Naina let out a relieved breath. She felt much lighter after making the call. It hadn't occurred to her earlier that Sameer could also be hurt but now that it was clear that he was fine, she was thankful for the same. She was also scared, of his anger. The way he had hollered into the phone in the beginning made her break into sweat.

"Baap re, kitna gussa karte hain Sameer sir. Jinko nahi jaante unpe itne naraaz ho gaye toh jab kisi janne wale se koi galti hoti hogi uska toh band hi baja dete honge." She shuddered, hoping she never came in his firing range.

She checked her phone, and her eyes widened at the time flashing on the screen, "Barah baj gaye? Oh God! Naina, pagal ladki, yeh time hota hai phone karne ka! Woh kya sochenge... shittt... kahin isliye toh gussa nahi the ki maine unhe neend se jaga diya? Haan pakka aisa hi hua hoga. What have I done! Ab kya karu... of course dubara phone karke sorry thodi bol sakti hun... warna iss baar woh gussa mere liye hi hoga."

Pressing her forehead, Naina sat curled up in the chair, cursing herself for not checking the time before calling.

She need not have worried so much. Sleep wasn't something that gave company to Sameer anymore. He laid in bed, staring at the phone, or rather, her name against a specific number. He had saved it as one word... Naina. The A at the end wasn't needed in his contact list.

A smile appeared on his face at the realisation that he now had her number. Somehow, it felt that he had moved another step closer to her.

"Agar ek pal ke liye Sanjay ki baat sach maan lein, ki Naina single hai... toh... toh kya karunga main? Aur kaise? Kya usko seedha jaake bol dunga... nahi, aise kaise bol sakta hun. Naina toh..." He sat up in excitement, "Naina ne toh kabhi meri taraf dekha tak nahi theek se. Jaise kuch ladkiyan ekdum ghoorti jaati hain, ya smile karti hain, ya phir sharma jaati hain... Naina ne toh aisa kuch bhi nahi kiya mere saamne. Iska matlab usse main pasand nahi kya? Lekin nanu kehte hain mujhe toh koi bhi ladki pasand kar legi... phir Naina ne kyon nahi kiya?" He was confused about what Naina thought about him.

Sameer had to spend the night tossing in bed, his thoughts jumbled up about Naina's relationship status.

Nanu smiled at him when he went down for breakfast, "Aa jaa hero. Aaj jogging pe nahi gaya tu?"

Sameer shook his head, "Thodi thakaan lag rahi thi, nanu. Baad mein gym chala jaunga."

He had decided against trying his luck in Lodhi garden again.

Nanu looked at others before patting his back as he slipped in the chair next to him, "Dekho bhai, yeh hamara sher... kal Vikas ki itni dhulai kari ki che jagah fracture hai aur chaar daant tut gaye hain, hoth pe aur aankh pe stitches aaye hain."

Vishakha stared at her son in horror, "Sameer, yeh kya? Itna kaise maara tune usse? Papa, kisi ne roka kyon nahi? Aap sab kahan the?"

Vivek and Rohan were equally shocked while Deepika screamed in delight, "Wow bhai, aap toh movies wale hero ban gaye. This is crazy. Main apne friends ko bataungi toh sab impress ho jayenge."

Nanu gave the details that Vikas had a broken jaw, fracture in nose, three fingers and wrist, a few missing teeth, and probably the rings that Sameer always wore had given him cuts on lip and eyelid after Sameer had pummeled him. The news gave Sameer smug satisfaction. The hand that had touched Naina was broken, the mouth that had uttered words against her was shattered, the teeth that sneered at her were gone and eyes which had casted evil look on her wouldn't be able to give a dirty glance to anyone anymore.

Though Vishakha was miffed about the incident, nanu pacified her by saying that had Sameer not made Vikas this incapable, he could have escaped... and then could have come back to cause more harm to them personally.

Two days of weekend were not easy for Sameer. The only solace was the number on his phone, which he stared at almost the whole time.

