Hello friends...

I'm back with the next update...

Thanks each & everyone for giving so much love & heartfelt response on the last update & this story...

Sorry for the delay as I had already mentioned last time that I was going to be busy due to work & personal commitments...

Let me know your reviews...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 22

Sameer continued kissing her softly until they were totally breathless. The moment he came up for air, he saw her face & was dumbstruck seeing her messy state, her swollen lips, her dazed eyes, her messed up hair & then his eyes landed on her nuptial chain which was visible to him now & then his eyes automatically moved to her hair to see the small mark of vermillion in the partition...

He stared at her for a while, not knowing what to say. The intensity of his darkening gaze made Naina hid her face in his chest while Sameer kept her close, holding her tightly in the cocoon of his arms. Once they calmed down, he whispered, "Naina... Tum thik ho???" She hummed in reply, still not over whatever happened in the last few minutes...

Naina was so happy that the freshers party had given her a chance to spend it close to her best friend & especially her husband. These few hours were very special for her. But at the end, everything went wrong with Preeti. She always wanted to tell her best friend about her marriage but Sameer's conditions would stop her from revealing the truth. She knew, whatever happened tonight wasn't something that Preeti would forgive so easily.

Sameer loosened his hold & moved a little away, only to see that her saree was undone. He stared at her for a few seconds & mumbled, "Naina... Ummm... Tum thik se saree pehen lo." Saying that, he turned around, knowing fully well that she won't be comfortable with his presence in the room in this state. When he had entered the room, he had run to her seeing her in tears but he didn't see in which state she was standing there with her undone saree.

Sameer had taken a step ahead to give her privacy to wear the saree, when he heard her soft voice, "Sameer... please... yahin ruk jaaiye... main... main bas do minute mein saree pehen leti hun." She wore the saree as fast as she could & was ready soon. She kept her hand on his shoulder & he turned to see her misty eyes again. He gathered her in his arms again & rubbed her back, "Kya hua hai Naina??? Please mujhe kuch toh batao..."

Unable to stop her tears, she mumbled, totally avoiding his question, "Hume ghar jaana chahiye Sameer... Bohot late ho gaya hai. Nanaji bhi ghar par akele hain." Sameer understood that something drastic had happened with his wife. He had already coaxed her a lot asking about the reason for her sudden tears but she hadn't replied. He thought of probing her, once they would be home.

He held her face in his large palms & wiped her tears. "Hum ghar tabhi jaayenge, jab tumhare yeh bade bade aansoon ruk jaayenge. Agar Nanu jaag rahe honge, jo ki mujhe poora yakin hai ki wohh hamara intezaar kar rahe honge, tumhe aise dekhkar unhe accha nahi lagega aur wohh mujhe hi chillayenge, kahenge ki maine tumhara thik se dhyaan nahi rakha hoga. Toh agar tum nahi chaahti ki Nanu mujhe daant lagaaye, toh pehle yeh rona band karo, uske baad hi hum ghar jaayenge."

Naina nodded & walked to the wash basin which was at the corner of the green room to wash her face. She re-applied a little make-up so that Nanaji won't be able to see her tear-stained face. Sameer kept staring at her beautiful cute wife with a smile. He knew that she was doing all this to not let Nanu know that she had cried. He smiled even more, when he thought of his Nanu who would still guess that something had happened tonight, that too, only by looking at her eyes.

When she was done, she turned to him & asked, "Ab thik lag rahi hun..." He walked to her slowly & held her by her shoulders, "Tum kitna bhi kar lo Naina... yeh toh tum bhi jaanti ho ki tumhare iss make-up lagaane se tumhari yeh laal suji hui aankhen aur yeh tumhari laal tamatar jaisi naak, nahi chupa paaogi tum. Tumhe bas ek baar dekhkar hi Nanu sab samaj jaayenge ki kuch toh hua hai party mein."

