Sameer smiled in his sleep. It had been a beautiful night... a dream come true for him. 

He could not believe Naina had been so close to him the whole night. He tightened his arms around her. She was unthinkably soft. Taking in a deep breath to get her scent, he nuzzled into what should have been her neck. 

She probably forgot to apply her perfume yesterday. Because the scent was missing. She was still warm, still delicate in his arms...yet, somehow, she felt different. But she was still soft. Very soft. Too soft? Was she real?

Sameer opened one of his eyes a crack, his forehead lined with a frown.

First thing he noticed was... the pillow. Just a pillow, clutched tightly in his arms. Naina was nowhere. It was just him and a pillow that he was hugging all along. Letting out a frustrated huff,  he tossed the pillow aside and sat up with a jerk. Instantly, a groan escaped his mouth as a pounding ache pulsed through his head. He clutched his head with both hands. It weighed a ton, and was throbbing. When he tried to open his eyes, it felt like there was a load on his lids. Cursing under his breath, he tried to gather himself, but every small movement intensified the ache, making him sink back, half-shutting his eyes.

'Oh damn!' He cried out, rubbing his temples, 'Kitni pi li kal.'

Slowly, after a lot of effort, he managed to get some semblance of his state. Squinting against the faint light filtering through drawn curtains, he scanned the room, moving his head as slow as he could because each movement was a gargantuan effort. A pang of disappointment hit him when he realized that, unlike his dream, he was alone in the room. Of course, Naina wasn't here. But she might be coming back anytime now. He realised he must get up. He needed to take bath, and also do something to clear the aftereffects of last night's indulgence. 

With a sigh, he muttered, 'Munna ki baat maan leni chahiye thi, itna drink nahi karna tha. Pata nahi kal kya ho gaya tha mujhe.'

But he was aware why he had let go of himself last night. He had been happy since the day before... extremely happy. Naina's reaction upon seeing him appear at her door on the first day had given him a fresh hope, that he was getting close to her heart. There was a sense of lightness, along with a feeling of euphoria that he could not openly share even with his closest friends. Thus, he had given in to the alcoholic celebration to consume him. After his usual three drinks, he had gone for one more, just to enjoy the special moment... and then, all he could remember was Pandit whispering to him that he had already finished half a bottle and if he didn't want to pass out on streets, he needed to stop and get home. 

'Pandit ka bachha... pehle nahi rok sakta tha.' He scrunched his eyes shut for a moment, then blinked harder to see clearly, 'Abhi tak sab kuch ghum raha hai.'

He switched on his phone to check the time. It was almost nine. 

'Nau baj gaye!' He exclaimed in a hoarse voice, 'Abhi tak toh Naina ko aa jaana chahiye tha. Office bhi jaana hai.'

Feeling the dryness in his throat, he slowly swung his legs down the bed and reached for the bottle of water on bedside table. That is when his gaze fell on the glass of lime water, and a tablet kept next to it. Along with them was a small post-it note, stuck to the edge of the drawer. He snapped it.

Yeh medicine le lena, hangover mein help karegi. Aur neembu paani pi lena. Sar dard kam ho jayega.

Sameer did not need a name to know it was from Naina. Looked like she had already come, while he was sleeping. But if he was asleep when she came in, how could she know he was drunk last night? Why would she keep things to cure his hangover? Unless... 

His heart thudded hard against his ribs as a rush of fragmented memories from the night crashed over him... her voice close to his ear, her firm hands pushing him back to the bed, her steady insistence that he sleep. Sameer's breath hitched as another memory floated back, so vivid it made his heart pound even faster. Her small form nestled in his arms, her back against his chest, his hand resting securely around her waist. Every detail came rushing back now... the warmth, the softness, the way he felt her erratic breathing. It was a memory that was too intimate to be real, yet he could recall it so clearly... the scent of her shampoo, the tickling of her hair against his cheek, the way she had gone still when he pinned her to himself. He had thought it was all a dream, one of those beautifully vivid but unreal dreams he often had of her. But this... this, apparently, wasn't one of them. His jaw dropped, stunned by the realization.

Naina had been here, all night.

Sameer broke into a sweat, trying hard to remember what happened after that. However much he racked his brain, nothing more surfaced from his memories. A shiver of premonition ran through him. Had he done something unforgivable? If he did, there was no way to know... unless he asked Naina. 

