It was the morning of the day that Rohan and Payal's marriage registration was scheduled for.

As she served Nirmala and Savitri breakfast, Vishakha anxiously glanced at Naina. The girl had been in strange mood since the trip to Raipur.

On the way back, after the stop at the Shiva temple, Naina had complained of an headache and expressed a wish to travel in the vehicle with Vishakha. Though the request had not made much sense, considering there were more people in that vehicle, some shuffling had happened and Vivek had transferred to the other vehicle. For the rest of the journey, Naina had dozed off clinging to her Mumma, while all the women around her loudly discussed the rise of vegetable prices, and recipes for various types of ladoos and pickles.

Even after reaching Ahmedabad, she had continued to appear rather dispirited. But after confirming her assumption with Sameer that the visit to the family home had unsettled her, Vishakha had left Naina to her own devices for a day.

Later on being questioned, Naina had tried to assure her that she was just anxious about the course work as she was falling behind due to all the function and then the trip. Since then the girl had completely immersed herself in her college and assignments. Hoping that was all there was to her preoccupation, Vishakha hoped the party the kids were planning to attend that evening would cheer her up.

"Photo kitna badhiya lag raha hain nahi?" Nirmala remarked, once again admiring the new family portrait that now hung in the lounge.

The previous evening, Vivek had surprised everyone when a huge family photo fitted in an ornamental golden frame was delivered.

It was one of the photos clicked by a professional photographer during the engagement ceremony. Nirmala was seated in a decorative chair, with Rohan and Payal standing behind her. On one side, Vishakha stood next to Rohan followed by her husband, while on the other, Sameer was next to Payal and then Naina. Donning an ivory silk and just a string of pearls, Nirmala, with a contented yet proud expression, looked every bit the matriarch of the family gathered behind her.

"Pura Parivar ek sath... bahut hi acha lag raha hai! Photo frame bhi damadji ne ekdum sundar lagwaya hai..." Savitri approvingly nodded.

Vishakha's fingers froze for a moment, as she guiltily glanced at her mother. Since the photo had been hung, she had been wondering how her mother must be feeling. There had been other photos that had been clicked with both the grandmothers. And yet, Vivek, who was overall a kind and sensible man, had chosen the one with just his mother to display in the lounge.

Payal, who was still to truly enter the household, had already earned a spot on that wall. And her mother, who had given her daughter to the family, and shed much of her sweat and tears for them over almost three decades, was still not considered an integral part of that household.

If any of this affected Savitri, her expressions did not betray it, as she carried on sharing her observations about the colour of the clothes stood out so well in the photos. Or perhaps, she would never even dream of questioning the set societal standards.

* * *

The registered marriage was supposed to be a simple affair, but about fifteen people showed up at the Registrar office. Though Nirmala often muttered how this wasn't the real marriage, her eyes glazed watching Rohan and Payal sign the register, exchange garlands, and pose for some photographs to submit for the Visa application. Later, the whole party proceeded to eat lunch at a restaurant renowned for its scrumptious shahi thali.

Vishakha was relived to note that Naina's eyes were once again twinkling, as she giggled with Payal and two of Payal's close friends who had attended the event.

That evening, a little before seven, dressed in a cute deep-red dress, as per the western outfits theme for the party, Naina left with Sameer, who was looking extra dapper in a black shirt and dark grey jeans.

The gathering of about two dozen had the advantage of feeling like a party but being intimate enough too. The playlist blasting from surround sound speakers was full of peppy Hindi and English hits.

Two large bowls offering the option of punch – alcoholic and non-alcoholic - formed the centre piece of the dining table in the lounge. The rest of the space was covered with platters of potato wafers, sev, peanuts and soft drink bottles. A giant, unopened, pot of vegetable biryani and few smaller bowls of raita and salad, along with stainless steel cutlery were placed on another table to the side.

Disposable plates and half-empty glasses were scattered around the room. The lounge area opened into a garden, which the revellers could step into for some fresh air as needed.

Every now and then someone would tease the Rohan and Payal, or pull them to the makeshift dance floor created by pushing most of the furniture to one end of the living room. Shilpa, Payal's friend hosting the party, has organised some games with the newly marrieds in mind.

