Thank you all for all your awesome responses.Here is the next update.

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Naina's House

"Kya hua Naina?Vikram ya Sudip?Koun aaya tha?'' Sameer asked as Nisha sat on his lap drinking milk.

"Sudip'' Naina uttered as she prepared coffee for him.

"Tum abhi ke abhi niklo.Hum police station jaa rahein hein.'' Sameer voiced as he helped Nisha complete the drink.

"Uncle! ''Nisha called Sameer and diverted his attention from her mother towards her.

"Kya hua beta?'' Sameer asked all concerned.

"Sar mein kuch kuch ho raha hai''.Nisha voiced and Sameer knew Sudip has again hurt the little angel.

"Yahan dard ho raha hai kya?'' Sameer asked touching the possible places with feather lite touches.

"Ahh!'' Nisha pulled his hand wincing in pain.

"Naina! Tum pehle Nisha ko dawai lagao.Coffee mein banata hun.'' Sameer said while Naina put the vegetables to fry.She was famished a lot and all thanks to morning encounters.

"Ointment TV ke pass hai. Blue bag mein.'' Naina instructed and Nisha volunteered to help her uncle.

"Aa jao.'' Sameer pulled Nisha to his lap and carefully applied the ointment.Though Nisha winced in pain but didn't trouble him.He smiled seeing how at such a small age too she is very understanding and mature.

"Uncle! Meri yeh frock kaise lag rahi hai?'' Nisha asked showing her new petals printed frock and doing twirls enjoying the frills.

"So beautiful.You are looking pretty.'' Sameer complimented and pulled her into his arms fearing she would fall and again hurt her.

"Nisha! Chal khaana khane.Tumhari coffee.'' Naina handed over the coffee and took Nisha to the dining table.

"Bhindi!Main nahin khaungi.Chi...'' Nisha made faces and Naina let out a whimper of frustration.

"Chup chap kha.Tang mat kar.Dawai bhi khani hai iske baad.'' Naina ordered as she put some water to boil.

"Main nahin khaungi..'' Nisha declared and pushed the plate.

"Ziddi hai na tu..Thik hai mat kha.'' Naina spoke and slammed the fridge door.

"Nisha! Mumma ko aise pareshan nahin karte.Chalo mein bhi tumhare saath kha lunga.Bhindi khane se bache brave hote hein.Sab mein topper bante hein.Toh lo..Nisha brave hai na..topper hai na. ''Sameer persuaded and Nisha happily took a bite.

"Uncle! Aap ko bhindi pasand hai?'' Nisha asked as she fed Sameer with a bite.

"Nahin ..mujhe to tinde pasand hai.Par bhindi bahut important hai na.''Sameer spoke as he fed two more bites.

"Mumma ko bhi tinde pasand hai..Mujhe tinde bhi nahin pasand.'' Nisha made a face and Sameer gestured her to open her mouth to take another bite.

"Nisha ko saare vegetables khane chahiye.Tabhi humari Nisha bilkul strong,brave aur beautiful ban jayegi.''Sameer said with a wink and Nisha was all excited to look beautiful and brave.

"Mumma! Aur bhindi lao. ''Nisha asked and Naina smiled at her fickle-mindedness.

"Abhi to mana kar rahi thi..Nakhre nikal rahi thi..Koi sabzi nahin khani hai..Sirf Paneer aur aloo paratha.Uncle ne kya kaha yaad rahana? Aaj se sirf sabzi.'' Naina served some more bhindi and Nisha nodded to her mother's advice with a toothed smile.Naina could not help planting kisses on her forehead and cheeks.

Naina fed her the medicine and Sameer carried her to the bed.Tucking her to sleep and planting a kiss on her forehead he returned to the' important' task at hand.

He moved to the kitchen finding Naina putting water to boil and chopping some bell peppers.Her hands trembled as she felt his intense gaze on her.For a moment she felt all her deeply hidden past and feelings would spring out of her chest and in to the open.

"Itni jaldi shaadi karne ka mood kaise bana liya? ''He asked leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Tumne to shaadi ki baat ki thi.'' Naina replied not meeting his eyes.

"Baat ko ghumao mat.Sudip ne Nisha ke saath kya kiya hai?Kya dushmani hai use meri Nisha se?'' Sameer asked with temper slightly rising.

"Tum us sabse dur raho.Main nahin chahti ki tumhe humari wajah se koi nuksan ho''.Naina spoke as she tried concentrating on cutting some more vegetables.

