It was Naina's third morning in Singapore. Last two days, she had a lot of time to think. And now, she had arrived at the decision.

Natasha was getting ready to leave while Naina stood at the window, looking not at the beautiful city but the sky, that was covered with clouds.

Natasha called out to her, 'Oho madam tujhe kya kavita likhni hai ya painting banani hai jo itni der se aate jaate baadlon ko ghur rahi hai. Abhi academy chalne ko kahungi toh bolegi ki kaam baaki hai.'

Naina turned around. Her face was surprisingly calm as compared to the days before. She looked at Natasha and nodded, 'Baaki hai. Par woh main baad mein kar lungi. I'll come with you today.'

Natasha ran to her in excitement and whirled her around, grinning, 'Yeh hui na baat babydoll. Jaldi se ready ho ja. I'm sure you'll love it. Aur aaj toh meri classes bhi sirf lunch time tak hain. Uske baad free. We'll have fun.'

With a smile, Naina stopped her enthusiastic friend from taking another round, 'Ek minute ek minute. Abhi meri baat khatm nahi hui.'

Natasha stilled, narrowing her eyes, 'Kya matlab? Ab ismein kaunsa clause lagane wali hai tu?'

'Clause nahi.' Naina said in a light voice, 'Par jo kehna hai woh wapas aake kahungi. Abhi late ho jayega. For now, bas itna kehna hai ki teri classes ke baad hum ghar aa jayenge. We need to talk. Okay?'

Natasha looked at her with narrowed eyes, then shrugged, 'Fine.'

As Naina darted to the washroom to change, Natasha's loud voice followed her, 'Aur agar main suspense mein marr gayi toh sabko bata zarur dena ki meri maut ka reason tu aur sirf tu hai.'

'Shut up nautanki.' Naina growled before she closed the door, 'Marein tere dushman. Tuney toh sau saal jeena hai. Shayad 99 ki umr mein pilot se milna likha ho.'

'Nainaaaa.' Natasha drawled in frustration, 'Din mein ek baar zubaan se nikli baat sach hoti hai. Agar teri yeh baat sach ho gayi toh...' She stomped her feet, '... toh main pilot ko bhool ke kisi se bhi shaadi kar lungi.'

'Toh abhi kar le na.' Naina chuckled when she stepped out, '99 tak wait karna zaruri hai kya?'

Forgetting all about her grouse, Natasha let out a whistle, 'Oye hoye. Kya lag rahi hai meri jaan. Kasam se, main ladka hoti toh pakka aaj hi shaadi kar leti... tujhse.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Abhi ro rahi thi aur abhi seetiyan maar rahi hai. Nutty, tujhe seriously lena bohot mushkil hai yaar.'

Natasha winked at her through the mirror, ignoring what she said, 'Delhi mein yeh pehenna. Fir dekhna kitni seetiyan sunne ko milti hain jaaneman. Sachhi Naina, yeh top tujhpe kahin zyada achha lag raha hai. You keep it. Main itni hot nahi lagti ismein.'

Naina looked at her reflection. The white crop top had flared sleeves, and a tie around at the waist. She had paired it with a blue and white floral skirt which ended much above her knees. The skirt also belonged to Natasha. In her opinion, she looked like she did on any other day, except for the length of her outfit. She rarely wore such short clothes back home.

Brushing her hair, she said in a flat voice, 'Wahan aise kapde pehen ke bahar jaane pe jo sunne ko milta hai uska kya. I won't wear it in Delhi.'

Natasha followed her as Naina stepped out after picking her bag. She couldn't agree more. One had to dress consciously in Delhi. There were only a few high end places where such outfits did not bring untoward attention.

Soon, they were at the Academy. Natasha gave her the outlay of the area before leaving for her class. Naina moved around the place, taking in the surroundings and ambience. She saw the trainees going through different levels of intensive drills in simulators and learning through demonstrations. It intrigues her enough to check Natasha's course details in the library. They were taught not just hospitality but several skills like providing basic medical life saving help, giving first aid for all sorts of injuries, patiently handling rough situations, anxiety and panic management, swimming, yoga and a lot more. They were even trained in the basic operation of aircraft, so that if need be they can assist the pilot. It was an elaborate program, because the job needed quick thinking and alacrity, while staying calm in emergency situations as well as on regular work days. She had not imagined of such rigorous requirements for a job. For her, the visit helped to strengthen her decision.

