Prabha witnessed the happy banter between the Maheshwaris. For few moments, she had decided to talk her husband out of taking revenge from his happy family. But she knew, this is something not possible. Yes, it is possible to not harm the harmony of the family, and she will try to go with this option. As she knew money is something this family doesn't worry about unlike the Patel brother sister duo. If they could, they would have slept on a mattress made of up five hundred rupee notes. And forcibly they made Prabha turn into a money oriented person. But deep down, Prabha was still the same women who used to handle her household with limited financial support from Kamlesh. For whom peace is important not money.

Taking a long breath, she decided to let loose the string that has binded her with Poonam. It's time to put a full stop on the ten years long torture both on her and Poonam. She walked till the lawn table, and kept the tray on top of it.

Jaiprakash: Arre! Prabha tum!

Prabha: Good morning Jai Uncle

Jaiprakash: Good morning. Aaj ki chai tum kaise leke aagayi?

Prabha: Woh....Buaji se baat karne aa rahi thi. Pata chala aap aur woh yahan baithe hai aur Poonam chai la rahi thi. Toh main hi leke aagayi. Buaji kahan hai?

Jaiprakash: Jaya uss taraf hai. Phone aaya hai Namit ka. Ussi se baat kar rahi hai.

Prabha: Oh! Aap chai lijiye. Main unse baad mein baat kar lungi.

Jaiprakash: Baat kya hai? Kahin tum Poonam ke baare mein baat karne toh nahi aayi ho?

Prabha: Ji uncle. Main Poonam se related baat karne aayi hun.

Jaiprakash: Toh kya faisla hai tumhara? Tum Poonam ko Jaya ke saath jaane dogi?

Prabha: Ek baar Buaji ki baat khatam ho jaaye. Main aap dono ko ek saath apna faisla sunana chahti hun.

With that, Prabha left after passing a small smile. Jaiprakash was having mixed feelings. He wasn't able to understand what was going on in Prabha's mind. He didn't want to think negative, and due to Prabha and Kamlesh's past actions, he couldn't think in the positive side as well.

Jaiprakash: Ab toh Shri Krishna hi jaane Prabha ke mann mein kya chal raha hai. Bas, jo bhi faisla ho iska, woh Poonam aur baaki sab ke liye sahi ho.

When Prabha entered the house, she found Poonam entering the kitchen from the other side where her room is located. She looked really good in the mauve kurta and trousers with floral dupatta. Prabha was happy to find our choice suiting Poonam.

Prabha: 10 saal mein pehli baar maine Poonam ko kuch diya, aur woh uss par accha bhi lag raha hai. Kaash maine 10 saal pehle yeh kar liya hota. Toh shayad aaj situation kuch alag hoti. Main, Kamlesh aur Poonam ek sukhi parivaar hote. Ab maafi agar bhi mangne jaun toh kis muh se mangun?

Prabha was lost in her thoughts, when she heard Vishakha screaming Poonam's name for her green tea, and her gaze fell on Poonam who was holding the cup of green tea, was about to climb the stairs. Prabha stopped her, and kept the cup on top of the dinner table.

Prabha: Tum lunch banane ke liye jao. Vishakha khud aake green tea le jayegi.

Poonam: Nahi Maaji! Main de aati hun. Khamakha kyun Buaji neeche aayenge. Main upar chali jaati hun.

Prabha: Maine kaha na! Vishakha khud aake le legi. Meri baat suno! Aur jaake lunch ki taiyari karo. Jao! Baat suno apni saas ki! Aur kuch bhi ho jaaye, kitchen se bahar maat nikalna.

Poonam: J.....jj.......jii M...mm......maa ji.

Poonam ran inside the kitchen and got busy in preparation for lunch. While after two more hollering, Prabha exhaled loudly and replied in a loud voice.

Prabha: Neeche aake green tea khud le lo Vishakha! Poonam busy hai!

Within a minute, Prabha could hear Vishakha's fast footsteps. Prabha calmed herself down and gathered herself to face the storm.

Vishakha: Aissa kounsa kaam hai uss ladki ko, jo mujhe meri green tea nahi de sakti!

Prabha: Maine usse kuch kaam diye hai. Woh hi kar rahi hai Poonam. Tumhari green tea yahan table par rakhi hai. Le lo aur pee lo.

Vishakha: Table par rakh sakti hai par upar aake mujhe nahi de sakti. Kaamchor hogayi hai yeh. Jabse Jaiprakash Maheshwari ne isse bachaya hai. Tabse zyada parr aagaye hai iss ladki ke. Sabak sikhana padega isse!

Prabha: Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aur kal se apni green tea tum khud kitchen se leke jaana. Poonam ko baaki kaam hai.

Vishakha: 10 saal se meri sewa karna bhi uska kaam hai. Infact farz hai uska! 10 saal se apna farz nibhati aayi hai. Ab bhi nibhana chahiye usse. Tumhara kaam baad mein kar legi. Pehle usse aake mujhe meri green tea mere haath mein deni hogi. Usko bulao! Kahan hai woh!

Prabha: Nahi Vishakha! Poonam nahi aane wali aur na hi tumhari jee hazuri karna Poonam ka farz hai. Uska farz apne saas sasur ki sewa karna hai. Aur uski saas main hun aur sasur Kamlesh. Tum uski Bua saas ho. Aur tumhari sewa karna uske liye optional hai. 10 saal se uski sewa le rahi thi. Ab nahi. Kuch kaam tumhe khud karne honge meri pyaari nanad ji. Warna waqt se pehle jodo mein dard aur kamar mein akadne aa jayegi.

Vishakha: Pagal hogayi ho tum Bhabhi! Main kyun karun kaam? Bahu hai Poonam! Uska farz hai saare kaam karna.

Prabha: Exactly! Poonam bahu hai! Meri aur Kamlesh ki. Aur tumhe apni sewa karani hai toh apni bahu se karwao. Par unfortunately tumhare paas beta hi nahi hai toh bahu kahan se hogi. Aur jo beta mila hai shaadi ke baad, usko tum maarne aur bechne ka plan bana rahi thi. Toh usse gawa diya aur iss naate Naina bhi tumhari bahu nahi rahi. Ab toh tumhe tumhare kaam khud karne honge Vishakha!
Hmm?

Prabha walked away, and Vishakha was looking at her back with shock. But she turned around and gave a sarcastic smile to her.

Prabha: Poonam ki haath ki akhiri green tea ka cup thanda ho raha hai. Pee lo. Warna khud jaake banana pad jayega tumhe.

And she left. Leaving a flabbergasted Vishakha.

Vishakha: Aaj iss chawl wali ke rang kuch badle badle lag rahe hai. Budhiya ne iske do teen kaam ki tarif kya kar di, yeh hawa mein udne lagi. Isko zameen par laana hoga. Aur uske liye mujhe Kamlesh ko yeh sab batana hoga.
Prabha! Aaj ki tumhari iss galti ki sazza tumhe bhugatna hoga. Ab tak sirf beta chihna tha. Ab pati ko bhi khone ke liye taiyar ho jao. Maheshwaris ko barbaad karne se pehle mujhe iss do kodi ki chawl wali ko barbaad karna hoga. Aayi badi bahu ki sewa lene wali!

Vishakha gulped the cold cup of green tea, and went to search for Kamlesh. Poonam who was in the kitchen, heard everything, and was shocked till the core.

Poonam: Yeh Maa ji ko ho kya gaya hai? Aaj subah se ajeeb harkatein kar rahi hai. Pehle mere liye kapde layi, phir mujhe chai dene se maana kiya, aur ab Buaji ko bol rahi hai ki mujhe apna koi kaam karne na bole. Kya chal raha hai inke dimaag mein? Bas ab aur kuch bura na ho Bhagwaan. Main thak chuki hun ab, jaisa chal raha hai waise chalne dijiye. Ab koi naye tarike se Maa ji mujhe aur taklif na de.

Meanwhile Prabha entered in her room, and sat on her bed. Finally she was able to oppose Vishakha. From past 18 years, Prabha was bound to do whatever Vishakha said her to do. Even though she was elder to her by relationship, but thanks to Kamlesh's unconditional and never ending love for his sister, Prabha had to keep her self respect aside and obey Vishakha.

