Title is the song 'Phir Kabhi' from the movie "MS Dhoni'

After meeting Ayush, Sameer and Naina went to check on nanu. With the spectacles perched on his nose, he was reading some reports on his laptop.

"Good morning, nanu." They said in unison, coincidentally.

"Arre aa gaye tum dono." Nanu's face broke into a bright smile. He put away the laptop, waving at them to sit with him as he took off his specs.

Naina checked the medicines in the tray kept on bedside table, "Kaise hain aap? Medicine le li na? Raat ki dose miss toh nahi ki?"

"Saari dawai le li. Tumse daant thodi khaani thi." Nanu rolled his eyes, then added with a fond pat on her cheek, "Lekin meri asli dawa toh tumhare chehre ki yeh smile hai. Naina, bohot achha laga beta, tumhari aankhon mein subah jaisi roshni dekh ke."

Sameer looked lovingly at her... same moment, her eyes drifted to him, brimming with love.

Nanu was filled with gratification at this exchange. Naina was taking care of him ever since he fell ill, but he could see the emptiness which still lurked in her eyes, the shadows that marred acknowledgment of her place in the family... even in Sameer's life. He had no idea how they got married, because he couldn't see complete acceptance in her demeanor till now. But today, her face radiated a different glow. The warmth that flowed in their eye lock warmed him as well. Something had definitely changed between them, that had broken the ice of her resistance.

He cleared his throat to get their attention. Both looked back at him, sheepishly.

"Mr Mahajan ka mail aa gaya hai. Kal ki meeting ke points unhone incorporate kar liye hain. Yeh matter toh solve ho gaya. Ab agle mudde pe aate hain." Nanu crossed his arms, showing no inclination to pick the laptop to discuss the matter he was talking about.

Sameer gave him a questioning look, "Kisi aur client ka issue ho gaya hai kya, nanu?"

"Nahi, iss baar client ka nahi, company ke maalik ka issue hai. Uski shaadi ho rahi hai." Nanu gave them a meaningful look.

Though Sameer was aware this would be planned eventually, he was surprised nanu had thought about it so soon. For Naina, it was a shock.

"Nanu, pehle aap poori tarah theek toh ho jaiye. Abhi se aapke liye itna exertion sahi nahi hai." Sameer proposed.

"Yaar main ekdum fit hun. Kal doctor bhi hairan tha. Kehne laga ki konsi jaadu ki chadi mil gayi hai jo dawa se bhi zyada asar kar rahi hai. Maine kaha bhai doctor, tum log sirf shareer ka ilaaj kar sakte ho. Lekin agar aisi khushi mil jaaye jo dil ko sukoon de toh shareer apne aap hi fit ho jaata hai." Nanu smiled brightly at them. Though her hesitation had worried him a little in last few days, he was sure Naina was not forced by Sameer to agree to the marriage... and he was happy for them, besides being excited for the day when he would see them together in real sense.

Sameer showed fake annoyance, "Achha, aapki khushi hum log nahi the kya jo aap bimar pad gaye?"

"Abey gadhe nayi khushi ka charm alag hota hai. Meri bahu ke aane se aur zyada rounak aayi hai. Tujhe toh bachpan se dekh raha hun. Aur isiliye tujhe achhe se jaanta hun. Zara meri agli baat dil thaam ke sunna." Nanu's eyes raced between the two of them, to capture every reaction that he was to get at his next words, "Ab kyonki hum shaadi poore tareeke se karenge toh thoda mahaul banana chahiye. Isliye main soch raha tha... jab tak shaadi ki rasmein nahi ho jaati, Naina ko mere saath wale room mein shift kar dete hain."

If eyes could actually fall off the face in utter shock, Sameer's would have rolled down to the floor. A momentary look of dismay appeared on Naina's face too, but she was quick to camouflauge it, lowering her eyes.

Sameer opened his mouth, but he was too dumbfounded to speak.

Nanu blinked innocently at him, "Koi problem toh nahi hai na, Sameer... shaadi karne mein?"

He stared helplessly, unable to speak out the problem, which was definitely not the marriage.

Nanu looked at him, then her, then back at him, "Chalo bohot ho gaya mazak, ab jaake office jaane ki taiyari karo."

Sameer gaped at him, uncertainty looming in his eyes, "Aa... aap mazak kar rahe the?"

Nanu shrugged, then narrowed his eyes at him, "Kyon, tu sach mein Naina ko alag room mein shift karna chahta hai?"

"Kabhi nahi. Main toh..." He flushed as nanu's roaring laugh reverberated in the room, making Naina go all red.

"Ab bhaag yahan se, jisse pehle mujhe yeh idea pasand aa jaye." Nanu waved him off.

When Naina turned to go along, he stopped her, "Naina, mujhe tumse do minute baat karni hai. Ruko zara."

