Sameer rushed towards the stairway. With his breath still uneven, his pulse racing as the moment he'd just shared with Naina echoed in his mind, he did not notice Anaya coming down the stairs, till he almost collided with her.

'Easy bro!' Anaya said with a teasing smile, 'Aap bohot tez jaa rahe ho.'

Sameer blinked, wondering what speed she was referring to, then jerked his head at his absurd thought. Of course about the way he was walking. How could his sister know what happened in the kitchen.

'Sorry,' he muttered, running a hand through his hair, 'I didn't see you. Kuch soch raha tha.'

'Hmm.' Anaya nodded with a solemn, throaty sound, but her expression was playful, 'Kabhi kabhi aankhon mein dhool aa jaati hai, aur kabhi woh dhool dimag tak bhi chali jaati hai. It's okay. Carry on.'

Sameer opened his mouth to retort but shut it again. He was not keen to engage in any senseless conversation at the moment. He needed to calm his jittery nerves. As he passed Anaya, taking two steps at a time in haste, he could hear her faint giggle. It was only when he glanced at himself in the mirror in his room that he realised the reason. His face was covered with streaks of white, and fine white dust had settled in his hair. He looked at his hands. His left hand was smeared in the same white flour mix that he had seen on Naina's hands earlier.

He groaned. Anaya had seen all of this. And chose not to mention it because she must have thought...

'Isey kehte hain, khaya piya kuch nahi glass toda barah aana.' He muttered in frustration, grabbing his towel.

He had finished his shower when Munna called up to check if everything was fine.

He laughed when he got to know the reason, 'Teri family ke baare mein tujhse zyada Naina ko pata hai. Tujhe yaad tak nahi tha Anu aur uncle aaj dopahar ko wapas aane wale hain? Kamaal hai yaar.'

'Aur mujhe Naina ki family ke baare mein kuch nahi pata tha.' Sameer muttered, 'Kitna gira hua insaan hai yeh Anuj.'

'Sameer.' His tone alerted Munna, 'Kya baat hai? Anuj ke baare mein kuch pata chala tujhe?'

After contemplating for a few seconds, Sameer told him about the unexpected meeting with Anuj and Tina. Though he had not mentioned to Munna that he had been looking for Naina's brother all this time, Munna knew his friend too well to understand that Sameer must have made every possible effort to search for that person. And now, Anuj's connection with Ashok Bansal had left him stunned too.

He wondered aloud, 'Mujhe laga Naina ka bhai koi criminal type ka insaan hoga, isliye woh kabhi uske baare mein batati nahi.'

'Anuj usse bhi badtar hai.' Sameer could not suppress the hatred he felt for the man, 'Ghatiya aur selfish.'

'Main kuch kar sakta hun toh zarur batana.' Munna stated simply after a brief pause, without asking for any details. If Sameer wanted to share, he would do so at the right time.

Anaya peered into the kitchen. The deep red on Naina's face brought a smile to her lips. Deciding against going in, she went back to her room. The cookies would taste much sweeter now. Inside, after placing the cookies in the oven, Naina set the timer on autostop. She needed to change, but she wasn't sure she could face Sameer alone in the room yet. Her heart was still pounding against her ribs. Mustering courage, she had barely taken a few steps out of the kitchen when her phone started to ring. Looking at the name of the caller, Naina turned and walked out of the main door, into the garden.

'Hi Nutty.' She breathed in relief as she shut the door of gazebo behind her, 'Aaj audio call?'

'Hi meri jaan. Institute mein hun isliye abhi video on nahi kar sakti. Tu bata tu kahan hai yaar? Do din se na mera call pick kiya na call back kiya. Are you breaking up with me?' Natasha's voice was breezy, yet full of accusations.

Naina smiled, 'Tujhse breakup? Tujhse jaan churana itna easy hai kya? Main toh lifetime ke liye phans gayi hun.'

'Exactly.' Natasha grinned at the other end, 'Isliye sochna bhi mat ki main tera peecha chor dungi. Ab jaldi se sab kuch bata.'

'Sab kuch?' Naina's heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach, 'Ky... kya sab kuch?'

