Naina sat still in the car. Outwardly, she posed a picture of quietude but her emotions were a tempest of grief, pain and guilt.

Grief, like a relentless tide, washed over her in waves. Memory of each moment of dejection by her father seemed to amplify the ache in her chest. Every single time when she felt unwanted played before her eyes, an unrelenting slideshow of heartache. Pain, a raw and visceral sensation, gathered in the form of a lump in her throat and a persistent hollowness in the pit of her stomach. The world outside the window blurred as tears threatened to spill, held back only by the strength of her will. Guilt, like a shadow, loomed over her. It whispered in the recesses of her mind, reminding her of moment she wished she could undo. Regret and self-blame mingled with the grief and pain, creating a storm of internal turmoil. She clutched at the fabric of her dress, as if seeking solace in the midst of the inner maelstrom.

Outside, the world moved at its regular pace, oblivious to the emotional tempest that devastated her from within. Her one mistake had changed the life of her entire family.

Amidst the cacophony of her mind, the last thing she wanted was a conversation with Sameer. Thus, when he tried to speak to her, she refused to indulge in any exchange of words, good or bad.

But Sameer was unable to take the hint. After another few kilometres of driving in heavy silence, he offered, keeping his voice lower and softer, 'Uh Naina... agar tumhe... I mean, if you need money... toh bataa sakti ho.'

She did not respond this time. Her face was turned to the side, like she was more interested in the passing landscape. But Sameer was sure she was not even aware what area they were in or whether they were moving or stationary. She was in some kind of intense internal struggle. And it was making him restless.

His mindvoice prompted him, 'Uski problem hai, tujhe kya. Let her deal with it.'

But another faint voice from his heart urged him to find out what was she going through that had made her this quiet, this distant from everything around her.

He decided to try differently. Tightening his hold on the steering, he sped up, knowing fully well that there was a steep turn in a few meters. He swerved the car sharply, which was quite unlike his regular, careful driving. Had it been any other time, he would have earned and earful from Naina, but today, she did not even look at him. The silence prevailed in the car as it is. It was like she hadn't even come to know of the little stunt he pulled.

Before Sameer could think of more ways, her voice startled him, 'Mujhe yahin utarna hai.'

He brought the car to a screeching halt. They were still away from her house. He looked around. It was the same road where he had once crossed paths with Naina, and had met Natasha for the first time. The temple on the opposite side was bathed in warm winter sunlight, serene and calm, opposed to the atmosphere inside the car.

'Tumhe mandir jaana hai? Main wait karun?' He wanted to drop her home safely, concerned about her state.

All she did was shake her head a little, her gaze fixed to the road ahead, 'Thanks for the lift. Tum jao.'

And before he could say more, she opened the door, stepped out and walked away. Sameer recalled that she was in some kind of distress the other day too, when she had visited the temple. In fact, he thought he saw her wipe away some tears, though he wasn't very sure about it. Maybe Naina liked to visit the temple when she was upset. He pursed his lips, feeling uneasy because he had no answers to anything at all. A loud honk from behind made him realise that he was blocking the way. There was a fair amount of crowd around the temple, today being Sunday. With a sigh, Sameer put the car in drive, pulling away from the busy road.

Naina walked past the temple, to a park that was well known to her. She had spent a lot of time here, when Natasha dragged her to the temple visit for her occasional poojas. This park had seen her many moods. But today, she was here to search for an escape... escape from anyone known, every prying eye, all probing questions... and if possible, each excruciating thought.

But thoughts didn't leave her. One after the other, they weaved into her memory, to create a tapestry of those moments of her childhood when her questions about her mother only made her father snap at her. Anuj would shout back, sometimes even hit her when she asked why mummy wasn't around. The memories were hazy, but now that the truth was out, some layers were clearing off, bringing faint recollection of the austere atmosphere at home whenever she mentioned the absence of her mother. All this played in her mind as she found a lonely bench at the far end of the park which was filled with holidaying families who wanted to enjoy the winter sun. But her share of both light and warmth seemed to be too curtailed.

Sameer reached home to find his sister busy with making some graphic designs.

She looked up at the sound of his footsteps, 'Achha hua aap aa gaye bhai. Please help me with this. Mujhe invites ke liye kuch alag sa chahiye. Usual template se bilkul different. Meri jewellery ke design se match karta hua.'

Sameer quirked up a brow, 'Apna kaam hota hai toh bade respect se baat karti hai nahi toh khaane ko daudti hai.'

'Aww bhai,' Anaya pouted innocently, 'Main toh hamesha aapko itni respect deti hu. Rashi ko dekha hai? Apne bhai ko aise treat karti hai jaise unhe apna personal secretary appoint kara hai. Aur Ritwik bhai bhi uski har baat aise maante hain jaise unki behen nahi beti ho.'

'Behen ho ya beti, nalayak hogi toh koi pampering nahi milegi.' Sameer settled next to her, ruffling her hair.

