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AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

CHAPTER 5

"Vishakha thik keh rahi hai Sameer. Tujhe Naina ko sach bataana hoga. Tu nahi bataayega toh usse kaise pataa chalega ki tune jo bhi kiya wohh uski zindagi bachaane ke liye kiya tha. Sameer... yeh zindagi bohot choti hoti hai. Pataa nahi kab kya ho jaaye. Tujhe apna pyaar waapis paane ke liye yeh karna hoga. Inn dus saalon mein main mere bete ko acche se jaanne lagaa hun. Tu itni jaldi give up nahi kar sakta. Bina lade tu haar nahi maan sakta beta. Tujhe tera pyaar waapis haasil karna hoga Sameer. Abhi sirf Naina ne shaadi ke liye haan ki hai, shaadi toh nahi hui naa? Tere paas ab bhi Naina ko apne pyaar ka ehsaas dilaane ka chance hai. Tu kal jaa, Naina se mil, usse bataa sab. I am sure wohh teri baat zaroor sunegi."

Vishakha wiped his cheeks, "Chal ab uth. Mera beta itna kamzor nahi hai. Teri Naina tujhe waapis zaroor milegi. Mere Sameer ka saccha pyaar kabhi adhura nahi reh sakta. Kyunki main teri aankhon mein Naina ke liye beintehaan pyaar dekh sakti hun aur mera mann keh raha hai ki Naina bhi tujhse utna hi pyaar karti hai. Tune usse dus saal ke liye akela chod diya tha, toh uska tujhse naaraaz hona jaayaz bhi hai. Tujhe bas apne pyaar se uski yahi naaraazgi khatam karni hai. Aur uske baad Naina tere saath hogi beta."

After hearing his parents' encouraging words, Sameer finally smiled and hugged his mother, "Mummy... mujhe pataa hai ki mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi hai. Maine... maine meri Naina ko bohot hurt kiya hai iss baar. I hope ki Naina meri baat sune aur mujhe maaf kar de, aur hamare pyaar ko fir se chance de."

Vishakha rubbed his back gently, "Jo bhi hoga accha hi hoga Sameer. Bhagwaan par bharosa rakh. Jis bhagwaan ne tujhe Naina se durr kiya tha naa, wohi tum dono ko waapis ek bhi karega. Dekh lena..."

Sameer didn't believe in his mother's words, yet he nodded. If the Almighty was going to bring them back together, then why had he separated them in the first place? God had always tested him when it came to relations, and this time it was no different. This time it was that relationship who had made him believe in love that had changed his life completely for the better.

"Chal... ab jaa fresh ho jaa. Main kuch khaane ko banaati hun tum sab ke liye.", Vishakha turned to look at the other boys as well, "Jaanti hun kisi ne kuch khaaya nahi hoga."

Pushing Sameer towards his room to freshen up, Vishakha called out, "Ramdhari... chal jaldi se kuch khaane ko banaate hai." Ramdhari too wiped his tears. He too had heard everything. He couldn't see his bhaiya in this miserable state. But what could he do? How could he help his Bhaiya?

As Ramdhari turned towards the kitchen and started preparation for the meal, Vishakha hugged her husband, "Vivek... Naina hamare bete ki zindagi mein waapis toh aayegi naa? Maine Sameer ko keh toh diya, par kya sach mein Naina Sameer ko maaf karke uska pyaar samjhegi? Kya wohh hamare Sameer ko dusra mauka degi?"

Vishakha cried, "Mera baccha itne saalon se akela iss dard ko bardaasht kar raha tha aur hum mein se kisiko kuch pataa bhi nahi chala. Wohh toh aapne Sameer aur Rohan ko yahaan Ahmedabad bheja, warna hume kabhi kuch pataa hi nahi chalta Vivek."

Vivek consoled his wife, "Main tumse jhooth nahi bolunga Vishakha. Maine Sameer mein bohot badlaav dekhen hai, jab se wohh Delhi se Mumbai gaya tha. Usse Ahmedabad waapis nahi jaana tha, main tab hi samajh gaya tha ki kuch toh hua hai jiski wajah se wohh yahaan waapis nahi aana chaahta tha. Pehle lagaa ki Sameer yahaan akela apne Nanu ke bina nahi rehna chaahta, shaayad isliye wohh Ahmedabad waapis nahi aana chaahta. Par ek mahine pehle maine usse rote hue dekh liya tha. Tab uske haath mein ek photo album tha. Uss mein shaayad Naina ke photos the. Main tab hi samajh gaya tha ki baat kuch aur hai. Isliye maine Sameer ko waapis Ahmedabad bheja. Maheshwari Industries ko sambhaalna toh bas ek bahaana tha Vishakha. Main bas hamare bete ko wohh mauka de raha hun, jisse uske chehre ki muskaan waapis aa sake, uski zindagi mein khushi waapis aa sake, uska pyaar usse waapis mil sake. Main bas hamare teeno bacchon ko khush dekhna chaahta hun Vishakha."

