Slightly disoriented, Sameer blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings, till realisation dawned that he was in the Raipur haveli.

One of the downstairs bedroom had been allocated to the two grandmothers, and the other one to Mr and Mrs Desai. The four young men and woman, along with Vivek and Vishakha had gone to bed on many mattresses laid out in the big hall on the first floor. Vivek and Vishakha had slept in the middle, with the young woman on one side of Vishakha and the Maheshwari brothers on one side of their father.

He pulled the blanket tighter in response to the morning chill. They had stayed up past midnight, first playing carrom and then cards. Even in that sleepy state, he felt smug recalling that Naina and he had won every game the previous night too. Isse kehte dream team!

Pata nahi meri dream-girl kya dreams dekh rahi hogi... Lifting his head, he peered, in vain, over all the other people sleeping between them to catch a glimpse of her. Further raising himself he confirmed her spot at the end was indeed empty. After a look at his watch established that it was just about six, Sameer decided that she must have slipped out to use the toilet.

But when she did not return over the next five minutes or so, he grew impatient. Sneaking out of the bed, he first checked the upstairs bathroom. Finding it empty, he headed downstairs with a mounting sense of unease.

Noticing the light was switched on in the lounge his heartbeats started calming but his irritation flared.

"Itni subhe-subhe neeche kya kar rahi ho?!" Mindful of the others still sleeping, he demanded in a hushed voice, startling her in the process. Almost jumping out of the sofa, where she had been busy sketching in one of her notebooks, she looked at him in shock "Sameer! Kya ho gaya?!"

"Wahi toh main pooch raha hu... kya ho gaya? Yaha kya kar rahi ho? Pata hai, tumhe uppar missing dekh kar kitna dar gaya tha main...", muttering grumpily, he slumped on the sofa, next to her.

"Darr kyu gaye thay?? Meri aankh kab se khul gayi thi. Raat ko sweater pehenke sona chahiye tha... mera neeche hi reh gaya tha. Thand se neend khul gayi. Phir dimag mein kuch aa gaya aur phir bus neend udd hi gayi. Socha neeche jaake sketch kar leti hu jab tak ideas fresh hai."

He nodded "Mujhe bhi thand lagne lagi thi."

Noticing he still wasn't wearing a sweater, she picked up a shawl left on the back of the chair next to her and put it over him, "Nani ki shawl oadh lo." And added with a smile "It smells just like her!"

Taking a sniff, Sameer chuckled "Chameli wala tel and her trademark face powder!"

Leaning closer, he peaked into her notebook "Kya sketch kar rahi ho??" Tilting it towards him, Naina explained "Kal mandir mein ke pillars pe jo carvings thay... uss mein se do mujhe bohot unusual lage. Photos toh nikale hai maine par uss mein se ek se inspire hoke yeh thoda alag pattern aaya dimag mein. Actually, I need to create a pattern or image to use as a logo on the leather labels for that new line of luggage that I am designing for my assignment. Dekho yeh do kaise lag rahe hai? Does it look too cluttered?"

"Design toh bohot khoobsurat hai, but I agree for a little label it is too intricate. Agar thoda simplify kar sako toh jyada chic lagega. Maybe... yeh bahar ka thoda hatao toh... What do you think??"

After contemplatively pursing her lips, she started refining the design.

Staring at her lovingly, Sameer mused - Itne saalon se isse dekh raha hu... par dil hi nahi bharta!

Some hair had slipped out of the messily tied pony. A maroon cardigan was pulled over the violet shalwar-kameez that she had donned that night. Considering they were away from home, the night-clothes were much nicer than the faded ones that she usually wore at home. He had seen the tiny earning in her ears for decades now. They were very old fashioned and meant for younger girls, but he knew the reason why she had worn them on this trip. They were the last piece of jewellery her parents had bought for her before they died.

His gaze automatically wavered towards the side of the house beyond which lay the haveli that had belonged to Naina's parents. It wasn't in a habitable state now. For the first few years, Vivek had tried to look after it, but after Parvati had passed away, it had felt like the house too had lost its soul.

