Sameer entered home with his key and found Rakesh reading a book on the couch. It was Saturday, an off day for Rakesh at the library. Sameer removed his shoes and his eyes wandered in the house, he had detected sheer quietude in the house too.

"Preeti ke ghar gayi hai..."

Sameer looked at the source of the voice and found Rakesh peeping from his book.

He strolled inside, with a sheepish smile, "kk... kaun Papa?"

"Wahi... jise tumhe ghar me kadam rakhte barabar sabse pehle dekhna hota hai... tumhari Juliet," Rakesh said as he flipped the page of his book, keeping a straight face but in a complete mood of teasing his son-in-law.

Sameer coughed, finding a place to hide himself in his mind. The sheepish smile on his face turned into a blush, feeling shy about the fact that he had successfully established himself as Romeo and a complete patni ke pyaar me lattu ashiq in front of this society now, and Papa being the first person to witness all this since they came to Mumbai.

Sameer lingered in the living room, not understanding why he was standing like a stupid, as his brain had stopped functioning for a while.

"Achchha ab tamatar ki tarah laal hona band karo... baitho..." Rakesh instructed, pointing towards a single sofa and chuckling at Sameer's state.

Sameer laughed at himself too. He never thought his khadoos librarian, who actually tried to protect his daughter from him, would tease him one day like this. Keeping his bag on the trunk, he took his seat on the sofa, leaning back and stretching his legs.

After relaxing for a while, Sameer got up to drink water by himself and went to freshen up. When he returned to his place, he saw that Papa was writing something from the book in a copy, with the copy on the tea table and him bent down. After studying it carefully, he recognized it was Papa's old copy of the poem's collection.

"Papa, isme aapki pasandeeda kavitaon ka collection hai na?" He asked in curiosity, wanting to know more about it.

Rakesh, who was engrossed in noting down a poem in it, looked at him; his brows furrowed. "Tum jaante ho iss ke baare mein?"

"Haan, mujhe Naina ne dikhayi thi..." Sameer accepted gladly.

Rakesh straightened, thinking if Naina was the reason he found his old copy out of the trunk. This notebook was part of his belongings along with his books, and just like other necessities, it was brought here in Mumbai with his luggage. But he never dared to take it out of the trunk as all the old memories related to this would surface in his mind. One day, he spotted this copy giving company to his daily books and he was taken to his past.... to the memories he avoided to revisit often.

He used to look at it, would struggle to open it and read his favorite poems, but then ignore. Today, after a long time, he finally opened it to note down a poem from a book he borrowed for himself from his library.

A warm smile crept on his lips when he got to know that his daughter already knew about it and had shown it to Sameer too.

"Tumne padhi hai yeh kavitayein?" Rakesh queried out of curiosity.

"Saari nahi... lekin kuchh padhi hai," Sameer answered merrily, "aapki handwriting bahot achchhi hai Papa..."

Rakesh chuckled, "arey inn hastakshar ke chakkar me kitna maar khaya hai bachpan me, kya batau..."

The two men laughed freely. Sameer still found it hard to believe that his Papa would get beaten in his childhood.

Rakesh continued noting down the poem and Sameer kept on observing him for a while. He contemplated if he should ask something that had crossed his mind when he had checked his copy for the first time. Today he found it to be a good opportunity since they were only the two here in this lazy afternoon.

"Papa, ek baat puchhu aapse?" Sameer asked after a deep breath.

"Haan puchho."

The shrill of the cordless disturbed the peaceful environment of the house before Sameer could ask the question in his mind. Rakesh was about to get up when Sameer halted him with his hand, "Papa, mai dekhta hu..."

Rakesh frowned with the way Sameer rushed to answer the call, hitting his knee to the tea-table in a haste on his way. He would otherwise have overlooked it, but now he was curious to know the caller. So he observed keenly.

Sameer answered the call while facing towards the wall. However Rakesh could hear only his first casual 'hello' as later to that, he heard only mumbles.

Sameer looked at Rakesh from the corner of his eyes and when found that he was being stared at, he preferred to talk in the bedroom.

The frown didn't disappear from Rakesh's face looking at Sameer. Yes, Sameer has taken the cordless phone to the bedroom or balcony many times, but it still looked weird to him. Weird given his body language and the way he spoke to the person. But then he ignored, letting Sameer have his privacy and focusing on completing the poem he was noting.

