Hello readers!!♥♥
Here you go!!♥♥
Sorry for delay.

PS: Whole week... re-watching 'Friends' season... till now I've re-watched 4 seasons.
Couldn't stop myself.
*******

Sameer and Nanu reached the guest house.

"Sameer, Naina beti ki sagai ho rahi hai!"

Sameer sughed in frustration and said,
"Ji Nanu. Maine Naina se iss baarein mein baat kari... woh iss sagai ke khilaf hai... Woh yeh nahu chahti hai. Magar waha uski baat sunne ne wala koi nahi hai."

Nanu asked,"Uski Tai ji... Woh unhone bhi madad karne se mana kar diya. Kya?"

Sameer nodded.
"Nanu, aap hi kuch kijiye na. Maine Naina ko wada kiya hai ki main uski madad karunga."

Nanu sighed, "Dekho beta, baccho ka sahi galat unke bade jaante hai... Ab dekho, ho bhi sakta hai ki Naina ke liye jo rishta dekha hai... ho bhi sakta hai woh ladka Naina ke liye sahi ho-"

Sameer abruptly said, "Nahi, woh ladka Naina ke liye sahi nahi hai. Uss Pappu ke sath Naina ki shaadi nahi ho sakti."

Nanu got startled with his abrupt response. Composing himself, he said.
"Sameer, agar Naina iss rishte se khush nahi hai toh main baat kar ke dekhta hu. Uski Taiji, se aaj mila toh mujhe, toh woh ek acchi insaan hi lagi. Shayad mere baat karne se woh iss rishte ke baarein mein ek baar soche."

"Nanu, Naina ki Taiji... jaisa apne aap ko dikhati hai waisi hai nahi. Kisi se baat karne se koi fayda nahi hoga... Nanu, humein koi aisa rasta dhundna hoga ki woh log khud hi yeh rishte ke liye mana kar de. Agar aap ya main kuch bhi karenge... toh kahi woh galat na samajh bethe."

Nanu nodded, understanding his point of view. He smiled and patted his grandson head.
"Kitna samajhdar hogaya hai, tu. Duniyadari ki samjh aa gayi hai mere naati ko. Tu chinta mat kar... iss parshani ka hal zarur mil jayega, bss thoda thande aur shaant dimag se sochna hoga. Koi na koi rasta zarur hoga."

Sameer passed a small smile and they both started thinking about the ways to help Naina.

*******

After finishing household chores,Naina and Geeta came into their room.

"Chalo sab kaam khatam hogaya."

Naina smiled and both sat down on the bed, removing the dupatta from their head.

Suddenly,Geeta remembered, "Naina didi, aap Jija ji ko phone karne kab jaoge."

"Geeta, phone bahar hai...abhi sabke saamne toh baat nahi kar sakti. Sab kamre mein chalein jaaye... soo jaaye toh."

"Toh romance chalu."

Both the girls giggled.

Geeta wiggled her eyebrows and said, "Naina didi, ek baat puchu."

Naina rolled her eyes, "Geeta tu aur tere sawal... khair puch."

"Naina didi, aap jija ji se kitna pyaar karti ho."

"Jija ji?"
Both the girls got shocked to hear that voice, they looked and saw Lata standing at the door.

Narrowing her eyes, she asked.
"Yeh kya baat ho rahi thi? Kaun Jiji ji? Pyaar? Geeta kya keh rahi thi?"

Naina and Geeta gulped in fear.

"Woh... Woh maa. Main Naina didi ko didi kehti hu... toh uss hisab se unke hone wali pati mere jija ji hue. Toh wahi baat kar rahe the... Ab Naina didi ko main bhabhi bolu ya didi. Bss aise hi mazak masti."

Lata nodded with a smile.
"Aree... ab tumhare Pappu bhaiya se shaadi ho rahi hai toh tumhari bhabhi hui na."

"Haa bhabhi toh hai hi... par maa aap hi batao bachpan se Naina didi hi bula rahi hu... Isliye bss aise hi masti mein puch liya ki jija ji se kitna pyaar karti ho."

Naina widened her eyes hearing Geeta. Lata chuckled.

She goes towards Naina. Caressing her cheek, she asked, " Geeta ke sawal ka jawab nahi dogi? "

"Woh main... Mausi ji."
Naina stuttered.

"Uh huh... Mausi nahi Maa ya mummy ji... Kuch bhi bolo."
Lata said.

Naina smiled nervously and looked down.

Lata thought that she must be feeling shy and changed the topic.
"Accha ab yeh sab baatein baad mein... main jiss kaam ke liye aayi hu woh toh batau."

