Title is the song 'Qaafirana' from movie 'Kedarnath'

"Hey!" Sameer's voice rang in the room as he entered in the evening.

Naina smiled at him, "Aaj jaldi aa gaye."

After putting away his laptop and taking the blazer off, he came to her, leaned and pecked on her lips, "I was missing you." He leaned more and planted a kiss on her belly, "And I was missing both of you."

He held her arm when she started to get up, "Kahan jaa rahi ho?"

"Coffee banane. Aaj mera bhi dil kar raha hai." She stated.

Sameer perched on the edge of the bed, keeping her locked with his arms on both her sides, "Maine aate hue bol diya tha. Lekin tum aajkal chai pasand karti ho isliye tumhari chai boli hai. Abhi bata deta hun dono coffee hi le aaye."

She held his wrist as he was about to call up Ramdhari, "Chai theek hai. Coffee suit nahi karti."

Few minutes later, Ramdhari got two steaming mugs while Sameer was freshening up. He placed the tray on the side table besides Naina, "Lijiye Naina bhabhi, aapki chai, zyada doodh wali."

She scrunched her nose, "Ramdhari bhaiya maine aapko bataya tha na mujhe zyada doodh wali achii nahi lagti. Aapne phir se wohi bana di."

"Nahi Naina bhabhi, aapko iss haal mein kaali chai nahi pini chahiye. Hamari amma ne kaha hai zyada doodh aur shakkar wali chai pine se bachha bhi doodh jaisa gora aur swabhav se meetha hota hai." He stated the wisdom he had gained from his mother.

Sameer heard his explanation as he came out of the washroom, and twitched his mouth, "Kaash yeh baat Savitri kaaki ko tere paida hone se pehle pata hoti toh shayad tu bhi..."

Naina glared at him, but Ramdhari simply nodded, "Pata thi Sameer bhaiya. Tabhi humare gaon mein humein sabse zyada gora maante hain." Then added with a sheepish smile, "Aur swabhav ke liye toh nanaji bhi tareef karte hain."

Sameer came closer to him, held his chin and turned his face from left to right, then exhaled, "Tere gaon mein chashme ki dukaan nahi hai shayad."

"Nahi, woh toh nahi hai." He asserted, "Aapko kaise pata?"

Naina intervened before Sameer could say more, "Ramdhari bhaiya, aap jaiye. Aapko bohot kaam hoga na."

He flashed a big smile at her, "Itna bhi nahi hai Naina bhabhi. Agar aapko kuch bhi khaane ki ichha ho toh humein bata dena."

After he was gone, she scoffed at Sameer, "Tum har waqt usse chidate kyon ho?"

"Woh chidta thodi hai. Usse samajh hi nahi aata." Sameer shrugged, "Waise bhi, main aur Rohan bachpan se uski taang kheenchte hai. Usse aadat hai."

She frowned, "Ab aisa nahi chalega Sameer. Tumhe aur Rohan ko apna behaviour change karna hoga. Bachhe sab kuch observe karte hain. Dekha tha na Ayush ne kya kaha tha tumhare gusse ke baare mein."

He weaved his fingers through his hair, "Okay madam, I'll take care. Abse Ramdhari ko Ramdhari ji kehle bulaunga. Tum bolo toh uske liye chai bhi bana dun?"

"Achha! Boiled alu ke baad ab chai ki training... MasterChef mein participate karne ka iraada hai kya?" She sniggered.

"Nainaa." He pouted, "Sirf do galti... aur tum unke liye hi tease karti rehti ho."

She placed her hand on top of her belly, looking at it, "Papa ko bolo yeh dono 'B'... baby aur boiled alu... unka peecha kabhi nahi chodenge."

He came to sit with her, putting a hand over hers, "Mumma ko bolo woh purani baat thi. Bhool jaayein. Ab toh main good boy ban gaya hun na."

Her eyes narrowed as the afternoon conversation sprang up in her mind at the mention of 'boy', "Sameer, tumne Ayush ko kya sikhaya hai?"

"Kya?" He straightened.

"Ki tum mere boy..." She bit her lip, "...ki woh girlfriend nahi bana sakta jab tak office nahi jaata."

A glint sparkled in his eyes, "Tumhe usse pehle Ayush ki girlfriend banwani hai?"

