The work for kidsroom started very next day in office. Since no major construction was required, it did not hamper the routine for others. An interior designer was hired, who would make all the purchases and get a completely safe room ready. Naina and Sameer checked all the furniture he had shortlisted. Once they approved of the things, colour scheme was decided and within a week, the painters were working at a furious pace. Naina visited the office daily, to see the progress. In next ten days, the room was all set to welcome its little guests.

Meanwhile, the talk with Tara aunty was fruitful as well. She, along with her daughter, Minal, accepted the job without hesitation. When Naina met her daughter, the amiable demeanor of the young girl impressed her instantly. Naina left Sana with Bela a few times when she went out to check the furniture. Tara was summoned at those times. It didn't take her long to get friendly with Sana, owing to her cordial ways of treating children. Bela was satisfied to see that they had made the right choice.

Before the facility could officially be started, Naina visited the room with Sameer and Sana, to see the reaction of real occupants. The moment they entered, Sana's curious eyes darted in all directions, trying to see everything at once. Painted cartoon images made her scream out in delight, and she lurched ahead, trying to touch them. Along with the painted stars on the ceiling, there were hanging stars as well, which swirled with the wind. Sana gaped at them in silence for a while, then jumped to hold them. The floor was covered with colourful play mats, which were stuck securely. Only a portion was left with bare tiles. Beds were comfortable and safe. The baskets and cushioned chairs had no edges or patterns that could hurt the children.

At the designer's suggestion, shelves were put on the walls at a height where kids could not reach, even when they started to walk. The toys were to be last addition, which were to be delivered next day.

"Kaisa laga?" Sameer asked Naina.

"Jaisa socha tha usse bhi achha. Ab sirf main hi nahi, baaki log bhi aaram se kaam pe aa sakte hain." She was pleased with the arrangement.

When she checked the kitchen next door, she was astounded to find it much larger than what it was earlier. Along with a gas stove, refrigerator, vessels and groceries, it also had a single bed in one corner, along with a comfortable chair that she had asked to be placed. The area was secluded with a curtain that ran through the center of the room, but was presently pulled aside.

She had asked for a chair to be put up in a corner so that mothers could feed their children during the day. All she wanted was a small divider to be set up in playroom that could give some privacy to the feeding moms. But a seperate, undisturbed place was indeed a surprise for her.

"Sameer, yeh sab..." She turned to him in wonder.

He answered before she could ask, "Yahan do storeroom ek saath the. Maine deewar tudwa ke ek bada kamra banwa diya. Tara aunty ya unki beti din mein aaram karna chahein toh unke liye bhi koi jagah honi chahiye na. Aur yeh dekho."

Naina peered at the small panel next to the bed. Her brows knitted in confusion.

"Iska switch playroom mein hai. Agar wahan zaroorat ho toh bulane nahi aana padega. Bas wahan se switch dabaya aur yahan bell ke saath saath light bhi jal jayegi. Tum yahan ruko, main dikhata hun." Sameer dashed out of the room.

A red light flashed on the panel, with a doorbell kind of sound.

Sameer was back within seconds, "Theek hai na?"

Naina gave him a warm smile, "Theek nahi bohot achha hai. Tumne unke liye itna socha yeh dekh ke garv ho raha hai mujhe tum par."

He cupped her cheek, "Garv toh mujhe hai, Naina... tum pe. Tum kaise har mushkil ko aasan kar deti ho?"

She held his hand, "Tumhari wajah se. Tumhara saath hai toh kuch mushkil lagta hi nahi. Aur fir tumhare paas rehne ka intezam karna bhi toh zaroori tha. Saara din tum yahan, aur main ghar mein... iss mushkil ka hal bhi toh nikalna tha, Mr Maheshwari."

His brows hit the roof at her wink. This boldness from her was unexpected in office. But he wasn't complaining. She walked back to the playroom before he could react though. He followed her once he came to senses, and immediately shut the door behind them.

Sana was constantly fidgeting in her mother's arms, eager to touch the multicoloured blocks of play mat. Naina made her sit on the floor.

