Sameer's first meeting with Diya was a pleasant one. Sameer didn't have much experience with kids, but Diya seemed a well-behaved child. Naina had picked her up after school as Arvind had some work in the lab. Since Rita had given her a time slot for the afternoon, and Diya wasn't in a mood to sleep, she'd tagged along with Naina to Sameer's office. Naina hoped Sameer wouldn't mind, because she couldn't keep cancelling her meetings when Diya refused to sleep in the afternoons, which happened quite often. And deep down, she was extremely anxious to see how Sameer would behave with her. Would he like her? Or would he be cold towards her?

At half past two, Naina knocked his office door and entered a minute later with her cute child. Diya was clutching her mother's hand, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief, her rosy cheeks contrasting against her fair skin. Her brown-black hair was drawn into a high ponytail, secured with tiny white clip ons. She wore a white frock with red stripes, with frills on the collars and the puffed sleeves. Her feet were secured in flip-flops, the ones that squeaked when one walked. Her mother on the other hand was wearing her green silk again. Sameer found himself wondering at how frequently Naina repeated her clothes. Perhaps she couldn't afford much. He'd once noticed the tattering edges of one of her cotton sarees near the hem when she'd been putting on her sandals. Not to mention, she'd worn the same brown strap sandals every one of the fifteen times she'd met him recently.

Sameer diverted his mind and smiled gently. Diya held her mother's hand tightly and inched closer to her on seeing him. Sameer tried to appear benevolent, while Diya eyed him curiously from the back of her mother's pallu, with which she was fidgeting now. How like Naina! he wondered.

Naina ushered her forward and remarked, "Diya...yeh Sameer uncle hain...namaste karo!"

Diya let go of Naina's saree, folded her tiny, chubby hands and uttered in her kiddish voice, "Namaste". The mellifluous voice melted Sameer. He patted her hair and replied genially, "Namaste beta! Kaise ho aap?"

Diya didn't answer but hid behind her mother again. Sameer beamed at her and then at Naina, who was looking at him oddly, lost in thought.

"Ummm Naina?" Sameer cleared his throat.

"Ji wo haan!" She recollected himself, gave a brief smile and lifted Diya in her arms. "Wo Diya so nahi rahi thi ghar pe...to mujhe ise laana pada yahan pe...aapko koi problem to nahi na...yeh bilkul disturb nahi karegi!"

"Arey it's okay...acha hua isi bahane mila to sahi tumhari beti se! Bahot pyaari hai!"

Naina smiled but didn't say anything. The fact that Sameer liked Diya made her heart swell. With an effort, she pulled herself out of her reverie again, "kaam karte hain?"

"Haan tum baitho...main do minute mein aata hun...Chapter two ka draft nikal ke rakhna!"

Sameer closed the door to his cabin, and sighed. It was uncanny how drawn he'd felt to the child, considering he'd never been overly inclined towards kids. He could like them, for he liked Deepika when she was born, but he often found himself at a loss at how to communicate with children as small as this- ones who could not understand him. He was just- just pathetically neutral with kids. Thank God, he wasn't a father! He was sure he would a very bad one- one who felt detached from his own children. Well maybe if the children were as cute as Deepika or Diya, he might have an urge to try and gel with them.

Sameer walked outside to the local market and purchased a big bar of Dairy Milk chocolate. When Sameer re-entered his cabin, he saw Naina engrossed in work, while Diya was sitting on the sofa, swaying her legs to and fro. With the way Diya's eyes darted around the office, at the various knick-knacks and the mounting shelves of books, Sameer could tell she was one restive soul. Diya put her finger on the ash tray and started tapping it, blabbering some unintelligible words. Absent mindedly, Naina slapped her hand lightly. Diya immediately retreated, now looking more bored than ever.

Sameer put on a smile and settled himself onto the sofa in front of her. Seeing him, Diya immediately fell silent and shielded her face with her mother's pallu again. Sameer couldn't help but grin at her antics. He fished inside his jacket pocket and drew out the Dairy Milk bar. Diya's eyes lit up in glee and the pallu was discarded. Sameer offered her the chocolate and Naina looked up. Diya grabbed the chocolate bar and muttered a gentle 'thank you uncle' to Sameer. But what happened next turned off Sameer's mood.

