Ayush was thrilled to see the cherries. Though he got little upset initially that 'Naina ke sir' didn't stay back to meet him, the bowl full of cherries made him forget everything when Naina handed it to him.

At night, after tucking him in bed, Naina sat curled up in her chair near the glass door. The evening incident had nettled her. How could she open up so easily to Sameer sir, she couldn't comprehend. But she was even more baffled at his behaviour... how did he know what she was going through, how could he understand her need to unbottle her pain, how did he land up at the precise time when she needed someone!

"Woh toh sirf Ayush ke liye cherries leke aaye the." She tried to convince herself, but failed. He had specifically told her he had come to talk to her. She was amazed at herself too... never had she let any guy enter her orbit. She was friendly, could remain cordial with male friends with ease... but today, she had let her guards down in front of Sameer sir, shown her weaker side. Even in office, when she had told her friends about her past life, the control on her emotions was intact. Then how could the walls crumble now, with Sameer sir? Again, she came up with the justification that he arrived when she was already in a vulnerable state... the mention of her parents and her loneliness could be blamed.

Her eyes gazed up at her celestial companion, "Tum batao, yeh sahi hua ya galat? Unke saath roz kaam karna hai mujhe, senior hain, boss hain mere... aur maine dosti kar li? Hum dost kaise ho sakte hain? Main kaise poora bharosa kar sakti hun unpe? Yeh ghar pe aana, Ayush ke saath milna julna... galat hai na?"

"Nainaaaa." The yell from other room made her scamper to her brother immediately.

Ayush sat up in bed as he saw her, "Cherries khatam ho gayi?"

She shook her head, "Bohot saari hain. Fridge mein rakh di. Lekin abhi nahi milengi, brush kar liya na!"

Ayush cutely slapped his forehead, "Arre main bol raha hun sambhal ke rakhna. Jab tumhare sir ayenge toh hum unhe bhi khilayenge. Unki bhi favourite hain na."

Naina narrowed her eyes, "Tujhe kaise pata?"

"Kal bataya tha. Jab maine kaha cherries mujhe sabse achhi lagti hain toh unhone kaha unhe bhi. Isiliye leke aaye honge na? Jisse hum dono friends saath mein kha sake!" Ayush said matter of factly.

Naina sat next to him, speaking slowly, "Ayush, Sameer sir bohot achhe aur friendly hain, lekin woh office mein mere sir hain na... isliye woh tere friend kaise ban sakte hain? Itne bade bhi toh hain tujhse."

"Unhone bola woh banenge... mere bhi aur tumhare bhi... sachi... pakka promise kiya." Ayush vehemently nodded.

Naina recalled how he had said the same thing to her.

Ayush tugged at her arm, "Naina, main unko apna best friend banaunga. Maine bas one time bola aur unhone cherries laa ke di mujhe, cake bheja, aur ab meri bday party bhi karenge... ban gaye na best friend! Haina? Tum bhi bana lo... woh sabse achhe hain."

Naina looked at the twinkling eyes of her little brother. His innocent heart had accepted Sameer in their life. She could see the joy reflecting on his face. With a soft smile, she hugged Ayush, "Mera best friend toh tu hai, mera Ayush."

He quickly wrapped his small arms around her neck, pecking her on the cheek, "Aur mere two two... tum aur tumhare sir."

When Naina was back in her chair few minutes later, she thought about what Ayush had said. He was surprised how Sameer had remembered his one mention of cherries... and she was astounded at how he could exactly know what she was feeling. She missed mom dad every single day, but on some days, the pain got unbearable. Today was one such moment. And him being here, talking to her, consoling her had a calming effect. She felt lighter.

With a long exhale, she looked up at the moon, it seemed to be smiling.

"Yeh tumhara hi jawab tha na." The lightness spread more over her as she accepted that probably she could be more friendly with the only person who could understand both her and Ayush so well. It was easier to sleep after the decision was made.

