Parking the bike haphazardly outside the gate, Sameer stormed indoors. All the way back, from the jeweller, he had been in a foul mode.

Naina wasn't sure what exactly had triggered it. Even her sweet cajoling 'Sammy, kya hua hai?? Please batao toh...', which usually worked, hadn't got him talking.

Though he hadn't been in a mood to talk, he had still taken the long route getting home, briefly stopping once.

Rohan was sitting with the elders in the lounge, seemingly discussing the rings purchased. Smiling, he enquired "Aare tum donon ko itni der kyu lag gayi?? Kaha chale gaye thay?" But instead of responding to him, Sameer dumped a polyethene bag on the coffee table "Dadi, aap ki medicines.", and headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Isse kya ho gaya??" Rohan raised his brows at Naina, who responded sounding annoyed "Pure raste pooch rahi thi kya hua... par jaise maun vart rakh liya hai! Bin mausam garajne aur barasne ki toh aadat hai usse..."

Having caught her last remark, as he entered the lounge, Sameer glared at her for a bit before addressing his brother "Please Bhabhi se kahiye ke aap ki honewali saas ko samjha de ke apni beti ki shaadi pe hi concentrate kare! Aaisa lagta hai 'Naina ki shaadi' unki nayi favourite hobby ban gayi hai! Pata nahi kaun Sanjay Tibrewal hai, aur usme mein aaise kya heere jade hai jo baar-baar uska nomination aage badha rahi hai?!"

Looking bewildered, as he had not been part of the last 'Naina ki shaadi' monologue, Rohan muttered "Sorry... main kuch samjha nahi..."

Vishakha sighed "Aare kuch nahi... woh dukkan mein Shobhna ben phir se unke kissi pehenchan wale ke ladke ke rishtay ki baat kar rahi thi... Naina ke liye."

Sameer was outraged "Kya matlab kuch nahi?! Hoti kaun hai woh iss baare mein kuch bhi kehne wali?! Jab Papa ne kal unhe clearly bata diya ke aap log iss baare mein soch nahi rahe hai toh samajh nahi aati unhe? Rohan bhaiya ki honewali saas hai isska matlab yeh nahi ke iss ghar ke faislon se unka koi lena dena hai!"

Noting how uncomfortable Rohan looked on account of Payal's family, Naina spoke, sounding exasperated, "Sameer, Rohan bhaiya pe kyu naraaz ho rahe ho?! It's a fact... as per society, ho gayi hai meri shaadi ki umar. Sirf Shobhna auntie nahi, baaki bhi bohot log aaisi baatein karte hai... aur karenge! Uss din Richa ki shaadi mein Mumma ko Shikha auntie ne aur Richa ki ek neighbour ne mere saamne hi poocha tha. Aur bhi log shayad poochte honge... toh Shobhna auntie ki baat pe itna kyu react kar rahe ho?"

Eerily silent, he pondered on her words for about thirty seconds before asking "Forget society, what about you? Tumhe bhi jaldi ho rahi hai shaadi ki? Kya tumhe lagta hai ke tum shaadi shuda life ke liye ready ho??"

Faced with this unexpected line of questioning, Naina fumbled "Mera... woh matlab nahi tha... mujhe koi jaldi nahi hai. Main toh sirf keh rahi thi ke log toh aaisi baate kahenge... just ignore what Shobhna auntie is saying..."

Vivek strongly agreed "Naina thik keh rahi hai! Humme koi jaldi nahi hai iska yeh matlab nahi ke proposals nahi aayenge, ya suggest nahi kiye jaayenge... we just don't have to think about them."

Not happy with Naina and his father's response, shaking his head Sameer started upstairs. But Rohan cleared his throat "Sameer, ruko... mujhe sab se, ek sath kuch baat karni hai." Seeing his brother standing impassively by the stairs, he added "Please baith jao... woh wali baat..."

Drawing in a deep breath Sameer returned to the lounge and occupied one of the armchairs. Though he was annoyed at Rohan for not promising to address Shobhna's irritating meddling, there was no question of not supporting him when needed.

