Title is a song from the movie 'Ramleela - Goliyon ki rasleela'

At the dinner table, before the entire family joined them, Ayush hopped off his chair and ran to nanu, tugging at his arm. Presently, they were the only ones present in the dining room.

Nanu bent down, bringing his ear close to Ayush's face as he cupped his hand over his mouth, showing all signs of sharing a secret, "Nanu, maine dono ko manaa liya. Aapne kaha tha na unko bolun shaadi karne ke liye... Naina ne kaha woh Sameer papa se shaadi kar legi... aur Sameer papa bhi. Ab aap mujhe big wala gift doge na?"

Nanu's face shone with the right amount of excitement at the news, "Oye shabash. Mujhe pata tha tu yeh kaam kar lega." Lowering his voice, he quirked up a brow, "Aaram se maan gaye ya tujhe roothna pada?"

Sameer pulled a chair opposite nanu, looking at both of them with interest. Moments later, Vishakha took her seat, followed by Preeti and Naina. They all were intrigued by the confidential conversation going on between the eldest and the youngest member of the family, neither of whom seemed keen to share it with them.

Oblivious to others, Ayush grinned, whispering again, "Maine itne pyar se kaha ki dono maan gaye. Sameer papa ne kaha yeh toh achha idea hai."

Nanu shot a quick glance at Sameer, stifling the full throated laughter, "Tere Sameer papa ko tu yeh idea nahi deta toh usse khud se kabhi yeh khyal aata hi nahi." Clearing his throat to bring his volume down, he asked, "Naina mumma ne kya kaha?"

Ayush had an expression of extreme responsibility when he stated, "Naina ne kaha main jisse kahunga woh shaadi kar legi. Kyonki bhai ko hi toh apni sister ki shaadi karani hoti hai. Isliye maine kaha tum Sameer papa se kar lo."

Nanu pecked his cheek, then narrowed his eyes, "Lekin ab tu bhai thodi hai. Sameer agar papa hai toh Naina..."

Ayush placed his hands on waist, giving a weary look to nanu, "Aap sabko aapke friends kuch nahi batate kya? Jab Naina Sameer papa se shaadi karegi tabhi toh meri mumma banegi... kyonki mumma papa ki shaadi hona rule hota hai."

Nanu raised his brows, as if in realisation, and gave an understanding nod, "Yaar tu toh bada intelligent hai, isliye tere friends bhi intelligent hai. Lekin mere ek dost ne bhi kuch bataya hai. Sunega?"

Ayush nodded fiercely.

Nana made him sit on his lap, and pointed at Vishakha, talking in normal volume now, "Tere Sameer papa ki mummy... teri aunty nahi dadi hai, aur Vivek dadu. Aise hi Rohan abse tera chachu aur Deepika..."

"Mujhe pata hai buaa. Preeti ne bataya." Ayush waved his head at Preeti.

Deepika, who had just joined them, squealed at her new title, "Wow, ab tu mujhe buaa kahega?"

Ayush grinned, elated that it made her so happy.

Nanu patted his back, "Shabash. Lekin Preeti bhi..."

Preeti intervened, "Nanu, abhi rehne dijiye na. Ek saath itne naye naam sunke confuse ho jayega. Jab shaadi ho jayegi toh main khud sikha dungi."

Nanu nodded, then looked at Ayush, "Lekin mera naam bhi badalna padega. Nanu toh main inn sabka hun. Tu mujhe nanu nahi kahega."

Ayush gave him a sad look, "Aap mere nanu nahi banoge?"

"Main abse tera bada dadu hun. Kya bolega?" Nanu pinched his cheek.

"Bade dadu!" Ayush rolled the name on his tongue, pondering for a while, then his eyes lit up, "Jaise Angad ke dadu dadi hain waise mere bhi dadu dadi... aur aap bade wale dadu, kyonki aap sabse big ho?"

Nanu laughed at his analysis, "Haan bhai. Ab sabko promotion mil raha hai toh main hi kyon nanu banke rahun. Mujhe bhi pardada banne ka dil hai."