Naina and Geeta looked at her expectantly. They both noticed the bag in her hand.

"Yeh kya hai maa? Bag?"

Lata smiled. Putting the bag on the bed, she opened it slowly.
Geeta gasped in surprise, the bad contained a beautiful pink suit... with golden work done on it.
Naina too liked the dress but was getting this bad vibes...and she was right.

"Naina beta, yeh tum apni sagai par pehen lena. Ab tumhe kya pata tha ki tum yaha aaogi toh tumhara rishta tay ho jayega... mere Pappu ke sath. Khair koi baat nahi, main hi apni bahu ke liye uska sagai ka joda le aayi."

Geeta glanced at Naina, who looked sad.

"Maa, suit toh bada hi pyaara hai. Naina didi bohat sundar dikhengi."

Lata nodded and said to Naina, "Sunn, beta isko pehen kar dekh lena...kuch kam jyada ho toh batana... Darji se theek karwa lenge. do din hi bache hai."

Naina looked tensed, but still nodded. Lata saw her like this and thought maybe she was geeting nervous as the engagement date was getting closer.

"Arre tu pareshan kyu ho rahi hai. Chinta mat kar sab intezaam ho jayega. Tu bss yeh kapde dekh... Baaki sagai ka sab intezam hum dekh lenge. Mere Pappu ki dulhan banne ja rahi ho... sab kuch badiya hi hona chahiye."
Lata said with a smile and goes away.

Geeta closes the door and on turning back she saw Naina sitting on bed dejectedly.
"Naina didi?"

"Geeta, please tu dekhegi ki agar bahar sab chale gaye... so gaye. Mujhe Sameer se baat karni hai."

Geeta felt Naina's voice choked up, she nodded and goes out. That's when, Naina's tears got out of control... she started crying, feeling helpless.

*******

Sameer was in his room, lying down on the bed, staring at the landline.

"Naina ko number mila bhi hoga... Geeta ne number diya bhi hoga. Ho sakta hai Naina ko baat karne ka mann na ho... kahin woh soo toh nahi gayi. Kya karu? Kya Sameer tujhe bhi uska number le lena chahiye tha?"

He sighed and thought about his day. How he was desperate to see Naina? How he meet her? And then the engagement news... that Pappu-the-clingy guy.
He so wanted to beat him... every time he eyes Naina or goes closer to her.

"Jald se jald kuch sochna hoga iss Pappu ke baarein mein. Naina kitni pareshan lag rahi thi. Mere saamne aisi harkatein kar raha tha... Merr aane se pehle bhi kahi... Aur ab jab main wapis aa gaya hu... Toh kahi."

Sameer eyes widened, he was frightened. He started roaming here and there in the room... thinking about some way. He knew Nanu must be thinking too... anything that could help Naina. Hope they finds a way out soon.

Suddenly, the landline rings. Sameer ran towards it and hurriedly picks the phone.
"Naina?"

He didn't get any response, he once again tried.
"Naina? Naina tum hi ho?"

Sameer thought it to be a prank call or something. He was going to put the receiver back when he heard a sniffling sound.
"Hello?"

"Sameer"
He heard his name...it was a mere whisper.

Closing his eyes, he sighed in relief. He felt a sudden calmness... He closed his eyes for a moment.

But suddenly, he heard her sniffling sound, was she crying.
"Naina? Naina... Tum roo rahi ho kya? Naina?"

He didn't heard any response. He got more tensed.
"Naina! Tum kuch nahi bologi toh main... main wahan aa jaunga. Tum theek ho na. Main wahan aa raha hu, okay."

"Nahi! Nahi, Sameer... tum abhi yahan nahi aa sakte."
Naina abruptly responded.

Running his hand through his hair, he felt frustrated... he can't do anything.
"Naina... tum roo kyu rahi thi? Tum theek toh ho na? Kahin uss langur ne kuch kiya toh nahi? Kya woh phir se tumhare pass aane ki koshish kar raha hai?"

Naina smiled at his concerned voice.

"Nahi, aisa kuch nahi hua."

"Toh?"

She didn't replied. He sighed and said, "Dekho Naina, tumne promise kiya hai ki tum mujhse kuch nahi chupaogi. Kiya tha na promise... toh batao kya baat hai?"

"Sameer, woh aaj Lata mausi sagai ke din pehen ke liye kapde laayi thi. Sameer, sirf do din hai... kaise rokenge iss sagai ko...mujhe bohat darr lag raha hai. Yahan par sab tayari mein lag gaye hai... Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha hai."

