Preeti was grinning widely, her cheeks and jaw had started aching but she was ever smiling since yesterday. It wasn't just a normal Monday, but a special day for her.

Her eyes roamed in the room again. It wasn't exactly a room, but a hall. It had bright lights all over, two big horizontal mirrors and four specially designed and multiple functioned chairs in front of them. For some odd reason, she had imagined a classroom with a desk and benches and blackboard. But she laughed at it by calling herself stupid; there was no need for blackboards here.

She had nine other women with her, three of almost her age, four of them must be in their 30s, one looked in her 40s, and one girl who looked hardly 18. Looking at them, her belief got stronger that you don't need a specific age to learn something new. Apart from the 18 year old girl, and a girl of her age, the rest of them were married. Of course, this was the first day of the housewives special batch of VLCC parlour course.

The women were busy interacting with each other, but Preeti couldn't help but smile brightly again, thinking how she had reached this place... this stage... or this phase of her life...

The period of four months, starting from her anniversary in July to today, was definitely not easy. But for her, it was full of hope. In this timespan, she thought as if she was a secret agent of the Intelligence Bureau, an important part of a strategy team, and the team included herself and her husband... yes, only the two.

Convincing her mother-in-law to give her permission for the parlor course was indeed not lesser than a big mission. It was possibly the biggest surprise of her life when Shubham had come up with a 'plan' for the whole mission.

It happens only in films... it doesn't happen in real life, no?

She must have questioned this to herself a thousand times. But it was true. Shubham had almost devised a 'Level-1', 'Level-2' kind of plan for this. He knew his mother too well. He was aware of the kind of mindset she has and also the predominant customs and traditions running in her blood.

They had moved slowly, steadily, inducing a progressive move or a progressive thought in the house, reiterating the need of it, and eradicating an unwanted thought or tradition that was no longer needed in this era. And she could see that it was having a great impact in the overall environment of the house. There had been more productive discussions on the dining table, where not just Preeti but Tanvi too would put her opinions freely. There used to be topics like women making good entrepreneurial journeys and becoming successful by naming successful women. Shubham had also asked his mother to let some small things to Preeti and Tanvi, and that she should let them take some responsibilities, apart from the chores.

It had also benefited in postponing Tanvi's marriage discussions just after her graduation. Nirmalaji wanted to marry Tanvi off as soon as she finished college, but when Tanvi opened about it to Preeti, Preeti had taken her too in the gang.

Preeti hadn't really imagined that a woman like Nirmalaji with strong beliefs would agree for her course in four months. It's next to impossible to change someone's deep rooted beliefs. Well, it had taken the socialists decades and centuries to exterminate the wrong and irrelevant traditions, then how could it be done in four months with her mother-in-law?

Preeti smiled, thinking probably destiny was with her... and more so... her husband was with her in this... He was indeed a strong force in her life.

Shubham was so excited about her course starting from today. Yesterday, he had explained to her the route from the society to this building by drawing a layout on a piece of paper, including the trees and shops and squares.

Preeti was happy to see it but irked too seeing him going too much into details, "offo Shubhamji, mujhe bhi ab Mumbai ke raste samajh aa jate hai... ek saal se jyada waqt ho gaya hai mujhe bhi," she had said.

"Woh toh thik hai... lekin tum iss jagah pehle nahi gayi ho na... isliye... ab dekho..."

He had continued elucidating every small detail, including the minimum fare taken by auto rickshaws, and bus timings if she needed it in any case. She had slammed her palm on her head. You can make any impossible changes in the world happen but cannot take Economics out of her dear husband.

But her annoyance was just superficial, because she was thoroughly enjoying the attention of Shubham. In the morning too, when Preeti chose his clothes for the office, in the cupboard next to it, Shubham was choosing a saree for her first day. He also told her to keep her hair open, which was already in her mind, and fed her dahi-cheeni before going to office, not before putting a loving kiss on her forehead and wishing her the best.

Nirmalaji too was all smiling when Preeti touched her and Dadisa's feet before stepping out of the house. Nirmalaji was quite impressed when Preeti had cooked some traditional and new dishes during Diwali days and also had decorated the house with the help of Tanvi. She could flaunt the new changes in the house to her friend GauriㅡMrs. Gadkariㅡand that itself was enough for her to continue the good mood the entire week.

She also met Naina yesterday in the garden, when the women of the society usually take rounds. Naina had hugged her tightly, almost squeezing her in her arms and prolonging the hug as much as possible.

