Naina was surprised next morning when there were no relatives or neighbours present for Ganesh pooja. A small pedestal over a side cabinet held the idol, along with lit diyas and other things arranged in different platters. In her house, each function of a wedding was brimming with close and distant relatives, who had travelled to join the family for all rituals. Even if chachaji managed to make staying arrangements for them in neighbouring houses, all those people spent almost the entire day with them, going to their designated place of stay only to get dressed or sleep.

She looked around. The house didn't look anything like their own house which used to be teeming with people sitting on all available surfaces, constantly demanding something or the other, be it a toothpaste, hair oil, a towel, an iron, a safety pin, bindi, besan or multani mitti for face pack or innumerable cups of tea.

"Sameer, koi rishtedaar nahi aaye kya abhi tak? Der se aayenge?" She whispered to Sameer, when Vishakha wasn't around.

He shrugged. During his short stays here, he had never seen any relative visit the house. There were a few phone calls on some occasions but that too was very rare. And he knew why his mom's distant cousin had not come. Kamlesh mama had eyes on nanu's house after the latter passed away. He also wanted to merge his small business with nanu's vast empire, and run everything along with his son. When Vishakha had brought him to Ahmedabad, he was devastated to see the house transferred in Naina's name. To worsen the injury, Sameer had refused his help for the business, showing complete faith in munshiji and his own capability, along with Naina's help. Kamlesh mama could not bear the insult metted out to him, and had left immediately, saying he never wanted to think of them as a family, after such betrayal.

Betrayal... a scornful smile spread on Sameer's face. He was fully aware what would have happened had he allowed the vile, scheming cousin of his mom take over nanu's well set up business.

His thoughts were disrupted as Sana, who was in his arms, squeaked at the dancing flames of diyas. He smiled, taking her closer to the decorated place. She flung her hand ahead, hoping to catch the bright light. He held her hand, shaking his head when she frowned at him.

"Isse haath nahi lagate, baby. Tumko lag jayegi." He murmured to her, showing a painful expression to make her understand.

How much she could comprehend, he wasn't sure, but she did not try to catch the diyas again, happy to watch the flowers, the thin streak of smoke emitting from incense sticks, decorated plates and other new things.

Shortly, panditji came over and Rohan was called. They all sat down for the pooja which lasted not more than fifteen minutes. After the blessings of the deity who was always worshipped as the remover of obstacles, Vishakha asked everyone to have a quick breakfast so that haldi ceremony could be started.

When they were in the kitchen, preparing haldi, Naina hesitantly turned her gaze to Vishakha, "Mummy, koi rishtedar nahi aaye shaadi ke liye?"

Vishakha continued with the task at hand, replying in a low voice, "Koi rishtedar hai hi nahi."

Naina was amazed, thinking about the hoardes of people in their house at weddings... some of whom were only seen for these functions.

"Aisa bhi hota hai? Hamare yahan toh shaadi ke teen chaar din pehle se hi itne rishtedar aa jaate hain ki lagta hai ghar mein mela laga hai." She thought aloud.

Vishakha smiled at her simplicity, "Achha hai na, ghar mein itne log hote hain toh khushi ka mahaul bana rehta hai."

"Haan, aur bhaag daud ka bhi... sabki farmaaishein poori karne ki." Naina giggled.

Vishakha let out a long exhale before explaining, "Vivek iklaute bete hain. Unke papa bhi akele hi the. Kuch cousins wagerah hain lekin mummyji ki sabko neecha dikhane ki aadat se dheere dheere sabne milna julna chod diya. Maine Vivek se poocha tha jab Deepika paida hui aur uske function pe koi nahi aaya. Unhone kaha bohot door ke hain saare rishtedar isliye mummyji ko unhe bulana pasand nahi."

Naina could imagine dadi's grimacing and haughty expressions at everyone.

Haldi ritual was over in no time, with just a few of them... and five of Vishakha's friends. Since haldi is to be applied by seven married women, she had called her friends who stayed close by.

