Anamika glances at Vineet, once they are in the confines of their room. After changing in a comfy nightwear, she climbs on the bed, into his arms. She kisses his cheek, and that brings him out of his reverie. She gazes at him, first question set on her lips.

"Kya soch rahe ho, Vineet?" She asks, her tone curious.

"Ana, humne itna bada faisla toh le liya, I mean Ishika bhi maan gai, lekin tumhe nahi lagta ki isse Ishu pe sawal uthenge. Aur Naman!! Wo bhi toh sawal utha sakta hai, wo toh tum dono ke sath hi kaam kar raha hai," Vineet says, his tone soft yet concerned.

"Vineet, tumhe achanak kya ho gaya hai? 3 mahine baad tum ye sawal kyun kar rahe ho?" She asks.

"Aur 2 mahine baad sawal khade honge na, Anu! Abhi kisi ko pata nahi hai lekin phir tumhare office mein bhi sabko pata chal jayega ki Ishika pregnant hain, tab hum kya karenge? Usne jo kia tumhare liye kiya hai, Anu! Uske liye ab tum uski badi behen ho, isliye! Lekin mujhe darr lagta hai, main nahi chahta hamari wajah se uske sath kuch galat ho," Vineet says, his tone laced with concern for the girl.

"Aww, tum sabke liye kitna sochte ho na, Vineet! Isliye mujhe tum par aur pyaar aata hain," She says and pecks his cheek.

"Ana, please samjho..." He says, but she cuts him.

"Sab samajhti hoon main, Vineet. Aur tum chinta mat karo, Ishu ke sath main kuch nahi hone dungi. Bas ek baar ye fashion show ho jaye, fir wo ghar pe hi rahegi, main usey boutique bhi nahi le jaungi. Aur vaise, ye Naman kyun beech mein aaya? Ishu toh karti hi hai uski baat, tum kyun kar rahe ho?" She asks, rolling her eyes at her hubby.

"Kyunki Ana, baat hi aisi hai, aur bhale hi dono ladte rehte hain, lekin maine Naman ki aankhon mein chinta bhi dekhi hai. Ishika ki baat aate hi uski aankhon mein ek chamak si aa jaati hain," Vineet says, as he trails down the memory lane.

Naman and Vineet have been working on a film project together and Naman is playing his younger brother in the film. They had to play a scene in which the younger brother felt betrayed by his elder brother, and in that scene Vineet felt that Naman wasn't actually acting, he played his part instinctively and Vineet was awestruck. As the shot ended, Vineet walked to him, only to find him wiping his tears.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Vineet asks.

"Nothing, wo kya hai na, emotional scenes get my emotions out," Naman smiles.

"Ah, I saw that. Aur mujhe toh laga ki tum apni hi baat keh rahe ho, it was instinctive not acting," Vineet smiles, appreciating his skills.

"Of course, actually, sach kahun, toh jis tarah ka ye scene hai, isme ek character ko bura laga hai, toh I believed it happened to me, and it happened. Vaise mere sath aisa hi hain, main pal bhar mein emotional ho jaata hoon, aur sawal uthaane bhi padta hai, hain na! Bas I do it instinctively," Naman smiles, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Aur life ne itne jhatke diye hai na ki aajkal har cheez pe sawal karne ki aadat si ho gai hai," Naman says it, his tone soft yet decisive of his actions.

Vineet comes out of the reverie, and finds Anamika staring at him. Yeah, she knows he's emotional but she didn't think that he'll use this trait and just a mere scene would leave him emotional, and that he will act accordingly. Vineet further tells her that when he brought Ishika's matter to light, he felt a lift in Naman's spirit, and he did say that the girl is a child, and that he enjoys bantering with her.

"Hmm, toh tum kehna chahte ho ki agar Naman ko ye pata chalega toh usey bura lagega? Right?" She asks.

"Haan, Anu, ho sakta hai na, kyuki isse hume hi fayda ho raha hai, Ishika ko koi fayda nahi ho raha hai," Vineet says, thinking of the girl.

"Vineet, tum bekaar mein itna soch rahe ho, aisa kuch nahi hoga. Bas ek mahine ki baat hai, uske baad Ishu ghar pe rahegi," Anamika assures him, as she leans into him, resting her head on his chest.

He hums in agreement and embraces her in his arms. They hope everything will fall into places, little did they know that the storm is around the corner.

*****
The new morning comes with a renewed sense of joy and responsibility. Ishika wakes up only to find herself in the confines of her room. She hops off the bed and walks into the washroom to freshenup. Fifteen minutes later, as she comes back into the room, she passes by the full mirror, something got into her and she stopped by it only to look at her reflection. She could feel her belly bloated a little, but then, a smile makes way on her lips.

Oh yes, she's well-aware that she'd need to sit at home after a couple of months. Instinctively, she places her hand on her belly, as if trying to connect with the unborn.

