Sameer couldn't contain his excitement when he came to know that Naina had agreed. He immediately went to her room, entering after she answered the knock.

"Nanu ne bataya tumne Jaipur ke liye agree kar liya. Sure na? Agar koi bhi problem hai toh mujhe bata sakti ho... don't think it's a forced trip." Seeing her tensed expression, fear gripped his heart.

Ever since the incident in her house, Naina had started to feel more comfortable with Sameer... probably because he did not mention it even once after that day, or because he did not try to bridge the distance that she maintained with him, or maybe, because she found him to be genuinely caring for Ayush... she wasn't sure of the reason but she found it easier to share things with him.

"Trip is not the issue. Ayush ka matter bhi Maheshwari sir ne solve kar diya... I can take him along. Lekin ek problem hai... Ayush long drives mein bohot uncomfortable ho jaata hai. Aur Jaipur pohochane mein paanch ghante lagenge. Ayush toh meri band baja dega." She gave him a worried look.

Sameer felt a relief spread over him. If this was the only issue, he had the perfect solution.

"Hum flight se chalte hain. Usmein toh koi problem nahi hai na?" He smiled.

Naina's eyes rounded, "No no sir, I didn't mean that."

He held up one hand, "It's okay, Naina. Main tickets ke liye bol deta hun."

She stood up, a little apprehensive, "Aap... aap mujhe flight bata dijiye... Ayush ki ticket main khud karwa lungi... I don't want you to pay for him."

It was Sameer's turn to be shocked, "Why Naina? You think Ayush ke liye mera spend karna galat hai?"

She lowered her eyes, "Please understand, sir. Yahan office se yeh tickets hongi... koi casually mention kar dega... aur ulti seedhi rumour spread ho jayegi... ki main apne bhai ko office ke account pe leke jaa rahi hun. I... I don't want such gossip."

It took him a while to comprehend what she meant. Though he still wasn't convinced about her theory, saying no to her wasn't an option.

"Give me your laptop." He sat on the chair across hers, and waited for her to turn the open laptop towards him.

Naina shifted the screen to him.

A few quick taps later, he smiled up at her, "Maine Sunday ki teen tickets apne personal id se kara di hain, from my bank account. Is that fine?"

She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it without a word, nodding.

Ayush was on cloud nine when he came to know of their travel by flight, "Aeroplane se? Zoooom karke? Naina, hum upar udenge toh birds aa jayenge window se andar?"

She ruffled his hair, smiling at his innocent query, "Aeroplane ki window open nahi hoti... aur woh birds se bohot upar udta hai. Clouds se bhi upar."

With his eyes turning into saucers, Ayush clasped his mouth, "Clouds se bhi? Matlab hum rainbow ke beech se jayenge?"

Naina pinched his nose, "Buddhu, rainbow toh baarish mein aata hai. Abhi kahan se dikhega?"

"Clouds bhi toh baarish mein aate hain. Unke upar hi toh rainbow rehta hai." Ayush pouted.

"Tujhse jeetna impossible hai. Chal, packing karni hai ab." Shaking her head at his reasoning, Naina raced him to the room.

Two days later, they both boarded the cab that Sameer had booked. He had arranged for it to first pick them and then come to his house, as he didn't want Bhalla aunty to see them going together. By the time the cab reached his house, Sameer was out, waiting at the gate with his suitcase.

"Hey Ayush. Ready to go?" He slipped in next to the driver, turning to smile at Ayush before twisting some more to look at Naina who was right behind him, "Hi. Comfortable?"

She nodded.

As they reached the Ring Road, Sunday crowd slowed down the speed considerably. It was just fifteen minutes on the road when Ayush started getting restless.

"Naina, kitni der mein ayega airport?" He held the back of driver's seat and stood up.

Sameer looked at him while Naina hushed him, asking not to disturb the driver, "Airport toh thoda door hota hai na, baby... itne big airplane ko bohot saari jagah chahiye. Abhi time lagega. Tu aaja mere paas baith ke yahan se dekh kitni saari shops hain."

