CAN BROKEN HEART BE MENDED

CHAPTER NINETEEN

SAMEER

By the time I reached home, Kabir had slept... I was very much happy to know that not only Naina but Nanu also trusted me... I was a little perturbed that my very own besties didn't have faith in me at all... They knew me enough from childhood but now they were totally acting like strangers with me... I was very much upset about the way they believed that Sunaina was my girlfriend now... How could they even think of it??? I was angry with them... Why can't they see through all the planning & plotting done by her???

I wanted to expose Sunaina... I wanted her to accept & admit that she had trapped me deliberately to push Naina away from me, to break our marriage... She has definitely underestimated our love & trust for each other... I already had a plan to expose her with the help of Kabir... Now, even Naina & Nanu were going to help me with that... Sunaina would've never thought that even after her stupid plan, I & Naina were still together much stronger than before...

That night I tried sleeping peacefully but couldn't... I was constantly getting flashbacks of my best buddies... All the memories were playing in my mind like a movie... our school days... our fights... our cricket matches... our college days... their flirting... our teasing... our constant banter... We've been together all our life... Wae've shared our happiness & pain together... Then why aren't they with me now??? What has changed in a matter of few days???

I was happy that Naina, Nanu & Kabir were with me, but I wanted my friends to be with me too... I don't know when my eyes started watering & slowly, I started sobbing too... I was sure that Kabir would've heard my loud sobs till now... Before I could stop shedding my tears, Kabir opened the door which I'd forgotten to lock as always & he walked in quietly...

"Sameer... Tu ro kyun raha hai??? Kya hua???", I heard his worried voice... I couldn't speak anything... He continued, "Ab toh Naina aur Nanu bhi hamare saath hai, fir tu kyun ro raha hai yaar??? Kya baat hai Sameer??? Mujhe bataa shayad mein kuch help kar paun..." When I didn't say anything, he got up & offered me a glass of water that was kept at the bed side table... I drank few sips & sobered down a little...

"Kabir... Main Munna aur Pandit ko miss kar raha hun... Unhone hamesha mere har sukh dukh mein mera saath diya hai ab tak... Woh dono mujhpe kaise shak kar sakte hai yaar??? Bachpan se hum teeno saath hai... Main jitna khudko nahi jaanta, utna wohhh dono mujhe jaante hai, samajhte hai... Meri har khushi aur gham mein mera saath dete hai... Fir aaj kaise un dono ne mujhe akela chod diya Kabir..."

I started crying again... Kabir didn't say anything & let me shed tears... It was after a while that I calmed down... "Sameer... Tu soja ab... Thak gaya hoga... Aur fir kal jaldi uthkar taiyari bhi toh karni hai na... Plan ko aage badhaana hai... Chal ab shanti se soja..." He patted my head softly & I drifted to sleep...

The next day I got up with a mild headache... the after effects of crying, I guess... Kabir had his breakfast & I skipped it citing that I wasn't hungry... We were waiting for Naina... "Kabir... Sunn naa... Ummmm... Please Naina ko kuch mat bataana raat ke baare mein... Main usse faltu ka tension nahi dena chaahta... Toh please usse kuch mat kehna...", I was almost pleading him to keep my sudden breakdown away from Naina...

But before he could say anything, the doorbell rang announcing Naina's arrival... The view in front of me was unbelievable... Naina was standing at the door with Swati & Preeti... The three of them entered the apartment... I was definitely shocked seeing the other girls there... I looked around at the corridor waiting to see my other lifelines too... But to my dismay, there was no one... My eyes misted immediately & I controlled my tears from falling... I didn't want Naina to see them & worry about it...

When I turned to face them, Swati & Preeti hugged me... "Sameer... Naina ne hume sab kuch bataaya... Hum pehle se jaante the ki tum nirdosh ho... Tum Naina ko kabhi cheat nahi kar sakte... Humne tumhari aankhon mein Naina ke liye saccha pyaar dekha hai... Humne bohot samjhane ki koshish ki, par Munna aur Pandit hamari ek baat nahi sunn rahe... Fir kal raat jab Naina ne sab bataaya toh hum yahaan aa gaye, tumse milne aur tumhari help karne... Sameer... Hume tum par poora bharosa hai... Bas uss Sunaina ko aisa sabak sikhaana hai ki wohhh kabhi aisi harkat waapis kisi aur ke saath na kar sake...", Preeti said in a heavy voice...

"Tum dono yahaan ho, kya, kya... yeh Munna-Pandit jaante hai???", I asked, my voice a little shaky after hearing Preeti's words... "Nahi Sameer... Wohhh dono nahi jaante ki hum tumse milne aaye hai... Aur hum unhe bataane bhi nahi waale... Hum bhi tumhari help karna chaahte hai...", Swati said in a low voice...

"Swati... Preeti... Tum dono ko Munna-Pandit ke saath hona chahiye... Mere saath nahi... Main nahi chaahta ki meri wajah se tum logon ki relationship mein problems aaye..." I knew my friends won't like their girls supporting me... "Sameer... Tum chinta mat karo... Unhe sach dekhna aur samjhna hi nahi hai... Agar wohhh andhe aur behre ho gaye hai iska matlab yeh toh nahi ki hum bhi waise hi ho jaaye... Hume sab saaf saaf dikhayi de rahaa hai... Iss baar wohhh log galat hai, jo tum par bharosa nahi kar rahe aur uss chudail ka vishwas kar rahe hai...", Swati spoke confidently beside me...

Preeti continued, "Sahi keh rahi hai Swati... Sameer... Tum unn dono ki chinta mat karo... Jis din saara sach saamne aayega na, uss din bohot pachtaayenge dono... Unhone Sunaina par bharosa kar ke bohot badi galti kardi... Fir aayenge maafi maangte hue... Tab tum unhe bilkul bhi maaf mat karna... Unhe abhi tumhara saath dena chahiye tha... Tum par vishwas karna chahiye tha... Naa ki uss jhoothi Sunaina ka..." The control on my tears finally snapped & the tears made its way...