She swatted his arm, "Baat mat badlo. Tum abhi se uske mind mein yeh sab kyon daal rahe ho? Aur tumne kaha ki main... ki tum mere... boyfriend the... shaadi se pehle. Apne bachhon se koi aisi baat karta hai kya? Also, tum mere boyfriend kabhi nahi the."

He cleared his throat, "Umm Naina, tumhe actually kis baat se zyada problem hai... Ayush se yeh baatein ki ya..." He winked, "...main tumhara boyfriend nahi tha iss baat se?"

She smacked him harder, "Explain."

He cupped her face with one hand, "Main toh bas usse samjha raha tha sweetheart. Bachhon ki normal curiosity ka jawab de raha tha."

"Sameer," her voice was stern, "mujhe poori baat sunni hai."

He quickly held one ear, "Okay baba poori baat bataunga pehle coffee pi lein warna thandi ho jayegi."

Her face softened. She had been relaxing at home the whole day but he had come from office. Of course he needed his coffee. He picked up one mug and handed to her before taking the other. The moment he took a sip, his brows creased. The same moment, Naina let out a joyful sigh, after taking a sip from her mug.

He frowned, "Iss Ramdhari ke liye mujhe daant rahi thi tum. Bewakoof mujhe bhi chai deke chala gaya."

She took another sip after a long inhale from the mug, "Aur mujhe coffee."

His eyes raced between both their mugs, and he realised that they had been exchanged since the colour looked similar as Ramdhari added more milk to her tea. But Naina wasn't supposed to have coffee. It usually lead to bloating for her. He offered sweetly, "Jaan, tumhe chai hi peeni chahiye. Coffee se baad mein problem ho sakti hai na."

There was a dreamy expression on her face as she took another sip, "Main toh bhool hi gayi thi ki coffee ka taste kitna achha hota hai."

He was aware of her love for the strong brew, but he also knew that she would regret later. Sitting in front of her, he had to almost snatch the mug from her, smelling it to be sure that it was indeed coffee.

She gave him a vexed look, "Mujhe chai nahi chahiye. Extra milk aur extra sugar ke saath chai nahi kheer lagti hai."

He chuckled, "Ramdhari ne bataya na, babies ko gora aur sweet banane ke liye aisi hi chai peete hain."

She leaned back, frustrated, "Tumhare maze hain. Koi restriction nahi. Tumhare bhi toh babies hain. Abse jo main khaungi wohi tumhe bhi khaana padega."

He opened his mouth to tell her that it was her body that was transforming, so she needed a different diet... but remained quiet, seeing her mood. However, he agreed that this excessive milky sweet tea wasn't a requirement for physical or behavioural attributes of unborn child, just a misconception in the minds of some people. He decided to talk to his mom and make sure that Naina was given normal tea from next day. For now, he couldn't see her sulk. Maybe a dose of digestive syrup after a while would take care of the effect of coffee.

Keeping the tea aside, he brought the mug of coffee to her lips, smiling, "Aaj hum dono share kar lete hain."

With childlike glee on her face, she took another sip, then pushed the cup at him, "Bas ab tum pi lo. Tum tired hoge na."

He turned the mug, taking a gulp with a lopsided smile, "Mmm, aaj coffee bohot achhi hai."

She very well knew what he meant. But looked away impassively, "Hamesha jaisi hi hai."

He again took the mug near her mouth, "Nahi, aaj special hai. Thodi aur special bana do."

Unable to resist, she ended up having half of it as he kept alternating between sips.

"Tumne zabardasti mujhe coffee pila di. Tumhari wajah se meri tabiyat kharab ho jayegi." She exclaimed, rubbing her chest.

"Acidity ho rahi hai kya?" He panicked, "Main tumhara syrup laata hun." Rushing to the dresser, he fished out the bottle from top drawer and darted back, "Doctor ko bhi call kar deta hun. Pehle yeh le lo. Phir lassi..."

She took the bottle away from him before he could fill up a spoon, "Ab coffee ka taste bhi kharab kar do yeh syrup pila ke. Jao, mujhe tumse baat hi nahi karni."

He pursed his lips. This wasn't new for him... changes in her mood with every second. He had come to know by now what worked for her. Placing both his hands on the sides of her belly, he lowered his voice, "Babies, aap thodi der apne kaan band karo, mujhe aapki mumma ko batana hai woh kitni hot lag rahi hai."

Indeed, her cheeks warmed up, but she faked annoyance, "Sharam nahi aati bachhon ke saamne yeh sab bolte hue."

