Today is a day of celebration for me... and all my readers.
This is the 350th chapter of my book and I'm extremely thankful to all of you to help me reach this milestone.
It reminds me of the 350th episode celebration of our show... I feel the same exultation that we all felt watching the clips of their party. Trying to relive those moments with a party in today's update.

After reaching the hotel, Sameer and Naina decided to take a nap. Around five in the evening, they ordered tea in the room.

"Tum pehle taiyar ho jao... main tab tak dekh leti hun mujhe saree ke saath kya pehenna hai... yahan main koi jewelry toh layi nahi... bas dress ke saath ke hain." She told him, keeping back the cup on side table.

For once, Sameer agreed to do the same. To match his outfit with his wife's clothes, he chose a black tshirt with a jacket over it in same colour, pairing it with a black pant. He was aware how much Naina loved black on him.

She was putting back the jewelry pouch when he came out of the washroom, in a towel as always.

Quickly grabbing her clothes she went in, before he could get any ideas.

Sameer was whistling as he brushed his hair, admiring his choice of outfit in the mirror. The sound of door made him look in her direction... the lips remained curled but the whistle lost its voice. He watched as she slowly walked towards him, twisting her fingers.

The saree didn't cling to her like the green one, but her narrow waist could be seen through the slightly transparent material. Black contrasted beautifully with the plain golden border... also with her creamy skin. The arm that was not covered by the pallu, was gleaming. She wore a chunky silver necklace he had never seen before, along with a matching bracelet in one hand. A small bindi, kohl lined eyes and some gloss was her only makeup,but enough to take his breath away. Her silky mane fell in soft waves over one shoulder, her side parting making it heavier on one side. His gaze fell to the black bangles she was wearing... and he felt a strong urge to hear their tinkling sound.

"Kaisi lag rahi hun?" She asked, seeing him go mum.

He threw the brush aside. It landed on the bed.

His heart thumping hard against his chest, he closed the distance between them.

She could see the adulation in his eyes... but wanted to hear from him.

"Achi nahi lag rahi kya? Tumne kuch kaha hi nahi." She made a sad face.

His fingers moved over her bangles, making the sound he desired...

She trembled as his fingers stroked her arm, going up to the shoulder in a feather light touch.

"Kaisi lag rahi ho yeh khud dekh lo." He held her other hand, placing it on his heart.

She could feel the erratic drumming under her fingers.

"Kal jaake us tailor se aise dus barah blouse banwa lo." He traced the high neckline.

"Achha, maine socha shayad tumhe pasand na aaye... iska design... baaki jaisa nahi hai na." She was surprised.

"Lekin iska style hi alag hai." He leaned to kiss the curve of her shoulder.

She hitched her shoulder... his lightest touch also made her stomach flutter.

"Ab bahar thand lagegi mujhe." She couldn't wear a sweater though.

A loud gasp left her lips as he looped his arm around her waist, plastering her to his chest, "Main lagne dunga tab na."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking straight into his eyes, "Pakka?"

He was still standing in a daze when she opened the door, laughing.

"Ab chalo, warna party khatam ho jaayegi aur hun yahin reh jayenge."

It was past six thirty when they reached the restaurant. It looked completely different today. The usual chairs and tables were gone. Instead, there were round tables with silk covers, a pretty vase with white blooms on each one. White chairs had a golden fabric covering their back, tied in a bow behind them.

There were white and gold balloons in bunches all around the walls. Shining streamers glittered from windows. Counter for drinks and snacks was set at one end of the room.

The manager welcomed them, presenting a rose to Naina. They were escorted to a table. A waiter soon got tall glasses of a fancy drink. Naina was amazed to see pieces of fruits on the rim of glasses.

"Yeh kya hai?" She asked the waiter, finding the colour different from all juices she had ever had.

"Yeh fruit mocktail hai, ma'am... hamare yahan ka khaas hai." The waiter informed.

They both took a sip from their glasses, and found it to be delectable. A few snacks were served to them. Soon, a mic was put up in front and a man with a guitar arrived.

