The sun was half-way down the horizon, spreading its orange hue across the sky. Birds were flying back to their nests, just like the humans on their was home making the road crowded. Sameer was standing in the middle of his and Naina's family with a fallen face. Unlike Sameer, all others were standing with a worried expression waiting for Sameer to finish his sentence.

Sameer: Shweta keh rahi thi ki...Preeti...Preeti ko..

Sameer stammered and then suddenly announced.

Sameer: Preeti ko beta hua hai!!

The Maheshwaris and Agarwals who were almost gonna give up for hearing a good news, now gasped in surprise and cried in happiness.

Sameer: Preeti aur uska beta ekdum thik hai aur sabhi bohot khush hai.

Rama and Vishakha both joined their hands in front of god while Vivek hugged his best friend congratulating him. Swati went in the kitchen to get sweets whereas Naina wiped her happy tears after offering her gratitude towards god.

As she got up, her eyes met his. She looked in his deep eyes which held happiness and love only for her. Blinking her eyes Naina mouthed a thank you when Sameer hinted her not to cry and smile. Chuckling, her lips spread wide as she blushed seeing him mouthing 'I love you'. All celebrated this joyous moment and then Munna dropped the agarwals and Sameer to the airport.

***************
"congratulations, it's a baby boy aur dono thik hai"

One of the doctors came and informed Pandit and his family about the baby boy and that both Preeti and the baby are safe. As the news hit their ears they were happy and relieved.

Doctor-Hum unhe room me shift kar rhe hai phir aap unse mil sakte hai.

Soon Preeti was shifted to the private room. Pandit's mother asked him to go in first and meet Preeti and the baby. As he entered the room he went towards Preeti's bed and sat on the stool there. Caressing her face he says.

Pandit-Tum thik hona??

Preeti(nodding her head)-Ha, main thik hu.

Pandit smiles and kisses Preeti's forehead and helped her to sit properly. He then went to the baby's crib and carefully took the baby in his arms and went near Preeti. He was overwhelmed with happiness seeing his baby. His heart was now at peace which was filled with fear and tension sometimes ago; tears stared to flow out of his eyes.

Preeti- Pandit tum kyu ro rhe ho?? Kya hua??

Pandit-Kuch nahi..

Preeti-Sach sach batao na ki baat kya hai?

Pandit sighs and looks at her with watery eyes and says..

Pandit-Mujhe...main bohot ghabra gaya tha..ki kahi main tumhe ya baby ko kho na du..Agar dono me se kisiko ko bhi kuch ho jata toh—

Preeti cut his sentence in between knowing what he will say further..

Preeti-Lekin hum dono bilkul safe hai aur tumhare paas hai...Hai na?

Pandit nods and Preeti wipes his tears and then again starts adorning his son. He then looked up to see his wife adorning the 2 two men of her life. Preeti took her baby in her arms and softly caresses his small face. Preeti makes some place for Pandit to sit on the bed besides her, he settles down and carefully not hurting Preeti side hugged her and caressing baby's head says..

Pandit-Thank you so much Preeti for giving me this happiness.

Preeti-Thank you toh tumhe bhi bolna chahiye..

Both stare at each other and laugh silently..

Pandit-Par Preeti yeh kitna cute hai na...bilkul mere jaise..

Preeti-Haa?? Tumhare jaise...kuch bhi ha...mere jaisa cute hai..

Pandit-Accha accha thik hai..tumhare jaise...bas tum argue nahi karna abhi..

Preeti-Main argue kar rhi hu—

She was cut by the family members who entered the room to meet her and the baby. Pandit's mom went towards Preeti, caressing her face asks.

Pandit's mom-Beta tum thik ho na??

Preeti-Mummy me bilkul thik hu.

Shweta-Bhabhi ky me baby ko apni god me le sakti hu?

Preeti-Sure..issme puchne ki kya baat hai..tum bua ho toh haq hai tumhara..

Shweta first washes her hands and then carefully takes the baby in her hands.

Shweta-Mummy yeh kitna cute hai na..dekho na.

Pandit's mom-Nazar mat laga usse.

Pandit's mom dabbed her eyes and puts a kala tika on the baby's forehead.

Pandit's dad-Thank you beta..humme itni khushiyan den eke liye..

Pandit's mom-Thank you beta...dada dadi ban ne ki khushi kuch aur hi hai..

Shweta-Ha bhai-bhabhi thank you so much..

Preedit look at each other and then smile at everyone. The atmosphere was filled with happiness with the entrance of new members into their life.

