Title is the song 'Sau aasman' from movie 'Baar Baar Dekho'

Naina was still in bed, a dreamy smile on her face when there was a knock at the door.

"Naina bhabhi, hum aapke liye chai laaye hain." Ramdhari announced.

She sat up straight, adjusting her dress and asked him to come in.

He greeted her with a bright smile, "Ab aapki tabiyat kaisi hai?"

"Main bilkul theek hun. Bas aaj uthne mein late ho gaya. Lekin aapko kaise pata chala main abhi uthi hun? Maine toh abhi tak chai ke liye bola hi nahi." She was surprised.

"Sameer bhaiya." He replied matter of factly, "Unka phone aaya, ki jaldi se Naina bhabhi ke liye chai leke jao aur hum aa gaye. Ab aapko jo bhi khana ho ya koi aur kaam ho aap humein bata dijiye. Agar aap khud neeche aayi toh humein Sameer bhaiya ke gusse se koi nahi bacha payega."

She assured him that she would give a call when she needed breakfast. Satisfied, he left after handing her the mug. The smile was intact on her face as she sipped the piping hot tea. Even while sitting in office, Sameer was taking care of her but she missed his presence around her.

An hour later, she had just stepped out after her bath, planning to call up for breakfast when there was again a knock. She turned, to find Vishakha at the door.

"Good morning mummy. Aap kyon leke aayi? Ramdhari..." She looked at the tray of breakfast in Vishakha's hand.

Vishakha interrupted her as she entered, "Tumhe pata hai, jab Sameer bimar hota hai na, poora ghar sar pe utha leta hai. Usse sab kuch yahin room mein chahiye. Aur zara bhi late hua, toh Ramdhari ki khair nahi."

Placing the tray on a small table near the couch, she looked back at Naina, an amused smile on her face, "Kal shaam se main wohi Sameer dekh rahi hun. Farq sirf itna hai ki iss baar woh nahi tum bimar ho. Lekin uski bechaini pehle se sau guna zyada hai."

Naina was flushed, "Sorry mummy, aapko takleef hui. Maine Sameer ko kaha bhi tha ki bas thodi tiredness hai, main bimar thodi hun. In fact abhi toh main bilkul theek feel kar rahi hun. Office bhi jaa sakti thi."

Vishakha sat on the couch and gestured her to come to her. When Naina was seated in front of her, she smiled warmly, "Naina, main jaanti hun tumne shaadi ke liye bohot saari responsibility apne upar le li thi, in fact, mujhe toh kisi baat ke liye dekhna tak nahi pada, tumne sab khud hi manage kar liya. Thank you."

"Aap aisa kyon keh rahi hain mummy. Apne ghar ke liye, family ke liye kuch karne pe mujhe thank you thodi chhaiye. Hamare ghar ke function mein sab kuch achhe se ho, yeh dekhna meri responsibility hai." Naina stated.

Vishakha patted her cheek, "Ussi tarah sab bachhe healthy rahein yeh dekhna meri responsibility hai. Naina, tum apni health ko ignore mat karo. Maine notice kiya hai tum bohot kam khaati ho. Aage jaake koi problems na ho isliye tumhe apne khaane ka zyada khyal rakhna chahiye. Kal ko yeh weakness koi complication na laaye isliye achha hai pehle se hi khud ko prepare kar liya jaaye."

Naina nodded, "Aap fiqr mat kijiye mummy. Main balanced diet leti hun aur regular workout bhi karti hun. Woh toh shaadi ki wajah se... I mean, mujhe pata nahi tha kya aur kaise karna hota hai, isliye thoda stress ho gaya. But I'm fine now. Kal se office bhi chali jaungi."

Vishakha shook her head, "Main office ki baat nahi kar rahi."

When Naina gave her a blank look, she took a deep breath, and continued, "Yeh tum dono ka decision hai, lekin jab bhi tum plan karoge, pregnancy ke liye healthy rehna bohot crucial hoga."

A wave of guilt spread through Naina. Her eyes filled with pain, which Vishakha mistook for nervousness. She placed a hand on Naina's knee, "Aisa mat samajhna ki main koi pressure daal rahi hun. Abhi tum dono ko apne liye time chahiye, I understand. Lekin ek saal, do saal ya jab bhi tum chaho uss waqt yeh advice kaam ayegi."

