The title song is 'Jeena jeena' from the movie 'Badlapur'

Sameer carried the heated food in two plates to the room.

"Sameer, Naina ko fever hua hai. Uske liye koi medicine nahi hai." Ayush said the moment he saw him.

"Naina, fever hai tumhe?" Sameer controlled his urge to touch her forehead and find out for himself.

"Nahi. Nahi mujhe kuch nahi hua. I'm fine." She immediately replied with a flushed face, avoiding to look at him.

"Tumne hi kaha tumhe fever hai." Ayush gave her an accusing look.

"Woh... woh shayad... weakness ki wajah se feel hua." She swallowed, giving a quick glance to Sameer.

"Isiliye khaana khana zaruri hai... a simple fact jo tum samajhti nahi ho." Sameer placed the plate in front of her.

She looked at Ayush, "Tu khayega? Tere liye soup leke aaun?"

Ayush shook his head.

"Achha toh dinner mein kya khayega? Main wohi banaungi jo tujhe mann hoga." Naina asked again. Along with the concern for Ayush's health, she wanted to occupy the silence with some conversation, not with Sameer, if possible.

It wasn't possible... the answer came from Sameer, "Ab tum kuch nahi banaogi. You'll take rest. Hum dinner order kar lenge."

"No way. Main Ayush ko bahar ka khana nahi khane dungi." She said adamantly.

"Naina, Ayush ke liye tumne already soup banaya hua hai. Fever mein zyada kuch khaya nahi jaata. Uske liye soup kaafi hai. Par tumhe proper dinner karna chahiye. You tell me your choice, main order kar dunga. And please, ispe zid mat karna." Sameer's voice turned softer.

Ayush kept flickering his gaze between the two of them, as they sat on his either side with their food. Sameer was relieved to see that she finished everything that he had brought. She took back the plates to the kitchen, assuring him that she was fine when he wanted to help.

An hour later, Ayush asked to go out on the terrace. It hadn't rained since morning. With scanty clouds and cool breeze, the weather was pleasant. Sameer picked him up and took him out. Naina stayed behind to straighten his bed and arrange his room as she hadn't done so in the morning for this room.

"Nainaa. Tum bhi aao na." Ayush called out to her few minutes later.

The moment she went out, he spread his arms to come to her. Before Sameer could stop him, Naina had effortlessly taken Ayush in her arms. He marvelled at how she managed to be so comfortable, walking around with Ayush easily as she talked to him in soothing voice. Ayush smiled at something she said, and tightened his arms around her neck, placing a kiss on her cheek. Naina smiled fondly at him, rubbed her nose with his, and kissed the tip of his nose, speaking in a mellifluous voice, "I love you."

It stirred something inside Sameer. Not just the words but the deep love in her voice showed how soft her heart was... which she tried to hide behind an impassive and aloof exterior.

"I also love you." Ayush tilted his head, beaming at her.

"I love you too." Sameer's voice made Naina give a startled look to him, her heart losing a beat.

He walked slowly towards them, his eyes on Ayush, one corner of his lips stretched into a smile, "Jab koi I love you bolta hai toh kehte hain I love you too. Okay?"

Ayush grinned, waving his head.

If Naina thought she could breath easy, Sameer wasn't done yet. He leaned, bringing his face dangerously close to her, his eyes fixed on Ayush. She stopped breathing altogether. He didn't shift his gaze from Ayush, still having a half smile, "I love you."

"I love you too." Ayush replied immediately.

It took all of Naina's strength to remain standing and not collapse on the floor... his closeness, with the husky voice in which he uttered those three words was too much for her to endure, now that she was aware of her feelings for him.

"Ayush, ab andar chalte hain. Tujhe rest karna chahiye." She stepped back, hoping her voice didn't come out as shaky as she felt from within.

Sameer stepped away too, "Tum theek keh rahi ho. Ayush ko khud ko thakana nahi chahiye... aur tumhe bhi. Lao, main le leta hun." He opened his arms towards her.

"Nahi, main le jaungi. Mujhe aadat hai." Naina immediately turned and started walking towards the room. His every word, every action was effecting her differently.

Inside too, Ayush didn't let her get up once from the bed, nor Sameer. It was almost an hour later that she could make him agree to have some soup. Since it was his favourite, Ayush finished the entire bowl. She gave him next dose of medicine after changing his clothes. Meanwhile, Sameer placed online order for food for the two of them. Since Naina didn't say anything about what she liked, he decided to order a pizza.

When Sameer went back to Ayush's room, he was already feeling drowsy.

He placed a hand on his forehead, then neck, and smiled in relief. The temperature had come down.

"Fever nahi hai ab. I think Ayush aaram se so payega raat ko." He looked at Naina who was fretting over the quilt which Ayush didn't want.

