Ambika noticed the stiffness in Naina's arm when they were at the dinner table.

'Naina, kya hua? Haath mein jhatka lag gaya kya?' She asked with concern.

'Nahi mummy,' Naina quickly straightened her arm to show that she was fine, 'Kuch bhi toh nahi hua.'

Her smile convinced Ambika and others. Sameer was the only one who saw how she clenched the fist of other hand when she stretched the one that was hurt. She was good at hiding her pain. A pang of guilt surged within him. Her undeniable discomfort was because of him. Had he lent a hand of support, she would not have fallen so badly. He lowered his head, feeling miserable, till Dadaji called out to him.

'Sameer, kal kitne baje ayega office? Dilip ka phone aaya tha. Puch raha tha lunch ka arrangement karna hai ya snacks aur coffee ka. Kya bolun usey?'

Perplexed, Sameer looked up, 'Kis baat ka arrangement Dadaji? Kal kya hai?'

Dadaji stopped eating, narrowing his eyes, 'Tujhe yaad nahi?'

Sameer looked around. Both his parents were looking at him as if he had committed a blunder. His gaze darted to Anaya. She was biting her inner cheek. When his eyes met Naina's, there was the same question, the same confusion in them that prevailed in his. He quickly did a mental reminder... it wasn't any of their birthdays, nor his parents' anniversary. No festival or occasion was to be celebrated, neither a meeting or business party. Then, why everyone seemed to be aware of the reason of this unscheduled celebration tomorrow when he had no inkling.

'Uh... Dadaji... mujhe... mujhe sach mein yaad nahi aa raha kal kya hai.' His incredulous voice was low, but audible in the silence of the room.

Dadaji let out a weary exhale, rolling his eyes, 'Umr meri ho rahi hai lekin bhoolne ki bimaari sahabzaade ko lagi hai.'

Anaya could not let the opportunity pass, 'Yeh umr ka nahi pyar ka kasoor hai Dadaji.' She grinned, 'Bhai ko aajkal bhabhi ke alawa kuch yaad hi nahi rehta.'

Sameer shot her a furious look, but before he could say anything, Dadaji cleared his confusion, though his words were not free from the cadence of teasing either.

'Arey bhai kal ka program Naina ke liye hi toh hai. Kam se kam apni biwi ko toh yaad rakh leta.'

And Sameer remembered. Only in the afternoon, Dadaji had told him that they planned to introduce Naina to the staff at office on Monday. He had gone to the room to inform her, when he found her perched on the stool. What happened after that erased everything about office from his mind.

'Oh haan.' He managed a sheepish smile in front of his family, 'Actually main subah se naye project pe kaam kar raha tha isliye yeh baat dimaag se nikal gayi.'

Naina directed her query to Dadaji, instead of asking Sameer, 'Kya program Dadaji?'

Dadaji explained to her that as a member of the family, she would now be a Board member in the family establishment. She needed to sign some papers for the same, and it was the right time to introduce her as the wife of future CEO of Maheshwari Industries. Her gaze flickered to Sameer. He shrugged casually as he met her eyes, as if it was perfectly normal to become the member of an executive board of a well established company.

With a gentle clearing of throat, she struggled to express her doubts, 'Uh... Dadaji, main kaise... mujhe company ke baare mein kuch pata hi nahi hai. Na koi experience na qualification. Baaki sab... baaki board members kaise accept karenge? I think humein kuch mahine wait kar lena chahiye.'

Girish raised his brows, 'Kuch mahine? Kyon? Kuch mahinon mein kya badal jayega?'

Naina shook her head quickly, 'Nahi, kuch badlega nahi. Bas mujhe thoda time mil jayega, company ke baare mein janne ke liye.'

Dadaji smiled with conviction, 'Tumhe sab kuch samajhne ka time zarur milega. Lekin uske liye humein intezaar karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Maine shares ka ek hissa tumhare naam karwa diya hai. Isliye baaki formalities kal hi poori karenge. Baad mein tum jab chaho, Sameer ke saath office jaakar jo bhi seekhna samajhna hai woh kar lena. Kal ko agar tum hamare saath kaam karne ka faisla karo toh hum sabke liye khushi ki baat hogi. Abhi itna hi kaafi hai ki Sameer ki biwi ki haisiyat se tum Board mein shaamil raho. Family ke baaki logon ka jo status hai wohi tumhara bhi hona chahiye.'

She simply nodded, unable to think of any way out.

Later, in their room, Naina confronted Sameer, 'Tumhe pata tha? Mujhe bataya kyon nahi? Main pehle se koi bahana soch ke rakhti. Yeh sab paperwork... baad mein isey change karne mein kitni complications ayengi pata hai na tumhe?'

Sameer turned his back to her, pretending to sort the files on his table, 'Kuch nahi hoga. Jaise baaki jagah se tumhara naam hata diya jayega, waise hi company ke shares bhi wapas ho jayenge. Abhi iss situation se nikalna possible nahi hai. Isliye bina natak kiye kal ready ho jaana.'

