Naina stepped out of the bathroom and looked in the direction of the bed. Natasha was in deep sleep. Without a sound, she tiptoed ahead and carefully pulled out a suitcase from under the bed, trying her best not to make any sound. Then she started to pull out some clothes from the cupboard and placed them in the suitcase. Once she was satisfied that whatever she needed was packed, Naina brought out a track suit and again entered the bathroom to get changed.

Natasha was still asleep when she came out after a few minutes. Murmuring a silent goodbye, she picked up the suitcase and sneaked out of the room. She had almost reached the main door when all of a sudden, the room lit up in the soft light of lamp. Naina froze on the spot, then slowly turned around, pushing the suitcase behind her legs.

Natasha stood with eyes reduced to thin slits, nostrils flaring and lips pressed hard.

'Uh... good morning Nutty.' Naina flashed a toothy smile.

Natasha's eyes drifted over her, taking in everything, from her appearance to the small suitcase she was trying to hide. Her voice was flat when she finally spoke, 'Puch sakti hun itni subah subah aap kahan jaa rahi hain?'

Twisting her fingers, Naina shrugged, appearing to be casual, 'Kahan jaungi... bas walk ke liye... jaldi uth gayi toh socha... morning walk kar leti hun.' With a wide smile, she added, 'Health ke liye achhi hoti hai... morning walk.'

Natasha wasn't amused. Giving her a stiff look, she pointed at the suitcase, 'Yeh leke? You think I'm a fool? Naina, tu fir se Rishikesh jaa rahi hai. Hai na?'

Rishikesh was the place where Naina and Natasha had once gone for a school trip. Naina had been mesmerised by its serene river banks, away from the town. While other students visited the temples and other holy sites, Naina found solace in the quietude offered at riverside, with no one around. Since then, she had developed a sense of belonging to the place. On two previous occasions, when she felt stifled by the complexities of life, she had silently taken refuge in the small town, to reconnect with herself and find solace amidst the tumultuous storms of life. Natasha was aware of her habit. But previously, she had gone from her father's house, where no one bothered to question her. Today, it was not so. She knew Natasha would not let her leave easily.

The smile faded from Naina's face as her shoulders slumped. With a defeated exhale, she whispered, 'Mujhse nahi ho raha Nutty. Mere paas aur koi solution nahi hai. Please mujhe jaane de. Koi puchega toh keh dena tujhe nahi pata, kehna main bina kuch kahe chali gayi. Main apna phone off rakhungi. Mujhe kisi se baat nahi karni.'

Natasha walked upto her and looked straight into her eyes, 'Nahi. Is baar tujhe nahi jaane dungi. Tu akeli nahi hai Naina. Main hu tere saath. Don't you know? Bhaagna koi solution nahi hai. Aaj tu chali bhi gayi toh wapas toh idhar hi aana hai. Tab kya jawab degi sabko? Sabko chor, tu khud ko samjha payegi ki tune jo kiya sahi kiya?'

'Yeh sab jo ho raha hai yeh bhi toh sahi nahi hai. Iske liye kaise samjhaun khud ko? Bhaiya ko keh dun ki ghar sell kar dein? Jo ek akhiri halki si dor hai usey bhi tod dun? Aur yeh shaadi? Chupchap kisi anjaan insaan ki wife banke uske ghar chali jaun? Ek rishte ka mazaak bana dun, woh bhi paison ke liye? Ghar na bikey isliye khud ko bech dun?' Naina could not hold back the turmoil that was churning within her all night.

Natasha grabbed her shoulders, speaking in a resolute voice, 'Shut up. Itna behuda khyal tere dimaag mein aaya kaise? Is shaadi ka reason jo bhi ho lekin mujhe pakka yakeen hai ki yeh rishta galat nahi hai... na tere liye na Sameer ke liye.'

Incredulity clouded Naina's expression, 'What do you mean?'

Natasha snapped her eyes shut, immediately regretting what she had blurted. She, along with Munna, had decided not to mention their observation to either of the two concerned people. But now that the words were out, she knew that Naina would not let it pass till she heard the whole of it.

However, before she could even frame how she would break it to Naina, her phone started to ring. Natasha was about to go inside to check but Naina held her arm, 'Pehle bataa tune aisa kyon kaha?'

The phone inside went silent, but next instant, it was Naina's ringtone that resonated in the room.

Natasha flicked her brow towards her pocket, 'Dekh le. Mere liye toh cab wale ka hi call hoga, roz puchta hai ki jaana hai ya nahi. Lekin tujhe itni subah kiska call aa gaya... must be something important.'

