When Naina reached the college on Monday, her eyes immediately started searching for him near the bike stand, but he wasn't there. Had he left for the factory already? Or maybe he was in the canteen... should she check there quickly? But still smarting from Preeti's rebuke about her running behind him all the time, she dropped the idea as soon as she met Preeti and Swati. She thought, Thank God! Preeti hadn't seeing her actually running behind him with his tiffin on Sundays or his coffee when he was in a rush.

And Preeti wouldn't understand, why she made it a point to talk to him if only for a couple of minutes by the bike stand, in view of the whole college every day.

The first week when she had returned to college after the Bidai, there had been a lot of speculation and whispering everywhere she went. Considering her marital status had been suddenly revealed and the small-town mentality of everyone being interested in everyone else's life, some of that was expected. But she soon realised it was not limited to that. One day she had been in the ladies toilet, when she heard some girls from his class talking as they freshened their make-up.

Girl 1: Yaar, yeah Sameer ki toh shaadi ho gayi!

Girl 2: Ha yaar... bahoot bura hua... itna handsome ladka... ab toh humara koi chance hi nahi raha.

Girl 1 laughed: Humara chance?! Aare, tera ya mera toh waise bhi nahi tha... par woh do heroine Sakshi aur Jaya jo itni uske peeche padi thi... ab toh unka bhi khatam ho gaya!

Girl 2: Par tune dekha aaj class ke baad dono Sameer se kitna flirt karne mein lagi thi... pata nahi sharam kaise nahi aati?! Shaadi shuda ladke pe kyun dore dalne mein laga rehta hai bhala? Aur jab ki Sameer ne unn dono ko kabhi itnasa bhi ghaas nahi dala hai!

Girl 1: Aare, sochti hogi ke uska kaunsa love marriage hua hai... maine sunn hai bahoot hi ajeeb tarike se shaadi hui hai dono ki. Mere building mein 3rd floor pe jo Shah aunty hai na woh gayi thi uss Patel wali shaadi mein, jaha Guruji ne inki shaadi karwayi.

Girl 2: That's so sad yaar... Bechara kitna handsome hai... woh Naina toh rehen-sehen main kitni ordinary hai, nahi? Ha, hosiyaar toh hai... par yaar Sameer ko toh bahoot sundar aur modern ladki chahiye hogi na... 80% marks ka kya achaar dalega woh?!

She had waited in the toilet till she heard them leave. This had been just one instance, but she had seen the sentiments reflecting in other student's words and eyes a number of times, especially all the girls who had probably had a crush on him. Few of the teachers had been a little disappointed to hear that one of their brightest girl students had ended up with a guy of just an average academic intelligence. Only her close friends had been genuinely happy for her. Not that she cared about what others thought of their match!

Naina only took comfort in the fact that as far as she was aware, he had not been reciprocating anybody's feelings. But from that day on, she made it a point to be seen with him when possible in college, consciously or subconsciously marking her territory.

Unknown to Naina, there had been a few broken hearts amongst the boys in her college too, especially the nerds like Sanjay Tebriwal who had always been in awe of her more than average academic achievements.

As they headed towards their class, Naina thought she heard someone calling her name. Correction, she thought she heard him calling her name. Turning around, she spotted him hurrying in her direction.

Sameer smiled slightly at his Saalis when he reached them and then said to her "Main tumhari rah hi dekh raha tha. Sham ko aaj factory mein jyada time lagega, mainne bataya tha na ke next week auditors aa rahe hai. Aur baad mein ek classmate hai Nitin, uske Maruti Cars showroom ke opening ka function hai. Main factory se wahi chala jayunga. Ghar aane mein late hoga aur khana bhi bahaar hi hoga, toh dinner ke liye rukhna mat." She nodded, but then asked "Late matlab kitne baajenge?" He shrugged his shoulders "Pata nahi... shayad 9:00-9:30... par aaj peeche wala darwaja lock nahi kiya hai..." She replied "Koi baat nahi, main jaagti rahungi." Naina turned to Swati and deliberately avoided Preeti's gaze for some time after he bid goodbye.

That afternoon when the girls were sitting on some steps and chatting during a break, Preeti suddenly asked "Naina, aise kya dekhe ja rahi hai Swati ko?" Naina stuttered "Aise matlab... kaise?" Preeti responded "Kab se dekh rahi hu... tu isse tak lagakar kyun dekh rahi hai?! Aaj peheli baar thodi na dekh rahi hai isse..." Naina nervously muttered "Peheli baat toh nahi... par pata nahi aur kitne din isse dekhne ko mile... pata nahi kab shaadi karke hume chod ke chali jaayegi..." Swati was very touched to hear this and pulled Naina into a big hug. Preeti too joined in.