Seeing Naina in such a broken state had impacted Sameer greatly. He could not wipe off the image from his mind. She had cried hard, hiding her face in her palms. And then, got a grip on herself within minutes. Her immense courage made him speechless. When Deepika or Rohan were upset over something, they needed consolation from every single family member... it was never easy to bring them out of their melancholy, even when it was for petty issues. Naina was much elder to Ayush, so she must have been an only child for a long time. Whatever little he had gathered from Ayush's talks, he was sure her parents were very loving and affectionate. She would have had a cocooned life with them. Still, she had been remarkably handling everything alone now. But he didn't want her to be alone... he wanted to be with her at every stage, give her the same safe haven that she once had at her home.

"Aaj tumne dosti ke liye haath milaya hai, Naina. Jaldi hi tum apna haath hamesha ke liye mere haath mein dogi." He brought up his hand to reminisce the moment when her delicate soft palm was in his hold. It had taken his entire self control to not pull her in his arms, and wipe her tears away.

Much awaited Monday arrived after what seemed ages to Sameer. The thought of having Naina right next to his room, working together with her, seeing her several times a day... it all made his heart beat so loud, he thought the entire floor could hear it. Upon reaching the office, first thing he did was check the room next to his. Things seemed to be in order.

The sound of elevator doors made him turn around at the same time when the door swept in to bring her in front of him.

"Hi! Welcome to your new cabin." He beamed.

Naina was startled for a moment, as she hadn't expected anyone to be inside. Next second, she flashed him a smile, "Good morning, Sameer sir. Thank you."

Dressed in smart trouser and jacket, her hair tied back in a pony, her composed features showed no hint of the anguish he had witnessed the other day... but then, she was always in control whenever he had seen her on all other occasions.

She stepped in, looked around, and smiled. The room was much bigger than the cubicle she occupied as Rohan's assistant.

"All okay? Agar kuch change karna hai toh bata do. Anything you want can be removed or added." Sameer waved at the room.

"It's perfect." Naina said courteously.

"Well then, let's get to work. Main abhi tumhe new aur prospective clients ki recent details forward kar deta hun. Take a look. Once you have gone through it, we can discuss. Okay?" Sameer crossed his arms, still standing in the middle of the room.

"Sure, sir." Naina nodded once.

He spread his arm to point at the desk. With slow steps, she walked behind the big table.

On the chair was a chocolate, with a small card attached to it. She squinted at it before picking it up... the card had one line

Good to have you with us!

She looked at Sameer. He shrugged.

"You got it, right?" She somehow knew.

He pursed his lips, "Ab ek dost doosre dost ko chocolate toh de hi sakta hai. Haina? Aur tum Ayush bhi nahi ho jisko main bina puche kuch nahi dila sakta."

Naina chuckled at his explanation, "Thank you, sir."

"Umm, Naina, profile change hua hai lekin deal wohi purani chalegi. No sorry, no thank you... okay?" He pushed his hands into pockets, emboldened by her easy acceptance of the chocolate.

She dipped her head to the side. Having nothing else to keep him in her room, Sameer had to leave.

The details arrived within minutes, and Naina got engrossed in aquainting herself with the pattern of reaching out to new clients. It was almost two hours before she messaged Sameer that she had checked all the documents.

"Can you come over to my room, then?" He called on the intercom.

Naina was with him minutes later. Sitting across him, she gave all the observations she had listed, along with her own ideas.

"Oh great! Good observations. I think yeh new plan achha rahega. I'll apprise nanu and then we can start working on this." Sameer was clearly impressed with her suggestions.

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it, and bit her lip.

Hesitantly, she looked at Sameer, "Sir, woh Ayush... I forgot to tell him ki mera lunch time change hua hai isliye usne abhi hi..."

"No problem, tum baat kar lo... isse pehle ki woh gussa hoke punishment de de." Sameer smirked, pointing at the phone.

Naina quickly put it against her ear, "Hello... haan haan yaad hai... khana khaya tune... kal de dungi... sun, main baad mein baat karti hun... haan hain... Ayush, abhi nahi, yeh office hai... I said no. Bye."

"So... sorry sir." She put back the phone in her pocket. It was a usual practice to not answer the phone during normal working hours. "Actually Ayush ki wajah se phone saath hi rakhti hun... kahin usse kuch problem ho toh... this is the only contact number isliye unattended nahi chod sakti."

