Title is the song 'Agar tum saath ho' from movie 'Tamasha'

Nanu got up in the middle of the night to refill his water jug. Going back to his room, he noticed the thin streak of light under Sameer's door. After contemplating for a while, he knocked.

"Arre nanu aap? Kya hua? Tabiyat toh theek hai na aapki? Itni raat tak kyon jaag rahe hain?" Sameer's forehead creased into lines of concern when he opened the door.

Nanu let out a sigh, "Yehi fiqr hai beta, jo mujhe yahan le aayi."

"Matlab?" Sameer gave a perplexed look.

"Yahin khade rehkar bolun ya andar aane dega?" Nanu quirked up a brow.

"Aaiye na. Aap aise puch kyon rahe hain?" Sameer tugged at his arm, and brought him inside.

"Ab bataiye kya hua." He asked after nanu was comfortably seated on the couch.

"Tu bhi baith. Aaram se do baatein karni hain." Nanu patted next to him.

Sameer settled down on the floor near nanu's feet, his legs crossed under him.

Nanu placed a hand on his head, a knowing smile on his face. Since he was a kid, Sameer would sit like this when he was troubled over something.

"Ab tu bata kya baat hai. Maine toh socha tha tu khushi se naach raha hoga... aakhir kal tera sapna poora hone jaa raha hai." Nanu asked gently.

When he looked up, Nanu saw the regret in his eyes, "I'm sorry, nanu. Main jaanta hun aapko aaj bohot dukh hua maine aapse yeh sab chupaya. Main aisa nahi karna chahta tha lekin..." He bit his lip, "sab kuch itni achanak hua ki mujhe samajh hi nahi aaya aapko shaadi ke baare mein kaise bataun."

Nanu let out an exhale, "Thoda jhatka toh laga tha, Sameer. Lekin phir socha, kuch na kuch kaaran zarur hoga, kyonki mera beta jaan ke kisi ka dil nahi dukha sakta. Yeh tum dono ke beech ki baat hai isliye main puchunga nahi, lekin itna zarur kahunga ki teri maa ko bohot dukh hua. Woh bhi apni jagah theek hai. Tujhe pata hi hai teri shaadi ka sapna woh kabse dekh rahi hai."

"Haan nanu jaanta hun. Main khud chahta tha hamari shaadi aise hi ho jaise sabki hoti hai. Saare sheher ko pata chale ki Naina meri dulhan hai. Lekin Naina shaadi ke liye taiyar hi nahi thi. Woh toh..." Sameer paused, the dilemma back in his mind.

Nanu narrowed his eyes, "Tu usse majboor kar raha hai? Uski marzi ke bina?"

"Not at all, nanu." Sameer shook his head vehemently, "Main jaan gaya hun woh mujhe accept kar chuki hai. Lekin..." He steeled himself. He had done the mistake of keeping things hidden from the only person who had guided him always, he wouldn't do it again, "Naina darti hai, nanu. Usse lagta hai uske kal ke baare mein jaan ke mera pyar badal jayega."

"Toh kya tu ab tak nahi jaanta? Usne kuch nahi bataya?" Nanu asked in surprise.

Sameer lowered his head, "Naina ne toh koshish ki thi par maine usse kuch kehne nahi diya." When he looked up, the question he expected was in nanu's eyes. He continued, "Nanu, jab pehli baar mujhe Naina ke parents ke baare mein pata chala tha, mujhe laga bechari ke saath kitna bura hua hai. Aur usne woh feeling meri aankhon mein dekh li thi. Usse laga jo main usse help karne ki koshish karta hun woh... woh pity hai. I do it because I feel sorry for her. And she resented that."

"Samajh sakta hun, beta. Aisa hota hai. Ek toh apna dukh itna bada hota hai, upar se har aane wala agar taras khake dekhta hai toh takleef ke saath saath gussa bhi aata hai. Jab Gayatri ke jaane ke baad koi mujhe kehta tha ki aapko ab Vishakha ke liye baap ke saath saath maa bhi banna hai, toh dukh ke mahaul mein bhi khoon khaul jaata tha mera. Dil karta tha chilla ke kahun ki Vishakha ko kaise paalna hai yeh main jaanta hun, beti hai meri, kisi ko sikhane ki zarurat nahi hai. Jab mujhe aisa lagta tha, Sameer, toh Naina toh abhi bachhi hai. Pata nahi woh kabse sachhi jhooti hamdardi aur sab jaan pehchan walon ki baatein sun rahi hogi ki usse apni zindagi kaise jeeni chahiye. Yeh natural hai, beta. Aisi feeling aana ki sab aapko incapable samajhte hain, aapko sikhana chahte hain aur dheere dheere yeh gussa har uss nazar ke liye mann mein aa jaata hai jo aap pe taras dikhati hai."

