Title is a song 'Meherbani' from movie 'The Shaukeens'

"Naina, are you sure tumhe kuch nahi khana?" Sameer held up his palm as Naina opened her mouth to answer, "I know, I know tumhe mann nahi ho raha abhi... lekin agar raat ko kisi bhi time bhook lage toh mujhe utha dena. Okay?"

Naina nodded with a smile, "Utha dungi. Lekin abhi so jaun please?"

He could see the traces of pain in her eyes which she was trying to hide behind a smile. He came to her side of the bed, and tucked the quilt securely around her, "Medicine li tumne?"

"Hmm. Abhi abhi li hai." She affirmed.

When Sameer walked towards the door instead of his side of the bed, she asked, "Tum kahan jaa rahe ho? Tum nahi so'oge?"

"Main bas abhi aaya." He looked back, assuring her and rushed out before she could ask more.

Within five minutes, he was back.

"Yeh lo, yeh heat pack hai. Isse rakh lo, pain se relief milega." After plugging it in the point over her bedside table, he handed the soft, pillow shaped pack to her. Naina had one at home, but forgot to get it here.

Her breath came out in a comforted exhale as the warmth seeped in after she placed it on her stomach. Sameer laid down on his side, watching her.

"Yeh kahan se laaye tum?" She tilted her head sideways, her eyes clear this time.

"Nanu ke room se. Unhe kamar mein kabhi kabhi dard hota hai tab lagate hain. Mujhe laga tumhe bhi isse aaram milega." He smiled, relieved that she was feeling better.

Unlike other days, Sameer did not grab her waist, rather made her sleep in the crook of his arm. It was sometime in the night that his eyes flew open, feeling the bedside light sting in his eyes.

"Naina, kya hua? Wahan kya kar rahi ho?" He was startled to see Naina kneeling on the floor next to the bed.

She looked up, "Uh Sameer, sorry tum disturb ho gaye. Mujhe andhere mein kuch dikh nahi raha tha isliye light on ki."

"Lekin tum neeche kyon baithi ho? Kya dekhna hai?" He dragged himself towards the edge to take a peek under the bed.

Naina pointed at the metal box under the bed which contained bed linen, "Mujhe ek blanket chahiye."

"Tumhe thand lag rahi hai? Fever ho gaya kya?" He touched her forehead, which was thankfully cool.

She stood up, slightly hesitant, "Mujhe pairon pe kuch heavy chahiye... legs mein discomfort hota hai."

It took a while for Sameer to assimilate that she was facing problems because of her present state. When it dawned on him, he jumped from the bed, kneeling next to her, and pulled out the box. Within minutes, Naina was back in bed, with a folded blanket over her legs.

Switching off the light, Sameer placed a hand on her cheek, "Ab theek hai?"

She nodded, but the blanket was too soft and fluffy to give her the kind of weighty feeling that she wanted. However, there wasn't anything better in the box, she had noticed. Feeling his warmth next to her, she closed her eyes, hoping the irritating cramps in her legs ease out soon.

Naina had no recollection in the morning when she fell asleep inspite of the soreness in her legs, but she wasn't feeling much tired surprisingly. And her legs no longer throbbed with the same twinge. Rather, there was a comforting weight over them. She craned her neck to see if Sameer had put some extra quilt. But the one she had taken last night was lying crumpled at the edge on the bed.

Folded at the knee, Sameer had his leg over hers, pressing her with his weight. Her face broke into a tender smile. This weight was more soothing than the heavy blanket she used at home, which was kind of suffocating than relieving. She laid back, a feeling of contentment coursing through her. The way he was holding her hand, pressing her arm with his, but not flipping it over her belly like he always did, the way he had pinned her legs with his weight, the way he had taken effort to find out about her needs by searching the net... and brought her chocolate... it all was too overwhelming. His care, his concern for most trivial of her requirements made her eyes dampen.

Taking his hand, she pulled it to her lips, and placed a kiss on his palm.

