The moment Sameer picked up the phone, Munna yelled in a subdued voice, 'Tune Naina ke saath kya kiya?'

'Naina?' Sameer was gobsmacked.

How did Munna know what blunder he had committed, that too the very micro second he did so? Did Naina give some of her evil magical powers to him too?

He shot a glance at his grandfather who was watching him with dubious eyes.

'Main... main abhi aata hun, Dadaji.' He quickly got up and slipped out of the gazebo.

Munna asked with clenched teeth when he didn't reply, 'Sameer, sach sach bata, tune koi gangster lagay hai Naina ke peeche?'

'Gangster?' Sameer was more puzzled than shocked now.

Frustrated, Munna eventually explained, 'Abhi Naina ka phone aaya tha. Usne kaha koi Sandeep hai, gangster hai. Uski awaaz clear nahi thi lekin usne pucha main kisi Sandeep naam ke gangster ko jaanta hun kya? Isse pehle ki main kuch puchta phone kat gaya. Aur uske baad se switched off aa raha hai. Tune kuch aisa waisa toh nahi kiya na Sameer?'

'Main... gangster... ho hi nahi sakta... main kabhi gangster...' He tried to assimilate what was happening.

Munna urgently interrupted him, 'Haan, mujhe pata hai. Lekin Naina se milne ke baad tere dimaag ke do chaar screw dheele hokar gir gaye hain isliye socha confirm kar lun ek baar. Sabse zyada tu hi uske peeche pada rehta hai.'

'Peeche pada rehta hun iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki main gangster... usi se puch na, uske hi gang ka koi member hoga.' Sameer was annoyed now. How could his best friend put such an allegation on him.

Munna was worried, 'Puchun kaise, phone nahi lag raha. Kahin kisi problem mein na ho. Anyway, baad mein baat karta hun. Mummy ke saath ek relative ke ghar aaya hun.'

After the phone got disconnected, Sameer looked at it angrily... till he remembered what grave he had dug for himself. For a few moments while talking to Munna, it had slipped away from his mind. Scrunching his eyes, he lightly banged the phone a couple of times on his forehead before turning to go back to the gazebo.

Dadaji swiftly moved away from the door where he was sneaking to listen to Sameer's side of the conversation. When Sameer came back, he was seated at the same place, his face stoic.

'Naina ka phone tha?' He asked.

'Nahi. Munna ka.' Sameer replied, his mind clouded with tension.

'Kya keh raha tha?' Dadaji casually inquired.

'Naina ko...' Sameer stopped, then looked up at him abruptly, 'Woh Munna... Munna ko kuch puchna tha. Kuch kaam tha.'

'Hmm.' Dadaji hummed, then gave him a gentle smile, 'Achha ab jaake fresh hoja, fir dinner karte hain.'

Relieved to be spared from the question answer round, Sameer rushed back to his room. Once there, he threw the phone on the bed and started to pace the room, signs of deep worry etched on his face.

'Yeh kya panga kar diya maine. Ab kya hoga?' He banged his fist on the palm of other hand, 'Munna Pandit se baat karunga toh woh mujhpe hi chadh jayenge. Munna toh abhi rishtedaron se milne gaya hai. Usse baat nahi ho sakti. Pandit ko puchun? Nahi, Pandit kahin apne uljalool ideas se aur kabaada na karwa de. Lekin aur kisi se share bhi nahi kar sakta.'

After half an hour of racking his brain, he came to the conclusion that he had to share it with his friends. But he would tell them together. Only they can advice him how to come out of this mess. He sent a message to both Munna and Pandit, asking them to meet next morning.

Pandit's reply was prompt, 'Subah toh papa mummy dono ghar pe honge. Phir kahan mile hum?'

After a while, Munna answered, 'Kal office bhi band hai. Kisi restaurant mein mil lete hain.'

Sameer imagined them freaking out in a restaurant after knowing his predicament. He didn't want to be embarrassed in front of other people.