Sameer gulped down the lime juice, swallowing the tablet with the last sip. If he had to find out, he had to first rid himself of this nasty hangover. The symptoms had reduced considerably by the time he finished his bath and dressed for office. His mind was clearer, but there was no further recollection.

Ambika gave him a pleasant smile when he went down, 'Uth gaya tu. Kal kya celebrate kar rahey they tum log jo itni der kar di aane mein?'

'Celebrate?' Sameer was perplexed, 'Nahi, aisa toh kuch nahi tha.'

Ambika gave him a searching look, 'Toh Naina ne kyon kaha ki kal party ki wajah se aane mein tujhe bohot late ho gaya isliye tu late uthega? Woh tujhe surprise dene ke liye raat ko aayi thi aur tu hi gayab tha.'

Sameer bit down on his lip. nervousness filling him up again as he asked in a tentative voice, 'Kya Naina... kya woh subah... gussa thi?'

Ambika pondered for a while, narrowing her eyes, then shrugged, 'Mujhe toh nahi laga ki woh gussa hai. Upset thi... shayad Natasha ko miss kar rahi hogi.'

His heart plummeted to the bottom of his stomach. Naina was upset... why?

He did not have any hunger for breakfast. Mumbling a quick excuse to his mom, he hurried out of the house. Office felt stifling, from where he wanted to escape the moment he reached. He tried to busy himself. Emails, documents, files, even assigning a task to Jimmy could not hold his attention for more than a few seconds. By lunchtime, he had not managed to get a single second of work done. Restless, he kept looking at his phone every few minutes, hoping for some excuse to reach out to Naina, to ask a question, any question, that might let him hear her voice, and get some insight about her mood. But he knew he couldn't do that. The day was slipping away, lost in thoughts of her and replaying memories from the night before, making him frustrated with every passing minute. When he couldn't wait any longer, he dashed out of the office, telling Jimmy that he had to meet someone.

He called up when he was close to Naina's office, 'Munna, please tu neeche aaja. Main parking mein car ke andar wait kar raha hun.' 

Munna was surprised by Sameer's strange request, but the urgency in his friend's voice stopped him from questioning further. It was around four in the evening when Munna got into the passenger seat and shut the door.

'Rang kyon udda hua hai tera?' He asked the moment he noticed Sameer's harrowed expression.

Sameer hastily enquired, 'Pehle tu bataa, Naina ne... Naina ke behaviour mein kuch change dikha kya tujhe?'

Munna was silent for a few minutes, then threw him an amused smile, 'Lagta hai teri shaadishuda zindagi shuru ho hi gayi.'

Sameer nearly leapt out of his skin, 'Ky... kya matlab?' 

Munna chuckled, 'Pati raat ko talli hokar ghar pohoncha toh biwi ruth gayi. Ab pati ka nasha utra hai toh manane ke tareeke dhoond raha hai. Abey yaar yeh toh asli married couple wali kahani hai.'

The door of back seat opened with a sharp swing and Pandit slipped in, breathless, 'Tera... tera text dekhte hi main bhagta hua aaya hun. Kya hua? Teri awaaz chali gayi kya jo call tak nahi kar sakta tha. Bas ek line type karke chor di... URGENT. COME SOON.'

Munna looked back, 'Bhagta hua kyon aaya? Car kahan gayi teri?'

'Abey car se hi aaya hun.' Pandit waved his hand impatiently, 'Baat mein wazan daalne ke liye aisa kehte hain. Tu bata tuney parking mein car ke andar aane ko kyon kaha? Kisi crime ki planning karni hai kya?'

'Dekho yaar.' Sameer raised his hands to stop their senseless talks, 'Abhi sirf meri problem pe focus kartey hain. Okay? Bohot... bohot badi musibat mein phans gaya hun.'

In cautiously articulated and heavily edited version, he explained how he feared he might have crossed some boundaries with Naina in his drunken state last night because he thought he was dreaming since Naina was to return only in the morning.

'Hmm.' Munna leaned back, his forehead creased, 'Naina ne subah mujhse pucha tha ki kal raat hum teeno saath mein drink kar rahey they kya.'

Sameer gulped, staring wide eyed at Munna when he added, 'Waise Naina subah se bohot chup hai. Thodi pareshan si lag rahi thi. Jaise kahin khoyi hui ho.'

Pandit gave a concerned look, 'Bhai tune pakka kuch toh kiya hai.'

Munna shook his head, 'Dukhi nahi thi woh. Gussa bhi nahi thi. Mujhe aisa laga jaise kisi uljhan mein hai.'

