Hello everyone...

I'm back with the next chapter...

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Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Diku...❤

AN INEVITABLE INTRUDER

CHAPTER NINE

NAINA

I was missing Sameer a lot... I left messages for him the other day asking him if the meeting was going well & if he was having his meals properly... But there was no reply from him for the whole day... I knew he must be busy with the meetings & all... He would reply me as soon as he would see my messages...

I didn't tell anyone about our previous day's conversation... That was personal & that would stay that way only... No doubt I was the one who told Preeti & Swati about my confusions & feelings... But whatever talks I would have with Sameer would always be only between us. I won't share this with anyone, neither with my family nor with my friends...

After finishing dinner, I was as always sitting on the swing at the terrace. Sameer hadn't called up that night before dinner. I was worried if he was fine or not... I wanted to call but I was somehow controlling myself from doing it... I was looking at the sky when my mobile started ringing... I was happy to see that it was Sameer's call. I picked up instantly, "Hello... Sameer... Aap kahaan ho???"

Just as I finished the sentence, I felt his presence around me. I looked up at the entrance of the terrace & there he was standing at the door holding the mobile over his ear... I kept my mobile away & ran towards him... The moment I reached him, I hugged him... Yes... I hugged him... These past five days were enough for me to understand my feelings towards him...

My heart was thudding loudly & I could hear his frantic heartbeats too... When he wrapped his hands around me, I was in heaven... I never thought that a mere hug from Sameer would make my heart thud so hard. My eyes teared up immediately when I realized that I had fallen hard & fast for Sameer... I missed him too much... And now that he was here, I won't let him go anywhere... I wanted him near me always...

"Naina..." I heard his soft whisper... I just hummed in response & tightened my hold, "I missed you Sameer..." I could no longer deny the fact that I was feeling too much for him & now I had spoken it aloud to him... I was fearing his reaction if he didn't feel the same for me... My tears continued flowing... Did I make a mistake in accepting that I missed him???

He replied hoarsely, "I missed you too Naina..." I shivered at his words & he rubbed my back... "Naina... Tum ro kyun rahi ho??? Meri taraf dekho please..." I slowly loosened the hold on him & moved away... I looked at him, "Sameer... Yeh toh khushi ke aansoon hai... Aap nahi jaante ki main kitni khush hun aapko aise achanak yahaan dekhkar..."

"Sacchi... Naina... Tum mujhe dekhakar khush ho na???" I heard his voice cracking at the end... "Main bohot khush hun Sameer..." He smiled widely & wiped my tears, "Fir thik hai... Mujhe laga ki tum ab bhi mujhse upset hogi... Isliye rone lagi..." I raised my eyebrows at him in confusion, "Main kyun upset hone lagi aapse Sameer???"

"Acchhaa fir batao, jis din Amrita hamare office mein aayi, uss din se tum mujhe avoid kyun kar rahi thi??? Aur haannnn... Woh kya tha jo tum har baar mere cabin door par knock kar rahi thi???" "Ummmm... Woh... Woh... Toh... Main bas yunhi...", I started stuttering... And he chuckled, "Tum bhi na poori ki poori nautanki ho Naina... Tumhe kya lagta hai ki mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha tha kya???"

I looked down & he put his finger under my chin & made me look at him, "Naina... Tum mere baare mein kya sochti ho, usse mujhe bohot farak padta hai... Toh tumhe mere baare mein kuch bhi jaanna ho toh directly mujhse pooch sakti ho... Mere baare mein yunhi opinions mat banaa lena..." I don't know why he was saying that but yesss we definitely needed to talk...

"Sameer... Baatein toh hoti rahengi... Abhi bohot late ho gaya hai... Hume sona chahiye..." He stared at me for a while & nodded, "Tum thik keh rahi ho Naina... Bohot late ho gaya hai... Chalo neeche chalte hai..." I walked behind him, feeling finally content after seeing him in person after so many days... I was finally at peace... My heart was finally at peace...

We stopped in front of his room & he was about to open the door, when I asked, "Sameer... Aapne dinner toh kiya na???" He turned, "Haannn... Maine flight mein hi thoda khaa liya tha... Ummmm... Waise kal se mujhe tumhare haath ka banaa nashta milega na???" I blushed, "Haaannn...." "Great... Chalo jao... I'm sure aaj se tumhe bohot acchi neend aayegi Naina...", saying that he winked & entered his room.

