Title is the song 'Bhare Naina' from movie 'Ra.One'

After Sameer left, Naina sat down to work on a report that was due next week but she decided to start preparing it since she had nothing else to do. Nanu was resting in his room, Ayush and Deepika were watching a movie in Ayush's room. She got so engrossed in work that she lost track of time, till her body protested for being in the same position for too long.

Naina straightened to stretch her stiff back, and was shocked at the darkness spread in the room.

"Itni der ho gayi? Sameer ne kaha tha..." She quickly checked her phone, and was instantly relieved to see that it wasn't as late as it appeared. But then, why was it so dark? She got up and pulled the drapes aside.

Azure sky was replaced by a pallor that indicated a dust storm. The wind was slight as of now, but it would pick up speed when the storm hit. It wasn't uncommon for the city to witness such storms, followed by light or heavy rains in summers.

She called up Sameer, "Kitna time aur lagega?"

"Naina, contract details mein kuch discrepancy thi. Maine soft copy mein correction karke phir se print karna start kiya toh guard ne power off kar di... aandhi ke time kar dete hain. Aaj Sunday hai isliye guard bhi ek hi hai. Usse bola toh hai phir se on karne ko. Jaiise hi print ho jayega main company seal laga ke nikal jaunga. Phone ki battery bhi almost khatam hai. Car mein charge kar lunga. Tum tension mat lo. Main start karunga toh call kar dunga." He informed.

Naina peered at the fog type sand suspended in the air, "Sameer, lagta hai tez aandhi ayegi. Please jaldi aane ki koshish karo."

"Don't worry sweetheart." He smiled, "Tum tak aane se mujhe koi aandhi toofan nahi rok sakta."

She couldn't help the smile either, "Zyada hero mat bano. Kaam khatam karo aur ghar aao."

"Okay madam. Wife ki baat ko kaise manaa kar sakta hun." He chuckled, "Bas pandrah bees minute mein start karta hun. I'll let you know. Don't worry."

Naina breathed easy after talking to him. But the moment she ended the call, a strong gush of sandy wind hit the glass door. The storm had arrived.

She immediately dialled Vishakha's number. It went unanswered. Once again, she was worried, and searched for Vivek's number in her list.

"Papa, aap log pohonch gaye kya?" She asked when he picked up.

"Haan Naina, hum mere dost ke ghar pe hain." He said.

"Thank God. Main itna darr gayi thi. Mummy ko call kiya lekin unhone uthaya hi nahi. Achanak se itni tez aandhi aa gayi." She voiced her concern.

"Hum aandhi se pehle hi pohonch gaye the beta. Aur Vishakha," Vivek laughed, "Uska phone bag mein hoga. Woh khud Namrata bhabhi ke saath farmhouse dekh rahi hai." He lowered his voice, because he had company, "Aur khush ho rahi hai bhabhiji ke compliments sunke, jo tumhari wajah se mil rahe hain."

Naina smiled warmly, "Aap tease mat karna ab unhe. Compliments deserve karti hain isliye mil rahe hain. Unpe dress bohot achhi lag rahi thi."

Vivek agreed with her, and told her that they'll leave late, after the storm subsided, and she need not worry.

Naina again called Sameer, to tell him that he must also not leave now, but this time, the call didn't connect.

She went out to nanu's room. He was reading a magazine.

"Nanu, Sameer abhi tak office mein hain." She stated.

Putting aside the magazine, nanu said in a relaxed voice, "Koi baat nahi. Office zyada door thode hi hai. Aa jayega."

"Lekin tez aandhi start ho gayi hai." She looked out at his balcony.

Nanu followed her gaze, "Yeh toh har saal ka tamasha hai beta. Koi nahi, Sameer ko bol do thodi kam ho jaaye tabhi nikle wahan se."

"Phone lag nahi raha." She said in a worried tone.

Nanu smiled, "Network problem ho jaati hai aise mausam mein. Tum ghabrao mat, usse pata hai aise mein bahar nahi aana chahiye."

Seeing the tension on her face, he said in gentle voice, "Achha ek baat batao, agar aaj Sunday nahi hota toh tum aur baaki sab bhi office mein hi hote na... kya tum aandhi ke rukne ka wait nahi karti?"

She pursed her lips, and nodded.

Nanu patted her head, "Bas phir, ab tension chodo aur ek achhi si chai pila do. Aaj tumhare haath ki pine ka mann kar raha hai."

"Jee, abhi laayi." Naina got up with a wide smile, feeling lighter after talking to him.

Her worries made a comeback when after more than an hour, there was no contact with Sameer. Instead of lessening, the storm had picked up more speed. By the sounds of howling winds, and crashes in between, it was clear that it was more severe than regular ones. A tree was uprooted right in front of their house.

When she went to Ayush's room, he and Deepika seemed more excited than scared.