Evening function was with Nidhi's family. It was basically a ritual of giving gifts to the couple by their in laws. The ceremony was called Tilak by one family and Sagan by another, but meant the same. The function was arranged in a garden close to Nidhi's house. The lighting was dim, highlighting only the individual tables, food area and the elevated platform where Rohan and Nidhi were sitting.

Nidhi's cousins did not leave Rohan alone even for a moment, teasing him repeatedly. And he couldn't stop blushing, making them tease him even more.

"Hone wale jiju toh Nidhi se bhi zyada sharmate hain." One of the girls quipped.

Another one nudged her, "Puch le, aise sharmeele kitne aur bhai hain inke... hum bhi number laga lein."

Naina couldn't stop herself, going towards the group with Sana in her arms, "Woh dekho. Wahan jo cream suit mein hain woh bhai hain aapke jiju ke."

The girls looked in the direction where Sameer stood talking to someone. They swooned audibly. Nidhi opened her mouth to tell them but Naina shook her head, holding a finger to her lips.

"Hayee, Nidhi, chachi ko bol tere saath meri bhi shaadi karwa dein." One of the girls held a hand to her heart, her dreamy gaze fixed on Sameer.

"Chal Ritu, mil ke aate hain." Other one dragged her.

Rohan was amazed, "Bhabhi, yeh kya kiya? Aapne khud hi..."

Naina chuckled, looking at the astonished faces of Rohan and Nidhi, "Bhai ki shaadi hai, Sameer ko bhi khush hone do."

Their gazes turned to Sameer who seemed to be stunned by being surrounded by a bunch of girls, who all seemed to be talking to him at the same time.

"Khushi nahi shock nazar aa raha hai bhai ke chehre pe." Rohan was amused now.

Sameer pasted a fake, polite smile on his face, answering the girls. Though they were mainly asking about Rohan, two of them were quietly staring at him, with a smile on their faces.

"Tum dono kuch batana mat. Na Sameer ko na inn ladkiyon ko." Naina directed them before quickly slipping away amongst the large gathering of people.

As expected, Sameer glanced in the direction she was standing just a few moments back, and frowned at not finding her. He looked around, and noticed Vishakha at some distance.

"Mujhe... mujhe mummy bula rahi hain." He pointed at her, desperate to get away.

One of the girls sniggered, "Hamare jiju bhi aapke jaise mumma's boy hain kya?"

To his respite, Vishakha called out his name at that precise moment. He darted towards her, without paying heed to a burst of laughter behind him. Vishakha introduced him to a well known designer who had seen the fabric blends they supplied to Mumbai designer circle. He wanted to get similar fabric in darker shades. Sameer invited him to come to the factory in Ahmedabad so they could work out a deal. Later, he looked everywhere but couldn't find Naina. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the same girls coming towards him, and he almost ran to Rohan and Nidhi.

"Naina kahan hai?" His desperation was clear in his voice and expression.

Rohan shrugged, "Pata nahi. Yahan toh nahi aayi."

Pursing his lips, he peered at the crowd in the large garden area. Nidhi wanted to tell him but Rohan pressed her hand, shaking his head. The games his brother and bhabhi played with each other need not be spoiled.

She helplessly looked at Sameer, "Tumhe kuch chahiye tha kya? Main kisi ko bula dun?"

"Mujhe Naina chahiye." He blurted before even realising what he was saying, his eyes still scanning the dark expanse of the venue.

Rohan chuckled, "Woh toh tumhe saalon pehle hi mil chuki."

He gave a frustrated look to his brother and walked urgently to the area where food was served.

Nidhi was overawed by his desperation. Some of her conservative relatives had been telling her ever since they arrived for the wedding, that Rohan belonged to a different community and a different type of family background. Those relatives were still stuck on the second marriage of his parents... and the fact that Vishakha was his step mother. They warned Nidhi that he might be like his family... and their marriage might not last.

Seeing Sameer, she wished Rohan was like his family... like his brother.

