“Kyuuu… aakhir kyu kiya aapne ye sab…”, Naina screamed agitated, but all that got in response that was an evil smile.

“Ye tum apne pati se kyu nahi puchhti… puchho ki isne kyu dhokha diya meri Sunaina ko…”, suddenly she replied calmly, still managing that creepy smile on her face.

“Enough… “,this time it’s him shouting in anger. A disgust flashed in his eyes and he continued in disdain,”meri Naina ko touch karke, you have already crossed the line… now don’t push my limits…”

“Meri Naina… meri Naina… Meri Naina…”,her fingers anxiously stroked her hair, and she screamed like a lunatic.

Naina was stunned. Even Sameer looked at her in shock. But regardless of disgust in their eyes she continued, “isiliye ye… now I am happy, very happy…. Bhut pyar karte ho naa isse… kal ye tumhari zindagi me aayi aur ise apni jaan se jyada chahne lage… meri Sunaina ka kya… wo tumhe…”

“Shut up… shut the fuck up… “,he screamed so loud that even Naina trembled and stepped back.

Dipti trembled, stepped back and knocked the chair behind her. And he shouted again,”maine naa hi kabhi use pyar kiya hai, aur naa hi kabhi koi jhuti ummeed tak di hai… uska dimag kharab hai toh mai kya karu…”

“Kyuuuuuu…. Yahi toh puchhna hai ki aakhir kyon….”She fisted her hair and screamed. Then suddenly grabbed his arms, gave him a jolt and continued shouting,”kya kami hai usme… aakhir kami kya hai meri Sunaina me… pta hai tumhe usne kya kya nahi tumhe paane ke liye… tumhari us maa… nahi us bewakoof maa ko… sari zindagi apni khud ki maa se jyada maan diya… har pal bas tumhe paane ki chahat thi uski… ek hi sapna tha uska… ek hi chiz toh maangi thi usne mujhse… tum… aur tum… tumne ek jhatke me is… is bhikaran se shadi kar li…”

“Shut up Dr. Dipti… agar meri family ke liye ek bhi bura word kha toh…”, she pulled her hairs, threw her hands here and there and said shouting like a mad woman. Perhaps she had no bottom level to stoop low, but his patience had a limit and she successfully stirred the trouble for herself. Although he already disowned his mother after Nanu’s operation, he couldn’t bear to hear anything bad about her.

“Tumhari jo bhi problem hai mujhse hai… fir meri Naina ko dard dene ke bare me socha bhi kaise…”,He clawed her shoulders so tight that she felt like her bones were cracking, and then pushed her back.

Dr. Dipti stumbled, turned and badly fell on her table. But she didn’t utter a single sound of pain, infact laughed like a maniac. She behaved so crazily that Naina was scared and for a moment even Sameer shivered.

“Hahahahaha… meri Sunaina me bhut kamiyan dikhti hai naa tumhe… ab kami isme hai… isme… TUMHARI NAINA me… chhod do ise bhi… chhod do…. Hahahahahaha… meri Sunaina ki toh shadi ho gyi… wo wha USA me maze se jiyegi… aur tum dono… tum dono yha zindagi bhar khushiyon ke liye tadpoge… hahahaha… I am successful… I am successful in ruining you Mr. Sameer Maheshwari…”, in between her manic laughter, she said sneering and peeping at them in hatred.

“Officer, I think you have got enough proofs… please take her away from my eyes…”, Sameer saw the man standing beside her and said in a cold authoritative voice.

“Haanh… abhi nahi CEO Mr. Sameer Maheshwari… abhi toh ek hisab baki hai… aapki Naina se toh hisab kiya maine, abhi aapki baari hai…”,she saw the officer coming towards herself, but her brows even didn’t furrow. Suddenly she tilted her head at a side, sneered looking at him and before they could understand or react, her hands moved.

In a fraction of a moment everything changed. She heard his outraged but painful cry, saw the officer and his assistants moving hurriedly and a thud. He fell down on the floor. God knows from where she got that scalpel, but after that she didn’t know anything… how those officers carried her away… how he got first aid and then a proper treatment… how on earth did she remain standing up on her feet… All she remembered was his light coloured lemon yellow shirt colouring and soaking in deep red liquid. His hands trembled, slipped from hers. Her tinted palms and clothes, and then eyes getting blurred.

“Sameer….”,her whole body shook in pain, when trembling she whispered his name and snuggled more in his arms holding him tight.

Her palm clenched so tightly on his waist that his brows furrowed even in sleep. He opened his eyes, tried to get up, but that tight clutch restrained him even to move. Suddenly he realised something and looked sharply at her.

Her whole body was trembling, sweat beads were shining on forehead, and lips were shivering, murmuring something, most likely his name.

He sighed, took her in arms and mumbled softly,”Nainu… mai thik hu sweetu… sab thik hai ab… mai hu yha… I am here…”

Although she didn’t even open her eyes, not leave his waist, with his sweet mumblings slowly calmed down and her clasp loosened a bit. Sameer heaved a deep breath, wiped her forehead, then tilted his head, kissed her hairs and tried again to sleep, but he couldn’t. Infact all that happened three years back ran like a reel before his eyes.

He recounted how after returning from that beautiful trip in Mount Abu, once Nanu summoned him in his room and that conversation… Sameer was furious after knowing that Dr. Dipti didn’t do only that with them, but involved in many other illegalities and misconducts from sex determination tests to illegal abortions and even banned medicines and drugs.

Well, he was furious, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say he was a little excited too. Now, they didn’t need to work hard to doom her. Just a phone call was enough to handle her, and if that call would be from Jaiprakash Maheshwari… it would surely stir the butts of officials in charge.

That exactly happened and when finally she was going to be arrested, Sameer wanted to go to see her and confront her. Although he tried, Naina accompanied him too, and what happened after that…

Ahh.. he sighed again.

Naina was still not out of that shadow even after three years. He was stabbed, injured and badly bleeded. Those some hours were really life threatening for him or rather both of them. Although the injury was not deep and life threatening, he suffered excessive blood loss and stayed unconscious for almost five six hours. Those some hours created a huge impact on her brain or rather on her heart.

He remembered, during his stay in hospital he hardly saw her sleeping. Even after his persuasion, she hardly rested more than 1 hour or so. And it only dawned on him after returning from hospital that she had never rested, bcoz she couldn’t. Whenever she tried to sleep, she woke up trembling and sweating profusely due to those nightmarish memories.

It took her a long time to get normal. Although With time her nightmares and its impact reduced, she still had those once in a while. Well, once in a while, he knew and could understand, but it’s the fourth time this week. He frowned, looked at her with a worry line on his forehead and held her tightly.

After four hours or so, he got up even after it was a disturbed night for both of them, he got up earlier then had his routined set of jogging and exercise.

After a refreshing morning, when he was getting ready, suddenly two soft delicate hands clasped around his waist and she said resting her cheek on his back,”kya baat hai… aj Mr. Boss jaldi uth gaye… koi pareshani to nahi…”

He was just out of bath, still in tracks. His upper body still warm and glistening with a sheen moisture layer, hairs still dripping wet, but when she came, his hand stopped lifting the towel, he tilted his head, rested on hers slightly then shook his head. She smiled, tightened her hold around him and hugged him tightly.

