"Yeh kya cheez hai?" Sameer looked in amazement at the piece of jewellery that Naina held in her hand.

She looked fondly at Phulla bua's gift, "Kamarband hai."

"Kamarband? Woh kya hota hai?" He was perplexed.

He had never heard of this name.

Naina looked up at him with a smile, "Naam se jo lagta hai wohi hota hai... kamar pe pehente hain."

He looked at the long chain type of thing she was holding, "Kiski kamar pe aayega yeh itna lamba chain?"

"Kiski matlab? Ab mujhe gift mila hai toh mera hi hoga na... tumhari kamar pe lagane ko toh diya nahi hai bua dadi me." She was exasperated.

"Tumhari kamar toh itni si hai, yeh kahan tikega?" He joined his fingertips and wrist to form a small circle, dipping his head to the side.

She looked at his hands, then at his glittering eyes... and swatted at his hands.

"Itni bhi nahi hai.. jab pehenungi tab dekh lena." She was flushed.

"Madam, mujhe mat batao... achhe se pata hai mujhe kitni hai yeh kamar." He flicked his brows at her tiny waist, his eyes filled with mischief.

She put away the kamarband, avoiding his gaze, and picked up the sherwani that bua dadi had brought for him.

"Tumpe bohot achhi lagegi... bua dadi ne mera favourite rang chuna hai tumhare liye, blue." She held it against his shoulders.

"Mujhpe toh sabhi kuch achha lagta hai, jaan... ab kya karun... bhagwaanji ne itna handsome banake bheja hai ki ladkiyan pehli nazar mein hi dil de baithti hain." He winked.

"Achha? Kitni ladkiyon ne dil de diye aapko... zara main bhi toh sunu." She turned, walking slowly towards the cupboard, sherwani in hand.

"Umm, hai ek, sabse sundar... " He walked behind her.

"Aur."

"Sabse bholi si... " He said softly.

"Aur."

"Sabse pyari... " He leaned closer to her ear.

"Aur." She stopped, having reached the cupboard.

He didn't stop, taking a few more steps to pin her against the panel of wooden cupboard.

"Sabse zyada pagal bana dene wali, har pal mujhe satane wali..." He pressed himself on her back.

"Aur." Her voice was a whisper.

He moved her hair over one shoulder, breathing on her neck, "Mere har din ko khoobsurat banane wali, meri har raat mein chand jaise khil jaane wali, mere har lamhe ko apni khushbu se mehkane wali, meri dhadkan ko ek nazar se bekabu karne wali, meri chahat ko... "

"Basss... aur mat kaho." Her voice was shaky as she shuddered at the touch of his hands on her waist, under the kurta.

"Abhi toh shuru kiya hai." He nuzzled his nose in her hair.

"Sam... Sameer... humein jaana hai abhi... aaj shaadi hai." She managed to utter, trembling as he made circles on the side of her waist.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his hand, turning her to face him, "Hum bhi kuch dinon ke liye kahin bahar chalein?"

"Abhi toh shaadi mein chalna hai... uska socho... tumhe pehle Munna Pandit ke ghar bhi jaana hai... yahan se hiloge toh kahin jaa paoge na." Getting a hold over her racing heartbeat, she pushed at his chest.

"Yahin se hilne ka man nahi karta... bas aise hi tumse chipak ke rehna chahta hun hamesha." He sighed, his arms around her waist, unwavered by her push.

"Chalo na abhi... der ho jayegi." She tugged at his wrist, trying to  get away.

Her bracelet got caught in the thread on his wrist... and as he moved his hand, the thread which had her initial attached to it, broke off, falling to the floor.

They both looked at it.

"Sameer, yeh toh toot gaya... hum pehle mandir chalte hain... main tumhe doosra dhaaga baandh dungi, fir chachaji ke ghar chalenge." She held his arm.

They had already changed the thread twice ever since Naina had tied it on him the first time he had to go to office.

He cupped her face, "Ab mujhe samajh aa gaya hai ki yeh dhaga tumne kyon baandha tha... tab jo darr mere mann mein tha woh ab khatam ho gaya hai, Naina... ab tum paas nahi hoti ho toh bhi tumhe dil se mehsoos kar sakta hun... tumhara ahsaas dilane ke liye mujhe kisi aur cheez ki zaroorat nahi hai."

Her eyes filled up... he had taken small steps but he had finally reached where she wanted to see him... a secured place which gave him stability and assurance of a future together... he didn't need any placebo every time he had to be away from her... the perpetuity of their bond had given him the faith in eternal togetherness.

She gasped as his finger went around similar thread on her wrist and jerked it away.

"Yeh kya kiya tumne... mera dhaaga kyon toda?" She gave him a stunned look.

His face broke into a loving smile, "Meri jaan, mujhe pata hai tumne yeh sirf mera saath dene ke liye pehna tha... tumhe toh hamesha se hamare rishte ke thehraav pe bharosa tha... lekin mere darr ko samajh ke tumne bhi mere saath isse pehen liya... jab woh darr hi khatam ho gaya toh iski zaroorat na mujhe hai na tumhe... kyonki tum hamesha yahan ho."

