Sameer returned home two hours later as he had gone to office for urgent work. On the way he was excited to know about his mother decision for their relationship. He drove fast to reach home, once he reached house, he rushed inside in a hurry, and settled down himself near his mother on the couch.

He noticed her expression before asking about Naina.

"Mammy aapka decision kya hai, Naina pasand aai na." He asked keenly looking at her face.

Vishakha made a serious face and looked at him with sternly.

Sameer was taken aback to see her gesture, he felt that his mother did not like Naina. His face turned pale. He was afraid that his mother would tell him to break all ties with Naina. His heart pircked at the thought of getting away from his Naina.

Vishakha left her teasing to see his face drained. "Vaise mai soch rahi thi ki mere buddhu bete ko itni pyari ladki mil kaise gai.. itni samjhdaar, mature and beautiful.

"Matlab aapko Naina pasand hai..." He was shocked but when realised her words, he almost jumped for joy.

"Tune sach me bahut pyari ladki pasand ki hai... usne mere andar ka sara dar nikal diya ab mujhe tere future ko leke koi chinta nahi hai vah tujhe har kadam par sambhal legi maine uski aankho me sachchai dekhi hai..." Vishakha touched his face and caressed his hair.

"Mammy aap ko ye rishta manzoor hai na..." He asked impatiently as he hugged his mother.

"Haa...Ab mujhe iss rishtey se koi problem nahi...vaise Naina ne tujhme kya dekha jo tujhe pasand kar liya." Vishakha teased him after accept their love and relationship.

"Ye to aap ke bete ka magic hai jo hajaron ladkiyan marti hai mujh par... lekin mera dil to sirf Naina par hi gaya." He said with attitude and charming smile.

"Achha ji apni tarif apne muh se." She twisted his ear.

"Aah...Mammy..." He whined.

Sameer could not wait long, he asked "To mammy kab jayenge Naina ke ghar...Pandit ko bhi date batana padega na, usne jaldi batane ko kaha tha."

Vishakha saw her eagerness "Sameer tu bhi na... aise thode hi chale jayenge... tere papa bhi to jayenge saath, hum dono aise akele nahi ja sakte, kya sochenge Naina ke family wale."

Hearing his mother, his face fell. "Wo nahi aayenge mammy, unke paas inn sab ke liye time nahi hoga."

"Are bhai kaun nahi aayega... kiske paas time nahi hoga." Hearing the voice from behind, Sameer and Vishakha turned on the owner.

Sameer was shocked to see the person who stood at the door and Vishakha smiled at the person.

"Aap... Yahan." Sameer gaped and looked back at his mother as he was not expect him.

"Haa bhai mai... kyo expect nahi kiya tha?" The person spoke.

"Sameer maine hi bulaya hai inhe aur Naina se milke use samjhane ka suggestion bhi tumhare papa ne hi diya tha." Vishakha gave her a earnest look.

Vivek approached them and side hugged to his wife "Are Vishakha samjhao ise ki mere paas apne bete ki khushiyon me shamil hone ke liye time hi time hai."

Sameer could not understand his own feelings for his step father as he would be happy or sad. As the relationship between them had now better than their childhood and they both talked normally. But today Sameer did not expect him to leave his work for him and come here only for his happiness.

Vivek settled comfortably on the couch "Tum dono bhi baitho." After they both sat down, Vivek asked to Sameer "Sameer tum to bade fast nikle... Pyaar bhi kar liya aur hame khabar tak nahi hone di, direct shaadi ka proposal lekar aa gaye. Jis tarah se tum ladkiyo se dur rahte the aur aksar partiyon me unhe avoid karte the, mujhe to dar lagne laga tha ki kahi tum shaadi bhi karoge ki nahi... lekin chalo ab wo tension bhi dur ho gai... Vishakha ladki dekhane jana ka plan kab banaya hai ya phir wo bhi Sameer ne decide kar liya hai... kyo Sameer hamare liye kuch kam bacha ke rakha hai na.."