"Aap apne room mein so jaana, main Ayush ke paas rahungi." Naina flicked her gaze at him.

"Ayush ke paas main rukunga. Tumhe do din ho gaye hain jaagte hue. Faint ho jaogi, Naina. You need to sleep. Trust me. I'll take care." Sameer gave her an assuring smile.

"Aap kyon..." She started to protest, which he cut short by putting a finger on his lips.

"Shhh. Because I want to." His soft yet firm assertion left her no choice.

Ayush was already asleep by the time their pizza arrived.

"Come Naina. Jaldi se kha lo phir so jao. You must be very tired and sleepy." Sameer placed the large box on the table while she fetched plates for them. He was surprised to see that she had made iced tea as well.

Naina couldn't tell him that it wasn't the first time she had not slept whole night. There had been several nights she had lain awake. Proper sleep wasn't a part of her normal routine since a long time.

"Tum hamesha se itni efficient thi ya zombie banke zyada energy aa gayi." He said in a serious voice.

"Jee?" She gave him a shocked look.

"Aur kya. Already itni lost lag rahi ho, aise hi din raat jaag ke kaam karti rahi toh movies mein dikhate hain na zombies, jinki aankhen band hi nahi hoti, waisi ho jaogi." He frowned.

She couldn't control her smile, "Dariye mat. Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Aap bhi toh bas teen ghante hi soye the."

His mouth rounded in shock, "Tum taana maar rahi ho?"

"Nahi, nahi. Main toh bas..." She tried to clarify in panic.

Sameer grinned, "Relax Naina, I'm joking. Samjha karo yaar."

She lowered her eyes, colour spreading on her cheeks.

"I hope you like pizza. Tumne kuch kaha nahi toh maine apne aap order kar diya." Sameer sobered up, presuming her to be embarrassed.

"I'm fine with everything." She replied, taking a slice after him.

"Lekin kuch toh hoga na jo tumhe sabse zyada pasand hoga... I mean, jo khana sabse achha lagta ho, ya aisa kuch jo mood off hone pe bhi ekdum se khush kar de... sabka aisa kuch na kuch favourite hota hai. Tumhara kya hai?" Sameer asked casually, taking a large bite of cheesy pizza.

"Jo Ayush ko pasand hai main woh sabhi kuch banati hun. Haan, kabhi kabhi bahar ka bhi khilati hun usse. Hum dono har tarah ka cuisine enjoy karte hain, par Ayush ko cheese bohot pasand hai. Pizza, burger, pasta, sabme usse dher saara cheese chahiye." She stated with a smile.

"Aur tumhe? Yeh sab toh Ayush ki pasand hui. Tumhari pasand kya hai?" Sameer insisted.

"Kuch specific nahi." Naina lowered her head.

"Arre promise main tumhe judge nahi karunga. Kuch bhi ho bataa sakti ho. Achha ek secret bataun. Woh America returned Preeti ki favourite kya hai pata hai?" Sameer said in a hushed tone, as if Preeti was around.

Naina raised her brows.

"Imli." Sameer let out the word like it was some confidential information.

"Imli!" Naina's eyes brightened.

"Tumhe bhi pasand hai? Maine toh ek baar khayi thi. Itni khatti cheez koi kaise kha sakta hai?" Sameer exclaimed, seeing her reaction.

"Khatti meethi wali bohot achhi hoti hai. Main leke aungi aapke liye. Woh taste karna. Ekdum chaat ke jaise hoti hai." Naina responded in the flow.

"Tumhe chaat pasand hai?" His voice turned softer.

Her eyes shot up to him. The memories of her chaat sessions with her mom made her eyes moist.

"Mujhe aur mummy ko, dono ko bohot pasand thi. Hamara competition hota tha, golgappe khane ka. Mummy hamesha haar jaati thi. Mujhe pata hai woh jaan ke haarti thi, phir bhi achha lagta tha." There was a sad smile on her face as she recalled those times.

"Tumne chaat kab khayi thi akhiri baar?" He asked, though he could already guess the answer.

Her eyes drifted to him, and she gulped, "Ek saal pehle."

