With a contented heart seeing Sameer's attempt to mend up his relation with Karthik, Naina went back to her room and surprised seeing a new dress lying on couch for her... she opened her wardrobe and shocked to see few more bags lying there carrying so many new dresses... she understood, "matlab kal Sunainaji yahi sab dene aayi thi office... bekaar mein unhein itni pareshaani uthaani padi, kya soch rahi hongi mere baare mein... aur inhein kya jarurat thi mere liye yeh sab karne ki... pehle hi itani dresses toh thi ab aur kyun leni thi... lekin meri sune tab na..."

She was busy in talking to herself when heard his voice from her back, "toh tumhein kyun jarurat hai roj roj meri pasand ka khaana banane ke liye itni mehanat karne ki... ghar mein chef hai na, voh bana dega... shuru se uske haath ka hi toh khaana khaaya hai maine..."

She turned to look at him replying, "kyunki mujhe achchha lagta hai... aur mein kisi paraye ke liye kuchh nahin kar rahi toh ismein kaisi takleef... mujhe khushi milti hai yeh sab kar ke..."

He replied smilingly, "haan toh mein bhi kisi paraye ke liye yeh sab nahin kar raha... mujhe bhi khushi milti hai tumhare liye kuchh kar ke... so without any more argument get ready fast... we are getting late for office, okay..." he turned and left outside without listening her more excuses to deny his gift...

He stops at a distance and said, "and sorry I forget to tell you... few dresses have zip at back, so don't hesitate to call me... I will be glad to help you... anytime... anywhere..." he left outside leaving her blushing to the root...

She keep the dress close to her heart mumbled, "toh kya mein aapki apni hoon... agar aisa hai toh ek baar kah dijiye na... aapki har baat mujhe ehsaas dilati hai ki kitna sab badal gaya hai hamare beech... aur yeh sirf dosti toh nahin hai... par jab tak aapke dil ki baat aapse sun nahin leti mein koi ummid nahin rakhna chahti... agar aapke liye yeh sirf dosti hai toh dosti sahi... par thanks mujhe yeh khushiyaan dene ke liye... aap dosti nibhaiye, mein apna pyaar nibhaungi... jab tak yahaan hun apni koshish aur ummid kabhi nahin chhodungi... mujhe mere Kanhaji par poora vishwas hai..."

Suddenly she realized while talking to her he was running his fingers continuously in his hairs to tease her, "iska matlab aaj torture ka ek aur idea mil gaya... kya Kanhaji roj mujhe phansa dete ho... kabhi zip toh kabhi baal aur kabhi mera gaana... yeh ideas aap hi dete ho na inhein..." she cursed herself to give him more chances to tease her

Coming out Sameer smiled thinking, "bohot hua yeh dosti ka naatak.... ab aur tumse dur nahin rah sakta... tumhari aankhon mein apne liye pyaar dekha hai maine... tumhare chehre ki voh khushi jab hum saath hote hai, mujhse chhupi nahin hai... jitna mein tadap raha hoon tumhare saath ke liye utna tum bhi tadap rahi ho... par bas ab kuchh din aur... tumhari zindagi ka sabse bada surprise tumhare liye itani khushiyaan lekar aayega ki tum kabhi bhool nahin sakogi... bas jadli se yeh kuchh din beet jaaye phir kabhi tumhein ek pal ke liye bhi apne se dur nahin jaane dunga... aur phir koi bahana bhi nahin banana padega... no dosti... sirf pyaar... ab se sirf Sameer aur Sameer ki Naina..."

Soon getting ready they all left for office... seeing him busy on phone she keeps glancing him from corner of his eyes when he turned to her side suddenly looking straight into her eyes, "kuchh kehna hai..." he said keeping his phone down...

She shocked how did he know when he said further, "ab itani khubsurat aankhen toh mein bhi pad sakta hoon... vaise bhi tumhein apne dil ki baat chhupana nahin aata... tumhara chehra sab bata deta hai..."

With a naughty smile he lifts his hand again to his hairs when she holds it in between, "bas kijiye na... please..."

Pandit suddenly asked looking them from rear view mirror in confusion, "Sameer tere baalon mein kuchh problem hai kya... subah se tera haath vahin hai..."

Naina's face tinted with the deepest shade of red, when Sameer laughed eyeing to her, "nahin yaar...bas baalon se thodi jealousy ho rahi thi... mujhse jyaada toh logon ko mere baal pasand aane lage hai..."