Sameer stirred at the touch of her lips. He smiled with half open eyes, "Maine sapne mein aisa kya kar diya jo subah subah yeh gift mil raha hai?"

She again brought up his hand and kissed the palm, "Maine koi sapna nahi dekha."

He was enjoying this special treatment but her words made his eyes open fully, "Kya? Tum mujhe sapno mein bhi nahi aane deti? Kya yaar Naina, yeh toh galat hai na. Ek main hun jo saari raat apni jaan ke sapne dekhta hun aur tum..."

She turned towards him, "Meri hakeekat itni khoobsurat hai ki mujhe sapno ki zarurat hi nahi... tum mere kisi bhi sapne se kahin zyada pyare ho."

His puffed cheeks relaxed instantly. Drawing their clasped hands towards his lips, he kissed her knuckles, "Bas aise hi tareef karti raha karo. Achha lagta hai."

She chuckled at his hunger for praises, "Tum khud hi apni tareef kar lete ho. Meri kya zarurat hai."

He pouted, then smiled. Waking up to her kisses and smile was something he wanted to get used to.

When he moved slightly, the position of his leg registered to him. He pulled it back immediately, giving her an alarmed look, "Naina main... pata nahi main kaise... shayad neend mein..."

Before he could apologise, she said in a calm voice, "Shayad issi wajah se main raat ko aaram se so paayi."

Only then he recalled how she had been writhing her legs repeatedly at night. He had placed double blanket over them, still she wasn't comfortable. Though her eyes were closed, he wasn't sure she was asleep. When she let out a painful sigh, he threw away the blanket and put his leg on her. Surprisingly, Naina had relaxed within few minutes. He too had drifted off to sleep after watching her breathe easy.

His frown was replaced by relief, "Thank God tumhe neend toh theek se aayi. Ab kaisa lag raha hai? Abhi bhi pain hai kya?"

"Nahi. Ab koi pain nahi hai." She got up from the bed, tying her hair in a bun at the top of her head, "Main naha leti hun phir tum ready ho jaana."

"Tum aaj office se chutti kar lo. Main nanu ko bata dunga." Sameer proposed as she opened the cupboard.

"Chutti kyon?" She picked out clothes for office.

"Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi hai. Phir se kal jaisa hua toh." He pursed his lips.

Naina smiled, "Main theek hun Sameer. Iss baat ke liye leave lene ki zarurat nahi hai. Ladkiyon ko aadat hoti hai. Don't worry."

He was lost in thoughts after Naina was gone. He had known her for almost a year now. She had been coming to office regularly. Every month she must have gone through same pain and discomfort, but never did he see her with any signs in office. There might have been times when she would have spent sleepless nights with aching limbs, and had a hectic day in office too.

No wonder nanu said women were much stronger as compared to men... he was never talking about physical strength, he was talking about their ability to endure pain, be it physical or emotional. The kind of trauma Naina had gone through was unthinkable. When nanu had fallen sick, just the thought of him going away had broken him. Naina had lived the nightmare of losing her parents... both at the same time... in such a cruel and unexpected manner. They were not just family, but her only support, her safety net... after the hell she had been subjected to.

"I promise Naina, ab tumhe sirf khushiyan milengi. Apne hisse se kahin zyada dard jhel liye tumne. Ab main kisi dard ko tumhare paas nahi aane dunga." He made a promise more to himself than to her.

The day at office wasn't much tiring, but at the end of it, Naina could feel the stiffness in her back and legs. All she wanted was to lie down, and loosen her aching muscles. She was thankful Sameer had insisted on bringing her in his car today. She was in no mood to maneuver through the heavy evening traffic on roads.

"Tired?" He asked when she laid her head on the seat as they left office.

"Hmm. Thoda backache ho gaya. Koi nahi. Ghar jaake rest karungi toh ghante bhar mein chala jayega." She replied, keeping her eyes closed.