Vishakha smiled amidst her tears and jerked from the hug as she heard Rohan's voice, "Toh Bhai ko Ahmedabad waapis laane ka plan aapka tha Papa?" Vivek agreed, "Haan Rohan. Mujhe hamesha se guilt raha hai ki Sameer ko main utna pyaar nahi de saka jitna pyaar Vishakha ne tujhe aur Deepika ko diya hai. Jab yeh baat samajh aayi ki Sameer bhi mera hi beta hai, toh main usse kaise akele tadapne ko chod sakta tha? Uski zindagi, uski khushi, yahin hai Ahmedabad mein. Isliye maine usse yahaan bheja. Bas... bas ek baat ka afsos hai ki meri Maa ne Sameer ko jaanbujhkar dard diya, usse manhoos kahaa, usse wohh kadam uthaane ko majboor kiya jisse uski zindagi ki saari khushiyaan durr ho gayi. Main bhi iss baat ke liye shaayad Maa ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paaunga Rohan. Mere bete ko taklif dekar unhone accha nahi kiya."

Vishakha wiped the tears from her husband's face, "Ab yeh sab chodiye. Hume abhi hamare bete ki taaqat banna hai. Uske saamne hum kamzor nahi padd sakte Vivek. Hume strong rehna hoga, tabhi toh Sameer khud strong rahega."

Rohan agreed, "Maa sach keh rahi hai Papa. Hume ab Bhai ke liye strong rehna hoga. Maine Bhai ki haalat dekhi hai. Inn dus saalon mein ek bhi din aisa nahi guzra jab maine unhe rote hue nahi dekha ho. Unhe lagta ki main so gaya hun, par main har raat jaagta tha. Bhale hi Bhai ne unka dard mere saath share nahi kiya, par fir bhi main unke paas raha taaki wohh kabhi khudko akela naa samjhe. Main Bhai ka saath kabhi nahi chodunga Papa. Daadi se toh hum Delhi waapis jaakar nipat lenge. Par abhi Bhai ko hamari jyaada zarurat hai."

They all agreed while Sameer who stood upstairs, cried some more. He had finally found his own family that he had craved since childhood. Munna and Pandit were happy that their best friend had finally got a loving family who loved and cared for him unconditionally.

Sameer wasn't sure if Naina would forgive him, but he had to try. He just couldn't give up on his love too easily. He loved her immensely and he was just going to confess everything to her before she got married to Samrat. He knew he had made a drastic mistake, but he deserved a chance to prove his love to her.

Sameer freshened up while his friends and Rohan waited in his room. As he stepped out after freshening up, Sameer turned to his friends, "Munna... Pandit... maine pehle jo kuch bhi tum dono se kahaa, wohh sab gusse mein kahaa tha. Uske liye I am sorry..."

Munna chided, "Ab hamare beech yeh sorry kab se aane lagaa Sameer? Tu shaayad bhool gaya hai toh main yaad dila deta hun ki dosti mein 'no sorry no thank you' ka rule hota hai. Aur hum toh ekdum jigri yaar hai bhai. Toh aage se yeh sorry aur thank you bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Samjha?"

Sameer nodded with misty eyes and hugged them. "Mujhe aap logon ne fir se akela chod diya. Arey main bhi aap sabka friend hi toh hun.", Rohan added dramatically. All the boys burst into laughter and pulled him in their group hug.

They parted as they heard Vishakha calling them for dinner. Soon they settled at the dining table and enjoyed the simple delicious meal made by Vishakha and Ramdhari. Everyone was happy watching Sameer smile. Whatever happened tonight at the reunion party was still fresh in their minds, but no one mentioned anything about it.

As soon as their meal was over, Munna and Pandit got up to leave, but was stopped by Sameer, "Munna... Pandit... ruko... mujhe... mujhe tum dono se kuch baat karni hai. Mujhe tum dono ki help chahiye hai."

Munna knew what his friend was about to ask, but Pandit took the lead, "Sameer... bol kya help chahiye hai." The others were just spectators and heard the conversation silently.

"Tum dono ne hamesha mera saath diya hai, fir main galat bhi kyun naa rahun, tum dono ne kabhi mujhe akela nahi choda. Jab maine school mein wohh bet lagaayi thi, tab bhi tum dono ne mera saath diya tha. Uske baad har mod par tum dono mere saath the. Mujhe mere pyaar ka ehsaas karwaaya. Naina se maafi dilaane mein bhi tum dono ne meri bohot help ki thi. Aaj... aaj bhi mujhe tum dono ke saath ki zaroorat hai. Mera pyaar... meri Naina ko waapis paane ke liye, kya tum dono meri help karoge?"

Before Pandit could say anything, Munna replied, "Iss baar nahi Sameer... iss baar hum teri help nahi kar sakte." Everyone in the house were shocked to hear this while Munna continued, "Humne har baar tera saath diya hai, par aaj nahi. Hum jaante hai ki tune jo kuch bhi kiya wohh Daadi ki baaton mein ulajhkar kiya. Par inn sab mein Naina ki kya galti thi Sameer? Tu dukhi tha, tu dard mein tha par tujhe tere reasons pataa the, par kya Naina ko sab pataa tha? Uski haalat bhi wohi thi, jo teri thi. Par uss bechaari ko samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ki tune usse akela kyun chod diya."

