Three years later.

Lush green fields and bright colorful streets reflected the ambience of the place.

A car stops in front of a large mansion, Prakash Khanna engraved on the name board.

A tall man stepped down the car. He was handsomely dressed in a Formal Suit and carried an office bag in his hand.

As soon as he entered his home he was greeted by a group of happy people. They were his family celebrating a merry occasion on the success of his deal.

Shweta: Neil... Tu aa gaya... Aaj baith na...

The entry, Neil smiled at his mother and placed the office bag on the table. He was about to go and sit on the sofa next to his aunt when he was stopped by a babyish voice.

Voice: papa chabao...

He at once looked to his right. A little girl of about two years came towards him and hugged him from his legs. All others giggled at her actions.

Neil smiled lightly and picked the girl in his arms. He pressed a tight kiss on her cheeks while the girl laughed at feeling ticklish because of the stubble on his face.

Neil: chabao nahi baby bachao hota hai...

Girl: wahi wahi chabao na...

A girl in mid twenties came from the room calling for the little girl.  She was Naina.

Naina: arrey Arohi shaitaan ruk tu....

Little Arohi hugged Neil's neck. While Naina stood there with her hands on her waist.

Naina: accha hua aap aa gye... Itna pareshan kar rahi hai yeh mujhe.

Zoya: kya kiya isne ab?

Listening this voice Arohi hid more into Neil's chest.

Neil smiled at her and gently stroked Arohi's hair.

Neil: bas abhi koi meri princess ko tang nahi karega.. Okay Arohi?

Arohi: yes chachu...

Arohi smiled and kissed Neil on his cheek. She got down his arms and ran towards the room.

Arohi is Ali's daughter. She loves Neil more than her own father. Even khanna family treated her as their own daughter. Since Ali's parents had to stay abroad and he and his wife are busy with their respective jobs, She stayed here very often.

Today she and her mom, zoya both were here helping shweta with the guests.

Zoya: Neil tum bhi na... Bigaad ke rakha hai usko.

Neil: arrey bhabhi jaan... Is umar ke kya karwana hai aapko us se.. Khelne do na...

Zoya chuckled and shook her head in disbelief.

Zoya: tabhi mai sochu ki humesha chachu chachu kyu hota rehta hai...

Shweta: Neil tum bhi na... Chal aja baith... Naina beta Neil ke liye pani le ke aana...

Naina smiled at him and walked to the kitchen.

Neil: haan maa.

He sat next to his aunt.

Mandana: Neil tujhe yaad hai na aaj ka?

She was Neil's aunt and prakash's sister.

Neil: haan bua mujhe acche se yaad hai... Aap usko puch lijiye...

Mandana smiled at her nephew and walked to the kitchen.

Few hours later.

Neil and Naina sat in a restaurant in front of each other. Some months back he had agreed to marry Naina. Today was there first formal date.

Waiter placed their order in front of them and left serving in their plates.

The silence in this private cabin was way too intolerable. Neil decided to initiate the conversation.

Neil: ab... Khana shuru karein?

Naina nodded. Both dug into their plates eating the lavish cuisine they had ordered. Naina stole glances at him. She smiled sadly looking at Neil.

He is someone completely different person. She had known him for 5 years but these three years had changed him a lot. He was once someone who could not stay quiet for long but today it's been one hour the only words he spoke were 'khana khaye?'

After their lunch, Neil cleared the bills and walked out. Naina closely followed his steps.

Naina: Neil...

Hearing her voice he turned to her.

Naina: ab... Main kya keh rahi thi hum ab kaha jayenge?

He let a deep breath and thinks.

Neil: I think... Castle chalte hai...

Naina smiled thinking about the castle and nodded.

The ride was silent with momentary small talks which naina started.

They reached the castle and looked at the building. It was an old building built during British era. The Royal looks were renovated by some organization.

They entered the building and looked around. Neil was leading the way. Naina was a few steps behind him.

They had to pass through a dark passage. Afraid of dark Naina involuntarily clutched his arm in her hands. Neil looked at her in shock.

Naina had closed her eyes muttering something  to herself only. He placed a hand on hers and walked hastily towards the end.

Reaching in light he patted on her hands slowly.

Neil: naina... Hum aa chuke hai bahar...

Naina who had her eyes closed till now opened and looked at him. She saw how she was clutching his arm.

She immediately left him feeling embarrassed.

Naina: I'm sorry... Mujhe andhere se dar lagta hai to...

Neil: it's Okay.. Upar chalte hai.

She nodded lightly and walked in front of Neil.

Sitting in the lounge on the terrace Neil looked at naina.

She had her eyes down to the ground. Her cheeks were red. She is beautiful in every aspect. The way she talked the way she shied away everytime he sees her. She could be perfect for him. His family had chosen her for him she needs to be the best.

He had already prepared himself for marriage with naina. But before moving ahead he wanted to tell her each and every thing of his past.

Neil: naina... Kya aapko mere mumbai wale dino ke baare mein kuch pata hai..

Naina: hmm... Thoda bohut.

Neil: jaan na nahi chahte?

Naina: Kahiye...

He looked into her eyes and found honesty. He took few deep breaths and started. He narrated each and everything he had with avni. His proposal her rejection.

Naina: fir us ladki ka kya hua?

Neil: mujhe nahi pata...

There was a silence following this line. 'May be naina will reject him' this thought crossed his head.

Naina: yeh sab shadi ke pehle ki baatein hai... Phir bhi apne mujhe batana chaha thanks...

Neil: sun ke gussa nahi aaya?

Naina: abhi mera koi haq nahi hai... Haan lekin Agar kabhi baad mein aisa hota hai to main zarur  sochungi ki peeche wali nadi mein koodna hai yaan pankhe ke saath jhoolna hai...

Neil smiled a bit.

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

A few days later

A big hall is seen. It was elegantly decorated with flowers and lighting.

A couple was seated on the  sofa on the stage.

They were Neil and Naina. It was their engagement ceremony in progress.

Shweta: chalo ji ab main kehti hoon rings bhi exchange kar hi lete hai...

All agreed. Naina saw Neil through the corner of her eyes. He felt lost somewhere. She carefully slipped the ring in his finger. All the guests clapped.

A ring was handed over to Neil. He took it between his fingers but his heart was somewhere else. Prakash shook shook him gently bringing him out of his trance.

Prakash: Neil kya soch raha hai? Ring pehna..

Neil looked around and nodded. Taking naina's small hand into his large ones he softly slipped the ring in her finger. Everyone clapped cheering for this new relation.

Neil saw his family and everyone happy. He puts on a smile.

Neil: (to himself) qb woh sab beete kal ki baatein hai... Aaj se mera aaj, mera kal, sirf naina hai... Mujhe kisi qur ke bare mein nai sochna

He determined in his heart.

After the engagement ceremony Khanna's reached their mansion. They were surprised to find a car car already parked in front.

Getting inside the house, Neil Was shocked finding a very familiar face standing in front him.

It was Ashish Mehta.