Prabha: Iss Vishakha ki baatein sun sunke hi maine Poonam ki yeh halat kar di. Agar maine iski baat nahin suni hoti toh aaj Poonam shayad mere liye meri gunehgaar nahi balki meri beti jaisi rehti. Mujhe Poonam ko Buaji ke saath Patna nahi bhejna padta. Par Vishakha ne mere mann mein zeher iss tarah se bhar diya hai ki chahkar bhi main cheezein badal nahi sakti. Par ab aur nahi. Jitna galat hona tha ho chuka hai. Main iss ghar mein ek aur Poonam ko janam nahi hone dungi. Naina ke saath ab sirf Jaiprakash ji, Vivek aur Sameer nahi, balki main bhi hun. Toh kya hua agar main Sameer ki sagi Mami nahi hun. Uska mera bas naam ka rishta hai, par usne kabhi mere saath kuch galat nahi kiya, toh phir main uske saath galat kaise hone dun. Main aissa nahi hone dungi. Kamlesh se baat karke unke mann se bhi Sameer Naina ke rishte ko bigadne ka khayal nikal dungi. Iss ghar ne ek ladki ke saath nainsafi dekh li, par ab dusri ladki ke saath nainsafi hote nahi dekhne dungi.

Prabha was still in her thoughts, when she heard her phone ringing, and she picked her phone to find Jaya calling her.

Prabha: Ji Buaji!

Jaya: Neeche mere kamre mein aa ja. Baat puri kar lete hai. Aur aate aate Poonam ko saath leke aana.

Prabha: Ji Buaji!

Prabha walked to her cupboard, and picked up a photo frame. It was the first and last photo frame of her complete family. The picture had captured the smiling faces of Kamlesh, Prabha, Devang, and Poonam.

Prabha: Ab waqt aagaya hai. Devang! Beta, apni Maa ko maaf kar dena. Teri Maa teri biwi ko uske haq ka samman nahi de payi. Samman ke jagah maine usko gehra zakhm diya hai. Ab aur nahi. Usko finally aaj azaad kar rahi hun. Iss kaid se.

Taking a deep breath, Prabha went out of her room, and fetched Poonam from kitchen who was busy cutting vegetables.
And both of them walked to Jaya's room.

Jaya: Aao aao!

Poonam: Bua dadiji, aapko kuch chahiye?

Jaya: Chahiye toh hai kuch par uske liye mujhe teri saas aur sasur ki haami chahiye. Bas ussi ke baare mein baat karne bulaya hai tujhe aur teri saas ko.

Prabha: Buaji! Mere taraf se aapko koi manahi nahi hai. Main aapke decision ko support karti hun.

Jaya: Aur Kamlesh?

Prabha: Unhone kuch sahi se kaha nahi hai, par unki bhi haan hi samjh lijiye. Woh oppose nahi karenge.

Poonam: Bua dadiji! Maa ji! Agar mera koi kaam nahi hai, toh main jaun? Woh kitchen mein maine khana adha banaya hai. Jaldi se khatam karna hai, Dadaji ki dawai ka time hone wala hai.

Jaya: Ek din bahar ka khana kha sakte hai Bhaiya. Aur yahan baat tujhse judi hai. Toh tera yahan rehna zaroori hai.

Prabha: Poonam! Dekho tum pichle 10 saal se iss ghar mein ho. Aayi bahu banke thi, par reh ek naukarani jaisi ho. Devang ke jaane ka reason maine barso se tumhe thehraya hai. Par yeh main bhi janti hun aur tum bhi ki galat tum nahi galat Devang tha. Par maine yeh jante huye bhi tumhare saath bahut bura kiya. Poonam! Ab mujhse yeh sab nahi hoga. Ab aur taklif nahi de sakti main tumhe. Isliye maine ek faisla liya hai.

Jaya: Poonam! Kal hi maine Prabha se pucha tha ki kya main tujhe apne saath Bhopal le sakti hun. Aur aaj isme mujhe apna jawab de diya hai. Sameer aur Naina bahu ke wapas aane ke baad,tu mere saath Bhopal chal rahi hai.

Poonam: Nahi Bua Dadiji! Main aapke saath Bhopal nahi jaungi.

Jaya: Kya!? Par beta......

Poonam: Mujhe maaf kar dijiye Dadiji. Par main aapke saath nahi aa sakti. Main apne swarth ke liye, ek bina taklif ke zindagi ke liye Maa ji aur Papa ji ko nahi chod sakti. Main Devang nahi ban sakti Dadiji. Saalon pehle Devang ne yahi kiya tha. Apne zimmedaariyon se muh mod diya tha. Main yeh nahi kar sakti. Mere kuch farz hai Dadiji, apne saas sasur ke prati. Haan, itne saalon se jo ho raha tha woh galat hai. Jurm hai. Gunah hai. Par jo hua usmein kahin na kahin galati meri bhi thi. Jaane anjaane meri wajah se hi Maaji ka beta unse dur hua.

Jaya: Par beta! Tu aur kab tak inn dono ke zulm sahegi? Tujhe bhi zindagi jeene ka pura haq hai. Sukoon ki sans lena tera haq hai.

Poonam: Dadiji! Agar mujhe sukoon aur inn sab se chutkara chahiye hota toh main 10 saal pehle sab chod ke bhag nahi jaati. Uss waqt mere paas job thi, main kisi bhi shehar mein reh leti. Par main nahi gayi. Inn dono ke wajah se. Jab Maaji Papaji ne mere saath woh sab karna shuru kiya tab bhi main situation se bhag sakti thi. Main ek law graduate hun Dadiji. Kounsi kounsi section lagake Maaji Papa ji ko arrest karwa deti, kisiko bata nahi lagta. Par selfish nahi ho sakti thi na. Already inhone beta khoya. Main inse inki bahu kaise chinhti? Isliye inka khayal rakhne ke liye main apne Maaji Papaji ke saath akhri sans tak rahungi Bua Dadiji! Mere liye mera parivaar yeh ghar hai. Yahan ke log hai. Maana Maaji Papa ji ne izzat nahi di, pyaar nahi diya, par yeh sab mujhe aapse, Dadaji se, Phuphaji se, Sameer se aur Naina se mila hai. Mere liye bas itna hi kaafi hai.

Prabha: Kis mitti se bani hai? Main jaane ko keh rahi hun aur tu bhag nahi rahi hai. Jab bhagna nahi chahiye tha, tab bhagne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Aur ab jab bhag sakti hai, tu hai ki bhag nahi rahi hai.

Poonam: Jis bhi mitti ki hun. Par hun toh aapki hi. Mere pass aapke alwa koi nahi hai. Aap chaho apna saara kaam mujhse kara lo. Par Maaji. Mujhe khud se dur na kijiye. Main aapko aur Papa ji akela nahi dekh sakti, maine dekha hai aap dono ko tadap ki aag mein jalte huye. Aur aapne jo kuch bhi kiya uss aag se chot lagne ke wajah se kiya. Haan mujhe bura lagta hai ki aap mujhe bahu nahi balki ek naukarani jaise dekhti hai. Par maine humesha aapko apni saas aur phir apni Maa jaise hi dekha hai.

Jaya: Prabha! Tune na jaane pichle janam mein kaise karm kiye the jo tujhe Poonam mili. Ki yeh tujhe itna sab hone ke baad bhi chodne ke liye raazi hi nahi.

Poonam: Bua Dadiji, agar ab meri zaroorat na ho, toh main chalun? Lunch banana hai. Dadaji ki dawa ka time ho raha hai. Aur aapko, Maaji, Papaji, aur Buaji ko bhi waqt pe khana khana zaroori hai. Nahi toh aap sabki bhi tabiyat kharab ho jayegi.

With that said, Poonam left. Jaya and Prabha looked at her retreating back.

