Title is the song from movie 'Shubh mangal zyada savdhan'

Sameer could see her reflection in the glass of the window as Naina stood gazing outside... into the darkness. There were no tears. Her face, her eyes, her expression... it was all stoic.

When she turned, she quietly went to her chair to sit, without sparing him a glance.

"Papa ne mujh se pucha, ki agar main agree karungi toh woh police complaint karenge. Lekin maine manaa kar diya. Aap sochenge aisa kyon kiya." Her mouth twisted in a wry smile, "Jitna aasan saamne walon ko lagta hai utna aasan unke liye nahi hota jo aise haadse se guzre hain. Already mera case weak tha... aur shayad main bhi weak thi." Her voice quivered, "Mujh mein himmat nahi thi, mumma papa ko aur humiliation face karte dekhna ki. Woh pehle hi bohot kuch suffer kar chuke the. Tab tak toh mujhe papa ke heart attack ke baare mein bhi nahi pata tha. Mumma ne kaise akele sambhala hoga, mujhe aur papa dono ko." She went silent for sometime, before speaking again, "Aur complaint jiske against karti, uske parents ne backdate ki ticket arrange karwa li thi uski, mujhe Myra ne bataya. Woh saaf keh dete Vihan country mein tha hi nahi. I don't know, par main jaise already give up kar chuki thi life pe. Bas mera ek hi aim tha... ki mere parents ko aur insult na jhelni pade."

Sameer kept staring at her frail frame, wondering how she could have have survived so much in such a short span of time, and still think about the feelings of others, even if they were her parents.

"Myra se baat karke, sab kuch sunne ke baad bhi mujhe kuch yaad nahi aaya. Mere paas sirf Myra ka version tha... aur maine ussi ko sach maan liya. Kyonki meri apni koi yaad nahi thi. Ek mahine tak main khud se, duniya se, uss bachhe se... sabse nafrat karti rahi. Phir dheere dheere mujhe lagne laga ki jo duniya mein aaya hi nahi, usko kaise hate kar sakti hun? Meri tarah uski bhi toh marzi shaamil nahi thi, lekin jaise main kuch nahi kar saki, woh bhi toh apne wajood ke liye khud zimmedar nahi tha. Woh mera hissa tha, toh main usse nafrat kyon kar rahi thi. Jaise itna sab hone ke baad bhi mere parents mujhe pehle jaisa hi pyar karte the, toh mujhe bhi unse seekhna chahiye tha. Aur mujhe attachment hone lagi, uss bachhe se jo sirf mera hota." There was a sadness in her eyes as she remembered.

Sameer could now understand her love for Ayush.

"Lekin meri har khushi ke aage jaise bhagwan ne cross laga rakha tha. Che mahine hone waale the jab ek din mujhe bohot zor se pet dard hua. Doctor ko bulaya. Unhone kaha complication hai, mujhe town mein le jaana padega, jo ek ghante ki drive pe tha. Lekin jab tak hum hospital pohonche, I had lost the child. Drugs ke effect ne mujhe andar se itna weak bana diya tha ki..." She wiped a lone tear, "Jab doctor ne kaha ki main... main phir kabhi... matlab I would never be able to have a child again... mujhe usse koi farq nahi pada. Kyonki meri life mein ab koi aane wala hi nahi tha. Mujhe sirf uss bachhe ko khone ka dard tha."

Sameer gaped at her. If she lost the child than Ayush...