Sameer pursed his lips, listening to her tensed voice... wishing he could be with her now.
"Naina, maine kaha hai na... darna nahi hai. Tum bilkul pareshan mat ho... Koi na koi rasta zarur hoga. Aur ab toh Nanu bhi hamare sath hai... woh bhi hamari help karenge."

"Tumne Nanu ko sab bata diya? Aur woh meri help karenge?"

He corrected her,"Hamari?"

"Huh?"

Sameer smiled a little and said,"Naina, yeh sirf tumhari problem nahi hai... hamari hai. Hum dono sath milkar uss chipku, langur ko sabak sikhayenge aur iss rishte ko judne se pehle hi khatam kar denge."

Naina chuckled and said,"Sameer tumne aaj bohat accha sabak sikha diya...Pappu ko."

"Naina, yeh toh kuch bhi nahi tha... Mann toh muh todne ka bhi kar raha tha... Phir socha ki tute muh ke sath aur bhi joker lagega."

Both laughed together.

"Sameer main jaanti hu ki tumhe 'Thankyou', 'sorry' sunna accha nahi lagta... magar main kehna chahti hu. Thankyou Sameer... Thankyou."

"Naina, abhi tak tumhari sagai ko rokne ke liye maine  kuch bhi nahi kiya... toh Thankyou kyu bol rahi ho?"

"Jaanti hu... magar tumhara yahan aana... Mujhse milna...meri help karna, yeh sab ne mujhe itni himmat di hai... Warna yahan toh main apna aap ko bilkul akela samajh rahi thi... kisse baat karu, kisko bataun ki main yeh sagai nahi kar sakti... Kaun meri baat sunega... Mera sath dega. Koi bhi nahi tha... phir tum aaye. Sacchi Sameer, aaj tumhe dekh kar."

"Mujhe dekh kar..."

Sameer held his breath, he really wanted to know how she felt on seeing him here. Does she too missed him... like he did? Was she happy to see him... like he was? Or only he was feeling like this way?

Naina smirked and said, "Good night, Sameer."

He shockingly said,"Kya? Good night? Naina?"

"Haa... Kya hua? Kuch baat hai?"
She asked innocently.

He stuttered,"Woh... Woh tum kuch keh rahi thi."

"Main... Main toh kuch bhi nahi keh rahi thi."

"Nahi, woh abhi tum bol rahi thi na... Aaj mujhe dekh kar tumhe kaisa laga."

She blushed slightly, unable to answer his question.

"Naina?"

Naina smiled hearing her name...everytime, she hear Sameer taking her name...she felt so special.

"Sameer, aaj tumhe dekhar bohat... Bohat zyada khushi hui."

"Aur?"

She smiled, "Aur maine... maine miss bhi kiya."

"Mujhe?" He asked expectantly, he himself don't know why... why he wanted to know the answer... if she was missing him too, like he did.

She bit her lips to stop herself from saying 'yes'.
"Nahi, sabko... Deepika, Nanu... matlab sabko."

He got annoyed and didn't said anything.

"Hello? Hello? Sameer?"

Still no response, Naina smiled... she knew Sameer was there on the other side, but was just a little upset with her.

"Jaante ho Sameer, hamari dosti ko shayad jyada samay nahi hua hai...magar ab ek din bhi tumse baat na karu... toh "

He completed the sentence, "Toh sab adhura sa lagta hai."

Naina hummed in response. Sameer again said,
"Aur."

She smiled and repeated ,"Aur"

Fearing that somebody might came out of their room. She wished him, "Aur Goodnight Sameer."

He chuckled softly and said, "Good night Naina."

Naina kept the receiver and turned back.
She saw Geeta, who was grinning... looking at her.

"Kya? Kya hua?"

Geeta said,"Kya aap dono ko pata hai? Jaise aap dono baat karte hai... waise woh log baat karte hai jo pyaar mein ho."

"Huh? Tu pagal hai kya? Kaha toh aisa kuch nahi hai? Pyaar mein?"

"Naina didi, aapko pata hai ki mujhe pata hai...'Miss' karne ka matlab kya hota hai?"

Naina said casually,"Toh ek dost dusre dost ko miss nahi kar sakta..."

Geeta stopped her,
"Nahi, magar.."

She sighed frustratedly continues,"Naina didi, mujhe laga tha aap bohat samajhdar ho... aap kyu nahi dekh paa rahe jo main dekh paa rahi hu. "

"Kya Geeta?"

"Sameer jija ji, aap se pyaar karte hai."