'Wohi... ki weekend kaisa gaya? Call kyon nahi kiya? Aunty kaisi hain?' Natasha asked in a normal, innocent manner.

'Oh!' Naina heaved a sigh of relief, 'Yeh sab. All good. Mummy kaafi better hain. Kal unki appointment hai. Bandages nikal jayengi. Aur weekend... woh mera phone... thoda pareshan kar raha tha... isliye call nahi kar paayi.'

'Achha achha.' Natasha said impatiently, 'Tu toh theek hai na? Kuch hua toh nahi? Ab toh pareshan nahi kar raha?'

'Kaun?' Naina's breath caught in her throat again.

'Tera phone. Aur kaun.' Natasha dragged the last word.

'Oh haan. Nahi. Matlab haan, ab theek hai.' Naina gulped, replying hastily.

There was a silence of a few seconds before Natasha's firm voice boomed again, 'Okay enough. Out with it. Saamne hoti toh tere saath yeh game khel leti lekin phone pe nahi. Saaf saaf bol kya hua hai. And I want all details. Now.'

Naina closed her eyes as she slumped down on the thick cushioned chair. There was no point trying. Natasha knew her like the back of her hand.

'Nutty.' She began, her voice faltering as she tried to articulate her confusing feelings, 'It's... it's very awkward. Mujhe kuch... kuch ajeeb sa lagne laga hai. I don't know how to say this but... uske saath bohot different feeling aane lagi hai.'

'Kiske?' Natasha asked with naivety.

'Arey yaar Sameer ke aur kiske.' Naina blurted in frustration, 'Uske kareeb hone pe ghabrahat hoti hai, uske choone se heartbeat control mein nahi rehti, haath pair thande par jaate hain, pet mein aisa lagta hai, aisa lagta hai...' She could not find words to describe the feeling, '... jaise pata nahi kya ho raha hai, aur jab woh itne paas se dekhta hai toh uski aankhen...'

She stopped abruptly, realising that everything that she was saying about her state was making her feel more ashamed.

When Naina did not say more, Natasha asked in a gentle voice, 'Usey kaisa lagta hai... Sameer ko?'

Naina swallowed, squeezing her closed eyes, 'I think... he feels the same. Usey bhi... woh bhi physically attract ho raha hai.'

'What?' Naina's eyes shot open as Natasha screamed into her ear, 'Physically?'

Naina's face burned in mortification, 'I'm so sorry Nutty. Pata nahi kaise. Maine kabhi nahi socha tha mere saath aisa ho sakta hai par... I guess, hum saath rehte hain, sabke saamne couple jaise pretend karte hain isliye... yeh physical attraction...' She could not continue.

'Sameer ne khud kaha tujhse ki woh... matlab... usey bhi aisa feel hota hai?' Natasha probed further.

Taking a deep breath, Naina told her about how Sameer had proposed to consider the marriage real and let go of the contract, and how he was the one to take the first step.

Miles away, Natasha silently banged her head on the wall. If she had been present with Naina, she would have surely given her a piece of her mind. But at present, she had to rush back to her class. Yet, she had to do something, because if anyone could make Naina see the reality, it was her.

Natasha's voice softened in understanding, 'Dekh Naina, main iss waqt tujhe bas itna kahungi ki tu jo bhi feel karti hai usey zara deeply samajhne ki koshish kar. Sweetheart, do din ke reactions se judge karna sahi nahi hai. Anyway, abhi mujhe jaana hai, baaki baatein hum milkar karenge, weekend pe.'

'Weekend?' Naina froze, 'Kaise? Tu wapas aa rahi hai? Training khatm ho gayi? Lekin abhi toh teen mahine nahi hue.'

Natasha grinned, 'Tujhse milne ke liye aa rahi hun. Babydoll, I miss you so much. Friday raat ko land karungi, aur Sunday wapas. Do din tujhe mere saath hi rehna hoga, samjhi? No bahana. Tab dher saari baatein karenge. Abhi mujhe jaana hai. Take care meri jaan. Bye.'

