Rajveer was showing his cafe to one of his College class mate who is now an interior designer. "I don't think your cafe need much work, it's already beautiful".
Naina brings their refreshments, Nikhil saw her intently "Tum to wahi ho na... " Naina's heart skips a beat, does he know her? If yes, then she is in big trouble "Priyanka..! Hamare sath college ne padhti thi na tum".

Rajveer shook head, perfectly knowing about this trick " No Nikhil. She is not Priyanka.. She works here in my cafe..".

" Oh.. She kind of looks familiar" Naina takes a sigh of relief. "Sorry but Priyanka was very gorgeous, so you are beautiful" He compliments her.

"Thank you.. " She replies with a hint of blush.

"By the way, am Nikhil Rastogi.. An interior designer"

"Am Naina.. Nice to meet you".

"Pleasure is all mine.. Waise meine suna hai that this cafe serves the best tartlets in the town" He asks.

"I'll just bring some for you" She replies with a smile.

"Ahh Naina" Rajveer calls her "ask John to bring them.. I want you to prepare list for supplies".

"But sir wo kaam to Dev ka hai na.. " She asks in confusion.

He was annoyed "Dev bahar gaya hai.. You do as I said, i want the list A.S.A.P." He said while she left from there in confusion.

"Man she is hot". Nikhil said eyeing her from top to bottom.

" Stop it Nikhil, don't try those stupid tricks on her.. She is an employee " Rajveer was irritated.

"A hot employee" He corrects him with a sly smile.

Few minutes later Naina arrives there "Your order Sir.. " Naina placed the plate while Rajveer looks at her in Surprise, he asked her to stay in kitchen and send John.

"Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho.. Meine tumse John ko bhejne ko kaha tha na... Tum kyu ayi ho yaha" Displeasure was clear on his face.

"Wo Sir, John ka to aj Day off tha na or baki sab dusre kaamo me busy the isiliye mein hi agayi. Do minute ki hi to baat hai" She explains.

"It's alright..By the way these are amazing.. Did you make it? " He asks while eating.

"Nahi... Nalini our confectioner, she makes amazing deserts. You should try her cupcakes someday they are yummy" She said excitedly.

"Ahh.. Ab to ana jana laga hi rahega" He dreamily said while Rajveer didn't liked the way he was looking at her... It irked him "ohh by the way this is my card.. If you need me, you can call me any day, any time, any where... That one is my personal number". He flirted.

"Sure I'll save it" The smile she was giving him was irritating him..

"Ho gaya.. Ab jao apne kam par, there are lots of guests waiting to be served" He rudely said as she went away while making face.

"Dude.. That was rude. " Nikhil complained.

"She has errands to do.. I have hired her to do work no to chit chat with customers" He said in irritation while Nikhil looks at him in amusement".

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Shekhawat residence.
"Rajveer, Amar zara darwaze par dekho to kaun aya hai.. Kabse bell baj rahi hai" Maya shouts from bathroom.

"Oye.. Suna tune Mom ne kya kaha, darwaza dekh". Rajveer nudges him while playing video game.

"Tu jakar dekh na.. Me game haar jaunga waise bhi Maya ne tujhe bola hai" Amar said concentrating on his game.

"Tujhe bhi to bola hai.. Tu jakar dekh" He said playing furiously.

"Pehle tera naam liya tha.. Or waise bhi me guest hu, guests se kaam nahi karate" He said ignoring him.

Before Rajveer could protest bell rings one more time and his mother shouts "Rajveeeeeerrrr... "

"Comingggg... " He stood up growling in irritation. As soon he opens the door his irritation went away with air. She was looking stunning in white mid length dress having small flowers on it's strap, with light pink gloss and a touch of kajal. And heels were highlighting her perfect curves. She felt conscious under his scrutinizing gaze. Instead of feeling uncomfortable she felt ticklish feeling inside her.

".. Good evening... Sir" She politely said.

He kept looking at her with softness, she was looking damm beautiful, he was about to compliment her when Amar came in between "ohh Naina you came... It's good to see you back.. Come inside... " He drags her inside while Rajveer was left standing at door in same position.

"Hey Rajveer, My sadu Boy, how are you" Shalini greets him cheerfully.

"Yeah.. Whatever" He left mumbling in annoyance.

"That's not a way to greet your guest" Shalini looks at him weirdly.

