Morning light filtered through the cracks in curtains, lending a golden glow to the room. Naina stirred in bed, patting the side where Sana slept. Her hand landed on empty space. A knowing smile spread on her face. She turned to the other side.

Sana was sleeping cosily between her and Sameer, her small arm around his neck. Sameer's palm rested on her back.

It had become a routine for her now. If Naina tried to make her sleep between them at night she would adamantly refuse, jumping to her own bed, with the soft rabbit toy in tow. But every morning, she woke up with them. Naina had seen her a few times, crawling groggily up to the foot of the bed and coming to settle down in the center.

Getting on her elbow, she leaned to kiss her daughter on the head. Same moment, Sameer turned to his side... and their position changed. Her lips brushed against his, instead of touching her daughter.

His eyes shot open. Seeing her face so close, he craned his neck and pecked her on the mouth... his lips stretching into a mischievous smile at her bewildered expression.

"Aaj kitne dino baad meri jaan ne aise pyar se uthaya hai mujhe. Madam, kuch khaas baat hai kya?" He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

The streak of colour crept up her neck, "Main Sana ko kiss kar rahi thi.. tum... tumne karwat le li toh..."

"Toh?" He arched one brow.

"Toh kya... itne saal ho gaye par tumhara yeh 'toh' khatam nahi hua. Pata nahi kya puchte rehte ho saara time." The streak spanned across her face and she tried to sit up.

His free hand pressed her arm to make her stay in the same position.

"Itne saal ho gaye par tumhara yeh har baar mere kareeb aane pe laal ho jaana bhi toh khatam nahi hua, jaan." His rough voice sounded more husky when he lowered it, like now.

His half open eyes, gruff voice, dark shadow on the jaw, warm fragrance... her heartbeat quickened. Involuntarily, her fingers stroked his prickly stubble.

He held her hand, keeping it firmly on his jaw, "Sirf ungliyon se nahi chalega. Thoda aur."

He eyed her lips. She bit the lower one.

"Chaar." He groaned.

"Chaar? Kya chaar?" Her eyes crinkled.

He let out a long exhale, glancing down at the little girl sleeping between them, then looked up at her lips, "Manaa hai na aise karna... ab tum Sana ke saamne karti ho toh main tumhe iski sazaa bhi nahi de paata. Isliye list bana raha hun... jab mauka milega toh saare pichle hisaab poore karunga. Aaj ka milake chaar baar ho gaya."

She chuckled, "Kitne din se ginti kar rahe ho?"

"Kal shaam se... usse pehle ka hisaab toh kal subah vasool kar liya tha... bhool gayi kya?" His one brow rose up, along with an impish smirk.

"Chup raho. Zara bhi sharm nahi aati tumhe." Her cheeks burned at the memory of previous day.

Their were some new blooms in the garden and Sana had been ecstatic to see when Ramdhari mentioned them. He took her out, and both of them got busy playing on the new swing that Sameer had put up in the garden. Making use of the opportunity, Sameer had followed her in the bathroom, brushing aside her protests.

"Kal ko yaad kar rahi ho? Ramdhari ko bolun Sana ko jhoole pe le jaane ke liye?" He narrowed his eyes, leaning ahead to whisper close to her face.

Her mouth opened to speak but she stopped, as Sana threw her legs to straighten herself, making Sameer move back a little.

They looked at their daughter. She squeezed her eyes tight, twisted herself in different directions... and opened her eyes slowly.

"Gumoning Mumma." She turned to Naina, throwing her arms around her after climbing on her stomach, and rested her head under Naina's chin.

"Good morning, meri doll." Naina nuzzled her nose on her head after kissing over it.

Sameer made a sad face, "Mujhe kisi ne good morning bola hi nahi."

Sana turned to look at him, and gave a naughty smile, "Pele mumma ko kissi."

Naina gave him a smug smile as Sana gave a hard kiss on both her cheeks, then offered hers for the same.

"Ab papa ki turn." She jumped on his stomach, giving him a kiss on each cheek.

He grinned, holding her arms, "Aur bonus?"

She placed a small hand on his chin, turning his face to both sides, then beamed before bending down to give one more round of kisses.

"Ye galat baat hai, Sana. Papa ko double kyon?" Naina frowned.

Sana caught her hand and brought it to Sameer's cheek, rubbing her fingers over it, "Nice hai na? Papa ne bola woh mere liye two days mein bas ek baar shave karenge. Isliye two days mein ek baar unko double kissi."

Naina narrowed her eyes at her husband. He had said the same thing to her. He was quick to hold one ear, pressing his lower lip under the top one innocently. Her face showed a hint of smile.

"Teen." She held up three fingers, making his eyes widen as he realised the meaning of her word, and pressed the lip harder under his teeth.

