Munna stared at Naina, unable to believe what he had just heard.

She waited patiently, but when he just keep blinking, standing like a statue, she shrugged and started to walk out, 'Fine. Agar tumhe acceptable nahi hai toh...'

'Hai hai... sab kuch acceptable hai.' Munna circled the table and ran after her, almost stumbling on the visitor's chair.

Naina stopped, stifling a smile with her back to Munna.

'Sab waise hi hoga jaisa tum chahti ho.' Huffing, Munna reached closer to face her, 'Bas tum Sameer ki help kar do, woh bechara bohot tension mein hai.'

With a wide, fake smile, Naina responded, 'Right. Us bichare ki tension dur karna hi toh sabse important kaam hai hum sab ke liye.'

Munna pursed his lips, embarrassed, 'Main jaanta hun Naina tum uske baare mein aisa kyon sochti ho. Lekin mera yakeen karo woh dil ka bohot achha hai. Main bachpan se jaanta hun use. Sameer dil ka saaf hai. Bas kabhi kabhi thoda gussa kar leta hai par...' He quickly corrected himself as he saw Naina's expression change, 'Kabhi kabhi matlab bohot kam... lekin main use samjha dunga. Ab se gusse pe control rakhega.'

'Better.' Naina said with finality, 'Agar uska attitude pehle jaisa raha toh main uski family ke saamne saari pol khol dungi.'

Munna assured her he would explain everything to Sameer, along with her conditions.

After Naina left, he bolted to the table and picked his phone.

'Sameer. Ho gaya.' He screamed with pure joy the moment he heard his friend's voice.

Sitting in his office, Sameer held the phone away from his ear when Munna's shrill voice rang in his ear. When the other side turned silent, he enquired in a deflated voice, 'Kya ho gaya?'

Munna was brimming with elation, 'Tera kaam ho gaya bhai. Naina maan gayi.'

The phone slipped from Sameer's hand. Thankfully, it fell on the table, saving any damage to his precious latest iPhone. But at present, his only concern was the mess he was about to land in... with Naina being his partner in crime.

'Sameer, tu sun raha hai na?' Munna's voice, coming from the instrument lying in front of him made him pick the phone again.

'Naina... Naina maan gayi matlab? Kya woh... woh mere liye jhooth bolegi?' He stammered, unable to assimilate the situation in entirety.

'Haan yaar,' Munna was ecstatic, 'Woh hamara saath dene ko ready hai. Teri help karegi.'

'Kyon?' Was the first word that came to Sameer's mind which he uttered aloud.

Frustrated at his strange response, Munna almost screamed, 'Kab, kyon, kaise chod aur meri baat dhyan se sunn. Game toh shuru ho gaya hai lekin iske kuch rules hain. Tu shaam ko yahan aaja fir hum baith ke strategy bana lete hain ki aage kya karna hai.'

Sameer agreed and disconnected. He didn't know if he should celebrate this situation or fume over it. Munna seemed to be quite excited about it. On the surface, it did come as a solace. For sometime, he would be saved from his family's constant nagging and pressure about finding a girl. But this comfort was coming at a price, and he wasn't so keen to pay that price.

One thing was sure though... the whole thing was going to make his life disastrous.

Later that evening, Sameer entered Munna's office with heavy steps. Pandit was already there, his energy levels even more pumped up at the prospect of getting on with the drama.

Munna gave a tentative look to Pandit, silently asking him to control himself. He then smiled at Sameer, 'Achha kiya tu jaldi aa gaya. Naina ke aane se pehle tujhse kuch baat karni hai.'

It did not sound very good. Sameer narrowed his eyes, 'Mujhe sorry bolne ke liye toh nahi kehne wala na? Kyonki main us behenji ko sorry worry nahi bolunga.'

Pandit let out an exasperated sigh, 'Rassi jal gayi lekin bal nahi gaya. Bhai woh tere pe ahsaan kar rahi hai. Sorry kya agar tujhe essay bolne ko bhi kahegi toh bolna padega chahe school ki tarah rattna hi kyon na pade.'

Sameer opened his mouth to protest but Munna raised a hand to quieten them and said calmly, 'Naina ko teri sorry nahi chahiye.'