Sameer smiled at her attempt to divert his attention. But Ayush started to whine again, ten minutes later as they got onto a flyover, "Mujhe neeche utarna hai. Naina, mujhe bhook lagi hai. Please na, car stop karo na."

She took out a small box from her handbag and opened it for him, "Tere liye popcorn bana ke layi hun. Jaise movie mein khate hain na, bahar dekhte hue maze se kha aur soch ki theatre mein movie dekh raha hai."

The car came to a halt on the side of the road as they came down from the flyover. Sameer had asked the driver to do so, having seen what Naina meant by Ayush's discomfort in a car journey.

He got out and opened the back door, grinning at Ayush, "Mujhe apne best friend ke saath baithna hai... movie aur popcorn thodi miss karunga."

Since Naina was sitting near the door, she stepped out, and urged Ayush to come too. Then she got in first, so Ayush could sit in the middle, and Sameer on his other side.

When the car started moving again, Sameer pulled Ayush up in his lap, "Car se kyon utarna hai tumko?"

Ayush leaned into his shoulder, frowning, "Mujhe achha nahi lagta... car bohot small hoti hai... seat mein baithe rehna padta hai."

Sameer agreed with him, "Haan, yeh toh hai... lekin car ki wajah se hi hum jhat se door ki jagah pohoch jaate hain. Agar ghoomne jaana ho toh car mein baithna hi padega... ghoomne jaana achha lagta hai na?"

Ayush straightened, nodding fiercely, "Bohot achha lagta hai. Ghoomne mein kitna mazaa aata hai."

Sameer patted his cheek, "Phir toh car mein baithna seekhna padega. Waise aeroplane mein bhi aisi hi seat hoti hain... agar wahan achha nahi laga toh kya karoge?"

Ayush gave him a puzzled look, "Kyon aeroplane stop nahi hota kya?"

Sameer laughed, "Aeroplane land karta hai... hawa se neeche aata hai tabhi stop hota hai."

Ayush looked at him, "Aapko aeroplane chalana aata hai?"

"Nahi. Lekin mujhe car chalani aati hai. Tumko bhi sikhaunga jab tum bade ho jaoge." Sameer patted his leg.

"Phir main Naina ko office leke jaunga, jaise woh mujhe leke jaati hai daycare." Ayush clapped excitedly.

A reticent smile spread on Sameer's face. By the time Ayush started to drive, Naina would be going to office with him... as his wife.

He tightened his hold on Ayush, and touched his forehead to his head, "Uske liye tumhe car mein baithne ki aadat dalni hogi."

Ayush was mesmerised by the size of the airport, and brightly lit arenas with huge sculptures when they entered the main area after finishing the check in formalities.

"Yeh toh big wale mall se bhi big hai." He tugged at Naina's hand, his eyes wide in wonder.

She had been to Delhi airport a few times when she had travelled abroad with her parents but Ayush was too small to have any recollection. In fact, he didn't know this wasn't his first air travel.

"Yahan mall se zyada log aate hain na, isliye big hai." She smiled, holding his small palm securely in her hand as they walked towards the seating area.

Ayush was not ready to remain seated, his enamoured eyes eagerly darting around to absorb the brightly lit shops and gleaming surroundings.

"Naina, mujhe woh dekhna hai." He pointed at the duty free shop, which had its perfumes and cosmetics section visible from their seat.

"Woh tere kaam ka nahi hai, buddhu." Naina kept holding his arm.

"Mujhe woh wale chocolate chahiye." He showed a big pallete of eye shadows, placed in the glass case.

The big chunks in different shades of brown did look like pieces of chocolate. Naina couldn't hold back her laughter, "Woh makeup hai, chocolate nahi."

"Ayush, chalo hum wahan chalte hain." Sameer leaned a little towards him and pointed at the Hamley's toy store, which was behind them.

Turning his head into the direction of Sameer's finger, Ayush was again charged up. He quickly looked at Naina, for approval. She gave a short dip to her head. Ayush jumped from the seat, and held Sameer's hand.

