Naina quickly reaching at her floor, settled down at her workstation... Sameer was already in his cabin busy in meeting with others... she eagerly waited for him to get free but he didn't, making her more impatient... after talking to Kamya, she wants to clarify her thoughts to him and wants to apologize too... though his words were harsh but she understood his intentions... seeing time she prepared coffee and went to his cabin to get the chance to see him, but Pandit stops her just before she was knocking on the door, "Naina stop... actually he is busy in meeting... give me his coffee... I will send it in..." its first time when Pandit stops her going in... strange... all her hopes to meet him shattered...

Naina didn't wish to do so, as badly looking for to meet him... after their morning interaction, she knew he is in guilt but somehow understood his concern for her also.... she is innocent and soft hearted but not dumb... she too realizes that last night Kamya's move was wrong in all possibilities... hence, Sameer's anger was also justified somehow... but in between all these, no one was concerned about her, her feelings... his words even hurt her more, but whatever Sharad has done with her in past, it was somehow destined to get this reaction from the ones who are not aware of the reality truth... she can't change her past but not want to ruin her present either...

But the way Sameer apologize to her, melted her heart ... she wants to talk to him, spent time with him but didn't get chance and Kamya asked her to accompany... Sameer didn't say anything and left but she can feel his gloomy face... it pinched somewhere... she never want to leave him alone in any guilt, when he not much at fault...

Naina handed coffee to Pandit with a weak smile and came back to her desk... her eyes keep on moving towards the cabin door expecting him to be free soon... but it didn't happen... meeting went on for a longer time... no one has come out from cabin making her more depressed...

She waited for so long but getting tired and exhausted as she skipped her breakfast also, she made a call to Preeti and asked to join at canteen...

Preeti handed her a sandwich saying excitedly, "kal raat mein kitna maja aaya na... aur sabse jyaada toh dance karne mein... tujhe pata hai maine pehli baar iss tarah kisi ke saath couple dance kiya tha... varna hamesha toh mere dance se aas paas walon ko chotein hi lagti rehti thi..." she laughed on her funny way of dancing forgetting about her surroundings...

Naina smiled teasing her, "ya... dekha tha maine... kaise koi kisi ke saath poora sapno ki duniya mein kho sa gaya tha... jaise janmo ka saathi mil gaya ho... I mean koi nahin kah sakta tha ki tum donon pehli baar yun ek saath dance kar rahe ho... you too were looking so cute together... lagta hai meri jhalli si friend ko bohot jaldi uska partner milne wala hai..."

Preeti hiding her blush teased her back, "madam, voh toh kisi aur ko dekh kar bhi lag raha tha... kaise saare time chup chaap, chhup chhup kar ek dusre ko dekha ja raha tha... kisi aur ka hosh hi nahin tha kisi ko... kal toh tujhe Sameer sir ke saath dekh kar koi bhi maan sakta tha ki tum donon perfect couple ho... vaise toh mostly time voh mobile mein busy the par teri har harkat par unki nazar thi... tu kya khaa rahi thi, kya kar rahi thi... kuchh bhi unki najaron se chhupa nahin tha... aisa laga jaise voh sirf tere saath akele dinner kar rahe ho..."

Naina looked at her amazingly that how much his acts were so visible to all, when Preeti laughed, "aur tujhe pata hai kal teri voh langotiya dost kitna jal bhun rahi thi... kitni baar toh laga voh kahin jor jor se rone na lage... voh kitni koshish kar rahi thi par hamare Mr CEO uski taraf dekh hi nahin rahe the... bechari ki Champagne aur Chinese food ka bhi popat ho gaya..." she burst into a laughter making joke of Kamya...

Naina hit on her arm, "aisa kuchh nahin hai... tum donon bhi na hamesha ek dusre ki khichayi karte rehte ho... mere liye tum donon mere bohot kareeb ho..." however she feels sad thinking of Kamya's wrong act last night and about their discussion in car...

They settled on a corner chair when Preeti asked, "Naina, tujhe sach mein nahin lagta ki Kamya is after Mr Maheshwari... I mean mein maanati hun ki voh log ek hi type ki business class families ko belong karte hai, unka level same hai par phir bhi donon bohot alag hai... aur jis tarah Mr Maheshwari usey ignore kar rahe the, it was clear that he is not interested... aise mein jabardasti khud ko kisi par impose karna kya sahi hai... I mean har ladki ki ek dignity hoti hai..." Preeti said what she observed last night... it was relatively evident from Kamya's reaction...

