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Naina woke up lazily while her eyes searched for her husband. She shrugged off her thoughts and freshened up wearing a simple yellow Kurti with a white dupatta. She put a tinge of vermillion on the partition of her hairs, applied a baby-pink lipstick, and walked out of the room, to roam in the huge mansion aimlessly. She did not choose elevators as she had made weird theories of it being stuck in the middle, instead, she chose stairs. The guards bowed in respect as she greeted them good-morning naively with a sweet smile on her face. She went towards the kitchen and greeted the maids. Making coffee for Sameer as the maid told her, that he doesn't like tea and usually drank coffee to be specific filter-coffee. She knew the maids won't allow her to make anything other than it. Speaking to them for a few minutes, she later went towards the cabin which had a huge metallic board at the entrance-

CEO OF MAHESHWARI INDUSTRIES
SAMEER MAHESHWARI

Naina felt a sense of proudness when she looked at the board. A guard opened the door for her with his head bowed in respect. Mumbling a thankyou she went in but flinched a bit due to Sameer's scream. She placed the coffee on his table and sat on the couch present in the corner of his cabin silently. Sameer just glanced at her but did not object her from coming into his cabin after all she was his wife and had all rights over him is what he believed.

"It was a secretive plan, right? How can this happen then!" Sameer screamed at his men.

"Sir, they knew about our plan before and were already prepared for it." A man spoke with his head hung down.

"Sir, we do not know how they got the information." Another man spoke.

"Then how the fuck did they get to know?" Sameer screamed, banging his hand on the table in anger.

"Maybe someone leaked the information from the office," Naina uttered voicing her opinion which was quite audible, Sameer turned to face her. Her heart skipped a beat seeing his angry face and bruised knuckles. Sameer instructed his men to leave and walked towards Naina. She was terrified and mumbled prayers for saving her from his wrath while cursing herself for speaking in between his business talks.

"I am sorry. Mai agli baar beech mai nahi bolungi, promise."She stuttered, pinching her neck in a way of swearing.

"Kisine information leak ki hai shayad."He agreed to her point while his mind was looped with various things.

"H-Huh?" Naina faltered as she expected him to shout at her.

"Aapne sahi kaha, kisine mostly leak ki hai information. Ek baar haath mai aa jaye woh insaan zinda nahi chodunga usse." Sameer said, fastening on his fist as he clenched his jaw, pulling her into his embrace instinctively. Naina gasped due to the sudden pull and shivered due to their proximity. His warm breath fanned against her soft skin. He closed his eyes as he felt peace, feeling her close did act as a relaxer for him. Naina tilted her head upwards to look at him and touched his dark circles under his eyes gently. She knew how much he had been working hard for this project and everything got spoiled in seconds. Sameer closed his eyes feeling her touch. She wrapped her hands around his waist and rested her head on his crook of the neck.

"Sab thik hojayega. Aap chinta mat kijiye." She whispered which had a soothing effect on him. His mind was preoccupied with the plans that he had to do further and for that, he had to meet Nanu, he thought to himself.

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"Mujhe bhi chalna hai apke saath Nanu ke ghar." Naina said as she held his arm but soon left it seeing his stern face. He had strictly prohibited her from accompanying him to Nanu's house. He took a file of important documents and his phone while Naina sat making a sad expression. "Mujhe bhi aana hai." She mumbled like a kid to herself. Sameer stared at her, murmuring things to herself, without saying anything he left from there as he knew she would crib like a child and he would not be able to refuse her.

Naina ran towards the balcony and looked at the guards surrounding Sameer as he led them. A man opened the car for him, before getting in he glanced at his room's balcony as he could feel his wife's gaze. Naina waved him a bye with a sad face. Sameer could not help but stare at her cute antics. He averted his gaze as his men were present and then sat in the car driving to the destination.

Naina decided to roam in the mansion as she had nothing to do. She went downstairs and smiled seeing the maids who were chatting not too loudly as they ate their dinner. "Aap kuch zaruri baat toh nahi kar rahe hai na? Mai yaha bet sakti hu please?" Naina asked them sweetly, making them aware of her presence.