Sameer came back after five minutes, keeping the cordless on the tea-table, he took his position again. He saw Rakesh smiling as he finished writing and putting the cap of the pen back to it.

"Tum kuchh puchhne wale the mujhe..." Rakesh reminded Sameer of what he was about to ask him.

Sameer stiffened in his chair, "mm... mai? Mai kuchh nahi puchhne wala tha..." he said.

"Arey puchho bhai... kya baat hai?" Rakesh insisted.

"Mai puchh raha tha..." Sameer thought for a moment. How can he ask what he wanted to ask 'now'? "Haan, mai puchh raha tha... aap abhi kaunsi kavita likh rahe hai isme?" He sighed. He would have surely liked to know the poem later, but for the moment, the question saved him.

Rakesh smiled widely, "Sumitranadan Pant ji ki ek bahot hi umda kavita hai... wahi likh raha tha...

'मैंने छुटपन में छिपकर पैसे बोये थे,

सोचा था, पैसों के प्यारे पेड़ उगेंगे,

रुपयों की कलदार मधुर फसलें खनकेंगी

और फूल फलकर मैं मोटा सेठ बनूँगा!'"

He recited the first four lines and forwarded the book towards Sameer. Sameer took it gleefully and read the poem by himself, written in the beautiful handwriting of Papa. His lips automatically turned upward, reading each line and grasping every word of it, perceiving the deep meaning the poem had behind the subtle words.

As he finished the last line, he noticed the poet's name, the name of the poetry collection and today's date. He had read some poems from the copy before but he hadn't noticed these details. His curiosity made him turn the previous page to check for the date.

May, 1975.

Last poem was noted in this copy 21 years ago?

He frowned and turned more pages to see the dates. It dated all back till 1963.

"Papa, aapne 1975 ke baad se isme koi kavita nahi likhi? Aur maine aapko yaha yeh copy kholte hue bhi nahi dekha..." The question came out of his mouth inadvertently. His eyes were still fixed on the poems.

Not hearing a response, Sameer looked at Rakesh, who now had a slight coat of sadness on his face. Rakesh tried to bring a small smile on his lips, he voiced, "haan, isme saari kavitayein tab tak likhi gayi thi jab tak Rama mere sath thi..." He took a long pause before continuing, "mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai isme akhri kavita maine tab likhi thi jab Naina shayad sirf ek saal ki thi... Rama Arjun aur Naina ke sath khel rahi thi... meri school ki chhutiyaan chal rahi thi... chhoti si lekin bahot khush-haal duniya thi hamari..."

He averted his eyes from Sameer and fixed them on his hands, gulping a lump before continuing, "lekin Rama ke jaane ke baad... maine sab band kar diya..."

Sameer's relaxed posture changed and he adjusted himself. This was for the first time Papa was talking to him about his mother-in-law, whom he had never heard much about. Only the small-small incidents when Naina talked about her mother.

Sameer checked the notebook again, scanning through the collection of poems in it. He had to ask what he avoided some time ago. Doesn't matter ifㅡ

"Tumhe kya hua?" Rakesh broke his thoughts, trying to keep the situation light.

Sameer heaved deeply and queried, "aap bura na mane toh ek baat kahu?"

"Haan kaho na..."

"Papa, mai yeh saari kavitayein dekhta hun... yeh jab bhi aapne likhi thi... aapki soch, aapke khayalat unse ekdum alag hai jabse mai aapko jaan'ne laga... Maine aapko apne hi bachhon me farak karte dekha hai... aapko kabhi Naina ke sath pyar se baat karte hue nahi dekha... na hi kabhi uski taarif karte hue... ya uski sarahna karte hue... toh yeh sab?"

Sameer swayed the notebook in his hand, still not discerning himself if it was the same man who had a poetry collection of such progressive thoughts.

Rakesh fathomed what Sameer really wanted to ask him. Though he had put forth an ambiguous question that could be taken to any direction, he figured out through Sameer's eyes what exactly he meant.

He leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees and him eyeing somewhere in void on the tea-table, regretting to be the man he had become and whom everyone hated. "Rama ke jaane ke baad mai bikhar sa gaya tha..." Rakesh sounded serious, his voice was deep. "Mai samajh nahi paa raha tha iske aage apni grihasthi kaise badhau... apne bachchon ke kaise sambhalu..."

Sameer felt the urge and earnestness in Rakesh's voice. He saw him as a helpless man with two little kids in his arms.