She lowered her eyes & he continued, "Tumhara naam tumhare parents ne sahi hi rakha hai, 'Naina...', kyunki tumhari yeh aankhen hi sab sach bataa deti hai. Tumhari aankhen hi tumhari dil ki parchayii hai..." He kissed her eyes again & murmured, "Ab baaki ki baatein ghar chalkar karenge. Tum bas tab tak thodi si smile kar do, toh tumhara chehra thoda sa hi sahi lekin khil jaayega. Aur agar smile nahi karogi toh main wohi karunga jo thodi der pehle kiya tha..."

Naina met his darkening gaze once again just for a few seconds & lowered her eyes instantly, the color spreading on her cheeks quickly. Sameer was happy finally seeing her blush, reminiscing their first kiss that happened in her college's green room. He shook his head to come out of that reverie & forwarded his hand, "Toh ab chalein Mrs Maheshwari..."

Naina held his protective hand & walked towards the parking lot. Throughout the ride, the couple kept sneaking glances of each other but didn't utter a word. As predicted, when they reached home, Nanu was waiting for them in the living room, listening to his favorite songs on the television.

As Nanu saw them entering, he switched off the television & walked to them. "Naina kaisi rahi tumhari freshers party? Aur mere iss naati ka surprise kaisa lagaa?" Naina smiled & hugged him to avoid his piercing gaze, "Freshers party mein toh bohot mazaa aaya Nanaji... maine bohot enjoy kiya aur... aur... inka surprise bhi bohot accha lagaa..."

Sameer adored the relation that Naina & Nanu shared & with a smile on his handsome face, he spoke, "Arey Naina... Tumne Nanu ko bataaya nahi ki tumne Miss Freshers ka title jeeta?" He looked at Nanu & continued, "Aur to aur... aapki iss laadli ne itna accha dance kiya ki sab log dekhte hi reh gaye."

Nanu patted her back, "Arey waahhhh Naina... Congratulations... mujhe toh pataa hi nahi tha ki tumhe itna accha dance karna aata hai..." Sameer mumbled to himself, "Mujhe bhi kahaan pataa tha... wohh toh Preeti ki wajah se isne dance kiya warna hume toh kabhi pataa hi nahi chalta..."

Nanu & Naina glanced at him & he asked, "Tu kya akele akele badbada raha hai... chalo ab tum dono apne kamre mein jao. Bohot raat ho gayi hai aur haannnn... kal subah bilkul jaldi uthne ka sochna bhi mat Naina... chupchaap aaram karna. Maine Ramdhari ko bol diya hai kal naashte mein jalebi faafda laane ko. Chalo ab dono jao aur main bhi jaata hun sone..."

As he turned, Naina asked, "Nanaji... aapne thik se khaana toh khaaya na aur davaai bhi li na???" Nanu smiled at her concern & teased, "Haaa... Maine acche se khaana bhi khaaya aur davaai bhi le li hai. Ab main jaaun sone???" Naina nodded, "Goodnight Nanaji..." While walking to his room, he replied, "Goodnight bacchon..."

Sameer & Naina entered their room all tired. Both of them collected their change of clothes & waited for the other to go in the washroom. When no one moved, Sameer hesitantly spoke, "Ummm... Naina... tum washroom mein change kar lo, main yahi kamre mein change kar lunga."

She hesitated just for a moment & replied, "Ummm... Sameer... aap hi pehle washroom use kar lijiye, tab tak main yeh jewelry nikaal leti hun." He nodded in a trance as he saw her gathering her hair in her hand & making a bun, revealing her bare back. He took few steps towards the washroom in a daze & turned right before opening the door, "Ummmm... Naina... Hooks kholne mein help kar dun???"

Naina froze at his bold question & then replied shyly without meeting his gaze, "Wohhh... wohhh... main khud kar lungi..." The moment she heard the door closing, she breathed out... his soothing words, his kisses, everything flashed in her mind & she blushed some more... When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she saw her face turning beetroot red in mere seconds... this was his effect... her husband was full of surprises today...