Naina stayed back with the cabin baggage they were carrying and two of their laptop bags. Moving around with everything in a toy store would be difficult.

They had barely taken two steps  when her concerned directive to Ayush made Sameer look back, "Sambhal ke, haath mat chodna."

"Main haath kabhi nahi chodunga, Naina." His eyes glittered with the conviction of his words.

Leaning back in her chair, Naina watched them as Ayush skipped enthusiastically, pointing in all directions and throwing his head back to look up at Sameer simultaneously. Ayush was always a sociable child... he would easily make friends, happily chat with new people, effortlessly adapt to new things. But the way Sameer accepted him as a friend and treated him, surprised her greatly. He would obviously be having his own circle, having lived here all his life, still he was always around for Ayush. In fact, he made changes in their travel plans only because of Ayush, for his comfort.

Inadvertently, a smile spread across her face, spilling into her eyes, "Aap bohot achhe hain, Sameer sir."

In the shop, Sameer was amazed to see that though Ayush was fascinated by the wide array of toys displayed, he refused everytime Sameer asked if he wanted to buy the one he touched.

"Tumhe kuch bhi achha nahi laga?" He asked as they left the shop, empty handed.

"Sab kuch achha laga. Kitne nice wale toys hain, big wale Lego set hain, games hain... itna achha toh hai." Ayush looked back in awe.

"Toh tumne kuch liya kyon nahi? Manaa kyon kiya?" Sameer asked.

Ayush looked in the direction where Naina was sitting. Her gaze was on her phone. He gestured with his hand to Sameer to come closer.

Sameer bent down, coming to his level.

"Ek secret hai. Naina ko mat bolna maine aapko bataya." He said in a whisper which was loud enough to be heard even if he had been standing.

Sameer flicked up his brows, suppressing the smile, only to hear something that he knew, "Naina ne manaa kiya hai kisi se bhi kuch lene ko. Usne bola hai jo chahiye bas usko hi batana hai. Sirf happy bday pe baaki sabse gift le sakta hun."

Placing a hand on his cheek, Sameer smiled fondly, "Hum dono mil ke Naina ko samjha denge ki mujh se tum kabhi bhi kuch bhi maang sakte ho. Okay? Kyonki main aur Naina..." He paused, looking at her once, then smiled again, "Hum dono tumse ek jitna pyar karte hain."

Ayush didn't seem to understand, but waved his head in acceptance.

A little later, boarding was announced.

"Mujhe window mein baithna hai." Ayush declared the moment they reached their seats... a cluster of three.

Sameer placed their bags in the overhead compartment while Naina and Ayush settled in their seats. When he occupied the seat right next to her, Naina realised that they would be sitting together for next one hour. She shifted a little towards Ayush, which hardly made a difference. Sameer didn't look at her, but he was aware of her every breath, every movement. He had purposely not taken the business class, where the seats were more comfortable, but wide apart. Not taking any chances, he had pre booked the seats also... all three together. He couldn't have let anything ruin this chance to sit with Naina.

"Yeh toh meri school bus jaisa hai. Aapne kaha tha car jaisa hoga." Ayush doubled up on his seat and said loudly, looking at Sameer.

Pursing his lips, Sameer held one ear, making Ayush burst out in laughter, "Aap itne big hoke kaan pakadte ho."

"Hush Ayush. Aise nahi bolte. Aaram se baith. Abhi dekhna, window se sab chota chota dikhai dega jab aeroplane udega toh." Naina pressed his shoulders to make him sit straight.

Everything was captivating for Ayush, the drill performed by the air hostess, wide belt that he had to wear, the loud noise when the aircraft started taxiing... and the outside view when they finally took off. He kept peering out the window till the images faded behind the polluted haze. And then, he started to feel the pressure in his ears.

"Naina, mere ear mein kuch hai." Rubbing them, he scrunched his nose.

She brought out the ear plugs from her bag and made him wear them. Then she pushed up the separating armrest between their seats and made him put his head in her lap. Sameer watched as Ayush quietly lay, his legs folded and hands clutching Naina's knees.

