Title is the song 'Chadhi mujhe yaari teri aisi' from movie 'Cocktail'

The memories of the day of godh bharai reminded Sameer that he never got a chance to ask Naina about the pink gown. That evening, she developed severe cramps in her legs and had to be taken to the hospital. The panic at that time and later, concern for her well being pushed every query to the back of his mind. But now, it all came back fresh and clear.

While he was lost in the vivid images of her clad in pink, Naina too remembered that she did not ask him about the disguise.

"Sameer, I'm sure tumne hi woh sab activities arrange karwayi hongi." She remarked knowingly, "Kabse plan kar rahe the?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Actually main... uss event company ko maine bheja tha, mummy ke paas, Dhruv ke through."

Her mouth rounded in surprise, "Oh! Tumne poora set up hi sirf batman banne ke liye kiya tha."

He frowned at the teasing twinkle in her eyes, "Aur kya karta. Mummy ne strictly manaa kar diya tha. Upar se tumne apni dress ki picture bheji toh khud ko rok nahi paaya. Mujhe bas tumhare paas aana tha... aur koi option hi nahi soojha."

Her eyes turned more mischievous, "Agar pakde jaate toh? Batman banke udd jaane ka plan bhi tha kya?"

"Nanu mere partner the, woh bacha lete." He admitted confidently.

She smiled, "Mujhe laga hi tha. Pehle socha shayad Preeti ko pata hoga. Lekin Preeti jaanti toh itni der mein pakka tumhara secret out ho jaata. Woh baaton baaton mein kab kya keh deti hai usse khud hi pata nahi chalta."

"Isiliye Preeti aur Rohan ko nahi bataya. Rohan bhi same hai." Sameer muttered, turning around.

A laugh escaped her, "Agar unhe pata chal gaya toh saalon tak tumhe chedenge."

His turned back with a jerk, "Unhe mat batana please."

Crossing her arms, she quirked up a brow, "Mujhe kya milega?"

Slowly, a lopsided smile made way on his face, "Marwadi toh tum bhi kam nahi ho." Before she could say anything, he added with a wink, "Kya chahiye tumhe... phir se godh bharai ka chance?"

Though her cheeks warmed up, she did not fluster, "Kuch zyada hi nahi udd rahe tum."

"Batman hun na... aadat hai." Whispering in a rough voice, he leaned closer.

"Control." She placed a hand on his chest, trying hard not to smile at his pout, "Bachhe uth jayenge."

Inhaling deeply, he lowered his head on her shoulder, "Naina, mujhe tumhe phir se uss pink dress mein dekhna hai."

She smiled indulgently, "Main soch hi rahi thi ki tumne kabhi uss dress ke baare mein kyon nahi pucha."

"Pucha nahi, par sochta roz hun." He remarked, slightly turning his face to nibble at her ear.

Her voice was shaky, "Mujhe laga... tumhe pasand nahi aayi."

He lifted his head, their faces just inches apart, "Tumhe pata hai na yeh rang mera kya haal karta hai."

His voice sounded breathlessly husky, making her heart throb hard. His eyes had turned darker. Her breath became ragged as he tilted his face, his gaze flickering down to her lips. Sameer wasn't sure the pounding sound was from his heart or hers. Their tangled breaths seem to match each other. Slowly, he lifted one hand, and lightly grazed his fingertips over her cheek, going back to push a strand of hair behind her ear. She drew in a sharp breath as his fingers brushed against her earlobe. Her eyes did not leave his. Inching her face forward, she parted her lips.

Sameer had kissed her several times after the babies were born, but each time, it was a gentle, loving kiss. Today, however, he felt the heat searing not just him but her too. His tongue devoured her while his hands threaded through her hair, holding her head firmly. Naina's hands moved up to go around his neck, pulling him closer. He deepened the kiss, filling himself with her taste. She moaned softly, loving the feel of his lips. Her one hand went up to his hair, grasping a fistful. As she took control of the kiss, giving him the same pleasure, a guttural sound erupted from the back of his throat. His wife, when turned into a seductress, could reduce him to ashes with her fire. But it wasn't the right time. Slowly, he tempered the kiss, turning it gentle. When he lifted his head, it was another tormenting view... her swollen wet lips, flushed face, disheveled hair, hooded eyes... even unknowingly, she enchanted him to a degree that he had to fight with himself.

"Naina." He whispered.