Vishakha twisted her face, "Mujhe dadi nahi kehna. Bohot old feel hota hai. I don't like it."

Nanu gave her a grave look, "Vishakha, rishta toh rishta hota hai."

Naina had lowered her eyes, while Preeti and Sameer controlled themselves to not blurt out something inappropriate in anger...

A sudden smile on Vishakha's face, and her next sentence made every strain of frustration and anger melt away in all those seated at the table, "Mujhe dadi maa kehna. Zyada apnapan lagta hai. Aur jaise yeh bolega, waise hi iske bhai behen bolenge na, jab bhi ayenge."

Ayush, unaware of the sudden tension that had built up around him, and then dissipated at the same speed, bobbed his head in delight, "Okay. Aap meri dadi maa ban jaana."

With a warm smile, nanu patted Ayush's back, ushering him to his chair, "Chalo ab sab khana khate hain."

Naina felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. Ever since Sameer had started the proceedings for adoption, she had seen a frown on Vishakha's face. She had even asked Sameer once if mummy was okay with his decision. But he had just smiled and told her that the decision was taken in presence of all elders. Hearing her acceptance for Ayush made Naina fill up with a new respect for her. Given her ideology, she was sure it must not have been easy for Vishakha to accept first the marriage, then a grown up grandson. It made her fill up with more guilt... at being incapable of giving her a grandchild who would be her son's child.

Her eyes drifted to Sameer as she felt his warm hand close over hers under the table. He gave a slow blink, assuring her that everything would be fine. Naina nodded, letting out a small smile.

Soon, they all were busy with discussions about the impending wedding, which was little over a week away now.

"Vishakha, zyada logon ko mat bulana. Jaisa humne decide kiya tha, bas kuch bohot close friends aur janne wale. Haan, reception ke liye jise chaho bula lo. Lekin baaki rasmon mein sirf wohi log hone chahiye jo hamare bachhon ki khushi mein dil se khush honge." Nanu directed his daughter, well aware of her habit of going overboard.

"Aapko dikha dungi guest list papa." Vishakha sighed, "Aap sabne manaa kar diya hai toh main kaise bula sakti hun sabko."

She looked back at the couple being discussed, "Naina Sameer, tum chutti kabse le rahe ho?"

"Chutti? Kyon?" Both uttered in unison, with same surprised expression.

Vishakha rolled her eyes, "Dono ek jaise hain. Arre office se aake rasmein karoge kya? Obviously kuch din ki chutti leni padegi. Aisa karo, ek week ke liye jo thoda bohot zaruri kaam hai usse ghar se hi kar lo."

Sameer shook his head, "Nahi mummy, ek week toh possible nahi hai. Waise bhi saari rasmein sham ko hi hoti hain, phir chutti ki kya zarurat hai?"

"Jee nahi. Haldi subah hogi. Usse pehle Ganesh pooja bhi. Mujhe nahi pata, mujhe sab log ghar pe chahiye dono din." Before anyone could object, she turned to Preeti who was seated next to her, "Aur agar iss baar tumne kahin bahar bhagne ka plan banaya na, toh main tumhe proper filmy saas banke dikhaungi."

With a chuckle, Preeti leaned and hugged her, "Itna drama karne ki zarurat nahi hai aunt... I mean mummy. Obviously, I'll be here."

Deepika was most excited, "Achha hua mere exams issi week khatam ho rahe hain. Main bhi maze se sab functions enjoy karungi."

"Aur main bhi." Ayush chirped happily, though he had no idea what all functions they were talking about.

Everyone laughed at his half thrilled half confused asseveration.

Sameer found Naina on the terrace when he went back to their room. Her arms crossed, she was lost in thoughts.

He hugged her from behind, "Itna mat socho. Aane wale waqt mein kya hone wala hai iss fiqr mein aaj ki khushiyon ko andekha nahi karna chahiye."

Both his arms and his words were like soothing blanket on her jumbled thoughts. She leaned back on his chest, wrapping her hands over his arms which circled her waist, "Main khud bhi aisa karna nahi chahti Sameer. Bas kabhi kabhi sabki expectations se darr jaati hun."

