Sameer checked up with the caterer to know if the food he had ordered would be delivered on time. Ramdhari brought all the necessary things for prepping up the house for evening party. Initially, Naina was apprehensive about not doing the cooking at home. Sameer convinced her that the caterer was very good and nanu always used his services whenever he called anyone over.

Along with Ramdhari, they put up the huge banner of 'CONGRATULATIONS'... after all, the entire gang had successfully achieved a degree today.

Keeping in mind the classy taste of Naina, Sameer had ordered just a few things, but all were exquisite. Tall vases of long stemmed white flowers were placed in all corners, with broad, ones for rose blooms on side tables. Bowls of fragrant, floating candles, along with jasmine flowers were placed around the room filling it up with an aromatic redolence. Strings of fairy lights strewn all around on plants and decorative pieces made the room more captivating.

Naina changed the table covers and cushions to bright, happy colours. They even decided to use a dinner set which had all pieces in hues of different colours. It was a special gift to  nanu from one production unit in outskirts of Ahmedabad that was just starting up a business. Nanu had helped them procure a huge order from a popular hotel and they had presented him with their unique design set which was the most beautiful set of china Naina had ever seen.

By evening, food had arrived, They together arranged the table, filling it up with dishes of everyone's choice.

Once that was done, Sameer got dressed for the evening while Naina cleaned up the room.

"Tum taiyar ho jao, main zara ek baar dekh aata hun Ramdhari ne sab theek se laga diya ya nahi." He patted his hair in place before leaving, looking dashing in a deep green shirt with jeans.

She quickly got dressed...in a white suit with intricate embroidery, silver dangling earrings and silver bangles. After setting her hair in soft curls at the end, she was ready.

When he entered the room a little later, he stalled at the door.

Dressed like an angel, she looked ethereal. His eyes roamed over her from top to bottom, and back to top.

"Kaisi lag rahi hun?" She asked softly, though the answer was evident in his eyes.

He walked slowly towards her, adulation written all over his face.

"Pari... meri pari lag rahi ho... kisi badal jaisi masoom, ous ki boond jaisi nazuk, unn safed phoolon jaisi khili hui, chaand ke jaisi sheetal... aur mere khyaalon mein toofan lane wali... meri Naina." He huskily whispered.

She lowered her eyes, with a shy smile on her lips.

He stepped closer, wrapping one strand of hair around his finger as he held one of her hand, placing it on his heart, "Mera dil dekho kitni zor se dhadakne laga hai... kuch toh socha hota iske baare mein."

"Tumhara dil toh hamesha aise hi dhadakta hai." She stared at her hand on his chest, feeling the hammering under her fingers.

"Tumhari wajah se." He leaned, bringing his face dangerously close to her.

"Sameer, abhi sab aate honge... tum... tum... yeh sab... " She was finding it difficult to resist when he looked so dreamy.

"Yeh party hum dono bhi toh kar sakte the na... sirf main aur tum... yahan... kamre mein... apne tareeke se... " His throaty voice was creating havoc in her belly, her own heart threatening to jump out of her chest.

"Abhi... tum... main..." She gulped, unable to form a coherent sentence as his eyes darkened with the intensity of his emotions.

He left the strand of hair, eyeing in fascination as it immediately curved from the end, rolling back several times to form a ring. He flicked the silver earring, watching it graze her cheek before going back. His fingers moved over her silver bangles, the clinking sound making his breathing ragged.

Closing her eyes, she pushed his face a little away, resting her forehead on his chest while she stroked his arm.

He inhaled deeply, taking in the fragrance that rose from her... trying to calm himself. They left the room just in time to hear the doorbell.

Munna and Swati were first ones to arrive. Swati was wearing a long, flowy suit, looking resplendent. A lot of jewellery, along with a big bindi and sindoor made her look the part of a newly wed bride.

Pandit and Preeti reched soon after. With her hair open, Preeti was dressed in a light suit. The only jewellery she wore was the mangalsutra, and a couple of bangles. A tiny bindi adorned her forehead.

The girls happily hugged while the boys engulfed each other in a firm embrace.

After the round of congratulations, they settled in the living room, with soft drinks in hand and a table filled with plates and bowls of snacks.

"Yaar Sameer, tune toh kamaal kar diya... bhai, itne number zindagi bhar mein total nahi laaya hoga jitne do saal mein mila ke le aaya... Mumbai mein aisa kya khaata tha?" Munna marvelled again at Sameer's exceptional result.

"Bhai, yeh bata... Mumbai mein dimaag kiraye pe liya tha ya khareed liya?" Pandit asked with narrowed eyes.

When everyone gave him an exasperated look, he shrugged, "Nahi main isliye pooch raha tha ki itne saalon mein humein toh kabhi jhalak nahi dikhi uss dimaag ki jo isne istemaal kiya hoga itne number laane ke liye... school mein hamari tarah hi latak patak ke kisi tarah paas hota tha."