Rakesh continued, "maine apne aap ko kaam me duba liya tha... taaki Arjun aur Naina ke bhavishya ke liye paise jod ke rakhu... lekin bade bhaisahab ne Naina ko Anand aur Bela ko saunp diya, yeh kehke mai uski parwarish nahi kar sakta... Unke ek faisle ne hum teeno ka batwara kar diya... aur phir... paise banane ki meri nakaam koshishein... kadam kadam hota hua mera apmaan...dusro ki nazar me mere liye ghrina aur daya dekhi hai maine... jeevan ke iss kadwahat ne mujhe kab kadwa bana diya mai khud hi samajh nahi paaya... aur aaj usi kadwahat ka nateeja hai ki mera...."

Rakesh paused, finding himself overwhelmed with the emotions. He swallowed a lump. "Mai Naina ko hamesha se hi pyar dena chahta tha Sameer.... Lekin bhaisahab ki pratigami* soch aur bhabhiji ke taane, ki Naina ke wajah se Rama hame chhodke chali gayi... inn sab mein mere vicharon par bhi zung chadh gaya.... ek ghatiya insaan bann gaya tha mai."

Sameer pursed his lips, looking at the poem noted by Papa and contemplating if this was the real man he's finally getting to know gradually. He tried to picture what Papa must have gone through when he failed again and again raising his kids.

Sameer noticed the teary eyes of Rakesh. He knew the man would never show his vulnerable side to him, but today he had opened up a little. "Papa, aap hi kehte the na... ki kabhi koi insaan galat nahi hota... uski paristhiti usko waisa bana deti hai... toh aap bhi apne aap ko dosh mat dijiye." Sameer voiced warmly.

Rakesh composed himself with a deep sigh and nodded, acknowledging the soothing words uttered by Sameer with a small smile.

Tranquility took over the room for a whole minute. The men stayed silent, witnessing how they were seeing a changed version of what they had known each other before. The emotionally dense environment slowly loosened as Rakesh busied himself in the book and Sameer in the poems.

"Waise bachchon se yaad aaya..." Rakesh said as something struck his mind, "yeh Aditya ne ab tak Gadkari sahab ko bataya nahi hero banne ke baare me? Woh bechare kab se ummeed lagaya baithe hai unka beta jald hi kaam par jayega, naukri karega..."

"Papa mai..." Sameer tried to speak but he was cut in.

"Tum bachchon ko kab samajh me aayega ki maa-baap ko kitna dukh hota hai jab bachche unse sach chhupate hai..."

"Papa..." Sameer called Rakesh sincerely, halting him from continuing. "Mai baat karta hu Aditya se...."

"Papa, aap kya kar rahe hai mai kabse phone try kar rahi hu...." Rakesh couldn't speak as Naina entered the house with a frown on her face.

Naina stopped midway seeing the two men sitting and talking. Her frown deepened and she craned her neck behind to check the cordless holder, and then returned her gaze to the front.

"Tum kab aaye?" She asked Sameer, her brows still carrying the curves.

"Mai... kafi time ho gaya..." Sameer answered as he shrugged.

"Phone toh yahi hai..." Naina said while pointing at the cordless on the tea-table, still discerning something in her mind.

"Haan toh?" Sameer and Rakesh voiced unanimously. They both were observing Naina's restless actions.

Naina sighed, giving up and directing her fiery eyes towards Rakesh, "kab se phone kar rahi hu mai Preeti ke ghar se... sirf itna hi batana tha ki Sameer aa jaye toh mujhe batana... lekin phone hi nahi lag raha..." She rested her hands on her waist.

Rakesh shifted backwards with the fire coming towards him, "mujhe kya pata... maine kuchh nahi kiya..." he defended himself.

"Toh phone kyu nahi lag raha hai..." Naina said annoyingly, stepping ahead to check on the cordless.

Before she could reach the device, it was hastily grabbed by Sameer. Naina got startled with his sudden move, retreating a step back. She saw him fumbling with the buttons of the phone before he passed it to her.

Why did he act so weird? And why is he so possessive about the phone these days?

Naina thought to herself. Sameer's weird behavior was pushing her to think differently. He was always the one to answer the call when he's in the room, as if the call was only for him. She had spotted him speaking on the phone in the balcony or bedroom... rather alone, where no one can listen to his conversation. She had asked him a couple of times and as an answer he had said that he was talking to Munna.

