Title is the song 'Main agar' from movie 'Tubelight'

Sameer felt a soft tickle on his hand, making him open his eyes. The sight that greeted him was nothing short of bliss. Though it was quite early in the morning, both his children were up, and playing while Naina lay on her side, watching them with a smile on her face. What intrigued him was that Ansh and Anaisa were playing exactly in the same manner, with the hand of their parents. Naina's palm rested on Ansh, her fingers slightly raised, and the baby was trying to grasp them. So was Anaisa. She was doing the same to his hand that was on her belly. He watched amused as she tried to lift his finger that she had in her hold. Their bright gazes darted to every direction, their eyes devoid of any trace of sleep.

He looked up on hearing Naina's voice, "Good morning papa."

The streak of morning light was falling in the room through a crack in the curtain. Naina had switched off the night lamp. In the dewy glow spread in the room, her face had the soft radiance of moon. The caramel of her eyes appeared lighter, and more alluring.

"Koi sapna dekh rahe ho kya?" Naina asked with a hint of smile when he didn't answer but kept staring at her.

Taking a long inhale, he lifted himself on one elbow, dipping his head slightly as he adored the playful babies, "Dekh raha hun jab sapna sach ho jaata hai toh sapne se bhi zyada khoobsurat ho jaata hai. Tum... aur hamare babies mera subah ka sapna rahe honge."

Her eyes stayed on his face for a few seconds, then drifted down to the babies, "Kabhi kabhi hakeekat kisi bhi sapne se kahin zyada pyaari hoti hai."

These faces, they all were beyond any dream of hers. They were her perfect world... her reality, which was much more precious and beautiful than any dream.

Sameer flicked a finger gently over the babies' noses, "Waise sach kahun, itna sundar sapna toh maine bhi nahi dekha tha."

Now that the babies were over three months old, they could discern the source of sound. In sync, both looked at whichever of their parent was speaking. Sameer lightly tapped Anaisa's cheek. She smiled wide, her little arms straightening as she waved them. Her excitement rubbed onto Ansh too, and he started to kick wildly in air. Sameer sat up on his knees and tickled their bellies. Their throaty squeals were enough to convey how much they loved it. Soon, both parents were playing with the babies, making them gurgle whenever their feet or bellies were touched.

"Yeh dono tumhare jaise hain." Sameer grinned at Naina, "Yaad hai Ayush tumhe tickle karke apni baat manwa leta tha."

Though Ayush used to do it often, the memory that surfaced in her mind was the same one Sameer remembered... when she had fallen into his arms during their trip to Westin Resort.

The pleasant smile of reminiscence softened her face, "Tab mujhe laga tha tum sapna ho. Kuch der ke liye maine realise hi nahi kiya ki tumne sach mein mujhe pakda hua hai."

Sameer took Anaisa in his arms, a smug smile on his face, "Tumhari mumma mere sapnon mein khoyi rehti thi par dikhati aisa thi jaise mujh mein koi interest hi nahi hai."

Naina lifted Ansh, flicking her brows as she kept her gaze on the baby, "Tumhare papa the hi itne achhe. Mumma ko manna hi pada."

"Lekin uske liye bohot papad belne pade tumhare papa ko." Sameer let out a sigh.

Both babies gurgled... it was their way of acknowledging and contributing to the conversation.

Naina brought Ansh closer to her face, rubbing his cheek lightly with her nose. Delighted, he waved his arm. Naina's open hair fell on her shoulders, and a strand got into his hold. Instantly, his attention moved to his fingers. Squinting his eyes, he tried to pull the lock of hair. When she moved her head, Ansh was fascinated at the way the strand skimmed between his fingers. His lips rounded, eyes gleamed with excitement, and he tried to bring the hair closer to his mouth. Like all babies, he wanted to take every new thing to his mouth.

Naina gently held his fist, untangling her hair from his fingers, "Apne papa ke jaisa buddhu."

