Title is the song 'Tera mera rishta' from movie 'Jalebi'

Naina was sitting up in bed when Sameer walked out of the washroom. She glanced up from her phone, "Sameer aaj toh Monday..."

Her voice trailed off. He looked at her with raised brows, waiting for her to complete her sentence. But Naina had forgotten what she was saying. All she could see was his eyes... filled with distress.

"Bolo Naina, tum kya puch rahi thi." He asked after a few seconds of silence, averting his eyes.

She swung her legs down, to get up and come to him. But the moment she stood up, a dizziness took over, making her grab the backrest.

"Tum uth kyon rahi ho?" Sameer was with her instantly, holding her by shoulders, "Doctor ne rest karne ko kaha hai na. Mujhe bolo jo chahiye. Baitho yahan." He made her sit again.

She held his wrist, making him sit in front of her, and looked at him directly, "Kya doctor ne aur bhi kuch kaha? Kya kuch aisa hai jo... jo tum mujhe batane se darr rahe ho?"

When he gave a puzzled look, she swallowed, "Sameer, main sunn sakti hun. Please mujhe sach sach batao kya hua hai."

He cupped her face, smiling, "Jab kuch hua hi nahi toh kya bataun. Tumhe kyon doubt ho raha hai? Naina, tumhe sirf rest karne ko bola hai kyonki tum behosh ho gayi thi. Ab tum theek ho. Please don't worry about anything."

She kept staring at him quietly, then let out a whisper, "Tumhari aankhen kyon tumhari smile ka saath nahi de rahi?"

He lowered his eyes, letting his hands fall to the side. It wasn't possible to hide his anguish from Naina.

"Sameer", she took his hands within her palms, "Yeh dard meri wajah se hai na?"

His eyes darted to her, "Nahi, tumhari wajah se nahi. Iss dard ki wajah main hun. Tumhari iss suffering ki wajah main hun. Yeh sab..." His voice choked, "Sab meri galti hai Naina. Agar main itni aandhi mein wahan se nikalne ki bewakoofi nahi karta toh yeh sab nahi hota. Kaash main pehle soch leta toh aaj tum iss haalat mein na hoti."

She lifted his hand to her lips and placed a kiss on his fingers, then looked at him intently, "Mujhe pata hai tum kyon nikle... kyonki tum jaldi se jaldi mere paas pohonchna chahte the. Sameer, agar hum aise blames daalne lage toh main bhi keh sakti hun ki meri galti hai, jo main tumhare saath nahi gayi... agar main saath hoti toh tum wahan ruk jaate na."

His eyes turned misty, "Tumhare decision ki wajah responsibility thi... aur mere decision ki wajah meri recklessness. Yeh ek galat decision tumhe mujhse... Naina, tum... tum coma mein jaa sakti thi."

"Coma!" her voice quivered.

Sameer told her about her condition, and doctor's verdict. He narrated everything... her listless eyes, her unconscious state where she did not respond to anything, her weak vitals, his fear of not being able to see her again...

"Naina, kal ki raat mere liye bohot lambi aur bhayanak thi. Aankhen tumhari band thi lekin andhere mere charon taraf ghir gaye the. Reh reh ke bas ek hi khyal aa raha tha... agar tumne aankhen nahi kholi toh." His voice choked with emotions.

She pulled him to her chest, hugging him tightly, "Tumhare darr ki ghutan ko achhi tarah samajh sakti hun Sameer."

He couldn't control his tears, speaking in broken voice, "Maine kal pehli baar mehsoos kiya ki yeh ghutan kaise har saans pe bojh ban jaati hai. Main tumhe ek raat aise nahi dekh paaya... mumma papa ne kaise do mahine..."

Tears rolled down her cheeks, "Unki himmat ne hi mujhe himmat di shayad."

They cried in each other's arms, letting all the tension twisting their hearts since previous evening flow out.

They didn't know how long they kept consoling themselves and each other, but when Sameer straightened, he felt lighter. Yet, the guilt didn't seem to leave him.

"I'm so sorry Naina. Kya tum... kabhi mujhe maaf kar paogi?" He asked, filled with remorse.

His contrite apology refreshed her memories of the time immediately after her parent's accident... when all she wanted was to reverse the time somehow, and not refuse to accompany them. Maybe they would have all been saved... or maybe all of them would have been a victim of that accident. At that time, she was so repentant that she forgot what she was wishing for included Ayush as well. The thought itself made her shudder in fright now.

Letting out a deep exhale, she started, "Mumma papa ne mujhe sambhala tha jab main bilkul toot gayi thi, aur marr jaana chahti thi. Jab mera miscarriage... uss waqt main ek baar phir depressed ho gayi, lekin jab Ayush hamari life mein aaya toh ek din mumma ne mujhse pucha 'Agar tere paas woh bachha hota toh kya tu Ayush ko rakh paati?' Maine bohot socha. Agar woh bachha zinda rehta toh main mandir hi nahi jaati, aur shayad Ayush ke hone ka, ya jo uske saath ho raha tha uska mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chalta. Issi tarah, agar Ayush ko kahin aur choda hota, toh bhi woh mujhe nahi milta. Yeh meri aur Ayush ki kismat thi jo hum dono uss waqt pe ussi jagah mile."

