Title is the song 'Sirf tu' from movie 'Pranaam' which was incidentally Randeep's debut movie

Sameer struggled with the top button of his white Jodhpuri blazer, unable to close it.

"Naina, dekho na yeh button lag hi nahi raha." He hollered, going near the washroom door where Naina was getting dressed.

After a silence of few seconds, she stood in the doorway, hands on waist, "Sameer, tum na, Ayush se bhi chote ho jaate ho kabhi kabhi. Abhi usko ready karke aayi hun lekin woh bhi itna shor nahi machata jitna tum karte ho. Idhar aao."

He stepped right in front of her hastily. While her fingers worked around his neck, his eyes took in the dressing gown she had worn over her outfit for the wedding. The overlapping panels did not even reveal the colour. All he could see was her slender neck, with hair piled up on top of her head. His eyes moved to her face, which was slightly scrunched as she tried to fix the button. Her long, dark lashes appeared to be resting on her translucent cheeks, in sharp contrast. Though she hadn't put any makeup on yet, she was glowing.

Before his hand, that had started coming up to graze her cheek could reach its destination, she finished her job, and smiled at him in satisfaction, "Ho gaya. Ab jao aur papa ki help karo. Aur haan, Rohan ko bhi dekh lena..." Her lips curled in a teasing smile, "...uska button nahi lag raha toh laga dena."

"Rohan khud ready ho jayega. Pehle main bhi toh hota tha." Sameer winked.

Naina's brows went up, "Oh! Toh yeh drama tha."

He gave a mischievous wink, "Drama nahi pyar hai jaan. Tumhe dekhe bina neeche kaise jaa sakta hun."

She chuckled, pushing him away as he leaned towards her, "Ab jao. Tumhare bhai ki shaadi hai, thodi responsibility tum bhi lo."

"Biwi ka hukm hai toh manna hi padega." He bowed dramatically, making the tinkle of her laughter resonate in the room.

He placed a quick peck on her lips and left her gaping behind him in shock as he sprinted out of the room.

First he went to Rohan's room. The groom was all dressed, brushing his hair. He accompanied Sameer to the living room where almost the entire family and invited guests were enjoying snacks and tea. Vivek and Vishakha were checking the things that had to be taken to Preeti's house. He helped Ramdhari to place the needed items in car before meeting some people who had just arrived.

"Arre Sameer, woh envelopes kahan hain jo Preeti ki cousins ko dene ke liye Naina ne banaye the? Puch ke aa jaldi." Vishakha asked in a harried voice, after checking the packets on the table.

"Main dekhta hun." Sameer rushed back to his room.

And he was so glad he did.

Naina stood with her back to the mirror, twisting her neck, as she tried to tie the dori of her blouse. In the reflection, he could see that unlike her other blouses, this one had three doris. She had tied the top and bottom one but wasn't able to secure the middle dori. His eyes roved over her frame. He loved her in all colours, but pink on her always left him entranced, making him weak in the knees. The bright pink saree had golden embroidery at the pallu and shimmering golden borders. Her lipstick colour matched her saree, making his heart jump to his mouth. If only...

Her cheeks were flamed with the same hue due to the efforts she was putting. Her lashes were darker than usual, making the caramel of her eyes turn lighter. Her hair were tied up from front, in a different style, but left open at the back, which presently were put over one shoulder, to avoid getting tangled in those enticing doris. Big jhumkas adorned her ears, grazing her cheeks with every movement. A long, elaborate necklace added to her royal look.

She was dressed to kill... and he was a dead man already.

He stepped out and called up Vishakha, "Mummy, Naina bathroom mein hai. Jaise hi aayegi main envelopes le aunga."

Entering the room, he latched the door. Naina was engrossed in the work she was doing, hence did not realise he was in the room.

"Hey sweetheart." He breathed beside her, making her gasp.

"Sameer, tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" She straightened to face him.

"Favour return karne aaya hun." He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close with a jerk.

"Favour?" Her hands landed on his chest.

His fingers traced her spine, moving up slowly. Naina could feel her skin erupt into goosebumps at his feathery stroke. It was when he tugged at the open strings did she remember that she hadn't yet finished tying them. His eyes twinkled as he played with the one she had secured. Her heart lurched.

