In the middle of the night, the calm and cool weather changed into thunderous and scary. The clouds were clashing each other and the thunder seemed to crack the air as if the very heavens might split apart. It rolled like the ash could of a volcano, becoming a rolling booming rumble. It declared to all the raw power of nature and gave fair warning of the wrath that was to come. Due to the roaring of the clouds, the somnolence of Naina broke and she started trembling like a dry leaf. She sat on the bed clutching her folded knees to her chest. She covered her ears with her palms to prevent the scary noise, she started sweating and continuously mumbled her dad's name.

It was Sameer's instincts or his connection with her heart, his somnolence too broke. When he turned to the side of the bed where Naina sleep, he found her sitting rather than sleeping. Her body was trembling bad and he could hear her sobbing. It took a second to get up and sit next to her.

Sameer kept his hand on her shoulder and instantly she came into his embrace and hid her face in his chest. She had tightly gripped Sameer's chest with her arm and was sobbing.

Sameer: Nai...Naina kya hua??? Tum ro kyun rahi ho??

Naina: Sameer Ji...Sameer Ji 😩😭

Sameer: Naina...pehle chup ho jao...

Sameer rubbed her back and tried seeing her face but she didn't let him do so. So he wounded his arms around her and secured her in his protective embrace. He was both happy and confused at the same time, happy that the girl whom he loves the most is in his arms and confused as he couldn't understand what happened in the middle of the night that caused Naina to cry so badly. He kept rubbing her back softly and weaved his fingers in her hair. When Naina calmed down, she spoke but still didn't lift her head.

Naina: Sameer Ji, Mujhe tufan se bahut daar lagta hai, aur bijli ke kadkne par bhi bahut daar lagta hai... Aaj tak jab bhi aissa mausam hua toh main Papa ke paas chali jati thi par aaj...

Sameer: Koi baat nahi Naina. Papaji nahi hai toh kya hua main hun na...Aur dekho ab bijli bhi nahi kadk rahi hai.
Yeh lo paani pee lo...

He placed a glass of water in front of her lips, which Naina held with her trembling hands and gulped it in one go. She still kept her head on Sameer's chest and was holding him tightly.

Naina: Jis din Maa gayi thi uss din bhi aissa mausam tha. Main shaam ko tuition se wapas aayi toh mushladhar baarish ho rahi thi aur aasman aisse hi ro raha tha. Ghar pahunchi toh Chachiji ne bataya ki sab hospital mein hai. Pralay bhaiya ne apni bike par bithake mujhe hospital le gaye. Wahan par jaise main pahuchi, Papa mujhe dekhke galake rone lage. Phir thodi der baad pata chala ki Maa...Maa hum sab chodke chali gayi 😭😭

Some teardrops rolled down the checks of Sameer as he too was well acquainted with the feeling of losing the most important person of our life, our mother. He too went back to that day when he came home to find his mom lying on the bamboo bed with a white sheet spread over it and she was dressed up like a newlywed bride. His dad was mourning and his dadu was sitting on his rocking chair lifelessly looking at his mom. It had taken almost a week for Sameer to understand that his mom has left him alone forever and she won't be returning. Those days sort of shivered Sameer but what now he had to focus on was Naina! He had to console her and make her feel better.

Sameer: Naina...maanta hun ki uss din aisse hi mausam mein tumne apni Maa ko khoya, isliye iss mausam ne tumhare andar ek daar paida kar diya hai. Par mujhe ek baat batao, uss din ke baad kya aisse tufaano ne tumhari life mein kuch aur bura kiya hai??

Naina nodded her head in a no cutely.

Sameer: Balki inn tufaano ne tumhe shayad Papaji ke aur karib la diya hai. Dekho agar tum inse nahi darti toh shayad tum apne baaki ke saare daar Papaji se nahi bolti aur woh tumhare itne acche dost nahi bante. Aur...

Naina: Aur kya Sameer Ji???

Sameer (mischievously ): Aur aaj tum mujhe bina maange hug nahi karti jaise bhi karke rakhi ho 😉

Naina realised their position and quickly unhugged him. She sat on her place with lowered eyes and pinkish cheeks. The thunderous weather was a long-forgotten thing for her, as now all she did was blush and tried to hide her shy eyes and pink cheeks. Sameer chuckled and kept his hand on top of hers.

Sameer: Naina...