As they broke the hug, Swati announced she was thirsty. Preeti too joined her to go grab a drink, but Naina said she didn't need a drink and would wait for them with their bags. As the other two girls walked away, Naina sat there feeling a little embarrassed of what had been running through her mind every time she looked at Swati that day. She had been trying to figure out, just what could it be that Munna had seen in her from afar, that she had held a special place in his heart all these years. Preeti's words from the weekend Ab toh Sameer tujhe jaane laga hoga na... phir bhi tumhare rishte ko aage nahi badha raha hai left her with sweaty palms.

That day the evening seemed to stretch endlessly. She had asked Ramdhari to take the evening off as there was hardly anything to be done. She had a quick meal of Maggie noodles about 8pm. After that she spent some time flipping through channels on the TV. After trying to resist the temptation for a bit, she finally gave into it and opening one of the cabinets in the lounge pulled out their wedding album.

Such an important day of her life and she barely remembered anything. The quickly put together bride and groom mostly looked completely lost or baffled. Even in that situation he looked so handsome in that Maroon Kurta, she thought. And then she came to the photo where he was applying the sindhoor, they looked very much like most couples looked in a similar photo. Her eyes were either lowered or closed... it was hard to tell exactly which, and his were intently focused on her Maang as he filled it with his right hand. But their emotions had been unlike other couples. There were no group photos or single or couple's shots. Only the bare essentials had been recorded. Everyone else featuring in the photos looked very tense or confused too.

Someone had added the photos from the Pooja and Bidai after the wedding photos. She definitely looked the bride in these, but she knew the emotions had still been unlike most brides. There were a lot of group photos and a few shots of just the two of them, but she couldn't quite recall when those were clicked. But, in these photos most other people were smiling happily. There was one where her Chachiji and his Mom were standing together and laughing over something, while Taiji standing to the side had a smile plastered over her face that Naina immediately recognized as fake.

And then there were few photos from that evening with the Bharucha family. Naina hadn't seen these before. Two of these photos caught her off guard. In both the photos he stood hugging her from behind. In one they were both looking straight at the camera and smiling as per Behrooz Bhaiya's instructions. She wondered how she had managed to smile, as she could remember nothing else but being unbearably close to him. The other one was more of a candid shot, with Naina's face starting to turn towards his chest and he gazing down at her face. These were the only photos where she had felt as she ought to have, she decided.

She sat there for a long time looking at them and savouring the memory of that evening. She had been blissfully unaware of the truth then, or rather his side of the truth.

The door bell rang, jerking her out of her reverie. She closed the album and rushed to open the door. A fleeting glance at the wall clock confirmed that it was close to half past ten, almost an hour later than what he had indicated. As she approached the door, she peeped through the side window and then quickly pulling on her bun let the hair down.

Sameer looked at her with pleasure seeing the lovely tresses tumbling across her back and some to the front too, as she welcomed him home. She was in her pale pink shalwar-kameez today. Naina's smile turned a little nervous as he stood in the doorway gazing at her intently, making no attempt to enter the house. She mumbled "Kaisa raha function?... Khana kha liya aap ne?" as she turned away from the door.

He followed inside and closing the door replied "Ha, acha raha... kafi log aaye thay, bahoot saare classmates bhi thay... isiliye der ho gayi." She nodded and wished him a goodnight as she started turning towards the corridor leading to her room.

Sameer looked at her a little confused and asked "Aare, goodnight kyun bol rahi ho? Khidki nahi lagani hai kya?" She shook her head "Nahi... aaj sham mein maine Ramdhari Bhaiya se band karwai thi... woh billiya phir se bahoot halla macha rahi thi. Maine socha pata nahi aap kab aayenge, toh unse kaha tha."

He snapped "Ajeeb ladki ho! Billiya na hui... jaise koi sher ladh rahe ho. Itna kyun darta hai?! Main aa toh raha tha na!" She was taken aback by this unexpected burst from him, but then retorted "Ha, lagta hai mujhe darr... aisi hi hu main! Ek toh pura din ghar se bahaar rahete hai, aur uppar se aate hi jhagad rahe hai!"

He asked incredulously "Main jhagad raha hu? Aur kya matlab din bhar bahaar rehata hu? College aur factory hi toh gaya tha... aur yeh sham ka jo function tha, yeh bhi attend karna jaruri tha. Nitin ke Mamaji humare client hai. Mera waha jana expected tha." She mumbled "Acha, toh itni der aap unke Mamaji ke sath hi maze kar rahe thay kya?" He reluctantly admitted "Nahi... baad mein toh woh aath-dus classmates thay jo bahoot party ke mood mein thay... Aare, par tumhe college mein bataya toh tha, ke late ho jayega..." She muttered "Isiliye toh Khidki band karwayi thi... Mujhe billiyo se darr lagta hai... bachpan mein ek baar bahoot zor se nocha tha ek ne mujhe..."

