The  week was a hectic one for both Sameer and Naina. Daytime was spent in office. They first visited Anand and Bela next evening, reserving the consecutive days for both Munna and Pandit's house to give the gifts they got for everyone. The news of their Delhi visit delighted their family and friends equally. Munna could not hide the dampness in his eyes. He had always seen Sameer craving for his mother's attention... under the mask of bitterness he wore while talking to her. Since the relations had improved from the time of his marriage, the calmness that spread over him wasn't hidden from Munna either. But the rapture he saw now as Sameer animatedly talked about Rohan and Deepika was nothing short of a blessing. He had got a family he had been deprived of for years.

Diwali this year had indeed washed away all darkness from his friend's life, lighting up both his past and present. He prayed for this light to brighten the future as well.

The feel of festival was spread everywhere... home, markets, office. All gifts to official contacts were sent on time, along with sweets, as was the precedent set by nanu. The gifts for all employees were also distributed in the office.

The preparations at home were in full swing. Every morning, before leaving for office, Naina instructed Ramdhari about the cleaning routine. Diwali was a time when every house went for a spring cleaning... washing, dusting, wiping, polishing every single object, every single corner. He had himself finished all work on top floor rooms and terrace while they were in Delhi, being used to doing it every year. Now, with Naina's touch, the ground floor also looked splendid... new curtains in the hall, bright cushions, some new frames and decorative arts, a few flourishing plants in elegant white holders... the house was radiating the joy the inhabitants were soaked in.

Three days prior to the festival, Sameer got the lights put up all around. Strings of bulbs lined up the main wall, along with balconies and entrance. Naina had put up a beautiful floral hanging at the main door.

"Naina, do saal nanu ke saath jab Diwali pe yahan tha toh inn sab cheezon pe kabhi dhyan hi nahi gaya. Mujhe khushi bohot hoti thi par sirf isliye ki mahaul khushnuma hota tha. Ramdhari ne bataya tab bhi woh saari sajawat karta tha, nanu light bhi lagwate the lekin ghar itna sundar lagta tha yeh ahsaas hi nahi hua kabhi." Sameer admitted as he looked at the colourful rangoli that Naina was making outside the main door a day before Diwali.

"Woh isliye Sameer bhaiya, kyonki rangoli ke rang ghar ki malkin ke saath hi aate hain. Iss saal Naina bhabhi ne sajaya hai ghar toh aapko sundar lagega hi, warna kahan aap hamare kisi kaam ki tareef karte." Ramdhari came out with a tray of fresh juice for Naina, urging her to have first when she insisted to finish the work in hand.

Sameer had seen the care Ramdhari had showered upon Naina ever since he was told about her anemia. Because of all the dietary requirements being followed strictly, her reports had been much improved when they had visited the doctor two days back.

"Ramdhari, waise teri tareef na karne ka record todna toh nahi chahta par Diwali hai na, isliye tu bhi kya yaad rakhega, aaj keh hi deta hun." Sameer gave him an amiable smile.

Ramdhari's mouth fell open. He gawked at Naina and Sameer simultaneously, not able to believe that Sameer actually had some words of praise for him.

"Tu itna saara kaam karta hai, itni mehnat karta hai, sab kuch bina kahe sambhal leta hai, khana bhi achha banata hai..." Sameer paused, looking at the wide smile on the boy's face, and continued with a straight face, "Yeh sab toh keh nahi sakta kyonki yeh toh jhooth hoga."

The upward curve on Ramdhari's face turned downward as a frown appeared on his face, "Kya Sameer bhaiya, humein laga aap sachmuch hamare liye yeh sab keh rahe hain."

"Aap unki baat mat suno, Ramdhari bhaiya, jitna Sameer ne kaha aap usse bhi zyada achha kaam karte ho... aapki wajah se hi toh main sab kuch kar paati hun warna mujhe kahan aata tha ghar sambhalna." Naina smiled at him assuringly, after giving a furious look to Sameer.

