Sameer's eyes stayed on Naina's face. Her derisive tone, dismissive body language and indifference to his presence made him simmer in anger.

His voice dropped in decibel, but a note of finality creeped into it as he towered over her, attempting to impose a semblance of authority, 'Hope nahi yeh reality hai.'

'Tum mera naam apne naam ke saath nahi jod sakte.' Naina scoffed, the defiant spark in her eyes intensified.

'Jod chuka hun, jabse tumhe apni girlfriend banaya hai. Humein yeh natak aage lekar jaana hi hoga.' He decalred, not ready to negotiate.

Naina lifted her hands, placed them on his chest and tried to push hard, to make him get away from her. But Sameer had been expecting something like this. Her force did not budge him. Rather, he left her upper arms and gripped her wrists that now rested on his chest.

But the moment his fingers touched her bare skin, Sameer's eyes rounded, his anger changing to surprise, 'Naina, tumhe toh fever hai.'

She pulled back her hands immediately, taking advantage of his divided attention, and managed to shake him from his place. But as she slipped away, Sameer again held her wrist and swung her to face him. The next moment, his fingers pressed against her forehead, taking her by wonder.

Sameer frowned as he registered that her skin was indeed burning. Before she could react, he left her and fished out his phone from the pocket. Naina was perplexed.

Sameer spoke into the phone after pressing something on the screen, 'Munna, main Naina ko doctor ke paas le jaa raha hun. Usey high temperature hai.'

He waited, listening to the response from other side, while with one palm, he stalled Naina's objection, who fumed at his interference. After hanging up, he turned to her, 'Chalo.'

'Main theek hun. I'm not going anywhere with you.' Naina gritted her teeth. She was capable of taking care of herself. The fever had increased in last one hour and she had already sent the office helper to get Crocin for her. Leaving office was not possible, not with so much of workload.

Sameer's voice was soft, even his tone was almost pleading, 'You need to rest, Naina. Doctor ko consult karne ke baad main tumhe ghar drop kar dunga. Don't overwork in this state. Warna kal tak aur beemar ho jaogi.'

Naina was feeling exhausted because of having worked all night and with rising temperature. On top of that, his forceful conduct was irritating her, 'Please, yeh jhoothi sympathy mat dikhao. Ek minute pehle tum mujhe dhamki de rahe the aur ab aise behave kar rahe ho jaise tumhe meri health ki bohot parwah hai. Anyway, I don't have energy to fight with you. Tum jao. Main ek crocin le lungi toh fever utar jayega.'

A knock stopped Sameer from insisting again. He turned and opened the door. Office boy, Suresh, was shocked to see him, but masked his surprise next moment, and extended a white paper bag towards Naina, 'Madam, aapki dawaayen.'

Sameer grabbed the packet from him before Naina could reach it.

'Thank you Suresh.' Naina smiled at the boy, 'Ek chai bhi bana doge please?'

He nodded eagerly and looked at Sameer, 'Sir, aap toh hamesha ki tarah coffee lenge na?'

Shaking his head, Sameer replied, 'Nahi. Main jaa raha hun. Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye.'

After he was gone, Sameer let out a sigh of resignation as he glanced back at Naina, 'Mera gussa apni health pe mat nikalo. I really think tumhe ghar jaake aaram karna chahiye. Mere saath nahi jaana toh Natasha ko bula lo.'

Naina was momentarily touched by his concern, then was reminded of the real reason why he had come after her, invading her space with his formidable stance. Her voice turned cold, 'Thank you Mr Maheshwari. I can manage. Pehli baar fever nahi hua hai mujhe.'

'Fine.' He murmured under his breath, putting the bag of medicine on her table and walked away.

Pressing the side of her head that had started to throb now, Naina slumped on her chair, extracted the tablet from the bag and swallowed it with water. She closed her eyes and laid her head on the table, waiting for the medicine to show some effect.

Instead of going back to his friends, Sameer returned to his office, as he had a meeting later in the afternoon. After his call earlier, they presumed that he had taken Naina to the doctor, hence they were not waiting for him.

Pandit, for once, was in a serious mood as he was quite perturbed by everything, 'Nahi Munna, mujhe yeh sab theek nahi lag raha. Naina ko jhoothi girlfriend banake sabse milwana fir bhi theek tha lekin Sameer usse shaadi kaise kar sakta hai? Sameer ke sapne ka kya hoga?'

Munna was aware that however easy go lucky Pandit might seem, he was a person who attached a lot of importance to family ties and relationships. Since he did not receive as much affection from his parents as he craved for, he wanted to get married to such a person who would truly love him and be a support for him always. Thus, he was not happy with Sameer's decision.

