Sameer did not know how to vent out his frustration. First he thought of going to Sagar's office, and confront the two of them together. But his meeting lasted three hours, and by the time he finished signing all relevant documents it was past lunchtime. Exasperated, he called up Munna.

'Tu office mein hai ya ghar pe?' He shot the question the moment Munna answered, not caring for any greeting.

'Office mein hun. Shravan hai ghar pe isliye main aa gaya. Bina baat ke Naina pe saara load aa raha tha.' Munna said.

'Ha!' Sameer exclaimed sarcastically, 'Jaise uske paas time rakha hai load lene ka. Usey fursat kahan hai. Dekh jaake, office mein hai bhi ya half day leke gayab hai.'

'Kya bol raha hai tu?' Munna frowned, 'Naina toh yahin hai. Abhi do minute pehle gayi hai mere room se.'

'Hain?' Sameer was confounded, 'Woh office mein hai? Sagar se milne nahi gayi? Mere saamne do baje milne ki baat hui thi.'

'Sameer, tera dimaag fir se ghoom gaya kya?' Munna chided in a sharp voice, 'Tujhe kaha tha na apne imagination ko control mein rakh. Kal Naina pasand aa rahi thi aaj fir se shaq ki bimari paal raha hai. Kab khatm hoga tera tamasha?'

'Tamasha nahi sach bol raha hun.' Sameer defended, in a milder tone, 'Maine khud suna tha. Aaj subah hi. Naina se kaha bhi ki jab tak contract hai woh kisi se dosti nahi kar sakti.' Realisation dawned on him, and he sighed in relief, 'Lagta hai usey samajh aa gaya. Waise subah toh bade tevar dikha rahi thi. Chalo, kam se kam akal toh aayi usey.'

'Tujhe kab akala ayegi gadhey.' Munna growled, 'Tune hi kaha tha na shaadi asli hai toh wife bhi asli hai. Apni wife pe faaltu ke shaq karna sahi hai kya? Sameer, Naina pe iss tarah ungli mat utha. Sagar se woh itne saalon baad yahin mili thi, hamare sabke saamne. Woh uska school friend hai. Agar Naina usse, ya kisi bhi dost se, milna chahe toh tu usey rokne wala kaun hai? Kal ko Naina bolegi ki tu mujhse aur Pandit se milna chor de toh tu maan lega?'

Sameer was puzzled, 'Tum dono toh ladke ho. Tumse milne mein kya problem hai?'

Ready to bang his head on the table, Munna hissed through clenched teeth, 'Ladka ladki ki baat nahi hai, doston ki hai. Dost toh koi bhi ho sakta hai. Meri ek baat dhyan se sunn. Agar tu chahta hai ki yeh ek saal shaanti se nikal jaaye, toh apni aadatein sudhar le. Naina ke liye iss tarah ki baat ki toh main khud aake Dadaji ko sabkuch bata dunga aur tumhara contract phaad ke phenk dunga. Samajh mein aayi baat ya shaam ko aaun ghar pe?'

Sameer was shocked at his threat, 'Tu Naina ki side le raha hai? Chaar din ki pehchaan ke liye bachpan ke dost ko dhamki de raha hai? Munna, tu Naina ke liye Dadaji se meri shikayat karega?'

'Karunga.' Munna did not fall for his emotional blackmail, 'Agar tu itna nalayak ban jayega toh main party badal lunga. Naina ko behen maana hai, uske saath tera aisa behaviour bardaasht nahi karunga. Naina ko teri help karne ke liye convince karne mein kahin na kahin mera haath hai. Natasha ke saath milke usey teri girlfriend ka natak karne ke liye manaya tha, teri nonsense jhelne ke liye nahi. Arey aur kuch nahi toh insaaniyat ke naate hi grateful reh ki uski wajah se tu itne bade business empire ka owner banne wala hai. Apne dimaag ka yeh kachra ab nikaal ke phenk de aur bandaa ban jaa. Warna ek bhai apni behen ke liye uske pati ko peet bhi sakta hai.'

