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I am back with the next chapter...

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IN SEARCH OF HER...

CHAPTER 7

Sameer was relieved after knowing the real reason behind Naina's disappearance that morning. He had no idea that Soniya had called that morning and spoiled whatever he was about to start with Naina. He wanted to strangle that selfish girl who always thought about herself and her happiness. Nothing mattered to her, not even other's feelings.

Sameer cursed the timing when he had agreed to be friends with Soniya. Their parents had met at some business conference and since then they had become good friends. At their marriage anniversary a couple of years ago, Sameer had met Soniya for the first time. She had stuck to him since then.

After a couple of months, Soniya's parents had offered this marriage proposal. Sameer was shocked with this. But he was happy that his parents had asked for his consent before replying to them. Sameer had clearly rejected that proposal and had said that he would like to remain friends with Soniya.

But Soniya hadn't taken this news well. She was crazy for Sameer and wanted him to be her life partner. But even after his refusal, she didn't give up on him and continued chasing him while Sameer was irritated with her constant pursual and had started avoiding her since then.

But this time Soniya had crossed her limits. She had interfered in his personal life and had spoiled his chance to be with Naina. And he wasn't letting this go. He would surely talk about this with his parents first and then her parents, once he got back home.

For now, Sameer thought about how to clear Naina's misunderstanding about Soniya. He had to find a way to talk to her. Will Naina talk to him, if he called her? No... this conversation couldn't be done on the phone, he had to do this face to face. But how?

As Sameer kept pondering about it, Reyansh too was busy with the same thoughts. There had to be some way to make the couple meet personally. It was hard for him to watch his boss getting so desperate to talk to her. It was high time they should come face to face at least once.

Opening the schedule of the matches on his mobile, Reyansh came to a decision soon enough. He was happy that he had found a way for his boss. He was only worried if he could take away the captain from under the eyes of the coach. This was going to be difficult. But he would find a way.

Giving up the idea to call her up, Sameer contemplated whether to start a conversation with his Naina on WhatsApp. His fingers hovered over the keyboard panel for a few seconds and finally, he typed a 'Hi...' He was about to send the message when he heard a knock on his door.

Keeping his phone away, Sameer opened the door to find his manager cum friend standing there. "Tumhe gaye hue abhi tak aadha ghanta bhi nahi hua, aur tum waapis aa gaye? Kya hua Reyansh, anything urgent?"

Rayansh smiled, "I have a solution for you Sameer... Tum apni Naina se mil sakte ho. Wohh bhi bohot jald..." This news made his heart flutter involuntarily. "Really... main... main Naina se mil sakta hun? Kab? Kahaan? Kaise?"

Reyansh understood his impatience, "Pehle mujhe andar toh aane do, fir bataatu hun yaa yahin khade khade baatein karni hai." Sameer opened the door completely for him and his manager entered happily.

Opening the schedule on his mobile, he showed it to Sameer who went through the next few matches that were held in the other parts of the country. His smile widened as he finished reading the schedule. How could he have missed this? He was always aware about the schedule beforehand. This time he had forgotten all about it. Ohh... he remembered the reason behind it... His Naina...

"Toh main sach mein apni Naina se mil sakta hun. Yeh... yeh maine kyun nahi socha pehle? Mujhe hamesha hamara schedule yaad rehta hai, bas iss baar yeh sab mere dhyaan mein hi nahi aaya. Shaayad Naina tak apna pyaar pohonchaane mein main itna busy ho gaya ki main hamare matches ka schedule hi bhool gaya. How could I forget that?", Sameer asked his manager who just shrugged in reply.

"Main abhi Naina ko message hi karne jaa raha tha. I thought ki jo Soniya ne uss subah kiya, uss related kuch conversation shuru karni chahiye, tabhi toh main wohh misunderstanding clear kar paaunga."

Reyansh asked, "Don't you think Sameer ki tumhe yeh conversation aamne saamne karni chahiye aur messages ke zariye nahi?" Sameer knew he was right, "I know... but I want to talk to her, it has been too long now."

