Saumya was the daughter of a childhood friend of Girish. Anaya always had an inkling that she liked Sameer but was too proud to admit to anyone. Her expression, ever since Anaya introduced Naina to everyone was more of disbelief than jealousy or shock.

Eyeing Naina from top to bottom, she let out a sarcastic smile, 'Never expected Sameer ki girlfriend aisi hogi. Kahan se dhoond ke nikala hai isey tumhare bhai ne?'

Unlike her, Abir was quite appreciative, 'Kya baat kar rahi ho Saumya, she's exactly what Sameer talked about. Apna Sameer pakka ashiq material hai. Yaad hai jab hum log saath mein movies dekha karte the? Woh jaisi baatein karta tha Naina us image mein perfectly fit hoti hai... thodi traditional, thodi modern... shaant, par dekhne se hi confident lagti hai... simple, but elegant. Dono ki jodi zabardast hai.'

Nitin agreed with him, 'Right. Isiliye aajkal hamare liye time nahi hai iske paas. Itni pretty girlfriend meri hoti toh main bhi saara time uske saath hi spend karta.'

Tripti, Abir's sister, was a chirpy, vibrant person, who seemed most excited with the news, 'Wow Sameer, iska matlab Tarun ke baad ab next shaadi tumhari hone wali hai. Abir ko bhi kuch samjhao na, mujhe bhi Naina jaisi bhabhi chahiye.'

Though Naina was right in front of them, they were all talking about her as if she couldn't hear them. Uncomfortable at such scrutiny, she looked at Sameer, hoping for a rescue of some sorts.

As if he could read her eyes, Sameer walked towards her, smiling pleasantly at everyone in the group, 'Guys, maine socha tha surprise dunga. Lekin Anu ne hamesha ki tarah saara plan kharab kar diya. Anyway...' He came close to stand beside Naina, 'Ab sabko pata chal hi gaya hai toh main openly apni girlfriend ko le jaa sakta hun. Jaisa Nitin ne kaha, mujhe apna saara time uske saath spend karna hai.'

Not paying any heed to their combined protests, he held Naina's hand and walked away.

But they could hear Tripti's voice as she exclaimed, 'Dono ne twinning karne ke liye outfits choose kiye hain, red and black. Kitne cute lag rahe hain.'

It was then that they realised the similarity in their clothes. They were wearing the same combination.

Once they were in the outer area where food counters were set up, Sameer instantly let her hand go, 'Yeh mat samajhna maine apni marzi se tumhara haath pakda. Sirf tumhe wahan se nikalne ke liye kiya tha warna mujhe bhi tumhe touch karna pasand nahi hai.'

Holding his hand wasn't her concern at the moment.

Naina shut her eyes and took deep breaths to calm down before giving him an irritated look, 'Saari duniya mein announce karne ki baat nahi hui thi. Yeh contract sirf tumhari family ke liye tha. Lekin tum toh har jagah apni girlfriend ka board mere gale mein latka dete ho.'

Agitation sparked in his eyes, 'Uss board se mujhe koi fayda nahi hone wala balki tumhari hi value badh rahi hai.'

'Achha.' Her voice dripped with sarcasm, 'Aisi kya value badh gayi zara main bhi toh sunu. Na kisi ne crown pehnaya na haar aur na mere liye koi red carpet bichaya.'

'Sapne toh bohot bade hain tumhare.' He retorted with same derision, 'Crown aur red carpet har kisi ko nahi mil sakta.'

'Chahiye bhi nahi.' She snapped, 'Shanti chahiye, jo tumse chutkara milne ke baad hi aayegi. Par tum toh is jhooth mein naye audience add karte hi jaa rahe ho. Us din Param ke saamne keh diya aur aaj apne sab doston ko. Aise toh yeh drama khatam hone tak aadhi Dilli mujhe tumhari girlfriend samajhne lagegi.'

