Hi All..Thank you for the appreciation and love.Silent members please leave a comment and yeah,keep voting.

Without much ado,here is the update

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Naina tossed the third time on bed,feeling restless. A quick dinner had followed after Nisha and Nanaji had returned and so was a quick move to bed.Though she was enough exhausted to fall into a deep slumber still she could not forget the last call and the words.She could not keep off images of the lust-laden eyes of Vikram that always lurked over her frail body.She turned again clutching Nisha hard, self-assuring that Nisha was safe in her arms. Her eyes travelled over to Sameer, the white stitch on his fore head making her remind the threats Sudip and Vikram had straight away thrown at her.She closed her eyes praying that she gets a sound sleep,bereft of nightmares.

A car overturned,two bodies covered in spotless white sheets,the blue polythene still visible from underneath the sheets, people crowding, a baby crying, pulling the white sheets,smearing herself with blood, fire reaching the sky, ashes crumbling and piling, footsteps entering in and exiting out,loud noises of glass shattering,broken wails,footsteps again,light bulb crashing,darkness all around...A shadow appears extending arms.The darkness growing intense.. staggering feet ,failing brakes and the car over turns again...

"Didii... ''Naina howled jerking from sleep.There was no car,no footsteps.She looked at the light bulb.It was intact ,waiting to be at service once the switch is turned ON.The glass panes are intact and she realised she was at Sameer's place.The moonlight filtered through the peach curtains eliminating some darkness.Nisha now was sleeping close to Sameer,putting her legs over him.Sameer's arm had encased her in a tight clutch.She felt relieved seeing her world intact.It was a bad nightmare again.

Wiping her face off the sweat beads;she got up and increased the fan speed on regulator. Choosing to drink some some water so that she gets some sleep,she quietly left the room closing the door behind her.Had she been at her place,she would have spent the night penning lines in her diary or for her novel.But she could not it any more.She had college the next day,she had left her diary at her place and turning on lights at time past the midnight can wake up everyone.

She emptied the big jug of water and tried forcing some more water down the throat.''Naina! ''She heard her name being called.She would have dropped the jug had the person in question not caught it in right time.

"Soi nahin abhi tak?'' Sameer asked holding her by shoulders. He looked at her puffed eyes.Exhaustion evident in them. The power of the eyes is at times more effective than any words one can speak.

"Neend nahin aa rahi thi.'' She said as he took her to the sofa in dining hall.He didn't turn on the lights lest Nanaji would wake up fearing emergency. ''Neend aa rahi hai,sapne nahin.Yehi na?'' He asked and she placed her head on his shoulder.He put his arm around her rubbing her back,and occasionally her locks.She was trying to organize her peace in the fields of war.

"Sameer!Nisha akeli hai.Agar humein kuch ho gaya toh..''She asked lifting off her head though still remaining in his comforting embrace.

"126 Crores ki Maheshwari Industries,40 Lakhs ki Insurance,5 lakh ki royalty ,650 dollars each month, 12 caretakers.Yeh honge Nisha ke pass agar humein kuch hogaya toh...''He replied and Naina jerked from his embrace.Was he mad? Or was just joking? Will crores, lakhs and dollars ever replace their place in Nisha's life?

"Kya soch rahi ho?Yehi na ki kya yeh sab humari jagah le paayenge ya nahin.Inn sab ki zaroorat nahin padegi.Humein kuch nahin hoga.Agar mujhe kuch ho gaya to tum to uske liye ho na.''He completed and saw her eyes slowly turning teary.More tears gathered and few drops trickled down.

"Naina!Ro kyun rahi ho?''He asked,urgency and care laced in tone.He knew these talks would unearth her past again,giving her pain..intense pain.He so wanted to avoid the conversation but seems like it was the most important discussion on their platter now.She wiped her tears and calmed her quivering lips.She had so much to say.

"Tumhein aisa kyun lagta hai ki mujhe ...sirf Nisha ki fikr hai ...aur tumhari nahin.''She said ,stammering in between,building courage to speak out her heart.Keeping things to one self is so easy than sharing it.None knew better than her this.

"Mera fikr karti ho na.To chalo yeh anshoo poch lo.Ab sone chalte hein.Nisha akeli so rahi hai,uth jaayegi shayad.''He said pulling her close and planting a kiss on her forehead. She could hold it no longer and hugged him tight.

Three days passed in a whirl wind.Sameer had got a new phone and Naina had reinserted the SIM.Nanaji was relieved now seeing his child somewhat content with the new additions to his life.

"Hello Sameer!Kahan hai ab tu?'' Munna barked ,seemingly frustrated.

