Hello everyone...

I am back with the next chapter...

Enjoy reading and do shower your love too...

AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

CHAPTER 4

"Haan Samrat Ahuja... main tumse shaadi karungi...

I will marry you..."

Did Sameer hear it right? No... it can't be. Naina would never agree to marry Samrat. His thoughts broke as people around them started applauding and hooting, cheering the new couple.

Sameer's eyes misted as he saw Samrat slipping a platinum ring in Naina's ring finger, breaking all the hopes that he had to reconcile with his love. Was it too late for him to apologize and get his love back? Yes... it was...

As others rushed to congratulate the couple including Munna and Pandit, Rohan stood like a rock with his elder brother who had went rigid after hearing Naina's acceptance. Rohan knew his brother was hurt with the sudden turn of events in this party. He wished he wouldn't have agreed to attend this reunion party at all.

Preeti stood at the other side of Sameer and spoke, "Maine bola tha naa ki aaj jo hoga wohh aapne kabhi sapne mein bhi nahi socha hoga. Main jaanti thi ki Samrat aaj iss party mein Naina ko propose karnewaala hai, pataa hai kyun? Kyunki maine hi Samrat... oops... 'Jijaji' bolna chahiye ab toh. Maine hi Jijaji ko bola tha meri behen ko aaj propose karne ke liye. Bechaare aur kitne din tadapte meri behen ke bina. Kisiko jyaada tadpaana nahi chahiye, hai naa? Maine sahi kiya naa Sameer?"

Giving both the brothers a fake smile, Preeti too went to congratulate the couple, "Haaye meri pyaari behna... main aaj bohot khush hun. Kyunki ab se tumhe zindagibhar khush rakhnewaala aa gaya hai." Hugging her sister and then Samrat, Preeti was on cloud nine.

Sameer wasn't happy watching all this. His heart ached. Before Rohan could stop his brother, Sameer left towards the bar counter which was a little distance away from the dance floor. Mundit saw their best friend walking towards the bar. But before anyone could stop him, Sameer had gulped down the entire shot of whiskey. The alcohol burnt his throat, just like his heart was burning.

Rohan was beside him in a flash, "Bhai... yeh... yeh aap kya kar rahe ho? Aap... aapne aaj tak kabhi drink nahi kiya hai, toh fir ab kyun? Chodiye... yeh glass chodiye aap..." Rohan tried his best but couldn't loosen his brother's hold from the glass.

Munna and Pandit too had joined them, "Sameer... yeh kya kar raha hai? Dekh aaj yahaan khushi ka maahol hai, please yahaan koi tamasha mat karna.", Munna requested. Sameer smiled, "Bohot jaldi apne dost ki yaad aa gayi yaar tujhe Munna?" Looking behind his best friends, he continued, "Jaa... Naina ke paas jaa. Usse congratulate kar. Tum dono toh bohot khush hoge naa aaj, aakhir Naina ne Samrat ko apna Jeevan Saathi chunn liya hai."

Hiding his tears, Sameer chugged down another shot, "Waise itne acche mauke par mujhe bhi kuch karna chahiye naa?" Saying that, he strode in the direction of the new couple shocking his friends and his brother. They paced behind him to stop him but it was all in vain as they couldn't match his long strides and running behind him would've caught attention from others which wasn't feasible at this time.

Sameer stood in front of the couple who were surrounded by Preeti, Swati, Kamya and Hema. His best friends and brother stood behind him. Meeting Naina's blank gaze, Sameer smiled, "Congratulations... Ms Naina Agarwal."

Moving his gaze to Samrat, Sameer forwarded his hand, "Congratulations Samrat. I wish you both a very happy life ahead and I hope ki tum Naina ko hamesha khush rakhoge, kabhi usse hurt nahi karoge. Kyunki agar mujhe kabhi pataa chala ki tumne Naina ke saath kuch galat kiya hai, toh main tumhari saari haddi-pasli ek kar dunga. Samjhe tum?" No one seemed to be shocked with that threat.

Samrat replied with a smile, "Main chaahkar bhi kabhi Netra ko hurt nahi kar sakta. Tum fikar mat karo, tumhe kabhi mujhe maarne ki naubat nahi aane dunga. And thank you Sameer, hamari iss khushi mein shaamil hone ke liye."

