About an hour earlier:

Sameer banged the door of his room shut and leaned against it. First thing he did was to call up Pandit.

'Idiot, is time kyon phone kiya?' He hissed into the phone the moment he heard Pandit's curious hello.

Matter of factly, Pandit stated, 'Wahan kya chal raha hai ye puchne ke liye. Jab drama abhi chalu hai toh kya main repeat telecast ka intezar karun? Chal jaldi bata kya ho raha hai? Kisi ko shak toh nahi hua? Naina pakka ache se apna role kar rahi hogi par tu gadbad kar sakta hai. Dekh, aankh, kaan sab khule rakhna. Koi naya panga mat khada kar dena.'

Frustrated at his long, yet almost correct assessment, Sameer muttered, 'Panga hote hote reh gaya.'

Pandit gasped, 'Kya kiya?'

Sameer rubbed his forehead as he paced the room, 'Yaar aadat nahi hai isliye ghar aane ke baad bhool hi gaya Naina saath hai. Mummy papa se milke seedha apne room mein aane laga.'

'Abey yaar tu bhi na.' Pandit seethed at the other end, 'Phir?'

'Phir kya, mummy ne aise ghoora jaise main pata nahi kya crime kar raha hun. Bahana banana pada ki charger lene jaa raha hun kyonki battery khatm ho gayi. Usi waqt tune phone kar diya. Papa Naina ke saamne kuch sunate isse pehle bhaaga wahan se.' Sameer explained.

'Aunty ko laga hoga Naina ko seedhe kamre mein le jaa raha hai.' Pandit teased but hearing Sameer's growl, asked with growing impatience, 'Yeh toh teri baat hui. Ab bata Naina ke liye sabka kya reaction tha? Use toh kuch nahi kaha na Dadaji ya uncle aunty ne?'

Sameer shrugged nonchalantly, 'Mujhe kya pata. Woh neeche hai aur main apne kamre mein.'

'Gadha hai kya tu?' Pandit shouted in his ear, 'Akele chod ke aa gaya? Abey uske liye kitna difficult hoga socha hai? Tu use lekar gaya hai toh kam se kam saath toh reh uske? Kahin ghabra ke sach bol diya toh?'

Lines of tension appeared on Sameer's forehead, 'Aisa karegi kya? Lekin usne toh paise liye hain acting karne ke, fir sach kaise bata sakti hai? Waise woh behenji kuch bhi kar sakti hai. Mujhe uspe bharosa karna hi nahi chaiye tha.'

Pandit quashed his doubts in firm voice, 'Naina ne haan ki hai toh itni asaani se apni baat se paltegi nahi. Mujhe pata hai, who peeche hatne walon mein se nahi hai. Dekh lena, teri girlfriend ka role aise nibhayegi ki tujhe doubt hoga kahin teri asli wali toh nahi hai.'

Sameer let out a sarcastic laugh, 'Mujhe... aur Naina ke liye aisa doubt... possible hi nahi hai. Use asli girlfriend banana se achha toh main sanyaas le lun. Babaji banke 'Om...om' bolta rahunga par Naina ko apne aaspaas bhi nahi fatakne dunga. Agar woh apna attitude...'

'Shaant gadadhari Bheem shaant.' Pandit interrupted his angry barrage, 'Dheere bol warna koi sun lega toh tere saare career choices pe The End lag jayega. Fir Dadaji tujhe babaji banne layak hi chodenge. Naina hi woh tinka hai jo teri doobti naiyya ka sahara hai.'

Sameer's frenzied outburst buzzed off instantly, 'Sahi keh raha hai tu. Dadaji apne iklaute pote ke liye itne zaalim ho jaynege maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha. Upar se saare gharwale unka hi saath de rahe hain, jaise woh jo kar rahe hain bada nek kaam hai. Unki wajah se musibat Naina ko jhelna pad raha hai.'

From background, Sameer heard another voice, 'Kisse gappe lada raha hai Pandit?'

And then, Pandit's eager voice, 'Achha hua tu aa gaya Munna. Samjha Sameer ko ki Naina ke saath dhang se behave kare.'

'Tu Sameer se kyon baat kar raha hai is waqt.' Munna rebuked him as he snatched the phone and spoke urgently, 'Naina wapas chali gayi kya? Aaj toh ghar le jaane wala tha tu use? Change ho gaya kya program?'

Sameer growled, 'Pehle tu bata phone kyon nahi uthaya jab maine call kiya? Itna zaruri tha baat karna aur tu pata nahi kahan gayab tha.'

