"Lekin bhejna hi kyon hai? Sana apne ghar mein kyon nahi reh sakti?" Sameer followed Naina as she moved around the room, storing away Sana's toys after putting her to sleep.

Naina picked up a set of dolls and placed them inside the toy basket while speaking to him patiently, "Apna hi hai woh ghar bhi. Bachhon ko achha lagta hai dadi nani ke ghar jaana. Aur chachiji toh tabse kehti hain jabse humne office mein play room banwaya. Ek din se kuch nahi hoga."

Sameer clicked his fingers, his face lighting up with a bright smile, "Hum aisa karenge, Saturday ko subah hum hi le chalenge Sana ko. Wahan poora din bitayenge. Fir raat ko teeno wapas aa jayenge."

Naina turned towards him after keeping the basket in its designated corner, "Jee nahi. Sana iss baar akeli hi jayegi. Hum chod aayenge usse... aur agle din lene chale jayenge."

He crossed his arms against the chest, squaring his shoulders rigidly, "Tumhe nahi jaana toh mat jao. Main toh apni beti ke saath hi jaunga."

Naina fluttered her lashes, her lips dipping at the sides, "Toh ab tumhara pyar itna kam ho gaya ki tum mujhse door rehna chahte ho."

His demeanor became soft instantly as he turned to hold her shoulders, "Nahi jaan, tumse door kaise rahunga... main bas Sana ko apne paas rakhna chahta hun. Achha aisa karte hain, Friday ko le jaate hain. Din mein akele rehne do usse chachiji ke yahan, aur office se aate waqt hum wapas le ayenge."

Naina was having a hard time controlling herself... his desperate attempts and his restlessness was propelling her to spill out the plan.

Clearing her throat, she started slowly, "Friday ko chachaji nahi hote ghar pe. Woh bhi Sana ke saath waqt bitana chahte hain. Hum lunch ke baad chalenge. Aur thodi der baith ke wapas aa jayenge. Agar Sana ka dil nahi laga ya woh wapas aana chahegi toh hum foran jaake usse le aayenge. Friday ko office se nikalke aisa nahi kar sakte na... ab tum Sana se bhi chote banke aisi zid mat karte raho... yeh program final hai."

Sameer whined, "Tum meri koi bhi baat nahi maanti."

With a sigh, she gave a long blink, "Theek hai, nahi bhejenge."

His eyes opened wide, pleasantly shocked... but her next words made them fill up with fear.

"Tum aur Sana yahan raho, main chali jaati hun chachiji ke paas." She said plainly.

Sameer wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, "Aise kaise chali jaogi... itne lambe intezar ke baad mili ho... tumhe toh main bilkul nahi jaane dunga."

"Bas ek raat ki hi toh baat hai... Sunday ko aa jaungi." She rested her head on his chest, listening to the drumming of his heart that was becoming louder.

"Ek raat mein pata hai na kitna kuch ho sakta hai." He whispered against her forehead, tilting his head to get a glimpse of her.

As expected, she turned red, snuggling into him. Without wasting anymore time, Sameer lifted her in his arms... to be the teacher that he had promised earlier.

Rest of the week went by smoothly. He tried a few more times but Naina... and even Sana... were adamant.

Friday night, Naina packed a bag for Sana, keeping it on the table in full view, "Dekho Sana aur Sameer, yeh hai kal ke liye bag. Fir mat kehna humein mila nahi."

While Sana nodded attentively, Sameer gave her a perplexed look, "Abhi se kyon pack kar rahi ho? Kal lunch ke baad jaana hai na... kar lena din mein. Abhi aao aur dekho hamari smart beti ne kitni achhi colouring ki hai."

"Haan bas abhi aati hun, ek do kaam aur hain." She continued to open and close the drawers.

Sameer flicked his brows at her, leaning towards Sana to whisper, "Tumhari mummy ko kaam karne ka shouk nahi, bimari hai."

Sana held one hand to her mouth and sniggered, looking at him... not Naina.

By the time they slept, it was later than other days, but it didn't matter, because next day was much awaited Saturday.

Sameer was woken up when he felt his little doll climb up on his stomach and spread her arms around him, which barely reached his sides.