They all were sitting at dinner table, enjoying their meal, chatting together while Rajveer was now and then gazing at her of which Naina was aware and surprisingly she wasn't uncomfortable.

"Naina.. Meine custard banaya hai desert mein, it's in the kitchen will you bring it" Maya asks to which Naina nodded and went inside.

Rajveer pretends to cough "mein pani laya." He was going in kitchen when Amar said.

"Tu rehne de.. Aram se khana kha.. Pani me lata hu" Amar interrupts.

"Nahi mere Bhai, tu guest hai yaha, aram se kha.. Am the host and let me serve" He turns the table at him cunningly and went inside kitchen.

"Isme itni tameez kaha se agayi" Amar chuckled.

He enters kitchen and starting filling water in jug while looking at her with peripheral vision and saw her filling bowls with custard and fruits toping on top. He wanted to start a conversation but was clueless how to do that.

He coughed to gain her attention, she looks at him but he averts his eyes.. She again got busy in her work. He cursed himself "kya bewakoofo wali harkatein kar raha hai tu". He again coughed this time harder.

She saw him with concern " Sir, apki tabiyat to theek hai na.. ".

" Ahh.. Haa am fine, just light cough.. Ahem-ahem. " He lied "wo.. Tumne supplies ki list bana di thi? " He asks.

"Haan.. Sham ko jane se pehle ako di to thi... Aap bhul gaye? " She said

"Ohh ha yaad aya... Work load, bhul hi jata hu" He cursed himself at his lame excuse to talk with her. He again saw her, there was a cute smile playing on her lips, her hairs were open today.. Long and shiny.. He was having an urge to ran his fingers in her long tresses. Should he compliments her? What harm will it do. Even Amar and Nikhil did too. He can also do it.

"Ahh.. Naina, wo... I was saying ki... Wo" She was looking at him with surprise, from when did he startes fumbling. "Actually mein tumse kehna chahta tha ki... " He was hell nervous "i just wanted to say ki... Ki... ".

" Ki... " Naina was looking at him curiously.

"Ki.. Tum.. Wo.. Tum.. Tumne wo wale bowl me strawberry nahi dali" He clutched his eyes and said in his mind "kya bakwas kiye ja raha hu mein".

She looks at bowl "wo.. Wo wala bowl to Amar ka hai.. Unhe strawberries pasand nahi na isiliye" She smiled and picked up the tray to take it out.

He mumbled "wahh... Waqt kitna hua hai isey Amar ko jante huye.. Uski pasand na pasand sab pata hai.. " He was feeling jealous.... But why?

She was going out but stopped abruptly and turns towards him "sir" He gave his attention "kal raat ke liye... Thank you" She said with geniune smile and went out without his reply.

He was still standing there as a small smile crept on his face.

@@@@@@@

They all were having desert and cracking jokes meanwhile, when Naina said that she has an announcement to make.

"Actually meine decide kiya hai, am moving out in my own house, next week" She said finally.

"Kya.. Magar beta itni jaldi.. Pehle thik se adjust to hoja itni jaldi.. Shalini tu to bol kuch" Maya said.

"Mein to samjha samjha ke thak gayi.. Ki mujhe koi problem nahi iske mere sath rehne se...Magar ye bahot ziddi hai" Shalini said making face.

"Shalini is right Naina, or agar tumhe shift hona hi hai to.. Kuch mahine ruk jao.. Jab tak tumhari savings achhe se ikkhati na ho jaye... " Mays suggested.

"Uski problem nahi hai, actually meine baccho ko tuitions dena start kia hai to... Money is not a problem anymore... Or mujhe khud ajeeb lagta hai kab tak app logo ko pareshan karungi.. Itna sab kiya hai ap sab ne mere liye".

Shalini was about to object when Amar said " I get it, Naina ka koi boyfriend hai and she dont want any kind of interruption haina... " Amar teased her.

Rajveer's ears perked up hearing the word Boyfriend, while naina laughed "Nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, I don't have a boyfriend.. " Rajveer relaxed hearing this, but why he was feeling choked if she has a boyfriend "It's just me ab self dependent hona chahti hun.. Bina Kisi ki help ke".

"Chalo acha hai.. Ab jab bhi mera man karega mein tumse milne aa sakta hun haina.. Bina kisi interruption ke". Amar said naughtily.

"Of course, you are welcome in my house anytime" She replied with a smile. It burned Rajveer.

