There would be no evening update today.

"Arre aap log khush hone ki jagah rone kyon lage... aaj ghar mein lakshmi aayi hai... uske aane ki khushi manani chahiye... chaliye ab sab chup ho jayiye... hum agli rasm karenge." Bhabhi cheered up everyone as she came out of the kitchen with a big vessel.

She placed it on the table and poured milk mixed with water and rose petals in it.

"Yeh kaun piyega?" Sameer gaped at the huge vessel with enormous amount of liquid.

Everyone except Munna Pandit and Sameer started laughing. They were the only ones not knowing about this ritual.

"Peena nahi hai, buddhu." Naina blurted, biting her tongue the moment she said it.

Rahul sat on the armrest of the sofa where Sameer was sitting, "Bhai, tujhe toh budhu ki upadhi mil gayi biwi se... woh bhi sabke saamne."

Sameer was unperturbed, smiling at Naina, "Mujhe pyaar se jo bhi bolti hai meri biwi, sab achha lagta hai... aur sabke samne haq se bolegi toh aur bhi achha lagega."

"Yeh lo, apna bhai toh poora joru ka ghulam ho gaya." Rahul teased Sameer.

His father came to him, patting his shoulder, "Apne bhai se seekh le, khush rahega tu bhi meri tarah... main bhi shuru se joru ka ghulam hi hun."

Rahul's mom chided him with fake anger, "Aap bachhon ke aage kaisi baatein kar rahe hain... kuch toh sharam kijiye."

"Arre bhai, bachhon ki shaadi ho gayi hai... pata hona chahiye ghar mein shanti rakhne ke liye kya karna padta hai." Rahul's father looked at Rahul and Sameer.

"Waise mummy, papa ki baat toh sahi hai... woh aapki saari batein maante hain." Sonali wrapped her arms around her mother in law's shoulders.

"Maanenge hi... meri saari batein inki bhalai ke liye hi hoti hain." Rahul's mom quipped.

"Bilkul sahi kaha... dekho, yeh baat bhi maan li." Her husband readily agreed.

Another round of laughter roared in the room.

Vishakha explained the ritual to Sameer. A ring would be put in opaque water... and both him and Naina had to search for it... whoever found it would win the game. It will be played thrice, and the one who is able to procure the ring more number of times will be the final winner.

"Aur jisko zyada baar anguthi milegi, samajh lo ussi ka raaj chalega ghar pe." Sonali chipped in.

"Fir toh pakka Sameer jitega... bhabhi hamesha wohi karti hain jo woh kehta hai." Munna gave an encouraging smile to Sameer.

"Dekhte hain... kaun kiski baat maanega." Vishakha took off her ring and gave to bhabhi.

She slipped it in the cloudy liquid and swirled it properly.

"Mere teen kehne pe dono ek saath haath dalna paani mein... aur koi cheating nahi." Bhabhi gave them a stern warning.

When she counted three, they dipped their fingers in the water. The vessel being deeper than it appeared, they had to take down their hands till the wrists. Taking advantage of the situation, Sameer caught Naina's hand, pressing her fingers. She gulped, trying not to show any expression. More she twisted her hand, stronger he made his grip.

She stole a glance at him. His eyes were on her. She mouthed a 'please' silently, squinting her eyes briefly. Finally, he left her hand.

"Arre kitna waqt lete ho tum dono... ek ko bhi nahi mili kya?" Bhabhi peered at the vessel impatiently.

They searched at the bottom. Naina felt it first. She picked the ring and prodded it on Sameer's palm, urging him to take it. He realised what she wanted. Slipping her hand in his, he pulled it out.

"Angoothi Naina ki ungli mein gayi aur uska haath mere haath mein... ab batao kaun jeeta?" He raised his brows at bhabhi.

"Yeh kya, Sameer... aise thodi hota hai... ek ko toh jeetna padega." Sonali pouted.

"Toh samajh lo Naina jeeti, kyonki angoothi ussi ke paas hai." He shrugged.

"Achha chalo agla round." Bhabhi took the ring and hid it in water again.

The moment Sameer took his hand in, it touched the metal band. He picked it up, slipped it on Naina's finger and brought up her hand to show it to everyone.

"Nahi, Sameer ne mujhe zabardasti pehna di... ussi ko mili thi." Naina quickly uttered.

"Jiski ungli mein hai, angoothi uski..
matlab Naina jeet gayi." Sonali beamed.

"Jee nahi, Sameer ne dhoondi hai iss baar... toh muqabla barabar... ab akhiri baar se pata chalega kaun jeeta." Rahul sneered at her.

Sonali made a face at him as  bhabhi again put the ring in water. This time, when their hands went in, Naina slipped her palm over Sameer's hand, and their fingers together patted the base of the vessel till they felt the ring. Holding it between their fingers, they brought it up. Everyone in the room stared in silence as their hands over each other looked like one single hand... the hand of the winner.

"Ho gaya faisla... yeh dono jeet gaye... mujhe pehle hi pata tha...yeh Samaina hain... kisi cheez mein ek doosre se kam zyada nahi ho sakte... yeh barabar hi rahenge... na koi unees na bees... jab inke naam hi alag nahi hain toh haar jeet kaise kisi ek ki hogi." Sonali chirped happily.

