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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 34

The camaraderie between the couple had changed drastically after Karwa Chauth. Nanu was very much happy with this change. Six months had already passed till now. Sameer had changed for good & his care for his lovely wife was quite visible to everyone which shocked most of them.

Kabir wasn't shocked as others. Though he wasn't Sameer's closest friend, but he had known him enough to understand him. Kabir & Sameer, both had lost their childhood in coping with the family responsibilities. So, he understood his friend better.

Kabir was trying to make his friend realize his feelings towards Naina. He knew that Sameer won't realize it on his own. Kabir wanted him to accept Naina as his wife in front of the whole world, which was definitely going in the right direction. But still Kabir saw that Sameer hadn't given her full rights as his wife. He needed to do something to change it.

Kabir thought of something & then approached his sister for help. "Preeti... sunn na... mujhe teri thodi help chahiye hai." He discussed his plan with her & she agreed to help. Preeti was excited hearing the plan & she called up her best friend.

"Hello... Preeti... Kya hua? Hum thodi der mein college mein milne toh waale hai na? Fir abhi achanak call kyun kiya?", Naina asked the moment, she picked up the call. Preeti sighed at the other end, "Arey... Naina Devi... shaant... thodi saans toh le le. Ekdum Rajdhaani Express ki tarah itne speed mein sawaal karne lagi."

When Naina remained silent at the other end, Preeti replied, "Accha sunn... aaj college ke baad hum thodi shopping karne jaayenge, toh tu Nanaji ko bataa dena aur Sameer se kehna ki tujhe pick karne naa aaye. Main aur Bhai tujhe ghar drop kar denge."

"Yeh achanak se shopping kyun karni hai tujhe? Pichle hafte toh tu shopping ke liye gayi thi naa??" Preeti tried to control her laughter, "Fir se shuru ho gayi Rajdhaani Express... Wohh last week mujhe kuch khaas pasand nahi aaya tha aur abhi toh accha khaasa mauka bhi hai."

"Kaisa mauka???", Naina asked curiously. "Arey... Naina... iss Sunday café ka inauguration hai na. Tu kaise bhool sakti hai???" Naina hit her forehead for forgetting the most important day. The café's renovations were already completed & the siblings had decided to open the café on an auspicious day which was just two days later.

"Sorry Preeti... Main sach mein bhool gayi thi. Accha, hum college ke baad shopping ke liye jaayenge. Main Nanaji aur Sameer ko bataa dungi. Chal... ab college mein milte hai. Bye..." Preeti disconnected the call & gestured her brother with a thumbs up sign.

Kabir thought, "Ab main dekhta hun Sameer, ki tum kab tak Naina se durr reh paate ho. Ab tak tumne sirf hamare saamne Naina ko biwi ka darja diya hai. Ab se kuch dinon baad tum khud Naina ko sabke saamne apni wife bulaaoge, yeh mera vaada hai Sameer... yeh mera vaada hai..." Smiling to himself, he got up to drop Preeti at college.

During breakfast, Naina informed Nanu & Sameer about her shopping plans with Preeti & Kabir. This didn't sit well with her husband & he muttered to himself, "Yeh Kabir ko kyun inn dono ke saath shopping pe jaana hai? Aaj agar meri important meeting na hoti toh main bhi inke saath jaata."

Nanu observed him & asked, "Kya hua barkhurdaar? Akele akele kya badbada raha hai tu?" Sameer instantly concentrated on his meal & replied, "Kuch nahi Nanu, main bas thoda meeting ke baare mein soch raha tha." Though Nanu didn't believe his words, but still he let it go.

"Naina... sambhal kar jaana aur apne liye bhi shopping kar lena." She nodded & turned to her husband, "Ummmm... Sameer... aap mujhe college pick karne mat aaiyega, shopping ke baad Preeti aur Kabir mujhe ghar drop kar denge." This added more fuel to the already burning fire in his heart.

Composing himself, he got up, "Chalo... Late ho raha hai." Naina picked up her bag & walked to the car with her furious husband. She hadn't known about the sudden change in his mood & asked, "Sameer... apko kuch chahiye hai kya? Main aapke liye bhi shopping kar lungi."

