Title is the song 'Pehli baar mile hain'
It's a recreated version by Rahul Jain, of the popular song by SP Balasubramaniam, from movie 'Saajan'

Dinner was an elaborate spread of various Indian dishes, which tasted just like back in India.

Sameer savoured dal makhani, shutting his eyes in delight, "Aunty, sach mein aisa lag raha hai jaise Delhi ke kisi five star mein khana kha rahe hain."

Bhalla aunty chuckled, "Oho puttar tumne pehle kyon nahi bataya tumhe hamara khana itna pasand hai, main Delhi mein bhi khila deti."

Bhalla uncle looked at Sameer and Naina, "Tab toh humne tum dono ko kabhi bulaya nahi ghar pe kyonki disturb nahi karna chahte the." He turned towards his son, "Inn becharon ko waise hi itna kam time milta tha ek doosre ke saath. Hum dono toh yehi sochte rehte the ki Naina se kisi ko kaise problem ho sakti hai."

Bhalla aunty gave a tentative look to Naina, "Ab toh sab theek hai na?"

"Jee aunty." Naina bobbed her head, looking down, as a wave of guilt coursed through her.

Bhalla aunty let out a relieved breath, "Mujhe pehle hi pata tha. Ek baar Sameer ke gharwale tujhse mil lenge toh naraaz reh hi nahi sakte."

Sameer gave a small smile. When Naina glanced at him, even he appeared contrite about hiding the truth from such affectionate people.

After dinner, while Ayush and Monty, who had bonded like they had known each other since forever, got busy with their toys, rest everyone sat in the living room.

Naina looked at Sameer with the question that was troubling her. His one assured blink gave her the confidence. She didn't want to live with the guil of deceiving someone who gave her the first cocoon of warmth in a new city.

Clearing her throat, she twisted her fingers, "Aunty, uncle... main aaj aapko kuch batana chahti hun. Aap logon ko achha nahi lagega... gussa bhi ayega... lekin main aisi baat ko apne andar nahi rakh sakti jo aaj bhale hi sach hai par pehle sirf ek jhoot hi thi."

Bhalla aunty narrowed her eyes, "Naina, kya hua hai puttar? Tu dara rahi hai mujhe." Before she could answer, aunty turned to Sameer, "Naina ko kisine hurt kiya hai kya?"

Naina quickly placed a hand on Sameer's forearm, "Nahi aunty, Sameer ki koi galti nahi hai. Unhone toh hamesha mera saath hi diya hai."

Aunty gave her a concerned look.

Taking a deep breath, Naina let out in a slow voice, "Maine aapse jhoot kaha tha ki meri shaadi hui hai. Jab main Delhi aayi, main married nahi thi."

There was a silence of few minutes in the room. With her eyes on the floor near her toes, Naina chewed on the corner of her lower lip, waiting for the rebuke from aunty and uncle, for betraying their trust.

Thus, her head jerked up in shock when uncle's loud laughter rang in the room. Even aunty had a smirk on her face. Naina and Sameer gaped at them.

Bhalla uncle softened his voice when his laugh reduced to a smile, "Beta ji, maana hum buddhe hain lekin purane zamane mein atke hue nahi hain. Aapne shaadi ki baat isliye kahi hogi jisse aapke aur Sameer ke rishte pe hum log koi sawal na karein, aur uske aane jaane pe koi rok tok na lagaye. Haina? Waise aap isse apna boyfriend kehke bhi milwate toh humne kuch nahi kehna tha."

Aunty smiled pleasantly, "Naina, aaj ke zamane mein jahan live in itna common hai, tu iss chote se jhoot se pareshan ho rahi hai? Puttar, koi baat nahi. Shaadi tab na sahi, thode din baad toh kar hi li thi... bhale hi chhup ke kari."

Sameer placed his hand on Naina's wrenching fingers, before revealing the truth, "Aunty, hamari shaadi ki pehli rasm aapne karwayi thi... karwachauth pe jab Naina ko mangalsutra pehnane ko aur sindoor lagane ko kaha tha."

Eventually, the smiles were wiped off aunty and uncle's face. They stared in disbelief.

Simi, who had been a silent listener till now, asked hesitantly, "Aap log shaadi karne wale toh the na? Matlab... kahin biji ke kehne pe..."

Sameer shook his head vehemently, "Nahi nahi bhabhi, aunty ne aisa kuch nahi kaha tha. Main... main Naina se hi shaadi karta. Shayad thodi der lagti, lekin yeh shaadi honi hi thi."