Well, the discussion would cease there itself on Munna's mention. Naina had known for years now what they meant for each other.

But this was.... Again.... weird...

Naina placed the cordless to her ear and checked if the phone was working. Yes, it was working.

Shooting a deadly stare at Sameer, she huffed, not comprehending what was going on in their life, and left to the bedroom with cordless in her hand.

"Ise kya hua?" Perplexed, Rakesh asked Sameer, "yeh aajkal aise jhansi ki rani bani kyu phirti hai?"

Sameer licked his lips and smiled awkwardly. "Chhodiye na Papa.... Naina ka mood hamesha Mumbai ki sadko ki tarah rehta hai... kharab..."

Rakesh laughed while Sameer wiped the sweat on his temple.

****

"Yaar Aditya, tu sure toh hai na?" Sameer asked Aditya as they stood in front of an office.

"Arey haa haa..." Aditya patted Sameer's shoulder and said, "apun ka woh dost hai na Jitesh, usine bataya iss casting director ke baare me... bola woh sure shot role dilata hai serial me..."

Sameer shrugged, "chalo... yeh bhi dekh hi lete hai..."

The duo sat in front of the casting director Kaushik, as per his nameplate, and passed him their photographs. He scanned all the photos, taking his time to watch every photo patiently while Sameer and Aditya sat nervously in their chairs.

"Kaam ka koi experience?" Kaushik asked while putting the photos in his drawer.

"Ummm... maine 2 tv commercials kiye hai... aur 2 print ads." Sameer informed him.

"Apun ka abhi kuchh chalu bhi nahi hua hai," Aditya replied earnestly, "isi liye toh aapke paas aaye hai Sir. Humne suna aap guaranteed role dilate ho."

"Hmmm...." Kaushik hummed, tapping his pen on the table and contemplating, "tees hazar lagenge," he said.

"Ji?" Sameer questioned.

"Haan... isse kam toh ek paisa bhi nahi lunga..." Kaushik answered filmy.

Sameer and Aditya looked at each other. "Sir, paise kis baat ke?" Aditya asked.

"Role chahiye na? Usi ke hai?" Kaushik replied as if it was so obvious. "Dono ke 15-15 hazar lagenge. Cash payment within 2 days aur ek hafte ke andar aapke auditions shuru ho jayenge. And as per the demand you will get the role."

Kaushik shared the procedure while rotating the pen in his hand. Sameer and Aditya remained dumbfounded with what they heard.

Sameer broke the awkward silence, "lekin Sir, hum aapko paise kyun denge?"

"Bhai tumhe kam sunayi deta hai kya? Agar role chahiye toh yeh sab karna hi padega." Kaushik was irked.

"Sir, Yeh toh aapka kaam hi hai na naye talent ko promote karna... iss baat ke paise matlab?"

"Oh hero..." Kaushik turned aggressive, pointing his index finger towards Sameer, he muttered, "mujhe apna kaam sikhane ki zaroorat nahi hai... aur maine kam hi paise bole hai... kyunki tum dono ki shakle dekhkar lagta hai tumhare paas waise bhi paise nahi honge dene ke liye..."

Sameer's fists clenched with the way the casting director was talking to him, he gritted his teeth and was about to retort when Aditya held his wrist to stop him.

"Nikalte hai yaha se...." Aditya mumbled and stood up.

Sameer too stood up and glared at Kaushik, he turned to leave but then stopped, and turned back to Kaushik again. "Hamare pictures," he demanded sternly. He didn't even wish to keep their photos with such an agency.

Kaushik opened his drawer and threw the envelope on the table, which glided towards Sameer.

"Pata nahi kaha kasa se aa jate hai muh uthake..."

Sameer and Aditya heard Kaushik's murmurs and left the office feeling insulted.

"Yaar Aditya mujhe samajh nahi aata yeh saare ghatiya log hame hi kyu milte hai?" Sameer uttered frustrated, when they were out of the building.

"Kasam se Sameer... apan bhi bhagwan ko roj yahich sawal karta hai..." Aditya seconded him, tired of meeting the wrong people every time.

"Yaar yeh log toh bina favour ke kuchh kaam hi nahi karte... koi paise maangta hai aur koi..." Sameer didn't complete. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Kitne dino se toh producers aur casting director ke office ke chakkar kaat rahe hai.... Pata nahi aise kaam kaise milega..."