Sameer controlled his rage & replied in a calm tone, "Uski zarurat nahi hai Naina. Mere paas sab hai. Jab mujhe kuch chahiye hoga, hum saath chalenge shopping karne." "Thik hai..." As their car stopped at the entrance, Sameer saw Preeti & Kabir waiting for Naina.

Sameer too got down from the car & called out, "Naina..." She stopped in her tracks & turned to face him. "Kya hua Sameer?" He took out his wallet & handed her his credit card. "Yeh lo... Jo bhi chahiye ho aur pasand aaye, wohh le lena."

Though Naina didn't need his money or his card, but she didn't deny him outright & accepted the card. She didn't want her friends to see her rejecting her husband outright. She placed the card in her bag carefully & joined Preeti. They bid goodbye to Kabir & Sameer & entered the college.

Sameer stood next to Kabir & waited till the girls disappeared from his sight. "Tumhe unn dono ke saath shopping jaane ki kya zarurat hai Kabir?", Sameer couldn't hold onto his temper anymore.

Kabir turned to him with a smirk, "Tumhe koi problem hai agar main apni behen ke saath shopping jaaun toh?" Sameer glared at him, "Itna banne ki koshish mat karo Kabir. Mujhe tumhare Preeti ke saath shopping jaane se koi problem nahi hai?"

"Toh fir mera Naina ke saath shopping jaana tumhare liye problem hai? Kyun, sahi keh raha hun na?", Kabir asked purposely adding to his friend's anger. Sameer continued glaring, "Meri biwi se durr rehna Kabir. Yeh main pehli aur aakhri baar bol raha hun ki tum jyaada Naina ke kareeb jaane ki koshish mat karna. Bhoolo mat, Naina ab bhi meri biwi hai."

Kabir smiled, "Haannn... yaad hai mujhe ki Naina ab bhi tumhari wife hai, par bas kuch aur mahino ke liye. Uske baad Naina meri hogi." Saying that, Kabir turned to his car & drove off to the NGO.

Sameer stood there fisting his hands & cursing his friend, "How dare he? Jab dekho tab mujhe yahi sunaata hai ki kuch mahine baad Naina uski hogi. Mr Kabir Sehgal... Main aisa kabhi nahi hone dunga. Naina meri biwi thi, hai aur hamesha rahegi. Naina ko tum sapne mein bhi mujhse chinn nahi paaoge Kabir. I promise you that..."

After college, Naina & Preeti took a cab as Kabir was going to meet them directly at the mall. Kabir had called up Anjali & asked if she could join them for shopping. He had told her about his plan & she too agreed wholeheartedly. She was already waiting for them at the entrance. The girls went ahead & entered a store whereas Kabir tagged along with them.

Naina helped Preeti in choosing a dress for the inauguration function. Anjali too selected one for herself & Kabir had gone to the men's section to buy something casual for him. While selecting a dress for Preeti, Naina had liked a dress for herself too but had refrained from buying as she already had new dresses at home.

Anjali & Preeti had noticed it & then forced her to at least try the dress. Naina loved the dress & couldn't resist buying it. Preeti moved to the western wear section & started choosing some tops, jeans & skirts. Anjali too joined her. Naina looked at the selection & asked, "Tum yeh sab bhi lene waali ho Preeti???"

"Nahi... yeh main mere liye nahi, tere liye le rahi hun..." Naina stood shocked on hearing her reply. Did she hear it right??? She was buying those western outfits for her. She stammered, "Preeti... kuch... kuch bhi mat bol. Tu... tu... jaanti hai na ki main jyada western kapde nahi pehenti. Aur sabse important baat, mujhe nahi lena yeh sab."

Preeti asked the salesgirl to reserve those dresses & dragged Naina to the corner. Anjali too followed them while Kabir knew why his sister was pulling her best friend away. He had known it beforehand & had already asked Preeti to be prepared. His sister was following what his brother had asked her to do.

"Tu mujhe yahaan kone mein kyun le aayi Preeti?", Naina asked pulling her arm from her grip. "Naina... tu naa yeh drama band kar pehle aur jo main bolne waali hun wohh dhyaan se sunn. Tu kab tak aise behenji banke ghoomti rahegi. Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki tu inn dresses mein acchi nahi lagti, main sirf itna keh rahi hun ki thoda toh khud ki dressing style change kar."