Aunty let out a sigh of relief, "Le. Ainwayi dara diya. Main bhi sochu main kaise galat ho gayi pehchanne mein." She looked at Simi, "Sameer ka pyar uski aankhon mein saaf dikhta tha. Naina ke dil ki baat uske darr ke peeche chupi rehti thi, lekin uska darna bhi bewajah nahi tha. Nayi jagah pe aake, sabse chhup ke apne pyar ke liye ladna aasaan thodi hai. Phir bhi har baat mein Sameer ka naam lena, har khushi ya pareshani mein Sameer ko saath rakhna, uska intezar karna... mujhse chhupa nahi tha tera yeh pyar puttar. Isliye mujhe tum dono ke rishte pe kabhi shaq hi nahi hua."

Bhalla uncle leaned back on sofa, speaking in a lighter voice, "Aap log pehle bata dete toh hum khud jaate Sameer ke ghar pe, apni beti ka rishta leke. Aur dhoom dhaam se shaadi karwate."

The remorse inside Naina's heart increased manifolds. She had clearly cheated such magnanimous people. Blinking hard, she tried to stop the tears that had collected on the edge of her eyes, but one lone tear rolled down her cheek. Wiping it with the back of her hand, she blurted, "Main shaadi karne nahi aayi thi aunty. Main toh Sameer ko jaanti tak nahi thi. Maine aap dono se jhoot bola tha... dhoka diya tha aapko."

Four pair of eyes remained unblinking.

Sameer took her hand within his palms, "Dhoka nahi tha Naina majboori thi." He swallowed, then asked in a low voice, "Tum kaho toh main bataa dun."

All Naina could do was nod. Her throat was too constricted to say more.

Keeping her hand in his hold, Sameer started to tell the tale. He stated how after her parents' demise, Naina's relatives were eyeing what her father had build over the years with his own hard work, how they wanted to get her married to just about anybody and leave the wealth to them, since Naina was a girl and she had no claim on inheritance.

Bhalla aunty looked at her in confusion, "Lekin Ayush toh ladka hai na. Usse bhi problem thi kya?"

Naina raised her eyes, "Ayush mera saga bhai nahi tha aunty... usse humne adopt kiya tha."

"Oh achha." There was no sign of disapproval on aunty's face, "Mujhe hamesha lagta tha tum dono mein kitna age gap hai, lekin kabhi pucha nahi."

When Naina mentioned how her father's brothers pressurised her to leave him in an orphanage, both aunty and uncle were enraged.

Feeling more confident with their reaction, Sameer told them about Naina's decision to leave the city without informing anyone.

Bhalla uncle fumed, "Achha kiya. Aise rishtedar jinhe rishton ki samajh tak na ho, unke saath ki zarurat kisi ko nahi hai."

When Sameer stated that Naina had to lie to aunty for the house, they kept listening thoughtfully.

Naina raced her eyes from uncle to aunty, "Bohot koshish ke baad bhi koi ghar nahi mil raha tha, kyonki mere paas na kisi guardian ki guarantee thi, na main married thi, na mere saath koi family members rehne wale the. Jab bohot din tak sab issi baat ke liye manaa karte rahe toh maine... maine aapse jhoot keh diya aunty... ki mera husband hai, ki main married hun." She pulled out her hand from Sameer's grasp, and folded them, "I'm really sorry aunty... main uss waqt bas wahan se nikalne chahti thi... aur desperation mein aapse... na chahte hue bhi yeh jhoot bola."

Aunty and uncle looked at each other, trying to assimilate everything they had heard. Their gaze together drifted to Sameer.

He nodded, "Haan aunty, Naina mere liye Delhi nahi aayi thi. Hum toh ek doosre ko jaante tak nahi the. Maine usse pehli baar office mein dekha tha."

He went on to explain how he was smitten since he first heard her voice, and how he fell head over heels in love with her when he saw her... and was bowled over by Ayush as well after meeting him. In brief, he told them how a misunderstanding made him accept that he was the husband, because he didn't want anyone to point a finger at Naina. His fondness for Ayush, and how the little boy paved way for him to keep visiting their house made aunty smile tenderly. Sameer also told them about nanu's support and under his guidance, his own efforts to make a place in Naina's heart... and eventually the day when aunty unknowingly bound them together.

Bhalla aunty was dumbfounded, "Tum keh rahe ho ki woh karwachauth... woh tumhare rishte ka pehla kadam tha? Isliye tu itni tensed thi, Naina? Aur mujhe laga bhook ki wajah se tera chehra safed pad raha hai." Her voice turned more grave, "Teri marzi nahi thi kya? Mujhe toh hamesha teri aankhon mein Sameer ke naam pe chamak nazar aati thi isliye..."

Naina lifted her eyes, a flicker of hope in them since neither aunty nor uncle showed any averse reaction to her lie, "Pyar main bhi karti thi aunty... par hum dono ek doosre ke dil ki baat se anjaan the."

