Naina planned with Preeti to spend some time together to avoid Sameer's irritating torture to let her take his name... they both turned towards canteen to have some coffee and snacks when heard someone calling her... she turned back to see Karthik approaching them...

Karthik, "Hi Naina, I was looking for you only... are you free for one hour please..."

Naina hesitantly asked, "why... is there something urgent?" knowing Sameer's disliking towards Karthik she wants to deny his proposal to meet him in alone...

Karthik smiled saying, "ya... you can say something very important... but just a request, please do not told to anyone right now... it's just a matter of one hour... please it's a request..."

Seeing his pleading face, Naina melts a bit and asked, "par jaana kahaan hai aur office ke time par... mujhe permission leni padegi Sir se..." she initially wants to inform Sameer before going out with him to avoid any doubts between them...

Karthik smiled, "vahin exhibition mein aana hai jo maine batayi thi... venue yahaan se 5 minutes dur hai bas... aur lunch time mein permission bhi nahin leni padegi... mera driver tumhein gate ke paas milega... tum aa jaana... I am sure tum jaldi vaapas aa jaaogi... and thanks for your favor... but it's a request ki please abhi kisi ko batana mat aane se pehle... if you wish you can tell them later..." saying this he left hurriedly without listening her...

Flashback..

Naina recalled her discussion with Sameer today in car while coming to office... he asked her, "Naina, you want to go for exhibition... if you want, I will arrange for you... but I am very busy today... you know so many meetings are lined up for me..." though he was not interested in sending Naina alone to meet Karthik, but seeing her interest in exhibition and charity acts, he intends to ask her...

Naina replied, "no, if you are not going then I also don't want to go... I don't want to go alone without you anywhere..."

Sameer asked again, "are you sure... I mean mujhe laga tumhara man hai jaane ka... look I have so many meetings aligned today, so I can't give you company..." but Naina again denied making him smiled thinking, "achchha laga ki mere bina iska man bhi nahin lagta... khushi huyi jaankar ki meri presence kisi ke liye itni maayne rakhti hai... jise sirf mera saath chahiye chaahe voh office ho ya ghar... like true partners💞 ..."

Flashback end...

Preeti seeing Naina's tensed face asked, "ismein itni tension kyun hai... matlab you all are one family na... agar Sameer sir nahin jaa rahe toh bhi tu toh ja sakti hai na... it's quite normal..."

Naina said, "ya... I know but there are some issues between them, and I don't want to create more misunderstandings... they both are hardly in any talking terms aur mujhe toh wajah bhi nahin pata... but the way Karthikji has requested I don't feel like to deny... Sameer Sir ne subah puchha bhi tha if I want to go par maine hi mana kar diya... ab agar unhein bina bataye gayi toh kahin naraaz na ho jaaye... itni mushkil se hamare beech sab theek ho raha hai... I don't want to ruin it again with my stupidity..."

Preeti tried to calm her, "Naina tu itani tension mat le... jaane se pehle na sahi par aane ke baad toh bata hi sakti hai na... isase Sameer sir ko bura bhi nahin lagega..."

Suddenly Naina brimmed with smile, "yeh best idea hai... aur haan please tu chalegi mere saath... jaldi se jaa kar vaapas aa jayenge... tu saath hogi toh koi galatfahmi bhi nahin hogi hamare beech... aur agar Pandit bhaiya free huye toh unhein bhi le chalenge, tujhe bhi company mil jayegi..." she teased him back laughing on her blushed face...

Preeti laughed, "rehne de... tera bhai sirf restaurant le jaane ke laayak hi hai... kal movie mein bhi saara time uska dhyaan popcorn aur samosa par hi tha... pata laga exhibition ki paintings mein bhi khaana dhundh raha hai..." they both burst into laughter making fun of him...

They talked for some time and decided to go together to avoid any tension between Samaina... Naina knew how much insecure Sameer felt and reacted when first day of their marriage she  accidentally landed in Karthik's arms... she doesn't want to give any other reason for him to feel apprehensive because of his own disabilities...