Munna sighed, 'Pataa hai Sameer ki problem kya hai... woh sapne dekhte dekhte yeh bhool gaya hai ki unhe poora karne ke liye aankhen kholni padti hain.'

Pandit furrowed his brows, 'Haan toh aankhen khol ke hi dhoond raha tha kuch time pehle tak. Tujhe bhi toh pata hai Sameer ke liye sabse important hai pehli nazar ka pyar, aur woh itne saalon se uss ladki ke intezar mein hai jise dekhte hi uska dil tezi se dhadakne lage. Lekin Dadaji ki shart ne saara kabaada kar diya.'

Munna smiled, 'Agar Dadaji ki shart nahi bhi hoti toh kya gurantee hai ki Sameer ko aisi ladki mil hi jaati?'

Pandit looked away with a resigned exhale, 'Lekin koshish to kar sakta tha. Ab uske paas time hi nahi hai.'

Munna reasoned, trying to make Pandit understand what he meant, 'Koshish karna kise kehte hain? Tujhe kabhi laga ki Sameer kisi ko pasand karne ki koshish karta hai? Har ladki ko dekhte hi reject kar deta hai. School time se dekh rahe hain. Koi na koi kami nazar aa hi jaati hai usey har ladki mein, kyonki woh pyar se pehle khaamiyan dhoondta hai. Kahan se milti aisi perfect girlfriend jo uska pehli nazar ka pyar ban sakey. Bhai, pyar se dekhta hi kahan hai apna yaar. Negative points ki list leke ghumta hai aur har ladki ke liye ek ek karke tick karta jaata hai.'

Blinking hard, Pandit recalled all the times when such incidents happened. It was always the same story with Sameer. Only, he had not realised it till now.

His mouth fell open, 'Baat toh tu sahi keh raha hai, Munna. Woh hamesha se yeh dekhta raha ki ladki mein kya nahi hai... har kisi ke flaws se aage badh hi nahi paaya. Sameer ke liye kisi ko pehli nazar mein pasand karna aasan nahi hota.'

Munna asserted, excitement shining on his face as Pandit finally accepted his perception, 'Aasaan? Namumkin hota bhai. Har insaan mein kamiyan hoti hain, lekin jab aap kisi se pyar karte ho toh un kamiyon ko ignore karna ya accept karna seekh jaate ho. Pyar mein padne ke liye analysis nahi chahiye. Par Sameer itne saalon baad bhi yeh baat samajh hi nahi paa raha.'

Pandit nodded, thinking about it for a few minutes. Then, his eyes widened in appreciation, 'Yaar Munna, main toh kehta hun Dadaji genius hain jo aisi condition daali. Tune bilkul theek kaha, apne bhai ka ghar tabhi bas sakta hai jab Dadaji ki talwar uski gardan pe tikegi.'

Munna nodded, 'Aur kya. Tune dekha na, Sameer Naina ke baare mein chahe jo bhi bolta rahe lekin usey Naina ki kitni fikr hoti hai. Hum sab yahin the, par humein nahi laga ki Naina ki tabiyat theek nahi hai. Sameer ne kuch toh observe kiya hoga tabhi uske peeche gaya. Aur jaise hi fever ka pataa chala, woh humse baat karna bhool ke Naina ko doctor ke paas le gaya, jabki usey itni important baat karni thi.'

A sound from the door made both of them glance towards it. Suresh entered with a tray, and placed two mugs of steaming coffee in front of them.

Munna gently reprimanded him, 'Kitni der pehle kaha tha aur tu ab leke aaya hai. Coffee bana raha tha ya ugaa raha tha.'

Suresh lowered his head, replying in a meek voice, 'Sir main market gaya tha, Naina madam ne bheja tha.'

Munna was surprised, 'Naina ne? Lekin woh toh ghar chali gayi.'

Shaking his head, Suresh informed him about going to the pharmacy and stated, 'Naina madam apne room mein hain. Abhi chai deke aaya hun unhe.'

Pandit placed a call to Sameer the moment Suresh left. The call went unanswered. They both decided to check up on Naina. But when they reached her room, they found her resting with her eyes shut, reclined on the chair. Without disturbing her, they walked away.

It was almost half an hour since she had taken the tablet when Naina started to feel a little better. Wiping the sheen of sweat from her face and neck, she picked the bottle of water from side table and took a few large gulps. Feeling hot was a sign of fever coming down, but she still felt drained of energy. Twitching her shoulders, she breathed out, and opened her laptop. Though it was difficult to focus properly, the work had to be done.

Barely fifteen minutes had passed when her phone started to vibrate. Naina had put it on silent earlier.

