Natasha was bewildered at Naina's declaration. She had been trying to convince Naina of the same, who was denying all along... until now. So why this sudden change? It definitely was not because of the accident.

'Tu sach bol rahi hai?' She narrowed her eyes as a doubt formed in her mind, 'Naina, kahin tu mujhe chup karne ke liye jhooth bolkar fir se bhagne ka plan toh nahi bana rahi?'

Naina let out a deep breath, slowly, shaking her head once, ' Nahi Nutty, bhagne ka time chala gaya. Ab main iss situation se nahi bhaag sakti.'

Natasha tried to decipher the meaning of her words. Even though she had planned to hide herself by running away, Naina was not the person who would give up under pressure. If she had decided to go ahead with it, then probably she had thought of something. Because if this marriage was to happen, it would be a marriage of convenience.

She flashed an incredulous look at her friend, 'Dekh Naina, main jaanti hoon main itne dinon se tujhe Sameer ki baat manne ke liye keh rahi thi... shart bhi maine hi lagayi thi. Lekin meri jaan, tu sirf mere kehne pe...'

Before she could finish, Naina interrupted, 'It's not because of you. Yeh decision... mera hai.'

Natasha had many questions, but the alarm on her watch beeped to bring her attention to the time. Hastily, she switched it off and sighed, 'Meri flight ka time ho gaya hai. I'll have to go. Lekin Naina, tu abhi faisla mat le. Take twenty four hours. Main kal raat wapas aaungi tab baat karenge. Okay? Aur haan, promise kar ki tu kahin nahi jayegi... Rishikesh toh bilkul nahi.'

A faint smile tugged at Naina's lips, 'Main kal tujhe yahin milungi. Don't worry.'

It was well past midnight when Naina stood alone in the balcony. Except for the small bulbs around the pathway, whole of the society complex was engulfed in darkness. There was no fog tonight. Yet, there was no sign of moon or stars either. The sky had been overcast with thick clouds since afternoon. The clouds could not be seen now but the uninterrupted inkiness of the sky confirmed that they formed a dense layer over the city.

It was cold. But Naina did not want to go back inside. Life had brought her at such a crossroad that external discomfort was nothing as compared to the chaos of thoughts swirling like a storm inside her.

She had accepted long back that her life could never be like that of people around her... a rhythmic cycle of ups and downs in a family. She would never get to experience what others took for granted. Yet, she was not prepared for the complexities that ensued every time she felt she had taken a step forward. When she had landed the job in her present company, it had elated her. A higher position, greater opportunities, better working environment... it seemed all had fallen into place. She could think of saving enough money for a house after paying back the loan.

And to achieve this dream, she had gone ahead and accepted the stupid contract... with Sameer Maheshwari.

Agreed, it was entirely her mistake. Had she not concurred to be a part of such sheer deception, today she would not have succumbed to something that she did not accord with... because of what she had stowed away in a secret corner of her heart, assuming it to be an impossible quest.

Naina shut her eyes, drawing in a sharp breath as another wave of regret awashed her. She could not fight her need anymore... she could not suppress the desire that had started taking shape since last few days... she could not let the opportunity pass.

She had taken the decision to enter into another contract with Sameer... a contract of marriage for one year. But it was not for him, it was for herself.

She had given in to her greed.

Though, she would never accept it in front of anyone... not even Natasha.

As if to compete with the cacophony of the her internal conflict, the sky let out a loud rumble of thunder before the heavy clouds finally let go of the weight that had burdened them all day. The rain came pouring down, covering the darkness with a murky coating. Down on the pavement, Naina noticed a stray cat, urgently nudging her litter of three kittens to protected space under the hedge. The little ones wanted to play in the rain. But their concerned mother pulled them, and huddled together within the thick foliage.