He started with movie songs from Bollywood. In no time, all guests were asking for their favourite songs.

"Main bhi apni pasand ka gaana bata ke aata hun." Sameer got up to give his demand.

When he came back, Naina asked him the song.

"Dekhte hain tum bata sakti ho ya nahi... agle paanch gaano mein se ek meri pasand ka hai... batana kaunsa hai." He challenged.

The singer continued the rendition in his mesmerising voice. When he finished third one, Sameer looked at her... she shrugged, not sure as she liked all those songs.

As the music started to play for the next one, she straightened... she had heard him humming this tune often.

"Yeh tumhara gaana hai... hai na?" She turned towards him, eyes shining bright.

He was amazed. It was indeed his requested song. Pulling his chair next to her, he wrapped one arm around her shoulder, as they both listened to the deep voice sing the meaningful notes of

Tumse milke aisa laga tumse milke

"Jo iss gaane mein shabd hain, woh mere dil ki awaaz hai." He stroked her arm with his fingers.

"Mere bhi." She exhaled, leaning into him.

After the next song, the singer took a break of few minutes.

Sameer suggested that they go out to see the decorations in the garden area as well.

He didn't know it would be such a big mistake.

The moment they reached the door, they came face to face with the last person he wanted to see... the man who had saved Naina from the fall.

He gave a small smile of acknowledgement before moving aside to let them pass.

It left no doubt that he was a guest of the hotel... he had been here all this while. Sameer had been on the lookout for him since last two days... today, he didn't bother, thinking that he was being unnecessarily anxious.

"Garden toh roz hi itna sajaa ke rakhte hain... yahan kuch khaas fark nahi lag raha... andar zyada achha hai... chalo na andar hi baithte hain." Naina held his arm, looking around.

The garden area was lit with the fairy lights like other days, torches placed at various places for light as well as warmth. The only difference was that the tables had similar vases with flowers, like inside... and balloons on the hedges.

"Yahin baithte hain... andar toh bohot der se the." He resisted her pull, waving at the garden, having no intention of going in where the same man would be around.

Naina accepted, walking to an unoccupied table with him. The moment they sat, a waiter placed a few snacks on their table, along with two glasses of different coloured drinks again.

His relief did not last long... the man came back to occupy a table close to them... alone.

"Naina, yahan tumhe sardi lag rahi hogi... chalo andar hi chalen." He was keen to leave the place.

"Ab thodi der baitho... yeh wala juice bhi kitna achha hai." She took a long gulp.

Sameer was least interested in any food or drink now. His eyes kept going back to the man who seemed to be making some notes in a small diary. He lifted his eyes to check the surroundings, then noted something, thought for a while, tapping the pen to his forehead, then wrote down again. Sameer started to get suspicious... his general demeanor did not seem like an ordinary person... also, why would anyone come to a hill station alone... people came here to enjoy with their family or friends. He seemed to be by himself.

"Sameer, kahan khoye ho? Tum toh kuch kha hi nahi rahe. Achha nahi laga kya?" Naina's voice brought him out of the pool of thoughts he was drowning into.

"Main... mujhe bhook nahi hai... umm... Naina, wapas chalen kya room mein... yahan kab tak baithenge." He wanted to take her away from here.

She gave a broad smile to someone... not seemed to be hearing him.

He looked in the direction and found the man smiling at her. He gritted his teeth, ready to spit fire at the audacity of an unknown person to pass a smile to his wife, that too, in his presence.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho?" He tried to keep his voice normal.

"Arre, udhar dekho... yeh wohi hain jinhone uss din mujhe girne se bachaya tha... lagta hai yeh bhi issi hotel mein thehre hain." She reminded him... unaware that this face was imprinted in his mind.

"Jo bhi ho... aise anjaan logon se milna theek nahi hai." He said in a curt voice.

An announcement from inside boomed on the speakers which were playing soft instrumental music till now. There were a few games organised for couples. Sameer tugged her with him, happy to find an excuse to go in.