Meeting Naina's gaze again, Sameer spoke in a choked voice, "Hamesha khush rehna Naina... hamesha khush rehna..." Turning around in a swift movement, he picked up the mike that was kept on the table, "Hello everyone... main jyaada bore nahi karunga sabko. Aaj itni acchi news mili hai iss reunion party mein, toh meri taraf se iss new couple ke liye ek chota sa gift toh banta hai."

Tears had gathered in Mundit's and Rohan's eyes, but they controlled themselves while Swati, Kamya and Hema felt bad watching him. They knew the love equation that Sameer and Naina had shared in their school days. But they even had seen how broken Naina was when Sameer had left her. Naina wasn't sure what he was upto and remained neutral to whatever was happening while Preeti wiped the lone tear that had flowed down her cheek unconsciously.

Sameer's voice resonated around the ground as he started singing...

Tu safar mera...
Hai tu hi meri manzil...
Tere bina guzara...
Ae dil hai mushkil...

Walking around his friends, he continued...

Tu mera khuda...
Tu hi duaa mein shaamil...
Tere bina guzara...
Ae dil hai mushkil...

Standing right in front of Naina and Samrat, Sameer sang,

Mujhe aazmaati hai teri kami...
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi...
Junoon hai mera...
Banoon main tere qaabil...
Tere bina guzaara...
Ae dil hai mushkil...

Taking few steps behind, Sameer closed his eyes and suddenly, Naina's image flashed when she was dancing in Pooja Didi's sangeet function wearing pink salwar-suit.

Yeh rooh bhi meri...
Yeh jism bhi mera...
Utna mera nahi...
Jitna hua tera...
Tune diya hai jo...
Woh dard hi sahi...
Tujhse mila hai toh...
Inaam hai mera...
Mera aasmaan dhoondhe teri zameen...
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi...
Zameen pe na sahi...
Toh aasmaan mein aa mil...
Tere bina guzara...
Ae dil hai mushkil...

Opening his eyes, Sameer met her gaze again. He could clearly see no feelings for him in her eyes. They were expressionless. The love that he used to see in her eyes was not there anymore.

Maana ki teri maujoodgi se...
Ye zindagani mehroom hai...
Jeene ka koi dooja tareeka...
Na mere dil ko maaloom hai...
Tujhko main kitni....
Shiddat se chaahun...
Chaahe toh rehna tu be-khabar...
Mohtaaj manzil ka toh nahi hai...
Ye ek tarfa mera safar, safar...
Khoobsurat hai manzil se bhi...
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi...
Adhura hoke bhi...
Hai ishq mera kaamil...
Tere bina guzara...
Ae dil hai mushkil...

(I know this song does not belong to that era, still let's imagine that Sameer had composed this song for Naina.)

Controlling his emotions in front of everyone present at the reunion party, Sameer looked at Naina one last time and turned to keep the mike away. Without talking to his brother and friends, he strode towards the exit. The reunion party was over for him. Everything was over for him. Nothing was left to say.

Rohan just nodded in the direction of Naina and Samrat and he too left after his brother. Munna and Pandit faced the exit and wiped their tears. They had expected this to happen. They knew his friend needed them, but they couldn't move. It felt as if they've betrayed their best friend in some way. They had chosen Naina's happiness over his. Even if they now knew the reason behind their friend's disappearance, they couldn't help him. They were helpless now.

Preeti came behind them, "Munna... Pandit..." As they heard her choked voice, they turned to face her. She continued, "Jaao... tumhare dost ko tumhari zarurat hai. Aaj... aaj unhe akela mat chodna. Jo faisla Naina ne liye hai wohh uske liye sahi hai, par Sameer shaayad iss faisle se toot gaye hai." When they didn't move and continued to stare at her, she reprimanded, "Ab yahin statue bannkar khade rahoge kya? Jaao Sameer ke paas..."

Without even looking back at anyone, Munna and Pandit rushed towards Maheshwari Mansion. Preeti stood there wiping her own tears. Taking few deep breaths, she turned around to find Naina standing behind her with her raised eyebrows.

Without meeting her sister's gaze, Preeti walked away remorsefully. Naina stood there stunned with what she saw. Preeti was the one who had always cursed Sameer for breaking her heart and leaving her alone. But then why was her feisty sister emotional right now?

Naina knew Preeti had taunted Sameer at this party tonight more than twice, but this demeanour of hers was confusing. What exactly was going on in Preeti's mind? She needed to find out.

