Title is the song 'Hum marr jayenge' from movie 'Aahiqui 2'

After a restless night, Sameer had arrived to a decision by morning. What Naina had earlier said had hit him so sudden that he had just reacted out of reflex. But after listening to Harmeet, he felt there was no harm visiting him in the hospital. Now he needed to convince Naina for the same.

Apparently, she didn't need any convincing.

"Are you sure? Tum gussa toh nahi ho?" Naina asked, her eyes wide when he brought it up.

Sameer blinked in assurance, "Nahi Naina. Maine achhe se soch ke yeh decision liya hai. Harmeet ne ek request ki hai toh kuch soch ke hi ki hogi. Humein maan leni chahiye. After all woh ek doctor hai."

When he came to know of their decision, Harmeet asked them to come with him, telling his family that he was taking them to give a tour of his hospital.

At the hospital, they accompanied Harmeet to his room, which had one wall filled with several small colourful plaques.

Finding them looking at the wall curiously, he explained, "Har plaque uss bachhe ke naam ka hai jiske parents ne yahan treatment li hai." He rubbed his beard sheepishly, "Hospital management ka decision hai. Maine toh kaha tha iski zarurat nahi hai par..."

Naina smiled, "Aunty hamesha se aapki bohot praise karti hain. She's so proud of your success."

He shrugged consciously, "Main toh bas woh karta hun jo ek doctor ko karna chahiye. Jab naye parents ki aankhon mein khushi ke aansu dekhta hun, bas wohi meri success hoti hai." He looked at them, "Lekin iske liye mujhe case ko samajhna zaruri hota hai. Aap mujhe Harmeet Bhalla samajh kar nahi, Dr Harmeet Bhalla samajh kar apna case bataiye. I promise, jo bhi baat yahan hogi, ghar pe uska kabhi reference nahi ayega."

When they were seated, he posed the expected question at Naina, "Why did you think of surrogacy? Kya aap khud ready nahi ho? Are you scared?"

Sameer placed a hand over Naina's leg, giving a comforting smile when she looked at him. She bit into her quivering lip, steeling herself, then faced Harmeet, "I had a... miscarriage. Doctor ne kaha main dubara... I cannot..."

"Aapki shaadi ko toh kuch hi mahine hue hain. Kitne din pehle hua yeh?" Harmeet asked when she couldn't go further.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "Six years back."

If it shocked him, Harmeet did not let it show on his face. Simply nodding, he moved his gaze between both of them, "If you don't mind, hum kuch test kar lein?"

Before Sameer could think of anything, Naina spoke up, "Maine apni condition ko accept kar liya hai. I'm fine with it. Doctors ne uss waqt hi bata diya tha ki drugs ki wajah se mera system... normal nahi raha."

Even the mention of drugs did not elicit any judgmental response from Harmeet. He plainly smiled, "Naina, aapko inn tests se koi harm nahi hoga. Na main yeh keh raha hun ki jo aapko doctors ne bola woh jhoot tha. I'm not promising anything. Yeh test general health ka parameter maan ke karwa lijiye, please."

When she glanced at Sameer, he did not say anything, but she could see it in his eyes that he wasn't against it. With a small smile, she nodded at Harmeet, who pressed a number on his intercom immediately. Few minutes later, when a nurse entered the room, he handed her the paper on which he had been writing, and waved at Naina.

After she was escorted out, Harmeet turned to Sameer, "Aap dono ki personal life mein intrude nahi karna chahta, lekin as a doctor, agar mujhe bata doge toh Naina ki condition ko understand karna easy hoga. But I won't insist... only if you feel it's okay."

Sameer was aware that Naina hadn't talked about anything to Bhalla aunty and uncle. He didn't want to disclose it to them without asking her... but Harmeet presently was asking as a doctor, and he had promised none of this would be known to his family. After contemplating for a while, Sameer decided to give a filtered version, which included her medical state.

"Harmeet, aapko main jo bhi batane jaa raha hun... it's... it's painful. Ho sake toh Naina ke aage mention mat karna. Woh bohot mushkil se yeh sab peeche chodke mere paas aayi hai." He implored.

Harmeet got up from his chair across the table and came around, taking the one Naina was occupying minutes back. Swiveling it to face Sameer, he smiled warmly, "You can trust me."