Sameer was confused, "Toh main kya karta, nanu? Uske liye sympathy feel karna bhi toh natural hi tha. Hum aisa sunte hain toh jiske saath hua hai unke liye bura lagta hi hai."

Nanu nodded, "Maanta hun. Unke dukh mein unka haath pakdo, lekin unko sikhao mat, jab tak woh khud na puche. Usse incapability ka ahsaas mat dilao. Aur baar baar yeh kehna ki tumhe khud ko strong banana hoga, frustrating hota hai. Jo itna bada haadsa jhel raha hai aur phir bhi khada hai woh already strong hai. Kisi ko hamesha ke liye kho dena aasan nahi hota, Sameer. Agar woh aapke dil ke sabse kareeb ho toh zakhm aur bhi gehra ho jaata hi."

"Maine itna deeply nahi socha tha, nanu, lekin ab lagta hai jo main kar raha hun woh theek hi hai." Sameer pondered.

"Kya theek hai? Kya kar raha hai tu?" It was nanu's turn to be confused.

Sameer looked up at him, "Main nahi chahta Naina ko aisa lage ki uske baare mein janne ke baad maine usse 'ACCEPT' kiya hai. Usne decision mujhpe choda hai, ki main sab kuch sunne ke baad bhi kya usse pyar karunga. Isliye main uske kal ke baare mein sunna hi nahi chahta. Jo bhi tha nanu, mujhe usse koi farq nahi padta. Maine hamesha feel kiya hai ki Naina bohot helpless sound karti hai, jab woh pehle ki baat karti hai. Agar uski baat sunke maine anjaane mein bhi koi aisa reaction diya jisse usse lage ki main phir se... matlab usse nahi lagna chahiye ki meri taraf se ya meri family ki taraf se koi compromise hai. Main chahta hun woh iss ghar mein aaye toh iss khyal se aaye ki sab usse unconditionally pyar karte hain. Usse phir se woh pity wali feeling na ho."

Impressed with the maturity of his grandson, nanu patted his shoulder, "Aaj tujh pe garv ho raha hai. Sach mein, tune bohot badi baat sochi hai. Sameer, mujhe poora bharosa hai ki Naina ki beeti hui zindagi mein jo bhi hua ho, tera pyar uske liye kam nahi hoga. Lekin agar woh apne dil se yeh bojh utarna chahti hai toh usse keh lene de, beta. Ho sakta hai woh apni nayi duniya mein kadam rakhne se pehle purani yaadon se chutkara chahti ho. Ho sakta hai bata dene se uska dard kam ho jaaye, ya phir khatm ho jaaye."

"Nanu, main Naina se pyar karta hun. Kehte hain pyar andha hota hai. Mujhe aisa nahi lagta. Pyar toh woh bhi dekh sakta hai jo baaki log nahi dekh paate. Maine Naina ki aankhon mein woh hichak, woh kashmkash dekhi hai jo usse apne dil ki baat manne se rokti hai. Jo bhi hua tha usne Naina ko bohot hurt kiya hai. Agar woh sab yaad karegi toh unn zakhmon ko phir se mehsoos karegi. Kya hua hoga uske kal mein... koi galti, koi haadsa, koi bura incident... jismein ho sakta hai uska kasoor ho, ya phir na ho. Ab woh sab peeche reh gaya toh kya farq padta hai. Har insaan mein kamiyaan hoti hain, buraiyaan hoti hai, flaws hote hain. Unn sabke saath kisi ko apni zindagi mein shaamil karna pyar hai. Uske dil ke darr aur insecurities ko bina kahe samajhna aur unhe door karna pyar hai. There are many challenges and pains in life, working through them together is love. Jo life ke perfect na hone par bikhar jaaye woh pyar nahi ho sakta. Love makes you strong... main chahta hun Naina mere pyar mein woh strength mehsoos kare, aur beete hue kal ko bhool ke aane wale kal ki baat kare." Sameer explained the reason for his reluctance to let Naina talk about her past.

"Teri baatein tere pyar ki gehraii dikhati hain, Sameer. Main kahunga Naina bohot lucky hai jo usse tujh jaisa pyar karne wala saathi mil raha hai. Itna bada dil shayad hi aaj ke daur mein kisi ladke ya ladki ka ho." Nanu was overwhelmed by his thoughts.

Sameer smiled, "Aur kisi ka pata nahi, nanu, mere paas aap hain sab sikhane ke liye isliye shayad main Naina ke dil ko samajh paata hun."