Samrat wrapped his hand around her shoulder breaking her thoughts, "Kis soch mein doob gayi Netra? Kahin shaadi se manaa toh nahi karne waali naa? Dekho... tumne abhi sab ke saamne mera proposal accept kar liya hai, ab tum iss-se mukad nahi sakti. Bohot mushkil se tum maani ho shaadi ke liye, itni aasaani se ab main tumhara peecha nahi chodne waala."

When Samrat watched numerous expressions change on her face, he realized he had spoken too much. "Netra... main... main mazaak kar raha tha. Tum... tum serious kyun ho gayi? Dekho... tum abhi bhi apna decision change kar sakti ho. Infact tum thik se soch lo, fir mujhe jawaab de dena. Aur koi zaruri nahi hai ki tumhe mujhe haan hi kehna hai. Ok..."

How could Naina change her decision when she could clearly see how much Samrat liked her and thought about her? "Samrat... mera decision wohi hai jo maine pehle liya tha. Main tumse shaadi karungi. Toh jyaada stress mat lo. Infact, hume jald se jald yeh decision hamare families ko bataa dena chahiye. I am sure sab khush hi honge."

Samrat smiled happily and hugged her, "Tum sahi keh rahi ho Netra. Main aaj ghar jaakar hi mere parents se baat karta hun. Fir hum tumhare Chachaji aur Chachiji se officially milne aayenge, tumhara haath maangne. Chalega naa?"

Naina nodded in response and they again started mingling with the people at the reunion party. Swati, Kamya and Hema had gone to look after Preeti as they too had heard her talking to Munna and Pandit. Nothing had escaped their eyes and ears.

Preeti sat at a bench which a little away from the ongoing party. She was lost in her thoughts and kept wiping her tears. Her friends joined her which irritated her, yet she didn't ask them to leave.

"Preeti... wohh tu hi thi, jisne Sameer ko iss party mein aate aate hi taane maarna shuru kar diya tha. Fir jab Samrat Naina ko propose kar raha tha, tab bhi tu Sameer ko kuch sunaa rahi thi. Fir ab kyun ro rahi hai, aur kiske liye? Naina Samrat ke saath khush hai. Fir yeh aansoon kiske liye?", Swati couldn't mask her curiosity and broke the silence.

Kamya asked, "Preeti... kya hua hai yaar? Tune hi Samrat aur Naina ko milaaya hai, fir ro kyun rahi hai abhi?" Hema too added, "Mujhe toh kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha. Naina aur Samrat shaadi ke liye taiyaar hai. Sameer waapis aa gaya hai. Ab kya hoga? Sach kahun jis tarah Sameer ne wohh gaana gaaya, mera toh dil hi pighal gaya."

Swati added, "Actually sach kahun toh mujhe bhi samajh nahi aa raha. Naina ne Sameer ke saamne Samrat ko shaadi ke liye haan kahaa. Aur Sameer ne Romeo ki tarah aisa gaana gaaya ki mujhe bhi uske liye boora lag raha tha. Mujhe toh aaj tak yeh samajh nahi aaya ki Sameer Naina se dus saal bina kisi contact ke durr kyun raha? Aur ab jab waapis aaya bhi hai toh usse kyun bura laga raha hai Naina ko Samrat ke saath dekhkar? Matlab kuch toh reason hoga naa jiski wajah se Sameer ne Naina se yeh dus saal koi contact hi nahi kiya."

Kamya spoke again, "Hmmm... point toh hai Swati... Aaj jo bhi hua uske baad yeh keh sakte hai ki Sameer ab bhi hamari Naina se pyaar karta hai. Dekha nahi tum logon ne jaise hi Naina ne Samrat ka shaadi ka proposal accept kiya, waise hi Sameer seedha peene chala gaya. Aur uske baad wohh gaana cheekh-cheekhkar uska pyaar bayaan kar raha tha. Agar Sameer Naina se itna pyaar karta hai toh fir wohh dus saal tak Naina se durr kyun raha, mujhe toh yahi samajh nahi aa raha. Waise kya din the naa wohh jab Naina aur Sameer hamare saamne ishq farmaate the."

Preeti who had been listening to her friends finally broke her silence, "Mujhe pataa hai ki Sameer dus saal Naina se durr kyun raha hai?" All her friends were surprised. "Tujhe kaise pataa chala Preeti?", Swati questioned. Kamya added, "Toh bataa hume ki kyun Sameer Naina se durr raha itne saal, jab ki wohh usse itna pyaar karta hai?"

