They stood looking into each other's eyes, his hands on her waist, hers on his shoulders...

He slowly moved one hand, bringing it up her back... and reached the pony. As always, he pulled the band down... Naina's head suddenly jerked back and a small cry escaped her lips.

The band was stuck at the back of her neck.

"Sorry... sorry... Naina, tumhe lagi kya... dard ho raha hai... par ye kaise hua... pehle toh kabhi nahi hua aisa." He was shocked and confused.

The band always slipped down her hair without resistance... he had pulled it with the same pressure as he always did.

As Naina raised her hands behind the neck, to tug at the band, he tried to turn her, to see why it got stuck...

Naina stood firm, not giving in to his effort of turning her, "Kuch nahi hua... main karti hun... ruko."

He himself walked around to check, but Naina moved with him... not letting him go behind her.

"Naina, dekhne toh do... kahan atak gaya... main theek karta hun." He moved again.

"Sameer please, chup chap khade raho... maine kaha na main kar lungi." Her irritation was showing on her face as well as in her voice.

He stood patiently, observing her...

She tilted her neck, hands at work, muttering under her breath, "Yeh Preeti bhi na... pata nahi kya shauk chada tha."

Seeing her discomfort, he was about to risk her rebuke again when she straightened in relief, pulling the band out.

"Sorry... tumpe gussa nikal diya... woh Preeti ne iss suit mein... " She stopped abruptly.

Sameer held her delicately, his hands going around her, "Gussa kar sakti ho... tumhara gussa bhi achha lagta hai mujhe... par ye batao meri saaliji pe kyon bhadak rahi ho?"

She looked down, not knowing how to explain, "Kuch nahi... woh aajkal zyada hi kapdon ke designs mein ghusne lagi hai..."

"Achha toh kya design banwaya hai jo tumhe itna pareshan kar raha hai?" He pestered.

"Sameer, chodo na... woh sab Preeti ka kaam hai..." She tried to draw him away from the topic.

"Bata rahi ho ya khud dekh lun", he moved her hair over one shoulder, making them fall in front, leaving the back clear.

She knew he won't rest until she told him.

"Woh Preeti ne suit mein peeche zip lagwayi hai... usme atak gaya tha band." She closed her eyes and quickly let out everything.

"Zip kyon lagwayi?" He was still curious.

Naina opened her eyes and gave him a desperate look, "Tumhe itna kuch kyon janna hai? Ladkiyon ke dresses ke style hain... un tak hi rehne do na."

"Koi bhi baat tumse judi ho toh mujhe janni hai... aur jab main tumhare liye dress kharidunga tab pata hona chahiye ki kya kya check karna hai", he tucked a strand behind her ear.

"Uhh... zip lagane se fit achha aata hai... isliye Preeti ne saare suits aur dress mein lagwa di... hum dono ke liye", she said hesitantly.

He didn't know a simple query could evoke so many feelings in him with its answer. Now he knew the reason why this suit looked different.

His hand moved to her neck, fingers lightly tracing the neckline from the shoulder to her nape, till they reached the zip. He slowly moved his hand down over it, taking it till the small of her back, where the zip ended.

"Toh ye hai woh jisne tumhe tang kiya... " He whispered looking down at her face.

Her pulse had started racing the moment his fingers started their movement... as he traced the neck, her heart hammered so loud that she feared he could hear it... his trail  down her back made her gasp... and she clutched his t shirt tight.

"Lekin kehna padega... iss cheez ne apna kamaal dikha diya... kisi heroine se kam nahi lag rahi tum... agar saare kapde aise banwa liye toh main toh pagal ho jaunga, Naina", he placed his forehead on her shoulder, breathing heavily.

She could feel his hand at her back tremble, as the palm pressed more into her. She moved one hand to his neck and placed one on his cheek, making him face her.

His dark eyes were intense... she could feel his breath on her...

Raising herself on the toes, she kissed his forehead. He closed his eyes... drowning in the feel of her soft lips on his hot skin. She brought her face down and placed a kiss on his cheek. His hand moved from her back... clutching the curve of her waist. She moved again, kissing at the base of his neck.

He fisted her hair and tilted the head back, looking into her deep brown eyes.

