When Sameer opened his eyes in the morning, a streak of bright light through a crack in heavy curtains made him smile. All that had been happening was like this beam of light, strengthening his hopes... Naina's happiness the previous night as she danced, her acceptance of getting pictures clicked with him and then, his name from her mouth.

He picked up the pillow from his side and crushed it to his chest, grinning. Hearing it directly was another level of exultation. He had broken one more wall.

And another... his smile got wider as he thought about the pictures.

Quickly picking up the phone from bedside table, he opened the folder. It was still named 'Maina ❤ Meri Naina'... it was still protected by a password... but the pictures were not a mistake. He hadn't even deleted the one she found blurred. Because he didn't. He could clearly see the three of them, seated close to each other... just like a family. He blushed... the words of air hostess ringing in his ears again... his wife and son.

"Maine toh tumhe aur Ayush ko apni family maan liya... ab tum bhi maan lo na... Maina." He grazed his fingertips lightly on their picture.

Few minutes later, he got up to push the curtains away, letting more light in the room. The view outside was bright and fresh. Since the sun was still closer to the horizon, sky was a frosty blue. As his gaze drifted lower, he could see the vast gardens of the hotel, interspersed with little dome shaped pavilions, called chatris, providing shaded seating. It was a heritage property, blended with contemporary amenities like the swimming pool right below his window. A fairly large pool, with crystal clear water reflecting the blue shade of its tiles was a welcoming sight for the eyes. Since it was early morning, just two people could be seen in water.

"Kal workout nahi kiya tha. Abhi swimming jaa sakta hun... ya gym jaun?" Checking the time on his phone, he contemplated.

"Aadhe ghante ke liye gym hi chala jaata hun, jisse breakfast ke time tak ready ho jaunga." He made a decision.

Changing into his workout clothes, he walked out of his room.

The well equipped gymnasium of the hotel made him do some extra bit than he had planned. By the time he checked his phone, he was way past his planned departure.

Also, there was a missed call from Naina.

"Hello Naina. Sorry I missed your call. Woh main..." Wiping the sweat off his face and neck, he apologised.

"It's okay. I just wanted to know ki breakfast ke liye kitne baje chalna hai. Actually Ayush was feeling a little hungry." Her breezy voice was soothing to his ears.

"Uhh, sorry, main gym mein aa gaya tha. Tum aisa karo, Ayush ke saath breakfast ke liye chali jao. I'll join you soon." Though he wanted to go with them, the idea of keeping Ayush waiting was not acceptable to him.

He dashed to his room, quickly getting into the shower. By the time he reached the breakfast area, Naina and Ayush were already half done with their food.

"Good morning." He gave them a bright smile.

"Good morning." Naina returned his greeting, but did not add sir to it... didn't add his name either.

"Good morning Sameer. Aapne apne baal achhe se wipe nahi kiye na towel se?" Ayush dipped his head to see the wet ends of Sameer's hair curling at his neck.

"Woh main... jaldi mein tha na... isliye." Sameer ran his fingers through his damp hair, giving a sheepish smile.

"Aap breakfast le lijiye. Iski baaton ka toh koi end hi nahi hai." Naina grabbed Ayush's shoulders, ready to shush him if he blurted anything extra.

The workout, feeling of contentment at their company and euphoria of previous day's events... all made Sameer ravenous. He filled up his plate with a few varieties, directed the waiter to get some coffee and went back to join Naina and Ayush.

"Aaj bohot bhook lagi hai." Justifying the amount of food, he settled down.

"Good. Aaj aap theek se kha rahe hain. Warna kal ki tarah aapke chuhon ko kaam pe lagna padta." Naina glanced at his plate and said with a restricted smile.

Ayush looked up from his bowl of porridge, his eyes rounded, "Aapke paas choohe bhi hain?"

The smile which she was holding, spilled out in a chuckle and Naina leaned towards Ayush, "Jaise tere pet mein dance karte hain na jab tujhe bhook lagti hai... aaj subah ke jaise... waise hi..."

Ayush laughed aloud in the middle of her sentence, "Achha, woh wale choohe. Phir toh main aur aap same to same hain. Haina Sameer?"

He pursed his lips, and nodded at him.

"Sir, coffee." The waiter got two cups.

"Not for me. Maine le li thi. Thank you." Naina held up her hand when he was about to place a cup in front of her.

"Have one more. Khane ko kuch aur le lo. Tumne bhi theek se nahi khaya." Sameer insisted, noticing her empty plate which looked almost unused.

"I had idlis. Breakfast ke liye itna hi khaati hun. Okay, I'll take coffee." She accepted.

After finishing his food, Ayush started to touch the cutlery on the table. Naina pulled his hand back, shaking her head when he looked at her. Unable to sit still, he perched up on his chair, pressing his elbows on the table and peered at the flower decoration. The table shook a little.

