Shubham stood in the balcony, his hands apart on the parapet wall and his eyes fixed somewhere on the ground that was still painted in the multiple colors.

The two days of Holi holidays had definitely cheered the society. He too was feeling rejuvenated amidst his hectic schedule in the office due to the financial year ending. As the darkness was slowly covering the sky, Sea Queen Society was getting back to normal after a lull afternoon.

A sound caught his attention and his gaze shifted. There was a noise of helpers of mandap decoration and caterers, taking the tables, chairs and the material of the pandal back in the tempo. Vanita was standing close to the gate– supervising, talking to their chief guy and counting the notes in her hand– all at the same time.

Vanita was indeed a good leader, Shubham mused. She was a strict yet very efficient secretary of their society. All the events that took place in the society were always well managed under her supervision, which actually required good planning and execution.

He recalled the time when some families from their society had issues with her being the secretary— a woman. It wasn't a regular practice in some houses to listen to a woman's orders, or to take your problems to a woman to solve or to attend the society meeting filled with mostly men but headed by a woman.

They had the committee including the president and treasurer, but only for namesake. He had seen only Vanita actively doing almost everything single handedly. She has a dominant personality, good at decision making and at her economics too.

A long time ago he had casually asked her if she ever wanted to work, and her reply wasn't even surprising to him.

'Kya hi karenge hum job karke? Aur hame job dega kaun?'

There couldn't be a worse thing than a woman underestimating herself and not realizing her worth. That she's made for much more than she thinks. That she can ask for what she wants as a man can.

Shubham had only smiled at Vanita's answer that time, but today, he recognized the gravity of it. That it was the yearlong conditioning of women that made them think inferior of themselves. Had she been working somewhere, she would have been a very good manager. Shubham's notion about Vanita after that answer stayed true even in this moment.

Being raised in a patriarchal mindset, Shubham wasn't a person who would understand a woman's point of view, despite being surrounded by women. He was in his 20's when he lost his father and with the hesitation and distance that comes with age between a son and his mother, he had very limited topics to talk about with his mother and grandmother. And with the age gap he had with Tanvi, there were never discussions about a woman's life, her challenges, her interests and her conflicts.

However, when Preeti came into his life, her jovial and filmy nature showed him new perspectives. His wish to have a transparent and friendly relation with her made him understand her as a woman first, listen to her chatter without interrupting and learn to be happy with little things. It made him look at things through her lens, perceiving things with a touch of sensitivity and subjectivity... unlike the numbers and percentages and profit and loss from his economics.

What was transpiring in their house from the past one year was like a wave of change. He never experienced so many changes in his life than what he did in this one year. He wasn't bothered about it, rather he himself was the driver of these changes. And what happened today was the fruit of all those persistent efforts.

His wife and sister getting job offers from their respective fields...

And his sister sharing with him about being in love with someone and wanting to marry him....

He was happy for Preeti getting two job offers. She had proved her worth and potential and he was so proud of her. He really wanted her to shine in her field, to excel in hairstyling as she always wanted to do and fulfill her dream. After the completion of her course, he had started looking for the expenses and the itinerary to open a parlor, checking out all his savings accounts and also considering if they needed to take a loan.

It was a crunch situation, given that he had the responsibility of his sister's marriage too on his shoulder. And he was ashamed of sighing in relief when Preeti shared that she will work in a parlor to gain some experience first.

Yes, he was indeed ashamed of himself.

He didn't want Preeti to think that her dream of a parlor was becoming burdensome for him. When he shared with her how embarrassed he was of himself, Preeti's response to it had made him fall for her more and more. He still remembered the way Preeti had held his hands and soothed him first, keeping his file aside.

"Aapki patni itni swarthi bhi nahi hai Shubhamji... mai jaanti hun aap pe iss ghar ki saari zimmedariyaan hai... aur sirf yahi ek wajah nahi hai... mai pehle apne aap ko bhi parakhna chahti hu... dekhna chahti hu mai yeh sab kaise manage karti hu... hairstyling mein mere liye kahan aur kitna scope hai... aur tab tak meri bhi savings jama ho hi jayegi..."