Recalling his mother's words to the Desai's from the night before, his expression hardened. He was relieved that  she had taken his concerns into consideration and taken a stand.

* * *

The evening before, Vishakha had been in her bedroom when he had called from the doorway "Mummy, kuch baat karni thi aap se."

"Aare, toh andar aao na." Placing something in the bag she had been packing, she enquired "Tumhari packing ho gayi? Vivek ne dus baar bola hai mujhe ke subhe time pe nikalna hai! Jaise Raipur nahi America jaana hai humme... aare bhai pandhra-bees minute idhar udhar ho bhi jaaye toh kya hoga?! Par... chodo... batao tumhe kuch chahiye tha? Koi kapde mil nahi rahe kya?"

He first shook his head "Sab mil gaya aur packing ho gayi hai. Par kuch baat karni thi." After a pause, he asked sounding bothered "Mummy, woh Bhabhi ke parents kyu aa rahe hai humare sath?"

Surprised at his question, Vishakha started explaining "Woh toh bus aaise hi tumhari Dadi kuch gaav ke baare mein bata rahi thi... aur Santosh bhai ne kaha ke kabhi dekhna chahenge... toh Vivek ne kaha kabhi kyu abhi chale. Kya ho gaya? Koi problem hai kya?"

"Mummy, woh Shobhna auntie bohot irritate karti hai mujhe!"

His mother's shoulders slumped "Beta... ab rishtedar hai toh kabhi kabhi milna julna toh hoga na... dekh unki baaton pe dhyan maat diya kar. Sochna thodi... bewakoof type ki aurat hai. Kaha kuch bole kuch samajh nahi aati unnhe. Aur waise bhi hum bade trip pe alag gaadi mein honge... tu unnse zara dur hi rehna, thik hai?"

"Aap samajh nahi rahi ho! Woh bewakoof nahi, batameez hai! Bohot difference hai donon mein. Mummy, sagai ke function mein maine khud unnhe do-teen logon ke baat karte suna. Baar baar sabko bata rahi thi ke bhabhi ka rishta kitne ache family mein ho raha hai-"

"Aare, toh iss mein bura hai?!" Vishakha interjected, completely baffled.

He tsked "Iss mein bura nahi, par phir woh sabse kehti hai ke aap logon ne toh Naina jaisi bechari ladki ko tak ghar diya hai... itne aaram se rakh hai... toh phir bahu ke toh kuch aur hi thaat honge! Aur kitni baar toh yeh baat Naina ke saamne hi keh rahi thi."

His voice rose "Mummy, mujhe samajh nahi aata ke kya jatana chahati hai? Maheshwari family kitni achi hai, ya Naina aap pe dependent hai! Naina ko kitna bura lag raha hoga ki Bhabhi ke maike mein iss tarah usska introduction ho raha hai. Main keh raha hu aap se, sagai mein toh maine khud ko control kar liya, par agar unnhon ne phir yeh baat ki toh main ussi waqt suna dunga! Yaar, humare ghar mein kaun, kyu, kaise rehta hai isse unka kya lena dena? Problem kya hai unhe Naina se?!"

After dwelling on his words for a few moments, Vishakha responded "Tu kuch maat bolna... main handle kar lungi iss baat ko."

* * *

Mummy ne sunaya bhi aur iss diplomacy ke sath ke koi issue bhi create nahi hua. Agar main kuch bol deta toh jarur koi bawal khada ho jata! He realised he had snorted, when Naina turned to him in surprise "Kya hua?!", looking crestfallen, she asked "Yeh changes bhi ache nahi lag rahe hai kya?"

Yaar, yeh ladki haar waqt itni cute kyu lagti hai?! An overwhelming urge to kiss her chubby cheeks swept through him. Fighting his impulse, he instead reached out to pull her cheeks. Pushing his hands away, she hissed "Sameer! Ab bacchi nahi hu main jo aaise gaal keech rahe ho!"