Taking a deep breath, Munna said with a heavy heart, "Humne Naina ko tere liye tadapte dekha hai Sameer. Uske dard ka tujhe shaayad koi andaaza bhi nahi hai. Tere jaane ke baad uska jo haal hua hai, wohh humne dekha hai, kyunki hum uske saath the. Aur hamesha uska saath denge. Aaj Naina ne jo bhi faisla liya hai, hum uska saath denge. Tu bhi hamara dost hai aur wohh hamari behen. Ab tu soch hum kiska saath de. School mein jab tune bet lagaayi thi, tab hum tere saath the. Par kya iss baar tune hume kuch bataaya? Tune jo galti ki hai Sameer, usse iss baar tujhe hi sambhaalni padegi. Iss baar hum teri help nahi karenge. Naina jo bhi faisla legi, hum uske saath khade rahenge, kyunki hum usse khush dekhna chaahte hai. Aur agar Naina ki khushi Samrat mein hai, toh bhi hume wohh manzoor hai. Naina ko waapis paane ki ladaai tujhe akele hi ladni hogi iss baar, iss mein hum tera saath nahi de sakte."

Turning towards Sameer's family, Munna bid his goodbye, pulling Pandit with him. Sameer stood rooted to his place for another few moments till Rohan nudged him, "Bhai... main... main unn dono ko samjhaata hun. Wohh dono aapki help zaroor karenge Bhai. Aap... aap dil chota mat kijiye."

Sameer smiled amidst his tears, "Nahi Rohan. Munna ne jo kahaa sahi kahaa. Maine Naina ko akela chod diya tha, toh uska dil waapis jeetne ke liye mujhe akele hi sab karna hoga. Mujhe mere pyaar par bharosa hai Rohan, mujhe meri Naina par bharosa hai." Saying that, Sameer bid goodnight to his family and retired to his room. He had to work harder to get back his love, his Naina.

Naina still couldn't believe that her soul sister had confronted Sameer behind her back. After hearing Preeti's revelation about Sameer's disappearance, she was shocked. She had tried mingling with her friends at the reunion party along with Samrat. But all the while she had been distracted which was noticed by Samrat too.

After spending another half an hour, Samrat had cited some reason and left the party with Naina. He too was a little confused with all that he had overheard about Sameer. He still needed some clarifications and now, only Naina could do it. But he wasn't sure whether he should broach this topic after watching Naina so disturbed.

As they reached Naina's apartment building, Samrat cleared his throat, "Ummm... Netra... wohh... mujhe tumse kuch poochna hai, par party mein jo kuch bhi hua uske baad mujhe lagta hai ki yeh sahi time nahi hai. Hum... hum iss baare mein kal baat karenge. Aur uske baad hi hum hamare families ko hamare decision ke baare mein bataayenge. Abhi... tum ghar jaao... kuch... kuch khaa lena, tumne party mein kuch bhi nahi khaaya tha. Main kal subah tumse milne aaunga. Thik hai."

Naina smiled, "Thik hai Samrat. Tum sahi keh rahe ho. Hum kal shaanti se baat karenge, jab hamara dil aur dimaag dono bhi shaant ho. Waise bhi tumse baat karne se pehle mujhe meri behen se baat karni hai."

Opening the door of the car, Naina left towards her building without glancing at Samrat even once. Samrat waited there for few more minutes, still processing everything. Every word of Preeti still vibrated in his mind. He had felt that Sameer and Naina had some connection before at the book launch event too. And now, it was confirmed that they had a history which was surely going to harm his future with Naina.

As Naina opened the door to her apartment, she found her sister sitting on the couch who too was lost somewhere, maybe she too was thinking about Sameer. As Preeti heard a throat clearing, she looked up at her sister who looked worried.

Without beating around the bush, Naina came straight to the point, "Tu Sameer se milne kyun gayi thi Preeti? Agar bataakar jaati toh kya main manaa karti tujhe? Nahi naa? Tu jaanti hai ki Sameer ne mujhe kitna hurt kiya hai, fir kyun milne gayi uss se? Kis haq se gayi tu? Mere life mein Sameer ke liye koi jagah nahi hai ab, fir tu kyun uske reasons jaanne gayi thi? Wohh dus saal se humse durr raha hai, ab jab reason pataa chal gaya hai toh uss se kya farak padnewaala hai Preeti? Tu hi thi jo mujhe Sameer ko bhoolne ko kehti thi, wohh tu hi thi jo mujhe Samrat ko ek chance dene ko kehti thi. Fir ab kya hua? Sameer ke aate hi tujhe uss se waapis lagaav ho gaya? Dus saal pehle bhi tune Sameer ka saath diya tha jab usne mera dil ek bet ki wajah se toda tha. Toh kya iss baar bhi tu uska saath degi? Yeh dus saal tu thi naa mere saath? Dekhi thi naa meri haalat? Yeh sab jaanne aur dekhne ke baad bhi tu Sameer se milne gayi? Kyun kiya tune aisa Preeti, bol kyun kiya?" Naina kept asking her questions which were hurting her so much. She had never imagined that her sister would take the lead to meet Sameer who had ghosted her for last ten years.

