Title is the song 'Yeh tune kya kiya' from movie 'Once upon a time in Mumbai dobaara'

Naina gently fixed the belt that Ayush was not able to tie, and smiled, "Ho gaya. Ab ban gaya mera beta hero."

Ayush checked his reflection, patting his hair in place and turned to face her, a smug smile on his face, "Sameer papa jaisa lag raha hun na?"

Naina pulled his cheek, "Tujhe Sameer papa jaisa lagna hai?"

He again looked into the mirror, "Deepu bua kehti hai main bilkul chota Sameer papa hun."

Naina raised a brow, "Deepu bua? Tu toh Deepika kehta tha na? Yeh Deepu kabse kehne laga?"

Deepika answered, entering the room at that moment, "Maine hi bola bhabhi. Ghar pe sab Deepu bulate hain. Aur haan, aap bhi yehi bola karo. Mujhe achha lagta hai."

Naina dipped her head, "Okay. Agar tumhe achha lagta hai toh aisa hi hoga."

Deepika hugged Naina, "Thank you bhabhi. You're the sweetest."

Ayush hugged her from other side, "Naina mumma mere liye bhi sweetest."

Straightening up, Deepika huffed at Ayush, "Tujhe kuch aur bhi bataya tha. Bhool gaya?"

Ayush narrowed his eyes, tapping his head with index finger, then gave her a guilty look, "Haan."

Deepika hit her forehead with her palm, "Offo yeh ladka. Chal batati hun."

Naina looked from one to other, "Arre mujhe bhi toh batao."

Deepika held Ayush's hand and marched out of the room quickly, looking over her shoulder, "Aapko bhi pata chal jayega bhabhi. Pehle iss bhulakkad ko toh yaad dila dun."

Crossing her arms, Naina watched them go down the stairs, Deepika whispering to Ayush and he giving a sheepish smile, poking his tongue out. She exhaled a contented breath. What they were talking would eventually be known to her but for now, she was pleased to see how well they bonded. She was herself not worried about sending Ayush for a party where neither she nor Sameer would be present. He wasn't just her little brother anymore, he was the baby of whole family... loved, pampered, fretted over and cared about by each one.

In the hall, Vishakha smiled brightly as they reached her, adjusting Deepika's layered chains that were the latest trend, then tucking in Ayush's shirt from the side. Vivek ushered all of them out, showing the time. Nanu had left much before everyone. Rohan and Preeti were gone too. Sameer had asked Ramdhari to leave early, saying that they would be ordering from outside so he can take rest for the evening.

Once the house was silent, Naina went towards the library. Sameer had been on an international call for sometime. The requirement had come up suddenly, and could not be postponed as the buyers wanted all terms to be cleared immediately. Opening the door a crack, she peeked in. The call was still on. Soundlessly, she shut the door.

Holding the rail, she looked at the hall below. It felt strange. House was never this quiet. This stillness never bothered her earlier, but she didn't like it now. In just a few months, the silence of her life had transformed into blithe chatter of a large family. A family that included different relations. She had everyone now... parents, grandfather, siblings, son... and Sameer, her soulmate.

Pressing her eyes with her palms, she said a silent prayer before uttering, "Inn khushiyan ko kahin meri hi nazar na lag jaaye."

The touch on her shoulders didn't startle her. She leaned back without looking, resting against his chest.

He circled his arms around her, "Jis nazar mein itna pyar ho woh kabhi nahi lagti."

She glanced up over her shoulder, "Tum meeting mein the ya meri baatein sun rahe the?"

Nuzzling his face in her hair, he smiled, "Tumhari baatein janne ke liye mujhe sunne ki zarurat thodi hai. Direct connection hai... dil ka."

"Track mat change karo. Tumhe dinner banana hai yaad hai na?" She swatted his hand that was sneaking inside the edge of her top.

"Baad mein." He whispered, unaffected by her playful smack, and let his fingers graze her velvety skin.

"Sameer, nanu jaldi wapas ayenge. Unke aane se pehle yeh experiment khatam karna hai. Okay?" She reminded him, tugging at his wrist as the touch was unleashing fluttering sensations in her stomach.

With a sigh, he laid his forehead on her shoulder, "Tum na kuch zyada hi practical ho. Thodi si bhi romantic nahi ho."

"Mera resume ban gaya ho toh pasta bana lein?" She chuckled at his analysis.

He rolled his eyes, "Fine. Pata nahi tha tum itni bhukkad bhi ho. Itni kya jaldi hai khaana khaane ki?"

She turned to face him, "Khaane ki nahi, tumhare haath ka bana hua khaane ki. Main bhi toh dekhun itne dinon se jo preparation kar rahe the uska kya result hai."

