After breakfast they both left for office together with Pandit... whole journey went in silence... no one initiated any discussion rather stealing glimpses to each other from corner of their eyes... 

Pandit was even more confused on their weird behavior... hard for him to understand what makes them to feel so much shy from each other... he muttered slowly, "pati patni bhi ek dusre to yun chhup chhup kar dekhte hai... duffer..."

Reaching office, to keep herself calm, Naina gets busy in completing her pending jobs... his sudden change of behavior has already messed up totally her thoughts and unable to figure out how to handle it now... bechari 😜

Since they all were not in office from last two days resulting to a tiring day ahead... Sameer also gets busy in back to back meeting and discussion happening, giving them no chance to meet each other in alone... once she went inside with his coffee finding excuse, but sudden calls didn't let them to talk with each other and she came out from his cabin feeling sad... even more confused on her own feelings now...

During lunch time, Preeti approached Naina for canteen... though Naina was aware that she cannot talk with Preeti about their relation but spending time with her in alone always enlighten her thoughts to deal with the issues around... they both gets busy in chatting non-stop but Preeti seems slightly upset and lost... 

Naina seeing her so lost asked, "Preeti, tu theek hai na... I mean kab se dekh rahi hun tu thodi udaas lag rahi hai... kuchh hua hai kya... sorry mein kal office nahin aayi par koi baat thi toh tu ne mujhe phone kyun nahin kiya..."

Preeti sighed heavily, "nothing yaar... bas aise hi... kuchh dinon se mummy papa ki bohot yaad aa rahi hai ... sach kahun office aati hun toh lagta hai sab theek hai par ghar jaate hi, akele mein, vahi sab... I know hum kuchh nahin kar sakte par Naina yeh akelapan mujhe tod raha hai... mujhse nahin sahi ja raha yeh akelapan..." her eyes shed uncontrollable tears...

Naina eyes as well get brimmed when she hugged her tightly to console, "Preeti mein samajhti hun par tujhe khud ko smabhalna padega... tu aise kamjor nahin pad sakti..."

She thinks, "kaash maine pehle hi Preeti ko apni shaadi ka sach bata diya hota toh usey apne saath thode din ke liye ghar le jaati... uska akelapan bhi dur ho jaata... par sach kahun toh mujhe yeh bhi nahin pata ki kya mujhe haq hai kisi ko apne ghar le jaane ka... jo ghar mere liye jaldi hi paraaya hone wala hai vahaan mein kisi ko kaise le jaa sakti hun... pehle hi Kamya ki wajah se sab ulajhta ja raha hai, aise mein Preeti ko aur pareshaan nahin kar sakti mein..."

Once her sobs reduce, Preeti looks bit calm, "sorry Naina, maine tujhe bhi pareshaan kar diya... tu pehle hi itani tensed hai... par ab mein theek hun... shayad tu bhi kal nahin thi toh aur akelapan lagne laga... sach kahun kuchh hi dinon mein mujhe teri aadat si ho gayi hai... lagta hai jaise agar iss poori duniya mein mera koi apna hai toh bas sirf tu... par na jaane kyun ek darr sa lagane laga hai... agar tu ne bhi mera saath chhod diya toh... mein kaise..."

Naina wiped her tears giving an assurance, "aisa kabhi nahin hoga Preeti... Promise... aur mujhe lekar tujhe kabhi darrne ki koi jarurat nahin... tu mujhe kabhi bhi aur kahin bhi bula sakti hai... samjhi... maana khoon ka nahin par dil ka rishta toh hai na hamara... maine hamesha zindagi mein apne kareebi rishtey khoye hai par tujhe khona mein afford nahin kar sakti..."

To lighten her mood she teased, "vaise bhi itani pagli si, jhalli si ladki, jo hamesha mujhe hansati hai, mujhe bina ticket ke circus dikhati hai, usase dur kaise rah sakti hoon mein... aur mere saath bechare mere bhai ka toh soch... voh toh devdaas hi ban jayega apni Paaro ki yaad mein..."