Sameer narrowed his eyes, 'Tumhe zyada problem kis baat se hai, aadhi Dilli se ya tumhare us Param se? Uske saamne keh diya toh bada bura laga? Kyon? Koi expectation spoil kar di kya maine?'

'Kya matlab?' Naina gave him a perplexed look, 'Kaisi expectation?'

Shrugging, Sameer tried to appear nonchalant, 'You know better. Shayad usey kisi reason se tum apne saath office mein laayi ho. Shayad dosti aage badhane ka plan ho... ya phir dosti se kuch zyada...'

'Shut up.' She seethed, 'Apne ghatiya khyal apne paas rakho. Param ko better job chahiye thi kyonki uski kuch financial responsibilities hain. Lekin yeh baat tum nahi samajh sakte. Kyonki duniya kaise chalti hai iska tumhe koi andaza hi nahi hai.'

He scoffed, taking a step closer, 'Aur tumhe sab pata hai, haina? Tumhe pata hai woh Param tumhe kaise dekh raha tha? Pata hai uska irada kya tha? Woh like karta hai tumhe. Aur tumne apne office mein job dilwakar usey hint de diya toh usey lag raha tha ki uski line clear hai.'

She stared at him for a few seconds. He could see the flecks of tiny decorative lights of the garden sparkle in her brown orbs, making her gaze more fiery than ever. But he could not read what was going on in her mind. The eyes were a mask, that hid everything except the perpetual anger that was palpable in these few moments of silence between them. But slowly, it seemed to melt away.

'Tumhe kisne kaha Param mujhe like karta hai?' Her voice held more surprise than accusation.

He replied matter of factly, 'Koi andha bhi bata sakta hai. Uska baat karne ka tareeka, uski aankhen, uski body language... he definitely is into you.'

'Thank you.'

He was lost for words for a moment. She thanked him. But for what? He had no idea. Yet, a note of gratefulness coming from her, when all she mostly did was shoot daggers at him with both her gaze and words, did take him by surprise.

'Kis... kis baat ke liye thank you?' He hoped his shock did not show on his face.

Naina sighed, 'Mujhe bhi Param ka behaviour kuch time se thoda odd lag raha tha. Par main sure nahi thi. Tumne clear kar diya. Aur saath hi...' She hesitated, then decided to be open about it, '...hamari fake relationship ko uske saamne real bata ke tumne mujhe ek awkward situation se bacha liya.'

Sameer was taken aback. How easily she had said this to him. For her, saying 'sorry' or 'thank you' seemed no big deal... even if it was to him.

'Umm... I... I thought tumhe woh pasand hai.' He fumbled, not sure why he had mentioned their status in front of Param the other day.

'Are you crazy?' Naina shook her head in exasperation, 'Main wahan kaam karne jaati hun, kisi ko pasand karne nahi. I don't believe in all this.'

'Haan pata hai.' His tone turned dry, 'Tum apni stupid theory bata chuki ho.'

She rolled her eyes dramatically, 'Look who's talking. Tumhari har theory toh jaise badi brilliant hoti hai.'

His brows furrowed in frustration, 'Tum har baat mein mujhe kyon suna deti ho? Is waqt tumhari baat ho rahi hai na.'

Her voice rose in anger as she glared at him, 'Aur tum jo minute minute mein mera analysis karte ho? Abhi Param ko lekar fir se meri planning ki baatein kar rahe the.'

He took a step closer to her, his deep set eyes boring into her, 'Tum kaam hi aise karti ho. Koi bhi normal insaan tumhe dekhte hi bata sakta hi ki tum kitni weird ho.'

'Tum jaisa normal insaan?' She laughed sarcastically, 'Give me a break. Agar yahan koi weird hai toh woh tum ho. Tumhare saath thodi aur baatein ki toh mujhe bhi pagal kar doge. Main jaa rahi hun.'

She turned abruptly to leave, but stumbled as the hem of her lehenga was stuck under Sameer's foot, which she had failed to notice. As a result, she lost her balance. But before she could fall, Sameer's arms came to her rescue.

