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With lots of love,

DIKU...❤

CAN BROKEN HEART BE MENDED

CHAPTER EIGHT

SAMEER

I'd dropped Naina at her place as usual. It had become a routine now, to pick & drop her, which was the only time I could feel her so close to me. On the first two days, she'd held my shoulders but now, she wraps her hands around my waist while riding with me. Whenever she touches me that way, my body is on fire. I somehow control my growing desires. I've never felt that way with anyone, even Sunaina's touch wasn't electric. I've realized one thing for sure, that I never loved Sunaina... I never felt any desire for her nor did I constantly seek for her presence.

Naina.... What should I say about her??? She's the girl I've ever wanted. Simple, elegant, beautiful, hardworking, honest, loyal, lovable, desirable, hot & sexy, bold & naughty too... She's exactly what every guy wants in a life partner. Life partner??? Where did this thought come from??? But this was true. She has changed my life. Its just a week that she has entered in my life & I've started to think about my feelings seriously. I did like Naina a lot... Her presence & attention was all I wanted all the time. Her one look with her deep brown doe shaped eyes would set my heart racing. Whenever she would be in my arms, I felt at home & my heart used to be at peace then. Her sweet kisses were a like a balm on my aching heart.

I remember the words that Munna had said once that I was happy & smiling since her entry in my life. And, I agree to that truthfully. Honestly speaking, she has made me realize my feelings thoroughly towards her. It was just a week of togetherness & I'd opened up to her about my mother. I'd never felt the need to speak about my mother with Sunaina... But with Naina, it had just come out of my heart as if it knew that she would understand & feel my pain. And that was exactly what happened. She understood & felt my pain. I saw it in her tears.

When I had asked her to come to my place to celebrate Diwali, she had just agreed immediately. If I'd asked such a thing to Sunaina, she would've just denied straight on my face without caring if she was hurting me. Naina's simple acceptance of everything was changing my feelings towards her. She was ready to meet Nanu & I'm sure that he would love her. She told me one day that she'd already talked about us to her parents, which had shocked me at first. But I knew that she wasn't someone who would lie to people who mattered to her. She had even asked me to meet her parents but I wasn't ready. Today when she invited me for lunch at her place after Diwali, I couldn't deny her. The happiness that she felt with my yesss was all I wanted to see. I'd never felt the love of parents so I was avoiding to meet her parents. But I didn't want to keep denying her. If she was happy with my meeting her parents... So be it. I would do anything for her happiness.

Tomorrow was Diwali celebration in our office & Naina had gifted me a red kurta set which would match her red Anarkali dress. I would've never thought of color coordinating like this. I was happy so far with whatever was happening between us & I wanted that forever. Naina... she was always on my mind & my heart too. She'd made her special place there. I still remember Munna's & Pandit's words that she loves me. To be honest, I too feel that she loves me... the way she looks at me... the way she cares for me... the way she's protective for me... sometimes she's jealous too... I could see & feel her love whenever she's with me.

I do like her too much... But what about love? Do I love her? I wanted the answer to this. I loved spending time with her... and I missed her whenever she wasn't around. She was always present in my thoughts & even in my dreams... I didn't feel anything like this with Sunaina... Now, I know that I didn't love Sunaina... it was just my infatuation. But then what I felt for Naina was that LOVE then? I took a deep breath & closed my eyes. And only one face appeared... NAINA... my face broke into a smile & I got my answer. Well... it was about time that I too made her feel special... Diwali would be a better start for this... I slept happily with Naina's thoughts in my heart...

I got up early the next morning as there was a Diwali celebration in office & I'd to pick up Naina too. I thought of ditching my bike today as I knew Naina won't be comfortable to sit on my bike with her heavy dress. I asked Nanu if I could take the car today & he agreed as he was going to be home for the next few days. I finished breakfast of my favorite aloo parathas & got ready for the day... When I entered the living room, Nanu watched me intently, "Barkhurdar... Yeh kurta kab liya tumne? Uss din jo shopping kiya tha, usme toh yeh kurta nahi tha."