Preeti was quietly hearing her sister venting out her anger. She was already aware that Naina was going to burst once she knew that she had gone to meet Sameer. "Kyunki main milna chaahti thi Sameer se. Naina... main jaanti hun usne tujhe bohot hurt kiya hai. Tera kya haal hua tha Sameer ke jaane ke baad, yeh mujhse accha kise pataa hoga Naina. Yeh dus saal main rahi hun tere saath, dekha hai tujhe Sameer ke liye tadapte hue, tootte hue. Haan... main gayi thi Sameer se milne, uss se poochne ki kyun wohh tujhe chodkar chala gaya tha? Haan... main gayi thi uss se milne, kyunki mera haq hai yeh jaanna ki aisi kya majboori thi uski ki wohh hum sabse utna durr chala gaya? Haan... diya tha maine Sameer ka saath jab usne tera dil toda tha uss stupid bet ki wajah se, aur jaanti hai kyun kiya tha maine aisa? Kyunki maine dekha hai Sameer ka pyaar tere liye. Wohh tab sacche dil se tujhse maafi chaahta tha."

Getting up from the coach, Preeti came face to face with her sister, "Maanti hun tera sabse pehla haq hai Sameer pe, par mere liye bhi wohh maayne rakhta hai Naina. Tujhe bas apni padi hai. Tera dard, tera akelapan, tera dil, teri life, tera sab kuch. Yeh dus saalon mein maine bhi Sameer ko miss kiya hai Naina. Mere liye wohh Jijaji baad mein, pehle mera bada bhai hai. Tune ek baar bhi mujhse poocha ki main thik hun yaa nahi? Maine ek saath do logon ko khoya tha, ek tujhe aur ek Sameer ko. Main tujhe sambhaalti rahi kyunki tujhe meri zaroorat thi, par mujhe kisne sambhaala? Main bhi toh akeli hi thi naa? Sameer ke yun achanak chale jaane se mujhe bhi fikar ho rahi thi uski, par kabhi bol nahi paayi, jaanti hai kyun? Kyunki main tujhe uski yaad dilaakar jyada hurt nahi karna chaahti thi. Mera bhi kuch lagta tha Sameer. Dus saal main tere saath thi. Kya mera yeh jaanne ka koi haq nahi hai ki Sameer kahaan tha aur kyun humse durr hua? Sameer sirf tujhse durr nahi hua tha Naina. Main, Munna aur Pandit bhi durr hue the. Toh hamara haq hai Sameer se sab kuch jaanne ka. Main jaanti hun tu mujhe Sameer se milne jaane se nahi rokti, par kya tujhe accha lagta agar main uss se milne jaati toh? Mujhe pataa tha tu aise hi react karegi, isliye maine tujhe kuch nahi bataaya. Waise bhi tujhe kya farak padta uske reasons jaankar? Tu toh already move on karna chaahti hai, hai naa?"

When Naina remained silent, shocked with her sister's explanation, Preeti continued, "Maine jaanbujhkar iss reunion party mein Samrat ko tujhe propose karne ko bola tha, kyunki main jaanti thi tu Sameer ke saamne Samrat ko manaa nahi karegi. Tujhe badla jo lena tha Sameer se. Jitna usne tujhe tadpaaya hai, tu uss se jyaada Sameer ko tadpaana chaahti hai. Sahi keh rahi hun naa main Naina? Aur tu yeh karne mein kaamyaab bhi ho gayi. Sameer jisne aaj tak kabhi sharaab ko haath tak nahi lagaaya tha, usne aaj teri wajah se sharaab bhi pee li. Tujhe toh yeh sab dekhkar bohot accha lagaa hoga na?"

Naina couldn't take anymore, "Preeti kuch bhi faltu bakwaas mat kar tu. Maine... maine aisa soch samajhkar nahi kiya tha. Meri chod, tu kya kar rahi thi reunion party mein? Tu jaanbujhkar Sameer ko taane maare jaa rahi thi. Maine sunaa nahi kuch, par main jaanti hun tujhe Preeti. Waise bhi mujhe nahi pataa tha ki Sameer aise react karega."

Preeti responded, "Really behna... mujhse toh jhooth bol hi mat tu. Main teri rag rag se wakif hun. Teen saal se Samrat tujhse pooch raha tha, tab tune usko haan kyun nahi kahaa? Aur aaj achanak Samrat ka proposal accept kar liya, kyun? Sab aise hi achanak nahi hota Naina. Aaj tune Samrat ko haan sirf isliye bola kyunki Sameer tha wahaan. Agar Sameer naa hota toh tu kabhi Samrat ke rishtey ke liye taiyaar nahi hoti Naina, aur yeh tu bhi bohot acche se jaanti hai."

"Haan... main shaayad aaj haan nahi karti, par aage jaakar zaroor uska proposal accept karti, kyunki Samrat jab se meri life mein aaya hai, usne mujhe badal diya hai. Mujhe mere dukh-dard ko bhoolne mein meri help ki hai usne. Uski dosti mere liye bohot maayne rakhti hai Preeti, aur yeh tu bhi acche se jaanti hai. Samrat naa hota toh aaj main writer naa banti, mujh mein duniya ko face karne ka confidence nahi aata. Bhale main uss se pyaar nahi karti, par uski bohot izzat karti hun Preeti. Samrat aur Sameer ka koi comparison nahi ho sakta. Ek ne mera dil toda, toh dusre ne har koshish ki hai ussi dil ko khush rakhne ki."

