While covering the distance of about a twenty meters, Naina felt like her feet had turned to lead, and each step an herculean task.

Sameer's heart pinched, noting the dark shadows that had appeared around her eyes since his departure.

The anxiety pulsating off her was palpable, but seemingly only to him. For as the girls reached him, completely oblivious of the undercurrent, Shefali enquired smiling "Hi Sameer, how was your trip? Naina bata rahi thi bohot amazing opportunity mili tumhe! Event ekdum mast raha hoga na?! I just love Bombay! Very person seems so focussed and clear on where they want to go! "

After amicably responding to her queries, for a minute, Sameer turned to Naina "Chale??"

Not wanting to risk him reading her state of mind, she nodded and waved at Shefali. His unexpected arrival had unnerved her. Aaj toh Tuesday ya Thursday bhi nahi hai... Wapas aate hi aa gaya?

As Naina got on the bike, Shefali called out "Ek aur golli khane se pehele, kuch thik se khaa lena! Aaj lunch bhi thik se nahi khaya tune. See you tomorrow!"

Twenty seconds into the ride, Sameer scowled over his shoulder "Golli kyu khane hai tumhe? Mummy ne toh kuch kaha nahi ke tabiyat thik nahi hain tumhari."

"It's okay. Bus thoda headache hai."

A minute later he stopped the bike in front of a chemist, "Medicine karid lo."

"Ghar pe hai."

"Hum ghar nahi jaa rahe hai. Dawai le lo. " he instructed. But when she just stood there looking a little uneasy, he headed to the store.

Watching his back, she tried to gain perspective – In a way, achaa hi hai. Abhi bahar baat ho jaayegi... thik se samjha dungi usse.

Returning, he handed her the medicine strip "Restaurant jaane ke baad, kuch khaa ke lena."

Instead of their usual haunts, he took her to one which was fairly empty. Noticing her puzzled look, he let out a small dry chuckle "Busy nahi hota, kyu ki jyadatar khaana kuch khaas nahi hai innka... par bread pakode ache hote hai. Waise bhi mujhe nahi lagta tumhe khane mein koi khass interest hai aaj, right?"

She found herself smiling slightly at his logic, and then thought – Chalo yeh bhi acha hai... ghussa wussa ho gaya toh koi pehechan wali dekhne ka risk bhi nahi...

Ordering two plates and some cold drinks, Sameer ushered her towards a table to one side.

Trying to delay the inevitable, if only for a few more minutes, she glanced around. As her gaze nervously flitted around taking in a frame of Sai Baba and two of waterfalls, Naina fleetingly lamented that the despite the owners effort invite good energy and blessings, the eatery was floundering. She sighed slightly thinking, they should have focussed more on the quality of their product and aesthetics of the place.

Sameer silently watched her, trying his hardest to read her expressions and body language. Ever since she had abruptly ended their conversation on the phone, he had been trying to bolster his moral that her behaviour probably had more to do with the audience, rather than the subject itself. But the lacklustre smile and restrained reception he had received outside her college gate had squashed that hope.

A server soon placed the piping hot pakoras and cold drinks on their table.

As she watched the boy walk away, she decided to bite the bullet. Taking a small sip of her magola, she started "Sameer, humme thik se... thande dimag se... sochna chahiye-" he interrupted "Pehele khaake, dawai le lo. Iss waqt tumhare dimag ko usski sakht jarurat hai."

Though she frowned, Naina followed his advice. And while she ate, switching to a neutral  topic, for the time being, Sameer spoke about his Mumbai trip. Her frown soon eased as she raptly listened to his experience. When she inquisitively asked some questions, Sameer imperceptibly relaxed a little.

As her headache started easing, she wondered if it was the effect of the pill, which she had gulped halfway through the pakoras, or the reassurance that they could still sit and chat as they always had. That his confession would not change everything.

When there was about quarter pakora left in her plate, she reflexively pushed it towards him "Bus ho gaya mera... khatam kar do." And then colored a little "Matlab... agar tumhe chahiye toh... agar mera nahi khaana-"

Rolling his eyes, Sameer picked the leftover and took a bite "Do din mein tumhara jhoota mere liye off the menu nahi ho gaya! Aur na tumhara headache mujhe contagious lagta hai." Taking a small pause, he egged her "Ha, par kabhi kabhi tum khud hi ek headache ban jaati ho!"