He quickly typed, 'Restaurant nahi, mujhe kuch important discuss karna hai. Akele milna hoga.'

Munna typed back, 'Mujhe subah mandir jaana hai. Aisa karo, tum dono bhi mandir aa jao. Wahan se decide karke kahin chal lenge.'

The decision gave a flicker of solace to Sameer. At dinner table, he was exceptionally quiet.

When he did not even respond to Anaya's teasing, Ambika asked worriedly, 'Teri tabiyat theek hai na Sameer? Itna chup kyon hai?'

'Kuch nahi mummy. Bas aaj bhookh nahi hai. Thoda tired lag raha hai. Main jaake rest karta hun. Aur nahi khaya jaa raha.' He pushed his plate away and walked up the stairs to his room.

Girish looked after him, 'Tired? Is umar mein? Aisa kya pahad tod liya? Aaj toh office bhi nahi tha. Kahin bahar bhi nahi gaya, phir bhi janaab ko rest ki zarurat hai.'

'Offo, aap bhi na.' Ambika chided her husband, "Kabhi kabhi thakaan ho jaati hai. Shayad kisi baat se pareshan hoga. Aap daal makhni khaiye, khaas aapke liye banwayi hai.'

When she saw the bowl empty, she asked Anaya to get some more from the kitchen.

Once Anaya was gone Dadaji whispered to his son and daughter in law, 'Isse pyar ka bukhar hua hai.'

They look at him in disbelief.

Dadaji explained, 'Abhi thodi der pehle khud bataya Sameer ne mujhe. Pehle mujhe laga woh jhoot bol raha hai. Lekin tabhi mere saamne Naina ka phone aa gaya. Baat karne ke baad jab maine pucha kiska phone tha toh usne mujhe bewakoof banana ke liye kaha Munna ka.'

Girish narrowed his eyes, 'Usne aapke saamne hi baat kar li?'

"Nahi.' Dadaji said, 'Uthke bahar chala gaya tha.'

Ambika was delighted, 'Main toh bohot khush hun. Shukr hai isne kisi ko pasand toh kiya.'

Dadaji rubbed his forehead, 'Baat normal hoti toh main bhi khush hota. Lekin ek aur problem hai.'

Girish gave him a concerned look, 'Kya?

Dadaji uttered in a secretive voive, 'Sameer jab phone pe baat kar rah tha to Naina ke alawa mujhe do teen baar ek aur shabd sunayi pada... gangster.'

Ambika's eyes turned wide, 'Gangster? Yeh Sameer kis pachde mein pad gaya hai?'

Coming to the room, Anaya heard the last bit and asked, 'Kya hua? Bhai gangsters ke group mein shaamil ho rahe hain kya? Hone do. Unka gussa dekhke hi offer kiya hoga kisi ne. Unse zyada qualified aur kaun hoga.'

Ambika smacked her arm angrily, 'Chup kar. Bada bhai hai tera. Pata bhi hai kis mushkil mein pad gaya hai? Uski koi girlfriend hai jiska connection hai gangsters se.'

'What?' Anaya screamed, 'Girlfiriend? Woh bhi...'

Girsish hushed her then turned to his father, 'Papa aapne galat suna hoga. Sameer ka kisi gangster se kya lena dena.'

Dadaji recalled the conversation, 'Nahi. Woh pakaa kuch aisa keh raha tha ki 'main gangster, kabhi nahi'... phir kaha 'uske gang ka member hoga'... is tarah ki baatein suni.'

Anaya was horrified, "OMG mummy, maine wattpad novels mein padha hai, gangsters paise wale logon ke beech apni koi agent bhejte hain jo aise hi kisi ameer businessman ko jhoote pyar mein phansa leti hai. Kahin bhai ke saath bhi toh...'

Girish huffed, 'Tu rehne de. Kitabi baatein asli zindagi se bohot alag hoti hain.'

Ambika was not ready to believe, 'Itni bhi alag nahi hoti. Zarur mera beta kisi musibat mein phansa hai.'