"Date aap dono hi decide kijiye phir mai Pandit ko inform kar dunga." Sameer said with a smiling face as he was happy to see his step father join his happiness.

After some time discussion they finally decided, the day after tomorrow they would go to Naina house if her family would agreed.

Sameer dialed Pandit in the evening for informing the date. Pandit was elated that Sameer family was ready to meet for a relationship.

Pandit called Aanand to tell the date. Aanand glad to know the date. " Beta ye to tumne bahut achhi khabar sunai... chalo hame taiyari ke liye bhi time mil jayega... mai ghar pe bhi sab ko bata deta hun."

"Bela...Kaha ho!!." Aanand shouted her name.

"Kya hai... Ji." Bela appeared in just second.

"Baat hi aisi hai... ladke wale parso aa rahe hai, hamari Naina ko dekhane." Aanand said with big smile.

Bela was very happy. "sach Preeti ke papa... hamne to kuch bhi taiyari nahi ki hai... kitna kaam hai, parde, sofa cover sab badlna hai, ghar ki safai karni hai... aur naye crockery set nikalna hai... kitne saare kaam hai."

"Bela shant ho jao... wo abhi nahi parso aa rahe hai, abhi bahut time hai sab ho jayega... pahle tum baitho aur mai hun na help karne ke liye." Aanand calmed down Bela. Bela felt much relaxed after her husband support.

Naina was about to open the gift given by Sameer. She had not opened it when she returned from Sameer's house as some relatives were sitting at her house. She had helped Bela for the hospitality of the guest. When the guests left in the evening, she had rested for some time because she was tired and did not know when she fell asleep. And now she opened the gift remembering his compliment, which unknowingly brought a smile on her face.

At first she tored glittering paper then she opened box. There was a small box inside the box. Naina pulled out the small box and found a letter in the bottom. She opened the letter and at first she admired his writing then started reading.

Meri Naina

Sorry.....Naina maine uss din tumhara dil dukhaya aur tumhe rulaya, jabki maine hi tumse wada kiya tha ki kabhi tumhare aankho me aansun aane nahi dunga... par tum meri vajah se roi... mai bata nahi sakta uss raat maine apne aap ko kitna kosa tha uss mazak ke liye jiski vajah se meri Naina ke aankho me aansu aaye....

Mai tumhe yakin dilana chahata hun ki Naina kaise bhi condition ho mai tumhara saath kabhi nahi chodunga aur ye gift isi promise ka symbol hai ... Ab tum gift khol ke dekh sakti ho... maine ye Delhi me liya tha aur ise dekhate hi tumhari yaad aai aur le liya par tumhe dene ki himmat nahi hui... tum kya sochogi mere baare me aur ye soch kar maine nahi diya... lekin aaj mai ise bina dar ke tumhe de raha hun... Please agar pasand na aaye to naraz mat hona.... lots of love my Naina... ab bas jaldi se sab maan jaye aur hamari shaadi ho jaaye.

Tumhara Sameer

After reading the latter Naina chuckled. "Aakhir iss box me hai kya... jisse dene se itna dar rahe the... dekhu to sahi."

She was impatient to open the box. When she opened the box and she slapped her forehead to look inside the box. There was a another box and it opened. She was mesmerizing to see the gift. It was a glass ball that a boy hugged a girl. They looked very cute. She adoring the ball that was the most precious gift of her.

Naina said to see the gift "kitna pyara gift hai... aur Sameer aap bhi na itna pyara gift dene se dar rahe the, mai ye hamesha sambhal ke rakhungi." She kissed the gift and letter. She kept the letter in her diary and the glass ball placed at her study table.

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

At the night when all sat the dinning table, Aanand informed Naina and Rakesh, the groom family will come on saturday evening.

Rakesh asked about all preparations "Aanand saari taiyari ho gai na... agar kuch help chahiye to bata dena...Bhaisahab aur bhabhiji ko bataya... aaj wo kisi rishtedaar ke yahan gaye hai... kal savere bata dena...kitne log aa rahe hai..."

"Ye to nahi bataya lekin Sameer ki maa aur papa to aayenge hi." Aanand guessed how many person could come.