She removed her jewelry one by one & then undid her saree too... She couldn't remove her saree in the wet washroom. Once it was out of her way, she took a shawl from her luggage & wrapped around herself. She kept all the jewelry in his cupboard where she had kept her wedding jewelry.

As she heard the click of the doorknob, she collected her clothes. Sameer was surprised seeing her wrapped in a shawl & asked worriedly, "Naina... Tum thik toh ho? yeh... yeh... shawl kyun pehni hai tumne? Tumhe thand lag rahi hai? Kahin fever toh nahi hai na tumhe? Ruko... main abhi thermometer le aata hun, tumhara temperature check kar lete hai pehle... Temperature jyada rahega toh main abhi doctor uncle ko bula leta hun aur..."

Naina covered his mouth with her palm stopping him midsentence. "Kitna bolte hai na aap??? Ab meri baat dhyaan se suniye... Kuch nahi hua hai mujhe. Wohh toh main saree bathroom mein change nahi kar paati, isliye maine yahin kamre mein nikaal li taaki gili na ho jaaye washroom mein. Shawl toh maine... sirf... sirf..."

And she stopped midsentence, realizing what she had spoken & what she was going to speak aloud without even thinking. She moved her hand from his mouth & ran towards the washroom without glancing at him. Sameer stood there in stunned silence after hearing her words... Did she change her saree here in the room & she had covered herself with the shawl???

Sameer saw the neatly folded saree on the couch. He walked to the couch & picked it up. He inhaled her fragrance & smiled to himself, "Aaj sach mein Naina iss saree mein bohot acchi lag rahi thi. Meri nazar hi nahi hati usspar se aaj, bas mann kar raha tha ki sirf Naina ko hi dekhta rahun..." He kept the saree back on the couch & opened the balcony door.

When Naina came out after freshening up, she saw that Sameer wasn't there in the room. She looked at the open balcony door & joined him there looking at the starry sky. They stood there for a few minutes in silence. Sameer turned & looked at his beautiful wife who was still watching the stars.

He kept looking at her serene face & asked, "Naina... ab toh batao kya hua hai?" He remembered something & asked, "Maine Preeti ko dekha tha college se bhaagte hue, toh batao kya hua hai tum dono ke beech mein? Kuch toh bada hi hua hoga, kyunki tum kisi aur ki baaton se buraa maanne waalon mein se nahi ho Naina..."

He turned her to face him, "Dekho Naina... mujhe please batao kya hua hai taaki main tumhari help kar sakun. Mujhse ab tumhara yeh udaas chehra nahi dekha jaa raha." She closed her eyes & let her tears flow. He wiped them & then left the topic untouched understanding fully well that she wasn't ready to share.

"Chalo... Sone chalte hai." He was upset watching her gloomy face. As he turned to go, Naina held his hand, stopping his move, "Preeti ko hamari shaadi ke baare mein pataa chal gaya hai." When he didn't react, she continued, "Sameer... Yakin maanniye, maine kuch nahi bataaya Preeti ko... Main saree pehen rahi thi aur wohh achanak se aa gayi, tabhi usne mere gale mein mangalsutra aur fir maang mein sindoor dekh liya. Maine... maine nahi bataaya tha kuch Sameer... Mujhe bohot acche se aapke conditions yaad hai, isliye maine kuch nahi kahaa kabhi kisise bhi. Main Nanaji ki kasam khaati hun Sameer, maine kuch nahi bataaya Preeti ko..."

Naina broke down in front of him & he immediately drew her closer in his arms. "Ssshhhh... Naina... Chup ho jao... Mujhe tumpar poora vishwas hai, main jaanta hun tumne kuch nahi kahaa Preeti se. Tumhe kisi ki kasam khaane ki zarurat nahi hai. Main tumse naaraz bhi nahi hun Naina... Bas yeh rona band karo."