For a moment, he didn’t move and let her do what she want, but next moment pulled her in front, hugged her and asked,” pehli baat, ghar pr no boss, sirf tumhara bechara pati… aur yha aap her highness, toh aap bataiye aapko kya pareshani hai…”

“Mujhe… mujhe kya pareshani hogi…”,she smiled carelessly and replied shrugging her shoulders, but eyes froze on the weal of that injury, and even her fingers traced the long cut mark near his abdomen softly.

“Aaj fr wo sapna aaya naa Naina… pakka koi baat nahi…”,his eyes observed her eyes and fingers and this time he asked softly but seriously.

Naina looked at him, thought for a moment and replied,” pta nahi, pichhle 8-10 dino se tabiyt thik si nahi lag rahi… shayad thodi thakan ho gyi hai… pta nahi isiliye shayad wo sapna bhi… aur toh koi baat nahi…”,she replied honestly.

“Bas do din aur sweetu… kal ki presentation ke baad chaho to ek chhoti si break le lena… kahi bahar chalenge ghumne, kafi din ho gaye naa…”, thinking something deeply he softly said and hugged her.

“Hmm… acha idea hai… par abhi wo sab Chhodiye Mr. Husband… aj toh subah subah bade hot lag rahe hai…”, suddenly she pouted, traced her finger sensually on him and winked.

Sameer raised his eyebrows, thought something and said blessing him with a smirk, ” soch lo dear wifey, presentation kal hai… aj ek din kuch ghante late hona hum afford kar sakte hai…”, he leaned and pretended to kiss her.

“Sameer…”, suddenly she shouted, clasped her palm over her mouth and said,”unh, ye kya buri si shirt nikali hai… hatiye idhar se…”,she waved of her another hand on his arm and continued opening the cupboard,”ye lijiye aap naa aj ye wali shirt peheniye… isme aap bahut handsome lagte hai…”

“Lekin ye toh…”, Sameer was baffled looking at the light orange shirt in his hand, then peeped at the pale blue shirt on the hanger, which used to be her favourite… okay at least till he woke up this morning. But now… he looked at the light orange shirt in his hand, sighed and pulled on that remembering the quarrel they had, when he bought this shirt, just bcoz she didn’t like the color.

Suddenly, something clicked in his mind and he saw the calendar, but his eyes returned more confused and murmured,”abhi toh iske jhansi ki rani banne me time hai… hmm, shayad sach me ise chhutti ki jarurat hai…”

He shook his head slightly thoughtful or perhaps scared of his little wife’s wrath and got ready hastily.

********************************************

“Mujhe nahi pata… aap apni files ache se kyu nahi rakhte…”

“Maine ache se rakhta hu… jarur tumne hi idhar udhar ki hai…”

“Sameer, mai aakhiri baar kah rahi hu… mujhe blame karna band kijiye… maine aapki file dekhi tak nahi…”

“Naina, jhut mat bolo… kal raat ko tum wahi blue file par kaam kar rahi thi…”

“Enough… dimag kharab ho gaya hai aapka… ye dekhiye blue file… ye Liang garments ki file hai, jispe mai recently kaam kar rahi hu… aur ye aapki file nahi hai…”

For a moment Sameer remained silent as didn’t find anything to refute, and before he could divulge on the matter and find out another argument,  loud laughter of Nanu fell in his ears and they both fell quiet.

“Tum dono bhi naa… pichhle teen saalo se har subah aise hi ladte huye utarte ho… jara bhi fark nahi pada…”,nanu laughed hard and said teasing them.

“Nanu… aap mujhe kyu bolte ho… mai nahi ye karti hai har roz jhagda…”, Sameer stomped his feet and complained about her.

“Kya kha… fr se kahiye jara…”,she glared at him.

“Haa toh mai kya darta hu…. Tum… tumne… tumne hi toh…. Tum hi…”,he gulped a big lump and stuttered.

Nanu pursed his lips and saw his grandson with a teasing smirk.

Naina glared at him, suddenly thought something and threw her files in his hands and said,”fine… boliye… kaun si file nahi mil rahi… mai lati hu dhundh kar… lekin ye aakhiri baar… aaj ke baad kabhi file khoyi, toh khud hi dekhna fr…”

“Aann… wo… wo Mahrotra collections ki…”, Sameer grinned and said cheekily.

Naina was about to turn, when her eyes widened and she said a bit loudly and angrily,”Sameer seriously… Mahrotra’s ki meeting next week hai… uski file ghar par q hogi… wo file toh aap Tuesday ko layenge, jisse Wednesday ko meeting ho… aap kab se ek week pehle se prepare karne lage… haa..”

Sameer thought for a moment and said scratching his head,”haa thik hai… hota hai hota hai… ho jati hai confusion… jra si galatfehmi hi toh thi… tum toh mere pichhe hi pad gyi…”

“Dekh liya nanaji aapne… pta nahi itne awards kaise mil jate hai…. Hunh..”She complained to Nanu, then turned to him, muttered and twisted her lips with a pout.

Sameer sighed and looked at her entering the kitchen and looked at nanu with a grumpy frown and said,”dekh liya aapne ise….”

“Dekh hi raha hu beta… mai toh pichhle teen saalo se tum logo ke is test match ka referee bna hu… aj tak toh tu jeeta nahi…”, Nanu started with a sigh but then chuckled and patted his back.

“Nanu….”,he grumpily stomped his feet but then smiled, kept all the files on the table and went into the puja room.

Nanu looked at both of them doing their routined morning chores and sighed. Three long years passed, but Naina never entered or even saw towards that puja room. In the beginning, he tried to talk to her, but Sameer stopped him. Apart from his father’s, grandmother’s  and her own parent’s death anniversary she never went to temple even. Sameer was performing the rituals without fail for three years, not because he suddenly became a devotee, but just wanted to keep it normal…

Everything was fine. His home was smiling, even the walls were chuckling and laughing, but….

But… was there even a slightest existence of but. Nanu saw his both kids having breakfast with him and heaved a deep breath.

Although there was everything, somewhere deep in a dark corner of his heart, a wish was still incomplete. His eyes sparkled and smiled softly just thinking of a tiny crying in the hall, or incoherent stammering sweet voice around himself.

Naina saw him smiling in daze and elbowed Sameer slowly showing him towards Nanu.

Sameer saw him smiling at himself, thought something and said, teasing him,”kya baat hai Nanu… mere liye dusri Nani mil gayi hai kya jisko soch ke akele akele muskura rahe hai…”

Not only Nanu, even Naina was stunned on this unexpected throw and then they both burst in a peal of laughter.

“Shaitaan… sharam nahi aati Nanu se maskhari karta hai…”, Nanu laughed and patted his back playfully.

Three years back, when they were fighting their demons together, Naina wanted to join a job but Sameer wanted her to join Maheshwari industries. Though Naina was ready to join Maheshwari industries, she wanted to join as a trainee, or intern.. and Sameer, he wanted her to join as additional director.