At home, Sameer was quick to switch on the heat pack the moment they entered their room. By the time Naina came out after changing into loose comfortable clothes, there was a steaming mug of coffee on the side table. Sameer placed the heat pack behind her, and made her sit comfortably before handing her the mug.

"Tumhe itna sab karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Mujhe koi bimari thodi hui hai." Naina laughed seeing him fussing over her.

He stilled, looking into her eyes, "Dubara aisa mat kehna. Tumhe kuch hone bhi nahi dunga main."

She put aside her mug and leaned ahead to wrap her arms around him, placing her head on his chest, "I'm sorry."

Sameer held her delicately, "Main tumhare liye jitna bhi karun mujhe kam lagta hai. Please, mujhe apni Naina ka khyal rakhna se mat roko."

Later, when he asked her to turn around, after he observed her rubbing her back, Naina complied without a word. Though she had to press her lips to prevent the gasp when he lifted her tshirt a little, his hands on her lower back were instantly calming. Takin a few drops of oil, he massaged her back with light fingers, pressing his thumb pads to give her relief. More than the actual massage, it was his touch that alleviated her pain.

After she asked him to stop, he adjusted her clothes and made her lie with the heat pack again, saying that it would make her feel good. Taking her mug, he had just reached the door when Naina called out to her.

"Sameer."

He turned, looking at her with anxious eyes, fearing that she was still uncomfortable.

"I love you." She smiled, making him flash a wide grin before he blew her a kiss and left.

By next day, Naina was fine. Nonetheless, she had to pinch her throat to make Sameer believe that she did not have any problem anymore.

Two days later was the day off. Sameer was in library with nanu, on a video conference with Vivek and Rohan while Naina was working on her laptop in her room after lunch when a knock at the door made her look up.

"Hey sister cum bhabhi cum jethani ji." Preeti's chirpy voice resonated in the room.

"Kahan gayab thi itne din?" Naina expressed annoyance at her absence for more than a week though she was elated to see her.

Slouching on the chair, Preeti checked her phone, and started to type furiously while talking, "Arre puch mat. Hectic ho gaya tha. Rajasthan ke teen cities ka round maarna pada. Waise toh woh Saumya ka area hai lekin uske bhai ki shaadi thi isliye usne mujhe bola. Toh main chali gayi. Ab usse report bhi de di."

By the time her explanation ended, so did her typing, and she put away the phone, grinning, "Tujhe pata hai na mera dil hi aisa hai... kisi ki help karne ko na nahi bol sakti. I'm too good yaar."

"Of course." Naina said with a deliberate smile, "Tum bachpan se yahan aati ho na?"

Preeti shrugged in acceptance.

"Aksar khaana bhi khaati hogi." She asked.

Preeti smiled fondly, "Apne ghar se zyada yahan khati hun... abhi tak. Vishakha aunty bina khaye jaane hi nahi deti. Kabhi kabhi toh mummy gussa ho jaati hain... kehti hain unhe lagta hai main unki beti nahi koi mehman hun." She paused her reminiscing, and looked strangely at Naina, "Lekin aisa kyon pucha tune?"

Naina rolled her eyes, "Iss ghar ke khane mein hi kuch hai shayad. Har koi khud ki tareef karne mein number one hai. Tum bhi."

"Lekin sabse zyada toh ek hi hai... tera Sameer." Preeti winked.

"Bohot self obsessed hai. Lekin phir bhi bohot cute hai." She scrunched her nose adoringly.

"Hayee. Kitna achha lag raha hai tujhe bhi aise pyar mein doobe hue dekh ke." Preeti hugged her.

"Achha sun," Parting from her, she grabbed the packet she had brought, "Main Rajasthan se tere liye yeh set laayi hun. Pehen ke dikha na."

Naina opened the packet to reveal a beautiful bandhej ensemble. It comprised of a flared skirt in red, pink and rust, with gota work, a blouse in pink with embellished neck and a long dupatta with same gota pattern at the edges.

