Part 21

Later in the evening, Naina was focusing on some regular school work and studies, her nose buried deep in the books, while Sameer sat on the deewan in the hall, gazing out the same window, where Naina used to sit and wonder about him. He was trying to write some poems for the other preparations of the competition when he started chewing on the backend of the pen and remembered how Naina used to scrunch her eyebrows at his action. He smiled reminiscing the beautiful moments and wished they were together soon.

Just then Arjun and Chachaji walked in after a day invested in cricket practice and work, respectively. After teatime, as all had gathered in the hall, Preeti proposed "Kya sab log! Aaj chutti ke din bhi ya toh koi padhyaee mein laga hai, koi practice mein toh koi kaam mein. Ab shaam hone aayi hai, kuch mazaa karte hai. Papa...bahut din ho gaye, chalo Carrom khelte hai".

Arjun was elated, as it was the family's favorite indoor game, so he encouraged her too..." Haan haan Preeti, tu board leke aa. Aaj khelte hai hum Carrom."

So, the board and pegs were laid out on the swing and four people surrounded it, Naina and Preeti partners and Arjun-Chachaji partners.

Chachiji was an onlooker, keeping the environment alive with her comments and some hot pakodas, while Sameer was content to look at the family antics from afar. He was amused that so many different people lived under the same roof and were so happy to be together, unlike his family dynamics, where his mom didn't care much for him, and he didn't like his step family, in fact had hardly ever met them. His family was only his Nanu, but at least he was blessed to have two best friends in MP and wished Naina would soon accept him too.

As the game started, Naina tried to play with her left hand, but she couldn't manage to hit the striker the way she always did. Preeti always partnered with her as Naina was a master in Carrom and gave a tough competition to Arjun-Chachaji team. She almost never lost against them.

After two missed turns, Chachaji commented. "Naina, aise khelogi toh haar jaaogi beta".

Naina was also saddened "Kya karoon, baiye haath se lag hi nahi raha hai. Aaj toh main pakka haroongi".

Sameer heard this and saw the disappointment on her face. He stood up immediately and came to the group. "Agar aap logon ko aitraaz na ho toh Naina ki taraf se main kheloon?"

Arjun commented sarcastically "Tumhe Carrom khelna aata bhi hai? Naina Carrom ki master hai, kabhi nahi haarti. Ek toh waise hi khel nahi pa rahi toh haarne ke chances badh gaye hai, agar tum kheloge uski jagah toh pakka haar jaayegi".

"Naina, meri partner hai....hmm competition mein.... toh mere rehte wo haar kaise sakti hai? Main Naina ko kabhi haarne nahi doonga".

Only two people understood the underlying meaning of his words, Naina and Preeti. Where Naina had mixed feelings, Preeti was overjoyed about his open declaration of love and support to her sister. On the other hand, Arjun had his doubts but didn't comment in front of Chacha-Chachi.

Chachaji agreed and allowed him to join the game in Naina's place. Naina got up and sat on the sofa keeping an eye on the game and Sameer took her place in the game, partnering with Preeti. Naina noticed that all his focus was on the game and how swift he was with the striker, as if winning this game was his life's motto. He couldn't let Naina lose, and thus, at the end of three games, Naina-Preeti or say Jija-Saali emerged victorious.

Preeti hugged Naina and whispered, "Dekha, Jijaji ne tujhe ek bhi game haarne nahi di" and she winked at her.

Naina's eyes darted to Sameer and he gave his usual lovelorn smile to her as if trying to assure that she need not worry about anything as he was with her every step of the way.

After a hearty dinner of chole puri, Chachiji's new venture from Grih-Shobha, when it was time to go to bed, Sameer came back to take his position by the door to keep an eye on her, when Naina assured him "Sameer, tum jaakar so jao, main theek hoon. Kal se dard bhi kam hai aur main dhyaan rakhoongi, karvat nahi loongi".

Sameer wasn't convinced. He didn't want her to sleep half-awake as it would affect her health and healing "Par Naina..."

"Nahi Sameer, tum aise har raat jagoge, tog tum khud beemar ho jaoge. Aur iss waqt hum aisa nahi hone de sakte. I promise, main theek rahoongi, agar zaroorat padi toh Preeti hai na".

She looked at Preeti and the girl nodded vigorously.

Finally, he gave in as she was right, he was here to care for her and be her rock. He couldn't afford to fall sick himself. He had to maintain his strength for them both, so he relented and went to sleep on the deewan, as usual dreaming about her, and some beautiful poetry lines lightened in his brain. He couldn't let them slip and so hurriedly jotted those down before going back to his dreamland (Sorry guys, I am not a poet and its difficult to write romantic poetic lines; however, here is a lame attempt).