The news suddenly made Naina feel much lighter. The thought of seeing Natasha, of talking with her, made everything seem a little less overwhelming. Not just this issue, she wanted to tell Natasha about the house too. She hadn't called earlier because she didn't want to drag her in this mess again. Natasha was working hard to build her own career and achieve her dreams. Naina didn't want to put the weight of her own problems on her friend's mind.

Looking at the blank screen, she smiled, 'I miss you too Nutty. I miss you so much.'

When Naina walked back to her room, she wasn't as edgy. Her step halted though, as her eyes fell on Sameer who was intently looking at something on his phone when she entered. His brows were furrowed, and he was chewing onto his lip, as if in deep concentration. Naina quietly went to the closet. She opened her cupboard and brought out a change of clothes. Her fingers brushed against a pair of earrings, one she had hurriedly placed on the shelf in the morning, and one from the pair fell to the floor with a soft clatter. The sound, though soft, echoed in the stillness of the room, making Sameer look up with a start. He was so engrossed in reading an online article about Bansal and his daughter that he did not see Naina come in. His eyes fell on her, crouched down by the closet, looking for something. With quick steps, he reached her. Naina was craning her neck to peer under the dresser and small table.

Sameer leaned behind her, his voice curious, 'Kuch kho gaya kya?'

'Huh!' Startled by his voice, Naina rose up in a quick movement, not realizing how close he was behind her.

Thud!

Her head collided with his nose, sending an immediate jolt of pain through him.

'Oww!' Sameer exclaimed, stepping back and instinctively covering his nose with his hand.

Naina gasped, her eyes wide, 'Oh no! I'm so sorry.' She blurted out, her voice filled with panic as she turned to look at him.

Sameer waved his hand, putting his other hand on the wall for support, 'It's... it's okay.' His voice was slightly muffled, his hand still cupping his nose as he winced while speaking.

Naina's face flushed with guilt, and without thinking, she stepped closer, reaching out to inspect his face, 'Dikhao mujhe. Zyada toh nahi lagi.'

Sameer slowly pulled his hand down from his face.

A loud gasp escaped Naina as her eyes widened in horror, and she exclaimed in panic, 'Tumhari naak se khoon aa raha hai.'

Sameer looked down at his hand, blinking in surprise at the trickle of red staining his palm, 'Oh...'

He could not say further as Naina swiftly pushed him onto the ottoman, and knelt beside him. Without a second thought, she pressed the dress she had in her hand, against his nose, trying to contain the bleeding. Her other hand rested gently on the back of his head, supporting him, also ensuring he stayed still.

'Naina, it's okay...' he tried to speak, his voice slightly muffled by the fabric.

But she cut him off immediately, her voice tinged with worry, 'Shh. Bolo mat. Sar peeche karo.'

She made him rest his head against the wall behind, then slowly pulled the dress away from his nose, checking to see if the bleeding had stopped. Her forehead creased as she saw a fresh streak trickle down.

She grabbed his hand and brought it up, placing it delicately over the bundled cloth over his face, and ordered, softly though, 'Aise hi pakad ke rakhna. Hilna nahi. Okay?'

All Sameer could do was nod slightly, his eyes fixed on her. Naina rushed to the washroom, coming back within seconds with a damp towel. She tilted his head back, making him look up at the ceiling, and after throwing the stained dress on the floor, placed the damp towel on his nose. Few minutes of silence ensued. Her attention was completely on his injury. His... on her. The way her face was scrunched and her eyes dazed, it would make anyone think that it was her who was injured and in pain. She winced every time she pressed the towel with feather like pressure around his nose. A slight shiver ran through him, when her fingers brushed against his cheek.

'Sorry sorry.' Naina cried out, taking his tremble to be a spasm of pain, 'I know kitna dard ho raha hoga. Lekin press nahi kiya toh bleeding rukegi nahi.'

The pain, for Sameer, occupied the least of his thoughts. Rather, after the initial shock of impact subsided, he was, in a way, thankful for this little accident. His nose did feel tender, but his dilemma had eased up. The awkwardness, that he was expecting after their moment in the kitchen, had melted away. And he did not want to let this opportunity slip by to talk to her.

'Naina, main theek hun.' He straightened his head, speaking with conviction.

