At wee hours of the next day, Kairav and Krisha's wedding got over, and now everyone were returning to their abode. Samaina had just entered their room, and Naina was about to turn around after locking the door, when Sameer held her from her waist, and kept his forehead on her shoulder.

Sameer: Naina! Thank you. Thank you humare rishte ko mauka dene ke liye aur mujh par bharosa karne ke liye. Agar tum uss din mujhpar aur meri baaton par bharosa nahi karti toh shayad aaj hum yahan nahi hote. Aaj mujhe realise hua ki, humare rishte ka progress meri expectation se zyada fast hai. Honestly maine humare rishte ke iss level ko shaadi ke 5-6 mahine baad imagine kiya tha. Par humare beech ka rishte sirf 10-12 din mein iss mukkam mein aagaya. Aur yeh tumhari wajah se hua. Tumhara mujh par jo bharosa hai, uske wajah hua hai. Iske liye a big thank you.

Tum mere emotions ke baare mein soch rahi ho, yeh hi bahut badi baat hai mere liye. Tumhe lagega ki agar tum mere emotions ke baare mein nahi sochogi toh koun sochega. Par Naina, maine ek aissa bachpan ya aissa kahun ki adolescence, jiya hai jahan mere emotions samjhne wala koi nahi tha. Aur jab tak koi samjhta, main apne aap ko samjha ke distract kar deta tha. Phir dheere dheere emotions dikhane bandh kar diye. Aur jab pyaar hua, tab jab pata laga ki main apne pyaar ke saamne bhi apne emotions express nahi kar sakta tab bura laga tha. Par phir samjha ki wajah kya hai. Aur maine tumhe wapas uss Naina se milane ke baare mein itna socha ki maine apne aap ke emotions nahi dekhe. Bura lagta tha par usko bas 1-2 second rehne diya. Uss room mein jab tumne baat ki na, tab realise hua ki kya sab mere andar hua tha. Par maine dhyaan nahi diya tha.....

Naina smiled and turned around. She held Sameer's hand, and walked till the couch which was placed near the window that opens to the road. She opened the window, and made him and herself sit on the couch.

Naina: Meer, aapke aur mere bachpan ya aissa kahun ki growing age mein zyada fark nahi hai. Haan mere kuch kuch emotion aur mental battle maine Papa ke saath share kiye hai, par saare nahi. I can understand. Isliye hi shayad mujhe zyada der nahi lagi, aapko samjhne mein. Aur ab aapke paas emotions express na karne ke liye koi reason nahi bacha. Ab aapke paas koi hai, jiske saamne aap apne saare emotions express kar sakte hai. Ab aapko samjhne mein kisi ko der nahi hogi. Kyunki aapke saath aur paas, main humesha hun, bilkul iss lamhe ki tarah. Jab jab aapko kuch baat karni hai ya vent out karna hai, aapko main humesha aisse hi thandi hawa ke paas baithi milungi. Aur aapki saari baatein sunungi.

Sameer smiled at his wife, who looked at him with slight wet eyes, and a small smile. He kept his head on her lap, and adjusted himself accordingly on the couch. Looking at his wife's doe shaped eyes, he nodded and took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere sink in.

Sameer: Maine tumhe ab tak kaha nahi hai, par jab tum mere paas hoti ho na, tab mujhe wohi sukoon mehsoos hota hai, jo jab......jab Mumma paas hoti thi tab mehsoos hota tha.

Naina gasped hearing this, as this is a very big thing. No one can give that much peace and calmness that a mother could give to her child. And if Sameer has said this, then it's a very big thing.

Naina (to herself) : Ab toh main aapko bilkul bhi nirash nahi kar sakti Meer. Ab main apni jee jaan laga dungi aapko pyaar dene mein aur aapka saath anth tak nibhane mein.

Naina weaved her fingers through his hair, and lightly massaged his scalp with her fingers. She realised that now she didn't have just one kid to give motherly love, she had another kid as well who was 28 years old.

Naina: Aapko sukoon dene ke liye main kuch bhi kar sakti hun. Maine bhale inn 10 saalon mein bahut se galat aur bachkane decisions liye ho. Par ek decision jo sabse important tha, woh bilkul sahi liya maine. Uss din aapse shaadi karne ke liye, haan karke. Aap ke jaisa koi nahi hai Meer. Sach mein. Papa kehte hai ki unka damad lakhon mein ek hai. Main kehti hun ki mere Meer karodon mein ek hai.

She took balayein of him, and giggled. Sameer too chuckled, and did the same.

Sameer: Meri jaan bhi karodon mein ek hai, isliye toh mujhe woh mili. And I guess humari jodi bhi karodon mein ek ki hi hogi.

Naina smiled and nodded.

Naina: Aapko pata hai, aap woh pehle ladke nahi hai jiska rishta aaya tha mere liye.

Sameer widened his eyes, and sprang up.

Sameer: Kyaaaaa!!!!

Naina: Haan! Aapse pehle 4 ladkon ka rishta aaya tha.

Sameer: Kya! 4 ladke! Uss Pranati ki bacchi ko chodunga nahi main! Mujhse itni badi baat chipa di usne.

Naina: Nahi nahi! Pranati Bhabhi ko nahi pata tha. In fact ghar par kisi ko bhi nahi pata hai.

Sameer: Hein? Yeh kaise possible hai? Rishta aaya tha na. Toh ghar par sabko pata hi hona chahiye na. Unko approach kiya hoga na.

Naina: Nahi, mera matlab hai Haan. Woh hua yeh tha ki 3 saal pehle, Dadi ke pindh ke baad, hum sab gaon gaye the. Wahan mujhe accha lagne laga tha toh maine Papa se kaha ki main kuch din wahan rukna chahti hun. Meri college ki chuttiyan bhi thi. Actually main Mumbai aake apne doston ko face nahi karna chahti thi. Uss week school ki reunion thi. Jis umra mein mere dost kisi MNC ya postgraduation college join karke baithe honge, uss umra mein main apna undergraduation kar rahi thi. Mujhe sharam aa rahi thi, unse milne ke liye.