Her dupatta had shifted a bit and the wide expanse of her skin made his eyes slip to the neck... he leaned, feeling her soft skin on his face, and kissed... then he moved up, kissing behind her ear... feeling her shudder in his arms.

He knew it was time to stop... anymore and he might not be able to think clearly.

Slowly, he placed her dupatta properly and kissed on the top of her head, holding her softly.

"I Love You, meri jaan."

Naina brought her hands around his waist... holding her world in her arms.

When their heartbeats calmed down, they walked back. Picking up the box of prashad, she gave one piece to Sameer.

"Aaj maine hum dono ke liye chadaya tha... jo sahi mayne me mere mata pita hain, unka ashirwad  milne ka thank you karne ke liye", she explained when he gave her a quizzical look.

He brought the laddu to her mouth... she took a bite and made him eat from the same piece.

He held her hand near his mouth, looked around, and quickly planted a kiss on her fingers.

Naina snatched her hand back, showing fake anger.

They walked down the steps together.

"Main ghar chod dun tumhe?" He wanted to grab a few more minutes with her.

She looked at him in surprise, "Achha... aur kisi ne dekh liya toh kya kahenge?"

"Ab kya darna... ab toh mere sasural wale maan gaye hain", he winked.

Naina blushed at the mention of her family as his 'sasural wale'.

He saw her red face and leaned closer, "Galat thodi keh raha hun... chalein? Mere sasural?"

"Tum apne ghar jao... main rickshaw se chali jaungi... ghar wale maane hain sirf... mujhe tumhare ghar nahi bhej diya." She smiled.

"Toh bhej de na... main toh kabse intezaar kar raha hun." He placed a hand on his heart and winked again.

"Hato", Naina walked away, waving at a passing rickshaw.

He kept watching the rickshaw till it was visible.

Then turned to look at the temple and folded his hands, "Thank you, bhagwanji... Naina ko meri zindagi mein laane ke liye... bas ab jaldi se ghar mein bhi le aaiye."

Naina reached home to find Preeti still in bed.

"Preeti, uth jaa na, kitna soti hai tu", she shook her sister.

"Sone de na, behen, kitne achhe sapne aa rahe hain", she murmured, burying her face in the pillow.

Naina sprinkled some water on her, "Bas sapne hi dekhti reh... uthegi nahi toh woh sach kaise honge."

Preeti sat up with a start, wiping off the water from her face, "Uthne se bhi konsa sach ho jaayenge... hayee... sapne mein Shahrukh Mera haath pakad ke mujhe samundar ke kinaare ghuma raha tha". She had a dreamy look again in her eyes.

Naina hit her with a pillow, "Sirf Shahrukh ke hi sapne dekhti rahegi kya?"

"Nahi, nahi... Amir, Akshay, Ajay... sabke dekhti hun... bas Salman ko tere liye chod diya hai" Preeti looked at Naina with a straight face.

Both sisters burst out laughing and hugged each other.

"Chal ab uth jaa... fir tujhe kuch khaas baat batani hai", Naina smiled mysteriously.

Preeti was alert, "Bata na, abhi bata, jijaji se mil kar aayi hai na mandir mein? Kya kiya unhone? Jijaji toh kuch bhi kar sakte hain... jaldi bata na, Naina", she could not be patient.

Naina wanted to enjoy some more, "Aaj subah... aaj na... ek bohot khaas baat hui... main toh khushi se pagal ho gayi... tu bhi ho jaayegi."

Preeti smacked her sister, irritated, "Ab batayegi bhi woh khaas baat ya jijaji ko hi phone karke puch lun... ki aaj meri behen ke saath aisa kya kiya unhone jo woh itni khush hai."

Before Naina could react, her eyes widened and she stared at her, "Naina, tumne mandir mein shadi kar li kya?"

It was Naina's turn to hit her, "Pagal hai kya? Main toh band baaje wali shaadi karungi... Pooja didi ke jaisi... mandir mein shaadi kyon karungi jab chachaji chachiji dono maan gaye hain."

Preeti jumped up from the bed, "Kya... mummy... kab? Kisne bataya? Tune? Itni jaldi kaise maani?"