Later, when Natasha was done with her classes, they had lunch in the academy cafeteria and decided to head home.

Placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of Naina, Natasha took a seat on the easychair in the living room before bringing up the topic again, 'Ab bol tujhe kya kehna tha subah. Though I think I know, fir bhi tujhse sunna chahti hun.'

Naina's voice was low, but the finality in it was clear, 'Mujhe yeh batana hai ki kal maine wapas jaane ka plan kiya hai.'

The announcement made Natasha stare at her silently for full one minute, making Naina add to her declaration, 'It's time to face my life Nutty.'

Natasha was expecting yet dreading this decision. There was a slight tremor in her voice, 'Kyon? Tu kehke aayi thi na ki main bimar hun. Toh mujhe kuch din aur bimar rehne de. Itni jaldi kya hai?'

Taking a long breath, Naina leaned against the window, 'Phone pe mummy papa bas yehi puchte rehte hain ki tu pehle se better hai ya nahi. Unse roz roz jhooth nahi bola jaa raha.'

Natasha persisted with a scoff, 'Ismein jhooth kya hai. Haan, main pehle se kahin better hun. Tu jo aa gayi hai.'

A soft smile spread on Naina's face, 'Main bhi isiliye better hun kyonki tere saath hun. Lekin main sachhai se kab tak bhagungi Nutty. Wapas jaake sab kuch face karna hi hai. Jitna jaldi kar lun utna achha hoga.'

Natasha was not convinced, 'Tu kuch din aur soch le Naina. Mujhe nahi lagta tujhe ab contract ke baare mein fikr karni chahiye. Apna dekh. Reh payegi uss mahaul mein?'

'Mahaul mein koi kami nahi hai. Ghar pe sabke saath mujhe kaisa lagta hai yeh main bata bhi nahi sakti. It's like a real family. Meri khud ki. Woh mere liye khush hote hain, dukhi hote hain, advice dete hain, kisi baat ke liye confused hoti hun toh sahi raasta dikhate hain, aur itni care karte hain. Pehli baar mujhe pata chala mummy papa ka pyar kaisa hota hai apne bachhon ke liye. Aise mahaul ke liye hamesha se tarasti rahi main. Socha nahi tha mujhe kabhi aisa kuch milega.' There was a contented smile on Naina's face when she talked about the family but her smile slowly faded as she looked back at Natasha, 'Un sabko dhoka nahi de sakti. Contract ke baare mein pata chalega toh soch unhe kaisa feel hoga. Betrayal ka pain unhe kaise de sakti hun main? Nahi, yeh raaz unhe kabhi malum nahi hoga.'

'Toh Sameer se alag kaise hogi? Ek saal baad, jab contract end hoga tab bhi toh pata chalega.' Natasha's words were tinged with a mixture of exasperation and concern.

Naina had thought about it in detail, 'Tab differences bata kar divorce lenge. Bohot log karte hain. Unhe bura zarur lagega par kam se kam woh mujhe dhokebaaz nahi samjhenge.'

'Par galat toh samjhenge.' Natasha pointed out the harsh truth, 'Naina, Sameer unka apna beta hai. Agar tum dono mein se ek ki side leni ho toh woh uski lenge. Differences ke liye tujhe responsible manenge. Tab bhi toh unka pyar khatm hoga. Toh abhi hi ho jaane de na. Khud ko aise insaan ke saath rehne ki punishment kyon de rahi hai jiske dil mein...'

'Mujhe uske dil se koi matlab nahi hai Nutty.' Naina's voice turned loud and stern, 'Uske dil mein kitni bhi nafrat ho, kadwahat ho I don't care anymore. I know maine uski baatein sunke strongly react kiya tha par woh shayad isliye tha kyonki... maybe I had some expectations from him. Woh badal raha tha. Tujhe pata hai maine tere alawa sirf Sagar se apni family ke baare mein baat ki hai. Kabhi kisi ko kuch nahi kaha. Lekin Sameer ka concern dekh ke pata nahi kaise Anuj bhaiya ki pehchan de di. Woh unse mila bhi tha, shayad isliye muh se nikal gaya jab usne bhaiya bhabhi ke baare mein pucha. Anyway, mujhe laga ek dost samajh ke woh meri parwah kar raha hai. Tere jaane ke baad...' She paused to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat, '...tere baad main bilkul akeli ho gayi thi. Usne dosti ka haath badhaya toh maine inkaar nahi kiya.'