Naina lowered her eyes, contemplating whether it was correct to keep her in dark about her condition. But she remembered what Sameer had said, about not bringing it up till the right time. For now, she just gulped and nodded.

Vishakha let out a relieved breath, speaking softly, "Mujhe pata tha tum samajh jaogi. Ab aaram se breakfast karo aur kuch bhi chahiye ho mujhe kehna. Aaj Sameer ne tumhare liye healthy dishes banane ko kaha tha wohi banwayi hain."

Her appetite was gone, but Naina had her food, because Sameer would have wanted her to. It wasn't unrealistic for Vishakha, or any other family member to have such expectations. Knowingly, if she was letting them under this impression, she was not doing justice to her family. Yes, that's what they were. They were her family, and families were supposed to be like this... loving, caring, and worthy of trust. If she did lead them on, she was betraying their trust on her... and she very well knew how bad it hurt.

She had to tell them.

After making up her mind, she was about to call up Sameer when the phone started to ring.

"Hi jaan. Breakfast kiya na?" His voice was balm to her turmoil.

"Hmm. Tumne mummy ko kyon bola? Bekar mein unhe disturb kiya. Main khud hi karne wali thi." She decided to wait till he returned. It wasnt something they could discuss over a call.

He let out a sigh, "Main toh khud karana chahta tha. Lekin aaj ki meeting postpone nahi ho sakti. Isliye..." He closed his eyes, imagining her face, "...warna tum subah itni sundar lag rahi thi ki tumse door jaana impossible tha. Mera dil kar raha tha ussi waqt tumhare..."

Before she could remind him that he was in office, Sameer halted abruptly, his voice changing, "Yes?"

There was a faint voice, stating something.

"Take them to conference room. Aur Mr Das ko keh do team ko inform karein. I'll be there in two minutes." He ordered in a firm voice,

"Sameer, main aa sakti thi. Aisa bhi kuch nahi hua hai mujhe. Raat bhar ka rest kaafi tha." She complained.

"Mujhe tumhare aane se koi problem nahi thi. Lekin tumhe hi achha nahi lagta." He said plainly.

Naina was taken aback, "Maine kab manaa kiya? Tumne utahaya hi nahi."

Sameer smirked, having achieved what he wanted, "Utha ke hai ghoomne wala tha office mein agar tum yahan hoti. Kyonki tumhe chalne toh main deta nahi."

She drew in a sharp breath, knowing he was capable of doing what he said. A streak of red crept up her neck, "Pagal ho tum."

"Tumhare pyar mein." He whispered lovingly.

"Ab jao. Meeting ke liye sabko intezar mat karwao." She chided in a flushed voice.

He sighed, "Main bechara kya intezar karwaunga... main toh khud pyar ke saath saath intezar mein bhi pagal hun. Lagta hai yeh intezar mera hi address leke paida hua tha. Pehle tum karati thi aur ab... ab bhi tum hi karati ho."

"Kitna drama karte ho na tum." She smiled, "Jao ab jaake meeting attend karo."

After ending the call, she looked at the phone, same fond smile on her face as she glanced at his picture, "Buddhu."

It had just been an hour after breakfast when she heard nanu's voice, "Naina beta, main andar aa jau n?"

She got up immediately from her chair where she was curled up with a book, "Aiiye na nanu."

Nanu walked in, his gentle face relaxed in a smile, "Ab kaisa mehsoos ho raha hai?"

"Achha nahi lag raha. " She groused, adding quickly when she saw him frown, "Bore ho raha hai. Aise kabhi khaali baithi nahi. Samajh nahi aa raha kya karun."

Nanu laughed, "Yeh toh tumne aisi baat kar di jaise tumne bhi retirement le li ho."

She narrowed her eyes, "Aapko bura lagta hai kya office na aana?"

Nanu immediately countered, "Arre nahi nahi beta, mujhe toh yeh shaant aur dheemi dheemi si zindagi badi achhi lag rahi hai. Itne saal tak ghadi ki suiyon ke hisaab se har kaam karne ke baad ab aisa lagta hai jaise waqt ko thaam liya hai maine. Jo kaam pehle nahi kar paata tha woh sab karta hun... apne paudhon ki dekhbhaal, shaam ko doston ke saath chai, akhbaar ki har choti se choti khabar ko padhna, ussi mandir mein jaake purane din yaad karne jahan Gayatri se mila tha."