For her, it's something she's doing for her sister. She knows, she can't repay for what Anamika has done for her, after all, love can't be measured in any way. THis is the least she could do for her sister, to nurture a child and bring it into the world. Meanwhile, there's a knock on the door and she opens the door only to find Anamika beaming at her.

"Good morning, Di," She greets her and Anamika steps inside the room.

"Good morning! So, how are you? Nind aai na achche se? Ya Naman ke baare mein soch rahi thi?" Anamika rolls her eyes at her sister.

"Main uss bandar ke baare mein kyun sochungi, Di? Huh! Aapko hua kya hai? Hamesha usko beech mein le aati ho," Ishika makes a face.

"Arey, maine kya kia? Tu hi usko beech mein laati hai, jab wo nahi hota tu uski baatein karti hai, aur tere jiju bhi," The lady makes a face.

"Jiju ne kya kia? Unka toh vo achcha dost hai naa! Toh Jeeju toh uss bandar ki baat karenge hi," Ishika shrugs her shoulder.

"Phir se bandar? Uska itna pyara sa naam hai, vo lena chahiye na tujhe!" Anamika scolds her.

"Jitna pyara uska naam hai, wo utna pyaara nahi hai, Di. Aur main toh usko bandar hi bulaungi, huh! Aur haan, usski baat aap kar rahi ho, main nahi," Ishika says, folding her arms across her chest.

Anamika giggles, her sister is just being a kid, not ready to befriend anyone, especially, the guy with whom she always gets into banter. She shakes her head and asks Ishika to get ready. Meanwhile, Vineet peeps into the room, a small smile gracing his features.

"Aur haan, Ishu, apni reports ki file le jana, aaj tumhari doctor's appointment hai na," He reminds, and Ishika gazes at her.

"Ye lijiye, aap rakhiye!" Saying so, she thurst the file in his hand.

"Arey mujhe nahi jana hai, tumhe jana hai," He says.

"Haan I know, Jeeju. Lekin aapne kaha tha na ki aaj aapki shoot derr se hai toh aap humein boutique drop karte hue jayenge, hmm? Toh isliye aap na isey rakho, jab aap hume drop karenge na tab dena mujhe. Nahi toh main bhul jaaungi," She says it cutely that Vineet couldn't help but smile.

He agrees and soon, the three of them disperse, only to get ready for the day. It's Ishika's appointment today, and so, they have decided to wrap up the rehearsals by 4 pm. Ishika is quite excited, and soonish, after having breakfast, they head out. Vineet chooses to drive himself and after dropping his wife and her sister at the boutique he drives to the shoot location.

A long day lies ahead for them.

*****
As Anamika and Ishika enter the boutique, they first checked the designs as they got some more delivers. Ishika is in awe of the designs that she has made. Her eyes get teary again. Meanwhile, a deep, masculine voice falls in her ears.

"Ye tumhari haqeeqat hi hain, Ishika. Tumhe mehnat ki toh tumhara sapna sach ho gaya," It's Naman, who's complemented her genuinely.

"Tum meri tareef kar rahe ho, wow!" She says, getting into the playful mode.

"Haan, par mujhe ye bhi toh pata hai ki tum apne kaam ko hamesha dil se karti ho aur yahi khasiyat in design mein hai, tabhi toh inhe label miley hai aur isi label se introduce kiye jayenge," He says, his tone laced with admiration for her.

"Really? Are you sure?" She asks.

"Of course, Ishika! I am 100% sure, you know. Tumhe na sahi mujhe tumpe bharosa hai," he says, his tone laced with assurance and it brings a smile on her lips.

"That is so sweet, Naman. Thank you," She smiles, her smile radiating a warmth.

"I know I am sweet! And you're not so bad either. Vo baat alag hai ki tumhe sirf mujhse ladai karni hoti hai," He comments, a smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, you start it, okay! Tum toh shuru se ladte rehte ho," She makes a face.

"Lekin..." she continues, but pauses.

Naman glances at her questioningly. He knows that there's more that she wants to say. She never says her heart out, but he's happy with the banters they have.

"Lekin kya?" He asks.

"Lekin, tum sweet ho. Tum sahi time pe aakar wo keh jaate ho, jo main samajh nahi paati, And this time, I am saying it genuinely." She says, her tone soft.

"Par haan, iska matlab ye nahi hai, ki tum bach jaaoge, agar tumne kuch gardbad ki toh ladai bhi main hi karungi tumse,yaad rakhna," Ishika says, her tone laced with sincerity, yet eyes glinting with mischief.

"Fine, I agree! Yahan toh wahi hoga jo aap chahengi!" he bows in front of her causing her to giggle.

"Of course! Aur tumhe bhi maanni padegi! Agar tum meri baat maanoge, toh I can think of being friend with you," She proposes.

Naman can't help but smile, he could see her mischief laden eyes, she is extending her hand towards him, and he holds it, as they seal their deal. Little did they know, Anamika has been watching them, glad that they'd be friends soon.

However, it's a long way to go.

To Be Continued.