"To tum nahin bataoge.Main tumhe sirf protection ke liye chahiye.To phir koi Police officer se shaadi karlo.Pati bhi milega aur protection bhi..Service revolver to hoga na uske pass.'' Sameer spoke with tinge of satire laced in tone.

"Tum samajh nahin rahe ho Sameer.'' Naina spoke with a despair in tone.

"To samjhao.Abhi tak Nisha ke bare mein kya bataya hai tumne mujhe? Kya pata hai mujhe tumhari bite huye kal ke bare mein aur Nisha ke bare mein? Sudip koun hai,kyun hai tumhari zindagi mein?Jab tak mujhe yeh sab pata nahin chal jaata mein shaadi nahin karunga.Ajnabee logon se rishta kaise banalun?'' Sameer spoke with firm tone and that undid Naina.

She felt her feet tremble with his ultimatum and she could no longer hold herself steady.The baggage was too heavy for her to carry.

"Mujhe dar lag raha hai Sameer! ''She spoke in stuttered voice and fell into a thud.

Sameer watched her crumble and breaking into pieces.He turned off the knob of gas and held her in his embrace.She looked deeper into his eyes trying to find the slightest uncertainity in them,but all she could identify in his dark brown eyes was assurance.

"Wo humse Nisha ko le jaayega. ''Naina purred in his embrace as he caressed her broken self.He regretted on troubling her with his questions when she had enough encounters since morning.

"Humari Nisha ko chub hi nahin paayega.Mujhpe bharosa hai na?'' Sameer asked chinning her up to meet his eyes.

"Nahin hai.'' She whispered loud enough for him to hear.

"Good.Suno.Main kal Delhi nahin jaa raha hun.Hum parso shaadi karenge.Tum kuch kharidari kar lo..apne liye aur Nisha ke liye.Kuch bhi problem ho to immediately call karna.Apne aap ko Rani Laxmi Bai mat samajhna.Ab sirf Nisha hi nahin tum bhi meri zimmedari ho.Lo pani pi lo.'' He voiced and handed her over the glass.

She wiped her tears and nodded to his advice.

"Main chalta hoon ab.Nanaji akele hein.'' Sameer informed and she went up to the door to send him off.It was perhaps the first time she watched him leave with an unsaid promise to be back soon.

Meanwhile In FTII,Pune

Pandit fidgeted in a swivel chair as he picked up the fifth application for role of Prince Escalus for the drama ''Romeo and Juliet''.He was transported to the times he had played the role as the role had no takers.Times were so simple and not-so-competitive.

His cell buzzed diverting his attention and the name brought a smile over his frown,tensed face.

"Aye! Ponga Pandit.Tujhe ek khush khabri deni hai.'' Munna's voice travelled through the cell screen and Pandit instantly knew it was definitely about Sameer.

"Hmm.Bata.Kahin phirse Sameer ko chudail Varsha to nahin mil gayi? ''Pandit asked all concerned.

"Arey nahin yaar.Sameer shadi kar raha hai.Yakeen hua? Ab dusra jhatka.Puch kisse? ''Munna asked all excited.

"Kisse?''Pandit had no options to even choose for Sameer.For them it had been two girls only.First Naina and then Varsha.

"Naina se.'' Munna informed while Pandit jerked from the chair.The papers flew away as his grip loosened on them.That was really a 'sweet'' shock.

"Chenu!Tu mazaak to nahin kar raha hai?Apna frock-wali Pandit ki kasam kha''.Pandit asked and Munna looked miffed.

"Aye Ponga Pandit! Tujhse aise Mazak karke kya fayda milega mujhe?Aur tu har baar aise mere Swati ke naam pe kasam khane ko mat bol.Biwi hai mera wo.Use kuch ho gaya to mar jaunga mein.Sacchi bol raha hun''.Munna got a bit emotional.

"Arey mera Aamir Khan..tu to senti ho gaya.Chal ab mood thik kar.Aur yeh Sameer kab shaadi kar raha hai?'' Pandit asked lightening the mood.

"Kal''Munna informed and Pandit asked again to confirm.

"KYA?Yaar yeh Sameer ko har kaam ki itni jaldi kyun padi hoti hai?Kal shaadi kar raha hai aur invitation aaj de raha hai.Use bol shaadi ko thoda postpone karle.Tu to pass hai uske lekin mujhe to Pune se Mumbai phir wahan se Delhi jana padega na.Waqt lagega.Aur ab main itni jaldi to chutti apply nahin kar sakta.Ek din to chahiye.''Pandit clarified simultaneously starting to write out the leave application.

