When Munna entered his cabin, Naina was placing some papers on his table. Hearing the sound, she turned, and smiled, greeting him with a 'Good morning'.

'Good morning Naina. Presentation ke liye main Prakhar ji se baat kar leta hun. Shaam ko late meeting plan kar lunga. Tum din bhar ka time le lo. Aur baaki sab projects ko halt pe rakh do aaj ke liye.' He suggested, thinking that it was only natural that Naina wouldn't have been able to work on the report because of the bomb Sameer had dropped previous night.

Hence, he was shocked beyond words when she said, 'Iski koi zarurat nahi hai. Report ready hai. Presentation main abhi mail kar dungi. Pointers ki file dene hi aayi thi. Tum the nahi isliye unpe post it notes laga rahi thi.'

'Oh!' Munna glanced at the neat arrangement on his table, then his eyes shot up to her, 'Bana li? Kab? Kal shaam ko toh tumne kaha tha abhi chaar paanch ghanton ka kaam baaki hai.'

Naina smiled wearily, 'Raat ko complete kar li. It's okay. Kabhi kabhi...'

But before she could say more, a couple of sneezes rocked her one after the other.

Munna looked at her with concern, 'Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai?'

Sniffling into a large handkerchief, Naina replied in a heavier voice, 'Kuch nahi bas thoda cold hai. Tum report check kar lo. Kuch hoga toh mujhe batana, main changes kar dungi.'

After she was gone, Munna marvelled at her diligence. Despite the emotional turmoil she must have been wrapped in, after her conversation with Sameer last night, she remained focused enough to fulfil her professional responsibilities. He himself was still lost in the sudden complication of this whole episode, after Natasha had informed him about the wedding date.

Just as Munna settled on his seat, trying to focus on the work in front of him, his phone started to ring. Expecting it to be Sameer, he quickly took it out from the pocket, only to see his brother's name flashing on it.

'Haan Sagar, kya hua? Aaj subah subah kaise?' Munna kept him on speaker as he checked the file.

Sagar, his cousin brother, sounded worried, 'Munna, papa ne jo papers bheje the tune sign karke wapas nahi bhijwaye kya?'

'Oh yaar!' Munna pressed his forehead, scrunching his nose, 'Mere dimag se hi nikal gaya. Ek urgent project pe kaam kar raha tha isliye dhyan hi nahi raha. Aaj ghar jaake Uber package se bhejta hun.'

'Paanch baje tak bhej dega? Che baje court ke band hone se pehle submit karne hain. Aaj last date hai.' Sagar's voice was urgent.

Tension lines appeared on Munna's forehead, 'Sorry yaar lekin aaj toh meri ek bohot important meeting hai. Ghar jaate jaate late ho jayega. Din mein bhi free nahi hun. Kal bhejne se nahi chalega kya? Thoda fine de denge aur kya.'

Sagar was equally tensed to know this, 'Nahi Munna yeh toh aaj hi dena hai. Gaon ki property ke claim ka yeh last chance hai.'

Munna pressed the bridge of his nose, 'Sharavan yahan hota toh usse mangwa leta papers lekin ab kya karun. Main toh abhi abhi office pahuncha hun. Wapas jaane aur aane mein aadha din lag jayega. Mujhe meeting ke liye preparation bhi karni hai.'

After a silent pause of few seconds, Sagar suggested, 'Agar tu lunch time pe office mein hai toh main wahin aake sign karwa leta hun. Mujhe tere ghar ke paas ek client se milne jaana hai. Aate hue taiji se papers le aunga. Tu sign kar dena.'

His offer took away a huge burden from Munna's shoulders. He immediately agreed. Sagar's father was his father's younger brother, who was quite affectionate to him and Shravan. Their grandfather owned a piece of land in their ancestral village which was having some ownership issues as none of them lived in the village anymore. Sagar's father wanted the land to be legally transferred to Munna, as he felt that because of his elder brother's untimely death, their family needed this financial comfort more than him. Munna felt guilty of causing this much trouble to them, while all this was being done for his own benefit. But it had completely slipped off his mind that he had to send back the papers over the weekend.

With a sigh, he got back to his work. Naina had made a detailed pitch, which seemed perfect for a fussy client like Prakhar. Munna compiled it with what he had prepared and what he had received from other departments. Soon, the heavy folder was ready. He decided to go through it once more.

It was almost lunchtime when Sameer called.

Munna answered with a sarcastic smile, 'Yaad aa gayi tujhe?'

Sameer was perplexed, 'Kal hi toh mile the. Aise kyon bol raha hai jaise hamari baat hi nahi hui.'

Realising his mistake, Munna quickly changed his tone, 'Yaad hai mujhe, kal mile toh the. Bas aise hi... tujhe ched raha tha.'

