Panditji-Sumitra ji! Badhaai ho! Bhaisaab wapis aa gaye.

All were shocked hearing the Panditji when Vishakha asked.

Vishakha-Ye aap kya keh rahe hai Panditji?

Panditji-Vishakha beti main sahi keh raha hu.(Turning to Dadi) Sumitra ji, shastra mein likha hai, ek vyakti ke dehant ke baad uski tervi se pehle ya tervi pe, ghar ka koi bhi sadasya agar khushkhabri de toh yeh uss vyakti ke punarjanam ka sanket hai.

He kept his hand on Swati's head blessing her and continued.

Panditji-Sahi kehte hai sab, Maheshwari ji apne parivar se zyada der dur nahi reh sakte.

Dadi with tears in her eyes asked.

Dadi-Swati kya yeh sach hai?

Swati gulped nervously; looked down and nodded. Dadi got happy and hugged her tightly.

Dadi-Kaise shukriya karu main tumhe beta! Har baar dil khush kar deti ho mera aur aaj....aaj toh tumne mujhe mera sabse bada tohfa diya hai.

Dadi blessed her wholeheartedly and asked Swati-Munna to touch Panditji's feet. Then Sameer too touched the Priest's feet and Naina too took his blessings.

Panditji-Yeh kanya kon hai?

Panditji questioned looking at the new face.

Vishakha-Yeh hamare Sameer ki hone wali biwi hai, Panditji. Naina.

Naina joined her hands and greeted him.

Panditji-Badi hi pyaari kanya hai. Sameer aur iska joda bada hi khoob dikhega.

Panditji stated and Samaina blushed while all smiled.

Panditji(To Vishakha)-Beti Diwali ke baad ka ek bada hi acha muhurat hai. Waise bhi Diwali ke baad hamara Bestu Varas hai matlab naye saal ki shurvat. Toh uske baad ka muhurat nikalke vivah karwa sakte hai.

Dadi-Yeh toh bohot hi achi baat hai. Inki aakhri khwaish bhi yahi thi ki Naina jald se hamari bahu bane.

Dadi –Vishakha and Panditji discussed about the marriage date while Naina's eyes shifted to Sameer's who was already staring at her with a small smile playing on his lips. She too passed a small smile when Advait tugged at her hand. She bendt to his height and raised her brows asking a" What". He pointed at the sweet dish served in the plate and asked if he could eat it. She chuckled and took him to the kitchen handing him a bowl of gulab jamun. He smiled cheekily and sprinted off. Just then Swati entered and Naina smiled wide and hugged tightly, congratulating her. She then realized and parted apologizing.

Naina: Sorry sorry mujhe realize hi nahi hua aur ekdum se hug kar liya. Pressure toh nahi pada na?

Swati-Its ok! Mujhe toh abhi bhi vishwas nahi ho raha ki sabko pata chal gaya.

Naina-Maine kaha tha na, aap khamkha itni nervous ho rahi thi.

Swati-Darr gayi thi main ki ghar mein kya chalu hai aur yeh news samne aayi.

Naina-Par issi news se hi toh sab abhi khush hai. Specially Dadi.

Swati-Hmm.

Swana were talking when Vishakha came and asked them to serve lunch. All had their lunch happily after a long time and then the Agarwal's asked for their leave.

**********************************************************
Naina was in Dadi's room in which she was living recently, packing all her things when she felt his presence. He was standing near the door and passed a small smile as she turned. He walked in asking.

Sameer-Ho gayi packing.

Naina-Ha bas thoda hi baki hai.

Naina replied as she walked towards the dressing table to collect her stuff. As she did and turned back, Sameer was standing in front with his hands folded to his chest. She packed her bag under his intense gaze when suddenly he called her name. And before she could  turn he was behind her.

Sameer-Thank you Naina.

He huskily whispered in her ears making her close her eyes. He held her hand from behind and said.

Sameer-Thank you Naina meri zindagi mein aane ke liye, mujhe accept karne ke liye, mere saath rehne ke liye.

Naina squeezed her eyes more tightly and tightened her hand on his. He smiled looking at her saying.

