The song is 'Tu rang sharbaton ka, main meethe ghat ka paani'

Each day was getting tougher than the previous one for Naina. Sameer spared no chance to get close to her. Though he didn't say or do anything when they had company, he easily managed time for them to be alone, and did not forget to remind her of their new relationship. Then there were those calls. He never failed to call her at night. Naina hardly uttered a word in the conversation... it was mainly one sided, but she didn't dare to end the call... lest he came home, as he had threatened.

It was two days before Diwali when Dhruv came to Sameer's room.

"Sameer, main aapko apni sister ka wedding invitation dene aaya hun. You have to come. Aap engagement pe bhi nahi aaye the. Family mein sab aapse milna chahte hain. Please try to make it this time." He placed the card on the table.

Sameer smiled warmly, "Of course Dhruv. I'll try my best. Agar koi urgent kaam nahi aa gaya toh main definitely attend karunga."

Satisfied with his assurance, Dhruv left the room. Sameer picked up the card, made a mental note to arrange for a gift to be sent and put it in his drawer. He had no intention of attending a wedding where he didn't know anyone. Random persons came to you in such functions and asked everything from your family to education to job to number of girlfriends. He wasn't prepared to face the horde of people eying him as a prospective groom for some unaware girl of their family, who would be as clueless about the alliances that would be propelled at her. He never liked this kind of thing earlier... and now, he didn't need it.

He was married... to his Naina.

A rumble in his stomach reminded him that he had missed breakfast today. Deciding to take an early break for lunch, he left for the café.

Sameer was halfway through his lunch when he noticed Naina coming in with her group of friends. Since he was not in direct view, and as per her habit, she didn't look around, she remained unaware of his presence. The group settled on a larger table. Farhan and Vedika went to the counter to place the orders while Naina and Dhruv seemed to be engrossed in some conversation. Suddenly Sameer lost his appetite. Dhruv seemed to be explaining something to her intently, to which Naina kept nodding. Her head was lowered, eyes fixed on the table, but Dhruv kept looking at her as he went on speaking. To his relief, the other two joined them soon, and their decibel level increased.

"Best idea hai. Do songs ko mila lete hain." Farhan stated.

Vedika shook her head, "Nahi, do se zyada lete hain, mashup types. Mixing main kar dungi. Kuch romantic aur kuch shaadi wale."

Naina gave her an uncomfortable look, "Vedika, mujhse nahi hoga. Yeh romance wagerah main nahi kar paungi. Leave me out of it."

Sameer was taken aback. Had Naina told them? But that couldn't be possible... when he couldn't bring himself to share it with anyone at all, even with nanu or Preeti or Raghav and Sanjay, how could Naina tell her recent friends so easily? Then who she needed to romance... and why?

Vedika's words took his attention back to them, "Offo Naina, do minute ke liye pretend hi to karna hai, kaunsa tujhe sach mein romance karne ko bol rahe hain... woh bhi Dhruv ya Farhan ke saath. An itne time se jaante hain hum log ek doosre ko toh itna comfort level aa hi jaana chahiye."

Naina gave a contrite look to them, "I'm sorry guys. Aisa nahi hai ki main tum sabke saath comfortable nahi hun. But please understand, mujhse koi romantic dance nahi hoga. Mujhe toh dance hi nahi aata. Lekin tum logon ne kaha toh maine agree kar liya. But yeh sab... sorry."

Dhruv raised his palms to placate her, "Okay, no issue. Hum aisa karte hain, shaadi ke hi do teen songs rakh lete hain. Pehle part mein tum aur Vedika perform kar lena, doosre mein main aur Farhan aur last wale mein hum chaaron. And don't worry, tumhe kisi tarah ka discomfort nahi hoga. Hum aise koi steps nahi rakhenge."

Vedika nodded in acceptance, "Haan, yeh sahi rahega. Naina, ab mat bolna tujhse nahi hoga. Ek week hai hamare paas practice ke liye."

Naina gave a small smile, agreeing to it finally.

Sameer was confounded. He couldn't understand what they were planning... and why. Naina taking part in a dance with them... but for what occasion. What was coming up in one week's time? And then it dawned on him. The date on the wedding card was of one week later. They were planning for Dhruv's sister's wedding. Sameer had a new sparkle in his eyes. There was no chance he would miss the functions now.

Since Naina's back was to the passage, she didn't see him when he left. None of them did, as they were too engrossed in choosing the songs. It was good for him. He didn't want Naina to know he would be there too. Back in his room, he checked the card again. It was a three days schedule... sagan on first day, mehendi and sangeet on second and finally, the wedding. A contented smile played on his lips... they would attend everything together.

Diwali was a holiday in offices but some of the main staff members were called for performing Diwali pooja in the morning.

When Mr Maheshwari asked Naina to come for pooja the evening before Diwali, she couldn't refuse.