Sameer stood up as nanu lifted himself from the couch, "Jaisa tujhe theek lage waisa kar. Lekin Naina ko aisa nahi feel hona chahiye ki usse kisi baat ke liye majboor kiya jaa raha hai. Aaj maine bhi uski aankhon mein iss shaadi ko lekar kuch hichkichahat dekhi thi. Agar usse aur time chahiye toh main Vishakha ko samjha dunga. Lekin Naina kisi dabaav mein aake yahan aane ka faisla le main yeh bhi nahi chahta."

"Don't worry, nanu. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Uski aankhon mein sapne hain... bas unn sapnon ke saath ek lachari, ek uncertainty hai... jo main khatam karna chahta hun. Abhi
Naina ki hesitation mummy ke reaction ki wajah se hai. I'm sure ek baar mummy ka gussa shaant ho jayega toh sab theek ho jayega. Naina ne khud maana woh aage badhne ko ready hai." Sameer assured him.

"Kya? Naina ne tujhe keh diya ki woh tujhse pyar karti hai? Aur tune bataya tak nahi? Yaar, tu toh saari baatein chupane laga hai." Nanu gave him a vexed look.

"I swear, nanu, Naina ke dil ki baat toh mujhe parson hi pata chali hai." He pinched his throat, then looked away sheepishly, "Umm, usne aisa toh nahi kaha ki woh mujhse... lekin kaha ki aage badhne se pehle mujhe uski baat sun leni chahiye." He got charged up again, "Iska toh ek hi matlab hai na. Maine keh diya ki main ek week mein usse yahan le aunga. Nanu, main toh kal hi aapse baat kar leta lekin subah aap hospital gaye the test ke liye aur main office se aaya tab tak aap so gaye the. Main sabse pehle aapko hi batana chahta tha."

Nanu laughed heartily, "Achha achha ab zyada makkhan mat laga. Tu bhi so ja aur mujhe bhi jaane de. Thak gaya hun. Kal bahu ke aane ke time fresh dikhna chahiye na mujhe. Toh ab jaake sota hun."

Naina turned in her bed for the umpteenth time, before sitting up finally. There was no use trying to sleep. Her mind could not rest even for a second, nor did her eyes close in the past one hour. She couldn't believe it would be her last night in this house. Everything had happened at such alarming speed that she got no time to react. Along with Sameer's family getting to know about them, Bhalla aunty was leaving too. Though she had not asked her to move out, Naina couldn't stay back after they were gone. That left her with no choice but to agree to go with Sameer. But would that be right for him? Seeing his mother's anger today, Naina's worst fears had come true.

Even now, she trembled as she recalled Vishakha's accusing eyes. Had Sameer not come when he had, would Vishakha have put the hurtful allegations on her? Would his mother have held her responsible for... Naina squeezed shut her eyes. Was there something wrong with her only, something that made her guilty everytime, for everything? In Sameer's case too, wasn't she at fault that she didn't stop him when he started coming to her house, or when he took care of Ayush, or at least when he performed those rituals in front of Bhalla aunty? It indeed was her fault. She was the one who fell in love with him, and let him take one after the other step in her life. It had felt good. She wasn't used to being around a guy, she wasn't used to such attention. But it felt immeasurably good around him. And she had let her heart rule, by letting him enter not only her world, but her heart. The mistake had come to slap her in face today.

Her hand meandered to the side table, where her diary lay. She had been writing something last night, and hadn't put it away today morning. The folded diary still had the pen on the page she had scribbled. Her eyes popped open when she glanced at the page in dim light of the lamp. Quickly adjusting the light to brighter setting, she read what she had written last night

Meri uljhanon ko tum
suljha nahi sakte

Tumhara pyar woh chaand hai
jise hum kabhi paa nahi sakte

Below it, was another verse, in a different handwriting, which she recognised very well

Har uljhan ko tumhari
main sanwar dunga

Mit jayenge aansuon ke nishan
itna tumhe pyar dunga

She had no idea when he had seen her diary, read it, and even written in it. Maybe when she had fainted... but she couldn't imagine him coolly reading the diary while she lay unconscious on the bed. No, it had to be some other time. She recalled she had gone out when Deepika had called, and Sameer had joined them after a few minutes. Yes, it had to be that time.

But wait... did he read just this page... or he checked the previous ones too? Because if he did, he would know a few things. She quickly flipped the pages, Just two days back she had written about her fears... the day Sameer had said he would tell his family within this week and take her to his house in the new year. Two long pages were filled with references of past days, and her apprehensions about a future with him. If he had read it... how come he was still the same with her when he came out of the room. Rather, he was more loving... she gasped as she recalled the few moments of their closeness, the longing in his eyes, the kiss on her hand. Maybe he hadn't read it then.

"Ab main kya karun? Vishakha ma'm pehle hi itni gussa hain, aise mein agar kal nahi gayi toh... upar se Sameer ne Bhalla aunty ke saamne bol diya. Unki late night ki flight hai, din mein agar unhone pucha ki main abhi tak yahin kyon hu toh... Sab taraf se phans gayi hun. Agar ek baar Sameer se baat ho jaati..." She muttered in frustration.

