Bhalla aunty was watching TV when she heard the sound of gate. Craning her neck, she noticed Naina and Ayush accompanied with a new person.

"Chalo achha hai Naina ne yahan dost banane shuru kiye. Bechari ke mummy papa hain nahi aur husband itni door baitha hai... kam se kam doston ke saath hi hans bol ke khush rahegi." She smiled, giving an approving look to the tall guy following her to the door of their stairway at the end of porch.

Sameer looked around at the tastefully decorated living room. Mostly done in white, it was aesthetic.

"Beautiful house." He was appreciative.

"Ghar toh furnished hi tha. I guess Bhalla aunty ki tareef karni chahiye." Naina shrugged, chuckling.

Sameer pursed his lips. He was sure Naina's choice and ideas would have been even better had she set up this house. His eyes drifted to a tall cutglass vase, placed on a side table. The white lilies brought another smile to his face. He might have given them to Ayush but now, as they rested here, close to Naina day and night, he felt a wave of delight course through him... the flowers from him were the first to enter her house, and today, he himself had reached here. The steps were being taken in right direction.

"Aap kya lenge, Sameer sir... tea or coffee?" Her voice made him hold the horses of his dreams.

He shook his head, "Nothing. Thanks. I don't want to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all. Main roz Ayush aur apne liye bhi banati hun." She put her bag on a side console and held out Ayush's bag to him, who ran to place it in his room without being told.

"Toh aap jo apne liye banati hain, woh mujhe bhi chalega." Sameer said with a slight nod.

She waved at the sofa and Sameer took a seat, suddenly at loss for words now that they were alone in the room. Thankfully, Ayush was back after freshening up. His excited chatter filled up the silence immediately. Naina excused herself to go to the kitchen, getting busy in making coffee for them, milkshake for Ayush, and preparing cheese sandwiches.

Ayush told Sameer about his previous birthday, which he could remember because of the videos and pics Naina had in her phone.

"Wahan toh aapke bohot saare friends honge na?" Sameer asked.

Ayush shook his head, "Nahi. Thode se hi the. Sab log mere saath nahi khelte the. Woh Beena aunty thi na, moti wali, woh manaa kar deti thi sabko."

"Kyon?" Sameer was surprised.

"Pata nahi. Lekin wahan school ke saare friends aaye the mere bday pe. Bas park wale thode se hi the. Phir bhi itte saare gifts ho gaye the mere paas." Ayush spread out both his arms sideways, his eyes shining.

Sameer smiled, making him sit with himself, "Iss baar aur zyada gifts honge."

Ayush scrunched his nose, "Kaise? Two mere friends denge, ek Naina aur ek aap... bas four honge. Mummy papa abhi tak aaye hi nahi. Bhalla aunty bhi dengi kya? Beena aunty ne toh nahi diya tha."

Sameer was now sure that whatever tragedy had struck their parents was in the last few months. He wondered who this Beena aunty was, who did not allow other children to be friendly with Ayush... and why.

Naina called out to Ayush before Sameer could ask him anything else, "Chal aaja Ayush, tere cheese sandwich aur shake rakha hai yahan." She placed the tray on dining table.

"Cheese sandwich? Wow!" Ayush jumped at the mention, and reached the table. She lifted him to make him sit on the chair, and put the glass and sandwiches in front of him.

She went back to the kitchen and brought out another large tray with two coffee mugs. After keeping one on the side table next to Sameer, she offered the platter to him, which had a couple of sandwiches, cookies and few slices of tea cake.

"Thanks, coffee is enough. I don't eat anything before workout." He picked up the mug, shaking his head at her offer.

With a small smile, she put aside the platter, and sat down opposite him.

Sameer was surprised to find the coffee strong, just as he liked. He looked at her, "Very nice coffee. Mujhe strong hi pasand hai."

"I know, sir. Maine suna tha aapko cafe mein ek do baar. Actually I also like strong coffee isliye yaad reh gaya." She smiled.

Sameer took a large sip, to hide back the grin that threatened to spread out at her statement. He hoped Naina was not looking at him as he scalded his tongue.

Thankfully, Ayush diverted their attention. "Nainaaaa, sauce gir gaya." He whined.

"Offo, tu bina giraye khaya hi mat kar." Naina put aside her mug, and went to him. She took a tissue from the stand, wiped the small spot on his tshirt and frowned, "Ruk, geele napkin se saaf karna padega."

She went to the kitchen, coming out a few seconds later with a wet cloth, and rubbed it on the mark, leaving a wet patch on it, "Ab dhyan se khana." She ruffled his hair, smiling.