"Dekh Ayush, aisa lag raha hai na jaise monster ke kingdom mein lagta tha jab princess wahan gayi thi." Deepika was standing at the glass door, holding his shoulders.

Ayush exclaimed, "Haan, aur awaaz bhi same to same hai... whoooo... whooooo." He let out howling sound, similar to the raging wind outside.

Naina went to stand beside them, "Tum logon ko darr nahi lag raha?"

Deepika looked at her, "Nahi bhabhi. Ismein kya darna. Aandhi hai, thodi der mein khatam ho jayegi. Hum log ghar mein safe hain."

Ayush shrugged, "Main bhi nahi darta, Main big hun."

Naina smiled, ruffling his hair, "Lagta hai tu sach mein big ho gaya ab."

After coming back to her room, she paced impatiently, "Sab normal hain toh mujhe kyon itna ajeeb lag raha hai... kyon itni ghabrahat ho rahi hai. Sameer ko pata hai abhi aana safe nahi hai. Obviously woh nahi niklenge aise mausam mein. Lekin phone..."

She wrenched her fingers, chewing her lips, before she came up with answers for herself, "Sameer ne kaha tha na phone ki battery jaane wali hai. Shayad isliye nahi lag raha." Next moment she was wrought with another concern, "Lekin building mein light nahi hogi toh andhere mein kaise baithenge....aur lift... woh bhi nahi chalegi."

She rubbed her forehead, "Mujhe chale jaana chahiye tha saath mein jab Sameer ne kaha. Pata nahi kyon manaa kiya. Agar main saath hoti..."

And suddenly, her heart stopped beating. A strong sense of deja vu hit her.

"Mumma, main aur Ayush ghar pe rehte hain. Aap log ho aaiye na."

The room swayed. She held onto the chair. It couldn't be happening... it couldn't be real. She swallowed... unable to shake off the feeling. Her dream, few nights back became vivid again. Why did she have such a dream that night... what did it mean. The thoughts stifled her, tightening her throat painfully. She looked around in panic. The room seemed to be closing onto her, making it difficult to breathe. She ran out, to nanu's room.

"Arre Naina, kya hua beta?" He looked at her pale face.

"Na... nanu, mujhe... kuch ajeeb lag raha hai. Mujhe baat karni hai Sameer se. I want to know he's safe." She stuttered, trying to keep the voice as normal as she could.

"Achha baitho. Main dekhta hun. Shayad mere paas office ke guard room ka number hai." He gestured her to take a chair while he picked his phone.

"Yeh raha. Main guard se baat karta hun." He placed the call, giving her a calming smile.

"Dekhiye main Maheshwari Industries ke office ki baat kar raha hun. Woh khulwaya tha na aaj dopaher ko. Aapne light band kar di thi toh sahab ne kaha tha on karne ko... yaad kijiye." He said in a louder voice when the guard kept repeating that it was a Sunday and all offices were closed.

"Haanji haanji." The guard exclaimed as he remembered, "Ek sahab aaye the. Humein order hai aandi shuru hone se pehle hi light band kar dein isliye humne kar di. Lekin phir on ki thi. Par paanch minute baad hi powercut ho gaya. Humne generator bhi on kiya tha jisse sahab lift se neeche aa jaayein. Unke jaane ke baad sab band kar diya."

It was nanu's turn to sit up in worry, "Jaane ke baad? Sahab chale gaye kya?"

"Haanji sir, unhe gaye huye toh aadha ghanta ho gaya." Guard replied.

Nanu fell silent after he ended the call.

Naina had already guessed by his side of conversation, but she clung on to hope, "Ky... kya hua nanu? Sameer... theek hain na?"

He looked at her, "Guard keh raha hai ki Sameer aadhe ghante pehle nikal gaya."

Colour drained from her face, "Aadha ghanta!"

Nanu removed his spectacles, thinking, then said, "Dheere drive karke aa raha hoga isliye time lag raha hai. Iss mausam mein same speed nahi rakh sakte na. Tum... tum pareshan mat ho, woh bas aata hi hoga."

Naina gulped. Everything was happening in the same sequence. Except for the storm, it all appeared to be a replay. She jerked her head, admonishing herself for such thoughts. Of course, it cannot be same... nothing would be same. Sameer would call up any moment. He said he would, after he charged his phone in the car. But he had left half an hour back... even if he was driving slow, he could call. The storm in her mind seemed to be as intense as the one outside.

Nanu observed her shivering hands, as she kept them clasped in her lap. He placed his hand over them, "Aisa pehli baar nahi ho raha beta. Kabhi aandhi, kabhi baarish, dhund ya toofan... har mausam mein hazaron log bahar sadak pe hote hain. Der lagti hai lekin sab apne ghar pohonch jaate hain. Kisi wajah se Sameer ko time lag raha hai, lekin darne ki baat nahi hai. Woh koi bachha thodi hai. Khud ka khyal rakh sakta hai. Aur usse pata hai ghar pe tum uske liye intezar kar rahi ho. Woh bohot responsible hai. Dekhna, dus pandrah minute mein aa jayega, aur aate hi shor machayega ki dhool se car gandi ho gayi aur kapde kharab ho gaye. Seedha order dega ki meri coffee ready karo tab tak main naha ke aata hun."