"Sameer, tu aisa karna, Naina ko pick kar lena. Roads pe festival ka crowd hota hai aise mein alag alag cars kyon laani. Main, Vivek aur Vishakha saath aa jayenge." Nanu did not suggest but ordered.

The smug look on Sameer's face was visible only to nanu as he was standing beside Naina and she didn't look up at him.

Next morning, Ayush was excited to visit her office, "Mujhe isliye bulaya hai office kyonki ab main bhi big ho gaya hun?"

Naina ruffled his hair, "Itna bhi big nahi hua ki office jaane lage."

"Offo, tumne mere saare baal kharab kar diye. Ab mujhe phir se ready hona padega." He stomped his feet, and ran away to his room to set his hair again.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell announced Sameer's arrival. Ayush opened the door, grinning at him, "Happy Diwali, Sameer. Main kaisa lag raha hun?"

"Happy Diwali Ayush." Sameer gave him a bright smile, "Hamesha ki tarah tum hi sabse handsome lagne wale ho... hamare office mein tumhare jaisa koi nahi hai."

Ayush was thrilled at the praise, "Isiliye maine Naina ko bola mujhe kurta nahi shirt pehenni hai. Kurte toh papa log pehennte hain na."

Sameer adjusted Ayush's shirt collar, "Kurta koi bhi pehen sakta hai. Mujhe toh bohot pasand hai. Lekin abhi maine bhi tumhari tarah shirt hi pehna kyonki..." His voice trailed off, feeling the much awaited fragrance fill up the air surrounding him. He didn't have to turn to know that Naina had come out of her room.

Ayush saw her as well, "Arre Naina, tumhara aur Sameer ka dress to same same hai. Dono yellow."

Sameer turned slowly, only to get entranced by the simple yet elegant picture in front of him. Dressed in a yellow kurta, with white dupatta, Naina looked like the sunshine that instantly brightened his day. As the rays of sun from outside fell on her, delicate sequins on her dress twinkled like stars in sunlight... something which wasn't plausible to the world, but he could see. Today, she had parted he hair in the centre, and gathered them behind her ears, making the soft curls fall in front on both sides. She looked delicate... and he instantly wanted to hold her, protect her within his arms, take her away from all her memories, all her pain.

"Happy Diwali, Naina." He wished her in a soft, loving voice. After all, it was their first Diwali together.

Her eyes stayed on him for a moment, but turned to the floor when she couldn't bear the adulation in them. She wished him back without looking up, "Happy Diwali."

Ayush tugged at her dupatta, "Tumne dekha? Sameer ne aaj phirse tumhare jaise clothes pehne hain."

That was when her gaze lifted upto his chest. He was not in his signature blazer today. Instead, he wore a half sleeved shirt, with yellow and white stripes, which matched with her combination.

Sameer ruffled Ayush's hair, "Meri aur Naina ki choice same hai shayad. Isliye hum ek jaise clothes lete hain."

Ayush frowned, hands on waist, "Aur aap ho bhi Naina jaise... mere baal phir se kharab kar diye. Ab wait karo, mujhe ek aur baar set karne padenge."

He was gone before Naina could stop him. She had just half turned to follow him, to avoid being alone with Sameer when he held her wrist. Startled, her eyes lifted up to him.

Sameer stepped a little closer to her, and brought her wrist to his chest, "Yeh hamari pehli Diwali hai ek saath... aur shaadi ke baad bhi. Gift toh banta hai na."

With the other hand, he brought out a bracelet from his pocket, and tied it on her wrist, smiling, "Jab bhi isse dekhogi, tumhe yaad ayega ki do dil, jo ek doosre ke liye bane hain, unhe aise hi judna hai."

Her eyes darted to the bracelet. It had two overlapping hearts, dangling from a dainty chain.

"Apne dil ko sazaa mat do, Naina. Diwali ke chote chote diye itne bade aasmaan ka andhera mita dete hain. Tum bhi apne andar ke saare andhere khatam karne ke liye mere dil ki awaaz sun lo. Dekho, aaj hum dono ne yeh jo rang pehna hai, yeh roshni ka rang hai, brightness ka rang hai. Iss rang ko sirf bahar nahi, apne andar bhi bikhar jaane do." His tender voice left her speechless, the warmth of his fingers on her skin was melting her, the love in his eyes was pulling her to him.

"Main aa gaya. Chalein?" Ayush's voice made Sameer withdraw his hand, but his eyes didn't leave hers, until she turned to pick up the lock.

When Ayush slipped in the back seat, Naina was surprised.

"Tujhe aage baithna hai toh aa ja. Main peeche chali jaungi." She offered, keeping the car door open.

Ayush fervently shook his head, "Preeti ne kaha tha hamesha peeche baithna chahiye... safe hota hai. Isliye main peeche hi rahunga."

