Forty years later:

Sameer sat on the swing in his balcony, a newspaper in hand, though he wasn't reading it. He waited impatiently for Naina to join him.

A young boy of about fifteen years came out running, smiling widely at him, "Nanu, good morning... kaise ho aap?"

Sameer smiled fondly at him, "Main toh theek hun, barkhurdaar, tum batao... woh school wali special friend ke saath kuch baat hui ya nahi?"

The boy blushed, looking down, "Kya nanu, maine kaha na koi special friend nahi hai... aapko toh kuch aur sujhta hi nahi."

Sameer put aside the newspaper, waving at the boy to come near him. He quickly sat down on the floor at his nanu's feet, placing his crossed arms on Sameer's knees, looking up at him for something interesting. What he got was a soft smack on his head.

"Ouch nanu, maar kyon rahe ho... maine toh kuch kiya hi nahi." He rubbed the back of his head, making a face.

"Isiliye maar raha hun... kuch kiya kyon nahi... nanu ka naam duboyega kya? Tenth class mein hai aur koi special friend nahi hai abhi tak?" Sameer frowned at him.

"Offo nanu, aapne bhi eleventh mein banayi thi na... main bhi bana lunga ek do." The boy shrugged.

Sameer repeated the smack, "Ek do nahi bas ek... lekin perfect honi chahiye... teri nani jaisi... par tu ek baat ka dhyaan rakhna... usse batane mein zyada time mat lena... kahin meri tarah... matlab kehne ko eleventh mein mili thi Naina mujhe par main college tak bhi... "

"Don't worry nanu, yeh aapka zamana nahi hai... agar koi mujhe special lagegi toh main ek minute bhi waste nahi karunga... haan par agar koi ho jo nani ki tarah mujhpe mar miti ho aur mujhe pata hi nahi toh kya karun?" The boy asked him with a serious expression.

Sameer raked his fingers through silky locks of the handsome boy sitting at his feet. Such a thing was very much possible... his grandson, Abhimanyu, had taken the best of both their looks. There could be a girl somewhere who lost her heart to him.

"Uski aankhon mein dikh jayega tujhe... jaise mujhe dikh gaya tha Naina ki aankhon mein." Sameer smiled, getting nostalgic.

"Papa, aap fir se shuru ho gaye? Aapko apni love story discuss karne ke alava koi kaam nahi hai kya?" A very beautiful young woman sauntered out to the balcony.

Sameer looked up at her. He was wrong. Abhi had not inherited his looks from them, but from his mom. Their daughter, Suman.

Suman was extremely beautiful, like Naina... and absolutely charming, like him... he mentally pulled up his collars, knowing how much he was appreciated for his charm, the famous Sameer Maheshwari charm. And it was apparent in his daughter as well.

She had everything that they both were... if she was impatient like him, she could come up with a solution for anything instantly, just like Naina... if she was mischievous in front of them, she was sensible in front of her kids... she loved like him, but she also maintained the discipline like Naina... she was dedicated, like him and also brainy, like Naina.

"Papa... kahan kho gaye? Aap kab bade honge?" Suman shook his shoulder, bringing him out of his reverie.

"Arre main bada hi toh hun... tera baap hun, tere iss nalayak ka nanu hun." He grinned at his daughter, pride shining in his eyes.

"Toh nanu banke rahiye na... kya aap saare bachon ko special friend banane ki training dete rehte hain saara time." Suman pressed her lips with a stern look, just like Naina.

"Ab yeh nalayak bachhe seekhte hi nahi kya karun... mere bachhe hoke abhi tak sapne dekhne shuru nahi kiye." Abhimanyu received another smack.

"Nanuuuuu... maine bana li hai special friend... ekdum nani jaisi sundar si." A small boy of about seven came running out, landing on the swing as Sameer held him to prevent him from falling.

Suman slapped her forehead, just like Naina, as Sameer looked at her.

"Dekha aapki seekh ka asar, saare bachhon ke dimaag mein yehi bhar diya hai bas... ek toh har kisi ko apni love story suna rakhi hai, woh bhi saari details ke saath... upar se revision karate rehte hain jab bhi milte hain... aur fir aisi baatein... papa, kuch toh grandfather jaise baniye na... bachon ko achhi achhi baatein sikhaiye." Suman wrinkled her nose as she dipped her head to the side, just like him.