Preeti smiled, "Sach kahaa Naina. Samrat ne tujhe apne life mein aage badhne mein teri help ki hai, isliye tu uski respect karti hai. Tune sach kahaa Samrat ne tujhe badal diya hai, par kya wohh tere dil ko badal paaya hai? Kya tere dil mein Samrat ke liye wohh feelings hai, jo dus saal pehle Sameer ke liye thi? Iska jawaab mujhe nahi chahiye Naina, iska jawaab tu khud apne aap se pooch aur fir decide kar, tu jo karne jaa rahi hai wohh thik hai bhi yaa nahi."

Naina had no energy left to fight with her sister, so she sat on the coach and started massaging her forehead which had started to ache now. Preeti observed her sister and went quiet for a few moments, "Dekh Naina. Maine jo kiya wohh mere dil ki tasalli ke liye kiya. Ab jo tujhe aage karna hai wohh tujhe soch samajhkar karna hai. Main iss baar kisi ki side nahi lungi, naa teri... naa Sameer ki. Jaanti hai kyun? Kyunki mujhe aaj bhi tum dono ke pyaar par bharosa hai Naina. Inn dus saalon ki dooriyaan, tumhare beech ke pyaar ko kabhi kamm kar hi nahi sakti. Aaj Sameer ne reunion party mein jo kiya usse saaf pataa chal gaya ki wohh aaj bhi sirf tujhse pyaar karta hai. Ab tujhe jo decision lena hai wohh le, main hamesha tera saath dungi. Fir mera jijaji Sameer bane yaa Samrat, main rahungi toh teri hi behen naa. Tu jo bhi decide karegi, main tere saath hamesha rahungi."

Taking a deep breath, Preeti spoke, "Iss baar tere liye yeh decision aasaan nahi rahega Naina. Ek taraf Sameer hai jisne jo bhi kiya wohh sirf tujhe bachaane ke liye kiya, jo tujhse aaj bhi bohot pyaar karta hai aur ek taraf Samrat hai jisne aaj tujhe ek successful and confident writer banaaya, tujhe tere akelepan se baahar nikaala, tujhe ek writer ki pehchaan di. Bas ek baat main tujhe bolna chaahti hun Naina." Taking a pause, she continued, "Zindagi sirf dosti se nahi chalti Naina, uss rishtey mein pyaar, bharosa, tyaag, sabhi hona chahiye. Aur ab tujhe decide karna hai ki kiske saath rishtey mein tujhe yeh sab milega. The decision is all yours Naina, it was and will always be yours." Saying that, Preeti left her sister alone and retired to her own bedroom. Preeti had said her part and now, it was Naina who had to decide.

After few minutes, Naina settled on her bed. As she continued oiling her hair, she thought about Sameer's revelations and what her sister was trying to tell her. But how could she forgive Sameer? He had hurt her to an extent that she had almost decided to give up on her life. It was only because of Preeti, Chachaji and Chachiji that she had been alive. Pushing all the thoughts away, she plaited her hair and tried to sleep.

The next morning, Sameer paced his living room as he thought of ways to meet Naina and explain his side. He had to do something fast or else he would lose her forever this time. But nothing came to his mind. He didn't even have Naina's residential or official address. And his best friends too had refused to help him with convincing Naina. That further added to his worry.

Vivek, Vishakha and Rohan watched the impatient Sameer Maheshwari pacing the living room. They didn't know how to help him as they had never met Naina except for Rohan. But he too had not known Naina from the start, so he was clueless about her.

"Sameer... please beta ek jagah baith jaa ab. Tujhe aise chalte hue dekh mera sar dard karne lagaa hai.", Vishakha chided his son. Sameer stopped his pacing and sat beside her, "Mummy... Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Main kaise milun Naina se? Aur milunga toh kya kahunga?"

Ramdhari came out of the kitchen at that moment and handed him a cup of hot coffee, "Pehle aap yeh coffee pee lijiye Bhaiya. Coffee peekar aapka dimaag ekdum tandurast ho jaayega aur Naina Bhabhi se milne ka koi naa koi raasta mil hi jaayega."

"Arey waah Ramdhari... mujhe nahi pataa tha teri coffee mein itna jadoo hai ki dimaag chalne lagta hai.", Rohan teased while the others laughed out heartily. After taking few sips, Sameer turned in his brother's direction, "Rohan... tu Samrat ko phone lagaa aur uss se baaton hi baaton mein Naina ka address pooch le."

Rohan added, "Agar main Naina ka address poochunga toh Samrat ko shak nahi hoga Bhai? I mean... uss ajeeb nahi lagega mera yun Naina ka address maangna." Sameer replied, "Wohh pooche toh keh dena tune Naina ki book padh li hai aur iss silsile mein tujhe Naina se baat karni hai personally."

Rohan clapped, "Waahhh... kya stupid idea hai." "Ab iss mein kya stupid lagaa tujhe?", Sameer retorted. Rohan glared at his brother, "Bhai... Samrat koi doodh peeta baccha nahi hai. Main kuch bhi kahunga aur wohh maan lega. Usne kal dekha tha aap kaise Naina ko lekar gaana gaa rahe the. Usse ab tak shaayad sab samajh bhi aa gaya hoga ki aapke aur Naina ke beech kya history thi."

Sameer went quiet after hearing his brother's reply. Rohan was indeed right. Sameer's behaviour last night wasn't acceptable. Whatever he had done was in a fit of his rage and especially, jealousy. By now, Samrat must have put two and two together. And maybe he won't give Naina's address to Rohan.