"Main bol dunga.Tu bas nikal wahan se.'' Munna spoke and hung off.

"Namrata! Tum sare files padh liye na?'' Munna asked Namrata as she piled the files on the table.

"Ji Sir! Aap befikre shaadi mein jayiye.Main yahan manage karlungi.Sir ko bahut saari wishes dena meri taraf se aur Madam ko bhi'' Namrata said as she handed over a hand made card of wishes.

"Arey kya yeh Sir Madam laga ke rakhi hai.Bhaiya aur Bhabhi hein teri.Kuch bhi problem ho to jald phone karna.Samajh gayi na?'' Munna asked as he hugged his sister from another mother.

"Ji Bhaiya''. Namrata spoke as they broke from the hug.

Meanwhile In Almora

"Nanu! Aapse ek baat karni thi''.Sameer said as he tried finding words to confess.

"Phir se Naina se jhagda hua kya?'' Nanaji asked ruffling Sameer hair as he sat by him and placed his head on Nanu's lap.

"Nahin Nanu.Hum shaadi kar rahein hein.''Sameer spoke and Nanaji heaved a long breath.

"Kab kar rahe ho?'' He asked and Sameer was surprised at his instant acceptance of the fact.

"Parsho.''' He informed and Nanaji held him by ears.

"Ahh! Nanu! Kya kar rahein hein.Mere kaan kyun khinch rahein hein?Kya galti ki?''Sameer asked with fearful eyes.

"Parsho shaadi hai aur abhi tak mujhe bataya bhi nahin.Aur uske liye kuch kharida hai ya nahin?'' Nanaji asked and Sameer gave a clueless look.

"Use bol diya hai ki apni kharidari wo khud kar legi.Ab main uske liye kya kharidunga? ''Sameer informed and Nanaji facepalmed at his naivety..

"Sameer! Beta yeh koi academy ya factory ki meeting nahin hai.Shaadi hai teri.Aur ek dulha apne dulhan ke liye Mangalsutra' kharid ta hai.To ab chal use kharidne.Delhi mein shaadi karta to teri Nani ki kuch gehne the jo use deta.Khair chod.Aur haan apne Maa ko phone karke jaldi bata.Use bhi to ana hai apne Sameer ke shaadi mein. ''Nanaji spoke and Sameer obliged as he dialled Visakha's number.

"Hello! Mummy hai? ''Sameer called at Delhi house finding Visakha's number out of coverage.

"Malkin aur Sahab to Rohan Baba ke pass London gaye hein.'' The servant informed and Sameer cut the call.

"Unhe ane ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.Aap chaliye.''Sameer spoke and got up to leave.Nanaji could see though angry how Sameer's eyes had a dull flicker of pain.

Meanwhile In Naina's House

"Hello! Chachi.'' Naina's voice teared up Bela's eyes and she smiled through tears.

"Naina!Tu thik haina beta? Nisha kaisi hai?'' Chachiji asked as she gripped the telephone wire hard.

"Thik hun aur wo bhi thik hai.Wo..Chachi main shaadi kar rahi hun''. Naina informed and Bela could not believe the news.

"Sach?Kab aur kiske saath aur kahan?Delhi mein?Teri dost hai?'' Chachi fired Naina with questions.

"Nahin Delhi mein nahin.Main Almora mein reh rahi hun.Wo..meri school wali..dost hai Sameer.''Naina informed while Chachiji looked confused.

"Naina!Yeh wohi ladka hai na jiski wajah se teri school Rakesh Bhaisahab ne badal di thi?''Chachi asked for clarification.

"Haan..wo hi.''Naina spoke and before Chachi could speak something Naina heard Taiji's calls from background.

"Arre Bela! Kiske saath gappe lada rahi hai?Thoda chai banake la..Cylinder khatam ho gayi hai.''Taiji's voice was enough clear to be heard by Naina.

"Wo...Bhabhiji.Naina ki phone hai.Wo shaadi kar rahi hai...apne school wali dost se.'' Chachiji informed while Taiji had a shocked expression.

"O bai! Yeh karam jali ka phone hai.Shaadi kar rahi hai?Puch use kya phir se bina shaadi kiye phir kisi naalayak ke bache ki Maa ban gayi kya? ''Taiji instructed while Chachiji looked uncomfortable.