Sameer nodded gratefully, licked his lips, and started to narrate the horrific ordeal Naina had gone through, "Jab woh eighteen ki thi... kisi ne uske juice mein drugs add kar diye. Naina ko kuch yaad nahi hai... she passed out instantly. Uss ladke ne... he took advantage of her." He paused, gulping hard to relieve the dryness in his throat, "Poori raat behosh rehne ke baad jab next day usse hospital leke gaye woh coma mein jaa chuki thi. Kisi ko nahi pata woh kaunse drugs the, kitni quantity thi... lekin Naina pe unka effect bohot strong hua tha."

Harmeet couldn't control the shock this time, "Coma? She went into coma? How long?"

"Do mahine." Sameer revealed in a quiet voice, making Harmeet gasp aloud.

"Hospital mein jab do mahine baad usse hosh aaya, usse kuch nahi pata tha kya hua hai. Ek aur month ke baad jab usse pregnancy ka pata chala... she was shattered. Naina ke parents ka poora support tha. Woh log Naina ko Uttaranchal ke ek chote se town mein le gaye, jisse sabko..." He couldn't bring himself to speak how her relatives and known people would have reacted.

Harmeet nodded in understanding.

"I think sixth month tha, jab Naina ko pet dard hua. Doctor ne usse city hospital le jaane ke liye bola, jismein kaafi time laga." Sameer recalled the blank expression on her face when she had told him about this incident, "She lost the child. Wahin usse bataya gaya ki drugs abuse ki wajah se uski body itni weak ho gayi hai ki pregnancy continue nahi kar paayi... aur phir se kabhi... she won't ever be able to conceive."

Harmeet sat silently for a while, trying to understand the traumatic impact on her. When he looked back at Sameer, he seemed to be lost too.

"Sameer, I can understand Naina's mental state. Jin circumstances se woh guzri hai, I'm surprised that she maintained her sanity. Aise cases mein aksar victim khud ko khatm karne ki koshish karte hain. Naina ne na sirf sab kuch himmat se face kiya balki uss stage se aaj iss jagah tak aana khud mein ek achievement hai." He comforted in a soothing voice, knowing how painful this was for Sameer as well.

Sameer pursed his lips at the possibility mentioned by Harmeet, "Naina ke parents ka support tha jiski wajah se usne aisa kuch nahi socha."

Harmeet smiled, "Thoda credit tum khud ko bhi de sakte ho. Delhi aane ke baad ki jo story uss din tum dono se suni thi, itna toh pata chal gaya ki tumhari wajah se Naina ne ek nayi shuruaat ki hai. Aaj woh agar khush hai, khud ko ek family ka hissa maanti hai toh isliye ki tum usse yahan tak leke aaye ho."

Sameer let out a breath, "Naina ab tak khush hi thi. Yeh khyal usse kuch din se hi aane lage hain." He mentioned their meeting with Arun and Anjali in New York, and how a fleeting thought of his made her feel bad about herself.

Harmeet shook his head, "Don't blame yourself. Naina ke mann mein yeh baat kahin na kahin chuppi hui hogi, ho sakta hai usse khud bhi ahsaas na ho. Par aaj nahi toh kal isse bahar aana hi tha. Uss couple ki daughter, ya Simi ki pregnancy sirf trigger hain."

Sameer looked up at him, "Sach kahun Harmeet, I agree New York mein ek do baar mujhe Arun ko Aastha ke saath dekh ke aisa feel hua tha, lekin main Ayush ke saath khush hun. Maine Naina ko bhi yehi samjhane ki koshish ki. Mujhe iss baat se koi farq nahi padta ki hamari life mein ek aur baby nahi aa sakta. Main bas Naina aur Ayush ko khush dekhna chahta hun."

Harmeet patted his hand, "Don't worry Sameer. Mujhse jo bhi hoga main karunga. Waise toh test reports ke baad hi sab clear hoga, par itna batana chahta hun ki yahan drugs ke alag alag tarah ke effects dekhe hain maine aur treat bhi kiye hain. Bohot se cases mein success bhi mili hai."

A knock at the door made both of them turn towards it. A nurse entered with some files. Harmeet got up and went near a high table against one wall of the room. He switched on a bright light over it, and listened intently as the nurse started talking to him, simultaneously showing the reports. It took them more than ten minutes, making Sameer wonder why Naina wasn't here yet if the reports were here... or maybe they were discussing some other case.

His presumption seemed to be correct when Harmeet came back to him, leaving all the papers on the table. He did not mention Naina, rather asked directly, "Ab jo yeh baat bahar aa gayi hai, what's your opinion on it?"