I didn't meet his eyes, "Woh mujhe yeh gift mein mila hai Nanu..." I couldn't lie to him either. "Arey waaahh Sameer... Yeh kurta tumhe kisne gift kiya??? Munna aur Pandit ka naam bhi mat lena, kyunki mujhe pataa hai woh Rahu-Ketu aisa nahi kar sakte... Unki choice itni acchi nahi ho sakti. Toh batao, kisne gift kiya itna accha kurta?" I just blushed & he most probably understood, "Ohoooo... Sharmane bhi lagaa hai... Iska matlab yeh hai ki kisi special friend ne gift kiya hai. Hai na???" I just nodded, "Nanu... Ummmm... Mujhe late ho raha hai... Waise meri special friend kal aapse milne aanewali hai... Maine Munna-Pandit aur uski friends ko bhi invite kiya hai kal. Chalega na Nanu? Aapko koi problem toh nahi hai na?"

He came towards me, patted my back & hugged me. "Mujhe kya problem hogi Sameer... Tum khush toh main bhi khush... Ab jaa... Late ho raha tha na... Teri special friend tera intezaar kar rahi hogi... Sambhal kar le jaana usse office..." "Aapko kaise pataa Nanu?" How did he know? "Beta... Maine yeh baal yunhi dhoop mein safed nahi kiye hai." And he winked. I took his blessings & left to pick up Naina in my car for the first time.

When I entered her locality, I pulled over the car at the side of the road. I couldn't blink my eyes... The vision in front of me was taking away my breath. Naina... was standing at the entrance of her complex wearing the Red Anarkali Suit that we had shopped together. She was looking stunning... Her hair was left open on my request as always. She had worn golden heels today... the golden jhumkas adorned her ears... I could see a red bindi too.

A small girl suddenly knocked on my window that broke my trance... She was selling roses... "Bhaiyaaa... yeh gulab le lo na... Jyada mehenge bhi nahi hai. Bas pachaas rupaiye ke chaar hai... le lijiye na... Bhabhi ko acha bhi lagega..." I couldn't break the little one's heart so I gave her a hundred rupee note & she handed me eight roses happily... I smiled at her cuteness & asked if she goes to school. But she nodded in a noo. I asked her where did she stay & she showed me a broken hut on the other side of the road. I nodded & gave her an extra hundred rupees. She was beyond happy & ran towards her home. I smiled looking at the girl. I was thinking about how to provide her education.

When I turned to see my beautiful lady, she wasn't there at the entrance. And suddenly the door to the passenger seat opened & there she was... I was mesmerized again... all the other thoughts just flew away... There was no trace of make up at all. As always, she had only used kajal & red lipstick. She sat quietly & turned to me, "Tum aaj car mein aanewale the toh pehle bataa nahi sakte the?" The jingling sound of her bangles caught my attention & I looked at her hands. She had worn red & golden bangles in both her hands. She looked breathtakingly beautiful... she snapped her hands in front of my eyes & I came back to reality.

"Beautiful..." She blushed at my compliment. "Sameer... Tum bhi bohot handsome aur dashing lag rahe ho iss traditional look mein..." I smiled at her, offering her all the roses that I'd bought a while ago. She took it from me smiling widely & then she breathed in its fragrance... The serene face of her looked so beautiful at that moment that I wished I was somewhere alone with her, so I could just kiss her senseless... my body heated with the thought of kissing itself. I held the steering wheel a little roughly to calm myself.

"Thank you, Sameer, Gulaab bohot beautiful hai..." Her sweet voice calmed me immediately, "Par tumse jyada beautiful nahi hai Naina..." She blushed again & the color on her cheeks was matching her outfit today... "Tumhare liye ek aur gift hai..." I gave her the chocolate box that I'd kept at the back seat. She accepted it, "Ab iski kya zarurat thi Sameer... Gulaab hi kaafi the na?" She asked looking at me... "Tumhare liye kitne bhi gifts laaun woh kam hi hai... Ummmm... Woh actually baat yeh hai ki aaj pehli baar meri car ke front seat par koi ladki baithi hai... isliye chocolates laaya tha tumhare liye... aur yeh gulaab toh abhi yahaan ek choti bacchi se liye maine." I clarified softly taking in her fragrance for the first time. "Tumne aaj perfume lagaayi hai Naina..." She nodded, "Woh mujhe Preeti ne gift ki mere birthday par. Kabhi use nahi ki thi pehle. Par socha aaj use kar lu."

