Sameer shook his legs in anxiety, waiting impatiently. It was 7:30pm already and he hadn't been called yet for the meeting. He was so sure about the outcome of this meeting. All the process right from the first audition, to next rounds and to the look test, he was quite confident about getting this one. All the coordinators in between also showed good signs. But this odd time of the meeting and now this delay was taking the test of his patience.

He had hardly one and a half hours in hand now to go home and catch the telecast of his Zee TV show. He didn't want to miss it. Naina and him had waited for this moment for so long.

How different would it have been if the situation between him and Naina was just normal?

He was dying to talk to her in the morning, wanting to resolve their fight. But for the first time this week, he had slept so peacefully that he woke up directly at 7:30 in the morning. He was so upset with himself, and with Naina too that she didn't wake him up. He had no time in hand as Naina was already occupied with routine chores. In addition to that, when he was serving breakfast to her, the call from Sulekha Ma'am triggered his anger again for no reason.

No, there was a reason. But what?

"Mr. Maheshwari? Sir is calling you," the receptionist informed him.

Sameer stood up and fixed his hair, also checking if his shirt was neatly tucked in. This was the first time he was meeting the co-producer, as all the other processes were supervised by other people from the production house.

"Sameer... aao..." the person called him in the cabin.

Sameer greeted the man―who looked to be in his 50s―showing respect in his body language. Sameer took his seat and recalled that the person was present during his look test, but he was observing everything from a distance.

"Maine tumhare pehle audition se lekar sab kuchh dekha..." the producer, Mr. Sudhir, started, "you did quite well.... aur tum dikhne me bhi bahot achhe ho."

Sameer maintained a genuine smile on his face. He didn't want to reflect his hyper-excitement on his face after listening to the praise. But how couldn't he? This was for the lead role for god's sake.

"Humne do ladke shortlist kiye hai, jisme ek tum ho..." Mr. Sudhir continued, as he leaned back on his chair. He went on telling the unnecessary details like how they had 5-6 photos in hand and how they all had a long meeting and came to shortlist only two.

...and here Sameer was becoming impatient. Couldn't he just reveal the suspense?

"Lekin maine tumhe select karne ka faisla kiya hai," the man finally uttered and Sameer gasped, widening his eyes. His legs started shaking nervously again. "Your charming personality will bring a different value to the show," the producer added, smiling.

"Really Sir?" Sameer couldn't control confirming once again.

"Yes! Tum select ho chuke ho."

Sameer's happiness didn't know the bounds. After one year, finally... finally he was getting something substantial in his career. He got the main role. the lead role... The producer went on to tell the details like when they are planning to start shooting and also how some of the other roles were still not finalized yet.

But Sameer found it sheer difficult to pay attention to him. He just needed his Naina with him right here, so that he could grab her in a bone-crushing hug, see her radiant and glowing face after listening to the news, lift her in his arms and twirl in happiness. He just needed her....

Why can't he have a cordless with him right now? He could have told her right from the producer's cabin.

"Toh agar tum tayyar ho, toh hum abhi contract bhi sign kar lete hai." The producer said.

Even in the daze of happiness, Sameer didn't miss that the producer had skipped one part while sharing all the details. Thinking that the contract must have covered it, he said yes to the producer.

The file of the contract was ready on the table within two minutes. The producer forwarded it to Sameer and asked him to sign it. Sameer read every detail one by one. He found himself lost after every ten seconds, his breathing was still erratic and his heartbeats fast. This was indeed a big moment for him.

Why couldn't Naina accompany him today?

Focus Sameer... focus...

His subconscious warned him. After finishing it, he frowned, thinking how can a production house miss such a basic thing.

"Sir, isme mere remuneration ke baare mein koi baat hi nahi hai." he spoke finally.

Mr. Sudhir straightened, chuckling, he said, "haan mai jaanta hu isme nahi likha hai."

Sameer turned stunned now. What was he saying? Did he by chance misinterpret what Sameer was saying?

"Sir, mera matlab... humne meri fees ke baare me kuchh baat hi nahi ki na... uske bina mai contact kaise sign kar sakta hun?"

This time the producer laughed, he took a while to subside. "I know that boy. Lekin mai tumhe as a hero launch kar raha hu. Lead role de raha hu mai tumhe. Toh itna toh tum bhi samajh hi sakte ho, right? This is a big platform that you're getting. Don't get into things like an actor's fees and all."

Sameer closed his open mouth that was agape. Why can't a single thing fall into its place without much drama in it?

He looked at the contract papers in front of him again. The producer was right that this was a big platform. Getting a lead role will bring him into limelight, people will notice him. But working without money?

A knock on the door was heard and the receptionist peeked in, informing that Mr. Sudhir had an important call to attend.

The producer got up and patted Sameer's shoulder, "don't think much boy. Mai aata hu thodi der me," he said and left.

Sameer was left alone in the cabin to think... to reflect upon the situation... and on the contract papers in his hand.

He paced in the room, busting his knuckles on the palms. He remembered his casual chatter with Papa this morning, as after Naina left for the office, they both had the leisure time in hand. Papa was sharing some anecdotes from the library, telling funny incidents of different kinds of readers who visit the library. When Sameer asked if he had taken the decision about the full time job, Rakesh revealed that he might join as a full time employee in the library from the new year, and till then he would continue to go as per his decided schedule.

"Aur yeh jo kabhibhi phone karke mujhe bula lete the, mai uske liye bhi unko aaj mana karne wala hu." Rakesh had said.

Sameer was confused regarding Rakesh's decision. If Papa loved his job and he loved to go to the library at any time of the day, then why was he against going there on odd days?