Papa aur baaki sab 2-3 din mein chale gaye the. Main kuch 8-10 din ruki thi. Ek din Masi Dadi, Dadi ki choti behen, unhone kaha ki main 21 ki hogayi hun, ab se ladke dekhne shuru karenge toh, kisi se milungi, pasand aaya toh 2-3 saal lagenge hi janne pehchane mein, aur shaadi hone mein. Maine kuch kaha nahi, aur unhone usse haan maan liya. Ussi dauran mili thi main unn 4 ladkon se. Sabko maine sab kuch sach sach kaha tha. Par koi bhi meri baat samjhna nahi chahta tha. Ya meri baat samjh nahi aayi. Pata nahi.

Sameer: Phir?

Naina with a smile looked at him, and held his palm. She kept her head on his shoulder, and he kept his head on top of her's.

Naina: Phir aap aaye! Bina mujhse formally mile aur meri baat sune, aap mujhe samjh gaye. Jis din pehli baar hum mile uss din aapne mujhse pucha nahi ki maine 12 ke immediately baad graduation kyun nahi ki. Kyun jis umar mein mujhe postgrad complete karna chahiye tha, uss umar mein maine undergrad complete kiya. Kyun main naye rishte banana nahi chahti. Kyun main sabse dur rehna chahti hun. Balki aapne mujhse meri marzi puchi, mujhse naya rishta jodke, mujh mein naye rishte nibhane ke liye interest paida kiya. Isiliye! Aap jaisa koi nahi hai, aur aap karodon mein ek hai.

Sameer chuckled and rubbed his thumb on the back of her palm. They kept sitting in silence for a minute or two, when Naina again started speaking.

Naina: Kabhi kabhi sochti hun, agar aapne mujhe do saal pehle, Bhaiya Bhabhi ki shaadi mein hi approach kiya hota toh kya hota?

Sameer took a minute to think, and suddenly started laughing which confused Naina. She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at him like he has grown horns.

Naina: Itni zor se kyun has rahe hai?

Sameer: Tumhare sawal ka jawab sochkar has raha tha. Tumhe ussi din agar propose karta toh, Pralay, Papaji, Chachaji aur Tauji meri chatni bana dete. Pranati joote maarti so alag. Izzat ka bhajipala ho jaata. Parso jo haal tha mera, uss se bhi badtar halat hoti meri.

Naina: Itne bhi bure nahi hai mere gharwaale. Aapko maarte nahi. Haan dantte zaroor. Par maarna I don't think.

Sameer: Naina! Tumhi socho. Achanak se apne ghar ke eklaute bete ki shaadi mein agar tum ek random ladke ko humari Pari ko propose karte huye dekhogi toh kya karogi?

Naina: Nikaal kar bahar phenk dungi. Itna sunaungi ki nani yaad aa jayegi. Aisse hi thodi kisi aire gaire ko apni Pari ke aas paas bhatakne dungi main.....

Naina realised that she was talking about punishing the boy not just verbally but also doing things physically. Sameer chuckled and poked her temple playfully.

Sameer: Yeh hi keh raha tha, buddhu! Aur agar uss din keh deta toh shayad aaj tum Mrs. Maheshwari nahi Mrs. kuch aur hoti, aur shayad kisi saatve ya aathve ladke ki prospective bride hoti.

Naina: Nahi! Hum dono ek dusre ke kismat mein likhe huye hai. Hum dono ko milna hi tha. Aur bhale hi aap mujhe shaadi ke mamle mein milne mein wale paanchve ladke ho. Par main toh aapke liye shaadi ke liye dekhne wali pehli ladki thi na. Aur aap mere liye. Maine sirf aapko hi consider kiya tha as a prospective groom.

Sameer: Hmm, matlab humara success rate 100% hai.

Naina giggled and said: Haan. Pehle rishte mein hi shaadi kar li. Dusre teesre rishte dikhna nahi pada

Sameer laughed, and looked at the dawning morning. He kept his head on top of his wife's, and looked at the slowly disappearing Moon.

Naina: Meer, I hope ki kal Mumbai jaane ke baad humari situation aissi hasi khushi wali hi ho.

Sameer: Hope toh main bhi wohi kar raha hun. Par, who knows. Situation bahut complicated hai aur reactions unpredictable.

Naina: Par situation ko bahut carefully handle karna hoga na. Ismein ek 7 saal ki bacchi bhi involved hai.

Sameer stood up and walked to the window. He leaned on it, and faced Naina with worries clearly written on his face.

Sameer: Ussi baat ka toh sabse zyada darr hai. Jab tak situation mein sirf Devang bhaiya aur Poonam bhabhi the, tab zyada complications nahi hote. Par ab Pari ka aana, Bhabhimaa ka reaction kya hoga, usse decode nahi kar pa raha.

Naina: Jo hoga, aur jaisa hoga hum milke uss se tackle kar lenge. Mujhe ek feeling aa rahi hai ki shayad sab kuch sahi hoga. Poonam Bhabhi Devang bhaiya ko maaf kar dengi aur Pari ko apna bhi lengi.

Sameer: Agar aissa hua na toh Pari ko uski Mumma aur Poonam bhabhi ko ek beti mil jayegi. Dono ko woh mil jayega jo dono chahte the.

Naina: Aissa hi hoga. Aap dekhna. Iss saal navratri mein aapke paas bhi mauka hoga, apni beti jaisi bhatiji ke paon dhone ka aur uski puja karne ka.