When her sobs subsided, he continued, "I'm sorry Naina... mere conditions ki wajah se aaj tumhari Preeti ke saath dosti bhi khatre mein aa gayi. Hum milkar Preeti ko samjhayenge. Main hun na tumhare saath, main sab thik kar dunga. Waise bhi kal Sunday hai, Preeti aayegi hi na dinner ke liye, hum tab baat kar lenge usse. Thik hai... Chalo ab andar chalo, bohot raat ho gayi hai."

They came back to their room together. Naina settled down on the couch & Sameer on his bed. After tossing & turning for few hours, both of them finally drifted to sleep after remembering the turn of events at the end of the party. The next morning Sameer got up earlier than her & freshened up quickly to join Nanu downstairs. It was around ten in the morning when Naina woke up & freshened up quickly.

When she came downstairs, she saw Munna, Pandit & Anjali sitting with Sameer & Nanu in the living room. She greeted all & walked back to the kitchen to prepare some coffee & tea for everyone. In the kitchen Ramdhari spoke, "Bhabhi... Chai main banaa leta hun, aap coffee bana dijiye. Subah se Sameer bhaiya ne kuch nahi liya hai. Aapka hi intezaar kar rahe the shaayad, ab aapke haath ki coffee ki aadat jo ho gayi hai bhaiya ko."

Naina blushed & started preparing his favorite coffee. When she was about to carry the tray outside, Anjali came in to help her with the other tray consisting of jalebi & faafda. The girls served the tea, coffee & breakfast to the others & then settled down themselves, next to their better halves.

During the meal, Nanu informed them that Preeti had called earlier saying that they won't be able to make it to the dinner tonight as both the siblings were going to their cousin's place for a couple of days in Rajkot. Sameer glanced sideways at her sad wife who was upset with this sudden news.

Munna, Pandit & Anjali thought that it was Kabir who had deliberately changed the plans whereas only Sameer & Naina knew the real reason. It must be Preeti who was avoiding her best friend & didn't want to face her tonight.

Last night, as soon as the siblings reached home, Preeti had scurried away in her room while Kabir sat there in the living room for a while to clear his head. He thought of all the instances when he was around Naina. He always saw her uncomfortable in his presence. Was it because of her marital status? Was his behavior so obvious that even she could read him so clearly & maintained distance from him.

Now he understood why she was always staying away from him & never befriended him. Yesss... He liked Naina & wanted to be a part of her life, as her friend & also as her life partner but now when the truth was revealed, he couldn't think of anything more than being just her friend. He would never try to spoil her marriage with his best friend. He had seen how Sameer had always behaved with her. He was totally different from what he used to be in college.

Kabir rubbed his jaw where his best friend had punched him. He smiled & thought that finally the Almighty has fallen for someone special, & that someone special was his wife. He wasn't sad anymore but there was something that was nagging his mind. If they were married then why didn't they reveal it to the world? Why were they keeping this marriage secret from the others? He needed to find out & he decided to confront them during the dinner the next day.

But as he was about to get up & walk to his room, he saw Preeti coming downstairs with tears brimming down her face. Kabir instantly shot up from his place & was near her in a flash. "Preeti... Kya hua? Tu aise ro kyun rahi hai? Kuch hua hai kya? Kisine kuch kahaa kya?" She just looked in his eyes & then hugged him tightly.

"Bhai... aaj... aaj mujhe ek aisa sach pataa chala hai ji se jaanne ke baad pataa nahi, main aage kisi par vishwas bhi kar paaungi yaa nahi." Kabir made her sit on the couch & held her hand, "Aisa kya hua hai Preeti? Tum chaaho toh mujhe bataa sakti ho, jaise main hamesha se sunte aa ra ha hun, aaj bhi sununga. Bolo Preeti... Kya hua hai???"

She looked up at his worried face, "Naina aur Sameer married hai, aur yeh baat Naina ne mujhe aaj tak nahi bataayi. Aisa kyun kiya usne mere saath? Mujhe wohh apni best friend maanti hai, par usne itni badi baat mujhse chupaayi. Kyun nahi bataaya Naina ne? Kya wohh mujh par itna bhi vishwas nahi karti ki apni shaadi mujhse chupaakar rakkhi, hum sabse chupaakar rakkhi? Lagta hai Naina ne toh mujhe apni best friend maana hi nahi ab tak, warna itni badi baat mujhe zaroor bataati."