He tugged at her hand to make her sit on his other side, speaking in a low voice, "Teri mummy hai na, padhane ke liye... expert hai woh... college mein jo padhana shuru kiya abhi tak padhati hai mujhe... inko bhi wohi sikha degi... main toh kahaniyan sunaunga... apni aur Naina ki."

"Oh, isiliye mummy nani ko apne saath le ke chal rahi hain... aapko nahi." The little boy sitting on his other side nodded in understanding.

"Kya? Naina kahan jaa rahi hai?" Sameer gave a shocked look to his grandson.

"Abhi ko padhane ke liye mummy hamare saath chal rahi hain... lekin akeli nahi, aap bhi chal rahe ho saath... yeh Daksh toh kuch bhi kehta hai." Suman leaned across Sameer to pull her younger son's ears.

"Suman, main tere ghar kaise reh sakta hun?" Sameer gave her an astounding look, saving his grandson by leaning to keep him away from his mom.

Suman let out an exasperated breath, "Papa, ab aap Yash ka naam leke shuru mat ho jaana... uske saath fir se jhagda mat karna please... aapko samjhana toh Daksh ko samjhane se bhi zyada mushkil hai."

Sameer twisted his mouth, crossing his arms, "Yash meri beti ko mujhse door leke gaya... usse toh main hamesha jhagda karunga."

"Toh kya chahte the aap... paida hui tabse mere kaan pakaa diye the apne pyar ki kahani suna suna ke... aapki aur mummy ki tarah mujhe bhi pyar ho gaya... ab shaadi ki hai toh jaana hi padega na... mummy bhi toh aayi aapke paas shaadi ke baad." Suman tried for the umpteenth time to make him stop being jealous of Yash, her husband who loved her madly.

"Nanu, aap meri special friend se bhi aise hi gussa ho jaoge?" Daksh tugged at his arm.

"Nahi barkhurdaar, usse toh hum band baaje ke saath ghar leke aayenge." He scooped the boy closer to him.

Daksh sat up excitedly, "Toh fir meri shaadi karwa do... uske baad Mira mam mere ghar pe hi rahengi."

Sameer was flabbergasted.

"Jee haan, tum par hi gaya hai tumhara naati... apni teacher ko apni special friend banaya hai... tumhari Liza aunty wali love story bhi suna do aaj bachhon ko." Her sweet voice finally reached him as he looked at the door.

There stood his Naina... more beautiful than before, if it was even possible. Her hair, peppered with very few white streaks were tied in a low bun, but he knew how soft and luxurious they still were... her eyes were hidden behind glasses, but he could see the love brimming in them... her cotton saree hid her shape, but he knew she was still as delicate as before... her voice was... well, her voice was the same sweet sound that rang like temple bells in his ears. The years had not changed her at all... she was the same stunning beauty.

"Nanu, muh band kar lo... makkhi ghus jayegi." Abhi whispered, though loud enough for everyone to hear.

And the same colour spread on Naina's cheeks, brightening his surroundings. Her shyness, even after having children and grandchildren, left him spellbound.

"Papa, aap aaj bhi aise kho jaate ho mummy ko dekh ke toh pehle kya hota tha?" Suman teased him.

"Pehle toh nanu ka muh khula hi rehta hoga hamesha." Abhi rested his chin on his nanu's knee, giving a naughty smirk.

"Toh aap kya karoge jab hum nani ko apne saath le jayenge? Miss karoge unko?" Daksh asked innocently.

Sameer got up immediately, making the three who were leaning on him, jerk back.

"Naina, tum kahin nahi jaa rahi ho... suna na... main kaise reh sakta hun tunhare bina... tum aisa karo, Abhi ko yahin padha do... hum usse apne paas rakh lete hain." He held Naina's hand, earnestly looking into her eyes.

Her gaze flickered somewhere over his head for a second before a smile spread on her face. Slowly, she slipped the spectacles perched on his head back to his eyes. His mouth rounded in realisation... he wasn't able to read the newspaper because he could not find his specs. And, like always, she had understood his problem... and solved it.

"Haan baba, main kahin nahi jaa rahi... yeh log bas aise hi tang kar rahe the tumhe." Her smile was like his personal sunshine, and his heart swelled up as she squeezed his hand.

But the happiness was gone the next moment.

"Hi sweetheart." A manly arm looped around Naina's shoulder as a heavy voice fell in his ears.

He looked up in annoyance at Yash. As if marrying his beloved daughter wasn't enough, Yash loved his Naina also insanely.

