After coming back from the Airport, Naina straight away went inside her room, without having any long conversation with Vivek and Jaiprakash who were sitting in the living area, waiting for her to return.

Entering her room, its emptiness started scaring her off. Suddenly, the room felt colder and darker. Her eyes filled up with tears and her gaze turned glassy. She could smell Sameer's regularly used perfume around the room and this made her more vulnerable.

Naina kneeled down in front of their bed and started sobbing. Tears were running down her cheeks continously and her heart ached, she couldn't imagine how these 10 days would pass. Her sobs turned into hiccups, and she started feeling numb. The open window allowed the chilly January breezes inside the room. With shivering hands and wobbly legs, Naina stood up and walked towards the wardrobe. She was about to open her side, but something came to her mind and she opened Sameer's side to pull out one of his buttoned up shirt. She hugged it tightly to her chest and sobbed more, inhaling his fragrance, trying to feel his presence near her.

After few seconds her phone rang, and she ran to pick it up as she knew it would be Sameer. She wiped her face with her dupatta, which lied carelessly on the floor and tried to look presentable as Sameer was video calling her.

Sameer: Mera baccha phir se ro raha tha?

Naina's eyes watered again seeing him in her phone screen and shook her head in denial with glossy eyes.

Sameer: Accha thik hai. Ro lo jitna rona hai. Par kal se rona bandh. Promise?

Naina again shook her head in denial. Sameer sighed and looked here and there to find a secluded spot. Thanks to his late night flight, the airport lounge didn't have much of a crowd. He found a spot and quickly sat there.

Sameer: Kyun nahi? Jaan, agar tum roz itna ro ogi toh bimar ho jaogi na. And I don't want that to happen in my absence. Main ek baar wapis aa jaun phir jitna chahe utna rona. Agar bimar ho jaati ho toh main hunga na tumhara khyal rakhne. So deal?

Naina shook her head in acceptance and spoke to him about random topics till the time Sameer heard the boarding announcement for his flight.

Naina: Aap pahunchkar mujhe message karna! Apna khoob sara dhyan rakhna. I love you Meer.

Sameer: Tum bhi! I love you too meri jaan.
Kal subah milte hai, virtually.

After declining the call, Naina went inside the washroom to get freshen up. As promised to Sameer, Naina decided not to cry anymore.

When she came back to her room, her eyes fell on a buttoned up shirt of Sameer, which was laying on the couch near the window, she immediately picked it up and slipped it on. It was the shirt that Sameer was wearing today to office. She hugged herself and felt his warmth through the shirt. She went towards Sameer's side and slept on his pillow.

It was the second day after Sameer's trip, when Naina was busy tending the rose and jasmine plants, which she had planted along with Pari. Seeing her in the garden, Vivek walked towards her with a broad smile on his face.

Vivek: Arre waah! Yeh paudhe kitne bade hogaye hai.

Naina: Ji Papaji! Maine internet par dekha tha ki chai patti aur sabziyon ke chillke ka paani dene se flowering plants ki growth acchi hoti hai. Ussi ke badalaut yeh dono paudho ki growth acchi ho rahi hai.

Vivek: Arre waah! Tu meri champion bacchi hai!

Naina smiled and watered the plants. Vivek also helped her with watering the plants through another watering can.

Vivek: Accha sun, aaj raat ka dinner hum dono ke liye maat banana.

Naina: Kyun?

Vivek: Mera ek dost hai, college ka. Rizwan. Uski beti ki shaadi hai aaj. Mujhe invite kiya mere pure parivaar ke saath. Sameer hai nahi, Papa ko lena nahi chahta kyunki kal hum nikal rahe hai Bhopal ke liye. Toh hum dono baap beti jayenge.

Naina: Oh! But Papaji kal aap bhi toh jayenge na. Yeh shaadi skip nahi kar sakte aap?

Vivek: Kar sakta agar toh kar deta Beta. Par Rizwan mera bahut accha dost tha college ke waqt. Saalon baad contact mila hai uska aur usne apni bacchi ki shaadi mein bulaya hai.

Naina: Hmm, thik hai Papaji! Main chalti hun aapke saath. But hum zyada der nahi rahenge wahan. Aapki flight bhi jaldi hai kal.

Vivek: Thik hai meri Maa! Aur maine tere liye ek special outfit aur jewellery taiyaar kiya hai. Tu usko hi pehnna aaj shaadi mein.

Naina smiled and nodded her head. Vivek grinned and continued watering the plants.

After freshening up, Naina opened the box which Vivek had prepared for her. Her eyes glittered seeing the pista green silk sharara set. The kurta had golden and silver gota and alba embroidery work. The sleeves of the kurta was three fourth, and the hem of the sharara also had a thin embroidery of the same design as of the neck of the kurta. The dupatta was floral with pink flowers with golden and silver gota and alba embroidery with pista green and pink and tassels at the end of it. She roamed her hand over the soft fabric and felt it's featheriness.

Naina opened the smaller box with Maheshwari Jewellers' logo and found beautiful polki, emerald, diamond, pearl, and pink bead earrings.

Naina: Kitne sundar hai yeh!

Naina picked up the outfit box and quickly changed into it as she didn't want Vivek to wait for her. Also, she hadn't spoken with Sameer since the lunch time, and he can call her anytime. Naina had just thought of Sameer and her phone rang with his call.

She smiled at her hubby's laughing contact picture and picked up his call with a wide grin.

Sameer: Kya baat hai Mrs. Maheshwari! Subah jab call kiya tha tab udaas thi aur ab itni badi smile.

Naina: Udaas toh ab bhi hun par aapka call aagaya na, aapka haasta hua contact picture dekh kar thoda better feel hua aur ab aapko dekh liya toh aur thoda accha lag raha hai.

Sameer: Accha toh mujhe bhi lag raha hai tumhe dekh kar. Waise tum itna bhari suit ghar par kyun pehni ho?

Naina: Ghar par nahi pehna hai. Papaji ke saath unke college friend ki beti ki shaadi mein ja rahi hun. Isliye pehna hai.

Sameer: Oh! Par kal toh Papa aur Dadu ki flight hai na Bhopal ko. Toh aaj shaadi....