Her eyes opened slowly. The haze lifted, and she blinked. It was a hot, fiery kiss... she got carried away at his proximity. Trying to control her breath, she leaned back against the pillow. They needed to wait some more before they gave in to their desires. She didn't want to lead him on. Guiltily, she met his gaze. Sameer tried to read her eyes. He hoped she wasn't annoyed. He should have had more control over himself.

"Sorry." Both blurted together.

As the realisation sank in, that they both were holding themselves responsible, a soft smile broke up on their faces.

Cupping her face, he joined his forehead with hers, "Jahan itna wait kiya hai, uss pink dress mein tumhe dekhne ka thoda aur kar sakta hun."

She closed her eyes, placing her palms on his chest, "Main bhi."

Low, gurgling sounds made them look sideways. Both their son and daughter were up, their eyes open wide, their fisted hands on the side of their heads. Their legs, folded at knees, were locked at the ankles. Shifting away from Naina, Sameer moved to the center of the bed, smiling at them. Both eagerly directed their gaze to him, trying to focus.

"Mere babies aaj raat ko kaise uth gaye. Aapko ab khelna hai? Lekin mumma ko toh sona chahiye. Chalo aap papa ke saath khel lo. Okay." He started to talk to them in low, gentle voice.

The little ones responded immediately, rounding their lips in a pout. Their leg movement became more forceful. With a smile, Sameer took one hand of each in his hands, and tried to open the fists.

"Naina, inke haath kitne small hain." He marveled when he noticed his finger was bigger than their entire hand.

"Bacchon ke aise hi hote hain." She chuckled.

He always seemed to be mesmerised by how tiny the two of them were. Naina watched adoringly as he played with the babies, talking to them smoothly unlike the first time in the hospital. Like always, they eagerly responded to him. Their babies were growing.

*****

The twins were now more than a month old. Sameer had joined the office few weeks back. Though Naina had yet not healed completely, she was much better and felt more energetic. When Sameer was not around, entire family helped with the babies. The little ones had started responding well to sounds now, smiling more frequently. Ayush loved to play with them, and they enjoyed his company the most, responding to whatever he said by smiling and kicking with their little legs. Everyone called them by different nicknames, but mostly it was chutku and chutki.

One morning, when Sameer came down for breakfast before leaving for office, nanu looked up from his newspaper, "Bhai ab tum dono apne bachhon ka naam bhi soch lo. Kab tak unhe bina naam ke rakhoge."

Deepika replies before Sameer could, "Don't worry nanu, unki bua ne perfect naam socha hai."

Sameer looked at her in wonder, "Tune? Tune kab socha?"

She grinned, "Pehle se baby girl ka soch ke rakha tha. Aapke aur Ayush ke jaise mujhe bhi girl hi chahiye thi."

Sameer pulled her cheek fondly, "Very good. Dono ka naam tu hi rakh de phir."

Deepika scrunched her nose sheepishly, "Sorry bhai, boy ka naam samajh hi nahi aa raha. Maine bohot try kiya, par..."

Nanu laughed, "Achha hamari gudiya ka toh bata. Ladke ka naam Sameer sochega. Aakhir isse bhi toh kuch karna chahiye."

Vishakha quickly interrupted, "Nahi nahi, abhi mat batana naam kisi ko."

Everyone was puzzled.

She tapped on her phone for a few seconds, then smiled in relief, "Agle hafte puja ka muhurat hai. Ussi din bachhon ka naamkaran hoga. Tabhi sabko naam pata chalega. Usse pehle naye naam se bulana shubh nahi hoga."

Nanu exhaled wearily, "Shukr hai agle hafte muhurat nikal aaya. Kahin aur do teen mahine baad hota toh humein baby one baby two se kaam chalana padta."

Sameer and Deepika pressed their lips... an obvious laugh would annoy their mother, they were sure.

"Papa." Vishakha gave a miffed look to nanu, "Bachhon ke saath milke aap bhi mujhe tease kar rahe hain."

Nanu furrowed his brows, "Bachhon ke saath? Woh toh abhi bohot chote hain. Abhi se apni dadi ko chidate hain kya?"

Sameer and Deepika let out the chuckle they were holding back.

Vishakha rolled her eyes, "Main Sameer aur Deepu ki baat kar rahi hun."

Putting away the newspaper, nanu took off his spectacles, "Dekha, hua na confusion. Isliye keh raha hun jaldi se naam rakho. Kab tak chutku aur chutki kehte rahenge. Itne pyare pyare bachhon ke pyare se naam hone chahiye."

