As Naina entered the opulent premises, the knot of nervousness tightened in her stomach. It felt like being in enemy territory, unarmed, and without any escape plan. Sameer's grandfather seemed like an authoritative, domineering person, yet he exuded a grace that didn't seem to be having any hint of arrogance. Which was abundant in his grandson, walking two steps ahead of her.

Inside, Naina was met by a middle aged couple, who seemed to have a fake smile pasted on their faces.

Sameer gave them his usual hint of smile, with a nod, and walked towards the stairs to go to his room, as was his habit.

'Sameer!' Ambika hissed, drawing his attention, 'Kahan jaa raha hai?'

'Apne room mein.' Sameer stopped and stated matter of factly, wondering why she appeared so shocked.

'Aur Naina?' Ambika shot him an angry look.

The step which he had raised, froze mid air.

He swirled, alarmed. Naina stood in the center of the room. Silently. Not even looking at him. But Dadaji's piercing gaze was fixed on his face.

'Uh... woh main...' He fumbled for a moment, before collecting his thoughts, 'Main charger lene jaa raha tha. Phone... phone dead ho gaya hai.'

As if to mock him, his phone started to ring precisely at that moment.

Quickly, he pulled it out from the pocket. If he could get into the phone, he would have strangled Pandit with his bare hands for choosing this moment to call up.

Sheepishly smiling at his family, he cut the call, '1%. Bas 1% battery baaki hai. Isliye charger laata hun.'

And without another word, he hopped up to his room. Ambika and Girish looked at Naina. She gulped, then folded her hands again to greet the couple. The one time she actually wanted this spoiled Maheshwari brat to be next to her, he had left her alone.

Sensing the awkwardness in the room, Dadaji gestured to Naina, 'Arey beta tum khadi kyon ho? Baitho baitho.'

He then craned his neck to a direction which could be the kitchen and called out, 'Madhav, paani leke aa.'

Naina did not move from her place. All she wanted to do was flee from this highly uneasy environment.

Girish nudged his wife. Nodding, she stepped ahead and smiled at Naina, directing her to the sofa, 'Yahan aakar baitho tum. Humein bohot sari baatein karni hai. Khadi rahi toh thak jaogi.'

Naina perched on the edge, twisting the strap of her bag. Unknowingly, her eyes darted to the stairs.

Dadaji smiled, 'Sameer ka intezaar kar rahi ho? Woh bhi aa jayega. Tab tak hum log aapas mein jaan pehchaan kar lein?'

He then pointed at the other two, 'Yeh hai mera beta Girish or uski wife Ambika. Sameer inka beta hai. Aur main... tum samajh hi gayi hogi ki main us nalayak ka dada hun.'

A small smile appeared on Naina's face, 'Ji... ji uncle. Bataya tha... Sameer ne.' Then, seeing their inquisitive eyes, she offered, 'Main Naina... Naina Agarwal.'

Ambika settled on the chair opposite her and fixed her curious gaze on Naina, 'Kahan rehti ho tum? Kaun kaun hai family mein? Kya karte hain tumhare gharwale?'

Naina was aware that Sameer had lied to them about visiting her family in Gujarat previous week. She stated hesitantly, 'Ahmedabad mein rehte hain. Job... ek company mein job hai unka.'

'Kiska?' Girish asked, 'Papa ya mummy?'

Naina wetted her dry lips, 'Papa aur mummy... nahi hain. They passed away. Bhai... bade bhai hain. Job karte hain.'

She couldn't spin tales about her parents who were no more.

While Madhav served her water, which she gulped quickly, Dadaji narrowed his eyes. She seemed too simple to be having some sinister plans. Though it would be inappropriate to directly ask her if anyone in her family was a gangster, he wanted the answer to this question at the soonest.

Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he said, 'Tumhe Sameer ne bataya hi hoga ki mera dusra beta yaha ka Police Commissioner hai. Abhi peeche hi usne Dilli ke do teen bade bade gangs ka khatma karke unke boss ko pakda hai.'

Naina tried to recall if Munna or Sameer had mentioned anything in this respect but all this seemed news to her. But as his girlfriend of two years, she was supposed to know about his relatives too. Still, how could she claim to be knowing something she had no clue about. Damn these boys. They should have given the entire family tree information, instead of just focusing on the four family members of Sameer. Speaking of that, she didn't see his sister around.

With a smile, which she tried to make warm, she shrugged lightly, 'Sameer... zyadatar aap sabki baat hi karta hai. Sabse zyada apni choti behen ki. Anu hai nahi kya ghar par?'

