The breeze of April was still a pleasant and soothing one. It was well past midnight, when the noise of barking dogs in front of the gates of Sea Queen society rang in the peaceful environment. It must have disturbed Dhondu from his slumber, as he woke up scared looking around if there was a burglar. But when he observed, it was just two kennels of dogs, fighting for their marked territories.

In a flat in J wing, there was a couple sleeping peacefully in each other's arms, but the constant barking had to wake the lady up from her sleep. Naina blinked her closed eyes and stirred. She took a deep breath and inhaled the same male scent she was used to since more than a year now. Yes, she could never forget this fragrance, which was a mixture of white musk perfume and Sameer's own body scent. She slowly opened her eyes and found her face crushed into Sameer's chest. She was held tight by both his arms. His chin, and eventually his day old stubble pricking into her hair. But, she was not at fault here. What she last remembered before sleeping, was Sameer sleeping on his back and her resting her head on his shoulder. So, he must have turned to his side somewhat later. She nuzzled on his chest and smiled. She so loved whenever she would be completely engulfed in Sameer's arms and their bodies plastered to each other inch by inch. The way her tiny figure would mantle in his big arms, she felt a sense of belonging. Her soft bosom crushing on his strong chest would make herself embrace her femininity. Whenever his length rubbed in between her legs, she would heave in gratification. This man had the capability of turning her into a crazy person. Not just physically but spiritually too.

And one such thing had happened just last evening. The man of her life, Sameer, had actually asked her to pursue her dream. The dream of becoming a writer. She didn't know how it suddenly came from. He had asked her a few days ago if something was bothering her. But hadn't she sorted that thing by convincing him that she wasn't just able to focus on studies. She felt that much should suffice as she had regained her focus in a few days. But he hadn't asked just about dreams, he actually asked if she really wants to become a CA or something else. And that Mt.Abu reference? Where did that come from? That too straightaway? What triggered him for this conversation? There was definitely something behind it. But, whatever it was, it happened for good. It wasn't necessary all the time to have some motive behind any conversation between them or his doing. Sometimes, it was just his love for her that made him do all this.

Wasn't it this man, who was a teenager a few years back, had worked almost as a servant in her house? All he wanted was to seek forgiveness from her. Didn't he stand as a runner for Arjun Bhaiya that day and ran even after being injured himself? He just wanted to give some moments of happiness to her and her family. All the letters from Delhi, the special shayari's on the air, the song dedications; all these were just his ways to tell her that he loves her. How can she forget the stolen sash of Miss. Fresher? Just because she was upset about losing the competition. No... not because of losing the competition, she just wanted to see her and Sameer's name together. How silly and stupid she was! And just to see a smile on her face, Sameer had to create the whole drama and steal Sunaina's sash. She chuckled thinking how destiny was in favour of them. She couldn't play Juliet to Sameer's Romeo. She couldn't share the trophy of Mr. & Miss Fresher with him. In all those years, she certainly felt sad about it. But not now. Because now, she had won the biggest title of her life. Mrs. Naina Sameer Maheshwari. She thanked him for being the reason for her happiness, she thanked him for all the efforts he made during her GS elections in college, she never needed to tell him to be with her to fulfill the challenges thrown at her by Principal Ma'am or Sunaina and gang. She was indebted to him for persisting with his mother for their marriage, and for all the stupid things in the world and all that craziness he did just to marry her. Had he not done that, she wouldn't have been living this heavenly moment. And now, she couldn't thank him enough to suggest some ways to start her writing. Something, which gave her immense happiness.