"Naina ki baat bhi mat sunna tu, isse aadat hai jhooti tareef karne ki." Sameer smirked, enjoying the teasing.

Ramdhari nodded in understanding, "Achha, tabhi hum soche Naina bhabhi Sameer bhaiya ki itni badaai kyon karti hain."

Naina chuckled as he sprinted back to the kitchen, leaving a fuming Sameer gaping after him.

"Woh tumhare pati ka mazaak udda ke gaya aur tum hans rahi ho?" He crouched next to her on the floor.

"Mazaak kahan tha... tumhari tareef toh karti hi hun main... tumne hi kaha ki woh jhooti hoti hai." She looked at him innocently.

He frowned, caught in the web of his own words. His eyes went to the rangoli that was complete now.

Holding her hand, he stood up, taking her along, "Main shayad bhool gaya tum kya kehti ho... zara fir se batana padega."

Before she could take care of the packets of rangoli colours, Sameer was ushering her to their room, calling out to Ramdhari to clear extra things from outside.

"Sameer, yeh... yeh kya kar rahe ho?" She fumbled when he locked the door.

"Ab batao kya kehna hai tumhe mere baare mein... tareef ya buraayi jo bhi karni hai kar lo... main sun raha hun." His eyes were fixed on her.

The different colours of rangoli were still smeared on her hands, along with a few specks on her face, which she wasn't aware of. With his fingers digging into her upper arm, his eyes held her captive, reflecting the face that was etched in his every cell.

Her fists opened up slowly. Unperturbed by the stains they were leaving, her hands landed on his chest, and moved up steadily. Her fingers went behind his ears, threading into his silky hair. He gave in to the pressure of her hands, reaching her lips as she raised her chin, inviting him.

Holding his head in a tight grasp, she teased his lower lip, feeling it lightly between her teeth. He waited. After leisurely exploring the lip, her tongue pushed a little, making him give her access. Sameer was taken aback by the sudden change in intensity of her kiss. She hungrily delved into his mouth, making him feel her presence in every corner... igniting a sudden fire in him.

Just as abruptly, she left him, a slight smirk at the corner of her lips, "Yeh ek chota sa thank you tha... jo tum ho uske liye. Ab samajh aa gaya na ki tum kya ho mere liye?"

His hands slipped down to her waist, tightening the grip, "Ab iss chote se thank you se nahi chalega. Detail mein samjhana padega... tumpe toh rang laga hi hua tha ab main bhi tumhare rang mein rang gaya hun toh..."

His flicked his brows in the direction of bathroom.

Unlike other times, she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Utha ke le jaana hoga."

His eyes glittered at her boldness. He loved the promise in her eyes, gladly picking her up and walking to the washroom.

On the day of Diwali, they hurried to factory for pooja in the morning. Naina, along with munshiji, had got the reception area cleared previous day, for Diwali celebration. Almost all the staff had come for pooja, which was surprising for Sameer. Usually, only a few seniors were called, he had been told by munshiji.

"Maine kaha tha aisa karne ko. Jab har achhe bure waqt mein yeh saare workers hamare saath hote hain toh itne bade tyohar ko hum akele kyon manayein? Yeh khushi bhi toh inke saath baantni chahiye. Isliye maine notice bhijwaya tha ki iss pooja mein jo bhi aana chahe woh aa sakte hain, aur apne parivar walon ko bhi laa sakte hain." Naina answered when he asked if she was aware so many people would be coming.

He was left speechless yet again. How could she think about every person that came in contact with her? He saw the happy faces of people around. It was rare that the factory workers entered the office premises. They spent all their time in the huge building at the back, surrounded by loud noises of bulky machines. Today, dressed up in fineries against the dark overalls they always donned, they were proudly showing their workplace to their kids. When Naina asked him to give away chocolates to all children present there, he could see their eyes light up brighter than the diyas put up for decoration.

