Title is the song 'Dil kyon' from movie 'Kites'

"Naina jaldi karo, meri meeting hai dus baje." Sameer hollered for the second time.

It had become a habit for him to not leave the room till Naina finished her bath and was out of the washroom. With her growing belly, he always had a fear that she might lose her balance.

Her voice came through the door, "Offo Sameer, tum jao na. Mujhe time lagega, shampoo kar rahi hun."

He was even more worried. The meeting would have to wait. He won't leave till he was sure Naina was safely out after her shampoo. Quickly, he sent a text to his staff.

Ten minutes later, a click sound made him rush to the door. Naina stepped out, and was surprised to see him.

"Tum gaye nahi." She carefully wiped her feet over the mat, one hand protectively over the belly.

He held her other hand, looping an arm around her shoulder and led her to the dresser, "Tum teeno ko bye kiye bina kaise jaa sakta tha."

She looked back at the clock and frowned, "Mere bathroom mein jaane se pehle bye bola toh tha. Sameer, time dekho zara. Tum meeting ke liye kaise pohonch paoge."

He gave a quick kiss on her tummy before pecking her lips, "Bas jaa raha hun."

"Drive safe." She said as he turned to go.

Sameer stopped, turned, and had taken a step towards her to tell her to take care too. Same moment, she removed the towel from her hair and flipped her wet hair back... making them land on Sameer's face and shirt.

"Wow." He closed his eyes, remembering the first time it had happened with him. Though her shampoo smelled diffrent now, the fragrance, mixed with droplets mesmerised him again.

"Oh no!" She exclaimed the moment she noticed him. Turning back, her eyes widened more as she saw a clear wet patch on his shirt, besides his face and hair.

"Tum wapas kyon mudde?" She absentmindedly rubbed his shirt with the towel in hand, which resulted in yet another wet patch.

He smiled, "Aisi pampering ke liye toh main koi bhi meeting miss kar sakta hun."

She lightly punched his chest, "Zyada romance mat jhado. Yeh pampering nahi hai, gussa aa raha hai mujhe. Ab shirt change karne mein aur paanch minute waste honge. Tum nikalo main dusri shirt deti hun."

He placed both his arms on her shoulders, locking his hands behind her head, "Itni tension mat lo. Maine meeting ek ghante postpone kara di hai."

She let out a breath, "Thank God." Running her fingers over his shirt, she grimaced, "Lekin change toh karna padega. Tie tak bheeg gayi."

He played with her wet locks, "Bheegi hui toh tum bhi ho. Mujhe aur Ayush ko daant ti ho aur khud apne baal itne geele chode hain."

She touched her hair, "Bohot dry ho gaye hain isliye towel se rub nahi karti. Aur zyada frizzy ho jaate hain. Tum dono ke baal chote hain isliye farq nahi padta lekin lambe baalon ke saath dher saare dos and donts follow karne padte hain."

"Lao main sukha deta hun." He started to look for the dryer.

"Dryer nahi use karna. Usse bhi dry hote hain. Tum rehne do, khud hi sookh jayenge." She turned to face the mirror, finger combing her long tresses.

Unexpectedly, he hugged her from behind, burying his face in her damp hair, "Jab pehli baar tumhe geele baalon mein dekha tha, aur kuch boondein mere chehre pe giri thi, maine unhe apne rumaal mein sambhal ke rakha tha... they were so precious. Uss hanky ko phir se use nahi kiya."

"Ab kya yeh shirt aur tie bhi alag se rakhoge?" She giggled.

He looked down at his shirt, more than half of it was wet now. Smiling, he clucked his tongue, "Ab koi zarurat nahi hai. Tum mere saath jo ho."

Moving back, he first opened his tie then started to unbutton his shirt. Naina went to his wardrobe and picked another white shirt. When she turned, he was wiping his chest with her towel. She let out a sigh. He always had a toned frame, but now, with passing of years and consistent workouts, he looked broader and more chiseled. When he came out after his bath in just a towel, he looked hot, but now, dressed in formal trousers and shoes, and bare chest, he was droolworthy. His eyes lifted, to find her staring at him. A mischievous gleam lit up his eyes. Walking slowly towards her, he let out a whistle. Her gaze shifted up to his face. Instantly, she knew that he had guessed her thoughts. A streak of colour crept up her neck.

Leaning to align his face with hers, he whispered, "Aaj off le lun?"

