Title is the 90s song 'Ay mere humsafar ek zara intezar'  from QSQT

After putting Ayush to bed and changing into her night suit, Naina sat curled up on her chair. The moon was forgotten today. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess about how one evening had changed everything.

The beep of message made her look at her phone.

'I'm going to dream about you. Hope you dream about me too'

The phone almond fell from her hand. She gaped at the message.

'Ab itna bhi mat ghooro phone ko. Zyada gussa aa raha hai toh mujhe call karke daant sakti ho. Biwi ho... haq banta hai'

The phone actually dropped this time.

Naina quickly fetched it and switched it off. Her hands were still shaking. This was a completely different Sameer she was seeing since evening. His gaze, his touch, his mannerism... everything was unthinkably alluring. With her own heart already under his spell, it was getting hard to resist his charm.

Sameer chuckled, seeing his next message remain undelivered, "Phone off karne se kya hoga, madam... ab tum chah ke bhi mujhse alag nahi ho sakti."

Next morning, as Naina parked her car at office, she noticed Sameer and Mr Maheshwari getting out of theirs. A sudden nervousness gripped her. She thought of staying inside till they were gone, but Sameer waved at her with a big smile, making Mr Maheshwari look in her direction too. She wasn't left with an option.

"Good morning, sir." She gave a quick smile to nanu after reaching them.

"Good morning, Naina. How are you?" Nanu nodded with a soft look to her.

"Hi Naina. Very good morning. Aaj kaisa feel kar rahi ho? Kal ka asar hai abhi bhi?" Sameer asked in a cheery voice.

Naina paled visibly. She had not expected Sameer to mention anything in front of Mr Maheshwari.

Nanu gave her a concerned look, "What happened? Tumhari tabiyat kharab hai kya? Kya hua kal?"

"Kuch nahi nanu, actually kal Naina ke paas kuch zyada hi kaam tha. Itne saare decisions lene the isliye shayad thak gayi thi. Wohi puch raha tha." Sameer mentioned in a normal tone.

"Naina, beta health sabse important hai. Tum akele saara load mat liya karo. Sameer ko bhi apne saath kaam pe laga ke rakho. Tum dono saath mein kaam karoge toh dono ke liye achha hoga." Nanu was as straight as his grandson.

Naina could only nod. They started to walk towards the entrance together.

"Arre haan Sameer, parson jo hum meeting karke aaye the, uske details Naina ko de diye na?" Nanu asked suddenly when they entered the lift.

"Maine Naina ko sab kuch de diya." Sameer's voice was again casual, but her eyes shot up to him, sensing the hidden meaning.

And he winked.

A sudden bout of cough erupted from her throat.

"Arre beta kya hua? Yeh lo paani." Nanu immediately handed her a bottle of water that he was holding.

She shook her head but nanu insisted, and Naina had to take a sip. Sameer held out his hand to take the bottle from her once she had capped it. Reluctantly, she gave it to him.

In her cabin, Naina wiped her forehead. She hadn't expected Sameer to say such things in front of his grandfather. Now, as she thought about it, she realised he had said nothing which could make Mr Maheshwari suspicious... he had rather been talking in pure official terms. It was probably her fault then, that she was seeing a different meaning in whatever he was saying. But the wink... it was the first time she had seen him wink. The cough was to disguise the wild thudding of her heart.

It was a colossal task for Naina to concentrate on work during the day. A few hours later, she had just finished the report she had been preparing and mailed it to Sameer when her intercom buzzed.

"Naina, yeh report complete nahi hai." His voice startled her. She had sent it less than a minute back and he had already checked the whole of it...

"Maine saare points include kiye hain. In fact, Bansals ke last contract mein jo issues aaye the..." She started to clarify till Sameer cut her short.

"Can you come for a moment? I think tum kuch clients ka record add karna bhool gayi ho. Maybe you're preoccupied with something. Is it so?" He asked, again in a simple voice.

"Nahi main... I'm coming." She had almost fallen for the bait.

Before knocking, she stopped for a brief moment, steeling herself to remain strictly professional... and knocked.

"Come in."

