Again few days went with the silent treatment from her side... keep avoiding him, which soon turned into like torture for Sameer who keep trying to find chances to spent time with her, talk to her but all his attempts failed as instead of few as limited as possible conversations in office, she hardly spoke to her.... not even looking at him once...

One evening, Sameer stuck up in meeting and left from office bit late when he found Naina was already left for the day... he was on his way back to home, when on a traffic signal he saw towards a coffee shop where Naina was sitting with a guy whose back was in front of Sameer... he was not able to see the face of that person but it seems like the same person with whom she might came back late night few days back.... again, his anger rose to another level....

He reached home and had dinner with Nanu quietly and left in his room... feeling severe headache he took double dose of medicine and laid down to keep himself calm but nothing helps.... he tried a lot to justify himself that her closeness with any other person should not bother him but all in vain....

She reached home bit late after him and after few talks with Nanu she went back in her room... after having dinner alone in room, she went upstairs in terrace to get some fresh air and relaxed herself, as feeling very lonely...... she sits on the swing recalling their moment when Sameer first time bring her here and show this terrace garden, which he specially made for her only... she feels the air was heavy with the dampness of upcoming storm... threatening dark clouds gathering above approaching them....

She gets restless seeing the sudden change in weather and decided to go down before it starts raining heavily.... this sudden storm was filling her heart with some unknown restlessness....

She was getting up from the swing but saw him standing close to her keeping his hands on his chest, glaring her.... she stumbled seeing him so close and about to fall when he hold her from waist right on time... like before... suddenly he felt a warmth of their closeness, she was half lying in his arms and they both lost in their eyes ... they stayed like this for quite some time when a loud voice of thunder break their reverie... 

She stood balancing herself holding his strong arm,  starts moving towards the door when he hold her wrist softly to stop her ... she shocked and turned back seeing her strangely whereas Sameer was looking at his face smilingly, a glint in his eyes... he came close to her and cupped her face in his hands looking into her eyes lovingly... she tried to move a bit but he hold her more tightly and pulled, making her fall on his chest.... she can feel his hot breathe falling on her face, she closed her eyes with a feeling of belonging after a long time, forgetting everything... he was just an inch apart from his face touching hers when suddenly he left her with a jerk...

She opened her eyes missing his touch and looked him surprisingly... he turned his face to control his raging emotions... to avoid her intense gaze on her... to scold himself going so close to her, thinking, "yeh mein kya karne ja raha tha... mujhe usase dur rehna hai... nahin ja sakta mein usake paas... par kya karun, usse dekhte hi usaki taraf khincha chala jaata hun... hosh kho baithta hun, apne par kaabu nahin rehta ..." he scold himself, "par nahin... kuchh bhi ho, mein ek ladki ke saath aisa kaise kar sakta hun... Nanu ko kya munh dikhaunga... aur isko... yeh galat hai... paap hai... mujhe khud ko rokna hi hoga...."

She steps ahead and keep her hand on his shoulder calling him, when he jerked her hand harshly.. "dur raho mujhse... don't you dare to touch me...." 

Tears overflowed from her eyes and her all patience burst out finally, "kya kah rahe ho Sameer... maine aisa kya kiya hai jo tum mujhse itna rudely behave karte ho... meri galti kya hai... jab se aaye ho itne khiche khiche se rehte ho... kabhi tumhari najaron mein ek apnapan sa dikhta hai toh agle hi pal un mein mere liye nafarat nazar aati hai... mujhe bataao toh sahi tumhare man mein aakhir kya chal raha hai... agar koi galatfahmi hai toh hum mil kar ussey dur karenge... par please aise mujhse apne aap ko dur toh mat karo...."

He closed his eyes firmly as if stopping the intense outburst but lastly burst out on her like a bomb to shatter her from core of her heart, "nahin baat karni mujhe tumse koi... ek baar mein samajh nahin aata kya... aur ho sake toh chali jaao yahaan se.. dur bohot dur... itni dur ki tumhari parchhayi bhi iss ghar par, mere Nanu par na pade... nahin bardaasht kar sakta mein tumhein apne aas paas bhi... mujhe nahin pata ki tumhari galti kya hai par bas mujhe tumse dur rehna hai... galti meri hai, pata nahin kya hua tha mujhe jo mein tumhein manane aa gaya tha par iss baar nahin... mujhe tumse chhutkara chahiye... hamesha hamesha ke liye, samjhi tum..." he throw out all his frustration on her for which he himself doesn't have any valid reason to justify his own act....