The colour turned deeper. She just held up the shirt, avoiding to look at him. Taking the shirt, he put it on the shelf behind her and wrapped his arms around her. It wasn't like earlier times though... only her belly touched him. Leaning again, he brushed his lips on her ear, "Jab tum aise dekhti ho... I love it."

She placed both her palms on his chest, meeting his eyes, "Tum pehle se bhi zyada handsome ho gaye ho."

He gave a crooked smile, "Kisi ke pyar ka asar hai."

Letting out an exhale, she planted a kiss over his heart. The mole never failed to entice her, like it was there to protect his precious heart from all evil. Rubbing her thumb over it, she whispered, "Nazar na lage."

A groan escaped his lips but a knock at the door stopped him from taking things further. He pushed Naina more into the cupboard, hiding her behind the open panel, and craned his neck backward to check.

Ramdhari stood at the open door, "Sameer bhaiya, humne aapki saari files car mein rakh di hain. Aapka bag bhi le jaayein?"

"Nahi, main khud le aaunga. Tu jaa." He directed.

Ramdhari searched the room, "Naina bhabhi kahan hain?"

"Kyon? Good morning bolni hai?" Sameer snapped.

Naina clasped her mouth to silence the chuckle that escaped her.

"Woh toh hum subah hi bol chuke." Ramdhari replied simply, "Abhi puchna tha woh aaj poha khayengi, daliya ya daal ka cheela."

"Naina bathroom mein hai. Main puch ke bataa dunga. Tu jaake ek paani ki bottle bhi rakh de car mein." Sameer tried to send him away.

"Woh toh hum pehle hi rakh chuke." Ramdhari dipped his head to the side, standing at the same spot.

"Ek aur rakh de. Ab paani bhi ration mein milega kya mujhe." Sameer said loudly in irritation.

Ramdhari nodded and turned, muttering under his breath, "Pehle toh kabhi do bottle paani nahi leke gaye. Aaj achanak itni garmi kaise lagne lagi ki ek se kaam nahi chalega."

Naina frowned in fake annoyance though she knew the reason for his irritation, "Phir se bina baat ke gussa dikha diya."

"Uhh Naina." He stepped closer to her, grumbling, "Usne hamare paanch minute waste kar diye."

"Tumhe.... tumhe late ho raha hai." She uttered huskily as she felt the same rush of heat in her veins when her face pressed against his chest.

Letting out a helpless grunt, he snatched the shirt from behind her and walked away, buttoning it fiercely after slipping his arms into it. Tucking it in with same haste, he turned to get another tie. Naina was right behind him, holding one. He grabbed it and started to make the knot, gritting his teeth when even after two attempts, it did not come out perfect.

"Hato. Main karti hun." She held his wrists, pulling his hands down and took hold of both ends of the tie.

For a few seconds, his cheeks were puffed, but when he saw her struggling with raised hands, since she couldn't come up on toes, his face softened and he bent down to make it easier for her. Pressing her lower lip under her teeth, she carefully made a perfect knot. He straightened, and she slipped the knot up, adjusting it in the center of his collars. In a flash of a second, he cupped her face, tugging under her lower lip to free it from her teeth, taking it between his next instant. She gasped, and his tongue grabbed the chance to delve into her mouth, kissing her with all passion.

As abruptly as he had begun, he parted, panting hard as he looked at her dishevelled hair and swollen lips, "I need to go now... warna jaa nahi paunga."

She was still standing at the same place, reeling under the effect of his feral kiss. The longing that she was trying to suppress had leapt up wild and strong with the kiss. Slowly, she turned towards the mirror. Her reflection glared back at her... tangled damp hair, plain face, simple cotton dress that had some wet patches, and a rounded form, with no shape. She definitely didn't look desirable. Yet Sameer made her feel so. Maybe because she was so conspicuous with her feelings off late. She couldn't understand why it was happening. When he was away, she felt restless, missing him like crazy. And when they were together, her eyes couldn't leave him, her hands didn't seem to stay without touching him, her skin craved for his caress, her lips longed for his kisses, her body burned for his feel.

She hid her face in her palms, embarrassed. It was weird to feel this way, in her present state.

Sameer drove towards the office, wishing this meeting wasn't scheduled for today. He couldn't get Naina's look out of his mind. Her eyes conveyed her deep desire. He had read in the journal that women felt insecure about their appearance in advanced stages, which heightened their need to feel loved and admired. The change in hormones also made them long for closeness of their partner. If their advances went unrequited, it could made them feel dejected and create an impression that their husband did not love them anymore. He decided to do something special for her in the evening... to show how much more he loved her with each passing day.