Both stood there uncertainly for a few moments, till he finally turned away after nodding his head and mumbling "Ok... so jao... goodnight..." As she walked to her room, feeling a little annoyed too she tied the hair back up in a bun.

Once upstairs in his room, Sameer thought irritated, just how much had he been looking forward to sitting in her room and telling her all about the evening. He had liked one of the new models in the showroom. Nanu had been thinking of replacing one of their cars for some time now, as it was more than a decade old. He had wanted to tell her about the car and discuss the colours he was thinking off.

Nitin's older brother had made sure that some generous portions of liquor were added to the soft-drinks served to the young men. Some of his classmates had been teasing him that Bhabhi would definitely make him sleep on the coach tonight, as apparently all wives are blessed with this superpower for sensing any such transgressions committed by their husbands. Sameer had laughed it off at that time, but now wondered if that was true? Had she realised that he had a little to drink and hence decided to call it night so soon?

Seeing her with her hair let open and the flushed look on her face had brought a lot of amorous thoughts to his mind. And maybe it was the effect of the liquid courage provided by that 90 mls of whiskey, but for a few moments as he stood in the door, he had actually contemplated on what would happen if he acted on his need to run his fingers through her hair or trace her luscious lips first with his fingers and then with his own. And then she had abruptly wished him goodnight. He had left so let down and annoyed to hear that she had asked Ramdhari to close the window. It was their thing! He could hardly tell her that he wanted to accompany her to her room though there was no window to be closed!

Naina lay in her bed tossing and turning. The evening spent looking at their photos together had affected her much more than she had expected. She had impulsively untied her hair as she went to open the door to him, but then seeing him standing there and staring at her, she had turned into a bundle of nerves. She had panicked thinking what might he think of her or how might he interpret her action of opening her hair as per his recent remarks. Also, still reeling from the memory of that one hug, she had felt the longing in her growing to new heights that left her quite confused and slightly agitated.

As a result, she had bid him a quick goodnight and then been further baffled by his reaction to getting Ramdhari to close the window. She cursed those stupid cats which had been creating a ruckus earlier in the evening. Yes, she knew that they were just cats and not some lions or tigers, but she was scared of them none the less. And then the unnecessary bickering had followed.

The next morning, she ensured that a breakfast of Aloo Parathas was served as a peace offering. That coupled with his perfect coffee should have been enough for Sameer, but the restlessness from the previous evening wouldn't quite leave him.

That evening, Naina was in the kitchen frying an assortment of pakodas. Her devars were sitting at the dining table chatting, while Sameer had headed upstairs to freshen up after work. Few minutes later they heard Sameer calling for Ramdhari, who quickly abandoned whatever he was doing and hurried upstairs.

When Ramdhari entered his bhaiya's room, Sameer was searching for something in his cupboard. He turned around and asked "Ramdhari, mera yellow wala t-shirt kaha hai? Kum se kum dus-bara din ho gaye honge laundry ke kapdo mein rakha tha. Abhi tak aaya nahi hai? Char din pehele diye hue kapde bhi wapas aa gaye hai!"

Ramdhari mumbled "Pata nahi bhaiya... dekhna padega... baaki itne sare toh hai na. Aap inn me se hi koi pehen lijiye." Sameer retorted "Mujhe wahi pehenna hai! Pata nahi dhyaan kaha rehta hai... kaunse kapde diye aur kaunse wapas aaye dekhte ho ke nahi?" As Ramdhari nodded quietly, Sameer went on "Ek toh waha office mein woh Mehtaji ne do ghante pagal banaya... pata nahi Nanu ne itne saal kaise unke nakhre uthaye hai. Manno humse cotton ka kapda nahi, sone ke taar se bana kapda kharidte hai! Aur ab yaha ghar aake dekho toh mere hi kapde gayab! Muh kya dekh rahe ho... jao aur leke aao."

Ramdhari stammered "Abhi... leke aaye??" His bhaiya snapped "Itni der se kya German mein baat kar raha hu?! Ha, abhi leke aao." Ramdhari shifted uncomfortably and then replied "Bhaiya... woh... t-shirt toh laundry mein nahi diya hai." Sameer asked "Laundry mein nahi matlab?" Ramdhari with his eyes lowered replied "Woh toh shayad neeche Bhabhi ke kamre main hai... humne ek baar shayad zadu lagate waqt dekha tha. Humme theek nahi laga waha se laundry ke kapdon mein dena..."

Sameer thought, Lagta hai aaj kuch pee ke aaya hai ye. Ya kahi khud hi pehene laga hoga mujhse chupake! He smirked "Acha? Theek hai, abhi puchte hai tumhari bhahi se!"

Naina had just brought out a batch of freshly fried pakodas and was serving some to her devars when Sameer entered the lounge, closely followed by poor Ramdhari who was cursing his luck for getting caught in this crossfire. Sameer bellowed "Naina! Yeh Ramdhari kya keh raha hai... Mera yellow t-shirt tumhare kamre mein hai?"