To begin with, all the married, engaged or openly dating couples joined in a game, aimed at testing the couple's knowledge about each other's favourites.

As the game progressed, Sameer was increasing irritated for two reason. He was internally piqued at being forced to sit it out - Agar hum participate kar sakte toh pukka yeh wala toh hum hi jeet jaate! Naina ki favourite doll, author, Hindi movie, English movie, class teacher, soft drink, chat item, college course, professor, season, ghar mein ka room, garden ka corner... sab kuch janta hu main! Aur usse bhi mera favourite band, sport, cricketer, action movie... sab pata hai!

Another reason for his annoyance was Leena - one of Payal's cousin's - who had developed a big crush on Sameer since the evening of the engagement. She had perched on the arm of the sofa he was seated on and kept asking him all his favourites throughout the game. Extremely relieved, when the game ended with a couple who had been got married after dating for three years emerging the winners, he almost bolted towards the drinks and poured himself a large glass of the rum punch, deciding he needed it to endure Leena's coy smiles and needless fluttering of eyelashes throughout the rest of the evening.

"Kya pee rahe ho??" Naina enquired, when she found him standing in a corner.

"Kuch nahi... matlab... bus woh punch... fruits wala.", he stuttered, recalling the one time he had come home a little tipsy after sampling beer at some friends place. Agreed, being just seventeen at the time, he had been too young to sample alcohol, but he had still been mad at Naina for tattling on him to Vishakha. The number of lectures that he had been subjected to by both his parents! Thankfully, his grandmother had not been apprised of that indiscretion else he doubted he would have been allowed to even step out of the house for a month.

"Pukka sirf fruits wala hi hai??" she asked, eyeing his glass suspiciously. When he responded, now forcing more confidence into his voice "Of course!", she grabbed his glass and took a big swig.

At his protest, "Naina! Kya kar rahi ho?? Jaake khud ka alag lo!", she glared back "Jab meri plate mein se saare chips khaa rahe thay... tab toh tumhe apni alag plate lene ka koi khayal nahi aaya!"

"Yaar! Par iss mein toh-", while he struggled to come conjure a reason, she scowled "Kaunse fruits dale hai iss mein? Thoda ajeeb taste nahi hai?" gulping some more, she continued "Kahi koi fruits thode kharab toh nahi thay? Humme Shilpa ko batana chahiye kya??"

He shushed her "Chodo na... khamo khaam usse embarrassment hogi. Tum isse baaju mein rakh do... main tumhare liye mangola lata hu."

On returning with bottles of mangola and cola, Sameer nervously asked, noticing the empty glass now set on a cabinet next to her "Glass khaali kaise ho gaya??"

Looking a little flushed, she smiled "Shilpa ko bura lagegana agar guests ko uska punch acha nahi lag toh... iss liye maine khatam kar liya and actually after having few more sips, I realised itna bhi bura nahi taste kar raha tha!"

Oh shit! Yeh toh panga ho gaya... Monty bhaiya keh rahe thay kaffi strong bana hai rum punch... kahi isse bohot chadh na jaaye. Ab kya karu?! Sameer looked around uncertainly. His Munna-Pandit weren't there to help him either.

Setting down the soft drink bottles, he hurriedly brough back a plate filled with lot of food. "Naina, thoda khana kha lo..." But she vehemently declined the offer "Sammy, pata hai aaj bohot dinon baad ji thoda halka lag raha hai! Peechle kuch dinon se na... maan bohot uddas tha..."

Going silent, she mulled over her apprehensions of the last few days for a bit, while Sameer tried to sneakily feed her a couple of morsels of the samosa assuring her it was one of the best he had ever tasted.

After absentmindedly munching on one bite for a long time, she declared "I guess I am happy ke Rohan bhaiya ki shaadi ho gayi! Jab woh itne khus hain toh hum kaise dukhi reh sakte hai nahi??"

Suddenly lowering her voice a little, eyes twinkling, she whispered "Sammy, games shuru hone se pehele main uppar bathroom use karne gayi thi... galti se galat darwajha khola... toh, Rohan bhaiya aur Bhabhi kiss kar rahe thay. Bechare Rohan bhaiya itne laal ho gaye na mujhe dekh kar!"