Natasha hesitated before she let out the truth of her belief, 'Honestly Naina, mujhe bhi laga tha ki woh badal raha hai. Mujhe ek baar nahi hamesha se aisa lagta raha ki... he has a soft corner for you. Uski harkat se tujhse zyada main shocked hun. Maine usey...'

She halted mid sentence. Naina did not need to know that she had started to see him as her friend's real husband, someone who would be by Naina's side all her life.

Naina mistook her unspoken words for something else and smiled bitterly, 'Maine bhi galat hi samjha usey. Tere jaisi galatfehmi nahi thi par...' She let out a heavy exhale, '...jaane de yeh sab. Pata hai aaj teri academy se mujhe life ko samajhne ka ek naya angle mila.'

When Natasha quirked up a brow in question, Naina continued, 'Sab log sochte hain ki ek air hostess ko karna hi kya hai, bas khana serve kar diya aur seatbelt check kar li. But it's not true. Zameen se itni upar, uss aasmaan mein airhostess sab kuch karti hai. Khaana ho ya kisi emergency situation ko handle karne ki zarurat, koi passenger rude ho ya bimar, kisi ko chot lagey ya sar dard ho... I hope aisi situation kabhi kisi ke saath na aaye par technical fault ya hijack ki threat mein bhi airhostess ko hi sabse zyada calm rehkar sabko sambhalna hota hai. Nutty, zindagi bhi toh aisi hi hai. Meri life ki yeh situation, samajh le ek threat hai. Bas mujhe apna dimag shaant aur sahi jagah par rakh ke iss situation se deal karna hai. And I feel I'm ready for it.'

Natasha was looking at her in wonder throughout. She had been learning all the skills without giving it such a deep thought. The requirements of her job were always known to her and she took it as any other training but never had she equated her job with life. They were taught to face any situation with composed mind and self control. Indeed, Naina had to do the same. Running away or hiding was not the solution. Just like she slipped away to Rishikesh a few times earlier, she had come here when she couldn't handle the circumstances. Natasha never approved of her retreating into a shell in solitude. Then why was she stopping her now?

Her face relaxed into a smile. She gave a thumbs up to Naina, 'Yes meri jaan. I'm so proud of you. Problem hai toh uss se head on deal karenge. Jaise college ke baad humne apni life ko apni conditions se jeene ka faisla kiya tha waise hi ab iss rishtey ko tu apne hisaab se handle kar. I'm with you.'

Relief flooded through Naina. She had been scared of telling her decision to Natasha, knowing how protective the latter was. But Natasha's acceptance made her feel much lighter. The ticket was booked in no time with Natasha's privilege points.

Next day, as Natasha watched the aircraft soar into the sky, she crossed her fingers and wished that Naina's journey was smooth... not just in the flight but in this relationship as well.

*****

Getting dressed for office in the morning, Sameer wistfully looked at Naina's closed cupboard in the closet. He missed her presence, he missed the gentle fragrance that wafted in this small space almost all the time, he missed her witty remarks, he missed her smile...

HE MISSED HER!

TERRIBLY!

With a sigh, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, 'Jisey main strong perfume kehta tha woh asal mein tumhari khushbu hai Naina. Pehli baar jab tum yahan aayi thi tab yeh khushbu mujhe din raat satati rahi. Kitna bewakoof tha main. Kyon samajh nahi paaya. Lekin ab samajh gaya hun. Ab mujhe tumhara intezar hai Naina. Kehte hain sabr ka phal meetha hota hai. Main intezar karunga uss din ka jab tumhe mujhe par aur mere pyar par yakeen ayega. Tab tak main sirf koshish karunga.'