Naina's attempt at composure crumbled as she gazed at the mother cat, shielding her babies with her own body. The sight unearthed a deluge of emotions that she had battled to keep at bay all evening, overwhelming her with a sorrow so profound that could not be suppressed anymore. While the parched soil lapped up the torrent of rain, her tears spilled uncontrollably, tearing apart the facade of normalcy that she had struggled to maintain all evening. The pain of emotional turmoil was no less than physical hurt. The acceptance of her own actions was as sharp as the agony of a knife twisting in her heart. She loathed herself for taking advantage of someone, just to fulfil a repressed desire, a deep set longing that had suffocated her with its existence.

But if the same thing happened again, she would again go the same way... she was sure.

The events of few hours before played in front of her eyes.

Flashback:

What she had learned about Ambika was still clouding her mind when Naina came down the steps, to find Anaya sitting in the dining room. The moment she heard footsteps, she got up and flashed a bright smile... a smile that brought a lightness to the heavy feeling in Naina's heart.

'Ho gaya aap dono ka lovey dovey goodbye.' Anaya chirped, the tease back in her eyes.

Before Naina could hide her embarrassment, Ambika walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a small napkin.

She chided Anaya lovingly, 'Apni bhabhi ko tang mat kar, Anu.'

Naina pursed her lips, a sudden tightness gripping her throat when she realised Ambika's health condition.

The despair on her face made both other women turn solemn instantly. Ambika put aside the napkin, held Naina's hand and made her sit on one of the dining chair.

Cupping her face, she smiled warmly, 'Itna ghabrane ki baat nahi hai beta. Sameer theek hai. Koi pehli baar chot nahi lagi hai usey. Bachpan se uchalta koodta rehta hai. Kabhi haath mein fracture kabhi pair mein, kabhi aankh neeli hoti thi kabhi sar mein patti. Haan, us din accident ka naam sunkar hum sab bhi dar gaye the lekin bhagwan ka shukr hai ki uski raksha ho gayi. Zarur tumne uske liye pray kiya hoga.'

Naina bit her lip. They were again reading her concern wrong. It wasn't Sameer she was worried about.

Ambika glanced at Anaya, 'Mere room mein ek bag rakha hai, leke aa zara. Aur haan, Munna tere papa ke.room mein hai. Usey bol thodi der Sameer ke paas chala jayega. Akele bore honrha hoga mera beta.'

After Anaya dashed away, Ambika leaned closer to Naina, lowering her voice, 'Naina, Sameer ko samjhao. Kehta hai abhi shaadi nahi karni. Aise kaise ho sakta hai tum hi batao. Panditji ne kaha hai yeh sabse achhi date hai. Tumhe toh malum hi hai hum August tak nahi ruk sakte.' Her forehead creased in frustration, 'Aur yeh ladka maathe ke chote se nishaan ke peeche shaadi se manaa kar raha hai. Beta, tum hi usko line pe laa sakti ho ab. Achha batao, agar chot ka nishaan dikhega toh kya tum usse kam pyar karogi?'

'J... ji... main...' Naina was lost for words at this sudden question.

Ambika fondly patted her cheek, a smile similar to Anaya brightening her face, 'Pata hai mere saamne kuch nahi kahogi. Apni mummy se koi aisi baatein thodi karega. Lekin ek baat bataun.' She looked around before adding in a hushed voice, 'Main koi TV shows wali saas nahi banne wali. Tum mujhse jo chahe keh sakti ho. Sameer ki shikayat ya burai karni ho... woh bhi. Sachhi.'

Naina blinked, 'Aunty... aisa... aisa kuch nahi hai par... yeh shaadi...'

She gulped, wondering how to break it to Ambika gently that she was not ready for this marriage. Or maybe she should go ahead with Sameer's excuse and ask for more time.

Her pause made Ambika nod sadly, her voice laced with empathy, 'Sameer ne bataya tumhare bhaiya bhabhi itne short notice pe nahi aa sakte, par unhone shaadi ke liye apni razamandi de di hai.' She added after an exhale, 'It hurts, jab zindagi ke itne bade mauke pe koi apna saath na ho. Mujhse zyada yeh baat kaun samjhega.'

Naina eyed her with confusion writ on her face.