Waving her head, Vishakha picked up her phone, muttering, "Bina drama kiye hamare ghar mein kuch bhi hona impossible hai."

Coming down the stairs, Rohan threw them an inquisitive look, "Kuch miss kiya kya maine?"

Deepika jumped up to take Arhaan from Preeti, who was accompanying Rohan, "Aru ke brother sister ke liye naam socha jaa raha hai. Next week unka naamkaran hoga. Suggestions are welcome."

Preeti smiled widely, "Naam toh Naina ne pehle se decide kare hue hain."

Deepika's face fell, "Oh!" But she quickly masked her disappointment with a smile, "Anyway, Naina bhabhi ne decide kiye hain toh best honge. Haina Preeti bhabhi?"

Preeti shrugged, "Naam kya hain yeh toh pata nahi. Usne bataya nahi."

It was surprising for Sameer too. Naina had not discussed the names with him.

When he asked her that night after coming back from office, she winked, "Surprise hai tumhare liye. bas ek week ki baat hai, tumhe pata chal jayega."

"Umm Naina." He began hesitantly, "Deepu keh rahi thi usne bhi..."

She didn't let him complete, "Deepu se meri baat hui aaj. Mere alava sirf ussi ko naam pata hain. Usse bhi bohot pasand aaye."

Sameer wanted to mention that Deepika had thought of a name but he chose not to say anything. After going through everything to bring the two little angels to this world, Naina had all the right to decide a name for them.

The week passed in no time, as everyone got busy with preparations and invitations.

It was the morning of next Friday, day of naamkaran ceremony. The horizon had not yet received the first knock of daybreak when Sameer opened his eyes as his phone buzzed. Because of the babies, he had started to keep it on silent when he went to bed.

"Hello." He mumbled sleepily, without checking the id.

"Abe shaadi se pehle toh raat bhar jaagta tha ab din mein bhi ghode bech ke so raha hai." The loud voice from other side made all traces of sleep disappear instantly. Pushing away the quilt, he rushed out to the terrace, not wanting to disturb the babies and Naina.

After closing the glass door behind him, before he could reply, the cheerful voice reverberated again, "Ab lag raha hai shaadi shuda bolti band hai teri."

"Sanjay." Sameer breathed out gleefully, "Kitne din baad phone kiya usmein bhi phool jhad rahe hain tere muh se."

"Bhai, sachhai ka aaina dikha raha hun." Sanjay chuckled, "Yaad hai jab pichli baar aaya tha teri shaadi pe. Saara sheher so raha tha par tu... majnu ji raat ko apni laila se milne seedhi laga ke uske kamre tak pohoche hue the. Aur ab dekho. Laila saath mein hai par bhai gadhe ghode bech ke soya pada hai."

"Tune raat ke beech mein mujhe daantne ke liye phone kiya hai?" Sameer rubbed his arm as he realised he hadn't taken a jacket before stepping out in the cold, "Pata hai kitni sardi hai yahan. Tere Mumbai ki tarah nahi."

Sanjay laughed confidently, "Raat nahi subah ke che bajne wale hain. Aur main bhi issi sardi mein khada hun, itni nahi hai jo tu aise ro raha hai."

Sameer brightened instantly, "Tu Delhi aaya hai? Kab? Abhi kahan hai? Ghar kyon nahi aaya? Phone kyon nahi kiya? Tujhe pata hai aaj mere bachhon ka naamkaran hai. Ab yahan hai toh tujhe aaj aana hi padega. Bata kahan hai main lene aata hun."

"Shaant bhai shaant." Sanjay was amused, "Ek saath itne saare sawal puch ke kyon school ka viva yaad dila raha hai."

Sameer was too curious to laugh at his silly jokes, "Tu bata na kahan hai. Mujhe milna hai tujhse yaar."

"Aankh utha ke toh dekh. Wahin hun jahan pichli baar tha."

Sameer's head jerked up. Standing at the gate, Sanjay waved at him.

"Abey gadhe, ghar aa gaya toh phone kyon kiya? Seedhe aake gale mil na." Sameer grinned, dashing towards the railing.

"Maine socha kya pata last time ki tarah tujhe meri madad chahiye ho." Sanjay walked towards the house, his eyes on Sameer.

Showing him a punch, Sameer disconnected and ran down to open the main door.

Sanjay dropped his suitcase to the floor, stumbling back as Sameer took him in a bone crushing hug. Though they had met a few times in last couple of years, Sanjay could not manage to come home since the wedding.

