The song is 'Mitwa' from movie 'Kabhi alwida na kehna'

"Arre lekin tujhe kyon rehna hai? Tere dost ki family nahi hai kya?" Vishakha was not pleased to know that Sameer would be staying with a friend who wasn't well.

"Mummy, dost hoke main help na karun toh kaisa dost kehlaunga? Family nahi hai tabhi jaa raha hun. Agar Mumbai mein Rohan bimar pade aur uska koi dost saath aake rahe toh aapko achha lagega na... aise hi main jaa raha hun." Sameer explained while he stuffed some clothes in a bag.

"Offo Sameer. Kahan ki baat kahan le jaa raha hai tu. Rohan bimar hoga toh main foran jaa sakti hun uske paas." Vishakha retorted in exasperation.

Sameer stopped his work, and looked at her, "Exactly mummy. Lekin mere dost ke parents nahi hain. They are no more. Toh kaun ayega. Aise mein mujhe jaana chahiye na? Ya aapko lagta hai mera wahan jaana galat hai?"

Vishakha's face softened, "Oh! Nahi nahi, tu jaa beta. Aise waqt mein woh bechara aur zyada miss karega apne parents ko. Tu ache se khyal rakhna uska. Achha sun, khana kaun banayega? Main Radhe ko tere saath bhej dun? Yahan toh Ramdhari sambhal lega."

"Uski behen hai. Khana wohi banati hai. Kisi aur ki zarurat nahi hai." Sameer realised a second later that he had given more information than required.

But he needn't have worried. Vishakha stood up, sighing, "Agar tujhe jaanti nahi toh pakka yehi samajhti ki uski behen ko impress karne ke liye yeh sab kar raha hai. Lekin main apne bete ko achhe se pehchanti hun. Kisi ladki ke naam ki ghanti iske dil mein bajna aasan nahi hai. Khair, khyal rakhna apna, aur apne dost ka. Kuch chahiye ho toh call kar dena."

Sameer nodded, pursing his lips. He felt bad hiding about Naina, but he didn't want to reveal anything till he got Naina's acceptance.

Nanu was relieved to know that Ayush was better and discharged from hospital. He appreciated Sameer's decision to let Naina be at home till he was absolutely fine.

"Kaam toh saari zindagi karna hai, beta. Aise samay mein kaam se zyada apno ko ahmiyat deni chahiye. Agar Ayush tujhe itna pyar deta hai toh tera farz hai uske liye samay nikalna. Chinta mat kar. Ek do din tere bina office chala sakun itni taaqat hai abhi inn boodhi haddiyon mein." Thumping Sameer's back, nanu said heartily.

"Aap toh mere guru ho nanu. Aapse hi sab seekha hai aur aage bhi bohot kuch seekhna hai." Sameer hugged him.

"Agar apni love story ki baat kar raha hai toh sorry, lekin aage tujhe hi sambhalni hogi. Main toh sirf tab aaunga kahani mein jab Naina ko bahu banane ka time aayega. Meri bahu banane ke liye usse haan toh tujhe hi bulwani hai." Nanu chuckled.

"Bye nanu. Main zara jaldi mein hun." Blushing at the teasing, Sameer rushed towards the door.

"Arre barkhurdaar main bhi jaldi mein hun... apni bahu ko lane ki badi jaldi hai mujhe." Nanu called out behind him, laughing.

Sameer was smiling as he drove towards Naina's house. Nanu had no idea how impatient he himself was... to see Naina as his wife. Last night, when the doctor mistook them to be a married couple, he was tempted to tell her that he wanted this perception to be true... forever. After doctor had left, in the moment of relief at Ayush's normal reports, when Naina had grabbed his hand tighter, he had felt an overwhelming affinity at her small gesture... she had made him a part of her happiness, shared that moment of alleviation with him.

"Jaise tum mujhe apni zindagi ke palon ka hissa banane lagi ho, Naina, apni zindagi ka bhi bana lo. Maine toh kabse tumhe apni zindagi bana liya hai." He gazed lovingly at the door of her house, after bringing the car to a halt in front of her gate.