His wife who had been looking forward to serving him the extra crispy Onion pakodas, felt the blood drain from her face. She blinked a couple of times, trying to think of something to say and then stuttered "Acha... pata nahi... dekhti hu... shayad galti se dusre kapdon mein aaya hoga."

She quickly directed Ramdhari to go keep an eye on the pakodas in the kadhai and rushed to her room. With a wildly thumping heart, she reached into her cupboard and pulled out the t-shirt, all the while deciding to take the stance that she had not known that it was mixed in her clothes. But her impatient husband who had rushed behind her, stood in the doorway as she closed the cupboard and turned around. Feeling extremely mortified, she wordlessly handed him the t-shirt and rushed to the kitchen to escape any further questioning.

Sameer looked at the t-shirt disbelievingly, she did not have to search for it and knew exactly where it was! So, it had not been merely overlooked. He followed her to the kitchen and asked "Tumahri almari mein kyun rakha tha?! Galti se aa gaya toh launta bhi toh sakti ho. Ek hafte se uppar ho gaya dhund raha hu!" She mumbled something inaudible, probably an apology and then headed to the dinning area. In an attempt to change the topic, she muttered "Ab mil toh gaya na... pakode garam hai, tab tak kha lijiye."

But being the bull-headed guy that he was, he continued "Main kuch pooch raha hu... waha kyun rakha tha?!" Naina saw Pandit looking at this proceeding with surprise, while Munna looked at the floor looking a little uncomfortable. She was sure Ramdhari could hear every word of this inquisition loud and clear. She had never felt so mortified in her life so far and tears started flowing. Is he really this dumb, she wondered feeling absolutely miserable? Seeing the tears, he now sounded uncertain "Aare, ro kyun rahi ho? Bus poocha hi toh raha tha..."

Naina trembled slightly and uttered the first this that came to her mind "Mujhe darr lagta hai." He again tried to justify "Isme darrne ki kya baat hai? Bus poocha tum se." She continued blabbering as she cried "Nanaji bhi nahi hai... neeche mujhe akele darr lagta hai. Aur kal toh aap itna late bhi aaye. Tab tak toh pure ghar mein akeli hi thi main. Aur uppar se woh billiya... Ramdhari se pooch lijiye kitna jhagad rahi thi! Aur kabhi kabhi... raat ko bahoot ajeeb aawaj bhi aati hai... mujhe aadat nahi hai aise ground floor pe sone ki... koi aake agar khidki khat-khattaye toh? Aur woh... do ghar chod ke jo kutta hai... woh bhi raat ko kabhi kabhi ajeeb rone wali aawaj karta hai... aur phir gaali ke sare kutte shuru ho jaate hai..."

Sameer kept looking at her very confused and glanced at his duo to see if they were making more sense of this, but they just shrugged their shoulders. As the tears kept flowing, Sameer offered her his handkerchief mumbling that it was okay. Naina refused the handkerchief and headed to her room. Everyone left behind was quiet for some time.

Finally, Pandit spoke "Yaar, darr lagne wali baat toh samajh aayi... par iss sabka tere t-shirt se kya lena dena hai?" Seeing Sameer look at the t-shirt in his hand uncertainly and shake his head, Pandit continued with a thoughtful expression "Nahi... matlab... samjho chor aa bhi gaye... toh t-shirt se kaise unhe bhagayegi aya darrayegi?!"

Sameer muttered "Mujhe toh samajh nahi aata itna darrti hu kyun hai?!" Munna tried to explain "Aare, ladkiya aisi hi hoti hai.... peechli baar jab main Mummy-Papa ke sath do din Surat gaya tha... Sweety didi ne apni do saheliyo ko rehne bula liya tha. Ab agar unhe saari zindagi jiss ghar mein rahi hai waha bhi darr lagta hai... toh phir Naina ka darrna toh banta hai yaar." Sameer and Pandit nodded accepting this explanation. The trio headed out for a bit.

Sameer got back a little before eight that evening, ensuring that he could not be accused of another late night. Naina opened the door, but not with her usual smile. Before she could say anything, he offered her a black walking stick with a decorative silver coloured metal handle. As she looked at it, astonishment clearly reflecting on her face, he tried to explain "Tumhe darr lagta hai na... issiliye... yeh rakh lo." She asked sounding doubtful "Walking stick se kya hoga? Aur aisi toh ghar mein already hogi na... nayi kyun laayi hai?"

His eyes twinkled as he stepped a little away from her and pulled the handle with a flourish. Her eyes almost popped seeing the handle coming away from the stick, revealing a long metal blade. He announced proudly "Walking stick nahi... Gupti hai!"

