Title is the song 'Tu chahiye' from movie 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'

Sameer struggled to open his eyes, only to find the room still dark. All curtains were drawn, blocking any light from outside. His body felt tired. Groaning softly, he tried to move, when he felt something heavy on his chest. His eyes widened for a moment as he looked down to find Naina snuggling into him. Her hand was resting in the center of his chest, her head lay right over his heart, her hair spilled over her shoulder, partially covering her face, her delicate frame pressed to his side. If it was a dream, he didn't want to wake up. It was the most beautiful dream.

He blinked a few times. She did not disappear. Slowly, last night became clear in his mind. As he became aware of his arm around her, his lips curled into a serene smile. Bringing Naina to accept such normalcy of married life was no less than a feat. He ran his fingers over her hair, gently moving them away to reveal her face.

The touch made her stir. He instantly shut his eyes when her cheek rubbed against his bare chest. Naina opened her eyes a wee bit. First thing she noticed was the absence of quilt over him. Without thinking, she reached for the edge of thick quilt that gathered around their waist, and pulled it up, moving her arm across him to cover him upto the shoulder. Only when her arm came in contact with his skin did her eyes open fully. She glanced up. He seemed to be asleep. Though she could feel his cool skin, she still placed her palm on his forehead, then neck. No fever was a relief. Her eyes drifted to the digital clock on his side table. Time was five in the morning. It was too early to get up. Neither she wanted to. Even though she had slept like this last night only because he wouldn't let her go, she had the most peaceful sleep. Slowly, her arm again meandered across his chest, and she placed her hand on the opposite shoulder, keeping the quilt edge in her grasp to prevent it from slipping away again. Putting her head on his chest, she was about to go back to sleep when her eyes snapped open. The wild thudding under her ear wasn't the relaxed heartbeat of a sleeping man.

Her head tilted back to look up at him.

"Good morning." He whispered, a complacent smile on his face.

"How do you feel?"

He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't shrink away, rather looked comfortable.

"Bukhar ka haal puch rahi ho... ya dil ka?" He quipped.

Again, her reaction was anything but bashful, "Bukhar nahi hai, maine abhi check kiya. Aur dil... mujhe khud apna haal bata raha hai."

His arm around her tightened, his eyes narrowing, "Toh tum sach mein janna chahti ho... how I feel at this moment?"

Finally, her lashes dropped. His gaze had made her cheeks warm. Flustered at the sudden consciousness of their proximity, she wriggled, but his firm hold kept her glued.

"Abhi sirf paanch baje hain, Naina. Subah tak toh mere paas raho." He slightly pulled her up, which made his lips graze her temple as he spoke.

"Aapko tshirt de deti hun. Kahin phir se thand na lag jaaye." She attempted to get up again.

"Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye." He gave her a meaningful stare.

Her arm now circled around his neck. She broke into goosebumps, conscious of his bare upper body. He brought her hand from his shoulder and placed it in the center of his chest, "Your touch is healing."

She gulped, "Aap... aapke liye uncomfortable hoga. You need to rest."

"Isse zyada comfortable toh maine aaj tak feel nahi kiya. Sweetheart, this is the most beautiful morning of my life... uss hospital wali subah ke baad." He winked.

Her eyes widened. Such endearments were new for her.

"Aap kaise kaise naamon se bulate hain mujhe." She blurted, her cheeks aflame now.

"Main tumhe har uss naam se bulaunga jismein mera pyar dikhe... lekin mera favourite pata hai kya hai?" He raised a brow.

"Maina." She provided, without doubt.

His surprised expression made her bite her lip, before she revealed, "Kal jab aapko zyada fever tha, aap mujhe Maina hi bula rahe the... har baar."

"Kyonki main pehle jab bhi tumse baat karta tha, matlab tumhari picture se ya aise hi khyalon mein, toh Maina hi kehta tha. Khud ko yakeen dilane ke liye ki tum meri Naina ho." He grinned.

