Congratulations to all for third birthday of our gem of a show YUDKBH. Two years with them, and one year without, has not diminished our love for Samaina even a least bit. It has rather grown, leaps and bounds ❤❤

There can be no one like them, ever... except of course, Ashdeep 🥰

Enjoy the chapter, and please pardon my mistakes... I'm too overwhelmed today

The morning was chaotic. Unlike other days, when Sameer could lazily get dressed after spending some moments with his wife while their daughter slept peacefully, he woke up to an empty bed beside him. Naina was busy in the kitchen, getting their lunch ready. She had prepared the vegetables by the time Ramdhari arrived.

"Naina bhabhi, aap humein kal hi bata deti toh hum jaldi aa jaate." He was apologetic that she had to do half the work.

"Meri galti hai, Ramdhari bhaiya, main bhool hi gayi ki hum teeno ko jaana hai toh khana subah hi leke jaana hoga." She wiped her forehead, exasperated.

"Teeno? Sana baby office jayegi?" Ramdhari stopped work at hand, staring at her wide eyed.

With a smile, Naina told him about the playroom in office.

"Oh. Hamare bhai ne bataya tha ki bachhon ke liye kuch ban raha hai par humein nahi pata tha Sana baby bhi wahin rahegi." He sadly returned to preparing breakfast.

Naina was aware that he had grown extremely fond of Sana. During daytime he got enough time to spend with her. Now that she would take her along, he would not get a chance to play with her.

"Main hafte mein sirf chaar din office jaungi. Teen din aap Sana ke saath khel sakte ho." She assured him.

When she went back to the room, Sameer was taking bath. She took out the clothes for all three of them, putting them on the couch, and thought of waking up Sana. The click sound of door made her turn.

He took one step out of the bathroom, and stopped, watching her looking at him.

The years between them did not matter. Every time she saw him like this, her breath lost its way.

With a towel around his waist, he stood with dripping hair falling on his forehead, water droplets glistening on his bare skin... and eyes glittering with satisfaction at the effect he was having on her.

Naina turned, sorting the already sorted clothes, only to keep her hands busy. Wrenching her fingers would be an instant giveaway of the turmoil inside her.

"Sameer yeh tumhare kapde hain. Main bhi naha ke aati hun fir Sana ko taiyar kar dungi." She said with her back to him and took a few deep breaths, bracing herself to turn and reach the bathroom without looking at him.

The moment she turned, she crashed against his damp chest.

"Bhaag rahi ho mujhse?" He clutched her waist.

"N... nahi... main woh... der ho rahi hai." She blabbered, aware of every droplet that trickled down his neck.

"Hamara apna office hai. Dus pandrah minute late pohochenge toh kuch nahi hoga." He pulled her closer.

Her lips sought the tormenting drops, skimming over his neck and collar bone. He was taken by surprise... a surprise so pleasant that he dug his fingers in her waist, groaning her name. Her hands moved over his chest, up his shoulders and went behind his neck, threading up in his hair. Her burning palms dried the water droplets instantly. His lips covered hers, the heated kiss making the blood pound louder in their veins.

"Tumhe nahana hai na." He murmured against her ear, after the kiss.

Her gaze flicked to their sleeping daughter. He left her, and ran a hand through his hair, chewing his lip. Letting out a loud exhale, he took two long strides to reach Sana's bed an pulled up the fourth panel of wooden rails, making her secure.

Without a word, he picked up Naina and walked to the bathroom, ready for a second bath.

Tara and her daughter had already reached when they entered the office. They waited at the reception. Rajni was waiting with them, her little daughter along with her.

Naina asked them to come along. She showed them the room, the kitchen, stocked up refrigerator and other things. Having years of experience with small children, Tara did not need much instructions.

When she extended her hands towards Sana, there was no hesitation on the part of little girl, being familiar with her.

Sameer went to his room while Naina decided to stay in the playroom for a while.

"Rajni, tum bhi thodi der ruko. Tumhari beti ke liye yeh jagah, sab log naye hain. Thoda adjust ho jaane do usko." Naina urged when Rajni tried to forcefully leave her daughter with Minal.

Within an hour, both toddlers were playing with the toys scattered around them, under careful watch of Tara and Minal. Naina assured Rajni that she could come and check on her little one as many times as she wanted. During lunch hour, Diksha and Mr Joshi came along as well.