She immediately took bait "O! toh main headache hu tumhare liye... phir toh yeh baat bohot easy ho jaayegi! Mujhe toh aaise hi tension aa raha tha ke kaise samjhayungi tumhe. Par, agar main sardard hu.. toh phir toh tumhe mujhese dur rehne main koi problem honi hi nahi chahiye, correct? Aur, woh I love you bhi kehna nahi chahiye tha! Toh wapas le lo... aur baat khatam!"

Glad to see her being her usual spunky self, he smiled overly "Sameer Maheshwari kitna dilwala hai, yeh tum achi tarah jaanti ho. Ek baar kuch de diya... toh wapas lene ka sawal hi nahi aata! Itne saal jab tumhe diye hue pencils, rubbers, sketch pens, batteries – jo tum humesha mujhe bina bataye mere Walkman se gayab kar deti hu – kuch bhi wapas nahi liya hai. Toh ab dil kaise le lu?"

Few seconds ticked by, as Naina sat there speechless, stunned by his casual assertion that she had his heart.

The said heart, thundering wildly in his ribcage, waited for her reaction.

Finally, clearing her throat but still sounding croaky, she started yet another rehearsed speech, "Sameer, I was clearly surprised, jab tumne kaha... par please yeh mat samjhna ke main tumhare jazbaaton ki kadar nahi karti."

"But??" he interjected

Thrown off by his interruption, she blinked "Kya?"

"Clearly you are trying to get to a 'par' or 'but'..." he muttered darkly.

Taking a deep breath, she resumed "Haa... toh I appreciate your feelings. And I don't want you to think ke mainne thik se socha nahi hai-"

"Naina, please yeh ratta mari huyi dimag ki baate mat sunnao mujhe! Maine jo kaha hai, dil se kaha hai, aur tumhare dil ki sunna chahata hu-"

"Ek toh tum baar baar beech mein bolna band kar do! Main chahati hi hu ke hum dimag se soche. Kyu ki yeh baat sirf humme affect nahi karegi! Sameer, aur main humare gharwalon ko ignore karke koi baat sochna chahati bhi nahi hu!" she voiced all her pent up frustration.

Resisting the urge to snap back, he squeezed his eyes shut. On opening them, he spoke in a calmer tone "Ok... lets go through the list."

"Kaisi list?" she muttered, feeling off balance by the abrupt change in his attitude.

"Sab gharwale aur unsse associated objections. Actually, let me start with assuring you... Rohan bhaiya ko koi problem nahi hogi. After all, pyar ki baat woh nahi samjhange toh kaun samjhega, right? So, tick." Using a finger, he gestured a tick mark in the air. "Next, Dadi. Ab bolo."

Taking a sip of the soft drink, to wet her very dry mouth, she uttered "Dadi... ne hamesha mere bohot laad uthaye hai. Aur Nani ne bhi! Parvati Dadi ke baad mujhe kabhi grandmother ki kami mehsoos nahi hone di. Sameer, main tolerate nahi kar payungi agar woh mujhse muh pher le... agar unhe lage mainne unki achai ka fayda uthaya hai..."

Using his fingers to count, he said "Peheli baat - pyar ka izhaar aur pehel main ne ki hai. Toh tum kissiki achaai ka fayda uthane ka sawal hi nahi aata. Dusri – I promise you, iss baat pe toh, Dadi tumse kabhi naraaz nahi hongi! Aur na Nani."

Even as she was wondering how he could claim it with so much confidence, he raised his brow "Papa ki baat kare?"

"Kaka-baba ne toh... na sirf gaav ki zameen, ghar... sab hisaab itni saari zimmedaariya uthayi hai... par mujhe such much beti banake rakha hai... Kitna trust aur confidence hai unnhe mujh par, Sameer!"

When he quirked a brow "Toh??", she was baffled, "Kya matlab, toh??"

"Toh, how are you going to break his trust? Are you planning to empty his account and disappear? Waise toh I am sure, unhonne kabhi tumhe as an investment treat nahi kiya hai, par agar hota bhi toh, yaha toh tumhe ghar mein rakhne ki baat ho rahi hai? Kaunsa tum unnke kissi business rival se rishta jodne jaane wali ho? I mean, what's the exact objection here?!"

"Sameer, tum bohot jyada practical baate kar rahe ho! Think about their emotions! My emotions. Mumma mere liye such much meri Mumma hai! Ek pal mein... agar sab kuch badal jaye toh... I won't be able to handle it." Naina was struggling to find the right words. He seemed to have a counter argument for her every objections.