His eyes on Sameer, Yash leaned to plant a kiss on top of Naina's head.

"Yeh sweetheart kya hota hai? Mummy kyon nahi bulate Naina ko?" Sameer was irritated.

"Ab itni sundar aur young mother in law hain, mummy bolke impression kharab hota hai... isliye woh bulata hun jo inko dekh ke mere dil mein aata hai... Papa." Yash smirked, stressing on the last word.

"Yaar,tum meri biwi ke peeche kyon pade ho?" Sameer gave him a seething look, pulling Naina behind him to stand between the two of them.

"Aap toh mujhse har baat pe gussa ho jaate hain... aapki biwi ko kuch kahun toh bhi aur apni ko kahun toh bhi." Yash walked to the swing, bending down to plant a kiss on Suman's cheek.

Sameer flared his nostrils... he wondered what his daughter saw in this annoying man. He was handsome, no doubt... very good looking... tall and well built... had a great voice, singing often when they all had a family gathering... was warm and loving towards everyone... ran a successful business, heading number of companies in different cities... gelled very well with everyone in the family...

But he had a big flaw... he was loved too much by his daughter and his wife... and this did not sit well with Sameer.

Naina punched him lightly on his chest. He looked at her with a frown, wondering why she always wanted him to adjust to the man's habits.

"Arre, arre sweetheart, itni zor se mat maaro... papa ka dil iss umr mein itna jhatka bardasht nahi kar payega." Yash loved to pique Sameer.

"Main aaj isse... " It worked, as Sameer gritted his teeth, lurching towards him.

Naina held his arm, keeping him beside her, "Offo Sameer, saat bachhon ke baap ho gaye ho... ab toh bade ho jao."

"SAAT?"

Sameer screamed in disbelief.

"Sameer, Sameer... kya hua? Kya saat?" Naina's concerned voice seemed to be coming from far away.

"Saat kaise, Naina?" He was dazed.

"Kya saat? Time? Abhi saat kahan baje hain, Sameer, abhi toh paanch baje hain... aur saat baje kahan jaana hai tumhe?" She tapped his cheek, trying to bring him out of the stupor he was in.

He turned to look at Naina. She was again young. He touched his eyes, there were no glasses. Looking around, he realised the place they were in... and slowly it registered to him...

It was a dream.

And a smile spread on his face.

It was a beautiful glimpse of their future... children, grandchildren... a loving family... family that he had always craved for... family that was missing in his life till Naina came... family that would love him back as much as he would love them... family that made the whole journey worthwhile.

"Bolo na, Sameer, kya hua?" Naina's pressed his upper arm.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he looked back at her. Her face was taut with tension, eyes filled with questions.

He smiled, cupping her cheek, "Sapna dekha."

"Bura sapna?" She was still worried about his scream.

He shook his head, his smile getting wider, "Bohot khoobsurat... hamare aane wale kal ka... ya shayad aane wale parson ka... nahin, aane wale bohot saal baad ka... par itna pyara sapna tha Naina."

"Subah ka sapna hai, Sameer, dekhna zaroor sach hoga." She finally relaxed.

It was his turn to be alarmed, "Nahi, sach nahi hona chahiye."

She gave him a puzzled look, "Sach kyon nahi hona chahiye? Tumne abhi toh kaha khoobsurat sapna tha."

"Haan par... Naina, hamare saat bachhe the sapne mein." He looked at her with wrinkled nose.

Her eyes went wide as saucers as she clasped her mouth, staring at him in horror.

"Yeh toh bohot zyada hain na?" He asked as if he was asking about some trivial daily matter.

"SAAT?" Her tone was similar to Sameer's when he had got up from sleep in shock.

He nodded.

"Sameer, tumhara dimaag toh kharab nahi hai... saat bachhe?" Her voice was shaky.

"Wohi na... mujhe bhi issi baat ka jhatka laga... saat thodi honge." He took her hand in his palms.

She let out a breath with a swoosh, giving her lungs the much needed relief.

"Che bohot hain mere liye." He dipped his head to the side, biting his lower lip.

Last night I watched the episode where nanu and Sameer talk after Naina was punished in school... and I just thought how Sameer would talk to his grandson... the imagination ran wild.

Just decided to give wings to that image... I don't know you all liked it or not but I had so much fun writing this chapter, describing all characters that could be Sameer's future family... and his reactions to each of them

My persistent euphoria made me write too much for one chapter so next update comes tomorrow morning... but a short one,  continuation of this scene.