"Toh bas kuch aur din ki baat hai Sameer, fir tum Naina se personally baat kar lena." Reyansh was clearly demotivating him from making a conversation through messages. He continued, "Socho Sameer... Jab tum Naina ko miloge, toh usse apne saamne dekh bhi paaoge aur sunn bhi sakoge. I am sure tumhe uske chehre ke reactions dekhne mein mazaa aayega, especially after your love declaration. This meet will be special, don't you think so?"

Sameer nodded and had to agree that his manager cum friend had a point. Rather than chatting with her on WhatsApp, their meet would be more preferable. It was just a matter of few days, he convinced himself and agreed with Reyansh. This meet was definitely going to be special.

Sameer deleted the message that he had typed before and thought of a plan to meet his Naina soon. Both of them discussed what need to be done while he would meet Naina. Where to meet her, how would he approach her, what will he talk, all these thoughts kept Sameer occupied for the rest of the day.

Naina was busy eating her breakfast with her parents, when her father again switched to the news channel. The clips of Sameer singing songs for his love were still streaming on many channels.

Anand chuckled, "Yeh Sameer kuch jyaada hi mehnat nahi kar raha apne pyaar ko paane ke liye?" Bela continued, "Sahi hai ji... aise hi lag raha hai. Yeh aaj kal ke bacche bhi naa, apne pyaar ko paane ke liye kaise kaise tarike apnaate hai. Par jo bhi hai Sameer gaata bohot accha hai. Bohot acchi aawaaz hai uski."

Anand added, "Sameer jitna accha football khelta hai, usse jyaada accha gaata hai. Waise wohh ladki bohot khushnaseeb hai, jisse Sameer itna pyaar karta hai. Uski aankhon se saaf saaf pataa chal raha hai ki uska pyaar ekdum saccha hai."

Naina choked on the poha that she had been eating. "Arey Naina... aaraam se... pataa hai tujhe office jaana hai, par aise jaldi jaldi mein naashta karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Aaram se kha...", Bela thumped her back while Naina's gaze was stuck on the television screen.

The flashbacks of last night came back to her. She had been confused whether to reply to Sameer's messages or not. She had loved those songs that he had sang only and only for her. His message had been loud and clear for her, that he wanted her by his side and he loved her immensely.

Her father was right. His eyes reflected his true love for her. Even she could see it clearly. Was she thinking too much about Soniya? She should at least give him a chance to explain himself. But how could she do it? She wasn't sure if she should initiate any conversation between them.

Naina thought, "Mera number toh mil gaya hai Sameer ko aur usse yeh bhi pataa hai ki main JP Multinationals mein job karti hun. Toh shaayad wohh mujhse milne ki koshish bhi kare. Aur pataa nahi kyun par mujhe aisa lag raha hai ki Sameer mere message ka wait kar raha hoga."

Her heart instantly replied, "Wait toh karega hi naa, bechara kitne paapad bel raha hai tere liye aur tu hai ki bhaav khaa rahi hai. Usne itne acche acche romantic gaane gaaye tere liye aur tujhe personally wohh sab videos bheje aur tu hai ki wohh videos dekhne ke baad bhi tune usse ek message tak nahi bheja. It was really rude of you."

"Bhagwaan jhooth naa bulaaye... Naina... tu kuch khaa kyun nahi rahi, kin khayaalon mein kho gayi hai tu? Ab der nahi ho rahi, office jaana hai naa?", her mother teased. Anand chuckled, "Hamari Naina Sameer ke baare mein soch rahi hai. Kyun Naina?"

Naina froze hearing her father's question. Were her thoughts written on her face? She blinked once, twice and cleared the haze. She looked at her father, shocked.

Anand watched her keenly. He was surprised to see the shocked face of his daughter. He asked yet again, "Tum sach mein Sameer ke baare mein soch rahi thi?"

Naina replied, "Haan..." As she saw the stunned faces of her parents, she corrected, "Mera... mera matlab hai ki wohh aap dono kab se uske baare mein bol rahe the toh main bhi wohi soch rahi, ki... ki uski girlfriend kaun hogi."

