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I am back with the next chapter...

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AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

CHAPTER 8

"Sorry... Sorry Sir... Main... main kisi Samrat ko nahi jaanti." Aditi's reply didn't shock the brothers. Sameer had known that this was coming. It was going to be a difficult task to convince Aditi.

Sameer noticed how Aditi was fidgeting with her dupatta. She seemed nervous, very much nervous. Rohan too observed her actions silently. Her aunt who was standing nearby wanted to say something, but one look at the girl and she had stopped herself from interfering. She was the only one who actually knew what Aditi was going through.

"Sir... kuch aur kaam hai toh boliye.", Aditi didn't meet their gazes. The brothers weren't here to just give up. They had to try. They couldn't spoil four lives with Naina's decision of getting married to Samrat.

"Dekho Aditi... main koi ghuma firaakar baatein nahi karunga. Isliye main jo kehne jaa raha hun, usse pehle shaanti se sunn lena please. Uske baad tum jo bhi decision logi, wohh hume manzoor hoga.", Sameer started, fully understanding the situation. Aditi was still scared of Samrat's father's threats.

Sameer narrated how he and Naina had met in the school and how their love story had started with a bet. He didn't leave anything. He also told her of their separation after his Nanu's death and how they still stayed connected even after staying in two different cities. And then, the whole 'Daadi' fiasco happened. How he had believed his manipulating step grandmother's words and left Naina and his best friends alone.

Sameer continued as he had Aditi's full attention, "Wohh dus saal main sirf jee raha tha. Aur ab jab akkal thikaane par aayi hai, toh samajh aaya ki maine Naina ka dil todkar kitna badaa gunaah kar diya hai. Main aaj bhi Naina se bohot pyaar karta hun Aditi. Aur main uske bina jee nahi sakta. Ab sab tumhare haath mein hai. Tum chaaho toh hamari help kar sakti ho. Iss-se hum sabki life acchi ho jaayegi Aditi. Bas hamari help kar do."

Aditi finally met Sameer's gaze, "Main aapki koi help nahi kar sakti Sir. Maine kahaa naa ki main kisi Samrat ko nahi jaanti. Toh aap apna kimti waqt mere saath barbaad mat kijiye."

Rohan was irritated now, "Aditi... hum sab jaante hai. Tum aur Samrat bhi ek dusre se pyaar karte the. Samrat ke papa ne jo tumhe dhamki di hai, wohh bhi hum jaante hai. Dekho... tumhe ghabraane ki zarurat nahi hai. Hum hai naa tumhare saath. Hum ek saath milkar sab thik kar sakte hai. Naina aur Samrat ki shaadi sirf ek samjauta hai. Wohh dono ek dusre se pyaar nahi karte Aditi. Wohh dono iss shaadi mein khush nahi rahenge."

"Agar aisa hota toh Naina uss din mujhe nahi daant-ti Sir. Khair... aap dono jo bhi kahe, sach toh yahi hai ki ab hamari zindagiyaan bohot aage nikal chuki hai. Shaayad main Samrat ko yaad bhi nahi rahungi. Agar wohh mujhse pyaar karta toh Naina se shaadi karne ke liye taiyaar nahi hota." Closing her eyes, Aditi added, "Main sach mein aapki koi help nahi kar sakti Sir."

Rohan was ready to snap, but Sameer covered his brother's hand with his and spoke calmly, "Thik hai Aditi. Main samajh sakta hun ki yeh sab tumhare liye bhi aasaan nahi hai. Humne jo kahaa uske baare mein tum shaanti se sochna, fir hi koi decision lena. Hum do din baad fir aayenge and I hope ki tab tum hamari help karne ke liye ready hogi. Hum ab chalte hai."

Aditi didn't get up to bid them goodbye. She was still lost in her thoughts when Sameer stopped at the door, "Aur ek baad yaad rakhna, tumhara jo bhi decision hoga, uska tumhari job par koi asar nahi padega. Toh uss baat ki tension lene ki zarurat nahi hai. Hum do din baad firse milenge. Bye." And the brothers left.

As they settled in the car, Rohan expressed his disappointment, "Bhai... sach kahun toh mujhe lagaa tha ki Aditi hamari baat sunne ke baad, hamari help karne ke liye ready ho jaayegi. Par abhi usse milne ke baad, mujhe aisa lag raha hai ki wohh shaayad hamari help nahi karegi. Dekha nahi aapne, kaise wohh khudke aansoon ko chupaane ki koshish kar rahi thi?"

