Ashok Bansal could instantly sense the tension in the air. His instinct to read people showed that there was something deeper than mere acquaintance between Sameer and Tina and Anuj.

'Lagta hai koi misunderstanding hai.' His eyes shifted between the three of them, narrowing slightly as he tried to assess the situation. The change in Tina and Anuj's reactions did not escape him.

Anuj was trying hard to regain composure, but Tina was quicker, plastering a fake smile on her face as she looked at her father, 'Choti si. Hum jab inse miley they toh introduction nahi ho paaya aur...' She shot a quick, uneasy glance at Sameer, hoping to mask her unease with politeness, '...thoda confusion ho gaya.'

In response to her tone, Sameer nodded politely, but his lips curved in sinister smile, 'Usi confusion ko dur karne ke liye kismat ne humein fir se milaya hai, jisse ek dusre ko achhi tarah pehchaan saken.'

Anuj had shaken hands with him earlier but Sameer offered it again, 'Hi Anuj... ab toh naam zarur yaad rahega.'

Anuj gave a tight lipped smile, lightly gripping Sameer's hand, 'Of course. Sameer Maheshwari.'

Tina's hand trembled slightly as she clutched her bag tight, 'Uh... papa, hum log abhi aate hain. Anuj ko... humein... ek important call karna hai.'

Without waiting for her father to react, Tina held Anuj's hand which had just been released from Sameer's grasp, and walked out of the room.

Ashok Bansal narrowed his eyes, watching the door after his daughter left, then smiled brightly at Sameer, 'Tina CP wale hotel ke interiors redesign karwa rahi hai. Usi mein dono busy hain. Shayad uske liye call hoga.'

'No problem.' Sameer's smile was wide, 'Mere paas time ki kami nahi hai. Unhe apni call attend karne dijiye. Uske baad hum apna discussion kar lenge.'

He looked at his watch. Though he had a meeting around lunch time, but after this revelation, he wanted to stay longer, in order to know more about Anuj.

'Mr Bansal, Mujhe bhi ek call karna hai. Main abhi aata hun.' He stated casually before he too walked out.

Though Sameer kept his outward composure, his mind was in a storm of confusion and anger. Anuj was practically on his way to inherit a business empire... then why Naina was sending him a major part of her salary? Sameer knew how much Munna was making in his job, and since Naina was working under him, she would be getting lesser than that, which definitely would be quite modest compared to what Anuj and Tina had. What could possibly justify her sacrificing her own hard-earned income for a man who clearly didn't need it? The more he thought about it, the more it enraged him. Was Anuj feeding her some kind of lies? Was he manipulating her? Or worse... blackmailing her? Sameer wasn't sure what game Anuj was playing, but one thing was clear... Naina was being taken advantage of. Even if he did not know the whole story, he was determined that he wasn't going to let it continue.

Outside, Tina dragged Anuj to the deserted passage next to the stairway which was rarely used.

The moment they were alone, she spat out, 'Tumhe itna bhi nahi pata tha tumhari behen ne kisse shaadi ki hai?'

Still reeling from the encounter, Anuj shot her a furious look, 'Mujhe kaise pata hoga? Main gaya tha kya uski shaadi mein jo jaanta ki yeh Manoj nahi Sameer Maheshwari hai? Aur mujhe kya keh rahi ho, tumne kaunsa pehchaan liya. Tumhare papa toh achhe se jaante hain uski family ko. Tumne pehle kabhi dekha tak nahi? Tumhe malum hona chahiye tha ki yeh ladka kaun hai.'

Tina threw her hands in air in exasperation, 'Wow! Ab ismein meri galti ho gayi. Main papa ke saath unki business meetings ya parties mein jaati hun kya jo mujhe malum hota. Mera apna circle hai, mere type ke friends ka. He's not cool like us. Zarur papa ke jaisa workaholic hoga tabhi hamare club mein kabhi dekha tak nahi.'

Anuj hissed out, 'Tina, iss waqt yeh matter nahi karta ki woh cool hai ya nahi. Woh Maheshwari Constructions ka owner hai, aur ab woh jaanta hai ki uski biwi meri behen hai. Pata nahi Naina ne usey kya kya bataya hoga hamare baare mein. Hum... hum kaise deal karenge uske saath?'

