As Natasha reached home at a godforsaken hour same night, she shook Naina up from deep sleep, 'Ghode bech ke kya so rahi hai, uth na. Bata tere nakli sasural mein kya hua? Sasural hai ya... matlab koi gadbad toh nahi hui na? Pehle pyar ke pehle natak ki pehli family meeting mein pehla talak toh nahi ho gaya? Naina ki bachhi, uth ja warna paani ki poori bottle udel dungi tere sar pe.'

Groaning aloud, Naina sat up with a jerk when Natasha pulled the warm quilt away from her body. With her eyes still shut, she twisted her mouth, 'Teri saari flight raat ko hi kyon aati hain yaar Nutty? Kya din mein tujhe sadkon pe nazar aana allowed nahi hai?'

Natasha jumped on the bed and held Naina's face in her palms, bursting with excitement, 'Mujhe chorh, Sameer pe focus kar. Matlab uski family pe. Haye Naina, itni bechaini ho rahi hai na mujhe. Jabse tune kaha phone pe kuch nahi batayegi wapas aane pe hi sunne ko milega tabse mari jaa rahi thi main wapas aane ko. Subah tak toh bilkul nahi ruk sakti.'

Of course Naina was aware of that. When she received Natasha's text that she would be reaching home by two in the night, she knew her sleep after that was gone for a six. In fact she had planned to sleep early but the sudden twist in her fake relationship had robbed her of peace of mind. Only after Sameer's call she could breathe easy. The need to get her brother 'from Australia' on phone with Dadaji was gnawing at the back of her mind but she had tried to put it away for a while. The bigger burden was off her chest. Even the thought of getting engaged to someone like Sameer Maheshwari made her shudder.

Another jolt from Natasha made Naina almost fall off the bed. She balanced herself near the edge and shot an irked look to her friend, 'Agar tune ek baar aur haath pair chalaye toh main... main apne muh pe aisa taala laga lungi na... dekhti hun kaise kahani sunti hai tu.'

Natasha immediately sobered up, and smiled gently, 'Meri pyari Naina, sweet si Naina, please behna... kuch toh keh na.'

Before she was killed by Natasha's insufferable poetry if not by her antics, Naina decided to finish with the task... which it indeed was because every few sentences Natasha interrupted her, asking for more minute details. After she had given her an account of her entire conversation with every member of Sameer's family, Naina let out a breath of relief.

'Okay, all done.' Smiling, she bent to drag back her quilt from the other side of bed.

'Wait.' Natasha held her wrist, 'Woh log tujhse ek baar mile aur sagai karne ka decide kar liya? Aise hi? Bina kundli, bina family, bina enquiry ke? Kaunsi duniya ke hain? Inhe shaadi ke rules nahi pata? Agar tum dono sach mein lovers hote toh...' Seeing the ferocious look in Naina's eyes, she quickly clarified,'... agar bola maine... agar hote toh... toh tumhari chaandi ho jaati. Aisi family kiski hoti hai yaar. Love marriage ke naam pe 90s jitney drame na sahi par gharwalon ko do chaar kalesh karne toh compulsory hain. Aur ek yeh family hai, jinka beta ladki ko pehli baar leke aaya toh sagai karne ko taiyar ho gaye, agle hafte kahenge shaadi kar lo aur ek mahine baad kahenge ki humne apni saari property apni bahu ke naam kar di hai. Tu ek jhatke mein Naina Agarwal se Naina karodpati ho jayegi.'

'Oho Rajdhani Express... tham jaa zara.' Naina rolled her eyes, 'na main shaadi kar rahi hun na kisi aur ki property hadap rahi hun. Bas tere flat pe kabza nahi chorungi.'

Natasha grinned, 'Jo mera hai woh tera hai... pilot ko chorh ke.'

With all signs of sleep gone, Naina teased, 'Pilot toh tera bhi nahi hai babydoll. Pata nahi kaunsi flights milti hain tujhe jinke pilot ya toh married hote hain ya booked. Lagta hai ek bhi eligible bachelor nahi bacha iss profession mein.'

Natasha waved a hand in abandon, 'Rahul ne kaha tha... kitne dur dur ho unn dono ke raaste, mil jaate hain jo bane, ik dooje ke vaaste. Bhagwan ne toh sabko jodiyon mein banaya hai, ek na ek din mujhe bhi mil hi jayega jo mere liye unhone decide kiya hai. Abse main khud nahi dhundne wali. Use hi aake mujhe dhundna hoga.'

Naina widened her eyes, placing her palm on her cheek, 'Kya baat hai Nutty, tere muh se itni cool baat toh maine sapne mein bhi nahi suni.'

Pinching her other cheek, Natasha gave a wide smile, 'Tu mere sapne na hi dekhe toh better hai. Mujhe kisi aur ke sapno mein jaane de aur apne liye koi aur dhoond le jo...'