"Sana, aaj bhi aapko jhoole pe khelna hai?" He asked his daughter in a loving voice, giving a side glance to Naina.

Sana shook her head vigorously, "Aaj nai. Mumma aaj new shchool mein leke jayengj mujhe."

She rolled off his stomach and stood on the bed in front of Naina, "Mumma, mujhe ready kara do. New shchool jaana hai."

"Ok beta, aaj hum pakka jayenge." Naina nodded, elated at her enthusiasm.

Sameer sat up anxiously, "Naina, abhi se kyon? Sana ko paanch saal ki toh hone do."

Naina gave him a resigned look, "Ab fir se behes nahi, Sameer. Paanch saal ke baad Sana ka normal school mein admission hoga. Yeh play school hai. Sadhe teen saal ki ho chuki hai hamari beti, ab play school mein daalne se iski mental development achhi tarah hogi. Aur aadat bhi padegi hamare bina rehne ki. Play school sirf teen ghante ka hai... dus se ek. Wahan se wapas office le aayenge."

Sameer wrinkled his nose, "Yaar Naina, iska dimag toh pehle hi tum pe gaya hai, aur kitna tez karogi? Aur rahi aadat ki baat... woh toh Tara aunty ke saath rehti hai na... aadat hai isse hamare bina rehne ki."

Naina took a deep breath. It had been an unending debate for last six months, ever since she mentioned after her third birthday that they should put Sana in a play school. In office, Sameer went to see her every hour, on the pretext of checking. When Naina objected, that other kids would feel the need to see their parents as well, he stopped going in... but stood at the window and admired his daughter.

Sana hopped on the bed to stand in front of him, hands on waist, "Papa, mujhe jaana hai play shchool. Pata hai, Rusha bhi jaati hai. Wahan itne saare toys hote hain. Itna mazaa aata hai. Cheeku ke papa keh rahe the woh bhi jayega thode din mein."

Sameer dragged her to himself, "Doll, tumhe jitne toys chahiye papa leke denge. Jab tum five years ki hogi tab se toh roz school jaana hi padega... seventeen years ke hone tak. Abhi se kyon start karna hai? Papa ko apni doll ko apne paas rakhna hai... main kahin nahi jaane dunga."

Sana slapped her forehead... his eyes fondly gazed from her to Naina, and back to her. Sana was so much like Naina in everything.

"Kitne buddhu ho aap, papa." She poked his forehead with her fingertips.

He pursed his lips, looking at the tiny version of his wife... who was equally amused at the way the little girl dealt with Sameer, as if he was even smaller than her.

"Dekho, sab bachhon ko pehle play shchool jaana padta hai... uske baad big wale shchool jaate hain. Jaise main pehle baby thi... uss picture jitni... ab big hui na?" She explained with her index finger pointing at the big photograph behind their bed, and her head nodding at him.

They had put up a picture of three of them from Sana's first birthday party. In a pretty, frilly pink frock, she sat between them, grinning at the camera.

"Ab aapko samajh aaya na?" She dipped her head to the side when he looked back at her from the picture.

"Lekin papa tumhe miss karenge." He pouted, aware of the fact that he stood no chance now that Sana and Naina had joined hands on this.

"Toh aap mumma ko kissi kar dena. Mumma toh aapke paas hi hongi na. Unka shchool thodi hai." She flashed a toothy smile.

He let out an exhale, "Ok baby. Tumne kaha hai toh manna hi padega. Jab tumhari yaad aayegi mumma ko kissi kar dunga."

Naina narrowed her eyes at him. He winked back in return, puckering his lips... after taking Sana in a hug so that she didn't see the exchange.

His heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach when Sana waved a goodbye to them in school, holding the hand of her teacher who was taking her away to the new classroom. One glance at Naina confirmed she was feeling the same... seeing their daughter hopping away from them for the first time.

"Sana, ek minute baby." He hollered, pushing his chair back to run to her.

"Kya hua, papa?" The little girl stared at him with her big brown eyes.

"Mumma ko theek se bye nahi bola tumne. Dekho woh sad ho gayi." He scooped her up in his arms and walked back to Naina.

Sana stuck out a tongue and held one ear. Naina got up and came around the chair, a warm smile on her face at her gesture.

"Ek kissi aapke liye... aur ek papa ke liye." Sana gave one kiss to each of them, and dipped her head to the side, "Ab happy?"

Nodding, Sameer put her down. She held the finger of her new teacher and went out of the room, talking animatedly to her about the playroom in office.

Sameer looped an arm around Naina's shoulder, pursing his lips... his own heart feeling heavy.