'What do you mean natak?' Naina fumed, 'Kal mujhe Munna ke saath ek site pe jaana hai. Kya bolun Munna se? Ki Maheshwari Industries ki shareholder banne jaa rahi hun isliye chutti chahiye?'

He sharply spun around, 'Khud ko shareholder samajhne ki zarurat nahi hai. Yeh sirf ek formality hai. Jab change karne ka time ayega main handle kar lunga. Rahi kal ki baat, toh main Munna ko bata dunga. Woh mana nahi karega.'

'Oh toh tum baat karoge Munna se. Kyon, mere secretary ho?' She mocked with an arched brow.

'Husband hun tumhara.' The words slipped out of his mouth before he realised.

'Munna ko pata hai kaise husband ho. Uske saamne asli chehra dikha sakte ho.' She exhaled, though he could detect a hint of amusement in her voice, which felt like she was making fun of him.

'Asli chehra yehi hai... Sameer Maheshwari... tumhara asli husband.' He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

'Ah!' Naina winced in pain, scrunching her eyes.

Sameer immediately left her arm, realising that she had been hurt on the same elbow, 'I'm... I'm sorry.' He mumbled.

Before she could blast him, he ran to the closet and was back within seconds, holding a box.

'Sleeve upar karo.' Placing the box on the dresser, he pointed at the elbow.

Her voice was tight when she took a step away, 'Leave it. Main khud laga lungi. Warna fir se koi naya blame mere sar pe daal doge.'

Sameer closed his eyes for a moment, guilt gnawing at him from inside for not just his behaviour but also his hurtful words in the afternoon. Then he looked at her with sincere eyes, 'I didn't mean it. Sorry.'

She narrowed her eyes, 'Ek conversation mein teen baar sorry? Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai?'

Her taunt did not rile him up. Rather, he gently held her wrist and started to roll the sleeve of her kurta.

'What do you think you are doing?' She snapped, trying to free herself from his hold.

But he did not let go, keeping his eyes on the sleeve that was folding upwards to reveal more and more of her arm, 'Ointment laga raha hun. Mujhe pata hai tumhe chot lagi hai. Khud ko strong dikhane ke liye dard ko chupa lene se dard kam nahi ho jaata. Dawa ki zarurat har chot ko hoti hai. Uske bina zakhm nahi bharega.'

He had revealed the bruised elbow. The skin had turned blue. He could see the scabs over tiny scrapes. He picked a tube from the box and applied some ointment on a piece of gauze before lightly placing it over the contusion. Naina let out a hiss of pain.

'Mummy ke saamne toh badi sherni ban rahi thi, haath ko jhatke de rahi thi jaise kuch hua hi nahi.' He pointed out, without lifting his eyes.

She uttered through clenched teeth, 'Pathar se nahi bani hun main. Mujhe bhi pain hota hai. Khud kar rahi thi, isliye pata tha kitna dard jhel sakti hun. Tumhara kya bharosa, sympathy dikhane ke bahane aur dard na de do. '

His eyes snapped up. Her lips were pressed in a thin line, a grimace of pain etched across her face.

'Toh bharosa karna seekho.' He asserted, 'Trust me, Naina. Apna yeh secret sabse chupaye rakhne ke liye humein ek dusre ko trust karna padega.'

'Really?' Her voice stiffened with anger, 'Humein se tumhara matlab mujhe... haina? Jo karna hai mujhe karna chahiye. Trust, effort, pretend... sab kuch main karti rahun. Aur tum? Tum sabke saamne bhi muh phula ke ghoomte raho jaise shaadi ka saara drama khelne ke liye maine tumhe tumhe force kiya hai, and not the other way round. Subah Anu ne kaha ki tumhara mood ukhra hua lag raha hai, aur shaam ko mummy ne pucha ki hamara koi jhagda hua hai kya jo tum aisi shakl bana ke ghoom rahe ho? Sabne mujhse pucha, tumse nahi. Jhoothe bahane maine banaye, tumne nahi. Aisa lagta hai jaise sabko hamare rishte ka yakeen dilana sirf meri duty hai. Mujhe dekhte hi tum muh pher lete ho, mere sawalon ke jawab mein rukhe se do shabd tapka dete ho, madad ka haath badhane ki bajay mujh par itne ghatiya ilzaam lagate ho... aur main tumpe trust karun? Kya tumhe trust hai mujhpe Sameer Maheshwari?'

Sameer felt at loss of words at the realisation that she was right. In his attempt to snub the attraction he felt for her, he was shutting her off completely in front of his family. He was not just being irrational, but had caused her so much of pain.

His gaze lingered on her bruised arm before coming up to meet her eyes, which were filled with accusation, and disappointment.

He defended himself, 'Maanta hun mujhse galti hui. Tumhe help karne ki jagah main apni shirt pe focus kar raha tha. Try to understand Naina, mujhe inn sabka experience nahi hai. Meri pehli shaadi hai.'

