The chirping of birds indicated the start of a fresh new day. The breeze carried a little warmth now as a sign of March month entering into its last week. The morning sunlight peeped through the window. It wasn't harsh like before, thanks to the new curtains, but enough to wake up Sameer.

Sunday morning was lazy as usual. Sameer opened his eyes and tried to move, but he realized that he was captivated by a delicate arm around his waist and a weight on himself heavier than usual. He peeked to see his wife had almost climbed upon him. Unlike the other mornings, Naina had held him a little more tight on his waist, she had placed her head on the crook of his neck, rather than his shoulder, her one leg had spread across both his knees and his one arm fixed beneath her. She was sleeping just like a child.

He smiled at the situation, though not exactly new to him. He didn't need to turn his face much to kiss Naina's forehead, the ritual now being a part of his every morning, when he woke up before Naina. He would never be in a hurry to wake her up. Rather he would just live the moment, thanking god for giving him such beautiful mornings. He would feel her breathing on him, feel her body pressed onto him; blush on how she would sometimes clutch his shirt into her grip and sometimes just curl up her fingers on his bare waist; wonder how her hair would always get caught into his stubble and sometimes even reach upto his lips. He was indeed the luckiest man on this planet, to see Naina by his side every morning; as his wife, which he prayed to god since he was seventeen.

He put his free hand on her waist and used his strength to turn himself with her. He successfully pinned Naina on her back without disturbing her sleep, and now himself half lying on her. She was in a deep sleep.

Did she sleep late at night?

Yesterday was a super busy day for him and Naina. The furniture had arrived yesterday morning which itself engaged their whole time in instructing the delivery men and helping them while arranging it. Though he had left for his class, Naina and Rakesh papa had continued arranging the furniture, putting covers on the seaters and cushions, filling the new storage cans with grocery and rearranging the kitchen and living room again. When Sameer returned from his class, he had grabbed the opportunity of Papa's absence and took Naina to the market again as he wanted to buy some gifts for Rakesh papa as per his wish. They returned back home holding bags with gifts not only for Rakesh but for them too. After dinner, they put the new curtains on the windows and rearranged their room too so as to make space for the study table they had ordered. And that's why, when Naina started studying at night, Sameer didn't object as he was aware Naina hadn't been able to study in the last few days. So he killed his romantic mood and gripped her left hand in his hold till he fell asleep. So, did that mean Naina studied for long at night?

He looked at the peaceful face of his love. There were few locks of her hair that had jumped out of their place and had fallen on her temple, the reason being his stubble undoubtedly. The neckline of her yellow night dress was stretched down further due to his chest, revealing her cleavage to his view. The pendant of her Mangalsutra had slipped to her right collar bone due to his move. He was the reason for everything that was related to Naina, he smirked. The diamond of the pendant gleamed in the sunlight and a surge of pride filled his chest. How his wife was managing everything so easily! Her married life and the studies!

He had seen examples of how girls don't get to even complete their studies if they get married in between. Some girls wish to study more but fail to do so as they get busy in their married life. Some of them come with almost no ambition for themselves and get hitched to whoever their family wants them to. While in some cases, the ambitions of a married girl are killed by her in-laws and she spends the rest of her life by regretting her decisions or cursing fate. And here, he saw Naina. Who had her own opinions about things, who had certain ambitions and dreams to fulfill in her life, who has chosen to pursue a course like CA which involved rigorous studies. And being married never came as an obstacle to her. She was happily balancing her married life, giving enough time to her husband, to her father, cooking all the meals by herself, with of course a little help done by Sameer. She was managing her studies and all the work at home so wonderfully. And she never uttered a word of complaint. Is there anything that Naina can't do? He had no doubt about it.

He felt a sudden urge to kiss her deeply and make love to her right now for being the wonderful woman she is. But keeping his desires on hold and controlling the rush of his harmomes, he let her have a proper sleep. And as if she could hear his thoughts, she stirred beneath him and a frown covered her forehead. Is she dreaming of something? Because she doesn't seem like properly awakened. Or is something bothering her? He remembered her untimely mood swings in the past few days.

He stroked his two fingers to smoothen the crease on her forehead, "Kya koi baat hai Naina jo tumhe pareshan kar rahi hai? Tum mujhe bata kyun nahi rahi ho?" He whispered inaudibly.

Adjusting the duvet on her properly, he slowly took off his hand from her back, kissed her lips softly and got up.

