Hello everyone...

I am back with the next chapter...

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AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

CHAPTER 2

"Naina..." Sameer could not believe that he was seeing the love of his life almost after ten long years. Was he hallucinating? Leaning a little towards his brother, he whispered, "Rohan... mujhe pinch kar zara."

Rohan was confused on hearing his brother's request, yet he obliged. Sameer shrieked and mumbled, "Itni zor se kyun pinch kiya?" His brother just shrugged in response and continued watching his friend, Samrat, who was introducing the talented writer on stage.

Rohan whispered, "Bhai... yeh Netra dikhne mein bohot acchi hai naa? I mean... she looks..." Sameer cut him midsentence, fully understanding what he was about to say next, "Wohh... Naina... Naina Agarwal hai... jisse... jisse main ab bhi bohot pyaar karta hun. Toh bolne se pehle thoda soch samajh ke bolna." Sameer almost threatened his brother.

Rohan could not believe his ears and tried to reconfirm, "Sach mein yeh aapki waali Naina hai. I mean Naina Bhabhi hai yeh? Par Samrat ne toh kahaa tha ki yeh Netra hai. Whatever it is, she... she looks so breathtakingly beautiful."

Even if Sameer had heard his brother call Naina as his sister-in-law, he did not react and continued staring at the most beautiful person of his world. After the wait of ten long years, finally the day had arrived when he was seeing his Naina. His world depended on her existence. Naina... his lover, his everything, who had never left his heart even for a second.

Now Sameer understood why he had felt the sudden shift in air when he had stepped in this place. He had sensed her even before seeing her on stage. This was their connection of love, connection of their souls.

But Sameer was not sure whether Naina had sensed his presence or not. It was over five minutes, but she had not looked in his direction even once. This pricked him a little. Had she forgotten all about him? Had she really moved on in her life that she could not feel his presence anymore? Had their connection broken with the gap of these ten long years? Many questions swirled in his mind. But he would have to wait till he could meet her face to face. Taking a deep breath, he continued staring at his girl unabashedly.

Rohan had noticed the change in his brother's demeanour and continued watching his sister-in-law who had now taken over the mike and had started speaking.

"Good evening, everyone... Aap sab apna time nikaal kar yahaan meri nayi book ki launch mein aaye, isliye aap sabka bohot bohot dhanyavaad. Aap mein se bohot log mujhe jaante honge, par fir bhi main apna introduction dena chahungi. Main Netra hun. Chaar saal pehle maine mera writing career shuru kiya. Tab se lekar ab tak maine teen books publish ki hai. Jab maine yeh likhne ka safar shuru kiya tha, tab mujhe bilkul bhi andaaza nahi tha ki mujhe itne kamm time mein aap sab ka itna saara pyaar milega. Aap sabhi ko mera bohot bada thank you. Aap sab ki wajah se hi main aaj yahaan hun aur meri chauthi book launch karne jaa rahi hun."

Samrat handed Naina a copy of her new book and she continued, "Peechli teeno books se yeh book mere liye bohot khaas hai. Ab aap sab soch rahe honge ki main aisa kyun keh rahi hun?" Looking at the book once, she smiled, "Kyunki yeh book mere dil ke bohot paas hai. Pehli baar maine wohh kahaani iss book mein utaari hai, jo maine ab tak sirf mere dil mein chupaa ke rakhi thi. Yeh bilkul bhi meri peechli teen books ki tarah nahi hai. Yeh ek love story hai aur main jaanti hun ki aap sabko yeh kahaani bhi bohot acchi lagegi."

At the nod of Samrat, Naina pulled the curtain revealing the book cover named, 'Yeh Unn Dinon Ki Baat Hai', which was her very own love story that she had penned down four years ago, but had no heart to publish it. But something had motivated her this time and she had gone for it.

Sameer's heart skipped few beats as he saw the book cover. A girl and a boy wearing school uniforms were sitting on the bench. The boy was writing something in his book while the girl was staring at him with a lovely smile. It seemed to him that the boy was him and the girl was Naina. Had she written her own love story, thought Sameer curiously.

Naina read the prologue of her book while everyone present in the hall heard it attentively. Once she was done reading, Samrat took over, "Ab aap mein se kisiko koi bhi sawaal ho toh aap Netra se pooch sakte hai."