"Diya?" Naina's voice was stern.

Diya glanced up at her mother and saw the usual disapproving glint in her eyes. She hung her head as Naina plucked the bar of chocolate from Diya's hands. Satisfied, Naina held the chocolate back to Sameer and said, "Diya chocolate nahi khaati Sameer...use pasand nahi hai...sorry...and thank you!"

Diya didn't protest but looked upset. Seeing her disheartened, Sameer somehow felt dismayed himself and an irrational anger seized him.

What was wrong with her? It was evident that the child's mouth was watering at the sight of the chocolate. Can't she allow her daughter to have chocolates once in a while? Why so much of discipline? Ohh! Of course! Ms. Prissy doesn't want her daughter to eat anything that he gives.

"Fine!" he snapped sullenly. He got up and stashed the chocolate in his drawer. As he did so, he eyed the pack of cigarettes lying there. One look at Naina, and his rage increased. He quickly retrieved one from the pack and slammed the drawer shut, declaring he would be back in five minutes.

Naina wondered, "fir se gaya? Ab kahan? Ise bura lag gaya hoga na...kuch aur to nahi lane gaya?" She admonished Diya, "aapko bola hai na kisi anjaan vyakti se kuch nahi lete...!"

"Lekin aapne to bola wo Sameer uncle hain...!" she babbled.

Naina mentally face-palmed herself. Rearing a child was no easy task. "Beta...lekin aapko pata hai na chocolate khane se mana kiya hai mumma ne...?"

Diya nodded unhappily and went back to swaying her legs around.

Sameer was furious as he puffed again. "Kya samajhti hai khudko? Ek chocolate hi to di! Tameez hi nahi hai bilkul! Nahi bhi deni thi to chup chap rakh leti apne pass...chocolate nahi khati Diya huh! Jitna logon ki help karo utna hi sar pe chad jate hain! Na khaye...mujhe kya! Dikha rahi hai ki main jo dunga wo nahi khayegi!"

When Sameer came back to the cabin, he was again in his brusque, professional mood. So much so that Naina noticed that he didn't even glance at Diya, nor smiled at her. She regretted her behavior. She could have kept the chocolate in her bag. And he would have never known. But she was aware that if Diya knew the chocolate was in her mother's bag, sooner or later, she might secretly consume it.

The meeting finished around five. Naina and Diya got up to leave, but Sameer did not bid either of them a goodbye.

***

Diya was successfully dispatched to school, but not after she threw tantrums in the morning. Arvind was in office and all the household chores were attended to. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to keep herself occupied, Sameer was always there in the back of her mind. He'd suddenly become rude when she'd refused the chocolate he'd offered to Diya. How could she explain? She'd felt moved at his amicable gesture, yet wherever Diya was concerned, she couldn't compromise. Still, she felt miserable at the way she'd behaved with him. She'd tried to call and apologize over phone, but Sameer had responded with a curt no problem. Finally, she decided to focus on her manuscript and prepare for the meeting she had with him tomorrow. If she couldn't take her mind off him, perhaps she should try to do something which involves him.

It had been a week since the monsoons had made their appearance in Delhi. And since last night, it was continuously raining cats and dogs. Naina prepared a cup of steaming hot coffee and collected the pages with comments from Sameer and his team, and set down to work. Her workstation comprised of a plastic chair on her miniscule balcony. Fresh air always helped clear her mind- she felt she was at her imaginative best when in sync with Nature. And today, with the non-stop rains, Naina felt much more inclined to be seated outside; for monsoons were her favorite time of the year- before Sameer, after Sameer, and especially for the cherished moments she'd spent with Sameer. This one thing hadn't changed in her. She still loved rains. Thank heavens for that- there was something apart from Diya which could still make her smile. The enchanting overcast sky, the thundering clouds, coupled with the smell of wet earth and the greenery swaying hither and thither in the gales, in between the sheets of refreshing rain. Who could not fall in love with such a weather?

She sipped through her coffee and began reading and scribbling, as bouts of cool breeze whipped through her hair. Some half an hour later however, as she peered out of the balcony, listening to the thrumming rain, pondering at the water drops dripping from the balcony railings, she couldn't help but reminisce that night-out in college, one of the most beautiful yet strangely portent days of her life.