He had seen such situations in movies, and they always were in slow motion. But he had never thought such a scene could feel like slow motion in real life too.

When she turned with a jerk, her hair grazed over his chest. And next moment he saw her swaying. Without thinking, his arms went around her. And now, they both seemed frozen in the moment. With him slightly leaning, his one arm around her waist and other draped over her shoulder, with her head tilted back, their faces close to each other... it was definitely a replay of a movie scene. Her one hand rested on his shoulder, other clutched the lapel of his jacket, and her wide eyes were, for once, filled with fear and amazement. Also, they were a mirror of his face.

Click.

A sound brought him back to reality, and he lifted his gaze to search for the source of sound.

A boy with camera equipment grinned, 'Perfect pose hai bhaiya. Ruko, ek aur leta hun. Zara smile karke dekho aap dono ek dusre ko.'

Sameer felt a tug at his chest. He looked back at Naina.

She hissed, 'Let me up.'

The wide eyed look was gone, and the blaze was back.

He straightened, then helped her to stand.

The camera guy protested, 'Arey arey smile wala shot toh diya hi nahi.'

Naina glared at him, 'Tumhe kisne kaha photo lene ko?'

He looked at her, then at Sameer, and gave a knowing smile, 'Bhaiya, aap dono ek jaise kapdon mein itne badhiya lag rahe ho saath mein isliye maine kuch shots le liye. Aur woh girne wala toh bohot hi kamaal aaya hai. Kitne couples ko hum koshish karke bhi waisa pose nahi dilwa paate aur aap dono ka toh natural ho gaya. Photo dekhoge toh mazaa aa jayega. Main yeh wali photo aapko kal hi bhej dunga jisse aapko album ka intezar na karna pade. Aap mujhe apna number do.'

He put the camera carefully on the floor and fished out his phone, asking Sameer for the number again. Without much thought, Sameer gave the number.

Picking up his camera, the boy flashed another big smile, 'Itni top class photo li hai ki usey dekhne ke baad aap dono apni shaadi mein bhi mujhe hi bulaoge.'

Before Naina could blast the poor fellow, Sameer pointed inside, 'Udhar baaki log bhi hain. Unki bhi photo le lo. Poori album hamari banani zaruri nahi hai.'

To Naina's horror, his smile turned even wider as he winked at Sameer, 'Sorry bhaiya, aapka moment disturb kar diya shayad. Isiliye didi naraaz ho gayi. Manaa lena.'

And he walked away.

When Sameer turned towards her, she had a murderous glint in her eyes, 'Is speed se aadhi nahi poori Dilli mein mera naam kharab kar doge.'

'Kitni ungrateful ho tum.' His met her gaze steadily, 'Yahan flat padi hoti agar maine sambhala nahi hota.'

'Tumhari wajah se hi girne wali thi.' She retorted in defiance, 'Mere lehenge par pair rakha hua tha tumne isliye balance bigad gaya.'

'Oh!' Sameer ran a hand through his hair, 'Usme... usme meri galti nahi thi. Itna lamba lehenga pehna hi kyon?'

'Lehenga aisa hi hota hai.' She scoffed, 'Aur agar mujhe pata hota ki tum bhi yahi colour pehenne wale ho toh is lehenga ko haath bhi na lagati. Jise dekho aise baat kar raha hai jaise maine apni marzi se twining kari hai.'

His eyes flickered over her form. It was indeed quite strange that they looked as if they had made a special effort to wear matching outfits. Nobody would believe if he told them it was pure coincidence.

'Main bhi kabhi yeh na pehenta agar tumhe pehle dekh leta.' He growled back, remembering that he had to answer.

Naina felt her anger rising, but she controlled herself and uttered with a note of finality, 'Mujhe tumse baat hi nahi karni. Please, dur raho mujhse.'

He was about to give a sharp reply when he heard Natasha's voice.

'Hi love birds.' She flitted out from the hall, with a teasing smile.