Jaya: Prabha! Main tujhse bas itna hi keh sakti hun ki, ab jo tujhe malum hai ki Poonam tere aur Kamlesh saath majboori mein nahi balki marzi se rehti hai, main yeh chahungi ki bhi ab usse ek bahu ke roop mein dekhna shuru kar de. Poonam woh ladki hai jo apne 4 din ke shaadi se mile saas aur sasur ko tab chodke nahi gayi jab uske iss ghar mein rehne ki saari wajah usse dur hogayi.

Prabha: Buaji! Yeh ladki kya hai? Maine isko kya kuch nahi sunaya, gussa aane par isko khana nahi diya, kabhi thappad maar diya, isko ke Maa Baap se dur kiya, apne saare kaam isse karwaye, jaan bujhkar cheezein ganda karke isse saaf karwayi, itna zulm kiya aur yeh hai ki bhag nahi rahi. Iss kaid se azaad nahi hona chahti.

Kamlesh: Prabha! Hum dono bahut naseeb wale hai re.

Prabha and Jaya turned to see Kamlesh standing near the door with moist eyes.

Kamlesh: Maine suna jo kuch yahan ho raha tha.

Jaya: Tum dono aaram se yahan baat karo. Main jaake Bhaiya ko batake aati hun.

Prabha: Kamlesh! Mujhse ab aur Poonam ke saath badasulukhi nahi hogi. Yeh janne ke baad ki woh chahti toh kab ka hum dono ko humare bete jaisa chodke ja sakti thi, aur phir bhi nahi gayi kyunki uska humare saath rishta hai, main usko aur dard nahi de sakti. Please Kamlesh! Mujhe force maat karna.

Kamlesh: Nahi Prabha! Ab main apni galati wapas nahi dauharunga. Poonam ab se humari bahu banke rahegi. Uska saath waisi hi treatment hogi jaise humare ghar ki bahu ke saath hoti hai. Aur rahi baat Vishakha ki. Toh usko sambhal lenge. Par ab Poonam par atyachaar nahi hoga. Itne din woh humare liye rahi, ab hum uske liye aur uske saath khushi aur pyaar se rahenge.

Pari was waiting for Devang, as he had excused himself with the pretext of an urgent call from his office. She was sitting in the hall, on one of the canopy made for Mehendi, and was oscillating her legs with a cute pout. She was looking around when her gaze fell on Shefali who was feeding her one year old toddler. Pari's heart grew heavy and she felt sad. But the actual feeling was jealousy. Naina was going towards the dinner table when she saw Pari sitting alone and looking at Shefali and her toddler with sad eyes. She understood Pari's unspoken feelings, and walked to her.

Naina: Princess! Aap yahan akele kya kar rahi ho?

Pari got startled with her Chachi's voice and looked at her with astonishment, and a guilt of getting caught looking at the mother-son duo with longing eyes. But looking at Naina's smiling face, she too smiled.

Pari: Woh Pari Papa ka wait kar rahi hai. Unko ek ugrent call aaya hai, unke office se.

Naina: Accha. Aap chalo Chachi ke saath. Lunch kar lete hai. Papa ko time lag sakta hai na.

Pari: No Pretty Chachi. Main wait karungi.

Naina: Arre! Aapko bhookhi nahi lagi? Huh? Aapke chotu se tummy mein itne bade bade mouse fight kar rahe honge na khane ke liye. Aur Papa ne snacks khaya tha. Pari baby ne toh sirf breakfast kiya tha na. Chalo! Longtime ke liye bhookhi rehna accha nahi hota. Chachi apne haathon se apni Princess ko tasty khana khilayegi aur uske tummy mouse fight ko stop kar degi.

Pari: Aap mujhe apne hand se feed karoge? Jaise woh aunty kar rahi hai apne baby ko?

Naina: Haan baby. Chalo, Chachi ka haath pakdo. Aap, V Dadu, aur aapke Chachu, saath milke khana. Aur woh chocolate wali aunty bhi hongi. Tab tak Papa bhi aa jayenge.

Pari: Okay Pretty chachi!

Pari jumped off the canopy, and walked to the dinner room, holding Naina's little finger. Goenka's, Birla's, Maheshwari's, and Krisha's family smiled seeing Naina and Pari together.

Vivek: Sameer! Mujhe Naina aur tera future saaf nazar aa raha hai. Kuch saal baad jab tum dono ke bacche honge, tab woh Pari jaise Naina ki ungli pakad ke ghumegi.

Sameer smiled at his father and adored Naina and Pari. Naina sat next to Sameer, and made Pari sit on her lap.

Naina: Chalo! Chachi apni cute betu ko yeh saara tasty tasty khana khilana shuru karti hai.

Pari: Betu? Koun betu?

Naina: Aap ho na meri aur aapke Chachu ki betu. Kyun Pari ke Sameer Chachu?

And gave a bite of rice and dal, to Pari. Sameer smiled at Pari, picked up a piece of gulab jamun from his plate, and forwarded it to Pari, who happily took a bite.

Sameer: Haan! Humari cute princess. Humari betu.

Vivek stood up and picked up a spoon full of paneer gravy and rice, and fed Pari when her mouth was empty before replying.

Vivek: Aur apne V Dadu ki gudiya rani.

Pari giggled after finishing the food inside her mouth, and excitedly replied to the nicknames.

Pari: Wow! Two two new nicknames! Papa! Dekho! V Dadu ne aur Sameer Chachu Pretty Chachi ne mujhe two two new nicknames diye hai.

Devang: Arre Naina! Tum Pari ko apni godh mein baithake kyun khila rahi ho. Usko chair pe baitha sakti ho. Aadat bigad jayegi uski.....

Naina: Kyun Bhaiya? Meri Betu toh mere godh mein baithke hi khana khayegi ab se. Aur uski Chachi usko apne haath se khilayegi.

Vivek: Aur itne saal yeh tere saath discipline mein rahi na. Ab uske Chacha Chachi aur uska V Dadu usko bigadenge. Tu chahe toh sawaar lena.

Devang: Par.....

Vivek: Agar beti se jal raha hai ki usko uski Chachi khila rahi hai, godh mein baithake. Toh aa. Tu meri godh mein baith ja. Main tujhe khila deta hun.

Everyone present there laughed, including Pari, which embarrassed Devang. He looked down and with red cheeks rubbed his nape.

Devang: Kya Fufaji! Aap bhi!

Naina: Aap yahan aayiye Bhaiya! Baithke khana kha lijiye. Pari aapko dhundh rahi thi aane se pehle.

Devang nodded and took the empty seat between Naina and Neil, Akshara's younger brother in-law.

Pari: Papa! Aap yeh saara rice aur yeh two roti finish karna! Okay? Warna aap office ka kaam kaise karoge? Erengy chahiye na.

Devang: Erengy nahi baby! Energy.

Pari: Haan! Wohi! Finish karo fast fast! Dekho Pari ka rice finish hogaya aur ab Pretty Chachi roti khila rahi hai.

Devang: Okay ma'am! Main saara khana finish kar dunga.

Vivek: Naina! Beta main Sameer ko baaki ka khila dunga. Tum khud bhi kha rahi ho, Sameer ko aur Pari ko bhi khila rahi ho. Bites bhul jaogi beta. Ya toh khud kam kha logi ya inn dono mein se kisi ek ko kam de dogi.

Naina: Nahi Papaji, main kar lungi. Aap chinta maat kijiye. Maine teeno ka alag alag rakha hai na.

Vivek shook his head, and continued eating. Goenka's and Krisha's family along with Abhira, Neil, Parth, Shefali, Manjari, and Anand were adoring the family Maheshwari family. But Mahima was still fuming due to the humiliation she faced by Vivek.

Mahima: Devang! Pari ki Mom? I mean kabhi dikhi nahi hai tumhare saath. Woh Udaipur mein nahi hai?

Devang's hand halted, and his throat dried. He didn't know what to reply as Pari was also present there.

Pari: Aunty! Meri Mumma na God ke paas hai. Woh unki favorite child hai, so God unke bina zyada time reh nahi paaye.

Sameer: Mrs. Birla, Pari ki mom ek police officer thi. So, duty mein she sacrificed her life.