Sameer was still looking at the wet mark on the little boy's tshirt when Naina's phone started to ring.

"Hello... ji... okay. Main aati hun."

She looked at Sameer, "Excuse me Sameer sir, I'll be back in two minutes. Meri car service station se aa gayi hai." She murmured to Ayush to behave well, took her wallet from the bag and went out the main door.

Ayush finished his milk shake quickly and darted to his room again. Within seconds, he was out, wiping his wet mouth with the sleeve of his tshirt.

"Umm, Ayush, aap apna tshirt change nahi karoge? Uspe ketchup gir gaya tha... aur paani bhi laga hai." Sameer could see the wetness on the sleeve as well, along with blotches all over his front.

Ayush looked down at himself, "Sauce toh saaf ho gaya. Aur paani, woh abhi sookh jayega. Aap chalo na main apna room dikhata hun."

Though he was finding it uncomfortable to look at the wet tshirt, Sameer followed him. The room immediately shifted his kind away from the stained tshirt. Bright and airy, the room was quite tidy for a small child.

"Pata hai, last time meri party terrace pe hui thi. Hamare purane ghar mein bhi aisa hi terrace tha. Naina ne khoob saari lights lagayi thi, balloons aur aur big wale fans bhi. Mere friends ko garmi bhi nahi lagi. Papa big wala cake laye the aur mumma ne cheese pasta banaya tha." Ayush dragged him to the terrace, skipping excitedly.

"Aap bolo toh iss baar bhi terrace pe kar lenge." Sameer proffered.

Ayush ran to the edge, spreading out his arms again, "Yeh toh small hai na, yahan party kaise hogi?"

Sameer walked upto him, holding his shoulders securely as Ayush stood near the metal railing. The road below came into his view, and his eyes fell on Naina. Standing next to the open engine, she seemed to be questioning the mechanic, who was nodding repeatedly. She leaned in between to peer under the bonnet, then said something. The man explained what she wanted to know. Satisfied, she walked around the car. As she pointed at a few places, the mechanic placed his bag on the road, took out a cloth, poured a few drops from a bottle and vigorously rubbed till the white surface was shining. She then sat on the driver seat and switched on the ignition. After checking everything, she paid the mechanic, locked the car, and walked back inside the gate. Sameer was once again amazed at how effortlessly she was managing everything, without anyone to guide her or help her. Be it her work in office or her home, even Ayush... everything seemed perfect under her control.

Naina frowned when she didn't see Ayush and Sameer in the living room, "Yeh ladka na maar khayega mujhse. Sameer sir mere boss hain, na ki uske school friend jo saare ghar mein ghuma raha hai."

"Ayush!" She said a little loudly, keeping her voice soft though.

"Mar gaye. Naina ne manaa kiya tha terrace pe akele aane ko. Naina ke sir, aap bolna aapne kaha tha... nahi toh mujhe daant padegi." Ayush hid behind Sameer as he saw Naina entering his room.

"Ayush, maine tujhe kaha tha..." Naina narrowed her eyes at her little brother peeking from behind Sameer's legs, but stopped midway when Sameer raised his palm.

"Actually, main Ayush ko bahar laaya tha. Usne apna room dikhaya toh terrace dekhne aa gaye. Sorry." Sameer said in an apologetic voice.

Naina nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "No no sir. It's okay. Main bas Ayush ko isliye manaa karti hun ki kahin woh gir na jaaye. Aap saath the toh koi tension nahi hai."

Her trust made his heart swell up.

Seeing no danger from Naina, Ayush again held Sameer's hand and dragged him inside the room, "Aao main apna room dikhata hun."

Naina stepped aside, as both of them crossed her. Ayush showed his toys drawer, his books, the board games and his casio. He then stood up on the bed and started pointing at the few frames they had put up. Sameer noticed the picture of their parents.

"Naina, aap bilkul apni mummy ki tarah lagti hain... aur Ayush bhi." Sameer said gently, looking back at her.

The wallet slipped from Naina's hand, falling on the floor.

In one long stride, Sameer was near her, to pick it up. Naina bent down at the same time, without realising that he was doing the same thing.

Their heads banged with each other.

"Ouch." Both straightened, holding onto their foreheads.

Ayush jumped from the bed and came running, tugging at Naina's arm, "Haww, ab jaldi se phir se takkar karo nahi toh tumhare horns nikal ayenge."

"Chup kar. Aisa kuch nahi hota." Naina hushed him, mortified at his suggestion.

