Sameer flipped out the phone book he'd retrieved from his stash of college books and put his mind to the task at hand. He held up the receiver of the olive green telephone and turned the dial. Three rings later, a manly voice answered.

"Sudhir?" Sameer enquired.

"Yes. May I know who's on the line?" replied the manly voice.

"Abey saale, Sameer bol raha hun...Sameer Maheshwari! Yaad aaya...Bombay? St. Xaviers?"

"Sameer? Oh my God! Itne saal baad? Kaisa hai bey tu, kahan hai?" roared Sudhir's happy voice.

Sameer laughed along with him. "Main theek hun. Delhi me rehta hun aajkal. Publication Agency hai, chal rahi hai life. Tu bata?"

"Waah...main to wahi Mumbai me hun. Municipal corporation me job hai- aur ab to biwi aur do bacche bhi," he laughed. "Tu bata...tune shaadi ki ke nahi?"

"Nahi yaar. Mujhe kaun jhelegi?" Sameer responded jocularly.

"Wo teri Naina?" Sudhir enquired hesitantly.

"Did he know?" Sameer wondered. There was a hint of silence, then Sameer remarked nonchalantly, "Abey wo chod na. College ki baat thi." He felt guilty for lying about Naina like this.

Sudhir then asked, "Aur suna, itne saalon baad kaise yaad kiya?"

"Arey wo kuch din pehle ghar mein painting ka kaam hua tha. To usi beech samaan idhar udhar hua aur mujhe college ki purani diary mili aur usme tera number...maine socha try karta hun...shayad purane doston se baat ho jaye."

"Badhiya hua. Mere pass bhi tera number nahi tha."

"Haan...mere pass bhi jitne numbers hain, unmein se ab tak tera hi sahi hai. Auron ka bhi try kiya...Atul, Vikas, Rahul, Tibrewal...," he uttered the last two names tentatively. "...kisi ka nahi laga...tu hai kisi se touch mein?"

"Haan, haan...kaafiyon se hun...Tibrewal to Delhi mein hi hai- tujhse contact mein nahi hai? IAS ban gaya hai wo toh. Kabhi kabaar baat ho jaati hai! Atul toh UK settled ho gaya- kuch to business mein masters kar li thi. Ab wahi job karta hai. Vikas yahi Mumbai mein hai. Uske papa ki shop pe hi baithata hai ab. Aur Rahul Pune shift ho gaya tha. Tabse zyada baat nahi huyi usse. Uska number hai mere pass, lekin shayad wo bhi change ho gaya hai. Tujhe chahiye to try kar le."

"Haan kyun nahi...Rahul ka number de de...aur sabka bhi de de...Tibrewal ka bhi. Ab IAS hai to mujhse dare bina baat kar lega," he chuckled.

Sudhir laughed along with him. "Band bajayi thi tune achi. Sab darr ke maare tujhse aur Naina se do feet ki doori bana ke rakhte the."

They carried on for a few more minutes (much to Sameer's impatience), chatting about everyday life, reminiscing about their college days and hostel fun.

At the end of the call, Sameer noted with satisfaction at the new list of phone numbers scribbled in his phone book.

He dialled Rahul's residence first. But the number didn't connect. He tried two more times, but the result was the same.

Disappointed, Sameer then shifted to the next number at hand. Five minutes later, he had secured an appointment with Tibrewal for that evening.

***

Tibrewal's address revealed a bungalow in a posh locality. He gave his name to the servant who answered the door and was shown into the living room.

A few minutes later, Tibrewal arrived and eyed him with a curious expression. It was evident that Tibrewal wasn't pleased to see him.

Sameer was startled by the change in him. Instead of the lanky boy with a lackluster personality, he saw a young, well built-up man, who in his expensive attire, replete with a crisp white shirt and ironed grey trousers, exuded a sense of authority.

He perched himself down on the plush sofa opposite him, crossed his legs and motioned the servant waiting upon them for tea. Then he clasped his hands together and peered at him, as if asking the reason behind his unexplained, and probably unwanted presence.

Sameer cleared his throat and began. "Hi Sanjay. Kaise ho?"

Tibrewal did not answer. His steepled hands now rested under his chin as he observed Sameer. Finally, he spoke, "Agar tumne yahan maara-peeti karne ki koshish ki Sameer, then I'm warning you- I'll have you thrown out of my house. Maybe even put in jail!" His tone was extremely cordial, borderline cold.

The tea arrived just then and was served.

Sameer held onto his teacup absently and nodded. "I haven't come here to fight, but I want some answers."

He looked at him questioningly, to which Sameer answered. "Naina."

Tibrewal still looked confused.

"Did you or anyone else ever try to break me and her apart? You knew I was into her and she was into me. Did you...," he stirred the sugar in his tea and then looked into his eyes, "... want her for yourself?"

Unable to help it, a grin sprang across Tibrewal's face. "Yaar tumhari aur Naina ki love story abhi tak atki padi hai?" He took a deep breath and said, "Well honestly Sameer. I did like her at some point of time. But later, I realized that she was into you, or maybe I just got over my crush. I did try to woo her a couple of times, just to get back at you, not that it worked, but that's it. I moved on. But why are you asking me all this?"

Sameer kept his gaze leveled at him for a minute, and then adjudging that he was telling the truth, he said, "I'm sorry for hitting you that day in Ahemdabad."

Then Sameer recounted the entire scenario to him- how there were misunderstandings between him and Naina and neither knew about the love the other had. He told him about the fake diary, the photographs and the letters. He carefully omitted the part about Diya.

Tibrewal listened to all this with growing surpise. "Honestly Sameer. I've no idea who did this. It wasn't me. I know that Rahul did have a soft corner for Naina sometime in our final year, but then he was also after other girls. Infact, at one time he was completely besotted with Meghnaa. I really don't know who planned this all, but if it's any consolation, it was a sick thing to do."

Sameer nodded, again trying to discern if Tibrewal was being honest with him. Finally, convinced of his faultlessness, he sighed, disappointed.

"I'm really sorry about what happened to you Sameer. But if Naina is married now, why are you even going back into the past? You should move on with your life."

"I can't. Till the time I prove to her that I wasn't cheating her. The truth. That's all I want her to know. I don't want to create any problems in her marital life. But I do want her to know that I didn't play with her emotions, that she was important to me then, and is now. And that I've always considered her a friend and she can count on me in times of need.

Tibrewal observed him for a while. "Any help you need from me?"

"Tumhara Meghnaa se kuch contact hai? I want to speak to her," Sameer enquired.

"Let me see. I met her and her father a couple of years ago at an event. Shayad mere pass uska address tha. Tum apna number chod jao, main pata karke tumhe batata hun."

"Thanks...thanks a lot." Sameer jotted down his residential and office phone numbers as well as his address on a pad kept on the table.

On his way back, he stopped by at his office. Rita was packing her bag to leave for the day when he arrived. He told her that he wasn't feeling very well and may not be in office for a few days. He quickly went through the tasks at hand, reallocating them to others, and postponing certain meetings.

Once Sameer took his leave, Rita was left speculating on what had got her boss into such a peculiar mood since the party- his wedding was called off, he didn't seem particularly ill, weary was more like it, yet he was going on an unexplained leave of absence. Moreover, he'd been absent-minded through a major part of their conversation. All this was so unlike him.

Sameer went back home and was restless that entire evening. He ate his dinner in silence. He didn't talk much to Deepika except about her college and evaded any questions that involved his life.

That night after dinner, Tibrewal called and shared Meghnaa's address with him. "Sameer...just be gentle with her." That's all he said before he disconnected the call.

Sameer then called up his travel agent and did his flight bookings. Just as he got off the phone, Vishakha appeared in the doorway of his room.

"Sameer?"

"Yes mom?"

She knew he still wasn't open for a conversation, at least with her. "Munna aur Pandit baar baar phone kar rahe hain. Ek baar please unse baat kar lo. Unse puchun to kehte hain mausi aap Sameer se hi baat kariye. Na wo kuch batate hain na tum kuch bata rahe ho."

He averted his gaze. "Kal subah main business ke kaam se Pune jaa raha hun. Shayad baat nahi kar paun aapse."

Vishakha sighed, "Business ke liye nahi jaa rahe, haina?"

Sameer didn't reply and started scrutinizing a piece of lint on his sweater.

"Yeh Naina ka qissa kabhi bataoge mujhe?" Vishakha enquired again solemnly.