"Mai jaanta hu Sameer woh log boore nahi hai," Rakesh had stated, "lekin unke bulave par kisi bhi samay wahan jakar mai apni hi keemat kam kar raha hu... jab ki mere wahan jane ke din pehle se hi tay ho chuke hai... mai ab tak aise watawaran me hi raha hu Sameer, jaha meri kisi ne koi keemat nahi ki... lekin mujhe ab samajh aa raha hai, ki agar tum khud ki keemat nahi karoge, toh saamne wala bhi tumhari keemat nahi karega... phir chahe woh achchha insaan bhi kyun na ho."

Sameer stopped pacing in the room. God must be very kind to him, because he was taken to this scene from the morning out of nowhere and it has a solution hidden in it for his conundrum. A wide smile took place on his lips when he recognized he had also found the reason why Naina's articles were bothering him lately. He so wanted to go back to her right now!!

"Sorry beta, thodi der ho gayi!!" Mr. Sudhir entered the room, carrying a warm smile. He took his seat and asked, "sign kar liya contract tumne?"

Sameer adjusted himself in his seat, preparing himself for what he was going to say. "Sorry Sir, mai yeh sign nahi kar sakta." he said.

"Kyu? Are you still thinking about the fees?"

"Yes." Sameer replied firmly, looking straight into the producer's eyes. "Sir, mai maanta hun yeh mere liye bahot bada break hai. Lekin yahan mera ek ghar hai jo mujhe chalana hai... meri family hai sath me aur unke prati meri kuchh zimmedariyaan hai... isliye agar mai yeh role karta hu, toh meri kuchh fees rahegi."

"I appreciate your guts, Sameer! Lekin hamare bhi budget ke issues hai. So, I cannot afford your fees."

"I understand Sir. Lekin mai yeh role nahi kar sakta."

Mr. Sudhir wished him the best as they shook hands and Sameer left the cabin with a satisfactory smile on his face.

****

Sameer stepped out of the auto that stopped in front of the Sea Queen Society, and he ran. He had hardly three to four minutes in hand to reach before 9pm. He knew he was probably overdoing it. It wasn't the case like he would appear on screen at the strike of 9. It also wasn't the case that he would be seen for only one minute and then disappear. But he was eager... eager to see Naina's reaction when he would finally be seen on television... not in a commercial break but in a tv serial.

She had waited for this moment for so long... well, so did he... he was yearning to see her eyes twinkling in happiness... he was yearning to see her smiling brightly...

It had been a while since she had smiled widely... wholeheartedly...

And even if he couldn't be the reason to bring a smile on her lips, he was sure his onscreen version would definitely do that.

He rushed into the house in daze and before he could realize it, Naina bumped into him. Their fronts collided and the bodies reconciled. She wasn't necessarily falling back, he just felt the urge to protect her and hence he caught her from her waist, grabbing one hand of hers in his. She had squeezed her eyes shut due to the bumping effect, but when her eyes met his, he found security and calmness in it. His hand that fit perfectly on her waist, her bosom making contact with his flat chest, her hopeful and worried eyes at the same time... he just didn't wish to leave her. He wanted the moment to seize here.

Some sounds like coughing were heard and Sameer shifted his eyes reluctantly inside the house. He was astonished. There were Preeti-Shubham, Tanvi and Aditya in the living room, who smiled teasingly at them while coughing, and also Papa who had... well, averted his eyes to something else.

He left Naina, wondering why there was a party-like environment in the house. To seek the answer, he looked at her, who looked apprehensive with her body language. No words were required as her eyes told him she had invited them in the house to watch the show together, but why was she conscious about it?

Did she fear he wouldn't like it?

What have you done your Naina, Sameer!!! He kicked himself mentally.

"Naina... Jijaji... shuru ho gaya... jaldi aaiye..." Preeti announced excitedly, signaling them to rush.

Sameer and Naina were made to sit together on the center couch, with Rakesh Papa and Shubham on the sofa chairs on either side, and Preeti, Tanvi and Aditya took their seats on the plastic chairs.

As the title song of the serial played, Sameer looked at everyone. They all were genuinely interested in watching it, none of them were fulfilling the formality just because Naina had invited them.

...and when he looked at Naina. Aahhh... she was radiating happiness... she was smiling... Preeti seemed to have joked something because everyone was laughing at it, including Naina. But he couldn't care less what it was about, his heart was full hearing his hummingbird's laughter. How much he had missed her laughter!!!

The first commercial break occurred after ten minutes and Sameer's character still didn't make an appearance, but everyone was hopeful. They all had their eyes on the television.

Naina called Preeti in the kitchen to help her serve the ice-cream for everyone, and she took the bowls.

"Tu tera aur jijaji ja jhagda kab khatm kar rahi hai?" Preeti whispered in Naina's ears. "Woh toh sirf tujhe hi dekh rahe hai kabse."

Naina's smile faded. She was dying inside to resolve their fight. But did they get the deserved time to solve it in the first place? Moreover, she was anxious about Sameer's meeting with the producer too, she was waiting to know the outcome of it.

"Tu ice-cream nikal na fridge se," she admonished Preeti.

"Nikaal...toh... rahi... hu... tu mujhpe kyu bhadak rahi hai," Preeti said as she scrunched her nose and returned with two family packs in hand, of butterscotch and vanilla flavors.

Naina sighed, "sorry Preeti. Aaj kar rahi hu mai Sameer se baat." she assured her.

Preeti enquired about Sameer's dinner, as he had just arrived home. Naina told her that they both would eat later. Preeti rolled her eyes and took the tray with ice-cream bowls in the hall.