Naina gasped in surprise...she felt numb. She couldn't hear anything except voice of her own heartbeat.
Sameer...he loves her! He loves her! How can this happen? How can this be possible?

Looking at Geeta, she shook her head in denial.
"Nahi, nahi... aisa nahi ho sakta. Aisa kabhi nahi ho sakta, Geeta. Jo abhi tumne hamari baatein suni woh...woh, Sameer ke undar ek bachpana hai...hamare beech bss dosti ka rishta hai. Pyaar... woh kabhi mujhse pyaar nahi kar sakta. Tum galat samajh rahi ho."

"Kyu? Kyu nahi ho sakta? Aap unse pyaar karti hai...toh woh aap se pyaar,kyu nahi kar sakte?"

Naina took a deep breath, and looked away. Her eyes caught something. Turning towards Geeta, she grabbed her hand and took her to towards the mirror, placed on the wall.

Standing in front of the mirror, she said,
"Geeta, tumhe pata hai... hamari class ki harr ek ladki Sameer par marti hai...unmein se ek main bhi thi. Par dheere -dheere meri pasand... pyaar mein badal gayi. Harr baar sochti thi ki Sameer ko bata du... kab tak iss pyaar ko apne tak rakhungi... Sameer ko bata deti hu."

"Toh bataya kyu nahi?"
Geeta asked softly.

Naina scoffed and said, "Tumhe abhi bhi samajh nahi aaya."

"Kya Naina didi?"

"Saamne aaine mein dekho...tumhe lagta hai mujh jaisi ladki se Sameer ko pyaar ho jayega. Tum pagal ho agar aisa sochti ho."

"Kyu? Aur kya aap jaisi ladki?"

Naina sighed and said, "Iss saal hamare class mein ek new student aayi hai, Sunaina...aur baaki sab ladkiyon ki tarah woh bhi Sameer ko pasand karne lagi hai."

"Toh? Jitna main jaanti hu pasand aur pyaar mein ek bohat bada faraq hai? "

"Jab woh pehli baar class mein aayi thi aur uske baad shuruwat ke din...Sameer usse dosti karna chahta tha... Woh use pasand karta tha... shayad karta hai."

Geeta puts her hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"Geeta, tumne Sunaina ko dekha nahi hai... Woh, woh sundar hai... bohat, woh aur Sameer dono ek ameer khandan se... Aur Main, main... Woh dono... Woh dono dekha jaaye toh ek dusre ke liye..."

Sighing, Geeta said,
"Bohat mushkil ho raha yeh bolna ki woh dono ek dusre ke liye bane hai... Unko sath dekh paogi. Naina didi, maine uss Sunaina ko nahi dekha... Par itna jaanti hu... Sameer ke sath... Sameer ke liye agar koi bana hai toh woh hai aap... sirf aap."

Naina kept her head low, she was crying by now.
It was so difficult for her to accept the fact that she can be loved. Her own father hates her, her relatives hates her. It doesn't matter, how many times she had tried to talk to them...she even begged to her father to accept her. And,Geeta wanted her to accept the fact that one boy she ever loved...her first love, Sameer... loves her too. How can she accept that? How?
Since the time, she started living in Taiji's house, she had only heard,
'Sab par bhoj hai... pata nahi kab peecha chutega isse.'
'Manhus hai... jiss bhi ghar mein jaayegi, waha apshagun hi lekar jaayegi.'
'Shakal dekhi hai... Pata nahi kaun pasand karega...kaise shaafi hogi teri. Puri zindagi bss hamare ghar mein padi rahegi, kya?'

Geeta sighed, looking at Naina sobbing. She hugged her and said,
"Jaanti hu yeh sab khayal, apne baarein mein aapke mann mein kahan se aaye hai. Par main aapko itna hi kahungi, uss insaan ki baat kya sunna jo na undar se sundar hai, na bahar se. Jisko rishton ki kadar nahi, jisse dusro ki khushi nahi dekhi jaati...aap uske liye aapni khushiyan kabhi mat tyagna. Naina didi, aapko pata hai... aapki khushi kaha hai...kiske sath hai. Please, aap kisi aise ke liye... jisko apki kabhi parwah nahi thi, na hogi... uske liye aise insaan ko mat khone dijiye... jo sach mein, sach mein... aapki parwah karta hai."
*******

Hope you liked it.
Please do vote and comment.

Loads of love♥♥

Till then....
Yeh Unn Dino Ki Baat Hai....

PS: Want to write a new update of 'Traces of Love'... any suggestions.