Naina went back to her seat and starts working but not able to focus at all... though Karthik asked her to keep it as secret but after giving a second thought she affirmed to inform Sameer  before going... or if he refused, she would not go... she can't afford to offend him anymore for anyone else...

She was busy in her thoughts waiting for chance to talk with Sameer, when her mobile beeped with Karthik's message that driver is waiting downstairs for her... she quickly stood and went to Sameer's cabin to inform him, but Sameer was still busy in meeting with Pandit and other shareholders... she didn't feel like to go but Preeti also called her to come downstairs immediately as she has some urgent departmental meeting after lunch, and they must come back early on time...

Naina seeing no ways to inform Sameer or Pandit, left with Preeti for the exhibition... the moment they settled in car, Preeti smilingly handed her a paper... an official circular...

Naina opened the folded paper, when Preeti encircling her hand around her neck said, "dekha madam... aapke unhone aapki saari problem dur kar di... yeh huyi na baat... mein na kehti thi ki kuchh toh baat hai, varna tere dil ka darr aur vaham donon dekh kaise dur kar diya... voh bhi bina tere kahe..."

Naina smiled reading the paper again.... it was an official circular from CEO office to HR for an announcement...

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to thank each of you for giving your best and taking Maheshwari empire on top... we are working together for so long like a family and to build a friendly and healthy environment for all of you, I want to build a culture where everyone will address each other by their first name only... no Sir no Madam... like a family, like friends...

I insist that each of you should also address me by my first name...

Yours Sameer

Before they talk much, car stops at the venue... they both gets down seeing Karthik was waiting for her at the gate itself.... he greets them both when Naina said, "Sorry Karthik ji voh mein apne saath apni friend ko bhi le aayi... hope you don't mind..."

Karthik as already known to Preeti doesn't mind and welcomed them... they entered in a big hall where so many paintings and handicraft work were displayed...

Karthik requested them, "Preeti if you don't mind mujhe Naina ko kisi se milwana hai... will be back in few minutes... till then you please enjoy and be comfortable..."

Naina hesitates when Karthik request her to accompany... she followed quietly as doesn't want to make him feel bad... the hall was fully crowded with many dignified visitors, so there was no way of feeling insecure even...

Reaching at other hall Karthik said, "sorry Naina, tumhein aise bulana pada... I know you are not comfortable but still... but don't worry I will send you back soon... actually I want you to meet someone..."

Naina looked him confusingly when he pointed towards a girl who was busy in showing the handicrafts to some visitors, "voh dekho... voh Amrita hai... meri friend... par tumse jhuth nahin kahunga, I really love her so much... meri zindagi mein Amrita ki jagah koi nahin ke sakta..."

Naina shocked listening this and turned towards the girl... a beautiful, charming girl in mid of her twenties wearing a cotton Saree with long open hairs... her eyes glimmered with pure innocence with a confident look on her face making her more elegant and gorgeous...

Karthik said smilingly, "Amrita meri bachpan ki dost hai... humne school college sab ek saath kiya hai... voh jitni pyaari dost hai usase bhi bohot saaf dil aur sachchi insaan hai... sach kahun toh mein bohot pyaar karta hun Amrita se... shayad pehle se bhi bohot jyaada..."

Naina looked him surprisingly as his eyes were damp... he said, "mein hamesha se Amrita se pyaar karta tha aur voh jaanti thi... humne kabhi ek dusre se kuchh nahin chhupaya.... Chaahe voh hamare dil ki baat ho ya hamare ghar pariwaar ki, ya hamari personal life ki... College khatam hone ke baad maine Amrita ko propose kiya... for marriage... voh bhi mujhse pyaar karti thi par phir bhi usne mana kar diya kyunki usey pata tha ki meri family usey kabhi nahin apnaayegi... uski mother Hindu hai aur father Christian... she is Christian by birth... Amrita Fernandes...