She answered his query even without him speaking a single word, "Ayush mera beta nahi hai. Woh sach mein mandir mein hi mila tha. Mumma mujhe roz mandir leke jaati thi, par main andar nahi jaati thi... kya maangti bhagwan se, jo mujhe dene se zyada mujhse chenne mein lage the. Ek din seediyon pe baithi thi main jab kuch logon ko side mein bheed lagaye dekha. I went to see what happened... and there he was. Sardi ki subah, thande marble ke farsh pe, sirf ek halke se blanket mein lipta hua, apni ungliyon se khel raha tha Ayush. Sab log bas baatein kar rahe the... uss chote se bachhe ke born hone ke alag alag scenarios express kar rahe the. Mujhe achanak woh bilkul apne jaisa laga... jiski koi galti nahi thi, phir bhi saari baatein uske liye hi thi, saare ilzaam ussi pe the, sabki nazar bas uski kami dhoond rahi thi." She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling with the same anger that she had felt at that time, "Uss bechare ke paas toh haath pakadne ke liye parents tak nahi the. Maine usse utha liya. Sabne manaa kiya, lekin mumma ne mujhe nahi roka. Usse dekh ke laga, ki mujhe woh bachha wapas mil gaya jo maine khoya tha. Ho sakta hai uski asli maa ki bhi mere jaisi koi kahani ho. Main Ayush ko ghar le aayi. Main khud usse adopt karna chahti thi, lekin possible nahi tha. Isliye, papers pe woh mera bhai hai, par maine shuru se usse apne bachhe jaisa samjha hai. As far as I'm concerned Ayush mera beta hai chahe maine usse janm nahi diya. Woh mujhe April ke mahine mein mila tha, lekin main uska birthday June mein celebrate karti hun... jo date doctor ne mujhe di thi."

Sameer could not believe the irony of the situation.

"Shayad sabhi aisa sochte jaisa aapne socha, agar hum log kuch mahine baad wapas aate, lekin hum sirf teen mahine mein hi aa gaye. Jinko baatein banani hoti hain, unhone shayad calculation karke itna toh samajh liya ki Ayush mera khud ka bachha nahi hai lekin usse kabhi hamari family ka bhi nahi maana." Her voice was filled with hatred for all those people.

A few silent minutes passed between them. Naina waited for Sameer to say something... he tried to absorb all that he had heard, appalled at the truth that had eventually come out.

Naina stood up from the chair, and walked to the other corner of the room. Finally, she turned to look at him directly, "Aapke liye kapdon ka ek chota sa daag aankhon mein chubhta hai, aap mere itne saare daag kaise dekh payenge, Sameer? Kaise bardasht karenge agar kal ko koi meri purani duniya se mujh pe ungli uthane chala aaya?"

He did not speak. The rage inside him was too much for him to say anything at all.

His silence was killing for Naina, "Maine kaha tha... iss sach ke aage sab kuch pheeka pad jayega. I'm not what you think I was... I'm tainted. Main woh nahi hun jisse aap pyar kar sakte hain main woh hun jisse aap nafrat karte hain... ek permanent daag."

Sameer couldn't think straight. His face had turned dark with rage. When the anger inside him threatened to explode, he got up with a violent push to the chair, sending it reeling to the ground. He grabbed the car keys and stormed out of the room, leaving a stunned Naina behind.

The reality hit her stronger than she had expected. She was prepared for his outrage... she was knowing all along that he wouldn't be able to see her as the same person again... but in some corner of her heart, she wanted him to accept... which clearly was not the case, as she could see now. All the hope, and energy, drained from Naina... and she slid on the floor, against the wall. There were no tears. Had they been at his house, she would have left, gone back to Bhalla aunty's house, or maybe, some unknown place, where he would never have to see her again... but she couldn't go anywhere from the hotel in the early hours. She sat on the cold floor, hugging her knees, absorbing yet another pain that was added to her already overflowing baggage.

Sameer drove aimlessly on the empty roads, his eyes burning with mad fury. He had no idea where he was headed, which direction, how far he had come from the hotel. The car came to a screeching halt on a deserted stretch. On both sides of the road was wilderness... trees leading into dense patch.

He slammed the door and ran into the dark woods. After a while when he stopped, he was surrounded by thick growth all around. The rage inside him burst out and he smashed his fist against a tree trunk. Contact with the rough, solid bark shot flashes of pain through his fist to his entire arm... but the pain was nothing in comparison to what was tearing his heart apart. Squeezing his eyes shut, he let out a scream... a roaring, heart wrenching scream.

He wanted to go to every corner of the world and find out that ba****d who had hurt his Naina. He wanted to kill every person who was responsible for her pain, who made her go through so much. He wanted to set the world on fire, to burn down every memory that had ever brought tears in her eyes. Falling on his knees, he himself burst into tears, hiding his face in his palms. How could a person go through so much... and survive? He could not even fathom how she endured all this pain, this betrayal... and still had the courage to start life afresh? He didn't think he had that strength.

