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Sameer entered the mansion with Rehman discussing business-related things. At that moment Sameer's eyes fell on his sleeping wife. She had worn a white kurti with a simple dupatta. Her hair which was left open as usual made her look even more beautiful. She was Queen in the true sense, he thought to himself. He realized she had slept studying as he noticed books kept on the table. He walked towards her, tapped her face slightly. Rehman sat on the sofa checking something on the phone, not interfering with the couple.

"Naina," Sameer called her name trying to wake her up. She stirred in sleep mumbling something against her breath. Sameer sighed and picked her in his arms carefully. She snuggled into his warmth. Sameer took her to their room and made her lay on the bed and left not before covering her with a duvet.

"Sameer, we need to do something about this matter before things worsen," Rehman spoke as he showed Sameer something on his phone. Sameer nodded his head a bit in a way of understanding.

"I need a list of companies he has shares in," Sameer replied to him, Rehman hummed in response and took his laptop while Sameer pressed his temples subconsciously as he was disturbed by a few things.

"Shall I ask you something?" Rehman asked, breaking his trance. Sameer gestured to him to speak. "Why are you behind these people? Jaha tak mujhe pata hai, they are not your business rivals." Rehman asked.

"They are not just rivals," Sameer said, clenching his jaw, shutting his eyes as he thought about his past.

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Naina was still groggy in sleep. She sat straight and adjusted her dupatta properly. She looked around at the unknown place but then sighed remembering that they were in Paris. She stepped down the bed feeling unsteady. She washed her face and then went downstairs. Naina glanced at Sameer and Rehman who was speaking. Rehman smiled seeing her. Naina smiled in response but frowned seeing something, her husband was smoking again. Sameer did notice her expressions but shrugged off his thoughts. He took in a puff of smoke once again while Naina fisted her hand to control her anger. She picked up her books and kept them on the table then sat next to Sameer glaring at him.

"Queen, do you want to join us?" Rehman said, lightening a cigarette and forwarding it towards her. As there were lady dons too who used to smoke, so as courtesy Rehman asked Naina to join them. Naina gulped a lump of saliva in fear and held it with her shivering hands. She glanced at Sameer who was not looking at her, making her angry as she had warned him not to smoke. She drew a deep puff and started coughing badly. Her face turned red but coughs did not subside. She felt as if someone clenched her lungs, unable to breathe. Sameer got concerned seeing her state he fisted the burning cigarette which she was holding and hugged her rubbing her back so that she relaxed.

"I-I am sorry. I didn't know before that you are a non-smoker." Rehman spoke stuttering as he felt pity for her condition and also knew that he had to face Sameer's wrath. Sameer glared at him and picked her up and took her out in the garden. She felt better after some time and looked at Sameer who had the same cold face put up.

"Aise kya dekh rahe ho? Aapki galti hai kyu kiya smoke? I had warned you not to smoke again ever but you did not listen to me." Naina bashed him. She gasped in the very next moment as he pinned her body against the bench. She trembled to see his blue eyes which shooted daggers.

"You are nobody to warn me! Kon ho tum? Why should I listen to you? I will do what I want to, do you get that!" Sameer spoke rudely, tightening his grip on her shoulders.

"I am your wife," Naina spoke in a low quivering tone as tears coursed down her cheeks.

"For the world. I don't consider you as my wife. Aap is shaadi ko mana kar sakti thi! Why didn't you reject this proposal? Tumhari galti hai ab bhugto!" Sameer replied roughly.

"Even I don't need you, Mr. Maheshwari! Koi ehsaan nahi kiya hai apne mujse shaadi karke. Agar pata hota muje ki meri shaadi apse ho rahi hai toh aap jaise criminal se kabhi shaadi nahi karti mai." Naina spoke raging in anger, hurt by his shrewd words.

"I am a Mafia, The Mafia King and a leading businessman of the country. How dare you call me a criminal! Jitni aukat hai waise raho!" He spoke, digging his nails in her soft skin making her wince. Staring at her for a few seconds he left from there and went into the mansion huffing in anger leaving her broken. Naina bit her lips to stop her cries. She just wished for happiness, she wished someone to love her, care for her which she never received in her life. Naina palmed her face as she cried her heart out.