Did he know that I couldn't sleep in his absence??? Yesss... He definitely knew this or else why would he say that... I slowly walked up to my room & entered... I laid down on my bed & closed my eyes... I drifted to sleep in few minutes... He was right that I would get peaceful sleep from now onwards...

I got up early the next day & went to make breakfast with Vishakha Maa... She was surprised to see me so early in the kitchen... "Arey Naina beta... Itni jaldi uth gayi.." "Haannn Maa... Aaj neend bhi poori ho gayi aur meri aankh jaldi bhi khul gayi uss wajah se... Toh uth gayi aur fir itne din se main aapki help bhi nahi kar paayi thi naa... Toh bas main aa gayi..."

"Chalo accha hua... Aaj tum bohot fresh lag rahi ho... Baat kya hai beta???", she asked teasing me... I tried hiding my blush but couldn't, "Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai Maa... Waise naashte mein main aaj aloo parathe banau???" I asked diverting her mind... "Arey waahhh... Waise aloo paratha khaane wala toh nahi hai... Banaa le... Chal, tab tak main papa ko chai dekar aati hun..."

Ahhaannn... Maa didn't know that Sameer had come home last night... It would be a great surprise for her when she would see Sameer for breakfast... I started preparing the dough for making the paratha... I finished my work in the kitchen in forty minutes & headed to my room to get ready...

That day I chose a white anarkali dress to wear with a red & pick bandhani dupatta... I left my hair open & applied kajal & light pink lipstick... I wore some oxidized bangles & oxidized jhumkhas as well... I completed my look with putting a pink bindi on my forehead... I swirled around in my room finally happy with my Indian look...

I went downstairs for breakfast... Sameer had still not come from his room. I took blessings from Nanu & Maa & settled myself on the chair... I was waiting for Sameer to make his grand surprise entry... I looked at the stairs behind me a couple of times... Maa looked at me, "Naina... Kya hua??? Baar baar tum yun peeche mud kar kya dekh rahi ho???" I stuttered, "Kuch... Kuch... Nahi... Maa... Main toh bas aise hi..."

Sameer entered at the precise moment surprising Maa & Nanu... "Maa... Nanu... Main aa gaya..." Maa & Nanu got up from their seats & hugged him... "Sameer... Tum kab aaye??? Hume kuch bataya hi nahi tumne...", Nanu asked while hugging him tight... "Main toh der raat hi aa gaya tha Nanu... Aap logon ki neend disturb nahi karna chaahta tha, isliye maine kisiko bataya nahi...", Sameer reasoned...

"Barkhurdaar... Congratulations... Mujhe poora yakeen tha ki tum yeh deal final karke hi aaoge... I'm so proud of you Sameer... Bas yunhi mehnat karte raho aur hamari company ko nayi oonchaiyon par lekar jao..." Nanu patted his back lovingly... "Sameer... Tum toh aaj aanewale the na... Fir kal raat hi kaise aa gaye...", Maa asked him while they were settling down for breakfast...

"Mujhe sab ki bohot yaad aa rahi thi... Bohot miss kar raha tha main aap sabko...", he said that looking at Maa & Nanu & then finally his gaze stopped on me... "Good morning Naina..." "Good morning Sameer... And congratulations..." He smiled widely & said, "Thanks Naina..." He looked at Maa & spoke, "Maa... Jaldi se naashta do... Mujhe na bohot bhook lagi hai... Bohot time se ghar ka khaana nahi khaaya hai, toh taras gaya hun ghar ke khaane ke taste ke liye..." Maa laughed at his antics, "Paagal... Ruk parosti hun tumhe..."

I stopped Maa, "Maa... Aap uthiye mat... Main paros deti hun..." I got up & served him three aloo parathas on his plate with a bowl full of curd... I even filled a glass of fresh orange juice for him & he kept staring at me throughout... I took my seat beside him & still he continued staring at me... Nanu coughed loudly which broke his trance & Maa giggled softly...

I started eating the breakfast when I heard Maa speaking, "Naina... Tumhe pataa tha na ki Sameer raat ko hi waapis aa gaya tha??? Isliye toh aaj jaldi uthkar tumne aloo ke parathe banaye breakfast ke liye..." I started coughing & Sameer handed me a glass of water... I was thinking of how could I escape Maa's question... But before I could think of an appropriate answer, Sameer saved my day...