"Ayush, kuch gir jayega na. Aaram se baith." She glared at him.

Two minutes later, he dropped a spoon, the loud clank making a few heads turn to them.

Naina had finished her coffee. She held Ayush's hand under the table, and looked at Sameer, "Main Ayush ko leke jaati hun. Aap aaram se kha lijiye. Yeh chup karke baithega nahi aur kuch na kuch kharab kar dega."

Sameer pushed his plate, his food half eaten, "Main bhi chalta hun."

"Lekin aapne khatm kahan kiya hai? Aadha bhi nahi khaya... you must be still hungry." She pointed at his plate.

"Mujhe akele khana achha nahi lagta." He shrugged.

Her face turned softer, "Hum rukte hain. Aap kha lijiye."

She gestured at a waiter, and explained something to him in a low voice. Within two minutes, he got what she wanted... a small bowl of multi coloured fruit loops which were served as breakfast cereal, and an empty plate.

"Ayush, ab saare colours ke loops ko arrange karke plate mein rainbow bana. Neatly banana, theek hai?" She placed both things in front of him.

Ayush excitedly got to work... his eyes and hands focussed on the work.

Sameer was amazed, "Tumhare paas toh bade kamaal ke ideas hain."

"Isko occupied rakhna padta hai. Khaali baithta hai toh kuch gadbad hi kar deta hai. Bachhon ko har time koi na koi activity chahiye." She smiled, her eyes on Ayush, who was deftly picking up the loops and placing in the plate in an arch.

By the time his artwork was ready, Sameer was done with his food.

"Chalo ab tumhari ek picture lete hain tumhare rainbow ke saath." Sameer pushed his chair back and went to Ayush, who posed with a proud grin after being praised by both Naina and Sameer.

He was surprised to see Ayush pop up the loops into his mouth after the photo session. Naina explained, seeing his amazed expression that for kids, they were more like candies, and not meal, if not added to milk.

When they left the restaurant, it occured to them that there was nothing to do till afternoon meeting. Since it wasn't a good idea to venture out because of extremely hot and sunny weather, Sameer suggested that they walk around the hotel and check its large premises.

Naina agreed. Keeping Ayush occupied in the room with restricted resources would have been a task otherwise. They first checked the various restaurants, each one serving different cuisines.

"Naina, main aaj pizza kha lun, extra cheese wala?" Ayush drooled at the realistic image in Italian restaurant.

Sameer ruffled his hair, "Why not. Aaj lunch mein aapka favourite pizza. Waise cheese mujhe bhi bohot pasand hai."

Ayush waved his head fervently, elated.

They checked the central atrium, which had some shops, though overpriced. Sameer pointed at the gym which had a yoga room next to it. They took some pictures as well, and Naina didn't show any reluctance when he asked for clicking selfies of the three of them. When they went out to the garden area, Sameer explained about the architecture that was similar to forts made by the kings centuries back.

"Yeh umbrella wala garden dekha tha na humne, Naina, jab subah aaye the." Ayush pointed at the domes in the garden.

Sameer was surprised, "Subah aaye the? Tum log morning walk karne aaye the kya?"

Ayush pointed to the other end, "Nahin hum pool mein gaye the, swimming karne. Wahan pe ek big wala swimming pool hai. Maine aur Naina ne kitni saari swimming ki. Bohot mazaa aaya."

Sameer's jaw hit the ground, "Sw... swimming? Tum log... swimming ke liye... subah?"

Naina placed a hand on Ayush's cheek, smiling fondly, "Isse bohot pasand hai. Parson aate hi pool dekh ke uchalne laga tha."

Ayush frowned, "Tumko bhi toh achha lagta hai. Yahan aane se pehle tumne kaha tha na hum pakka promise swimming karenge."

She turned her gaze to Sameer, "Hum dono hi enjoy karte hain. Jabse Delhi aaye hain, bas teen char baar Bhalla aunty ke club mein unke saath gaye the. Abhi maine koi membership li nahi hai isliye regularly nahi jaa paate."

Sameer was ready to kick himself. He had contemplated... and decided to go the gym instead. If only...

"Toh... toh roz aana chahiye na. I mean... jab yahan facility hai... at least jab tak hotel mein hain tab tak toh..." He suggested hopefully.

Naina shrugged nonchalantly, "Dekhte hain. Aaj kaafi der the hum pool mein. Isiliye Ayush ko itni bhook lag gayi thi. Not sure about tomorrow."

Sameer looked away, trying to dispel the image from his mind... Naina in the pool was something he hadn't even thought of. There would have been other people too... and suddenly his heart twisted in jealousy.

"Kal mere saath aaoge?" His question was directed at Ayush, but he wanted answer from both.