He left from there leaving a poor soul in tears... he banged the door behind so badly that the door knob broke and fall there on stairs... he didn't realize anything and rushed to his room... his head was again paining severely so he immediately takes one more pill and dozed off immediately after taking an over doze of medicine....

Naina stood rooted there only after all his harsh word keep bursting in her ears... she can't imagine that his Sameer can say this... she recalled their night at Mount Abu at camping when she herself told him to tell her upfront if ever he feels like to apart from her...

Naina shattered fully and sits back on swing with a thud, " aaj voh waqt aa hi gaya Sameer... tum ne apna vada poora kiya... mein hi chahti thi ki agar kabhi tumhein lage ki hamare raaste alag hai toh tum khud mujhse kahoge.... aur dekho tum ne kah diya... maana aaj mein tumhein yaad nahin hun par phir bhi tumne apna vada nibhaya... sorry par mujhe hi samajhane mein der lagi... mujhe maaf kar do... ab mein yahaan nahin rahungi... hamara rishta kabhi tum par bojh nahin banega... tumhein kabhi apni shakal nahin dikhaungi... kismat ke ishaare mein samajh hi nahin paayi ki yeh rishtey meri kismat mein hai hi nahin... bohot koshish kar li par bas ab aur nahin... nahin himmat mujh mein ab aur yeh sab sehne ki, tumhari nafrat sehne ki.... aaj khatam ho gayi tumhari Naina, hamesha hamesha ke liye... "

She stood wiping her tears, "sorry Nanu... Sameer ki khushi ke liye mein aaj aapse kiya wada tod rahi hun... ho sake toh mujhe maaf kar dijiyega, par ab aur nahin ruk sakti mein ek pal ke liye bhi yahaan... abhi issi pal mein yahaan se dur bohot dur chali jaaungi... kabhi na vaapas aane ke liye..."

She determined on her decision, stood wiping her tears... she tried to open the door but all her efforts got failed as door was locked and knob was missing..... she banged the door, called Ramdhari, Nanu, but due to loud thunder voices, no one heard her... she keeps banging but no one came for her help and she stuck up at terrace... soon, downpour starts heavily and she gets fully drenched ...

Next morning Sameer woke up with severe headache, making him bit annoyed... he called Ramdhari for coffee which he got in few minutes... he took a sip and asked irritatingly, "tu ne banayi hai kya..." he nodded in yes and left the room leaving him in more anger... "ek coffee bhi nahin bana sakti thi... aisi bhi kya jaldi thi office jaane ki..." he looked outside from window, heavily raining.....

He stands at window holding his head paining badly, recalled his last night visit to terrace, a smile crept on his face thinking how close he was with her, then suddenly he remember what all he said to her leaving him in guilt, he shouts, "oh shit... yeh maine kya kah diya... mujhe kabhi kabhi achanak kyun itna gussa aa jaata hai ki kya bolta hun hosh hi nahin rehta... phir se vahi galti kar di maine... Pandit sahi kehta hai mujhe apne munh par taala laga kar rakhna chahiye... lagta hai iss baar toh pakka Nanu hi mujhe ghar se nikaal denge...."

He left the coffee mug back on table and hurriedly went for a shower to ease his headache ... after getting ready he came out and straight went to her room, he knocked twice but realized door was open, he peaked inside but she was nowhere... he murmured, "lagta hai kitchen mein hogi..."

He went to Ramdhari who was busy in preparing breakfast alone, he asked, "voh... voh teri didi kahaan hai..." he replied, "pata nahin... lagta hai shayad aaj jaldi hi office chali gayi.. subah se dikhi hi nahin..."

Then only Nanu came for breakfast and reluctantly he moved to dining area when stopped mid-way and shocked seeing temple, "aaj mandir mein diya bhi nahin jal raha... itni bhi kya jaldi thi office jaane ki... lagta hai aaj phir se maafi nahin milegi... vaise milni bhi nahin chahiye mujhe... kab tak Nanu ki wajah se mujhe maaf karti rahegi... mein har baar vahi galti karta hun aur uska dil duka deta hun..."