As Sameer was thinking hard, Rohan's mobile started ringing. He was shocked to the see caller-id of the caller. He turned his mobile in Sameer's direction and he too was surprised. After few rings, Rohan picked up the call, "Hello... haan Samrat. Bol, kaisa hai tu? Aaj itni subah subah phone kyun kiya? Sab thik hai naa?"

Samrat replied from the other end, "Arey Rohan... Sab thik hai. Maine tujhe yeh bataane ke liye call kiya tha ki hum kal shaam tere ghar aane waale hai. I mean... main aur Netra hamari shaadi ka invitation dene aa rahe hai. Kal din bhar sab ke ghar de denge aur aakhir mein tere ghar aayenge."

Rohan started coughing while Vishakha started rubbing his back to calm him down. Rohan replied, "Arey abhi toh kal raat hi tune Naina ko propose kiya tha, aur ab itni jaldi shaadi. Mera matlab hai ki ek raat mein sab final kaise ho gaya?"

Samrat chuckled, "Arey main toh teen saal se Netra ke peeche pada tha. Kal jaakar maani hai. Iss se pehle ki wohh apna iraada badle, maine mere parents se aur uske Chacha aur Chachi se baat pakki kar li. Pandit ji ne bhi aaj subah hi shaadi ki date nikaali thi, jo ab se do hafte baad hai. Jaanta hun yeh sab bohot jaldi ho raha hai, par ab kar bhi kya sakte hai. Panditji keh rahe the ki iss mahurat ke baad direct ek saal baad ka mahurat hai. Isliye humne do weeks baad ki hi date final kar di. Aaj officially uske ghar rishta lekar jayenge hum. Maine aaj invitation cards already printing mein daal diye hai, raat tak mil jaayenge. Isliye kal tere ghar aa rahe hai, tum sabko shaadi mein invite karne."

Rohan ended the call and repeated what Samrat had told him over the call. Sameer had gone crazy, "Itni jaldi shaadi kaise kar sakti hai Naina? Abhi mujhe usse baat karni hai, usse mere pyaar ka ehsaas dilaana hai. Naina se maafi maangni hai. Wohh aisa nahi kar sakti? Naina Samrat se shaadi nahi kar sakti. Main... main nahi hone dunga unn dono ki shaadi."

After disconnecting the call, Samrat sighed in relief. He wanted to make sure that Sameer received this message about his marriage to Naina. He had already shared Naina's acceptance to his marriage proposal with his parents and her Chachaji and Chachiji early in the morning and they had been very much excited and happy.

But Samrat still had to talk to Naina. He somehow had an idea of what must have happened between her and Sameer. Yet, he needed to hear it firsthand from Naina herself. And he was more than ready to listen to her story.

After having his breakfast, Samrat headed to Naina's house. On the way, he grew a little nervous. He wasn't sure what Naina was going to tell him about her past. He just hoped that her past was not going to clash with his present and future. He liked her too much to let her go now.

As the doorbell rang, Preeti opened the door to find Samrat standing at the other side. "Arey Samrat... itni subah subah yahaan kya kar rahe ho?" And then, taking a small pause, she continued, "Main bhi kya stupid sawaal pooch rahi hun? Tum apni Netra se milne aaye hoge. Hai naa? Aao... andar aao. Par tumhe thodi der wait karna padega. Naina bas abhi abhi uthi hai. Wohh shaayad raat ko thik se soyi nahi hai. Tum baitho... main tumhare liye coffee banaakar laati hun."

Samrat replied, "No problem at all. Main wait kar lunga Preeti. Tum bataao. Kal party mein tum kahaan gaayab ho gayi thi? I mean... tum mujhe baad mein kahin dikhaayi nahi di." Preeti smiled weakly, "Wohh mujhe thoda thik nahi lag raha tha, isliye ghar jaldi aa gayi thi."

"Waise Preeti... Thank you so much. Agar tum kal raat mujhe Netra ko propose karne ke liye push nahi karti, toh shaayad main ab bhi apne dil ki baat tumhari behen se nahi keh paata. So, thank you so much Preeti. Main bohot khush hun ki Netra ne finally mujhe haan kar di hai." Samrat continued excitedly, "Tumhe pataa hai maine mere parents aur tumhare parents ko sab bataa diya hai. Wohh sab bohot khush hai aur hamari shaadi ki date bhi fix ho gayi. Do hafte baad tumhari behen officially meri wife ban jaayegi."

Preeti was beyond shocked, "Tumne hamare parents ko sab bataa bhi diyaa aur shaadi ki date bhi final kar di? Samrat... yeh baat Naina ko pataa hai kya?" She turned towards the kitchen to make coffees for all of them. She herself needed that dose of caffeine to think rationally before she said something to Samrat that she shouldn't have.

Muttering to herself, Preeti entered the kitchen, "Meri mat maari gayi thi jo maine tumhe Naina ko propose karne ko kahaa. Aur abhi kal raat hi toh propose kiya tha. Itni kya jaldi thi isse shaadi ki date fix karne ki? Yeh sab raita naa, mera hi failaaya hua hai. Ab main kya karun? Ab Naina kya karegi? Abhi toh Sameer aur Naina ke beech koi baat bhi nahi hui hai."