Naina: Maine Papaji se pucha tha ki woh iss shaadi ko skip kar sakte hai kya. Toh unhone bola ki yeh uncle bahut khas hai. Agar skip kar paate toh skip kar lete.
Maine unhe kaha ki zyada waqt nahi rukenge wahan. 2-3 ghante mein wapis aa jayenge.

Sameer: Chalo sahi hai. Tum phone ko dressing table par rakh lo, aur taiyaar hona shuru kar lo. Main tumhe dekhta rahunga aur tumse baat bhi karta rahunga.

Naina giggled and nodded her head. She got the phone stand and set her phone on it properly so that Sameer can see her properly.

Naina: Aapne lunch kar liya hai na?

Sameer: Haan. Aaj client ke saath lunch meeting thi but unka personal kaam tha kuch toh woh cancel hogaya. So wapis hotel aa kar room service order kiya. Just muh haath dhoke tumhe call kiya.

Naina: Kuch dhang ka order kiya tha na?

Sameer: Haan Naina. Maine pasta order kiya tha, aur saath mein coffee bhi mangawi hai.

Naina: Toh aap aaj shaam ko kya karoge?

Sameer: Socha toh tha ki tumse baatein karunga, but ab tum shaadi mein ja rahi ho so that's not possible. Dekhta hun. Jo Indian companies ke representatives aaye hai, woh log kuch plan kar rahe the. Let's see.

Naina was curling her hair and listening to Sameer. She passed a smile to Sameer's indecisive face and kept her curler on the table. She moved a bit and spoke.

Naina: Hmm, thik hai. Waise main kal Papa ke paas ja rahi hun, Dadu aur Papaji ko drop karne ke baad. Giriram bhaiya ko bol diya tha ki mujhe ghar drop karne ke baad woh bhi apne gaon chale jaaye gaadi wapis yahan rakhne ke baad.

Sameer scrunched his eyebrows and replied: Wahan rakhkar matlab? Tum apne saath gaadi nahi le rahi ho?

Naina shook her head in No, and Sameer exhaled loudly in disbelief.

Sameer: Kyun? Tum apne saath gaadi le rahi ho. Papa aur Dadu ko drop karne ke baad Giri bhaiya tumhe Papaji ke paas chod denge aur wahin se bus leke chale jayenge.

Naina: Par main toh ghar hi rahungi na....

Sameer: Toh? Naina! Maine tumhare liye hi uss car ko laya tha na. Woh tumhari car hai. Usko tumhe tumhare saath hi rakhna hai. Tumhe comfy car chahiye thi tabhi toh maine tumhare liye Hector layi. Warna kuch aur laata nahi main. Car leke jao Naina....

Naina: Par wahan kahan park karungi mein itni badi gaadi? Humari wali parking mein toh ghar ki car hai na.

Sameer: Visitors mein dal dena Naina. Ek hi hafte ki baat hai. Security se bolkar rakh dena. Aur tumhara mann nahi hai kya ki tum sab logo ko apni car mein ghumao?

Naina: Par woh toh aapne kharidi hai na....

Sameer: Hai toh tumhari na. Mera sab kuch tumhara hi na. Kya mera tumhara kar rahi ho.

Naina: Accha thik hai. Le jaungi main apni car. Waise aap kab aa rahe ho? Iss week ho jayegi na aapki meeting? Do din mein hi mera bura haal hai.

Sameer: I hope ki issi week sab finalize ho jaaye. Yaar, tumhare bina ek din bhi jeena mushkil hai. Woh toh thanks to Mark Zuckerberg jo unhone WhatsApp banaya. Warna ek dusre ko dekh bhi nahi paate.

Naina giggled and picked up the pouch having her makeup brushes. Sameer and Naina kept talking to and admiring each other till Naina was completely ready.

Sameer's eyes dazzled seeing Naina. She had done a subtle make-up and kept her hair open as per Sameer's insistence with middle partition with a tinge of sindoor. She just wore the earrings given by Vivek and slipped some golden bangles along with her regular red bangle. On her fingers, she wore her engagement ring along with the ring Sameer had given her in Udaipur with another fancy ring which went with her outfit. She didn't wear any neckpiece apart from her mangalsutra.

Sameer: Haaye! Kitni pyaari lag rahi ho tum! Kisi ki nazar na lag jaaye.

Sameer encircled his fingers around his phone screen and cracked his knuckles against his temple. Naina chuckled and picked up her phone.

Naina: Jaldi se aa jao na mere paas. Aapke bina kahin jaane ko mann nahi kar raha hai. Woh toh Papaji ne insist kiya isliye ja rahi hun. Warna kounsi wife apne husband ke bina kisi function mein jaati hai?

Naina pouted and looked at her husband with desperate puppy eyes. Sameer left a breathy chuckle and replied.

Sameer: Nahi jaati hai, but iss baar iss wife ko jaana padega. I promise aage se koi bhi function tum akele attend nahi karogi. Aur na hi kisi bhi out of town trip mein main akela aaunga.

Naina: Good! Accha aap jab shaam ko bahar jaoge na toh acche se warm clothes pehnna. Aap do din se shaam ke time room mein the na toh bahar ke temperature ka pata nahi tha. Aur haan, kuch Indian stores ke address bheje hai maine, ready to eat packets kuch le aana. Room mein maine water kettle dekha tha. Bas garam paani mein dal dena packet aur garama garam khana ready ho jayega. Mujhe maloom hai ki aapko Indian ke alawa koi cuisine kuch khas pasand nahi hai.
Aur haan! Packet wala tabhi hi khana jab Indian restaurant na mile. Ready to eat khana healthy thodi hota hai.

Sameer quietly nodded his head to all of his instructions with a smile. It's been around 8-9 years since he started working for the business, and has gone out of Mumbai for business purposes, numerously but no one had given him such instructions.

Vivek who had come to call Naina, stopped outside the door listening to Naina's instructions. He smiled at her antics and reminisced about the time his wife or his mother used to issue such instructions for him and his father. He quietly went down, as he knew that Naina was ready and would be coming down in sometime after talking with Sameer.

