Naina dropped Ayush at his play school in the morning on Monday. After meeting his teacher and instructing both her and the bus driver to drop him at day care, she left for her office. Google maps helped her to reach there easily. Maheshwari Industries was a posh address in southern part of Delhi. Four floors of a tall building were done up in a swanky manner to make it a modern and functional office. Liberal use of glass gave it an open and brighter look, as compared to her previous office which was as dark as the dress code it had imposed.

Naina was dressed up in a formal white shirt with beige coloured trousers. She had tied her hair in a pony. With a little makeup to highlight her eyes and lips, she confidently stepped into the office at sharp ten in the morning.

"Good morning, sir. I'm Naina Agarwal." She introduced herself the moment she entered the cabin shown to her.

Nanu gave her a warm smile, "Very good morning, Naina. You're punctual. Good. Take a seat please."

Naina sat on the chair opposite Mr Jai Prakash Maheshwari.

"Jaisa maine pehle hi bataya tha, yeh job ek personal assistant ki hai. Rohan, mera grandson, production unit handle karta hai. Aap usko assist karengi. I know aapki qualification different field mein hai lekin..."

"It's absolutely okay with me, sir. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai. You be rest assured, main aapko ya Mr Maheshwari ko koi shikayat ka mauka nahi dungi." Naina chipped in, seeing the old man hesitate.

Nanu nodded, "That's wonderful."

He pressed the bell to call an office boy and asked him to summon Rohan.

"Kya hua, nanu?" Rohan asked as he opened the door.

Seeing Naina seated in the room as he walked in, he understood the reason.

"Rohan, Naina Agarwal se milo. Aaj se tumhe assist karengi." Nanu waved a hand at her, smiling.

Naina stood up immediately, nodding at her new boss, "Good morning, Mr Maheshwari."

Rohan smirked, "Good morning toh theek hai lekin doosri baat aapki galat ho gayi, Miss Naina."

"Sorry sir?" She was perplexed... she had said nothing except greeting him.

Nanu came to the rescue, "Naina, Rohan Somani hai yeh, Maheshwari nahi... meri beti ka beta, mera naati."

"I'm so sorry, sir, I had no idea." Naina flushed.

Rohan chuckled, "No problem. Waise aap mujhe Rohan hi bulaiye."

Naina slightly pressed her lower lip. She didn't want to come to first name basis with her boss, who also happened to be the owner of the company.

"Rohan, Naina ko main Shantanu ke paas bhej raha hun, woh tumhare unit ki functioning aur inka job profile samjha denge." Nanu picked up the intercom.

Rohan stopped him, "It's okay, nanu. Main Naina ko Mr Shantanu se introduce karwa dunga."

Nanu nodded in acceptance. Naina followed Rohan who took her to the cabin of his manager on the floor above them. Shantanu was a harassed looking middle aged man, who instantly smiled in relief the moment he came to know why Naina was appointed.

"Don't worry, Rohan. Main brief kar deta hun. Post lunch, she can join you." Shantanu assured Rohan.

In next two hours, Naina was given a tour of the entire floor. The factory was located at a different place in the city, on the outskirts. Shantanu told her that after she got versed with the working of the office here, he would also take her to the factory one day, for better understanding. Naina met the other employees. When she went back to Rohan's office sometime later, he was pleased with the way she had grasped everything in half a day. A cubicle next to his cabin was assigned to Naina. She was given a new laptop, which already had company details in the system, along with the OS used by everyone that connected each division.

One floor below, Sameer was barely able to manage with his assistant, Vikas, who had joined previous week. It was almost at the end of the day when Sameer entered nanu's cabin for some work.

"Very good, Shantanu. Ab kal usse Rohan ke saare schedules subah hi bata dena. She appears to be a smart girl. I'm sure ek week mein hi akele sab handle karne lagegi." Nanu spoke into the phone.

Sameer gave him a puzzled look, "Kiski baat kar rahe ho aap, nanu? Mr Shantanu leave pe jaa rahe hain kya?"

Nanu smiled, "Nahi beta, Shantanu toh yahin hai. Rohan ke liye jo nayi assistant hire ki hai aaj usne join kiya hai. Uski baat kar rahe the."