Sameer was walking towards the washroom when his step halted as Tina's voice fell in his ears, 'Ek baat samajh nahi aayi Anuj, agar Naina ke husband ki itni badi construction company hai toh usey tumhare purane ghar ka itna lalach kyon hai? Aisa kya hai uss chote se flat mein jo Naina uske peeche padi hai?'

Though Sameer had no interest to eavesdrop, his curiosity piqued at what Tina mentioned.

Anuj's tone was dry, almost annoyed, 'Ghar se zyada interest usey mere liye problems create karne mein hai. Pehle khud ghar chor ke chali gayi aur ab bechne ke naam pe tamasha kar rahi hai.'

Tina exclaimed angrily, 'Wohi toh. Kyon kar rahi hai itna tamasha? Uss purane ghar ki zarurat hi kyon hai usey? Ab toh Maheshwari Mansion mein rehti hogi na. Fir bhi salary ka rona ro rahi hai. Aur agar itna hi shouk hai uss ghar ka toh kya uska ameer pati ek chote se flat ki payment nahi kar sakta? Lekar dede apni biwi ko. Kyon Naina ko har mahine chote chote payment karne de raha hai?'

Anuj's eyes darkened as he thought about his conversation with his sister two days back... how she had abruptly cut the call when he began to talk about her husband. He contemplated, aloud, 'Tina, kahin aisa toh nahi hai Sameer Naina ki parwah nahi karta? Ho sakta hai usey Naina pasand hi na ho.'

'Ho sakta hai...' Tina added, her eyes glinting with vile, '... Naina zabardasti uske gale padi ho. Tumhare papa se toh Naina ko kuch mila nahi. Paise they hi nahi, aur ghar, woh tumhara ho gaya. Isliye usney ek raees ladka phansa liya. Shayad Sameer ko uski asliyat ka pata chal gaya, isliye Naina ko ignore karta hoga.'

'Lekin hospital mein toh bada shor macha raha tha.' Anuj scoffed as he recalled, 'Yaad nahi, kaise akad ke baat kar raha tha.'

'Whatever.' Tina waived off the speculations, coming back to present scenario, 'Jo bhi hai, abhi humein usse normal tareeke se hi baat karni chahiye. Kahin usey shak na ho jaaye. Yeh deal papa ke liye sabse important hai. Kal bataya tha unhone, ki Maheshwaris pe unhe kitna trust hai. Woh log bohot honest hain, ek baar mein poori payment kar denge. Aur papa chahte hain ki poore paise milte hi mere naam se invest kar dein jisse humein interest milta rahega. Anuj, humein Sameer Maheshwari ke saamne achha impression banana hoga. Agar deal final hone se pehle papa ko kuch ho gaya toh papa ke dono greedy bhai hotels kabhi bikne nahi denge aur unpar kabza kar lenge.'

Sameer quickly stepped inside the washroom when he heard footsteps. Inside, he stared at his reflection, his jaw clenched tight. Hatred was quite evident in his eyes. Naina's tear stained face, her silent scream, her shaking frame... all were still raw in his mind. And to know that her despair was crafted because of such cruelty shattered his heart. His blood boiled at the thought of their manipulations. For what? A house?

From what he had overheard, it appeared that the issue was about some house, that Naina wanted. Perhaps, it was the house she grew up in. But why would she pay her brother for the house that belonged to both of them, he couldn't comprehend. And then there was Tina's statement, that Naina did not inherit anything from her father. Why?

Sameer's rage flared higher as he recalled how Anuj and Tina had accused her of trapping him into marriage. Sameer's hands rolled into fists, his knuckles turning white as he stood there, seething. It was infuriatingly laughable that they thought Naina had any such agenda. He could barely control his urge to confront them, to set the record straight right then and there. However, for Naina's sake, he needed to stay quiet for now. He would expose them, but he had to be strategic.

When Sameer walked back into the office, Anuj and Tina were seated calmly. He pushed back the urge to speak out what he was feeling. But he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself for long if he stayed here.