Her voice trembled "Yeh toh choti talwar lagti hai..." He pushed the blade back in and replied "Exactly! Dikhne mein walking stick hai... par asal mein hai weapon. Tum isse aasaani se apni room mein rakh sakti ho. Phir itna darr nahi lagega, right?" She looked unconvinced "Isse unn billion ko mara toh woh toh mar hi jayegi... marna thode hi hai unhe... aur talwar mere kamre mein?" Naina looked more scared by this thought than she had previously. She pointed to the corner by the door and said "Abhi idhar hi rehne dijiye. Baad mein dekhenge."

Sameer mumbled as he put the Gupti by the door, "Maine toh pehele hi Pandit se kaha tha ke uska yeh idea bilkul bakwas hai! Par woh sunne toh na..."

Naina was very relieved that the boys had all bought her reason for having his t-shirt in her room. She wondered, just what had she been thinking holding on to that t-shirt?! Well, she knew what she had been thinking... But what sort of husband questions his wife in front of others why she wants his t-shirt in her room??!

Dinner was a fairly silent affair. Naina was still extremely embarrassed from his insensitive outburst in front of all the other men and Sameer was getting reacquainted with what it felt like to be subjected to the silent treatment from his wife.

As she picked the plates, she muttered "Khidki jaldi band kar dijiye, main kitchen clean karte hi sone jaayungi, thoda sar dard hai." He closed the window while she was still in the kitchen, thinking uneasily all the while that Nanu had already been away for four nights and would probably be back in another three or four days. Only Sunday evening had been a good one. He sat in the lounge watching some TV for a bit, hoping she would come by to say goodnight. But she didn't.

Breakfast next morning was fairly quiet too. She spoke, but very little. Sameer tried to remark on anything he could think of, including reading loudly some interesting news from the newspaper, but did not receive any strong response. That day when she arrived in college, she just waved in his direction but did not stop by the bike-stand. Seeing Munna and Pandit, Naina was engulfed by a fresh wave of embarrassment, and did not feel like she was up for a conversation with them as yet.

Sameer said to his duo "Kaha na mainne ke baat nahi kar rahi hai... Kya bakwas idea tha woh Gupti ka?!" Pandit tried to defend his idea "Aare... main toh aisa hi karta. Mere hisaab se toh ekdum dhartiphad idea hai. Usse toh kutton se bhi darr lagta hai... warna kamre mein rakhne le liye kutta le aate." Munna looked at Sameer disapprovingly and retorted "Ponga ko kyun bol raha hai? Sara problem tera banaya hua hai. Bhabhi uppar tere kamre mein hi hoti, toh aise darrti nahi!" Ponga also vigorously nodded his head in agreement. Sameer wondered briefly if he should use this as an excuse to ask her to move back upstairs.

Just then his cricket teammate Ravi who had recently got engaged approached him. Ravi was studying MSc in the same college. He exchanged greetings with Sameer and the boys and then said "Sameer, yaar tujhse ek bada favour chahiye!" Sameer replied "Aare, bolna kya kaam hai... favour ki kya baat hai..." Ravi blushed a little and then continued "Yaar, woh teri Bhabhi... Smita ko film dekhne jana hai. Par uske gharwale zara conservative hai... toh keh rahe hai ke sath koi aur aurat hogi toh hi bhejenge. Pehele toh mujhe kuch suza nahi, phir khayal aaya ke agar tu aur teri Mrs sath honge toh ekdum perfect hoga!"

Sameer looked a little uncertain. Movie plans with another couple, while Naina was barely talking with him didn't seem like a good idea. He started "Yaar... dekhna padega. Matlab puchna padega... kahi uska kuch aur plan toh nahi hai..."

Munna butt in "Ravi, plan kab ka soch raha hai tu? Meri maan aaj sham ka hi bana de!" He turned to Sameer "Aur isme itna sochne wali kya baat hai? Naina tujhe bina bataye kahi aati jaati hai kya? Baat karta hai!"

Ravi seemed very pleased by Munna's idea to plan for the same evening. Smita had been harping on about a movie date for few weeks now and he had not been able to think of a solution. He had not wanted to take anyone from his family, as that would kill any prospect of romance. He thanked Sameer profusely for agreeing to his plan and assured him that he would get the tickets sorted. A movie and the time of meeting was quickly decided on and Ravi went of happily dreaming of his movie date.

As soon as he was out of hearing distance, Sameer turned to Munna "Pagal ho gaya hai kya?! Main toh koi bahana karne ka soch raha tha. Pehele hi woh naraz hai aur ab agar movie ke liye mana kar diya usne toh main Ravi ko kya bolunga?" Munna shook his head and said "Pagal toh tu hai! Yaar, itna acha plan apne aap ban gaya... Bhabhi ko film dikha, popcorn aur ice-cream khila... dekh sara ghussa kaise chu ho jata hai! Aur sath mein woh dono bhi honge, toh unke saamne tujhse thodi na naraz rahegi. Usse bol de ke Ravi ne bahoot minnate ki hai, issiliye tune ha kaha hai." Sameer nodded thinking or rather hoping that this would work.