That's Preeti for you!!! Selfless and giving...

However, Tanvi's revelation this afternoon had really shocked him, diminishing his smile and happiness. When he looked at Preeti, she had given him a pointed look, almost warning about being judgemental and he refrained himself from uttering anything unpleasant. Their conversation couldn't continue further as Nirmalaji had called both Preeti and Tanvi, and Shubham was left with all the hows and whys and ifs and buts.

HIs mind was in chaos since then, doing overtime of thinking, something he is supposed to do in his office from tomorrow. He was collecting the dots here and there, and trying to put them all to form a cohesive picture. Yet he was disoriented throughout.

"Kab tak yahan khade rahenge, Shubhamji?"

Preeti's sweet voice drew him back from his thoughts. He looked at her. Her lips had curved into a subtle smile, her eyes expectant and hopeful. Her demeanor oozed nothing but calmness and positivity. Why was he worried when Preeti was here? Exhaling with a chuckle, he shook his head.

"Khana bass thodi der mein lag jayega," Preeti informed him, "aaj ke khane ki poori zimmedari Mummyji ne Tanvi par sounpi hai..."

"Preeti," Shubham held her wrist when Preeti turned to leave. "Thodi der ke liye yahi ruko na...." he mumbled, his hold loose on her wrist, as if telling her she can leave if she wants to.

Taking his hand in hers, Preeti smiled and stood next to him, facing outside. She chose not to ask him why he needed her. She let him take his own time to process things that happened in the afternoon, remaining quiet and enjoying the breeze till then. She wasn't afraid of the silence, she had faith in her husband for understanding the sensitivity of the matter.

"Tumhe dono me se kaunsa job offer pasand aaya?"

This was surely not the question Preeti was expecting. She was prepared for the talk about Tanvi, nonetheless, his question filled her with contentment.

"Ummm.... Tara ji ka offer jyada achchha laga mujhe... parlor ke sath sath unhe bridal makeup aur parties ke bhi bahot se kaam aate hai... toh wahan meri hairstyling ki practice jyada achchhese hogi..."

Raising his brows, Shubham passed an appreciative glance towards her. Tara Jaiswal, the owner of the parlor here in Andheri, was indeed paying her more than the other. However, Shubham was glad to know that Preeti chose her for the kind of work she was offering and not the money.

"Kab se join karne kahan hai unhone?" he asked.

"Ummm... keh toh rahi thi ki ek hafte mein hi join kar loon..." Preeti shrugged, lowering her eyes, "kyunki shadiyon ka season bhi chal raha hai na..."

Shubham noticed how she was playing with her mangalsutra as she spoke. A sign of her under-confidence.

He turned to her, giving all his attention. "Toh problem kya hai? Unhe bata do tum agle Somwar se unhe join kar rahi ho..."

Preeti raised her eyes up to her husband. He was too tall for her to be honest. When one of Shubham's friends had compared them to the Bachchan couple, she hadn't liked it much and had spent the whole day practicing wearing the high heels.

Today, she liked how she had to look up while looking at him. He deserved every bit of that respect.

"Lekin... Mummy ji ko abhi tak pata nahi hai Shubham ji..."

"Haan toh bata denge," Shubham shrugged, locking his hands behind. As if it was such a casual thing.

He chuckled looking at Preeti's astonished face and turned to cherish the evening sky again.

Preeti couldn't stop the blush covering her face. She was basking in Shubham's love and care, and most importantly, his strong support.

"Tumhe pehle se hi pata tha na sab?" Shubham asked after a while.

Lost in her own dreamland, Preeti looked at him. He had a slight frown on his face – a frown of displeasure.

"Kis baare mein?" she decided not to assume.

"Tanvi ke baare mein...."

Preeti heaved a sigh. It was time for THE TALK.

"Haan," she replied firmly. "Lekin Shubhamji, Tanvi ke baare mein kisi bhi faisle par pohochne se pehle mai chahti hun aap ek baar uski poori baat sunn le..."

