SAMAINA FF - FATE TWISTED BY LOVE - EPILOGUE UPDATED ON PAGE 30 - Page 10

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FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 24

After dropping Naina at Preeti's place, Sameer went back to his office & was busy with back-to-back meetings. Munna & Pandit accompanied their best friend for the first two meetings & then came back to Sameer's cabin to go through some paper work.

The intercom buzzed & the receptionist informed them about the arrival of a visitor who was insisting on meeting Sameer now. When the friends confirmed the name, Munna immediately asked her to stop him & said that they would meet him downstairs. Without wasting time, Munna & Pandit went to the reception to find Kabir waiting for them.

As they approached him, Kabir said, "Main yahaan Sameer se milne aaya hun, tum dono se nahi. Toh please mujhe bataao Sameer kahaan hai?" Pandit replied, "Sameer abhi toh meeting mein busy hai, ek ghante se upar lagega meeting khatam hone mein. Tab tak kyun na hum teeno mere cabin mein coffee pee le. Jab uski meeting khatam ho jaaye toh mil lena Sameer se."

Having no other choice, he agreed & joined them in Pandit's cabin where there were no chances of Sameer approaching there. Once they settled & ordered coffees, Munna asked, "Kabir... Hume nahi pataa ki tu yahaan kyun aaya hai Sameer se milne, par tu chaahe to humse baat kar sakta hai. Hume Sameer ki zindagi ke baare mein sab pataa hai. Uss raat jo bhi hua wohh nahi hona chahiye tha, Sameer ne tujhpar haath nahi uthaana chaahiye tha. Uski taraf se hum maafi maangte hai Kabir."

Pandit continued, "Kabir... Tu toh Sameer ko jaanta hai, uske gusse ko bhi acche se jaanta hai. Inn sab mein teri koi galti nahi thi, par fir bhi tera dil toota, jiski wajah sirf Sameer hi hai. Ho sake toh please usse maaf kar dena Kabir. Wohhh dil ka buraa nahi hai, bas gussa thoda jaldi aa jaata hai usse."

Kabir who had come to seek answers from Sameer sat there dumbfounded to see his friends asking for apology on their friend's behalf. His anger slowly subsided, "Tum dono kyun maafi maang rahe ho? Jo bhi hua uss sab mein galti sirf Sameer ki hi hai. Sameer ne toh shaadi jaise pavitra bandhan ki neev tak agreements aur conditions par rakkhi hai, toh usse jyada koi galat ho hi nahi sakta."

Munna & Pandit were stunned to know that Kabir was now aware about everything. Kabir saw their surprised faces & continued, "Tum dono ko yeh toh pataa hai ki Preeti Naina se baat nahi kar rahi. Sameer aaj lunch ke baad Naina ko hamare ghar chodne aaya tha. Naina ne sab kuch bataa diya Preeti ko aur maine bhi sab sunn liya, isliye main yahaan aaya tha Sameer se baat karne ki aise kaise wohhh Naina ke saath behave kar sakta hai. Shaadi ka mazzaak banaa ke rakh diya hai usne."

Munna & Pandit saw that Kabir was angry on Sameer for those agreements & conditions that he had imposed on Naina. The friends knew that if Kabir met Sameer today, one more face to face would lead to another fight which they couldn't afford in the office.

Taking a deep breath, Munna spoke, "Hum jaante hai ki Sameer ne jo Naina ke saath kiya wohh sahi nahi tha. Hume toh inn sabke baare mein baad mein pataa chala. Sach kahun Kabir, hume bhi bohot gussa aaya tha ki aise kaise Sameer Naina ko treat kar sakta hai. Aur hum Sameer ko bhi bachpan se jaante hai, uske har behavior ke peeche kya kaaran hai, wohh bhi hum acche se jaante hai. Isliye shaadi se pehle humne Naina se baat ki thi aur tab Naina ne shaadi ke saath saath Sameer ko bhi apna liya tha."

Kabir cut him midsentence, "Toh fir Sameer ne Naina ke saath aisa kyun kiya wohh bhi tum dono ko pataa hoga, hai na?" They nodded & Pandit continued, "Haannn... Hume pataa hai. Pehle toh hume bhi Sameer par gussa hi aaya tha, par hum kuch dinon mein Naina ko bhi jaan gaye the aur hume yakin tha ki Naina Sameer ko badal degi aur abhi wohi ho raha hai."

Kabir agreed while Munna spoke, "Hum sab ek saath college mein the par tune Sameer ko kisi ladki se baatein karte ya milte dekha tha Kabir?" Kabir could never forget the way Sameer used to ignore the girls in the college. "Nahi Munna... Sameer toh kabhi kisi ladki ki taraf aankh uthakar bhi nahi dekhta tha." Munna & Pandit told Kabir about Sameer's past, about his parents & the main reason for his distrust towards the opposite gender.

Kabir heard everything patiently & his eyes turned misty at the end. He very well understood the reason for Sameer's behavior towards Naina & was shocked with the revelations. He had never imagined that his friend had such a painful past which made him so bitter against the marriage norm. Still whatever Sameer did with Naina wasn't right & he needed to know that.

Munna continued, "Kabir... Hum Sameer ke saath bachpan se hai, uske har sukh dukh mein saath rahe hai. Aur jab hume pataa chala ki Nanaji Sameer ki shaadi Naina se karwaana chahte hai toh hum toh bohot khush the. Naina se acchi ladki Sameer ko mil hi nahi sakti thi."

Pandit laughed, "Par hum jaante the ki Sameer Naina ko galat hi samjhega aur kuch na kuch gadbad karega hi. Usne kab sab agreements banwaa liye, hume pataa hi nahi chalaa. Usne unn agreements ki copies yahin office ke locker mein rakkhi thi, tab hume pataa chala, warna shaayad Sameer hume khud se kabhi nahi bataata."

Kabir shook his head with a smile. Munna & Pandit looked at him with respect as they knew he was the one who was more mature amongst them since college. Kabir caught their smile & asked, "Aise kyun muskuraa rahe ho tum dono?" Munna asked a bit hesitantly, "Kya tum Naina se sach mein pyaar karte ho Kabir?"

Kabir though had expected this question, chuckled seeing his hesitance, "Mujhe Naina pasand thi Munna, main usse dosti karna chaahta tha aur aage chalkar shaadi bhi. Par pyaar nahi karta hun, itna toh main bhi samajta hun. Aur ab jab mujhe pataa hai ki Sameer Naina ka pati hai, toh main iske baare mein soch bhi nahi sakta. Rishtey mein toh Naina hamari Bhabhi hui na. Lekin haannn... Main Naina se dosti zaroor karna chahunga."

Munna & Pandit were happy hearing that he had no hard feelings against Sameer or Naina. "Yeh toh sahi kahaa tumne Kabir ki Naina ab hamari Bhabhi hai, par tu Naina ko kabhi Bhabhi mat bulaana. Sameer jab tujhe Naina ke aas paas dekhta hai na toh bohot possessive ho jaata hai, aur issiki wajah se wohh Naina ko uski asli jagah de paa raha hai, toh please bhai tu sharifzaada banne ki koshish mat karna. Samaj raha hai na?"

Kabir understood their hidden message & agreed to it happily. "Sameer ne Naina ko bohot tadpaaya hai, bohot hurt kiya, ab uski baari hai. Sameer you just wait & watch, tum khud sabke saamne chilla chilla kar bologe ki Naina tumhari biwi hai aur wohh stupid se agreements bhi tum khud hi jalaaoge." Kabir declared with a wink & then forwarded his hand towards Munna & Pandit who happily put their hands on his, agreeing to his plans.

Naina & Preeti finished studying by evening & then Preeti dropped her home. She chatted with Nanu for few minutes & then left. Nanu was happy that everything was fine seeing the best friends together. Naina was too much happy that day so she prepared all Sameer's favorite dishes. Nanu too was delighted seeing that Naina had cooked his grandson's favorite dishes.

Sameer returned home a little late than usual & then hurried to the dining table as he was famished. When Naina served him his favorite meal, he was elated. They enjoyed the dinner relishing it heartily & then retired to their rooms. When Naina entered later, there was no trace of her husband in the room. She freshened up as usual & went to find Sameer in the balcony.

And there he was, looking at the shining stars. As soon as she was beside him, he asked, "Lagta hai ki dono best friends ka bharat milaap ho gaya hai, isliye aaj mujhe mera mannpasand khaana mila. Kyun???" He had definitely guessed it right. Naina blushed & looked at the stars, "Haannn... main aaj bohot khush hun. Preeti ne mujhe maaf bhi kar diya aur hum waapis best friends bann gaye. Aur yeh sab sirf aap ki wajah se hi hua hai."

Sameer wasn't on the same thinking lines this time. Infact he somewhere felt guilty for coming between their friendship. His conditions were the reason which stopped Naina from informing her best friend about their marriage. If she would have declared their marital status, no one would have pointed out on her character, especially that Shreya.

His thoughts broke, when she continued, "Sameer... main sacche dil se aapko thank you bolna chaah rahi thi, isliye maine aapka favorite khaana banaaya. Agar aap mujhe aaj uss condition se azaad nahi karte toh main poore dil se Preeti ko sach nahi bataa paati. Waise bhi jab se meri dosti hui hai Preeti se tab se aisa lagta tha ki koi bojh hai dil par, usse hamari shaadi ki sacchai chupa kar bohot guilty feel hota tha. Main chaahkar bhi usse nahi bataa sakti thi. Par aaj mere dil ka bojh ek jhatke mein utar gaya, abse jab bhi main Preeti ke saath rahungi toh mujhe hamare baare mein chupaana nahi padega. Isliye thank you Sameer."

Sameer was happy seeing that his beautiful wife was finally smiling from her heart after she patched up with her best friend. He felt relieved seeing the friends together. Before he could ask her something, she questioned, "Sameer... aapne sach mein unn gundo ko electric shock diya tha?"

He turned fully to her & frowned, "Toh tumhe lagta hai ki main Shreya ko yeh sab sirf daraane ke liye keh raha tha?" Naina too stood facing him, "Maine aisa toh nahi kahaa? Actually, maine uss din bhi sunn liya tha jab aap Kabir se yeh sab keh rahe the." He held her shoulder & asked, "Toh tumhe tab se sab pataa hai?" She agreed with a smile.

Sameer didn't know what to say & what he would say if she asks why he did it, he himself didn't know why he had gone so extreme with those goons. To avoid any more questions on that, he changed the topic, "Tum Kabir se mili aaj?" She understood why he had changed the subject & even she didn't prod it any further.

"Haannn. Kabir ne hi darwaaza khola tha." Sameer asked hesitantly, "Ummm... Tumhari Kabir se koi baat hui, matlab kuch bhi, usne kuch kahaa tumse?" Naina stared at her anxious husband, "Nahi... Kabir ne darwaaza khola aur main seedhe Preeti ke room main chali gayi. Haannn... Unhone sirf yeh poocha ki mujhe chai chaahiye ya coffee."

"Thik hai." "Kuch hua hai kya Sameer? Aap itne tension mein kyun hai?" Sameer instantly changed his demeanor & asked, "Mujhe kuch dinon se tumse kuch poochna tha?" She immediately straightened, "Poochiye na Sameer? Aap aise permission kyun le rahe hai?" She was nervous now; she didn't know what he was going to ask & was she even prepared to answer something that she too wasn't aware about.

"Wohhh... Green room mein jab humne... I mean... ki maine tumhare gale mein mangalsutra aur maang mein thoda sindoor dekha tha, toh mujhe yeh poochna tha ki kya tum roz mangalsutra pehenti ho aur maang mein sindoor lagaati ho?" She looked surprised with that question. When he started his question, she thought that maybe he would ask her if she was fine with what happened in the green room between them, but now hearing his question she didn't know how to react.

She closed her eyes for a second & said, "Ummm... Andar chalkar baat karen, warna hum dono ko sardi ho jaayegi, bohot thandi hawa chal rahi hai aaj." Sameer saw her shivering a little & both of them headed inside their room. Once inside, Sameer spoke, "Tum shawl odh lo Naina, warna tumhe hi thand lag jaayegi." She didn't move towards her luggage to find the shawl, instead she stood facing him.

Naina slowly removed her dupatta & the black beaded golden mangalsutra came to his view. Taking a deep breath, she unpinned her hairclip & her hair cascaded down till her waist. Sameer stood mesmerized looking at his lovely wife. She parted her hair & then the little mark of vermilion came in view.

Sameer closed the distance between them & touched her nuptial chain & then the vermilion. "Tum yeh mangalsutra roz pehenti ho & yeh sindoor bhi lagaati ho Naina? Bolo Naina... Main sunna chahta hun?" She met his curious gaze & replied, "Haannn... maine yeh mangalsutra hamari shaadi ke baad se nikaala hi nahi aur yeh sindoor main roz lagaati hun Sameer."

He whispered, "Kyun???" Still holding onto his gaze, she replied, "Sameer... humne pavitra agni ke saamne poore riti riwaaz se shaadi ki hai. Bhale hi hamari shaadi ek saal ki hai, par main unn sab mein maanti hun. Mangalsutra vaivahik jeevan ka pratik maana jaata hai, maine yeh bhi suna hai ki isse pehenne se pati ki raksha hoti hai aur pati ke jeevan ke saare sankat durr ho jaate hai."