"Kamaal ka surprise diya hai tune yaar." Sameer exclaimed, stepping back.

Sanjay flicked his brows, "Surprise toh hai par mera nahi."

"Matlab?" Sameer halted in the midst of closing the door.

Sanjay smacked his back playfully, "Bhai tune koi sawaal puchne ka course kiya hai kya? Tab se ek ke baad ek daage jaa raha hai. Arey ek shareef insaan thaka haara aadhi raat ki flight leke tere ghar pohoncha hai zara khatidaari kar."

"Kaun shareef insaan? Koi aur bhi aaya hai kya?" With a straight face, Sameer craned his neck to glance behind him.

Two of them started to run at the same time, Sanjay chasing Sameer around the furniture in the hall.

Only when they heard nanu's voice did they stop, "Morning walk toh suna tha. Par tum dono shayad koi nayi tarah ki kasrat kar rahe ho. Shabash, subah subah ka vyayam poore din shareer ko swasth rakhta hai."

"Nanaji." Sanjay hastily bend down to touch the old man's feet, "Aapki shudh hindi sunke kaano ka bhi vya vyama matlab jo bhi hai woh ho gaya."

"Good morning nanu." Sameer laughed, "Sanjay ki hindi ab tak waisi hi hai. Hamari hindi teacher ke saare efforts waste."

Nanu fondly patted Sanjay's shoulder, "Khushi hui tujhe dekhkar. Aur achha laga ki tum dono ki dosti mein kuch nahi badla."

Since Ramdhari was not up yet, nanu prepared tea for all three of them, despite Sanjay's repeated imploration to let him do it.

"Tune mujhe kya buddha samjha hai yaar. Main toh roz subah apni chai khud hi banata hun. Ramdhari din bhar laga rehta hai isliye usse saat baje se pehle aane ko manaa kiya hai. Sirf ek chai ke liye paanch baje thodi uthaunga bechare ko." Nanu explained as he deftly added crushed cardamoms to the steaming brew.

After he had handed their mugs to them, nanu took his cup and walked out towards the covered porch. He always liked to have his morning tea outside.

Sameer took a sip before directing his gaze to his friend, "Ab yeh bata, tujhe bhooton ne apni team mein rakh liya hai kya, jo hamesha raat ke andhere mein ek jagah se doosri jagah ghoomta rehta hai. Normal logon ki tarah din ki flight nahi le sakta?"

Sanjay scratched his head, "Kya bataun yaar. Shooting ka chakkar hi aisa hota hai. Na din na raat. Meri flight toh kal shaam ki thi. Lekin shoot ek baje jaake khatm hua. Maine socha abhi ghar gaya aur so gaya toh subah jaldi nahi uth paunga. Isliye seedha airport chala gaya, aur jo flight mili, le li. Aakhir puja se pehle jo pohochana tha."

"Kaun Puja?" Sameer asked suddenly.

"Huh?" Sanjay gaped at him, perplexed for a second... then both burst into laughter.

Everyone was delighted to see Sanjay. He had become a well known face in ITV world. Deepika was too keen to take selfies with him and post on her social media handles, gloating about him being her elder brother.

Another surprise unfolded for Sameer when Raghav landed just before they sat for breakfast.

He glanced at the table, laden with different dishes, "Auntyji, badi mehnat lagi time ki setting mein. Socha, agar jaldi aa gaya toh kaam chalau nashta milega, aur late hua toh function ke lunch tak intezar karna padega. Isliye maine aisi tikdum lagayi ki ain breakfast ke time yahan land karun."

Sameer glared at him, hands on waist, "Kuch zyada mehnga nahi ho gaya yeh breakfast tere jaise kanjoos ke liye... flight leke aana pada."

"Tu bhi yahan hai." Raghav's eyes widened in surprise, then he grinned, "Oh tera toh ghar hai, tu yahin hoga na, aur kahan jayega. Chal milta hun baad mein, pehle pet ke chooho ko shaant kar lun."

Vishakha laughed at his perpetual love for food, "Raghav beta, ab itni mehnat ki hai toh aa hi jao, isse pehle ki sab thanda ho."

Sameer stared at him, shocked, as Raghav crossed him without sparing a glance. A few steps ahead and he dropped his bag to the floor, turning around with a grin. Stepping ahead, he took Sameer in a squeezing hug, "Tujhe kya laga apne yaar se gale lage bina khana kha lunga."