"Phone mujhe de..To mata rani! Aa gayi na apne aukat pe.Itni bezzati ki humari phir bhi man nahin bhara ki ab phir se humari naak katane pe tuli ho.Tujhe kya laga tu ek phone ghumayegi aur humsab pahunch jayenge teri shaadi mein? Sun aur yaad karle! KOI NAHIN JAAYEGA SHAADI MEIN.AGAR KOI GAYA TO MERI MARA HUA MUH DEKHEGA WO.''Taiji barked into the receiver enough loudly as warning and ultimatum for both Naina and Chachiji.

Naina hung off and two tears ran down her cheeks.She got up and peeped into the room to see Nisha sleeping peacefully clutching her favourite teddy bear.

Before any random thoughts could plague her mind she heard her door bell ring.

"Aa rahi hoon.''She voiced and prepped herself a bit to receive the visitor at door.

"Arey aap.Andar aaiye. ''Naina welcomed the lady at the door.

"Nisha kaisi hai?Recovering well?''The lady asked and Naina nodded.

"To Naina ji.Aap ko yehi batana tha ki Nisha ki Unit test two weeks ke baad shuru ho rahi hai.Datesheet issi week mein nikal jayega.If she is recovering aur exams de sakti hai to fine nahin to aap ek Medical Certificate school mein submit kar dijiyega.Uski retest hum baad mein kar lenge.''Nisha's teacher informed and Naina became a little thoughtful.

"Agar wo agle hafte tak thik ho jayegi to test degi nahin to main certificate submit kar dungi.Iske bare mein mujhe Doctor se thodi baat karni padegi.Thank you for letting me know.''Naina thanked the teacher and the teacher took leave due to some urgency.

Next day in the afternoon

"NAINAAA...'' Swati's voice boomed and echoed in the room as Naina opened the door to find Sameer,Munna and Swati at her doorstep.

Naina hugged Swati while both had tears in their eyes.The two friends were meeting after six long years of absolutely no connection.

"Swati ki bachi! Tune to mujhe dara hi diya tha''.Naina spoke as she hugged Swati tighter.

"Aur tune kya kiya?Sare rishte kat kar mujhe ajnabee bana diya.''Swati complained as they broke the hug.

"Arey! Tum dono andar aaona.'' Naina spoke seeing Sameer and Munna still standing at the door.

"Nahin Bhabhi.Ab to hum shaadi ke baad hi is ghar mein kadam rakhenge.Tab tak hum ladke wale hein.Aap log batein kijiye mein aur Sameer chalte hein.Humein Pandit ko bhi receive karna hai station se''.Munna informed excited with the re-union' while Sameer nodded in approval.

"Suno..Laut te waqt kuch fruits le ana.Kal Naina ko juices ki zaroorat hai''.Swati instructed while Munna nodded not before teasing her a little in his own style--''Aye! Tere liye bhi launga Pandat?''

"Shakal mein to sudhar aa gaya hai thoda ab baton mein to sudhar lao..Laoge to sabke liye bhi thoda le ana.''Swati voiced and Munna nodded and dragged Sameer away to fire him with few questions.

"Sameer! Tu pakka sure hai? ''Munna asked while Sameer was bit confused.

"Kis baat ki?Fruits lane ki?''Sameer asked and put forward his assumption.

"Nahin mere sher.Yeh zimmedari lene ki.Matlab Ahmedabad ki factory,Delhi ki Academy,Nanaji aur ab Naina aur uske saath ek chhoti bachi ...Itna kuch sambhal payega?'' Munna asked and Sameer looked a bit thoughtful.

"Haan..Sure hun.Sambhalna to padega sab kuch.Par mujhe fikr nahin hai kyunki tum log mere saath ho.''Sameer spoke and Munna hugged him assuring all his support.

"Yaar! Sameer tu ek baat sach batana.'' Pandit asked as he stepped outside the taxi and presented himself before Sameer's house.

"Kya?'' Sameer asked as he paid the driver.

"Yehi ki tere aur Naina ke bich koi idhar-udhar ki baatein to nahin ho gayi hai?Itni jaldi hai tujhe shadi karne ki'' Pandit asked while booth Munna and Sameer tried comprehending Pandit's lines.

"Aye! Ponga pandit kehna kya chahta hai?'' Munna enquired as Sameer picked up the luggage to escort them inside the house.