The God probably had pity on him when he reached office on Monday alone as nanu had gone to the factory with Vivek. The moment he parked, Naina's car came into view. He waited till she parked and alighted. He joined her when she waited in front of the lift, but as her usual habit was, she didn't look at the person who stood beside her.

However,when she entered the lift, and turned, her eyes met his. With a small smile on her face, she nodded, "Good morning, Sameer sir."

"Good morning, Miss Naina. How are you?" He was able to keep the smile in control and not grin foolishly.

"I'm good." She hesitated, lowered her eyes, bit her lip slightly, then looked up at him again, "I'm so sorry, Sameer sir, uss din maine call karne se pehle realise nahi kiya ki itna late ho gaya hai. It was stupid of me to not check the time. Maine aapko shayad sote hue disturb kiya uske liye sorry."

Sameer raised his hand, shaking his head vehemently, "Aapne bilkul disturb nahi kiya. Honestly, main soya hi nahi tha. Aap yeh baar baar sorry mat kahiye please."

Naina opened her mouth when he flicked his brows, "Aur thank you bhi mat kehna. Vikas deserved whatever he got."

The smile on her face was warmer and broader this time, "As you say, sir."

He formed words in his mind, to ask her to address him by his name, but before he could say anything, the bell of lift announced her floor.

Naina slapped her forehead at the realisation that they had crossed his office, "Oh no, aapke floor ka button hi press nahi kiya. Sor... umm..."

Sameer indicated with his hand towards the door. He followed Naina on her floor, "Mujhe Rohan se kaam tha isliye main apne floor pe nahi gaya. And thank you, sorry na bolne ke liye."

She stopped to look at him, then laughed, "Maine aapki baat maani ab aapko bhi meri ek baat manni hogi..."

His heart had grown giant wings, which fluttered wildly in his ears now, at the music of her laughter.

"... aap bhi mujhe thank you nahi bolenge." She completed her sentence.

Sameer swallowed the happiness bubbling through him, and kept his smile contained, "Fine. Abse no sorry, no thank you... dono ke liye."

And in the same euphoria, he held out his hand, "Deal?"

She gave a surprised look at his extended palm... his heart stopped beating... whether she took it or not, he would be dead in both cases.

Naina decided to kill him with ecstasy as she placed her hand in his, "Deal."

Her soft hand was instantly engulfed in his large palm. The touch made him go numb. This wasn't the first time he was shaking hands with a girl but the wave of dizziness spreading through him was definitely a first. The speed of his heartbeat would have been immeasurable had someone checked it now. He could have stood in the same place for the whole day had Naina not tugged at his hand.

"Sameer sir, your phone is ringing." She said softly when he still did not move.

"Uh... oh... yeah." The hardest part was letting her feel slip out of his hand... the phone appeared to be his biggest enemy at the moment.

"Bhai, aap kab tak aa rahe ho?" Rohan spoke urgently into the phone.

"Main... kahan?" Sameer tried to recall where he had to go.

Rohan reminded, "Office aur kahan! Aapne hi kaha tha na Chandigarh wale consignment ke liye jo packing hai..."

It suddenly dawned on Sameer why he was here, "Ha... haan. Wohi karne toh aaya hun. Coming."

Naina gave him a quick nod and walked away. Sameer pressed his lower lip under his teeth, trying hard not to gawk at her... it was office passage and anyone could see him. The hand that was held by her remained fisted in his pocket as he entered Rohan's room.

The room was vacant. Rohan was probably checking something with his staff. Sameer brought out his hand, and looked at it. He couldn't believe he was holding her hand a few minutes back. His skin tingled from the effect of her touch.

"Oh bhai aap aa gaye. Maine aaj Dhruv ko thoda jaldi bulaya tha, ussi ko dispatch ki list ke baare mein bata raha tha. Haan, ab bolo. Chandigarh ke liye kya special instructions the. Woh file pakdana zara, aapke side wale cabinet mein sabse upar hai." Rohan entered, completely engrossed in the work at hand.