Naina stood up hurriedly, "Chalo main chalti hun... mujhe late ho raha hai. Bye..." She picked her handbag from the couch and rushed outside without turning to look at the smiling faces of her parents.

As Naina left, Anand asked, "Bela... tumhe Naina ka bartaav aajkal kuch alag alag sa nahi lag raha? Matlab pehle maine itna dhyaan nahi diya tha kabhi, par abhi kuch toh hai, jise main thik se samajh nahi paa raha."

Bela defended her daughter, "Aap naa kuch bhi soch rahe hai. Abhi abhi Naina ko naukri mili hai. Isliye thodi thaki thaki si lag rahi hai. Bas aur kuch nahi hai. Aap naa jyaada mat sochiye. Waise... aapko kaam par nahi jaana hai kya aaj, hmmm?"

Anand let it go for now, but he knew his daughter too well. Something was definitely amiss. He could see through the expressions of his daughter. He would've to find out what exactly was going on in her life apart from her new job.

On the way to her office, Naina chastised herself thousand times. How could she lose control over herself in front of her parents? She knew that her father was sharp enough to observe her moves since The Sameer Maheshwari had declared his love in front of the whole world.

She reached her office soon and as she settled in her cubicle; Naina's eyes fell on a package on her desk. She looked around but there was no one around. She opened the package desperately as she knew it would be from a certain captain. Her face broke into a smile as she saw a beautiful white scarf which had prints of red hearts all over it.

As Naina opened the scarf, a note fell from it. As she had expected, it was a handwritten note from Sameer. It read,

"To someone special who has my heart...

Lots of Love,

Sameer..."

Naina inhaled the fragrance of the scarf. She instantly knew that Sameer had bought this for her himself. She could identify his fragrance anywhere, even in her sleep.

As she heard sounds of some footsteps coming her way, Naina instantly kept the wrapping paper in her bag and tied her hair with the scarf. She wasn't ready to part away from this beautiful gift yet. Her colleagues joined her and she was soon busy with her team and the senior chartered accountant.

Her colleagues complimented her saying that the scarf was too beautiful and suited her hair. When she was asked from where she had bought it, Naina had instantly replied that it was a gift from a close friend.

Though Naina hadn't replied to his messages, she had seen all his videos on loop the whole night. His voice had stirred something in her heart. He was yearning for her, so was she. Though her mind was fighting with her heart, but she couldn't resist his efforts that he was putting to woo her. Slowly and steadily, he was breaking her resistance which wasn't a good sign.

Somewhere in her heart, she hoped that he would message her again and she would reply this time for sure, she hoped to see him soon and confirm that he was really in love with her. Her heart raced as she imagined what would he do when they would meet.

Would Sameer forward his hand for a handshake or would he hug her or would he? No... No... No... he couldn't kiss her, or could he? She shivered thinking about her vivid imagination. Soon all her imagination was put to rest as she was called by her senior boss.

A week passed and the gifts continued to surprise Naina each day. Sameer was pampering her with his small and sweet gifts. The last gift she received was a pink bandhani dupatta which she loved immensely.

Naina had loved all the gifts till now, but this dupatta was definitely one of the best she had received till now. She decided to wear the same dupatta over a white dress the very next day. Her mother was finally happy to see Naina wearing a white lucknowi dress which was paired with the same pink bandhani dupatta.

"Arey waahhh... Naina... yeh dupatta toh bohot accha hai. Yeh kab kharida tumne?", Bela asked her. Naina comprehended about what to reply. She obviously couldn't tell her mother that 'The Sameer Maheshwari' had gifted her.

Naina made an excuse and lied, "Main jab kal office se aa rahi thi, tab main market gayi thi. Yeh dupatta mujhe bohot pasand aaya toh maine kharid liya. Yeh earrings aur bangles bhi mujhe acche lage, toh le liye. Acche lag rahe hai naa?" Before her mother could say anything, Naina diverted the topic, "Waise khushboo toh bohot acchi aa rahi hai, kya banaaya hai aaj breakfast mein?"