Naina: J...ji

Sameer: So jao, Kal hume nikalna bhi toh hai...

Naina: Sameer Ji, woh....sorry

Sameer: Sorry kyun??

Naina: Woh...woh maine aapko hug kar liya...

Sameer: Naina! Main tumhara dost hun na, toh ek dost apne dusre dost ko hug kar sakta hai na. Ismein sorry bolne ki kya jaroorat??

Naina: Woh...aapko accha nahi laga hoga yeh soch kar maine aap se sorry kaha...

Sameer: Aur mujhe accha kyun nahi lagega?

Naina: Woh...woh aap mujhse pyaar karte hai na aur main aapse nahi karti. Na hi main aapko uss tarike se pasand karti hun. Toh mujhe laga aapko mera aapko hug karna accha nahi laga hoga...Mujhe laga ki aap sochoge ki yeh kya? Kehti hai ki mujhse pyaar nahi karti par ab gaale lag rahi hai 😟

Sameer: Naina...Main tumse pyaar karta hun par tumhari izzat bhi toh karta hun. Main kabhi bhi tumhe kisi bhi cheez ke liye force nahi karunga, na mujhe pyaar karne ke liye aur na hi kisi aur cheez ke liye.
Aur abhi toh tumne mujhe isliye hug kiya na kyunki tum daar gayi thi hai na?? Aur tum mujhe ek dost aur ek pati ke haisiyat se kabhi bhi kuch bhi bata sakti ho. Bina hichkichat ke aur bina daar ke, hmm?

Naina nodded cutely with misty eyes and smiled when Sameer prompted her to do so. Naina smiled and Sameer smiled too seeing her pretty smile ❤️.

Sameer: Accha tum jao aur muh dhoke aao...Aisse roti huyi sakal leke sone jaogi na toh kal subah soojhi aankhon ke saath uthogi 😁😂

Naina: Ji thik hai. Main abhi aayi...

When Naina went to wash her face, Sameer pondered over what transpired between them a few moments ago. How Naina felt that he might have felt uncomfortable or bad about her embracing him in a hug. Though Sameer was acquainted with Naina's apprehensions and her uncomfortableness, what she said now was something which made Sameer wonder. He was still in his thoughts and thinking of ways to break the shell which Naina has created around her when she came out.

Naina (to herself ): Sameer Ji ab tak soye nahi...Unhe dekh ke lag raha hai kuch soch rahe hai. Kahin unhe meri kahi baat ka bura toh nahi laga?? Haan shayad yeh hi baat hai. Maine bhi na 🤦. Khamakha Sameer Ji ko pareshaan kar di. Rishton se aur khud parse vishwas mera utha hai, aur uska bhugtaan Sameer Ji ko karna pad raha hai...
Bhabhi sahi keh rahi thi, mujhe Sameer Ji ko janne samjhne ki koshish karni chahiye. Aur Sameer Ji bhi kitne acche hai, mujhse pyaar karte hai par aaj tak bataya nahi aur toh aur mere liye mujhe iss rishte se azaad karne ke liye bhi taiyar hai. Agar yeh apni pyaar ki kurbani de sakte hai toh main apne dil ke darwaze khol sakti hun na...

Sameer saw Naina standing near the bed and lost somewhere. Sooner he realised that maybe she is thinking about what happened a few moments ago.

Sameer (to himself): Naina ko mujhe thoda time dena chahiye. Jaise Pranati aur Papaji ne kaha hai, Naina ko kisike saath comfortable hone mein time lagta, mujhe bhi usse time dena chahiye. Shayad mere usse main usse pyaar karta hun kehna galat tha. Kya pata woh I love you sunke daar gayi ho?? Yaar main bhi na 😞😣

Sameer walked near Naina where she was standing lost in her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he kept his hand on her shoulder to bring her out of her daze. She shuddered at her place and looked at the love-filled eyes looking at her which belongs to her husband, her friend who is understanding her point of view since the very first day. He gave a soft smile to her and asked her to sit down on the bed.

Sameer kneeled in front of Naina and held her hands. He looked at her with gentle and love-filled eyes.