"Oh okay. Achha nanu, yeh Fashion Trails walon ka order dekhiye, aapko nahi lagta ismein kuch toh off hai." Sameer leaned to open the said contract on nanu's laptop.

They discussed the same for next half an hour.

"Chal yaar, ab baaki ka kal karte hain. Main thak gaya. Let's go home." Nanu stretched his arms before pushing the chair back to stand up.

When the lift door opened at their floor, they found Rohan with an open file in hand, along with a girl. They seemed to be engrossed in something important.

"Rohan, Naina ko saari training aaj hi deni hai kya?" Nanu smiled at them, entering the lift along with Sameer.

They both looked up... the same moment Sameer looked down at the screen of his phone which flashed a notification.

"Naina ne khud hi sab kuch samajh liya hai, nanu. Abhi toh wohi mujhe bata rahi thi." Rohan said in a relaxed tone.

"I'm impressed. Aapki field na hote hue bhi aapne first day hi Rohan ko sikhane jitna kaam seekh liya." Nanu winked at Rohan after nodding at Naina.

She was embarrassed, "Nothing like that, sir. Main bas kal ki meeting ke kuch points ki clarity de rahi thi."

The voice made Sameer look up from the phone. By then, the girl had turned to the side, and he could only see partial outline of her face. The voice reminded him of someone... he couldn't place it but he was sure he had heard it before.

"Fine Naina, kal subah ek briefing kar lenge baaki sab ke saath. I would like you to be in the meeting with me." Rohan handed her the file as the lift stopped and they stepped out.

"Sure sir." Naina placed the file in her bag and fished out large sunglasses.

"Good day, sir." She nodded at both Rohan and nanu after she had perched the sunglasses on her nose, and turned to walk away towards parking.

Sameer, who was walking beside nanu, caught a glance of her side face, hidden behind large shades.

Rohan got in with them in the same car as Vivek was out of town for a few days. When Sameer drove out of the gates of office, his mind was back to the meeting scheduled for next day.

"Rohan, papa yahan nahi hai toh tujhe hi kal sab handle karna hai. Saari details ready rakhna. Aur haan, last time ki tarah suppliers ke records mix up mat kar dena." Sameer looked at his brother through the rear view mirror.

Rohan tapped his forehead, and dialed a number. Before Sameer could ask anything, he flashed a bright smile as the phone got connected.

"Naina, kal wali meeting ke liye suppliers ki details cross check kar li thi na tumne... haan wohi... perfect... aur haan, jo Mumbai ka stock tha... oh achha, ho gaya already... very good. You're amazing. Thanks. See you tomorrow." Rohan's voice was grateful.

Nanu slightly tilted his head to look at him on the backseat, "Pehle hi din Naina ne kaafi kuch kar liya. Aisa lag raha hai tu saara kaam uske sar pe hi daalne ki planning kar raha hai."

"Arre nahi, nanu. Hum dono saath mil ke karenge. But I must say, great choice, nanu. Kya ladki hai... she's brilliant. I'm so glad aapne Naina ko mere liye chuna." Rohan said with genuine appreciation.

"What do you mean tere liye chuna... assistant hai... shaadi nahi kar raha tu usse." Sameer snapped.

"Waise shaadi ke liye bhi perfect choice lagi mujhe... agar woh single hai toh." Rohan chuckled and nanu laughed with him.

"Oho Sameer, mazaak kar raha hai Rohan. Tu yaar har baat pe bhadak mat jaaya kar." Nanu patted his shoulder, seeing his lips pressed in a thin line.

Sameer gave a quick glance to them, "Nanu aapko pata hai na mujhe aisi insulting baatein nahi pasand ladkiyon ke baare mein. Mazaak mein bhi nahi."

Rohan placed a hand on his shoulder from behind, his voice somber, "I'm sorry, bhai, par main kuch insulting nahi bol raha tha. Naina sach mein bohot efficient aur smart hai. Haan, shaadi wali baat zara mazaak mein kahi thi par I didn't mean it in a derogatory way."

Sameer softened, "I know yaar, tu bhai hai mera... you won't misbehave with a girl. Bas woh ekdum se sun ke gussa aa gaya."

"Waise bhai, all well na?" Rohan asked softly.

"Of course. Why won't it be?" Sameer shrugged.