The evening, however, came with a different challenge.

It was around five when his phone rang, showing an unknown number. He took the call, "Hello?"

"Hi Sameer. How are you?" An unfamiliar female voice greeted him.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognise." He said uncertainly.

The laugh on the other side was soft, "Of course. Do saal baad hamari baat ho rahi hai."

He narrowed his eyes, trying to place the voice, but couldn't.

The girl wasn't offended, "Don't try so hard. I'm Niharika... do saal pehle jab Delhi aaye the hum log tab tumhare ghar aaye the."

And he recalled... his father's friend Sikander uncle, who had come with his family to meet them.

"Oh hi Niharika. Sorry, phone pe ek do baar hi baat hui hai isliye..." He suddenly realised, "...hey, yeh toh India ka number hai. Are you here?"

Niharika laughed, "Wow, tum toh genius ho. Yes, I'm in India, in Delhi. Maine tumhe aur Naina ko invite karne ke liye call kiya hai."

"What's the occasion?" he asked.

"Well, hum log India mein apne store ki branch open kar rahe hain. Aaj evening mein inauguration hai." She informed.

Sameer was surprised that his dad didn't mention it, "That's great. Congratulations."

She hesitated before speaking again, "I need a favour from you."

"Haan bilkul. How can I help you?" Sameer offered.

Niharika lowered her voice, "Actually, yeh store mere parents ke liye surprise hai. Aaj unki thirtieth anniversary hai. They think hum sirf celebrate karne yahan aaye hain. Maine aur Nirav ne saare arrangements kar liye hain. Lekin hum dono ko last minute ki preparations ke liye yahan rukna padega. Kya tum mom dad ko yahan laa sakte ho?"

"Of course Niharika." He replied instantly.

She paused again, "Umm... Sameer, tumhe lagega main last moment pe invitation kyon de rahi hun. Actually, maine aur Nirav ne kisi ko nahi bataya jisse dad mom ko pata lagne ka koi chance na rahe. Nirav last month se yahan hai. Sabko yehi bataya woh friends ke saath Sweden gaya hua hai aur seedhe India ayega. Dad ko India se bohot pyar hai. Woh toh yahin aake settle hona chahte hain retirement leke. Isliye maine socha unhe gift mein yahan pe ek branch office dun. Maine aur Nirav ne secretly sab kuch plan kiya. Socha tha tum sab ko bhi anniversary ke bahane hi bulayenge lekin hum log kal shaam ko hi aa paaye, aur aaj saara din main yahan busy thi. Ho sakta hai ab tak papa ne Vivek uncle ko call kar diya ho. Don't tell uncle aunty please. Main tumhe papa ka number message kar deti hun. Just say ki tumhe uncle ne bheja hai. Actually tumhe isliye bother kar rahi hun ki Oberoi Hotel tumhare office se zyada door nahi hai."

"Door bhi hota toh main pick kar leta. But this is really awesome Niharika. Tumne wahan se hi sab kuch handle kar liya. You could have asked me and Rohan. Hum log help kar dete." Sameer was impressed with her plan.

She thanked him, telling that she managed everything online, and sent him the location of their new store. Sameer called up Naina, telling her about the party in the evening. She was initially reluctant, but he coaxed her, promising that they wouldn't sit for long. When he told her about Niharika's plan, she too was amazed, and agreed to come. Just as he finished the call, Vivek called up on intercom. He had received the invitation from Sikander.

"Papa, aap log Naina aur Ayush ko leke nikal jaana mujhe thoda late hoga. Main direct wahin milta hun aap sabse." He suggested, to which Vivek agreed.

Sikander and Anita were surprised to find Sameer in their hotel lobby.

He shrugged when they asked him why he had come to pick them, "Uncle, papa khud aana chahte the. Lekin unhe office mein late ho gaya toh unhone mujhe bola. Aap hamari city mein guest hain, aapko akele thodi chodenge."

Sikander patted his arm, "Guest nahi beta, hum toh apne sheher mein wapas aaye hain. Main Anita se keh raha tha ki bas do chaar saalon baad saara business bachhon ke hawale kar ke hum dono yahin aa jayenge."

As they started for the venue, Anita looked at her husband, "Aur yahan aake karoge kya? Wahan toh ek din ki chutti hoti hai tab bhi aap bore ho jaate ho."