Naina frowned, 'Kahan phansa diya tune Nutty. Maine kaha tha na mujhe nahi aana.'

Natasha's gaze drifted from her to Sameer then back to her, 'Tune kya kaha tha woh mujhe yaad nahi. Par abhi andar Tarun ke friends se sunne ko mila ki Sameer apni Naina ke saath akele mein time spend karna chahta hai.' One of her brows flicked up, 'Kya chal raha hai yahan babydoll?'

'Shut up Nutty.' Naina scoffed, 'You, of all the people, know very well ki kya chal sakta hai yahan. Mujhe yeh bata hum wapas kab jayenge.'

Natasha's smile was replaced by a sheepish and apologetic look, 'Uh, main wohi batane ke liye tujhe dhoond rahi thi. Pari bol rahi hai rukne ke liye. Pheron ke baad joote chupana and all hota hai na, woh keh rahi hai uske liye ruk jaun.'

Naina chewed her lip, then asked tentatively, 'Fir main chali jaun kya? Tu toh sabko jaanti hai. Mujhe bohot odd feel ho raha hai.'

Natasha checked her watch, 'Barah baj rahe hain Naina. Is time akele kaise jayegi? Ruk jaa na please.' Then she glanced at Sameer, 'Aur ab toh tera double connection ho gaya. Tarun ke bachpan ka dost tera boyfriend hai.'

Sameer, who was standing just two steps away from them, and could hear the whole conversation, muttered under his breath before walking away, 'Tarun ko bhi yehi airlines mili thi join karne ko.'

Naina groaned, 'Isiliye toh. Sab itni ajeeb baatein kar rahe the. Unse bhi bach jaungi aur isse bhi.' She gestured by flicking her head towards Sameer's back as he stood talking to some old person, just a few feet away from them.

Natasha was apprehensive, 'Itni late akele jayegi cab se? Isiliye kehti hun driving seekh le. Meri car se jaa sakti thi. Achha ruk, main Nakul se puchti hun, woh drop kar dega tujhe.'

'Nahi please Nakul nahi.' Naina almost yelled when Natasha was about to call out the boy's name who wasn't far from them.

Natasha chuckled, 'Dar kyon rahi hai. Fir se propose thodi karega. Ek baar tune mana kar diya na.'

'Nahi mujhe kisi ke saath nahi jaana.' Naina held onto her arm, lest she waved to someone else, 'Main cab le lungi. Ride tere saath share kar dungi.'

When she couldn't make Naina stay back, Natasha finally gave in.

After saying goodbyes to Tarun and Pari, as Naina was leaving a few minutes later, she instructed, 'Ghar pohonchte hi mujhe call kar dena. Aur cab ki confirmation ka screenshot bhi bhejna.'

'Okay baba. You enjoy.' Naina smiled and assured her that she would be careful and not be busy on her phone while in the cab.

Outside the venue, it wasn't very dark because of the well lit venue but once the cab turned from the next intersection, the road was quite deserted and quiet. This area was not in the main city so the streetlights also did not work, nor could she see the occasional police cars.

After sharing her ride with Natasha, Naina kept a vigil till they hit the main road. Once the cab took the turn towards their locality, she breathed in relief.

As she was getting off in front of her building, the cab driver asked, 'Madam, ek car hamare peeche peeche aayi hai. Kahan se peecha kar rahi hai yeh toh nahi dekha lekin jab raasta khaali tha tab nazar pad gayi. Aapke koi janne wale hain kya?'

'Nahi toh.' Naina felt a chill run down her spine, 'Abhi kahan hai?'

Driver checked the rear view mirror, 'Peeche mod par khadi hai. Aap gate ke andar chale jao. Tab tak main yahin wait karta hun. Yahin rehte ho na aap?'

'Thank you bhaiya. Yahin hai Mera ghar.' She quickly gathered her bag and phone and walked towards the gate speedily.

Only after she had entered did she stop to look behind.

Next update on Friday