Preeti wiped her face as she recollected what had happened a couple of days ago...

FLASHBACK BEGINS...

Preeti had been disturbed when she came to know that Sameer was back in Ahmedabad. He had hurt her sister twice before and she didn't want a repeat this time too. So she decided to confront the man himself.

Preeti made her way to the Maheshwari Mansion as she didn't want to go to the Maheshwari Industries where they would have no privacy to talk. As the door opened, Ramdhari welcomed her into the house, "Arey Preeti Didi... aap yahaan kaise? Sameer Bhaiya aur Rohan Bhaiya toh office gaye hai. Agar unse milna hai toh aapko wahin jaana hoga."

"Ramdhari bhaiya... aap please Sameer ko phone karke ghar bulaa sakte hai, unse kahiyega ki main unse akele mein baat karna chaahti hun.", Preeti replied as she settled on the couch.

Ramdhari called up at the office and informed Sameer of Preeti's visit. Without any further delay, Sameer left the office citing about some meeting with a client to his brother and his friends. Though they knew he was lying, no one stopped him.

Sameer reached his home hurriedly to find Preeti sitting in the leaving room and having tea. As she saw him after ten long years, her eyes teared up. She now understood why Naina had been crying so much that night. It was the separation of ten long years that had made her sister so emotional.

Sameer walked towards her while Preeti too got up from the coach. Before Sameer could greet her, Preeti spoke, "Main aapse akele mein baat karna chaahti thi, isliye main... maine aapko yahaan bulvaaya."

Sameer nodded in response as no words came out of his mouth. First meeting Naina at her book launch and now, meeting her sister, Preeti, was so overwhelming. They stood staring at each other, thousands of questions popping in their minds.

"Tum... tum kaisi ho Preeti?", Sameer finally broke the ice between them. Preeti smiled, "Jaisi aap chodkar gaye the waisi hi hun. Kuch jyaada nahi badla. Bas main meri behen ko lekar aur overprotective ho gayi hun."

Before Sameer could say something, Preeti questioned, "Aap dus saal baad waapis kyun aaye Sameer? Jab meri behen ko akela kar hi diya tha, toh ab waapis kyun aaye?"

"Main Maheshwari Industries ko sambhaalne aaya hun Preeti. Wohh toh uss book launch mein meri mulaqaat Naina se ho gayi. Agar pehle pataa hota ki Netra hi Naina hai, toh shaayad main uss event mein jaata hi nahi.", Sameer replied honestly.

Preeti chuckled, "Toh dus saal baad bhi Naina se milna nahi chaahte the aap huh? Chalo accha hai ki aapne meri galatfehmi durr kar di. Mujhe lagaa ki shaayad aap meri behen ke liye Ahmedabad waapis aaye the. Khair... Aapko naa dus saal pehle meri behen ki pyaar ki koi kadar thi, aur naa hi aaj hai. Main hi paagal thi jo aapse milne yahaan chali aayi. Mujhe lagaa shaayad aap ab bhi Naina se pyaar karte honge, par jo pyaar maine aapki aankhon mein dus saal pehle dekha tha, wohh ab kahin dikhaayi nahi de raha mujhe. Main hi paagal thi jisne aapko 'Jijaji' maan liya tha."

Sameer started to say something, but Preeti raised her hand, stopping him, "Jab pehli baar aapne meri behen ka dil toda tha naa uss bet ki wajah se, tab main hi thi jo aapke saath khadi thi, aapko support kar rahi thi, kyunki tab maine aapki aankhon mein meri behen ke liye beintehaan pyaar dekha tha, mehsoos kiya tha wohh pyaar. Main hi galat thi, agar uss time maine aapka saath naa diya hota, toh meri behen fir se naa tooti hoti. Aapka pyaar kabhi saccha tha hi nahi Sameer, jo Delhi jaate hi chutki mein badal gaya. Dekha hai maine meri behen ko tiltilkar marte hue. Ek raat aisi nahi gayi, jab wohh aapke liye royi nahi hogi. Par aapko kya huh? Aapne toh kabhi meri behen se saccha pyar kiya hi nahi tha, toh aapko kya hi farak padta iss sabse? Ahmebadad chod diya toh pyaar bhi khatam ho gaya. Aisa kaisa pyaar tha huh aapka, jo sheher badalte hi khatam ho jaata tha?"