Honestly, it was quite a shocker for Sameer. Had he been in Naina's place, the first thing he would have asked for was a proper apology. Even if the other person did not mean it from his heart, it would have given him a feeling of complacency, satisfying his ego.

Munna cleared his throat, to get his attention, and continued, 'Agar tu chahta hai ki Naina teri help kare toh tujhe bas ek kaam karna hoga... use apne equal treat karna hoga. Uski sirf itni si shart hai.'

Yet again, Sameer's attempt to complain was crushed before it began when Munna pointed a finger at him, 'Iske liye agar tune ek word bhi bola toh main khud Naina ko manaa kar dunga. Kitni choti si demand hai uski. Saath mein kaam karne wale logon ke liye ek dusre ki respect karna toh normal baat hai.'

This time, Sameer let out his steam before anyone could stop him, 'Hum office mein saath kaam nahi kar rahe jo aisi conditions mane.'

Naina chose this precise moment to walk in through the open door. Without batting an eyelid at what she had overheard, she came to stand in front of Sameer and directly looked him in the eyes, 'Office environment mein na sahi lekin ek project ki tarah saath mein kaam karne wale hain. Isliye rule yeh hai Mr Maheshwari, ki jis tarah ka behaviour aapka hoga mere saath, woh aapke liye aaina hoga. Main bhi bilkul usi tareeke se aapko treat karungi. You understand?'

Sameer frowned, 'What do you mean? Hum koi co workers nahi hain. Main tumhara employer hun. Tum mere liye kaam karogi, mere saath nahi.'

A sadist smile spread on Naina's face, 'Get this straight. Tum employer nahi zaruratmand ho. Ek employer ke paas bohot options hoti hai. Tumhare paas mere alawa koi nahi hai.' Then she added as if she suddenly recalled something, 'Oh haan, ek option hai... drop the whole thing. Tum apne raaste main apne raaste. Na koi lena dena na koi conditions.'

Before Sameer again let out something to infuriate Naina, Pandit quickly stepped in, 'Arey nahi nahi Naina. Aisa kyon karega Sameer. Use tumhari condition hundred percent manzur hai. Use kya, mujhe bhi manzur hai. Aur Munna ko bhi. Balki agar kuch aur hai toh woh bhi bataa do.'

Naina smiled warmly at Pandit, 'Tumhara aur Munna ka toh pata hai mujhe. Problem sirf tumhare is dost ki hai, jise basics tak samjhane padte hain.'

Sameer frowned, 'Ab tum kis tarah se baat kar rahi ho mujhse? Yeh condition tumhare liye bhi toh hai.'

Naina turned to him, and batted her eyes innocently, 'Tumhe lagta hai tum koi terms and conditions dictate karne ki situation mein ho? Not at all Mr Maheshwari. Abse tum mujhe kuch nahi keh sakte. Chahe main akeli hun... ya mera poora gang saath ho.'

Munna was the first to react, 'Naina woh gang wali baat...'

Her laughter cut him short, 'Kidding. Purani baatein bhul ke aage badhna chahiye. Haina Mr Maheshwari?'

Sameer took a deep breath to calm himself. She was already getting on his nerves.

Munna waved at the chair next to Sameer, 'Naina tum baitho na. Hum baith ke aaram se baat karte hain.'

Pulling the chair slightly away from him, Naina took a seat but her eyes were on Sameer as she asked, 'So... kya main samjhun ki tum purani baton ko repeat nahi karoge? Ya tumhe mere baare mein, mere background ke baare mein, mere plans ke baare mein detailed information chahiye? Agar aisa hai toh abhi bata do. Baad mein kisi detective ko peeche mat laga dena.'

Sameer glared at her, 'Mera aisa koi irada nahi hai. Aur is waqt purani baatein main nahi kar raha tum kar rahi ho.'

With a nonchalant shrug, Naina declared, 'Main kuch bhi kar sakti hun. Bataya na, rules tumhare liye hain, mere liye nahi.'

"Naina tum...' Sameer fumed in anger but was silenced by Pandit's quick tug at his arm.

Pandit then let out a forced laugh to lighten the atmosphere, 'Ab baaki sab settle ho gaya hai toh apni story par bhi dhtyan dete hain.'

'Kaisi story?' Sameer asked drily.

"Love story.' Munna reminded him, 'Teri aur Naina ki love story jo Dadaji aur baaki sab puch sakte hain.'