"Lekin ab... ab kyon? Aapko abhi bhi yakeen nahi hai kya?" She asked.

He smiled, "Ab mujhe achha lagta hai meri Naina ke liye yeh khaas naam... sirf tab, jab hum dono akele ho. Waise tum chaho toh tum bhi mujhe koi pyar bhara naam de sakti ho."

The thought of calling him by a name that would be private between them made her blush, "Main... main aapko soch ke bataungi."

"Tum har baat mein bohot time leti ho. Mera naam lene mein kitne din lagaye, aur ab pata nahi yeh 'aap' ki deewar kab giregi." He pouted, "Jab mere sapno mein aati ho, toh kabhi 'aap' nahi bolti. Sirf tum. Bolo na, Naina, mujhe yeh sab sapno ke bahar kab sunne ko milega? Woh teen words jinka main wait kar raha hun, ab yeh sab bhi uss list mein judd gaya."

She chuckled at his childish pout, "Aap aise bachhe jaisi shakl banayenge toh aapka naam baby rakhna padega. Actually suit karta hai. Kal aap Ayush se bhi chote bachhe lag rahe the."

"Nahi." He reacted with a sudden jerk.

She gave him a fazed look... she had expected him to laugh at her choice of name.

"Woh main... mujhe yeh naam kuch aur hi yaad dilata hai." He said with a sheepish smile.

She tried to sit up. He shook his head adamantly, keeping her close to himself.

"Yahin raho. Jo batana hai, woh sunke agar tum... tum gussa ho gayi toh... manana padega na." He pursed his lips.

She wondered what story was attached to this name that he feared to annoy her.

He licked his lips, before starting his story, "Tumhe maine bataya hi tha that I fell for you, first meeting mein hi." He didn't fail to notice a flicker of elation in her eyes before her lashes hid the view.

"Jab tumhare details company ki website pe load hue toh I was on cloud nine... ki tum unmarried ho. Yaad hai, hamari Lodhi Garden wali unexpected date?" He reminded her.

"Date? Hum sirf by chance mil gaye the. Aap apni exercise ke liye gaye the, main apni jog ke liye." She stated casually.

His eyes twinkled, "Lekin tumhe wahan dekh ke mere toh hosh hi udd gaye the. Main itna khush ho gaya ki tum bhi kahin aas paas hi rehti ho. Lekin isse pehle tumse address puchta ek bomb gir gaya mujh pe."

"Bomb?" Naina was puzzled. As far as she could recall, they met briefly, talked a few sentences and left.

Sameer gave her a nervous look, "Tumhare paas call aaya... aur tumne Ayush ka naam liya... phir kaha baby..."

She kept looking at him, clueless.

He swallowed, "Uhh Naina... mujhe laga Ayush ko tum... waise wala baby bol rahi ho."

"Kaise wala?" She asked plainly.

He chewed his lip for a while, then said in a low voice, "Baby babu shona hota hai na... jo aajkal..."

He stopped midsentence at her loud gasp. Her hand flew to her mouth and eyes turned into saucers.

"So... sorry Naina... woh mujhe... uss waqt mujhe Ayush ke baare mein... ek toh ladke ka naam... phir tumne usse baby bola..." He fumbled, petrified of her reaction.

Laughter spurted out of her, cutting his mumblings short. He fell silent. Naina tried to control, but after a few sporadic bursts, she couldn't, and let herself go. Her eyes watered, and she rolled over to the other side of the bed, holding her tummy. Sameer was too dazed to stop her this time. This reaction was least expected.

"Oh... God!" She chortled, burying her face into the pillow.

The baffled look on Sameer's face slowly changed to an adoring smile. Her unrestrained laughter was nothing less than a treasure for him. He turned to her side, raised himself on his elbow and watched her.

Another few minutes later, when she was in a condition to speak, she wiped her eyes, and looked at him, "Babu shona... like seriously... who even says that."

"Bolte hain. Tumhe nahi pata lekin aise bolte hain." He stressed.