The lady sitting in front of them smiled after they sat down, "Sab parents ko aisa hi feel hota hai first time. Ek mahine mein aapko bhi aadat ho jayegi aur aapki beti ko bhi. Waise woh abhi se hi kaafi khush lag rahi hai. Kuch bachhe itna rote hain pehle ek do hafte. Aapki beti itni pyari si bye bolke maze se chali gayi."

Sameer glanced at Naina, "Woh apni mummy pe gayi hai. Padhne ka zyada hi shouk hai."

The lady laughed aloud, while Naina glared at him, before letting a smile spread on her face.

"Aap aaram se office jaiye. Ek baje issi driver ko bhejiye jiski photo aapne yahan register ki hai... hum Sana ko uske saath bhej denge. Lekin aap dono aur iss driver ke alava hum aur kisi ke saath nahi jaane denge bachhe ko... unki safety ki zimmedari hamari hai jab tak woh school mein hai." She explained.

Sameer was somewhat relieved at the measures being taken by the school regarding safety issues. After completing all formalities, they came out.

"Naina, mujhe abhi se Sana ki yaad aa rahi hai." Sameer lowered his head sadly once they were inside the car.

Naina placed a hand on his arm, speaking softly, "Bas teen ghante ki baat hai, Sameer. Lunch tak wapas aa jayegi. Manohar bhaiya ko maine yahan ka address pehle hi de diya tha."

He raised his eyes tentatively, "Sana ne kaha tha usse miss karun toh..."

Naina glared at him again.

Their new car had tinted glasses. It was an added benefit for him, giving the privacy even during daytime.

"Yeh gussa dikhane se main tumhari baat manne wala nahi hun. Sana ne kaha tha mumma ko kissi karna jab uski yaad aaye... abhi mujhe aa rahi hai uski yaad." He shrugged.

Without giving her a chance to reply he turned, and pulled her closer by wounding one arm around her waist.

"Sameer yahan..." She was shocked, looking around in panic.

"Isiliye car ke glass pe film lagwayi hai, jaan. Bahar walon ko dikhega tak nahi ki andar koi hai bhi." He gave a mischievous smile cupping her face with one hand.

Her brows furrowed. The car was parked on the roadside... there weren't any pedestrians but every now and then a car or bus crossed them.

"Dekho Sameer. Tum ghar jaake ek nahi do kiss le lena par yahan... ho sakta hai bahar se dikhta ho... tumhe kya pata tum toh andar ho." She struggled but his hold was firm.

"Theek hai, ghar ke do ghar jaake lekin Sana ne jo kaha tha..." His thumb pressed the creamy soft skin of her cheek.

She opened her mouth to protest but her words were lost in the kiss that couldn't wait any more. Her hand clutched his shirt, and her head tilted to the side. She never stood a chance whenever his lips touched her, melting instantly under his soft ministrations.

The kiss would have been much longer had the phone in his pocket didn't start to ring.

"Yeh mobile phone bhi musibat hai. Jab marzi bajne lagta hai. Kyon liya hai maine pata nahi." Muttering under his breath, he fumbled to fish out the phone from his jacket, running one hand through his hair.

"Hello." His irritated voice was enough to convey how he felt.

"Hmm. Aa rahe hain. Abhi time hai." He snapped before ending the call.

Naina raised her brows in question.

"Woh jo tumne nayi secretary rakhi hai... yaad dila rahi thi ki barah baje meeting hai." He quickly put the phone and lunged for her.

"Ho gaya na ek kiss. Ab chalo. Maine hi kaha hai usse ki har meeting ka reminder de de, do ghante pehle. Aur iss mobile ko gaaliyaan mat do. Jab door hote ho toh kam se kam baat ho sakti hai tumse." She leaned back in her seat, placing a hand on his chest to stall him.

"Main isliye tumse door hona hi nahi chahta. Aur tum kam se kam pe mat ruko... zyada se zyada wala jo chahiye woh bolo na." He winked.

"Sameer, chaloge ya Sana ka school khatam hone tak yahin rukna hai?" She put one hand on his face and turned it towards the road.

"Waise idea bura nahi hai. Teen ghante romance karne ka chance milega." He again looked at her with hopeful eyes, covering her hand on his cheek with his big palm.

"Tum kabhi nahi sudhar sakte! Chalo warna fir se phone aa jayega." She slipped her hand out of his hold, smiling at his habit of sneaking moments for them.

"Pata nahi mujh jaise handsome aur romantic pati ke saamne hote hue yeh har waqt kaam ke baare mein kyon sochti hai... bhagwanji, thoda sa toh romance meri biwi ko bhi de dete." He shook his head in resignation, starting the car.

Naina looked away, a faint blush creeping up her face as she thought about his reaction to her weekend plan.

Next update tomorrow evening