Naina: Aur haan! Thanda paani ya kuch bhi thanda bilkul nahi peena hai! Thande mausam mein thandi cheez galle mein jayegi toh gaala kharab ho jayega. Garam hi peena, jaise coffee ya hot chocolate.

Sameer: Ok wifey! Agar aapke instructions hogaye ho toh phone rakh lijiye. Aapko shaadi mein bhi jaana hai na. Late ho jayega tumhe.

Naina: Haan haan rakh rahi hun. Par meri baatein manna hai aapko. Hmm?

Sameer nodded his head and declined the called after giving flying kisses to her. Naina smiled at her current wallpaper which was her and Sameer's picture, which was a mirror selfie taken on their first karwachauth. Naina was dressed in a heavily embroidered red and golden saree, and Sameer wore a beige kurta with mirror work. They had clicked this picture while Naina was getting ready for the evening festivities. Naina had finished her make-up and had just curled her hair. When Sameer decided to click a selfie with her. He had wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted his phone in front of her vision. Naina had smiled at her husband's reflection and complied with his wish. Sameer was kissing her crown and Naina was smiling with slightly pink cheeks, when this photo was captured.

Before Naina could walk into that day's memories, she was reminded of the wedding and ran out of the room after checking herself for the last time.

Reaching the venue, Vivek and Naina saw the most beautiful wedding decor. Everything was of beige, off-white, and white shaded. The aroma of delicious delicacies entered their nose and their stomach grumbled. The venue was brimming with the sparkling outfits of the family and relatives of both bride and groom.

Naina: Papaji! Decorations sundar nahi hai?

Vivek: Haan beta! Bahut sundar hai. Aur bilkul bhi overdone nahi lag raha hai. Nahi?

Naina: Haan!

Naina and Vivek were looking around when an couple of Vivek's age walked to them and Vivek smiled seeing the man.

Vivek: Rizwan miya!

Rizwan: Maheshwari babu!

Both of them hugged each other and Naina and the lady smiled at each other. Vivek detached himself and greeted the lady with a respectful smile.

Vivek: Hina bhabhi, kaisi hai aap?

Hina: Upar wale ki meharbaani se sab khairiyat hai Bhaijaan. Aap bataye. Yeh noor jaisi mohatarama koun hai?

Vivek: Yeh meri bacchi, mere dil ka dusra tukda, meri pyaari Naina beti hai. Sameer ki wife. Waise hai toh bahu par mere aur Papa ke liye humari beti hi hai.

Naina once again greeted both of them and gave a smile.

Rizwan: Sameer nahi aaya?

Naina: Ji nahi Uncle. Yeh business trip pe gaye hai. Par unhone aap dono aur aapke family ke dher saare best wishes bheje hai.

Hina: Bhaijaan! Aapki Naina bahut pyaari hai.

Rizwan: Begum, Naina ko apne saath le jao. Usse bacchon se milwa do.
(To Vivek) Nikaah shuru hone mein waqt hai thoda. Tu chal, baaki sab se mil le. Nikaah shuru hote hi Hina le aayegi Naina ko tere paas.

Naina: Papaji! No cheating okay!? Kuch meetha nahi khana hai aapko.

Rizwan and Hina chuckled seeing Naina's strictness and Vivek's helplessness. Naina was mortified with their chuckles and looked at Vivek with puppy eyes, but her face got a smile seeing Vivek's smile. He patted her head and nodded his head in Yes.

Hina: Bahut dhyaan rakhti ho tum Bhaijaan ka.

Naina: Rakhna hi hai Aunty. Mere liye Papaji mere dusre Papa hi toh hai. Jaisa main apne Papa ka khyal rakhti aayi hun waise hi Papaji ka bhi rakhungi.

Hina: Bahut pyaari ho tum! Allah kare ki tum humesha aisse hi khush raho aur apne parivaar mein sirf khushiyaan banton.

Naina smiled at her and entered into Hina and Rizwan's daughter's green room. Naina's eyes turned appreciative seeing Hayat, the bride, decked up in a light pink bridal sharara with exquisite jewellery. Her make-up wasn't overdone amd she looked like a fairy.

Hina: Hayat! Aayan! Bacche yeh Naina hai. Tumhare Abbu ke khas dost hai na Vivek bhaijaan. Unhi ki bahu hai Naina.
(To Naina) Beta, yeh Hayat hai humari beti aur yeh Aayan hai humara bada beta. Ek aur beta bhi hai, Haider, par uske exams chal rahe hai. Toh nikaah pe nahi aa paya.

Naina greeted them and Hayat made space for Naina to sit. Naina smiled at Hayat and got a soft smile back.

Naina: Aap bahut khubasurat lag rahi hai. Aapko kisi ki nazar na lage.

Hayat: Shukriya. Aap bhi.

Aayan: Aap akeli aayi hai? Mera matlab hai aapke husband ya koi.

Naina: Main apne father in-law ke saath aayi hun. Mere husband business trip pe hai. Warna woh zaroor aate.

Hayat: Don't mind me asking but, aapki shaadi ko kitna time hogaya hai?

Naina smiled at her question and replied: Char mahine pure hone ja rahe hai.

Hayat: Ohh! Ek baat puchun aapse? If you don't mind.

Naina: Bilkul!

Hayat: Aapko aapki shaadi se pehle ghabrahat mehsoos huyi thi?

Naina chuckled and replied: Haan. Bahut bahut zyada. Meri aur mere husband ki love cum arranged marriage hai. Unke liye love aur mere liye arranged. Shaadi se pehle main unse mili thi, but itna nahi janti thi ki ghabrahat ya darr na lage. But shaadi ke baad woh saari ajeeb feelings kahin gayab hogayi. Kyunki Sameer, mere husband ne mere liye sab kuch asaan kar diya tha.

Hayat: Kaise?

Naina: Mujhe dher saara pyaar deke. Unke liye main kisi choti bacchi se kam nahi hun. Unka bas chale toh mujhe baby stroller mein dalke ghume.

All of four of them laughed at it, and Naina could feel Hayat's nervousness vanishing slowly.