Sameer finally met her gaze. "Haan. Par pehle mujhe thoda waqt dijiye. Aapko kuch batane se pehle mera khud kuch cheezon ko jaanana zaruri hai."

He then got up and pulled her into a side hug. "Don't worry mom. I'll be fine."

Vishakha sighed and Sameer saw her eyes turn misty.

Sameer took her hands in his. "Mom. Mujhe pata hai hamara rishta ek ideal maa-bete ka rishta to nahi raha hai. Kabhi maine kuch galtiyan ki, kabhi aapne." He heaved and continued, "main aapko sab bataunga, lekin pehle main khud to sab samajh jaun. Main jaanta hun maine Noopur ke sath bahot bura kiya hai. Mujhe kabhi use shaadi ke liye haan karna hi nahi chahiye tha. But you know what mom, she needs a man who is whole, not a broken soul like me. Bas aap soch lijiye ab main jo bhi kar raha hun bahot soch samajh ke kar raha hun. Kuch sach janana chahta hun bas. Lekin us sach se kuch nahi badlega. Na aapka mera rishta, na Naina ka aur mera, na Noopur aur mera. Bas main khud ko kisi ki nazron me gira hua nahi dekh sakta."

Vishakha clutched his hands tightly. "Beta mujhe bahot fikar ho rahi hai. Please apna dhyan rakhna aur jaldi wapis aana."

Sameer nodded and pulled her into a consoling hug again.

"Munna? So gaya tha?" Munna's sleep vanished as soon as he heard Sameer's voice at the other end.

"Sameer bhai...yaar kahan gayab ho jata hai tu?"

"Wo main...," Sameer started.

"Wo chod...Tu pehle do minute baat sun meri. Tujhe bahot badi galatfehmi huyi hai Naina ko lekar. Kal Swati ko Preeti mili thi. Wo ro roke sab bata rahi thi. Bhai...wo Naina...Naina tere bacche ki maa banana wali thi...," Munna whispered.

Sameer took a deep breath and sighed. "Hmmm...Pata hai."

"Pata hai?" Munna was stumped for a moment. "Tu jaanta tha yeh baat?"

Sameer bit his lip and heaved another sigh. "Tab nahi jaanta tha...ab jaan gaya hun. Munna, Diya...Diya meri hi beti hai."

Colour drained from Munna's face. "Diya...?"

"Hmmm...aur pata hai kya? Naina bhi mujhse pyaar karti thi. Usne us jhagade ke baad bhi mujhe bahot dhundha tha. Baat karne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Par jab wo college aayi to kuch aisa hua ki uska mujh par se vishwas uth gaya."

And then Sameer narrated the entire sequence of events since the night of the party to him. Munna listened, dumbstruck at the revelations poring out from Sameer's side- his biological child, Arvind's behavior, the fake diary, those letters and how Naina had always loved him and thought he was betraying her.

Munna was stunned upon hearing the narrative. He took time to process this information. "Itna sab? Aise kaise tere naam ki diary? Koi aur ladki? Sameer us time to tu ekdum Naina ke pyaar mein deewana sa tha, fir wo sab tu kaise likh sakta hai?"

"Wahi to baat hai Munna. Maine wo sab kabhi likha hi nahi. Aaj main Tibrewal se milne gaya tha, lekin usse baat karke aisa laga nahi ki is sab me uska kuch haath tha. Usne mujhe Meghnaa ka address diya hai. Kal wahin ke liye nikal raha hun. Pune se hoke jaana hai to koshish karunga agar Rahul se bhi baat ho jaye toh. Shayad in dono mein se koi ho- Meghnaa ya Rahul ya dono. Na jaane kisne kiya aisa aur kyun? Humne kisi ka kya bigaada tha?"

"Naina kya kehti hai? Teri usse baat huyi? Aur Noopur...Noopur ko sach bataya? Isliye usne shaadi todi?"

"Naina se ache se baat huyi. Usne wo folder mere muh pe maara. Ek pal ke liye bhi vishwas na kiya ki main usse pyaar karta tha, karta hun. Aur wahan Noopur ne mere bina bole hi sab samajh liya. Use to meri bacchi ke baare mein maalum tak nahi. Lekin wo samajh gayi ki main Naina ko ab tak nahi bhoola hun. Khair, jo hua theek hua. Noopur ek achi ladki hai, yeh sab takleefein deserve nahi karti. Wo ek acha husband deserve karti hai jo uske sath loyal ho, jo use dil se pyaar kar paaye. Meri tarah nahi, shaadi ke liye use haan kahe aur Naina ke aage khud ko rok tak na paaye."

"Noopur ke sath tune bura to kiya yaar. Isme to us bechari ki koi galti nahi thi, fir bhi uska dil toot gya. Bas ganimat hai tumhari shaadi se pehle hi sab bahar aa gaya...varna to aur mushkil ho jaati...bahot dhokha hota uske saath."

Sameer listened guiltily.

"Par ab tu kya karega? Aur Naina...uski shaadi? Preeti keh rahi thi ki Naina ki shaadi lagi zarur thi, par toot gayi thi. Uske saath bahot zyatati huyi hai Sameer. Teri family bhi Dilli shift ho gayi. Tera bhi kuch ata pata na tha. Naina ko bahot zaleel kiya gaya, bahot maara kuta gaya, aur jab shaadi tooti to baccha girane ki koshish ki unhone. Par shayad Naina maani nahi, aur fir uske chachaji ne use kisi ashram me bhej diya. Tab se bechari akeli hai. Baad mein un logon ne bahot dhundhna chaha Naina ko, lekin uska kuch pata nahi chala. Shayad tab wo Arvind se mili ho aur usne sab sach jaan ke Naina aur Diya ko apnaya ho?"

Sameer gulped as he heard the suffering that his beloved had endured- all because of him. "Agar Arvind ne sach mein yeh sab jaan ke Naina ka haath thaama to usse behtar jeevansathi Naina ke liye koi ho hi nahi sakta."

As the call ended, Sameer realized this must have been the answer to the question that was pestering him since yesterday- the question which arose when he started reflecting on the consequences of his anger. He found himself pulled back through the whorls of time and remembered Diya telling him how she'd inherited her short temper from her father, who was abroad- which was an odd thing to say provided Arvind lived with her. It had suddenly struck him that Diya never really referred to Arvind as her father.

And Arvind- he'd seemed so caring at first, and the three of them had given him an impression of a united, happy family. Even if Arvind had accepted Naina along with her child, there was no reason for Naina to lie to Diya that her father lived far away from her. Or perhaps, Arvind had come into the picture later on when Diya had grown-up to believe that lie. Even then, why hadn't Naina told Diya that Arvind was her new daddy. It was easier for kids to accept an alteration to the family at an early age or so he presumed.

But what if Arvind hadn't wanted that? Maybe he'd wanted Naina but not the additional responsibility that came along with her. But had that been the case, he would never have seemed so loving towards Diya. Or it could be that he'd misjudged their bond. After all, he'd only seen them from the window of his office.

Another possibility was that Arvind had accepted Naina for who she was, fallen for her when she was carrying or when Diya was young. He'd tried to be a good father to Diya for Naina's sake, even if he himself didn't feel quite paternal. Or maybe he was a good father to begin with, but slowly got worn down by it. Of late, he and Naina had seemed to grow distant too. It might have been the burgeoning responsibilities or the burden of a child or his professional and financial catastrophes, or all at once together. His attraction for Naina may have waned and he would have realized that it was never love to begin with. This could have led Arvind to stop pretending to be the father of a child when he wasn't. The fact that Arvind was conspicuously absent in Diya's recent meetings with doctors would agree with this scenario. Arvind never seemed to be at home or available when Naina needed him. Yes. Arvind had grown tired of this relationship and the responsibility of a child that he knew wasn't his. He could no longer feel that love for Diya and tired of Naina centering her world around her, wanted an out, a diversion. That kind of made sense.

Exhausted at churning up theories in his mind, he finally fell asleep.

***

"Naina?"

Naina looked up and saw Arvind standing in the doorway. She quickly wiped her eyes as he entered. He stared at her tearful form, and then pulled a chair next to her and sat down.

"Naina, aise rone se kaise kaam chalega? Agar hum ateet ko hi yaad karte baithenge to bhavishya ki taraf kaise jayenge? Jo ho gaya, so ho gaya- acha tha, bura tha- nahi malum. Lekin wo hona likha tha, aur honi ko bhala kaun taal sakta hai?"