Smoothening her hair without any trace of irritation, Anaya winked, 'Behen toh aapki nalayak hai nahi. Ab beti aayegi toh pata chalega ki kaisi hogi. Aap pe gayi toh kehna mushkil hai, par Naina jaisi hui toh 100% layak hone wali hai hamari doll.'

'Naina...' Sameer gasped in shock, widening his eyes, but stopped himself before spilling out anything. Getting a control on himself, he gulped and shifted his attention to the screen. He didn't want Anaya to see the anger in his eyes at such presumption.

It was almost two hours later that they could finalise a design that was to Anaya's liking. Leaving her to decide the text, Sameer went up to his room. It was dark inside, making him realise that the sun had set.

'Ab tak Naina ghar pohonch gayi hogi na?' He couldn't help wondering.

When his mind did not waver from this one thought, he called her number. Like previous times, it went unanswered. Not once but thrice. Frustrated, he called Natasha.

Unlike normal people who started a phone call with a 'Hello', Natasha's voice was a teasing chuckle, 'Kya baat hai mere fake jijaji, aaj toh phone pe phone kare jaa rahe ho? Meri itni yaad aa rahi hai kya?'

'Tum pagal ho?' Sameer felt a bubble of annoyance rise in him instantly, 'Aisi baatein karne ke liye koi special training li hai kya?'

Her sharp retort resonated in his ear, 'Haan li hai. Wahin se jahan se tumne training li hai, na sirf sadi hui baatein karne ki balki jhooth bolne ki bhi.'

He fumed, 'Listen, mujhe tumse behes nahi karni. Naina kahan hai? Woh ghar aa gayi na?'

Natasha spat back in the same tone, 'Kaha tha na kisi zaruri kaam se gayi hai. Tumhe aaj CID banne ka shouk kyon chadha hai?'

Lines of worry formed on Sameer's forehead, 'Ab tak nahi aayi? Teen ghante hone ko aaye jab maine usey mandir mein choda tha. Mandir toh band bhi ho gaya hoga. Fir aisi haalat mein Naina kahan gayi?'

'What?' Natasha's voice turned tensed, 'Tumne choda tha matlab? Kaisi haalat? Tum Naina se kahan mile? Woh toh Anuj...' She paused before his other statement registered, '...Naina mandir gayi thi?'

Sameer was more concerned about Naina to let his indignation at Natasha make him end the call. He told her how he saw her outside a far away restaurant, with a strange couple and how Naina asked him for a lift while she appeared distraught. They came till the temple together where she got down.

'Mujhe laga woh kuch pareshan hai isliye mandir jaana chahti hai. Lekin darshan mein itni der thodi lagti hai. Ab tak toh aa jaana chahiye tha. Phone bhi nahi utha rahi.' He blabbered, more to himself.

'Thanks Sameer.' Natasha's words were a surprise, 'Main Naina ko lekar aati hun. Mujhe pata hai woh kahan hogi.'

She did not wait for his reply, and ended the call. She was worried too. Naina had not been taking her calls either. In desperation, she had called up Anuj. But he also did not pick up. If Sameer had left her near the temple, Naina would be in the park for sure. It had become her go to place when she was in conflict over something, or dwelled in a retrospection.

As expected, she found her in the darkness, sitting alone. There was hardly anyone visible around. After sunset, temperatures started to plummet rapidly, making people rush back to the warm interiors of their homes or other places. The bench where Naina sat was away from the diffused light of poles, making it a dark corner. Wary of all this, she sat like a statue, staring into nothingness.

'Naina.' Natasha shook her when she did not respond to her voice.

'Huh.' She looked up with a start.

'Let's go home.' She supported Naina, holding her shoulders.

Naina did not protest. Quietly, she walked with Natasha to her car.

Half an hour later, when they were seated in the living room, with the small heater near Naina's feet to provide her warmth, Natasha posed her question, 'Kya kaha Anuj bhaiya ne?'

Naina took a deep breath, and shook her head.

Natasha pressed her hand, 'Mana kar diya? Isliye tu itni dukhi hai? Naina, I understand what that house means to you par yeh samajh ki tu uss ghar ko pehle hi kho chuki hai. Woh log tujhe wahan wapas toh jaane nahi denge. Fir woh khud usme rahein ya bech dein kya fark padta hai. Aunty ki yaadein zarur hain wahan par woh sab tujhe toh yaad nahi hain na. Tere paas apni mummy ki picture hai. Tu unhe apne dil mein rakh, picture se baatein karke unhe apne paas mehsus kar... aise bejaan ghar se unhe mat jod jahan na ab tu hai na woh.'

Naina looked at her blankly, 'Us ghar ko, mummy ko, sabko bejaan kisne kiya pata hai?'

Natasha was perplexed.

'Maine.' The word was a mere whisper as it left Naina's lips.