Shubham found the confidence in Preeti's demeanor as he peered at her, the confidence she had in Tanvi.

"Aur mai ummeed karti hun aapne uss din mujhe jo jawab diya tha, woh barkarar rahega..." Preeti said, raising her brows as she looked straight into his eyes.

Shubham frowned, recollecting which answer she was talking about. It took him only a few seconds to discern it. It was when he was reading Naina's story and Preeti had asked him his opinion on love marriages.

He chuckled, finally able to connect some missing dots.

"Jaanti ho Preeti?" he voiced, facing outside again, "jab bhi filmon mein mai hero aur heroine ko apne parivaar walon ki wajah se bichhadte hue dekhta tha, tab lagta tha kaise log hai... do pyaar karne walon ko alag kar rahe hai... tab hamesha lagta tha ki unki galti hi kya hai, woh toh bass ek-dusre se pyaar hi toh karte hai..."

Preeti kept listening to him, understanding what he was intending to say. She saw him taking deep breaths as he took a pause before continuing.

"Aaj samajh aa raha hai filmon ke hero-herione ki side lena alag baat hai... lekin wahi baat jab tumhare apne ghar mein hoti hai, tab tumhe khudki asliyat samajh mein aati hai..." he snorted, shaking his head, "kabhi kabhi kitne dogle ho jata hai na hum?"

Preeti sighed and stroked his arm, providing him some warmth, "aap ek achchhe bete aur bhai hai Shubhamji... mai jaanti hu aap soch samajhkar hi koi faisla lenge..."

"Hmmm...." Shubham exhaled deeply, "toh ladka hamare jaan-pehchan wala hi hai na?" He remembered their conversation.

"Aap ek baar Tanvi se shanti se baat kar lijiye Shubhamji... woh aapko sab kuchh bata degi..."

The assurance in Preeti's eyes and her smile provided some respite to Shubham's chaotic mind. She was right!! Only thinking about the guy in Tanvi's life would only make his life miserable and possibly polluted with some preconceived notions. So it was better to trust his sister to tell him about it.

At the dinner table, Nirmalaji sat with some photos in her hand, showing them to Shubham. Shubham quickly identified they were the photos of the prospective grooms for Tanvi.

He glanced back when he noticed Tanvi had halted in her spot with plates in her hand. Her eyes were on the photos and she was breathing fast, preparing herself for another unpleasant conversation with her own mother.

A line by Rakesh from yesterday's conversation echoed in his mind.

'Kab tak hum apne hi ghar mein apne hi bachchon ke virudhh khade hote rahenge...'

Was his mother appearing like an opponent to Tanvi? constantly opposing things said or proposed by Tanvi or Preeti? Would he turn the same after learning about the boy?

"Toh bata beta, kaunsa ladka pasand aaya tujhe?" Nirmalaji asked, putting the photos on the table.

"Maa, mai aapse kabse yeh baat karna chah raha tha..." Shubham cleared his throat, mustering some courage.

"Bol na beta!!" Nirmalaji said, with her usual smile on her face.

"Maa, Tanvi filhal shadi nahi karna chahti... usse ek job offer aaya hai aur woh job karna chahti hai..."

"Job? Ke keh raha tu Shubham? Tanvi kahe kaam karegi? Usse toh sirf–"

"Aur sirf Tanvi hi nahi..." Shubham cut her in, continuing, "Preeti bhi job karna chahti hai maa... parlor mein..."

The smile on Nirmalaji's face had faded long back. Its place was taken by a deep scowl. Her eyes reflected anger and she shooted piercing gaze to Preeti and Tanvi who were standing next to each other, frozen.

"Maa, meri aapse ek request hai..." Shubham pleaded, keeping his tone humble as he talked to his mother. He didn't want to hurt her or disrespect her at any cost. His eyes were low.

