In another City...

Naina woke up seeing the little girl sleeping peacefully cuddling into her... giving a soft peck on her forehead a soft smile spread on her lips missing someone, "jab bhi iska chehra dekhti hoon pata nahin kyun lekin Sameer ke bohot paas hone ka ehsaas hota hai... lagta hai jaise Nehu Sameer ki hi parchhayi ho, bilkul ek jaise... maana donon ke beech koi rishta nahin lekin shayad mere dil mein inn donon ke liye bilkul ek jaisa pyaar hai... isiliye Nehu ki har baat, har aadat mein mujhe Sameer ki hi jhalak nazar aati hai... kabhi nahin jaan paayi ki mein Sameer aur Nehi mein se kisase jyaada pyaar karti hoon..."

Naina getting up slightly pulled out a mobile from side drawer which she always kept hide from others... it was her old mobile which she never turned on since the day she left him but always keep it with her as treasuring their memories stored in it... seeing their picture in her mobile she caressed screen softly with her fingers on his face, "aapki yaadein sabse chhupa kar rakhi hai... mein jaanti hoon aaj nahin toh kal mujhe Nehu ke sawalo ka jawaab dena hoga jab voh apne Papa ke baare mein puchhegi... mujhe ummid thi ki aap mujhe ek din dhundh hi lenge aur shayad hum phir se ek saath apne pariwaar ka sapna poora karenge, apni Nehu ke saath... lekin aapne apne pyaar ke saath apni zindagi ki nayi shuruaat kar li aur ab toh aapke paas aapke pyaar ki nishaani bhi hai... ek din maine ek Maa bankar apne bachche ke liye aapse dur jaane ka faisla liya tha lekin yakeen maaniye aapke liye mere dil mein base pyaar mein kabhi kami nahin aayi... aapko paana meri kismat mein nahin lekin aapko pyaar karna mein kabhi nahin chhod skati, isiliye shayad aaj Nehu ki har baat mein mujhe aapki hi jhalak nazar aati hai..."

खुद को किसी की अमानत समझ कर,

हर वक़्त वफ़ादार रहना भी इश्क़ है!

Her chain of thoughts disturbed hearing the soft knock on the door... covering the little one with duvet she opened the door seeing Swati standing there holding her phone... she said yawning lazily, "Naina, kab se tera phone baj raha hai... tu ne shayad baahar hi chhod diya tha..." she handed her phone which was ringing for quite some time...

Naina came out from room clicking on green button seeing the caller's name, "Hello Dsouza uncle... kaise hai aap..." she greets the person nervously looking at Swati, who was laughing slowly covering her mouth knowing the storm coming ahead towards her...

Mr Dsouza replied sarcastically, "tumhare rehte mujhe kaise kuchh ho sakta hai... tum akeli kaafi ho mere sar ka dard badane ke liye Ms Naina... aur ab toh lagta hai ek din heart attack karwa kar hi maanogi..."

Naina getting worried asked, "aapki tabiyat kharaab hai kya... aap kahein toh mein Doctor arrange kar du aapke liye... ya koi medicine bhijwa du... ya mein khud hi aa jaati hoon..." she was all willing to give any possible support to him...

Mr Dsouza shouts, "don't you dare to change the topic... tumhara kal ka karnaama pata chala mujhe... how could you do this... apna nahin toh kam se kam mere business ke baare mein toh socha hota... ek din tumhari yeh pyaar bhari samaaj sewa mujhe barbaad kar degi..." he continued scolding her for her love adventure last night...

Mr Dsouza is the owner of that farm house where Naina was working as a wedding planner... he is an old retired Major from army and staying with his wife alone in city... last night he was out of town and was not aware that in his absence Naina managed to eloped the bride and let her get married to her lover... since wedding didn't happen and this chaos was created by the wedding planner appointed by him, the girl's parents make a big fuss and refuse to pay balance amount...

Since the day Naina and Swati came back to Swati's ancestral house and staying in Goa, Mr Dsouza and his wife considered them as their child and really adored them a lot... they had a special soft corner for little girl also who spends most of her time with Mrs Dsouza whenever Swati and Naina were busy at their workplace... Mrs Dsouza, always support the girls to handle little one giving suggestions as per her own experiences, as an elder...

Naina squeezed her eyes listening his scolding replied softly, "Sorry Dsouza uncle... lekin aapko pata hai na ki mein..." she tried to convince him as in any senses it was not right to let a girl marry forcefully against her wish...