Kabir asked hesitantly, "Tumhe kaise pataa chala Naina aur Sameer ki shaadi ke baare mein?" Did she see Sameer punching him & then revealing the truth? Hope so not... he waited for a while & asked, "Bolo Preeti..." She met his gaze & replied, "Wohhh... jab main usse green room mein dekhne gayi, tab meri nazar uske gale mein mangalsutra pe padi aur fir uski maang mein thoda sindoor bhi lagaa tha. Maine usse sirf itna poocha ki kya Sameer uska husband hai aur wohh maan gayi."

The tears gathered in her eyes once again & her brother wiped it slowly, "Preeti... Mujhe bhi aaj hi pataa chala ki Sameer aur Naina married hai. Haaa... thoda bura lagaa, par hum yeh sach jhoothla toh sakte na? Aur jahaan tak maine Naina ko dekha hai, samjha hai, mujhe lagta hai ki kuch aisi baat zaroor hogi, jiski wajah se unn dono ne apni shaadi ki baat chupaayi. Preeti... Main jaanta hun ki tu Naina ko apni best friend aur behen maanti hai, par ek baar uske nazariye se bhi soch lena. Shaayad koi majboori hi rahi hogi, warna Naina tumse itna bada sach nahi chupaati."

Preeti hugged her brother & asked, "Kya hum kuch din ke liye Arjun bhaiya ke ghar Rajkot jaa sakte hain???" Kabir smiled, "Toh meri behen yahaan se bhag jaana chaahti hai? Apni best friend ka saamna karne ko taiyaar nahi hai abhi? Kyun Preeti? Main kuch galat keh raha hun kya?"

"Bhai... Main abhi Naina se nahi milna chaahti, agar abhi mili toh main kuch na kuch aisa bol dungi, jo mujhe nhi bolna chahiye. Mujhe bas thoda time akele rehna hai, toh kya hum do dinon ke liye Rajkot jaa sakte hai? Please bhai... Bas do din..." He reluctantly agreed to his sister & they left the next morning to Rajkot after informing Nanu about their travel plans.

Naina wasn't happy with this news. After breakfast, she went back to her room & tried to study, but it was a futile attempt as she couldn't concentrate on anything apart from the last night's happenings. So much had happened last night. Before she could think more, the door opened & Sameer walked in.

He sat beside her & asked, "Tum thik ho???" She just smiled faintly & replied, "Preeti ne yahaan aane se bhi manaa kar diya, wohh kal se mujhse baat nahi kar rahi aur ab toh meri shakal bhi nahi dekhna chaahti Sameer. Main jaanti hun wohh jaanbujhkar Rajkot gayi hai, taaki mujhse na milna pade aaj. Sameer... kya maine itni badi galti kar di, ki Preeti ab mujhse milna bhi nahi chaahti, meri shakal bhi nahi dekhna chaahti?"

Her eyes turned misty & Sameer held her hand tightly, "Naina... Tum aisa mat socho. Aisa bhi ho sakta hai ki sach mein unhe wahaan jaana pada ho kisi kaam se. Tum abhi ke liye yeh sab bhool jao, neeche sab tumhara wait kar rahe hai. Anjali kitchen mein Ramdhari ki help kar rahi hai lunch banaane mein."

The moment she heard it, she shot up from the couch, "Arey aise kaise aapne Anjali ko kitchen mein jaane diya, wohh kal hi toh aayi hai abroad se aur aaj aapne usse kaam par lagaa diya. Aap bhi na Sameer... Chaliye... main neeche jaa rahi hun. Aap... aap... aapki yeh t-shirt change kar lijiye, iss par chatni ka daag lag gaya hai."