"Aap apne bete ko nahi laaye, Joshi ji?" Rajni asked him.

Mr Joshi was a little embarrassed, "Maine jab wife ko bataya toh usne mana kar diya, ki office ke ek chote se kamre mein band karke thodi rakhenge bachche ko. Usse laga pata nahi kaisa intezam hoga, koi dekhne wala bhi hoga ki nahi... kehne lagi padosan ke paas hi theek hai. Zyada paise bhi nahi leti aur bachha ghar mein bhi hai."

"Lekin yahan sab kuch kitna achha hai. Main do baar dekh ke gayi. Meri beti bohot khush hai. Yeh log khane pine ka, saaf safai ka, sab baaton ka khyal rakh rahe hain." Rajni was relieved and happy with the arrangement.

Naina had just reached the door when she heard their voices. Instead of going on, she remained hidden, and listened to the conversation. Without making them aware of her presence, she went back. Apprehensions of someone who hadn't seen the facility could very well be understood.

Later, munshiji addressed the staff, telling them that if anyone wanted their husband or wife to come and check the playroom, they could do so in the morning hours. It was a step to make both parents comfortable with the care being provided.

In less than a week, Mr Joshi started to get his son after his wife visited the facility once. Even Diksha got her son one day, saying that her family had to go out somewhere.

The three regulars became friends, and played with each other, sharing toys and conversing in their baby language. Tara and Minal were extremely pleasant women who were gentle and loving towards all kids equally. Soon, both parents and children became comfortable with this routine.

It had been almost two weeks since Naina had joined office. It was a Sunday morning.

Sameer opened his eyes to find both his girls sleeping calmly. Lifting himself on his elbow, he checked Sana, who slept with her back to them. His eyes drifted back to his wife. With her face resting on one palm, Naina's other hand was flat in front of her.

He smiled. She had the same purity, same innocence on her face that he had woken up to one morning, in Mumbai. That new year day was the first time he had seen her angelic face in her bed first thing in the morning. And his only thought was, how beautiful life would be when he woke up like this everyday.

As his raised heartbeat drummed against her ear, Naina stirred. She opened one eye to find him propped up next to her, his eyes glazed.

"Good morning." Her sleep laden heavy voice made his heart go wild.

"Good morning, jaan." His voice was heavy too, but there was no hint of sleep.

"Subah subah aise kya dekh rahe ho?" She lifted her hand, grazing the back of her fingers against his jaw.

The raspy sound gave her the familiar fluttering in the belly.

His eyes turned dark, recognising the look on her face, "Jaise tum dekh rahi ho... subah subah."

Her lashes hid her eyes. He held her hand pressed against his cheek when she tried to move it back. The prickly feeling on her palm made her gasp. He leaned, and rubbed his other cheek on her face.

"Sameer." She muttered and turned, hiding her face in his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her, lying back and pulling her over himself.

"Naina, mujhe aaj tak samajh nahi aaya ki mere shave na karne se aisa kya farq aa jaata hai chehre mein jo tum har baar... aisa kya asar hota hai?" He nudged her to look up at him.

She turned her face up, resting her chin on her linked fingers placed on his chest, "Wohi jo tumpe hota hai... mujhe pink mein dekh ke."

Even the thought of her in pink made his throat go dry.

"Toh pehni kyon nahi... pink nighty?" He asked, rubbing his fingers on the short sleeve of her yellow night suit.

The colour, though not on her clothes, spread on her face.

"Hato, Sana uthne wali hai." She lifted herself up.

He rolled over, pinning her back on the bed, "Abhi uthi toh nahi hai na... itni khoobsurat subah hai, meethe se shuru honi chahiye."

She neither had the heart nor intention, to refuse.

During the day, everytime Sameer picked up Sana, or was close to her, she tried to touch his face. He chuckled at this weird fascination of both mother daughter.

A little before lunch, Sameer was in the living room, sitting on the floor with Sana. She had a few toys around her, but she was busy chewing the neck of a rubber giraffe. Naina was setting the table for lunch.

"Lagta hai iske naye daant nikalne wale hain. Dekho kaise lagi hui hai." She remarked when she found her daughter doing the same thing for a long time.

Sameer narrowed his eyes, then gently pulled the rubber toy from her mouth. She screamed at him in anger. He offered his hand. Holding it in a firm grip, she took it in her mouth and chewed on it. He didn't feel any new sharpness, besides two lower teeth in the center.