Mahima: Toh Devang, tumne second marriage ke baare mein kabhi kyun nahi socha? Your daughter is young. She needs a Mom.

Naina: Mrs. Birla, it would be appreciated agar aap humare family matters mein interference na kare. Already aapke wajah se humare family ka emotional aur physical drainage hua hai. Ab aap iss choti bacchi ka mental peace maat bigadiye. It's a request. Pari ko Mom chahiye ya nahi, woh uske Papa aur hum sab decide kar lenge.

Anand: Mahima! Enough! Shut your mouth and eat your lunch.

Pari: Pretty Chachi!

Naina: Haan ji!

Pari: Maine suna hai aur see bhi kiya hai ki Mumma apne baby ko khana khilati hai. Jaise aap mere Mumma jaise ho, toh aap mujhe khila rahe ho. Par aap toh Sameer Chachu ke Mumma nahi ho na. Toh unko khila rahe ho.

Naina giggled and pinched her nose.

Sameer: Mera haath toota hai na. Toh mujhe aapki Pretty chachi khila de rahi hai.

Pari: Par, yeh toh aapki woh hai na. Woh....woh kya word tha. W se......yaad nahi aa raha. Papa! Help!

Devang: Wife baby!

Pari: Yes! Wife. Yeh aapki wife hai na.

Naina: Haan ji. Aur wife ka kabhi kabhi Mumma wale work bhi karti hai. Jaise abhi main kar rahi hun.

Pari: Oooooooo

Devang: Pari, dekho Papa ke rotis khatam ho rahe hai. Aapke abhi tak finish nahi ho rahe. Jaldi khatam kar lo. Phir hum Dida ke paas jayenge.

Manish: Beta, tum Sangeet nahi attend karoge?

Devang: Nahi Uncle. Actually Pari ke principal ke saath evening mein meeting fix huyi hai. Iske TC ko leke baat karni hai. Plus mujhe bhi office bulaya hai.

Swarna: Par shaadi toh attend karoge na aap beta. Please maana maat karna.

Devang: Aunty, kaam bahut saara hai. Agar main nahi aa paya toh Pari ko drop kar dunga. Waise bhi ab yeh Sameer, Naina aur Fufaji ke bina reh nahi pa rahi.

Abhimanyu: Koshish kariyega aane ki.

Devang smiled and nodded. After finishing their lunch, Pari and Devang left to finish their incomplete works. Krisha's family went back home so that they could take some rest before leaving for the booked hotel, for Sangeet function. Birla family too left, except for Abhimanyu and Akshara who were living in Goenka House.

Naina had just entered her room, and closed the door, when a strong arm got wrapped around her waist, and she collided with a hard and muscular torso. With the musk fragrance, she knew who it was and she leaned on him. Sameer smiled and nuzzled his nose in her hair. They kept standing in silence for sometime, in that position. But Naina being a responsible and caring wife, broke the silence so that she can usher him to sit, as his feet had just started gaining it's original strength and she can't let him exert pressure on them.

Naina: Meer....

Sameer: Ufff......tumhari awaaz sunne ke liye kaan taras gaye the. Subah se tumhari awaaz nahi suni.

Naina giggled and turned around in his embrace. She pinched his nose and he pouted.

Naina: Abhi 10 min pehle tak saath hi the hum. Humne baatein bhi kari hai, tab meri awaaz bhi suni hogi aapne. Phir kaise keh rahe hai ki subah se meri awaaz nahi suni hai.

Sameer: Naina! Woh alag hai aur yeh alag hai! Tum neeche jaane ke baad se sirf mujhse baat thodi kar rahi thi. Tum Pari se, Bhaiya se, Papa se, Akshara se, Abhimanyu se, aur baaki sab se bhi baat kar rahi thi na. Tumhara centre of attention main nahi tha na. Ab finally main banne wala hun.

Naina: Thik hai, ban lijiye mere centre of attention, but bed par baithke baniye. Paon ki bas sujhan kam huyi hai, dard toh ab bhi hoga thoda thoda. Zyada der khade maat rahiye. Phir shaam ko aapko wahan function mein ghumna hoga. Par aap pura time mere saath rahenge.

Sameer: Yeh koi bolne wali cheez hai. Arre Naina! Meri jaan! Jabse tumne mujhe I Love You kaha hai na, tabse main bas tumhare peeche peeche ghumne ke liye betaab hun. Bas mauke ki talaash mein hun.

Naina: Hmm, good!

She made him sit, and unclasped the bandage holder, so that she can take off his waist coat. And continued talking.

Naina: Biwi ke saath rahenge tabhi toh koi random aunty apni beti ka rishta leke nahi aayengi aapke paas! Dekha tha maine tilak wale din. Kaise woh aunties mere pati par apni beti ke liye dore dal rahi thi.
Aaj kal ki aunties bahut badtameez hogayi hai. Bolo koi ek shaadishuda aadmi ke paas rishte ke motive se baat karne jata hai.

Sameer chuckled seeing his angry bird wife, and made her sit next to him. He wounded his arm around her waist and looked at her cute face.

Sameer: Unhe kaise pata chalta Naina ki main shaadishuda hun? Main thodi tumhari tarah sindoor aur mangalsutra pehenta hun.

Naina lifted his left hand and showed him his ring.

Naina: Yeh toh hai na! Itni badi aur chamakati ring nahi dikhi unhe! Aagayi "Sameer meri beti bhi fashion designer hai", " Meri beti sarvagun sampan hai! " Aur aap! Apni ring ko na anjaan aunties ke aas paas rehne se dikhate rahiye.

Sameer smiled and Naina got little pissed with it.

Naina: Aap has rahe hai!

Sameer: Nahi! Accha mere paas na ek solution hai. Jisse mujhe ring flaunt karne ki mehnat nahi karni padegi.

Naina: Kya?

Sameer: Main apne gardan ke iss taraf ek tattoo bana deta hun "Main shaadishuda hun". Isse koi aunty nahi aayegi mere aas paas.

Naina: Kya Meer aap bhi! Koi aissa solution dijiye jo valid ho.

Sameer: Oh ho Naina! Unn aunties ko nahi pata tha main shaadishuda hun. Toh indirect hints de rahi thi. Ab aadmi kaise shaadishuda lagega bolo!

Naina: Arre! Sameer Maheshwari ko koun nahi janta! Humari shaadi ki photos ab tak social media mein viral ho rahi hai. And I am sure unki so called sarvagun sampan betiyan social media mein hongi. Aur unn photos ko dekhi hongi.

Sameer: Naina......

Naina looked at him horrified, and stood up. She made an Oooooo sound and squinted her eyes towards her husband.

Naina: Ek second! Main samjh gayi! Sab samjh gayi! Shaadi ko ek mahina bhi nahi hua aur aap mujhse bore hogaye. Do hafte mein yeh haal hai toh aage kya hoga! Hey bhagwaan! Rukiye! Abhi aapki khabar leti hun. Abhi Papaji ko jaake bolti hun ki unke bete ko shaadi ke do hafte mein hi variety chahiye. Aur kaan khinche aapke! Saath mein Dadaji ko bhi call lagaungi! Rukiye aap!

Naina was about to go, but Sameer held her hand and pulled her on his lap. Naina gasped and was wriggling. But he held her waist tightly.

Naina: Meer! Yeh aap kya kar rahe hai! Aapko dard hoga.

Sameer kept his finger on her lips and made her quiet.

Sameer: Sssshhh! Kisne kaha ki mujhe variety chahiye aur main tumse bore hogaya. Tumhe apna banane ke liye maine 800 din ka intezaar kiya. Apne 800 din ke intezaar ko main kisi random aunty aur unki beti ke peeche barbaad nahi karunga. Variety chahiye hoti toh do saal se tumhare aage peeche ghum nahi raha hota. Naina! Main kal bhi tumse pyaar karta tha, aaj bhi karta hun, aur kal bhi karta rahunga. Main do hafte se tumhara pati hun, do mahine baad bhi hunga, aur do janam baad aur uske aage bhi tumhara hi pati rahunga. Mujhe kisi aur ki sarvagun sampan beti nahi chahiye. Mujhe Rakesh Agrawal ji ki sarvagun sampan beti chahiye thi aur woh mujhe mil gayi. Ab baaki ki sarvagun sampan betiyan jaaye tel lene. Main toh bas apni iss angry bird biwi se pyaar karta hun, aur karta rahunga. Tum kaho toh aaj shaam ke function se roz tumhari tarah sindoor lagake ghumunga.