Jumping up the stairs two at a time, Sameer didn't ring the bell but knocked... he didn't want to disturb Ayush. Naina was still in the same clothes from previous day, though her hair was now tied up in a bun on top of her head, and sleeves were rolled up above her elbows.

"Aap guest room ke cupboard mein apne kapde rakh sakte hain." Naina pointed at the room, which he was well aware of. What he had forgotten was that the clothes from the night he had spent in this house were still here. He never took them back. Neatly ironed, his shirt and trousers were on the hanger.

A soft knock at the open door made him crane his neck.

"Maine alu paranthe table pe rakh diye hain. Aap breakfast kar lijiye." Naina said in a low voice.

Sameer stood motionless... wondering how this entire scenario was like a dream come true, yet so different from his dreams. Yes, it did feel like a day in their future life... but... he would never let Naina talk to him with so much distance between them. And he imagined her saying the same thing, enclosed in his arms, with him tracing her face, or... he stopped himself before his dream got wilder.

Naina knocked again, seeing him lost, "Agar aap chahen toh rest kar sakte hain. Have breakfast and then you can sleep."

"I'm okay." Sameer closed the cupboard, leaving his clothes in the bag for now, and turning to her. "Tumne khaya?"

"Woh main... I thought Ayush jab tak soya hai toh main baaki sab kaam kar leti hun. Usse akele nahi chod sakti thi... jab use fever aata hai toh achanak se darr jaata hai kabhi kabhi sote hue. Isliye main..." She looked down at herself, consciously tugging at her top, "I need to take bath first."

"Ab main hun Ayush ke paas. Tum jao. Uske baad hum saath mein breakfast karenge. I told you, I don't like eating alone." He said gently.

Before she could say anything, a whining sound reached her ears. Naina rushed to Ayush's room, with Sameer at her heels. She swiftly slipped into the bed next to Ayush, wrapping one arm around him and patted him with other, softly murmuring into his ears. Sameer watched how she rubbed his shoulder, placed gentle kisses on his forehead, and stroked his hair. Within minutes, Ayush was sleeping peacefully again.

When she was certain he had calmed down, Naina got up, "Bachhe jab bimar hote hain, unhe zyada pampering chahiye hoti hai. Warna Ayush aaram se akele sota hai apne room mein." She said with her fond gaze still on her brother.

"Sirf bachhe hi nahi, bade bhi aise hi hote hain. Mujhe jab fever aata hai, mummy kehti hain main bohot pareshan karta hun unhe. Apne paas se uthne hi nahi deta. Har waqt unka haath pakad ke rakhta hun. Nanu aur mummy ki duty lagti hai mere paas baithne ki." Sameer stated.

Her eyes turned to him, a hint of smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She couldn't imagine the strong, always in control Sameer Maheshwari reliant on someone.

"What? Of course aisa karta hun. Tum nahi maanti toh aake dekh lena jab next time bimar padunga." He shrugged, flicking his brows.

"Hush. Aise kyon bol rahe hain aap? Bimar kyon padenge?" Her hand inadvertently flew towards his mouth, stopping just a few inches from his lips... eyes turning wide at her spontaneous action.

"Main... main fresh hoke aati hun." Without looking at him, she rushed out of the room, her face flustered.

Sameer stood transfixed at his place. It took a few seconds for him to comprehend what she was about to do... and how it would have effected him. Slowly, his hand went up, to brush his lips with fingertips. A shiver ran up his spine, envisioning her soft fingers against his mouth. Unknowingly, he puckered his lips, only to realise it was his own hand. Pulling it down quickly, he looked around sheepishly, thankful for once that Naina wasn't there.

"Pata nahi yeh sapne sach kab honge?" Sighing, he looked at his hand, and murmured.