Sameer: Naina, dekho...Jaise maine aaj tumse kaha ki main tumse pehli nazar mein hi pyaar kar baitha aur humesha tumse hi karta rahunga. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main apne decisions aur apni wishes tum par thopunga...
Sagaai wale din se maine tumse kaha hai ki tumhe mujhse darne aur hichkichane ki koi jaroorat nahi hai! Aur khas aaj se... Main humesha tumhare dost banke rahunga, chahe zindagi aur kismat hume kahin bhi le jaaye. Hum saath hona ho, par humari dosti zaroor saath rahegi Naina. Ab iss baare mein zyada maat socho aur so jao...Kal hume nikalna bhi hai.

Naina: Sameer Ji! Thank you mujhe samjhne ke liye aur samjhane ke liye ☺️😊. Main aapse waada karti hun ki main puri koshish karungi apne aap badalne ke liye...

Sameer: Nahi Naina! Main nahi chahta ki tum mere liye ya kisike liye bhi khud ko badlo. Tum aur tumhare sapne jaise hai waise hi rehne chahiye. Kabhi bhi khud ko aur apne sapno ko badalne ki sochna bhi maat! Waada karo mujhse ki chahe kuch bhi ho jaye tum aissi hi rahogi...Aur rahi baat meri toh, main bas itna chahta hun ki tum apne dil mein thodi si jagah mujhe do, ek dost aur ek pati ke haisiyat se...
Main janta hun Naina tumhari Maa ke jaane ke baad aur khas kar yeh jaane ke baad ki unka cancer tumhare janam ke baad zyada badha, tum toot gayi ho aur apne dil ke darwaze zor se bandh kar diye hai. Aur karna bhi chahiye, tumhari jagah koi aur hota toh woh bhi yeh hi karta. Maine bhi yeh hi kiya tha par Naina kabhi kabhar na yeh dil na apni hi nahi sunta. Apne liye kiye waade bhul jaata hai aur kisi ki ore chal deta hai, Jaise mere dil ne kiya.
Main yeh nahi keh raha ki tum mujhe pyaar karo, nahi bilkul nahi bas....bas uncomfortable maat feel karo. Tumhari aankhon mein daar aur hichkichat dekh mujhe accha nahi lagta...😞😞😞

Sameer kept quiet for some time, closing his eyes to prevent the tears rolling down he stood up and went inside the washroom. He kept splashing water on his face till he felt his insides cooling down. When he came out of the washroom, he saw Naina sitting in that position and looking at the door of the washroom with misty and expecting eyes. He didn't have any strength left to talk to her or to make her understand anything so he straightaway lied down on the bed.

Naina was aware of the fact that Sameer was deeply hurt due to her cold behaviour towards him since day one. Even on their Roka ceremony day, he initiated the conversation but she abruptly ended it. Not once did she give him a proper glance but he was all the time sportive and complimented her on her outfits and all ❤️❤️. It was now that she kind of opened up and spoke to him. She was just blankly watching his back which was facing towards her. She decided to give Sameer space for dealing with the flow of his emotions. She too lied down on her side and continued staring his back with a hope that he would turn around be his jolly self to cheer her up.

Next morning, Sameer woke up with his usual attitude. He decided to forget last night's episode which happened between the two of them. His heart melted like butter when he saw his love and now his wife sleeping next to him. She was sleeping on her back with her one hand on top of her stomach and the other one just beside her head. Her soft and shiny hair covered the white pillow cover like a curtain, her eyelashes rested on top of her cheekbones, her lips were formed in a pout which made her look cuter ❤. The smudged vermillion at the edge of her hairline and the dazzling mangalsutra gave her the identity as his wife and made him realise that he is married to this epitome of beauty and innocence to which cuteness and calmness were added.

Sameer (To Himself): Naina ko mujhe aur time dena chahiye...Ek toh abhi abhi college khatam hua hai uska aur shaadi hogayi humari, upar se uske ghar par bhi toh sab bol rahe honge ki Sameer se ghulo milo...In sab par maine bhi Naina ko woh sab kaha. Main apni koshish jari rakhta hun, par iss bar bina kisi expectations ke!

He got up from the bed and went inside the bathroom to have his bath and get ready for the day. After 15 mins when he came out he saw Naina was still sleeping peacefully clutching the side pillow tightly. He let her sleep for some more time as last night she couldn't have proper sleep. After getting ready in a black shirt and grey trousers he decided to pick clothes for Naina. He scanned through her outfits and took out three fourth sleeved teal silk kurta with palazzo set. The kurta had golden and mauve floral prints on the sleeves and all over the kurta. The palazzo was simple solid teal shaded and the same was with the dupatta. Next, he selected a golden oxidised crescent-shaped chandbalis which matched with the outfit he had selected for her. Checking up on all the things he kept ready Naina, he went downstairs after checking upon Naina for the last time.