After momentarily frowning, he responded with a cheeky smile "Yeh wala objection to valid hai... mujhe bhi sochna chahiye tha. Koi baat nahi, hum apne bachon ko seekhyenge ke Papa aur Mummy ko Nana-Nani kahe... Rohan bhaiya ke bache waise hi unhe Dada-Dadi kahenge. Iss tarha toh sabke saare armaan pure ho jayenge, right?"

Cheeks flaming at the image of their kids, Naina stuttered "Kuch bhi... mera woh matlab nahi tha... bache kaha se aa gaye??"

"Aare... jab aayenge tab ki baat kar raha hu... abhi kaha honge? Aur aayenge toh waise hi jaise sab ke aate hai. Ek minute! Please don't tell me ke tum ab bhi 'bhagwanji bhejenge' ya koi tote-kabutar le aayenge aaise ideas mein believe karti ho!"

Quickly ensuring that the two men sitting two tables away didn't seem to have overheard Sameer, she hissed "Pagal ho gaye ho kya?! Kuch bhi bole jaa rahe ho! Sameer, please do minute ke liye seriously socho – sab jaan pehechan wale, rishtedar, neighbours... Mumma ki friends... sab kya kahenge! Kya sochenge mere baare mein... ek bhai bhaiya aur ek bhai sainya!"

Contrary to her expectation, he shrugged "Toh iss mein ajeeb kya hoga? Sabke sath yahi toh hota hai... Mummy ko hi dekh lo – Papa unke sainyan hai, right? Ab Papa ko koi saga bhai nahi hai... par unke saare counsin ko Mummy bhaiya ya jiji hi toh bulati hai, nahi??"

Feeling like she was banging her head against a stone wall, Naina exclaimed "Par woh toh shaadi ke baad bulati hai!"

"Thik hai. This objection has been noted. Next wala kya hai?" he nonchalantly guzzled some of his cola.

While she tried to recall her next concern, he added "Waise tumne unhe mention nahi kiya tumhare list mein, lekin phir bhi clear kar raha hu – Munna-Pandit tumhe khushi-khushi Bhabhi, Didi, Naina... jo tum chaho bula lenge. Aur tumhare friends bhi mujhe according to your preference address kar sakte hai." Taking a contemplative pause, he continued "Yaar, par agar ek-do Jijaji kahe... toh thoda woh jija-saali wala tashan ka maza aayega, nahi?"

Naina stiffened, incredulous and disappointed at his flippant behaviour. Here she was, trying to get him to see her point of view, understand her fears, reassure her that her apprehensions were misplaced. But he was refusing to acknowledge the validity of any of it.

Suddenly deciding that her endeavour was completely futile, she started gathering her things.

"Naina, kya kar rahi ho? Yaar, abhi toh baat shuru huyi hai!" Sameer was surprised to see her getting ready to leave.

"Ghar jaa rahi hu. Kyu ki tum meri baat sunn toh rahe ho, par na toh samajh rahe ho na koshish kar rahe ho!" she was clearly exasperated. 

He sighed "Yaar, sunn toh raha hu... aur har kissiko kaisa handle karenge tumhe samjha raha hu! Samajh toh tum nahi rahi ho. Haa, if you are worried about that Leena or Shobhna auntie. I seriously don't care about them!"

"Sameer, baat sirf Leena ki nahi hai!.", a pause later, she continued, with a faraway look, "Jo ussne kaha, kal woh aur log bhi kahenga. Kamya ne bhi wahi kaha tha... ke tumhare parent ne toh mujhe almost adopt hi kiya hai. Toh sab logon ke liye hum toh Bhai-Behen jaise hai. "

"Kaun Kamya?" he couldn't recall any Kamya from that party. She tsked "Meri school classmate thi na... Kamya."

As a memory rose to his mind, he muttered "Oh... woh short-skirt Kamya.." When she immediately scowled "Short-skirt Kamya... matlab?" He explained "Aare uss waqt, school mein tumhare aage wali batch mein bhi ek Kamya thi, jo specs pehenti thi. Toh ladke usse 'chashmish Kamya' aur tere class wali ko 'short-skirt Kamya' bulate thay."