"Inn dono ne apne zindagi ka ek faisla khud liya hai... apne liye... aur woh wahi karegi, jo woh karna chahti hai..." He raised his eyes, looking at his fuming mother. "Kyunki iss baar aap unka saath de ya na de, mai unke saath khada hun..."

The unpleasant sound of the chair scratching the floor was heard as Nirmalaji stood up. She dashed herself to Tanvi and Preeti, she was raging in anger. Her eyes were fixed on Tanvi, thinking she had now convinced her brother too. And it was all happening because of Preeti, she thought.

But before she could raise her hand, a tall figure covered them both. Shubham. He was standing in front of them like a mountain, however, his eyes were as calm as the ocean.

A few seconds ago, he didn't just say he was with them. He meant every word of it.

****

"Kisne socha tha Preeti," Naina voiced, "ki ek hi society mein rehte hue bhi humein aise milna padega."

"Tch... hil mat na Naina..." Preeti mumbled, her eyes were focussed as her hands were working on Naina's eyebrow. "Dekh, thik hai?" she asked, removing the thread from her mouth.

Naina straightened on the couch, picking the hand-mirror and checking her brows one by one. She had called Preeti as soon as she was back from the office, as Papa had some event in the library and Sameer was yet to come. This was the time she could utilize in some parlor stuff.

"Haan, sahi hai...." A grin took place on her face as she replied.

Preeti walked in front of Naina and observed her face again. Giving a satisfactory jerk to her neck, she applied aloe vera gel on Naina's brows, blowing from her mouth for cooling.

"Itni badi gap kaun leta hai threading ke liye?" Preeti snapped at her, collecting her items and keeping them in the pouch. She took a seat on the single sofa.

"Areyy... time hi kahan mil raha hai kisi bhi cheez ke liye..." Naina whined, raising her hands in the air, displaying her frustration.

"Shant gadadhari bheem, shant!!!" Preeti signalled with her hand, "mai jaanti hun tere din kitne busy chal rahe hai filhal..."

Naina's shoulders slumped, leaning her head back on the sofa, she exhaled. She didn't mean to react this way, just that she really missed simple moments with Preeti in this hustling.

"Kya yaar Preeti... kabhi kabhi lagta hai school college ke din khatm hi nahi hone chahiye the..." Naina said, still leaning back and looking at the ceiling fan running at full speed.

"Haan... taaki tu aur Sameer hamare beech mein se kabhibhi gayab ho jao, aur romance karo... hai na?" Preeti teased her, narrowing her eyes.

"Aisi baat nahi hai..." Naina chuckled, "school mein tu, main, Swati... hum kitni masti kiya karte the na... gaane sunte the... picturein dekhte the... filmy magazines padhte the..."

A smile took place on both their lips as they reminisced the sweet memories of Pragati Vidya Ka Mandir. The days when all they were worried about was which picture is newly released, how to get its audio cassette, dance on radio songs and gossip about how good Salman Khan looks.

Preeti was the first one to get out of the nostalgia. "Kya baat hai madam?" she propped her chin on her palm, "aaj achanak yeh purani baatein kyu yaad aa rahi hai?"

"Mai na... kafi dinon se soch rahi hun..." Naina straightened, crossing her legs now. "Ki ab tak sirf ladkon ki dosti par hi filmein bani hai... Sholay, Dostana, Yaarana... ladkiyon ki dosti par kuchh bana hi nahi hai?" Surprise was evident in her voice.

"Ladkiyon ki dosti par kuchh banne ke liye woh dosti bhi toh utni lambi tikni chahiye na Naina... humne bachpan mein Papa ke doston ke kitne qisse sune hai... lekin mummy ki saheliyaan? Sirf ek bachpan ki saheli thi unki jo baad mein unhe bhi nahi pata kahan chali gayi..."

Naina hummed, realizing the last call she had with Swati was on her birthday, almost three weeks ago, that too only for a few minutes. How ironic it was that the friends who used to meet daily in school and gossip for hours about anything, their talk was slowly curtailed to one or twice in a month.