"Ghar mein hun.Nanu ko hospital se leke aaya.Kya hua hai? "Sameer asked tensed, immediately pondering if some had meeting was lined up.

"Acha hai.Wahin ghar basa le.Institute bhi shift karle wahan.Arey yahan ek application diya tha yaad hai ki nahin? Court marriage ka notice aaya hai.Do din baad ka date subah 11.30 baje.Aur wo UGC ke rank holder scholarship ke liye kuch signatures chahiye.Bache dhund rahe the tujhe.Agle mahine ka 1st week tak ka date hai.Jaldi aa tu.Bahut kaam hai. ''Munna completed and caught his breath.

"Agnihotri to deputy Dean hai. Wo sign kyun nahin kar leta? ''Sameer asked confused about the whole chaos.He was relaxed that with the appointment of deputy Dean his work load will be lessened.But seems like the earth shall give him no respite.

"Wo hoga to sign karega na.Apni saala ki shaadi mein gaya hai.Gaya to gaya kisiko in-charge nahin banaya hai.Isliye kehte hein experienced logon ko kursi do lekin nahin.Apne ghar ke jamai ko hi kursi do.''Munna uttered and Sameer asked to calm down a bit;letting him think possibilities.

"Tu shant ho jaa.Paani pi le.Ek kaam kar jab tak main wapas join karta In-charge ban jaa tu.Main abhi ek application type kar leta hun.Jo bhi signatures hai kar le.Kisi bhi kaam mein der nahin honi chahiye and khas kar scholarship mein.Letter ka print out rakh lena.Agar zaroorat padi to dikha dena.Samajh gaya na?'' Sameer asked and Munna hummed back in response.

"Acha chal yeh kaam to ho gaya.Naina ko leke jaldi pahunch jana.Main rakhta hun.''Munna hung off and Sameer was immediately at his work place, hurriedly typing the application.

"NAINA!NAINA!'' Sameer called in between and Nisha dropped her bag in annoyance.''Papa ko aur kuch bulana nahin aata.Naina!Naina! Aise kya baat karni hai humesha.Aur Mumma hai ki ek baar mein sunegi nahin.Papa ko pata nahin Mumma kan mein cotton daal ke puja karti hai.Hehhe...'' Nisha giggled and decided on something.

"Kya hua Sameer? '' Sameer jolted a bit listening to his name in a child like voice.Was he hallucinating or really Naina called him like that.He unwantedly halted from typing the application and stood at the threshold ,not Naina but Nisha. Crossing her arms and wiggling eyebrows.She had a naughty smirk on her lips.

"Kya hua?Mumma ab nahin sunegi.Puja kar rahi hai.Wait karo breakfast tak''.Nisha said and Sameer pulled her into his arms,planting a quick peck on her chubby cheeks.

"Badmash!Mumma ki nakal kar rahi ho...Hum Delhi jaa rahen hein.Isliye bula raha tha ki packing start kar lein.'' Sameer replied and Nisha did a victory jig.

"Mein bhi chalungi na?Mujhe Delhi dekhna hai.Please Papa.Qutub Minar bhi dekhungi,aur Red Fort bhi.Phir Metro mein jaayenge.Aur Taj Mahal bhi.Nahin wo to Agra mein hai.Haan Jama Masjid bhi hai.Papa!Yeh sab mujhe dekhna hai.Hum jaayenge na?'' Nisha pleaded and Sameer burst into laughter.

"Haan haan jaayenge aur sab dekhenge bhi.Mere Nisha ko to Delhi ke bare mein bahut kuch maloom hai.Acha chalo yeh batao Naina puja ke time jawab kyun nahin deti?Aisa hamesha krti hai kya?'' Sameer asked intrigued.

"Haan hamesha se.Kaan mein cotton daal ke puja karti hai na.Koi baat sunai na de isliye.'' Nisha informed and Sameer was surprised to learn this new fact.He had never noticed it.But he was sure this was after they had separated.

"Koi reason hai kya aisa karne ki?Tumhe pata hai? ''Sameer asked and Nisha nodded in affirmation.She was elated that she knew the answer to the secret.

"Main bahut choti thi aur bahut zor ka zukham hua tha mujhe.Medicines bhi kam nahin kar raha tha.Phir Mumma ne mujhe mandir leke gayi thi.Wo devi ka mandir hum jahan gaye the birthday pe.Wahin.Phir wohin pe koi baba the ..to unhone Mumma ko bola ki agar main thik ho jaungi to Mumma kan mein cotton daal ke puja karegi.Kisi ki bhi baat nahin sunegi.Bilkul dhyan lagake puja karegi.Phir main thik hogayi.Mujhe pata hai ki medicine ki wajah se thik ho gayi lekin Mumma ne apna promise nahin toda.''Nisha uttered and Sameer was overwhelmed with the love Naina had for Nisha.She still was so afraid to lose Nisha.