Sameer: Mauka toh waise bhi mere paas hai ek kanya ki sewa karne ka. Maine socha tha ki Preeti ki sewa karunga uss din. Par agar Pari ki ki toh, shayad Papa Preeti ki karenge.

Naina: Accha! Behen ka bhi kar sakte hai?

Sameer: Karne ko toh patni aur maa ka bhi kar sakte hai. Par as Papa aur Dadu dono hai ghar par, toh tumhara aur Poonam bhabhi ki puja Papa karenge. Aur Dadu Bua dadi ka. Dadu ne riwaaz ghar ki auraton ka maan badhane ke liye rakha tha. Doesn't matter aap apni life ki kounsi aurat ki puja kar rahe hai. Last year Papa nahi the Mumbai mein, toh Poonam Bhabhi ki puja maine ki thi.

Naina: Aapki, Papaji ki, aur Dadaji ki soch kitni progressive hai. 21st century mein rehte huye bhi, kai mardon ki soch 19th century ki hoti hai. Auraton ka samaan toh dur ki baat hai, ek aurat ko insaan tak nahi samjhte hai. Ghar ke kaam karne wali robot, apna personal punching bag aur baccha paida karne wali machine samjhte hai.

Sameer: Maine ussi se sikha jo maine ghar par dekha. In fact, iss sab ka credit Dadu aur Bua Dadi ko jaata hai. Bua Dadi bhale rishte mein choti thi, par as umra mein Dadi se badi thi, aur Dadu ke parents ke na hone ke wajah se, unhone Dadi par kabhi koi pressure nahi dala. Aur ghar ka mahol supportive rakha Dadi ke liye. Wahi Mumma aur Papa ke saath bhi continue hua. Papa Dadu ko dekhkar ek acche husband aur father banna sikh gaye. Aur ab main unn dono ke footsteps ko follow karke tumhare liye sabse best husband banunga.

Naina smiled and said: Woh toh aap already hai.

Sameer: Ek baat batao! 4 baj rahe hai subah ke. Tumhe neend nahi aa rahi?

Naina: Neend toh aapko bhi nahi aa rahi!

Sameer: Point! Accha ek kaam karte hai. Fresh hoke kapde change kar lete hai. Phir baatein kare?

Naina: Idea accha hai! Waise bhi aapka haath din bhar bandage holder mein tha. Usko sidha karna zaroori, warna blood circulation nahi hoga thik se.

Sameer: Tumhe bhi iss bhari saree se chutkar jaldi milna chahiye. Tumhe itna bojh uthate dekhkar mujhe kaisa kaisa lag raha hai.

Naina laughed and pulled his cheeks.

Naina: Kitne cute hai aap!

Saying this Naina stood up and went to sit in front of the dressing table to remove her makeup and jewellery. And Sameer turned to face her.

Sameer: Haan woh toh main hun! Accha tumhe ek baat batana bhul gaya. Hum kal dopaher Jaipur nahi ja rahe hai, aaram se 5-6 baje niklenge. Airlines se message aaya hai ki parso ki flight uske baad wale din ko postpone hogaya hai, flight mein kuch fault hai jo unhe repair karne hai. Maine Papa aur Devang bhaiya ko bhi bata diya hai aur Papaji aur Dadu ko WhatsApp kar diya hai. Jab woh log uth gaye honge tab call kar dunga.

Naina: Oh! Koi nahi, acchi baat hai. Hume kal reception ke baad jaldi mein nahi nikalna padega. Aaram se nikal payenge.

Sameer: Haan! Devang bhaiya bhi bol rahe the ki unke kuch colleagues se milna hai aur Pari ko bhi uski friend ke saath time spend karna hai. Woh log bhi aaram se apna plan execute kar payenge. Aur unhone kaha tha ki hum unhe pick kar le.

Naina: Par hum jis gaadi se aaye the woh toh choti hai. Itne log fit kaise honge? Aur hotel?

Sameer: Maine uss car ko aaj hi rawana kar diya. Aur Jaydev ji se kehkar kal shaam tak ek Innova mangwa liya hai. Unse kehkar maine waise bhi humare room ko re-book kiya tha. Ab plan mein change ke wajah se unhe keh diya ki uss villa ko hi hume de de wapas.

Naina: Extra charges nahi lage honge?

Sameer: Nahi nahi! Same hi price hai. Jabse unhe pata laga hai ki Purvi ji hume janti hai, tabse fan se hogaye hai Jaydev ki humare.

Naina chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. She was done with her makeup and jewellery removal and sighed in relief.

Naina: Uff! Adha wajan toh makeup aur jewellery ka hi tha. Itna light feel ho raha hai.

Sameer smiled and continued looking at his adorable wife, who was walking around the room to gather things that she requires in the washroom.

Naina: Mujhe time lagega andar, aapko change karake chali jaun?

Sameer: Nahi nahi, tum aaram se aao. Bas iss ka clasp khol do. Haath sidha kar lun. Phir tum aake help kar dena.

Naina: Thik hai.

Naina had just finished unclasping Sameer's bandage holder's buckle, when someone knocked on the door.

Naina: Iss waqt koun hoga?

Sameer: Tum andar jao, main dekhta hun.

Naina nodded, and stood near the wardrobe. Sameer opened the door to find Abhimanyu standing.

Sameer: Abhimanyu? Kuch kaam tha!?

Abhimanyu: Haan! Woh actually Akshu, Aarohi, Vansh, aur mujhe neend nahi aa rahi thi. Toh humne socha ki veranda mein baithke baatein kare. Aapki room ki light on dekhi toh puchne chala aaya ki if you guys want to join.

Sameer: Waise neend hume bhi nahi aa rahi hai. Naina change karne gayi hai, aane do usse. Main baat karta hun usse. Agar Haan kehti hai toh hum neeche direct aa jayenge.

