Ayush was thrilled to see Sameer at the reception. With his bag swinging on his back, he came running, and jumped into Sameer's open arms.

"Happy birthday, Ayush." Holding him tight, Sameer kissed both his cheeks.

"Correct wish kiya na? Jaise tumne mujhe kiya tha." He grinned.

"Ekdum same. Thank you. Aap mujhe surprise dene ke liye aaye ho? Naina ne bola? Kyonki main aapko miss kar raha tha?" Though Ayush was always cheerful, today his exuberance was at another level.

"Main bhi aapko miss kar raha tha isliye aaya hun." Sameer pinched his cheek, filled up with affection for the little boy who, like sunshine, exuded warmth every time he met.

After securing the seat belt once they were seated in the car, Sameer brought out a gift, "Yeh tumhare liye."

"Gift! Wow. Abhi toh meri party start bhi nahi hui aur aapne pehle hi gift de diya. Thank you. Main open kar lun?" Ayush carefully held the wrapped packet.

Getting the approval from Sameer, he quickly tore off the cover, and squealed to see a huge chocolate, "Itna big wala! Yeh toh bohot saare days tak khatam nahi hoga. Thank you, Naina ke sir."

"Achha yeh batao sabse pehle kisne wish kiya tumhe?" Sameer asked as they drove towards home.

"Naina ne. Jab mujhe subah uthaya toh first wish kiya. Uske baad, jab main neeche aaya tha, yahan aane ke liye, toh Bhalla uncle aur aunty ne wish kiya. Phir aapka phone aaya. Aur yahan aake toh sabne happy bday sing kiya mere liye, Smita ma'am ne bhi. Aur dekho, Smita ma'am ne new colour box diya, book ke saath." Ayush quickly opened his bag to show the gifts he had received.

"Very good. Ab toh tumhare paas bohot saare colours ho gaye. Abhi aur gifts bhi milenge." Sameer smiled.

"Haan. Shaam ko mere friends layenge na. Bada mazaa ayega. Aap bhi aaoge na party mein?" Ayush looked at him.

"Main toh abhi hi chal raha hun tumhare saath... aur ghar pe hi rahunga." Sameer flicked his brows at him.

"Sachiiiii. Kitna mazaa ayega. Isliye mujhe bday achha lagta hai. Sab aate hain." Ayush clapped in excitement.

"Achha yeh batao, jahan tum pehle rehte the... Agra mein... wahan se kisi ka phone nahi aaya?" Sameer asked casually.

Ayush narrowed his eyes, as if in deep thought, then gave him a puzzled look, "Wahan kiske paas hamara number hai?"

Sameer glanced at him, "Koi uncle aunty, ya cousins, koi chacha, mama, bua... sab honge na wahan."

"Nahi. Aise logon ko main nahi jaanta. Hamare ghar ke paas jo uncle aunty rehte the unka phone toh kabhi bhi nahi aata." Ayush stated.

Sameer was a little surprised. Maybe the relatives lived in other cities. But they could still call up... at least on birthdays. He asked again, "Wahan tumhare ghar koi toh aata hoga na... uh... tumhare mummy papa ke jaane ke baad."

Ayush thought for a while, then widened his eyes, "Kuch log aate the. Pehle toh woh hamare ghar mein hi rahe the thode din jab mumma papa gaye the... phir kabhi kabhi aate the. Old wale, Bhalla uncle jaise. Lekin woh good nahi the."

"Kyon? Tumhe kuch kaha kya unhone?" Sameer frowned.

Ayush made a disgruntled expression, "Mujhe nahi. Sab log bas Naina se baat karte the. Lekin unke jaane ke baad Naina roti thi. Mujhe bilkul achhe nahi lagte the woh log. Mujhko bhi gusse se dekhte the."

Sameer was filled with rage at whoever those people were. Relatives or acquaintances, they were the reason of Naina's tears... maybe her bitterness too. And how could they be annoyed with Ayush...