Naina: Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai.

Sameer tucked her hair falling on her face, behind her ear and kissed her cheeks, and forehead.

Sameer: Waise! Mujhe nahi pata tha ki meri Naina ko jealous hona bhi aata hai.

Naina: Yeh jealousy nahi thi. Main bas apna haq jama rahi thi. Aap mere ho, aur jo mera hai, uss par koi nazar daale mein yeh bardasht nahi karungi. Isliye! Ab se koi bhi public gathering mein aap jaoge toh mujhe saath leke jaoge. Kisi bhi titli ko aapke aas pass nahi aane dungi! Jahan se aapke ird gird aane ka soch rahi hogi woh, wahin se usko uda dungi!

Sameer: Thik hai meri jaan! Uda dena!

Naina: Ab main uthu? Aapko dard hoga. Abhi abhi accident hua hai.

Sameer: Nahi! Mujhe accha lag raha hai. Tum mere itne paas ho, accha lag raha hai. Pari ko godi mein bitha sakta hun toh uski Chachi ko kyun nahi?

Naina: Dekh rahi hun, dheere dheere aapke saare rang dikh rahe hai. Subah cheesy lines maar rahe the, aur ab yeh....

Sameer: Arre! Apni biwi ko baithaya apne godh mein. Kounse Mathur uncle ki biwi ko baithaya hai.

Naina giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head on his left shoulder blade. Sameer weaved his fingers through her hair, and inhaled her intoxicating fragrance.

Naina: I love you Meer ❤

Sameer: I love you too Sameer ki Jaan ❤ Bas tum aisse humesha mere saath rehna, mere paas rehna. Phir saari mushkil asan ho jayegi. Sharir ka dard ho ya mann ka. Tum saath ho, toh sab yun thik ho jayega ❤

Naina: Kabhi socha nahi tha ki itne kam samay mein ek insaan se apni subah aur shaam jod paungi. Par dil kisi ke bas mein thodi hota hai. Aap se mera sab kuch jud gaya hai. Aap se hi mera din hai aur aap se meri raat. Aapke bagair na suraj ki roshni ka sukoon mehsoos hogi na chaand ki roshni ki thandak. Aapke bagair iss Naina ki raina adhuri hai ❤

Sameer kissed her temple, and both of them remained like that for some more time. And then Sameer leaned on the bed, him being flat on the bed, and Naina snuggled up to his left side, with her head on his chest, and arm around his torso. Both looking perfect in each other's arms, just two pieces of the same jigsaw puzzle. And they didn't know when the peaceful slumber took them in its caressing arms, calming their chaotic environment, in which they lived since the past 2-3 days.

After sometime, Sameer's slumber broke and he found his wife's glowing face right next to his face. He tilted his head, and continued admiring her natural beauty. Since the time he has laid his eyes on her, he has never seen Naina with excessive make up, she belongs to the category of women who look flawless with the tiny skin flaws, and natural skin. The only time she had proper makeup was their wedding day. In fact that day she didn't cake up her face and had kept simple. His thoughts of admiration took a halt, when he felt his wife moving. Naina turned to the opposite side, and held his palm in hers. Sameer smiled and he too turned towards her and planted a kiss on her head. He looked at the clock and realised that they need to leave for the sangeet function within 2 hours. So he decided to wake Naina.

Sameer: Naina. Naina. Utho. Dekho time kya ho raha hai. Hume nikalna hai na Kairav ke sangeet ke liye. Naina.

Naina groaned and opened her eyes due to the repeated poke by her handsome husband who seemed annoying for her at that moment. She looked at his peaceful face with a small smile, and her annoyance jumped out of the window.

Sameer: Hi!

Naina: Hi.

Sameer: Chalo tum jaake fresh ho jao. Main Abhimanyu ke paas jaake ready ho jata hun.

Naina: Kyun? Main hun na!

Sameer: Tumhe bhi ready hona hai na Naina. Aur tum toh mujhe bina shirt ke dekhkar laal tamatar ban jaati ho.

Naina's cheek tinted again as his shirtless form flashed in front of her eyes.

Sameer: Dekho! Aisse!

Naina: Offo! Woh pehli baar maine kisi aadmi ko shirtless dekha tha aur woh bhi aapko. Isliye. Par ab aadat dalni hogi na. Ek kamre mein rehte hai hum, aur husband wife hai. Humesha toh aap shirt pehenke bathroom se nahi aayenge na. Aur aisse situation bhi honge na jahan aapko shirtless baithna hoga. Humesha toh koi Abhimanyu nahi hoga na.

Sameer: Thik hai. Jaisi aapki iccha. Main toh bas yeh chahta hun ki tum jo karo apni marzi se karo. Aur tum usse comfortable raho.

Naina smiled at him, and left the bed. She went to the cupboard, and picked the packet having Sameer's outfit for tonight. The day when Devang and Sameer met, was the day when Naina had bought outfits and necessary accessories for both of them, required to attend the wedding. And she had purposely got matching outfits for them for the Sangeet function.

She had got a navy blue sequin kurta with white pyjamas for him, and a copper sulphate saree with gold round stones on the body, and rectangular and thin stones in the embroidery for herself, pairing it with a copper sulphate and navy blue beads kundan jewellery.

Naina walked out of the closet room, and kept the packet with Sameer's clothes on the bed next to him.

Naina: Agar kurta nikalte ya pehnate waqt dard kare toh batayiyega.

Sameer nodded. She first opened the buttons of his kurta, and carefully took it off his neck, and slowly and carefully she removed the cloth from his right arm after taking it from the left arm.

Naina: Dard hua?

Sameer: Nahi Naina. Hone se bataunga na.

Naina: Pakka batana, chupana maat.

Sameer nodded. Naina gave a smile, and she opened all the buttons of the blue kurta, and carefully slid his head and right arm, and then the left arm. She sighed in relief when she was able to slid the kurta without giving him pain.

Sameer: Tum jaake apni saree pehen lo. Main Papa ke paas ja raha hun, pyjama pehnke aata hun. Baaki ka tum mujhe ready karwa dena. Thik hai?

Naina: Rukiye. Main aapke baal bana deti hun, aap pyjama pehenke Papaji ke paas hi rahiyega. Yahan woh kisiko dhang se jaante nahi. Uncomfortable toh nahi par akela lag raha hoga. Aur ek kaam karte hai na, sangeet ke baad hum teeno thoda ghum ke aate hai. Papaji ko accha lagega. Aur hum teeno ko thoda saath waqt bitane mil jayega.

Sameer: Waise idea bura nahi hai. Aur Papa ko bachpan se accha lagta hai ki main unke bagal main baithun aur woh mujhe ghumaye. Ab tum aa gayi ho, toh I am sure unka bahut mann hoga apni beti ko ghumane ka.

Naina nodded. She picked up the brush, and made his hair. She applied some moisturizer on his face, and found his skin is rougher than a man's skin ideally should be.

Naina: Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai apne apni skin ki! Itni dry!

Sameer: Woh......

Naina: Kya woh!? Tabhi main sochun ghar pe dressing table mein aur bathroom mein kahin par bhi aapki moisturizer kyun nahi hai. Aur na hi aap yahan leke aaye hai. Kyunki aap lagate hi nahi ho! Apni skin ki care hi nahi karte aap. Sirf umra se bade hai aap mujhse! Lekin harketein bacchon jaisi hai. Na apne sharir ka khyaal rakhte hai aur na hi apni skin ki. Accha hua aaj main dekh liya warna.............

Naina couldn't speak anymore! Because her husband stole her first kiss. Yes! Sameer stopped her continous blabbering by sealing her lips with his, her eyes widened and the moisturizer bottle was dropped off. Her body froze and chills ran down through her body. Sameer with his free hand, brought her closer. When he sensed Naina's quickened heartbeats, he stepped a little back.