He held her hand and placed it on his heart, covering it with his palm.

Her eyes darted to their hands, then back to him... and a gratified smile appeared on her face.

Taking his hand, she placed it on her heart, holding it within her soft grasp, "Aur tum yahan."

He lowered his head, touching her forehead with his, "I Love You, Naina."

She closed her eyes, taking a deep, satiated breath, "I Love You, Sameer."

When they reached chachaji's house, Arjun was sitting in the living room.

"Arjun bhaiya, aap kab aaye?" Naina rushed to him, exhilarated.

Arjun engulfed his sister in a hug, smiling as he spoke warmly, "Subah hi aaya."

"Kitna achha hua jo aap aa gaye... hum sab aapko miss kar rahe the... ab shaadi ke baad poora ek din aap mere saath bitayenge... mujhe bohot saari baatein karni hain aapse." She said excitedly, stepping back to look at him.

"Nahi Naina, main kal subah hi wapas jaa raha hun... kisi tarah coach se ek din ki permission leke aaya hun... bas shaadi ke liye... lekin tu chinta mat kar... main aaj hi teri woh dher saari baatein sun lunga." Arjun fondly stroked his sister's head.

"Kaise ho Arjun?" Sameer extended his hand.

Arjun looked at his hand, then opened his arms.

Naina smiled with misty eyes, admiring the bond between a boy who had loved her since she was born and a boy who would love her till she dies... her brother and her husband.

"Mil liya Naina aur Sameer se?" They all looked at the door as Rakesh entered, "Jabse aaya hai har paanch minute mein puche jaa raha tha kab aaoge tum dono."

"Aapne bataya kyon nahi, papa, ki Arjun bhaiya aane wale hain... hum aur jaldi aa jaate." Naina asked.

"Raat ko tumhare yahan se aane ke baad iska phone aaya tha... railway station se... maine socha ab subah subah kya neend kharab karunga tumhari... aana toh hai hi tumne, paanch dus minute idhar udhar ho gaya toh kya hua." Rakesh said softly.

"Papa jhooth keh rahe hain, Naina... mujhse zyada inhe intezar tha tum logon ka... kabse ghadi dekh rahe the." Arjun gave a knowing look to his father who lowered his head.

"Papaji, shaadi ke baad aap kuch din hamare saath rahiye na... hamare ghar pe." Sameer proffered in a hopeful voice.

Rakesh was surprised, "Tumhare ghar pe? Nahi, nahi, beti ke ghar kaise reh sakta hun."

"Beti ke nahi toh bete ke ghar reh lijiye... jab chachaji mujhe Preeti ka bhai maan ke tilak karne ki ijazat de sakte hain toh aap mujhe beta nahi maan sakte?" Sameer walked upto him.

Rakesh was stunned... in spite of his brusque and snappy behaviour towards Sameer initially, he had always shown due respect to him.

"Haan papa, aap chaliye na hamare saath." Naina held his arm.

Rakesh could feel the stinging in his eyes... the girl he had rebuked all his life, never considered his daughters, mistreated... even tried to marry off to a mentally challenged person... the same girl wanted him to stay with her.

He was under the impression that Naina, and also Sameer, would be glad to see him away from Ahmedabad.

"Papa, Sameer theek keh raha hai... woh beta hi hai aapka... jiss tarah se woh sabka khyal rakhta hai utna toh main bhi kabhi nahi kar paaya." Arjun pressed his father's shoulder.

Rakesh blinked back the tears, but a few spilled out of his eyes. His throat choked with guilt and contentment at the same time, as he took both his sons in his embrace.

Naina could not control her tears either. She wiped her eyes furiously, not wanting to miss what was happening in front of her. This was a sight she had always dreamt of... her father wholeheartedly accepting Sameer as family. He had gone a step ahead... and accepted him as a son. Fresh wave of salty tears again blurred her vision.

"Yahan kya bharat milap chal raha hai? Rakesh, kya khazana de diya tumhare damaad ne tumhe jo itni khushi se usse gale laga rahe ho?" Tauji's heavy voice made everyone look at the door.

Arjun and Sameer stepped away from Rakesh who wiped his eyes, turning his face to the side.

"Bolo, kya khushi baanti jaa rahi hai?" Tauji demanded, settling down on the sofa, with one folded leg resting over the knee of the other.

"Khush rehna aur khushi baantna naya naya seekha hai, bhaisahab... jinhone sikhaya hai unhe dhanyavaad de raha tha... aur soch raha tha kaash choto ki jagah badon ne yeh sab sikhaya hota." Rakesh gave a sad smile to his brother before leaving the room.

Tauji furrowed his brows for a moment, then exhaled, and picked up the newspaper.

Naina went inside to Preeti's room while Arjun and Sameer followed Rakesh to see if they could help with anything. Sameer had to go to Munna and Pandit's house after that.

Phulla bua had witnessed everything from the side of the kitchen. She was relieved to see the emotional reaction of her invariably agitated nephew. Sameer had cast his magic here too... and untangled several relations. As she had realised earlier, Sameer had brought a serenity to this house, this family... by being a part of it. He was like a missing piece of puzzle that had fit in to not only complete the grid but also to bring all other pieces closer, so that they were compact now, without the cracks which showed earlier... one united entity... one loving family.