It was Naina who replied, "Ayush ko main hi le aungi. Abhi woh deep side mein nahi jaa paata. Uspe nazar rakhni padti hai. Aapki exercise disturb hogi."

"I'm sure hum dono mil ke sambhal lenge. What say, Ayush?" His heart started to beat faster at the prospect.

"Dono? Nahi, dono nahi aa sakte." Her immediate answer dashed his hopes, "Subah ka time sirf ladies ka hai. Ayush bachha hai isliye le jaa sakti hun. Men ka time aath baje se start hota hai."

"Yeh toh bohot achha hai, ladies ka alag time." The disappointment turned to relief instantly... that she had been in the pool only with women this morning.

"Theek hai. Main Ayush ko Delhi mein le jaunga. Golf Links ke club ki membership hai mere paas. In fact, you can come too. Anytime you want, we can go there." He proffered, to which Naina nodded once. He didn't know it was positive or not, but be planned to try once.

After seeing the pool, they checked the mini museum which was in a separate one storied structure, but was a part of the hotel property. A small pond with blooming lotus flowers enchanted Ayush who was seeing an actual lotus for the first time.

It was already past one when they reached their rooms.

"Ayush, ready for pizza?" Sameer queried in a peppy voice.

The long walk, and all the jumping around with excitement for a new place had worked up the little boy's appetite again.

"Pizza wala restaurant toh neeche reh gaya. Hum upar kyon aaye? Phir se neeche jaana padega." He gave the two grown ups a questioning look, hands on waist.

Naina swapped her key card against the hotel door, and pushed it open, "Restaurant se seedhe playroom jaana hai tujhe, kyonki hamara office ka kaam hai. Mujhe ready hona hai."

She looked at Sameer and said they could leave in ten minutes. He also needed to get ready, as he was dressed in casuals.

Ayush relished the cheesy pizza, breaking the strings of elastic cheese as he dragged a slice from his mouth after taking a bite.

"Inki cheese toh hamare restaurant se bhi zyada hai." He licked his fingers, eyes twinkling in sheer delight.

Naina had just two slices, citing a full stomach. Sameer had by now realised that she was a light eater. He enjoyed the meal, though, savouring the pizza with Ayush.

They dropped Ayush to the play room again. He waved at them and hopped in with the attendant, asking if he could watch another animated movie. Naina was glad that he was enjoying the experience. Sameer gave all details to the manager, asking him to get chocolate milk shake in the evening, and snacks later on, in case the meeting doesn't get over by seven.

As expected, the meeting lasted till well past eight. Thankfully, Mr Kothari again declined the dinner invitation, saying that as a rule, he had dinner with his family only.

"Aaj toh sach mein bohot late ho gaya. I'm sorry, Naina." Sameer checked the time after they left.

Naina smiled, reassuring him, "Koi baat nahi. Mujhe timing ka issue nahi hai agar Ayush comfortable ho toh."

"Tum sab kuch doosron ki requirement se adjust karti ho. Tumhari khud ki kya choice hai, yeh kabhi nahi bataya." He glanced at her as they packed the files and laptop.

Her eyes remained downcast, "Ayush, aur mera kaam... in that order. Bas yehi hai mere liye sab kuch."

"Yeh toh responsibility hai, Naina. Choice woh hoti hai jisse tum chunti ho, apne khud ke liye, apni khushi ke liye." He stopped working, his eyes fixed on her.

"Ayush responsibility nahi hai. He's my choice." Her head shot up, her voice a little sharper.

Seeing the surprised look on his face, she realised her folly.

"I'm... I'm sorry si... Sameer." She lowered her eyes, along with her head.

Even if she had committed a blunder, he would not have held anything against her. She had called him by name a few times during the meeting, but now, with the two of them alone, it gave him a different satisfaction, but he hadn't missed her reaction.

His voice was gentle when he spoke, "No Naina I'm sorry. Ayush bhai hai tumhara... family hai... aur family sirf responsibility nahi sahara hoti hai. Maine aisa kehke tumhe hurt kiya uske liye please mujhe maaf kar do."

He couldn't see her eyes, even her face properly, but her muffled words sounded something like, "Woh log kehte hain isse bhej dun... orphanage mein."

"What? Kya kehte hain? Kaun log?" He was aghast.

"Huh?" Her head shot up. Her eyes again had the same vacant look... but as she gazed at him, a mask fell over them.

"Woh... woh play room jaana hai na, Ayush ko lene. He must be waiting." She shifted her focus to the files, and stuffed them in her bag quickly.

Sameer wasn't sure what he heard was correct or not, but the distress in her voice and her haunting eyes did hint at something regarding Ayush that was hurting her.

"Naina, mujhe neenu aayi hai." The moment he saw her, Ayush pouted, raising his arms to be picked up.

