Title is the song 'O re piya' from the movie 'Aaja nachle'

Sameer would have happily stayed where he was, for indefinite time, had the movements around the corridor not made him realise that they were in the hospital. Reluctantly, he lifted himself to a sitting position. Naina straightened her saree, her teeth still painfully digging into her lip. His words had hit her differently. It was too beautiful a thought... her fingers in his hair, or maybe, on his face, feeling the prickly bristles rubbing against her skin. The shadow on his jaw was much darker, making her yearn to touch it.

Naina looked away.

"Tumhe saree mein bohot uncomfortable lag raha hoga na. Kabhi pehenti nahi ho. Aaj shayad... second time hi pehni hai." He saw her nervous fingers fiddling with the pleats.

"N... nahi, pehni thi, school ke farewell pe." She said without looking up.

Pangs of envy hit him, imagining her in a saree, with dozens of teenage boys crushing over her. How he wished he knew her then... he wouldn't have missed out on more precious years of loving her.

Naina noticed the same nurse coming towards nanu's room. She followed her again.

The nurse nodded at her after taking the readings while nanu was still asleep, "BP bilkul normal hai. Main doctor ko inform kar deti hun. Abhi paanch baje hain, I think aapko nau baje ka time de denge surgery ke liye."

Sameer, who had just entered the room, asked, "Toh hum nanu ko jaldi breakfast kara dein?"

"Nahi Sameer. Nanu ab surgery se pehle kuch nahi kha sakte." Naina was quick to respond.

"Jee ma'm, aap theek keh rahi hain. Sir, maine medicine daal di hai inke IV mein, aap log kuch khane peene ko mat dena." Nurse clarified.

After she left, and Sameer accompanied Naina back to the waiting room, he asked curiously, "Naina, tumhe itna sab kaise malum hai inn baton ke baare mein?"

She gazed at him momentarily, before answering, "Mere papa heart patient the. Unke liye maine doctor se sab seekha tha... ki emergency mein kya karna chahiye. Jaise kal nanu ko... unhe attack aaya tha ya kuch aur tha yeh hum uss waqt nahi jaante the. Agar mujhe nanu ki medical history aur allergies pata hoti toh aspirin de sakte the. It helps to thin the blood. Aur jo maine kiya, woh patient ko calm rakhne ke liye, unki breathing better karne ke liye zaruri hota hai." She lowered her eyes, "Papa ko meri wajah se attack aaya tha pehli baar... main nahi chahti thi dubara aisa kuch ho. Main... main apne mumma papa ko har tarah se protect karna chahti thi. But I failed."

Sameer came to her, "Naina, tumhara fault nahi tha. Kismat ko koi nahi badal sakta. Nanu bhi nani se bohot pyar karte the... ab tak karte hain. Lekin woh chali gayi. Maine toh unhe dekha tak nahi. Nanu kehte hain mummy ke born hone ke baad unhe koi problem ho gayi thi, jiski wajah se woh bohot weak ho gayi. She was alive till mummy finished her school. Lekin uske baad... it was nobody's fault. Tumhare papa ko pehla attack kisi bhi reason se aaya ho sakta hai, office ka stress, work related tension, ya koi health issue. Tum khud ko kyon responsible maanti ho? Ab nanu ki iss condition ke liye hum mein se kisi ki galti thodi hai. Health problem toh kabhi bhi ho sakti hai."

She nodded. "I know, jo kismat mein hota hai usse badla nahi jaa sakta."

He noticed the darkness under her eyes. Because of him, probably she couldn't get any sleep last night. He checked the time on his phone, then suggested, "Tum chaho toh thodi der so jao. Shayad raat ko meri wajah se..."

The shadows under her eyes were not as deep as the colour that spread on her face as she looked up at him with a jerk.

"I'm fine." She murmured, and walked back to her chair.

"Theek hai, toh main chai leke aata hun. Tum kuch khaogi?" He inquired.

She shook her head. After he was gone, she wondered about his question. The fact was, she had been able to sleep with ease. Sitting position was awkward but not a new thing for her... she often dozed off in her well used chair at home. The new thing was his proximity. Surprisingly, she had felt a calm descend over her, watching him sleep. After two nights, she had an uninterrupted sleep of more than a couple of hours. She could not brush away the realisation that more than exhaustion, it was his closeness that comforted her enough to get such good sleep.

Rest of the family was back around eight, after doctor confirmed that surgery would be performed at nine. Nanu was awake, and his usual cheerful self. It was a tensed period for all of them, but at the end of it, when doctor stepped out of the operation theater with a smile, they were relieved. Shortly, nanu was shifted back to his room. Since there was no general anesthesia, he could meet all of them before doctor asked them to let him rest.