Sameer returned the hug with same strength, "Khaane ke maamle mein tera koi bharosa nahi."

Sanjay joined them, "Yeh baat toh sahi hai. Raghav aur khaane ki love story se zyada badi aur koi love story nahi ho sakti."

Three of them laughed and moved to the table, chatting non stop. When Rohan and Preeti joined them, it was no less than a reunion party as they teased each other about incidents from school and college, not leaving any chance to embarrass each other.

Vishakha was elated to see them share the same affinity that she had seen since they were kids. Upstairs, standing against the rail, Naina watched them with a pleased smile. Nanu, who stood with her, was the only one with whom she had shared about the invitation to Sameer's closest friends. She had seen him working real hard last few weeks, And before that, he had been busy taking care of her throughout the pregnancy, then helping with the babies day and night. She wanted to do something for him that genuinely made him feel light and relaxed. There was no denying that he loved her and the children immensely, but they all had been more of a responsibility off late. He needed to unwind. And no better way than giving him the company of his best friends.

Nanu smiled affectionately at her, "Sameer ke chehre ki chamak bata rahi hai usse kitni khushi hui hai. Jo tum chahti thi waisa hi ho raha hai."

Naina nodded, "Jee nanu. Sameer lucky hai ki unke paas itne pyare dost hain. Apne apne kaam ki wajah se ab inn sabka milna bohot kam ho gaya hai. Jab bhi phone pe baat karte hain, teeno yehi kehte hain ki milne ka bada mann hai. Par kabhi program ban hi nahi paata. Isliye maine socha bachhon ke naamkaran ke bahane bula lun. Sameer ko inke saath khul ke hanste hue dekh ke bohot achha lag raha hai."

"Dosti ka rishta hi aisa hota hai beta. Zindagi ke baaki rishte upar wala pehle se tay karke bhejta hai lekin dost hum khud chunte hain. Bachpan ki dosti jab aage tak kaayam rehti hai toh woh dost apno se zyada apne ho jaate hain. Koi saath de na de par sachhe dost hamesha aapka haath thaam ke aapka sahara bante hain. Ek alag si khushi, ek halkapan mehsoos hota hai unke saath. Unse milke kuch der ke liye hi sahi, hum sab kuch bhool jaate hain. Dost sirf dost nahi hote... dard baanto toh dawa ban jaate hain, khushi baanto toh humse zyada khush hoke hamari khushi ko dugna kar dete hain, koi pareshani bata do toh hal bhale hi na bata paayein lekin uss mushkil se ladne ki himmat dete hain, akelepan mein saath rehte hain, aur jab hum apni khoobsurat duniya mein khoye hue hon tab door se dekh ke hamare liye bhagwan se uss duniya ko aur bhi khoobsurat banane ki duaa maangte hain."

Naina felt a lump in her throat. Gulping it down, she said in a low voice, "Isiliye kehti hun nanu, ki Sameer, aur unke yeh sab dost bohot lucky hain jo unhe yeh dosti mili. Sabki kismat aisi nahi hoti."

Nanu was aware of the betrayal she had faced from one person whom she considered her most trusted and close friend. He placed a hand on her head, "Beta, jo pehle nahi mila zaruri nahi woh kabhi na mile. Yeh sab tumhare bhi dost hain. Preeti ke saath toh ab alag rishta ban gaya hai par usse achhi dost milna waqai bohot mushkil hai. Aur Sanjay Raghav... bachpan se dekh raha hun inn dono ko. Aaj kahan se kahan pohoch gaye par dil se ab bhi utne hi masoom aur nek bachhe hain."

Blinking rapidly, she just nodded.

"Aur agar inn nalayakon mein se koi sahi na lage, toh mujhe apna dost bana lo." Nanu said lightly, "Inn sabse unees nahi bees hi hun main."

She looked at the genial old man, and a spurt of chuckle escaped her. Nanu was indeed a friend anyone would love to have.

"Aap bees nahi aap toh hundred hain nanu." Smiling widely, she turned to look at him, the heaviness of her heart melting away with his warm smile. He was right... she wasn't lacking anything now. The family, the friends... all were in the circle of her close ones, and she cherished every relation.

Happy Friendship day to all my precious friends here

Today's update is a special tribute to Friendship Day. As they say, friends are the family you choose for yourself. Sameer's family is somewhat incomplete without his two bestest friends. So, after a long time, we have Samundit together

Next update on Wednesday