"Mujhse ho nahi raha tha. Pehle sirf ek baar aisa pehna tha toh..." Her low voice faltered as she recalled the time she had tried the lehenga Preeti had brought for her.

"Toh?" A sharp pang of jealousy hit him, "Kisne kiya? Aur kab pehna? Maine kabhi nahi dekha. Tum kahan aise kapde pehenti thi. Kya Agra mein..."

"Preeti laayi thi." She interrupted his barrage of questions, "Jaipur se. Bas pehen ke dekha tha ek din. Woh bhi aisa hi tha. Preeti ne help ki aur usne..." She fell silent, a fresh wave of colour rushing up her cheeks at the memory of the incident.

Sameer prodded her till she finally told him how Preeti had teased her about the blue mark on her shoulder, the first one he had given. If she thought it would embarrass him, Naina was highly mistaken. In a flash, Sameer pushed down the blouse from one shoulder, and leaned to plant a hard kiss... at the same spot. A loud gasp escaped her lips.

"Yeh kya kar rahe ho." She hissed, in shock at his abrupt action.

"Punishment hai, mujhe woh lehenga na dikhane ki. Aur kitne dresses hain jo mujhe nahi pata? Aaj hisaab kar lete hain." He rubbed his thumb gently over her skin, which had turned dark pink.

"Sameer." Her eyes rounded, "Sab kya sochenge?"

He gently pulled back the fabric over her shoulder, "Aisi jagah hai, kisi ko nahi dikhega..." A lopsided smile played on his lips, "...mere siva."

She clutched his shoulders when he tightened his arms around her, only to tie the open dori, though he couldn't resist to run his fingers all over her back after he had done so. Their eyes remained locked, their breaths mingled, the fragrance of one another filled them up, the warmth started to simmer, fuelled by their proximity. He inched closer to her lips.

"Shaadi aaj hi hai." She reminded him, seeing his eyes darkening.

"Naina, you look so beautiful. Aur yeh doriyaan..." His fingers twirled them, "Tumhe pata nahi hai maine kaise khud ko roka hua hai."

She blinked, "Blouse mummy ne banwaya hai. Mujhe pata tha tumhe achha nahi lagega, isliye baal khule rakhe hain."

"Achha?" He breathed, "Maine isse achha kuch dekha hi nahi aaj tak. Lekin haan, achha kiya jo baal khule rakhe. Main nahi chahta koi aur tumhe aise dekhe."

The shade on her cheeks matched her lips, and he dipped his head again, unable to let go.

"Sameer, humein jaana chahiye. Hamari wajah se late hua toh mummy gussa karengi." She leaned back, placing her hands on his chest to stall him.

"Oh no!" Sameer exclaimed, "Mummy ne hi toh bheja tha mujhe. Kuch kaam bola tha. Damn, yaad nahi aa raha."

He moved away, rubbing his forehead, trying to remember what his mom wanted from Naina.

Waving her head at him, Naina went to the closet and took out her clutch, along with a stack of envelopes.

"Arre haan, yehi maanga tha mummy ne, Preeti ki cousins ke liye envelopes." Sameer squealed, seeing the same in her hand.

Naina held his hand and rushed down, "Aur tumne mujhe bataya hi nahi. Mummy pareshan ho rahi hongi."

Vishakha was in her usual panic mode, "Offo Sameer, kitni der laga di. Ek kaam time pe nahi kar sakta mere liye. Kya kar raha tha upar baith ke?"

"Mummy woh dori..." He blurted, seeing his mom all rattled at the delay.

"Door... door atak gaya tha... cupboard ka." Naina provided, before he could embarrass both of them.

"Achha achha ab yeh sab chodo aur Naina, tum aao mere saath. Rohan ka sehra aur aarti karni hai tumhe." Vishakha impatiently went towards the living room, hardly paying attention to the looks they exchanged.

Rohan flashed a bright smile at Naina when she reached him, "Hi bhabhi, finally... mujhe laga mujhe aapke room mein aake hi sehra bandhwana padega... aur sehre ke saath bhai ki daant free."