He lifted his collars, "Madam, Sameer Maheshwari mein talent ki kami nahi hai. Woh toh main itna time nahi deta warna saare cooks se better khaana bana sakta hun."

She waved her head in affirmation, raising her brows, "I agree. Tum mein waqai kaafi talent hai... boiled alu se pasta tak pohonch gaye."

He furrowed his brows, "Tum mera mazaak udda rahi ho?"

"Nahi bilkul nahi. Main toh tareef kar rahi hun. Kahan woh Sameer Maheshwari..." She looked at his frown from the corner of her eye, and added quickly, "... aur kahan yeh... expert. Waah waah."

With a satisfied grin, he started to fold his sleeves as he walked down towards the kitchen, "Dekh lena, ungliyaan chaat ti reh jaogi. Bas ek shart hai, tum kitchen mein nahi aa sakti."

She wondered what he planned to do, and followed him worriedly.

First thing Sameer did was put on the apron. Since it was hung right next to the door, finding it wasn't a task. Next he called the number he found stuck to refrigerator. Few times, he had ordered soft drinks and wafers etc from the grocer who delivered to their house on regular basis. Vishakha was more comfortable in buying from the nearby shops who delivered within few minutes, rather than online grocery sites. Since he knew them very well, the quality was always according to their taste and if they needed to return something, Devesh bhai never complained.

"Hello, Devesh bhai, yeh saara saaman jaldi se bhijwa do. Urgent hai." Sameer read out the list from his phone.

The person at the other end said something, making him frown, "Aise kaise nahi aata. Yahan likha hua hai, boiled pasta."

He heard for a few seconds then said, "Lekin list mein toh boiled hi likha hai. Ab main kya karun?"

Naina could not hear the shopkeeper but she knew what he must have said... and Sameer's perplexed reply confirmed that, "Ghar pe kaise boil karte hain?"

She entered the kitchen, and took the phone from him, "Devesh bhai aap bhej dijiye... nahi... unhe galti lagi... normal hi bhej dijiye." She issued a few more instructions in lower voice before ending her call with a 'thank you'.

Sameer was flustered, "Tumhe manaa kiya tha aane ko. Kyon aayi yahan?"

"Agar nahi aati toh tum saari sham Devesh bhai se jhagda karte rehte ki boiled pasta kyon nahi milta market mein." She chuckled, and pinched his puffed cheeks, "Jaise alu ghar pe boil hote hain waise hi pasta bhi hota hai."

Sameer scratched his head, "Alu ke jaise? Jo tumne kiya tha, cooker mein?"

Naina laughed, "Nahi, pan mein." She raised her brows hopefully, "Main kar dun? Please."

Sameer shook his head adamantly, "Tum kuch nahi karogi. Main hi banaunga."

Naina lowered her voice to a whisper, "Please. Bas itni si help karne do. Please na."

Sameer pressed his lower lip under his teeth, looking at her intently.

She fluttered her lashes, placing a hand on his arm.

Sameer drew in a breath, "Aise karogi toh... dinner order hi karna padega."

"Na na. dinner toh mera handsome husband banayega na." Naina quickly stepped back, "Main toh bas usse dekhte rehne ka bahana dhoond rahi hun." She gave him a sweet smile, "Isliye thodi si help karne do."

The truth was, Sameer needed her help. Kitchen was a territory he found himself totally lost when he had entered alone. But he couldn't show that he was doing it for himself.

"Theek hai. Lekin bas thodi si. Pasta boil kaise karte hain woh tum batana baaki sab kuch main iss video se dekh ke karunga." He said with a stern face.

"Thank you." Naina beamed, "Mujhse dinner ka wait nahi ho raha."

"Good things take time." He shrugged confidently.

After the groceries arrived, Naina placed water to boil in a deep pan. Sameer got busy in matching the ingredients with the recipe in video. After several replays, he had placed things in the same order that he would need to add, according to what was shown. By then, Naina had already drained and placed boiled pasta in a sieve.

She turned to him, "Ho gaya. Ab aur batao kya karna hai."

"Kuch nahi." Sameer held her shoulders and started to push her out.

She resisted, pleading, "Rukne do na yahan. Bahar baith ke bhi kya karungi. Yahan rahungi toh kam se kam tumhe dekh toh sakti hun."

He gave in. Not seeing her for so long didn't sound very well to him too. But raising a warning finger, he acted tough, "Sirf dekhna allowed hai. Kuch bol nahi sakti. Aur kuch kar bhi nahi sakti."

Her gaze suggestively drifted to his lips for a moment, "Kuch bhi nahi?"

Sameer was tempted to... but he controlled, "Nahi. Kuch nahi. Mujhe concentrate karna hai. Pasta banana koi aasan thodi hai. Expertise chahiye."

"Of course. Mujhe kaise pata hoga." Naina nodded in understanding... till she couldn't stifle her giggles anymore.