"Arey nahi Maa... Main bohot late aaya tha raat ko. Tab tak shaayad aap sab mast gehri neend mein so gaye the... Main jab aaya tab sab ke darwaaze band the... Toh Naina ko kaise pataa hoga ki main aa gaya hun..." I was relieved as I didn't need to answer Maa now... "Aur aloo ke parathe toh Naina ne aise hi banaa diye honge... Kyun Naina??? Sahi kahaa naa???"

I nodded, "Haannn... Mujhe nahi pataa tha ki Sameer aa gaye hai... Maine toh aise hi mann kiya toh aloo ke parathe banaa diye..." I smiled at Maa who just raised her eyebrows in response... I somewhere felt that Maa wasn't buying our lies... So, I diverted the topic, "Ummm... Nanu... Aaj shaam ko aapke liye ek surprise hai..." Nanu was happy hearing the news, "Arey waahhh... Naina... Batao na... Kya surprise hai??? Raat tak intezaar nahi kar paaunga..."

"Nanu... Naina ne kahaa surprise hai toh kaise bata sakti hai aapko... Ab aapke saath saath hum sabko bhi raat tak intezaar karna padega..." He pouted looking at me... He looked so cute while pouting that I just wanted to pull his cheeks... I diverted my gaze immediately after that...

"Aaj toh chutti hai Naina... Toh kya plan hai aaj ka???", Nanu asked me generally... "Ummmm... Main aaj Preeti aur Swati ke saath thoda shopping ke liye mall jaa rahi hun..." "Arey waah... Yeh toh bohot acchi baat hai... Tum jab se aayi ho, tab se sirf kaam hi kaam kar rahi ho... Aaj sabke saath mast ghum aao, enjoy kar aao...", Maa said lovingly...

"Aur aapke kya plans hai Mahashay???", Nanu asked Sameer... "Main aaj inn ladkiyon ke saath jaaunga...", I sputtered the juice that I was just sipping... Maa & Nanu laughed & Sameer looked at me, "Arey... Kya hua??? Kyun main tum sab ke saath shopping ke liye nahi aa sakta kya???"

Before I could say anything, Maa spoke, "Tu kya karega ladkiyon ke beech mein???" He smiled sweetly at her, "Main inn sabki bags uthaa lunga na..." We all giggled at his antics... "Preeti aur Swati yahaan aanewale hai yaa directly mall mein milenge tumhe???", Sameer asked me... "Woh dono mujhe mall mein milengi...", I answered softly drinking the juice...

"Thik hai... Main tumhe mall toh chod sakta hun naa???", he asked winking at me... "Haaannnn...", I answered without glancing at him... I got a call from Preeti that they would reach the mall in an hour... I freshened up & took my handbag downstairs where Sameer was already waiting for me...

I was stumped looking at him... He had worn a white full sleeved t-shirt with dark blue denims... He smiled at me when I reached near him, "Chalein madam..." I nodded & turned to bid goodbyes to Maa & Nanu... "Sambhal kar jaana beta aur apna dhyaan rakhna...", Maa spoke from behind...

Sameer opened the door of the car for me... I'd missed this a lot, sitting next to him in his car... He started driving, "Ummm... Thanks Sameer... Subah Maa ke saamne mujhe unke sawaal se bachaane ke liye..." He didn't say anything for a while, "Waise Naina... Bhale hi maine tumhe bachaaya tha par main bhi jaanna chaahta hun ki tumne aaj aloo ke parathe kyun banaye the??? Toh ab tumhe mujhe iska jawaab dena padega, kyunki abhi koi nahi bachayega tumhe..."

I exhaled slowly, "Mujhe pataa hai ki aapko aloo ke parathe bohot pasand hai aur main yeh bhi jaanti thi ki kal raat aapne jyada kuch khaaya nahi hoga flight pe... Toh bas maine aapka favorite naashta banaa diya, taaki aap pet bhar kar kha sako..." He stopped the car at the red lights & looked at me, "Itna sochti ho mere baare mein???" I replied softly, "Haannn... Main sab ke baare mein sochti hun..."

I couldn't tell him directly that I was thinking about him 24*7... I looked outside the window & he resumed driving... "Naina... Yeh paanch din office mein kaise gaye??? Have you settled in & are you comfortable now???" I smiled, "Haannn... I'm more than comfortable now... And special thanks to you..." He asked in confusion, "Special thanks kis liye???"