Sameer disconnected the call, staring at the screen in fury, 'Dimag mera nahi iska kharaab hua hai. Baat ko samjhe bina chadh gaya mere pe. Maine kaha hi kya hai, sirf itna na ki meri biwi kisi aur ladke se milna julna band kar de. Isme galat kya hai? Main kahan kisi ladki se dosti rakhta hun. Agar main roz roz kisi se milne jaane laga tab dekhunga, Naina ko kitni mirchi lagegi. Jisey dekho har baat ke liye mujhe hi blame karte rehte hain. Sameer Maheshwari na hua target ka board ho gaya sabke liye.'

His anger subsided a bit after letting the steam out, and other thought invaded his mind, 'Lekin Naina ko milna nahi tha toh phone pe kyon bola? I'm sure maine Sagar ka naam suna tha. Number toh nahi check kiya lekin pakka apna Sagar hi hoga. Natasha ne bhi kal Sagar ka naam liya tha. Akhir connection kya hai? Kahin Naina kisi mushkil mein toh nahi hai, jiske liye Sagar usey help kar raha hai?'

Again, his resentment returned, 'Help chahiye thi toh mujhe bolti. Maine kabhi manaa kiya hai? Jab bhi usey zarurat padi maine help ki hai, toh kya mujhpe trust nahi kar sakti? Kal hi toh humne decide kiya tha ki hum ab dost hain. Jab haan kar di toh dost manna bhi toh chahiye. Lekin nahi, usey toh har baat secret rakhni hai, jaise main uska husband nahi koi spy hun jo uske secrets dusri country ko bech dunga.'

At the other end, Munna let out a weary sigh. Sameer's obsession was getting on his nerves. After listening to his baseless accusations, Munna did not mention that Sagar had come to their office, and had met Naina too, in her cabin. He himself was not sure but it seemed that they had some case related discussion, because Sagar was carrying a file, saying that Naina needed to sign the papers. Maybe she was consulting him for some personal requirement. Sagar was a lawyer, and if he was meeting Naina as his client, what was wrong in that. Even otherwise, she could meet any friend. There was no reason for Sameer to be so possessive and controlling. Unless...

A smile erupted on Munna's face, easing the anger. Along with Natasha, he and Pandit had seen this coming long back. Sameer had eventually reached to the point where he acknowledged that he felt something for Naina, even if he named it attraction. But the three of them were sure that there was a depth to his emotions. And that explained his possessiveness and annoyance. He was jealous of Sagar.

'Pata nahi kab yeh bewakoof samjhega ki Naina ke liye aisa feel karne ka reason asal mein kya hai.' He mumbled, 'Sapne dekhne ka itna shouk ho gaya hai ki khuli aankhon se bhi so hi raha hai. Gadha kahin ka. Jis pyar ke liye saalon se pagal hai woh pyar dil mein dastak de raha hai lekin hamare bholuram darwaza lock karke soye pade hain. Aaj shaam Pandit aane wala hai. Dono milke iski class lenge.'

*****

For Naina, the meeting with Sagar was not encouraging. Anuj had submitted in the court that there was no proof of using ancestral funds for purchase of the flat, hence he was in complete ownership according to his father's will. And being the owner, he could not be stopped from selling it whenever he wanted. The case had come back to the same point from where it started. Naina felt a disappointment wash over her. She still hadn't been able to arrange enough funds as demanded by Tina. The amount was huge. It was impossible to get her hands on that sort of money, even with what she would be getting for the contract with Sameer.

She looked at Sagar with uncertainty, 'So that's the end? Hamare paas proof hai nahi aur uske bina kuch ho nahi sakta.'

Sagar shrugged helplessly, feeling bad, 'Legal matters sirf solid proof pe chalte hain Naina. I don't think hum aur kuch kar paayenge. Purane bills dhoondne ke naam pe kuch din ka time le sakta hun, par ek do mahine se zyada nahi mil payega.'