"Nainaaaa. Tum mujhe aise conscious karogi toh main kaise banaunga. Tumhe toh mujhe support karna chahiye." He whined.

"Sorry sorry." She held her ears, turning serious, "No more masti. Tum banao. Main chup chap yahan baith jaati hun." Pulling a chair from the counter, she settled on it.

Sameer went back to where he had put all ingredients. Unknown to him, Naina had asked Devesh bhai to send chopped vegetables. Knowing how adamant Sameer was about doing everything on his own, she didn't want him to cut his hand trying to slice the veggies. Also, while she was boiling the pasta, she had brought out the wok, along with ladle and placed on gas top, with the bottle of olive oil close by. Her non kitchen savvy husband would have no clue where to look for the things.

"Achha hai Ramdhari sab kuch saamne hi rakhta hai." He muttered thankfully, measuring two spoonfuls oil and pouring into the pan.

"Sameer... gas on karni hai." She reminded, after he had been waiting for a few minutes with chopped onions.

"Ha... haan. Pata hai mujhe. Main... recipe yaad kar raha tha." He quickly turned the automatic knob, giving her a vexed look, "Tumne kyon bola? Chup baithna hai na."

She bobbed her head, pursing her lips, letting a fond smile grow on her after he started his work again. No one even in the family could imagine Sameer donning a chef's hat. Well, he wasn't literally, but chef's apron at least.

He put onions, causing a splutter in oil, which made him jump back.

"Sameer aise nahi..." Naina ran to him, "Tel se jala toh nahi." She checked his hands.

Sameer pulled them away, "Touch karne ke bahane mat dhoondo. Jao wahan baitho."

She pointed at the knob, "Gas ko sim..."

He leaned and pecked her lips, not letting her come to the counter.

"Sameer mujhe bas gas ko..." She craned her neck.

He brushed his lips over her jaw, whispering, "Agar ek aur word bola na... toh main samjhunga tumhe dinner nahi chahiye... tumhara mood change ho gaya."

Her eyes widened. Still, she waved her hand towards the gas, "Main toh..."

He twisted a little, switched off the gas and grabbed her waist, lifting her up in air.

"Yeh kya kar rahe ho? Utaro mujhe." She clutched his shoulders.

"Tumne hi toh kaha upar chalna hai... bedroom mein." He didn't leave her, his eyes intense.

She smacked his shoulder, "Shut up. Main toh..."

"Naina, ek aur word... aur yahan ka program khatam." He threatened.

She placed a finger on her lips, nodding. He gently put her down. Keeping the finger in place, she went back to her chair.

Sameer smiled triumphantly, and played a short part of the video. He then added the vegetable to heated oil. Hearing a little cough from behind, he realised, the gas was off. Without answering, he switched it on. After checking for the next step, he took out a block of cheese from paper bag. As he started to look around, wondering what a grater looked like, Naina pointed at one in a stand on the counter.

"Pata hai." He gave a deliberate smile, and started to grate cheese at such slow pace that it made Naina again roll her eyes.

A sound took her attention to gas... it was again on high flame. Keeping the finger firmly on her lips, she went to Sameer and tapped on his back.

"Ab kya hua?" He turned.

She pointed at the gas, gesturing to turn its knob.

"Naina." Sameer let out a weary breath, "Tum thoda toh trust karo. Main sab kuch perfectly follow kar raha hun."

She pursed her lips, fervently waving at the wok. He patted her cheek, "Good girl. No words."

She slapped her forehead, then folded her hands noisily, and pushed him aside, rushing to the counter. That is when Sameer noticed the excessive smoke.

"Yeh kaise hua?" He peered over her shoulder. Only when Naina has lifted the wok and placed it in the sink did he see tha black layer... which was vegetables till few minutes back.

She looked at him, and pointed at the gas.

"Offo kya kehna hai theek se bolo na." He was frustrated.

"Tumne hi toh mana kiya bolne ko." She scoffed, "Kabse batana chahti thi gas sim karo lekin tumhe sunna hi nahi. Ab jal gaya na sab kuch."

He stared at the burnt remains in the wok, then opened his phone to play the video. After a while, he gave her a perplexed look, "Lekin ismein kahin likha hi nahi ki gas ko sim karna hai."

Naina snatched the phone from him, and read the recipe, showing him next minute, "Yeh dekho, likha hai na 'on slow burner'."

He was confused, "Yeh toh slow burner likha hai gas ke liye thodi."

She placed her hands on waist, "Toh kiske liye likha hai Sameer... burner pe aur kya tha?"

He blinked a few times, then wrinkled his nose, "Sorry, mujhe laga burner matlab lighter. Maine socha hamari gas toh automatic hai toh yeh step mere kaam ka nahi."