"Woh main... cupboard mein kuch dhoond rahi thi." Naina flushed, keeping her eyes on the ornamental piece that she had to attach to his pagdi.

Rohan did not tease her more, but winked at his brother, who shifted uncomfortably on his feet as he wasn't able to hear what Rohan was whispering to his wife. Before he could go near them, he was summoned by Vivek. All relatives of groom were made to wear a pagdi, in Rajasthani style.

When Naina saw him after he was done, she could not take her eyes off him. The red pagdi, with his white Jodhpuri turned him into a prince, the most handsome one. She looked around, then joined her forefinger with her thumb, and winked, a mesmerised smile on her face. He placed a hand over his heart, and let out a deep exhale, wishing he could get her alone for some time. But Naina was called almost at the same moment for aarti by his mom.

"Beta Sameer, aaj apni hi biwi se milne ke liye intezar karna padega." Disappointed, he muttered under his breath and walked out.

His somber mood turned bright the minute he saw Ayush, dressed in a similar Jodhpuri in off white, with a gold band around his collar.

"Sameer papa, mujhe toh aisa hat nahi pehnaya." He pointed at Sameer's pagdi, after noticing everyone wearing it.

Sameer kneeled beside him, "Lucky ho tum. Warna tumhara hair style bhi kharab ho jaata."

"Hain?" He touched his hair, "Mujhe apne baal kharab nahi karne."

"Isliye maine manaa kar diya, ki mera Ayush pagdi nahi pehnega." Sameer held his hand and walked towards the group of some relatives who were with nanu, Ayush hopping along in excitement.

"Aapko pata hai, yeh meri third shaadi hai." He showed three fingers.

Sameer laughed, "Tumhari third shaadi nahi, jo tumne attend ki hai."

One of his distant uncle joined in laughter, "Beta Ayush, abhi chote ho na isliye third tak ka soch rahe ho. Ek baar kar li toh pata chalega."

Other middle aged man smacked him playfully, "Chote se bachhe ko kyon confuse kar rahe ho Jatin bhai. Yeh laddu sabko hi khana padta hai."

Nanu looked at Sameer and Ayush proudly, "Shaadi ke laddu ka mithaas apne haath mein hota hai Brijesh. Aap koshish karo toh yeh rishta sabse khoobsurat ho sakta hai."

Other man looked at him, "Aap toh misaal hain, kakusa. Aapse seekh ke hi hum sab bhi apne apne ghar mein sukhi hain."

Their talks came to an end when Rohan came out after the aarti. He alighted a white mare from their porch and the baraat took a walkaround to next lane, Rohan's friends and other family members dancing to their heart's content. Vivek made sure that they reached Preeti's house on time. After the rituals and teasings at the main door, they went to the well decorated back gardens. Preeti looked resplendent in her red and green lehenga, and traditional jewellery. Unlike other days, she did not scoff at Rohan, nor got irritated when he teased her that she looked so different, he wasn't sure she was the same girl.

She looked at him with a sweet smile, honey dripping from her voice, "Mummy ke instructions pe yeh mera aaj ki evening ka face hai. Baaki jo itna heavy outfit, dus kilo ki jewellery aur panch kilo ka hairdo banana pada tumhari wajah se, uska badla ghar jaake lungi."

Rohan stared at her silently for a few seconds, then grinned, "Thank God! Ab confirm ho gaya yeh meri Preeti hai."

She gave him another sweet smile.

Throughout the evening, Sameer watched how Naina was running around, taking care of everything... relatives, gifts, rituals, his mom's instructions, Bela's enquiries, nanu's meal timing.

When he noticed her searching for Ayush, he held her arm, "Tum Ayush ki chinta mat karo, maine usse khana khila diya hai. Lekin tumne abhi tak kuch nahi khaya Naina. Aao, thoda juice le lo aur kuch khaa lo."

"Nahi Sameer, abhi time nahi hai. Phere shuru hone wale hain. Ek baar dekh leti hun sab saamaan hai ki nahi. Aur haan, tum dekhna Ayush zyada ice cream na khaaye, warna bimar pad jayega." She directed him and scurried away.