After a few minutes, Naina entered the room though she felt his intense gaze she did not look at him and directly went into the washroom. She placed her hands on the slab before the mirror and looked at herself. Her hairs were disheveled while her eyes had turned puffy, with a tinge of redness. She touched his nail's marks which had turned bluish-red and the hickey he had given her the day before had turned brownish. Was she married for bearing all this? Was happiness never meant for her? She felt helpless in this cruel world. She was his wife, she was forcefully married to him. If he says he can't move on in his life, was that her mistake? He said he has a bad past, was that her mistake? Even though she has a past, a very disturbing past, she never blames anyone! Naina slipped down to the floor, she was a lifeless soul, a human whom people used, took advantage of her innocence, and used her goodness. "We need to attend a meeting." A gruff voice ringed in her ears but Naina simply ignored him.

"Sunai de raha hai?" Sameer spoke in a louder tone even then Naina didn't budge and tied her hair into a messy bun as she was about to study, making Sameer go crazy in anger. He walked towards her and pushed her against the headrest, clutching her shoulders tight. Naina did not look at him and just kept a 
straight face.

"Mai kuch bol raha hu! Tumhe samaj nahi aata? How dare you ignore me?" He said huffing in anger. She tilted her gaze towards him with an emotionless face.

"Why should I answer you? Why should I even listen to you? Kon ho aap mere, my namesake husband? Aapne kaha na shadi kyu ki, tod deti rishte ko. Nahi kar payi aur yeh baat ke liye zindagi bhar pachtaogi. Yahi chahte na aap, ki mai iske liye saza bhugtu? Thik hai apki yeh icha bhi puri karungi mai. But, listen to me Mr. Maheshwari, you have no rights on me. You can never force me or touch me in this way! Do you get that!" She said, jerking his hands with pure hatred in her eyes, taking her books she went towards the study table which was placed in a corner of the room. Sameer kept staring at her blankly as her words rang in his mind. He sat on the bed taking out a cigarette box from the drawer, lit it with a flickering lighter, and started smoking. For the first time, he felt his mind go numb by someone's words. Her every word pierced his heart. Her tears made him feel guilty. His mind was too disturbed by events which just occurred and the only way to relax was smoking. Naina placed a palm on her nose, feeling suffocated by the smell but did not say anything as she wanted no relation or any talks between them. She wanted to cut all the attachments and wash away all the memories they had made in these four days of marriage.

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Naina draped herself in a red saree. She did not wish to accompany him but Nanu asked her to join him. Nanu had called Sameer at around 3 pm to discuss some important topic, Sameer who never hid anything from him told him about their fight. After that Nanu spoke with Naina for some time, not relating to their fight as it was their matter, and urged her to go along with Sameer. She respected Nanu, so she finally agreed. Dressing in the only saree she had she walked downstairs. She sighed as she found him sitting in the car. A guard opened the door for her at which she mouthed a thank you and got in the car carefully. Silence prevailed, which was not an awkward one as they were getting used to each other's presence. As they reached their destination, Naina walked down the car and waited for Sameer to walk before her. She was new to this place and after all, they had to pretend to be a 'couple' in town. She gasped when she felt his strong arm wrapping against her petty waist. She pushed him away and walked, maintaining a distance. "Do not create a scene Naina," Sameer said as he wrapped around her waist and this time she didn't resist. They walked into the cafe where the man dressed in a grey suit was waiting for Sameer.

"Good morning Sir." He greeted and kept staring at Naina who looked like an angel, he forwarded his hand for a handshake. Feeling uncomfortable by his gaze already, she joined her hands in a way of namaste to avoid the handshake. The man felt insulted in public but did not voice his thoughts and quietly sat on his seat as he received a deadly glare from Sameer. Sameer gestured to Naina to sit and sat next to her. He ordered coffee for her as they began their meeting. Naina silently sipped her coffee listening to their talks.

After the meeting, Sameer pulled Naina by her waist showing his possession to him. The man shivered as Sameer warned him something through gestures. As soon as they reached out of the cafe, Naina shifted away from him and wrapped her pallu around her waist. She sat in the car not waiting for him. "Drive to a restaurant," Sameer ordered the driver as he got in the car.

"Mujhe nahi khana kuch, I want to go back to the mansion," Naina spoke in a dull voice as she was not feeling well. Sameer glanced at her but did not reply. She rested her head on the window, while the cool breeze made her feel a bit better.

