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Naina's voiceover

I woke up as if it's an emergency, as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing. My heart beats fast and there is a buzzing in my brain which makes me shut my eyes tight.I pull a duvet to myself. I always feel my tears come in such generous streams. I was happy a few days back that I did not had to face these heart-wrenching nightmares anymore but I was so wrong. I do not deserve happiness, huh I don't deserve to live. I am afraid of living a happy life. Whenever I think things are getting better something really bad happens, breaking all my hopes. Am I so bad that nobody wants me? 

Last night, even after the blissful moments which I had spent with my husband, he was unsure of his promise. It was not even his fault though, who would wish to have a tainted-broken soul like me. He was a billionaire who was just bound by contract and could get a better girl than me. But would I be able to see him with another girl? Naina! Don't think about all this you will have to leave him as soon as this contract ends.My eyes seem to be burned as tears accumulated in her eyes and ocean of brine was trickling down her cheeks. Why can't I love a life like all normal girls live? 

"Naina?"

"Khaza. Teek toh hona aap?"

Voiceover ends

"Naina" Sameer called her as he patted her wet cheeks. Naina glanced at him and snapped away quickly, wiping off her tears with her palm.

"Ji?" Naina uttered, having nothing to speak. Sameer stared at her.

"Teek ho na aap?" He asked again as he continued staring at her. He could see pain in those eyes which was evidently trapped in her captivating eyes. He could notice how she had started some new walls in her mind which left her to be too lonely on the other side.

"You could always speak to me whenever you feel low, Khaza." He mumbled subconsciously, rubbing his thumb on her cheeks. She just nodded her head a bit in response clutching his hand which was placed on her cheek.

"Can you stay with me for a few minutes p-lease?" Naina stutters.Sameee hums in response and sits next to her. Naina shifts uncomfortably on realising that she was just in his black shirt.

"I have seen you, you have seen me so that's not an issue." His gruff voice made her cheeks heat up.

"Stop thinking about everything which happened so much, Khaza. You are just breaking yourself." Sameer uttered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Could you stop thinking about your past?" Naina asked as she tilted her head to look at Sameer's confused face.

"What are you speaking about?" He snapped harshly in response.

"I know nothing about your past but I feel there's something which you have gone through that has made you like this. Aap chahe us baare mai kuch bolte nahi ho le-lekin mujhe pata aata hai Mr. Maheshwari that you are hiding something from me and are still unable to overcome that past." Naina mumbled as she tilted her head to look at him.

"You should not speak about things which you aren't aware of," He said sternly.

"Sorry." Naina mumbled against her breath. Sameer held Naina closer to him as if his emotions were telling him he needed more of a connection or as if he needed to do this for her, though the reality was that both of them needed each other.  "I am sorry, I should have not spoken about things which may hurt you." Naina apologised. She was scared as he had not replied to her and instead was just gazing at her. His eyes looked so different at that moment, softer than she knew his eyes could be.The professional angry man was gone instead of his eyes flashed with pain.  If it were anyone else Naina would drop her gaze but with him it felt as if she was drawn in closer, always wanting more so that she could help him, which was nearly impossible as if she ever dared to do so she would break apart.  

"We're okay, you and me. Okay?"
N

aina said as she lifted her palm, placing it on his cheeks. Sameer just nodded. Still staring, capturing her pretty face in his inward brain, knowing that she won't stay with him forever. Naina smiled a bit seeing him bob his head like a kid. What she could see was just the person who he really was. He had mastered pretending, there were times his original personality gets lost, when he starts working or when he becomes the man the world demands of him to be. 

"Get ready, Khaza. It's too late,we need to have our lunch."Sameer spoke.

"Naha liya aapne?" Naina asked, pulling her lips into a pout. Sameer nodded his head in a way of no in response.

"Toh aap pehle naha kar aaiye. I will sleep till then." She mumbled as she laid on the bed pulling the duvet close to her. Sameer sighed seeing her behaving childish and went to bath.