Usne mere pyaar ko kabhi thukraya nahin par voh nahin chahti thi ki mein usaki wajah se apne pariwaar se dur jaaun... sach maano maine Mummy ko manaane ki bohot koshish ki par hamari tarah ki Royal families ke apne kuchh rules, kuchh traditions hote hai... parampara, pratishtha ke naam par apne sapno ki qurbaani dena unhein mahaan lagta hai... kisi ke sachche pyaar ko apnana, usey dil mein jagah dena, yeh sab khokhali baatein lagti hai... unke hisaab se rishta sirf biradari aur barabari ke khandaan mein hi hona chahiye..."

He paused for a minute and said, "vaise galti unki akele ki nahin thi kyunki mein khud bhi darr gaya tha... kamjor pad gaya tha unki zid ke aage... koi nahin tha jo mera saath deta unhein manane mein... Papa ke achanak jaane ke baad mere par thoda emotional pressure bhi tha Mummy ka... nahin himmat juta paaya duniya se ladane ki, sabke saamne uska haath thaamne ki... aur usey apne se dur jaane diya... mujhe pata hai jitna dukh mujhe hua usase jyaada voh tadapi thi, par mere liye usne yeh dard bhi sah liya...

Teen saal pehle usaki shaadi hamare hi ek batchmate se ho gayi... Akash... voh hamare baare mein sab kuchh jaanta tha aur Amrita ki bohot respect bhi karta tha... usane hamesha Amrita ka bohot achchhe se khayal rakha par kismat se usaki khushiyaan dekhi nahin gayi.... Akash army mein tha... teen mahine pehle ek terrorist attack mein, we lost him... ab Amrita apne parents ke saath Chandigarh mein rehti hai...

Par meri Amrita bohot strong hai, usne apne aap ko tootane nahin diya, sabko sambhala... kisi ki madad ke bina usane phir se jeena seekha... voh ek renowned painter hai... yeh exhibition uski paintings ki hi hai... maine bas sponsor ki hai, voh bhi badi mushkil se, sabse chhupa kar... maine in sab mein Maheshwari group of Companies ka naam bhi nahin aane diya... aur iske profit ka major portion voh army mein shaheed huye jawano ke bachchon ki padaai par invest karegi...

Naina wiped her tears with a smile, "ya... you are right... she is very strong... I really respect her a lot... zindagi mein itna sab hone ke baad bhi himmat se khade rehna... har koi aisa nahin kar paata... aaj pehli baar inke baare mein sun kar bina mile hi mere dil mein inke liye respect badh gayi hai... I can feel ki aapko kaisa lagta hoga apne pyaar se dur hona aur usko itani takleef mein dekhna..." she realized her own situation which is almost similar to them... they both are feeling the pain on loneliess and even after deeply in love with each other, cannot unite... she is also planning to start a new fresh life with her baby after leaving this city and all her beloved ones... her first love...

Karthik said further, "Akash ne Amrita ko har Khushi di par zindagi bhar ka saath nahin de paaya... usake jaane ke kuchh dinon baad hi pata chala ki Amrita is pregnant... she is carrying their child..."

Naina looked at him shockingly when he smiled, "par mera pyaar aaj bhi vahi hai... Amrita ki jagah mere dil mein kabhi koi aur nahin le sakta... mein usase aaj bhi bohot pyaar karta hun... usake jaane ke baad mein toot gaya tha, khud ko nahin sambhal paaya... isiliye business bhi effect hua... vaise bhi mujhe koi interest nahin tha business sambhalne mein... I am more of a creative person... infact yahaan bohot si paintings toh maine khud banayi hai, par hamare ghar mein inn sab baaton ko bakwaas ya time waste hi samjha jaata hai... inki koi value nahin... koi nahin jaanta ki mein bhi ek painter hoon..."

"mein jaanta hun thoda selfish lagega par mein phir se Amrita ko nahin kho sakta... shayad kismat ne yeh ek aur mauka diya hai mujhe apni galti sudharane ka... mein ek baar usey kho chuka hoon... jo tanhaai, akelepan ka dard maine saha hai ek baar, vohi dard aaj meri Amrita dobara sah rahi hai aur mein iss baar ek kaayar ki tarah uska saath nahin chhodunga... mein janta hoon uske liye kitna mushkil tha mujhse dur hokar ek nayi zindagi shuru karna, kisi aur ka saath dena par aaj voh phir akeli ho gayi hai...