"Dekha Shubhamji, inn dono ka khana bhi nahi hua aur hame ice-cream khila rahe hai." Preeti voiced as she served the bowls.

Shubham suggested they should have their meal while watching the serial itself, "arey hum log hi toh hai... Isme kya baat hai..." he added.

Both Naina and Sameer felt embarrassed when everyone pursued them, but when Papa stressed upon it, they agreed.

The serial resumed and everyone focussed on it. And the moment when Sameer appeared on screen, everyone almost screamed, "aa gayaaa...." cheering and clapping for him animatedly.

Sameer could do nothing but smile back at them. He had faced very rare moments in his life where all were clapping and cheering for him. This could have been a simple moment of Naina, Papa and him watching the show together, him sharing some anecdotes while shooting the scene and then receiving some comments from Papa.

But Naina made it a point to make it special for him...

How can he not fall for her again?

During the second commercial break, the cordless rang. Naina and Rakesh didn't move, so Sameer had to get up with his plate in hand and receive the call.

"Bhaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiii...... "

He heard two loud noises from the other end, forcing him to push the cordless away from his ears and make a weird face. Needless to tell, it was Munna and Pandit. They told him how Pandit has arrived at Munna's house and they all are watching today's episode for Sameer, whistling and cheering and clapping on his entry. Sameer chuckled and looked at the food on his plate. Did he really need it? His heart was already full though.

He peered on the sofa and caught Naina staring at him; her smiling eyes told him the story behind the call and also how happy she was, but she quickly shifted her focus to her plate.

When the show ended at 10, all were discussing the episode enthusiastically. While Preeti expressed her happiness on top of her voice, Shubham was subtle in communicating how he liked Sameer's portrayal and praised him genuinely. Papa too had his vishesh tippani on Sameer's character and the episode, and Sameer couldn't feel more satisfied than this.

People in the room stood up to leave, and goodbyes and hugs started getting exchanged. Naina thanked Preeti-Shubham and Tanvi for coming and saw Aditya approaching Sameer. However, she didn't miss how Aditya gestured something to Tanvi, and then Tanvi nodded, hiding her blush and leaving.

She knew they were friends, living in the same society for years. This appeared different to her though.

Her attention was diverted when Aditya cheered and hugged Sameer tightly, praising him for his performance from the bottom of his heart. When Sameer had received a call from Munna and Pandit, she clearly saw in his eyes that he missed them. But she was glad to see that Sameer has a friend here too. a genuine friend.

"Sameer yaar, apan ko bhi tujhe kuchh batana hai," Aditya said as they parted from the hug. Sameer looked at him with hopeful eyes. "woh role ke baare me bataya tha na apun ne tujhe... woh mil gaya yaar Sameer..."

"Kya? Sach?" Sameer's face brightened.

"Haan. Hero ke bhai ka character hai, lekin achchha role hai... aur poore 13 episodes me dikhne wala hai apan." Aditya shared the details.

"Woww Aditya!! Mai bata nahi sakta mai kitna khush hu tere liye." Sameer exclaimed, the happiness for his friend was reflecting in his eyes.

He suggested Aditya to tell his parents about this at least now, but Aditya was still hesitant about it. He promised Sameer that he would think about it, and took a promise from Sameer too not to divulge the information anytime soon.

****

"Thank you Mummy," Sameer said, doffing his jeans. "Haan, kal ke episode mein bhi ek-do scenes hai," he continued, taking the folded night suit pants from the almirah.

"Achchha bata, tu tera Naina ke sath jhagda kab khatm kar raha hai?" Vishakha asked after a while.

Sameer paused his work, "aapko kisne bataya?" he asked.

"Kisi ke batane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tum dono ki aawaz sunkar hi pata chal gaya mujhe. Aur mai jaanti hu Naina ke chehre ki hasi bhi gayab ho gayi hogi, hai na?"

Sameer sighed. It appeared like there were multiple cameras in their house, broadcasting his and Naina's fight on world television, and everyone was now just worried about when the issue between them would resolve, because they were everyone's favorite couple.

"Aaj karta hu mai baat," he assured.

Naina entered the room after changing into her night dress in the bathroom. Papa had gone for a night walk, so after she was done with the cleaning, she headed to the bedroom. When she locked the door, she saw Sameer talking to Vishakha with the cordless between his ear and the shoulder. He was standing bare chest near the almirah, only in his night pants, and struggling in opening the buttons of his ironed navy blue shirt.

Why is the need to even multitask? she shook her head.

"Deepika aur Rohan dono kaise hai?" Sameer enquired on the call, seeing Naina taking the shirt from his hand and unbuttoning it for him.

He wasn't sure though if he heard Vishakha's answer, he was busy staring at his wife helping him wearing the shirt, as if he wouldn't be able to wear it by himself. She didn't look at him as she started buttoning it, nor did she speak anything about today's episode. He was eager to hear her comments on it.

"Tu sunn raha hai ya nahi?" irked, Vishakha asked.

"Ummm... mummy... mai kal baat karta hu aapse." Sameer answered, his eyes fixed on Naina who was arranging her study table.

After detecting the silence in the room, Naina turned and saw Sameer sitting crossed legged on the mattress, playing with the cordless in his hand. This was the time. She sat beside him, folding her legs on one side, and gaining his attention.

"Woh... Bahot achchha episode tha... aur tumhara role bhi..." she started, hesitating as she spoke.

"Thank you." Sameer smiled and turned towards her a little. "Acting kaisi thi meri?"

"Ekdum mast." She too shifted a bit towards him. "Tumne bahot achchhese kirdar nibhaya hai Sameer."

"Director sir bol rahe the thoda aur improve ho sakta hai."