Sameer rushed home about quarter-past four. He had tried calling home from the factory a couple of time to leave a message for Naina about the plans for the evening, but the calls had gone unanswered. Ramdhari notified him that he had been out to buy some groceries and Bhabhi had not returned from college yet, which was rather odd considering she always got home by four at the latest. He was at a loss about what to do now. Where could she be? If she was still in a bad mood, where could she go? He thought, as per all the movies, biwi toh rooth kar maike hi jaati hai, right?

He looked at the clock. They had to meet Ravi and his fiancée at 5:45 pm, which left him with just about an hour and half to find her and then ensure that she got ready for the evening. For all he knew Ravi's fiancée might show up dressed to the nines! He did not want his wife looking any less.

He dialled Chachaji's number, desperately hoping she was there. Chachiji picked up the phone and on Sameer identifying himself, she warmly said "Namaste Damadji. Kaise hai aap? Hum abhi aap ko hi yaad kar rahe thay! Main ne Naina se kaha ke Pooja bhi aayi hai toh aap ko bhi yahi khane pe bula lete hai." Sameer relieved to hear that he had successfully located his wife, replied "Sorry Chachiji, aaj toh koi aur plan bana hai ek dost ke sath. Par phir kabhi jarur aayenge. Naina se baat karni thi..." Chachiji immediately summoned her niece.

Inside in Naina's old bedroom, the three sisters were laughing at Golu's latest antics and some nursery rhymes that he was reciting mispronouncing a fair number of words. When Preeti told her that Pooja didi had unexpectedly turned up that morning to stay for a couple of days, Naina had accompanied her back after college.

Naina had mentioned a little while back that she would stay the night here to spend more time with Golu. Pooja didi had laughed at her saying "Nanaji sheher se bahar hai na? Toh tujhe kya lagta hai, Sameer aise mein tujhe yaha rehne dega?!" Naina had asked "Kyun nahi rehne denge?" Pooja had tapped her on the head and said "Naina, abhi bhi tu itni buddhu kaise hai? Aare bewakuf aise waqt hi toh mauka milta hai khullam khulla kissi bhi kamre mein kabhi bhi romance karne ka! Dekh lena Sameer tujhe yeha rukne ke liye pakka na bol dega."

When Chachi announced that Damadji was on the phone for her, Pooja just laughed winking at her. After spending some time with Golu and the rest of the family, Naina's mood had mellowed considerably. Also considering that she wanted to tell him that she was staying back, she answered the phone in a fairly sweet voice "Hello... main bol rahi hu." He immediately asked "Naina, tum bina bataye kaise chali gayi? Mujhe toh samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ke kaha dhundu..." She responded "Dhundne ki kay jarurat hai? Main kaha ja sakti hu... Bus Pooja didi aayi hai isiliye college ke baad yeh aa gayi. Maine phone lagaya tha ghar pe, par Ramdhari bhaiya shayad bahar gaye thay. Acha, aapko batana tha ke aaj yahi rahungi, kal Preeti ke sath hi college aayungi."

He blurted "Aare, aise kaise waha reh sakti ho? Maine Ravi ko promise kiya hai ke hum unke sath film dekhne jaayenge." She asked confused "Kaun Ravi?" He explained about the plan made for the evening with his teammate and his fiancee and how their presence was of paramount importance. He told her that he would come pick her in half an hour. As he talked, her wife forgot about all the leftover grievances. The idea of going to the movies with him added a sparkle to her eyes. She eagerly nodded and then remembering he couldn't see her responded verbally too.

Sameer advised her to dress up for the evening as he expected the other couple to dress up too. Naina asked if she should wear a saree or a dress, he dreading her Taiji sarees insisted that a dress would be appropriate. Over the last few months, Naina had realised that he was very particular when it came to choice of clothing. Asking him to hold, she asked Preeti if she had any of the occasional dresses ready for wearing. But most had to be sent for the laundry. Chachiji hearing this exchange, advised her to ask him to bring over one of her dresses and then expressed a wish to see the dress he had gifted her for her birthday.

Naina blinked a few times and then remembering that she actually had a yellow dress among the good ones bought by her Saas directed him "Suniye, aate waqt mera ek dress leke aayiye. Meri almari ka right darwaja kholte hi saamne hanger pe ek yellow dress hai, please wo le aayiye... Main tab tak baaki taiyar ho jati hu." As he was about to keep the phone, she urgently whispered remembering something "Sameer, please woh almari ka sirf right side kholna... left bilkul mat kholna!"

