It was 9:45 at night. The rush in the 'Sea Queen' society was soothed by now. There were some people having their night walk. Dhondu, the guard, too was settled down in his position after his dinner. The smooth rustling of the leaves of the garden trees was carried by the calm March breeze. A peaceful song 'yeh raate, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinara...' was playing on the radio in a house.

The silence of the night was broken by someone's hurried steps. A guy walked down the steps of the C wing and rushed to the J wing, taking long strides.

Naina was pacing in the hall. She had been waiting for Sameer since evening. They hadn't seen each other for a long time during the day as he was busy with his acting class and then he had directly gone to Nirmala Aunty's house upon Preeti's insistence to have dinner with them. She wasn't even sure whether he remembered their last night discussion when he had visited for dinner yesterday.

The leaky roof of their bedroom had been a big problem for them. The flooring of the flat above them, which was the reason behind leakage, and the repairing of their bedroom roof needed almost one month of fixing. This meant people living there, i.e. Naina, Papa and Sameer had to shift in one room, which was an awkward situation for the people of society. A question was raised by the visitors, who had supposedly come for the help, as how the three people living here would manage. They had expressed their concern about the uncomfortable situation of a young guy staying with a married woman and her father under one roof. After a debate, they concluded that Sameer would stay in Nimalaji's house, till the roof is repaired. Sameer and Naina shared a glance. They had to stay away from each other just because of the societal norms. What was the problem if a guy stayed with a father-daughter duo in the same room? It was a matter of just sleeping at night, as they were anyway living together since they came. Was it such a big deal for other people, that they literally passed an order to make an arrangement for Sameer?

J101, their home, was the only solace for them. The place where they can be truthful to one another. Even Rakesh papa had to handle on many fronts considering Sameer's career and this was the place where they would be in their true form of relations. Sameer was spared from calling 'Uncleji' to Rakesh papa... Rakesh didn't have to treat him as 'mere dost ka beta'. Sameer and Naina wouldn't need to behave as just acquaintances. This was the place where they were one family. And now the decisions taken by the people of the society, who didn't even bother to seek consent of the people involved in it, had created even bigger walls for Sameer, Naina and Rakesh papa to conquer.

They had to agree to the glaring eyes of Vanita, the secretary of the society, because they were very much aware of her vigilance. But that meant Sameer and Naina had to stay apart. That meant they couldn't just sleep peacefully in each other's arms. That meant they couldn't talk and share their day's routine... or the new happenings at Sameer's acting class... or his auditions... or how Naina was progressing in her studies... or just be themselves... the husband-wife...

They would hardly get a chance to talk to each other properly. Sameer would usually come for breakfast, as he always wanted to bless his morning by seeing his beautiful wife. Also, the varied discussions with Rakesh papa about the Mumbai city over the chai, were becoming interesting day by day. But he would not get a chance to talk to Naina that much. Though he would help her in the kitchen to spend as much time with her, he couldn't get his wife for him. Sometimes, even sneaking a kiss would be so difficult due to the omnipresent Papa and the workers. And after his acting class, he would come back, have dinner, talk to Naina as much as possible, but he still would have to leave again to Preeti's house with a heavy heart.

They wondered why the Dream City Mumbai, who supposedly has a big heart, was so cruel to them since they had come over. Was it a crime to dream big? Was it so difficult to accept people as they presented themselves? Was the reputation of society really at stake if an unmarried guy stayed with a married woman and her father, having shared the family relations with each other? They couldn't comprehend how to call it a 'sapno ka shaher' with such narrow minded people living here.

But something so dramatic had happened in the past few days. A random guy called Raghav had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be Ameer, Naina's husband. Sameer would've almost killed him that day, when he came to their home, had he not surrendered himself in front of Papa and Naina. But it seemed he had come only to lessen their miseries. Their secret of the marriage was out to the society on the day of Holi, a day before yesterday. And suddenly things started turning out for better. The society accepted Sameer-Naina and Rakesh papa whole-heartedly. Vanita apologized to them for her constant intrusion in their personal life. Shibani, who had a crush on Sameer and confessed her love during the Holi celebration, understood their situation. She offered a friendship to both Sameer and Naina and they gladly accepted it. Later, Sameer and Naina shared their love story with all of them and all were surprised after listening to it. How can someone love somebody so unconditionally? How can two people be so happy with each other's company? They wondered.