Sameer boomed, "Bas Preeti bas... mera pyaar Naina ke liye kabhi kamm ho hi nahi sakta. Sheher kya, agar main saat samundar paar bhi hota fir bhi Naina se utna hi pyaar karta jitna main hamesha se karta aaya hun."

"Jhooth... aap jhooth bol rahe hai. Agar aisa hota toh aap meri behen ko aise beech raaste chod nahi dete.", Preeti retaliated, "Agar aapka pyaar saccha tha toh aap ek baar toh Naina se baat karne ki koshish karte. Dus saal... dus saal bohot lamba time hota hai. Aapko issi sacche pyaar ki kasam... bataaye mujhe ki aap Naina se dus saal tak durr kyun rahe? Iska jawaab jaane bina main yahaan se kahin nahi jaaungi aaj. Boliye... kyun aap waapis nahi aaye? Kyun meri behen ko akela chod diya?"

Sameer had no more energy to fight Preeti because he had always treated her like his own sister. He couldn't tell Naina the real reason behind his sudden absence from her life. But here stood Preeti who had come all the way to know the reason. And he couldn't stop himself from telling her the truth.

Sameer repeated how his step-grandmother had brainwashed him into believing that he was cursed and how the people who stayed in his life and loved him, died one after the other.

"Jis jis ne tumko pyaar kiya hai wohh bhagwaan ko pyaara ho gaya hai aur main nahi chahti ki agla number meri bahu ka ho. Itne saal tak bechaari Vishakha ko khaansi tak nahi hui aur aaj uski itni serious haalat... yeh sab tumhari wajah se ho raha hai, sab tumhari wajah se. Tumhare pyaar ka saaya jispe padta hai wohh duniya se durr chala jaata hai. Tumhara pyaar, tumse pyaar karne waale ki haar bann jaata hai, unki zindagi ka anth bann jaata hai... Yeh baat tumhe bataana mera farz tha kyunki mujhe apni bahu aur apni family ki fikar hai. Bhagwaan ke liye hamara peecha chodo aur hume chain se jeene do."

Those harsh words were still imprinted in his mind. Saying his part, Sameer dropped on his knees, "Preeti... main Naina se bohot pyaar karta hun. Aur main meri Naina ko marte hue nahi dekhna chaahta tha. Main meri Naina ko meri manhoosiyat ka shikaar nahi hone dene chaahta tha, isliye maine khud hi mere kadam peeche hataa liye. Main khud Naina se durr ho gaya."

Preeti stood stunned as she heard Sameer's each word patiently. How dare that Daadi use such foul words for Sameer? How could she play with his mind and soul? She had no right to manipulate him and break his other relations.

Preeti was furious on Sameer's step-grandmother and Sameer too. "Aapki Daadi ne itna sab bola aur aapne unki baaton par aankhen band karke bharosa kar liya? Aapka dimaag kahin ghaas charne gaya tha kya? Aap kaise unki stupid baaton par vishwas kar sakte hai? Aapne unki baatein sunnkar, hum sab se khaaskar Naina se durr rehne ka decision le liye, wohh bhi hume bina bataaye?"

Calming herself a bit, Preeti continued, "Aap jaante bhi hai yahaan Naina ke mann mein kya kya khayaal aa rahe the? Wohh ghutghutkar jee rahi thi. Ek ek pal marr rahi thi wohh yeh sochkar ki kahin Sameer ko kahin koi aur ladki toh nahi mil gayi, kahin Sameer ko kuch ho toh nahi gaya, kahin tum dono ke pyaar ko kisiki nazar toh nahi lag gayi. Ek baar aap Naina ko yeh sab bataa dete to aaj yeh naubat nahi aati Sameer. Tum dono ko dus saal durr nahi rehna padta. Aap dono ka pyaar ka hashar yeh naa hota. Par khair... ab main yaa aap kuch nahi kar sakte, kyunki Naina apni life mein aage badh gayi hai. Uski life mein Samrat aa gaya hai ab, jo usse bohot pasand karta hai. Jis Naina ko aap akeli chodkar gaye the naa usse ab ek saathi mil gaya hai. Ab Naina ko aapke hone se yaa naa hone se koi farak nahi padta. Aapne aapki Daadi ki baatein maankar aapka pyar hamesha hamesha ke liye kho diya hai Sameer, Naina ko hamesha hamesha ke liye kho diya hai...", saying that Preeti left crying.