He wanted to know more. But Ayush was too small to understand or explain. He inhaled deeply. Maybe one day, Naina would herself open up... and share her pain with him. And that day, he would take her in his arms, and assure her that no one would ever hurt her again... never ever. Gulping down the resricting lump in his throat at her unknown suffering, he came back to present, and glanced at Ayush who was busy admiring the huge bar of chocolate.

Sameer took out another gift from the side of his seat and brought it in front of his eyes as he pulled over in front of their house.

Ayush screamed in delight, "Two two gift! Yeh kya hai? Ek aur chocolate?"

"Khol ke dekho." He smiled.

It was a frame, with a smiling full length photograph of Ayush.

"Maine socha mere sabse smart dost ki picture uske room mein toh honi hi chahiye. Isliye banwa li." Sameer grinned at his awed expression.

"Thank you, Naina ke sir. Isme toh main sachhi mein kitna smart lag raha hun." Ayush looked at his photograph with open admiration.

Sameer laughed, "Chalo ab ghar chalein. Naina wait kar rahi hogi."

As they entered the gate, Bhalla aunty saw them through the window and called out, "Oye chotu. Aa gaya school mein apna happy b'day kar ke? Mazaa aaya?"

"School nahi daycare. Wahan bohot mazaa aaya. Sabne kaha aapka halwa yummy tha." Ayush responded with enthusiasm.

Bhalla aunty smiled widely, "Tune khaya ki nahi, yeh bata."

Ayush shook his head, "Finish ho gaya... halwa bhi, cake bhi aur chocolate bhi."

"Koi nahi, puttar. Main shaam ko aur bana dungi tere liye." She laughed, and looked at Sameer, "Achha kiya tum aa gaye Naina ki help karne ko. Maine kaha tha subah ki main Roshni aur Kamal ko bhej deti hun lekin uss ladki ne toh jaise kasam kha rakhi hai ki sab kuch khud hi karegi. Tum puchna, agar zarurat ho toh bula lena. Bade saare bande hain yahan madad karne ko."

Sameer smiled back, "Thank you, aunty. Lekin main hun na, main help kar dunga. Waise almost sab kuch Naina ne akele hi kar liya hai."

Bhalla aunty nodded and waved at Ayush before shutting the window.

"Nainaaaa. Dekho tumhare sir ne mujhe two two gifts diye." The moment Ayush reached the door, he hollered from outside, keeping his finger on the door bell.

"Oho, aa rahi hun. Bell kharab kar de tu." Naina opened the main door, grinning at his impatience.

The moment mesh door was opened, Ayush rushed in, holding both gifts in hand, "Yeh dekho. Kitna big wala chocolate. Aur yeh mera photo bhi. Kitna smart lag raha hun na main... isse apne room mein lagaunga."

She praised both gifts, saying he looked handsome in the picture. That is when Ayush noticed the room.

"Oh wow. Kitna beautiful lag raha hai. Isme toh sachhi muchhi saare colours hain." He skipped around, checking everything that Naina had put up.

Sameer was astonished at how observant he was when Ayush stopped at each vase to see the flowers.

Naina ruffled his hair, "Chal ab baaki sab baad mein dekhna. Pehle fresh hoke aa. Bhook lagi hai na?"

He nodded briskly, and dashed to his room. She picked up the chocolate to keep it in the refrigerator, after putting the frame carefully on the side table.

"Umm Naina. Tum gussa toh nahi ho na. I know tumne kaha tha Ayush ke liye kuch na lun lekin..." Sameer asked hesitantly.

To his surprise, she gave a pleasant smile, "Aaj uska birthday hai. You are free to pamper him. Aaj ke din meri taraf se koi restriction nahi hai."

Invigorated by her permission, Sameer frantically made a few calls while she was busy in the kitchen.

Ayush was out in a few minutes, his hair damp after bath, making the neck of his tshirt wet at the edges.

"Towel leke aa. Five years ka ho gaya hai ab toh achhe se poncha kar apne baal." Naina made a face at him.

