Hi Guys! Happy Navratri.Hope all are doing well.The last month has been very difficult personally and professionally.Sorry for keeping you all waiting.Thank you to all my followers for loving the story. Much Love.

Here is the update.Flashbacks are in Italics to avoid confusion.

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AIR FM Rainbow pe agli request bheji hai Karol Bagh se Ronit apni Neha ke liye.Iss gaane ki gitkar hein Sameer aur Manoj Tapadia . Gayak hein Vijay Prakash.Cheeni Kum film ki yeh gaana sunte rahiye.

"Sooni Sooni Khoi Khoi

Aankhein Meri dhoondhe tujhe hi

Kab se haan kab se

Ab aaogi tab aaogi kab aaogi

Puchun mein yahi khud se.."

The song played out and Sameer smiled amidst tension.He chuckled how another Sameer could write the exact feelings of him. He empathised with the guy Ronit and wished that his Neha should understand the depth of emotions. Amidst random thoughts and searching eyes, he fished out his mobile dialling Naina. She was supposed to be at the Book store.But he was late and much to his agony and anguish she was no where to be found in the bookstore.He had made frantic calls to her getting disappointed slowly as her phone remained switched off.He had mentally berated himself for being late and not informing about it in advance.He made a wild guess and thought she might have gone back home.

"Sahi likha hai. Yeh ladkiyon mein cheeni kum aur mirchi jyada hoti hai." Sameer grumbled as he took a swift turn to his lane.Parking the car outside of gate,he rushed inside. He shuddered a bit with the screaming silence of the building. The house looked empty,just like a figment of imagination by masters of macabre.The only lively sound was the whizzing sound of blender from kitchen.Sameer took a peek and found Nanaji and Ramdhari busy over conversation and precise instructions.Where was Naina?

She was not in their room since he had the key and Namrata's room was locked too.That brought him conclusion that Nanaji and Ramdhari were only present.Where she could have possibly gone? As per his knowledge except Swati she had no relatives in Delhi.Any friends from her batch?But how could she be irresponsible in going somewhere and not informing him.He grumbled and decided to call Swati. As he dialled Swati's number, Munna's number flashed on the mobile screen.Sameer was surprised at the untimely call. As per his knowledge,he had wrapped it all for the day.Fearing some emergency he picked up the call and Munna's informal tone flowed."Naina Quarters ki chabi kyun leke gayi hai?"

"Kya? Naina quarters gayi hai?" Sameer asked in utter amazement.Of all the places in world,why did she choose to go there.It was strange that she had gone there alone.But when did she go to institute?How did he miss seeing her? After you left she would have reached,duffer. His mind voice chimed in.

Munna gasped in surprise hearing the discord between situations.He was totally surprised to see Naina in institute and was bewildered when she had demanded the Quarters key from him.His years of schooling with her had given him a cue that a storm was brewing."Tujhe nahin pata?Waise kahan hai tu?" Munna quickly enquired.

Sameer went to his room,answering "Wo..main ghar pe hun.Chal!Main tujhse baad mein baat karta hun." He unlocked the door, rummaged through the cupboard and pulled out a pair of nightsuit.Stuffing it in a polythene bag,he briskly walked out of the room.

"Koi pareshani hai Sameer? Waise bahu kahan hai?" Sameer fumbled with the padlock hearing the voice.Nanaji stood with a look of absolute confusion.Building confidence in heart and tone ,Sameer started "Wo..Nanu!Main aaj raat quarters pe thehrunga.Aap waqt pe apni dawai le lena." Sameer went back to locking the padlock trying to avert Nanji's gaze.It didn't take much time for Nanaji to assume few things.Years of experience came to his aid. Smilingly,he placed his hand over Sameer's shoulder,giving it a light squeeze."Bahu ka khayal rakhna". Sameer smiled and hugged Nanaji for always being his friend, philosopher and guide.

The twilight had turned into full fledged dark night.Houses were now illuminated with yellow and white light bulbs. Office goers had returned and the housewives have returned to kitchen finishing their gossips.Darkness was slowly trying to reign over all.There was a hint of drizzle as cold breezes lapped across Naina's face.She got up and closed the window.Switching on the light she decided to pen down something useful.May be a poem or some thoughts.Empty mind is devil's workshop they say.But she realised how a dark and furious mind is playground of devils.Varsha's words were clear and profound,continuing to reverberate in her entire being. She could not define this darkness.She was not blinded physically yet there was darkness enough to unsettle her.This was perhaps the darkness of restlessness.

"Yahan aane ki decision le rahi thi to bata nahin sakti thi?" A voice echoed in the room and suddenly the room was filled with more light.Naina trembled a bit at the fury underlaced in the voice.But a few minutes of carefull recall of Varsha's word escalated her fury to fore.His question made her remember the cold grudge they had.Along with Varsha,Sudip's case was also an additional flaw on his part.

"Tum koi decision lene se pehle batate ho?" Naina retorted with a sarcasm in her tone.The chilliness and damn care attitude rilled him up.He snapped back."Dekho Naina.Hum yeh shaadi ladhai jhagde karne ke liye nahin ki thi. Mujhe nahin pata tumhari kya reasons thi.Lekin main apna reasons clear karlena chahta hoon.Taki baad mein kisiko koi galat fehmi na rahe ." His voice had almost changed to a professional voice,ready to present terms and conditions to a client.

