Title is the song 'Ik tu hi yaar mera' from movie 'Pati Patni Aur Woh'

Next morning, Sameer went to meet nanu after getting dressed for office.

"Ab aap kaise hain? Koi pain toh nahi hai na?" He was glad to find him sitting upright, reading a newspaper.

"Dekh le, tere saamne bhala changa baitha hun." Putting the paper aside, nanu spread his arms.

Sameer smiled, "Bas mujhe apne nanu ko aise hi dekhna hai. Jaldi se bilkul fit hoke office join kijiye. Aapko miss kar raha hun."

Nanu quirked up a brow, "Achha? Mujhe miss kar raha hai? Ab toh car mein bhi Naina, office mein bhi Naina ke hi room mein kursi laga li hogi tune... mujhe miss karne ka time kab mila?"

Sameer pursed his lips, "Woh nanu..." And he went on to explain how Naina wanted things to remain unchanged.

"Oh!" Nanu leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a while before speaking, "Sameer, woh bhi apni jagah sahi hai. Shaadi ko chupaane ka kaaran ya toh gharwale hote hain ya phir kuch aisa jispe log ungliyan uthaye. Ab tumhare case mein pehla option toh hai nahi. Naina zarur doosri baat se ghabra rahi hai. Beta, I think humein jaldi hi poore tareeke se tum dono ki shaadi karani chahiye. Tujhe pata hai main logon ki baton ki parwah nahi karta, lekin Naina aur teri image ke liye yeh zaruri hai. Jo respect usse milna chahiye, woh zabardasti ka na ho, isliye duniya ke aage shaadi karna ek necessity hai."

Sameer heartily accepted, "Bas aap ek baar fit ho jaiye, nanu, hum sab kuch organise kar lenge."

He winked at his grandson, "Haan haan pata hai. Tera utavalapan chupa nahi hai mujhse."

With a faint blush, Sameer lowered his head, "Main toh bas..."

"Shaadi mein bhi aise dulhan ki tarah sharmayega kya? Arre yaar, seena thok ke bol, haan nanu, mujhse intezar nahi ho raha Naina se phir se shaadi karne ka." Nanu roared in laughter.

Naina, who had just entered the room, gave him a concerned look, "Nanu, aap itni zor se kyon hans rahe hain? Aapko rest karna chahiye. Zyada stressful baat ke saath saath zyada khushi bhi avoid karni chahiye." She turned to Sameer, "Aisa kya keh diya aapne jo nanu itne khush ho gaye."

"Uh... main... maine bas... nahi, maine kuch nahi kaha... nanu, maine thodi kuch bola aapko. Haina?" Sameer stood up, fumbling for words at her sudden appearance.

"Haan beta, Sameer toh mujhe shaadi... mera matlab... contract ki details de raha tha... ki woh kitna utavala hai iss naye contract ke liye." Nanu stopped laughing, but a mischievous smile didn't leave his face.

Sameer gaped at him, before quickly peering at Naina, who was already looking at him.

Nanu riveted his gaze between the two of them, as their eyes remained locked.

When they appeared to have forgotten his presence, he cleared his throat noisily, making them sharply turn their faces to him.

"Woh gale mein kuch atak gaya. Sameer, zara paani laana, yahan khatam ho gaya hai." Nanu extended his empty bottle to Sameer.

Once he was gone, nanu looked at Naina affectionately, "Main bilkul theek hun. Lekin main isse bhi zyada theek ho jaunga jab tum dono ki shaadi dekh lunga."

"Jee nanu?" Naina was startled.

"Haan bhai, tum dono ki doosri shaadi karwani hai na. Main soch raha tha jitni jaldi ho jaaye utna achha hai." There was a new excitement in his voice.

Naina felt an unknown fear grip her. She wrenched her hands, "Woh sab baad mein dekh lenge, nanu. Abhi Ayush ko bhi nahi bataya hai. Hum... hum iske baare mein phir kabhi baat karenge."

At breakfast table, Vivek expressed the same opinion as Sameer, that Ayush didn't have to go to daycare anymore, as there were quite a few helpers at home, besides family.

