but the emptiness in them was now replaced by innocence... similar to a child.

Inadvertently, his tone softened, 'Abse nahi karunga. Kuch nahi kahunga. Okay?'

She pursed her lips, as if contemplating, then raised her brows, 'Pakka?'

With a small smile, he nodded before asking, 'Ab ghar chalein?'

'Nahi.' Her reply was instant, and firm as she jerked her arms free and moved away, 'Mujhe kahin nahi jaana. Mujhe yahin rehna hai, apni Nutty, apni jaan ke paas. Nutty, kahan hai tu?'

With a sigh of resignation, Sameer looked around the room. The place did not look as warm and cosy as it had been on his previous visits. The pieces of furniture were covered with sheets, which had not been taken off, except the one on lamp which was the only source of light in the room. There was no bottle or glass to suggest that she had been drinking. He walked in, to look into the kitchen. Nothing had been moved there either. The countertop was barren, refrigerator silent and gas stove covered. Naina had already gone to the bedroom. He entered after her, stealthily. There, on the table next to the bed, was a bottle, half empty. The glass next to it had few sips of the same liquid left in it. His eyes widened. Did Naina have this much wine all by herself? From what Natasha had told him, the bottles were in the house for sometime. Maybe they had consumed some of it earlier. Whatever the case, there was no doubt that Naina was completely out of her senses.

He looked at her. She was standing in front of the open cupboard, frowning, and murmuring something.

'Tumhe kuch chahiye', he couldn't help asking as he took a few steps to go and stand behind her.

'Dekho.' She craned her neck to glance at him before shifting her attention to the cupboard, 'Saare kapde gumm ho gaye. Ab main change kaise karun.'

The shelves in front of them were clear. So were the hangers. Natasha had probably packed everything before leaving. He looked at the suit she was wearing, the one she must have changed into after coming back from office. It was a simple kurta with pants.

'Koi baat nahi. Tum ghar jaake change kar lena. Chalein apne ghar?' He wanted to take her back and make her sleep. He could not leave her here alone, in her present condition.

Suddenly, Naina leaned back. He mouth opened in a silent gasp her head rested just under his shoulder, and her back touched his abdomen.

Her voice remained the same, unaffected by this sudden contact, 'Main bohot tired hun. Kahin nahi jaana. Kahin bhi nahi.'

He could feel the subtle movement of her body as she breathed, his own breath stuck somewhere. Gently, he held her shoulders and pulled her away from himself. She did not complain. He made her turn and sit on the bed. Naina had always been meticulous, he had observed. There was no way she left the house for the night, without arranging for her needs. Her bag was lying on the chair.

He placed it in her lap, 'Isme dekho, tumhare kapde isme hain.'

'Sachhi.' Her eyes lit up.

Quickly she grabbed the bag and opened it. A neatly packed bag confirmed that he had been correct in his assumption. Roughly pulling it out, Naina spilled it's contents on the bed. Besides her usual night wear, there was a set of clothes for next day, a pouch and... he bit his lip... a set of her underclothes. Naina did not notice the black, lacy piece that dangled from the edge of the bed, before falling on the floor.

'Uh... tum... tum change kar lo. Main bahar wait karta hun.' He stood up immediately and walked out.

In spite of living in the same room, he had never seen any such thing previously. Her clothes were in a separate cupboard in the closet. Having a glimpse of something so personal felt unreasonably intimate. Sameer wiped his face with his hand. All this was making his resolve weaker. He couldn't let himself get drawn to her. She was adamant on changing into her nightwear. Once she was done, he would persuade her to go with him. Once they were home, it would be easier. She would fall asleep in no time. And he would be at peace, safely at a distance from her.

'Husbaanddd.'

He shut his eyes, taking a sharp intake of breath. Why was she calling him... and why was she addressing him in this manner? Did she not remember their relationship? Or was she thinking they were married for real. Fresh layer of sweat appeared on his forehead as he heard shuffling of feet. Her voice was much nearer when she called out in the same manner.

'Kya... kya chahiye?' He turned his back to the bedroom door, keeping his eyes shut.

'Sorry bolna tha.' She drawled, 'Soo...rrrr...yyyy.'

'Kyon?'

'Tum mere ghar aaye aur maine tumhe paani tak nahi pucha. Kitni pagal hun. Sorryyy.' She really sounded apologetic.

'Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye.' He quickly stated, 'Tumne... tumne change kar liya?'

'Yess.' There was a satisfaction in her tone, 'Nutty ka favourite... usne gift diya tha yeh night suit. Same same... hum dono ka.'

He wasn't sure he should believe her. Turning slowly, he opened one of his eyes just a crack, unsure of what sight awaited him. Thankfully, she was dressed fully. With a sigh of relief, his eyes shot open, but narrowed the next moment. Unlike her loose tshirts, she was wearing a top today, with straps for sleeves. The material hugged her form, enhancing every contour, every dip. The hem barely reached the stretchable band of her pyjamas, which were falling much above her ankles.

'What in the name of God are you...' Muttering under his breath, he looked around, searching for a scarf or dupatta to cover her.

Before he could find anything, Naina grabbed his wrist and dragged him towards the kitchen, 'Paani toh pina hi padega. Aur kuch nahi hai yahan. Tumhe kya dun? Pata nahi aaj fridge ki light kaise chali gayi. Dekho, fridge mein bhi paani nahi hai. Bas yeh ek bottle hai jo main leke aayi hun. Tum na, isme se hi pi lo. Okay?' She tried to put the bottle to his mouth.

'No no.' He tugged at her hand, 'Mujhe paani nahi chahiye. It's okay.'

'Aise kaise okay?' She persisted, tilting the bottle near his lips, 'Tum khadoos ho na, paani nahi pilaya toh bologe Naina ne paani bhi nahi pucha. Fir se jhagda karoge. No, yeh toh pina padega.'

And before he could take away the bottle, she turned it upside down near his face. Sameer looked down in horror at the cascade of water streaming down his neck and soaking the front of his sweatshirt.

'Sorry sorry.' Naina dropped the bottle and started to dust his chest, trying to undo the mess she had created.

'Naina please.' He grabbed her wrist in an effort to keep her hands from himself, 'I'm fine. Okay! Dur raho.'

Suddenly, her slight frame shivered. He could not only see but feel it under his palms. This was the most unguarded he had seen her... even more than the time he saved her from Nakul. He felt a twinge of regret. She had been going through some heavy turmoil, all alone.

'Naina!' He took a step towards her, his voice softer.

She raised her head, meeting his eyes. There was still a defiance in her eyes, in sharp contrast to her small frame that appeared more delicate from this close. Yet, there was a vulnerability, that he had never seen before. Twisting her hands, she tried to break free from his hold. Sameer left her. The sudden loss of support made her stumble back. Before she could knock into the wall cabinet behind her, Sameer lunged ahead, putting a hand between her head and the wooden panel. The back of Naina's head hit his palm. The movement brought them closer, much more than before, with just a wisp of air between their bodies. Startled, Naina clutched onto his sweatshirt. Sameer's other hand lay flat on the cabinet door beside her ear.

She was just short of being in his arms.

Sameer wanted to move away... but couldn't. His eyes... stayed glued to her face. And his heart... it was pounding at an unimaginable pace, drumming in his ears.

I guess aaj ke liye itna hi 🫣

Next update on Saturday... because I know you cannot wait to read further😊