Sameer kept staring at her & she continued, "Sindoor sab suhaagan apne pati ki lambi umar ke liye lagaati hain Sameer. Yeh sab mujhe mere Nanaji ne bataaya tha aur maine tab se hi mann mein gaath baandh li thi ki jab meri shaadi hogi, main har wohh farz nibhaaungi jo ek patni ko nibhaana chahiye. Bhale hi humne yeh shaadi hum dono ke Nanaji ka vaada poora karne ke liye ki ho, par sach toh yahi hai na ki hum ab shaadishuda hai aur main ek patni hone ka har ek farz nibhaaungi Sameer. Isliye maine kabhi yeh mangalsutra nahi utaara aur naahi sindoor lagaana choda. Dusre logon ke liye yeh maayne naa rakhta ho, par mere liye yeh sab choti choti cheezen bohot maayne rakhti hai Sameer. Aur agar aap mujhe kahenge ki main yeh sab na karun, toh I'm sorry, main aapki yeh baat kabhi nahi maanungi."

Sameer couldn't wait anymore & pulled her in a warm hug. This girl was something. He had done so much wrong with her & yet she was wearing the nuptial chain to protect him & putting the vermilion in her hair for his long life. He closed his eyes & let his tears flow that he had controlled till now. He wanted to know why she was doing it for him & she had left him speechless with her reply & her good deeds. Was he entitled to it? Did he deserve it?

Naina felt something wet dropping on her back & she moved a little to see his handsome husband's face which was wet with tears. She instantly exclaimed, "Sameer... Aap ro kyun rahe hai? Meri... meri kisi baat se aapko buraa lagaa kya? Mera sach mein aapka dil dukhaane ka koi iraada nahi tha Sameer. Aap please roiye mat, mujhe accha nahi lag raha hai."

She wiped his tears while he kept adoring her cute worried face. "Naina... Mujhe tumhari kisi baat ka buraa nahi lagaa hai, wohh toh bas aise hi aansoon nikal aaye." She didn't believe him, "I'm sorry Sameer... Agar aapko meri kisi bhi baat ka buraa lagaa ho toh mujhe maaf..."

Sameer covered her mouth with his palm silencing her, "Tum sorry kyun bol rahi ho Naina? Infact, sorry toh mujhe bolna chahiye, maine tumse itna buraa behave kiya fir bhi tum iss shaadi ko dil se maan bhi rahi ho aur nibhaa bhi rahi ho. Pataa nahi Naina main iss laayak bhi hun yaa nahi ki tumhara pati kehla sakun."

Naina immediately shook her head & removed his palm, "Yeh aap kya keh rahe hai Sameer? Aisa kuch nahi hai. Aap... aap please aisa kuch mat sochiye. Aapne jo bhi uss waqt kiya usse main samajti hun Sameer. Toh please aap aage se aisi baatein mat kijiyega. Maine pehle bhi kahaa tha aur aaj bhi keh rahi hun, aap bohot acche hai Sameer. Haannn... Iss choti si naak par gussa bohot hai fir bhi yeh dil bohot accha hai.", she said pointing her finger to his heart.

Sameer smiled widely, "Tum bhi bohot acchi ho Naina... bohot bohot acchi." They stood there lost in each other's arms, when she saw his eyes darkening the same way it had happened in the green room. He whispered, "Naina..." She closed her eyes in acceptance & he leaned in... kissing her soft luscious lips. Her hands on its own wrapped around his neck while he pulled her as close as he could, drowning in each other's warmth.

They had to reluctantly leave each other as Naina's phone rang bringing them back to reality. Without meeting his gaze, she saw the caller id & started straightening up her hair, while Sameer stood confused looking at her, "Yeh baal toh aise thik kar rahi hai jaise saamne wala isse dekh lega."

Naina instantly picked up the call, "Preeti... Itni raat ko phone kiya, sab thik toh hai na?" Sameer rolled his eyes, "Yeh Preeti ko bhi abhi call karna tha, subah college mein milne hi waali hai na, fir bhi itni raat ko baat karni hai?" Preeti spoke in a serious tone, "Mujhe kya hona hai? Main toh mazze mein hi hun, bas aise hi phone kiya. Main thoda bore ho rahi thi toh socha tujhse thoda baat kar lun."

Naina rolled her eyes too, "Tune itni raat gaye mujhse gappe maarne ke liye call kiya hai. Bore hi ho rahi thi toh thoda padh leti, apne aap tujhe neend aa jaati." Preeti shrieked at the other end, "Naina... Tu padhai ka naam bhi mat le, aaj poore din mein tune ek mahine ka padha diya hai mujhe." Naina giggled while Sameer smiled seeing her smiling wife.

"Accha baba thik hai, main padhai ka naam nahi lungi bas.", Naina still continued chuckling while Preeti asked, "Tu bataa, tu kya kar rahi thi? Kahin maine iss waqt call karke tujhe disturb toh nahi kiya na?" Naina stopped her laugh & glanced at Sameer who was already on his bed working on his laptop.

"Main... main... kuch khaas nahi kar rahi thi, bas thodi padhai kar rahi thi." Preeti though was far away from her, but knew that her best friend was lying, "Acchaa... agar padhai hi kar rahi thi toh itna hakla kyun rahi hai Naina?" Naina didn't know what to reply now so she looked at her dashing husband who had kept his laptop away & was now concentrating on her one-sided conversation.

She looked away instantly & then stammered again, "Main... main kahaan hakla rahi hun. Wohh na mujhe ab bohot neend aa rahi hai, hum ab kal subah college mein milenge. Chal goodnight..." She disconnected the call even before hearing her best friend's goodnight. She was about to turn to the couch, when Sameer asked, "Accha toh tum padhai kar rahi thi?"

She flustered under his gaze & without replying, she laid down on the couch & pulled the thin sheet over her. Her husband saw her antics with a smile & then switched of the lights greeting her, "Goodnight Naina..." She didn't even reply back & closed her eyes only to see the flashes of their kiss.

Last time when Sameer had kissed her, she wasn't in the proper frame of mind to ponder over it as she was upset that her best friend wasn't talking to her. But today, this felt different as she felt his smooth soft lips for the second time. Though the kiss didn't last long, still her lips tingled. It was so difficult to talk to Preeti at that moment as her lips trembled with the effect of the kiss.

On the other side, Sameer was surprised with his own behavior. Last time when he had kissed Naina in the green room, he had seen Naina in a vulnerable state & he too was under the effect of Kabir's words. And then the kiss happened taking him by surprise. He had never kissed any girl till now & this was his first kiss like hers too.

The next day, he had wondered that what had gotten into him? How could he kiss her in such a vulnerable state? Though he didn't regret it. The changes he himself was undergoing were a total shock for him. He had never in his life behaved so possessively about anyone & that too especially for a girl. And that girl wasn't just anyone, but his legally wedded wife. He had never anticipated that his behavior towards her would change so drastically that too within few days of marriage.

The allegations that he had put on her before marriage seemed to disappear as he started knowing her. Living in the same room had given him an insight of her simple life. She had followed his conditions while he didn't even remember them anymore. Her care, her way of living, her smile, everything was changing his opinion about her. The more he was seeing her, the more guilty he felt for hurting her with his words & actions.

Sameer realized that his lovely wife never blamed him for anything, infact she was rightfully carrying out her duties towards him & his only family, Nanu. The walls he had made around his heart from childhood were slowly crumpling down by her actions & he was afraid to tread in that territory, he was afraid that he would lose his heart to her, which had already started beating for her without his knowledge, which was already hers unknowingly.

Both of them slept lost in each other's thoughts. The next morning when Sameer got up before his alarm, his eyes automatically moved towards the couch which was already vacant. The sound of the shower confirmed that his beautiful wife was still in the bathroom. He pretended to sleep when the door to the washroom opened. With half-closed eyes, he watched his wife coming out in a pink color kurti which was paired with a light-blue jeans.

His eyes travelled upwards to see that her hair was wrapped in a towel. He sucked in a long breath when he saw her opening the towel & then rubbing her hair lightly. He could wake up early everyday to see this. The little drops of water were being soaked in her kurti making it wet too. She ran her fingers in her hair & then looked at the time. His alarm was about to ring & she turned towards him to wake him up.

The moment she turned; Sameer closed his eyes & pretended to sleep. She came near him & patted him slowly, "Sameer... uth jaaiye... dekhiye saadhe che baj gaye hai. Sameer... Uthiye na..." He deliberately turned to the other side & murmured, "Sone do na Naina..." She tried again, "Sameer... uthiye warna main na... main na..."

And with that he was up, "Bolo na Naina... warna kya karogi tum?" She stammered again, "Main... main... Main kya karungi? Kuch nahi karti, main sone deti aapko aur main taiyaar hokar akele hi college chali jaati." She was about to get up from the bed, when Sameer held her hand, "Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ki tum kuch aur bolne waali thi. Sach sach batao, kya bolne waali thi tum Naina, warna main tumhara haath nahi chodunga aur hum dono late ho jaayenge."

She turned & without meeting his gaze, she replied, "Main bas wohh... wohhh thoda paani chidak deti aapke chehre par." Sameer was mesmerized watching his lovely wife standing in front of him with her open wet hair. He had never seen her in jeans before. His eyes roamed over her curves & his heartbeats quickened. The pink color suited her better, the glow on her matching her kurti as she saw him checking her out.

"Maine ab bataa diyaa na, ab toh mera haath chodiye, mujhe neeche naashta bhi banaane jaana hai." Sameer's trance broke & he realized that he was still holding her hand. He reluctantly left her & asked, "Naashte mein aloo parathe hi banaogi na?" She bit her lip & nodded in response. Before he could ask more, she ran away only to stop at the door. Without turning, she looked over her shoulder, "Jaldi se taiyaar ho jaaiye, maine aapke kapde nikaal kar rakkhe hai." And she was gone.

Sameer brushed his fingers in his hair & closed his eyes only to see her smiling face again. He saw the time & hurried towards the washroom to get ready for the day. Today something was different, he could feel it in the air. When he was almost ready in the grey suit that his lovely wife had taken out for him, Naina walked in. Sameer made some space for her near the mirror as he knew that she had come back to tie her hair & he was right. The next instant Naina combed her hair which were still a little wet.

Sameer inhaled her fragrance & groaned. Naina instantly looked at him, "Aap thik hai?" He looked away & then muttered to himself, "Aaj mujhe kya ho gaya hai, main kyun baar baar Naina mein kho jaata hun? Aaj pink ka effect kuch jyada hi ho raha hai. Sameer beta... aaj zara sambhalkar... pink usne pehna hai aur tere gaal pink ho gaye hai usse dekhkar." Naina saw her handsome husband mumbling something & asked, "Aap thik hai na Sameer? Kya akele akele badbada rahe hai?"

"Kuch nahi Naina... Main... main... bas aise hi, mera... mera aaj ka schedule yaad kar raha tha." She looked at her stammering husband thoughtfully but then ignored & started getting ready. This time, when Naina picked up the small box of vermilion, Sameer asked, "Main lagaa dun aaj?" She froze for a while & then turned to him, "Aap... aap... lagaayenge???"

Her husband nodded & then as if in a trance, she handed that box to him & he opened it. He dipped his thumb & forefinger & took a pinch of sindoor. He kept the box away safely on the dressing table & his eyes stopped at her face. He slowly moved his fingers & touched it to her hair & filled her hair partition. Some of the vermilion fell on her nose & he remembered that the priest in the temple had said that it was considered a good thing that it fell on her nose when he had filled the vermilion in her hair during their wedding.

Sameer didn't tell her & saw her gazing at him lovingly. He said, "Ab chalein... Neeche Nanu hamara breakfast ke liye wait kar rahe honge." She just nodded & followed him downstairs. Nanu was surprised seeing that the couple had arrived together & the smiles that reflected on their faces were different. Something had definitely changed between them.

When they sat down for breakfast, Nanu saw some vermilion on her nose, "Naina... Shaayad sindoor lagaate waqt thoda sindoor tumhare naak par gir gaya hai. College jaane se pehle usse saaf kar lena." Naina's hand instantly reached to clean it off from her nose, but Sameer was much faster to hold her hand. Nanu saw the scene with amusement while the couple was busy lost in each other.

"Naina... yaad hai shaadi ke din Panditji ne kahaa tha ki isse accha shagun maante hai toh tum yeh saaf mat karo." Nanu couldn't hold onto his laughter & he laughed out loudly. Naina lowered her eyes & the color on her cheeks rose few shades darker. Sameer didn't understand why Nanu was laughing so much, so he asked in confusion, "Aap itna kyun hass rahe hai Nanu? Maine aisa kya keh diya ki aapki hasi nahi ruk rahi?"

Nanu calmed down after a few minutes & then looked at the flushed face of Naina & confused face of his grandson. "Sameer... Main bhi maanta hun ki yeh accha shagun hai, par Naina aise toh college nahi jaa sakti na? Ummmm... waise agar gayi bhi toh chalega, sabko pataa toh chalega ki uska pati usse kitna pyaar karta hai."

"Pyaar???" Both of them said at once & Nanu chuckled seeing the serious expressions on their faces, "Haannn... Pyaar... Panditji ne yeh toh bataa diya ki yeh accha shagun hai par yeh nahi bataaya tha ki jab aise sindoor naak par girta hai toh uska matlab yeh hota hai ki pati uski patni se bohot jyaada pyaar karta hai."

Naina heard his sharp intake of breath while her heart had already stopped beating. Was it true??? Or Nanu was just making it up now? The couple smiled at Nanu awkwardly & finished their meal. When they went back to their rooms to pick up their bags, Sameer saw his stunning wife cleaning her nose with a handkerchief.

All the while Sameer stood there watching her while Naina saw his reflection in the mirror. No on uttered a word. Once done, Naina picked up her bag & left the room while her husband walked back to the dressing table & picked up her handkerchief. He inhaled deeply & then kept that kerchief in his pocket.

Collecting his bag, he rushed downstairs to find Naina waiting near the car. The ride today was awkward as none of them knew what to say. When the car stopped at the entrance, Naina glanced once at Sameer & said softly, "Bye..." He kept looking at her till she reached the college building where Preeti was waiting for her.