Nervously bouncing one of his legs, Rohan started "Papa, mere aur Payal ke bohot lamba discussions hue hai iss topic pe... Aur hum ne kuch decide kiya hai. Matlab aap se discuss karna chahate hai... Shaadi ko leke."

"Shaadi ke liye toh hum sab raazi hai... sagai ho rahi hai... Sameer aur Naina ke exams mid-May tak khatam ho jayenge... issiliye 28th May ki date final ki hai. Date change karni hai kya??" Vivek was confused what his son was trying to get to.

Nirmala shook her head "Tarikh toh nahi badal sakte! Tum donon ki kundali dekhke panditji ne muhurat diya hai." Deciding this request must have originated from the girl's family, she instructed "Payal ko samjha do humare parivar mein inn baaton ka kya mahatwa hai. Shaadi jaisi badi baat ko leke koi samjhota nahi hoga!"

"Nahi Dadi, 28th May ki date toh change nahi karni hai. Asli shaadi toh ussi din hogi... muhurat ke aanusar. Par hum chahate hai... ke court mein abhi register kar de." Rohan rushed on seeing the frowning faces of his elders, "Sirf legal document banana ke liye. Takki Payal ke visa ka application jaldi submit ho jaye, aur June mein asli shaadi ke baad woh mere sath hi US jaa sake."

"Do do shaadiya?? Agar May wali hi asli hogi toh phir courat wali kya hogi??" Nirmala couldn't make any sense of her grandson's words.

"Aare Maa... Rohan keh raha hai abhi shaadi register karenge. Matlab register office se ek certificate lenge... visa office mein dene ke liye." Vivek tried to explain.

Still not able to comprehend the concept of this registered marriage, Nirmala asked "Aare phere kab honge?? Shaadi toh tabhi hogi na jab mantra-phere honge. Sirf kissi kagaj ke tudke pe kuch likhne se shaadiya thodehi hoti hai!"

For some time Rohan tried to explain to her why this step was required and what it would mean.

Finally, Nirmala announced "Chahe jitne certifikat lelo... yaad rakhna humare liye shaadi tabhi hogi jab phere honge!" Having said her piece, she stood up to head to her room for some rest before dinner.

Once Nirmala had retired to her room, Vivek wondered aloud "Par teen hafton mein register bhi kaise kar sakte hai?? Jaha tak mujhe pata hai... kuch notice period bhi toh hota hai."

Rohan nodded "Ji Papa... actually woh Payal ne already organise kar diya hai." Noting his parents astonishment, he continued sounding apologetic "Matlab just to be prepared... in case, hum sab agar decide karte hai ke yeh thik hoga..."

Not pleased at this discovery, Vivek gruffly uttered "Sirf uske gharwalon ko hi involve kiya tumne application process mein? Humme bhi bata sakte thay. Ya ab sirf wahi tumhare sage ho gaye hai?"

Seeing his mother pale at his father's accusation, Rohan rushed to assure his parents, "Papa, aaise baat nahi hai! Maine Sameer se baat ki thi. Woh gaya tha mere documents leke Payal ke sath vakil ke pass. Maine socha actual baat aap donon aur Dadi se aamne-saamne baith ke ho toh thik hoga. Matlab... notice di hai... iska matlab yeh thodehi hai ke hum pakka register karenge. Aap se bina baat kiye yeh decision nahi le sakta main."

Vishakha asked Sameer in surprise "Toh tujhe pehele se pata tha?!"

He nodded "Ji... main gaya that lawyer ke pass bhaiya ke sab documents leke. Form fill kiya humne. Ek mahine ka minimum notice dena padata hai. Bhaiya ne bataya tha ke woh aane ke baad baat karenge." A small pause later, he continued playing his brother's advocate "Mummy, bohot log aaisa karte hai aaj kal. Bhabhi ke liye travel karna easy ho jayega. Its just a legal step... humme kissise kuch share karna jaruri nahi hai. Bahar walon ke liye inn ki shaadi May mein hi hogi."

Nodding vaguely, she turned to Naina, "Tujhe bhi pata tha?" But Naina shook her head "Nahi... mujhe toh kal raat hi pata chala..."

