Sameer was not sure whether he should tell Naina about his mother's call and her instructions. Naina had been waiting anxiously, he knew, but if he told her now, she would be more tensed.

But hiding from her was not an option. She had given him the strength to talk calmly to his mother. Not even once did he raise his voice during their morning conversation. He didn't feel the need to do so. Maybe, Naina will help him handle this call better.

He decided to tell her right away.

The phone started to ring as Naina came back to the room, after helping chachiji prepare breakfast. Preeti was in the bathroom. She ran to pick up, expecting it to be Sameer.

"Hello?"

"Naina... Naina unka phone aaya tha." He broke the news.

Her heart sank... she had been hoping that his mother won't call.

He waited but she didn't say anything... though he could hear her nervous breathing.

Sameer told her everything his mother had said.

Naina heard him with bated breath... not knowing how to react. His mother speaking to him about a girl was one thing, but he himself talking to her... even if it was on phone...

She felt a sharp pang of jealousy.

"Tum usse kya baat karoge?" She could not hide the edge in her voice.

"Maine socha hai... main usse saaf saaf keh dunga ki main koi shaadi waadi nahi karne wala usse."

She could sense some nervousness in his voice.

"Aur kya bolun, Naina? Tum batao na kaise baat karun?" He knew she was the only one who could help him remain sane in this situation.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "Kuch bataya auntyji ne ki kab phone karegi woh?"

"Aaj dopaher ko kaha hai... ek baje ke kareeb", he recalled his mother's words.

"Mujhe thoda time do... main kuch sochti hun." Naina hoped that if she thought about it, she might find a way out, without anyone getting hurt.

Sameer could sense her apprehension. Had he been in her place, he would have gone mad with jealousy. He remembered the time when he came to know about the proposal that had come for Naina... mere mention of someone else thinking about her like that made him want to kill that person. In spite of knowing that Naina will never agree to get married to anyone, he had felt his world slip away from his hands... it had been like a nightmare... the fear of losing her had gripped him.

Naina must be going through the same dreadful thoughts... still she was ready to help him.

Sameer marvelled at her strength. She had been through so much in life... like him. He had turned bitter and detached with everything. But Naina had always been warm and loving. Even in school, that was the first thing that had drawn him to her... she was affectionate with one and all. He could have never guessed how much pain she was keeping inside her. He had seen her father's behaviour towards her... it was almost like his own mother talking to him.

And then there was that cruel lady, her taiji. Sameer shuddered as he remembered the bruises she gave... the marks on her waist and wrist. If she was giving her so much of physical pain even now, how much Naina must have endured as a child. His eyes became wet, thinking about a much smaller Naina suffering at the hands of her taiji.

Naina could not sit still. Sameer had to talk to a girl who wanted to be his wife... she shut her eyes tight... it was excruciating to even think about it... and she had to help him go through it. She didn't have the heart to say no when he asked. But how could she help him when she herself was in need of some...

The sharp ring of the phone brought her out of the tormenting thoughts.

She picked up, expecting it to be Sameer's call.

"Hello, Naina"

Probably for the first time in her life, Naina was disappointed to hear Swati's voice.

"Naina? Hello... Nainaa... " Swati repeated her name.

"Huh... haan Swati... bol na... main yahin hun", she tried to hide her state of mind.

"Naina, kya tu nikal sakti hai abhi ghar se? Mere ghar aa sakti hai?" There was some urgency in her voice.

Naina was least interested to meet anyone at the moment.

"Swati, abhi nahi aa paungi... woh kuch... " She could not complete her sentence.

"Woh Naina, Munna chahta hai tu Sameer ke paas ho jab woh phone pe baat kare", Swati said slowly.

Naina was instantly alert, "Lekin kaise?"

"Sun, abhi dus baje hain... tu aur Preeti barah baje mere ghar aane ke liye niklo... market ke pehle wali gali mein main aur Munna tumhara intezaar karenge. Fir hum sab ek saath Sameer ke ghar chalenge... theek hai?" Swati suggested the plan.

It appeared feasible as Preeti had a holiday today and taiji had gone to her brother's house.

Naina assured her that she'll come along with Preeti.

When the girls asked for permission to go to Swati's house, Bela allowed them with a big smile.

They met Munna and Swati at the decided place and all headed for Sameer's house.

Once there, Naina ran to his room as others joined Pandit in the living area.

Sameer was standing near the table... looking at the frames on the small shelf, hands in pocket. He appeared to be drawing strength from the people there... nanu, Naina, Munna Pandit.

Quietly walking into the room, Naina hugged him from behind.

Sameer jerked his head back... feeling the softness but not believing it. Seeing her head resting behind his shoulder, he relaxed...

Naina was here...

His hands clutched the chair in front of him as he closed his eyes.

Naina's one palm rested on his chest... feeling the nervous drumming of the heart.

He placed his hand over hers, feeling the warmth seep in to his edgy heart.

After a while, he turned...

Naina looked up at him with moist eyes. He held her face, planting a kiss on the forehead, and gave a tight lipped smile.

Everyone joined them little later, sitting down to discuss how to handle the matter.

They could come up with anything... in fact, with all of them speaking at the same time, Sameer and Naina were more tensed.

The shrill sound of the phone quietened everyone... six pairs of eyes stared at the small instrument in fear.

After three rings, Munna nudged Sameer.

Eyes fixed on Naina, Sameer slowly brought the cordless to his ear.

"He... hello... "

He listened.

"Main Sameer hi bol raha hun."

Silence.

Everyone looked at him, as he listened with a blank look.

Slowly, a smile appeared on his face, "Theek hai."

Naina felt her heart sinking to the bottom of her stomach.

