"Nainaa..!! Nainaa...!!!"

Naina jolted in sleep and snapped open her eyes, finding her husband's worried face in front of her with his hand on her shoulder.

"Tumhe itna paseena kyu aa raha hai?" Sameer asked her, sitting on his knees beside her.

He wiped the sweat beads on her forehead with his thumb, tucking the wet hair strands on her cheek behind her ear. He had let Naina sleep, who was cocooned in his embrace, as it was a lazy Sunday morning. But a need to use the bathroom surged and he had to slowly separate himself from her.

Naina let out deep breaths, shifting her gaze from Sameer to the surroundings, finding herself disoriented about the place and time. Wasn't she on the streets of Mumbai?

"Tum theek ho Naina?" Sameer asked her, seeing her inability to respond. Scooting closer to her, he helped her sit seeing her attempts to get up.

Naina leaned back on the wall, resting her head on it as she cleaned the sweat on her face. Shutting her eyes, she let herself relax first, convincing her panicked mind that she was in her house, in the present moment. Not somewhere else.

After feeling Sameer's warm palm on her cheek, she opened her eyes. His soothing demeanor was enough to calm her racing heartbeats down, and his extended hand enabled her to submit herself in his arms. She locked her hands on his midriff, resting her head on his collarbone, she let the rhythm of his heartbeat sink in her system.

"Kya baat hai Naina? Tum itni pareshan kyu ho?" Sameer asked gently after a while, rubbing her arm.

Naina sighed, tucking her hair behind and tightening her hold on him. After resolving both their issues with one another, she had thought that the dreams she was seeing in her half asleep state would stop showing up. They did for a week, but she continued to see them again since last week.

"Sameer, mujhe kafi dino se ek sapna aa raha hai..." she shared it with him, frustrated with the repetition of its occurrence.

Her serious tone put a frown on Sameer's face. He looked at her worried. "Kaunsa sapna?"

"Koi mera pichha kar raha hai sapne mein... aur... mai bass bhag rahi hu usse... sadkon par... lekin jab bhi mai pichhe mudkar dekhti hu toh sirf andhera nazar aata hai... aur kuchh nahi..."

Sameer's frown deepened. He hadn't heard such a tale from Naina before. He caressed her cheek, "tumne kaha kafi dinon se... matlab?"

Naina looked into his deep eyes. Was it right to include Sameer in her misery of these nightmares? She could have kept him away from it, couldn't she? But they both had promised not to hide things from one another. And she desperately needed a kind of solution for this.

"Matlab... mujhe kafi dinon se yeh ek hi sapna dikh raha hai... roz roz nahi aata... lekin aksar dikh jata hai."

Sameer turned pensive seeing Naina's expressions. He was immediately reminded of his own nightmare a few months back... the nightmare he saw of a railway platform.

Does Naina's dream too have a relevance to something?

But what could it be about?

"Naina, tum periods ko lekar pareshan ho?" He took her hands in his, stroking her knuckles with his thumb, "tum please tension mat lo... aa jayenge... ya dopahar ko doctor ke paas jana hai?" he asked subtly.

It had been close to two weeks past Naina's due date, but her periods hadn't come yet. She had ignored it for the initial 2-3 days, but then she started worrying. Her periods could come early in a case, but they were hardly delayed.

Sameer wasn't worried much about it when she shared her concern with him. He had once casually laughed it away stating that they had done nothing in the past month, so there was no threat of an unwanted pregnancy. Also, they always used protection no matter what. But later, he discerned that it was more related to her health, than the pregnancy.

Regular periods is afterall a sign of good health.

Naina's eyes turned moist upon the mention of her missed periods. New issues to resolve... new emotions to deal with... but no answer to anything yet.

"Mujhe kuchh samajh me nahi aa raha hai Sameer," her voice trembled a little, "yeh sapna... mere periods... agar mai sach mein preg―"

"Shshshsh...." Sameer hushed her, seeing her going into panic mode again. "Naina... tum pehle shant ho jao... lambi saans lo..." he tried to relax her first, making her take some deep breaths, not leaving her hands even for a second. When the creases on Naina's forehead faded, he voiced, "Naina... agar aisa kuchh bhi hota hai... toh mai hu na tumhare sath... hmm?"