The phone started to ring. Naina asked Sameer to answer it. He left the toy on other side and quickly walked away. Sana glared at his retreating back, then at her toy. She stretched her arm, even leaned ahead but the toy was beyond her reach now. Pushing aside all others scattered around her, she brought herself on all fours... and placed one hand ahead, dragging her knees.

The call was a wrong number. Sameer turned at the same time when Naina stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. His first reaction was to run towards Sana, finding her gingerly place ahead one palm after the other. Naina held his hand, her eyes fixated on the little girl who managed to reach the toy. Holding it securely in her palm, she sat back with a thud, and took it in her mouth again.

Her parents stood in silence, still marvelling at the fact that their daughters crawled for the first time.

"Sana." Sameer called out.

She looked up with a jerk. Seeing both of them smiling at her, she grinned, and threw her arms open, asking to be picked up.

Sameer dashed and scooped her up immediately, checking her knees, "Tumhe lagi toh nahi na, beta?"

Naina dusted her legs, and tickled her tummy, "Papa ko bolo tum strong baby ho."

Sameer gave Naina a worried look, "Lekin aise zameen pe chalne se lag sakti hai, Naina. Socho, agar kuch gira hota toh."

Ramdhari walked out of the kitchen with hot chapatis, "Kaise gira hoga, Sameer bhaiya. Hum bohot dhyaan se sab kuch saaf karte hain. Aur jahan jahan Sana baby baithti hai, aapka kamra aur yeh kamra, din mein do do baar safai karte hain inn jagah ki. Naina bhabhi ne pehle hi yahan ke farsh ko saaf karke check karne ko bol diya tha. Unhone kaha hi tha ki jaldi hi Sana baby ghutno pe chalne lagegi."

Sameer tilted his head at Naina, flicking up his brows. Her foresight never failed to amaze him.

Later, in their room, they both sat on the floor, making Sana crawl several times by putting her toy away from her. Finally when she got tired and started to rub her eyes, Naina put her to sleep.

Next week in office was hectic, as the deal with Delhi designers was being formulated. A number of meetings were held, trips to market were made and new blends, specifically for Delhi winters were prepared. Naina handled the production department while Sameer took care of the other tasks.

Sana started to cut another tooth, and that made her cranky. Naina had to be summoned from the factory a few times when she became uncontrollable. Tara suggested some oil which could be applied on the gum when it turned tender at the time of teething. Naina called up their paediatrician to check with him. He mentioned a soothing gel, but said that the oil could be used as well. Tara had kept it in the kitchen, since few days back Rajni's daughter had the same problem. Sana relaxed the moment oil was rubbed on her swollen gums.

This made Naina realise that they needed to have some general medicines also. If a child got hurt or fell sick, and needed something urgently, they were not equipped with anything.

Minal agreed when she mentioned it to them, "Haan didi, dawaein hongi toh achha rahega. Kal hi woh Joshi bhaiya ka beta gir gaya tha. Naya naya chalna seekha hai toh sambhal nahi paaya. Pair ki ungli ka nakhoon toot gaya aur thoda khoon nikal aaya."

Naina panicked, "Tumne bataya kyon nahi? Hum doctor ke paas le jaate. Zyada toh nahi lagi?"

She crouched down to take a look at the little boy's toe. It was covered with band aid.

Minal kneeled next to her, tickling under the boy's foot, and he giggled.

With a smile, Minal explained, "Main hamesha apne bag mein band aid aur patti rakhti hu. Pehle iske papa ko bula ke unhe bataya aur fir unse pooch kar band aid laga di."

"Joshi ji bohot pareshan ho gaye honga na?" Naina asked.

Minal shook her head, "Bilkul nahi. Unhone kaha bachne naya kuch seekhenge toh thodi bohot chot lagne pe unhe darana nahi chahiye. Band aid lagane ke baad yeh bhi aaram se khelne laga."

Naina was relieved for now but she decided to speak to the doctor again, and get some basic medicines put here, to deal with such emergencies. She also asked munshiji to find out the closest pediatrician, if ever there was a need to consult one.

Honestly, aaj excitement mein likha hi nahi jaa rha tha. Please accept whatever I've done 😁

Next update tomorrow evening