Abhimanyu: Thik hai. And need help? In changing the clothes.

Sameer: Nahi, Naina kar degi. Thank you for asking.

Abhimanyu: Okay! See you!

Sameer closed the door, and heard the running water noise. Naina had left for washroom when she heard Sameer calling out Abhimanyu's name. Sameer sat on the bed, with his back and head resting on the headrest, and scrolled something on phone. He got bored of scrolling so kept his phone on the side table, and loosened himself a bit by sliding down a little. After a few minutes, his eyelids felt heavy and got closed, thus letting him dive deep into the dreamland.

Naina was out of the washroom after 5-6 minutes, and noticed Sameer sleeping in half sitting and half sleeping position.

Naina: Arre! Yeh toh so gaye. Kurta change bhi nahi kiya hai.

She walked near him, and sat beside his waist. She waited for two to three minutes for him to wake up but when he didn't she concluded that he is in deep slumber.

Naina: Kurta toh soft material ka laye the Papaji, par phir bhi inhe dikkat toh hogi. Par so bhi gaye hai. Amm, ek kaam karti hun, inko thik se sula deti hun. Kurta ko rehne deti hun. Pyjama waise bhi cotton ka hai.

Naina lifted his head a little, and flattened the pillow on the bed, and slowly and carefully kept his head on it. Sameer adjusted to it immediately, and Naina chuckled quietly. She sat next to his waist once again, and patted his head lightly.

Naina: Sote huye kitne shant lagte hai. Uthte hi sab kuch apne kandhe pe lena hota hai. Itna tension lete hai tabhi toh chehre par aur mathe par kitni lines aa gayi hai. Humesha kisi na kisi kaam ki tension leni hi hoti hai. Par parso sabse badi tension aane wali hai.
Bhagwaan ji, please iss tension ka zyada pressure na pade inn par. Sabki chinta karte hai yeh, par aaj tak inki chinta kisiko nahi huyi. Papaji aur Dadaji ko obviously hoti hogi. Par jo baatein inhone unse nahi kahi, woh toh unhe pata bhi nahi lagi hogi. Unn baaton ka kya? Baatein andar jab rehti hai tab kya asar karti hai, yeh acche se janti hun main. Bas mujhe itni koshish karni hai ki yeh mujhe humesha apni mann ki baatein share kare. Inn par kaam ka aur parivaar ki responsibilities already hai, ab inn par kisi aur cheez ka pressure na aaye.

Naina caressed his face, and planted a small and feather like kiss on his forehead. She was looking at his peaceful sleeping face, and realised that it was the first time she was looking at him from so close and for so long.

She captured his each feature and stored it in her mind. His square shaped jawline was highlighted with the medium densed stubble, and his cheekbones were visible when seen from less distance. His face had fat in the right places with the right amount as well. He didn't have a very broad forehead, and very dense eyebrows. Don't know how but his eyebrows were also perfect. Yes, not in perfect shape like any man, but the density and growth was of the right amount. He had long eyelashes, and a straight nose with a slight bump giving brownie points to his handsomeness and masculinity. He had fuller or heavier upper lip, which remained unnoticed due to his perfectly trimmed stubble. As all the attention goes to his stubble, jawline, and his overall handsome and gorgeous facial features.

He had facial features of a Greek God according to her, and his eyes! Uff! Those eyes have captured her heart, mind, and soul in their magic since the very first second, her eyes met with them. She can literally spend her whole day just looking into them and studying them.

Naina smiled on her own thoughts and looked at the clock. It was 4:45 AM, and she decided to sleep now as her dear husband was already in deep slumber and probably watching dreams containing her. She chuckled at that thought, and turned off all the lights except for the bed lamp of her side.

She sat on her side, and recited a small prayer. She laid on her side and turned off the lamp, before scooting closer to her husband and sleeping with her body turned towards her right, head closer his arm, and her left arm around his waist.

Sensing his wife's touch, Sameer extended his left arm, and kept his right palm on top of her arm. Naina chuckled, and kept her head on his shoulder, and scooted closer, and whispered a good night before closing her eyes.

The next morning came later than any normal day for everyone present in Goenka House. The clock was showing at 9:30 AM, and everyone was gathering around the dinner table slowly and stealthily. Except for the Maheshwari and Birla couple. Both Samaina and Abhira were lost in deep sleep, and the reception was scheduled to be held at 1 PM, which means they have to be in the venue around 12:30.

Manish: Swarna! Jaake Akshu aur Abhimanyu ko utha lo. Nashta karke ready bhi hona hai. Aur aate waqt Naina aur Sameer ko utha lena.

Vivek: Sameer aur Naina ko main utha lata hun Manish ji. Mujhe waise bhi Sameer se kuch baat karni hai, toh main jaane hi wala tha unke room ko.

Manish: Thik hai Vivek Ji, par baat zyada lambi maat kijiyega. Nashta nahi toh thanda ho jayega.

Vivek smiled and nodded. He didn't have anything to talk to Sameer, but for some reason he wanted to be the one to wake his kids. Maybe because, he never got an opportunity to wake Sameer before. When Vaishali was alive, she used to wake him up. After her death, either he had to leave before Sameer is up, or by the time he goes to wake him, Sameer would be already awake and doing his morning business.

Today was the first time he was going to wake his son and his daughter. Each step that he was taking, was making him realise that he has a lot to make up and he also knows that it's better late than never.

Reaching the doorstep, he gathered up his courage and knocked on the door thrice. He waited for sometime, and then again knocked on the door.

Sameer who was just about to wake up, and sensing his wife near to him, was snuggling up to her, opened his eyes with the knocks. He looked for his phone, and noticed the time to be 9:40, so he detangled Naina from himself, and slowly sat on the bed with his left arm's support.

The knock repeated, and he was now walking towards the door. Opening the door, he was surprised to his father there.