Naina looked away from him and sniffled again, trying to reign her tears in control.

"Naina, aage ki socho. Diya ki socho. Apni novel ki socho. Aise Sameer se rooth ke baith jaogi to kaam kaise chalega? Personal aur professional life ko alag rakhna seekho. Haan, agar wo tumhare saath contract todna chahta hai to alag baat hai, lekin yeh tumhe tab pata chalega na jab tumse usse baat karogi."

He took a deep breath and then added, "Naina, talk to him. Please."

"Maine baat kar li. Ab kuch kehne sunne ko nahi bacha hai," Naina replied.

"Baat ki ya jhagda? Naina, why can't you both talk like two normal, mature people and sort out your differences. Tum ek bacchi ki maa ho. Agar tum khud zindagi mein stable nahi hogi, past ko leke baithi rahogi, to Diya ka kya hoga? Abhi wo choti hai, shayad na samjhe. Lekin aisa kab tak chalega Naina?"

"Itne sab hone ke baad bhi aapko lagta hai main uske pass jaun? Maafi maangun? Kyun? Kis liye? Kyunki main zaruratmand hun? Uski wajah se maine aur meri beti ne ki kitni thokar khayi hain! Sirf uski wajah se! Kya mujhe gussa hone ka haq bhi nahi?"

"Nahi Naina, tumhe gussa karne ka poora haq hai. Aur tum usse maafi kyun maangogi? Maafi to use maangni chahiye. Par aise rone se kya haasil hoga. Zindagi to kisi ke liye nahi rukti, yeh to tum ache se jaanti ho. Toh usse clarity se baat karo. Aage kya karna hai, kaise karna hai. Dekho Naina, kayi baar baat karne se badi se badi galatfehmiyaan door ho jaati hain. Aur kuch na sahi to apni kitaab ke baare me pucho usse- wo publish karna chahata hai ya nahi. Meri financial condition tum jaanti ho. Chote mote articles likh ke, tutions padha ke tum aur kitne din sustain kar sakti ho? Diya badi ho rahi hai Naina, uske future ke liye bhi to hamein sochna hoga, haina?"

After Arvind's constant persuasion, Naina finally gave in. "Theek hai. Main kal hi appointment leti hun."

"Nahi. Personally jao aur face to face baat karo. Agar abhi appointment ka dekhogi to he may say no. Befikar hoke jao aur khul ke baat karo. Jo hoga, we'll face it. Diya ko mere pass chod jana. Main dekh lunga."

The next morning Naina found herself outside Sameer's office. She made her way inside and found Rita busy at the reception desk. She walked upto her and enquired about Sameer.

"Reena ma'am. Sir ki tabiyat theek nahi hai shayad, toh kuch din ki chutti pe hain."

He isn't well? He never takes leaves unless he is extremely ill. Is he really this upset? Is it only about Diya or about their past as well?

"But acha hua aap aa gayi. Wo kal saare pending kaam mujhse discuss kar gaye hain. Unhone jane se pehle bola tha agar aap aayein to aapse puch lein ki aap final submission ke liye tayyar hain ki nahi. Unhone final draft okay kar diya hai. Printing ke liye bhejna hai bas. Sir ne kaha tha agar aap okay hain to aapka approval le lun aur book ko printing ke liye bhijwa dun." Rita elaborated.

Naina was taken aback. Despite all that had happened between them, Sameer had still wanted to go ahead with the publication of her book.

"Wo meri hi kitaab ke baare mein keh rahe the?" Naina felt she had to be sure.

"Haan Reena ma'am. Of course aapke baare mein keh rahe the. And he also said, he has a pen name for you if you would like. He wants you to publish the book under the name, "Naina," if you like it.

Naina was at a loss of words. "Naina ke naam se?"

Rita nodded, "only if you are okay Mrs. Mittal."

"Magar kyun?"

"Yeh to mujhe nahi pata. Sir ne kaha tha aapka approval ho to Naina naam forward karun nahi to Reena Mittal hi theek hai. Your choice."

Naina thought for a moment and then nodded. "Sochti hun. Printing me bhejne ke liye mujhe kya karna hoga?"

"Ma'am, kuch forms hain, approvals wagerah, wo sir ne kaha tha aapse sign karwa lun." Rita rummaged through the drawers, and took out a couple of forms. "Ek to yeh wala hai...," She ruffled through the pages, "ek yeh....". She looked in the drawer again. "Shayad sir ke cabin mein hai baaki." She extracted a key from her purse and led Naina inside Sameer's cabin.

The room didn't feel like itself without Sameer- the empty chair, the almost clean desk. It was as if the soul of the room had been sucked out by someone.

Rita unlocked the drawers attached to Sameer's desk. She gleaned through the papers and found the relevant form. "Haan, yeh wala bhi bhar dijiye." She snatched a pen from the penstand on the table and offered it to Naina.

The phone rang outside and Rita excused herself. "Reena ma'am, aap sab ache se padh lijiye. Chahein to aaram se sofe pe baith ke fill-up kar lijiye. Kuch zarurat ho to main bahar desk pe hun."

Naina nodded and sat down on the sofa set to fill up the formalities. She struggled to put her mind to task, ignoring the happenings of the past few days, wondering about Sameer's whereabouts, his health or his insistence that she should use her original name for the novel. Should she?

She glanced back at the form. For the space allocated for name, she'd written, "Reena Mittal". She bit on her lower lip for a minute, thinking about it, then scratched it out. She got up and ventured outside, calling for Rita.

"Rita, wo actually maine socha Sameer ne dusra naam use karne ko kaha hai to kuch soch ke hi bola hoga. Ispe Reena Mittal likh diya hai maine. Dusre forms de dogi please?" Naina asked.

"Koi baat nahi ma'am." She extracted a new set of forms from her drawer and handed it to her. "Wo teesra wala form sir ke cupboard me hi hai. Maine unlock kiya tha. Aap please usme se nikal lengi? Main thoda busy hun."

Naina nodded and thanked her. Clutching the new forms in her hand, she made her way back to Sameer's cabin. She opened his drawer, looking for the third form, when she noticed a book stashed against the back. Suddenly curious, her hand dived in deep and pulled it out. She stared at it in surprise.

It was one of her all-time favorites- 'Paradise', by Judith Mc. Naught. Her hands trembling, she opened the book to the first page and found what she instinctively knew would be there.

"To my dear Sameer,

Happy Birthday!!!

Learn from Matt! Hayee!

With love,

Naina!"

Her sharp, neat letters, replete with those hearts and winks that she'd appended around Matt's name.

He'd kept the book with him all this time? There was a bookmark in it. Was he reading it? She shifted to the page that had been marked. Another surprise greeted her. A photograph of her in that blue churidar, smiling up at her appeared. She was stumped. He still had this photograph? He'd taken this during their Matheran trip and he has it treasured till now? And this was his office! He had brought this photograph to his office. But why? Did he really mean it when he said that he'd been in love with her all along? But then what about that diary and those letters? Why would he write them in that case? Naina noticed the page where Sameer must have been reading, unless he'd slipped in the photograph randomly. As she skimmed through the lines, she remembered this was the part where Matt Farrell wanted to win over Meredith again, and this, despite not being at fault the first time. Didn't the situation seem analogous to their own? Was this a sign from the Universe? What if Sameer too was really not at fault the first time? What if he'd been set up like Matt and all those evidences were forged? But who would have such a grudge against him? Against them?

Arvind was right. She couldn't just keep wallowing in the past. She and Sameer had never really communicated properly and suddenly she wanted to change that. She grabbed her purse, shoved the forms and the novel inside it, along with her photograph.

She exited the cabin, explaining to Rita that she'd come back tomorrow and fill up those forms, or maybe when Sameer was back in office.

As soon as she was out, she hailed an autorickshaw straight towards Sameer's home.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the gates of a huge white bungalow, with a verdant garden adorning the front porch. As she stepped out of the rickshaw, she suddenly found herself to be a bundle of nerves. What had she done? She had come without a plan. What would she say if someone else from his family opened the door- especially his...his step-father?

And then she realized that no one probably knew her here. She was just an author who worked for Sameer. She was just Reena Mittal. Steeling herself again, she pressed the bell.

A few minutes later, the door was opened by the lady of the house. A refined woman, of about fifty, Naina assumed from the way her hair was greying at the edges, stood in front of her. This must be Mrs. Vishakha Somani, Sameer's mother.