"Kitni ajeeb baat hai na, Preeti? Shadi ke baad ke ladki ki zindagi kitni badal jati hai? Uski apni saheliyaan tak pichhe chhut jati hai..."

"Sirf sahiliyaan hi nahi Naina.... Kafi kuchh pichhe chhut jata hai..." Preeti added. A gloom had taken over her face.

Adjustments and compromises were a part of a woman's life, they were told. But till when? And at what cost? What part of their own self will remain behind if everything is needed to sacrifice in the name of a woman's marital duty? How would they recognize themselves in the mirror if everything is just gone?

They were experiencing the changes in their lives that they had once heard from Bela in childhood. Naina still remembered how Bela had called it 'naya janm' to a girl's marriage.

But they were not ready for it. They were not ready to let go of everything behind and still be happy and satisfied with it. They were soul-sisters to each other. And wouldn't easily let one another go, doesn't matter how hard they need to strive to meet and spend time together.

They had promised each other in 3rd standard.

"Ghar ka mahol kaisa hai ab?" Naina asked after a silence of minutes.

"Thik hai... Shubhamji bhi thode shant hai ab..."

It was two days ago when Tanvi finally revealed about Aditya to Shubham. Shubham was enraged after knowing about it. It wasn't because Tanvi chose Aditya as her life partner. He was rather hurt as he trusted Aditya as their family friend and felt somewhat betrayed by him too. However, he refrained himself from lashing out on Tanvi and create a scene. He remembered his promise to Preeti. And he wanted to understand Tanvi and Aditya's point of views on their relationship before he took it to his mother.

"Toh ab?" Naina asked.

"Tanvi ne bataya tha Aditya aaj Shashank bhaiya se baat karne wala hai... unke wapas jane se pehle kam se kam dono parivaar ke bete ek baar baat kar lenge... bass mummy ji maan jaye..." Preeti played with her pallu as she spoke.

"Sab thik hoga Preeti..." Naina placed her palm on Preeti's hand, "mujhe jiju par poora bharosa hai... woh apni behen ke sath zaroor khade rahenge... kuchh samay se jo mai unme ek badlaav dekh rahi hu na, woh wakai kabil-e-taarif hai..."

"Haan... Thanks to you..." Preeti smiled.

"Kya?"

"Haan aur kya.... Tu jo itni kamaal ki kahaniyaan likh rahi hai na... yeh na usi ka kamal hai..."

Naina laughed at Preeti's exaggeration. "Sirf kuchh padhne se insaan mein itne badlaav nahi aa sakte Preeti... uske andar woh soch pehle se moujud hoti hai... jo jiju mein bhi hai..."

"Woh toh hai..." Preeti jerked her neck, a blush adorning her face within seconds.

"Ayeee hayeee... koi toh sharma raha hai bahot..." Naina teased.

"Naina!!!" Preeti exclaimed, her eyes lighting with something, "yeh tu apni kahaniyon mein likh sakti hai..."

"Kya? Tere aur jiju ke baare mein?" Naina grinned.

"Offoo!!! Nahi... ladkiyon ki dosti ke baare mein..." Naina's eyes sparkled too with the idea. "Naina, aaj kitni zaroorat hai iss soch ki... ki ek ladki dusri ladki ko support karein, usse upar uthaye... na ki niche khechein..."

"Kitni pate ki baat ki tune Preeti..." Naina said, her voice lowered as she fathomed the gravity of Preeti's statement.

She mirrored Preeti's pose, propping her chin on her palm.

How correct Preeti was!! She mused.

There was hardly any portrayal of women supporting women in movies by then. Nor did she recollect much from the television serials. All she could remember was women exposing other women or trapping them into trouble or stories of extra marital affairs in whatever TV shows she had watched till date.

She certainly didn't agree with the norms of women against women in the society. In fact, she believed female friendships to be beautiful. Women often share their worries with one another, women are expressive. They would even share their jealousy for someone or at times right to the person. They run with emotions, they run upon trust– which is not often fragile as it is shown.