Looking at her, he said in a comforting voice, "Naina, jis dukh se tum guzar rahi ho usse samajhna kisi ke liye bhi impossible hai, isliye main yeh nahi kahunga that I understand... lekin itna zarur kahunga ki tumhe apne liye bhi jeena shuru karna padega. Ayush ke liye tum ek perfect sister ho, uska jitna achha khyal rakhti ho woh toh kal doctor ne bhi acknowledge kiya... par apne liye tum bohot kharab companion ho. Yeh khana na khana, jaagte rehna, itna kaam karna ki rest karna hi bhool jao, apne liye kabhi na sochna... yeh sab kyon, Naina? Tumhe lagta hai tumhare parents ko yeh sab achha lagega? Woh jahan bhi honge, tumhe aise dekh ke khush honge? Not at all. Jaise tum Ayush ke liye itni worried rehti ho, unhe bhi toh tumhare fiqr rehti hogi na jab woh tumhare saath the? Socho, agar woh tumhe aise dekhenge, apne dil ki har ichha ko, har pasand ko back burner pe rakhte hue, toh kitna dukh hoga unhe. Aur agar aise rehne se tumhare tabiyat kharab hui toh Ayush ka kya? Tab kaise khyal rakhogi uska? Naina, don't take me wrong, lekin tumhe samajhna padega ki hum apni life beete hue kal mein nahi jee sakte. Aane wale kal ke liye raasta banana chahiye. Tumhari jo khoobsurat memories hain, unhe yaad rakho aur jo dukh hain, unhe bhoolne ki koshish karo. Jaanta hun abhi zyada time nahi hua hai par apne aur Ayush ke liye tumhe try toh karna chahiye."

Naina felt the familiar lump in her throat. Pushing it away, she uttered in a dismal voice, "Everyone says time is the biggest healer. But it isn't. Time only makes you remember those moments again and again. Jitna zyada samay guzarta hai, utni zyada baar hum uss dard ko yaad karte hain jise bhulna namumkin hota hai. Sirf yaad hi nahi karte, uss dard ko roz jeete hain. Aur jab aisa hota hai toh apne liye jeene ka dil nahi karta."

"Aisa mat kaho, Naina." Sameer's felt a sharp jab of pain in his heart, "Tumhari life sirf tumhare liye hi nahi, unn sabke liye important hai jo tumhe pyar karte hain. Agar tumhe zara si bhi takleef hoti hai toh unko bhi aise hi dard hoga jaise tumhe hota hai, apne mom dad ke liye. Tum bohot strong ho... aisi baatein kabhi mat laana apne dil mein. Promise me... ki tum yeh baat dubara kabhi nahi sochogi."

Slowly, her eyes lifted to him, "Sochne se kuch nahi hota. Lekin main aisa kabhi kar nahi sakti. Ayush ke liye. Usse meri zarurat hai. Ayush ko main kabhi akela nahi chodungi."

Sameer found his breath again. The despair in her voice, and her thoughts had made him go numb with fear. How badly he wanted to take her in his arms, and give her the comforting solace she so obviously was missing.

"Naina. Always remember, tumhe kabhi bhi, kisi bhi baat ke liye meri zarurat ho toh ek second bhi mat sochna. Tum mujhe din raat kabhi bhi call kar sakti ho, bula sakti ho, apni problem share kar sakti ho. I'll always be there for you... and Ayush." He couldn't stop himself from reassuring her, not bothered about how she would see it.

Naina nodded. She could understand his sympathy. But she was aware that it wasn't something she should doubt. Sameer, the only man she could trust, was also the one she loved. Even if she could never tell him so.

In her room, Naina looked at herself in the mirror. After her realisation in the afternoon, she had spent hours distressing over it. This wasn't something she had bargained for. Falling in love wasn't in the picture when she came to this city. She had decided everything beforehand... and her plans had no space for anyone but Ayush and her. Then how could she let such a thing happen. Pressing her head again, to get some relief from throbbing pain, she let out a long exhale. She and Sameer... they could never belong together. However good he was to Ayush, even if he showed some concern for her as well, in the end, he had a family back home, who loved him and wanted a beautiful life for him... which could never be made with her.

Her eyes flickered to the sky outside. Surprisingly, the clouds were gone. Dark sky glittered with sparkling stars. Pushing away the door panel, she walked out on the terrace. Not just the stars, but the moon greeted her as well.

"Tumhe pata tha aaj mujhe tumhari zarurat hai, isliye aa gaye." She smiled sadly at it. "Batao ab main kya karun? Kyon hua aisa? Mujhe nahi chahiye tha yeh sab. Main aur Ayush khush the apni duniya mein. Aur tum toh ho hi... hamesha mere saath. Phir kyon aane diya kisi aur ko... kaise mere dil mein bina puche koi iss tarah aa gaya ki ab woh jagah shayad kabhi khali nahi ho payegi."