With all these revelations, Destiny too seemed happy with them. Because as soon as the Maheshwari's shredded all the layers of the lies from them, even the Mumbai city welcomed them with a big arm, as Sameer got an offer for a TV commercial from the same Ad agency, who had offered him for the print one.

Naina was fidgeting with her dupatta when she heard the sound of the door opening and turned towards it as Sameer entered. A big welcoming smile spread on her face. But... Why is he bare hands? She mused.

"Sam....", her words didn't complete as she felt Sameer holding on both her shoulders and pushing her aside, making his way to the cupboard in the hall. He wasn't even looking at her and was searching for something here and there.

He rummaged through some files. "Kya dhundh rahe ho?", Naina questioned as Sameer seemed a little panicked.

"Arey mera Voter ID dhundh raha hun. Unhone ID proof saath lane ko kaha hai. Aur Print Ad wala letter bhi chahiye tha, kal shooting ke waqt le jaana hai", he answered without looking at her. "Papa kahan hai?", he asked, still so much into the files.

"Bahar gaye hai", she replied.

"Iss waqt?" He just glanced at her for a second.

"Haan, tehelne gaye hai... Bol rahe the acidity jaisa lag raha hai... Der hogi aane mein, toh chabi lekar hi gaye hai." She moved closer to him, peeping into the file he was checking.

He dropped the one and took out another, "lagta hai yeh acidity tumhari khandani beemari hai..." and chuckled.

He was smacked hard on his arm by Naina, "Sameer please... uss din ki yaad mat dilao..."

His voice softened, "achchha baba sorry. Waise, tum aa rahi ho na sath me shooting par, kal hamari baat hui thi na."

Okay, so he remembered what they talked yesterday, she thought. "Haan, aa rahi hun na. Ruko, mai tumhari madad kar deti hun. Waise bhi tum saari galat files dekh rahe ho."

She helped him in the search for the required documents and finally found them in one of the drawers. "Yeh lo, mil gaye", she showed the file and the ID to Sameer.

"Haan, yahi chahiye the, thank you Naina", he moved forward to take the file but Naina swayed her hand away for not getting him the hold of it.

"Ummm... Naina... kya kar rahi ho? File do na..." He said irritatingly.

"Itni der kyun lagi aane mein? Mai kabse intezaar kar rahi thi tumhara..." She complained innocently.

He didn't get her point. He rested his hips on the trunk, "tum kyun intezaar kar rahi thi? Bataya tha na Preeti ne mere liye bhi khana bana ke rakha hai, toh mai wahi dinner karunga. Tumne khana nahi khaya?" He raised his brows in concern.

"Maine khana kha liya Sameer... Lekin..." She was cut-off by him.

"Kha liya na... thik hai phir... Chalo mai nikalta hu, bye." He took the file, kissed her forehead and started leaving.

Naina didn't understand what was going on. Where is he going now?

She halted him in his way and asked with narrowed eyes, "Tum kaha jaa rahe ho?"

He turned, "Kaha matlab? Preeti ke ghar. Aur kaha jaunga iss waqt?"

She literally virtually facepalmed herself, laughing at her Bhulakkad husband. She was so happy to see him here but looked like he didn't remember yesterday's whole discussion yet. "Matlab kal maine jo tumse kaha, wo tumhe yaad nahi?", she asked with both her hands on her waist.

Sameer got a little bit tensed looking at his wife's stance. Did he miss anything from yesterday? "Kya kaha tha tumne? Yahi na ki tum bhi mere sath aana chahogi... Aurrr bhi kuchh kaha tha kya?" Sameer stammered while making a cute face.