However, finally on Nanu’s suggestion, she did a short term course of computers and then joined as an intern in the project department. She was smart and talented and now on her hard work, handling some projects independently as project manager. They both were happy…. They both were content… haanh, perhaps he was thinking wrong…. Happiness that matters, nothing else.  Nanu smiled and saw them talking and then leaving together happily for work.

********************************************

Sameer looked at her slightly surprised when just after they left home, while in the car she leaned over his shoulders and dozed off. They left not before 5 minutes and she was already…

“Kya hua hai ise… work load toh…”,he frowned, thought worriedly and checked her temperature too, but everything seemed normal.

Though he took her in arms, and asked Kamal to drive slowly, worry lines deepened on his forehead.

“Nisha di… Naina ke paas kaun kaun se projects hai recently… mujhe files laa kar dijiye uske sare projects ki…”,as soon as he entered his cabin, the first thing he wanted to do, that was to check her workload.

And just after 40 minutes or so, he was in her cabin, shouting angrily on her,”what is this Naina… maine kha tha naa tumse, ki shukla wala project tumhe karne ki jarurat nahi… aur Tribhuwan, kya jarurat thi ye Drishti garments wala bhi use dene ki… aur ye saxena… ye toh uska project hai naa, tumhare paas kya kar rahi hai ye file…”,he threw files over her table one by one and shouted.

Naina was in shock earlier, but then smiled and said calmly,”Shukla sir ki call aayi thi Sameer, wo hamari condition par ready the toh maine haa kar di… unka project chhota tha Sameer, pr wha aage kafi scope dikha mujhe… aur Tribhuwan ke paas work force extra tha toh de diya use bhi kaam… aur rahe Saxena sir.. toh unko chhutti chahiye thi isliye ye project maine le liya unko… unki wife pregnant hai Sameer… unka jaana jaruri tha…”, she slowly explained all the matters one by one.

“Fine, sabki fikar hai tumhe, bas apni nahi… kisi ka offer acha hai, kisi ki biwi pregnant hai, aur kisi ka workforce… aur jo maine kha ki ek baar me do se jyada projects handle nahi karna tumhe, uska kya… bas wo mat sochna… kitni baar samjhau ki kisi aur ke work force ki nahi, apne workload ki socho…”,he was pissed off at her.

“Sameer, aise toh mat kahiye… mai kya bachhi hu… mujhe pta hai mai kya kar rahi hu…”, this time her voice was a little louder too.

“Haanh, bachhi nahi ho… sab pta hai tumhe… tum toh sarvagyani ho…”,he mocked her, still in anger.

“Sameer, please… mai bachhi nahi hu, in fact agar sab normal hota toh shayad aj hamara ek bachha…”,and this… she shouted, but then herself shocked and clasped her palm on her mouth.

“Fine… jo karna hai karo…”,if she was shocked, he was more, but still managed his calm, threw the files on her table and left.

“Sameer.. “,she shuddered.

It was the first time after years, when she actually mentioned this in a conversation. Though it was never agreed verbally, it’s kind of a mutual agreement between them, that they never talked about this after they left Mount Abu that day. But now…

Her eyes turned red and misty, and she followed him in his cabin.

“Nisha di… Sameer kha hai…”,she slowly asked Nisha, as he was nowhere in sight.

“Sameer sir toh abhi just meeting room me chale gaye… aj Sharon’s ke saath meeting hai naa, aapko yaad nahi…”, Nisha softly replied.

Sharon’s… a very big and ambitious project from a company in Japan, he was fighting for several days in fact months now. She knew she couldn’t disturb him now, but just a moment ago… she sighed, coz also knew that he wouldn’t be in the right frame of mind to attend the meeting.

“Nisha di… baato baato me Sameer ko kisi tarah ye kah dijiyega ki mai rest lounge me rest kar rahi hu, aur meri bilkul fikar naa kare…”,she slowly asked her to help her and instantly went in rest lounge in his cabin, without looking for anymore work.

Naina laid in the bed to rest, suddenly remembered something and got up instantly. She took her mobile… (oh yes this was the toy Sameer gifted her two years back, she hated before but slowly got habituated…), messaged a loving apology to Sameer and then called Tribhuvan and asked him to come and meet her the next day.

This Tribhuwan… she talked and heaved a long breath remembering about him.

God knows what got into her that day that she was recounting everything, happened three years back. This Tribhuwan created a huge fuss those days… he was literally a name of chaos… Nanu himself tried to enquire about him, but got nothing exciting, just that he was too ambitious.

Of course he was a motivational speaker, that influenced labours but when Nanu, means Jaiprakash Maheshwari himself appeared before labours, talked to them, and assured them of a quality productive environment… it influenced labours obviously more than that Tribhuwan.

After that Nanu talked to Tribhuvan personally, and found him excellent in some technical aspects. So hired him as a team manager, but on condition of no more chaos. And he proved him right in the last two years.

***********************************************

“I am sorry Sameer… mujhe wo…”, she muttered gruffly still in daze.

She didn’t know how much time she was there, but woke up with a jerk and muttered as he was the first she saw. Sameer knew that she was there just to relax him, but he was happy too that she rested at least.

“Easy… aaram se… lag jayegi tumhe…”,he smiled and held her.

“Sameer, aap mujhse…”,she huddled in his arms and asked… or rather about to ask, when he stopped her in between and said.

“Nahi hu gussa… in fact sorry hu, subah aise chillana nahi chahiye tha… umm, aisa nhi ki mujhe tumhari abilities pr trust nahi, bas tumhari fikar hoti hai naa…”, he softly explained.

For that she didn’t say anything in reply but snuggled in him some more.

He again said holding her tight,”chalo ab khana kha lo…”

“Hmm…”,she softly hummed, but suddenly remembered something and said,”oh shit… Sameer, par meri meeting… wo…”

“Don’t worry, aaj tumhari jagah maine le liya brief… ab chalo lunch karte hai… bhuk lag gyi yaar…”,he said with a smile.

“Hmm… bas do minute…”,she nuzzled in his chest and mumbling.

Sameer smiled and for some moments cuddled her lovingly, when she finally opened her eyes and said smiling brightly,”ab chaliye…”

They had their food in his cabin with some business talks and happy laughters. Although what she said earlier in flow was hard, both learnt the art of letting go. They both knew that they couldn’t grumble on this matter, and caused pain to others. So both let it go and happily smiled at each other.

After lunch, Sameer asked her to rest more, but she went into her cabin for some work and most importantly to prepare for the presentation the next day. This was one of the most ambitious projects of Maheshwari industries, and she was slightly nervous or rather over concerned about it.

“Nainu… ready nahi hona… aj pandit ke yha jana hai naa…”, on his soft call, she lifted her head from file and looked at the clock in amazement.

“Aaj ye ho kya raha hai… waqt ka pata hi nahi chala…”, she was actually baffled.

“Don’t worry about her highness… aapka gulam hai naa khayal rakhne…”,he replied cheekily.

“Sameer…”,she frowned and shrugged her nose on his overacting.

“Kya kar rahi ho… ready ho jao… mai wrap up kar deta hu…”,he proposed and peeped in his file.

Though she wanted to refuse, seeing the ticking hands of the clock, silently left the chair and went to the rest lounge to get ready. Her bag was already there as their plan was set and she started to get ready hurriedly.