Naina was all lost in her thought, "that yes, they both are from same kind of culture and background... and could be a good match for each other... like Vishakha also wants Kamya to be for Karthik... but is this the only base of any relationship... love, care, concern, compatibility – all these matters a lot also... isn't it so?"

A marriage should be based on mutual love, concern, respect, and compatibility... not on social status or to follow society norms or business benefits... it's her believe...

Knowing Kamya since childhood she knew she had so many boyfriends, though she was never be serious with any of them.... but Sameer seems more reserved and never paid attention to other women... he was never be with any girl in past also, seems like... he is mature and sober whereas Kamya is totally opposite... on a contrary there is no match in between them...

Preeti jerked her hand, "oye tu kahaan kho jaati hai baar baar... dekh vaise tu kuchh bhi kahe ya soche par itna pakaa hai ki uss fashion ki potli ka koi chance nahin Mr CEO ke saath... haan agar teri baat hoti toh mein shaq kar bhi sakti hun... jis tarah voh tujhe dekhte hai... I mean jaise aas paas koi ho hi nahin... unki saari duniya simat si jaati hai tere aas paas.... so cute na yaar..." she said with a mischievous smile on her face...

Naina hit slightly on her arm, "tu na apne dimaag aur aankhon ka ilaaz karwa... sakht jarurat hai... aur kahe toh mein saath jaane ke liye Pandit ko bol deti hun... tera achchhe se dhyaan bhi rakhega... aakhir uska dhyaan bhi har waqt tujh par jo hota hai aaj kal..." she too said in a teasing tone...

Preeti blushed hearing his name when Naina pulled her in a soft hug, "I am really happy for you two... he is very nice... vaise maine kabhi jyaada baat nahin ki par I think he too likes you..."

Naina's voice suddenly gets heavy, "par Preeti, ek baat kahungi... kuchh rishtey zindagi mein bohot soch samajh kar jodne chahiye... mein jaanti hun kismat ke khel ke aage kisi ka bas nahin chalta par mein chahungi ki tera dil kabhi na dukhe... tujhe zindagi ki har khuhsi mile jispar tera haq ho... toh jo bhi karna poore dil se karna, apni har khushi ko dhyaan mein rakh kar... kabhi apne aatm samman ko thes mat lagane dena..."

Preeti understood her emotions and smiled seeing her concern, "tu chinta mat kar Naina... mein jaanti hoon tere saath jo bhi hua voh nahin hona chahiye tha... par tujhe nahin lagta ab tujhe bhi zindagi mein aage badhna chahiye... I mean Sharad ko uske kiye ki saza mil gayi aur ab teri baari hai khule dil se aane wali khushiyon ko accept karne ki..." she smiled pointing towards Sameer's concern towards her... to ease her she laughed, "aur vaise bhi mujhe apni koi fiqr nahin... Preeti Mehta ke dil ke saath khilwaad karna itna aasaan nahin... fiqr karni hai toh apne uss bhai ki kar... samjhi..."

They both laugher when Preeti narrates how much nervous Pandit was while talking with her in alone and make fun of him... they talked for some more time and left for their floors...

Coming back Naina expected to meet him immediately as meeting supposed to be end now... she knocked on his cabin door but no response... she opened the door slightly, peeked into the room and find it empty... he was not there...

She feels dejected and came back to her desk... she found a note on her desk from Pandit...

"Hi, we are going out for a meeting and won't be return back... you come back on time... car is there for you in parking... take care..."

She smiled seeing his care and concern for her but suddenly it hit on her mind... she opened his appointment calendar and realize there was no meeting schedule at this time for him... so where was he busy since morning... is he avoiding me?

"Mein aaj Kamya ke saath aayi lagta hai isi baat se abhi tak naraaz hai... par mera Kamya ko samjhana bhi jaruri tha... mein apni wajah se kisi ko bhi hurt hote nahin dekh sakti... aur Kamya ki wajah se aapko toh bilkul bhi nahin... mein Sharad ke saath kabhi koi dil se rishta jod hi nahin paayi kyunki uske dil mein koi aur tha aur aankhon mein dhokha... Sameerji sahi kehte hai ki meri dosti hamari shaadi ke rishtey se alag hai... mein donon ko ek saath nahin rakh sakti... hamara haq hai apne man se apni khushiyon ko jeene ka toh kyun hamesha meri dosti hamare beech aa jaati hai... kahin mein hi kuchh galat toh nahin kar rahi... kyun jo sabko lagta hai voh mujhe nahin... aur Sameerji...