Preeti smiled finally, "kuchh bhi haan... viase voh devdaas kam mujhe toh bachpan mein voh comics padte the na Motu-Patlu, uska motu lagta hai jo samosa ke bina kuchh soch hi nahin paata..." they both burst into laughter teasing him more on his foody habits...

(Tell me who all had seen this cartoon show of Motu Patlu... mine is favorite 😂🤣)

To spend some more time with her, Naina brings her down in nearby café and treat her with their favorite ice-cream... it becomes their routine to enjoy with this mini treat always to boost up their moods...

Getting free from meeting, Pandit asked peon to serve lunch for them... joining him at lounge area, Sameer stunned to see homemade food... Poori, Chhole, Raita, Rice and Salad...

Pandit smiled widely, "so Mr Maheshwari ko phir se ghar ke khaane ki aadat lag hi gayi... mein kehta tha ki ghar se lunch laana hai toh manaa kar deta tha aur aaj dekho... vaise Khushbu itni achchhi hai toh taste bhi pakka mast hi hoga... mujhe toh aisa feel ho raha hai ki janmo se maine itna tasty khaana nahin khaaya..."

Sameer took the first bite and a contented smile spread on his face, "vaakai, uske haath ke khaane ka jawaab nahin... kitne saalon baad yun ghar ka khaana kha raha hoon... lagta hai jaise koi hai jise itani parwah hai, meri har jarurat ka dhyaan hai... aur pata nahin kaise usko mere favorite khaane ke baare mein bhi pata chal jaata hai... poori jaadugarni hai meri Naina..."

Pandit patted on his shoulder, "toh Sir, aap bhi usey ehsaas kyun nahin dila dete ki aapko uski kitni parwaah hai... usey apne se dur rakhne ka program aur kitne din chalana hai... kab tak chhup chhup kar usaki madad karega, uska dhyaan rakhega... aur uski hi najaron se chhup kar usey taadega... yaar apni khud ki personal biwi hai... khul kar dekh jitna dekhna hai..."

Sameer smiled feeling shy recalling there morning moments in room, "koshish toh kar raha hun... shayad thoda waqt aur lage... par shayad isase jyaada jaruri hai usey apne aap ko pehchanana... apne sapno ko samajhna, unke liye koshish karna... mein chahta hun ki voh apni khud ki pehchaan banaye... us mein kabiliyat hai par sirf ehsaas nahin... abhi toh voh apne man ki baat bhi mujhe nahin bata paati, pyaar jatana toh dur ki baat hai..." he smiled shyly, realizing how much she got nervous whenever they came close...

Pandit said with a serious look, "par Sameer... tu hai na uske saath... toh voh bhi ho jayega, par pehle tum donon apne dil ki baat toh kaho ek dusre se... dekhna sab kitna aasaan ho jayega..."

Sameer looked him confusingly, "mein apne dil ki chaahat jaanta hun, par kya voh bhi... I mean mein abhi tak nahin samajh paaya ki voh kya chaahti hai... sirf isliye ki hamari shaadi ho chuki hai, mein usey iss rishtey mein bandhna nahin chahta... usey haq hai apni zindagi, apni khushiyaan khud chunane ka... jis ladki ko yeh tak nahin pata ki uski pasand na pasand kya hai, I am sure iss shaadi se pehle usase kuchh bhi puchha nahin gaya hoga... thope huye rishton ki neenv bohot kamjor hoti hai yaar... kahin yeh rishta aage jaakar ek bojh na ban jaaye uske liye..."

Pandit understood his dilemma said, "par mujhe aisa nahin lagta... voh bhi tujhse utna hi pyaar karti hai jitna tu... haan shayad apne dil ki baat abhi khul kar samajh nahin pa rahi par uski aankhon mein saaf saaf dikhta hai.... kaise bin kahe teri har baat samajh leti hai, teri jarurat ka tujhse jyaada usey dhyaan rehta hai... uski chinta dekhi thi tere liye jab tu bimaar tha... sirf biwi hone ha farz nahin tha voh... tere liye uske dil ka apnapan, uska pyaar tha voh... vahi pyaar jo teri aankhon mein tha usey hospital mein bimaar dekh kar..."

