Sameer got some time to compose himself when Pandit's mother performed the pooja for Preeti. Naina did not look up at him again, keeping her eyes fixed on Preeti, a smile on her face.

"Beta, ek photo zara nazdeek se le lo Preeti ki, jismein yeh saara saaman bhi nazar aaye jo godh mein rakha hai." Aunty turned to Pandit, pointing at Preeti.

"Jee mummy." Words escaped Pandit's mouth before he could realise.

Ajay looked up with a jerk, nervousness evident on his face. Pandit coughed as his mother gave a shocked look to him.

Making his voice much softer, almost like he was trying to sound like a girl, Pandit adjusted the camera in front of his face before speaking, "Jee... mummy ke diye hue saaman ke saath sabhi photo nikalte hain. Main le leta hun aap baithiye."

The elderly lady nodded with a smile and moved away. Pandit heaved a sigh of relief. But was a wreck again when he realised that he had to step in front of Preeti and click some close ups. Swallowing hard, he kneeled in front of her, keeping his face hidden behind the camera.

"Bhaiya, achhe se lena. Kahin main zyada moti na lagun." Preeti straightened, giving him a chirpy smile.

Two fingers of his right hand instantly overlapped.

Sameer stifled a smile. He didn't have to worry about this danger anymore... Naina had recognised him so the sword of 'Bhaiya' wouldn't fall on him for sure.

"Sh... Shekhar." Pandit uttered in the same feminine voice.

Preeti gave him a perplexed look, "Kya Shekhar?"

"M... mera na.. naam." He stuttered.

Preeti exclaimed in understanding, "Achha, aapka naam Shekhar hai."

Releasing his fingers, he let out the breath he was holding, clicking a few pictures. As Preeti smiled widely at him... or rather, at the camera... he was lost in the glow of happiness on her face, forgetting to take photos and sat like a statue in front of her.

"Shekhar bhaiya, reel khatam ho gayi kya? Aap photo kyon nahi le rahe?" Her voice snapped him out of the trance.

He brought down the heavy camera, resting it over his folded leg, gritting his teeth. For a moment, his face was revealed to her, then he quickly stood up.

It was Preeti's turn to go still as she saw his face for the first time. There was nothing familiar on the face... except his eyes...

She narrowed hers. How was it possible? Those eyes were the same. She could recognise those eyes anywhere. But this person didn't have any similarity with Pandit... or did he?

Her eyes moved over the photographer as he stood in front of her, fidgeting with his camera. Height was the same. She couldn't make out the built in his loosely fitted, dull clothes. Pandit always wore bright, colourful shirts. But clothes were not any indication. However, this person was dark... far from the gleaming complexion of Pandit. Since his camera again hid his face, Preeti wasn't so sure now. Maybe she was hallucinating... maybe she was missing Pandit.

Lost in thoughts, she shifted a little and her purse slipped down to the floor. In a reflex action, Pandit ducked, picking it up before she could bend down... and put it back beside her.

When he straightened, Preeti had a calm expression on her face. He clicked some more photographs.

"Ek zara side se lena... yahan baith ke." She pointed beside her chair.

Pandit went closer, kneeling again, not moving the camera from his face.

On the pretext of adjusting the pallu over her head, she whispered through closed mouth, "Chain shirt ke andar kar lo warna mummyji bhi pehchaan lengi."

The camera almost fell off from his hand. He quickly peered down. The chain dangled out of his shirt. It was the gold chain gifted by Anand at the time of their wedding. While he had bent down to pick up the purse, it must have slid out. Pushing it back under the shirt, he glanced at Preeti.

"Ab jaldi se photo le lo warna sab sochenge yeh camera wala mujh pe zyada focus kyon kar raha hai... kahin biwi ki godhbharai mein tumhari pitaai na ho jaaye... Shekhar ji." She mumbled, tongue in cheek.

It took a few seconds for the fact to sink in that his cover was blown.

Preeti knew it was him.

"Chaliye ab aap sab bhi dono betiyon ko aashirvad de dijiye." Vishakha's voice resonated in the room as she addressed all ladies.

Pandit stepped back, his heart in his mouth, hoping that Preeti doesn't reveal his presence here.

The ritual started with each one of the woman present in the room coming to both Naina and Preeti. Standing close to their wives, Sameer and Pandit heard everything that the ladies had to say... starting from the blessings for mother to be and baby, instructions for the coming days to some teasing comments. A few younger ones made such mischievous remarks that not only the girls but even Sameer and Pandit felt their faces redden.

Their wives did not spare them either. Every few minutes, Naina asked Sameer for some water, touching his fingers while taking and giving back the glass. Each time, Sameer felt a strange thrilling sensation. These stolen moments in a room full of people, where he wasn't even supposed to be present, were like a new romance. He couldn't wait to get back to their room, with Naina.