With a fake smile, he addressed Ashok Bansal, 'I'm really sorry Mr Bansal, lekin aaj ki meeting cancel karni padegi. Kuch emergency ho gayi hai. I need to go.'

'Oh!' Tina gave him a worried look, 'I hope sab theek hai. Kuch help chahiye toh aap humein bata sakte hain.'

Ashok Bansal chimed in, 'Haan Sameer, agar koi issue ho toh... we are always there.'

'I know.' Sameer glanced at Anuj and Tina, his eyes cold, before returning his gaze to Bansal, 'Par yeh issue personal hai, mujhe hi handle karna hoga.'

He did not miss the look of unease on the couple's face. He knew he had caught them off guard with the announcement of his sudden exit. Whatever games they were playing, they didn't expect him to walk out so abruptly. He nodded politely at all three and walked away.

Once outside, Sameer's face hardened. It was time to act, and the first step was to uncover the truth, about Anuj, Tina, and everything they were trying to do.

*****

After the incident, Sameer did not want to go back to office but he had another meeting post lunch which could not be rescheduled. The moment it got over, he told Jimmy that he had some urgent work to attend to, and started for Munna's office. On the pretext of meeting his friend, he wanted to pick Naina, and speak to her about Anuj. He knew she wouldn't open up easily, but he had to give it a try.

He had reached halfway when his phone began to ring.

'Hi Munna.' Sameer put the speaker on, 'Tere paas hi aa raha hun.'

Munna chuckled, 'Aaj kya khaas hai bhai? Humein bhi toh bata. Waise agar tu Naina ko lene aa raha hai toh bata dun, woh chali gayi.'

'Chali gayi?' Sameer was taken by surprise, 'Kahan?'

'Ghar. Aur kahan.' Munna stated, his voice teasing, 'Tujhe nahi pata? Tere liye koi surprise plan toh nahi kar rahi?'

'Ghar chali gayi? Kyon? Uski tabiyat toh theek hai na?' Sameer slowed down, steering his car to the side of the road.

It was Munna's turn to be surprised, 'Naina keh rahi thi kuch kaam hai ghar pe. Mujhe laga tu jaanta hi hoga. Tabiyat ka toh kuch nahi kaha usne.'

'Oh!' His brow furrowed, Sameer took a U turn, 'Mujhe kisi ne kuch nahi bataya. Pata nahi kya kaam hai. Anyway, main ghar hi jaata hun. Kahin mummy ki tabiyat na kharab ho gayi ho.'

Munna pondered for a while before replying, 'Laga toh nahi. Naina pareshan nahi thi. Aur usne jaldi jaane ke liye subah hi bol diya tha. Chal theek hai, tu jaa aur dekh kya hua hai. Raat ko baat karte hain.'

When Sameer reached home, it was a little after lunch hour. He was confused as to why Naina needed to come home at this time. Last evening, she had seemed more at ease, not as withdrawn as before. After a bad day on Saturday, she had been able to manage her emotions well. Then why she needed to leave work early today? Was she planning to do something about Anuj's situation?

Lost in his own flurry of thoughts, Sameer had put one hasty foot on the stairs when he heard a giggling sound, coming from the kitchen... and it wasn't Naina.

'I feel like main hostel se ghar aayi hun.' Anaya gushed, twirling around, 'Meri friends ki mom bhi aise hi pamper karti hain unhe jab woh do din ke liye aati hain.'

Naina let out a laugh, 'Woh do din ke liye aati hain Anu, tum do din ke liye gayi thi. Literally do din.'

Anaya rolled her eyes, 'Aur un do dinon mein hi aapne mummy ko cookies bana ke khila di. Very bad.'

'Anu!' Sameer entered the kitchen, 'When did you come?'

'Bhai!' Anaya grinned, sprinting to hug him, 'Aap bhi mujhe welcome karne ke liye jaldi aa gaye. I'm so touched. Thank you.'

Taking his sister in his embrace, Sameer remembered that Girish and Anaya were to arrive back in the afternoon. His eyes darted to the other end of the kitchen, and his breath lost its way. There, in the light filtering through the window, Naina stood by the counter, draped in a saree, her hands busy as she reached for jars from the cabinet. He could not take his eyes off, but his mind was filled with more questions... why was she preparing something in the kitchen again? Was this another attempt to keep herself distracted?