Sameer agreed, "Haan Rohan... dekha maine. Par main uske haalaat samajh sakta hun. Usse ab tak yeh nahi pataa ki Samrat uss-se abhi pyaar bhi karta hai yaa nahi. Toh kaise wohh hamari help karne ke liye ready ho jaati? Aur Samrat ke papa ki dhamkiyon ko bhi wohh nazar-andaaz nahi kar sakti, aakhir uski mausi ki jaan ki baat hai. Maine usse do din ka time isiliye diya hai ki wohh shaanti se hamari baaton par gaur kare. Agar Aditi hamari help karne ke liye ready ho gayi, toh sabse pehle main Aditi aur Samrat ko aamne saamne laaunga, taaki unke beech ki sab misunderstandings khatam ho jaaye. Yeh ho gaya naa, toh uske baad main Naina ko manaa hi lunga."

Rohan nodded in agreement, "I hope aap jo soch rahe hai, sab waise hi ho. Aur do din baad Aditi hamari help karne ke liye ready ho jaaye." Their conversation then turned towards their work and they drove off to the Maheshwari Mansion.

Sameer called Preeti and told her about their meeting with Aditi. Even Preeti was worried now. She remembered how Aditi had behaved when she had learnt about Naina and Samrat's alliance. She too hoped that Aditi would help them.

"Accha Jijaji... Suniye... Aaj ki taaza update yeh hai ki Samrat thodi der mein mujhe aur Naina ko pick karne aa raha hai. Shaadi ki shopping ka plan hai.", Preeti informed while Sameer chuckled, "Accha... toh aaj shaadi ki shopping hone jaa rahi hai. Thik hai. Kahaan jaa rahe ho tum sab?"

"Pataa nahi Jijaji. Jaise hi mujhe pataa chalega, main aapko location message kar dungi. Naina ke saamne aapse baat nahi kar sakti naa?" Preeti added, "Accha chaliye, main phone rakhti hun. Main jaldi se ready ho jaati hun warna Naina devi ko jaagne mein time nahi lagega." They ended their call happily.

"Kya hua Bhai? Aap hass kyun rahe ho? Aisa kya kahaa Princ... Preeti ne?", Rohan bit his tongue as soon as he realized his folly. Sameer understood what Rohan was about to speak, but he ignored it for now. "Saali sahiba ne kahaa ki aaj wohh Naina aur Samrat ke saath shaadi ki shopping ke liye jaa rahi hai. Kahaan jaa rahe hai, wohh usse pataa nahi hai, isliye baad mein message kar degi."

Rohan just hummed in response while Sameer noticed his brother was lost in some thoughts. Sameer realized what his brother must be thinking, so he asked, "Ummm... tu chaahe toh mere saath chal sakta hai."

"Sach... main aapke saath aaunga toh aapko koi problem nahi hogi naa?", Rohan couldn't confine his excitement which didn't escape Sameer's eyes. "Mujhe kya problem hogi? Tu saath hoga toh meri bhi help ho jaayegi."

"Kaisi help Bhai?", Rohan added while looking at his brother who was now parking his car. "Tu saath hoga toh tu Preeti aur Samrat ko busy rakh sakta hai, aur main Naina se baat kar paaunga.", Sameer replied casually.

Rohan hummed and thought to himself, "Main Samrat ko kyun busy rakhunga? Main toh meri Princess ko busy rakhunga, uske saath shopping karunga." Sameer observed his brother and asked, "Kuch bola tune?" "Nahi... nahi toh... aapne... aapne kuch sunaa?", Rohan grew nervous. Did he say that aloud, he thought to himself.

Sameer chuckled watching his brother's red face, "Chal ab andar chal. Mummy papa wait kar rahe honge." Rohan followed his brother still lost in some thought.

"Arey tum dono aa gaye? Main bas khaana banaane hi jaa rahi thi. Tum dono fresh ho jaao, tab tak main aur Ramdhari kuch banaa lete hai.", Vishakha spoke as soon as she spotted her sons.

"Thik hai Mummy. Hum abhi fresh hokar aate hai.", Rohan replied as he headed towards his room while Sameer followed his mother in the kitchen, "Mummy... Aaj Naina Samrat ke saath shaadi ki shopping ke liye jaa rahi hai." And he also updated her about their meet with Aditi.

Vishakha consoled his worried son, "Sameer... tu fikar mat kar. Wohh ladki Aditi... tumhari help zaroor karegi. Sab thik ho jaayega beta. Aur tune kya kahaa? Aaj Naina shaadi ki shopping ke liye jaa rahi hai? Hmm... mujhe lagta hai ki tujhe wahaan jaana chahiye. Aakhir shaadi ka joda toh ladke waalon ke side se liya jaata hai naa?"

Sameer wasn't aware of this, "Yeh toh mujhe pataa nahi tha Mummy. Accha hua aapne bataa diya. Ab shaadi ka joda main lunga aur wohh bhi meri Naina ki pasand ka." His mother ruffled his hair, "Bilkul... shaadi ka joda Naina ki hi pasand ka hona chahiye. Chal... ab fresh ho jaa. Main jaldi se kuch khaane ka banaa deti hun."