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The restaurant was the perfect array of homely hues, for they gave a sense of home away from home, of a place of nurturing safety. The grand spaces of the hotel invited the lungs to expand, to absorb the floral aromas and enter the moment. Naina kept a constant smile as Sameer talked to an elderly client of his company. She did not want their meeting to be awkward though she was exhausted by their never ending meeting. She wanted to yell at her husband for bringing her here, disturbing her beautiful sleep. She was Thirsty. Hungry. Cold. Bored. 

"Thank you, Sameer. I will mail you other details. I am glad that I have got an opportunity to work with you." The man spoke and left not before passing a genuine smile to Naina. Sameer turned his attention towards his wife who slipped her head on the table, dipping it in between her arms that were placed on the table.

"It was our first meeting so there was a lot to be discussed."Sameer spoke as he sipped his coffee.

"I am hungry." Naina uttered. "You are so mean Mr. Maheshwari, you just ordered coffee for yourself and I have been hungry for three hours." She complained in frustration.

"No, I won't have anything. You can order for yourselves." Sameer mimicked Naina how she had refused to have anything before his client and let out a deep chuckle. Naina pursed her lips in embarrassment as she saw few spectators watching them fight.

"Don't tease me." She mumbled, pushing her strand behind her ear and sitting straight.

"What would you do if I continue doing so?" Sameer challenged her as he leaned towards her.

"I-I will..I will kiss you then." Naina replied.

"Go ahead." He spoke, shrugging off his shoulders making her frown. Sameer smirked, leaning towards her, eyeing her plump lips. He slips his hand on her neck and pulls her towards him, waiting for her to take initiative. She placed her shivering palms on his face and placing her lips on his. Naina clutched his collar as all her thoughts seemed to be alphabet soup. Her mind had broken off with the present happenings, the only thing which she could feel was his tongue plunging into her mouth. He took over her as their tongue moved in the sink. Naina slid her hand down to his chest and in response, wrapped his hand around her waist. He pulls her closer to himself in such a way that she clashes against his chest, deepening the kiss till she can't breath. He moved back and looked at his wife's flushed face then pulled her into his embrace. Naina in response wound her arm around his neck as he automatically pulled closer to him. His thumb doodled on her back making her gasp silently. Her spine maxed out on freaking out and was just about to collapse as she felt his warm breath fanning against her skin.

"Order whatever you wish to eat." He uttered suddenly, getting concerned about her health. Naina pushed him and palmed her heated face realising what had just happened. She took the menu from Sameer and checked what she would like to have.

"A chocolate waffle with strawberries, can I eat that please?" Naina asked Sameer.

"You need to have your lunch, not just desserts." He commented while surfing on his phone.

"I just want a waffle and nothing more, please." She mumbled pouting cutely. Sameer sighed and ordered it for her along with a few other foods. She frowned seeing him order the whole meal for her but her angry glares were beautifully ignored by Sameer.  He narrowed his eyes seeing Naina eat her waffles and sweet dishes from the stuff he had ordered. He sighed in irritation only to see his wife giggling.

"You will rot your teeth, Khaza."He said, hitting her head playfully. She whined but then focused her attention as she ate desserts.

"Be here, I will come in a few minutes. Okay?" Sameer spoke and walked out of the restaurant. Naina continued digging in her plate but stopped as she felt a pair of eyes staring at her. She looked around the hotel but found everyone busy eating with their families or partners. Maybe it was just an illusion. After a few minutes, she smiled seeing Sameer walking in the restaurant pressing his bridge of nose. Why was he suddenly tense? 

"Are you okay?" Naina asked him softly as he settled next to her. Sameer stared at her for a few seconds and nodded his head meekly. The very next second he pulled her into his embrace and pecked her forehead.

"Are you really okay, Mr. Maheshwari? Is everything fine?" Naina asked again, feeling restless.

"Yes and even if it's not, I will make everything fine, for you." He replied as he caressed her scalp softly.

"Naina, will you promise me something?" Sameer asked as he held her chin to look at him. She looked at him in confusion trying to figure out what he was talking about.

"Promise me that you will not harm yourself, you will not run away from me when I tell you the truth. And you will not hate yourself after what I tell you." He said slowly, noticing hee changing expressions. Sameer felt uneasy as he spoke.