After twenty minutes or so, he knocked and came in. She had changed into a beautiful Aqua Blue saree and matching accessories. Her stylish hairdo and minimum make-up look, like always elegant and classy.

“Umhmm, itni sundar lagogi toh mai wha nahi tumhe bhaga kar kahi aur le jaunga…”, he gruffed in his ears, held her waist from behind, and nuzzled in her back sensually.

Naina shivered but leaned slowly on him. His one palm sneaked inside the fallen pallu and toyed around her bare midriff.

“Sameer…”,her lips quivered slowly going numb to his tormentations.

“Pta hai, kabhi kabhi mera dil tumhe sabse chhupa kar bas apne paas rakhna chahta hai… itna paas ki koi aur tumhe dekh naa sake…”,his lips moved on her silky shoulder lines, teeth scrapped and nipped the skin and he gruffed again.

Naina shivered sensing his grumpy overpossessive voice, she turned immediately in his arms and mumbled slightly nervous but pointing a finger to him like a warning,”Sameer… aap dekhiye, maine sindur bhi lagaya hai aur ye dikh bhi rha hai… agar aapne fir se waise…”

Sameer instantly knew what she was thinking, and he couldn’t help but felt embarrassed in heart, still managed his posture and possessiveness intact and muttered biting her earlobes,”sweetheart…. us din jo tumhare saath kiya uska jyada nahi, lekin thoda sa dukh hai mujhe, lekin waha jo kiya uska ek boond bhi nahi… tumhare pyar me tumhara Sameer kuch bhi kar sakta hai…. Kuch bhi… okay…”

“Sameer par…”,she wanted to say something to him, but before she could complete, he leaned over on her lips, making her forget everything around.

His lips moved teasingly, but the claim was furious. Possessiveness reared up in his every nerve. His hands clasped her waist tight, lips nibbled and sucked her petals soft lips and body sensually leaned over her arousing the tranquility in carnality. His enchanting kiss made her feel heavens, but showed her around the hell too. She moaned, gasped and collapsed over him, hungry for more, but knew it’s not the time.

“Unh… meri kya galti hai…”,she was annoyed.

“Ye sindur lagao ya nahi, mujhe fark nahi padta… kyuki meri ho tum… sirf meri…”,he hugged her tightly, ignored her annoyance and whispered in her ears.

His husky voice enticed her, possessive in his words shook her but the warmth exuded by strong body calmed her.

She sighed, knowing couldn’t do anything to this raging storm but prayed in heart that nothing would happen like that day.

That day… which day… ahh, again three years back… when she couldn’t attend Kamya’s marriage because Sameer was in hospital due to Dipti aunty scalpel. Although Sameer persuaded her to go, she was reluctant to leave him alone even for a moment. But on Sameer’s continuous pestering, she went there in reception, but only for half an hour. Kamya was pissed off at her, but she understood too.

Sameer felt slightly guilty of this in his heart. And perhaps just because of that unsettled feeling he got ready to take her in Preeti’s marriage. Although Naina’s uncle and aunt called her and him too several times. They visited him in the hospital too, but somehow he was not ready to forget everything in the past so soon. However, Naina didn’t pester him either, but she was more than happy when finally he agreed to attend Preeti’s marriage, although not as Preeti’s brother in law but Shubham’s friend. Coz whatever happened in the past, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t forget all that and now when that incident initiated her infertile condition, he was not ready to forgive them… Naina didn’t persuade him either.

Whatever, she was happy with the prospect of going there and seeing the rituals herself. They both went there the day before marriage for the Sangeet ceremony. Naina had dressed herself in a gorgeous pastel pink lahenga. Sparkling matching accessories and glittery makeup… she looked so beautiful that he wanted to lift her and locked themselves in the room forever.

Yet, all his tickling hormones turned into raging storms, when there in ceremony she was dancing or rather stimulating his desires, and he found a boy ogling over her, and even showing her to someone. Soon it turned out that the boy was interested in her and showed her to his elder sister. Soon all his family gathered together and searched for her parents to talk to.

Till now Sameer didn’t do anything, just being an obstacle to that boy’s eyes whenever he tried to see his Naina, but now… now he was ferocious. He punched that guy, threw him on a soft drinks counter nearby. That created a huge chaos and that boy was injured badly. That boy was some close relative to Shubham, and now all people from the groom’s family were furious. Naina was scared for the alliance.

Well, if it’s anyone other than Sameer, the alliance may have turned down, but for Shubham and his mother, Sameer meant alot, and they didn’t say anything to him.

Infact Shubham’s mother asked that boy’s mother, “ye kya Meena behen… aise kya, kisi ladki ko dekhte hi rishta baandhne chal padi… kam se kam uske baare me pta toh karna chahiye ki nhi… are Preeti bahu ki badi behen hai, chhe mahine ho gye iski shadi ko… ab uske pati ke saamne uski shadi ki baat karogi to use toh gussa aayega ki nahi…”

“Maaf karna Bimla behen… wo ladki itni sundar lagi ki fr kuch aur samajh hi nhi aaya… aur waise bhi ye ajkal ki ladkiyon ko dekh kar shadi shuda hone ya naa hone ka pta hi nhi chalta…  dekho naa, na gale me mangalsutra, naa hi sindur… ab samajhti bhi toh kaise…”

Although she taunted in the end, she was genuinely confused and now flabbergasted too. So Shubham’s mother didn’t say much to her and went to attend the rituals. The so called Meena behind her too, but successfully ignited the green monster in him.

His eyes furrowed, brows knitted tight together and he saw Naina carefully. He knew she had sindoor and mangalsutra on, but it was now hidden under big maang tikka, and even mangalsutra was barely visible from the glittering necklace and her heavy dupatta. His frowns deepened, he took her hand and left the hall.

Naina was confused about his sudden changed demeanor, but moaning and whimpering his name like a nymph for the whole night. His possessive fierceness directed the angry flames into fire of passion. Carnality took over and she couldn’t ask anything, but feeling amazingly hot at the beginning and exhausted in the end. He was gentle as always, but suddenly so anxiously radical sometimes too. Finally, she realised it when he finally broke down in shudders still mumbling her name and…

“You are mine Nainu… tum meri ho, sirf meri…”

Though she wanted to reply, his earlier ravenous rendezvous squeezed out her last drop of strength even. She didn’t say anything, but snuggled in him holding him tight.

Although Sameer felt guilty, when saw some red marks on her body and her limping in the morning, he apologized to her and promised to not let it happen again. Naina didn’t say anything much that day, but herself took care that this didn’t happen in future. She herself…

“Kaha khoyi ho, chalo jaldi Pandit wait kar raha hoga naa…”,it seemed like she stood lost in the past since ages, when his warm mellow voice pulled her out of haze.

She immediately straightened her saree, touched up her lipstick and they left hurriedly.