For a moment, he was about to lecture her for sharing something so personal about the couple, till he realised by the look in her eyes, and the following giggle, that she was already quite tipsy. Instead he just pleaded, "Naina, please galti se bhi ghar jaake kisse se kuch mat kehna. Especially, tumhari pyari Dadi-sa se!"

She glowered "O ho... iss mein darne wali kya baat hai? Husband-wife hai woh... chahe jitna kiss kare!" and them continued in a singsong tone, "Jab pyar kiya toh, darna kya... pyar kiya... koi chori nahi ki..."

Noticing the look of alarm on his face, as he tried to shush her, she sighed "Darro mat, kissi ko kuch nahi bataungi..." When he started "Darru kaise nahi? Jaisa abhi mujhe bataya.. waise hi ghar jaake-", she cut him short, "Par tumse toh no secrets, right? Issiliey bataya."

Desperately hoping that the effects of the rum would be completely gone by the time they got home, Sameer nodded.

He was mentally planning how to sneak Naina to her room, if she was still not quite normal on reaching home, when Leena joined them "Third game shuru ho raha hai. Sameer, will you be my partner?"

Sameer suddenly realised that they had totally missed the second game that had been played.

The next game about to commence; Shilpa had specifically planned to force Rohan to publicly pick up Payal. The participating couples were expected to start dancing on a fully open newspaper sheet to a mishmash of songs specifically created for the game. The dancers were expected to keep their feet confined to just the surface covered by the newspaper. If either stepped outside the newspaper, the couple was disqualified. And, every time the song changed the couple had to fold the newspaper into half and keep dancing.

Some of the singles were also equally excited to take part as this would provide a good chance to get cozy with someone that they had a crush on. Leena too, keen to avail of the opportunity, had approached Sameer.

Not that he would have been keen to partner with Leena in any other circumstances, but the idea of leaving Naina on her own, especially now, was preposterous. "Sorry! Maine already isse promise kiya hai ke isske sath participate karunga! Chalo Naina, tumhe dance karna hai na?"

As he dragged her on to a newspaper, Naina muttered uncertainty "Newspaper pe kyu dance karna hai? Agar Kissko isse padhna hoga toh? Sab se poochna chahiye humme..." After assuring her that everybody had already read it, Sameer entreated her "Dekho bus do minute dance karenge... aur phir hum out jo jayenge... toh sofay pe baithke dekhenge ke kaun win karta hai, okay?"

"Koi aur kyu win karega? Uss din... Richa ki party mein toh bada keh rahe thay ke tumhare hotay main haar hi nahi sakti... toh aaj bhi mujhe hi jeetna hai!"

Despite some internal conflict, his own desire to beat the other couples resurfaced, and Sameer smiled back "As you wish! Get ready to rock!"

Leena stood sulking to the side watching Sameer and Naina get into the grove, as the evergreen song from Bhramachari, that Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaaz had danced to many decades ago, started playing.

Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche har zubaan par

Looking extra adorable, Naina pouted - Achha?

When Sameer mouthed the words -Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

She impishly shrugged - To kya?!

Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche har zubaan par

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

Humne to pyaar mein aisa kaam kar liya

Pyaar ki raah mein apna naam kar liya

Humne to pyaar mein aisa kaam kar liya

Pyaar ki raah mein apna naam kar liya

Shilpa has clearly chosen the song to celebrate Rohan and Payal's legal union, but everyone else embraced the vibe very enthusiastically too.

Do badan ek dil ek jaan ho gaye

Manzilen ek hui humsafar ban gaye

Do badan ek dil ek jaan ho gaye

Manzilen ek hui humsafar ban gaye

Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par

Achha?

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

To kya!

Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

A couple of guys were so committed to mimicking Shammi Kapoor's dancing technique that they immediately lost sight of the newspaper under their feet and had to exit the game very quickly!

Kyun bhala hum daren dil ke maalik hain hum

Har janam mein tujhe apna mana sanam

Kyun bhala hum daren dil ke malik hain hum

Har janam mein tujhe apna mana sanam

Along with the other couples, Sameer and Naina were also having a blast. Everyone was delighted by the challenge Shipla had set forward with this song.

Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par

Achha?

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

To kya!

Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par

Sab ko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayi

As the song ended, the newspapers under the feet of those still in the game were folded.

A slow, sensual melody from the movie 'Julie' now filled the room. And the air within sizzled with desire, similar to that which had burned the hero-heroine in the movie in so many ways.

Dil kya kare jab kisi se kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

Jane kaha kab kisi ko kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

Unchi-unchi diwaaron se, is duniyaan ki rasmein

O, na kuch tere bas mein julie, na kuch tere bas mein

Dil kya kare jab kisi se kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

Jane kaha kab kisi ko kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

The unknowingly consumed alcohol was showing its presence in the way Naina, eyes half closed, was moving to the seductive beats. Breaths quickening, Sameer watched her with growing fascination. Seeing her dance wasn't new. But with slightly parted lips, like a moan was eagerly waiting to escape, she looked like seduction personified.

Jaise parabat pe ghata jhookti hain

Jaise saagar se lahar uthti hain

Aese kisi chehre pe nigaah ruktee hain

Some of the dancers who weren't really couples, stepped off the newspaper, finding both the confined space and the sensuous song hard to handle.

Jaise parabat pe ghata jhookti hain

Jaise saagar se lahar uthti hain

Aese kisi chehre pe nigaah ruktee hain

Try as he may, it was impossible to move his gaze away from her.

Rok nahin sakati nazaron ko duniyaan bhar ki rasmein

Na kuch tere bas mein julie, na kuch tere bas mein

Aa, main teri yaad mein sab ko bhoola doon

Duniya ko teri tasveer bana doon

Mera bas chale to dil cheer ke dikha doon

Some couples were so lost in each other that they had no clue where they were stepping anymore and were forced off the dance floor.

Aa, main teri yaad mein sab ko bhoola doon

Duniya ko teri tasveer bana doon

Mera bas chale to dil cheer ke dikha doon

For some time, Sameer truly forgot where they were. Or surrounded by whom. There was only her. Leena's grumpy glances, someone's smirks, some scandalized whispers – he was completely oblivious to it all.

O, daud raha hain saath lahoo ke pyaar tera nas-nas mein

Na kuch tere bas mein julie, na kuch tere bas mein

As she swayed a little erratically, he reflexively put his hands on her waist to steady her. Looking up, Naina smiled at him and hummed along the remainder of the song –

Dil kya kare jab kisi se kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

Jane kaha kab kisi ko kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye

Once again it was time to fold the newspapers, with only four couples still in the game.

While the newspapers were being folded, fairly, under Shilpa's supervision, feeling terribly parched, Naina slipped away to quickly grab a glass of water.

The super hit song, that every young heart of their generation has yearningly listened to, while waiting to his bride or groom, started playing.

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Pyar hota hai deewana sanam

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Two of the couples quickly exited the round, post an attempt to dance with the girls standing on the guys feet.

Everyone assembled immediately instructed the newlyweds, who were still strategizing their next step, to learn from the mistakes of their seniors and rather than steeping on each other's toes try something else.

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Pyar hota hai deewana sanam

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Pyar hota hai deewana sanam

Ab yahan se kahan jaayein hum

Teri baahon mein mar jaayein hum

Someone sniggered, "Rohan, ab zindagi bhar jiske nakhare uthane hai... aaj usse bhi utha lo!"

Not at all averse to the notion, the groom happily obliged and picked up his new wife, bridal style.

As everyone cheered for the couple, Monty praised his childhood bestie ""Yeh hui na mardon wali baat! Kaise ek minute mein bhabhi ko utha liya!" Turning to Sameer, he winked "Bade bhaiya toh chaa gaye... par apki partner kaha hai? Ya surrender kar rahe ho??"

"Surrender? Aur Sameer Maheshwari?? Kabhi nahi!" Sameer countered haughtily.

The moment Naina returned, after quenching her thirst, he scooped her in his arms, mimicking his brother and stood on the folded newspaper. Shocked, she protested "Sameer! Utha kyu rahe ho? Girra doge mujhe!", but he frowned back "Jeetna hai na game humme... toh bus hilo maat! Nahi girrayunga."