Nothing of his charming personality or boring eyes could effect her.This has turned into judicial battle.Each ready to justify their acts."Haan batao na.Kya reasons the tumhare? Ab to mujhe lagta hai bahut saare reasons hein.Mujhe ab tak lagta tha Nisha eklauti reason hai ..lekin ab samajh rahi hun ki Varsha bhi reason thi." She finished with a sharp note.

"Bas Naina!Main tumhe koi rishton ki souda karne wala business man lagta hoon?" Though he was appalled at her allegations,he can't stand anymore misunderstandings between them.He added with a pause "For your kind information Mrs.Maheshwari! Tumhari aur Nisha ki responsibility mera reason tab bhi tha aur ab bhi hai."As he finished,he remembered her mouthing something related to Varsha.Was it just a trick of his tired mind? "Aur..ek second.Yeh Varsha kahan se aayi?" It all seemed to be a gross misfit to him now.

"Kyunki use aana hi tha.Sach batao Sameer!Kya meri weakness hi eklauti wajah ki hum ab tak hum ek nahin ho paaye hein?"Naina asked,tears choking her voice.She wanted clear answers.She would not hold back any doubt.any question that took birth in her mind.Today,he was accountable and answerable to each of her questions. "Ya phir isliye ki tum Varsha ko apna sab kuch dene ke baad meri nahin ho sakte?"

Sameer looked at her aghast.What was she blabbering?He moved in quick strides and checked her temperature."Naina!Tumhari tabiyat to thik hai? Kya behki behki baat kar rahe ho? Reasons kya hein yeh tum bhi ache se jaante ho..Aur yeh kya bakwas kar rahe ho? Varsha ko sab kuch de diya tumhe kuch na diya?" He wanted to ponder what brought Varsha into their already messed up life.While they were trying to solve an already mammoth size disagreement, why this self- tagged bitch had to screw it up more.He needed answers.

"Main bakwas kar rahi hun..Toh sach kya hai tum hi batado.Khatam kardo meri saari bechaini saari daar." He heard her stress every single syllable.Her last line threw him off –tangent.He was not expecting the reopening of past wounds of heart,aching memories of life.He had always dreaded such a night with Naina and much to his bad luck it was finally here.He cannot escape nor can evade this discussion for long. He has to spill it all.

"Naina!Main kabhi sapne mein bhi nahin socha tha ki yeh kissa mujhe tumhe aise batana padega.Lekin baat jab aaj humare bich ki pyar,viswas pe aa gayi hai, to sun lo." He pulled an adjacent chair and gestured her to take the seat on bed.Sameer pulled out a diary from the lowest of drawers.Flipping few pages, he stopped on a particular page.With a tone of absolute melancholy and gloomy remembrance he started."Usdin jab Bangalore fest mein tum gussa hoke nikal gaye the,tab mujhe apne aap pe bahut gussa aaya tha.Aur Varsha pe bhi. Bina kuch soche main pine laga..8-9 peg ke baad kuch hosh na raha.Charon taraf sirf tum dikhai dene lagi.Mujhe yeh bhi nahin pata chala ki kab main Varsha ke saath wo hotel room mein pahuncha." Naina's eyes widened. Much to her chgrin ,her mind conjured up few unpleasant pictures inside the hotel room.She wanted to close her eyes,forget it all as a bad dream.Yet she can't do that now.She herself has demanded answers from him.Bitter,sour or sweet,she has to taste the medicine of her unreasonable fury.

"Nasha mein sab kuch khubsurat lagta hai.Main behek gaya.Shayad Varsha agar ek thappad laga deti to main hosh mein aa jata.Par wo na mujhe roki na khud ruki.Uss raat ki wo kuch pal mujhe ab bhi yaad nahin." Sameer sighed.With a deep breath ,he continued. "Lekin subah nasha utarte hi aur Varsha ki hal dekh kar mujhe samajh aagaya ki kitni badi galti ho gayi hai humse.Mujhe pata tha ki hum dono ne koi protection use nahin kiya tha. Mujhe apna fikr nahin Varsha ki izzat ki fikr thi. Main decide kar liya ki hum jald se jald shaadi kar lenge. Bachelors ki akhri semester chal raha tha.Sab kuch plan kar liya.Exams se pehle sagai aur exams ke baad shaadi." His eyes gave an inadvertent twinkle.Naina understood he perhaps had been extremely elated with his future plannings.He had always been like that since the time she had met him in school.No matter how diabolic the circumstances were,he remained hopeful,instantly filled with ideas and plans.Kuch adatein badalte nahin.