Bela smiled, "Aaj naashte mein upma banaaya hai. Chal jaldi table par baith, main abhi le aati hun." Naina sat next to her father who was engrossed in reading the newspaper. When the breakfast was served, he finally kept the newspaper away. His gaze fell on his daughter who was dressed in a traditional dress after a long time.

"Naina... aaj tum bohot acchi lag rahi ho. Kabhi kabhi aise kapde bhi pehen liya karo, hume accha lagta hai." Bela supported him, "Bhagwaan khooth naa bulaaye... aap ekdum sahi keh rahe hai. Main bhi thak gayi hun isse wohh shirts aur pants mein dekh dekhkar."

Naina instantly corrected, "Pants nahi... trousers kehte hai usse..." Bela made a face, "Usse jo bhi kaho, dikhta toh pant ke jaise hi hai naa?" Anand chuckled watching their antics while Naina just rolled her eyes.

Naina loved her look too. She knew that her parents were right. It was ages since she had worn something like this. She had worn oxidized jewelry that complimented her look furthermore. This jewelry too was gifted by Sameer in the last few days. She was enjoying this attention from him.

As Naina had wished Sameer to message her, he hadn't messaged anything on WhatsApp. Though his gifts had come regularly, she wanted him to message her once, even a call from him would've done. But none came.

Naina reached her office early that day. She searched her desk for any package but she couldn't find one. She was disappointed. Where was the gift today? Did he forget to send one? Or had Sameer given up on her already?

Naina cursed herself and scolded herself, "Mujhe Sameer ko ek message kar dena chahiye tha. Usne itne acche acche gifts bheje, mujhe wohh gaane ke videos bhi bheje aur maine kya kiya, ek message tak nahi bheja usse. Sameer... Sameer ko bura lagaa hoga naa, jab maine usse koi reply nahi diya?"

As she kept reprimanding herself, there was a certain someone who was standing at the corner and was watching her with a pleasant smile.

Though Sameer was elated with the prospect that he could meet Naina soon in the next few days, it had been tough for him to stay away from her and control the urge to message or call her. He concentrated on the next two football matches, after which he could meet his love finally.

Sameer didn't give any chance to his coach and gave his best performance in the next two matches. The coach was happy seeing his growth. He was also aware that the captain was doing this to prove himself to the nation, to his lover and to him. The coach was happy that Sameer wasn't distracted anymore and was focusing on the practices and the matches.

Sameer was definitely giving his best in all the matches. He didn't want anyone to blame him or his Naina for any loss. He will not be able to bear that. His love was true and no one had the right to put him or his Naina on spot for his failures.

Sameer's wait was finally coming to an end. The next three matches were to be played in Navi Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur. This schedule would give him a chance to meet his love. The wait was finally going to end for both of them. While one had planned everything in advance, the other was unaware of the upcoming days.

Sameer had done some shopping for his Naina and had gifted one thing at a time every day. He had deliberately gifted her the jewelry first and then the dupatta. He too had wished to see her in a traditional wear someday. And so, he had skillfully gifted her all those things in which he wished to see her. And he was sure that the day when he would come to meet her, Naina would be dressed from head to toe in his gifts only. And Naina hadn't disappointed him. She was exactly dressed as he had desired.

Sameer had arrived in Mumbai late night. He was so eager to meet his love that he hadn't slept at all. Reyansh was happy to watch his boss so happy and excited. Finally, Sameer was going to meet his love personally.

Sameer too had arrived to JP multinationals early in the morning. He couldn't wait any more to see HER... And their fate too was on their side this morning as Naina too had come early in office.

Sameer stood at the corner and watched his Naina. She was dressed in a white lucknowi dress and she had paired it with all his gifts. The oxidized earrings, the bangles, the pink dupatta and she had carried the white scarf too which was tied to her handbag.

Sameer watched her searching for something on her table and he knew why she had disappointed look on her face. He hadn't sent any gift today as he had brought one to give her personally. How would she react seeing him here? She was in his den now and she couldn't run away, that was for sure.

After watching her for few minutes, Sameer walked towards her. He knew that he had very limited time till other people would walk in the office, especially his parents. He hadn't even informed them about his arrival here. This was going to be a surprise for them too.