Looking at Anaisa, Sameer pouted, "Pehle achha kehti hai phir buddhu. Tumhari mumma kitna tang karti hai na. Kyon na hum apni doll ke liye new mumma le aayein."

What he got in response was not another full smile, but a fierce kick on his chest as the little girl glared at him.

Naina chuckled at his shocked expression, "Meri beti meri team mein hai."

He lifted her close to his face, "Ansh bhi mumma ki team mein aur Ana bhi? Papa ka baby kaun banega phir?"

To their surprise, Anaisa turned her face to look in Naina's direction. For a second both of them were speechless, then Naina burst into a laugh, "Yeh 'baby' word se kuch khaas rishta hai tumhara. Tumne hi asli meaning chor ke baby ka alag meaning nikala tha na... ab bhugto."

With the corners of his lips drooping, Sameer blinked at Anaisa, "Meri doll bhi apne papa ko tease karegi?"

The little girl blinked a few times like him, then let out a joyful squeal. Sameer softly kissed her plump cheek.

An hour later, tired of playing, both babies fell asleep. Standing at the edge of the bed, Naina gazed fondly at their calm faces. Sameer rested his chin on her shoulder wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. She leaned back into him.

"Thak jaati ho na tum." He planted a soft kiss on her temple.

Naina smiled, thinking about how her life in last three months had been revolving only around the twins. It was exhausting no doubt, but it was rejuvenating as well. Watching them grow was such an amazing and wonderful experience. At times terrifying too, when they fell sick or cried hard and she couldn't understand the reason. But at every step, she had the support of entire family. And Sameer... he was just how he had been right from the time he stepped into her life... he would know whatever she needed, without being told, and was always there for her and the babies.

Slowly, she turned in his arms to face him, the smile still adorning her lips, "Thak bhi jaun toh tumhare saath saari thakaan door ho jaati hai."

He narrowed his eyes, as if in deep thought, before his lips curved into a crooked smile, "Thakaan door karne ka ek aur tareeka hai." Before she could guess where his mind was leading, he scooped her in his arms and headed towards the washroom, whispering in a raspy voice, "A warm bath."

"Sameer, yeh kya... bachhe uthe toh... koi aa jayega... door khula hai..." Her feeble protests didn't stand a chance as he kicked shut the main door with his foot before walking into the washroom. Both were aware that the babies would not get up now for more than an hour.

Once inside, he put her down gently, but kept his one arm around her waist. Her cheeks were not as rounded anymore, but her face looked radiant. Feeding two little ones, and keeping busy whole day to take care of them, she had lost most of her pregnancy weight, though her waistline hadn't yet come back to original size.

She squirmed slightly as his fingers rubbed over her tshirt, "Kya kar rahe ho. Abhi bhi bohot moti hun."

He looked into her eyes intently, "Aur bohot sundar bhi. Pehle se bhi zyada."

He brought his other hand to her face. With a faint touch of his index finger, he traced the side from forehead to chin. She drew in a breath, staring into his eyes. The dark pools reflected her face. They also reflected his desire. When he called her beautiful, it wasn't just to make her happy... he truly found her beautiful. Always. From the day he first looked into those honeyed orbs.

His lips had barely reached hers when a loyd cry from the room pulled them out of the fog of passion. Naina rushed out, to check on her son who needed a change of diaper.

With a smile, Sameer shut the door and got into the shower. Their babies needed Naina more than him. He would gladly wait.

*******

When they visited the doctor for sixth month vaccination, Dr Samarth was happy to see that the babies had gained good weight and now were at par with single born. They were ready to start small portions of semi solid food.

Dr Amrita was, as always, warm and cordial. When Naina mentioned about getting back to work, she was supportive of the decision, saying that babies would be able to stay without feed for longer durations once they started having baby food. At home, when Naina mentioned it at the dinner table, everyone assured her of their full support.