Vivek turned to Sameer when they were out, "Tu aur Naina ghar chale jao. Ab hum log hain yahan pe aur papa bhi theek hain toh tum log thoda aaram kar lo. Doctor ne kaha hai hum evening tak papa ko ghar le jaa sakte hain."

The nurse, who was crossing them, overheard and stopped, "Jee sir, inhe rest karna chahiye. Ma'm saari raat jaag rahi thi. Main jab bhi aayi, woh mujhse confirm karti rahi ki koi problem toh nahi hai." She looked at Naina, "Aapke grandfather bilkul theek hain. Jitna pyar aap unse karti hain woh bhi karte honge na aapse. Unhe bura lagega agar unki wajah se aap bimar padi toh. Ghar pe bhi unka khyal rakhna hai toh aapko healthy rehna bohot zaruri hai. Please take some rest."

"Thank you, Naina. Tumne nanu ke liye itna kuch kiya, ghar pe bhi aur yahan..." As they drove back, Sameer glanced at her gratefully.

"Hamari ek deal hui thi, yaad hai? No sorry, no thank you." She smiled at him, not letting him complete his sentence.

His gaze stayed a little longer on her face, "Hum deal se bohot aage aa chuke hain. Ab baat deal ki nahi, dil ki hai."

Her heart flipped at his deep voice. Lowering her head, she pretended to check her phone. Sameer shifted his attention back to road, a knowing smile lingering on his face. Whatever she said, however much she tried to convince him otherwise, he could see the love flickering in her eyes in small moments. It won't be long when this one emotion would take over all other feelings, and she would open her heart to let him in.

At home, Naina went to check on Ayush.

"Nanu ka fever theek ho gaya?" He asked with concern.

Naina smiled, "Aaj ho jayega. lekin jab woh ghar ayenge, unhe disturb nahi karna. Abhi thode din unhe rest karna hoga. Okay?"

He nodded fiercely. When she asked him if he was fine, Ayush excitedly narrated how much he enjoyed with Deepika when they watched a cartoon movie yesterday, and how much he liked his new room. She instructed him to be careful and not go to anyone's room without asking. He accepted all her instructions obediently.

When she went back to the room which she now shared with Sameer, same thought flashed in her mind... halting at the door, she knocked.

"Aaja Ramdhari." Sameer said in a loud voice.

He was surprised to see her, "Tumne knock kiya?" When she nodded, he chuckled, "Naina, apne room mein kaun knock karke aata hai."

"Yeh... aapka room hai toh mujhe laga..." Hearing her low voice, laced with hesitation, he went to her, with a mischievious smile on his lips.

"Mera nahi, ab yeh hamara room hai. Tumhe yahan kisi baat ke liye koi permission nahi chahiye. Room hi nahi, ghar bhi utna hi tumhara hai jitna mera." His voice dropped, "Aur main bhi." Leaning towards her, he took her hands in his, "Mere liye... kabhi koi permission ki zarurat nahi hai... tum jo chaho, jab chaho..."

Her hand shot up to his lips when he leaned too close, her eyes wide. Smiling against her fingers, he tapped his cheek, enjoying the way her lips parted in shock as she drew in a breath.

Naina was abashed. In one day, she had embarrassed herself twice. Pulling her hands from his grasp, she swiftly walked to her bag, picked a jeans and shirt and rushed to the washroom. Sameer smiled at her haste. The smile changed to an impish one when he recalled her words, and her gesture. Ahh, he was so ready for the kiss. The way she gasped, he could not tear his gaze away from her perfect lips.

"Pehle toh tum sapne mein aake satati thi, ab mere saamne rehke bhi aise hi tadpaogi. Tum saamne hogi toh sapne bhi nahi dekh paunga, Naina. Kab iss dil ki baat samjhogi?" He mumbled helplessly.

After her bath, Naina went to the kitchen. Ramdhari had already prepared food for them. He asked if she would like tea or coffee.

"Coffee... main khud bana lun? Mujhe thodi alag type ki coffee chahiye hoti hai." She raised her brows in question.

"Aap jaisi kahengi hum bana denge, bhabhi." Ramdhari offered.

When Naina told him her preference, he brightened, "Sameer bhaiya jaisi. Woh toh hum ekdam badhiya banate hain."

She couldn't deny that he made it perfectly to both their tastes.

Preeti was in the hospital when they went back. She hugged Naina, earning an angry glare from Sameer.