Preeti was bent upon torturing Pandit as well. Pandit was thankful for one thing though... she didn't call him 'bhaiya' again. But she seemed to have developed a special knack of dropping things. Every now and then, her handkerchief, or purse, or one of the gifted envelope dropped... and she sweetly smiled at the person standing closest... him. Pandit was shocked when one time she pressed his hand while he held out the envelope to her. He could feel sweat trickling down the side of his face.

Once all the women had met both girls, Vishakha helped Naina to transfer the gifts from her lap to a side table and Pandit's mother helped Preeti.

"Naina, Preeti tum ab kuch kha lo. Thak gayi hogi na? Tum dono ke liye fruits mangwa dun?" Vishakha stroked her head.

Naina patted her face, wiping the sheen of sweat due to harsh video lights, "Nahi mummy. Fruits nahi."

Vishakha turned towards Sameer, "Raju, aisa karo, bhabhi ko jo chahiye woh la do. Aur Preeti bhabhi se bhi puch lo. Uske baad baaki sabke liye nashta le aana."

He dipped his head further down.

She looked back at Naina, "Kya khana hai tumhe?"

"Mujhe meetha chahiye." Naina said without any expression.

The glass fell with a loud clank from Sameer's hand. It was metal, and it was empty, saving him from extra work of cleaning. But his attention was elsewhere. He stared at her with wide eyes.

"Arre Raju, kya hua? Shukr hai glass khali tha. Isse le jao aur Naina ke liye kuch meetha leke aao." Vishakha looked at the floor before turning in his direction.

Naina tugged at her arm before she could look at Sameer, "Mummy, main zara bathroom se aati hun. Itna pani piya hai toh..."

Vishakha nodded, "Haan haan. Main chalu tumhare saath? Itni der se baithi ho kahin chakkar na aa jaaye."

Naina shook her head, "Main bilkul theek hu mummy. Bas abhi aayi."

She turned to Sameer, "Raju, andar jaake dekho sabse achha meetha kya hai. Mujhe woh hi chahiye."

Sameer quickly picked up the glass and fled from there, before Vishakha could speak to him again.

She laughed at his shaken state, "Kamaal ka hai yeh Raju bhi. Har baat pe aise sehem jaata hai jaise hum iski koi chori pakad rahe hain."

Naina glanced in his direction, speaking in a low voice, "Ho sakta hai sach mein koi chori kar raha ho... ya kar chuka ho."

Vishakha pressed her hand, making her look back at her, "Daro nahi, Naina. Isse Ramdhari ne bulaya hai. Aur Ramdhari kabhi aise aadmi ko nahi bulayega jispe usse poora bharosa na ho. Yeh ghar apni jaan se bhi zyada pyara hai usse."

While going to her room, Naina smiled to herself, "Chori toh ki hai aapke Raju ne, mummy... mere dil ki... woh bhi saalon pehle."

After using the washroom, she went towards the dresser, freshening up her face. She had almost reached the door when it opened swiftly and closed with the same speed.

She crossed her arms, her face stern, "Sharm nahi aati tumhe, Raju. Apni malkin ke kamre mein aake darwaza band karte ho."

Sameer pulled her in his arms, "Sharm tumko bhi kahan aati hai... sabke saamne ek naukar ka haath baar baar pakad rahi thi."

She held up her chin, "Main toh sirf hausla de rahi thi... pehli baar kaam kar raha tha na isliye ghabra raha tha."

His arms tightened as he plastered her to himself, "Main bhi sirf wohi dene aaya hun jo meri malkin ko chahiye... meetha."

Her gasp got lost in his mouth. His lips hungrily devoured her, all the anxiety of past few hours drowning in the warmth and fragrance that surrounded him now. Her hands remained on his shoulders, clutching hard as she felt his tongue invade her mouth, melting her within seconds. Keeping a strong control on her hands, she did not let them slid down to his chest, fearing for the buttons of his kurta... he would definitely not have a spare one.

It wasn't easy for him to draw back... but she had to go out, or his mom would come looking for her.

Taking a deep breath, he rested his forehead on hers, "Miss kar raha hun tumhe. Jaldi aana."

She placed one hand on his cheek, "Tum toh paas hi ho mere fir miss kaise kar rahe ho?"

"Kahan paas hun, Naina? Na tumhe chu sakta hun na theek se dekh sakta hun. Jab tumhe khaansi aayi toh paani bhi nahi pila saka. Jab unki baaton se tum sharma rahi thi toh mann kar raha tha tumhe baahon mein chupa lun. Aur jab sab tumhe ched rahe the toh tumhe kiss karna chahta tha. Lekin bas door se chupke chupke dekhta raha. Isse paas hona kehte hain kya?" He sulked.

