"Kya baat hai, Pandit... tu bada tez nikla... itni speed toh maine bhi nahi pakdi." Sameer was clearly impressed.

"Aur maine bhi nahi." Munna chipped in.

Pandit gave him a weary look, "Tu rehne de... school jaana shuru kiya tabse chalu hua tha... aur ab tak kahin nahi pohocha... abe teri speed ko toh bailgadi bhi peeche chod de."

Munna lunged at Pandit, irritated. Sameer held him with his arms around his midrif.

"Sameer, chod mujhe... jumma jumma chaar din ki aashiqui hai aur bade miyaan banne chala hai... arre kuch seekh mujhse... kaise dheere dheere maine Swati ko aisa taiyar kiya hai ki main jab jo kehta hun woh maan jaati hai... majaal hai kisi baat ko na bole." Munna boasted.

"Haan toh Preeti kaunsa mujhe manaa karti hai, bas ek ishara karne ki der hai, jhat se har baat ke liye haan bol deti hai... maine agar yeh kaam ek hafte mein kar liya toh zyada smart kaun hua?" Pandit flicked his collars.

Naina cleared her throat.

Munna Pandit suddenly realised her presence... sheepishly looking at each other.

"Bas yaad dilana tha ki jinki tum dono tareef kar rahe ho, ek meri behen hai aur ek... behen jaisi dost." She crossed her arms, giving them a hard look.

They looked at Sameer, together. He shrugged, shoving his hands in pockets. They shuffled their feet nervously.

She looked from one to another, uneasiness, and guilt, clearly written on their faces.

Not able to hold the facade any longer, she burst out... breaking into peals of laughter.

Munna Pandit were definitely dumbfounded, but Sameer was taken aback as well. He had actually thought Naina had taken offence to their talks.

"Naina, tum... tum gussa nahi ho?" He asked in a soft voice, treading cautiously.

She clutched her stomach, holding out her palm to him, spurts of laughter still erupting though she tried hard to control.

"Main... gussa... gussa kyon hongi?" She managed to speak.

Munna Pandit stood dazed, their jaws hanging. They had never seen her laugh like this.

"Woh... inn dono ne jo bola... matlab inka iraada koi burai karne ka nahi tha... bas woh bata rahe the ki... " Sameer tried to cover up for his friends.

She walked up to the two boys who were standing like statues.

"Daro nahi, main gussa wussa kuch nahi hun... bas thoda mazak kar rahi thi... utna toh haq banta hai na?Akhir devar ho tum mere." She smiled warmly at them.

They nodded together.

"Toh fir muh band kar lo... warna makhhi ghus jayegi." She said with a smirk.

They quickly closed their mouths shut.

Her gaze turned soft, "Tum dono Sameer ke dost nahi bhai ho... jaise chaho usse baatein kar sakte ho... jab chaho yahan aa sakte ho... jab marzi yahan reh sakte ho... yeh ghar mujhse kahin zyada tumhara hai..."

"Nahi bhabhi." Munna interrupted.

"Sach keh rahi hun... tum tabse iss ghar mein Sameer ko apnepan ka ahsaas dila rahe ho jab usne mujhe apni zindagi mein shaamil tak nahi kiya tha... tumhara saath bohot pehle se hai... maine school mein dekha tha, tum teeno kaise ek doosre ke liye jaan chidakte the... nanu ke jaane ke baad yeh rishta aur bhi mazboot ho gaya... ab mere aane se yeh badal gaya toh mujhe lagega jaise maine Sameer se kuch cheen liya hai... aur main usse kabhi kuch cheenna toh bilkul nahi chahungi... woh bhi, jo uske liye sabse keemti ho." She looked at Sameer.

His eyes filled up with appreciation at her understanding.

"Ab tum log baatein karo... main kitchen mein jaa rahi hun... aur khana hum sab saath hi khayenge." She smiled at the two goofy boys who would be her jijaji soon.

"Yaar Sameer, bhabhi toh kamaal hai... school mein hum kabhi soch bhi nahi sakte the yeh aisi acting kar sakti hai." Pandit exclaimed, after she had left the room.

"Haan, Naina waqai kamaal hai... main toh college mein bhi nahi soch sakta tha woh kya kya kar sakti hai... ab jaake pata chala... aur aage bhi pata nahi kya kya pata chalega." Sameer stared at the door through which she had gone, speaking in a fascinated voice, reminiscing about the previous week.

Munna Pandit looked at each other, a knowing smile spreading on their faces.

"Achha zara ek do kamaal humein bhi bata de." Munna placed his elbow on Sameer's shoulder, speaking in a serious tone.

Pandit's chuckle brought him out of the trance. He glanced at the two of them, flustered at their teasing.

And then began the chase.

Following them around the room, running after them as they circled around the table, he gritted his teeth when both of them dodged him.

He jumped on the sofa, lurching at Munna who was behind it, fuming, "Saalon, abhi batata hun tumhe... maine poocha hai tumse kabhi?"

