The big flame of burning light and piercing rays drifted below the horizon saying a goodbye. Rapidly the sky filled with a hollow blackness, covering the world in a dark mystery. The silence of the night however, wasn't that silent as the Agarwal house. This dreaded night with an ominous silence and uncertainty of what comes next was terrifying.

Swapreena were in Naina's room, all silent. They were still coping up with the words of Panditji. Just then Preeti exclaimed,

Preeti-Aisa thodi hota hai!

Swati and Naina looked at Preeti and she continued.

Preeti-Roka ho chuka hai, dono families itni ghulmil gayi hai toh ab mana kaise kar sakte hai.

Swati-Hum thodi na faisla le sakte hai, Bade aur Sameer-Naina pe hi depended hai.

Swati looked at Naina and as she gulped and looked down. Preeti shifted to Naina and held her hand.

Preeti-Naina, dekh, hum tujhe pressurize nahi kar rahe Lekin hum sab dekh sakte hai ki tu aur Sameer kitne khush ho saath.

Swati-Agar tum dono ek-dusre se dur reh sakte ho toh hum kuch nhi kahenge, par agar ek-saath rehna chaho, toh sabko inkaar kar do; hum kabhi future dekh nahi sakte Naina, koi bhi nahi.

Naina nodded her head and they heard a knock. All looked at the door, to see Sameer there.

Sameer-Bhabhi, Dadi aapko bula rhi hai.

Swati nodded and stood up along with Preeti. She extended her hands to pick up Advait who was asleep besides her but Naina stopped.

Naina-Bhabhi usse rehne dijiye, baad mein utha denge.

Swati-Thik hai.

Swati agreed and walked towards the door but stopped besides Sameer and kept her hand on his shoulder giving a light press. Sameer looked at his Bhabhi and blinked in assurance. He walked in and sat in front of Naina; on the bed. After an awkward silence Sameer asked.

Sameer-Tumne....kya socha hai?

Naina was caressing Advaits head when Sameer softly asked. She inhaled sharply and replied.

Naina-Mujhe......mujhe pata nahi main kya...main...main bas-

Naina stammered not knowing what to say, understanding this Sameer slowly took her hand in his saying.

Sameer-Tumhare mann mein jo bhi ho woh bejhijak kaho Naina. Main tumhe judge nahi karunga.

Naina- Main....main bachpan se kabhi mummy-papa ke khilaaf nahi gayi, hamesha har baat maani. Jab yeh rishta tay hua tab bhi maine unke liye haa ki fir aapko Jaana (pause) Main....main unke khilaaf nahi jaana chahti, unka jo bhi faisla hoga usse main sehmat hungi.

Sameer (smiles)-Aur main tumhari.

She looked him, surprised to see him agreeing with all her decisions without any objection.

Naina-Aap meri har baat kaise maan sakte hai?

Sameer-Kyuki yeh tumhari hi nahi meri bhi baat hai.

Naina gave him a puzzled looked and he replied.

Sameer-Tum jaanti hi ho ki mere liye family kya cheez hai, specially yeh wali. Bohot ehsaan hai Naina inke mujhpe aur pyar bhi. Aur yahi pyar main unhe wapis dena chahta hu. Agar kisi cheez se hamari family ko taklif hogi toh main woh har cheez sacrifice kar dunga.

He looked at her, deeply in her eyes with certainty and a little mist. The next moment his eyes turned emotional and soft as he said.

Sameer-Aur hum friends toh bane reh hi sakte hai, Right?

Naina-Hmm, best friends.

Naina nodded with tears in her eyes and smile on lips. She held his hands tighter as he did too. They sat looking at each other when a lone tear escaped her eyes.

Sameer-Naina.

Sameer wiped her tears and nodded a no hinting her not to cry. Next moment Munna knocks the door and ask both of them to come down. Naina sets her hair, wiping off her tear marks she too follows them down.

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

Sameer and Naina sat infront of their families who had serious expression on their faces. As the leads settled, Dadi asked.

Dadi-Tum dono ka kya faisla hai?

Samaina looked at each other and Sameer stated.

Sameer-Hum dono yeh chahte hai ki iss baare mein aap sab bade hi faisla le, hum usi se sehmat honge.

All looked at them shockingly, amazed with their decision.

Rama-Naina, kya tera bhi yahi faisla hai?

Naina-Aa(pause) Aap sabhi ne yeh rishta tay kiya tha..toh aage kya karna hai yeh bhi aap tay karenge toh chalega(pause) Hume koi objection nahi hai.

Dadi looked at Naina and then at Sameer keenly, their eyes only reflected maturity and respect. She once felt proud of their decision which was only in the care of their family but the next moment she felt ba that they decided to separate from each other just for their family. Controlling her emotions Dadi said.