Aunty let out a chuckle, "Yeh toh kamaal ho gaya Bhalla saab. Babaji ne mere haathon se kitna achha kaam karwa diya!"

A grateful smile played on Sameer's lips, "Aunty uss din aapne mujhe anjaane mein kya diya tha aapko iska andaaza bhi nahi tha. Mere liye toh sach mein uss raat chaand nikal aaya tha, woh bhi hamesha ke liye. Jaise aapko Naina ki aankhon mein darr dikhta tha par uske peeche chuppa hua pyar bhi, waise hi mujhe bhi lagta tha Naina ke dil mein mere liye jagah hai. Uski parwah, uska mere liye pareshan hona, chinta karna... woh mujhe apne kareeb accept karti thi lekin apni feelings ko bahar nahi aane de rahi thi. Aur meri himmat nahi ho rahi thi puchne ki. Aapne sab kuch sort kar diya."

When aunty and uncle got to know about their wedding conducted with all rituals in front of the family, they were genuinely happy. Waving at her, aunty summoned Naina and made her sit next to herself, stroking her head, "Tune jhoot zarur bola lekin tera irada kisi ko dukh pohochana nahi tha. Sach kahun toh agar tu mujhe sach bata deti, main tujhe ghar deti hi nahi. Phir kaise hamara rishta banta? Isliye mujhe tere jhoot ka koi dukh nahi hai. Teri jagah koi aur bhi hota toh yehi karta. Ab iss baat ko dil se nikaal aur achhi si smile karke dikha. Shaam ko jab tu aayi thi na, pehli baar laga ki meri beti ki aankhon mein koi uljhan nahi hai. Tera khila hua chehra dekh ke main aur Bhalla saab toh khush ho gaye sachhi."

Her gentle words and easy acceptance overwhelmed Naina. Leaning ahead, she hugged her, "Thank you so much, aunty. Aapko pata nahi hai aapne mere dil se kitna bada bojh hata diya."

Aunty moved back and kissed her forehead, "Jhalli. Itni si baat ke liye pareshan thi."

Simi got up, "Iss baat pe toh ice cream banti hai. Main Madhav ko bol ke aati hun."

Mention of ice cream brought both kids running to seating area.

Ayush beamed at Naina, "Mumma, aaj main two ice cream khaunga. Okay?"

After dipping her head in approval, when Naina looked back at others, another realisation hit her... that they were not aware of Ayush's adoption either. When the kids were seated at the dining table, savouring the frozen treat, she apprised them of Ayush's legal adoption by her and Sameer, so Ayush could grow up with the feeling of being in a family. Bhalla uncle agreed with them, that due to his tender age, it was easier for him to accept the change. Harmeet praised their decision, saying that having parents with him was a big boost to a child's psychological growth.

That night, Naina felt a lot lighter, having rid herself of the weight on her conscience. She was grateful that aunty and uncle did not feel cheated, as she had feared.

Sameer wrapped his arms around her as she stood at the window, "Ab toh khush ho na."

She leaned back on his chest, letting out a long exhale, "Jo akhiri band khidki thi aaj woh bhi khul gayi. Tumne mujhe har ghutan se azaad kar diya tha Sameer, lekin yeh khud ka diya hua dhoka mujhe guilty feel karata rehta tha. Aaj aunty uncle ke saamne sab sach bataa ke aisa lag raha hai jaise khuli hawa ka ek aur jhonka mil gaya mujhe saans lene ke liye."

Sameer nuzzled his face in her hair, "Tumhare paas toh personal hawa ka jhonka hai."

Her shoulder hitched up, "Sameer, jaane do na, mujhe bags khaali karne hain."

He tightened his hold, making her efforts futile, "Itni der se mujhse door thi tum, ab jaake chance mila hai. Ab mera time hai, nothing else."

She turned in his arms to face him, her eyes reflecting the warmth of love, "Mera saara time tumhara hi hai, kyonki tum woh hawa ke jhonke ho jiski khushbu se meri zindagi mehek gayi hai. Jitne bhi khoobsurat pal aaye hain meri life mein, sirf tumhari wajah se hain."

"Toh inhe thoda aur khoobsurat bana do, inmein apni khushbu mila ke." He flaunted a mischievous smile.

Dipping his head, he brushed his lips lightly against her mouth, followed by a gentle and teasing scrape of teeth on her lower lip. She could hear nothing except her heartbeat pounding in her ears as his lips skimmed down her jaw, peppering feather kisses over the length of her throat. Her hands went behind his head, fingers curling into his dark hair. Throwing her head back, she gave his hair a soft tug. He groaned against the base of her neck. The deep, throaty sound reverberated like an echo through her bones, making her veins coil up in the pit of her belly. A flood of heat coursed through her when his hands slipped inside her top, landing on her skin that was burning for his touch by now.

