Here's the next part....

Naina came back home.....Vivek and Vishakha offered to drop her back....but she declined politely as she had her own car. The house was totally silent....after so many days, she was all alone. Even after coming back from the wedding, her parents were with her, but now she's all by herself....yet again....she let out an exhausted sigh and sat on the sofa resting her head on the back of the sofa, she just closed her eyes......

Her thoughts drifted to everything that happened in past one week....a week...that mean just seven days....she remembered, how she met Nani and Nanu and she lashed out on Sameer without knowing the reason of him being there....she laughed remembering that moment and how he said he was there to give her a tissue....her hand automatically went to her nose. How they became friends and how he was there every time she needed someone....And after everything, they ended up being engaged.....

She was indeed blessed to have such an understanding life partner, who not only cared for her but also built up an instant relationship with her family members. She was so determined to give him all the happiness in the world, everything that he deserved and craved for...all his life....

On the other hand, Sameer sat on his seat after the security check..... all others sat with their partners and Sameer sat alone, on the window seat.....he was anxious while coming to Delhi, and thought it to be because of something wrong was gonna happen...but now, he knew, he felt that way as he was about to find the best thing that was to happen in his life....If just a few weeks ago, someone would've said that he was going to get married, he would've laughed it off.....but now, even for him it was unbelievable , it just happened...The Sameer Maheshwari is engaged......he's finally found his soulmate.....a soul which is equally broken, but still he felt happy when she's around...but now he really felt sad and empty, thinking that she won't be around him like all the past few days...he sighed and rest his head and tried to close his eyes.....but even with closed eyes....he could just see one person, and that is Naina....

Naina spoke to her parents, when they reached home....but was eagerly waiting for Sameer's call...or maybe Nanu or Nani, just so that she knows that they've reached home safely....but it was almost 8 in the evening, still no call or message from anyone...she was getting anxious....and thought of calling him herself, but he did not answer the call.....even Preeti called her to let her know that she's leaving for Mauritius and will be back after fifteen days....Naina couldn't even eat properly...so she decided to wait for some more time....

It was after 10 at night...her phone rang. She ran towards her phone and saw the caller...It was Sameer

Samaina: Hello...

She heaved in relief....But she couldn't say anything, thinking that she might be angry on him he continued.....

Sameer: Naina I'm really sorry, actually Maine hi sbko kaha tha ki I'll call and inform you...lekin jaise hi room mei aaya, mere managers aur PA ka call aa gaya...and I had to take it, so that I'm prepared for tomorrow...isiliye call hi nii kr paya aur jb tumhara call aaya tb b I was discussing something with them....I'm extremely sorry....

Naina: Sameer...aap apna hi rule bhool gye....aur sorry mt boliye I understand bas thoda tensed thi ki aap sb theek se pahaunche yaa nii....aur koi baat nii h...I know work is important

Sameer: Actually Naina kabhi aadat nii thi...ki koi mera b intezaar krra hoga...Nanu Nani k alawa, aur vo b jaante hain ki bahot baar mai inform krna bhool jata hun, aur ab unhe b aadat ho gyi h...but still I'm sorry, ki Maine tumhe inform nii kia...I'll make sure agli baar se aisa naa ho....aur haan jitna compulsory tumhare liye mera phone uthana h, utna hi mandatory mere liye b h....

She smiled hearing him, but somewhere felt bad knowing that there was no one who would've waited for him and with time he had stopped expecting anything from anyone, and also everyone had accepted this as his habit, not realising the reason....

Naina: Haan obviously h...agar Maine aapka phone nii uthaya hota to aap poora Delhi sar p utha lete....aur Haan mai bahot strict hun in mamlo mei...agli baar aisi glti nii honi chahiye...smjhe Mr Maheshwari...

Sameer: hahahhaa smjh gaya madam....Tumne khana khaya?

Naina: Umm...vo...Haan kha lia...

Sameer: Jhooth mt bolo...Mai janta hun ki tumne achhe se nii khaya...I know jb tum tensed hoti ho, u hardly eat...chalo kuchh kha lo...

Naina: Haan I'll have something, aapne khaya?

Sameer: Abhi nii...just abhi call rakh k free hua hu aur sbse pehle tumhe call kia...ab kuchh khaunga, something light as its quite late now...

Naina: Haan but kuchh kha lijiyega.....aur kl office b jana h naa...

Sameer: Haan kl to bahot kaam h...I think sb khatam krne mei poora week lg jayega....and kl hi tumhara interview b line up krna h....

She just hummed in response, thinking that he will be too busy the whole coming week....even though she had a lot of work, but he has an entire empire to run, unlike her....