'Love story?' Sameer almost fell off his chair, 'Woh bhi iske saath?'

Naina scrunched her nose, 'Exactly my thoughts. Shayad pehli baar hum ek hi baat se sehmat hue hain. Lekin kya hai na Mr Maheshwari, yeh raita aapne hi failaya hai. Bolne se pehle soch lete ki agar kisi ko apni girlfriend kahoge toh uska matlab yehi hoga ki tum dono ek dusre se pyar karte ho. Aur mera naam lene se pehle toh sau baar sochna chahiye tha. Par tumne hamesha ki tarah bina soche samjhe hawa mein chalang laga di. Ab bhugto. Waise mujhe bhi koi shaouk nahi hai kisi bhi love story ka part banne ka. Sirf isliye kar rahi hun kyonki pehli baat yeh nakli love story hai aur dusri baat, isse mujhe financial benefit hoga.'

'Of course.' Sameer sneered, 'Paise sabse zaruri hain na tumhare liye.'

'Yeh baat toh tumhe pehle din se pata hai.' Naina did not take offence, rather turned more cheerful as she smiled, 'Kuch aur kaho meri tareef mein.'

Sameer couldn't believe he had to accommodate this annoying girl in his life, because of the most absurd mistake he had committed. No, it wasn't a mistake, it was a blunder. Just few minutes with her, and he was already driven to the brink of insanity.

He closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths.

Munna decided to take matters in his own hands before the two people before him started another round of verbal war.

'Naina, sabse pehle tumhe Sameer ki family ke baare mein janna hoga.' He stated.

Naina turned her attention to him, 'Woh toh milkar pata chal hi jayega. Yeh obvious hai Sameer ki girlfriend unse pehli baar milegi, introduction toh tabhi hoga na.'

Pandit sneakily added another bit of information, 'Milegi pehli baar lekin jaanti do saal se hai.'

'Do saal se?' Naina's eyes genuinely turned wider, 'Matlab yeh kahani do saal se chal rahi hai?'

'Nahi nahi.' Munna quickly clarified, 'Shuru toh abhi hi hui hai lekin Dadaji ko Sameer ne kaha ki woh do saal se Naina ko... matlab tumhe jaanta hai.'

'Oh!' Naina nodded in understanding, then turned to Sameer, 'Kisi aur ka naam le lete, jo pichle do saal mein tumhari girlfriend rahi thi.'

Pandit laughed aloud this time, 'Hoti toh leta na. Sameer toh hamesha se single hai... upar se, neeche se, andar se, bahar se, har jagah se.'

If a glare could kill, Pandit would have been so dead by now. He immediately zipped his mouth, and looked away.

This gave Naina another chance to tease Sameer, 'Achha? Apne aapko hero samjahte ho, duniya bhar ka show off karte ho lekin itne single ho... aisa kyon? Kuch... aur problem hai kya?'

'By choice.' The flare of anger he felt at her words made Sameer snap back, 'Koi ladki meri girlfriend banne ke layak hi nahi lagi aajtak.'

Nodding, Naina mumbled, deliberately loud enough for him to hear, 'Angoor khatte hain.'

Sameer's anger simmered at her constant ridicule but before he could retort, Munna stopped him, 'Sameer tu Naina ko apne gharwalon ke baare mei bata de. Jitni jaldi ye natak shuru hoga utni hi jaldi khatam kar payenge.'

Turning his gaze towards Naina, Sameer informed her about all his family members and what to expect from them when she met them as his girlfriend. There was a hint of something that looked like amusement in Naina's eyes for a moment but it was gone before he could be sure of it.

'Okay.' She shrugged, 'Simple scene lag raha hai. Sabhi itne soft hain to darne ki kya baat hai?'

'Soft nahi hain.' Sameer immediately responded, 'Sab ke sab alag se sawal puchenge. Unhe shak nahi hona chahiye. Isliye tumhe saare answers ratne padenge.'

'Oh hello mister,' Naina's words were dripping sarcasm, 'Sabko apne jaisa mat samjho. Rattu tote hoge tum. Maine kabhi bina samjhe ratkar koi exam nahi diya.'

'Main koi rattu tota nahi hun.' Sameer defended, his tone heated as he had exactly been doing what she had accused him of.