Both the brothers freshened up quickly and joined their parents for lunch. Soon a message beeped on Sameer's phone and he seemed excited, "Chal Rohan... Preeti ne boutique ka address bhej diya hai. Hume jaldi wahaan jaana chahiye."

"Tu wahaan jayega, yeh samajh bhi aata hai Sameer. Par Rohan... uska kya kaam hai wahaan?", Vivek asked looking at Rohan who gulped nervously. Sameer would have enjoyed pulling his brother's leg, but there was no time for that now. They had to hurry before Naina and Samrat would finalize their wedding outfits.

"Papa... Samrat ko busy rakhne ke liye mujhe Rohan ki help lagegi. Tab hi toh main Naina ko mil paaunga.", Sameer replied as he tried to finish his meal hurriedly. "Accha fir thik hai.", Vivek spoke till observing his other son who didn't meet anyone's gaze.

The brothers quickly finished their meal and left towards the boutique.

Naina and Samrat entered the boutique first while Preeti cited an excuse that she had to make an urgent call to her client. As soon as they disappeared, Preeti called Sameer, "Jijaji... aap kahaan reh gaye? Hum boutique pohonch gaye hai. Kahin aisa naa ho ki aapke aane se pehle hi meri behna shaadi ka joda le le."

"Saali Sahiba... hume aane mein bus aur paanch hi minute lagenge. Tab tak tum sambhaal lo apni behna ko.", Sameer replied as he manoeuvred his way towards the boutique. "Thik hai. Main andar jaa rahi hun. Aap aa jaana. Waise ek baat bolna main bhool gayi. Samrat ki family bhi aaj shopping ke liye saath aayi hai. Toh zara sambhaal ke Jijaji... Aur... aaj raat mere mummy-papa bhi aa rahe hai waapas."

"Thik hai Preeti. Tum jyada fikar mat karo. Main sambhaal lunga wahaan sab. Aur accha hai ki Naina ke Chachaji aur Chachiji aaj aa rahe hai. Naina ko family ki zarurat hai.", Sameer replied on the speaker.

"Jijaji... waise maine mummy-papa ko bataa diya hai ki aap yahaan Ahmedabad mein hi hain. Unki Naina se bhi baat hui thi iss shaadi ko lekar. Ab dekhte hai wohh kya karenge.", Preeti informed Sameer as he parked his car near the entrance.

"Thik hai Preeti. Kya tum Chachaji aur Chachiji ko yeh bataane waali ho ki tum hamari help kar rahi ho?", Sameer asked coming out of his car while Rohan was listening to the one-sided conversation.

Preeti came in Rohan's view, "Bhai... wohh dekhiye. Princ... I mean... Preeti wahaan khadi hai." Without hearing his brother's reply, Rohan made his way towards his Princess leaving Sameer behind.

Sameer disconnected the call and waved in Preeti's direction. She waved at Sameer while her focus was on his brother who was walking in her direction with a wide smile.

"Hello Princess..." Looking at her from head to toe, he added, "Aaj toh ekdum keher dhaa rahi ho. Kuch special hai kya? Waise kahin tum bhi apni shaadi ki shopping ka rehearsal karne toh nahi aayi naa?"

Preeti huffed in anger, "Tumse matlab? Agar main rehearsal karne aayi bhi hun, toh tumhe kya problem hai?" "Mujhe kya problem hogi? Main toh bas aise hi pooch raha tha. Agar tumhe help chahiye ho toh mujhse keh sakti ho. Meri choice bohot acchi hoti hai.", Rohan teased while Sameer who was hearing all this, coughed, "Ab tum dono ki baatein khatam ho gayi ho, toh andar chalein?"

"Jijaji... main pehle mummy-papa Naina se kya baat karte hai, wohh dekhna hai. Uske baad hi main decide karungi ki unhe hamare baare mein kuch bataana hai yaa nahi.", Preeti replied to Sameer's previous question.

Looking around, Preeti added, "Pehle main andar jaati hun. Do minute baad aap aa jaana.", Preeti replied to Sameer and turned towards Rohan, "Aur aapke iss bhai ko baahar hi rehne dena. Iska andar koi kaam nahi hai."

Rohan laughed while his princess made his way inside the boutique. Sameer stood next to his brother, "Waise main dekh raha hun ki aaj kal tu Preeti ke aas-paas kuch jyada hi bolne lage ho. Kya chal raha hai Rohan?", this time Sameer didn't mince his words and asked his brother directly.