She recalled several incidents from her bus and local journey. She could see all those faces in front of her eyes which were slowly becoming known to her due to the fixed timings. She had seen friendships building between women in the local train, she had seen women making room for another one by adjusting on seats, she had seen college going girls checking for period stains on someone's kurta or jeans, she had seen women accompanying one another to the washroom.

Female friendships are beautiful.... and people need to see it.

Because the whole society empowers when a woman empowers. And female friendship is a beautiful aspect of this empowerment.

"Baapree!!! Dono behne itni gehri soch mein? Kya baat hai!!!"

The two craned their necks to the voice and Naina's face brightened seeing Sameer at home. She felt a sudden urge to grab him in a tight embrace, as if she had found him after long. She had so much to share with him, including the new idea. It didn't matter that they were seeing each other after 10 hours, she couldn't resist herself from jumping onto him like an excited little girl.

"Sameer!!!!" She whispered, pushing the tea-table in a haste and running towards Sameer, who was removing the socks.

Startled, Sameer grabbed Naina before she could jump on him and they both fell flat.

What was this sudden mood swing? He wondered.

"Relax Naina... mai yahi hoon..." He said, calming her down.

Naina frowned when he took off her hands from his chest, glancing at Preeti. What was that? She needed the warmth of his body.

Since when Sameer started feeling awkward in front of Preeti?

"Kya baat hai?" Sameer asked.

"Sameer, tumne kahan tha na hamein kahani mein aur bhi characters add karne chahiye... toh hum usmein heroine ke saheli ko dikha sakte hai... jo uski best friend ho aur har chhote-mote padaav par usse support karti ho..."

Sameer smiled at her thoughtfulness. "Okay." he said.

"Hello jijaji," Preeti commented and Sameer didn't miss the teasing in her tone.

"Hi Preeti," he wished, feeling a bit shy as he sat on the sofa chair.

Naina kept observing him as he finished his water. He wasn't in the usual cheerful mood.

"Kisi soch mein ho?" she asked, seeing Sameer ruffling his hair.

"Haan bass aise hi..."

"Kya baat hai... batao na..." Naina poked his shoulder in Rinky's style, sitting next to him. She was assured he would give up soon at her cute antics.

"Arey, hamare show mein lead couple ke kuchh photo frames lagwane hai background mein... uske liye kal unka ek urgent photoshoot arrange karwaya hai... aur aaj hi hamari hair didi ko emergency mein kahi jana pada... ab naya hairstylist kahan se laaun mein?"

Sameer shut his eyes and exhaled. He had been dialing numbers since afternoon but he couldn't get one.

"Sameeeerrrrr!!!!! Preeetttiiiiiiii......" Naina almost screamed, shaking his arm.

"Preeettiiiii.... Tu karegi yeh kaam?" Naina shifted her position towards Preeti. Her eyes were twinkling like stars, her lips stretched as wide as possible.

Meanwhile, Preeti was only stunned by whatever Naina said.

"Ohh haan!!! Yeh mai kaise bhool gaya? Preeti, tum karogi yeh assignment? Paise bhi milenge tumhe... I promise...." Sameer stated.

"Lekin... Naina..." she uttered.

"Preeti please mana mat karna... itna achchha mauka phir nahi milega... ek din ke liye hi sahi, tu ek tv show ke liye kaam karegi..." Naina rejoiced.

"Sirf 2-3 ghanto ka hi kaam hai Preeti... jyada time nahi lagega..." Sameer added.

Preeti looked at excited Naina and anxious Sameer. She was surprised that she didn't think of herself when Sameer shared his problem. Rather she was thinking of talking to Tara ji about it.

"Mm... mai... raat tak batati hun..." Preeti confirmed with a small smile. The next moment, she saw Naina dashing towards her and squeezing her in a tightest hug.

While Sameer was engaged on the phone in informing his team about getting a hairstylist for tomorrow, and Naina was busy preparing tea for all of them, Preeti sat like a statue in her seat. She was called on the set of a television serial, something which she had only heard stories from Naina and Sameer. A world she was always fascinated about. A world every girl of her age would go mad after visiting it. A world she always wanted to be part of!!!