"Kamya ko instructions dene ke liye taaki main office mein ekdum acche se settle ho jaun... Waise toh Kamya aapki assistant hai fir bhi usne meri kaafi help ki hai... Mere saare schedules bhi wahi batati hai aajkal... Bohot acchi ladki hai... She is very much hardworking & helpful..." "Naina... I know... Isiliye toh meri assistant hai... And I'm really happy to hear those things from you... Kyunki hamare friends ki raay Kamya ke liye thodi alag hi hai..."

I laughed, "Haaannn... Jaanti hun... Unn sabko ekdum se jhatka lag gaya tha, jab Kamya mere orders follow karti thi..." He laughed heartily hearing this... "Ummm... Naina... Mujhe na tumse kuch important baat karni thi..." But before he could say more, my mobile started ringing. I picked up the call reluctantly as it was Swati's call, "Helloo... Bol Swati... Ummm... Main abhi on the way hun... Thodi der mein pohonch jaaungi... Don't worry... Thik hai... Mall ke entrance par hi milte hain... Bye..."

I disconnected the call & looked at Sameer who was concentrating on his driving... "Aap kya keh rahe the Sameer???", I asked him to continue his talk... "Ummmm... Naina... Woh... Main... Amrita..." My mobile rang again cutting his sentence... I picked up the call, "Helloo Mummy... Aap kaise ho? Papa kaise hai?" I talked with my parents for sometime & then disconnected the call...

"Naina... Main yeh keh raha tha ki..." This time his mobile rang & he cursed under his breath... He picked up the call & switched the speaker mode on... "Haannn... Munna... Bol..." Munna & Pandit wished him congratulations for winning the deal & then they were updating him about the recent projects... By the time his call ended, we had reached the mall...

He stopped the car in front of the entrance & I got down from the car... I closed the door & spoke, "Shaam ko milenge Sameer... Sambhal kar jaana... See you soon... Byee..." He waved his hand & bid me goodbye... I could see that he was upset that we didn't get to talk at all... Our conversation was left unfinished, infact it didn't start at all... He wanted to talk about Amrita... Was he going to say that he was going to marry her or was he planning to tell me about their love life??? I don't know what to think about it... I will have to wait till tonight so that we could talk...

SAMEER

I could still feel her in my arms... I would never ever forget that moment... I slept peacefully that night after meeting her... I got up as usual & got back to my workout... I got ready & left my room to join everyone for the breakfast... I heard Maa asking Naina that why was she continuously turning around & watching the staircase... I understood that she was waiting for me... By now she must have known that nobody in the house knew about my arrival late night...

She had started stuttering & I knew she won't be able to keep up the whole not knowing act... I shouted to distract Maa & Nanu which was successful as I could see the surprise cum shock on their faces... I took their blessings & hugged them tightly as I'd missed them too much... I was totally blown after seeing Naina in a white anarkali dress. She looked stunning & beautiful as always...

Maa questioned her about knowing about my arrival & preparing my favorite aloo parathas for me... I knew that Naina won't be able to lie to her so I lied & saved her from further questioning... She was going to go for shopping with Swati & Preeti... I wanted to go with her & spend sometime with her... But I knew that the other girls won't let that happen... So, I just asked her if I could drop her at the mall...

I wanted to talk to her & clear all the misunderstandings... But the phone calls kept interrupting our conversation... I thought that I would talk to her tonight on the terrace peacefully & would clear all the air between us... Tonight I would ask her if she would give me chance to date her... Yesss... These last few days made me realize my strong feelings towards her & now I wanted to take a chance on us... I've never felt this strongly about anyone before...

Tonight, I would tell her everything about my past... about Sunaina... about Amrita too... Though she's just my best friend yet Naina deserves to know the whole truth about me... about my life... Nanu always said that any relationship can nurture only on the basis of truth... And that's what I'm going to do... Reveal everything about my past... my life...

I dropped her at the entrance of the mall & called up Pandit. I asked both of them to come to my place so that we could do all the bookings for our yearly trip in Shimla... I reached home & Munna-Pandit joined me in an hour... Nanu & Maa too were with us giving us their suggestions for our proper stay... There was a hotel which had several cottages... We thought that was the best place for our stay...

