Love you all soooo much for such a hearty welcome 😘🥰🤗❤️

Title is the song 'Salam e ishq' from movie of the same name

"Ayush kahan hai? Usse yeh sab pasand aaya ya nahi." Sameer looked around.

Raghav pointed at the stage, "Ayush abhi do minute mein wahan milega."

Sameer was amazed that first performance was by Ayush. Even at this age, he wasn't conscious about facing so many people.

Preeti announced from the side of the dais, "Aaj ka program hamare Ayush ke saath start karte hain jiska pehla dance apni Naina ke liye hai."

Naina watched in fascination when he started his cute steps as the song played in background. Changed lyrics of original song were another surprise for both of them.

Phoolon ka taaron ka
sabka kehna hai
ek hazaron mein
meri Naina hai
saari umar humein sang rehna hai

While others clapped heartily, Naina sniffed into a paper napkin. Sameer rubbed her arm, comforting the girl who didn't cry at harsh treatment that life meted to her but couldn't control her tears today.

Ayush didn't dance for long, but he received a standing ovation, making him grin widely when he came to Naina and Sameer after his performance.

"Mera dance sabko achha laga na. Sabne kitni claps ki." He beamed proudly.

Naina pulled him in a tight embrace, "Mera baby. I love you."

He wrapped his small arms around her neck, elated, "Mujhe Deepika bua ne bola tha tumko mera dance sabse best lagega."

After a few minutes, when she finally let him go, Sameer puffed his cheeks at Ayush, "Mujhse kisi ne pucha hi nahi. Main gussa hun."

Ayush immediately stepped in front of him, "Offo aapka yeh wala thodi hai. Aapke liye toh..."

"Ayush." Deepika's loud voice made him look behind and he fell quiet.

She came running, shaking her head furiously. Ayush hitched his shoulders, giving a sheepish smile.

She held his arm, "Bhai, abhi hum log bohot busy hain. Aapse baad mein baat karenge. Chal Ayush."

Sameer watched with narrowed eyes as she ushered him away, Ayush bobbing his head at her hushed instructions.

He felt Naina's touch on his clasped hands. She smiled when he looked at her, and blinked her eyes once. He took her hand between his palms, smiling back, "Ab mujhe dekhna hai mere liye kaunsa song laane wala hai Ayush."

She placed a finger on his lips, leaning closer, "Shh. We're not supposed to know."

Without wasting a second, Sameer planted a quick kiss on her finger, making her draw her hand back hastily, looking around with wide eyes.

"Tumhe kya laga, yeh golden chance main chod dunga." He whispered, tilting his head sideways towards her.

She didn't get a chance to say anything when Preeti's voice resonated again, announcing another performance. It was a group dance by Preeti, Rohan, Deepika, Sanjay and Raghav... on the famous song for such occasions

Waah waah ramji
jodi kya banayi
bhaiya aur bhabhi ko
badhai ho badhai

The song seemed perfectly rendered till Preeti stepped ahead on next stanza

Suno jiji meri
haan tere liye
iss majnu ne
bade tapp hai kiye
galiyon mein daale phere
kiye calls bohotere
koshishon mein uljha raha
saanjh savere

Naina gaped at her with open mouth while Sameer grinned, unaffected by her revelation in front of everyone.

Rohan and others joined Preeti

Badi mushkilon se hai
humne bhabhi aisi pai
bhaiya aur bhabhi ko
badhai ho badhai

At the end of the song, though she clapped, Naina was embarrassed, "Sameer Preeti ko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Mummy papa aur baaki relatives, sabko lagega..."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer before she could finish her sentence, "Toh kya hua. Sabko pata chalne do. Main kisi se darta nahi hun."

Naina tugged at Preeti's arm when they were surrounded by the gang, "Tumne lyrics kyon change kiye? Sabke saamne Sameer ke liye aise bolna... sab kya sochenge."

Preeti pinched her cheek, announcing in a dramatic manner, "Sab kya sochenge yeh bhi hum sochenge toh sab kya sochenge!"

"Preeti!" Naina huffed loudly.