She couldn't recollect when exactly it was decided to pursue CA. When all her friends decided to switch to commerce from science and she knew that even Sameer would go for the same, though he wasn't talking to her, she too opted for commerce just to be with him. If someone would've asked what she wanted to pursue, she would have told she wanted to do Arts. First B.A. and then probably M.A. in Hindi Literature. But the fact was that no one asked her. Everyone just assumed that she would do commerce. And that wasn't the only thing. She herself didn't pay attention to what she wanted, as she was blinded by the wish to be in the same college as Sameer's. Because it was the only possible way to spend time with Sameer. So her own opinion about her own graduation course remained the last thing to think of. And being a studious student throughout, her good scores never allowed her or anyone to question her decision. And one day, it came very instinctively from Chachaji that she should go for CA after her B.Com and she had just accepted it. But now, Sameer had given her new wings to fly, he let her listen to her heart and follow her dreams. It wasn't like writing for a Hindi Magazine will make her a famous writer or big publishing houses will approach her. But it's something that she will thoroughly enjoy. And then diverting her mind from studies for a short span may also rejuvenate her and benefit in studies. She felt extremely happy by the thought itself of writing a story, all thanks to the man she was cocooned in the embrace of, her husband.

She kissed on his chest over his shirt. But that did not satisfy her. She wanted to kiss on his heart. She slowly opened the second button of his shirt, the first one being already unbuttoned. She dipped her head to kiss, but stopped. He was wearing a vest too. Uggghhh!!! Sameer had certainly decided to torture her. He would always take off his vest while changing into nightwear so that Naina can wander her hands beneath his shirt. And now when she wanted to touch him badly, he had forgotten to take it off. She licked her lips, hesitated for a few moments, debated between yes or no for something and then she parted the seam of his shirt aside and pulled down the fabric of his vest slightly to the left to bare some part of his chest to her. Aaahhh!!! This was the sight she wanted. Finally, moving forward, she placed a gentle kiss on his heart. She felt butterflies in her stomach even by the gentle touch of her lips to his skin. She blushed heavily. But, she pulled down the fabric further and placed a kiss again, this time nearer to his left nipple.

"Nainaaaa... mujhe sone do..."

She heard a gruff voice. She looked upward. Sameer looked asleep. She smiled and saw him speak again.

"Mujhe suji hui aankhen leke audition me nahi jaana..." He didn't open his eyes, his voice still heavy.

Leaving her grip on his vest, she giggled. "Nahi....", she said as innocently as a kid but kissed again on his chest as seductively as a temptress. And she didn't stop just there, but continued kissing him on the chest, on the collar bone, on his throat.

Sameer opened his eyes and looked down. He was completely woken up now. He groaned, feeling pleasurable by her gentle but sensuous kisses. He saw her opening two more buttons of his shirt and felt her lips on his abdomen, though over vest. And his hand roved on her arm instinctively, while heaving deep breaths. Soon his wandering hand slipped beneath her top and his seductress wife moved up to his chin, putting open mouth kisses.

"Thoda control karlo Mrs. Maheshwari", he remembered he has the next round audition tomorrow.

But it went unheard as the very next moment, his left cheek was held in a palm and his lips were slammed by hers. And he gave up. He held her shoulder with his hand beneath her and deepened the kiss. She was still dominating their passionate kiss and he didn't want to take control of it either. His other hand roved over her bottom and he pulled her closer to him, making their lower bodies touch each other's, wanting her to feel his aroused state.

She moaned in gratification and swayed her hips up and down a little, probably to feel him at the correct place. The movements made his control reach to a thin line before snapping and before he let it happen, he wrenched his mouth away from the kiss, held her arm and pushed her slightly to make her lie on her back.

They both were heavily breathing. He leaned towards her and took a deep breath just to regain some sense. She looked at him in anticipation, her heart beating rapidly. Ready for his passion and desires, she closed her eyes but his voice fell on her ears instead. "Naina..."

She looked at him in surprise as he was smirking. "Pehli baat", he started. "Agar mera control chhut gaya na, toh hame sote tak subah ho jayegi. Aur dusri baat, agar mere wajah se subah der ho gayi, toh tum firse mujhe Papa se daant padwaogi... So please..." He said in a pleading voice.

She smiled warmly and started buttoning his shirt, leaving the top two. "Sorry... so jaate hai...", she agreed.

Returning back a smile to her, he pecked her lips and pulled her in his arms again. She flung her hand on his back and kissed below his throat. She grinned remembering yesterday night, and by pulling him closer to her, she fell asleep again and so did him. They both were badly aroused, on the verge of losing their control any moment. But both chose their dreams over their desires.