With a smile, he leaned and kissed her cheek, "Bachhon ne suna nahi, maine unke kaan band kar diye dekho."

A smile paved its way on her face, "Tum sach mein bohot besharam ho."

Taking advantage of her smile, he shifted ahead, tilting his face as his gaze rested on her lips, "Jo bhi hun, tumne banaya hai."

Before he could reach his target, her fingers were over his lips, stopping him from ending the distance of few inches. He frowned, tugging at her wrist.

"Coffee khatam ho gayi." She flicked her eyes to the side table.

He followed her gaze, perplexed, "Toh?"

"Tumhe kuch explanation deni hai." She reminded.

For a few seconds, he couldn't recall, then it came back. Sighing, he straightened, "It was nothing Naina. Bas usse samjhane ke liye jo theek laga maine bol diya. Ho sakta hai ab tak bhool bhi gaya ho."

"Nahi Sameer. Kabhi kabhi kuch baatein bachhon ke mind mein aise baith jaati hain ki woh kabhi nahi bhoolte. Tum yeh batao iss topic pe baat kar hi kyon rahe the? Ayush itna chota hai, usse abhi se girlfriend boyfriend jaise words pata tak nahi hone chahiye." She said worriedly.

He smiled at her motherly concern, "Usse nahi pata the. Lekin zaruri nahi uske friends circle mein sab uske jaise ho. Ayush ne khud mujhe bataya uska ek dost..."

"Garvit." She nodded, "Mujhe bhi bataya. Lekin isme hamari baat kahan se aayi? Tumne usse yeh kyon kaha ki main tumhari..."

The way she fell silent everytime at the mention of them, he wanted to just gather her in his arms and kiss her hard. After years of marriage, she still blushed at the thought of them falling for each other much before they accepted it to even themselves. This was one of the reasons he had handled Ayush's query, without bringing it to her.

"Tum meri girlfriend nahi bhi bani lekin maine toh maana tha na." His voice turned husky as he lifted her hand to place a kiss on the back of it, "I always loved you... only you."

With a shy smile, her lashes veiled her eyes.

"Bas isiliye sweetheart. Tumhare issi reaction ki wajah se maine Ayush ko khud hi samjha diya." He gave a lopsided smile.

"Lekin Sameer, abhi se Ayush..." She was instantly back to fretting over her son.

He didn't let her complete, "Abhi se isliye kyonki usne yeh khud pucha. Agar main usse daant ta ya kehta ki aisi baatein na kare toh uski curiosity aur badh jaati."

Flashback

In his room, Ayush was showing his new drawings to Sameer, "Aur yeh wali drawing mein mere saare friends hain dekho... Abir, Kushal, Akshat, Shaurya... bas garvit nahi hai."

"Garvit kyon nahi hai? Tumhara friend nahi hai kya?" Sameer asked.

"Best friend hai." Ayush beamed, "Lekin woh Saanvi ke saath hoga na. Saanvi uski girlfriend hai."

Sameer nearly fell off the bed, "Girl... girlfriend? Tumhe kisne bola?"

"Garvit ne. Saanvi uske ghar ke paas rehti hai aur uski girlfriend hai. Garvit ne kaha woh hamesha uske saath hi khelta hai." Ayush stated matter of factly.

"Haan toh friend hui na. Jaise tum sab ho." Sameer pointed at the drawing.

Ayush slapped his forehead, "Offo, aapko itna bhi nahi pata? Jab Garvit big ho jayega toh Saanvi se shaadi karega. Isliye woh friend nahi girlfriend hai."

Sameer kept looking at his son, unsure of how to deal with this, till Ayush sadly shrugged, "Hamare ghar ke paas koi girl hai hi nahi. Pata nahi main kise girlfriend banaun."

He cleared his throat, "Uhh Ayush, tumhe abhi girlfriend nahi banani chahiye."

"Kyon?" He looked up.

"Umm kyonki..." Sameer fumbled, "...kyonki abhi se... abhi se kisi ko girlfriend banaya aur usne ghar shift kar liya toh tum kya karoge?"

"Girlfriend se toh shaadi karte hain na. Phir woh hamare ghar mein aake rahegi, jaise mumma rehti hain. Mumma bhi pehle aapki girlfriend thi." The little mind of Ayush had it all sorted.