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

"Sir, would you like to have something?"

The air hostess asked and Sameer nodded denying the offer. Naina who was seated besides him too refused politely and the air hostess moved forward. Sameer was reading a magazine when Naina slipped her hand around his arm. Looking at her, he raised her eyesbrows asking her what happened when she nodded in a no. Keeping the magazine back he asked.

Sameer: Kya hua hai?

Not surprised by his question, Naina said.

Naina: Woh...mujhe aapko thank you bolna tha, aapne na jaane kitni baar meri, mere family ki madat ki hai. Specially Preeti ke baare mein. Mujhe pata hai ki aapko mera thank you bolna pasand nahi hai par main sach mein kuch aisa karna chahti hu jo aapko utna hi khush kare jitna aapne mujhe kiya hai.

Both kept looking at each other throughout the conversation and also after it. Inhaling sharply, Sameer intertwined his fingers with hers and said.

Sameer: Naina, tumhe pata hai ki mere liye ek family kitni mayne rakhti hai, shayad isiliye main har ek family ki utni hi parwan karta hu jitni apni. Maine hazar baar kaha hai aur ab bhi kahunga ki tumhari family ab meri family bhi hai. Dusri baat Naina, tum jab se mere zindagi mein aayi ho na tabse saari cheeze badal gayi hai. Maine woh saare emotions feel kiye jo aajtak mujhe pata bhi nahi the ki mere andar hai. Jitni khushi maine tumhe dene ki koshish ki hai usse 10 guna zyada tumne mujhe already di hai.

Tightening his grip, Sameer continued.

Sameer: Ha par tum mujhe ek baat kehke aur khush kar sakti ho.

Naina: Kya?

Sameer: Woh 3 magical words

Sameer whispered huskily making Naina blush profusely. Smacking his arm, Naina rested her head on his shoulder while he grinned wide.

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

"Excuse me, Can u pls tell us the room number of Mrs.Preeti Raghav"

"Sure ma'am, just a min...Its 102"

The lady at the front desk answers.

"Thank you" Naina says and the Agarwal's and Sameer move towards the room. Rama was the first one to enter the room. They all were relieved to see Preeti and the baby fit and fine. Preeti was surprised to see all of them here.

Preeti-Maa, Papa...aap sab yaha??

Rama-Kaise nhi aate...Shewta ne phone kiya tha humme..

Rakesh-Jaise pata chala waise hi turant aagaye..

Rama then goes towards Preeti and caresses her face. Naina settles beside Preeti.

Naina-Tu thik hai na??

Preeti looks at everyone in the room and says..

Preeti-Aap sab chinta mat kijiye main bilkul thik hu..

Sameer-Preeti kaise chinta nhi karenge at last voh parents hai tumhare aur unko toh sabse pehle chinta hoti hai....

Preeti-Haa.

Then Naina took the baby in her arms. Sameer stood beside her pleased to see 2 cuties in front of him together.

Sameer-Yeh bohot cute hai bilkul Preeti ki tarah..

Naina-Ha cute toh bohot hai...Par jiju jaisa..

Preeti and Pandit glanced at each other and let out a small laugh. Rama takes the baby in her hands and says.

Rama-kisi ek jaisa nhi dono jaisa dikhta hai...rajkumar

Rakesh-Ha bohot pyaara hai..

Naina goes towards Preeti and hugs her lightly.

Naina-Thank you...masi banne ke baad kuch alag hi khushi hori hai.

Rama and Rakesh-Thank you so much beta..itni khushi dene ke liye..

Preeti smiles at everyone and looks at Pandit who was looking at her only they had an eye contact for few seconds and smile at each other. They all were having their family time with the baby when a nurse came and informed Pandit to fill up the hospital formalities. Pandit nods at her and excusing himself moves out of the room.

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

Sameer-Pandit, kuch help chahiye kya??

Sameer asked Pandit as he saw him at the reception completing the paperwork.

Pandit- Nahi-nahi main toh bas saara payment kar raha tha, aur waise bhi tumne aaj bohot help ki hai humari. Thank you.

Sameer-Pandit please, yeh thank you wagerah bolke mujhe embarrass mat karo. Maine kaha tha na ki main Preeti ke chote bhai jaisa hu aur family mein madat thodi hoti hai farz hote hai joh maine kiya.

