Title is the song by Atif Aslam from movie 'Daas Dev'

Naina stood frozen at the spot, too stunned to react. It was a dream... it had to be. There was no other explanation. She lifted a shaky hand to Sameer's face, expecting him to disappear when she touched him. But her fingers met his rough jaw, the prickle of his dark stubble jolting her. She pulled back her hand in a flash, alarmed.

Sameer looked at her, understanding the confusion of her mind, "This is the beginning, Naina... beginning of us."

She stared at him, her skin still burning where his lips had touched her. Her eyes were wide at their proximity. He was so close that she thought she could hear his heartbeat. His eyes were a dark ocean, she seemed to be drowning in the determination reflecting in them. And then his lips... the ones that were pressed against her skin moments back... probably her skin would forever tingle where they had touched her. It wasn't a dream... he had kissed her in real.

His voice was soft as he moved his hands away from the wall and clasped her hands, "Sapna nahi hai, hakeekat hai. Mujhe bhi sapne jaisa hi lag raha hai... aisa sapna jo main uss din se dekh raha hun jabse tum meri zindagi mein aayi ho."

She continued to look at him, without blinking... there were no words. She was speechless. What could she say when he had done something that made her heart forget to beat.

"Maine ab tak khud ko bohot roka hai, Naina... kyonki main apna pyar accept karne ke liye tumhe pressurise nahi karna chahta tha. Lekin aaj mujhe woh jawab mil gaya jo main kabse tumhari aankhon mein padhne ki koshish kar raha tha. Yeh parwaah, yeh fiqr..." He lovingly looked down at his bandaged hand, "...mujhe apne paas rakhne ka tumhara yeh secret style..." He flicked his brows at her open cupboard before giving a lopsided smile, "...abhi ke liye itna kaafi hai. Ab mujhe tumhare dil ka woh raaz pata chal gaya jo tum itne dinon se chupa rahi thi. Ab main sab kuch jaan gaya hun, Naina."

His words were like ice cold water, bringing her to the realisation that he didn't know anything.

"Aap nahi jaante. Kuch raaz hain jo aap nahi jaante." She uttered, not moving her gaze from him.

Sameer was not ready to hear any reasoning today. He shook his head, "Aur main janna bhi nahi chahta. Sabse bada sach yeh hai ki hum dono ki shaadi hui hai, aur tumne iss rishte ko dil se accept kiya hai. Tumhare kal mein kya hua tha, usse hamare aaj, ya aane wale kal pe koi farq nahi padta, Naina. You are my life, my world... aur aaj tumne mujhe jo khushi di hai, uske baad mujhe kisi aur baat ko janne ki zarurat nahi hai."

"Please aap ek baar sun lijiye. Sab kuch itna simple nahi hai jaisa aapko lag raha hai. Agar hota toh main..." She almost blurted that she would have accepted his love long back, but controlled in the nick of time. He was already so ecstatic, and if he came to know about her feelings for him, he wouldn't be ready to listen to her story, "... please aap mere liye hi sun lijiye. It's very important for me ki aapko aage badhne se pehle sab pata ho..."

Sameer quirked up a brow, cutting her mid sentence, "Aage badhne se pehle? Matlab tum aage badhne ke liye ready ho? Naina, sach?"

Her heart rammed against her ribs, threatening to fall out. The way his eyes raced between her eyes and lips, Naina felt her legs turn into jelly. She pressed herself back against the cupboard, unknowingly clutching his hands tighter, to save herself from collapsing.

"Ahh." The pain made Sameer cry out.

"Oh sorry." She quickly lifted their joined hands, loosening her hold on his palm as she checked to see if it was bleeding, "Bohot dard ho raha hai?"

His face broke into a smile, "Tumne choo liya, dard gayab."

When her eyes met his, the pain was evident in them, "Yeh dard mila bhi toh meri wajah se hai. Main aapke kisi dard ki wajah nahi banna chahti."

"Wajah toh tum ban rahi ho." He whispered, "Khud se door rakh ke mujhe jo dard de rahi ho uska kya?"

Naina fell silent again. Her mind coaxed her to do thousand different things... to push him away, to harden her gaze, to tell him that she didn't like all this, to show anger at his brazenness... Yet, her heart refused to let go of the magical connection that his eyes had formed with hers. She was sure their hearts were now beating rapidly in sync, there could be no other reason for their similar erratic breaths.