Naina was perplexed to see Munna's name on her screen. It wasn't even seven in the morning. Why would he call her at this hour?

'Hello?' She answered, curious.

'Naina, sorry maine tumhe disturb kar diya lekin...' His uttered urgently, as if in panic.

Naina interjected, 'No no. It's okay. Sab theek hai na?'

Munna's voice was pained, 'Nahi Naina, theek toh nahi hai. Kal raat tumhare ghar se wapas jaate hue Sameer ka accident ho gaya.'

'What?' Naina's heart stuttered to a stop, 'Kaise? Is he okay?'

'Fog ki wajah se galat turn le liya aur... ek pole se takkar ho gayi.' Munna replied.

Fear shot through Naina's nerves, making her voice shaky, 'Woh... woh theek hai na? Kuch... kya usey kuch...'

Munna understood her unspoken concern, and quickly explained, 'Sameer hospital mein hai. Kuch injuries hain lekin khatre ki baat nahi hai. Bas raat se...' He paused, '... usey hosh nahi aaya hai isliye... ghar pe sab pareshan hain.' Hearing Naina's gasp, he added, 'CT Scan ho gaya hai. Doctor ne kaha aisi koi chot toh nahi hai fir bhi abhi tak... pata nahi kyon, unconscious hai.'

'Oh!' Naina's voice reduced to a mere whisper, 'Theek... toh ho jayega na?'

Munna let out a tired breath, 'Doctor keh rahe hain thodi der tak hosh aa jaana chahiye. Naina... I know tum dono sirf... I mean, sab kuch nakli hai par yahan sabko tumhare aane se raahat milegi. Aunty aur Anu kaafi stressed hain. Aunty shayad tumhe expect kar rahi hain... puch rahi thi ki Naina ko bataya ya nahi.'

'Kaunsa hospital?' Naina gestured to Natasha, who had already picked a jacket for herself and was ready with car keys.

This early on a foggy winter morning, roads were almost deserted. It barely took half an hour to reach Fortis hospital. After leaving the car with the valet, they hurriedly approached the reception and enquired for Sameer.

The room was on second floor, a private area which seemed more like a hotel than hospital. Inside, all members of the family were gathered around the bed, along with Munna and Pandit. Ambika hugged Naina the moment she saw her.

'Achha hua tum aa gayi. Tumhari awaaz sunkar zarur hosh aa jayega mere bete ko.' She appeared in control, but her eyes had tired lines around them.

When Naina's eyes drifted towards the figure on the bed, she instantly noticed the stark white bandage around Sameer's head. Covered with a blue blanket upto his shoulders, he laid with shut eyes, his face stoic, his body motionless... unlike what he always was.

A feeling of guilt pressed on her, making her voice falter as she glanced at everyone, 'Kya... kya kaha doctor ne?'

Munna was the one to answer, 'Test toh sabhi normal hain lekin jab tak uthega nahi tab tak dar toh rahega hi. Sar pe chot hai aur... do fracture hain.'

'Fracture?' Natasha widened her eyes.

Girish informed the bewildered girls, 'Pair mein aur right hand ki finger mein. Hairline fracture hai, doctor ne kaha cast ki zarurat nahi hai. Splint laga diya hai. Teen hafte mein check karenge. Lekin darne ki baat nahi hai. Tum ghabrana mat Naina beta, he is fine.'

Naina was somewhat astonished by everyone's reaction to her. She had expected some blame for the mishap, since Sameer was out on a foggy night to meet her, but no one seemed to have any hostility for her. Dadaji comforted her, assuring that everything would be fine. Anaya, just like she had started to address her on phone, called her bhabhi. Girish gently patted her shoulder, asking her not to worry. And all this while, Ambika did not let go of her hand.

Natasha looked at Girish, 'Uncle, yahan ke senior neurologist Dr Sujit ko jaanti hun main. Aap kahein toh unhe bula lun? Shayad woh bata sakein ki Sameer ab tak unconscious kyon hai?'

Girish eagerly agreed, 'Of course beta. Known doctor hoga toh hum khul ke puch sakte hain. Aap kaise jaante ho unhe?'

'Mere dad ke friend hain.' Natasha replied and quickly fished out her phone to make the call, to avoid any further conversation about her family.

Dr Sujit was on duty luckily. Within ten minutes of receiving the call, he was in the room, taking a look at Sameer's report. He spoke to others to understand the situation, and also cleared their doubts.