He kissed over her head, "Naina, hum jitne logon se milte hain, jinse rishta hota hai... kaisa bhi rishta ho chahe... woh sabhi humse kuch na kuch expect karenge. Lekin hum sabki khushi ke liye apni zindagi ko unke hisaab se toh nahi jee sakte na. Apni taraf se hum chahe jitni koshish kar lein, har kisi ko khush rakhna impossible hai. Toh hum wahi karenge jo humein khushi de, bas koshish karenge ki hamari wajah se kisi aur ko takleef na ho. Sabki expectations poori karna hamari duty nahi hai."

She turned to face him, but he kept her in his arms, smiling at her as she looked at him with apprehensive eyes, "Tum itne samajhdaar pehle se the... ya meri company ka asar hai?"

It took him a while to comprehend that she was not pensive, but was teasing him. He tightened his hold, rubbing his nose on hers, "Sab kuch pehle se tha... bas majnu tumhari wajah se bana hun."

"Hmm. Marz kuch zyada hi lagta hai." She said seriously.

"Bohot zyada." He whispered, gliding his nose over her cheek to reach her ear, "Yeh bimari har din badhti jaa rahi hai. Iska ilaaj bas yehi hai ki tum hamesha mere paas raho, aur mujhe dher saara pyar karo."

He shoulder hunched up as he continued his assault, "Sameer, hum bahar hain."

"Yahan koi nahi dekh sakta humein... tumhare ek khaas dost ke siva." He lifted his head, pointing at the sky, "Aur tumhara woh chaand bhi khush hi hoga tumhe khush dekh ke."

Her eyes followed his line of view, "Chaand toh hamesha khush rehta hai. Maine jab bhi usse baat ki hai usne sirf muskura ke dekha hai mujhe."

He looked back at her, "Phir toh humein andar hi chalna chahiye. Meri Naina ko koi aur dekhe yeh main bardasht nahi kar sakta."

Naina giggled at his fake jealousy, "Chaand se kaun jalta hai."

"Main." He huffed, holding her shoulders to turn her, "Main har uss cheez se jalta hun jiske liye tum mujhpe se nazar hatati ho."

"Toh kya har time tumhe hi dekhti rahun?" She raised her brows, laughing.

"Sirf mujhe. Dekhti raho aur..." His voice turned husky as he leaned, but she pushed him and ran inside.

"Naina." He groaned, sprinting after her.

Few days later, before dinner time, Vishakha found Deepika sprawled in the living room, watching a show on large screen TV.

Vishakha gave her a stern look, "Main dekh rahi hun aaj tune subah se kuch padhai nahi ki hai. You should not waste so much time."

"Mummy, abhi abhi toh exams khatam hue hain. Ab shaadi tak books ko haath bhi nahi lagane wali main." Deepika declared, leaning back on recliner while she changed channels.

Vishakha softened, "Achha theek hai. Agar kahin bahar chalne ka mann hai toh bata de. Saara din TV dekhne se achha hai kahin ghoom aate hain."

Deepika's eyes brightened at the suggestion. Putting the show on pause, she turned to look at her mother, "Mummy, Saloni keh rahi thi uske ghar sleepover kar lete hain. Ahana aur Ragini bhi aa jayenge."

Vishakha frowned but before she could outrightly refuse, Deepika tugged at her arm, "Please mummy. Abke baad pata nahi kab masti karne ka time milega inn sabke saath. Ek baar twelfth start ho gayi toh kisi ke parents allow nahi karenge. Last time jaane do na."

Naina, who had just come out of the kitchen and heard her proposal, stiffened instantly. Her voice came out harsher than she intended, "Raat ko rukne ki kya zarurat hai Deepika. Tum sirf din mein friends ke saath ghoom ke aa jao. Raat mein kahin rehna theek nahi hai."