Some time later, when Naina got up and freshened up, she joined the sasur-damaad duo in the kitchen. "Mai kuchh madat karu?" She asked, standing in the corner.

"Nahi, waise sab ho gaya hai Naina." Sameer smiled at her while pouring tea into cups. She watched as he was carefully doing the task.

The three then headed to the living room and settled down on the new sofa set. As Rakesh had his last sip of tea, he asked, "Naina, aaj itni der kaise ho gayi uthne me? Itni der tak toh kabhi soti nahi tu?"

Naina paused in her action, she looked scared. Searching for some answer, she stammered, "ww.. wohh Papa... Mai..."

But Sameer immediately came to her rescue, "Papaji... woh Naina kal der raat tak padh rahi thi. Isliye maine hi use jaldi nahi uthaya..."

Naina just made a thanking gesture to Sameer. But unknown to her husband and father, her mind got occupied in a sense of guilt with the fact that she didn't actually study for long after Sameer fell asleep, rather she was just scribbling something on her notepad and couldn't sleep after that.

"Yeh konsa samay rehta hai padhai ka?" Rakesh's words made her jerk. "Padhai toh subah ke samay hi sabse achchhi hoti hai. Aise raat ko jagti rahogi toh tabiyat kharab kar logi apni." He put his cup on the tea-table.

Naina heard Rakesh scolding her after so many days. It reminded her of her school days. But today, it was filled with so much concern and care for her.

"Sorry Papa." She genuinely apologized.

Sameer quickly changed the topic, "Papaji, hum donone aapke ke liye kuchh liya hai. Aap please mana mat karna."

"Mere liye? Ab sab kuchh to liya na hunme. Aur kitna kharcha karoge tum dono?" Rakesh said with his usual tone.

"Jyada nahi hai Papa. Bass hamari taraf se tohfa samajh lijiye." Naina coaxed him.

Sameer got up and went to their bedroom. He came back within two minutes with two bags in hand. As he sat on the arm of the two-seater sofa, he took out two boxes from a bag.

Rakesh watched curiously as the boxes opened. Sameer showed him excitedly. "Papaji, aapke liye yeh t-shirts... Ab toh aap aise t-shirts pehenne lage na safari suit ki jagah...", and he paused, waiting for Rakesh's glare on him.

But nothing happened like that. Rakesh held the boxes in his hands and smiled at him, "bohot achchhe hai. Mai zaroor pehnunga." He just stroke his hand on the fabric once, touched by the gesture from his son-in-law and daughter.

Naina shuddered seeing the happiness on her father's face. Sameer was the only reason behind that. She just preferred to be an audience to this sasur-damaad scene which was now turning into a filmy one.

"Papaji, yeh bhi aapke liye. Aap roz raat ko tehelne jaate ho na bahar. Toh isliye..." He grabbed another bag, and opened a box from it.

"Chappal...!! Arey naye lene ki kya zaroorat thi. Hai toh mere paas abhi." Rakesh reasoned.

"Woh toh kitne ghees gaye hai. Abse yahi pehenna. Naye wale." Sameer's face brightened with a wide grin.

Accepting it again in silence, Rakesh was surprised to see the Black Leather chappals of Bata brand, a brand he always wanted to wear. It must be definitely Naina who must have selected it. He knew. He looked at his daughter who was just smiling gleefully with a small tear in her eyes.

Rakesh gulped a lump in his throat, "bohot achchhe hai. Mujhe pasand aaye dono tohfe." He appreciated them with a shine in his eyes. "Waise, mai bhi tum dono ke liye kuchh lekar aaya hun." He kept the box down near his feet.

"Hamare liye?" Sameer and Naina exclaimed simultaneously.

Rakeah moved to the cupboard in the room, and came with a box in his hand. It looked like a device by seeing the picture on it.

He opened it while sitting at his place, "waise toh iski zaroorat nahi padegi ab, lekin phir bhi..."

Naina and Sameer were astounded by seeing a cordless in his hands. A device which was a blessing for them in their school-college days. They had so many memories with that non-living thing, a Savior to them in many situations.

Seeing them both in a shocked mode, Rakesh gently smiled and continued, "ab tumhe apas me baat karne ke kiye phone ko aise taar khichke rasoighar me leke jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai."

The couple shut their opened mouths and looked at each other.

Naina came out of the daze first. She cleared her throat, "aa.. aapko... pp.. pata chala Papa?"

