Title is a remix of an old song 'Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko'

Maybe it was her determination, or her strong willpower or the strength to endure every pain bravely, maybe the surge of anticipation at what Harmeet had said, or her optimism... or it was the pure love that Sameer showered on her... Naina's incision healed faster than Harmeet had expected. When she went to see him in hospital on third day of her surgery, he told her the cut had already started to dry up. Sameer asked if needed they could prolong their stay.

Harmeet smiled fondly at him, "Aap dono jab tak chahe yahan reh sakte ho. Naina apne bhai ke ghar aayi hai, aap logon ke yahan rehne se hum sabko bohot khushi hogi. Lekin agar aap apni stay sirf operation ki wajah se badha rahe ho, toh required nahi hai." He looked at Naina, "Ab pain kam ho gaya hoga?"

When she nodded, he carried on, "I must say, tum bohot strong ho, aur positive bhi. Dekho Naina, yeh toh ek chota sa cut tha, ek do hafte baad iska nishan tak nahi rahega. Lekin tumhare andar ki condition thodi complicated thi. Main sirf itna kahunga, aise hi strong aur positive rehna. Don't lose hope. Time kaafi lagega heal hone mein... kitna, yeh main abhi nahi keh sakta. Main tumhe Delhi ke doctor ka reference dunga, kareeb six months ke baad ek ultrasound karwana aur mujhe reports bhejna. Usse pata chalega ki iss procedure aur medicines ka kitna effect tumhari body ne accept kiya hai."

His words made Sameer wonder yet again if they had done the right thing. Naina had, till now, accepted her situation. But since last three days, he could see the sparkle in her eyes as she clung on to one feeble ray of hope. If...

His heart sank to even think about the scenario if her anticipation did not bear any result. He had brought her broken self out of a deep abyss... he couldn't see her fall into same darkness again. He didn't want her to suffer from new disappointments. She had been hurt by life's curveballs enough. His Naina did not deserve more torment. She had borne everything with great fortitude, but what if this turned out to be the last straw.

Back at home, he stood near the window, his arms crossed against his chest, still lost in same thoughts when soft arms went around him from behind.

"Mujhe pata hai Sameer tum kya soch rahe ho." Naina mumbled, resting her head between his shoulders.

He gulped. Showing his fears to her was never his intention. He placed his hands over hers, bringing a smile on his face, "Main soch raha hun iss ek trip ne hamare liye kitna kuch badal diya."

"Kya tumhe bhi badal diya?" Her voice was faint, with a tinge of nervousness.

Unfolding her hands from his waist, he turned to face her. There was a profusion of varied sentiments in her eyes. He felt helpless for once. Ever since he had inferred the pain in her eyes a year back, all he wanted was to erase it. Today, her eyes again showed incertitude.

"Chalo." He stepped away, held her hand and walked out of the room. She looked at him curiously, but followed without any question. He led her up the stairs, to the terrace they had been to the other night. It wasn't dark yet. When they went ahead, they noticed a small low bench, made of stone at the other end of the terrace. Probably that was the place Harmeet was seated that night.

Settling down on it with her beside him, he asked, "Tumhe lagta hai main badal gaya hun?"

"Haan."

Her reply made him look sharply at her.

Naina smiled, "Badal gaye ho kyonki apne andar ke darr ko mere saath share nahi kar rahe."

He felt the strings of his heart snap. It was her who was going through physical pain because of surgery, because of her system again taking the onslaught of medical procedures... yet she was able to read his suspicion.

"I love you Naina." His voice sounded heavy.

She gently reached out to hold his hand, smiling softly, "Tumhare pyar pe koi shaq nahi hai mujhe. Woh kabhi nahi badlega jaanti hun. Sameer, tum jo darr, jo ghabrahat chupa rahe ho, main uski baat kar rahi hun. Tum kyon itne tensed ho?"