"Bohot jaldi woh din aane wala hai, jab tumse door nahi jaana padega mujhe. Sirf ek hafta... uske baad mujhe kabhi tumhe phone pe goodnight nahi kehna padega." He mumbled huskily, "Kaash, yeh ek hafta ek din mein khatam ho jaata." He grazed the back of his fingers across her cheek, their velvety smoothness filling him with longing.

"Ek hafte mein kaise..." His touch churned more butterflies in her stomach, which seemed to have grown enormous wings, making her words come out as broken as her thoughts.

A smile appeared on his lips yet the intensity in his eyes was still blazing, "Usse pehle aana hai? Tumse bhi intezar nahi ho raha?"

Naina turned her face to the side, her cheeks flaming at his teasing.

"Tum woh sab mujh pe chod do. Main ek do din mein nanu se baat karta hun. Christmas pe papa aa jayenge phir mummy papa ko ek saath bata dunga. Tum dekhna, woh sab kitne khush ho jayenge. Nanu toh abhi hi ready hain tumhe lene aane ko. Aur mummy, pata nahi kitne saalon se mera sehra taiyar karke baithi hain." Sameer chuckled.

"Aap please ek baar meri baat suniye... unse kuch kehne se pehle aapko woh sunna hoga jo main kehna chahti hun." Some sense knocked her brain again, bringing her to reality.

"Haan baba sununga. Ab toh zindagi bhar tumhari baat hi sununga... biwi jo ho." Sameer flicked her nose with his finger.

Before she could say anything, his phone started to ring. Reluctantly, Sameer stepped away from her, leaving her hand to draw the phone out of his pocket.

"Haan nanu... bas aane wala hun... office mein late ho gaya tha... phir... phir car kharab ho gayi... fog itna hai na ki... nahi nahi Raju ko mat bhejo... main bas pohonch raha hun." He calmed nanu's anxious queries.

Turning to Naina, he noticed she had moved away from where he had pinned her. The eyes that were melting a moment back were guarded behind a barrier once again. Sighing, he pursed his lips, promising himself that he would erase all her pains and hesitation in the New year.

Naina refused to let him go back the same way. Bhalla aunty had gone to sleep, but Kishore was awake. He handed her the key when she said her Zomato delivery was expected, which had got delayed due to the weather. After Sameer left, she again locked the gate and returned the keys to Kishore.

Back in her room, Naina was torn between her heart and mind. Every thing that he said or did made her build a dreamworld... till she saw the mirror of what was behind her. The conflict did not let her sleep. If his kiss had awakened new hopes, new desires in her, the fear of him stepping back terrified her. But one thing was sure... she had to tell him in the coming week. She couldn't let him talk to his family unless he was aware of everything about her. After that, it would be his decision. She trembled at the thought of how he would react... but he had every right to know.

Next day being the day before Christmas, Vishakha had been invited to a charity event of an NGO. It was a Christmas sale, the proceeds of which were to be utilised for buying woollens for underprivileged. Unlike the previous day, it was bright and sunny. After lunch, Vishakha, along with few of her friends went to Hotel Oberoi where Blind Relief Association had organised the sale. For the social cause, all those who had come, purchased loads of stuff, leaving the stalls almost empty by evening. Vishakha was about to get into her car when she saw a lady, who had put up a stall of cakes and other Christmas goodies, talking on phone in the porch of Hotel. Judging from her troubled expression, she appeared to be disturbed about something. Asking the driver to wait, Vishakha walked to her.

"Hi. Can I help you with something?" She asked gently after the lady had disconnected the call.

She turned to Vishakha, gave a vague look, then smiled quickly when she recognised her as the one who had bought most of her plum cakes, "Oh aap. Thank you so much. Actually mere driver ne jaldi mein kisi se car touch kar di aur phans gaya hai. Main zara driver ko hi samjha rahi thi ki sorry bol ke ghar ka address de de, koi jhagda na kare. You know how these small things can turn ugly. Jo bhi damage hoga hum pay kar denge. Poor man should not get beaten up or harassed."

Vishakha could understand her predicament. Road rage was a common thing in Delhi.

"If you are okay with it, main aapko ghar drop kar sakti hun." She offered to the lady.

"Oh no, main aapko trouble nahi karna chahti. I'll take a cab. It's no problem. Main paas hi rehti hun, Defence Colony mein." She replied.

Vishakha smiled, "Even better. Mere raaste mein hi hai. Main Jor Bagh jaa rahi hun. Please do come. It's no trouble at all." And before the lady could say more, she turned to her driver and asked him to pick up her empty baskets and place in the car.