Pandit shrugged his shoulder getting no meaning of his words, turned his focus back on road... Naina turned her face looking outside seeing him openly flirting with her in front of Pandit...

She got confused seeing his weird behavior mumbling, "aaj hua kya hai inhein... subah se kitna ajeeb behave kar rahe hai... aur apne hi baalon se jealous... inko na Sadu naam hi suit karta hai"

Sameer leaned slightly on her saying, "Sadu kaho ya kuchh aur but today you will not get any excuse to deny office rules... yaad rakhna aaj tumhein Pandit aur Preeti bhi nahin bacha payenge..." giving his cute threat he straightens himself looking outside... she turned to looked at him shockingly when suddenly Pandit played song in her voice they recorded last day...

She murmured slowly but audible to the person sitting next to her, "abhi toh office bhi nahin pahunche... abhi se torture shuru... pata nahin yeh ideas aate kahaan se hai aur aaj..." she stops suddenly feeling his tight grip on her wrist pulling her slightly towards him

Sameer grinned mischievously whispers into her ears seductively, "tumhari najerein hi nahin awaaz mein bhi ek nasha hai jis mein kho jaane ka dil karta hai... jise mein saari zindagi sunana chahta hoon... so don't dare to call it torture..." 

कभी आवाज में कशिश थी कभी नजरो में नशा था,
फिर जो तेरा असर होने लगा होश मै खोने लगा ..

His grip on her hand tightened not letting her move away, giving a soft shiver to her feeling shy knowing Pandit is sitting ahead, but seems the other person was least bother... totally shameless...

Reaching their office, the moment they stepped in office premises, his eyes glued on her every move with a naughty smile... entering into elevator he said purposely to Pandit eyeing on Naina, "finally we reached office... Pandit, you know I really appreciate all my staff to follow office rules and regulations... I am very strict for this... no excuse at all..." they both laughed enjoying the girl getting more nervous... and top of that he keeps trailing his fingers in his hair to irritate her more...

Naina looked at the most pity look towards them to give more excuse when Pandit raised his hands giving up, "sorry, I can't help you in this..." 

whereas the other one is too much adamant to win today... the moment they reach their floor, Naina went straight to her desk avoiding his intense gaze which was fixed on her...

In cabin, Sameer was trying hard to focus on his work but all failed... he got more frustrated on his helplessness to keep his attention towards work... seeing him in so miserable condition Pandit asked worriedly, "tu theek hai na... kab se itna pareshaan lag raha hai.. kuchh baat hai kya..." he asked getting worried as he had never seen him so lost during working hours earlier...

Sameer replied in irritating tone, "ya fine... I mean I don't know yaar... aisa pehle kabhi nahin hua mere saath... har wat dil, dimaag sab par Naina hi chhayi rehti hai... I didn't know why am I behaving like a teenager now days... itne saalon se business sambhal raha hoon and I never feel tired or bore... but now look at me... kaam mein man hi nahin lagta"

He said with the most pity look, "yaar ab control nahin hota usase dur rehna... I decided ki use sab bata doon, mujhse toh ek pal ka bhi intzaar nahin ho raha... abhi kareeb teen hafte hai us special day mein jo maine socha hai... pata nahin tab tak intzaar kaise karunga... jab se pata chala hai ki voh bhi mujhse pyaar karti hai ek pal ki duri bhi barsasht nahin ho rahi"

हर सोच में बस एक ख्याल तेरा आता है,

लब जरा से हिलते नहीं कि नाम तेरा आता हैं।

Pandit laughed knowing reason of his dull face, "arey toh itna kya sochna... agar nahin intzaar ho raha toh aaj hi bata de na... dekh kal maine kitni himmat kar ke ek hi jhatke mein bol diya sab kuchh... jab mujhe itani himmat de sakta hai toh apne liye kyun darrta hai, vaise bhi meri behen Preeti jaisi lady don bhi nahin hai... lekin phir bhi voh din bohot special hoga uske liye agar tu wait kar sake toh..." he said confusing him again whether to hold his emotions to wait till the decided date or reveal his feelings right now...