Naina was next to me in a flash... I didn't say anything... She hugged me tightly, "Ssshhhhh... Sameer... Yeh time rone ka nahi hai... Tumhe strong rehna hoga... Uss Sunaina ki bachi ko itne aasaani se jaane nahi dena hai iss baar... Usne tumse tumhara sab kuch cheena hai naa... Ab uski baari hai... Tumhe tumhare inhi aansoon ko apni taakat banana hai Sameer... Aur ab toh hum sab tumhare saath hai..."

"Tum sab mere saath ho... Par mere jigri yaar toh nahi hai na...", my voice choked in the end & she hugged me tightly... She was rubbing my back continuously which calmed me down slowly... All of us settled in the living room & then Naina introduced Kabir to the girls... After introductions, Swati & Preeti were updated with our plan... They listened attentively & were ready to help us wherever possible...

Naina walkd to the kitchen & was back with a plate... She sat next to me & I was surprised to see that she had brought aloo parathas for me... Without a word, she started feeding me... I couldn't deny her & kept eating quietly... "Bhabhi... Aapko kaise pataa chala ki Sameer ne breakfast nahi kiya hai???" Naina looked straight into my eyes, "Bas mujhe pataa chal gaya..." Once we were done, she went to the kitchen to keep the plate & I followed her...

Before she could say anything, I crushed her in my hug... "Naina... Kyun karti ho itna pyaar mujhse??? Kyun??? Mere bina kuch kahe hi tumhe sab pataa chal jaata hai... Main sach mein bohot lucky hun ki tum meri zindagi mein aayi... Pataa nahi main tumhare iss pyaar ke kaabil hun bhi yaa nahi..." She covered my mouth with her palm, "Khabaardaar mere Sameer ko tumne kuch bola bhi toh... Mera Sameer mujhse bohot pyaar karta hai aur main bhi bohot pyaar karti hun... Aage se aisa kabhi mat bolna ki tum mere pyaar ke kaabil nahi ho..." Her eyes misted, "Tumne toh mujhe pyaar ka matlab samjhaaya hai... Jab se meri zindagi mein aaye ho, mujhe sirf khushi hi khushi di hai... Mere liye pyaar ka dusra naam Sameer hai... Samjhe..."

I leaned towards her to kiss her but my mobile started ringing & our moment broke... We left towards the living room where I had kept my mobile... I picked up the call, "Bolo Sunaina..." "Heyyy Sameer... Good morning... Maine tumhe yeh bataane ke liye call kiya hai ki aaj shaam ko mere ghar mein party hai aur tumhe yahaan aana hai... Aur haan... Kabir ko bhi saath le aana... Main kabse usse call kar rahi hun, par wohhh phone hi nahi utha raha... Tum usse bataa dena aur usse saath laana... Okk... Main tumhe address bhejti hun... Bye... Shaam ko milenge..."

I can't believe this girl... She was insane... She didn't even give me a chance to talk & was talking continuously... I had kept my phone on speaker mode so that everyone could hear our conversation... I looked at Kabir, "Tum uske calls kyun nahi uthaa rahe???" He was rubbing his neck nervously, "Wohhh... Main... Main meri girlfriend, Natasha se baat kar raha tha... Tabhi yeh madam call pe call kiye jaa rahi thi... Toh maine uske sabhi calls avoid kiye..." We all shared a look & burst out laughing...

"Chalo accha hua... Chipkali ne hi shaam ki planning kar li... Ab hume hamara plan aage badhaana hai... Kabir... Are you ready???", Naina was facing him now... He nodded & we got back to execute our plan... The girls left after lunch, I & Kabir went to rest for a little time... Once in the room, I called up Nanu & informed him about our next step... "Sameer beta... Main bhi uss party mein aa raha hun... Toh hum wahin milenge..." I was happy that Nanu would join me there, but I was somewhat sad too as Naina wouldn't be there with us...

I & Kabir were ready to leave for Sunaina's place in the evening... Sunaina had pinged me incessantly reminding me about the party & somewhere I could see our plan being successful as she insisted on bringing Kabir with me... I could see Kabir being a little uncomfortable with this news... I knew it wasn't easy to bear Sunaina & her crazy antics... He agreed to do this only for me & I'm glad that at least he stood by me & was helping me to prove me innocent... Again the faces of my best friends crossed my mind but I refrained from pondering over it...

I was waiting in the living room for Kabir, when my phone rang... It was a video call from Naina... "Naina..." Her face appeared on the screen & I felt a sudden urge to meet her personally. "Sameer... Tum ready ho gaye???" "Haan... Main ready hun... Bas hamare hero ka wait kar raha hun..." She chuckled, "Haannn... Sahi kahaa tumne Sameer... Kabir hero toh hai..." I squinted my eyes at her, "Acchhhaaa ji... Toh ab Kabir hero bann gaya..." She laughed heartily, "Sameer... Kahin kuch jal raha hai kya???"

I kept the phone on the table & folded my hands & turned away from the screen... I shouted, "Kabir... Taiyaar hua bhi yaa nahi??? Chal jaldi late ho raha hai..." Kabir came out in the next moment & looked at me, "Tujhe kya hua hai??? Itna ukhad kyun rahaa hai??? Main toh taiyaar hi tha, bas car keys dhoondh raha tha..." It was Naina's voice that caught his attention, "Hiii Kabir... Bohot handsome lag rahe ho... Aaj toh Sunaina ekdum fida ho jaayegi..."