"Haan toh ho jayega na. Karte karte hi toh seekhoge tum."

"Thanks Naina. Tumne sab ko bulaya. Mujhe achchha laga."

"Tumhara pehla telecast tha Sameer. Kaise na bulati inko? Yeh bhi toh hamari hi family ka hissa hai ab." Naina stated, pleased to know that Saneer liked the surprise.

The silence took place in the room again. They both were passing the time, like strangers meeting each other and looking for a nice topic to start a conversation.

Sameer smiled, but not fully. He was torn between wanting to talk more about the episode and his role, or just to hear some more words of praise from Naina... and also wanting to apologize to her as soon as possible.

He turned serious.

"Naina mai―"

"Sameer mai―"

They both enunciated together, realizing what the other person was about to say just with facial expressions.

"Mujhe pehle bolne do," Sameer urged, forcing Naina's attempt to speak to halt.

He turned to her fully and clasped her palms with his. "Naina, uss raat ke liye I'm really really sorry. Pata nahi kya ho gaya tha mujhe jo maine aise behave kiya. Mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. I'm sorry." His voice reflected remorse and guilt. Only the remembrance of that night brought pain in his eyes.

"Tum kyu sorry bol rahe ho," her voice trembled too, "sorry mujhe kehna hai. Kyunki mai tumhe waqt nahi de payi. Mere kaam aur hamare rishte ke beech mai sahi balance nahi rakh payi Sameer... I'm sorry."

Sameer shook his head in no, telling her she was not at fault. But he paused, seeing Naina had more to say.

"Tumse badhkar mere liye kuchh nahi hai, Sameer. Pata nahi kaise mai inn sab baaton mein itna ulajhti gayi, ki mai hame bhool gayi. Woh chhote-chhote pal, khushiyaan... jo hame taakad deti thi mushkilon se ladne ke liye, mai wahi bhool gayi..." her eyes turned watery, but there was no shame in her stance in accepting where she had mistaken.

Sameer moved closer further, lessening the distance between them. He couldn't see her cry, but instead of calming her down, he gave her company with his teary eyes and shivering voice.

"Tum jo bhi kar rahi thi woh hamare liye hi tha Naina... hamara ghar chalane ke liye... lekin mai... mai tumhe uss galti ke liye zimmedaar thehra raha tha jo tumne ki bhi nahi thi..." he sniffed in between, controlling his flow of tears so that he could speak properly, "tumne yeh kabhi nahi bola Naina ki mai bhi toh ghar par nahi tha. Mai toh tumhare saath karwachauth wale din bhi nahi tha, jo hamara din tha.

"Tumne iss baat ki kabhi shikayat nahi ki ki na jaane kitne pal tumne mere intezaar me bitaye honge... na jaane kitni baar tumne sirf isliye khana kha liya hoga kyunki Bela chachi ne tumhe sikhaya hai ki aisa karne se aanewala jaldi ghar aa jata hai, hai na?"

This made Naina pass a chuckle amidst the tears. She nodded, smiling about the fact that even if she hadn't shared such small lessons of Bela chachi to him, he still knows it.

Clearing his blurred vision with the help of his sleeves, Sameer scooted more, his knees touching Naina's now. "Naina, mai uss raat ke liye bahot sharminda hun... aur... uss nishan ke liye bhi..." he touched the spot on Naina's neck, soothing it though it had vanished.

Naina swallowed a heavy lump, wiping the stream of tears on her cheeks, she uttered, "Sameer, kaun sahi kaun galat yeh zaroori nahi hai. Zaroori hai jiss wajah se hamare beech yeh dooriyaan aayi, uss wajah ko, uss problem ko khatm karna."

Sameer smiled and nodded like a child. He was ready to do anything to amend their differences.

"Sameer, mai promise karti hu mai apne kaam ko hamare quality time par kabhi haavi nahi hone dungi. Mai ghar aur kaam ke beech hamesha sahi balance banakar rakhungi."

He nodded and caressed her cheek, "aur mai promise karta hun, mai dusri kisi baat ka gussa tumpar nahi nikalunga... aur meri saari pareshaniyaan tumse share karunga."

Warm and genuine smiles took place on both their faces. They had found the solution to the root cause of their fight, as they had always been. Sameer raked his finger in her hair, taking his hand to her nape and pulled her towards him, making their foreheads rest on one another's.

They exhaled through mouths, shedding their last tears for this night.

"I love you, Naina..." Sameer whispered and Naina looked at him shocked, realizing it's been really long they hadn't used these three magical words to each other.

"I love you, Sameer..." she reciprocated, smiling and grinning at the same time.

They moved away, staring deep into one another's eyes and expressing the contentment they felt after listening to these magical words. The desperate urge of being in the warm embrace of their spouse exploded within them and they flung their arms, hugging each other tightly.

Their faces mirrored absolute sukoon, resting their chins on their love's shoulders, they sighed in the resolution of their quarrel.

After the heavy exchange of emotions subsided, Naina withdrew from the hug, something had struck her mind.

"Tumhari meeting kaisi rahi producer ke sath?" she asked.

"Naina..." Sameer cleared his throat, thinking how to share the news with her. "Woh role toh mil gaya tha mujhe, lekin―"

"Lekin kya?"

He lowered his eyes. "Maine mana kar diya."

"Kyu?" Naina was surprised. Sameer had told her that it was a good role, so she wondered about his reason to deny the role.

"Woh mujhse free me kaam karwana chahte the. Toh maine mana kar diya."

Naina stayed agape for a moment. "Lekin Sameer, yeh toh lead role tha na?"