Sameer quickly put his hand back in the pocket, as if Rohan would see Naina's touch on it. Turning to his side, he rummaged the files.

"Kaunsi file Rohan?" The drawer had at least a dozen.

"Arre bhai ek blue colour ki hai. Friday ko Naina ne usme hi list rakhi thi." Rohan pointed his hand without looking up from the laptop.

It was like the forces of nature didn't want him to let Naina move out of his thoughts even for a second. Not that she did, but... was this a sign of destiny?

"Uspe Naina Agarwal likha hai." Rohan's voice made his belief stronger.

The moment he pulled out the blue file, a white sticker on it with bold black letters again made all his thoughts turn upside down.

"Yeh? Lekin ispe toh... yeh..." Sameer stared at the file.

Rohan gave a quick glance and held out his hand, "Haan yehi wali. Likha toh hai ispe Naina ka naam."

Sameer stepped ahead and placed the file on the table, "Naina Agarwal nahi ispe Naina A likha hai."

Rohan gave him an uncomprehending look, "A for Agarwal hi toh hoga na. Kya ho gaya hai aapko."

Sameer felt like kicking himself. Of course... A was Agarwal... it was her name. Why did he have to see every A as Ayush! His own stupidity irked him while the realisation pasted a grin on his face. He was still in the delirious state when Rohan shook him.

"Bhaiii. Kahan khoye hue ho? Dekho na yeh list. Isme se kiski delivery ke liye bola tha aapne?"

Sameer had no idea how he managed to give the details to Rohan. Later in his room, he processed everything that had happened since morning. Running into her first thing in the morning, the non formal conversation, her touch... he again looked at his hand and felt the same softness... and then the discovery, dispelling his thoughts that A in Naina's id meant her boyfriend... it was just her surname. For now, Sameer was too over the moon to brood over the fact that Ayush still existed. For him, it had been one of the best days... except the one when he had met Naina first time.

He, however, had no idea what was in store for him before the day ended.

Vedika was deeply bothered about whatever happened. She touched Naina's shoulder, "Tu theek hai na? Yeh Vikas waala kaand... tune bataya kyon nahi Friday ko? Yeh toh aaj Dhruv se pata chala humein. Naina, doston ke saath share toh karti yaar."

Naina gave her friends an assuring smile, "I'm perfectly fine. Uss din zara darr gayi thi. Uska iss tarah touch... aur phir woh sab bolna... it had freaked me out. Par ghar jaake theek lagne laga. Sorry, tum logon ko isliye nahi bola kyonki uss time main bohot uncomfortable ho gayi thi. Ab chodo iss baat ko, woh Vikas arrest ho gaya hai."

Dhruv told them about Vikas's injuries... that were a result of Sameer's thrashing. Naina felt a strange satisfaction while others gasped.

"Jail toh baad mein jayega pehle uski denting painting hogi achhi tarah. Dabaa ke phoda hai Sameer ne." Dhruv chuckled.

Sanya turned all dreamy eyed, "Sameer ne fight kiya uske saath... hero ki tarah villian ki dhulai kar di. He's such a good person. Naina, how was it? Vikas toh uth hi nahi paaya hoga... Sameer is so strong."

Vedika rolled her eyes, "Sanya, Sameer ke peeche pagal hona band kar yaar."

Sanya pouted, "Kyon? Abhi shaadi toh nahi hui na unki. Main kaunsa kisi aur ke malai ke katore pe nazar daal rahi hun. Haan agar Sameer committed hote ya unki shaadi ho gayi hoti toh main chup ho jaati."

Farhan winked at her, "Ya phir tumhari shaadi ho jaati. Waise Vedika, kya lagta hai, Sanya khud ki shaadi ke baad bhi aise hi tadegi Sameer ko agar woh tab tak single raha toh?"

He received a smack from Sanya, "Mujhe shaadi karni hi nahi hai, samjhe."