She smiled at his banters, "Tum hamesha chote bachhe jaise hi muh banate rehna... buddhu, tumhe saath rakhne ke liye maine khansi ka bahana kiya tha... jisse tum bhi rasm dekh sako... aur main tumhe."

His eyes widened for a moment, them glinted with mischief, "Tumne pehchan liya tha ya fir... Raju pe hi dil aa gaya tha?"

She gave a punch in his stomach, "Jispe dil aaya hai woh sau tareeke apna le fir bhi main pehchan lungi usse."

"Achha? Itna bharosa hai apni nazar pe?" He quirked up a brow.

She pressed his moustache properly as it had come off from one corner, "Tumhe pehchanne ke liye mujhe nazaron ki zaroorat nahi hai... mera dil mehsoos kar leta hai tumhe. Tumse pehle tumhari khushbu mujh tak pohoch gayi thi. Aur jab yeh aankhen dekhi... Sameer, tumhari aankhen mujhse kuch nahi chupa sakti. Tum jitna marzi badal lo apna huliya, lekin jo pyar inn aankhon mein hai, woh kaise badloge?"

Before he could reply, the sound of someone coming towards the room made him stiffen.

Naina pushed him towards the balcony, "Tum jao... aur haan, muh saaf kar lena, lipstick moochon ke saath achhi nahi lagti."

He glanced in the mirror, quickly grabbing a tissue to wipe his mouth before jumping out of the balcony.

Naina unbolted the door and went back to the dresser, picking up the lipstick to repair hers.

Vishakha knocked before opening the door, "Naina, sab theek hai na?"

"Jee mummy, bas aa hi rahi thi. Garmi se makeup kharab ho gaya tha woh theek kar rahi thi." She smoothed her hair and walked to the door.

Vishakha looked into the room, "Sameer nahi hai yahan?"

Her face lost some colour before she got a hold on herself, "Nahi, Sameer Pandit ke saath chale gaye the jab woh Preeti aur aunty ko chodne aaya tha."

Vishakha was surprised. She had expected her son to make some excuse to come out and be with Naina during the function.

When they were back in the living room where the ladies were laughing and chatting, Preeti quickly came to her.

"Naina, sun, woh photographer hai na..." She started but was interrupted by Raju who stood with a tray of juice in front of them.

"Arre bhaiya nahi chahiye, tum jao." Preeti impatiently waved him off.

Naina picked up a glass, giving it to her, "Lele na, Preeti. Raju itne pyar se laaya hai."

Preeti's eyes turned into saucers as she saw Raju lower his eyes with a shy smile. Her jaw hit the ground when Naina brushed her hand against his, while taking another glass for herself.

Sameer leaned a little, whispering close to her, "Muh band kar lijiye, saliji, nahi toh Pandit aisi hi photo le lega... aur baad mein sab puchenge ki aapne bhoot dekh liya tha kya?"

Preeti held onto the chair kept close to her, thankful for the support as her head started to spin. She came back to her senses only after Naina called out her name a few times.

The shock was still visible on her face as she pointed a finger backwards and let out a few incoherent words, "Yeh... Ra... jijaji... Raju... yahan..."

Naina again extended the glass to her, "Sameer hai."

Preeti took the glass, gulping down entire juice in one go. It helped. She glanced back at Sameer, serving juice to her mother in law... with his head bent down and eyes lowered, it was impossible to identify him in the humble getup. A smile appeared on her face as she looked at the two men in other corner of the room. Now was her turn to shock her sister.

"Woh dekh, woh photographer." She gave a quick wave of her head towards them.

Naina gazed in their direction, finding it a little odd that one was continuously looking at them. In fact, she had caught him staring at Preeti earlier as well.

And suddenly, it dawned on her.

"Pandit?" She grabbed Preeti's arm, breathless with realisation.

Preeti nodded smugly.

Naina turned again at him, flicking up her brows discreetly to show her appreciation. Pandit immediately looked away.

Preeti chuckled, "Yeh dono bhi na... kya idea dhoond ke laaye hain. Koi nahi pehchaan paaya."

Naina smiled proudly, "Maine toh ek second mein pehchaan liya tha Sameer ko, jab woh pehli baar mere paas aaya tha."

Preeti raised her brows, "Kya baat hai, behen. Ek tu hai aur ek main hun... pata nahi kitni baar apne pati ko bhaiya bol diya aaj."

Naina's hand flew to her mouth, before they both burst out laughing.

Next update tomorrow evening