Preeti has seen the way Sameer was staring at Naina & as he glanced at her, he saw Preeti glaring at him. He knew that she was upset with whatever he had done with Naina before marriage. Sameer didn't know why but he stepped out of the car & walked towards them. Naina hadn't seen him as she had turned her back towards the entrance.

Preeti though had seen him walking towards them & she whispered something in Naina's ear & without turning back, Naina entered the college & rushed to the library. Preeti stood there waiting for Sameer to reach her & before he could reach her, she took a step ahead, "Sameer... Mujhe sirf Naina ki kasam ne roka hai warna tum aaj tumhare inn dono pairon par khade rehne kaabil nahi rehte. Agar mujhe kabhi bhi pata chala ki tumne Naina ko itni si bhi taklif pohonchaayi toh main tumhe nahi chodungi, tab koi kasam nahi rok paayegi mujhe. Isse meri dhamki hi samaj lo Sameer Maheshwari, kyunki pehle Naina akeli thi par ab se main hamesha uske saath rahungi, uska saaya bankar. Agar Naina ki aankhon mein tumhari wajah se ek bhi aansoon aaya na toh main tumhara wohh hashar karungi ki tum mujhe kabhi bhool nahi paaoge. And I mean it Sameer Maheshwari... I really mean it..."

Saying that, she turned on her heel & entered the college building. Sameer stood there stunned & then slowly a smile crept up his face. Finally, Naina had found her best friend cum soul sister in Preeti Sehgal & she was perfectly fitting in that...

How was the update???

Sorry... main Kabir aur Sameer ka confrontation nahi dikha paayi...

Agar abhi dono ne aamne saamne sab clear kar liya toh mazza kaise aayega???😜

Mujhe jalkukda Sameer Maheshwari jyada pasand hai aur mujhe pataa hai ki aap sabko bhi hai, kyun hai na???😜

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤

Hi. Sorry m late. Awesome update. M happy that kabir understood his point of view just like us. And love the increasing bond between them. Preeti 's threat is awesome.

Originally posted by: Dharapriya

Hi. Sorry m late. Awesome update. M happy that kabir understood his point of view just like us. And love the increasing bond between them. Preeti 's threat is awesome.

Thank you so much dear. You don't need to be sorry dear... its ok... Kabir is the most mature amongst them & he is a pure soul.

Dheere dheere pyaar ko badhaana hai...

Preeti toh Naina ki Hanuman hai, uske liye kuch bhi karegi.

I'm updating the next part now...

Let me know how it is...

Hello friends...

I'm back with the next update...

Sorry for the delay...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 25

When Sameer reached his office, Munna & Pandit were already waiting for him in his cabin. They got busy with their work for the next two hours. There was some problem in the air conditioner & it wasn't working properly. Though the fans were placed in his cabin, still Sameer was sweating as he was too habituated to the air conditioner.

Sameer took out his handkerchief & wiped his forehead & neck with it. What he didn't notice is that while taking out his handkerchief, he had pulled out Naina's hankie. Munna & Pandit gaped at him for few moments & then burst out laughing loudly. Sameer sat there confused on seeing them laughing so much.

"Tum dono itna hass kyun rahe ho?", Sameer asked in confusion. His best friends glanced at each other & then Munna asked, "Hume nahi pataa tha ki tune ab ladkiyon waale hankies use karna shuru kar diya hai?" Sameer's gaze landed on the handkerchief he was holding & he froze for a second.

A smile appeared on his face automatically when he reminisced the way Naina had wiped the vermilion from her nose, the blush that had crept all over her face when he was staring at her reflection in the mirror. Munna & Pandit stopped laughing & stared at their best friend who was lost in some other world.

Pandit murmured, "Dekh raha hai Chenu? Hamara dost ab kisike sapno mein khone lagaa hai, kisika rumaal dekhte hi chehre pe yeh haseen si muskuraahat aa gayi hai." Munna replied, "Haa Ponga... Sab dikhaayi bhi de raha hai aur samaj bhi aa raha hai. Bas hamare dost ke chehre pe yeh muskuraahat hamesha bani rahe."

Unable to control himself, Pandit teased, "Bhai... Kya baat hai, ek toh pehli baar ladki ka rumaal laaya hai, aur usse dekhte hi chehre par muskuraahat toh dekho, aisa lag raha hai jaise kitne saalon baad ek viraan se kamre mein kisine bulb hi bulb lagaa kar roshni faila di ho." Sameer's trance broke hearing his best friend's teasing, "Wohhh... wohhh... aisa kuch nahi hai. Lagta hai main galti se Naina ka hankie saath le aaya."

Munna asked, "Achaa... toh yeh rumaal galti se aa gaya hai na? Thik hai... aisa kar yeh mujhe de de, hum shaam ko Naina ko de denge, waise bhi hum aaj tere ghar jaanewaale hai shaam ko." Before Sameer could react, Munna had snatched her hankie from his hand.

Pandit saw some red marks on the hankie & asked, "Yeh ispe laal rang ke kuch daag lag gaye hai, isse dho dena chahiye. Aise kharaab rumaal thodi lauta sakte hai hum Naina ko?" Sameer replied without thinking, "Arey... wohh koi daag waag nahi hai, wohh toh jab main Naina ko sindoor lagaa raha tha toh thoda uske naak par gir gaya tha, Naina ne bas issi hankie se saaf kiya tha, ussi ke nishaan honge." His best friends gawked at him without blinking their eyes even once.

When Sameer realized what he had blurted out in front of his friends, he closed his eyes in mortification. After a few moments when he opened his eyes, he saw his friends smiling at him teasingly. "Tohhh... tune aaj Naina ko sindoor lagaaya?", Munna wanted to confirm if they had heard it right the first time.

Pandit continued, "Aur Sameer tune Naina ka rumaal kya sach mein galti se apni jeb mein rakkha tha?" Sameer looked at his best friends & gave in finally, "Haannnn... Maine hi Naina ko aaj sindoor lagaaya tha aur maine... maine... pataa nahi kyun uska rumaal apne paas rakh liya?" He narrated the whole thing from how he found out that Naina wore the nuptial chain & put vermilion in her hair regularly since marriage, skipping their intimate moments.

His friends were happy hearing that he himself had taken the initiative & put vermilion in her hair. They knew Naina enough that she would follow this religiously. They wanted to tell their dumb best friend that he should give a chance to Naina & accept her as his wife, but they didn't. They wanted their friend to realize on his own & take that big leap of faith. They would definitely push him in her direction whenever needed & now they even had Kabir on their team who would help to straighten their friend's mindset.

"Ummm... Yeh hankie mujhe de do, main khud Naina ko raat ko de dunga." Though their friends knew that he won't give it back to his lovely wife, yet Pandit handed it over to him happily. Sameer pocketed it & continued with their work. After lunch when Munna & Pandit left to their cabins, Sameer sat quietly & closed his eyes.

He again took out her hankie from his pocket & inhaled her fragrance. "Naina...", he whispered with a smile. He had sent his driver to pick up his beautiful wife from the college & drop her home safely. The message pinged at that very moment which read, "Main ghar aa gayi hun. Fresh hokar main Nanaji aur Preeti ke saath lunch kar lungi. Aap bhi kuch kha lijiyega, kaam mein itna bhi mat busy ho jaana ki lunch karna hi bhool jaaye aap. Shaam ko jaldi aana aur car sambhalkar drive karna. See you soon... Take care..."

Sameer read the whole message with a smile. He was so engrossed in reading her message that he didn't realize when his friends were back & were now watching him with playful smiles. "Naina ka message hai?", Pandit asked. Sameer replied still smiling, "Haannn..." Pandit continued, "Kya likha hai?" Sameer replied, "Yahi ki..." And he stopped being aware of his surroundings suddenly & then glared at his best friend, "Tu kya poochne ki koshish kar raha hai kab se Pandit???"

Pandit pouted, "Main bas jaanna chahta tha ki Naina ne aisa kya message bheja hai, jise padhte hi tera chehra itna khil khila uthaa. Bol na kya likha hai Naina ne???" Sameer squinted his eyes at him, "Yeh kab se kya Naina... Naina... lagaa rakha hai. Bhabhi hai wohh tum dono ki toh Bhabhi bulaaya karo usse. Samjhe???"

His best friends lifted their eyebrows at him in surprise. Though they were the happiest but they didn't let him show. "Arey waahhh bhai... hume nahi pataa tha ki Naina hamari Bhabhi hai, kyun Munna???" Munna hit Pandit on his shoulder, "Ponga... Ab jab Sameer khud hume Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane ko keh raha hai toh isme problem kya hai?"

Munna turned to his best friend, "Waise Sameer... agar tu hume Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane ko keh raha hai toh kya hum iska yeh matlab samjhe ki tune Naina ko apni biwi ki jagah de di hai?" Sameer froze & met his friend's gaze, "Munna... Main... main yeh samaj gaya hun ki Naina meri biwi hai, par usse biwi ke hakk dene ke liye mujhe khudko thoda waqt chahiye, hum dono ko waqt chaahiye. Hum ab bhi ek dusre ko acche se nahi jaante, bohot kuch hai jo ek dusre ko bataana hai, samjhaana hai."

Pandit replied, "Thik hai... Jis din tu Naina ko apni zindagi mein teri biwi maanega, usse sab hakk dega, ussi din se hum Naina ko Bhabhi bulaayenge, par tab tak wohh hamare liye sirf Naina hi rahegi." Sameer knew that his friends were right. He looked at Munna who spoke, "Naina hamare liye hamesha Bhabhi hi rahegi Sameer. Humne toh shaadi waale din se hi usse hamari Bhabhi maan liya tha. Jab tu khud apni shaadi sabse chupaana chaahta tha, toh fir hum kaise Naina ko sabke saamne Bhabhi bula sakte the."

Pandit continued, "Jis din tu khud Naina ko sabke saamne apni biwi maanega, tu Naina ko uski sahi jagah dega aur usse apni zindagi mein khushi khushi accept karega, uss din hume koi nahi rok paayega Naina ko Bhabhi bulaane se, khud tu bhi nahi..." Sameer very well understood that whatever his friends said was true & he accepted without a word.

On the other end, when Naina & Preeti were done with their lectures, they went to library to collect some books. On the way to the library, Preeti saw a known face & halted near the principal's office. "Arey Mehta uncle... aap yahaan kya kar rahe hai???", Preeti asked Shreya's father.

He smiled faintly at her & replied, "Main toh yahaan Shreya ka admission cancel karne aaya hun. Maine usse Delhi bhejne ka faisla kiya hai. Bas yahaan ki sab formalities poori ho jaaye toh main usse Delhi bhej sakun." Preeti & Naina shared a look, "Ummm... Uncle... Aise achaanak Shreya ko Delhi kyun bhej rahe hai aap???"

Naina too was curious to know the whole matter & stood there with Preeti to hear it. "Ab tum Shreya ko toh jaanti hi ho na Preeti? Wohh ladki itna bigad gayi hai ki main kya karun kuch samaj nahi aa raha. Pehle hi usse ek baar police se bachaaya hai aur ab waapis main aisa nahi kar sakta. Kal raat wohh kisi party mein gayi thi, jahaan fir se police ki raid hui aur iss baar wohh arrest ho gayi. Jab maine inspector se sab information nikaali tab pataa chala ki kisine unhe information di thi ki wahaan drugs party ho rahi hai."

Preeti asked, "Inspector ne bataaya ki kisne call kiya tha yaa uski koi information mili aapko uncle?" He shook his head, "Nahi beta... wohh toh inspector ne nahi bataaya par mujhe aaj subah kisika phone aaya tha aur usne bataaya ki Shreya yahaan college mein bhi kisi ladki ko bohot tang karti hai aur bohot bhala bura sunaati hai."

"Ummm... Kya aapko Sameer Maheshwari ka phone aaya tha?", this time Naina asked curiously though she knew the answer. Shreya's father turned to her, "Haann beti... Sameer ne hi mujhe call kiya tha aaj subah aur usne mujhe bataaya ki kaise meri beti kisi ladki ko pareshaan kar rahi hai aur uska naam kharaab karna chaahti hai. Sach kahun toh ab main bhi uski yeh sab harkaton se pareshaan ho gaya hun. Sameer ne mujhe suggest kiya ki main Shreya ko rehab mein bhej dun, jisse uski drugs ki aadat toh chut jaaye. Baaki ka dheere dheere shaayad wohh khud hi samaj jaaye toh accha hoga."

Preeti held Naina's shivering hand & turned to Shreya's father, "Uncle... Sameer ne aapko jo bhi bataaya wohh sach hai. Naina hi wohh ladki hai jisse Shreya ne badtemeezi ki thi. Maine bhi usse apne tarike se samjhaya aur fir Sameer ne bhi. Par mujhe yeh nahi pataa tha ki wohh ab bhi drugs leti hai. Shaayad rehab mein rehkar Shreya ki yeh aadat chut jaaye."

He nodded & turned to Naina, "Beti... Shreya ne jo bhi kuch tumse kahaa, uske liye main tumse maafi maangta hun." "Arey uncle... aap please sorry mat boliye. Maine toh Shreya ko kal hi maaf kar diya tha. Aap bade hai aur mujhse maafi nahi maang sakte. Shreya ne kal hi maafi maang li thi aur maine usse maaf bhi kar diya tha. Raat gayi, baat gayi. Ummm... Uncle... Kya aap Shreya ko yahin kisi rehab mein nahi bhej sakte, mera matlab hai ki Delhi bohot durr hai aur fir aap Shreya se kaise mil paayenge?", Naina as always was concerned.