Sameer-Inn 13 dinon mein tumhari bohot aadat hogayi hai Naina pata nahi ab kaise rahunga main....tumhare bina.

He turned her making her face him.

Sameer-Ab agli baar kab milenge?

Naina-Jab aap ghar aayenge.

Sameer-Oh! Toh tum isska intezar kar rhi ho ki main tumhare ghar shaadi ki baat karu. Not bad.

Naina-Aisa nhi hai..

Sameer-Toh tum nahi chahti ki main shaadi ki baat karu?

Naina-Nahi....mera matlab tha....ki...-

He started laughing hearing her stammer as he teased her. Naina blushes and smacks his arm.

Naina-Aap bhi na!

He stops laughing and looks at her fondly. He then holds her hand and says.

Sameer-I'll miss you Naina.

Naina-I'll miss you too.

He pulls her hand to his lips and kisses it, looking into Naina's eyes. She shudders at his move and lowers her eyes saying.

Naina-Hume der ho rhi hai, sab neeche ruke hai

Sameer hums and leaves her hand making a little distance. They both walk down their families and the Agarwal's bid a goodbye.

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

The cities and towns were emmersed in light and sound of fireworks. All buildings were lit up with lights, diyas, candles. All wore new and crisp clothes especially the teenagers, who were dressed in their most glittering and dazzling clothes. Similarly a new teenager-by-heart was all dawned up in her magenta-golden lehenga.

She was placing all the lighted diyas on the balcony slab. When her mom called her in.

Rama-Naina!....Jaldi andar aa beta, Sameer ka phone hai.

As soon as Naina heared her mom, she kept the plate down and rushed in. She saw her parents talking to Sameer and hastily adjusted her dress and hair and got into the frame.

The Maheshwari house wasn't lit up like the other times but wasn't that sad and silent either. The house ladies lit up some diya's in the Puja room and some near Dadu's big frame. They all prayed for their family and their new-member-to-be too. After some of their neighbours visit, Vivek Skyped Rakesh to wish them. They both called their family members and asked about their well being. Naina was a bit late to get into the frame but, as she did all were awestruck seeing her. Especially our hero.

Vishakha-Naina bohot khubsurat dikh rhi ho.

Dadi-Sach! Kisi ki Nazar na lage.

Naina-Thank you, aap sab bhi bohot ache lag rahe hai.

Swati-Ha par tumse kum..Haina Sameer?

Swati nudged Sameer as he was lost into Naina, getting back into senses he too complimented.

Sameer-Huh....ha....achi lag rhi ho.

Naina(blushingly)-Thank you.

As they both blushed, all started laughing and talking about the celebration. Suddenly Rama said.

Rama-Bhabhiji woh....ab Diwali bhi khatam hone aayi hai, toh main soch rahi thi ki kyu na hum shaadi ki tarikh nikalwa le.

Vishakha-Ji Ramaji bilkul, Hume koi dikkat nhi hai, bas agar aapka pandit ho toh thik hai kyuki hamare Panditji gaav Gaye hai aur aisi baate saamne ho to acha hai na.

Rakesh-Ji chalega bhabhiji, agle hafte hi bula lete hai. Agar aapko thik lage toh.

Vivek-Arree Rakesh thik kyu nahi hoga, hum toh bas ruke hai ki Naina kab hamare ghar aati hai.

Naina smiled and looked down shyly. All discussed a little more about where and how to decide the marriage date while Naina and Sameer were constantly glancing at each other through the screen.

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

After having a big discussion on fixing Samaina's wedding date, the Maheshwaris and Agarwals ended their call and continued with their Diwali celebration. Soon after all the Maheshwari members had their dinner, Sameer came up to his room and now was talking to his soon-to-be better half.

Naina: Waise Sameer, aaj Dadi thik toh hai na? I mean....yeh pehli diwali hai jab...

Sameer: Hmm, thodi toh upset thi par zyada dikhaya nahi. Phir bhi jabse bhabhi ke pregnancy ki news pata chali hai tabse thodi sambhal gayi hai Dadi.

Naina: Hmm. Advait kaisa hai? Aaj dikha nahi.

Sameer: Woh so gaya tha. Subah se daud raha tha yaha waha tyohaar hai toh, isiliye sham ko thak ke so gaya.

