The days at office dragged for Sameer. He missed his girls terribly and wanted to rush back home everyday. But work could not be ignored.

Sana was almost three months old and she had started recognising everyone... even the voices. Sometimes, Naina called up in office and put the phone against Sana's ear. She stilled, listening to the familiar voice, then let out delighted shrieks. Her voice filled him up with such joy that he didn't know was even possible. Without words, he could understand the love that his daughter poured in her squeals. The moment she saw him in the evening, her excited cries and wild kicking conveyed that she wanted to be picked up by him. He couldn't wait either. With Sana in his arms, and Naina leaning on his shoulder, he couldn't have asked for more blissful life.

They went to Delhi for two days for Rohan's engagement. It was surprising to see that dadi was bed ridden. She had suffered a massive heart attack few months back and had become too weak.

Naina was amazed that no one mentioned it even when they came over to Ahmedabad.

"Mummy, aapne bataya kyon nahi?" She asked Vishakha when they were alone in the kitchen.

"Naina, tum toh jaanti ho mummyji ne hamesha kaisa bartaav kiya hai Sameer ke saath. Jab tum yahan aayi thi tab tumhare liye bhi koi pyar nahi tha unke mann mein. Uss waqt agar woh bhoot wala kissa nahi hua hota toh pata nahi aur kya kya karti woh tum dono ki insult karne ke liye. Isliye maine zaroori nahi samjha ki itni badi khushi ke mahaul ko unki baaton se kharab karun. Waise bhi, agar woh theek hoti toh kaunsa hamare saath aati ya sun ke khush hoti." Vishakha replied drily.

Sameer did not show any reaction to the news. He was more than happy to play with Deepika and Sana.

"Sana, dekho idhar, aapki Deepika bua." It was a matter of pride for the little girl to have a heavy title to her name.

Sana responded in the expected manner, smiling and kicking. When Deepika came closer to her, she caught her hair in a tight fist.

"Haww, aap apni bua ke baal kheenchoge? Chodo baby... dekho main aapko gift dungi agar aap chodoge toh." Instead of getting agitated, Deepika gently tried to open the chubby fingers clasped around her hair.

Sameer helped her, smoothening her hair once they were free, "Sana fir se kheench legi agar itne paas jaogi toh."

Deepika straightened, giving him an understanding smile, "Koi baat nahi. Babies aise hi karte hain. Anjali ki sister hamesha meri pony kheench leti hai aur kabhi kabhi nails bhi maar deti hai. Chote babies ko pata nahi hota na. Unko gussa nahi karna chahiye."

Vishakha laughed at her explanation, "Sameer, yeh sab jaanti hai babies kya kya karte hain. Tum isse apne saath le jao. Sana ka dhyan yehi rakh legi."

Deepika clapped her hands in jubilation, "Ok, main chali jaati hun."

Then she turned to Naina, placing her hands on waist, "Lekin bas thode din... uske baad main wapas aa jaungi. Yahan bhi kaam hoga mujhe."

Naina struggled to keep a straight face, "Achha, aisa kya kaam hoga yahan?"

Deepika pointed at Rohan who was having his lunch, "Rohan bhaiya ke baby ka khyal rakhungi. Nidhi bhabhi bhi leke aayengi na."

Rohan choked on his food, coughing loudly as his eyes watered. Sameer quickly gave him a glass of water, sitting next to him to rub his back.

Vishakha tried to hide her smile, showing fake anger to her daughter, "Deepika, ab jaake naha lo. Sab ready ho jayenge sirf tum reh jaogi toh hum leke nahi chalenge engagement party mein."

Naina and Vishakha stifled their laughter, busying themselves in preparing the gifts to be taken to the venue.

Sameer whispered to Rohan, "Jab mujhe chidate the tab bohot khush hote the na... ab dekhna, main toh kal chala jaunga par Deepika ki aisi baatein roz sunoge tum."