'Bhai!' Anaya shook him, then winked as she found him staring at Naina, 'Apni biwi ko taadna band karo aur zara behen ko hello hi kar do. Italy se wapas aayi hai.'

Naina shot back a look, her eyes locking with Sameer for a mere second, but he could see that hers were devoid of the despair that he had seen earlier. She looked relaxed.

'H... Hi! Bola toh abhi.' Sameer smacked Anaya's head playfully, shifting his attention to her when Naina went back to what she was doing, 'Italy se aayi hai? Sapne mein gayi hogi? Parson toh yahin thi. Achha, kisi Italian restaurant mein lunch kiya hai, aur tujhe laga Italy hi ghum aayi.'

'Very funny.' Anaya stepped back, frowning, 'Aapko pata hai main aur papa do din ke liye hi jaane wale they. Mujhe aaj shaam ko fabrication start karwana hai. Hamari deadline hai next month. Lekin aapko yeh sab kahan yaad hoga. Aap toh bas bhabhi mein khoye raho.'

Sameer felt a warm feeling surge through him, at how right Anaya was. He had indeed forgotten about his sister's schedule, because he was lost in Naina's thoughts. But he wasn't apologetic for it.

'Why not.' He shrugged, 'Biwi hai meri.' Then added, 'Lekin tune aate hi Naina ko kis kaam mein busy kar diya? Tum log kitchen mein kya kar rahe ho?'

Anaya excitedly told him the happenings of last few hours. She reached home with Girish, to find Naina home, who had come back early because Anaya wanted to show her the precious stones she had brought, before they were sent to her workshop. Amidst the talks, she got to know from Ambika that Naina had baked some cookies two days back. When she sulked how she did not get to eat any, Naina offered to make them again. That is what they were doing when Sameer walked in on them.

As for the saree, Anaya herself elaborated, without Sameer having to ask, 'Yeh saree mujhe wahan ek Indian family ne gift ki hai, jo hamare interpreter they. Mummy ne kaha pehen ke dikhane ko. Main bohot tired thi isliye bhabhi ko insist kiya. Aur dekho, she's looking so pretty in it.' She narrowed her eyes in concern, 'Bhabhi, aap pehle change kar lete. You must be uncomfortable.'

Naina smiled over her shoulder, 'It's okay Anu. Bas yeh batter ready karna hai. Cookies ko oven mein daalne ke baad change kar lungi.'

'As you wish.' Anaya let out a weary breath, 'Main zara fresh hokar aati hun. Fir aaram se baith ke aapko saari pictures dikhaungi.'

After Anaya was gone, Sameer was left alone with Naina in the kitchen. She had her back to him. It was good opportunity to talk to her. Sameer took a step ahead. Naina was mixing the flour and sugar. Her hands were covered with fine dust of white powder. Her eyes were fixed on the bowl. After she was done, she leaned ahead to pick the vessel of milk. One edge of her pallu slipped down her shoulder, the other edge safely pinned there.

'Damn.' Muttering softly, Naina jerked her arm upwards, trying to get the flowing pallu out of her way. But the soft material of saree slid down again, threatening to dip in the bowl of batter.

'Offo. Anu sahi keh rahi thi. Change karke start karna chahiye tha.' She uttered in frustration, 'Ab toh jaa bhi nahi sakti. Batter ko beech mein chora toh bubbles aa jayenge.'

'Main tumhari help kar dun.' Sameer asked in a low voice, standing just a few steps behind her.

Naina turned swiftly, shocked, 'Tum... tum abhi tak yahin ho. Mujhe laga...'

Before she completed, he moved another few inches, 'Main pakad leta hun saree ko. Jisse tum disturb na ho.'

'Uh...' Naina gulped. If he stood behind her, holding her pallu, she would not be able to concentrate on what she was doing. The situation between them had become somewhat uncomfortable in last couple of days.

'It's okay Naina.' Sameer's voice was gentle, 'Husband hun tumhara. Itna toh kar sakta hun. May I?'