Naina: Mere husband ke saath saath Papaji aur Dadaji bhi best hai. Unn dono ne mujhe kabhi mehsoos nahi hone diya ki main unki bahu hun beti nahi. Hayat! Mujhe nahi pata aapke husband aur unke gharwale kaise hai. But I am pretty sure ki woh sab aapko bahut pyaar denge aur aapke liye sab kuch asaan bana denge. Nervousness ko thoda kam kijiye aur excitement ko zyada.

Hayat: Thank you.

Naina: Waise aap dono kya karte hai? By profession.

Hayat: Meri post graduation abhi hi khatam huyi hai. Maine M. Phil in Clinical Psychology kiya hai. Nikaah ke kuch mahine baad apna practice shuru karungi.

Aayan: Main ek Neurologist hun. USA mein PhD karne gaya tha aur wahin par practice karta hun. Thoda experience gain karne ke baad India aa jaunga. Aur meri wife USA mein Indian Embassy mein kaam karti hai.

Naina: Oh that's nice.

Aayan: Yeh lijiye! Aagayi meri wife.
(To his wife) Dua yeh Naina hai. Abbu ki khas dost ki bahu.

Naina smiled at the lady. Dua looked very beautiful in baby pink anarkali suit with golden and magenta dupatta which was wrapped on her head. Her eyes fell on Dua's baby bump and she stood up. She made Dua sit and stood next to her. Aayan, Hayat, and Hina felt happy seeing Naina caring about a total stranger.

After sometime, one of the cousins of the bride came inside informing them about the groom's arrival. The wedding was completed peacefully and the rituals were beautiful. Hayat and Rehaan looked made for each other and so much in love.

The next day, Naina drove Jaiprakash and Vivek to the airport and bid them bye with a lot of instructions. Sitting inside her car, Naina took a moment to gather herself. She felt really overwhelmed seeing off the three men of her family at the same place within a span of 3 days.

Naina took a sip of water and drove towards the Agrawal House. She was in midway when her phone rang. It was her bubbly sister, Preeti.

Naina: Haan bitti! Bol.

Preeti: Jiji aap ghar pahunch gaye kya?

Naina: Nahi! Raaste mein hun. Bol kya baat hai? Kuch chahiye tujhe?

Preeti: Nahi! Kuch nahi chahiye. Bas aisse hi puch rahi hun. Main bhi college se thodi der mein nikal rahi hun. Isliye.

Naina: Par tu abhi kyun nikal rahi hai college se? Teri class nahi hai kya?

Preeti: Nahi Jiji. Lunch ke baad aaj meri koi class nahi hai.

Naina: Thik hai phir. Milte hai ghar par.

Preeti: Thik hai Jiji.

Naina was about to take a right, which would lead towards Andheri East, but then something struck her mind and she turned left. She knew there was something which Preeti wanted, so she drove towards her college.

Thanks to today being a weekday and afternoon time, the roads were less crowded, and she was able to reach Preeti's college within 15 minutes.

Naina parked her car near the entry gate, and stood against it waiting for Preeti to come out. She was texting Sameer about her whereabouts when she could hear distant voice of her sister. She smiled at herself and kept her phone inside her bag.

Preeti who was laughing over something silly Rohan had told her, stopped showing her teeth when she noticed a familiar figure in an indigo saree and fishtail braid, near her college's gate. With fast steps, she moved forward and lunged on her elder sister. Rohan and Naina chuckled at it and Naina ruffled her hair.

Actually Preeti called up Naina with an intention of getting picked up her today. She wanted to spend some extra minutes with her favorite Jiji. But wasn't able to be vocal about it.

Rohan touched Naina's feet and greeted her when Preeti detached herself from her. Naina smiled at Rohan and patted his cheeks.

Naina: Kaise ho Rohan? Bhabhi kaisi hai?

Rohan: Main aur Boudi dono acche hai.

Preeti: Jiji! Aap yahan?

Naina: Tune bulaya aur main chali aayi.

Preeti: Par maine toh.....

Naina pointed her finger on Preeti's heart and replied: Isne bulaya mujhe.

Preeti smiled at her and hugged her once again. Despite being cousins, Naina, Preeti, and Pralay had love of actual siblings between each other. They know each other very well, and can understand what the other one wants without he/she being vocal about it.

Pralay treated Naina and Preeti as his own daughters, and pampered them a lot. The same was with Naina, she loved Preeti like she is her child. She ensured that Preeti never felt alone and left out.

Naina: Tum dono ka din kaisa gaya aaj?

Preeti: Boring tha Jiji! Aur iss boring se din ko aur boring inn janab ne banaya.

Rohan: Haaww! Khud movie ke liye maana kar diya. Ab mujh par ilzaam laga rahi ho.

Preeti: Maine maana kiya toh tum maan gaye? Do chaar baar aur puch lete toh height nahi kam ho jaati tumhari.

Rohan: Ek baar mein maan jaane se tumhari bhi height kam nahi hoti.

Preeti: Tum!

Naina: Bas! Yeh kya hai? Itni choti si baat pe itna ladh rahe ho. Movie khatam thodi ho rahi hai. Dopahar hi huyi hai, chaho toh ab bhi ja sakte ho.

Preeti: Waise ja toh sakte hai.....Jiji aap bhi chalo na!

Naina: Nahi beta. Aaj nahi. Main ghar jaake sona chahti hun. Kal Papaji ke saath unke dost ke ghar ki shaadi mein gayi thi. Phir aaj unki flight thi toh subah jaldi uth kar unko nashta diya. Thakaan gayi nahi hai.
Tum dono jao aaram se.

Rohan: Didi aap bhi aati toh accha rehta. But no worries. Hum phir kabhi chalenge.

Naina: Chalo main tum dono ko drop kar deti hun.

Rohan: Hum cab chale jayenge Didi. Aap kyun taklif....

Naina: Didi bulate ho aur formality bhi karte ho. Not fair! Tum mere liye Preeti jaise hi ho. Toh jaise yeh shaitan mujhe haq se bulati hai aur demands rakhti hai waise tum bhi mujhe pure haq se kuch bhi mang sakte ho aur meri pampering enjoy kar sakte ho.