"Main life mein kabhi aisa nahi bol sakti." She shuddered.

"Par baby toh bola tha na tumne." He pouted.

"Kyonki Ayush baby hi hai." She chuckled again.

"Haan par tab tak pata nahi tha na mujhe." He said helplessly in his defence.

She shook her head, "You are impossible."

"Matlab tum gussa nahi ho?" He grinned, relieved.

"Gussa? Aapne toh mujhe hansa hansa ke maar daala." She clutched her belly, "Last time aisa dard Ayush ki wajah se hua tha."

"Ayush ne kya kiya tha?" He wanted to share her beautiful memories too.

Her face sparkled with excitement as she quickly sat up and folded her knees under her, "Ayush mujhe Naina kehta hai. Aapko kabhi ajeeb nahi laga ki itna chota hoke woh mujhe naam se kyon bulata hai." Without waiting for his answer, she held up one hand, "Main batati hun. Jab usne bolna start kiya to mumma papa jaise mujhe Naina kehte the woh bhi kehne laga. Kuch din baad mumma ne usse kaha mujhe didi bole. Waise Ayush shuru se bohot smart hai lekin..." She rolled her eyes dramatically, "pata nahi mere liye hi kyon buddhu ho gaya. Usse didi bolna hi nahi aaya. Pata hai usne mujhe kya kehna start kar diya?"

He waited, knowing that it wasn't a question.

Naina pressed her palm over her eyes, speaking with a drawl, "Dadi."

"What?" Sameer could not hold back a shocked snigger.

She nodded, the corner of her lips drooping, "Imagine! Woh poore ghar mein mujhe dadi dadi bolte hue ghoomta aur mumma papa zor zor se hanste. Pehle toh mujhe bhi bohot hansi aayi, lekin phir gussa aane laga. Main dadi lagti hun kya?"

He shook his head vehemently, loving her adorable expressions.

'Wohi na. Phir ek din hum ek shop pe the, wahan sabke saamne usne mujhe dadi bola. Sabse bada ullu woh shopkeeper. Kehta hai, beta aapki dadi toh umr mein aapke papa se bhi choti lagti hain. Kitna achha maintain kiya hai." She slapped her forehead.

Sameer threw his head back and laughed, imagining the scene.

Naina frowned, "Aise... aise hi hanse the mumma papa ghar aake. Bas uss din maine bol diya. Mujhe nahi chahiye koi didi dadi. Ayush mujhe Naina hi bulayega." She waved her hand in finality.

Sameer watched her, mesmerised. It was the first time he had seen her talk with such abandon. Neither had he seen so many expressions on her. She was like a child, smiling, laughing, sulking, brooding.

"Achha hua Ayush tumhe Naina kehta hai. Isliye uske diye hue naam ne sabse pehle mujhe tumse joda tha." He recalled affectionately.

She furrowed her brows.

"Naina ke sir... yaad hai?" A warm fuzzy feeling spread through him as he said it. How much he had loved this connection at that time.

She wrinkled her nose as she remembered, "Aur main itni embarrass ho gayi thi. Mujhe laga aap pata nahi kya sochenge."

"Maine toh bohot kuch soch liya tha, Naina. Bohot aage tak ka." He said in a heavy voice.

She lowered her head, playing with her fingers, "Main... main kuch samajh nahi paayi thi. Lekin pata nahi aisa kya tha... aap kabhi baaki sab jaise nahi lage." She contemplated before saying the next sentence, "Mujhe kabhi aapke paas aane se darr nahi laga, na aapke touch se woh feeling aayi jo..."

Sameer sat up, and shifted in front of her. He took her twisting hands within her palms, "I could see that. Aur mujhe woh trust bohot achha lagta tha."

She looked into his eyes, "I started trusting you... much before I realised."

His smile was both fervid and proud, "Maybe you started loving me... much before you realised."