Vivek sighed "Thik hai jaisa tujhe aur Payal ko thik lagta hai. Waise bhi yeh US ka visa aane main mahine lag jaate hai. Payal tere sath hi jaa sake toh acha hai."

"Thode din humare sath bhi reh leti toh acha hota... thoda sab ke sath khul-mil jaati..." Vishakha mumbled to no one in particular. As something clicked, she added "O... to issiliye Shobhna ben keh rahi thi Naina ki shaadi May mein hi ho jaati toh tum donon ko wapas nahi aana padega. Payal ne pehele hi bataya hoga unhe."

Hot blood gushed through his veins as Sameer blurted, "Ha toh, kardo isski bhi bidai May mein..."

But Naina broke into cold sweat wondering why he was suddenly changing his tune. Just a while back, when he had expressed his ire at Shobhna's interfering, Naina's heart had started revelling in the thought that he was dead set against getting her married off. But now, even before she had a chance to properly analyse his aversion to that idea... and what it could possibly mean... he was already completely changing his stance.

Before anyone else could react, she protested with a stricken expression "Pagal ho gaye ho kya?! Meri bidai kaha se aa gayi?? Thodi der pehele toh itna gussa ho rahe thay! Jaisa Kaka-baba ne kaha hai... abhi nahi sochenge meri shaadi ka. In fact, mujhe nahi karni koi shaadi-vaadi!"

"Nahi ho rahi hain kissi aur ki shaadi! Ek waqt ek hi shaadi handle kar sakta hu main!" Already preoccupied with Rohan's plans for the registered marriage, Vivek snapped and then took off upstairs to his bedroom. Others too retired to the privacy of theirs to mull on things that had unsettled them.

* * *

The following three days were filled with even more preparations. Sameer and Naina would spend the day busy with their courses. Evenings were either spent helping Rohan shop for the upcoming occasion, or entertaining family friends who would drop by to meet the NRI visitor.

On New Years eve, Rohan's bestie Monty had organised a get together at his place and invited Rohan and Payal there. Sameer had headed out with Mumma-Pandit and few other friends as had become his ritual over the past few years. Naina had watched TV with Vishakha till midnight, as Nirmala and Vivek had both retired to bed about eleven.

Vishakha had waited downstairs till both her sons returned home.

Sameer had arrived home first, about thirty past midnight. After the excited greetings of 'Happy New Year!!', had been exchanged, he had interrogated Naina, "Baara baaje phone kyu engaged tha? Kitni baar try kiya maine!" When she had smiled "Swati ka phone aaya tha wish karne le liye.", he had scowled "Aapne gharwalon ko chod ke tumse kyu baate kar rahi thi?" She had retorted "Tum bhi toh apne gharwalon ko chod ke friends ke sath celebrate karne gaye thay!" Colouring a little, ha had mumbled "Har saal jata hu... toh suddenly iss saal kaise na jaata? Ajeeb lagta na..." She shrugged "Par humne toh kaha nahi ke mat jao... aur Rohan bhaiya ghar pe hotay toh alag baat hoti... aur jab tum donon apne friends ke sath enjoy kar rahe thay toh Swati aur main baat kyu na kare??"

Realising there was no easy way to explain his complaint, he decided to leave the topic and held up a bag "Tum donon ke favourite Chocolate aur Strawberry ice creams!"

Eyes twinkling, Naina had asked "Abhi khayenge?!" Sameer had beamed "Of course!" Glancing at the clock, Vishakha had muttered "Main kal khayungi... ab bus Rohan aaye toh sone jayungi... tum log enjoy karo."

Rohan had arrived few minutes later, when Naina had been cutting slices of the chocolate ice cream for herself and Sameer. Another bowl had been added for him too. Leaving the kids to enjoy the treats which tasted even better when relished in the middle of a cold night, Vishakha had headed to bed. Along with the ice cream the memories of many New Years eves celebrated together were savoured as well.

* * *

The family Panditji was consulted, yet again, to suggest a relatively auspicious day for the registered marriage. The date was set for four days before Rohan was due to return to Dallas.