Sameer stared at her, wondering why she was remembering all this.

She looked at him, "Sameer, agar mere saath woh haadsa nahi hota toh Ayush meri zindagi mein nahi aata. Na main Ayush ki zindagi mein."

He could not even think about not having Ayush in their life.

Naina continued, "Mujhe zindagi se ladne ki himmat mumma papa se mili, lekin har baat mein achhai dhoondna, aur positive rehna maine nanu se seekha hai."

He was surprised.

She smiled, "Haan. Nanu ko janne ke baad mujhe pata chala woh aaj bhi naniji se kitna pyar karte hain. Kaisa laga hoga unhe jab mummy ke born hone ke baad se hi naniji bimar rehne lagi. Kitni takleef hui hogi jab dheere dheere naniji ko kamzor hote dekhte honge. Aur jab woh gayi... unke liye kitna mushkil raha hoga. Lekin itna sab hone ke baad bhi maine nanu ko dukh manate hue nahi dekha. Woh jab bhi naniji ki baat karte hain, unhe pyar se, muskura ke yaad karte hain."

Sameer thought about it, and realised Naina was right. Nanu had always been cheerful and sprightly.

Naina drew in a long breath, "Agar mumma papa mere saath hote toh sab kuch bohot alag hota. Mere liye zindagi jeena aasaan hota. Mujhe shayad apne aur Ayush ke liye sabse iss tarah ladna na padta. Unka support hamesha rehta... aur main shayad unke sahare poori zindagi guzar leti." She turned her eyes at him, "Lekin Sameer, woh zindagi Agra mein hoti. Na main yahan aati, na tumse milti."

He blinked, unable to think what he would have been had she not come to his life.

"Jab hamare saath kuch bura hota hai toh lagta hai hamare saath hi kyon. Lekin jo hota hai woh kismat hai. Har ek baat doosre se juddi hoti hai. Jo mere saath hua, chahe woh kitna hi bura tha, woh pehle mujhe Ayush tak le gaya aur phir meri kismat mujhe yahan, tumhare paas le aayi. Maine jo khoya uska dukh kabhi kam nahi hoga, lekin maine jo paaya hai uski keemat bhi nahi laga sakti main."

Sameer looked at her proudly. She had once again shown how strong she was.

She held his hands, "Kal jo hua, uske baad aisa lag raha hai jaise mere andar ka saara darr khatam ho gaya. Ek nayi himmat feel ho rahi hai. Dil mein jaise yeh yakeen aa gaya hai ki hum dono saath rehne ke liye hi ek doosre se mile hain. Aur yeh saath itni aasani se choot nahi sakta."

Her faith made him feel the strength too. He nodded, "Right, na aasani se, na mushkilon se darr kar... hamara saath kabhi nahi chootega."

"Aur phir tumhari kundali mein bhi toh likha hai long and happy married life." She chuckled, "Mere hi saath likhi hai na?"

"Kundali mein naam toh nahi hai tumhara." He said thoughtfully.

When she frowned, he smirked, taking her hand to his heart, and pressed it, "Lekin yahan hai... aur hamesha rahega."

She lightly punched his chest with other hand, then placed her head on his heart. Sameer wrapped his arms around her, taking in a long, relieved breath.

The night of storm had passed. And they had emerged stronger from it.

Sound of footsteps from outside made Naina move back, just in time as Ayush came running in.

"Aapka office ka kaam finish ho gaya kya?" He asked, looking from one to other.

"Haan." Sameer smiled, waving at him to come closer.

Ayush jumped in his arms, perching on his leg and looked at Naina, "Naina mumma, aapko kya hua?"

"Kuch nahi." Naina said with a quick shake of her head.

"Ahh." Her hand flew to her head, as the pain and dizziness attacked together.

Ayush sprung out of Sameer's hold and went besides Naina, "Dekha, pain hua na head mein. Mujhe Deepu bua ne bola tha aapko head mein pain hai. Ruko, main abhi theek karta hun."

He sat up on his knees, and started to press her head with his small hands. Sameer looked at them, a fond smile on his face.

Naina smiled too, holding his wrist, "Theek ho gaya. Bas rehne de."

"Nahi." Ayush adamantly went on pressing, "Itni jaldi theek nahi hota. Mujhe thodi der karne do. Phir main aapko kissi kar dunga. Phir saara pain finish ho jayega."

His little fingers did make Naina feel relaxed. She closed her eyes, leaning back, "Hmm. Achha lag raha hai."

Ayush grinned at Sameer, "Mujhe sab kuch aata hai. Lagta hai main thoda sa doctor ban gaya hun."

Sameer laughed, "Mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai. Bade hoke thode se aur ban jaana."

"Main big hi hun." Ayush whimpered.

Naina patted his cheek, "Haan baba tu big hai. Sabse big."

Deepika entered the room, and frowned at Ayush, "Tujhe bola tha na abhi bhabhi ko disturb nahi karna."