Every day, he had been waking up to the empty side of the bed. Every day he had been coming back to this empty room. Every day he had been regretting his foolishness. Every single moment he had been cursing himself for giving so much pain to her. He wanted to shower the girl he loved with every happiness in the world. But when that girl was right in front of his eyes, he failed to recognise her. In his obliviousness, he had unintentionally inflicted one blow after the other to her self respect. He wished he could turn back time, and take away the wounds. Or at least, get a chance to heal the scars. He wished to show her how much he was ashamed of his insensitivity, how much he loved her. But he had no idea when he would see her.

'Please Naina, mujhe ek mauka de do. Wapas aa jao.' He whispered desperately.

Sameer had an early meeting scheduled in the morning so he left much before his family gathered for breakfast. But the meeting got delayed and started only after lunch.

Dadaji exclaimed when it got over just before office closing time, 'Mujhe laga tha itni der se start kiya hai toh pata nahi kab tak chalegi yeh meeting. Chalo achha hai sab proposals ek baar mein hi approve ho gaye aur time pe hum free bhi ho gaye. Sameer, tu ghar chala ja mujhe Verma ji ke saath kahin jaana hai. Main baad mein aa jaunga.'

'Okay dadaji.' Sameer collected all files and went out of the conference room.

He hadn't worked much today, yet he was feeling exhausted. But then, he had been feeling drained ever since that night. Pressing the bridge of his nose, he left his room to leave for home when a sudden whiff of familiar fragrance hit him. His heart stopped for a brief second. He couldn't breathe. How could it be? Quickly, his eyes scanned the area around him. Few employees were in the process of leaving, some were finishing up, still at their desks, a few were talking... but the face he was searching for wasn't anywhere.

He smiled sadly, 'Naina, tum yahan nahi ho fir bhi tumhara ahsaas ho raha hai. I really miss you.'

He had barely taken two steps when her voice fell in his ears. Letting out a sigh, he mumbled, 'Ab toh awaaz bhi sunai de rahi hai. Lagta hai main pagal ho gaya hun.'

But what he heard next was Jimmy's voice, that made him turn sharply to his left, 'Believe me Naina ma'm, Radhika is your fan.'

There, right in front of his eyes, was Naina, shaking her head as she smiled gently, 'Main koi star nahi hun jo mere fans honge. Please.'

Sameer stood frozen to the ground, not sure if what he was seeing was true or just his imagination playing tricks on him. Naina was in Singapore, as far as he knew.

'Arey Sameer.' A tap on his shoulder from his father made him jump, 'Mujhe laga teri meeting der se khatm hogi. Achha hua tu bhi free ho gaya. Ab hum ek saath chal padte hain.'

So it was his hallucination, Sameer reckoned, since his father said nothing about Naina.

And then, Girish chuckled playfully, 'Achha kiya na jo maine Naina ko yahin bula liya. Par tujhe toh pata hi hoga.'

Sameer blinked hard, 'Naina... lekin Naina toh...'

Taking his reaction to be that of surprise, Girish looked in the direction where Sameer had seen her, 'Lagta hai usne tujhe surprise diya hai. Natasha ne call kiya ki Naina chaar baje land karegi. Maine jaane se pehle usey kaha tha ki wapas aana ho tab bata de lekin phone pe jab bhi baat hui tab nahi bola. Kahin aisa na lage ki hum usey jaldi aane ke liye pressurise kar rahe hain. Par aaj dopaher ko Natasha ka call aaya ki Naina subah ki flight se nikli hai. Teri bhi meeting thi aur main bhi nayi factory ka construction dekhne gaya hua tha. Isliye driver ko bola usey pick kar le. Par shayad flight delay ho gayi thi isliye aate aate late ho gaya. Maine driver ko seedhe yahin aane ko keh diya. Office raaste mein hi hai. Socha main bhi saath hi chalta hun.' His smiled fondly, 'Kuch bhi kaho, Naina ke na rehne se ghar soona sa ho gaya tha. Usey dekh ke achha laga.'

Sameer slowly moved his gaze back to Naina, who was listening to whatever Jimmy was telling her animatedly. The usual noise of the office faded into background. All Sameer could hear was the echo of his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. But above that, he could finally hear Naina's voice as she asked something from Jimmy. His eyes were too focussed on Naina, and his heart was too immersed in the new feeling of love to let anything else catch his eyes... to make him jealous.

'Chal yaar Naina thaki hui hogi. Usey wait nahi karana chahiye.' Girish walked in that direction.