Sameer found the last bit of instructions a bit strange but was far too relieved that she had readily agreed to the plan to dwell on it. He quickly rushed to freshen up and change. Fifteen minutes later he was in Naina's room, all dressed for the evening in jeans, a deep red t-shirt and a Demin-jacket. He opened the right door of her cupboard and spotted the yellow dress almost right away. As he pulled out the dress off the hanger, he realised that he would need a plastic bag to carry it and noticing some bags folded and stacked in the lowest shelf bent to pull one out. He saw a couple of pairs of pretty footwear lined up there, that he had never seen her wearing and impulsively pulled out a pair of strappy dainty heels.

He must have snagged on something, cause another bag tumbled out too and the contents spilled out in the form of silky soft vibrant colours and lace, all her pretty nightgowns. He gulped a little and traced the lace on the pink one with his fingertips, remembering her in that pink nightie on that first night in his room. The other two gifted by his mom were pretty too. He awkwardly stuffed the nightwear back in its bag and put the bag back where he thought it had been.

As he stood up after putting the yellow shalwar-kameez and sandals in a bag, he stilled remembering her explicit instruction to not open the left side of her cupboard. What could she possibly have in there that she did not want him to see? Curiosity got the better of him after he struggled briefly with the dilemma and then opened the other side.

Sameer felt all the blood drain from his face and rush to a particular part of his body. A few empty hangers hung on that side, but two were occupied. One with a black lace bra and panty set and another with a red one. Naina realising that they were still slightly damp that morning, had hung them in the cupboard to let them dry off completely.

He forgot to blink for a bit, thinking in astonishment, she wears these under all those ridiculous sarees?! He almost reached out to touch them just as he had touched the pink lace just minutes ago, but then pulled his hand away. His eyes took in the way she had neatly stored everything in her cupboard. Just one shelf contained a messily dumped saree and petticoat that she had been wearing that morning, indicating she had probably been running late. As his eyes once again wandered to the lingerie, he felt like he was being a peeing-tom, in spite of her explicit instructions to not open that side. He tore his gaze away and slammed the door close.

Naina having completed brushing her hair and tying it in a high pony, proceeded with applying some light make-up. Pooja didi asked her to try one of her lipsticks which was a slightly darker shade of pink compared to the two owned by Naina.

When Sameer reached his sasural, Preeti opened the door closely followed by her mother. As Chachiji warmly welcomed her Damadji, he handed the plastic bag to Preeti asking her to let Naina know that he had included a pair of heels for her to change into as well. His saali was quite surprised to witness this initiative from him and headed inside leaving him with Chachiji to answer all the expected enquires about the health and happiness of the whole Maheshwari clan.

Few minutes later as Naina entered the lounge area, Sameer's eyes instantly lit up noting the almost open hair and the heels. She looked so pretty in that lemon yellow shalwar-kameez and the darker than usual lipstick.

Chachi exclaimed "Bhajwan jhoot na bulaye! Damadji bahoot achi choice hai aap ki." Damadji wondered fleetingly at just what he is being given credit for, when his wife jumped to his rescue "Chachiji ko dekhna tha ke aap ne kaunsa shalwar-kameez gift kiya tha birthday pe... isiliye yeh lane ko kaha tha. Aap ko easily mil toh gaya na? Matalb dhundhna toh nahi pada na... almari mein?" He blushed a little realising she was trying to figure out if he had opened the other side, but replied trying to sound very matter of fact "Aare nahi... saamne hi toh tha." She nodded satisfied with this response.

Preeti had been silently observing their interaction with some growing pleasure. He had definitely looked quite taken with her sister's appearance. Chachiji announced that she had already put the water to boil and would bring out the coffee in just a couple of minutes. Sameer wanted to use the restroom and Naina showed him the way.

As Sameer exited the restroom and used the washbasin, finding himself alone, looked around curiously. The house was not ultra-modern but was neat and tidy, and more importantly had a very comforting and homely feel to it. He smiled at Chachiji as he passed through the kitchen who was preparing a tray of biscuits and coffee to bring out.

He halted abruptly, as he approached the door to the lounge. Taiji was having a go at someone in a loud and grating voice "Mujhe pehele se hi pata tha ke yahi hoga. Iss ladki ke kaaran humare khandan ki naak ek na ek din jarur kategi! Lagta hai saari sharam bhech ke khayi hai. Shaadi ke baad aise behuda kapde aur yeh uchi aadi ki chappal! Pata nahi khud ko kaha ki hurr-pari samjhane lagi... shakal toh hai nahi, kum se kum thodasa akal se hi kaam lele. Humare diye huye sanskaar kaha chod aayi hai?"

He then heard Naina trying to get a few words in "Taiji... aisi baat nahi hai... yeh toh unke ghar se hi..." But the older woman continued "Aise hi luckshan rahe toh, bahoot jald woh log tujhe wapas bhej denge! Mujhe toh lagta hai, bechare abhi bhi pachta rahe honge ke pata nahi kiss manhus ghadi mein yeh bala unke gale padi hai! Main seedhe seedhe kahe de rahi hu... wapas maike aane ke bajai kisi kuye mein dub marna!"