Ayush shrugged, "Maine disturb nahi kiya. Maine toh sirf unko theek kiya hai. Dekho, unka pain finish ho gaya. Haina Naina mumma?"

Naina nodded. Deepika slapped her forehead, "Ayush tujhe kitne din se bata rahi hun. Baby hai kya jo baar baar bhool jaata hai? Achha, abhi tu small hai na. Chote bachhe jaldi bhool jaate hain baatein. Chal koi nahi. Big hone tak aise hi bol le."

"Naiii. Main big hun. Mujhe yaad aa gaya. Abse nahi bolunga." Ayush drawled, giving her a frustrated look.

Naina and Sameer were perplexed, wondering what was conspiring between the two.

Sameer flicked his brows, "Kya baat hai Deepu? Kya galat bola Ayush ne?"

Deepika hid her smile, looking at Ayush, "Bata ab."

Ayush pouted, then said in a low voice, "Naina mumma."

"Haan Ayush bol na." Naina presumed he was talking to her, "Deepu kis baat ke liye keh rahi hai? Tune kuch bad words bole kya?"

Ayush widened his eyes, "Haww. Main bad boy thodi hun. Main kabhi bad words nahi bolta."

Deepika smiled warmly, "Nahi bhabhi, Ayush aisa kuch nahi bolta. Main bas usse yeh sikha rahi thi ki woh aap dono ka naam leke nahi, sirf mumma papa kehke bulaye."

Ayush lowered his head.

Sameer ruffled his hair, "It's okay. Ayush ke aise bolne se mujhe aur Naina ko koi problem nahi hai."

Deepika narrowed her eyes at Ayush, "Tune woh new drawing dikhayi jo raat ko banayi thi?" When he shook his head, she asked him to get it and Ayush sprinted out excitedly.

She then looked at Sameer, "I know bhai ki aap dono ko problem nahi hai. Lekin koi bhi apne parents ko iss tarah nahi bulata. Mujhse kuch teachers ne pucha tha school mein ki Ayush aise kyon bolta hai. Iss habit ke liye aage jaake uske friends bhi puchenge. He shouldn't feel that he is doing something odd. Sab bachhon ki tarah usse mumma papa hi bolne dijiye."

Naina gave an admirable look to Deepika, "Tum theek keh rahi ho Deepu. Pata nahi humne kyon nahi socha." She then looked at Sameer, "Abhi Ayush chota hai. Jaise jaise woh bada hoga iss baat ko realise karega ki uska relation hamare saath baaki bachhon ki tarah nahi hai. Main nahi chahti uske mann mein sawal aayein. Jab woh samajhne layak hoga hum bata denge ki humne usse adopt kiya tha. Lekin yeh baat kisi alag tareeke se uske saamne ayegi toh uske dil ko thes lagegi."

Sameer turned to Deepika adoringly, "Mujhe nahi pata tha meri choti si Deepu itni badi ho gayi."

Deepika imitated Ayush, "Main big hi hun."

Three of them laughed together.

Deepika sat next to Naina, " Aap theek hain na bhabhi? Please aap apna dhyan rakha karo. Aapko pata hai na hum sab aapse kitna pyar karte hain."

Naina placed a hand on her cheek, "Pata hai. Main bhi tum sab se utna hi pyar karti hun. Don't worry, main bilkul theek hun. Mujhe kuch ho hi nahi sakta. Tumhare bhai mujhe itni jaldi kahin nahi jaane denge."

"Main tumhe kabhi bhi kahin nahi jaane dunga." Sameer covered her other hand with his.

Deepika gushed at their love, "Hayee. Aap dono na aise perfect couple goals ho. Touch wood."

Sameer smirked as she touched her head, "Sahi jagah touch kiya. Tere dimag mein aur kuch ho bhi nahi sakta."

"Bhaii." This time Deepika grumbled for real, "You're so mean."

Ayush barged in, holding a book, "Nai... mumma papa dekho meri new wali drawing."

Deepika giggled at his effort. Naina couldn't hold back her wide grin. Hearing just 'mumma' and 'papa' from him somehow made the relationship more real. Sameer felt the same. It was like they were parents in real sense.

After breakfast, nanu asked Naina to take rest. Coming two days were declared off days for office because of last night's devastation on roads. Many roads were blocked due to fallen trees and damaged vehicles. Electricity was effected in their office building. All owners were sent notice to not function for atleast a couple of days from the premise, for safety purpose. Since flights were disrupted due to damages at airport, Rohan and Preeti could not return from Mumbai for either. It was decided that they would not be told anything as it would worry them unnecessarily.

This break helped Naina to recover faster. Sameer also felt relieved as he was with her throughout. Though everyone was concerned for her, Naina found Vishakha a little restrained. She was taking care of her diet, directing Ramdhari from time to time, checking on her medicines, even talked to the doctor... still Naina felt she wasn't showing the same warmth. But then, Vishakha had always been unpredictable. At times Naina found her very affectionate, at others, she was distant, for no apparent reason.

I'm sorry to end it abruptly. Have been extremely busy since yesterday so could not write more.

Next update on Monday