"Tumne pehle kyon nahi bataya? Yeh toh kitni badi baat hai, Sameer. Designer Association ka contract milne se pata hai humein kitna faayda hoga... aur tum keh rahe the yahan apply karna bekar ki mehnat hai, humein kabhi nahi milega yeh contract." Naina was enthralled to hear the news next day in office.

A big designer boom had seemed to hit the country suddenly. With ever increasing fashion shows and film stars donning specially designed clothes for film premiers, award shows, photo shoots and even in some movies, the country was accepting designer outfits by a few well known names as the certificate to be considered elite. Mumbai had formed an association of the designers which took collective decisions for procurement of their materials and other things, to make sure that everybody was able to deliver good products. Also, the competition was not as cut-throat as would be many years later.

When Naina had seen the call for applying for supply to this association about a month back, she had excitedly discussed it with Sameer and munshiji. The latter did not see it as that big a thing, presuming it to be a group of mass producers. Sameer was reluctant because he felt the material would be sourced mainly from Mumbai, so that the designers could keep an eye during production stage as well. But Naina had been insistent, saying that they could try just for the sake of it, without pinning too many hopes.

And today, they had the contract in their hand. She beamed as she saw the numbers appearing in the column of payment. In excitement, she forgot that they were in office and hurled herself in his arms. Sameer held her close, equally happy.

"Yeh sab tumhari mehnat ka phal hai, Naina. Agar tum itne yakeen se humein isme aage badhne ko nahi kehti toh aaj yeh din nahi aata." He complimented when she parted, overjoyed at her foresight.

"Ab ek doosre ke sar pe taaj pehnaane se behtar hoga hum planning karein ki iske liye kya kya karna padega. Dekho Sameer, kuch naye blends bhi banane honge. Maine magazines mein dekhe hain designer kapde. Humein unke hisaab se production ko thoda badalna padega." Naina started to make strategies to fulfill the contract.

Next week, when the representatives of Association came to Ahmedabad for a visit to factory, they were impressed by the entire setup as well as the young owners who, according to them, could understand the requirements of fashion better. But biggest problem was the factory being in Ahmedabad. Since they couldn't come over every now and then, they suggested to Sameer to have a new production unit in Mumbai.

When the feasibility was discussed, they all agreed that it would involve a very high investment, along with a severe increase in work load for both Sameer and Naina. Also, it would take a long time to procure the machines from foreign countries, and get them installed.

"Waise toh aajkal hum zyada factories mein nahi jaate. Sab jagah se naye production ki photos email se aa jaati hain lekin aapke yahan shayad abhi use nahi hota." A person from the visiting team looked around the office, not able to spot a computer.

They were aware of electronic mails, popularly called emails, as the new way of communication. Though it had been in India for sometime, last couple of years had seen a great surge in its installation and usage in all workplaces.

Once the visitors left, after assurance from them that a solution would be worked out soon, Naina was lost in thoughts. If computers were so widely being used, it was time for them to check out the probability of bringing it into their life as well.

"Lekin usko chalayega kaun, Naina? Yahan kaise laga sakte hain? Humein kahan kuch pata hai computer ke baare mein." Sameer was flabbergasted at her suggestion.

"Kisi bhi nayi cheez ko seekhne se hi pata chalta hai uske baare mein, Sameer. Agar sab jagah uska istemaal ho raha hai toh humein bhi try karna chahiye. Waqt ke saath nayi cheezen aati hain aur unki wajah se kaam karne ke tareeke badal jaate hain. Agar humne unko samajhne ki koshish nahi ki toh hum aage kaise badhenge? Aur rahi usko chalane ki baat, toh main hi shuruaat karungi. Badi market ke paas ek naya centre khula hai computer sikhane ke liye. Main unka course join kar leti hun." She assured him.

Sameer was initially reluctant to put so much pressure on her but Naina was adamant. Even munshiji sided with her, saying that it was the need of times and though they could easily hire someone to operate one on regular basis in the office, it was always better for the owners to know how things were being done... it earned them more respect amongst those working under them.

Naina joined the course after two days. While coming to office in the morning, Sameer dropped her on the way, and sent the driver at noon to bring her to office. It was getting hectic for her but she was immensely enjoying the new knowledge she was acquiring. Sameer ordered one computer for home and two for office. The day they were set up, Naina was more than excited to show him what she had learnt in last one month. Though she hadn't yet understood the functioning completely, she had become adept in handling the emails. Regular communication with the Designer Association in Mumbai, along with pictures of the new exclusive production for them was much easier and quicker than personal visits.