Girish answered in place of his father, 'Anu ko kuch kaam aa gaya tha. Shayad late ho jayegi. Woh khud tumse milne ko impatient ho rahi thi par achanak aaj kuch Italian clients aa gaye.'

Ambika felt good hearing that Sameer often mentioned his family to his girlfriend, unlike boys who always maintained distance with everyone once they found a girl.

Lovingly, she asserted, 'Waise mera beta hamesha se hi family se bada attached hai. Aajkal ke dusre bachhon ki tarah nahi jo family se dur bhagte hain.'

If only she knew what her beloved son was doing to deceive the family... Naina thought.

Girish cleared his throat to enquire some more, 'Sameer keh raha tha tum yahan job karti hi. Kaunsi company mein? Kya karti ho?'

Not seeing any requirement to hide these details, Naina answered clearly, 'Main Astro Advertisisng company mein hun. Media Research and Marketing department mein.'

'Astro?' Girish said thoughtfully, 'Sameer ka ek dost Munna bhi wahi hai. Jaanti ho use?'

With a smile, Naina nodded, 'Main unke saath hi kaam karti hun. Technically who mere boss hain. Lekin kabhi aisa feel nahi hua. He's very gentle and accommodating.'

Dadaji raised one brow quizzically, 'Iska matlab tum aur Sameer wahin mile hoge? Munna ki company mein?'

The story that had been prepared by Munna Pandit was etched in Naina's mind. She stated, 'Hum log sabse pehle ek restaurant mein mile the. Mujhe kuch problem hui toh... Sameer ne meri help ki thi. Tab hamari dosti ho gayi. Uske baad coincidentally ek do baar fir se mile.'

Ambika was listening with rapt attention, 'Sameer ne ek do baar mein hi tumhe pasand kar liya?'

A feeling of anxiety made Naina fidget in her chair and she again shot a quick glance at the stairs. What was taking him so long. Or was it intentional...

Girish let out a knowing chuckle, 'Yeh pucho isne Sameer ko kaise pasand kiya? Kyon beta, do saal baad bhi tumhara vichaar badla nahi kya?'

They heard a shuffle of feet behind them. Naina looked up, to find Sameer finally coming down. He seemed to be in no rush. She internally threw a volley of cuss words at him. As if Sameer could sense it, his eyes lifted to meet hers instantly. Something like a smile curled his lips, but it could be sneer too. Naina wasn't sure.

Turning his gaze to his father, he complained, 'Aap shuru ho gaye mere against meri girlfriend ko bhadkane mein?'

Girish shrugged, 'Sach bol raha hun. Teri qualities hi bhadkaane ki definition mein fit hoti hain toh main kya karun.'

Ambika frowned at her husband, 'Ab bas bhi karo. Tumhe toh bas Sameer ko sunate rehne ka kaam hai.'

'Koshish karta hun par tumhara laadla sunta kahan hai.' Girish replied wearily.

Sameer took a seat next to his grandfather, who gave him a strange look. The place next to Naina was vacant. Madhav appeared again, with a large tray in his hands. After placing several plates of snacks on the table, he served tea to everyone. Ambika urged Naina to have something to eat when she merely sipped her tea, without touching anything.

'Thank you aunty, main theek hun.' She politely refused.

Dadaji bit into his pakoda and asked Sameer, 'Tune bataya nahi tune pehli mulakat mein Naina ki help ki thi. Kya hua tha?'

Sameer almost choked on his biscuit. He had never expected anyone to ask for details. Rather, he had presumed, his family would be ecstatic to meet a girl whom he brought home. But sensing some underlying tension and the way Naina's eyes had shot daggers at him when he came down, he felt he should have done some more homework.

Catching a glimpse of his flushed face, Naina quickly answered, 'Mere boss ke saath kuch problem hui thi uncle.'

'Munna ke saath?' Girish was shocked.

'Nahi, nahi.' Naina clarified, 'Tab main dusri company mein job kar rahi thi. Mere boss ne... woh pareshan kar rahe the mujhe. Unse bachane mein help ki thi. Uske baad hi Munna ne mujhe apne yahan opening ke baare mein bataya. Thankfully, mera us purani company se peecha chuta. Do mahine se yahin job karti hun.'

'Do mahine?' Dadaji enquired.

"Do saal.' Sameer found his voice ultimately, 'Galti se do mahine bol diya. Haina Naina?'

She nodded too fast, a broad smile on her face.

The sound of clicking heels from outside made Ambika exclaim cheerfully, 'Lo, Anu bhi aa gayi.'

Anaya entered from the main door that was behind Naina and rushed towards them, her voice filled with excitement, 'Sorry sorry. Mujhe aaj hi late nahi hona tha aur aaj hi last minute...'