She slightly lifted the towel to check. There was no more blood, except the traces around his nose and lips. She picked the clean edge of towel and started to wipe them gently.

Sameer waited for another minute, then held her wrist, 'Mujhe kuch baat karni hai.'

'Look, I'm really sorry.' Naina apologised again, 'Mujhe nahi pata...'

'Main Ashok Bansal ke office gaya tha.' Sameer announced, without waiting for her to finish.

Naina stilled. She blinked a few time, faster than regular, her hand tightening on the towel. Her only wish at this moment was that he wouldn't say what she was dreading.

He did.

'Main Anuj se mila. Uski wife se bhi.'

Naina took a few steps back, creating distance between them, but did not say anything. Nor did her face show any emotion.

Sameer continued, 'Tumne kabhi bataya kyon nahi ki tumhara bhai Mr Bansal ka son in law hai?'

'Mujhe nahi pata tha tum bhabhi ke papa ko jaante ho.' She replied in a flat voice.

He contemplated, but eventually said what he wanted, 'Anuj ko toh jaan sakta hun. Bhai hai tumhara. Haina? Fir tum kabhi uske baare mein kuch batati kyon nahi? Kaisa rishta hai usse? Shaadi mein kyon nahi bulaya? Step brother hai kya?'

'Sage bhai hain.' Naina said, her voice still devoid of any feeling, 'Aur kuch nahi keh sakti.'

Sameer swallowed, and took a step towards her, 'Naina, tum jaanti ho main dil se hamari shaadi ko apnana chahta hun. Main tumhari life ke baare mein janna chahta hun. Tumhari problems, tumhare challenges, sab mein help karna chahta hun... jaise tumne abhi mera dard kam karne mein help ki. Lekin agar tum kuch bataogi nahi toh kaise chalega?'

Her fingers twisted the towel, her voice barely above a whisper, 'Mera aur tumhara rishta aisa nahi hai ki meri life ki unwanted problems ka bojh tumpar daalun. Aur jo rishtey mere paas hain, woh itne uljhe hue hain ki unhe koi suljha nahi sakta.'

He lowered his eyes, 'Mujhe toh lagta hai main hi tumhara unwanted rishta hun.'

Naina drew in a long breath before speaking out in a tired, dejected voice, 'Tumhe kaise pata hoga unwanted hona kya hota hai. Kaise pata hoga ki jahan kabhi kisi ne tumhari parwah na ki ho toh woh zindagi kaisi hoti hai.'

Sameer's eyes shot up, 'Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Kuch hua tha kya tumhari family mein? Bhai se jhagda ho sakta hai par tumhare parents? Parents ke liye toh bachhe kabhi unwanted nahi hotey.'

Naina looked at some faraway point, 'Tum nahi samajh sakte Sameer. Tumhare paas itna pyar karne wali family hai. Tumhare apne hamesha se tumhare saath hain.'

Sameer could see the mask slip a bit. He quickly asked, 'Tumhare parents... unki death kaise hui Naina? Kab hui? Tum Natasha ke saath kyon rehti ho? Tumhara apna ghar kahan hai? Tumhare parents ka ghar? Koi jagah toh hogi na, jahan tumne apna bachpan bitaya hoga. Tumhari family, tumhare parents ki yaadein... us jagah se juddi hongi.'

A different emotion passed through her eyes, something like pain. He wondered what caused such sadness at the mention of family.

'Bolo na Naina. Kahan hai woh ghar?' He urged.

Naina swallowed the lump caught in her throat. Somehow, the way Sameer asked, she wanted to share, share what was hurting her, what had haunted her... always.

'Mera koi ghar nahi hai. Koi family nahi hai.' Her voice quivered.

There was a pain in her eyes that Sameer had never seen before. But what shocked him more than that was her words.

He moved closer, 'Aisa thodi hota hai. Sabki family hoti hai, sabke parents unhe pyar karte hain, saare siblings mein jhagde hotey hain. Main aur Anu bhi hamesha ladte hain. Iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki main Anu se pyar nahi karta.'