"Ji kahiye?" The woman enquired of Naina.

Naina immediately cleared her throat. "Ji Namaste. Mujhe Mr. Sameer Maheshwari se milna tha. Mera naam Mrs. Reena Mittal hai."

No sooner had she completed her sentence, Naina saw the woman's demeanour undergo a complete change. Her face turned paler than the white-washed walls of the verandah. She looked shocked.

"Naina?" She whispered, finally face to face with the woman who she presumed (ironically) had ruined her son's life.

Naina was taken aback at being recognized. Vishakha's eyes bored into hers, as if trying to ascertain if she was for real.

Silent minutes flew past the two women, with Naina shifting uncomfortably and Vishakha sizing her up.

"Naina Agarwal...!" Vishakha suddenly clenched her teeth.

Naina observed the colour rising in her cheeks, the initial shock paving way to fury in her eyes.

"Ab kya karne aayi ho yahan? Haan?" Vishakha glared at her in what was now unmasked anger. The sharpness of her tone caused Naina to flinch.

Suddenly, Vishakha's hands were digging into her arms and she was shaking her furiously.

"Kyun aayi ho yahan? Mere bete ki zindagi ek baar barbaad karke chain nahi mila, jo firse use tabaah karna chahti ho? Kya chahiye tumhe? Kyun kar rahi ho uske saath aisa? Kyun kar rahi ho hamare saath aisa?" The anger was laced with tears bubbling out of Vishakha's eyes as Naina tried to free herself from her grip.

She had no idea how to respond to Vishakha's allegations.

"Arey kaunsa paap kiya hai humne jo tumhara saaya hatata hi nahi mere bete par se? Kyun piche padi hai uske? Kis baat ka badla le rahi hai? Kya chahti kya hai humse? Bolti kyun nahi?" Vishakha shook her again.

Naina tried to assuage her in a feeble voice. "Ji..main bas apni kitaab.."

"Kitaab...tune ek kitaab ka sahara liya? Tu jaanti thi na Sameer tujhe mana nahi karega? Tere chakkar mein apni zindagi barbaad kar di usne. Firse! Uska basta hua ghar ujaad diya tune! Aisa kyun kiya? Kis gunaah ki saza de rahi ho mujhe?"

"Aunty aap please meri baat suniye...main kuch nahi..."

"Nahi bas ab bahot ho gaya. Dekho, agar is baar Sameer ko kuch hua na, to main kasam khaati hun, main tumhe chodungi nahi Naina. Is baar nahi..."

Naina was startled. "Sameer ko kya hua? Kahan hai wo? Mujhe usse baat karne dijiye...."

"Nahi." Vishakha glared at her. "Chali jao uski zindagi se. Jeene do use."

"Lekin use hua kya hai? Main usse mile bhi nahi jaungi!"

Vishakha sniffled and then muttered. "Samajh gayi...Paise...paise chahiye na tumhe? Kitaab ke? Aur bhi kisi cheez ke hain? Ruko...ek min...". Before Naina could protest, Vishakha hurried inside the hall, fidgeted with her purse and drew out a chequebook and then ran back to the door.

Naina looked on in a daze, as Vishakha tore off a cheque. "Bolo...kitne paise chahiye? Kis naam se cheque banaun...Naina ya Reena...bolo...bolti kyun nahi? Tumhe jo keemat chahiye le lo, bas mera Sameer mujhe lauta do. Please...na jaane kahan chala gaya hai. Kahin kuch kar na baithe. Please Naina. Please, mujhe mera beta sahi salamat wapis kar do."

And then Vishakha, with nothing more to say, started howling with sobs. Her finger that was poised with the pen over the cheque was now trembling and the cheque was blotched with her tears.

Quietly, and very sadly, Naina eyed the cheque in her hands. Is this what Sameer's mother thought of her?

She then took a deep breath, looked her squarely in the eye and said, "aap mera asli naam jaanti hain. Jaanti hain ki mera aur Sameer ka kya sambandh tha. Toh zarur mere ateet ke baare mein bhi jaanti hongi. Nahi to aap apne bete se, ya apne pati se puch sakti hain."

Vishakha eyed her with surprise.

"Main Sameer ki zindagi mein jaan bujh ke wapis nahi aayi hun. Mera Sameer se fir se milna ek ittefaq ke siwa kuch nahi tha. Agar ho sake to Sameer tak mera message pahuncha dijiyega ki main ek baar usse milna chahti hun. Baaki mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye. Namaste."

With this, Naina turned on her heels and left the way she came, leaving a stunned Vishakha standing in the doorway.

Naina was crying when she unlocked the door of the house. The house was empty. Diya was with Arvind. She let herself cry, for what she didn't know in particular. She was just confused by the chaos in her life. She found herself swinging like a pendulum between trusting Sameer, to being afraid of him, enraged with herself for going over to his place, to being angry at him, at his mother, angry at his father for shoving her away, angry at the universe, and then being suddenly worried for him. Where had he gone? How was his health? How depressed was he? His mother had said she was worried for him, afraid that he'll do something to himself, like before. What had he done all those years back? Had he..? No....She wanted to talk to him. Talk to someone who knew, who'd understand.

Just then, her tearful reverie was broken by the shrill sound of the telephone. Naina sniffed and wiped her tears off her pallu and picked up the phone. She cleared her throat. "Hello?"

The person at the other seemed to have broken down at the sound of her voice. Confused, Naina repeated, "hello...kaun bol raha hai?"

"Hello?" She repeated again as the one sobbing didn't answer. Just when she about to hang up, the woman on the other end croaked, "Naina...?"

The familiarity of the voice jolted her. She couldn't believe it.

"Naina...I'm sorry Naina." The voice repeated, amidst the wails.

"Preeti?" Naina's fit of tears came tumbling back from her eyes. "Preeti...!" She whispered again, unable to believe she was hearing her sister's voice.

"Naina...humein maaf kar de Naina. Tu kaisi hai? Kahan thi itne din? Mujhe tujhse milna hai...papa, mummy ko bhi...please Naina...we're sorry Naina...please ghar aaja."

The words coming out of Preeti's mouth escalated her shock.

"Preeti? Lekin main kaise...ab...?"

"Naina, tu nahi aa sakti to mujhe bata...hum aa jate hain. Please Naina. Ek baar mil le humse. Humein maafi to maangne de."

The next morning, Naina and Diya had boarded a train to Ahemdabad.

***

Once Sameer landed in Pune, he took in the abundant greenery around. He strode outside looking for a PCO. When he sighted one, he dialled Rahul's number, but in vain. The number was still not reachable. Sighing, he hauled his bag to a taxi stand nearby.

After nearly six hours of a rickety ride along various rural roads interspersed with state highways, the road ahead smoothened out. The taxi driver turned back. "Saheb, Deolali me ghus gaye hain. Aapko kahan jaana hai?"

Sameer drew his attention away from the scenery flitting by the window, checked in his shirt pocket and extracted a piece of paper.

He handed it to the driver. "Yeh address hai. Colonel Surya Pratap Singh."

The driver glanced at it and nodded. "Saheb. Idhar saamne ek dhaba dikh raha hai. Wahi rokta hun aur pata puch leta hun. Tab tak aap bhi chai paani pi lo."

Sameer nodded.

Ten minutes later, he was sitting on one of the makeshift plastic chairs, stacked against an equally old plastic table. The waiter slid a steel plate with a vada pav on it and a glass of tea in front of him. Sameer pulled the plate closer, pierced the pav in half and began to stuff the vada inside. He checked his watch. It was getting quite late. It was close to 8 now. No chance he'd be there before the family was off to bed.

The driver was sipping his tea by the counter and discussing the directions to the Colonel's house.

Sameer was right. By the time, they reached near their destination, the clock had struck nine. Sameer then urged the driver to find him an inn to crash for the night.

The next morning, the clock had barely struck seven and Sameer was ready to go. Who knows how many more journeys he'd have to take. Whatever happens Sameer, you must retain your cool!

Hardly fifteen minutes later, they were parked outside a small bungalow, surrounded by a variety of flowering bushes and some seasonal trees. There were quite a few old neighbours sitting out onto cane chairs in the adjacent gardens, sipping tea and poring over their newspapers.

Sameer pressed the bell to number 19. A minute later, the door was opened by a servant. Before he could give his introduction, he caught sight of a woman wandering towards the door.

"Kaun hai bhaiya?" And then her eyes met Sameer's.