Pandit gasped, 'Teri harkat ki wajah se woh pakka tujhe chorkar bhaagne ka plan bana rahi hai. Isi uljahn mein hogi ki bhaagne ke liye kaunsi date final karey.'

Sameer threw him a frustrated look, 'Pandit yaar, kuch toh akal wali baat kiya kar.'

Pandit narrowed his eyes in annoyance, 'Tuney jo kiya woh toh badi akal wala kaam hai na.' All of a sudden, his face was drained of all colour and he gasped, 'Sameer, kahin tuney...'

Munna whipped around, staring in shock at Pandit.

Sameer looked from one to another, 'Kya maine?'

When Pandit shrugged suggestively, but did not elaborate, Sameer glanced curiously at Munna, 'Maine kya? Bol na.'

Munna gave him a strange look, 'Tu kya 90s ki 16 saal ki ladki hai jo aise puch raha hai? Samajh nahi aa raha?'

Sameer slumped against the window, terrified, 'Impossible. Naina meri jaan le leti.'

Pandit's eyes widened in surprise, 'Matlab Naina jaan na le toh tu...?'

Sameer lunged towards Pandit, his face red with both anger and frustration, 'Sabse pehle toh main teri jaan le lunga. Saale, kuch bhi bolta hai. Bhabhi hai teri.'

Munna caught hold of Sameer, pushing him back to his seat while Pandit shrunk to the farthest corner behind. 

Munna placed a hand on Sameer's shoulder to placate him, 'Gusse se nahi, dimaag control mein rakh ke soch. Yaad karne ki koshish kar. Jab pehle ka yaad hai toh baaki ka bhi aa jayega. Bhai, yeh baat yaad aani bohot zaruri hai ki kal aakhir hua kya.'

Sameer wiped the sheen of sweat off his face, 'Jaanta hun yaar. Subah se try kar raha hun. Par dimaag ka darwaza jaise lock ho gaya hai.'

Munna looked at him thoughtfully, 'Ho sakta hai tujhe isliye kuch yaad nahi aa raha kyonki kuch hua hi nahi.'

A flicker of hope flashed in Sameer's eyes, 'Haina? Aisa possible hai na?'

Pandit hummed as he nodded intelligently, 'Possible toh hai. Fir tujhe yeh bhi pata hona chahiye ki Naina ne kab nimbu paani rakha, kab note likha, kab room se bahar gayi.'

'Nahi. Mujhe nahi pata.' The disappointment was back in Sameer's voice.

Pandit let out a dramatic sigh, 'Fir toh tu gaya. Ab tere paas ek hi option hai.'

'Kya?' Sameer leaned ahead eagerly.

Pandit lowered his voice, 'Lele chance, laga le gale.'

'Abey Pandit tu saaf bol jo bolna hai.' Munna fumed at his habit of creating drama. 

Pandit explained his plan, that Sameer should apologise to Naina for whatever he thinks happened last night, and then use this opportunity to confess his feelings to remove any negative impression that she might have formed about him.

Sameer was confused, 'Lekin kal toh tuney kaha tha ki step by step aage jaana chahiye. Pehle date pe leke jaane ko kaha tha.'

Pandit cast a glare at him, 'Tuney maana? Baby steps kahe they. Tuney toh seedhi long jump maar di.'

Embarrassment left a hue of red over Sameer's face as he rubbed his neck, 'Mujhe... mujhe laga sapna hai. Mujhe thori pata tha Naina wapas aa gayi hai.'

'Dekh bhai.' Pandit exhaled with finality, 'Sapna ho ya Naina, agle step ke liye tum dono ke beech se kal raat ki dhundh hatani hi padegi. Aur yeh kaam tu hi kar sakta hai. Ab main ya Munna toh jaake puchenge nahi ki bhabhiji, nashe mein Sameer ne...'

Sameer clasped a hand over his mouth before he could speak more. Pandit flailed his arms dramatically, making exaggerated gagging sounds as if he were being smothered.

Munna tapped at Sameer's shoulder, shaking his head when Sameer gave a frustrated look to him, 'Gussa nahi, thande dimaag se soch. Pandit sahi keh raha hai. Naina teri harkat ki wajah se tujhe galat na samjhe iske liye usey teri feelings ka sach pata hona zaruri hai. Ab der nahi kar sakte. Bata de Naina ko ki tu usse kitna pyar karta hai.'