************************************************

“Ye kya Raghav ki maa… aisi auraton ko toh nahi bulate god-bharai me…”

“Aur kya… jra bhi fikar nahi kya tumhe tumhare honewale pote-poti ki, jo ise bulaya…”

“Anjali ki maa, ye bachhe toh nasamajh hai… tum hi kuch samjhati…”

“Arey baanjh hai ye… aisi aurat se god bharwaogi apni bahu ki…”

“Aur kya… jaane kitne janamo ka paap hai, jo ye sazaa di bhagwan ne…”

“Jo aurat ek bachha bhi naa jan sake, wo kaisi aurat…”

“Anjali, tu toh maa hai… tujhe bhi fikar naa hai kya apni aulad ki… arey khaa jayegi iski najare tere bachhe ko…”

“Mujhe toh taras aata hai… itna bada Maheshwari khandan… ab iski wajah se…”

“Sameer…”,she shuddered looking at him, but still looked at him and mumbled, “mai thik hu Sameer…”

She kept her one hand on his and tried to give him a reassuring touch, but it didn’t work either. She sighed but not disappointed, because she was not much expectant either.

Everything that happened at Pandit’s place, was a shock for him but not for her. She almost knew something like this was coming up, that’s why every time she was reluctant to attend such ceremonies, but this time Pandit was adamant. He forced them so much that she couldn’t help but agree. But when she reached there, every gaze stared at her like it was piercing her. Unpleasant mumblings soon turned into burning taunts. At first Pandit’s mother and wife tried to support her, but they were slightly nervous too. Only Swati supported her unconditionally, but it’s not her function.

Sameer could never know this, as he was in the garden with other friends, coz gents were not allowed inside. However, he came in with pandit to take something, when those taunts fell in his ears. His calm changed into fury in a moment. He wanted to shout badly, but didn’t… in fact couldn’t coz Naina hold him tightly and mumbled to stay silent.

Although pandit shouted angrily on his wife and mother both. They both were scared, but helpless too. Anyways, Sameer didn’t wait to hear anything else, but just took her hand and left hurriedly.

Now, on the way the speed of his car was directly proportional to the burns of those taunts. Every time something unpleasant fell in his ears, he pressed on the accelerator hard. Naina was scared, tried to calm him, but no matter what she said, he was reluctant to listen to anything.

“Sameer… golgappe…”, after trying for some moments, she sat quietly, but suddenly exclaimed loudly as if found a treasure of heavens.

Well, it’s almost the first time, when she demanded something, but neither he stopped the car, nor even his brows twitched. She sighed, and sat quietly again but her tongue kept salivating.

His car directly stopped at the porch of Maheshwari mansion. He pulled the brakes, got off the car and went in with a jet speed. Naina was sad. She knew and had tolerated this before too, but this was the first time for him. He was agitated and incredibly angry. He went in study and locked himself in, perhaps not wanting to vent out his frustration on her, or perhaps he needed some time to deal with this situation, or perhaps he himself didn’t know what to say to her that could lessen her pain.

Sameer knew her more than she knew herself. He knew she must be very hurt this time, even if not showing it. He never cared about others but this was almost the first time he himself was witnessing the ruthlessness of this society or rather the disfigured face of society. Facing this harshness was difficult for him, because he was worried, he was sad, he was angry too… all this while he wanted to protect her, but ignored the hard fact. Now he was hell worried for her, disappointed in himself and perhaps wanted some alone time to get normal.

Naina looked at his side. She was worried for him, but knew he needed some time. She didn’t follow him up, but rubbed her hands together and looked upwards again and again worried for him. However, she was worried, she was sad and deeply hurt too, but something else was also disturbing her badly, and she didn’t know how to deal with it.

But then She thought for a moment, went in the kitchen and said to Kanchan di, “Kanchan di… aap wo imli ka teekha pani bnati hai naa golgappe wala, please bna dijiye… ekdum khatta sa aur teekha..”

“Aapko golgappe khane hai bahurani…”, she asked, quite surprised at her excitement.

“Nahi sirf pani… khatte wala… please jaldi bna dijiye naa…”, she said excited, gulped the salivating water on her mouth, and clicked her tongue.

Kanchan frowned, but soon started to make that. All this while, Naina kept wandering in the kitchen and making weird sounds. Well not exactly weird, but kind of drooling over aroma and taste.

“Mmmmm…. Kanchan di aap best ho…”, she had one spoon of that water and moaned as if in relief.

“Aur dijiye naa…”

“Ahh… mazaa aa gya…”

“Ummm… wow…”

“Di, thoda aur dijiye…”

Kanchan frowned, looked at her deeply and said softly, “aapki tabiyt kharab ho jayegi, itna piyengi toh…”

“Please thoda sa… aaj toh dil hi nahi bhar rha…”,she asked like pleaded.

Kanchan stared at her, though filled her bowl again, but kept looking at her and thought something deeply.

****************************************

“Sameer, nanaji ki baat maan lijiye please…”, she pleaded, huddling in his arms.

Sameer cuddled her lovingly in his arms, pressed her on his chest and kissed her hairs, but didn’t reply anything.

Sameer was hurt badly that day. Even if he said he didn’t need anyone else but her, even if he never expressed his desire to be a father, even if he never even talked about having a child anymore, he was not a man without a heart. He was also made of flesh and blood and had engraved emotions in his every cell. And that day those comments as if brought the storms to the calm surface of his heart. He was very agitated. At this moment, he didn’t have an appetite to eat anything, but somehow he mustered his courage and went down for dinner, when Naina came to call him.

It was after dinner time, when he laid down in the bed silently. Naina looked at him, knowing very well the whirlpool of emotions in his heart. Although he didn’t say anything but that incident was like throwing a stone in the calm water of his heart, and she knew that it’s alright if they didn’t talk about it before, but it’s the time when she should…

Naina knew that Nanaji asked him to adopt a child sometimes, but he never agreed. Although she never did this before, she wanted to persuade him now.

Sameer held her tight, didn’t reply anything, but just laid there hugging her tightly. Perhaps his silence replied on his behalf, she sighed slowly, didn’t know what to say anymore, but just whispered,”Sameer…”,she was actually at a loss of words.

“So jao Naina… kal tumhari presentation hai naa…”, finally he broke off his silence and muttered softly.

Naina could understand his turmoil, could feel his pain, but unfortunately didn’t know how to erase his pain. She bit her lips, tried to endure the dripping wounds of her heart and snuggled in him.

Sameer saw her carefully after sometime. She had slept already. Slowly he kept his hand on her belly and tried to think. Everytime when Nanu asked him to adopt a child, he refused, now to her too. But it didn’t mean that he was heartless. But actually for him it’s neither about him, nor about an heir, not even themselves… for him it’s every time about her only. Deep down in his heart, he still felt guilty, he blamed himself every time for this misfortune.

According to him it’s because of him she was now unable to acquire the motherhood. Being a mother is not only having a child, but it’s started on the first day of pregnancy. Now when she couldn’t enjoy that journey, even if he wanted to he couldn’t bring himself to give her an adopted child and asked her to be his mother.

“No… how could I… janta hu tum bhi yahi chahti ho, lekin isse aas-paas hone wali ye baate band nahi hongi balki aur jyada taklifdeh ho jayengi… nahi honge bachhe toh naa sahi… hum ek dusre ke saath ji lenge… I am sorry Nainu, tumhe ye dard bhi mera diya hua hai… I am really sorry… lekin ab ek bachha god lekar mai wo sab ek baar fir se shuru nahi kar sakta… I am sorry…“,he muttered caressing her belly, kissed her forehead again and again and suddenly embraced her tightly.