Naina was under a daze, she was looking at her husband but couldn't form words to speak. She was beyond shock. Seeing her reaction, Sameer thought maybe he did a mistake taking this step. Not knowing what should he say, he left the room after mumbling a sorry. Naina's daze broke with sound of the door closing. She realized what happened and now her husband isn't here.

Naina: Yeh.....yeh kya hua? Meer ne......Aur woh chale kyun gaye? Kahin unhe accha toh nahi laga? Kahin woh naraz toh nahi hogaye kyunki main bhoot jaise khadi rahi? Nahi nahi. Meer aisse nahi hai. Par agar aissa nahi hota toh woh aisse chale thodi jaate. Rukte yahin par. Hey bhagwaan! Maine unhe naraz kar diya. Main jaldi se taiyar ho jaati hun. Jaake unse baat karti hun.

Here, Sameer had gone to his father's room to take his help for wearing the bottoms and he asked his father to help him wear the watch. After he was ready, he went to the Hall and sat there. Waiting for everyone to come. He knew he couldn't go to his room, as his wife was upset.

Sameer: Kya jaroorat thi Sameer Naina ko kiss karne ki? Dekha na! Upset hogayi woh. Kaise teri taraf bina kisi bhi expression ke dekhe ja rahi thi. Kuch nahi kaha usne. In fact ek inch nahi hili. Abhi abhi toh usne apne dil ke jazbaat bayan kiye the. Aur tune! Saara kuch mess up kar diya. Ek baar jaake baat karun kya? Nahi nahi. Upset hai. Kahin paas ke vase se na maar de. Already haath mein fracture hai, aur sar pe chot hai. Aur chot add nahi karte. Thoda waqt dete hai. Apne aap woh cool down ho jayegi. Phir main jaake maafi mang lunga usse.

And on the other hand, Naina quickly got ready and went downstairs. She was about to reach to her husband, who was sitting on the couch and was lost in his thoughts, when all the members of the Goenka family came down together, and she didn't get any opportunity to talk to Sameer. To there bad luck, they both weren't alone in the car. Along with them were Aarohi and Vansh.

Samaina (in their mind) : Tch! Ab toh baat nahi ho payegi. Venue mein koshish karunga/karungi.

They reached the venue, and still couldn't get a chance to talk, as Swarna took Naina along with her, as she is one of Kairav's sister and she had to perform something for the crowd.

Naina: Dadiji, mera bilkul mann nahi hai perform karne ka. Inki tabiyat bhi thik nahi hai. Inhe meri zaroorat hogi.

Aarohi: Naina! Please! Bas ek dance performance. Uske baad tum chali jaana Sameer ke paas.

Swarna: Haan Naina! Aur mujhe lagta hai ki thodi Sameer tere bina manage kar lenge. Pehli baar woh tujhe stage mein dance karta dekhenge toh unko bhi accha lagega na.

Abhimanyu: Aur Naina! Sameer bhi iss plan ka part the na. Ab woh toh dance nahi kar sakte. Agar aap bhi nahi karogi toh unhe bura lag sakta hai na.

Naina thought for sometime and then agreed. She was dancing along with Abhimanyu, Neil, Vansh, Akshara, and Aarohi. Kairav's one friend too joined them.

When it was announced that a performance from the Groom's side was going to happen, Sameer hadn't expected Naina to be one of the performers. Till the announcement, he was searching for her. But after he heard her name, he stopped his search and sat down to watch his wife dance. For the first time.

He was lost in her moves, during their sangeet, Naina had refused to perform with the excuse of her body paining due to the rituals conducted earlier, but he knew why she didn't perform. And now seeing her dance, his heart skipped beating and the rest of the world got blurred. His eyes concentrated on her. When the music stopped, he came out of the trance. When he saw they were coming down, he ran to the nearest beverage stall and got water for his beautiful wife.

Naina's naina were searching for her Meer, and they spotted him. He was walking towards her with a proud smile. And she knew, Swarna was right! Sameer was very happy to see her dance. Naina's face had a wide smile and she walked to her husband quickly.

Sameer: Waah! Sameer ki jaan! Tumne toh stage par aag laga di! Kya dance ki tum Naina! Fabulous! Meri toh nazar hi nahi hatt rahi thi tumse. Mujhe toh pata bhi nahi ki baakiyon ne kaisa dance kiya.

Naina blushed and said: Itna bhi accha dance nahi karti main!

Sameer: Tum bahut accha dance karti ho. Yeh lo paani pee lo.

Naina nodded and drank a few sips. Sameer thought to apologize to her right now, as she was in a good mood.

Sameer: Naina woh mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai.......

Naina: Mujhe bhi aapse kuch kehna hai Meer.....

Sameer: Accha tum pehle bolo. Kya bolna hai.

Naina: Aapne pehle bola na. Aap pehle bolo. Kya kehna hai.....

Sameer: Naina.....

Naina: Meer please.....

Sameer: Naina woh......woh humare room mein jo hua.......woh maine jo kiya.......Naina! Naina I am sorry maine tumhare permission ke begair tumhe.......tumhare close aaya. I swear maine intentionally nahi kiya. I know tum upset hogayi thi, in fact hogi bhi tabhi toh tum mujhe ektak hoke dekh rahi thi. Bilkul nahi hili. I am sorry Naina. Meri iss galati ko maaf kar do.

Naina: Meer! Sorry toh mujhe bolna chahiye aapse, na ki aapko! Mujhe aisse bhoot banke khade nahi rehna chahiye tha. Woh actually......aapne......woh....sab.....

Sameer: Maine achanak se tumhe......

Naina: Haan, isiliye main shock hogayi. Bas aur kuch nahi. Aur main aapse naraz kyun hungi? Aap husband hai mere. Aur....

Sameer: Naina! Wapas maat shuru ho jaana ki aap husband hai mere. So aap ko sab allowed hai and all.
Husband hun, tumhara malik nahi jo tum par apna haq zabaradasti jamaun. Tumhare mere beech jo hoga, dono ke marzi se hoga. Jaise tum mujhe gale lagati ho aaj kal apni marzi se, mere paas baithti ho apni marzi se, mere seene par sar rakh kar soti ho apni marzi se. Waise hi. Agar aage chal ke hum karib aaye toh woh tumhari marzi se hoga. End of discussion!

Naina: Thik hai! Aur thank you so so so much! Mere life mein mere life partner banke aane ke liye. Ab toh wapas Mumbai jaake mujhe Bhaiya Bhabhi ko kuch accha gift karna hai.

Sameer: Huh? Kyun?

Naina: Agar aap unki shaadi mein nahi aaye hote, toh aapki nazar mujh par nahi girti aur aapko mujhse pyaar nahi hua hota. Agar aapko mujhse pyaar nahi hua hota toh aap mere aage peeche ghumte nahi. Ghumte nahi toh aapko mere buddhu plans ke baare pata nahi hota. Pata nahi hota toh aaj aap aur main, yahan pati patni ke rishte se khade hoke baatein nahi kar rahe hote.

Sameer chuckled and pulled her closer, he kissed her forehead and temple and smiled at her.

Sameer: Hmm baat sahi hai. Thank you bolna padega unhe.

Naina: Accha aap yahan baitho. Main apni saree thik karke aati hun washroom se. Dance karte waqt pleats idhar udhar hogayi.

Sameer: Main chalta hun na tumhare saath. Tum akeli kyun jaogi. Bahar tumhara wait kar lunga main.

Naina: Nahi iski zaroorat nahi hai. Aapka pair thik hogaya hai iska matlab nahi ki aap ghumte phiroge. Aur main akeli nahi ja rahi. Akshu aur uski jethani bhi chal rahe hai. Uski jethani ko apne bete ko feed karna hai. Toh waise bhi woh hume bula rahi thi.

Sameer pouted and said: Kya yaar Naina! Main yahan bore ho jaunga. Aur tumne hi kaha tha na ki tum mere aas paas rahogi taki koi aunty phir se apni beti ka haath maangne na aa jaaye mere paas. Aur tum bhi ja rahi ho.