Sanjay laughed, "Arre bhabhi tum chinta mat karo. Hum toh yehi maante hain ki jab pyar kiya toh darna kya."

Naina rolled her eyes, "Lagta hai aaj yahan films ke dialogues ki antakshri chal rahi hai."

Raghav held an imaginary mic in front of her, adding to the drama, "Aur ab tumhari turn. Kaunsa dialogue dedicate karna chahogi iss majnu ke liye?"

Sameer held his wrist and pushed his hand away before Naina could reply, "Antakshri nahi hai. Aur Naina ko jo mujhse kehna hai woh mujhe directly keh degi. Aapke mic ki zarurat nahi hai."

Rohan gave a teasing look to his brother, "Aisa kya kehne wali hai Naina aapse jo aapko private mein sunna hai... matlab abhi toh aap dono saath bhi nahi reh rahe toh phir yeh..."

"Naina nahi bhabhi." Sameer fumed, "Aur tu jaake baaki program organise kar."

Unfazed by his anger, Rohan grinned, "Aap tension mat lo. Maine sab kuch set kar liya."

Sanjay held his arm, pulling away, "Abey samjha kar. Bhai bhabhi ko thoda time de... aakhir pyar ki seedhi hai, dheere dheere chadhni chahiye... aisa na ho bhai ka pair phisal jaaye... ya kahin seedhi hi gir na jaaye."

"Matlab?" Rohan could not make any sense of his words, giving him a confused look.

Sameer narrowed his eyes at Sanjay. The teasing was fine but he was aware of his friend's habit of blurting out too much. And he couldn't risk that. There was still one more night to go... before he could do away with the need of much popularised 'seedhi'.

Sanjay ushered others away, "Matlab watlab chodo aur chalo chalke aage ke dance ki taiyari karein."

He looked back after a few steps, and winked at Sameer, giving a thumbs up sign.

Naina worriedly looked up at him, "Sameer, Sanjay ne kahin sabke saamne bol diya aur sabko pata chal gaya toh? Mummy bohot gussa ho jayengi."

Sameer eased her fears with a soothing smile, "Naina yeh log chahe kitna tease kar lein, hamara secret kisi ko pata nahi chalne denge. Sanjay ne toh Raghav tak ko nahi bataya. Tum chinta mat karo. Kuch nahi hoga. Aur agar kisi wajah se pata chal bhi gaya toh yeh log hi sabse pehle hamare liye har tarah ka bahana laga ke humein bacha lenge."

He pressed her hand as she smiled at his confidence. Sameer was indeed lucky to have such friends in his life.

"Kitna achha lagta hoga yeh sochke ki inpe aankh band karke trust kar sakte ho." She didn't realise she had spoken her thoughts aloud till Sameer took her hand in both his palms.

Shocked, she looked at him, only to find him gazing at her earnestly with love filled eyes , "Mera har rishta abse tumhara bhi hai Naina. Inn sab pe sirf main hi nahi tum bhi poora bharosa kar sakti ho. Sanjay Raghav ho ya Rohan Preeti, nanu papa ya Deepika... Naina, mummy kabhi kabhi gusse mein kuch bol deti hain lekin maine dekha hai woh tumse sach mein pyar karne lagi hain."

She swallowed, smiled again, and placed her other hand on his clasped ones, "Jaanti hun Sameer. Inn sabke pyar pe trust hai mujhe... aur trust karna mujhe tumne sikhaya. You have made my life so beautiful... ki mere paas thank you kehne ke liye shabd nahi hain."

He gave a quick glance around, then leaned closer, "Shabdon ki zarurat bhi nahi hai. Tum aur tareekon se keh sakti ho."

She placed a hand on his chest, pushing him away when his face neared hers.

"Ab aap apna dhyan saamne rakhiye Mr Maheshwari. Yeh program hamare liye ready kiya hai sabne." She pointed at the stage where the lights changed to indicate another performance coming up.