"Hiii Bhabhi... Thank you, thank you... Aapke muh se compliments sunna accha lagta hai par uss chipkoo se nahi..." They both laughed & I stayed silent throughout their conversation... "Isse kya hua hai Bhabhi??? Yun mooh fulaake kyun baitha hai???", Kabir asked her pointing towards me... "Tum dono ki baat ho gayi ho toh hum chale late ho raha hai...", I said & got up to leave... I disconnected the video call, without even wishing her a proper goodbye...

My mobile rang several times after that, but I didn't pick up the calls & turned it on silent mode... Kabir was watching me with a worried look... I was happy that he didn't ask me anything further & we reached Sunaina's house in no time... Her house looked like a five star hotel... Yes... A hotel... I didn't get any homely vibes about it... As we entered, we met many people on the way, whom I recognized... I was searching for Nanu but I couldn't find him anywhere...

I & Kabir went to the bar counter & ordered for water... We both had decided that we would stick to water & juices tonight... We both were cautious about the drinks here, after whatever happened with me in Singapore... I warned Kabir to be careful with Sunaina as she could do anything to get whatever she wanted... We were watchful throughout...

"Hiii... Look who's here finally...", I heard her venomous voice... She was coming towards us with her friends... She stopped in front of us, smiling widely... "Hey Sameer...", she greeted me & then turned towards Kabir, "Hiii... Kabir...", she looped her hands around his arm & pecked his cheek... I could see the disgust on Kabir's face & he cringed at her touch... Still, he smiled & greeted her back politely...

"Girls... Tum log Sameer ko toh jaante ho... Ab inse milo, yeh hai Kabir Sehgal from Dubai... Sehgal Jewels ke CEO..." All the girls introduced themselves to him & he gave curt nods to all... I was pitying my own friend... I was the one because of whom he was suffering Sunaina's & her friend's torture... Once the girls left, Sunaina took Kabir away from the counter...

I saw Sunaina's father coming towards me... "Sameer beta... Kaise ho tum??? Tumhe yahaan dekhkar main bohot khush hun aaj...", her father greeted me & I smiled, "Main thik hun uncle... Aap kaise hai???" I asked genuinely... "Main bhi thik hi hun beta... Bas kabhi kabhi tabiyat kharaab ho jaati hai... Ab ek baar Sunaina ka ghar bass jaaye aur meri aakhri zimmedaari poori ho jaaye, fir main shanti se mar paaunga... Waise ab toh woh fikar bhi khatam hote dikh rahi hai..." I understood the meaning behind his words but I stayed silent...

He continued, "Sameer... Tumne shaadi ke baare mein kya socha hai??? Maine suna ki tumhari shaadi toot gayi hai..." I wasn't ready for this conversation yet but somehow, I replied keeping my anger in check, "Haannn... Shaadi toot gayi hai meri... Aur main abhi shaadi nahi karna chaahta..." He kept his hand on my shoulder, "Beta... Zindagi kisi ke liye kahaan rukti hai... Ek ladki gayi toh kya hua dusri aa jaayegi... Ab sab ladkiyan ek jaisi toh nahi hongi naa??? Tumhe aage badhna chahiye Sameer... Apne Nanaji ke baare mein toh socho..."

"Koi mere baare mein baat kar raha hai kya???", I heard Nanu's voice... I was relieved that I no more needed to answer anything... "Arey Maheshwari ji... Aaiye... aaiye... Main abhi aap ki hi baat kar raha tha..." He told Nanu about our conversation & Nanu kept a straight face while hearing him & then Nanu spoke, "Aap thik keh rahe hai... Par ab mera Sameer ki life par koi hakk nahi hai... Usse shaadi karni hai, kisse karni hai, kab karni hai... yeh sab Sameer hi khud decide karega..."

"Maheshwari ji... Aap Sameer ke Nanaji hai... Aapki baat kaise taal sakta hai... Aap samjhayenge toh samajh jaayega..." My patience was on the edge now... I was struggling to keep my anger at bay... But Sunaina's father was stretching the subject of my marriage too far now... I looked at Nanu & he blinked his eyes... Kabir & Sunaina joined us... The conversation was still fixed on my marriage... "Maheshwari ji... Ummm... Aap bura mat maaniyega... Par mujhe aapse kuch kehna hai...", her father spoke looking at Nanu... "Ji kahiye..."

"Wohhh... main yeh keh raha tha ki kyun na hum Sameer aur Sunaina ki shaadi karva de... Waise bhi dono ek dusre ko acche se jaante bhi hai aur pasand bhi karte hai... Aur fir agar aap chaahe toh hum hamari companies merge bhi kar sakte hai... Kya khayaal hai iss baare mein???", Sunaina's father's words nauseated me... Was her father for real??? He wanted her daughter's marriage to be part of a business deal... Well... I should've expected this only... Why did I forget that he was Sunaina's father after all??? They will only talk about money... They don't care for anyone's feelings...

Nanu's laughter broke my thoughts, "Parekhji... Hum shaadi mein paison ka sauda nahi karte... Par shaayad kisine aapko bataaya nahi ki Sameer ab se, 'Maheshwari Industries' ka CEO nahi hai... Toh business merge kaise aur kyun hoga... Usne toh mera ghar bhi chod diya hai... Aur jahaan tak shaadi ki baat hai, woh decision main Sameer par chodta hun...", Nanu said looking at me...

Sunaina's father turned towards her, "Yeh sab kab hua??? Tumne mujhe kuch bataaya kyun nahi???" I was happy to hear his shocked voice... Sunaina spoke with a smile, "Usme bataana kya hai Papa... Mujhe lagaa aapko pataa chal gaya hoga... Waise bhi I'm not planning to marry him anyways... I don't love him anymore..." My heart jumped in happiness but her next words caught all of us off-guard, "Papaa... Main Kabir se shaadi karna chaahti hun..." She pointed towards Kabir, "Papaa... Yeh hai Kabir Sehgal from Dubai... Yeh 'Sehgal Jewels' ka CEO hai... Inka business worldwide faila hua hai... I searched about him on the google yesterday... Aap bhi dekh lijiye..." I wasn't able to read Kabir's expressions... He smiled sweetly, "Hello uncle... Nice to meet you..." He turned to Sunaina, "Well... Sunaina... Abhi toh hum thik se ek dusre ko jaante bhi nahi hai... Toh shaadi ki baat abhi karna thik nahi lagta... Waise bhi main shaadi apne parents ki pasand se karunga... Toh I'm sorry Sunaina... Mujhse shaadi karne ke liye tumhe mere parents se milna hoga, agar wohhh log tumse impress ho gaye aur tumne agar unhe manaa liya, tab hi hamari shaadi hogi..."