"Haan Naina, lekin..." he sighed, "lead role milne ke chakkar me mai apni zimmedariyon se bhag nahi sakta. Yeh industry bahot ajeeb hai Naina. Agar yaha mai apni value nahi karunga, toh koi aur bhi nahi karega. Mai nahi jaanta maine aaj jo faisla liya hai woh sahi hai ya galat. Lekin mujhe yahi thik laga."

"Sameer maine kaha tha tumhe yeh sab sochne ki zaroorat nahi hai, mai kar lungi na sab."

"Shshshsh...." he hushed her, "abhi kya promise kiya tumne mujhe?" Naina made a small face on his statement. He chuckled, "aur Naina, yeh rishta, yeh ghar... yeh hum dono ka hai, aur hum dono ko milke isse chalana hai. Yeh sirf kisi ek ke kandho par nahi tik sakta."

Lowering her eyes, she nodded. She remembered Arjun's statement that you can never pull a match alone, you need a partnership to build. And the same goes in marriage too.

"Aur mai tumhe bhi yahi bolna chahta hu." Sameer said, making Naina lift up gaze but with a frown. "Picchle kuchh dino se mujhe tumhare articles, tumhara newspaper office jana pareshan karne laga tha. Lekin aaj pata chala kyu."

He entwined their hands again, staring at the hold and stroking her knuckles with his thumb. Naina only waited.

"Naina, tumhe aise kabhibhi phone karke office bula lena, tumse jyada ke articles likhwana... mujhe aise lagne laga tha ke woh tumhara faayda utha rahe hai. Aur waha tumhari value nahi ho rahi hai."

Naina connected the dots as he spilled. "Lekin Sameer unhone pehle hi kaha tha ki paise nahi milenge."

"Woh 10 articles ke liye Naina. Lekin baad mein mujhe woh thik nahi lag raha tha. Mera sirf yahi kehna hai, jiss kaam me tumhara itna waqt ja raha hai, tum itni mehnat kar rahi ho, itna kuchh padh rahi ho inn articles ke liye... jiske pichhe tum apni tabiyat ka dhyan nahi rakh rahi ho... Uss kaam ka sahi mol tumhe kyu na mile?"

"Sameer woh log bure nahi hai." she tried to make him understand, she had nothing but only gained knowledge after working with them.

"Haan nahi honge na. Aur mai yeh nahi keh raha hu aage se unke sath kaam mat karo. Lekin Naina, tum kam se kam ek pehel toh kar hi sakti ho na. Tum writer ho Naina. Ek bahot achchhi lekhika. Aur mai tumhari soch aur tumhare shabdon ko aisehi jaane nahi de sakta."

Naina heaved deeply. She was sure her writing, her progress could never bother Sameer. Rather his perturbation was because of her not getting valued enough that she deserved.

"Writing bahot mehnat ka kaam hai Naina," Sameer added, "yeh aasan nahi hai. Aur agar logon ko yeh pata nahi hai, toh tum unhe samjhao... thik hai?"

She only nodded, her eyes glistening again but this time with happiness. She stormed into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck.

A husband knowing his wife's worth is the best feeling for the woman. And she experienced it every single time...

****

Naina sat in between the void of his legs, wrapping her arms around his midriff and resting her head on his collarbone. Sameer locked his hands on her, putting a soft kiss on her forehead, he too rested his chin on her head.

The moment was too blissful, filling both their hearts with utmost satisfaction and peace. The silence between them wasn't bothering them anymore. They had let out everything they had suppressed in their hearts all this while.

This whole week had been difficult for them, but finally the bad memories from their heart and mind were cleaned, and they became ready to create new beautiful memories together.

"Naina, tumhari kamar mein dard ho raha hai na kafi dinon se?" Sameer asked after a while.

"Tumhe kaise pata?" She asked innocently.

"Madam, tumhe lagta hai tum mujhe bataogi nahi toh mujhe pata nahi chalega?"

Naina only chuckled. How could she ignore the truth behind the statement? "Dard tha... lekin ab utna nahi hai," she confessed, playing with the pocket of his shirt.

"Yeh kya baat hui?"

"Arey... jab mann udaas ho na, toh sharir bhi chhoti-moti shikayat karne lagta hai... ab mera mann shant hai, toh dard bhi kam hai..."

Sameer scrunched his nose and made her look at him. Is this even the time to throw psychological theories? What is this woman even?

"Lekin thoda toh hai na... mai kamar daba deta hu tumhari..."

"uski zaroorat nahi hai, Sameer..."

"Shshshshsh... maine kaha na mai daba dunga..." he warned her, "chupchap let jao ab... mai abhi aata hu..."

Naina slammed her forehead. Yes, her ziddi husband had made a royal comeback.

Sameer returned after five minutes with a steel bowl in his hand, holding it with its rim.

"Tum leti nahi ab tak?" He uttered the moment he saw her sitting still, while switching the main light off and dim light on.

Naina sighed in defeat and lay down.

Sameer locked the door and as he stepped towards the mattress, his hand accidentally touched the bottom of the bowl. He let out a hiss as the bowl was hot, resulting in his hand jerking and spilling some oil on the floor.

Naina hissed with him too, looking at him in concern while Sameer assured her he was fine.

"Pet ke bal so jao, Naina." He said, sitting beside her and crossing his legs.

"Tum itne ziddi kyu ho?" Naina mumbled, turning on her stomach now, crossing her arms over her head and keeping her face on it.

"Aisa hi hu mai."

He shifted her top upto the small of her back, unclasping the hook of her bra himself. Naina jerked for a second, but then relaxed, knowing he really wanted to take care of her.

Sameer poured a small quantity of sesame oil on his left palm, and while taking some of it on his fingers of the right one, he started applying it on Naina's lower back.