"Preeti, yeh toh bohot sundar hai. Lekin tum kyon..." Naina abruptly paused at Preeti's annoyed expression.

"Ab tu apna 'iski kya zarurat thi' ki formality wala pitara mat khol. Jaake pehen ke aa. Main bhi toh dekhun meri behen meri choice mein kaisi lagti hai." Preeti pushed her towards the washroom.

When Naina stepped out after a few minutes, Preeti let out an appreciative whistle, "My my. Look at you. Rajasthani princess lag rahi hai."

"Kuch bhi." Naina frowned, walking towards the mirror, "The dress is really nice, bas blouse thoda loose hai."

Preeti followed her, "Woh isliye ki tune sirf upar ki ek dori band ki hai. Naina dear, yeh Preeti ki shopping hai tere liye. Umm... mujhe yaad hai trial room wali... allergy." She chuckled as Naina flushed at the memory, "Isliye maine socha thoda aur saaman laa dun teri allergy ke liye. I'm sure, iss baar sirf neck pe hi nahi, yahan bhi allergy ho jayegi." She tickled Naina's back which was left exposed in a differently styled blouse with its open doris.

"Preeti." Naina shrieked, running away from her. Thankfully, Preeti didn't continue with her teasing, summoning her after raising her hands in surrender.

"Ab dori baandhne de aur dekh kaisi lagti hai tujhpe yeh dress." She stood behind Naina, facing the mirror.

After she tied the lower most string, she opened the top one to adjust others properly. Her action made the neck slip a little over Naina's shoulder who had not even looked up till Preeti's cleared her throat.

"Uhu uhu."

"Kya hai ab?" Naina glanced at her over her other shoulder.

Preeti maintained a straight face, "Maine kuch nahi dekha... na kuch bolungi."

Perplexed, Naina checked her reflection in the mirror... and the stark blue mark on her shoulder glared back at her. Mortified, she pulled the dupatta over her shoulder.

"It's okay behen. Mujhse shy hone ki zarurat nahi hai." Preeti's voice was smooth, without any hint of her usual naughty smirk.

"Aisa... aisa kuch nahi hai. Yeh toh bas..." Naina blurted nervously.

Preeti finished tying the doris and tugged at her hand to make her turn. With a smile, she pinched Naina's cheek, "Bas ke aage nahi sunna mujhe. Naina, honestly, I'm so happy for you. Tujhe behen maana hai, jhoot nahi bolungi... teri aankhon mein jo khaalipan dikhta tha na, woh mujhe bohot disturb karta tha. Jab Sameer se pata chala woh tujhse pyar karta hai, main roz pray karne lagi ki ab jaldi se tu uska pyar dekh ke apne dil ke darwaze khol de. Lekin kabhi kabhi ek ajeeb sa darr lagta tha... jaise tu chahti hi nahi koi tere kareeb aaye. Sameer bhi mere liye bohot special hai aur yeh soch ke main kaanp jaati thi ki agar tune usse na keh diya toh woh sehen nahi kar payega. Tumhari shaadi ki news jitni shocking thi utni hi khushi leke aayi thi. Phir bhi kuch tha tere behaviour mein... jaise tu accept nahi kar paa rahi hai iss rishte ko. Mujhe nahi pata Sameer ne tujhe kaise manaaya, par ab teri aankhen pehle jaisi nahi hai. I can see genuine happiness in them. Aur yeh nishaan... Sameer ki taraf se main sure thi... aaj teri acceptance bhi dekh li."

The embarrassment left Naina as Preeti poured her concern for her. She smiled warmly, "Sameer ke pyar ki dastak ho toh koi bhi darwaza kaise band reh sakta hai Preeti. Sameer ne har khaalipan ko bhar diya hai. Main sach mein bohot lucky hun ki mujhe Sameer jaisa saathi mila hai. Usne sirf mujhe hi nahi Ayush ko bhi dil se apna maana hai."