With another guttural sound, he lifted his head, to find her chin turned up, and her face pushed closer to his. She looked back at him with same intensity. Her lips parted as his lips captured hers. His tongue brushed over her lips before going on for a bolder, exploratory swipe which clouded their minds with the same desperate need. With soft sounds, whimpering sighs and a few short pauses to gasp some air, they continued to kiss as if it wasn't just a few hours but a gap of days that they had got this chance.

In those moments, they realised yet again the power they had on each other. They could let every guard down, let every emotion flow, yield in every possible manner, embrace every unrelenting desire of the other... and lose themselves in a world that existed only for them. They needed each other like air. They made each other alive. They were home when together.

A night of passion and love faded into a new blissful morning, where the sunshine filtered through large glass windows, falling on the gloating faces of two people in each others arms.

At the breakfast table, Harmeet happily announced, "Biji, maine Sunday ki booking kara di hai. Ab aap log apni taiyariyan kar lo."

Bhalla aunty squealed, "Haye sachhi. Yeh toh tune bada hi achha kaam kiya." She gave a delighted smile to Naina and Sameer, "Jab mujhe pata chala tum log aa rahe ho toh maine socha Simi ki godbharai issi hafte kar lete hain, agle hafte ki jagah."

Simi was equally excited as she addressed her husband, "Thank you ji, kam se kam lage toh sahi ghar se bhi koi aaya hai."

Bhalla uncle patted his son's back, "Sabko toh khush kar diya ab yeh bata tu bhi chutti lega na?"

Harmeet nodded, "Bilkul papaji. Abhi koi case due nahi hai. Emergency ke liye maine Dr Rustom ko bol diya hai. Koi bohot badi problem hi aa jaaye toh keh nahi sakte warna Sunday ka poora din maine yahin rehna hai."

He checked his watch, "Lekin abhi bhaagta hun. Aaj toh chutti nahi hai." He turned to Sameer, "Car aur driver dono hain, agar kahin jaana chaho toh. Simi bata degi yahan ki famous places. Waise toh ab biji bhi perfect ho gayi hain." He grinned at his mom, "Yahan bhi kitty friends bana li hain jinke saath har hafte bahar jaati hain."

Bhalla aunty frowned, "Kyon na jaun. Unki company mein lagta hi nahi apne desh se door hain. Hum sab Indian restaurant mein jaate hain, punjabi suits ki shopping karte hain aur Bollywood ki picturein dekhte hain."

Naina raised her brows, "Aunty, aap mujhe bhi shopping kara dengi? Main toh koi aise kapde laayi hi nahi jo function pe pehen sakun."

Simi pressed Naina's shoulder before aunty could answer, "Khareed ke kya karna hai, mera pehen lena. Pehle main bhi tumhare jaisi slim trim thi. Tabke bohot saare suits hain jinmein ab fit hi nahi aati. Main breakfast ke baad tumhe dikha dungi."

Harmeet picked up his keys and leaned to kiss his wife's head, waving at everyone, "Aap log banao program, main shaam ko milta hun."

After breakfast Naina accompanied Simi to her room along with aunty while Sameer and uncle went out to the garden with both boys.

A big suitcase was placed near the bed. Simi smiled, "Lagta hai Harmeet ji ne Madhav ko phone karke bol diya tha nikalne ko."

Bhalla aunty smiled fondly, "Kitna bhi busy ho, biwi ka khyal rakhna nahi bhoolta."

Simi blushed, then gave a crooked smile to her mother in law, "Apne papaji pe hi gaye hain. Woh bhi toh aise hi hain."

Naina was surprised when they teased each other till aunty started to pull out wrapped bundles from the suitcase. Whole family was equally warm and loving.

There were several suits in bright colours and heavy embroidery, which were all elegant and elaborate. It was a difficult choice, till Simi unwrapped an outfit in pink.

"Simi bhabhi, main yeh wala try karun?" Naina touched the silk fabric.

Aunty spread the dupatta over her shoulder, "Tujhpe bohot achha lagega."

Simi eyed the suit in apprehension, "Mujhe toh yeh halka lag raha hai."

Aunty had seen Naina long enough to know what type of clothes she preferred. Putting away the heavier sets, she stated, "Jewellery ke saath pehenegi toh sahi lagega. Naina ko Indian kapdon mein kam dekha hai lekin jab bhi pehne hain, bohot pyari lagti hai."

As for Naina, pink was the obvious choice, because it was the colour Sameer loved.

Toh kya hum bhi naye outfits banwa lein Randeep Rai 😍 verdict will be out soon... very soon (aisa Rd ne bola 😂)

PS : Jis ladki se pyar karta hai uska naam hai M A...
🤭samajh rahe ho na... Maina

Next update on Wednesday