"Tum chinta mat karo kyunki main bhi thode dinon mein Delhi shift ho raha hun. Aur wahaan meri behen ki family bhi hai, wohh tab tak Shreya se milne jaate rahenge. Aur Beti... main jahaan tak Shreya ko jaanta hun, usne tumse maafi nahi maangi hogi, isliye please ho sake toh usse maaf kar dena. Ab main chalta hun. Tum dono apna dhyaan rakhna aur Naina... tum bohot lucky ho ki tumhe Sameer jaisa ladka mila jo tumse itna pyaar karta hai. Main khud Sameer se Shreya ka rishta karvaana chahta tha par fir jab aaj usne tumhare liye jo bhi bola, wohh sunnkar main samaj gaya ki tum Sameer ki life mein bohot special ho, warna jis Sameer ko hum sab jaante hai, usne kabhi kisi ladki ke liye yeh sab nahi kiya."

Shreya's father came forward & blessed her, "Tum aur Sameer hamesha khush rehna." Saying that, he left from the college whereas Naina stood rooted to her spot watching his retreating figure. Preeti tugged her hand, "Naina... Chal library se kuch books collect kar lete hai." She walked with her best friend in a trance & picked up some random books.

When they came out of the college, Preeti saw her lost in thoughts. "Ummm... Naina... chal main bhi tere saath ghar chalti hun. Aaj Bhai bhi important meeting ke liye baahar gaye hai toh lunch mein saath nahi honge. Main tere aur Nanaji ke saath hi aaj lunch kar leti hun." Naina sat down in the waiting car & thought, "Roz toh khud aate hai mujhe pick karne, aaj kyun nahi aaye? Driver ko bhej diya." Her heart replied, "Kahin kisi kaam mein busy honge. Har roz thodi tujhe lene aayenge. Sameer ko Maheshwari Industries bhi sambhaalni hai."

Preeti saw her lost in thoughts again & nudged her, "Kya soch rahi hai Naina?" She looked at her with the same lost expression & Preeti understood that she was still thinking about Shreya & her father's words. Taking a deep breath, Preeti said, "Dekh Naina... Uncle jo bhi kar rahe hai wohh thik hi hai. Shreya rehab mein rahegi toh hi sudhar paayegi. Drugs addiction ki aadat acchi nahi hai. Shreya ko treatment ki zarurat hai."

Naina agreed, "Tu thik hi keh rahi hai Preeti par pataa nahi Shreya ki papa ki haalat mujhse nahi dekhi jaa rahi thi. Kitne bebas ho gaye the jab Shreya ke baare mein sab bataa rahe the. Bhagwaan kare Shreya ki drugs ki aadat jald hi chut jaaye aur uncle ko unki acchi waali beti mil jaaye."

Preeti knew that she was worried for Shreya but she also knew that her best friend's thoughts were right now wandering towards her husband. And maybe hers too. "Naina... mujhe nahi lagaa tha ki Sameer sach mein Shreya ke papa se uske behavior ke baare mein baat karega. Ek din hi hua hai aur Sameer ne uncle ko sab bataa diya. That was too fast yaar Naina. Jo bhi hua accha hi hua, warna pataa nahi Shreya aur kya kya karti. Aur agar waapis wohh mujhe tere aas paas bhi dikhi hoti na toh sach mein main uski shakal ka poora ka poora nakshaa bigaad deti iss baar. Par chalo accha hai ab na Shreya yahaan hogi aur na mujhe kuch karna padega."

Naina heard her best friend's words but her mind was somewhere else. She wanted to confirm something with her husband but that would have to wait till he comes back in the evening. "Ummmm... Naina... Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ki Sameer ne hi uss inspector ko uss party ki information di hogi?" There she had said it aloud. The same thing was going on in Naina's mind too. Could Sameer, do it???

She met Preeti's gaze & she winked, "Yahi soch rahi thi na tabse, isliye chehre ki saari hawaiyaan udd rakhi hai." Naina replied, "Haannnn Preeti... Sameer ne aisa nahi karna chahiye tha." Preeti squinted her eyes at her best friend, "Kyun??? Naina... Sameer ne jo bhi kiya wohh sahi kiya. Shreya issi laayak thi. Usse uski sab aadatein chodni hongi aur jo Sameer ne kiya usse main sehmat bhi hun aur khush bhi. Kaash main hi yeh kar paati bohot saal pehle toh Shreya aaj aisi badtameez na hoti."

Naina didn't know what to reply. At one side, she was happy to know that Sameer had done all this for her but at the other side, she felt bad for Shreya & her father. Naina looked at her best friend who was already watching her soft smile, "Preeti... Kal toh tu Sameer ko accha sa sabak sikhaane ko taiyaar thi aur aaj achanak itna Sameer ka side kaise le rahi hai, huh???"

Preeti turned away from her & looked outside the window, "Main abhi tak kuch bhooli nahi hun Naina... Bas teri kasam waapis le, fir dekh kya haalat karti hun Sameer ki." Naina chuckled, "Wohhh toh main kabhi nahi karungi Preeti... Jab tak main zinda hun, wohh kasam toh bani rahegi."

Though Preeti had turned away from her best friend, but the truth was that she was liking the way Sameer was protecting his wife. Her heart was already melting towards him, his actions were making her think about his feelings towards Naina. If whatever happened between them before the marriage was kept aside, Sameer hadn't treated Naina badly in their presence. Infact whatever she had heard & seen since last two days made her think that somewhere Sameer had started liking Naina which was reciprocated by her best friend too.

The car stopped right in front of the Maheshwari Mansion breaking Preeti's thoughts. Both the girls entered the house & Nanu was delighted to see them. Preeti joined Nanu in the living room while Naina went to freshen up. When she entered the room, she messaged Sameer, "Main ghar aa gayi hun. Fresh hokar main Nanaji aur Preeti ke saath lunch kar lungi. Aap bhi kuch kha lijiyega, kaam mein itna bhi mat busy ho jaana ki lunch karna hi bhool jaaye aap. Shaam ko jaldi aana aur car sambhalkar drive karna. See you soon... Take care..."

Naina read the message twice before sending. She kept the phone aside & went to the washroom. After ten minutes, she was back to see her best friend waiting in her room. "Accha hua Preeti tu bhi aa gayi. Chal tu bhi fresh ho jaa fir lunch kar lete hai." Preeti walked towards the washroom & stopped, "Sameer ka message aaya hai, padh lena..." And the door closed.

Naina stood there immobile for a few moments. Had her best friend read her message too??? She shook her head & picked up her mobile, "Maine Munna aur Pandit ke saath thodi der pehle hi lunch kar liya hai. I'm sorry... aaj main thoda kaam mein busy hun isliye tumhe pick karne nahi aa paaya. Shaam ko jaldi ghar aa jaaunga aur Ramdhari ko kehna ki raat ka khaana thoda jyada banaaye, Munna aur Pandit mere saath ghar aayenge dinner ke liye. Aur main car ekdum dheere dheere drive karunga... See you soon... Thoda aaraam kar lena... Take care..."

The smile on her face was intact even when she was having lunch with Nanu & Preeti. Nanu was happy seeing her happy while Preeti knew the exact reason behind her smile. They finished their meal between constant chattering from Preeti. She too had read that message & was somehow content with the progress they were making.

After the meal, Preeti was about to leave when Nanu stopped her, "Preeti... Ab aaj raat tak yahin ruk jao, maine Kabir ko bhi raat ko dinner ke liye bulaaya hai, thoda NGO ka kaam discuss karna hai. Waise Naine ne bataaya ki Munna aur Pandit bhi aa rahe hai dinner ke liye toh tum bhi ruk jao." He turned to Naina, "Aisa karo Anjali ko bhi bula lo, sab milkar ek saath dinner kar lenge. Waise bhi kal shanivaar hi hai, na koi college hai aur na koi office."

Naina called up Anjali to invite her for dinner & she agreed to come little early to help in the meal preparations. Nanu retired to his room while Naina & Preeti were back in her room. Preeti kept glancing at Naina for few times which didn't go unnoticed by her best friend.

Naina closed her book & stared at her friend, "Kya kab se dekhe jaa rahi rahi hai? Kuch bolna hai toh bol na???" Preeti fidgeted with her pen for a while & then asked, "Last time jab main yahaan aayi thi tab hum dusre kamre mein the aur aaj iss kamre mein hai... Kyun???"

It had literally skipped Naina's mind that they were in her new room now. She looked around, "Last time hum jis kamre mein the, wohh room mein main shaadi se pehle rehti thi aur shaadi ke baad main iss kamre mein rehti hun, Sameer ke saath. Last time jab tum aayi thi tab tumhe shaadi ke baare mein pataa nahi tha, isliye tujhe purane waale room mein le gayi thi aur ab toh tujhe sab pataa hai toh yahaan baithne mein koi problem nahi hai."

Preeti gaped at her friend, "Tera matlab hai ki tu iss kamre mein Sameer ke saath rehti hai?" Naina nodded, "Haan... hum dono issi kamre mein rehte hai. Tu aise kyun pooch rahi hai? Shaadi ke baad toh pati patni ek saath ek kamre mein hi toh rehte hai na?" Preeti hesitated, "Nahi... matlab... haannn... Actually, mujhe lagaa ki tu aur Sameer alag alag kamre mein rehte hoge."

Naina understood what her best friend wanted to say but was not able to speak up. "Preeti... Humne shaadi toh hamari marzi se hi ki hai aur Nanu ko hamare kisi bhi agreement yaa conditions ke baare mein pataa nahi hai, toh hum alag alag kamre mein kaise reh sakte hain? Maanti hun main aur Sameer ek dusre ko acche se nahi jaante par hum dono ajnabee bhi nahi hai. Shaadi ke baad se ek saath rehkar ek dusre ko thoda thoda samajne toh lage hi hai. Aur waise hi mujhe sirf ek saal hi toh rehna hai yahaan. Ek saal khatam, yeh shaadi khatam, iss ghar mein mera rehna khatam, sab khatam..."

Naina hid her tears while Preeti let it flow. "Naina... Iss ek saal mein agar tujhe Sameer se pyaar ho gaya toh? Tab kya karegi? Kya Sameer ko chodkar jaa paayegi tu? Iss ghar ko chodkar jaa payegi?" Naina drew in a sharp breath, "Mujhe Sameer se pyaar ho gaya hai Preeti..." It was time that she spoke what she wasn't ready to accept herself. She let her best friend know about her feelings. She couldn't hold onto them anymore & she didn't want to keep away anything from her best friend.

Preeti knew this, she had figured it out at the fresher's party only. Naina's eyes would never lie & she had seen that love shining in her eyes whenever Sameer was around. Naina continued looking blankly at the open page of her book, "Jab pehli baar Sameer ka photo dekha, tab hi mujhe pehli nazar mein pyaar ho gaya. Jab pehli baar maine Sameer ki aawaaz suni tab uss aawaaz se bhi pyaar ho gaya. Shaadi ke baad jaise jaise main unke kareeb aati gayi, mujhe unse dheere dheere aur bhi pyaar hone lagaa. Hamari shaadi bhale hi ek saal ki hai Preeti, par main iss ek saal mein apni poori zindagi jee lungi. Choti si choti yaad mere liye anmol hogi, kyunki Sameer ke saath bitaaya hua har ek pal mere liye bohot kimti aur anmol hai. Inhi yaadon ke sahare main apni poori zindagi kaat sakti hun Preeti, kyunki mujhe pataa hai ki main Sameer ki jagah kisi aur ko kabhi nahi de paaungi, wohh pyaar fir se nahi kar paaungi kisise. Mere liye yeh rishta, yeh pyaar, janmon janmon ka hai Preeti..."

Preeti's eyes misted again seeing the love her best friend was having for her husband. "Naina... agar Sameer ko tujhse pyaar nahi hua toh?" Naina smiled, "Uski zarurat nahi hai Preeti. Main Sameer se expect nahi karti ki wohh bhi mujhse pyaar kare. Main unse pyaar karti hun, utna hi kaafi hai mere liye. Sameer ko toh aisi ladki se pyaar hoga jo unke status ki ho, jo bohot khubsoorat ho aur unke saath acchi lage. Main toh ek maamuli si ladki hun, na mera status Sameer se match hota hai aur na main itni khubsoorat hun ki unke saath acchi lagun. Bas yeh ek saal khatam ho jaaye toh Sameer bhi aazaad ho jaayenge apne pasand ki ladki se shaadi karne ke liye."

"Naina... Tum Sameer ko kisi aur ke saath dekh paaogi?", Preeti asked in a choked voice. Naina met her misty gaze, "Main yahaan se itni durr chali jaaungi ki mujhe unhe kisi aur ke saath dekhna hi na pade." Preeti hugged her best friend & cried her heart out. Naina felt someone wrap her hands around them & she heard Anjali's voice, "Aur agar Sameer ko bhi tumse pyaar ho gaya toh kya karogi Naina? Kya tab bhi usse chod kar jaa paaogi tum?" Preeti & Naina parted & looked at her. "Sorry Naina... main ghar pe bore ho rahi thi toh socha jaldi hi aa jaati hun aur tumse acche se baatein kar paaungi. Sorry isliye ki maine tum dono ki saari baatein sunn li."

"Sorry mat bolo Anjali... Tumhe bhi toh sab pataa hi hai." Anjali sat next to Naina & side hugged her, "Ab yeh rona dhona chodo aur acchi acchi baatein karo, jaise main kehne jaa rahi hun. Naina... tumse kisne kahaa ki tum khubsoorat nahi ho? Jo baahar se dikhta ho, wohi hamesha khubsoorat nahi kehlaata. Dil bhi accha hona chahiye, jaise tumhara hai. Aur main Sameer ko bhi jaanti hun. Dekha hai maine ki kaise wohh tumhe dekhta hai. Sach kahun Naina, Sameer ne kabhi aajtak kisi ladki ke saamne nazar uthaakar nahi dekha, sivaay tumhare... Jab Sameer tumhare aas paas hota hai tab wohh bilkul alag hota hai, tab aisa lagta hai ki yeh toh mera bhai hai hi nahi, koi aur hi hai. Naina... Iss ek saal mein bohot kuch ho sakta hai aur mujhe toh poora yakin hai ki Sameer bhi ek na ek din tumse pyaar karne lagega. Dekh lena..."

