After lunch, they all settled in the living room... making plans for Munna Swati's wedding.

"Mujhe koi tension nahi hai... saare phone number hain jinse Sameer ki shaadi mein booking karwayi thi... unn sabko hi bol dunga... experience kaam aana chahiye na." Munna sat back, relaxed that there was no major work to be done for his own wedding.

"Waah... bhaag daud hum sabne ki aur faayda tu akela uthayega?" Pandit remarked.

"Tere liye toh aur bhi achha hai... tere time tak ek aur experience mil jayega." Munna said brightly.

"Abe koi syllabus hai kya jo baar baar revision karna padega? Number pata chal gaya na ek baar... bas fir... unko hi har baar phone kar denge." Pandit glared at Munna.

Sameer kept a hand on Pandit's shoulder, "Theek hai, yaar, tu chid kyon raha hai? Munna mazak hi toh kar raha hai."

Pandit gave a frustrated look to Sameer, "Aur kya karun? Meri baat abhi shuru bhi nahi hui hai... aur Preeti ke papa toh usse Mumbai leke jaane ko taiyar baithe hain... samajh nahi aa raha kaise theek hoga sab kuch."

Preeti came to sit next to him, placing her hand on his arm, "Itna bhadak kyon rahe ho? Maine kaha na main nahi jaungi... aur na yahan kisi se milungi... papa mummy jaante hai ki maine ek baar na keh diya toh keh diya."

Pandit held her hand in his, "Lekin darr toh lagta hai na, Preeti... jitne jor shor se tumhare ghar wale shaadi ki baatein kar rahe hain usse toh yehi lagta hai ki bas do chaar din mein kahin na kahin baat pakki kar denge."

"Aise kaise kar denge? Tumhe itna sa bhi bharosa nahi hai kya mujhpe? Agar yuhin shaadi karni hoti toh tumhe mana kar deti na?" Preeti fumed, snatching her hand away.

"Yaar ab tum dono fir se jhagda mat shuru karo... usse sultane mein hi aaj ka din bhi nikal jayega." Swati made a face at her friend.

Naina was baffled, "Yeh pehle bhi jhagda kar chuke hain?"

Swati nodded, pursing her lips.

She looked at Preeti, shocked, "Dus din mein kitni bar lad liye tum dono?"

"Dus din kya? Dus saal se bhi zyada se jaanti hun isko... aur yeh aise baat kar raha hai jaise mere baare mein kuch pata hi nahi... arre, jab maine kaha hai isse hi shaadi karungi toh darne ki kya baat hai?" Preeti was still agitated.

Naina got up and came to her sister to calm her, "Preeti, uski baat bhi toh samajh... aise gussa karke kuch hal thodi niklega... chal, baith ke plan banate hain hum sab milke kya kar sakte hain."

Sameer addressed Preeti in a comforting voice, "Aap bilkul tension mat lo saaliji... maine aapko promise kiya tha na... dekhna aapki shaadi kaise jhatpat tay karwata hun."

"Bhai, shaadi toh jhatpat tay ho jaane ko taiyar hai... yeh promise kar ki mere saath hi tay karwayega." Pandit was still worried.

"Abe, tere saath hi karaani padegi... ab hamari saaliji pasand ke maamle mein zara kamzor hain toh kya karein." Sameer grinned.

Pandit narrowed his eyes, trying to decipher if his words meant a jab at him.

"Kya jijaji, aise kyon keh rahe hain? Kya kami hai bechare mein?" Preeti whined.

Sound of laughter spurted out of Swati and Naina.

Pandit looked lovingly at Preeti, taking her hand again.

"Inka yehi hai... jab bhi milte hain, ek baar toh lad hi lete hain." Swati let out a long exhale, looking at Naina.

"Ladai nahi hai yeh... bas hamara pyar thoda chatpata hai." Pandit looped an arm around Preeti, making her blush.

"Laila Majnu ko alag kiya toh Heer Ranjha shuru ho gaye... chal Swati, hum bhi Sohni Mahiwal ko yaad kar lein." Munna plonked near Swati, on the couch.

"Tum jaake pehle yeh saari filmein dekh lo... tab pata chalega kya bolna hai." Swati growled at him.

"Yaar, tu hamesha hadkaati kyon hai? Abhi toh shaadi tak nahi hui... baad mein kya karegi agar abhi se itna gussa dikhayegi?" Munna made a sad face.

Swati looked at him, and her heart softened at his glum expression.

She leaned on his shoulder, whispering softly, "Shaadi ke baad hi dikhaungi saara pyar."

Munna's beaming face conveyed to everyone that she had given him some enticing consolation.

"Ab agar sab ne romance kar liya hai toh zara plan ke baare mein soch lein?" Sameer spoke up in a solemn voice.

Munna and Pandit gaped at him as if he had suggested something outrageous.

"Kyaa?" He was perplexed.

Both suddenly burst into peals of laughter. Munna got up, staggering towards Sameer, clutching his stomach. Pandit slipped from the sofa, panting for breath amidst bouts of laughter.