"Kya karun, meri yeh aankhen tum se hatna hi nahi chahti." Taking advantage of low lighting, Sameer whispered near her ear, brushing his lips over it. Her slight tremble didn't go unnoticed from him before he straightened as the dance began by Rohan and Preeti, with Rohan singing for her

Teri aankhon ke matvale kajal ko mera salaam
zulfon ke kale kale badal ko mera salaam
ghayal kar de mujhe yaar
teri payal ki jhankaar
soni soni teri soni har adaa ko salaam

Salaam e ishq ishq ishq salaam e ishq

Preeti swayed gracefully around him

Teri mastani anjaani baton ko mera salaam
rangon mein doobi doobi raaton ko mera salaam
khwabon mein kho gayi main deewani ho gayi main
soney soney aisse soney har adaa ko salaam

Salaam e ishq ishq ishq salaam e ishq

They both looked adorable, thought Naina, till she was surprised to see Vishakha come ahead towards them

Tere hathan wich mehendi ka rang khila hai

Bela followed her

Tujhe sapno sa changa mehboob mila hai

Both walked together to Naina

Meri banno pyari pyari
saari duniya se nyari

They turned to Sameer, with a mischievous smile

Isse doli mein tu leja doliyaan

He grinned, nodding slightly, then got up and moved to the stage with them, where he sang looking at Naina

Teri meri nazar jo mili pehli baar
ho gaya ho gaya tujhse pyar
dil hai kya dil hai kya jaan bhi tujhpe nisaar
maine tujhpe kiya aitbaar

Holding her lehenga delicately, Naina stood up. Sameer was surprised, wondering if she would dance. And she did... coming to him with her peppy yet graceful steps

Main bhi toh tujhpe mar gayi
deewanapan kya kar gayi
meri har dhadkan betaab hai
palkon wich tera khwab hai

Sameer twirled her, holding her by waist

jaan se bhi pyari pyari jaaniyan ko salaam
salaam e ishq ishq ishq salaam e ishq

Rohan and Sameer held hands of Preeti and Naina, and went on their knees

Rabb se hai iltaja maaf karde mujhe
main toh teri ibadat karun
ay meri soniye na khabar hai tujhe
tujhse kitni mohabbat karun

The girls made them stand, turning around to lean on their chest. Naina was the first one to sing

Tere bin sab benoor hai
meri maang mein tera sindoor hai

Preeti added next lines

Sanson mein yehi paigaam hai
mera sabkuch tere naam hai

Both boys held their partner's finger to make them swirl around before holding them close

Dhadkano mein rehne wali soniye ko salaam

Sanjay, Raghav and Deepika joined Bela and Vishakha

Salaam e ishq ishq ishq salaam e ishq
salaam e ishq ishq ishq salaam e ishq

They all danced around both couples who moved in circle, lost in each other's eyes... till the music stopped and loud applause brought the realisation of surroundings.

Bela kissed Naina on the forehead and Vishakha side hugged Sameer before they left the youngsters alone.

After they all were back to the seating area, Preeti took Naina in a tight hug, "Tu kitna pyara dance karti hai yaar. Main ladka hoti na toh tujhe bhagaa ke le jaati."

Sameer coughed loudly, while Rohan pulled her arm, making her part from Naina, and gave her a pleading look, "Kyon ek hi jhatke mein meri aur bhai dono ki love story ki band bajaa rahi hai yaar."

She swatted his arm, "Maine kaha ladka hoti toh. Tum bhi na."

Sameer encircled Naina's waist, pulling her closer, "Mujhe koi risk nahi lena. Rohan, ab se Preeti ko apne paas hi rakh."

"With pleasure." Rohan gripped her in his arms from behind, his smile wider.

Preeti shoved her elbow in his ribs, winking at Naina. Before the brothers could fathom, they pulled out of their embrace and darted away, laughing.

"Yaar Rohan tu kam hai kya tang karne ke liye jo ab Preeti bhi. Yeh toh mera time hai Naina ke saath. Waise hi aajkal na office hai na ghar mein theek se mil paate hain, upar se tum log aise pareshan karte ho. Not fair." Sameer whined in a weary voice.