Naina heard this news and excited, as mean Sameer's mammy liked her and accepted their relationship. Her happiness was no bound because her dream was coming true.

Aanand voice broke her thoughts "Naina beta tum inn sab ke liye taiyaar to hona."

"Haa... chacha ji mujhe koi problem nahi hai." She made her voice normal.

"Naina to parso ki chhutti le lena... bahut si taiyari karni padegi aur haa ek sundar si saree dekh lena." Bela suggested her for arrangement of her side.

"Naina...Bela sahi kah rahi hai, tum shaniwar wo school se chhutti lekar Bela ki help karna, sab last time ke liye bacha ke mat rakhana... varna kya sochenge ladke wale." Rakesh agreed with Bela.

Naina was in her room after dinner and she was listening to Preeti on the phone "meri bahan sharma rahi hai haaye... aur mai yahan tumhare tamatar jaise gaal dekhane se chuk gai..." She kept the hand on her chest then she continued teasing. "tu to aaj bahut khush hogi, nachane ka dil kar raha hoga, chillane ka dil aur kya kya karne ko kah raha hai tera dil... vaise Sameer ko gale lagane ka mann nahi kar raha, mere jijaji hai hi itne handsome ki kisi ka bhi dil unn par aa jaye."

"Ho gai teri bakwaas... mera na aisa kuch bhi karne ka dil nahi kar raha hai." Naina said with annoyance.

"Haa wahi to, tujhe kahan kuch karne ka mann karta hai... par kya kare jijaji ka jaadu hai hi aisa ki tu khud ko rok nahi pati...lekin isme tera nahi saara kasoor Sameer ka hai, usne meri padhaku bahan ko apne jaal me phasa liya." Preeti did not want to leave her easily, so she continued to tease her.

"Preeti mai phone rakh rahi hun... agar tu aise hi bakwaas karti rahi to.." Naina threatened her.

"Thik hai nahi kar rahi...Naina sachhi mai tere liye bahut khush... finally meri bahan ko uska pyaar mil jayega, bhagwan ji se yahi prarthna karungi sab maan jaye aur tum dono ki jaldi se shaadi ho jaye.... chal ab mai rakhati hu, nahi to jijaji naraz ho jayenge mujhse, unki pyari Naina ko baat karne se rokne ke liye...Mera phone rakhate hi unhe phone karna, bechare kab se baichain honge." Preeti teased her again as she knew how eager they were both to talk to each other. She did not want to spoil her mood, so she finished her talk quickly.

Naina had blushed on hearing Preeti's comment, and thanked God as they were talking on the phone, if Preeti could see her face, she would definitely tease her a lot.

And she just about to call him that her phone rang.

As the phone picked up she heard Sameer excited voice. "Naina mammy ne hamare rishte ko accept kar liya aur unhone date bhi final kar diya tumhare ghar rishta leke aane ka...Naina ye sab bilkul ek sapne jaisa lag raha hai, aisa lag raha hai kal hi to mile the aur aaj....lekin tum kuch bol kyo nahi rahi, tum khush nahi ho." He asked with a frightened voice as he did not hear her voice.

"Aap mujhe bolne denge tab to kuch kahungi." She irritated.

Sameer realized his folly "sorry sorry... mai excitement me bhul hi gaya tha... vaise tumne gift dekh liya na... pasand aaya." He asked timidly.

"Nahi...." She about to said further but he interrupted her.

His face sullen as she did not liked his gift. He said in slow voice. "Mujhe pata tha... koi baat nahi mai agli baar tumse...." But she cut him in the middle.

"Nahi... Matlab bahut bahut pyara hai... aur aap ise dene me itna dar kyo rahe the." She asked in a soft voice.

He was overwhelmed. "Wo...Kya hai Delhi me hume mile bas kuch hi din huye the aur mai aisa kuch bhi nahi karna chahata tha jis se tum uncomfortable ho jao.... aur gift dekh kar kahi tum meri feelings ka galat matlab na nikal lo. Isliye uss time ye gift nahi diya.... par mujhe kaha pata tha tum aise sab ke samne mujhe gale laga logi... aur mai vahan apni feelings ko roke ja raha tha." He told his feeling about her that time with chuckling.