Naina lowered her eyes for a few seconds. When she looked back at him, her face was devoid of the disappointment he had seen earlier, 'It's okay Sagar. Tumne apni taraf se itni help ki woh bohot hai mere liye. Maine toh pehle hi maan liya tha ki kuch nahi hoga. Don't worry, yeh ghar mera kabhi ho hi nahi sakta tha. I'm ready to accept the fact.'

Sagar did not want to say it, but her resignation made him state the option he was thinking about for sometime, 'Naina, ek possibility hai, agar tum agree karo toh.'

She raised her brows, but did not raise her hope.

'Tum Sameer se baat karo.' He suggested, 'Maheshwaris real estate mein deal karte hain. Agar Sameer ke Dadaji...'

'Nahi Sagar.' Naina did not wait for him to finish, 'Yeh meri ladai hai. Ismein main Sameer ya uski family ko shaamil nahi kar sakti.'

'Woh ab tumhari bhi family hai Naina.' Sagar's voice was low.

'Haan. Par iska matlab yeh toh nahi ki main apne beete hue kal ka burden unpe daal dun. Woh family meraa aaj hai. Apne present par main past ki kaali parchaayi nahi aane de sakti.' She made it clear, with a finality in her tone.

Sagar wanted to say more, but decided against it. He took her leave, saying that if there was something he would get back to her.

*****

In the evening, Munna and Pandit met Sameer in a cafe in CP.

Sameer got flustered when Pandit kept staring at him, resting his chin on one palm, 'Aise ghoor kya raha hai? Pehchanne mein problem ho rahi hai?'

Pandit shook his head in negative, then bobbed in acceptance.

Munna swatted his head, 'Do kilo ka sar hila lega par bees gram ki zubaan istemal nahi kar sakta.'

Pandit rolled his eyes, letting out a loud exhale, 'Yaar Munna mujhe laga tha Sameer ko ishare samajh nahi aate. Par lagta hai tu bhi iss maamle mein dheela hi hai.' When both his friends continued to glare at him, he raised his hands in resignation, 'Achha achaa batata hun. Woh kya hai na, Sameer ke sawaal ka jawab naa bhi hai, aur haan bhi. Pucho kaise.'

When no one asked the expected, he quickly added, 'Nahi mat pucho, main khud hi batane wala tha. Actually shakl se toh tu ab bhi Sameer hi lag raha hai isliye pehchaan liya. Lekin akal kahan dubo di yeh samajh nahi aa raha isliye...' He shook his head again, '... yeh bewakoof Sameer pehchaan mein nahi aa raha.'

'Yaar Pandit, mudde ki baat pe aa. Mujhe ghar bhi jaana hai.' Munna urged, sounding impatient.

'Mudda kya hai?' Pandit asked, instantly turning solemn, 'Ki Naina Sagar se kyon milti hai?'

Before Munna could say anything, Sameer banged the table with his fist, 'Haan. Aur maine reason pucha toh mujhe hi jhaad diya. Aakhir Sagar se akele milne wala kya kaam ho sakta hai?'

Munna slapped his head, 'Teri sui ab tak Sagar pe atki hai.'

'Aur atki rahegi jab tak mujhe Naina khud nahi batayegi ki kya baat hai.' Sameer countered adamantly.

Pandit narrowed his eyes, 'Aur agar woh na batana chahe?'

'Toh main...toh...' Sameer trailed off, not finding a suitable answer, '... pata nahi.'

Munna chimed in, 'Abey tum dono galat track pe ho. Sagar ki nahi Sameer ki baat karni hai.'

'Wohi toh kar rahey hain.' Pandit stated matter of factly, 'Sameer Maheshwari ko gussa kyon aata hai... Sagar, ya kisi aur ke naam pe. Kya aap ispe roshni daal sakte hain?' He formed a mock mic with his fist and placed it in front of Sameer's face.