The idea of any further objections were squashed as the romantic lyrics cast a spell over them.Hearts hammering, both let their eyes resonate the sentiments their lips hadn't been allowed to, yet.

Aankhein meri, sapne tere

Dil mera, yaadein teri

Ho mera hai kya... la la la

Sab kuchh tera... la la la

Jaan teri, saansein teri

Meri aankhon mein aansoo tere aa gaye

Muskurane lage saare gham

Seeing Naina looking disturbed the last few days, Sameer's heart had been panging too. The few times, when he had raised the question, she had shrugged it away – sometime citing the course pressure, and once grudgingly admitting that the visit to the family home had affected her.

So, though scandalised by her accidently getting a little drunk, he was pleased to see her unwinding and finally enjoying herself.

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Pyar hota hai deewana sanam

Ab yahan se kahan jaayein hum

Teri baahon mein mar jaayein hum

Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam

Monty clicked a photo and declared laughing heartily, "Uncle-Auntie ko dekhaunga ke donon bete kaise gabru jawan ho gaye hai!" Trying to stand still, both Rohan and Sameer warned him that such action would lead to the doors of Nirmala Niwas getting closed to him forever. Some light-hearted negotiation followed.

After about two minutes of the Maheshwari brothers standing strong, lifting their partners, people started getting restless to carry on with other activities. With neither Rohan or Sameer willing to concede defeat, Shilpa finally declared them both winners. Only then, were the women put down.

Everyone once again occupied the dance floor as more peppy songs were played.

Happy from their win, and high from the rum punch, Naina continued to scintillating sway on the floor. And Sameer was only glad to obligingly twirl and dip her as the tempo required.

Going by the number of eyes that frequently swung in their direction, they were making a very pretty picture, and noticeable too.

Leena, along with few others, had to resign herself to finding other not-so-alluring partners.

* * *

Sometime later, Naina headed to the upstairs bathroom as the downstairs one was occupied. After using the ensuite toilet, craving for some fresh air, parting the huge curtains, she stepped into the adjoining balcony.

The cool and crisp air being just what she needed after the exuberant dancing of the past hour, her muscles relaxed as she drew in some deep breaths. After serenely watching the night sky for some time, her gaze lowered to the surrounding area consisting of farm land and orchards. It reminded her of Raipur. But with that memory her back grew rigid.

Since that day in her family house, she had been struggling with two things – possible implications of Kaka-baba's words, and Sameer's assurance that nothing and no one would ever come between them.

That Sameer had meant it was clear, but she couldn't understand how he could claim it with so much conviction.

Her cheeks warmed afresh recalling how he had just lifted her downstairs. To avoid the risk of falling down, she had slipped her arms around his neck. Being held so intimately should have felt awkward, but it had felt so good! Oh... the feel of his broad shoulders and solid chest – she tried to pipe down the sensations surging within.

Her heart started beating ferociously, wondering if there could possibly be a future together for them.

Her musings ended at the sound of a group of few girls entering the room outside. Following a quick argument about whose need to use the toilet was bigger, one rushed inside, leaving the other's animatedly discussing the party downstairs.

Realising, Payal was part of the group, Naina was about to pull the curtain away, but her extended hand paused midway when she heard Leena complain "Payal Di! Aap ka devar toh hume bilkul attention nahi de raha hai."

"Mera kaam tha intro karwane ka, jo maine kar diya. Ab aage kya hota hai... main kuch nahi kar sakti!" Payal chuckled, while checking her reflection in the mirror and tidying her hair.

"Di, maine toh khud usse jaake dance ke liye bhi poocha tha... toh mujhe chodke uss Naian ke sath chala gaya... aur usse pehle toh Sameer usse pakode... ya samose... kuch toh khilane mein laga tha.", Leena whinged.

Another girl rubbed salt over Leena's wounded ego "Aur Didi-Jijaji ke sath-sath woh donon jeet bhi gaye!"

Bristling at the thought, Leena retorted "Usse tum jeetna kehti ho? In fact, baad mein toh mujhe laga acha hi hua main nahi dance kar rahi thi Sameer ke sath! Itni besharmi se behave karna mujhse nahi ho sakta tha... yu sabke saamne kissi ki bahoon mein jhulna..."