"Arre par hum thodi gaye hain honeymoon pe." Munna sniggered, managing to stay out of his grasp.

"Achha, jab jaoge toh bataoge?" He scowled.

Munna rolled his eyes.

"Maine kuch nahi bola yaar, main toh na pooch raha hun na bata raha hun... mujhe aise hi dauda rahe ho tum log... bhai Sameer, tu aur main toh ab sach mein ek parivaar hain na... dekh, teri biwi aur meri biwi... matlab hone wali... dono behne hain, toh hum bhi hue na ek hi family ke." Pandit explained his logic to Sameer when his blazing eyes landed on him.

"Baat toh Pandit theek keh raha hai, Munna." He agreed.

"Abe saale, uski abhi shaadi hui bhi nahi hai... aur woh teri family ban gaya... main toh pehle se hi tera bhai hun." Munna sneered at him, reminding that his mother was second cousin of Vishakha.

Sameer gave a frustrated look to Pandit, stomping his feet.

"Yaar, mujhe uljhao mat... tum dono mere bhai ho bas... baaki yeh sab mat shuru karo." He slumped on the sofa.

Munna and Pandit looked at each other, and started to laugh.

"Kya yaar Sameer, tu toh shaadi karte hi dimag se paidal ho gaya... bhai, hum bas teri taang kheench rahe the." Munna sat next to him.

Pandit plonked on his other side, "Achha ek baat bata, yeh jo bhabhi ne kaha... ki hum kabhi bhi aa sakte hain, kha sakte hain... yeh sahi hai? Matlab kya pehle ki tarah... yaani koi rok tok nahi?"

Sameer smiled, placing one arm each on their shoulders, "Naina ne jo kaha woh bilkul sach hai... sab kuch kar sakte ho... pehle ki tarah... yaar ho tum dono mere... tumhe kis baat ki rok tok?"

Munna Pandit grinned.

"Sivay ek baat ke." Sameer removed his arms, getting up.

They looked at him, the grin turning into confusion.

"Kamra tumhe doosra lena hoga... kyonki mere kamre mein toh Naina hi rahegi." He linked his fingers in front of his chest, cracking them.

"Itna pata hai humein, bhai... tere kamre pe ab sirf bhabhi ka haq hai." Pandit jumped up, coming to stand near him.

Laughing, he engulfed Sameer in a hug. Munna quickly joined them... the three of them having a contented expression on their faces.

Naina was pleased to see the food prepared by Ramdhari. He had made jeera alu, bhindi and dal palak.

"Bhabhi, hum garam garam roti bana dete hain... aap baithiye." He quickly started to make the arrangements.

"Roti main bana deti hun... aapne pehle hi itna sab banaya hai." She started to tie her hair in a bun.

"Nahi bhabhi, aap safar se thak kar aayi hongi... aaj nahi... waise yeh roz ke kaam aap humein hi karne do... aap kuch khaas banana chahein toh aapki marzi... lekin kam se kam aaj toh aaram kijiye." He blocked her way.

Naina was touched by his concern and warmth, accepting his request. Though he was a servant, she had seen nanu give him the same affection given to a family member. He had told him that Ramdhari belonged to a very poor family from their village. He had his old mother staying with an elder brother and his family in the village. Since there was hardly any opportunity to earn money there, nanu had brought Ramdhari with him when he had finished class X. Since then, he took care of the house, and nanu. When Sameer started to live with them, he treated him like his own brother, never feeling bad about his behaviour tantrums. Though Sameer was a few years younger to him, he always called him 'bhaiya'. Nanu had told her that he trusted Ramdhari and munshiji more than his own life. She had decided to give them the same respect.

Placing the dishes of dal and vegetables on the table, she called out to the boys who were laughing and enjoying.

Ramdhari came out with the plates and bowl and started to set the table. Naina went back to kitchen to get other things.

Munna Pandit settled at the table, talking to Ramdhari. Sameer quietly sneaked in to the kitchen. With her back to the door, Naina was arranging salad in a plate.

She jerked up as his hands went around her waist, his lips landed on the base of her neck, his body pressed into her from behind.

"Kitni der se door ho, meri jaan... main kitna miss kar raha hun tumhe." He mumbled as his lips skimmed her neck, going up to the ear.

She was pliable to his touch instantly, resting her head back on his shoulder, giving him more access.

He planted several kisses on the neck and side of her face before turning her, ready to taste the plump lips.

"Bas, aur kuch nahi." She bent back, "Abhi ghar pe hum akele nahi hain... chalo bahar jao... khana lag gaya hai... Ramdhari bhaiya aate hi honge."

He puckered his lips. She placed a quick peck before pushing him away.

Munna Pandit had seen him stealthily enter the kitchen. They kept Ramdhari busy, asking unnecessary questions about the food... keeping him from going back.

"Arre bhaiya, aap khaiye na... hum abhi roti laate hain." He started to turn when Munna again stopped him.