"Naina main..." He began, then paused, wondering what to say, "main bas itna chahta hun tum khush raho." He grasped her hands , rubbing his thumb over them, "Tum... tum mein koi kami nahi hai Naina. You are perfect. Hamare paas sab kuch toh hai, phir hum thode aur ki koshish kyon karna chahte hain? Tumhari aankhon mein jo umeed ki khushi hai kal uski jagah main phir se dukh ke baadal nahi dekhna chahta."

Naina had seen the incredulity in his demeanor since the time she opted to go for this operation. He had been with her, took care of her medicines, helped her with dressing... but his eyes lacked the fervour which she felt. She could comprehend his fears. He feared for her... he was worried if she would be able to take up another setback. What he didn't know was that his love had strengthened her, just like her parent's unconditional support had done earlier.

She looked down at her hands, secured in his grip. A soft smile formed on her face when she met his eyes, "Meri aankhon ka mausam ab nahi badlega. Na tum inmein dukh ke baadal dekhoge na disappointment ka andhera. Sameer, main ek aise mod se tumhari taraf mudi thi jahan tak aate aate main thak chuki thi. Kabhi lagta tha ab aur nahi chal sakti, kabhi lagta tha sab kuch chod ke bhaag jaun... kabhi khud pe gussa aata tha, kabhi lagta tha shayad pagal ho jaungi... kabhi sochti thi sab kuch meri wajah se hua, kabhi lagta tha saari duniya galat hai. Mujhe lagta tha ki main jitna bhi bhaag lun, hamesha dorahe pe hi rahungi... tab tumne aake ek naya raasta dikhaya. Tumhara haath thaam ke jab chalna shuru kiya toh raasta aasaan ho gaya."

He exhaled sharply, "Toh ab phir se hum naya raasta kyon talaash rahe hain? Naina, bhaagte rehne se ek din thak jaate hain. Jis raaste pe aake tumhe sukoon mila ussi pe ruk jaana chahiye na. Har manzil paa lena zaruri toh nahi."

She silently processed what he had said, then nodded once, "Bilkul zaruri nahi. I promise you, tumhe jiska darr hai woh nahi hoga. Maine ek sapna dekha hai Sameer, lekin woh toot na jaaye iss darr se jaagna bhool nahi jaungi. Harmeet ji ne clearly aisa nahi kaha ki humein hopeful rehna chahiye. Lekin itna toh tum bhi maante ho na ki jo pehle hamari soch tak mein nahi tha ab uski ek choti si umeed toh hai."

He blinked hard, before finally voicing his concern, "Umeed tootne se tumhe aur zyada dard hoga."

The smile on her face wasn't forced, he could tell, "Nahi. Shayad thoda sa dukh ho, lekin hum dono ek doosre ko uss dukh se bahar le ayenge... apne pyar se. Sameer, hamari zindagi mein ab sab kuch achha hai. Agar humein kuch aur milta hai toh woh bonus hoga... aur agar nahi milta toh... toh hum aise bhi khush hain. Haina?"

He stared at her thoughtfully. Unlike his presumption, she had not latched onto the prospect. There was a conviction in her eyes, that she was ready for any outcome. If a sliver of hope made her happier today, he didn't want his foreboding to dampen her such moments. Leaning ahead, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Letting out a breath, she dipped her head to the side, "Ab smile kar do. Nahi toh Bhalla aunty sochengi tum damaad wale tantrums dikha rahe ho."

His lips curved into a crescent moon, "Damaad hun toh thode tantrums dikhane bhi chahiye."

She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, "Tum itne achhe ho ki aisa kuch kar hi nahi sakte. Isiliye toh aunty ne tumhe mere liye choose kiya."

He chuckled, "Achha? Aunty ne choose kiya mujhe?"

She tilted her head back, to meet his eyes, "Aur kya. Warna aunty kisi aur ko bhi mera husband samajh sakti thi. Dhruv aur Farhan bhi toh aaye the ghar pe. Lekin aunty ko tum hi husband material lage."