Once they were on the way, Vishakha came to know her name was Jenny Olivera, and she was a catholic from Goa. Her husband worked for a large company and was under transfer to Mumbai. She was very happy about it since her grown up children were also working there. She loved to bake, and had been supplying to bakeries but had stopped now since she was moving shortly.

"Thank you so much, Vishakha. Aaiye please, have a cup of tea." Jenny invited her when they reached her house.

"Aaj nahi, I'll come some other time. Late ho gaya hai, aur aap bhi tired hongi." Vishakha smiled, politely declining the invitation.

"Okay fine. Lekin kal aapko zarur aana hai, hamara Christmas tree dekhne aur mera special cake khane. Mere bachhe bhi aaj raat ko Mumbai se aa rahe hain. Please, aap kal zarur aaiye warna ten days mein hum chale jayenge toh phir se shayad chance na mile." Jenny insisted.

They exchanged their numbers and Vishakha promised to visit her the next day. The place wasn't far from her house, also she had never been to a catholic home at the time of Christmas. It would be a new experience.

Sameer called up Ayush on Christmas morning, to wish him, and offer to take him to the mall... it would be a perfect excuse to spend the day with Naina.

"Mall mein bohot bada Christmas tree hai. Santa bhi hoga, jo sabko chocolates dega. Hum tumhare liye Christmas gift lenge." He painted a tempting picture for Ayush.

"Haan mujhe pata hai. Naina ne bataya. Santa ne toh raat ko hi mujhe gift de diya... ek new jacket, red colour ka. Aur aaj woh jacket pehen ke main mall bhi jaane wala hun. Naina ne kaha woh sabse big wale mall mein leke jayegi mujhe." Ayush was already pumped up about his outing with Naina.

Sameer couldn't let the chance go, "Toh tum apne best friend ke bina hi chale jaoge? Phir main tumhe Christmas gift kab dunga? Aur maine toh socha tha aaj hum chocolate cake bhi khayenge. Lekin tumne mujhe bulaya hi nahi. Ab gift aur cake ka kya karun... Deepika ko dena padega."

Ayush easily fell into the trap, "Naiii, mera gift hai, mujhe hi chahiye. Aap hamare house aa jao aur phir mall bhi chalna. Main Naina ko bolunga maine aapko bhi bulaya hai."

Sameer agreed without wasting another second.

Vishakha was amazed to see the huge tree in Jenny's house. It was a six feet tall tree, beautifully decorated with strings of lights, and various adornments. There were fluffy cotton pieces to depict snow, popcorn roped into thread, small gifts, bells, wreaths, colourful balls, candy canes, stockings and variety of other ornaments. Tall silver candlesticks were placed on the dining table covered with a white tablecloth. White napkins were in red and green holders, giving a festive look. Red and white bells strung on a thread were put up all over the room, with fairy lights around them. Along the wall, nativity scene was depicted, with a decorated crib and background light to show the birth place of Jesus. Vishakha took pictures to show to Deepika. It was a beautiful setting, the type they used to see in Western shows and movies.

Jenny and her family were warm and welcoming. After showing all the Christmas related things, Jenny took Vishakha to their first floor terrace. As they sipped tea, enjoying the sun, Vishakha noticed a familiar looking car stopping a few houses away. And before she could place the black car, Sameer stepped out.

"Yeh yahan kya kar raha hai?" She wondered aloud.

"Aap Naina ke husband ko jaanti hain?" Jenny asked casually.

Vishakha felt a bomb dropped on her.

"Hus... husband?" She croaked.

"Manjot ji ki tenant hai Naina, yeh uske husband hain. Shaadi ko kuch mahine ho gaye hain lekin family ke saath kuch problems hain." Jenny did not notice the expression on Vishakha's face since she was looking in the direction of Naina's house.

"Kaisi problem?" Vishakha asked in a dead voice.

"Mujhe zyada nahi pata. Ek baar hi mili hun Naina se. Badi pyaari si ladki hai. Manjot ji ne bataya tha Naina ki family mein toh sirf ek chota bhai hai jo saath hi rehta hai, lekin uske husband ke yahan shayad kuch problem hai. Well, jo bhi ho, I hope sab theek ho jaaye. Aap jaanti hain kya inko?" Jenny looked at her curiously.

"Main... nahi, main nahi jaanti. Kisi aur se confuse kar liya tha. I... I have no idea who he is." Vishakha glared at her son's car parked on the street.