Yesterday, Sameer and Naina had left for home immediately after they released each other from their arms. They had again boarded a taxi straight to the society, given the night's time. The traffic being lesser than the evening, they could actually reach faster.

As they started, Naina had been adoring Sameer with so much love and gratitude in her eyes. Sameer had looked at her and asked, "kyaa...? Kabse ghoore ja rahi ho..."

She had blushed and then shifted closer to him. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, she had rested her head on his shoulder, feeling a bit emotional. Sameer too had pulled her closer with his hand and rested his cheek on her head.

"I love you Sameer..." She had almost whispered, audible only to him.

"I love you too Naina..." He had gently smiled and kissed on her forehead.

The rest of the journey was spent listening to the melodious songs on the radio.

It was late night when they slowly climbed the stairs of their floor, whispering to each other.

"Papa so gaye honge. Tum aage chalna, mai peechhe aati hu." Naina said in a low voice.

"Pagal ho kya?" Sameer's eyes widened. "Naina, kal mera audition hai aur mai kya gaal pe thappad ke nishan leke jaau wahan?" He grabbed her and pulled her ahead of him as they reached to the door.

"Tch... Sameer... aisa kuchh nahi hoga... Ulta tumhe dekhkar Papa daatenge nahi..." She tried to put her point while fetching the key from her purse.

"Mmmaaaiii kuchh nahi jaanta... tumhare Papa hai, tum hi jao pehle..." He pushed her with his hands as she opened the door.

They both slowly stepped in the house and peeped through the wall of the passage. The lights were onn, and they saw Rakesh sitting on the sofa chair while resting his head on a fisted hand. But thankfully, he was sleeping. They heaved a sigh.

Naina held Sameer's hand and whispered, "dekha... Papa intezaar kar rahe the hamara... maine kaha tha tumse jaldi chalte hai..."

"Haan toh maine jaan-bujhkar thodi na kiya." He scoffed. "ek kaam karte hai, mai aage chalta hun, tum Papa ko uthha dena thike", he said and took a step ahead.

She immediately caught his arm, "Ji nahi... Sameer, mai Papa se akele daant nahi khane wali..."

"Goooood..." He smiled and whispered again, "toh tum bhi chalo mere sath..." He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him.

"Aa gaye tum dono..."

They heard a stern voice. Shutting their eyes out of fear, they halted at the place and turned.

Keeping the remote control on his lap aside, Rakesh stood up and glanced at the wall clock. 11:20pm.

"Samay dekha hai? Yeh koi samay hai ghar lautne ka?" He berated.

"Papa woh..." Naina tried to speak.

Rakesh interrupted her, "kya woh? Haa? Kya Papa woh? Ghar me koi hai jo tumhara intezaar kar raha hai yeh dhyan me hai ki nahi?" His eyes reflected anger.

Both Sameer and Naina lowered their eyes.

"Ek baat yaad rakho Sameer-Naina, agar maine tumhe chhut de rakhi hai toh uske saath aayi hui zimmedari ka ehsas bhi rakho." He chided.

"Papa..." Sameer dared to speak in between his father-in-law's rebuke. "Humne bataya to tha ki der hogi", he muttered.

"Der? Kitni der? Arey mujhe laga 10-10:30 baje tak aa jaoge. Lekin tum dono ne toh hadd hi kar di..." Rakesh's forehead was covered with creases, but due to concern for his children.

He continued, "Kabse pareshan baitha hu mai yaha pe. Khudko samjha raha hu, ab aayenge, ab aayenge. Lekin tumhe toh koi fikar hi nahi hai meri... Yaha tum dono ki chinta me mai mari jaan nikli jaa rahi hai, aur mere bachche maze kar rahe hai bahar... Beta, itna bada shaher hai Mumbai, kuchh ho jata toh? Aur kuchh hua hota toh bhi pata kaise chalta mujhe? Ab tum log yeh cordless leke toh ghum nahi sakte na. Kya karta mai?" His voice turned heavy.

"Sorry Papa..." Both Sameer and Naina exclaimed simultaneously and looked down.