"Aisi kya baat hai, Mr. Maheshwari? You are scaring me."Naina asked but he simply held her hand.

"Promise me, Khaza."He said as his voice softened.

"I-I promise." She mumbled, unsure of what she just said.

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Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down Shrikha's cheeks. Tears spilt over and flowed down her  face like a river escaping a dam. Her body shook vigorously against Kabir's chest, who had held her close to himself. A solemn tear flowed down his cheek as he saw her condition.

"I won't be able to survive without her, Kabir." Shrikha sniffled between words as she felt her throat closing up.

"She would be okay, Shri." Kabir mumbled. Even he was scared if her mother would be able to survive or not but he did not want Shrikha to be left out alone. He felt guilty for the situation. Only if he could have corrected their pasts, their life would have been much easier. He knew Shrikha would hate him if she got to know about the truth which he had hidden from her. But, he was too selfish as he needed her in his life, forever, which was nearly impossible.

"She does not deserve this."Shrikha mumbled as she cried harder.

"I know Shri, just calm down. She would be fine." Kabir uttered. Shrikha rested her head on his shoulder, trying to breathe evenly staring at their intervened fingers.

"Is this the price of falling in love Kabir? My mother loved that fucking bastard, who is unfortunately my father but he bet-betrayed her. She did not deserve this. Nobody deserves what she has gone through. Wi-Will you even do such a thing with me, Kabir? Would you act how my father did? Will you leave me Kabir? You promised me that you won't leave me, you promised, right? Will you break your word? Kabir, reply to my questions!" She yelled like a mad woman. It was the kind of scream that bypassed the ears to speak right to the heart.

"I won't leave you, Shri. Listen, don't stress yourself. I genuinely like you and there's no reason for me to step back from this relationship. Even if we break up as we part, I take the best of you and you take the best of me. We will part with the memories we learned from one another and grew. Recall that I liked you and how I held you above others. I am there with you at this moment and will always be there for you, I promise Shri." Kabir said as he placed his palm on her cheeks. Shrikha flung into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Don't leave me, please." Her lips quivered in fear of losing him.

"I won't, Shri."He replied back as he wound his arms around her waist. 

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"Mr. Maheshwari! Come here. Why are you standing there?" Naina called him. Seeing him not move she ran towards him and held his arm.

"It will be fun, trust me. I came to the beach along with Dhanish and Preeti. When those waves touch our feet, it really feels chilled and good. You will like it for sure." Naina spoke with a constant smile on her face.

"Naina you don't have to do all these things, it's okay." Sameer spoke as he held her hand gently.

"You don't have to worry about me Mr. Maheshwari. We are missing our fun moments." She said being jovial.

"Naina! Don't pretend," He literally yelled as he held her by her shoulders, "please don't pretend. You promised me you won't hurt yourself because of these shitty things which are happening in our life.You did promise me that, right?"He said as his voice was effortlessly softer.

"I did promise and I am not at all sad. See I am happy." She squealed, smiling widely. Sameer sighed in frustration and threw her over his shoulder. Naina yelled to let her down but he was too stubborn.

"I am not breaking any promise, Mr. Maheshwari! You can't pick me without my consent! I will hit you if you do not let me go."

She sighed in relief as he made her sit on a rock and himself kneeled to her height.

"Naina, it's okay if you want to vent out your emotions rather than suppressing it because that would just harm you, make you feel more suffocated. You are nowhere at fault. It was just a past and that's over. You don't have to feel so bad for whatever happened. You are understanding what I am saying, hm?" Sameer spoke as he held her hand.

"Everything is okay. We are missing our fun moment. When I used to come here with-"

"Naina!" Sameer yelled as he was pissed off by her behaviour.

"It's not your fault, baby. They died, I haven't received the information how they died but you don't have to feel so low. After all, whatever they have done to you, they don't even deserve your precious tears. They were not even your parents." Sameer spoke trying not to scream and yell at this moment.

"They really d...died?" She mumbled to reassure herself.

"As I said they died due to some attacks made by a gang. I have no clue about who they were and why they killed Rama and Rakesh Aggarwal." Sameer replied.