I was amazed with his instant plan... All this wasn't a part of our plan... I could see Sunaina fuming in anger... No one has ever rejected her outright that too in front of her father... I wanted to hug & pat Kabir for doing that... But that would have to wait for now... Sunaina was still holding Kabir's arm tightly & her father spoke, "Ab Sunaina ko tum shaadi ke liye pasand aa gaye ho toh ab mujhe baat aage badhaani padegi... Kabir... Tumhare parents kab aayenge India??? Mujhe unka number de do, main unse baat kar leta hun..." Kabir smiled at the old man, "Papa-Mummy kal hi aa rahe hai... Toh aap aur Sunaina baad mein mil lijiyega..." He looked at Sunaina, "Mere parents se deal karna itna aasaan nahi hai toh uske liye all the very best abhi se..."

Nanu spoke, "Arey waahhh Kabir yeh toh bohot acchi baat hai ki tumhare parents kal aa rahe hai... Aisa karo, tum unke saath mere ghar aa jaana parso... Arey... dekho... main bataana hi bhool gaya ki parso mere ghar par party hai... Main Maheshwari Industries ka CEO announce karne wala hun... Toh Kabir tum apne parents ke saath aana beta... Mujhe accha lagega..." Nanu turned to Sunaina's father, "Aap bhi aana Sunaina ka saath... Wahin rishte ki baat bhi kar lijiyega... Thik hai na???" They agreed immediately...

I looked behind Nanu & stood rooted to the spot... My eyes watered immediately... "Arey papa... Main kab se aap ko dhoond rahi thi... Kaise hai aap???", it was my mother who was talking to Nanu... She didn't even glance at me once & continued talking to Nanu, "Aur main yeh kya sunn rahi hun ki aap 'Maheshwari Industries' ka CEO announce karne waale ho parso..." Her husband laughed, "Arey Vishakha... Tum kitni bholi ho, itna bhi nahi samjhi ab tak ki Papa ne Sameer ko office se aur ghar se nikaal diyaa hai... Toh ab kisi aur ko CEO banana padega na..." He chuckled again, "Mujhe toh pehle se hi pataa tha ki yeh Sameer ekdum nikamma hai... kuch nahi kar paayega aage... Dekha Vishakha... Maine jo pehle kahaa tha wohhh aaj sach hi hua naa..."

Nanu & Kabir were about to retort but I gestured them to keep quiet... I knew I wasn't a part of their family... I should never expect anything from them... But still I wanted my mother to defend me... I know I should not expect this but somewhere my heart wanted her love... I controlled my tears as I saw my mother not reacting at all & the most surprising thing was that she didn't even look at me once...

"Kabir... Main ghar jaa raha hun... Tu aa jaana baad mein...", my voice croaked at the end but I wasn't thinking about it now... I left the party immediately... I took a cab & left from there... The moment I reached Kabir's place, I let my tears flow freely... I went to my room & opened my cupboard & was searching for a photograph... Finally, I got what I wanted & I sat down with a thud... It was an old photograph which included my small family... My father had held me in his arms & my mother was kissing me on my cheek... Nanu had clicked this picture of ours... We were such a happy family until my father passed away... After my father's death, I lost my mother too... I still don't know why she never tried to come & seek me... I lived like an orphan, even if my mother was alive...

I cried hugging that picture close to my heart... I'd started sobbing till now... I didn't care if anyone heard it... "Aap... aap... mujhse hamesha aisa hi kyun pesh aati hai??? Aap shaadi karke Delhi kya gayi, aap mujhe toh ekdum hi bhool gayi Maa... Meri kya galti thi??? Kya galti thi meri, jo aapne aaj tak mujhse kabhi pyaar se baat tak nahi ki..."

I looked upwards towards God, still holding the picture close to my heart, "Bhagwaanji... Aapne mujhe mere papa ke saath hi apne paas kyun nahi bula liyaa... Apko toh sab pataa hota hai na... Fir kyun mujhe yeh bin maa ki zindagi guzaarne ke liye peeche chod diya... Main toh papa ke maut ke baad ekdum anaath hi ho gaya... Kyunki Maa bhi toh fir mujhe akela chod kar chali hi gayi... Unhone tab se aaj tak, ek baar bhi mujhse pyaar se baat nahi ki... mere sar par pyaar se haath nahi ghumaaya... kabhi mujhe pyaar se nahi daanta... kabhi acche kaam par shaabaashi nahi di... kabhi mere masti karne par kaan nahi kheenche... Kaise karti na, jab wohhh yahaan thi hi nahi..."

I cried a little harder & continued, "Mere naseeb hi acche nahi hai... Isliye aaj main yahaan ro raha hun... Akela jo padd gaya hun... Anaath toh tha hi, ab toh mere khud ke friends bhi mujhpe bharosa nahi karte... Main hun hi manhoos... Koi tiktaa hi nahi meri zindagi mein... Aaj bhale hi Nanu, Naina, Kabir, Preeti aur Swati mera saath de rahe ho, par fir bhi hun toh main akela hi... Koi nahi samajh sakta ki main kaisa feel karta hun jab unke parents unse itna pyaar karte hai... Mere naseeb mein pyaar hai hi nahi... Bhagwanji... Ab mujhe nahi jeena hai... Thak gaya hun iss akeli zindagi se... Please mujhe bhi apne paas bula lijiye... Wahaan aakar shayaad main apne papa se mil paun... Shayaad wahaan khush reh paaun..."