"Naina!" Sameer giggled as he ran behind her, trying to shield himself from the rain simultaneously. She laughed as she skittered out of his way as he tried to grab her. The rain poured relentlessly, the famed Mumbai monsoons in full swing. She'd wanted a night-out for the day was special, and Sameer had obliged. They'd both sneaked out of their hostels post dinner and had dawdled away the time, chatting about life in general, their childhood, munching on ice-creams (again on Naina's insistence), meandering through the college lawns hand-in-hand, away from the sight of the guards around.

Finally Sameer caught her in an embrace from behind, while they both continue to chuckle. He planted a soft kiss onto her nape and she turned to look at him, her eyes glinting with happiness. Their sniggers finally subsided as they locked their eyes. She couldn't help herself as she peppered kisses onto his cheeks and lips. His smile broadened and he nuzzled his nose into her shoulders and stood there, holding her, rocking her to and fro. She stilled and closed her eyes basking in his warmth, and Sameer clasped her tighter, his arms encircling her waist, while the rain continued to drench the couple. His lips kissed her neck and shoulders in between, while his fingers gently stroked her stomach.

"Itni ice-cream kha rahi ho...tabhi moti ho rahi ho!" he exclaimed.

Naina was miffed and slapped his hand on her tummy in response.

"Ouch! Maar kyun rahi ho! Sach mein moti ho rahi ho...ek minute...ek minute...kahin tum pregnant to nahi?" he suddenly seemed alarmed as his grip loosened a bit.

"Kya?" Naina remarked, befuddled by the question and by Sameer's sudden somber manner. And then she noticed a hint of a smile playing onto his lips. He moved away from her and turned, crossing his hands in the front.

Naina rolled her eyes, "nautanki!" But she decided to play along.

"Sameer!" she whispered, trying to bring in an urgency to her tone. There was no response.

"Sameer...please meri baat to suno...main tumhe batane hi wali thi...infact aaj hi batane wali thi!"

"Ab kehne sunne ko baaki kya reh gaya hai Naina?" He whipped around suddenly, his face stoic, with a tinge of anger written across it.

Not bad! He can act!

"Kabse pata hai tumhe Naina?" Sameer enquired.

"Sa...Sameeer...do...do mahine ho gaye!" she brought a stutter to her voice, aware that voice modulation really helped get into a character. Then she pooled tears in her eyes, made a sorry face and bent down on her knees, crying aloud in the rain.

Ab overacting karegi! It was Sameer's turn to roll his eyes.

He slumped to the ground next to her as rain poured in sheets, making up for the silence around them. Sameer clasped her shoulders and heaved, "Naina...Naina?" He lifted her chin when she continued to sob. As her eyes met his, for a moment, she felt as if Sameer felt her pain for real and it affected him too. "Main tumhare saath hun!" he asserted as he cupped her face and wiped her tears, though rendered needless by the downpour. Naina now looked hopeful and Sameer found himself melting out of his character. He placed a lingering kiss onto her lips, straightened his expression, and then remarked, "tum bilkul chinta mat karo...itni der nahi huyi hai...college se thodi chutti le lo ki beemar ho...ghar jaa rahi ho...main hospital mein pata karta hun ki kaise hum secretly yeh abortion kar sakte hain!"

"A...abortion?" Naina was taken aback. This was not what she expected of him. Or did she?

"S...Sameer...lekin hum a..abor...yeh to paap hai na! Kisi masoom ki jaan lena...wo bhi...wo bhi jisne duniya dekhi tak nahi!"

"Naina, main manta hun...lekin aur option kya hai...tumhare gharwalon ko pata chalega to wo vaise bhi tumhe aur mujhe zinda nahi chodne wale!"

"L...lekin Sameer...!" Naina forgot all about the act now.

"Lekin vekin kuch nahi Naina...hume yeh karna hi hoga!" Sameer's tone was dismissive, but Naina wasn't done. Her heart palpitated and she didn't know why, but it was important to convince him, even if it was just for this petty drama.

"Sameer...hum dono...hum dono bhi toh..agar yeh bacha hamare saath...kya hum...kya hum ek parivar ki tarah...," she broke off at the horrifed look on Sameer's face.