One by one Naina replied to all the questions posed by the audience calmly while Sameer kept watching her. It felt like he was finally alive now. Rohan glanced once at his brother and raised his hand to ask something. He only wanted his sister-in-law to notice his brother once who seemed like he was going to die any moment if Naina did not look his way.

As soon as the spotlight came on Rohan, Sameer held his breath. Naina had finally looked in his direction and all the air whooshed out of his lungs once again.

Naina did not glance at Sameer at all and asked Rohan, "Poochiye... aap kya poochna chaahte hai." Rohan appeared confident and asked, "Miss Netra. Maine aapki peechli teen books padhi nahi hai, par abhi aapne jab aapki kahaani ke baare mein bataaya aur jitna kuch bhi padha, mujhe sunnkar accha laga. Main aapki books zaroor padhunga. Main bas yahi jaanna chaahta hun ki kya yeh kahaani aapki khudki love story hai?"

Naina had never expected this question. Sameer saw something shift in her gaze as she replied, "Iska jawaab aapko meri book padhne ke baad hi milega. And I am sure aapko meri book bohot acchi lagegi. Main wait karungi aapke reviews padhne ke liye."

Sameer realized that she had indirectly asked him to read it, so that he would exactly know whose story she had written in her book. But still his heart pained as Naina did not even glance at him once while replying to Rohan. Had she really forgotten him? Or was she just acting and avoiding him intentionally?

Soon the questions ended and Samrat took over, "Thank you all. Ek aakhri announcement karna chaahta hun ab. Jisse bhi abhi Netra ki book kharidni ho, wohh hall ke bahaar jo stalls lage hai, wahaan se kharid sakte hai. Aur inn books mein aaj yeh khaas hai ki Netra ne har book mein apna autograph diya hai. Toh khatam hone se pehle, aap book kharid lijiye. Thank you once again for coming here."

People left the hall and went to purchase the autographed books. Samrat turned to Naina, "Netra... main tumhe mere doston se milaana chahta hun. Aao mere saath." Naina had already guessed whom Samrat was referring to and she followed him with a smile.

Sameer and Rohan waited as they knew that their new friend would surely introduce them to the writer. As all the four came face to face, Samrat started the introduction, "Netra... inn se milo. Yeh hai Rohan Somani aur yeh uske bhai Sameer Maheshwari. Kuch der pehle main inke baare mein hi tumhe bataa raha tha. Maine expect nahi kiya tha ki yeh dono aayenge. Inke busy schedule mein se time nikaalkar yeh dono yahaan aaye, yeh dekhkar main sach mein bohot khush hun."

Pulling Naina by his side and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, Samrat continued, "Aur yeh hai hamari sabse young, popular aur talented writer, Netra..."

The moment Sameer saw Samrat touching Naina, he fisted his hands in anger and controlled the urge to punch him. Rohan was aware of his brother's fury, so he instantly tried to control the situation, "Hey hi... Nai... Netra. It is nice meeting you."

Rohan had deliberately forwarded his hand for handshake, so that Samrat would leave Naina's shoulder. But she had some different plans. Naina smiled at Rohan and took his hand in hers for a handshake but without coming out of Samrat's hold which infuriated Sameer some more.

As soon as Rohan left her hand, he turned to watch his brother who too came forward to greet her. Naina turned in his direction and met his furious gaze, but she did not forward her hand first. But Sameer was not going to miss this chance. So, he greeted her, "Hi... Naina..."

Sameer took her real name which stunned Samrat and even Rohan as he had not expected his brother to call her that. Samrat's eyebrows twitched and he loosened his hold on Naina and moved ahead, "Tumhe Netra ka asli naam kaise pataa? I mean maine toh kuch bataaya hi nahi tha tumhe Sameer."

Samrat looked between the two and continued, "Ek minute... kya tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho? I mean pehle kahin mile ho kya?"

Naina didn't reply but Sameer did, "Haan... Hum ek dusre ko jaante hai, bohot saalon se." "Really? Kaise jaante ho Netra ko? Kahaan mile the tum dono?", Samrat was curious to know.