As she tied the belt, Sameer said in a low voice, "Maine jo kaha uske baare mein sochna zarur. Diwali gift toh tumhe bhi dena chahiye na."

All through the drive, Ayush and Sameer were busy talking about something or the other, while she could think of nothing but what he had said. Sameer was indeed the shine of her life. He had given her every reason to be happy, to smile, to feel all those emotions which made her heart alive again. But her light wasn't enough to make his life bright... he didn't know yet.

At office, nanu was present with Vivek but Vishakha had not arrived.

"Papa, mummy kyon nahi aayi? Pooja toh unke haath se hi hoti hai." Sameer asked Vivek.

"Vishakha ne kaha usse mandir jaana hai pehle. Humne usse drop kar diya. Raju ko bol diya hai usse pick karke laane ko. Tab tak hum log preparation kar lete hain." Vivek stated.

Half an hour later, there was no sign of Vishakha.

Panditji, who had already arrived to perform the pooja, asked impatiently, "Somani ji, pooja ka samay nikal jayega agar humne aur der ki. Bhabhiji kahan reh gayi?"

Vivek gave him a troubled look, "Panditji, Vishakha jam mein phans gayi hai. Thoda time lagega."

Panditji checked the time on his phone, "Time toh nahi hai hamare paas. Abhi teen jagah aur pooja karani hai. Aisa kijiye, aap log hi sampann kar lijiye."

Nanu shook his head, "Yeh pooja toh Lakshmiji ki hai, isse hum nahi kar sakte."

Panditji looked around. Seeing Naina with Ayush, he took her to be the daughter in law of the house.

"Inse kara lijiye. Ladkiyan toh sabhi Lakshmi hoti hain. Aapke ghar ki bahu..." His knowledgeable sermon was cut short by nanu who understood his misconception.

"Aap theek keh rahe hain, panditji. Office mein kaam karne wale sabhi bachhe hamara parivar hi hain, toh pooja mein sabko shaamil kar lena chahiye." He ushered the handful of employees who were present, making Naina stand with Sameer right in front. It all appeared so natural that except the three of them, no one saw any different meaning behind it. Every time the offering of flowers was made, along with Vivek and Sameer, nanu urged others to do so as well. Since only Naina stood with the three of them, it was her offering that fell on the idols, with Sameer at her side. If she was left tongue tied because of the presence of others, Sameer couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't wait to hug nanu... and her.

After the pooja, others started to leave almost immediately. When Vishakha arrived, only a handful of people were left. She wished everyone, apologising for her inability to reach on time.

"Vishakha aunty, yeh aapka bhi office hai?" Ayush was surprised to see her there.

Giving him an affectionate smile, she offered a sweet to him from her pooja thali and said, "Office toh tumhare friend ka hi hai. Main bas kabhi kabhi aa jaati hun."

"Naina toh roz aati hai." Ayush gave a confused look.

Vishakha patted his cheek, "Kyonki uska bhi office hai."

Ayush nodded in understanding, "Oh achha. Matlab Sameer aur Naina ka office hai."

Vishakha couldn't help but laugh at his childish deductions. Nanu, who had heard their talks, lifted Ayush in his arms, "Yaar tum sach mein bade samajhdaar ho. Itni saari baatein kahan se aati hain tumhe?"

"Mind se. Ma'm kehti hain mera mind bohot fast hai." Ayush replied matter of factly.

Vishakha flicked her brows, "Fast toh hai. Tum bade hoke isse bhi bada office khologe."

Naina was embarrassed to see Ayush in Mr Maheshwari's arms. She immediately went to them, "Sorry sir, Ayush aapko tang kar raha hoga."

Vishakha smiled genially at her, "Arre nahi Naina, tumhara bhai toh bohot pyara hai. Jab bhi hamare ghar aata hai, iske saath poora din kab khatam ho jaata hai pata hi nahi chalta."

Naina returned her smile, wishing her Happy Diwali.

It was Vivek's turn to admire little Ayush who now stood next to his sister, "Bhai aapki tareef toh bohot sunte hain lekin aapke saath time spend nahi kiya kabhi."

"Aap ghar pe rehte hi kahan hain jo Ayush ke saath khelenge?" Vishakha complained.

He wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulder, "Aaj toh hun na."

"Toh aap aaj mere saath khel lo." Ayush suggested.

Nanu was as excited as Ayush, "Arre waah. Kya idea hai. Aaj sham ko tum aur Naina hamare yahan aa jao. Sab saath mein Diwali manayenge."

Naina was in a fix, "Lekin sir, festival is family time. Main Ayush ko phir kabhi bhej dungi."

Sameer joined his family at this point, after seeing off the last guest, "Tum family hi toh ho..." Naina sharply turned to look at him, her face white... till she saw him crouching next to Ayush, "... ho na Ayush? Aakhir mere dost ho... best friend... aur dost toh ekdum close wali family hote hain."