"Tum itna sab akele sehti rahi, Naina. Tum pehle kyon nahi mili mujhe... main yeh sab hone hi nahi deta." He cried, feeling her pain in every single pore of his body.

When his inner storm ebbed after the anger drained out in the form of tears, the haze of fury cleared from his mind, and his thoughts shifted... from what happened with Naina... to Naina.

"Oh shit." He realised he had left her alone. The anger had consumed him to such an extent that he failed to see she needed him, more than any other time.

Sameer dashed back to his car, driving to the hotel at an alarming speed. When he pushed open the door, panting for breath, she was still on the floor. The sound made her look up. Seeing him sweating and breathless, Naina slowly stood up. She was prepared to tell him that she was ready to leave.

Sameer took two long steps towards her, unsure about how to explain his storming out abruptly.

"Nahi please, aap ko kuch kehne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main khud chali jaungi..." She stepped to the side, raising one hand to stall him from speaking out what she feared.

"Shut up, dammit." Taking another long stride he held the raised hand and pulled her in his arms, crushing her to himself.

Naina went limp.

"Oh my God, Naina. Tum... tum kaise..." His tears found a way out again, but words were difficult, "...itna sab kaise... lekin ab aur nahi. Main tumhe ab kabhi... kabhi akela nahi hone dunga." He wrapped his arms around her tighter, drawing her into himself as much as he could, and more.

She had turned into a statue, wondering if this was real... or her hallucination. Gingerly, she lifted one lifeless hand from the side and placed it on his waist. It felt real... the warmth from him seemed to make her heart come to life again. Slowly, her arms went around him. Sameer felt her touch of acceptance on his back, and crushed her more, "Naina, I love you. I love you even more now... and I respect you for being so brave."

Finally, her damn broke... and Naina let the tears flow out unabashed, crying bitterly in his arms, clenching his jacket tight.

Sameer held her securely, "Tum kahin nahi jaogi, kabhi nahi. Tum meri Naina ho, hamesha ke liye."

Her tears, that she had kept contained within for years... first, so that it didn't make her parents weak, then, to remain strong for Ayush, and also, to hide her scars from the world... all those tears wanted a way out today. She could not control, hiding in his chest, as her eyes overflowed, her throat choked, her body slumped... because she knew he was there to hold her.

Sameer cried with her, resting his head on hers, keeping her protected in his arms... which he wanted to do forever.

After what seemed an eternity, her sobs softened. He moved his head back, smoothened her hair, and placed his hand on her cheek, making her look up. Her swollen eyes looked at him with such intensity that he had never seen in them before.

"I love you, Naina. Nothing, absolutely nothing can change that." He said gently, wiping her tears with his thumb.

"I... I thought... you'll hate me. Mujhe laga... aap chale gaye." Her words twisted his heart, causing a pain in his chest. A mixture of shock and hurt flashed through his eyes, at the realisation that she had thought exactly what he feared, when he went away abruptly.

He cradled her face in his palms, his eyes moist, but soft, "I can never hate you, Naina. Never. Tumhe chod ke jaane ka toh sawal hi nahi uthta. Tum zindagi ho meri, tumse door hua toh saans kaise lunga."

Tears began streaming out of her eyes again profoundly, "Kyonki main... main waisi nahi hun jaisa aapne socha hoga."

His eyes locked with hers in a comforting stare, "Tum wohi ho, jo mere sapno mein tab se aati hai jab main tumhe jaanta tak nahi tha. Tum wohi ho jiski sirf awaaz ne mujhe pyar ka ahsaas dilaya tha. Tum wohi ho jiski aankhen meri subah hain, meri har roshni hain. Tum wohi ho Naina... mera pyar, meri chahat, meri wife. I wouldn't have you any other way."

He wiped her tears that didn't seem to stop. His heart crushed at the thought that he might be able to wipe away the tears of her eyes, but could he eliminate the tears which remained hidden inside her. Maybe he could make her smile again, but could he fix the agony that was in her heart? Her eyes showed the pain, the suffering that had been a part of her for so long.