The girls stared at two of them with open mouth.

"Pagal ho gaye ho kya? Bolo toh sahi hua kya hai?" Sameer could not stop the smile from spreading on his face, seeing them guffaw in this manner.

Munna Pandit somehow controlled themselves after a few minutes.

"Bhai, kya kaha tune?" Munna placed a hand on Sameer's shoulder, still holding his belly.

"Maine kaha batao toh sahi kya hua hai." Sameer repeated.

"Woh nahi, usse pehle." Pandit wiped his eyes.

Sameer thought for a while, then stated, "Maine kaha chalo plan bana lete hain... tujhe apni shaadi ki planning karna itna bada mazaak lag raha hai ki hans hans ke pagal ho gaya?"

Preeti glared at Pandit.

"Arre nahi Preeti, hum dono iski romance wali baat pe hans rahe the... matlab hamare mahaan Sameer Romantic No 1 Maheshwari keh rahe hain ki sabka romance ho gaya ho toh kuch kaam kar lein." Pandit started to chortle again.

This time the girls joined him too.

Munna raised his brows at Sameer.

"Faltu mat bolo... zyada bak bak karo ge toh main nahi baith raha yahan... jaa raha hun apne kamre mein." Sameer showed fake annoyance, blushing.

"Dekha, dhoond liya bahana jaane ka... ab do minute baad kisi baat ke liye bhabhi ko awaaz lagayega... sab samajh rahe hain bhai." Munna sniggered, giving a high five to Pandit.

Sameer stopped in his tracks. He had planned to do exactly the same. Involuntarily, his palm covered his face to hide the tint of his cheeks from others.

Preeti and Swati nudged Naina, who was equally mortified. She closed her eyes, resting her face on clasped hands, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"Bas bohot ho gaya... ab koi tang nahi karega kisi ko... Pandit, ab agar tune ya Munna ne Sameer ki tang kheenchi toh dekhna... aur tujhe shaadi karni hai ya nahi? Chup reh aur Sameer ka plan sunn." Swati scowled at both boys, making them sit quietly in their places.

"Sameer, tum batao... yeh dono pagal ab kuch nahi bolenge." She prodded him.

Preeti and Pandit sat on one sofa. Munna sat with Swati on the one opposite them, with Naina on the other side of Swati. Sameer came down to sit on the edge, next to Naina. His arm rested on her shoulder. It appeared very normal, but Naina was sure he wouldn't simply keep sitting like this.

"Tune apne ghar pe kisi ko kuch kaha hai abhi tak?" He asked.

Pandit nodded, "Maine mummy ko bol diya... unhone kaha woh papa se baat karengi."

Preeti chewed the inside of her cheek, she was aware of this much.

Sameer gave an approving smile, "Achha kiya, lekin ab jaldi se pata laga ki tere papa kya kehte hain... unki marzi bhi mil jaaye toh main chachaji se baat karunga."

Pandit was sure of his father's acceptance, "Papa maan hi jayenge... mummy ko na nahi bolte... aur teri shaadi mein Preeti ko dekh ke uski tareef bhi ki thi unhone."

Preeti lowered her eyes at his revelation, colour creeping up her neck.

Sameer was satisfied, "Toh hum uncle ki haan samajh ke apna kaam shuru karein?"

"Lekin kya bologe chachaji se tum?" Naina asked.

Sameer pondered for a while before answering, "Main kahunga Pandit ke gharwalon ko Preeti pasand hai, woh baat karne aana chahte hain."

Pandit and Munna brightened at this idea. Preeti glanced at Naina, both having a doubtful expression.

"Kya hua? Achha idea nahi hai?" Sameer saw the confusion on their faces.

"Sameer, chachaji se jhooth bolna kuch theek nahi lagega... matlab, jab baat shuru hogi, aur kisi tarah unhe pata chal gaya ki yeh sab hamari planning thi toh unhe bohot dukh hoga." Naina did not want to cause any hurt to her father figure.

Preeti nodded in support.

Sameer could understand their hesitation. Chachaji had always shown immense faith in his children. In fact, he had even placed his entire trust in Sameer, much before their marriage. He could not be kept in dark. Sameer himself could not betray the trust chachaji had in him.

"Tum theek keh rahi ho. Chachaji ko sab pata hona chahiye. Aisa karte hain, chachaji aur chachiji se direct baat karte hain... hum dono chalenge... uske baad agar unhe lage ki baaki gharwalon ko batana hai toh unki marzi warna baaki sabke liye pehle wala plan use kar lenge." He suggested.

This appeared to be the most ideal approach. Everyone nodded in approval.

"Lekin tu yeh karega kab?" Pandit asked with alacrity.

"Teen din baad Sunday hai... tab chale jayenge... tab tak tu bhi apni mummy ko bol ki uncle ki marzi pata karle." Sameer explained.

By now, his hand had gone behind Naina. She could feel his fingers making patterns in the center of her spine. She tried to keep a straight face.

