"Aapne toh hum sabke dil ki baat keh di, jee." Bela wiped her eyes as her husband came to sit beside her.

"Naina ke liye jo dil se nikla maine likh liya, Bela... iss bachhi ne aaj tak humse kuch nahi maanga tha... aur jab maanga toh woh aise ladke ka saath jo hum khud bhi uske liye kabhi nahi laa sakte the... Naina jaisi beti paana kismat ki baat hoti hai... aur hum bohot kismat wale hain ki khud ki na sahi par bhagwan ne humein Naina ke roop mein ek beti di." Anand said in an emotional voice.

"Haww... aur mere aane se aapki kismat kharab ho gayi kya?" They looked at Pooja, standing next to their chairs, sulking.

"Beta, tumhare aane se hi toh hamare ghar ki kismat khuli... tum hi woh lakshmi ho jiske aane ke baad hamare achhe din shuru hue." Anand cupped her face, smiling with moist eyes.

"Tu kaise aa gayi? Golu ko kahan choda?" Bela stood up immediately, looking for her grandson.

Pooja had not come with them earlier as her son was feeling unwell. Bela was worried to see her alone now.

"Mummy, chinta mat karo. Golu ko dopaher dawa khilake sulaya tha... jab utha toh uska bukhar bilkul chala gaya tha... jab usne khali ghar dekha toh zid pakad li ki woh bhi jayega... isliye hum aa gaye... usse Preeti ke paas choda hai." Pooja calmed her mother, sitting down with her.

Preeti rushed after Golu as he ran towards the food tables.

"Dekh Golu, maasi laake degi tujhe khaane ko... ruk jaa nahi toh pitaai karungi." She tried to run, lifting the lehenga with both hands.

Golu stopped suddenly, making her stumble.

Two hands held her shoulders from behind, "Sambhal ke, abhi gir jaati."

She looked back at Rishi, frowning.

"Mujhe khud ko bachana aata hai... tumhari madad nahi maangi... par chote bhai ka farz nibhane chale aaye toh yeh bhi bata dun ki mere paas bada bhai bhi hai aur chota bhi... aur banane ka mood nahi hai... shaadi ke liye aaye ho, mere jijaji ke mehmaan ho isliye chup hun... warna mujhse baat karne se pehle college mein log mandir jaate the, apni salamati ki prarthana karne." She stepped away from him, crossing her arms, chin held high.

Rishi was aghast, "Main... main bas aapki madad kar raha tha... aapko koi galatfehmi hui hai... maine kuch aisa kaha jo aapko bura laga toh I'm sorry par main... mera aisa koi irada nahi tha."

"Koi iraada rakhna bhi mat." Preeti turned... and her forehead creased.

Golu was gone again.

"Maasi... dekho main yahan hun." His excited voice came from the other side.

She saw Golu happily munching a pakoda as he walked towards her... holding Pandit's hand.

"Yeh kisne diya tumhe?" She bend down, worried that he might have picked up from somewhere.

"Mausaji ne." He smiled up at Pandit.

Preeti and Pandit looked at him, astounded... as Rishi glared at both of them.

"Mau... mausaji?" She croaked.

"Mummy ne kaha tha hum mausaji ke ghar jaa rahe hain... jab maine inse pucha ki yeh aapka ghar hai toh inhone haan bola... hue na yeh mere mausaji." The little boy explained the grown ups with patience.

Rishi walked away from there.

Pandit looked at Preeti's face.

She was at loss of words, for once...

"Chal mere saath." Preeti tried to pull Golu.

"Nahi, main mausaji ke saath rahunga... woh mujhe soft drink pilayenge." Golu hid behind Pandit.

"Yeh mausaji nahi hain... chal main tujhe milwati hun unse... aur soft drink bhi dungi." She promised a bribe, wanting to move away from there as fast as possible.

"Mujhe pata hai aap mummy ke paas le jaogi... main chota nahi hun... aap jhooth mat bolo mujhse... mere mausaji yehi hain." Golu held Pandit's hand tight.

She chewed on her lower lip, not knowing how to take him away.

"Isse mere saath rehne do... main thodi der baad Pooja didi ke paas chod dunga." Pandit offered, seeing her dilemma.

"Lekin... kisi ne sun liya toh... yeh tujhe... matlab..." She was tensed.

"Jab tum hi nahi sun rahi toh koi aur kya sunega, Preeti." He said in a quiet voice.

Her gaze shot up at him... the depth of his feelings was raw in his eyes... he was not the same Pandit anymore... she could see the seriousness on his face. His missing smile, loss of spark in the eyes, his sadness... it tugged at her heart.

Without a word, she walked away... scared that she might blurt out something that she should not... not yet... not here...

"Preeti, Golu ko kahan chod aayi?" Pooja didi stopped her.

Preeti looked at her blankly for a few seconds, before coming out of her thoughts, "Woh... wahan... Golu Pandit ke saath hai."