Naina was greatly perturbed at the idea that while she, crazy about him, had been running in circles around Sameer, he had been focused on some other girl. Pursing her lips, she retorted "Bada dhyaan tha tumhara usspe aur usske short skirt pe?! In fact, aaisa karo, usse hi jaake propose kar lo! I am sure, ek minute mein haa keh degi! Saare problems hi khatam ho jaayenge, nahi?!"

"Yaar, kaha ki baat kaha le jaa rahi ho! Maine thode hi usska naamkaran kiya tha... sirf humare school ke nahi, aadhe Ahmedabad ke ladke usse waise hi jaante thay. Jo dikhta hai... log bolenge!"

She stood up "Exactly! Log toh wahi bolenge jo unnhe dikhta hai! Humare baare mein bhi! Yahi baat main kabse bol rahi ho."

Not ready to leave, he asserted "I am not leaving! Meri baat abhi puri nahi hua."

She countered "Par meri toh ho gayi! Par haa, tum na mere jaane ke baad, instead of just arguing with me yaha baith ke actually mere concerns ke baare mein socho. Sameer, hum kissi island pe nahi rehte, chahe humme acha lage ya bura... fact remains we are part of this society! Jab log kadwi baate karte hai, meri family ke baare main gossip karte hai, toh mujhe fark padta hai!"

As she picked her bag, he snapped "Hello! Sirf tumhari... meri bhi family hai woh. In fact, tumhare aane ke pehele se! Dushman nahi hu main unka. Tumhari Mumma meri bhi bohot kuch lagti hai!" 

"Haa, zarur lagti hai! Issiliye logon ki baate sun ke unnhe kya lagega yeh socho." she stalked out.

Their raised voices at the end, had the three current patrons glancing at then curiously. But they quickly looked away when, glaring back, Sameer demanded "Kya ho gaya uncle?? Aap ke ghar mein kabhi koi jhagda nahi hota kya?!" 

Watching her hail a rickshaw and climb into it, Sameer's irritation surged. Pata nahi khud ko kya samajhti hai! Aadhe ghanta mein itne objections raise kar diye, ke maanon mujhse restaurant baat nahi, kissi courtroom mein case argue kar rahi ho! Aur baar baar ek hi point 'Milord, samajh ka sochega?'!

As he settled the bill, paying the man a few extra rupees, he angrily dialled Munna's number.

* * *

After some frantic phone calls and co-ordination, post the call from Sameer, Munna and Pandit reached their usual hangout café. As Munna haphazardly  parked his bike, Pandit muttered "Bhangwan kare koi bada kand na hua ho... kal Hanuman ji ko diya lagane jaunga yaar."

Munna shook his "Jiss tarha Sameer ka phone pe para chadha hua tha... lagta hai Naina ne ekdum clear cut isse reject kar diya."

Pandit frowned, as they headed inside "Reject kaise kar sakti hai?! Itna pyar karne wale ladke agar reject ho jaye toh phir humara kya hoga yaar??"

"O bhai! Tu na ab kuch der ke liye sirf Sameer ke problem pe focus kar. Dekh humme usse bohot narmi se handle karna hoga... abhi ghusse mein hai woh, par humme usse aaram se samjha ke ghar bhejna hoga takki phir Naina se thik se aage ki baat kare. Aur haa, please thodi der ke liye menu aur kya order karna hai issme hi mat lag jana!" Munna continued issuing numerous dos and donts to his friend for till they found Sameer settled on a table at the back.

But contrary to they expectations, their friend was smiling and chatting with Chottu, the boy who often served them. As soon as he noticed them, Sameer asked them "Falooda ka mood hai, chalega?", and on their slight nods, winked at Chottu "Ja fatafat teen special kesar dry fruit falooda le ya!"

Hearing the order, Pandit whispered to Munna "Special falooda?? Hum itne tension mein aaye, aur yeh toh ekdam relaxed dikh raha hai... Kahi sadame mein toh nahi chala gaya?" Equally puzzled, Munna muttered "Mujhe baat karne de."

Taking a seat next to Sameer, he tentatively started "Sorry... traffic tha issliye late ho  gaye. Jyada der rukna toh nahi pada tujhe??"

Sameer shrugged "Its okay, bus pandhara minute huyi honge."

His friends exchanged a confused glance, for they knew how much he hated having to wait alone. Usually this would have resulted in a whinging session of at least five minutes and today of all the days he didn't mind it?

