Hi All..Sorry for keeping you all awaited.I was travelling.Thank you for all the love and responses.So finally the update is here.

Read On.

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Next Afternoon

"Naina ji! Aap ab Nisha ko ghar le jaa sakte hein.Usse ab ek week ki rest ki zaroorat hai.She is drained.Aur yeh kuch dawai hai.Ek do yahan stores pe available nahin hai.Par phir bhi mere pass iske samples hein.Toh aap ab ghabraiye mat aur uski acha khayal rakhiye.Aur aap bhi thoda apna khayal rakhiye.Accident se abhi to recover hui hai.'' The doctor advised and Naina smiled with sense of satisfaction and gratitude.

"Naina! Nisha tumhe bula rahi hai.'' Sameer informed as he barged into the doctor's cabin.

Naina shook at first hearing his voice and silently nodded then.She left not without giving a parting glance at Sameer who seemed keen to talk to the doctor.

"Doctor! Nisha thik hai na? Saare medicines mil jayenge to?Please mujhe details mein bataiye.'' Sameer urged and the doctor was in a hurry for rounds so he politely voiced-

"Nisha aur Naina ji ka khayal rakhiye..''

Sameer stood stunned with the ultimatum the doctor gave.Soon some thoughts crept into his mind and he tried his best to waver those off.

He had to go to Delhi for upcoming meetings yet he could not move from the hospital.He knew Naina would not need him now but still he wanted to be there,seeing both of them safe.

"Sameer ji!'' Nirupama's voice echoed in the hallway as he came out of the doctor's cabin.

"Kuch madad chahiye? ''Sameer asked seeing the helpless look on Nirupama's face.

"Wo..meri Mummy aaj aa rahi hai.Mujhe station jana hai.Raunak ki meeting hai. Toh yeh baatana tha ki aap agar yahan thodi der ruk jaayenge aur Naina aur Nisha ko le jayenge toh bahut acha hoga.Nurse bata rahi thi ki ab discharge ho jayega.'' Nirupama voiced her concern.

"Aap un dono ki fikr mat kariye.Main hoon na.Aap chaliye mein apko station chodke Nanaji se baat karke aa jaunga''. Sameer spoke much to Nirupama's relief.

"Piku! Ek car book kar.Mein bike leke jaa raha hoon.'' Sameer instructed Piku over phone.

After few hours

"Uncle! Mujhe dar lag raha hai. ''Nisha spoke impromptu as Sameer held her in his arms.Naina was busy signing the formalities while Sameer volunteered to take care of Nisha until everything is done.

"Nahin beta! Brave bache darte nahin hai.Tum brave ho na?'' Sameer asked as Nisha clutched his shirt and dipped her head into his embrace.

"Haan..Brave hun.Laxmi Bai ki tarah.'' Nisha purred and Sameer could not help planting a kiss on her fore head.He saw how her head was still swollen a bit and she looked extremely tired.

"Mujhe neend aa rahi hai.''She spoke more like complaining and Sameer caressed her head.Nisha drifted into sleep in his arms.Sameer felt a sense of odd satisfaction surge through him as he cradled sleepy Nisha in his arms.

"So gayi hai?'' Naina asked seeing Nisha sleeping and Sameer trying to read the message on his phone.

"Haan..Ho gaya sab?Chalein? ''He asked as Naina looked at him in confusion.

"Nisha ko auto mein lena padega.Tum jao mein use le jaungi''.Naina uttered and Sameer saw it was all coming.

"Car bahar parked hai.Chalo usmein.''Sameer voiced authoratively carefully picking Nisha so as not to disturb her sleep.Naina didn't feel like arguing because she wanted to reach home at earliest.

As they settled inside the car,Naina tried pulling out Nisha from his embrace so that both of them could sit on the back seat while Sameer chose to sit near the driver.

"Umm..Mumma sone do.Uncle ..bolo''.Nisha whimpered in sleep on getting disturbed.

"Naina tum window ke pass baith jao.Main beech mein baith jaunga.Nisha ko neend ki zaroorat hai.Plz samjha karo.''Sameer spoke while Naina had a denial expression on her face. If it was not for Nisha she would have ran away from Sameer not to meet him again.

"Tumhe kya lagtha hai? Mujhe meri bachi ki fikr nahin hai? ''Naina spoke in irritation and went to open the back door's latch.

"Ab khade rahoge kya bahar?Aao andar?''She voiced seeing Sameer lost in some deep thoughts.

Sameer sat in between Naina and Nisha while the cab took them through uneven paths and not so comfortable journey.