'Ek client ne meeting schedule kar di thi toh phone silent pe tha. Uske baad maine isliye call nahi kiya ki tu ghar par Naina ke saath hoga. Lekin tu toh... Sameer, phir se kuch hua kya?' Munna asked with a growing sense of apprehension.

Pandit offered before Sameer, 'Ghar par hi hain dono. Naina neeche hai sabke saath aur bhai apne kamre mein hai.'

Munna hollered louder than Pandit, 'Pagal hua hai kya? Pehli baar leke gaya hai aur use akela bitha ke aa gaya. Phone rakh aur abhi ki abhi neeche jaa. Aur Sameer, yaad rakh, jab tak Naina wahan hai, teri girlfriend hai, isliye tameez ke saath saath thoda pyar bhi dikhana hai. Ab tu nikal le isse pehle ki hum dono wahan aa jayein,'

Without waiting to hear anything from Sameer, Munna disconnected.

Sameer glared at the phone, 'Yeh log mere dost hain ya Naina ke? Jab dekho us maharani ke liye mujhe sunate rehte hain.'

With a sigh, he went to the washroom. After freshening up, he checked his appearance, and about five minutes later, braced himself to go down to face his family.

And now:

Anaya asked them to stand near a tall potted plant and pose for the picture.

Seeing them standing almost a feet away from each other, she whispered, 'Offo bhai mere saamne yeh decent boy ka act rehne do. Koi nahi aa raha yahan. Zara paas paas aao. Aise lag rahe ho jaise arranged marriage ka photo shoot hai.'

Naina almost jumped when instantly Sameer circled an arm around her waist and pulled her against himself, a smile on his face as he looked at the camera. Because of the jerk, her hand landed on his chest to stable herself and her eyes went up to look at him. But Sameer did not even glance at her.

'Nice!' Anaya exclaimed as she clicked a few times, before noticing that Naina hadn't looked at the camera even once.

She prompted teasingly, 'Naina, do second idhar bhi dekh lo. Pata hai bhai ka chehra dekhna tumhe zyada pasand hai lekin mujhe dono ka expression chahiye.'

Sameer instantly looked down on his side... and found her face too close to his. She was staring at him with rounded eyes, which seemed ready to explode.

He quickly patted her cheek with the tips of his fingers and said in a honeyed voice, 'It's okay Naina. Anaya ke saamne koi fark nahi padta.'

If looks could kill, Sameer was sure he would have dropped dead. But within a fraction of a second, the lava in Naina's gaze turned into something much softer as she turned to face Anaya and smiled. Satisfied after some shots, Anaya asked them to go to the gazebo while she examined the ones she had taken till now.

The moment they were alone inside, Naina snapped, 'What do you think you are doing? Mujhse puche bina mujhe haath kaise lagaya?'

Sameer replied in similar heated voice, 'Mujhe bhi koi khushi nahi hui aisa karke. Majboori mein pakda tumhe. Girlfriend ko choone ke liye kya pehle application deke approval leta? Aur itna natak mat karo jaise koi chui mui ho. Maine dekh hai tumhe casually ladkon ke gale lagte hue.'

'What do you mean?' Naina gritted her teeth, 'Main kab...'

Her words came to an abrupt halt as the door opened and Anaya stepped in. She looked from one to another then asked, 'Aap dono jhagda kar rahe the kya?'

'Nahi.' Came Sameer's prompt reply.

'Haan.' Same moment, Naina contradicted him.

Anaya gave a puzzled look, 'All okay?'

With a pout, Naina complained, 'Apne bhai se pucho. Kitna self obsessed hai. Har waqt apni tareef ka gaana gaata rehta hai. Main aaj itni mehnat se taiyar hui ki tum sabse milna hai lekin yeh hai ki ek baar bhi nahi bataya main kaisi lag rahi hun.'

Sameer was taken aback. His surprise was evident on his face as he blinked foolishly.

Anaya pursed her lips, reprimanding her brother, 'Very bad bhai. Khud toh jab bhi ready hote ho sabse puchete ho kaise lag rahe ho. Phir Naina ke case mein kanjoosi kyon?'

Naina drawled with a side glance to him, 'Wohi toh. Mere liye itni kanjoosi karta hai. Isse achha toh Pandit hai jo har roz mere outfit ki praise karta hai.'

Anaya rolled her eyes, 'Aap itne dumb hoge bhai maine kabhi nahi socha tha. Kaunsa koi jhooth bolne ko keh rahi hai aapse. Bata nahi sakte kitni pretty lag rahi hai. Just look at her. Decent bhi aur hot bhi. By God, main agar ladka hoti toh dance class ke pehle hi din Naina ko pata leti.'