Pandit stifled his chuckle. Both he and Sameer were always dependant on Munna to pass their exams. Literally, the night before any exam they would mindlessly cram up everything that Munna marked for them. Naina was so right.

For now, she just smiled, 'As you say. Aur batao, kya karna hoga tumhari girlfriend ko.'

Sameer snapped back, still upset, 'Mujhe kya pata. Jo bhi girfriends karti hain. Maine kaunsa dekha hai kya karti hain.'

Her voice was filled with scorn, while she shot him a hard gaze, 'Mujhe bhi nahi pata. Isse pehle kisi ne paise nahi diye girlfriend banne ke toh experience nahi hai.'

Sameer hit back, 'Ad daal do net pe... girlfriend available on payment basis... mil jayenge offer.'

Her lips curled into a scowl, 'Tum limit cross kar rahe ho.'

He scoffed, 'Pehle tumne kaha tha maine nahi. Maine toh sirf suggestion diya.'

'Ghatiya ideas aate hain isliye suggestion bhi ghatiya dete ho.' Naina said with disdain.

Sameer glared at her, replying bluntly, 'Tumhari shakal dekh kar aur kuch soch bhi nahi sakta.'

'Tumse toh achhi hai.' Naina spat back, her words laced with bitterness.

Sameer clenched his jaw, seething, 'Tum apni aankhen check karao.'

Naina let out an incredulous laugh, 'Tum apna dimag check karao.'

Munna banged his hands on the table loudly, frustrated with their verbal dual, 'Tum log har baat pe gurrana band karo. Aise koi yakeen nahi karega ki tum ek dusre se pyar karte ho. Acting karne ke liye thodi feelings laane ki koshish karni padegi.'

Sameer gave a side glance to Naina and uttered sarcastically, 'Feelings... not possible.'

'Obviously.' Naina's said with a wry smile, 'Feelings hoti toh aise nahi hote tum, heartless aur rude.'

Pandit clapped suddenly, making everyone look at him. When the room turned quiet, he gave a desperate look to Sameer, 'Shahrukh Khan se li hui saari training ka kachra toh mat kar yaar. Nakli hi sahi lekin girlfriend hai. Itne saalon se uski filmen dekhkar kuch toh seekha hoga tune. Ya uske liye bhi farre banake dene padenge.'

Naina's silent laughter made Sameer mutter under his breath at Pandit to keep his mouth shut.

Munna salvaged the situation, 'Aisa karte hain, story revise kar lete hain. Tum dono kab mile, kaise mile, kab pyar hua, kisne propose kiya, wagerah wagerah. Naina, Sameer ki family ka toh tumhe pata chal gaya ab tum bhi apne gharwalon ke baare mein bata do jisse aisa na lage ki Sameer kuch nahi jaanta.'

While Munna Pandit were already waiting for her answer, Naina's silence made Sameer look at her too. Her face was unreadable, almost blank. There was a bitterness in her eyes.

Then, she said quietly, 'Meri family yahan nahi hai. Main Natasha ke saath rehti hun.'

Pandit probed without noticing her curt voice, 'Yeh toh achha hi hai. Humne bhi Dadaji se yehi kaha tha ki tum Gujarat gayi ho Navratri ke liye. Waise tumhara ghar sach mein Gujarat mein hai kya?'

Naina shook her head, 'Meri family ko rehne dete hain. Jo tum logon ko bolna hai bol do. Main tumhare version ko accept kar lungi.'

Sameer narrowed his eyes. There was something in her voice that made him think that she was uncomfortable talking about her family.

Munna, who knew a little more than his friends, accepted Naina's suggestion readily, 'Yeh bhi theek hai. Unhe kyon involve karna.'

They all sat together and devised a story to narrate about Sameer and Naina's journey of last two years. Once it was acceptable to both of them, the boys heaved a sigh of relief.

Munna smiled at Naina, 'Toh fir kal tum Sameer ke ghar jaane ko ready ho? Ya thoda aur time chahiye prepare karne ke liye?'

She let her gaze linger on Sameer before turning to Munna, 'I'm ready. jaisa tumne kaha, jitni jaldi start hoga yeh natak utni jaldi khatam hoga.'

'Done.' Munna exclaimed excitedly, 'Sameer, tu Dadaji ko bata de ki kal Naina unse milne ayegi.'

Next update on Tuesday