"Naina, suno na... ruko toh." Sameer ran behind his miffed wife.

"Arre re, kitni cute baby hai." One of the cousins of Nidhi stopped him, admiring Sana.

Sameer halted abruptly, "Uhh... mujhe jana hai."

"Baby ko iske mummy papa ke paas chodna hai?" The girl chuckled.

"Yeh meri..." Before he could tell them that he was the father, he was disrupted by the same group of girls who gathered around him, cooing at Sana.

"Wow, kitni pyari hai."

"Iski smile kitni cute hai."

"Dekho kaise hans rahi hai."

"Iske mummy papa kitne good looking honge agar yeh itni beautiful hai toh."

"Yeh wohi baby hai na jo unn didi ke paas thi... shayad unki beti hi hai."

He was drowned in comments from all sides.

Nidhi tapped one of them from behind, "Yeh kya chal raha hai? Tum log kyon pareshan kar rahe ho Sameer ko?"

"Oh, toh inka naam Sameer hai... matlab hawa ka jhonka... kabhi yahan, kabhi wahan... isliye itni jaldi gayab ho jaate hain." One of her cousin chuckled.

"Nidhi, woh..." Sameer uncomfortably shifted his weight from one leg to another.

Nidhi did not give him a chance to let out the secret, "Tum jao. Rohan dhoond raha hai tumhe."

Giving her a thankful look, he walked away quickly.

"Rohan, yeh teri saaliyan baar baar mere paas hi aa rahi hain." He exclaimed in frustration.

Rohan kept a straight face, "Dekha maine. Shaadi ke time thoda bohot chedna toh chalta hai, bhai."

Sameer ran his hand through his hair, muttering, "Inke thode chedne se meri Naina ka paara bohot chad gaya hai... ab kaise manau usse!"

Though he was just letting his thoughts out, Rohan heard it, and gave a tongue in cheek smile.

Every time Sameer went close to Naina, she started talking to other guests or Nidhi's family members, ignoring him completely. His efforts to explain to her failed... she pretented not to have heard anything even when he could corner her.

It was almost the end of the function. She was standing with Nidhi and Rohan, holding Sana. Rohan was telling her how Sameer was getting restless with each passing moment. Nidhi also mentioned how uncomfortable he looked when her cousins surrounded him.

Naina smiled, "Sameer ko kaisa lag raha hai mujhe pata hai. Lekin yeh sazaa usse jhelni padegi. Mummy ke samne mujhe ched raha tha, aur kaha ki sazaa mujhe milegi sirf isliye kyonki..."

She stopped in time, saving herself from the embarrassment by telling that he was jealous of Nidhi hugging her. When Sameer saw her with Rohan and Nidhi, he rushed to them, seeing this as the perfect chance to pacify her with their help. But the moment he reached them, the root of all his troubles, the girl gang was back.

"Yahan goodbye session chal raha hai kya... humein bhi bye, good night, sweet dreams bol dijiye." The girl who had first noticed Sameer, looked at him from the corner of her eye while she faced Rohan.

He took one step towards Naina, intending to hold her, but she moved to the other side of Nidhi.

"Please bata do na bhai ko. Dekho kitne bichare lag rahe hain." Nidhi whispered to her.

Naina gave her a nod, "Bohot bichara hai... tum soch bhi nahi sakti kitna badmaash hai Sameer."

Nidhi winked at her, "Soch nahi sakti toh tum bata do... jisse mujhe pata ho Rohan se kya expect karna hai."

Naina winked back, "Batane baithi toh tumhari shaadi ka muhurat nikal jayega par iske kisse khatam nahi honge."

They both giggled. The girls were still flirting with Sameer and teasing Rohan. Though the latter was blushing and smiling, his brother was getting frustrated.

Nidhi's cousin again patted Sana's cheek, "Didi, yeh aapki beti hai?"

Naina nodded.

"Bohot cute hai. Bilkul aapke jaisi." She compared their faces.

Naina shook her head, "Nahi, yeh zyada apne papa ke jaisi hai."

"Lekin iske papa hain kahan? Humne dekha nahi abhi tak." Another girl looked at the seating area where only a few guests were left now.

Finally, Naina decided to reveal the truth. She looked at Sana and smiled, "Papa ke paas jaana hai?"

An exuberant shriek was her answer.

"Lo Sameer, sambhalo apni beti ko." She went towards him and leaned ahead to hand him the baby.

The girls went silent... and shocked, watching the the two of them with wide eyes.

Rohan and Nidhi stifled their smiles.

Naina maintained a nonchalant expression.

Sameer let out a relieved exhale when his wife kept standing with him after he held Sana, her hand wrapped around his free arm, presenting a picture of a perfect family.

Finally, one girl found her voice, "Yeh... yeh aapke hus... husband hain?"

Naina nodded once.