Sameer, who seemingly appeared to be busy in files, had his entire attention on her conversation. He looked up, "I guess tumko kuch rules pata nahi hain."

Naina gulped, "I'm really sorry, sir. Main Ayush ko aaj bata dungi."

He stared at her with a straight face, "Pehla rule, tum jab bhi deal break karogi, punishment milegi... jaise Ayush deta hai."

She gaped at him.

"Deal... hamari deal... no sorry no thank you wali. Dekho na, abhi bhi do baar sorry bol diya. Not acceptable." He continued in the same somber tone, "Also, Ayush ke phone mein mera number add kar do, aur uske school aur daycare mein bhi. Agar kabhi zarurat pade toh kam se kam do alag numbers hone hi chahiye."

Her eyes didn't blink.

"Rule no. 2, Ayush ko jab bhi mujhse baat karni ho, woh mujhe direct call kar sakta hai... office mein ya ghar pe, kahin bhi. Aur agar tumse baat karwane ko kahe toh manaa nahi kar sakti... jaise abhi kiya." He lowered his voice at the end.

Naina gasped, "Aapko... aapko kaise pata?"

The way Naina had given a quick glance to him before answering Ayush's question, Sameer had comprehended what he wanted. Since he had become extremely fond of Ayush, he was disappointed when Naina didn't let him talk.

For now, he interlocked his fingers as he looked at her, "Well, kuch baatein khud hi samajh mein aa jaati hain... agar dil se sochen toh."

She again dipped her head to the side, like an obedient child, and his face broke into a smile, "Ab tumhari class khatam ho gayi, tum lunch ke liye jaa sakti ho."

Naina let out a small smile before checking the time, "Lunch mein abhi 20 minutes hain, sir."

Sameer leaned a little on the table, "You can continue with the old lunch time. Tumhare friends upar wale floor ke hain toh tum unke saath hi chali jaaya karo. Yahan jab friends ban jayenge, and if you are willing, toh change kar lena time. Ab jao, already dus minute nikal chuke hain."

Naina stood up quickly, her smile wider, "Tha... uhh... okay sir."

She collected the files Sameer had given her and walked out, unaware that his eyes didn't leave her till the door closed completely behind her. He leaned back in the chair. Naina needed her friends. He had seen how relaxed she was with them. It was good that she spent time with them.

Her friends were thrilled to know Sameer's decision.

Vedika pushed her plate of rolls towards Naina, "Chal isse start kar, tab tak main teri idli leke aati hun."

Dhruv took a sip of his coffee, "Kaisa lag raha hai Sameer ke saath kaam karna? I'm sure woh bhi Rohan jaise hi chill hoga."

Naina smiled, "He's very considerate. Tabhi toh dekho, tum logo ke saath lunch hour de diya mujhe."

"Inki poori family hi aisi hai. Bosses wali koi tension nahi dete. Somani sir bhi itne understanding hain. Bro, main toh yahin se retire hounga dekh lena. I don't want to leave this company ever." Farhan asserted.

Vedika joined them, "Wow Farhan, pehle toh ek Sanya hi fidaa thi boss pe ab tu bhi? Not bad!"

They all laughed, except Sanya.

Farhan gave her a surprised look, "Kya hua, Sanya? Aaj tumne kuch kaha nahi Sameer ke favour mein? Patta kat gaya kya uska?"

Sanya looked up. They were shocked to see the wetness in her eyes.

Naina immediately placed a hand on her shoulder, "Kya hua Sanya? Tu itni upset kyon hai?"

"Guys, I'm leaving for Australia next month. Maine last year jo scholarship apply ki thi woh approve ho gayi hai. Ab mujhe iss course ke liye jaana hoga." Sanya revealed in a dull voice.

There were a few seconds of stunned silence, then they all broke into an excited cheer.

Vedika smacked her arm, "Pagal kahin ki. Dara diya tha. Yeh toh itni achhi news hai. Tu kitni excited thi jab apply kiya tha, ki yeh tera ultimate dream hai. Sanya, your dream has come true. It's time to celebrate."

Farhan shook her shoulder, "O yaar, Australia hi toh jaa rahi hai, chand pe thodi. Sirf do saal ka course hai... aa jaana wapas. Dekh bhai, inn sabka toh pata nahi, main yahin milunga. Maine pehle hi keh diya ki main toh yahin se retire hona wala hun."