Seeing him again so lost he said, "arey yaar, mein tujhe batana bhool gaya... kal maine Munna se Preeti ki baat karwayi... socha voh dur hai par usey bhi pata hona chahiye na... pehle toh usey vishwas hi nahin hua par jab Preeti ki shakal dekhi tab maana... khush toh tha par lagta hai jhatka lag gaya kyunki shaadi aur relations se hamesha dur jo bhagta hai voh... aur achanak Preeti ko dekhkar toh uske hosh hi udd gaye..." they both laughed imagining his reaction...

Pandit, "lekin abhi kisi aur ko batane se mana kar diya hai maine... khaskar ke didi se... Pooja didi ko toh tu jaanta hi hai, meri pasand par jara sa bhi trust nahin unko... jab tak tu nahin kahega unhein lagega maine phir koi bewkoofi ki hogi... bekaar mein stress le lengi voh alag..." he sulked making faces that how her sister always scold him for being so careless and behaving immaturely...

Sameer smiled, "theek kiya, abhi Pooja didi ko har stress se dur rakhna hai... vaise thank god tu ne himmat toh ki Munna ko sab batane ki... mein toh abhi tak usey Naina ke baare mein nahin bata paaya... pata nahin kaise react karega... kabhi usase kuchh nahin chhupaya par shuru mein sab bohot uljha hua tha toh kaise batata... vaise bhi Munna toh shaadi aur pyaar ke naam se hi koso dur bhagta hai... voh mere har faisle mein saath toh de deta par shayad theek se hamare haalat nahin samajh pata... vahaan voh Pooja di ko akele sambhal raha hai toh uesy aur pareshaani kyun deni thi par ab lagta hai galti ho gayi..."

Pandit agreed as in initial days, they both were not sure about his relations with Naina... even Sameer was eager to send her away from him so there was no point to tell Munna... moreover knowing Pooja's medical condition they were not interested to let her know, giving any more tensions.... but now the situation is different, and they don't want to hide anything from their buddy and beloved elder sister anymore...

Sameer, "bas ek baar Naina se apne dil ki baat bata dun phir sabse pehle Munna aur Pooja didi ko sab batana hai... infact soch raha hoon kyun ha num sab hi London chalein... face to face milna bhi ho jaayega aur Pooja didi ko dekh bhi lenge... ek mahine mein unka baby bhi hone wala hai... mujhe pata hai donon pehle gussa karenge par iss baar galti hamari hai toh sunana bhi padega... par mujhe maloom hai Naina un donon ko bohot pasand aayegi... dekhna Naina se milte hi donon apni narazagi bhool jayenge... voh hai hi itani pyaari..."

Pandit asked suddenly, "par ek baat bata... yeh Kamya ka kya chakkar hai... abhi tak apne ghar vaapas nahin gayi... matlab ab toh Naina ne bhi usase baat karni bandh kar di toh kya matlab aise yahaan rukane ka... maine apni zindagi mein itni besharam ladki nahin dekhi... jara si bhi shikan nahin usake chehare par... but I am sure uske dimaag mein koi khichdi jaroor pak rahi hai..."

Sameer's smile faded from his face suddenly, "yaar uski chinta toh mujhe bhi hai... kisi baat ka koi asar hi nahin ho raha us par... pata nahin kya chal raha hai uske shaitani dimaag mein... but I am sure voh chup baithane walon mein se toh bilkul nahin... mujhe toh Naina ki chinta ho rahi hai... she is already so hurt aur pata nahin ab yeh kya karne wali hai... soch raha hoon Karthik se kahun ki Mrs Maheshwari ko samjhaye aur Kamya ko yahaan se jaane ke liye kahe... jab Karthik bhi Kamya mein interested nahin toh kya matlab usko yahaan rokne ka... pata nahin donon ke dimaag mein kya chal raha hai Naina ke against..." he knew how much Vishakha and Kamya hates Naina at this moment... only because of Naina, both are not able to win on their evil plans...

Pandit assured him, "tu chinta mat kar... hum sab hai na saath toh sambhal lenge... aur ab toh Naina bhi uspar vishwas nahin karti toh I think we can easily handle her... vaise aaj Karthik bada khush nazar aa raha tha... kuchh baat huyi thi kya tujhse..." he asked as he had seen him giving a warm smile to Sameer before leaving for his trip, a very usual reaction between them...