Preeti remained quiet & Anjali asked, "Preeti... Tumhe kya lagta hai?" She met her best friend's gaze, "Sameer ko saabit karna hoga ki wohh Naina ke laayak hai. Main samaj sakti hun ki uska past bohot bura tha par iska yeh matlab toh nahi na ki wohh Naina ko aise hurt kare. Main bas Naina ko khush dekhna chaahti hun. Agar uski wajah se Naina ki aankhon mein aansoon aaye toh main Mr Sameer Maheshwari ko nahi chodungi aur tab Naina ki koi kasam nahi rok paayegi mujhe."

She held her best friend's hand, "Naina... Main tere saath hun... hamesha... main tujhe kabhi akela nahi chodungi. Yeh shaadi rahe yaa na rahe, par yeh Preeti Sehgal hamesha tere saath rahegi." "Aur main bhi...", Anjali said & placed her hand on theirs. "Aur Preeti... jab bhi Bhai ko maarna ho, toh mujhe bhi bula lena, meri bhi iccha poori ho jaayegi." Naina & Preeti looked surprised but then everyone broke into peals of laughter & had a group hug.

The time passed by & the girls together prepared dinner while Ramdhari was sent to the market to bring rasmalai for everyone. Nanu was delighted to hear the sounds coming out of the kitchen. Sameer, Munna & Pandit came home at their usual time. The duo joined Nanu in the living room while Sameer went to freshen up in his room.

The moment he entered; he felt her presence & looked around. But he couldn't find her. He walked inside & the door to the washroom opened. Sameer stood rooted to his place when he saw his gorgeous wife in a light pink anarkali dress. She too halted in her tracks & all the words that Anjali said rang in her mind.

She took hesitant steps towards him & asked, "Aap aa gaye? Chaliye jaldi fresh ho jaaiye, khaana bhi ready ho gaya hai. Main neeche jaa rahi hun aap sabke ke liye coffee banaane. Jaldi aaiyega." When she turned to leave the room, he held her wrist & pulled her in his warm embrace. This immediate sudden gesture surprised her but she melted in his arms feeling at home.

Sameer had been missing her whole day. He couldn't even make it to pick her up after college. He had even thought of calling at one point of time to just hear her voice, but had controlled the urge somehow. He was desperately waiting to reach home & have her in his arms. And now here he was, holding her in his arms, finally feeling at peace.

The door opened suddenly & both of them broke apart with a jerk. Preeti froze at the door & looked at the two of them. Sameer instantly walked towards his cupboard & collected his clothes. Naina walked out with Preeti, a little embarrassed. Preeti though had a mischievous smile on her face all the while.

When Sameer joined everyone in the living room, he sat next to Anjali as Preeti was already sitting next to Naina & Nanu. Just then Ramdhari came out of the kitchen & served coffees to everyone. Sameer lifted the cup to his lips but then kept the cup away. Everyone was confused with his behaviour. Nanu asked, "Kya hua barkhurdaar? Tujhe toh coffee bohot pasand hai na, toh fir cup kyun baaju mein rakh diya?"

"Aaj coffee kisne banaayi hai?", Sameer asked hesitantly. "Ummm... aaj coffee maine banaayi hai Sameer.", Anjali said with a smile. Now it dawned on his Nanu & friends that he wanted to have coffee made by his lovely wife. Without meeting anyone's gaze, he replied, "Ummm... mujhe coffee peena ka mann nahi hai Nanu."

At that precise moment, the doorbell rang & Ramdhari opened the door. Everyone except Sameer, Munna & Pandit knew that Kabir was going to join them for dinner. As Sameer saw Kabir entering, he shot up from his place with his friends. Anjali should've warned Munna about Kabir's arrival tonight but it had skipped her mind to inform him as she was busy with Naina & Preeti.

Before Sameer could move towards him, Nanu greeted him, "Arey Kabir beta... tum aa gaye... Bohot der kardi tumne, mujhe lagaa aaj nahi aa paaoge tum." Sameer now understood that Nanu had invited him for dinner, he should've known that when Preeti was here, Kabir would be here too.

"Yeh Naina ko bhi Kabir ki behen hi mili thi best friend banaane ke liye?", he mumbled to himself but was loud enough for his friends to hear. They chuckled listening to his rants. Kabir sat next to Preeti while Naina had returned to the kitchen to make Sameer's favourite coffee. She was overwhelmed when she saw her husband keeping away the cup of coffee that Anjali made even before tasting it. How did he know that she hadn't prepared that coffee?

She smiled to herself & made two cups of coffees. She asked Ramdhari to serve the coffees to Sameer & Kabir. She followed him out of the kitchen & sat next to Sameer. Her mere touch brought a smile on his face. When Ramdhari served the cup of coffee to him again, he accepted it happily. He inhaled the aroma of the coffee & smiled. He started sipping the coffee while Anjali winked at Naina making her go red in front of everyone.

Nanu spoke, "Kabir... Maine tumhe isliye bulaaya kyunki tumse bohot important baat karni thi. Tumhe toh pataa hai ki hum har saal NGO mein celebration karte hai. Har baar Munshiji sambhaal lete hai par iss baar unki tabiyat kuch khaas thik nahi rehti. Isliye main chahta hun ki tum isski zimmedaari lo. Yeh celebration ki sab taiyariyaan tum karo. Main jaanta hum ki tum tumhare kaam mein busy rehte hoge, par thoda time iske liye bhi nikaal lo."

Kabir immediately agreed, "Arey Nanaji... Main NGO ke liye kitna bhi time nikaal sakta hun. Aap fikar mat kijiye main sab sambhaal lunga." Nanu continued, "Ek aur problem hai, jo teacher NGO mein ladkiyon ko dance sikhaati thi, unhe kisi urgent kaam se unke gaanv jaana pada hai, toh tum kisiko jaante ho jo unn ladkiyon ko iss function ke liye dance sikha sake?"

Kabir glanced around & knew what he had to do, "Haannn Nanaji... Naina hai na... Wohh khud itna accha dance karti hai toh I'm sure ki wohh unn ladkiyon ko acche se iss function ke liye practice karwa degi." Before Sameer could interrupt, Nanu spoke, "Arey waahhh... Yeh toh maine socha hi nahi." He turned to Naina, "Naina... Kya tum unn ladkiyon ko ek dance performance bithaane mein madad kar sakti ho?"

Naina glanced at her angry husband who had fisted his hands at his sides. She had no choice here & she agreed, "Ji Nanaji... Main unn ladkiyon ki help kar dungi." Kabir further spoke, "Naina... Kya tum meri bhi thodi help kar dogi yeh celebration ki taiyaari karne mein?" Nanu added on her behalf, "Kyun nahi Kabir? Tum aisa karo Naina aur Preeti, dono ki help le lo. Yeh weekend dono bhi ghar pe hi hai na? Tum sab milkar plan kar lena."

Preeti was excited, "Thank you Nanaji... Warna yeh weekend Naina ne mujhe padhaane ki thaan li thi. Aapne bacha liya mujhe." She turned to her brother, "Bhai... Main aur Naina, dono aapki help karenge. Boliye kya karna hai?" Kabir looked at his sister with a smile & opened his laptop, "Pehle theme aur decorations se shuru karte hai."

He was searching for some good theme while Preeti called Naina, "Naina... Idhar aana, mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha." Naina got up reluctantly & sat beside Kabir as he was sitting in the middle of the couch. She glanced once at her fuming husband & then got busy in shortlisting the theme for the celebration.

Sameer wanted to let out his anger but he couldn't do it in the presence of everyone. Except Nanu & Preeti, everyone was aware of Sameer's anger as his body had turned rigid in rage. His anger spiked when he saw Kabir shifting closer to Naina on the pretext of showing something on his laptop...

Nanu called out, "Bacchon... baaki ka sab kal dekh lena, abhi dinner kar lete hai." Naina was the first to sprint away from the living room as she was more than uncomfortable sitting next to Kabir. Preeti & Anjali helped Naina in serving the dishes to the others on the dining table.

Naina gave special attention to her furious husband who wasn't ready to eat. She served his plate & stood next to him, "Sameer... Aap please thoda kha lijiye na? Kuch aur lenge aap?" She slowly murmured near him. He looked at her pleading eyes & said, "Tum bhi baitho mere baaju mein, tab hi main khaaunga."

Preeti & Anjali had heard their small talk & smiled at each other. They deliberately left the chair next to Sameer vacant for Naina & moved to sit next to Kabir & Pandit. When Naina finally settled next to Sameer, he took the first morsel to his mouth. Naina & his friends sighed in relief & continued their meals amongst lots of bantering. They relished the rasmalai brought by Ramdhari.

Once the dinner was done, Kabir spoke, "Naina... Main tumhe kal lene aa jaunga. Ek baar tum unn ladkiyon se bhi mil lo, unse baatein kar lo toh tumhe unke liye kaisa dance performance bithaana hai, yeh bhi samaj aa jaayega." Nanu added, "Kabir sahi keh raha hai Naina. Kal tum NGO chali jaana aur unn ladkiyon se mil lena."

Before Nanu could say anymore, Naina replied, "Kabir... Aapko mujhe lene aane ki zarurat nahi hai. Mujhe kal NGO Sameer chod denge." She turned to her hot husband & asked, "Aap mujhe kal NGO tak chodne aayenge na?" Sameer was happy that Naina had directly asked his help instead of going with Kabir.

Sameer happily agreed while Nanu & Preeti watched on with amusement. Everyone bid their goodbyes & left toward their homes. As Preeti left with Kabir in his car, she asked, "Bhai... Kya chal raha tha wahaan? Aap har kaam mein Naina ko kyun involve kar rahe hai? Aap toh kisi aur ki bhi help maang sakte the na? Toh fir Naina hi kyun? Aap jaante hai na ki Naina Sameer ki biwi hai aur meri best friend bhi? Main nahi chaahti ki Naina ko koi bhi hurt kare. Aap bhi nahi Bhai..."

Kabir smiled hearing his sister's concern for her best friend. "Ghar chal main sab bataata hun..."

How was the update?

Sorry for updating late...

I was busy last week & then wasn't well for the last couple of days...

So, what is going to happen next???

Stay safe & take care...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤

Hello friends...

I'm back with the next update...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 26

Once at home, Preeti dragged her brother to the couch & asked, "Ab jaldi jaldi batao, kya bataane waale the aap." Kabir chuckled seeing his impatient sister & told her everything that happened after the fresher's party night. Her eyes rounded in rage when Kabir finished speaking.

"Uss... uss Sameer ki itni himmat ki usne aap par haath uthaaya, aapko maara. Main abhi jaa rahi hun usse milne. Wohh samjta kya hai khudko huh, pehle Naina ko hurt kiya fir aap par haath uthaaya. Sameer ko toh aaj main chodungi nahi." She got up from the couch & before she could take a step ahead, Kabir held her hand & made her sit again.

"Meri pyaari behna... aage bhi toh sunlo." He narrated everything from how he heard her & Naina's conversation yesterday till he left from Maheshwari Industries after talking with Munna & Pandit. Preeti was surprised hearing the whole thing from her brother. Once he was done, he spoke, "Main toh wohi kar raha hun jo mujhe uss waqt thik lagaa. Sameer Naina ko mere saath dekhkar gussa ho jaata hai aur ab toh usse pataa hai ki mujhe Naina pasand bhi hai, toh shaayad mera Naina ke paas rehna, unn dono ko aur kareeb laa paaye."

Preeti furrowed her eyebrows, "Aapko yeh sab karne ki zarurat nahi hai Bhai..." She narrated about the conversation with Shreya's father in college to him. Kabir was stunned to know that Sameer had talked with Shreya's father directly. Preeti continued, "Bhai... bhale hi Sameer ne Naina ke saath shaadi se pehle jo kuch bhi kiya ho, par ab yeh Sameer alag hai. Uske behavior se lagta hai ki wohh Naina ko pasand karne lagaa hai. Wohhh gundon ko electric shock dena, Shreya ko itna sunana, uske papa ko sab bataana aur fir aapko bhi maarna, yeh sab yahi dikhaata hai ki Sameer Naina ke liye protective aur possessive hai. Aap jo bhi karne jaa rahe ho usse Sameer jalega toh zaroor par isse unn dono ke beech koi problems nahi aani chahiye Bhai..."

She skipped the part where Naina had disclosed her feelings for her husband & also the part where she had seen them wrapped in each other's arms. She was concerned for her best friend. Kabir saw the restlessness on his sister's face & spoke, "Preeti... tu chinta mat kar... Main sab thik kar dunga. Tujhe mujhpar bharosa hai na?" She nodded, "Mujhe aap par toh poora bharosa hai Bhai par please aisa kuch mat kijiyega jisse Sameer aur Naina ke beech koi problems ho."

Kabir patted her head, "Jitni chinta tujhe teri best friend ki hai na, utni hi chinta mujhe bhi hai aur wohh bhi dono ki. Unn dono ki aankhon mein main ek dusre ke liye izzat, bharosa aur shaayad thoda pyaar bhi dekha hai. Main bas wohh zariyaa banunga jisse wohh dono apne feelings samaj paaye, khaaskar Sameer... Usse yeh ehsaas dilaana bohot zaruri hai ki Naina uski zindagi mein kya maayne rakhti hai." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Tum chinta mat karo Preeti... Main kuch aisa nahi karunga jisse unn dono ke beech koi problems ho. Meri wajah se wohh dono sirf ek dusre ke paas hi aayenge. Dekh lena..."

