Naina was running around in the morning to finish cooking and other chores while Ayush was trying his new colour set.

"Ayush, tu jaldi se naha ke ready ho ja nahi toh late ho jayenge. Yeh gifts abhi guest room mein rakh de, kal Saturday hai na, hum tere cupboard mein set kar denge." Naina screamed as she filled up the washing machine with clothes.

Ayush picked up as much stuff as he could and darted to the guest room.

"Naina, tumhare sir apne office ka dress yahin chod gaye." He came out a moment later, holding Sameer's white shirt... the blue colour on his fingers leaving a mark on it.

"Oho, Ayush, ab tang mat kar. Der ho rahi hai. Konse kapde hain? Machine mein daal de. Abhi on kar deti hun." Naina said over her shoulder, his voice drowning in the sound of mixer that she running.

Ayush dropped the shirt in washing machine and ran to finish his bath, knowing fully well that if he asked more questions, Naina would herself take him to the washroom to give him a bath.

An hour later, when she was putting the washed clothes on the stand, Naina noticed the shirt.

"Yeh... yeh kahan se aa gayi?" Her mouth fell open as she gaped at the white shirt that she had just pulled out from washing machine.

Ayush craned his neck, "Tumne hi toh kaha tha machine mein daal dun."

She gave him a stunned look, trying to recall when it happened. But before she could ask more, the unlatched mesh door opened and Bhalla aunty sauntered in.

She gave a warm smile to Ayush, and handed him a wrapped packet, "Yeh le ek aur birthday gift. Harmeet ne bhijwaya hai tere liye, Canada se. Aane mein late ho gaya warna kal hi de deti."

Ayush excitedly grabbed the large box.

Bhalla aunty turned to Naina, "Puttar tu aaj..." She paused, her eyes narrowed on the shirt Naina was holding, "Tu gents shirt kabse pehenne lagi?"

"Yeh Sameer ki hai. Mujhse colour lag gaya tha toh Naina ne kaha washing ke liye daal dun." Ayush replied before Naina could offer an explanation.

"Oh achha." Bhalla aunty's face relaxed into a smile, "Main kehne aayi thi ki aaj tum dono raat ko hamare saath dinner karna. Bachhe video call karenge, tum dono se baat karne ke liye. Theek hai?"

With shaking hands, Naina put the shirt on the stand after aunty was gone. She was thankful that the scenario didn't bring up any misunderstanding, or a repeat of the situation she had faced in Agra.

She didn't mention anything to Sameer in office, planning to simply hand over the bag on Monday after she got the shirt ironed. Whether he remembered that he had left his clothes in her house, she couldn't get to know as Sameer had to leave for Gurgaon with Mr Maheshwari for a meeting... and he hadn't returned till she left in the evening.

When she met her friends for lunch that afternoon, Vedika was apologetic, "Sorry yaar Naina, Ayush ke birthday ke liye nahi aa paaye. Office ke baad agar tere yahan aate toh uske baad Delhi ke doosre corner mein apne ghar jaate hue meri aur Dhruv ki band baj jaati. Yahan se direct metro mil jaati hai so we reach in little over one hour. Kal Saturday hai na, kal ka program pakka. Poora din Ayush ke saath. Uska gift bhi dena hai... warna dantega humein phir se."

Dhruv chuckled, "Mujhe bhi kal solid daant padi thi Ayush se jab wish karne ko call kiya tha. Phir maine usse samjhaya ki Saturday ko hum ek aur party karenge toh birthday ka double celebration hoga. Bas, maan gaya woh. Vedika, manana aana chahiye. Mujhse seekho kuch."

Vedika punched his arm, "Tum yeh sab seekh ke karoga kya? Kise manaoge? Ek girlfriend toh banayi nahi gayi tumse ab tak. Apni behen se hi kuch training lo yaar."

Farhan winked at Vedika, "Yeh iss zamane mein galti se paida hua purana model hai. Iske liye toh aunty hi dhoond ke laa sakti hain koi... bhai sahab se kuch nahi hoga."