Pandit was a little disappointed at the prospect of waiting for another three days, but he dipped his head to the side, seeing no better alternative.

"Chal fir tu lag ja mission papa manao pe aur Sameer lag jayega mission Preeti ke papa manao pe." Munna clapped his hands.

Naina gulped silently as Sameer's hand dipped inside the neckline of her dress at the back, rubbing the soft skin.

"Aur agar chachaji maan gaye toh hum sab unse kahenge ki Preeti ki shaadi bhi mere saath hi karwa dein." Swati chirped, her eyes shining.

"Hain? Tujhe Preeti se shaadi karni hai?" Munna looked at her, horrified.

Sameer continued to torture Naina, his fingers playing with the elastic band... she was sure her expression would give her away any moment.

Swati swatted Munna hard on the arm, "Kuch bhi bolte ho... saath matlab ussi din... hum chaaron ki shaadi ek saath hogi toh kitna mazaa ayega."

Munna nodded, a foolish grin on his face as he rubbed his arm.

"Main... main chai ke... liye bolti hun." Naina stood up abruptly, his sweet torment playing havoc with her system.

In the kitchen, she grabbed the platform, catching her breath.

"Bhabhi, kuch chahiye tha aapko?" Ramdhari stopped the work he was doing.

"Nahin... haan... woh chai... chai banani hai sabke liye." She muttered.

"Aap baithiye, hum leke aate hain." He said politely.

Naina went to her room. Just a light touch of his fingers had coiled up her nerves, bringing back the fluttering in her stomach. Her face flushed at the thought of stealing some moments whilst their friends were outside.

"Pagal, sochne bhi Sameer ke jaise hi lagi hai." She hit herself on the forehead, smiling shyly.

His voice fell in her ears, "Sochna bhj chaahiye... Sameer ke rang mein jo rang gayi ho."

She turned with a jerk, startled.

There was no one in the room.

"Nainaaaa, bilkul pagal kar diya hai tujhe Sameer ne." She squeezed her eyes shut.

His arms went around her. She quietly leaned on his chest, giving in to her imagination.

"Tum nahi hote ho toh bhi har taraf tum hote ho, jaan." She murmurred against him, absorbing the warmth.

"Hayee, ek baar fir se bolo na." He whispered.

"Jaan ho tum meri, jaan." She was almost inaudible, her eyes still shut.

The touch of lips on her forehead felt too real... she was amazed she was not only seeing him, but his musky smell filled her up as well, the heat radiating from his body seared her like real.

Like real...

She quickly opened her eyes.

He was looking down at her, the black eyes reflecting her bewildered face.

She touched his cheek, "Tum ho?"

He blinked, amused that she was thinking him to be a fragment of her imagination.

"Sam... Sameer... yahan kya... kya kar rahe ho?" She stepped back immediately.

"Apni jaan se milne aaya hun... itna darr kyon rahi ho? Hamara ghar hi toh hai... hamara kamra hai." He took a step towards her.

"Woh sab... sab bahar... woh fir se chedenge." She stuttered.

"Chedne do... kuch nahi hota... tumhe bhi toh apni jaan se milna tha... miss kar rahi thi mujhe?" He continued to take slow steps as she moved back.

Her eyes lowered... her steps stalled... she had hit the wall.

Sameer smiled, covering the distance in one long stride, his hands pining her to the wall as he grabbed her shoulders, "Tum jaan bolti ho toh aag laga deti ho... fir se bolo na."

She turned her face to the side, going red at the thought that she was using this endearment thinking he was just an illusion... and he had heard it.

He couldn't wait any longer, crashing his lips on the expanse of her throat, his hands slipping down to her waist.

She clutched his shirt, a soothing sensation spreading over her as he pressed her against the wall.

Preeti had got up to get some water for herself. Not finding Naina in the kitchen, she walked to their room. The door was ajar. She saw the two of them in each other's arms. Quickly, she turned, slightly pulling the door to block the view.

Sameer joined his friends a little later.

When Naina came after a while, Preeti looked up at her, "Arre, tu fir khali haath aa gayi? Abhi toh tujhe bol ke aayi thi sabke liye paani le aa."

Naina gave a perplexed look to her.

"Abhi bola tha na tujhe, jab main kitchen mein aayi thi aur tu chai banane mein lagi thi... shayad suna nahi tune." Preeti stressed on her words.

Naina realised Preeti knew where she had been... and was covering up for her to save them from more teasing.

"Woh... dhyaan se utar gaya... abhi laati hun." She ran back to the kitchen, thankful to her sister.

Preeti followed her.

"Preeti, woh... woh... " She kept her eyes on the ground, unable to face her.

"Koi nahi behen, mujhe toh bohot khushi hoti hai tumhara pyar dekh ke." Preeti gave an understanding smile.

Naina hugged her sister.

Carrying a tray with glasses of water, they went out, sitting down to continue the discussion of upcoming marriages.

Next update tomorrow morning