Naina smirked, 'Tumhare bhai ki choice tumhare jitni classy nahi hai shayad.'

Anaya forgot about the photos and ordered, 'Come'on bhai. Ab aapko batana padega Naina is look mein kaisi lag rahi hai.'

Cornered by both girls, Sameer tried to find a way out, 'Ghar pe sabse milaane ki tension mein kehna bhool gaya. Bata dunga baad mein. Abhi tumhare saamne...'

Naina raised a palm to cut him short, 'I don't mind. Anaya toh tumhari behen hi hai, uske saamne kaisi sharm. Girlfriend ki tareef karne ke liye koi application deke approval lena padega kya?'

Sameer could only squeeze his fists tight to keep himself in control.

Anaya giggled, 'I'm all ears.'

After a deep breath, Sameer turned to face Naina, and let his gaze move over her from head to toe, then back up. She stood unfazed, the challenge in her eyes taunting him.

'Umm, tum... tum sach mein bohot acchi lag rahi ho. Yeh dress... very elegant. Baal bhi ache hain. Lekin earrings...' He paused, only to get a threatening look from Naina which made him utter quickly, '...earrings sabse best hain. Bohot suit kar rahe hain tumpe.'

'Oh my God!' Anaya let out a shocked cry, 'Yeh kaisi tareef hai. I swear Naina, agar mera boyfriend aise bolta toh main breakup kar leti.'

'Main bhi kar lun?' Naina winked at her.

But Sameer was focused on something else. He shot a fuming look to Anaya, 'Tera boyfriend hai? Kaun hai? Aaj tak bataya kyon nahi?'

"Hai nahi par agar hota.' Anaya let out a sigh, 'Saari duniya ko pata hai main over protective Sameer Maheshwari ki behen hun jiski wajah se college mein teen ladke kut chuke hain. Ab toh koi himmat bhi nahi karta. Khair, meri life ki tragedy kabhi aur discuss karenge pehle aap apni love story sambhal lo. Aur haan, seekh lo zara apne Shahrukh se kaise girlfriend ko impress karte hain. Ab manao apni Naina ko, fir dinner ke liye aa jaana.'

Leaving them alone once again. Anaya left.

Sameer gritted his teeth, 'Tum itna drama kyon kar rahi ho?'

Naina fluttered her lashes, 'Drama ke liye hi toh pay kar rahe ho tum. Kahin tum yeh keh kar paise na kaat lo ki maine apna part theek se nahi nibhaya. After all, mere liye sabse important paise hain na... according to you.'

Sameer could clearly see her brown eyes from this close, and the mockery dancing in them. There was a defiance in her stance that irritated him beyond measure.

His voice turned cold, 'Jaldi se dinner karo aur ghar jao. Jisse main bhi saans le sakun.'

She countered in a detached tone, 'Agar tum apne ghar mein bhi saans nahi le sakte toh yeh tumhari problem hai, meri nahi. Aur haan, tumse zyada jaldi mujhe hai yahan se nikalne ki. Not because of your family, but because of you.'

And she stormed out of the gazebo.

Sameer waited for a few seconds, not trusting himself to follow her immediately. Then, with a long exhale through clenched teeth, he ran a hand through his hair and walked out.

Dinner was not as awkward for Naina as evening tea. Everyone had warmed up towards her. The comforting hum of family chatter made her feel surprisingly at ease, their candid affability slowly alleviating her initial nervousness. It was her first meeting with them but Naina could see that Sameer's family was neither pretentious like him, nor conceited and egocentric with an over inflated sense of self worth. She was able to spot the signs of wealth in everything in the room, whether it was furniture, artifacts, their clothes or the dinnerware. Yet, they all seemed kind and genuine, trying to make her feel welcomed.

But then, the biggest source of discomfort had to pop up his head to disrupt this harmony.

Sameer smiled sweetly at his mom, 'Mummy, Naina khana bohot achha banati hai. Aur meri favourite dishes toh kamaal ki banati hai. Batao Naina, tum meri pasand ki kya kya dishes bana leti ho.'

Naina shot him a killing look. He was playing the same card on her that she had used on him. This was a cheap move. He would have to be taught the rules of the duel.

Ambika was delighted, 'Achha? Aajkal koi khud cooking karta hi nahi. Wow naina, tumne mujhe surprise kar diya. Sameer ki pasand ki gobhi toh mujhe bhi nahi aati, lekin...'

Sameer did not like Naina getting the advantage of a head start. He quickly intervened, putting a stop to Ambika's unintentional spoiler, 'Naina ko sab aata hai. Bolo na Naina.'