'Bol Nutty?' She put it on speaker, her eyes and fingers on laptop.

'Come down.' Natasha commanded.

'What?' Naina stopped, narrowing her eyes at the screen, 'Down where?'

Natasha's voice was gentle, yet firm, 'Ek din kaam nahi karegi toh company band nahi ho jayegi. Chal neeche aa. I'm takin you home.'

Naina was about to object when her voice echoed again, 'Koshish bhi mat karna, excuses dene ki. Munna ko malum hai ki tujhe fever hai. Usey tere ghar jaane se koi problem nahi hai. I give you five minutes.'

In a way, Naina was glad to leave. She was not able to think clearly in her present state. Natasha was parked right under the building. With a smile, Naina slipped into the passenger seat, 'Thanks yaar. Tu itni dur sirf mujhe pick karne aayi hai?'

'Aur kya,' Natasha touched her forehead, sighed in relief and pulled out from the office complex, 'Jab tu apni fikr nahi karti toh baaki sabko karni padti hai. Mujhe call kyon nahi kiya?'

Naina leaned back, 'Mujhe laga bas thodi sardi hai theek ho jayegi. Tu nahi aati toh bhi main nikalne ka soch hi rahi thi. Lekin Munna ne pehle hi tujhe call kar diya.'

Natasha shot a quick glance at her, 'Tujhe kisne kaha Munna ne call kiya?'

'Fir?' Naina chuckled, 'Call nahi toh kya tujhe sapna aaya?'

'Main so nahi rahi thi jo sapne dekhti. Mujhe tere boyfriend ne bataya.' Natasha gave a tongue in cheek smile, 'Bechara bohot pareshan sound kar raha tha. Keh raha tha tujhe rest karna chahiye aur tu mere alawa kisi aur ki nahi sunegi isliye main jaakar tujhe zabardasti ghar le aaun.'

'Sameer ne kaha?' Naina looked at her in disbelief, 'Sameer Maheshwari ne?'

'Aur kisi Sameer ko bhi jaanti hai kya tu?' Natasha snapped, then suddenly changed her expression to a teasing one, 'Kya baat hai, boyfriend bolte hi samajh gayi kiski baat kar rahi hun.'

Naina shifted her gaze to the passing landscape, 'Zyada din nahi. Yeh contract end karne wali hun.'

Natasha's voice softened, 'Naina, promise me tu abhi koi desperate decision nahi legi. Pehle theek hoja fir iske baare mein baat karenge.'

Before Naina could reply, her phone started to ring. A frown appeared on her face as she noticed the name of the caller.

'Hello bhabhi.' Her answer made Natasha twist her mouth in apprehension of some unpleasant news.

Tina did not disappoint Natasha, as her shrill voice resonated in the quiet interiors of the car, 'Naina, tumhare bhai se chup ke call kar rahi hun. Usne ghar ke liye buyer final kar liya hai. Tumne us din kaha tha tum yeh ghar kisi aur ke paas jaate hue nahi dekh sakti. Main tumhari feelings ko samajh sakti hun isliye kuch din Anuj ko rok ke rakhungi. Tum ek mahine mein paison ka arrangement kar do.'

Naina gasped, 'Bhabhi, main itne kam time mein kahan se laun paise?'

Tina's voice showed a hint of jealousy, 'Woh hai na tumhara boyfriend. Uske liye kya mushkil hai. Jo ladka itni expensive car le sakta hai woh apni girlfriend ke liye paise bhi de sakta hai.'

'Woh kyon dega bhabhi?' Naina spat back, 'Yeh meri responsibility hai uski nahi.'

'Toh woh kya sirf maze karne ke liye boyfriend bana hua hai?' Tina laughed sarcastically, 'Maine toh Anuj ko usi din bol diya tha... aisa ladka tum jaisi ladki ke liye kabhi serious nahi ho sakta. Aur shaadi... woh toh sapne mein bhi mat sochna. Shaadi ke liye woh apne jaisi koi wealthy, high society ki sunder si ladki choose karega. Kyonki usey pataa hai ki tum jaisi average si shakal wali, dusron ki company mein job karne wali ladki se uska koi match nahi hai. Tumhe sirf bewakoof bana raha hai. Jahan status match na ho wahan rishte nahi bante, bas zarurat poori ki jaati hai.'

Natasha gritted her teeth, about to blurt out a befitting reply to her nasty deduction when Naina stopped her, raising her hand, and calmly answered, 'Aapne bhi toh apne se kam status wale ladke se shaadi ki hai. Aapki aisi kya zarurat thi jiske liye aapne apne jaisa high society ka ladka choose na karke Anuj bhaiya ko chuna?'