Naina continued watching Sameer but didn't feel the need to reply yet again while he responded, "Hum saath mein school mein padhte the. 'Pragati Vidya Ka Mandir', yahin saath padhe hai hum, isliye main Naina ko jaanta hun."

All the while, Sameer and Naina did not break their eye lock. "Woww... Mujhe yeh sab nahi pataa tha." Turning to Rohan, Samrat continued, "Yaar Rohan... tune bhi kuch nahi bataaya. Tu bhi Netra ko jaanta hai?"

Rohan shook his head in denial, "Nahi... mujhe bhi abhi hi pataa chala hai. Main bas itna jaanta tha ki Bhai kuch saal yahin Ahmedabad ke school mein padhe the."

Samrat asked, "Netra... itni chup kyun ho? Kuch toh bolo... itne saal baad apne school ke friend se milkar tumhe kaisa lagaa? Bataaogi nahi?"

Naina smiled, "Sach kahun Samrat toh mujhe yaad nahi aa raha ki main Sameer Maheshwari se kabhi school mein mili bhi thi." Turning to Sameer again, she continued, "I am sorry... Par mujhe nahi yaad aa raha ki hum pehle kabhi mile bhi hai yaa nahi. Main aapko nahi jaanti Mr Maheshwari."

That reply stabbed his heart. Never in his dreams, Sameer had imagined that a day would come when Naina wouldn't remember him. He controlled the tears that were pricking his eyes. Composing himself, Sameer smiled, "That's fine Naina. Tum school mein topper thi aur main ek back bencher. Toh tumhe main yaad na rahun yeh ho sakta hai. It's quite possible that you never knew me."

Rohan understood that his brother was hurt and was on the verge to vent it out, so he interrupted, "Bhai... hume ab chalna chahiye. Bohot late ho gaya hai. Kaam ke silsile mein Rameshji ghar aane waale hai." Turning towards Samrat and Naina, he continued, "It's time to leave now. And congratulations Netra for your book. I hope hamari yeh mulakaat aakhri naa ho. Hope to see you soon."

Sameer didn't reply while his brother got hold of his hand and pulled him towards the exit. Rohan knew if his brother stayed a bit longer, then his emotions would have been all over the place which Rohan couldn't afford.

Rohan had seen the condition of his elder brother since last ten years and he didn't want to open those wounds right now, that too in front of Samrat and Naina. He himself had few questions but that would've to wait till they reached home.

Samrat was confused with the sudden exit of his new friends. Turning to Naina, he asked, "Netra... kya tum sach mein Sameer Maheshwari ko nahi jaanti?" After a silence of few moments, she spoke in a choked voice, "Mujhe ghar jaana hai. Kya tum mujhe ghar chod doge Samrat?" He just hummed in response and they left towards her home.

The ride to the Maheshwari Mansion was silent. Sameer still couldn't process that Naina had clearly denied knowing him. How was that possible? They were in love. How could she forget him that easily? Here he was who was not able to get her out of his mind and heart.

As soon as the brothers reached home, Ramdhari walked out of the kitchen happily, "Accha hua aap dono aa gaye. Main garmagaram khaana lagaa deta hun. Aap dono ko bhook lagi hogi naa?" The moment he turned towards the kitchen again, he heard a loud noise of something crashing on the floor.

Rohan was sure that his elder brother would react like this, so he wasn't affected with the noise whereas Ramdhari was scared watching the rage on his Sameer bhaiya's face. "Bhaiya... aap... aap thik toh hai?", Ramdhari asked in a low voice.

Before Sameer could reply, Rohan responded, "Ramdhari... tum khaana khaakar apne room mein chale jaao. Abhi hum thoda thak gaye hai, toh thodi der baad khaana khaa lenge." Ramdhari instantly understood that something had gone wrong today, so his Sameer bhaiya was furious. Nodding in reply, Ramdhari left to the kitchen quietly.

Once the brothers were alone, Rohan asked, "Bhai... hum ab akele hai. Aap jitna chaahe utna gussa nikaal sakte ho. Main hun yahaan aapke liye." Sameer calmed down a bit hearing his brother who had always stood by his side especially in his bad times.