Aditya huffed, "huhh... aur tu bol raha tha mai aai-baba ko sab sach bata du... dekh raha hai na tu... kis muh se batau mai unhe ki mai aise industry me kaam karna chahta hu jahan na kaam milne ki koi guarantee rehti hai, na woh milne ke baad tike rehne ki..." Aditya was speaking in exasperation.

"Apan ko pata hai Sameer aai-baba apan se ummeed lagaye baithe hai... roj dekhta hai na mai unki aankhon me... par kya kare... yeh saala aise log apan ko aage hi nahi badhne dete... roj ghar jaate samay apan itne guilt ke sath jata hai na Sameer, ki aai-baba se nazrein milane ki himmat bhi nahi hoti..."

Aditya exhaled and took deep breaths. Shoving his hand in his pockets he took out a cigarette pack and a lighter.

Sameer saw him taking a cigarette out, "tch... Aditya... chhod na yaar iss aadat ko... kab se pichhe pada hu tere..."

Without paying any heed to Sameer, Aditya continued to light the cigarette and took a puff, "kya karu yaar Sameer... dimaag itna garam hai na, ki kuchh samajh me nahi aa raha..." he said.

Sameer stayed quiet till Aditya carried on with smoking. Even he wasn't able to think straight after what happened in the office and the way Aditya seemed equally vexed. Usually, they both would balance each other, one of them would always stay calm when the other would be stressed. But today, that was failing too.

Aditya threw the cigarette on the ground, extinguishing it with his foot, "lagta hai saari zindagi bass chakkar hi kaatne hai Mumbai ke..." he said with a sarcastic laugh, "chal, woh Goregoan me ek open audition hai... jaake dekhte hai waha... fit or not fit..."

"Aditya, tu ja... mai ghar ja raha hu..." Sameer replied calmly, he was in no mood to travel again now.

***

Sameer entered the house infuriated, carrying the baggage of the happenings of the day in his mind. His day was supposed to be long with two more auditions but he cut it short when the beginning of the day itself was spoiled.

"Nainaaa...." He almost hollered while taking his shoes off.

No response was heard from anyone. He threw his bag on the trunk angrily and looked around, first in the kitchen and then in the bedroom, and discovered that he was alone in the house. The wall clock striking to 2 told him that Papa must be in the library this time. But Naina should be home, right?

Oh yes, today being 24th, she had her last articleship interview today.

But it was at 10 o'clock. Does it really take four hours??

Shrugging all his thoughts off, he directed himself straight to the kitchen, not even considering freshening up first. He chugged two glasses of water, it being more to calm his outraged soul than to quench his thirst.

He wanted to vent out but there was no one at home to listen to him.

The feeling of loneliness was crawling on him slowly in addition to the chaos in his mind.

He grabbed a steel vessel from the shelf, pouring a cup of water into it.

Where is the lighter now?

It took him another whole minute to find the lighter, which he ultimately found under the gas stove and it only aggravated his anger. Putting water to boil, he searched for milk, sugar and tea powder. He found the containers quickly but when the tea-container was opened, he found it... empty...

woww...

The now open fridge didn't show any vessel of milk to Sameer and after scanning the countertop, he found a vessel that had curdled milk.

"Ab kya insaan chai-coffee bhi na piye...." he muttered to himself.

Keeping his hands apart on the counter, Sameer leaned forward, his head down in dejection and he kept on staring at the boiling water on the gas-stove.

He was boiling from inside as well.

Nothing seemed to go well for him even after returning home. Tired from all of it, he turned the knob off and strolled to the living room. He sat on the sofa, bending forwards and resting his elbows on his knees, he rubbed his palms on his face.

When would things finally fall into place?

Sameer mused. Even going for auditions daily didn't produce any result for him. The process was so tiresome and discouraging. Going for some of the open auditions where he would only stand in the crowd so that the coordinator can tell if you are fit or not fit, he found it utterly disgusting. He had felt like standing and waiting for a person's judgment on him, to tell him that he was not fit for any role with no reason given. He hated when his career would be dependent on a random person, who would only scan him from top to bottom and then reject him on his face saying he wasn't fit.

Fit for what? He never knew the answers.

He used to wonder what was actually true.

When people said that this industry needs good-looking people, then why wasn't it working for him?

Sometimes, he would stand in front of the mirror and question if he was really good looking or not....