When they had parted, a frown took place on Preeti's face, "Kya hua Naina? Tu ro kyu rahi hai?" she asked.

Naina chuckled, wiping her tears, "buddhu, khushi ke aasu hai yeh... tere sapne ki taraf tu pehla aur itna bada kadam jo le rahi hai."

Preeti huffed, "toh aise bol na... tune toh mujhe dara hi diya tha... mujhe laga pata nahi kya ho gaya hai tujhe." Naina could only smile at it. "Waise teri tabiyat toh thik hai na? Yeh ankhon ke neeche kitne dark circles aa gaye hai... tu so nahi rahi hai kya thik se?"

"Meri baat chhod na Preeti... tu bata... kaisa lag raha hai tujhe?"

Preeti informed her about the course details merrily. It was five days a week class at 2 to 4 in the afternoon. It was a three months course, where two months were to be covered with all the basic skincare, hair and makeup tutorials, and in the last month, one can choose a specialization if they are interested in any.

The sisters then indulged in casual talks and topics focused primarily on Preeti. Naina wished her luck with a tight hug again and took a promise from Preeti to share her first day experience of the class with her.

Preeti was drawn out of her trance when the women in the hall stood up. Following them, Preeti too stood up and saw their trainer entering the room. The lady must be in her 40s but she looked smart and confident. She was wearing a black jeans and a semi-formal top, giving the vibes of an entrepreneur. She introduced herself first and conducted an introductory session among the course enthusiasts.

Preeti took a deep breath, trying to control her ever-so-smiling face and not look extra in front of all. The next two hours were going to be the best two hours of any of the classes she had attended in her life. Doesn't matter how uninterested she was in attending the lectures in college, she knew she would be paying full attention to every single word coming from the trainer.

And though there were no exams for this course at the end, she knew she was going to top it... because she loved it from the bottom of her heart...

****

Sameer wondered if destiny had something to tell him or was simply playing a game with him. Because he got utterly busy for the entire week, especially in the evenings and returned home late every single night. Sometimes, it was an audition that consumed his entire day, on the other day it was Aditya taking him to some casting directors and sometimes it was a look test or second round auditions. As if suddenly, everyone in the industry wanted to meet him in the late evening, and that too in all the corners of Mumbai.

On Monday, he returned at 8:30 at night. Naina and Papa were waiting for him for dinner as he couldn't communicate how long it would take him to come home.

When they were having dinner in the hall, they got a phone call and Sameer received it.

"Mai na baat hi nahi kar rahi tum dono se." Vishakha voiced from the other end.

Sameer frowned and looked at the cordless in hand suspiciously, as if that could answer what was wrong with his mother. "Kya baat hai Mummy?"

"Arey.. yeh kya baat hui? Diwali ke baad se na tera phone aaya na Naina ka... itna kya busy ho tum dono?"

He fake chuckled, sounding casual, "haan mummy... kuchh jyada hi busy ho gaye hum... khas kar Naina..."

Naina's hand that was extended to serve him chapati stopped mid air, she glanced at him through the corner of her eyes, finally keeping the chapati in his plate.

Sameer talked to Vishakha for a while, and when Vishakha expressed her wish to talk to Naina, he simply forwarded the cordless towards her, not uttering anything.

Naina took the cordless to the bedroom and had her private talk with Vishakha. Nonetheless, both pretended to be normal when they talked to her.

At night, the distance between the two remained constant, both facing in the opposite direction and sleeping almost on the edge of the mattress.

 On Tuesday night, when Sameer entered the home at 9:30pm, he heard a mixt of voices coming towards him from inside.

"Naina... yeh kya zidd hai teri... kha le na... '' Sameer heard Papa's voice.

"Maine kaha na Papa mai nahi khanewali... " it was Naina's one, quite annoyed though.

As Sameer appeared from behind the passage wall, both Naina and Rakesh stopped in their tracks.

Sameer observed that Rakesh had a plate filled with food in his hand, and he was standing behind Naina. When he looked at Naina, Naina averted her gaze, tucking her hair behind ear.

It took hardly a second for Sameer to perceive that Papa was convincing Naina to eat, while Naina was running away from him all over the house, forcing Papa to chase her.

"Aa gaya Sameer... ab toh kha legi na khana?" Rakesh said, he was clearly miffed.

That didn't change the status between them though. Dinner was done in silence, while the silence while sleeping maintained the consistency; distance on the mattress got reduced by just a little.