"Sorry... Bass... Angrez chale gaye Angrezi chhod gaye..." Rakesh was irked. He exhaled, "Iske baad apni zimmedari ka ehsaas rakhna... Jao, so jao dono..." He melted a little.

Naina cleared her throat, "Papa, aapne khana kha liya?" She asked.

"Haan kha liya..." He replied in a low voice. "tum dono ne?"

Both nodded like 'achchhe bachche'. Wishing each other good night, Sameer-Naina headed to their room and Rakesh went on to arrange his bedding.

Closing their bedroom door, Sameer and Naina looked at each other and just smiled. It was good to see calm and goodie-goodie Rakesh Papa around, but they were glad that the missing tadka in their life was finally back.

It was 8:30 in morning when Maheshwari's were having their breakfast. Sameer was ready so as to leave by 9:30am. Rakesh was standing near the television set, with a plate in his hand and doing something with the remote control. The telephone in the room rang and Sameer and Naina looked at Papa to receive the call.

He looked backed at them, "aaa... mai kuchh kaam kar raha hu..." He said, and walked to sit on the sofa.

Naina giggled and Sameer rolled his eyes and walked to answer the phone. As he said 'hello', the person at the other end started reciting the four lines of his advertisement.

Sameer blushed and waited till it finished. Rakesh, who was sitting next to Naina on the sofa, bent towards her and mumbled, "Dekha... maine kaha tha na... yeh blank calls Sameer ke liye hi aa rahe the... kisi ladki ka phone hoga... dekh kaise sharma raha hai..."

"Shshshshs... Papa... kuchh bhi bol rahe ho aap..." Naina whispered and paid her attention to Sameer.

"Toh finally ad dekh hi liya aapne..." Sameer said. There was a constant smile on his face.

Naina shifted closer to Rakesh and muttered, "dekha... 'aap' karke baat kar raha hai... aap bhi na Papa..."

"Haan toh koi badi ladki hogi... ya izzat de raha hoga..." Rakesh again tried to convince her.

"Papa...." She was about to say something but saw Sameer coming to them with the cordless to sit on the sofa chair and they both stopped.

"Aisi baat nahi hai... Aapka hero aapko kaise bhool sakta hai..." Sameer rested back and put his one leg on the other knee, still smiling.

Naina narrowed her eyes. Whom he was talking to? He didn't mention any name also. And what is this 'Aapka Hero'? He has given their telephone number at many places for reference. Someone must have taken it. Is there again a new girl now crushing on Sameer? Ohh God! Being the wife of a person in this field is really difficult. How is she going to deal with so many girls when Sameer will become a star?

Naina sighed and focused on her plate. Meanwhile Rakesh was keenly observing Sameer's expressions.

"Haanji... bass... aapka ashirwaad bana rahe...", said Sameer. Naina nudged Rakesh and furrowed her brows, pointing towards Sameer through her eyes, telling him indirectly that his guess was wrong.

"Haan... yahi hai na... ek minute mai deta hun..." Sameer said and passed the cordless to Naina with a big smile, "lo baat karo..."

This time, both Rakesh and Naina were shocked. There was so much mystery with the identity of the caller and now that person wanted to talk to Naina too.

Naina kept her plate on the tea-table and took the cordless, still in surprise.

"Hello", she said in a little hesitation.

"Naina Betaaa..."

She heard a gentle but elderly voice. "Buaa Dadiiiii...." Naina's voice changed and turned cheerful. "Kaisi hai aap?" She asked.

"Mai thik hu..." Phulla Bua replied. "Tere hero ka ad dekha tv pe... bada hi handsome dikh raha tha... isilye use badhai dene phone kiya toh usne bataya yeh ad tune likha hai... toh tumhe bhi bohot bohot badhai..."

"Thank you Bua Dadi..." Naina smiled, feeling touched to have heard such praise from an elderly person.

"Tujhe yaad hai Naina... maine kaha tha na ki teri taqdeer Bombay me hi likhi hai... Dekh... Sameer ke sath sath tu bhi chamak gayi..." Phulla Bua reminisced.

Naina remembered the day when Phulla Bua had visited them in Ahmedabad for Pooja Didi's wedding. She was heartbroken due to Sameer's bet that time and had lost even her genuine smile.