Ayush stuck his tongue out and fetched the towel from his room. She sat on her knees in front of him, and rubbed his hair vigorously, patting at his neck and face. Putting the towel on her shoulder, she combed his hair back with her fingers. Sameer watched her telling him in soft voice why he needed to wipe and set hair properly.,. and marvelled at the fact how she took care of him like a mother. He was sure she would make an excellent mother when they had their own children.

The thought jerked him out of the dream world. Here she was, unaware of his feelings... not even believing in love... and he was weaving a picture of their children. Next moment, a shy smile spread on his face as he resolved to make this dream come true.

"Naina ke sir, aao na. Aap hamare saath lunch karoge na?" Ayush grabbed his hand.

"Of course. Mujhe bhi mushroom bohot pasand hai." Sameer smiled, moving towards the dining table.

"Mushroom? Naina tumne aaj mushroom soup banaya hai?" Ayush jumped on the chair, trying to peek into the dishes Naina had already placed on the table.

"Tere liye mushroom fried rice banaye hain." Standing next to his chair, she placed a plate in front of him.

"Thank you. I love you, Naina." Ayush wrapped his arms around her waist, rubbing his face in her belly.

Sitting opposite to him, Sameer gazed at them wistfully as Naina bent and placed a kiss on top of her brother's head, mumbling softly, "I love you too."

The rice was delicious. Before this, Sameer had only tasted alu parnatha made by her. She indeed had a way with recipes. He hadn't eaten such flavourful fried rice in any restaurant... and he'd been to the best ones all over the world. Thus, when she offered a relish to have with it, he refused.

"Yeh rice itne tasty hain ki main inke saath kuch aur milana hi nahi chahta." He took another helping, smacking his lips to show how much he was enjoying.

Ayush proudly looked at Naina, then at Sameer, "Aap Naina ka mushroom wala pasta khaoge toh aur bhi mazaa ayega. Woh best hota hai."

"Pakka khaunga. In fact, ab toh Naina ke haath ke saare dishes khane hai mujhe. Choose karne ke liye ki main kya kya seekhun." Sameer gave a teasing look to Naina.

Ayush waved his head happily, "Toh phir abse aap hamare house mein hi rahoge na?"

"Ayush. Chup karke khana kha. Bola hai na khate hue baat nahi karte." Naina admonished him.

"Haww. Bday ke din koi gussa karta hai kya?" Ayush pouted at her.

Naina kissed his forehead, smiling, "Gussa nahi kar rahi. Bas apne baby ko samjha rahi hun. Khana atak gaya toh party mein khansi aayegi na... isliye. Okay?"

With a delighted wave of head, Ayush went back to eat his rice. When Naina looked at Sameer through her lashes, his eyes were fixed on his plate. With a relieved sigh, she quickly finished her food.

Sameer had almost choked on his food when Ayush said what he did. If only there was a rule that you couldn't say no to the birthday boy... he would have gladly stayed here... forever.

Once the lunch was over, and table was cleared, Sameer helped Ayush put up the frame he had gifted in his room, next to the picture of his parents. After a while, Ayush got busy in colouring in the new book that his teacher had given him. Sameer went to the kitchen.

Naina had placed about two dozen small bowls on the platform. Next to them were a few large containers, with chunks of fruits. He saw her placing a piece of different coloured fruit in one bowl.

"Naina, yeh main kar sakta hun. Let me help you at least in this." He quickly went to stand next to her.

"Nahi sir aap..." He shushed her again.

She pursed her lips.

"Main karta hun." He stepped closer to the platform, making her move back immediately.

Since it was just the assembly, Sameer was able to arrange the fruits in all bowls, exactly the way Naina had put in initial ones. Pleased with his work, he turned to see that she had filled up clear glasses with fruit juices and shakes... orange, banana, mango, kiwi, watermelon, rose, black currant... the multicoloured glasses looked amazing. Done with that she started to clean the platform when the bell rang.

"Main dekhta hun." Sameer quickly went out to check.

"Naina, return gifts aaye hain." He said loudly from outside.