She was dressed in a plain white saree, her hair was braided into a single long pigtail. She had absolutely no jewellery or makeup on. It took Sameer more than a moment to recognize her.

"Meghnaa?" He whispered, still shocked to see the transformation in her.

She broke into a smile. "Sameer? What a pleasant surprise!" She nodded to the servant, who retreated and then beckoned him inside.

"Tum toh...," Sameer started.

"Badal gayi?" She completed for him. "So to hai...khair tum batao. Itne saal baad? Yahan kaise? Tumne mujhe dhundha kaise?" Meghnaa settled herself down onto the sofa opposite him. Then she called out to her servant, "Ramu...coffee laana...strong!"

"Tumhe yaad hai I like coffee?" Sameer was mildly surprised.

"Of course!"

The servant brought two cups of coffee, with a plate full of sandwiches, some biscuits and fruits.

Sameer gave a small smile, unsure of how to start the conversation he'd come to have.

Meghnaa looked at him enquiringly. "So... achanak mere ghar...?"

He cleared his throat. "Sanjay...Sanjay Tibrewal se tumhara pata lagwaya. Apparently tum usse kabhi kisi party mein mili thi...toh pata nahi usne kisi ko phone karke tumhari information nikali."

Meghnaa took a sip of her coffee. "Mujhe laga tha Tibrewal IAS hai. Part time jasoosi bhi karta hai kya logon ki?"

Despite everything, a grin escaped his lips. And then there was another awkward silence.

Sameer finally asked, "Tum kaisi ho?" He didn't know how to approach the question that was now buzzing in his head. It was a ninety percent chance that something had happened to her husband or she had renounced the pleasures of the world or both and all of this seemed so unnatural for a person like Meghnaa to do.

Meghnaa pursed her lips and gave a hint of a smile. But the sadness in her smile was now creeping into her eyes.

"Guess I'm managing." She shrugged. An old man padded down the stairs at that time and stopped abruptly when he noticed Sameer in the drawing room.

"Papa, he's Sameer. He was in college with me in Mumbai. An old friend." Meghnaa introduced them.

"And Sameer...he's my dad."

The colonel nodded abruptly and after a few courtesies declared that he was going for a walk with his friend.

Another awkward silence ensued, and then Meghnaa moved over to the chest of drawers and picked up a photoframe. She handed it to Sameer. It was the picture of a man in an Army uniform, smiling. He was built well, but had a plain, nondescript face and overall, he looked pretty average. Nothing about him was striking, except his kind eyes.

"My husband. Lt. Randeep Rai. Last year... Kargil." Her throat choked at that point, and she struggled to retain her composure.

Sameer was at a loss of words to say. "I'm...I'm really sorry Meghnaa." How could he bring up the topic he wanted to discuss with her now?

She nodded, trying to blink away her tears. She took time to collect herself.

He cleared his throat. "Kitna time hua tha shaadi ko?"

"Six months." She replied simply. "Halaki shaadi ke liye use convince karne ke liye kareeb do saal lag gaye the."

"Love marriage?" Sameer asked. A part of him was amazed at Meghnaa's faithfulness, even after her husband's death- the way she'd forgone all colors and joys of life, and the fact that she'd truly fallen in love with someone. This was the girl who went through boyfriends quicker than people changed clothes and now she was devoted to the memory of a man who was no longer alive.

Meghnaa smiled again and nodded. "He hated me! And I wasn't exactly a nice person back then." Her eyes met Sameer's and glinted. "You know how I was like."

She continued, "wo kisi se zyada baat nahi karta tha. Dad ki regiment me tha. Ek din main dad ke sath jog pe nikli to dekha usko. Aur mere liye to wo pehli nazar hi kaafi thi. Par usne kabhi meri taraf aankh utha ke bhi nahi dekha. Senior ki daughter hai ya plain bigdi huyi ladki hai- don't know the reason. But very soon, I was head over heels in love with him. Jaise duniya ke baaki sab ladke gayab ho gaye hon.

"Roz uske time pe jogging pe nikalne lagi...itni koshish ki baat karne ki...lekin majaal hai banda jawab de...ek subah daudte daudte mera pair bahot zor se mud gaya...main gir gayi...he ignored me...socha drama kar rahi hai...jab dekha I wasn't following him and was in pain...ekdum se bhaag ke aaya...aur jaise us samay wo ek alag insaan ban gaya tha...itni chinta ho rahi thi use! Yahan lagi kya? Kitni swelling ho rahi hai! Dhyaan se nahi daud sakti? You know uski khud ki koi family nahi thi...uski graduation complete huye saal bhi nahi hua tha ki uske parents ek car crash me guzar gaye. Kuch khas paise bhi nahi the. Kaafi maamuli family se tha, par desh ke liye kuch karne ka junoon tha. To bas Army me bharti ho gaya, ki kisi aur ke na sahi, desh ke to kaam aa jaun.

"He was always indifferent and emotionally detached...lekin us din maine uski aankhon me fikr dekhi...usne apna rumaal nikaala aur mere pair pe baandha aur seedhe Army hospital le gaya...jab doctors ne bola minor sprain hai...ligament stretch ho gaya hai...thode din mein theek ho jayega, tab jaise jaan me jaan aayi ho uske. Main khud hairaan thi, itni choti si chot pe itni chinta...wo bhi ek Army wale ko? Fir jab pair ki bandage ho gayi and dawai mili to dost ki car borrow ki aur mujhe ghar tak choda...aur suddenly fir se detached. Ekdum baat band...jaise kuch hua hi na ho.

"Dheere dheere papa tak ko dikh gaya ki unki beti ka pyaar mein kya haal hai. And anyways he always liked Randeep. To papa ne khud hi usse shaadi ki baat kar li. He agreed- again kuch emotions nahi dikhaye...wo to mujhe bahot baad mein pata chala ki unhe bhi main pasand aane lagi thi, lekin darte the ki fir se kisi se pyaar karein, attached hon, aur kahin use bhi na kho dein."

She paused and then continued. "Usi mahine hamari shaadi ho gayi...aur fir jab tak main yakeen kar paati ki mera sapna sach ho gaya hai, apni khushiyon ko sambhal paati, war start ho gayi. Tumhe pata hai Sameer- jab wo jaa raha tha, shayad hum dono ko andar se aabhas tha ki yeh hamari aakhri meeting hai. Pata nahi kyun. Aur wahi hua. Wo wapis nahi aaya."

Her throat choked and she let the tears fall down. "Ajeeb cheez hoti hai na pyaar...main bilkul nahi maanti thi, aur aaj jab Randeep mujhse itni door kisi alag duniya mein hai, to bhi mera dil bas uske liye hi dhadak raha hai...Usse mili to jaana pyaar kya hota hai. Jaisa...jaisa tum Naina ke liye mehsoos karte the...".

Sameer's eyes shot up, but Meghnaa was engrossed in her own memories. He did not interrupt her.

Finally, she turned to look at Sameer. "Khair, tum batao...main to apni kahani mein hi ulajh gayi...sorry haan, Randeep ki baat karne ko log hi nahi bache ab, isliye bas jo milta hai shuru ho jaati hun...Tum kaise ho, kaise aana hua...aur tumhari darling Naina hai kaisi? I hope tum dono ne finally shaadi kar li hai ki abhi bhi chup chup ke milte ho?" She grinned.

Sameer was startled by her question. How could she not know about their fallout if she'd plotted against them. He wondered how to broach the topic at hand and then slowly took out the diary, the letters, and the photograph of him and Meghnaa and kept them all on the table.

Meghnaa looked on confusedly for a moment and then her face paled. She picked up the photograph and noticed the message written by her. Her gaze flew back to Sameer's and he read confusion, fear and remorse in them.

"Sameer...main...," she began.

"Tumne kiya tha yeh sab Meghnaa?" Sameer let out a defeated sigh.

"Sameer...haan lekin....". Sameer cut her off. "Kyun?"

His expression was pained. "Tum samajhti ho na meri taqleef...pyaar ko khone ka dard kya hota hai? Jaanti ho na jisse pyaar karte ho, agar use hamesha ke liye kho do toh jeena kitna mushkil hota hai? Kyun kiya tumne aisa Meghnaa? Tumhe pata hai mere sath kya hua? Naina ke saath kya hua? Usne kitni thokar khayi?"

She gulped.

Sameer took a pause and whispered in defeat. "She was pregnant, you know."