Preeti finally relented, "Thik hai... Toh ab kal NGO mein kya karna hai? Aapne kuch socha hai uske baare mein?" Kabir replied thoughtfully, "Abhi toh kuch socha nahi hai. Kal subah tak kuch na kuch soch hi lenge, kyun???" Both the siblings retired to their rooms thinking about what to do the next day...

At the other side, after everyone was gone, Sameer got back to his room while Naina finished her chores. After ten minutes, as she entered, she saw her dashing husband coming out of the washroom. She walked past him & collected her nightwear. When she came back after freshening up, she saw him sitting on the couch with his laptop.

She sat down next to him & asked, "Aap... Aap naaraaz toh nahi hai na?" He kept his laptop aside & asked, "Main kyun tumse naaraaz rahunga?" Though he knew why she was asking this. Naina fidgeted with her kurta & said, "Wohhh... wohhh... Main... main Kabir ko NGO ke celebration mein help karnewaali hun na, isliye mujhe lagaa ki shaayad aapko accha na lage."

Sameer hadn't liked it but he couldn't stop her from helping his friend. He knew that Nanu had specifically asked Kabir to take over the preparations of the celebration & he too wanted that celebration to be a grand success as always. He knew that Naina could teach dance to those girls in the NGO at this last moment. He couldn't spoil all this just because he didn't like Kabir with Naina.

Sameer shifted closer to his beautiful wife, "Haaan... Mujhe tumhara Kabir ke saath kaam karna accha toh nahi lag raha par main jaanta hun ki tum hi unn ladkiyon ko acche se dance sikha sakti ho. Nanu ne bohot mehnat se yeh NGO banaaya hai aur main meri insecurities ki wajah se usse kharaab nahi karna chaahta. Naina... Tumse jitna ho utna tum iss celebration mein help karna, bas uss Kabir se durr rehna."

Naina too wasn't comfortable with being with Kabir but even she didn't have a choice, afterall Nanu had asked her for help & she couldn't deny it. She had to do something & make her husband comfortable first, so she asked, "Kya aap bhi meri help karenge? Hum sab ek saath celebration ki taiyaari karenge toh kaam jaldi bhi ho jaayega aur kisi par jyada kaam ka bojh bhi nahi rahega. Main unn ladkiyon ko dance sikha dungi aur aap sab milkar baaki ka planning dekh lena."

Sameer was happy hearing this. He didn't want to stay away from her either & this was the right opportunity for him to be around her. He also could keep a watch on his friend if he tried to impress his wife. He agreed happily, "Tum thik keh rahi ho. Main Munna aur Pandit se bhi keh dunga, wohh dono bhi help karenge."

She smiled & asked a little hesitantly, "Ummm...aaj... aaj college mein hume Shreya ke papa mile the." Sameer stiffened & Naina noticed the change in his demeanour. Without beating around the bush, she asked, "Kya aapne police ko inform kiya tha uss drugs party ke baare mein?"

Sameer didn't meet her curious gaze & replied, "Nahi..." Naina knew that he was hiding something, so she tried again, "Sameer... Agar aapne police ko nahi bataaya toh fir Shreya kaise pakdi gayi? Please mujhe sab sach jaanna hai. Bataaiye na Sameer... please..."

He saw her pleading face & complied, "Maine mere friend ko bola tha Shreya ke baare mein sab information pataa lagaane ko aur usne mujhe do ghante mein hi sab bataa diya. Kal shaam ko mujhe pataa chala ki Shreya uss party mein jaanewali hai aur maine commissioner uncle ko sab bataaya. Maine unse kahaa tha ki wohh Shreya ko arrest kare, taaki wohh last time ki tarah bach na sake."

Naina couldn't believe that her husband had asked to arrest Shreya. "Aap... aap aisa kaise kar sakte hai Sameer? Wohh ek ladki hai, uski izzat aur naam kitna kharaab ho jaayega, yeh khayaal aapko ek baar bhi nahi aaya Sameer?" He heard her but instead of replying her questions, he continued, "Jab mujhe commissioner uncle ne call karke bataaya ki Shreya ne drugs ka overdose le liya hai toh maine unse kahaa ki wohh Shreya ko hospitalize kare."

"Maine turant uske papa call kiya aur sab bataaya. Maine yeh bhi bataaya ki Shreya ne tumse kaise behave kiya tha college mein, usne kya kya kahaa tumse. Naina... mera yakeen maano, main sirf Shreya ko aisa sabak sikhaana chahta tha ki wohh kabhi tumse yaa kisi aur ladki se aisa bartaav na kare. Jab mujhe drugs overdose ka pataa chala toh mujhe uske papa ke liye bura lagaa. Mehta uncle bohot hi acche insaan hai aur isliye maine unse kahaa ki Shreya ko ab rehab bhejne ke alaava koi aur option hi nahi hai. Iss baar toh wohh drugs overdose se bach gayi hai, par har baar aisa nahi hoga Naina. Shreya ko drugs ki aadat chodni hogi aur isliye usse rehab bhejne ka decide kiya humne."

Naina was already in tears, "Main jaanti hun, uncle ne bataaya ki Shreya ko Delhi ke rehab mein bhej rahe hai. Sameer bhale hi aapne usse sabak sikhaana chaaha par fir bhi itna sab hone ke bawajood bhi aapne uski jaan bachaayi aur usse rehab bhejne ka jo raasta nikala, uske liye thank you. Mujhe sach mein Shreya aur uske papa ke liye bohot bura lag raha hai. Bhagwaan kare Shreya jald se jald thik ho jaaye aur uski yeh aadat chut jaaye."

Sameer couldn't see her tears & moved closer to her. He held her face in his large palms & wiped her tears. Naina was lost in his eyes which only reflected her pure face in them. He leaned in & kissed her forehead & her hands automatically wrapped around him. They stayed in each other's embrace for few minutes, lost in their own small world.

The ping on her mobile broke their sweet bubble & they parted awkwardly. Sameer walked back to his bed & murmured, "Goodnight Naina..." He saw the blush on her face & said, "So jao... Kal jaldi bhi uthna hai." Naina quietly rested on the couch & saw the message that had popped up on her phone.

Sameer asked, "Kiska message hai Naina?" Although he knew that only Preeti would message or call her this late at night, still he wanted to know. Naina froze seeing the name that had appeared on the screen & she gulped in nervousness. Seeing her gone quiet, Sameer walked back to the couch & checked the screen.

He mumbled something under his breath which was loud enough for Naina to hear too, "Yeh Kabir ko toh main kal subha dekh lunga NGO mein. Ek punch kamm padaa hai shaayad..." Naina immediately sprung up from the couch, "Kya kahaa aapne? Ek punch... Kya???" Sameer glared at her & said in irritation, "Kuch nahi... Tum so jao."

Naina had heard the whole thing but what punch was he talking about? Did he punch Kabir??? No... that wasn't possible... they were good friends... She knew if this time she asked him anything further, he would get irritated & shout at her. So, for now, she let it go. She closed her eyes & dozed off immediately whereas her furious husband kept tossing & turning till late night as he wasn't sure about what Kabir would do the next day.

The next morning, Naina got up early as usual & took her sweet time in washroom to wash her long hair. When this time she came out with her hair tied in the towel, Sameer was already up & was working out in the balcony. Naina couldn't look away from him. His sweat glistened in the morning sunlight as he was shirtless. His hair a little wet due to sweat were stuck to his forehead.

Her legs moved automatically & she walked slowly towards him, the pull too strong to resist. She stopped right at the balcony door & at that precise moment, Sameer looked at her. Even before she walked to the balcony, he had sensed her presence. He inhaled her fragrance & continued with his push-ups, still looking at her. She had worn a white anarkali dress with a red bandhej dupatta. The nuptial chain visible clearly as the black beaded chain was in contrast with her white dress.

Sameer loved the way his gorgeous wife was gawking at him. Last when she had seen him shirtless, that time they were in a hurry to reach the college for the fresher's party. But today, there was no hurry for anything. He wanted to see if the effect that he had seen last time was still the same & he was glad that his effect worked like magic on her.

The voice of Nanu from the garden broke their small eye lock & both of them looked away instantly. Naina turned on her heel & stood in front of the mirror while Sameer completed the push-ups.

What was she doing? How could she stare at her husband so shamelessly? What had gotten into her? She closed her eyes, "Naina... tu itni besharam kaise ho sakti hai? Kya soch rahe honge Sameer tere baare mein? Aisa kaun ghoor ghoor ke dekhta hai bhala? Naina... tujhe khud ke feelings zara control karne honge. Tu aise unke saamne behave nahi kar sakti. Unhe kabhi pataa nahi chalna chahiye ki tu unse pyaar karne lagi hai."

With her self-talk going on, she didn't realize when Sameer had stood right behind her & was staring at her reflection in the mirror. Feeling an intense gaze on her, she opened her eyes, only to clash it with his. The butterflies started dancing in her stomach & her heartbeats accelerated.

Sameer stood too close to her for her comfort. Without breaking their eye lock, he tugged the towel & her wet hair cascaded down. He threw the towel away & leaned in, inhaling her fragrance yet again. Naina closed her eyes as the hair on her neck stood up in response due to their close proximity.

In reflex, she leaned a little & was instantly held by her hotshot husband by her shoulders. "Main poora pasine mein bheeg chuka hun Naina... Par tum jo karne jaa rahi thi, wohh mujhe baad mein chahiye." Saying that, he was gone. Naina stood like a statue in front of the mirror. She shivered remembering what she was about to do if Sameer hadn't stopped her. She slowly brought her hand near her heart & rubbed it gently, "Main agar aise hi karti rahi na, toh wohh din durr nahi jab Sameer ko mere dil ka haal pataa chal jaayega."

She saw the towel which was thrown away on the couch. She picked it up with a smile, remembering how he had tugged it out of his way. She gently rubbed her hair & then left downstairs to prepare breakfast.

Sameer stood below the shower & closed his eyes. He had just wanted to tease her for gawking at him but the moment he had seen her reflection in the mirror, he had forgotten everything about the teasing. Infact, her closed eyes, her hair tied in the towel, her slender neck, her fragrance, everything had pulled him to her. He couldn't resist her & had jerked the towel away. He had wanted to brush his fingers in her soft hair but he had controlled that urge. He couldn't do it now. He was now scared of his own feelings.

What was he doing? The moment he had seen her leaning on his bare chest, he himself had an urge to pull her to him, but he resisted. What would've happened if she would've leaned in? He would've taken her in his arms for sure, but he was conscious as he was sweating too much due to his workout & also their proximity.

"Sameer... Tujhe pehle khudko apne feelings samajne honge. Aisa kuch mat karna jisse Naina uncomfortable ho jaaye. Naina teri biwi hai par iska yeh matlab toh nahi na ki tu khudko uspar thope. Let her make her choice." His heart instantly replied, "Par Naina hi toh tere paas aa rahi thi, agar tune usse roka na hota toh shaayad wohh teri baahon mein hoti."

Sameer rubbed his heart gently, "Mujhe kya ho raha hai? Jab bhi main aankhen band karta hun toh mujhe sirf Naina hi kyun dikhaayi deti hai? Kyun main uske paas hi rehna chaahta hun? Kyun kal main office mein usko itna miss kar raha tha? Kyun maine uska rumaal apne paas rakha? Kyun jab bhi Kabir uske aas paas hota hai toh mujhe accha nahi lagta?"

The soft knock on the door broke his thoughts, "Sameer... Aap thik toh hai na? Aadhe ghante se andar kya kar rahe hai?" He smacked himself on his head & murmured, "Sameer... Pagal ho gaya hai kya, aadhe ghante se paani ke neeche khada hai?" He again heard her voice, "Sameer..." Closing his eyes, he replied, "Main... main... abhi aaya..."

He quickly finished his shower & opened the door to see his beautiful wife standing near the mirror & combing her long hair. He automatically walked towards her & again stood right behind her. The time froze as their eyes met. Naina's eyes on its own moved to see the shirtless Sameer again but this time he had wrapped a towel around his waist & the track pants were missing. She had dared to stare again & his heartbeats quickened watching her checking him out in the mirror.

Sameer closed the distance & stood right behind her & pulled her in his arms. His resistance power gave up finally. He took her in a back hug & wrapped his hands around her. He whispered, "Maine kahaa tha na ki jo tum pehle karna chahti thi wohh mujhe chahiye, toh bas maine le liya."

Naina shuddered in his tight hold, this was different, this touch was different, her body warmed up instantly as she felt his bare chest on her back. She closed her eyes feeling his heat. His hot breath was fanning her neck as he kept nuzzling in her hair, feeling her soft hair & her silky soft skin.

"Sameer...", her husky tone sent shivers down his body & he regained his senses. He slowly loosened his hold but he didn't leave her. They kept staring at each other at their reflections. They portrayed a perfect couple who seemed to be in love from ages. The shrill ring of his phone made them aware of their surroundings & he left her reluctantly.

He walked to the bed side table where his phone was kept on charging. He picked up the call, "Hello..." After a pause, he replied, "Tu aur Pandit directly NGO pohoncho, main Naina ko lekar aata hun." As he turned, he saw his lovely wife taking out clothes for him. He was happy to see that she had taken out light-blue denims & a white full sleeved t-shirt.

Before she could walk away, he held her hand & whispered, "Ek kaam reh gaya hai." She shivered yet again but didn't say anything. She walked with him near the dressing table & stopped, as she saw him picking up the vermilion box. She hadn't expected this. When this time he put the vermilion in her hair partition, her eyes misted & he silently wiped her tears.

Sameer leaned a little & whispered, "Agar tum nahi chaahti ki main tumhare saamne hi kapde badlun, toh main tumhe do minute de raha hun. Agar tum do minute mein neeche nahi gayi toh main..." She instantly ran away with her flushed face while Sameer smiled watching her go all red.