"Believe me, I am completely aware! Ab bilkul bhi bacchi nahi rahi ho.", he rolled his eyes.

Not catching the meaning behind his words, she frowned rubbing her cheeks "Toh tum bhi ab bachon wali harkatein bund kar do!"

"Achaa.... Aur baadon wali kaunsi harkatein shuru kar du??" he smirked back.

Naina gulped nervously, noting the glint in his eyes. Hey Bhagwan... Pata nahi aaj kal isske maan mein kya chal raha hai... baar baar aaise looks deta hai!

She wasn't able to decipher what exactly was running through his head, but knew that if this behaviour continued, yet again, her poor heart was going to be at risk. Kitni mushkilon se uss waqt dil ko samjhaya tha... aur khud ko sambhala tha... Nahi Naina! Tum phir waha nahi jaa sakti!

"Coffee!" she voiced the first plausible idea that popped into her mind. When he scowled, she hastily added "Yaad hai, jab tum chotte thay, aur coffee peene ki zidd karte thay... tab Mumma hamesha kehti thi ke abhi toh dudh hi peena padega, coffee toh baade hoke milegi! Toh ab coffee enjoy karo! In fact, main abhi banati hu... tumhare liye coffee aur meri chai."

Holding her arm, Sameer stopped her "Tum apne design pe kaam karo... coffee aur chai main banata hu." Glancing at the clock, she muttered "Are you sure?? Dadi and Nani bhi uthe ho honge... unnki bhi chai-", he walked away, saying "Dono jyada banata hua... jisse jo chahiye lele."

Nattering in the kitchen, he was sulking on the inside - Subhe subhe romantic mood ban gaya tha... socha acha mauka hai... akele hai! Par kismet hi kharab hai... armaan toh Romeo banne ka hai, par dekho Rammu kaka bann ke reh gaya hu!

After wincing a few times, as the noise of the utensils seemed to amplify in the morning silence, Naina marched to the kitchen "Kitni awaj kar rahe ho?!"

He grumbled "Yaar, pehele chai nahi mil rahi thi.. aur ab sugar nahi mil rahi hai. Thik se nahi rakh sakte tum log saari cheeze?!"

She retorted "Baat toh aaise kar rahe ho jaise hum saalon se yahi rehte hai!", and then exclaimed as he picked up a small container of white powder "Sammy! woh toh namak hai. Ruko main deti hu."

Over the next few minutes, she rummaged through the assortment of supplies brought along by Vishakha and passed with the staples for the beverages. Couple of times, he verified the proportions before adding them. As he waited for the drinks to boil, Sameer started tried to comfort himself - Shayad ab bhi thoda romance ho sakta hai. Romeo-Juliet wala na sahi... Rammu kaka aur Kanta bai wala hi sahi... Movies mein toh hota hai na kitchen romance! Hero-heroine ek dusre ke ankho mein dubbe hue sath-sath khana pakka rahe hai... ek dusre ko kuch khilate hai aur apne caring nature se impress karte hai!

But he wasn't sure, how he could feed her the boiling tea or coffee. Spotting the pack of biscuits, he pulled one out and offered her "Biscuit khaogi??" She started back in disbelief "Chai se pehle mujhe kabhi much khate dekha hai tumne jo pooch rahe ho?! Sameer tumhe mere baare mein itna bhi pata nahi hai?"

Yaar... yaha toh impression aur bhi kharab ho gaya! His shoulders sagged. Chalo... woh ankhon mein dubne ka formula try karta hu...

But while wating for the drinks to be ready, Naina started peeling and cutting some onions, which left them both with teary eyes.

Aaise toh main literally dub jaayunga yaar! Par sundar aakhon ki jagah ansuon mein! Dabbing at his eyes, he rebuked her "Naina! Pyaas kyu kaat rahi ho abhi? Chai mein dalogi kya??!"

