Unedited

Thank you preetidhas for the cover picture

Title is the song 'Jabse tere Naina' from movie 'Sanwariya'

Naina was in deep sleep when Sameer opened his eyes in the morning. He was relieved to see a serenity on her face, though the dried stains of tears still marked her cheeks. He pursed his lips, pained at the depth of her suffering. The emptiness in her eyes when she had woken up from the nightmare haunted him. During the day, her mind blocked all those fears in a defense mechanism, as she kept herself busy. But deep within, the wounds hurt. His eyes watered as emotions stirred within him... if only he could erase those memories and rid her of the pain.

"Maina, I wish mera pyar iss dard se bada ho jaaye... itna ki tumhara har zakhm sookh jaaye." He whispered, tightening his arms around her as he kissed the top of her head.

Naina felt the pressure, and moved, opening her eyes slowly. The first thing that hit her senses was the strong musky scent that seemed to envelop her completely. Her face was pressed against him, rather her body was pinned to him. He was holding her like he never wanted to let her out of his arms.

"Sameer." She whispered.

He swallowed the painful lump in his throat, blinking his eyes repeatedly to hide the feelings that were twisting his heart.

"Good morning." She uttered softly when he didn't respond.

He tilted his head slightly and looked at her, with a loving smile, "Good morning sweetheart."

She couldn't help but smile. His endearments always made her feel special.

"No morning walk or jog today?" He didn't want to remind her of last night.

"Hmm, nahi. Aaj uthne ka mann nahi kar raha." She wrapped her arm around his neck, snuggling some more.

In an instant, his heartbeat accelerated.

"Achha? Toh aaj tumhara mann kya keh raha hai?" The heaviness in his voice was not just sleep laden.

When she looked at him again, her eyes were calm, "Yeh pehli baar hai jab raat ko..." She gulped, "Jo hua uske baad... I could sleep so well... Thank you."

He stared at her for a while, before lifting his hand to smooth away the wisps of hair falling on her face, "I wish main aisa kuch kar paata ki yeh sapne kabhi aate hi nahi."

Her eyes hid behind her lashes as her voice filled with despair, "I wish main woh sab mita paati... apni yaadon se, aur hamari zindagi se."

"Hey", he rubbed his nose on her forehead, "Hamari life mein koi bure sapne nahi honge, dekh lena. Tum jab bhi sapne dekhogi, wahan mujhe hi paogi." He brought his lips closer to her ear, lowering his voice to a husky whisper, "Waise sapne toh jab dekhogi na jab main tumhe sone dunga."

Her eyes shot up, instantly widening at his unabashed statement, her cheeks burning. Seeing the effect of his words, he winked, an impish smile blooming on his face.

"Dhatt." Naina pushed at his chest.

Since he was lying on the edge, Sameer lurched back, losing his balance. In reflex, he grabbed Naina's arm, while she looped an arm around his waist, pulling him with all her strength and rolling back... only to realise that he had landed over her, pinning her to bed.

As she felt his entire weight on her, her heart jumped to her mouth. A feeling that was unfathomable and couldn't be put into words passed through her, making her shiver. Sameer lifted himself on his forearms, scared that his weight would crush her fragile frame. He was dazed by how effortlessly beautiful she looked... her eyes still had a sleepy look, her hair were messed up, her lips full and pink, her mouth slightly open in surprise... he was tempted to dip his face, and wipe off the surprise from her parted lips.

But this was not the time, with Ayush sleeping right next to them.

He sucked in a breath, and pulled up, raking his fingers through his hair. Moving to lie next to her, he held her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, "You're the best thing that happened to me, Maina."

After the startled tension that had gripped them, his soothing words brought a smile on her face.

She followed his gesture, and kissed the back of his hand, "And you to me."

Ayush moved a little, mumbling to himself. Sameer immediately got up from the bed and went back to his side.

"Good morning Naina." He rubbed his eyes, grinning at her.

Before she could reply, Sameer circled his arm around Ayush and pulled him close, "Roz Naina ko sabse pehle good morning bolte ho aaj mujhe bolo."

Ayush instantly beamed, "Good morning Sameer. Main toh bhool hi gaya tha aap bhi iss room mein ho."

"Yeh Sameer ka hi room hai." Naina tickled him.

Ayush jumped up to sit on his folded legs, the reality striking him, "Naina, mere room ka spider? Chala gaya kya?"

Sameer patted his cheek, "Maine raat ko hi Ramdhari ko bata diya tha. Subah tumhare room ka pest control karwa diya. Ab koi spider nahi hai."