Rohan smiled at Naina and agreed. After dropping Preeti and Rohan, Naina drove towards Agrawal House.

Here in London, Sameer had just woke up and picked his phone to see if Naina had texted her. And his face broke into a smile seeing Naina's good morning text along with her selfie. Her eyes held sadness yet the excitement of sending a good morning message with her selfie was evident on her face. Sameer kissed his phone screen and sat up with his back against the headboard. He didn't call Naina as he had already seen her text stating that she is on her way to Agrawal House after dropping Preeti and Rohan at a movie theater.

Since the day he came to London, Sameer slept with Naina's green bandhani dupatta wrapped him. The lavender and vanilla fragrance coming from her dupatta, helped him have a sleep. Like Naina, Sameer was also habituated with having his beautiful wife in his arms while sleeping, and inhaling her intoxicating fragrance as the the first thing in the morning.

Sameer: Kab khatam hogi humari judai jaan. Kab wapis tumhe apni baahon mein le paunga. Kab wapis tumhara haath pakad kar ghum paunga. Kal London sightseeing mein tumhe bahut miss kiya maine Jaan. Agar tum hoti toh tum kitni khushi se ghumti, ice cream khati, aur dheer saare pictures click karti. Thand ke wajah se tumhari naak aur gaal laal ho jaate aur main tumse flirt karke tumhare gaalon kon aur laal kar leta. Yaaar! Main tumhe Mumbai mein chodke kyun aaya. Tumhe saath le aata toh kitna accha hota.

Sameer sighed and rested his head against the wall. With closed eyes, he started visualizing Naina's face and her smiles, which brought a smile on his face. He sat there for a few more minutes and then went towards the washroom to get fresh.

Sameer was sipping his coffee when his phone rang, and it was his wife. He chuckled, as he was just thinking about her, and picked up the call.

Sameer: Hello wifey!

Naina: Hello husband! Good morning.

Sameer: Tum safely pahunch gayi na ghar? Darr toh nahi laga na?

It was the very first time when Naina all alone drove around the city. The day when Sameer left for London, while she was returning, Giriram was following her. So, Sameer was relieved. But today Naina was driving alone without anyone's eyes on her.

Naina: Darr lag toh raha tha. Par maine haar nahi maani. Jab bhi darr lagta hai tab aap mere paas hote ho na. Par aaj nahi the.....But isko solve kar diya tha maine. Mujhe darr na lage, isliye maine jo aapka gaana record kiya tha na, usko play kiya aur usko sunti sunti aagayi. Aapki awaaz sunke aissa laga ki aap mere paas hi baithe ho....

Naina's eyes turned glassy and voice chocked thinking of how she was driving home. Sameer's heart dropped to his stomach and he could feel his gut wrenching hearing her. He had promised her that he will never leave her alone. But he broke it. Sameer lost his appetite and the only thing that played in his mind was to rush back into his Naina's arms. To find solace and peace. To see her beautiful smile and happy eyes. To get lost in her intoxicating fragrance and to drown in her ocean like eyes.

Sameer cleared his throat and picked his phone. He rubbed his thumb over her face on his phone screen and gave her an encouraging smile.

Sameer: Main humesha apni jaan ke saath hi hun. Tumhe maloom hai na? Toh isse assure karne ke liye kuch karne ki koi zaroorat hai hi nahi.

Naina: Hmm! Aaj Papaji aur Dadaji ko airport chodke aate waqt bahut bura laga mujhe. Pata hai aaj Dadaji ne kya kiya. Subah paanch parathe khaye unhone, kehne lage ki teen chaar mahine mere haath ke khane ke bina rehne ke liye, unko shakti chahiye thi. Aur mere haath ke khane se unhe Dadiji ki yaad aati hai. Unhe mere haath ke khana bahut pasand aane laga hai.....

Sameer laughed at his wife's innocence due to which she couldn't understand Jaiprakash's trick. Jaiprakash knowingly acted to get extra parathas.

Sameer: Oh meri bholi biwi. Tum Dadu ke jaal mein phas gayi. Ghar par jab bhi parathe bante hai na, unka yeh hi haal hota hai.

Naina: Hein! Par maine pehle bhi parathe banaye hai. Tab toh....

Sameer: Kyunki tab main aur Papa dono hote the unn par lagam lagane. Aaj tumhe akela paaya.

Naina thought for sometime and then she herself laughed at her grandfather in-law's cuteness.

Sameer: Tumne lunch kar liya hai?

Naina: Uh huh! Thodi der mein Papa aur Chachaji aane wale hai. Unke saath karungi. Tauji, Taiji, Bhaiya aur Bhabhi, Taiji ki behen ke wahan gaye hai. Isiliye Chachiji aur main unn dono ka wait kar rahe hai.
Aapne breakfast kiya?

Sameer nodded and showed her his plate. Thanks to one of the Indian company representatives, living in the same hotel, he and his wife insisted on sharing meals till they are in London. So from today onwards, his wife sent him food. Today he had bread omelette with poha for breakfast along with orange juice.

Naina: Arre waah! Indian khana. Paas ke restaurant se order kiya?

Sameer: Nahi. Ek Indian company representative ki wife aayi huyi hai. Unki wife yahan Master's kar rahi hai. Unhe pata laga ki main zyada bahar ka nahi khata. Toh unhone insist kiya ki jab tak main hun London mein, meals share karun unke saath. Unhone hi bhijwaya hai.

Naina: Accha! Yeh toh bahut acha hua, ab mujhe tension nahi hogi ki aap kya khaoge aur kahan se khaoge.

Sameer: Haasshh! Shukar hai! Meri biwi ke nazuk kandhon se kuch bojh kam toh hua.

And Sameer laughed loudly, but Naina pouted, and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Naina: Haaww! Aap mera mazak uda rahe ho! Jao main aapse baat nahi karungi.

Sameer: Arre arre! Tum toh gussa hogayi.

Naina: Haan! Hogayi gussa! Aap humesha mere saath aissa karte ho. Mera mazak udate rehte ho! Main aapse itna sa bhi baat nahi karungi!
Bye!