Picking up the picture of her parents, she clutched the frame hard, tears welling up in her eyes, "Main kisi ko dukhi nahi karna chahti thi, mumma. Maine toh apne liye bhi kuch nahi maanga, lekin Sameer pata nahi kab aur kaise khushi ban ke aa gaye. Mumma, main unhe bataye bina saari zindagi unke pyar mein khush reh sakti thi... phir kyon yeh sab hona tha. Yeh kaisa pyar hai jisne aaj itne logon ka dil dukha diya? Vishakha ma'm itni affectionate thi mere aur Ayush ke saath... aur aaj... sab badal gaya, mumma. Aap kehte the na, papa, ki main ek din shaadi ke liye maan jaungi, aap hi bolo main kaise karun yeh shaadi. Already Sameer ki family mein meri wajah se tension aa gayi hai. Aage kya hoga? Unki mummy, jo itna pyar karti hain sabse, unka gussa dekh ke laga main hi sabke liye responsible hun. Samajh nahi aa raha kya karun. Kisse puchun, bolo na... kyon gaye aap dono mujhe chod ke? Aapko kya pata nahi tha meri zindagi mein aapke siva koi nahi hai jisse main dil ki baatein keh sakti hun?"

Leaning against the backrest, she pressed the frame against her heart and closed her eyes, the dread of coming days weighing on her mind.

"Good morning, beta. Bahu ke aane ki taiyariyan ho gayi?" Nanu occupied a chair next to Vishakha in the garden next morning.

"Good morning, papa. Humein karna hi kya hai Sameer ne mauka hi kahan diya." Vishakha sighed wearily.

Nanu took his glasses off and peered at Vishakha, "Ab kar toh rahe hain hum rasmein bohot bade scale pe na sahi lekin shaadi ka mahaul rahega na ghar mein."

"Ghar ke andar ka kisko dikhta hai, papa. Sab mera mazaak udayenge. Mere friends circle mein sabko iss shaadi ka kitna intezar tha. Last year, Mrs Khurana ke bete ki shaadi mein jab film stars aaye the toh maine bhi promise kiya tha main Sameer ki shaadi mein bade actors ko bulaungi. Natasha ne toh destination wedding ke liye bola tha. Papa, hamara ek status hai society mein, sabko humse expectations hain. Normal logon ke jaise shaadi ka ek mithai ka dabba nahi distribute kar sakte. Kya kahengi meri kitty friends, aisi hush hush shaadi ka kya matlab nikalengi. I'll be a laughing stock." Vishakha grimaced.

Nanu narrowed his eyes, "Tum iss dikhawe ke liye pareshan ho?"

Vishakha shook her head, "Dikhawa nahi, papa, yeh zarurat hoti hai. Jab hum sabke yahan jaate hain toh sabko bulana bhi padta hai. Aapko idea bhi nahi hai log kis tarah ki baatein karte hain. Ek toh Naina ki family... matlab, she's not from our circle. Apni secretary se shaadi, woh bhi achanak se... bohot baatein hongi papa."

"Naina secretary nahi hai. She's working in the same capacity as Sameer. Lekin agar secretary bhi hoti toh kya... Sameer usse pyar karta hai, woh Sameer se shaadi karne ko ready hai, hamare liye yehi kaafi hai. Aur uske parents nahi hain yeh uska drawback kaise ho gaya. She belongs to a good, cultured family. Uski upbringing uske behaviour mein nazar aati hai. Bacha social status... toh usse kya farq padta hai, Vishakha?" Nanu said curtly.

"Farq padta hai, aap nahi samjhenge. Aapko yeh sab matter nahi karta hoga lekin mujhe karta hai. You have no idea kis tarah ki kahaniyaan ban sakti hain. Saamne shayad na bhi bole lekin peeche se sab mera mazaak udayenge." Her mind was already conjuring images of sniggering behind her back.

Nanu thought for a while before suggesting, "Tum chaho toh aaj grah pravesh na karke hum aaj shaadi announce kar dete hain. Sameer se main baat kar lunga. Saari rasmein aane wale pandrah din mein karke agle muhurat mein Naina ko le aayenge. Isse tumhari... reputation... woh bhi khatre mein nahi padegi."

Vishakha sighed, "Koi faayda nahi. Rasmein kiske saath karein? She has no one. Main kise milwaungi apni bahu ki family keh ke? Isse toh better hai seedhe ghar hi le aayein. As you said, keh denge doosre city mein shaadi hui hai kyonki... kuch bhi keh denge Naina ke ghar pe koi critical tha aur unhe jaldi thi, ya aisa kuch. Mujhe hi sochna padega iss baat ko kaise present karna hai."