"Yehi ki kahin inn dono ke beech ''Roop tera mastana,Pyaar mera deewana..bhool koi humse nah o jaaye..' to nahi ho gaya..Sameer se bhul ho gaya? ''Pandit asked hinting and Sameer's eyes went wide with realization.

"Pandit! Ruk! ''Sameer and Munna chased Pandit throughout the house and finally three engulfed in bone crushing hug.Happier times were coming back..so as they seemed.

Meanwhile

"Naina! Tu ghar chod bhi di to mujhe to batana chahiye tha na..Ek call to karleti.''Swati complained as both of them sat on the rooftop.

"Kaise karti?Dimag ek dum band pada tha.''Naina spoke as she rested herself against the cement wall.

"Pata hai tujhe? Kitni baar call ki hun tere ghar..Teri ghar bhi gayi bahut baar teri pata lagane..Do teen baar Taiji se bhi taane pade hein mujhe.Tu to aise khoyi jaise iss duniya mein nahin tu chand pe chali gayi hai.'' Swati spoke as she knitted the half-made sweater.

"Halat aise thi ki chand kya mein to dusre galaxy mein bhi jane ke liye taiyar thi.Bas Nisha ke khatir hi thi aur hai sabkuch''. Naina spoke as she closed her eyes and the days of intense horror flashed by her closed eyelids.

"Naina! Dekh na Nisha ko yeh size fit hoga na?Andaza karke banana shuru ki thi.Jab Munna se pata chala ki Sameer tujhse mil raha hai tabhi se yeh sweater bana rahi hun.Umeed thi ki ek din isse teri Nisha ko gift karungi.''Swati spoke with dreamy eyes and Naina hugged her best friend cum sister.

"Mumma!Mumma!'' Nisha's voice resounded in the stairs and Naina wiped her tears.Her eyes had swollen with so much tears.

"Kya hua beta?Dhire.'' Naina asked and held Nisha before she stumbled on the stair.

"Wo new dress aap layi ho mere liye?'' Nisha asked all excited.

"Haan..Lekin use aaj mat pehen na.Kal pehnegi.Samjhi na? Sar dikha.Dard hai yahan?'' Naina asked as she inspected her child's hind part of head.

"Nahin hai dard.Thoda thoda hai.Kal kyun pehnungi?'' Nisha asked knowing well there was no festival to be celebrated since their school diary didn't mention any.

"Kal teri Mumma ki shaadi hai.''Swati informed and Nisha looked confused.

"Shaadi?Wo kya hai?Mumma kyun karegi? Mumma isliye hum mandir jayenge kal?''Nisha asked feeling it to some fasting' which her mother might be keeping for her.She has always seen her mother going to temple for some 'pooja' sometimes wearing new clothes.

"Haan kal mandir jaayenge.Ab tu chal.Nandita Miss aayi thi aaj.Two weeks ke baad exam hai.Padhai karni hai ki nahin. English ka grammar abhi tak yaad nahin ki hai.Ab thoda rest kar.Parso se padhai shuru karenge.''Naina informed while Nisha's face lit with a bright idea.

"Parso se kyun?Hum kal raat mein bhi padhai karlenge.Mujhe wo burrowing samajh mein nahin aata thoda.Apki pooja to subah hai na?'' Nisha asked while Swati giggled at Nisha's innocence.Naina nudged Swati to stop giggling else Nisha would be ready with further enquiring questions.

"Kal raat..teri Mumma..ahem ahem..busy rahegi na.To tujhe parson hi padha sakti hai.'' Swati coughed a little and Naina slapped hard Swati on her shoulder.

"Swati ki bachi! Aisa kuch nahin hai. '' Naina confirmed while Swati had a teasing curt smile.

"Aunty! Mumma kal raat kya karegi?Book likhegi?''Nisha asked surprised and confused that what her mother was going to do something so important neglecting her studies even.

"Haan..book likhungi.Bahut bada book khatam karna hai na.Ab agar teri question answer ho gayi to chal.Aur aunty nahin Swati Mausi bula.Chal Swati.Khana bhi banana hai.'' Naina asked while both Nisha and Swati obliged.

Later in night,Naina and Sameer kept tossing on their respective beds with sleep gone far away from them.

The sunrise would change their relation,their fates,their present,future and possibly the darkness of their lives.

The sunrise was going to make their lives luminous but not clear..There was so much of density in night to fade away still.

(To be continued)

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