The steady patter of rain upon the window woke naina from her slumber. The sound of rain brings a calmness to mind ,a soothing melody, a natural lullaby. With eyes at rest she felt her centre live happily within herself for these blessed moment solitude.

Soon she returned to the moment and the words of her mother came into focus. From the time her mother told her that they were going to visit the Maheshwari's , she was all confused about what to do. She was all nervous and a bit afraid about the behavior of his family members and specially him.

Her thoughts flew back in time when she was with Advait and Sameer and the lady had commented about them. Yes, she had heard that and also saw how Sameer was trying to restrain his smile. Were they actually making a good pair that everyone thought and even are thinking of them to be together? She wanted to talk to him but couldn't as she wasn't able to find words and topic to talk on.

Just then Rama enters Naina's room with a cup of tea giving Naina a stop to her thoughts.

Rama: Good morning Beta!

Naina: Good morning!!

Rama hands over the cup of tea to Naina, she takes it and starts sipping thinking about something.

Rama: Itna kya soch rahi hai?

Naina; Nahi...kuch nahi...main kuch nahi soch rahi.

Rama: Sameer se baat hui?

Naina nods in a no.

Rama: Kyu? Maine tujhe number diya toh tha na, arre wo number pe phone karna hai sirf save karke nahi rakhna hai.

Naina: Phone karke kya baat karu main? Aise hi thodi na phone kar sakti hu, kuch toh kaam hona chahiye na.

Rama: Arre kaam ki zarurat thodi hai, bolna ki aise hi phone kiya tha. 'Nashta kiya kya? Kya kar rahe hai?' Aisa kuch puch le.

Naina: Chiii yaar mummy....aaj kal aisi baatein nahi hoti, kuch alag.

Rama: Umm.... Acha toh yeh puch na ki hum waha jaate wakt kya le jaye?

Naina: Hmm, yeh thik hai.

Rama: Toh deri kis baat ki hai, chal phone laga.

Naina: Ruko baba, main kar lungi baad mein.

Rama: Ahahaha, Mujhe tera baad mein pata hai. Chal mere saamne hi phn laga ya phir ruk main hi lagati hun.

Saying this Rama grabs Naina's phone and dials Sameer's Number. Naina snatches her mobile from her mother's hands tries to disconnect the call but fails as Sameer picks up the call.

Sameer: Hello

Hearing Sameer's voice Naina goes silent while her mother hints her to speak and walks out of the room.

Sameer: Hello Naina?

Naina(stammers): Ahh.... Hi!

Silence spreads between them.

Sameer: Naina! Tum ho?

Naina: Ha....hu.

Sameer: Umm....Kaisi ho?

Naina: Theek hu...umm aap?

Sameer: Main bhi.

Both inhale deeply and the silence interferes again.

Sameer: Ahh...kuch kaam tha?

Naina: Ha...woh..woh actually Mummy puch rahi thi ki main waha aate wakt kya le aau?

Sameer: Arre nahi-nahi tumhe kuch lane ki zarurat nahi hai. Aur gift toh bilkul bhi nahi.

Naina: Toh... aapko khane mein kya pasand hai?

Sameer: Mujhe!!

Naina(bites her tongue): I mean sabko.

Sameer: Tumhe itni taklif lene ki zarurat nahi hai, sach mein.

Naina: Aise kaise, mujhe kuch toh laana chahiye na.

Sameer: Kyu?

Naina: Kyunki main uss ghar ki...

Sameer(Huskily): Ghar ki?

Naina: Ghar...ghar me pehli baar aa rahi ho toh isiliye. Aap bataiye na please.

Sameer(chuckles): Aisa kuch specific nahi hai. Matlab dadu-dadi ko meetha pasand hai, bhai-bhabhi ko chatpata aur baakiyon ko kuch bhi namkeen.

Naina: Aur aapko?

Sameer: Mujhe...kuch bhi chalega.

Naina: Hmm.

Sameer: Waise kab nikalne wali ho?

Naina: Aaj raat 8 ki train hai, kal 11 tak pohunch jayenge.

Sameer: Intezaar rahega.

Naina: Hmm.... Bye.

Sameer: Bye.

Naina blushingly disconnects the call and goes to freshen up.

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

After a long 14 hours journey, the Agarwal's reached the Maheshwari Mansion. The white bungalow was surrounded by green lush plants and trees. Everyone welcome them wholeheartedly.

Vishakha: Namaste bhaisaab-bhabhiji, aaiye aaiye.

Vivek hugs Rakesh and Vishakha huga Rama. Swamun come forwards and touch Rama - Rakesh feet.

Swati: Arre Naina aao na.