As the year neared the end, munshiji informed them of a sharp rise in profits of past two months. The two contracts, one with British clients and one with Mumbai designers had been greatly responsibile in making their business grow rapidly.

Sameer and Naina visited Mumbai in second half of December, for both professional and personal reasons. Rahul and Sonali were celebrating their first anniversary.

"Yaar Sameer, tujhe aur Naina ko toh aana hi hai... aakhir tumhari bhi pehli shaadi ki pehli anniversary hai." Rahul had left him with no choice, not that Sameer wanted to find a way out.

But he had thought of celebrating here in Ahmedabad, a private party for just the two of them... like the marriage was, a secret known only to them till they decided to share with others months later.

He couldn't say no to his friend though. Also, they had a requirement to meet their clients in Mumbai.

After a morning meeting, they went back to their friend's house by lunch time. The nap after lunch was much needed relaxation for both of them.

Rahul had organised a party in a  hotel. They all left together for the venue in the evening.

Meeting the families of both Rahul and Sonali was heart warming for Sameer and Naina.

"Mujhe iss baat ka bada dukh tha ki hum apni beti ki shaadi mein nahi aa paaye lekin jab Sonu ne bataya toh itni khushi hui sunkar. Beta, yeh aur kuch nahi bhagwan ka ishaara tha, tum dono ko batane ka ki tum hi ek doosre ke jeevanasathi ho." Sonali's mom patted Naina's cheek as Sonali looked on with a wide smile.

Naina raised her brows at Sonali, not able to comprehend.

"Mummy ko maine sab bata diya tha... tumhari pehli, doosri aur teesri shaadi ke baare mein." Sonali held her mother's shoulders, standing behind her.

Naina gave a shy smile, then frowned at Sonali, "Teesri ke baare mein toh sabko pata hi tha."

"Phir bhi socha bata dun. Ab details de hi rahi thi toh kuch nahi chodna chahiye tha na." Sonali grinned.

Her mother laughed, "Tum dono abhi bhi bachhi hi ho. Kaun kahega dono ki shaadi ko ek saal ho gaya hai."

"Main kahunga, mummyji, poora ek saal... main hi jaanta hun kaise nikla hai." Rahul joined them, wiping non existent sweat.

"Kaise nikla hai matlab? Tum ek saal mein hi mujhse pareshan ho gaye?" Sonali glared at him, stepping ahead.

"Pareshan toh bohot chota shabd hai, Sonali. Agar mujhe pata hota shaadi ke baad mera yeh haal hone wala hai toh..." Rahul made a sad face.

"Mummy, yeh na nautanki kar raha hai... iski baat mat suno... maine kuch nahi kiya." Sonali quickly turned to her mother, getting defensive as her mom always instructed her to be responsible and caring for her husband.

"Sonu, kya kaha tha maine, Rahul ko... " Her mom started with an admonishing look when Rahul interrupted her.

"Arre nahi, mummyji, main mazaak kar raha hun. Sonali ne kabhi pareshan nahi kiya mujhe." He said with an apologetic smile.

"Main bhi mazak hi kar rahi hu, beta... tum dono ko achhe se jaanti hun." Her mom pulled his ear, making Sonali squeal in delight.

When Naina came to know that bhabhi was expecting, she rushed to congratulate her.

"Wow bhabhi, iski toh alag party honi chahiye." She hugged her.

"Party toh abhi tak inhone mujhe bhi nahi di hai, kanjoos bhabhi." Sonali pouted.

"Main kanjoos? Aur tum log jo yeh ek hi din apni anniversary manaa ke kanjoosi kar rahe ho uska kya?" Bhabhi looked at them simultaneously.

"Ab shaadi ek hi din hui toh anniversary bhi ek hi din hogi na." Sonali shrugged.

"Shaadi ek din hui hai lekin aage ka program ek time ka mat rakhna. Dono hi ek doosre ke function attend nahi kar paoge." Bhabhi chuckled, making them blush.

"Kya bhabhi, aap khud toh shaadi ke teen saal baad yeh news suna rahi ho aur budhe rishtedaron ki tarah humein yeh sab keh rahi ho." Sonali pursed her lips, looking away to hide her flushed cheeks.