Naina tried to smile with him, but it didn't reach her eyes. It didn't go unnoticed from nanu how she crossed her fingers when he was telling how Sameer would react after reaching home. In his heart, he was also worried, but he played normal for Naina's sake. He had expected Sameer to stay in office till the winds reduced and visibility improved.

Half an hour later, Naina knocked at his door again, "Ab tak nahi aaye."

"Tumne call kiya?" He got up from the easy chair, unable to hide his tension now.

Naina nodded, "Network not available aa raha hai. Main lagataar try kar rahi hun."

"Main bhi karta hun." Nanu walked with her to the hall, "Hum yahin intezar karte hain."

He couldn't get through either. When his phone rang, Naina jumped, expecting it to be Sameer's call.

"Haan Vishakha... achha... haan yehi theek rahega... main bata dunga... theek hai beta." Nanu finished the call and turned to Naina, "Vishakha keh rahi thi ki mausam itna kharab hai isliye woh log aaj raat wahin rukenge."

Naina gave him a frantic look, "Mummy ko toh network mil gaya, itni door hote hue bhi. Sameer ka phone kyon nahi lag raha?"

Nanu again tried his number, so did Naina.

After another twenty minutes of their failed attempts to connect, Naina stood up, "Nanu, main aur nahi ruk sakti. Main Sameer ko dhoondne jaa rahi hun."

He was aghast, "Dhoondne? Beta woh gumm thodi hua hai. Kahin raaste mein phans gaya hoga. Tum itni aandhi mein jaogi toh tumhare liye bhi safe nahi hai."

She was adamant, "Main jaana chahti hun nanu. Dil ghabra raha hai. Please, mujhe jaane dijiye."

He could understand her panic. He himself was getting increasingly anxious. Getting up, he called out, "Ramdhari, bachhon ka khyal rakhna. Hum zara Sameer ko dekhne jaa rahe hain. Lagta hai raaste mein kuch problem aayi hai."

Naina held his arms, "Aap yahin rukiye nanu. Aap kyon itne kharab weather mein bahar jayenge. Main..."

He stroked her head, "Beta, tum ek ke liye itni pareshan ho, main do ke liye socho kitna ghabra jaunga. Main saath chalta hun. Drive nahi kar sakta lekin ek se bhale do."

She nodded, and grabbed the keys. The moment they opened the door, strong wind, along with a spray of sand covered them. Shielding their eyes, they ran to the car. There was hardly anyone on the road as Naina started driving on the route they always took to office. Fallen branches and poles, uprooted trees, upturned carts, even a few bicycles laid strewn on the road. Trees were still swaying ghoulishly, making her keep the car in the center of the road, rather than the designated lane. Both kept scanning the road. A few cars could be seen parked at the sides, but none was Sameer's black one... till she took a turn after covering half the distance.

"Nanu, woh dekhiye, Sameer ki hi car hai na." She squinted her eyes, trying to see one in the service lane.

"Wahan kyon jayega... Main road se aate hain hum log toh." Nanu narrowed his eyes, trying to focus through the haze of dust.

"Aap rukiye main dekh ke aati hun." She undid her seat belt, feeling some respite at the prospect of having located his car.

"Ruko, main bhi..." Nanu started, but she stopped him.

"Aap iss dhool mein mat nikaliye. Pehle main check kar lun Sameer hai ya koi aur. Main aapko batati hun."

Nanu waited as she cupped her eyes again and stepped out.

More she came nearer, more she was convinced that it was his car. Since it was parked at an angle, she couldn't see properly. A sense of relief did calm her with every step.

But as soon as she reached the car, what she saw made her freeze with horror.

It was Sameer's car... crushed under the weight of a pole. The glass was lying all around on the road. Even amidst the heavily dust filled surroundings, she could see that the pole had landed over front seats. The roof was completely crushed under its weight.

"Nahi... yeh... yeh nahi... ho sakta." She ran towards driver's side desperately.

There was no way doors could be opened, nor could she see anything. But her heart refused to acknowledge what lay in front of her. Fate couldn't do it to her again... it could not.

"Please Sameer, wapas aao. Tumne kaha tha tum aaoge." She screamed, shutting her dry eyes hard.

"Nainaa." His voice was clear... but a little far.

She stilled.

"Naina." It was nearer next second.

Slowly, she turned... and saw him running towards her, through the dusty fog.

Safe.