"Iss multi-tasking kehete hai. Mumma naashte mein upma banane wali hai toh bus tayari kar rahi hu. Dekho ho bhi gaya! Bus yeh ek katna hai...."

Noticing the beverages were ready, he muttered, "Ho jaaye toh bahar jaake baitho. Main do minute mein humare cups bahar le aata hu."

A minute later, eyes still smarting from the onions, Sameer carefully placed a cup of steaming chai and another of coffee in a tray. Nicely arranging the biscuits in a plate, he put the plate in the tray too.

Since the visit to the temple previous evening, a restlessness was bubbling within him. Standing before their kuldevi, with Naina by his side, he had felt a overwhelming need to come clean in front of her. Somehow it felt like this place where their families had been joined for generations would be an auspicious location. To confess that she had his heart. And demand that it was only fair that she surrender hers in return.

Yaar, ab toh bhaiya ki sagai bhi ho gayi... baat talne ka woh excuse bhi khatam ho gaya... Sameer, ab himmat jod le aur 'I love You' bol de! Haa, in fact, aaisa karta hu... usse abhi bata deta hu. Abhi itne logon ke yaha hote mujhse jhagda bhi nahi karegi... usse kahunga Ahemdabad laute waqt aaram se sochle... aur mujhe ghar pohoch ke answer de de. Question-Answer... yeh toh exam wala feeling aane laga hai! Hey Bhagwan, pass kar do! Waise koi question thode hi poochne wala hu jo answer chahiye... bus dil ke baat batani hai...

The moment he stepped out of the kitchen, head buzzing with these thoughts, Vishakha ascended the stairs.

Eyes sparkling, she uttered "Aare wah! Tumne toh chai aur coffee bana bhi li. Ab toh mujhe ekdum holiday wala feeling aa raha hai!" Studying the contents of the tray, she added uncertainty, "Kahi sirf do cup toh nahi banaye na??"

Dil ke arman ansuon mein beh gaye... though the song wasn't actually playing anywhere, Sameer could clearly hear it!

Knowing, just like him, his mother preferred to start her day with coffee, he handed her the tray with a fake smile "Ekdum perfect time pe aayi hai aap. Coffee peejiye... aur biscuits khayie! Main apne liye coffee ka dusra cup le aata hu. Naina lounge mein baithi hai."

As the trio sipped on their beverages over some general chit-chat, Sameer internally mourned this lost opportunity for a bit and then remined himself - Munna ne thik hi kaha tha... kaunsi woh kahi bhagi jaa rahi hai... aaj, kal ya parso... kya farak padta hai...

Few minutes later, studying her latest sketch, he abruptly announced "Naina, mujhe lagta hai assignment ke liye kuch aur banna lo. Yeh maat use karna." When she exclaimed "Abhi toh keh rahe thay ke acha bana hai! Use kyu na karu??", he explained "Actually bohot acha hai... mera suggestion hai, isse tab use karna jab tum apna khud ka koi line launch karo. It's unique and personal to you. Sort of like a bond to your roots, right? Assignment ke liye submit karogi toh it will be out there for anyone to use as they want. You should hold on to it for the right time."

"Mera line??" Her eyes widened at the notion. He shrugged "Of course. Kuch saal kissi ke sath kaam karke experience lene ke baad you should launch your own brand. Use the time to polish your ideas and skills. Design toh tumhara already bohot strong hai!"

Looking unconvinced, she muttered "Sameer, design toh thik hai... par production, distribution, finance... yeh sab-" he interjected "Aare, sab kuch tum khud kyu karogi? Main hu na. Mera MBA kiss kaam ka agar tumhe itni bhi help na kar saku?! Aur production ke liye tumhare already Dhalgarwad market mein kitne saare contacts hai."

Vishakha too beamed "Thik hi toh keh raha hai. Abhi tum kahi se woh purses bhi toh banwane wali hu na Rohan ke shaadi ke gifts ke liye!"

Seeing Naina till seemed unsure, Sameer tried to reassure her "Abhi se itna maat socho, dheere dheere figure out kar hi logi. Bus yeh logo khud ke liye rakh lo."