Sameer: Papa! Aapko kuch chahiye? Tabiyat toh thik hai na aapki!? Andar aayiye.

He pulled Vivek inside the room, and made him sit on the couch. Sameer checked Vivek's temperature and was about to call Abhimanyu to check his BP when Vivek held his hand.

Vivek: Main bilkul thik hun beta! Bas tujhe aur Naina ko jagane aaya tha. Nashta karke taiyar bhi hona hai na. Kairav ki reception hai 1 baje. 12:30 tak hume venue mein pahunchna hai na.

Sameer: Oh haan! Dimaag se nikal gaya tha. Main Naina ko utha deta hun. Par aap upar kyun aaye, phone kar dete na. Aapka breakfast aur subah wali medicine ki timing already gadbad hogayi hai. Ab aapne aur late kar diya.

Vivek: Pichle 28 saal mein ek baar bhi tujhe neend se jagaya nahi hai. Aaj mauka mila, kaise jaane dun!? Tera yeh neend se jaga hua chehra kabhi nahi dekha.

Sameer: Papa! Aap yeh kya purani baatein leke baith gaye hai.

Vivek: Haan baatein purani hai, par jaane anjaane mein apne bete ko taklif pahunchayi hai tere Papa ne. Aur usko dur bhi nahi kiya. Jab tak tera Papa samjhta ki mere bacche ko Papa ke paise nahi Papa ka pyaar chahiye tab tak mera baccha bada hogaya tha. Apne aap ko sambhalne lag gaya tha. Mujhe sambhalne nahi deta tha.

Sameer: Papa aap.....

Vivek: I am sorry beta. Tujhe kisi cheez ki kami na ho, yeh sochte sochte maine tujhe jo sabse zyada chahiye tha wohi nahi diya. But I promise. Aage se aissa kabhi kuch nahi hoga. Haan late hun, par ab se aissa kuch nahi hoga. Tera Papa humesha tere saath rahega. Tujhe ab Papa ki kami mehsoos nahi hogi.

Vivek held his son's face in his palm, and kissed his forehead. Sameer had never seen his father this vulnerable, and he couldn't control himself from running into his arms as well, just like he did when he was a kid. He immediately engulfed his father in his arms, and kept his head on his chest. Vivek leaned on the armrest, and patted his son's head. After so many years, he felt his son so close to him. He felt like his little Sameer is hugging him like his life depends on it. Actually, his little Sameer was only hugging him, as for any father, his kids don't grow up. For them, their kid remain the same toddler who with their broken tooth give them a big smile after getting something of their choice.

Sameer: Papa! Aap bahut acche ho. Please maat sochna ki aapne koi kami chodi hai. Haan time nahi spend kiya hai zyada mere saath. Par that's ok.

Vivek gave a small smile, and patted his head. He kept his son close to his heart till the time Naina's phone rang to wake her up. Naina lazily picked her phone, and swiped to receive it, but was still in her slumber. Which is why she didn't see it was a video call from her father.

Naina: Hello

Rakesh: Naina! Tu abhi tak so kyun rahi hai beta!? Tabiyat thik hai na teri?

Hearing her father's voice, Naina opened her eyes and lifted her body to rest her back against the headboard.

Naina: Haan Papa main thik hun. Kairav bhaiya ki shaadi ko khatam hote hote raat ke 3 baje gaye the, aur mujhe sote sote 4:30 isliye main ab tak soyi hun. Aap bolo, subah subah meri yaad kaisi aa gayi? Phone jab main na karun aap karte nahi ho.

Rakesh: Tu toh aisse bol rahi hai jaise maine tujhe kabhi saamne se phone kiya nahi hai.

Naina: Wahi toh. Aap kabhi karte nahi ho. Main nahi hun na ghar pe, toh koi cheating kar rahe hoge. Subah ke waqt waise bhi sab busy hote. Kitchen mein chupke chupke kha rahe hoge kuch meetha ya kuch junk.

Rakesh widened his eyes when his daughter revealed his tiny secret. This morning, before calling her, he had popped a besan laddoo into his mouth, which Beena had made for her cooking class lesson yesterday.

Meanwhile, Vivek whispered Sameer that he is leaving, and after breakfast Sameer should come to him for getting ready. Sameer nodded his head like an obedient student and closed the door after his father left. He went and sat on the couch, enjoying the banter between the father-daughter duo.

Rakesh: Bakwas na kar! Aur ja! Uth ja! 9:30 baj rahe hai, pet mein kuch dal khane ka. Aur Sameer ko bhi utha de.

Naina: Unse yaad aaya. Papa! Humari kal ki flight parso ko shift hogayi hai. Toh hum parso aayenge.

Rakesh: Haan haan! Sameer ka message aaya tha aur thodi der pehle Babuji ka bhi call aaya tha.

Naina: Phir bhi maine bol diya, mujhe tasalli rahegi ki aapko pata hai. Waise aapki chaheti beti kahan hai?

Rakesh: Saamne toh hai.

Naina: Main chaheti hun aapki? Mujhe toh laga tha ki main Amma hun aapki. Aur Preeti chaheti beti. Aapko ice cream aur pastries jo khilati hai. Chaheti toh hogi na woh.

Rakesh: Tujhe yeh sab pata kahan se lag raha hai! Haan? Jasoos lagaya hai kya mere peeche?

Naina: Aissa hi kuch samjho. Aur woh jasoos mujhe pal pal ki khabar deta hai! Ek baar aane do mujhe wapas. Aapko doctor ke paas leke, aapko aasman se zameen par laungi. Sugar toh badh gaya hoga. 500 mg ke jagah ab 1000 mg ke medicines khana!