Dressed in a white kurti and sky blue dupatta, Naina steps in the house.

She touches Vishakha-Vivek's feet and they bless her. She then hugs Swati who was all excited to welcome her; then enter Dadu-Dadi.

Dadu: Aa gaye Rakesh.

Rama and Rakesh seek their blessings and hug them.

Dadi: Kaise ho tum dono?

Rama: Hum ek dum theek hai kakiji.

Rakesh: Par hume yeh pata chala hai ki aap dono apna theek se dhyan nahi rakhte.

Dadu: Arre pehle hume hamari beti se toh milao fir dekhna ki hum kaise theek hote hai.

Saying this Dadu and Dadi turn towards Naina and adore her with love filled eyes. Naina bends down to seek their blessings but was stopped by Dadi.

Dadi: Arre arre hamare yaha betiye pair nahi chooti balki gale milti hai.

Dadi takes Naina in a tight warm hug and kisses her forehead. Just then they hear a squeal which was from none other than Advait. All turn towards him who was in the arms of Sameer. Advait goes into Naina'a arms and samaina's eyes meet. Their eyes were locked as they were gazing at each other with some unknown emotions just then Munna nudges Sameer saying-

Munna: Bhai pehle uncle-aunty ke pair toh chu fir ghoorte rehna Naina ko.

Hearing this Samaina break their eyelock and Sameer touches Rama-Rakesh's feet and everyone settles down on the sofa.

Munna: Uncle Pandit aur Preeti nahi aaye?

Rakesh: undono ki aaj ek important meeting thi toh woh kal hi chale gaye.

Dadu: Arre, mujhe toh Preeti- Pandit se bhi milna tha, Swati ne bohot tareef ki hai dono ki.

Rama: Agli baar zarur le aayenge kakaji.

Vishakha and Swati then served them tea and some snacks to everyone and they all spend a little time chatting and then Rama- Rakesh and Naina go to guest room to freshen up.

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

Naina comes out of the washroom after freshening up, dressed in a royal blue dress and golden net dupatta, she left her hair open.

Rama: Naina tune saara khane ka saaman de diya na?

Naina: Ha maa, Swati ne sab kitchen me rakhwaya hai.

Rama: Acha kiya already itne time train me hi tha kahi kharab na ho jaye iska tension tha mujhe.

Naina: Papa kaha hai??

Rama: Woh Vivek bhaisaab ke saath garden mein baithe hai.

Just then they hear a knock and Swati opens the door from outside.

Swati: Naina, Dadu-Dadi tumhe bula rahe hai.

Naina: Mujhe?

Swati: Ha kuch baat karni hai.

Naina gets tensed and looks at Rama who blinks her eyes in assurance.

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

"Knock Knock"

Dadu: Kon?

Naina: Main hu Dadaji, Naina.

Dadi: Arre aao-aao beta.

Naina enters the room and Dadi makes her sit besides her on the bed. While Dadu sits in front of her on a chair.

Dadi: Vishakha ne kaha tha ki tum bohot guni aur sanskari ho aur aaj dekh bhi liya. Sach mein Rama-Rakesh ne tumhari parvarish bohot achi ki hai.

Dadu: Isiliye toh hum chahte hai ki tum hamare ghar ki bahu bano. Par beta hamara tumpe koi dabaav nahi hai.

Naina gives them a small smile.

Dadi: Ghooma fira ke nahi kahenge par humne tumhe yaha iss rishte ke bare mein hi baat karne bulaaya hai.

Naina starts rubbing her hand. They see Naina tensed and Dadi covers her hand with hers and gives a light press.

Dadu: Naina, tum jo bhi faisla lo use pehle tumhe kuch baate jo ki bohot important hai woh janna zaruri hai.

Dadi: Naina, Sameer ki zindagi bohot alag hai. Woh ek actor zarur hai par woh ek band kitaab ki tarah hai. Par uss kitaab mein ek aisa pehelu hai jo Sameer ko khud ko nahi pata.

Naina looks at them in confusion.

Dadu: Naina, Sameer adopted hai.

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

Hey Guys!!!!!!!

Happiest Birthday to our chocolate boy RANDEEP RAI!!!!

I just hope that he stays the same and let god give him all the success and fame and a life that he deserves. And I also hope that we get to see him on the television or on the silver screen soon. Love him to the moon and back.

This update actually was to be uploaded a week before but because of a wedding in my house it was delayed and I didn't think of any date but this to reveal the big secret of Sameer to be an adopted child.

I know many of ya'll are gonna kill me for this but it has something very important to do in the future.

Till that time please do vote for this chapter and also share your views on it.

Stay home, Stay safe.

Love Shambhavi and Hemangi.