Resting against the back of chair,he resumed "Nanu se baat kiya to wo maan gaye.Lekin ek shart rakhi ki shaddi se pehle ek official sagai hogi.Family,Friends,Factory ki staff ke bich.Main bahut khush tha.Munna ki madad se Varsha ki angoothi ki naap le li." He laughed and Naina understood the pain that accompanied along. She had never asked him what was his past since the days they have met in Almora.So much had transpired she never knew. "Ek American Diamond ki ring bhi kharid li.Institute ke pass ek Shiv Mandir tha.Varsha wahan kabhi kabhi jaaya karti thi.Toh wahin bula liya use.Aur usdin realise hua ki yeh zindagi ek circle hai. Jo jahan ek baar shuru hoti hai wo ghum ke wahin khatam hoti hai. He finished with a longer sigh,closing his eyes.The day still vivid,playing infront og his eyes.

"Varsha ko surprise dene chala tha ,khud surprised reh gaya." He sniggered,earning a question from her."Aisa kya hua?" She shifted near him and Sameer drifted to one of the life changing days of his life.

Flashback

"Sameer!Jaan!Kya hua? Aise urgently call karke,yahan..Jaldi batao.I am dying to listen" Varsha asked as she fed Sameer with the prasad. Sameer took the prasad and quickly kissed her forehead.Varsha giggled at his attempt of public display of affection.

"Aaj yahan main hamesha ke liye tumhe apna banana chahta hun." Sameer said decisively as they settled under a Peepal tree. Sameer held her hands ,linking their fingers.However,with his clear statement Varsha jerked. "What? Saaf saaf batao na.Yeh shayari wale andaaz mujhe samajh nahin aati"

Sameer laughed and trailed "Acha thik hai .Saaf saaf baat karte hein.Tumhe pata to hai humare bich jo bhi hua wo nahin hona chahiye tha." He coloured a bit remembering the morning after of his realization. Varsha's face however didn't covey her thoughts.He however quickly continued. "Aage chalkar koi problem nahin ho isliye main chahta hun ki hum shaadi kar lenge.Aur aaj yahan yeh ring pehnakar hum iss rishte ke aur ek kadam karib aa jayenge."

"You mean hum ab unofficial sagai karlenge." Varsha crunched her nose and asked."Exactly." Sameer nodded in elation.

"Mr. Sameer Maheshwari! Tumne wo Shaan film ki gaana suni hogi

Pyaar karne wale pyaar karte hein shaan se

Jeete hein shaan se marte hein shaan se..

Humare bich pyaar kab tha Sameer jo aaj yeh sagai aur shaadi ke sapne tum saja liye? Main to tumhari pyar kabhi thi hi nahin.I was just a rebound." Varsha said with a tone of extreme firmness.Sameer thought perhaps he had never seen her so confident,so sure about anything until now.

"Aisa nahin hai Varsha." Sameer protested.However he was interrupted."Aisa hi hai Sameer.Tum mujhe dhokha de sakte ho lekin main itni bhi buddhu nahin hun ki sab kuch ankhon se dekhne ke baad ek aise insaan se shaadi kar lun jo pyar to mujhe karta hai,lekin sapna kisi aur ki dekhta hai.Jo mere saath hote huye kisi aur ki naam chikhta hai.Sab kuch aisa hi hai Sameer.Don't try to be that clever." Her tone had days of loathe for him. Hatred and distaste for him clear and loud in her voice.

"Excuse me..Kahin aisa to nahin ki tumhari wo Naina ne tumhe phir reject kar diya aur tum isliye mere pass aaye ho..Waise bhi tum na aate to main tumhe bula hi leti.Mr.Sameer Maheshwari!5 lakh ka intezaam karo." Sameer felt he was seeing some other Varsha,not surely the one she had known.She didn't have a twin sister,he was confirmed.And what was she just talking? He needs time to register all of it.She seemed to be high on some alcoholic beverages."Tum pike aaye ho Varsha?Kya behki behki baatein kar rahe ho?Aur 5 lakh kisliye?" He gripped her arms and jerked her.Hoping she would soon return back to her good old senses.

"Hahhaa..Pike aati to shayad itni ache se tumse pesh nahin aati.Badtameezi karleti aur tumhe aur bura lagta...Haan..Puch rahe the na 5 lakh kisliye..Isliye.." Giving a sardonic laugh,she pulled out a camcorder from her handbag.Sameer watched the hazy pictures of his mind,clearly playing out on the screen.It was all recorded.The night in hotel was no more a forgettable memory but a full fledged recorded entity.An entity that can devastate him for eternity.As the video ended with him taking Varsha, screaming 'Naina' and later collapsing.Sameer wished that a sudden earthquake should happen and that he be immediately engulfed by the Mother Earth.And why on the earth this was recorded,how was it recorded? It was not only him in the frame,her image is at greater stake.He asked ,words refusing to come to him."Va..rsha..Yeh kya hai?Tumhein malum hai tum kya rahi ho?Pagal to nahin.."

Varsha smirked and put her finger on his lips."Shh!Varsha naam hai meri..Kab kispe baras jaun bharosha nahin meri.Yeh video recording main sirf 2 hi din mein campus mein faila sakti hun.Sirf do din.Yaani adtalis ghante." Has she lost her brains? He looked at her as if he just saw a ghost.Whom was she planning to ruin and win over? Reading the unasked questions and surprise in his eyes,Varsha crossed her arms against her chest. In a complete news reader's tone she started "Akhbaar mein aayegi "Attempted Rape of IIM Student Varsha Mehrotra by fellow classmate Sameer Maheshwari,grandson of industrialist Jayprakash Maheshwari.Sameer Maheshwari was also found in a scandalous affair with Creative Nib National winner Ms.Naina Agarwal". Sameer stood rooted and his mind went black.Was it all a bad joke or freaking serious ghastly reality? He could not think anymore."Tumhare pass do options hein Sameer.5 lakh ya tumhare Nanaji aur pyaari Naina ki beizaati. Choice is yours."