She heaved a sigh... perplexed... perturbed....

Were things happening too fast for her?

****

The pleasant Sunday morning was filled with the echoes of kids playing in the garden, the chatter of ladies with the subziwala over the increased rates of vegetables, a group of senior gents laughing over their childhood stories in the corner and Dhondu's whistle to stop children from running out of the main gate.

Naina flapped her wet night suit top and flung it on the bar in the balcony, followed by its pants. Unwrapping the towel on her head, she wiped the tips of her long hair with it. Preeti's aloe vera gel worked magically on her dry hair, bringing back the shine and smoothness gradually.

She found silence as she walked back in the house in a daze. Sameer had gone for jogging and Papa had gone to a nearest aata chakki. It provoked her to continue her flow of thinking, something she was engrossed in since she woke up.

It wasn't her story, that she had started writing in the script format with the help of Sameer, nor was it the short story for the magazine. It wasn't the March-ending either; that was the much relaxed part of her office. She was rather grateful to Deshpande Sir for giving her balanced work.

It was Sameer... rather his behavior...

What initially Naina had thought must be a few days, when thought deeply about it, she recognised it was definitely more than that. She couldn't pinpoint when it started... but...

maybe, a few weeks...??

Running her fingers through her wet hair and disentangling them, Naina stared at her reflection in the almirah mirror. A little smirk took place on her face as the soreness in her core down there reminded her of last night.

Ahhh.... She had broken their abstinence yesterday... finally...

After that night of Holi, Naina had figured that Sameer coming home tired and sleeping soon was a fact only for the initial days. But later, it was actually an excuse. She had clearly seen the desire and need in his eyes that night, but something had stopped him. And she only wondered what.

The last five days were not that busy for Sameer. Rather he had morning schedules that allowed him to come home by evening, like Naina. He was happy as they both got the time to sit and write the story together. He could help her in cooking, which she knew he was missing terribly. The chatters at the dinner table had resumed amongst them, where Naina, Sameer and Papa shared their day with one another and watched TV. But the environment in the bedroom was still disappointing. For two days, he chose to talk to Munna and Pandit till late, and for rest, found some silly excuses. This clearly baffled Naina.

In no possible situation, Mr. Sameer Maheshwari would NOT want to make love to his wife...

Sameer acted smart this whole time too, not disclosing his upcoming schedule. But yesterday, when Naina learnt that it was his day off today, the bubble of her patience burst. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she had almost attacked him, pushing his back on the mattress and sitting on him. She hadn't given him the time to react or respond, forget talk about it.

Attacking his lips whenever he tried to speak, Naina opened his shirt's buttons, trailing down her kisses to his throat and collarbones. About consent? She had got it from the way he had held her waist, the way he had shut his eyes and thrown his head back, the way he had moaned when she rubbed herself on him. She knew he wanted it too.

This time it was clearly her hormones creating ruckus in her body as she was still waiting for her periods. However, her need for Sameer wasn't lesser since there has been a big gap. It was also mixed with the frustration Sameer was causing to her by coming up with excuses every now and then.

How was that possible?

She yanked her top and threw it, while continuing the back and forth movement of her hips on his hardened length. She was taking it to the point where he couldn't come back from.

The sparkle in his eyes just confirmed her idea, thanks to the black bra she was wearing. The color from his fantasy he was still waiting to be fulfilled. His intense gaze lingered much longer than she expected on her bra, as if thinking of the various ways he would take it off or possibly blaming it for making his resistance difficult.

She was loving what he had in his eyes!!

Shifting the mass of her hair on her right shoulder, when she dipped down this time to kiss him, aiming to take it slowly but seductively, Sameer responded fervently. A victorious smile had adorned her lips, erupting goosebumps on her neck and sending jolts of current to her entire system, only with the anticipation of his next moves.

True to her notion, after soaking in the pleasure of the passionate kiss for long, Sameer switched their positions. He looked deep in her eyes, taking the necessary breaths, and Naina feared the repetition of the last time.