And Naina cut the call. Sameer stared at his phone and chuckled remembering her angry face. He was about to call her back but didn't do it as another idea struck him. Naina who had expected a call back from husband, threw her phone on the bed and sat down with a grumpy face.

Naina: Bada bolte hai ki mujhse bahut zyada pyaar karte hai. Biwi naraz huyi toh manaane ke liye phone bhi nahi kar rahe hai. London kya gaye, sahab ke hao bhao badal gaye hai. Hmph! Main bhi call nahi karungi. Aaj Meer dekhenge ki main gussa bhi ho sakti hun. Aaj unke Naina meri jaan ke jaal mein nahi phasungi!

Naina left her room and went to the living room where her Chachi was watching TV. She sat next to her and tried to concentrate on the ongoing show. But her mind was constantly running back to her room, where her phone laid on the bed. Her ears were on the phone, trying to hear any notification or any noise from her phone.

Naina had just finished her lunch with her family, when there was someone on the door, ringing their doorbell. She stood up to open the door to a huge bouquet of red roses facing her.

Naina: Sreeja! Oh god!

Sreeja: Naina! If you don't mind, main andar aa jaun.

Naina: Yes please.

She allowed Sreeja in, and Sreeja kept the bouquet on the centre table. Naina handed her a glass of cool water, as she can see Sreeja was sweating and her face was red.

Naina: Better?

Sreeja: Much better! Thank you!

Naina: Sreeja, yeh sab kya hai? Yeh itna bada bouquet....

Sreeja: Tumhare husband aur mere boss ne bheja hai. Tumhare liye! Also, this card is for you. Though maine hi likha hai but I have written what all Sameer sent me.

Naina opened the card and started reading it out.

200 roses hai iss bouquet mein. For the 200 times you have been sad and mad due to me. I am sorry Jaan. I really am. Mujhe tumhara mazak nahi udana chahiye tha. And I am sorry also for not calling you back. I am sorry for not giving these beautiful 200 roses to you personally. But I promise, agli baar main wahin hunga tumhe manane aur roses dene. Abhi ke liye meri iss apologize ko accept kar lo.

Please.

With love
Your Meer ❤

Naina's eyes watered seeing the flowers and his message. Bela, Anand, and Rakesh who were present there, had a smile at their face and their heart swelled seeing Sameer treating their princess like a Queen.

Naina looked up towards Sreeja and found her giving her a smile.

Sreeja: Iss se pehle Sameer ne mujhe bahut baar last moment pe cheezein arrange karne boli hai. Har baar main irritate ho jaati thi. But aaj main irritate nahi huyi. You know why?
Kyunki aaj mujhe mere boss Sameer ne nahi, tumhare husband Sameer ne iss bouquet ko arrange karne ke liye request ki. Har baar main 100 dukaane ghumke thak jaati hun, but aaj tumhare liye iss ek bouquet ko banane mein maine bahut bhagadauri ki hai, but mujhe bilkul thakaan nahi ho rahi hai.

That guy is madly in love with you. Wahan baithkar sirf yeh soch raha hai ki kaam jaldi kaise khatam karke yahan aaye. Tumhare paas.

Naina: Thank you Sreeja!

Sreeja: Uh huh! Thank you Naina! Humare happy boss ko sach mein happy banane ke liye.
Ab main chalti hun. Uske absence mein office ko main sambhal rahi hun. Kuch gadbad huyi toh main, mera husband aur meri bacchi, road par aa jayenge.

Naina giggled with Sreeja, and bid her bye with a warm hug. Naina lifted the bouquet and walked towards her room. She kept it on the table facing her bed, and adored it.

She was busy enjoying the sweet fragrance of the lovely flower when her phone rang with the ringtone she was anticipating since a very long time.

Naina hastily picked up the phone and looked at her dashing husband, who seemed to be outdoors.

Sameer: Kaisa laga mera surprise?

Naina: Bahut khubsurat! Thank you.

Sameer: Ah. This isn't something to be thanked of. Maine apni biwi ko roses bheje hai, na ki kisi aur ki biwi. That too jab tum gussa thi mujhse. So drop this thank you formality Jaan.

Naina: Ok! By the way, aap kahin bahar ho?

Sameer: Hmm. First meeting hai aaj client ke saath. Wahin ja raha hun.

Naina: Oh! All set?

Sameer: Hmm, mere according sab prepare kar liya hai. Let's see. Hopefully aaj hi brief discussion ho jaye aur badhiya se ho jaaye.

Naina: I hope that too, and don't worry sab accha hi hoga.

Sameer: Tum ho mere paas, mujhe kis baat ki tension hogi.

Naina smiled and kept looking at her mobile screen. Sameer was walking and constantly showing her things. Her soft giggles and gasps were audible to her family sitting in the Hall.

Bela: Naina ko aaye 4-5 ghante hogaye hai bhaiya, aur ab jaake iski hasi sunne mil rahi hai mujhe.

Rakesh: Pyaar ka yeh hi toh asar hota hai Bela. Ek pal bhi chain se jeena mushkil ho jaata hai ek dusre ke bina.

Rakesh's eyes watered remembering his wife, and he softly caressed his wedding ring, which rested on his left ring finger. Anand and Bela became quiet and changed the topic by discussing something related to tonight's dinner.

Rakesh: Bhaisahab aur baaki sab aaj nahi aane wale hai. Unki saali ne bahut insist kiya toh aaj raat wahin ruk kar kal subah aayenge. Toh sirf hum paanch hi hai.

Anand: Kahin bahar chalte hai phir bhaiya. Naina ka mood change ho jayega aur bade din hogaye humne bacchon ko bahar dinner nahi karwaya!

Naina: Aur aap logon ne meri driving bhi nahi dekhi hai. Toh iss bahane meri car mein meri driving enjoy kar sakoge.

Rakesh: Arre beta! Tu toh Sameer se baat kar rahi thi na. Itni jaldi baat khatam hogayi?

Naina: Ji Papa. Inko call aagaya tha client side se. Toh unhone phone rakh diya.

Anand: Beta, tu ghar aayi hai toh hume tujhe princess treatment deni chahiye na tu kahan hume princess treatment dene ka soch rahi hai.