"Tum mujhse kabhi pyar nahin karte the Varsha?Kya yeh sab natak tha?" Sameer asked still in haze of her said words.Nothing seemed real now.He wanted to clarify if all these were actions of some major misunderstanding,or any manipulative vengeful act of any rival.

"Haan natak hi to tha.Ya phir kahun to Natak mein natak tha.College ki dusre din jab tumne wo money receipt lautane aaye the tab kuch dost ne mujhse shart lagaye the.Tumhe patane ka.Tumhein ekdum Sameer Maheshwari se Sameer Majnu,pagal,deewana Maheshwari bana dene ka.Aur lo!Main jeet gayi." Varsha declared.A whoosh of air escaped from Sameer's lungs.Karma strikes real bad.Did Naina too felt same way on a particular day ,years ago?He felt the misery he had put her into.They say it right.There is no sound of breaking of heart;if there would have been any sound,it would have deafened many.

Varsha's voice pulled him to the grim reality.He felt her voice choke.Why was she even feeling emotional? Was more blackmailings on way? "Main tumhein sach mein chahne lagi thi Sameer.Zindagi mein phir se haarne ke liye taaiyar thi.Lekin...Uss din Naina ke saath tumhein dekh ke mujhe phir se yaad aya ki yeh pyaar mohabbat insaan ko kamzor bana deta hai.Apne manzil se bhatka deti hai.Aur tum mere manzil nahin ho yeh tumne saabit kar diya." A tear leaked through Varsha's eyes,which she quickly wiped.

Tears and emotions full of love can be real foil to plans and startegies.Her mother had been weak because of these tears.Being a love child, and later as the world called her 'out of wedlock' child she had tolerated enough. She has been betrayed much by the person who was her supposed father and life giver.She detested calling him father.He was just a wretch who had donated his sperm.She owed her life to her mother.The lady who was just rebound to a physically and emotionally frustrated business tycoon.The one who seeked comfort when his marriage was on rocks.Without any promise,without any commitment of future two humans fraught with passion and libido ;created a life.All her life she has demanded paternal affection ,only to promised baselessly by her mother.The man,so called her father came in late nights to give medicines and yeah,definitely some money to last the whole month.The man again disappeared in the night's darkness,not to be seen for a month and days counting. With Sameer she finally felt that there was a man who understood her,loved her with all her craziness. While once reading 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens ,in school;she related herself to the character of Miss Havisham. Obsessive about loved ones and crazy about things.Yet all her dreams had shattered seeing the more-than-friendly hug Sameer shared with Naina.All men are same.She was again a rebound,just like her mother.A pitiful and loathful burden on shoulders of men who promised them love and happiness of today and forever.

"Ab iss video ki do copy hein mere pass.Aur do options hein tumhare pass. Good Night." Varsha walked away and Sameer stared blankly till the distant vision of Varsha dissolved in darkness.

"Nanu!Wo ..ek mock event management ke liye 5 lakh chahiye..Aap .." Sameer stameered badly as he tried fibbing over phone.Nanaji felt there was something definitely off in Sameer's regular,excited voice."Sameer!Beta sab thik to hai na?Teri awaaz ko kya hua? "

"Main thik hun.Aap kya mujhe 5 lakh de sakte hein?" Sameer asked,adding "Main wada karta hun aapko poora paisa louta dunga." Sameer swore though Nanaji could not see it.It was more of a promise to self than his dearest Nanaji. Nanaji could not think what actually troubled Sameer.But then the consignment and associate workload occupied his thoughts.Granting his words to be true,he agreed quickly."Thik hai.Fikr na kar.Main Munsi se baat karta hun.Wo tera account mein paisa transfer kar lega.Man lagake padhai kar ,Visakha ko jaise aur sharminda naa hona pade. Samajh raha hai na Youngman?" Sameer visibly relaxed.He hung off with parting words."Aap best ho Nanu..Sabse best."

"Ms.Varsha Mehrotra! Yeh tumhare 5 lakh.Videos.." Sameer met Varsha few days later under the same Peepal tree.Varsha was sure surprised how quickly he had arranged such a huge amount.She quietly handed over the two floppy disks in return of a cheque of five lacs..Sameer quickly grabbed them and threw into his college bag.As Varsha turned to move away clutching the cheque in her hands,she heard Sameer say."Varsha! Aaj tak mein ek azaad parinda tha.Lekin aaj iss karz mein doobne ke baad pata chala meri manzil kya hai. Tumhein khoke mujhe manzil mili, shayad tumko mujhe khoke kuch acha mila ho."