Without wasting anymore time, we called up for the reservations... They informed us that they could arrange for our stay this week... We told them about all our requirements that we would need for some training, exercises & games... They said that they would arrange for that too... We finalized our bookings for three days that would start a day after tomorrow...

I asked Munna & Pandit to inform all our staff about it... Everyone was really happy with the news... We were almost done with informing the entire staff about the yearly trip, when the girls arrived... They had loads & loads of bags with them... They had indeed done a lot of shopping... I, Munna & Pandit got up to help the girls with their bags... Munna & Pandit took their girl's bags & placed them in their cars... I took bags from Naina & followed her to her room... We kept the bags on the couch... "Naina... Fresh hokar neeche aa jaana... Tab tak main Shanta kaki ko sab ke liye coffee banane ko bol deta hun..." She nodded & was about to turn, when I spoke again, "Naina... Dress change mat karna... Bohot acchi lag rahi ho tum..." I didn't say anything more & left her room...

I joined the others in the living room... Munna & Pandit were happily telling their girls about our Shimla trip. Naina joined us after ten minutes... Again, our friends started the discussion about our Shimla trip... Pandit informed them that we had already booked twenty-five cottages in total for everyone...

"Sameer... Itne saara staff itne cottages mein kaise rahega???", Swati asked in confusion... "Arey mera frockwala pandit... Ek cottage mein kam se kam dus log reh sakte hai... Sab aaram se reh lenge... Sirf teen din ki toh baat hai..." Munna said clearing everyone's doubts... We were all sipping our coffees, when the doorbell rang. Amrita entered my house with a squeal, "Sameer..." I was surprised to see her... She hadn't contacted me all this week... But I was happy seeing her happy face...

I saw Naina's expressions changing with her arrival... I needed to talk to her & clear her head about us... Amrita came & took blessings from Maa & Nanu... Then she directly came to me & hugged me tightly, "Sameer... Kitne dinon se mile hi nahi na hum??? Maine bohot miss kiya tumhe... Tumne ek call bhi nahi kiya na mujhe... Dekh li tumhari dosti maine???"

She kept on exaggerating all her favourite lines & I saw Naina's face going blank after a while... What did Amrita say??? "Kya kahaa tumne abhi???", I asked Amrita & she happily spoke, "Arey main yahi keh rahi thi ki main bhi tum sabke saath Shimla aaungi... Kitna mazza aayega na Sameer... Firse hum college ki tarah masti kar sakte hai..." I looked at Naina who was busy doing something on her phone...

"Ummm... Amrita tum kaise aa sakti ho? Yeh trip sirf hamare Maheshwari Industries ke staff ke liye hi hai... I'm sorry... Par tum nahi aa sakti hamare saath...", I said & her face fell immediately... I could see tears in her eyes, when I heard Maa, "Sameer... Yeh kya tareeka hai baat karne ka? Amrita tumhari acchi friend hai... Aur kya problem hai agar woh tum logon ke saath aana chaahti ho toh..."

I calmed myself before speaking, "Maa... Yeh hamare rules ke khilaaf hai... Hum hamare staff ko mana karte hai ki woh log apne spouses ya family ya friends ko nahi laa sakte aur fir main hi apni friend ko le jaun, kaise lagega Maa... Aur yeh rules maine nahi banaye, Nanu ke time se chalte aa rahe hai... Kyun Nanu? Main thik keh raha hun na???" Nanu didn't say anything but he nodded agreeing with me...

I looked at Amrita who was already crying, "Dekho Amrita...I'm sorry... Main jaanta hun ki tum hamare saath kyun aana chaahti ho. Main tumhara dil dukhana nahi chaahta par main tumhe nahi le jaa sakta hamare saath... Tum khud apni company ki CEO ho... Kya tum khud apne company ke rules todti ho???"

She sat down next to Naina, "Main samaj rahi hun ki tum kya keh rahe ho... Thik hai... Main tum logon ke saath nahi aaungi..." She got up from the couch & went to the guestroom to freshen up. I was feeling bad for refusing her this... But I didn't have any choice... I couldn't break my company's rules to fulfil her wishes... I knew she wanted to come with us so she could get to spend some quality time with Rohan... I wish I could help her in this...

She came back after freshening up & left immediately citing that she was going out for dinner with her friends... No one stopped her... She hugged everyone including me & left the house... Once she was gone, everyone was glaring at me... "Tum sab aise kya ghurr rahe ho mujhe??? Agar tum sab ko lagta hai main galat hun, toh aise karo mere jagah par usse le jao. Main nahi aaunga..." Saying that, I left the house in anger...