"Agar tum 50% bhi Sameer bhai jaise hue toh main khud ko bohot lucky manungi." Her thoughts spilled out unintentionally.

Rohan looked sharply at her, then smiled as he saw the dreamy look in her eyes.

He held her hand within both his palms, and looked intently into her eyes, "Main hamesha se bhai jaisa banna chahta tha. Sach kahun toh pyar bhi ussi se seekha hai. Bhai jitna pyar kar paana pata nahi kisi ke liye mumkin hai bhi ya nahi. Par aaj tumse waada karta hun, Nidhi... main kabhi tumhe apne faisle pe pachtane ka mauka nahi dunga. Tumhari aankhon mein kabhi dard ka andhera nahi aane dunga. Jo ahsaas tumhare liye aaj dil mein hain woh har din ke saath aur gehre honge. Bhai se seekha hai, shaadi pyar ka mukaam nahi hoti... shaadi shuruaat hai, saath chalne ki, saath nibhane ki, sahi maayne mein saathi ban jaane ki. Aur main tumhara saathi zindagi bhar ke liye rahunga."

Nidhi placed her other hand on his, blinking hard to keep the happy tears contained in her eyes. She didn't have an iota of doubt on the sincerity of his words. He was much more than her desired 50%.

"Mummy, aapne Naina ko dekha? Kabse nahi mil rahi hai." Sameer asked Vishakha, his eyes darting in all directions.

She pressed his arm, pointing at the room at one end of the venue, "Kahin nahi gayi tumhari Naina. Sana ka diaper change karna tha isliye maine wahan bheja hai. Bas aati hi hogi."

Sameer did not wait to hear any more, sprinting towards the room. Naina walked out when he was still a few paces away.

"Sameer? Kya hua? Tum..." Rest of her words died down as he engulfed both his girls in his arms, together.

Feeling the tension in him, she wrapped her free arm around him, rubbing his back.

"Sameer, tum theek ho?" The question was back between them.

"Naina, main itna darr gaya tha... sab jagah dhoonda tumhe... na tum kahin dikhi na Sana." He mumbled against her ear.

"Sana ka diaper change karna tha... woh ro rahi thi. Aur usse bhook bhi lagi thi." She explained.

He moved back, looking earnestly at both his wife and daughter. Even a few moments without them made his heart stop. He took Sana in his arms, who was quietly watching him, showing no discomfort at his tight hug that pressed her between her parents.

"Baby ko papa ki yaad nahi aayi kya?" He pouted at her, pressing a finger to her cheek.

She shrieked in delight, and held his finger, taking it straight to her mouth. Before he could save himself, she bit him hard, imprinting her new tooth on his skin.

"Ahhh... Naina, yeh dekho kya kiya hai iss badmaash ne." He held out his finger to her, which showed a tiny but deep indent.

To his surprise, Naina danced her eyes, not showing the expected sympathy, "Badmaash papa ki beti hai."

He quirked up his brows.

"Dekha tha maine, kaise sab ladkiyon ke beech mein hero banke khade hue the. Bada mazaa aa raha tha tumhe. Mujhe Nidhi ne gale lagaya toh itna chid gaye aur khud itni saari ladkiyon ke saath hans hans ke baatein kar rahe the." Her face was stern, her arms folded.

He was aghast, "Naina, main kahan hans raha tha? Pata nahi woh kaun thi. Maine kuch kiya hi nahi, main toh..."

She cut him midway, "Tum toh kya? Sabke beech mein krishan kanhaiya samajh rahe the khud ko. Aur kya karna tha? Gale lagana tha? Kisko... kisi ek ko ya sabko?"

He shook his head, searching for words. The evening was going all wrong for him. First those girls surrounded him and teased him endlessly, then he couldn't find Naina and Sana... and now his wife was annoyed with him, for no fault of his.

She twisted her mouth and walked ahead. Sameer gave a dejected look to Sana. The little one, who was watching the interaction between her parents with keen interest, kicked against his chest, giving him a full throated laugh.

Next update tomorrow evening