Naina responded with her earlier reasoning, "Ayush is comfortable with it, papa. Usse koi problem nahi hai wahan."

Vishakha took Naina by surprise when she also suggested the same, "Pehle tum akeli thi toh Ayush ke liye koi option nahi tha. Ab hum log hain na. I'm sure Ayush hamare saath bhi comfortable feel karta hai. Itni baar yahan aaya hai, usse yahan ki bhi aadat ho hi gayi hogi."

Naina gave her a contemplative look before lowering her eyes, "It's okay, ma'm. Yahan woh aap logon ko disturb karega."

"Lo, disturb kyon karega. Hum toh Ayush ki company enjoy karte hain. Mujhe bachhon ke saath rehna bohot pasand hai. Aur yeh kya, tum abhi tak ma'm pe atki ho, maine kaha tha mujhe mummy bolo." Vishakha sounded perfectly plausible.

Under the table, Sameer clasped Naina's hand. She sat still, feeling his warm support seeping into her.

"Mummy, Ayush ke liye ek saath itne changes theek nahi rahenge shayad. Hum dheere dheere usse sab kuch batayenge. Abhi chota hai woh, itna sab kuch ekdum se samajh nahi payega. Isliye maine aur Naina ne decide kiya ki uska schedule pehle jaisa hi rehne dete hain." He explained in a smooth voice.

Vishakha shrugged, "Okay. Agar tum logon ne decide kar liya hai toh main kya keh sakti hun. Lekin meri taraf se tumhe poori freedom hai. Ayush bhi hamare liye ab family hai. Aisa mat sochna ki woh Naina ka bhai hai toh humein koi problem hai. Ab bichare ko akela thodi chod ke aa sakti thi Naina. Aur phir hamare ghar mein koi kami thodi hai jo ek extra person ke aane se pareshan ho jaayein."

'Thank you, ma... mummy." The constraint in Naina's voice was subtle, but Sameer could feel it clearly.

The day at office was quite hectic, not giving him a chance to talk to her about it. Only after they were back home in the evening, did he bring up the topic.

"Naina, please tum mummy ki kisi baat se upset mat hona. I know unhone jo kaha... I mean, unhe aise baat nahi karni chahiye lekin shayad woh abhi tak humse naaraz hain. But you don't worry, ek baar unka gussa khatam hua toh dekhna, woh sabse kitna pyar karti hain." He tried to comfort her as he was aware how his mom's behaviour was effecting Naina.

She smiled, shaking her head, "Koi baat nahi, Sameer. Unhone kuch galat toh nahi kaha. Main upset nahi hun. "

He observed how the smile did not reach her eyes. She moved around the room, putting away clothes that Ramdhari had brought from the drycleaner. Sitting on the bed, Sameer watched her silently, placing his blazers and shirts as well, on his side of the cupboard. An idea began forming in his mind. If it was shown in so many movies, it must be effective.

"Ayush kahan hai?" He asked casually.

"Deepika ke saath khel raha hai. Tuition se aake woh thodi der Ayush ke saath rehti hai phir apni studies ke liye jaati hai, dinner tak." She replied, making him smile in contentment... it had been just two days and she was already telling him how things worked in this house.

"Main dekh ke aata hun." He went out.

Sameer had barely left the room when his phone started to ring.

"Jee papa." He answered his dad's call.

"Sameer, UK wale clients ka call aane wala hai. Main aur Rohan library mein hain, tum bhi aa jao jaldi." Vivek reminded him.

"I'll be right there." Sameer rushed to the library.

After taking his medicine, nanu turned to put the glass back on the side table when he noticed the door of his room move.

"Kaun hai wahan?" He craned his neck.

A few seconds of silence prevailed, then a little head peeked from behind, clutching the door with one hand.

Nanu's face lit up, "Arre chote partner, wahan kyon chupe ho? Aao, andar aao."

Ayush stepped out of hiding, still holding the door, "Main aa jaun?"

Nanu gestured with his hand, calling him inside.

With a big grin pasted on his face, Ayush hopped in.