Naina heart swelled up with joy to see his utmost concern towards her.

She remembered their first hug at the railway station and wondered for herself how she hugged him openly in the crowd, maybe there was a fear of going away from him.

"Nainaa.... kahan kho gayi" She came back from her thoughts when he called her name.

"Huh...Yahi hu..." She uttered.

"Naina...Jab bhi tum glass ball me unn couple ko dekhogi to tumhe hamari yaad aayegi jo inn dono ki tarah kabhi juda nahi honge...Kaisi bhi situation ho, bhale hi lade jhagde lekin kabhi ek dusre ka saath nahi chodenge... aur mai promise karta hun tumhara haath kabhi nahi chodunga." He promised her that they will never be separated, no matter what the situation may be.

Naina also promised him that she will never go away from him. They both promised each other. But unaware of their fate.

"Are iss gift ke chakkar me batana bhul gaya.... vaise chacha ji ne tumhe bata diya hoga, hum parso tumhare ghar aa rahe hai... rishta tay karne..." He said in husky voice and immediately something came in his mind. "Naina tum kya pahnogi uss din." He asked hesitatingly as he wanted to know what she was wearing.

"Chachaji ne saree pahanane ko kaha hai." She told him.

"Nahi... tum saree mat pahnana, usme to mai tumhe roj dekhata hu... tum na koi achha sa suit pahanana." He demanded her to wear a suit like a small child with making pouted face.

"Thik hai... phir aapko bhi mere pasand ke colour ki shirt pahanni padegi" She also demanded him. His happiness grew more to hear her demand.

They both talked lovingly for some time and knew about each other's preparations for the coming day. Sameer teased her with his words and her face turned red like a tomato. Then suddenly a thing came to her mind

"Sameer aap ke family se kaun kaun aayenge." She asked.

"Mai, mammy aur pa...i mean Mr. Somani... haa aur Munna bhi hoga saath me." He was about to call his step father as papa but immediately realized it and instead changed into Mr. Somani.

Naina noticed his voice accent when he called his father to Mr. Somani. She felt he had not accepted him as his father that the way he took his name.

"Sameer aapne ab tak unhe apna father nahi mana hai, kya wo ab bhi aap ko pasand nahi karte." She wanted to know their relationship.

"Nahi Naina Mr. Somani pahle se bahut badal gaye hai, ab to wo meri business me bhi help karte hai...in fact wo to apna kaam chodkar meri khushiyon ke liye yahan aaye hai." He told her that his and his step father relationship was normal compared to his childhood days. They shared a normal bond. But her next question made him emotional.

"To phir aap unhe papa kyo nahi bulate Sameer... jab wo apne kadam aap ki taraf bada rahe hai to apka bhi farz banta hai aap unhe respect de, pichhali sari kadwahato ko bhul ek nayi shuruat kare." Naina tried to mended father and son relationship.

"bahut try kiya Naina... par mai apne papa ki jagah unhe nahi de paa raha hun, aisa nahi hai ki mere dil me unke liye nafrat hai par mai unhe papa nahi bol pata... kyo? ye mujhe bhi nahi pata...." Sameer expressed his feeling about his step father with heavy heart and also tell about his hesitation to accepted him as his father.

Naina felt guilty as she made him emotional "achha chodiye... aap na blue colour ki shirt pahan ke aaiye ga."

"Jo hukum madam... aur bhi koi khwaish hai aapki, ye banda hajir hai bas aap ek hukum kare, hum aapki har khwaish puri karenge." He said with a feeling of ecstacy as he had shared his biggest hesitation with someone for the first time and his hand automatically touched his heart and his head bowed as he stood in front of her.

"Aap na bilkul Preeti ki tarah dramebaaz hai, lagta hai aap dono ki khub jamegi." She said while laughing.