Downstairs, Sameer found Jaiprakash and Vivek sitting in the hall and reading a newspaper and business newspaper respectively.

Sameer: Good Morning Dadu! Good morning Papa!

Vivek: Good Morning beta! Kya baat hai aaj itni jaldi uth gaya???

Jaiprakash: Arrey Vivek, samjho na! Biwi ke saath bahar ghumne ke excitement mein nind kahan aayi hogi humare Sameer ko 😏😏
Kyun hai na Sameer??

Sameer: Hahaha, nahi aissi koi baat nahi hai Dadu...I mean excitement hai par uski wajah se nahi utha hun, woh actually nind jaldi toot gayi toh ready ho gaya simple...

Vivek: Accha thik hai. Humari bahu kahan hai?? Jaane se pehle uski haath ki chai nasib ho jati toh mazza hi kuch aur hota, nahi Papa?

Sameer: So rahi hai. Woh kal raat ko kharab mausam ke karan uski nind toot gayi aur bahut time tak daar ke wajah se so nahi payi...
Aur rahi baat chai ki toh main bana deta hun... Ramdhari Kaka nashta bana lenge...

Jaiprakash: Oh! Thik hai, tu bana la chai. Waise bhi bahu ko abhi itni bhaga daudi ki aadat bhi nahi hai, abhi choti bhi hai. Jimmedari ke bojh taale daab na jaaye woh...Mayke mein bhi rajkumari ki tarah rehti thi aur yahan bhi humari rajkumari jaise rahegi. Bas kuch logo ke nazron se bachake rakhna hai...
Sameer tujhe iss baat ka pura khyal rakhna hai ki usse koi taklif na ho, tu samjh raha hai na??

Sameer: Ji Dadu! Maine Naina ko kal thoda idea de diya tha ki woh kaise hai....Aur Dadu mujhe nahi lagta unki himmat hogi Naina se kuch kehne ki...

Vivek: Unhe kam maat samjh beta! Poonam ke saath jo ho raha hai usse dekh kaise pichle 10 saal main aur Papa aankhein band kiye baithe hai hum hi jante hai...Poonam unki bahu hai isliye jyada bol nahi pa rahe hai, aur teri Maa se kiya hua waada hume unke khilaf kuch karne se rok raha hai....😔

Sameer: Aap dono chinta maat kijiye. Poonam Bhabhi Maa aur Naina ke saath main khada hun. Agar kuch bura bhala bolne ki kya sochne ki koshish ki unhone toh Sameer Maheshwari ka woh chehra dekhenge jo aaj tak nahi dekha hoga 😡😡

Jaiprakash: Yeh sab chod, aur ja jaake chai la...

Sameer nodded and went inside the kitchen to prepare tea for the Maheswari men and coffee for his lovely wife. He was done with making tea coffee when he heard the shrill voice of the venomous member of the house, Prabha.

Prabha: Oh my god! Agar tum dono yahan ho, toh kitchen mein chai koun bana raha hai??

Sameer: Main bana raha tha!

Sameer walked till the dinner table and kept the tray on top of it and shooted daggers on Prabha. His gaze fell on his wife and changed into disappointment after seeing her dressed in purple colour silk saree with golden thread work on the borders and body. Though she still looked ethereal, he had expected her to doll up in his chosen clothing. And she didn't even wear the earrings he had taken out for her. She wore a pair of golden kundan dome-shaped jhumka instead of the golden oxidised chandbalis.

Vishakha: Sameer, tum kitchen mein?? Kitchen mein kya kar rahe the??

Sameer came out of his reveries and composed himself. He thought that maybe she didn't like what he selected that's why she didn't wear it or maybe it was too sudden on his part for getting involved in her dressing matters.

Sameer: Apne, Dadu aur Papa ke liye chai banane gaya tha aur Naina ke liye coffee...

Prabha: Tumne kyun banaya beta?? Iss ghar ki dono bahu maar gayi thi kya jo ab ghar ke bete ko chai banana pada???

Sameer: Waise dekha jaaye toh iss ghar ki ek bahu aapki pyaari Vishakha bhi hai. Pichle 18 saalon mein main unhe apne kamre, hall aur lawn ke alawa kahin nahi dekha hai...
Aur rahi baat Naina aur Poonam bhabhi Maa ki, toh bhi insaan hai. Unhe bhi ek din ka break chahiye. Toh kya hua agar maine chai banayi toh.