There was complete silence apart from the rain battering the ground.

"Kya? Tum pagal to nahi ho gayi ho...tum aur main saath mein...yeh kaise possible hai? Tum achi tarah se jaanti ho mujhe shaadi vaadi ke chakkar me nahi padna...na tumse na kisi aur se," he hollered and stood up.

"Sameer...please...please mujhe apna lo...," she held his leg and begged, "tum jo kahoge wo main karungi...main tumhare bina nahi jee sakti Sameer...aur main is bacche ko bhi janam dena chahti hun...socho Sameer...yeh hum dono ka bacha hai...tumhe bhi to mere saath rehna pasand hai...to phir shaadi se kya pareshaani hai?" her body shook with sobs as she implored Sameer. "Please Sameer...please hume apna lo...please!"

Sameer was dumb-struck for a few moments. And then he clapped. "Maan gaye! Waah! Agar kabhi mujhe film mein chance mila na to heroine tu hi hogi pakka!" he grinned. Slowly, he helped her stand up on her feet and placed his arm around her.

Naina blinked, and then realized what they'd been doing. It wasn't real. She was not pregnant. Yet! She couldn't put her finger on it, but the drama had shaken her. Not because they'd done it for the first time. Sameer had once casually suggested he wanted to try his hand at acting, for the mood of Bombay had gotten to him. Perhaps the ambition wasn't serious, but then enacting out small snippets of common Bollywood dramas at a moment's notice became a fun thing for them. But somehow this morning act had sent chills down Naina's spine.

She took a deep breath as Sameer grabbed her hand again and they started walking through the lawns, mushy with rainwater. She wanted to talk to him- had to know. She couldn't help it and asked, "sach mein acha tha kya?"

Sameer beamed at her and clasped her hand in both of his, "acha? Madam...main kameena ladka bhi hota na abhi toh bhi convince ho jata shaadi karne ke liye...itna royi by God...matlab Meena Kumari ko bhi competition de sakti hai!"

Naina smacked him in the ribs as he ran away from her teasingly, making crying faces, while Naina, finally back to normal, began chasing him.

A while later, around 5 am, the rain thinned a little and Sameer and Naina enjoyed steaming hot cups of tea as they rubbed their hands. "Vaise ab kya karenge? Aaj to chutti bhi hai!" he winked.

"Toh?" Naina feigned innocence.

"Toh...aaj main bhi free hun...tum bhi!" He responded, his voice husky.

"Toh?"

"Toh...humein celebrate karna chahiye na!"

"Wo to kar rahe hain!"

"Man nahi bhara!" he winked.

"Kabhi bharta hai?" Naina blushed.

"Nah!" he grinned wide.

Naina held his hand and looked at his watch. "5.30 ho rahe hain...jaldi karo isse pehle sab jaag jaye!"

Sameer got his wish that morning, throughout the day in Naina's company, in her bed. He climbed up the pipe stealthily to her room. Once inside, he shrugged off his denim jacket and picking up her towel, dried her arms and her hair, wiped the water from her face, before drying himself. They both decided that changing might just be a waste of time, since they would ultimately be getting undressed. A quick hot shower later, Sameer and Naina nuzzled together and made love while the rain pattered over the window panes. As deep, smouldering kisses plundered Naina's mouth, she gasped for breath. Suddenly the cool weather seemed unbearably hot, making them both sweat. Her fingers raked through his hair as she writhed beneath him. His hands traversed over her thighs, touching her in places from where she could rocket to the highs. My my! His mouth assaulted her womanly wonders now as she gasped for breath, lurched with pleasure. "Sameerrrrr!" she moaned. His lips turned fierce in response, while his fingers deftly stroked her tummy, massaging the points which she liked best. And then she grabbed his face to hers, and slammed her lips onto his, demanding him, demanding him now.

Sameer obliged instantly. The rocking rhythms began, and pleasure arched through their being. The feel of being one, moving together threw a strange contentment over them. The sensation slowly built up, and Naina knew Sameer was trying his best to take it slow. His eyes opened briefly and she saw deep affection for her as he planted a kiss onto her cheeks, and then covered her lips as he thrust harder. That was enough to throw her off the brink. The familiar anticipation began at her core, spreading its wings throughout her body, her muscles began pounding, the nerve endings ready to perceive the bliss. And then she stilled, as Sameer inched deeper and deeper into her abyss, her body enjoying the delicious nerve-shattering spasms.