"Sameer abhi hum iske liye tayy―"

"Naina..." he stopped her and cradled her face, whispering, "jo hoga... woh dekha jayega thik hai?"

She nodded into the limited space Sameer allowed her with his palms, smiling just a little at him and hugging him again. She scorned the weirdness of their destiny. Any married woman of her age would probably be dancing happily knowing she had missed her periods. Informing her husband while blushing from head to toe, and maybe celebrate the moments of happiness. But she could not. She was reminded of the incident when she misread the signs of acidity as pregnancy.

No... she didn't want the repeat telecast of that episode.

"Sameer... kisi gynecologist ko dikhaye?"

****

Sameer was pacing in the house, with his hands in his pockets and head down. Naina was uneasy since morning, she didn't even have her breakfast properly, adding to his tension about the whole situation. But from yesterday evening, his headspace was occupied by another thing. It was about Aditya.

He had persuaded Aditya to confess to his family about his dreams to work in film and television industry, as his shoot was commencing soon. Finally Aditya agreed to talk to his family today and he requested Sameer to stay at home if anything goes wrong. He didn't know at what time Aditya was speaking at home, so he had kept his day free today.

Sameer's heart was in splits, wanting to be there for his wife and friend too. But of course, Naina was his first and foremost priority. And when he saw her restless and tense, he suggested they visit a gynecologist before afternoon itself.

He was now really stressed about Naina's health. Her periods getting delayed for so many days was an alarm for them. There had been a gloomy environment in the house the last time it had happened. This time they refrained themselves from jumping to conclusions, and decided to wait for the doctor's say on it.

He knew what Naina was about to say though he had stopped her from continuing. They weren't prepared for the child yet. He had promised her that he would give all his time to her when she would be expecting their baby. And this was certainly not the right time. Yet, he was ready to welcome whatever was written in their destiny with open arms.

He checked his watch as Naina took longer in the washroom, they needed to leave for the clinic. Naina had taken the responsibility of informing Papa about their visit to the doctor, though she said she would share the details only when it is confirmed.

Rakesh, on the other side of the house, had a book in his hand, but hadn't read a single word. He had noticed some silent but serious exchange of gazes between Naina and Sameer, and figured out that there was something serious going on between them. Something regarding Naina's health as he had seen her uneasy. However, he couldn't cross the line himself and ask his daughter if everything was fine. He had to wait for Naina to tell him herself.

The quietude of the house was disturbed by some loud voices coming from the lobby. It was Mr. Gadkari's voice and Sameer recognized what must be the situation.

"Chup!! Bapala shahanpana shikavtoys? Khabardar hya pudhe tv ch naav jari kadhla tar... chaalta ho ithun..."

Mr. Gadkari roared as Sameer and Rakesh stood under the door frame. They saw the entire Gadkari family in the lobby; Mr. Gadkari was fuming in rage, while Mrs. Gadkari was constantly wiping her tears with her pallu with Sejal standing as a support beside her, and Aditya was crying like a kid, cleaning his tears with the sleeve of his shirt.

Sameer rushed to him worried, this was what he was dreading. He held Aditya from his shoulders, showing him he was there for him. Naina joined Rakesh and Sameer, but only to stand quietly behind Sameer as his support.

"Yeh... yeh... tere wajah se hi ho raha hai na?" Mr. Gadkari yelled, pointing at Sameer, "maine dekha tha Aditya ko tere sath... mujhe laga mera beta tujhe naukri dhundhne sath le ja raha hai... lekin nahi... yahan toh ulta hi ho raha tha..."

"Baba isme Sameer ka koi hath nahi hai..." Aditya defended Sameer, sniffing, "mujhe bahot pehle se hi isme kaam karna tha."

"Mai ek patrakar tha Aditya... teri aai pehle chhote bachchon ko padhati thi... tera bhai waha parivar se door rehkar apni zimmedari nibha raha hai... aur tujhe yahi karna hai? Yeh nautanki?"

"Yeh bhi ek kaam hi hai Baba... yeh ek kala hai, mai kalakar hu... aur iske alava mujhe na kuchh aata hai... na hi mujhe kuchh karna hai..."

Mr. Gadkari gritted his teeth in sheer anger, his hand almost raised in the air, but he took it back. He had never raised a hand on his children.