Rohan scratched his head, pursing his lips as his face turned red.

The function was in a posh hotel. It was aesthetically decorated, in white and gold. Entire place was covered with purple orchids. Vishakha told them about Nidhi's family. They were Punjabis from Chandigarh. Initially, they were not happy with their daughter's decision. A different caste was a smaller issue, their main concern was that Vishakha was a step mother to Rohan. They feared what kind of treatment their daughter would get in the house. Mr Somani was the one who convinced them, telling them that Vishakha had been more loving and caring for Rohan than for her own son. When they asked the reason he took the blame on himself, saying that it wasn't Vishakha who faltered but him, who could not be a father to Sameer... and failed his wife. Rohan assured them that Nidhi would never have to face any hostility in his house.

"Mummy se jitna pyar mujhe mila hai usse zyada hi milega Nidhi ko. Aap chahe toh Naina bhabhi se pooch sakte hain." He softly told Nidhi's parents.

His future mother in law looked at him with doubtful expression, "Woh toh sage bete ki biwi hai na, beta."

Rohan pointed at Vishakha, who was sitting a little away, explaining something to Deepika, "Jis tarah se woh Deepika se baat kar rahi hain, usse zyada pyar dikhega aapko unki aankhon mein jab main awaaz lagaunga."

They all turned to look at Vishakha when Rohan called out to her. Her eyes turned softer as she gave a warm smile to him in response.

He shook his head, looking back at Nidhi's parents, "Na mummy sauteli maa hain na main sautela beta. Mujhe toh apni asli maa yaad tak nahi. Aur mera vishwas kijiye, mujhe jitna pyar mila hai apni mom se utna apne papa ya dadi se bhi nahi mila."

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, they had finally agreed. And today, they were glad to meet the entire family.

Nidhi was a beautiful, chirpy girl who hugged Naina the moment Rohan introduced her.

"Rohan aapki itni baatein karta hai na... main toh bohot excited thi aapse milne ke liye." She smiled brightly.

"Rohan aur Sameer barabar ki umr ke hain toh hum dono bhi barabar hi honge. Mujhe aap mat bolo, tum zyada achha lagta hai." Naina replied warmly.

Rohan looked at Nidhi once before looking back at Naina, "Barabar nahi, bhabhi. Nidhi Sameer ki age ki hai... mujhse do mahine badi. Aapse bhi badi hi hai umr mein."

He received a punch from his fiancee.

Sameer laughed, "Arre wah, mere saath birthday aata hai toh iska matlab mere jitni samajhdaar hogi. Fir tumhe kaise pasand kiya?"

Rohan chuckled, "Tumhare jaisi hi samajhdaar hai aur tumhare jaisi achhi choice hai iski."

Naina raised her brows at him, challenging him to answer.

Holding Sana in one arm, Sameer looped another one around Naina, looking lovingly at her, "Mere jaisi choice hogi toh life set hai tumhari."

Naina turned scarlet, nudging him in the stomach.

Nidhi giggled, "Jaisa Rohan ne bataya tha aap dono usse bhi zyada pyare ho."

"Aap nahi tum." They said in unison.

Nidhi raised her palms, "Sorry, sorry... abse tum... no aap."

She then took Sana in her arms, admiring the beautiful baby, "Samajh nahi aata kiske jaisi hai. Par bohot cute hai. Thodi der mere paas rehne do na. Mujhe bachhon ke saath khelne mein bada mazaa aata hai."

Sameer leaned towards Rohan, speaking in a low voice, "Lagta hai Deepika ko jaldi hi kaam mil jayega."

Rohan flushed again, stealing a glance at his wife-to-be, adoring how she played with Sana.

It was late in the night when they all reached back home after the ceremony.

Next day, while having breakfast, Vishakha asked Naina, "Kaisi lagi Nidhi tumhe?"

"Bohot achhi. Ek minute mein itne achhe se ghul mil gayi. Laga hi nahi pehli baar mil rahi hun." Naina exclaimed.