As she left the room, he fell back on the couch & the worry lines were back on his forehead. His friends entered the room & sat on his bed facing him, "Sameer... kya hua hai? Naina ka chehra aaj subah se hi itna kyun latka hua hai? Kya... kya usse kal raat ke baare mein pataa chal gaya?", Munna asked in concern.

Sameer told his best friends all that had happened between Naina & Preeti. They were shocked hearing that even Preeti found it out last night but in another way. "Yaar... Sameer... mujhe Naina aur Preeti ke liye bohot bura lag raha hai, dono ke beech itni acchi friendship ho gayi thi aur yeh sab aise saamne aa gaya ki ab pataa nahi Preeti kaisa behave karegi?", Pandit showed his concern too.

Munna added, "Isliye Preeti ne yahaan dinner ke liye aane se manaa kar diya na? Aur wohh Kabir ke saath Rajkot chali gayi?" Sameer glared at his friend, "Uss Kabir ka naam bhi mat lo mere saamne." Pandit & Munna glanced at each other & then Munna spoke, "Agar tumne wohh stupid conditions nahi rakkhi hoti toh aaj yeh sab hota hi nahi. Tum dono ki friendships aise kharaab nahi hoti?"

Pandit agreed, "Sahi kahaa Chenu, agar tum dono pehle se hi bataa dete ki tum married ho, toh na Kabir ko Naina pasand aati aur na Preeti aur Naina mein yeh mann mutaav hota. Jo bhi ho raha hai na, uska kaaran toh tu hi hai Sameer... Zara shaanti se hamari baat par gaur karna... Hum ab neeche jaa rahe hai..." Saying that, both his friends left him alone in his room to ponder over their words.

Sameer thought to himself, "Baat toh sahi hai, agar maine wohh conditions Naina ke saamne nahi rakkhi hoti toh shaayad yeh sab nahi hota. Kya maine yeh sab conditions hamari shaadi ke beech laakar kuch galat toh nahi kiya na? Pehle main Naina par bilkul bhi vishwas nahi karta tha, isliye maine yeh sab kiya par ab kya main yeh badal sakta hun? Kya main Naina par poori tarah se bharosa kar sakta hun???"

The knock on the door broke his thoughts & he went downstairs to join the others for lunch. He saw Naina fidgeting with her food while even Nanu was observing her since morning. Once they finished the lunch, Naina went back to her room while Munna, Anjali & Pandit returned back to their homes. Sameer too retired to the study room to work on an important presentation. The whole Sunday, Naina remained in her room thinking of mending her friendship with Preeti while Sameer was busy in his presentation.

Nanu was watching everything silently & was giving her time to be fine. He somehow understood that something happened in the freshers party between the friends & so Preeti & Kabir hadn't come for dinner & went to their cousin's place in Rajkot. For now, he didn't want to meddle in their lives. Whenever the need be, he would surely do it later.

The two days went by very slowly for Naina in college as there was no trace of Preeti. It was already Wednesday & she was waiting desperately for her friend. Sameer & Nanu were observing her sad face for the last few days. Sameer tried to improve her mood many times by playing some comedy films at night, he even asked Mundit & Anjali to join them in the evenings.

Sameer even tried calling Preeti few times but couldn't connect to her as she had switched her mobile off since she had left Ahmedabad & he wasn't in a mood to talk to Kabir. Naina too tried calling her & even left some messages, but it was all in vain.

At Thursday morning when she reached college, she saw Preeti sitting at her usual place. As Naina sat beside her, Preeti neither acknowledged her presence nor did she make a move to talk to her. Naina was disheartened with her behavior but she also knew that she was at fault, afterall she had kept away such an important thing of her life from her best friend.

Shreya who was seeing this cold war between the best friends was beyond happy. She thought, "Accha hua, mujhe kuch karne ki zarurat hi nahi padi, inhone apne aap hi baat karna band kar diya. I'm happy though, bohot udd rahi thi naa freshers party mein. Main aaj dikhaati hun isse ki Shreya kya cheez hai. Mujhse panga lena bohot bhaari padega Naina tumhe, aur main isse aaj aisa sabak sikhaaungi ki kabhi mere saamne bol hi naa paaye. Waise bhi Preeti bhi usse baat nahi kar rahi toh isse accha mauka mujhe nahi mil sakta."