Lookin around at everyone, Naina realised all eyes were on her. She drew in a breath, before a shy smile bloomed on her face, 'Tumko pasand hai isliye hi banane ki practice karti hun. Waise itna achha bhi nahi banati jitna tum keh rahe ho.'

Sameer was impatient to see her discomfort, so he prodded before others fell for her twisted words, 'Arey nahi best cook ho tum. Us din saari meri favourite items banayi thi. Mummy ko batao na.'

Ambika flicked her brows, a proud smile on her face.

Naina looked straight into Sameer's eyes as she replied, 'Masala gobhi aur kurkuri bhindi pehle se aati thi. Pineapple raita us din first time try kiya tha. Matar pulao toh mujhe bhi bohot pasand hai. Lekin pao bhaji tumhari tarah butter wali nahi, nimbu wali acchi lagti hai. Aur alu paranthe... woh toh aksar bana ke khilati hun tumhe. Hai na?'

Sameer's jaw hit the floor. She had named all his favourites accurate to a T. How could she? They had never discussed food. While others showered more praises on her, Sameer squirmed in his chair, finding it hard to control himself. When his eyes went back to her, Naina was watching him with a glorious triumphant smile from across the table. Just like he had seen in so many films, Sameer tried to bend the fork he was holding... but it remained intact. Frustrated, he let it drop in the plate. Maybe in movies they used a poor quality one for such situations.

Once the dinner was done, Naina got up to leave. She looked around for her phone but couldn't find it. She quickly checked the table where they had tea, then rummaged through her bag.

Girish asked, 'Kya hua Naina, kuch kho gaya kya?'

'Mera phone nahi mil raha. Pata nahi kahan rakh diya.' She looked into all pockets of the bag.

Anaya provided the solution, 'Bhai aap ring karo phone pe. Abhi mil jayega.'

Naina looked up with a jerk at Sameer. They hadn't exchanged numbers.

Quickly, she pressed her forehead and smiled, 'Oh haan yaad aaya. Maine car mein hi choda tha. Ek call aayi thi jaise hi yahan pohonche uske baad car mein rakh diya. Wahin hoga.'

Sameer heaved a sigh of relief. At least she had some sense.

Dadaji checked his watch, and frowned, 'Kaafi der ho gayi hai, tum akeli jaogi?'

With a smile, Naina nodded, 'Koi problem nahi hai uncle. Mujhe aadat hai.'

Girish was surprised, 'Aadat hai? Kyon? Yeh laat sahab kya karta hai? Der hone pe tumhe chodta tak nahi hai kya? Ghar toh hamesha itni late aata hai.'

Sameer retorted, his voice edged in desperation, 'Aap hamesha mere peeche kyon pade rehte ho? Har baat mein meri galti hi nazar aati hai aapko. Main uska boyfriend hun driver thodi.'

This time, even Ambika turned in Naina's favour, 'Arey, ismein driver ki kya baat hai? Tere papa hamesha mujhe pick ya drop nahi karte kya? Woh driver ho gaye? Bahas mat kar aur jaake Naina ko ghar drop karke aa.'

Naina wasn't looking forward to any more time in his company either, 'Aunty cab se sirf aadha ghanta lagega. Aur abhi toh metro bhi chal rahi hai. Main metro le lungi.'

'No way.' Anaya declared with more authority than others, 'Aaj tum hamare invitation pe yahan aayi ho toh wapas bhai ke saath hi jaogi.'

Dadaji agreed with her, 'Meri beti ne ekdum sahi baat kahi. Naina, tum hamari zimmedari ho. Aise kaise metro ya cab se jaane de sakte hain. Sameer leke jayega na. Use kaunsa koi kaam hai.'

Picking his keys, Sameer gave bright, fake smile to Naina and wrapped one arm around her shoulder, 'Tum aaj itni formal kyon ho rahi ho? Roz toh ghumte hain hum saath mein. Chalo, main drop karke aata hun tumhe. Sahi kaha Dadaji ne. Mere paas aur koi kaam hai bhi nahi.'

Pushing back the shock at the way he kept her in his tight hold, Naina found her voice, 'Main... sabko bye to bol dun.'

'Haan bol do. Maine kab roka hai.' Sameer took her hand in his and raised it to wave at everyone, 'Sabko bye, meri taraf se bhi aur Naina ki taraf se bhi.'

Anaya stifled a giggle and winked, 'Okay Naina, see you soon. Very soon.'

Ambika patted her head warmly, 'Haan beta ab jaldi jaldi aati rehna. Tumse milkar bohot achha laga.'