Dadi: Thik hai, agar tum dono ka yahi faisle hai, toh hum sabne jo socha hai wahi hoga.

Dadi looked at Vivek and hinted him to talk.

Vivek: Panditji ne kaha hai ki agar yeh shaadi hui toh uske 6 mahine baad tum dono pe hi nahi balki dono parivaaron pe bada sankat aa sakta hai.

Rakesh: Isiliye hum sabne yeh socha hai, ki dono parivaaron ke liye yahi acha hai ki yeh shaadi na ki jaaye.

Naina inhaled sharply and looked down controlling her tears. Vishakha who was sitting besides Naina held her hand; giving a light press she said

Vishakha: Lekin iss sab se hamara rishta nahi tutega. Tum aaj aur hamesha meri beti hi hogi.

Rama: Aur tum mere bête.

Both the mothers ran their hands on each other’s kids forehead as they passed a small-emotional smile.

Dadi: Sameer,bête woh roke ki sone ki chain de de.

Sameer nodded at his Dadi’s order and removed the gold chain. Vishakha gave the chain and Rama asked Naina to get the bangles.

Rama: Naina, woh shagun ke kangan la de.

Naina nodded and went upstairs when Dadi asked Munna to book a cab as it would take time to arrive.

Vishakha: Swati, Advait kaha hai?

Swati: Woh Naina ke room main so raha hai, mai le aati hu.

Vivek: Nahi Swati tum ruko, Sameer tum le aao Advait ko.

Sameer looked at Vivek who nodded his head hinting him to go.

Sameer: Ji.

Sameer agrees and he too climbs upstairs while Vishakha question him.

Vivek: Unn dono ko thoda wakt do Vishakha, hamare saamne vyakt nahi ho paaye honge…shayad akele mein ho jaaye.

 ***********************************

As soon as Naina reached her room, she opened her cupboard and broke down. She knew this was gonna happen, that this was their elders decision but still somewhere in her heart she did have some hope that their parents won’t agree with Panditji. However, now that happened and she couldn’t do anything  about it, as she didn’t wanna cross her parents. Just then she heard some footsteps and hastily wiped her tears; getting the bangles, she shut the door of her cupboard just to see Sameer standing at the door.

Sameer: Woh…main Advait ko lene aaya tha.

Naina hummed softly as Sameer stepped in and sat on the bed alowly calling out Advait’s name. Advait woke up at the fist call itselfand asked for his mom. Sameer told him that Swati was downstairs and Advait ran down. As Sameer got up he saw Naina standing at the same place looking at him. Both had their eyes locked with each other  which spoke a lot but the lips didn’t. Sameer inhaled deep and walked to leave when Naina called him. 

Naina: Sameer!!

He turned on his heels to face Naina, whose head was down and hand extended to him which had the bangles. He sighed  as he wanted to see her face….guess the last time but didn’t get to. He took the bangles and turned  hiding his tears and before he could step ahead , he felt two arms encircling waist from behind.

Naina could not control anymore and hugged him tight, breaking down. She was scared, scared of the life without him, the same way as he was. Tears made their way in Sameer’s case too. Even he didn’t want to let go of her. His heart cried painfully , thinking of this twist just before he could tell her that he was in love….with her.

Yes! He planned to tell her today to express his love, his feelings….and before he could do so, destiny played its game. Slowly he turned, to face her just to see her sob hard, hanging her head down.

He bit his lip to stop his sob and placed his palm on her cheek. Making her look up in his eyes, he nodded wiping her tears. She held his palm which was on her cheeks and sobbed more. He moved closer and kissed her forehead. She looked at him with welled up eyes and he cleared them too.

Smeer: Naina please!!

He said softly which was merely a whisper, to which she nodded trying to control herself but all in vain.

Sameer: Main jaa nahi paunga Naina.

Hearing his words, she wiped her tears.

Naina: Sorry!

Sameer: You ok?

Naina: Hmm.

Naina nodded and passed a small smile ….atleast tried to. They turned to go and saw Pandit at the door.

Pandit: Sab bula rahe hai.

Sameer loked at Naina and then walked down while Naina was still in the room, looking at his retreating figure. Pandit came near Naina and placed his hand on her head, she looked at him and he blinked. This was it, she broke down….again as Pandit hugged her tight; she cried her heart out.

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Word count: 1671

Hey guys!

The next chapter's up. I know all are gonna hate me for this but it was needed, cause this is gonna make you'll strong for the twists coming up in the future chapters. And time  changes, be it good to bad or bad to good. Just keep hope.

Also please do vote and comment🙏

Love,
Shambhavi and Hemangi ❤