When he heard soft sounds from outside, sometime later, Sameer walked out of the room, after assuring that Ayush was comfortably tucked in his quilt. Naina was in the small balcony, putting clothes in washing machine. His breath got stuck in his throat... she was wearing a white dress, just like the mysterious girl from his dreams. But now, his dream girl wasn't mysterious anymore. He smiled as he recalled that now when she appeared, the face belonged to Naina. Unlike his dream, her dress was only upto the knees, not flowing... but her freshly shampooed hair were framing her face in the same manner.

After setting the cycle of machine, Naina came inside. She noticed Sameer from the corner of her eye, but didn't look up at him. Placing the plates on the table, she said in a low voice, "Breakfast."

Pulling a chair, Sameer sat across her. The moment casserole was opened and a delectable aroma wafted through the room, he realised he was famished. It gave Naina immense satisfaction to see him devour one parantha after the other. Somewhere, she had been feeling guilty for letting him go in the morning without eating anything. After all, he had been up all night, and without food since last evening only for Ayush. She was sure he would have breakfast at home before coming. But seeing him take the fourth parantha, it was evident that he hadn't eaten yet.

"I'm sorry. Mujhe subah jaane se pehle aapko breakfast karana chahiye tha. Aapne kal shaam se kuch nahi khaya." She couldn't help but exclaim.

"Don't go by the way I eat alu parantha. Main breakfast ke baad bhi inhe khaa sakta hun. You don't know how much I love them. Aur tum itne ache banati ho... khud ko rokna mushkil hai." Sameer waved his head in delight, taking another bite.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, "Mat rokiye. Maine bohot saare banaye hain."

His eyes moved up to her, "Sirf banane ka hi shouk hai... khane ka nahi? Kab se ek hi parantha leke baithi ho. You need to eat too, Naina. Tumne bhi toh kal se kuch nahi khaya."

She was surprised that he had noticed. Lowering her head, she mumbled, "Main ek hi khaati hun."

Sameer opened the casserole, taking out one parantha and placed it in her plate, which still had two bites of previous one left. Before she could protest, he looked at her with solemn eyes, "Ayush ke liye tumhe apni health ka dhyan rakhna padega. I don't want you to fall sick."

Naina lowered her eyes, and began to eat. He was right, she had been feeling weak for last few days, and the anxiety since yesterday evening was making her feel drained out now. Though Ayush was much better, she couldn't breathe easy till he was his same active self. Also, the strain of keeping her feelings in check while being around Sameer was turning out to be a big effort. His concern, his warmth, his affection towards Ayush... everything was making her get drawn to him more and more. His presence comforted her, his words soothed her, his gestures melted her resolve to stay unaffected.

Ayush was up by the time they finished their breakfast. Now that fever was under control, his appetite was back. Naina had prepared porridge for him, with grated carrots.

"Mujhe Sameer ke paas baithna hai." Ayush pointed at Sameer who was sitting on the other side of bed when Naina made him sit against the pillows.

As he shifted closer, Ayush perched in his lap, resting his head on Sameer's chest, "Ab khilao."

"Tumhe achha lag raha hai?" Sameer asked him, watching in fascination as Naina fed him carefully.

"Hmm. Carrot wale porridge se strong hote hain isliye mujhe achha lagta hai. Aap bhi khate ho na? Isliye itne strong ho." Ayush craned his neck to look up behind him.

"Atak jayega Ayush. Seedhe baith." Naina placed a hand on his cheek to make him sit straight. Back of her fingers brushed against Sameer's chest. Both bit their lip, trying to hide what the brief touch did to them, till Ayush asked the same question again.

Sameer shook his head, "Maine carrot wala porridge kabhi nahi khaya."

"Haww. Phir aap aur strong kaise banoge?" Ayush wondered aloud, without looking at him. His eyes lit up with a sudden thought, and he suggested, "Naina, tum Sameer ko bhi carrot wala porridge khila do."

"Lekin yeh tera jhoota hai, Ayush. Guest ko jhoota thodi khilate hain." Naina tried to dissuade him.