It was perhaps the time she'd felt the longest, her most wonderful, most enriching climax with him- the way her body had racked with unsurmountable pleasure, for what seemed like an eternity. She wanted to beg him to stop for she felt her brain might burst, but her strength had deserted her and she found her moans all but egging him on, not wanting the moment to cease.

As they lay spent, Naina's eyes closed. She did not have the any stamina left in her to revolt the loss of his being. She was barely awake to notice he'd collapsed beside her with fatigue. She felt a deep kiss onto her shoulder before she drifted off to a blissful sleep.

As they awakened from the deep slumber thereafter, Naina hurriedly dressed and managed to enter the mess, ten minutes prior to the end of hostel breakfast time. She hoarded slides of bread and some butter, brought some milk so that they'd be well stocked for the day. All this while she feigned illness in front of her friends, declaring she might just sleep for the entire day and that she would take some food with her lest she gets hungry. She politely told them not to disturb her, or to worry about her. If she didn't feel better, she would call one of them and see a doctor. But she felt she needed rest the most at this time.

Back in her room, the duo gorged hungrily on the toasts and cups of tea made on the heater in Naina's room. Sated with each other and with food, they played a few games of Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and talked some more. Sameer spoke about his days in Nainital- how the other boys used to tease him for being so scrawny and thin, but the way he grew, he soon became an asset to the basketball team, not to mention a hit with the ladies there. He'd earned a smack from Naina at that point. He confessed to having gotten involved with Meghnaa and a few other girls there, but he'd never felt a connection with any of them. Most of them were selfish and wanted his money or to triumphantly display their mettle at having lured Sameer as a boyfriend. Naina listened attentively, somehow sure that despite his numerous affairs, what he had with her was a first for him too.

Sameer also taught her to waltz- again something he'd learnt back at boarding school. Naina was quite bad at it he decided, and finally they proceeded to Bollywood on Naina's suggestion.

The evening proceeded and they had a dinner of Maggi, biscuits and some chips. As they lay cozied together under the blanket, Sameer's eyes found a stack of new novels on Naina's bedside table. He picked one of them. "Paradise, by Judith McNaught!" He eyed her in a 'seriously-now-you-have-started-reading-romance-novels-in-addition-to-those-boring-chick-flicks' look.

Naina snatched the book from him and sighed, "iska hero dekha hai...kamaal hai! Matt Farrell! Hayee!"

Sameer snatched the book from her again and snapped, "acha...kamaal hai!" He made a face. "Main bhi dekhun kya kamaal hai!" And with this Sameer propped his head onto her shoulders, opened a random page of the book and began reading.

Naina peeped in onto the page he was on, "haaye wo first kiss...yaar fireworks...," she sighed again much to Sameer's irritation. He changed the page, "haaye...Matt ka ghar...wo Indiana mein campfire ke aage romance...din bhar...raat bhar...!" Sameer snapped the book shut, "har cheez pe haaye haaye hi kare jaa rahi ho...huh!"

"Jal rahe ho...jalo jalo...Matthew Farrell se to duniya ke har ladke ko jalna chahiye!" Naina declared haughtily.

"Acha...lekin Meredith ko Naina Agarwal se jalan hogi!" Sameer riposted.

"Sacchi?" Naina blushed at what she perceived was a compliment to her, when Sameer added, "of course....kyunki main jo ab Naina Agarwal ke saath karne jaa raha hun wo Meredith ke saath thodi karunga!" With this, he pushed her down on the bed, ready to devour her again. Naina returned his kisses with enthusiasm, but now she was suddenly reminded of how Matt had accepted his baby with Meredith and agreed to marry her. She wondered had she and Sameer really been in the same condition as their little drama in the morning, would Sameer have done the same? Or would he have left her to fend for herself?

That night, she'd convinced herself he would have indeed been the Matt in her life.

But time had provided a different answer. Naina's eyes moistened as she remembered her past, those horrible days she'd seen, not daring to hope she'd would survive and yet she had.