"Bach gaye dono." He gave her an intense look.

Her eyes stretched in amusement, "Oh! Matlab tum phans gaye? Regret?"

Back of his fingers grazed her cheek as his voice turned raspy, "Mujhse bach gaye. Agar aunty galti se bhi kisi aur ka naam le leti toh mujhe uski saari haddiyan todni padti."

Her brows went up, "Tum toh bohot dangerous ho."

His eyes darted around, to confirm that no one could see them. It wasn't like Delhi, with lanes of houses build next to each other. Nearest houses were good distance away on both sides. They had complete privacy. Even if someone sauntered on the terrace from below, this bench was hidden from direct view, a pillar blocking the door.

Assured of the absence of any disturbance, his eyes shone with unmistakable glint, "Ab tumhe yakeen dilana padega ki main tumhare liye dangerous nahi hun."

Her gaze dropped to his lips. The moment he had peered around, she had known his intentions. Not that she was complaining, rather her heartbeat escalated and her cheeks warmed up in anticipation. He dipped his head slightly, his hands went up to cradle her face pulling her closer. Tenderly, he brushed his lips over hers. Naina parted her lips, her eyes hiding behind long lashes. A soft grunt escaped him as he seized her mouth. Every single time, her shyness intoxicated him to a new dizziness. The kiss, that was intended to be soft and deliberate turned passionate and demanding in a flash. Her hands, that were on his shoulders crept behind his neck. One played with his hair ends under the collar, while one fisted into his hair at the back of his head. His hands moved from her face to slip down her sides, stopping at her waist. His desires were flaming up. His mouth didn't want to leave the taste of her, his impatient hands wanted the feel of her satiny smooth skin, his eyes wanted to drink in this sublime sight.

"Uh Sameer!" Her breathless voice against his lips incited him, rather than reminding him of the place they were at.

With just a break of few seconds to catch their breath, he went for another kiss, invading the warmth of every corner of her mouth. Her resistance melted instantly, and she pressed his head, bringing him closer, if it was even possible.

He finally broke apart, breathless. Resting his forehead against hers, he loosened his hold on her waist, his eyes making contact with her after a few seconds, "You make me insane."

"You keep me sane." She placed a kiss on his stubbled jaw.

His face lit up with a crooked smile, "Thodi pagal toh tum bhi ho jaati ho," he touched his jaw, "mera charm resist nahi kar paati."

She rubbed her thumb on his cheek, "Mujhe toh bas tumhari stubble pasand hai."

"Aur main?" He straightened, squaring his shoulders.

She let a fleeting glance over him, and shrugged, "Okay ho."

He dipped his head again, "Abhi batata hun kitna okay hun."

Giggling, she slipped out of his grip, running towards the edge of terrace, "Thode se okay ho bas. Kuch khaas nahi."

"Nainaa." He ran after her, catching her in no time, and pinned her against the side wall.

"Sameer. Ab aur masti nahi. Humein neeche jaana hai. Kal Simi bhabhi ki godbharai hai. Uski preparation bhi karni hai." She turned sober.

"Tumne bataya nahi tum kya pehen rahi ho kal. Kuch khareeda bhi nahi apne liye." He was suddenly reminded that they had to wear traditional outfits.

She pursed her lips, "Kal hi dekh lena."

"Kuch special hai kya?" His curiosity spiked.

"Special hota toh dikha deti. Ek normal sa suit hai." She said plainly.

He pecked her cheek, "Tum special ho na. Tumpe sab kuch special hi lagega."

She was now even more desperate to see his reaction next day when she wore that pink suit.

Bhalla aunty was thrilled to see identical kurta pyjama sets with half jackets, which she got stitched for Monty and Ayush.

"Mere bachhe kinne sohne lagenge kal. Inki nazar utar lenge Naina, dono pe yeh rang bada hi pyara lagega." She beamed as she caressed the royal blue silk kurta.