Rohan closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, "Bhai... Mujhe Preeti bohot acchi lagti hai. Pataa nahi kab usne mere dil mein apne liye jagah banaa li." Opening his eyes, he met his brother's gaze, "Bhai... aap toh jaante ho naa mujhe? Maine aaj tak kisi ladki mein interest nahi liya, par jab se Preeti se mila hun, main usse apne dil se nikaal hi nahi paa raha. I like her Bhai... I like Preeti a lot..."

Sameer smiled and thumped his back, "Rohan... mujhse accha koi aur tumhe nahi jaan sakta. Isliye mujhe koi problem nahi hai tumhare feelings se. Bas ek baat acche se yaad rakhna tu. Preeti meri Saali banne se pehle meri behen hai. Agar kabhi mujhe pataa chala ki tune usse kabhi hurt kiya hai, toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga."

Rohan chuckled, "Mujhe daraa rahe hai Bhai? Waise main aapko aisa koi mauka hi nahi dunga. Main promise karta hun ki main Preeti ko hamesha khush rakhunga." Sameer nodded, "Ab andar chal... kahin Naina shaadi ka joda final naa karde."

As they entered, Rohan asked, "Waise kitna accha hai naa yeh sab?" Sameer looked at him in confusion while his brother chuckled, "I mean... wohh dono behne ek saath hamare ghar mein rahengi. Wohh do behne, hum do bhai..."

Sameer hit him playfully, "Pehle main ek behen ko manaa lun. Fir tera dekhte hai. Waise... teri princess bhi itni aasaani se tere saath nahi aayegi. Mehnat toh tujhe bhi karni hi padegi Rohan. Preeti abhi meri aur uski behen ki life settle kar rahi hai, toh abhi tujhe itna bhaav nahi degi. Pehle meri love story track par aa jaaye, fir teri love story ke baare mein sochte hai."

Rohan leaned a little towards his big brother who was searching for his love, "Bhai... Aap meri love story ki fikar mat kijiye... wohh toh main khud hi handle kar lunga. Aap abhi Bhabhi ko dhundiye. Abhi wohh jyada important hai."

Sameer turned to his brother, "Tujhe toh main ghar jaakar dekhta hun." Again, turning around, he tried to search for his love, "Pehle main meri Naina ko toh dhund lun."

Rohan made his way towards the stairs, "Bhai... aap yahin rukiye. Pehle main upar dekhkar aata hun. Naina Bhabhi, Samrat aur Preeti dikh nahi rahe yahaan. Shaayad upar waale floor par honge. Main abhi aata hun."

Sameer waited downstairs while Rohan slowly went upstairs and observed his surroundings. He came down within few minutes, "Bhai... Sab log upar hi hai. Waise aap sabke saamne upar kaise jaayenge?"

"Main tujhe saath kyun laaya hun?", Sameer replied while looking around. "Ek idea hai. Bas tu wohi kar jo main kehta hun." Before he could say anything, someone interrupted, "Sameer... Rohan... tum dono yahaan aise kyun khade ho? Naina aur Preeti kahaan hai?"

"Mummy... aap yahaan kya kar rahi hai? Papa kahaan hai? Aap akeli kaise aayi yahaan?", Sameer questioned one after the other. His mother admonished, "Ek saath itne saare sawaal kaun karta hai? Ek ek karke pooch beta."

Sameer and Rohan exchanged a glance as Vivek entered, "Arey tum sab ab tak yahin khade ho? Naina aur Preeti kahaan hai?"

"Papa... aap bhi yahaan?", Rohan asked this time. Vishakha chuckled, "Haan... hum log bhi yahaan shopping karne aaye hai. Kyun Vivek?" Both the brothers stood perplexed after hearing her reply.

"Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha?", Sameer and Rohan said together. "Beta... toh hum tumhe samjha dete hai.", Vivek replied, "Waise hamare saath aur bhi koi aaya hai."

The brothers looked behind their parents and watched a girl appear. "Amrita...", both the brothers said in unison. "What a pleasant surprise Amrita? Tum yahaan... I mean Ahmedabad kab aayi?", Sameer asked as he came forward to give her a hug.

Amrita was the only girl that Sameer had stayed friends with even after leaving Delhi. She was one constant friend that helped him to stay sane. She was the only one who knew about Naina since Sameer had been staying with Somani family in Delhi. He always talked about his best friends and Naina with Amrita and reminisced his beautiful memories.

"Tum toh Ahmedabad aakar mujhe bhool hi gaye Sameer?", Amrita faked anger. As the family stood closer, she continued, "Mujhe uncle, auntie ne sab bataa diya hai. Aur ab main bhi kuch help karna chaahti hun."

"Tum kaise help kar sakti ho? I mean... kya help karogi tum?", Rohan asked this time.