His eyes fell to the column of her throat as it moved when she gulped. His one hand came up to the side of her neck. Losing his fingers in her open hair, with a feathery stroke he traced his thumb from base of her chin, to the hollow between her collar bones. Her smooth skin turned bumpy instantly, making goosebumps visible to him, even in the dim light. She drew in a sharp breath, turning her face slightly.

"Main hamesha se jaanta tha... ek din tum meri banogi. Yakeen tha mujhe, apne pyar pe. Kyonki mera pyar sachha hai." He murmured huskily, leaning to accept the invitation of her porcelain cheek right in front of him.

"Bas ab tumhare ek ishaare ka intezar hai." His gruff voice declared before his lips moved against her skin, making her hitch up her shoulder. But he didn't stop. Peppering small kisses on her cheek, he moved to her ear, tracing it with his lips. Her shivering hands grabbed his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin. When he reached behind her ear, a low sound erupted from the back of her throat. Unable to bear the electric feeling that shot through her, right from the toes to roots of her hair, she pushed at his shoulders, trying to escape. Sameer lost balance, but gripped her arm, making her fall next to him as he fell back on the bed. He immediately pinned her to the bed with an arm around her stomach. She looked at him, unblinking. Their faces were close enough for her to see his dark eyes smouldering with desire. Her lips parted, in surrender. His gaze fell to the plump invitation. He inched slowly towards her.

Just when the distance was about to end, a loud sneeze escaped him, "Achhooo."

The fog in her mind cleared. She pushed him back on the bed and got up. Looking around for his tshirt, she grabbed it from near his pillow, and tugged at his arm to make him sit.

"Naina." He groaned, annoyed at himself.

"Sameer, phir se thand lag jayegi. Aap itni der se bina tshirt ke, bina blanket ke baithe hain. Aapko jaldi se jaldi theek hona hai. Please, yeh tshirt peheniye, aur rest kijiye." Her voice was firm, making it clear that she wouldn't take no for an answer.

With an irked sigh, Sameer spread his arms, "Khud hi pehna do. Mujhe bhi yeh stupid zukaam bhagana hai. Achha khaasa mauka barbaad kar diya."

She stifled a smile at his grumbling, pulling down the tshirt over his head, "Aap theek ho jaiye pehle. Mauke aur bhi milenge."

"Sach?" He clutched her arm as she slipped the tshirt down his abdomen, his eyes brightening.

She gave a slight nod.

"Sirf kiss?" He tested waters, encouraged by her benevolence.

She was perplexed for a second, then coloured deeply, muttering a "Dhatt" before running away to washroom.

He fell back on the pillow, a foolish grin on his face. If fever was what had made her shed some inhibitions, he was ready to fall sick again. But then, the missed kiss was also due to his sickness. He twisted his lips, muttering under his breath, "Paanch minute baad aa jaati cheenk toh kuch chala jaata kya. Kaunsa isse flight pakadni thi."

Nanu smiled brightly at him when he came to the room later, "Aur bhai, aaj mijaaz kaise hain? Bade hue ya abhi kal waale daur mein hi ho? Kal toh Naina bhi soch rahi hogi ki usne shaadi ki hai ya bachha goud liya hai."

Though it was a joke, Naina felt a sharp jab in her heart. Thankfully, she wasn't facing the two men as she was putting clothes in the cupboard. Wiping her eyes quickly, she turned, the smile back on her face, "Nanu, ab Sameer bilkul theek hain. Kal raat ko fever aaya tha lekin uske baad se nahi aaya. Breakfast ke baad ki medicine de di hai."

Sameer looked at her. He was aware that nanu's words had an impact on her. But she had composed herself.

He smiled, "Naina ne fever ko rehne hi nahi diya. Dekha na aapne nanu, hr baar se jaldi theek ho gaya main."

Nanu turned to her, "Mujhe pata hai tum Sameer ke paas rehna chahogi, lekin aaj ek zaruri meeting hai. Mumbai se clients aa rahe hain. Waise toh main jaa raha hun lekin itne dinon ke break ki wajah se mujhe saari details nahi malum. Kya tum... agar tumhe theek lage toh..."