"Papa!Aap Mumma ko mat batana kuch.Mujhe yeh sab Niru Aunty ne bataya hai.Maine bahut shaitaniyan ki hai Mumma ki cotton nikalne ke liye..par Mumma Puja ke waqt hilti bhi nahin.Aap bhi yeh baat yaad karlo.Hum Delhi jaayenge na?'' Sameer assured and asked her to get ready for school.

"Papa!Rishav bhi chalega humare saath?Use bhi Red Fort aur Qutub Minar dekhna tha.''Nisha asked buckling her school belt.

"Nahin.Naina,Nanu,Main aur Tum chalenge.Ab Delhi mein kaam hai na.Rishav ko leke nahin jaa sakte.''Sameer informed pulling out the suitcase.Naina had already kept his shirts pressed and neat in cupboard.He carefully lifted them ,keeping them to cornor;still keeping place for Naina and Nisha's dresses and accessories.

"Rishav sach mein nahin jaayega? Main akeli jaungi to wo bahut sad ho jaayega.Aap Aunty se baat kar lo na.Aap bolego to wo permission de denge''.Nisha requested again and was no more excited.The trip looked dull without Rishav as her company.Yes!Nanu was there,her Mumma and Papa were there,Delhi was waiting to be explored but what's the fun when your best friend is not by your side.

"Kya hua? Aise muh latka ke kyun baithi hai?'' Naina asked as she served the breakfast.She had made aloo parathas and paneer too but Nisha seemed lost.

"Delhi janaa hai humein aur use Rishav ke bina nahin janaa.''Sameer informed munching into the palatable parathas.

"Delhi?Court Marriage ka notice aa gaya hai kya? ''Nanaji asked calculating the days from their application.Sameer nodded and Naina had a surprised look.Realization dawned upon her that it has been nearly a month of their marriage.Time really flies.

"Mumma!Aap Aunty se baat karo na Rishav ko saath lene ke liye.Aap bologi to wo permission de degi.Rishav bahut khush ho jaayega.Mumma.Please.'' Nisha now requested her mother vanquishing all hopes from her father.She was confused as why he did not want Rishav to join though he loved Rishav too.

"Rishav nahin jaa payega.Delhi hum ghumne ke liye nahin kaam se jaa rahein hein.Meri beti to samajhdar hai.Aise zid nahin karte na.''Naina tried making Nisha understand and Nisha shook her head.If her parents have decided that Rishav will not accompany her ,then she will decide few things too.

"Papa!Main kahin bhi ghumne nahin jaungi.Aap apna kaam karlena.Main Nanu ke pass reh jaungi.'' Nisha declared completing her breakfast.Naina sighed while Sameer looked worried.He did n't have the heart to see the lost smile on Nisha's face. The excitement that oozed from her face was all gone.He somewhat failed like a failure in giving her coveted happiness.

"Jyada mat socho.Bachi hai.Zid to karegi.Par hum responsible parents hein.Pyar apni jagah hai aur discipline apni jagah.Jo sahi hai uske liye,humare liye wohi karenge.Ab ek din ka emotional blackmailing chalega phir back to track ho jaayegi.Tum apna breakfast khatam karlo.''She patted his shoulders and went to kitchen.

"Pata hai Rishav!Main Delhi jaa rahi hun.''Nisha said, still sulking over the morning incidents.Rishav knew she must have demanded to take him along with her.He understood that may be her parents had important works and they could not leave her here alone.And this she would not understand.Who is the fool here? He thought and chuckled.

"Thik hai.Jaa.Bahut masti karna.Mujhe laut ke batana kahan ghumne gayi,kya kya dekhi,aur kya kya khayi''. He said excited and Nisha frowned on hearing the words.Didn't Rishav want to accompany her.Was she no more his best friend?Was he not angry that she was leaving alone?Is the boy sane?

"Tujhe gussa ya sad feel nahin ho raha hai ki main jaa rahi hun akele?'' Nisha asked deciding to clear her confusions.