Mein ek baar usey kho kar samajh chuka hoon ki uski ehmiyat kya hai meri zindagi mein... par abhi voh iss haal mein nahin ki meri baat samjhe ya mere pyaar ko phir se accept kare... abhi usey ek sachche dost ki jarurat hai aur mein sirf ek saaye ki tarah uske saath rehna chahta hoon... ya yun kahun ki usase jyaada toh mujhe waqt chahiye sab theek karne ke liye... usye apne pyaar par vishwas dilane ke liye ki iss baar mein uska saath nahin chhodunga, kisi bhi halaat mein..."

Naina smiled turning her gaze towards the pretty lady, "I must say you two are True Partners... dur hokar bhi kabhi aap donon ne ek dusre ka saath nahin chhoda... aapke pariwaar ke liye jinhone Amritaji ko apnaya nahin, Amritaji ne apne pyaar ki qurbaani de di aur aaj Akash ke jaane ke baad bhi aap apni dosti aur pyaar donon poori imaandaari se nibha rahe ho..."

Karthik smiled, "mujhe pata tha ek tum hi ho jo humein, hamare pyaar aur haalat ko samjhogi... mein yeh sab tumhein isliye bata raha hun ki now you are a part of our family... tumhein hairani hogi sun kar ki jab bhi mein tumhein dekhta hoon, mujhe tum mein hamesha Amrita ki hi chhavi dikhti hai... jo dikhne mein bhale hi naajuk aur kamjor si ho par andar se bohot strong, jo kisi bhi musibat mein sahi aur galat ke beech sahi faisla le sake... sabki khushiyon ka khayal rakh sake... mein jaanta hoon shuru mein tumhare aur Sameer ke beech kitne differences rahe hai but I realize ki kaise dheere dheere he starts liking you, ya yun kahun he is madly in love with you now... I am really happy for both of you... yeh sab tumhari wajah se possible hua hai ki Sameer ki zindagi mein bhi khushiyaan vaapas aane lagi hai... maine kabhi usko itna khush pehle nahin dekha jitna voh aajkal rehta hai... I really wish ki tum donon ko kabhi kisi ki nazar na lage..." he said appreciating her efforts to handle him, making her more surprised... how keenly he observed their growing relation and genuinely happy for Sameer even however they don't have any brotherly bonding...

He said further, "tumhein pata hai Mummy mera rishta tumhari dost Kamya se karna chahti hai, jo kabhi nahin ho sakta... mein chahta hun tum apni dost ko smajhaao aur usey inn sab se dur rakho... I know I seems bit selfish but mein kisi ko dhokha nahin dena chahta... par abhi Amrita ki baat mein kisi ke saamne nahin aane de sakta... Doctor ne Amrita ko kisi bhi stress se dur rakhne ke liye bola hai aur tum toh jaanti ho agar Mummy ko pata chala toh kya hoga... usey nuksaan na pahunche isiliye mein usey sabke saamne nahin laa sakta abhi... par jis din usane mujhe aur hamare rishtey ke liye haan kah di mein usey sabse dur lekar kahin chala jaaunga... mujhe yeh naam, yeh shoharat mein koi interest nahin hai...

Mummy pehle bhi Amrita ke against thi aur ab voh aasani se Amrita ko iss bachche ke saath kabhi accept nahin karengi... voh apne social status aur jhuthi shaan ki wajah se kahin Amrita ko hurt na kar de bas isi baat se darr lagta hai... kisi aur ke khoon ko apnana shaahi pariwaar ki shaan ke khilaaf jo hoga..." Karthik smiled sarcastically...

Subconsciously Naina's hand moved to her stomach getting worried about her own child... no doubts why Sameer is not ready to accept her child... what if Vishakha also got to know of this... though due to humanity, Sameer saved her baby but later he himself forced her to sign on divorce papers with this reason only... is her baby's life will also be in danger... no, she can't let this happen... she has to fight for her baby and herself... she has to go far away from them... very soon...