How she hated this badass attitude of Sameer.She hated how he felt winner always and the one to have the last laugh.Turning on her heels,she irritably started."Mr.Sameer Self-obsessed Maheshwari.Rassi jal gayi par bal nahin gaya.Waise bhi yeh duniya mujhe Varsha 'Bitch' Mehrotra kahegi.Par mujhe koi ghum nahin.Tumhari rakhael ban ne se acha to mujhe tumhari 'ex' ban ne mein khushi hai.Aur alimony ke paise mil bhi gayi.Ab tum azaad ho." She moved closer to Sameer and met his eyes. "Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna..Meri aankhon mein ansoo deke tum kabhi khush nahin reh paoge.Ghar ,biwi,bacha..kisika sukh tumhein nahin milega..Agar mil bhi gaya ..Main khud aaungi uss khushi ki aag ko bujhane...Varsha naam hai meri..Kab kis pe baras jaun ..Bharosha nahin meri.Ciao." In a quick dash she was gone and Sameer hoped gone forever never to return. However she had gone, submerging him with years of regret,guilt and debt.She really stooped enough low to conquer.Would he be the same carefree Sameer Maheshwari again,the happy –go-lucky boy.Perhaps life chose to be a hard taskmaster to teach him one of greatest lessons.

"Uske baad tumne kya kiya?Nanaji ke paise kaise lautaye?" Naina asked, curiosity getting better of her.She was feeling guilty now of pushing him to visit the unpleasant days of his life.Well she now she knew how Varsha has remained true to her promise.She has appeared again and had almost havocked their relationship.The girl is shrewd and emotionally manipulative.Not an iota of doubt in it. Her heart was filled with enough regret when she learned that he attempted to save images of two people.His Nanaji and her. When did he start loving her so much?

"Nanu ko jab pata chala main aur Varsha saath nahin hein,wo kuch andaaza laga liye.Kuch na puche.Event management ki career mein kisi bhi mod pe Varsha ki chehra nahin dekhna chahta tha.Mujhe ek alag duniya ki talaash thi.Maine soch liya tha kuch bhi karunga lekin poora paisa louta dunga.Munna Pandit ne tab sambhala mujhe.Pandit ne bachon ko Guitar classes dene ka idea diya.Main Delhi aa gaya Bangalore se.Lekin Nanu se nazrein milane ki himmat nahin thi." Sameer said,chuckling how he used to return home late so that he didn't have to lie to Nanaji about the five lacs thing again.He would sneak into his room and sleep off till late until Nanaji was gone to office.He didn't want to lie blatantly to the only person who trusted him the most in this world.

"Ek din itefaaq se Namrata ki ghar rent ke liye advertisement mein aaya tha.Chota sa kamra tha to sirf main aur Munna adjust karliye.Singing classes se jyada kuch savings nahin ho pata tha.Saare paise khaana aur kiraya dene mein chala jaata tha." Sameer painfully remembered the intense days of hopelessness and struggle.For the grandson and ultimate heir of Maheshwari Industries five lacs rupees should not have mattered.But it mattered enough for a grandson who owed a promise to his grandfather ,his 'mummy' as he fondly called sometimes.He wanted to prove his real worth by paying back the whole amount. Afterfew moments of intense silence ,Sameer continued. " Mujhe yaad hai wo Diwali ki raat.Namrata ki Papa ;Deepak Sir ne mujhe cigarette pite huye dekh liya.Bahut gussa huye.Ghar se nikalne ki baat bhi ki.Par Shriya Mausi ne unhe rok liya.Jab unko mere pareshani ka pata chala tab wo mujhe Music aur Instruments mein formal training lene ki advice di.Tab wo Music Institute ki Dean the.Mera saara kharcha unhone uthaya. Fir jab scholarship mili aur main P.hD karne London chala gaya,Sir ki Blood Cancer stage 2 detect hua."

"Main sab kuch chodke unke pass aa jana chahta tha,lekin Namrata ki handwriting mein likhi unki ek chithi ne mujhe rok liya.Jab tak main yahan pahuncha,tab tak sab kuch khatam ho chukka tha.Shriya Mausi aur Namrata ki saari zimmedari mujh pe chodke Deepak Sir bahut dur jaa chuke the." Sameer added with a sigh. "Zindagi ne phir se ek nayi mod le li.Zimmedari aur badh gayi.Iss sab mein pyaar,mohabbat,sunhere khwab sab bhule bisre baat ban gaye. Mujhe ek jeevan sathi chahiye thi jo mujhe sambhale , mere ankahi baatein samajh le.Mr.Somani ke high class ki rishtedaari nahin.Life is indeed circle.Zindagi mein pehla pyaar tumhi se kiya tha aur dekho aakhri pyaar tum hi ho." As he finished ,he held her hands. "Naina!Ek request hai.Varsha ko iss baar jeetne mat dena.Humari khusiyan ki aag ko use bujhane mat dena.Please."

"Sameer! Subah ka bhula yadi shaam ko ghar laut aaye to use bhula nahin kehte.I am sorry." Naina's eyes had tears. If she thought that life had indeed thrown at her challenges and with difficult choices to choose from ,life has not been any kind to him either.They both were broken.In attempt of collecting each other's broken pieces,they both will bleed.Yet! She would not give up and neither question his loyalty to her. He loved her enough to agree for years of rigorous struggles than see her image tarnished.He placed her on an equal plane with his Nanu.What more proofs she needed? He loved her and she loved him.No confessions required,no proofs needed.

