"Ma'am, aap ready hain? Main cab le aaya hun." Munshiji's voice echoed in the room.

Sameer gave a perplexed look to his mom, "Aapne munshiji ko kyon bulaya? Main aapko leke chalta hun na."

Vishakha had just come out of her room, ready to leave. Ramdhari brought her small bag, keeping it near the door.

Smiling at Sameer, Vishakha fondly patted his cheek, "Tum ab thoda aaram karo... maine kal hi bol diya tha munshiji ko."

"Hum aapko chod aayenge airport tak, mummy." Naina came to stand next to Vishakha.

"Nahi, raat bhar jaagne ke baad drive nahi karna chahiye." She shook her head slightly.

"Lekin mummy... " Sameer started, only to be stalled by his mother.

"Sameer, office hai na tumhara... thoda aaram zaruri hai." She brought the firmness of a mother's order in her words.

"Beta, aap aaj lunch ke baad aa jaana... shaam ko char baje ek meeting hai... usse pehle aisa kuch nahi hai." Munshiji informed Sameer.

Though it was a goodbye again, a calmness on Vishakha's face could not be missed. Hugging both her children, she blessed them.

"Yeh visit mere liye bohot khaas rahegi... hamesha... thank you." She kissed their foreheads simultaneously.

"Fir kab aayengj aap?" Sameer swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

"Bohot jaldi." Vishakha promised.

And he knew... she would keep her promise this time.

Ramdhari had made some poha for breakfast. Though Sameer wasn't keen to eat, Naina made him have a little, knowing that his stomach definitely needed some even though his heart was heavy.

"Tumhe toh khush hona chahiye, Sameer... aise muh latka ke mummy ke aane ki khushi kam mat karo... unhe wapas toh jaana hi tha... har baar jaana hoga... par iss baar woh apni marzi se, apni khushi se aayi thi... kitna garv hai unhe tum pe... Sameer, sabko peeche chod ke kal ka din unhone sirf tumhare liye rakha... apne bete ke liye... Rohan ki party ke liye bhi mana kar diya... yeh bohot badi baat hai... jo pyar unke dil mein chupa hua tha, woh bahar aane laga hai, aur woh sabko dikhane se darr nahi rahi... yeh tumhare rishte ki kamyaabi hai." Naina tried to make him see the brighter side.

He lifted his eyes from the spoon he was toying with, staring straight ahead "Naina, maine pehli baar aisa kuch kiya hai jiski wajah se mummy ne mujhe Rohan se behtar samjha."

She placed her palm on his cheek, turning his face towards her, "Tumhara aur Rohan ka koi competition nahi chal raha hai jahan ek ko jeetna hai aur ek ko haarna... shayad kuch majboori rahi hogi mummy ki jiski wajah se unhe tumse alag hona pada, aur fir sheharon mein hi nahi dilon mein bhi dooriyan aa gayi... lekin unn sabke baare mein soch ke ab bhi apne aapko dukh kyon de rahe ho... tumne khud mujhe kaha tha ki mann mein padi hui gaanth kholne se hi mann mein pyar ko phailne ki jagah milti hai... toh tum bhi khol do na apni gaanthen, muthhi khol ke phisal jaane do iss ret ko apne haathon se... Sameer, muskura ke yaad karo na saari baatein."

He looked into her eyes. They were shining... with assurance, with conviction... that the distances had indeed shrunk.

He pulled her chair swiftly, taking her hands in his, "Haan Naina, sach keh rahi ho tum... mummy ka aise aana... yeh sach mein ek naye rishte ke jaisa hai... jo baatein kal unhone batayi woh sab toh mujhe yaad hi nahi... jitna yaad hai, usmein unka pyar kahin dhoondne pe bhi nahi milta tha... lekin kal ki ek raat ne jo yaadein di hain, unse dil mein mummy ke naam ka jo khalipan tha woh jaise bhar gaya."

She breathed in relief and exhilaration. On purpose, she had not let the conversation drift to the time when Sameer lost his father, and whatever happened later. She had kept pestering Vishakha to tell about Sameer's pre school days, and Sameer had revelled in the attention he received from his mother... she had pinched his cheeks, given playful smacks, ruffled and sorted his hair, patted when he lay in her lap, adjusted his collar when she praised him, even pulled his ear at one time... and Sameer beamed at every touch of hers, as if this attention repleted the emotional cracks that had appeared in their relationship over the years.

Not just Sameer, but Vishakha was equally enraptured as the chasm between them diminished. She had left with a light heart, Naina could see.

Sameer yawned after he finished his poha, bringing Naina's attention back to her surroundings.

"Chalo ab so jao thodi der, warna meeting mein baithe baithe neend aayegi." She picked up his plate, handing it to Ramdhari who had come out of the kitchen to clear the table.