On Wednesday, Sameer had to notify them that if he didn't return by 8 at night, then they shouldn't wait for him. As whenever he goes out with Aditya, they both generally eat something in between the breaks.

He met Rakesh outside the J wing entrance at 10 o'clock at night. Rakesh told him that he thought of taking his night walk within the society ground itself after waiting for him till some time back.

Back at home, Sameer found Naina studying on the study table. He was relieved that finally, she had touched her books. She didn't study at all since Sunday, nor did she have a look at the exam papers given by Shubham.

When he took a closer look at her, he realized she was rather sleeping, resting her head on her hand while her pen almost slipping from the other one. Shaking his head at her stubbornness, he gently lifted her in his arms, trying not to disturb her sleep.

"Sameer..."

He heard her soft whisper and he paused. She was still asleep, or maybe half asleep, but even in that state, she was thinking of only him. He placed her on the mattress and stared at her, he so wanted to kiss her head, but something within him still refrained him from it.

It was when he got up to switch off the table lamp, he saw her notebook. His brows curved when he discerned that it wasn't her notes, rather his name written all over it. He turned agape.

He sat on her chair and smiled seeing his name... no... his names...

This girl he was still madly in love with had maintained a perfect symmetry while writing his name too. Her handwriting at some of the last ones was quite messy, telling him she was feeling dizzy and trying hard not to give up to sleep.

He looked at her, there were some creases present on her forehead.

What was this girl?

He was trying to be upset with her, and here she was writing his name covering two pages of her notebook, probably while waiting for him.

Lying down on his side of the mattress, he turned to face Naina. Covering them both with the duvet, he kept staring at her back. This time, they were separated by just an arm's length.

****

On Thursday, it took Sameer almost 10:30 at night to reach home. He entered the house with his keys, trying not to make much noise with it. As he removed his shoes and socks, he saw Papa sitting on the single sofa, closer to the trunk one, with maybe a wallet in his hand and staring at it.

He would have otherwise called him directly, but as he walked further, he saw a warm smile on Papa's lips. He tiptoed closer to the trunk and tried to peek through behind to see what Papa was looking at. He saw a black & white photo in it and it made him curious.

"Kya dekh rahe ho aap, Papa?" He asked utterly casually, stifling a giggle and taking position on the couch adjacent to Rakesh.

Rakesh almost dropped the wallet from his hand, catching it before it fell on the floor. He didn't see Sameer coming. "Abb... mai? Kuchh bhi toh nahi..." Rakesh stuttered, feeling afraid of being caught in the act.

Sameer only giggled looking at his sasurji. Was his father-in-law blushing?

"Naina jagi thi ab tak tumhare liye," Rakesh stated, composing himself quickly, "lekin phir uski aankh lagne lagi toh maine hi bheja usse andar... usne kaha tha tumhare aate hi utha du usse..." saying this, Rakesh tried to get up, but was stopped by Sameer.

"Nahi Papa... sone dijiye usse..." he said softly, leaning back and running his fingers from his hair. "Aapne jawab nahi diya, Papa." He was in a teasing mood.

"Kis baat ka?"

"Aap kisiki photo dekh rahe the na wallet me? Bataiye na..." he insisted in a playful manner. How can he leave the chance when he caught his father-in-law red handed?

"Woh..." Rakesh cleared his throat, looking anywhere else but at Sameer to find some escape from the situation. When he glanced back, Sameer was still waiting for him, with his chin propped on his fist, and sporting a mischievous smile.

"Aaj... janamdin hai... Rama ka..." Rakesh replied, carrying a subtle smile.

Sameer sat alert from his relaxed position. "Mujhe... Naina ne bataya nahi kuchh..." he confessed honestly.

And even if they were still not talking to each other normally for Naina to share it with Sameer, she would have surely cooked some sweet dish remembering her mother.

Rakesh chuckled, "Naina ko shayad yaad nahi hoga aaj ka din," he said, to which Sameer frowned. "Sach kahu toh Arjun aur Naina dono itne chhote the jab Rama chali gayi... ki mujhe koi apeksha bhi nahi hai ki woh apni Maa ke baare me kuchh yaad rakhe... kyunki isme unka koi dosh nahi hai..."

"Aapne bataya kyu nahi Papa?" Sameer was genuinely surprised. He was only thinking about how it would have made Naina happy to know that today is her Mother's birthday.

"Mujhe in sab ki aadat nahi hai Sameer... hamare yahan na kabhi mera janamdin manaya gaya na Rama ka..."

Sameer peered at Rakesh, he found only earnestness in his eyes and voice, and no amount of sadness.