"School mein humne tujhe kabhi padhte dekha hi nahi, Sameer... saara din toh tere saath rehte the... fir achanak yeh shouk kaise chadh gaya tujhe?" Munna also wondered.

Sameer looked at Naina. She lowered her eyes. The one thing she had used as a bait during their second year was enough motivation for him. Her cheeks tinted as the moments of their first kiss became vivid in her mind. Sameer noticed the column of her throat move as she swallowed to soothe her dry throat.

"Naina ki wajah se." He answered, still looking at her with the same intensity.

Her eyes shot up at him, panic clear in them.

"Bhabhi ne kya murga bana ke padhaya tujhe?" Pandit nudged him, sniggering.

"Murga nahi par jhansa deke zaroor padhaya." Sameer gave a tongue in cheek look to Naina.

To her relief, Anand and Bela arrived before he could elaborate to his friends.

They all took blessings. Anand was exceptionally proud of Sameer.

"Tumne saabit kar diya, Sameer, ki apni mehnat se insaan kuch bhi haasil kar sakta hai... mujhe garv hai tumpe." Patting his back Anand took out something from his pocket.

Sameer looked at the small velvet pouch that Anand held in his open palm, giving him a questioning gaze.

"Yeh Ganesh ji ka ashirwad hai tumhare liye... aane wale har imtihaan mein issi tarah safal hona." Anand placed it on Sameer's palm.

There was a tiny, silver idol of Ganpati in the pouch.

"Thank you, chachaji." Sameer touched the idol to his forehead before turning to Anand with misty eyes.

The hug was most soothing, giving him a validation from the elder he respected most... giving him a true feeling of being an achiever... giving him much needed appreciation that he always wanted... giving him the acceptance that he always craved for.

"Meri jhalli bhi paas ho hi gayi... mujhe toh darr tha kahin reh na jaaye." Bela fondly touched Preeti's cheek.

"Paas? Mummyji, poore 108% aaye hain Preeti ke." Pandit exclaimed, making everyone look at him, astounded... even Preeti.

"Kya bol raha hai, Pandit... 108% sune hain kya kabhi?" Munna chided him.

Pandit looked at everyone, smiling sheepishly, "Woh maine apne 52% bhi isse de diye... mujhe kya karne hain number... meri degree toh mujhe pichle hafte hi mil gayi."

Preeti scowled at him silently, her cheeks coloring up though, at his unabashed praise in front of her parents.

A loud laughter filled up the room. Anand presented a silver coin to each of them, for successfully completing another important phase of their education.

They all settled down as Naina and Sameer served juice and snacks to everyone. Ramdhari kept replenishing the empty bowls.

The sound of doorbell rang in the room. Sameer quickly got up to check.

"Tumne aur mehmaano ko bhi bulaya hai?" Preeti questioned Naina.

"Nahi... yeh Sameer ne pata nahi kis kis cheez ka order de rakha hai party ke liye... samaan aana band hi nahi ho raha." Naina sighed.

When Sameer kept standing at the door, she went ahead to check what more had arrived.

Vishakha stood smiling, looking at her son who was frozen to the spot.

"Mummy? Aap kaise... achanak... aaiye na... aap bahar kyon ruk gayi?" Naina beamed at her mother in law.

"Yeh mera buddhu beta darwaze mein statue banke khada hai... andar kaise aaun." Vishakha smiled at Naina before looking back at Sameer, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Mummy." His voice was a mere whisper.

"Congratulations beta." She spread her arms.

He hurled himself into her embrace of motherly love.

Resting his chin on her shoulder, he quickly wiped the tears that spilled out of his eyes.

"Mere bete ne itna bada mukaam haasil kiya hai... mujhe toh aana hi tha." She stroked the back of his head, holding him close.

When the lump in his throat could be swallowed, he straightened, looking at her with grateful eyes, "Thank you, mummy."

"I'm so proud of you, Sameer." She cupped his face, bending it to place a kiss on his forehead.

Naina watched as Sameer's eyes pooled up again. She knew how much this one line had satiated his craving soul. The pride and approbation he had yearned to see on his mother's face all his life was shining in Vishakha's eyes today. Deep in her heart, she knew that this was even a bigger achievement for Sameer, more than the result.

Vishakha hugged Naina, "Congratulations beta, tum dono ka naam aur photo ek saath newspaper mein dekh ke mujhe itni khushi hui ki main bata bhi nahi sakti."

She held both their hands, looking from one to another, "Apne club mein bhi ek copy rakh ke aayi hun, wahan sabko dikhaya ki yeh mere bachhe hain... mere kitty group mein sabko bata diya... woh log Sunday ko special kitty rakhenge mere liye... itna famous kar diya tum dono ne mujhe..."