Naina: Ohho! Meer! Aap Papaji ke paas rahiye. Dekhiye akele baithe hai. And I am sure aap aur Papaji milke aunties ko handle kar loge. Main bas yun gayi aur yun aayi.

Sameer: Thik hai!

Naina gave a small smile and a small hug to her sulky husband, and walked towards the washroom area as directed by Akshara. When she reached the washroom area, she saw Akshara, her sister in law, and two more ladies giggling looking at her. She scrunched her eyebrows and looked behind to find Sameer standing and giving her sheepish smile. Naina's eyes widened and she gasped.

Naina: Aap! Mere peeche peeche yahan aagaye!

Sameer: Naina! Jaan tumne mujhe andar jaane se maana kiya. Par main tumhe bahar tak chod hi sakta hun na! Ab tum aaram se jao. Main tumhara wahan lawn mein wait kar raha hun.

Sameer gave a kiss on her cheeks, and went after waving bye to the ladies who were giggling and had thought to tease Naina. Naina's cheeks turned rosy and she took a deep breath before turning towards the smirking ladies.

Akshara (mimicking Sameer) : Naina! Jaan! Tumne andar aane se maana kiya tha. Main bahar tak toh aa hi sakta hun.

And all the ladies bursted out laughing and coloring Naina's cheeks once again. Shefali cleared her throat and asked Akshara to accompany her to the feeding room. And Naina went to freshen up.

Lady 1: Naina! Pehchana?

Naina looked at the lady for sometime and found her familiar but couldn't put finger on where she has seen her.

Lady 1: Main Shikha! Shikha Matre! Kairav aur Pralay ki class mein thi. Ek do baar tumse mulakaat huyi thi.

Naina: Ji ji! Yaad aaya. Chehra jaana pehchana tha. Bas yaad nahi tha ki kahan mile the. Aap kaisi hai?

Shikha: Main acchi hun. Aur Congratulations! Shaadi kar li tumne.

Naina: Thank you. Bas do hi hafte huye hai.

Shikha: Accha. Love ya arranged? Waise tumhare husband aur tumhe dekhke lag raha hai ki love hai.

Naina chuckled and replied: Arranged hai. Bas courtship mein love hogaya.

Lady 2: Bhagwaan kare tumhare beech ka love aissa humesha rahe. Koi musibat na aaye tumhare rishte mein. Warna aaj kal choti moti baat par rishte tootne lage hai.

Naina: Ji?

Shikha: Naina! Yeh meri behen hai. Sheetal.

Sheetal smiled at Naina for a bit and then again got lost somewhere. Naina found it odd.

Shikha: Woh.....iska do hafte mein divorce hone wala hai. Isliye thodi khoyi si hai.

Naina: Divorce!? Kyun?!

Sheetal: Husband khush nahi hai mere saath.

Naina: Kya matlab? Aap share kar sakti hai agar aap chaho.

Sheetal: Main aur mere husband, college se saath the. College mein shaadi ke sapne dekhe the. Aur ek saal ke manane ke baad gharwale shaadi ke liye manzoor hogaye. Shaadi dhoomdhaam se huyi. Saare sapne pure huye. Phir humare first night ke din, mere husband ne physical hone ki koshish ki. Main ready nahi thi. Toh mere maana karne pe woh maan gaye. Aur unhone kuch hafton tak physically involve hone ki koshish nahi ki. Uske bawjud sab kuch sahi chal raha tha. Hum lovey dovey hua karte the. Moments churaya karte the. Par phir ek din unhone wapas physical hone ki koshish ki. Maine tab unke advancement ko aage badhne nahi diya. Aur yeh lagataar 6 mahino tak chala. Uske baad se woh mere paas aana bandh kar diye. Aur aaj shaadi ke do saal baad, hum family court ja rahe hai. Divorce ke liye. Kyunki maine ab tak unke saath physical relation nahi banaye. Unki complain hai ki love marriage hone ke aur 6 mahine saath rehne ke baad bhi maine unke saath sex kyun nahi kiya. Par ek ladki ke liye sex ke liye hami bharna matlab apne partner ke saath fully comfortable hona hai. Chahe love marriage ho ya arranged.
Tumhe tumhare husband ke saath dekhkar mujhe mere college ke aur shaadi ke pehle pehle din yaad aagaye. Aur phir yaad aayi woh din jab humare beech ki dooriyaan badhi. Naina! Tum har mumkin koshish karna. Apne rishte ko bachane ki.

Naina's mind stopped working. She was thinking about the tragedy that happened with Sheetal. She was lost in her thoughts, when Akshara shook her. They all went out towards the lawn where everyone else were present.

Naina thought of asking something to Akshara. So she held her arm.

Naina: Ek sawaal puchun? Thoda personal hai.

Akshara: Puch na!

Naina: Tu aur Abhimanyu......mera matlab hai ki.....tum dono ke beech......woh.....sab.......woh sab ho chuka hai?

Akshara: Kya sab? Kya bol rahi hai!? Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha.

Naina: Ohho! Wahi jo husband wife mein hota hai.......Akele mein.......Room.....

Akshara: Samjhi! Haan! Mere aur Abhi ke beech sab ho chuka hai. Mera matlab hai ki time laga par hua. Kyun kya hogaya?

Naina: Nahi bas aisse hi.

And Akshara went nodding her head, leaving Naina alone with her thoughts running haywire.

Sameer: Naina! Kitna time laga diya tumne yaar! Main bas jaane hi wala tha dekhne ki kahin koi problem toh nahi hogayi. Upar se tum apna phone mere paas rakhkar gayi ho.

Naina's gaze fell on Sameer and Sheetal's words started revolving around her head. How her husband was also lovey dovey with her at start and then everything fell apart. She felt scared. What if Sameer too leaves her because she isn't ready for next step, and doesn't know when she will be ready.

Sameer saw her sweating and lost, which puzzled him. He shook Naina's arm to bring her out of her horrendous thoughts. Naina looked at him and hugged him tight.

Sameer: Naina! Kya hua? Hmm? Kya hogaya? Tumhare aisse paseene kyun choot rahe hai?

He weaved his fingers in her hair, and massaged her scalp for sometime, so that she can cool down.

Naina: Meer! Woh! Meer woh! Main......woh main bathroom mein lock hogayi thi thodi der. Toh isliye......isliye darr gayi thi.

Sameer: Accha! Koi baat nahi. Ab tum ho na mere paas. Darne wali koi baat nahi hai. Tum ek dum safe ho yahan. Apne Meer ke paas. Hmm?

Naina nodded. Sameer lifted her face, and kissed her forehead and cheeks. And once again kept her head on his chest, to continue caressing her head.

Naina: Apne kuch khaya?

Sameer: Kahan? Tum nahi thi toh kaise khata?

Naina's caring and strict wife mode got switched on. And she lifted her head in a second. She squinted her eyes and held Sameer's left arm, and walked towards the food counter. She got a plate for both of them, and sat on a nearby table.

Sameer: Naina! Jab tum meri aisse care karti ho na. Toh mujhe bahut acchi lagti ho aur mujhe tumse aur bhi zyada pyaar ho jaata hai.

Naina: Ab bhi koi kam care nahi karte meri. Aur aaj ke care ke wajah se toh mujhe chidhaya bhi gaya hai.

Sameer: Arre! Main apni biwi ko akele thodi ek anjaan banquet hall ke washroom ko jaane dunga. Aur agar bhi jagah jaani pehchani hoti, toh bhi main saath chalta.

Naina: Accha accha thik hai. Aap chalte rahiyega mere saath. Bas? Khush? Yeh lijiye muh kholiye. Aaaa

Sameer took a bite and mentally thanked God to have helped him divert Naina's mind. Post dinner and few more performance from both bride and groom's side, the function was over. Naina was out of the overthinking zone until the time, she came face to face with Sheetal once again. And the way Sheetal looked at her and Sameer in an envious manner, shook Naina. And she was once again lost in her overthinking zone. Sameer hadn't noticed this so he was oblivious to the storm taking it's shape inside his wife. And he couldn't anticipate what was going to happen in the near future.