Taking few deep breaths, Sameer sat down on the couch with a thud. "Rohan... tune dekha... dekha kaise Naina ne mujhe pehchaanne se manaa kar diya? Hum ek dusre se itna pyaar karte the, aise kaise wohh mujhe itni aasaani se bhool gayi? Ek main hun jo inn dus saalon mein usse kabhi apne dil se nahi nikaal paaya, nahi bhool paaya mere pyaar ko, meri Naina ko aur aaj... aaj usne mujhe pehchaanne se inkaar kar diya? Kya yeh tha uska pyaar jo dus saalon mein mujhe bhool gayi? Kya... kya sach mein wohh mujhe bhool gayi hogi Rohan? Yaa... yaa Naina sirf mujhe avoid karne ka naatak kar rahi hai?"

Rohan calmly heard his brother's complaints and replied sensibly, "Aap apne dil se poocho Bhai, ki kya sach mein Naina Bhabhi aapko bhool gayi hai yaa sab naatak kar rahi hai. Iska jawaab sirf aap de sakte ho, aap jaante ho naa aapki Naina ko, toh bataao kya sach ho sakta hai?"

As Sameer remained silent, Rohan continued, "Bhai... aap Naina ko bina bataaye Delhi se chale gaye the. Aap Delhi mein the tab se hi usse baat karna kamm kar diya tha. Daadi ne jo bhi aapse kahaa, sirf ussi wajah se aap Naina Bhabhi se, Munna-Pandit se, durr ho gaye. Bhale hi aapke doston ne abhi aapko maaf kar diya ho, par kya Naina Bhabhi aapko maaf kar sakti hai? Aap yeh sawaal khud se kijiye Bhai, aapko jawaab mil jaayega. Bhabhi ne aapke saath jaisa behave kiya wohh acceptable hai Bhai, kyunki aapne unhe akela chod diya tha jab unhe aapki sab se jyaada zarurat thi. Aapne unhe bohot hurt kiya hai Bhai. Unki jagah main bhi hota toh shaayad yahi karta. Ab aapko sochna hai Bhai ki aaj ke baad aap unhe apni zindagi mein jagah dena chaahte hai yaa nahi."

"Sahi keh raha hai Rohan.", came a voice from the entrance. The brothers turned to find their best friends standing at the door. Munna and Pandit entered. "Kuch galat nahi kahaa Rohan ne. Humne tujhe maaf kar diya hai, par kya Naina tujhe maaf karegi? Usse toh kuch pataa bhi nahi tha ki tu kyun hum sabse rishta todkar durr chala gaya. Kya karti wohh huh? Tere jaane ke gham se apni zindagi jeena chod deti? Tu toh mazze se apni zindagi mein aage badh chuka hai naa? Toh wohh bhi aage badh gayi, uss mein itna naaraaz hone waali kya baat hai? Tu kal hi hume bol raha tha naa ki ab Naina ko waapis apni zindagi mein nahi laana chaahta, toh fir abhi problem kya hai? Naina uski zindagi mein aage badh gayi hai, tu bhi aage badh gaya hai. Jaise wohh tujhe bhool gayi hai, tu bhi usse bhool jaa.", Munna spoke in a higher tone than required.

Pandit added, "Sahi bola Chenu... Jab tujhe ek baar bhi Naina ka khayaal nahi aaya inn dus saalon mein, toh ab kyun bura lag raha hai tujhe Sameer? Naina bhale bohot royi thi tere jaane ke baad par ab wohh khush hai aur hum tujhe uski khushi ke beech nahi aane denge. Tune Naina ka bohot dil dukhaaya hai pehle, par ab hum tujhe aisa kuch nahi karne denge, jisse wohh uss daur se waapis guzre. Aur sach kahu toh hum khush hai ki usne tujhe pehchaanne se manaa kar diya, kyunki tu uske pyaar ke kaabil hi nahi hai. Ab wohh khush hai tere bina, toh usse khush rehne de."

Sameer couldn't believe that his own friends were siding with Naina but somewhere deep down in his heart, he was happy that Naina had them in her life who were protecting her like her elder brothers.

A small smile appeared on his face and Sameer spoke, "Main khush hun ki tum dono ne Naina ki side li. Mere jaane ke baad tum dono ne meri Naina ko sambhaala, uske liye thank you. Main jaanta hun ki maine usse bohot hurt kiya hai aur jiske liye wohh mujhe kabhi maaf nahi karegi."