“Sameer… golgappe…”,as his embrace was very tight, she sobered up in her slumber and mumbled in daze.

He was bewildered, but then chuckled, looked at her surprisingly and said,”hmm, kal chalenge… pakka…”

*********************************************

“So, this is the detailed report of your project… now we are open for any queries, if you have… please feel free to ask…”, she concluded her presentation and said with calm composed professionalism.

Sameer was there, admiring his genius wife all the time. It was one of the biggest projects for Maheshwari industries, and the first time for her to independently handle such a big project. She was exceptionally nervous four months back, when it started, but now…

He really felt proud all the time seeing her presenting all the details effortlessly and very professionally. At some moments, he really saw himself in her attitude, and sometimes he felt Nanu’s values in her objectives… he was the happiest, perhaps the proudest and content too. A long sigh of relief escaped from his heart and filled him with a sense of accomplishment. The hurt of last night was nowhere in their hearts now. He was sure that they were enough for each other, no matter what anyone thought… it really didn’t matter at all.

“Ok Mr. Maheshwari, this was really a successful tie up with you… now we are looking forward to more such alliances…”, one of the delegates from Liang garments said, pulling him out of his grave thoughts.

“Mr. Jonathan… it’s absolutely our pleasure to work with you… we are always open for such opportunities…”,he shook his hand with him enthusiastically and replied.

After some more courtesy and discussions, finally the delegates left and he stormed towards her, wanting to congratulate her in his embrace. But just in the moment, he hugged her, she clinged on him and murmured weakly, “Sameer, acha… thik nahi lag rha… baichini si ho rahi hai… sar… sar ghum rha hai…”

“Nainu… Nainu…”,he was baffled, looked at and asked her slightly shocked, but she stumbled as already feeling dizzy.

Although he was panicked in heart, he didn’t have time to think even. Without any second thoughts, he lifted her and left hastily.

“Kamal ko bolo gaadi laaye…”,in his panicked state he only ordered Nisha loudly and went.

****************************************

“What the hell is this? Do you think it’s a joke? I am telling you doctor, you don’t know who I am, I will shut down this hospital right away?”, He roared so angrily that the doctor took a back and looked at him baffled.

As her condition was not good, he didn’t waste time to go very far, but for instance he took her to a nursing home near their office. The doctor on duty checked her immediately and observed that her blood pressure was slightly low. He asked for his permission, performed a small test and then kept her on drip.

Due to some sedatives in drip, she was in slumber and Sameer sat beside her still cursing her workload and his own carelessness.

“Bilkul dhyan nahi rakhti.. “

“Kha tha naa workload kam karo…”

“Sab meri galti hai..”

“Ab jaldi se thik ho jao, fr bahar jana hai naa…”

After 30 minutes or so, his mutterings finally stopped, when a nurse came and said to him, “sir, tumko bada doctor bulata hai… madam ka report aaya, wo tumse kuch kahne ko mangta…”

Sameer nodded and left caressing her hairs and looked at her deeply once. He went to discuss her reports to the doctor, but soon there was nothing like discussion, only him shouting angrily.

Even the doctor was bewildered. He had dealt with so many patients and their families in his life, but it’s almost the first time when someone was shouting so badly after hearing such news. Still he managed his calm and said softly, “listen Mr. Maheshwari… I can understand if you guys are performing any precautions or taking some contraceptive methods… but believe me no method has 100% secured.. there is still chances of this…”

“Shut up… will you? Mai kah rha hu ye sab galat hai, aisa ho hi nahi sakta… aap fir se check kijiye…”,he roared again.

Doctor scratched his head, tried to think of the reason for such behaviour and suddenly came up with, ” oh ab samjha… aap… aap ek kaam kijiye aap apna check up karwa lijiye… kabhi kabhi aisa hota hai ki hume malum hi nhi hota aur problem solve ho jati hai…”

“What… kya matlab aapka mera check-up…”, Sameer got confused.

“Aap…. Aap… mera matlab hai, aren’t you a sterile…”,he stammered.

“What… dimag kharab…”,he was going to shout or probably this time kill him, but suddenly something snapped in him and he asked slowly,”kya… kya kha aapne…”

“Are… aren’t… aren’t you a sterile…”, doctor stammered somehow.

“Nahi, uske pehle…”,he asked again.

“Yahi ki kabhi kabhi hume pta bhi nahi chalta aur problem solve ho jati hai…”, he said this time slowly but looking at him deeply.

Sameer didn’t say anything after that, but lifted the report and read it again and again and again and again….

In the meantime, Naina woke up in the room. She looked around vehemently, or rather searched for Sameer. But he was not in sight, and before she could ask someone a soft voice resonated in the room, “tumhara husband doctor ko milne ka vaste gya… abhi aayenga… tum aaram karo…”

“Sister… mai yha kyu hu… bas thodi kamjori hi to thi…”,she was slightly nervous, as after ‘that’ incident she was still scared of hospitals and medicines.

“Thoda sa kamjori nahi tha tumko… bp kitna low ho gya tha malum… aisi haalat mein bhi dieting karne ka hai kya tumko… aisa karenga to baby pr kaisa asar hoyenga… tumhare ghar me bda nahi kya tumko samjhane ka vaste…”, middle-aged nurse said in her particular accent.

“Ye aap… aap… kya… baby…. ye nahi ho… nahi ye…. Ye kaise… Sameer kha hai… Sameer… Sameer….”,she panicked suddenly.

“Arey kaisa couple hai tum… udhar news sun ke tumhara husband sara hospital sar pe utha liya… idhar tum aisa react karta hai… baby log toh god ka roop hota… aisa nhi sochne ka… tum abhi leto aur aram karo… fr ghar jaakr acha se khana pina… tumhara aur tumhara baby ka…”,the mattren was confused now, but before she could complete, suddenly Naina interrupted loudly.

“Bas… bas kijiye…. Chup ho jaiye…”,she squeezed shut her eyes, closed her ears tightly with her palms, shook her head vehemently and shouted, “mere pati kha hai… Sameer… Sameer… Sameer ko bulaiye please…”

“Nainu… “,the mattren was shocked. But before she could react, Sameer reached there. He was already stirred, now her condition startled him. He instantly took her in arms and tried to coax her.

“Nainu… mai yahi hu… yhi hu… “,he tried to calm her softly, but she was shaken badly.

“Sameer… mujhe yha nahi rehna… mujhe le jaiye yha se… Sameer yha sab… sab mera mazaak udate hai… please mujhe jana hai…”,she held his shirt and cried badly.

Sameer was distressed. He hadn’t seen her crying so bitterly in the last two years, but now once again she was in pain. He was really very upset. At this moment, when he himself was not sure of the authenticity of that report, he really didn’t know how to answer her. In fact he didn’t have words to coax her, but just held her tightly to himself and saw if the drip completed.

“Mr Maheshwari… one moment please…”, after some painstakingly slow running time, finally when the drip was over and he went to do the formalities, the doctor suddenly called him.