Ayush nodded vehemently, "Aur kya. Main aapki family, aap meri family."

Naina wasn't left with an option as nanu started making plans with Vivek and Ayush about evening. Vishakha went to offer prayers to the idols placed for pooja. Chewing her lip, Naina lifted her eyes to look at Sameer.

He winked.

Shocked, she quickly spun on her heel, and bumped into Vishakha.

"I'm so sorry, ma'm." Naina bent down to pick up Vishakha's clutch that had dropped.

"No problem, beta. Achha suno, aaj tum bhi aana Ayush ke saath. Main toh hamesha Ayush ko bolti hun tumhe bhi leke aaye lekin woh kehta hai tum kaam kar rahi thi. Lagta hai mera beta tumhe zyada hi kaam deta hai. Aaj uski class lungi. Aaj tum bhi koi bahana nahi banaogi aur hamare saath celebrate karogi." The motherly affection from her made Naina swallow the pain in her throat. This was the second Diwali after her parents were gone, first one she was celebrating... but only for the sake of Ayush.

Vishakha could discern the emptiness that descended in her eyes. Cupping her cheek, she smiled fondly, "Kabhi bhi akela mehsoos karo toh aa jaaya karo."

On their way back, Sameer gave her a quick look, "Tum kismat ki baat kar rahi thi na uss din... ab bolo, yeh kismat nahi toh aur kya hai... aaj ki pooja humne saath ki, shaam ko Diwali hum saath manayenge. Naina, hamara rishta har din mazboot ho raha hai. Aur haan, aaj ke dono cases mein mera koi haath nahi tha. Ghar pe koi nahi jaanta ki hum ma... umm..." he peered at Ayush through the rear view mirror, but he was busy with the puzzle game nanu had given him, so he continued, "... hamare naye relation ke baare mein kisi ko nahi pata."

Naina closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep long breath, before speaking, "Jab tak nahi pata hota tab tak alag image hoti hai. Ek ladki ko sab kis tarah ki nigahon se dekhte hain jab unhe pata chalta hai ki unke ghar ka beta... aap yeh sab nahi samajh sakte. Hamari society mein saare rules ladki ke liye hain. Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki aapki family mein koi galat hai ya unki thinking kharab hai. Main toh unhe jaanti tak nahi. Lekin ek saal se zyada ho gaya hai mujhe akele rehte hue... aur iss time mein jo dekha suna hai usne mujhe bohot kuch sikhaya hai. Aapke jaise nahi hote sab log... in fact aapke jaisa koi hai hi nahi. Aapke office mein jo environment hai waisa ideal scenario maine sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha. Lekin office mein aur zindagi mein farq hota hai."

Sameer nodded, "Main tumhari baat maanta hun. Lekin yeh bhi jaanta hun ki meri family ke liye meri pasand sabse upar hogi. Nanu, papa, mummy... yahan tak ki Rohan aur Deepika bhi tumhe khushi se welcome karenge."

They reached her house. Sameer followed them upstairs, as he wanted to make it clear to Naina that his family would love her like their own daughter.

"Ek coffee milegi?" He asked her after Ayush had freshened up and was again engrossed in his new puzzle.

"Jee." Naina went to the kitchen.

Sameer leaned against the door, crossing his arms, "Tum jitne marzi arguments de lo, Naina, mere liye sirf tum thi, tum ho, aur tum hi rahogi."

The spoon dropped from her hand. Sameer stepped ahead to pick it up, she bent at the same time... and their heads banged. As they straightened, Sameer held her face, his palms over her ears, and touched his forehead to hers lightly. Naina closed her eyes. He didn't move away, standing with their foreheads touching, their erratic breaths mingling with each other, their hearts thudding against their chest.

"I love you, Naina." He professed yet again.

She realised their closeness, and tried to move back. But Sameer kept his hold, not letting her get away.

"Hamara rishta ban chuka hai, tum kab tak isse bhagogi." He opened his eyes, looking intently at her.

"Rishta banane mein der nahi lagti... rishta nibhane mein zindagi lag jaati hai." Naina mumbled.

"Tum aao toh sahi, meri zindagi kabse tumhara intezar kar rahi hai. Main yeh rishta kaise nibhaunga iska sample de sakta hun." Sameer tilted his head.

Naina felt a million butterflies flutter wildly in her stomach as he leaned towards her cheek. With a sharp gasp, she pushed him, and fled from the kitchen.

Sameer stood at his place for a moment. Though he badly wanted to, he wasn't going to kiss her cheek... not until he saw the acceptance in her eyes. He was merely pretending... and the deep blush on her face gave him the answer he needed.

Naina did have feelings for him.

Sorry I didn't get time to search for Sameer's yellow shirt pic

Next update after two days, on Monday. Please excuse...