"Vishakha, ek baat batao. Tum yeh sab kiske liye karna chahti thi... apne liye ya logon ko dikhane ke liye?" Nanu asked, disappointment writ large on his face.

"Of course apne liye, papa... hum sabke liye." Vishakha stressed, "Lekin sabko pata chalna chahiye na Somanis ke ghar mein unke bade bete ki shaadi hui hai, woh bhi ek achhe ghar ki ladki se. After all, har koi issi liye paise kharch karta hai ki aane wale kai saalon tak log yaad rakhein."

"Last year tumhari ek dost ki beti ki shaadi hui thi na, kaunse hotel mein thi?" Nanu asked suddenly.

Vishakha furrowed her brows, trying to recall, "Rita ki beti ki? Shayad Neemrana mein hui thi... nahi woh toh Geetika ki beti ki thi I think, usse last year. Rita ki daughter ki yahin hui thi... Leela mein shayad."

Nanu gave her a wry smile, "Aise hi yaad rakhte hain log, Vishakha. Aaj agar koi do chaar baatein kar bhi lega toh kal sab bhool jayenge. Important hai hamare bachhon ki khushi. Logon ne tab bhi baatein banayi hongi jab maine Sameer ka surname change kiya tha... does it matter now? Tum bahar walon ko chodo. Gossip ko koi nahi rok sakta. Don't let it effect you."

Vishakha frowned, "Ek mujhe yaad na rehne se aisa thodi ha sab bhool jaate hain. Aur Sameer ko goud lena hamare ghar ke andar ki baat thi. This is different, papa."

Nanu put back his tea cup and got up. There was no point making her understand. His daughter had all good qualities, except for her need to get acceptance from society, rather, get praises. She revelled in any recognition she received from NGOs or charities, and went out of the way to help them. All took it as her benevolence, but Jai Prakash Maheshwari was well aware of her hunger for keeping herself above everyone in the society. She had unspoken competition with her friends. There was no doubt that she loved her family a lot, but she never lost a chance to present them as trophies.

Sameer had an almost sleepless night, thinking about his talk with nanu and Naina's fears. It was somewhere in the morning hours that he had fallen asleep. As the prolonged ring of phone disturbed him, Sameer opened one eye in irritation.

"Kya hai, Rohan. Subah baat karna. Mujhe sone de." He mumbled sleepily and was about to cut the call when Rohan shrieked.

"Don't you cut the phone, bhai! Hum sabko itna bada shock deke aap ghode bech ke so rahe ho? And FYI subah ho chuki hai. Main aur dad airport pe hain." His angry voice made Sameer frown at the phone.

"Kahan jaa rahe ho tum log?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Jaa nahi rahe aa rahe hain... Delhi. Apparently, my elder brother got married. Papa ko kal late night pata chala aur mujhe aaj subah." Rohan hollered.

"Oh! Thank you for your wishes." Sameer groaned with sarcasm.

"Wishes abhi diye kahan hain. Just let me reach there. Dekhte hain kaise lagoge aap toote hue haath pair, neeli aankhen aur sar pe patti ke saath jab grah pravesh karoge." Rohan said in anger.

"High hopes, chote. Main abhi bhi gym jaata hun, abhi bhi regularly workout karta hun... unlike you." Sameer yawned.

"Achha? Mujhe toh laga tha ab aap sirf Naina se romance karte ho." Rohan sneered.

"Bhabhi." Sameer's voice was louder and clearer.

"What?" Rohan wrinkled his nose.

"Bhabhi hai teri. Naam se nahi, bhabhi keh ke bulayega abse Naina ko." Sameer clarified sternly.

Rohan growled, "Naina pehle meri dost thi. Jaise chahun bulaunga. Anyway, aap dono traitors ho... kisi ne nahi bataya mujhe. Jab main Westin aaya tha tab pucha tha na aapse? Kyon jhoot bola? Usse pehle se chal raha tha na yeh sab? Obviously, mujhe tabhi samajh jaana chahiye tha. Mera 'Touch Me Not' bhai, jo ladkiyon se aise door rehta tha jaise unmein kaante hon, aise kaise kisiko apni baahon mein pakad ke khada hai. And Naina was so happy too... jo aapke jaisi hi 'Touch Me Not' hai... thi... at least jab tak main jaanta tha."

Sameer's eyes twinkled at the memory, "Woh incident... actually Ayush Naina ko... and she's very ti..." He stopped. This was something he didn't want to share.

"You guys made a royal fool of me." Rohan whined when Sameer didn't complete his sentence.

"Tujhe fool banane ke liye kaunsa mehnat karni padti hai, yaar. Bhagwan ne saari qualities deke hi bheja hai tujhe." Sameer smirked.