Naina: Chachaji! Bachpan se aap teeno ke scooter ke peeche aur car mein aapke bagal wali seat pe baithi hun. Aaj aap bhi passenger prince banne ka mazza lo.

Rakesh, Anand, and Bela chuckled and finally agreed. Naina called Preeti and asked her by when will she come home, so that accordingly they will plan the dinner. She was unpacking her suitcase, when Rakesh came inside her room.

Naina: Papa! Main aapke hi paas aane wali thi.

Rakesh: Accha!

Naina: Hmm! Aapke saath bahut saari baatein karni hai na isliye. Aur aapko yeh chotu sa gift bhi dena hai.

Rakesh: Gift? Par kyun? Mera birthday toh nahi hai.

Naina: Birthday nahi hai, par kya main bas birthday pe hi aapko gift dun. Aisse hi na la sakti?

Rakesh: Bilkul la sakti hai meri bacchi.

Naina smiled and lifted the customised photo frame, she had asked Anjali to make for Rakesh.

Naina: Aap apne cabin mein apni family picture lagana chahte the na. Toh maine banwa li hai ek. Jismein main hun, aap ho, Meer hai, aur Maa bhi hai.

Rakesh's eyes watered seeing the picture of the unaccomplished reality. The picture looked very realistic but sadly it was an art. He ran his fingers over the framed portrait and looked at his daughter who was looking at him intently with a similar emotion.

Rakesh: Thank you meri laado.

Naina: Papa! Ismein thank you kehne wali kounsi baat hai? Mujhe pata hai ki aapko roz Maa ki kami khalti hai. Jab tak meri shaadi nahi huyi thi aapko zyada waqt nahi milta unhe yaad karne ki. Par ab.....

Rakesh: Pata hai jab tu choti si baby thi, tab main aur teri Maa akshar baatein karte the ki badi hokar tu kaise dikhegi? Tera swabhaav kiske jaisa hoga? Tu science padhegi ya commerce? Teri hobbies kya hongi? Tu padhai mein kaisi hogi? Tu jab shaadi karke chali jayegi toh main aur teri Maa kaise rahenge? Tera pati kaisa hoga?
Tab ka din tha aur aaj ka din hai. Aaj tu iss duniya ki sabse khubsurat aur pyaari bacchi ban chuki hai. Tu bilkul apni Maa jaisi hai, aur padhai mein bahut bahut bahut acchi thi. Sameer jaisa honhaar aur accha ladke se tune shaadi ki hai. Tu Mumbai mein hi rehti hai. Har Sunday mujhse milne aati hai. Iss ghar ke saath saath uss ghar tune roshan kar diya hai. Bhagwaan beshak mujhse meri patni chinh li, par usne mujhe iss duniya ki sabse acchi aur zimmedaar bacchi de di.

Naina: Papa! Main jo bhi hun, aapke badaulat hi toh hun. Aapke liye jitna bhi karun, kam hi hai. Main kabhi bhi aapke jitni acchi insaan nahi ban sakti. Aap best ho.

Naina put her head on her father's lap, and closed her eyes. It was strange that Rakesh's lap always felt more warming and peaceful than Rama's, to Naina. People say Mother's embrace is the most endearing and peaceful embrace, but for Naina, it was her Papa's. She looked into her Papa's happy eyes, and noticed that her Papa looked the same. Nothing has changed in the past 10 years. The first time when Naina had kept her head on her Papa's lap, post her mother's demise, Rakesh had the same endearing gaze at her. And today, also he has the same endearing gaze. Just, there are more wrinkles on his face and his hair has turned into a mixture of black and grey hair.

Rakesh: Tu Sameer, Vivek bhaisahab aur Babuji ke saath khush hai na laado? Wapis se banawati muskaan toh nahi de rahi na?

Naina shook her head in denial, and with a wide smile she replied: Main unn sab ke sath bahut khush hun Papa. Itni khush jitni aapke saath hoti hun.

Rakesh: Tu janti hai na beta ki tu apne Papa ke saath kuch bhi share kar sakti hai. Aur kabhi bhi apne Papa ke paas aa sakti hai. Koi kuch nahi kahega tujhe.

Naina: Haan Papa! Aur mujhe aapke pass dukhi hoke aane ki zaroorat hi nahi hai. Papa ji mujhe bilkul aapki tarah treat karte hai.

Rakesh smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead. The father-daughter duo spent some more time talking, before getting ready for their dinner outing.

Naina had just returned from the dinner, when her phone rang. She knew who would be calling her at this time, and with a wide smile on her face she picked up the call.

Sameer: Hello Sameer ki jaan!

Naina: Hi Sameer ki jaan ke jaan! Meeting kaisi gayi?

Sameer: Kuch khas nahi. Aaj client kisi ki baat sunne ke mood mein nahi tha shayad. Kisi ki bhi pitch acchi nahi lagi usse!

Naina: Oh. Ab?

Sameer: Ab kya? Kal se individual har ek company se meeting karenge. Dekhte hai mera number kab aata hai.

Naina: Oh. Toh kya aapko aur bhi time lagega?

Sameer: Nahi nahi. Maine client ke office mein inform kar diya hai ki meri appointment issi week mein fix kare.

Naina: Toh phir thik hai. Agar aap iss hafte ke andar andar apna kaam khatam nahi karte na, toh dekhte! Main aapse baat hi nahi karti.

And Naina puffed her cheeks and gave a fake angry glare. Sameer shook his head vigorously and immediately replied.

Sameer: Nahi nahi! Kisi pagal kutte ne thodi mujhe kata hai jo main apni trip extend karne ki sochun. Tumhare bina yeh chaar din kaise beete hai mere, sirf mujhe maloom hai. Har pal tumhe yahan na laane ka regret hota hai mujhe. Neend hi nahi aati ab mujhe, tumhare baalon ki khushboo sungte huye sone ki aadat jo hogayi hai. Aissa lagta hi nahi subah hogayi hai kyunki tumhari bright smile nahi hai na dekhne ke liye.

Naina's throat clogged, she couldn't form any words to say. Because the same was happening to her. Despite having his shirt with her, she was unable to sleep because his warm touch wasn't there with her to give her the much needed peaceful sleep. She traced her fingers along her phone screen, where she could see Sameer's gloomy face.