Ayush gave a wide eyes look to Sameer, "Main sachhi bol raha hun. Pratham ne bataya tha. Jab bhi ek takkar hoti hai toh ek aur karni chahiye, nahi toh apke bhi horns aa jayenge, Naina ke sir. Chalo, aap Naina se phir se takkar karo."

Naina shook his hand, "Ayush, maine bola na chup ho ja." She gave a quick glance to Sameer, "Sorry sir, bachche bhi pata nahi kya kya bolte hain."

She swiftly bent her knees to pick her wallet and walked out... but the colour on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed by Sameer. He kept looking at the door, mesmerised by the hue on her face that he had seen for the first time.

Ayush pulled at his hand, and started to talk animatedly about his friend's birthday that he had attended few weeks before coming to Delhi. For almost half an hour, they were busy making plans for next month.

Naina paced the living room, wrenching her fingers. She couldn't tell her boss to leave, and probably he himself was too polite to say so to Ayush.

"Aaj iss ladke ki khair nahi. Aadhe ghante se sir ke peeche pada hai. Kya sochenge woh... ek toh aisi baatein karne laga hai." She pressed her forehead, embarrassed again at Ayush's suggestion of banging their heads second time, "Aaj hi Maheshwari sir ne offer diya aur aaj hi Ayush Sameer sir ki jaan kha ke unhe itna pakaa dega ki woh khud manaa kar denge mere saath kaam karne ko."

In answer to her rants, the beep on her phone announced a message. She opened it immediately. The mail was from office. When Mr Jai Prakash Maheshwari had offered her the change in her duties, Naina wasn't aware that it would mean a promotion. The new profile gave her a better position, and a raise in salary. She was pleasantly surprised.

Sameer got the mail at the same time as it was copied to him as well. A smile spread on his face. Naina definitely deserved the new designation, along with the raise.

When he went out to the living room with Ayush, she was smiling while typing into the phone. He was even more glad to see the happiness reflecting on her face.

"Congratulations! And welcome to my department." Sameer grinned.

Naina looked up, "Thank you, sir. I'm... I'm a little surprised. Mujhe laga bas profile switch hai. Lekin yeh toh... it's a promotion. I wasn't expecting any such thing so soon."

"Naina, believe me, you deserve it. Nanu jo karte hain bohot achhe se soch samajh ke hi karte hain. Tum deserving ho isliye hi tumhe yeh position di hai." Sameer asserted.

Naina lowered her eyes. After her parents, it was the first time someone had shown so much faith in her. Pressing her lips hard, she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Ayush, realising that something important had happened, looked at her hopefully, "Aaj tum happy ho toh pizza mangwa lein? Extra cheese wala?"

Naina pinched his cheek, "Jee nahi. Jo banaungi wohi khayega tu."

He brooded, rubbing his cheek, "Tumhare sir kya bolenge... ki Ayush ke ghar mein mujhe kaisa khana mila."

Sameer chuckled at his excuse, "Naina ke sir kuch nahi bolenge... kyonki Naina tumko best khana hi degi."

"Main toh aapke liye keh raha tha. Aapko bhi ab bhindi ya tinde khane padenge." Ayush sadly shook his head.

Both Naina and Sameer were startled... none of them had thought of having dinner together.

Sameer patted Ayush's head, "Aaj jo Naina banayegi woh tum khao, mujhe kuch kaam hai." He looked up at Naina, "Thanks for the coffee. Main ab chalta hun."

She nodded, and murmured a 'good night' as Sameer left.

At night, she stood looking at the moon, "Abhi sirf ek mahina hua hai mujhe yahan aaye, aur yeh promotion. Ek ke baad ek sab kuch sahi ho raha hai. Aisi company, aise colleagues, aise bosses... maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha duniya mein aise log ho sakte hain... kabhi dekhe hi nahi the. Rohan ke baad ab Sameer sir ke saath kaam karna dream job hoga kisi ke liye bhi. Haan, pehle Sameer sir thode ajeeb lage the par ab... pata nahi kaise par ek comfort level hai unke saath. Aisa lagta hai woh bina kahe hi sab samajh jaate hain... lekin kaise? Aur Ayush ke liye bhi itna sochte hain... jaise main employee nahi unki family mein se koi hun. Pehli baar kisi se itni baatein ki hain maine, par kabhi unki aankhon mein kuch galat nahi dekha. He's truly a gentleman. I just hope ki unko har woh khushi mile jo woh chahte hain."

At the same time, a few kilometers away, Sameer looked up at the same moon, "Meri khushi sirf tumse hai, Naina... sirf tumse."

Next update on Thursday