Sameer told him everything which Naina said last night... Pandit too shocked and relieved saying, "vaise manana padega, Naina mein kuchh toh baat hai... kisi ke bhi dil ko jeet sakti hai apne bholepan se... koi bhi aankh bandh kar ke uspar vishawas kar sakta hai... mujhe toh hairani hai ki itane saaf dil ki aur masoom si ladki ke saath bhacpan se itna sab galat hua... vaise kasar toh humne bhi nahin chhodi thi shuruaat mein... chaahe anjaane mein hi sahi par hamari galti bhi maafi ke laayak nahin thi... voh toh Naina thi jisne humein maaf kar diya..." he said feeling guilty on their behavior towards her in initial days to hurt her more... even to support Sameer, Pandit was always very rude to her...

Sameer sighed deeply, "hmm... par ab sab theek karne ka waqt aa gaya hai... chaahun toh aaj hi usase apne dil ki baat kah sakta hoon, par lagta hai abhi thode din aur rukna chahiye... yeh jo pal hum saath bita rahein hai, jaise dheere dheere hum ek dusre ke najdeek aa rahe hai voh bohot khubsurat hai... chahta hoon jitna dard maine usey diya hai voh uske dil se nikal jaayein... bas yaad rahe toh yeh meethe pal aur hamara saath... dil ke jakhm bharne mein waqt lagta hai aur mein us par koi jabardasti nahin karna chahta... uske saath rah kar usase dur rehna bohot mushkil hai par jab tak usey uske past ka saara sach nahin bata deta shayad apne dil ki baat nahin kah paaunga..." his voice gets heavy feeling her pain

Pandit asked concernedly, "tujhe lagta hai tujhe usey sab batana chahiye... kahin voh bardasht nahin kar paayi toh... I mean ab kya farq padta hai jab purani zindagi se uska koi vaasta hi nahin bacha... voh khush hai tere saath iss nayi zindagi mein"

Sameer smiled faintly, "aisa tujhe lagta hai... maine mehsoos kiya hai uski aankhon mein apno ke liye tadap... aur yeh sach janana uska haq bhi hai... mein nahin chahta ki ateet ke kale saayo ke darr mein hum apni nayi zindagi ki shuruaat karein... bas sahi waqt aur mauka nahin samajh aa raha... dard toh hoga par shayad mein apne pyaar se usey tootane se bacha sakun... kehte hai na sachcha pyaar paane ke liye imtihaan toh dena padta hai... shayad yahi mere pyaar ki aajmayish hogi..." he smiled seeing her picture on his screen...

Before Pandit said anything his phone buzzed... he showed the screen to Sameer before picking up the call... while talking to the person on other side his expression changed giving a worried look to Sameer...

Disconnecting the call Pandit looked at him expecting his response when Sameer shook his head denying straight before even, he tried to convince him...

Pandit seeing him adamant, knowing he will not agree soon, said, "tujhe Naina ki kasam..." in turn gets deadly glares from Sameer... he gave a winning smile leaving no chance for Sameer to deny any more saying, "ab dekhta hoon kaise nahin maanega meri baat"

Naina coming back to her desk, started her work but today her focus was fully distracted... holding her head she scolds herself, "aur kar subah subah adventure... ek baar baal kya chhu liye subah se kaise ajeeb se dekh rahe hai... chidane ka ek mauka nahin chhodate... aur aaj toh shayari bhi kar rahe the, voh bhi Pandit ke saamne... na jaane aur kitne alag roop nazar aayenge... isase achchha toh jab daantate the tab hi theek tha... kam se kam daant kar chup toh ho jaate the, par ab toh ek baar khinchayi shuru hoti hai toh rukti hi nahin.... aur aaj toh last warning bhi hai ki naam lena hai... aaj koi nahin bacha payega mujhe..." she said feeling pity on herself...

She turned her face towards his cabin door, "kitna man kar raha hai andar jaane ka, unse milne ka, par nahin ja sakti... kya kahungi kyun aayi hun... koi bahana bhi nahin samajh aa raha... kahin mujhe chenpu na samajhne lage... vaise bhi andar gayi toh baat toh karenge nahin mujhse jab tak naam nahin lungi par kaise bataau ki kitna miss kar rahi hun..."

मुझे कुछ भी नहीं कहना इतनी सी गुजारिश है,

बस उतनी बार मिल जाओ जितना याद आते हो।

Shrill sound of phone rings breaks her chain of thoughts... she smiled hearing Preeti who called her at cafeteria for coffee break... to get rid of her thoughts she agreed quickly and left to meet her...