Rakesh: Bas bhi kar meri Maa. Neend tooti nahi ki, mujhe dantna shuru kar diya. Thoda fresh ho, Sameer se baat kar, thoda romance kar, phir mujh buddhe ko dantna. Subah subah mood kyun kharab kar rahi hai apna. Ja ja! Mera damad tera wait kar raha hoga. Bye bye!

And he cut the call immediately. Naina gasped at that and started mumbling.

Naina: Sach bolne lagi toh bhag gaye. Ek baar Mumbai pahunch gayi toh khair nahi aapki Papa. Aur sabse pehle Preeti ki class lagegi. Uske pyaare Rakesh Tauji mangte hai aur madam de deti hai meetha khane. Aissa kaan khinchungi uska ki nani yaad aa jayegi.

Sameer: Bas bhi karo Naina. Itna gussa karogi toh nas phat jayegi.

Naina sprang up, and sat on the bed. She had thought that Sameer was sleeping next to her, and didn't hear anything. But seeing him sitting on the couch facing her, gave her a shock.

Naina: Aap kab uthe?

Sameer: 15-20 min pehle. Papa aake uthake gaye.

Naina: Kya!? Papaji aaye the! Aapne mujhe uthaya kyun nahi? Woh kya soch rahe honge mere baare mein?

Sameer shook his head in disbelief and walked to her. He sat next to her, and held her face in his palm.

Sameer: Kuch nahi socha unhone! Unhe bhi maloom hai ki hum sote sote subah hogayi hogi. Aur Papa isliye uthane aaye kyunki hum sabko 12:30 nikalna hai Kairav ki wedding reception ke liye. Nahi toh koi nahi uthata.

Naina: Ammm, pakka na?

Sameer: Haan baba! Aur tum Papa ko itna strict maat samjho. Upar se woh tumhe kuch nahi kahenge. Unka dant ka stock sirf mere liye. Apni beti se ek lafz nahi kahenge. Toh chinta maat karo! Okay?

Naina smiled lightly and nodded her head. Sameer smiled at her, and pulled her face closer. He kissed her forehead, and gave a broader smile.

Sameer: Tum itni pyaari ho ki tumhe koi nahi dantega aur na hi tum se koi naraaz hoga. So chill! Aur main toh hun hi, jo tumhe dantega usse jawab dene, aur tumhara support karne.

Naina nodded her head, and leaned forward on him. She kept her head on his chest, and he kept his chin on top of her head. Both of them had wrapped their arms around each other.

After sometime Sameer detached himself from her, and asked her to freshen up first. Till that time he would take out their clothes.

By the time they went for breakfast, the others were halfway through their breakfast.

Sameer: We are really sorry, hum late hai.

Akhilesh: Kuch late nahi ho beta. Sahi time pe aaye ho, aur late soye the, thakaan gayi nahi hogi, it's okay.

Manish: Aur tum dono Vivek ji ke acche bacche ho. Unhone ek baar bulaya aur aagaye. Abhi aur Akshu ko Swarna do baar bula chuki, aa hi nahi rahe hai. So ja rahe hai wapas.

Vansh: Akshu ke saath reh rehkar Abhimanyu bhi alasi hogaya hai.

Everyone chuckled and continued with their breakfast. Before Naina could pick a morsel to feed Sameer, Vivek made Sameer eat a morsel from his plate. Naina smiled at it and concentrated on her breakfast. She could see some changes in Sameer and Vivek's behavior. And she was happy with it. Though she hasn't seen them together for very long, but she could understand what Sameer must be going through, and imagine what Vivek must be feeling. Maybe that was the reason why Rakesh and Vivek had grown very close.

When Naina and Sameer were in courtship period, she had heard Rakesh talking with Vivek many times. When she asked her father about it, he revealed that since the day Naina and Sameer had their roka, he and Vivek are in regular touch. They talk about anything and everything.

Vivek: Naina! Beta kha kyun nahi rahi?

Naina: Haan? Wo....woh kuch soch rahi thi Papaji.

Vivek: Beta, baad mein sochne baithna. Abhi khana kha lo. Thanda ho raha hai aur kal raat se kuch khaya nahi hai na.

Naina: Ji Papaji.

Sameer looked at his wife, and raised his brows asking her what happened. Naina smiled and shook her head, to dismiss the topic. Though Sameer didn't dismiss it, but thought to ask her about it later on.

After they were done with the breakfast everyone dispersed towards their rooms. Sameer told Vivek that he is coming to his room within sometime by grabbing his clothes for the reception.

Sameer: Ab batao! Kya baat hai? Breakfast table par khoyi huyi thi.

Naina: Uff fo! Kuch khas baat nahi thi Meer. Aapko aur Papaji aaj saath mein ek plate se breakfast karte dekhkar accha laga. Phir mujhe Papaji aur Papa ki phone calls yaad aagayi. Bas yeh hi soch rahi thi ki dono bahut jaldi gel up hogaye.

Sameer: Oh! Yeh baat thi.....

Naina: Haan! Itni si baat ka tension leke baith gaye aap.

Sameer: Tum achanak se absent minded hogayi isliye. But it's good ki koi tension ki baat nahi hai.

Naina: Haan! Ab jaldi ready ho jaate hai. Wapas aake hume Jaipur ke liye nikalna bhi hai.

Sameer: Main reception se Abhimanyu ke saath hospital jaunga. Plaster nikal kar crepe baandh aaunga. Aur raste mein Bhaiya aur Pari ko pick kar lunga. Tum aur Papa packing karke ready rehna. 6 baje tak nikalne se 10-10:30 tak Ajmer pahunch jayenge. Phir thode ghante baad rest karke wapas nikalna hai. Parso raat 8:25 ki flight hai.

Naina: Raat ki flight?

Sameer: Hmm, reschedule karke wahi hua hai.

Naina: Hume ghar pahunchte pahunchte 12-12:30 baj jayenge phir toh.