Next day, Sameer summoned an interior designer, and asked him to renovate Naina's room. When she joined back next week, he wanted her to come to a fresh and inviting cabin. The designer was able to execute all changes in three days time. Sameer was thrilled when he saw the room. He hadn't mentioned it to her yet but now he wanted to reach home quickly and show her the pictures.

When he reached home, he found Deepika and Ayush playing with Anaisa and Ansh in the living room. Nanu was sitting with them.

"Mummy ghar pe nahi hain kya nanu?" He asked, as his mom was always around the twins whenever he and Naina were not there.

Nanu looked up, "Arre Sameer tu aa gaya. Vishakha kuch der ke liye Mrs Mehta ke yahan gayi hai. Unke ghar pe koi puja hai. Naina bhi gayi thi par woh jaldi wapas aa gayi. Bachhe hamare saath khel rahe the toh woh upar chali gayi, change karne. Usse kehna thodi der aaram kar le. Ramdhari ne inka khaana bana diya tha. Hum teeno ne milke abhi abhi khilaya hai. Diaper bhi change kar diya. Dono hamare saath aaram se khelenge."

Sameer walked over to the double pram. The minute they heard his voice, babies started looking around as much as their vision could allow them. The minute his face was in view, they squealed, jerking their arms and legs. He leaned and kissed both of them.

Ayush grinned, "Papa, Ansh aur Ana aapko miss kar rahe the, isliye aapko dekh ke itna big wala smile kiya."

Sameer ruffled his elder son's hair, "Aur tum? Ab tumhare bhai behen hain toh tum mujhe miss nahi karte?"

Climbing up the chair to match his height, Ayush quickly hugged him, "I missed you papa."

"Chal jhoota." Deepika teased, "Tune subah se ek baar bhi naam nahi liya bhai ka. Bas mumma mumma ki ratt laga ke rakhi thi jab tak Naina bhabhi wapas nahi aayi."

Ayush looked at her with wide eyes, "Haww Deepu bua aap jhoot bol rahe ho." He quickly looked at Sameer, clarifying with a drawl, "Maine sachhi mucchi aapko miss kiya papa."

Nanu laughed as Deepika tried to keep a straight face, "Teri bua kuch zyada hi badmaash ho gayi hai. Ek baar Aru, Ana aur Ansh bade ho jayenge toh tum chaaro milke isko khoob tang karna."

Ayush bobbed his head happily, bending down to explain to his little siblings that they needed to grow up fast.

Telling nanu that he needed to freshen up, Sameer ran up the stairs, eager to share the news with Naina. The room was empty. He checked the washroom, balcony... she was nowhere.

He hurried out of the room, to find Ramdhari going down the stairs.

"Naina kahan hai Ramdhari?" He enquired.

"Bhabhi Ayush baba ke kamre mein hain." Ramdhari pointed at the door few feet away.

He dashed towards Ayush's room.

When Naina reached her room, she noticed the stack of Ayush's clothes that had come from laundry. Taking the pile, she decided to sort her elder son's room since the babies were not yet hungry or sleepy. After putting all his clothes, she shut the cupboard, and turned, only to bang her foot against his side table.

"Ouch." She sat heavily on the bed, bending down to examine the foot.

"Thank God nail pe nahi lagi." She pressed her big toe which had hit the table.

Her eyes fell on the metal box that Sameer had gifted Ayush, his home planetarium. How much Ayush loved it. She wondered what her twins would enjoy as much as Ayush loved the stars. A smile made way on her face as she imagined them sitting together on a floor mat, doubled over on the drawing books while Ayush directed them how to colour.

"Naina." Sameer's breathless voice, along with the sound of door startled her out of her thoughts, making her stand abruptly.

Her foot again knocked the metal box, which flicked the switch on. The room was aglow with stars.

Sameer forgot what he had to say.