"It's done then, har weekend ki shaam ab tumhare nam" He said playfully "kya pata kaunsi shaam khushkismat ho jaye or hum tum ek ho jaye.. " He flirted at which Naina giggled while everyone laughed at his usual flirting except Rajveer who was burning in jealousy without any reason.

"Kyu.. Ab desh ko teri zarurat nahi hai. Jo uski chaukidari karne pahonchega" Rajveer said in irritation.

"Bhai aisi beauty ke liye kabhi kabhi duty bhuli ja sakti hai... Bhagwan ne kya fursat se banaya hai... Kya ankh hai, kya gaal hai kya honth hai. Just perfect" His heart was burning but couldn't say anything.

"Stop it Amar" She was embarrassed hearing her praises.

"Abhi kaha.. And this dress, wow you are looking just gorgeous. Lovely, white is your color" She blushed and seeing this Rajveer's irritation knows no Boundation.

"Shalini ye dress tumhari hai na.. Jo last birthday par meine tumhe gift ki thi.. " Everyone looks at Rajveer and wondering what was the need to mention this "independent kehne or hone mein bahot fark hota hai.. " He made a taunting remark out of jealousy. "Am calling it a night" He went inside his room.

She was used to his taunts and insults by now but this was beyond limits, this hurted her self respect, why is he so rude with her, what mistake she has done to receive this kind of behavior from him. Her eyes filled with humiliation.

"What was that". Shalini gasped.

" Ye pagal ho gaya hai kya? " Amar was too shocked.

"Ye to hadhh hi ho gayi hai.. Aisa nahi chalega, Rajveer.. Raj" Maya was calling him but Naina stopped her.

"It's okay, mujhe adadt hai, aur waise bhi aj cafe mein work load bahot tha..upar se ye dinner must it must be hectic for him" She reasoned despite being hurt.

"Magar Naina" She protested.

"Maya.. Take a chill pill" Naina joked to lighten up the atmosphere.

"Wahh.. Kya wife material banogi tum, Itne khadus admi ko defend kar sakti ho to pati ko kitna karogi... Yaar mera koi chance hai kya" Amar said to make her feel light and got successful as she laughed along with everyone.

Shalini and Amar were chatting in living room, catching up the lost time while Naina was helping Maya to cleanup dinning hall.

"Thank you Naina, you are a great help" Maya thankes her.

"Thanks kaisa.. Apne hi to kaha tha na, ki I am like family.. Fir" She said with smile.

Maya smiled then said after a pause "Naina... Rajveer ne jo.. Kiya, uske liye.... Am ashamed... Me tumse mafi mangti hu" She said feeling bad.

"It's okay Maya, mujhe unke aise rude behavior ki ab adadt ho chuki hai.. Ya thoda bura laga but that's alright" She said with most geniune smile.

"Amar sahi hi kehta hai.. You'll make a great wife" She said patting her back "coffee piyogi.. " She nodded.

They sat down on table while having coffee.. "Mera Raj hamesha se itna rukha nahi tha.. Hamesha hasta hasata rehta tha, masti mazak..a big prankster he was" She was smiling thinking about her son when he was a kid while Naina was surprised that her Sadu Boss used to be a prankster. "Waqt ne usey aisa bana diya.. Bahot disturbance uski life me ayi.. Bahot se failures usne face kiye.. Lekin haar nahi mani... Waqt ki thokar kha kha kar wo itna kathor ban gaya" Maya was explaining her while she was listening keenly.

"Mine and my husband's divorce left a bad impact on him...Rajveer was just 9 when we decided to seperate. Shayad ek pita ki kami ne usey aisa bana diya.. Wo apne Papa se naraz rehta hai usey lagta hai ki hamari shaadi uske papa ke affair ki wajah se tuti.. " Naina looks at her in shock.. How can a women take her husband's affair casually.

"Aise mat dekho.. Itna shock to me bhi nahi hui thi unke affair ke bare me jaan kar" She laughs lightly "we were friends in college.. Parents ne shaadi kar di.. Do chaar saal tak thik tha sab magar uske baad hamare ladai jhagde badhte gaye.. Mahino tak hum ek dusre se bat bhi nahi karte the.. Wo apne business me gum rehte the aur me Rajveer mein.. But that doesn't makes him a bad father or husband unhone apni saari responsibility perfectly nibhai" She can see respect in her eyes for her ex husband.