"Apni qualities aake dikhata hun. Take off kar rahe hain. Milta hun teen ghante baad. Aapko bohot saare sawalon ke jawab dene hain." Rohan scoffed.

"Chup kar, question paper. Aaj mere paas time nahi hai tere liye aur tere faaltu sawalon ke liye." Sitting up in bed, Sameer checked the clock on the wall.

"Hehe, uski aap chinta mat karo. Aapka time aaj kiske saath beetega, main aur mere partners dekh lenge." It was Rohan's turn to smirk, before he disconnected.

"Oh damn." Sameer realised what he meant.

Typing furiously on the phone, he sent the same message to three people.

Agar koi tumse puche, except nanu, toh sabko yehi bolna hai ki tumhe mere aur Naina ke baare mein nahi pata tha. Sabko, means sabko Rohan ko bhi.

Sanjay and Raghav read the message. Since Sanjay was getting his makeup done for early morning shoot, he had no option but to postpone his call for later. Preeti was asleep, after late night shift, covering an important event.

Raghav's call came immediately, "Bhai, pol khul gayi kya? Scene kya hai? Tere ghar mein drama toh nahi ho sakta... phir darr kyon raha hai? Koi aur panga hua kya? Kisi ko phodna hai toh bata de, main akela... kaafi toh nahi hun par tere peeche aa jaunga."

"Subah subah itni kahani banane ka dimaag kahan se aata hai tujh mein?" Sameer rolled his eyes.

"Meri tareef baad mein karna pehle apni kahani bataa. Kya hua?" Raghav asked impatiently.

"Naina ka grah pravesh hai aaj." Sameer said in a somber voice.

The phone fell from Raghav's hand. Grabbing it again, he fumbled to hold it properly, "Grah... aise kaise? Shaadi kiye bina hi? Aunty itni modern hain mujhe pata nahi tha. Abey yaar, itni liberty toh mere US wale rishtedaron ki family mein bhi nahi hai. Live in allow kar diya woh bhi apne hi ghar mein... woh bhi grah pravesh ke saath?"

Sameer was ready to strangle him, "Live in nahi hai, idiot. Chup karega toh bataunga na." And he narrated the story, from playing the role of Naina's husband to actually being made one accidentally to the revelation of previous day and his family's reaction.

"Sanjay ko bata de. Apne director ko idea de dega. Hit story hai boss." Raghav uttered after a few seconds of silence at the end of Sameer's story.

"Dekh yaar, tum dono aur Preeti ko malum hai ki Naina ne husband wali baat Bhalla aunty se kahi thi. Lekin kisi aur ke saamne yeh mat bolna. Mummy pehle hi thodi naaraz hain. Abhi unka gussa mujh pe zyada hai, main nahi chahta unhe Naina se gussa karne ka reason mile. Mujhe baad mein shayad time na mile toh tu Sanjay aur Preeti ko bata dena." Sameer explained.

"Kyon tune kya karna hai? Grah pravesh Naina ka hai na. Tu toh pehle se hi yahin rehta hai?" Raghav scratched his head.

Sameer gritted his teeth, "Aaj kya sabne meri patience ka test lene ka decide kiya hai? Bakwaas band kar aur Sanajy ko try karta reh. Jab woh call lega, bata dena. Preeti ko bhi. Bye."

Next, he dialled Naina.

"Kaisi ho?" He asked the moment call was connected.

"Aapne meri... meri diary padhi?" She asked in a voice which left no doubt that she had been up all night.

"Naina, tum theek ho na?" Sameer was concerned.

"Main theek hun. Aap bataiye kal aapne meri diary... aapne pehle ka bhi padha?" Naina was nervous.

"Maine bas wohi padha jo tumne kal likha tha. Aur shayad tumne mera jawab bhi padh liya. Naina, main koi writer nahi hun... jo dil se nikla woh shabdon mein dhal gaya. And I mean every word of it. Mujhe tumhare aansun nahi, tumhari aankhon mein khushi dekhni hai. Tum ab aur mat socho. Sab kuch sulajh jayega." He reassured her.

"I wish aap padh lete pehle ke pages bhi. Tab aapke paas sawal hote, jinka jawab main dena chahti hun." There was a strange restraint in her voice.

To calm her, Sameer softened his voice, "Ek jawab toh ab bhi chahiye. Tumne jo likha tha, kya mere liye tha?"

When she hummed, he smiled, "Jaise wahan mere liye tum likha tha, tumhare muh se sunne ko kab milega? Mujhe yeh aap aap nahi achha lagta. Naina, mujhe tum kehke bulaya karo na."

"Ayush... Ayush uth gaya hai. Mujhe bula raha hai." She hurriedly cut the call.

