After her talk with Natasha, Naina went back inside the house. When she checked in the kitchen, Mohan had already chopped some of the vegetables for noodles and washed the rest. He offered to help but Naina politely told him that she would manage on her own. When she was left alone, she first searched for the songs she wanted to play, and after adjusting her earbuds, slipped the phone in her pocket. She had started to grate the vegetables for manchurian when Sameer entered.

Unaware of his presence, she hummed softly, completely immersed in her task. He leaned against the doorway for a moment, watching her. He had seen her dance once, not the kind where one swayed in a gathering, but where every movement was for herself, unrestrained and full of joy. The memory of her blissful expression, the uninhibited freedom in her steps was etched deeply in his mind. And now, as her soft humming filled the air, he could tell she was enjoying this moment too. She was singing for herself. Her tone carried a natural modulation that was untouched by self-consciousness. Even though he could not catch the lyrics, her rhythm sounded melodious.

From what she had told him about her life, he had gathered as much that there had been very little in terms of happiness for her. This, however, was a different side of her. There was an ease, a contentment, that transformed her face. It appeared that music was an escape, a source of happiness she'd carved out for herself, along with dance. The uninhibited way she danced that day had been a glimpse of her vibrant spirit and the way she hummed now felt like a perfect reflection of that. These were the little things that brought her joy... the kind of pure elation that lit up her face and made her seem free. It made him want to see more of such happiness, and to be the reason for it.

With a resolve of doing the same, he stealthily walked in. Stopping at a distance of one feet behind her, he lightly cleared his throat. Naina continued to hum, her eyes fixed on the task in hand. He furrowed his brows. Was she ignoring him on purpose? Her singing was so low, it was impossible to miss the sound he made. He coughed, a little louder this time. There was no reaction to acknowledge it. He dipped his head a bit to reach closer to her ear, and murmured, 'Hey!'

The suddenness of his voice caused her to jump in alarm, stumbling backward. He just wanted to get her attention, but the reaction it elicited from Naina startled him just as much. His hands shot out to steady her, landing on her waist. Her back collided with his chest, and in her disconcerted state, her head swung to the side, her eyes wide as she looked over her shoulder at him. The movement brought their faces close, mere inches separating them. He could feel her warm breath on his cheek, and her hair brushed against his jawline. Time seemed to slow for a moment as their eyes locked. Sameer's grip on her waist tightened slightly, his heart hammering at the sudden proximity. Naina blinked rapidly, her breath caught in her throat as the warmth of his chest pressed against her back and his hands digging into her waist against the thin fabric of her top.

'Hey!' He repeated, his voice low and almost breathless, his gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips.

'Uh...' Naina straightened hastily, pushing her hair away from her face as she stepped aside, '...sorry, mujhe laga pata nahi kaun hai.'

'Well, yeh toh allowed nahi hai.' Sameer shoved his hands in pocket, a cheeky smile tugging at his lips, though his heart was still racing.

'Kya?' Naina checked the counter, her brows furrowing in confusion.

'Sorry bolna.' He replied with a shrug, his smile widening, 'Subah hi toh bataya tha.'

'Oh sor...' She paused, took a moment, then looked up, a little miffed, 'Tumne aise achanak aakar daraya kyon?'

'Maine kahan daraya? Maine toh do baar awaaz di par tum gaana gaane mein itni khoyi hui thi ki tumhe suna hi nahi.' He gave a shake to his head, mirroring her tone.

Naina's hand went up to her ear. It was then that he noticed the earbuds. When he thought she was straightening her hair, she was actually tapping on it to switch off the music. Suddenly his curiosity piqued. He gently plucked one earbud and placed it in his ear. Before Naina could show any resistance, the song started to play

ishq karey mere hothon se
bas ik teri baat
teri doori na sahun
dur khud se rahun
tere pehlu mein hi reh jaun
tu hi samajh na jo main chahun

Sudden silence felt stark as the song came to an abrupt halt when she switched off the music from her phone. The song was from her playlist. As long as she played it for herself, it was fine but letting Sameer know of it... more so, the lyrics that came up now... it brought heat rushing to her cheeks.