Naina understood what he wanted to say even before he spelt it out, "Of course nanu. Sameer kal se kaafi better hain. Main chalungi aapke saath. Mr Kirloskar ne bohot din pehle se aaj ki meeting fix kar rakhi hai. Maine kal hi iske saare points bana liye the."

Sameer was quick to chip in, "Main theek hun, nanu. Ab fever nahi hai. Main bhi chalta hun."

"Nahi Sameer." Naina stalled him as he started to leave the bed, "Aapko rest karna chahiye. Exertion se wapas bukhar aa sakta hai. Aur aap meeting ki chinta mat kijiye. I'll handle. Aap kahin nahi jayenge."

Nanu flicked his brows at his grandson in amusement. He very well knew Sameer's reason of coming along. But he could also see his dilemma. Sameer could neither stay away from Naina, nor could he go against her.

Clearing his throat, he looked at both of them simultaneously, "Aisa karte hain, Naina aur main abhi chale jaate hain. Gyarah baje ki meeting ke baad Naina wapas aa jayegi, lunch time se pehle. Sameer, yeh theek hai na?"

He had no option but to accept.

The day was unthinkably long for Sameer. With Ayush and Deepika in school, everyone else in office, it was only him and Vishakha, who kept dropping in frequently, to ask if he wanted anything.

"Sameer, main tere liye fruits kaat dun? Ya kuch meetha bana dun?" She asked around noon.

He was reminded of the kiss that couldn't happen, and groaned, "Meetha meri kismat mein hi nahi hai."

Vishakha gave him a strange look, "Aisa kyon keh raha hai. Bata tujhe kya chahiye. Jo bolega bana deti hun. Koi mithai, ya bakery se kuch chahiye toh mangwa deti hun. Bol na, tera mann kaunsa meetha khaane ko kar raha hai."

Realising that he had been too loud, he sheepishly shook his head, "Nahi mummy, meetha nahi chahiye. Kuch nahi chahiye. Main Naina ke saath lunch hi khaunga."

She came and sat on the edge of his bed, giving him a worried look, "Beta, sab theek hai na? Matlab Naina ke saath koi problem toh nahi hai?"

Colour drained from his face. There was no way his mom could know about Naina's past, still he felt his palms go sweaty.

"Problem kaisi, mummy? Kuch... kuch hua hai kya?" He asked, with his heart in mouth.

"Na na. Hoga kya? Main koi TV shows wali saas thodi hun jo bahu ko taane maregi aur kamiya nikalegi. Actually..." She hesitated, then looked at him, "dekh Sameer, Naina akeli hai. Uski koi family toh hai nahi jo usse sikhaya ya bataye. Waise bhi woh kaafi saal tak only child thi. Uske behaviour se aisa kuch lagta toh nahi hai par ho sakta hai pampered hone ki wajah se woh kabhi kabhi... matlab... thodi stubborn ho. Shaadi se pehle sab achha lagta hai, beta... lekin shaadi ke baad behaviour mein flaws nazar aane lagte hain."

Sameer looked at her in confusion. Had Naina done something which didn't go well with his mother? But she was with him all the time.

What Vishakha said next surprised him, "Agar tujhe kabhi Naina se koi shikayat ho, toh bina gussa kiye, usse pyar se samjhana. Agar tu chahe toh mujhe bhi keh sakta hai lekin Naina shayad... mere saath abhi zyada comfortable nahi hai. Koi baat nahi. Time lagta hai. Woh shuru se hi reserved lagti hai mujhe. Isliye ho sakta hai kabhi koi galatfehmi ho jaaye. Aise mein apne ego ko beech mein mat aane dena. Shaadi ek rishta hi nahi, ek compromise bhi hota hai... ek doosre ki kamiyon ko nazrandaaz karna, kabhi kabhi galti na hote hue bhi maafi maang lena, ankahi baaton ko samajhna... yeh sab zaruri hain ek strong bond banane ke liye. Yeh ek aisa rishta hai, jiske liye zindagi bhar koshish karte rehna padta hai. Sirf woh mat suno, jo bola gaya hai woh sunna seekho jo dil mein hai. You need to connect with the unheard voice of the soul."