He smiled winking, "aur jo tum donon ek dusre mein yun kho jaate ho uske baad bhi tujhe koi shaq hai... thoda aur waqt de usey... apne aap ko samajhne ka, tujhe samajhne ka... phir dekhna ek pal bhi uske bina nahin rah payega tu... aur kam se kam yun chhup chhup kar apni biwi ko taadna toh band hoga tera... poora chhichhora lagta hai aisi harkatein karta hua..." he laughed teasing him to seeing his own wife secretly...

Sameer looked down feeling shy, "yaar kya karun... jitna dekhta hoon utana hi dil aur karta hai usey apne paas rakhane ka har waqt... ek minute bhi aankhon se dur ho jaaye toh dil bechain ho jaata hai... subah se office mein ek baar bhi time nahin mila akele mein milne ka... aur ab bhi lunch time mein gaayab hai apni dost ke saath... yeh har kisi ko meri Naina hi milti hai chipakne ke liye... gahr par Chinni ke saath aur yahaan Preeti ke... koi akela nahin chhodta usey... " he said making grumpy face on his failure attempts to spend time with her in alone since morning in office...

Pandit hit hardly on his arm, "oye kuchh toh sharam kar... apni hi biwi hai, ghar jaakar dekh lena jee bhar kar... koi disturb nahin karega... chal ab jaldi se kha le varna mein sab khatam kar jaaunga... itna tasty khaana hai mujhse toh ruka hi nahin ja raha..." he moans in pleasure eating first bite relishing the delicious food...

Sameer asked suddenly, "vaise tu ne Preeti ke baare mein kya socha hai... baat kuchh aage badi kya tumhari..."

Pandit chocked badly looking at him, "mein... mein kya matlab... mujhe kya sochna hai... aisa kuchh nahin hai hamare beech... mujhse nahin hote yeh sab chonchale... bechara insaan apne paapi pet ka khyaal rakhe ya dil ka... huh" he tried looking other side avoiding him to discuss further on his confused feeling towards Preeti...

Sameer rubbed his back saying, "mera matlab toh tha ki tu uske saath roj lunch kyun nahin karta... matlab thoda time milega saath time spent karne ka... kyun, tujhe kya laga ki mein tujhe usake saath date par bhej raha hoon..." he asked with a naughty smile...

Pandit smiled evilly, "kitna besharam hai na tu... saaf saaf bol na tujhe Naina ke saath lunch karna hai... vaise sab teri meherbaani hai ki mera ghar nahin bas pa raha..."

Sameer looked him suspiciously when he said getting irritated, "aur kya... ab tu apni wali ko apne paas nahin rakhta toh voh har waqt meri wali ke saath chipaki rehti hai... tu teri wali ko sambhal toh mein apni wali ke saath thoda time spent karun... par nahin... Mr CEO ko toh sirf office mein assistant chahiye... aur us assistant ko meri personal HR... kisi ko iss gareeb ki kahaan padi hai jo soche mere baare mein bhi..."

Sameer laughed loudly on his statement, "tu aur tere naatak... chal kuchh sochte hai, taaki tera bhi kuchh ho... vaise aaj hum teeno saath hote toh kitna achchha hota na... uski bohot yaad aa rahi hai..."

Pandit too smiled, "haan yaar voh saath hota toh zindagi ke maje hi aur hote... aaj tu bhi kitne dinon baad yun khul kar baat kar raha hai... dil se khush hai... agar usne dekha hota toh kas kar gale laga leta hum donon ko... par majboori ne hum sabko kitna ek dusre se dur kar diya na... kuchh mahine aur phir sab saath honge, pehle ki hi tarah..."

His eyes got wet recalling their old days, keeping hand on Sameer's shoulder he said further, "par mujhe khushi hai aaj tere chehre par vahi purani muskaan vaapas dekh kar... log kehte hai na dil ka raasta pet se jaata hai... lagta hai kisi ke pyaar ne apna raasta dhundh hi liya hai..."