"Ek minute... matlab jis din hamari haldi thi, uss din maa ka janamdin tha?"

Rakesh's smile faded; lowering his head, he only nodded. He remembered how furious and enraged he was during the wedding functions of his own daughter, that he had forgotten it was his late wife's birthday too. Had he remembered the day two years ago, it would have reminded him of how he and Rama had together dreamt of Naina's wedding, when she was hardly a few months old.

How happy they would have been to apply the haldi together on Naina's cheeks?

But his big brother's bad influence had become so heavy on him, that he had stopped thinking with his own mind years ago.

Sameer noticed that Rakesh turned pensive upon the mention of his and Naina's wedding functions. He shouldn't have done that when Papa was in such a good mood.

"Ummm... mai photo dekh sakta hu?"

The smile on Rakesh's lips was back and he passed Sameer the wallet.

Sameer observed the black & white photo of his mother-in-law carefully. She looked so simple yet beautiful in that photo. She was wearing a simple looking saree on a white puffed sleeve blouse, and hair tied in a bun with a center partition and two roses tucked in it. There was a big bindi on her forehead, sindoor and simple mangalsutra with black beads. She had a sharp face cut, her lips crept in a subtle smile, and was looking somewhere resting her chin on her fist.

This clearly seemed to be taken at a photostudio.

He instantly remembered his own mother's photos from the time she was young. Vishakha had some photos in bell bottoms and bobby print shirts, sporting a bouffant on her headㅡ the popular hairstyle in females in 70sㅡand long and thick liner in eyes.

There was a stark difference of status between the two samdhans, but Sameer found one thing common in them. Their beautiful and expressive eyes.

Sameer fathomed where Naina had inherited such expressive eyes from... from her mother...

"Arey waah!! Maa toh bahot khubsurat dikhti hai... " Sameer complimented, grinning.

"Kuchh toh sharam karo nalayak... apni saas ke baare mein bol rahe ho... "

Sameer glanced at Rakesh, and both the men laughed.

"Kaisi thi? Maa?"

The last time when Rakesh had talked about Rama in front of Sameer, he had become quite emotional. On the contrary, today he was in a jovial mood. So Sameer thought of taking a chance.

Rakesh looked at him surprisingly with knitted brows. He smiled as he found Sameer genuinely interested. "Bahot achchhi thi... ekdum shant swabhav ki... jyada baatein nahi, jyada kitkit nahi... aur hamesha khush rehti thi..."

Sameer's smile widened with the way Papa was describing Maa. He had hardly seen Papa speaking good things about people before his and Naina's marriage. Rakesh surely has a complaining nature, always pissed with the surroundings and a feeling of being unfairly treated by others. Things had started to change gradually for Rakesh Papa in Mumbai. But Sameer was sure that had he asked about Maa even in the worst phase of Papa, he would have replied in the exact same manner and with the same happiness.

Because Sameer could see it in his eyes... No matter how many people he hated in his life or how much bitterness he had inside him... this man surely loved his wife...

"Mai maanta hu mai shuru se hi ek chidchida insaan tha... lekin Rama ke aaspaas hote hi mai shant ho jata tha..."

Sameer pursed his lips and smiled inwardly. Probably Papa just needed a small push and a listener, and he was all over about his beloved wife. Of course, he himself can talk for hours about Naina without even asking. So Papa too must have things to talk about. Just that, he didn't share his personal life much with Sameer... or anyone... Papa too was slowly opening up.

"Jaante ho Sameer? Rama sirf paanch saal thi mere jeevan me... lekin un paanch saalon mein, mai ek alag hi insaan tha... ek chhotasa lekin sukhi sansaar tha hamara..."

Rakesh stayed silent for a while, his eyes on Lord Krishna idol as he turned pensive. Bringing the small smile again, he continued, "yeh jo mahilayein hoti hai na... inme bahot si shaktiyaan hoti hai... yeh patni bankar hamare jeevan me aati hai, aur hum mardon ka jeevan pyar se aur khush'hali se bhar deti hai... yeh hame shant rakhti hai, sahi-galat nirnay lene ka vishwas dilati hai... aur tumhe bina bataye tumhare pichhe ek majboot sahara bankar khadi rehti hai..."

The statement caused a little frown on Sameer's face. Observing cautiously, he noticed that Papa was still looking at bhagwanji and had serene expressions. It seemed he was just speaking in daze, in the memory of his wife. However, the words had hit him. As if he needed any external force to remind what Naina meant for him, what place Naina held in his life.