The to and fro continued between the father and son for a while, while others could do nothing but stand as spectators. Mrs. Gadkari tried to appease her husband, pleading him not to throw their son out, but he didn't listen to her.

The heated argument finally ceased and Mr. Gadkari forced his wife and Sejal to come inside the house, slamming the door. Aditya kept staring at the closed door, heaving deeply while his face was laden with the stains of tears. He rushed to the staircase, but was held by Sameer.

"Jaane de yaar Sameer... sab khatm ho gaya hai waise bhi..." Aditya tried freeing Sameer's grip, but it was strong, yet gentle.

"Kuchh khatm nahi hua hai Aditya... aur kaha ja raha hai tu aise gusse mein?"

"Pata nahi..." Aditya sniffed and wiped his face on his sleeve again. He was hurt and enraged.

"Aditya, tu mere ghar chal abhi... tu kahi nahi ja raha hai samjha na?"

"Nahi yaar... isse kuchh nahi hone wala hai... Baba nahi maan'ne wale... apan production house jaake mana kar deta hai role ke liye." Aditya's voice trembled at the end, and Sameer discerned how just the thought of letting his dream go away was painful for Aditya.

"Nahiii..." Sameer voiced firmly. "Aditya, mai hun na... tu chal mere ghar," he added softly, assuring his friend with his eyes that he still has a place to go, and moreover, nothing is over yet.

Aditya stared at Sameer with a pool of emotions in his eyes. While all his friends in Mumbai had laughed at his dream of becoming an actor and mocked it at times in front of him, Sameer was the only one who had genuinely supported him all this while. It wasn't only because Sameer too shared the same interest as him and their dreams were relevant, but because Sameer understood what it is to dream and work towards fulfilling it. He never felt any kind of jealousy or a sense of competition from Sameer, rather they both always pushed each other to do better and were happy about each other's progress.

Aditya turned overwhelmed just with Sameer's words of assurance. He didn't need a place to stay, he just needed moral support. The freshly formed tears made their way through his eyes and a sob let out through his mouth. Sameer understood Aditya's dilemma and he simply pulled him for a hug, gently rubbing his back to soothe him.

Naina and Rakesh stood with a warm smile as the friends remained in the hug for a while. Naina spotted Mrs. Gadkari peering from the slightly opened door, covering her mouth with her pallu to suppress her sobs and checking on Aditya. Naina smiled at her and blinked her eyes in assurance, telling the lady not to worry about her son, as he was a part of their family too now.

Receiving a glass of water from Naina, Aditya gulped it down in one go. He was much calmer now. And after seeing Sameer, Naina and Rakesh sitting in front of him with concern in their eyes, he was grateful too. Back at home, he had the support of his aai and vahini, but it was seemingly impossible to convince his baba to work in the show he has been offered.

Sameer looked at Aditya as he still held the empty glass in his hand, staring at it and possibly thinking about the circumstances he was stuck in. Aditya was smart, that's how he managed to hide his truth of going to the film and tv serial auditions from his family. But as Sameer noticed, today he was vulnerable and helpless. He always knew Aditya as a tough person and probably that's why he was a bit surprised to see him crying like a kid today. Maybe a man turns this emotional and cries when something so close to him is taken away from him.

A glance at Naina hit Sameer with guilt. She sat quietly on the sofa chair, patiently. But only he could guess what all was going on in her mind and body today. They were supposed to be in a clinic by this time for Naina's check up. Her health woes were agonizing him. He wanted to be with her, hold her close to him in his arms, but Aditya's problem also needed his attention.

Perceiving his stare on her, Naina's eyes met with him, and she smiled, affirming through her eyes that she was okay. ...though she was clearly not!

"Thanks Sameer," Aditya mumbled, keeping the glass on the table and gaining everyone's attention, "mai kuchh jyada hi react ho gaya." He felt embarrassed as he recalled the events again.

"Nahi yaar Aditya, mai samajh sakta hu uss waqt tujhe kya feel ho raha hoga," Sameer said as he placed his hand on Aditya's knee. "Tu please mujhe shuru se bata ki ghar pe kya hua."

Aditya narrated the occurrences from the morning― how he approached his father, who was busy reading a magazine, and blasted his truth like a bomb to him. Then how his father took it as a joke first, and then turned extremely furious when he fathomed it was the fact, forcing Mrs. Gadkari and Sejal rush to the room after hearing loud voices.