I continued crying & sobbing till darkness surrounded me & I fainted...

NAINA

I was worried & was getting an intuition that Sameer wasn't well... I was calling him up constantly but he wasn't picking up... But when I called him up now, the phone was switched off... Something was not right... I shouldn't have teased him about Kabir... He hadn't talked to me since then, which was worrying me more... I called up Kabir, but even he didn't return my calls... Now I was worried sick... I don't know what to do... I wish I would've accompanied Nanu to the party, at least Sameer would've been in front of me the whole time...

I slapped my forehead... How did I forget that Nanu was also present in the same party??? I called up Nanu immediately & he picked up the call, "Hello... Naina beta... Jaldi se Kabir ke ghar aa jao...", saying this, he disconnected the call... I couldn't react for a while... What has happened??? Why did Nanu sound so worried??? Without pondering on it, I rushed out of my house & hailed a cab to Kabir's house...

When I reached his apartment building, I saw Nanu & Kabir getting down from his car... I rushed to them immediately... "Nanu... Kabir... Kya hua??? Sameer kahaan hai??? Sab thik toh hai na???", I looked around but couldn't find him... Nanu held my hand & we started walking towards Kabir's apartment... He told me everything that happened at the party... My heart sank at the thought of what Sameer would be feeling right now... We almost ran to his house... Kabir opened the door & we heard his loud sobs...

We opened the door to Sameer's room softly... My heart pained after seeing him in that state... He was crying so badly & was complaining to God... I took a step ahead to go to him, but Nanu stopped me, "Naina... Aaj ro lene do isse... Saalon se apna dard mann mein bhar ke rakha hai... Aaj uss dard ko aansoon ke saath baahar nikal jaane do..." My heart twisted when he asked God, why didn't he take him with his father... I was standing there in front of his door & couldn't help him in any way... He looked like a child who was complaining to the almighty about taking away everyone from his life...

Sameer had clutched a photograph to his chest & was sobbing... The moment he closed his eyes, I, Nanu & Kabir ran inside his room... He had fainted... Kabir told me that he hadn't eaten anything since morning... Nanu immediately called the doctor, I & Kabir laid him on the bed... We all had cried with him today... His each & every sentence had punched me hard in my gut... This ever-smiling handsome guy had kept so much pain in his heart, which broke my heart into pieces...

Doctor came in the next fifteen minutes & asked us to leave the room so he could check on him... We went out & sat down in the living room. Kabir offered us water which I & Nanu declined politely... We were waiting impatiently for the doctor to come out... The doctor came out after ten minutes with a worried expression... "Doctor... Sameer kaisa hai ab??? Sab thik toh hai na??? Wohhh uth gaya kya???", I asked him without letting him answer...

"Naina... Shant ho jao...", Nanu patted my back & he turned towards the doctor, "Sameer kaisa hai ab???" "Dekhiye... Sameer ab thik hai... Usse bohot bukhaar tha aur shayaad kuch khaaya nahi tha usne, isliye weakness ki wajah se behosh ho gaya... Aur uska blood pressure bhi kaafi low gaya tha... Usse dekhkar lagaa jaise bohot roya hai... Par ab wohh thik hai... Thoda bukhaar abhi bhi hai... Maine usse injection de diya hai, teen chaar ghanto mein hosh aa jayega... Subah tak bukhaar bhi kam ho jaayega... Usse samay pe acche se khana khilaa dena... Bohot weak ho gaya hai... Yeh lijiye uske medicines... Maine iss paper par likha hai kaise, kab aur kaunsi davai deni hai... Main ab chalta hun... Sameer ka acche se dhyaan rakhna... Aur kuch lage toh mujhe phone kar dijiyega... Main aa jaaunga... Chalo bye & take care of Sameer..."

I asked Nanu to go home & rest but he refused to go... Kabir took him to his room so he could rest there till Sameer was awake... I softly walked into Sameer's room & sat beside him... The photo was still in his hand... I took it from his tight fist & my eyes misted looking at the picture... It was a perfect family photo... Sameer's smile was the highlight of that picture... I kept it safely on the side table...

I took Sameer's hand in mine & kissed it softly... I check his forehead & it was burning... Immediately, I brought a bowl of cold water & a cloth to bring his temperature down... I kept changing the cloth for the next half an hour... I heard a knock on the door & then Kabir & Nanu walked in the room... "Kya hua Naina???", Nanu was beside me the next moment... "Ummmm... Nanu... Wohhh bukhaar badh gaya tha iss liye... Pattiyaan laga rahi thi... Par ab bukhaar kam ho gaya hai... Fikar mat kijiye... Subah tak Sameer bilkul thik ho jaayega..." I was telling them but was reassuring myself too...

Nanu'e eyes watered, "Pataa nahi mera baccha kab khul ke khush reh paayega... Jab bhi koi khushi uski zindagi mein aati hai, kisi na kisi ki nazar lag hi jaati hai... Naina... Sameer ne bachpan se hi apna dard kabhi kisise share nahi kiya... Main, Munna aur Pandit hamesha rehte the Sameer ke saath... Par main jaanta hun hamara pyaar uske maa-baap ke pyaar ki kami ho kabhi poora nahi kar paayega... Fir bhi maine Sameer ko hamesha khush hi dekh hai... Usse chupchupkar rote hue bhi dekha hai humne... Par poochne par wohhh hamesha baat taal deta tha..."