Nanu called him again and he shook all his thoughts and join him... he lost his appetite feeling so much guilty and left for office without eating anything, making excuse of an urgent meeting.... he left from home early thinking "sabke aane se pehle hi baat karke maafi maang lunga, par aaj office jaane ka bhi man nahin kar raha... lag raha hai jaise ghar par hi rahun..." he gets very restive and reached office hurriedly....

He rushed inside and search her everywhere but she was nowhere... he keeps pacing in his room here and there fisting his palms in frustration, "kya jarurat thi itna sab bolne ki... kahin sach mein toh nahin chali gayi... nahin nahin.. agar chali gayi hoti toh Nanu ko toh pata hota... kuchh bhi ho jaaye, unhein bataye bina nahin jaati.... pichhli baar bhi sirf Nanu ki wajah se vaapas aayi thi... aur maine iss baar usase bhi badi galti kar di... man kar raha hai deewar se sar phod lun apna..." an hour passed and all staff starts coming in but she was still missing...

Getting impatient, he dialed at home picked up by Ramdhari... after asking about Nanu who was busy in gardening in backyard with gardener, he asked for Naina but didn't get any clue from him... "achchha agar ghar aa jaye toh mujhe yahaan phone kar dena... tu ghar par hi hai na...." he instruct to Ramdhari on which he replied, "voh bhaiya humein na abhi carpenter ko bulane jaana hai... pata nahin kaise terrace ke darwaja atak gaya hai... kab se koshish kar raha hun, khul bhi nahin raha... uppar se itni baarish ho rahi hai... poore terrace par paani bhar gaya hoga...." he keep the receiver down murmuring his frustration which increase his work in heavy rain pouring outside....

Sameer getting restless sits back on his chair and keep his eyes closed, when again some blurry flashes comes where a girl is sitting with a boy at lake side in some hilly area... then they were on cycle ride crossing jungle... then boat ride, splashing water on each other..."

He opened his eyes with a jerk when Pandit called him, "arey Sameer, raat ko soya nahin kya jo din mein so raha hai.. kya hua tabiyat toh theek hai teri..." he looked him with a blank face, then only Ramdhari's frustration on locked door at terrace hits on his mind... he quickly rushed out ignoring Pandit, taking keys from driver... he settled himself in driving seat and with lightning speed he reached back home though it was still drizzling slowly outside.... he rushed inside & straight went towards stairs to the terrace... Ramdhari seeing him in so much hurry followed him shockingly....

Sameer reached at the top stair and started banging on the door when Ramdhari said, "bhaiya voh nahin khulega... aapko kuchh kaam tha kya terrace par... abhi carpenter aa jayega.. thodi der ruk jaaiye na..." hearing all these noises, Nanu too came there and saw him shockingly... Sameer ignoring them all, couldn't wait any more and with his full pressure keep bashing on the door from his side shoulder...

Ramdhari unknown to the reason too helped him and with throwing some more pressure, they break the lock... he rushed inside and roamed his eyes everywhere and stunned.... his feet freeze their only and tears keep flowing from her eyes.....

Nanu shouts from his back and run seeing Naina lying there unconscious... he holds her head and keep in his lap, "Naina.. Naina beta uth... kya hua... Ramdhari jaldi se doctor ko phone kar..." he patted on her cheeks but she didn't respond... he looked at Sameer who was standing there like a statue.... face filled with tears...

Nanu shouts on him loudly, "Sameer... Sameer.." he came back to his senses and took steps slowly towards her without moving his eyes from her face... he bent slightly and touched her forehead with his shivering hands, which was now burning like fire....

Instantly he realized and lift her in his arms and move to stairs when again got some hazy blurred images of a boy carrying a girl while climbing stairs, laughing with each other..... he shut his eyes tightly and jerked all his thoughts.... he looked at her pale face and climb down the stairs hurriedly...

Taking her straight to her room, he rested her head on pillow... Nanu came after them worrying, "kya ho gaya achanak, aur yeh aise upar behosh kaise thi... kal toh poori raat baarish bhi huyi hai itni tez... pata nahin kiski nazar lag gayi hai isse..." Sameer looked him shockingly as after taking over doze of medicine he slept and didn't aware of this....

He immediately went to get a towel and rub her hairs softly when Nanu asked again, "tujhe kaise pata tha ki yeh terrace par hai... aur yeh kya raat bhar se baarish mein bheeg rahi thi uppar..." he didn't get courage to justify him as he himself was in guilt since morning to shout on her, added to this mishap...