Before Sameer could come out of the daze he had drifted into, Girish called out Naina's name, making her look in his direction. For a fraction of a second, her eyes captured Sameer's form, standing right behind Girish, but moved back to him instantly.

'Sorry beta. Tumhe chalne ko bola aur khud atak gaya. Jaise hi tum room se nikli ek important call aa gaya jiske liye ek file dhundni padi. Thoda time lag gaya. But now we are good to go. Tum bhi tired hogi.' Girish apologised for making her wait.

'No problem papa.' Naina smiled, 'I'm fine.'

Jimmy straightened, his face lit with a bright smile, 'Time lene ke liye thank you sir. Is bahane Naina ma'm se fir se milne ka chance mil gaya.'

Girish laughed, 'Jimmy, tum chef bante toh zyada achha rehta. Boss ke saath saath ab boss ki biwi ko bhi makhan laga rahe ho.'

Jimmy gave a big smile, 'Boss ki pasand ko appreciate karna toh banta hai sir. Naina ma'm is a gem of a person.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Jimmy, itne maske ki zarurat nahi hai. Appraisal mein mera koi jack nahi lagne wala.'

Girish laughed even louder.

Jimmy placed a hand on his heart, sheepishly looking at them, 'Nahi ma'm, dil se keh raha hun. Radhika se puch lena. Uski report toh Sameer sir ne nahi likhni fir bhi woh hamesha aapki praise karti hai. According to her, you both are perfect for each other.'

Girish patted his shoulder, 'That's true.' He looked back at Sameer, 'Arey Sameer wahan kya kar raha hai? Come.'

Each step for Sameer was like a walk back into the memories of the days he had spent with Naina. Each played in front of his eyes. Only today he realised how he looked forward to seeing her at the end of each day. But he was never nervous like he was today. How would she react, coming face to face with him? Would her anger be evident? Or she had forgiven him?

'Hi Sameer.' Naina flashed a lively smile, 'Sorry tumhe bataya nahi. Nutty ka idea tha.'

He gulped. She was... she sounded absolutely normal... like nothing had happened few days back.

Girish smirked, his voice teasing, 'Isiliye sahabzaade ki awaaz gul ho gayi. Kyon beta? Kaisa laga surprise apni saali sahiba ka?'

Sameer pursed his lips, nodding slightly as he tore his gaze away from Naina to look at his dad, 'Unbelievable.'

Girish leaned, whispering near his ear, 'Surprises achhe hote hain. Biwiyon ko bohot pasand aate hain. Experience se bataa raha hun. Follow karega toh khush rahega.'

Sameer could do nothing except giving a mere nod. His eyes drifted back to Naina. She was checking something on her phone. He didn't know what came over him. Putting aside his bag, he ended the distance between them in two long strides and took her in his arms. Naina was startled, he could feel by the way her body went stiff, yet her arms wrapped around his waist. She did not resist the hug but her touch was as slight as it could be. Sameer closed his eyes. Her scent enveloped him, filling him with the same delight that he was missing in his room. The warmth of her breath against the thin material of his shirt singed the skin under it. The tickle of her hair against his chin made him shiver. This wasn't the first time he had hugged her but for the first time he realised how perfectly she fit into his arms, how her face pressed to his chest, with her ear right over his heart. Could she hear his wild heartbeat. Could she understand the name that was in every beat? Could she feel the desperation of his soul? And in that moment, Sameer again realised just how madly he was in love with her.

He could have stayed that way for much longer had Naina not pulled back.

She looked at him and smiled, 'I missed you too. Isiliye Nutty ke thode better hote hi aa gayi. Happy?'

For everyone else, it was normal talk, but only Sameer could see how her smile did not reach her eyes, how her words felt hollow, how her vacant expression belied her statement.

'How are you?' His question came out as a whisper.

She shrugged, her smile intact, 'Great. Absolutely great. Bilkul waisi jaise gayi thi.'

Before he could react to that, Girish looked at his phone and nudged him, 'Chalo bhai tumhari mummy ka baar baar message aa raha hai. Naina ko office bula liya iske liye toh daant padegi hi ab late ho gaye toh aur class lagegi. Let's go.'