Rakesh turned slightly on the sofa, keeping one of his arms on the back of it, he smirked, "tera baap hu main Naina. Chalo, school-college me nahi pakad paya. Lekin ab toh achchhese samajhta hun mai tum dono ko."

Sameer blushed on the statement while Naina just averted her gaze, feeling shy. But soon she joined him on the sofa and both Sameer and Naina hugged their Papa sideways, expressing their happiness and gratitude through it.

"Chalo ab dono sharmana band karo. Sameer yeh ise taar se jod do." He handed over the box to Sameer.

"Thank you Papaji," the only words Sameer could utter and he got up to connect the cordless to the existing telephone connection port. It wasn't a difficult task.

As Sameer sat on another sofa chair, Rakesh queried, "tumhara yeh class kab tak chalna wala hai Sameer? Aur koi naya kam mila ki nahi?"

"Bass Papaji... Abhi 28 ko akhri class hai. Uske baad mai auditions pe poora dhyan de paunga. Aur mil hi jayega kuchh na kuchh." Sameer replied.

As the discussions on various topics continued, Sameer realized that he will have to make new contacts and search for auditions rigorously now.

It was around noon when Naina got busy in preparing for lunch and Rakesh was busy reading a book, when Sameer sneaked a chance and took the cordless to his room.

Whether it was from Delhi, or when he shifted to 'Krishna Kaustubhi' in Ahmedabad or even when they finally got a telephone connection here in Mumbai, Sameer had always dialed his first call to only one person. And today too, when they shifted from wired telephone to cordless, he dialed the same number.

"Hello." The person on the other side answered.

"Munna..." Sameer muttered, walking to the window.

"Sammeeerrrrrr...." Munna screamed in happiness. "Kaisa hai yaar tu? Bade dino baad yaad aayi dost ki..." He teased.

Sameer laughed, "haan, jaise tu bohot phone karta hai na mujhe..."

"Baatein mat bana... Phone kiya tha maine... Tu toh apne acting class me hi busy rehta hai hamesha..." Munna defended himself, still in a mood of teasing his friend.

Sameer went silent for a moment. Realizing the reason behind it, Munna changed his voice, "bhai mazak kar raha tha bass... ab pichhli baar ki tarah serious mat ho jaiyo."

It was a month back when Munna had called and Naina received it. Telling about Sameer's absence, she had just revealed about his acting class in a flow and Munna was shocked after listening to this latest knowledge. When Sameer had returned back, he had become upset with Naina that she disclosed about his struggle which he had been hiding from his friends. It wasn't that he was worried about what Munna-Pandit would think of him, but it was just that he didn't want to burst the bubble of happiness his friends were living in, that Sameer would get a film from Ananth Mahadevan soon.

Putting a smile on his face, Sameer said, "haan nahi ho raha..."

Munna sighed and continued, "Kamaal karta hai yaar tu bhi Sameer... Doston se baatein chhupane lag gaya tha haan... Pichhle phone me mujhe bhabhi se pata chala, nahi toh tune toh naa batane ki thaan hi li thi..."

"Aisi baat nahi hai Munna... tu bohot khush tha yaar jab maine pehli baar yahan se tujhe phone kiya tha. Mai bass tera dil nahi todna chahta tha." Sameer stated.

"Tu bhi na Bhai... yahi reh gaya hai kya ab hamari dosti me? Yeh saari formalities?" Munna questioned.

"Ab tu mujhe guilt mat dila yaar Munna... Pehle hi yaha Mumbai me sab mushkil lag raha hai." Sameer scowled.

"Bhai mushkilein kab humse door thi... bass aisehi unse ladte rehna hai aur kya." Munna tried to cheer him up. He continued, "khair... woh sab chhod. Tera class kaise chal raha hai? Aur koi kaam mila ki nahi?"

"Class toh ab khatm ho jayega do-teen dinon me... aur haan, ek ad shoot kar chuka hun kuchh din pehle... Shayad agle mahine tak dikh jaye tv pe..." Sameer sat on the window frame.

"Oyee hoyee... kya baat hai... Mera bhai tv pe dikhega... bada aadmi ho gaya hai ab tu toh... " Munna was overjoyed listening to this.

Sameer chuckled, "tum dono ke liye kabhi nahi...", and it reminded him of Pandit. "Yaar Pandit kaisa hai, Munna? Uske supermarket ka kahan tak pahuncha kaam?" He asked curiously.