She was driving me crazy today... everything was attracting me towards her. Her silky soft hair that I wanted to run my fingers through, her glowing skin that I wanted to touch with my hands, her doe shaped kohled eyes that I wanted to lose myself into, her nose... wait a minute... she was wearing a nose pin too... her delicious lips that I wanted to taste soon... She clicked her fingers again in front of me, "Sameer... Hume chalna chahiye, warna late ho jayenge... Sab log wait kar rahe honge." I closed my eyes taking a deep breath & started the car... We kept chatting all the way.

We reached a little late than usual because of traffic. As Naina said, our friends were waiting for us. "Kahaan reh gaye the tum dono, kabse wait kar rahe hai hum log." Preeti said exaggerating each word. We laughed at her antics. "Woh kya hai na Saali sahiba... Traffic bhi bohot tha, isliye thoda jyada late ho gaya." I teased her. "Toh bike par hi aana tha na... jaldi aa jaate." "Naina comfortably nahi baith paati na bike pe, is heavy dress mein. Isliye toh car laaya hun aaj." All our friends said together, "Awwww..." and we both blushed at their teasing... "Yahin khade rehkar baatein karni hai... Ab late nahi ho raha?" Naina Devi spoke a little loudly. We moved towards our office together, hand in hand.

There was a huge rangoli drawn at the entrance of our office. The office was decorated with lots of lightings & small kandils were hanged in every department. The whole atmosphere had changed... Diwali was indeed a festival of lights, colors & happiness. Everyone looked dapper in their traditional attires. We weren't supposed to work today. We were invited to attend the pooja in the office which would then end with lunch. We were then free to go & enjoy Diwali holidays with our loved ones.

Everyone greeted each other happily. The pooja hadn't started yet. So, people were loitering here & there making small talks with others. We all sat in my department & ordered some coffees for us. After sometime, there was an announcement that the puja would start in five minutes & everyone was asked to gather in the hall. The hall in our office building could accommodate more than hundred people. We all went to the hall to find that there were no chairs to sit. There were carpets placed all over. We all looked at each other. This was happening for the first time.

Naina pulled me with her hand & we moved forward where the Pandit was preparing to start the puja... she comfortably sat down on the carpet managing her dress properly. She gestured me to sit next to her & I obliged... I can sit with her anywhere... our friends too sat behind us. People started coming in & everyone sat down on the carpets without making any fuss about it. The atmosphere had suddenly changed & had a soothing effect. Mostly all the colleagues were present today for the puja...

The puja started with the Panditji's chants. It was divine. It was the first time that I was feeling so calm. With the hectic life that we go throughout the year, this felt peaceful. But this year, this puja was special as I'd my lady love sitting next to me. I'd never imagined that this day would come so soon in my life. Her face was glowing in the light of the fire that was lit in front of us. I was just looking at her, when Munna nudged me from behind, "Sameer... puja aage chal rahi hai, baaju mein nahi... aage dekh aage..." Naina blushed at his words whereas I was irritated. "Munna... Tu tera dhyaan puja pe rakh... mera dhyaan bilkul sahi jagah par hai. Samjha..." He winked at me which irritated me more.

When I turned towards my Jaan, she was already looking at me with raised eyebrows. "Kya hua Naina??? Aise kya dekh rahi ho? Puja aage chal rahi hai na? Toh aage dekho...", I said innocently. She shook her head, "Kuch nahi... Aage dekho aur baat mat karo... Panditji ko disturb hoga." I nodded & started looking at her only as the puja didn't seem interesting to me anymore. The puja ended in an hour. Panditji asked everyone to come forward & take the aarti. We sat there for some time, while others came forward & took the blessings. We got up & went towards the Panditji, who was holding the aarti thali. I held Naina's hands in mine & moved our hands over the aarti. Naina was surprised with my action, but didn't say anything & did as I was doing. We took blessings from the Panditji, who nodded in appreciation, "Bhagwan tum dono ki jodi yun hi banaaye rakhe. Sadaa khush raho. Bhagwan tumhari saari manokaamna poori karenge." Naina & I bent together to take his blessings & he blessed us wholeheartedly. This was the first time I'd bent to take anyone's blessings apart from Nanu. Our friends took the aarti too & we left the hall together.