The drive back was awkward. At least for Sameer. Girish insisted that he would sit ahead with the driver so Sameer could sit with Naina at the back. They were seated together but had nothing to say to each other. Naina quietly looked out of the window, while Sameer kept stealing glances at her. Her expression was stoic. Though she replied with a smile everytime Girish asked something, she did not once look at him. Dressed in jeans and a simple white shirt, with her hair left open, she looked both elegant and classy. Her sunglasses were pushed over her head, keeping the hair in place. Sameer remembered the time they had once gone somewhere and she had asked him if she could open the window. He had grumbled a bit, because he was used to driving with AC on, but Naina had pointed out that because of rains earlier, outside was quite cool. He had given in. She was delighted when the wind swept her hair, making them fall over her face. She delicately pulled away the strands, closing her eyes and enjoying the moment.

He could not help asking, 'Window open karni hai?' Tumhe pasand hai na?'

She shook her head, without looking at him, 'Nahi. Har mausam mein window nahi khol sakte. Yeh hawa bohot harmful hai.'

Though her voice was normal, Sameer felt there was more to her statement than a plain answer.

Once they reached home, Naina was showered with attention from Ambika and Dadaji, till Anaya arrived and started to fuss around her too. After they had asked hundreds of questions about Natasha, they went on about the flight, the city, if she got a chance to see any places, or to shop and what not. Sameer wondered if there was a questionnaire for such conversations. How else could they come up with so many?

Anaya was back to her teasing mode, which he was spared since he was leaving for office early for past two days, 'Bhai, kaisa laga surprise? Mujhe pata tha aapko achanak bhabhi ko dekh ke shock hi lag jayega. Achha wala shock. Haina?'

Sameer narrowed his eyes, 'Tujhe bhi pata tha? Mujhe kisi ne kyon nahi bataya?'

Ambika chuckled, 'Agar bata dete toh surprise kaise hota? Natasha ne sabko manaa kiya tha tujhe kuch bhi batane se.'

Even Naina was not aware that Natasha had given such instructions. Whatever may be her reasons, here everyone was thinking it to be a plan to surprise Sameer.

He looked at Naina, mustering courage to sound normal, 'Uh Naina... tumne phone pe kuch kaha kyon nahi?'

Her wide smile could have fooled anyone, 'Phone pe tum mujhe bolne hi kahan dete they? Bas khud hi bolte rehte they.'

Her words stunned Sameer into silence as he was taken back to the phone call that has shattered everything.

Unaware of the tension brewing between them, Anaya looked at Naina in disbelief, 'Sach bhabhi? Strange. Kyonki jab se aap gayi ho, bhai toh bolna hi bhul gaye. Ghar pe bhi itne chhup rehte they. Itna miss kiya aapko ki theek se khana bhi nahi khaya. Dekho na, kitne lost se lag rahey hain.'

Dadaji concurred with her, 'Haan beta yeh baat to sach hai. Sameer ko itna khamosh pehle kabhi nahi dekha.'

Girish dismissed their concerns, 'Ab toh Naina wapas aa gayi na. Ab sab theek hai. Kyon Sameer? Sab theek hai na?'

'Ji...' Sameer faltered at the sudden question, '...Ji papa.'

He was in the room, waiting anxiously when Naina entered. But when she was in the room, alone with him, he stood frozen near the study table, not knowing what to do or say. Without giving him a look, Naina went to the closet and shut the door. When she emerged a few minutes later, she was in her night dress, with her hair tied on top of her head. The way a few tendrils clung to her neck and cheeks, he knew she had taken a shower. The room was filled with the fresh, floral scent. She took out the laptop from her bag, plugged in the charger next to nighstand and sat down on the bed, with the laptop open in front of her.

For him, the room had come back to life again. Her presence had brightened everything.

For her, he did not even exist in the room.

Mustering all his courage, Sameer finally took a deep breath and stepped forward. He needed to break this wall of silence between them if he had to reach her.

'Naina...' His voice quivered slightly, '...I... I...'

Her eyes shot up to him.

Sameer's heart jumped to his mouth, taken aback by the sheer ferocity of her gaze. She did not say a word, but her eyes conveyed the command, clear and loud... that she didn't want anything to do with him.

Extra long chapter 😅

Next update on Tuesday