Or his loved ones told him he was handsome just because they loved him...

Who was speaking the truth here?

He was baffled like anything.

And then meeting people like Aryan or Kaushik, who take advantage of such crowds... of people who hopelessly trust others and expect humanity from them.

How badly he had wished to throw the money on Kaushik's face this morning? But sadly he didn't really have that much money nor did he carry the aura of the grandson of Jaiprakash Maheshwari from Ahmedabad to teach him a lesson.

His mind routed him towards Aditya and his conversation... well, not really a conversation. Aditya's words were echoing in his mind when he talked about the expectations his parents had from him and the guilt that's slowly taking over him for not getting the work.

Was his own situation any different than Aditya's? No...

Only he knew how much courage he always gathered in him to face Naina's hopeful eyes when he would return from an audition.

The way Papa would ask him 'aaj ka din kaisa raha,' he knew somewhere Papa expected him to share the happy news.

His calls with Vishakha had turned into conversations about any random topic in the world, because he had figured out that even Vishakha didn't want to demotivate him by constantly asking about his work.

Everyone of them had so much faith in him, they trusted him to an extent that they were ready to wait for him forever, and this was eating him from inside.

Was he really worthy of the faith bestowed in him?

"Arey, tum aa gaye? Tumhe toh der honewali thi na aaj?"

Sameer heard the sweet feminine voice he always loved to hear, which works as an ointment on his wounded soul. He peeped from his hands and saw Naina standing near the cordless stand. She had her purse hanging on her shoulder and in her arms was a paper bag, stuffed with most probably some grocery and vegetables, while she held it balancing on her stomach. He felt a little better after seeing her.... but again, just a little...

Perceiving Sameer surveying the bag in her arms, Naina started to explain while walking towards the kitchen, "arey woh subah na dudh fatt gaya pata nahi kaise... aur chai-patti bhi khatm ho gayi thi... isiliye maine socha woh leke hi ghar pohchu..."

As Naina placed the bag on the countertop, she noticed the containers, a cup, a vessel of curdled milk and another vessel with water on the gas-stove. She carefully dipped her little finger in the water to check its temperature. It was lower than lukewarm.

"Tum chai bana rahe the?" She asked him from the kitchen, "sorry woh mai batana hi bhool gayi thi subah chai-patti ke baare me... aur coffee bhi nahi bana paye hoge... dudh bhi toh fatt gaya tha..." She quickly took another clean vessel and poured the milk into it she had bought. She thought of doing it first and then freshening up.

"ab aisa koi system toh nahi hai na ki tumhare paas ek cordless hai aur mere paas bhi... warna tum jhatt se mujhe bata dete ki mai ghar aa gaya hun taaki mai bhi pohoch jaati... Phir na, jab market gayi toh socha thodi sabzi bhi khareed leti hu..." she continued while arranging the grocery, "isiliye late ho gaya... tum kab se aaye ho ghar pe? Achchha, khana khaya na tumne? Aur fruits?"

The tea container was finally filled with the tea-powder and Naina closed the lid. When she looked around, she comprehended Sameer hadn't responded to her yet. The air in the house was so dense that she started feeling heavy, reckoning if she was alone in the house.

By this time, Sameer should have entered the kitchen following her. He should have grabbed her in a tight hug or sought a chance for a kiss, taking advantage of Papa's absence. By this time, he should have sat on the countertop and observed her making the tea for them... or share with her how his day was... or ask her about her interview....

But nothing of the many possibilities happened...

He didn't even smile at her...

Taking two strides, Naina stood under the doorway. She found Sameer still in the same place, in the same position, with his elbows resting on his knees and him lost in something on the floor with his fingers interlocked close to his mouth.

Did he hear anything that she spoke?

Taking steady and careful steps, she crossed the tea-table and sat to his right on the sofa.

"Sameer...." She called him with sheer affection, keeping her palms on his shoulder and knee, bringing him out of his trance.

He looked at her, with no expression on his face. His eyes were neutral, carrying nothing... literally nothing... they were dull, lacking their shine and completely empty.

Naina's breath hitched for a moment seeing him in a state like this.

"Kya hua Sameer?" She asked in concern.

He craned his neck back towards the floor, rubbing his palm with the thumb of another hand, he shook his head in no.

He had been through a day like this before too... probably worse than this... but today it had a bigger impact on him and he didn't know why.

Naina placed her palm on his cheek and made him face her, "Sameer batao na mujhe..."