Naina opened the door. His chair was vacant. She walked in gingerly. Maybe he was in the washroom. Placing her laptop on the table, she was about to occupy a chair when a sound made her turn abruptly.

Sameer was right behind her. With a startled gasp, she took a step back. There was no space between her and the desk. Her palms clutched the edge of the table behind her as she looked at him with wide eyes. There was still a feet distance between them, but his deep eyes made that distance feel non existent.

"Aap... aap kya..." She stuttered, seeing him give the same lopsided smirk as last night.

"I missed you."

"What?" His unexpected statement left her dumbfounded.

Sameer shrugged, twisting his mouth, "Aur ek tum ho, mujhe yaad hi nahi karti. Naina, pata hai do ghante se nahi dekha humne ek doosre ko."

She swallowed, "Yeh kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap?"

"Tum... ab mujhe tum kaha karo... zyada apnapan lagta hai. Yeh aap bada office types hai. Waise chaho toh sabke saamne keh sakti ho lekin..." He moved an inch ahead, "... lekin akele mein tum kaha karo."

Naina leaned back, her throat gone dry, "Koi... koi aa jayega."

Sameer raised a brow, "Sirf yeh problem hai? Don't worry, maine door lock kiya hai. Hamare beech koi nahi ayega."

Involuntarily, her eyes darted to the door. Next moment, a dark streak spread on her face and neck, and she gulped.

Sameer's voice dropped to a softer tone, "Tumne soch liya?"

"Kya?" She managed to utter.

"Ki tumhe yeh rishta kab accept karna hai... abhi, shaam tak... ya chaho toh kal tak ka time bhi le sakti ho. I don't want to rush you." Sameer said magnanimously.

Her eyes stretched to the maximum. Before she could say anything, Sameer moved away, and walked across the table to occupy his chair, her gaze following him. When he looked back at her, his eyes did not have the same intensity.

"Reports ke baare mein bata rahi thi tum." Neither did his voice as he waved at the chair next to her.

Naina was confounded at the sudden change, but was thankful. Her heart was still pounding at an alarming speed, though.

"Aap... aapne kaha maine kuch points miss kar diye... reports mein." She forced herself to come to office matters.

"Haan, Mehtas ki terms se related tumne kuch include hi nahi kiya. Woh hamare new clients hain na... did you forget?" He kept his narrowed eyes on her.

Naina tapped the keys on her laptop, and looked up at him, "Maine highlight karke bheja hai phir se. Yeh Mehtas ki deal ke points hain."

"Oh! Sorry." Sameer said without a hint of remorse, "Notice nahi kiya maine. Mera saara dhyaan aaj kahin aur hai."

Her eyes shot up to him, but he wasn't looking at her. She of course knew what he meant. Sameer studied the report, while she sat uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on her screen.

"Hmm. It looks fine." Sameer nodded after a few minutes.

Naina shut her laptop and was about to get up when he suggested, "Ab Regal Fabrics wali terms bhi plan kar lein?"

She had no option but to accept... it was a pure work related question.

"Maine aapko kuch pointers bheje hain. I feel iss deal ke liye helpful honge. After all, they are a large establishment, humein koi adjustment karne ki zarurat nahi hai. They have come to us for our quality. Humein bhi apni exclusivity ke liye unse price demand karna chahiye. They'll definitely agree to our terms." When it came to work, Naina was confident and meticulous.

"Deal ki sab baatein samajh aati hain... dil ki kyon nahi aati." Sameer said abruptly.

"Jee?" Her hands shook.

"Jee haan. Kaam se related koi sawaal aisa nahi hai jiska jawab tumhare paas na ho... lekin mere dil ne jo sawal pucha hai uska jawab kab milega?" He earnestly looked into her eyes.

"Maine... maine aapko kal hi bata diya tha... mera jawaab ab bhi wohi hai." She summoned courage to talk about it, looking straight at him.

His gaze held hers, "Lekin woh jawaab mujhe tumhari aankhon mein nahi dikh raha. Kyon tumhari aankhon mein mere liya gussa ya shikayat nahi hai? Bolo na Naina, kyon?"