"Good morning, doll." He kissed her head and peered sideways.

The bed was empty. His eyes scanned the room... there was no sign of Naina. Balcony door was closed from inside.

"Gumoning papa, mujhe nahana hai." Sana sat up on his tummy.

"Abhi mumma hain bathroom mein. Woh aa jayengi toh aap naha lena." He presumed Naina to be in there.

"Nai hai. Dekho, door open hai." Sana jumped to run to the edge of the bed, pointing at the half open door.

Sameer sat up, threading a hand through his hair, "Aaj uthte hi kis kaam mein lag gayi Naina!"

Sana rolled on her belly and slid off the bed, running to the cupboard.

"Papa, yeh wala dress pehenna hai mujhe." She held up her favourite frock, after fishing it out from the drawer.

"Okay boss. Lekin mumma ko aane do pehle." Sameer left the bed, going to the door of their room to call out to Naina.

"Naiiii. Mujhe mumma se nai aapse nahana hai. Chalo, shower on karke do. Jaldi na... mujhe late ho raha hai." Sana dragged him to the bathroom.

Sameer adjusted the water to right temperature and switched on the shower. Sana enjoyed her solitary bath once a week, playing with the rubber toys and bursting bubbles of shower gel.

"Aap kahin jaana nahi... mera dress leke wait karo." Sana ordered from inside just when he was about to go out, looking for Naina.

"Ho sakta hai alu paranthe bana rahi ho. Kal subah ki jagah aaj hi." He calmed himself.

Sana stomped out after a while, splashing water with her wet feet, wrapped in a large towel.

He helped her get dressed... wiping her hair and brushing them carefully.

"Ab chal ke dekhte hain mumma kya kar rahi hai kitchen mein." He picked up Sana, ready to rush out.

Sana wriggled to be put down, "Naii, pele aap bhi nahana karo. Fir jayenge."

He placed her gently on the floor, crouching next to her, "Baby, abhi tak mumma ne hum dono ko good morning bhi nahi kaha. Bas ek baar good morning bolke main nahane chala jaunga."

Sana waved her finger, pressing her lips to show that she won't relent... and pointed towards the bathroom.

With a sigh, Sameer stood up and pulled out his towel.

A piece of folded paper fell on the floor.

He furrowed his brows, bending down to pick it up.

Nazar ke saamne na sahi
par saath mein zaroor hun

Bas kuch pal hain aur baaki
jinmein tumse door hun

His heart sank. Naina was not around... but why? Where had she gone?

He ran out in panic... not registering that Sana did not stop him... rather stood simpering at the same place.

"Naina... Naina... kahan ho tum? Yeh kya tamasha hai, Naina? Please jaldi bahar aao jahan bhi chupi ho... mujhe yeh mazak achha nahi lag raha." He started to check all the rooms after finding the kitchen vacant.

His search bore no result. Naina was nowhere.

He came running back to the room, a strange premonition gripping his heart.

"Sana, woh mumma... mumma... pata nahi..." He stuttered, falling on knees in front of his daughter.

She leaned and kissed both his cheeks, "Yeh mumma ki taraf se."

As he stared at her, flummoxed, she held out another folded paper to him, "Yeh bhi."

He almost tore the paper, trying to open it in a hurry.

Iss intezar se bezaar na ho
mit jayega kuch palon mein

Bechain hun main bhi
inn baahon mein samaa jaane ko

His first thought was that Naina was not in any kind of trouble... she was fine. Relief washed over him till the reality hit him like a jolt. His eyes shot up at Sana, realising that she was aware of Naina's absence all through... and she was probably aware where her mom was.

"Sana, baby, mumma kahan hai? Chalo hum le aate hain... aap miss kar rahe ho na unhe. Jaldi batao, hum abhi leke aayenge." He softened his voice.

"Nai main miss nahi kar rahi. Jaise main shchool jaati hun waise mumma ko bhi kuch kaam hai." Sana did not fall for the bait.

Sameer tried repeatedly but she kept her mom's secret safe. Finally, giving up the hope of getting any answers from her, he called up Bela.