Sameer exhaled a long breath, looked at him and waited for him to say, “Mr. Maheshwari, I don’t know ki aapko ye reports galat kyu lag rahi hai, lekin aapke extreme reaction ki wajah se maine khud sab kuch double check kiya hai… now I am very much sure that your wife is pregnant.”

“Your wife is pregnant.”

Four simple words, but he never expected to hear them ever. He didn’t know how to react now, but doctor patted his shoulders and said again, “trust me Mr. Maheshwari, I can bet my year’s experience and medical license on this.”

Although it’s a big deal to say for a doctor, his years of practice and experience was challenged by him, or perhaps his experienced eyes could see some different meaning out of his anger.

This time Sameer was stunned. Although he didn’t say anything, he slightly nodded his head and left.

Meanwhile in the room, the mattren helped Naina to straighten her hairs and clothes and seeing her better now, she said softly to her, “humko nahi malum tumhara kya problem hai man… lekin jitna humko jesus pr trust hai naa, utna hi trust is baat ka hai ki tum pregnant hai… hum tumhara mazaak nahi udata, lekin hamara bhut barso ka experience hai… hum tumko dekh ke bol sakta ki tum pregnant hai…”

‘You’re pregnant…. You are pregnant… you are pregnant…’, the words danced in her ears like musical beats, but she couldn’t even smile. Although her hands unknowingly covered her belly, she was still in shock mode.

*******************************************

“Dr. Shruti ke yha chale…”

“Dr. Shruti ke yha chale…”

They both said solemnly and together.

Dr. Shruti, the only doctor she trusted after that Dipti Fiasco. She was the one, who diagnosed the problem at first, then treated her for almost six months, till her recovery. Although she asked for follow-ups, hut Naina didn’t go there ever again. She actually hadn’t gone to any hospital or clinic in the last two years, but now…

“Arey, Naina… Sameer ji… kaise hai aap dono…”,they were greeted well by Dr. Shruti.

“Doctor wo…”, Sameer tried to say something, but at a loss of words, when suddenly she noticed something and said.

“Kya hua hai Naina… koi problem hai… pet me dard hai…”, doctor asked softly. Perhaps their frequent visits back then waved a string of kinship between them.

Naina didn’t reply, but Sameer kept a file on the table before her.

She picked up the file, read it and said excitedly,”wow… such a ye great news… par aap dono aise kyu… koi complications hai kya…”

“Nahi doctor wo baat nahi… actually… aap ne… aapne toh kha tha ki… Naina… Naina will not be able to conceive… now we don’t know.. I mean the authenticity of the reports…”, Sameer said somehow.

“What…”, she was shocked, read the reports twice, checked the doctor’s and hospital name, and said softly,”Sameer ji, aap galti kar rahe hai… maine kha tha ki shayad waqt ke saath ye problem khatam ho jaye… haalaki chances kam the, but the… aur ye hospital and doctor, I personally know him… he is one of the best… the reports are completely trustworthy…”

“Lekin doctor… mai kaise… mai toh nahi…”, Naina was still in daze.

Doctor Shruti thought for a moment and checked the reports once again. She knew all their past, and somehow understood the turmoils too. Suddenly she got up and said, “acha aao… tumhari tasalli ke liye fir se check karte hai… Sameer ji, aap bhi aaiye…”

Sameer too followed them confused yet excited.

“Arey twins…”, doctor Shruti chose to perform a scan on her herself and suddenly exclaimed excitedly.

“Kya…”,they both were stunned again.

“Haa Naina… bhut-bhut mubarak ho… tum naa sirf pregnant ho, balki ek saath do bachho ki mummy banne wali ho…”,she felt an extra joy in her heart too.

“Congratulations Sameer ji… I can see, Naina is pregnant with twins…”, she congratulated Sameer too, eyes still frozen on the small screen.

The fact that he could be a father now… the faint glimmer of hope rekindled brightly… and the stupefying joy burst him into tears. “Kha doctor… can… can we see…”, somehow he muttered in his deep misty voice.

“Yes see this…”,she did something with keys, and suddenly they both saw two small peanuts like embryos hugging each other.

Naina was lying, he was standing there holding her hand, suddenly he felt his legs went limp when he saw the screen. Although they were yet to look like humans, his legs turned jelly in the excitement. Somehow he managed to stay and stand there.

They came out of the scanning room together. Naina was still silent, but now covered her belly more possessively.

“Doctor… sab… Naina… thik hai naa.. koi… koi complication toh…”, he was so excited, but somehow asked gathering his courage.

“Yes Sameer ji, abhi Naina bilkul thik hai… bas thodi weakness si hai… khane pine ka khyal rakhiye, aur rest karne se thik ho jayegi… baki aap kisi gynaec se mil lijiye… I think kuch regular tests toh honge… tab tak ye folic acid ki tablet continue kijiye…”, she softly replied, scribbled something on her prescription and gave that to him.

******************************************

“Kya hua Naina… tabiyat thik nhi lag rahi kya…”,he softly asked her in the car. Though wanted to celebrate the moment by shouting loudly, or embracing her tightly, but this time in the car, he couldn’t do anything but just asked her softly, seeing her so quiet.

“Thik hai…”,she replied and snuggled in him.

Slightly emotional, he hugged her tightly but carefully. Her one hand carefully covered her belly, and the other tightly clutched his shirt, and nuzzling into his chest perhaps she herself didn’t know when she slept. Although it’s quite shocking seeing her sleeping so much, but now he could relate everything to this new changed equation of her body.

They reached home, he lifted her carefully and took her to the room. Nanu was worried seeing him carrying her, and waited for him to come down and asked immediately. In reply, he hugged him tightly and said the news of the moment.

“Nanu… aap… aap bade nanu hone wale hai… wo bhi… wo bhi ek saath do do baby…”, although he started excitedly, he couldn’t complete as the excitement again broke him in tears of joy.

“Sameer… tu… tu sach kah rha hai…. bachhe…”, the news was unbelievable for everyone.

“Haa nanu… maine dekha… maine khud dekha… wha… wo… do… twins…”,his voice was still choked, but Nanu didn’t need any further explanation, he actually danced in elation and shouted and sang and hugged him tightly.

Sameer laughed loudly when saw Nanu dancing, but even he danced along with him too.

“Naina… Naina kaisi hai… koi dikkat to nahi…”, after a momentarily celebration, he asked.

“Nahi Nanu… koi complication toh nahi… bas abhi thodi shant si hai… shayad abhi bhi use vishwas nahi ho rha… baki doctor ne kha hai khane pine ka khyal rakhne…”,he replied thinking her condition before.

“Haa… khana pina… Kanchan… Kanchan..”,he hailed Kanchan loudly and said to him,” jaa tu uske… Naina ke paas jaa… use abhi teri jarurat hogi… aur haa, uska ab jyada khyal bhi rakhna hai tujhe… aur haa Kanchan…”,he patted his back and asked him to go, and himself turned to Kanchan, instructing her about her condition and diet.

“Hum jaante the…”, Kanchan was overjoyed and suddenly she exclaimed,” hum jaante the… kal hi samajh gaye the jab Naina bahu wo golgappe wala pani itne chaav se pi rahi thi… pehle nahi kiya unhone aise kabhi… isiliye subah papita bhi nahi kaata…”

Sameer halted in between climbing up the stairs. He seemed to think something and suddenly ran outside saying loudly, “Nanu mai bas abhi aaya…”

“Tumhe malum tha toh mujhe kyu nahi btaya…”, though Nanu saw him leaving hastily in confusion, but remembered what Kanchan said before and asked her.

