Naina managed to free herself and fled from the kitchen just in time. Ramdhari was entering when she reached the door.

"Arre Naina bhabhi, aapko kuch chahiye tha kya?" He was concerned.

Sameer's voice reached them before she could answer, "Mujhe chahiye tha. Maine bulaya tha Naina ko."

She turned to look at him with wide eyes.

"Aap humein bol dete Sameer bhaiya. Hum la dete jo chahiye tha." Ramdhari also looked at him.

"Sirf Naina hi de sakti thi. Isliye usse hi bola." Sameer's voice was low but not enough to not reach Ramdhari.

He furrowed his brows, wondering what was in the kitchen that only Naina bhabhi was aware of. Naina pursed her lips, glaring at Sameer.

"Yeh chahiye tha. Arjun ne diya tha. Tab Naina ne yahan sambhal ke rakh diya par mujhe abhi dekhna hai, isliye bulaya Naina ko. Ho gayi teri enquiry khatam? Ya sau pachas sawal aur puchega?" Sameer held out his hand, showing Arjun's gift that Naina had left on the counter.

Ramdhari murmured as he crossed them, "Humne bas ek sawal pucha, woh bhi aapse nahi Naina bhabhi se. Aap hi beech mein kud pade aur daant humein rahe hain."

Taking the opportunity, Naina ran away, before Sameer could join her. She could feel his gaze on her though... burning her amidst a room full of known people.

Sonali glanced at him, before nudging her, "Yaar Naina, Sameer ki aankhen ab bhi tujhpe aise tiki hain jaise yeh tumhari beti ka naamkaran nahi tumhari shaadi ka function ho. Dekh toh, bichare ki haalat tere bina kaisi ho rahi hai."

Naina's eyes flicked in his direction... and met his black ones. She quickly looked back at Sonali, "Pagal hai kya? Aisa kuch nahi. Woh... usse kuch kaam hoga shayad... ya Sana ke baare mein..."

Swati pinched her waist, "Kisi aur ko ullu banana. Yeh tumhara aankhon aankhon wala pyar hum sab achhi tarah pehchante hain."

Preeti chipped in, "Agar jijaji ka bas chale toh abhi sabko keh dein ki bhai ho gaya naamkaran... ab aap log ghar jaiye aur meri Naina ko mujhe de dijiye."

She bit her lip as her friends carried on their teasing banters.

It was a little later when she had just handed Sana to Vishakha and turned to get something. His hold on her wrist was not visible to anyone.

Standing close, he leaned towards her and whispered, "Karlo jitna enjoy karna hai. Wapas toh mere paas hi aana hai."

He was gone before she could even look up. She saw him talking to Anand, a sweet smile on his face showing no trace of the mischievous side that she saw. She lowered her head, smiling to herself... she loved the naughty version of him.

Phulla bua gave a satisfied look to the group in the living room. They were all from different families, but all were together today. Whole evening was like a dream. The only people they missed were Pooja, her husband Varun and Golu. Since Pooja's sister in law was also in the hospital for delivery, they could not come.

No one missed taiji. Anand had informed them but tauji cited heavy workload and refused. When Phulla bua spoke to him, offering to talk to the company owner, he told her the real reason.

"Ladki hi toh hui hai, buaji. Yeh saara tamasha karne ki kya zaroorat hai? Mere paas aise bematlab dikhawe ke liye waqt nahi hai."

"Yeh ladka ladki ka bhed bhaav choti soch wale log karte hain. Naina bhi toh ladki hai, dekha na kya kya haasil kiya hai usne itni si umr mein... jis bete pe intna naaz hai tumhe woh iss baar paas hua ya fir se fail ho gaya?" Phulla bua could not stop herself though she felt bad later, having dragged Pralay unnecessarily in the conversation.

"Paas ho ya fail, rahega beta hi. Khandan ussi se chalega. Aapki Naina bhi toh Maheshwari ban gayi hai na... uske bachhe ussi ghar ke maane jayenge. Anand ki tarah aadhunikta ka naqab pehen lene se sachhai badal nahi jayegi... ladki ladki hi rahegi jise kisi aur ke ghar jaana hai. Asli santaan beta hi hota hai." Tauji had replied curtly.