No... she couldn't and wouldn't take the refusal.

"Bina condom ke karein?" Sameer's question shook Naina.

Her brows knitted in a frown. While she was still coping with her increased heartbeat due to the hormonal rush and the gratification, his question only sped it up.

"Kya?" She asked unbelievably. And when she realized Sameer wasn't going to repeat it, she changed her question. "Kyu?"

"Woh... stock khatam ho gaya hai..." Sameer replied, licking his lips.

"Kya? Aise kaise—"

"Jaldi karo Naina... hamare paas iss debate ke liye time nahi hai..." Impatience reflected through Sameer's voice. "Tum ready ho ya nahi?"

Naina was still agape, processing what Sameer had asked. However, it was impossible for her to ignore the throbbing in her core too.

"Hh... haan..." she whispered, stroking his stubble with her thumb.

The layers of fabric on them were removed and thrown... the bare skins brushed each other possesively... and what followed after was nothing short of a paradise. It was adorned with the gasps and moans of pleasure, with a tint of agony due to the break.

Naina had experienced something like this after a long long time.... the feeling of him inside her without any barrier... the warmth of his pleasure filled in her...

Sameer had really given her what she had wanted— the physical bliss— but also demanded from her the same. And she couldn't stop blushing thinking about it the whole night, remembering his gorgeous face when he was being pleasured.

When he lay on his back to cool down, Naina scooted towards him. Lying her head on his arm and feeling his heartbeat with her palm, she observed him. There was a subtle smile on his face, which depicted more of a relief. And as much as she knew her husband, it wasn't about lovemaking, but something else.

What was he relieved about?

Despite the long and passion filled night yesterday, Naina was still pensive. The smile on her face dwindled as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. It wasn't only about yesterday. He had been conscious since quite a few days.

Conscious about romancing in the open.

Seriously?

The other day when he had returned home earlier and they were the only two in the house, Naina had thought of sneaking an opportunity. After he finished his water, she walked to him with a sensuous smile, looping her arms around his neck and sitting on his lap. What had astonished her was the way he pushed her gently, placing her beside him on the sofa.

"Kya kar rahi ho Mrs. Maheshwari? Koi aa jayega toh?" He had said.

"Kya hai?" Naina whined in annoyance, "yeh toh mera dialogue hona chahiye na..."

Sameer chuckled, pulling her cheek, "madam, yeh hamara Ahmedabad wala bungalow nahi hai... jahan romance karne ke liye 10 jagah ho... bass ek chhotasa ghar hai.."

Where was that Sameer who would never shy away from grabbing her in his arms even in the balcony?

Where was that Sameer who once kissed her in the kitchen passionately, without fearing the place?

Where was that Sameer who would constantly look for chances to kiss her.... to grab her... to tease her...

Why were there such phases of him that she never understood?

All this was unfathomable for her... Sameer and his behavior was unfathomable... Leaning on the almirah, Naina immersed herself into the possible reasons behind all this. Her gaze fell on the mattress and she frowned. Looked like Sameer removed the bedsheet before he went for jogging.

A moment of perception and she gasped heavily. They hadn't used the condom yesterday.

Does that mean.... does he wish to have their kid? No.... Sameer would never take that decision alone. They had always thought it would be a mutual decision.

Also, he had asked before entering her, "tumhare periods pakka aa jayenge na?" with creases of worry on his forehead.

Turning hastily, Naina opened the almirah. She rummaged through their clothes and other stuff. Pushing her hand to the back of the bottom shelves, she found a paper bag under the bedsheets. It had three boxes of condoms. They had the stock.

With her mouth agape, Naina kept breathing.... Processing...

What was really going on in his mind?

********

How was the chapter guys? do let me know in comments.

What do you think about the changes in Shubham?

How should Preeti deal with the new challenges in front of her?

And what the heck has happened to Sameer?

Let me know your opinions and theories.

We are meeting soon from now onwards.

Till then, vote, comment, and share with your mutuals.

Love.❤️

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