'Hmm.' He took off his glasses after checking Sameer physically and analysing the reports, 'Koi injury toh definitely nahi hai. Yeh behoshi trauma ki wajah se hai. Aajkal ke bachhe stress bohot lete hain. Aise mein thoda sa bhi external pressure ho toh health pe effect hota hai. Aap inse baatein kijiye. He must wake up. Aisi memories share kijiye jinse inhe khushi mile. Main ek injection likh raha hun, relaxation ke liye. Agar usse bhi hosh nahi aaya toh humein advanced test karna hoga.'

He administered the injection and asked the nurse to inform him if there were any changes in parameters. As he left the room, Natasha walked out with him.

'Kaise ho bachhe? Papa bohot yaad karte hain tumhe. Mil aao kisi din jaake.' He asked once they were outside.

Natasha smiled sadly, 'Aap toh jhooth mat boliye uncle. Mummy ka naam lete toh main maan bhi leti. Lekin papa... unhone khud mujhe kabhi wapas naa aane ko kaha tha. Papa ya bhaiya mein se kabhi kisi ne call tak nahi kiya. Aur aap keh rahe hain woh log mujhe yaad karte hain. Not possible.'

Dr Sujit was childhood friend of Natasha's father. He was well aware of the matter, and also knew how stubborn and rigid his friend was.

With a sigh, he patted Natasha's arm, 'Don't worry, sab theek ho jayega. Waise yeh log kaun hain? Tumhari family ke circle ke toh shayad nahi hain. Pehle kabhi dekha nahi.'

Natasha pointed at Naina, 'Meri friend ke relatives hain. Sab tensed the isliye aapko bula liya. Uncle, Sameer theek hai na? Kuch serious baat toh nahi hai?'

Dr Sujit shook his head, 'Abhi toh aisa kuch nahi lagta. Baaki uske uthne ke baad kuch follow up tests karwa dunga. Hopefully sab normal hoga. Don't worry, main hun na. Kuch problem ho toh mujhe kabhi bhi call kar lena. Jo injection diya hai usse tumhare dost ko jaldi hi hosh aa jaana chahiye.'

'Thank you uncle.' Natasha smiled again, in relief this time.

Within twenty minutes, Sameer started to show some movement. And then, he slowly opened his eyes.

'Sameer,' Ambika held his hand within her palms, 'shukr hai tune aankhen toh kholi.'

'Mummy.' He murmured, 'Sar bohot bhaari lag raha hai. Mujhe sar pe chot lagi hai kya?'

The nurse quickly stopped him from raising other hand to his head, 'Thodi si injury hai sir. Lekin finger pe pressure mat daaliye. Aapko pain hoga.'

'Kyon?' He glanced at his hand, frowning at the thick splint, 'Yeh kya hua?'

Nurse explained how he had hurt his leg and finger, and now needed to be careful with them for a few weeks. After taking his readings, the nurse went away. Everyone talked to him, asking if he was feeling fine and pampering him with soothing words. Sameer looked around, till his eyes reached Naina... with a hint of surprise, his gaze remained stuck on her.

Ambika nudged Anaya, 'Anu, tere bhai ko apni hone wali biwi se baat karni hai. Naina ko bhi uska haal chaal puchne ke liye thoda time dete hain. Chalo, hum sab bahar chalein.'

And just like that, as if in mutual agreement, everyone walked out. Including Munna Pandit and Natasha.

Finding herself alone in the room, Naina finally met his eyes, and asked in a soft voice, 'Ab kaisa lag raha hai? Koi pain toh nahi hai?'

In answer, he shook his head, but groaned the next instant, shutting his eyes, 'Ahh.'

Naina swiftly approached him, and leaned to stroke his head with gentle fingers, 'Doctor ko bulaun? Kahan dukh raha hai?'

Slowly opening his eyes, he made a face, 'Abhi tak nahi tha lekin tumhari awaaz sunte hi sar mein dard ho gaya.'

Naina took deep breaths to stop herself from retorting. He had to be let away this time, owing to his current state.

With a smile, she straightened, 'Tum toh bilkul theek ho, dimaag bhi pehle ki tarah hi chal raha hai. Batein bhi normal kar rahe ho... hamesha ki tarah kadwi. Fine, toh main chalti hun.'

'Haan toh jao. Maine thodi bulaya tha. Tum apni marzi se aayi thi.' He huffed, diverting his gaze towards the door.

Next moment, he hissed, 'Naina, mere paas aao. Sit here.' He flicked his eyes, showing the small space on the bed.

'Kya?' Naina was taken aback, 'Sach mein dimaag hil gaya kya tumhara? Abhi keh rahe...'

'Shhh.' He did not let her complete, 'Sit here. Anu bahar hai. Humein dekh sakti hai. Tum itni jaldi chali gayi toh fir se mujhe lecture sunayegi. Come here. Aise baitho jaise mujhe hug kar rahi ho. Wait, let me get up.'