She held her ears seeking his forgiveness.She has hurt him enough with her razor sharp allegations. Sameer feigned anger,though he knew she was really guilty of her words.It was fun to see the Ms.Always Right,Ms.Perfect and Topper Naina Agarwal trying to cajole him for forgiveness.Tired of her efforts to apologise to him ,she finally sat tired on the bed."Uff!Itna gussa.Apni Naina ko maaf nahin karoge?" Sameer painfully supressed his smile and tried maintaining an angry demeanour.However her cute face and pouty lips distracted him enough.No Sameer! Let her ask for some more apologies.Don't give in easily. Sameer's mind hummed.

The electricity went out as the winds outside turned into violent storms.Naina felt it was going to be a long cold night. Sameer went out of the room in search of the candle from kitchen.The whole of house was submerged in thick darkness. It was taking longer than necessary for Sameer to return.Naina suddenly felt the darkness fearful.It no more gave her tranquility as like in her room in Almora.This darkness looked monstrous ready to engulf her.

"Sameer!" She shrieked only to be replied "Abhi aaya." She quickly started muttering the 'Hanuman Chalisha' hoping to alienate the fear.

"Iska matlab Jhansi Ki Rani ko bhi andhere se dar lagta hai?" She heard him say and opened her eyes.He stood with a candle in his hand.The candle flame illuminated his face and that was enough to calm her heartbeats.She rushed and quickly hugged him.His hand came to rest on her head.In the darkness and glimmering flame,she read his unspoken promise to her that he will always be there for her.To protect her against any malice.

She didn't know why suddenly she felt like weakening.The self resolves ,the barriers,the walls she had all planned since the picnic days started faltering.In an impromptu push,she cupped his face,pulled him close for a kiss,her body pressed against his.The candle was burning at far.No more it was lightening the room,instead was inspiring to be fire mess. He hovered over her,looking intently at her charming face.He gazed deeply into her bewitching black eyes.In the flickering light of candle,she met his gaze,desire laden eyes heavy with emotions,lips parted.Naina blushed into shades of pink as Sameer bent to brush his lips against her cheek,moving teasingly down along her jaw.She clutched his biceps as he found her mouth.That was it.

The kiss came as the rains starting to get intense.Promising to drench them in soaking contentment.She ran her hands along his arms and shoulders,sliding her fingers through his silky hair.She gasped as his hands moved along the zipper of her kurta.She was on her tip toes,kissing him fiercely as he was plundering her petal soft lips and senses.His grip went tighter,trying to convey her,with the merge of their lips,all the things he could never possibly say out loud.

Sameer pulled the zipper down to her waist,the kurta loosening at her shoulders.The clutch of Sameer's arms along with the intense pattering of rains outside made Naina feel safe and protected.Alike the muffles of flowing water,his kisses muffled on flimsy,delicate skin of her bare shoulders.He smiled realizing how he looked taller against the smallness of her exquisite body.She was gripping him real hard, occasionally gasping and moaning to his ministrations. The sight of her almost bare upper body made him groan with a hardened ,painful desire.He growled low in his throat as his fingers brushed against her bra strap .He stopped for a moment, looking into her eyes.Her cloudy eyes now held an emotion of permission and pure submission.She smiled alluringly.A moth hovered around the flame of candle,finally plunging into abyss of flame.

Never in his life had he felt so out of control.He asserted this to the rains outside,the flame inside.He lifted her up and carefully placed on the bed.As she indented into the soft mattress of bed,she pulled him along.As their breathes met,the world ceased.There was only sound of rain and ragged breathing of two humans,both submerged in tangled passions.His memory aided and fingers deftly undid the beige cotton bra.He heaved at the sight of her curves,pert and exposed to his hungry gaze.Naina felt the nibbling kisses running down her neck,moving down to her soft skin.She writhed with pleasure,turning into mass of red hot passion.Sameer held her wrist and removed the bangles before losing himself in sensual whirlwind.

Satiating her senses to lees, he moved with wild abandon against her,the frenzy powerful need driving him uncontrollably. He moved his hips in an uncontrollable thrust, feeling the soft glide of silk against his growing hardness.She tasted like pure elixir, intoxicating,vanquishing him of his senses.He felt as if she was the torrent of rain on his parched being,watering his cracks,quenching his thirst ,pulsing life in every cell of his body.He could not get enough of her,nor the earth could get enough of the raindrops.In the gutting flame of candle,he felt as if he had waited all these years to have her like this.In wild abandon,encompassed in his arms with heart full of love and passion.

His mouth moved up her body to her luscious lips and took them with a harsh nip.Naina returned his kiss with just as much force and as much demand.Nothing less and each fighting for a dominant more.The unpleasant grudges,nagging concerns of years ceased to matter anymore.There was nothing but them,nothing but the driving need that would not let them rest until it met a satiated end.Until the flowing rain water met the depthless ocean.