"Ma'am apko kuch chahiye?" The eldest maid asked as she stood quickly with her head bowed down in respect.

"Aap ma'am mat bulaye mujhe, Naina itna acha naam hai mera, haina?" She asked cutely.

"Lekin agar sir ko pata chalega toh hume kaam se nikal denge." The girl who was sitting next to her spoke. She was younger than Naina and was polite in her tone.

"Aisa nahi karenge woh, aap dono mujhe Naina hi bulana please. Aap khadi kyu hai betiye na, aap kha rahi thi na. Apko kuch chahiye toh batana muje mai lekar aati hu." Naina made her sit and gave her the plate of food which she had kept on the table.

"Mai apke liye chair lekar aati hu.." The girl was about to go but Naina held her hand and sat next to her.

"Aapka naam?" Naina asked them.

"Nisha, mai yaha inke saath cooking department mai kaam karti hu. Aur yeh Maya ji, yaha ke cooking department ki head." The girl replied.

"Aap yaha mat baithiye, sir ne dekh liya toh bohut gussa karenge." The lady said, getting tense.

"Kuch nahi karenge voh, waise bhi aaj raat ko vapas aane wale, Nanu ke ghar gaye hai, mujhe yahi rehne kaha hai unhone." She said, pouting sadly.

"Aap bahut achi ho, Sir ke jaise. Pehle lagta tha ki Sir bade khadoos hai lekin us haadse ke baad meri rai badal gayi. Sir bahar se khadoos dikhte hai  par vaise hai nahi.." The girl spoke. Naina looked at her with a confused face before she could explain anything. She heard the cry of an infant. The girl quickly ran into the room and calmed down the crying child murmuring sweet things.

"Inka bacha hai voh? Lekin yeh umar mai ab bhi bahut choti hai, sola-satra(16-17) saal ki phir kaise?" Naina said, perplexed.

"She was raped a year back. Tabhi kisi ne bhi uski madat nahi ki. Jab uske family ko pata chala that she is raped and has become pregnant tab usse ghar se nikal diya gaya. Usne jab himmat juta kar police complaint ki toh vaha uske saath badsuluki ki gayi. Mere hi chawl mein rehti thi Nisha aur mai yaha Sir ke mansion ki cook thi. Mujhse uski yeh halat dekhi nahi gayi aur maine Sir se yeh baat kahi bas yahi umeed se ki voh Nisha ki kuch madat kar sake aur Allah ke dua se uhone us rapists ko uske layak ki sazaa di aur Nisha aur uski bachi ke liye voh sari madat bhi ki jo voh kar sakte the. Jabse aap dono ki shaadi hui hai tabse voh tode se badal gaye hai, tode khush rehne lage hai chehre par halki si muskaan hoti hai. Allah kare ki aap dono humesha saath rahe aur Sir ne jaise aaj tak jo takleefe utayi hai usse katam karde.." Maya prayed while a smile crept on Naina's face listening to how Sameer helped Nisha at the same time felt bad for the little girl who had to go through so much at such a young age. Naina looked at Maya in confusion as she heard the last statement.

"Takleef? Konsi takleef ki baat kar rahi ho aap? " Naina asked with curiosity and confusion.

"Sab kehte hai ki jab Sir sola(16) saal ke the tab aisa kuch hua jisse unki puri zindagi badal gayi." Nisha replied.

"Aisa kya hua tha?" Naina said in bewildered horror.

"Unki mummy ka death hua tha jiski vajah bas ek raaz bankar reh gaya hai. Uske baare mai aur uske baad kuch aisa kuch hua jo kisi ko nahi pata, sirf Sir ke Nanaji aur voh jante hai." Maya spoke.

"Ma'am?" Nisha called Naina as she noticed her lost in her thoughts Nisha called Naina as she noticed her lost in her thoughts, as she cradled her baby in her arms. Naina looked at her and just nodded her head a bit in response, after some light talk Naina went back to her room and sat on the bed thinking about the new information she had just acquired. Though she had never received the mother's love and care, she knew how it felt when you lost someone whom you loved so dearly. Even she lost her Nani when she was thirteen years old, who died due to cardiac arrest. It took a year for Naina to overcome the great loss. She never knew Sameer was hiding so much of emotions behind his stern angry face.