"Come," Sameer said sternly while she frowned. He does what he wants to, Naina thought to herself. She got down the car, stumbled a bit but controlled herself. She had a headache since morning and at this moment she felt dizzy. Sameer was unaware of this as he was standing facing the restaurant. She walked towards him and held his hand else she knew she would surely fall. Sameer looked at her for some seconds then got into the restaurant, which was booked just for them by Sameer. He ordered food while Naina sat on the chair resting her head on the table.

"Are you okay?" Sameer spoke with concern as he sat in front of her. She just bobbed her head in the way of yes with her eyes closed. Listening to the maid's voice she sat straight and passed a weak smile as she saw the maid smiling at her. She served them food and left. Naina looked at her plate in horror and then at Sameer who was eating casually. She was a vegetarian, adding to her misery the smell of the non-vegetarian food made her feel uneasy. She rushed to the washroom palming her mouth. Sameer went behind her as he knew something was wrong. Seeing her puking, he got concerned. He held her long hair in his fist and rubbed her back to make her feel relaxed.

"Done?" He asked her at which she bobbed her head in the way of yes. Sameer took some water in his palm and wiped her face and mouth gently. Naina leaned against him, having no strength left. Sameer wiped her face with his handkerchief as he held her by her shoulder.

"Are you okay now?" He asked her.

"My head is aching and I-I am feeling dizzy."She said, stammering as blackness engulfed her. Before she could fall Sameer held her.

"N-Naina!" Sameer shrieked in horror, patting her cheeks but received no response.

"Call a doctor, dammit! Quick!" Sameer screamed at his men. Picking her in his embrace, in bridal style. He took her to their car from where they left for their mansion. Sameer was feeling restless. He stroked her hair softly and called her name many times with only hope that she would open her eyes. He hugged her tightly with an unknown fear of losing her. Though he said that her presence did not affect him, it did! The only reason why he wanted to avoid this relationship was that he did not want to drown in this relationship much. He knew he could not bear if any precious person from his life was taken away. He loved his mom, she left him. He loved his father, even he left him. The only man left was his Nanu. He could feel a connection with Naina but did not want to accept it. He feared losing her. Trying to shrug off his thoughts he nuzzled into her crook of the neck, holding her as much close to himself.

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"Are you feeling better now?" A lady doctor asked Naina at which she just nodded her head in the way of yes and tried to sit straight. The doctor helped her while her eyes searched for him, her husband. Sameer was standing next to the cupboard noting her every action. She looked away quickly and lowered her gaze as her eyes met his piercing blue orbs.

"Eat well, don't starve yourself. When's your date this month?" The doctor asked her to look at her in horror. She felt awkward as well as embarrassed to answer such a question in presence of her husband, that's how she was raised. Not to talk about menstruation in public and talking about such things in presence of a man was taboo.

"After two days," Naina replied as a whisper.

"Okay, take care of yourself. Such things do happen before periods begin." The doctor said with a smile. She gave a receipt of medicines to Sameer and left. Sameer called his men in the room and handed him the receipt of the medicines.

"Bring these now and also order purely vegetarian food." He spoke in a stern voice and gestured the man to leave. Naina did not dare to look at him still embarrassed and feeling awkward with the menstruation talk.

"It's normal. You need not be thinking so much about it. Change into some comfortable clothes." Sameer spoke in his rough voice as he lay on the bed. Naina looked at him for a few moments then averted her eyes. She glanced at Sameer as she wanted to talk to him but seeing him laying with his eyes closed she did not speak anything and went to change.

"Suniye." She called him softly. He just opened his eyes and looked at her who was laying next to him.

"V-oh how do you know about periods? It's a girls thing." She asked as her voice hushed while she spoke the word 'period'.

"Every boy knows and must know about this. Menstruation is a normal thing." Sameer spoke.

"But maa used to hide it from papa. She even warned me never to speak about this in front of any boy. I remember how badly I was hit when I got my first period and had stained the bedsheet unknowingly." Naina spoke as her voice quivered and tears rolled down her cheeks remembering those moments.

"They hit you?" Sameer asked surprised as on the day of marriage he had noticed her parents caring and crying for her. Naina just nodded her head in the way of yes and pulled the duvet more towards herself, wiping off her tears with her palm. Sameer wrapped his arms around her, she rested her head on his chest fisting his shirt. "I-I am sorry. I should have not talked to you in that way. I shouldn't have behaved in that way. I was too rude then. That doesn't mean that what I told you yesterday isn't true. We are tied in this husband-wife relation just for namesake. I am just sorry for manhandling you in the morning. I will try to stop smoking but that would take time, I cannot change my habit in a day at least. Hope you understand." He spoke with a serious expression on his face, constantly stroking her hair. He noticed how her grip on his shirt loosened and she moved back and nodded a bit. She was used to listening to rude things and this was nothing in comparison to what she had borne in her past.