Naina tried speaking to her best friend but all she received from her was silence & ignorance. Shreya was delighted seeing this exchange between them & made a plan to take revenge on them today itself. How could she let this golden chance slip away? She told her plan to her other friends who happily agreed to stand with her.

Once the last lecture was over, Preeti walked away with Naina following her briskly behind her. She kept on calling her name, but Preeti didn't care & walked away. When they reached the corridor on the first floor, Shreya came in front of Naina & stopped her.

"Arey Naina... Tum itni bhaag bhaag kar kiske peeche jaa rahi ho? Preeti ke??? Arey tum ab tak nahi samjhi? Preeti ek rais khaandaan se hai jaise main hun. Aur main usse school time se jaanti hun, mujhe pataa tha ki wohh tumhare jaisi low class ladki se jyada time ke liye dosti nahi nibha paayegi. Aakhir hamara class hi alag hai na. Tum jaisi behenji se toh waise bhi kaun dosti karega? Miss Freshers ka title kya jeet liya, tumhe lagta hai ki tumne bohot bada teer maar liya?"

Shreya laughed aloud & continued, "Mujhe na tum jaisi ladkiyon pe bohot dayaa aati hai. Tumne itni acchi saree pehen toh li freshers party mein aur main jaanti hun ki tumhari itni aukaad hi nahi hai ki tum wohh mehengi saree afford kar sako, dekha tha maine Sameer ko tumhare saath, ussine bill bhi bhara hoga na?"

She took a step close to Naina, "Aisa kya kiya tumne Sameer ke saath jiski wajah se jab dekho tab wohh tumhare aage peeche hi rehta hai? Zara mujhe bhi bataao, main bhi try karti hun. Koi bhi ladka itne saare paise tum jaisi behenji par kharch aise hi nahi karega? Toh bataao na Naina, kya karti ho tum uske saath? Aur kitna charge karti ho tum aise services ke liye? Bolo Naina... we all are waiting..." The other girls started laughing loudly.

Before Naina could reply, Shreya was pulled behind with a jerk & then was slapped hard by her school friend. Shreya stumbled a little before she landed on the floor. Naina stood there stunned to see Preeti standing there. She had heard everything that Shreya had been asking Naina. She had stood there behind a pillar to see if Naina would reply her back, but she didn't & Preeti couldn't take anymore, especially when she was pointing at her best friend's character.

On the other hand, Naina too was angry on Shreya. No girl could hear anyone pointing out at their character this way. But she had seen Preeti hiding behind a pillar & then she went mum to see if Preeti would be able to hear her best friend getting insulted. And she hadn't disappointed Naina. There was still hope for their friendship. And Naina promised herself that she would patch up with her today itself. For now, she looked on at Preeti who was glaring daggers at her school friend.

Shreya got up & yelled, "How dare you Preeti Sehgal? How could you slap me in front of everyone?" Preeti smiled smugly at her & then again slapped her, "Aise..." Naina's eyes went wide when she saw her friend slapping Shreya again. Before Shreya could react, Preeti held her hand & twisted it, making her school friend shriek in pain.

"Kya keh rahi thi tum, zara fir se toh bolo? Mujhe thik se sunaayi nahi diya tha. Kya keh rahi thi tum ki main dosti sabke class dekhkar karti hun? Miss Shreya Mehta... Agar mujhe thik se yaad hai, toh yeh aadat tumhari hai, meri nahi. Aur agar main aisi hoti na, toh tum meri dost bhi nahi hoti. Tum jaisi ghatiyaa soch waali ladki mere dost kya, kisiki dost banne laayak nahi hai."