Without waiting, he started to lift himself, forgetting about his leg, till the pain and weight of splint made him wince and sway. In reflex, Naina perched on the edge of the bed, holding him to prevent a fall which could worsen his condition. Sameer clutched her leg, his weight falling over her shoulder. The sound of rustle made Anaya glance inside. A smile floated on her face. Without a sound, she pulled one panel of the door, blocking them from view.

Inside, Sameer breathed hard as he rested his face on Naina's shoulder. His leg felt heavy. He could not put pressure on right hand either. A simple action like getting up from the bed had become a task. Only because he had been thinking about Naina while driving... whether she would agree to the marriage or not. As the turmoil of previous day came back, so did his anxiety.

'Naina, tumne jawab nahi diya. Kal maine tumnse kuch pucha tha. Yaad hai na?' He murmured, against her ear.

When she had seen him lurching, Naina had instinctively wrapped her arms around him. He had placed his bandaged hand on her knee, while his other hand gripped her jacket, his fingers pressing into her waist. For a few moments, Naina felt slight tremors run through his body. She did not move, scared that she might hurt him. All she could do was soothingly move one hand over his back, not knowing what to say when he was so vulnerable. Slowly, his breath became less erratic. She was about to pull back when his sudden question jolted her.

He did not loosen his grip. Keeping her close, yet hiding away from her piercing gaze made it easier to bring up the topic.

'Bolo na Naina. Will you marry me?' He repeated when she did not respond.

'Tum... tum pehle theek ho jao fir hum iske baare mein baat karenge.' Her voice rumbled against his chest, making him realise their proximity.

He was wrapped within her arms, as if she was shielding him. The warmth of her jacket seeped through his thin hospital shirt, calming him with a comforting softness. His hands held her captive, against himself. His face was in the crook of her neck, and Sameer could get the mild smell of her shampoo, fresh and intoxicating. He inhaled lightly. It felt good. Everything felt so damn good. Unknowingly, his fingers on her leg tightened, burying into the soft flesh.

'Uh... Sameer...' Naina fidgeted, pulling away. But her hands remained on his shoulders to balance him. As her face came in focus, Sameer blinked, unable to move his eyes away.

'Tum theek ho na?' She asked, her voice laced with concern at his dazed expression.

The sound of opening of the door made him snap out of the momentary spell. He pursed his lips, leaning back against the pillow. But his eyes flew back to Naina as she helped him in this simple act, again enveloping him in that same aroma that had invaded him moments back.

'Dekha mummy, bhabhi ke aate hi bhai kitne better ho gaye.' Anaya chirped, drawing his attention back to others as Naina moved away.

Ambika happily exclaimed, 'Aur kya, ab toh teri bhabhi hi tere bhai ki doctor hai. Isliye jaldi se isey ghar le aate hain.'

'Lekin mummy abhi shaadi kaise ho sakti hai?' Sameer looked alarmed.

Girish raised a brow, 'Abhi kahan ho rahi hai. Shaadi toh agle mahine hai. Tujhe abhi karni hai kya?'

Dadaji laughed, 'Beta, pehle bata deta toh aur jaldi ki date nikalwa lete. Lekin ab toh tujhe wait karna hi padega. Phere lene ke liye apne pairon pe khada hona zaruri hai na.'

Pandit reassured him with confidence, 'Arey Dadaji aap fikr mat karo. Apna yaar teen hafton mein naachne lagega. Shaadi ki khushi hi aisi hoti hai ki iski haddiyan jhat se fevicol laga ke jud jayengi.'

Dadaji hummed, 'Lagta hai ab tum dono ka number bhi lagana padega. Tumne bhi koi ladkiyan dekh rakhi hai toh bata do. Saath mein teeno ki shaadi karwa deta hun.'

With a sigh, Pandit gave a forlorn look to Sameer, 'Hamara chance pata nahi kab ayega. Abhi toh sehra iske sar hi bandhega. Hum toh Ramu kaka banke tambu lagayenge.'

Girish patted his back, 'Itna dukhi mat ho. Tambu lagane ka kaam hum wedding planners ko de denge. Tu bas dance kar lena baarat mein. Chalega?'

With a sheepish smile, Pandit rubbed his neck, 'Arey uncleji main toj mazaak kar raha tha. Kaam bhi karenge aur dance bhi. Aakhir hamare yaar ki shaadi hai.'

Natasha and Naina exchanged a glance.

I'm travelling presently so it won't be possible to post next update before Thursday