"Yeh toh bata, iss palak wali dal mein tadka kis cheez ka lagta hai?" Pandit asked with a serious expression, mixing the dal with spoon.

Ramdhari looked at him in wonder, "Aapko khana banane ka bhi shouk hai? Humein laga sirf khane ka hi hai. Ismein lehsun ka tadka lagta hai."

Pandit clapped his hand, "Dekha Munna, aur tu keh raha tha alu ka lagta hai."

Munna wrinkled his nose at him, "Toh tujhe kaunsa pata tha... tune bhi kaha tha matar ka tadka lagta hai."

Ramdhari stared from one to another, realizing that they indeed had no idea about anything when it came to food, except eating.

They saw Sameer walk out, running his fingers through the hair.

"Ab kya sikhayega humein ki dal kaise banate hain? Chal, jaldi se roti leke aa." Munna glared at the servant, leaving him more puzzled.

He walked back, wondering what was wrong with the two of them.

"Arre, tum dono ne abhi tak khana shuru nahi kiya?" Sameer settled in his seat.

"Kaise karte? Hum toh apni duty kar rahe the... Ramdhari ko kitchen se bahar rakhne ki... jisse tujhe koi disturb na kare." Munna winked at him.

Sameer looked up sharply at him. He didn't know his friends had caught his act. Blushing, he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Main woh... bas main dekhne gaya tha... ki sab theek se ban gaya na." He flicked his tongue over his lips.

"Ab humare saamne aise dulhan ki tarah mat sharma... tu achhi tarah se dekh liya kar kya chal raha hai kitchen mein... sab theek hai ki nahi... aaram se, shanti se check kar liya kar... humein koi jaldi nahi hai." Munna patted his leg.

"Haan, haan... kitchen mein hi kya, tu saara ghar check kar le... kamra, library, bathroom, store, guest room, chat... hum kyon kuch kahenge... tera apna ghar hai." Pandit stuffed his mouth, speaking nonchalantly.

Blushing even more, Sameer started to put food in his plate, as Munna Pandit smirked at his condition.

"Naina bhabhi, aap bhi baithiye... hum roti pakda denge." Ramdhari took the plate of salad from her.

She came out to see Sameer sitting with food in his plate while the other two were busy eating.

"Sameer, tum kha kyon nahi rahe? Kuch aur chahiye kya?" She gave him a worried look.

"Kuch nahi chahiye, bhabhi, bas aap baith jao iske saath... tabhi khaya jayega isse." Munna pulled back the chair next to Sameer.

She sat down, smiling at him. As she extended her hand to take a plate, Sameer held it, shaking his head. He pushed his plate towards her, placing it between them. She crinkled her eyes, flicking them towards the other two. He blinked, assuring her that it was okay.

Breaking a piece from his plate, she added vegetable and dal to it, and raised it towards his mouth. He gave a lopsided smile, leaned and took the piece, lingering his lips on her fingertips. She quickly pulled her hand back. Feeding each other, they finished dinner, amidst teasing from their friends. Naina felt a little conscious, but Sameer had recovered by now. He did not shy away from kissing her hand when she fed him the last bite.

"Sameer." She hissed, gesturing towards his friends.

"Hamari chinta mat karo, bhabhi... humne kuch nahi dekha." Munna kept his eyes on his plate, eating last few bites.

She turned crimson.

Even though Sameer insisted, they didn't agree to stay for the night, preparing to leave after dinner.

"Milte hain na baad mein... woh kya hai, abhi iss Pandat ko do ghante phone pe baat karni hoti hai." Munna eyed Pandit as they stood at the door.

He flared his nostrils, "Tujhe bhi toh karni hai... apna kyon nahi batata."

Laughing, Sameer pushed both of them out, "Jao, jaake apne apne phone ka bill badhao."

Closing the door, he turned to see Naina standing near the chair.

Before he could move, Ramdhari came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands.

"Bhabhi, humne kitchen ka sab nibta diya hai... ab hum chalte hain... kal subah aa jayenge jaldi." He smiled at Naina.

"Nahi, jaldi mat aana." Sameer blurted.

"Kyon bhaiya? Aap toh ab jaldi uth jaate hain na... aur chai chahiye hoti hai... humein toh aana hi padega." He stared at Sameer.

"Nahi, matlab... kal der se uthunga, woh aaj bohot thak gaye na... safar lamba tha... isliye." Sameer tried to give an excuse.

"Aur chai main bana lungi jab Sameer uthega... dekhiye, ab mehendi bhi nahi hai... kam se kam chai toh bana sakti hun na." Naina quickly chipped in, holding out her hands for him to see.

He pondered for a while... then agreed reluctantly.

Sameer again closed the door after him, bolting it this time.

He slowly turned.

Finally, they were alone.

She could see his eyes shining with a mischievous glint.

With a grin, she ran back to the room, with him sprinting after her.

Next update tomorrow morning