"Arre Sameer tum... abhi tum logon ke baare mein hi baat kar rahe the Preeti ke papa. Aaj itne khush hain na hum dono... kitne dinon baad tum log aaoge yahan." Her words did not leave him with the option of asking for Naina, who was clearly not with them.

Next, he called Preeti.

"Hayee jijaji, aaj sooraj kidhar se nikla jo saali ki yaad aayi... warna aapke dil mein Naina ka cassette hi chalta hai repeat pe... kya hua, meri behen ne ladai kar li kya? Lao zara baat karao main abhi khinchai karti hun uski." Preeti went on and on, not giving him a chance to speak.

He quickly put the phone down after a few formal words.

"Sana, please baby bata do mumma kahan hai... main aapko do... nahi five chocolate dilaunga." He turned to the little girl again.

"Pele nahana." She pointed at the bathroom again.

Gritting his teeth he rushed for his bath, "Dono masterni hain. Aaj Naina ko aane do... main bhi baat nahi karunga... aise bina bataye kaise jaa sakti hai."

Inside, neatly tucked to his toothbrush was another chit

Yun ruth na jao humse
hum toh hamesha se tumhare hain

Mere yeh raat aur din
tumne hi sanware hain

His heart melted... but he firmed his resolve the next moment, "Itna pyar hai toh gayi kyon... inn baaton se pighalne wala nahi hun main aaj."

After his bath, Sana showed him the clothes on the couch which Naina had left for him. Donning them in less than two minutes, he took Sana to the kitchen, thinking of making breakfast for her since Ramdhari had gone to his village for two days. For himself, he didn't feel like eating anything in the present state of mind.

The casserole placed in the center of the platform had another note

Tere bina kuch achha nahi lagta
dil ko tera khyal satata hai

par khana kha lena meri jaan
isme tumhare liye alu parantha hai

In spite of his anger, a smile spread on his face... at her poetic skills.

"Har koi Sameer Maheshwari nahi ban sakta madam... tumhari romantic shayari khatam ho gayi." He muttered while putting the paranthas in plate for both him and Sana.

"Ab nani ke ghar chalo." Sana declared after they finished eating.

Sameer was startled , "Abhi kaise? Mumma ko toh aane do... woh pareshan ho jayengi ghar pe lock dekh ke. Aaj Ramdhari bhi nahi hai na."

"Mumma ne kaha tha breakfast karke chale jaana... chalo." Sana jumped off the chair.

Sameer cleared the table and went inside the room to take Sana's bag. A new piece of paper, pink one this time, waited for him on the handle of the bag. He opened it and felt the same floral scent hit him. Turning swiftly, he peered at the door, only to realise that the paper held the fragrance he was searching for.

Doori hai darmiyaan phir bhi
mohabbat ka kuch aisa ahsaas hai

Alag hoke bhi alag nahi
teri khushbu mere paas hai

"Kahan ho, jaan? Main pagal ho raha hun tumhare bina." He buried his face in the paper, inhaling the familiar scent.

"Papaaaa. Main ready hun." Sana hollered from the door.

He quickly put the note in his pocket and looked around the room. How empty and lost everything looked without Naina... just like him. Maybe she wanted to meet them at chachaji's house... his heart jumped.

Holding Sana's hand, he locked the house in a haste and almost ran to the car.

Taped to the rear view mirror was her next message

Ik nazar dekh ke tumko
aashnayi aisi kar gaye

tumhare liye jee uthe
tumpe hi hum mar gaye

He read it twice... no, she could write beautiful verses... romantic and heartfelt.

They reached Anand's house in much lesser time than always. To his dismay, Naina wasn't there.

Anand welcomed the two of them, "Aao aao beta. Naina ko aisa kya kaam aa gaya ki usse ghar pe hi rukna pada? Kuch naya likh rahi hai kya?"

Sameer gaped at him, astonished.

After talking to Sana for a while, Anand and Bela realised that Sameer was still standing near the door.

"Sameer, beta andar kyon nahi aa rahe? Sab theek hai na?" Anand went to him, placing one hand on his shoulder in concern.