Whatever Papa said about women was absolutely true... especially if one could try to fit Naina in that definition, then it would be tailor-made for her... that kind of perfect...

It was her who had mitigated his anger... it was her who always put some wisdom into head when he was lost in his journey... it was her who had stood like a pillar for him ever since they met...

Then why did he need another person to tell this bright as ever truth of his life?

Maybe because when you look at a beautiful painting too closely, you tend to ignore its beauty at the other corners... and that's when you need another person to tell its worth from a distance and from a third person's point of view.

"Kabhi kabhi mai sochta hu," Rakesh added, "ki hum mardon ko paisa, naam inn sab se jyada agar kisi cheez ki awashyakta hai... toh woh bass apna khayal rakhnewale ki... hamare liye utna hi kaafi hota hai, hai na?"

Sameer had no option than to force a smile and agree to it.

"Arey, mai bhi kya baatein lekar baith gaya," Rakesh noticed Sameer's changed expressions. "Naina ne bataya tum khana kha kar aanewalo ho... toh kuchh khaya hai ki nahi?"

"Ji Papa... Aditya aur maine sath me hi kha liya bahar..." He replied, contemplating, he asked after a while, "Naina ne khana khaya na?"

"Haan kha liya," Rakesh answered, "pata nahi yeh ladki itni ziddi kabse bann gayi... kha hi nahi rahi thi... zabardasti bithaya usse..."

Sameer sighed listening to this. "Papa, aap Naina ko kahiye ki apni tabiyat ka dhyan rakhe... woh bilkul bhi apna khayal nahi rakh rahi hai..."

Rakesh chuckled seeing the concern in Sameer's eyes. "Toh tum rakho."

"Ji?"

"Agar patni kabhi kabhi maa bankar apne pati ka dhyan rakh sakti hai... toh ek pati pita bankar uska dhyan kyu nahi rakh sakta? Mai toh hu hi yahan, lekin tum hamesha se hi uska khayal rakhte aaye ho... hai na?"

Sameer looked agape at Rakesh. He felt as if Papa and him were having a cricket match, where he was on strike. And Papa was throwing all unplayable balls at him, sometimes a bouncer, sometimes a yorker and sometimes a good length delivery. He had no answer to any of those.

"Papa..." he cleared his throat, "kafi raat ho chuki hai... aap so jaiye... mai bhi chalta hu..."

"Achchha suno," Rakesh called Sameer when he was near the passage, "mai soch raha tha kal sham ko mai Phulla bua ke ghar chala jata hun."

"Kyu?" Sameer frowned.

"Umm aisehi... parso subah aa jaunga..."

Sameer studied Rakesh. He was not matching his eyes. He tried to remember the date and he blushed. Last year a night before their anniversary, Papa had gone to the ISKCON temple and a night before his birthday, Phulla Bua had called him at hers. He got the clue. But no such scene was going to be happening tomorrow.

"Aapko kahi jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai Papa... mera zee tv ke show ka episode aanewala hai kal... hum sab sath me milke dekhenge..." he smiled.

"Sameer..." Rakesh called for his attention again, "yeh jhagda khatam karo bhai aur kitna khichoge dono?" Rakesh was getting worried now for them both. He had never seen them stretching a quarrel this long.

"Goodnight Papa." Sameer said, and left for the bathroom to freshen up.

Sameer locked the bedroom door after freshening up and changing into night clothes in the bathroom itself; Naina seemed to have already kept his stuff in the bathroom. His eyes fell on Naina's sleeping form on her side, but today she had something in her hand, keeping it close to her chest. It was her diary.

Her head was almost on the edge of the pillow, it might slip if she turned even a little. He knelt down and noticed goosebumps on her arms. It looked like she was feeling cold. While lifting her head slightly, he tried to adjust the pillow properly; but in the process he felt some wetness on it. He flattened his palm on the cushion again, stroking it.

She had cried...

A heavy lump formed in Sameer's throat. He took her diary and opened from where her thumb was. It was her poem she had written only for him... on his birthday...

He read the lines again and again. And everytime, his eyes stuck on the last one... it was as if Naina had foreseen the upcoming and had written it for right this phase of them.