Pandit-Farz toh tumne pure kiye Sameer par usse kai zyada kiye. Dinesh ne tumhare kehne pe Preeti ke liye bed tayar nhi kiya hota toh pata nhi kitni der lagti bed ke liye aur fir tumne yaha ke senior doctor ko bhi insist kiya isiliye Preeti ko jaldi treatment mil gayi warna woh seh nhi paati. Isiliye sach mein shukriya.

Sameer-Preeti toh pehle se hi bohot takatvar hai Pandit, aur jaisa kaho maine sirf apni behen ke liye farz kiya hai. Aur tumhe toh pata hai na, ki ek bhai apni behen ke liye kuch bhi kar sakta hai.

Pandit nodded and then hugged Sameer thanking him once again. They both then went in the room unaware that Naina had heard each and every word of the conversation.

Na kuch pucha, na kuch manga,
Tune dil se diya jo diya.

Her eyes had turned misty as she saw Sameer's retreating figure and realized how Sameer helped her sister even when she didn't ask him to.

Na kuch bola, na kuch tola,
Muskura ke diya jo diya.

Everytime when she needed someone he was there, always smiling, without any complaints just for her. Asking his men to work for someone else, travelling for someone else, asking help for someone else, he did everything knowing that it could create suspense and controversy about his and her relation, and he would be questioned. He did not care at all, but for one thing only; her happiness.

Tu hi dhup, tu hi chaaya,
Tu hi apna-paraya.
Aur kuch na jaanu main bas itna hi jaanu...

Naina entered the hospital room and saw. Sameer talking and laughing with Preeti. He had mend Preeti's relationship with her in laws, took care of her and now also of her baby. Not even her family who lived in Mumbai itself could do this but he did. He was nothing but an angel or god himself.

Tujh mein rab dikhta hai,
Yaara main kya karu.

Sameer went near the crib and smiled seeing the baby who had half opened his eyes. Naina went and stood besides him looking how happy he was with the small little baby. He then looked at her and asked her what? As she nodded a no his attention went back to the child.

Sajde sar jhukta hai yaara,
main kya karu....

Smiling Naina scrouched down and looked at the baby who was also in a playful mood, she then placed her hand above Sameer's which was already on the baby's belly. Both looked at each other and passed a smile when Shweta called for a photo.

***************
The night sky was a picturesque.  A black to navy gradient was the backdrop of full moon; the night sky was clear giving a beautiful view. The moon was surrounded by an ethereal glow with millions of stars sprinkled behind it, just like party lights.

Dressed in a ocher night suit, with her hair open Naina was looking ethereal. She spoke to Sameer for a while and had now come in her temporary room which was shared with Shweta as they both were at Preeti's house, to help the newbie parents for their child's naming ceremony which was to be held in 2 days. As she sat, Shweta smirked and teased,

Shweta: Ho gayi baat jiju se.

Naina: (shyly )Ha hogayi.

Shweta: Oh god di! You're just so lucky.

Naina gave a confused look.

Shweta: Sameer jiju kitne romantic hai! Woh aapse bohot pyar karte hai. Maine dekha hai jab woh aap ko dekhte hai, politely baat karte hai, tease karte hai aur roz raat aapko call bhi karte hai. It's so romantic!!

Shweta said clasping both her hands together.

Shweta: I swear di, agar main aapki jagah hoti na toh main unhe ek minute bhi akela nhi chodti.

Naina: Itna bhi kuch khas nhi hai yeh, ab toh normal ho gaya hai yeh sab. Pandit jiju bhi karte the.

Shweta: par bhai The Sameer Maheshwari thodi hai.Aur bhai bhabhi ki love marriage thi toh woh expected hi hai par Sameer jiju arrange marriage mein bhi itne romantic hai, yeh bohot badi baat hai.

Naina thought for a moment and then chided away.

Naina:(blushing) Chal aisa kuch nhi hai aur ab tu so ja, yeh topic band.

Shweta: Kya di kitni unromantic hai aap!! (Pause) Ya phir yeh jealousy hai ha?

Naina: Bilkul nahi.

Shweta: Acha? Thik hai phir naamkaran ke din jab Sameer jiju jayenge tab unse kaise flirt karti hu, dekh lena.

Naina: Shweta!!!

Naina whined hitting Shweta with a pillow making her giggle. Turning to her side, Naina thought about Shweta's words.

Naina: (In her mind) Sach hi toh keh rahi hai Shweta, Sameer sach mein bohot romantic hai. Har baar koi na koi mauka dhund ke mujhse flirt karte hai par main hi hun jo kuch react nhi karti. Par woh baate hi aisi karte hai ki main kuch bol nahi paati. Lekin phir bhi mujhe thodi to baat karni chahiye na, warna woh mujhse bore ho jayenge.