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"Aap soyi nahi?" Sameer asked her while Naina just smiled seeing him rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Aapka intezaar kar rahi thi aapse kuch zaruri baat karni thi isliye." She said sitting straight but Sameer forcefully made her lie and placed his palm on her eyes.

"Kal baat karenge, abhi so jaiye aap." Sameer replied to her in a stern yet a bit soft voice. After a few minutes, he could feel Naina clutching his arm as she was fast asleep. He kept staring at her chubby cheeks and pouty lips. She slept like a kid, he thought to himself gazing at her glowing face. He caressed her plumpy cheeks with his thumb, lost in his thoughts. After some time, he somehow managed to take off his hand from her hold and went to freshen up. He covered Naina with a duvet called his most trusted men in the room and sat on the balcony from where only he could see his sleeping wifey. His men did not even try to peek at Naina as they knew if they even think of doing so, Saneer would sue them and he would not think twice before bursting their eyeballs. Sameer told them about their upcoming plan which they listened attentively.

It was about 3 am when Naina's sleep broke and she saw some men in their room. She shrieked in fear seeing bulky men dressed in suits and closed her eyes tight as she reminisced from her past. "Naina," Sameer called her name, giving her a glass of water. She held the glass with both hands and drank the water. She looked at him with an expressionless face as a thin layer of sweat covered her face. He gestured to his men to leave while he was about to leave but stopped listening to her sweet voice.

"Itni raat ko kahi mat jaiye, please." She requested but frowned seeing him leave. Did he not care about what she said? Why did he always behave so strangely? He used to care for her and at the same moment, he behaved as a grumpy angry man. He was too confused to understand. Her eyes filled with moisture as she felt hurt by his behavior. She tried and did all the ways to adjust to his lifestyle, could he not agree to what she requested? She thought. Her thoughts broke as she heard the door being locked and found her husband coming in unbuttoning his shirt making her scream and cover her eyes. Sameer chuckled in his deep voice and lay on his side.

"Shirt kyu utari?"

"Main aisa hi sota hu."

"Adhe nange?" She asked cutely. He moved towards her, resting his head on his elbow as he wrapped his strong arms around her petty waist pulling her towards him. She palmed her face as it seemed to be heated.

"Kya boli aap?" Sameer asked her, smirking, seeing her shiver due to their proximity.

"Ji kuch nahi aapne toh pura dukaan hi pehen rakha hai. Adha nanga koi bhi nahi hai aur aap toh bilkul bhi nahi. Yahi keh rahi thi mai." Naina said naively and giggled at her comment not taking off her hands from her face. Sameer did not reply and just kept looking at her. Naina peeked at him through her fingers and gulped seeing his seriously scary face.

"Sorry," she murmured shifting away from him but he pulled her towards himself.

"Kal hum ek bahut important party attend karne wale hai. Aap ache se tyaar ho jana. I will send Maya to help you dress." Sameer spoke in his gruff tone.

"I won't come." Sameer glanced at her. "I...I don't have any dress that I could wear at the party. Aapke parties mai bohut hi raees log ayenge. I just have two kurtis, one saree, and my bridal dress. Mai nahi chahti ki aap ke reputation down ho meri vajah se so I won't come." Naina mumbled lowly embarrassed of herself.

"Apke liye kal naya dress aa jayega, I will send it along with Maya." Sameer spoke, making her look at him.

"Will you choose a dress for me?" She asked him in curiosity laced with slight happiness. He just held her close and rested his head on hers not replying to her question, making her frown but blushed instantly due to the proximity.

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"Aly," Naina called a guard. Listening to her he quickly got up from his seat and bowed in respect.

"Ma'am, aap yaha?" He spoke with a lowered voice.

"I need to talk to you. Us din lift mai jo aayi thi aap ke saath woh aap ki wife thi na?" She asked him at which he nodded his head in the way of yes.