"Wohh... hum bataate hai.", Vishakha replied with a sly smile. "Bhai... Inki smile dekhkar mujhe naa ab darr lag raha hai.", Rohan mumbled while Sameer nodded, "Mujhe bhi..."

"Ab tum dono jo hum bolenge ussi mein haan se haan milaana. Thik hai. Chalo... ab aur time nahi hai.", Vishakha said as she took the lead and made her way upstairs followed by Vivek.

Sameer asked, "Amrita... yeh sab kya chal raha hai?" She just followed his parents, "Ab chupchaap chalo and trust your mother, Sameer. Wohh jo karne jaa rahi hai, wohh tumhare plan ke liye sahi hai."

"Bhai... kya chal raha hai? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha.", Rohan too followed behind his brother. "Samajh toh mujhe bhi kuch nahi aa raha. Aur hum aise upar jaayenge toh Naina aur Samrat hume dekh lenge naa? Yeh mummy kya karna chaahti hai?", Sameer mumbled in confusion.

As they reached upstairs, they spotted Naina and Preeti who were sitting next to Samrat and his family. Vishakha and Vivek held each other's hands and headed their way. "Vivek... aaj mujhe bohot acchi acchi sarees leni hai aur aap meri help karenge.", Vishakha spoke loudly gaining everyone's attention on the floor.

Preeti watched in horror as Naina, Samrat and his parents stood up watching the whole Somani family there. She glared at Sameer and Rohan visibly angry for the stunt they were pulling. Preeti raised her eyebrows and gestured towards the Somani couple who now stood in front of the Ahuja family.

"Arey Vishakha... tum... yahaan?", Samrat's mother, Rekha Ahuja, asked in surprise. Vishakha came ahead, "Rekha... hamari mulaaqaat aise yahaan Ahmedabad mein hogi, maine socha nahi tha. Waise kaisi ho tum?"

"Main ekdum badhiya. Waise bohot saalon baad mile hai hum.", Rekha replied as she came ahead to hug Vishakha. As they parted, Rekha introduced, "Vikram... isse milo... yeh hai Vishakha Somani, hum saath college mein padhte the."

Vishakha joined her palms in greeting, "Namaste..." Turning towards her husband, she introduced, "Aur yeh hai mere husband, Vivek Somani." Pointing around, she continued, "Aur yeh hai mere bete, Sameer aur Rohan."

The brothers came ahead and touched the Ahuja couple's feet. The old couple blessed them and continued the introduction, "Aur yeh hai mera beta, Samrat aur yeh uski honewaali biwi, Naina. Aur uske baaju mein hai Preeti, Naina ki behen."

As Vishakha nodded in their direction, Rekha continued while her son and the sisters came ahead to take their blessings, "Hum aaj yahaan shaadi ki shopping karne aaye hai. Kitne acche time par mili ho Vishakha. Hamare bete ki shaadi hai, agle hafte. Tum sabko zaroor aana hai."

Turning towards her son, Rekha continued, "Samrat... hum aaj hi inke ghar shaadi ka nyota dene jaayenge." Before Samrat could say something, Vishakha added, "Arey uski zarurat nahi hai. Samrat aur Naina ki shaadi ka invitation hume already mil chuka hai."

Before Rekha could question, Rohan spoke, "Wohh auntie... main aur Samrat friends hai." "Haan mummy... hum friends hai. Aur maine already inhe invitation de diya hai." As Amrita stood beside Sameer, Rekha asked, "Aur yeh kaun hai Vishakha?"

Vishakha smiled, "Yeh Amrita Khanna hai. Hamari neighbour hai Delhi mein. Sameer aur Rohan ki bohot acchi dost bhi hai." "Namaste auntie. Namaste uncle... Waise Vishakha auntie ne sahi kahaa... main dono bhaiyon ki bohot acchi dost hun. Neighbour toh hun, par mera jyada se jyada time inke ghar mein hi beeta hai. Papa toh mostly unke business mein aur business trips mein hi busy hote hai. Toh main akeli bore ho jaaya karti thi. Fir Sameer Delhi aaya aur hum dost bane. Aur yeh timetable uske baad mujhse baat karne lagaa."

Rohan reprimanded, "Mera naam Rohan hai, timetable nahi." Preeti who was standing a little away from him, chuckled, "Timetable... accha naam hai."

Amrita continued, "Jab Sameer aur Rohan, dono bhi Mumbai chale gaye, firse main akeli padd gayi. Delhi mein waise bhi mere jyada koi dost the nahi. Fir kya tha... maine bhi tay kar liya ki main bhi Mumbai jaaungi padhne aur bas main bhi Mumbai chali gayi. Tab se yeh dono mere best friends hai."

Rekha and Vikram chuckled looking at the bold girl who stood too close to the elder son of the Somanis. "Amrita ke rehte tumhe beti ki kami nahi khalti hogi, Vishakha.", Rekha added in good humour.