Naina: Ohh! Waise Sameer—

Sameer: (interrupting)Naina ab mere bare mein bhi toh kuch puch lo, sabke bare mein jaan toh liya.

Naina(chuckles): Main aap hi ke bare mein puchne wali thi.

Sameer: At last! Pucho.

Naina: Aaa...main yeh puchne wali thi ki aap wapis shooting ke liye kab jaane wale hai?

Sameer:aa....bas kuch hi dinon mein, 13 ko film ki shooting hai toh taal nahi sakta.

Naina: Acha.

Sameer: Waise aaj tumne mujhse shooting ki dates kyon puchi?

Naina: Maine toh aise hi.... Sorry agli baar se nahi puchungi.

Sameer: Arre nahi-nahi, isme sorry kya. Tumne pehli baar pucha isiliye maine kaha aur kuch nahi. Tum jo chaho puch sakti ho.

Naina: Wohh...aa.. main yeh janna chahti thi ki aap shaadi ke tarikh fix karne ke wakt honge ya nahi ?

Sameer:  Ofcourse main toh aunga hi yeh thodi miss kar sakta hun. Waise Naina, tumhe koi dikkat toh nahi hai na?

Naina: Kiss bare mein?

Sameer: Shaadi ke bare mein...I mean tumhe yeh sab jaldi toh nahi lag raha na? Hum thoda wait kar sakte hai, main baat kar lunga.

Naina: Nahi nahi Sameer, mujhe koi dikkat nahi hai. Infact yeh toh har ladki ka sapna hota hai, mera bhi hai aur main khush hu ki mera yeh sapna aapke saath pura hoga.

Teri meri gallan ho gayi mashhoor, Kar na kabhi tu mujhe nazron se dur. Kithe chaliye, tu kithe chaliye, tu kithe chaliye...

Jaanda ae dil yeh toh jaandi ae tu, tere bin main na rahu mere bina tu. Kithe chaliye, tu kithe chaliye, tu kithe chaliye...

Sameer felt overwhelmed by this gesture and grinned wide. They both spoke to each other for quite a long time. This had become a routine since Naina came back from Ahmedabad.

Katun kaise raatan ho saware, Jiya nahi jaata sun baaware.

Ke raataan lambiyan lambiya re, kate tere sangyan sangya re. Ke raataan lambiyan lambiya re, kate tere sangyan sangya re.

After they hung up, both could not sleep. Sameer sat looking at the moon and kissed his phone. It was same like other nights, he kept grinning like an idiot with no hint of sleep in his eyes.

Chham chham chham ambran de tare kehnde ne sajjna, Tu hi chan mere iss dil da, mann le ve sajjna.

Tere bina mera hove na guzara, chhad ke na jawin mainu, tu hi hai sahara.

Whereas Naina swirled around all happy and laid on the bed when her eyes went to his photo on the side table. She grabbed it and kept looking at it....at him.

Katun kaise raatan ho saware, Jiya nahi jaata sun baaware.

Ke raataan lambiyan lambiya re, kate tere sangyan sangya re. Ke raataan lambiyan lambiya re, kate tere sangyan sangya re.

Everything had changed, for both of them. Their sudden meet, their alliance, their trip their standing-by-each-other phase had led them to come closer to each other and now their journey and relation was going to be named. Both of them were beyond happy just at the thought of their marriage.

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

"Aaiye Aaiye!!"

Rakesh welcomed the Maheshwari's home as Rama and Preena too came in the living room. Naina bent forward taking the blessings of each elder one while Sameer did the same. Swati was the last one to enter with her son and as she did Naina hugged her asking about her well being. Advait sprinted forward opening his arms to Naina as she picked him, while all settled down.

Vivek: Arre waah! Sajawat toh bohot achi ki hai.

Rama: Sab kuch Preeti ne hi kiya hai, kal se inhi taiyariyon mein lagi thi.

Dadi: Iss sab ki kya zarorat thi? Aise dinon mein aaram karna chahiye.

Preeti: Yaha aayi hu tabse aaram hi kar rahi hu Dadi ji, maa kuch kaam karne hi nahi deti isiliye sajawat ka zimma le liya.