"Magar.. Hamare bich pyaar nahi tha.. Shayad kabhi nahi tha. Wo dosti thi jo shaadi ki ganth ke agey kamor si pad gyi thi. Ek din hum dono ne decide kiya like two mature adults.. To avoid conflicts, Na wo meri life me dakhal de or na me unki iss se Rajveer par bhi bura asar nahi padega.... Fir kuch saalo bad unhone mujhse kaha ki, wo ek ladki se behad pyaar karte hai aur uss se shaadi karke apne rishte ko naam dena chahte hai... Mujhe un se pyaar nahi tha magar wo the to mere pati hi.. Aur kaunsi patni apne pati ke extra marital affair ko lightly le sakti hai. " Her eyes were having sadness.

"Meine unhe bahot kosa.. Bhala bura kaha, or wo chup chap khade sunte rahe, ek shabd apni safai me nahi kaha.. Kyunki wo jante the ki bhale hi hamare rishte me kuch baki nahi tha magar unhone shaadi jaise pavitra rishte ki mariyada ko thoda tha" She takes a deep breath "kuch mahino baad humne Annulment ke liye apply kar diya tha... Divorce hote hote Rajveer 11 saal ka ho gaya tha aur sab samajhne laga tha...wo apne papa se bahot naraz hua.. Wo to unki shakal bhi nahi dekhna chahta tha, usey laga ki hamari tuti shaadi ki wajah uske papa hai.. " She smiles sadly "magar uss bacche ko mein kya samjhati... Ki wo shaadi to saalo pehle hi tut chuki thi jiska bojh hum dho rahe the, aj nahi to kal, hume alag hona hi tha" She got up taking cup from her hand.

"Bas.. Yahi rukha pan aur narazgi uske mann me bas gayi.. Na apne papa se milna, na unse baat karna, unki na koi financial help lena.. Sab kuch uske pass hote huye bhi he struggled a lot, choti si umra me kaam karke apne aap apni padhai ka kharcha uthaya, scholarship par he completed his further studies aur ye cafe uske hard work se ban kar khada hua.. Bina kisi ki madat ke..I am a proud mother isiliye usey kuch nahi kehti.. Ek shaadi jab tut ti hai to baccho par sabse zyada asar hota hai, aur agar ek baccha apne parents ke toxic relationship ko dekhte huye badhta hai to wo uss se bhi zyada bura asar dalta hai..." She said sadly "mera beta kahi kho sa gaya hai, dill ka bura nahi hai wo waqt aur haalat ne usey aisa bana diya hai" She justified his actions. Maya herself doesn't know why she is telling her all these things but she felt the need to tell her.

"Maya.. Itna sab hone ke baad.. Kya apko.. Kabhi akela pan mehsus nahi hua?" She hesitates "I mean didn't felt the need of a man in your life.. Kabhi to khalipan mehsus hota hoga.. A devoid" She asked.

"Tumhe Rajveer ko dekh kar lagta hai ki uske hote huye mujhe akelaapan mehsus bhi hua hoga... " Maya sighed while Naina was amused "aye din dange fasad chalte rehte the iss ladke ke.. Kaha fursat thi mujhe".

"Aur ab? Ab to Rajveer is capable of handling himself, kya ab apko akela pan nahi khata" She asks curiously.

She takes a deep breath, thought for a while "samaye agey nikal chuka hai.. Wapas piche nahi jayega.. Ye soch kar kya fayeda... Iss umra me to Ram ka naam bhajjo wahi sahi hai mere liye" She joked.

"Maya.... " She saw her, trying to look deep inside her soul who is alone "aap chahe jitna modern ban ne ki koshish karo.. Jitna apne apko independent kaho... Duniya samaj ke dar se aapne apni zindagi jee hi nahi, aise akelepan me apne apni zindagi kaise guzari? " She questions her.

Maya remains silent then looks in her eyes "akeli to tum bhi ho aur kab tak rahogi..." Naina lowers her eyes at her question. "Tumne hume wo nahi bataya jo tum ho, bhale hi baki sab ne tumhari kahani ko sach man liya ho, magar me uss din ka intezar karungi jis din tum khud sabko apni kahani bataogi.. You must be having your own reasons to hide it... Maya ki nazre paar ki hai" She joked at last.

She was stunned at her....how easily she got her reasons and didn't demanded any answer or explanation. Maya ruffles her hairs "ab zyada mat soch... Aur agar kabhi apne papa se baat karo to unko mera Hello kehna" She left leaving her alone. In shock and dilemma. How did she comes to know about her? And top of that how does she know her father?