What could she do now?

FLASHBACK ENDS...

Swati, Kamya and Hema sat there shocked as Preeti revealed the truth about Sameer. "Sach kahun... toh Sameer pe gussa bhi aa raha hai aur daya bhi. Aise kaise wohh stupid Daadi ki baaton mein aa sakta hai? Khudka dimaag nahi chala sakta tha kya?", Swati mumbled.

Kamya added, "Mujhe toh samajh nahi aa raha kisko dosh dun, Sameer ki Daadi ko, Sameer ko yaa uski kismat ko?" Hema also couldn't stop herself, "Bechaara Sameer... agar uss Daadi ki baaton mein nahi aata toh shaayad aaj wohh Naina ke saath hota. Apna pyaar bhi kho diya usne. Kaisa laga hoga naa Sameer ko, apni aankhon ke saamne apne pyaar ko kisi aur ke baahon mein dekhna?"

"Mujhe nahi pataa aaj maine sahi kiya yaa nahi, par ab sab uss bhagwaan ke haathon mein hai. Aaj fir se maine Sameer ko meri aankhon ke saamne toot-te hue dekha, jo mujhe bilkul bhi accha nahi lag raha.", Preeti couldn't hide anymore and spoke her mind, "Kaash... Kaash... Sameer aur Naina ek ho paate... kaash..." And she broke down again while her friends too shed tears.

Unknown to them, Naina and Samrat had heard everything...

At the other part of the city, Sameer stumbled few times as he walked from the entrance to the main door of his home. Rohan tried to get hold of him, but his elder brother was too stubborn to be handled when in rage. Ramdhari opened the door hurriedly as his Bhaiya kept pounding on it loudly.

"Itni der lagti hai darwaaza kholne mein?", Sameer thundered while the poor Ramdhari trembled in fear seeing him red in anger. Rohan came ahead, "Ramdhari... tune khaana kha liya hoga naa, toh jaa, so jaa."

"Wohh main keh raha tha ki...", Ramdhari had just started to speak, when again Sameer yelled, "Tujhe Rohan ne kahaa naa sone jaane ko, toh jaa." Ramdhari nodded and left towards the kitchen. He didn't get a chance to speak at all.

As Sameer tried to sit on the couch, he slipped and was now seated on the ground. Rohan closed his eyes, how was he supposed to handle this drunken brother? The cool air while driving back home had affected Sameer.

As Rohan tried to sit next to his brother, Sameer narrowed his eyes, "Tu bhi jaa... so jaa... mujhe... mujhe akela chod de." But even Rohan was stubborn like him, so he stayed next to him much to his brother's displeasure, "Main kahin nahi jaa raha Bhai. Main yahin rahunga aapke paas, aapke saath."

"Aur hum bhi...", came voices from the main door. Sameer's eyebrows furrowed as he saw his best friends entering his house. "Tum... tum dono yahaan kya kar rahe ho? Maine... maine kahaa tha naa ki... ki tum dono Naina ke saath raho... mujhe... mujhe ab kisiki zarurat nahi hai. Main... main akele reh lunga ab. Bachpan se akela hi toh raha hun, aage... aage bhi reh lunga. Tum... tum dono jaao yahaan se. Main... main thik hun... dekho... dekho main kitna khush hun... kitna khush dikh raha hun naa main. Meri Naina uss... uss Samrat ke saath khush hai... toh... toh... main... main bhi khush hun. Main bhi khush hun..."

The tears that Sameer had resisted since watching Naina in Samrat's arms started flowing down his cheeks. He tried to stop them, but failed miserably. "Meri... meri Naina kisi... kisi aur se shaadi kar rahi hai Rohan. Jise maine beintehaan pyaar kiya, aaj wohh kisi aur se shaadi karne ke liye maan gayi. Jise main aaj tak mere dil se nikaal nahi paaya, usne apne dil mein kisi aur ko jagah de di. Jise mein inn dus saalon mein bhool nahi paaya, wohh mujhe bhoolkar kisi aur ke saath ek naya safar shuru karne jaa rahi hai. Jo mere rom-rom mein basi hai, wohh mujhse durr jaa rahi hai Rohan. Kaise jeeunga main Naina ke bina. Kaash main dus saal pehle uss khadoos... uss... uss khadoos Daadi ke behkaave mein naa aaya hota... toh aaj... aaj main aur Naina ek saath hote. Aaj uss Samrat ki jagah main hota Naina ke saath, mere naam ki anguthi pehenti Naina, mere saath dance karti, mere saath hoti... mere saath hoti meri Naina..."