Nanu was shocked when Vishakha informed him, "Tumhe kisne bataya?"

"Jisko batana chahiye tha kam se kam usne nahi. Ek complete stranger se pata chala. Naina jahan rehti hai wahan kisi ke ghar gayi thi main aaj. Papa, aap soch bhi nahi sakte how I felt. Mera beta, kisi ka husband?" Vishakha was furious.

"Zarur unhe koi galatfehmi hui hai, Vishakha. Sameer aisa kyon karega?" Nanu pondered. Maybe Vishakha's friend had presumed so, seeing Sameer visiting Naina's house often.

"Maine khud dekha Sameer ko wahan, apni aankhon se. Woh bhi galatfehmi thi? Kya main apne bete ko nahi pehchaanti?" Her eyes blazed.

Nanu placed a hand on her shoulder, "Vishakha, humein thande dimaag se sochna chahiye. Apne Sameer ko hum achhe se jaante hain. Aur woh bhi humein jaanta hai. Usse pata hai hum uske pyar ko accept karenge, usse Naina se shaadi karne ke liye kabhi manaa nahi karenge. Phir woh aisa kadam kyon uthayega? Ho sakta hai baat kuch aur ho. Padosiyon ko saare halaat malum nahi hote."

Vishakha looked at her father with bewildered expression, "Pyar? Naina se? Sameer Naina se... aapko kaise pataa?"

Nanu realised his slip. But it was too late now. He took a deep breath before he looked at his daughter again, "Sameer kaafi samay se Naina se pyar karta hai. Usne khud bataya tha mujhe."

Vishakha silently stared at him for a few seconds, then threw her hands in air, "Waah. Sabko pata hai bas maa ko hi kuch nahi pata. Aapne bhi nahi bataya, papa, kyon?"

Nanu could understand the hurt in her eyes, "Dekho beta, Sameer ke dil ki baat main jaanta hun, lekin Naina ke dil ki nahi. Usne abhi tak koi jawab nahi diya hai. Sameer sirf uski haan ka intezar kar raha hai. Jaise hi uska jawab milega, woh ghar pe batane wala tha. Vishakha, uske point of view se bhi socho... agar woh pehle se hi sabke saamne keh deta, toh shayad hamara behaviour Naina ke saath alag ho jaata, jo uske liye uncomfortable hota."

"Naina ke hisaab se sab hoga kya, papa? Hamara kya? Ab Sameer apni family se pehle Naina ke liye sochega? Agar uska jawab milne se pehle yeh haal hai toh agar Naina haan bol degi toh humein chod ke kya uske saath shift ho jayega?" Vishakha's snapped in a pained voice.

Nanu was taken aback, "Yeh kya bol rahi ho, Vishakha? Tum achhi tarah jaanti ho Sameer hum sabse kitna pyar karta hai. Choti si baat ki wajah se tum uspe shaq toh mat karo."

"Choti si baat? Aapko yeh baat choti lag rahi hai, papa? Saalon se Sameer ki shaadi ka sapna dekha hai maine... aapne bhi toh. Kya aapka dil nahi toota yeh sun ke ki usne humein bina inform kiye shaadi kar li? Na sirf shaadi ki balki abhi tak ghar mein ziqr tak nahi kiya." Her disgruntled voice rang through the room.

Though nanu was also upset over the turn of events, he was sure there was much more to this story.

To pacify his daughter for now, he poured her a glass of water, "Tum paani piyo aur shaanti se baitho. Sameer ko aane dete hain phir ussi se puchenge yeh sab kya hai. Dekhna, woh tumhari saari galatfehmi door kar dega."

Vishakha put the glass back, straightening her shoulders, "Nahi papa. Main Sameer ka intezar nahi karungi. Mujhe Naina se milna hai. Abhi."

"Vishakha, patience rakho. Pehle humein Sameer se puchna chahiye ki iss kahani mein kitna sach hai. Thodi der wait karte hain woh aa jayega." Nanu didn't want the scenario to go from bad to worse by letting Vishakha speak to Naina directly in her present state of mind.

Vishakha picked up her bag, determined to go, "Sameer ne pehle hi der kar di hai, papa. Ab main aur der nahi kar sakti. Main Naina ke ghar jaa rahi hun. Sameer wahin gaya hai. Mujhe dono se ek saath baat karni hai. Aap chalna chahte hain toh theek hai nahi toh main akeli hi chali jaungi."

It was clear from her stance that she couldn't be stopped now. Nanu decided to accompany her, knowing her temper very well.