Sameer looked at him earnestly, "Main yeh nahi keh raha ki surrogacy galat hai, ya iss option mein koi burai hai. Lekin main iss option ko accept nahi kar sakta. Ayush hamara apna beta hai. Hamari family ne bhi dil se usse hamara beta maan liya hai. And having a single child is very common. Toh humein kya zarurat hai yeh sab sochne ki."

Harmeet raised his brows, "Agar Naina pregnant ho sakti toh bhi tum yehi kehte?"

Sameer stared at him for a few moments, then mumbled in a low voice, "Toh alag baat thi. Woh experience Naina ke liye, mere liye, Ayush ke liye... poori family ke liye ek celebration hota."

Harmeet waited for a while, then asked, "Kya Naina ke paas uss time ki koi reports, doctor ki prescriptions... kuch bhi mil sakta hai? Humein thoda idea ho jayega ki usse kya treatment diya gaya tha."

Sameer gave him a solemn look, "I don't think so. Maine kabhi pucha nahi, lekin mujhe yakeen hai Naina ne kuch bhi apne paas nahi rakha hoga. Harmeet, Naina ne sirf physical abuse hi nahi jhela, mentally bhi bohot suffer kiya hai. Bohot mushkil se woh mere saath aage badhne ke liye ready hui thi. Humne bataya hi tha ki hamari shaadi kin circumstances mein hui. Agar aunty aisa nahi karti toh pata nahi aur kitna time lagta. Mera dil aksar yeh soch ke darr jaata hai ki shayad Naina kabhi apne dil ki baat zaahir nahi karti, aur yehi sochke mera pyar accept nahi karti ki main usse better deserve karta hun. Shayad woh kabhi ready na hoti shaadi ke liye. Main bataa nahi sakta aunty ne mujhe kya diya hai... unhone mujhe meri zindagi de di uss din jab anjaane mein hamari shaadi karwa di. Lekin Naina ne phir bhi khud ko jaise ek shell mein band rakha hua tha. Woh iss baat ko apni kami maanti thi. Mujhe laga Ayush ko legally adopt karne ke baad yeh baat uske dil se nikal gayi hogi, lekin kal raat..." He lowered his head, pained at her agony.

Harmeet pressed his hand, "Sameer, Naina ki kuch reports aayi hain."

Sameer wasn't sure how to react. He kept staring at Harmeet, who continued, "Uske ultrasound aur initial tests se ek baat pakki hai... ki usse jo bhi drugs di gayi thi uska asar toh hua hai. Coma ki wajah se bhi strong medication diya gaya. Phir woh miscarriage... overall, Naina ke organs ne kaafi kuch jhela hai." He paused when Sameer lowered his head, "Par itne saalon mein kaafi hadd tak healing bhi hui hai."

Sameer's head shot up, his eyes apprehensive, "What... what do you mean? Kya Naina... Naina khud..." He didn't know how to phrase the question.

It was Harmeet's turn to look away. He didn't want to give more hopes than what he had reckoned. His voice was hesitant when he finally met Sameer's eyes, "I'm not sure. But we can take a chance. Ek chota sa operation karna hoga. Naina ki tubes ka kuch portion jaise freeze ho gaya hai. Hum ek procedure se uss portion ko remove kar denge. Tubes thode time mein khud heal ho jayengi. Kuch din medicines bhi leni hongi, saare organs ki strength ke liye... jisse woh... agar positive results aate hain toh... pregnancy ka pressure le sakein."

Sameer was at loss for words... he didn't even know what to think. This revelation in itself was so big, and unexpected, that his mind was struggling to sink in the whole impact.

Another knock, and this time Naina came in with the same nurse. Sameer was still in a daze. When she took a seat next to him, he kept looking at her. Taking his expression to be concern for her, she smiled, "I'm fine. Blood samples diye hain, do ultrasound hue and a few more tests." She turned to Harmeet, "Kab tak ayengi reports?"

Sameer and Harmeet exchanged a look, before he softly smiled at her, "Kuch reports maine dekh li hain. Baaki bhi aati hi hongi."

Naina hadn't expected to hear the result so soon. The smile on her face was slowly replaced by a fear. Sameer had by now composed himself. If it had effected him to this extent, he could understand how it would effect Naina. Taking her hand that was curling gradually into a fist, he stroked the back of her palm with his thumb.

Her solemn gaze flickered to him. He smiled, and blinked.