His heart wrenched again, the fury coming back to burn him, "Main usse dhoond lunga, Naina, woh jahan bhi hai usse lekar aaunga tumhare saamne. I'll kill him. Uss jaise insaan ko duniya mein rehne ka koi haq nahi hai."

The hatred spewed in her eyes as well, "Aapko usse dhoondna nahi padega. Mujhe pata hai woh kahan hai."

A wave of shock jerked him, "You know? Tum... tum kaise...?"

She detached herself from him, and sat on the edge of the bed, "Jab hum Ayush ke saath wapas aa gaye the toh ek din market mein mujhe uski mom mili. Main aur mumma Ayush ko doctor ke paas se leke aa rahe the." Sweat beads appeared on her forehead as she recalled, "Mujhe dekhte hi aunty mujh pe chillane lagi. Unhone kaha meri wajah se unke bete ke saath aisa hua. Main ladkon ko pehle hints deti hun phir unpe hi ilzaam lagati hun. Unhone yeh bhi kaha ki pata nahi kiska bachha leke ghoom rahi hun. Aur aisi ladki ke liye unke bete ko London jaana pada... jahan uske saath itna bura hua."

Sameer clenched his jaw, "Unki itni himmat... aisi aurat ka beta aisa hi ho sakta hai. Aur kya bura hua uske saath... maut se kam kuch bhi sazaa nahi hai uski. Naina, tum dekhna, main usse chodunga nahi... maar dalunga."

"Woh mar gaya hai." She said in a severe voice.

He stood gaping at her.

Naina had no tears or sadness when she narrated, "Aunty ki baaton se pata chala uski drinking aur drugs ki aadat wahan jaake aur badh gayi thi. Aur ek din, aisi haalat mein drive karte hue uska accident ho gaya. Yahan se jaane ke ek saal baad hi... he died."

Sameer felt nothing. Death of any unknown person also makes one think for a moment about the life lost, but his death was nothing to mourn about.

Naina looked at him, "Aur uske ek mahine baad humein pata chala Myra... Myra ended her life."

Her voice had a hint of pain as she said it. He kneeled in front of her, "Kyon?"

Naina lowered her eyes, twisting her fingers in her lap, "Usne mujhe ek message bheja tha, mumma ke phone pe.

Naina, I can never forgive myself for failing you. And I don't want you to forgive me either. Vihan got his due, for hurting you. It's my turn now.

"Mujhe samajh aaya jab maine newspaper mein dekha. She took her mom's sleeping pills."

Sameer placed his hands on hers, "Unke liye apna dil mat dukhi karo. Shayad yeh unki sazaa thi."

Naina shook her head, "Main dukhi nahi hui. Bilkul nahi. Mujhe koi farq nahi pada. Shayad mera dil pathar ka ho gaya tha. Woh mere liye ajnabi the ab. Dono. Mujhe koi dard nahi hua. Dard se immune bhi unhone hi banaya tha mujhe."

Sameer wanted to kill the guy with his own hands. But it did give him some solace that he met his end because of the same thing that he had used to hurt Naina. And make her suffer so much. Thankfully, her parents were with her. With a start, he realised that after going through all this, she had lost her parents too.

And she had suffered alone. He knew her story had not yet ended.  Although it would be excruciating for her but he wanted her to bring out all the pain today, and rid her heart of everything that hurt.

"Naina, tumhare parents..." He mentioned softly, searching for words but unable to find the suitable ones.

She drew in a shaky breath, the memories coming back to hit her. He could see that, and he stood up, pulling her in his arms again, "Main chahta hun aaj tum har woh baat hothon pe le aao jo tumhe chubhti hai. Main tumhare andar ke har dard ko bantna chahta hun. Please, mujhe yeh haq de do."

There was no mistaking the earnestness in his eyes. She couldn't fathom how she could get so lucky to find someone like him. Given her past record, there was no chance of getting someone to understand her, forget about loving her. But Sameer did... and she could see it in everything he did. Tightening her arms around him, she placed her head on his chest, listening to the heartbeats that brought her back to life.