Before he said anything, Ramdhari came back with a lady, "voh yeh hamare gaon ki hi hai... paas wale bangale mein kaam karti hai... voh didi bheegi huyi hai na toh..." he stopped in between and soon Sameer left from room with Nanu and Ramdhari...

Nanu again checked for doctor who was on the way to come... soon that girl came out after changing her cloth and they all rushed back inside... Nanu touched her forehead which was burning and she was shivering in unconscious state... Sameer bring one more quilt and wrapped her completely... he sits beside her rubbing her hands and legs repeatedly to keep it warm...

Ramdhari came with the doctor and he examined her... he looked at Nanu and said, "yeh bohot jyada der tak baarish mein bheegane ki wajah se behosh ho gayi hai, aur bukhaar bhi bohot tez hai... mein injection de deta hun... thodi der mein hosh aa jaana chahiye... aur blood sample le jaata hun kahin pneumonia na ho gaya ho, saari raat bheegi hai paani mein... shaam tak test ki report aa jaayegi... agar hosh na aaye toh mujhe phone kar dijiyega...." making them more worried soon doctor left ... Nanu went outside with doctor to consult and Ramdhari also went outside to prepare some food for her as prescribed by doctor...

Sameer sits back besides her... tears keep overflowing from his eyes... he softly holds her hand in his shivering hands and looked at her innocent face, he murmured her name slowly, "Naina..." this is the first time when he was calling her by her name instead of "Ms Agarwal"...

Suddenly he feels an immense feel of happiness and togetherness .... holding her hand in his hands strongly getting a feel of touch of someone very own of him... she isn't a stranger for him... not any more... he smiled with teary eyes looking her face and called again, "Naina.. please aankhen kholo... please..."

Sameer starts keeping cold sponge on her forehead but fever was not getting down even after an hour... Sameer looked at a drained lifeless Naina who seemed to be very weak.... Nanu gets so restless as till now she has not opened her eyes... Nanu offered Sameer to take some rest that he will sits beside her which he denied politely....

Nanu feels good seeing his concern for her... he went outside and lit a diya in temple, "aapse naraaz tha ki kyun aapne mujhse meri zindagi, mere jeene ka sahara chhina tha par uss bachchi ka vishwas aap par se kabhi nahin hila... aaj phir se ek ummid ki kiran nazar aayi hai... mere liye na sahi par uss masoom ke liye sab theek kar dijiye... bohot le liye imtihaan par bas ab aur nahin... shayad ab uske sabr ka bandh bhi tootane laga hai... taras khaaiye us par... agar chahiye toh meri zindagi le lijiye par usey usake hisse ki khushi de dijiye..." he prayed for her which heard by Sameer standing bit far from him... his own eyes dwelled with tears... he wiped and went inside her room...

Sameer sits back besides her, holding her hand and called softly, "Naina... please uth jaao... aaj aakhiri baar tumse maafi maang raha hun... waada karta hun aaj ke baad meri wajah se tumhein jara si bhi takleef nahin hone dunga... bohot rula liya tumko, ab aur nahin.... anjaane mein hi sahi par tumhare har dard ki wajah bana hun mein.... koi kuchh bhi kahe mujhe bhi sochna chahiye ki itni masoom dikhne wali ladki kisi ko dhokha de hi nahin sakti... mera dil nahin maanta ki tum kisi ko dhokha de sakti ho... ab chaahe koi kuchh bhi kahe, mein tumhein kabhi apne se dur nahin jaane dunga..." 

He continued, "Sorry, aaj meri wajah se tumhari yeh haalat hai... mere gusse ne sab barbaad kar diya... please please mujhe maaf kar do aakhiri baar... Nanu tumse bohot pyaar karte hai, please unaki khaatir uth jaao... aur mein.... mein... mein nahin jee sakunga tumhare bina... nahin jaanta kyun par tumhare bina jeene ka toh mein soch bhi nahin sakta....  mujhe nahin pata kyun par tum aaj thodi der ke liye najron se dur kya huyi, jaise kisi ne meri jaan nikaal li ho... bohot sharminda hun apne kiye par... jo saza deni hai muje de do... daant lo, maar lo, par please ek baar hosh mein aa jaao..." his words chocked in his throat.... tears rolled down from his eyes on her hand... while talking to her he again got some flashes of a girl in hospital bed.. someone sitting beside and asking her to wake up.... he felt his head spinning around the heaviness, eyes pooling up as he looked at her... his Naina...