"Nahi aise hi pucha." Rohan relaxed back in his seat.

Naina picked up Ayush on her way home. He seemed to be happy with both school and day care. His excited chatter about new friends and several new activities in school went on non stop even after they reached home. Since it was a tiring day, Ayush fell asleep immediately after dinner.

Naina stepped out on the terrace. It was like the moon waited for her.

"Thank you. Achha tha mera din. Aaj halka lag raha hai. Company bhi achhi hai aur bosses bhi. Rohan sir ne poora support diya. Aur Mr Maheshwari... woh toh boss lagte hi nahi. Aisa lagta hai koi pamper karne wale dadaji ya nanaji hain. Kitne lucky hain unke grandsons. Waise aaj tum bhi zyada khush lag rahe ho... kya mujhe koi ishaara de rahe ho... kya sach mein meri zindagi mein kuch achha hoga... kya naya sheher sach mein hum dono ke liye khushi layega? Mujhe pata hai tum koi jawab nahi doge... lekin pata nahi aisa kyon lagta hai ki tum smile kar rahe ho." Her eyes looked hopefully at the moon.

That night, Naina slept better after a long time.

Sameer tossed and turned in bed. He didn't know why he was unable to sleep. After trying several tricks... keeping his eyes tightly shut, placing the pillow pressed over his face, burying his face under the quilt... when sleep still evaded him, Sameer sat up in bed.

"Yeh neend kahan chali gayi meri... kal ki meeting itni crucial bhi nahi hai ki uski tension ho. Evening workout bhi kiya hai. Kuch bhi toh disturbing nahi hua hai... phir kyon?" He rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Placing his pillow behind him, against the high back of the bed, he leaned back on it. When he tried to run the events of the day in his mind, the slight glimpse of the new girl flashed before his eyes.

"Yeh nanu aur Rohan ne saara time girlfriend ki baatein kar ke pata nahi mere dimaag ko kya kar diya hai. Kal baar baar uss ice cream wali ladki ka khyal aa raha tha, aaj iss nayi employee ka... Naina, haan yehi naam tha... Naina." He muttered.

His eyes went wide and he straightened with a jerk, "Damn Sameer, tu kya itna effect ho gaya hai ki roz nayi ladki ke baare mein sochega? Rohan ko bada lecture de raha tha aur khud... sharm aani chahiye... kal koi aur, aaj koi aur."

He pressed his temples, hoping to rid himself of the thoughts, but another realisation hit him, "Main itna irritate kyon ho raha tha... kal wali ladki ke boyfriend se aur aaj Rohan ke mazaak se?"

Sameer pushed away the quilt and stepped out of the bed. Opening the sliding door of his room, he went out to the large balcony. Streets below were silent. At this hour, most of the lights in other houses were absent, except for the light over their gates and the street lamps. He took a few deep breaths.

The darkness reminded him of the dream that he had so often. He never mentioned it to anyone... not even to nanu. The girl in his dreams was always like a shining moon. Surrounded by the murkiness around, she glowed in her white, flowing dress. The beautiful mane of her long hair swayed behind her as she glided ahead of him. Sameer didn't know why he had this dream. He hadn't met any such girl in real life... still, the one in his dreams did not let him forget that maybe someday he would. Or so he wished. The girl never turned... he never saw her face. But she intrigued him enough to make him follow her blindly.

"Sapna hai woh... sirf ek sapna. Agar kisi ko bataunga toh mujhe pagal kahenge... ki jis ladki ki shakal nahi dikti, jise sirf sapne mein dekhta hun usse pyar ho gaya hai." The thoughts were not something that were in his control.

Sameer drew in a long gulp of air through clenched teeth, "What the hell am I thinking... pyar... impossible. Yeh sapna pata nahi kyon aata hai... maybe kabhi koi movie dekhi hogi uska kuch... Jo bhi hai, it's madness and I need to stop giving it importance."

He came back to his room, secured the door and sat on his bed. After gulping down the glass of water from side table, he pondered over the reasons of his sleeplessness and such thoughts... and realised that he was getting effected by constant teasing of his brother and nanu.