"Ayush ko adopt karne ka tumhara decision mujhe ekdum perfect laga. Abhi woh bohot chota hai isliye samajh nahi paata lekin thoda bada hote hi usse apne parents ki kami ka ahsaas hone lagta. Tum dono ne usse yeh rishta deke uski life main aane wali har insecurity ko pehle hi khatam kar diya. Aur Sameer ko toh bachhon se hamesha se itna pyar hai ki pucho mat. Ayush ko kaise pamper karega ab dekhna." Preeti exclaimed with shining eyes.

Naina could already see the changes. While earlier he stopped himself, feeling that she might not approve of his actions, now he would gang up with Ayush to sneak in chocolates any time of the day or treat him to icecreams discreetly in the kitchen... even get puzzles and other gifts, hiding from her.

Preeti nudged Naina, "Abhi se aisa haal hai Naina... aage kya hoga... jab aur bachhe bhi ayenge."

Though she knew what Preeti meant, Naina did not show that she got the hint. Smiling at her, she countered, "Tumhare bachhon ko bhi aise hi pamper karega. Chachu ki jaan honge tumhare babies... jitne bhi plan kiye hain."

"Arre pagal main keh rahi hun..." Preeti's sentence was cut short when Ayush sauntered in the room, holding his colour book, "Nainaa, dekho maine Spiderman ko kitna nice colour kiya."

He flashed a wide grin at Preeti, "Hello Preeti." Giving an appreciative look to Naina's dress, he was excited, "Aaj tumhari shaadi hai kya? Sameer papa ne toh kaha tha two weeks ke baad hai."

Everything he said made Preeti swoon, "Yaar tu itna pyara kaise hai? Tujhe maine kyon nahi adopt kiya."

Both Naina and Ayush were puzzled by her sudden remark. She shifted closer to where Ayush was propped on the bed, "Pehli baat toh tune meri laayi hui dress ki tareef kari, usse shaadi ki dress samjha matlab tareef hui na... phir tune kaha Sameer papa... kitna adorable laga sunke. Lekin Naina ko abhi tak Naina kyon bolta hai? Agar Sameer papa hai toh Naina teri mumma hui na?"

Ayush couldn't completely understand what she said, but her question was clear to him, "Aapko bhi nahi pata? Offo aap sab kitne buddhu ho. Naina ko mumma tab bolunga na jab woh shaadi karegi. Mere sab friends ke mumma papa ki shaadi hui hai. Two weeks ke baad se Naina ko mumma bolunga kyonki Sameer papa ne kaha hai two weeks mein shaadi hogi. Naina, Preeti ko bula lein shaadi mein?" He looked back at Naina.

Ignoring Preeti's eye roll, she dipped her head, making him grin in delight.

Preeti raised a brow, "Waise toh tera yeh naam se bolna cute lagta hai lekin mujhe bhi maasi sunne ka bada mann hai. Tu mujhe maasi kab bolega?"

Ayush looked at Naina again, further confused as he had never heard this term before.

"Mumma ki sister ko maasi bolte hain. Ab Preeti meri behen hai toh maasi hui na teri... ab se aise hi bola kar." Naina smiled at him. The fact that Ayush would get all these relations, and beautiful memories to cherish for his later life filled her with gratitude for Sameer and his family.

She fondly stroked his cheek, "Yeh sab hamari family hain, Ayush. Inko kabhi naaraz mat karna."

He shook his head vehemently, "Main toh kabhi bhi kisiko naraaz nahi karta. Main good boy hun. Ma'am ne bhi kaha tha."

Naina pulled him in her lap, wrapping her arms around him as she placed a kiss on his head, "Woh toh tu hai, sabse good boy. Mera good beta."

Preeti looked at them with adoring eyes... a loving bond that had changed into even more doting and affectionate relationship.

Down with a bad cold and headache. Guess I'll take rest for a day. Next update on Wednesday.