He continued, "Aaj bhi usne wohi hi kiya... Kaash main uska dard kam kar paata... Aaj mujhe meri khud ki beti se nafrat si hone lagi hai... Vishakha, Rohan aur Deepika ki maa toh bann gayi... Par shayaad apne khud ke bacche ki maa nahi bann paayi... Vishakha ne toh bachpan se hi aise kiya hai, par mujhe iss baat ka bhi bohot dukh ho raha hai ki Munna aur Pandit ne apne dost ko itna akela kar diya... Yeh party ka plan unka hi hai... Wohh chaahte hai ki tumhare CEO banne ki khushi mein hume yeh party deni chahiye... Maine unse yunhi poocha ki isse shaayad hum Sameer ke feelings ko hurt karenge... Jaanti ho Naina, unhone kya kahaa... Unhone kahaa ki unhe ab Sameer se yaa uske feelings se koi lena dena nahi hai... Mujhe bohot bura lagaa... Yeh wohi dost hai, jinhone hamesha Sameer ke saath rehna ka vachan diya tha... Aur aaj ek galat fehmi ki wajah se sab kho diya mere Sameer ne..."

Nanu started crying & Kabir hugged him... "Nanaji... Aap chinta mat kariye... Hum sab thik kar denge..." I too cried & then made myself stronger... I took Nanu's hand in mine, "Nanu... Main aapko promise karti hun ki Sameer ko uski saari khushiyan milengi... Usse uske khoye hue dost aur Maa zaroor wapis milenge... Sameer ka toota hua dil main acche se jod dungi Nanu... Bas aapka saath chahiye..."

He patted my head & blessed me, "Bhagwaan kare aisa hi ho... Main sirf mere bacche ko khush dekhna chaahta hun... Aur iske liye main tumhari poori tarah help karunga..." "Aur main bhi tumhari help karunga Bhabhi...", Kabir too joined us... He told me about Sameer's last night's breakdown too... When I'd come in the morning today, I knew that something was off with him... His eyes were red & swollen... I'm sure that he must have cried in the morning too...

I promised myself that night that I would do anything to mend all his broken relations... I would mend his broken heart & soul... I will never make him feel alone... We all want him to be happy & that's what he was about to witness in the future... A future of happiness... He deserves all the happiness in the world... And I will make sure that he will get whatever he has lost till now... I'm going to heal all his wounds...

"Nanu... Aap aur Kabir thodi der yahaan baithiye... Tab tak main thoda khaane ko banaa leti hun... Sameer ko davaaiyan dene ka waqt ho gaya hai... Wohh jaise hi uthega, waise hi kuch khila denge..." Nanu nodded & I left to make some khichdi for us... No one had eaten anything since afternoon... I went to the kitchen & luckily found all the ingredients I needed...

It was over half an hour that I went to Sameer's room... Nanu & Kabir were sitting next to him... I sat at the other side of the bed & tried to wake up Sameer... He didn't get up with my first three tries... "Ek baar aur try karti hun... Nahi utha, toh fir thodi der baad uthayenge...", I spoke to Nanu... I tried for the last time & he slowly opened his eyes... We all were relieved after seeing him conscious...

"Sameer...", I said softly & his eyes landed on me... "Beta... Ab kaisa feel kar rahe ho???", Nanu asked him, keeping his hand on Sameer's head... He turned to Nanu & smiled, "Main thik hun Nanu...", he said in a low voice... "Chal ab thoda khaa le aur davaai le le... Davaai ka time ho gaya hai...", Nanu & Kabir helped him to get up... Nanu made him drink some water first... Then I started feeding him khichdi... I knew that he didn't like the tasteless khichdi but for now he didn't have any choice...

"Hey champ... Tumne toh hume dara hi diya tha... Waise Nanaji aap jyada tension mat lijiye... Sameer bohot strong hai... Subah tak ekdum thik ho jaayega... Kyun champ, sahi kaha na???" He nodded & Kabir continued, "Bhabhi... Main Nanaji ke liye bhi thodi khichdi le aata hun... Inhone kuch nahi khaaya hai raat se...", Kabir went to the kitchen & brought three plates of khichdi for us... Everyone ate quietly & then Nanu & Kabir went back to his room...

After finishing the food, I handed over the medicines to Sameer & he took it without making a fuss... "Chalo... Ab tum so jao... Main yahi hun...", I said softly & helped him to lay down on the bed... He didn't say anything & was looking at me with his sleepy eyes... "Tum mujhe kabhi chodkar nahi jaogi na Naina???", I heard his low voice & my heart broke with his question... How could he even think that I would leave him???

I didn't reply & then I too slept beside him... I covered us with the quilt & moved closer to him... He took me in his embrace & I closed my eyes... His body was still a little warm... "Sameer... Maine tumse pehle bhi promise kiya tha aur aaj bhi promise karti hun ki main tumhe kabhi bhi chodkar nahi jaaungi... Main hamesha tumhare saath rahungi marte dum tak... Meri zindagi ho tum Sameer... I Love You... And I'm sorry... Wohhh pehle maine tumhe Kabir ke naam se chidane ki koshish ki isliye... Main aage se nahi karungi...", I held my ear & pouted murmuring a sorry again...

He moved my hand from my ear & nodded in a no... I again continued with a pout, "Par main tumse naraaz bhi hun Sameer... Tumne mere calls nahi uthaaye aur messages ka reply bhi nahi kiya... Pataa hai, main kitna dar gayi thi, jab tum aur Kabir dono bhi calls nahi uthaa rahe the... Jab Nanu ne mujhe jaldi se yahaan aane ko kahaa toh mera dil ekdum se baith gaya tha... Darr gayi thi ki kahin kuch bura naa hua ho... Tum... Tum mujhse promise karo ki ab se mera har call uthaoge... Tum kitna bhi busy ho, mere call uthana hi padega... Samjhe..."