Sameer let out a groan before he whispered in a shaky voice, like he was both dreading and longing for the same, 'Kya yeh waqt sahi hoga? Kahin Naina ne raat ki wajah se...' He swallowed hard as he recalled previous instances of her softening, the small glimpses of warmth he had seen, '... kahin kal raat ne sab kharab toh nahi kar diya hoga?'

'Ya fir kal raat ki wajah se hi teri gaadi line pa aa jaaye.' Pandit's voice was filled with hopeful enthusiasm, 'Be positive. Ho sakta hai tuney kal kuch aisa kaha ya kiya ho jiski wajah se Naina pighal rahi hai. Bhai, usey teri fikr hui tabhi tere liye nimbu paani aur medicine rakhi na.'

'Haan Sameer,' Munna added earnestly, 'Mujhe bhi ismein kuch achhi vibe aa rahi hai. Mauka jaane mat de yaar.'

Each word of his friends was adding to the swirling mix of contrasting feelings in Sameer's chest. If his heart sank at the thought of discovering what actually happened, a sincere flutter warmed him when he recalled Naina's attention to little details to assure his comfort in the morning. She had not just taken measures to cure his hangover, she had also drawn the curtains close so the outside light wouldn't disturb him, and asked his family not to wake him, citing an excuse of late night. 

After his friends had left, Sameer decided to wait in the parking for Naina. It would be a good idea to drive back home with her, and perhaps he'd be able to get a glimpse into her state of mind before letting his true feelings known to her. Around five thirty, when the office goers started to walk out of the complex, Sameer sat upright in the car. Every few minutes, he checked his phone and glanced up at the entrance. His nerves were building with each passing second, nervousness gripping his heart tighter. 

After what felt like an eternity, Naina walked out of the glass doors, her bag slung on her shoulder, and her gaze fixed straight ahead. Sameer mustered courage, took a deep breath and was about to open the door and step out when he saw Naina suddenly halt and look back, as if someone had called out to her. Sameer paused, his eyes narrowed. Within two seconds, the curiosity turned into boiling anger as Param rushed out of the building and joined Naina. Sameer watched with clenched teeth as they moved to the side and stood next to the cafe, talking with ease. Suddenly, Naina pulled out her phone from the bag and began scrolling the screen, apparently searching for something, which she found in no time. She pointed at her phone. Param leaned towards her, nodding as he peered at Naina's phone, too close for Sameer's comfort.

'Dusre ki biwi hai lekin line marna nahi chhor sakta.' Seething in anger, he muttered. 

Outside, Naina stepped back a little, and started to tap on her phone, then said something to which Param reacted with a thumbs up. He then fished out his phone from back pocket and checked. Looked like Naina had sent him something. To Sameer's annoyance, he put the phone back and started chatting, his stance casual. Naina was merely nodding, her lips curled in a small smile. She even looked at her watch once, but Param did not get the hint. 

Sameer could not take it anymore when he saw Param pointing at the cafe. No way was he letting this infatuated guy steal his precious time with his wife.

'Nahi Param,' Naina politely declined, 'Mujhe jaldi jaana hai. Ghar par kuch kaam hai. Tum concepts ki list mujhe mail kar dena. Main raat ko dekh kar final kar dungi. Don't worry, mujhe bhi yeh project execute karne ki jaldi hai.'

'If you say so.' Param shrugged, 'Mujhe laga abhi final kar lete toh main ghar jaakar aage ki planning start kar deta.'

'Kitne dedicated ho tum yaar.'

Sameer's voice made Naina look back with a start while Param's eyes shot up in shock. Acknowledging Naina with a quick warm, loving smile, Sameer turned his attention to Param, raising his brows in appreciation, 'Office se nikalne ke baad bhi kaam karna chahte ho. Tum toh ideal employee ho. Mujhe lagta hai tumhari management ko tumhari value nahi pata. Unhe toh tumhe production department mein shift kar dena chahiye. Main baat karunga team manager se. They should give you a better position and higher salary.'

Param was clearly embarrassed, 'N... nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai. Main bas... bas apna kaam karta hun.'

'Woh toh dikha raha hai.' Sameer flashed a wide smile, which failed to reach his eyes, 'Lekin yaar, meri biwi ko toh baksh do. She's mine. My wife.'

'Huh?' Param was taken aback, 'I... I didn't... I mean... I don't...'

Naina clutched Sameer's arm, 'Kya bol rahey ho tum?'