"Sach mein, aaj har koi meri patience ka test le raha hai." He sighed, looking at the silent phone.

Naina had no idea when she had shifted to this informal way of addressing him, in her thoughts. She flipped the pages, and realised that since past many days she had been writing like this. Sameer had taken over her mind much more than she could fathom.

Rohan hopped up the stairs to reach Sameer's room the moment he entered the house. Scene there was quite satisfying for him. Preeti was throwing cushions, pillows, quilt... whatever came to her hand while Sameer tried to dodge the barrage of flying objects.

"Very good, Preeti. Meri taraf se bhi." Rohan went in, picking up a vase.

"Oye Rohan, usse lag jayegi." Sameer screamed, raising his hands in front of him against the metal vase.

"Haan toh? Lagne ke liye hi maarte hain. Aapko kya laga, main aise phool nikalunga", Rohan removed the bunch of artificial silk flowers, "Aur aise vase wapas rakh dunga", he placed the heavy vase back, "aur aap pe saare phool daal dunga?" He hurled the flowers at Sameer.

Standing at his place, Sameer pursed his lips.

Rohan stepped ahead and took him in a bone crushing hug, "Bhai, I'm so so happy ki main aapko bata nahi sakta. Aap... shaadi... woh bhi Naina se... woh bhi pyar karke... unbelievable."

Sameer warmly embraced his brother, "Thank God, koi toh hai jise iss shaadi se problem nahi hai."

"Problem kise hogi, bhai? Hum sab kabse aapki shaadi karwana chahte the. Now that it is happening, toh sab khush hi honge na." Rohan moved back, his brows knitted.

Preeti announced from behind, "Mujhe hai problem. Yeh hota kaun hai mujhe bina bataye meri behen se shaadi karne wala. How dare you Sameer Maheshwari. Jab tumhe help chahiye thi..."

Sameer immediately rushed to her, lest she blurts out something and create more complications, "Preeti, I know tumne school se ab tak hamesha mujhe help ki hai jab bhi mujhe zarurat thi, lekin unki list phir kabhi bana lenge. Aaj itna time nahi hai na. Aur dekho, Rohan Mumbai se aaya hai toh abhi usse lad lo, yeh chala jayega tab mera number le aana."

Rohan joined his brother, "Haan yaar, itna kya bhadak rahi hai. Honestly, mujhe toh woh shaadiyon ka drama bilkul achha nahi lagta. This is so cool. Seedha Naina ko ghar le aao."

He received a smack from Sameer, "Bhabhi hai teri."

"Achaa na. Thoda time lagega aadat daalne mein. Ab tak Naina hi bolta tha toh ekdum se kaise bhabhi bolun?" Rohan rubbed the back of his head.

Preeti huffed, "Inke liye kuch bhi kabhi bhi ho sakta hai, Rohan. Kal tak dil ki baat nahi keh paa raha tha... aur aaj pata chal raha hai shaadi kiye hue itna time ho gaya."

Rohan looked at Preeti in shock, "Kal tak? Tujhe kaise pata? Were you knowing all this?"

Preeti was quick to salvage, "Maine dekh liya tha tere bhai ki aankhon mein. Samajh gayi thi." Raising her collars, she flicked her brows, "Intelligent hun."

"Rohan." Vishakha walked into the room, followed by Vivek, "Mummy se milne ka bhi time nahi hai tere paas."

"Mummy. Kaisi hain aap?" Rohan turned and hugged his mom immediately.

Vivek hugged Sameer, "Congratulations, beta. Such a relief. Mujhe toh darr lagne laga tha ki shayad main aakhiri ladka ban jaunga hamari family mein jiski shaadi hui hai. Na tu karega, na teri wajah se tera yeh Lakshman."

Sameer laughed as Vishakha glared at her husband, "Badhai de rahe hain aap? Kaan khinchiye iske. Agar pehle bata deta toh hum aaram se saare function karte na."

Vivek was well aware of his wife's requirement of society approval and show off. Looping an arm around her shoulder, he smiled, "Function ab kar lo. It will be more enjoyable with just family. Duniya ki bheed kyon ikatthi karni hai?"

Vishakha gave him an exasperated look, "Aap, papa aur Sameer... sab ek jaise hain. Social circle ke liye kya kya karna padta hai, kuch nahi samajhte." She turned to Rohan, "Tu sun le, agar aise bina bataye shaadi ki na, toh tujhe nahi chodungi. Ladki se pehle milwayega, hum baat karenge, final karenge tab decision hoga. Aur phir dhoom dhaam se shaadi hogi. Saare sheher ko pata chalna chahiye, Somanis ke ghar ki shaadi hai."

Rohan gave a mischievous smile, "Ladki se milwa dun?"