Dadaji gave a serious thought to what Anaya said then asked, 'Tumhara matlab Naina ko kisi gangster ne bheja ho sakta hai?'

'Naina?' Anaya looked at him in confusion.

Ambika informed her, 'Haan. Us ladki ka naam Naina hai.'

The realisation hit Anaya, 'Oh, tabhi bhai meri dance teacher ka naam sunke itne shocked the. Unka naam bhi Naina hai. Main bhi kahun bhai itna kya react kar rahe hain.'

Girish narrowed his eys, 'Kahin dono same toh nahin hain?'

'No way papa. Meri wali Naina toh bohot decent hai.' Anaya defended her teacher.

Ambika was on the verge of crying now, 'Pata nahi kaunsi Naina pe iske naina fisal gaye. Naina naam hi pasand tha to Anu ki dance teacher se hi pyar kar leta.'

Another thought occurred to Anaya, 'Shayad bhai ka apni wali Naina se jhagda hua hai. Do din se ghar mein band hain aur pehle se bhi zyada kaatne ko daud rahe hain.'

Girish nodded, 'Sahi keh rahi hai tu Anu. Mujhe laga tha woh roz Munna Pandit se milta hai. Lekin unke naam pe yeh Naina se milta raha.'

Dadaji added, 'Jhagda hi lag raha hai. Phone kaatne ke baad usne gusse mein phone ko apne maathe pe maara. Lag raha tha frustrated hai.'

Ambika was tearful, 'Bohot seedha hai mera beta. Use pata hi nahi hoga Naina ki asliyat ke baare mein.'

Anaya concurred with her, 'Haan mummy. Bhai ko abhi pata chala hoga. Isliye Naina se nahi mil rahe. Woh gussa nahi hurt hain.' She looked at the elders worriedly, 'Ab hum kya karenge?'

Dadaji leaned back thoughtfully, 'Hmm. Kuch toh karna padega. Lekin usse pehle is Naina se milna padega.'

*****

"Ahhh Nutty.' Naina pressed her head with both hands, 'Mera sar pachas kilo ka ho gaya hai. Kaise sambhalun? Dard se mar rahi hun.'

Natasha came out of the kitchen and handed her a glass of lime water, 'Le, pehle isse pi le fir tujhe tablet deti hun. Mera hangover bhi isi se gaya hai.'

Naina gulped down the sour liquid, its sharp taste clearing her head to some extent.

Putting the glass on the table with a thud, she whined, 'Agar itna bhayankar hangover hota hai toh log enjoy kaise kar lete hain? Mujhe toh iske baad kabhi dil hi nahi karega drink karne ka.'

Natasha gave her a guilty look, 'Sorry Naina, mujhse na choti si mistake ho gayi.'

Naina turned to look at her but groaned as the movement made her feel dizzy, 'Kaisi mistake?'

Natasha pointed at the bottle, 'Khareedne se pehle maine check nahi kya. Iska alcohol content bohot strong hai. Regular se zyada. Aur maine galti se large wale drinks bana liye dono baar.'

Naina did not quite understand what this explanation meant, but she could decipher that they had consumed much more than what they should have.

A worried look crossed her face, 'Toh ab humein kuch ho jayega kya?'

Natasha chuckled and pinched her cheek, 'Hoga na. Medal milega, bahaduri ka. Wine ke baad seedha double promotion le liya tune. Ek hi session mein pro ho gayi hai.'

Naina pouted, 'Nutty ki bachhi aankhen khol ke kaam kyon nahi karti tu? Jab dekho kuch na kuch bakheda kar deti hai. Main toh surprised hun ki tu aaj tak galat flight mein kaise nahi gayi. Knowing you, ab tak 50% times aisa hona chahiye tha. Jaana tha Japan pohonch gaye Cheen.'

'Achha achha ab meri tareef karni band kar aur yeh tablet kha le.' Natasha got her another glass of water and handed the medicine.