Her throat constricted, barring any more words to come out. She again pulled them into her embrace.

When the three of them walked into the living room, everyone stood up to welcome Vishakha. She folded her hands to return the greetings of Anand and Bela. After congratulaing all children for their results, she wished the newly weds, expressing regret at not being able to come for the wedding.

"Maalkin, aapka kamra saaf kar diya hai... saaman rakh dein?" Ramdhari called out from the passage.

Sameer turned to him in amazement, "Tujhe pata tha?"

He nodded, scratching his head, "Dopaher ko phone aaya tha maalkin ka... par unhone hi mana kiya tha batane ko."

Sameer looked back at his mother.

"Surprise dena tha na... tumhare chehre pe yeh khushi dekhni thi mujhe." She patted his cheek lovingly.

After a while, Vishakha went to her room to freshen up. When she came back, she handed a box to both Preeti and Swati.

"Yeh tum dono ka shaadi ka gift hai." She smiled as the girls gave her a perplexed look.

They opened their boxes to find beautiful, delicately designed sets. Preeti got one with pearls and gold while Swati received one with rubies set in gold.

"Yeh kya, Vishakha ji... itne mehenge tohfe kyon de rahi hain aap... meri beti ki saas hain, aapse lene ka nahi dene ka rishta hai hamara." Bela frowned at the expensive piece of jewellery.

"Aapne jo de diya uske aage inn sab ki koi keemat nahi hai... aapne apni Naina de ke mere bete ki aankhon ki woh chamak de di jo bachpan mein hi kahin gum ho gayi thi, uski zindagi mein itni khushi de di... aapne toh mujhe mera beta wapas de diya, maa bete ka rishta wapas de diya... iske aage har tohfa bohot chota hai." Vishakha smiled assuringly at her.

"Mausiji, shaadi toh meri aur Pandit ki bhi hui hai... humein toh aapne koi tohfa nahi diya." Munna's loud voice brought back the ebullience in the room.

Vishakha shook her head, laughing, "Tum jaise bandaron ko itni pyaari biwiyaan mil gayi hain yehi sabse bada gift hai tumhara."

The sound of laughter and happiness resonated in the room, making Munna and Pandit steal sheepish glances at their blushing wives.

Rest of the evening was spent in cheerful chatters and teasing... and lots of eating.

By the time everyone left, it was quite late. Ramdhari had already cleaned up the kitchen and living room when they were having dinner. He was to stay back for the night as Vishakha had to leave early next morning, something that Sameer wasn't aware of.

"Kal subah subah? Kyon mummy? Abhi toh kisi ka school bhi nahi hai... aap kuch din yahan reh sakti hain na?" He was distraught with this information.

"Kal wahan bhi party hai, Sameer. Tumhare papa ne Rohan ke liye rakhi hai... aaj hi rakhna chahte the lekin maine kaha aaj main tumhare paas hi aaungi... agar woh party postpone nahi kar sakte toh mere bina karni padegi... tab Rohan ne bhi kaha ki woh chahta hai main aaj tumhare paas aaun... woh toh khud bhi aana chahta tha lekin usse pata hai tumhe yeh pasand nahi aata isliye... " Vishakha lowered her head, realising that she had divulged too much.

Sameer pursed his lips. How could he be happy to see Rohan... the same boy who had taken away his mother forever, the same boy who made him look inadequate and incompetent in comparison to his achievements all his life, the boy whose needs always remained foremost in his mother's mind...

But today he had defeated that boy... by achieving more than him, by making his mother choose him over her step son.

"Ab tum dono bhi aaram karo.. subah se itna saara kam karke thak gaye hoge." Vishakha lovingly looked at both of them.

"Nahi mummy, aaj hum aapke paas baithenge... poori raat baatein karenge." Sameer sat on the sofa, right next to his mother.

"Arre lekin... " Vishakha gave a worried look to Naina.

"Aapke saath baatein karne se achha aaram aur kya hoga, mummy... aaj koi nahi soyega... aap bhi nahi... hum teeno khoob saari baatein karenge." Naina sat on the other side of Vishakha.

With a deep breath, she relaxed back on the sofa. It seemed that she was getting this peace, this serene, satiated, calm feeling in this house after ages. Her eyes darted to the big frame where her father smiled at them. She blinked to hold back the tears... if only she had realised her mistake earlier, she would have spent many such evenings with her son, while her father was alive. But it was all destiny. Maybe Naina was the angel who was sent by the powers above to change both hers and Sameer's life. She glanced at the beautiful girl... her face gleamed with an unmistakable aura. She silently thanked God for making Sameer fall for the perfect girl.

Naina was indeed the biggest achievement of her son.

Next update tomorrow evening