Sameer reluctantly left, wondering what nanu had to say to her.

Once they were alone, nanu summoned her to sit in front of him. His asked in a gentle voice, "Tum khush toh ho na, beta?"

"Jee... jee nanu. Main bohot khush hun." She smiled genuinely.

Her warm response made him exhale in contentment, "Mujhe darr sa lagta tha ki tum yahan sabke saath ho par hona nahi chahti. Mujhe galat mat samajhna, beta, lekin mera saalon ka anubhav kehta hai ki tum jab yahan aayi thi toh usme poori tarah se tumhari marzi nahi thi."

Naina looked down.

"Nahi beta, na main kuch puch raha hun na koi shikayat kar raha hun. Bas itna kehna hai ki apne dil ko kisi tarah ki majboori mein mat bandhna. Lekin apne dil ko rokna bhi mat. Naina, zindagi mein ek waqt aisa aata hai jab hum uss insaan se milte hain jo hamare liye bana hai. Uska saath paa ke lagta hai hum mukammal ho gaye. Jis kami ka ahsaas tak nahi tha woh bhi usne poori kar di. Woh humein aise hi pyar karta hai jaise hum hain... na woh humein badalna chahta hai, na kisi soche hue aks mein dhaalna chahta hai. Agar aisa koi zindagi mein milta hai toh apne dil se puchna chahiye... ki kya hum apni har khushi, apna har aansu, apne saare pal uske saath baant sakte hain. Agar dil raazi hai toh uska haath pakad lena chahiye, warna sirf doosron ki khushi ke liye khud ko sazaa dena theek nahi hai. Rishtey dil se bane toh hi kamyab hote hain."

When Naina looked at him, her eyes had a clarity that he hadn't seen in them for a long time, "Nanu, aap jo kehna chaah rahe hain, main samajhti hun. Aapko yakeen dilati hun, maine sab kuch dil se apnaya hai. Kuch uljhane thi, lekin Sameer ne unhe bhi mita diya. Iss shaadi ke liye... iss shaadi ka mujhe bhi intezar hai." She accepted, with a shy smile.

Nanu placed a hand on her head, his hopeful eyes fixed on her, "Sameer se... pyar karti ho?"

The colour spread on her face even before she could answer. Lowering her lashes, she nodded slightly.

"Oye shabash. Dil khush kar diya." Nanu exclaimed loudly, startling her.

He held her face and dropped a kiss on her head, "Jaa beta, mera Sameer itni der tere bina nahi reh paata." As she blushed and reached the door, he called out, "Aur haan, usse aaram se batana... pagal na ho jaaye kahin."

His laughter rang in her ears as she scurried out.

Sameer waited behind the main door of his room. Nanu had said he wanted to talk to her for just two minutes. Naina would be coming in any moment. This was the first time she would step into the room, after having accepted it as theirs, in true sense. He wanted to welcome her properly.

The moment he heard approaching footsteps, he was ready.

"Thank you, yahan aane ke liye." He wound his arms around her, closing his eyes.

The absence of her soft feel, the missing fragrance... and a completely different voice made him open his eyes instantly.

"Isme thank you ki kya baat hai, Sameer bhaiya. Phir bhi... mention not." Ramdhari looked surprised and shy at the same time.

Sameer jumped back, frustrated, "Tu yahan kya kar raha hai?"

He was puzzled, "Abhi toh aap itne pyar se thank you bol rahe the abhi phir se daantne lage. Aapka bhi samajh nahi aata humein toh. Khair, hum chai laaye the, aapke aur Naina Bhabhi ke liye. Kahan hain Naina Bhabhi? Kal se unse baat hi nahi hui." After placing the tray on table, he peered around.

"Sab baat kar lo, aur mujhe line mein sabse peeche khada kar do." Sameer gritted his teeth angrily.

"Naina Bhabhi, good morning." Ramdhari exclaimed, looking at the door.

She smiled warmly at him as she entered, "Good morning Ramdhari bhaiya, kaise hain aap?"

"Hum toh ekdum achhe hain lekin Sameer bhaiya ko pata nahi kya hua, ek second mein khush hoke humein gale laga liya doosre second mein daant diya." Ramdhari gave a confused look to Sameer again.

"Uhh... woh shayad thak gaye hain. Aap unke liye alu paranthe bana dijiye, khush ho jayenge." It didn't take her any time to understand why Sameer must have hugged him.

Ramdhari went away, accepting her idea happily.

She looked at Sameer, "Alu parantha theek hain na?"

He frowned, "Kuch nahi chahiye mujhe. Socha tha tumhara special welcome karunga jab hamare room mein aaogi. Iss Ramdhari ke bachhe ne pehle aake sab kharab kar diya."

She bit the inside of her cheek, controlling the smile at his childish grouse, and walked towards the door.

"Ab tum wapas kahan jaa rahi ho?" Sameer pouted.