Sikander looked out with lot of interest, "Kuch bhi kar lenge yaar. Koi chota mota business start kar denge. Yahan ki raunakein toh dekho. Wahan bore hota hun par yahan nahi ho sakta." He turned to Sameer, "Aur kuch nahi toh Vivek ko join kar lunga. Kyon Sameer, koi vacancy create kar doge na mere liye?"

Sameer smiled politely, "Aap job kyon karenge uncle. I'm sure aapke paas better options honge."

He let out a sigh, "Kaash hote. Pichli baar saari zameen bech di thi. Ab toh yahan aane ka bahana bhi nahi raha. Woh toh Niharika ne suggest kiya ki thirtieth anniversary Delhi mein celebrate karte hain isliye hum aa paaye. Warna beta, ab toh lagta hai apne desh se har dor toot gayi hai."

His wistful talks made Sameer understand why Niharika had taken this step. Sikander indeed missed this place. Sameer couldn't wait to see his reaction when he came to know what his daughter had done for him.

Sikander was perplexed as Sameer turned the car towards their destination, "Yahan koi function hai kya? Itni lights... lagta hai kisi ki shaadi hai."

Sameer escorted them to the gate. When his eyes fell on the board, Sikander was taken aback.

Nirvaana

That was the name of their label. As he and his wife stood wondering, Sameer received a text from Niharika to open the gate and enter. He ushered the couple ahead before they could ask any questions.

The gate opened to shower the two with a deluge of petals. Sameer stood behind them, smiling.

"Happy Anniversary mom dad." Niharika and Nirav screamed in unison.

They gaped at the view behind their children. All their friends and known people in Delhi were gathered there. But what stunned them was that it wasn't a restaurant, it was a store.

"Niharika, yeh sab..." Sikander eyed the merchandise, "...yeh toh hamare products hain."

"Dad, mom... this is your anniversary gift, from your children." Niharika waved at the interiors.

Sameer could see the ecstatic expression of her parents when she explained everything. Vivek and Vishakha stepped ahead, wishing them, followed by other guests. Everyone was soon engrossed in checking out the store, and praising the idea.

His job done, Sameer was looking around for Naina when Niharika came to him, "Thank you so much Sameer."

He smiled, "No issue. Mujhe achha laga help karke." His eyes wandered behind her.

She grinned, "And congratulations. Naina se mili main."

A bright smile lit up his face... only to die down when she stepped ahead and engulfed him in a hug, "Twins... it's amazing."

To his dismay, Naina was right beside her when she moved back.

Niharika side hugged her as well, "Jab main itni excited hun, I can well imagine how thrilled you all must be."

"Of course." Naina gave a wide smile.

After Niharika was gone to meet other guests, Sameer raked his fingers through his hair nervously.

But Naina simply held his arm, smiling, "Kitna sweet gesture hai na. Aunty uncle kitne khush hain."

He heaved a sigh of relief at her reaction, or the lack of it, "Haan. Woh kaafi desperate the India aane ke liye. Niharika ne bohot intelligent decision liya hai."

He then looped an arm around her shoulder, "Tum theek ho?"

Smiling at him, she nodded. His eyes roved over her. Wearing a long black dress, that overlapped on her belly, she glowed differently in bright lights of the store. She had left her hair open, and worn a pair of silver hoops. Dipping his head to the side, he whispered, "You look beautiful."

She rolled her eyes. The place was teeming with classy, elegantly dressed people. She felt out of place, with her big tummy. Some of Vishakha's friends had even commented that she had put on lot of weight. Since twins wasn't a common occurrence, people had no idea how big one could get with them.

Sameer made Naina sit on a comfortable couch few minutes later before he got her a glass of lime juice. Preeti came over to check on her in between. She looked as sophisticated as others, in her knee length dress.

"Tu theek hai na Naina. Kya khayegi bata. Main mangwa deti hun. I suggest kuch fried mat khaana. Snacks thode spicy bhi hain. Aisa kar, tu dessert kha le. Sameer keh raha tha tum log jaldi nikal jaoge. Khaana tu ghar jaake hi khana. Acidity ho gayi toh problem ho jayegi." She rushed to ask a helper to serve ice cream to Naina.

Since Ayush was enjoying himself, Vishakha asked Sameer and Naina to let him be with them when they decided to leave an hour later.

Next update on Saturday