Sameer sighed, shaking his head, "Dono gharon ki responsibility le rakhi hai. Khud bimar pad jaogi tum."

He tried to help, but it appeared that everyone in both families needed Naina at every point of time, and she was there for everyone... except him. It was only after the pheras, around midnight, when he finally could make her eat something.

"Naina, bas ab tum kuch nahi karogi. Hamari shaadi bhi toh perfectly hui thi na, yeh bhi ho jayegi."

She placed a hand on his knee, smiling in assurance, "Mujhe achha lag raha hai, Sameer. I feel a sense of belonging, to the family. Dekho, Preeti aur Rohan kitne khush hain. Unka sabse special day hai aur main nahi chahti kuch kami rahe. Don't worry, main theek hun."

He glanced at the newly wed couple. They were indeed very happy. He was happy too, for his brother... for now he knew what it meant to tie the knot with the one you love, and seal their togetherness forever.

But he was worried about Naina too. He could see tiredness around the corner of her eyes when they reached home around two in the morning. After Preeti's grah pravesh, Vishakha insisted that all other rituals would be done next morning as everyone was exhausted now and needed to rest.

After taking Preeti to her and Rohan's room, Naina finally entered her room, only to be cocooned in his warm embrace.

"Tired?" He wrapped his arms around her, running his hand along her hair.

"Hmm." Naina replied, albeit in an enthusiastic voice, "Pehli baar yeh sab kaam kiya hai na, relatives ke gifts, sabke khaane ka khyal rakhna, sabke saath smile karke baat karna, badon ko greet karna aur choton ko pyar dena... Sameer, mujhe nahi pata tha aisa karne se kitni khushi milti hai. Aisa laga jaise hamari itni badi family hai, aur sab hamari khushi mein khush hain. Kisi ko humse... mujhse aur Ayush se... koi problem nahi hai."

He watched as her eyes glistened but her face glowed with gratified radiance, "Itna pyar milega maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha. Sabne Ayush ko kitni aasani se apna liya, jabki woh usse jaante bhi nahi... aur ek mere papa ke bhai aur unke parivar wale..." A sadness clouded her eyes, "...unhone ek din bhi Ayush ko apna nahi maana... kabhi pyar se nahi dekha... hamesha usse ghar se nikalne ka sochte rahe. Lekin Ayush ko kaise pyar dete, jab mujhe hi nafrat bhari nazron se dekha hai hamesha." Her voice turned bitter.

Sameer stroked her back, "Naina, tum aur Ayush, dono mera sab kuch ho, meri family ho... aur iss ghar mein hi nahi, hamare poore relatives aur friends ke circle mein sab humein issi nazar se dekhenge hamesha. I promise."

The momentary pensive thoughts passed and she smiled again, "Isiliye toh... I love you."

"Bas isiliye?" He raised a brow, pouting, "Aur mujhe laga main pasand hun tumhe, aakhir itna handsome jo hun. Aaj bhi kitni ladkiyan mujhe dekh ke smile kar rahi thi."

She pinched his puffed cheeks, "Bohot handsome ho. Lekin sirf mere ho. Koi tumhe dekh ke smile kare chahe tumhare sapne dekhe, tum rahoge toh apni Naina ke buddhu."

"Main buddhu hun?" He frowned in fake annoyance, "Unn ladkiyon ko toh aisa nahi lag raha tha."

She scrunched her nose angrily, "Saari billiyon ko mera malai ka katora hi nazar aata hai. Aur aaj toh tum zyada hi handsome lag rahe ho. Suno, next time se kahin bhi jayenge, main tumhara haath ek second ke liye bhi nahi chodungi."

He dipped his head, his voice turning raspy, "Yehi toh chahiye mujhe. Bilkul mat chodna."

She eagerly met his lips, feeling the tiredness leave her as his scent invigorated her. The doris that were so carefully tied earlier were tugged open instantly after he carried her to bed in his arms.

Whole evening she had hypnotised him with the charm of pink. Now was the time to show how much it had effected him.

As for Naina, however busy she was, her eyes had kept wandering to him, admiring his sublime, grand looks. She didn't shy away either, from showing how much she loved his look... and him... forever.

Next update on Monday