"Guest thodi hain. Sameer toh mere friend hain, haina Sameer, aap best friend ho na mere?" Ayush snuggled closer to him.

"Guest toh bilkul nahi hun. Ayush ka ghar, mera ghar." Sameer tightened his arms around the little boy, placing a kiss over his head.

Ayush beamed, "Dekha! Ab khilao."

Naina stood up, knowing how adamant Ayush got when he was unwell, "Achha main doosre bowl mein laati hun. Abhi tujhe fever hai na... fever mein jhoota khaya toh Sameer ko bhi... main unke liye alag se laati hun."

It gratified Sameer that she couldn't complete her sentence about him coming down with a fever. Exhilerated, he rubbed his nose on Ayush's cheek, "You are the best, Ayush. I love you."

Giggling, Ayush held his arms circled around him, "Aap bhi best ho. I love you."

Naina came back with a bowl, handing it out to Sameer.

"Tum khilao. Turn by turn. Dono ko." Ayush refused to let go of Sameer's hands.

"Ayush, bade log khud khate hain." The quivering of her voice didn't go unnoticed by Sameer.

He mumbled something in Ayush's ear, and he looked up innocently, "Lekin Sameer ne mujhe pakda hua hai na apne hands se... agar choda toh main gir jaunga."

Having no option, unless she bluntly refused, which she couldn't, Naina filled a spoon and hesitantly took it to Sameer's mouth. She had to look where she was taking the spoon, else she could spill it.

"Wow. Yeh toh kitna yummy hai, Ayush. Mujhe nahi pata tha itni tasty cheez se bhi strong bante hain." Sameer was finding it difficult to contain his delectation.

"Aap finish karo, phir aap mere jaise strong ban jaoge." Ayush said amidst the mouthful.

Naina's hesitation ebbed away when the two of them raced with each other, urging her to feed them faster. It turned out to be a game, which ended with Ayush waving his arms in air in excitement after emptying his bowl before Sameer.

"Yeh cheating hai. Naina ne tumhe zyada baar khilaya." Sameer showed fake annoyance.

Ayush grinned at her, "Kyonki Naina mujhe aapse zyada pyar karti hai, haina Naina?"

Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.

"Jee nahi. Main tumhe zyada pyar karta hun... isliye maine tumhe jeetne diya. Haina Naina?" Sameer's words in normal tone made her eyes dart to him... puzzled.

Is this what Ayush meant? Was she over imagining... because she understood a different meaning of his sentence. Well, as long as Sameer interpreted it this way, it was better for her.

"Dono hi jeet gaye. Aapka sirf ek spoon bacha hai kyonki late start kiya tha." She managed to speak, holding out the bowl to him. Sameer again opened his mouth. Quietly, she fed him the last spoonful and went away with the bowls.

Closing his eyes, Sameer inhaled sharply. The spread of colour on her cheeks at what Ayush had said made his heart jump to his mouth. Naina had blushed profusely. He knew Naina had started to care for him, but she could be effected to this extent made a warm feeling bubble up within him. There seemed to be spark between them now, when they were close... and it could mean only one thing. He was sure Naina had started to see him as he saw her... to some extent. He could have happily sat for hours, gushing at his effect on her, but he had moulded the words to make her come out of the mortified shell she was shrinking into.

After food, Ayush had to be sponged. He whispered in Naina's ears, and she looked up at Sameer. Without being told, he understood that they needed privacy. Going out, he closed the door behind him. When she opened it fifteen minutes later, she summoned him, saying that Ayush wanted to be with him. Slipping in the bed next to him, Sameer started to talk to him about what all they would do when he recovered. Naina sat next to the bed, amazed at how the sauve, astute business magnate turned into a small child, getting excited at the prospect of going to an adventure park.

"Ayush, main tere liye mushroom soup bana deti hun. Tab tak tu Sameer ke saath baatein kar. Theek hai?" She patted his arm after checking the time on her phone.

"Nahi. Tum mere paas hi baitho na." Ayush tugged at her wrist.