Sameer was too frustrated to get suspicious, 'Main pehle hi buri tarah se chida hua hun yaar. Tu toh rehne de.'

Thanking his stars, Munna asked innocently, 'Kyon? Kuch naya kaand ho gaya kya?'

At the other end, Sameer took in a long breath, 'Ho gaya. Solid wala. Kab free hai tu? Pandit bhi aa gaya hai. Usne kaha aaj kisi bhi time mil sakte hain.'

Munna pursed his lips, 'Yaar aaj mera din bohot tight hai. Ek minute ke liye bhi nahi nikal sakta.'

'Toh main aata hun.' Sameer was restless to talk to his friends, 'Pandit ko bhi bula le. Zyada time nahi lunga. Lekin yeh baat tum logon ko milkar hi bata sakta hun.'

Half an hour later, when Sameer walked in, he found not just Pandit but Sagar as well, seated in Munna's room.

Sagar got up to give him a bro hug, 'Hey Sameer. Long time. What's up.'

With a smile, Sameer shrugged, 'All good. Tu bata, kaisi chal rahi hai practice? Hot shot lawyer ban gaya hai.'

Sagar laughed, 'Hot shot toh tu hai. Look at you, I can bet tere office ki saari ladkiyan tere aage peeche ghoomti hongi. Anyway, teri problem solve hui ya nahi? Shaadi kab kar raha hai?'

Rolling his eyes, Sameer hugged Pandit then pulled a chair and plopped on it tiredly, 'Don't ask. Ek ke baad ek problems mere address pe hi deliver ho rahi hain.'

Pandit nodded seriously, 'Haan bhai, aisa lagta hai jaise ek ke saath ek muft... nahi, ek ke saath sau muft.'

Sagar let out another laugh as he sat down, 'Ab kya ho gaya? Tere Dadaji ki will mein koi aur clause mil gaya kya?'

Munna had already signed the papers Sagar had brought. He now wanted to hear Sameer's version of his proposal, which, he was sure, Sameer would not mention while Sagar was here. With a gentle smile, he turned to Sagar, 'Iska kuch na kuch chalta hi rehta hai. Tujhe late ho raha hoga na. Main ghar aata hun do chaar din mein, Chachaji ko thank you bolne.'

Sagar collected his files, shaking his head in realisation, 'Haan yaar, mujhe ek aur client se milna hai fir court bhi jaana hai. Chalo main nikalta hun.'

After saying his goodbyes, he had just got up when the door opened. Naina halted as she registered the presence of several people in Munna's room. However, before she could identify others, her eyes fell on the person who was standing closest to the door, and her gaze flickered with recognition.

'Naina?' Sagar's eyes widened, his lips curling into an astonished, yet delightful smile.

'Oh my God, Sagar! Tum yahan? I can't believe it.' Naina exclaimed, entering the room.

Sagar marched ahead and took her in a warm embrace. Naina wound her arms around him with a bright smile before stepping back within seconds. Other three people in the room gaped at them, curiously. But for one person, anger was simmering faster than curiosity.

Sameer muttered under his breath, 'Yeh ladki duniya mein sabko jaanti hai kya?'

Oblivious to his presence, Naina and Sagar excitedly started to ask each other about their lives. It was evident that they were known to each other well but hadn't met for a long time. Sameer wondered what their actual equation was.

He got his answer almost immediately when Sagar turned to Munna and explained, 'Main aur Naina same school mein the. Lekin school ke baad kabhi milna nahi hua. Aaj itne saalon baad dekh raha hun isey, woh bhi tere office mein.'

It was Naina's turn to be baffled, 'Tum aur Munna... you know each other?'

Munna smiled, 'Sagar mera cousin hai.'

Sagar beamed, giving her a top to bottom glance, 'Tumhara style bilkul nahi badla, simple and elegant. Looking amazing.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Tumhara bhi nahi badla, bina baat ke compliment dene ka.'

'No seriously.' Sagar stressed, 'You were always so different. That is what everybody admired about you.'

Sameer noticed how Naina swatted his arm lightly, and also detected a note of fondness in her voice when she spoke, 'School mein darte the tum log mujhse, admire nahi karte the.'

Sagar rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, 'Haan woh incident hua tha na, jab tumne Karan ko peet diya tha, uske baad thoda darne lage the.'

Pandit leaned to whisper in Sameer's ears, 'Isko pakka marshal arts aata hoga. Tabhi school ke ladke bhi darte the. Bhai tu sambhal ke rehna. Aage se kuch bolne se pehle soch lena, kahin teri bhi do chaar haddiyan bali chadh jaayein.'

Sameer grinded his teeth, his eyes fixed on the two of them as he tried to catch every word they uttered.