Their hands wandered over each other in feverish play.Each of the physical barriers encountered were pushed away to encounter softer skin beneath.Her hands roamed wantonly over the hard muscles of his back,her fingers tugging the strands of his hair, and kneaded his shoulders as she arched up to him.With a bolt of lightening and rapture,he pushed into her slowly. "Sam..eer!" She cried out.Purely driven by instincts,she lifted her legs and aligned them against his thighs.He continued to kiss her,trying to make her stiff pain and cries of pleasure,all of her being ;his own.The cold winds outside caressed the dripping wet leaves.The leaves shivered.Sameer remembered the doctor's word.He had to treat her like a porcelain doll.Reigning his haywire senses somehow,he moved with slow, delicate strokes,intently looking for her comfort. Tears of gratitude leaked from her eyes at his concern. "Aaj mat ruko."She murmured. He smiled,bowed and sipped her tears.He laced his fingers with her along the sides of her head and thrust all the way inside with a groan.She felt something snap inside her.Lightening flashed across the sky and lashed through her veins.An apex of fiery bundles loosened inside and she shattered.The sensation of ice and fire coursing in her blood.He stopped for a moment and soon everything fell into a rhythm.His taut muscles of abs slithering against silkiness of her belly,their breath ragged, intense and raspier, primal pleasure enveloping them in cocoon.

Moulded against each other, intertwined, meshed,they climaxed.Her muscles clenched as he let himself go,the pleasure intensely blinding. "Naina",he shuddered,stammered and collapsed on her. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his forehead.He had wiped away all her insecurities, restlessness and clouding doubts.He strengthened her existence as they became one flesh.

As shuddering gradually slowed, he looked deep into her eyes.With a sigh,he rested his forehead on hers.Her bright red sindoor was smudged.She looked like a goddess; a perfect balance of forbidden beauty,attractive and strength.She kissed his cheeks,his nose and lips ,grabbing him and holding him tight.He returned the kiss with equal fervour before rolling away,pulling her to his side to hold her close to his frame.She lay her face on his chest, listening his heartbeats returning to normal.Sameer wrapped his arms around her,rested his chin against her head,and both drifted off into a blissful slumber in years.The candle blew out just like insecurities,guilt and nightmares of eons.

Birds twittered in the trees,across the room's window, gradually awakening Naina.A wave of sharp tingles ran across her body.She blushed as she became aware that she didn't have a thread of satin on her. All she had was the cotton bedsheet.She turned over and looked at the one who shared the bed with her.He was sleeping with all his glory, a sated contentment profound on his face.She pulled the bed sheet over him and suddenly he pulled her against him.He opened her eyes to him as her fingers glided through his jet black silky hair.

Sameer made a low moan as she played with his hair.She jerked her hand away,but he caught her wrist.He kissed softly the insides of her wrist before bringing it to lay against his chest.She smiled and pressed a kiss on his heart.Tenderly,she kissed his eyes, cradling his face in her hands.His arms enfolded her and she breathed him in.She knew this was how it was supposed to be yet it all felt like some dream.He saw her lost somewhere and kissed her earlobe to attract her attention.Her attention returned to him.She whispered "Mr.Maheshwari!Aaj aap uthenge ya aise hi bistar pe din bhar laite rehna hai?" Sameer grinned and pulled her closer ,holding by her waist. "Mujhe koi aitraaz nahin.Aaj waise bhi Sunday hai." Naina smacked him lightly and withdrew from his hold.In this quick attempt, her hold on hem of bed sheet went loose. Sameer winked,conveying her that he indeed got a peek-a –boo. "Uss taraf dekho.Mujhe dress pehen na hai." Naina instructed,blushing into shades of scarlet till her heels. "Arey mujhse kya sharmana? Main to sab kuch dekh.." Naina quickly clamped his mouth. "Sharm aur haaya aurat ki gehne hote hein.Ab kuch mat bolo.Uss taraf dekho." Naina stated and went back to pulling over her kurta. "Sameer!Aise mat dekho na." She winced as she felt the heat of his gaze send prickles down her spines. He moved across the bed and hugged her from behind.

"Main to aise hi dekhunga.Haq hai mera.Waise yeh jo tum writer wali bhasan kuch der pehle di,isse mein accept nahin karta." She turned towards him,trying to understand the meaning of his spoken words. "Naina!Agar sab tumhari tarah sharm aur haaya ko aurat ki gehne sochne lage,to yeh jewellery industry do din mein band ho jayega.Isliye practically yeh sochna possible nahin." Sameer finished as he zipped her zipper. She laughed at his conclusion.He really analysed it? "Acha main bhul gayi thi ki main ek business man ki bhi biwi hun." She sighed dramatically.As she stood up, sharp pain jolted inside her,making her fall back on bed.He saw her whimper in pain and quickly caught her. "Thik ho? So jao kuch der aur.Breakfast mein banake lata hun." He said and scampered away from the bed.

"Nisha!Uth jaa beta.Bhagwan jhooth na bulwaye!Subah ho gayi hai." Chachiji called Nisha as she slept clutching her teddy bear.Chachaji was tending to the flower pots on terrace. "Nani!Mumma Papa aa gaye?"Nisha asked as she opened her eyes. "Bhagwan jhooth na bulwaye beta!Abhi nahin aaye hein.Kaam khatam ho jaaye tab aayenge na.Uth jaa aaj mein garam garam parathe banaye hein." Nisha climbed out of the bed and yawned before walking staggeringly to the wash basin.