"Gussa kyun aayega?Aur akele bhi kahan?Uncle,Aunty ke saath jaayegi na.Main bhi Naani ke ghar chala jaunga.''Rishav said and Nisha felt relieved.So this was normal.She had never been away from Rishav ,nor in an picnics,not even in small walks to park.And today she was going to Delhi, the place they had thought to discover together when they had first learned the places to visit.He was happy about visiting his Naani's ghar;so should she be happy about her mini vacation to Delhi?What else she would see there?Nanu's house?Papa's office?Munna Chacha, Swati Mausi? Aloo Paratha?Too much for her brain to handle.Its better that her Mumma and Papa are taking decisions for her.She better be the good ,obedient girl and accept each of the decisions.

In Delhi

"Bhabhiii...'' Namrata excitedly hugged Naina at the airport,earning curious looks from fellow coommuters and present security guards.They looked like long lost friends,unexpectedly united. Naina hugged back instantly recognising her to be Namrata.Her eyes travelled to a handsome looking boy dressed in blue big chequered shirt.He greeted her folding hands and flashing a wide smile.There was an warm ambiance though both were strangers for her before she bonded with Sameer again.Such is the power of love.Strangers to confidante..the journey takes little time..very little.So also is power of hate.Driving away the own who she knew since the day she opened her eyes.

"Ma'am Yeh suit case de dijiye.Sir Nisha ko leke directly parking ke pass aa jayenge''.Avik volunteered to help while Naina ried assuring that she can carry that well.

"Bhaiya kahan hein? ''Namrata asked suddenly realising that Sameer and Nisha were absent.Avik had made Nanaji sit on a comfortable chair while Namrata was busy showering her overwhelming love upon Naina.

"Nisha ko ice cream chahiye thi.Bas usiki khwaish puri karne gaye hein dono.''Naina said and Namrata had a knowing smile.''Bhaiya kabhi kiska dil nahin dukha sakte ''Namrata declared earning a smirk from Naina.She knew to what extent Sameer Bhaiya had broken a girl's heart,who had loved him with every cell of body.Though she had no more complaints,but still it was a painful memory.

"Lo Bhaiya aa gaye.Nishaaa...'' Namrata hugged Nisha tight and Nisha was taken aback such endearment froma stranger.She had thought it was private family affair in Delhi;but it seemed it was more like a wedding reception she attended with her mother.Strangers hugging her mother,hugging her,her mother flashing her bright smile like that Colgate or Pepsodent ad on TV.Where were Munna Chacha or Swati Mausi?The other Chacha was not to be seen even.

Sameer sauntered talking on the phone and then gestured all to get inside car.Namrata pinched Avik to interrupt Sameer while Avik pleaded her to interrupt Sameer.Both realised no one had enough courage to interrupt Sameer in between a phone call.Nisha gauged the reaction before shouting at top of voice ''PAPA.''

Sameer turned back and saw Nisha gesturing to come soon.He hung off exchanging formal pleasantires.Avik giggled seeing his teacher already dancing to tunes of the 8 years old.The personality who even made retired intellectual elites shut their mouths.He had not seen this side of Sameer.All he had seen was the protective side of him for Namrata. When he had joined in his first year course,he had seen him throw out a teacher.That was the first day he had seen Namrata dressed in a taffeta navy blue prom dress.She looked beautiful but was sobbing hard.He didn't know how to console a sobbing girl and working on instincts he had given her his handkerchief.Then he had joined the group of teachers and students who were busy separating Sameer from hitting hard the other teacher in question.Sameer had stopped ,had pulled Namrata by her wrists and had taken to his cabin.It was then he came to know that Manoj Sir or as everyone called Munna Sir was the only cool person there.He had cleared the mess,the crowd and even had calmed both Sameer and Namrata.He didn't know what had happened that night but definitely recognized the facades his Dean had.

Soon their car wheeled out of the airport and Naina looked out of the laminated glass window.The streets looked familiar.So much had changed in years.New billboards had been erected,new vendors have adorned the streets, the crowd has increased.Soon they crossed the Ansari Nagar.AIIMS ,Delhi flashed across her eyes.The same building with few more extensions and modelling stood in much pride of offering service.The same building where she was left with no hopes and a crying baby in inexperienced arms.She looked at Nisha,who had now dozed off on her lap.Could she ever tell her that this was the place where she had lost her real parents?

Her eyes turned misty as several memories of Nikita came rushing to her.Sameer looked at her and understood the pain she was going through.They had such pasts which would open several times..afresh and pain the same way.He put an assuring hand over her,clasping her bangles along in the hold.She wiped her eyes letting him know that she was perfectly fine.Perhaps everything would be perfectly fine one day.

She realised even though the she had cut all the flowers ,she could not stop the spring from coming.She could not stop the breeze to flow in her life.

Is the spring always so calm?

(To be continued)

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