"I know I should not interfere in your personal life but I don't support anyone who abuses their life partner or anyone in that crucial way. I am warning you, never repeat that. Wife hai apki koi khilona nahi jo jab chahe frustration nikal do. You are listening to me, right? If I see or hear any such thing again that you abused your wife I will make sure Mr. Maheshwari fires you from the job." Naina spoke with confidence while Aly nodded his head in a way of understanding. Naina let out a sharp inaudible gasp as she felt strong arms encircling her waist.

"I hope what my wife said is clear to you." The hoarse voice of her husband made Naina's mind numb at that moment. Aly bobbed his head in a way of understanding, while Sameer took Naina to his cabin. She trembled like a dry leaf and was grateful that he had held her else she could have not even stood on her own feet.

"Are you scared?" Sameer asked her at which she shook her head in the way of no and shrunk away from him clutching her dupatta in her fist uttering prayers in fear.

"Are you scared?" Sameer asked again in his gruff voice, making her shiver. She looked at his shiny orbs and stepped back as he took steps towards her. Her back hit the wall while Sameer placed his hand on either side of her, caging her. She closed her eyes tight, unable to look at him.

"Kuch galat kaam kiya apne?" He asked tugging a strand of hair behind her ears. She bobbed her head in a quick way of no quickly.

"Fir kyu dar rahi ho aap?" He asked her as his voice softened a bit.

"Kyunki maine apka naam lekar unhe warn kiya toh aap gussa honge. I did that so he would not dare to do that again in the future. I am sorry agar apko pasand nahi aaya ho toh." She murmured slowly, not opening her eyes.

"Maina aisa kuch kaha apse?" Sameer asked her getting back to his usual hoarse tone.

"Hu-Huh?"

"Maine kaha apse that I did not like you taking my name? Then why are you so scared. Listen to me Naina, apko mere alava kisi se bhi darne ki zarurat nahi hai. You are my wife, I will have no issues if you use my name. I am proud of what you just did." Sameer said with a slight smile but soon covered it with a stern expression.

"Aap gussa nahi ho?" She asked looking at him but he just moved back and walked towards his king-sized chair.

"Matlab gussa nahi hai." Naina murmured to herself and sat on the sofa reading the newspaper that was kept on the table.

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"Ma'am" Maya came in with an unknown lady in Sameer and Naina's room.

"Mayaji, aap please muje ma'am mat bulaiye aap mujse umar mai badi hai na." Naina said, passing a smile seeing the lady who was standing next to Maya.

"Naina beta, Sir ne apki madat karne ke liye bheja hai hume aur yeh aap ki hairstyling karne aayi hai. Mujhe zyada nahi aata isliye yeh apki madad kar degi." Maya spoke softly and handed her the dress which she had to wear tonight for the party. Naina was awestruck seeing the black off-shoulder gown. She did admit she felt like an angel after wearing it. Maya and the lady helped her dress up and took her safely downstairs.

"Mr. Maheshwari," Naina called him as he was standing leaning against the car. He turned to her honey-like sweet voice. He gazed at her, she looked breathtaking. Her ebony-black hairs swayed freely at waist length. She indeed had an infectious personality gifted with the sculpted figure.

"Beautiful," Sameer uttered subconsciously. He never believed in love. Neither did he ever feel things in his entire life which he felt when his wife, Naina was with him. She was someone precious in his life. His trance broke as he looked at his men who had arrived guarding them. They were going to a party where mafia's and high profile businessmen were invited. He sat in the car as some maids helped Naina to sit adjusting her heavy long gown. Naina did not dare to look at him as she blushed badly. She had seen him staring, adoring her a few moments back. Her face flushed with redness adding to her beauty.

"You are looking beautiful, Khaza," Sameer said not able to hold himself back from praising her.

"T-Thank you..." Naina replied stammering yet a sweet shy smile was plastered on her face.

As they reached their destination, Sameer got down the car and went towards Naina, helping her to get off the car. Seeing many unknown faces dressed elegantly she clung to Sameer. Understanding her, he wrapped his strong arms around her waist. They walked into the hall first while others entered the hall later. People adored the heavenly couple.

"Good Evening, Queen." A man greeted her. Naina looked at him in confusion and glanced at Sameer who gave her an assuring look. She had become The Queen in the Mafia world as she is married to the Mafia King. Unaware of all this she felt uneasy. Never in her life had she attended such a posh party. She smiled at the people who greeted her, trying not to make things awkward. Her grip on Sameer's biceps had not loosened even for a minute. She was tired, which was quite evident on her face so Sameer asked her to dance with him. She held his palm and walked towards the stage.