'Shut up Naina.' Tina shouted, 'How dare you say such a thing? Aur kuch toh hai nahi tumhare paas ab manners bhi khatam ho gaye kya? Apne bade bhai aur bhabhi ke baare mein aisi ghatiya baat karne ki himmat kaise hui tumhari?'

Naina's lips curved into a bitter smile, 'Aapse bohot kuch seekh liya.'

This angered Tina even more, 'Anuj theek kehta hai, tumse baat karne ka koi fayda nahi. Tum pehle se bhi zyada badtameez aur selfish ho gayi ho. Jis boyfriend ke saath ka ghamand hai na tumhe, woh do chaar mahino mein tumhe apni zindagi se nikal phenkega. Tab dekhungi tumhara attitude. Abhi ke liye tumhe fir se yaad dila dun ki bas ek mahine ka time hai tumhare paas.'

With a beep, silence fell into the car. Naina squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing her forehead. The headache that had diminished after the medicine was back... much more potent now. Natasha glanced at her, but did not speak. Naina did not need any advice or discussion at this moment. She needed an antidote for the venom spewed by that malicious woman. Natasha was now even more convinced about her line of thoughts.

After reaching home, Naina changed, took another tablet and got into bed, exhausted not just physically but emotionally and mentally too. She was aware that Natasha had heard the entire conversation, since Tina's loud and sharp voice spilled over in the small confines of the car easily. And she was glad that Natasha had been quiet about it. She was giving the much needed space to Naina. The effect of medicine made her eyes heavier in no time.

When Natasha checked on her few minutes later, Naina was asleep. Silently, Natasha shut the door and stepped into the balcony adjoining the living room to make the call.

Sameer answered in second ring, 'Ya Natasha. Doctor ke paas gaye?'

'Nahi. Jab maine pick kiya toh fever utar gaya tha.' She responded to his eager query, 'Lekin woh ghar aane ko maan gayi. So rahi hai ab.'

Sameer muttered in frustration, 'Yeh ladki itni ziddi kyon hai? Doctor se consult kiye bina koi bhi medicine kaise le sakti hai. Kuch reaction ho gaya toh?'

Natasha held back her laugh, 'Sirf ek crocin hi khayi hai. Fever ke liye crocin lena normal hai. Naina ko koi aur symptoms nahi hain.'

Sameer mumbled something, but it was unclear.

Natasha drew in a long breath, then asked in a slow, deliberate voice, 'Sameer, kya tum sach mein Naina se shaadi karne ke liye ready ho?'

'Achha, ab tum yeh kehne wali ho ki Naina isliye bimar padi kyonki maine shaadi ke liye kaha? Iska blame bhi mere sar pe daalne ka plan hai tum dono ka?' He shot back.

Natasha let out the chuckle she was controlling, 'Arey baba tumpe koi goli nahi chala raha. Main seriously puch rahi hun. Honest answer chahiye.'

At the other end, Sameer sighed, 'Meri mom kisi pandit se February ki date final karke aa gayi hain. Unka kehna hai ki shaadi agar abhi nahi hui toh November mein hi ho sakti hai. Mere paas koi option nahi bacha Natasha. Itne short notice pe main aur kisse shaadi karun?'

Her next question came up instantly, 'Agar tumhe koi aur mil jaaye, I mean, koi khud aage badhkar tumse shaadi karna chahe toh kya tum Naina ki jagah usse shaadi kar loge?'

'Aise kaise kar lunga? Na jaan na pehchaan kisi ko bhi wife bana lun?' Sameer did not think before replying.

A knowing smile graced Natasha's lips, 'Toh tumhe lagta hai tum Naina ko pehchante ho, samajhte ho. Haina?'

He went silent for sometime, then answered in a low voice, 'I don't know. Par Naina ko apni girlfriend bana ke apni family se milwaya hai toh ab shaadi ke liye kaise manaa karun. Unhe Naina bohot pasand hai.'

'Agar Naina yeh shaadi na karna chahe toh?' Natasha wanted to know what did he have in mind, or did it never occur to him that Naina could refuse.

Sameer gulped, 'Usey manana padega. In fact, mujhe iske liye tumhari help chahiye. Usey bolo main uski har baat manunga, jo woh bolegi woh karne ko ready hun. Bas ek baar shaadi ke liye haan kar de.'

Natasha breathed out. So he did have that fear somewhere in his mind. What Naina told her about last night had made Natasha think differently. But his arrogance was more of a show than confidence... he was not sure of Naina's acceptance of this offer.

His voice again boomed into her ears, 'Will you help me Natasha? Please.'

Next update on Friday