Don't judge him Naina! He didn't know. What if he had? You'd come to tell him so. And he had left. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. It does one no good to live in the past Naina!

Naina took in a deep breath, closed her eyes to clear her mind. Then she set about to modify the suggested traits of Arun, the conniving lead of her story.

***

In a few days, Sameer's mood was back to normal and so was Naina. While Sameer didn't enquire about Diya or Naina's well being, Naina tried to remain as indifferent and as professional as she could. Until that night when she heard the clock strike 12. She didn't have an appointment with him today. But she wanted to meet him nevertheless. Early in the morning, she called up his secretary to check if it was possible to have a short meeting with Sameer today as she was stuck with some doubts. Rita came back on the phone a minute later and advised that sir would be available at 2pm.

Fifteen minutes past two in the afternoon, Naina fidgeted with the papers, rambling on, citing some confusion on some of the things he'd marked. Sameer couldn't understand it. Two days back, she'd been crystal clear on those very things. Women! He sighed. Who knows if they are even paying attention to you or not!

Sameer patiently listened to her apparent doubts and cleared them the best he could. Once she was done, Naina packed up her things and then balked. Sameer waited. But she just gave him a small smile and got up to leave. He shrugged his shoulders and got back to work.

"Sameer?" Naina called out from the door.

"Hmm?" he looked up from the folder he was reading.

"Happy Birthday!" she smiled softly.

Sameer jaw fell open as she stood there beaming at him, confused at his expression. His eyes darted to the calendar on the wall, swaying with the bright red "Saturday, 24th July!"

"Thh...thank you!" he managed to mouth as Naina retreated acknowledging him.

It was indeed his birthday! And he'd not remembered it. It was half past three in the evening now. No one from his family had called. Not even Munna and Pandit. No one had remembered. But she had! After all these years! Had she set up this meeting solely to get a chance to wish him? It seemed to justify her spurious doubts. Sameer was a bit taken aback by this discovery.

Years back, he'd looked forward to this month, to this very day. For it was today, that he received gifts from his mother, his grandfather and many times they came to visit him in the hostel. But not anymore! Knowing that no one loved him, Sameer had stopped celebrating his birthdays, well except for the two years when he'd been with Naina. He walked to his personal bookshelf and turned the key in. He bent down to the last row and extracted a book from where he'd stashed it at the back. He'd almost burnt it when he found out about her marriage. But then he remembered his Nanu's words- books are blessings from God. They enlighten us with their wisdom. Never disrespect a book Sameer!

She pinched his nose and grinned. "Happy Birthday buddhu!"

He flashed a smile at her, bent down and exclaimed politely, "thank you madam!" And then added smirkingly, "vaise birthday boy ko...kuch special gift milega kya?"

"Milega na kyun nahi!" And then she handed him a package wrapped in a sparkling golden paper.

When he unwrapped it, he almost groaned. "Naina!!!!"

And how she'd laughed at his expression! The laugh was so contagious that he'd joined in as well.

He flipped the book and stared at the front cover- 'Paradise', by Judith McNaught. He carefully opened it to the first page, and saw her familiar handwriting-

"To my dear Sameer,

Happy Birthday!!!

Learn from Matt! Hayee!"

A bunch of hearts and winks were appended around Matt's name.

"With love,

Naina!"

Sameer's fingers grazed the words written by her. He closed the book again and clutched it to his heart. Naina knew he hated to read romance or watch those stupid love stories in cinema. Yet he'd actually read this particular book umpteen times, despite it being some 700 pages long. Firstly, because the author had excellent skill and managed to engross him. But more importantly, because it was a gift from Naina. His first ever birthday gift from her. Nostalgia gripped him.

He'd won the inter-college debate competition- the one in which he took part only due to her continuous pestering. And in the end, he had to admit, he was elated beyond measure, when for the first time in his life, he'd emerged as the winner. People had clapped for him, and he'd seen Naina eye him with pride. And that had been worth the effort. Naina had then insisted on celebrating the special day together. He remembered that night-out in college, acting all goofy, evading the college guards, having ice-cream in the chill of the rains. He'd loved every moment of it. And then they'd spent the whole of the next day together in her hostel room, making love to each each other, chatting, dancing, playing. And that was when he'd got to know that she was a huge fan of Judith McNaught, and especially of the protagonist of this book, Matthew Farrell. The way she'd praised him all along had made him envy him and then just to tease him further, she'd gifted him a copy of the book on his coming birthday.