Sameer: Haan, lag jayega utna time. I know tum Bhaiya aur Pari ko leke tensed ho. Main soch raha tha ki if possible hum unn dono ko Andheri mein drop karke ghar jaaye. Agle din Papaji aur baaki sab ke saath Bhaiya aur Pari ghar aaye. Itni raat ko kiski mental condition kaisi hogi, nahi pata. Bas kuch ghanto ki baat hogi. Actually main chahta hun ki pehle Pari aisse logon se mile, jo usse chahe. Jo uska pasand kare aur jinke mann mein instant khatas na aaye usse leke. Bhabhi, Kamlesh Uncle aur Prabha Aunty ka instant reaction kaisa hoga nobody knows. Tumhe kya lagta hai?

Naina: Reaction toh Papa aur baakiyo ka bhi itna sahi hoga ki nahi pata nahi. Par haan, Dadaji aur baaki sab ke reaction se better hoga. Ajmer ke liye nikalte waqt call karke baat karte hai. Thik hai?

Sameer: Hmmm, Papa aur Bhaiya ko bhi uss waqt batayenge. Bhaiya ko bhi thoda aur waqt mil jayega sochne ka, ki kaise baat kare aur kya baat kare sabse.

Naina was in deep thoughts about what would happen in the coming future. She was very worried. Recently she broke her resolve of isolating herself from new relationship. Now after meeting Pari, when she felt a sense of belonging and a hint of motherliness she didn't want to lose it. Sameer saw the changing colors of his wife's face. He knew what would be going in her mind, and honestly the same thing was going in his mind. But he has to be the stronger one in the situation. For his Devang Bhaiya, for his little goofball, for his wife, for his father, for his family, and most importantly for his own inner peace. He doesn't want another Sameer to grow, who would be deprived of love and affection of family. He doesn't want Pari to feel the hollowness that he felt 17-18 years ago.

Sameer: Naina! Abhi chinta maat karo. Ghar pahunchne mein bahut waqt hai. Goenka family ke saath akhri din hai. Enjoy kar lo.

Naina smiled and nodded her head. She went towards the wardrobe to get Sameer's clothes. The Goenkas had arranged reception clothes for everyone. They had kept the theme of the reception as floral, and each couple would be twinning with each other. So, Naina was gifted with a turquoise blue and yellow floral print and orange and blue beaded bordered saree, with a sleeveless blouse of the same color beads' embroidery. Sameer was given a off white kurta and pyjama with a jacket of the same fabric and print of Nainas saree. Vivek was given a light green kurta with leafy block prints and emerald green jacket with simple pipelines on the edges.

The reception got over smoothly with lots of masti and good memories. Naina and Sameer had already informed about their departure, so when Jaydev Ji's sent car came, he went to bring Devang and Pari, after removing his plaster with Abhimanyu. After which he will pick Naina and Vivek from Goenka house as it's on the way to Jaipur.

Manish: Vivek ji! Jaane anjaane mein agar koi bhul hogayi ho mujhse ya mere kisi bhi parivaar wale se, toh maaf kar dijiyega.

Vivek: Aap kaisi baatein kar rahe hai Manish Ji. Koi bhul nahi huyi hai ab se. Haan kisi aur se zaroor huyi hai par aapka usmein koi dosh nahi tha.

Dr. Anand: Maheshwari Ji, Mahima ke taraf se main aapse ek baar phir maafi mang raha hun.

Vivek: Maafi mang lene se mere bacchon ka dard kam nahi hoga Dr. Birla! Kya aapke maafi mangne se mere bete ka haath aaj hi thik ho jayega? Jo teen din ki dard aur lachari usne sahhi, woh gayab ho jayega? Aapke maafi se meri beti ke aansu wapas aa jayenge jo usne chaar din pehle baha diye apne pati ko hospital mein dekh kar.

Manjiri: Bhaisahab! Mujhe pata hai ki hum jo kuch bhi kar le, usse aapka aur Naina Sameer ki taklif kam nahi hogi. Par....

Vivek: Par war kuch nahi Mrs. Birla! Ek baar ke liye aap khud ko meri jagah rakh kar sochiye. Aapke bacche agar mere paas hote, aur mere parivaar ke kisi sadsaya ne aissa kiya hota toh aap kya karti? Maaf kar deti mujhe? Nahi na.

Naina: Aunty ji! Dr. Mahima ne jo badtameezi mere saath roke wale din ki, woh maine seh liya. Par mere husband ka accident karwake woh unhe maarna chahti thi. And that's not acceptable.

Vivek: Naina! Beta yeh sab chodo. Tum jaake ready ho jao. Packing bhi karna hoga. 4:45 baj rahe hai, Sameer thodi der mein aata hoga Devang aur Pari ko leke.

Naina: Ji Papaji! Humari packing hogayi hai. Main change karke aati hun, aapki madad kar dungi.

Vivek: Beta meri packing hogayi hai. Mujhe bhi bas kapde change karna hai.

Akshara: Naina! Maine raaste ke liye khana pack karwa diya hai. Saath le jaana. Travelling time pe zyada bahar ka khana accha nahi hai. Saath mein bacchi hai.

Naina: Thank you Akshu!

Vivek: Akshara! Bete ab tum se aur Abhimanyu se Mumbai mein mulaakaat hogi. Intezaar rahega tum dono ka.

Akshara: Uncle hum dono Navratri ke baad jaane ka soch rahe hai. Abhi ne socha hai ki Ram Navami ko hospital ki puja kar de.

Vivek: Very good! Accha Beta, agar main na keh sakun toh tum keh dena Abhimanyu se. Ek baar Mumbai aao, main, Abhimanyu, Papa aur Sameer mil kar aaram se baithke baat karenge. Hmm?