Meghnaa's eyes shot up in surprise.

Sameer shook his head. "I didn't even know. Never even got a chance to talk to her! Itne saal main sochta raha ki usne mujhe choda tha, lekin aaj uski haalat dekhta hun to gussa aata hai khud pe, tum pe...un sab pe jinhone usse aur meri bacchi se wo sari khushiyan cheen li jinpe unka haq tha."

Sameer then told her all about the miseries that had befallen him and Naina and their small girl. And how Naina still believed that he'd duped her for her or some other girl. Meghnaa listened to it all with an increasingly pained expression. She looked completely blanched by the time he finished. Her eyes were lowered to the ground in remorse.

It was a long while before she spoke again. "I'm sorry Sameer."

"Sorry se kya meri life badal jayegi?" Sameer shrieked and Meghnaa flinched at his tone. Sameer noticed it and spoke in a calmer voice, "Why did you do this?"

"Yaad hai jab tumne ek din mujhe choohe ke naam se daraya tha. Do din baad mujhe Naina dikhi aur aisa laga wo mujhe dekh ke apni hasi rok rahi ho. Fir kuch gossip suni ki tumne mujhe kaise buddhu banaya...Main samajh gayi wo us waqt tumhare sath thi...Mujhe bahot gussa aaya ki Naina ke chakkar mein tumne meri insult karwa di....aur fir....fir...". And then Meghnaa narrated what had brought her to do all this.

Sameer clutched his forehead in irritation. "Yaar Meghnaa itni si baat ke liye tumne meri life kharab kar di? Arey gusse mein thi to mujhe ek thappad maar deti...who in their right mind does all this?"

"Trust me Sameer...agar usne mujhe na chadhaya hota, yeh sab idea mere dimag me na laaya hota...," she sighed, "...Bas samajh lo tab main gusse mein thi...aur fir jab mera gussa shaant hone laga to mujhe laga ki main bekar mein overreact kar rahi hun. Shayad wo sab kuch sach nahi tha...aur agar Naina aur tum sath ho to mujhe actually koi fark nahi padta tha. I never had any real feelings for you. Us time ka ek attraction tha, ya time pass keh lo. Us waqt tum suitable zarur the mere liye, but I wasn't in love with you.

Sameer slammed his fist onto the sofa handle. "Aur meri writing? Meri life ke secrets?"

"Sameer! I knew about your life. Sath padhi hun tumhare sath. Yaad hai school mein main kayi baar tumhara homework karti thi? Tumhari writing copy karna mere liye mushkil nahi tha. Hamari pictures thi mere pass...us time pe I just thought of it as a prank- tumhari aur Naina ki secret meetings ka bhanda phodenge, tum dono ko thoda embarrass karenge...ya jab Naina tumse jhagda karegi to maze lenge."

By the end of the tale, Sameer shook his head in disbelief. He finally looked up at her. "Matlab usne tumhe use kiya...! Tumne mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya?"

"Sameer, agar mujhe idea hota ki yeh sab Naina ke hath laga hai to main zarur tumse ya Naina se sach keh deti. But frankly I had no idea. Mujhe to laga tha usne yeh sab fenk faak diya hoga...I'm really sorry Sameer. Meri bevakoofi ki wajah se tum dono ki zindagi barbaad ho gayi." She was on the verge of tears now.

Great...And now she was crying! She's already living such an unhappy and lonely life and it turns out this wasn't her fault altogether. Damn it!

He finally relented, got up and put an arm around her. "It's okay. Galtiyaan maine bhi ki hain." He comforted her for a while as she sobbed. He scribbled his phone number on a napkin and handed it to her. "Khud ko akela mat samajhna. Yeh mera number hai. Kabhi koi zarurat ho to please mujhe call karna."

Meghnaa looked at him in disbelief. "Meri stupidity ki wajah se tumhari life kharab ho gayi, fir bhi tum meri madad karna chahte ho?"

Sameer got up from the sofa, put his hands back in his trousers and shrugged. "I think you've suffered enough. Sara qasoor tumhara nahi tha. And if I'm perfectly honest, agar maine himmat dikhayi hoti, apni feelings ko samjha hota aur Naina se baat ki hoti, to yeh sab kabhi nahi hota."

"Main tumhari kuch madad kar sakti hun? Main Naina se baat karun? Kuch bhi? Anything you want?"

"Pata nahi wo tumhari baat ka yakeen karegi ki nahi. Use to lagta hai yeh sab sach hai. Sochegi ab bhi tum mere sath ho. Naina ko to main kho chuka hun, bas apni beti ko nahi khona chahta."

"Nahi sochegi...main samajhaungi use...bataungi sab...tum mujhe uska number to do."

"Hmm...Pehle main is kahani ki jad tak pahunch jaun. Zara us mastermind ki to khabar lun. Main filhaal to bas janana chahta hun ki usne aisa kiya kyun? Uska koi number ya address hai?"

Meghnaa looked at him and nodded. "Ek purana number to hai shayad. Lekin pata nahi change ho gaya ho toh."

She rushed upstairs as Sameer waited. Ten minutes later, she came back with a notepad. "Mil gaya."

"Tum call kar ke puchogi?" Sameer enquired.

Meghnaa nodded. "Sure."

After a brief conversation, Meghnaa jotted down another address for Sameer and handed it to him. Uske parents ne uska naya number aur address diya hai. "Pune mein hi hai...aur ghar pe hai...abhi nikloge to shaam tak pahunch jaoge! Aur yeh mera number bhi rakh lo. Kuch bhi baat ho to mujhe zarur batana."

Sameer nodded. "Okay."

"Good luck!" She told as Sameer got up to leave.

As she saw Sameer off the door, she realized, even though it was unintentional, she had wrecked Sameer and Naina's lives and that of their child. Yes, her life without Randeep and his love, was her penance.

It was sometime in the evening when Sameer arrived again in Pune and was standing outside the address given by Meghnaa. He pressed the bell to the flat and waited.

A moment later, the door opened to a familiar face. A surge of loathing seared through him. Sameer was surprised at how this quaint face, that he'd once thought was kind, could inspire such hatred inside him. She too was obviously shocked for she stood frozen in front of him.

"Kaun hai Shraddha?" A male voice broke the silence. Eerily, it was another voice that he recognized. Before Sameer could place whose, Rahul emerged from inside, "Shraddha...? Kaun aaya...," and he too froze midsentence.

Sameer's hatred transformed into pure, unadulterated shock.

Rahul and Shraddha under one roof? He noticed the mangalsutra on her neck and the vermillion in the parting of her hair.

Shraddha was the first one to regain her composure. She tried to adjust her face into a nervous smile, "Sa...Sameer...hi." Rahul as if on cue added, "Sameer...aao na andar...it's such a pleasant surprise!" Though it was evident from the look on his face that the surprise was far from pleasant.

Sameer's eyes flicked from Shraddha to Rahul. "And so is this...," he gestured to the two of them. "Well congratulations Mr. and Mrs. More!" He crossed his arms in front of him and sneered, "Unless it's an affair."

The couple ignored the jibe and the hostility surrounding Sameer. Shraddha slid past the door to allow Sameer inside. She muttered nervously, "Achanak yahan kaise? It's been such a long time! Over five years!"

"Wow. You remember everything! Obsessed about me?" He exclaimed nastily.

The couple was aware that Sameer's infamous anger was bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Sameer...andar baith ke baat karte hain...please!" Rahul begged.

Sameer stepped inside warily as Shraddha shut the door.

"Tum dono khud bakna shuru karoge ya main bolun?" Sameer lashed out at them, his gaze flicking from one to another.

"Sameer...wo..wo...kya hua, kya loge tum- chai...," Rahul was unsure of where to begin, but Sameer cut him off bluntly.

"Excellent idea vaise...mastermind kaun tha? Shraddha right?" He turned to Shraddha. "Manana padega...ek jhatke mein tumne meri puri life tabah kar di! Masterstroke!"

Shraddha bit her lip nervously.

Sameer unzipped his bag furiously and pulled the diary and threw it on the table. Then the stack of letters followed. And he cocked his brows in mock appreciation at Shraddha as he eyed the picture of him and Meghnaa and slammed it onto the pile.

Shraddha and Rahul eyed the contents on the table and then their eyes met- as if exchanging a secret conversation.

"How sweet! Aankhon hi aankhon me baatein?" Sameer scoffed.

Rahul and Shraddha averted their eyes.