"Naina." Harmeet's voice made them look at him. He repeated what he had told Sameer few minutes back, assuring her that the procedure would be absolutely safe, and would not take more than half an hour.

Getting up from his chair, he picked up his white coat, "Aap dono aaram se soch lijiye. Main thodi der mein aata hun. And feel free to ask any question." He looked at Naina, "Sister Norah, jo aapke saath thi, aap unse bhi pooch sakte ho, if you are not comfortable with me. Woh bahar nurses station mein milengi. I'll see you soon."

The moment door closed behind him, Naina flung herself at Sameer, falling into his arms for much needed reassurance. First the mention of tests, which surprised her... because Harmeet insisted on them even after knowing the verdict of doctors... then this unexpected result. She was overwhelmed.

"Naina." Sameer held her close, stroking her hair, "Koi pressure nahi hai tumpe. Hamari family Ayush ke saath complete hai. Tum please yeh mat socho ki main ya ghar pe koi bhi iss baat ki wajah se upset hai. We all are very happy. You don't have to do this."

When she lifted her face to look at him, she wasn't crying, as he had expected... there was a hankering smile on her lips, "I want to do this... tumhare liye... Ayush ke liye... hamare liye."

He cupped her face, his brows furrowed, "Yeh ek operation hai Naina, aur har operation mein risk hota hai. Phir Harmeet ne kaha na, koi guarantee nahi hai." He planted a kiss on her forehead, "Kuch paane ki koshish mein main tumhe kisi tarah ke dard mein nahi dekh sakta."

She held his wrists, "Sameer, unhone kaha na chota sa operation hai. Mujhe koi dard nahi hoga."

Pulling down his hands from her face, she wrapped her palms over one of his hand, intently looking into his eyes, "Maine kabhi socha tak nahi tha Sameer, ki main kisi ki life ka hissa banungi. Tumne toh mujhe apni poori zindagi bana liya. Uss pehle ahsaan se lekar... jab tumne nanu ko kaha tha ki mujhe job de deni chahiye... tab se aaj tak tum hamesha mere liye kuch na kuch karte rahe. Meri har mushkil, har taklif ko tumne raaste se hataa diya. Mujhe woh sab diya jiski main kitni haqdaar thi pataa nahi. Pyar, respect, ghar, family, yahan tak ki Ayush bhi tumne hi diya mujhe. Aaj ek aur baat maan lo. Mujhe yeh permission de do... please."

He lifted his hand that was in her grip, and kissed her knuckles, "Ismein permission dene jaisa kuch nahi hai Naina. Yeh decision tumhara hoga. Main bas itna chahta hun ki tum..."

She put one hand on his mouth, "Main jaanti hun tum mujhse kitna pyar karte ho. Lekin Sameer, main bhi tumse utna hi pyar karti hun. Ek mauka kismat ne mujhe tab diya tha jab tumhe meri life mein bheja. Tab main bhi issi tarah darr rahi thi. Tumne mere har darr ko mita diya. Kismat se ek mauka aaj aaya hai. Main nahi chahti ki wapas jaake humein koi regret ho. Harmeet ji ko agar choti si bhi hope nazar aati hai toh main yeh chance lena chahti hun. Lekin tumhe dukhi karke nahi. Agar tum sach mein convinced ho toh hi hum yeh karenge."

Her eyes were filled with sincere expectation. His heart melted. Puckering his lips to place a kiss over her fingers which pressed against his lips, he nodded.

Rest of the day passed in a blur. When Harmeet returned with rest of her tests, and came to know they were keen to go ahead, he suggested that they could go for it this afternoon itself, after a few more tests.

His argument made sense, "Aap log paanch din aur ho yahan pe. Yeh procedure laser se hoga isliye topical healing jaldi ho jayegi. Phir bhi thoda medical attention chahiye hoga. Paanch che din mein pata chal jayega ki koi infection toh nahi ho gaya. I want you to be in perfect health when you leave."

Though the word infection made Sameer panic, but Harmeet assured him that chances were minimal. In no time, all arrangements were done, every parameter checked, and before lunchtime, the operation was over.

When three of them went back home in the evening, a new hope had started kindling in Naina's heart... a hope of a new life.

Our hearts always want more stories, as we crave for same characters in different settings, new relationships, divergent storylines. Here is a new story 'Dosti hi pyar hai' by riyuuu_33
Do take a look at this Ashdeep tale

Next update on Tuesday