He applied slight pressure with his fingers on her spine, spreading it on its either side in circular motion. Taking some oil again, both his hands worked on her back in horizontal moves. He kept repeating it for a while, keeping it soft.

"Yeh thik hai na?" He asked after some time, checking if this is making her feel good or not.

"Thoda zor lagao na Sameer."

Sameer pursed his lips. The way he was sitting next to her couldn't help in the desired motion. And hence he was unable to create the right pressure too.

He sat on the back of her knees, straddling her thighs and being conscious of not to put much of his weight on her.

"Aaaahhhhhhh.... " A loud moan escaped from Naina's mouth when Sameer applied accurate pressure on her back with both his hands. She was feeling so good.

He stopped massaging for a moment, Naina's moan produced a different effect on him. Licking his lips and shaking his head, he continued the massage.

He finally got the required movements; he massaged with both his thumbs, starting from her waist and then taking it to her upper back across her spine, with small circular patterns of the thumb.

Naina kept producing small moans in between, her husband's hands working miraculously on her body.

He pushed her top further up, slipping his hands through it and kneading her shoulder blades and her nape with his thumbs. While coming back down, his hands wandered on either side, slipping almost inside the bra near her breasts. Back to her waist, he flattened his palm and kept producing slow and gentle strokes.

Naina's eyes opened. Even though Sameer was doing the same thing with his hands on her back, she felt a contrasting feeling in the way he touched now. He wasn't massaging anymore, his hands were roaming all across her back, stroking gently, his fingers brushing on her skin in a distinct way than before, as if they were right where they belong...

It wasn't a complete lie...

She took deep breaths and hid her face in the void created due to her hands, not letting Sameer to see her face. She wasn't sure what was going on in his mind, but his hands indeed told a different story to her. She could never misinterpret his intention behind a touch...

He was her soulmate after all... her husband... she didn't need to look into his eyes or listen to his words to know what he wanted...

She tried to keep calm exhaling through her mouth, but his warm palms were now affecting her.... and she was loving it.

She laughed in her mind thinking how funny it is for a human to crave for his or her loved one's touch on them. It invokes feelings of love, care, protection and assurance.

Though his hands making strange patterns on her entire back was messing up with her system, she loved all of it... she was feeling so loved, so protected...

And hence she didn't object to Sameer in making a normal back massage turn into a sensual massage to your partner, resulting in her arousal and wetness down there.

Sameer was almost lost in a trance. He wasn't aware when his hands started taking divergent routes on Naina's back. unalike routes... unalike patterns... unalike intentions...

He really had wanted to take care of Naina in every way possible. He wanted to convey that he was there to take care of her and that she could let some things for him to manage. But his wife's almost exposed and buttery back was disturbing him in his task.

His hands craved to continue the kneading movements on her front too... like on her breasts... he wondered what if her whole body was aching... he was definitely ready to extend the task towards her thighs, her legs, her feet... anywhere if she asked for it.

His mind formed the images of the 'supposed' massage on her all the body parts and they were surely not very decent according to him. He must have licked his dry lips a hundred times by now, he must have tried to avert his eyes anywhere else but on her back for at least ten times, he must have smashed the thought of his bare chest making contact with her bare back a couple of times.

And he realized he was slowly stirring down there.

Did he just accentuate the sexual tension between them?

Daamnnn... wrong timing...

He noticed Naina's face buried in her arms, thinking she must have felt relieved after the massage and fell asleep. It was good for him to exercise control on his wanderlust.

He dragged her top down, eliminating the most dangerous distraction for him. He went to wash his hands, and to get a jar filled with water. After keeping the jar on the side table and locking the door again, Sameer strolled towards his side of the mattress.

On his way, his foot slipped on the oil that had spilled before and he lost his balance. He was about to fall so weirdly but his hand finding the floor saved him from falling. Although, it led to all his body weight pressured on his hand alone.

"Aahh..." a low squeal came out of his mouth.

Naina turned immediately, listening to him, "kya hua?" she asked.

"Urgghh... kuchh nahi... " he said, grimacing and jerking his right hand.

"Kya kuchh nahi... lagi kya tumhe? Idhar aao."

Naina saw him holding his right wrist and shaking and waggling his hand from it.

"Thik hu mai Naina," Sameer said with a smile as he sat beside her, seeing Naina checking his hand as if a doctor.

"Dhyan kahan rehta hai tumhara? Thik se chal bhi nahi sakte kya?" she snapped at him, clearly worried after listening to his shriek. "Ek toh pehle bhi tumhe isi hath me chot lag chuki hai. Aur ab phirse..."

"Naina meri maa... ab thik hai... yeh dekho," he showed her moving his fist freely from the wrist, smiling and assuring her. "Aur pehle kab chot lagi mujhe iss hath me? Kuchh bhi haan."

"Kitne bhulakkad ho na tum Sameer..."

"Arey? Lekin mujhe lagi hi nahi na kabhi iss hath me chot?" he laughed, surprised with what Naina was claiming.

"Aise kaise bhool sakte ho? kitni badi chot lagi thi tumhe." Naina didn't stop countering.

"mujhe hi chot lagi ho toh mai hi kaise bhool jaunga? Kaisi baat kar rahi ho tum?"

Naina frowned. He looked so confident while stating it. But how can he forget his accident? Did he also fall on his head a while ago to vanish some memories from his brain?

She saw him doing the wrist exercise, stretching his fingers and then pulling them into a fist. When he looked at her, he raised his brows in a question.

"Tumhe sach me yaad nahi tumhe iss hath me chot lagi thi?" she asked seriously.

It was Sameer's turn to turn serious looking at Naina. Her gaze was full of speculation. Did he miss something?