"Aapko saare haq hain." She mumbled against his heart, making him breathe out in relief.

Few minutes later, when he made her sit on the chair, he pulled his own closer to her, to hold her hands as she continued with the story, "Ayush ek blessing ban ke aaya tha. Uske aane se hamari life dheere dheere normal hone lagi thi... at least ghar ke andar. Bahar jaane se mujhe ab bhi hesitation hoti thi. Achanak se mujhe apne sab dresses ajeeb lagne lage. Main har waqt full sleeves ke kapde pehenne lagi. Koi ghar aata toh unke saamne jaane se darti thi. Log bhi ab mujhe bhoolkar Ayush ke baare mein sawal karne mein zyada interested the. Unki baatein sunkar ek din main ro padi papa se kaha ki humein yahan nahi rehna, humein kahin aur ghar le lena chahiye. Uss din papa ne mujhe samjhaya ki humein bhagna nahi hai, kyonki humne kuch galat nahi kiya. Kuch log agar chaand mein galti nikalenge ki woh kabhi aadha kabhi poora kyon hota hai, ya usme daag kyon hai toh chaand aana band nahi karega. Woh roz apni jagah rahega, khule aasman mein, jahan har nazar usse dekh sake. Unhone kaha kuch log chaand ko jo chahe bole, lekin usse appreciate karne wale duniya mein itne saare hain ki inn mutthi bhar logon ke bura bhala bolne se kuch nahi hoga... chaand khoobsurat tha, aur rahega."

He was wonderstruck by her father's perspective. He taught her to accept her flaws, still face the world with confidence.

"Papa ne notice kiya tha ki main kaise kapde pehenne lagi thi. Unhone kaha mujhe khud ko badalne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main jaisi thi waise hi rehna chahiye. Mere kapde doosron ki ghatiya soch ke hisaab se nahi hone chahiye. Mujhe jo pasand hai, woh meri choice hai, mere kapde mere character ki announcement nahi hain. Jo log appearance ke basis pe character decide karte hain, unki soch ke hisaab se humein zindagi jeena nahi chodna hai." She looked at him, "Papa ne mujhe confidence diya, wapas college jaana shuru karne ka. Maine first year ke exams diye the, lekin bas kisi tarah paas hui thi. College ke teen saal maine aise hi nikale. School mein hamesha top karne wali Naina college badi mushkil se clear kar paayi."

Sameer recalled her certificates. Even nanu had mentioned once that except for her college marks, she had been an outstanding student all through. He could see why.

"Mere liye khushi ka matlab sirf teen log reh gaye the... mumma papa aur Ayush. Apne ghar ke alava mujhe kahin achha nahi lagta tha. College mein toh dost banane ka matlab hi nahi tha, main regular nahi jaati thi. Lekin management Institute mein bhi maine kisi se zyada baat nahi ki. Na apni new job pe. Sirf formal relation rakha, jitna zaruri tha. MBA karne ke liye bhi papa ne push kiya tha. Main toh apna yeh sapna chod dena chati thi, lekin unhone kaha mujhe qualified sirf paise kamane ke liye nahi hona hai paison ki kami nahi hai lekin mujhe khud ke liye, apne confidence ke liye self sufficient hona zaruri hai. Unka hi guidance tha jo maine poore dil se MBA kiya... aur phir se top kiya."

Sameer felt proud of her. Not everyone could be like her parents... neither could anyone be Naina.

Her voice turned lighter, "Sab kuch theek hone laga tha. Hum phir se khush rehne lage the. Meri job lagne ke baad toh ghar mein pehle jaisa mahaul ho gaya tha. Ayush ke saath ghar mein sabke chehre pe har waqt smile rehne lagi thi. Mumma roz yehi maangti apne bhagwanji se ki hamare ghar ki khushiyan banaye rakhna. Woh bohot religious ho gayi thi. Mandir jaana, subah shaam diya jalana, week mein do teen baar hum sabke liye fast rakhna... papa kehte the woh bhagwan ko bribe karti hain." Her smile vanished as she gulped the pain, "Lekin sab bekar chala gaya. Unke bhagwan ne unhe hi nahi, papa ko bhi apne paas bula liya... aur mujhe chod diya, sab kuch akele sehne ke liye."