"Aise chup ke kya dekh raha tha? Nanu ke room mein pehle bhi toh aata tha." Nanu pinched his cheek.

Ayush scratched his head, scrunching his nose in confusion, "Pehle toh aa jaata tha lekin ab Naina ne bola kisi ke room mein bina knock kiye nahi jaana, aur aapko fever hai isliye aapko disturb nahi karna."

Nanu smiled at Naina's instructions, patting his cheek fondly, "Mera fever theek ho gaya. Mera partner mere paas kabhi bhi aa sakta hai, kyonki ab toh hum saath rehte hain. Waise Naina ne theek kaha kisis ke room mein jaane se pehle knock karna good habit hai. Lekin ab yeh tera aur Naina ka bhi ghar hai, isliye mere paas bina knock kiya aa jaaya kar."

Ayush rounded his eyes, "Abse hum dono yahin rahenge?"

Nanu nodded.

"Lekin Naina ko toh jaana padega." Ayush recollected something before saying.

Nanu furrowed his brows, "Kahan jaana padega?"

Ayush settled on the other side of the bed crossing his legs, ready to explain the process, "Dekho, abhi thode din baad main Naina ki shaadi karwaunga. Phir woh bhi ekdum beautiful jaise ready hoke jayegi na, jiske saath uski shaadi hogi... jaise Dhruv ki behen gayi thi. Mujhe sab pataa hai, maine dekha tha shaadi kaise hoti hai. Naina ki shaadi mein main sab kaam kar sakta hun."

Nanu raised his brows, marvelling at how much he was able to grasp at such a young age, then smiled, "Naina ki shaadi kisse karwayega?"

Ayush pondered, roaming his eyes in deep thoughts, before looking back, "Pata nahi? Kisse karwaun?"

Nanu pretended to think, "Umm, koi bohot achha sa ladka jo Naina ka friend bhi ho, aur Naina usse achhe se jaanti ho."

Ayush set thinking aloud, "Naina ke aur toh koi friends nahi hain, bas Dhruv aur Farhan, lekin woh toh bas three baar aaye the hamare ghar. Naina achhe se jaanti hai kya unko?"

"Three baar hi aaye hain? Toh woh cancel. Aur kaun aata tha tumhare ghar, roz roz?" Nanu prompted him.

Ayush frowned, "Aur toh koi aata hi nahi tha. Ab main kya karun? Naina ki shaadi kiske saath karun?"

Nanu tapped his head in fake annoyance, "Aata toh tha... Sameer. Itni jaldi bhool gaya."

Ayush slapped his forehead, "Sameer toh mere friend hain. Aapko itna bhi nahi pata?"

Nanu gave him an amused look, "Toh kya Sameer Naina se baat nahi karta tha?"

"Karte hain na. Woh Naina ke sir hain." Ayush informed, tilting his head intelligently.

Nanu rounded his mouth, nodding in realisation, "Oh haan. Lekin maine dekha hai, Naina Sameer se bohot saari baatein karti hai. Tujhe nahi lagta woh ab friends bhi hain."

Ayush was again lost in thoughts, "Friends?" He looked up at nanu with apprehensive eyes, "Agar main bolunga toh Naina Sameer se shaadi kar legi?"

"Bilkul kar legi." Nanu affirmed.

Ayush jumped from the bed.

Nanu held his arm before he could sprint away, "Kahan jaa raha hai?"

"Naina ko bolne." He replied matter of factly.

Nanu suppressed the laugh that rumbled within, to maintain the seriousness, "Aise nahi. Hum dono milke unko dheere dheere samjhayenge. Jaisa main bolunga waise hi karna."

Ayush waved his head excitedly, "Okay. Hum unki shaadi kara denge. Phir Naina ko kahin nahi jaana padega, hum sab yahin rahenge. Lekin shaadi ke saare flowers kahan se layenge?"

This time, nanu gave in to the urge to laugh aloud, pulling his cheeks, "Hum dono sab kuch le ayenge. Dekhna, hum Sameer aur Naina ki kitni achhi wali shaadi karenge."