Phulla bua had put the phone down, glad that he wasn't coming. She couldn't change the mentality of a person who had pushed his mind to hundred years back and locked it there. She looked around at the crowded room. The happiness, the exuberance was real, on each and every face.

Once the dinner was over, one by one, all guests started to leave. Munna Pandit were the last ones to go, along with Anand and Bela. They had helped to get the room cleared up and put back the furniture back in place.

Vishakha asked Ramdhari to put the gifts in the library. They all were too tired to check anything now... except the baby who was alert and responding to every sound.

"Aaj toh hamari gudiya bhi raat bhar soyegi. Kabse khel rahi hai." Vishakha touched her soft cheek and she looked back with bright eyes.

Mr Somani sat next to her, "Vishakha, thodi der mujhe bhi do na."

Vishakha looked up at Sameer instinctively. He smiled.

She let out a deep breath, and placed the baby in her husband's arms.

Deepika jumped around him, talking to her little niece, "Dekho Sana, yeh tumhare dadu hain. Pata hai, jab yeh godi mein lete hain bada maza aata hai kyonki sab kuch  ekdum upar se dikhta hai. Yeh sabse tall hain na, isliye. Tumhe bhi bohot mazaa ayega."

Phulla bua watched fondly as one more relation appeared to be in healing.

Neither was little Sana ready to sleep nor others wanted to lose out on the chance to play with her. Rohan had no idea what to say to her, so he just whispered about how much he adored her parents. Vishakha seemed to be living the childhood of Sameer once again, making all types of funny faces while talking to Sana. Deepika hovered around every person who held her, excitedly telling what all toys she had bought for her.

Phulla bua realised Naina must be tired by now, though she sat with a smile on her face, watching everyone dote on the baby.

"Naina, jab tak Sana khel rahi hai, tu jaake kapde badal le aur thoda aaram kar le. Itni der se baithi hai, thak gayi hogi." She could see the tiredness in her eyes.

Naina nodded and got up. She was indeed tired. Sameer felt another jab of disappointment. He hadn't yet got a chance to tell her how enthralled he had been with her in pink. His eyes followed her as she went back to the room.

Rohan's nudge brought his attention back, "Bhai, saath jaana hai kya?"

Sameer clenched his teeth and showed him a fist, "Tumhari shaadi hone do, fir puchunga."

Rohan blushed, "Usmein abhi kuch mahine hain."

It was another half an hour before Vishakha stood up with the baby, "Sameer, mujhe lagta hai ab Sana ko bhi sula dena chahiye. Itni choti bachhi hai aur dekho kabse masti kar rahi hai. Bilkul apne papa pe gayi hai."

Phulla bua gave him a knowing look, "Haan, apne papa pe hi gayi hai. Neend toh Sameer ko bhi kuch khaas nahi aati. Mumbai mein mere yahan pehli baar aaya tha tab se dekh rahi hun."

His eyes shot up at Phulla bua, hoping she didn't mention the story of him and Naina passing written notes all night.

Rohan gave him a teasing look. Sameer wasn't aware but Naina had told him about this incident today itself.

"Woh subah jaldi uth gaya tha na, isliye keh rahi hain bua dadi." He explained before others could ask anything.

Rohan shrugged, "Obviously, warna aur kya ho sakta hai."

Vishakha thankfully could not see any hidden meaning in the talk. Phulla bua took the baby from her, asking her to take rest as well.

"Aap log bhi aaram karo. Sana ko main chod aati hun Naina ke paas." She gave a genial smile.

Sameer got up quickly, "Bua dadi, laiye main le jaata hun."

"Mujhe Naina se kuch baat karni hai." She said, walking slowly to the room.

Rohan lingered for a while till his parents and sister left, then tapped Sameer on the shoulder, "Bua dadi saari raat thodi baat karengi. Zara sabr rakho. Yahan tumhe darwaze ke neeche se chits nahi bhejni padengi."

Sameer was astounded, "Tumhe... tumhe pata hai? Kaise?"

He smiled smugly, "Bhabhi ne bataya tha... aaj dopahar ko."

"Naina ne?" Sameer gave him a shocked look.

He nodded, "Maine jab aap logon ko apni aur Nidhi ki kahani sunayi thi, uske baad aapko Munna Pandit ne bula liya tha. Tab maine bhabhi se kaha ki aap log lucky ho jo hamesha saath hi rahe, hamari tarah letters nahi likhne pade. Toh unhone bataya ki kaise aap dono raat bhar ek doosre ko chits se message karte rahe the."