"Ummm... nahi..." he answered in a low voice. This time there was no confidence in his reply.

Why did he have a feeling that he was awakening Naina Devi at this moment?

"Pakka?"

Shiittt... he was a goner now.

He swallowed hard, stressing on his brain cells to remember when he injured his right hand. Was she talking about something from his childhood? But he had mostly bruised his knees as a kid.

He shook his head in no... extremely scared of his own wife.

"Toh college mein mere play ke rehearsal ke waqt―"

His eyes widened. Shit! Shit!! Shit!!!

"Ohh haan... woh na―"

"Jhootthe kahi ke..." Naina didn't let him complete, "tumne jhooth bola tha na mujhse ki tumhara accident ho gaya tha?" she was so pissed with him.

"Naina, meri baat toh suno..."

"Kya sunu haan?" She was furious, she looked for something around and found the pillow, "Naina samne se car aayi... phir car nahi auto aaya," she hit him with the cushion, "kaise aayega agar kuchh tha hi nahi samne toh?" hitting him once more.

Sameer sat on his knees and used his hands for his defense, "meri baat toh suno Naina."

"Wahan mai guilt se mari ja rahi thi ki mere baare me sochte sochte tumhara accident ho gaya, aur tum mast maze le rahe the?" she hit him on his arm.

"Arey toh tumhare sath hi le raha tha na maze, kisi aur ke sath thodi le raha tha."

She gasped. How could he say this?

"Matlab kya hai tumhara?"

This time Sameer got up and ran in the room to save himself, with Naina following him. A chase game continued between them in the small space.

"Naina... meri baat toh suno..." He knew he had no chance in front of Naina Devi today. She lacked only a trishul and a lion at this moment, otherwise she appeared no less than Goddess Durga.

"Mazak soojh raha hai tumhe? Tumhe pata hai meri kya halat thi utne din?"

He dodged the pillow a couple of times, but there was no escape to it. He needed something in his hand too for strong defense, or some of his bones can definitely break tonight.

He rushed to the mattress and crawled to pick up his pillow, but Naina was quick to reach him. Before he could come up with a counter-attack, she pushed him on his back and herself climbed on him, straddling and sitting on his midriff.

"Mr. Sameer Maheshwari!!" she held his collar, "tumhe andaza bhi hai tumhare hath ko dekhkar kitni taqleef hoti thi mujhe? Kitna pareshan rehti thi mai jab tum ghar par rehte the? Isne thik se khana khaya hoga ya nahi, iska dard kam hua ki nahi... mai―"

"I'm sorry..." Sameer whispered.

She was almost sitting on him, her hair had fallen from her shoulders onto his chest. She was breathing fast, out of running and also because she was fuming. Her eyes were spitting fire but they had a pinch of sadness and hurt. It had something else in it too that he hadn't imagined.

He realized how stupid move that was three years ago when he pretended to be hurt to gain Naina's attention. It was almost taking advantage of her love for him.

"Tumse door raha nahi jata mujhse, Naina," he continued, "bechain ho jata hu mai... pagal sa ho jata hu jab tum mujhse door ho jati ho, mujhse jhagadti ho... lekin yeh ego bhi toh aa jata hai na beech me... isliye maine woh natak kiya..."

Naina melted with his earnestness and his love-filled eyes. "Waada karo aage se tum aisa kuchh nahi karoge," she warned him.

Sameer chuckled, "nahi karunga baba... tumhari kasam..." he tucked her hair locks to her ear as he promised her, stroking her cheek with his thumb and slowly taking it to her lips.

The little displacement of his thumb and the feel of the moment instantly shifted to an intense one.

Their eyes switched between their spouse's eyes and lips, perturbed where to focus. The way Naina had sat on Sameer, it had just fueled the sexual tension between them again.

They both had gone through absolutely varied emotions in the last two and half hours, and as the distance between them kept lessening, the control on their nerves, their hormones and the urge not to just pounce on one another kept loosening. Their faces were too close for an argument.

Their breaths turned uneven, not because of the chase this time, but because of the physical proximity. Naina lowered her face when she saw Sameer lifting his head, the to and fro match between their eyes and lips continued, both wanting to make sure of the consent and will.

Their lips were just an inch apart... the warm breaths got mixed... eyes were finally lowered, stuck only on the soft pink lips now...

It was Naina who finally closed the distance between them by capturing Sameer's lips in hers in a gentle but deep kiss. She left his lips only to capture them again, this time with an addition of a nibble on his lower lip. It took only a few seconds for Sameer to respond to her soon-to-be-turning-fierce-kiss and they both indulged in a passionate kiss while deepening it, while swirling their tongues, while heaving satisfactory sighs.

Sameer's hands roamed on her back and he adjusted her, making her lie completely on top of him. While Naina's hands worked on his shirt's buttons, opening them by being still very much engaged in the heated kiss. She was grateful that Sameer helped her open the last two buttons and she attacked on his collar bone with her lips, putting kisses all over his chest as she moved down slowly.

Sameer groaned when her lower body rubbed with his one as she slid down on him, he hit his head on the mattress, shutting his eyes in sheer pleasure he was feeling after a week. However, the one which he experienced at this moment could never be compared to the one last week.

That was utter insanity... his sexual frustration had transformed into lust in the most pathetic way... but this one was totally contrast to that... this was blissful...

Her roving hands on his abdomen reminded him of his hands' tour on her back, and that reminded him of her lower back pain. His trance of pleasure was broken.

"Naina, tumhare kamar me dard hai na..." his voice reflected concern.

