"Itna sab kaise kiya tumne, Sameer?" Naina looked at the beautifully laid table.

"Umm, maine toh sirf phone kiya, hotel walon ne sab intezam kar diya." Sameer gave a sheepish smile.

She seemed to ponder for a while, then gasped, "Matlab jab main so rahi thi tab room se hoke waiters baar baar yahan aa rahe the?"

He narrowed his eyes to understand the meaning of her words.

"Nahi, nahi." His head shook vehemently, as the implication dawned on him, "Yahan terrace ke side mein ek raasta hai, seedhe yahan aane ka... room mein koi nahi aaya."

She relaxed, looking behind him at the door.

"Meri jaan ko koi aur kaise dekh sakta hai... yeh toh sirf mera haq hai na." He shifted his chair close to her, raising a sandwich to her lips.

She took one bite, and turned his hand to his mouth, making him eat too.

They tasted all the dishes, taking a few bites from each one, admiring the abundance of nature around them. The mountains ahead presented a breathtaking view, with clouds covering them not only on the peak but floating much lower, like a swaying, pristine dupatta over the hills. Sunrays on the still waters of lake reflected to give it an appearance of liquid gold. Slight fog that was surrounding the place started to dissipate as the warmth of morning sun slowly seeped in to take away the feeling of chill in the air. Though, the chill wasn't something they felt, basking in each other's warmth as they sat close, feeding each other till they had their fill... of food.

"Sameer, agar main kuch mangungi tumse toh mana toh nahi karoge?" Naina asked hesitantly once they were done.

"Kya chahiye, Naina? Kuch aur khana hai tumhe? Bolo na... main kyon mana karunga... jo bhi tumhe chahiye bata do main abhi mangwa deta hun." He gave a comforting pat on her hand.

She took his hand, raising it to her heart, "Jo chahiye woh yahan ke sukoon ke liye hai."

His gaze went to his hand on her heart, a mischievous smile curving his lips, "Aaj meri jaan ka mood bada achha hai shayad."

She didn't frown, nor moved his hand away.

"Sameer, main yahan se Dilli jaana chahti hun." Her voice was gentle.

He gave a perplexed look, "Aaj ja toh rahe hain... Dilli se hi hai hamari flight."

"Mummy ke ghar." Her eyes were fixated on his face that changed instantly.

The soft, loving expression hardened, his lips pressed into a thin line and a blazing flash appeared in his eyes.

"Bolo na, kya tum mujhe leke chaloge?" She knew she couldn't go back now.

He was silent for a few minutes.

"Mujhe milna hai mummy se... tumhe bhi toh milne ka mann hoga na?" She tried to read his eyes that had gone blank.

With a deep breath, he looked beyond her, at the far away mountains, "Naina, mummy se milne ke liye mummy ko hi hamare paas aana hoga, hum wahan nahi jaa sakte."

"Kyon?"  Turning his face, she made him look at her.

He swallowed, pursing his lips before speaking, "Wahan sirf mummy nahi hain, woh sab log hain jo mere aane se kabhi khush nahi hue... aur na tumhare wahan jaane se honge."

"Hum unn logon ki parwah kyon karen, Sameer... mummy toh milna chahti hain na hum dono se... bas kuch din... please?" She scrunched up her nose.

"Tum samajh nahi rahi, Naina... wahan woh... woh dadi hain... mujhe jo kehti thi woh hi itna dard deta tha lekin ab agar unhone... agar unhone tumhe kuch... Naina, main bardaasht nahi kar paunga." His jaw clenched as he clutched her hand.

A smile appeared on her face, "Ab hum dono pehle ki tarah kamzor nahi hain, Sameer... taiji hon ya dadi, hum unka saamna kar sakte hain... aise."

Her other palm gripped his hand over hers, raising it to hold between them for him to see.

"Lekin Naina... unn logon ko achha nahi lgega hamara wahan jaana." He didn't want their beautiful trip to end with a heartbreak.

"Mummy ko khushi hogi, humein hogi... baaki kisi se humein koi matlab nahi hai... hum wahan apne liye jayenge." She assured him.

His eyes clouded, "Mujhe aur dard nahi chahiye, Naina."

She held his face within her palms, "Dard nahi de sakta koi mere Sameer ko... jaise iss jagah ke kaale badal hat gaye aur yeh sunheri dhoop nikal aayi, kya pata aise hi uss ghar mein bhi koi achhe pal tumhara intezar kar rahe hon."

"Uss ghar se judi sirf buri yaadein hai mere paas." The dejection in his voice was heavy on her heart.

"Buri yaadon se dil khaali hoga tabhi acchi yaadon ko ghar milega na... yahan ke jaise Dilli ka dil bhi dhadakne lagega tumhare liye... waada hai mera." Her optimism was making him fall weak with each passing moment.