Naina held her hand, talking softly, "You want to go, right? Ya phir tera hi mann nahi hai?"

Sanya lowered her head, "This was my dream since I was in college, Naina. Lekin yeh office join karne ke baad... you know na how I feel about Sameer. Main... main usse itni door nahi hona chahti."

Vedika creased her forehead, "Don't be stupid, Sanya. What do you mean door nahi hona chahti? Abhi konsa uske paas hai tu? Tera crush hai sirf woh... aur kuch nahi. Ek saal hone ko aaya tujhe yahan. Ek baar bhi uski taraf se koi hint mila hai kya? Don't spoil your future for a silly infatuation."

Naina pressed Sanya's hand, seeing the pain in her eyes, "Sanya, listen to me... all this crush, infatuation, love... it's trash. Aisa kuch nahi hota. Agar tu zyada sochegi toh lagega feelings hain, lekin ek baar inn sab faltu baaton ko dimag se nikal ke apni life ke baare mein soch. You have to be in control of your life. You yourself are responsible for your tomorrow. Kal ko agar Sameer sir aur tu saath ho bhi jao toh kya teri identity sirf unse rahegi? Nahi na. You are an individual... not a creeper that you need someone to survive. Agar aaj inn feelings ke chakkar mein tune iss opportunity ko kho diya toh kal sirf regret hoga tere paas... tab yeh crush, yeh feelings ki koi value nahi rahegi."

"Hey Naina, relax. Itna bhi bura nahi hai Sameer." Sanya sprang up to his defense.

Naina shook her head, "Woh bilkul bure nahi hain. Lekin yahan baat unki nahi teri hai. Why you need to make decisions according to him? Apne liye soch... jo tere liye important hai woh kar. Sanya, value sirf unn dreams ki hoti hai jo humein aage badhne ka raasta dikhate hain, apne bal pe. Kisi insaan ko apna dream banane se better kisi mukaam ko banana chahiye."

Farhan cheered when she finished, "Wow Naina. Amazing thoughts. I agree with you."

Dhruv peered at both of them, "Lekin feelings ki koi value nahi hai, yeh main nahi maanta. Naina, pehle main bhi inn sab pyar, love wagerah mein believe nahi karta tha. Par pichle do saal mein maine jaise apni di aur unke boyfriend ko ek doosre ke saath khade hue dekha, honestly, I fell in love with the concept of love. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki unhone apna koi bhi sapna ek doosre ki wajah se choda hai. Balki, ab ek sapne ko poora karne ke liye do log ek saath kaam kar rahe hain. Tum milogi na unse, toh tumhe bhi lagega ki haan, kuch log sach mein made for each other hote hain."

Naina wasn't convinced, "Maybe hote honge... but if you see the percentage, it would be miniscule. Do log ek saath, ek jaisa kaise soch sakte hain? Impossible. Definitely, unmein se ek jhoot bolega."

Vedika raised her palms, "Look guys, yeh discussion hum kar hi kyon rahe hain? It's not that Sanya kisi committed relationship mein hai." She turned to Sanya, "The truth is, agar tera focus Sameer hai toh iss relationship ka koi chance bhi nahi hai. Main hamesha se tujhe yehi kehti aayi hun. Sameer is not the type who would make a new girlfriend every month. Itne time mein itna toh samajh aa gaya hai ki woh kabhi kisi casual relationship mein nahi padega... na Sameer, na Rohan. Yeh log agar commitment karenge, toh woh lifelong hogi... and I can gurantee that. Itni pehchaan hai mujhe bandon ki. Isliye filhaal tu yeh rona dhona band kar aur treat dene ki planning kar. Next month tu Australia jaa rahi hai. And that's final."

The gloomy ambience turned cheerful as Sanya nodded, finally accepting that it didn't make any sense waiting for something that was purely one sided.

I want to thank you for such warm wishes ❤❤ Sorry, I couldn't reply because of lack of time but I'm indeed overwhelmed with the love you all give me 🤗 don't have words to tell you how much you all mean to me
Love You

Next update on Monday