Pandit narrowed his eyes as he sat in front of Sameer at their regular meeting place, 'Bhai, ab kya jhol kar diya jo achanak bulaya humein? Naina kaise manegi agar tu galti pe galti karta rahega?'

Munna was worried too, 'Sameer, sab theek hai na?'

Sameer looked at his friends strangely, 'Tum log aise kyon bol rahe ho? Hum teeno pehli baar thori baithen hain aise. Yeh toh apna permanent joint hai yaar. Zaruri thodi hai koi panga kiya ho tabhi milein.' He threw a glare at Pandit, 'Aur teri baat ka kya matlab hai? Kya Naina ke saamne sirf galtiyan karta hun main?'

Pandit leaned towards him and lowered his voice as if he was sharing something confidential, 'Bhai sach kahun toh tera, Naina ka aur galti ka love triangle hai. Tum dono ke beech mein hamesha koi na koi galti baithi rehti hai. Aur sachhi baat toh yeh hai ki usmein tera contribution thora zyada hota hai.'

'Yaar Munna tu samjha de iss Pandit ko.' Sameer snapped, pointing a thumb at Pandit as he spoke to Munna, 'Meri banti hui baat pe bhi nazar laga dega.'

Munna ignored the frustration in Sameer's voice, brightening up instantly, 'Baat ban gayi? Sach mein?' He asked, eyes wide with excitement, 'Kaise? Kya hua? Bata toh sahi yaar.'

Sameer threw him an exasperated look. Munna and Pandit shared a quick grin, pulling their chairs closer to Sameer and fixed their eyes on him.

Sameer groaned, 'Bhai abhi kuch hua hi kahan hai jo bataun. Hua hota toh main yahan hone ki jagah Naina ke saath hota.'

His main reason to make this plan was that he didn't want to spend another long night in his room alone. Natasha's flight was on Monday morning. It was obvious that Naina wouldn't come before that. It was better to spend the evening out, and drink till late so he could just go and crash at home.

Pandit twisted his mouth and wearily slumped back in his seat, 'Yeh toh hai. Pehle apni daal mein tuney itne pathhar maare hain ki ab uss pathhar wali dal ka galna impossible lagta hai.'

'Kya?' Sameer and Munna shot the same question as they fumed at him, unable to make any sense of his foolish chatter.

'Mera matlab...' Pandit flashed a sheepish smile, '... itna kuch kaha hai tune Naina ke liye, ekdum se sab bhoolkar tujhe gale thori laga legi.'

Sameer rubbed his forehead, guilt gnawing at him again, 'Sahi keh raha hai yaar. Maine Naina ka dil ek baar nahi kai baar dukhaya hai. Kaash mujhe pehle samajh aa gaya hota.'

A heavy sigh escaped Munna, 'Isiliye main kehta tha ki jab kuch malum na ho toh kisi ke liye ulti seedhi theories mat bana. Lekin tujhe lagta tha tu CID ka ACP Pradyuman hai, jisey do minute sochte hi saari baat samajh aa jaati hai.'

Sameer's gaze fell to the floor, 'Haan Munna. mujhe teri baat maanni chahiye thi.' He looked up, reaching for Munna's arm in desperation, 'Abse har baat manunga. Bas tu ek baar raasta dikha de.'

Pandit stroked his chin, speaking before Munna could come up with something, 'Tu aisa kar, Naina ko yahan bula le. Hum dono teri saari galtiyan usey batakar teri taraf se ek bhaari aur fianl sorry bol denge. Keh denge ki tera dimaag, jo pehle ghode bechkar soya hua tha, ab finally uth gaya hai, aur baby steps lekar kaam bhi karne laga hai. Isliye tuney apni galti realise kar li hai aur ab tu usey sach mein apni girlfriend banana chahta hai.'

Munna rolled his eyes, 'Pandit, Nain already Sameer ki wife ban chuki hai.'

Pandit intelligently looked at them, 'Isiliye toh keh raha hun. Bhai, nakli girlfriend se contract wali wife banaya tha. Ab nakli ko asli karne ke liye sahi raasta pakarna hai na Sameer ko. Toh wohi route follow karna parega jo pehle kiya tha. Pehle asli girlfriend bana, fir contract ko aag lagane ki planning karna.'