"Leena! Kya bol rahi ho?!" Payal snapped, perturbed at her words.

"Aare Di, aapki baat alag hai! Aap aur Jiju toh married ho. Uss mein kya galat hoga? Par Naina ka yu dance karna... chee!"

Chee! Naina breathing grew uneven, as that single word pierced her heart. Her, now slightly trembling, fingers tightly clutched the balcony railing.

But Leena, not done with spewing her malice, continued "Zara bhi sharam nahi hai kya usse?? Kaunsi unmarried ladki aaise chipak chipak ke kissi ke bhi sath dance karti hai?"

"Stop it Leena! Rohan ki behen aur meri hone wali nanand hai woh. Aur Sameer ke sath dance kar rahi thi... kissi stranger ke sath nahi. Koi baadi baat nahi hain iss mein!" Payal's ire flared.

"Stranger nahi hai, yeh toh dikh hi raha tha. Pata chala din mein bhaiya aur raat mein saiyaan!" Leena countered, which earned some sniggers from the other girls.

"I don't want to hear more rubbish! Aur please ghar jaake yeh stupid baatien apni mummy se share maat karna. I don't want Pinky massi gossiping about my sasural with all the aunties! I am warning you... if a word of this gets back to my mummy, everyone in the family will hear about your all night drive with Mehul!" Payal stomped out the room.

Leena followed Payal, offering her explanation, "Mehul ke sath main sirf drive pe gayi thi! Sath mein aur do log thay. Aur passanger seat main baithi thi! Usski god mein nahi. Aare Di... sunno toh sahi.. kuch nahi bolungi kissi-"

The rest of the girls left the room five minutes later after freshening up, but Naina, pale as the wisps of clouds floating overhead, stood rooted in place for a long time. Mortification, dark as the night sky, engulfed her as she mulled over her supposedly brazen behaviour.

As she dwelt on the matter, some irritation flared at Sameer too, for choosing to spend so much time with her and providing ammunition for gossip, for he had barely left her side all evening even before the dance.

"Naina! Naina!!" She heard Sameer call out from outside the room, followed by Rohan's question "Are you sure, neeche kahi nahi thi??" Sameer responded, "Check kar liya maine... aur game ke baad usse uppar aate dekha tha maine. Phir Monty bhaiya se baaton mein lag gaya toh samjha hi nahi ke woh neeche nahi hai..."

Pulling the curtain aside, she muttered "Kya ho gaya?? Itna kyu shor maccha rahe ho? Idhar hi hu main!"

Both the brothers first expressed their concern at her disappearance from the party for so long and then chided her for staying up for so long, apparently admiring the night sky, while they had been so worried about her.

For the remainder of the party, Naina made a point to stay, away from Sameer and, glued at Payal's side. When Sameer enquired how she was feeling, he was baffled by her brusque request to let her mingle with the female guests. Attributing her strange response to the lingering effects of alcohol he didn't dwell on it for long. Anyway, soon following a quick meal and the cutting of a cake by the newlyweds, the party was wrapped up.

* * *

The next morning, Naina woke up resolved to tell Sameer how his carefree behaviour of the previous evening had pinned a question mark on her character.

But the moment, she knocked on his door, pulling her inside, he asked sounding worried "Ab thik ho? Hangover feel ho raha hai toh ek sardard ki golli lelo... aur nashta thoda heavy khana aaj."

As she muttered, uncertainly, "Hangover kyu??", he scolded her "Aur kabhi bhi bina jaaye ke glass mein exactly kya hai, peena mat. Samjhi?! Kal toh main tha sath tumhe sambhalne ko... Par nahi hota toh? Ya agar kal bhi kuch taklif hoti tumhe toh??"

Guilt flooded her veins, as he shared how being a little tipsy she had insisted on wanting to win the dance competition. If he blushed a little at the memory of their win, it was lost on her in that moment. Assuring him that she was alright, and apologising for her stupidity, Naina retired back to her room.

* * *

The following two days, till Rohan's departure, passed in the expected blur of visitors, stuffing Rohan with all conceivable favourite foods, packing and then teary goodbyes. Post which, the Maheshwari household settled back in its routine.