The first girl gave her a disappointed look, "Toh aapne kyon kaha ki yeh jiju ke bhai hain?'

"Kyonki Sameer Rohan ka bhai hi hai." Naina stated matter of factly.

The girl gave a shake to her head, seemingly clearing it of the jumbled thoughts, "Nahi matlab... aapne tab kaha... woh humne poocha tha ki... toh aapne khud kaha ki yeh hain jiju ke bhai."

"Tumne poocha tumhare jiju ka koi bhai hai kya toh maine bata diya. Tumne yeh kab kaha ki kunware bhai ke liye pooch rahi ho." Naina widened her eyes innocently.

She flushed, "Nahi woh... hamara matlab tha ki..."

Nidhi could not take it any longer, bursting out in peals of laughter as she pressed her cousin's shoulder, "Offo Simi, yeh sab mazak tha... jaise tum log ched rahe the Rohan ko, Naina bhabhi ne tum logo ki khinchai kar di."

The girls had a sheepish look on their faces, looking at everyone before Simi turned to Nidhi, "Tu toh bata sakti thi na... tujhe pehle se pata tha yahan hamari taang kheenchi jaa rahi hai lekin yeh nahi ki behenon ka saath de."

Nidhi pointed at Naina, and shrugged.

The girl turned to Sameer, "Kya jiju... aapko bhi jiju hi bolenge kyonki Naina didi hamare liye Nidhi jaisi hain... haan toh jiju, aapne kyon nahi bataya ki yeh aapki baby hai?"

Sameer was rendered speechless by everything that happened within a span of few minutes. His mind was still processing the realisation that Naina herself was behind this mixup.

Simi turned to Naina, "Yeh dekhiye, aise silent mode mein chale jaate hain yeh senior jiju. Pehle hi bata dete toh yeh sab confusion hi nahi hota... lekin aap bhi kamaal hain, Naina didi... hamare saath saath apne husband ki bhi khinchaai karwa di."

She glanced at Sameer's shocked face, and giggled.

Later, when they were in the car, Rohan chuckled at the way Sameer had gone totally numb, "Sameer, kuch zyada hi jhatka lag gaya hai tumhe shayad, awaaz hi nahi nikal rahi."

Sameer looked at Naina, clearly annoyed now, "Yeh jhatka Naina ko mehenga padega."

She raised one brow, "Achha? Sazaa ki baat ki thi na kal, uska jawaab tha yeh. Soch lo, abhi toh sangeet hai fir shaadi."

Rohan turned his gaze to the other side, looking out of the window. He didn't want to interrupt in their banter... which was not less romantic than their normal talks.

Sameer was at the receiving end again, "Lekin tumne hi unhe mere peeche bheja tha toh mujhpe gussa kyon ho rahi thi? Meri kya galti thi?"

"Tumne ek baar bhi bola ki tumhari shaadi ho rakhi hai? Ya jab Sana tumhari goud mein thi toh bataya kyon nahi ki tum iske papa ho." Naina showed fake anger.

Sameer hitched up his shoulders helplessly, "Unhone kuch bolne hi kahan diya... sab ki sab ek saath... waise tumne kyon nahi bataya?"

"Sabne bhai ka pucha tha... shaadi ke ya bhabhi ke baare mein thodi... toh main kyon batati." She shrugged.

His face fell. She still seemed to be vexed. He pursed his lips and held one ear, mouthing a silent sorry. She could not keep up the pretence any more, and smiled, bringing his hand down. He rounded his lips, letting out a long breath. The few loose locks that were falling on Naina's face, blew away. She closed her eyes. He checked Rohan, sitting next to the driver, lost in the view outside. Bringing his attention back to his wife, he again blew gently on her face. She placed a hand on his chest, flicking her eyes towards Rohan. Sameer shifted closer to her, and wrapped his arm around her waist, elated when his fingers landed on the skin left bare by her saree.

"Sana, papa ke paas jaana hai, baby?" Naina tickled Sana, who was sitting in her lap, watching the racing lights on the poles outside.

She beamed at Sameer, lurching towards him. He knew why Naina had done it, but he happily took Sana in his lap, pointing out the well lit buildings and structures from the speeding car.

Next morning, a boy and a girl came over to apply mehendi to the family members. Sameer was delighted to see the intricate patterns on Naina's palms, which would be hiding his name somewhere, he was sure. Vishakha and Deepika also got full hands covered while Rohan got a small design made on both palms. By evening, the colour had become quite dark. Dressed up for sangeet, Naina herself looked like a bride. Sameer was mesmerised to see the red and green saree that matched with the mehendi on her hands. She had planned to perform on a song in the sangeet. He was excited to watch her dance again... recalling how she had bowled him over at the time of Rahul and Sonali's wedding.

But the evening had something else in store for them.