Their conversation on the topic soon ended as the rest of the household started emerging. Beverages were reheated; and cups along with more plates of biscuits were passed around.

The revelations of the previous evening had clearly left their impact, for Shobhna was suddenly very amicable in her interactions with Naina. Skimming through Naina's sketchbook she lavishly praised her artistic ability. And even made some small talk about her college and future aspirations.

If Naina was surprised at this initiative, she did not dwell on it much. After quickly gobbling breakfast, she slipped away to bathe.

* * *

About an hour later, ready for the day, Savitri stepped in the lounge. Glancing at the three out of four young people huddled in some conversation in the porch, she enquired "Naina dikhayi nahi de rahi... uppar hai kya?"

"Nahi... bajju mein gayi hai... uss ghar." Vishakha shared and then reminded her mother to take her morning medication.

Frowning a little, Nirmala muttered "Kaffi der ho gayi usse waha gaye...", then called out loudly "Sameer! Jaa beta dekh zara Laado ko." Before Sameer could respond, Vivek rose from the sofa "Tum ruko, main jaata hu. Mujhe usse kuch baat bhi karni hai."

* * *

After sitting in the porch for close to twenty minutes, as she blankly gazed around, Naina finally forced herself to unlock the chunky iron lock on the front door. For a moment, she intently started at the lock, questioning its purpose. What exactly was it supposed to guard here? For it certainly hadn't been able to protect what had been truly precious in that home.

Though she had collected the keys from Jagdish the previous day, she had not ventured here then. While returning from their walk, Payal and Shobhna had made some inquisitive queries, even expressed some keenness to see the old house, but Naina had made some excuse. Not because the place was her personal sanctuary, but rather cause it felt increasing alien, with her every visit.

Stepping inside, she took in the dust that had gathered on all surfaces despite the windows being firmly closed. Though Kashi had got it cleaned couple of month during Diwali, like always, the layer of dust was fairly dense. For almost a minute she stood still, unsure what to do next. After all, what should one do while visiting an empty house? There was no one to greet or smile at. No one eagerly waiting to hurl a barrage of questions at her way. Just an empty house. Or was it a mausoleum? For all it housed was the four large photo frames, hung on the wall of the lounge, of it's long departed habitants.

Stepping closer to the photos, she automatically folded her hands, as Mumma had drilled into her during all the childhood trips. But even as she stood there, she felt like a traitor. She was convinced that the stench of betrayal must be oozing from each pore. Not only was she guilty of escaping unscathed in the accident that both her parents had perished in, but she had gone on to flourish in a new garden.

Sorry Maa-Baba... her heart begged forgiveness.

Agreed, everyone had told her thousands of times how happy her parents must be to see their little girl living a happy and full life. Yet, she was convinced that there must a part of them that must begrudge her ability to completely move on.

Is that why their memories have forsaken me?

Haplessly, she drifted from one room to another, desperately clawing at her memory bank, trying to dig up at least some recollections of the first years of her life spent in that home.

It wasn't that she came up with absolutely nothing.

A window in a bedroom evoked a vague memory of her dangling from its bars, while someone hollered at her to climb down.

There was a cupboard in the passage opposite the kitchen that brought back the image of a three year old getting accidently stuck in, and screaming her lungs out.

The third broken step of the stairs leading to the backyard.

But none of her parents.

Peeping into the kitchen, she wondered how the memories of her mother sweating there had evaporated? Maa must have spent hours preparing little treats for me here... and I cannot remember even a minute of it...

Glancing towards her parents bedroom, she thought - Baba must have played peek-a-boo with me there... or even hide-and-seek.

A lump formed at the back of her throat and unconsciously her fingers tugged on one of her earrings.

How was it that the very few memories that she could conjure were only of the inanimate objects from around the house? She wasn't sure if this was everyone's experience, but she just couldn't remember the faces of the people who should have been part of those memories. She had read trauma affected everyone differently, but in a lot of young children the past just got locked away somewhere, often not found for decades. Glancing at the key that she was still clutching, she wondered if she would be able to find a key to the past too someday.