They hugged each their tightly... Sameer smiled replying him, "kisi ke khubsurat chehre ne seedha dil pe dastak di hai... pet toh sirf bahana hai kareeb aane ka..."

Na Jaane Kya Maasumiyat Hai Tere Chehre Mein,

Saamne Se Zyada Tujhe Chhup Ke Dekhna Acha Lagta Hai

Naina came back to her seat but Preeti's gloomy face still disturbing her much... she can feel her pain of loneliness... since her childhood, she was always surrounded in a protected environment by her parents who gave her full freedom to live her life on her own terms, to fulfill her wishes... but now suddenly she lost them... forever...

To avoid thinking much, Naina engrossed herself in work but somewhere Preeti's face keep remaining in front of her... making her sad internally... she doesn't want to leave her alone... suddenly thinking something she scan her mobile and smiled finally getting reason of her sadness...

Even Sameer noticed Naina's dull face when she went to attend a short meeting in his cabin with other managers... but they didn't get the chance to speak much personally... he assures to ask when they will reach home at night... even he mentally planned few things to spend some time in evening with her all alone, like last day... which might help him to know her better... he doesn't want to rush in his relation and wants to take baby steps to avoid any awkwardness between them...

In evening finishing up all work, Naina left with Sameer and Pandit for home... Sameer was busy in typing something on his laptop, in between engrossed in some business discussion with Pandit... Naina remain seated waited for him to get free but didn't get chance either... seeing no other choice she took a deep sigh gaining some courage and finally asked him slowly, "I... I need your permission... if you don't mind can I go to Preeti's house... now..."

Sameer turned to looked at her surprisingly when she said with a pleading face, "voh uska birthday hai aur aaj voh akeli hai... I mean apne parents ko bohot yaad kar rahi thi... mujhse yun usko udaas nahin dekha gaya... birthday par udaas rahegi toh mujhe achchha nahin lagega... please..."

Sameer initially planned to refuse as he himself wants to spend time with her but knowing the reason of her sadness, he cannot deny... he unwillingly said, "okay... turn the car..."

Pandit nodded happily knowing it's her birthday and got excited to get a chance to spend time with her... he turned the car thinking, "pehle pata hota toh koi party organize kar deta ya gift le aata... par koi nahin, mein khud hi kisi gift se kam nahin... aur party ke liye khaane ka intzaam toh mein kar hi lunga..." he smiled thinking so many ideas to make her birthday memorable to impress her...

Naina smiled as she was not expecting him to be agree so soon as last time even Vishakha also rebuked her to stay at employee's house... she doesn't want to stay there without his permission to give any other reason to others point out on her...

Reaching nearby to her house, Naina shouts, "bas bas yahin rok dijiye... aage mein khud se chali jaaungi... thanks for dropping me..."

Sameer asked surprisingly, "why... I mean will stop near her house only... why you want to walk till there..."

She said smilingly collecting her purse, "nahin... voh mujhe market mein kuchh kaam hai... soch rahi hun uske liye cake le jaaun, usey achchha lagega... aur phir aapke saath jaaungi.... voh puchhegi toh... I mean..." she hesitates to say that till now Preeti is not aware of their relation... how can she go with him in his car, till her house making her suspicious...

Sameer embarrassed hearing this but compose himself as he himself strict her to not to inform anyone... but still doesn't want to lose the chance to stay close and spend time with her even if it's at Preeti's house only.... he said, "it's okay... but aren't we all were going together to wish her and celebrate her birthday... she is my employee so it's perfectly fine for me to go and wish her..."

Pandit also intervene seeing his own chance ruining to get along with Preeti, "haan Naina... I mean its's okay na... aakhir hum sab colleagues hai toh we can all go together and wish her... usey aur bhi jyaada achchha lagega... haan jyaada hai toh Mr CEO ko rehne dete hai..." he said teasing to Sameer getting his deadly glare to spoil his plans...

