The day was last one in office for Sameer before he took leave for a week. It was a hectic one. He had to go through the scheduled actions for next week, taking decisions regarding them.

"Aap chinta mat kijiye... agar kuch bhi hoga toh main aapko phone kar lunga ya ghar aa jaunga." Munshiji assured him.

Sameer smiled at him, "Mujhe koi chinta nahi hai, Munshiji... aapne itne saal sambhala hai sab kuch... aap hain toh yahan ka sab kaam aaram se hoga... mushkil toh tab hoti agar meri jagah aap chutti jaa rahe hote... main akele nahi sambhal paata."

"Aisa nahi hai, beta... ab aap achhe se samajh gaye hain... aur yeh hunar toh aapke khoon mein hai... isse seekhne ki zaroorat nahi hai... bade sahab hamesha yehi kehte the ki jab mere Sameer ka mann shaant hoga toh woh sab sambhal lega... aur unka kehna sahi saabit hua... Naina bitiya ke aane se sab kuch badal gaya aapki zindagi mein... iss baat ki khushi sabse zyada bade sahab ko hoti." Munshiji became sad at the thoughts of his employer.

Sameer looked at the picture on the cabinet, "Nanu jahan bhi hain wahan se dekh sakte hain humein... aur main jaanta hun woh khush honge... balki woh toh sabse pehle se khush the... Naina ko unhone ghar ka hissa tabse bana liya tha jab main Naina se mila tak nahi tha... shayad unhe ahsaas ho gaya tha ki Naina hi woh ladki hai jisse bhagwanji ne mere liye bheja hai."

Munshiji was not surprised. He was aware of senior Maheshwari's fascination for her. He had seen them in the temple. Mr Jay Prakash Maheshwari, the owner of biggest manufacturing unit of Ahmedabad, used to sit on the hard, cemented stairs of temple for hours to chat with a simple, school going girl... and always came back happier on those days. He had mentioned how this girl was so different from his grandson yet so much like him... and how he felt there was a connection.

"Bhagwan ke dwar pe mili hai yeh ladki, Munshi... dekhna, ek din mere ghar ko bhi mandir jaisa bana degi." Mr Jay Prakash Maheshwari had happily announced in his deep, heavy voice.

That time Munshiji had laughed at his dreams, "Aap itne yakeen se keh rahe hain jaise Sameer baba ki shaadi pakki kar di ho... unhe toh pata bhi nahi hoga iss naam ki koi ladki hai duniya mein, aur aap usse bahu banane ko taiyar ho gaye."

"Bahu toh ab main Naina ko hi banaunga... dekh lena... iss baar mera bachha yahan aayega toh dekhna, kaise dono ki mulaqat karwata hun... unhe lagega woh kismat se ek doosre se takra jaate hain har baar... par unki kismat har baar main banunga." Jay Prakash Maheshwari rubbed his hands in excitement.

He had decided to play Cupid for his grandson...

And very next month, Sameer had arrived at his doorstep, declaring that he would not go back. Nanu had been elated. When he had sent Munshiji with him, for school admission... a strange stroke of luck had made Sameer take admission in the same school as Naina... and not the elite St. Xavier's... where they had planned.

Nanu had taken it to be an omen... and taken a back seat, allowing destiny to play its game.

Within a year, he had seen a considerable change in Sameer. His experienced eyes had immediately seen the spark of love brighten his sad eyes. But Sameer had not shared anything, inspite of his repeated probing. However, once when he had gone to their school for some work, he had seen Sameer standing quietly in a hidden corner, his eyes fixed at one place, a dreamy smile on his face. Glancing in the direction of his gaze, nanu's heart had swelled up with pride. His grandson had not disappointed him... his loving eyes were on Naina who was talking to some junior children who had circled around her.

In fact, when he himself met Naina in temple these days, he had observed a change in her as well. She was not as forthright with him as she was earlier... was a little hesitant. Of course, once she started with her chattering, she would blurt out just about anything, hitting her forehead when she realized she had spoken too much. But he had seen a glazed look in her eyes whenever he talked about Sameer.