Closing his eyes, Sameer continued, "Aaj jab maine Naina ko uss stage par dekha, toh mera dil maano ruk sa gaya tha. Maine nahi socha tha ki hamara aamna saamna aise hoga. Main khush hun usse ek writer bane dekh. Naina ka sapna tha ki wohh aage chalkar ek badi writer banna chaahti thi. Aur aaj usse stage par apni book ki launch karte dekh, mera dil khushi se bhar gaya tha. Naina ko dekhkar mera guilt thoda kamm ho gaya. Mere jaane se uski zindagi nahi rukni chahiye, main bas bhagwaan se har pal yahi prarthna karta tha."

Wiping his tears, Sameer spoke in a choked voice, "Main khush hun... aaj Naina ko itna successful dekhkar main bohot bohot khush hun. Bas dukh is baat ka hai ki uski kaamyaabi mein main uske saath nahi tha aur naa aage ho sakta hun. Naina ne apne liye Samrat ko chuna hai, toh main iss baat se bhi khush hun, bas thoda dard ho raha hai yahaan.", he said resting his hand on his heart. "Kaash main Daadi ki baaton mein naa aaya hota toh Samrat ki jagah Naina ke paas aaj main hota... Naina ke paas main hota...", saying that he collapsed on his knees and cried his heart out.

Rohan, Munna and Pandit couldn't do anything about his pain and watched Sameer breaking down once again. "Yeh... yeh meri sazaa hai ki maine apne pyaar par bharosa nahi kiya aur uss Daadi ki baaton mein aa gaya. Main bhagwaan se bas yahi pray karta hun ki Naina jiske saath bhi rahe, hamesha khush rahe."

At the other part of the city, Naina was talking continuously with Samrat during their ride to her home. Samrat had got to know her well in the past five years, "Tum itna kyun bole jaa rahi ho Netra? Aaj kuch special hua hai kya? Itne saalon mein jo Netra shaant rahi hai, wohh aaj itna kyun bol rahi hai? Kahin tum apne shabdon ke peeche apna dard chupaane ki koshish toh nahi kar rahi?"

Naina went quiet and didn't reply, but Samrat had already got his answer. "Kahin Sameer Maheshwari ki entry se tum affect toh nahi ho rahi? Main jaanta hun ki tumne book launch mein jhooth bola tha. Tum... Miss Naina Agarwal... Sameer Maheshwari ko bohot acche se jaanti ho. Main bas yeh jaanna chaahta hun ki tumne wahaan jhooth kyun bola, kyun Sameer ko pehchaanne se manaa kar diya? Bechaare ko kitna hurt hua hoga."

Naina finally lost her cool, "Tumhe bohot buraa lag raha hai uske liye. Tum mere friend ho yaa uske, huh? Ek din hua nahi usse mile aur tum uski side le rahe ho? Tum mujhe paanch saalon se jaante ho Samrat, toh tumhe pataa hona chahiye ki maine aise kyun kiya? Koi reason zaroor hoga ki maine usse pehchaanne se manaa kar diya. Main uss Sameer Maheshwari ko nahi jaanti toh bas nahi jaanti. Yeh topic waapis hamare beech nahi aana chahiye Samrat, samjhe tum?"

Before Samrat could react, the car stopped at the entrance of her apartment building. Without even bidding goodbye to him, Naina ushered inside while Samrat didn't understand anything and was confused with everything that was happening.

As soon as Naina entered her apartment, she ran towards her room and locked herself. Opening the drawer of her cupboard, she got hold of the photo album which was the only thing that had bound her with her past.

Tracing her finger on his photo, Naina gave up. The tears that she had been holding since long finally made its appearance and she wept.

"Sameer..." His name didn't sound alien to her. That was her life ten years ago. She had promised herself that she would never shed even a single tear for this person who had disappeared from her life without a trace.

"Sameer Maheshwari... main... main tumhe kaise bhool sakti hun? Tum... tum wohh pehle ladke the jiske liye maine jhooth bolna shuru kiya tha, tum wohh pehle ladke the jisse pehli nazar mein hi mujhe pyaar ho gaya tha, tum wohh pehle ladke the jisne mera haath pakda tha, tum wohh pehle ladke the jisne mera dil toda tha, tum ek wohi ladke ho jisne hamesha mujhe hurt kiya hai. Kaise bhool sakti hun main tumhe Sameer, jo mere liye meri zindagi tha."