She lowered her eyes immediately, "Kyonki aapko dost maanti hun, aapne hamesha mera itna saath diya, aap Ayush ke liye jo bhi karte hain... I respect you for everything."

"Dosti pyar ki pehli seedhi hoti hai." He picked up a bottle of water from the side, opened it and put it to his mouth, his eyes on her.

"Yeh mera jhoota hai." Naina said urgently, leaning to take the bottle from him.

Sameer pushed himself back in his chair, out of her grasp, gulped a few sips before putting it back, and smiled, "Toh? Pehli baar thodi tumhara jhoota paani piya hai. Naina, tumhe shayad pata nahi lekin tumhare ghar pe maine kai baar aisa kiya hai."

She was reminded of the occasions which she had noticed, also the time when she had also done the same, without realising.

"Jhoote se pyar badhta hai. Tum chaho toh tum bhi pi sakti ho. Seedhi chadhne mein aasani hogi." He forwarded the bottle.

Grabbing her laptop, Naina fled from the room.

Sameer smiled... her walls didn't stand a chance, he could see it in her eyes.

"Tumhe mere dil ki hi nahi, apne dil ki baat bhi jaldi hi samajh aa jayegi, Naina, mera waada hai tumse." He took another sip, peered at the bottle, and kept it aside.

At the cafe, Vedika nudged Naina when she didn't start her lunch even after others were halfway down, "Kya hua tujhe? Aaj bhi bhook nahi hai kya?"

"Huh?" Naina came out of her thoughts, "Kuch nahi, bas zara kaam ke baare mein soch rahi thi."

Farhan gave her a probing look, "Kal toh kaam ka bahana samajh aa gaya tha... kisi ke liye vrat rakha hoga jo humein nahi batana chahti lekin aaj... Vedika, yeh tum logon ka karwa chowth do din chalta hai kya?"

Naina gave him an alarmed look, but quickly recovered. There was no way anyone could know what happened yesterday. She took a bite of idli, "Main kabhi koi fast wagerah nahi rakhti... na rakhungi. Mere liye inka koi meaning nahi hai."

Vedika smiled, "Aaj nahi hoga, lekin kal pakka kisi ke liye tera mann karega sab kuch karne ko. Pata hai, maine bhi kal Abhi ke liye vrat rakha tha. It just feels so good."

Farhan rolled his eyes, "Yaar how can it feel good? Bhook lagti hai toh sabse pehle khaana yaad aata hai. Ek baat batao, khaana kha lene se kya pyar kam ho jaata hai? Maine toh achhe se khaya phir bhi Sanya ko bohot pyar karta hun. Lekin woh wahan Australia mein bhi fast rakh rahi hai."

Dhruv patted his shoulder, "Koi rule nahi hai. Jaisa mann karta hai waisa karna chahiye. Main khud nahi chahunga ki koi mere liye poora din bhooka rahe."

Vedika, who had first hand experience, raised her brows, "Surprising thing is, bhook lagti hi nahi. Pata nahi yeh kaise hota hai par din bhar khane ki requirement hi feel nahi hoti."

Naina offered before she could think, "Kyonki subah itna sab kha lete hain. Aise heavy meal ke baad kise bhook lagegi saara din."

"Arre Naina, tujhe kaise pata? Tum logon mein bhi hota hai kya yeh fast? Abhi ne kaha unke yahan toh nahi hota... woh bhi Gujarat se hai." Vedika was surprised.

Naina realised her folly, and explained after a few seconds of silence, "Nahi, hamare yahan nahi hota. Maine kal Bhalla aunty ko dekha tha... matlab unhone bataya tha... tab pata chala."

Dhruv waved his hand in air, "Chodo yaar, jisko rakhna hai rakhe jisko nahi rakhna uski marzi. Hum log kyon aaj ka khaana sacrifice karein. Yahan tum do log committed ho aur main aur Naina single. Toh balanced hai equation. Isliye saara time bas couples wali baatein mat kiya karo."

Farhan smacked his back, "Kisne kaha hai single rehne ko. Tu bhi shaadi kar le, ab teri didi ki shaadi mein koi pasand kar lena."