"Samaina?" Vishakha looked at Sonali with a pleasant smile.

"Jee aunty, maine inka naam rakha hai... mujhe lagta hai inke liye perfect hai... humne inhe teen saal dekha hai college mein... ek doosre ke liye hi har saans lete hain, ek doosre ke liye har kaam karte hain, khud ki takleef se pehle doosre ka dard mehsoos karte hain, agar ek saamne na ho toh doosra bhi kho jaata hai... inka pyar alag hai, itna pyar ki khud ko bhool gaye hain dono aur ek doosre jaise ho gaye hain... isliye maine inko yeh naam diya hai." Sonali replied,  looking at her friends with love.

Vishakha wiped a lone tear that escaped her eyes, "Mere bachhon ko itne pyare dost mile hain... Munna Pandit toh the hi, ab tum log bhi aise hi ho... ek parivaar jaise."

Sameer looked at all his friends, who were happy for him and Naina. His eyes stopped at Pandit... sitting on a chair in the corner of the room, he was clutching a cushion, lost somewhere. Sameer felt he was sad about Preeti, but saw a brightness in his eyes, a hint of smile on his lips. He glanced at Munna, who was watching this observation. Sameer raised his brows in question. Munna dipped his head slightly to the side, blinking once. Sameer could not believe... his face lit up with a wide smile. He wanted to run up to Pandit and hug him.

As he stood up in urgency, the sword he had kept to the side, slipped from the sofa. Naina held it before it hit the ground.

"Lagta hai Sameer ka ab aur baithne ka mood nahi hai... jaldi hai usse kamre mein jaane ki." Rahul said with a mischievous smile.

"Arre, aise kaise? Hamara toh aaj poori raat baith ke gappe marne ka plan hai... kal subah hum log chale jayenge... kam se kam aaj sab mil ke poori raat baatein karte hain." Bhabhi plopped on a sofa.

Naina lowered her head, biting her lip in mortification... Sameer looked around blushing as everyone chuckled.

"Main woh... Pandit... uss se baat karni thi." He stuttered.

"Haan, haan, kar lena baat Pandit se... kal subah... ab bohot der ho chuki hai... chalo sab log thoda aaram kar lete hain... raat kaafi ho gayi hai." Vishakha smiled at her son before turning to others.

"Aap theek keh rahi hain... chalo bachhon, aap log bhi ab rest karlo." Rahul's mother agreed, standing up along with her husband.

"Sonali, beta aap dono Naina ko uske kamre tak chod do." Vishakha looked at Sonali and bhabhi.

They quickly came towards Naina.

As she stood up, the sword which was kept on the sofa got tangled with her leg... and Naina slipped.

She held on to Sameer's arm, saving herself from a fall. His hand instinctively came around her, for support.

"Kya hua, beta? Lagi toh nahin tumhe?" Vishakha came rushing to her.

"Nahi, bas woh pair zara mud gaya... main theek hun." She tried to stand straight... and winced in pain.

"Tum baitho, main dekhti hun." Vishakha made her sit back.

"Naina, chot lagi kya? Dikhao... doctor ko bula dun? Bohot dukh raha hai kya?" Sameer sat next to her, his brows creased in tension.

"Kuch nahi hua, Sameer... bas zara jhatka laga aur pair mud gaya... aur kuch nahi hai." She tried to assure him.

But he could see the pain reflecting in her eyes.

Vishakha looked at her foot. There was no visible injury... at least not visible amidst the intricate pattern of mehendi... there was no swelling either.

"Khade hone ki koshish karo, Naina." Bhabhi held her one hand.

She stood up, her weight on one foot... the moment she tried to put weight on the other one, her hand again went to clutch Sameer, a sigh of pain escaping her lips. It appeared that she had twisted her foot.

"Shayad pair mein moch aa gayi hai... Sameer, tum isse kamre tak le jao, main balm bhijwati hun... thoda laga lena pair pe, aaram milega." Vishakha turned and indicated to Ramdhari to get the balm.

Sameer picked up Naina, and started to go to the room... his face taut with worry. Her hand went around his shoulder, one palm resting on the chest. She could feel his fastened heartbeat.

"Tumhe bohot takleef ho rahi hai?" He asked her softly as they almost reached the room.

She looked up at him... and her face eased into a smile... then her eyes shone up with a glint that shocked him.

And she winked.

He almost dropped her... eyes going wide in wonder.

"Tum... tum..." He managed to utter.

"Shh." She winked again.

"Sameer, Naina ko yeh balm laga dena." Sonali got a small bottle that Naina took from her.

She looked at Sonali... a faint smile touched the corner of her lips... and she dipped her head very lightly to the side.

Naina took a deep breath, clutching Sameer's shoulder.

He didn't notice the exchange between the two of them.

They entered the room... with her in his arms...

"Ab neeche utar sakte ho." She said in a soft voice.

"Naina, yeh... yeh kya tha? Tumhe chot nahi lagi? Fir yeh sab... " He blurted out the questions simmering in his mind, not making any move to put her down.