Sitaaron se utar kar aayi ek pari
Usne itni mohabbat ki mujhse ki meri aakhen nam ho gayi
Khata hui mujhse ki maine mohabaat na samjhi
Buss ek baar pyar se dekhlo, de do mujhe maafi
Vaada karta hoon ki zindagi mein hogi sirf khushi

Sunday morning, Sameer had set three alarms to help him wake up on time and be at the practice ground with Arjun. Just as he was leaving the house, Arjun was also leaving from Taiji's house for his early morning exercise.

Seeing Sameer punctual, he commented "Mujhe laga nahi tha, tum itni subah uth paoge". Sameer only smiled.

"Ab aa hi gaye toh, saath mein daudte huye park tak jaayenge, warm up ho jaayega, fir kuch stamina exercises karenge aur fir thodi game ki practice" scheduled Arjun.

Sameer nodded in affirmation and followed him. They spent the next 2 hours with each other, not talking about anything else except exercise and cricket. Arjun giving him tips from his experience and Sameer listening and following everything like an ideal student.

When they returned, the rest of the family had gathered in the hall, including Taiji and family for a scrumptious Sunday breakfast of Jalebi, Fafda, Khasta Kachori, and hot elaichi chai, a typical Gujarati Sunday breakfast.

Sameer didn't know such joys and pleasures of a large family, the smiling faces, light banter between the elder ladies of the house, the men discussing politics and economy of the country, and siblings teasing and having fun with each other. He could already feel a part of the family due to Taiji's constant pampering with Bholuram tags and Tauji showing him respect due to his elite class. Chachaji-Chachiji were genuine people who appreciated the efforts of a young boy trying to rectify all mistakes. Only Rakesh sir was one who just didn't dislike him but rather made his hate evident. Well whatever said and done, he was Naina's father and also his teacher, so he deserved his respect and he would have to learn to deal with him for life, if only for Naina's sake. At least he wasn't present for the morning ritual. Sameer thanked God for small pleasures and respite from his rants.

Later in the afternoon post-lunch, "Sameer, hume kuch kahaniyan bhi deni hai na selection ke liye. Main kal raat ko soch rahi thi, 1 kahani taiyyar hai mere dimaag mein, aur dusri ke liye bhi idea hai. Aaj ek likh lete hai, baaki dou baad mein likhenge", Naina shared her thoughts.

"Theek hai Naina, tum bolo, mein likhta hoon!"

Saying that, Sameer went to Naina's desk to pick up her notebook, a specific one that she directed him to get, which was specifically for her stories. While picking it up, a neatly folded paper fell out of it, he picked it up, carefully opened it and was surprised to see the writings. It was in Gujarati, a written matter for someone's wedding card, the parents and family name was different, but right in the middle of the paper was "Naina sang Sameer" in a neat handwriting in bold in Gujarati. He was shocked, amazed, and surprised. Checking the wedding date and doing some mental math, he realized that this was written around the time of his entry in school. So Naina had indeed loved him so deeply right from day 1 and that she had already dreamt of a lifetime with him. His misty eyes rose from the paper and looked at her. She was busy gazing somewhere, probably organizing her thoughts for the story and completely oblivious to the happenings a few feet away.

Sameer was so elated and couldn't contain his joy, he wished to confront her about this and force her to admit how much she loved him. But then he decided against it and ruminated that how easily she had placed her trust and faith in him the moment she fell in love without even knowing him completely. She had only trusted her instincts and in the power of true love and such an idiot he had been to stake it all. But at least now, with every passing day and moment, he was gaining hope that she was coming around slowly and all would be well in due course. He had to be patient, he had already given his undying commitment and now he had to wait for her to come forward herself and confess her love all over again, and this time he would ensure that everything would be alright forever. With these thoughts, he folded the paper and placed it carefully in his jeans pocket. This would be his solace till she was his forever.

"Kya hua Sameer, kya soch rahe ho?" Naina asked seeing him rooted to her study table.

"Hmm... tumne kaha ki yeh notebook, specially tumhari stories ke liye hai, par yeh toh khali hai", replied Sameer.

"Haan toh ab tak kabhi likhi nahi, hamesha dimaag mein hi rahi hai. Life ki sabse pehli puri kahani tumhe hi toh sunayi thi Mt. Abu mein" and immediately she realized that she gave away something that she shouldn't have.

Sameer's eyes whipped to her. He was elated that he was the first audience of her first story. He also recollected their conversation when she had asked him to be with him all life to hear her stories and he could recite his poetry to her.