Dhruv gave a flustered look to his friends, then turned to Naina, "Yeh log hamesha mujhe aise tease karte hain. Tum batao, girlfriend na hona galat hai kya?"

Naina shook her head, "Not at all. I don't think kisi ka saath zaruri hai. Akele bhi khush reh sakte hain."

Vedika pressed her hand, "Lekin kisika saath mil jaaye toh zyada khush reh sakte hain. Naina, it might not be easy, but it's worth it... there is no better feeling in the world than being in love."

Naina took a sip of her coffee, "Well, I don't think so. Dhruv aur Farhan, tum dono bhi toh single ho na... ain't you happy?"

Other two sniggered as Farhan scratched his head with a sheepish smile, "Sorry Naina, tum Ayush ki party aur outdoor surveys mein busy thi isliye... actually... last week, Sanya ke jaane se pehle maine usse propose kiya tha... and she accepted."

Naina gave him an astonished look, "She what? Par kaise? Woh toh Sameer sir ke liye... I mean, hamesha se woh... aur tum... aise kaise?"

Farhan shrugged, "Sorry if I broke your heart. Lekin main hamesha se Sanya ko hi like karta tha."

"Shut up." Naina retorted, "Main keh rahi hun usne accept kaise kiya."

Farhan narrated about his meeting with Sanya in a coffee shop two days prior to her leaving, and told her how he felt about her. Initially she was reluctant, and asked for some time to think about it. Next day, she accepted the proposal, saying that she had realized there was no meaning of her feelings for Sameer... and she was glad that she wouldn't have to hide about her crush from Farhan.

He fondly smiled as he recalled, "Usne kaha mujhe itne mahino se jaanti hai toh attachment toh definitely hai... shayad pyar karna aasan hoga kyonki mujhse usse kuch chupana nahi padega. Usne kaha uske dil pe koi bojh nahi hoga kyonki maine uski har stage ko dekha hai aur uske baad bhi meri feelings change nahi hui."

"Lekin yeh toh compromise hai." Naina blurted.

Farhan shook his head, "No. It's not. In fact, I'm glad ki maine Sanya ka pyar dekha, uski intensity ko jaana. Sameer ke liye woh agar kuch feel karti thi toh iska matlab usse pyar ka ahsaas hai. Log actors ko bhi toh pasand karte hain na... pagal ho jaate hain kisi film star ke liye. Toh kya kisi aur ke liye unki life mein jagah nahi rahegi? Aisa nahi hai. I love Sanya... ever since I met her. Aur mujhe yakeen hai woh bhi mujhse utna hi pyar karegi."

Vedika agreed with him, "Zarur karegi. Usse hamesha se tumhari parwah rehti thi. Yaad hai jab tumhe wrist mein fracture hua tha... kitni concerned thi woh. I think woh pehchan nahi paayi lekin she had been in love with you for quite some time. Bas ek superficial infatuation ke peeche usne real feelings ko samjha nahi."

Dhruv patted Farhan's shoulder, "Great bro. Phir toh do saal baad Sanya ke wapas aate hi teri shaadi bhi pakki. Tab tak Vedika ka Abhi toh iske saath phere le hi chuka hoga. Main aur Naina hi reh jayenge."

Vedika smiled at Naina, "Tu sabse choti hai na, sabse last mein hogi teri shaadi. Hum sab ayenge apne parteners ke saath."

Naina pushed away her empty cup, "Sorry lekin tum logon ke liye akhiri chance Dhruv ki shaadi hi hoga. Main koi shaadi vaadi nahi karne wali... kabhi nahi. Late ho raha hai... chalein?"

After she got out of the lift at her floor, Vedika commented sadly, "Naina ke liye easy nahi hoga. Ayush ki responsibility hote hue uske liye kisi se commitment mushkil hai. Aise bohot kam log hote hain jo apni wife ke saath uske bhai ko bhi ghar laane ko ready hon. Aur Ayush abhi itna chota hai ki usse hostel mein bhi nahi rakh sakti."