Next day, the house was buzzing with frantic activity since morning. The venue was at a little distance, and they all had planned to reach there before guests were to arrive at noon. After helping Harmeet load the gifts in car, Sameer came back to their room to take a quick shower and dress up. He found Naina standing at the window, her arms stretched ahead of her. She was swaying them like waves.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho?" He found her action strange.

Naina turned, curling her fingers and blowing over her nails, "Nail paint sukha rahi hun."

His lips stretched in a smile, "Nail paint aise sukhate hain? Pehle toh kabhi nahi dekha maine."

Walking towards him, she kept waving her hand, "Hair dryer se sukha leti thi agar jaldi ho toh. Aaj yahan ka dryer chal hi nahi raha. Maine socha Simi bhabhi ya aunty abhi busy hain, unhe puchna theek nahi hoga. Unhe pehle hi itna kaam hai. Isliye aise hi sukha rahi thi."

He held her hand, mindful of not touching the nails, "Main sukha dun?"

She flicked her brows in the direction of bed, where his kurta pyjama was kept, "Ready ho jao."

A few wisps of hair were falling on her forehead. He blew over them, flicking his brows in the same manner at the bed, "Main toh ready hun. Par shayad abhi time nahi hai. Function ke liye late ho jayenge."

It took her a few seconds to get his real meaning. Her cheeks instantly turned pink.

Sameer gave a quick peck on her heated cheek, whispering, "I love this pink on you." And he vanished into the washroom.

Bhalla aunty and uncle left first, with Harmeet, Sameer and both children. Simi and Naina were to go later, after most of the guests arrived, so Simi didn't have to remain seated there for long.

An hour later, Sameer was talking to some of the guests who were also from Delhi but settled here now, when one of them pointed at the door, "Lo, Simi bhabhi aa gayi."

Sameer turned... and his mouth fell open. He felt his breath knocked out of his lungs. She looked breathtakingly beautiful.

Naina walked in slowly, supporting Simi. His eyes roved over her. The pink suit was something he hadn't seen before. His eyes took in every single detail. Flat golden jutis, heavily embellished salwar, long silk kurta with elaborate work on front panel and edge of sleeves, dupatta pinned to one shoulder, with its golden border in clear view. The suit was different from the kind of outfits Naina usually wore, but it made her look resplendent. He didn't fail to notice dozens of bangles that adorned her wrists. Though, amidst the crowd, he couldn't hear their jingling sound, which always left him enchanted. She was wearing long gold earrings, which were visible when her hair flew back as she entered. There was a small gold maang tika gracing her forehead, right at the parting of her hair. Her cheeks had the same pink hue that he had left her with, sometime back. His eyes drifted to her lips, which were painted dark pink, making his throat go dry. When his eyes were eventually able to move up to her brown pools, which were lined with a dark shadow, making them more mystical, she was looking at him.

She smiled at him. It was then he realised that he was gaping at her with open mouth.

Harmeet, who had come to stand with him, elbowed his abdomen, "Muh band kar lo yaar. Tumhari hi biwi hai."

"Uh... umm... main woh..." He rubbed the back of his neck, lowering his eyes, but stealing another glance at her the next moment.

Harmeet chuckled, "Dekh lo, dekh lo. Dekhne pe rok tok nahi hai. Bas muh band karne ko keh raha tha... makhhi ko raasta na mil jaaye."

Leaving Sameer to admire his wife, Harmeet went away to check if everything was in order. After making Simi sit at the designated place, Naina slowly walked to Sameer. His eyes had followed her every move.

"Kuch bologe nahi?" She fluttered her lashes when he kept staring at her without a word.

A swoosh of air left his mouth, "Yeh dress kahan se aayi?"

"Simi bhabhi ki hai." Naina adjusted her dupatta waiting for his compliment.

"Hmm. Simple si hai." He looked away.

Her eyes widened in surprise. He was looking everywhere but at her. A knowing smile tugged at her lips.