She observed a serene fondness appear on his face when he talked about his wife. Nanu still loved her immensely, she could see. Maybe Sameer had inherited this intensity of love from him only.

"Aap naniji se itna pyar karte hain nanu, unhe bohot miss karte honge na?" She asked.

"Tumhare har sawal ka jawab dunga, lekin aise khade rakha tumhe toh tumhara pati aake sabse pehle meri class le lega. Chalo, tum aaram karo, main chair le leta hun." He pointed at the bed.

In spite of her repeated assurance that she was fine, nanu made her sit on the bed, against the headboard, with a pillow for comfort. He pulled a chair next to her, and settled down comfortably, "Haan toh tumne pucha main Gayatri ko miss karta hun... ek tarah se nahi karta, kyonki woh mere saath hi hai hamesha. Woh toh kabhi gayi hi nahi. Kabhi kisi baat pe atak jaata hun toh sochta hun ki woh hoti toh kya hal nikalti, aur mujhe jawab mil jaata hai. Kisi khushi ke mauke pe doosri mithai ki taraf haath badhane se pehle hi uski daant yaad aa jaati hai, aur ruk jaata hun."

Naina smiled as he narrated how his wife still occupied every moment of his life.

"Kaash main unse mil paati." Naina could visualise a warm, affectionate woman from the pictures she had seen of her.

Nanu looked at her affectionately, "Kabhi kabhi tum mujhe Gayatri ki yaad dilati ho. Jis tarah tum sabka khyal rakhne ke liye khud ko bhool jaati ho, woh bhi aisa hi karti thi. Main kuch kehta toh kehti thi apne parivar ka khyal rakhne se koi thakta nahi. Lekin beta, yeh sach nahi hai. Humein apni sehat ka dhyan sabse pehle khud rakhna chahiye, apne ussi parivar ke liye jisse hum pyar karte hain, jo humse pyar karta hai. Maine Gayatri ke jaane ke baad yeh seekha lekin main chahta hun tum abhi se iss baat pe amal karna shuru karo. Koi kaam khud se zyada zaruri nahi hai. Office, ghar, parivar, bachhe... sab tumse hain, jaise tum inse ho. Yeh selfishness nahi hai, yeh bhi pyar ka ek tareeka hai. Beta, mera Sameer bohot chote dil ka hai. Woh tumhari zara si takleef bhi bardaasht nahi kar paata. Main jaanta hun tum usse kitna pyar karti ho. Uske liye, apne bete ke liye, aur hum sabke liye, woh sab kuch karo jo tumhari sehat ke liye zaruri hai."

Naina smiled sadly, "Aap theek keh rahe hain nanu. Kismat ka likha toh hum badal nahi sakte lekin jo hamare haath mein hai kam se kam usmein humein laparwahi nahi karni chahiye."

He placed a hand on her head, "Kismat se koi nahi lad sakta beta. Lekin jo badla nahi jaa sakta uske liye khud ko dukhi mat karo. Zindagi bohot keemti hoti hai. Humein itne saare ahsaas, itne rishte, unginat khushiyan deti hai toh kuch dukh bhi hamare hisse mein aate hain. Agar hum uss dukh ka sira pakad kar baithe rahenge toh aane wali nayi khushiyan kaise thaamenge?"

She nodded, absorbing the guidance of his wisdom. Nanu had indeed cleared her mind of the apprehensions of morning. One inability should not overpower the blessings that she had... Sameer, Ayush, and this loving family.

"Chalo bhai, bohot baatein ho gayi, ab tum aaram karo." Nanu got up, taking out his phone from his kurta pocket.

"Le aao." He said into the phone.

Naina was wondering who he had called when Ramdhari entered with a bowl, "Lijiye nanaji. Namak daal ke fruit chaat bana laaye hain. Anaar bhi daala hai, jaisa Sameer bhaiya ne kaha tha." He placed the bowl next to Naina, "Naina bhabhi, aapko aur chahiye hoga toh bata dena, hum bana denge. Chakh ke dekhiye, namak kam zyada toh nahi hai."

Naina looked from one to another.

Nanu raised his hands, "Hum dono ka koi kasoor nahi hai. Sameer tumhare khaane ka menu bana ke deke gaya hai."