Sameer frowned giving deathly glares to him, "shut up... I mean as a CEO I can also attend her birthday party... after all voh Naina ki friend bhi hai..."

Naina seeing them both fighting, smiled cutely shattering their all hopes, "arey par birthday toh kal hai na... toh kal usey office mein aap log wish kar dena... usey bhi bohot achchha lagega... voh toh mein usey raat mein wish karna chahti thi, isiliye abhi jaa rahi hun... kal uske saath hi office aa jaungi... usey akela bhi nahin lagega... okay bye..." saying this giving a satisfied look, she hurriedly left out from car and moved to the market to buy cake and gift for her...

Pandit turned to see Sameer's eyes fixed on the way where she disappeared.... he was about to say something when heard him scolding, "idiot, duffer... you even don't know that her birthday is tomorrow... aise toh pat li tujhse ladki... aur isey abhi kyun jaana tha... voh bhi akele... mujhe chhod kar..." he said making pity face...

Pandit too said sullenly, "tera chhod, kam se kam mujhe toh saath le jaati... mein toh dost bhi hun na Preeti ka... mein bhi raat ko hi wish kar deta... ab subah tak ka intzaar karna padega..."

They both looked at each other giving deadly glare ... Pandit said getting irritated, "now what... don't give me this look... it's all your fault... mujhe laga birthday aaj hai toh party karenge, thoda impress kar lunga mein usey... par koi baat nahin, mein kal tak kuchh plan kar lunga usey wish karne ka... after all I can take help from my sister also..." he grinned widely teasing him more

Sameer frowned looking at him, "shut up... you are totally useless... ek kaam theek se nahin hota... mujhe biwi nahin mil rahi aur isey apni behen se madad leni hai..." he got pissed off seeing all his plans ruined for today evening...

Pandit turned his face seeing him in bad mood and drive ahead... he grinned inwardly and looked at him from back view mirror to tease him more, "ab samjha, janaab ko gussa kis baat ka hai... biwi akele jo chali gayi apni Saheli ke paas, voh bhi raat bhar ke liye... aur banaao shaam saath bitaane ke secret plans... voh toh chali gayi akele party karne... beta yaad rakhna aakhiri mein dost ki kaam aayenge..."

They both stared each other from rare view mirror and suddenly burst into laughter after few minutes saying together, "let's think... party toh pakka karenge..."

Sameer opened his mobile and smiled seeing his gallery... their picture... which he has taken from her mobile in morning... he whispered, "missing you"

Ek-Ek Taara Jod Teri Tasveer Banai Hai,
Koi Dekh Na Le Isliye Dil Me Chhipai Hai,
Dil Se Tu Meri Nas-Nas Me Samai Hai,
Iss Liye Teri Tasveer Hum Ne Iss Dil Me Basai Hai...

Naina gets down from car and quickly reaching to a bakery shop bought a Pineapple Cake for her... till she was waiting for her order to gets packed she recalled how every year she always wishes Kamya during mid night... but now days even though Kamya is staying at same home but she didn't get any time to spend with her... even feeling extremely upset seeing her changed behavior... they were not as close as they were before.... and it hurts her more...

Naina taking a deep sigh think, "par aaj mein ghar par nahin hun... usko bata deti hun, varna usey kitna bura lagega..."

She took out her mobile and text to Kamya informing she will stay at Preeti's house for tonight... taking a deep sigh she felt bad thinking, "ek waqt tha jab mein aur Kamya ghanto ek dusre ke saath gappe maara karte the... kab subah se shaam ho jaati thi pata hi nahin chalta tha... kitni baar toh mere saath rehne ke liye voh apne boyfriend tak se milne nahin jaati thi... aur aaj... hum kitne dur ho gaye ek dsure se... lagta hai jaise iss Kamya ko toh mein jaanti hi nahin..."

Collecting her parcel, she quickly purchase a small bouquet and walked to Preeti's home excitedly... 

Hope You all like it... Next Update tomorrow morning... Enjoy then n stay safe 😊😊