Nanu saw Naina running downstairs in full speed, "Naina... Aaram se... Gir jaaogi. Kya hua hai? Itna bhaag kyun rahi ho?" She instantly stopped & breathed in. Before she could reply, Munna & Pandit entered laughing loudly with Anjali. Naina thanked the Almighty for saving her from answering & she rushed to the kitchen.

Anjali joined her while Nanu, Munna & Pandit sat down on the dining table. Sameer joined them in the next five minutes & was surprised to see his best friends there. "Munna maine kahaa tha na ki tum dono direct NGO hi aa jaana, fir ghar kyun aaye?" Pandit replied, "Dekha Nanaji. Ab hume ghar aane ko bhi manaa kar rahaa hai. Yahi hai teri dosti?"

Sameer rolled his eyes, "Munna ne hi call kiya tha poochne ke liye, isliye maine directly NGO aane ko kahaa." Munna chuckled, "Arey hum directly NGO hi jaa rahe the. Jab ghar se nikal raha tha tab Anjali aa gayi. Usne kahaa ki wohh bhi help karna chahti hai aur Naina se milna bhi hai, toh bas hum yahin aa gaye."

Sameer sat down & waited for his favourite coffee & breakfast. Ramdhari walked out holding the tray of cups of coffees & tea while Anjali & Naina followed him out holding the casserole & bowl of curd. Naina settled down beside Sameer & served him his favourite aloo parathas.

Munna & Pandit coughed at the same time & Sameer glared at them. Pandit couldn't hold onto his tongue, & he teased, "Bhai... tere toh mazze hai. Roz roz apni favourite coffee aur aloo parathe jo khaane mil rahe hai." Sameer frowned at his best friend & said, "Toh tujhe kyun pet mein dukh raha hai? Tu bhi shaadi kar le, toh tujhe bhi apna mannpasand khaana khaane ko mil jaayega."

Pandit went quiet immediately while Munna teased, "Ponga... Main Preeti se baat aage chalaun kya?" Pandit kicked his foot & he screamed in pain. Anjali got up instantly, "Kya hua Munna? Sab thik toh hai na? Aise chillaye kyun?" Munna murmured, "Kuch nahi hua hai, lagta hai shaayad chiti ne kaat liya." Pandit & Sameer sniggered while Nanu & Naina controlled their laughter.

Once the meal was done, they left. Munna, Pandit & Anjali drove in Munna's car while Naina & Sameer in theirs. They reached the NGO in the next half an hour to see Preeti & Kabir waiting for them at the entrance. The siblings were shocked to see that even Munna, Pandit & Anjali had tagged along.

Sameer & Naina came out of the car at the same time. Kabir & Preeti glanced at each other seeing the couple almost twinning in white. Preeti came ahead & engulfed her best friend in a tight hug. She whispered, "Aaj dono ne milkar white mein twinning karne ka decide kiya tha kya?"

Naina lowered her eyes & replied, "Nahi... Aisa toh kuch nahi hai. Wohh maine hi Sameer ke liye white t-shirt nikala tha par tab maine aisa kuch socha nahi tha. Sacchi..." Preeti & Anjali chuckled & Naina understood that they were just pulling her leg.

Kabir cleared his throat, "Ab andar chalein? Ladkiyaan kabse tumhara intezaar kar rahi hai Naina." Sameer held Naina's hand possessively while everyone saw that gesture with amusement. Preeti walked with her brother, "Bhai... aapne dekha aaj kuch toh alag hai dono mein? Aaj Naina ka mangalsutra ekdum baahar hai, jaise sabko dikhaana ho ki wohh married hai, uski maang mein sindoor bhi aaj saaf saaf dikhaayi de raha hai."

Kabir hummed in response, "Sameer ne aajtak kisi ladki ka haath aise khullam khulla kabhi nahi pakda. Dekha Preeti... maine kahaa tha na ki meri wajah se yeh dono paas aayenge. Bas aur kuch din saath mein rahunga toh Sameer apne feelings apne aap samaj jaayega." Munna & Pandit who were walking just ahead of the siblings stopped & turned, "Jyada overconfidence acchi baat nahi hai Kabir... Sameer ka gussa tune abhi tak thik se dekha nahi hai, toh itna bhi kuch mat karna ki teri har ek haddi tod de wohh... Tab shaayad main aur Munna bhi tujhe bacha na paaye."

Preeti replied to Pandit, "Aur main chup chaap khadi rehkar dekhti rahungi? Ek baar toh Sameer ne Bhai par haath utha liya, aage kabhi usne koshish bhi ki na, toh main bhi uski sab haddiyaan aur daant tod dungi. Mere bhai ko haath lagaakar toh dikhaaye, usse bhi pata chal jaayega ki yeh Preeti kya cheez hai..."

Pandit looked fondly at his fierce girl while she looked away instantly sensing his intense gaze. Munna pulled his best friend & walked ahead fast. "Ponga... Hum yahaan celebration ki taiyaari karne aaye hai, tu apni setting baad mein kar lena, warna aaj Preeti teri sab setting bigaad degi. Dekha na kaise gusse mein hai?"

Pandit agreed & they reached the hall where all the girls of the NGO were waiting for them. The girls introduced themselves to everyone & then Naina, Preeti & Anjali sat with them deciding on some songs for their dance performance. Sameer, Munna, Pandit & Kabir went to Munshiji's cabin to check what all arrangements were still pending to be done.

Munna & Pandit took over the job of inviting people to the function while Sameer & Kabir were told to look after the decorations & catering services. Sameer sat down next to Kabir & both of them started their work of searching for the good organisers. When Munshiji left them alone, Sameer turned to Kabir who was going through a list of well-known caterers.

Sameer cleared his throat to get Kabir's attention & he looked up immediately. "Tujhe kuch kehna hai Sameer?", Kabir asked casually. Taking a deep breath, Sameer started, "Kabir... hum college se acche dost hai aur mere liye yeh dosti bohot maayne rakhti hai. Maine meri aur Naina ki shaadi ka sach chupaakar tum sabko andhere mein rakkha aur issi dauraan kahin na kahin tujhe Naina acchi lagne lagi. Par ab tu sach jaanta hai, Naina meri biwi hai, toh please tu usse duur rehna."

Kabir replied, "Aur agar main durr na rahun toh?" Sameer fisted his hands in anger but controlled his temper, "Dekh Kabir... Tu mera dost hai isliye main pehli aur aakhri baar tujhse keh raha hun ki tu Naina se durr rehna. Wohh meri biwi hai."

Kabir laughed, "Bas ek saal ke liye teri biwi hai Sameer. Uske baad kya karega tu? Main bataata hun ki main kya karunga. Jaise hi ek saal baad Naina iss shaadi se azaad ho jaayegi, waise hi main usse shaadi kar lunga. Aur haannn... main Naina se shaadi ke waqt koi agreements aur conditions sign nahi karvaaunga, kyunki mere liye Naina bohot special hai."

Sameer was left speechless as he couldn't figure out how Kabir knew about the agreements & conditions. Kabir knew what his friend was thinking & he continued, "Yahi soch raha hai na ki mujhe kaise sab pataa chalaa? Maine galti se Naina aur Preeti ki sab baatein sunn li thi aur tab mujhe sab sachaai pataa chal gayi. Sameer... sach kahun toh tujhse bada bewakoof maine iss duniyaa mein nahi dekha. Naina jaisi itni acchi ladki ko tune itna hurt kiya aur fir bhi wohh tujhe itni izzat deti hai, tera itna khayaal rakhti hai. Agar main uski jagah hota na toh tere saath ek second na rehta uss ghar mein. Tune jaanbujhkar usko itna hurt kiya hai ki tu soch bhi nahi sakta."

"Par khair jo ho gaya wohh ho gaya, usse badal toh nahi sakte. Par main ek saal baad sab kuch badal dunga. Ek saal baad Naina meri biwi hogi aur main usse itna khush rakhunga ki usse kabhi bhi galti se teri yaad na aa paaye. Teri har ek yaad main uske dil aur dimaag se mitaa dunga Sameer... Ek saal baad Naina, Mrs Naina Sameer Maheshwari nahi hogi, wohh Mrs Naina Kabir Sehgal hogi."

Before Sameer could reply, Munshiji was back & he left his cabin angrily. Sameer entered the hall where he had left Naina an hour ago. But the sight he saw in front of him stopped his heartbeats. Naina was dancing & teaching some steps to the girls. He stood transfixed to where he was standing for few more minutes, taking in her each & every movement. She was dancing so gracefully that he forgot that he was standing in front of so many people.

The girls clapped loudly which broke Sameer's trance & all the words that Kabir said rang in his mind again. He was definitely a fool to let go of Naina after a year. In these few days of marriage, he had started to fall for his lovely wife & he knew it too, but he was still afraid to lose his heart to her, trust her blindly...

His heart replied painfully, "YOU ARE SCARED TO LOSE HER TOO..."

How was the update???

Kabir has told Sameer that he would marry Naina after a year, so what do you think, how is Sameer going to react to this???

Will Sameer let Kabir woo his wife???

Next update on Thursday...

Stay safe & take care...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤

Amazing update. I hope sameer accept naina whole heatedly. He started accepting but it will still take time. Eager to know sameers jealousy towards kabir. Felt little bad for naina. Hope in this one year everything gets sorted.

Sameer will obviously keep kabir away from naina.. He will never let kabir woo her. God knows if this plan of kabir works or it backfires due to sameer's temper. Hope to see the best . Will wait eagerly for next update.

Originally posted by: Dharapriya

Amazing update. I hope sameer accept naina whole heatedly. He started accepting but it will still take time. Eager to know sameers jealousy towards kabir. Felt little bad for naina. Hope in this one year everything gets sorted.

Thank you so much dear... Samaina's bond will grow gradually & it will definitely take some time for both of them to trust each other whole heartedly. Jealous Maheshwari is definitely a treat to watch & Im not going to leave a single chance to show that.😜😂

Originally posted by: Dharapriya

Sameer will obviously keep kabir away from naina.. He will never let kabir woo her. God knows if this plan of kabir works or it backfires due to sameer's temper. Hope to see the best . Will wait eagerly for next update.

Yess Sameer will definitely try to stop Kabir from wooing his wife & let's see if Kabir's planning brings them closer or some disaster happens. Im posting the next chapter now.

Hello friends...

I'm back with the next update...

Enjoy reading...

FATE TWISTED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 27

Naina saw her handsome husband staring at her but something was different, she could feel it. She could see pain in his eyes even from afar. She had just taken a step ahead when Preeti stopped her, "Kahaan ja rahi hai Naina? Abhi toh inn sab ladkiyon ne kuch hi steps sikhe hai."

Anjali had seen Sameer standing a little away from them & even she could tell that something was wrong. She knew Naina won't be able to voice out in front of her best friend, so she rescued her this time. "Preeti... Shaayad Naina thak gayi hai, thoda usse bhi saans lene do." She turned to Naina, "Tum jao zara tehel aao, toh thoda relax feel karogi."

Without waiting for Preeti's reply, Naina walked away hastily towards Sameer who had walked out of the hall towards the corridor. Naina almost ran to him & held his arm. He stopped right where he was & turned to see the worry lines on her beautiful face.

"Sameer... aap kidhar jaa rahe hai? Aur... aur... aap thik toh hai na? Kuch hua hai kya?", she asked knowing very well that her husband was definitely upset about something. How could he tell her that he was upset with himself, with the situation which was solely his creation? How could he tell her what Kabir had told him a while ago? Was he courageous enough to let her know about Kabir? What if Naina accepted Kabir's proposal before their marriage ended? Could he bear to see that?

Many questions swirled in his mind but there were no answers to them. Naina saw through his pain & moved closer to him. Holding his face in her small palms, she asked in concern, "Bataaiye na? Kya hua hai? Kisine... kisine kuch kahaa kya?" She didn't know why but she couldn't see him in such a state.

The closeness brought out the best between them & Sameer pulled her in a hug, which soothed his pain instantly. Kabir's words forgotten already & his raging heartbeats calmed down feeling her warmth. Naina held him tightly & rubbed his back slowly. Sameer inhaled her fragrance yet again & was lost in her.

How could he let her go after a year? Will he be able to do that? Will Naina do that? Yess... maybe she would, afterall she was following his conditions dutifully. His heart ached yet again when he remembered those agreements & conditions. He realized now that what he had done with her wasn't right. He had made a huge mistake in understanding her.

But immediately, an image of his mother hanging in his Nanu's house swam in front of his eyes & his hold loosened on Naina. His insecurities weren't going to end so easily but he wanted to try. Naina knew the moment his hold loosened on her & his pain was back. Without thinking for even once, she spoke softly, still rubbing on his back, "Sameer... Main hamesha aapke saath hun, aap fikar mat kijiye, sab thik ho jaayega. Hum sab aapke saath hai."

Her words worked liked magic on him & he took a deep breath realizing that anyone could walk on them. He parted from her & met her misty gaze, "Naina... Tum... tum kyun ro rahi ho?", he said while wiping her tears. She watched him intently, "Aap... aap thik toh hai na?" And at that moment Sameer realized that she had known something was wrong with him & she had come to sooth his pain, leaving everything behind.

"Main... main ab thik hun Naina..." At a distance he saw Preeti, Anjali & Kabir watching them. "Chalo Naina... tum acche se sab ladkiyon ko dance sikha do, tab tak main kuch dusre important kaam karke aata hun." Naina wanted to know what had happened but she had seen the way his eyes had wandered behind her which meant that there was audience & she just nodded in response.

As he was about to leave, Naina held his hand again, "Suniye... aap jaldi aa jaiyega... Main aapke bina khaana nahi khaaungi." That wasn't a request though & Sameer could feel that. He smiled & within a second, he had pulled her in his arms again. He kept his eyes focused on Kabir & whispered in her ear, "Main bhi tumhare bina khaana nahi khaaunga. Aate waqt kuch le aata hun sabke liye. Thik hai..." She hummed in response & he left her, knowing very well that everyone had seen their closeness, but not before giving her a sweet forehead kiss.