After gulping it down, Naina sighed in relief, 'Shukr hai aaj festival ki wajah se tuition nahi hai. Par shaam ko dance class toh jaana hi padega. Shaam tak theek ho jaungi na?'

Natasha rolled her head, 'Koi bimari nahi hui hai tujhe jo itne drame kar rahi hai. Hangover sabko hota hai. Medicine kha li na... ek ghante mein perfect. Fir poora din hai tere paas rest karne ke liye.'

It was then Naina noticed her phone. She tried to switch it on, only to realise that battery was dead. She got up and put it on charge before going to freshen up. Natasha had prepared tea by the time she came back.

Naina switched on her phone... a loud gasp escaped her lips.

'Nuttyyyyy.' She yelled.

'Kya hua?' Natasha came running out of the kitchen, scared at the sudden scream.

Naina was staring at her phone wide eyes, 'Maine... maine kal raat Munna ko phone kiya tha.'

Natasha let out a swooshing breath, 'Le pagal. Is baat ke liye chillane ki kya zarurat hai. Munna ko hi toh kiya konsa Prime Minister ko kar diya. Munna ko aaj se pehle kabhi phone nahi kiya kya jo aise sadme mein chali gayi.'

Naina looked up with a jerk and uttered angrily, 'Stupid, pine ke baad. Time dekh call ka. Humne toh usse adhe ghante pehle pina shuru kiya tha. Matlab tab tak hum dono out ho chuke the. Pata nahi maine kya keh diya hoga.'

Now Natasha was worried too, 'Yaar kahin kuch ulta siddha toh nahi bol diya? Kahin use suna diya ho jhansi ki rani banke. Uske dost ka gussa nikal diya ho uspe.'

Naina covered her face in embarasement, "Damn. Ab kya karun? Kaise face karungi Munna ko office mein.'

Natasha nudged her, 'Offo theek hai na. Sunaya bhi hoga toh Munna understanding banda hai samajh jayega. Aisa thodi hai tune usse propose kiya hoga.'

Lifting her head, Naina growled at her, 'Munna ko propose? Pagal hai kya tu?'

'Bas fir. Sorted. Itni extreme tu out hokar bhi nahi jaa sakti. Baaki sab handle ho jayega. No worries. Chal ab chai pi aur aish kar. Nutty ke haathon ki chai kismat walon ko naseeb hoti hai.' Natasha pushed her to sit and handed her a cup.

Naina was already feeling much better after the tea. She noticed that the call lasted only five seconds. That meant not much damage was done even if she had blurted something inappropriate. As she returned to the main screen, her eyes fell on the date.

She was still for sometime. Then went to the bedroom and fished out the wooden frame from the drawer. Her mom was smiling into the camera but Naina always felt that the smile was for her.

There was quite a bit of resemblance in both their faces. She wondered if she would look exactly like the picture when she turned that age. It was her mother's death anniversary today. Naina sat on the bed, clutching the frame. She had no recollection of the day that had happened. She was barely three years old. Yet, this day made her sad.

When Natasha came out after her bath, she noticed Naina sitting with the picture, lost in thoughts. She looked at the small table calendar, and instantly knew why.

Going to her, she placed a hand on Naina's shoulder, 'Sun, aaj mandir chalte hain, aunty ke liye puja karne.'

Naina put the frame back and stood up, 'Tujhe pata hai na main nahi jaungi. Fir kyon baar baar kehti hai.'

'Mat jana. Bahar khadi rehna. Main andar jakar puja kar lungi. Lekin saath toh chal.' Natasha was aware that there was no point forcing Naina, she would never enter a temple.

'Nutty yaar...' Naina let out a frustrated sigh.

Natasha took her hand in her own and smiled, 'Mujhe aisa lagta hai jab hum kisi ke liye puja karte hain toh unse ek connection ban jaata hai. Main jab bhi mandir jaati hun, aunty ke liye bhagwan ke paas message chod ke aati hun, teri report dene ke liye. Tu mere saath nahi bhi ayegi na, toh bhi main aaj mandir jaungi.'