'Achha?' She mocked him again, 'Mujhe toh laga dus bees kar chuke hoge. Meri tarah.'

Sameer let out a weary sigh, 'I'm serious. And I'm sorry. Main abse khyal rakhunga ki kisi ko mere behaviour ki wajah se tumse sawal na karna pade. Lekin tum bhi... tum bhi har baat pe taane mat maara karo yaar.'

'Oho! The great Sameer Maheshwari ko mere taano se takleef hai.' She threw him an amused glance, 'Toh ab kaisi wife banke rahun? Ay ji, O ji, suniye ji, kahiye ji, haanji... aise baat karun?'

He couldn't help the smile that curled his lips to one side, '60s ki heroine banne ko nahi keh raha. Normal biwi ki tarah rahogi toh kaafi hoga.'

'Jaise khud toh bada normal hai.' She muttered in a barely audible whisper, which he could catch because of the lack of enough distance between them.

Clearing his throat, he stepped aside, and placed the tube back in the box. Taking out a spray bottle, he offered to Naina, 'Yeh pain relief spray hai. Kahin aur lagi hai toh isey laga lo.'

The pain in her waist was indeed troubling her. She grabbed the bottle and walked away to the washroom.

Sameer let out an exhale, 'Kitna mushkil hai issey baat karna. But she's right. Mujhe sabke saamne woh excitement dikhani chahiye jo newly married couples mein hoti hai.'

*****

Naina was amazed at the size of the office of Maheshwari Industries. It spanned over several floors. The plush interiors, glass separators, elegant furniture, modern fittings, sleek devices... the place resonated with the sheer magnitude of success and prosperity. To own something of this grandeur meant the Maheshwaris were way more wealthy than she had presumed.

Dadaji pushed open a huge wooden door and entered what looked like a conference hall, followed by Girish, Sameer and Naina. Anaya had planned to accompany them, but had to cancel at the last minute when she received a call from a client, who had preponed the afternoon meeting.

Naina wished Anaya was here with her, because she clearly was in awe of the thick air of privilege that permeated in the ambience of this place when she saw the roomful of people getting up from their seats to welcome the small group of Maheshwaris. Dadaji took the plush chair at the head of a very long table. Girish settled on one side while Sameer pulled out a chair on the opposite side, waving at Naina. She hesitantly slipped into the luxurious leather. Sameer took the one right next to her, smiling softly when she looked at him. She gulped, her unease glistening in the form of sweatbeads on her forehead even in the chilled room. Her hands were gripping the armrest so hard that her knuckles had turned white.

Sameer placed a hand on hers.

Naina's quick gaze drifted first to his warm palm covering her hand, then to his face, a flicker of surprise evident in her slightly raised brows.

He pressed her hand lightly, and silently mouthed, 'Relax.'

She nodded, hesitantly. But his assurance did ease her nervousness to some extent.

Dadaji started his speech by telling everyone that very soon, he planned to appoint his grandson as the CEO of the company. He then introduced Naina to them, as Naina Sameer Maheshwari. She was greeted with a loud applause. She smiled and bowed to acknowledge the warm welcome. Dadaji talked about a few changes that he wished to bring in for the betterment of the company, then asked his lawyer to bring the papers for Naina's signature.

The whole process was over in less than an hour. Once the meeting ended, quite a few of people came to Naina and congratulated her. While the seniors were courteous and formal, the younger lot happily offered their hands. Naina tried to remember the names.

A guy in trimmed beard kept her hand tad bit longer in his, smiling widely, 'Ma'm, I'm Jimmy. So glad ki ab sir ke saath aap bhi office ayengi.'

Sameer wrapped an arm around Naina's shoulders, pulling her towards himself to force Jimmy to leave her hand, 'I think tumne theek se suna nahi Jimmy. Naina kahin aur job karti hai. Uski field alag hai. Woh yahan sirf meri wife banke aayi hai. That's all.'

The guy wasn't perturbed, 'That's sad boss. Aap insist karoge toh ma'm shayad yahan join karne ko agree kar jaayein. Aapke liye bhi achha hoga. Nahi?' And he flashed a knowing smile at Sameer.

Naina did not quite understand but she could assimilate that Jimmy wasn't just an employee. His friendly demeanor and openness was hinting towards a different equation between him and Sameer. Maybe they were friends. She met several others, who were cordial in their greeting, and seemed to be accepting and friendly towards her.

Except Radhika.

She did not say anything more than a dry hello. And now, Naina could feel her glares while she talked to others. The hostility radiated off her, though no one seemed to be paying attention. When she excused herself few minutes later, citing a reason of some impending work, Naina almost breathed out loud, in relief.

Jimmy noticed her discomfort.

Offering a cup of coffee, he whispered, 'Lagta hai aapne apne rival ko pehchaan liya.'

Sorry for the late post. I was a bit under the weather. Better now.

Next update on Monday