Vishakha widened her eyes, "Tune bhi pasand kar rakhi hai? Hey bhagwan, kahin tu bhi... kaun hai woh?"

Rohan flicked his brows at Preeti. A loud, collective gasp rang in the room, including Preeti's.

Vishakha was the first to respond, "Rohan? Sach keh raha hai? Preeti?" She looked at the girl who was staring at Rohan as if he was an alien.

Rohan lowered his head sheepishly, fumbling for right words, "Mom, main... actually Preeti ko... socha tha Mumbai se wapas aake... lekin ab aapne pucha toh... Preeti se abhi tak maine baat nahi ki."

Preeti picked up the empty vase from side table, her eyes blazing, "You idiot, main yahin hun, dikhta nahi hai kya? How can you do this, Rohan? Tujhe zara bhi akal nahi hai? Dimag kahan chod ke aaya hai?"

Rohan ducked behind his mom, "Preeti, listen to me... please vase rakh de... dekh ab toh usme phool bhi nahi hain. Mujhe lag jayegi."

Vishakha held her arm, disappointed, "Preeti, beta leave it. I'm sorry. Mere dono bete nalayak hain. Ek ne maa ko shaadi tak ke baare mein nahi bataya, doosre ne ladki se puche bina hi bata diya. It's okay, you are free to make your own choice. Uski bewakoofi samajh ke bhool jao."

Preeti wriggled to free her arm, her eyes still shooting daggers at Rohan, "Aise kaise bhool jaun, aunty? Yeh ladka samajhta kya hai khud ko?"

A dejected look spread on Rohan's face. He always felt Preeti liked him. And he had been in love with her for a long time now. But her anger was evidence enough that he was mistaken about her feelings for him.

"I'm sorry, Preeti. Mujhe laga..." He sadly started to apologise.

Preeti didn't let him speak, "Tujhe laga tu bhi apne iss bhai ki tarah protocol jump kar lega? No way. I want a proper proposal. Dhang se propose kar mujhe, with ring and all. Uske baad style se ek ek function hoga. Tujhe nahi pasand shaadi ka drama par mujhe poori drame wali shaadi chahiye. Don't think ki main Naina ki tarah bina kharcha karaye chali aungi."

Four pairs of eyes stared at her in stunned silence. Preeti looked at each one of them, then shrugged consciously, "Okay, aaj meri muh dikahyi bhi hai kya? Why are you all looking at me jaise pehli baar dekha ho."

"Sach? You... you said yes?" Rohan gaped at her.

"Ask first." Preeti defiantly crossed her arms.

Rohan was instantly on one knee, holding Preeti's hand, "Preeti, I love you. Will you marry me?"

She rolled her eyes, "Offo, itna drama bhi nahi chahiye. Normal puch sakta hai."

Coming out of the shock, Vishakha removed her diamond ring and handed to Rohan. He grinned, looking back at Preeti with the ring in hand. She brought her hand forward, and Rohan slipped it into her finger. Excited, he got up and took Preeti in his arms, muttering a thank you in her ears.

Vishakha wiped the corner of her eyes, "I'm so happy. Mujhe toh Preeti hamesha se iss ghar ke liye pasand thi. Maine Sameer ko..."

Sameer held his mom's shoulders from behind, cutting her, "Mom ne bola tha ki Rohan aur Preeti saath mein perfect lagte hain. I agree. Congratulations guys."

Realising her folly, Vishakha patted Sameer's cheek, nodding. Vivek congratulated them too, "Kahan toh ek ki bhi nahi ho rahi thi, aur aaj dono bete ek saath life mein settle hone jaa rahe hain. Bhai Vishakha, aaj ka din bada achha hai. Lucky day."

Sameer glanced at the clock, and straightened, "Uhh, mummy, I think main... main jaun? Naina ko lene. Panditji ne do baje ka time bola tha na."

Vishakha checked the time, "Ek minute ruk."

She came back with a big packet. Handing it to Sameer, she said, "Grah pravesh ke liye sari aur jewellery hai. Naina ko bolna yehi pehen ke ayegi."

I know you all will feel today's chapter was wasted, with focus on other characters. But it was required. At this stage, when Sameer is bringing Naina to his house, the dynamics of his family had to be clarified. Also, you'll be disappointed that I've diluted Samaina's track by adding Preeran here. Well, that's for a reason too.

All this talk about Vishakha, this was supposed to be revealed at a later stage. Also, I wanted to bring Sameer's POV about not hearing what Naina wanted to say, at a different point. But since everyone wanted to know, I clarified this too.

As for Naina's past, it will be revealed at an appropriate time. It is crucial to the story so I won't bring it in without proper context. I might be testing your patience and you must be feeling like Sameer, but please understand, I'm doing it for the flow.

Next update on Wednesday