"Baby, mushroom soup toh tera favourite hai. Aur agar khayega nahi toh theek kaise hoga? Adventure park jaana hai na?" Naina stroked his hair.

Ayush pondered for a while, then lifted both his hands, spreading the fingers, "Itne minutes mein aa jaana. Okay?"

She smiled, "Ten. Yeh ten fingers hain. Aa jaungi ten minutes mein."

After a little over ten minutes, when Naina entered the room, her heartbeats increased and she sucked in a breath at the sight in front of her. Sameer slept on his back, his one arm splayed on the side. Fast asleep, Ayush snuggled into him. Sameer had one arm around Ayush, keeping him close to his chest. The calmness on both their faces was heart warming. Walking stealthily to the foot of the bed, she opened the quilt, and covered both of them. As she adjusted the edge around Sameer, she noticed how his hair fell on his forehead, messed up... and she had a strong urge to brush them away. The feel of his hair still lingered in her fingers since the day she had touched them in the lift. Stepping back, she closed the door silently. Standing on the other side, gripping the knob, she let out the breath she was unconsciously holding as the realisation hit her.

She had hopelessly, completely, irrevocably fallen in love with Sameer.

A couple of hours later, when Sameer got up, it took him a few minutes to register where he was. Looking down, he found Ayush curled up against him. A tender feeling spread in his heart. Turning slightly towards him, he placed a kiss on his forehead. Ayush stirred a little, and opened his eyes. Instantly, a bright smile lit up his face, which turned to a frown at the same speed as he looked to the other side, "Naina? Naina kahan hai?"

Sameer's heart flipped at his question... would Ayush insist that both of them sleep with him at night?

"Nainaaa." Without giving a chance to Sameer to recover, Ayush hollered as loud as his weak voice allowed.

Within seconds, Naina was at the door. She didn't look at Sameer even once, walking directly to Ayush.

"Tu soup piye bina hi so gaya. Medicine bhi nahi khayi. Abhi leke aaun?" She touched his forehead and neck to check the fever. It was slightly warm. Her brows furrowed. "Ayush, phir se fever aane laga hai, baby. Jaldi se medicine leni padegi. Soup lega ya chocolate milk?"

"Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Tum yahan baitho." Ayush whined, climbing into her lap the moment she sat down.

Sameer sat up immediately, "Sorry Naina. Mujhe Ayush ko uss waqt sone nahi dena chahiye tha. Pata nahi kaise mujhe bhi neend aa gayi."

"Koi baat nahi. Aap kal raat soye nahi the na. Main ab khila dungi Ayush ko." She said without meeting his eyes, and cupped Ayush's cheek, talking to him in a gentle voice, "Ayush good boy hai na... meri baat hamesha manta hai. Toh aaj bhi maanega. Jo tera dil hai main woh bana dungi. Lekin khana toh padega na baby. Nahi toh mera super man theek kaise hoga? Aur tujhe fever raha toh mujhe bhi ho jayega. Ayush ko chahiye Naina ko fever ho? Phir mujhe hospital jaana padega."

"Naiiii. Naina ko kuch nahi hoga. Naina ko kahin nahi jaane dunga. Naina ko mere paas rehne do, please." Ayush tightly wrapped his arms around her.

"Toh bata kya khayega?" She cuddled him, rocking lightly.

"Umm. Maggi. Mujhe Maggi chahiye." Ayush looked up at her.

"Okay. Bas abhi leke aati hun. Uske baad tere paas hi baithungi. Jaun?" She lovingly stroked his hair.

Sameer placed a hand on his shoulder, "Tum mere paas aa jao, tab tak Naina Maggi leke ayegi."

As his small arms left her, Sameer gently picked up Ayush and placed him in his lap. Looking up at Naina, he nodded.

She rushed out of the room to get Maggi for Ayush. Though she knew he needed nutritious meal, it was more important at the moment to make him eat something so she could give him medicine.