As the air inside grew rather stifling, Naina opened one of the windows overlooking the backyard.

The existence of her mother, father and grandfather had all been just reduced to some photos in albums. Parvati dadi was the only family she actually recalled as a real person, and not someone she had heard of through stories recited by the Maheshwari elders.

Unfortunately, the only memory she had of Parvati dadi in this house was an old women wailing as people around tried to restrain her. It must have been the day of Maa-Baba's passing... Did I cry a lot too? Or did I not comprehend what had truly happened?

She lost track of time as she stood at the window, vacantly staring at the guava and mango trees in the yard, till Vivek tapped on her shoulder.

Her despair must have been very evident, for wordlessly hugging her, he softly kissed the top of her head. And though, even that felt like a betrayal too, she still leaned against his chest for a few moments, keeping a tight lid on all the feelings simmering within.

When drawing away she looked around nervously, Vivek finally found his voice. But instead of any emotional address, he said "Maa keh rahi thi iss saal garmiyon mein tumhare aur Sameer ke exams khatam ho jaye toh sab log thoda lamba rehne aayenge. Vikas aur family ko bhi bulange toh thodi chehal pehal ho jayegi. Soch raha hu, Rohan ki shaadi se pehele iss ghar ki bhi thodi marammat karwa lete hai. Kya khayal hai?" She shrugged "Jaisa aap thik samjhe Kaka-baba."

Patting her head, he suggested "Beta, main chahata hu tumhare pasand ke hisab se yaha ka thoda renovation karwaye. Bohot saal ho gaye... bikul ujaad sa lagta hai yeh ghar.. its high time we get it fixed."

When she half-heartedly nodded, he went on "Naina, ab tum bhi badi ho gayi ho. Dheere dheere kheton ko bhi thoda dekhna shuru kar dena, thik hai?" Seeing her gulp nervously, he quickly added "Jyada kuch nahi... par saal mein do-teen chakar laga diya karo. Waise toh Jaggu labourers se sab karwata hi hai, phir bhi tumhe bhi sab pata hona chahiye."

When she started to argue "Aap hamesha sare accounts dikhate toh hai mujhe... aur kya-", he shook his head "Naina, jaha tak main samajhta hu... tum apne chosen field mein hi career banana chahogi. Par phir bhi, main chahata hu, mere hotay, tum do-teen saal sab kuch samjho aur sambhalo. Aur phir decide karo ke tumhe aage kya karna hai. Zameen rakhani hai, ya sell karni hai. Beta, yeh decisions jaldi mein nahi karne chahiye, samjhi?"

In that already disturbed frame of mind, his advice for independence sounded like a decree for banishment.

"Toh aap chahate hai ke main aage jab bhi aayu iss ghar mein rahu... Kaka-baba, main uss ghar mein kyu nahi reh sakti??", her voice wobbled.

He tsked "Aare, mere kehne ka woh matlab nahi hai... yeh ghar toh bus aaise hi thik karwana hai taaki jyada log ek sath aaye toh easily reh sakte hai." Smiling slightly, he added "Parivar badh raha hai na ab humara!"

"Papa, woh driver aap se kuch baat karna chahata hai... jo abhi naya plan bana hai." Sameer called from the front of the house.

When Naina's brow creased in confusion "Naya plan??", Vivek addressed Sameer "Main jaake usse baat kata hu... tum isse plan change ka bhi bata do aur phir donon ghar thik se lock karke udhar aa jao.

Walking in her direction, Sameer shared "Woh kal raat Dadi jiss Shivji ke mandir ki baat kar rahi thi na waha jaane ka plan hua hai. Lunch wahi kahi karenge. Yaha cooking ka plan cancel ho gaya hai."

As he explained how everyone was intrigued to see the picnic spot that had been developed in that area, along with offering prayers at the temple which was famous for the lord's benevolence, he noticed that the notion of a picnic did not bring the anticipated spark to her eyes.