Later at night Rajveer was thinking about his behavior at Dinner, why he was feeling jealous of his best friend and that too because of that girl, whom he doesn't even know well. The flashes of her hurtful face flashes in front of his eyes when he insulted her tonight, without any valid reason, just because she was friendly with his friend. Why the hell he hurted her when she didn't do any harm to him. He closed his eyes in frustation when again her sad face flashed, he was not at peace after hurting her.. He was not getting any sleep as her face was haunting him. He will apologize to her first thing in morning only then he will feel calm. He concluded.

On the other hand Naina was thinking about her and Maya's conversation. ("akeli to tum bhi ho aur kab tak rahogi...? ") I don't think ki mein apni zindagi mein kisi ko jagah de paungi.. Pyaar mein itna bada dhoka khane ke bad.. Ab mujhme himmat nahi ki fir pyaar kar saku" She said to herself sadly.

(mera beta bhi kahi kho sa gaya hai, dill ka bura nahi hai wo waqt aur haalat ne usey aisa bana diya hai ) she then recalls when she talked about Rajveer (Shayad ek pita ki kami ne usey aisa bana diya.. Wo apne Papa se naraz rehta hai, Rajveer was 9 when we decided to seperate.) it must be hard on him to see his parents get seperate when a child needs both his parents at such tender age. No wonder it left a bad impact on him, life had been rough on him. (ye cafe uske hard work se ban kar khada hua.. Bina kisi ke madat ke) she felt respect for him at such small age he build up his own cafe house in short span of time, he indeed struggled a lot (Mera Raj hamesha se itna rukha nahi tha.. Hamesha hasta hasata rehta tha, masti mazak..a big prankster he was) she thinks about a carefree Rajveer, how he must have looked while laughing and enjoying his life to the fullest.

She recalls the night when they first met. How different that Rajveer was from the Rajveer, her Boss she knows. While thinking about all these things she fell asleep.

#########

Rajveer came early today and was pacing down in longe, gathering courage to apologize that's when she graced him with her presence, their eyes met.. He saw something different in her eyes which he could not read and it was definitely nothing negative.

"Naina.. " He takes her name while readying himself to apologize, she comes near him with slow steps "wo kal raat.. The way i behaved..... That was absolutely wrong... I shouldn't have sai... " He was left bewildered when she out of no where hugged him.

He felt his heart beating loudly, for few seconds he could not understand that what just happened when he realises and was about to hug her back she pulls apart and looks directly in his eyes "You are very strong.." She left for kitchen after saying this. He was left confused with her action but it warmed him somewhere.

Meanwhile after few minutes in kitchen, Naina was shocked and worried on her stunt which she just pulled outside. Why the hell she hugged him, what he must be thinking about her.. Like a girl with no shame. She cursed herself. But wait a minute did he just almost apologized to her for his last night's behavior when she did that absurd thing. Dammit Naina you are an certified idiot.

@@@@@@@@

Rajveer came out of his cabin when he saw Nikhil and Naina in cafe lounge.. She was laughing at something he said.. Not just laughing but there was a hint of blush on her face also. The green eyed Monster again came back to life. He marched toward them.

"Nikhil, how come you are here" He asked coming straight to point

"Kamal hai.. Ab dost se milne ke liye reason dhundna padega kya" He joked.

"You see I have a lot of work or mera staff bhi kuch khas khali nahi hai to will you please excuse her kyunki, I don't Pay my staff to entertain unwanted guests" Naina gasped at his bluntness while Nikhil was standing unaffected as he was casual to his rudeness.

"Hello... Sir. Unwanted nahi hun mein.. Apne khud mujhe bulaya hai.. Apke iss alishaan Cafe ka naya interior final karne... Bhul gaye" He reminds him.

He remembers now "haa to jakar Cabin me discuss karte hai na.. Yaha kya gappe lada raha hai.. Chal andar".

"As you say sir" He salutes him comically "see you later beautiful" He winks at her and went inside his cabin leaving a fuming Rajveer as he saw her smile.

"And you.." He says to Naina "kaam par dhyan do..aur Guests se flirt kam kiya karo... Samjhi". He left showing her his annoyance.

Her mouth was left open at his audacity " Flirt aur mein... Ye admi na pagal hai.. Pura pagal.. Sadu, bipolar kahi ka" She left cribbing about his behavior.

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