He picked her hand and pressed it against his lips, "Unke jaane ka dukh mujhe bhi hai, Naina. Kaash main tumhare parents ko mil paata. Lekin tum akeli nahi ho ab. Main hun tumhare saath."

She lifted her eyes to him, "Maine Agra chodne ka faisla isliye kiya tha jisse main sabse door ho jaun. Woh log jo papa mumma ke jaane ke baad hamare well wisher banke ghar mein rehne lage the, unka interest mujh mein ya Ayush mein nahi tha, papa ki property mein tha. Mujhe phir se wohi sunne ko mila, ki maine sab kuch apni buri aadaton mein udda dena hai, kyonki ab koi rokne tokne wala bhi nahi hai aur yeh ki Ayush ko pata nahi hum log kahan se utha laaye hain. Usse property ka hissedar banane se rokne ke liye woh log court case ki dhamki dene lage, kehne lage Ayush ko orphanage bhej denge."

Sameer gritted his teeth, controlling a fresh wave of anger at her relatives.

He pressed her hand in support, "Ayush ko main kisi ko haath tak nahi lagane dunga. Woh hamesha hamare saath rahega."

She nodded, "Maine bhi yehi socha... Ayush ko unse door rakhna ke liye yahan aake zindagi ko phir se shuru karne ka faisla liya. Kisi ko nahi bataya main kahan jaa rahi hun. Bas chup chap ek din chali aayi. Isi desperation ki wajah se Bhalla aunty ko jhoot bolke rent pe ghar liya." She lowered her eyes, feeling guilty.

He hooked a finger under her chin, making her look up, "Aur issi jhoot ki wajah se hamari shaadi hui. Thank you, itna pyara jhoot bolne ke liye."

She pursed her lips, "Pata nahi yeh sahi hua ya galat... maine aisa kabhi socha nahi tha." Before he could ask anything, she quickly added, "Aap jaante hain, jab main Delhi aayi thi toh socha tha yahan bhi waise hi rahungi, sabse alag, sabse distance maintain karke. Phir Vedika Sanya Dhruv aur Farhan ne jaise mujhe bina sawal ke, bina kisi judgment ke apna liya, mujhe laga shayad main dubara se dost bana sakti hun. Lekin bharosa... woh nahi ho paaya kisi pe. I was more open to them than I had ever been to anyone besides my parents in last few years. Mujhe office aana achaa lagne laga. Jab iss office mein women ka status dekha, mere mann mein aap sabke liye bohot respect aa gayi."

"Aur main pehle din se tumhare pyar mein pagal tha." He grazed her cheek with his fingers.

Biting her lip, she lowered her eyes, a blush creeping up her face.

Sameer again cupped her chin, "Naina, meri wajah se yeh jo blush aata hai, yeh mujhe bohot achha lagta hai. Lekin agar meri wajah se smile ayegi toh mujhe aur achha lagega."

Her lips quivered as she tried to smile, "Aapne mujhe kitni smiles di hain iska andaza bhi nahi hai aapko. Jab Vikas ne... uss waqt aapko apne liye ladte dekh ke mujhe ek ajeeb sa sukoon mila tha, yeh soch ke ki aise bhi men hain jinhe iss behaviour mein galti nazar aayi... uski. Aapne hamesha mujhe support kiya, kabhi Ayush ke liye kabhi mere liye... par mujhe kabhi awkward feel nahi karaya. Aapne kabhi mujhe aise nahi dekha jisse mujhe uncomfortable lagta, na kabhi kareeb aane ki koshish ki. Pata nahi kab, aur kaise, mujhe aapki presence... achhi lagne lagi."

His heart fluttered at her simple way of telling him that she had allowed him to be a part of his life.