She stopped abruptly, making a sad expression, 'Lekin tujhe toh dhundna hi nahi hai. Tere sapne bhi teri tarah boring hi honge.'

A dramatic sigh left Naina's lips, 'Sapne aate kise hain, mujhe toh nightmares aate hain. Pehle is darr ke aate the ki mera apna ghar kabhi ho hi nahi payega, lekin ab is musibat ke aate hain jo maine gale mein daal li hai.'

Giggling, Natasha got up to go for a shower, 'Filmon mein aisi gale padi musibat ek din gale ka haar ban jaati hai.'

'Isiliye who filmein hain... far from real life. Asal zindagi mein toh gale ka haar bhi musibaat ho jaata hai.' Naina remarked in amusement.

'Tera kuch nahi ho sakta.' Natasha wearily shook her head before entering the bathroom.

Just when Naina had closed her eyes, she opened the door a crack and hollered, 'By the way Naina, sweet nightmares... tere fake boyfriend ke.'

Picking up the pillow next to her, Naina lifted it in air, fuming, but Natasha's banged the door shut before Naina could launch the attack.

The week went better than expected for Naina as she didn't have to meet Sameer for next two days. Her ears were not so lucky though. Munna somehow always had some words of praise for his friend every time he saw her. He would bring up Sameer's name in some context or the other, as if no discussion could be completed without his mention. Naina quietly bore this onslaught.

On Friday, towards the end of the day, Sameer stepped out of the elevator at the same moment when Naina turned into the corridor, facing him. A big smile appeared on her face and she started to walk faster.

'Isey kya hua?' Sameer wondered, trying to figure out the reason for such warmth in her welcome for him.

'Kitni der kar di. Maine kaha tha na lunch ke baad aa jaana.' Her smile was intact even in her admonishment.

'Tumne kab kaha?' As his baffled expression deepened even more, the words almost spilled out of Sameer's mouth,

Almost.

Because before he could utter them, a guy crossed him and walked towards Naina who was just two steps away.

Raising his arm, he wrapped it around her shoulder and gave her a side hug which she imitated with her arm around his waist.

'Thank you so much Naina. You are amazing.' He beamed.

Flicking her brows, she moved away and replied, 'Ready na?'

The guy nodded, 'More than ready.'

'Chalo.' She smiled again and walked away towards an adjoining passage, with him following her.

Sameer muttered under his breath as he went to Munna's room, 'Isne mujhe dekha nahi kya? Ek HI tak nahi bol sakti. Kise bulaya hai office mein pata nahi.'

'Arey Sameer. Tune bataya nahi tu aane wala hai.' Munna gave a quick look to him upon hearing the sound of the door.

'Idhar aaya tha kisi kaam se toh socha tujhse bhi mil lun.' Sameer pulled a chair, watching the pile of papers in front of Munna, 'lekin lagta hai tu kuch zyada hi busy hai.'

'Haan yaar,' Munna sighed, 'Yeh project achanak speed up karna pada isliye work load badh gaya. Samajh le gardan tak dooba hua hun.'

'Work load toh badhega hi. Teri Naina madam toh doston ke saath maze kar rahi hain isliye saara kaam tujhe hi karna padta hoga.' Sameer's tone made Munna look up again.

'Tujhe kisne kaha?' He asked.

Sameer shrugged, 'Apni aankhon se dekha. Kisi ko bulaya hai usne. Abhi abhi. Koi ladka hai. Usey lekar pata nahi kahan chali gayi. Tu yahan laga hua hai aur usey fikr hi nahi hai.'

Munna gave him a deep look, 'Tujhe lagta nahi aajkal tu Naina ke alava koi baat nahi karta? Ek second ke liye bhool bhi jaa usey.'

'Main kahan yaad karta hun?' Sameer let out an incredulous laugh, 'Aate hue dikh gayi toh bol diya, Waise tu itna busy hai toh usey teri help nahi karni chahiye?'

Munna smiled, 'Tujhe kisne kaha who meri help nahi kar rahi?'

Sameer tried to be indifferent, 'Kahega kaun, mujhe dikh raha hai. Kaam karne ki jagah gale lag lag ke kisi se baatein ho rahi hain.'

Munna pressed the button on intercom and asked for two coffees before looking back at Sameer, 'Humein is project ke liye ek specialisation ki zarurat thi. Naina ka ek dost hai jo usmein kaafi achha hai. Naina ne uska naam recommend kiya toh HR ne aaj interview ke liye bulaya hai. Abhi chaar baje interview hai. Usi ko dekha hoga tune. Aur hamesha ki tarah lag gaya Naina ko blame karne. Waise tujhe koi problem toh nahi hai na?'