Swaying his hand away, Sameer told them how Naina got infuriated when he asked her about Sagar, and how she warned him with defiance.

'Hmm.' Pandit nodded slowly, taking in the version, then tapped his chin with one finger, 'Kahin aisa toh nahi ki Naina tujhse pareshan hoke Sagar ke saath bhaagne ka plan bana rahi ho?'

Sameer felt someone had punched him in the gut. His mouth fell open.

'Soch samajh ke nahi bol sakta Manthara.' Munna gritted his teeth, 'Problem ka solution nahi de sakta toh kam se kam usey badha toh mat.'

Pandit bared his teeth, 'Kidding. Mahaul zyada serious ho raha tha isliye chota sa surra phenk diya.'

Sameer could not laugh... the joke had hit him too hard. What if Naina seriously wanted to end the contract before it got over? What if she refused to stay with him, or worse, tell his family about the real situation?

'Naina aisa kuch nahi karegi.' Munna shook him, answering his thoughts. He knew Sameer well enough to comprehend what must be churning in his mind.

Sameer drew in a long breath, 'Kuch karey na karey, par Naina mujhe pagal zarur kar degi.'

'Pyar mein.' Pandit blurted again, a goofy smile softening his eyes.

'Woh toh yeh already ho chuka hai.' Munna muttered under his breath, 'Bas dimag ki ghanti chutti pe gayi hui hai. Pata nahi kab bajegi.'

The discussion had gone off track, and in this situation, it was difficult to make Sameer understand his feelings. Thus, Munna decided to bring that up next time, and left for home. Pandit offered to drop him home, since he had some work close to his house. Sameer was left alone in the cafe, grappling with this new possibility, which seemed distant, as Munna said, but could still turn real.

*****

When she reached home, Naina was relieved to find the room to herself. Sameer had not returned yet. She picked her phone and placed a video call to Natasha.

'Hi sweetheart.' Natasha's chirpy and dramatic voice resonated in the room, 'Kya timing hai teri. Main tere baare mein hi soch rahi thi. Tujhe hichki aa rahi hogi. And you must be wondering kaun hai jo tere khyalon mein dooba hua hai.'

'Tere alawa kaun ho sakta hai Nutty.' Naina smiled weakly, 'Mujhe jab bhi hichki aati hai mujhe pata hota hai ki yeh kiski wajah se hai.'

'Naina, kya baat hai?' Natasha could see the mix of sadness and rage in her eyes.

'Sorry Nutty, tera mood itna acha hai aur main tujhe ek buri khabar sunane wali hun.' Naina's voice was strained, 'par main aur kisi se share nahi kar sakti...' She closed her eyes for a moment, then narrated everything to Natasha, about the case.

'Oh God!' Natasha could not keep her temper in control, 'Yeh log kitne cheap hain yaar. Tina bhabhi ko kya kami hai fir bhi ek flat ke peeche jhoothi kahaniyan banate hi jaa rahe hain yeh dono. Pehle khud hi kehti thi ki aunty ki saari jewellery ghar lene mein chali gayi isliye kuch nahi hai aur ab saaf mukar gaye. Aur Anuj bhaiya ne toh khud ka dil aur dimaag dono cold storage mein sajaa diye hain. Unhe na kuch samajh aata hai na dikhta hai. Itna pyar toh nahi lagta dono mein ki keh sakein pyar mein andhe ho gaye hain.'

'Unka toh pata nahi Nutty.' Naina sighed, 'But I have lost this battle.'

'Hush baby, aisa nahi kehte.' Natasha's voice turned gentle, 'It's not over, till it's over.'

Naina rubbed her temple, 'Isse zyada kya over hoga. Rishtey toh pehle hi kamzor they, ab ghar bhi nahi rahega aur uske saath har connection... khatm.'

Natasha pacified her, 'Uss connection ka karna bhi kya hai Naina jisne tujhe kuch diya hi nahi. I think you need to move on.'