Naina started overthinking and thought that if she would stay mum always then it would make Sameer bore and he won't feel attracted. But then Naina shook away these thoughts cause she knew that he would never be distracted from her.

Naina:(to herself) Nahi, Sameer hamesha mere saath rahenge yeh baat pakki hai, lekin iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki main unse flirt na karu.

Thinking about something, Naina said yo herself.

Naina: Jaise Sameer hamesha mujhe clean bolt karte hai waise hi ab main bhi unhe karungi. Dekhte jaiye Mr. Maheshwari ki ab yeh Miss. Bold Agarwal kya karti hai.

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

Balloons of blue and white color were stuck on the wall and were thrown free as well. A small stage was built up in the center of the hall, with Font balloons of 'Welcome to the Family' stuck on the wall. Some chairs were placed in the corners for the old guests. Counters of cold drinks were crowded by the guests. Waiters were walking around with the beverage.

The naming ceremony was gonna start in an hour and the Agarwal-Raghav family was running here and there looking after the arrangements. Naina had put everything on the stage when Bua Dadi and her family arrived. Rama and Rakesh welcomed them, Naina took their blessings and all congratulated her for the wedding date. They all were going towards a table when Naina saw Sameer entering the hall.

Dressed in a baby pink shirt and maroon-golden waist coat, he was looking handsome and dashing as always. Naina smiled looking at him and then looked at his hands which carried several bags; which were looking heavy. Chuckling she went towards him.

Naina: Hi!

Sameer: Hey!!

Naina: Yeh itna sab kya hai??

Sameer: Baby ke liye.

Naina: Itna!??

Sameer: Sirf essentials hi hai Naina, jaise burping cloth, kuch onesies, jumpsuit, wearable blankets, bunting bag aur..

Naina: bas bas.

Naina was amazed listening the list of things he had shopped for.

Naina: Aap itna sab le aaye?

Sameer: Of course! Saari essential cheeze hi hai na. Pandit aur Preeti laye hi honge but safer side ke liye ek extra joda ho jayega. Aur koi bhi faltu cheez dene se acha hai ki kuch useful hi du. Haina?

Naina:(chuckling) Mahaan hai aap.

Naina laughed and took some bags from his hand and then continued.

Naina: Lekin acha hai ki aapko babies ke baare mein sab pata hai, hamare time pe gadbad nhi hogi.

Naina smirked and then gave a teasing smile and went back to her arrangements, leaving a dumbfounded Sameer behind. He was still processing her words and then realized that she had actually flirted with him for the 1st time ever. Not knowing how to react he just grinned wide and blushing hard, he went towards the family members.

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

"Sir yeh aapke liye coffee."

Sameer had just ended his call with Munna who informed that they had reached the airport and were now leaving for the hall, when a waiter came in front of him with a cup of coffee.

Sameer: I guess apse galti hogayi hai, aa..maine coffee order nahi ki.

Waiter: Sir ji unn madam ne bheji hai.

The waiter pointed towards Naina who had now changed into a pink and golden long anarkali. She was arranging all the offerings neatly and then turned and saw the waiter and Sameer looking at her. She smiled at him and then hinted him to take the beverage, which he eventually did. Smilingly he thought that she was in a good mood and then sipped his coffee which was tasting the same way he liked. He instantly knew that Naina must have ordered it specially for him as there was no else in the hall drinking coffee. Nodding his head he chuckled when Naina came up to him with a red rose in her hand.

He looked at Naina who was grinning wide and then forwarded him the red rose with a flirty expression.

Sameer: Tum yeh mujhe de rahi??

Sameer asked teasingly.

Naina: (nodding in yes) m-hmm

Sameer: Thank you.

Taking the rose Sameer thanked her and continued.

Sameer: Kya baat hai To-be-Mrs. Maheshwari, pehle coffee aur ab yeh laal gulab. Aaj koi special din hai kya?

Naina: Din toh hum apne aap hi special kar sakte hai Mr. Maheshwari, aur yeh coffee maine pehle hi bol rakhi thi kyunki mujhe pata hai ki aap cold drink aur chai peete nahi. Rahi baat iss gulab ki toh yeh aapke liye nahi hai. Maine toh yeh aapko iss liye diya hai taaki aap yeh gulab mere baalon mein lagaye. Lagayenge na??