Naina stopped at the door, looked back at him, and asked, "Main phir se aaun... special welcome ke liye?"

His anger vanished in a jiffy. Holding her arm, he shut the door, and bolted it, before leaning towards her, "Ab aa hi gayi ho toh... ek better idea hai mere paas."

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of his dark eyes. And before she knew, he scooped her in his arms, lifting her effortlessly.

"Yeh kya... yeh kya kar rahe hain aap." She grabbed his shoulders.

"Don't worry, pehli baar nahi kar raha hun." He chuckled at the way she clutched him, fearfully.

"Matlab? Aap kis kis ko aise utha ke ghoomte hain?" Her eyes narrowed.

He raised his brows, seeing a flash of same jealousy that he had seen once before. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he replied, "Shayad teen baar toh uthaya hai lekin dil nahi bhara."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. Unable to resist, he pecked the tip of her nose, "Tumko... sirf tumko."

Her eyes widened, "Mujhe? Kab?"

"Jab bhi tum meri baahon mein aane ke liye behosh hone ka drama karti ho tab." He gave a crooked smile.

"I'm sorry, Sameer. Mujhe nahi pata yeh kab hua... maine kabhi drama nahi kiya." She was astonished as she had no recollection.

He chuckled at her naivety, "Sorry? Naina, tumhe lagta hai mujhe koi problem hai? Main toh saari zindagi tumhe aise rakh sakta hun, apne seene se laga ke."

The realisation of her position dawned on her, and she brought her hands to his chest, "Aap utariye na mujhe. Office ke liye late ho jayega."

He glanced at the wall clock, and knew she was right. But he couldn't let go of the chance. Jerking her a little up, which made her clutch his collars hard, he looked into her eyes, "Ek shart pe... mere saath meri car mein chalogi."

She opened her mouth to agree, but he didn't give her the chance, expecting a denial.

"Bas aaj... please." His voice dropped to a whisper.

She nodded. His heart flipped at the honeyed warmth of her eyes. Slowly, his gaze drifted down to her lips, which were barely two inches from him. His gaze lifted to search hers... she could see the longing in them. Her body trembled slightly in his arms, and she closed her eyes. When she didn't move her face away even with his breath directly falling on her, he knew she would accept him.

"Abhi nahi... jab tum khud ready ho jaogi tab." Her eyes shot open at his barely audible voice.

He gently put her down, still looking at her with same love.

"Filhaal, office ke liye ready ho jaate hain." He flicked her nose with a finger, making her snap out of the spell he had casted.

With a wildly drumming heart, she quickly walked away to take fresh clothes from the cupboard.

His voice made her stop abruptly and look back, "Naina, ab drame ki zarurat nahi hai. Banda haazir hai... twenty four hours." He winked, spreading his arms.

She quickly entered the washroom.

Since Ayush wanted to be at home for one more day, and Vishakha said it would be better, Naina had no option but to let him miss his daycare for another day. She left for office with Sameer, in his car.

"Jab tum pehli baar meri car mein baithi thi, main kitne dinon tak tumhari khushbu mehsoos karta raha tha." He confessed as they hit the main road.

She glanced at him, amazed at how pure his love was. He had broken the barriers around her heart so smoothly that all she felt now was the same love gushing through her entire body. Her cold heart, that she had locked away from every emotion, had warmed up slowly, to his patient and persistent efforts. And now, she was not able to think of anything else. His dark eyes, which had earlier mesmerised her, now held her captive, in their depths, and she wanted to delve deeper. These new feelings she had never experienced before were much stronger than she had seen in the movies, or read in some books. The realisation of her love for him initially had scared her a little, but she was at peace that it would always remain one sided. But now, she wanted to let loose, wanted to live a life with him that she had never thought of for herself. He wasn't a dream come true, he was a blessing that had come to her unexpected.

He had been feeling her gaze on him for quite sometime when he finally gave her a quick glance, and smiled, "Agar aise hi dekhti rahogi toh... office pohochana mushkil ho jayega."

She looked away with a smile. He was surprised to see that it wasn't a blushing smile, just a knowing one.

He grasped her hand from her lap, and brought it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss, "Achha laga. Jab tum aise dekhti ho toh dil mein aur bhi sapne jaag jaate hain."

This time, her cheeks heated up.

"Sach Naina. Mujhe bohot special feel hota hai jab tum itne pyar se dekhti ho." He claimed, "Thank you."

She looked back at him as he drove with one hand, holding hers with other one comfortably. It was a heavenly feeling, and she was already getting addicted to it. When they reached office, she did not show any reluctance to walk out of the same car, towards the elevator.

Naina had just entered her room when the door burst open. She turned with a blush, expecting to see Sameer.

"Hi Naina." Vedika flashed a smile, "guess what!"

"Abhi? He's coming?" Naina could easily recognise the shine in her eyes.