Vishakha smiled, "Haan, woh hamesha aise hi rehti hai. Mujhe toh usse dekhkar tumhari behen ki yaad aa gayi. Preeti ki tarah har jagah masti ka koi bahana dhoond leti hai."

Naina pondered over Vishakha's words and realised Nidhi was indeed very much like Preeti. Her outspoken nature, happy go lucky attitude... still taking care of every small need of Rohan... there was a strong likeness with her sister.

Sameer chuckled, teasing Rohan, "Aakhir Naina ki behen dhoond ke le hi aaye tum."

"Bhai!" Rohan was aghast.

"Kya matlab?" Vishakha looked sharply at both her sons.

Sameer shook his head, grinning, "Kuch nahi, mummy. Woh ek purana joke tha... main Rohan ko ched raha tha."

Naina gave a knowing smile to Rohan... she was aware of the conversation between both brothers when they had come over the first time.

After lunch, Sameer and Naina took the flight back to Ahmedabad. It was already dark when they reached home. Ramdhari had gone to his village and was supposed to come back next morning. After freshening up, Naina went to the kitchen to cook dinner. She was quite exhausted by the time they finished eating and prepared for bed.

"Baby, please so jao na. Mumma bohot thak gayi hai." She pleaded when Sana was still energetic around midnight.

"Aaj so kyon nahi rahi?" Sameer was surprised as Sana usually slept around ten everyday.

Naina gave him a tired look, "Poore raaste soti rahi, plane mein bhi aur taxi mein bhi. Thoda routine kharab ho gaya iska isliye ab neend nahi aa rahi."

He picked up the little bundle, smiling at her, "Tum so jao. Sana ko main dekh lunga."

Naina placed a hand on his arm, "Tumhe bhi toh neend aa rahi hogi, Sameer. Tum aaram karo main abhi sula dungi isse."

He leaned, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, "Aaj subah se Sana ko tumne hi sambhala hua hai. Aur aake khana bhi banaya. Tumhe aaram karna chahiye. Kal Sunday hai, main late uth jaunga subah. Waise bhi, mujhe koi khaas neend nahi aa rahi."

Naina was too drained out to argue. She slumped into her pillow, her eyes closing almost instantly. Sameer took Sana to the balcony, showing her the lights in the garden. When he pointed out the moon, he was surprised to see her raising her hand to hold it... she could comprehend far away objects now. After about half an hour, he brought her back to the room. Not wanting to disturb Naina, he made Sana lie down on the couch, leaning over her to talk in a low tone.

"Itni der tak kyon jaagna hai baby ko... meri doll thak jayegi na... ab tum bhi so jao." He tapped her soft cheek.

Sana curled her lips and threw her arms up, as if trying to speak. He was mystified at her attempt, leaning closer. Her palm touched his cheek, and she tried to grasp him. Sameer had not shaved in the morning. Fearing that his stubble might hurt her delicate skin, he placed his hands on both his cheeks and rested himself on the elbows. Sana kicked furiously on his chest, her screams turning loud. He quickly patted her, looking back at Naina. His wife was sleeping quietly and now his daughter also became quiet, trying to reach his face. He again covered his cheeks with his palms. Sana showed her anger in the same manner. He narrowed his eyes, taking his hands away. Her face relaxed into a smile, and she touched his rough chin.

Sameer watched in wonder as his daughter happily played with his stubble, not feeling any discomfort at the prickly touch.

"Tumhe bhi pasand hai yeh." He whispered.

Sana brought both her hands to his face, as if holding him. For a moment, he thought she was trying to get up, but then the tiny palms slipped away. The shine in her eyes remained same though, as she gurgled, watching him without blinking.

It took Sameer another half an hour to put her to sleep. Laying her on the sheets, he shifted her to his side of the bed, and slipped in beside Naina, falling asleep in no time with his arm wrapped around his wife.

Next update tomorrow evening