Her brown eyes reflected his face, "Tumhara sapna tha na... aise mujhe apni baahon mein kamre tak laana... woh poora bhi toh karna tha."

His eyes widened, "Uske liye... tumne yeh sab natak... "

And the wonder in his eyes was replaced with admiration, "Oh jaan, main toh soch raha tha sabke saamne yeh kabhi nahi ho payega... lekin tumne... tum sabse alag ho... meri Naina."

He leaned... she placed her fingers on his mouth, shaking her head. He frowned.

"Pehle mujhe dekhne toh do hamara kamra kitna khoobsurat lag raha hai." She turned to look at the room.

He placed her down gently, wrapping his arms around her from behind, "Maine poori koshish ki hai isse waisa sajane ki jaisa hum dono ne socha tha... kaisa laga tumhe?"

Her eyes scanned the room.

The fragrance that had hit her the moment they entered had given her the indication of what to expect... but the reality was breathtaking... much more beautiful than any dream she had ever had.

The entire room was covered with strings of white flowers from ceiling till the floor... even the blue white curtains had flowers on them... the bed had a canopy of floral strings, covering it completely not only on the top but on all four sides... their picture on the wall behind had fairy lights going all around it, making their faces glow as they looked at each other in the picture... the bedside tables, and all other surfaces had long vases, with fresh, red blooms of roses placed in each one of them... even the doors, to the balcony, bathroom and inside of the entrance door were lined with white flowers.

The long table against the wall that had a book rack was covered with white flowers too, and in the center was the name in red petals 'Samaina'... Sameer was himself amazed, he had not asked for this. But he liked it... the feel of their names together...

Suddenly, he frowned.

The huge table fan next to the balcony door was still there... in fact, there was another one with it now.

"Yeh Munna bhi kisi kaam ka nahi hai... maine usse kaha tha yeh table fan hatwa de yahan se... par usne toh dekha tak nahi ki koi ek aur laake rakh gaya hai yahan... main abhi bol ke aata hun inhe hatane ko." He turned to open the door.

"Sameer." Naina stopped him, "Ab rehne do, sab log aaram karne chale gaye honge... achha nahi lagega... kal hatwa dena."

"Lekin Naina, main nahi chahta yeh yahan rahein... aankhon mein chubh rahe hain." He gave an irritated look to the huge fans.

"Koi baat nahi, iss samay kisi ka darwaza khatkhatana sahi nahi hoga." She calmed him.

He sighed... and moved to take her in his arms when a knock at the door startled both of them.

Naina moved away from the direct view. Sameer opened it a bit to see Rahul standing with a troubled expression on his face.

"Rahul? Kya hua?" He opened the door a little more.

"Sorry Sameer, tujhe iss waqt disturb nahi karna chahta tha par baat hi aisi hai... kya tu do minute ke liye bahar aa sakta hai?" Rahul said with a strange expression.

Sameer looked at Naina, she nodded... and he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

"Kya baat hai, Rahul? Sab theek hai na?" He was worried to see his friend tensed.

"Yaar Sameer, hum logon ko abhi nikalna padega Mumbai ke liye." He said in an apologetic voice.

Sameer was taken aback, "Abhi? Itni raat ko? Kyon? Tum log toh kal jaane wale the na? Kuch hua hai kya?"

Rahul wrenched his fingers, "Woh papa ko achanak kuch zaroori kaam aa gaya hai... hum logon ko bhi saath chalne ko keh rahe hain... isliye bhabhi ne kaha woh bhi abhi hi chal padengi."

"Lekin kal toh Naina ki pehli rasoi hai... koi hoga nahi toh usse... " Sameer was disappointed.

Naina had told him how excited she was to cook for all of them in her first meal at home.

"Tu aise dukhi mat ho yaar, chahte toh hum bhi nahi the par kya karein... papa ko kaam hai." Rahul was sad too.

Sameer looked around, "Lekin uncle hain kahan?"

"Papa mummy packing kar rahe hain... mujhe bola tujhse baat karne ko... Vishakha aunty so gayi hain... Munna Pandit ko bata diya hai maine... lekin tujhse mile bina nahi jaana chahta tha isliye distrub kiya." Rahul said in a dejected voice.

Sameer's face fell. He had started considering all of them as the family that he never had... not seeing them in the house next day would disappoint Naina too.

"Please Rahul, kya ek din ke liye nahi ruk sakte? Bas aadha din bhi chalega... tum log kal subah chale jaana... tu kahe toh main uncle se baat kar leta hun." Sameer asked desperately.

Rahul pondered for a while, then sighed, "Chal theek hai, main papa ko samjha deta hun... raat ko jaana waise bhi safe nahi hota... theek hai... hum kal chale jayenge... Naina ki rasoi ki rasm ke baad."

Sameer quickly hugged him, elated at his decision, "Thank you bhai."

"Chal ab mujhe chod aur jaake apni biwi ko gale laga." Rahul patted his back.

Sameer grinned, and went back to his room.

Rahul turned... Sonali stood in the pasaage... waiting for him.

😂😂 Sorry, the first line was a joke. Of course I'll give an evening update today. I know how eager you all would be...