Naina laughed in response to Sagar, 'Karan ko toh pitna hi tha, main yeh kaam nahi karti toh Nutty kar deti. Uski harkatein control karni zaruri thi.'

Sagar scrunched his face, trying to remember, 'Nutty? Natasha ki baat kar rahi ho kya? Are you in touch with her?'

Nodding, Naina stated, 'Hum dono saath hi rehte hain. Baat karoge use? Bohot excited ho jayegi.'

She quickly placed the call. The moment it got connected, Sagar pressed the speaker button on Naina's phone. Naina raised her brows, not sure if it was a good idea, because Natasha had no filter on her mouth. When Sagar signalled her to speak in answer to Natasha's 'Hello', she decided to tell her right away that Sagar was audience to their talk.

However, Natasha's exuberant voice resonated in the room before Naina could speak, 'Kya baat hai meri jaan, mere bina dil nahi lag raha kya? Kahe toh tere office aa jaun?'

Munna Pandit had become used to her enthusiasm by now, and Sagar didn't seem to be surprised either... maybe Natasha was like this since her school days. But Sameer fidgeted in his chair, struggling to control the urge to make them aware of his presence. Naina was facing the other side, so she had not noticed him till now, though he could see her profile quite clearly.

'Listen Nutty, you remember Sagar? School mein...' Naina quickly informed her, but Natasha cut her short with a loud chuckle.

'Sagar... school mein tera number one aashiq tha, bhool kaise sakti hun. Lekin aaj tujhe kahan se yaad aa gaya?'

While other three boys stared at Sagar, he wasn't really flustered. Rather, he shrugged, smiling, as he replied to Natasha, 'School ka woh aashiq aaj fir se Naina tak pohonch gaya.'

There was silence at the other end, but it barely lasted for a few seconds, before Natasha screamed excitedly, 'Saaagar! Tum kahan takra gaye yaar? This is unbelievable. Kahan ho tum dono? Main abhi aati hun. Let's get together. Dhamaal karte hain.'

Naina quickly doused her plans, 'Ji nahi. Main office mein hun aur busy hun. Sagar yahan kisi kaam se aaya tha.'

Sagar provided more information, 'Natasha, aaj toh main bhi busy hun lekin hum teeno ko jaldi hi milna chahiye. Main Naina se number exchange kar leta hun. Let's catch up this weekend.'

Natasha readily agreed.

After the call, Naina, still embarrassed at Natasha's initial statement, tucked a strand of her open hair behind her ear, and said in a low voice, 'I'm sorry. Nutty ka matlab...'

Sagar interjected, with an unabashed chuckle, 'Don't worry about that, Naina. School mein tumhare alawa sabko pata tha main tumhe kitna like karta hun. It was no secret. In fact, school ke baad...' He hesitated, '... meri himmat nahi hui tumhe contact karne ki. Fir teen mahine baad main Singapore chala gaya, Do saal pehle hi wapas aaya hun. Kisi bhi school friend se touch mein nahi hun. Lekin coincidence dekho, sabse pehle tum hi mil gayi. Apna number batao, main missed call deta hun. Iss Saturday ka plan banate hain.'

After the number saving ritual, Sagar took a step towards her after pocketing his phone, his eyes softer and a warm tinge in his voice, 'It was such a pleasure, Naina. You made my day. Saturday ka wait karunga.'

Munna threw a cursory glance at Sameer. His face was taut with uneasiness, his eyes stuck on Sagar, the murderous glint in them unmistakable. Pandit was also staring in the same direction, his face blank. Munna suppressed a smile. Pandit was not too sure about the theory he and Natasha had been discussing. His opinion was that Sameer and Naina together were only a recipe for disaster. Their act in front of his family, or a few known people could sustain only because it was for such short time. Natasha, along with Munna, was getting different vibes. And Sameer's reaction, a mix of jealousy and insecurity writ large on his face, was making their conviction stronger.

Only after Sagar left, Naina noticed other two guests in the room. She gave a half smile, with a slight nod in their direction, before turning her attention to Munna, and proceeded to discuss what she had come for. By now, she had come to know that Sameer or Pandit could be here anytime, but Munna never paused his work for them, nor did he want others to stop interacting if he was with either or both his friends. Hence, their presence did not hamper the office routine for anyone.

In a few minutes, Naina was done. She thanked Munna and left.

Pandit let out a breath after the door closed behind her, 'Aisa lag raha hai koi film khatam hui hai. Sach kahun bhai, aaj Naina ke school ka kissa sunke mujhe bhi thoda dar lag raha hai. Kahin school ki tarah fir se kisi pe haath saaf karne ka irada hua toh main uske saamne nahi padna chahta.'

Munna laughed at his solemn derivation, 'Tu na sahi lekin Sameer target ban sakta hai. Kyon Sameer?'