"Haan toh woh gussa toh honge hi na," Rakesh intervened, "tum itne samay se apne gharwalon se jhooth par jhooth bole ja rahe ho, aur kya apeksha hai tumhari?" his voice raised a bit, he was feeling sympathetic with Mr. Gadkari at this moment.

"Papa... please..." Sameer pleaded to Rakesh who was sitting next to him on the couch. He didn't want another person to yell at Aditya and make him realize his mistakes again.

Sameer turned to Aditya dejected, "Aditya, aise jaake dhadaam se sach nahi bolna chahiye tha tujhe... pehle thoda mahol toh bana lete..." he said, keeping his voice subtle.

"Sameer mere ko nahi samajhta yaar yeh sab... apun ke dimaag me bass itna chal raha tha ki aaj Baba ko sab sach batana hai bass... yeh mahol-wahol banana apan ko nahi aata."

Sameer chuckled at his way of speaking. He suggested a way Aditya should have opened the topic with Mr. Gadkari, building the premise of the conversation and then gently revealing the truth.

"Abhibhi der nahi hui hai Aditya, tu abhibhi uncle ko mana sakta hai."

"Kaise Sameer? Tujhe lagta hai woh manange? Woh? Jo tv ke taraf dekhte bhi nahi, jo filmon mein sirf galtiyaan nikaalte hai woh?"

"Ho sakta hai Aditya..." Sameer patted Aditya's shoulder, smiling, and something struck his mind, "idea... tu letter likh na... tere sapno ke baare mein bata unhe... tujhe yahi kaam kyu karna hai aur kaise tujhe khushi milti hai yeh letter ke zariye bata."

"Haan Aditya," Naina joined Sameer with sparkling eyes, "Sameer bilkul thik keh raha hai... khat hamesha sabse aasan aur takadwar raha hai... padhnewala isse hamesha poora padhta hai... aur mujhe yakeen hai uncle zaroor maan jayenge."

Aditya's eyes widened upon Sameer's suggestion. "khat? nahi nahi... apun ko nahi aata yeh sab... Tan―" he paused and Naina frowned. "Mera matlab mere dost apan ko aisehich chiddhate the.... nahi yaar apun ko yeh khat-wat likhna nahi aata."

Sameer shut his eyes in despair, he would need to think of other ways to support Aditya.

Aditya read his face and understood his dilemma. He added, "Sameer yaar mai na actor hai. Apun ko sirf script mein likhe dialogue bolna aata hai yaar... yeh likhna-wikhna nahi hoga mere se."

That sparkled something in Sameer's eyes. "Toh mai likh deta hu na letter tere liye... tu ja ke sirf uncle tak pohcha dena... aur mai jo bataunga wahi bolna... thik hai?"

Aditya found the idea to be worth trying. He didn't have any other option in his mind. He was blank to be honest. And he trusted Sameer enough to let him take charge of this, so he nodded in agreement to Sameer's proposal.

Everyone almost relaxed after a smile appeared on Aditya's face. Naina and Rakesh's expressions revealed they too were in this plan with Sameer and would do anything possible from their side.

Sameer and Aditya were in the balcony for almost an hour now, where Aditya shared his untold story of his struggle, how and when he dreamt of becoming a hero and what the environment at his home is like. After a while, he went out stating that he wanted to meet someone. Upon Sameer's questions, he promised that he wouldn't harm his role in the show and they shared a tight hug again.

As Aditya stepped out of the house, Sameer looked for Naina immediately. Papa was in the kitchen alone, so he rushed towards the bedroom.

He cursed the wrong timings of the happenings again. It was as if bhagwanji was writing a dramatic script for him personally, putting all the twists and turns at all the wrong places.

He needed to see Naina as soon as possible, ask her if she was okay and if they could visit the doctor right now.

It took the exact moment for him to pass through the passage and for Naina to open the bathroom door. He noticed that she had made more trips to the bathroom.

The glow Naina's face used to carry had faded long back, she looked weak and dull. This was something he was always helpless at. In these two weeks after they resolved their fight, he had started paying attention to her health more and more. He massaged her shoulders and neck when she sat for long studying, he forced her to drink milk whenever she threw tantrums like a kid, he often checked if she ate her lunchbox, and when both of them were tired from the day, they fell asleep while massaging one another's feet.

but there was no solution to bring back the lost glow on her face...