Thinking this was just the calm before the storm, Munna nervously sipped some water and then asked in a what he hoped was a soothing tone "Naina, waha se hi ghar chali gayi? Akeli kaise gayi?"

"Darwaje ke bahar hi rickshaw khada tha, wahi leke gayi."

Munna fumbled trying to find the right words "Oh... mood thik tha uska... aur tera? Nahi, matlab phone pe tera aawaaj sunn kar zara pareshan ho gaya tha main... par lagta hai sab thik hai. Tera toh falooda mood hai... toh, shayad mujhe hi kuch galatfaimi ho gai thi... Telephone mein hi kuch kharabhi thi..."

"Chennu poochna chaha raha hai ke Naina se kya baat huyi? Aur yeh special falooda kiss khushi mein mangaya hai?!" Pandit barged in. Noting Munna's annoyance, he shrugged "Jitna tu dara raha tha uthna toh kuch lag nahi raha mujhe!"

Munna mumbled "Phone pe toh kuch keh raha tha – 'bhad mein jaaye sab duniye wale' types..."

Sameer frowned, "Haa, uss waqt bohot ghusse mein tha. Ek toh meri puri baat sunne bina hi madam waha se chali gayi! Aur uppar se, pura waqt mujhe kya feel hota hai yeh poochna chod ke duniya bhar ke kaka-kaki kya sochenge iss pe atki rahi!"

Pandit blurted "Kaun? Tere woh Gandhinagar wale Kamlesh kaka? Woh bhi aaye thay kya restuarant mein?! Aare unnhe samjha dena tha ke wah ka khaana bhi thik nahi hai. Kahi aur chale jaaye."

Munna glowered "Pandit! Yaar tu usse thik se bolne de, apne funde apne pass rakh! Sameer, tu thik se bata Naina kya bol rahi thi."

Over the next ten minutes, Sameer shared all the objections and fears that she had raised, before leaving in a huff.

When he paused, Munna wondered aloud "Toh humare aane se pehele tune phone pe usse baat bhi nahi ki... phir bhi tera mood itna achaa kaise ho gaya? Equation kuch balance nahi ho raha hai..."

Pandit had a different doubt "Yaar, I am sure, woh short-skirt Kamya toh ab Mumbai mein rehti hai... toh phir ussne Naina ko tumhare situation ke baare mein kab sunnaya?!"

After chewing on his lower lip thoughtfully, Sameer responded "Haa... yeh toh maine pucha hi nahi usse." 

Then he addressed Munna with a smile "Tera doubt sahi hai, pehele toh mujhe bohot ghussa chadha tha. Par phir yeh aate-aate suddenly dimag ki batti jali! I reaslied, ussne ghar ke saare logon ke taraf se objections uthaye... bus ek ko chod kar!"

Scowling, Pandit asked "Kaun?? Tumhari kaam wali? Usse kya objection hoga?! Aur hoga bhi toh kya fark padta hain... Usse toh ek minute ke tata-goodbye bol sakte hai!"

Eyes twinkling with excitement, Sameer uttered "Aare! Ussene khud ki taraf se toh koi objection uthaya hi nahi!"

"Ha yaar! Sabse important toh woh hota! Naina ne yeh toh kaha hi nahi ke usse tu pasand nahi hai! Agar aaisa hota toh baaki sab ki baat karne ki bajay, woh seedhe-seedhe wahi kehti!" Munna's face lit up.

Pandit clapped loudly, drawing a few glances from the people around them, "Matlab, aag toh udhar bhi lagi hai! Abe teri love story toh chal padi, ekdum fifth gear mein!" Picking up his falooda glass, he held it up "Iss baat pe toh full cheers!"

Grinning widely, Sameer clinked his glass with both his besties.

* * *

"Aur tu mujhe ab bata rahi hai?! Itna kuch ho gaya... Naina, tujhe Rohan bhaiya ko bolna chahiye tha ke unnke sasural wale aaisi behuda baatein karte hai!" Rising from the bed, Swati paced around looking very annoyed.

Baffled by her reaction, Naina asked "Tujhe sirf, utna hi sunnayi diya?? Sameer ne jo... bola... uska kuch bura nahi laga??"

Swati frowned "Bura kyu lagega?? Pyar karta hai tujhse yahi toh bola hai... aur shaadi karna chahata hai. Iss mein kya kharabi hai? Yaar, mujhe toh uss Beena pe ghussa aa raha hai!"

