Title is the song 'Tu mohabbat hai' from movie 'Tere naal love ho gaya'

A ray of sunlight seeped in through a small crack in the curtains. Lying back on the thick warm rug, Sameer watched the play of particles in that narrow beam. Just a touch of sunshine had made them break into a merry dance.

When his gaze fell on fireplace, where the burnt wood was a testimony of the blaze that it had created last night, he was amazed that Naina had made all arrangements while he was in the same house... and he didn't get a whiff of it. Kaanji must have procured the wood, cleaned the fireplace, arranged logs in it, but he did not notice any such activity. She definitely had her ways of mesmerising him... even when he was completely under her hypnotic spell.

His eyes drifted to the sleeping figure of his wife. Cuddling into him, her arm was wrapped around his abdomen. Her long hair now lay spilled on his chest, covering half her face. A heartwarming possessiveness swarmed through him. His arm around her tightened, his heart dancing at the mere thought of belongingness. She was the sunshine that had brought this effervescence in his life. Every moment with her seemed to fill his heart with a sense of pride... that she was now part of his life. Tilting his face, he lightly pushed away her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Naina took in a deep breath. A hint of smile softened the corners of her lips. Without opening her eyes, she lazily dragged her hand up, over his chest, to the side of his neck, her fingers weaving into his hair ends. His heart kicked against his ribs. Even when she was practically plastered against him, a mere brush of her fingers had changed the rhythm of his pulse. The smile on her lips bloomed as his heart drummed in her ear. Turning her face to him, she opened her eyes, and gently rested her chin over the same heart.

He gazed into her honeyed eyes

Subah ki roshni si mehekti ho
kabhi raat ki shama si dehekti ho
kuch toh khyal karo mere dil ka
kaise sambhlega bechara
jab tum hi yun behekti ho

Her brows went up in appreciation. Being herself in the habit of writing her emotions in this form, she knew what he said had come straight from his heart. She lowered her face to place a kiss over his heart, and went back to look intently in his eyes

Tumhara kahan yeh dil ab toh mera hai
meri har dhadkan mein khumaar sirf tera hai
inn aankhon mein behek jaati hain raatein meri
iss muskaan mein khilta har savera hai

"You surprise me everyday Naina." He whispered, enamoured by how she expressed her love... which was immensely sensuous in one line, and distinctly pious in next.

"Main jo bhi hun, tumne banaya hai." She whispered back, her eyes brimming with extreme rapture.

Another moment of gazing at her, and his mind started churning images from previous night. Her sleep filled hoarse voice didn't help either. His hand reached her waist, slowly tracing the side as it traveled up. She was truly irresistible. They had been up practically the whole night, and he again craved for her like he was seeing her after a long time.

Naina could see the restlessness in his eyes. She felt the heat his body radiated. She was aware of every movement that his fingers made on her skin.

"Sameer." She placed a hand on his roving one, stopping his exploration, "Hum apne room mein nahi hain."

He looped his arms around her, and rolled her over onto her back, still holding her close, his darkened eyes searching her caramel ones, "Hum apne ghar mein hain... akele."

Though her heartbeat was in sync with his, a part of her brain nagged rationale into her senses. They had to leave for Delhi shortly... and there was a good chance that Kaanji would come over early today. Yesterday, they got time to save themselves from any embarrassment as they were in kitchen when he unlocked the door.

She touched his cheek, her voice apologetic, "Kaanji aa jayega."

He turned his face slightly, and kissed her palm, blinking once, to show his acceptance.

Clad in his shirt, she picked up the blanket and her dress when he spun her around. Taking the things from her hands, he put them away, and lifted her straight up, his arms overlapping behind her knees.

Clutching his shoulders, she giggled, "Yahan gym nahi jaa paate toh mujhe utha ke weights ka kaam karwa rahe ho."

He looked up at her, "Main workout mein koi compromise nahi karta."

As he walked up the stairs, she was left with no doubt in her mind... which got confirmed when he kicked the door shut with the back of his foot. Loosening his arms, he let her slowly slid down till her feet touched the ground, his eyes locked with hers.