आओ एक दूसरे के सूरज बने हम,

और पकड़े एक दूसरे का हाथ,

मैं तुम्हारा पूरब बनू, तुम मेरी पश्चिम,

एक ही तो रास्ता है हमारा, और एक ही हमारी मंजिल।

They were the Sun for each other, providing warmth, energy, light and directions to follow the paths; they were also the glimmering moonlight for one another, giving a feel of love and peace in life; they were those spectacular rainbows filling multiple colors in each other's life and making it beautiful. They were the co-travellers in this journey called life, finding small little moments together to cherish upon, to hold hand-in-hand and cross all the obstacles as they marched towards the destination.

At this time, their routes appeared different, filled with different challenges. But something in this poem told him that one day, they would be walking the same path. Naina's words always raised a strong faith within him.

He dipped down and kissed her forehead, smiling and adoring her. Switching the lights off, Sameer lay down on his side, facing Naina. He scooted closer to her and slipped his arm beneath her neck, pulling her back to his chest smoothly.

His mind was creating a unique fusion recipe of two instancesㅡ his conversation with Papa and Naina's poem. It aroused different emotions in him as part of the ingredients. It had one cup of happiness for having discovered one more layer of Papa; half a cup of enthusiasm after knowing more about his mother-in-law; two cups of thoughtfulness having listening to Papa speaking about the relation between a man and his wife; two tea-spoons of sorrow after seeing Naina's wet pillow; and two tea-spoons of faith after reading her poem. But sadly, all these emotions were getting mixed and tossed with two table-spoons of guilt, for letting things come this far and not paying attention towards Naina.

He stroked his palm on her face, right from her cheek to her temple, shifting her hair aside. Her face looked dull, the light stains on her cheeks and nose told the story of how much she had cried.

However, her perturbed face changed into a relaxed one, as if she felt safer... as if she was at home... she was though... at her home... in his arms...

And her tiny figure in his embrace soared the emotion of love within him and it overpowered every other emotion.

He kissed her cheek... utterly softly...

He was taken into the world of Naina, her happy and smiling face, her affectionate gestures towards him, her love poured in the form of the small chits in the tiffin she packs for him, her pursuing him to purchase the items that he liked, her cleaning his running nose with her dupatta when he cried. It was all various versions of care and affection for Naina, and it was all applied only on him in this entire universe.

He kissed her cheek one more time...

Twice...

Thrice...

He remembered Naina's promise that she made to him after Mamaji called for a business split.

'Sameer, mai hamesha tumhare sath hu... har kadam par... ab chahe hamare qismat mein phool aaye ya kaatein...'

His eyes glistened. He missed to recognize that Naina was taking up all the thorns upon herself, so that he doesn't have to live in the constant anxiety of getting hurt by it. She was setting a path of roses for him.

She was doing everything possible so that he doesn't face any obstacle while going to the auditions. May it be packing a lunch box, vegetable salad and fruits for him, so that he remains energized all day... may it be picking the best clothes for him for a meeting with a producer and coordinator... may it be taking all the responsibilities of the house so that he doesn't have to worry about it... or may it be working rigorously in her firm so that they meet their financial needs every month...

Naina was right... She was doing all this only for him... how foolish he was when he said he couldn't see it...

He kissed her cheek two-three times more...

A soft smile crept on Sameer's lips as the realization dawned upon him.

His wife... His Naina... was, is and will be the most important part of his life... anything other than that was just secondary to him...

He only needed her... and he had it already... right here with him... safe and protected in his arms...

Covering them both with the comforter, Sameer pulled Naina more into him, wrapping both his arms around her bosom. He found his face submerged in Naina's hair... and while breathing her shampoo, he surrendered to the day's fatigue, but with a smile on his lips and contentment in his heart.

He still hasn't reached the conclusion as to why Naina's articles were bothering him. But Naina's poem had awakened a faith in him. And he hoped he would soon figure out that too.

In this moment, it was only him, Naina and the peaceful and warm night...

****

It was Friday and the clock had ticked 8:15pm. Naina used the cane stool to stand on the kitchen counter and lugged a box of a new set of bowls down from above the shelf and took the bowls to the sink to rinse.

Sameer still hadn't reached home and she was getting concerned if he would miss the important moment. Her eyes must have scanned the door multiple times, her ears must have anticipated for any kind of sound hinting about his arrival. But there wasn't a single indication.

As the scrubber in her hand worked on the bowls, her mind formed a way to recall her day.

For the first time this week, she had a peaceful sleep last night and felt well rested today. And in the morning, even if she saw Sameer turned on the other side, she knew he had held her at night.

She just knew... she had felt his touch on her...

She had felt his chest on her back... she had felt his warm breaths on her nape... she had felt his lips on her cheeks...