Sameer bent down to pick her, "Yeh kya kar rahi ho? Neeche kyon bithaya? Wahan iske bed mein bitha dete hain."

She held his arm, "Chachiji ne kaha hai ab Sana ko neeche chodna uske liye achha hoga. Woh baithne toh lag gayi, ab usse balance karna seekhne ke liye zameen pe chodna hoga. Tabhi apni jagah se hilna seekhegi. Main ghar pe bithati hun isse neeche."

He was amazed, "Matlab neeche bithane se Sana chalne lagegi?"

With a short laugh, Naina poked her fingers on his forehead, "Buddhu, shuru se hi thodi chalne lagegi. Pehle ghutno pe rahegi, fir pakad ke khada hona seekhegi. Uske baad apne aap chalne ka time aayega."

Sameer had completely forgotten the stage where children crawled on all fours. That was because he couldn't recall seeing any child doing that in real.

Smiling sheepishly, he scrunched his nose, "Woh main bhool gaya tha."

"Bhullakad buddhu." She smirked.

He narrowed his eyes, then glanced back to check the door, which was shut. Sana seemed to be busy tracing the joints of coloured blocks on the mat. With one swift motion, he pulled Naina closer, his arm draped around her waist.

"Sameer koi aa jayega." She looked at the door behind him in alarm.

"Band hai darwaza." He replied, his voice low.

"Sana." Her eyes flicked to their daughter.

"Busy hai." His voice was a mere whisper.

"Lekin..." She gulped, staring into his eyes.

His face gleamed with mischief, "Main bhullakad hun? Sab yaad hai mujhe... tumhara school mein hamesha mujhe dekhna aur sharmana... paani pine ke bahane aake mujhe cricket khelte hue dekhna... canteen mein baar baar meri taraf mudna... corridor mein achanak mere saamne aa jaane pe apne baalon ko kaan ke peeche karna... jab main nahi aata tha toh Munna Pandit se puchne ki koshish karna ki main theek hun, aur na pooch paane pe apne maathe pe haath maarna..."

Her eyes widened, "Tumhe kaise pata? Jab tum aaye hi nahi toh kaise dekha? Aur baaki sab..."

He placed a finger on her lips, "Mehsoos kar leta tha, Naina, tumhe bhi aur tumhari nazron ko bhi. Aur yeh Munna Pandit se poochne wali baat... jab kabhi games period mein ya lunch break mein late hota tha toh dekha tumhe aisa karte hue."

A red streak crept up her face and she lowered her eyes. She was an open book since school. He hooked a finger under her chin, making her look back at him.

She was clearly embarrassed, "Sameer, meri yeh harakatein baaki sabko bhi toh nazar aati hongi na. Iska matlab sabko pata chal gaya hoga ussi waqt?"

He cupped her face, his eyes turning soft, "Jaan, yeh sab wohi dekh sakta hai jiske dil mein bhi waise hi pyar ki dastak ho jaise tumhare dil mein thi. Tumhara khamosh pyaar kheenchta tha mujhe apni taraf... aur mera dil sun leta tha tumhare dil ki dhak dhak... jaise abhi sunn raha hai."

His hand slipped down from her face to her heart, which hammered against his palm.

Before they could think of anything further, an excited scream from their daughter broke their trance. They quickly looked at the floor, where she was sitting.

Both were frozen to the spot.

Sana was perched on all fours, not moving but swinging. After a few seconds of absolute shock, Sameer lurched to pick her, scared that she might lose her balance and fall. Naina held his arm, shaking her head. They watched in amazement as she stayed in the position for a while, then thumped back to her sitting position. After patting the floor a few times, she again placed both palms on the floor, and folded her knees, swaying again after raising her body from the floor.

"Yeh... yeh koshish kar rahi hai... chalne ki." Naina blurted out in a heavy, emotional voice.

"Aise karne se gir gayi toh?" Sameer panicked.

She looked fondly at her daughter, "Nahi giregi. Dekho kaise sambhal rahi hai khud ko."

Tired of the attempts, Sana sat down again, and rubbed her face with a fisted hand. Naina scooped her up, squeezing her in a delicate embrace. Sameer wrapped his arms around both of them, kissing on top of his baby's head.