"Bua dadi ne dekh mujhe kitna sundar haar diya hai." Preeti opened the velvet box to show the gift she had received from Phulla bua.

Naina rounded her eyes at the beautiful necklace set of gold, with white pearls, red rubies and green emeralds.

"Yeh toh bohot sundar hai, Preeti... tujhpe bohot achha lagega." She was delighted.

"Tujhe kya diya?" Preeti was curious as she had seen bua dadi pack a smaller box while leaving for Naina's house the day before.

"Mujhe? Kamarband." Naina beamed.

Preeti scrunched her nose, "Kamarband? Uska kya karegi?"

Naina poked her forehead with her fingers, "Balcony mein kapde sukhane ke liye laga dungi... pagal... kya karte hain kamarband ka? Kamar pe pehenungi."

Preeti rubbed her forehead, frowning, "Achha toh maar kyon rahi hai... woh bhi meri shaadi ke din... nahi dekha pehle kabhi toh meri kya galti hai."

"Tu bhi Sameer ke jaisi hai... usne bhi yehi kaha ki itni si toh kamar... " Naina stopped abruptly, giving a horrified look to her sister, who was  listening with rapt attention.

"Kitni si kamar?" She flicked her brows, giving a mischievous smile.

Naina felt her cheeks go warm instantly.

"Bata na... kya kaha jijaji ne... naap ke dekha kya... bol na." Preeti ran after her as Naina rushed towards the door.

Only to collide with Arjun.

"Arre, tum dono abhi bhi bachpan ke jaise jhagad rahi ho... Naina, Preeti... ab bade ho jao... ek ki shaadi ho gayi hai... ek ki aaj hai... aur tum bachhon ki tarah shararat kar rahi ho." He admonished both girls, showing fake anger.

"Bade ho gaye, Arjun bhaiya... yeh bachhon wali nahi badon wali shararat thi." Preeti gave a slanting look to Naina.

"Aap iski baat mat suniye, iski toh hamesha se faltu bolne ki aadat hai... aap yahan aaiye." Naina held her brother's arm, bringing him inside to sit on the bed.

"Preeti, Naina... maine kabhi tum dono ke liye kuch nahi kiya... kabhi iss layak tha hi nahi... Preeti, aaj teri shaadi mein ek bhai ki taraf se chota sa gift laya hun." He said hesitantly.

"Arre wah... shaadi toh badi achhi cheez hoti hai... gift pe gift hi mile jaa rahe hain... yeh dekhiye bua dadi ne bhi yeh diya." Preeti opened the box, holding it out in front of him.

Arjun saw the necklace, his eyes showing a wave of shock at the elaborate and expensive piece.

Naina saw the desolate expression on his face.

"Bhaiya, dekhiye na, bua dadi ne kitna bhaari sa haar de diya... main aur Preeti yehi soch rahe the ki isse kabhi pehen bhi payenge ya shaadi ke do din baad se bas almari mein band karke rakhna padega." She said lightly, closing the box and keeping it aside.

Preeti narrowed her eyes, wondering when they had this discussion... she turned towards her sister in confusion, "Naina, aisa... "

"Baad mein baat karenge pehle Arjun bhaiya ka gift toh dekh lein... dikhao na bhaiya." Naina pressed her hand, eagerly shaking Arjun with the other.

Arjun fished out a small box from his pocket, uncertainly holding it out to Preeti.

Naina grabbed it, opening it with great interest.

She genuinely squealed at the pair of earrings in a delicate, floral design. Preeti snatched it from her, taking out one earring from the box and holding it against her ear.

"Arjun bhaiya, aapki pasand itni achhi kabse ho gayi?" She looked back in surprise, impressed with the design.

A warm smile spread on Arjun's face, "Sach mein pasand aaya tujhe?"

"Jhooth mein kaise pasand aata hai?" Preeti gave him a questioning glance.

He looked sheepish, "Nahi, woh mujhe laga... matlab itne bade, bade gifts ke aage yeh chota sa... "

Naina puffed her cheeks, "Chota toh aapka dil hai... ek behen ke liye le aaye, doosri ko bhool gaye."

She had seen the outline of another box in his pocket when he took out one for Preeti. As she had expected he was unsure about giving it to her.

"Tere liye kya laata? Tere paas toh pehle hi ek se ek zevar honge... aakhir itne bade ghar ki bahu hai." Arjun gave her a loving look.

"Lekin behen toh aapki hi hu na... woh bhi choti... aapka tohfa sab zevaron se alag hoga... chaliye dijiye... mujhe pata hai aap kuch toh laye honge." Naina opened her palm in front of him.

He took out the box from his pocket, and placed it on her hand.

Naina opened it quickly. Her eyes turned misty to see a plain set of baalis... similar to what she used to wear in school... and had to give to her father once when he needed money to buy a cricket kit for Arjun.

"Meri wajah se teri baliyan chali gayi thi... isliye laaya hun." He smiled.

"Thank you, bhaiya." Naina hugged him, overwhelmed.

Next update tomorrow evening