He smiled reminiscently and then his expression changed. The memory of how she fitted perfectly against his body aroused him. After all these years? He shifted uncomfortably and loosened his collar, yet he couldn't snuff out the evocative scenes playing in front of his eyes. Her unmasked beauty! The way she arched towards his touches, the way she lunged for him and kissed him ferociously, the pleasant pain of her nails digging the flesh on his back, the rubbing of their bodies, her luscious curves and the way they felt beneath his lips.

"Uhhhh!" Sameer braked his thoughts. He should go home early today. He opened his desk drawer and deposited the book inside amongst the files. Locking his cupboard, he informed Rita and left.

That evening, Sameer was proved wrong in his assumptions that people had forgetten his birthday, for when he reached home that evening, he was treated to a surprise birthday party, arranged by his half-sister Deepika in conjunction with Munna and Pandit, who'd travelled all the way from Ahemdabad to give him a suprise. Vishakha had herself selected the menu for the dinner and made sure all of Sameer's favorites were on the list. Rohan had sent an exquisite cologne all the way from London. Mr. Somani too had softened his stand for Sameer, seeing the hard work he was putting in reviving his company and the fact that he was interested in becoming a self-made business tycoon rather than prefer inheriting anything from him. And he had to admit, as long as he kept his tongue in check, which he thankfully did with Deepika, he could even pass off as a normal, decent human being.

Munna and Pandit left early next morning, before Sameer could gather the courage to broach the topic about Naina's reappearance as Mrs. Reena Mittal. It was so because Pandit's wife Anjali was in her final month of pregnancy, which had been a bit complicated all along, and was expected to go into labour anytime soon. Hence, Munna's talk about how his two year old son was extremely naughty and Pandit's anxiety about their unborn child dominated most of the trio's conversation. Sameer decided he shouldn't add another worry to Pandit's mind at this point of time.

The day after the party being a Sunday was a laid-back affair for the entire family. Deepika sauntered into his room, and knocked at the open door. Sameer looked up from his work and smiled genially at her.

"Kya hua...aao!" he kept his files aside and gestured her to have a seat.

Deepika was in her first year of college in Delhi University. Five years back, when he'd finally come to live with the Somanis, he'd found that Deepika was actually a very good natured girl. And by that time, she was grown up enough to understand what he had gone through. After all, she'd been the one who had extracted the information of Naina's marriage and relayed it to him. Sameer knew she always eyed him with sympathy.

"Kaisi lagi kal ki party?" she asked.

"Bahot acha surprise tha...thank you! One of the best birthdays of my life!" Sameer smiled affectionately.

"Aap khush ho?"

"Of course! Kyun puch rahi ho?"

"Kuch dinon se aap bahot badle badle se lag rahe ho!" she went straight to the point.

"Main?" Sameer asked surprised. "Nahi toh!"

"Bhaiya...batao naa...ek din aap itne khush se lagte ho...aur dusre din ekdum udaas ya fir gusse mein...fir agle din ek...ek ajeeb si khushi aati hai aapke chehre pe...fir lekin wo khushi kisi gham se ghir jaati hai...samajh nahi paa rahi main...kuch problem hai kya?"

Sameer smiled affectionately towards her. "Koi problem nahi hai...itna mat socho!"

"Koi ladki hai kya firse?"

Sameer shook his head, "nahi baba! Tum ladkiyon se door hi rehna acha hai!" He grinned.

Deepika chuckled too and then added, "wo Naina ki yaad aati hai?"

He shrugged. "Tension mat lo...Naina ka chapter khatam ho chuka hai! Acha ek kaam karogi?"

"Boliye na?"

"Mere liye ek badhiya si coffee laogi...tumhare haath ki bani hui?"

Deepika beamed wide now. "Bilkul bhaiya...doodh kam...shakkar kam...strong....abhi laayi!" She ran to the kitchen and Sameer felt contended, even happy, in a long long time.