A wistful smile appeared on Naina's face, one which did not reach her eyes, 'Tum aur Anu jaise ho, waise hum kabhi nahi they. Na aisa ghar, na aise mummy papa, na aisi pyar karne wali, fikr dikhane wali family. Kuch nahi hai mere paas. Kabhi tha hi nahi.'

Sameer recalled that Tina and Anuj did mention something about a house which Naina wanted from her brother. If she had any ill intentions, as per them, why would she pay money to him? And why she was saying that she had no house?

He couldn't wait to know the truth, 'Toh fir woh kaunsa ghar hai jiske liye tum Anuj ko paise deti ho?'

His words hit Naina like a jolt. The towel slipped from her hands, dropping to the floor as she stared at him in disbelief, 'Tumhe... tumhe kisne bataya? Anuj bhaiya ne? Kya kaha unhone?'

In one swift movement, Sameer closed the distance between them and grasped her gently by the upper arms, but his voice was filled with frustration that was mounting in his head since he met Anuj, 'Mujhe kisi ne kuch nahi bataya Naina. Mujhe tumse janna hai. Anuj Tina ka husband hai, aur Tina Ashok Bansal ke hotels ko inherit karne wali hai. Fir aisi kya zarurat hai Anuj ki jiske liye tumhe apni salary mein se usey paise dene hain? Woh kis cheez ki payment hai jo tumhe Tina aur Anuj ko karni hai? '

Naina's eyes widened even more. How did he know all this? She couldn't believe that the shameful secret about her family could surface this easily in front of him. Did her brother say all this? But Anuj was very conscious of his image and status. So was Tina.

She tried to maintain her composure, squirming to move out of Sameer's hold, 'Yeh meri problem hai, main handle kar lungi. Mujhe nahi pata unhone tumse kya kaha aur kyon kaha lekin unhe tumse baat nahi karni chahiye thi. Koi ghar nahi hai ab. Sab... sab khatm ho gaya. Isliye tum bhi bhool jao yeh sab.'

Sameer pulled her closer, his fingers digging into her arms and his voice thick with suppressed anger, 'Mera dimag phat raha hai Naina, yeh soch soch kar ki woh tumhe blackmail kar rahe hain ya tumhara fayda utha rahey hain? Woh dono kuch galat kaam toh zarur kar rahey hain. Unhe ab tak nahi pata tha ki main kaun hun. Aaj jab pata chala toh jaanti ho unhone kya kaha? Ki agar Naina ke pati ke paas paise hain toh uski wife instalments mein unhe payment kyon bhej rahi hai? Kaha ki kya main itna bhi nahi kar sakta ki apni wife ke liye poore paise ek saath de dun?'

Naina was aghast. Did they need the money this bad that they asked Sameer to pay it?

'Tumhe kuch dene ki zarurat nahi hai...' She started, her voice trembling, but he did not let her finish.

'Hai zarurat. Mujhe saari baat janne ki zarurat hai, tumhare dard ko samajhne ki zarurat hai, usey mitane ki zarurat hai. Bilkul waise hi jaise abhi tumne mere dard ko mehsus kiya, aur usey khatm kiya.' He drew in a sharp breath, softening his voice when he realised he was lashing out his hatred for Anuj at her, 'Woh bhale hi tumhara bhai hai par uski wajah se tumhe takleef ho rahi hai. Mujhe dikh raha hai Naina. Main tumhe iss tarah takleef mein nahi dekh sakta. Tumne hamare rishte ko ab tak contract se baandha hua hai, fir bhi tum mere dard ki parwah kar sakti ho toh main kyon nahi, main toh tumse...'

Just as the words were about to slip off his tongue, he halted, his brows knitted in a deep frown at his almost admission. Lowering his eyes, he bit his lip, gulping down the unsaid declaration. He had come dangerously close to revealing what he wasn't even sure she was ready to hear.

When he looked back at Naina, she was gazing at him with a strange expression that he could not read. Was she annoyed, startled, puzzled... or was she doubting him? Whatever it was, she didn't try to get away from him. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Her gaze softened, as she searched his face, trying to judge what he was saying. He swallowed hard, the weight of the silence between them making him jittery.