Once, he had even asked Munna Pandit if Sameer was showing any interest in some girl in school. Since he had been always very friendly and open with the boys, he was sure Munna Pandit would not hesitate to divulge in a detailed information. But they had laughed so hard, clutching their stomach, that nanu had started to doubt if he was guessing the situation correctly.

"Pasand? Nanaji, Sameer toh kisi ladki se baat tak nahi karta... baat chodiye, woh toh kisi ladki ki taraf dekhta bhi nahi hai." Munna had said when he could control his guffawing.

But nanu had seen Sameer watching Naina secretly. He realised Sameer had not opened his heart even to his closest friends. The onus was on him now, to get into the hidden recesses of his heart, and find out if his hunch was right. Hence, he had mentioned Naina's name a few times. The fleeting soft expression of his grandson was indication enough for him. The momentary glint in his eyes was the confirmation he was seeking.

And Jay Prakash Maheshwari had waited patiently... he had seen what he wanted to. Destiny had done what was needed. It was just a matter of time now. Both children had finished writing their school exams. He would talk clearly with Sameer once he started college... telling him that Naina was his choice too... and he would happily bring her home once their college got over.

But time had failed him.

Munshiji let out a sigh, "Aap theek keh rahe hain, beta. Bade sahab ne Naina bitiya ko bohot pehle hi chun liya tha aapke liye... apne ghar ki bahu banane ke liye... agar bhagwan unhe mauka dete toh hum sab unki khushi dekh paate."

Sameer turned to look at Munshiji, shock evident on his face. He didn't know nanu had shared all this with someone.

"Nanu ne aapko... matlab aap bhi... aapko bhi pata tha?" He stuttered.

Munshiji smiled, "Woh apne dil ki har baat karte the mujhse... aapke liye hamesha dukhi rehte the jab aap hostel mein the... woh toh bohot pehle se aapko yahan laana chahte the par... par woh Somani ji ne kaha ki aapka hostel mein rehna hi sahi hai... isliye jab aap apni marzi se hostel chod ke aa gaye toh unhe sabse zyada khushi hui... Naina bitiya ko woh usse pehle se milte the mandir mein... aur bohot tareef karte the... kehte the iss ladki mein itna thehraav hai, itni shaanti hai ki mere Sameer ke andar ke toofan ko yehi shaant kar sakti hai."

Sameer was overwhelmed. Nanu was always aware of the turmoil inside him.

"Woh shayad samajh gaye the aapke dil ki baat... isliye kehte the ki ek baar Sameer college jaane lagega toh main Naina ko ghar bulake dono ko aamne saamne bitha ke seedha bol dunga ki maine tumhari shaadi karane ka faisla kar liya hai. Besabri se intezar kar rahe the uss din ka." Munshiji swallowed a lump in his throat.

Sameer could feel the pain in his chest.

"Aapko bata nahi sakta, beta, mujhe kitni khushi hui thi aap dono ki shaadi ke baare mein jaan ke... bade sahab ke saare sapne aap ne ek ek karke poore kiye hain... sahi keh rahe hain aap... woh jahan bhi honge, khush honge." Munshiji came ahead and patted Sameer's shoulder.

The satisfaction of being able to do what nanu wanted made a proud smile appear on his face.

The day was over before he knew. Thanking Munshiji for allowing him to be away for this period, he left the office. But today, he had to go to Munna's house. His friends had been his biggest support at the time of his marriage. Now it was his turn.

Naina was aware of Sameer's plan. Still she was waiting for him eagerly, looking at the door every few minutes.

"Naina bhabhi, andhera ho gaya hai... abhi tak Sameer bhaiya nahi aaye... aap akele ghabra jayengi... kahen toh hum thodi der aur ruk jaate hain... jab Sameer bhaiya aayenge tab chale jayenge." Ramdhari stopped at the door on his way out.

"Nahi, Ramdhari bhaiya, aap jaaiye... Sameer Munna ke ghar gaye hain... mujhe bataya tha... aap meri chinta mat kijiye... main theek hun."Naina assured him.

Though a little apprehensive, he closed the door behind him as he left.