The announcer explained the game... a blown up balloon would be given to each couple. They had to dance with it placed between them, without touching the balloon or each other. The last couple dancing with the balloon intact would be the winner.

It was easy for Sameer to win this game... staying close to Naina was something he was expert at.

They were presented with a gift, along with a rose for her.

When everyone was settled back in their seats, the host asked all ladies to come and stand behind a curtain.

To keep the anxious husbands pacified, he declared, "Bas kuch minute ke liye aapse door kiya hai... yeh dekhne ke liye ki aakhir aap apni biwi ko kitne dhyan se dekhte hain."

The husbands were asked to give a description of the items of jewelry their wives were wearing... as detailed as possible.

Sameer smiled... another cakewalk for him. He not only mentioned all the pieces but gave the exact number of black bangles she had on her wrist, along with other details of her necklace and bracelet.

The second gift came to them as well... Naina received another rose.

The host took a break before starting other games.

As Sameer settled back on the seat, his eyes scanned the room... and fell on the man, now seated at the back. His eyes were roaming around the restaurant as well. When they reached Naina, he stopped for a moment before taking his gaze away.

Sameer seethed in anger... but couldn't show anything to her.

"Main pooch ke aata hun khane mein kitni der hai... bas uske baad chalte hain." He got up before she could stop him.

Naina started to arrange the gifts and flowers on the table, to make space for the dinner plates. A rose slipped from the table, falling to the floor. Before she could pick it up, the man, while crossing her table, bent down to pick it up. He kept it back on the table, smiled at her... she smiled back... and he was gone.

Sameer turned after his inquiry, to the scene of the same person placing a rose in front of his wife... and she smiled at him. His blood boiled. The person walked out, not giving him a chance to question him. He took quick strides to reach their table.

"Yeh phool kyon diya tumhe?" He asked, trying to keep the voice in control.

"Yeh... game ka hai na.. aur ek jab yahan aaye the tab diya tha." She placed them aside.

"Abhi uss aadmi ne kyon diya?" He gritted his teeth.

She was shocked, "Kaisi baatein kar rahe ho, Sameer? Koi mujhe kyon dega phool? Tum aisa soch bhi kise sakte ho? Bharosa nahi hai kya mujhpe?"

He slumped on the chair, "Naina, tumpe poora bharosa hai... par doosron pe nahi hai... aur tum bohot bholi ho... main tumhe... "

"Chup raho, Sameer... kabhi socha nahi tha tum aisi baatein bhi bol sakte ho." Her eyes blazed at him.

"Naina, samjho meri baat... "

She stalled him with her hand, looking away.

A waiter placed a dish in front of them, "Ma'am, yeh hot fries hain... jinhe teekha pasand ho unke liye."

She picked up a few, stuffing her mouth without paying attention to what he said.

Next moment, she choked, coughing hard as the chilli hit her throat. Sameer was next to her in a flash, rubbing her back... her face became red, eyes started to water.

He stopped the passing waiter who was carrying some drinks, grabbing a glass.

"Sir yeh..." The waiter started to say something, stopping as Sameer gave him a deadly look.

He made Naina drink one full glass, forcing her to have another... though she tried to stop him.

"Jaldi se yeh juice piyo... jalan theek hogi." He made her gulp it.

Her coughing stopped. He looped an arm around her shoulder. She leaned on him.

"Sorry, jaan... meri wajah se tumhe itni takleef hui." He rubbed her arm.

To his amazement, she lifted her face... and kissed his jaw, before falling back on him.

As he sat shell shocked, the waiter said in a quiet voice, "Sir, woh juice... woh kisi ka special order tha... usme alcohol tha."

Sorry to keep you waiting today... wattpad issues again.

Well, next update would be on Friday, after a break of three days.

I know it is the longest break I'm taking... believe me, it just cannot be helped this time.

You too enjoy the break from this story... it is indeed getting too long 😂😂