Naina smiled and came up, she brushed the hair on his temple with her fingers, looking deep into his eyes, "tumne chhoo liya... dard gayab..." she told him in the most childlike way.

Wasn't this woman kissing him so sensually a moment ago? Sameer mused.

"Phir bhi Naina, tumhe aaram karna chahiye..."

This made Naina's smile disappear. She wanted to give him what she could not a week ago. physical love... and it wasn't only for him, she too needed it.

His statement made her think if he was denying it just because she had denied it that time. or was he thinking she was doing it just for the sake of it? only because she had left him unfulfilled the last time and just wanted to complete it now? or today, he is actually so tired to not do it?

"Sameer..." her voice trembled, "kya tum isliye mana kar rahe ho kyunki maine mana kiya tha?"

"Tum pagal ho Naina?" Sameer frowned. "Mai uss raat ke baare mein soch bhi nahi raha hun."

"Toh phir aaj tumhara mann nahi hai? Ya tum thake hue ho?" She realized she forgot to ask for his consent.

He only chuckled, shaking his head in no. She should know how desperately he wanted it when he helped in opening his shirt.

Her facial expressions changed again, depicting she had relaxed after his answer. "Toh phir... aaj mana mat karna please..." she whispered, though her arousal couldn't be hidden in it.

She leaned forward to kiss him again but before their lips met, she felt his hands on her back and her head, and within a fraction of a second, their positions were flipped.

"Oh shitt... ab?" Sameer raised his brows.

His playful and mischievous eyes brought a smile on Naina's lips.

"Naina... mai hu na..." he voiced, "tum sirf relax karo... baki sab mai sambhal lunga..." whispering the last sentence close to her ear.

Her heart fluttered with his statement. How desperately she had wanted to hear something like this from him? well, though it was in a different context now, but she felt as if tonnes of burden was lifted off from her shoulder.

Her body muscles relaxed involuntarily and she heaved a sigh. The formality of removing his already open shirt was done, and Sameer settled on Naina, letting his lips meet with hers in a loving kiss.

Soon, his hands worked on her clothes, shedding them one by one... and then on his too, leaving no barrier between them. He blessed her front with gentle kisses, using only his lips and sometimes tongue...

Naina shut her eyes in gratification, recognizing how she had missed these peaceful and blissful moments with Sameer in the pursuit of making a living. She didn't hold back her moans, her responses. She let him know how much she was loving it. Her eyes opened after listening to the sound of the opening of the almirah.

"Tch... bechara yeh box... poore ek mahine baad khul raha hai..." Sameer clucked his tongue, faking sadness on his face while looking at it.

"Sameer!!!" Naina swatted his arm, feeling mortified and hiding her eyes with her palm.

He sheathed himself and lay down beside Naina, leaving her perplexed as to what he was doing. She was expecting him to be on top of her and accelerate the proceedings to the next stage. She couldn't wait longer...

As she struggled to guess Sameer's moves and motives, she found him turning on his side, towards her and pushing on her shoulder to make her turn too. He pulled her more on himself, allowing her back to rest on his chest partially, as if assuring her she can let some of her weight on him without worrying... literally and also in terms of sharing her responsibilities...

Slipping his arm beneath her neck just like yesterday, he shifted one of her legs on his and held with both his hands on her... gently yet possessively... and chuckled seeing Naina all bewildered about their position.

"Happy anniversary Mrs. Maheshwari..." he whispered in her ear.

Naina was astounded; she craned her neck to check the time, it was ten minutes past 12 o'clock in the clock on the nightstand. But before she could say anything, Sameer pulled her mouth towards him for a kiss, entering her at the same. They both moaned aloud, consuming the gasps in each other's mouth, feeling euphoric with the union.

He kept thrusting inside her, slowly, gently, with all the love he had. His nerves and hormones had a combat with his mind, asking him to go fast, to go rough... wild... but his mind refused. He didn't want to cause any kind of discomfort to her, not a mark on any part of her body for sure... he wanted to be as gentle as possible with her and keep it slow... not until she asks for it...

On the other hand, his slow and rhythmic pace was maddening Naina. He would increase his tempo for a while, building the pleasure inside her, but then would slow down again... leaving her on the edge.

Was he taking his revenge for keeping him on the edge last time?

"Sameer, please!!" she mumbled, annoyance clearly reflecting in her voice.

"Please what?"

She turned to look at him, his eyes showed her a mischief but care at the same time. He raised his brows and lowered his speed further, telling her he wouldn't proceed until she speaks out loud what she wants.

Urghh... she had forgotten that her husband is so stubborn.

"Fa... faster..." she confessed.

"Okay madam!!" he said as he laughed, finding it funny how they were conversing in English in this cozy moment.

He thrust harder and faster as he promised, providing her what she demanded. Though it wasn't only about bodily pleasure tonight. It had much more to it. There was sharing in it... sharing the blissful moments, sharing the pleasure... there was caring in it... there was longing for one another... and at last... there was immense love for each other...

They had resolved their fight, but they didn't try to win it. There were no claims about who was right and who was wrong. They filled the communication gap between them by talking, listening, learning and understanding the needs of their partner.

Life kept surprising them at times by dismantling the castle they had built in all these years. What they had learnt in the testing times is how to rebuild it.

It is their love that keeps winning over all their fears and insecurities. AGAIN AND AGAIN.

********

Hey peeps, sorry for the delayed post note. hope you all are doing good.

How was this chapter? the 'talk'? I hope it was at least close to your expectations.😁

The story needs to move ahead. But since I troubled you guys a lot with the delayed patch-up, a small surprise chapter is on your way. coz that wasn't in the plan.🤗

Do vote n comment. keep sharing the feedback. I love to read it.

Love.💕