Sameer: but haan Maine jo bola vo yaad rakhna....I'll be calling u every day...as and when I get time and raat ko tumhaare sone se pehle b call krunga....

She smiled hearing this....

Naina: Haan okk ab aap so jaiye bahot raat ho gyi h...

Sameer: Haan tum b so jao..you've got an early day tomorrow...good night...I'll call u in the morning...

Naina: Jii...good night...

Both slept peacefully after having some light dinner, as promised to each other.....

The next day went by smoothly, both busy in their respective works, but still something was different. And that was, Sameer. The guy who never checked his phone in the office and never took up any calls, except from Nanu and Nani, had used his phone multiple times today....he called Naina every now and then to make sure that she's fine....as Preeti was also on leave, he made sure that she didn't feel lonely, especially during her free time....Mundit and Swamrita were shocked to see this new Sameer initially, but they were really happy for their friend.....

During lunch, they saw him talking on the phone and smiling, and unlike earlier times, his smile seemed more genuine....

Swati: Sameer kitna khush h naa...

Amrita: Haan yrr...finally he's started being happy for himself...

Pandit: Bachpan se iski yahi hnsi dekhne k liye taras gye the hum....chah kr b apne bhai ka dard kam nii kr paa re the....lekin ab bhabhi k aane k baad lgta h ki sb theek ho jayega....

Munna: Theek bol raa h bhai.....ab lgta h ye arranged marriage love marriage mei badalne waali h....

Pandit: Vo kaise?

Munna: Abe ponga...apne bhai ko pyaar ho raa h.....

All looked at him with astounded expressions, whereas Munna only grinned...but before they could ask or say anything.....Sameer ended his call and joined them back for lunch...

Sameer: Kya hua? Kya baatein ho rii hain...

Munna: kuchh nii bhai...aiwai tu to janta hi h ye ponga kaisa h...

Sameer just laughed knowing it must be something stupid, as it included Pandit....they all started talking about some business as well as general matters while having their lunch......

At night, Sameer called Naina..

Samaina: Hello...

Both smiled as they again greeted each other at the same time....

Sameer: Kya krri thi?

Naina: Bas kuchh nii...abhi office se aane k baad shaam ki pooja krke baithi hi thi....Aap aa gye ghr?

Sameer: Abhi nii...

Naina: Kyu? Sameer already 8.30 bj raa h..

Sameer: Haan pata h...bs thoda hi kaam bacha h...uske baad chala jaunga...

Naina knew that earlier work was his priority and now he's trying to give importance to her as well....but still, he's spending late hours at work, and she decided to make sure that he does not do this after their marriage.....even he needs proper rest, which he's been giving up for quite a while now....she was lost in thoughts, when Sameer called her again...

Sameer: Naina....Naina tum ho naa?

Naina: Haa...haan yahin hun.....

Sameer: Kya hua Naina? Kya soch rii ho?

Naina: Yahi ki aap meri koi baat nii maante...

Sameer: Konsi baat?

Naina: Yahi ki aap b proper rest lenge aur apna dhyaan rakhenge...

As she said this, Sameer switched the call to video call, so that he could see her....and as expected she was sitting with a cute angry pout....

Sameer: Hmm...to madam gussa h...lekin tumhe pata h naa kaam kitna important h...

Naina: Haan lekin health kharab ho gyi to? Kaise kaam krenge aap?

Sameer: Naina mujhe aadat h....don't worry....kuchh nii hoga...

Naina: Haan jaanti hu aapko aadat h...lekin fir b...Mai b to aapki har baat maanti hun aa....To aapko b maanni hogi....

Sameer: Achha baba theek h...abhi nikalta hu ghr k liye...lekin usse pehle ek important baat...tumhara interview next Saturday ko line up kia h...Saturday tumhaari holiday hogi and tumhe problem b nii hogi...

Naina: Haan ye baat to h...office mei ek darr rehta....ki agar ye job nii mili aur kahin kisi ko pata chal gaya to musibat ho jaati...

Sameer: Madam...koi problem nii hogi....kyunki if by any chance ye job nii b mili, to b aapko yahan Mumbai shift hona hi h...n u still have time....ye job nii to u can try for some other post....but I would like if u work here, with me....

Naina: Mujhe b achha lagega....but if mujhse nii hua to? Aapko b pata h naa...ki aapki company kitni badi h....even if u hire someone externally, they take the interview according to your company's reputation......

Sameer: I have full faith on you...tum kr logi...