Her trance broke hearing a sweet and melodious voice, "Hi Karthik..." she saw Amrita coming towards them with a cute smile on her face...

Amrita stood in front of her and said excitedly, "tum Naina ho na... Karthik tumhari itani baatein karta hai ki mein toh tumhein bina dekhe hi pehchaan gayi... tum sach mein bohot pyaari ho... agar meri koi chhoti behen hoti toh bilkul tumhare jaisi hoti..." she took her in tight embrace...

Naina too smiled, "mujhe bhi aapse milkar bohot khushi huyi... aapse pehli baar mili hoon par lagta hai jaise hum bachpan se ek dusre ko jaante hai... aapki yeh exhibition, paintings, handicrafts, it's all marvelous..." she praised her artwork...

Amrita laughed, "lagta hai Karthik ne kuchh jyaada hi taarif kar di meri... vaise yeh sab hum bohot saari army families ne milkar banaya hai aur iski publicity aur sponsorship Karthik ne ki hai... so it's all our collective efforts..."

Naina replied with a genuine smile, "par inn sabko ek saath ek platform par aap laayi hai... toh its all your efforts... I am really impressed with you... kaash mujh mein bhi aapki jitani himmat hoti didi... I hope you don't mind if I call you Didi..." 

Amrita smiled holding her hand, "no ways... infact, aaj se tum mujhe apni badi behen hi samajhna aur dost bhi..."

They chatted for some time when Naina saw Preeti looking for her... Naina waived her hand to call her also joining them... Naina introduce Preeti to Amrita as a painter and Karthik's friend... not reveal their actual relation to her... she trusted Preeti but knowing Karthik's fear she keep it as a secret for time being...

They three chatted for a while and soon turned like long-lasting friends... even Karthik was surprised seeing their bonding and laughed, "tum teeno ko dekh kar lagta hai jaise bachpan ki dost mil gayi ho... meri toh importance hi nahin bachi yaar..."

Seeing time Naina said, "humein ab chalna hoga... varna office mein der ho jaayegi... hum kisi ko bina bataye aaye hai..." before leaving Preeti suggest, "kyun na kuchh pictures click karein... Facebook par iss exhibition ki publicity bhi ho jayegi isi bahane..." all agreed happily and Preeti took some candid pictures... some alone of girls, and few with Karthik and other ladies whose items were on display... they took a group photo of three girls with Karthik as memory...

Before Naina left, Karthik took her aside to talk in private again, "Naina it's a request ki yeh photos social media par mat post karna... I don't want ki kisi ko pata chale ki mein aur Amrita abhi bhi milte hai... Mummy ko yahi lagta hai ki mein Amrita ko bhool gaya hoon aur sach kaho toh Amrita ki bhalai ke liye abhi yahi sahi hai ki voh inn sabse dur rahe... at least jab tak mein usase apne dil ki baat nahin kah deta..."

Naina smiled assuring him, "don't worry, jab tak aap nahin chahenge mein kisi se kuchh nahin kahungi par don't mind mein Sameerji se koi baat chhupana nahin chahti... but I am sure meri tarah voh bhi aapke pyaar ko samjhenge aur aapka hi saath denge... voh dikhte jaroor rude hai par unke dil mein bohot pyaar chhupa hai jo shayad unhein dikhana nahin aata..."

Karthik laughed slowly caressing her head, "I know... aakhir bhai hai mera voh... theek se apna pyaar, apni feelings na jata pana shayad hamari heredity mein hai.... par ab tum ho na uske dil ke itane kareeb toh apna pyaar aur feelings kab tak chhupayega..."

Feeling slightly hesitated he said, "vaise Naina ek baat aur thi... I know mujhe tumhare beech bolna nahin chahiye par I don't feel like to trust your friend... I think Sameer also don't like her... hope tum samajh rahi ho mein kya kehna chahta hoon... mujhe pata hai sirf mere saath relation ke bahane se voh hamare ghar mein rah rahi hai so now she can leave our house..." he smiled giving her hint that how much doubtful he is about Kamya's behavior towards Sameer and Naina...