"Pandit toh bhaisahab ekdum maze me hai... Aur uske supermarket ka kam bhi lagbhag ho hi gaya hai... Jagah bhi mil gayi hai... Bass ekhad mahine me shuru bhi ho jayega..." Munna informed him about the progress of the first supermarket Pandit was about to start in Ahemdabad.

"Mai bohot khush hun yaar Pandit ke liye. Finally apna Pandit zimmedar bann gaya hai. Kaash abhi usse bhi baat ho jati." Sameer was genuinely missing being with his friends.

"Haan yaar... Kash isi phone se hum ek waqt par ek se jyada logo se baat kar paate..." Munna dreamed of something unimaginable for him. "Achchha waise safari suit kaisa hai? Jyada pareshan toh nahi karte tujhe?"

"Kamine izzat se baat kar unke baree mein... Papaji hai woh mere..." Sameerr admonished him.

"Achchhaaaa... toh khadus safari suit ab pujaneey papaji bann gaye haan... sahi jaa raha bhai tu..." Munna giggled, but happy for the transition of Sameer's relation with his khadus Rakesh Sir.

Hearing this, Sameer too joined him and laughed wholeheartedly. They talked for a few more minutes, asking about each other's well-being and about their spouses.

"Chal, karta hun baad mein phone. Bye" Sameer cut the call and saw Naina coming to him.

She stood near him and queried, "Munna se baat kar rahe the?"

Sameer flicked his one brow in surprise, "tumhe kaise pata?"

"Ab itna toh tumhe jaanti hi hun Mr. Maheshwari..." She pinched his chin.

Still sitting on the window, he held her one hand and pulled her nearer to him, "Naina, tum aise der raat tak padha mat karo... tumhe pata hai na, tumhe baahon me liye bina mujhe neend nahi aati." He made a cute face.

"Ahahaha... jhoothe... kal toh bade achchhe se so gaye the..." She mocked him, giving a slight jerk to her neck.

"Arey... woh toh... ab tum nahi toh tumhare sapne hi sahi..." He tried to search for an excuse. "Aur pata hai sapne me hum kya kar rahe the?" He said dramatically.

She just raised her brows in question. As an answer, Sameer straightened towards her, pulled Naina into a space he created between his legs and locked his legs behind her. He cleared his intentions.

"Sameer... darwaza khula hai..." she muttered.

"Toh?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Papa aa gaye toh?" She started a tease game.

He laughed, "nahi aayenge." His voice was husky.

"Achchha, tumhe kaise pata?" She moved closer, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"Bass... pata hai..." he eyed to her lips.

As he moved closer, she drew back again. Agitated, he said, "kya yaar Naina... kitna tadpaati ho tum mujhe... ek kiss tak nahi mila mujhe kal raat se..."

She sniggered at her husband's demands. She was actually in no mood to say no, as she knew very well that Rakesh papa had gone downstairs to get some curry leaves from Preeti, sent only by her.

And as the love and desire overpowered her tease game, she closed the distance between their lips with a deep kiss. Though surprised by her move, Sameer responded within seconds by circling his arms around her waist and making their fleshes plastered to each other. The kiss which started on a gentle note, gradually turned into a fierce one. Their teeth nipped, their tongues fought for dominance and they spent some beautiful moments of ecstasy, before parting for air as the need of the breath prevailed.

Their foreheads rested on each other's while they waited for the breath to become even. Sameer loosened his hold on Naina, clasped her hands in his and looked into her eyes, "Naina... ek baat puchhni thi tumse..."

"Haan bolo..." She said casually.

"Naina, tum kisi baat se pareshan ho kya? Ya mujhse kuchh chhupa rahi ho?" He finally brought the topic.

Naina's expressions changed, she tried to avoid, "nahi toh... aisa kyun lag raha hai tumhe?" She stepped back as if to leave.

He stood up, still holding her hands, "Naina, mai kafi dinon se dekh raha hun tumhe... tum mujhe bata kyun nahi rahi ho agar koi pareshani hai toh?"

She looked up at his tall figure. She wasn't hiding something intentionally but she wasn't sure herself of the thing which was bothering her. She moved forward, rested her head on his chest and hugged him tight.

Sameer knew that his guess was right, something was bugging her. He just hugged her back and waited for her to speak.

"Sameer, mera padhai me mann nahi lag raha hai... kuchh samajh me nahi aa raha hai..." She finally spoke but only half truth.