As the dusk had started to spread outside, the darkness of room contrasted with tiny, twinkling stars that filled up every surface. Naina stood amidst them, draped in the same green saree she had worn long back when some old relatives had come to visit them. He had lost his breath then too. Just like that day, she had her pallu gathered and tucked at the waist. The stars twinkled more as they reflected on the golden threadwork of her saree. His eyes drifted down, at the way her skin gleamed against the dark green of the saree and cut sleeve blouse. Her open hair framed her face delicately, creating a halo like hue because of the stars.

She looked like a dream... a dream that had come true for him.

He reached her in a few long strides, unable to take his eyes off her. Inching closer, he let his left hand glide up her bare arm, steadily. His right hand brushed against her cheek, fingers sinking into her soft hair that he pushed back. His thumb hovered upon her cheek.

"Sameer," she rasped, breaking into goosebumps at his delicate touch.

Whenever she rolled out his name in that voice, it sent a wave of giddiness through his entire body.

"Yeh saree..." He breathed.

"Puja... mummy ke saath gayi thi." Their eyes remained locked, unblinking, as she answered in broken words.

"Uhh Naina." He grunted, moving his hands down her arms slowly, till they reached the level of her waist.

"Yeh... yeh Ayush ka room hai." She could see the flames in his eyes.

"Chalo." Holding her wrist, he turned and walked towards the door.

"Sameer, neeche sab hain." She whispered as they stepped out in the passage.

He did not answer till they were in their room. After securing the latch, he turned to meet her eyes, and repeated what nanu had said.

His eyes darkened, "Hamare paas apne liye kuch lamhe hain abhi."

Before she could say more, he grabbed her waist and pulled her roughly against himself, covering her lips with his. The gasp that escaped her, drowned in his mouth as his tongue set to work. It wasn't a soft kiss, it was fierce and demanding. Her hands, that had landed on his chest, moved up to circle his neck as she raised herself on her toes. He clutched her waist tighter, deepening the kiss. His heady musky fragrance, combined with his firm grip on her bare skin, and the heavenly assault of kiss made Naina's head spin. Her heartbeat escalated at alarming speed. Every cell of her body came alive, craving for more of his touch. Her hand fisted into his hair, puling him closer. The intensity of her actions fuelled his yearning, making him go on kissing till they were completely out of breath.

Panting hard, he lifted his head, looking at her flushed face. Her swollen lips were parted, and he had to curb the urge to go for them again. But they needed to breathe.

Naina felt her legs turn to jelly when she looked at him. His eyes had the darkness of midnight, with specks of raw hunger glittering in them like stars. Her hand, that now rested on his heart, could feel the erratic thudding clearly.

Unable to wait more, Sameer lowered his head again, his desperate mouth claiming hers. The kiss raged between them, nothing less than fire that flamed their desires. Her body arched beneath his weight, her hands clutched his shirt, her mouth moulded to his demand... and they filled themselves with each other's taste, drowning in the haze of their heated breaths. He left her mouth, only to leave a trail of urgent kisses all over her jaw, neck, collar bone, and the exposed skin in her deep neck blouse. She was too dazed to know when he pushed it down one shoulder, till she felt the sting of his teeth, followed by soothing kisses over it. She shivered, tilting her neck to give him more of skin. He filled every inch of her skin with his kisses, intoxicated by the alluring warm scent that exuded from her.

When a moan escaped her as his tongue circled her belly button, he could take it no more. Lifting her in his arms, he moved swiftly towards the bed. Laying her on the pillow, he blew on her face. She drew in a sharp breath, holding his collars to pull him down impatiently, pressing her lips against his. This dominating side of hers made his blood rush to his ears, roaring to drown any other sound. Nothing else mattered, except their buzzing need for each other. The fire, that had leapt up at the sight of her in green saree turned more intense as the saree landed on floor... forgotten. They were lost in a world of their own, where only thing they needed was love... more intense than before.

So here was the penultimate chapter. Next update would be the last one for this book.

Coming up on Friday