Sameer didn't know what to say. His first thought was to tell him not to talk about such things. But then he recalled how he and Rohan always went to nanu for whatever answers they needed, at whichever age. Nanu never made them feel that what they were asking was not right nor tried to hush them. This comfort and assurance helped them to deal with the issues in growing up years. And nanu's guidance made them confident and responsible even as teenagers. He didn't want Ayush to develop any awkwardness with him, which could happen if he tried to snub his queries or beliefs or made him feel that he was doing something wrong.

Pulling the little boy over his folded leg, Sameer smoothened his hair, "Tumhe pata hai main mumma se kahan mila tha?"

"Office mein." Ayush replied instantly.

Sameer nodded, "Correct. Tab tak maine school aur college dono finish kar liye the. Tumhe pata hai na shaadi karne se pehle itne bade hona padta hai ki tum office mein kaam kar sako?"

Ayush bobbed his head, "Pata hai. Isliye hi toh sabki shaadi big hoke hoti hai."

Sameer smiled, "Correct again. Tum sach mein bohot intelligent ho."

The compliment fetched him a smug grin, "Meri ma'am bhi yehi kehti hain."

Ruffling his hair, Sameer spoke in a gentle voice, "Isliye tumhe ek secret batata hun. Hum usse girlfriend banate hain jo humein itni pasand aaye ki usse hamesha ke liye apne saath rakhne ka dil kare. School mein girlfriend bana li toh school ke baad usse mil nahi paoge. College mein bhi same ho sakta hai. Isliye maine office mein aane ke baad mumma ko girlfriend banaya, jisse main unse jaldi se shaadi kar sakun. Tum bhi aisa hi karna. Phir jaise hi tum bologe hum tumhari shaadi karwa denge uske saath aur woh hamare ghar aa jayegi."

Ayush stayed silent for a few minutes, absorbing the information, then peered at him, "Tab koi girl mere office mein nahi aayi toh?"

He couldn't hold back the chuckle, "Tum apne papa jaise handsome ho, tumhare liye koi na koi zarur ayegi."

Ayush gave a contented grin, "Haan woh toh main hun. Okay, main office jaake hi girlfriend banaunga."

Flashback ends

Naina chewed her lip thoughtfully. Sameer took her hand within his palms, "Trust me Naina, maine jo bhi kaha Ayush ke achhe ke liye kaha."

She did trust him but she did not want her son to have even a trace of any thoughts similar to the men she had despised all her life. Looking at him, she spoke slowly, "Sameer, kya iss age mein humein Ayush ke saath aisi baatein karni chahiye? Agar uske friends yeh baat karte hain toh shayad humein Ayush ko unke saath rehne se rokna chahiye. Main Ayush ke mann mein koi galat image nahi banne dena chahti. I want him to respect everyone, har ladki ko izzat dena sikhana chahti hun... jaise tum dete ho, ghar mein baaki sab dete hain."

He gently pressed her hand, "Ayush hamara beta hai Naina, iss family ka hissa hai. Uski values alag kaise ho sakti hain. Jo tumne usse sikhaya hai, jo woh yahan dekhta hai, woh sab usse kabhi galat raaste par nahi jaane dega. Aur Naina, rokne se bachhe aur zyada ussi cheez ya person ki taraf attract hote hain. Ayush pe humein aisi restrictions nahi lagani chahiye."

When the troubled frown did not go away from her forehead, he lightly tapped her cheek, "Hey, iss baat ki tum bilkul tension mat lo. Abhi tum inn dono ko sambhalo, Ayush ko mujhe handle karne do."

A small smile lifted the corner of her lips. He smiled too, "Aaj tumhe apna saalon purana ek secret batata hun. Main eleventh standard mein tha. Hamara school trip Mount Abu gaya tha. Main, Raghav aur Sanjay ek hi room mein ruke the. Ek raat humne decide kiya ki hum smoke karenge. Usse pehle kabhi nahi kiya tha. Raghav ne chupke se shaam ko bahar ki shop se ek cigarette ka packet khareed liya."

Naina's stared at him, her eyes unblinking, "Phir? Tumne kiya?"

With a guilty nod, he held one ear, but added quickly, "Lekin sirf ek ek drag. Usmein hi itni khaansi aayi ki hum teeno ke hosh udd gaye. Humne darr ke maare baaki ka packet hotel lobby ke dustbin mein phenk diya. Wapas aake maine nanu ko bataya."

She looked at him in wonder, "Nanu ko bataa diya? Unhone toh bohot gussa kiya hoga."