'Band kyon kiya?' Sameer asked, his voice low, a teasing glint in his gaze, 'Achha song hai. Aur tum gaati bhi achha ho.'

Naina gave him a quick, sideways glance then mumbled, focusing on the vegetables in the bowl, 'Kaam pe dhyan dena chahiye. Lunch time tak sab ready karna hai.'

He did not tease her more over it. He had identified the song the moment he heard the first line. Though it was Naina's choice, but it voiced the emotions he had been carrying in his heart all along. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned his attention to the kitchen.

The vegetables were thinly sliced. He brought out a pan from the underneath drawer and placed it on the stove after filling it with water. His movements had the confidence of someone who had spent enough time in the kitchen to be at ease. Walking over to another drawer, he picked up some noodle packets. The crinkling sound of wrappers filled the silence as he tore them open and added to the boiling water while Naina went up on her toes and grabbed the container from the cabinet above, only to realise it was empty.

'Oh!' She pursed her lips, mumbling to herself, 'Maida toh hai hi nahi. Mangwana parega.'

'Ek minute.' Sameer pointed at the end of the kitchen as he stirred the contents of the pan, 'Wahan pantry mein dekho. I'm sure wahan hoga.'

Naina was surprised. Not only had he been cooking with ease, he was also informed about everything in the kitchen, which was something she had never seen in her house. Be it Anuj or her father, they would call out to her for every requirement. The only thing they were capable of was taking a glass of water for themselves sometimes. And after that, they never bothered to refill the bottle of water, or even put it back in the refrigerator. Once, when she was much younger, she had called out to her brother for the same. She still remembered her father's harsh glare followed by his stern reprimand.

'Woh ladka hai. Yeh sab uska kaam nahi hai. Ghar aur kitchen sambhalna teri duty hai.'

A girl's duty, a boy's privilege... these two realities were very well defined in her house, just like it was in the society, and they were not meant to cross. Yet here, in this house, where they had the convenience of help for every task, she found the men taking such responsibilities with ease and genuine intent. The contrast was both striking and shocking.

Naina silently walked to the pantry cabinet. Gripping the handle of the long door, she pulled. Nothing happened. She pulled again. The door didn't budge. Frowning, she held the handle with both hands and pulled harder. It seemed to be stuck. Before she could think of something, Sameer's hand closed over hers on the handle. She didn't look back but could feel his chest almost touching her shoulder and side of her arm as he slightly lifted up the handle and pulled. The pantry door swung open effortlessly.

'Thoda sa lift karke open hota hai. Iska lock mechanism aisa hai.' He murmured, his voice low and close to her ear.

'Mujhe... mujhe pata nahi tha.' She tried to ignore the goosebumps and sound normal as she picked up the packet of flour.

Sameer did not move. In a softer voice, he said, 'Naina, agar tumhe kabhi bhi, kuch bhi puchna ho, koi confusion ya problem ho, toh bina hesitation ke mujhse puch lena. Okay? Kuch bhi.'

She clutched onto the packet, her gaze fixed ahead, and asked the question that was on her mind since last several minutes, 'Filhal mujhe yeh puchna hai ki tumhe kitchen ke baare mein sab kuch kaise pata hai? Cooking karne mein itne expert kaise ho? Ek toh tum ladke ho, upar se tumhare yahan cooks hain. Fir tumhe...'

Sameer leaned in a little, interjecting her, 'Ladka hun toh mujhe yeh sab nahi karna chahiye?'

Naina finally turned her head, her eyes flickering up to meet his, 'Sabhi kehte hain ki yeh kaam ladkiyon ke hote hain.'

He chuckled softly, 'Yeh baat tum keh rahi ho? Yaad nahi, ladka ladki ke topic pe kitni baar jhaad lagayi hai tumne mujhe? Aur aaj khud hi fark bata rahi ho?'