Naina explained him about her actions and then asked him to pin the rose in her hair. Sameer smilingly kept his cup of coffee on the table and asked her to turn around as to pin the rose. He slowly tucked the red flower in her hair and then looked around to see if anyone was looking at them. Giving a quick glance to the crowd, he pecked Naina's cheeks making her eyes go wide.

She gasped at his move; turning quickly she looked around and then sighed seeing all the others busy in their talks. Naina looked at Sameer angrily and smacked his arm.

Naina: Kya tha yeh?? Koi dekh leta toh?

Sameer: toh kya hota! Aur madam tum mujhpe gussa kar rahi ho? Jab main aaya tab tumne mujhse flirt kiya woh bhi hamare honewale bacho ke baare mein bolke. Aur ab maine tumhe ek kiss kya di, mujhe toh maar hi pad gayi. Chahti kya hai aap Mrs. Maheshwari??

Naina's angry expression subtle down hearing Sameer and then looking at him she softly said,

Naina: Main toh wahi chahti hun Sameer jo ek ladki chahti hai. Aur ek ladki sirf itna chahti hai ki ek ladka usse itna pyar kare jitna kisine kisise na kiya ho. Aur aap toh woh karte hai na. Aur main nahi chahti ki yeh pyar main akele hi mehsus Karu, aapko bhi pura haqq hai isse mehsus karne ka aur yeh mera farz aur iccha dono hai ki main woh pyar aapko du.

Sameer: Toh tum mujhse pyar karti ho?

Naina Kuch cheeze boli nahi jaati Sameer sirf samjhi jati hai aur mujhe pata hai ki aap itne buddhu toh nahi hai, hai na?

Sameer smiled listening to her words and then suddenly realized something.

Sameer: ek minute! Kya tumne abhi mujhe indirectly buddhu kaha??

Naina: Indirectly? Really???

Naina teases and tried stopping her self form laughing and then before he could say something she slightly hit his head saying.

Naina: Indirectly nahi, directly kaha Buddhu!!!

Laughing she walked ahead and bumped into Shweta.

Sameer: Arre Dheere!!

Naina: I am so sorry, mera dhyan nahi tha. Shweta tujhe kahi lagi toh nahi?

Shweta: it's ok di, mujhe lagi nahi hai. Actually galti meri hi hai main program ka video bana rahi thi na isiliye mera dhyan nahi tha.

Naina: Arre nahi nahi, isme teri galti nhi hai. Tu apne video bana aur mujhe bhi bhej. Main jaati hu apne kaam karne.

Naina said and was going towards the stage when she heard Sameer.

Sameer: Naina, Mummy papa aa gaye.

Naina turned and saw the Maheshwaris coming in. Advait was the first one to see her and ran towards her.

Advait: Chachi!!!

Naina bent down and took the little munchkin in her arms. Hearing the little boy's squeal, Rama and Rakesh to got up and went to welcome Sameer's family.

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

"Bache ke bua ko bulaiye"

The pooja was over and now for naming the baby, Panditji called Shweta on the stage because as per the indian tradition the baby's aunt decides the name. Shweta came upon the stage and took the baby in her arms.

Panditji: Bache ke kundali nusar iska naam आ se rakha jana chahiye.

Pandit ji said and Shweta thought for a minute or two before saying,

Shweta: Iss bache ke aane se ghar mein sirf khushi hi aayi hai, isiliye iska naam 'Anand'

Shweta declared the name and all clapped aloud. She looked at the baby who was also awake and was looking at her with his big brown eyes. She caressed his head and then gave him back to Preeti. They then completed some more rituals and finally after 15 mins, the naming ceremony came to an end. The guests then blessed the baby and his parents, offering them gifts and shifted towards the dinner hall for having a delicious meal. All enjoyed the naming ceremony and then went back to their respective houses.

***************
Sameer was sleeping asound, dreaming about his lady love when he heard his door knock. Once, twice, thrice the door was knocked, at last with no option he got up groaning and opened the door just to see his mother.

Vishakha: Kitni der Sameer!?

Sameer: Sorry, woh gehri neend mein tha to late ho gaya. Kya hua mummy??

Vishakha: TV pe dekh kya aa raha hai.

Vishakha said in a tensed tone and came in the living room followed by Sameer, and he was shocked reading and listening to the breaking news.

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

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

I know it is quite late for the wish, but I lost a draft of 2000 words this afternoon and had to type everything all again, so took a long time to publish. 

But nonetheless it is now up for you to read, so please do vote and comment your views on this.

Love,
Shambhavi and Hemangi ❤