Rohan patted his cheek, "Aww bhai don't worry. Bas aaj raat ki baat hai. Kal se aapko aapki biwi se koi alag nahi karega. Achha yeh batao, aapka room sajana hai ya rehne dein... I mean, kaunsa yeh aapki first time wali shaadi hai."

It took a while for Sameer to get what he meant. On surface, he flared his nostrils, his eyes shooting daggers at Rohan but as soon as his brother scampered away, Sameer felt a rush of electrifying sensations through his veins. It had never occurred to him before. In movies, a room was always beautifully decorated with flowers for newly weds. The elaborate arrangement, a shy bride in her wedding dress, a hesitant groom gifting her something to initiate a conversation... okay, him and Naina need not feel the hesitation in talking to each other but they still hadn't crossed this threshold. First it was her fears which stopped him from taking this step. But she seemed to be at ease off late. Sameer recalled the night of haldi. Not even once did she appear uncomfortable. He shivered when he recalled how she had ordered him to take off his sweatshirt. As his thoughts went into details of their previous few interactions, it became more clear that Naina was not just accepting his advances but she had herself stepped ahead boldly and shown her love. Was it an indication... could he tell Rohan to proceed with the decorations of their room?

With a deep breath, he decided to go ahead. If all other rituals were being performed, all arrangements were being done according to a wedding, why not this one. He would give her all feels of a real wedding. She had initially said she had no dreams, no wishes of her own marriage... but he had seen the expressions of utmost delectation on her face at each event. She was not just loving everything, but was participating with her entire heart.

A little later, when Naina was back with him and Preeti made an announcement regarding a special dance by Ayush for his dad, Sameer was pleasantly surprised. Though he had an inclination that Ayush would take up the stage again, he hadn't presumed it to be solely for him. Even more surprising was when Rohan stepped on the stage, dressed unmistakably as him. With guitar in hand, Rohan started to strum

Tu mera dil
tu meri jaan

Ayush smiled brightly at him, hopping around

Oh I love you daddy

Rohan pinched his nose

Tu masoom tu shaitaan

Ayush pouted, standing with hands on waist then grinned, pointing at Sameer

But you love me daddy

Sitting with Naina, Sameer absent mindedly crushed her hand in his, mesmerised by his son.

Rohan tickled Ayush, playfully teasing him while he sang further

Yun toh hai tu nanha sa
hai magar guru sabka
aur issi shararat se
dil jigar hai sabka
kehne ko hain yun toh hazaar
koi magar tujhse nahi

Ayush spread his arms at Rohan

Oh I love you daddy

Rohan lovingly patted his cheek

Tu mera dil tu meri jaan

Ayush repeated the same line, looking at Sameer

Oh I love you daddy

Unable to sit afar, Sameer quickly came over, picking him up in his arms as he sang to the guitar chords played by Rohan

Tu masoom tu shaitaan

Ayush wrapped his small arms around Sameer's neck, grinning

But you love me daddy

This beautiful rendition made everyone emotional which was evident from the thunderous applause that they received, along with a lot of 'Awwws'.

Ayush proudly looked at Sameer, "Yeh wala song sirf aapke liye tha Sameer papa. Ab toh aap gussa nahi ho na?"

Sameer kissed his puffed up cheeks, "Main tumse kabhi bhi gussa nahi ho sakta. Thank you, mere liye itna pyara song gaane ke liye. I love you Ayush."

"I love you too." Ayush was thrilled that his performance was being appreciated.

Naina came to them, and placed a hand on Ayush's back as he beamed at her, for once at a higher height, "Naina, dekha maine ek song tumhare liye gaaya ek Sameer papa ke liye."

She held his face to give a delighted kiss on his cheek. Ayush seemed to have burgeoned in both confidence and happiness with Sameer's presence in his life.

There were a few more dances, the quintessential Doli sajaa ke rakhna by the entire group, including Naina's office friends, and some other wedding songs which were always performed at such functions.

At the end of the program, when everyone got up to dance together to the peppy songs being played by DJ, Sameer pulled Naina in the circle of his arms, "Tum khush ho na?"

"Bohot." She blinked, smiling brightly at him.