"Wohh toh hai... par tum shaayad yeh nahi jaanti ki meri ek beti bhi hai, Deepika... wohh abhi Delhi mein hai apni Daadi ke saath.", Vishakha informed.

"Waise tum log yahaan iss boutique mein kya kar rahe ho? Kahin Sameer ki shaadi Amrita se toh nahi ho rahi?", Rekha asked curiously watching Sameer and Amrita together.

Before anyone could react, Amrita replied, "Dekha Vishakha auntie... Sabko yahi lagta hai ki main aur Sameer ek couple hai. Bas yeh khadoos Sameer hi nahi maan raha." Sliding her arm around Sameer's arm, she continued, "Sameer... ab toh shaadi ke liye haan kardo. Dekho... Samrat aur Naina bhi shaadi kar rahe hai. Inke saath hum bhi ek hi mandap mein shaadi kar lete hai naa?"

Sameer instantly shifted away detaching her arm from his. His gaze fixed on someone who too was watching him keenly. Both the old couple laughed while the others stood motionless with the impact of Amrita's words. Even Samrat was surprised with her boldness.

Vishakha broke the silence, "Arey Rekha... aisa kuch nahi hai. Abhi shaadi ka season chal raha hai naa. Aur hume do-teen shaadiyaan bhi attend karni hai. Bas isliye yahaan aa gaye shopping ke liye. Sameer aur Rohan toh maan hi nahi rahe the yahaan aane ke liye. Inhe zabardasti laayi hun main. Inke paas jyada traditional kapde nahi hai naa. Poora cupboard bhar ke suits, jeans aur shirts hi hai."

"Chalo accha hua tum sab bhi yahin aa gaye. Hum milkar shopping kar lenge.", Rekha commented and settled on the chair she was occupying before.

"Sameer... Rohan... dekho uss taraf men's section hai. Tum apne liye acche kapde select kar lo. Main tab tak yahin sarees dekhti hun.", Vishakha ordered her sons. Sameer and Rohan reluctantly walked away while the sisters settled with Rekha and Vishakha.

Samrat was about to sit next to Naina when Rohan called him, "Samrat... tum wahaan kya kar rahe ho? Chalo hamare saath. Hum tumhari shopping ki shuruwaat kar dete hai. Naina ki help ke liye bohot log hai already, hum tumhari help kar dete hai."

Amrita added, "Sahi keh raha hai yeh timetable. Tumhari mummy hai naa Naina ke saath, wohh sab sambhaal lengi. Tum apni shopping ka dekh lo." Reluctantly Samrat walked towards the men's section along with his father and Vivek.

The salesperson started to showcase all the latest designer wears to Naina while Rekha and Vishakha continued their gossiping about their old friends.

At the other end, Vivek and Vikram too continued talking about their businesses leaving their boys on their own. Sameer who was standing at the corner mumbled, "Yeh mummy kar kya rahi hai? Aise mein ab main Naina se kaise mil paaunga, kaise baat kar paaunga akele mein?"

Amrita who was standing next to him had heard him, "Tumhari mummy jo kar rahi hai naa, wohi sahi hai. Tum zara aas paas dekho. Kaise aur kahaan Naina se akele mein milte yaa baat karte? Vishakha auntie ne barabar dimaag chalaaya hai. Agar wohh yeh nahi karti, toh tum abhi yahaan itne aaraam se apni Naina ke saamne nahi khade hote. Kahin chupkar dekhna padta usse. Yeh socho ki ab tum inki shaadi mein aasaani se aa jaa sakte ho. Kisiko koi shak bhi nahi hoga ki tumhare dimaag mein kya chal raha hai."

Sameer thought about her words and agreed to some extent. It was true that he would have to hide somewhere to watch his Naina and it would have been difficult to spend alone time with Naina especially here.

Samrat had already chosen some outfits for him with Rohan's help and was headed towards the trial room. Rekha had been observing Sameer and Amrita, "Vishakha... Amrita bohot acchi ladki lagti hai. Aur Sameer ko shaayad pasand bhi karti hai. Toh tum unn dono ki shaadi ki baat kyun nahi chalaati?"

Naina who was sitting next to Rekha stiffened for a moment which didn't escape Vishakha's eyes. She smiled, "Sameer uski life ke decisions khud le sakta hai. Haan... Amrita ko Sameer pasand hai, par Sameer ke liye wohh sirf ek acchi dost hai. Hum toh Sameer ki shaadi uss-si karvaayenge jisse wohh pasand karta hoga. Main mere dono beton ko bohot acche se jaanti hun, unki pasand ko bhi acche se pehchaanti hun. Jab bhi Sameer kahega ki usse kisi ladki se shaadi karni hai, hum uski shaadi karwa denge. Aakhir hamari khushi bhi toh unki khushi mein hi hoti hai."