"Clinic chalein Naina?" he asked her softly, his heart aching just with the sight of Naina.

Naina shook her head in no, her chest rising and falling in slow but deep breathing. "Aa gaye periods," she mumbled.

Sameer sighed, however he didn't get any relief looking at Naina's pale face. He reached her in two long strides and stood there calmly, oozing warmth with his sheer touch as he rubbed her arm and touched her cheek softly on the pretext of tucking her hair behind.

Naina kept looking deep into his eyes, they looked as calm as a serene night. Not words but a multitude of emotions were getting exchanged through their eyelock, emotions that had a silver lining of the pain they felt just like last time.

Placing his palm on her head, Sameer pulled her towards him, engulfing her in his protective arms, in his warmth, telling her quietly she need not feel bad about anything.

That it's fine...

**** 

Preeti barged in the house at sharp 5 in the evening and Naina grinned excitedly seeing the jute bag in her hand. She had already kept the empty vessels ready on the tea table.

The two sisters sat on the sofa crossing their legs and the items were taken out from Preeti's bag one by one. And in no time they were devouring homemade Pani puri, serving both their hunger and craving.

"Tanvi ko kyu nahi lekar aayi?" Naina said, breaking a puri with her index finger, "itni toh bana rakhi hai tune," she gestured with her hands pointing to the number of puris.

"arey woh na apni kisi saheli se milne gayi hai... aaj woh dopahar se hi bahar hai..." Preeti replied casually, totally focussed on filling her puri with teekha Pani. "Aur jijaji kaha hai?"

Naina giggled, "Sameer andar hi hai bedroom me. 'Do not disturb' ka board lagakar baitha hai."

As her mouth was full with the delicious panipuri, Preeti raised her brows in question, asking the reason. Naina too just shrugged it off, squeezing her eyes as she relished the khatta-meetha pani.

The girls continued their chatter as Preeti shared her experience from her parlour course. The course curriculum had entered into the second month and Preeti couldn't stop gushing over it.

Naina saw how enthusiastically Preeti was speaking about the parlour course. By now, she got to know the names of all her fellows, her instructor... because she had listened to all their kisse from Preeti so many times. Naina also knew how Preeti was the quickest one to adapt herself to the usage of scissors, comb and hair dryer; also how she already knew some of the haircut tricks and some hairstyles, having been reading them in magazines since she was 15 years old. She was also acing in skincare and makeup, and Naina couldn't be more proud of her.

"Preeti," Naina intervened in Preeti's tale from her class. Preeti looked at her with a bright smile, the smile she couldn't stop bearing on her face since she joined the course. "Mai bahot khush hu tere liye," Naina said, reflecting the same through her twinkling eyes.

Preeti squeezed her shoulders close to her neck, smiling ear to ear like a small girl who got praised in school. She opened her arms and the sisters rocked themselves in the warmest hug.

"Tune apni kahaniyon pe kaam shuru kar diya ya nahi?" Preeti asked as they parted, "ab naye saal se articles nahi, teri kahaniyaan padhungi mai."

"Haan shuru kar diya hai... Sulekha ma'am ne iss baar mujhe chhut de rakhi hai... keh rahi thi mujhe jiss vishay par likhna hai mai uspar likh sakti hu."

"Sahi hai Naina... aur mujhe yakin hai tu ek se badhkar ek kahaniyaan lekar aayegi hamare liye," Preeti voiced, expressing her happiness for Naina.

Naina stood under the doorframe of the bedroom after Preeti left. She leaned on the door while crossing her arms on the chest and smiled, realizing she unknowingly copied Sameer's position. She couldn't help but mimicking his pose, because there was such an adorable sight in front of her.

...the sight of Sameer writing on her study table.

Sameer had occupied her table-chair since the afternoon, stating he was busy and no one should disturb him. He had leaned back on the chair, his left hand rubbing his chin while his right hand played with the pen in his hand. He had focussed somewhere on the wall, in the blank, and thinking deeply.

She had seen him writing his poems in his diary before, placing a chair in the balcony or on the mattress. Most of the time, his poems used to be the reflection of his gloomy days and mood, where he would be frustrated by the world or by himself. His poems were his way of venting out, and hence they used to be intense and a bit sad.