"Oh achha, fir theek hai... mujhe laga kisi anjaan ke saath toh nahi." Pooja didi smiled in relief.

"Aap Pandit ko jaanti ho?" Preeti looked at her, perplexed.

"Nahi, par tu toh jaanti hai na... jabse school mein thi din mein pachees baar uski baat karti thi... shaadi ke baad jab bhi main aati thi tu ussi ki baatein karti thi... matlab tu achhe se jaanti hai." Pooja said matter of factly.

Preeti had not realised Pandit was on her mind to this extent... for so long...

"Chal ab mujhe Sameer se milwa... main bhi toh dekhun apne jijaji ko." Pooja dragged her to where Naina and Sameer were seated.

"Jijaji, yeh hain Pooja didi... aap mile nahi na kabhi." Preeti introduced chirpily... in control now.

"Oh, aap hain Pooja didi... Golu aapka beta hai... bohot pyara hai." Sameer stood up, folding his hands.

"Aap Golu se kab mile?" Pooja was amazed.

"Mila toh nahi, par Naina itni baatein karti hai uski, lagta hai usse kabse jaanta hun." He looked at Naina, giving a lopsided smile.

"Naina, mujhe pata nahi tha tu Golu ko itna yaad karti hai." Pooja didi was pleasantly surprised.

"Woh kya hai na, Pooja didi, yeh yaad toh bas jijaji ko karti hai... lekin jab yeh log apne hone wale bacchon ki baat karte honge tab Naina kehti hogi ki Golu jaisa badmaash nahi hona chahiye... isse kya pata woh toh aur bhi chaar kadam aage hoga... aakhir apne papa pe jayega na." Preeti winked at them, as Pooja chuckled.

Naina blushed to the roots, lowering her eyes as Sameer bit his lip. He would have joined Preeti in teasing Naina had Pooja didi not been there... he didn't know if she would be okay with such talks.

"Badmaash toh pata nahi, par apne papa jaisa hoga toh ekdum hero lagega." Pooja didi instantly removed all his apprehensions.

"Aap... aap dance nahi karoge?" Naina asked Pooja in a shaky voice, trying to divert their conversation.

"Kyon nahi karungi... abhi jaake bolti hun mera gaana lagane ko." Pooja left in a hurry.

"Tu yahan kya kar rahi hai... jaa tu bhi." Naina snapped at Preeti as Sameer sat down.

"Main toh yahin baithungi, apne jijaji ke paas... aakhir main bhi aadhi gharwali hun." Preeti slumped between them, making Sameer shift a little away.

"Tu na pagal hai... jaa jaake agle dance ki taiyari kar." Naina almost pushed her away.

As Preeti walked away glowering at her sister, Sameer leaned towards her, "Ab toh tumhe koi aur bardaasht bhi nahi hota hamare aas paas... Naina, kya irada hai?"

Her colour deepened, "Sameer, ab tum mat chedo... sab milke tang kar rahe ho mujhe."

"Uff... meri jaan ko koi kaise tang kar sakta hai... mere alawa." His hand again slid behind her, rubbing her waist.

She tried not to squirm, looking at him with pleading eyes. He did not relent, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Naina looked at the stage... Munna was still checking the cassettes, others were busy talking about their upcoming performance while the guests chatted with each other as they waited for the dance.

She turned to face him... and in a slow motion, took her lower lip under her teeth, biting it slowly from one side.

His hand behind her stilled, eyes focussed on the torment she was lashing out at him.

"Yeh... yeh kya kar rahi ho?" He groaned.

"Tang kar rahi hun tumhe... jaise tum mujhe kar rahe ho." She said in a heavy voice.

He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. She could see the muscle clench in his jaw.

When he opened his eyes to glare at her, she smiled innocently.

"Tumhe chodunga nahi." He hissed.

"Pehle pakad ke toh dikhao." She bit her lip again.

"Kal baat karunga tumse." The glint in his eyes was back, making her blood pound in her ears.

Thankfully, Munna announced the next dance and Preeti and Pooja came up on the stage with Swati to perform on all time favorite of all shaadis

Mere haathon mein nau nau choodiyan hain
zara thehro sajan majbooriyaan hain

Naina whined silently for them to choose this song at this moment, when Sameer had been teasing her openly.

"Dooriyaan ab sirf ek raat ki hain... saaliyon ne bhi keh diya." He whispered with lowered head, mortifying her even more.

His palm closed over hers, covering the back of her hand. Slipping his thumb to her palm, he rubbed it lightly making her shiver. In spite of her repeated silent requests, he didn't leave her hand, keeping his eyes on the stage.

After a few more dances, it was time for the last one... by the couple who was to be married.

A huge applause greeted Sameer and Naina as they went on the stage.

Munna fiddled with the music system... and the song started.