She went out, her hands smeared in soap, "Umm, aap yahin chod dijiye main baad mein rakh dungi."

"Tum batao kahan rakhna hai. Bada carton hai. Main rakh deta hun." He insisted.

She pointed at her room, "Wahan. Uss room mein. Warna Ayush khol ke dekhne lagega."

He picked up the carton and went to her room while Naina went back to her cleaning.

After placing the box against a wall, Sameer was about to leave when he noticed a small diary on her bedside table. It was open, with a pen clipped in the center. Though he knew it wasn't correct, his curiosity made him peek at the open page. It appeared to be some poetry. Unable to resist, Sameer picked up the diary, hoping to get some insights into her heart. What he read, however, left him shaken. He could gather as much that she had some undisclosed distress but reading her words he fathomed the depth of her affliction.

Kaise dekhte hain woh khwab
jo poore ho jaate hain

Kahan milte hain woh rishte
jo zindagi bhar saath nibhate hain

Kyon dard ka hota hai samandar
khushiyon ke sirf moti

Kyon ujaalo ki subah se zyada
naseeb mein mere kaali raatein hain

He quickly put away the diary. If she saw it in his hands, she would feel betrayed. And he didn't want to give her any such impression. In fact, he hated a part of himself to give in to his inquisitiveness... it was difficult to see her in so much pain. But then, he needed to know the malady if he had to heal it.

The sound of heavy dragging from outside made him push aside these thoughts for now and rush out. Ayush was dragging the dining chair towards the wall.

"Yeh kya kar rahe ho tum?" Sameer asked.

Naina came out of the kitchen, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, "Chairs hata ke table ko wall ke paas laga rahe hain. Jisse bachhon ke liye space ho room mein."

"Tum rehne do Ayush. Main karta hun." Sameer picked up the chair Ayush was pulling, and placed it on one side. Naina picked up another one. When the chairs were done, they lifted the table and set it against the wall. She placed a white cover on it. The moment she turned to go, her foot got entangled in one edge of the cover and she stumbled.

Sameer stopped breathing... as her hand clutched his arm tightly, to save herself from a fall. His own hands in pocket, he stared at her slender fingers holding onto him for support... in spite of having a chair right next to her. His heart was ready to explode. The feel of her hand, through the thin fabric of shirt, made blood rush to his ears. He could feel his face, and ears, going red. With his eyes fixed on the connection that her hand had made with his arms, he stood like a statue.

For a few seconds, Naina's attention was on the table cover, till she realised what had saved her. Her head jerked to his side and eyes darted to her hand, circled around his upper arm, fingers digging into his flesh. Her mouth fell open, and eyes shot up to his face. His gaze, that was fixed on her hand till now, slowly lifted to look into her eyes.

What he saw was bewildered disbelief... what she saw was pure relief.

The moment seemed frozen between them, as they stood inches apart, lost in each other's eyes. He didn't dare to breathe, but felt her warm breath on his neck. He swallowed... her eyes flicked down to the movement of his adam's apple. She blinked a couple of times... and suddenly came to her senses. With a jerk, she pulled her hand back, fisting it behind her, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"Ab thank you ya sorry mat bolna. Na maine tumhe girne se bachaya na tumse mujhe koi chot lagi." He tried to sound normal, and not let any awkwardness creep up between them.

Naina sucked in her lower lip, and fled to the kitchen. She breathed hard, clutching the platform. Whatever had happened was shocking... but she was shocked at herself. How could she not feel repulsed at the touch... and remain standing there holding onto him even after she had realised she was touching him? Why her brain didn't send the warning signals that were always there whenever she felt an unknown touch? What made her reach out to him in the first place? Why did she lose track of what was happening when she looked into his eyes?

His eyes... they were dark, like the darkness of night... but glittered with a comforting shine. There was no indecency in them... there was concern, there was reassurance, there was solace. She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head to rid it of such thoughts.

Outside, Sameer touched his arm where her hand had rested. A serene smile spread on his face... unknowingly, she had again shown her trust in him.

Next update on Friday