Sameer looked at Chachiji in shock and a big question in his eyes, as he sensed her approaching. Chachiji briefly lowered her eyes guiltily, but then said softly "Damadji aap Bhabhiji ki baaton pe dhyan mat dijiye... unka toh bus hamesha ka hi hai, bina soche ulta-seedha bolne ka... Naina ko toh aadat hai..." He stared disbelievingly, was verbal abuse fine just because it had been happening for years now?

He pushed away the curtain and stepped in the lounge, his eyes blazing. Taiji seeing him unexpectedly emerge from inside the house, stuttered a bit "Aare... Damadji... aap kab aaye... mujhe toh pata hi nahi chala..." But she was a seasoned player and quickly regained her composure and said with a smile "Baithiye na... khade kyun hai... kitne dinon baad aaye hai. Bela, kuch nashta toh la!" Sameer left a little off-balance by this sudden change and for a moment almost wondered if he had misheard something. But one look at Naina's pale face convinced him otherwise.

He had never learnt the art of mincing words and replied in a steady cutting tone "Aap ke yeha shayad insaan ke sanskaron ki pehechan uske kapdon se hoti hogi, par humare yeha aisa nahi hai. Naina jo chahe aapni marzi se pehen sakti hai. Aur abhi issne pehene hue kapde aur chappal, meri Maa ne unki pasand se isse diye hai. Agar aap ko unke sanskaron se koi problem hai toh apne pati se kahiye ke mere Nanaji se baat kare!" Naina instinctively moved closer behind him and held his upper arm lightly trying to calm him down.

Taiji had never been so humiliated in her life. She first looked at the girl she had hated for some unknown reason all these years, maybe just because she had been the most vulnerable and easiest target, and then at the man ready to be her shield. In that moment she recognised with extreme clarity that Naina was now off limits as far as she was concerned and muttering something incoherent exited the house. But Sameer's anger had not fully subsided, and he now turned to Naina "Aur tumhe raat ko bhi yahi rehna tha?! Itne tannon se dil nahi bhara?? Yahi sab sunne aayi ho kya yeha?"

She looked quite uncomfortable, but not for herself. Cause the very next instant Chachiji said in a quivering voice "Damadji, aap please naraz mat hoiye... bura mat maniye Bhabhiji ki baaton ka... unki taraf se main maafi..." Sameer cut her short, but this time in a much softer voice "Chachiji aap please sorry mat kahiye. Par main kissiko bhi Naina se aisi ghatiya baate karne nahi de sakta. Aur main sirf umar ka lihaz karne mein believe nahi karta."

Chachiji smiled in understanding and apology and asking him to sit offered him the coffee and biscuits. Just then Chachaji arrived and was very pleased to see Sameer and Naina there together. Bela quickly brought him a cup of coffee too.

Pooja having finished Golu's evening wash and change routine brought him out too. Golu immediately started entertaining everyone with some of his mischievous behaviour. Sameer thought, today he didn't seem as much as a devil as before.

Chachaji asked Sameer about everyone's well-being and then added "Beta, bahoot acha laga ke tum dono aaj sath yeha aaye. Main toh kab se Naina ko keh raha tha ke kissi Sunday ko sham mein dono aa jao... par yeh keh rahi thi tum bahoot thak jaate ho pura hafta busy rehene ke baad. Khair yeh bhi theek hai... Sunday ko thoda aaram bhi karna chahiye. Par phir bhi kabhi toh chakkar lagaya karo."

Sameer now in a much better mood responded rather amicably "Ji jarur... Par aap log bhi sab aayiye ghar pe." Turning to Naina he said "Kissi din dinner plan karo ghar pe..." Naina who had been observing his conversation with her Chachaji with pleasure, now smiled uncertainly and mumbled "Ha... Nanaji wapas aake zara settle ho jaye toh banayenge..." Then looking at the clock she continued "Mujhe lagta hai humme chalna chahiye... bahoot late na ho jaye... woh log wait kar rahe honge na..." Sameer quickly finished his remaining coffee and they said their goodbyes.

Preeti stood in the balcony waving them off and then watched her sister and Jijaji driving away. She couldn't help but feel impressed, the way he had done that which no one had ever done for her sister, stand-up to defend her without any regard for diplomacy. She decided that he was a guy who very much like herself, looked at right and wrong without tainting it with any shades of grey.

She had seen how Naina had stood close behind him, with the quiet assurance that if required, she could count on him to beher dhaal-talwar. She now regretted having questioned Naina's actions and feelings towards him. Seemed like she had not comprehended Sameer's changed feelings and had been worrying needlessly about this being a one-sided attachment.

(Please note that I am traveling over the next few days and will not be able to post any updates till Wednesday. Hope you all are enjoying the story and thanks very much for the awesome response! Lots of love, May)