When she tugged at his hand, he couldn't say no to the hope in her shining eyes.

But when Naina excitedly called up Vishakha to inform her that they would reach by evening, he stood at the glass door, not sure whether it was the right decision.

Her hands settled on his chest, wrapping around him as her soft body pressed against his back.

His tension melted away the moment her low, mellifluous voice fell in his ears, "I Love You, Sameer. Ab koi dard tumhe choo bhi nahi sakta... main hamesha tumhe apne paas chupa ke rakhungi... aise hi."

He rubbed her hands, then loosened her grip to turn around to face her. Her eyes brimmed with devotion, warmth and love. Her entire world reflected in those brown eyes... his face.

"Aur main hamesha chup ke rehna chahta hun... tumhare dil mein." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

They stood silently, looking into the eyes of the other, that mirrored their soul... soaked in love.

Sound of ringing intercom brought them out of the trance. The manager informed that their cab had arrived.

"Hum fir se ayenge kabhi yahan. Mujhe Nainital bohot achha laga." Naina remarked as their cab left the town, moving on the winding mountain roads.

"Mujhe bhi achha laga... pehli baar." He gave her a grateful look.

It was a triumphant moment for her. There was no shred of pain in his eyes... and it made her heart bloom with exhilaration. If years of agonising memories could be put behind by a new perspective, probably there would be something in Delhi as well, that would help her fill the crevasses of his relations with the family that was almost his own.

Thinking about her meeting with dadi and others, Naina fell asleep, leaning on him. He shifted slightly, and made her lie down in his lap. With his fingers playing in her hair, he was also lost in thoughts of their impending visit, hoping it did not spoil the improved equation with his mom. Because he wouldn't let anyone insult Naina... and any confrontation could lead to some ugly scene. With a sigh, he looked down at the peace on her face. She had no idea what she was heading to. Dadi was the most evil person he had ever come across in his life.

It was close to sunset when they found themselves on the broad Delhi roads again. Naina could immediately discern the different road when they sped towards the locality where Vishakha lived.

The bunglow was a modern looking palatial structure in white, with red tiled, slanting roof and a manicured lawn. Vishakha rushed out, hearing the sound of gate.

"Sameer, Naina." She spread her arms, eyes moist with both wonder and elation.

"Maine socha nahi tha kabhi tum dono ko yahan dekhungi." She blurted, enveloping both of them in an affectionate hug.

Sameer could also not fathom that he was meeting her in this house again. All the hurtful incidents flashed before his eyes, but he pushed them away, feeling the doting arm of his mother around his shoulder and comforting hand of his wife around his wrist.

"Tumhare yahan bahu pair tak nahi chooti kya?" A sharp voice made him wince as Naina looked up behind Vishakha.

A thin woman, in a crisp cotton saree, stood with her arms crossed. Her scornful look and condescending demeanor left no doubt in Naina's mind regarding her identity. She stepped ahead, holding Sameer's hand, pulling him while he resisted.

"Dadi, main Naina hun." She started to bend down with a smile when Sameer held her arm.

She looked at him. He shook his head.

With a smile, she moved his hand gently from her arm, "Sameer, mummy ne mujhe beti maana hai, isliye woh pair nahi choone deti... lekin yeh zaroori nahi ki har saas apni bahu ko beti maane... aur yeh toh saas ki bhi saas hain... farz hai mera."

She was touching dadi's feet before the latter could apprehend the sarcasm.

Giving her a look from top to bottom, dadi twitched her mouth.

"Aapne ashirwaad nahi diya abhi tak... waise toh muh dikhayi bhi banti hai... aap apni bahu ki bahu se pehli baar mil rahi hain... lekin koi baat nahi, aapko kharcha nahi karna toh ashirwaad hi kaafi hai... main toh sirf isliye yaad dila rahi thi jisse baad mein aapko aisa na lage ki aap apna farz poora karna bhool gayi... aapko bhi toh khyal hoga hi apne farz ka." Naina adjusted the dupatta around her neck, setting her mangalsutra so that it was clearly visible.

It was dadi's turn to gasp in shock. She couldn't understand whether this small town girl was showing off the huge, exquisite diamond in her mangalsutra or taunting her.

"Khush raho." She muttered before turning and left with her chin held high in arrogance.

"Thank you, Sameer. Yahan aane ke liye haan kehke tumne mujhe kitni khushi di hai main bataa nahi sakti." Vishakha wiped her eyes, stroking his head when they were alone.

"Hum sirf aapse milne aaye hain, mummy... kal chale jayenge. Naina milna chahti thi isliye..." He swallowed the heaviness that had formed in his throat.

"Kal? Lekin parson toh karwachouth hai... Naina fast kaise rakhegi agar kal tum log travel karoge?" Vishakha gave a worried look to Naina.