Mehendi laga ke rakhna
doli sajake rakhna

Lene tujhe o gori
aayenge tere sajna

Sehra saja ke rakhna
chehra chupa ke rakhna

Yeh dil ki baat apne
dil mein chupa ke rakhna

Sameer held her close whenever he got a chance pulling her with a force, holding her waist, touching her cheek... Naina had no way to stop him, trying her best to make it all look like a part of dance in front of their family.

At the end of the song everyone joined them, dancing along to the tunes.

Later, dinner was served and Rahul and his family urged Naina's family and relatives to have food. Amidst praises of the vast menu and various new dishes dinner was completed and it was time for the guests to leave.

Anand asked Arjun and few relatives to help him get all gifts from the car.

"Chachaji, yeh sab kya hai... Maine aapse kaha tha na aap kuch nahi denge." Sameer frowned at the gift items.

"Beta, yeh tumhare parivaar ke liye hai... rasm hoti hai parivaar ka maan rakhne ki." Phulla bua pacified him.

"Lekin bua dadi, itna sab..." Sameer was not convinced.

"Ab ismein tum kuch nahi bologe... hum shaadi ke liye kuch nahi le rahe par yeh sab karne se tum mat roko." Phulla bua shushed him.

The gifts were handed over to Rahul's family, bhabhi, Munna, Pandit and even Ramdhari.

"Aap sab Sameer ka parivaar hain toh hamare samdhi hue... bas yeh hamara pyaar aur dhanyavaad hai aapke liye." Anand folded his hands.

Rahul's mom gestured to bhabhi and she got the gifts they had brought.

"Pyar aur dhanyavaad hum bhi dena chahte hain... aap mana mat kijiyega." She started to give gifts to them.

"Arre aap yeh kya kar rahi hain... hum ladki wale hain... beti ke ghar se kaise kuch le sakte hain." Bela was horrified.

"Dekhiye, yeh sab baatein chod ke hum logon ko aage badhna chahiye... ladki wale hain toh kam kyon honge... unka rutba toh ladke waalon se uncha hona chahiye... aakhir apni beti ko kisi aur ke ghar bhejne ki himmat kar rahe hain... shaadi do parivaaron mein hoti hai aur dono barabar hain... yeh parampara badalne ki shuruaat kabhi toh karni padegi... jaise aapne hamara maan kiya waise hum bhi aapka karenge... aur iske liye aap kuch nahi kahengi." Rahul's mother earned great respect from everyone by revealing her thoughts.

"Agar aap jaisi soch desh mein aadhe logon ki bhi ho jaaye toh kabhi koi maa baap ladki ko bojh nahi samjhenge." Anand said, impressed with her.

"Ab aisa bhi kuch nahi kaha maine... chalo beta, sabko unke tohfe de do." Rahul's mom directed bhabhi and Sonali, embarrassed at the praises.

Taiji was pleased to receive a heavy box... sure of an expensive gift item.

When Anand handed the gift to Pandit, he bent down to touch his feet.

"Arre beta, yeh kya kar rahe ho... iski zaroorat nahi hai." Anand patted his head, smiling.

Preeti looked away as Naina stared at her.

"Mausaji, aap hamare ghar aaoge?" Golu asked in his kiddish voice.

Preeti widened her eyes, apalled at the innocent query.

"Zaroor ayenge... kal hi... band baaja leke... aap bhi dance karoge na?" Sameer's voice reached her.

She looked in the direction with a jerk... Pandit was watching her...

He had told Sameer earlier about the confusion the small child had... and had introduced him to Golu. When Preeti thought Golu was talking to Pandit, he was actually asking Sameer, who stood close by.

Taking a deep breath she lowered her eyes, looking up a few minutes later to see his eyes still on her.

When everyone started to walk towards the gate, Naina held Preeti's hand, making both of them to be the last ones to leave.

Pandit approached them... and Naina moved away, much to the chagrin of Preeti.

"Maine kaha hai na, mujhe sochne ka time chahiye... ab fir se kuch shuru mat karna." She did not look at him, speaking with annoyance.

"Yeh tumhare liye hai." He extended a small packet, gift wrapped.

Preeti gaped at it in shock, then looked at him, "Yeh kya hai? Kisliye?"

"Jaise abhi sabne ek doosre ko gift diye... waise hi... ghar jaake dekh lena." He kept holding it.

Preeti contemplated for a while, then took it with trembling fingers.

"Lekin iska matlab..." She started sternly.

"Iska koi matlab nahi nikal raha, Preeti... jab tak tum khud nahi baat karogi main uss baat ke baare mein kuch nahi kahunga... tum befikr raho." He cut her, promising to wait for her decision.

"Chal Naina." She started to walk away.

"Bye Preeti." His voice reached her.

She stopped, turning her face to him... and muttered a soft 'Bye', before rushing out to be with Naina and other family members.