Naina felt her eyes drooping and she could not help but sleep.As the cab jerked way in and way out she was getting disturbed and whined.Sameer smiled at her innocence which still was intact after years of toil.He gently placed her head on his shoulder while Nisha clutched him tighter.With Naina and Nisha clutching him in both arms he felt that he has to be the shield for them.Though he knew they both are strong enough to fight their own battles but he needs to know few things more and keep the two angels away from prying eyes.

Sudip has to face Naina again but it would be with Sameer first ..this time.

Next morning

"SAMEER!''Naina voiced in surprise as he saw him so early in the morning.

"Tumse thoda baat karna tha. ''Sameer voiced and Naina opened the door wide to let him in.

"Baitho udhar.Main coffee bana ke laati hun.'' She spoke not very excited with his such early morning visit.She was still in her night robe which was not making her comfortable even.

"Koi jaroorat nahin hai.Main peeke aya hoon.Nisha kaisi hai?'' He spoke and Naina knew something was amiss.

"Kya puchna chahate ho?'' She asked without beating the bush.

"Sudip koun hai?''He asked and Naina didn't expect him to atlest remember that name in her one mention.

"Tumse matlab?Yeh meri personal matter hai.Tum iss sabse dur raho to acha hai.''Naina clarified as she flipped the morning newspaper.

"Par Nisha ki jaan ko khatra to aa gaya tha na.''Sameer tried reasoning.

"Tum koun ho Nisha ke jo itni fikr hai tumhe?Aur haan agar tum iss misconception ho ki Nisha meri apni bachi nahin hai to galat hai.Ek saal pehle hi pure rules aur regulations ke saath I have adopted her.Certificates pe meri naam hai.''Naina spoke stressing on each word.

"Koi nahin.Par well wisher to hun.Tum apne aap ko itna strong bhi mat samjho.Ab bhi tum medical supervision mein ho.Isliye bhalai is me hai ki hum sab kuch bhul ke Nisha ki fikr karein.'' Sameer suggested as he fidgeted with his wrist watch.

"Agar mein strong hun to tumhe kya problem? Meri aur Nisha ke decisions lene wale koun ho tum?Kya haq hai tumhara?Aur kya bole?Bhul jaun? Kuch kum yaadein nahin diye hein mujhe.Mar bhi jaun na tab bhi yaad aati rahenge wo din..wo pal.'' Naina broke a bit from within as the past snapped by her.

"Thik hai agar tum nahin batana chahati ho to fine. Mein kal Delhi jaa raha hun.Yeh Delhi ka address hai mera.Kisi bhi chiz ki zaroorat ho to phone laga lena.Apna khayal rakhna.''He spoke and left the door only to dash with someone at the front gate.

"Sorry'' The young man voiced while Sameer nodded in approval.

"Aur kuch baaki hai? ''Naina voiced as she opened the door to continuous rings.

"Haan hai na..Tumse shaadi.'' The young man voiced eyeing her top to toe.

"VIKRAM!Bakwas band karo aur jo bhi bolna hai jaldi bolo. ''Naina voiced taking enough care not to wake up Nisha.

"Nisha kaisi hai? Achi hogi jaroor..Waise you look so sexy in this robe.''Vikram complimated Naina much to her chargin.She stormed in side and shut the door.Vikram made himself comfortable by preparing for himself a good cup of coffee.

"Arey! You changed into this behenji wala kurti?Why baby?'' Vikram tried flirting while Naina flinched with anger.

"Vikram! Mein koi baby babu nahin hun tumhara.Sirf ek client hun.Kaam ke matlab se aye ho kaamke matlab se jao.Aur iss janam mein tumse shaadi toh bhul hi jao. ''Naina spoke with enough audacious voice.

"Toh apni yeh jawaani kiske liye bachake rakhi ho? Tumhe dekhta hoon to man karta hai apna bana lun,tumhari yeh...'' Vikram's voice trailed as he got a tinge on his cheeks.

A neat SLAP.

"You slapped me?'' Vikram scowled and yanked Naina towards him.Twisting her arm behind her he pressed her to the adjacent wall.Naina whimpered as a sharp pain shot through her spine with this manhandling.

"Vikram! Mujhe dard ho raha hai.Chodo mujhe. ''Naina spoke in between the pains that were erupting around her spine and waist.

"Aur jo dard mujhe ho raha hai..Uska kya?'' Vikram asked as he planted a quick peck on her cheeks.