Dinner was already prepared. Naina moved around aimlessly, not knowing what to do. This was the first time she was alone at home at this time ever since they got married. Although the lights were on, darkness outside the windows was making the house look overbearing. She wasn't usually scared or worried about darkness but then, she had never stayed in this big a house alone.

And her mind filled up with the images of a younger Sameer, alone after nanu's death, battling with anguish of past along with the grief and loneliness that had suddenly descended on him. Her heart wrenched at the thought. She could imagine him sitting on the sofa in living room, on the dining chair, outside in the garden looking at the dark sky... with tear filled eyes.

Her eyes could not hold back the tears either. Why wasn't she with him then... why hadn't she mustered courage to speak to him in school... why didn't she give him solace when he needed the most...

Mere thought of his agony shattered her heart to million pieces.

When Sameer reached home, he found her sitting on the couch in the living room... hugging her folded legs, her head on the knees.

"Naina, kya hua tumhe? Sab theek hai na?" He quickly sat next to her.

She looked up with a jerk. He was shocked to see her tear stained face.

"Naina, tum ro kyon rahi ho? Kuch takleef hai tumhe? Tabiyat kharab hai kya? Yeh Ramdhari tumhe aisi haalat mein chod ke kaise chala gaya? Tumne mujhe phone kyon nahi kiya? Doctor ke paas chalte hain." He was hyper to see her pained expression, barraging her with questions.

"Main theek hun... mujhe kuch nahi hua." She uttered, but fresh tears spilled out of her eyes.

He was about to ask more questions when she crashed into his chest, crying bitterly, "I'm sorry, Sameer."

His arms secured her in a tight embrace while his brows furrowed in confusion, "Sorry? Kis baat ke liye?"

"Tum akele the na, main... main thee nahi tumhare saath." She mumbled against his chest.

"Tum kya keh rahi ho mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha... akeli toh tum thi abhi... kahin tum naraz toh nahi ho mujhse?" Sameer was anxious.

Amidst hiccups, she narrated the thoughts that came to her, the realisation of his loneliness, how she comprehended the pain he must have gone through... and how sorry she was that she was not with him. He was aghast when she said it was her fault that she didn't speak up about her feelings while they were in school.

He held her face within his palms, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Jaan, tum sorry kyon bol rahi ho? Maine bhi toh school mein kabhi baat nahi ki... agar yeh galti hai toh meri bhi utni hi hai jitni tumhari... tum apne aap ko iss baat ke liye dosh mat do." He looked lovingly at her.

When her tears did not stop, he stood up, making her get up along with him. Looping an arm around her shoulder, he took her to the large photo frame of nanu put up on the opposite wall.

"Tumhe pata hai aaj munshiji ne mujhe kya bataya?" He said softly.

She flicked up her brows.

"Nanu ne tumhe meri zindagi mein tabse shaamil kar diya tha jab main tumhe jaanta tak nahi tha... hum dono se pehle unhone hamara rishta baandh diya tha... unke iss yakeen se aur kismat se hum dono ke raaste ek ho gaye... tum tab se meri himmat ban gayi thi... meri khushi ban gayi thi."

He went on to tell her all about his conversation with munshiji. She was equally amazed at nanu's belief. But her heart filled up with unbridled love at how Sameer considered her his strength in spite of her absence from his life at that time.

"Tum bohot achhe ho, Sameer... tumhe toh bohot saara pyar milna chahiye hamesha." She said in a choked voice.

His smile turned mischievous as he wiped her cheeks, "Mana kisne kiya hai... bohot saara pyar dene ko."

Her face broke into a smile finally, "Har baat ghuma fira ke ek hi jagah le aaya karo."

"Sabse zaroori yehi jagah toh hai." He circled her waist, pulling her to himself.

"Hato, main khana lagati hun." She squirmed to free herself.

"Ab mujhe khana nahi khana." His voice turned husky as her soft curves pressed against his chest.

"Sameer, khana toh kha... " Her words were lost as his lips closed over hers.

The heaviness in her heart melted away... replaced by warmth of his love as his hand pressed into the small of her back.

Next update tomorrow morning