"Par tum dono ne shaadi kaise kar li? Tum to mere pyaar mein pagal thi haina? Aur tu Rahul, tu to bada Naina ko suna raha tha. Itna pyaar tha usse to usi ko taqleef di?"

It was now Rahul's turn to hang his head in shame.

"Meghnaa ko use kiya? Use jhooti baaton me fasaya...Maine kya kiya tha tumhare saath- tumhe kaise phasaya...zara batana toh...meri to yadasht hi udd gayi. Maine kya bola tha Meghnaa ke baare mein? Naina ne uske baare mein kya bola tha? Itni nafrat kisi insaan ko kisi se kaise ho sakti hai?"

Shraddha's lips trembled. "I...I was madly in love with you Sameer."

"Love? Yeah right!" He snapped. "Vaise Rahul se jab apna pyaar jataya to bhi aise hi diary and photographs use ki thi ya koi naya idea tha? Matlab mujhse maang leti...mere pass bahot se proofs the uske against."

"Sameer please!" Rahul muttered.

Sameer glared at him. "Generally log jab kisi se pyaar karte hain na...to unse seedhe seedhe kehte hain...unki khushiyan, unki zindagi, unka character tabah karne nahi nikal padte."

"Sameer, main manta hun humse galti huyi hai."

"Aur tumhari is galti ki saza ek nirdosh ladki, uske parivaar ne bhogi, maine bhogi...aur pata hai kisne? Meri beti ne!"

Shraddha and Rahul were at a loss of words.

"Vaise Shraddha, now I'm single. Naina se to picha chudwa hi diya tha tumne. Meri shaadi fix hui thi, wo bhi toot gayi. Toh ab main available hun. Ek kaam karo, tum Rahul ko chod do. Chalo mere sath- hum shaadi kar lete hain." Sameer jerked his hand out for her.

Shraddha looked at him in shock, while Rahul spat angrily. "Sameer...apni hadh mein raho samjhe!"

Sameer stepped towards him menacingly. "Hadh mein rehna sirf dusron ka kaam hai? Tum dono ka nahi?" He suddenly held him by his collar and slammed him against the wall. "You ruined my life! You ruined my family!"

He was about to punch him in his face, when Shraddha cried out in fear.

"Sameer...please Rahul ko chod do...please...!" She tried to pull him away as Rahul gulped.

"Badi taqleef ho rahi hai ise zara si lagi toh? Socho mujhe kaisa lag rha hoga?" He hollered and then pushed Rahul to the side and he stumbled, coughing into Shraddha's arms.

Sameer smacked his fist against the wall and buried his head in his arms. Shraddha settled Rahul onto the sofa, and sat down besides him. She covered her face with her hands and then took a deep breath.

"Sameer...I'm really sorry. I loved you and you were with her. I couldn't help it. I became jealous of Naina. Pata nahi main tumhe kabse pasand karti thi. Naina aur tum to bilkul alag the- ekdum arch enemies. Aur achanak se tum dono saath ho gaye. Initially, everyone thought you'd get bored of her and would leave her anyways. But when you didn't, that was when it started bothering me- a lot.

"Naina ka room mere room ke side mein tha. Tumhe ek raat maine khidki se andar uske room me jaate dekha. Fir kitni hi baar tum dono ki khusfusahat...sab suna...Aur mere emotions bekabu hone lage. Main sochti rahi ki tum agar Naina se pyaar kar sakte ho to mujhse kyun nahi. Naina meri dost thi...bahot achi...aur isliye main use yeh cheez nahi bata sakti thi ki main uske boyfriend ko pasand karti hun. Socha kabhi complaint kar dun warden ko. Fir laga, usse tum bhi musibat me pad jaoge.

"Fir ek din Meghnaa gusse mein saamne aayi ki tumne use buddhu banaya hai. Main jaanti thi wo tumhari school friend thi. Tumhare baare mein bahot kuch jaanti hogi. Usse dosti badhayi...baatein nikalwai...usse jhoot kaha ki tumne mujhe kuch time ke liye involve kiya aur fir bore hoke chod diya, maine use convince kiya ki main bahot hurt thi, ki tumne meri feelings ke saath khilwaad kiya, aur ab Naina ke sath bhi wahi kar rahe ho, toh bas main tumhe sabak sikhana chahti hun.

"Meghnaa ek din batane lagi ki tum kitna bhaav khaate the...wo tumhe line de rahi thi aur tum akad rahe the...ek din usne khud tumse date pe bahar chalne ke liye pucha...to tumne kaha ki tumhara homework pending hai, nahi jaa sakte...jab wo tumhari help karne lagi to tumne use kaha ki handwriting change nahi honi chahiye...aur khud fir bahar khelne chale gaye...

"Yeh sunte hi achanak se wo plan mere saamne aaya. Jab maine Meghnaa se pucha ki wo tumhari writing copy kar sakti hai to usne bataya usne bahot baar tumhare notes and homework mein help ki thi- tumhare affair ke time pe bhi. It was easy for her. Tab maine wo letters likhne ki sochi. Alag alag girls ke naam se.

"Yaad hai ek baar tumhari 'Modern Drama' ki assignment gum gayi thi? Main jab apni graded assignment collect karne gayi, to wahan se tumhari bhi uth li ki, tumhari writing ka reference ho jayega. I did not want any mistakes.

Sameer looked at her in horror, but she continued.

"Meghnaa se mujhe yeh bhi pata chala ki tum personal diary rakhte the...hostel ke time se...to us diary ka idea aaya. Mujhe laga Naina ko to tumhari diary rakhne ki aadat ka pata hoga, to use dikkat nahi hogi use sach manane mein. Meghnaa aur tumhari to bahot pictures thi purani...kuch messages daal diye unpe.

"Meghnaa se tumhare parents ke baare mein bhi pata chala...ki tumhare step-father the aur tumhari unse nahi banti thi, isliye unhone tumhe hostel mein rakha tha...aur na khas milne aate the na phone karte the...wo keh rahi thi tum hamesha se chidchide se the, arrogant the, kyunki tum lonely the...yeh sab tumne kabhi use bataya hoga. Toh maine socha agar yeh baat Meghnaa ko pata thi, to shayad Naina ko bhi pata ho. Isliye tumhari diary mein wo fake entries bana di ki tum aur tumhare parents mein bahot pyaar hai, tum bahot khush ho...Taaki Naina ko lage ki tumne aaj tak usse sab jhoot bola tha.

"I was sure ki Naina ko wo diary dikha denge to wo tumse rishta tod legi. Aur fir...fir tumhe paane ka mauka mujhe mil sakta hai. Lekin achanak Meghnaa ka mind palat gaya. Bolne lagi chod yaar. Shayad Sameer serious hai Naina ko leke...Wo hain saath to hone de. Hamein kya fark padta hai. We'll find someone better and Sameer hamare layak nahi hai and all that. Aur as usual, wo kisi dusre ladke mein interested ho gayi. Aur fir meri himmat bhi thodi kam ho gayi ki kahin Meghnaa kisi se keh na de- Naina aur tumhare jhagde ka sunke kahin bata na de ki wo sab jhoot tha."

Sameer was perspiring, unable to believe someone could actually plot against them so ruthlessly, could stoop so low. Rahul who'd been listening intently to all this with a grim expression, took off when Shraddha went silent.

"Uske kuch mahine baad, meri Shraddha se achanak baat-cheet hone lagi. Ek din ise canteen mein akele baithe dekha. Udaas lagi to baat karne laga. Dheere dheere hamari baatein badhi. Maine note kiya ki tumhare baare mein bahot puchti thi...aur fir main ise tumhara naam leke chidhane laga. Shraddha ne ek din confess kar diya ki wo tumhe bahot pasand karti hai. Maine isse kaha ki jaake tumse keh de. Lekin isne mana kiya. Kaha tum Naina ke sath ho. Thoda push kiya to isne bataya ki tum Naina ke room mein bhi aate jaate ho. Aur mera khoon khaul gaya...."