Naina had already freshened up and was about to come out of her room when she heard Samrat talking to her sister. She stood rooted to her spot as she heard every word that Samrat spoke very clearly. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and saw Samrat sitting comfortably on the coach.

As Naina approached, Samrat wished her, "Good morning, Netra..." Watching her face closely, he asked, "Tum thik toh ho naa? Tumhari aankhen sujhi hui lag rahi hai. Preeti keh rahi thi ki tum kal raat late soyi aur abhi late uthi. You fine naa?"

Naina smiled, "Main thik hun. Bas kal raat thoda sardard ho raha tha, toh neend nahi aayi. Tum bataao, itni subah yahaan kaise?" Before Samrat could reply, Preeti appeared holding a tray of three coffee cups.

Keeping the tray on the table, Preeti settled down on the coach next to her sister. She quietly sipped her coffee and waited for any of them to break the silence, but no one spoke. As soon as Preeti finished her coffee, she got up to leave, "Tum dono ko main disturb nahi karungi. Main jaa rahi hun. Meri ek important meeting hai aaj, toh shaayad shaam ko aane mein der ho jaayegi."

As Preeti picked up her handbag and was about to open the door, she turned towards her sister who was already standing behind her, "Naina... maine jo raat ko kahaa tha, uske baare mein shaanti se sochna. Decision bohot soch samajh kar lena behna. Teri life ka sawaal hai." Gesturing towards Samrat, she spoke, "Isko tujhse shaadi karne ki itni jaldi hai ki usne mummy-papa ko already sab bataa diyaa hai aur tum dono ki shaadi ki date bhi fix ho gayi hai. Tujhe iss baare mein kuch pataa hai kya? Mujhe toh abhi abhi sab pataa chala hai, par yeh sab final karne se pehle kya Samrat ne tujhse ek baar bhi poocha tha?", saying her part Preeti bid her goodbye.

As Preeti left, Naina sat on the couch, "Poocho Samrat. Kya poochna chaahte ho tum? Main aaj tumhe saare sawaalon ke jawaab dungi."

Samrat was waiting for this day. He had many questions for her since he met her, but due to her reserved nature, he never tried to ask anything. He had seen the haunted look on her face when they had met for the first time. He knew that she had a very rough past and her own family had shun her out of their lives. But why was the main question that had lingered since then. With Sameer's presence from the last few days had added some light to his thinking.

"Tumhara aur Sameer ka kya rishta hai Netra?", Samrat asked directly. This question was haunting him since the book launch event. And today, he wanted answers to all his queries.

Naina had expected this and it was time for her past to be revealed without leaving any secrets between them. And she started from how it all began. Their first meet in the school corridor when she had fallen in love with him at first sight. She left nothing. She spoke every word from her heart, reminiscing all those memories again.

Samrat quietly heard her. His eyes wet as she continued telling him her love story that she had already written as her fourth book. Samrat had no idea that Naina had written her own love story. He couldn't believe that she and Sameer were a couple since her school days and were so much in love.

"Sameer aur mere beech pyaar ka rishta tha Samrat. Hum ek dusre se bohot pyaar karte the. Hum dono ka dard ek tha, kahaani almost same thi. Family hote hue bhi hum akele the. Hume wohh pyaar ek dusre mein mila jo koi hume de nahi paaya."

Naina wiped her tears, "Bachpan se maine taiji ke taane sune the, ki kaise mujhe janam dete hi meri maa guzar gayi. Papa ne tab se hi mujhe manhoos maan liya aur sirf mere Arjun Bhaiyya ko apna beta maana. Sirf Chachaji, Chachiji aur Preeti hi the, jo hamesha mere har sukh-dukh mein saath khade rahe. Fir Swati se dosti hui aur wohh meri best friend bann gayi. Main sab taano se itna sehem jaati thi ki maine apna poora dhyaan apni padhaai mein lagaaya aur hamesha har class mein top kiya. Fir Sameer meri zindagi mein ek hawa ke jhonke ki tarah aaya aur sab badal gaya. Jisne kabhi kisi ladke ki taraf aankh tak uthaa kar nahi dekha tha, wohh usse chupchupkar dekhne lagi. Pataa hi nahi chala kab main Sameer se pyaar karne lagi. Meri har saans mein wohh basta tha."

"Aur ab?", Samrat asked. Naina went silent for a few moments and gathered some courage, "Samrat... Sameer ne jo dard mujhe diya hai, usse main kabhi bhulaa nahi paaungi. Mujhe bina kuch bataaye usne wohh faisla liya, jo hum dono ko saath mein lena chahiye tha. Tumne Preeti ki baatein toh suni naa kal? Ek relationship mein koi bhi decision lene se pehle, baat karna bohot zaruri hota hai. Lekin Sameer ne aisa nahi kiya. Usne mujhe kuch nahi bataaya aur mujhe akela chod diya. Fir se ek baar mera dil tod diya. Inn dus saalon mein maine bohot koshish ki, ki main Sameer ko bhulaa paaun."

"Aur tum usse nahi bhulaa paayi naa Netra?", Samrat asked with a teary smile. Naina closed her eyes and let those tears flow freely. She wasn't ashamed of accepting her love for Sameer in front of Samrat.