Neither Prabha nor Vishakha could utter anything further as Sameer showed them his red eyes. He walked to his grandfather and father to give them their cup of tea and gave Naina her cup of coffee. Holding his cup, he went outside to the lawn and sat on the bench. His mind was filled with thoughts when he heard the sweet and soft voice of his wife. She stood 2 metres behind him, fidgeting with the pallu of her saree and looking at him with guilt.

Naina: Sameer Ji, woh sorry maine aapke nikale huye kapde aur accessories nahi pehne...😔😔

Sameer: Koi baat nahi Naina...🙂🙂
Main samjh sakta hun tumhe mere nikale kapde pasand nahi aaye honge, toh tumne nahi pehne.

Naina: Nahi Sameer Ji aissi baat nahi hai! Woh actually... shaadi ke baad sasural mein sabke saamne sirf saree pehente hai na. Toh isliye maine woh nahi pehne...Par aap bura maat maniye, main kal woh kurta set aur jhumke pehenke aapke saath ghumne niklungi pakka!! Maine unhe pack kar diya hai suitcase mein...

Before Sameer could say anything, both of them heard a familiar voice saying "Tumhe kisne kaha ki shaadi ke baad tumhe sirf saree pehnni hai humare saamne".

Vivek and Jaiprakash stood at a short distance with a loving smile on their faces.

Jaiprakash: Dekh beta, jaise mere liye Sameer hai, waise hi tu bhi hai. Tujhe bahu ke taur laya zaroor hun par maana toh beti hai. Aur saree roz pehenke rehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Kabhi kabhar maan kare toh pehen lena.....

Naina: Dadaji par...

Vivek: Nahi beta! Iss ghar mein bahu beti ka roop maani jati hai...Isliye tumhari saas matlab Sameer ki Maa, Vaishali ke yeh kangan tumhe dene aaya hun. Uski humesha se iccha thi ki humari ek beti ho... par yeh hona saka isliye jab uska accident hua tha Aur woh hospital mein akhri saansein gin rahi thi tab usne kaha ki yeh kangan Sameer ki biwi ke liye rakh dun. Kal tumhe dena bhul gaya tha....
Tumhari saas ne pehle hi apni beti maan li thi ab sasur aur dada sasur bhi tumhe apni beti maan rahe hai 😊😊

Naina had tears of happiness after knowing that these bangles were the blessings of her late mother-in-law ❤️. She accepted them and immediately touched the feet of her father-in-law and grandfather-in-law.

Naina: Mujhe beti maan ne ke liye thank you 🙏❤️ Main kabhi bhi aap dono ko nirash nahi karungi Aur na hi Sameer Ji ko 😊😊

Jaiprakash: Janta hun....accha baccho ap tumhe nikalna chahiye. Flight ka time ho raha hai...Baaki baatein tum dono ke aane ke baad hongi...

Vivek: Naina, jaake change kar lo. Jo Sameer ne nikala tha usse pehenke aa jao..

Naina blushed and ran inside the house to change into the outfit selected by Sameer. Though she was very keen to wear according to his choice but due to the stereotypical thoughts, she didn't. But now she was getting ready according to his taste. She was just done with getting ready when Sameer came in and halted in his tracks after seeing Naina. She radiated natural glow and her fair skin was getting complimented by the dark shade of the kurta set. She had lined her eyes with kajal and painted her luscious lips pink. Sameer was ready lose all his senses when her nervousness brought him out of his lala land. He walked till her and smilingly whispered "You look beautiful ❤️❤️". Naina blushed and lowered her eyes as she wasn't able to meet her eyes with his.

Sameer lifted the suitcases and asked her to come along as their cab was waiting for them, she picked up her purse and phone and followed him. Bidding goodbyes to Jaiprakash and Vivek, Samaina left for their first journey together. It was a journey of exploration of new places and new things about each other ❤️❤️.

Hey guys! Here is the next update. I know I'm very late and I'm sorry for that too 😩. I'm stuck with work and festive season has been a pain for me...

Koi nahi, I'm trying to give the updates ASAP.

Until next time, take care and stay safe.

Happy Diwali in advance ❤️🌸

See you soon.

With love ❤️
Kiara