Dadaji and Girish also were of the same opinion.

As they stepped out of the door, Naina pushed him with her elbow.

Sameer kept her in his grip, whispering, 'Sab door par honge toh dekh lenge. Car tak aise hi chalo.'

She did find her phone in the car. Though there was no call, she might have unknowingly kept it there as she always did when with Natasha. After the car safely left the house and they reached the main road, she said in a tight voice, 'Drop me here. Main khud chali jaungi.'

"Suna nahi tumne, mujhe tumhara official driver appoint kiya gaya hai.' Sameer retorted.

'Mere paas car nahi hai isliye mujhe driver ki koi zarurat nahi hai.' Naina spat out.

'Correction. Ab tumhare paas car or driver dono hain. Perks of being Sameer Maheshwari's girl.' He said sarcastically.

'I would prefer metro anyday. In perks ke liye tumhare naam se judna pade toh better hai paidal chalke jaana.' Her defiance remained unwavered.

His anger surged, 'Mera dimag pehle hi ghooma hua hai mujhe aur ungli mat karo.'

''Sirf ghooma nahi hai ghoomte ghoomte kahin dur nikal gaya hai tumhe chod kar. Koshish karo mil jaaye. Shayad thode tolerable ho jao.' Naina huffed.

His jaw clenched, but before he could come up with an apt retort, Naina pointed outside and commanded, 'Yeh metro station hai. Stop here.'

As if he did not hear her, Sameer headed straight, past the gate of metro station.

Naina gritted her teeth, 'Tumhari problem kya hai?'

He kept his eyes on the road and drove ahead, 'It's late. Address batao.'

Her tone was laced with irritation, 'Pehli baar nahi hai. Main hamesha se apna khyal khud rakhti aayi hun aur aaj bhi rakh sakti hun.'

'Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai tumhe god mein uthane ka. Aaj main tumhe leke aaya hun isliye ghar tak bhi main hi lekar jaunga. Otherwise, I don't care tum kab aur kahan ho.' Sameer's voice was cold.

With a scoff, she turned her face towards the window. Sameer picked his phone and pressed it to her cheek, 'Map mein daal ke do address. Ya saari raat road pe chakkar lagane hain?'

Tilting her head away from the phone, she snatched it angrily and typed her address in Google maps before thrusting the phone at him.

'Apna number bhi do.' He ordered.

Again, she did not comply. Sameer did not ask again. Weighed down by all that happened in last few hours, they remained silent, in their own cocoon of thoughts.

When the car reached where Naina stayed, Sameer noticed it was a fairly good, tall apartment building in a decent locality. It did not give the impression that Naina was needy and desperate for money. If she could afford a house here, she must be quite comfortable moneywise. Picking her bag and phone, Naina uttered a clear 'Thank You' without looking at him and put her hand on the car handle.

Sameer leaned over, catching her hand to stop her from opening the door.

Her eyes went wide as she found him bending across her, too close for comfort.

'What?' Her infuriated voice echoed in the silence of the car.

Without a word, Sameer grabbed her phone and starightened. She tried to take it back but he turned a little, away from her reach. If she had to get to the phone, she would literally fall in his lap.

Seething, Naina stayed in her seat, 'Privacy ke baare mein suna hai kabhi? Ya tumhare classy circle mein aisa kuch nahi maante?'

Just then, Sameer's phone started to ring. With a smile, he returned hers and declared, 'Apna number daala hai maine tumhare phone mein. Save kar lo. Aur tumhara le liya. Jab hum couple hain toh ek dusre ka phone number hona hi chahiye na.'

Angrily, Naina switched her phone off and stepped out.

'Ek minute,' Yet again, he held her wrist.

'Ab kya hai?' Naina shot him a raging look.

'Tumhe kaise pata mujhe khaane mein kya pasand hai? Mujhe stalk karti thi kya pehle se?' He had forgotten about it earlier.

'Are you even worth it?' Naina mocked.

Sameer was tired by now. He rolled his eyes, 'Baaki ki ladai kal kar lenge. Lekin iska jawab chahiye mujhe. Tumhe ek ek cheez aise pata hai jaise mujhe saalon se jaanti ho. How?'

With a smirk, Naina pulled out her hand from his grip, 'Munna se pucha. Tum ek project ho mere liye. Aur main koi project leti hun toh usmein poora effort daalti hun. Munna se tumhare baare mein sab kuch pucha tha maine, favourite food, colour, choices, holiday destination... aur bhi chhezein. I'm professional you see.'

Leaving him in a daze, she opened the door again and walked out, with her head held high.

Next update on Friday