"Haan." Vedika gushed, "Kal aa raha hai. Maine already leave apply kar di."

"Isiliye aaj se hi itni special preparations hain. Looking beautiful." Naina gave her an appreciative look, admiring her elegant outfit.

"Itne din se nahi mili lekin ab pata chal gaya ki woh kal mere saath hoga toh aaj usse kuch zyada hi miss kar rahi thi... isliye yeh pehna. Abhi ne gift kiya tha. Uski choice bohot achhi hai." Vedika adjusted her dupatta fondly.

"Khud ki tareef?" Naina smirked.

Vedika smiled dreamily, "Jab koi sach mein itna pyar karta hai na, Naina, toh khud pe apne aap pyar aane lagta hai. Apne aas paas ka hi nahi, apna bhi sab kuch achha lagne lagta hai."

"Haan, woh toh hai. Sab kuch naya lagne lagta hai." Naina blurted without thinking.

Vedika gave her a shocked look, "Naina?"

"Huh?" Naina was puzzled at her change of tone.

When the reason for Vedika's wide eyes registered, she gave a shy smile. Somehow, she didn't feel the need to hide her happiness from her friend.

"Oh my God! I don't believe this. Who?" Vedika rushed to her and held her by elbows.

Naina flicked her brows, "Tumhe toh pehle hi samajh aa gaya tha. Ab kyon puch rahi ho?"

"Sameer?" Vedika was still unsure.

Naina nodded.

"Hey bhagwan, main behosh hone wali hun." Vedika swayed dramatically, placing a hand to her temple.

Naina giggled at her antics.

Vedika looked at her, elated, "Naina, tujhse yeh nahi puchungi yeh sab kab aur kaise hua. Lekin tujhe khush dekh ke bohot achha lag raha hai."

Naina hugged her, filled with a heady rapture.

After a while, when they separated, Vedika squealed, "Main puchungi nahi... lekin, as a friend, teri duty hai ki mujhe sab kuch batayegi."

"Bata toh diya. He asked... I said Yes." Naina turned to her side, shrugging.

Seeing her friend bathed in the glow of love, Vedika nudged her, a mischievous smile on her face, "Yes ke baad aur kya kya hua yeh toh bata de. Did he... umm... is Sameer romantic? Did he hug you? Kaise propose kiya? Aage kya plan hai? Ghar pe kab batayega? Shaadi ka kuch socha?"

"My God Vedika, exam kyon le rahi ho. Kal tumhara Abhi aa raha hai na, toh uspe focus karo. Baaki sab phir kabhi." Naina tried to shift her attention to her own love story, not willing to shock her more by divulging details.

Vedika checked the time on her phone, "Oh haan, I need to finish a lot of work. Chal bye." She dashed to the door, but stopped and turned, "Lekin Naina, teri story mujhe sunni hai. Mera system abhi tak theek se iss baat ko absorb hi nahi kar paaya. Tum dono... sabse door door rehne wale dono... ek doosre ke saath. Ahh, I'm so excited to know ki kaise hua sab kuch."

After she was gone, Naina thought about what Vedika had said. Her own issues were related to her past, but why was Sameer so aloof with everyone. Going by his looks and charm, there would have been no dearth of female attention. Did he never have any interest in any girl, even in college... or when he went to London?

It was just before lunch when Sameer called up Naina, "Hey, if you don't mind, kya ek baar yahan aaogi? Tumhe kuch dikhana hai."

Wondering what it could be, she knocked at the door once, then entered. He was not in his seat. She peered around the room. A feeling of deja vu hit her instantly, and she swirled... coming face to face with him. Standing next to the door, he looked at her intently. Her heart flipped at his smile.

"Aapne kaha kuch dikhana hai." She uttered,

He took her hand, and placed it on his heart, "Apna haal dikhana hai. Yeh dil tumhare bina ruk sa gaya tha... isliye bulaya."

She waited with halted breath, feeling his heart beat crazily under her hand, then looked at him, "Ruka hua toh nahi hai."

He looped an arm around her waist, taking a step to get closer, "Kyonki ab tum saath ho."

"Main hamesha aapke saath rehna chahti hun, Sameer. Hamesha. I want you to be my home." She placed her other hand on his chest too, looking into his eyes.

Sameer's heart swelled up at her words. Pulling her closer, he cupped her face with one hand, grazing her cheek with his thumb, "And you are my world. I promise Naina, hum hamesha saath rahenge."

This time, when she lifted herself to reach his cheek, she didn't run away afterwards.

"So that's two." He said with a glint in his eyes, reeling under the effect of her lips on his skin.

"Aapko count karna hai?" She was amused.

He shook his head, "Nahi. Magar wapas karna hai, interest ke saath."

She buried her face into his chest. He could feel the curl of her lips as he tightened his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.

Next update on Sunday