"Aaj jo tumne itni badi galti ki hai, uska fine dena padega." He started to take steps ahead, making her walk back.

Without giving her a chance to ask, he clarified, "Good morning kiss kyon nahi diya?"

"Pehle tum uthe the... galti tumne ki hai." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Phir toh mujhe double fine dena chahiye." He rasped, and pushed gently at her shoulder. She fell back on the bed.

In a flash, he was hovering over and kissing her, first softly, then demanding. Her hands pressed onto his back, feeling the ripple of his taut muscles under soft fingers. They had shared innumerable kisses, but every time the urgency seemed new... to taste, savour, explore and relish the warmth of each other. Each kiss made them delirious, like now, as it transported them to their own heaven.

By the time Kaanji arrived, they were ready after their bath and had packed up their things. While Naina checked the room to see if anything was left behind, Sameer brought back blanket and her dress from living room.

"Yeh toh sirf kapda hai." He looked at the fabric in astonishment, which was now just a rectangular piece.

Naina chuckled, "Yeh mera shawl hai."

He gaped at her, "Woh dress... itni sexy dress... tumne khud... sirf shawl se?"

"Design karna aana chahiye. Dress toh kisi bhi cheez se ban sakti hai." She flicked her brows, folding the shawl and stuffing it in her bag.

He grabbed her shoulders, his eyes glinting with anticipation, "Matlab aisi designing ka sample aksar milega mujhe?"

"Dhatt." She pushed him away, going out of the room, with him following her, a grin on his face.

While they had their breakfast, Kaanji arranged their luggage in the car. Soon, they were outside. Naina glanced at the name plaque, still in awe at the realisation that the house belonged to them, an abode in such breathtaking surroundings.

"Chalein Naina?" Sameer touched her elbow from behind.

She turned swiftly and hugged him tight, "Thank you so much."

Holding her lovingly, he kissed the top of her head, and repeated, stressing the last word,"Thank you."

As they hit the road, Naina felt a twinge of sadness. Brushing aside the pensive heaviness, she smiled, thinking about the blissful memories she was taking... and moreover, Sameer was with her, the reason of glowing sunshine that had pervaded her dark life. He had indeed clicked the refresh button of her life, erasing the log files of her past. Even if they lurked in the system, they could no way burden her present by taking space in her life.

She turned her head towards him. Sensing her gaze, he looked at her, and smiled warmly. With a gratifying exhale, Naina shifted in her seat, and placed a kiss on his cheek.

His smile got wider as he winked at her, "Wapas jaana hai kya?"

"Shut up." Her cheeks burned instantly, and she turned her face to look out of the window. His soft laugh made her smile too.

"Pahadon ka bada achha effect hota hai tumpe. I think humein har mahine yahan aana chahiye." He teased.

"Road pe focus karo." She said, without sparing him a glance, but he knew she was still smiling.

"Mera saara focus toh sirf aur sirf tumpe hai." He lowered his voice dramatically.

She turned to him, put a hand on his jaw, and made him look ahead. In that fraction of time, he had seen the pink cheeks, which made her more lovable.

"Waise main isliye keh raha tha ki tumhe khushi hoti hai aisi jagah pe... tumne kuch aur socha kya?" His innocent voice did not fool her.

"Mujhe pata hai tum kisliye keh rahe ho." She said in a low voice.

"Kisliye?" He furrowed his brows, then drew in a long breath, "Pata nahi tum kya kya sochti ho mujh jaise shareef bande ke baare mein."

"Shareef?" It was her turn to round her eyes, "Sab samajh aata hai mujhe... tumhare masoom nirdosh ishare."

"Achha?" He gave quirky smile, "Matlab shareef tum bhi nahi ho... jo bina kahe sab ishaare samajh jaati ho."

She gasped, as it registered how easily she had played into his hands, giving him a chance to tease her. He laughed at her stunned expression, "Tum sach mein bohot masoom ho Naina."