Her words died as her mouth fell open, seeing the girl sitting in her house.

Naina was shocked too. She stood up, 'Anaya... tum? Tum... Anu ho?'

Suddenly Anaya clapped in glee, 'Aur tum ho mere bhai ki Naina... matlab tum hi ho. Wow. Mujhe pata hi nahi tha meri dance teacher hi mere bhai ki girlfriend hai.'

It was the turn of other family members to gasp. Ambika stared wide eyed from Naina to Anaya, 'Dance teacher? Jiski tu itni tareef karti hai?'

"Arey haan Mummy.' Anaya darted towards Naina and took her in a cosy hug, 'Isse achha surprise toh kuch ho hi nahi sakta.'

Sameer face palmed himself. He was aware Naina was teaching dance to Anaya but he didn't know they would be meeting like twins separated at birth. They seemed to be quite friendly for a short term teacher student acquaintance. Or did they know each other before Anaya joined the classes? Were they friends? What if Anaya knew all about Naina?

Naina was even more shocked than others. She had never paid any attention to surnames of her students. Even if she would have seen the name Anaya Maheshwari, there was no way in the world that she could have thought of these two to be siblings. Anaya was too kind and sweet to be related even remotely to a person like Sameer.

Girish was a little confused, 'Lekin Naina toh Ahmedabad gayi thi Navratri ke liye, fir tujhe dance kaise sikhati thi Anu?'

Sameer answered before giving a chance to Naina to explain, 'Usi din subah gayi thi. Navratri function tha jis din. Kyonki usse pehle classes le rahi thi isliye nahi jaa paayi.'

While others seemed to be convinced, Anaya moved away from Naina and glared at her brother, hands on waist, 'Us din jab mujhe lene aaye the tab kyon nahi bataya ki yehi Naina hai? Us din toh ghuma ghuma ke sawal puch rahe the. Aisa pretend kar rahe the jaise kuch malum hi nahi inke baare mein.'

She then looked at Naina and said accusingly, 'Pata hai kaise behave kar rahe the bhai? Maine inko kaha ki class mein bohot saari married ladies hain toh puchne lage 'Achha, Naina married hai'.' She mimicked in a heavier voice.

Sameer let out an embarrassed smile, 'Woh toh main... aise hi mazaak kar raha tha.'

He would get even with Anu for this later. Why she had to blurt it out in front of Naina. She might think he had been stalking her.

Suddenly Girish started to laugh, 'Arey bhai yeh to kamaal ki baat hai. Usi din Ambika ne bhi kaha tha ki kaash Anu ki dance teacher hi Sameer ki pasand hoti.'

Anaya giggled at her mom, 'Kyon mummy? Aap toh Naina se mili bhi nahi thi tab tak. K3G ki Jaya Bachhan ke jaise apne bete ki pasand aapko pehle hi pata chal gayi kya?'

Ambika was still trying to process all that had unfolded, and unknowingly uttered, 'Maine isliye kaha tha kyonki tum log keh rahe the Naina Sameer ko gangster banana chahti hai.'

Dadaji lowered his head, gripping his forehead.

Girish tried to shush her.

Anaya was red faced.

Sameer and Naina, with same dumbfounded expression on their faces, repeated, 'Gangster!!'

Unable to take a cue, Ambika went on, 'Papaji ne suna tha Sameer ko phone par gangsters ke baare mein Naina se baat karte hue. Isliye humein laga Naina ki family... ya koi bhi... ya uska gangsters se kuch...' Her voice wavered as she noticed the varied looks thrown in her direction.

Sameer turned to his grandfather with a jerk, 'Maine aisa kab kaha? Naina se phone pe kab baat ki?'

His entire family was bent upon making a laughing stock of him in front of Naina. As if what Anu had said wasn't enough that now his grandfather and mother had to join hands too.

Dadaji let out a sigh, 'Us din raat ko jab Naina ka phone aaya tha... aur tune Munna ka naam liya, main samajh gaya tu Naina se hi baat kar raha hai. Mujhe teri baton se laga ki tum dono mein kuch jhagda hua hai. 'Gangster... main kyon...' aisa kuch bol raha tha tu. Hum logon ko laga... Chalo chodo ab yeh sab batein. Misunderstanding thi. Khatam karo.'

He was also abashed at being caught eves dropping to phone talks of his grandson and his girlfriend.

While coming here, Naina had been thinking that she would be fibbing a bunch of people who just wanted to see their precious son, grandson, brother... settled in life. But this whole experience was unsettling her to the core. She had been a topic of discussion in the family much before she consented to be a part of this fake relationship. Was this normal? It didn't feel so.