Naina also wanted to end the topic, "Saari preparations ho gayi, Dhruv? Koi help chahiye ho toh batana."

"Chahiye na. Tum log milke ek dance choreograph kar lo. Sangeet ke liye." Dhruv beamed.

"Of course karenge. Lekin tumhe bhi group mein aana padega. Hum chaaron ek performance prepare karenge." Vedika said excitedly.

Naina grimaced, "Dance? No way. Main dance nahi karti."

Dhruv gave her a pleading look, "Please na, Naina. Koi award function performance thodi hai. Ek simple sa dance. Aajkal sab karte hain. It's so much fun."

Vedika tugged at her arm, "Hum practice kar lenge. Don't worry. Mujhe bhi kuch khaas nahi aata. Aur agar Farhan ko dekhegi na, toh lagega ki hum log professional dancers hain."

Farhan made a face, "Haan haan, mazaak udda lo. Jaisa bhi hun, Sanya ko pasand hun."

Dhruv chuckled, "Iski sui Sanya se aage badhti hi nahi."

Vedika punched him on the arm, "Pyar mein aisa hi hota hai. Jab teri baari ayegi tab dekhna."

Naina knew what she meant. Sameer wasn't out of her mind even for a single second.

Nanu watched his grandson as he whistled while checking his reflection in the metal door as they waited for the lift in the evening.

"Kya baat hai, barkhurdaar, bohot khush lag rahe ho. Aisi kya lottery lag gayi?" He patted Sameer's shoulder.

Sameer was suddenly conscious. He couldn't tell nanu about his new status with Naina... it would mean explaining the entire scenario, which might bring out Naina in a bad light, because of her lie.

"Bas aise hi nanu, aaj mood bada achha hai." He couldn't hide the broad smile nonetheless.

Nanu leaned closer, lowering his voice, "Jiski wajah se tera mood achha hota hai usse kahega kab?"

Sameer rubbed the back of his neck, a blush warming his cheeks, "Keh diya."

"Abe gadhe mujhe kyon nahi bataya? Kya kaha usne? Kab baat hui? Kaise..." Nanu's voice got louder in excitement.

"Shhhh nanu, kya kar rahe ho... dheere bolo." Sameer held his arm, looking around as few employees who were walking through the corridor halted to look at them.

The lift door opened to save Sameer from more embarrassment, and he pulled nanu inside.

"Kya nanu aap bhi... meri image ka kachra karte ho. Sabke saamne gadha bol diya." He whined.

"Woh chod, yeh bata kya jawab mila?" Nanu asked eagerly, brushing aside his tantrum.

"Umm, abhi jawab diya nahi hai... thoda time lagega usse." Sameer pressed his lips.

Nanu clapped like a child, "Yeh toh bohot achhi khabar hai, yaar. Iska matlab uski naa nahi hai. Arre iss umeed pe toh aashiq zindagi guzar dete hain, lekin tu fiqr mat kar. Teri zindagi Naina ke intezar mein nahi, uske saath guzregi."

"Pakka nanu? Aap sure ho?" Sameer was thrilled to have his belief strengthened.

Nanu let in a proud breath, "Bilkul barkhurdaar. Agar ladki ne seedhe muh pe tumhare pyar ko inkaar nahi kiya toh samajh jao uske dil mein tumhari jagah toh hai... bas usse apne andar ki ladai jeetni hai, jo gharwalon ki wajah se ho sakti hai, lekin Naina ke case mein shayad usse apne mann se kuch darr nikalne ke liye waqt chahiye. Sameer, ab lagta hai tu mera beta hai... dil khush kar diya." He heavily patted Sameer's back.

At night, Naina stood on the terrace, searching for answers in the moon and stars, "Yeh sab kya ho gaya? Maine toh sirf yeh maanga tha ki mujhe iss jhoot se azaad hona hai... yeh kabhi nahi socha tha yeh jhoot sach banke meri zindagi mein aa jayega. Ab iss nayi mushkil ko kaise face karun? Sameer toh..." She shivered as she thought about the way he had started to talk to her and openly show his love, "... sachhe dil se apni feelings bata rahe hain, lekin main woh bhi nahi kar sakti."