Rahul took a pause and continued. "I think I was into Naina by that time. Wo Holi ke din se jab se use dekha tha, mind se hat hi nahi rahi thi. Pata nahi wo sach mein pyaar tha, ya fir I just wanted her because I knew I couldn't have her. But I became obsessed with her. Lekin tumhari maar pitai bahot famous thi, to meri kabhi himmat nahi hui ki Naina se baat karun. Aur vaise bhi, agar tum Naina jaisi ladki ke room tak pahunch gaye the to I assumed ki baat kaafi aage badh chuki hogi. Matlab Naina tumse sach mein pyaar karti hogi. Aur tumhe kabhi na chodti jab tak tum use dump na karo, jab tak tum use dhokha na do....aur aise hi baat karte karte mere mind mein yeh idea aaya. Agar sach mein tum kisi tarah use dump kar do toh? Maine Shraddha se ek din kaha ki kaash kuch aisa ho ki Sameer Naina se bore ho jaye aur use chod de...hum dono ki adhuri love story ke liye umeed jaag jayegi.

"Tab Shraddha ne us diary aur letters ke baare mein bataya, ki ek baar wo aisa karne hi wali thi. Use laga tha tum dono ka jhagda hoga. Naina tum pe trust nahi karegi aur tumhe gussa aa jayega aur use chod doge. Aur phir jaise humara saara dhyaan usi idea pe atak gaya. Shraddha ne ek din Naina ke room me chupke se jaake wo folder rakh diya, jismein yeh sab tha. Uski books ke hi beech. Par shayad Naina ka dhyaan nahi gaya, kyunki tum dono mein sab usual chal raha tha. Jab final year ke exams ke baad Naina achanak chali gayi to Shraddha ne mujhe bataya ki Naina upset hai aur gusse mein hai. Hume laga usne wo folder finally dekh liya aur tum dono ka jhagda hua hai. Lekin wo jaate jaate tumhare liye Shraddha ke pass message chod gayi- apna number de gayi. Aur boli ki Sameer ko mera message de dena."

"...Jo tumne nahi diya." Sameer eyed Shraddha in defeat.

Shraddha nodded meekly. "Naina ne 3-4 baar pucha bhi tha mujhse ki tum kahan ho. Shayad usne tumhe hostel mein bhi phone kiya tha, lekin tum hostel mein nahi the...Wo puch rahi thi ki meri tumse baat huyi ke nahi...kya tumne uske baare mein pucha tha mujhse, kya maine bataya tha?... Uska message sunke tumne kya kaha...and all that!"

"Tumne jhoot bola hoga obviously."

Shraddha bit her lip and nodded again. "Maine usse kaha ki Sameer ne kaha hai he's not interested in you anymore and to stop calling him. Aur suna hai wo kisi aur bandi ke saath dikha hai."

"Tum ladki na hoti na Shraddha to sach mein mera haath uth jata." Sameer clenched his fists, trying to control his anger.

Shraddha went speechless.

Rahul broke the intimidating silence. "Fir jab tum hostel se jaa chuke the...,"

"...Tumne tab to meri fikar ka acha drama kiya tha Rahul...itni help...itna support!" Sameer snapped.

Rahul gulped and looked away but continued. "Jab mujhe Shraddha ne bataya ki Naina apni family ke saath aayi huyi hai aur tumhe puch rahi hai...pata nahi mera dimag khisak gaya. Mujhe gussa aaya ki wo ab bhi tumhare piche kyun padi hai. Aisa kya hai tum mein jo mujh mein nahi? Tum uske messages ka jawab nahi de rahe...Shraddha ne use bataya ki tum kisi aur ke sath ho...fir bhi use Sameer ke alawa kuch dikhta kyun nahi? Maine turant Shraddha se kaha ki uske room mein jaaye, apne kisi samaan ke bahane se ya packing me madad karne ke liye...kisi tarah wo folder dhundhe aur laake mujhe de."

Rahul sighed. "Shraddha ko wo folder mil gaya. Usne mujhe fauran laake diya. Naina boys hostel ke bahar tumhare baare mein puch hi rahi thi, to maine jaake use wo wahi thama diya. Bola tumhara samaan tha, choot gaya tha. Gusse mein taunt bhi maare tumhare aur uske relation ko leke....taaki use laga tumne sab ladkon ko bata rakha hai. Fir chidhe tumse. Mujhe laga girlfriend hai to padh hi legi wo sab jaldi. Pata nahi us din dimag mein kya aaya tha. Maine yeh bhi nahi socha ki bahot der ho gayi hai. College khatam ho gaya hai. Ab agar tum dono alag bhi ho to bhi Naina ke kareeb jaana kitna mushkil hai."

"Tum dono jaise dost kisi insaan ko milein to dushman ki bhala kya zarurat?" Sameer's hands went back to his pockets. "Na tumne Naina ko mere baare kuch bataya, na mujhe uske messages diye...." Sameer pondered over all this in silence.

He looked at them both, with their faces drooping in guilt. "Khair...aage kya hua...Naina aur main alag ho gaye the...instead of envisioning another dramatic, convoluted scheme, you dropped it? What happened? What about giving us more misery, pain? Hypnotism? Wo nahi try kiya? Kuch kaala jaadu vaadu? Ohh..ohh wait a minute..then you ended up getting married!" he jeered.

"Sameer...please...we know ki humne tumhare sath bahot bura kiya hai...," Rahul said.

"Nahi Rahul...tumne mere sath, Naina ke sath, aur hamari innocent bacchi ke sath bahot bura kiya...ek umarried maa banke reh gayi wo...sirf isliye ki tum logon ne mujhe uski khabar hi nahi lagne di...life barbaad kar di tumne hum teeno ki...and all this...all this in the name of love?"

The couple remained silent. "I had no idea she was pregnant." Shraddha spoke.

"Ohh yeah...you would have been kinder and nicer towards her if you knew?" Sameer spat at her and turned to Rahul, "aur tumhe uski itni parwah thi to kamse kam uska khayal to rakh sakte the...uski madad to kar dete. Kahin...," an alarming thought crossed his mind, "...kahin tumne mere baad uske sath kuch kiya to nahi? Use harass to nahi kiya?"

"I was trying for a job in Ahemdabad...By the time I could get to her, I got to know she was already married. And I assumed to you." Rahul completed simply.

Sameer was surprised. He turned to Shraddha. She shrugged her shoulders, "When Rahul told me about it, I thought the same. We were both upset by it. We had no one to talk to about this, but each other. Rahul dropped the plan of shifting to Ahemdabad and stayed in Mumbai. And since we lived in the same city, we kept hanging out. One day my parents saw us and thought that we were 'together'. We weren't. But I assume at that time, it didn't matter. Somehow, we felt that we'd both already lost the one we loved, and were not keen on taking another chance. We were compatible. We understood the other's predicament, the other's feelings. There were no undue expectations from either side. It was as like all the pieces fit. So we got married."

"And slowly, we fell in love with each other!" Rahul completed.

"Wow...aankhun mein aansu aa gaye...happy ending!" Sameer whistled saracastically. "For you...not for us obviously!"

"Sameer...if there's anything we can do...," Rahul started again.

"Yes you can. DROP DEAD!"

"And you...," he said to Shraddha, "you need a psychiatrist!"

"We know we shouldn't have done it. We realize it now. It was a horrible thing to do. We were just so young. Didn't realize how it could wreck someone's life. We just believed you two would be heartbroken for a while and then you'll move on. Still, we had no idea about Naina's condition. And all this while, we believed that despite everything, the two of you did end up together."

Sameer shook his head repeatedly. "Tum Naina ki college ki sabse achi dost thi. And you did this to her. You are really sick! Both of you. You can never realize what we went through. And you don't even regret it. Itna kathor koi kaise ho sakta hai?"

"Pata hai main aaj bhi jaake agar Naina ko yeh sab sunaun na, to shayad wo yakeen nahi karegi. Sochegi Sameer to hai hi jhootha, dhokhebaaz...itni dramatic kahani leke aaya hai... wo fir bhi yahi bolegi ki Shraddha aisa kabhi nahi kar sakti."

He walked over to the door and pulled it open. He turned and cast them both another contemptuous look and said, "Duniya mein do tarah ke log hote hain- ek tumhare jaise, jo ache mein bhi burai dekh lete hain, aur ek Naina jaise, jo burai ke bich rehkar bhi achai hi dekhne ki koshish karte hain."

With that, he went out and slammed the door shut in their faces.

Shraddha looked at Rahul in tears. He placed a hand on her shoulders. For a long time, their gaze remained fixated on the table, where the fake diary, those fictitious letters and photographs were scrambled about, gaping at them innocently. They shuddered and gulped at how cruel they had been, how undeterminedly selfish.

Karma does bite back.

Now they knew exactly why life had been cruel to them. They had been paying the price of their misdeeds all along.

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