There was still some time for lunch so, we went towards my department again. We sat there comfortably, "Sunoo... Tum sabko kal mere ghar aana hai Diwali celebrate karne. Maine Nanu ko bhi bataa diya hai. Preeti tum bhi aana Naina ke saath. Aur maine already Swati ko bhi invite kar diya hai." All of them agreed happily. I asked if they wanted anything special for dinner tomorrow. "Arey yaar Sameer... hamari kuch special farmaaish nahi hai, jo bhi hoga hum kha lenge. Fikar not...", Pandit said happily.

We all just kept chatting till there was another announcement that the lunch would start in the next ten minutes in the same hall where the puja was held. By the time we reached the hall after half an hour, it wasn't much crowded as expected & we took our plates loaded with food & settled on the table nearby... the lunch was simple, yet it was delicious. Specially the prasad of sheera... it was out of the world. I repeated the serving of sheera twice. Naina had a sweet smile on her face throughout the meal. We fed each other that hadn't gone unnoticed by our colleagues. But I didn't care of what others thought. I cared only for my lady love & my friends & my Nanu... this was my small happy world...

We left our office once we'd finished our lunch... It was just two in the afternoon. So, we decided to go to Gateway of India... Munna called up Swati to join us directly there. I & Naina drove in my car with Preeti, whereas Munna & Pandit drove on their bikes. We reached there in the next ten minutes. We strolled around for few minutes till Swati joined us. We roamed around hand in hand, watching the water & boats around. We even clicked some pictures together with the prestigious Taj Hotel behind.

"Chal na yaar boat mein ek round maar aate hai... yahaan tak aaye hai... toh boat mein jaana toh banta hai na Sameer..." Munna put forth his idea to which everyone agreed. We stood in a que to get on a boat. There was a little crowd as Diwali holidays had begun. We got into the boat & took our places at the upper level, feeling the salty sea breeze around. We clicked a number of pictures. Some solos & some with our group. I even dragged Naina to click some pics with her. She shied away many times but I'd held her hand tightly all the time.

The boat ride was over in almost fifteen minutes. When we got back, Pandit muttered, "Sameer... Chalein yahaan se... bohot time ho gaya hai." I understood what he wanted to say, "Haannn... Chalte hai. Main toh aaj bohot jaldi utha tha subah aur ab bohot thak gaya hun. Hume nikalna chahiye ab. Tum sab yaad se kal shaam ghar aa jaana... Thik hai..." They all nodded & went their way. Preeti left with Pandit & Swati left with Munna.

"Toh madam... Aapko kahan jaana hai ab?" I asked Naina who was looking at me intently, "Sameer... Tumne abhi abhi kaha ki tum thak gaye ho aur hume ghar jaana chahiye... Toh mujhe kyun pooch rahe ho ki kahaan jaana hai?" "My sweet innocent naive Naina... Woh toh Pandit ka matlab yeh tha ki usse Preeti ke saath akele waqt bitaana tha. Tum na kuch samajti hi nahi... Tumhe kya lagta hai woh dono couples ghar jaane ke liye yahaan se nikle hai? Woh log toh gaye ghumne apne apne raaste. Toh ab hume bhi toh jaana chahiye na? Kyun madam? Mere saath ghumna pasand karogi na?" She blushed finally understanding the unsaid conversation between our friends.

"Abhi chaar bajne aaye hai. Toh kahaan jaa sakte hai?" She asked softly holding my arms. Ahhhhaaannnn... I can get used to this. My heartbeats accelerated with her closeness... she gave me a shy smile as if she'd heard my pounding heatbeats... "Hum na walk le sakte hai Marine drive pe?" She asked me with hopeful eyes & I nodded happily. I parked my car at a parking lot near Marine drive & we resumed our walk, holding each other close. The place was definitely crowded all over with families & group of friends. We continued walking silently taking in the scene.