"Hn... haan chachaji... sab theek hai. Woh Naina... Naina likh rahi hai... aaj subah se... kuch toh... main... main chalta hun." He was suddenly in a hurry to go back.

Bela stood up immediately, "Ruko Sameer, khana le jao. Abhi jab Naina ne phone kiya ki tum dono hi aa rahe ho toh mujhe laga ki uske bina tum bhi nahi khaoge yahan isliye dono ka pack kar diya."

He shuffled on his feet, each passing minute difficult for him. Was Naina at home... then why didn't she meet him... what was this game she was playing? He wanted answers.

Anand's voice brought him out of thoughts again, "Tum pareshan mat ho, Sameer. Sana aaram se rahegi."

"Nanu, mumma ne kaha hai aap mujhe two nai three ice cream leke dena." Sana chirped happily.

"Kab kaha?" Sameer blurted.

"Aane se pehle... jab mumma ne bye ki kissi di mujhe." She shrugged matter of factly.

His doubts got confirmed. Naina was very much at home... all the time.

He quickly kneeled down and hugged Sana, instructing her to be a good girl. Bela got the tiffin that very moment otherwise he would have sprinted away without waiting and without bothering.

The drive back seemed far too long. His heart was a mess of different feelings... anger, irritation, despair, eagerness, excitement, anticipation, longing, impatience... he didn't know what to feel. If Naina had made such elaborate arrangements, she must be planning something big... but what? Was there something special? His mind buzzed with jumbled possibilities.

The answers lay at home.

He parked the car and ran to the main door. In spite of the intact lock, a note, with a rose bloom, was pasted on the edge.

Dil mein ik halchal hai
kya kahun tumhe kya du bahane

sach toh yeh hai teri mohabbat mein
hum ban gaye hain deewane

Opening the lock wasn't easy. He dropped the key twice before it finally clicked open.

"Nainaaa." He yelled, unable to wait any more.

Not getting any response, he ran to the room.

Naina came rushing to him from the other side of the passage. Before he could stop, she banged into him. His arms went around her to save her from the fall.

"Kaash, uss din aisa ho jaata." Her voice seemed to be the shower of first rain for his arid ears.

He gaped at her face... forgetting to breathe. All thoughts of being annoyed and not talking to her were lost.

"Ab aise hi rakhoge kya?" She asked, fluttering her lashes, when he kept on staring at her while she dangled backward from his arm.

When he still didn't move, she smiled, "Happy anniversary, darling."

He was glad he didn't drop her... but his senses left him that moment.

Naina clutched his shirt and straightened, "Tum mujhe wish nahi karoge?"

"Wish? Lekin hamari... hamari teeno mein se koi bhi anniversary nahi hai aaj." He swallowed, to be able to speak through the throat that had gone completely dry.

Naina stepped back a little. His eyes registered what had faded earlier... and his breathing stopped altogether.

With her hair tied in two pigtails, Naina was dressed in school uniform.

"Aaj dus saal ho gaye hamari pehli mulakat ko... jab hum school mein takrate takrate reh gaye the. Aaj woh kami bhi poori ho gayi." She ran a hand over her tunic, and flicked one plait around her finger.

His eyes widened to the maximum. The day of their first meeting played in his mind... and then the scene that happened few minutes back. There was hardly any difference, except that he wasn't in school uniform. He looked down at himself... and another realisation hit him. The white shirt and white trouser did look like school dress.

Seeing him noticing his outfit, Naina said softly, "Tumhare liye bhi school ki pant deti toh tumhe pata chal jata na... isliye usse milte julte se kaam chalana pada. Lag rahe hain na hum wohi school wale Naina aur Sameer?"

The initial shock started to subside... and the torment he was subjected to since morning returned to his mind.

He pulled her roughly in his arms, "Lekin hum hain nahi... school wale Naina aur Sameer... aur yeh tumhe achhe se batana padega."

She was ready... and waiting... when his lips slammed over hers, devouring her like he was meeting her after ages.

Okay, so as expected, I couldn't complete the entire Saturday plan in one chapter. And there's no time to make changes... so I give you the first draft as it is. I'll continue tomorrow. Ik it dragged a little but I didn't get a chance to correct it 😐

Next update tomorrow evening