Wiping her tears, Naina continued, "Jab school mein tumne wohh shart lagaayi thi, uske baad tumne mujhe yakeen dilaaya tha ki tum mujhse bohot pyaar karte ho. Nanu ke dehaant ke baad tum Delhi chale gaye, tumhe pataa bhi hai ki tumhare jaane ke baad main yahaan akeli kaise rahi hun? Tum dard mein the, toh mujhe bhi dard ho raha tha. Main jaanti thi ki tum Delhi mein akele padd gaye the, isliye tumhe chitthi likhti thi, tumhe mere dil ka haal bataati thi, tumhara haal jaanne ke liye tumhari chitthi ka intezaar karti thi. Tumhare letters mere jeene ki wajah bann gaye the Sameer. Tum mere jeene ki wajah the. Fir dheere dheere tumne chitthiyaan likhna band kar diya, phone karna band kar diya, mujhse baat karna band kar diya, mujhe ignore karne lage. Amrita ke ghar pe hote hue bhi tum mujhse baat nahi karte the. Kyun Sameer kyun? Kya galti ho gayi thi mujhse? Kya mere pyaar mein koi kami thi yaa mujh mein? Delhi jaakar kahin tumhe koi aur ladki naa mil gayi ho, aisa soch sochkar mera dil baitha jaa raha tha. Par fir bhi mujhe tum par, hamare pyaar par yakin tha, ki tum aisa kuch nahi kar sakte, mujhe... mere pyaar ko dhokha nahi de sakte. Main tumhara, tumhari letters ka, tumhare call ka, bas intezaar hi karti reh gayi. Dus saal... aaj dus saal baad hum mile, toh kaise wohh sab dard bhool jaati jo tumne mujhe diye hai Sameer? Maine kaise kaate the wohh din, tum kabhi nahi samajh paaoge."

Wiping the drop of tears from the photo, she continued, "Jab pataa chala ki tum Delhi se bhi kahin chale gaye ho, toh aisa lagaa jaise meri zindagi mujhse roothkar kahin chali gayi hai. Main bas sirf zinda rehne ke liye saansein le rahi thi. Har ghadi mujhe bas tum yaad aate the. Teen saal tak main tumhare ghar bhi gayi, tumhare kamre mein tumhari tasveer aur tumhari cheezein chookar, tumhara hone ka ehsaas karti. Bohot miss kiya tha tumhe. Par kismat ka khel toh dekho. Tumhare jaane ke baad main exam mein fail ho gayi. Tauji, Taiji aur Papa ne toh mera school jaana bhi band karva diya tha, wohh toh Chacha-Chachi aur Preeti hi the, jinhe mujhpar bharosa tha. Sirf unhi ki wajah se aaj main writer bann paayi hun. Par inn sab mein mera wohh ghar bhi choot gaya, jahaan main bachpan se pali badi hui thi. Taiji ko mere pyaar ke baare mein pataa chal gaya tha, unhone tumhari tasveer mere paas dekh li thi aur uske baad mujhe uss ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Chacha, Chachi aur Preeti ne bohot koshish ki thi mera saath dene ki, par unka sunta kaun? Uske baad main Swati ke saath rehne lagi. Jab articles likhkar paise kamaane lagi, fir main hostel mein shift ho gayi. Aur ab main iss apartment main hun, jo maine mere kamaaye hue paison se kharida hai. Itna kuch hua mere saath, par tum mere saath kahin nahi the Sameer. Munna aur Pandit ne meri bohot help ki. Jab mujhe tumhari zarurat thi, tab tum nahi the mere saath Sameer, par tumhare dost the, jinhone mera mere bhai se badhkar khayaal rakha. Ek baar... ek baar phone tak nahi kiya tumne Sameer. Kabhi yeh jaanne ki koshish bhi nahi ki tumhare bina main zinda bhi hun yaa nahi. Kaise bhool sakti hun main yeh sab? Tumhara diya hua dard kaise bhool sakti hun main? Wohh toh shukar hai ki meri mulaaqaat Samrat se hui aur fir uski publishing company ne mujhe mauka diya. Aaj main jo bhi hun, jaisi bhi hun wohh sirf Chacha, Chachi, Preeti aur Samrat ki wajah se hun. Tum meri zindagi mein ab koi maayne nahi rakhte Sameer Maheshwari. Jitna dard mujhe dena tha tum de chuke. Ab meri iss nayi zindagi mein tumhare liye jagah nahi hai, isliye main tumhe nahi jaanti."