"Aur jab ahsaas hua toh laga ki... ki I don't deserve you. Ek shirt jispe daag lag jaaye, aap usse apne cupboard mein bhi nahi rakhte... woh dhul sakti hai, dry clean ho sakti hai, uska nishan mit sakta hai... lekin phir bhi aap usse dubara nahi dekhna chahte... phenk dete hain uss shirt ko. Toh mujhe kaise bardasht karenge, kaise mere daag ko dekh payenge, kaise iss sach ko jaan ke bhi mujhe apne saamne rakh payenge? Mera daag... na kabhi dhul sakta hai na saaf ho sakta hai. Yeh hissa hai mere wajood ka... chaah ke bhi isse mita nahi sakti. Aur main nahi chahti thi aapko saari zindagi kisi samjhaute ke saath jeena pade... kyonki main sirf wohi ban sakti thi aapke liye. I didn't want to put you through this hell. You deserve much better. Aap bohot achhe ho, aapko aisi ladki milni chahiye jo aapse itna pyaar kare jitna aapke dil mein hai. Mujh jaisi tooti hui, bikhri hui ladki se aapko kuch nahi milta... dard ke siva. Main aapko dard nahi dena chahti. Isliye... I was even rude to you sometimes."

"Tum koi shirt nahi ho, Naina. Maanta hun main thoda overeact kar deta tha kabhi kabhi. Lekin ab main badal gaya hun. Jo nishaan tumhari yaad se jude hon woh mere liye daag nahi hain." He stated truthfully.

"Lekin Sameer, kya yeh sab janne ke baad bhi aap mujhe... mujhe pehle ki tarah... matlab jaisa aapne kaha..." She stuttered doubtfully.

He lowered his head, took a deep breath, and lifted his eyes to look into hers again, "Mera pyar kisi condition pe dependent nahi hai, Naina. Tumhari ungli ke nakhun se le kar tumhare dil ke uss chupe hue kone tak, tumhari aankhon ke dard se lekar tumhari har uss yaad tak jisne yeh dard diya hai, tumhare iss khoobsurat chehre se lekar tumhare uss daravane kal tak jise tum hothon tak itni mushkil se laayi ho, tumhari har strength se, har weakness se pyar hai mujhe. Tumhe jitna jaanta hun, woh sab aadatein, woh sab harakatein pasand hain mujhe... aur jo nahi jaanta woh tumse sunna chahta hun, saath rehkar dheere dheere mehsoos karna chahta hun. Tumhe sirf paana nahi chahta, hamesha ke liye, har janam ke liye apna bana lena chahta hun. I love you more than I've ever loved anything in the world. You are perfect for me."

She stared at the him. Whatever he said was real but it didn't seem so... this wasn't how the world was... this wasn't what she had believed to be her future. How could someone love her... to this extent.

"Main... main perfect nahi hun. Perfect toh aapki life hai. Aapke paas sab kuch hai. Main khud ko aapki iss perfect life mein nahi dekh paa rahi. Aapke saath mera koi match nahi hai. Mujhmein bohot flaws hain." She muttered.

His eyes didn't change, "Mere liye tum perfect ho. Uss chaand ki tarah jo hamesha mujhe tumhari yaad dilata hai."

Naina swallowed, "Chaand mein toh daag hota hai. Aur aap koi daag dekh nahi sakte."

Sameer smiled, "Chaand mein koi daag nahi hai. Woh sirf kuch nazaren hain jo chaand ke nishan ko daag maanti hain."

"Lekin main... main chaand nahi hun. Mera daag sabke liye daag hi hoga... aapke liye bhi." Her voice trembled.

"Jis kal ne tumhe itna rulaya hai, uske daag dhul gaye tumhare aansuon se. Ab woh daag nahi rahe... na mere liye, na kisi aur ke liye. Ab hum uss beete hue kal ko bhula ke aage badhenge, Naina. Hum dono mil ke bhulayenge."

She gave him a long stare, before speaking, "Yeh life itni aasan nahi hogi. Main kaise sabka saamna karungi? Anjaan logon ke saamne jaane se mujhe darr nahi hai, lekin jinko apni life mein shaamil karna hoga unke sawalon ke jawab kaise dungi... mere paas toh koi jawab hain hi nahi."