They both looked at Sameer, and found him staring at the door, a deep frown settled on his face.

Pandit shook him, 'Bhai, dar ke maare teri awaaz bhi chali gayi kya?'

Sameer got up with a start and walked out, leaving a mumbled reply that sounded like, 'Abhi aata hun.'

With fast paced steps, he reached Naina as she was about to enter her cabin, followed her in and closed the door shut behind him.

Naina was taken aback at the sound and turned to look at him, her gaze filled with a mixture of anger and surprise, 'Yeh kya kar rahe ho tum? Mera office hai yeh.'

Sameer shot her a glare that was nothing short of intimidating, 'Good. Tumhe yaad toh aaya ki yeh office hai.'

'What do you mean?' Naina shot back, 'Jo kehna hai saaf saaf kaho.'

'Wahi kehne aaya hun.' Sameer could not control his irritation from bubbling over, 'Office mein Sagar se gale lag ke itne pyar se baatein kar sakti ho par mujhe dekhna tak ganwara nahi hai tumhe. Kyon? Hi tak nahi bola gaya tumse.'

'I didn't see you.' She uttered in defiance, and it was the truth. She had barely registered that all chairs were occupied before her eyes fell on Sagar. She wasn't aware of neither Sameer nor Pandit's presence in that room until much later.

Exasperated, Sameer ran his fingers through his hair, 'Of course, school wala boyfriend saamne tha toh main kaise nazar aata.'

Naina flashed a fierce look at him, her anger palpable, 'How dare you? Pehli baat toh woh kabhi mera boyfriend nahi tha. Dusri baat, tum hote kaun ho mujhse aisa sawal karne wale? And finally, why should I be answerable to you for anything?'

His hands balled into fists as his jaw clenched, 'Maine kal bataya tha ki hum shaadi karne wale hain. I'm your soon to be husband.'

'Main tumse shaadi nahi karungi.' Naina retorted, her voice now cold and firm, 'Hamare contract mein shaadi ki koi baat nahi thi. Aur ab us contract ko khatm karne ka time aa gaya hai.'

Every muscle in his body coiled with different types of feelings, some he could understand, some he couldn't. But one thing he was clear about... he had to marry Naina.

Holding both her arms, he swung her and pinned her against the wall. Naina stared back at him without fear.

Leaning to bring his face closer to hers, he said menacingly, 'Dhyan se suno Naina Agarwal. Tum meri girlfriend ho. Hamara contract khatam toh hoga, lekin uski jagah naya contract banega, shaadi ka. Aur kyonki ab tum mere saath ho, tum kisi aur ke saath is tarah baat nahi kar sakti jaise aaj Sagar se kar rahi thi, gale lag ke.'

Naina said in a sharp tone, 'Tumhari girlfriend nahi hun, bas girlfriend hone ki acting kar rahi thi...'

Before she could say more, Sameer took one step closer, making her halt abruptly.

He voice was almost a whisper, 'Yeh sirf hum dono jaante hain. Baaki log nahi. Un sabko itna pata hai ki tum mujhse pyar karti ho. Isliye apni yeh doston ki list zara choti karo aur ladkon se door rehke baat kiya karo.'

Naina narrowed her eyes, the blaze in them more fiery, 'Agar tum mere asli boyfriend bhi hote toh is baat ke liye tumhe chor deti.'

He tightened his hold on her arm, 'Don't even think about it. Tum agar chorna bhi chaho toh main tumhe chorne nahi dunga.'

She sneered, tilting her chin up defiantly, 'As if. Yeh natak khatam karne ka time aa gaya hai. Ab tumse dur hokar hi main chain ki saans lungi.'

Sameer pressed her arms against the wall, seething as he stared at her face.

Naina hissed, feeling his steely grip on her arms, over her sleeves, 'You are hurting me.'

Sameer did not move, 'Main isse zyada bhi hurt kar sakta hun. Mujhse ulajhne ki koshish mat karo.'

'Tumse ulajhna toh dur main tumhare aas paas bhi fatakna nahi chahti, tumhe dekhna tak nahi chahti.' Naina declared in the same tone.

Sameer brought his face close enough for her to feel her breath fall on his face. His eyes were boring into her. Though his face was unchanged, Naina felt his hold on her arm become gentler.

'Listen Naina.' He whispered, 'Mujhe aaj tak kisi ne reject nahi kiya hai. Mujhe aise challenge mat karo. Aur ek baat yaad rakhna...'

'Kya?' Naina asked bravely when he paused.

His eyes darted to her lips and lingered for a while before coming back. A sinister smile played on his lips, 'Ek din main tumhe Mrs Maheshwari bana ke le jaunga.'

'High hopes Sameer Maheshwari.' Naina met his gaze with confidence, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

Next update on Monday