Saying that, Sameer lost control over his emotions and he broke down once again, shattering his brother's and best friends' hearts. They couldn't change anything now. Naina had accepted Samrat's marriage proposal which no one had the right to interfere.

As Munna and Pandit tried to step closer to Sameer, he raised his hand stopping them. "Tum dono ab tak gaye nahi. Jaao... Naina... Naina ke paas chale jaao... Main... main reh lunga akela..."

"Yeh kya ho raha hai yahaan?", Vivek's voice came from the stairs while Vishakha followed behind him. As they came downstairs and watched around, their gazes landed on their son.

"Sameer... mere bacche... yeh kya haal banaa rakha hai tune?" As she tried to go close to Sameer, he stopped her, "Mummy... mere... mere paas mat aao... Main... main aapka accha beta nahi hun." Rohan tried to save the situation, "Arey mummy papa... aap kab aaye?"

"Hum bas ek ghante pehle aaye the. Ramdhari ne tum dono ko bataaya nahi? Hum bas fresh hokar tum dono ka wait kar rahe the, tab Sameer ki aawaazein aane lagi.", their mother replied watching her elder son.

Vishakha looked at Rohan worriedly while Vivek asked, "Tune sharaab pee hai Sameer?" He could smell the alcohol in the room. Vishakha was more anxious now watching his son, "Vivek... main baat karti hun Sameer se."

Turning to his son, Vishakha asked, "Beta... tune sharaab kyun pee? Aur yeh Naina aur Samrat kaun hai?" Sameer tried to get up but he stumbled once again and fell on the ground.

Rohan instantly held him, "Bhai... aap thik toh ho naa? Aapko kahin lagi toh nahi?" Sameer closed his eyes, yet the tears didn't stop. He had no energy left in him to speak anymore. This pain was much more than he could've handled.

"Rohan... kya hua hai Sameer ko? Yeh... yeh aise ro kyun raha hai?", his mother questioned as she finally sat next to Sameer and pulled him for a hug. "Beta... mujhe ab darr lag raha hai. Bol naa kya hua hai?"

Sameer let go of all his inhibitions and cried harder, "Mummy... mummy... maine aaj Naina ko hamesha hamesha ke liye kho diya. Mera pyaar kho diya maine hamesha ke liye. Wohhh... Naina... Samrat se shaadi karnewaali hai."

Vishakha looked up at Rohan who nodded in agreement while shedding tears himself. He had never seen his brother so broken in his entire life. Naina was his life and he had lost it today to someone else.

"Yeh Naina aur Samrat kaun hai?", Vivek asked the boys as he knew Sameer was in no state of answer his questions. Munna and Pandit started from the beginning how Sameer and Naina had met in 'Pragati Vidya Ka Mandir' and how they had fallen in love.

Rohan who hadn't known much of these things, heard it attentively while Vishakha kept rubbing Sameer's back reassuringly, crying all the while.

As Mundit finished talking, Vishakha shook his son, "Sameer... tu aise kaise kar sakta hai Naina ke saath? Dus saal tak tune usse baat nahi ki, usko akela chod diya wohh bhi usse bina kuch bataaye. Mera beta toh dil ka bohot accha hai, wohh kaise kisi aur ka dil tod sakta hai huh?"

When Sameer remained silent, Rohan replied, "Yeh sab kiya dhara Daadi ka hai, Maa..." Vivek's ears instantly perked up, "Maa ne kya kiya hai Rohan? Wohh toh shaayad Sameer aur Naina ke baare mein kuch jaanti bhi nahi hogi."

Rohan chuckled, "Papa... aap yeh toh jaante hai naa ki Daadi Sameer Bhai ko pasand nahi karti. Bas unhone aisa kuch keh diya, jiski wajah se Bhai ne Naina, Munna aur Pandit, inn sabse durr rehna ka faisla le liya."