Sameer: Naina! Yeh strap thoda lose kar do na please. Bahut khujli ho rahi hai. Waise Abhimanyu bata raha tha ki kal yeh plaster nikal kar examine karega. Agar sab kuch thik hoga toh plaster dubara nahi lagega. Aur crepe bandage se kam chal jayega. So main kal Abhimanyu ke saath hospital jaake yeh kaam nipta dunga. And don't worry main haldi se pehle aa jaunga. Tum yahin par rehna. Sabko help ho jayegi. Naina! Tum sun rahi ho na. Naina!

And suddenly, he was turned around and Naina had smashed her lips on his. She was trying to kiss him quickly and her desperation was evident. But this desperation wasn't out of love or desire. This desperation was out of the need to impose rights. And this was well understood by Sameer. He could see Naina was forcing herself both on him and herself. Sameer tried to separate Naina but she wasn't ready to leave him. And after many tries, he was able to do that.

Sameer: Naina! Yeh kya kar rahi thi tum!?

Naina: I am sorry Meer. I am sorry. Maine thik se nahi kiya na. Aapko accha nahi laga na. I am sorry. Woh pehli baar tha na.......Par main dheere dheere sikh jaungi. Bas thoda time de dijiye. I promise main sikayat ka koi mauka nahi dungi. I am sorry. Main acche se sikh jaungi. Aap bas mujhse dur maat hona. Aap jo bolege sab kuch karungi. Bilkul rokungi nahi. Aur na hi shaam ki tarah chup khadi rahungi. I am sorry. Bas dur maat jayiyega.

Sameer was shocked to hear her blabbering. He tried to hold her shoulder and call her. But she was still blabbering the same.

Sameer: Naina! Naina! Naina!

Sameer decided to call her name little loudly and shook her arm. Naina stopped blabbering but her eyes pooled up and she immediately hugged him.

Naina: Meer! Meer! Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. I am sorry. I am sorry main ab tak aapki satisfy nahi kar payi but I promise. Main sab kuch sahi kar dungi. Aap bas mujhe chod na maat. Main kahan jaungi. Ghar par kya muh dikhaungi? Khud se nazrein nahi mila paungi.

Sameer: Naina! Naina! Dekho meri taraf!

Sameer made her look at him. He wiped her tears with his left thumb. And kissed her forehead.

Sameer: Tum pehle shant ho jao! Tum idhar aao. Baitho mere saath. Uske baad baat karte hai. Main AC laga deta hun.

He made her sit on the bed. And switched on the AC, and handed Naina a glass of water. After she finished it. He sat next to her, held her hand and looked straight into her eyes.

Sameer: Ab batao! Tum clearly uncomfortable thi aur forcefully mujhe kiss kar rahi thi. Kyun? Tumne aissa kyun kiya Naina?

Naina: Aapko accha nahi laga?

Sameer: Nahi! Mujhe bilkul accha nahi laga ki tum apni marzi ke khilaaf woh kadam uthayi. Ab bas mujhe yeh bolo ki kyun?

Naina narrated everything starting from Sheetal's suffering to her overpowering thoughts. Sameer exhaled loudly and rubbed his forehead with his left arm.

Sameer: Naina! Galati na Sheetal ki hai aur na hi uske husband ki. Actually galti na humari upbringing ki hai. Galati humare previous generations ki hai. Aaj bhi humare desh mein, aur baaki deshon mein bhi, Maa Baap aur parivaar wale apne bacchon ko yeh sikhate aaye hai ki shaadi aapko saare haq deta hai apne partner ke marzi ke khilaf uss par jabaradasti karne ki. Aur aurat ko woh sehna padega. Janti ho bina consent ke physical relationship even after marriage ko marital rape kaha jata hai. A rape is a rape. Woh chahe shaadi se pehle ho ya baad.
Naina! Main baakiyon ka toh nahi bol sakta par mere liye tum zyada important ho. Main chahta hun humare rishte mein jo bhi progress ho woh apni pace pe ho. Gradually ho. Jaise humare beech pyaar hua. Main aage ka kadam tab lunga jab tum manzoor ho na ki majboor ho.

Naina: Par Meer! Shaadi mein se.....

Sameer: Haan! Shaadi ke baad sex important hota hai. Par woh bas husband wife ke rishte mein closeness ko badhane ke liye. Na ki unke rishte ko banane ke liye. Naina! Shaadi ya koi bhi rishta pyaar aur bharose se banta hai. Maine tumse pehle din kaha tha aur phir keh raha hun. Hunare beech jo jab hona hoga tab hoga. Jaise tumne dheere dheere mera haath pakda bina uncomfortable huye, mere sihne se lipat jaati ho bina hicakichat ke, mere cheek aur forehead kisses ko respond karti ho smile se ya hug se, waise hi aage ka step tab lenge jab tum uncomfortable nahi hogi.

Aur Naina! Tum bas 24 ki ho. Aur main 28 ka. Aage bahut kuch hai karne ke liye. Abhi abhi tumhari graduation khatam huyi hai aur shaadi hogayi humari. Tumne Dadu, Bua dadi aur Bhabhi maa ke saath time nahi bitaya hai. Apne naye ghar mein bas do raat ruki ho. Tumhe apne naye ghar aur parivaar ke naye logon se ghulna milna hai. Humari family ke tradition ko janna hai. Mujhe tumhari family se bond aur strong karna hai, mujhe tumhe, Papa, Dadu, Bhabhi maa, Devang bhaiya, aur Pari ko hall mein ek saath baithke TV dekhte huye dekhna hai. Tumhe aage padhna hai. Maheshwari Industries ko join karna hai. Bahut kuch hai life mein Naina! Shaadi isn't just about having sex like rabbits and having kids. Shaadi is also about living together for each other and each other's dream. Shaadi kar li iska matlab yeh toh nahi bas ek dusre se rishta banao. Shaadi ka matlab hai ek dusre ke haar cheez se, aur ek dusre ke zindagi ke har insaan ko apna banana. So we will take one step at a time.

Samjh aaya kuch?

Naina: Meer! Bas itna kehna hai ki! I love you! I love you very very very much! Aapko janti hun. Pehchanti hun phir bhi aisse khayal dimaag mein layi main! Bahut badi buddhu hun main! Main kaise bhul sakti thi ki aap mujhse pyaar karte hai, na ki sirf mere sharir se.

Sameer: Naina! It's fine. Aur shayad agar main hota tumhari jagah, toh main bhi shayad aissa hi react karta. So it's fine. Darr lazmi hai. I am happy that tumne share kiya. Rather than acting impulsively.

Naina smiled, and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. He weaved his fingers through her hair.

Sameer: And! I love you too Sameer ki jaan! Tum mein meri jaan basti hai. Tumhe choti kya badi kya. Kisi bhi reason se nahi chodunga. Tumhara mera saath iss janam aur aane wale harr janam ka hai. Saath milke apne rishte ke nauv ko chala lenge aur kinaare laga denge.

Naina: Ji! Accha aapka strap lose karna tha na. Main abhi kar deti hun. Phir aapko change karwa dungi. Aaram kar lijiyega. Uske baad main fresh ho jaungi.

Sameer: Lo! Aagayi meri Naina wapas! Thank God! Tum wapas aagayi. Warna kahan dhundne jaata tumhe main?

Naina: Bas mauka chahiye aapko meri tang kheenchne ke liye. Ab bas. Chup chap baithiye aur apni jaan ko apna kaam karne dijiye.

Sameer nodded like a good boy. After his chores were done, Naina left to come back after 15 mins. She went into his arms, and slept keeping her head on his shoulder and arm over his waist. He kissed her forehead for sometime. And wished her a goodnight and said I love you. She did the same and kissed his cheek instead.

With their understanding and trust over the other, they prevented their marriage to be like Sheetal's. And promised to keep their love alive and trust intact. Despite all circumstances. And left the progress of their relationship with God and time, and promised to enjoy the present and not think about future much.