A forlorn smile appeared on her lips, 'Mere kehne se kuch badal thori jayega. Na main koi rules bana sakti hun na hamesha se chale aa rahey rules ko change kar sakti hun. Bas unhe follow karna zaruri hota hai. Yahi expect kiya jaata hai.'

Sameer held her shoulders and turned her to face him, 'Yeh hamara ghar hai Naina. Yahan rules nahi banaye jaate. Yahan hum sab ek dusre ke liye pyar bhare efforts daalte hain. Kitchen ka kaam ho ya ghar ka, kisi ek ki duty nahi hai. Chahe dadaji hon, papa ya mummy, aisa kuch nahi hai jo unhone kabhi na kiya ho. Har kaam aata hai hum sabko. Meri dadiji ka yeh manna tha ki family ke sab log gaadi ke pahiye hote hain. Jab tak sabhi ek saath nahi chalenge, parivaar ki gaadi theek se nahi chal payegi. Woh kehti thi yeh kaam nahi, survival skills hain, jo zindagi jeene ke liye har kisi ko aani chahiye.'

She gazed at him, her eyes filled with wonder.

A reminiscent smile spread on Sameer's face, 'Main jab chota tha toh aksar dadaji mere liye kuch na kuch banate they. Aur jab main school mein iski baat karta toh mere kuch dost mujhpar hanste they. Tab mujhe pehli baar feel hua ki shayad yeh galat hai. Ghar aakar jab maine dadaji ko bataya toh unhone pata hai kya kaha?'

He repeated his grandfather's words in a heavier voice, 'Hum jinse pyar karte hain unke liye kuch bhi karna galat kaise ho sakta hai? Kya tu mujhe khushi dene ke liye mere liye chai nahi banayega?'

He shrugged, smiling proudly as he looked at her, 'Aur uss din, jab main fourth standard mein tha, dadaji ne mujhe chai banani sikhayi. Uske baad dheere dheere maine baaki sab bhi seekh liya. Cooks hon ya servants, woh hamare kaam karte hain par aisa nahi hai ki hum unke bina handicapped ho jayenge.'

His lips curved into a slow smirk as his tone turned teasing, 'Tumhe lagta tha na ki main har kaam ke liye Mohan ko awaaz deta hun... kya kaha tha tumne...' He pretended to think.

'I was wrong.' Naina admitted truthfully before he could repeat what all she had accused him of, 'Jo bhi kaha tha us waqt ke gusse ki wajah se tha. Yahan sabki thinking kitni alag hai yeh mujhe dheere dheere samajh aaya. I'm so...'

Rest of her words died down in her throat as Sameer swiftly placed his finger over her lips. Naina stared at him, her eyes unblinking. Within a moment, he realised what he had done.

But instead of pulling back his hand, he pressed the finger a little more, and smiled, 'Agar tum sorry bolna band nahi karogi toh mujhe hi chupp karana parega...' Then, his eyes darkened as his gaze drifted to her lips, and he whispered, '... apne tareeke se.'

She felt her heart would explode because how fast it was beating at the sheer intensity of his words and the moment itself. The space between them seemed too small, their proximity igniting a heat that spread through her like wildfire.

'Get it?' His voice was heavy, yet it had a playful undertone.

Naina blinked, unable to form a coherent response, her lips still caught under his finger. With reluctance, he let go of the feel of her petal soft lips, taking back his hand. Getting to their task wasn't easy for either of them.

At the table, Anaya smacked her lips delight, 'Wow bhabhi, it's yummy.'

Sameer pinched her cheek, 'Sirf bhabhi nahi, bhai ko bhi bol. Khana hum dono ne banaya hai.'

'Kya hai bhai.' Anaya snapped, rubbing her cheek, 'Meri skin kharab mat karo. Aur haan, aapke haath ka bohot baar khaatein hain. Aaj dessert ke alava sabmein alag taste hai. I'm sure unmein aapka contribution nahi hai.'