A small arrangement of snacks and sweets was made for everyone after the pooja. She moved around, talking to the shy wives of workers, who hesitantly replied but slowly opened up to her. Sameer was amazed to see her mix up with same ease with wives of seniors as well. He heard some elderly ladies addressing her as daughter in law, saying that Sameer was like their son.

He couldn't help but smile. Naina did not fail to add to his family. From a lonesome, despondent outcast, she had changed him to someone who was loved by everyone... her love had altered his equation with all existing relations, and paved way for new recognition.

"Kya hua, Sameer? Yahan kyon ruke ho? Kuch lena hai kya?" She was perplexed as he stopped the car near the busy market, while on their way home.

He gave her a serene look, "Naina, tumne mujhe itne saare rishte diye hain. Tumhare aane se pehle mere paas pyar bhara sirf ek rishta tha. Aaj main tumhe uss rishte mein shaamil karna chahta hun. Waise toh dil se unhone pehle hi tumhe hamari... yani meri aur unki... zindagi ka hissa bana diya tha, lekin hum dono ko saath dekhne ki unki khwahish unke jaane se pehle poori nahi ho paayi. Aaj maine ek choti si koshish ki hai unki iss ichha ko poora karne ki."

She was more puzzled now. Sameer stepped out of the car, indicating her to come along.

The large photo studio was filled with all types of pictures, of random people with famous stars and political leaders. When the person at the counter got a wrapped up frame, her curiosity peaked to another level, watching impatiently as he slowly uncovered the picture.

Naina was stunned.

The photograph in front of her was a dream come true.

Both of them with nanu... happy and smiling.

Her eyes pooled up as sudden warmth surged through her.

Wiping her eyes quickly, she peered at the picture closely. How similar Sameer and nanu appeared... how did she not notice this resemblance before? When she had seen Sameer in the school for the first time, she had no clue that he would be related to the genial, old man who often met her at the steps of temple. What was it with Maheshwari men that she was drawn to them instantly?

Sameer asked shopkeeper to pack it properly, making the payment.

"Naina, chalein?" He touched her elbow, bringing her out of the thoughts she seemed to be lost in.

"Thank you, Sameer. Shaadi ke baad ki pehli Diwali hum nanu ke saath manayenge. Isse achha toh kuch ho hi nahi sakta tha." She flashed him a beaming smile, with tears glistening in her eyes.

He picked up the wrapped frame, walking out of the shop with her.

"Lekin tumne yeh kiya kaise?" She was still dazed by the result.

"Ek din Munna ke saath yahan aaya tha toh yeh sab photos dekhi. Maine poocha Munna se ki inn sab famous logon ke saath li hui photos yeh log yahan se hi kyon banwate hain... tab Munna ne bataya ki iss dukaan mein koi bhi photographs ko jod ke aisa bana dete hain jisse lage ki aap saath mein ho. Bas tabhi maine soch liya ki nanu ko hamare saath laane ka yeh achha tareeka hai." He explained when they were back in the car.

Ramdhari was equally shocked to see the new frame, "Nanaji ke saath aap logon ne photo kab khichwayi? Sameer bhaiya, unke saamne toh aap Naina bhabhi ko yahan laaye hi nahi the."

When Naina told him that it wasn't one picture but two... he was astonished.

"Toh kya hamari photo bhi hanumanji ke saath banwa sakte hain?" He widened his eyes in excited anticipation.

Sameer gave him an exasperated look, "Sab poochenge toh kya kahega... kahan mila tha hanumanji se?"

His mouth rounded in realisation. Scratching his head, he went back to the kitchen.

After lunch, they put up the new photograph in main hall, next to nanu's existing frame. It brigtened up the whole room instantly, making it a true Diwali for them.

I know the above edit is not very good but this is all I could manage... am not much adept at these things 🤷‍♀️

Also, let's not forget that it was the 90s in the story, when edits were an unheard of concept, so I guess my attempt can pass off 😂

Next update tomorrow evening