Munna and Sameer fell silent for a while. What Pandit suggested actually made sense. Sameer did not reveal it to his friends but he had started to see signs of thawing in Naina's icy stance towards him. If he actually took baby steps rather than a leap, it might be easier to reach her.

Pandit thumped on the table, drawing them out of their thoughts, 'Mera idea pasand aaya isi baat pe aaj daaru party. Kya bolta hai Sameer? Do mahine se humne saath mein aisi party nahi ki hai.' He beamed.

'Done.' Sameer grinned, feeling lighter after deciding that the first thing he would do is ask Naina out. The proposal should come after a few dates.

Munna quirked up a brow, slightly surprised, 'Soch le bhai. Talli hoke ghar gaya toh fir se kuch gadbad na ho jaaye.'

Sameer shook his head, a wistful smile curving his lips, 'Naina ghar par nahi hai. Do din se woh Natasha ke saath apne apartment pe hai. Kal subah, Natasha ke jaane ke baad lautegi.'

Munna was surprised, 'Natasha aayi hai?'

At the same time, Pandit asked in a shocked voice, 'Usne bataya kyon nahi? Kab aayi?'

Sameer narrowed his eyes, looking from one to another, 'Tum dono toh aise hairan ho rahey ho jaise Naina ki nahi tumhare bachpan ki dost hai. Tumhe kyon batayegi? Naina se milne aayi hai Naina ko bata diya.'

A strange look passed between Munna Pandit, which they quickly camouflaged with a grin, and diverted his attention to the menu. In no time, their table was filled with food and drinks.

*****

Ambika was surprised when Naina entered. After hugging her and directing Mohan to take her bag up to the room, she asked, 'Arey beta mujhe laga tum kal aaogi. Natasha ki flight to Monday ki thi na? Jaldi kyon chali gayi?'

Naina smiled, 'Monday morning ek baje ki flight hai mummy. Chaar ghante pehle check-in bhi karna tha. Nutty ke jaane ke baad mera wahan rukne ka mann nahi kiya.'

Ambika fondly patted her cheek, 'Achha kiya jo aa gayi. Hum sab tumhe bohot miss kar rahey they. Tumhare bina ghar ekdum khaali sa lagne laga tha.'

'Bhabhiiii.' Anaya came running to the room and crushed Naina in a tight embrace, 'I missed you so much. Next time aap jaoge toh mujhe bhi leke chalna. Yahan rehkar bhai ka dukhiyare majnu wala face nahi dekha jaata mujhse.'

Ambika chuckled, 'Yeh baat toh sach hai Naina. Sameer ki shakl do din mein aise murjha gayi ki Girish keh rahey they usey bhi tum logon ke paas hi bhej dena tha.'

'Isiliye mummy ne bahane se dono din bhai ko bhej diya aapse milne.' Anaya grinned.

'Chup kar,' With a frown on her forehead, Ambika swatted her arm, quickly turning to Naina with a smile, 'Anu tease kar rahi hai tumhe. Bahane ki kya zarurat hai Sameer ko. Nahi? Usey tumse milne ke liye meri help thodi chahiye.'

A blush crept up on Naina's face. Was Sameer actually missing her? As much as she was missing him?

'Waise bhai gayab kyon hain? Unhe pata nahi tha kya aap aane wale ho?' Anaya inquired, her tone laden with amusement.

Naina tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, hoping that they do not notice her flaming cheeks, 'Maine... maine socha tha surprise dungi. Isliye nahi bataya.'

Ambika let out a laugh, 'Tum thi nahi isliye aaj usne Munna pandit ke saath dinner ka program bana liya. Koi nahi, usey message kar do ki jaldi aa jaaye.'

'It's okay mummy.' Naina attempted to mask her own eagerness, 'Karne do enjoy. Wapas toh ghar hi aana hai.'

As she went up the stairs later, she debated whether it was right to create this illusion for herself that Sameer would come to her, even when she was aware that their relationship till now was based on a mere contract which was already halfway through? In about six months, she might be out of Sameer's life, forever. Was it right to keep any hopes? Even if it was, what expectations could she have from him?