"Yayyy. Ab main apne stars on karke so sakta hun." Ayush leapt off the bed and ran to his room.

Waving her head, Naina went out after him, to get tea for both of them. Sameer decided to workout for sometime on the terrace while she cleaned up the room later.

"Aaj hum lunch pe chal sakte hain." She looked up from the books she was arranging when he entered the room.

"Nahi." Sameer's reply shocked her.

"Kyon? Aapko... umm, tumko kahin aur jaana hai kya?" She put away the books and turned to him.

He smiled at the way she addressed him, "Jaana hai... lekin sirf mujhe nahi... tumhe aur Ayush ko bhi."

She gave him a perplexed look.

Sameer walked to her, "Naina, kal lunch ke liye isliye bola tha kyonki dinner pe dadaji aur dadiji aane wale the. Aaj thodi koi aa raha hai. Hamari date dinner ki hogi, jaisi maine plan ki thi. Aur din mein hum Ayush ko amusement park leke jayenge."

She was overwhelmed at his suggestion. Since they had shifted to this house, she hadn't taken Ayush for a proper outing. He never insisted either, as he got good company with Deepika and nanu, even Ramdhari played with him when he was not busy, but Naina was feeling a little guilty... as if she was neglecting Ayush.

"Thank you Sameer, main aapko... tumko..." She didn't get to speak any more, as he placed a finger on her lips.

Slipping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close in one swift motion, "Agar next time yeh bola toh..."

"Toh?" She quipped.

He lowered his finger, just enough to keep the tip on her lips, and moved it slowly first on her lower lip, then the upper one, "Toh main samjhunga ki tum chahti ho main tumhe kiss karun... then and there... aur main tumhari baat maan lunga... hamesha ki tarah."

Her lips quivered under his fingers.

"Demo chahiye?" He breathed, leaning closer.

Her breath hitched. Unable to speak, she shook her head slightly. His eyes, however, continued to race between her eyes and lips, while his finger traced them repeatedly. Noises from outside brought Sameer back to realisation that it was daytime and anyone could come to their room. Sighing, he dropped his hand, his eyes still dark, "You're driving me crazy, Naina."

Her heart went out to him at the way he groaned. In a flash, she placed one hand on his cheek, raised her toes and planted a kiss right at the corner of his mouth, running out of the room before he could come out of the daze of her action.

He stared at the door, his eyes wide. Then, a grin split on his face as he touched the spot where her lips had grazed him.

"Bas itna sa reh gaya." Scrunching his nose, he brought his thumb and index finger to almost touching distance, wistfully eyeing the barely existent gap.

By the time Naina came back to the room after making Ayush take a bath and getting him ready, Sameer had finished his morning routine and gone down. She quickly dressed up, choosing a short yellow sweatshirt to go with her dark jeans. Days were not as cold anymore, and they would be out in the sun. Heavy layers were not needed during daytime anymore.

"Oh wow, aap dono kitne perfect couple lag rahe ho." Deepika gushed as Naina came down the stairs.

She didn't understand till her eyes landed on Sameer. Just like her, he was dressed in the same combination. Sameer let out a contented smile. It wasn't the first time they were twining, unplanned. When their eyes met, a blush crept up on Naina's face as she recalled the kiss she had given hum. Sameer, on the pretext of wiping his mouth, tapped his lips, and she looked away.

Thankfully, Deepika's excited voice diverted his eyes, "Mummy, hum shaadi ke functions mein bhai aur Naina bhabhi ke dresses matching banwayenge. Dekho, kitne achhe lag rahe hain dono... ekdum couple goals."

Nanu laughed, "Deepika, tum koshish nahi bhi karogi toh aisa ho jayega. Inn dono ke kapde khud b khud match ho jaate hain." He had seen the similar colours on number of occasion even in office.

Vivek raised a brow, "Kya coincidence hai!"

Nanu gave a deep look, "Isse coincidence nahi, sachha pyar kehte hain."

Vishakha rolled her eyes, "Coincidence toh theek hai lekin sach mein matching karwane ke liye aur mehnat lagegi. I think humein shopping shuru kar deni chahiye." She looked at Sameer, "Aaj free hai na tu, toh meri friend Arunima ke boutique pe chalein? Uske baad ek wedding..."

"Mummy aaj nahi." Sameer interrupted before she made further plans, "Aaj hum bahar jaa rahe hain."

Ayush nodded excitedly, "Haan aunty aaj hum picnic pe jaa rahe hain."