Dhruv sighed, "I don't think Naina kabhi bhi Ayush ko hostel mein rakhne ke liye manegi. Unn dono ko ek doosre se bohot pyar hai... they just cannot be without each other."

The dinner with aunty and uncle was quite enjoyable for Naina and Ayush. Their children were as warm and affable as them. Little Hardeep became friendly with Ayush instantly, and told his grandmother to show the toys he left behind to his new friend. After dinner, Ayush was happily relishing his favourite ice cream while aunty and uncle showed him the toys that the servant had brought from Hardeep's room when Naina's phone started to ring. She nervously glanced at others, who seemed to be occupied, and moved a little away.

"Hello." She answered in a low voice.

"Hi Naina. Mujhe abhi yaad aaya ki kal wala bag maine tumhare yahan hi chod diya tha, aur apne kapde bhi. Can I come tomorrow to pick it up?" Sameer's cheerful voice made her bite her lip.

"I'll... I'll get it on Monday." She answered.

"Oh ok! Actually mummy Sunday ko laundry deti hain isliye..." He was disappointed. After a whole day without her, he desperately wanted to see her.

Naina glanced at others, "Kal... kal Vedika, Dhruv aur Farhan aa rahe hain... Ayush ke birthday ke liye nahi aa paaye the isliye kal ka din woh Ayush ke saath spend karenge."

"Hmm. Okay then, enjoy." He said in a dejected voice.

Ayush was overjoyed when Dhruv got a cake for him and he got to cut it again, with everyone singing the birthday song.

"Iska matlab main six years ka ho gaya kya? Five ka toh uss din hua tha na." Ayush asked Naina.

Farhan picked him up, laughing, "Iss speed se bade hone lage toh thode din mein hum sabse bade ho jaoge."

Ayush widened his eyes, "Aap sabse? Sameer se bhi?"

Farhan smirked, "Tumhara bhi koi Sameer naam ka dost hai kya?"

Ayush fiercely nodded, "Hai na. Mere best friend. Woh aap sabse tall hain." He pointed above the curtains, "Wahan se balloon bhi utaar liya tha bina chair ke."

Vedika gave a puzzled look to Naina, "Tu kisi aur Sameer ko bhi jaanti hai kya Naina?"

Placing the dishes of food, Naina shook her head, "Arre nahi. Woh Sameer sir ki hi baat kar raha hai."

All three looked at her. Farhan uttered in disbelief, "Sameer Ayush ka best friend? Kaise?"

"Actually Sameer sir yahan paas mein hi rehte hain. Rohan ki party ke liye ek baar market se kuch lena tha toh main Ayush ke saath gayi thi... woh bhi aaye the. Iska toh tumko pata hi hai. Bas aisa gale pada ki unka peecha hi nahi chodta."

Ayush frowned at her, "Unhone khud mujhe best friend banaya." He looked at Farhan, "Mere bday pe ghar mein unhone hi balloons lagaye the."

Naina rolled her eyes, "Balloons maine lagaye the Ayush."

"Lekin unhone sab mein help ki thi na? Maine dekha tha... kitchen mein bhi." Ayush huffed, taking side of his friend.

"Okay baba. Haan guys, help ki thi, party ke liye ghar set karne mein, khana lagane mein... theek hai ab?" She raised her palms in resignation at Ayush, smiling.

Vedika stared at her with open mouth, "Sameer ne? Sameer Maheshwari? Yahan pe balloons aur streamers lagaye? Khana serve kiya?"

"Maine toh shaam ko hi aane ko bola tha... party ke liye. Woh khud din mein aa gaye, ki Ayush unka friend hai toh he wants to be involved in everything." Naina clarified.

Dhruv waved his head from side to side, "I cannot even imagine. Sameer ko hamesha itna proper aur perfect style mein dekha hai ki usse kitchen mein soch bhi nahi sakte."

Naina stifled a smile... their impression of him wasn't far from mark.