She looked at Sameer, who was listening to her conversation adoringly. And she realised she could smile so brightly all because of Sameer now.

"Ji. Yaad hai." She said dreamily, lost in Sameer's deep eyes.

"Beta... tum dono aise hi aage badho... khub tarakki karo... mera ashirwaad toh hamesha hi hai tumhare sath..." Phulla Bua bleesed her.

Naina disconnected the call after a few moments and looked at Sameer lovingly. She narrowed her eyes, "Tumne Bua Dadi ko kab bataya ke woh ad maine likha hai?" She queried.

"Jab tum dono mere baare me khusur-pusur kar rahe the tab." Sameer rested his chin on his fisted hand, "kya baat kar rahe the waise?" He raised his brow.

Both Naina and Rakesh looked at each other, looking for some excuse. Naina tried, "Aaa... woh... kuchh nahi... tumhare baare me thodi baat kar rahe the hum... hai na Papa?"

Rakesh fumbled, "haa... Haan... hum toh woh... samachar padh rahe the..."

"Haan... samachar padh rahe the..." Naina smiled sheepishly.

Sameer looked at the father-daughter duo one by one. But laughed and let it go.

Naina was packing Methi Thepla for Sameer in the kitchen when he joined her. "Nainaaa... iski kya zaroorat hai? Mai koi school-college jane wala ladka thodi na hu..." He said while leaning on the countertop.

Naina spreaded tomato ketchup on thepla's with a spoon and rolled them in a newspaper, "Sameer tum poore din bhookhe rehte ho... bahar bhi kuchh nahi khate..."

"Naina mai kha lunga bahar... aur, tumne kabhi bhi mujhe aise tiffin laate hue dekha hai kya school-college me...." His voice suddenly toned down, "waise koi bana ke dene wala tha bhi nahi...", he looked down.

Naina looked at him but she didn't want him to be in a serious mood while going for the audition. She changed the tone of her voice, "Haan, lekin ab mai hu na. Toh jyada nakhre mat karo, aur yeh lekar jao. Nahi toh mujhe din bhar chain nahi aayega..." She neatly packed the Thepla in a small polybag and kept it in the leather bag he was carrying.

Sameer looked at her. She was cleaning the countertop and he knew she was deliberately avoiding the eye-contact. His one statement about having no-one to care about his food regime must have pierced through her. But since they had been married, he never had to care about what he would eat. In the initial months of their marriage, he knew she could cook only basic food. But she was learning gradually by asking Bela Chachi or Vishakha Maa or even with the help of Kanji. That 'Daal-Bati' fiasco with Mamaji was a lesson for her too and she had actually started being more serious about her cooking. And slowly she learnt to cook not only 'Daal-chawal, roti-sabzi', but various types of parathas, raitas, besan ke cheele, pulao, types of sabzi they saw only in Hotel Menu cards, Marwadi style 'Daal-Bati' of course, some breakfast items like Dhokla, Samosa, Kachori, Idli-Sambar, sandwitches and many more.

It was only one month in Office when he needed to carry a Lunch box with him as later when the business split took place and they started a boutique, they both were at home and would have all their meals together. After coming here to Mumbai, whenever he went out for auditions or even when he was going for the acting class, he would mostly eat something outside. During his last audition too, it wasn't like he didn't get time to go out and eat, he had seen some boys do it, but it was just that he didn't feel like eating something. But when he returned home, he realised he was too hungry and ate all the sandwiches Naina had prepared for him. While Naina had confessed to him that night that she was restless for the whole day, thinking of him and he had wondered how their souls were so connected.

A snap of fingers in front of his eyes startled him. "Kahan kho gaye Heroji?" Naina asked.

Sameer smiled and shook his head. He just moved forward and kissed on her forehead instead of cheeks. Naina was a little surprised but happy to alter his mood.

He just turned to leave but halted with her voice, "Suno... " Naina said. As he turned to her, she showed both her thumbs and mumbled, "all the best", with a big smile. He opened his mouth to thank her, but instead she stepped forward, kept her hands on his shoulder for leverage, pecked his lips and ran to the living room.