Ambika sighed, with a desolate shrug, 'Meri family mein se bhi koi nahi aaya tha meri shaadi mein.' She explained in response to Naina's questioning look, 'Mere papa ko Girish pasand nahi the. Hamari intercaste marriage hai. Unhone saaf manaa kar diya, ki agar maine Maheshwari ladke se shaadi ki toh woh hi nahi baaki sab bhi mujhse rishta tod lenge.'

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, 'Papa ke liye meri khushi se zyada unka status important tha. Itni well known Punjabi family ki ladki ki shaadi uske liye nahi, ghar ke naam aur business ke liye hoti hai. Meri cousins ke saath bhi yehi hua tha. Unki haalat dekh ke maine decide kar liya ki main jab bhi shaadi karungi apni marzi se karungi, wahan jahan meri value ho, meri zarurat ho... jahan mujhe pyar mile.'

A smile that was filled with immense love and devotion, spread on her face, 'Girish se mujhe woh sab mila. Isliye jab chunne ka waqt aaya toh maine Girish ko chuna. Aur mujhe aaj tak apne decision par kabhi pachtava nahi hua. Pata hai kyon? Kyonki sirf Girish hi nahi, papaji aur mummyji ne bhi mujhe hamesha apna bana ke rakha yahan. Mummyji ke jaane ke baad bhi kuch nahi badla. Aaj bhi papaji mujhe utna hi pyar dete hain jitna Girish ko, balki usse bhi zyada.'

'Aur daant bhi padti hai, jab aap apni medicines time pe nahi leti.' Anaya's voice made both of them turn their head to her.

She placed two tablets and a glass of water in front of her mom, 'Aaj subah ki dose miss kar di na aapne. Mujhse pehle Dadaji aapka pills box dekh lete toh achhi daant padti. Pehle medicine lo fir bhabhi ko apni love story sunana.'

'Oh!' Ambika hurriedly gulped down the tablets with a swig, 'Sameer ko lane ke chakkar mein bhool gayi. Achha hua kisi aur ne nahi dekha.'

Anaya wrapped her arms around her neck, leaning behind her, 'Mummy, please yaad rakha karo. Aap hamare liye sabse important ho. Hum fir se aapko hospital mein nahi dekhna chahte.'

She gestured towards Anaya to remain quiet. But the girl flicked her brows towards Naina, smiling, 'Bhabhi se kya chupana. Inko pata hi hoga. Bhai ki condition yaad hai na? Khaana pina, sona, sab bhool gaye the. Yahan tak ki nahate bhi nahi the. Kitni heavy beard kar li thi. Doctor ne jab aapko ghar aane ki permission di tab jaake bhai ki asli shakal dekhne ko mili thi.'

Laughing, Ambika swayed her head, 'Buddhu hai ek number ka. Uske shave na karne se main jaldi theek ho jaati kya.'

A hint of gloom appeared on Anaya's face at the memory, 'Sirf bhai nahi, baaki log bhi sab kuch chor ke aapke paas baithe rehte the. Aapko kaisa pata hoga. Aap toh teen din tak hosh mein hi nahi thi.'

Ambika comforted her, smiling softly, 'Ab toh theek hun na. Aur regular check up karwati hun, medicines leti hun. Diet bhi tum log control karte ho. Kuch nahi hoga mujhe. Don't worry.'

Naina looked from one to another as they recalled a few more things from her time in hospital. One thing was clear... Ambika must have been quite unwell at that time for everyone to be this concerned. Sameer was not wrong in his fears.

Anaya handed the bag that she had brought from the room.

Ambika smiled as she placed the bag in Naina's lap, 'Meri friend Kashmir gayj thi. Maine wahan se tumare liye shawl mangwaya hai. Tumhari choice pata nahi thi isliye apni pasand ka laane ko bol diya.I hope tumhe pasand aaye.'

Naina looked down at the packet. Anaya quickly pulled out a soft cashmere shawl in off white, covered with delicate embroidery in pink, spreading it out expectantly.

'Aunty main yeh kaise le sakti hun.' Naina gasped at the beauty, but was well aware of the cost of such a piece.

Anaya pouted, settling next to her mom, 'Sorry mom, lagta hai bhabhi ko hamari choice achhi nahi lagi.'