Naina sensed someone's presence and she inhaled deeply. His fragrance... Ohhh God... Was she hallucinating? He was here. Even before turning to face him, she knew Sameer was really here...

Taking few deep breaths, Naina finally turned to face him. She was happy, nervous, excited, all at the same time. She wasn't ready for this sudden surprise.

The wait was finally over... Time stopped for both of them as they came face to face with each other.

Naina moved her gaze over him. He was dressed in dark blue denims and white shirt. He looked tired but the charming smile on his face didn't waver even for a second. Sameer loved the way his Naina was checking him out. He hadn't taken much efforts to dress up today. He just wanted to reach here and meet his soulmate.

Sameer too roved his gaze over her. She looked stunning in this white attire. He keenly watched her face which was as usual without any makeup. He saw a hint of pink lip-gloss on her luscious lips, her doe-shaped eyes were kohled with kajal and a small pink bindi had adorned her forehead.

What attracted him the most was the silver nose-ring that she was wearing. His gaze moved to the oxidized long earrings that he had gifted. He knew it would suit her and they did.

Sameer took a step towards her and she took another. Their gazes locked on each other. It had been a long time that they were seeing each other. They had finally found their oasis.

As Naina took another step towards him, her foot twisted and she tripped. Before she could lose her balance totally, Sameer glided his hand around her waist and pulled her to himself.

The moment their bodies came in touch, they shuddered. Naina had already closed her eyes fearing that she would fall in front of him while Sameer continued watching her with a smile. Finally, she was where she belonged...

"Naina...", he whispered huskily and slowly Naina opened her eyes to meet his. She was still in a daze and didn't realize in what position they were.

Sameer called her again, "Naina... tum... tum thik ho?" That broke her stupor and she straightened herself. She stammered, "Sam... Sameer... tum... tum sach mein yahaan ho?" She still couldn't believe that he was really here.

Sameer wanted to pinch her and confirm that he was really there. But he thought of another way. Closing the distance between them, he picked her up in his arms and walked towards his cabin.

Naina shrieked, "Sameer... yeh... yeh kya kar rahe ho tum? Mujhe neeche utaaro abhi. Kahaan le jaa rahe ho mujhe?" Sameer replied calmly, "Pehle sawaal ka jawaab hai ki main tumhe uthaa ke le jaa raha hun taaki tumhe yakeen ho jaaye ki main sach mein yahaan hun aur dusre sawaal ka jawaab yeh hai ki main tumhe neeche nahi utaarunga aur teesre sawaal ka jawaab tumhe abhi pataa chal jaayega."

As they neared the corner of that floor, Naina noticed the name plate over the door which read 'Sameer Maheshwari'. She had never come to this side of the floor, so she had no idea that he had a cabin of his own in JP Multinationals.

Sameer opened the door and entered his cabin with her still in his arms. Slowly, he made her stand, "Tumhe pair mein dard nahi ho raha naa?"

Naina had forgotten about her twisted foot. She tried walking again, but her foot pained a little. Sameer instantly made her sit on the couch comfortably. He kneeled down on the floor in front of her and picked her foot up and kept it on his knee, observing it. Naina shivered with this sudden move.

Before Naina could say anything, Sameer kept her foot down and quickly ran towards his washroom. He was back in a couple of minutes with an ice pack and an ointment.

"Sameer... main thik hun... mujhe... mujhe itna dard nahi ho raha... I am fine..." But he ignored her and tried to twist her ankle to know how much it was hurting her.

Naina didn't make much sounds of pain as her foot wasn't hurting much. Sameer understood that the ache wasn't much, but still he rubbed her ankle with the ice pack for a few minutes and then applied the ointment.

Once done, Sameer slowly kept her foot down and met her gaze which had turned misty. He instantly sat next to her, "Naina... kya hua? Ro kyun rahi ho? Bohot... bohot dard ho raha hai kya?"

He was about to go down on his knees again, when Naina held his arm. "Sameer... mujhe dard nahi ho raha hai. Yeh... yeh aansoon... yeh aansoon dard ke nahi hai..."