Naina laughed a bit thinking that probably she made her husband feel guilty about missing something. She came forward towards Sameer, tapped his forehead a little, "Mere pyare se, buddhu se Patidev. Maine bass yeh kaha tha, ki hamare room ka kaam poora ho chuka hai. Toh ab Preeti ke ghar jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe laga tumhe yaad hoga aur apna saaman leke aa jaoge. Koi baat nahi, kal se aa jana." She shrugged.

Sameer's eyes widened and a big smile covered his lips. "Kya? Kaam poora ho gaya? Mujhe yaad hi nahi raha." Naina could see the happiness on his face. "Hmm, iska matlab ab mujhe waha jane ki zaroorat nahi hai," Sameer positioned both his hands on Naina's shoulders, pulling her a bit closer to him.

She shook her head in a no and pinched his nose. A wide grin taking place on her face.

"Toh kal tak intezar kyun karna, shubh kam me deri kaisi?" His hoarse voice conveyed mischief.

Naina blushed on his statement, "Lekin tumhara saaman", she asked.

"Woh toh kal bhi laya ja sakta hai", Sameer said while touching his forehead to hers. He moved closer again, now to her lips, but Naina pushed him away, freeing herself from his cage and started moving backwards gradually to their room.

Sameer kept the file on the television set, complying to her unsaid command. With his hands in his pockets now, he started following Naina without even breaking their eye contact. There was a blush on her face, while Sameer was flooding with joy as he could finally have her to himself... His wife to himself...

Both were walking slowly, step by step. Their eyes not leaving each other and the big smile on their face. The wait was over. The leaking roof was repaired and the truth of their relationship was also revealed to the society now.

As they finally entered their room, Sameer locked the door without even looking at it. Of course, he had been an expert in this by now. But he had to shift his gaze from his wife to the atmosphere of the room and he froze. He could see the mattress laid down with a new bedsheet on it. He could smell the aroma of jasmine. Only the dim light was on. The curtains were drawn. He looked back to Naina, who stepped back more and her hands fumbled with a tape-recorder's play button. A cassette was already set and a melodious voice of Asha Bhosle filled the room.

'Aaiyein.... Meherban... Baithiye jaanejaa...'

Those weren't just the lyrics but Naina's plea to him too. She flicked her brows with a mischievous smile. So she didn't actually mean 'kal se aa jana', he laughed at the thought. She was totally in a killing mood tonight. He took two strides to reach upto her, unbuttoned his shirt's first button with one hand and pulled her to himself with another. He dipped and blessed his lips with hers. There were two happy souls inside the locked room.

The next morning, they both were in a hurry as they had to reach Sameer's shooting location. Naina was getting ready in front of the almirah and adjusting her dupatta. Sameer came from behind, admiring his lovely wife. They exchanged a sweet smile with each other through the mirror.

Naina queried while breaking his stare at her, "Kaisi lag rahi hu?" She was wearing a pink chudidaar-kameez with a white koti. And she was looking hell gorgeous as always, Sameer thought.

"Umm, achchhi lag rahi ho. Lekin ek chiz ki kami hai", Sameer said while watching her in the mirror.

"Arey, tumne hi toh yeh dress select kiya na abhi?" She asked in confusion.

By this time, they both had developed this habit of asking their partner what to wear. Mostly, they used to choose clothes for each other. So today, Naina had chosen a mustard green t-shirt and jeans for Sameer and he had selected the pink one for her.

"Wo nahi buddhu, ek minute." Sameer opened the almirah and started looking for something in the small hidden cabinet. He took out a box and opened it, "Iss cheez ki kami thi", but immediately paused as he didn't find what he wanted.

"Tum jo dekh rahe ho na, wo yaha hai", Naina opened her fist.

How could she read him so perfectly? How could she know him inside out? How is it possible that she would know things even before he realized about it? Of course, the topper Naina Aggarwal Maheshwari cannot be defeated here too. And he never wanted to. Sameer smiled pleasantly as Naina had already taken out her Mangalsutra from the jewellery box.

"Ab pahna bhi do", Naina brought back Sameer from his thoughts, who was adoring his beautiful wife. He picked up the Mangalsutra from her hand and held it across her neck in front of the mirror.