Maa tried stopping me, "Sameer... Sameer... Ruk jaa... Dinner ka time ho gaya hai..." I didn't listen to her & took my cars keys & left... I drove around the city for an hour... My mind was still filled with what happened in the evening... I'm not wrong... I'm the CEO of Maheshwari Industries... I've to think about everyone... about our company... about its rules... I can't be unfair with anyone... Just because Amrita is my friend, I can't give her the permission to join us on our yearly trip. If she wants to spend time with Rohan, she could do it some other time, but not in our official trip...

I know I was behaving rudely this time with my very own best friends. But they need to understand my point... I was constantly getting calls from Maa, Nanu & Munna-Pandit. But I didn't answer any of their calls. I needed to calm myself before going home... I drove for another hour & then headed back home... I saw my friend's car still parked in the parking lot which meant they haven't left yet...

I took a deep breath & entered the house... Everyone was sitting in the living room; they quietened the moment they saw me entering... I went towards them & asked, "Aap sab ne dinner kar liya???" Nanu answered, "Haannn... Humne kha liya... Tum dinner karlo..." "Nahi... Mujhe bhook nahi hai... Aap davai lekar so jaaiye Nanu... Bohot late ho gaya hai..." "Sameer... Hum samajte hai ki tumne jo kiya woh apni company aur apne staff ke liye kiya. Hume koi problem nahi hai tumhare decision se... Ummm... Ab gussa thuk bhi de bhai... Aur khaana khaa le", Munna said breaking the silence...

I sat down on the empty chair, "Main jaanta hun ki maine Amrita ke saath bohot rudely behave kiya... Par mere paas aur koi choice nahi hai... Tum sab jaante ho ki woh hamare saath kyun aana chaahti hai, jo mujhe bilkul manzoor nahi hai... Personal aur professional life hamesha alag rakhni chahiye... Aur agar usse kisi ke saath time spend karne hai toh woh usse lekar kahin aur jaa sakti hai..."

Everyone heard me loud & clear, "Toh abhi aur iss baat par koi discussions nahi chahiye mujhe... Amrita hamare saath nahi aa sakti & that's final... Tum sab ab ghar jao, packing karo... Kal raat ki flight hai... Direct airport par hi milenge... Goodnight..." "Sameer... Thoda khaa toh le beta...", Maa spoke softly. "Nahi Maa... Mujhe bhook nahi hai... Aap please mujhe force mat karna..." I said & left towards my room...

It was already eleven at night. I knew that Naina would be at the terrace... I walked to the terrace & was surprised when I didn't find her there... Was she asleep already??? I took a deep breath & took steps towards the swing... I sat there & was looking at the sky, when I heard footsteps at the door. I didn't need to look who was there... I knew it was HER... My Naina... She came & sat beside me... We didn't talk for few minutes... I kept looking at the sky... After a while I spoke, "Naina... Tumhe bhi lagta hai ki main galat hun???" I finally looked at her... She was already looking at me & then I noticed that she had brought a plate full of food...

She gestured towards the plate, "Pehle khaana khaa lijiye... Baatein uske baad bhi ho sakti hai..." I didn't say anything but didn't move to take the plate either... She broke a piece of roti & dipped it in the sabzi & brought that morsel to my mouth... "Maa ne bataya tha ki jab tumaapgusse mein hote ho toh aap khaana nahi khaaoge, jab tak aapko koi khilaayega nahi... Sameer... Yeh lo... Ab khaa lijiye please... Maa ne bataya tha ki aapne lunch bhi thik se nahi kiya tha..."

I couldn't deny her & moved ahead to take the morsel in my mouth... What should I say??? My Naina was feeding me with her hands... I wanted this forever... I wanted her forever... I kept looking at her & she kept feeding me... I don't know what I was eating, but everything tasted heavenly when she was the one who was feeding me... Unknown to us, Nanu & Maa were seeing the scene with tears in their eyes...

I finished the food & she got up to keep the plate aside & wash her hands... She again came back with a plate & I was surprised that there was a piece of cake on it... She sat beside & spoke, "Ummmm... Sameer... Maine aaj Nanu ko surprise dene ke liye ghar par rawa cake banayaa tha... Main jaanti hun ki aapko cake pasand nahi hai, par at least taste karke batao kaisa banaa hai???"