Sameer was sure this wasn't the last time Rohan would tease him about it. He was saved for now when he heard Phulla bua's voice, calling out to him. He ran to the room, after saying good night to Rohan.

"Kya kar raha tha? Kabse baithi hun. Mujhe bhi sone jaana hai beta, thak gayi aaj." She reprimanded him the moment he entered the room.

"Aapne hi toh kaha tha aapko Naina se kuch baat karni hai." He blinked, trying to recall if she had asked him to come too.

Phulla bua shook her head, "Shayad main hi tujhe bulana bhool gayi. Chal baith yahan. Nazar utarni hai tum teeno ki."

He looked at Naina, and the first thing he noticed was that she was still in the pink saree. With a wide grin, he sat next to her and the baby. Phulla bua did the same ritual as Bela, moving her fisted hand around them in circles several times.

"Naina, aaj dekhna poori raat soyegi yeh badmash. Bohot masti ki hai isne. Sabko apne aas paas dekh ke zyada hi khush ho gayi thi." She exclaimed, smiling at Sana as she threw her little legs up in the air.

Sameer closed the door after she left. Naina was changing baby's dress.

"Tumne kapde nahi badle? Bua dadi ne kaha tha na." He asked, leaning on his elbow after lying on his side of the bed.

"Bohot thak gayi thi isliye socha aise hi aaram kar lun." She said nonchalantly, without looking up.

It did not take her long to put the baby to sleep, just as Phulla bua had predicted.

"Ab main bhi change kar leti hun." She gently laid her on the bed and got up.

She did not even reach the dresser when his arms went around her waist, "Itni der ruk gayi ho toh thodi der aur ruk jao."

"Kyon, koi aur aane wala hai kya?" She asked innocently.

He turned her with a jerk. Her eyes did not show any surprise when she looked into his dark eyes.

"Naina, aaj tumne mujhe bohot tadpaya hai. Pooja se pehle woh sab... aur phir tumne mummy ko bula liya. Lekin ab toh koi nahi hai na. Ab kiska bahana banaogi?" His voice was already hoarse.

Her gaze moved from his eyes to his lips, then went lower, to his chin. The dark shadow had started to appear. She lifted her hand, grazing his jaw with the back of her fingers. His eyes glittered in anticipation.

"Ab mujhe koi bahana chahiye hi nahi... kisi bhi baat ke liye." She looked at him, boldly.

He narrowed his eyes... not sure if he understood her clearly.

She placed her palms on his chest, "Tumne abhi tak bataya nahi aaj pink mein kaisi lag rahi hun main."

He held her shoulders, stepping back enough to see her from top to bottom. Though she still had some weight of pregnancy period, the curve of her waist was quite prominent in saree. His unabashed gaze roamed over her, but she did not shy away or stop him.

"Tum hamesha hi khoobsurat lagti ho lekin pink mein kuch zyada hi zor se lagti ho." His heavy lidded eyes moved to her face.

Her lips dropped at the corners, "Bas itna hi? Maine bekaar hi itni der tak kapde nahi badle. Ab toh tumhare paas meri tareef karne ke liye bhi kuch nahi hai. Chodo."

She pushed him and ran towards the bathroom before he could realise what was happening. The door closed when he lurched behind her.

"Naina, yeh kya hai? Suno na, darwaza kholo. Naina, aaj tum saree pehen ke kyon gayi ho bathroom mein... usse toh bahar hi utarte hain na. Please, Naina... achha ek baar kholo toh." He banged on the door, careful about the noise so as not to wake up the baby.

When she did not respond to anything, he pressed his face close to the door and pleaded softly, "Jaan, abhi toh maine tareef karni shuru ki thi. Ek baar sun toh lo poori tareef. Tumhe pata hai na tumhe pink mein dekh ke mera kya haal hota hai. Upar se aaj tum aise aise jhatke de rahi ho. Main pagal ho raha hun, Naina."

He straightened, hearing the click of the door. His heart skipped several beats... his pulse plummeted... his breathing stopped... and his eyes forgot to blink.

She stood before him in the pink nighty.

Next update tomorrow evening. I'll take a break on Sunday because I know you all would find it difficult to wait at this point 😉