'Nahi Anu, shawl bohot sundar hai.' Naina added hesitantly, 'aur expensive bhi. Main kaise le sakti hun.'

'Offo Naina, tumne toh dara diya.' Ambika swatted her arm lightly, waving away her objection with a laugh, 'Apne bachhon ke liye kuch lena parents ko achha lagta hai. Aur bachhe jab woh cheez use karte hain toh unhe khushi hoti hai. Maine tumhare aur Anu ke liye do shawl mangwaye the, ek jaise. Woh tum log kya kehte ho... twinning karne ke liye.'

Anaya wrapped the shawl around Naina's shoulders, 'Dekho zara, kitna suit kar raha hai aapko. Bhai dekhenge toh fir se flat ho jayenge.'

Ambika rolled her eyes at her daughter's teasing. Naina carefully folded the shawl and placed it back in packet. She could later give it to Sameer. It was not right to accept something of such value from his family.

While they were talking, a servant had placed cups of tea for them, which Naina did not notice. Unknowingly, she extended her hand to take her phone, without looking at the table, and her fingers dipped in the steaming brew.

'Ahh!' She pulled back her hand, jerking it to lessen the sharp sensation of burning.

'Offo, yeh kya kiya! Haath jal gaya tumhara.' Ambika frowned, catching hold of her hand, while she frantically ordered others, 'Mohan, ice leke aa. Anu, mere room se first aid kit lana. Mukti, fridge se aata de.'

Naina tried to pull back her hand sheepishly, 'Kuch nahi hai aunty. Abhi theek ho jayega. Itna nahi jala.'

But Ambika paid no heed to her protest. Hearing the commotion, Dadaji and Girish also rushed out of their rooms. When they got to know, Girish insisted they visit the doctor. Dadaji suggested to give some warm haldi milk to Naina, to soothe her pain.

'Nahi please.' Naina was overwhelmed, 'Aap sab bother mat kijiye. Yeh kuch bhi nahi hai.' She flexed her fingers, 'I'm fine.'

Girish carefully held her hand, 'Kaise nahi hai. Dekho, laal ho gaya. Dard ho raha hoga. Ruko, main ointment laga deta hun.' He reached out for the box from Anaya who had fetched it in seconds.

They all fussed around Naina. It wasn't even an injury or a blister, yet they all treated her with utmost concentration, applying the ointment after numbing it with ice, sealing it with kneaded dough, all the while blowing on it like she was a small kid. In fact, Naina could not recall a single incident from her growing up years when her dad or brother had even bothered to notice any of her wound, let alone treat it or comfort her. Once, when she had badly injured her knee after falling off the bicyle, her father had asked her to stop using it, saying that she did not deserve it if she didn't know how to control it.

And here, these people, who were unknown to her till a few months back, were more in pain than her, because of such a small burn.

In that moment, she felt defeated... torn between taking the few crumbs of what her heart craved for, or going by her conscience. And, in the end, her principles lost to the overwhelming urge to be selfish, and bask in the motherly love, soak in the warmth of concern of family elders, familiarise herself with the affinity of a father figure... be in an environment that she could never get in this lifetime, except in this household.

Flashback ends

After a wild downpour, along with the rain, her tears had also lost the ferocity. She pressed her palms to her warm, streaked face and red, swollen eyes.

The step she was taking was humongous. But no one, no other soul, would ever know why she had given her consent. She did not want pity, from anyone. She would tell Natasha it is solely for the money. Though Nutty would not judge her once, Naina would feel more peaceful to live with this notion. Blaming herself would be easier and less painful than accepting her weakness in front of anyone.

She was also not unmindful of the scenario if Sameer's family got to know of the truth of their relationship before a legal divorce. They would hate her for the deceit, would throw her out. But, by then, she would have a fair share of moments that she would always cherish as memories. She would keep those parts as her own family time, a time she got to feel what it actually meant to exist around those who love you.

And if all this could come at the cost of also being around Sameer, she was ready to bear the cost.

She was ready to be Mrs Maheshwari.

Next update on Monday