"Samrat... Zindagi mein pyaar sirf ek baar hota hai. Mere hisse ka pyaar main kar chuki hun. Ab firse nahi kar paaungi. Kal raat jab tumne mujhe shaadi ke liye propose kiya, toh maine haan kar diya. Isliye nahi ki main tumse pyaar karti hun, par isliye ki maine tumhari aankhon mein mere liye izzat dekhi hai. Tumne mera saath tab diya, jab main poori tarah toot gayi thi. Samrat... kal maine Sameer ke saamne tumhara proposal accept kiya tha, kyunki main chaahti thi ki Sameer ko pataa chale ki meri zindagi mein main aage badh chuki hun. Bhale main tumse kabhi pyaar nahi kar paaungi Samrat, par main tumhe kabhi akela nahi chodungi, hamesha tumhare saath rahungi, jaise tum mere saath rahe ho peechle paanch saalon se. Hamari shaadi mein sab kuch hoga, bas ek pyaar hi hai jo main fir se nahi kar paaungi Samrat. Kya yeh jaante hue, tum ab bhi mujhse shaadi karna chaahoge?"

Samrat smiled, "Tumne sahi kahaa Netra. Pyaar life mein sirf ek baar hota hai. Aur mere hisse ka pyaar bhi main kar chuka hun. Jaise tumhara past hai, waisa mera bhi ek past hai Netra. Main bhi ek ladki se bohot pyaar karta tha. Par wohh mujhse pyaar nahi karti thi. Mere saath sirf timepass kar rahi thi. Main bhi aajtak meri Iti ko bhool nahi paaya hun. Netra... jab tumhe pehli baar dekha tha, toh tum mein mujhe meri Iti dikhaayi di thi. Wohh bilkul tumhare jaise dikhti hai, isliye mujhe tum pasand aa gayi. Humara dard bhi same hi hai Netra. Saccha pyaar karke bhi pyaar naa milaa. Tum mujhe bohot pasand ho Netra, isliye main tumse shaadi karna chaahta hun. Fir bhale hi tumhare dil mein Sameer aur mere dil mein Iti ho, hamari shaadi hamari dosti mein nikal jaayegi. Aaj humne ek dusre ko apni life ke baare mein sab bataa diya hai, koi secrets nahi hai. Toh I don't think ki hamari shaadi mein koi problem hogi aage. Lekin fir bhi main tumse poochna chaahta hun ki kya tum mujhse ab bhi shaadi karna chaahogi, jab Sameer waapis aa gaya hai?"

Naina asked, "Abhi kyun pooch rahe ho Samrat, jab tumne already hamari families ko sab bataakar hamari shaadi ki date fix kar di hai?" Samrat rubbed his neck nervously, "Wohh... main tumhe khona nahi chaahta tha Netra. Maine kal jab Preeti aur baaki sab ki baatein suni, tab hi samajh gaya tha ki tumhare aur Sameer ke beech ek aisa rishta hai, jo shaayad meri life ko affect karega. Par agar tum Sameer ke paas waapis jaana chaaho toh mujhe koi problem nahi hai Netra, kyunki main bhi ussi dard se guzra hun, jo tum dono ne mehsoos kiya hai. Sach kahun toh Sameer ke liye bura bhi lag raha hai. Usne jo bhi kiya wohh sab tumhare liye tha, par jo tarika usne apnaaya wohh galat tha. Isliye main tumse fir se ek baar pooch raha hun ki kya tum ab bhi mujhse shaadi karna chahogi? Main promise karta hun ki agar tumne manaa kar diya toh main baaki sab kuch sambhaal lunga, hamari families ko bhi. Toh bataao Netra... tum mujhse shaadi karogi?"

Naina nodded, "Haan Samrat... main tumse shaadi karungi. Maine jo kal jawaab diya tha, main ussi par kaayam rahungi. Isliye nahi ki Sameer waapis aa gaya hai, par isliye kyunki main jaanti hun ki hum dono iss shaadi mein khush rahenge. Do toote hue log hi sacche pyaar aur rishtey ko acche se samajh sakte hai."

Samrat jumped in happiness and hugged her while Naina still wasn't sure about what she had agreed too. Samrat asked, "Kya tum ek baar bhi Sameer se baat nahi karna chaahti Netra, especially ab jab tumhe uska sab sach pataa hai?"

"Nahi Samrat... jo ho chuka hai, jo waqt guzar chuka hai, wohh waapis nahi aa sakta. Sameer ko ek baar maine maaf kar diya tha, par ab main usse maaf nahi kar sakti, kyunki usne wohh haq kho diya hai. Mera Sameer ke saath ab koi rishta nahi hai, jo tha wohh dus saal pehle hi usne tod diya tha. Aaj se Sameer ka chapter meri life mein permanently close ho chuka hai."

How was the update?

Frankly speaking, it had been tough for me to start writing after such a long time.

Even if I knew what I wanted to write, I couldn't do it.

My mind had gone totally blank several times while writing this update.

Please ignore the mistakes...

I haven't checked it before posting this...

So what do you think will Sameer be able to stop Samrat's and Naina's marriage?

Is Naina really taking revenge from Sameer as Preeti said?

Give me some motivation guys so that I can continue writing, I am really gone blank...

Will be back with the next update soon...

Till then, take care and stay happy...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️