Since Naina herself is knowing the fact didn't argue on this anymore and nodded her head in agreement... soon she left with Preeti assuring Amrita to meet soon...

Sameer getting free from meeting called Naina, but her intercom gets unattended... Pandit searched for her but not able to find her even in canteen... Pandit tried calling Preeti and Naina but their phones were out of reach... he assumed that they both must have gone out for lunch and informed Sameer...

Sameer felt as if something was missing instantaneously and he felt bereft of her presence... even after Pandit insist a lot he didn't touch the food... "socha tha circular padh kar kam se kam aaj pehli baar mera naam legi... kab se intzaar kar raha tha par hamesha ki tarah kuchh na kuchh ho jaata hai... subah itna kiya tha usko toh socha tha lunch mein mana lunga par nahin kar paaya... pata nahin kyun ek ajeeb si bechaini ho rahi hai... jab bhi lagta hai sab theek hone wala hai, hum najdeek aane wale hai, duriyaan aur badh jaati hai... kaash iss waqt voh mere paas, mere saamne hoti toh dil mein yeh bure khayal nahin aate.. I wish sab theek ho... bas ek baar usey dekhna chahta hun..."

Jaanta Hoon Dil Ki Baat Dil Mein Nahin Rakhni Chahiye,

Kah Jaroor Deni Chahiye,

Par Naa Jaane Kyun Jab Bhi Izhaar-e-IshQ Karne Ko Yeh Dil Chahta Hai,

Toh Ek Anjaana Sa Darr Rok Leta Hai...

Added to their miseries more, an urgent meeting called up by one of their investor and Sameer left with Pandit outside office leaving a note for Naina...

Naina reached back office and went straight to her desk... after knowing Karthik's story she was in no mood to eat anything... even Preeti insists her but she denied making excuse of some urgent work...

Naina felt uneasy and desperately needed a sense of security... she wanted to meet Sameer as soon as possible even after knowing he is teasing her since morning and not talking to her... she knew it's not possible for Sameer to accept her child but at this moment her heart was longing to see Sameer...

Seeing his cabin empty and finding a note on her desk her heart beat wildly with an unknown scary feeling, "nahin pata kyun itani bechaini ho rahi hai... bas ek baar unhein dekhna chahti hun... subah se chahate the ki mein unka naam lun par ab jab waqt hai toh khud gaayab hai... jaana tha toh mujhe bhi le jaate... aaj Karthik ji ki aankhon mein ek darr tha, jaise koi Amrita aur uske bachche ko unse dur kar dega... mein jaanti hum Sameerji kabhi accept nahin karenge mujhe iss bachche ke saath par jaise hamesha voh hum donon ko bachate aaye hai, kabhi mujhe darr nahin laga... unke saath hone ka ehsaas hi mere dil se saare darr, saare dard nikaal deta hai... aaj ek baar phir dil ghabra raha hai par voh nahin hain paas... kuchh samajh nahin aa raha kya karun... mein jaanti hoon jab tak aap mere saath hai mujhe kuchh nahin hoga... bhale hi aapne kabhi nahin kaha par aapko meri parwaah hai jo aapki aankhon mein dikhta hai... please jaldi aa jaaiye Sameerji... I trust you, I Love You..." tears make their way out from her eyes continuously missing him terribly with an unknown fear...

Tere Kisi Faisle Par Sawaal Na Uthaaun,

Yahi Mera Ishq Hai...

Tujhe Har Pal Saath Dekhna Chaahun,

Yahi Mera Ishq Hai...

Tum Inn Faili Hawaon Jaise Ho,

Jinhein Mehsoos Karti Hoon Toh Lagta Hai,

Yahi Mera Sukoon Hai...

*******************************

Hi Friends,

Hope You all like the update.... 

Please comment how you feel like about Karthik... 

Many of you were doubtful about his character... so hope it's all clear... he is positive and a true well wisher of Samaina...

Bye... Next update Tomorrow... Enjoy