"Ekdum sach kahaa Vishakha. Hamari khushi hamare bacchon ki khushiyon mein hi hoti hai. Dekho... isliye toh hum Samrat ki shaadi ke liye itni jaldi maan bhi gaye." Rekha then added softly, "Naina bohot acchi ladki hai. Apne Chacha aur Chachi ke saath pali badi hai. Par tum toh duniyadaari jaanti ho. Bina maa-baap ki ladki ke saath shaadi karna, bohot bada risk hai. Agar Samrat zidd nahi karta toh shaayad hum iss shaadi ke liye taiyaar nahi hote."

Though Rekha had tried to speak softly, her voice still rang crystal clear in the section. Even Sameer, Rohan and Amrita along with Vivek and Vikram had heard it. Preeti was beyond angry but before she could say something, Naina held her hand stopping her. "Nahi Preeti... ek bhi shabd nahi bolegi tu."

Preeti huffed in anger and turned around to look at her brother-in-law who too looked like he was about to explode. Rohan said something in his ear and he left from there.

Vishakha too got angry and replied to Rekha who was most probably trying to cross her lines, "Chaahe duniya kuch bhi bole. Main logon ko parakh sakti hun. Naina jis bhi ghar mein jaayegi, wohh log lucky honge. Bohot khush-naseebon ko aisi bahu milti hai. Dekhna jis bhi ghar mein jaayegi wahaan khushiyaan hi khushiyaan hongi."

Rohan came next to Naina and said, "Arey waahh... yeh toh bohot accha lehenga hai. Aapko try karna chahiye. Aap par bohot accha lagega." He gestured to Preeti who too added, "Haan yaar... yeh toh sach mein bohot pretty hai. Chal naa... tu try kar le ek baar. Hmmm... yeh bhi le le. Ek saath do-teen sets le chalte hai, ek hi baar mein try bhi ho jaayega."

Handing two sets of lehengas, Preeti pushed Naina towards the trial room, "Tu chal... main aur kuch dresses lekar aati hun." Naina went inside the small yet classy trial room and stood in front of the mirror.

Naina wiped the unshed tears and looked at the outfits in her hand. She was in no mood to try them on, but her dear sister had told her to click pictures in those dresses to decide for a final one.

Naina tried both the lehengas but she didn't like them much. She found a beautiful pink lehenga lying on the table nearby. She kept the other outfits away and tried the pink one. She liked it instantly. But there was only one problem. There was only one knot at the back of the blouse which was going to be an issue. She couldn't tie that knot herself.

Naina heard some noise outside her trial room and thought that it would be her sister who had come with few more dresses. So, she called out, "Preeti... do minute ke liye andar aa jaa. Mujhse yeh dori nahi badh rahi."

Without checking who is outside the trial room, Naina opened the door. The moment the door shut, she felt his presence and turned instantly, "Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho? Aur Preeti kahaan hai? Maine uske liye darwaaza khola tha, tumhare liye nahi. Toh iss-se pehle ki main yahaan koi tamasha karun, tum abhi ke abhi baahar jaao Sameer."

Sameer clucked his tongue, "Main kahin nahi jaa raha. Waise bhi galti tumhari hai. Tumne bina check kiye ki room ke baahar kaun hai, darwaaza khol diya. Toh main andar aa gaya. Waise meri Naina kabhi koi tamasha nahi kar sakti."

Naina turned towards him fully, "Main tumhari Naina nahi hun Sameer. Main chahun toh abhi chilla-chilla kar sabko bataa sakti hun ki tum iss trial room mein bina meri permission ghus gaye."

"Accha... toh chillao... main bhi zara sunu ki tum kaise chillaati ho.", Sameer took steps towards her while Naina stood her ground. He stopped just two steps away from her and then, his gaze fell on her reflection in the mirror and all the air whooshed out of his lungs.

Sameer could clearly see the untied strings hanging at her back revealing her bare back. He gulped while Naina hadn't realized her situation. Sameer covered the remaining distance and turned her around swiftly before he could do something that he would regret later.

Naina gasped at his sudden action. His touch made her shiver and then, she realized that she hadn't tied the strings and her back was bare. She met Sameer's gaze in the mirror who stood too close to her.

No one spoke for few moments and they continued staring at each other. Naina noticed that Sameer too had tried a new cream coloured kurta and pyjama and he looked dapper in that traditional outfit.

After another few moments, Naina felt his hand move. Sameer who was too engrossed in watching his love, came back to reality. He slowly got hold of the strings without touching her completely. Still, Naina could feel the movement of his fingers at her back as Sameer tied the only knot of that stunning blouse.