Biting her lip, she again focussed on the view outside as snow covered hilly terrain slowly faded, bringing them to plain, wider highway. By the time they stopped at a wayside restaurant, more than half the distance was covered. After a quick lunch, Sameer steered the car from crowded parking area to main road, and sped towards their destination. Naina offered to drive, but he declined, saying that he wasn't tired... which he wasn't. Driving with her sitting next to him and talking, it was his dream come true... and it could never exhaust him.

When the car entered driveway, nanu was sitting outside, enjoying evening sun. He called out to Ramdhari, asking him to send Ayush. After greeting nanu, they had barely turned towards the door when Ayush sprinted out, flashing an overjoyed grin. They both leaned at the same time, and he wrapped one arm each around their necks, hollering in their ear, "Naina mumma, Sameer papa."

Sameer straightened, holding him in his arms while Naina placed one hand on his chest to balance as Ayush was not ready to leave her either.

She kissed his cheek, "Kaisa hai mera baby?"

He enthusiastically gave a thumbs up, "Maine yahan kitne saare maze kiye pata hai? Aur Preeti maasi ne mujhe two two baar ice cream khilayi. Bade dadu mere liye big wala colour box laaye the jisse maine unki picture banayi. Sabne bola bilkul same to same hai. Rohan chachu ne mere liye Mumbai se..."

Nanu laughed at his energy, "Arre yaar ruk jaa zara. Inmein se aadhi baatein toh tu pehle hi phone pe bata chuka hai. Roz toh saari report deta tha."

"Lekin kal nahi batayi na. Kal main Deepika bua ke saath movie dekh raha tha." Ayush reasoned.

Naina patted his cheek, overwhelmed by his happiness, and his new, busy schedule.

Vishakha's voice made them look at the door, "Aa gaye tum dono! Yahan sabne tumhe bohot miss kiya." She pinched Ayush's cheek, "Sivay iss shaitan ke."

"Naiii, maine bhi kiya." Ayush drawled, holding his parents tighter.

"Chal jhoote." Vishakha scrunched her nose at him, "Kal toh keh raha tha dadi maa bas aaj last baar chocolate de do... kal se Naina mumma nahi khane dengi."

Ayush pouted, "Aapne cheating ki, dadi maa. Aapne kaha tha Naina mumma ko nahi bologi. Ab mujhe daant padegi."

Naina cupped his chin, and kissed him again, "Nahi padegi. Kuch nahi kahungi. Tu good boy bana na? Kisi ko tang toh nahi kiya?"

Ayush vehemently shook his head, then looked at Sameer, "Aap bhi good boy bane na? Naina mumma ne aap ko daanta wahan pe?"

'Bohot." Sameer made a sad face, "Mujhe tumhare hisse ki daant bhi khani padi."

Naina blushed as he discreetly winked at her. Leaving them, she moved away on the pretext of taking out their luggage from the car.

"Naina bhabhi aap rehne dijiye hum le jayenge. Aap paani pijiye." Ramdhari came rushing out with two glasses of water in a tray.

After they freshened up and had evening tea, Ayush showed the portrait he had made. It was another of his stick figure, this time with spectacles. Nanu appreciated it again, saying that this was one of his best picture. Naina smiled at his complacent grin. When he got busy in his daily outdoor game of football with Ramdhari, nanu apprised them about office work. When Sameer asked if he was unwell since he wasn't in office, nanu explained that he had come early today as everything was functioning smoothly. He had strictly told them to keep away from official requirements while they were in Kasauli. An hour later, when Vivek returned from office and Deepika from her tuition class, they were equally thrilled to find Sameer and Naina back. Evening was filled with joyous time with entire family. Rohan made a video call, teasing his brother in every second sentence. Surprisingly, Sameer laughed at his jokes, and teased him back.

They had an early dinner, after which Sameer went to nanu's room to discuss something while Naina went with Ayush, to see how he had been keeping his room. She was pleased to see everything in order.

"Very good Ayush. Tune sab kuch sambhal ke rakha hai. Room bhi saaf rakha hai." She ruffled his hair.