Sameer's eyes misted & he held me tightly in his embrace, "I'm sorry too... Aage se aisa nahi karunga Naina... Main promise karta hun ki hamesha tumhare calls uthaunga... Tumhe kabhi khudse dur jaane nahi dunga... Tumhara hamesha saath dunga aur tumhe hamesha khush rakhunga... I Love You Naina..." My eyes watered too... "Aur ek promise chahiye..." He raised his eyebrows & I spoke, "Apna dard mere saath baatna padega Sameer..." He closed his eyes, "Sameer... Hum jab yahaan aaye, toh humne sab suna jo tum bhagwaanji se baat kar rahe the... Itna dard chupa rakha hai tumne Sameer... Kabhi kisi ke saath nahi baanta... Mere saath tumhe sab share karna hoga Sameer... Main sirf tumhare khushi mein hi nahi, balki har dukh-dard mein shaamil hona chaahti hun... Pyaar karte toh na mujhse... Toh tumhe yeh promise bhi karna padega..."

"Naina... Main promise karta hun ki ab se main sab kuch tumse share karunga... Kuch nahi chupaaunga tumse... Sahi kahaa tumne... Tumhe mere har sukh aur dukh ke baare mein jaanne ka hakk hai... Bas mujhe thoda time de do... Main khud sab share karunga tumse..." His voice turned a little hoarse in the end & I realized that he was under the influence of medications... He needed to rest... I kissed him on his chest, "So jao Sameer... Subah baat karenge... Goodnight Jaan..." He didn't reply & I heard his soft snoring... He was already asleep...

I got up the next morning with his soft kisses on my face... I opened my eyes & saw his smiling face... I thought that I was dreaming so I just pecked him on his lips... But then I was stunned, when his lips found mine again & then I realized that I wasn't dreaming... All the memories of last night came back & then I held him tight & gave in, in the moment... I shivered when I felt his hand sneak inside my top... He made circles on my bare waist... We broke our kiss when we heard Nanu's voice outside our room...

I instantly got up from the bed & hurried towards the washroom... I couldn't face Nanu & Kabir with my flushed face... I freshened up quickly & went outside, where Nanu & Kabir were sitting with Sameer... He looked at me with shining eyes & I blushed & left the room in a hurry... I went towards the kitchen to make tea & breakfast for all...

Once done with our breakfast, Nanu left to get back to his house after giving Sameer strict orders to rest for the day & Kabir left to pick up his parents at the airport... He was going to include his parents in our plan too... He would drop them in a hotel & would join us back by evening... I was preparing for the lunch when Sameer joined me in the kitchen after freshening up...

"Sameer... Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho... Chalo... Room mein jao... Aur aaraam karo... Main bas dus minute mein aati hun..." He ignored my scolding & wrapped his hand around my waist & pulled me in a hug... "Naina... Main akela room mein bore ho jaaunga... Isliye yahaan aaya hun... Main tumhari kuch help kar doon...", he said while looking around the kitchen... I laughed & he pouted, "Hass kyun rahi ho... Mujhe thoda bohot toh kitchen ka kaam aata hai..."

I sobered down & looked at him, "Jab tak main tumhare saath hun, tumhe kitchen mein koi kaam karne ki zarurat nahi hai... Aur rahi hasne ki baat, toh main just yeh imagine kar rahi thi ki tum kitchen me aata gundte waqt kaise lagoge..." He chuckled too, "Yeh toh sach hai ki main aata nahi gund paaunga, par agar tum paas rahogi toh shayaad wohhh kaam bhi acche se ho hi jaayega... Waise shaadi ke baad tum mujhe sikha dena aur main fir tumhari aise hi help karne ko hamesha taiyaar rahunga...", he winked & I hid my face in his chest...

"Sameer... Thoda aaraam kar lo na... Main aati hun thodi der mein...", I said softly... "Thik hai... Tum apna kaam khatam karo, main room mein hun..." He kissed me on my forehead & left to his room... I finished my work in the next twenty minutes & entered his room... He was doing something on his laptop... "Maine tumhe aaram karne ko kahaa tha... kaam karne ko nahi..." He looked at me & pulled me beside him... I saw what he was doing & my eyes went wide... "Sameer... yeh tum kya kar rahe ho???"

He smirked, "Wohi kar raha hun jo Sunaina ne mere saath kiya tha... It's time to give it back to her..." He told me everything that happened last night at the party, skipping the part of his mother... I knew he wasn't ready to share it yet & I was hoping that he would do it soon...

I was surprised that Sunaina had changed her so called love in a matter of a day after knowing that Sameer was jobless & homeless... She now wanted to marry Kabir & was ready to impress his parents... Wow.... This girl was something... She was changing her love as per her requirements... And her requirement was only one... MONEY...

Kabir called me up & informed me that he was bringing his parents here to meet us... I & Sameer freshened up & were ready to receive them... Nanu too joined us just after Kabir arrived with his parents... They were very lively people... After knowing about our plan, they were happily ready to be a part of it...

It was already evening when Kabir told us that Sunaina would visit here to meet his parents... He asked us to sit in Sameer's room & enjoy the show... He had installed a CCTV camera in the living room & Sameer's laptop was connected to it... I was waiting for the show to begin...

I, Sameer & Nanu sat on his bed & were waiting for Sunaina to arrive... Our wait was over in the next ten minutes, when we heard the doorbell... Kabir opened the door & welcomed Sunaina with a warm hug... He was doing his role efficiently till now... "Kya kapde pehen kar aayi hai yeh ladki??? Isse pataa hai na ki yeh aaj Kabir ke papa-mummy se milne aayi hai...", Nanu said after looking at the screen... "Chodiye na Nanu... Hume kya karna hai... Aage dekhte hai kya hota hai...", Sameer said calming Nanu...

I did agree with Nanu... Which girl wears a red mini dress to the first visit to meet her so called in-laws??? I didn't utter a word & concentrated on the screen before us... "Hi... Main Sunaina Parekh hun... Kabir ki girlfriend..." What was this girl doing??? Does anyone introduce themselves like this??? Well... I think I should stop judging & enjoy the show...