Naina wanted to say that this was wrong, she shouldn't feel anything for him. She was getting married to Samrat, but no words came out of her mouth. Instead, she continued watching Sameer in the mirror while he continued working on the knot.

As Sameer finished, he picked the dupatta that was lying on the table and covered her head. His eyes teared while Naina kept observing him quietly.

Sameer leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Naina... aaj poori tarah se tum iss Sameer Maheshwari ki Dulhan lag rahi ho." While Naina stood rooted to her place, Sameer continued, "Samrat ki mummy ki baat sunnkar mann kar raha tha ki main unhe kuch sunaa dun. Kya hua ki agar tumhare mummy-papa nahi hai aaj tumhare saath? Tumhare Chachaji aur Chachiji toh hai, jo bilkul tumhare parents ki tarah tumse pyaar karte hai. Mann kar raha tha ki main unhe bolun ki meri Naina aaj jo bhi hai, wohh unhi Chachaji aur Chachiji ki wajah se hai. Maa-baap naa ho toh iska yeh matlab thodi hai ki wohh ladki akeli hai. Tum kabhi akeli ho hi nahi sakti Naina kyunki tumhare saath Preeti jaisi behen hai, jo hamesha hanuman ki tarah tumhari raksha karti hai, tumhare Chachaji aur Chachiji jaise maa-baap hai, jo tumhari khushi ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hai, jo apne khud ke parivaar ko bhi chod sakte hai."

Turning her around, Sameer looked into her teary eyes, "Naina... tum kabhi akeli ho hi nahi sakti. Kyunki... kyunki main tumhare saath hun, mera pyaar tumhare saath hai."

As tears rolled down Naina's cheek, he wiped them. "Kis pyaar ki baat kar rahe ho Sameer? Wohh pyaar jo Daadi ke kuch shabdon se peeche choot gaya? Yaa wohh pyaar jisse bhulaane ke liye sirf kuch mahine lage."

Sameer held her face in his palms, "Naina... main maanta hun ki tumse dus saal durr rehkar maine bohot badi galti kar di hai. Par ek baat thi jo inn dus saalon mein bhi badal naa sakaa. Jaanti ho kya?"

When Naina remained silent, Sameer replied, "Wohh tum ho Naina... maine bhale hi tumse durr rehne ka faisla liya tha, par main kabhi tumhe mere iss dil se durr nahi kar paaya. Tum mere iss dil mein basti ho Naina. Main tumse bohot pyaar karta hun. Dus saal pehle bhi karta tha, aaj bhi karta hun and hamesha karta rahunga. Bas mujhe... hamare pyaar ko ek chance de do Naina. Sab thik ho jaayega. Hum phirse ek saath honge toh sab bilkul thik ho jaayega."

As Naina heard some noises coming from outside the trial room, she pushed Sameer away, "Main tumhe ab koi chance nahi de sakti Sameer. Main firse tumhe warn kar rahi hun. Mujhse durr raho tum. Agle hafte meri shaadi ho rahi hai Samrat se."

Sameer wasn't the one to give up. He again stood in front of her and promised, "Agle hafte tumhari shaadi zaroor hogi Naina... par Samrat se nahi... mujhse... hamari shaadi hogi Naina... Abhi agle hafte tak ka time hai mere paas, tab tak main tumhe manaa lunga. Fir se tumhe hamare pyaar ka ehsaas dilaaunga."

Naina shrugged from his hold, "Aisa kabhi nahi hoga Sameer. Main aisa hone nahi dungi. Main kabhi tumhe dusra chance nahi dungi."

Sameer replied with a smile, "Dekhte hai Naina... agle hafte tak dekhte hai..."

Naina pushed him aside, "Dekh lena Sameer... main tumhare saamne kisi aur se shaadi karungi."

As Naina was about to open the door, Sameer held her hand and pulled her in his arms, "Tum aise jaaogi baahar? Inn kapdon mein? Aise backless blouse mein? Tumhe aise kapdon mein dekhne ka haqq sirf mera hai Naina."

Before Naina could push him again, Sameer left her abruptly, "Tum change karke baahar aana." Saying that, he left her alone.

Naina took few deep breaths as Sameer's words rang in her mind. Making up her mind, she came outside the trial room and joined the ladies.

While Preeti and Vishakha watched Naina keenly, Rekha asked, "Tumne decide kar liya tumhe kya lena hai?"

Naina nodded and met Sameer's gaze, "Haan... main meri shaadi mein yeh pink wala lehenga hi pehnungi."

How was the update?

Do you think Aditi will agree to help Sameer and stop Samrat and Naina's marriage?

And what tadka is Amrita going to add to the wedding? Any guesses?

I will come back soon with the next update.

Till then, take care and stay safe.

With lots of love,

Daksha...❤️