Bhabhi leaned, speaking in a low voice, "Ek raaz ki baat bataun... maine toh tum dono se darr ke hi yeh news di hai... ki kahin tumme se koi first aa gaya toh tumhara bachha senior ho jayega."

"Main hamesha bas theek thaak paas hi hoti hun. Topper toh Naina hai. Dekhna yahan bhi wohi top karegi." Sonali teased her friend.

Naina swatted her arm, "Anniversary ke din pitna hai kya? Kuch bhi bolti hai."

Bhabhi and Sonali laughed as the crimson on her cheeks defied her anger.

"Aap log yahan akele masti kar rahe ho. Mujhe bhi batao kya joke hai." Sameer's voice reached them before he appeared from behind Naina.

Sonali raised a brow, giving a slanting glance to Naina before smiling at him, "Woh hum kisi baare mein baat kar rahe the toh Naina se pooch rahe the ki yahan bhi top karegi kya."

Sameer looked at her lowered head, presuming that they were talking about her computer course, "Bilkul karegi. Naina toh hamesha top karti hai."

Bhabhi and Sonali broke into giggles, making Naina shut her eyes tight.

"Arre ismein hansne wali kya baat hai. Tumhe toh pata hi hai Sonali Naina kitni intelligent hai. Dekho na, usne mujhe itna achhe se sab kuch sikhaya ki mujhe bhi topper bana diya." Sameer looked at her proudly.

The giggles turned into peals of uncontrollable laughter for Sonali and bhabhi.

Naina bit her lip, and covered her face with her palms.

Sameer gave a perplexed look to three of them, wondering what was so funny about him getting good marks in exams.

"Sach batana, Naina, yeh achanak wali kahani humein buddhu banane ke liye hai na... pakka Sameer ka dil machal gaya hoga shaadi ka mahaul dekh ke... isliye usne..." Bhabhi whispered to Naina when she finally removed her hands from her face.

Her cheeks burned up in embarrassment again.

"Chalo Sonali, dekhte hain cake aa gaya kya." Bhabhi dragged Sonali away, leaving them to clarify things to each other.

"Inhe kya hua? Naina, yeh log hamare result pe hans kyon rahe the?" Sameer had a hurt look in his eyes.

"Tum chup nahi reh sakte the, Sameer?" She was exasperated.

He gave her a baffled look, "Maine kahan kuch bola? Woh toh bhabhi ne jab result ki baat ki toh maine kaha ki tum hamesha top karti ho. Aur sach toh hai. Tumne sabhi exams top kiye hain."

She let out a sigh. It wasn't his fault. He had no clue what was being discussed.

But now he knew there was more than what met his eyes.

"Batao kya baat thi." He grabbed her wrist as she was about to go.

"Kuch baat nahi thi. Woh bas aise hi." She tried to evade him.

He pulled her, making her crash into him. They were standing next to a pillar. Sameer wrapped his arm around her waist and shifted behind the pillar, hiding from the guests.

"Ab batao. Jab tak mujhe pata nahi chalega hum dono yahin rahenge... aise hi." He looked into her eyes.

She gulped, aware that he wasn't joking. He wouldn't move from here till he knew.

"Woh... woh ched rahe the mujhe." She mumbled.

His eyes narrowed, "Aisa kya ched diya ki tum itni laal ho gayi? Aisi toh tum tab hoti ho jab main bachhon..."

"Wohi keh rahe the... ki main topper hun toh yeh news dene mein bhi top karungi... upar se tumne aake keh diya ki maine sikhaya..." She blurted out, stopping abruptly as his exact words were too much for her to repeat.

He stared at her red face for a few seconds.

She was shocked as his eyes glinted the next moment, "Tum kaho toh yahan bhi top kar sakte hain."

A loud gasp escaped her lips as he grazed her cheek with the back of his hand, "Waise bhi che ki planning hai toh time pe shuru karna chahiye na."

The punch he received in his abdomen was quite hard, making him yelp.

I'm sorry but I won't be able to give the morning update tomorrow.

This week has left me emotionally drained after all that has happened... work pressure, along with the two milestones, leaving you stranded one of the days without update, the goof ups of publish unpublish from my side... and the sad news at the beginning of week which is still hurting... it had been a tough week.

I honestly need some time to sort out things. I know you all would understand.

Thank you so much ❤❤

Next update tomorrow evening