Before she could say anything, aunty called out to her, "Naina puttar, idhar aana."

Bhalla aunty proudly introduced her to her friends, "Yeh hai Naina. Bhale hi kirayedaar banke aayi thi, lekin ab meri beti hai."

One of the ladies looked at her lovingly, "Manjot ke muh se itna naam suna hai tumhara, lagta hi nahi sirf ek saal ki jaan pehchan hai."

Bhalla aunty took Naina in a side hug, "Baat time ki nahi, dil judne ki hoti hai. Naina aur iske bh... iske bete Ayush ke saath toh shuru se hi main aur Bhalla saab family jaisa feel karte the. Jab iske husband se mile toh woh bhi itna hi milansaar aur saaf dil ka banda laga. Inn logon ke aane se aisa laga jaise meri bahu ki godbharai mein meri beti apne parivar ke saath aayi hai."

Harmeet joined the gang of ladies, looping an arm around his mom's shoulder, "Auntyji, sachhi baat toh yeh hai ki biji ne mera aadha patta Simi ke aane ke baad kaat diya, aur bacha hua Naina ke aane se kat gaya. Ab toh mujhe bas kaam batane ke liye awaaz deti hain biji."

"Chal jhoote." Aunty smacked his cheek lightly, "Meri betiyon se jala mat kar. Tujhe bhi toh extra pyar milta hai. Bata dun Simi ke peeche kaise majnu banke ghoomta hai?"

Harmeet flushed as all ladies laughed.

Aunty directed them towards Simi, "Chalo ab rasmein kar lete hain. Simi ke liye zyada der baithna mushkil hoga."

During the entire function, Sameer talked with everyone but Naina. Only when the pictures were being clicked did he stand close to her, other times he tried to remain at a distance. She participated in everything, laughing, dancing, enjoying. When it was time to leave, both children hopped in the same car, keeping Naina busy with their non stop questions. Sameer did glance at her a few times, but no words were exchanged between them.

At home, Bhalla aunty sat heavily on the sofa, "Rabb ji ki meher se sab achhe se ho gaya."

Uncle patted Harmeet's back, "Tune first class intezam kiya tha. Laga hi nahi ghar ka function tha. Saare kaam planners se nibta diye."

Aunty sighed, "Phir bhi thakaan ho gayi. Aise karte hain, sab log do ghante aaram kar lete hain. Baaki baatein dinner pe karenge."

Uncle looked around, "Bachhe nahi dikh rahe. Kahan hain dono?"

Naina pointed at Monty's room, "Dono ko abhi change kara ke aayi hun uncle. Itne thak gaye hain ki so gaye honge ab tak."

Aunty got up, "Tum log bhi rest karo. Harmeet, Simi theek hai na?"

"Jee biji." He nodded, "Bas pairon mein thodi swelling hai. Maine pillows laga diye hain."

Everyone went to their rooms, after a busy day. Naina had barely stepped in, with Sameer behind her, when she was grabbed and pulled to the wall.

"Yeh kya tha?" His eyes bored into hers.

"Kya?" She asked innocently.

Taking a step back, he kept her pinned with his firm hold on her shoulders while his eyes drifted down her frame, with deliberate slowness.

"Aise mat dekho." She turned her face to the side, unable to bear the trail of his unabashed gaze.

He took a step to press her against the door, "Aur jo tumne mujhe torture kiya uska kya?"

She looked back at him, "Sorry. Mujhe nahi pata tha tumhe yeh suit itna bura lagega ki tum meri taraf dekhoge bhi nahi."

His eyes darkened, "Maine nahi dekha kyonki... main dekh nahi sakta tha. Naina, you have any idea how beautiful you are looking."

"Tumne ek baar bhi nahi kaha." Though he could see the colour spreading on her cheeks, she kept her eyes locked with his.

His voice was hoarse, "Ab kahunga. Do ghante hain hamare paas... batane ke liye ki tum kaisi lag rahi thi."

Next update on Friday