Ramdhari let out a weary sigh, "Phir bhi har aadhe ghanta mein phone karke yaad dila rahe hain jaise hum bhool jayenge Naina bhabhi ko samay pe khaana dena."

Nanu let out a loud laugh, "Sameer koi chance nahi lega Ramdhari. Tujhe hi nahi hum sabko phone karke yaad dila raha hai."

Naina was deeply embarrassed as the two went out, laughing.

She had barely finished her fruits when Ayush's loud voice announced his arrival from school, "Nainaaa mummaaaaa."

"Offo Ayush, itni zor se chillate hain kya koi bimar hota hai toh?" Deepika hushed him as she followed him in the room, both still in school uniform.

Ayush looked at her, "Dheere kaise chillaun? Woh toh whispering ho jayega na. Chillate toh sab zor se hi hain." He turned to Naina, "Haina?"

Deepika rolled her eyes, making Naina smile. She was not just a play partner for Ayush but had adopted the role of an elder sister effortlessly, indulging him, yet keeping a check on him.

"Bolo na Naina mumma." Ayush shook her.

Naina pinched his cheek, "Deepika theek keh rahi hai. Koi bimar hota hai toh uske saamne dheere dheere baat karte hain. Lekin main bimar nahi hun. Bas thodi tired thi, ab theek hun."

Deepika keenly observed her face, "Nahi bhabhi, aap abhi bhi pale lag rahe ho. You need to rest. Maine Ramdhari bhaiya ko bata diya hai aapka lunch aata hi hoga."

"No Deepika. Naina groaned, "Main jabse uthi hun kuch na kuch kha rahi hun. Ab lunch nahi ho payega."

Deepika grinned, "Bhai ka order hai bhabhi. Aapki favourite sauteed vegetables hain, saath mein idli.".

"Idli bhi Naina mumma ki favourite hai." Ayush provided smugly.

"Pata hai." Deepika teased, "Meri bhi bhabhi hain, sirf teri mumma nahi hain."

Ayush glared, with hands on waist, "Lekin mumma meri hain, aapki nahi."

Naina scooped him in her arms, "School se aate hi gussa... aaj ma'm ne good boy nahi bola kya?"

"Bola na." He flashed a big smile, "Jab maine saare days of the week ki spelling batayi."

Deepika proudly brought out his notebook, "Dekho bhabhi maine isse kaise sikhaya." She showed how she had broken each name in parts, keeping day out of it. It was much easier for Ayush to learn as the spellings got smaller. Naina praised her for her innovative idea and asked Ayush to say Thank You for teaching him.

"Mera favourite toh Friday hai." Ayush decalred after doing so.

"Pata hai," Deepika chuckled, "Kyonki uske baad do din chutti hoti hai."

"Naiii." Ayush grinned, "Kyonki uska name French Fries jaisa hai."

Deepika stuck out her tongue at him, then looked at Naina, "Lagta hai aapka saara khaana yeh bhukkad hi khaa jaata hoga hamesha se isliye aapko aadat hi nahi hai khaane ki."

"Main Naina mumma ka khaana nahi khaata." Ayush pouted.

Before Naina could say anything, her lunch arrived.

Ayush looked at the fluffy idlis, "Main taste karke dekhun?"

Naina broke one piece, dipped in the chutney and put it in his mouth, since he hadn't yet washed his hands after coming back from school.

Deepika teased him again, mimicking him, "Main Naina mumma ka khaana nahi khaata."

Ramdhari was quick to his rescue, "Ayush baba, aapke liye bhi idli hai, aur mushroom ki sabzi bhi. Aap fresh hoke aa jao."

Naina called out to Deepika after Ayush left with Ramdhari, "Thank you Deepika. Pichle dinon main Ayush ka homework nahi dekh paayi lekin tumne uski studies suffer nahi hone di."

Deepika made an expression of fake annoyance, "Aap mujhe thank you bologe?" Then eased with a smile, "Ayush ke saath mujhe itna mazaa aata hai ki main bata nahi sakti. He's so cute, ladta bhi cutely hai. He's really my stress buster. Jab padhte padhte thak jaati hun toh Ayush ke saath time spend kar leti hun. Thank you mujhe bolna chahiye, aapko. Ayush is the best thing that happened to me."

Next update on Wednesday