Probably she had dived into the situation without giving it enough thought.

Ambika had realised her mistake by now. She stood up and declared in a pleasant voice, 'Achha hua saari misunderstanding ek baar mein hi khatm ho gayi. Ab hum log aaram se khulkar baatein kar sakte hain. Naina, tum pehli baar aayi ho toh dinner tak rukna padega.'

Naina was about to open her mouth when she said with authority, "Aur naa toh main bilkul nahi sunungi. Is bahane aaj Sameer bhi hamare saath kha lega. Roz toh Munna Pandit ke saath hi khakar aata hai.'

Anaya gave a teasing nudge to Sameer, 'Ya phir un dono ka naam leke Naina ke saath jaate ho?'

"Shut up Anu.' Sameer scoffed, 'Har baat pe mazaak achha nahi hota.'

Girish laughed along with Anaya, 'Har baat pe naak phulana bhi achha nahi hota sahabzaade. Zara Naina ke saamne toh pyar se pesh aao.'

Naina actually wanted to burst into laughter herself. Did Sameer even have a softer side? She seriously doubted it.

Sameer muttered something under his breath, confirming her thoughts. Anu excused herself for a few moments as she wanted to freshen up.

Ambika asked Naina, 'Achha yeh batao tumhe khaane mein kya pasand hai. Aaj tumhari favourite dishes hi banengi.'

Naina nervously shook her head, 'Nahi aunty meri koi particular choice nahi hai. Main sab kuch kha leti hun.'

Ambika smiled, 'Aise kaise choice nahi hai. Tumhari choice toh sabse best hai. Aakhir tumne itna achha ladka jo chuna hai.'

Naina was silenced for a moment, then a mischievous smile appeared on her face, "Toh fir aap is achhe ladke se hi puch lijiye mujhe kya pasand hai. Do saal mein itna toh jaanna chahiye na ek dusre ke baare mein.'

While Sameer was stunned, Dadaji exclaimed excitedly, 'Yeh sahi kaha. Chal bhai Sameer, bata Naina ko kya kya pasand hai.'

All eyes in the room were on him, except the person's who had thrown this missile at him. He couldn't even get any hint from her.

'Jaldi bata yaar.' Girish was impatient, 'Itni der mein toh khana ban ke taiyar ho jaata.'

'Pa... paneer pasand hai.' He blurted.

It was a safe choice. Paneer was liked by almost everyone. Ambika looked at Naina questioningly.

She nodded, 'Ji aunty. Paneer is fine.'

Anaya was back when Ambika went inside to instruct the cook. She was dressed in a aqua blue track suit, but the logo on her jacket clearly declared the name of a well known French designer. Even if Naina wasn't wearing such brands, she was aware of everything in fashion and style industry.

The moment she entered the room, Anaya was all chirpy, 'Okay, let's click some pictures. Bhai, meri aur Naina ki sabse pehle. Ab toh main personal classes lungi dance ki.'

She then turned to Naina and pointed at her track suit, 'Tumhe match karne ke liye yeh pehna hai. Tumhara outfit itna beautiful hai. Main zyada Indian nahi pehenti isliye colour match nahi kar sakti thi. Fir socha track suit hi sahi. I know tumhare jitni pretty toh nahi lagungi par twinning zyada important hai na.'

She posed with Naina as Sameer clicked a few pictures unwillingly. Anaya took a look at them and grunted in dissatisfaction, 'Boys ko zara akal nahi hoti pictures lene ki. Woh toh main aur Naina hain hi itne sundar warna bhai aapne toh spoil hi kar di thi hamari photo.'

She brightened next moment and waved at him, 'Ab aap dono ki leti hun. I know aapke paas already hongi par woh nahi maang sakti na.' She winked, 'For obvious reasons. Isliye mere phone mein bhi kuch clicks hone chahiye.'

Naina did not move from her place. Neither did Sameer.

Anaya let out a breath with a swoosh and pushed Sameer towards Naina, 'Pata hai aapko nahi pasand par Naina ke saath lene mein kya problem hai. Chalo achha sa pose do.'

Sameer stood stiffly next to Naina, looking at the back of Anaya's phone.

Dadaji rolled his eyes and told Anaya, 'Bahar garden mein kheench lo. Yahan hamare saamne shayad yeh log comfortable nahi honge.'

Girish added, 'Gazebo mein le lena. Wahan lights ke saath achhi ayengi.'

As Anaya ushered them out, Naina gave an exasperated look to Sameer. A romantic photoshoot was the last thing she wanted,

Well, the meeting is not over yet 🤭
Next update on Tuesday