Sameer was faster this time. Ayush was in his arms before Naina could react.

"Pehle khana toh kha lo. Uske baad so jaana." He said gently, patting Ayush's cheek when his eyes began to shut.

"Sir, khana khila diya hai. Aapne kaha tha na isko jab bhi khaana ho hum mangwa dein... he wanted to eat mushroom pasta for dinner. Achhe se kha liya." The attendant informed them.

"Saare bills mere room ke account mein add kar dena." Sameer told them.

Surprisingly, Naina didn't insist on picking up Ayush. But she asked Sameer for his laptop, which he handed without protest.

When they entered the lift, she uttered hesitantly, "Ayush ke bills main pay kar sakti hun. This is not an official requirement. Aap agar mujhe karne denge toh..."

"I want to do it for him. I want to do a lot of things... par main nahi karta ki kahin tumhe kuch bura na lag jaaye, ya tum galat na samajho. Naina, please understand, main koi dikhawa nahi kar raha hun. Ayush ke saath time spend karna achha lagta hai mujhe. Agar main uske liye kuch karun toh please tum usse paison se mat value karo... and believe me, main spoil nahi karunga Ayush ko. Mujhe bhi uski fiqr hai. Shayad tumhare jitni nahi lekin I do care for him. Dil se."

Her eyes took in the way Ayush was already asleep, resting his head on Sameer's shoulder, arms locked behind his neck.

"I know. Isliye Ayush ke phone mein 2 pe aap hain." She finally smiled.

They stepped out of the lift as it opened. Walking to their rooms, she explained, "Ayush ko phone diya tha jab maine usse daycare mein chodna shuru kiya. Lekin usse theek se na toh numbers aate the na khud phone mila sakta tha kyonki contact list padh nahi sakta. Isliye maine apna number uske speed dial pe 1 se connect kar diya. Usse jab bhi mujhse baat karni hoti hai, sirf 1 press karna hota hai. He doesn't have anything else in his phone. Sirf isliye diya hai jisse woh jab chahe mujhe contact kar le. Ab aapka number bhi uss list mein add kar diya. He knows, ki 1 se mujhe mila sakta hai, aur 2 se aapko. Ayush bhi aapse bohot attached ho gaya hai."

They had reached her room. Sameer let out a relieved exhale, patting the head of his little friend who slept peacefully on his shoulder.

Naina went in and placed the laptop and files on the table. She came back and lifted her arms to take Ayush. Sameer leaned a bit, trying to loosen the hold around his neck. Ayush wrapped his arms tighter, and snuggled more into Sameer's neck.

"Main sula dun isse bed pe... if it's okay with you?" He asked haltingly.

"Sure." She walked back in, leaving the door open for him to follow.

Sameer entered her room, unable to curb the fluttering in his heart. Naina pointed at the left side of the bed. He placed one folded knee on the edge of the bed, and bent down to lay Ayush gently on the pillow. The arms locked behind his neck slackened. He untangled and rested them on Ayush's side.

"Shayad bohot thak gaya aaj." Sameer smiled, pulling up the blanket to adjust over him.

Naina gave a fond look to the sleeping form, "Jabse yahan aaye hain bohot masti kar raha hai. Kal raat late soya tha aur swimming ki excitement mein jaldi uth gaya. Phir saara din bhi uchalta raha hoga play room mein. Thakna hi tha. I'm glad he had his dinner. Warna adhi raat ko uth ke mujhe kuch order karna padta."

Sameer shoved his hands in pocket, turning to her, "Order toh karna padega, lekin abhi. Tum apne liye kuch mangwa lo. And yes, main subah room service se check karunga ki order kiya ya nahi. Waise bhi tum itna kam khaati ho. Don't skip dinner now."

She nodded.

Sameer gave one look to Ayush before going to pick up his laptop, then smiled at her, "Good night."

She nodded again, mumbling a good night in a low voice.

He had almost reached the door when her voice stopped him in his tracks, "Sameer."

He gulped, before slowly turning to her, his brows slightly raised.

"Aapko akele khana achha nahi lagta na... we can order dinner here only... if it's okay with you."

He blinked twice... pinched himself discreetly with the hand that held the laptop against his chest... coming to senses only when the sharp sting made him realise it wasn't a dream.

"Sure...why not." He managed to speak.

"Aaiye." She waved at the chair near the window.

He had no idea what she asked while ordering. Whatever she pointed at in the menu, he hummed his acceptance, eyes fixed on her face which radiated in the warm, bright lights of room.

Lying in his bed later, he relived the moments repeatedly. The dinner had not lasted long, but whatever time he was in her room, she had been comfortably talking to him... even if it was the discussion about next day's trip to Mr Kothari's unit.

At last, when he fell asleep, the pillow was in his arms.

Next update on Thursday