Sameer knew exactly what she meant and he asked despite knowing her reply, "Fir kis liye hai yeh aansoon?" She replied honestly, "Yeh aansoon khushi ke hai, sukoon ke hai, Sameer..."

Sameer's eyes turned misty too hearing her reply. She was happy to meet him. She wasn't upset, this was a good sign for him. They stared at each other, taking in each other, their eyes and heart doing all the talking.

Finally, Naina broke the silence between them, "Tum... tum yahaan kaise?" Sameer smiled, "Mera sukoon dhoodne aaya hun." She stared at him knowing fully well what he meant.

Naina could hear some voices which meant people had started coming to office. She got up swiftly. "Mujhe... mujhe jaana chahiye. Sab aa gaye honge." Saying that, she turned to leave but her hand was held tightly.

Sameer couldn't let her go till he had his fill of her. He turned her to face him, still holding her hand. "Main yahaan tumse milne aaya hun aur tum... tum fir se mujhse durr bhaag rahi ho?" This time Sameer didn't play with his words, he came straight to the point. He won't let her run away again this time.

Sameer was here for her and she would be with him. Naina lowered her lashes while he watched her. Unable to stay away from her, he closed the distance between them, "Aaj tum bohot khoobsurat lar rahi ho Naina... gorgeous..."

Naina trembled with this sudden proximity. He continued, "Yeh earrings... yeh bangles... yeh dupatta... yeh... yeh nose-ring, sab bohot accha lag raha hai tum par. Kisi khaas ne gift kiya hai kya?"

Naina knew he was teasing her but she wouldn't fall for his bait. Yet she wanted to give in to this temptation and whatever he was playing at.

"Naina... meri taraf dekho please..." How could she deny this pleading and she finally met his chocolaty gaze which only held pure and true love for her.

Sameer asked again, "Bolo naa Naina... Kisi khaas ne gift kiya hai kya?" She couldn't take it anymore, his husky voice, his heated gaze, his teasing. She gave in, "Haan... bohot khaas hai, someone very special..."

Sameer's heart stopped beating totally hearing her reply. So, he was special for her as she was for him. He asked again, "Aaj uss someone special ne koi gift nahi bheja tumhe? Tum isliye upset ho gayi thi naa, jab tumhe aaj koi package nahi mila?"

Naina replied truthfully, "Haan... roz subah office aate hi mere desk par ek package hota tha. Par aaj nahi tha. Mujhe laga jaise wohh mujhe bhool gaya, shaayad naaraaz bhi ho, kyunki maine ab tak koi reply nahi diya hai."

Sameer was stunned with her reply. He had thought that she would shy away or feign ignorance, but here his Naina was boldly sharing her feelings. And he was happy with this.

"Koi tumhe kaise bhool sakta hai Naina? Tum toh uske dil mein, uske zehen mein hamesha se ho. Haan thoda buraa zaroor lagaa hoga usse jab tumne usko koi message nahi kiya, par wohh kabhi tumse naaraaz nahi ho sakta."

Naina asked, "Kyun? Kyun naaraaz nahi ho sakta?" She wanted to hear those magical words from him now. She wanted to make sure that she wasn't living in a dream till now.

Without replying to her, he bent on his knees once again and took out a box from his pocket. Naina watched him in surprise. What was he going to do?

Opening the long box, he took out the silver anklets for her. "Aaj gift isliye nahi bheja, kyunki main khud isse tumhe dena chaahta tha. Kya main tumhe yeh pehna sakta hun?"

Naina couldn't say anything, so she nodded in reply. Sameer made her wear those anklets while she trembled yet again with this intimacy which felt natural between them.

When Sameer stood up, he replied, "Main tumse kabhi naaraaz nahi ho sakta Naina... kabhi nahi... kyunki... kyunki main tumse bohot pyaar karta hun. I Love You Naina... I Love You..."

How was the update?

Abhi toh mulaqaat adhoori hai... abhi toh bohot kuch hona baaki hai...😜

Will update soon...

Till then, take care and stay safe...😊

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️