After instructing him about lunch, she went after Sameer, who was already in the room.

"Sameer, change kar lo jisse aaram se so sako." She urged, seeing him half lying on the bed, with eyes closed and one leg dangling down.

"Nahi, mann nahi kar raha." He mumbled, opening his eyes.

After setting the alarm for lunch time, she went near the dresser, throwing her dupatta on the couch. Sameer watched as she wound her hair in circles, pushing the end into them... and her flowing waves were transformed into a bun. He sat up, watching with narrowed eyes as she took off the silver earrings, putting them back in a small velvet box. When her fingers clasped over the bangles, he jumped... rushing to her.

Naina was surprised as he held her wrist, pulling it to jerk her other hand away. She flicked up her brows.

He let the bangles fall on her forearm, making the magical sound.

She looked at him, waiting for an answer. He slowly moved his grip up, towards the wrist, taking the bangles up again, and let them fall to hear them clink.

With one hand, he started to open the buttons of his shirt, eyes fixed on her.

Before she could say anything, he whispered, "Jisse tum tod na do."

Her cheeks flared up instantly.

He grinned, still playing with her bangles as he shrugged out one arm from the sleeve. Holding her hand with the other, he got rid of the shirt.

"Ab tumhari baari." He gave an impish smile.

"Kya?" Her face clouded with confusion for a second before registering the meaning of his words.

"Chup raho... main change karne jaa rahi hun." She turned to go, only to come crashing against him as he pulled her arm.

Without another word, he picked her up, walking towards the bed, and gently made her stand near its edge.

"Sameer, yeh kya... " Her shoulder hitched up at the soft sound of her zipper.

He slowly slipped down the kurta, without moving his eyes from her face.

Letting it fall on the floor, he climbed the bed, taking her along. Naina was surprised when he placed the quilt over them, before taking her in his arms.

"Aaj mujhe aise sona hai." He closed his eyes, a calm, serene smile on his lips.

She understood his need to belong, to hold onto something that was solely his... and snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around him.

It felt that they had barely closed their eyes when the alarm started to ring.

Naina tried to move to shut it, but his strong hold made it impossible to turn.

"Sameer, utho... time ho gaya." She nudged him.

It had no effect on him. She tried several times. Finally, she held his face, and kissed him hard on the mouth. His eyes shot open. Taking advantage of his loosened grip, she quickly rolled over to shut the alarm.

"Ab uth... " She had just lifted herself a few inches when his arm came around her waist, pulling her back with a force.

"Jo shuru kiya hai woh khatam toh karo." His impassioned eyes held her captive over his chest.

She wasn't sure what affected her more... his sleep laden gruff voice, his messed up hair falling on the forehead, his fast heartbeat against her chest, his parted lips... or the fact that he shifted from deep sleep to this desire filled state in seconds because of her brief kiss.

Her own eyes glittered with same longing.

She inched ahead, placing her lips on his again, more fierce this time... in a heartbeat, the kiss lead to more... and they were lost in each other.

After Sameer left for office, she was clearing the table when the phone rang.

She wanted to share the news with him right away. But he had to be in the meeting shortly and she didn't want his attention to be diverted.

When he reached home in the evening, she was ready with his favourite alu ka halwa.

"Aaj itne dino baad... kuch special hai kya?" His eyes lit up as he got the familiar smell the moment he entered the house.

"Pehle khaoge ya pehle sunoge?" She stood in front of him, eyes twinkling with happiness.

He glanced at her from head to toe, appreciating the jeans and top he was sure she had worn for him.

"Pehle apna wala meetha de do." He took a step to get closer.

And she pecked his lips... without hesitation.

His eyes grew wide, "Naina, Ramdhari... "

"Nahi hai, kuch saaman lane gaya hai." She grinned.

"Toh fir itna kam kyon?" He pulled her in his arms, closing his mouth firmly over hers.

"Ab batao." Few minutes later, he sat on the chair, a smug smile on his lips.

"Mumbai se phone aaya tha... college se... agle hafte woh log ek function rakhna chahte hain jisme hum dono ko felicitate karenge... hamari achievements ke liye." She said in an enthusiastic voice.

"Wow Naina, yeh toh good news hai... iske liye toh meetha banta hai." He was excited.

"Tabhi banaya tumhari pasand ka alu ka halwa." She flicked up her brows.

"Meri buddhu biwi, meri pasand ka meetha kya hai yeh ab tak nahi pata kya tumhe?" He held her wrist making her lean on him as he pointed a finger at his lower lip.

Sorry for a shorter one today... actually I'm extremely tied up... could manage only this much

Next update tomorrow evening