Sameer was now listening with rapt attention, pacing around the room.

"Ekdum perfect hai... hum aisa hi karenge." His smile widened.

Naina felt a huge lump form in her throat... Sameer was happily talking to the girl and agreeing with whatever she was saying.

Was she casting some spell?

"No problem! Tum mujhe kabhi bhi phone kar sakti ho... Bye."

Four mouths fell open as Naina felt darkness envelop her...

Sameer turned... and grinned at the blank faces.

His eyes landed on Naina's white face and he immediately went to her, kneeling down and holding her hands.

"Naina, usse khud hi shaadi nahi karni... usne mana kar diya."

Naina stared at him with vacant eyes for a few moments, then snatched her hands from his and covered her face, breaking into tears.

The four people breathed again... and the room was suddenly filled with loud cheerful voices as Munna and Pandit started screaming and dancing. Swati and Preeti looked at each other in relief.

Sameer stood up, pulling Naina along and crushed her in his arms, not bothered about the presence of all his friends in the room.

Naina cried into his chest... her hands going around him.

"Chup ho jao, Naina, ab toh sab theek ho gaya." He said after a while... stroking her head.

"Haan, Naina... kitna royegi? Yeh toh khushi manane ka time hai", Preeti's voice fell in her ears.

Suddenly aware of the company, Naina stepped away from Sameer, turning her back to the gang, feeling shy.

Swati jumped from the bed and hugged her, whispering into her ears, "Koi baat nahi... humne kuch nahi dekha."

Naina turned beetroot.

Sameer saw her and smiled.

"Chal ab poori baat bata", Munna pulled the chair, pushing Sameer on it as they settled down around him, keen to know the entire conversation.

Sameer started with how the girl began their talk.

"Hello... kya Sameer se baat kar sakti hun?"

When he confirmed it was him, she continued.

"Dekho, sabse pehle toh bata dun ki main ye phone apni khushi se nahi kar rahi. Mujhe ghar walo ne force kiya hai... mujhe tumse shaadi karne mein koi interest nahi hai... abhi shaadi karni hi nahi hai mujhe."

Sameer was happy with her refusal.

"Mere ghar wale shayad meri baat maan bhi jaayein par woh Vishakha aunty toh peeche hi par gayi hain, yaar... kehti hain unke bete ke liye mujhse perfect koi nahi hai... main bata dun tumhe, main koi perfect werfect nahi hun... aur ab chahe unhe bura lage ya tumhe, main Vishakha aunty ko bol dungi ki unka beta mujhe pasand nahi aaya... aur tum chaho toh tum bhi yehi keh sakte ho mere baare mein... agar hum dono ek dusre ko reject kar denge toh mere parents zyada force nahi karenge, woh meri shaadi aise ladke se nahi karenge jo mujhe pasand na kare... aur fir tumhari unn kadak mummy ko humara decision manna hi padega... Bolo, kya kehte ho?" She made everything clear to him, bringing a big smile of relief on his face.

"Aur agar unhone koi tension di toh hum firse baat karke discuss kar lenge ki iss musibat se kaise bachein... kar lun na tumhe call agar aisa kuch ho toh?"

Sameer had happily agreed.

He looked at their faces as he ended his narration.

The past few days had been tough for everyone,specially Naina and Sameer,  but all were happy with the way things turned out in the end...

"Achaa hoga teri khadus saas ko jab pata chalega ki unki baat koi nahi manna chahta", Preeti made a face as she spoke up her mind.

Naina gave a bewildered look to her sister... as others tried to hide their snigger.

"Kya hai?" Preeti narrowed her eyes at everyone, "Galat thodi kaha maine... sorry jijaji par aapki mummy khadus toh hain."

Sameer could not help smiling.

"Ab main toh jaa rahi hun kuch khane... itni tension se mujhe bhook zyada lagti hai", she declared, moving towards the door.

Others agreed, following her, leaving Sameer alone with Naina.

Silently thanking his saaliji for the opportunity, Sameer turned towards Naina.

He spread his arms and she was in them in an instant.

He took a deep breath, holding her close.

"Umm, Sameer... tumhe lagta hai ab auntyji maan jayengi? Matlab tumpe fir se iss shaadi ke liye zor nahi daalengi?" A small doubt still nagged her.

"Nahin... iss tarah koi aur unhe saaf mana karega toh isko woh apni insult manengi aur fir se usse koi baat nahi karengi... unki ego bohot badi hai." Sameer was sure about his mother's reaction.

Naina wanted to have faith in his belief.

She pressed her palms harder on his back.

"Ek baat bolun, Naina?" He moved a little to look at her.

She turned her face up.

"Mujhe dukh hua jab uss ladki ne mana kar diya", he said with a naughty glint in his eyes.

Naina tried to step away immediately but he held her tight, not letting her move even an inch from himself... watching, as her eyes flashed with anger.

"Itna dukh ho raha hai toh jao na... kar lo ussi se shaadi", she tried to push him.

"Meri jaan, dukh isliye ho raha hai ki agar woh mana nahi karti toh tum mandir mein shaadi karne ke liye maan jaati na", he pulled her closer, looking deep into the brown pools.

The anger was gone in a second, as Naina felt colour creep up her cheeks.

"Aur fir shayad tum kal tak Mrs Maheshwari banke yahan aa jati... apne ghar... apne pati ke paas." His voice turned hoarse, as the thought brought the images of his dreams flashing in his mind.

"Zyaada sapne mat dekho... shaadi kar bhi leti toh yahan nahi aati... jab tak hamari poori wali shaadi nahi ho jaati." Her eyes lowered at the level of his chest, fingers playing with the button.