He cuts her in between, "haan haan sab pata hai mujhe ki tum pyaar ki devi ho aur sachche pyaar karne wale ko milane mein kabhi pichhe nahin hatati... lekin mera business toh duba dogi tum iss chakkar mein... pata nahin kyun maine tumhari baaton mein aakar tumhein apne farmhouse par job di... ab mujhe hi bhugatna padega..." he murmured cursing himself to be always so polite and supportive to her despite she always put his business on stake...

Naina apologized feeling bad for him, "sorry uncle... I know meri wajah se aapka kitna nuksaan hua hoga... I think I should quit my job and will surely try to repay for your loss..." she said genuinely feeling bad to make him loss due to her impulsive action...

Mr Dsouza replied in threatening tone, "don't you dare to think of leaving this job... did you get that... ek toh nuksaan karti ho aur phir jee bhar ke daantane bhi nahin deti... jab dekho naukari chhodne ki dhamki deti rehti hai... you always took advantage of my softness..." he scolds her more suppressing his affection towards her... he always feels a close connection with three of the girls and always support them in all manners... even his wife also adores the girls and will never allowed him to be harsh with the girls, even if they did any mistakes...

He said further, "aur aaj jo naye client London se aane wale hai unhein kaun handle karega... sirf tumhare ideas aur taarif sunkar hi voh hamare farmhouse par shaadi organize karwana chahte hai... so you better come on time and deal with them... okay..." he said strictly not letting her to leave the job...

Naina smiled naughtily, "toh meri job pakki hai na... don't worry mein yeh deal final karke aapka saara loss cover kar dungi... thank you once again uncle for trusting me..." she said grinning happily as knew how much he trusts her...

Mr Dsouza smiled finally, "god bless you... aur haan tumhari aunty ne Nehu ke liye kuchh new dishes banayi hai... time mile toh ghar aa jaana... kai dinon se tum logon ko yaad kar rahi hai..." Naina nodded as knew how much Mrs Dszoua loves Nehu and promise to visit her soon... they disconnected the call after some formal work discussion about new clients who are coming to visit them from London today...

Initially she had a video chat with Mrs Jindal and appreciated by her fabulous idea for arranging marriage for his brother... this seems a golden chance for her to cover up all the losses occurred because of her earlier...

Swati laughed seeing her, "kya baat hai Naina... Dsouza uncle tujhse jitna bhi naraaz ho jaaye lekin tujhe apne business se alag nahin karte... aur aunty mein toh jaise Nehu ki jaan basti ho... seriously yaar agar uncle aunty nahin hote toh humein kitni mushkil hoti iss naye shahar mein akele basne ke liye... aur voh bhi chhoti si Nehu ke saath... hum donon ko toh koi experience bhi nahin tha ki akele baby ko kaise sambhalte hai"

Naina took a seat next to her keeping her head on her shoulder, "tere aur inn sab logon ke saath ne hi toh mujhe itni himmat di hai ki mein Nehu ki parwarish kar pa rahi hoon... sach kahoon you are my strength jo mujhe kabhi kamjor nahin padne deti... jis tarah Arjun bhaiya, Shefali Bhabhi aur phir tu meri zindagi mein aaye, mujhe ek pariwaar ka ehsaas dilaya, mera har mod par saath diya, shayad tum logon ke saath ke bina mein akele Nehu ke saath apni zindagi phir se shuru nahin kar paati" she said encircling her arm around her shoulder giving a cute thanking smile...

Swati smiled taking her hand in hers, "aur jo tu hum sabko itna pyaar karti hai, sabki itni care karti hai voh kuchh kam hai... Arjun jijaji ki aankhon mein hamesha se anaath hone ka dard maine dekha tha, lekin jab se tu unhein mili hai lagta hai jaise unka kisi apne ke hone ka sapna poora ho gaya ho... aur phir mujhe bhi toh ek chhoti behen kam itni achchhi dost mil gayi hai... Shefali didi mujhse badi hai isliye mein kabhi khulkar unse apne dil ki baat nahin bata paati lekin tujhse mein har baat share kar leti hoon... aur phir Nehu toh meri jaan hai, jiske bina jeene ke baare mein mein soch bhi nahin sakti... so its all mutual... samjhi buddhu"

Naina asked looking deeply in her eyes, "Swati tu iss baar bhi medical conference mein nahin jaayegi na... maine tere bag mein invitation card dekha tha lekin... ek insaan ki wajah se tu kab tak saari duniya se chhup kar rahegi... tu itani brilliant doctor hai lekin phir bhi apne career mein aage nahin badh rahi" she tried to convince her to expose herself to grow in her career but Swati was hiding herself in a shell avoiding meeting people of same profession... she has no courage to get in touch with anyone who may be known her secret of loving someone so deeply...