"Naina, mujhe bataya Rohan ne tune kaise sab handle kiya. You're amazing." She exclaimed warmly, before lowering her voice, "Thoda apne jealous husband ko bhi handle kar liya kar. Aise dekh raha hai mujhe jaise uski biwi ko leke bhaag jaungi."

Without thinking, Naina's head turned to where Sameer was standing. She didn't understand the tingling sensation that spread through her at the seething expression in his eyes which were fixed on Preeti arms locked behind her. As if her thoughts reached him, he looked up. Their eyes met, across the room, and she could see the longing in them even from distance.

Preeti nudged her to present, stepping back, "Wapas aa jaa. Pata hai mujhe jo woh soch raha hai. Itna toh Sameer ko jaanti hun." Naina blushed to the roots at Preeti's correct assessment. Even she could read Sameer clearly. Preeti carried on, unaffected by her friend's flushed cheeks, "Lekin Naina, teri story sunne ki badi curiosity hai. Ek baar nanu thode theek ho jaaye toh mujhe sab batana. Aur sab matlab sab, okay? Kab tujhe Sameer se pyar hua, kaise baat ki, kisne pehle accept kiya, achanak shaadi kaise hui... everything. Mera case toh itna open hai ki mere idiot ne poori family ke saamne propose kar diya."

They stopped their discussion when doctor came out after examining nanu. He informed them that by evening, they could take him home, but for next twenty four hours, it would be better if a nurse took care of him.

"Mujhe pata hai Jai Prakash ji ke liye unke ghar se badi dawa kuch nahi hai. Isliye unka ghar pe rehna hi theek hoga. Nurse bhi ek hi din, sirf isliye ki koi infection na develop ho jaaye. Waise he's fine. Main evening ke liye discharge papers banwa deta hun." He stated.

By dinner time, nanu was comfortably settled in his room at home. Except for a little pain where catheter was attached, he wasn't feeling any discomfort. Nurse checked all his parameters once he was put in bed, noting them down on a sheet before informing everyone that he was doing well. He was to be fed some warm soup for dinner. Naina offered to make it but Vishakha stopped her, citing that she would be tired after being in the hospital since yesterday. Though Naina had her doubts if that was the real reason.

But Vishakha pleasantly looked at her and Sameer, "Tum dono ne kal se aaram nahi kiya. Thak gaye hoge. Jaake fresh ho jao. Main Ramdhari ko bolti hun papa ka soup bana ke khana laga de."

The time Naina dreaded was here. She was alone with Sameer, in their own room. Extremely conscious of his gaze on her, she opened her bag to look for something to change into. Her attention was not on the clothes was very much evident when she tumbled them several times, without remembering what she was looking for. When Sameer got up from the couch, and started to walk towards her, she stiffened. But he crossed her and reached his cupboard.

"Naina, tum apne kapde yahan rakh sakti ho. Yeh poora side tumhara hai. Neeche wale drawer mein lock hai, tum jewellery usmein rakh lo. Aur shoe rack wahan peeche hai. Agar aur kuch chahiye toh bata do." He opened his cupboard which displayed empty shelves on one side.

"Nahi. Yeh kaafi hai." She closed her bag. Sameer was quick to pick it up before she could, an placed it near the closet. He then wheeled her suitcase to put it near the bag. But when Naina reached them, he didn't move. She was puzzled... did he intend to put her clothes himself.

Sameer gave her an understanding smile, "Naina, mujhe pata hai tum uncomfortable ho. Itna kuch achanak ho gaya. Teen chaar din mein jaise hamari duniya hi badal gayi. Aur ab... nanu ki iss condition ki wajah se shaadi bhi..."

"Main samajhti hun, Sameer. Nanu ko poora rest karna chahiye." She asserted.

"Nanu ko rest hi denge, Naina. Lekin tumhare liye aise rehna... mere saath... I know you agreed to come kyonki mummy aane wale dinon mein saari rasmein karwane wali thi. Ab, kyonki woh nahi ho sakta, tum kaho toh main kal ki court ki date le leta hun. Hum legally married ho jayenge. Mera ek friend hai jo sab arrange karwa dega. We need not tell anyone. Shaadi bhi ho jayegi, aur ghar pe kuch batana bhi nahi padega." Sameer had thought a lot about it during the day, and now, he was convinced that this was the best option.

"Court marriage?" Naina was taken aback.

Sameer bit his lip, "I'm sorry, Naina. I know, tumhare bohot saare sapne honge... tum apni shaadi se bohot kuch expect kar rahi hogi, par abhi... but I promise, main baad mein mummy se kehke saare customs ke saath phir se sab arrange karwa dunga."

"Nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai. Maine... mere koi sapne nahi the. Mujhe toh shaadi karni hi nahi thi. Phir aap... ab agar court marriage karenge toh papers pe kal ki date hogi. Jab bhi ghar pe woh certificate dikhega, sab log yahi puchenge ki nanu ki aisi haalat mein humein court marriage ki kya soojhi, jabki hamari shaadi pehle se ho rakhi hai... I mean, unhe toh yehi kaha hai na aapne." Naina didn't want any more knots to be added to their relationship.

Sameer was seeing them as husband and wife, who would always be together, whereas, for her, it was just a matter of few weeks. She knew it would be difficult to get away if they had a proper marriage certificate.

Seeing her point, Sameer thought for sometime, and came up with another idea, "Toh kal mandir chalte hain. Wahin shaadi kar lenge."

"Sameer aap please abhi yeh shaadi ki ratt chod ke nanu ki health ke baare mein sochiye. Unhe kisi kaam ka stress nahi dena hai. Lekin office toh rukega nahi. Kal humein office jaana hai aur Friday ko jo new clients ki list aayi hai unke contracts ready karwane hain. Jisse nanu jab office aayein toh unhe extra kaam na karna pade." The only way she could divert his mind was to take it towards work, and that's what she did.

Sameer sighed, recalling the massive amount of work that awaited him next day, "Log shaadi ke baad honeymoon ki planning karte hain... aur ek main hun." He pouted, giving a dejected look to flushed Naina, "Jiski biwi ek hug tak nahi deti. Naina, main..."

He had barely taken a step towards her when the knock on the door made him frown, "Kaun hai?"

Vishakha's voice floated in the room, "Khana lag gaya hai, Sameer. Tum dono jaldi se aa jao."

He rolled his eyes, before telling her that they would be coming in a moment.

"Sab pyar ke dushman hain." He groaned, giving her a glum look.

She lowered her eyes. It was indeed his mother who had made her change her mind. She wasn't the kind to believe in things like these... the talks of superstitions, myths and bad omens wasn't something that ever occurred to her. But what Vishakha said, set her thinking. As they say, when one is vulnerable, a small wound can also become unbearably painful. She found herself falling into the pit of distress as she thought more about what she had heard.

The dinner with the family was a relaxed one. Vivek and Rohan made her feel like a part of the family. Deepika and Ayush had become inseparable, as if the age difference didn't exist. They quickly finished their dinner and excused themselves, as they had left a puzzle unfinished.

Naina was surprised to find Vishakha's attitude softer towards her. She insisted that Naina should eat well, and also take leave from office next day.

Sameer didn't like the idea of being alone there. He immediately refuted, "Kaam bohot hai, mummy. Main akele kaise sambhalunga, Naina ko chalna hi padega."

The glass of water he was bringing to his mouth, shook slightly, and some water spilled on his shirt.

Vivek chuckled, "Inse ab paani ka glass nahi sambhalta, Vishakha, aur kuch kaise sambhlenge. Naina ko hi decide karne do... kya karna hai."

Rohan smirked at him, "Bhai, Naina abhi bhi ussi room mein rahegi ya apne room mein hi desk lagwaoge?"

"Shut up, Rohan. Aur maine kaha na, bhabhi hai teri." Sameer scowled, embarrassed at their teasing in front of Naina.

For her, it was yet another moment of utter mortification. She couldn't lift her head to see anyone's expression.

Vivek announced loudly, "Dekho bhai, hamare ghar Naina ke aane se do do khushiyaan aayi hain... ek toh mera bohot bada contract final ho gaya, doosra, papa theek hoke ghar aa gaye, bina kisi complication ke. Isliye aaj celebrate karna banta hai. Ramdhari, le aa gulab jamun."

Vishakha gave him a furious look, "Gulab jamun? Aapko pata hai na aapki sugar high ho jayegi... kisne kaha Ramdhari ko gulab jamun banane ko?"

Vivek leaned back in his chair with a complacent smirk, "Sugar ek mahine se control mein hai, madam. Isliye maine hi banwaye hain. Aur aaj main zarur khaunga. Kal subah check kar lena, guarantee deta hun sugar nahi badhegi."

Along with both his sons, Vishakha  was delighted to know that his new diet and workout routine had brought his sugar to normal. They all had the sweet treat prepared by Ramdhari.

After dinner, Sameer and Rohan went to check on nanu while Vishakha went back to her room. Naina helped Ramdhari to clear the table though he kept insisting that she need not bother.

"Koi baat nahi bhaiya. Main apne ghar mein bhi help karti thi. Please, aap mujhe karne dijiye." Naina insisted.