"Achha...vaise Preeti se yaad aaya... agar wo dono bhi yahan hote to kitna achha lagta, maine to Pandit ko kitna kaha par usne office me work jyada hone se mana kar diya... koi baat nahi usne sabse badi difficulty... tumhare ghar walo ko convince kiya uske liye mai jitna bhi thank you bolu kam hi hoga." He showed gratitude towards Pandit.

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

As Aanand informed tauji and taiji about groom family coming tomorrow, when they returned house in the next morning, taiji eyes widened in amazement and she mumbled "O bai...kyo ye ladka apni badkismati ko ghar le jane ke liye itna utawala ho raha hai."

"Thik aa jayenge time par... aur kuch kam ho to bata dena." Tauji said in dry tone, his voice clearly reflected anger.

"Nahi bhaisahab sari taiyariyan ho gai hai, bas aap dono aa jaiyega hame badi khushi hogi." Aanand requested them with politely and folded his hand in front of them.

Sameer informed Munna of this good news at the office and also ordered him to go with them Naina house. Munna accepted his offer with jovially.

At the night, Sameer sat down in the living room with his parents. As they were discussion about next day program. He was filled with excitement as he was going a step ahead, to make Naina his own. He was reminiscing his best moment with Naina instead to listening his mother suggestion.

Vivek noticed a smile on his face and gestured Vishakha to see it. Vishakha frowned seeing him as they were discussing the important matter and he was lost somewhere.

"Sameerrrr...." He came out of his memory as his mother yelled at him and looked his mother with daze.

"Kya hua mammy chilla kyo rahi hai... mai yahi to hu." He said with scrunches his nose as she disturbed his thought.

"Beta tu yaha nahi kahi aur chala gaya tha isliye chillana pada... mujhe." She said with gritted teeth.

Sameer realised he was lost in his Naina. He felt embarrassed and shouted at Ramdhari. "Aur kitna time lagega dinner banne me kitni der ho gai hai."

"Vivek mai kya kah rahi thi agar Naina ki family maan jayenge to hum kal hi roka kar denge, baad me phir engagement aur marriage ki date fix karenge aapka kya suggestion hai." Vishakha expressed her thoughts to them.

"Sameer se bhi puch lo, wo kya kah raha hai." Vivek suggested his wife to ask his son.

"Use kya puchhna use to bas Naina chahiye kisi bhi tarah... hai na Sameer." Vishakha looked at his son who was blushing more than any girl.

When the discussion was over and they all going to dinner, Sameer stopped them as something clicked his mind and bothered him.

"Mammy wo... wo Naina ki family nahi janti ki hum dono ek dusre se pyaar karte hai, unke liye ye rishta Pandit ki taraf se Naina ke liye suggest kiya gaya hai... to.."He hesitated to say more.

"To kya Sameer... tu kya chahata hai humse." Vishakha said loudly while looking at him with fiery as she felt her son was more worried about Naina.

"Mai bas itna chahata hun mammy... ki hum aisa pretend kare, jaisa Pandit ne hame bataya aur hum uske kahne par unke yahan Naina ko dekhane aaye hai, aur aap log unko nahi batayenge ki hum ek dusre ko pasand karte hai, hame aise behave karna hai jaise hum pahli baar mil rahe hai." Sameer said his parents to pretend that they behave did not know Naina and were seeing her for the first time. As someone suggested to them a girl and they came to see her for their son.

Vivek immediately agreed and he also convinced to his wife to make a part of his son's plan.

In the phone call at night, both shared their nervousness and happiness with each other for the next day. As Sameer was nervous on one hand what would happen to them if anything went wrong and on the other side was overjoyed thinking about Naina that she would be ready for him tomorrow then after that, they would not have to meet like this secretly.

Naina was nervous thinking how she would control her heart which started beating wildly every time when she saw Sameer. She was lost in his charming look every time. But how will she meet him in front of her family tomorrow? And thinking about it, her heart was pounding loudly.

Apart from her nervousness, she was pleasure to think that both their families were going to meet tomorrow to settle their relationship. And she prayed to God to ensure that everything was done well.

***********

Next chapter posted on Sunday.