Vishakha(chuckles): Par kuch bhi kaho dono betiya har kaam mein awwal hai. Dekhiye toh kitni achi tarah se sajaya hai ghar, aate hi khushal lagta hai sab.

Pandit: Auntyji, inn sab mein zyada kaam toh mera hi hai, yeh toh bas neeche se orders hi de rahi thi.

Preeti: Ahaha! Sab toh maine decide aur organize kiya , tab jaake hua hai sab.

Pandit: Arre maine bhi toh....

Munna: Bhai Pandit aise samay mein na chup hi rehna thik hai, bhale hum sahi ho ya galat.

Munna said giggling and turned only to see Swati glaring at him and as he saw her the grin on his face faded and he stopped laughing.

Munna: Waise bhi auratein hamesha sahi hi hoti hai.

He smiled awkwardly and all laughed loudly. Suddenly Advait squealed.

Advait: Patata!(Pataka)

Naina: Aapko jalane hai?

Naina asked him softly and he nodded excitedly.

Preeti: Main le jaati hun usse, Naina ko patako ka darr lagta hai.

Dadi: Arre nahi Preeti beta aise samay mein tum aur Swati mat jao.

Vishakha: Ha beta, Advait main le chalti hu tujhe.

Swati: Mummyji, aap rukiye...aa...Sameer chala jayega na. Naina tum aur Sameer le jao Advait ko. Thik hai na Sameer?

Swati winked and asked Sameer to which he agreed and started leaving with Advait and Naina. As the trio opened the door they saw the Panditji standing out.

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

Samaina were on the terrace with Advait firing the crackers whereas all the others were down discussing about the wedding date with Panditji. Naina bent to Advait's height holding a sparkler in her hand nervously when Sameer said.

Sameer: Kuch nahi hoga Naina, usse bas ache se pakdo.

Naina: Nahi...mujhe chatka lag jayega.

Naina stammered as she kept stretching her hand making the possible distance between her and the sparkler while Advait was fully enjoying his burning cracker. She was to throw it down when she felt a hand over hers. Sameer sat behind her and held her hand with his tightly holding the cracker's stick; whereas she was lost in their proximity. She could feel his breath fanning on the base of her neck which made her loose balance and hit his chest. His other hand quickly held her shoulder and he looked at her. As she left her hair open, Sameer could smell them. He skimmed his nose on her silky cascades which made her close eyes. Sameer smiled to himself seeing his impact on her and slowly whispered in her ears.

Sameer; Ab patako ka darr nahi lag raha na?

His statement made her open her eyes and coming out of his hold she stood up leaving a giggling Sameer on his knees. As the cracker burnt fully, Sameer picked up another and stood with holding Advait's hand along with the stick of the sparkler. Advait enjoyed his lighting stick and was smiling wide. Naina stood a bit far from them observing how Sameer was fond of Advait. He was always very jovial and happy around kids, he was even very keen to help the pregnant ladies. Her thoughts went to the future where he would be playing with their kid too in the same way. Suddenly she came into senses and mentally smacked herself for her over-imagination. Advait came running to Naina and hugged her legs.

Advait: Thant you chachi!!

Advait thanked her for the crackers in his childish voice while Naina sat down to his height and said.

Naina: Mujhe aisa thank you nahi chahiye, mujhe aisa thank chahiye.

Naina pointed at her cheek and Advait pecked her followed by her doing the same. He then ran down to the stairs as Naina shouted.

Naina: Advait sambhalke!

Sameer who was standing besides , stepped closer to her and tilted his head saying

Sameer: Waise thank you mujhe bhi bolna hai.....patako ke liye.

As Naina heard his words, her eyes went wide and she turned to his side to face him only to see him smirking.

Naina: Dhat!

She blushed and ran down . Sameer brushed his fingers through his hair and grinned wide. Just then her got a call from the production house to confirm the shooting dates. Once her was done with the call he too went down just to hear Panditji's voice.

"Ye shaadi nahi ho sakti."

Word count: 2615

Hey guys!!

Finally the next chapter's here. Please do vote and share your thoughts in the comment box.

Love,
Shambhavi and Hemangi❤