The little boy was thrilled with the idea, and settled down on nanu's bed again, telling him what all needed to be arranged for a marriage, since he had seen one. They were lost in their discussion when Naina's voice fell in their ears, making them go silent instantly.

"Ayush, tu kabse yahan baitha hai? Nanu ko tang kyon kar raha hai, unhe rest karne de." She walked in, frowning at him.

Nanu raised a palm, "Nahi beta, mujhe tang nahi kar raha. Iske saath baat karke toh main aur bhi fresh feel kar raha hun. Aur jaisa tumne sikhaya hai, Ayush waise hi knock karke aaya tha mere paas."

She flushed, "Woh maine... iski aadat hai, kahin bhi bhaag jaata hai isliye... warna sabko disturb karta."

Nanu gave her a pleasant smile, "Apne bachhon se koi disturb nahi hota. Achha yeh batao, aaj kya milega mujhe dinner mein? Koi nayi dish... ya kisi aur sabzi ko jala ke daalogi mere soup mein?" He chuckled.

"Jalaya nahi tha, nanu, bas roast kiya tha." Naina defended herself, pouting.

"Naina, mushroom soup bana do na, sab colours ke mushroom wala." Ayush came to her, tugging at her hand to accept his demand.

Nanu was surprised, "Colour wale mushroom?"

Naina was quick to respond, "Haan hamare wahan milte hain. Yahan bhi hain. Main aapke liye banati hun. Healthy hota hai aur aapko achha bhi lagega."

Dipping his head, nanu accepted without any more questions. He could see there was some story behind coloured mushrooms, but he didn't want Ayush's illusion to be broken for now.

"Chal Ayush, ab nanu ko aaram karne de." She held his hand and took him along.

At night, when Naina came to the room, Sameer was busy on his laptop. He had finished his dinner fast and returned to the room to work on details that were discussed in the conference call.

"Kuch important hai kya? Can I help?" She offered.

Sameer threw her a quick glance with smile, "Actually papa ke naye project pe unki help kar raha hun. Factory ke kuch details hain jiski list unhe chahiye. Ek write up chahiye hamare operational procedures ke baare mein. Tum so jao main library mein jaa ke kar leta hun." He was about to get up when she stalled him.

"Nahi. Aap aaram se kar lijiye. I'm fine. In fact, agar app kahein toh write up main bana dun?" She felt concerned about him staying up till late and getting up early again the next day.

"Okay. Main tumhe points forward kar deta hun. Kuch details company ki website se le lena." Sameer accepted, and sent her the relevant mails.

Naina propped up against the pillow on her bed, rolled the quilt and placed it in her lap, with laptop on it. She checked his mails, read the corroborating portions on website and started to type furiously. Almost an hour later, she ended the long report and mailed it to Sameer. Putting away the laptop, she stretched her legs and rubbed the neck which ached because the level of her keyboard was too low.

"Uh Naina, isme offline campaign ke components bhi add kar do please." Sameer called out a few minutes later, without looking back.

She curled her legs again, but took a pillow in place of the quilt. within a few minutes, her work was done. Sameer finished when she was attaching the revised document to mail him. He looked back to find her engrossed, the light of laptop falling on her face to show her knitted brows more clearly. He felt guilty for piling his work on her.

"Naina, bas ab rehne do. Baaki subah kar lenge. I'm sorry maine tumhe..." He started with the apology, only to be cut by her.

"Ho gaya. Maine aapko mail kar diya hai." She raised her head, closing her laptop.

"Good. Bohot late ho gaya." He stood up, flexed his shoulders and came to bed.

When he remained seated on the edge, with one leg folded under him, looking at her, she shifted uncomfortably, "Aap... aap so jaiye na. Thak gaye honge."

"Kaise?" His strange question made her look at him.

"Agar apne pillow pe sounga toh tum naaraz na ho jao... aur agar bina pillow ke soya toh raat bhar apne takiye se jalta rahunga... jo tumhare itne paas hai." He pointed at his pillow in her lap.

With a start, Naina peeled off the pillow, her face turning red, "So... sorry. Maine laptop ke liye... I'm sorry."