The moment music started to play, Sana got uneasy. She fidgeted, not letting Naina sit at one place. Even though Sameer took her around, her crying did not stop. She was extremely restless. Vishakha suggested that they go back as Sana seemed to be disconcerted because of the loud music.

She was right. The moment their car moved away from party area, Sana was back to her cheerful and peppy self. They had to miss the sangeet function but were happy to see Sana comfortable at home.

Vishakha had called two girls from a well known beauty salon next evening, to help her and Naina get ready for the wedding. Sameer was not happy to know that Naina would not get dressed in their room. She hadn't shown him the new pink lehenga yet, saying that he would again insist her to try it and show him, so it was better that he saw it on the day of wedding only.

Now, he waited impatiently in the living room, while Naina was locked in with Vishakha and Deepika.

"Sana, tumhari mummy ko itna kya karna hai jo ek ghante se andar band hai... ghar pe toh dus minute mein taiyar ho jaati hai." He muttered, keeping one hand over Sana as she sat propped up against the cushions.

Her head jerked up, hearing her name, but her dad seemed to be occupied with something else, looking towards the other side. Taking his hand, she put one of the fingers in her mouth, reminding him of herself. Sameer bellowed as the sharp tooth again marked his finger.

"Aur sikhao aisi shararatein isko." Naina came running, holding his finger to see the deep mark.

Sameer forgot about the pain... staring at her open mouthed.

She looked stunning, in a much brighter and elaborate outfit than what she usually wore. A long necklace and heavy earrings were highlighted in her tied up hair. She had started to keep them braided since Sana had got into the habit of pulling them whenever she was in her arms. What made it different today was a bunch of fragrant white flower strings at the nape.

She blew at his finger before picking up Sana, "Main isse taiyar karke laati hun, tum ek baar mummy se pooch lo sab saaman car mein rakhwa diya hai na."

And she was gone... while he sat on the sofa, enveloped in a cloud of fragrances... of flowers, of spray perfume, and the most exotic one... her own scent.

"Sameer bhaiya, dekho main kaisi lag rahi hun." Deepika's voice brought him out of his dazed state.

His sister looked pretty in a dark blue and yellow lehenga. Holding her flared skirt, she twirled around, grinning at him. He pressed his index finger to the tip of his thumb, raising his brows to appreciate her. Dressed in heavy saree and jewellery, Vishakha looked radiant too.

"Sameer, tum bhi toh change karke aao. Aur Rohan abhi tak kyon nahi aaya... uske door pe bhi ek baar knock kar dena. Jao jaldi." Vishakha gave him a head to toe look after he had helped to put two packets in the car.

He ran upstairs, glad to get the opportunity. Once Rohan confirmed that he was almost ready, Sameer rushed to his room. First thing he did was close the door.

Naina looked up from where she was dressing up Sana, "Achha hua tum aa gaye. Yeh kapde rakhe hain, jaldi se naha ke ready ho jao."

He contemplated for a moment, then decided to get dressed first, so that Naina was also free.

When he walked out of the bathroom, Sana was sitting on the bed, without any support.

And Naina stood at the edge, her hands clasped to her mouth, watching in awe.

He look two long strides and stood near her, his own eyes wide, "Bina takiye ke baith gayi?"

"Haan Sameer, dekho, khud hi balance kar liya. Maine jaise hi isse dress pehenaya, uth ke aise baith gayi jaise roz hi karti ho." Naina eagerly held his arm.

He grinned at the baby, who was busy playing with the frill of her new dress.

Naina turned and hugged Sameer, "Sab bachhe aise hi seekhte hain, lekin fir bhi apne bachhe ki har nayi harkat pe itni khushi hoti hai."

He circled his arms around her, resting his cheek on her head, "Hmm, aisa lagta hai jaise humne hi kuch naya seekh liya hai."

They watched their baby, sitting confidently and with ease, till Naina  realised that she was pressed against Sameer's bare chest while he stood in a towel.

"Sameer, der ho rahi hai." She tried to pull back.

His arms tightened, and he looked at her, "Der hi toh ho rahi hai... tumhe abhi tak bataya hi nahi tum kaisi lag rahi ho."

She squirmed, "Abhi nahi. Mummy intezar kar rahi hongi. Main Sana ko leke neeche jaati hun, tum aa jaana."

He pulled her closer. Her breath hitched as the heat from his damp chest seared her. Her gaze got stuck on the drops on his jaw, trapped in a light stubble. Her hands, that were resting on his chest, slid up to his shoulders, and she kissed the rough jaw. He tilted his head slightly, to reach her lips.

But she evaded him, shaking her head, "Mera makeup kharab ho jayega."

He pouted, then leaned and placed a kiss on her neck. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

A knock on the door made them jerk apart, before Sameer could recall that the door was latched from inside.

Rohan asked him to hurry up, and went away. With an exasperated sigh, he started to get dressed.

Naina's pic is an edit from insta fan page ashi_naina

Next update tomorrow evening