Once in the room, she looked around, wondering how much this place had started to feel like home in just a few months. Everything felt so familiar, as if it had always belonged to her. This room, this house, these relationships... how effortlessly they had fit in the blanks that existed in her heart, making it natural to consider it her own. In reality, nothing was really hers. Yet, she wanted it to be.

The thought slowly sank in as the layers of confusion melted away from her mind. She wanted this... wanted them, wanted HIM. The longing hit her so strongly, as if she was seeing clearly for the first time. For the first time, her emotions felt like a solid truth, not just a feeling she could brush off as superficial.

Yes, she wanted it to be real. The thought had not been in her mind consciously, but it had been growing in her heart... unspoken and obscure... still present for some time. She did not remember when she had started to harbour the desire of not just being a part of this life but living it forever, when she had stopped waiting for the contract to end and started yearning for a lifetime with this family, and perhaps... with this version of Sameer.

As the realisation dawned on her, something inside her began to unfurl, a long-dormant feeling. Finally breaking through the soil of indifference was the seedling of an emotion that was never a part of her plan in life. It had come unexpected, knocked on her heart unannounced, settled in her mind unpredicted, and now it had consumed her body and soul completely, leaving no room for a way out. Her thoughts were inundated with him, her senses flooded with his presence even when he was not around. She was drenched in it with such intensity that it took her breath away.

Naina felt a shiver run through her as she finally accepted... she was in love. She loved Sameer, with a certainty that shone through every darkness that resided in her life.

She felt strange, like a part of her that had been dormant for years was finally waking up. What was even stranger was that it felt wonderful. This feeling, the one she had been refusing to acknowledge all this time, had hit her with a force that shattered all the walls she had built around her heart. She had tried hard to reason the feeling away, to dismiss it as a fleeting attraction or a convenience born from circumstance. But now, as she stood alone in the room that belonged to them, surrounded by memories of moments between them, she could no longer deny it.

Naina slumped on the bed with a thud, her hands covering her face. Her breathing was uneven, her heart racing as she tried to process everything that had emerged from the haze of her confusion of last few days. This emotion, this strong feeling... called love... was it meant for her? How would Sameer react if he got to know? The thought of him ever finding out, of him knowing she'd fallen this hard, this helplessly, was enough to make her cheeks burn up against her palms. Especially when she didn't know how he felt. What Anaya and Ambika said did give her a hope. What Natasha sensed did raise her expectation.

Slowly, she let her hands fall, her gaze drifting to the ceiling as she tried to gather herself. She needed to find out. She needed to be sure. But this was something she couldn't ask directly. No, she had to observe... keep her eyes open for all the signs that Natasha often mentioned about people in love. She had to read him, not question him.

She got up and started to pace the room, her mind devising one idea after the other, rejecting them the moment they formed. One thing was sure though, she would have to do everything discreetly, without letting him get a whiff of her feelings. After a while, feeling exhausted with both mental and physical strain, she curled up on the chair near the terrace door.

It was way past midnight when Sameer walked into the room tiredly and fell on the bed. The sound made Naina wake up with a start. She realised she had dozed off on the chair. Groaning, she stood up and rubbed her neck. As her gaze fell on Sameer, her heart jumped to her mouth for a moment, till she realised he had fallen asleep. Without even changing into his night clothes.

Her brows furrowed in concern, 'Change tak nahi kiya? Sameer toh aisa nahi karta. Tabiyat theek hai na?' Mumbling to herself, she walked to the other side of the bed and peered at him. His eyes were shut, his breathing even, as if he was in deep sleep. After a moment's hesitation, Naina placed a hand on his forehead, her touch light as a feather. The skin was cool to her touch. She breathed out in relief and went back to her side, missing the little smile that appeared on Sameer's lips after a few seconds of her touch. It had only been a couple of minutes since she lay in bed, and her eyes had just about to start getting heavy when they shot open all of a sudden because of a rustling sound, along with a dip in the bed right behind her.

Before she could understand, a heavy hand dropped on her waist.

Her head swung sharply to look over her shoulder. Sameer was still asleep, but was facing her now. And his arm stretched towards her, his large hand spanned over the curve of her waist.