Though it was meant to be just a formality, it still had to be accorded some relevance. Which meant more shopping for Vishakha! But every time she bought something or talked about the event, Dadi reiterated "Koi kuch bhi kahe... mantra-phere hone ke baad hi Payal iss ghar ki bahu hogi!" and then follow it with a long monologue about the evils of forgetting ones culture and values.

Opportunity to meet Shobhna did not arise till the evening of the engagement and hence no further references were made to Naina's wedding. Or Sanjay Tibrewal. And yet, every now and then Sameer would experience some dark thoughts about the guy. All this while, the said guy, completely oblivious of the havoc he had wrecked in Sameer's love life, or rather the plans for one, was calmly going about his life in Baroda!

As for Naina, a strange ambiguous fear of some impending loss had settled in a corner of her heart.

Every time she watched Rohan's growing attachment to Payal - observing him consulting Payal to decide the colour of his kurta for the engagement, or sometimes impatiently shooing her and Sameer out of the lounge because it was time for his nightly chat with Payal - it would leave her unsettled.

She was, of course, extremely happy for Rohan. What troubled her was the thought of how her equation with Sameer would have to change whenever some woman entered his life. The notion that one day someone else would become the centre of his world, while she was relegated to becoming just another face in the background shook her to the core.

Though she had many strengths, Naina had always struggled with change, especially when it was related to people in her close circle. Be it Sameer's Dadaji's passing, a close school friend having to relocate to another town because of her father's transfer, Rohan's move to Mumbai post his graduation, or even Sameer going away to attend month long cricket camps during summer holidays. At times just the idea of not being able to see her loved ones for extended periods would trigger her separation anxiety.

Couple of months after Parvati dadi had passed away, Vishakha was visiting her maika, when some nosy neighbour had enquired in front of Naina "Aare Vishakha, sunna isski dadi guzar gayi... toh ab yeh uss Canada wale bua ke pass rehne jayegi kya??"

When Vishakha had instantly rejected the idea, "Nahi nahi! Naina kahi nahi jayegi!" the women had appeared perplexed, "Acha... humme toh laga ab woh le jayegi isse... maa ki toh koi zimmedari nahi uthayi... par ab eklauti bhanji ki toh uthani chahiye na..."

Vishakha had muttered "Humare hote kissi aur ko isski chinta karne ki kya jarurat... waise bhi waha itni thand hai... Naina toh thodi si thand bhi seh nahi paati..."

When the woman had started "Aare ha par-" Vishakha's mother, Savitri, cut in "Naina ke ghar aane se toh Vishakha ka beti ka armaan pura hua hai! Aaise kaise usse saat samander paar bhejegi." To thwart any addtitional unnecessary queries from the neighbour, Savitri Nani had continued "Aare suna tumhare bete ne phir naukri chod di... zara samjhao usse ab toh baal-bachon wala ho gaya hai." Suddenly recalling something, the neighbour had left.

But that night Naina had come down with a fever. For the next two days she had not allowed Vishakha to leave her side, and repeatedly extracted promises from her Mumma that she would never send her away.

Considering she had lost her parents and been forced to leave her childhood home, in quick succession, at a tender age, her struggles with change were natural.

Even forgotten traumas burrow deep under ones skin and make it itch and burn when times get prickly.

Out of the few things that she had learnt to draw strength from, whenever she started feeling a little adrift, her relationships with Sameer and Vishakha were probably the most significant ones.

As she dwelt on what a future might look like where Sameer was enamoured with some other girl, it brought back memories from when she had been about ten years and he thirteen. Of a time, when she had been tortured by a similar fear.

* * *

It had been an evening in July and the skies had suddenly darkened. Anticipating the showers to soon follow, Vishakha had asked Naina to fetch some clothes drying on the terrace.

She had been about to step into the terrace but paused in the doorway realising that Sameer and two of his neighbourhood friend - Sohan and Raja - were there, chatting as they played cards. The boys coming over was a frequent enough occurrence, but it was the hushed and yet thrilled tone of their conversation that had stopped her in the track. Convinced that she was about to learn some juicy gossip or secret, which would come handy in getting Sameer to share his kulfi later that night, Naina had hide behind the door for a few minutes.