Her thoughts moved to him suddenly, "subah unka chehra dekh kar bata sakti hun ki meri tarah ek minute bhi nahin soye raat bhar... mein hi paagal hun jo vaapas kamre mein nahin aayi varna shayad poori raat itna pareshaan nahin rehte mere liye... aaj shayad pehli baar koi meri pareshaani mein mere liya jaaga... mere saath nahin the par unhein chinta thi ki mein akele baahar hun... mere bina kahe voh meri har jarurat samajh jaate hai... meri chinta karte hai... meri har jarurat ka khayal rakhte hai... maana kuchh mahine hi sahi par kya mera in khushiyon par jara sa bhi haq nahin...

Unka saath achchha lagne laga hai, lagta hai koi bohot apna hai... man karta hai unke aas paas hi rahun, phir chaahe voh daante ya gussa karein... kam se kam baat toh karte hai... aaj subah se toh kuchh bole hi nahin... unse ek baar milane baat karne ke liye kitna tadap rahi hun... kaash mujhe bhi apne saath meeting mein le jaate... par nahin chale gaye akele... par pata nahin kyun dil mein ajeeb si bechaini hai... jaise kuchh hua hai... par kya, kaise samjhu, kisase puchhu... pata nahin kab aayenge meeting se vaapas... yahin intzaar karun ki ghar chali jaaun..."

Naina herself has spent a tiring sleepless night and initially after winding up her work, she left for home in early evening hours... expecting him to be back... but he was not at home too...

To avoid meting anyone she straight went to her room... after having light snacks, she laid down on her bed waiting for him... her sleep disturbed seeing it was already too late in night... she looked towards his bed finding it still empty making her worried for him now...

She sits back with a jerk and went out to check on him at study... it was late and the whole house was enveloped in darkness... she saw Pandit standing outside the study room and talking to someone... before she reached to them, person left.... Pandit shocked to see her there at so late hours...

Pandit said hurriedly seeing her, "arey Naina, tum soyi nahin abhi tak... Sameer is still in meeting... tum rest karo usey shayad jyaada time lagega aaj... bohot busy hai... he might sleep in study room today... you don't worry, mein hoon uske saath..."

Saying this he turned to go inside study room quickly when she stopped him keeping her hand on his shoulder.... he turned seeing her glaring him... he looked down when heard her stern voice, "what's going on?"

Pandit hesitates, "kuchh nahin Naina... tum jaao... subah baat karte hai na..." he averted his eyes trying to avoid her...

Naina giving a distrustful look stands in front of him crossing her hand on her chest... they both remain stood for a while there, but seeing no response from him she huffed in anger and turned to go inside study room, "fine... mein khud hi dekh lungi... mat bataao..."

Pandit stops her, "please Naina... maan jaao na... mein sach kah raha hun, he is very busy... tumhein bekaar mein daant na pad jaaye... you know uski baat na maano toh kitna gussa karta hai... please don't disturb him... he is busy in some urgent work..."

Naina turned back to him with a fake plastered smile on her face, "achchha... koi baat nahin, mujhe aadat hai... roj daant padti hai, so what's a big deal... anyways I am his assistant aur jab boss der raat tak kaam kar sakte hai toh mein kyun nahin... I will surely be a help for him... so, let me check..." she knew he was lying so no point to agree with any of his excuse...

She opened the door and find study room empty... she turned to look at him when he said lowering his head, "he is not well..."

She shocked knowing and about to ask when he said, "he is having high fever with severe flu since morning..."

Naina looked at him angrily, "and you two don't even feel like to telling me... where is he...?" she feels offended and almost shouts on him...

Pandit said pointing towards the room on left side, "he doesn't want anyone to get bother about him... and as per Doctor it's contagious so... please stay away from him... he wants to be alone..."

Naina ignoring him walked towards the room when asked suddenly, "then why he has not admitted in hospital if it's so severe... what were you both waiting for... to make it worst..." she asked getting impatient and worried for him, burst all her anger on Pandit to be so careless, "aur subah se meetings ka bahana banakar mujhse jhuth bola ja raha hai... how could you do this to me?"

Pandit replied looking down, "he has Nosocomephobia.... means, fears of hospital... since after his own accident he never visited hospital even once... if required only Doctor came here to visit him personally... don't worry, I already called his family Doctor and he just done his check up and gave injection... he will be fine soon in two three days..."