She had debated with her subconscious mind in the state of sleep, that whether all this she experienced was only her dream, or Sameer had held her in reality.

A part of her brain tried to convince her that she was just dreaming it. Because she was missing him. She had cried to sleep while reading her own poem, sobbing on the pillow for forgetting it herself. She was missing him badly. And hence she continued to be in the state of sleeping, not wanting to break this beautiful dream.

It was a valid point put by her brain though. Sameer had kept his distance with her at nights. For sure till Tuesday night. This time she didn't try to make a conversation with him when he was not ready to... she didn't want to suffocate him by forcing herself on him... and hence she acceded to his distant behavior.

But she was surprised to find herself on the mattress on Wednesday night, when she woke up at midnight. She was waiting for Sameer and trying to stay awake when it became late. She took her notebook and started writing down his name to keep herself up with some task in hand, banging the table or slapping her cheeks when she felt drowsy. So a warm smile had taken place on her lips knowing that Sameer had put her on the mattress.

Although, her heart wasn't ready to accept that whatever she experienced yesterday night was merely a dream. Her heart could never lie to her. It always recognizes Sameer's touch. She woke up feeling content in the morning, thinking Sameer had melted and was ready to talk.

While in the rush to go to the office, she received a call from Sulekha Ma'am, asking her if she could visit the office. Sameer's body language had stiffened again after that, asking her to have her breakfast sternly. When she denied stating she was getting late, he almost scolded her.

"Naina... breakfast karna hi hai... itna bhi late nahi ho raha hai..."

She had no choice left to sit on the couch like an obedient girl and have her breakfast.

Finishing with cleaning the bowls, she kept them upside down to dry.

"Naina... yeh dekh..." Rakesh called for her attention, entering home, "2 family pack hai... ho jayega na?" He showed her the cotton bag in hand.

"Haan Papa ho jayega... aap freezer me rakh dijiye."

"Sameer aaya nahi abhi tak?"

"Uski meeting thi na 7 baje woh producer ke sath..." Naina said while cleaning the kitchen platform, "toh pata nahi kab tak khatm hogi."

Naina tried to sound casual, but inside, she was almost freaking out, thinking what if Sameer got late again like the previous days. She prayed to bhagwanji to let Sameer be home by 9 anyhow.

As she continued her work, her mind took her to the evening when she met Preeti in the garden. The sisters were getting quite less time to meet each other due to Naina's busy schedule and now Preeti's too.

"Kaise beete yeh paanch din?" Naina asked Preeti with a wide smile.

Preeti wiggled in happiness on the bench, turning more towards Naina, "behen, kya batau tujhe... itni khush toh mai apni shadi me bhi nahi thi..." she divulged with too much enthusiasm.

Naina laughed and swatted her arm, "pagal!" she exclaimed.

"Haan matlab meri shadi ke time pe bhi mai itni hi khush thi." Preeti giggled. She then narrated what all she learnt in the parlor in these five days. How they covered the fundamentals of skincare and hygiene, skin anatomy, basic hair care and customer care too.

Naina kept observing Preeti's radiant face, she was glowing... glowing in happiness... she was finally able to do the parlour course she wanted to do since she was in 9th grade. Naina was immensely happy for her sister, for someone who always kept other's happiness as her priority and didn't even express her dreams, it was indeed a big thing.

"Tu bata... tera yeh hafta kaisa gaya?" Preeti just reverted the same question to Naina.

"Thik tha." Naina snorted, lowering her eyes.

"Kyaaa haaii... tu itni bujhi-bujhi si kyu lag rahi hai?" Preeti had already sensed something off in Naina's demeanor. "Kya baat hai Naina? Kuchh hua hai kya?"

"Nahi Preeti... bass... padhai ka tension hai."

"Tu na mujhse jhooth mat hi bola kar," Preeti warned her, observing Naina's dull eyes and the lost smile on her face. She was dull on Sunday too. "Naina... tera aur jijaji ka jhagda hua hai kya?"

Naina was about to shake her head in no, when she found Preeti's piercing gaze on her.

"Haan hua hai."

Preeti's shoulders slumped seeing her sister. "Toh thik kar le na sab," she said, placing her palm on Naina's shoulder gently.

"Preeti, tere aur jijaji ke beech bhi toh jhagda hota hoga na... toh tu kya karti hai?"

Preeti chuckled, "hamare jhagde toh puchh hi mat... kab ek chhotisi nok-jhok badi ladayi me badal jati hai pata hi nahi chalta."

"Phir?"