"Woh gussa nahi karte the isliye mujhe unhe batane mein bilkul hesitation nahi hui. Balki maine toh apne doubts clear karne ke liye unse baat ki. Mujhe janna tha ki jab doosre log smoke karte hain toh unhe khaansi nahi aati phir humein kyon aayi. Pata hai nanu ne kya kaha?" He asked.

She flicked up her brows, clearly invested in the anecdote.

He shrugged, "Kuch nahi. Unhone uss waqt koi reason nahi diya. Mujhe kaha agle din Raghav aur Sanjay ko bhi saath laun tab woh teeno ko ek saath batayenge. Agle din, shaam ko nanu jab office se aaye Raghav aur Sanjay bhi yahin the. Tab unhone samjhaya ki yeh pehli baar ki khaansi ek warning hoti hai, ki aage jaake hamara yehi haal hone wala hai. Unhone humein ek movie dikhayi... koi short film thi, jismein kuch dost aise hi smoke karte hain. Kuch saalon ke baad unhe health problems start hoti hain. Phir unki families pe passive smoking ke effect hote hain, aur phir unki condition itni buri ho jaati hai ki woh ek normal life lead nahi kar paate. Hum teeno uss movie ko dekh ke bohot darr gaye. Tab nanu ne samjhaya ki jo cheez kal hamare aur hamari family ke liye zeher ban sakti hai usse hum aaj enjoy karne ka sochenge toh iska matlab na hum khud se pyar karte hain na unse jo humse pyar karte hain."

Naina was amazed, "Aur tum teeno ko samajh aa gaya?"

"Nanu ne yeh bhi kaha ki jis cheez ko sabse chupane ki zarurat pade woh sahi kaise ho sakti hai. Unhone hum teeno ki peeth thapthapayi ki humne khud unhe yeh baat bataa di. Phir kaha ki yeh sab janne ke baad bhi agar humein smoke karne ka dil kare toh hum unke paas aake karein. Sanjay ne kaha nanaji aisa kiya toh aap pe passive smoking ka bura asar hoga. Unhone jawab diya ki mere bachhe agar apni sehat bigaad rahe hain toh main kyon sehatmand rahun, main unse pehle bimaar padna chahunga." He narrated.

Naina waited for him to continue. He took a deep breath, "Nanu ki baat sunne ke baad hamari kabhi himmat bhi nahi hui aur ichha bhi nahi. Aakhir unhe kaise bimaar dekh sakte the hum."

She admired the way nanu had made them understand. He carried on, "Kuch saalon baad humne realise kiya ki agar tab humne nanu se yeh baat share nahi ki hoti toh school mein na sahi par college mein hum pakka smoke karne lag jaate, kyonki hamare saath ke almost saare dost karte the."

She smiled in relief, "Thank God nanu ki guidance ki wajah se tum sabko yeh aadat nahi lagi."

He was glad she could understand, "Nanu ne humein, mujhe aur Rohan ko, kabhi kisi baat se nahi roka. Agar hum kuch aisa bhi karte jo humein nahi karna chahiye toh woh humein seedhe seedhe manaa nahi karte the, balki iss tarah se samjhaate the ki humein lagta tha uss kaam ko na karna hamara khud ka decision hai."

Then he came to the point he wanted to stress upon, "Isiliye Naina, main Ayush ko woh freedom feel karana chahta hun jisme woh sab kuch mujhse share kar sake. Usse kabhi koi baat humse chupane ki zarurat na feel ho. Aajkal bachhon ko itna exposure milta hai ki woh har baat mein hamari generation se aage hain. Isliye abhi se uske doston mein aisi baatein shuru ho gayi hain. Kal ko agar Ayush ke mann mein koi uljhan aaye ya kuch aisa ho jo woh samajh na paaye toh main chahta hun woh sabse pehle mere paas aaye, kahin aur solution dhoondne ki jagah. Main uske liye woh banna chahta hun jo nanu mere liye hain."

Naina scooted forward, and hugged him, overwhelmed, "I think tum already ban chuke ho."

He placed a hand on her back, rubbing lightly, "I hope so."

She pulled back, looking at him with an adoring smile, "Tum har din meri... nahi, sirf meri nahi balki hum sabki life mein ek nayi khushbu le aate ho Sameer. Ayush sach mein lucky hai jo tum uske papa ho."

He leaned, joining his forehead with hers as he placed one hand on her belly, "Lucky main hun, jo tumne mujhe Ayush aur inn dono ka papa banne ka chance diya."

Next update on Thursday