"Haath mat lagao mujhe..Chodo mujhe please. ''Naina was on verge of breakdown.Her life was becoming entangled mess and she had no options.

"Pehle yeh papers pe sign karlo..phir chod dunga.''Vikram said as he pulled few sheets from his pocket.

"Nahin karungi..Chodo mujhe.'' Naina tried wriggling out while Vikram's grip went tighter.

"Acha nahin karogi to phir Sudip ki aane ki tayari kar lena.Pata hai na use motichoor ke ladoo kitne pasand hai...Sexy baby. ''Vikram spoke as he eyed lustfully her shape.Naina felt disgusted with his stare and wanted to puke right then.

"Naina! O Sorry..Umbrella..''Sameer's voice stuck in his throat as he watched a pinned Naina to wall while the young man he had just crossed few minutes back towering over her,trapping her in most helpless way.

"Baby! Your figure is amazing..He would be fool to think Nisha is your kid.You are too hot to be a Mummy. ''Vikram complimented as two tears ran down Naina's eyes in helplessness.

Vikram inched to kiss her cheeks again only to be harshly pushed to the dining table.While Naina and Vikram both looked shocked,Sameer had a rage building inside his.

"Hey! Who are you?'' Vikram asked as he dusted his hands and straightened his collar.

"Tera kya jaata hai?Teri himmat kaise hui Naina ko aankh uthake dekhne ki.''Sameer spoke with temper well illustrated.

"Kyun? Naina tumhari akeli hai?Oh! Got the point.To tum hi wo Prince Charming jiske liye yeh Naina ab bhi kachi kali hai.''Vikram spoke with a sly smile while Sameer wavered off all the warnings of his patient,calm brain.

"Naina ke bare mein ek labz nahin.Nahin to..'' Sameer trailed holding Vikram's collars.

"Nahin to ...Kya? Mujhe maar daloge? Sudip ko jante ho? Uska legal advisor hun mein.Agar use pata chala to aise maut maroge ki bhagwan bhi tumhare tukde uthate huye thak jayenge. ''Vikram warned as he sported a wide grin.

"Main kaise marunga yeh to baad mein dekhenge lekin tujhe ab itna marunga ki khud ko pehchan nahin payega. ''Sameer spoke as he landed his rolled fist on Vikram's nose.

"Sameer! Ruk jao.Please.Please mujhe akela chod do.Please jao tum dono.'' Naina pleaded as she saw attacks and counter-attacks from both sides.

"Tum andar jao Naina.Tumse mein baad mein baat karunga. ''Sameer ordered her while Naina was relentless.

"Sameer!Vikram!Stop it..Nisha ki to khayal karo.Uth jayegi..Please samjha karo''. Naina pleaded and broke down a little.Sameer halted on Nisha's mention while Vikram punched him hard.Sameer fell hard hitting the wooden floor.

"Naina! Tumne acha nahin kiya.Iska jawab tumhe ache se mil jayega..Kuch ghanton mein.''Vikram spoke straightening his collar and buttoning his shirt.He dashed out of the room and Naina ran behind to lock the door.

"Sameer! Tum thik to ho na.''Naina asked as she saw Sameer clutching his stomach hard.The punch had really been hard.

"Naina!Thoda pani do. ''Sameer asked as Naina rushed tumbling in between to fetch the water.

"O sorry! Mein apna umbrella bhul gaya tha isliye wapas aaya tha. ''Saeer clarified as Naina saw the umbrella lying under the sofa due the schuffle that ensued few minutes back.

"Koun tha wo?'' Sameer asked as he was slowly feeling fine.

"Lawyer hai Nisha ki case ki.'' Naina informed and Sameer decided to go into the details later.He then bucked up for another decision which he knew Naina would outrightly reject..but it was necessary for the time being.

"Naina! Hum shaadi kar lete hein.'' Sameer spoke and Naina choked on water.

"Dimag thik hai tumhara? Kahin sar pe to punch nahin lagi hai?'' Naina asked in shock.What was he talking?

"Haan dimaag to bilkul thik hai.Isliye bol raha hun.Past mein kya hua hai yeh mujhe nahin maloom lekin ab ki haalat dekh ke mujhe lagta hai tumhe meri zaroorat hai.'' Sameer voiced his thoughts while Naina felt she would faint with such sudden attacks on her.

"Mujhe aisa nahin lagta ki mujhe tumhari zaroorat hai.Tum ghar jao Sameer aur mujhe please kuch der ke liye akela chod do''. Naina pleaded turning away from him while he obliged by getting up.