"Achha hua tumhare paas ear plugs the." He said softly.

"Main iske liye hi leke aayi thi. Mujhe pata hai Ayush ko pressure difference se bohot jaldi effect hota hai." She replied.

Sameer raised his brows, "Kaise? Ayush ki toh yeh first flight hai na."

Naina smiled, weaving her fingers in her brother's hair, "Nahi. Do baar isse pehle bhi jaa chuka hai. Chota tha isliye yaad nahi usse."

Sameer wanted to know more, but he didn't press her to tell.

After a silence of few minutes, Naina started to speak, "Do saal ka tha yeh, jab hum log Singapore gaye the."

He turned his neck slightly, his eyes resting on her face... that she was telling him about her past life on her own filled him with warmth.

"Jab take off ke thodi der baad hi yeh rone laga toh air hostess ne guess kiya ki shayad Ayush ke kaan mein dard ho raha hai. Usne kaha bohot logon ko hota hai, irrespective of age. International flight thi toh unke paas poora kit tha. Usmein ear plugs bhi the. Mumma ne jaise hi lagaye, Ayush comfortable ho gaya. Tab humein pata chala. Phir uske ek saal baad hum log London gaye the tab pehle se hi lekar gaye the." Her eyes were fixed at some point far away, as she talked.

"Tumhare relatives hain Singapore aur London mein ya ghumne gaye the?" Sameer asked.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "Papa ko travel ka bohot shouk tha. Ghoomne jaate the hum log."

"That's wonderful. Phir toh tumne bohot saari countries dekhi hongi... har saal nayi jagah." Sameer prodded inconspicuously.

Naina shook her head, "Bas yehi do. Lambe gap ke baad gaye the na, toh papa ne kaha abroad chalte hain. Jab main choti thi toh hum India mein hi alag alag jagah travel karte the."

"Gap kyon?" He narrowed his eyes, then realised, "Oh ok. Ayush ke born hone ki wajah se tumhari mom... matlab uss time travel nahi kar paaye hoge."

Her head jerked towards him. The distress in her eyes revealed to him that her reminiscing had turned into painful reminder of her parents absence. His heart wrenched as her eyes pooled up right in front of him, and a tear rolled down her cheek. He fisted his hand, to stop himself from raising it and wiping the pain away from her eyes.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Naina. I didn't mean to..." His words, a mere whisper, made her shut her eyes... and more tears escaped her clamped lashes.

It took great willpower for him to not hold her face within his hands, and tell her that she wasn't alone anymore.

Ayush moved a little, and Naina's eyes flew open, to stare directly into his eyes, which held the affirmation that he couldn't put in words. When she felt his breath on her face did she realise how close they were... and she pulled back, tilting her shoulder to the other side. Lowering her head to check on Ayush, she found him sleeping.

Naina closed her eyes, wondering how easily she was able to talk about her good days with him. There was some kind of soothing efficacy in his presence which made her feel that she could say what she wanted, without being judged.

Though it was a short conversation, Sameer was comforted by the thought of getting a glimpse into her life, at her own initiative. He could imagine a loving and affectionate family... travelling with their daughter to different places, and later, with an infant son too. He could see the doting parents pampering their children in a foreign country... and he decided he and Naina would be the same indulgent parents. Maybe she could get a little strict, but he would spoil them thoroughly. And when Naina would complain...

His unrestrained dreams came to an abrupt halt when he felt a weight pressing against his arm. He didn't have to look to know the reason as his heart leapt up in joy.

Naina had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder, her arm flattened against his arm. He pressed his head back into the seat, feeling every nerve of his body tingle at her touch. Taking a deep inhale, he filled himself up with the alluring scent of her shampoo. Since the day her hair got stuck in his shirt, he had been yearning to feel her warmth, her fragrance again... but now that the moment was here, it didn't calm his frayed nerves... it rather fuelled his desire to take her in his arms, and tell her how much he loved her.

Next update tomorrow evening

And yes, it won't be a pattern... it's only a valentine's week gift for my lovely readers ❤

Also, I'm on leave so it's possible to update daily 😉