She stared at him for a few moments... but couldn't hold any longer, and burst out laughing. He pouted, "Achha theek hai galti ho gayi. Ab hanso toh mat mujh pe. Tumhe bhi pata hai pehli baar bana raha tha."

She stopped laughing, and came closer. Taking his hands in hers, she looked at him, "Tumpe nahi hans rahi. Tumhare bholepan pe hans rahi hun."

He raised an apprehensive brow, "Tum... gussa toh nahi ho?"

She shook her head, "Tum itne pyare se buddhu ho... tumpe koi kaise gussa ho sakta hai."

He sighed, "Lekin ab kya karein. Dinner toh jal gaya."

She turned his hands, and placed a kiss on both his palms, "Shukar hai tumhe kuch nahi hua. Agar tum uss pan mein kuch daalne ki koshish karte toh haath jal sakta tha."

He glanced at the pan which was still emitting smoke, then again said sorry.

Naina smiled gently, "Baar baar sorry bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Lekin kitchen mein kaam karte hue bohot careful rehna chahiye. Ek YouTube video dekh lene se cooking nahi aa jaati. Tumhara iraada bohot achha tha lekin tumhe koi experience nahi hai isliye kuch nuksaan bhi ho sakta tha. Aage se tumhe jab bhi kuch banane ka mann kare, mujhe bolna, hum dono mil ke banayenge."

"Tumhe toh ek saal se bol raha hun. Tum sikhati hi nahi." He said in a childish voice.

She was surprised, "Tumhe sach mein seekhna hai?"

"Haan." He lifted her hands and placed them on his chest, "Mujhe at least do chaar dishes toh seekhni hain, jo meri Naina aur mere Ayush ki favourite hain."

Her heart melted. She planted a soft kiss over his heart. He bent his head.

"Kya kar rahe ho?" She tilted herself backward.

"Dil toh tumhara bhi bohot achha hai. Ek kiss mujhe bhi dena chahiye na." He winked.

"Dhatt." She pushed him, and turned swiftly.

Smirking, he teased, "Aise sharmaogi toh shaam ke baaki plan ka kya hoga."

Twisting her hair in a messy bun, she pulled out another pan, "Aage ka plan yeh hai ki aaj main aur tum milke pasta banayenge."

He looked at the mess he had left, "Naina, aaj bahar se order kar lete hai. Vegetables toh saari jal gayi."

She took out the basket from refrigerator, "Pasta boil kar hi liya hai toh bana lete hain. Time nahi lagega. Main doosri vegetables chop kar leti hun."

He eyed the basket, "Yeh sab pehle se tha? Toh tumne bola kyon nahi."

She looked at him, shrugged, and placed a finger on her lips... reminding him that she wasn't allowed to speak. He grinned sheepishly.

Naina showed him how to add oil, and put the gas on sim immediately. She then added onions, garlic and some vegetables. Once they turned a little soft, she added white sauce to it, letting it simmer. Few minutes later, after the seasoning, grated cheese and boiled pasta, she took out the can of liquid cheese.

"Thoda sa yeh add kar dene se achha flavour aata hai. Better taste karta hai." She sprayed it on bubbling pasta.

Sameer took the can from her once she was done. Naina switched off the gas, and turned to tell him that their dinner was ready... but instead of words, a gasp escaped her lips, at the sudden pull.

His one arm kept her pinned to himself. When he lifted other hand, she saw the cheese can.

"Maine suna hai isse taste better hota hai." He whispered.

"Sam..." Her heartbeat skyrocketed when a cool spray covered her cheek, jaw and corner of her lips.

In a flash, his lips and tongue were on her skin. She clutched his shirt at the waist, tilting her head to give him access. The heat of his mouth against her chilled skin made her erupt into goosebumps all over. In no hurry, Sameer let languid strokes clear off all the cheese from her cheek and jaw... till the only traces were left on her lips. He lifted his face once, to look at her. Her eyes were half closed, her lips parted. Without waiting another moment, he leaned and licked the cheese off her lips before taking her for a kiss.

The kiss was slow and passionate, making the butterflies in her stomach come alive instantly. It felt like the first time they kissed. As his tongue probed her mouth, her eyes closed slowly, bringing back the fireworks behind her lids. Her hands wandered over his back, loving the feel of his rippling muscles under her palms. One hand moved up behind his neck, to bunch up his hair as she pressed herself to him, her soft curves moulding against his toned body. He knew how to make her delirious. When she felt her legs would no longer support her, he parted abruptly, panting hard. She gasped for air too. It was an all consuming kiss, which left them light headed.

"Pasta will have to wait." He breathed in a raspy voice.

Without giving her a chance to speak, he lifted her off the ground and walked out.

I'll be travelling this week, so it won't be possible to update. Next one will be on Friday