"Tumhe saamna karna hoga... lekin akele nahi. Main saath hun tumhare. Uss yaad ko mita do apne dil se, jisse mere pyar ko wahan rehne ki jagah mile. You're not what happened to you. You are what you choose to be, in spite of. Tumne itni himmat dikhayi hai ab tak toh ab kyon darr rahi ho. Naina, zindagi mein kuch baatein aisi hoti hain jin par hamara koi zor nahi chalta, isse kismat kehte hain. Jo tumhare saath hua woh sahi nahi tha... lekin ab usse badla nahi jaa sakta. Par hum apna aane wala kal badal sakte hain." He soothed her fears.

She got up, and went to the window. The darkness had started to diminish. There was a hint of light on the horizon. Since it was too early, there were no colours but the sky had accepted the knock of sun which was ready to bring a new day to the world. Naina stiffened as she felt Sameer's chest touch her back.

"Mrs Maheshwari, meri aadat daal lo. Kyonki main ek second bhi tumse door nahi reh sakta. Agar aise ghabraogi toh... toh mujhe aur mehnat karni padegi tumhe aadat dalwane ke liye." He held her shoulders, whispering in her ear.

She eased, wrapping her arms around her belly. Sameer brought his arms to cover hers, "Aise hi har subah tumhare saath dekhna chahta hun, Naina... aur har raat tumhe baahon mein leke sona chahta hun."

She pursed her lips. He felt the hesitation in her as his hands touched her waist.

"Kya hua? Are you uncomfortable?" He held her shoulders again and made her turn to look at him.

Naina glanced at him once, a new fear lurking in her eyes, "Woh main... main actually..."

He narrowed his eyes, "Naina, kuch aur baat hai kya? Agar hai toh keh do. Main nahi chahta tum khud pe koi aur bhojh rakho."

His gentle voice gave her confidence, "Maine aapko bataya na ki doctor ne kya kaha tha... main phir se kabhi... I cannot... have a child."

He had heard it the first time. Pursing his lips, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Ayush hai na... hamara beta."

Overwhelmed with his love, she crashed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him, "Thank you." Her choked voice did not let any more words come out.

Sameer rubbed her back, "Naina, mere liye tum kaafi ho. Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye. Bas tum... aur tumhara pyar... mere liye isse khoobsurat zindagi nahi ho sakti."

The tears were back. It was like they were getting back at her for curbing them for years. She furiously wiped them, hiding her face in his chest.

"Mujhse kuch bhi chupane ki zarurat nahi hai tumhe, na apne aansu... na dil ki baat." He kissed on top of her head.

She sniffed, but didn't look up.

"Naina, main tumhare muh se sunna chahta hun, woh teen words." He whispered.

She gulped. Showing her acceptance was one thing, but saying those three words... she felt a wild fluttering of butterflies in her stomach.

"Tumhari aankhen bohot pehle se padh li thi maine. Unmein chupa pyar dikhta hai mujhe... lekin tumse sunna chahta hun. Bolo Naina." He leaned, to speak closer to her ear.

Her lips remained glued, unable to utter anything.

He smiled, knowingly, "Bolna toh tumhe padega. Aur jab tak tum nahi bologi, main tumhe yaad dilata rahunga... ki kya bolna hai."

Before she could ask, he held her face in both hands, and placed a kiss on her forehead, mumbling softly, "I love you, Naina."

She closed her eyes.

Next moment, she shivered, as his lips touched her one eye, then the other one, with the same honeyed voice, "I love you, Naina."

Her eyes shot open.

Till then, he had reached her cheek. The kiss landed on her plump cheek before she could stop him, "I love you, Naina."

"Bas." She said breathlessly as he turned his face to reach her other cheek.

"Bas? Abhi toh shuru kiya hai." He said innocently.

"Sameer main..." She lowered her face that had turned crimson.

"Tum kya?" He prodded.

She looked up. He raised one brow. In a flash, she raised her heels, placed a kiss on his jaw, and fled to the washroom before he could register what had happened.

I know it was quite dreadful to read about Naina's past. Just wanted to show that true love is not just falling in love, it is staying in love, no matter what.

I could not re read today's update as I neither had the energy nor heart. If there are some loose ends, let me know. Writing all this was as draining for me as painful it was for you to read it. Maybe more. I'm still not over it.

Let's see what next update brings for us, which would be on Tuesday.