After everyone had left post dinner, and elders had retired to their rooms, Sameer sat in the hall with Rohan and his friends. Naina and Preeti had gone to change into comfortable clothes.

"Thanks yaar. Tum sabke efforts ki wajah se aaj Naina bohot khush thi." Sameer said gratefully.

Raghav rubbed his hands in excitement, "Aise rookhe sookhe thanks se nahi chalega. Chalo, kahin chalte hain. Waise toh Sameer ki bachelor's party karni chahiye thi aaj lekin ab yeh bachelor raha hi nahi. Phir bhi party toh kar sakte hain na... aaj badhiya se paneer tikke ke saath sab thoda thoda..." He indicated with his fingers that they should indulge in some drinking adventure.

"Nahi Raghav. Sochna bhi mat." Sameer refuted sharply, his words coming out too strong.

Sanjay and Rohan gave him a strange look while Raghav replied, "Kya hua Sameer? Ek do beer pi lene mein kya harm hai? Pehle bhi toh kabhi kabhi hum log..."

Sameer held up his hand, "Pehle ki baat aur thi. Ab main kabhi drink nahi karunga. Naina ko..."

He stopped abruptly. There was no way he could tell them the reason.

Rohan chuckled, "Oh achha. Lagta hai bhai ki khinchai ho chuki hai. Kyon bhai, kabhi Naina ke saamne kuch ulta seedha kar diya kya?"

Sameer glared at him, "No jokes about it Rohan. Main khud kabhi nahi piunga aur tum log... tum kabhi drink karke Naina ke saamne nahi aa sakte. Remember this."

Rohan was amazed at his stern directive. Also, his non reaction over him calling Naina by name. They understood that there was some strong reason behind Sameer's reaction, but none of them pursued it, accepting his decision.

A little later, when Naina and Preeti came to the living room, Sameer moved a little to make Naina sit with him. She slid in the narrow space, leaning against him as his arm encircled her waist.

Preeti perched on the armrest of the chair next to Rohan, "Okay guys, ab kal ki planning kar lein?"

Rohan gave her a confused look, "Kal bhi dance karna hai kya?"

Sanjay smacked him lightly on the head, "Dance toh saari zindagi karega beta... shaadi ke baad har pati ka yehi kaam hai" he eyed Preeti, "... upar se teri shaadi Preeti se ho rahi hai. Samajh le tera toh advance se bhi advance wale dance course mein admission hua hai."

Preeti glowered at Sanjay, "Abhi call karun Mansi bhabhi ko? Wahan se ek phone karengi na, sabko dikh jayega ki Sanjay ne kitne dance forms seekh liye."

Immediately softening, Sanjay grinned, "Arre main toh mazaak kar raha tha Preeti. Rohan ki toh kismat khul gayi jo tere jaisi ladki mili hai. Haina Raghav?"

Raghav sighed, "Mere jale pe namak chidak rahe ho toh kam se kam French fries hi saath mein de do... issi namak ke saath kha lunga."

Naina gave him a shocked look, "Raghav, aapne dinner nahi kiya kya? Main kuch bana deti hun agar aapko bhook lagi hai."

Everyone broke into a loud laughter, making Naina look at them in confusion.

Rohan finally managed to speak, "Raghav ne ek nahi do nahi teen baar dinner kiya tha. Aur snacks ko toh main count hi nahi kar raha."

Naina furrowed her brows, "Teen baar? Kyon?"

Sameer explained, "Naina, Raghav ki eating habits discuss karne lage toh hamara shaadi ka muhurat nikal jayega. I guess yeh topic phir kabhi shuru karenge."

They spent some time laughing and enjoying before Preeti suggested that everyone should hit the bed now as next day wedding ceremonies would continue till late night. Sameer discreetly asked Sanjay to make sure that his room was decorated perfectly to welcome his bride the next day.

Sorry for being away for so long. I missed you all much more than you missed this story. These two weeks have been quite 'dry' without your love and Samaina... and I hope I'm able to be regular from now on.

Coming back is giving me the same jitters that I had when I first started to write and post here. Please excuse if I make some mistakes in my nervousness

Next update on Thursday