"Arre yaar, aise phenko mat. Special hai yeh. Jab tak tum nahi... tab tak issi ko gale laga ke sona hai." He winked.

It wasn't possible to colour any deeper, than what now spread on her face.

Sameer clutched the pillow to his chest with one arm, and took her hand with other. She gulped, having no idea what he was upto. He slowly lifted it to his lips, and kissed on the inside of her palm, looking at her with glittering eyes, "I love you."

She closed the hand into a fist after he let go. Lying in bed, with her back to him, she haltingly brought the fist up, and placed it on her heart, shutting her eyes.

The pillow Sameer held in his arms now smelled of her. He inhaled deeply, filling himself with her scent, falling asleep to meet her in dreams.

Next morning, Naina was hurriedly putting all essentials in her bag when Sameer called out, "Oh no! Naina, dekho yeh kya ho gaya."

She turned to find him standing with two open buttons of his shirt, holding the tiny button that had come off.

"Tumhe lagana aata hai na? Jaldi se laga do please, papa ke clients ke saath meeting hai." He pleaded with an innocent face.

She took two steps towards him, keeping her eyes on the threads that were hanging loose on the button panel, and rushed back to the cupboard. Sameer did a mental hi five to himself... his plan had worked. Now Naina would stand close to him, her eyes would drift to his chest, then she would shyly look up to see of he noticed, and her cheeks would be painted that adorable shade of pink that he loved when she'll see that he caught her watching him. When she would finish doing it, he would give her a quick peck on her cheek, saying it was his way of thanking her... probably she would also...

His thoughts were put to halt at her voice, "Yeh lijiye."

Sameer's jaw fell to the ground.

Naina stood with another white shirt, with all its buttons intact, "Iske saare buttons sahi hai, aap jaldi se change kar lijiye."

"Lekin mujhe yehi wali pehenni thi. Iska button laga do na." He whined.

"Sab toh white hain, Sameer. Kya farq padta hai. Same hi toh hai. Aap yeh wali pehen lijiye. Main nikalti hun." She placed the shirt on his extended hand which was in air in anticipation to go around her waist after she had stitched the button.

All Sameer could do was to stare at the door through which she had rushed out.

"Hadd hai. Films nahi dekhti kya." He muttered in frustration, tearing the remaining buttons of the shirt and throwing it away, "Itna achha plan tha. Lekin nahi inhe toh saare romance ki aisi ki taisi karni hai. Mujhe kaunsa button lagwana tha. Ek baar paas aake dekh toh sakti thi. Seedhe shirt pakda ke chali gayi. Arre yaar, thodi sympathy hi dikha deti. Bas solution dikha diya. Itna dimag pyar mein laga le toh meri life ban jaaye. Lekin pyar ke maamle mein toh abhi kindergarten mein hi hain madam, baaki sab mein Phd kar rakhi hai. Sameer beta, iski pitch pe khelna bohot mushkil hai... tujhe bohot mehnat karni padegi."

In her car, Naina smiled as she thought about his morning antics. The threads were clearly cut with a scissor. She could see the neat, even ends hanging from his shirt. Had their relationship been normal, it was a beautiful, romantic move... and she would have complied. Her smile turned sad as the reality sunk in... she could not have such moments to cherish.

Another two days passed with more or less similar routine. Naina was always extra careful about nanu's diet. She prepared different dishes for him as he started to eat semi solid food. Seeing him getting back the energy and healthy glow on face gave her immense relief.

Sameer, surprisingly, didn't make any more attempts to get close to her. In office, he remained excessively busy, and even when they were together, they always had company of other staff members. At home, he was working till late night.

After a hectic week, Naina had slept without putting an early morning alarm for next day, it being a holiday. Hence, for the first time since she had come home, Sameer got up to find her sleeping on Saturday morning.

Every night, she slept with her back to him. But now, she had turned to his side, one hand tucked under her cheek, while one palm laid open next to the pillow. Her face glowed with a freshness that could put the first rays of sun to shame. The way her hair spread like a silky curtain on the pillow behind her, it brought new fantasies to his mind. Her long, curly lashes rested on her cheeks in a sharp contrast to the milky skin. Since the quilt was little below her chin, he could see the rhythmic movement of her shoulder as she slept peacefully.