"Mummy, hum karwachouth ke baad jayenge... yeh pehla karwachouth hai. Mujhe nahi pata kya karte hain... aapko hi sab batana padega." Naina smiled.

Vishakha was relieved. Sameer kept his indignation behind a hard expression, though Naina could see it in his eyes. His mother was happy though, thinking that he had agreed without protest.

"Yeh kaun hain, mumma?" A little girl in two ponytails came out, skipping.

Sameer stared at the innocent face of the girl he had only seen as an infant.

"Deepika, yeh Sameer bhaiya hain. Rohan bhaiya ne bataya hai na inke baare mein... aapke bade bhaiya... aur yeh bhabhi hain." Vishakha said lovingly.

"Sameer bhaiya ki bhabhi?" Deepika asked, her eyes racing between the two new faces.

"Aapki bhabhi... Sameer bhaiya ki wife." Vishakha laughed.

"Haww, shaadi toh papa log karte hain, bhaiya thodi... Rohan bhaiya ne toh nahi ki... kya Sameer bhaiya bhi papa hain?" Deepika widened her eyes.

Naina blushed to the roots at her innocent query. A faint smile appeared at the corners of Sameer's lips as well.

Vishakha smirked at her elder children before bending down to talk to Deepika, speaking in a low voice, "Jab bhaiya bade ho jaate hain toh unki shaadi ho jaati hai, Rohan ki bhi hogi, jaise aapki hogi jab aap bade ho jaoge. Lekin abhi aap apne bhaiya aur bhabhi ko hello nahi bologe?"

With a warm, welcoming smile, Deepika extended her hand to Sameer, "Hello Sameer bhaiya."

He was taken aback by her easy acceptance.

Naina had to shake him gently to bring him out of the daze. He took the tiny hand of his little sister delicately, careful not to intimidate her with his grip.

When Deepika held out her hand to Naina, she knelt down, and hugged the surprised girl, "Aap bohot cute ho, Deepika."

She beamed at the praise, pulling at the collar of her top, "Sab yehi kehte hain."

A surprised chuckle made way on Naina's face. She looked back at Sameer. Self praise seemed to be a family trait.

"Sab kehte hain ki aap apni mumma jaise ho... ab chalo andar." Vishakha pulled her daughter's cheeks, taking Naina's hand and gesturing to Sameer to leave the suitcase as they went inside.

Naina grinned. Yes, it was indeed a family trait... Sameer and Deepika had taken it from their mom.

A boy of Sameer's age was coming down the stairs when they entered the large hall. He stopped abruptly, staring at Sameer. The shock on his face changed to a pleasant acknowledgement next moment, his eyes lighting up with genuine felicity.

"Sameer." He sprinted down, rushing towards them, but halted just short of hugging Sameer.

"Rohan, tumhe bata nahi paayi jab tum office se wapas aaye... subah hi Naina ka phone aaya tha." Vishakha was thrilled to see Rohan's excitement.

After another moment of hesitation, he gave in, and leaned to wound his arms around Sameer's shoulders, "Welcome, bhai."

Sameer stood stifly in his embrace, not able to bring himself to show the warmth that he did not feel.

"Kaise ho?" He asked when Rohan stepped back.

"Aapko dekh ke bohot khush hun." The smile on Rohan's face got wider.

"Rohan, yeh Naina hai, Sameer..." Vishakha started the introduction but couldn't complete it.

Rohan ducked to touch Naina's feet, "Naina bhabhi."

She jumped, "Yeh... yeh aap kya kar rahe ho? Main toh aapse umr mein choti hun."

He straightened, his cordial smile still in place, "Lekin rishte mein toh bhabhi hain na... isliye aap mere liye hamesha badi rahengi... aur iss hisaab se aap mujhe aap nahi bula sakti... chahe toh kaan kheench ke thappad bhi laga dena lekin aap nahi bolna."

Naina was pleasantly surprised at the reception they got by everyone but dadi, who had just been herself.

Later, in their room on the first floor, she touched Sameer's arm, "Rohan aur Deepika kitne khush hue na humein dekh ke."

He nodded. Everything was a surprise for him because he had not given any thought to the reaction of anyone except dadi before reaching here. Rohan had softened towards him during his school time visits only but he had maintained his distance, never showing any affinity. In fact, he had seen the hurt many a times in his eyes but it did not melt him... what was his suffering in comparison to Sameer... the pain Rohan had given by taking away his mother.

But now, as his much sensible brain comprehended, Rohan was not as much at fault as his own mother. Rohan was not obligated to be nice to him... just like he wasn't... but still he tried to make Sameer as much comfortable when he visited this house in those years.

Nevertheless, the most crucial reason for his softened stand towards Rohan was the respect he showed to Naina.

Maybe the time had come to accept him as a part of his mother's family.

Next update tomorrow evening.