Naina lowered her eyes, her head moving in a slight nod, then turned and started to work on the batter. Sameer suppressed a smile as he closed the distance between them to hold her flowing pallu, and gathered it in his hand. Naina mixed milk and essence to the batter, while whisking it. Her eyes were on the task ahead, but all her senses were hyper aware of their proximity. Sameer was mere inches from her. She could feel the warmth of his body, smell the faint scent of his cologne, even detect the rise and fall of his chest which was almost touching her arm. Her throat felt dry. What if Anaya came back, or someone else entered the kitchen? What would they think?

'Tum...' She closed her eyes for a moment, before speaking, 'Tum rehne do. Aise kab tak khare rahoge. Tumhe bhi kaam hoga. Main... main change karke aati hun.'

'Lekin itni der mein toh yeh sab kharab ho jayega.' Sameer innocently waved a hand at the counter, 'Yeh saari mehnat tumhe fir se karni padegi. Nahi Naina, itna exert nahi karna chahiye. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Jab tak tumhara kaam nahi hota main yahin rukta hun.'

'Mujhe problem hai.' Naina blurted, her voice almost a plea, 'Mujhe aisa lagta hai... jaise kisi cooking competition ke liye judge kiya jaa raha hai.'

She knew it didn't make much sense, but she said whatever came to her mind. All she wanted was some distance, to keep her attention on what she was doing.

'Okay fine.'

Sameer's quick acceptance made her breathe in relief... for a moment... till he said, 'Main tumhari saree ko secure kar deta hun, jisse tum aaram se apna kaam kar sako.'

And before she could understand, he lifted the trailing pallu over her shoulder, gathered the width in his grip and brought it to her waist. Naina's eyes shot up to him. But Sameer did not meet her gaze. He pursed his lips, held her by elbow and made her turn to face him. Then circled the collected fabric over her belly. His fingers brushed against her waist on the other side.

'Kya... kya kar rahey ho?' Naina gasped, feeling a shiver run through her spine.

'Ek minute.' Sameer maintained a stoic face, but his heart was hammering in his chest. The touch of her skin had sent a jolt of electricity through him. Keeping the tremble of his fingers in control, he tucked the pallu in her waistband.

Though he was being careful, the back of his fingers grazed her skin again, making her skin erupt in goosebumps, that were visible to Sameer's eyes. His gaze finally moved to her face as he straightened. Naina pressed her lower lip under her teeth. Her eyes appeared lighter than the brown they always were, almost like honey. He could not look away, or move apart. Neither could she. She saw how his eyes darkened, and next moment, she felt his palm flat on her waist, partially on the fabric, and partly on the skin. The way his fingers lingered on her skin, the way his heated breath brushed against her, it all was sending waves of awareness through her.

Sameer himself was barely holding on to his control. The soft feel of her skin under his fingers, the way her body reacted to his touch with a slight tremor, it was driving him to the edge. He could see how she bit down on her lower lip, a sign of her own effort at control. Her eyes however, wide and glowing, mirrored the emotions that was stirring in him.

His others hand skimmed down her elbow, till his fingers closed over her hand. His thumb slowly brushed over her knuckles. The simple was gesture far more intimate than any words he could have said. Naina's breath hitched, her pulse quickening in response to his touch. Slowly, he started to lift her hand, bringing it up towards his lips, his eyes not leaving hers even for a flicker. Naina could sense what he wanted to do, yet, she couldn't pull away... till her hand came in the line of her vision. The remnants of flour and powdered sugar were now on Sameer's hand too.

The realisation hit her. She stepped back hastily, pulling her hand from his grip in a flash. Sameer blinked, breathing hard as he realised that he again got carried away. Naina went back to whisking the batter, her hands moving faster to hide the turbulence of her feelings. Sameer ran his fingers through his hair before wiping the fine sweat off his face. He took a step back, giving her the room she so clearly needed, even though every part of him wanted to close the distance again.

As he quietly left the kitchen, Naina's fingers gripped the edge of the counter, steadying herself. Her heart still pounded in her chest, her skin still burning from his touch. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling. But deep down, she knew things between them had changed. And this new connection between them was too intense to ignore.

Next update on Friday