Closing her eyes, she placed a hand on her heart. When she opened them to look up again, there were two bright stars close to the moon. It felt like her parents had come to talk to her. The tears couldn't be contained any more. The burden of staying strong all the time got too much and the heaviness in her heart poured out of her eyes, making her break into hushed sobs. She felt terribly lonely in that moment, wanting the two stars to be not up there, so far away, but close to her... with her... holding her in their embrace. She needed to feel the comfort. Sobbing, her arms went around herself, digging into her skin... seeking the solace that had gone out of her life. She wished she was better at living life... and not the mess that she had become. But life had it's own way of treating you. As her frantic heart got consumed with the pain, she wished such a harsh one hadn't been planned for her.

She didn't know how long she cried. The tears didn't stop easily. It was a dam of many months that had broken, making her wonder yet again how her life had changed so much from the time she was a cheerful, bubbly person. But then, life was always strange. In one moment, everything seemed so perfect and beautiful... and the next moment makes you realise how wrong you have been about everything. And then you live on, in hopelessness... one day at a time... drained out of every ounce of energy seeping away from your being slowly.

Ayush had been the only reason she didn't slip into the dark oblivion after her parents left her all of a sudden. And he was the only reason she could still smile, and feel alive... however hard it was. A small smile crept up on her tear stained face. He was the light that made her forget darkness and revel in the music of his tinkling laughter. He was the hope that made her go on... the only hope.

Wiping her eyes, she looked at the sky. For some strange reason, everything looked brighter. Moon seemed to be smiling at her, stars twinkled more, even the sound of wind seemed rhythmic. She patted her face, blinking hard to see if all this was real, or she was hallucinating. No, the lucidity wasn't an illusion. It wasn't a dark gloomy night anymore. It was as radiant as the sight in Ayush's room when his home planetarium was switched on. The thought brought another name to her mind... Sameer. And she realised the reason for everything appearing beautiful. There was something about him that made her cold heart warm up when he was near her. She had always kept her heart locked away till now, but a weird feeling that had been rocking throughout her body for quite some time whenever he was near her had made her comprehend that she was not able to concentrate on her work because of him. No matter how much she tried to push away his thoughts, her mind seemed to be occupied only with his name. Though, at first, she had forced herself to not think about him, but his dark eyes seemed to draw her in everytime she looked at him. They seemed to speak to her, and shockingly, she wanted to listen what they said.

She was in love... there was no doubt about it. It was a feeling she had never experienced before... it was a wave of mixed emotions that made her smile unknowingly, also making her palms sweaty and her heartbeat increase. He had crumbled all walls that she had carefully erected around her heart... and she couldn't deny the feeling anymore. He had become a fixed star in her universe even though she had known him for a short period.

But he was still a star... unattainable.

Nevertheless, she was happy this way... in her one sided love. In fact, she wanted it this way. He was too good, too precious to get his life entangled with her. No, he deserved better, much better. And she wished him to get it. For her, the feeling of loving him secretly was enough to make her happy. She would be contented to see him near her, feel his presence, gaze at him when he wasn't looking, and gloat in the concern he showed for Ayush, and sometimes her. Even if he did it in sympathy, it brought him to her house, and this was enough for her. She felt surprisingly light after this decision. The feeling wasn't hurting anymore... it rather brought a sense of tranquility to her troubled mind and heart.

She would love Sameer... with all her heart... without letting anyone get a whiff of it. When she looked up again, the stars seemed to be dancing... a merry, twinkling dance, only for her. She hadn't felt this happy in a long time. And this happiness made all troubles seem like they didn't matter anymore. It was an odd, but welcome feeling. He was the first person to make her heartbeats erupt into a crazy pattern just by his presence. Even when he was her boss, and she was just an employee... even when such a relationship was impossible... even when she wouldn't have let one happen if it was possible... everything felt so right. She didn't want to say anything to anyone about it... because there could be no words to describe such an emotion. There was no language for it... except the language of heart... which only a heart that loved could understand. And for her, such hearts were up above. They did understand... that was the reason they were all here today to feel happy for her, to show that they were with her. Now that the walls around her vulnerable heart were broken, she wasn't shy of accepting the emotion that had melted her heart.

The sleep was easy once she had accepted her love.

In the other room, Sameer lay next to Ayush, with one arm folded behind his head, his eyes on the moon visible through the glass door. It was a partial moon, still as beautiful... because he knew it would become whole in a few days. Naina was so much like the moon... some part of her always remained hidden. But he was aware that he would see that part someday... she would open up to him, share the pain that haunted her. He wished to cure those deep, honey coloured eyes of the lost, frantic look that was always there. Her tears was something he could never tolerate, but today, he wished she had cried, and let the pain flow out of her eyes. She had been showing astounding strength, and was drowning in the effort. She needed to break free from the agonising pain. He wished he could help her come out of the shell of gloom.

Sameer had no idea he had already done that, unknowingly. Just by making her fall in love with him, he had given her a new life, new strength, new meaning.

He had made her happy.

Next update on Saturday