Some decisions do need time.

Few hours later

"Khushi Aapke Liye Gham Humare Liye,
Jindagi Aapke Liye Maut Humare Liye,
Hansi Aapke Liye Aur Rona Humare Liye,
Sabkuch Apne Liye Aur Aap Humare Liye...''

Naina opened the door to Rishav to see Sudip standing humming the shayari.

"Aunty! Aapka guest.Unhe apka ghar pata nahin tha''.Rishav spoke and ran away to listen to stories of his grandmother.

"Sudip! Tum..phir..kyun ..aaye?'' Naina stuttered and tried closing the door.

"Swagat nahin karoge humara Lekhika ji?'' Sudip said and barged into the room Nisha was sleeping.

"Nahin Sudip..Please use kuch mat karna''. Naina howled and ran behind Sudip before he could reach Nisha.

"Arey arey mein to sirf dekh raha tha ki mera gift kaisa laga Nisha ko.Pasand aay na use?'' Sudip asked as he caressed the swollen head of Nisha and slapped it hard.

"Mum..ma!'' Nisha mewled in pain and Naina fell at feet of Sudip.

"Please chale jao..Meri bachi ko kuch mat karo''. Naina pleaded as she broke to bits.

"Yeh tumhari bachi kab se bani lekhika ji? Yeh to Two Eagles ke co-founder Sharad Goswami ka bachi hai.Pata hai na ek jagah pe do eagles nahin reh sakte? Nisha ko marna hoga aur agar apni jaan pyari hai to wo property papers pe chup chap sign karlo.'' Sudeep spoke as he placed a pen knife under Naina's chin.

"Property papers mere pass nahin hai. ''Naina voiced crying and shivering with fear.

"Toh Vikram ke pass hai? Maango use aur sign kardo.Kaam tamam.'' Sudip suggested coolly while Naina's eyes travelled to something that had flown away from the dining to inside of room.

"Main sign karlungi lekin tum Nisha ko kuch mat karo''. Naina pleaded and Sudip had a victory smile.

"Yeh kiya ek akalmand ka kaam.Chalta hun.Apna khayal rakhna'' Sudip spoke with fake concern and left not before humming another shayari.

"Hello!'' Sameer spoke into the phone as a number flashed on-screen.

"Hello..Sameer! ''Naina's stuttering voice burst into the speaker jerking Sameer up.

"Naina! Kya hua?Sab thik hai?Nisha?'' Sameer fired the questions while Naina tried forming coherent lines.

"Hum kal ..shaadi karlenge.'' Naina spoke while Sameer checked if he was not hallucinating.

"KYA?''Sameer asked to confirm.

"Haan tum Delhi jaane se pehle hum shaadi kar lenge.Baaki ki baatein baad mein karenge.'' Naina spoke and hung off.

"Lekin..Hello! Naina..''Sameer voiced only to see that the call has ended.

"Aisa kya ho gaya?''Sameer self-talked before dialling the next number on his log history.

"Arey Sameer! Tu kab aa raha hai? Namrata tera tickets book kar rahi hai.Jaldi aaja.'' Munna spoke enthusiastically while checking on the meetings details.

"Meetings postpone kar abhi.Malhotra wala meeting agle week ko postpone kar aur faculty wala cancel kar de.'' Sameer instructed while Munna looked puzzled with sudden changes.

"Par meetings cancel ya postpone kyun kare?Tu aa raha hai na kal?'' Munna asked for clarifications.

"Mein shaadi kar raha hun.Pandit ko phone laga aur sab aao Almora.'' Sameer informed while Munna stood shocked and rooted to the marble flooring of academy.

"Kisse shaadi kar raha hai?'' Munna asked finally getting back to senses.

"Naina se.Tu zyada sawal mat kar.Mujhe uski ghar jana hai.Urgent hai.Bas tum log aa jao abhi.''Sameer commanded and hung off.

"Sir! Kya hua.Aap thik hein?'' Namrata asked as Munna sat with palm on forehead ,looking anxious,surprised yet happy.

"Sameer ka shaadi hai.''Munna declared while Namrata checked her ears.

"Sameer Sir shaadi kar rahein hein?Aap Mazak to nahin kar rahein Sir?'' Namrata asked knowing very well Munna's antics.

"Sameer Naina se shaadi kar raha hai..Kismat to Mazak kar gaya main kya karun?'' Munna spoke still with disbelief.

Munna's eyes travelled to the grand billboard in Sameer's room with words so true to their lives

Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?.

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