"Beena nahi, Leena hai." Naina corrected her.

"Beena ho ya Leena, jo bhi hai... mere saamne aaye toh baal noch lungi usske! Himmat kaise hui usski mere best friend ke character pe sawal uthane ki!" Swati continued ranting for some time.

Still confounded by her reaction, Naina asked "Tujhe shock bhi nahi laga Sameer ki baate sunn kar??"

"Thoda surprise toh hui hu... par shock nahi. Bachpan se dekh rahi hu tum donon ko... ek dusre ke aage peeche ghumte ! Dekh, Archit bhaiya aur main bhi ek dusre ki bohot care karte hai, par tera aur Sameer ka relationship hamesha se hi kuch alag raha hai.", after taking a contemplative pause, Swati went on, "Par haa, tera darr bhi sahi hai. Shayad tumhare gharwalon ko aaitraz ho sakta hai... unnhe shayad shock lag sakta hai."

"Hai na?! Maine kitna samjhane ki koshish ki usse... par Swati, woh bilkul baat sunn nahi raha tha. Meri har baat ka phat se jawab de raha tha... jaisse main hi kuch ajeeb soch rahi hu!" Naina started anxiously fiddling with her fingers.

Reaching out to clasp her hand, Swati softly asked "Kya tunne yeh socha hai, ke agar gharwalon ke feelings ki chinta na hoti, toh tere jawab kya hota?"

The silence that followed as Naina gulped, swallowing words she was not ready to utter, was very telling.

Smiling slightly, Swati hugged her childhood friend. Then abruptly changing the topic, she asked "Sunday ko market chalegi? Do duppatte kharidne hai."

Naina nodded "Tailor ke pass bhi jayenge. Geeta Mami ne dress material gift kiya hai abhi, woh silvana hai."

"Yaar, teri Geeta Mami toh hamesha achi chiche deti hai! Warna meri donon Mami... bus kuch... sale mein mille huye kapade deti hai! Sab kuch out of style hota hai..." Swati grumbled as they exited her room.

* * *

It was a little after eight when Sameer pushed the gate open to park his bike. 

Vishakha immediately hollered from the porch, "Kaha reh gaye thay donon itni der! Dadi aur Nani - donon har do minute mein mujhe pooch rahi hai tumhara!" Craning her neck, noting the empty space near the gate, she asked sounding worried "Aur Naina kaha hai??"

Getting off his bike, Sameer frowned "Naina... ghar nahi aayi? Par woh toh kabki..."

Rushing down the four step, Vishakha exclaimed "Teri sath hi toh thi na?! College se pick-up karke kahi friends ke milna ka program tha na tumhara?"

Appearing in the porch, and having overhead the last part, Nirmala convened her interrogation "Laado kaha hai?! Kaha chod ke aa gaye usse? Aare, itna andhera ho gaya! Yeh bhi koi waqt hai ghumne phirne ka!"

After bewilderedly wondering where she could have disappeared for almost two hours, especially in the current circumstances, Sameer almost ran inside and dialled the number she was most likely to be available at. 

Though she wasn't there, it put an end to the last few minutes of worry.

"Swati ke ghar gayi thi. Thodi der pehele nikali hai waha se, Archit ke sath. Bus pohochti hi hogi." he informed all the ladies expectantly staring at him.

Whilst a relieved Vishakha retreated to the sanctuary of her kitchen, the two older ladies grumbled about the dire state of safety on the roads these days and how the kids easily overlooked it.

When Naina arrived, two minutes later, Sameer was standing by the gate.

After exchanging some greetings with Archit and waving him goodbye, he informed Naina "Andar tumhari pyari Dadi-sa ne ghar sar pe utha liya hai! Phone karke bataya kyu nahi ke Swati ke yaha ho? Main thodi der pehele Munna-Pandit se milkar aaya toh bus question-answer session shuru ho gaya!"

"Bus... bhool gayi. Ghar aane hi nikali thi... par phir Swati se milne ka maan ho gaya." Apprehensive about his state of mind post their earlier conversation, she quickly hurried inside.

But she realised her folly, when on stepping inside, Nirmala questioned "Aare, Sameer ke sath bahar gayi thi toh phir usse bina bataye Swati ke ghar kaise chali gayi? Yaha hum sab pareshan ho gaye!"