Both remembered their wedding day as Sameer clasped the Mangalsutra hook. That was it! They need not hide their relationship now. They didn't have to pretend as 'just family friends' in front of society. They didn't have to control their emotions in front of all. They were free now, from the pretence, from the drama, from the unnecessary series of lies they had spoken. They were free from the sleepless nights and from missing each other desperately on their side.

He circled his arms to her from behind and placed a soft kiss on her cheeks. He leaned towards her side, resting his cheek on hers as she closed her eyes in serenity.

She opened her eyes and their gazes met again in the mirror. "Kya baat hai Mr. Maheshwari? Ab kis soch me ho?"

"Naina, mai soch raha tha... Yeh sab abhi hi kyun hone laga... Jaisehi hum yeh jhooth ke janjaal se bahar aa gaye, sab kuchh thik ho gaya, nahi?"

She turned in his arms to face him. "Haan Sameer. Hum jhooth pe jhooth bolte gaye, lekin kismat ne bhi hamara sath nahi diya... Kehte hai na... Ke jhooth ke buniyaad pe koi kaam nahi ho sakta..." Her tone suddenly changed, "yeh na, sab meri galti hai... Kahani pe kahani banaye jaa rahi thi. Pata nahi, kaise itna sab soojh raha tha mujhe... Sorry Sameer... meri kahaniyon ki wajah se hum sab ko bahot takleef hui na..." She lowered her face, hinting a guilt.

He held her chin and lifted it up, "Naina... Yeh waqt kaun sahi kaun galat yeh sochne ka nahi hai... Shayad yeh bhi hamare liye ek sabak hi tha. Aur jo hua usse hume ab bhoolna chahiye aur iss mile hue mauka ka poori tarah se fayda uthana chahiye..."

She smiled at his statement. He continued, "Waise Naina... chahe kuchh bhi ho... Tumhari kahaniyaan thi badi mazedaar... Lekin mujhe ek baat batao... apne itne handsome pati ka naam, koi 'Ameer' kaise rakh sakta hai?"

She chuckled, laughing on her own creativity with this name, "toh galat kya hai usme? Papa kehte the na tumhe... O Ameerzyade..." She mimicked her father's style.

He couldn't control himself on her made up answer and grinned. "Mai toh pehle se hi bol raha tha, ki tumhare andar ek bahot achchhi lekhika chhupi hui hai..."

They laughed, probably they both found it funny. She freed herself from his arms, "Mr. Sameer Maheshwari... wo jo badi-badi books dikh rahi hai na, CA foundation ki... unhe kaun padhega, hmm??" She raised her brows in a question, pointing towards a stack of books on a table.

He grabbed both her hands in his, but before he could speak further, he saw Naina's other hand still fisted.

"Ohh, toh Madam ki dusri mutthhi me bhi kuchh hai?? Kya hai isme?" He asked in curiosity.

Naina opened her another fist. It was the letter 'S' which was taken out from the nameplate to save from the situation of the truth being revealed, a part of their lie.

"Aaj hum nameplate pe yeh 'S' lagakar hum dono ka adhura naam poora karenge." Naina heaved a sigh of satisfaction.

Though it was only Sameer's name which was incomplete on the nameplate, it still had a lot to do with Naina. Because she was never complete without Sameer. They were complete only when they were together. Their marriage had not only united two humans, but two souls too. She felt pride at being his 'ardhangini' in true sense, and he felt overwhelmed and blessed to have her in his life as his life.

His eyes shone with gratitude, maybe grateful to the god for bringing this pure soul into his life. He pulled her gently into a hug and kissed her forehead.

They both went out and glued the letter 'S' on the nameplate which now read 'Naina Sameer Ka Ghar'. Naina held Sameer's arm as both were looking at their dreams getting fulfilled with baby steps. They could see the same nameplate on their own house in the future.

"Ab chalein Mrs. Maheshwari?" Mr. Sameer Maheshwari asked his wife with a complete right. As she nodded, they both left hand in hand, without any fear now. With their head high with pride; as Mr. and Mrs. Maheshwari, ready to face the challenges of this new city Mumbai. 

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