After a having a full breakfast,Nisha went upstairs to call Chachaji to have his breakfast. She saw Chachaji gently tending to the flowers, and pruning few leaves here and there with the garden scissors. "Nanu! Kya kar rahe ho aap?" Nisha asked suddenly interested in this new activity. "Arey Nisha beta! Good Morning.Poudhon ki dekhval kar aha hun." Chachaji said,ruffling Nisha's hair. Suddenly she remembered something and asked extempore. However the question stilled Chachaji's fingers and Chachiji's voice. "Nanu!Aap Preeti Maasi ko jaante ho na? Wo humari ghar kyun nahin aati?Kab aayegi wo?"

Chachiji felt at wit's end to answer the supposedly innocent questions of Nisha.Kids never realise how they sometimes ask the question for which the adults are rendered sometimes dumb and absolutely speechless. Before she could think of anything,she heard Chachaji say.

"Hum ek dusre ke ghar tabhi jaate hein jab humein ya unki humein zaroorat ho.Aane jaane ki koi wajah ho.Jaise tum Rishav ke ghar aur Rishav yahan ;humare ghar aata hai khelne ya padhne,waise hi koi na koi wajah hota hai.Preeti Mausi bhi tab aayegi jab tumhari Mumma ko uski zaroorat hogi.Samjhi?" Chachaji asked and Nisha nodded. "Samajh gayi. Main pray karungi Christ se aur Hanuman ji se ki Mumma ko Preeti Maasi ki zaroorat pade aur wo jaldi aa jaye.Maine dekha hai.Mumma unko bahut miss karti hai...Oops!Nanu!Nani ne mujhe aapko niche bulane bhejhi thi.Aap jaldi chalo.Warna phir Mumma ko complain karegi.Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye Naina!Teri Nisha kitni bhulakkad hai." Nisha enacted the way Chachiji would complain to Naina.Chachaji laughed joined by Chachiji.Nisha bit her tongue seeing Chachiji. "Acha!Meri nakal utar rahi hai.Ab to Naina ko pakka bataungi; Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye Naina!Teri Nisha bahut badmash aur nautankibaaz hai." Nisha literally got scared a bit and ran away muttering "Praise the lord!Mujhe bacha lena Bhagwanji."

Chachiji soon turned tense remembering Preeti. "Preeti ke Papa!Itne din hog aye Preeti ka na koi khabar na koi phone.Meri bachi thik to hogi na?" She asked,worrying over the well being of all her daughters.Chachaji tore a piece of paratha and dipped in the chutney.Taking a morsel, he nodded positively. "Bela!Tum fikr mat karo.Humare bache jahan bhi honge sahi salamt honge.Bharosha rakho unpe aur apne diye huye sanskaar aur shikhya pe." Chachaji consoled returning back to finishing the not –so-hot parathas.

The buzzing sound of shaving trimmer echoed in the small confines of a room,located inside a palatial mansion.A bearer entered with a glass of mixed fruit juice and some well toasted and buttered Bread and omelette. "Vikram Baba!Aapko milne koi niche aaya hai." Vikram stared in surprise at untimely and such an early arrival of a guest.He gestured to treat the guest till he comes down finishing his chores.He quickly completed trimming and gulped down the breakfast before walking down the stairs holding the juice glass.

"Suprabhat Vikram Bhau.Apan kase aahat?" (Good Morning Vikram Brother.How are you?) Vikram looked at the well built guy who stood folding his hands and a grin of excitement on face.He tried remembering the face which seemed familiar. "Raju?" Vikram asked in doubt. "Ho Bhau!(Yes brother)Sahi pehchana". Vikram looked at hima bit skeptically at his untimely visit ,however asked him to take the seat. "Aur bata yahan kaise aana hua? Sab thik to hai? Koi nayi case?" Vikram asked ,unable to contain anymore suspense.

"Case to nahin.Ek mahatvache (important) khabar hai.Sameer Maheshwari ko jaante ho aap?" Raju asked and Vikram halted in his tracks. "Uss Maheshwari se tujhe kya kaam?" Vikram threw a sharp stare at Raju. "Mera to koi kaam nahin.Yeh khabar aayi hai ki Maheshwari ne Sudip Bhau ko koi zameen dene ko raaji hua hai.Aapko pata hai iss baare mein?" Raju asked waiting for the response."Sudip ne to kuch nahin bataya.Snake.'' Vikram scowled.

Vikram's forehead wrinkles threaded in deep thoughts and before saying "Agar uss Sameer Maheshwari aur yeh Sudip Mitra ke bich yeh deal huyi to Naina Agarwal aise khoon ki anshoo royegi ki usey ponchne wala bhi koi nahin hoga.Bahut ghamand hai na use apne uss Maheshwari ki kabiliyat pe.Naina Agarwal ko tabah na kar diya to mera naam bhi Vikram Chauhan,M.Sc.LLB nahin."

(To be Continued)

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