Both, Sameer and Naina, got busy with their course work. Especially Sameer, since his manager had offered him, and another intern, a last-minute opportunity to accompany and assist her at a convention in Mumbai, where their company was going to have a stand. Though the tasks allocated to him would be more admin focused, he was understandably excited, it was still a great opportunity to gain valuable experience of interacting with seniors in that field. But this meant, he had to complete few assignments ahead of time.

Naina too tried to immerse herself in her assignments, but Leena's thoughtlessly hurdled accusations often caused ripples of hurt, shame and anxiety within her. Though grateful to Payal for defending her, she worried about Rohan's in-laws gossiping about her character, or the perceived lack of it. She was livid at herself that, by one idiotic act of unknowingly getting drunk, she had exposed Sameer, herself and her whole family to ridicule.

And yet, while she tried to accept all responsibility, a small voice within harped that Sameer wasn't exactly blameless either. 

Agar mujhe hosh nahi tha... toh usse toh tha na? Chalo agar maine zidd kar bhi li, ke mujhe game jeetna hai, toh kya woh pretend nahi kar sakta tha ke galti se uska pau bahar gir gaya? Exactly Naina! Saara Kasur tumhara nahi hai. Aur maine toh kaha bhi tha ke utha kyu rahe ho... par sab ke saamne hero banne ka shauq jo chadha tha!

Every time she recalled those moments atop the newspaper, when he had been intently gazing into her eyes, almost to the depths of her soul, Naina inadvertently remembered all the times she had often found him staring at her with an overwhelming intensity in the recent months. Where in the past it had given arise to some unnamed flutters, now, post this latest incident, it resulted in a hurricane of apprehension.

She also started doubting her past choice to ignore the comments from some of the girls in her college. Back then, she had disregarded them thinking they were nothing but just a result of the overactive imagination of narrow-minded, mean girls. Girls - who hated her for often being praised by her professors, and for bagging one of the most coveted internship on offer to her class that year. But now, she wondered if she should have paid them more heed.

All the antagonising and introspection led her to one decision. It was time to tackle the bull by the horns. That is - talk to Sameer. After some more coiling and uncoiling of her insides, nervous about his reaction and fearful that he might instantly march over to Payal's house and demand an apology from Leena or maybe something even worse, she decided to raise the topic with him the next day, just before he left for Mumbai. 

Haa Naina, yahi thik hoga... waise thoda time milega uske dimag ko thanda hone ke liye. Phir wapas aane ke baad main usse samjha dungi ke humme soch samajh kar behave karna chahiye... I am sure, woh samajh hi jaayega. Right??

* * *

The following evening, much to Naina's disappointment, Sameer got home quite late, just about an hour before his classmate, Prakash, was to pick him up for heading to the train station.

Naina hovered around the dining room, casting frequent glances at the wall clock, while he gobbled his dinner as his mother and grandmothers doled out lots of advice.

That evening, all the elders were supposed to attend some distant relative's daughter's wedding reception. Naina was glad that this would provide her with some alone time with Sameer to broach the sensitive topic. But despite some prodding from her, they took their sweet time heading out.

After waving them a goodbye, Sameer rushed upstairs to grab a quick shower. While he was inside, Naina paced in the corridor outside the bathroom.

The moment he stepped out, donning a vest and a towel tied around the waist, she trailed behind him "Sameer, jaane se pehele kuch baat karni hai..."

When he nodded, but started closing the door, she absentmindedly muttered from the outside "Darwaja kyu band kar rahe ho??" Looking surprised, he exclaimed "Change karne ja raha hu... andar aana chahati ho kya?!"

"Nahi toh! Change karlo... baad mein baat karte hai... main yahi khadi hu.." she coloured with embarrassment.

As he got dressed for the journey, Sameer was puzzled about her odd behaviour. These past few days he hadn't managed to spend time with her, and now wondered if something was wrong. Had that Sharad started pitching his case again??

The moment he opened the door, sounding apologetic, he started "Sorry yaar! Char-panch din se tumse thik se na baat karne ko time mila... aur na tumhe college se pick-up karne aa saka. Promise, wapas aake, things will be back to normal. Bolo kya hua? College mein kuch problem hui hai kya?" 