Akshara: Uncle aap yeh sab chodo. Jo hoga dekha jayega. Aap aissa maat sochiye ki hume bura lagega agar aap maana kar de.

Vivek: Maine aissa kuch socha hi nahi hai. Main genuinely bol raha hun. I don't want ki kisi personal reason ke wajah se log acche doctoron se treatment na le paaye.

Everyone smiled at Vivek's statement, and Mahima was exhilarated that at the end Vivek thought to give Birla Hospital a chance.

After 30-35 minutes, when Naina and Vivek had brought their luggage to the Hall, an overexcited Pari hopped into the house. Seeing her Pretty Chachi and V Dadu, Pari ran towards them and hugged her Pretty Chachi's waist.

Naina got startled when suddenly tiny arms got wrapped around her, and she chuckled seeing her cutie pie. She lifted Pari in her arms, and kissed her cheeks.

Naina: Aagaya mera betu!

Pari: Yes! Pari ab termanenply apni Pretty Chachi ke paas aa gayi.

Vivek: Termanenply nahi meri gudiya! Permanently!

Pari: Oopss! Sorry!

Naina: Koi baat nahi! Aap slowly slowly sikh jaoge. Aur aapki Pretty Chachi ko aapki yeh aadat bahut cute lagti hai. Ek dum aapke jaise!

Pari: Aapko Pari cute lagti hai?

Naina: Bilkul! Aapse zyada cute koi nahi hai. Aap sabse cutest ho!

Vivek: Par mujhe nahi lagti!

Pari: Kyun?

Vivek: Kyunki meri gudiya toh mere paas aati hi nahi. Dekho! Apni Chachi ke godh mein hai. V Dadu ko bhul gayi.

Pari pouted at Naina who signalled her to jump into her V Dadu's arm. Pari grinned and holding Vivek's shoulder actually jumped off Naina's arms.

Pari: Dekho! Ab Pari apne V Dadu ke dogh mein hai.

Naina: Dogh nahi Betu! Godh.

Pari: Yes yes!

Vivek tickled Pari's tummy and made her giggle. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his other arm around her.

Vivek: Waise tere Sameer Chachu kahan hai?

Pari: Woh aur Papa car ke peeche kuch kar rahe the. Main run karke aagayi inside.

Naina: Acchaaa, aapko bhookhi lagi hai?

Pari: Nahi! And abhi Juhi ke home se aate waqt, Sameer Chachu ne mere liye sandwiches, juice,cookies,cake aur chips buy kiye hai. Toh aap pension maat lo.

Naina: Pension nahi tension betu!

Pari: Oops! Sorry!

Naina smiled at her cute angel and gave a kiss on her cheeks. Pari giggled and gave her Pretty chachi a kiss on her cheeks.

Pari: Pretty Chachi! Hum kal aapke Papa se meet karenge?

Naina knew the answer was yes, but she could not say it loud as Sameer was yet to talk to Vivek about dropping Devang and Pari at Agrawal house first.

Naina: Maybe betu! Pata nahi. Par aap mere Papa aur baaki sab se bahut jaldi miloge.

Pari: Kya woh Pari ko V Dadu jaisa pyaar karenge?

Naina smiled at her innocent question and nodded.

Naina: Meri betu bahut pyaari hai. Jo bhi usse milega, woh usse pyaar karega. Jaise aapki Chachi aapse karti hai, aapke Chachu aapse karte hai, aur jaise aapke V Dadu aapse karte hai.

Pari: V Dadu! Kya unki aapki tarah mucchi hai? Aur Sameer Chachu ki jaise cheeks pe thodu thodu mucchi.

Vivek: Hmm, unki meri jaisi mucchi hai.

Pari: Hmm, aur aapke Papa ki? Unki bhi hai?

Vivek: Haan hai. Kyun? Tujhe mucchi aur dadhi acchi nahi lagti?

Pari: Amm, Papa ne kabhi mucchi nahi rakhi. Toh mujhe nahi pata. Par jab Sameer Chachu kissie karte hai tab tickle tickle lagta hai Pari ke cheeks ko.

Sameer: Agar aissa hai toh Sameer Chachu apni princess ko bahut saara tickle karenge cheeks pe bhi aur tummy pe bhi.

And her Sameer Chachu kissed her cheeks, and rubbed his stubble softly on her cheeks. Pari giggled and hid her face in Vivek's crook of the neck.

Naina: Aap aagaye! Chaliye, jaake change kar lijiye. Maine aapke liye ek shirt aur jeans bag mein upar rakha hai. Kurta pyjama pack karke bag ko lock kar dungi.

Sameer: Nahi Naina. Zaroorat nahi padegi. Yeh kurta aur pyjama comfortable hai. Main change nahi karunga. Ek saath Ajmer mein raat ke liye change karunga.

Naina: Thik hai! Main lock kar deti hun bag.

After ensuring that all of their belongings are packed safely in their luggage bags, Maheshwari family was ready to leave. Exchanging goodbye hugs and messages, they were on the road towards Ajmer. Jaydev Ji had sent the car with a driver so Vivek sat next to the driver, with Devang, Sameer, and Naina with Pari in her lap, in the middle row.

After crossing the border of Udaipur, Sameer noticed that Pari has dozed off in Naina's arm. When he looked at Naina, he saw that she too has dozed off. He gently put Naina's head on his shoulder and kept his arm on Pari so that she doesn't slip off Naina's lap.

He thought that it was the right time to tell Vivek and Devang about his plan as Pari is sleeping.

Sameer: Papa! Bhaiya! Maine kuch socha hai.....

And he told his whole plan. After giving it a thorough thought, Vivek and Devang agreed to Sameer and Vivek decided to talk to Rakesh himself, after reaching Ajmer or Jaipur.

Sameer (in his mind): Bas parso sab kuch sahi ho jaaye.