Sohan had been talking about his elder cousin brother, "Anoop bhaiya ne promise kiya hai ke agar main gharwalo ko na batau toh mujhe nayi cork ball leke denge!"

"Par friend ke sath park mein baithe thay issme chupane wali kya baat hai??" Sameer wondered aloud.

Raja mumbled "Ladki hai iss liye kya?? Humare ghar mein bhi didi ko ladko se freindship karna allowed nahi hai. Mujhe toh abhi aaisa kuch bola nahi hai... class aur colony mein ki ladkiyon se baat kar sakta hu..."

Sohan rolled his eyes "Tum donon stupid ho! Aare woh Bindu didi Anoop bhaiya ki special friend hai, samjhe? Jaisi sirf baade ladko ki hoti hai."

"Special friend matlab? Best friend??" Raja asked, clearly clueless.

Feeling rather self-important, and extra grown-up amongst their group, Sohan tsked "Nahi re... best friends toh sath khelte hai... jaise hum khelte hai. Special friends toh... kuch special karte hai. "

"Kya special karte hai??" Raja was intrigued.

Sohan shared his rudimentary understanding "Greeting card dete hai... hath pakadte hai. Bike pe ride ke liye bhi jaate hai."

Sameer interjected "Kuch bhi guppay mat maar! Iss mein baade ya chotay ki kya baat hai?! Meri bhi special friend hai. Hum bhi ek dusre ko birthday pe card dete hai... aur kabhi kabhi hath bhi pakadte hai. Abhi mujhe bike chalana nahi aata par maine usse cycle pe kitni baar double cycle bithaya hai!"

Looking thoroughly impressed, Raja exclaimed "Such mein?! Kaun hai teri special friend??"

When Sameer shrugged, "Naina, aur kaun?" Sohan quickly dismissed the idea "Usski baat alag hai re... aare main bol raha hu na ke baade hone pe alag special friend banti hai."

Voice laced with even more excitement, Sohan added "Mainne chupke Anoop bhaiya ki baatein sunni hai... jab woh Bindu didi se phone pe baat kar rahe thay. Keh rahe thay unhe kiss chahiye... special wala... jo lips pe hota hai. Issiliye main unke peeche park mein gaya tha."

As Raja and Sameer eyes almost popped hearing about the kiss, Sohan winked at Sameer "Kuch saal mein jab hum sab ki special friend hogi... tab tu bhi bolega ke tujhe bhi Naina se jyada special wali friend chahiye! Jiske sath tera bhi first special kiss hoga!"

"Toh park mein kya dekha tune? Anoop bhaiya kiss kar rahe thay kya??" Raja was now equally invested in Anoop's adventures with his special friend.

Sohal sheepishly admitted "Actually kuch dikha nahi... par mainne Anoop bhaiya se jhoot mut keh diya ke maine sab dekh liya... bechare ekdum darr gaye aue bole jo chahiye mang le! Aaj subhe five-star chocolate diya aur kal nayi ball denge mujhe."

Irked at the thought of someone else becoming Sameer's special friend, Naina loudly called from the terrace door "Mumma ne kaha hai inn sab ko ghar jaane ko kaho aur padhne baitho! Aur ha saare kapade bhi neeche le aana!"

After stewing on the conversation for all of the next day, she marched into Sameer's room after dinner. Eyes blazing, she warned him "Sammy, agar tumne mere alava kissi bhi aur ladki ko special friend banaya toh main tumse kabhi baat nahi karungi! Aur uss ladki ka toh woh haal karungi na..."

After staring at her uncomprehendingly for few moments, Sameer's eyes widened realising she had overhead the conversation the evening before.

In response to his "Toh chup-chup ke baatein soon rahi thi tu humhari?!", she scowled "Woh toh Mumma ne bheja tha kapade lane. Mujhe koi interest nahi tumhare unn stupid friends ki baatien sunne mein!"

Recalling she had claimed otherwise, he raised a brow "Kal toh keh rahi thi Mummy ne mujhe padhne ko kehene ke liye bheja tha."