The phone started to ring. Even before she looked at the screen, she knew who it was.

"Hi. Toh aaj meri biwi ne chaand se meri kya shikayat ki?" His voice was full of mischief.

Naina looked around in panic... how could he know.

"Mujhe wahan mat dhundo... main ghar pe hi hun." He chuckled.

Naina stared at the phone.

"Ab itna toh tumhe jaan gaya hun ki tum apni uljhan aur kisi se baanto na baanto, chaand ko zarur bata deti ho. Sach kahun, uss chaand se jalan hoti hai." Sameer also looked at the moon from his window.

"Aapko... aapko kaise pata?" Naina was taken aback.

Sameer went quiet. He couldn't tell her he had often driven down to her lane to watch her stand at the edge of the terrace and look at the moon. Even if he could not hear her, he could make out she was talking.

"Boliye na, aapko kaise pata? Yeh baat toh koi nahi jaanta. Maine kisi ko nahi bataya. Yahan tak ki Ayush ko bhi nahi pata meri iss aadat ke baare mein." It was indeed shocking for her to know that he was aware of this habit of hers.

"Naina, jab kisi se pyar karte hain toh unki har choti se choti baat yaad rehti hai. Maine dekha tha tumhe chaand se baat karte hue jab... jab main tumhare ghar pe tha." He said lightly.

She recalled the night. Even he was talking to the moon.

"Aap bhi toh karte hain." She reminded him.

Sameer smiled, "Dekha, tumhe bhi meri sab baatein yaad hain."

"Nahi mujhe kuch yaad nahi." She blurted.

Sameer was elated as she had walked right into his trap, "Achha theek hai main yaad dilata hun. Sabse pehle woh din jab Ayush ka birthday tha aur main tumhare ghar aaya tha... yaad hai, tumne pair ulajh jaane pe kaise mera haath pakad liya tha. Main tab bhi tumse pyar karta tha."

Naina clearly remembered how amazed she was at the way she had held onto his arm, without flinching even once.

"Phir uss din jab tumhare baal meri shirt mein atak gaye the... Naina, meri dhadkan suni thi tumne? Uss din bhi usme sirf tumhara naam tha." His voice turned softer.

She pursed her lips, to suppress the gasp that almost escaped at the memory.

"Aur woh baarish wali raat... jab tum meri baahon mein aa giri thi." The husky tone, along with the vivid pictures of that night in her mind made goosebumps appear all over her, but Sameer didn't stop, "Woh meri zindagi ki sabse khoobsurat baarish thi... abhi tak... kyonki mujhe pata hai aane wali zindagi mein isse bhi yaadgar pal main tumhare saath baarish mein bitane wala hun... maine dekha hai tumhe baarish kitni pasand hai."

Naina felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought of the time he had seen her soaked in the rain. She was about to end the call when his clear voice stopped her.

"Kal ki tarah phone off kiya toh main wahan aa jaunga, Naina. Tumhe pata hai mera uss ghar mein aana kitna aasan hai."

She gulped.

Sameer smirked at the other end, knowing her condition very well, "Achha chalo so jao ab... aakhir sapne bhi toh dekhne hain... mere."

Naina closed her eyes. All she could see was Sameer's smiling face. Scared, she opened them again.

"Good night Naina. Sirf kuch din ki baat hai. Phir mujhe aise phone pe good night nahi bolna padega." He whispered... and she could feel his warm breath on her ear.

Petrified by his words and voice, and its impact on her, she pulled the phone away from her ear, holding it against her heart that threatened to burst out.

The beep of message made her jump.

'Don't forget to dream about me. Would love to hear all of it tomorrow morning.'

Mortified, she switched off the phone. But his each and every word rang in her mind. She hadn't forgotten any of the incidents he had mentioned... yet they all seemed much more intimate after the way he had described them. Added to it was his repeated declaration how much he loved her.

Naina didn't know how to keep herself aloof... when his every step was drawing her more towards him.

Next update on Friday