"Aisa kya kahaa Maa ne ki Sameer kisise rishta nahi rakhna chaahta tha?", Vivek asked. Rohan turned to his mother, "Maa aapko yaad hai naa, jab Nanu ke dehaant ke baad Bhai hamare saath rehne aaye the, tab aap bohot bimaar padd gayi thi."

Vishakha agreed, "Haan Rohan... mujhe yaad hai. Uske baad hi toh maine Sameer ko Ahmedabad jaane ke liye kahaa tha, par wohh Mumbai jaane ki zid karne lagaa tha."

Rohan replied, "Tab Daadi ne Bhai ko bohot sunaaya tha Maa. Unhone Bhai se kahaa ki wohh manhoos hai. Wohh jinse bhi pyaar karenge, jinke saath rahenge, wohh... wohhh mar jaayenge. Unhone kahaa ki Bhai ki wajah se unke papa aur Nanu ki maut ho gayi, kyunki Bhai unse bohot pyaar karte the aur unke saath rehte the. Unhone kahaa ki agar Bhai aapke saath rahe toh aap bhi mar jaayengi. Aapki tabiyat bohot kharaab ho gayi thi, uska zimmedaar bhi Daadi ne Bhai ko banaa diya tha. Isliye Bhai ne aapse, Naina se, Munna bhai aur Pandit bhai se durr rehna ka faisla liya tha. Yeh sab jo bhi hua uski zimmedaar Daadi hai Maa. Unhone Bhai ke saath yeh thik nahi kiya, bilkul thik nahi kiya. Main iske liye unhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga. Kisise itni bhi nafrat nahi karni chahiye ki aap uska wajood hi mitaane lago."

As Rohan finished, he too slumped on the floor and cried, unable to bear whatever had happened with his brother. Vishakha and Vivek couldn't believe that their mother would do something like this to harm their son's happiness.

Rohan wasn't wrong when he said that he won't forgive his grandmother. Even Vivek and Vishakha would not be able to forgive her.

"Mera baccha itne saalon se yeh sab apne seene mein dabaaye hue baitha hai aur hume iski bhanak bhi nahi lagi Vivek. Kaisi Maa hun main, jo apne bete ka dard nahi samajh paayi? Ek baar mujhse kehta Sameer ki Mummyji ne yeh sab kahaa hai, toh shaayad itne saal mere bete ko aise tadapna naa padta."

Taking Sameer in a hug, she continued, "Sameer... tu akela nahi hai mere bacche. Hum sab tere saath hai aur hamesha rahenge. Aur rahi baat Naina ki, toh hum baat karenge naa, samjhayenge usse ki jo bhi hua, uss mein teri koi galti nahi thi, bataayenge Naina ko ki tu aaj bhi usse bohot pyaar karta hai. Sach jaankar wohh tere paas waapis aa jaayegi Sameer. Tu chinta mat kar, ab teri Mummy aur Papa tere saath hai."

Sameer hiccupped, "Nahi... Nahi Mummy. Ab kuch nahi ho sakta. Meri Naina ab mujhse pyaar nahi karti, wohh Samrat se pyaar karti hai, isliye toh usse shaadi karne ke liye maan gayi. Ab hum kuch nahi kar sakte Mummy, hum kuch nahi kar sakte."

Vishakha wiped his tears and smiled, "Mujhe nahi lagaa tha Sameer ki tu tere pyaar ko itni aasaani se jaane dega. Itni jaldi kaise give up kar sakta hai tu Sameer? Mera beta toh haar maannewaalon mein se nahi hai, toh aaj kaise itni jaldi haar maan li? Beta... saccha pyaar koi itni aasaani se nahi bhool sakta. Main poore yakin se keh sakti hun ki agar Naina ne bhi tujhse saccha pyaar kiya hoga, toh yeh sab sacchai jaankar tujhe maaf kar degi. Par uske liye tujhe Naina se milkar sab sach bataana hoga, usse bataana hoga ki tune jo bhi kiya wohh uski salaamati ke liye kiya, tere dil mein jo pyaar hai uske liye uski wajah se kiya. Ek baar try toh kar Sameer, itni aasaani se apne pyaar ko mat jaane de. Agar tune aisa nahi kiya toh saari zindagi pachtaayega beta..."

Sameer hoped that his mother would be proved right...

How was the update?

Everyone now knows the reason behind Sameer's disappearance.

What do you think how will Naina react to this?

Will Naina break her alliance with Samrat and go back to Sameer after knowing the truth?

Will update the next part soon...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️