Naina always felt light and lively with her friends. Their silly banters made her laugh like she hadn't done in a long  time. Their harmless teasings made her feel normal, like any other girl of her age. She was thankful for the day she decided to move to Delhi, and applied in this company. Her life had started to change... for the better.

It was around five in the evening that nanu called up Sameer, to tell him to come to his room after fifteen minutes.

When Sameer reached there, he found Rohan seated alone.

"Nanu ne bulaya tha. Kahan gaye?" He pulled a chair.

"Hum dono saath hi aa rahe the upar se ki nanu ko Mr Shantanu ne kuch dikhane ke liye rok liya." Rohan stated.

His attention went to his phone which started ringing. He had Sameer's attention as well the moment he put it against his ear.

"Yeah Naina... it's okay, you can leave... no issue... aaj main bhi kaafi tired ho gaya hun toh bas iss meeting ke baad nikal jaunga... sure... call kar dena... bye." Rohan concluded his talk and disconnected.

"Aaj... aaj Miss Naina jaldi jaa rahi hain." Sameer checked the time, disappointed that he won't get to see her again today.

"Haan aaj Naina ko Ayush ko pick karne..."

Sameer's head snapped up, "Tu Ayush ko jaanta hai?"

Rohan looked at him strangely, "Mila nahi hun par naam se toh jaanta hi hun, bhai. After all Naina ko itna time ho gaya mere saath."

Sameer gritted his teeth, "Oh, toh sabhi jaante hain usse. Lekin kisi ne kaha nahi Naina se ki woh ladka kaisa hai... matlab uske paon mein mehendi lagi hai kya jo roz Naina hi usse pick karegi? Khud nahi ghar jaa sakta?"

Rohan was perplexed, "Khud kaise jayega? Itne chote bachhe ko creche wale akele thodi jaane denge."

Sameer forgot to close his mouth, gaping at Rohan with stunned expression. Somehow, he found his voice, "Ba... bachha?"

Rohan nodded, "Haan. Ayush Naina ka chota bhai hai. Paanch saal ka bhi nahi hai. I know aap sochoge ki itna age gap kaise hai but woh mujhe bhi nahi pata. Itne personal questions nahi puche maine. It's too early for that. Naina usse creche se pick up karti hai roz isliye usne first day hi bata diya tha ki woh time pe jaana chahti hai. She's quite sincere, kabhi kaam incomplete chod ke nahi jaati. Woh do din baad summer vacations hone wali hain na toh usse creche mein poore din chodne ki arrangements karni thi. Uski baat karne hi aaj jaldi jaane ke liye subah pucha tha."

Sameer was barely able to comprehend what Rohan was saying... the only words ringing in his ears were 'Ayush, Naina ka chota bhai'.

Seeing him quiet, Rohan also did not give more details, and started to check the files in front of him. Sameer kept sitting like a statue for quite a few minutes.

Rohan was taken aback when he stood up with a jerk and ran towards the door with a quick mumbling of 'Abhi aaya'.

Sameer halted at the door, turned, and sprinted back to his brother. Pulling up a startled Rohan, he crushed him in his embrace... and gave a kiss on his cheek.

"Bhai? What's wrong with you?" Rohan stumbled back, his hand on his cheek as Sameer left him abruptly.

"Arre Sameer, kya hua? Tu yeh kya..." Nanu, who had just witnessed his hug and kiss was equally shocked.

His eyes widened further when Sameer took him in a similar tight hug, and planted a kiss on his cheek, his eyes twinkling, "You're the best, nanu."

They both kept staring at the door through which Sameer had dashed out.

Slowly, nanu turned towards Rohan, "Maine kuch kiya hai kya? Jo mujhe hi nahi pata?"

Rohan shook his head, "Maloom nahi. Mujhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata maine kya kiya aisa jo bhai..." He was still rubbing his cheek.

Okay, so Sameer has finally come to know the identity of 'baby babu shona' in Naina's life 😂

Let's see how he handles it now

Next update on Monday. And yes, it won't be possible to give one on weekend at all. So we'll meet only on Monday.