Naina giggled, "Sameer bhi aise hi chaunk gaya tha sunke... usne bhi aise hi sawalon ki baarish kar di thi."

Seeing Preeti's expression, she realised that not giving the details soon could be dangerous for her, "Kal raat chachaji ne bataya unhe... woh hotel mein sabko pata tha, bas unse chupa rahe the... toh isliye chachaji ne kaha unhe bhi pata hona chahiye... mujhe bhi aisa hi laga... aaj subah jab main mandir jaane ke liye uthi toh chachiji ne mujhe ashirwad diya aur kaha ki Sameer unhe bhi bohot pasand hai."

Preeti listened with open mouth, not moving even after Naina's story got over.

"Preeti... kuch bol toh sahi", Naina shook her.

"Maine toh kabhi socha bhi nahi tha mummy aisi baat sunkar itni shaant rahengi... yeh toh kamaal ho gaya... " Preeti was still in shock.

"Mujhe bhi raat se bada hi dar lag raha tha ki pata nahi chachiji ko kaisa lagega sunke... agar unhone mana kar diya Sameer se milne se toh main kya karungi", Naina shared her fears with Preeti.

Coming to present, Preeti was suddenly exhilarated... she held Naina by the shoulders and twirled around, " Naina, Naina, Naina... samajh aaya iss baat ka matlab... ab teri shaadi jijaji se pakki... gharwalo ki marzi se... haye... mujhse hi intezaar nahi ho raha... mere romantic jijaji ki kya halat hogi?" She winked at Naina.

Remembering Sameer's reaction, Naina smiled and hugged Preeti, hoping that her flaming cheeks were not noticed by her sister.

Later, Preeti ran out to the kitchen, looking for her mother.

"Mummyyyy", she hugged her from behind, startling her.

"Pagal ho gayi hai kya, Preeti? Isiliye kehti hun jaldi uth jaya kar, zyada sone se dimag pe asar padta hai", Bela chided her daughter.

"Hai mummy, thank you, tum itni jaldi maan jaogi mujhe pata nahi tha", Preeti showed her happiness.

Bela looked at her with narrowed eyes, "Tujhe bhi koi pasand hai kya? Tere baare mein toh kuch nahi kaha tere papa ne... unhe pata bhi hai ya nahi?"

Preeti gave a pained look to her mother, "Aap bhi mazak uda lo mera... Swati aur Naina ko mil gaye aur mujhe koi nahi mila... koi hota na toh kud kud ke batati aapko."

Instantly changing her expression, she continued, "Abhi toh Naina ki baat kar rahi hun... sach mein, jijaji itne achhe hain na ki kya bataun... aur Naina se itna pyaar karte hain ki unki ankhen bas har samay ussi ko dhoondti rehti hain."

Bela smiled fondly, giving a light pat on Preeti's face, "Tum sab milke kal mujhe bewakoof bana rahe the?"

Preeti gave a sheepish smile, "Sorry, mummy... par kya karte... dar lag raha tha... hum sab jaante hain ki Naina aur Sameer ek dusre se kitna pyar karte hain... agar aise mein koi unke khilaaf hi jaata aur unhe milne nahi deta toh sach keh rahi hun... dono ki hi saansein band ho jaati... yaad hai jab taiji woh rishta layi thi toh Naina kaisi pathar jaisi ho gayi thi... mummy, apne unke rishte ko apna ke hum sab ko itni badi khushi de di ki main bata bhi nahi sakti."

Then she stepped back and cleared her throat, speaking in a dramatic voice, "Aur iske liye ab se poore ek hafte tak yeh Preeti Agarwal roz subah jaldi uthegi... aapko tang nahi karegi."

Bela placed her hands on her waist, "Aur saath mein mera haath bhi batana hoga rasoi mein... khana banane mein madad karni padegi... theek hai?"

Preeti scrunched her nose, "Nahi... ye zyaada ho gaya... bas jaldi uthne tak theek hai."

They both laughed.

A journey that started two years back on Randeep's birthday ended just two days before Ashi's birthday... wish sony channel had given extension for three more episodes... another milestone... another celebration... another Ashdeep moment on Ashi's birthday... they snatched away everything from us... I'm heartbroken