"Oh!" She became quiet, "Bas tum log?"

Deepika stated with a sulky face, "Bhabhi ne mujhe bhi kaha tha, lekin mera kal practical hai isliye sir ne aaj classes rakhi hain. Warna main bhi WOW jaati... it's so much fun."

Vivek ruffled Ayush's hair, "Oh toh aaj tum Worlds Of Wonder jaa rahe ho."

"Aapne dekha hai? Wahan konse wale rides hain? Main ab chota nahi hun, mujhe big wale rides pe hi jaana hai." Ayush jumped from his chair, tugging at Vivek's arm.

Vivek stood up too. His excessively tall frame did not let Ayush match even the length of his leg.

"Oh, toh Ayush big hai." Vivek chuckled, crossing his arms.

Frowning, the little boy scampered away to Deepika, "Uncle itne tall kyon hain?"

Laughing, Vivek picked him up in his arms, "Dekho, tum bhi tall ho gaye."

When Ayush pouted, he pinched his cheek, "Achhe se khana kahoge toh tum jaldi hi sabse tall ho jaoge."

This gave some solace to Ayush, and he dipped his head in acceptance.

The amusement park was in Noida, which took them about half an hour to reach. Ayush was thrilled to see the colourful rides and activities. He had been to small play areas in different malls but had never seen something like this. Naina smiled at his excited questions, which Sameer answered patiently.

"You look like these kids... inke jaise hi khush ho rahi ho." Sameer teased her as she clapped when Ayush balanced himself perfectly while zorbing.

She gave him a gratified smile, "Aaj tumhari wajah se Ayush ko itna khush dekh rahi hun... jaise woh pehle papa mumma ke saath bahar jaane pe masti karta tha."

Sameer looped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close, "Ayush tumhare saath bhi bohot khush rehta hai, Naina. Tumne sach mein usse bohot achhi upbringing di hai. Itne chote bachhe kaise kaise tantrums throw karte hain, lekin Ayush ko dekh ke koi keh nahi sakta ki woh abhi che saal ka bhi nahi hai."

She fondly looked at him, "Lekin tumhare saath woh aur bhi khush rehta hai."

"The Sameer Maheshwari ka charm hai, madam. Koi nahi bach sakta." He winked when she looked at him.

"Kis kis pe yeh charm ka effect hua hai?" She quirked up a brow, amused by his self obsession.

He narrowed his eyes, seemingly in deep thought, then pulled up his collar, "List zyada hi lambi hai... kuch ke toh ab naam bhi yaad nahi."

She nodded meaningfully, "Waise office mein aapki reputation kuch aur hi hai."

Sameer was alert, giving her an inquisitive look, "Office mein? Kya kehte hain mere baare mein? Tumhe kisi ne kuch ulta seedha kaha kya?"

She stifled a laugh, "Umm, office mein sab kehte hain... matlab sabko lagta hai Sameer Maheshwari..."

"What? Sameer Maheshwari what?" He prodded impatiently.

Naina shrugged, "Bechare Sameer Maheshwari se koi ladki impress hoti hi nahi... isliye na girlfriend hai na shaadi karne ka plan."

His face fell... till he saw her chin wavering with the laughter she was trying to control.

And he was in the game.

Letting out a long exhale, he twitched his mouth, "Jab bahar itni saari ladkiyan line laga ke khadi hon toh office mein kyon try karna. Isliye aisi image banayi hui hai."

Her brows shot up, "Line laga ke? What do you mean?"

Before he got a chance to fuel her jealousy, Ayush was back from his zorbing adventure... and hopped excitedly as he proudly narrated  how easy it was to balance while others kept tripping. Next, he dashed towards the small pond which had one seater boats for the kids. Naina was apprehensive about letting him go but Sameer assured her it was perfectly safe, and there were many small children enjoying the same activity. Still, she hovered at the edge, keeping a keen eye on Ayush as he steered his saucer shaped boat in the pond.

Sameer was standing few steps away, his hands in pocket when a voice made him jerk his head to the side, "Excuse me, kya aap meri niece ki pictures click kar denge?"

A girl, around Naina's age, was standing with an infatuated smile on her face.

"Uhh, aap... aapko pictures click karni nahi aati?" He tried to be polite, but was clearly irked.

Her eyes danced dramatically, "Aati hain, lekin mera phone discharge ho gaya hai. Aap apne phone se agar..." She quickly added when she saw the frown on Sameer's face, "Zyada nahi, bas do teen kar dijiye. Actually main apni niece ke saath pehli baar aayi hun, aur memories rakhna chahti hun. Aap click karke mujhe send kar dena. Main apna number de deti hun."