The lights were dimmed, Sameer held her by her waist and pulled her closer to him intertwining another hand with hers. Naina was lost looking at him. He had a kingly personality blessed with a perfectly built body. His tattoos peeked out from his shirt making him look admirable. Naina lowered her gaze seeing his captivating blue orbs at which he smirked. He placed her hand on his shoulder as he pulled her closer. He wished to kiss her saccharine sweet lips at the moment. He titled his head eyeing her lips while she closed her eyes to feel the moment. They could breathe each other's breath and were about to kiss when the sound of gunshots bombarded the room.

In a moment the lights were switched on while Sameer pulled Naina behind him. She was trembling as she looked at some dead bodies while the gunshots were still audible, making her shiver. Sameer held her hand and made her hide under the stage which was a secretive place known just to him and his men.

"Don't move from here until I come back." He said but Naina held his hand not wanting him to leave.

"I will come back, Khaza in a few minutes. Trust me." Sameer spoke in an assuring tone and left from there taking out his gun from his pocket. Tears spilled down her face. She hugged her knees frightened by the noise of shots.

She saw a boy of her age running aimlessly. He looked at her with only hope to be saved. Naina wanted to help him but at that moment he was shot dead while the blood splattered on her face. Naina took slow steps towards that boy whose eyes were fixated on her. She looked at the dead bodies lying in the hall. "Naina!" Sameer came running towards her and pulled her hand making her look at him.

"Mana kiya tha maine bahar aane se apko!" He screamed but Naina's eyes were fixated on the boy's dead body.

"I could have saved him." She said as she placed her head on his chest crying her heart out. Sameer held her with his one hand, understanding her situation. He picked her up in bridal style and walked towards their car. He sat in the same position, as she wrapped his hands around his neck still sobbing, mumbling things to herself.

"Drive back to the mansion," Sameer instructed the driver. He held Naina close to himself, running his fingers in her silky locks to make her feel relaxed. Tears dried up but still, she was not able to cope with the happenings. As they reached the mansion, Sameer took her towards their room. He took her clothes from the cupboard and handed them to her.

"Aap change kar lijiye." He said at which she nodded her head in a way that was okay and went into the washroom. She hung her clothes and looked at the mirror. Tears brimmed in her eyes seeing the bloodstain on her face. The boy's face and dead bodies flashed in her mind. She looked at her hands and shrieked in horror. "Kh-Khoon!" She screamed, heaving for breath, and collapsed on the ground crying badly. Sameer rushed towards the bathroom and sat next to her on his knees cupping her face.

"Kya hua?" He asked her with concern.

"K-Khoon mere haatho mai.." She stuttered badly while Sameer looked at her and her palm in confusion.

"Nahi hai khoon aap ke hatho mai. You are imagining that, Khaza. Relax, kuch nahi hua hai." Sameer spoke pulling her into his embrace rubbing her back to calm her down as she cried against his chest.

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Sameer was still holding Naina in his embrace, caressing her hair softly as she sobbed against his bare chest. "Trust me, Mr. Maheshwari, I did go to help him but before that, he was shot." She murmured in between hiccups.

"I will always trust you, Khaza," Sameer replied, trying to be soft-toned.

"I could have saved him,'' Naina murmured the hundredth time blaming herself for that boy's death.

"You couldn't have saved him! Do you get that? Jise marna hoga that person will die, you can't keep blaming yourself for that Naina! You still tried to save him and that's enough. You did your part. You couldn't save him and that's the end of the topic. Stop feeling guilty, it's not your fault." Sameer spoke in an authoritative tone which echoed in the room as it was too loud.
Naina shrank a bit and hid her face in his chest, her solace. Where she felt home. She did not know what a HOME felt like but feeling him close or even his presence made her feel safe, secured from the cruel world. Sameer just held her in his embrace trying to calm down his anger as he knew she needed him today. All these things were a new thing for her, she needed him and her well-being was his priority for the time being.

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