Not used to fibbing to her family, she muttered whatever popped in her head, recalling what Sameer had mentioned outside, "Woh main restaurant mein bore hone lagi thi... toh Swati se milne chali gayi. Aur phir Sameer bhi toh Munna-Pandit se milne jaa raha tha...."

Exiting the kitchen, Vishakha asked sounding confused "Jab Sameer ne kaha tha ke tumhe pick karke friends se milne ka plan hai, toh mujhe laga Munna-Pandit, Swati... tum sab mil rahe ho... toh phele kaunse doston se milne gaye thay restuarant mein??"

Seeing her clueless expressions, Sameer stepped in "Mere college ke friends se milne gaye thay!" But this explanation only further puzzled his mother "Tere college ke friends... unnse milna Naina ko kyu le gaya tha?" Not able to think of anything else, Sameer responded "Ek classmate apne engagement ki treat de raha tha... uski fiancé bhi thi waha... toh Naina ko company ke liye leke gaya tha."

Satisfied with this explanation, Nirmala first nodded "Aare, yeh toh achi baat hai.", then tsked "Par Laado ko thik se tayar hoke le jata... bechari din bhar ki thaki hogi. Aur wahi college ke kapdon mein le gaya!" Turning to Naina, she raised her eyebrows, "Aur tu waha se nikal kaise gayi? Aare, Sameer kissise milane le gaya tha, toh yaha rukna chahiye tha. Aaj hi uss Swati ke ghar jana jaruri tha kya??"

When Naina started fumbling "Dadi... woh... main-", Sameer interjected "Dadi, woh ladki jaane ke baad hi Naina bhi chali gayi thi..."

Slow to catch up on the conversation, Savitri frowned "Kaun ladki??"

Nervously licking his lips, Sameer fabricated the additional details, before presenting them "Nani, mere classmate Jitendra ki mangetar Jigna... jisse milne Naina ko le gaya tha... woh chali gayi thi. Toh Naina kya karti waha, nahi??"

Wishing to avoid any further questioning, he rushed upstairs saying he needed to use the toilet. But Naina had to spend five more minutes, responding to queries from all the women about who exactly was present at this event, details about Jigna, and her forthcoming nuptials!

The moment she was upstairs, she glared at Sameer through his open door "Ghar pe bola hua jhoot mujhe bataya kyu nahi?!" 

When he shrugged "Jo such hum discuss kar rahe thay usske saamne bilkul important nahi tha... issiliye bhool gaya.", she countered "Abhi jo tumne jhoot ka dukaan neeche khola hai, ab usski kuch aur nayi shakhaye khuli gayi hai! Toh aage ke saari sales enquiries tum hi handle karna. Aur woh bhi bina kissi training ke, jaise maine abhi handle ki hai!"

As she turned to leave, he stopped her, grasping her arm. Using his free hand to hold his left ear, he pouted "Sorry yaar! Kuch aur sujha nahi... toh bus..."

Nonplussed, by his tone and words, Naina stood staring at him for a few moments. Post their debate earlier in the evening, she had expected him to be sulking and upset. Maybe even avoid her, or definitely be a little short with her. But he was being the perfect gentleman!

Absentmindedly, muttering "Its okay..." she returned to her room.

* * *

Over the next two days, Naina bafflement grew, when he continued to act like everything was perfectly normal between them. Like she had never turned down his proposal! He still returned home with her favourite chaat, or playfully swiped the food off her plate.

Saturday night, after the two grandmothers had retried for the night, Naina was watching the comedy movie 'Hera Pheri', for probably the tenth time, with Vivek and Vishakha. She was lying in the sofa with her head in Vishakha's lap, with her Mumma absentmindedly massaging her scalp as all of them heartily laughed over Baburao's dialogues.

After the tension of the last few days, this was exactly what Naina had been craving! Some carefree time with her family. But without Sameer, who was upstairs, though she wouldn't have admitted to him, it felt incomplete.

The gods must have been in a unspoken-wish granting mood, because few minutes later Sameer sauntered down the stairs.

Settling on the floor by his mother's feet, he muttered, as he tried to find a spot on his mother's lap "Kitne din huye aapki godd mein yu sar rakhe." 

When Naina started to get up making space for him, he pointed out "Uthne ki jarurat nahi hai. Tumhe patta hai, Mummy ki godd kitni badi hai. Hamesha hum donon ke liye jaga rehi hai iss mein. Right Mummy??"