Both of them did not speak anything and just kept staring at the ceiling lost in their thoughts.

"Sir." His guard called him. Sameer went towards the door, taking the medicines and packets of food from him. He gestured to Naina to come so that they could have their dinner. Naina sat at the table before him as he served food for both of them. Naina glanced at Sameer as she wanted to talk to him but was scared of his reaction.

"Speak." He said, making her stiffen at her position.

"Gussa nahi karoge na aap?" She asked, stammering. Sameer looked at her and gestured to her to speak.

"Can I cook for us always, please? Mujhe acha lagta hai. After our studies, I will cook for us. I promise I will be careful." She said, Sameer looked at her for a few seconds and then hummed in response.

"Matlab I can cook?" Naina asked him as she did not understand what his answer was. Sameer finished eating and then went into the washroom to wash his hands without answering her, making her frown.

" Ha hi hoga," Naina mumbled against her breath.

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The next day, Naina woke up early. She tried to get up but wasn't able to. She tried pushing off weight from her body but stalled as she felt warm breath fanning against her neck. She tilted her head upwards to see her devilishly handsome husband whose head was snuggled into her crook of the neck while his strong arms were wrapped around her waist. She touched his tattoos with her shivering hands, examining them for a while she realized that it was a devil inked in his chest. "Mr. Maheshwari." She called his name like a whisper unable to bear the closeness. Sameer pulled her more towards himself, making her gasp sharply.

"Sleep some more." He whispered against her ears in a husky voice, sending jitters down her body. She clutched his shoulder and rested her head on his chest listening to his soothing yet calm heartbeats unlike hers at the moment.

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Naina was cooking lunch for Sameer and her in the kitchen making sure that her dupatta was tied around her waist. Suddenly, somebody pulled her, making her gasp sharply. Her petty body hit a strong one. She opened her eyes slowly clutching the blazer in her fist. Sameer introduced her to an old lady. Seeing an unknown person, Naina moved away from Sameer.

"Yeh hai teri biwi?" The lady spoke giving looks to Naina.

"She's my wife. Naina naam hai inka." Sameer said, placing his arm on her shoulder.

"Aisa kya dekh liye ismai ki shaadi ki tune? Kaise kapde pehne hai isne itni badi kandan ki bahu aise fike kapde mai!" The lady spoke, making Naina lower her head down ashamed of herself.

"Kapdo se kya farak padta hai. She has a golden heart, achi insaan hai voh aap jaise nahi dadi ji." Sameer spoke in defense of Naina, trying to control his anger.

"Vaise arrange marriage thi ya love?" Dadi asked, shifting her hair strand behind her ear, staring at Naina.

"Love marriage hui hai, we have been in a relationship for the last three years. Ab bas bhi karogi apka puchtach." Sameer spoke while Naina looked at him gawking. Is he insane? she thought. Dadi left from the kitchen while Sameer took off his grip from Naina.

"A-Apne jhoot kyu bola?" Naina asked, still in a daze.

"I have told you before. Jo bhi baate humare beech hui hai, it's our matter. Duniya ke samne we are husband- wife. I don't want the world to know about the status of our relationship. Aap inse dur rahiye ga. Just ignore her." Sameer said in his cold voice at which Naina just shook her head in the way of understanding.

"Mr. Maheshwari," Naina called him, holding his arm making him look at her.

"Muje Nanu se baat karni hai, mai kar sakti hu na unse baat? Aap mujhe apka phone denge bas panch minute hi baat karungi. Pakka promise." She asked for his permission. Sameer nodded his head in the way of yes and left from there. She quickly completed her kitchen work and went upstairs. He was changing into a shirt, seeing her come he gestured to her the place where he had kept his phone.

"Ji password?" She asked him.

"120908" He replied with a stern voice.

"Is this number related to something? Your birthday?" She asked him in curiosity.

"Aapko phone karna hai na? Just do that, don't ask questions." He said sternly, making her frown.