'Naina,' When he spoke, his voice was cautious, 'Please understand, I really want to help. Mujhse uss waqt jo galti hui thi, woh dubara kabhi nahi hogi. I swear, maine uss din jo bhi kaha tha, uska ek bhi word sach nahi tha. Main tumhare baare mein aisa nahi sochta. Lekin yeh bhi sach hai ki Anuj aur Tina tumhe koi jhoothi kahani suna rahey hain. Mujhe yakeen hai unhone jo bhi kaha hoga, jisey sunkar tum unhe paise bhej rahi ho, usmein kuch sachhai nahi hai. Mr Bansal ke paas paison ki koi kami nahi hai Naina. Anuj unki family ka hissa hai. Fir usey kami kaise ho sakti hai?'

Naina's eyes dropped to the floor for a moment, as if she was sorting her thoughts. Finally, she looked up at him, and said in a steady voice, 'Kami Anuj bhaiya ko nahi... mujhe hai. Mujhe uss connection ki kami hai jo sabke paas hota hai, family ka connection. Uss ek connection ke liye paise de rahi thi main. Lekin maine der kar di aur ab Anuj bhaiya ne uss ghar ko sell karne ka faisla kar liya hai. Isliye mujhe ab unhe kuch nahi dena. Bas, itni si hai meri kahani.'

Encouraged by her revelation, Sameer prodded for more, 'Kyon sell karna hai? Aur faisla Anuj akele kyon kar raha hai? Agar woh tum dono ka ghar hai toh tumse kyon nahi pucha?'

Whether it was the sincerity in his eyes, or his earnest voice, or the fact that just minutes back, she had been the cause of his pain... Naina didn't know what it was that made her talk about the house, and what it meant to her. But she did. She told him everything... about the missed childhood, the non existent affection from her family, the struggle to manage her expenses, her father's illness, truth about his will, and why she wanted to buy the house from Anuj.

Sometime in the middle of her story, they both sat down on the floor. Her back was against the cupboard, and Sameer sat in front of her, his knees pulled up to his chest, arms loosely wrapped around them. As the layers of her life unfolded slowly, he was appalled. When Naina finished speaking, her face looked as if it had been ripped off the armour she had been wearing all along. And she was in front of him with all her pains, all her vulnerability on display. In that moment, she wasn't the Naina that the world had always seen, but the Naina who had been fighting a silent battle within, all her life.

Sameer could never imagine that the veneer of strength she carried was build on such grave struggles. Now, as she sat with her back still pressed against the cupboard, her body slouched slightly in defeat, he saw her in a way that he had never seen her. She wasn't hurt... she was broken. It was heartbreaking for him as well, to know what all she had endured. The bitter reality of her life made him wonder what extent of emotional turmoil she must have experienced.

After a few minutes of silence, Naina gazed at him, 'Sab kuch bataa diya. Ab khush? Maine tumhari baat maani hai toh tumhe bhi meri ek baat mannui hogi. Ek promise karna hoga.'

Sameer stared at her, his heart clenched in anxiety at what she was about to ask.

'Tum Anuj bhaiya se iss baare mein koi baat nahi karoge. Unhe ghar bechne se nahi rokoge. Balki unse contact hi nahi karoge.' She did not plead. Her voice had a commanding tone.

Sameer was taken aback, 'Lekin Naina...'

'Nahi.' She shot back, 'Koi lekin nahi. Anuj bhaiya agar tumhare kehne se kuch din ruk bhi gaye toh bhi main itne paise nahi de sakti.' She lowered her eyes, 'Aur woh paise... jo tumne diye hain, woh main tumhe wapas kar dungi. Un paison pe mera koi hak nahi hai. Main tumse paise nahi le sakti. Aur please, mere account mein aage se kuch deposit mat karna.'

'Meri baat suno toh sahi Naina,' Sameer got to his feet as she stood up, trying to convince her, 'Anuj tumhe sach nahi bata raha. Main usse...'

'Please Sameer.' Her gaze was fierce, 'Agar tumne unse baat ki toh... toh ek baar fir mujhe pachtava hoga ki maine tumhe yeh sab kyon bataya.'

Sameer stood helplessly as Naina walked into the washroom and shut the door.

Next update on Tuesday