When she was coming out of the kitchen, Vivek stopped her, "Naina, tumhare liye sasural ke pehle din khushiyon se bhare hone ki jagah tension se bhar gaye. Lekin achhi baat yeh hai ki tumhare presence of mind ki wajah se papa itni jaldi theek ho gaye. Hum sab bohot lucky hain ki ab tum hamari family ka hissa ho. Beta, maine kal bhi kaha tha, aur aaj bhi kehta hun, agar tumhe koi bhi baat galat lage, ya kisi baat se pareshani ho, humein zarur batana. Sameer waise toh sensible hai lekin... dekh raha hun aajkal pyar mein zara pagal sa ho gaya hai." Vivek let out a snicker.

Naina wrenched her fingers, biting her lip as colour made way on her face.

Vivek stroked her head, "I'm glad... I pray woh hamesha aisa hi rahe, aur tum dono khush raho."

Naina was still lost in the contradictory signals her mind was getting when she entered the room. Sameer hadn't come yet. She changed into her night suit, a flannel pyjama set. As she was coming out of the washroom after brushing and washing her face, Sameer came to the room. Her heart jumped at his sight. She had planned to quickly finish her routine and sleep on the couch. Even if she actually didn't sleep, she could pretend, when he came. But he caught her before she could follow her plan.

The heaviness that hung in the room could be felt by both of them as they gazed at each other from opposite ends.

Naina was the first to move. Mustering courage, she went to the bed, picked up a pillow and quilt and moved to the couch.

"Yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?" Sameer gave her a shocked look.

"Main... main yahan so jaungi. Aap aaram se bed pe..." She started in a low, halting voice, only to be cut short.

"No way. Woh couch bohot uncomfortable hai sone ke liye. Tum chup chap aake bed pe so jao." He commanded.

Her eyes shot up to him, more shocked than him.

Sameer walked to her, gathered the pillow and quilt from the couch, and put them back on the bed. He went to her, held her by elbow and pulled her to the right side of the bed, the side he had always seen her sleeping.

"Tum yahan so'ogi." He grabbed both her arms and looked into her eyes, "Kya tumhe trust nahi hai mujh pe? You think main kuch bhi aisa kar sakta hun jo tumhari marzi ke against ho? Naina, main tumhe wife maanta hun, lekin haq nahi jataunga jab tak tum bhi mujhe apna pati na maan lo. Don't you believe me?"

She had no reason not to believe him. She was aware of whatever he said. Distrust on him wasn't the reason she had moved to the couch. It was merely the awkwardness that compelled her to do so. But seeing the hurt in his eyes, her heart melted.

"Sameer, aapse zyada trust toh mujhe kisi pe bhi nahi hai. Main jaanti hun aap mujhe comfortable karne ke liye kisi bhi hadd tak jaa sakte hain. I don't doubt you... not even in my dreams." She didn't shy away from looking into his eyes.

The dark eyes changed instantly, getting darker. His grip on her arms tightened, "In your dreams, huh? Aisa kya dekhti ho tum apne dreams mein?"

A shiver ran through her at his husky tone, making her gaze fall from his eyes. But that was a mistake... as it landed on his face. The jawline was now covered in a thick stubble. Her eyes got stuck to it, the craving to feel it stronger than ever.

"Naina, do you dream about me?" His voice was a whisper, but it reached her loud and clear.

If he talked to her like this, in a closed room, she wouldn't be able to survive the few weeks she planned to stay here.

Holding on to the little sanity that lurked somewhere at the back of her mind, she stuttered, with downcast eyes, "Good... good night. Mujhe... mujhe neend aa rahi hai."

He did not move for a few seconds.

Then, his stubbled jaw grazed her cheek as he leaned to place a feathery kiss on it, "Good night, Naina. I know you dream about me. Tumhari aankhon mein dikhta hai. Main woh saare sapne poore karunga, I promise." He whispered in her ear, keeping his cheek pressed against hers.

Naina stood like a statue. The stubble that she so longed to feel on her fingers was brushing on her face now, giving her goosebumps the size of ostrich eggs and wildly fluttering butterflies, the size of horses, in her stomach.

As abruptly as he had come close, Sameer stepped away, the smile on his face indicating that he was aware of what he had done... and its impact.

When she laid down on her side of the bed, huddled at the edge, facing the other side, Naina was still shivering. With a deep breath, Sameer pulled up his quilt, taking the left side, as he faced her back. The distance between them reminded him of their meet at Lodhi Garden, when they had walked back to the parking, with two feet distance between them. He had wished that to end... and it had. Now he waited for this distance to go away as well... and he knew it would... the time wasn't far... he had seen in her eyes.

When finally he drifted off to sleep, there was a smile on his lips.

Next update on Tuesday