'What is he doing?' She whispered, holding his wrist and tried to move his hand away.

The hand did not budge. Rather, Sameer's grip grew tight as he pulled her closer, making the hand slip further and curl around her belly. Naina's breath got stuck in her throat and her eyes widened to the max. His head was bent close to her shoulder now. Their bodies were just a wisp away from touching, yet she could feel his heated presence. Her skin broke into a sweat. Sameer had never touched her in bed before tonight. This closeness... it could be disastrous, combined with her newfound realisation. She grabbed his arm hard and pushed with all her might.

'Uh, kyon tang kar rahi ho. Sone do na.' Sameer let out a sleepy drawl near her ear.

'Tum... yeh kar kya rahe ho. Dur hato.' She stuttered in a shaky voice, struggling with his arm that seemed to weigh a ton.

Sameer let out a long breath, 'Nahi hatna mujhe.'

Naina jerked her head towards him... he was drunk. His breath smelled of alcohol.

She had to wake him.

She gripped his arm and shook it hard, her voice a tense whisper, 'Get up Sameer. Tumhe pata bhi hai tum kya kar rahe ho? Utho... right now.'

The rough movement jolted him awake. He struggled up to a sitting position, his eyes unfocused as he looked around, bewildered, 'Kya hua? Kaun hai?'

Naina sat up too, facing him, her eyes narrowed, 'Tum drink karke aaye ho?'

Sameer blinked, still disoriented. He lifted one hand slowly, and poked her shoulder with his finger, trying to process whether he was dreaming. When she did not disappear, he rubbed his eyes, then opened them fully, exclaiming, 'Yeh toh sachmuch tum ho. Mujhe laga koi chhor hai.'

'Sameer.' Naina said a little louder, in disbelief, 'You are drunk.'

He stared at her for a few seconds, then waved his hand dismissively, 'I'm not drunk. Sirf aadha hi toh piya hai.'

Naina was puzzled. Sameer was not a regular drinker but she had seen him drinking on a few occasions. Half a drink would not leave him in this condition. Even two or three didn't, she had observed. Sameer had always handled his drinks well. She had never seen him losing control.

Seeing his eyes getting drowsy again, she nudged him, 'Adhe peg se kaise chadh gayi? Sameer, answer me.'

'Huh? Adha peg?' He sat upright, blinking.

And then, as if remembering something, let out a silly chuckle, 'Arey nahi, peg nahi... aadha bottle.'

Naina's hand flew to her mouth as a gasp escaped her. He had downed half a bottle!

She was still in shock when Sameer suddenly leaned towards her, his nose brushing against her chin, 'Tum gussa toh nahi ho na?'

She leaned backward, and quickly pressed her palms against his shoulders to stop him, 'Tum... tum ab chupp karke so jao.'

Grabbing her wrists, he pulled her hands down. Before she could react, he lifted himself on his knees in a flash, and hovered over her, 'Pehle promise karo tum mujhse gussa nahi ho.'

Naina gulped, feeling his breath on her face as his half open eyes flickered over her features. This was getting out of hand. He was not in his senses. Telling him plainly would not suffice, she had to be firm.

With a determined expression, Naina rose onto her own knees, gripping his shoulders firmly and pushed him back on bed, pinning him against the pillow.

Looking into his eyes, she said in a steely voice, 'Ab tum aankhen band karo aur so jao. Kuch bolna nahi. Aur hilna bhi nahi.'

Sameer blinked a few times, then smiled softly, 'Pata hai, jab tum aise order karti ho, badi hot lagti ho.'

Naina's heart stopped beating. What did he just say? Wasn't he talking about the very trait that irritated him from the very beginning?

'Achha baba, so jaata hun. Aankhen bhi band kar li. Dekho.' Sameer pointed at his shut eyes, still smiling, 'Par fir bhi tumhe dekh sakta hun. Band aankhon ke aage bhi tumhara chehra hai. Kyonki tumhare alava mujhe kuch nazar hi nahi aata.'

Naina moved back quickly. He didn't know what he was saying. It was the liquor in his system which was making him blabber. Wasn't it?