Swati, "dekh Naina mein jaanti hoon mein apne career mein aage grow kar sakti hoon lekin khud ko baandh rakha hai, lekin mein khush hoon... mein jahaan hoon, jo kar rahi hoon us mein mujhe satisfaction milta hai... aur jo meri kismat mein nahin uske pichhe bhagane ki ab mujh mein himmat nahin, bilkul vaise hi jaise tu ne apne pyaar ke saath hone ki ummid chhod di hai... ab tum sab log aur Nehu hi meri zindagi hai aur phir humne wada kiya hai na ki milkar Nehu ki parvarish karenge... toh please don't force me to go for any conference jahaan galti se bhi mein apne past se related kisi bhi insaan se takra jaaun... pyaar ki raah par na sahi lekin mein bhi apni zindagi mein ek aisi alag raah par chal padi hoon jis mein mujhe khushi milti hai..."

Swati suddenly changing her tone to avoid her asking more, poked on her forehead, "ab emotional drama bandh kar aur jaldi se breakfast bana... tujhe pata hai na meri cooking skill kitni worst hai... aur aaj bohot kaam bhi hai... tujhe iss naye client se deal final karni hai aur mujhe meri friend ki wedding mein jaana hai Nehu ke saath..."

Naina asked, "toh tum donon aaj phir raat mein ghar nahin aaoge na... hamesha ki tarah masti mein tum donon mujhe bhool jaate ho..." it was not surprising for them to always party together forgetting about Naina... Swati doted on Nehu and is like her second mother in real sense...

Swati smiled nodded her head, "bas abhi kuchh der ke liye hospital jaana hai phir vahin se marriage mein chale jayenge... shaadi church mein hai aur shaam ko reception... isliye shayad jyada late ho gaye toh vahin ruk jayenge... tu hamara wait mat karna aur time se khaana kha kar so jaana... kal ki tarah raat bhar akele baahar baith kar samundra se baatein mat karti rehna..." she keeps scolding her to always be careless about herself and neglect her health... whenever she felt low or missing her love life, she got completely forget about herself, neglecting her health... even since yesterday Naina was continuously in low spirit making Swati more worried about her...

Naina left for her room to get ready... seeing the sleeping little girl she smiled giving a soft peck on her forehead... whenever she stared closely at her face, she always feels like she was staring at someone who is very close to her heart... Nehu somehow is just an adorable splitting image of him, but...

All lost in her own thoughts, she absent-mindedly walked towards their closet and pulled out few party wear dresses for her to select and wear... she knew how much choosy she is in wearing dresses with matching accessories, totally opposite to Naina's nature...

Coming out she starts preparing breakfast... in between she called her staff at farmhouse giving them instructions to organize everything perfect for the clients, who are visiting today... she had already made a loss in last wedding and cannot afford to lose this deal anymore...

Few minutes later, she found little soft hands encircling her legs... she smiled looking down wishing her, "good morning bachcha"

Nehu rubbing her eyes half sleepy, "Mumma aap kahaan chale jaate ho... mujhe uthate hi aapki missing ho rahi thi..." she said making a grumpy face as always wished to see her first in the morning whenever she opened her eyes...

Naina bent towards her height pulled her in soft hug, "Mumma kahaan jayengei apni baby ko chhod kar... aaj aapko mausi ke saath marriage mein jaana hai na bas isiliye jaldi jaldi kaam kar rahi thi... chalo mein aapko ready kar deti hoon" she caressed her head lovingly feeling surprised why Nehu always gets irritated whenever she didn't find her around in morning...

Nehu shook her head, "no Mumma... I am a big girl now... mein khud se ready ho jaaungi"

Naina knowing her habits, smiled giving a soft peck on her cheeks, "fine meri big girl... maine aapki saari dresses bed par rakh di hai... aapka jo man kare voh pehen kar ready ho jaana... lekin usase pehle aap fresh hokar aa jaao breakfast ke liye... okay" a wide smile spread on her cute baby face to have fun for whole day... she left hurriedly to gets ready fast...

An hour later, Swati and Nehu came to join her at breakfast... Naina greet her lovingly, "aa gaye aap donon... jaldi se breakfast kar lo phir aap donon ko marriage mein bhi jaana hai na... aur mujhe bhi thodi jaldi jaana hai aaj"

Nehu while chatting with Swati sits on the chair rolling her eyes at the small round dining table filled with breakfast prepared by Naina... making a dull face seeing Upma and bread she uttered, "aapne mera favorite breakfast nahin banaya..."