Naina: Ab bas yeh baaki ke din phat se beet jaaye. Aur aap jhat se Mumbai aa jao.

Sameer gave a small smile and nodded his head. His eyes trailed down the whole frame of Naina, that was visible to him through the video call. Naina had changed into her night clothes, and had made a loose braid. She had taken off her hindi and earrings. With a tinge of sindoor in her hairline, and no makeup apart from lip balm, she looked ethereal.

Sameer: Dinner kaisa raha? Enjoyed?

Naina: Accha raha. Enjoy bhi kiya aur aapko miss bhi. Pata hai main sabko drive karke leke gayi thi. Aur iss baar mujhe darr bhi nahi laga.

Sameer smiled at his wife's child like excitement, and shifted at his place to get a comfortable position. He was sitting near the window of his hotel room, which had a very narrow space to sit.

Sameer: Arre waah! That's really good.

Naina: Haan! Aapki Papaji se baat hogayi hai na? Shaam ko phone ki thi main toh unhone bataya ki aapse baat nahi huyi hai aaj.

Sameer: Haan phone kiya tha maine. Naman ke saath bahar gaye huye the. Zaroor kuch ulta sidha khane gaye honge.

Naina: Ek adha din bahar ka khana kha lene se kuch nahi hoga, Meer. Waise bhi ghar par Bua dadiji aur Dadaji unko kadhi nigarani mein rakhenge.

Sameer: Bas yeh ek adha din unka roz na aaye.

Naina: Nahi aayega! Ab aap yeh bolo ki aaj ka plan kya hai aapka? Aaj shaam kahin nahi gaye aap?

Sameer: Nahi. Aaj room pe raha. Kuch kaam hai toh usko kar raha hun. Main Mumbai mein nahi hun aur sab kuch bechari Sreeja pe aagaya hai. Itna cruel boss nahi hun ki uska exhaust kar lun. Toh apne part ka jitna ho raha hai kar raha hun.

Naina giggled and walked to the small balcony of her room. She sat on the cushioned bed she had made earlier, and rested her back against the wall.

Sameer: Tum jaake so jao meri jaan. 11 baj rahe hai. Aaj thak gayi hogi na. Subah subah uthakar Papa aur Dadu ke liye nashta banaya, unko airport drop ki, aur aaj toh bahar dinner bhi leke gayi thi sabko.

Naina: Nahi. Phone rakh lungi toh aaj ka din khatam ho jayega. Phir kal subah ka intezar karna padega, aapko dekhne ke liye. Thodi der aur baat karte hai na Meer

Sameer chuckled at her pout and kissed his front camera, indirectly kissing her pout. Naina's cheeks turned pink and she started looking here and there.

Sameer: Arre! Maine phone ko kiss kiya phir bhi tum blush kar rahi ho, as if maine directly tumhe kiss kiya ho.

Naina's cheeks turned more red at this. She could feel the weird sensations in her stomach, just remembering the toe curling kisses Sameer gives her.

Sameer: Arre arre arre! Kya ho raha hai? Itni zyada blushing! Aissa kya soch rahi ho tum, jo gaal itne laal ho rahe hai?

Seeing his smirk, Naina's cheeks flared and she clutched her phone. Sameer was enjoying his wife becoming a blushing mess. He so wanted to pull her cheeks and kiss them, but thanks to the distance of miles, he can't. He has to satisfy himself by just seeing her and teasing her from faraway. So he decided to tease her a little more.

Sameer: Jaan, tum bas kiss ka soch kar itna blush kar rahi ho. Agar uske aage.......

Naina widened her eyes and looked at her phone, and found her husband suppressing his laughter. She squinted her eyes and made a poker face.

Naina: Aap iss distance ka bahut fayda le rahe ho!

Sameer: Haan! Waise bhi I am enjoying it.

Naina: Itna enjoy maat kijiye!

Sameer: Kyun ji?

Naina: Aisse hi ji!

Sameer: Nahi ji! Main toh aapko aur tangg karunga.

Naina: Meerrr!

Sameer laughed loudly, making Naina sulk and pout. Seeing her sulky pout, Sameer decided to stop and tame his little angry bird.

Sameer: Chalo chalo. Ab aapko aur pareshaan nahi karenge. Kyunki wahan abhi baj rahe hai 11:30 aur koi bhi florist ki dukaan nahi khuli hogi. I can't afford to make you angry now.

Naina: Haawww! Agar aap gifts nahi doge tab bhi mujhe maana sakte ho na! Kya aap main sirf phool aur gifts se maanne walon mein se lagti hun?

Sameer: Nahi meri jaan. Main bas mazak kar raha tha. Tum toh serious hogayi.

Naina: Thik hai. Aap keh rahe ho toh maan jati hun.

Sameer smiled and seeing her husband's smile, Naina's facade dropped. Even Sameer knew that she was doing drama.

Sameer: Ab bahut der hogayi hai jaan. So jao. Hum kal subah baat karenge. Hmm?

Naina pouted but agreed with him. She told Goodnight to him and blew some flying kisses before disconnecting. The moment she disconnected the call, Naina's eyes filled up with tears. She was missing Sameer very badly. She was already fed up with these video calls between them. She craved for husband and his presence. She just wanted to hide somewhere, where no one can find her, and come out of the hideout once Sameer is back. She looked at her wallpaper with needy eyes and didn't realise when her eyes become droopy and she dozed off, in that position, in her balcony. Remembering her husband.

Whereas Sameer's condition was no less, he held her dupatta and wrapped it around him to feel her fragrance around him. He was trying his level best to finish off everything sooner and fly back to his wife. He caressed his wedding ring and kissed it. Looking out of window, Sameer suddenly felt very lonely.

He wondered how come in the matter of few months, he got a person who filled up the void in his life. Now everything seemed dull and plain to him, in the absence of his wife. London is such a beautiful city. People dream of visiting there and having the time of their life. But Sameer wanted to be out of the city as soon as possible. He couldn't find any glory in the London Eye or Big Ben. Those were lifeless structure for him, and nothing more.