Within seconds, she could hear his steady breathing. Slowly, she walked to the other side and slipped into the bed, pulling the comforter over her. Her mind was telling her to ignore what she just heard... it was drunken prattle. But her heart was not ready to calm down... drumming with a stubborn hope that simmered within. She did not know whether to kindle that hope or nip it.

Swallowing the dryness in her throat, she turned her back towards Sameer and stared at the wall ahead. Why were things so complicated? Earlier it was just a contract from which she would have been freed to go back to her life with Natasha when it got over. She would have been happy. But now, everything had changed. The thought of the contract made her feel scared... it hurt her. Now she did not want to go. Wasn't it true that when you were drunk, you speak what is in your heart, because you are not afraid to do so? Did it mean that Sameer really poured his heart out? Did he

her thoughts came to an abrupt halt as she heard a shuffling sound behind her, and before she knew, Sameer snuggled into her back, his arm again looping around her waist. This time though, he pressed himself against her back. His warm breath fanned on the side of her neck, making her gasp.

'Sameer... yeh tum... yeh kya kar rahe ho.' The words seemed to be stuck in her even drier throat.

'So raha hun. Tumne hi toh kaha sone ko.' He whispered, making all the tiny hair behind her neck rise at the sensation.

She tugged at his arm, 'Apni jagah... apni side pe jao. Sameer tum...'

He nestled his face in the crook of her neck, making her forget what she was saying, and mumbled, 'No. Main aise hi sounga. Apni wife ke paas. Tumhare paas.'

Naina squeezed her eyes shut. Her whole body seemed to be on alert, aware of his every touch... every breath that made his chest move rhythmically against her back, fingers that gripped the curve of her waist, lips that brushed against her ear when he spoke, leg that rested folded over both her legs.

She did not dare to move an inch.

When she thought he had finally slept, his slurred voice fell in her ears again, 'Pata hai Naina, I hated you.'

She stiffened. So he was aware of the real emotion between them. She was unnecessarily trying to read something in his drunk actions.

Disrupting her chain of thoughts, he uttered, 'Pehle din se, I hated you... aisa laga tha mujhe. Tumhe dekhte hi gussa aata tha. Munna ko kitni baar kaha ki tum sahi nahi ho. Na Munna meri baat maanta tha na Pandit. Dono kehte the tum bohot achhi ho. You know what, they were right. Naina, tum toh sach mein achhi ho. Lekin mujhe jab tak yeh samajh aaya tum mujhse ruth gayi. Aur bataun kya samajh aaya mujhe?'

Every nerve in her body froze, to give complete attention to what he was going to say. The silence felt too long but was merely a couple of seconds when Sameer's lips against her ears, seemed to stretch into a smile.

He drawled, his voice a mix of softness and drowsy mischief, 'Nahiii, abhi nahi bataunga. Aise hi thodi bol sakta hun. Uske liye toh... kuch special hona chahiye.'

Naina's pulse throbbed harder, it's weight reverberating through her. She had stopped breathing long back. It felt like all her senses, all her nerves had gathered at only those places where his body made contact with her... rest of her body had gone numb.

Unaware of the havoc he was causing, Sameer continued with his intoxicated mumble, 'Abhi ke liye toh itna kaafi hai ki tum mere paas ho. I'm so happy Naina ki tum meri wife ho. Agar tum kisi aur ki biwi hoti na, main uska murder kar deta.'

He chuckled, and his lips touched Naina's neck, making her shudder in his hold.

'Lekin ab murder nahi karna padega. Kyonki tumne mujhse hi shaadi ki hai. Naina, tum kabhi mujhe chor ke mat jaana, okay. Mujhe na, tumhari aadat ho gayi hai. Nahi, aadat nahi, mujhe na tumse...'

The silence in the room deafened Naina's ears as she waited for his next words. But what she heard were his soft snores.

He fell asleep before he could say what he was about to.

With a shudder, Naina let out a breath that she did not even know she was holding. Was he going to say what she was thinking? Was he hinting that he had also started to feel the way she did? Was he also falling in...

Naina closed her eyes shut, blocking the word from her mind. She did not even want to think about it. If this was real, she did not want to jinx it. Unknowingly, her middle finger curled over her index finger, to make a wish.

Next update on Wednesday hopefully, or else on Thursday