He opened his cupboard, "Dekho, yahan bhi achhe se clothes rakhe hain. Deepika bua ne kaha jinka room dirty hota hai woh bade hoke dirty ho jaate hain. Phir koi unke saath nahi khelta."

Naina nodded, impressed with what he was being taught by everyone, "Mera Ayush kuch dirty nahi karega. Apne papa ke jaise sab neat and clean rakhega. Haina?"

He seemed to ponder a little then looked at her, "Main na ab girata bhi nahi. Preeti maasi ne kaha main bilkul big boy ke jaise ice cream khaata hun."

Naina narrowed her eyes. She could see where he was going.

"Achhi baat hai, lekin aur ice cream nahi. Pehle shaadi mein itni khaayi, ab teen din mein do baar... bas ab aur nahi mil sakti." She sat on the bed. Ayush climbed up next to her.

That is when Sameer entered the room, to find Naina seated on the edge of the bed, with her arms crossed, and Ayush kneeling on her side, with a pleading face.

"Bas ek baar na please... okay last time." He placed a hand on her cheek and turned her face towards himself.

"Ayush, abhi mausam nahi aaya hai. Phir se fever aaya toh? Exams bhi start hone wale hain." Naina said in a firm voice.

Sameer smiled, "Kya chal raha hai yeh?"

Ayush beamed at him, "Sameer papa, aap bolo na Naina mumma ko. Bas aaj last ice cream. Baaki exams ke baad hi khaunga."

Naina turned to look at him, her eyes challenging, "Nahi Sameer. Naya school hai, Ayush ki health ka risk nahi le sakte abhi."

Sameer alternated his gaze between the two of them. While Ayush watched him with expectant eyes, Naina's face was stern. Caught in a predicament, both sides being his equal favourite, he walked in, and settled next to Naina. She raised her brow, daring him to accept Ayush's demand.

He craned his neck to see Ayush, then cleared his throat, "Ayush, Naina mumma theek keh rahi hain. Iss mausam mein ice cream se gala kharab hoga... aur fever bhi aa sakta hai."

Disappointment was clear on his face as Ayush dropped the corner of his lips... till Sameer's next sentence, "Lekin agar tum promise karo ki wapas aake kadha pi loge toh hum ice cream khaane jaa sakte hain."

The little boy beamed, "Pakka promise."

"Sameer, yeh kya baat hui... main..." Before Naina could say more, Ayush kissed his side of her cheek, "Please Naina mumma."

Sameer did the same on her other cheek, making her gasp, "Please Naina."

"Maan jao na, Naina mumma." Ayush kissed again.

Aa she opened her mouth to speak, Sameer too kissed her again, "Bas sirf aaj ke liye, Naina... maan jao."

The two repeated their requests with kisses, while Naina kept turning from one to other, till she lifted her hands in air and gave in, "Okay okay."

Ayush squealed, "Yayy, hum ice cream khane jayenge."

Sameer kissed again, making Naina give him a bewildered look. He pointed at her other cheek and commanded, "Ayush, thank you kiss bhi karo."

He complied immediately, taking Naina in his small embrace, "Thank you Naina mumma."

Sameer wrapped his arms around both of them, leaning his head to whisper to Ayush, "Tumne theek kaha tha... jab tak na maane, kiss karte jao."

"Mujhe sunn gaya." Naina squirmed in their tight embrace, glaring at Sameer.

He shifted a little and whispered in her ear, "Next time thoda der se manna."

The smile she had been controlling for so long spilled out.

Naina called Deepika as well, and all four went out for an after dinner ice cream treat. The bliss of being in a family could be such a profound delectation, Naina was slowly discovering. Even when her parents were alive, they never had anyone else in the family in real sense. It was now that she could see what it meant to be around so many people who loved and cared genuinely... and how it was helping Ayush who seemed happier, was growing better, and was blooming in the care of experienced elders who had shaped the personality of one who sat next to her now, laughing with Ayush and Deepika... after waving his magical wand over her life.

Next update on Saturday