"Abse main nanu aur Rohan ki baaton pe react hi nahi karunga. Aur mummy ko bhi bol dunga ki abhi ek do saal meri shaadi ke peeche na pade. Inn sab ki baaton se aisa lagta hai jaise meri zindagi mein agar koi ladki nahi hogi toh main ek freak hun... arre yaar, manaa thodi kiya hai shaadi karne se, bas abhi nahi karna chahta. Aur yeh nanu jo pyar vyar ki stories sunate rehte hain... nahi, I'm sure aaajkal toh kisi ke saath nahi hota aisa. How can you fall in love with an unknown person? Ab nanu aur nani jaise log thodi hote hain duniya mein jo ek doosre ko har haal mein accept kar lein... ab toh sabko perfect partner chahiye. Mujhe bhi... jo meri har habit ko samjhe, meri requirements ko accept kare, meri life mein problem nahi solution ban ke aaye. Okay, solution nahi... solution toh mere paas pehle hi hai sab cheezon ka... bas woh jo bhi ho, meri life mein kuch change karne ki koshish na kare. I just want her to fit in."

His expectations from the girl who would someday enter his life spilled out unknowingly... but the words were lost in the silence of night. There was no one to hear them.

Sameer had a tough time getting up next day when the alarm went off.

"Sameer, aaj alarm band karke phir se kyon so gaya, beta? Teri tabiyat toh theek hai na?" Vishakha placed a concerned hand on his forehead.

Hearing her voice, Sameer sat up abruptly. He checked his phone, and his eyes opened wide.

"Itna late ho gaya! Maine socha tha alarm ke baad sirf paanch minute aankhen band kar leta hun aur aadha ghanta waste ho gaya. Mummy, breakfast pack karwa do. Main bas abhi aaya ready hoke." He jumped off the bed in panic and grabbed his towel from the cupboard.

"Arre lekin teri chai..." Vishakha called out from behind, pointing at the tea that she had just brought.

"Sorry mom, aaj office mein hi pi lunga." Sameer held one ear, peeping out from the bathroom door and shut it quickly.

Vishakha shook her head in resignation, "Iss ladke ke liye kaam se aage kuch nahi. Pata nahi kab sudhrega."

Along with nanu and Rohan, Sameer reached office on time.

"Barkhurdaar, mujhe Vishakha ne bataya tune breakfast nahi kiya. Chal ab tu pehle kha le phir aana Conference room mein." Nanu pointed at the breakfast packet kept on the back seat when Sameer stopped the car at main gate.

"Nanu main kha lunga. Bachha thodi hun. Abhi waise bhi bhook nahi hai, meeting ke baad kha lunga." Sameer straightened his coat, getting out of the car.

Nanu directed the helper to take the packet along with his bag to Sameer's room and turned to him, "Jab tak yeh bachhon jaisi harakatein karta rahega tab tak bachha hi hai. Bina khaye tujhe meeting mein aana allowed nahi hai. Sun liya na? Ab tere upar hai... agar teri wajah se sabko wait karte rehna pada toh achha lagega kya tujhe?"

Sameer let out an exhale, giving up, "Aapne emotional blackmail mein degree li hui hai, nanu. Fine, jaa raha hun... breakfast karne. Happy?"

"You're great, nanu. Aap bhai se har baat manwa sakte ho." Rohan smirked, following nanu as they all moved towards the lift.

Naina was ready with all the documents needed for the meeting. Dressed in a tan coloured pants and jacket suit over a black shirt, she accompanied Rohan to the Conference room few minutes later. There were already a few more people, seated with Mr Jai Prakash Maheshwari. He introduced Naina to all of them, while Rohan checked the files, taking the seat on one side of nanu.

"Uh Naina, I think humein last project ke sales details ki copy bhi chahiye hogi. I'm sorry main pehle batana bhool gaya." Rohan looked up with a guilty expression.

Naina smiled, "No problem, sir. I'll get it."

As all others got back to check if they were carrying all the necessary files, Naina walked towards the door. The moment she raised her hand to the knob, the door opened... and she was standing in front of a new face.

Sameer stood like a statue, staring into the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen.

Guess what... in the show, Samaina's first meeting was in the fifth episode, after their hits and misses. Ahem, this is the fifth chapter. Bohot planning ki maine 😂

Now a surprise... next update on Monday, instead of Tuesday 😊