I could eat anything that she prepared... This time again she picked up the piece of cake & fed me... I loved the cake... I finished the whole piece. I was surprised with my own behavior... I never ate cakes but here I was eating the homemade cake made by my very own Naina... When I finished eating, she kept the plate under the swing & offered me a bottle of water... I took the bottle from her & took few sips...

I felt peaceful & fully content now... I again asked her the same question, ""Naina... Ab batao... Tumhe bhi lagta hai ki main galat hun???" She looked at me in my eyes, "Nahin Sameer... Aap galat nahi ho... Bas aapke thoda rudely bolne ki wajah se Amrita ko bura lagaa hoga... Isiliye toh woh turant chali gayi... Sameer... Main nahi jaanti ki woh hamare saath kyun aana chaahti hai, par aap usse shanti se bhi samjha sakte the na... Gussa kisi cheez ka hal nahi hota Sameer... Amrita aapki bohot acchi friend hai, toh shayad usse aur bhi bura lagaa hoga, jaise aapne usse aaj rudely behave kiya..."

I understood what she was trying to say... "Naina... Main jaanta hun ki maine bohot rudely baat ki Amrita se aur baaki sab se bhi... Par main kya karun, main pehle se banaye hue rules nahi todna chaahta... I don't want to be unfair with anyone, especially our staff... They are like my own family... Just because I'm the CEO that doesn't mean that I can mend the rules for my very own friends..."

She kept her hand on mine, "I understand... Ummm... Dekhiye Sameer... Hume hamesha wahi karna chahiye jo hume sahi lage... Toh ab aap jyada socho mat... Jo ho gaya woh ho gaya... Bas ek baar Amrita se baat kar lena kal... I'm sure woh tab tak aapki baat samaj jaayegi..."

"Naina... Ek baat poochu toh sacchi sacchi jawaab dogi???" She nodded... "Tumhe lagta hai ki main aur Amrita couple hai???" She just raised her eyebrows & I was controlling my laughter looking at her face... "Bolo na Naina??? Tumhe aisa lagta haiii???" She looked down & answered, "Haannn..."

I took a deep breath & held her hand, "Meri taraf dekho Naina..." She instantly looked up at me, "Tum jaisa soch rahi ho aisa kuch nahi hai Naina... Amrita sirf meri acchi dost hai aur kuch nahi... Hum New York University mein mile the... Hamari friendship first year mein hi ho gayi thi... Maine usse hamesha ek accha dost hi maana hai par fir ek din usne mujhe propose kiya... Hum tab final year mein the... Maine usse tab hi manaa kar diya tha... Sach kahun toh koi aisi ladki mili hi nahi jisse dekhkar ya milkar meri dil mein hulchul machi ho... Main khush tha ki Amrita ne yeh baat dil par nahi li aur tab hi bhool gayi... Par haannn, woh aaj bhi mujhe iss baat ke taane maarti rehti hai ki maine uska dil tod diya tha"

I laughed & looked at Naina... She was having tears in her eyes, "Arey Naina... Tum ro kyun rahi ho???" She spoke in a croaked voice, "I'm sorry Sameer... Pataa nahi main aapke baare mein kya kya sochne lagi thi... Jis tarah Amrita ne aapko gale lagaaya tha uss din office mein, mujhe lagaa ki woh aapki girlfriend hai aur aap dono ek dusre se pyaar karte ho... I'm sorry Sameer... Mujhe aisa kuch nahi sochna chahiye tha... Maine aapko galat samjha Sameer... I'm so so sorry..."

I shifted a little towards her & spoke, "Naina... It's ok... Tum please sorry mat bolo aur pehle toh yeh rona band karo... Main tumhe aise choti choti baat pe rote hue nahi dekh sakta... Chup ho jao ekdum..." "Sameer... Yeh aapke liye choti baat hogi, mere liye nahi..." I knew the reason behind her words but still I wanted to hear, so I asked, "Kyun??? Kyun Naina... Yeh baat se tumhe itna farak padd raha tha???"

She looked at me & replied, "Kyunki main aapko kisi aur ke saath nahi dekh sakti Sameer..."

How was the update???

I wanted to write more but then thought of continuing their confrontation in the next chapter as still they have a lot to talk about their past...

Do shower your precious votes & comments if you like the story...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Diku...❤