Sameer left home in order to catch the 9:50am bus for Dahisar. He was a little confused whether to go by local or bus. But he didn't want to get thrashed in the crowd of the locals. So travelling by bus always looked fine. This time, he was asked to report at 12noon and he hoped to make it in time.

By 11:50am, Sameer reached the same old British construction and walked the stairs. As he entered the big hall, he could see a much lesser crowd than the audition day. Of course! This was the next round for the shortlisted ones.

He went to the enquiry desk, "Hi, this is Sameer Maheshwari. Mujhe next round ke liye call aaya tha."

The person at the desk searched for his name in the register. As he spotted his name, he remarked, "Sameer Maheshwari. Okay. Aap baith jaiye. We will call you. This is your script." He handed over a script of two pages to him. "Ramesh ke dialogues yaad karne hai."

"Thanks." Sameer said and looked again for a corner to sit peacefully.

As he acquired a seat in a corner, he looked again at the people in the hall. He spotted some middle aged men. He tried to recollect if he recognized any of their faces but he couldn't. On the other corner, he saw some boys of his age. Almost all good looking and he could recognize some of them too. He had guessed it last time, who will make it and who will not. And most of his guesses were correct. He had known that this industry looks only for glamour, by now. But he wasn't sure of his own audition itself, given the thoughts going on in his mind that day. But how destiny played its role here! It was just an open-audition he got to know that morning itself, he had even thought of not going for it, saw a sea of people for the audition, met a guy like Suresh who kind of showed a different face of this industry to him, he couldn't even recollect properly how he remembered the lines after that and how he gave the audition. All happened just in a haze for him. And now he was sitting again in the same big hall, as a shortlisted actor.

He kept his bag aside and focused on the script. There were three big lines for Ramesh and one-two lines in between for some character named Pooja. Those may be just queues for next dialogues. It looked like a telephone conversation. He started reading it. After a few moments, he found something weird in the dialogues.

'Pooja, Prem din-raat sharaab ke nashe me dooba rehta hai. Har bottle use maut ke muh me le jaa rahi hai... woh tumhe bhool nahi paaya hai...'

He read all the dialogues two-three times. All he could perceive was that it was about Prem and Pooja and Ramesh is trying to be a mediator. He didn't understand why he was given a script where his character felt secondary.

He stood up and walked to the enquiry desk again. He asked the person there, "Excuse me! Mujhe yahi wali script padhni hai kya? Yeh toh kuchh aur hi lag raha hai?"

The person looked perplexed with the question. He opened the register and checked for his name again. "Kya naam bataya?" He asked.

"Sameer Maheshwari."

He stopped his roaming pen in front of Sameer's name. "Sahi script to diya hai tumhe. Hero ke dost ke role ke liye aaye ho na?"

Sameer couldn't believe what he heard. He just couldn't utter a word, but he needed to confirm it. "Hero ke dost ke liye? Lekin maine toh lead role ke liye audition diya tha. Sir, aap ek baar firse check kijiye na...", he requested.

The person looked piqued by his expressions. He smacked his pen on his register. "Ab tum mujhe mera kaam sikhaoge? Jo script di hai, wahi padho. Tumhara number aayega toh pata chal jayega." The person chastised, raising his voice.

Sameer felt a little embarrassed as he knew that it must have been heard by the other people too. He lowered his eyes and walked to his seat. He looked at the script again. Yes, he was selected for a side role. He didn't know what the significance of that friend was in that Hero's life. There wasn't any such big problem in playing a hero's friend. But it must be substantial. He remembered the movie 'Khiladi', where Deepak Tijori actually had a good role, not like other roles where the friend is roaming with the hero in college and doing nothing. He recalled movies like 'Dil', 'Afsana Pyar Ka', 'Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar', where there were friends shown but all mostly to cover the comic side of the film. He couldn't discern the exact nature of this particular film, but he wasn't sure of going for a friend's role either.

He was remembering the lines when he saw two boys coming from somewhere and sitting a row ahead of him. They were talking about something and due to the silence, Sameer could actually hear their conversation.