Kabir's parents exchanged a glance & his mother spoke, "Hiii Sunaina... Please have a seat..." She gestured to a single chair in front of them... Kabir sat next to his mother & was smiling, as if ready to enjoy the show... "Toh Sunaina... Tum Kabir ki girlfriend ho right... So, you must be knowing about him, then you need to answer some questions of ours..." She smiled broadly at his mother, "Of course I know him enough & will answer your every question..."

I was impressed with the way she had started but I knew she won't last long after seeing the mischievous glint in Kabir's eyes... These people were up to something... "Alright Sunaina... Toh batao... Kabir ko khaane mein kya pasand hai aur kya nahi???" I saw Sunaina thinking before answering, "Kabir ko chinese bohot pasand hai aur jyada oily food pasand nahi hai..." Sameer chuckled beside me, "Yeh khud ke preferences bataa rahi hai... Kabir ko Punjabi khaana bohot pasand hai... Uski mummy bohot accha khaana banaati hai... Aur Kabir ko jo bhi khaane do, sab chup chaap khaa leta hai... Bas khaane mein mushroom na ho bas..."

Kabir's mother rolled her eyes at her answer & Kabir & his father were trying to control their laughter... "Kabir ka favorite color kya hai???" "Yeh toh ekdum easy hai... Red color... Isliye toh main aaj pehenkar aayi hun..." His mother raised her eyes at Kabir who looked away probably because he was embarrassed... "Tumhe khaana banana aata hai???", we all almost laughed at this... "Nahi... Main kyun khaana banau??? Ghar mein servants toh honge naa... Fir main kyun kitchen mein jaaun??? That work is so tacky... The kitchen thing is not my type of work..." We had expected this only...

"Shaadi ke baad tum business join karna chahogi Sunaina???" She didn't even think about it for a moment & answered, "Bhala main kyun kaam karun??? Jab mera husband company ka CEO hai, toh mujhe kamaane ki kya zarurat hai??? Husband toh apni wife ke liye hi toh kamaata hai na aur wife unn paison ko kharch karti hai... Kyun sahi kahaa na aunty???" I could see Kabir's mother's expressions changing into disgust after hearing all her answers...

"Agar main Kabir ko meri jaaydaad se bedakhal kar dun, tab bhi tum usse shaadi karna chahogi???", this question was asked by Kabir's father which shocked me but nevertheless I wanted to hear her answer... This was exactly what she had done with Sameer... She smiled sweetly at him & replied, "Kabir aapka ek lauta beta hai... Toh chances bohot kam hai ki aap usse aise hi jaaydaad se nikaal de... But fir bhi agar aapne aisa kiya toh hum court mein appeal karenge..." Did this girl even think twice before answering??? She was giving such outrageous answers...

Nanu & Sameer were laughing by now... I too joined them after a while... Kabir's mother tried to speak in a soft voice but she failed, "Sorry Sunaina... Mujhe nahi lagta ki tum mere Kabir ke laayak ho... Tumne ek bhi sawaal ka jawaab sahi nahi diya..." I could see Sunaina's face turning red in anger... Kabir's mother continued, "Ek advice hai Sunaina... Agli baar jab kisi ke parents se milne jao na toh zara dhang ke kapde pehenna... Afterall, first impression is the last impression..."

His mother turned to Kabir, "Beta... Hume hotel drop kar do... Faltu mein itna time waste kar liya... Thoda aaraam hi kar lete toh accha hota..." She turned to Sunaina again, "Arey... Sunaina... Tum abhi bhi yahin ho... Tumne thik se suna nahi kya??? Thik hai... Main waapis batati hun... Tum mere Kabir ki patni banne ke laayak nahi ho... So, now just go & find someone else... Ok... Bye..."

Sunaina just stomped her foot in annoyance & left the house... Once she was gone, we joined Kabir & his parents in the living room & laughed heartily... After having tea & snacks, Nanu & Kabir left with his parents... Kabir was going to drop Nanu home & then he was going to stay with his parents in their hotel to give me & Sameer some privacy...

I had already informed my parents that I would stay with Sameer till everything was sorted out... I cooked dinner for us & then we retired to his room... When I entered the room, I heard songs playing in the background... Sameer had switched on the music player... It was after a long time that we were alone... He forwarded his hand towards me & I happily placed my hand in his... He pulled me in a hug & we swayed with the soft beats of the song,

Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...
Naa koi hai na koi tha zindagi mein tumhaare siva...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...

Ho chaandni jab tak raat deta hai har koi saath...
Tum magar andheron mein na chhodna mera haath...
Ho chaandni jab tak raat deta hai har koi saath...
Tum magar andheron mein na chhodna mera haath...
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...
Na koi hai na koi tha zindagi mein tumhaare siva...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...

Wafadaari ki vo rasmein nibhayenge hum tum kasmein...
Ek bhi saans zindagi ki jab tak ho apne bas mein...
Wafadaari ki vo rasmein nibhayenge hum tum kasmein...
Ek bhi saans zindagi ki jab tak ho apne bas mein...
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...
Na koi hai na koi tha zindagi mein tumhaare siva...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...

Dil ko mere hua yakeen hum pehle bhi mile kahin...
Silsila ye sadiyon ka koi aaj ki baat nahin...
Dil ko mere hua yakeen hum pehle bhi mile kahin...
Silsila ye sadiyon ka koi aaj ki baat nahin...
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye...
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaa...

We kept dancing, holding each other, looking into each other's eyes, promising each other that we would be together till eternity...

How was the update???

I'm sorry for the delay in posting this part...

A special thanks to @pahul_gpk, who has helped me throughout this journey in writing this story... Thanks a lottt sweetheart...❤

Do shower your love with your precious votes & comments...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Diku...❤