Naina replied sternly, "jee nahin... mujhe toh samajh nahin aata ki koi roj ek hi breakfast kaise kar sakta hai... kabhi toh kuchh aur try kiya karo... aaj aapko yahi khaana hoga..."

Nehu climbed down from chair went back sitting at sofa with a grumpy face, "I am not hungry anymore..."

Swati laughed slowly whisper to Naina, "bana de na iska breakfast... kyun roj uska mood kharaab karti hai jab maloom hai voh kuchh aur nahin khayegi..."

Naina feeling defeated stood turning back to kitchen when heard a soft cute voice, "love you Mumma..." she said with a flattering smile to make her mood better...

Naina turned back looking the adorable, cute girl murmured, "yakeen nahin hota ki sirf teen mahine hum saath rahe hai lekin Nehu ki saari aadate Sameer ki jaisi hai... kabhi kabhi lagta hi nahin iska Sameerji se koi khoon ka rishta nahin... kaash voh bhi meri Nehu ko dil se apna paate toh aaj hum ek saath hote..." though she still loved him truly but can never accept his demand to let her baby gets adopted by someone else...

Swati followed Naina in kitchen helping her to prepare breakfast asked, "mujhe hamesha hairani hoti hai ki Nehu aur tu kitne alag ho na... iski pasand na pasand, nature, favourites sab tujhse kitne alag hai... yeh apne Papa par gayi hai kya" she asked casually as Naina never shared her past with her ever... the little she knew is that Naina is divorced, and her husband has already moved on in his life...

Naina looked at her amazingly realizing that till date Swati is not aware about Nehu's biological father... but no wonder Nehu is absolutely look alike Sameer... not only looks but all her habits are quite similar with him only... especially her attitude, stubbornness, and arrogance...

Naina smiled faintly looking down, "iske papa ka toh pata nahin lekin Dsouza aunty kehti hai ki pregnancy mein jiske baare mein sabse jyaada socho ya jiski shakal sabse jyaada dekho bachche uske jaisa hi hota hai... shayad yeh usi ka asar hai..." she convinced her heart recalling the myth she heard so often from others about child's look and behaviour... no doubts, Sameer was the only one who captured her heart and soul that she had never thought about anyone else during these past few years...

Naina's trance broke hearing, "Mumma bohot achchhi khushboo aa rahi hai... jaldi se laao na.."

Naina smiled carrying the plate came out serving her, "ban gaye aapka favorite aloo paratha... ab jaldi se finish karo aur ready ho jaao..."

Giving a flying kiss to flatter her, Nehu starts munching her favourite paratha without throwing any more tantrums... finishing three parathas quickly she looked expectantly to Naina, "Mumma please ek aur..."

Naina glared her annoyingly, "no ways... baby aap itne chhote se ho and this is very heavy for breakfast... aur nahin milega..." she murmured slowly that even at the age of four years she was more willing to eat 4 -5 paratha in breakfast... though she looks cute and adorable in her chubby looks resembling another aloo paratha lover but...

Swati holding her laughter served one more in Nehu's plate, "okay only one more... ab jaldi se khaao aur ready ho jaao... Masi ko hospital bhi jaana hai na..." Nehu grinned widely ignoring Naina's glares and gobble up the paratha quickly before Naina stops... she looks absolute adorable similar like Sameer's childhood picture which Naina had seen once...

Finishing their breakfast, Naina starts cleaning the table and kitchen, whereas Swati went to get ready with Nehu... they had to go hospital for few hours and later from there they planned to go straight to the wedding venue...

Naina's hand stops abruptly seeing Nehu standing in front of her all dressed up... no wonder she was looking like cute porcelain doll but...

Nehu, "Mumma, am I looking cute na..." she asked showing her dress to Naina... her chubby, little face was blooming with a happy smile...

Naina slowly walked towards her in a daze... she bent down in front of her holding her shoulder, "Nehu... aap... aapne yeh frock... yeh kahaan se mili aapko..." her voice trembled feeling her heart jumped out with shock... all past memories flashed out in front of her in an instant...

Nehu replied cutely, "aapne jo dresses ready kiye the mujhe achchhe nahin lage so I bring this one from almirah... I am looking cute na..."