"Dekh Naina... main ghooma firaa ke baat nahi karungi tujhse. Tujhe jab dekho tab tu salwar kameez mein hi rehti hai. Yaar Naina... main bhi thak gayi hun tujhe inn dresses mein dekhkar, toh bechaare Sameer ka kya haal hota hoga. I'm sure ki tu ghar pe bhi aisa hi kuch pehenti hogi, kyun???"

Naina looked away while Preeti looked at Anjali for help. Anjali came ahead & said, "Naina... Preeti kuch galat nahi keh rahi. Hume hamari zindagi mein thode toh changes karne chahiye na? Hum yeh nahi keh rahe ki tum sirf western kapde hi pehno, par har dusre din toh pehen sakti ho na?"

"Tum jaanti ho Naina... main bhi tumhari tarah hi college mein sirf dresses hi pehenti thi. Par jab main padhai ke liye abroad gayi toh wahaan jaakar apna pehnaava dheere dheere badal diya. Aur jab main chuttiyon mein yahaan waapis aayi toh sabne kahaa ki main western dresses mein bhi bohot acchi lagti hun."

"Tumhe ek secret bataaun??? Munna ko bhi mujhpar yeh dresses bohot acche lagte hai, isliye main yahaan aakar bhi yeh kapde pehenne lagi. Munna ki aankhon mein ek alag hi chamak dekhi thi maine tab. Bas tabse maine bhi western kapde pehenna shuru kar diya."

Preeti came forward, "Naina... tu Sameer se bohot pyaar karti hai na??? Sameer tera pati hai aur usse bhi toh kabhi tujhe aise western dresses mein dekhna ka mann hota hoga. Kabhi tera mann nahi hota ki jis tarah Munna Anjali ko dekhta hai, waise hi Sameer bhi tujhe dekhe??? Hamare liye naa sahi, par ek baar apne pyaar ke liye, apne Sameer ke liye hi maan jaa... Please Naina... Dekh... isse pehenne ke baad dekhna kaise Sameer bhi tujhpar lattoo ho jaayega."

Naina thought about it. Were her friends right about this? Should she take a chance & see how her husband reacts to this change? Yesss... she loved Sameer a lot but could she do this for him? Should she change her dressing style for him?

Closing her eyes, her mind wandered, "How would Sameer react seeing her in western wears? Would he like it or not? Would he desire her as she did?" Preeti & Anjali shared a glance & smiled. They knew they had played the right card in front of her & that was Sameer...

Naina would do anything for her husband & this is what Kabir had asked them to do. Well, there was more to it. But for now, they wanted her to agree to buy those western outfits & wear them in front of Sameer.

Naina remembered how Sameer had reacted to her once when she had worn a pink kurti with jeans for college. She owned just that jeans & kurti, & the rest were all salwar suit dresses that she wore to college & at home.

Kabir walked to her right at that moment & spoke, "Naina... Preeti aur Anjali sahi keh rahi hai. Zindagi mein kabhi kabhi khudko change kar lena chahiye. Time ke saath saath hume aage badhna chahiye aur badalna bhi chahiye."

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Naina... tum jaisi ho waisi hi bohot acchi ho, tum par sab kapde acche lagte hai. Toh please... yeh bhi try karlo. Agar tumhe comfortable nahi lagaa toh hum mein se koi tumhe force nahi karega. Sirf ek baar try kar lo Naina... Aakhri faisla tumhara hi hoga."

All the three looked expectantly at Naina while she had already made her decision. She walked towards the counter & picked up few tops, skirts & jeans for trial. The moment she entered the trail room, all the three jumped in happiness. Naina had finally agreed to try the western outfits.

Kabir walked off to the men's counter & selected few shirts & t-shirts for him while the girls waited for Naina to try all the outfits. Naina didn't come out to show them how each dress looked on her. After twenty minutes, she came out of the trial room. She finalized five tops, two jeans & two skirts.

Preeti & Anjali were very much happy while Kabir smiled standing at the corner. "Ab dekhna Mr Sameer Maheshwari... Ab yeh Kabir aur kya kya badlaav laata hai tumhari Naina mein aur tumhari zindagi mein bhi."