He rested his chin on her head, "Kya hua Naina? Agar koi problem hai toh tum Shubhamji se madad lo na..." He couldn't believe his studious wife was actually facing difficulties in studies.

She drew back from the hug, "nahi, aisi baat nahi hai... bass... mann nahi lag raha..." She shrugged.

He smiled listening to this. This was so unlikely of Naina. He held her shoulders, "meri padhaku biwi... itne ghante sirf padhti rahogi toh aisehi hoga na... Naina, ek-do din break le lo padhai se... tum bhi refresh ho jaogi..." He suggested.

Naina just nodded and before they could continue further, they heard a voice.

"Nainaaa... kaha hai tu... yeh kadhi-patta rakha hai yahan pe...." Rakesh hollered from the kitchen.

"Aayi Papa..." Naina replied and left for the kitchen.

Sameer actually didn't look much convinced but he thought that Naina must have taken pressure of her studies. After all, he was keeping her busy with something or other for a few days. He decided not to stress her more with any kind of work, so that she can focus on her studies. While on the other hand, Naina decided to push aside the turbulence in her mind and not to distract Sameer's attention from his work.

Determined to reduce Naina's stress of work, Sameer joined her in the kitchen for help. She refused it stating he should contact the two leads about auditions he had received yesterday. But he denied for that instance, prioritizing to lessen the load on Naina.

"Sameer, iski zaroorat nahi hai... Tum jao aur apne auditions pe dhyan do..." Naina snatched the knife from his hand and tried to push him with her little strength.

He was unmovable, he grinned. "Naina, woh mai kar lunga... Lekin abhi mujhe tumhari madad karni hai... taaki tumhara kaam jaldi khatm ho jaye aur tum padhai karne baitho..." He grabbed another knife and some onions to chop. "Aur tumse badhkar mere liye kuchh nahi hai..." He blew a kiss in the air.

She didn't understand what to say and how to react over such comforting words. But she could see his time getting consumed, "Sameer, tumhara apne kaam pe dhyan dena iss waqt hum sab ke liye bohot zaroori hai... Mere liye apna waqt barbaad mat karo..." She said in a low voice, which held concern and a plea.

He dropped the things in his hands and turned to her, cupping her face in his big palms, "Naina... tum kaam ki chinta mat karo... woh mujhe mil jayega... tum bass apni padhai pe dhyan do... yeh sab cheezein main sambhal lunga... tumhe ek kamyaab CA banna hai... bilkul chachaji ki tarah... hai na?"

Why is he doing this to her? Why is he fueling in her confused state of mind? She was piqued.

He rubbed his thumbs on her cheeks, silently assuring her that he would be there for her in every stage of her life. He wanted her to know that he would give her strength to fight with any difficulties, if not himself present to shield her. And she knew that he can turn the world upside down when it comes to her and she didn't want that now for sure. She remembered their sole purpose of coming to Mumbai, for Sameer to become a hero. It didn't matter if she became a CA or.... Well, that wasn't important now.

Grabbing his hands from her cheeks, she nodded and went into his warm embrace to seek some peace. He kissed on her hair and rubbed her back. He was feeling so restless that probably he had come in between Naina and her career, as he perceived that Naina is not able to focus because of his struggle in this entertainment industry. Such an unpredictable field it was! What if he doesn't get any work? A fleeting thought just crossed his mind. But no... that won't happen. His commercial would be out next month and he would surely get some projects after that. He consoled himself. But for now, he has to support Naina.

Keeping their partner's dreams as their utmost priority; the couple, madly and hopelessly in love with each other, prepared the whole lunch of jeera-aloo sabzi, parathe, raita and kadhi-chawal. They maintained a smile on their face throughout the day. They had lunch with Rakesh Papa and talked on random topics, not matching an eye with each other. They turned down the rule of spending the lazy Sunday afternoon, as Naina chose to study and Sameer made some enquiry calls, just to affirm their spouses that they had resolved their perturbations. They made a short visit to the nearby sabzi market to purchase vegetables, curtailing their non-stop chatter which occurred usually. At night, they slept in each other's embrace, as if everything was just back to normal after their discussion in the kitchen. They spent the whole day in a complete contrast today.

They had not fought with each other. They were fighting with their own selves, for each other.

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I just kept on writing and didn't notice that I wrote a long chapter. Also, I didn't want to spilt it in two. So I hope you guys didn't mind with a long one....

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