Scowling, he continued "Woh Sharad kahi tumhe pareshan toh nahi kar raha hai? Kasam se, Mumbai se aate hi college aake usse sab ke saamne do keech ke lagayunga aur saara romance ka bhoot uttar dunga uska!"

Unnerved by his promise to create another public spectacle, Naina struggled to find her voice for a bit. 

Finally, clearing her throat, she started rattling off her mentally practised speech, "Mujhe patta hai, tumhe sunn ke ghussa aayega... par phir bhi yeh kehena jaruri hai. Dekho mujhe bhi acha nahi laga, aur jaanti hu ke humme har aare gaire ki baaton pe dhyan nahi dena chahiye... par kabhi kabhi shayad galti hamari bhi ho sakti hai. Toh sochna chahiye. Main jaanti hu ke uss din party mein jo hua... uss mein jyada tar galti meri hi hai, par tumhe bhi sochna chahiye tha na?Kke log kya sochenge... kya kahenge..."

"Naina! Kya bole jaa rahi ho?! Yaar, mujhe literally train pakadne jaana hai! Kya hua? Kissne kya kaha?" he shook her by the shoulder.

Looking wretched, she shared the conversation she had overheard. And just as she had expected, Sameer's features darkened with rage with every word she uttered.

The moment she paused, he hissed "Aur yeh tum mujhe ab bata rahi ho?! Kissi ne tumhare liye itni ghatiya baate kahi aur tumne mujhe bataya bhi nahi? Ussi waqt uss Leena ko jawab deta main!"

"Sammy... baat sirf usski nahi hai... aur bhi log baate banate hai humare baare mein. Please baat ko samjho! I don't want people to gossip about us."

Just then, Prakash honked from outside the gate, proclaiming of his arrival.

Internally cursing the bad-timing, Sameer enunciated, as he grabbed his two bags from the bed and exited his room, "Jissko jo sochna hai soche... ya bole! I DON'T CARE!"

Naina iterated, as she followed him downstairs, "But I do care! Bhaiya ka sasural hai ab yaha... fark padta hai Sameer. Aur dekho, tum mujhe college se pick karna bhi band kar do... waha bhi kuch ladkiya tumhe mera pseudo... pseudo boyfriend bulati hain."

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, eyes blazing, he spit out every word loud and clear "Pseudo boyfriend?! Jaake unse kaho, there's absolutely nothing pseudo about me. Or us! I love you, Naina! I love you!"

A declaration of love was the last thong that she had expected from this conversation and she stuttered "Love... tum.. mujhe?? Sameer... aaisa kaise... sab kya sochenge??"

Pointing at the newly mounted family photo on the living room wall, he demanded "Tell me, what do you see in this photo?"

Still in shock over his love confession, sparing the photo a cursory glance, where they all stood behind Nirmala, she mumbled "Rohan bhaiya ke sagai ki photo hai... aur kya?"

Prakash honked again, this time for longer, indicating his growing impatience.

After briefly glancing at his watch, Sameer said "Pata hai, mujhe iss photo mein kya khass nazar aata hai? Four women – of whom, three are already Mrs Maheshwari, and one, soon-to-be."

Not satisfied with just honking, Prakesh had decided to head inside to urge Sameer to hasten. The sound of the gate being opened alerted Sameer of the arriving company. 

Before he stepped out of the door, Sameer reiterated "As I said, I don't care, kaun kya kehta hai! All that matters is – I love you! Aaj tumse keh raha hu, aur kal puri duniya ke saamne bhi seena thok ke yahi baat kahunga. Darta nahi hu kissise!"

Exiting the house, he assured Prakash that he was ready to leave and then called out to Naina "Kal sham ko phone karunga. Talk to you then. Bye." Too shellshocked to conjure any response, she wordlessly nodded.

* * *

(Hi Dearies, 

Hope you enjoyed this long part. So, Sameer's feelings are out in the open! What did you think of his confession?  

And big congrats to all the supporters of the 'Men in Blue' on the epic T20 World Cup win yesterday!!! 

Take care. Lots of love, May)