"Arey yeh sab banahe hai bahane." One of the boys said. "Inn logo ko chhote-mote roles ke liye bhi achchhi shakal wale ladke chahiye rehte hai. Aur jo thoda thik-thak bol bhi le."

"Haan, sahi keh raha hai tu..." the other boy replied. "aakhir me inko Hero ke liye usi ko lena hota hai, jinko inhe lena hota hai. Do-do hero hai film me. Aur maine suna hai ek toh almost final bhi ho gaya hai."

Sameer's eyes widened in surprise. So it was a two hero film. Possible! There have been so many films like this. So is this hero's friend the other hero? He thought.

"Kaun final hua hai?" The first guy asked.

"Woh Swabhimaan serial wala banda pata hai? Rohit Roy?" The other one said.

"Rohit Roy?"

"Arey... Rishabh Malhotra..."

The guy thought for some time, "achchha achchha... woh... woh 'Jaan Tere Naam' wale ka bhai hai na woh?"

"Haan wahi... Maine suna hai shayad usi ko final kar rahe hai... Prem ke role ke liye..."

Sameer wondered if he should laugh at the situation or what. For the past whole week, he was watching that show 'Swabhimaan' on TV, just to see his own commercial; Papa and Naina were praising how the actor playing 'Rishabh Malhotra' was good, and here that name suddenly appeared in front of him out of nowhere. If those guys were to be believed, that Rishabh Malhotra would be seen as the Hero Prem and Sameer as Ramesh would say that 'Sharab ke nashe me' kind of dialogues for him.

Goddd!!!!

"Aur Pratap ke liye?" The guy asked.

"Woh toh pata nahi chala. Shayad yeh auditions usi ke liye ho..." the other replied.

Sameer got assured with this that the script he has been offered is for a side character. From their conversation, those boys looked from the Production House of the film and must have come here to supervise the auditions. Sameer sighed. Not wanting to get more influenced by those boys' talk, he picked his bag and changed his seat. He focussed on the lines and tried to get in the character.

After some time, the next round auditions started and Sameer noticed that there were again two rooms today. Now he knew for what. One for the lead role and one for the side roles. All these things were beyond his thinking now. But he decided not to get affected by any other thing here. Whatever it may be, he has to give a good audition. He got his call by 1:30pm and he was sent to a room. He was done with his audition within 10 minutes and he could actually leave the place by 2pm.

Since it was an afternoon, Sameer thought of trying for a local, if it's less crowded than the mornings. He hired an auto-rickshaw upto Vasai station and then waited for the local not before getting a ticket to Andheri Station. There were 20 minutes for the fast local to arrive and Sameer felt hungry too. He sat on a bench and opened the polybag carrying thepla's packed by Naina. He ate two out of three thepla's in silence and was about to pack it, when his gaze fell on a small piece of paper in the newspaper. He curiously picked it and identified Naina's handwriting.

'All the Best Hero!!!'

Sameer heaved a deep sigh. He kissed the small chit and placed it in his jeans pocket.

Sorry Naina... tumhara Hero abhi duniya ke nazar me hero nahi hai... Haan, shayad Hero ka dost bann sakta hai...

He mused.

As he finished eating, he just roamed on the platform and halted at a book stall. His eyes twinkled as he could see various books and magazines and he knew he was at the correct place. Purchasing two magazines, he waited for the local in delight.

As per his expectation, the local was less crowded and he could get a seat too. He reached Andheri in 45 minutes and as he walked out of the station, he was stopped by a little girl asking him to purchase what she was carrying. Sameer smiled and happily spent five rupees for that girl.

Sameer entered the house and found a complete silence. How is it possible? Where is Rakesh Papa? He expected to see him on the sofa while reading a book or watching something on TV. But, that wasn't the case. He kept his bag on the trunk. Where is Naina? He expected her to run towards him asking about his audition. But that didn't happen either. Isn't there anyone in the house? Assuming that Naina must have gone to Preeti's house and Rakesh Papa somewhere out, Sameer headed to his room.