With a slow nod, Naina concurred, 'Right. Yaad rakhne ko waise bhi kuch nahi hai.'

Natasha felt sorry for her. Naina had always kept her feelings guarded. She was the only one with whom Naina shared the setbacks of her life. At this time, she wished she was with her friend. Naina badly needed a hug.

'I miss you Nutty.' Her voice, thick with emotion, confirmed Natasha's belief.

'Naina, tu Sameer ke saath share kar sakti hai.' It felt like the perfect time to direct Naina towards the relationship that was very much possible, according to her.

A sarcastic smirk was the only reply she got.

'Believe me baby, Sameer teri baat zarur samjhega. Aur agar kuch kar payega toh woh bhi karega. Kal hi toh dosti ka haath badhaya hai. Dosti ki hai toh nibhayega bhi.' Natasha reasoned.

Naina looked away, morning incidents coming back to her mind, 'Uska ego kuch samajhne ya karne de tab nibhayega na. Usey bas control karna hai sabko.'

Natasha could read the frustration in her tone. When she asked, Naina told her about Sameer's behaviour in the morning. She was still vexed with him. How could he try to control her? Even if she had been a wife in real sense, he had no right to restrict her. They had barely accepted to be friends, after being at each other's throats for so long, and he had started his bullying acts again.

'Bhaad mein jaaye woh aur uska pahad jaisa ego.' She grumbled, 'Mujhe baat hi nahi karni usse.'

Naina could not decipher his anger, but Natasha could fathom what was troubling him. She decided to give Naina a head on.

Taking a deep breath, she said in a low voice, 'I think Sameer likes you.'

For full one minute, Naina did not react. Natasha stayed silent as well, giving her time to process what had been just revealed.

Finally, she uttered in disdain, 'It is a serious matter Nutty. Abhi tera sense of humour appreciate nahi kar sakti.'

'I'm not kidding.' Natasha persisted, 'Sameer ke dil mein tere liye feelings hain.'

Drawing in a sharp breath, Naina snapped shut her eyes, counting till ten to control her temper before she managed to say, 'Please Nutty, itni tension mein sar dard mat de. This is not the time.'

Natasha did not budge, stressing upon the words, 'I'm convinced ki mera intuition sahi hai. Warna usey teri itni parwah kyon hoti?'

'Sabko dikhane ke liye.' Naina shot back.

Natasha's tone was challenging, 'Tumhari relationship fake hai na? Par woh toh pehle bhi bhagta tha teri help karne. Kyon call karta tha tere baare mein puchne ko? Kyon Sagar ke naam pe usey itna gussa aata hai? Soch ke dekh Naina, yeh sab woh fake relationship ke liye nahi kar raha, tere liye karta hai. Sirf tere liye.'

Naina shook her head, speaking gently to shatter the illusions of her dear friend, 'Sameer Maheshwari mere baare mein kya sochta hai yeh main kai baar sun chuki hun. Kal bhi Munna se yehi keh raha tha. Woh mujhe kuch bhi samajh sakta hai Nutty lekin jo tu bol rahi hai waisa kuch nahi ho sakta. Ek baar nahi bohot baar bataya hai usne ki main aur woh kitne different hain. Aur hum hain bhi. Main iss difference ko khatm nahi karna chahti. Isliye dubara kabhi yeh baat mat karna.'

Natasha twisted her mouth, before uttering in a low voice, 'I don't agree. Achha chal, aaj se tu uski har baat notice kar. Just see how much he is affected by your actions.'

Naina clenched her fists in frustration, 'Offo, tu apni lovestruck theory uspe fit karne ki koshish mat kar. Yeh jo Sameer Maheshwari hai na, isey apne status, apni looks, apni popularity ke saamne koi aur nazar nahi aata. I don't think yeh kabhi kisi se bhi pyar kar payega.'

Natasha sighed. Naina was not ready to see the obvious... and Sameer was not ready to hear the voice of his heart.

Next update on Saturday