Sameer fell silent. After he had helped Naina in frying the manchurian, she offered to do both... toss the boiled noodles and prepare sauce for manchurian. He had agreed, using it as an excuse to step away. The truth was, her closeness was affecting him in ways he hadn't anticipated, igniting a fire that needed to be controlled for now. Their earlier moments were giving him the confidence to push further, but he didn't want to rush. Naina deserved the space to adjust to their evolving relationship. Moving to the other side of the counter, he busied himself with setting up dessert, channeling his restless energy into the task of making chocolate mousse. He whisked the chocolate mixture with care, the repetitive motion helping calm the storm within him. Yet, his gaze kept drifting toward her. The way she pushed her hair back with the back of her wrist, the way she switched between two burners, handling both dishes deftly... it was captivating in a way that left him speechless.

As he poured the whipped cream into the mousse, he shook his head, chiding himself silently, 'Get it together man.'

Over the days, however, he could not to let a single moment slip by without giving her a glimpse of his intense feelings. There were little moments of fleeting proximity, subtle touches, heartfelt glances. And though Naina was new to this unspoken language of love, she couldn't deny the effect it had on her. Sometimes his actions left her flustered, while at other times she would smile without reason, replaying his words in her mind. Every instance left a fluttering feeling in her. There were moments when she shyly avoided his gaze after an unexpected compliment or a teasing remark. Yet, there were also moments when she found herself seeking him out, her heart wanting more of his attention. This playful flirtatious dynamic was so new for her, yet she couldn't deny the thrill it sent through her.

For Sameer, her responses felt both endearing and encouraging. He noticed how her shyness was often accompanied by a hint of a smile she tried to hide. He saw how her eyes sparkled when he leaned in to murmur something softly, or how she shivered slightly when their hands accidentally brushed. This growing connection was everything he had hoped for. Also, since the day in the kitchen, he had started to keep a song as his caller tune, only for Naina. He would purposely give her a couple of missed calls. And when she called back, he would wait for a while, till the lyrics were played to her.

One time, it was 'mere rang mein rangne wali pari ho ya ho pariyon ki raani', other day he played 'bholi si surat aankhon mein masti dur khari sharmaye', and the next was 'mangaan yahi duwavan main channa tu mainu mil jaa tainu na bol paavan main tu aape hi samajh jaa'

Yet another time Naina felt her heart jump to her mouth at the song

Tere saath mein ho subah tu hi sabse pehle ho haan
raaton mein baatein teri na neend ko de jagah
tere saath har pal rahun yehi aarzu hai meri
saanson mein teri mahak ho haathon mein haath tera
mere seene ki dhadkan hai tu ban gaya

Her grip on the phone tightened when the song stopped and she heard the familiar voice.

'Hello.'

She couldn't say a word.

'Hello Naina. Tum sunn rahi ho na?' Sameer's voice was casual, as if he wasn't aware of the song, 'Call kaise kiya? Koi kaam tha kya?'

'Woh main...' Naina swallowed, 'Uh... tumne kiya tha... call.' She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment then let out a silent breath before speaking, 'Main meeting mein thi. Abhi dekha tumhare do missed calls hain isliye call back kiya. Kya tumhe kaam tha?'

'Nahi.' His lips curved into a knowing smile, 'Main lunch kar raha tha toh socha tumse puch lun tumne lunch kiya ya nahi.'

'Oh ok.' Naina furrowed her brows, 'Ok bye.'

'Suno suno suno... phone mat kaatna.' He quickly sat upright, the urgency in his voice evident. When she did not end the call, he poked his head, urging his mind to come up with something, and uttered after a few seconds, 'Kal... kal movie dekhne chalein?'

A small smile made its way on Naina's face, but she kept her voice flat, 'Kal toh mujhe late tak rukna hai. Parson morning mein hamara ek Ad shoot planned hai uski preparation karni hai. Fir kisi din plan kar sakte hain.'