Realising her little lie had been caught, she coloured a little. But placing her hands on her waist she thrust out her chin "Padhayi karne ki jarurat hai hi! Warna uss bewakuf Sohan ke sath rehke tum bhi bewakuf ban jaoge."

"Sohan bewakuf nahi hai. Usse-" Sameer started defending his friend, but she bulldozed with her argument "Bewakuf toh hai hi! Warna usse pata hota ki kissi ke lips pe kiss karna kitna unhygienic hota hai. Last term hi humari science teacher ne seekhaya how airborne diseases spread..." She went on to share what she had memorized "Germs travel through tiny particles of spit from one person to another when they sneeze and cough. Agar itne dur se bhi spread hote hai toh socho lips pe kiss karne se kitne honge!"

Not able to refute her argument, Sameer muttered "Woh toh thik hai... par baade karte hai." Putting on an air of superiority, he added "Dekho tum abhi bohot chotti ho... tumhe nahi samjhega."

Piqued at the increasing number of times he used that line on her these days, as if being younger made her some silly baby, Naina retorted "Ruko main abhi jaake Dadi ko batati hu ke tum kissi aur ladki ko special friend banana wale ho aur phir usse lips pe kiss bhi karoge!"

Gripping her arm as she started heading to the door, Sameer tried to placate her "Pagal ho gayi ho kya?! Main kyu kissi aur ladki ko special friend banayunga. Dekho, mujhe koi interest nahi hai kissi ko kiss karne mein. Samjhi? Waise bhi itna kya special hoga uss mein... bus do logon ke lips takrate honge... usse kya hota hoga bhala?? Mujhe nahi karna waisa kuch..."

Naina had been carefully observing him as he spoke and did not miss the slight blush that had crept his cheeks as he tried to convince her that he wasn't intrigued by the this stupid idea of a kiss on the lips. And she knew how relentless he was once something caught his fancy. There was no way she was going to risk him making another special friend. Dadi always insisted that Sameer had to listen to her and pamper her as she was his special friend. But what if he went ahead and found himself another special friend?? All because of that idiot Sohan!

Sighing in resignation, she first instructed "Yaha bed pe baitho." Once he was seated, she grabbed a handkerchief from the fresh pile of laundry on his bed. Unfurling it, she held it in front of his mouth and ordered "Aaise hi baithe raho, bilkul hilna mat!"

Not sure what she was up to, he muttered "Kya kar rahi ho??"

She immediately huffed "Muh band rakho Sammy... warna aur germs travel karenge." Ensuring his mouth was closed and lips were completely covered, she quickly pressed her lips to his over the handkerchief.

Such was his astonishment, that Sameer was convinced his eyes must have grown at least as big as saucers! There she stood, squinting her eyes, trying to ensure that the handkerchief partition was firmly in place and her lips stayed on his.

After counting to ten in her head, she stepped back "Lo ho gaya tumhara first special kiss. Ab koi jarurat nahi hai kissi aur ke sath special friendship karne ki, samjhe?"

As Sameer sat shellshocked into silence, she pondered on the experience for a few minutes and stated "Mujhe toh lagta hai jaise humare bade humare cheeks pe kiss karte hai na, wahi jyada acha lagta hai..."

Leaning forward, yet again, she kissed his cheek and then smiled in approval "Haa, yahi acha hai!"

Happy that the fear of him wanting to ever special-befriend another girl had been laid to rest, wishing him a goodnight, she breezed out of his room, while Sameer struggled to understand what exactly had just happened.

* * *

Naina blushed remembering that naïve little girl and wished the solutions to her current anxieties had been just as simple as a quick peck on his cheeks.

Staring at her from across the room, Sameer was thinking – Pata nahi aaj kal yeh sharmane ke kya daure padne lage hai madam ko... Kasam se aaj agar woh Sanjay Tibrewal sagai ke function mein pohoch gaya na toh kum se kum uski ekhaad haadi toh fracture ho hi jaayegi!

"Aare kya kar rahi ho? Uss bag mein sirf aarti ka saman rakhna hai!" Geeta mami's words drew Naina out of her thoughts.