Kabir had seen the way Naina had changed to the most confident person in the last few months. The only thing that was lacking was her make over. She really needed it if she wanted the attention of her always busy husband.

Sameer cared for her, protected her & provided her everything that she wanted. The only thing that he wasn't ready to give her was his time & attention. He kept busy with the California project from the last few months & wasn't spending much time with Naina & Nanu. Even on weekends he would be busy in his study room working on the project.

Kabir wanted to change that. He wanted his friend to give some attention to his wife. He had seen Naina a little sad from last few weeks & had asked her about it. She hadn't discussed much but he came to know later from Nanaji that Sameer was immersed in his work all the time.

The changed Naina would definitely draw his attention. A few more changes were on his list too & he had already discussed them with his sister & Anjali, who were told to look after that. The complete makeover of Naina was going to surprise Sameer. Kabir just hoped that Naina would agree for the other things too.

Once they were done with the shopping, they stood at the cash counter for making the payments. As Naina neared the counter with all her dresses, Kabir stood next to her & said, "Naina... main pay karta hun." But before she could deny him, he interrupted, "Main koi favour nahi kar raha tum par. Yeh tumhari hi mehnat ki kamaai hai."

He handed her an envelope which had some cash & a cheque. Naina's eyes rounded as she saw the amount & met his gaze with her misty ones. "Kabir... yeh..." He smiled & replied, "Yeh tumhari salary hai. Tumne itni mehnat ki hai NGO ke liye pichle kuch mahino se. Tumne kabhi poocha hi nahi apni salary ke baare mein."

"Par yeh bohot jyaada hai Kabir.", she choked. He shook his head, "Yeh wohi salary hai, jo hum sabko milti hai. Tumhe shaayad pataa nahi hai ki tumhe har mahine yahi salary milti hai, jo directly tumhare account mein deposit hoti hai."

The cashier interrupted, "Madam... yeh raha aapka bill. Aap payment cash se karengi yaa card se???" Naina smiled through her tears & handed the cashier her debit card. Once the payment was done, Kabir asked, "Tumhe kaise nahi pataa ki tumhari salary kitni hai Naina??? Tumhe har month message nahi aata kya?"

Naina thought about it & then mumbled, "Wohhh... mera phone number updated nahi hai, shaayad isliye mujhe messages nahi aate." He hummed in response & then said, "Wohh... iss baar thoda direct transfer mein problem ho gaya tha, isliye cheques issue kiye hai sabko. Abhi ghar jaate time, tum bank mein yeh cheque deposit kar dena aur apna number bhi update karwa lena."

Once they were done, they had coffees & snacks at the café as everyone was famished. On the way, Naina went to the bank & finished her work. When she reached home, the others too got down & met Nanaji. Naina retired to her room after her friends were gone. She kept her new outfits in her old room for now.

Naina freshened up quickly & started the preparation for the dinner. Sameer returned home just before dinner time & joined them after freshening up. Naina didn't talk anything about the shopping & they finished their meal amongst discussions about his project.

Once in the room, Naina kept his credit card on the bedside table. Sameer noticed the card & asked, "Naina... tumne kuch shopping nahi ki kya? Mujhe credit card ka koi notification nahi aaya." She looked away & replied, "Maine... maine kuch nahi liya, kuch accha nahi lagaa." He instantly knew that she was lying.

First, she wasn't meeting his gaze & then her stammering had given away her lie. Sameer sat next to her on the coach & asked again, "Kya tum sach keh rahi ho? Mujhe kyun aisa lag raha hai ki tum mujhse kuch chupaa rahi ho Naina."

Feeling defeated, she met his gaze. She couldn't lie to him, not now & never again. "Maine shopping ki hai Sameer, bas aapka card nahi use kiya." He somewhere knew this, that she won't use his card. Still, he asked, "Tumne ab tak mujhe maaf nahi kiya hai na Naina???"

She closed her eyes, "Sameer... maine aapko maaf kar diya hai par pataa nahi kyun main wohh card nahi use kar paayi." She opened her eyes & looked at him, "Main aap par depend nahi rehna chaahti Sameer. Hamari shaadi kuch mahino mein khatam ho jaayegi. Jab maine wohh contracts sign kiye the na, tab hi mann banaa liya tha ki apne kharche khud hi uthaaungi. Aap par ya Nanaji par depend nahi rahungi financially, isliye toh maine Preeti ka café join kiya tha."