Naina noticed the girl, and could understand her intention in one glance. Without moving from her place, she glared at them, eager to see what Sameer was doing when he brought out his phone from the pocket.

Her insides fumed, "Achha, aise lagti hai inke peeche line... sabke numbers jo ikathhe karte rehte hain. Itni bhi akal nahi hai kya... dikh nahi raha uska drama hai tumhara number lene ke liye."

The voice didn't find a way out though. Next instant, her phone started to ring. She picked up, shocked, "Haan Sameer."

"Naina, ek madam ko thodi help chahiye. Unka phone discharge ho gaya hai. Tum zara unke liye kuch pictures le lo... tab tak main Ayush ka khyal rakhta hun." He crooned sweetly into the phone, even though she could hear him directly, being just a few steps away.

The girl looked crestfallen when Naina walked to them, and addressed Sameer, "Suniye, aap Ayush ko dekhte rehna. Masti karne mein bilkul aap pe gaya hai. Bohot naughty hai."

He nodded with an amused smile, and walked away. When Naina turned to the girl, she was watching her with a stunned expression.

"Aap... aap married hain?" She waved her finger at the two of them.

Naina replied plainly, "Hamari shaadi hone wali hai."

Her eyes widened, "Toh woh bachha?"

Naina looked back at Ayush, then shrugged nonchalantly, "Haan toh uske liye shaadi ki kya zarurat hai."

The girl was shocked beyond words, "Aapke... gharwalon ko pata hai?"

"Bilkul. Hum sab saath hi rehte hain, ek hi ghar mein." Naina stated matter of factly.

The girl gasped. When Naina asked her which one was her niece, she shook her head, "Main... manage kar lungi."

Sameer had heard everything. He gave Naina a bewildered look when she came to stand next to him, "What even was that Naina?"

"Kya? Maine galat thodi kaha. Batao agar ek bhi baat jo kahi woh jhoot hai toh." She challenged him, her eyes shining with defiance.

Sameer pondered over whatever she said... and nothing was untrue.

He grinned, with proud glint in his eyes, "Aaj toh tum ekdum sherni ban gayi."

She glanced at him, "Apne MKK ke liye itna toh karna hi padta hai."

"MKK?" He gave a confused look, "What's that?"

"Ayush, mazaa aaya boating mein?" Naina stepped ahead, turning all her attention to Ayush.

"Bohot saara." The little boy chirped, giving details of his heroics of handling a boat all alone.

Sameer kept racking his brains to recall anything that abbreviated to MKK... but nothing came to his mind. He kept pestering Naina to disclose but she was more interested in everything except listening to his one question.

Ayush couldn't go for the rides which were for grown ups, but he had his fill with the ones in kids section. After a lunch of burgers and fries at McDonald's counter, they decided to head back.

"Naina, batao na MKK kya hota hai." Sameer's curiosity was now at peak.

"Woh line... uske baare mein bata dijiye pehle... phir main MKK ka full form bata dungi." The smile on her face was too wide to be real.

"Umm Naina, main toh... bas mazaak kar raha tha." He blinked innocently.

"Achha? Matlab Sameer Maheshwari ka charm... woh mazaak mein kaha tha aapne?" She asked in the same innocent tone.

"Nahi woh nahi... line wali baat." He clarified, only to realise that he had again said something wrong.

She huffed and looked away.

"Were you jealous?" He asked in a low voice.

She bit her lip.

"I like it when you get possesive for me." He whispered.

She raised her eyes to him, and blushed deeply.

"Ab toh bata do... aakhir yeh MKK hai kya." He pleaded.

Naina smiled at him, "Bata dungi, lekin abhi nahi. Thoda wait kijiye."

He rolled his eyes before taking his eyes to the road.

Ayush was extremely happy with the visit. He leaned behind Naina's seat and placed a kiss on her cheek, "Aaj kitna mazaa aaya. Hum phir se ayenge na yahan pe?"

She nudged him lovingly, "Deepika ke exams ke baad hum sab ayenge. Okay?"

He bobbed his head frantically.

Sorry for not updating yesterday. Physically and mentally, I'm so occupied elsewhere that writing is becoming difficult. New ideas are not coming to me. Since the schedule remains the same, I'll not commit for an early update. Also, those who don't follow me and don't get notifications when I put up the notice for change in schedule, please go to my page and check the conversations. If any change is there, I inform in advance.

Next one on Saturday