"Mummy, main bhi chalungi." Deepika's voice made both of them turn sharply.

Deepika came down the stairs. She had left the room to go to the kitchen when she saw her mother storm in the house. Not keen to face her in such a mood, Deepika had just turned when she heard her blurt out about Sameer being married to Naina. Deepika had heard the entire conversation. She was initially surprised but did not see too big a deal in this. She really liked Naina... and Ayush. If Sameer married her, Deepika was elated to have Ayush staying in the house permanently.

"Deepika, tum apne room mein jao. Yeh badon ki baatein hain, isme bachhe nahi padte. You don't understand the seriousness of the situation." Vishakha ordered in a stern voice.

"Exactly mom. Isiliye main aana chahti hun. Naina didi ke ghar mein Ayush bhi hoga. Aap kaise baat karoge uske saamne? I'll take care that he remains busy elsewhere. Mummy please, let me come." Deepika brought to her notice what hadn't occured to her till now.

Nanu nodded, "Deepika theek keh rahi hai, Vishakha. Isse bhi leke chalte hain. Yeh saari baatein Ayush ke saamne nahi ho sakti."

Her lips pressed in a grim line, Vishakha turned and marched out. Nanu waved at Deepika and she sprinted to join them.

After spending sometime at the mall, Naina suggested that they leave since the place was extremely crowded. Play areas had long queues, so did the restaurants. Sameer, however managed to get a place for them in one of the cafes where they had a quick lunch. When she stopped him from buying gift and chocolate cake for Ayush, Sameer held her arm.

"Aaj Christmas hai, Naina. Gifts dene ka din hai. Apne liye kuch lene nahi deti, kam se kam Ayush ke liye toh khareedne do. Ek cake se kuch nahi hoga. Aur agar tumhe itni hi problem hai toh tum bhi mujhe gift de sakti ho. Kasam se, main manaa nahi karunga." He winked suggestively.

Naina couldn't say anything after that. For last two days, Sameer had become even more expressive, and more touchy. Everytime she felt his fingers against her skin, a shiver ran down her spine. The closeness was both gratifying and disturbing at the same time. The way he looked at her now, it was impossible to not get lost in the dark comfort of his eyes that were ready to shield her from the whole world. Of all the struggles she had faced in life, his eyes seemed to be hardest. When they looked into her soul, she couldn't hide behind any false façade, she couldn't lie, she couldn't pretend that she was unaffected.

Finding her lost, he pressed her upper arm over the jacket, whispering, "Bas paanch din aur. Ek baar ghar aa jaogi toh saare gifts wasool kar lunga."

Naina was all red when they entered the bakery.

After dropping Naina and Ayush, Sameer left straightaway as Vivek was returning from his Mumbai trip. He did not notice the car that drove in the lane when he turned towards the main road.

Naina had just freshened up when the bell rang. Expecting Sameer to be here, she opened the door... to find Mr Maheshwari, Vishakha and Deepika.

"Andar aane ko nahi kahogi?" Vishakha's dry voice brought her back to her senses.

Muttering an apology, she immediately opened the door wide, bringing a welcoming smile on her face... but her heart beat at unthinkable speed. Something in their mannerism filled her with a sense of foreboding.

"Good evening, sir. Good evening ma'm. Please aaiye na. Hi Deepika, tum bhi aao." Stepping aside she let them come in.

"Naina didi, Ayush kahan hai?" Deepika asked the moment they entered.

"Uh... apne room mein. Main bulati hun. Aap baithiye." Maybe they had come to meet Ayush, and she was unnecessarily being paranoid.

"Main hi chali jaati hun uske room mein. Hum dono aaram se wahin khelenge. Which one?" Deepika looked at the adjoining doors.

Naina pointed at one, and she vanished inside in no time, closing the door properly behind her. Naina found it a little odd, but then,  everything appeared odd at the moment... both her guests had still not taken a seat.

"Aap please baithiye na. How are you sir? Ab aapki tabiyat better hai?" She asked Mr Maheshwari.

"Haan beta, ab pehle se kaafi behtar hai. Tum kaisi ho?" Nanu smiled.

"Jee, I'm fine." His smile brought some relief to Naina.

The next moment, ground slipped from beneath her feet as Vishakha looked her straight in the eye, "Where is your husband?"

"J... jee ma'm? Hus... husband?" Naina went pale.

"Haan Naina, husband... Sameer." Vishakha said in a quiet voice, but it was a roar of storm for Naina.

Next update on Friday