"They said that they were my parents, right? I have always addressed them as my parents s-so whatever you are speaking about is not true. I-I know they are still alive. May-Maybe yo-you have kept them captive. The-ey were my pare-nts, they cannot die like that. Y o-ou are lyi-lying to me. They cannot die!" She yelled as tears brimmed in her eyes. Losing a parent is really painful. Even though they did not treat her nicely, she did respect them. She did love them. Sameer tried to hug her but she shifted back wiping off her tears.

"I did not kill them, Khaza. I know what they mean to you. "Sameer murmured helplessly.

"I want to see them, please. Take me to them."She pleaded in between hiccups.

"I can't. You won't be able to see them Naina. Their faces have been disfigured and even their body parts have been missing." Sameer informed her.

"I was never able to be a good daughter. I ended up making mistakes so they had to punish me. I failed in being a perfect daughter. I could not even visit them last time." She ranted, pulling her legs more to herself and dipped her face in between it.

"Why are you blaming yourself Naina?" He mumbled helplessly and pulled her into his embrace.

"I want to see them, at least once. Please." She sobbed, looking at him pleadingly.

"I can't. You would not be able to take in so much, Naina. I don't want you to see them in that state." He spoke. Naina started fidgeting with her sleeves as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Sorry." Sameer uttered helplessly. He knew how it felt when somebody lost their loved ones, their parents. Seeing her cry ache his heart, he raised his hand towards her face and caressed her cheeks with his thumb.

"Sorry, I blamed you. I should have not blamed you again." Naina mumbled shaking her head. Sameer simply sat next to her and watched the sea shore. Naina slipped her hands around his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. She tilted to look at him through her misty eyes. There was something about him who held a natural soothing quality. Soft sky above, soles upon smooth stones and clouds caressed with reflected light. Lacy waves in steady rhythm echo their heart. Breeze that blew brought a long awaited relief to their souls. All whilst birds arc above, playful upon swirling updrafts.

"Who are my re-real pare-parents?" Naina asked him,mentally cursed for stammering.

"Richard."He replied.

"Wh-Who is he? Do you know him? How do you know about him being my father?" She asked but Sameer chose to not answer her questions.

"I asked you something, Mr. Maheshwari." Naina said but he still remained quiet.

"How do you know about him? Are you lying to me? Why are you not answering my questions? Who told you about Ric-Richard? Who told you that he is my father? You are just playing with my feelings, right? Mr. Maheshwari, answer me!"Naina yelled, frustrated by his silent behaviour.

"Nanu told me about him. Do you think that even Nanu is lying?"

"Na-Nanu? How does he know about all this?"

"Let's go back to the mansion, Naina." Sameer spoke as he got up.

"Answer me first Mr. Maheshwari. There is something which you are hiding from me. Did you kill my parents? What the hell is happening in my life? Why were my parents killed in this way? They were never involved in any sort of illegal things." Sameer ran his fingers through his hairs and closed his eyes as he heard her yell at him.

"It's getting late, let's return back to our mansion." He spoke and her arm gestured to her to come along. Naina jerked off his hand in response and sprinted off towards the car.

"I will tell you the truth when it's the right moment." Sameer said as he got into the car.

"Why can't you tell me now?"She asked.

"Why don't you understand me Naina? I am being so patient with you, still you are behaving like a brat. When I say I can't say a few things to you, it's for your good. Can't you just agree to whatever I say, huh?"

"I am not behaving like a brat but you are. I have lost my parents and I have all the fucking rights to know how it happened. I know what is good for me and you need not be concerned about it. I have taken care of myself for all these years and I still can."

"Gross, you really like picking up fights with me, " Sameer muttered against his breath, "Take care of yourself, do whatever you wish to. I won't interfere with your business." 

Naina got out of the car and darted towards the mansion. She was still engrossed in rubbing her misty eyes carelessly until she stumbled upon a hard figure. She tried saving herself from falling until she raised her eyes to see a man's piercing gaze. Her eyes froze over like the surface of a winter puddle, she stared at him as she felt an unusual warmth. The man held her before she could fall, staring at her. "Have I seen you before?" He questioned as his tone was laced with confusion.

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