She smiled seeing his trust on her....they both talked for some more time and he ended the call unwillingly, when Naina prodded him to go home.....after his dinner, he again talked with Naina for some more time, before calling it a night....

Days passed like this.....they both used to talk with each other everyday and that too multiple times....in early days, when he left for Mumbai, she never called him first, thinking that he might be busy or something.....but then, when he told her she can call him whenever she wants.....she started initiating the calls.....everything was going well....she even gave her first interview, and to her surprise, she even cleared it up....Sameer was really proud of her as he knew that she'll be able to do it....her next interview was scheduled for the last week of December, before New Years.

One night they both were talking after they got to know the results of her interview...

Sameer: Dekha Maine kaha tha naa...ki tum zaroor clear kr logi....

Naina: Haan lekin mujhe abhi b yakeen nii ho raa...aapko pata h Mai bahot nervous thi.....

Sameer: Jaanta hun...mei b meeting mei tha...

Naina: Kya? Aap? Kahan?

Sameer: Wahin side p...tum nii dekh paayi...coz Mai camera h saamne nii aaya...

Naina: Aur us interviewer ne poochha nii ki aap khud interview kyun nii le re?

Sameer: Nii uski Himmat hi nii hui...he was happy ki I hired him....lekin Maine kaha ki Mai thoda busy hu aur moreover I'll be there itself to listen to everything, lekin final decision uska hi hona chahiye......And he agreed...

Naina: Ohh...Sameer ek baat poochhu?

Sameer: Haan bolo naa Naina...

Naina: Aapko bura nii laga? Jb Maine aapse kaha ki Mai abhi kisi ko kuchh nii batana chahti...

Sameer: Nii bura nii laga...bas thoda confuse ho gaya tha....lekin when u told me your reason, I felt more proud on you....tumhaari jagah koi aur hota, to use Meri yaa Nanu ki image kharab hone se koi khaas fark nii pdta, shayad, aur ye extra media attention b enjoy krta...But tum waisi nii ho....

They both smiled looking at each other.....

This way the time passed....Preeti was back from her honeymoon and joined the office again....she'll be leaving the company after March, as she and Rohan are planning to move to Mumbai with others, but they haven't discussed about it at home....

Naina: Tune socha ki sbko kaise manayegi?

Preeti: Nii yrr Mai aur Rohan yahi soch re hain....but koi idea hi nii mil raa...mummy Jii aur Papa Jii maan b jayenge..par Dadi? Unhe yahi lagega ki Maine ye idea dia h Rohan ko....

Naina: Haan...jitna Maine unhe jana h, unke dimaag mei sbse pehle yahi aayega...

Preeti: Tu ye sb chhod...ye bata teri aur Sameer ki kahani kahan tk pahaunchi (teasingly)

Naina blushed a little at her way of teasing...but then put up a straight face again....

Naina: Aisa kuchh nii h...bas roz baat hoti h...Mai nii chahti ki ab unhe kabhi b lage ki vo akele hain...Mai jaanti hun sb hain unke saath...lekin unke mann mei ye baat baith gyi h ki vo kisi aur ko disturb nii krna chahte....Aur Mai unke dil se yahi baat nikalna chahti hun...

Preeti: Haan yrr vo kabhi apni problems share nii krta...but I'm glad you r there for him now...more precisely you both are there for each other...

Naina just smiled....they both talked with each other before heading back to their work...

Even Sameer's staff, who met him or saw him on daily basis, were quite confused seeing their boss in a whole new avatar.....they never saw him smiling or using his phone in the office, but now they found him smiling the whole day and also talking on the calls. They didn't know the reason, but rumours were on full swing....

It was almost mid of December...in all this while, Sameer and Naina have come closer, even though they both were not able to meet in person...as Sameer was really busy....but they made sure to talk with each other everyday...they shared more of their secrets, not just sad ones but also the funny ones....now they knew each other better...they even started showing their rights on each other....in certain ways....

Just like the other day, when Sameer was adamant enough to not go home, as he had some really important designs to finish and he didn't wanted to leave them pending for the next day....but Naina showed her Naina Devi avatar and he had to give up.....similarly, when Naina skipped her lunch, as Preeti was busy with a shoot and even Sameer was in a meeting and she didn't feel like eating alone...and when he got to know, he got her favourite food delivered at her place, and made her finish it being on the video call all through out.....

These small small gestures, they both did, were getting them closer....even they didn't realise it yet, but a day without speaking with each other....felt incomplete....they craved for each other's presence, even if it was virtual. Though they were miles apart....their hearts were still closer, and without realising they were coming closer making place in each other's heart as well as life....