"Naina, mujhe bahut achcha lagega agar tumhari har kahani sabse pehle mujhe padhne mile", he confirmed what she had asked in Mt. Abu and he had no reply then as he was bewildered and confused.

"Toh kaisi kahani hai yeh?" asked Sameer to relieve the tension in the room.

"Romantic..." She again bit her tongue for the blunder but there was no other way out, she would have to narrate and he would write, so by default he was going to be the first to know.

Just when she was about to start to narrate and he write, Preeti scampered in the room "Jijaji, aap ke liye phone hai". Sameer raised his eyebrows in question as to who would call him here?

He went to attend the phone call "Hello".

"Sameer beta, kaisa hai tu?" Came out a cheerful Nanu's voice on the other side.

"Nanu, aap...main bilkul theek hoon, aap kaise ho? Mein raat ko phone karnewala tha."

"Haan beta, par mujhe karna pada...wo achanak thoda kaam nikal aaya hai, kuch deals finalize karne ke liye, aaj raat ko hi Singapore aur London ke liye nikalna padega, wapas aane mein 15-20 din bhi lag sakte hai. Issliye socha tujhe bata doon. Ho sake toh tu thodi der ke liye milne aa ja, Rakeshji se ijazat lekar. Shayad wapas aane tak hamari theek se baat bhi na ho paaye".

Sameer suddenly felt alone that he would not be able to see or even talk to Nanu for several days. "Nanu, main aana toh chahta hoon, par aap Rakesh sir ko jaante hai na, wo permission bhi nahi denge aur aap ke naam pe baatein bhi sunayenge. Wo mujhe kuch bhi kahe, chalega, par aap ke baarein main kuch bhi galat bole toh mujhe achcha nahi lagta." Sameer tried to explain his situation.

"Hmm...theek hai, koi baat nahi beta. Tu buss apna aur Naina ka khayal rakhna".

Sameer could hear the disappointment in Nanu's voice when he hung up but had tried to not show it and make it difficult for Sameer. He was also disheartened and went back to Naina and the task at hand.

As soon as he entered, she saw something had changed drastically in his usually cheerful demeanor around her.

Before she could stop herself, "Kya hua Sameer? Kisika phone tha?"

Abiding to his habit of sharing everything with her, "Nanu ka".

"Sab theek toh hai na ghar par?"

"Haan... wo Nanu ko achanak se kaam ke liye foreign jaana pad raha hai... lautne mein kaafi din lagenge, issliye jane se pehle milna chahte the. Par maine mana kar diya".

"Kyon? Tumhe unse milne jaana chahiye na".

"Nahi Naina, main apni zimmedari chodkar kaise ja sakta hoon? Hume abhi yeh kahaniyan likhni hai... aur... hmm... Rakesh sir se permission liye bina nahi ja sakta aur main nahi chahta ki permission maangte waqt wo Nanu ke baarein mein kuch bhi ulta seedha bole". Sameer reasoned in a disappointed tone.

Naina thought for a minute, while he was settling down to get back to the task at hand half-heartedly and trying to bring back his focus.

An idea struck Naina "Ek kaam ho sakta hai, jisse tumhari zimaaedari bhi nibh jaayegi, Papa kuch nahi kahenge, aur tum Nanaji se bhi mil paoge".

A bewildered Sameer looked at her.
"Dekho, kahaniyan toh mujhe bolni hai aur tumhe likhni hai...toh main unhe ek cassette mein record kar leti hoon. Tum baad mein sunkar likh lena, fir wo aasan bhi hoga aur samay bhi bachega. Papa abhi ghar par hai nahi, toh tum Chachaji ko bolkar chale jao, aur main bhi keh doongi ki shaam tak mujhe tumhari koi zaroorat nahi thi, mujhe apna personal time chahiye tha, toh Papa bhi kuch nahi kahenge".

Sameer was amazed at how easily she had solved all his worries, how it was second nature to her to be by his side even when she claimed that she didn't even want to be friends with him. He smiled, thanked her for the solution but avoided pointing out what she was doing for him, lest she get conscious again.
"Sameer, buss ek problem hai, wo khaali cassettes khatm ho gaye hai, toh jaate waqt Preeti ko bol dena, wo le aayegi".

"Arre, uski koi zaroorat nahi hai, mere paas hamesha 2-3 hote hai." He went and got 2 from his bag and brought them to her. "Abhi isme record kar lo, ghar par aur hongi, main le aaonga". He handed her the cassette, her hand-held Dictaphone from the drawer, and went to explain the situation to Chachaji.

Both Chachaji-Chachiji were convinced as Naina had predicted and he left with a promise to return before dinnertime.