He entered the room and saw Naina sitting on the mattress and writing something. Ohh! She must be studying, that's why there's so much silence. But he couldn't spot her books or the rough notebook. It looked like a diary she was writing on and she was so engrossed in it. He didn't want to disturb her. So he slowly walked further and stood leaning to a table, just in front of Naina. He crossed his legs a bit, clutched the table with his hands and kept on staring at Naina.

She had folded her legs on either side, taken a cushion in her lap and her diary on it, her head had tilted to the left as she had rested her cheek on her fist and there was a beautiful smile on her face. This was something different. She looked so happy. He knew now that she was definitely not studying.

So does that mean she is writing something? Maybe a story?

Ohh man!! She was so happy while writing, he could figure out that. Should he tell her about his audition for a side character? She will be disheartened and he didn't want that. He didn't want to break the flow of her writing by giving her such news. But he didn't want to lie too upon being asked.

He could've stood there looking at her for the whole evening, but he needed to use the bathroom and that implied he has to move.

So just to shift her attention, he dipped his hand in his jeans' pocket and took out something packed in two leaves. He untied the thread it was packed with and parted the leaves.

Within seconds, an aroma of Mogra wafted in the whole room and Naina sniffed. First she just looked on the mattress but then she saw legs near the wall and looked up. There was Sameer standing, smiling affectionately at her and waiting for her.

Naina's smile widened and eyes shone as if she was meeting him after ages. "Sameer!!!" She exclaimed and keeping aside her diary, she got up and ran towards him to grab him in a tight hug.

"I missed you..." Naina muttered.

Sameer chuckled on her innocence, "I missed you too..." He replied and prepared himself to answer about his audition as he knew that would be the first question when they would part.

As they drew back from the hug, Naina spoke excitedly, "Sameer, tumhe pata hai, mai na do behno ke upar kahani likh rahi hu. Kaise woh hamesha ek-dusre ke sath rehti hai aur ek-dusre ki taakad rehti hai... Kaisi kalpana hai?"

He smiled gently, "bohot achchhi kalpana hai. Naina, tum likho, mai fresh hoke aata hu..." Saying this, he just got up to go to the bathroom but was stopped.

"Sameer", Naina smacked her forehead, "mai puchhna hi bhool gayi... tumhara audition kaisa tha? Tum hero bann jaoge abhi?" The excitement in her voice was still the same.

Sameer turned to her and held her hands, "Naina... audition thik tha... lekin... mera selection Hero ke liye nahi, Hero ke dost ke liye hua hai..." He informed.

Her smile narrowed. "Dost ke liye? Lekin Sameer, tumne toh Hero ke liye audition diya tha na?"

He shrugged, "Haan... diya toh Hero ke liye hi tha... pata nahi... chhodo na... jo hoga dekha jayega...."

Naina frowned, "arey lekin aise kaise tumhe..."

"Naina..." Sameer interrupted her. He held her shoulders, "shayad koi achchha role ho... phir wo chhotasa hi kyun na ho... dekhte to hai..."

"Sameer..."

"Naina..." He didn't let her complete. "Hum baad me baat karte hai na iske baare me... filhal mai tumhare liye kuchh lekar aaya hun..." He smiled and ran to the living room.

Naina saw her coming back within a minute, with two magazines in hand. "Yeh tumhare liye..." He smiled.

Taking it, Naina looked at the two magazines in her hand. There was one copy of 'Kadambini' and one of 'Grihshobha', both April editions.

She looked bewildered and raised her brows. Sameer smiled, "inn dono magazines me writers ki short stories publish hoti hai... woh kya kehte hai Hindi me..." He made a face as if remembering something, "Haan.... Laghu Kathaayein... Dono magazines ka office Dilli me hai... Akhri panne par address diya hua hai... Try karein?" His eyes twinkled.

Overpowered by emotions, Naina just nodded. Sameer's face glowed, "thik hai... tum story likho, mai fresh hoke aata hu..."

Tapping her arm gently, Sameer rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. Naina kept looking at him, looked down at Magazines once and then shifted her gaze to her diary on the mattress. But she couldn't see that properly, due to the tears of love formed in her eyes.

She had fallen for Sameer for the nth time now.

***************

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