The doorbell ring became the reason to break the moment between the couple. Naina would have liked to ignore it royally, wanting to pretend as if there was no one at home and whoever was the person should just leave like that.

But the continuous ringing of the bell might only disturb Sameer or worsen his mood, and only for that reason, she got up reluctantly.

It was a postman who asked for Naina Maheshwari. After confirming she was the one, he handed her a khakee colored envelope, with revenue stamps pasted on it.

Without checking the sender's name, she looked at the bottom of the address first. It was from Delhi. As her eyes shifted slightly up, she gasped. The sender was totally unexpected for her.

Sauntering in the living room, Naina stopped near the trunk and opened the letter. A ring disturbed the tranquility again, this time the telephone one and Sameer looked at Naina in an expectancy, as he wasn't intending to attend any call. But at the end he had to get up and answer the call.

...since Naina was busy reading the letter, her eyes smiling and her face representing sheer happiness and curiosity.

Prashansa Patra

Prati,

Mrs. Naina Maheshwari,

Sea Queen Society,

Andheri West,

Mumbai

Mahodaya,

Kadambini ke June aur July ke edition me chhapi aapki do kahaniyaan, 'badlaav ki pehli dastak' evam 'meet: badlegi duniya ki reet' par hame mile bharpur pratisaad ke badle hum aapki prashansa karte hai. Aap ke kahani ki tatha unme pramanit kiye gaye vicharon ki sarahna karte hue hamne dhero patra prapt kiye. Inme se kayi wachakon ne aapki vyaktigat jaankari mein ruchi bhi dikhai.

Mahodaya, yeh saare patra bataur lekhika aapki safalta darshate hai. Hum aasha karte hai aap jaise yuva lekhak tatha lekhikayein aane wale bhavishya mein samaj parivartan ka ek atut hissa banenge.

Aapke ujjwal bhavishya ke liye bahut shubhkamnayein.

Kadambini Sampadak,

Delhi

Naina wanted to jump in joy, she wished to scream as she has always done when she would be happy. She had finally received an appreciation for her writing from an unknown source.

Unknown source? No, from the editor of the magazine itself... and from the readers all over the country who sent letters to Kadambini office praising her stories.

Was there any way she could read all those letters?

The first person she wanted to tell this to was Sameer and probably it was in the destiny that he was here right in front of her at this odd hour of the day, when she hadn't even expected him to be.

She heard him saying 'okay, thank you' and disconnecting the phone. He had his back towards her.

Does he have good news too?

If it was so, then she would jump on him and squeeze him no doubt.

"Kiska phone tha?" Naina asked him, she couldn't control the smile on her lips, her face was brightening like a star.

Sameer slowly turned towards Naina and her smile dwindled the moment she saw him. His eyes were glistening and it wasn't because of the natural shine his eyes had. It had glistened because of slight tears making space there.

He laughed, which appeared more like a laugh of defeat. Pointing towards the cordless in hand, Sameer voiced, "Pehle muh pe insult karke mana karte the... aur ab dekho... personally phone karke reject karna bhi shuru ho gaya..."

Sameer's weird laughter continued and Naina stood rooted to her place, her eyes switching between Sameer and the paper in her hand.

How could she even think of telling him about the appreciation letter?

*********

*pratigami= regressive

(please find the post note below the image. Imp.)

Hey peeps, I'm here with the next chapter. Do let me know how do you find it.

Any theories regarding this chapter?

Writing a Hindi letter in official language was tough. Daamnnnn, I wrote it after many years.

I know tough time is still not over yet, of course, it lasts longer. And there will be ups and downs for both Sameer and Naina, as an individual and as a couple. But they would fight it together.

I want to pace-up this story. But as I've mentioned before, some things were already planned for the upcoming updates. As I have started some things, I need to give them a closure. Sometimes I need to incorporate a reader's sweet demand or sometimes it's what I had expected from the show.

Still, from past 9 chapters, including this 10, every chapter has focused on the main characters' developments, whether it's emotional, or career-wise.

I'm avoiding spoon-feeding every small thing and I want my readers to catch things out of the scenes and the dialogues. I want you to get the subtext behind it.

And as I have always said, I really love it when readers share their opinion and feedbacks with me. I get the satisfaction that they are into my story. So please, keep doing that.

Do shower your votes and comments on it. The more you do it, the faster will be the update.

Love.