Naina hugged her tightly congratulating again for a new beginning of her life... a new chapter...

They took their coffee and sit on a corner table to talk in private... Preeti excitedly told her all what happen after Naina and Sameer left from the restaurant... what all Pandit has done to make the day memorable for her and lastly their long drive... she laughed crazily telling how much Pandit was trying to hold her hand but got extremely nervous with her fiery looks...

Naina keep listening her excitedly but all last night and morning moments keep flashing in her mind leaving a soft smile on her face... that was the best moments of her life which she always wants to keep secure in her heart...

Suddenly her smile disappeared recalling how Sameer was disturbed missing his love... she is still clueless about the girl to whom he is missing so much... though they now talk frankly with each other, but she has no courage to ask him about the girl... and to some extent she don't want the moment to come in her life when she will face his love... it was better for her to leave him once their contract complete without knowing the identity of that girl who has so much special place in his heart...

Preeti slightly nudged on her elbow, "oye tu kahaan kho jaati hai baar baar... mein tujhe apani love story suna rahi hun aur tu apni hi duniya mein kho jaati hai.... vaise ek baat bata tu kal jaan kar bahaana banakar gayi thi na..."

Naina doesn't want to let her know the actual reason to depress her more... she said making excuse, "aur nahin toh kya... hamare saamne tum donon comfortable nahin ho paate... aur vaise bhi yeh pal bohot precious hote hai... toh humein kyun kabaab mein haddi banana tha..." Preeti laughed loudly hearing her...

Controlling her laughter, she said, "abey oye... mujhe buddhu mat bana... sab pata hai ki kaun kisko disturb nahin karna chahta tha... hamara toh bahana tha par asliyat mein kisi aur ko akele mein time spent karna tha... sach bol, kal ghar jaakar kya kya kiya tumne..."

Naina hit on her forehead, "sab kachra bhara hai tere dimaag mein... aisa kuchh nahin hua jaisa tu soch rahi hai... bas thodi der baatein ki aur so gaye... hum sirf achchhe dost hai aur isase jyaada kuchh nahin..." she said last line with a faint smile looking down...

Preeti keeping her hand on hers asked, "Naina tujhe nahin lagta tumhara relation ek dost se bohot jyaada hai... I mean mujhe lagta hai tujhe apne dil ki baat Sameer ko bata deni chahiye... jab dil mein itna pyaar hai toh phir yeh dosti ke parde mein kyun chhupana"

Naina laughed slowly hiding her pain, "tu kya chahti hai ki mein bolun aur apna majaak banwa lun... zindagi mein pehli baar kisi se pyaar kiya hai aur voh bhi tab jab maloom hai ki meri koi haisiyat nahin aur na hi meri kismat mein yeh pyaar hai... maana galti mere dil ne ki hai pyaar karne ki par mein izhaar karke ab aur sharminda nahin hona chahti..."

Preeti feels bad for her but still keeping hope she said, "par aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki voh bhi tujhse pyaar karte ho... I mean shayad..."

Naina cut her in between said, "tu yeh sab chhod... uss baat ke baare mein sochna kyun jo hona hi nahin kabhi... vaise aaj party toh banti hai na... lunch mein baahar chale... mera bohot man hai..." she diverts her mind to avoid any discussion which will hurt her more...

She herself is extremely confused on her relationship with Sameer and now doesn't want to keep any false hope until Sameer himself confess his feelings... from last few months she had seen so many ups and downs of relation in her life that it was getting difficult for her to have any hopes or dreams... she was ready to face the truth and bear the consequences rather any illusions...

जानते है कि दर्द है इश्क़ में..

फिर भी तुमसे दिल लगाएं बेठे है ।।

तुम भी हमसे प्यार करोगे एक दिन..

न जाने क्यु ..?

ये झूठी उम्मीद लगाए बेठे है ।।

Preeti agreed instantly, "tujhe pata hai na mein tujhe mana nahin karti... pakka... lunch mein baahar chalenge aaj... aur treat meri taraf se..." they both chatted for some time and left for their workstations to complete their work before going out for lunch...

Thanks for all your overwhelming response and comments in last update... I am thankful and really appreciate the way my all readers are connected with the flow...

Hope to get same response in coming parts too... Love you all 💓💖

Next update by Saturday... enjoy & stay safe