He words registered with her, but only barely. Naina was still trying to decode if Vivek had been trying to imply something.

Perhaps it was the place and the melancholy mood that she had already been in but her head started spinning a dark web.

Mere hotay, tum do-teen saal sab kuch samjho aur sambhalo. Just the idea of not having her Kaka-baba's calm, dependable presence in her life, left her hands shaking. And why was he talking about all this now? Did he want to ensure that Rohan and Sameer would not have to bear her responsibilities?

"Tum thik ho??" Sameer reached out to grip her trembling fingers.

Parivar badh raha hai. Did it mean that to make place for the new members that would gradually add to the family, she should start thinking about how to slowly phase out of the only home she had known?

The fears that had already been playing on her mind about how her equation would Sameer would have to change once some woman entered his life, resurfaced with a vengeance. It seemed, not only would she have to put some deliberate distance between them but the whole family too.

At times, our head can be our worst enemy, when poised to self-sabotage. Which is exactly what Naina was experiencing in that moment.

The turmoil already simmering within, boiled over. Despite her attempt to hold it all in, tears started spilling.

He instantly wrapped his arms around her. Looking around, he rightly guessed part of the reason for her current state. Earlier, when she was heading over, he had offered to accompany her. But when she had seemed reluctant, he had stayed back with Rohan and Payal, deciding that she probably wanted to spend some time by herself in this house.

After waiting in vain for her sobs to subside for about a minute, tilting her chin up, he asked worriedly "Itni kyu upset ho? Hum sab hai na yaha." But his words of assurance, felt hollow in that moment. Burrowing her face back into his chest, she continued dampening his shirt.

This level of distress in her was unexpected and unusual. Hugging her tighter, his mind flicked through all the possible causes, but he couldn't determine what could have triggered her so badly.

Once again, he tried sussing out the reason "Nainu, please batao kya hua? Kissi ne kuch kaha kya?"

Recalling he had seen Shobhna seated next to Naina earlier that morning, when he had returned to the lounge after bathing, his back grew rigid, "Shobhna auntie ke kuch kaha hai toh batao mujhe! To hell with diplomacy! Abhi unhe aaisi language mein samjha dunga ke phir se tumhe kuch bolna toh dur... tumhari taraf dekhne se pehele bhi dus baar sochengi!"

First she shook her head "Unhone kuch nahi kaha Sammy...", then after a dwelling on something for a bit, still sniffling, she looked up at him with red rimmed eyes, "Par agar kal ko tumhari saas mujhe kuch sunaye ya taane maare... tab bhi tum mere liye aaise hi khade ho jaoge kya??"

"Meri saas... woh kaha se aagayi??" he was flabbergasted at her question. Lip quivering, she replied "Aayi nahi hai, par kissi din aayengi toh na... jab... jab tumhari shaadi hogi."

His gaze briefly swung in the direction of Rama's photo on the wall, before using one of his thumbs to gently brush away the tears on her cheeks. "Trust me, meri saas kabhi tumhe koi taana nahi maaregi."

"Itne confidently kaise keh sakte ho tum? Aur agar tumhari biwi ko main pasand nahi aayi toh? Agar ussne tumhe mujhse dur rehne ko kaha toh??" her face scrunched, thinking of all the things that could go wrong.

Despite her troubled state, a small flickered on his lips, "Aaise biwi ko toh main immediately bhaga dunga!"

"Sameer! This is not a joke. Sab kuch badal raha hai... kal ko tum bhi badal jaoge..."

He fleetingly considered confessing his love, but it neither felt like the right place nor time. Instead, tenderly kissing her forehead, he whispered "Naina, I promise you, jo bhi badlav aaye... humare beech na koi duri aayegi, na koi aur."

Desperately waiting to believe his words, she tightly hugged him back.

* * *

(Hi everyone,

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, mostly focussed on Samiana. Do share your thoughts.

Lots of love, May)