Swati came from her room, "kitni pyaari dress hai... agar Nehu ke liye laayi thi toh usey di kyun nahin pehle... dekh size bhi kitna fit hai... lag rahi hai na hamari princess kitni pyaari... lagta hai iske liye hi bani hai jaise..." she said caressing the little girl head adoringly...

Naina remain seated there dumbfound... it was the same frock which Sameer had worn once on his fourth birthday... coming back from aashram to hid from Sameer she kept this frock in her old bag and later she brings this frock with her in remembrance of best memories, she had of Sameer... she had never given this dress to anyone and not even to Nehu but today suddenly she doesn't know from where she finds out and wear it...

Swati jerked her holding her arm, "Naina kya hua... dekh humein der ho rahi hai aur Nehu kitni cute bhi lag rahi hai... humein chalna hoga varna mein late ho jaaungi... take care of yourself..." saying this leaving Naina in daze sitting there only Swati hold Nehu's little hand and turned to go out...

Reaching till door Nehu stops and turned back seeing Naina still sitting at the same place all lost... she went back towards her... encircling her cute little chubby hands around her neck she gave a soft peck on her cheeks, "Mumma, I love you..."

Naina looked at her with damp eyes as unable to restrain herself clutched her tightly in her arms... tears welled up in her eyes for some reason... unable to control them, they rolled down on her cheeks uncontrollable... Swati also rushed back seeing her unexpectedly in such a mess...

Swati, "Naina kya hua tu ro kyun rahi hai... if you are not well, we can cancel the plans..." she observed her gloomy face since last night knowing how much she must be missing her love... but never she had seen her crying in front of Nehu, but today seems something is really bothering her so much...

Parting slightly from Naina's grip Nehu also looked at her mother's face filled with tears... wiping the drops from her cheeks she kissed again, "Mumma don't worry... hum jaldi aa jayenge... aapko meri missing ho rahi hai na... if you want hum nahin jayenge aapko akela chhod kar..." although the little girl is just of around four years but sensed her gloomy face and ready to cancel her plan...

Although Nehu was young, she was unusually sensible... perhaps it was because she grew up in a single parent family... even if Nehu was very understanding and never question about her father, it made Naina's heart ache for her even more... she was somehow failed to give her a complete family...

Naina unable to explain them wiped her tears seeing them so stressed because of her... she smiled giving a soft peck, "Mumma always miss her Nehu... I am fine... aap jaao and enjoy yourself... okay..."

Nehu nodded slightly stood from her lap keeping her soft little palm on her cheek, "Mumma don't worry... aapka din bhi bohot achchha jayega... Swati Masi kehti hai mein jab bhi unko aise wish karti hoon unke saath sab achchha hota hai... hai na Masi..." she looked at Swati who was still confused seeing Nehu asking assurance to pamper her mother...

Swati nodded but before she asked Naina stood from the floor wiping her tears, "you are getting late so please go... infact mujhe bhi jaana hai, clients aane wale honge... bye.." she waved her hand sending them both..

Seeing the retreating figures getting disappeared from her eyes, she stood leaning to the door, "aaj yeh sab achanak kya ho raha hai... Sameer ko ek pal ke liye bhi kabhi bhool nahin paayi lekin kal se unka jikra meri har baat mein ho raha hai... aur aaj achanak Nehu ne yeh frock pehni..."

Seeing his picture on her mobile her eyes got wet, "mera koi haq nahin aap par lekin yeh frock hamari sabse khubsurat yaadon se judi hai... aapse bina izazat isey apne saath le aayi thi... lekin mein kabhi nahin chahungi ki meri wajah se aapki zindagi mein koi bhi pareshaani aaye... aap khush hai apni nayi zindagi mein aur mere liye aapki khushi hi sabse badhkar hai..."

मैंने तेरे बाद किसी के साथ जुड़कर नहीं देखा,

मैंने तेरी राह तो देखी पर तूने मुड़कर नहीं देखा!

She recalled how few months back she read an article about Sameer in a magazine... it was stated that he was frequently spotted with a small boy of around 4 years old whose name is Aryan Maheshwari... since there was no picture of them was printed, she guessed the little boy must be his son only...

Shrugging off all her thoughts, soon she getsready to go to resort to meet her new client. Reminiscing all her past memoriesshe smiled seeing herself draped in white suit with red bandhani dupatta,someone's always favorite color for her... how can she forget glint in his eyeswhenever she gets dressed in white or red... putting a small round red bindi at center of her forehead she smiled muttering, "love you Sameer"💖

Hope you all liked the update...

Next update will be in 2-3 days till then stay safe and happy 🙂