Naina looked shockingly and suddenly gets more annoyed, "what... don't try to make me fool again... wait.. wait.. no this can't be true... he was always there with me in hospital whenever I got admitted in hospital... every time... even he spend whole night there when I got shot at my shoulder... right?" she asked getting suspicious on his words... he seems again trying to stop her to meet him giving fake excuses...

Pandit smiled, "only for you..."

Naina giving a confused and annoyed look moved towards the room and shocked to see him inside lying on bed, almost in unconscious state... the room seems like same as their room as per his convenience...

Pandit's words keep ringing in her head, "he is afraid, but he stays with her in hospital... only for her, to be with her, to care for her... but he never showed... he keeps his fear aside for her... but why..."

She continuously looking at him sits closely... his face was dull, turned slightly pale but still attracts her... she touched his forehead with shivering hands and find it very warm...

Her trance broke feeling a soft hand on her shoulder... she turned to see Pandit standing there, "chinta mat karo... he will be fine in a day or two... Doctor ne injection de diya hai..."

She asked concernedly, "par achanak kaise... he was absolutely fine today morning..." couldn't help feeling her eyes wet seeing her in this condition...

Pandit pulled a chair sitting close to her, "yeh be-mausam baarish suit nahin karti isey... pata hai isko, phir bhi na jaane kyun aaj shok chada tha bheegane ka... dekho kya haal bana liya apna... par kisi ki sune toh na... eb number ka ziddi hai yeh bhi tumhare tarah..." he said in a complaining tone laced with concern for him...

Naina shocked hearing it and realized it was because of her only he came out in rain and drenched... also, they stayed there for so long until she herself pulled him back inside...

Her eyes brimmed with tears thinking, "sab meri wajah se hua hai... kal raat se maine itna pareshaan kiya hua hai ki yeh toh hona hi tha... saari raat meri wajah se soye nahin, phir baarish... kaash ek baar zid karke inke cabin mein chali jaati toh subah se akele nahin rehte... jab bhi mujhe jarurat padi hai hamesha meri madad karte hai, mujhe kabhi akela nahin chhodate aur apni baari aayi toh meeting ka bahana banakar mujhe apne se dur kar diya... Mean Maheshwari..."

Seeing her so much tensed for him, Pandit politely offered his help to convince her, "Naina, please meri baat maano aur tum aaraam karo jaakar, mein hun yahaan... agar jarurat huyi toh bata dunga... promise" he knew Sameer will not like her around awaked for him whole night... he strictly warned Pandit to not let Naina know his condition... she is weak and pregnant, needs proper rest...

Naina said adamantly showing her anger, "vaise hi jaise subah se bewkoof bana rahe ho donon mujhe... mein kahin nahin jaaungi inhein iss haal mein chhod kar... mein jaanti hun shayad mera koi haq nahin par mein apna farz nahin bhool sakti... aur ab mujhe koi behes nahin chahiye..." her voice gets heavy with a tinge of anger too... she feels hurt seeing him ignoring her since morning so that she will not get to know about his health...

Pandit smiled seeing her concern thinking, "kaash tum donon dimaag ki jagah apne dil se soch sakte toh pata chalta ki tumhara rishta haq aur farz se bohot aage jaa chuka hai... I wish voh din jaldi aaye... donon ek jaise buddhu mil gaye hai... pata nahin kya hoga inka..."

Naina said further, "tum jaao Pandit, tumhein bhi rest ki jarurat hai... subah se tum saath the par ab mein hoon yahaan..." she said sternly as doesn't want him to see her weak side... seeing Sameer in this state, making her tensed and upset but she has to remain strong to handle him now... even if he didn't like it...

Pandit seeing her so concerned for him gets relieved, "mein yahin baahar hoon, kuchh jarurat ho toh bula lena... tum dondon ko yun akele chhod kar nahin ja sakta, par mujhe achchha laga ki aaj tum ho iske paas, iske saath... ab sambhalo isey... hamesha se akele sab sehta aaya hai par lagta hai ab koi hai jisey iske sukh dukh ki chinta hogi... jo kabhi isey musibat mein akela nahin chhodegi... ek sachche saathi ki tarah... aur haan ek baat aur yaad rakhna... yeh sirf tumhara farz hi nahin haq bhi hai..." he left outside leaving them both alone in room...

Hope you like the update... 

Will try to update next part by evening... Enjoy n stay safe...