Sameer smiled in relief, "Mummy, aap tension mat lijiye. Naina bohot samajhdaar hai. Hamare rishte mein ego, misunderstanding ya ladai ki jagah nahi hai. Aur main Naina se kabhi gussa ho hi nahi sakta. Na usse hone ka mauka dunga. Aap befiqr rahiye. Hum dono ek doosre ko bohot achhe se samajhte hain. We really love each other a lot."

She sighed, "Woh toh pata hai. Isiliye bina gharwalon ko bataye tune shaadi kar li." He opened his mouth to explain, but she held up one hand, "Ab aur bahane mat suna. Bas jaldi se theek hoja jisse shaadi ki preparations shuru karein. Mujhe apne bete ke sar pe sehra dekhna hai."

Naina quickly descended the stairs. Since the meeting wound up early, she had come home sooner than expected. She had just reached the door when Vishakha's apprehensive voice fell in her ears. Her feet got stuck at the threshold. But what she heard after that made her eyes tear up. The lump that formed in her throat wasn't painful... she was emotional at this acceptance. Without saying it specifically, Vishakha had showed that she wanted her in Sameer's life... forever.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, she retreated to the ground floor, and went to the kitchen. When Vishakha reached there a few minutes later, she was surprised.

"Naina, tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Tum toh office gayi thi na?"

She went on with chopping of the fruits, "Meeting jaldi khatam ho gayi, mummy. Main Sameer ke liye fruits kaat deti hun." She blinked hard to absorb the tears that lurked on the edge of her eyes.

"Haan le jao. Tumhare kehne se khaa bhi lega. Maine kaha toh mana kar diya." Vishakha was about to leave after placing the tray in sink when Naina called to her.

"Mummy."

"Haan?" She stopped, looking at her.

Naina took two long steps and hugged her. Vishakha was taken by surprise for a moment, then hugged back, stroking her hair, "Kya hua Naina?"

She stayed still, feeling the motherly affection after a very long time, then stepped back, sniffling, "Woh... Sameer ke bimar hone se... darr gayi thi main."

Vishakha smiled warmly, "Arre aisa bukhar aata hi hai usse. Mera beta jitna bhi strong dikhe, hai bada nazuk. Thodi bhi sardi bardasht nahi hoti usse. Tum daro mat. Aaj dekho, kal se kitna theek hai. Aur kal tak toh office jaane ke liye ready ho jayega."

Naina lowered her eyes, "Mummy, mujhe aaye kuch hi din hue hain aur... pehle nanu... ab Sameer... mujhe laga kahin..."

A guilty wave flashed through Vishakha's eyes. She placed a hand on Naina's cheek, "Jab tum nahi aayi thi Sameer ko tab bhi bukhar aata tha. Papa ka kuch saal pehle ek serious accident hua tha... tab toh tum yahan nahi thi. Naina, jo hona hota hai, hokar rehta hai. Aisa mat socho."

Naina looked at her, confounded by the words which were completely opposite of what she had overheard in the hospital. Her mind debated which Vishakha was real... but her heart tilted to the version she was seeing now.

With a smile, she picked up the plate of fruits, "Main Sameer ko fruits de deti hun."

She had reached the bottom of stairs when Vishakha called out, "Uhh Naina, actually Sameer ko apple pasand nahi hai. Woh apple nahi khata."

Naina turned, dismayed, "Kabse?"

"Hamesha se. Sameer ko apple bachpan se pasand nahi hain." Vishakha stated matter of factly... and left.

Naina stared at the slices in the plate. Slowly, her face broke into a grin as she took the stairs, "Mauka chahiye tha na, Mr Maheshwari. Lo, mil gaya mauka."

Next update on Monday because tomorrow is a holiday for me 😌