A knock on her bedroom door made her aware of her condition. She swiftly wiped her tears as she heard someone calling her, "Naina... darwaaza khol. Kya hua hai? Aaj tak tune kabhi apna room lock nahi kiya hai. Aaj kya special hai? Jaldi se darwaaza khol."

Hearing her sister's voice, Naina unlocked the door hurriedly, "Wohhh... main... bas... sone ki koshish kar rahi thi. Tu... tu bataa... itni jaldi kaise aa gayi? Tu kal subah aanewaali thi naa Preeti?"

Preeti stood at the door and watched her sister's face closely, "Tu thik toh hai naa behna? Tera chehra itna utra hua kyun lag raha hai? Aaj toh teri book launch honewaali thi naa? Kuch hua hai kya wahaan?"

Naina shook her head and pulled her in a tight hug, "Kuch nahi hua hai. Main thik hun. Bas thoda thak gayi thi book launch ki wajah se, isliye thodi der sona chaahti thi. Ab tu bataa, jaldi kaise aa gayi tu? Tu toh kal aanewaali thi naa? Aur Chacha Chachi nahi aaye tere saath?"

Preeti was sure that her soul sister was hiding something from her, but she let it slide for the time being, "Main teri book launch mein aakar tujhe surprise dena chaahti thi, par flight late ho gayi. Papa mummy ko Surat jaana pada kisi urgent kaam ke liye. Isliye ek hafte baad aayenge. Samrat ko call kiya toh usne bataaya ki tu ghar aa gayi hai. Isliye main directly ghar hi aa gayi. Lekin tu toh sone ki taiyaari kar rahi hai."

Naina smiled as she saw her sister pouting at her, "Toh bataa kya karne ka iraada hai tera?" Preeti smiled widely, "Sabse pehle kuch khaa lete hai. Mujhe bohot bhook lagi hai. Aur mujhe pataa hai tune bhi kuch khaaya nahi hoga ab tak."

Naina agreed, "Thik hai. Tu fresh ho jaa, main kuch khaane ko banaati hun." "Ok done... main yun gayi aur yun aayi.", saying that Preeti sauntered towards her bedroom while Naina went to freshen up.

As soon as she stood in front of the mirror, Naina was shocked to see her own reflection. Her eyes were red and a little swollen. No doubt her soul sister was staring at her unblinkingly. She knew her sister was not going to let the matter go and would question her till she gave her all the answers.

Washing her face gently, Naina returned to the kitchen to cook for them. Within few minutes, Preeti too joined and helped her. She continued updating about her meeting with the clients while Naina was lost somewhere else.

Preeti knew that her sister was not attentive to her constant talk, still she continued her conversation. "Waise Naina... kya tu aaj Sameer se mili thi?" Naina was so lost in her world that without thinking twice, she replied, "Haan... hum aaj mile the."

"Hmmmm... tabhi main sochu ki tera mood itna kharaab kyun hai. Teri aankhen itni laal hai, sujhi hui hai. Iska ek hi matlab ho sakta hai, ki tu aaj Sameer se mili thi. Mere aane se pehle tu ro rahi thi naa? Sach sach bol Naina, kyun ro rahi thi tu? Uss Sameer ke liye tujhe rone ki zarurat nahi hai. Tune promise kiya tha naa ki Sameer ka chapter teri life mein khatam ho gaya hai. Fir uske baare mein sochkar tujhe kyun rona hai ab?", finally Preeti had managed to bring the topic to light.

"Tujhe kaise pataa chala ki main aaj Sameer se mili thi?", Naina asked. "Tere bed par maine Mount Abu ki album dekhi, toh bas mujhe samajh aa gaya ki aaj kya hua hoga. Teri book ke launch mein Sameer aaya hoga aur usse dekhkar tera yeh haal ho gaya.", Preeti deduced cleverly.