Ayush, however, again supported his friend, "Unhone kaha woh ab khana banana seekhenge. Jisse next time mujhe bhook lage toh woh mere liye bana denge."

Three shocked faces again gaped at Naina.

She shrugged, "Ayush ke saath kaafi close ho gaye hain Sameer sir. He's been here a few times toh Ayush bhi unke saath free ho gaya hai."

"And you continue to call him sir? Usne kuch kaha nahi? Ya woh bhi abhi tak Miss Naina pe hi atka hai?" Vedika was amused.

"Maine tabhi bol diya tha unko jab tune last time kaha tha. He calls me Naina only." Her incomplete answer made her friends keep looking at her expectantly.

"Lekin tu toh abhi bhi... Naina, why don't you call him by name? Sameer insist karta hai har new employee ko usse naam se bulane ko... tujhe kaise nahi kaha?" Vedika was surprised.

Naina consciously tucked her hair behind the ear, "Kaha tha. But... somehow I am not able to. Shayad aadat hai seniors ko sir bolne ki. Pehle wali job mein bhi sabko sir aur ma'am bolte the."

Farhan smiled, "It's been more than three months, Naina. Ab tum wahan ko bhool ke yahan ke environment ko accept karo. I'm sure Sameer will be more comfortable if you call him by name. In fact, I'm surprised usne insist nahi kiya. Tumhare floor ka ek junior assistant hai, Soham... woh mere ghar ke paas rehta hai. Sameer ne do din mein hi usko jhaad diya tha... ki agar mujhse baat karni hai toh naam se bolo warna mere paas mat aao."

Naina found this quite strange, as she couldn't imagine Sameer being this strict with anyone.

Dhruv agreed with Farhan, "I know. Sameer thoda serious type hai toh shuru mein mushkil hoti hai. Rohan bohot easy going tha isliye ek baar kehne pe hi sab uske saath ease out ho jaate the. Lekin Naina, darne ki baat nahi hai. Sameer is a nice person, also, very respectful. I don't think tumhe uski aur Ayush ki dosti se koi problem honi chahiye."

"Mujhe nahi hai." Naina said immediately.

"Good." Vedika gave her a pat on the back, "Ab doosri problem ko bhi door karde. Yeh sir wir ki formality chod. Sameer bola kar. Kya pata teri bhi dosti ho jaaye, Ayush ke jaise."

Naina frowned at her, "Vedika, you know I don't like such jokes."

Holding up her hands, Vedika sighed, "Of course I know. Miss Naina ko sirf kaam se matlab hai... baaki kisi cheez ke liye na unko interest hai na time. I'm sorry, ma'am. Ab agar aapne maaf kar diya hai toh khana khila do... itni achhi khushbu aa rahi hai ki bhook double ho gayi hai."

They all sat down to eat, laughing and talking about various things. Ayush later showed them the gifts he had received, also the starry lights of his room. It was late evening by the time all of them left.

At night, after putting Ayush to bed, Naina stood gazing at the moon. She had nothing to say. Whether her mind was too jumbled up with thoughts or too blank, she wasn't sure... but she couldn't ask anything today. Still, just looking up at half moon gave her a solace. It was a waxing moon... it would keep growing for next few days, till full moon night... giving her a hopeful elation, which she didn't understand.

Down in the street, in a white car, Sameer sat behind closed windows, looking up at the moon he wanted to see whole day. He didn't venture out to her lane during the day as he was aware about her friends' visit... but now, late at night, he couldn't sit at home any more, without a glimpse of her. And he was careful not to get his own car, but his mom's... which Naina couldn't recognise even if she glanced into the street. But he need not have bothered. As per her habit, she didn't even look once anywhere except the sky.

"Jaise tumhara chaand aadha hai, Naina, mera bhi aadha hai... jab tak tum apne dil pe chaye baadal hata nahi deti, main intezaar karunga... apne chaand ke nikalne ka." He tilted his head, watching her with a dreamy smile.

Before you all propose, I accept.
Since I have off tomorrow, next update tomorrow evening 😘