Deepika looked at her in surprise. She had never seen Naina talk in such fierce tone. Her face fell, at the prospect of seeking permission from another elder, "Bhabhi, raat ko zyada mazaa aata hai. Main subah jaldi aa jaungi. Promise, uske baad main achhe se padhai karungi."

Naina did not relent, "It's not safe, Deepika. Please understand, woh tumhari friends hain lekin unke ghar mein... kisi pe trust karna easy nahi hota."

Deepika made a face, "Main ek baar pehle bhi apni friend ke yahan stay kar chuki hun. It's so cool bhabhi. Aapne bhi toh apne friends ke ghar night stay kiya hoga... kitna mazaa aata hai."

Sameer had heard the conversation as he descended the stairs.

Naina hadn't seen him yet. She rigidly shook her head, "Tum abhi choti ho Deepika. Tumhe nahi pata log kis tarah ke hote hain. Friends ko jaanti ho lekin unki families ko toh nahi jaanti na. Aise kisi ke ghar jaake rehna... I don't think it's safe."

"Naina, jab hum kisi ko jaane bina, uske ghar parivaar ko dekhe bina, uski family mein kisi se bhi mile bina usse apni zindagi ka hissa bana sakte hain toh Deepika ke friends ko toh saalon se dekhte jaante hain. I don't think ek raat Saloni ke ghar rehne mein koi problem hai." Vishakha retorted in a clipped voice.

Sameer had pulled out a chair to sit. But his mother's words made him push back the chair and walk away. Naina's eyes spun to him as he crossed her. She could see his clenched jaw.

Still she was adamant to make Deepika understand, "Main dinner ke baad tumse thodi der baat karna chahti hun. Uske baad tum jaisa chaho waisa kar lena."

When Deepika readily accepted the condition, she rushed up the stairs to their room, eager to speak with Sameer.

He was standing against the glass door, looking out. Hearing her footsteps, he turned. Naina was shocked to see his eyes blazing.

"Tumhe har baat mein purani baatein laane ki kya zarurat  hai? Why can't you come out of your past? Zaruri nahi hai jo tumhare saath hua woh sabke saath ho. Don't you understand... woh sab beet gaya. Kab tak tum ussi andhere mein chhup ke rehna chahti ho?" He lashed out the moment he saw her.

Naina was taken aback at his outburst. Before she could get back to her senses, he stormed out of the room.

Even more anxious to talk to him now, she stepped out after she realised he wasn't coming back. Ramdhari was walking out of Ayush's room.

"Ramdhari bhaiya, aapne Sameer ko kahin dekha?" She asked, trying to keep the urgency in her voice hidden.

"Abhi hum Ayush baba ka kamra saaf karne gaye toh Sameer bhaiya upar wali terrace ki taraf jaa rahe the." He pointed at the stairs.

Naina rushed to the floor above, on the open terrace. Sameer was standing with his back to her. She walked up to him, and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Sameer stiffened.

"Main apne kal se bahar aa chuki hun Sameer... tumhara haath tham ke. Woh baatein bhula di hain maine. Tumne aur tumhare pyar ne dheere dheere har zakhm pe marham laga ke usse bhar diya hai. Ab aankhen band karne pe mujhe uss raat ki anjaan yaadein nahi chubhti... balki tumhari baahon ka sukoon mehsoos hota hai." She uttered in a soft voice.

Sameer kept standing in silence. When he did not react for several minutes, she went in front of him. His eyes were shut.

Naina cupped his face, her voice calm, "Aankhen kholo, Sameer."

She waited till he slowly opened his eyes. The anger in them had been replaced by pain.

She lifted herself on her toes, and placed a comforting kiss on his forehead, "Kya tumhe meri aankhon mein koi dard ya darr dikh raha hai? Bolo Sameer, kya tumhe aisa lagta hai ki main woh din yaad kar rahi hun?"

Her voice was smooth, having no trace of pains of her past, neither anger at his behaviour. He pursed his lips.