Nanu reached them. He gave one look to the car, then to him, "Yeh sab kya hua Sameer? Tu theek hai beta?" He quickly scanned his grandson from head to toe.

"Haan nanu, mujhe kuch nahi hua. I got saved. Galti se service lane mein turn le liya, kuch dikhayi nahi de raha tha isliye. Yahan car band pad gayi thi. Phone ka signal bhi bohot weak tha. Naina ka call aaya lekin awaaz nahi aa rahi thi toh maine socha bahar aake dekhta hun shayad better reception mile. Jaise hi main car se nikal ke aage gaya, yeh pole gir pada. Thank God main bahar tha, warna maine socha tha yahin baithta hun jab tak yeh aandhi khatam nahi hoti." Sameer explained.

Nanu breathed in relief, "Shukr hai bhagwan ka tujhe kuch nahi hua. Hum kabse pareshan the tere liye. Naina toh bechari..."

They both looked at her.

She stood like a statue, staring at him.

She felt nothing.

No pain... no tears... no relief.

She was dead inside.

Numb.

Her mind and body stopped reacting.

The brain was trying to process the truth... that Sameer was perfectly fine... but it wasn't able to decipher it. She stood there gaping at him, like a lifeless person.

"Naina beta, Sameer theek hai. Dekho, woh bilkul theek hai." Nanu said softly, seeing her state of shock.

"Naina." Sameer held her shoulders, shaking her gently.

Her face turned ashen, her eyes became unfocussed and her body went limp, falling to the ground before he could get a proper hold on her. He felt his breath had been knocked out of his lungs.

"Na... Naina... aankhen kholo dekho main yahan hun, tumhare saamne... dekho Naina... please utho." He breathed, in a breaking voice as he dropped next to her, taking her in his arms.

Nanu leaned to pat her cheek, but Naina did not respond to anything.

"Sameer, isse hospital leke chalna chahiye. Jaldi." He suggested urgently, shocked at the icy coldness of her skin.

Sameer lifted her almost lifeless figure and ran to her car parked across the road. After gently placing her on back seat, he stopped for a split second, thinking how he could let her lay unattended while he drove.

Nanu opened the door at other side of backseat and slipped in, taking Naina's head in his lap, and asked Sameer to hurry. He nodded, getting at the wheel. The hospital wasn't far. Roads were deserted too. But visibility was almost nil, owing to the howling dusty winds, restraining their speed. He just prayed they reached the hospital without any difficulty. As if the Gods were bent upon testing him, it started to rain. It wasn't a normal drizzle, but a deluge of heavy downpour, that made it almost impossible to see the road ahead.

"Nanu, Naina... theek hai na." He glanced back, his voice quivering.

"Tu saamne dekh ke drive kar. Iss waqt sabse zaruri hai ki hum isse safely hospital pohoncha saken. Aur bhagwan pe bharosa rakh." Nanu assured him, but himself, he was even more worried. Naina seemed to have gone lifeless... the drive, jerks, her bent legs, nothing seemed to bring any reaction. Over one of the speedbreakers, when the car lurched hard, her arm flopped down. Nanu quickly took her palm in his hands and started to rub, praying silently.

Sameer came to a screeching halt in front of the hospital gate. Two helpers came running with the stretcher when they noticed the unconscious person on back seat.

"Doctor... doctor ko bulaiye. Jaldi." Sameer hollered the moment they wheeled her inside the emergency room.

Two doctors came running, asking the helpers to lay her on bed. They pulled the curtains and asked Sameer and nanu to step away.

Nanu held his shoulders when Sameer tried to stay by her side, "Doctors ko apna kaam karne de. Sab theek hoga."

One of the doctors came out after a few seconds, "Exactly kya hua inhe?"

Nanu explained how she had fainted after being wrought with tension.

Doctor nodded, "Koi surface injury toh hai nahi. Lekin vitals weak hain. Hum check karte hain."

Sameer gaped at the closed curtains. What in the world they meant by that... how could her vitals be weak... it was just a fainting spell... it had to be.

"Nanu." He gave a fearful look to his only support at this time, "meri Naina... meri Naina theek hai na?"

Nanu stepped ahead and took him in his embrace. He didn't know what to say to his distraught grandson at this point. All he wanted was his children to remain safe and happy.

Few minutes later, both doctors stepped out of the curtained enclosure, their faces solemn.

"It looks like trauma... severe trauma. Humein darr hai agar inhe subah tak hosh nahi aaya toh... kahin coma mein na slip ho jayein." The lady doctor looked at Sameer.

"Coma?" Sameer went pale, "Naina phir se coma mein nahi jaa sakti."

Today's update might annoy you, or leave you disturbed. But all my readers know me very well. So I just want to say, have faith. Whatever happens, is for a reason.

Next update on Tuesday. I know you want it tomorrow but it won't be possible. Such writing leaves me drained emotionally