Looking very pleased, Vishakha replied "Bilkul! Aur teenon ke liye.", then continued in a heavier voice, "Kitna acha lag raha hai... aaj kitne saalon baad tum donon ne ek sath yu meri godd mein sar rakha hai. Aaisa lagta hai abhi toh itne chotte thay..."

Sameer felt Naina's head relax against his, as Vishakha continued reminiscing about their childhood days. 

When she paused, Sameer cheekily said "Mummy, aaj toh Rohan bhaiya bhi yaha nahi hai, aaj toh admit kar hi do ke main aapka favorite beta hu!" Lightly twisting his ear, Vishakha chided "Favorite ka toh pata nahi... sab se badmash jarur hai!"

Naina remained lost in thoughts for the rest of the movie, wondering  what exactly was he trying to convey to her.

The next day too, he happily volunteered to pick her from Swati's after their little shopping trip.

On reaching home, as she alighted from the bike, deciding she needed to understand what was going on in his head, she uttered "Sameer... I am really glad ke tum sab kuch itna maturely handle kar rahe ho. Mujhe darr tha ke kahi tumhara behaviour badal na jaaye... matlab main samajh sakti hu agar tum humare beech thoda distance rakhna chaho-"

"Distance ka toh koi sawal hi nahi hai Naina. Mera behavior iss liye nahi badla hai, kyu ki na mere feelings badle hai, na mera irada!" he countered, not beating around the bush for even a moment.

He didn't miss the slight tremble of her lips, before she sighed "Sameer please... you are making this so difficult. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha hai ke tumhe kaise samjhau..."

As she walked inside, his eyed glinted with determination. It is time.

* * *

Later that night, when most of the household had fallen asleep, he knocked on her door. 

"Terrace pe chalo. Kuch baat karni hai."

Glancing at the clock, she uttered sounding uncertain "Abhi? Its already 11... aur uppar kyu?? Yaha bhi toh kar sakte hai." 

"Yaar, please sawal mat poocho. Aur haa sweater pehen ke aao, bahar thand hai. Main tumhara intezaar kar raha hu."

After staring at him walk away for a bit, she slipped on her sweater and headed upstairs, trying to avoid making any loud noises.

The moment she stepped in the terrace, Naina froze. He had laid out a mattress and two large cushions to create a little sitting area to one side. There was a thermos flask and two mugs placed next to it. But what really took her breath away was the nine candles lit in little glass jars. 

"Pehele se socha nahi tha... warna aur bohot sari candles le aata. Abhi itni hi milli neeche." he shared, sounding nervous.

"Yeh sab... kya hai?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Running his fingers through his hair, Sameer replied "Uss din, jo tumse kaha tha... thik se... matlab thoda romantic setting mein kehna chahiye tha. Socha, phir se shuru karte hai."

Her vision blurred as a thousand emotions rushed to her eyes. Some tender, and some tinged with the anguish of self denied joy.

"Sameer..." her words fled, when he tenderly held her hand "Nainu, I love you. Aur main jaanta hu, ke tum bhi mujhse-" swiftly placing a finger on  his lips, she almost begged "Nahi Sameer, yeh galat hai..."

"Nahi hai galat! Biwi ho meri. Ek baar nahi, sau baar kahunga, I love you!"

After blinking in confusion for a few moments, she let out a little mirthless laugh "Abhi char din pehele photo dikha ke mujhe 'soon-to-be Mrs Maheshwari' keh rahe thay. Aur aaj biwi bhi ho gayi main tumhari?!"

"Photo mein 'soon-to-be Mrs Maheshwari' toh maine Payal bhabhi ko kaha tha, kyu ki photo unki sagai ki hai."

Her voice, now edged with concern, she uttered "Sameer, kya ho gaya hai tumhe? Achanak aaisi bhehki bhehki baatein kyu kar rahe ho? Ab toh mujhe... darr sa lagne laga hai." 

As Naina tried to tug her hand out of his clasp, he shared with a slightly pained smile "Sorry Nainu... I am sure this will come as a shock to you, par humari shaadi toh about sola saal pehele hi ho gayi thi. We are married."

Feeling a little lightheaded, Naina managed to hoarsely whisper just a single word "Married?!"

* * *

(Hi Everyone, 

Hope you all are doing great and like this part. Finally, all the juicy details are coming out :) Do share your thoughts. 

Lots of love, May)