But this was different... this was too different from others... the place and the words that came through his pen on the paper.

She sauntered towards him, walking to his back and sliding her hands down from his shoulders. Sameer blushed, feeling the smooth glide of Naina's slender hands on his chest.

His cheeks turned red when Naina nuzzled his neck and kissed right on his ear. "Kya baat hai Mrs. Maheshwari? bada pyaar aa raha hai mujhpar?" he asked, holding her locked hands on his chest with his single palm.

He was happy to see that she was back to her normal self after the terrible morning.

"Tum na aaj bade woh lag rahe ho... kya kehte hai usse... haann... sexxxyyyy..."

Sameer gasped and turned, looking at Naina utterly shocked, "kaha se seekh rahi ho tum yeh saare shabd?"

Naina giggled at his reaction. Pinching his cheek playfully, she replied, "Smita ma'am ne."

"Hey bhagwan... yeh tumhari Smita ma'am se na ab milna hi padega... pata nahi kya kya sikha rahi hai meri bholi bhali Naina ko... "

He twisted his mouth in fake annoyance... yupp... fake annoyance... needless to tell, he was thoroughly enjoying how Naina was teasing him by learning new words.

Naina laughed wholeheartedly and Sameer only sighed, content and absorbing her laughter.

When Naina leaned on the study table to face Sameer, she voiced, "tumhe yaad hai? humne bhi chachaji ko manane ke liye aisehi ek script likhi thi," gesturing at the letterpad on the table.

"Haan yaad hai... kaha kaha se jaanjkari nikal kar laayi thi Devanand aur Amitabh Bachchan ke baare mein." Sameer chuckled.

Naina nodded, remembering how they had surfed through the numerous film magazines to know the struggle stories of the heroes of the cinema.

"Lekin iss baar woh tareeka kaam nahi karega Naina.... " she gazed back at Sameer, focusing on his words now. "Aditya ki case mein yeh itna aasan nahi hai... hame Gadkari uncle ko kisi aur tarike se Aditya ke sapne ke baare mein batana hoga... aur iss baar drama nahi... sirf jazbaaton se kaam hoga... sachche aur dil se nikle hue jazbaat... "

Naina looked at Sameer with pride in her eyes. How perfectly he had gauged the situation!! He had suggested Aditya to write a letter because he genuinely wanted to help him. But when Sameer himself took the responsibility to write it on behalf of Aditya, Naina found him more immersed in the letter, as if he was convincing someone from his own family.

"Sejal bhabhi aayi thi thodi der pehle..." Naina informed in a low voice, "Aditya ko dhund rahi thi."

Sameer heaved, "bass ek baar Gadkari uncle maan jaye... Aditya bahot maanta hai unko..."

Naina noticed how Sameer had serious expressions on his face. After Munna and Pandit, he had found a genuine and now a close friend in Aditya. And as obvious as it could be, Sameer's friends' moods affected him too. His happiness was a lot dependent on his friends' happiness. Naina knew that the contagious smile that he always carried wouldn't be back until Aditya gets accepted by his father.

"Maan jayenge uncle," she said affirmatively, "aur Aditya bhi khushi khushi apne ghar wapas jayega. Mai jaanti hu..."

Sameer frowned, "kaise?"

Walking to his back, she looped her arms around his neck again and whispered in his ear, "kyunki uss ke sath tum jo khade ho..." and kissed on it right after.

Sameer's lips crept into a warm smile, he turned a little sentimental after her comment. She always had this immense trust in him, an assurance she always bestowed in him that a person doesn't need to worry whenever he stands behind someone as a support. He felt so good listening to this simple line, and he showed it by simply kissing her hand.

"Waise janab gaye kahan hai?" Naina asked casually.

"Pata nahi... bata raha tha kisi dost se milne ja raha hai... dopahar se gaya hua hai."

Naina didn't know why but something in this sentence caught her. She remembered how Preeti told her that Tanvi too was out since afternoon. One part of her brain wanted to name it as just a coincidence, but the other part wanted to connect the dots. ...based on what she had seen in the morning.