There was no need for us to say anything, we were happy in each other's presence. We found a place to sit finally away from all the chaos. We sat next to each other in complete silence, she kept her head on my shoulder & we looked at the massive sea ahead us. "Mujhe yeh shaanti bohot pasand hai Sameer... maine bohot baar socha tha yahaan aakar baithne ka, par kabhi time hi nahi milta tha. Aaj finally main yahaan hun , woh bhi tumhare saath. Main aaj bohot khush hun Sameer... Bohot bohot khush... Mere liye yeh Diwali bohot khushi se bhari hui hai. Pataa hai kyun?" I raised my eyebrows at her in question & she continued, "Kyunki tum mere saath ho Sameer... Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki hum kabhi saath honge... Kabhi kabhi sapna sa lagta hai yeh sab. Darr lagta hai ki kabhi achanak aankh kholungi aur pata chala tum chale gaye mujhe chodkar."

Her voice cracked at the end & I just kissed her on her forehead, "Yeh sab sapna nahi hai Naina... Aur main kahin nahi jaunga tumhe chodkar. Main hamesha yahin rahunga tumhare saath. Naina jab se tum meri zindagi mein aayi ho, meri zindagi mein khushi hi khushi bhar di hai tumne. Main muskurane lagaa hun. Meri life mein sirf Nanu aur Munna-Pandit hi the ab tak, par ab tum bhi ho. Jo meri itni care karti hai, jo mera itna khayal rakhi hai. Sunaina ke alawa koi aur ladki nahi thi meri life mein pehle. Aaj tumse kuch confess karna chahta hun. Tumhare saath ek hafte mein, main samaj gaya ki main Sunaina se koi pyaar nahi karta tha. Shayad attraction tha ya infatuation, mujhe nahi pataa... par itna confirm hai ki main usse pyaar nahi karta. Tumne meri feelings mujhe realise karva hi di Naina... Aur pataa hai... Maine kya realise kiya ab tak?" I asked looking at her & she nodded in a noo.

"Maine yeh mehsoos kiya hai ki main tumhare saath khush rehne laga hun. Tum mere liye bohot important ho Naina... Mujhe tumhara care karna pasand hai, tumhara possessive hona pasand hai, tumhara kabhi kabhi jealous hona bhi pasand hai... Aur sabse important yeh hai ki main tumhe pasand karne lagaa hun Naina... bohot pasand karta hun tumhe... I like you so much Naina..." her eyes had filled with tears hearing my confession... "Madam... tumhe rulaane ka iraada nahi tha mera... bas mera dil jo mehsoos kar raha hai wohi baat bataana chaahta tha tumhe. Par shayad tumhe accha nahi lagaa yeh sunke... isliye rone lagi..."

She covered my mouth with her soft palm, "Kuch bhi bolte ho na tum... Yeh toh khushi ke aansoon hai buddhu... aaj tumne mera din special banaa diya, bohot special... tumne toh pehle se hi pataa hai ki tum mujhe kitne pasand ho. Isliye jab tumne abhi kahaa ki main tumhe pasand hun toh aankhon se khushi ke aansoon aa gaye. I like you too Sameer..." She looked in my eyes deeply, where I could see only love for me...

I just didn't want to confess my love for her here... so I deliberately told her that I liked her... The day will come soon when I would declare to the whole damn world that I love her & she's only mine... But I wanted to spend some time with her & not rush now... I'm already 27 & she will turn 25 next month... I wanted the love confession to be a major one... so why not do it on her birthday & make it extra special... till then I will make her fall for me some more & I will also fall for her some more. I wanted to feel this 'more' with her in this span of time till her birthday & make sure that when I propose her, she won't have any second thoughts about me.

We sat there for an hour talking about our childhood, school & college days. I got to know a lot of things about her. It was already 6 in the evening when we decided to leave towards our homes. We got back to our car & left. We still kept talking in the car about all the pranks that we had pulled in our school & college days. I purposely kept holding her hand in between & left only when I'd to shift the gears of the car. We almost made it to her place in more than an hour. We didn't sit in the garden today as she'd to go home & prepare for Diwali tomorrow.

"Naina... kal main lene aa jaunga tumhe shaam paanch baje... chalega na???" She smiled the sweetest smile I'd ever seen & that was distracting me to her red rosy lips. My gaze didn't dither for a while, until I heard her clearing her throat & she was blushing profusely. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I turned to her to say goodbye, she leaned towards me & kissed me sweetly on both my cheeks. "Abhi issi se kaam chala lo... Goodnight Sameer... Sweet dreams of me." Before I could react, she already ran away from me.