At Maheshwari house:
"Tujhe dekhkar bahut Khushi ho rahi hai Sameer", Nanu hugged him. "Abhi toh tujhe gaye buss dou din hi hue hai, par aisa lag raha hai jaane kabse nahi dekha".

Sameer smiled with his usual boyish charm and hugged Nanu again "Maine bhi aapko bahut miss kiya, mujhe toh laga ab jaane kab mil paaonga aapse".

"Par Sameer, tune toh kaha tha ki Rakeshji tujhe permission nahi denge, fir tu kaise aa gaya? Kahi jhooth bolkar ya bhaag kar toh nahi aaya na?" Suspected Nanu.

"Kya Nanu, aap ko apne Sameer par bharosa nahi hai kya? Achcha theek hai, mujhpar nahi, Naina par bharosa rakhiye".

Then, Sameer went to narrate to a confused Nanu how his Naina had solved the problem nonchalantly. He also narrated all the events of 2 days, cleverly leaving out the romantic moments between him & Naina but explaining how she always came to his rescue when needed.

Nanu was amazed, extremely happy and content that his child-like Sameer had grown into a responsible man in Naina's love and how she was always there for him.

"Dekha Sameer, wo tou tujhse dosti bhi nahi rakhna chahti, fir bhi teri har mushkil mein tera saath deti hai. Beta, Naina jaisi ladki na badi kismet se milti hai. Tu jaise uske baarein batata hai na, har baat main teri nani ki jhalak aati hai. Wo bhi aisi hi thi, mujhse bahut pyar karti thi. Mujhse naaraz bhi ho tabhi hamesha mera saath deti thi, kabhi kisi bhi haalat mein mujhe akela nahi choda. Naina bhi har baar jaane anjaane tera saath deti hai, shayad use yeh mehsoos bhi nahi hota hoga. Par ab iss mushkil waqt mein tujhe uska saath dena hai... chahe jo ho jaaye, aise saathi ka saath pana aur uska saath dena, bade naseeb se milta hai aisa mauka".

Sameer assured him, "Aap fikr mat karo, main Naina ka haath aur saath kabhi nahi chodunga".

Just then his best friends also arrived.
"Arre Munna Pnadit, tum log bhi?"

"Sameer... both were so excited to see him after 2 days as if they had spent 2 years apart "Arre Nanaji ka phone aaya tha ki tu nahi aa payega unse milne, toh humne socha ki hum hi aa jaate hai, agar unhe kisi cheez ki zaroorat hui toh", explained Munna.

Then, while Nanaji did some final preparations, the trio spent some quality time together.
Sameer recounted the events at Naina's home and though MP were also frustrated with Rakesh's behavior, Sameer calmed them down stating that he was his would-be FIL, and hence, had to be respected, if only for Naina's sake.

When it was time for Nanaji to leave, Sameer asked "Nanu, jab tak aap wapas nahi aa jaate, aapki car toh yahi padi rahegi na? Kya main use le ja sakta hoon? Wo kal se school jana hoga, aur Naina ek haath se cycle nahi chala paayegi, aur na hi Preeti ya Arjun ke saath peeche baith payegi. Roz roz rickshaw se aane jaane ke liye, pataa nahi kitni baatein sunni padengi. Toh agar car hogi, toh...Sameer left the sentence incomplete".

Although his intention was only to make Naina comfortable and save her from any family wrath for spending extra money, he couldn't deny the excitement he felt with the thought of having Naina in his car, but he didn't want Nanu to read that in his eyes".

Nanu lovingly ruffled his hair. He had very well understood what Sameer meant. He gave a slight smirk "Beta, main bhi tera nana hoon... budha paida nahi hua tha, iss umar se guzarkar hi yahan pahucha hoon..." Sameer blushed and Nanu continued "Par mujhe khushi hai ki tujhe pyar ke saath saath parvaah bhi hai... sach mein uss ladki ne teri soch hi nahi, tujhe badal diya hai....mera ladakpan wala beparwaah Sameer ab ek zimmedaar insaan ban gaya hai, mujhe bahut naaz hai tujhpar. Aur pura yakeen bhi ki Naina ke theek hone tak, tu uska pyaar fir jeet lega... ja, le ja gadi".

"Thank you Nanu". The three boys waved an emotional bye to Nanu as in those days, international calling was not easy and mighty expensive. While money was not a matter for the Maheshwaris, time difference and difficulty in phone connections would definitely be an issue.

Sameer gathered some more stuff to get ready for the weeks ahead in Nanu's absence, bear hugged his best friends who assured to help him from next morning in school, and finally drove back to Naina's house in car, handing his bike to Munna for use until he needed it back.