When she had joined Sameer and Papa in witnessing the Gadkari family's drama in the lobby, she'd spotted Tanvi standing in the passage of the staircase, all concerned and focused on the occurings in the lobby. Naina hadn't paid much attention to it then, but she fathomed if Tanvi was there for Aditya. And this was the second time she noticed a connection between the two.

A soft smile took place on her lips unknowingly knowing there was a possibility of a love story blooming in this society that probably no one was aware of. However it didn't take long to transform her happiness into concern for both Aditya and Tanvi, given their families and the different cultures.

But whatever the castles her mind had built in the air, was that everything true in the first place?

"Sameer..." she whispered in a daze, her hands were lazily hanging on his shoulders. She didn't want to assume, she wanted to confirm her doubts first.

"Hmm?" Sameer asked, he was quite concentrated in writing the letter.

"Kuchh baat karni thi tumse..."

"Abhi nahi Naina," Sameer asserted, "aur haan, mere liye ek cup chai la do na..."

Naina decided to let it go for a while. Maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe she was overthinking. It might just be a pure bond of friendship between them and nothing more. She didn't want to spoil it by giving it a romantic angle.

But... that was not possible...

Even in the shortest glance she had of Tanvi, Naina could see it in Tanvi's eyes. She was clearly so worried for Aditya. And who better than Naina could understand what it feels to see your loved one crying and in pain.

Deciding to go into the matter's depth, Naina strolled to leave the bedroom, turning back once more and adoring Sameer. It had been long he had cut his hair and the locks kept falling on his forehead as he bent down to write. Ultimately, he kept his hand fixed in his hair and leaned forward with the support of his elbow.

She heaved deeply, cursing the break they took worrying about her missed periods. They shouldn't have!!

"Sameer...."

She called him softly, coating her voice in love and desire. It was enough to force Sameer to look at her but he seemed to have missed her husky tone. He only raised his brows questioning her, a little irked as she broke his link.

Naina only giggled, noticing how cute he was looking. She recalled the way he mirrored her reactions unknowingly after getting disturbed while writing.

"I love you..." she whispered, blowing a kiss in the air.

Sameer's frown converted into a cheeky smile. He leaned back, keeping his hand on his heart and mouthing 'hayeee' dramatically. The five minute short break with his wife charged him for the rest of the day to think about Aditya's problem and the letter.

****

Sameer was roaming happily on his set, noting every minute detail about the set arrangement, the camera and light setup and also sneaking in the conversation between director and actor, or director and cameraman. He had understood it by now that if you show the interest to learn things, no one stops you. Rather they happily share the knowledge.

Today he was happy for two main reasons, and one of them was working with this particular production house. It was after all associated with a big name in the industry. Not just that, the person was working in the project too.

He sat on a chair he found idle for a long time, resuming his work of observing the set and the people again.

The morning was full of laughter and excitement today. He was taking the rounds of the house, from hall to the bedroom and back, with Naina following him.

"Sameer... jyada na bhav khane ki zaroorat nahi hai... samjhe na..." she had whined cutely, running behind him.

"Arey... mai kaha bhav kha raha hu?" he said. He was enjoying all of this a lot.

"Ek autograph laane ko hi kaha hai na... itna kyu hava mein udd rahe ho?"

"Aur maine bhi pehle hi kaha hai tumse... mere sath chalo... aur tum khud le lo..."

When they entered the bedroom, Sameer turned swiftly and before Naina could know, he had pulled her towards his chest, ending the chase.

Naina sighed, shooing the topic away by laughing and fixing Sameer's collar, she mumbled, "mann lagakar kaam karna... all the best..." and kissed on his cheeks.

Sameer smiled inwardly remembering the morning, trying to hide his blush.

The year 1996 was almost ending, it was the last week of the last month of the year. The show that he had shot for in August had finally got a broadcast date in January, though he was going to feature in the 9th and 10th episodes out of 13. And now this show. It was a small role again, but he was happy to be part of it, given that it was a big production house. Also, he was working with someone whose Naina, Papa and Vishakha, all were fans of.

His curious gaze scanned the entire set, starting from left to his right, and it got fixed on a person. He gasped heavily when he recognized he was being observed as curiously as he did, and the person grinned looking at his state.

There she was... the lady he never imagined he would get to work with...

Aruna Irani.

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How was this chapter guys? Do let me know.

Next update soon.

Love.💕