"Pehle toh hum ek-dusre ko thoda waqt de dete hai... phir koi na koi pehel kar hi leta hai... kabhi Shubhamji mana lete hai... kabhi mai..." The smile on Preeti's face didn't dwindle one bit. "Pata hai, kabhi kabhi aise halaat hote hai, jahan hum dono apni-apni jagah par sahi hote hai... aur kabhi aise, jahan hum dono hi thode thode galat..."

"Phir?"

Naina got startled as Preeti turned to her swiftly, chirping, "aise mein mai toh sirf tujhe aur jijaji ko hi yaad karti hu... jahan kaun kitna sahi hai aur kaun kitna galat, isse jyada dono ka ek-dusre liye jo pyar hai, woh jyada important hai, hai na? Maine toh yeh tum dono se hi sikha hai."

Naina's lips quivered in a fake smile. She could only nod to Preeti.

That statement of Preeti stayed with Naina till now. She pondered as to which category her and Sameer's situation fell in this time? The one where they both were right at their places? Or the one where they both were wrong somehow. After recalling how their entire week passed right from Sunday morning, Naina believed it was more of a second category.

When Preeti said she learnt it only by looking at her and Sameer's relationship, it shook her. Of course, Preeti was a person who had seen everything closely... too closely to be honest... Preeti has always confessed openly that Sameer and her relationship has been the most ideal and she admired it right from the start. Well, she not only just observed, but followed in her own marriage too.

Then how come Naina and Sameer forgot their own beliefs in their relationship?

How did she herself forget it?

And why did she need a third person to remind her of this?

Marriage between two people is a forever commitment, it can never be put on auto mode. It always requires effort by the people involved in it. If it has become old, then you need to renew it; if it's broken then you need to repair it; if it's become stale then you need to refresh it; if it has stalled then you need to restart it and if it's become dead then you need to revive it.

The burden of the responsibilities had forced her shoulders so down that she forgot to live a life too.... that fulfilling a responsibility doesn't mean exhausting yourself beyond limits only to earn money for living... she also had a responsibility towards her father and her husband... they were her priorities too... wait, they should be her first priority.

After the call with Arjun on Sunday, she had realized she needed to maintain a balance between her work and her family. She kept her books aside, thinking Sameer would notice it. She tried to stay awake till he returned home, thinking Sameer would recognize the change. While on the front, she was convincing herself that she's just giving the space to Sameer, to calm down or to think wisely over the situation. But somewhere inside, she wanted Sameer to make the move first for the way he lashed out on her that night.

But Preeti's statement made her think again. Her mind took a sudden time jump and took her to the music room of the college after the Kartik drama. She recalled her statements vividly.

'Tum meri zindagi ho Sameer... meri jaan ho... tumhare alawa meri na koi zaroorat thi, na hai aur na kabhi hogi...'

How did she forget what was her priority?

It was always Sameer...

ALWAYS...

Then why does it matter who makes the move first? It should be the LOVE that wins over everything.

Sameer was right. What is the point of dreaming big when that's overshadowing the love that bonded them and allowed them to dream together? How can she let their dreams about a future life kill their beautiful moments in the present? How can she allow the hustling to ruin their peaceful togetherness?

She exhaled heavily and blinked her eyes to control the formation of tears. She was determined to talk to Sameer tonight no matter what. Even if it meant to push him on the mattress and sit on his chest to make him listen to her apology. She would do everything to resolve their fight.

Clock was running and it was about to show 9 o'clock in a few minutes. Naina was restless for half an hour now. Sameer still hadn't reached and she was feeling so bad for him. How he must be wanting to witness this moment with his family?

Tired of waiting, she walked to the door to check if he had arrived. It took the exact moment for Sameer to enter the house and Naina peeking through the passage, and they bumped into one another.

Sameer saved Naina from falling, holding her waist and a hand, and they both sighed. Their eyes were not ready to leave the contact though, but multiple coughing sounds were heard and Sameer's gaze shifted.

He was surprised with the sight in their living room.

********

Hey peeps, I hope you all are doing well.

Kaisa laga yeh chapter? Do let me know in comments please.

I just want to bring this to your notice that some opinions stated in this chapter come under a character's pov, it's when they are thinking. They are written considering the time period and also who the character is. So they are not exactly facts and  may and may not be applicable in today's time.

Why is Sameer surprised at the end? What did he see?

Any theory for next chapter?

Yupp, the patch-up is coming. 😁

Do vote and comment. It means a lot to me.

Love. ❤️