After the call, Naina sighed and opened the chat with Natasha. The list Natasha had sent stared back at her. She didn't know when to watch these movies. She could not dare to do so at home, in presence of Sameer. Watching them in office wasn't possible either. The only time she could try was during her metro ride back from office but Sameer was adamant on picking her up most days. She was left with just one window... morning journey to office. On the first day, she had watched half of the first movie on her mobile in the morning, but it made her uncomfortable when the woman sitting next to her repeatedly peered into her phone. Thus, she had started to take a cab to office. By the end of the week, she had managed to watch five of them. But the movie date with Sameer could not happen, first because of her schedule and then because of his.

It was a week later when Naina was busy with some work after dinner. Sameer was in the study with his father, as they had to discuss about a new project and she was all alone in the room.

She narrowed her eyes as she stared at the design on the screen of her laptop, twisting her head to one side first, then other. The placement was missing something. She made a few changes, then carefully observed the screen. It still did not feel like what she had in mind.

'Kuch toh hai jo match nahi ho raha.' She mumbled to herself, 'Baat ban nahi rahi.'

Suddenly, she felt a pressure on the back of her chair that startled her. She nearly jumped when Sameer uttered close to her ear, 'Main help kar dun?'

'Tum... tum kab aaye?' Naina sat up straight, very much aware of him leaning behind her in such a way that his breath hit her ear when he spoke.

Sameer leaned in even more, grabbing the back of her chair on either side, and whispered, 'Jab tum complain kar rahi ki...' His eyes twinkled in mischief, '... ki hamari baat kyon nahi ban rahi.'

'Main... maine aisa nahi kaha.' With a deep flush heating her face, Naina quickly twisted her neck to counter... only to freeze as the unintended movement brought their faces quite close.

Sameer looked into her eyes, which had widened a little, making the irises appear bigger. In the soft light of the room, the brown of her eyes had melted to give it the colour of honey, and he found himself unable to look away. Naina's breath hitched as she took in the intense, almost hypnotic darkness of his eyes. From this close, she could also see how the bristles of his stubble that framed his jawline, added an effortless rugged charm to his face. The thought of tracing her fingers along that stubbled jaw sent an unexpected shiver down her spine, making her heart skip its rhythm.

A sudden jerk pulled her out of the whirlwind of her thoughts as the chair beneath her swiveled to one side. Her eyes widened in surprise, her hands instinctively gripping the edges as Sameer leaned forward, now facing her. His hands gripped the arms of the chair on either side, caging her in. The proximity was dizzying. His familiar scent... a mix of his perfume, and something inherently him... surrounded her. Naina felt her pulse quicken, her breath catching as she straightened her head to meet his gaze.

'Agar tumhara dhyan har waqt kaam par rahega toh baat banegi kaise?' Sameer's voice was low, his face hovering dangerously close to hers.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She couldn't tear her gaze away from his, nor could she stop the way her heart thundered against her ribs at the intensity in his dark eyes.

Sameer's hand slowly came up to gently cup her chin, tilting her face up toward him. She felt a trail of warmth igniting along her jawline as his fingers brushed against her skin. Sameer lowered his head enough to reduce the distance between their faces to just a breath. The quivering of her lips did not go unnoticed from him.

His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering for more than a moment before his eyes met hers again, and he whispered, 'Humein apne rishtey mein aage badhna hai toh saath chalna hoga na. Main tumhare saath chalna chahta hun Naina.'

The moment seemed to freeze between them. Then, slowly, she gave a slight nod. A smile spread across Sameer's lips. His eyes traced her face, capturing every detail, before his gaze softened and he leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.

The song Naina was listening to in the kitchen was 'Tu thodi der aur theher jaa' from the movie 'Half Girlfriend'. If you don't remember, please do listen to it once. It's a beautiful song. And try to sing along. The initial lines feel heavenly when you do so.

Next update on Thursday