"Main sirf Deepika ko samjhana chahti hun. Jaanti hun jo hua woh sabke saath ho aisa zaruri nahi hai... lekin Deepika meri choti behen hai... usse yeh batana ki bahar ki duniya mein kis tarah ke dangers ho sakte hain, koi galat toh nahi hai. Usse cautious rehna toh sikha sakti hun na?" She looked into his eyes earnestly.

The anger surfaced again, making his voice curt, "Kaise sikhaogi? Apne baare mein bata ke? You have any idea what that would mean?"

Her eyes lowered for a moment. But when she looked up again, the smile was back on her face, "Tumne hi kaha tha na, sabko yeh baatein janne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main kuch batane nahi, balki yeh kehne jaa rahi thi usse ki as a girl usse kin kin baaton ka khyal rakhna chahiye. Yeh duniya tumhare parivar jaisi nahi hai... na hi Deepika ko tumhare office jaisa mahaul kahin milega. Isliye usse asliyat batani padegi. Main nahi chahti Deepika... ya kisi bhi ladki ko... woh sab sehna pade. Isliye khud ko bachana ek ladki ko aana chahiye. In fact, main suggest karne wali thi ki exams ke baad Deepika ko self defense ki classes join karwa do."

He kept looking at her, his eyes blank.

Naina swallowed, "Please Sameer. Mujhe galat mat samjho. Main pehle bhi kabhi self pity mein nahi rehti thi. Aur ab toh mujhe tumhara saath mil gaya hai. Main aage badh rahi hun Sameer, tumhare saath. Lekin mere jaisi kismat har kisi ki nahi ho sakti... kyonki bhagwan ne Sameer toh sirf ek hi banaya hai na."

A tear of regret rolled down his cheek. His voice was heavy with distress, "I'm so sorry Naina... maine tumhe..."

She placed her fingers on his lips, cutting his sentence short, "Tumne maafi maangne jaisa kuch nahi kiya. Yeh gussa mujh pe nahi, mere haalat pe tha. Pehle mujhe bhi aata tha. Lekin ab nahi aata. Shayad yeh bhi kismat ka ek imtihaan tha Sameer... ya tumse milane ka kismat ka tareeka. Shayad yeh aag thi jismein jalne ke baad hi mujhe woh sona banna tha jismein tumhare jaise diamond ko fit kar sakun."

His eyes were damp again. Holding her wrist, he moved her hand, only to place a kiss on her fingers, "Diamond toh tum ho. Sirf ek khayal se mujhe itna gussa aa gaya. Aur tumne itni aasani se mera behaviour accept kar liya. Naina, I'm really sorry. Jab tum Deepika ko... main darr gaya ki kahin tum usse ya mummy ko sab bata na do. Jaanta hun yeh hamari family hai... lekin main tumpe koi ungli uthte hue nahi dekh sakta. Mummy ki aadat mujhe pata hai.. aur ab toh tum bhi jaanti ho... isliye unhe koi mauka nahi dena chahta. Please Naina, mujhe maaf kar do."

"Ek shart pe." She raised her brow expectantly.

"Manzoor." He smiled finally.

"Bina sune? Soch lo... mushkil kaam bhi ho sakta hai." She teased.

"Kitna bhi mushkil ho. Apni Maina ke liye mujhe sab manzoor hai." He cupped her face, looking at her lovingly.

Her eyes darted to the sky, "Sameer, maine bohot salon se chaand ko hi apna dost apna saathi manaa hai, jisse maine apne dil ki har baat share ki hai, bina kisi hesitation ke." She looked back at him, "Chaand ne sirf suna hai sab kuch. Lekin ab main chahti hun chaand mujhse baatein kare... meri har baat sune, mujhe sahi galat samjhaye, mujhe gussa kare, pyar dikhaye, zid kare... mujhe asli chaand chahiye."

When he stared at her with eyes clouded in confusion, she uttered in a soft voice, "Will you be my moon?"

His face broke into a beaming smile, "I'll be luckiest if you let me be your moon."

"Ab mera chaand hamesha poora rahega." She kissed his cheek.

Up in the sky their friend was smiling again, seeing them drown in each other's love adoringly.

Next update on Friday