Sameer had known all this from the start but hearing it again from her, pierced his heart. He had made a huge mistake by calling her an opportunist & a gold-digger. He regretted those words now but what was the use when those words were already spoken. He now understood that he had hurt Naina immensely by judging her wrongly. He knew that even after apologizing, she wouldn't forget those harsh words, those false allegations.

Sameer closed his eyes in frustration & got up. But before he could take a step ahead, she held her hand & gestured him to sit. "Sameer... maine sach mein aapko maaf kar diya hai. Bas... wohh... wohh... main financially independent rehna chahti hun, taaki jab main iss ghar se jaaun toh aage kisi par depend na rahun."

Sameer's eyes misted & he pulled her in his arms. Naina closed her eyes & let her tears flow too. She had forgiven Sameer a long time ago, but her self-respect didn't allow her to accept his money yet. He had gifted her many things till now & she had accepted as she didn't want to break his heart. She had already decided that the day she would leave this house, she would leave all the gifts behind too.

They stayed in each other's arms for few more minutes & suddenly her phone rang, breaking their hug. Sameer didn't move & stayed seated next to her while Naina picked up her call, "Hello... Bol Preeti... Kya hua? Itni raat ko kyun phone kiya?" The phone call continued for another ten minutes & Sameer walked away towards the balcony.

After disconnecting the call, Naina too stood beside her husband & gazed at the shining stars. He was about to say something & her phone rang again disrupting their conversation. She ran inside the room to check if Preeti had forgotten to say something important which was not possible at all as she always called at night to just gossip with her.

As she saw the caller id, she looked behind to see if her husband had entered the room. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the call, "Hello... Kabir... aapne iss samay kyun phone kiya? Kuch kaam hai kya?"

Sameer had entered the room at that exact moment & heard that it was Kabir on the other end. Getting frustrated with the intrusion, he straightway went to his bed & pulled the thin sheet over him. Naina had seen the look on his face as he had marched towards his bed. She continued her conversation till the next fifteen minutes.

Kabir had called her to go through the accounts of last month properly as he had found some discrepancies in them. He tried explaining her some more for few more minutes & then ended the call. Naina felt bad that she couldn't converse with her husband. She wanted to spend time with him. And today, he had kept his work aside & had sat next to her, talked to her but the phone calls had disrupted their conversation which didn't even start.

Naina was missing her husband & his talks from last few weeks as he was busy in his work. She wanted to talk to him, be close to him. When he had hugged her before, she had melted in his arms immediately as she had missed their closeness, she had missed him.

She slowly walked to his bed & sat beside him. Brushing his hair aside from his forehead, she whispered, "I'm sorry Sameer... I'm really sorry..." The tears made its way in her eyes & she sobbed. Sameer got up instantly, as he heard her sobs.

"Naina... Tum ro kyun rahi ho?" He took her in his arms & rubbed her back, "Naina... please batao na kya hua? Tum ro kyun rahi ho? Aur tumne sorry kyun bola???" She hiccupped a little & replied in a choked voice, "Wohhh... aap mujhse baat karna chaahte the aur main phone par busy thi, isliye uske liye sorry keh rahi thi."

Sameer tightened his hold on her & whispered, "Buddhu... Iss stupid wajah ke liye tum sorry keh rahi thi??? Fir toh uss hisaab se mujhe bhi tumse kitni hi baar sorry bolna padega. Main bhi toh mere kaam ki wajah se tumhe time nahi de pa raha. I'm also sorry Naina..."

Naina rubbed her nose on his t-shirt & he smiled. "Aap sorry mat kahiye Sameer... Aap..." Her words died in her mouth as Sameer claimed her lips in a soft slow kiss. "I missed you Sameer..."

How was the update???

What do you think will Kabir's plan of Naina's makeover work on Sameer???

Will Kabir succeed in making Sameer fall for his wife???

Or has the almighty already fallen for his better half???

Next update on Saturday...

Till then take care & stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