He wished he could slip in with her, and feel her warm breath on his chest as she snuggled into him. How blissful it would be to wake up with her in his arms everyday. His eyes darted to her hand. Gingerly, he placed his palm over it. Instantly, her fingers tightened around it, leaving him stunned. He looked at her eyes. They were still shut. She was asleep.

And then, she dragged their joined hands towards herself, placing it under her cheek. As his fingers touched her smooth skin, a serene smile curled her lips. Shifting closer to her to keep the hand where she wanted, Sameer held his breath. He didn't want to move again, lest it disrupted the dream that was making her happy. He didn't know how much time passed, but he wasn't bothered. This was the best morning of his life, and if he could, he would have frozen this moment in time.

"Ummm." Naina stirred a little, her face rubbing against his hand.

He kept watching, without blinking.

Her smile widened, and she sunk her face more into his large palm. After staying in the same position for a few seconds, the smile vanished, and her brows furrowed. Slowly, she opened her eyes. First vision was of the dark blue t-shirt... and it was too close.

Her eyes snapped open.

Sameer was half lying on the bed, right next to her, his eyes fixed on her.

"Aap... aap yahan..." She gasped, lifting herself on the elbow.

"Meri galti nahi hai. Tumne hi pakad ke rakha hai." He smiled.

"Maine?" She was shocked, then her eyes shot to their hands... her strong grip on his palm. Alarmed, she let go of his hand, struggling to sit up.

"Kya sapna dekh rahi thi? Mere baare mein na?" He made no effort to move away.

"Sameer main... mujhe... mujhe uthna hai." She fidgeted when he held her wrist.

"Tum sote hue aur bhi sundar lagti ho, Naina. Mere liye ab tumse door rehna mushkil ho raha hai." His voice turned hoarse as he sat up.

She turned her face to the other side, scared of the minimal distance between them. He placed a hand on her cheek, making her look at him. His eyes were smouldering when she looked into them. Her breath got stuck in her throat.

"Naina, teen din se main tumhare paas nahi aaya... tumne miss kiya na mujhe?" He asked suddenly, making her heart jump up to her mouth.

She had felt the loss... loss of his efforts, his little attempts, his unabashed talks.

He gave a crooked smile, "Tumhe achha lagta hai mera kareeb aana. Haina?"

Her face heated up like a furnace. It was like he had looked through her eyes, right into her heart, and seen every secret hidden inside.

His thumb grazed her cheek, that heated up more at his touch. Her heart plummeted crazily, making her lips quiver. His gaze fell to her lips, and stayed there for a moment before coming back to meet her eyes. She had never felt more drowned in his dark eyes.

"Galat kuch bhi nahi hai, Naina. Haq hai hamara. Lekin tumne yeh haq diya nahi hai mujhe abhi tak." He whispered.

His voice brought a churning feeling inside her stomach. Every inch of her skin felt his touch, though his only contact was his hand on her cheek. Her mind had taken leave... it was only her heart that threatened to break her chest with its wild thumping if she didn't reveal what it wanted to say.

"Sam... Sameer... main..." She searched for the words to tell him how much he meant to her, and how much she wanted to be with him.

But before anything could be said, a shrill sound made her jump... and almost fall on his chest. Sameer gripped her shoulder, to support her. She looked back at her bedside table.

It was her phone alarm. Every Saturday Sunday, she went for a jog, and to push her in winters, she had kept the most jarring ringtone for alarm.

It worked today as well... jolting her out of the spell he had casted on her. She stiffened, sitting upright to get a few inches between them. Only then did she realise what she was about to do... she was going to give in.

"Mujhe jaana hai." She murmured and fled, to the safety of washroom.

Sitting on the bed at the same place, Sameer flicked his hair back, "Ab baat tumhare haath se nikal chuki hai, Naina. Yeh bandishen tum zyada din nahi rakh paogi."

He picked up the pillow she had used, and crushed it hard against his chest, smiling wistfully as he melted in her fragrance that lingered in the pillow.

Next update on Saturday