“Hum kya kahte sahab… ab koi doctor toh hai nahi… lekin hamare tajrabe ne hume cheta diya tha…”,she softly replied.

“Humm… thik hai… ab jao… aur aage se Naina ke khane pine ka sara khyal rakhna…”, Nanu ordered her, and she left nodding her head and promising to take care of everything.

Everything was falling in place slowly, it seemed like God blessed the Maheshwari family well.

************************************

“Sameer.. ye…”, Naina woke up as he slowly caressed her head and called her name.

But before she could open her eyes, a delicious aroma filled her nostrils and she sat with a startle and asked enthusiastically.

“Ye… golgappe… tumhe khane the naa… “,he slowly extended his hand to her and replied.

“Sameer… hum… hum… mumm…mumm… aap… aap… papa…”, she excitedly ate one, but suddenly her attention was not on those golgappe at all. Her breaths went heavier and looking at him, she covered her belly with her palms and stuttered.

“Haa, Nainu… tum mummy… mummy banne wali ho… aur mai… mai papa…”,he was already waiting a moment, when he could hug her, kiss her madly and announce how happy he was. Now as she herself initiated, he wrapped her in his arms and said excitedly.

“Sameer… wo… wo adhurapan… wo ab nahi lag rha… hamesha lagta tha ki..  ki kuch kami hai, wo nahi ab… wo sab auratein jhuti thi… mai baanjh nahi hu… mai maa ban sakti hu… mera baby… nahi hamare babies… lag rha hai ki jaise… jaise complete ho gyi hu mai…”,she stammered and snuggled in him again, wanted to vent out all the pain of the past three years.

“Hmm… dekho naa, mujhe to tumne usi din complete kar diya tha jab meri zindagi me aayi thi… aur aaj… aaj hamara parivaar bhi pura ho gya… janti ho, aaj dopahar jab tumhe wo presentation dete dekha, I was so proud… so proud… lga ki jaise saare sapne pure ho gaye, aur dekho, ek sapna fr de diya tumne jine ko…”, he kissed every inch of her face and said.

He could never say anything that might hurt her even slightly. Not even at this moment, he wanted to tell her that he also felt that incompleteness vanished, because for him, she was really enough.

**********************************************

“Aaaaaaaaaaa…. Sameeeer…”, in his sleep he felt her nails dugged in his wrist and before he could open his eyes, her loud screams shook the entire house.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Maheshwari, it’s a low risk surgery… kuch hi der me aapki wife aur aapke bachhe aapke paas honge…”, she screamed coz her labours started, and hastily when he reached hospital with her, doctor softly assured him.

Doctor went in, the red light of operation theatre on, and Sameer lost in his memories… or rather his dilemmas in the last nine months.

How it started with a scare, when screaming loudly she threw the tablets and urged him, “nahi Sameer… ab koi medicine nahi… please dawai nahi… mai… mai thik hu… mujhe dawai nahi leni…”

He could feel the painful scars of the past, but rationally she needed medication now. It suddenly became difficult for him to convince her, but Somehow with doctor Shruti’s help, he convinced her. Yet unknown to her, himself checked her every medicine twice and sometimes thrice.

His eyes welled up remembering the beautiful dreams they weaved together in those months…

“Mai apne babies ka naam khushi aur Harsh rakhunga…”

“Haanh… aapke babies… aapko yahi naam kyu rakhne hai… aur aapko kaise pta ki ek beta aur beti hi hogi…”

“Acha baba hamare babies… ye naam isliye ki hamesha hamari life me hasi khushi bani rahe… waise acha hi hoga ki ek beta aur ek beti ho jaye, warna fr naye naam kaise sochunga…”

He was proficient at giving her nonsense logics, and everytime she laughed hard. Truly speaking he could talk like this for his whole life, if it made her laugh happily.

His eyes glittered with unseen stars remembering the beautiful moment, when he felt the first move. He was so overwhelmed and elated that shouted loudly and after that day it’s  been his habit to feel and talk to his smallies even in office time. And every time when he could feel some movements inside her belly in response of his sweet nothings, he almost danced in elation. The whole office laughed heartily yet warmed up seeing them both so happy. And all had their own set of efforts to take care of her.

His eyes filled with adoration remembering the day when in her seventh month, Nanu asked to hold a baby shower ceremony. He actually wanted to invite the whole city, but Naina wanted to keep it simple and that day… when she climbed down the stairs with Swati and Kamya, dressed in a pink and blue saree with lots of flower jewelry… she looked divinely beautiful… he couldn’t help but tears trickled on corners of his eyes, not only his but hers too. That day, he invited Preeti and Shubham but not the family in Ahmedabad… Naina didn’t ask him too. Perhaps both didn’t want to lay a shadow of that painful past on their babies.

And finally he chuckled remembering the last month, when Munna and Swati came to take her to their house. So, her first delivery could be in her maayke. They both pouted badly reluctant to be apart, but seeing the lack of womanly experience at home Nanu agreed and they had too. But then his adventures… every now and then he appeared there, even in midnights. Munna’s mother was shocked, but Munna and Swati mocked him playfully yet helped him.

Even that day, he was missing her so much. Even after talking to her for hours, he was not at peace, and suddenly he called Munna and asked him to open the door. Munna was not surprised, but shook his head in disbelief and slapped his forehead seeing him adamant to sleep with her again. And now… thankfully he was there, when it happened, or else… or else he would definitely miss this agitated excitement.

“Congratulations Mr. Maheshwari… aapko ek beta aur ek beti huyi hai… aur aapki wife bhi bilkul thik hai…”, suddenly the doctor’s voice pulled him out of the past and he looked at the doctor surprisingly.

“Khushi aur Harsh…”,he murmured and laughed and cried and wiped his tears and cried again.

“Mai… mai papa ban gya yaar…”,he couldn’t say anything, but mumbled when Munna hugged him tightly. In this particular moment, noone could understand… Neither his painful wait, nor his lifelong struggles to get his own family, and that day the wait finally over.

The mattren taught him to hold babies and holding his both bundles of joys in his arms when he entered her room, her eyes spilled overwhelmed in happiness.

Sameer kept both pink and blue towel wrapped bundles near her, leaned over her, kissed her forehead and mumbled, “I love you sweetu… Dekho… Hamari Khushi aur Harsh…”

“I love you too…”,she nodded, chuckled and mumbled in reply too.

It is said that…

A PERFECT MARRIAGE IS JUST TWO IMPERFECT PEOPLE, WHO REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON EACH OTHER. COZ BEING LOVED BY SOMEONE TRULY, GIVES YOU STRENGTH, WHILE LOVING SOMEONE DEEPLY, GIVES YOU COURAGE AND A RELATIONSHIP NEEDS BOTH…..

There marriage may be arranged, but they both took their share of efforts and with their love make it beautiful. Perhaps God like their loving relationship and decided to fill their life with all the missing happiness.