Naina gave up, not for the sake of puja but for her Nutty, who always made her feel special... something which no one in her family had ever done for her.

*****

Sameer reached the temple much before time. He was not just nervous but scared too... of his friends' reaction. Tapping his foot, he waited impatiently.

On the other side of the road, a car came to a halt, and a girl stepped out from the driver's seat. Sameer glanced at her. At the same moment she looked at him. Something like an appreciative smile started to form on her lips but Sameer looked away instantly. He was least interested in any girl at the moment. His mind was too occupied with...

Before he could even let the name form in his mind, the source of his misery appeared right before his eyes.

Naina stepped out from the passenger side of the car.

Sameer almost groaned aloud. Was there any place left in the city where he wouldn't run into her? Why was she omnipresent?

Natasha turned to Naina, 'Pakka nahi chalna tujhe? Soch le, bade tasty pede milte hain prashad mein.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Tu thakti nahi hai kya? Jaana hai toh jaa warna wapas chal.'

After Natasha shrugged and climbed the stairs of the temple, Naina leaned against the car and looked faraway, Her back towards the temple. If it was this easy to have a connection with those who were gone, she would have gladly been a believer. But God was merely an entity we created to soothe our souls when we were too overwhelmed with life's challenges. She would never seek such solace. As a child, whenever someone told her that it was God's will that she lost her mom so early in life, she wondered why God willed such a cruel thing for a small, helpless child for whom mother was everything, her only world. That was when her hatred for this belief started to take roots. And now, there was no going back.

Taking a deep breath, Naina wiped a few tears that pooled in her eyes. Crying wasn't in her system. Tears were a sign of weakness. And she wasn't weak.

Sameer couldn't help but notice this small action. Although she had her back towards him, he knew she was emotional about something. He wondered what it was that could bring tears to a stone heart like her.

Just then, Munna and Pandit arrived.

'Kya hua bhai? Tere chere pe toh terah baj rahe hain.' Pandit gave a stunned look to Sameer the moment he got out of his car.

Sameer huffed, 'Terah kya hota hai? Barah bajte hain.'

'Terah matlab barah se bhi aage wala toota thaka hairan pareshan expression.' Pandit explained with slumped shoulders.

'Bata toh Sameer problem kya hai jo subah subah milne ke liye bola.' Munna asked in more normal manner.

Sameer controlled his irritation. If he wanted their sympathy, he shouldn't annoy his friends.

Smiling gently, he looked at Munna, 'Tu pehle mandir ho aa, fir baat karenge.'

Munna asked both of them, 'Tum nahi chal rahe?'

Closely observing Sameer, Pandit shook his head, 'Nahi tu jaa. Mujhe dekhna hai ki suraj ki aag aaj badlon ke peeche kaise chup gai.'

Shaking his head at Pandit's exaggeration, Munna went up to the temple. Not that the other two had anything against the temple or the divine entity, but they were not as firmly religious as Munna who never missed his weekly visits here.

'Ab bata, kya naya kaand kar diya tune.' Pandit's voice was loud as always.

'Shh.' Sameer gritted his teeth, trying to stop him from gaining Naina's attention, 'ek toh tum logon ko pata nahi aaj hi mandir mein kyon milna tha. Isse achha toh police station mein mil lete, ya income tax ke office... ya shamshaan ghat.'

'Tera income tax ka koi panga hua hai?' Pandit narrowed his eyes.

Then suddenly he hollered in realisation, 'O teri. Raid pad gayi kya? Office mein ya ghar par?'

Even before reacting to Pandit's rash assumptions, Sameer's eyes shot up to look at Naina. As expected, the full volume announcement of Pandit had successfully managed to turn her evil eyes in their direction.

I know I know you all are eager to see the results of Sameer's abrupt declaration, but this comedy of errors doesn't seem to end... sab log sab kuch galat hi samajhte jaa rahe hain 😂

Let's wait for next update on Friday