She jerked back her head to see him. Finding him close, she flappped her tiny hands on his chest. He took her from Naina.

"Kal se meri doll bhi hamare saath office aayegi. Ab aapko drama karke mumma ko patane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mummy pat chuki hain." He held her hand, taking it to his lips to kiss the fingers.

She giggled, touched his cheek... and pulled her hand away, her expression suddenly turning into a frown.

Sameer chuckled, rubbing his clean shaven jaw, "Tumhari pasand bhi apni mumma jaisi hai."

Naina pinched her chubby cheek, "Mumma ki baby hai na."

Sameer shook his head, "Nahi, papa ki baby hai."

Sana shook her head in negative.

His mouth fell open. Naina stifled a smile. Last few days Sana had started to copy the motion of nodding or shaking her head. She didn't understand the question but excitedly followed the movement of head.

"Sana toh mumma ki doll hai, haina?" Naina nodded, asking her softly.

Sameer's face fell further as Sana happily nodded.

Naina burst out in laughter at his crestfallen expression. Seeing her, Sana also started to laugh heartily. Sameer looked from one to another.

"Offo, ab aisi shakal mat banao. Ruko." Naina could not see his dejected face.

She turned to look at Sana, nodding again, "Aap papa ki gudiya ho na?"

The little girl nodded with full gusto.

"Mumma ke paas nahi aana?" She shook her head.

Sana did the same, giving her head a vigorous shake.

Sameer was perplexed. Naina explained to him the new traits their daughter had learnt. He asked her a few more questions, and she went on to copy him.

"Tumne bataya kyon nahi?" He grumbled.

She pursed her lips, "Inn sab kaamon ke chakkar mein dimag se nikal gaya. Sorry."

Sana laughed again, seeing her mom holding her ears. Sameer's face broke into a smile.

They went out together, to inform the staff that the room was ready to put to use.

At home, later in the evening, Sana was too excited to put her new skill to practice, but each time she tried to balance on the bed, she slipped to her side. Though she wasn't getting hurt but was frustrated.

"Sameer, Sana ko neeche baitha do. Bed naram hota hai." Naina told him as she came in from the kitchen, deducing from her screams that Sana was annoyed.

"Nahi Naina, woh khush ho rahi hai." Sitting behind her on the bed, he couldn't see her expressions.

Naina went out to the balcony, to pick up dried clothes. When she fell again, Sana started to cry. Sameer quickly leaned ahead, lifting her to his lap.

"Kya hua meri doll ko?" He patted her soothingly.

Irritated at not being able to do what she wanted, Sana's lips curled downwards and she broke into a bawl.

Naina came running in. Sameer was trying to pacify her but she was constantly jumping out of his hold. Taking her daughter in her arms, Naina shook her head once. Even though Sana was still crying, she shook her head.

"Buddhu papa ki buddhu beti." Smiling, she wiped her tears and put her on the floor.

Looking around, Sana let out a joyful squeal and started her exercise of balancing herself on all fours.

Sameer got up and stood next to Naina, wondering how the howling turned into squeals so fast.

"Tumhe kaise pata yeh kyon ro rahi thi?" He asked, his eyes still on his baby girl.

Naina let out a relieved exhale, "Mehsoos kiya. Jaise tumne kaha tha na... dastak mil jaati hai."

He turned to her, taking her hand in his, "Tum har baat mein perfect ho."

Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed the back of it, "Aur main chahta hun hamari beti tumhare jaisi perfect bane, mere jaisi buddhu nahi."

She wrapped her palms around both his hand, looking at him lovingly, "Tum bhi perfect ho. Lekin bas thode se buddhu... duniya ke liye nahi... tum mere buddhu ho. Aur main chahti hun tum aise hi raho... hamesha."

Lifting both his hands, she placed a kiss on each one.

Since tomorrow is the third anniversary of our show, I'll not miss out on the update.

Another reason, I'll not post on Monday as I have some important work on Tuesday and I'll be busy preparing for it.

So, Next update tomorrow evening