God... She's driving me crazy... How will I control my desires around her till her birthday??? She will make it impossible... I know that for sure... I blushed thinking about what she'd said a while ago & made up my mind to tease her a little about it tonight or maybe tomorrow in person... I drove to my home, smile intact on my face throughout my drive. I was happy... too much happy... I'd never expected that this Diwali would bring so much happiness in our lives... Even my friends had found their happiness...

I decided to tell my friends & even Nanu about my feelings for Naina... I would tell them tomorrow. It was obvious that I would need their help to plan her birthday party too... I reached home in half an hour. Nanu was sitting in the living room listening songs on his favourite radio. I smiled & sat next to him. "Toh batao aaj ka celebration kaisa tha?", he asked me lowering the volume of the radio. I told him everything that had happened that day. He was keenly listening to me. He was too happy to know how we all spent our day after the puja... "Chalo accha hai... thoda ghum bhi liya tum sab ne... Ab jaa, fresh ho jaa... fir hum dinner kar lete hai..." I agreed & left to freshen up...

When I came back after freshening up, I saw Ramdhari struggling with lightings at the door. I went forward & helped him with all the lightings & the decorations too... I told Ramdhari that I'd brought some diyas that were kept in my cupboard. Nanu was quietly observing everything. When we had just finished our dinner, Nanu asked, "Sameer... tu jab last time shopping gaya tha tabhi diye laaya tha na?" I nodded & he just hummed in response. "Waise tumne liye the, ya teri special friend ne liye the?" he prodded further. I smiled, "Naina ne hi liye the sab ke liye."

"Ohooo... Toh tumhari special friend ka naam Naina hai?" I blushed a little & nodded, "Nanu Naina kal aayegi hamare ghar, aapse milne. Uski friends ko bhi invite kiya hai maine... aur Munna-Pandit bhi aayenge... Diwali bhi celebrate ho jaayegi aur aapse mil bhi lenge sab." He nodded happily... I told him everything that had happened in the last two weeks, even about Sunaina... He was listening quietly to everything I was saying. When I finished, he stood up & just pulled me in a tight hug. He deserved to know everything about me & I didn't wish to lie to him as he was everything to me... he has been my mother... my father... my best friend... he's my everything...

I unhugged him, wiped his tears & made him sit on the sofa & I kept my head on his lap. "Sameer... Itna sab kuch tumne akele jhela... Bataa nahi sakte the kya... Maanta hum main bhi factory ke kaam mein itna busy rehta hun ,jiski wajah se tum mujhe aur jyada pareshaan nahi karna chaahte the... Promise kar beta ki tu aajse kuch nahi chupaayega mujhse..." I too cried a little, "Main promise karta hun Nanu ki ab se kuch nahi chupaunga aapse. Naina ne meri zindagi mein aakar meri zindagi badal di hai Nanu... bas ek hafta hi hua hai hume mile, aur main usse pyaar karne laga hun... Sacchawala pyaar... Par maine usse bataaya nahi hai abhi tak. Uska birthday hai agle mahine, tab hi usse acche se propose karunga Nanu... Mujhe aapki sehmati aur aashirwaad chahiye hai Nanu... Aap Naina se kal mil lo aur fir bataana ki aapko aapki honewali bahu pasand hai kya?"

I blushed at my own words when I said them... 'Honewali Bahu'. He smiled through his tears, "Mera aashirwad toh hamesha hai tere saath hai Sameer... Aur jahaan tak Naina ki baat hai toh main kal usse milne ke baad hi mera faisla sunaunga..." I knew he would love Naina as I do... "Chal ab jaa... So jaa... Kal jaldi bhi uthna hai... Kal Diwali jo hai..." I hugged him again & retired to my room after wishing him goodnight...

I could hear the song that was playing on the radio,

Aate jaate, hanste gaate...

Socha tha maine mann mein kai baar...

Woh pehli nazar, halka sa asar...

Karta hai kyun is dil ko bekaraar...

Ruk ke chalnaa, chalke ruknaa...

Na jaane tumhe hai kiska intezaar...

Tera woh yakin kahi main to nahin...

Lagta hai yehi kyon mujhko baar baar...

Yehi sach hai, shayad maine pyaar kiyaa...

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With Lots of Love,

DIKU...❤