"Mera haath chod Preeti... Dekh shaanti se baat karte hai, mujhe dard ho raha hai, haath chod Preeti...", Shreya pleaded but it fell on deaf ears. Preeti continued, "Main bataaun tune kya kya gul khilaaye hai apne college ke dino mein. Bataaun sabko ki tum kya kya karti thi tab. Kiske saath kab aur kahaan rehti thi, bolun abhi? Fir dekhte hai, yeh jo itni khikhi khukhu kar rahi chipkaliyon mein se kitni yahaan khadi rehti hai tumhare saath."

The girls who had tagged alongwith Shreya stepped away from them hearing Preeti taking digs on Shreya. "Aaj ke baad kisi bhi ladki par aise comments pass kiye na toh main tumhari complaint Principal se karungi hi, par mujhe tumpar harassment ka case file karne mein bhi der nahi lagegi. Waise bhi pehle bhi kisi club se tum arrest hui thi naa drugs ke case mein, par tumhare papa ne tumhe bachaa liya tha. Agar iss baar agar koi police case file hua toh tumhare papa bhi shaayad madad na kar paaye. Tum toh jaanti hi ho ki tumhare papa meri baat jyada maanenge." Shreya stood rooted to her spot hearing Preeti's threat & she knew she was capable of doing it.

"Agar tu nahi chaahti ki main yeh sab karun toh abhi ke abhi Naina se maafi maang aur bol ki aaj ke baad tu kisi ke character par ungli nahi uthaayegi." Shreya glared at her, "My foot... Main aisa kuch nahi bolungi." Preeti twisted her hand more & took out her mobile with her other hand. She went through the contact list & halted at Shreya's father's number. She showed the screen to her & asked, "Thik hai. Ab tumne koi choice nahi chodi hai mere liye, main pehle tumhare papa ko call karungi, fir police ko aur Principal madam toh yahi college mein hi hai."

Before she clicked the call button on her phone, Shreya shouted, "Ruko... main... main maafi maangti hun..." Shreya turned to Naina & said, "Sorry..." Preeti laughed, "Kya kahaa... Mujhe toh kuch sunaayi nahi diya... Naina... tune kuch suna kya???" Naina shook her head in a no. "Zor se bolo Shreya... jaise tum pehle chilla chilla ke Naina se sawaal kar rahi thi, waise hi zor se bolo. Sabko sunaayi dena chahiye..."

Shreya glared at Naina, "I'm sorry Naina... Aaj ke baad main tumhe yaa kisi ladki ke character par ungli nahi uthaaungi..." Preeti said from beside her, "Sorry bol rahi ho tum, koi upkaar nahi kar rahi, jo Naina ko itne gusse se dekh rahi ho. Nazar neechi karo aur thik se maafi maango... Waise toh sab aata hai tumhe, shaayad yeh tumhe kisine nahi sikhaaya, Khair chodo... Main sikha deti hun. Toh chalo... Nazar neeche rakho aur acche se maafi maango..."

Shreya was left with no other option & she followed Preeti's instruction & apologized to Naina, "Naina... I'm very very sorry, mujhe maaf kardo please, aur ab Preeti se kaho mera haath chode, bohot dukhne lagaa hai haath..." Naina met her best friend's gaze & Preeti left her hand reluctantly, warning Shreya for the last time, "Agar aaj ke baad Naina ke aaspaas bhi dikhi na toh main tere mooh ka aisa naksha bigaadungi ki tu khudko bhi nahi pehchaan paayegi Shreya... Isse meri pehli aur aakhri warning samaj le. Tu jaanti hai ki maine abhi jo bhi bola, usse sach karne mein mujhe bilkul bhi der nahi hogi..."

Saying that, Preeti left from there while Naina stood there stunned hearing her best friend's threat. Shreya had just taken a step towards Naina when a voice from behind halted her in her tracks...

How was the update???

Wish you all a very Happy Friendship Day...❤❤😘

Toh ab batao kiski aawaaz sunkar Shreya rukk gayi???

Abhi toh Shreya ki class koi aur bhi lenewaala hai...😜

I don't know when I will be able to post the next update, so no commitment on that.

Will try to update soon...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤❤❤