'Mujhe kya problem hogi usse.' Sameer dismissed with a wave of a hand, 'Achha tu bata, aaj shaam kahin chalein? Bade din ho gaye. Miss kar raha hun yaar tum dono ko.'

Munna looked at the screen of his laptop, calculated something mentally, then flashed a fist, 'Done. Lekin aath baje milte hain. Usse pehle free nahi ho paunga. Tu Pandit ke saath jagah final karke mujhe bata de main wahin milta hun tumse.'

'Arey main pick kar lunga. Abhi ek meeting hai Imperial mein. Usmein time lag jayega. Uske baad main tujhe pick karne aa jaunga.' Sameer felt lighter, looking forward to an evening with his friends after almost a week.

It was little over eight when he stopped under the building, waiting for Munna. He had already texted him and Munna had told him he was on his way down. Sameer noticed a new bright banner on the glass panel of cafe. Curious, he stepped out and walked towards it. Just as he was about to reach, he saw Naina coming out with someone. Rather, he heard her even before he saw her. She was animatedly talking to the person, who seemed to be totally absorbed in whatever she was saying... so much so that he walked into the glass door of their building.

'Offo, tumhe dikhta nahi hai kya?' Naina chided him, 'Lagi kya?'

The guy rubbed his forehead and nose, 'Mujhe apni building ki aadat hai. Wahan toh poora open rehta hai. Yeh door dekha hi nahi.'

With a smile, Naina waved at the exit, 'Ab yahan ki aadat daal lo.'

Just then. Munna called out from behind, 'Kya hua Naina?'

They both turned. The guy greeted Munna. When Sameer saw him from behind, he realised it was the same guy who had come to meet Naina in the office. So Munna knows him too.

As the three of them walked out together, Munna waved at Sameer, 'Arey Sameer, tu yahan hai. Main toh parking ki taraf jaa raha tha.'

Since they were together, other two also stopped.

'Main bas abhi abhi aaya.' Sameer gave a clipped smile.

Munna pointed at the guy, 'Sameer, yeh hai Param. Naina ka dost hai, jaldi hi hamari team join karne wala hai. Aur Param, yeh Sameer Maheshwari, mera dost hai.'

Param extended a hand, 'Hi. Hum din mein bhi saath hi the lift mein. Remember?'

'Achha?' Sameer took his hand, a wry smile playing on his lips, 'Maine notice nahi kiya. I was preoccupied.'

'As always.' Naina barely moved her lips but Sameer could hear the words which didn't seem to reach the other two.

He didn't know what came over him suddenly, probably the way she ignored him earlier, or did the same now, but he wanted to do something to irritate Naina as much as she irritated him.

Sameer leaned a little and pinched her nose playfully, 'Apni girlfriend ke baare mein soch raha tha.' He then straightened and smiled at Param, 'Main Naina ka boyfriend hun.'

Three of them stared at him... shocked.

But for different reasons.

'Okay Naina.' Sameer said casually, 'See you later. Khyal rakhna apna.'

Gesturing to Munna, he walked to his car. Not really wanting to be in the line of fire, Munna almost ran after him.

After they were out of earshot, Param arched an eyebrow, 'Mujhe nahi pata tha tumhara boyfriend bhi hai.'

'Uh... woh...' Naina was flustered, but gained her composure quickly, '... yahin aake Sameer se jaan pehchaan hui.'

Param was even more surprised, 'Aur itni jaldi tumne decide bhi kar liya? Tumhe dekh ke... I mean, jitna tumhe dekha tha uss office mein, lagta tha tum aasani se koi relationship accept nahi karogi.'

Naina shrugged nonchalantly, 'We... we just clicked.'

'Good.' Param's voice seemed deflated, but he gave a smile, 'Congratulations. And thank you once again, mujhe yahan recommend karne ke liye.'

Nodding, Naina reminded him, 'Jo document bole hain who upload kar dena. Confirmation jaldi hi mil jayegi. Inka system bohot efficient hai.'

'I'll do that. Bye.' Param took her leave, without the usual hug that he always gave her.

Naina let out a sigh. She was pissed with Sameer, but not as much as she would have been had he done the same at any other time. Since last few meetings, she had an inkling that Param was showing more than required interest in her. She wasn't comfortable with it, but he had been a decent collegue in previous office and now seemed a genuine person in need of a job. She was wondering how to make it clear to him that she saw him just as a coworker. He was well mannered and better than most of the men she knew and that was the reason she had developed a cordial bond with him but it could never be anything more than this.

Her first thought at Sameer's gesture was to lash out at him. How dare he! But when she noticed Param's dejected expression, the realisation of its effect struck her.

As she hopped into the metro now, Naina had a smile on her face, 'Well Sameer Maheshwari, aakhir tumne ek kaam toh dhang ka kiya.'

Next update on Friday