Very much aware of her touch, which was withdrawn within moments, Sameer let out a laugh, 'Don't get me wrong Param. Main bas yeh keh raha tha meri biwi se itna kaam mat karwao. Us din bhi tum aisa hi kar rahey they aur aaj bhi. Office hours ke baad ka thora sa time hi toh milta hai mujhe apni jaan ke saath. Usmein bhi agar woh office ke projects plan karti rahegi toh uska bechara husband usey miss karega na. Just that.'

Param nodded, too fast, smiling nervously as his gaze flickered to Naina for a moment before going back to Sameer, 'I... I understand. Sorry. Main bhool gaya tha... I mean, of course Naina ko ghar jaana hai.' 

He dipped his head at Naina, 'No problem Naina. Kal start karne se bhi time par ho jayega. You... you carry on.'

And he hastily walked away, leaving the two of them alone. 

Slowly, Naina turned to Sameer, 'Tum yahan kya kar rahey ho?'

His earlier jitters were subsided because of jealousy and anger, but now that they were alone, his fears were back. He gulped as he faced her, searching her eyes for any sign of annoyance. There was nothing to read in her expressions. Like always, she was hidden behind a mask.

Sameer faltered, 'Woh main... main tumse... nahi, main tumhe pick karne aaya tha.'

Naina lowered her eyes, speaking in a barely audible voice, 'You didn't have to.'

Her heart was still pounding at what he had called her... meri jaan, mine. Even though he used such endearments just for the sake of outsiders, it always managed to send shivers down her spine.  

'Naina main...' he began but was interjected by Naina's immediate reaction, 'Sameer, humein chalna chahiye. Anu wait kar rahi hogi.'

And she started to walk towards the parking. Sameer followed her quickly. Indeed it was better to talk in the privacy of car instead of this open passage. Naina could discern this much that Sameer had been there for sometime, and he had obviously witnessed the interaction with Param. She could sense the spark of jealousy in his casual remarks. 

As they hit the road, she apprised him, 'Param sirf hamare naye project ke baare mein puch raha tha. Maine usey draft dikhaye toh usne kaha ki usne bhi kuch ideas develop kiye hain jo mujhe dikhana chhata tha. Maine kaha mujhe mail kar de. It was work related. Nothing else.'

'Lekin usey yeh sab office ke baad hi kyon yaad aata hai?' The words slipped off his tongue inadvertently.

Naina drew in a long breath, 'Param Nakul nahi hai. Usey apni limits pata hain. Usne kabhi cross nahi ki.'

Her words jolted Sameer. Was she hinting at more than she was saying... that he was the one who crossed his limits? 

He gave a quick glance to her, 'Naina kal raat... main...'

When he remained quiet for a few seconds, Naina looked at him, 'Sar dard theek hai? Ya abhi bhi hangover ka asar hai?'

'I'm sorry Naina.' he blurted, 'I really don't drink so much. Pata nahi kal kaise...' He took a few quick breaths, gathering courage, then asked in a voice filled with dread, 'Kya maine... did I... do something... jo mujhe nahi... I mean, maine kuch galat...'

Heat rose to Naina's face, spreading from her cheeks to her neck, her ears, even her fingertips as she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, her gaze fixed firmly out the window, where she hoped he wouldn't notice her growing blush.

Sameer gripped the wheel harder, his knuckles turning white as he stole glances her way. Her silence was excruciating  for him, especially when he could not even see her face.

Taking a shaky breath, he tried again, 'Kya maine tumhare saath...' His voice trailed off, unsure how to phrase the jumble of words in his mind.

'Tumhe kuch yaad nahi?' Naina's head whipped around suddenly, catching him off-guard.

'Main...' He began, but paused as he tried hard to shake the memories of previous night again, hoping to extract some more fragments, but nothing more than what he already remembered surfaced. Silently, he shook his head.

Naina's eyes lingered on him for a few seconds, then drifted away, her expression smoothing into an unreadable mask. When she finally spoke, her tone was flat, 'Kuch nahi kiya tumne. Kuch nahi kaha. Bas aakar chupchap so gaye.'

Sameer was astounded. He did remember certain things. But Naina had put a blanket over all of it. Why? He was sure all that was not a dream. The warmth, the softness that he had felt in his arms was too lingering for it to be just imagination. The words he had whispered were too vivid to be brushed off as hallucination. Then why had she chosen to avoid revealing anything. 

He studied her profile, catching the way her lips pressed together, the stiffness in her posture, the lines that marred her brow. Was there something he was missing in between the lines of her clipped response?

Next update on Saturday... or Sunday