Sameer was amazed when he saw not only a bowl of steaming noodles but also a mug of coffee on the tray she carried in after a few minutes. Making Ayush sit against the pillow, she fed him the noodles once before looking at Sameer, "Aapke liye coffee banayi hai. Waise toh aapne lunch bhi nahi kiya lekin soke uthne ke baad coffee chahiye hoti hai isliye maine pehle yehi bana di. Ayush ko medicine deke main aapke liye lunch garam kar dungi."

For now, Sameer didn't say anything, picking up the mug quietly and sipping the coffee, which was exactly how he liked.

Ayush could only finish half the noodles, but Naina was satisfied. She gave him the medicine, and made him lie down. Since the fever was back, Ayush was dull. She brought out a thermometer from the side drawer and took his temperature.

"Kitna hai?" Sameer asked after she had removed it from under his arm.

"100. Zyada nahi hai. Medicine dene mein late hua shayad isliye ho gaya hoga. Thodi der mein kam ho jayega. Nahi toh main patti kar dungi." There was no panic in her voice.

Looking at Ayush, she smiled, picking up the tray, "Yeh rakhke abhi aati hun."

When she didn't return for more than five minutes, Ayush asked Sameer, "Naina kahan gayi?"

"Main leke aata hun." He was worried too. Nothing could be more important for her than Ayush.

Sameer found her sitting at the dining chair, resting elbows on the table, her head in her hands.

"Naina. Kya hua?" He went close to her.

"Uhh. Kuch nahi." She looked up with a start. As she started to get up, the same dizziness that had gripped her few minutes back made her fall back on the chair again.

"Naina. Tum theek ho?" Sameer panicked, leaning slightly to see her face that was downcast.

"Zara sa chakkar aa gaya tha. I'll be fine." Her voice sounded weak as she pressed her forehead.

"Tum ruko. Uthna nahi." He ran to the kitchen, and brought a glass of water for her.

Naina slowly took a few sips.

"Tum soyi ya nahi?" Sameer queried.

She shook her head.

"Lunch kiya?" He knew the answer, still asked.

"Woh... aap dono so gaye the toh..." She didn't look up.

"Hum so gaye toh tum soyi nahi... lekin humne lunch skip kiya toh tumne bhi skip kiya. Naina, tumhe pata hai na inn sabka health pe kya asar hota hai? Ayush ka khyal rakhna ke liye pehle tumhe khud healthy rehna padega na. Sab kuch jaante hue tum itni careless kaise ho sakti ho?" Sameer's voice turned a little louder.

"I'm... I'm sorry. Main abhi lunch garam kar leti hun. Aapne bhi nahi khaya hai." She started to get up.

Her eyes widened to their maximum limit as Sameer held both her shoulders and pushed her down on the chair, "Chup kar ke yahan baitho. Microwave use karna aata hai mujhe. Main khana garam karke laata hun."

"Lekin Ayush... woh akela hai." In spite of her hammering heart, Naina turned a concerned gaze to Ayush's room.

Sameer looked in the same direction. With a deep breath, he held out his hand, "Chalo, main tumhe pehle Ayush ke paas chod deta hun."

Not taking the offered hand, she tried to get up.

"Don't even try, Naina. Nahin toh main tumhe utha ke le jaunga." His voice was firm, leaving no doubt in her mind that he meant it. Her heart leapt up in her chest, ready to jump out.

As she held his hand, Sameer looped his arm behind her, touching only the shoulder where he placed his other hand, and walked her to Ayush's room. Flustered at the sudden proximity, and his large palm closed on her shoulder, Naina felt her legs would give in any moment... and not just because of the dizziness she was feeling moments back. She felt a heady thrill envelop her from head to toe while her heart went into a wild frenzied rhythm. Even after he had made her sit on the bed, close to Ayush, and left the room, her breathing was quick and shallow.

"Naina, tumko bhi fever aaya kya?" Ayush asked innocently.

She gulped, looking at him, "Haan. Lekin mera fever kaise theek hoga pata nahi. Iski koi medicine nahi hai."

Next update on Thursday