'Kya bol rahi hai? Hosh mein nahi hai kya? Kuch hua hai? Bhabhi ne kuch kaha tujhse? Bataa na kya baat hai?' Natasha shook her shoulder, worried at the way Naina was behaving.

Naina narrated what Anuj had told her.

Natasha was aghast. She couldn't believe Anuj and Tina could stoop to this level, blaming a three year old child for an accident.

'Tere bhaiya bhabhi kitna girenge Naina? Unhe zara bhi sharm nahi aayi tujhpe aisa ilzaam lagate hue? Is baat ko teri galti batane ka unka matlab kya hai? Kya tune plan karke yeh sab kiya? Are they out of their mind? Ek teen saal ki bachhi ke liye aisa bol rahe hain.' She blasted.

Naina let out a breath, her voice feeble as she stated, 'Lekin sach toh yehi hai. Us din meri wajah se sirf mummy nahi baaki sab bhi mujhse dur ho gaye. Nutty, woh dooriyon ka din tha mere liye.'

Natasha grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes, 'For God's sake, ab tu bhi yeh mat maanne lag jaana ki aunty ki death ke liye tu responsible hai. Anuj bhaiya ne yeh sab aaj isiliye kaha hai jisse tujhe guilt trip pe bhej dein aur tu ghar ke baare mein bhool jaaye.'

Naina chewed onto her lip, unblinking.

Natasha's voice came out choked as she looked at the guilt ridden eyes of her friend, 'It was just an accident Naina. You are not responsible for it. Teen saal ki thi tu, kuch jaanti samajhti nahi thi. Tune kuch nahi kiya. Teri koi galti nahi hai. Don't take this blame upon yourself.'

The tears that Naina had kept in control all day could no longer remain restrained. As they spiralled down on her cheeks, she uttered in a broken voice, 'Lekin agar main... main terrace pe nahi jaati toh... mummy shayad aaj bhi hamare saath hoti.'

Natasha cupped her face, 'Meri jaan, agar tum log us din nani ke ghar nahi jaate toh tujhe terrace pe jaane ka mauka hi nahi milta. Agar tere mama uss waqt construction na karwa rahe hote toh koi haadsa hi nahi hota. Agar tere papa saath gaye hote toh tujh par nazar rakh sakte the aur tujhe upar jaane se rok sakte the. Agar Anuj bhaiya apne cousins ke saath khelne mein itne busy na hote toh woh tujhe stairs ki taraf jaate dekh kar hi aunty ko bata sakte the jisse woh tujhe terrace pe jaane se pehle hi rok leti.'

Naina kept staring at her, the flow of tears unstoppable now.

Natasha wiped them with her thumb, shaking her head, 'Teri koi galti nahi hai. Aur agar hai toh baaki sab bhi utne hi at fault hain. Accident hone ke baad hamesha yeh feeling reh jaati hai ki agar aisa karte toh shayad waisa nahi hota. But the truth is, jo hona hai woh hokar rehta hai. Aunty ke accident ka mujhe bhi dukh hai par uss din tu bhi toh gir sakti thi. Woh kiski galti hoti? It was just unfortunate. Par is baat ke liye kisi ko bhi responsible thehrana nonsense hai. Please, is baat ko apne dil mein fir kabhi mat laana ki jo hua teri wajah se hua.'

And she pulled Naina into a tight hug. With a shudder, Naina let out all her stifled emotions, crying her heart out. Natasha could not keep her own tears at bay. Sobbing, she rubbed Naina's back, comforting her while she seethed at the selfish act of her brother. He did not deserve to be related to a gentle person like Naina.

When she felt Naina's shaking form had calmed down, Natasha pulled away, but kept a firm hold on Naina's arms as she asked gently, 'Tune subah se kuch khaya hai?'

Naina shook her head. She had skipped breakfast as she was getting late. In the restaurant, she had not even touched her coffee, let alone eat something. And since then, food was not even a thing on her mind.

With a smile, Natasha wiped her tear stained cheeks with the back of her hand, 'Pata tha. Pagal kahin ki. Jaa, fresh hoke aa main tere liye dinner lagati hun. Tere bina mujhe bhi khaane ka mann nahi tha. Lekin ab bohot zor se bhookh lagi hai.'

After Naina went to the washroom, she started to set their plates. She had already cooked dinner before Sameer had called up.

Suddenly, she stopped as it struck her. Sameer had called because he was worried... just like her.

Natasha contemplated only for a few seconds before placing the call.

'Hello Natasha.' He picked up in a single ring, 'Naina aa gayi?'

'Haan.' She replied, this time with a smile, 'Lekin abhi usse baat mat karna. Woh... thodi disturbed hai. But she'll be fine soon. Naina bohot strong hai.'

'Oh ok!' Sameer felt a sense of relief, 'Koi issue toh nahi hai na? Woh safe hai?'

'Absolutely.' Natasha softened even more, and added as an afterthought, 'Kuch problem hogi toh tumhe sabse pehle bataungi.'

Next update on Tuesday