"Preeti... maine promise zaroor kiya tha ki main Sameer ko bhoolkar apni zindagi mein aage badhungi. Aur main wohi toh kar rahi hun. Ab meri life mein Samrat hai, jo mujhe bohot pasand karta hai, mujhse shaadi karna chaahta hai. Par aaj jab maine Sameer ko saamne dekha toh bas wohh purani baatein yaad aa gayi, jo itne saalon se maine apne dil mein band kar di thi.", Naina had finally voiced out her turmoil.

"Naina... Samrat tujhe bohot pasand karta hai, shaayad tujhse pyaar bhi karta hai. Aur tu yeh sab jaanti hai, fir bhi aaj tak tune usko jawaab nahi diya. Aaj Sameer se milkar tujhe tera purana pyaar yaad aa gaya. Aise mein tu Samrat ya kisi aur ladke ko kaise apni life mein accept kar paayegi? Tujhe Sameer ka chapter permanently apni zindagi se nikaalna hoga, tab hi tu kisi aur ko chance de paayegi.", Preeti suggested.

Naina just nodded in reply. Soon they sat for dinner and the topic continued. "Waise Naina... hamare school ka reunion hone jaa raha hai kuch dinon mein, toh kya hum jaa rahe hai? Dekh main jaanti hun ki tujhe waapis Sameer ke saamne nahi jaana, par dusron ke baare mein toh soch. Hume waahan Swati, Kamya, Munna, Pandit, sab milenge. Aur sach kahun toh mera bohot mann hai reunion mein jaane ka. Please behna... reunion mein chalte hai naa?", Preeti almost pleaded.

"Thik hai drama queen. Hum reunion mein zaroor jaayenge.", Naina relented. Preeti started dancing as usual and pulled her sister along too. The smile on Naina's face was back. Thanks to her lovely and beautiful soul sister.

"Sameer... please ab humse tera yeh rona dhona nahi dekha jaa raha.", Munna reacted. Rohan too sat beside his brother on his knees and pulled him in for a hug, "Bhai... please mat roiye. Jo hona tha wohh ho gaya hai, isse naa toh aap badal sakte hai aur naa hi hum. Naina ne apna decision suna diya hai ki wohh aapko nahi jaanti. Toh bas... aap jaane dijiye naa. Hum yahaan Maheshwari Industries ko sambhaalne aaye hai, ussi par focus karte hai."

Rohan helped Sameer to stand up and pushed him in his bedroom to freshen up while Ramdhari reheated the meal and served it on the table. Munna, Pandit and Rohan were having some serious conversation when Sameer arrived.

Everyone went silent which hurt Sameer even more, "Ab tum log bhi mere saamne koi baat nahi karoge kya?" All the three boys looked at each other and finally, Munna broke the silence, "Wohh... hum reunion ke baare mein baat kar rahe the. Agle hafte hamare school ka reunion hai. Maine tere liye invitation card diya tha Ramdhari ko. Toh bas hum yahi discuss kar rahe the ki reunion mein jaana hai yaa nahi."

Sameer looked at their faces and chuckled, "Nautanki ho sab ke sab. Reunion ki sabhi arrangements tum dono dekh rahe ho naa? Fir tum dono kyun nahi jaaoge? Tum dono ko jaana chahiye. Infact... main aur Rohan bhi aayenge. Main Rohan ko hamara school dikhaana chaahta hun, aur main khud bhi school ko dekhna chaahta hun. Unn beete hue palon ko waapis jeena chaahta hun. Toh... it's final... hum sab reunion mein zaroor jaayenge... Ab khaana khaa le. Pandit ko bhook lagi hogi naa?"

Pandit laughed, "Bohot zoron se bhook lagi hai yaar..." And they attacked the food made by their loyal Ramdhari...

Even if all were happy to go to the reunion, there was something that Sameer and Naina had not mentioned to their respective friends and sister. While one was ready to see his lover again, the other had some other plans for him.

Only time would tell how this reunion was going to change their lives...

How was the update?

Reunion coming up in the next chapter...

Any guesses what is going to happen in the reunion...

I will update Vows of Hatred next weekend...

Till then take care and stay safe...

With lots of love,

Daksha...❤️