Mortified that she had once again been lost in the memories from almost a decade ago, she muttered an apology and started repacking the bag.

The whole lounge and dining area are scattered with stuff required for the evening ceremony. Boxes of sweets, gifts packed in shimming paper, basket of gajras, silverware required for the various rituals, fruits, coconuts and so on.

Vishakha's mother, younger brother Vikas, his wife Geeta and their two sons Anish and Amol had arrived about an hour back. Tried from the four hour journey, Savitri was resting in Nirmala's room. Tucking her pallu at the waist, Geeta was helping Vishakha and Naina. Vikas and his sons were watching TV and answering questions from Vishakha about the happenings in their life and their acquaintances from her home town, Shikhapur, which though rather small was just big enough for the locals to consider it a town.

Vivek's cousins, who lived just about an hour and half from Ahmedabad were expected to arrive directly at the engagement venue. All the guests had been invited for six, as the ceremony itself was expected to take just about thirty minutes or so, followed by the usual meet and greet. And of course, dinner!

"Tum log abhi yahi ho? Saade-bara baj rahe hai... aare woh decoration wala waha hall pe aaya hoga!" Vivek exclaimed, as he descended the stairs.

Sameer responded "Bus nikal hi rahe thay. Rohan bhaiya ke dost Monty ka phone aaya hai."

While Rohan finished his conversation with Monty, Sameer instructed Naina "Swati ko kehna agar humare sath chalna hai toh panch tak idhar aajaye, nahi toh direct hall pe hi aaye. Usske liye late nahi ho sakte hum aaj!"

"Bola hai baba... nahi karegi aaj late. Acha, tumne kurta nikal ke raha hai na?? Lunch ke baad Kaka-baba aur tumhare kurte ko press kar ki rakhungi. Rohan bhaiya ka toh sab kuch ready hai." Naina responded as she started packing another bag with whatever Geeta mami was handing her.

"Naina, istree lagao toh mujhe bhi batana... mujhe bhi Anish ke papa ka kurta press karna hai. Aur mere blouse bhi... jaldi jaldi mein reh gaya." Geeta requested. When Naina responded "Mami, mujhe dedijiye... main kar lungi." Geeta smiled at Vishakha "Didi, such mooch bahot hi gunni hai humari Naina!"

Sameer shook his head, thinking - Ladkiyon ko gunni hone ke liye kya kya karna padta hai... Aaisa kyu hai ke chahe kitna bhi padh le... cooking, cleaning, ironing, gharwalon ki seva ko hi jyada importance diya jata hai?

"Naina, jo bhi kapade hai mujhe abhi de do. Jaate jaate istree wale ke pass drop karte jaayenge, aur usse bata dunga ke urgent mein karke usske ladke ke sath ghar bhej de. Waise bhi ghar mein aaj bohot kaam hai."  The moment he spoke, Naina and Geeta scampered off to fetch the clothes to be ironed.

Two minutes later, feeling relived, Naina handed over a big basket stuffed with about ten items of clothing to Sameer.

"Chalo, I am ready!" Rohan announced, as he ended the call. Anish and Amol immediately stood up, eager to play their part in this family function.

Vivek ushered both the boys out, and continued issuing instructions, as Sameer reversed the car "Santosh bhai ke bheje ladke bhi honge waha... do baaje catering wala aane wala hai, aur saade teen ko chairs wala. Sab thik se lagwa lena. Rohan tum teen tak ghar aake thoda aaram kar lena. Sameer main char baaje tak waha aata hu, toh phir tum Anish aur Amol ko ghar leke aana fresh hone ke liye."

Considering Sameer was hearing this plan for at least the fourth time since morning, he nodded without paying much heed to his father's words. With a "Ji Papa, aap aaram se aayiye.", he drove off.

* * *

(Hi Everyone,

Hope post reading this part, the confusion from last part about the 'shaadi' has been cleared! I had hoped to include the 1st scene from this part in the earlier chapter and I think that resulted in some continuity issue.

How did you find the flashback scene?? Eagerly waiting to hear your thoughts!

Take care all of you.

Lots of love, May)