"Khadoos patidev." She murmured against her breath and ran away to the balcony as he gave her a serious look. Sameer ruffled his hair with a slight smile on his face seeing his crazy wife.

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"Sab thik hai na beta?" Nanu asked her as by her tone he could sense that she wanted to ask him something.

"V-Voh Nanu dadi ji aayi hai yahan. Woh mujhe todi teek nahi lage. Mera matlab hai ki voh todi achi nahi hai. Mr Maheshwari ne bhi kaha hai ki unse baat na karu lekin mehman hai voh aise kaise ignore kare unhe? The bura lagega na. I can't tell this to him else he will start yelling. Nanu main kya karu?" She asked him. Sameer was just staring at her through the glass but was unable to hear what she was saying.

"Unse dur rehna beta. I will tell Sameer to work from home itself. Aap bas ha ya na mai jawab dekhar nikal jana. Try avoiding her." Nanu spoke, to which she hummed in response. After some more talks, she ended the call.

"Mr. Maheshwari, thank you." She mumbled with a sweet smile on her face. Sameer just bobbed his head a bit and continued to work on his laptop. Naina shrugged his reaction and went towards the other side of the bed taking baby steps.

"Did you take medicines?" Sameer asked her as she was sitting on the bed. Naina nodded her head in the way of yes and quickly in the way of no.

"I am fine, mujhe nahi khani voh kadvi medicine." She said making a bad face.

"Bachi ho kya aap?"

"Aapse umar mai choti hi hu." Sameer shook his head in disbelief, taking her medicines from the drawer he handed them to her. She was too stubborn to eat it. Sameer sighed and walked towards her side of the bed. She shifted back in fear, he took the medicines from her hand and leaned towards her. Naina shivered by the proximity, clutching the bed sheet tight in her fist. He leaned towards her, placing his arms on either side of her, tilting his face, eyeing her lips. They were too close to each other just a few millimeters away from pressing their lips against each other. Her lips parted instinctively, taking this as an opportunity he quickly pushed the medicine in her mouth and made her drink water. Realizing what had happened she threw a pillow on his face.

"This is cheating!" She screamed, puffing her face in anger.

"What did you expect then?" He asked with his signature smirk plastered on his face.

"I-You cheated!" She spoke stammering but in an angry tone punching his stomach. She realized what she had done and was all set to run away but Sameer held her hand and pulled her towards himself. He did not speak anything but just stared at her glowing face. Naina shivered to see his cold look plastered on his face.

"Sorry, is it painful?" She asked, touching his stomach. Sameer just kept looking at her tugging her hair strands behind her ear. She shivered by her slightest touch, a tinge of redness crept on her face.

"Khana bana hai ki nahi ya bhukhe marva dogi aise hi? Rasleela chal rahi hai inki yaha." Dadi spoke as she came into their room.

"Nahi bana hai khana, you can choose the second option. Mar jao! Kisi ko farak bhi nahi padega. Dharti par se bhoj kam ho jayega." Sameer replied to her. Naina held his hand and nodded her head in the way of no.

"Mai abhi lati hu apke liye khana." Naina said, trying to end the fight. She was about to leave but Sameer pulled her by her hand towards himself.

"Naukrani nahi hai aap is ghar ki. I just permitted you to make food. Khud ke haath per hai na jakar parosiye apne liye. I need to spend time with my wife. Agli baar se humare kamre mai bina knock kiye mat ghusna." Sameer snapped at Dadi making her feel insulted.

"Badi hai na woh, aise baat kyu ki?" Naina tried to explain to him while he glared at her to shut her mouth.

"Do as I say Naina. She is not as good as she seems." Sameer spoke, moving away from her.

"Why should I stay away from her? Aap dadi ji bulate ho na unhe phir aise kyu behave kar rahe ho? Has she done something really bad that you are behaving like this?" Naina asked him.

"Leave it Naina! Apse baat karna hi bekar hai. Ek baar kaha na dur rahiye unse samaj nahi aata apko? Even Nanu told you the same thing. Tumhe jo karna hai voh karo!" Sameer said, jerking off her hand.

"Tell me a reason for avoiding her. Even Nanu told me to stay away but why? Aisa kya kiya hai unhone that you are not telling me the reason. Mehmaan ko aise kaise ignore karu, unhe bura lagega toh?" Naina asked him, confused. Sameer just stared at her for a few moments and left from there not replying to her.

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