Naina blushed as she knew they were having viewers around but she didn't care a damn. Once he left towards his car, she turned to see smirking faces of her two best friends while Kabir looked at her blankly. She moved past him & entered the hall with Preeti & Anjali. Once the girls were out of his sight, he finally smiled.

Kabir wanted to laugh out at the moment when Sameer had hugged Naina almost giving him a warning to stay away from his wife. This possessive Sameer was a treat to watch for him & he was enjoying it to the core. He mumbled to himself, "Bas jald hi Sameer apne feelings samaj jaaye toh main villain banna chod dun."

Everyone was back to their work & it was already lunch time. Naina was happy that the girls were learning fast & were practicing a lot. She had already shown them the whole choreography for the song & they were almost done with half of the song. The girls asked them to join for lunch but Naina denied politely saying that she wasn't hungry. How could she eat when she had clearly said that she won't have lunch without her dashing husband who was upset for some reason.

As the girls were about to leave for their lunch, Munna & Pandit entered the hall with lots of carry bags & soon the hall was filled with the aroma of pav bhaji. Sameer had called a restaurant the moment he had left from the NGO & ordered pav bhaji for everyone. The gang distributed the meal to all the girls & also the other staff members. Kabir too had joined them after his sister had called him.

Naina waited patiently for Sameer while the others had started eating their meal. When Preet saw that her best friend hadn't touched her meal, she asked, "Naina... Tu kyun nahi khaa rahi? Tujhe toh pav bhaji bohot pasand hai na?" Before she could say anything, she felt HIS presence & her eyes met HIS...

Her lips automatically curled upwards & she smiled heartily watching her handsome husband who was leaning on the entrance of the hall & was looking much better now. Everyone's gaze moved towards him & Pandit spoke, "Naina ko pav bhaji pasand hai isliye toh Sameer ne order ki thi sab ke liye."

Naina saw that Sameer too was holding onto a carry bag. A helper came in at that precise moment & took away that bag towards the kitchen. Sameer entered the hall & took a place next to Naina which was left vacant by their friends. Naina looked around but there was no extra pav bhaji for him. It seemed that all the packets were already distributed.

Sameer saw his lovely wife looking out for another packet of pav bhaji but there was none. Before he could say something, Naina had shifted closer to him, "Hum dono yeh pav bhaji share karte hai." He took in a deep breath & nodded. He was much calmer now & his eyes remained locked on his wife, who opened the packet & saw that there was more bhaji & even extra pavs in it.

She looked up & met Anjali's gaze who just winked in response. Sameer smiled, as he was the one who had deliberately packed a large packet for them to share. As she was about to take the first morsel of her favourite pav bhaji to her mouth, another morsel appeared in front of her & she halted to see that her loving husband was feeding her.

She leaned in & ate the morsel. Munna & Pandit hooted while the others smiled watching the couple, though Kabir had maintained a blank face but he was inwardly happy with the cute scenario playing right in front of his eyes. When Sameer met his gaze, Kabir just raised his eyebrow, understanding fully well that this was meant to let him know where Sameer stood in her life for now.

Without any hesitance, Naina too fed him pav bhaji & they finished their meal. When they freshened up after lunch, the helper came & served them chocolate ice-creams. The girls squealed happily as they would get them only on some special occasions. Once they were done relishing the delicious ice-creams, the girls were back to their practice. Preeti & Anjali were taking care about what dresses they would wear for their dance performance while Naina continued with the dance rehearsal.

Munna & Pandit left the NGO to invite the remaining guests while Sameer & Kabir were back in Munshiji's cabin. Kabir had already finalized the caterer & he was now discussing about the menu. Sameer too had already finalized an organiser who would take care of the decorations & the other arrangements. He was supposed to visit him in an hour & he was waiting for him. Till then, Sameer was planning about what all decorations he wanted.

The organiser came on time & finally everything was in motion. Done with all the work allotted to them, Kabir & Sameer went back to the hall to see if the girls were done, so that they could leave. It was already evening & they all had to get back home. Kabir got a call & he went out to attend it while Sameer entered the hall. He saw that Naina was still rehearsing with the girls.

He sat down at the nearby chair & saw her intently. Naina knew the moment he had entered the hall but she didn't turn to look at him. Munna & Pandit were back too & were seated next to Anjali while Preeti was also dancing with the girls, finally her wish of learning to dance was also coming true. Naina had made sure that her best friend too learned dancing. Munna pushed Anjali too to dance with the girls & she complied.

Sameer saw all the girls including Naina, Preeti & Anjali matching their steps together. It was the best scene he had watched since morning. Naina had tied her hair in a bun & tied her red bandhej dupatta at her left side. The flair of her anarkali dress & her round dance movements mesmerised him. He was lost in her totally.

Naina was aware of his intense gaze on her & her heartbeat had accelerated. She had danced in front of him in the fresher's party & now again she was doing it. Kabir was back too & he sat beside his friend. Sameer stiffened a little as he knew that even his friend was going to watch his wife dancing. But he couldn't do much as he would never stop Naina from dancing.

Kabir knew that he was affecting Sameer by his presence here, but he did have a motive & he was sure to fulfil it at the earliest. He glanced once at Sameer & started, "Tumhe darne ki zarurat nahi hai Sameer. Main abhi Naina ko apni feelings ke baare mein nahi bataaunga, par haann... main usse dosti karne ki koshish zaroor karunga, kyunki dosti hi wohh pehli seedhi hai jisse main Naina ko acche se samaj paaunga, jaan paaunga. Humsafar banne se pehle acche dost banna bohot zaruri hai, hai na???"

Sameer glared at him & was about to retort when Naina appeared, "Sameer... hamari practice ho gayi hai. Mujhe lagta hai, hume ab jaana chahiye. Nanaji bhi subah se akele hai ghar pe." She didn't even once glance at Kabir & Sameer thanked heavenwards for that. Naina had left to freshen up with her friends while Sameer turned to his friend, "Dosti toh tab hogi na jab Naina tumhari taraf dekhegi." Saying that, he left a little sad Kabir behind.

Kabir knew that Naina wasn't comfortable with him & he had to do something about it. But what could he do? Should he talk to his sister? Or should he talk to Naina directly? There was no answer to that though. When Naina, Preeti & Anjali were back, they bid goodbye to the other girls & asked them to rehearse nicely the next day too.

Sameer & Naina were the first ones to leave while the others stood there near their respective cars. Kabir updated Munna, Pandit & his sister about his conversation with Sameer that day. The others stared at Kabir in shock. Pandit recovered first, "Tumne Sameer se yeh sab kahaa aur fir bhi tu yahaan hamare saamne zinda khada hai???"

Preeti hit him hard on his arm, "Tum kya bakwaas kar rahe ho? Pataa bhi hai, kya bol rahe ho?" Munna instantly replied, "Arey Preeti... iska matlab yeh hai ki Kabir ne itna sab bolne ke baad bhi Sameer ne kuch react nahi kiya aur chupchaap sunn liya. Peechli baar toh usne Kabir ko maar diya tha."

Kabir laughed, "Arey... Sameer kuch kahe yaa kare, usse pehle hi Munshiji aur Naina beech mein aa gaye, isliye main bach gaya. Warna aaj Sameer meri sach mein haddiyaan tod hi deta. Pataa hai main risk le raha hun, par main unn dono ki khushi ke liye kuch bhi karunga. Bhale hi mujhe buraa banna pade par mujhe yeh sab karna hoga."

Anjali was surprised hearing all this, as she wasn't aware about all this. She stood in front of Kabir, "Kabir... tum jo bhi kar rahe ho, zara sambhalkar karna. Yeh sab karne se kahin unn dono mein se kisika dil na toot jaaye. Dono ka past accha nahi hai, dono ne bohot dard sahe hai bachpan se aur shaayad abhi bhi wohh dard hai. Dikhta hai unki sehmi hui hasi mein. Kabir main tumhe yeh sab karne se rok nahi rahi, par aisa kuch mar karna jisse unke dard aur badh jaaye."

Preeti too stood by her & said the same thing. She was too much attached to her best friend & she didn't want her to be broken or hurt again. Taking a deep breath, Kabir said, "Main aisa kuch nahi karunga jisse dono ko hurt ho, main sirf wohi kar raha hun jo unke rishtey ke liye accha hai. Main sirf Sameer ko aaina dikha raha hun ki ek saal baad kya ho sakta hai. Aur jahaan tak main Sameer ko jaanta hun, mujhe pataa hai ki usne abhi tak Naina se dosti nahi ki hogi. Aur jab dost nahi bane, toh apna dard kaise share karenge."

"Maine sirf wohi kahaa jo sach hai. Sameer ne sirf Naina ko apni biwi maana hai, unke rishtey ko naam diya hai, par kya sirf naam de dene se dono ka rishta mazboot hoga? Nahi... unn dono ko pehle ek dusre ko acche se jaanna hoga, samajna hoga, tabhi ek dusre ke dard samaj paayenge. Unhe ek dusre ki taakat banna hai. Aur jo bhi Munna aur Pandit ne Sameer ke parents ke baare mein bataaya, usse yeh saaf hai ki Sameer Naina par poora vishwas nahi kar paayega abhi. Wohh bharosa, wohh vishwas, yeh sab tabhi hoga jab wohh dono ek dusre se apna dard baatenge aur yeh sab tabhi mumkin hai jab wohh dono dost banenge."

"Maine jaanbujhkar dosti ki baat Sameer ke saamne rakhi taaki mere pehle wohh Naina se dosti kare." He looked at Munna directly, "Tu aur Anjali pehle dost hi bane na, fir tum dono ek dusre ko jaanne lage, samajne lage, sab share karne lage. Kyun sahi keh raha hun na? Yaa dosti ke bina hi sab share karne lage the aur aise hi pyaar ho gaya tha?" Everyone understood his point of view & agreed to it.

Anjali hesitated, "Kabir... Tumne Naina se dosti karne ki koshish nahi ki?" And he went silent. Preeti replied, "Naina toh Bhai se bohot durr bhaagti hai. Pataa nahi kyun karti hai aisa par jahaan tak main usse jaanti hun shaayad Naina ko samaj aa gaya tha ki Bhai usse pasand karne lage hai, isiliye shaayad Bhai se durr hi rehti hai."

Kabir too agreed, "Preeti sahi keh rahi hai. Khair chodo, meri dosti ho yaa naa ho par main chaahta hun ki Sameer aur Naina pehle acche dost bann jaaye." The others smiled watching this selfless soul who wasn't even asking for her friendship anymore. He just wanted their friend's happiness even if he had to become a villian in their lives.

"Tu bohot accha hai Kabir... Sach mein... Hum bohot khush kismat hai ki tu hamara dost hai." Munna & Pandit hugged him tightly while the girls smiled at him lovingly. This bond was forever & no one wanted to break this at all. Pandit spoke, "Kabir... tu jo kar raha hai Sameer ke liye wohh shaayad hum bhi nahi kar paate. Par ek vaada karte hai hum aaj ki jab bhi tumhe hamari zarurat hogi, hum tere saath honge, hameshaa..."

All the five had a group hug & left towards their home. On the other side, the ride to the Maheshwari Mansion was silent. Naina was tired of dancing that day & Sameer was emersed thinking about what his friend had said earlier. He had never thought that way & how would he know all this, when he was the one who always stayed away from the opposite gender. He didn't know much about how relationships worked? He had never been in one to know about it, then how would he understand it?

What Kabir said seemed logically correct to him. Even if they were married, there were some limitations in the relationship. They never spoke openly to each other as friends would do. If they would've been friends, it would've been easy for him to share his thoughts as he did with Munna & Pandit.

When they got off the car, they saw Nanu sitting in the garden. They greeted him & then left to freshen up. Naina entered the washroom first & had a quick shower while Sameer rested on his bed. She came out wearing a simple white cotton salwar kurta. He noticed that she hadn't taken the dupatta till she was in their room. She went downstairs to make his favourite coffee & tea for herself & Nanu.

Sameer too freshened up & joined his Nanu in the living room. They were discussing about all the preparations when Naina walked out with a coffee & tea & some snack too. She knew Sameer hadn't eaten much in the lunch, so he must be hungry. Naina sat beside Sameer while the discussions continued.

Nanu called Kabir & enquired about the other preparations while the couple quietly sipped their beverages. She held the plate of full of chiwda & biscuits in front of him, "Thoda kuch kha lijiye, aapne lunch mein jyada nahi khaaya tha." He silently picked up a couple of biscuits & after a while, he ate some chiwda too.

Naina helped Ramdhari in preparing the dinner while Sameer went back to his room to attend his mails. After finishing their meal, everyone retired to their room. Sameer was busy in his work when Naina joined him in their room. She too opened her laptop to go through her mails related to the NGO. She found few mails from Kabir & she opened it one by one to see that she definitely had some work to do for the whole day tomorrow.

As tired, she was that day, she wanted to sleep but she saw the tired face of her husband & asked hesitantly, "Sameer... Baaki ka kaam kal kar lijiyega, abhi so jaaiye. Thak gaye honge na?" Though Sameer was going through his mails but his mind was far away from work. His thoughts were full of what Kabir had said to him today. His each & every word was etched in his heart.

Sameer looked at the tired face of his stunning wife, "Tum bhi thak gayi hogi na? Aaj bohot dance jo kiya hai?" She smiled & nodded. He kept his laptop & phone away & got up from his bed. Naina kept looking at him & he walked to the balcony. Naina followed him after a few minutes with her shawl.

This time Sameer was sitting down on the floor with his head resting on the wall & closed eyes. Naina sat down beside him & asked, "Sameer... Main aapko subah se dekh rahi hun, aap kisi baat se pareshaan hai. Aap chaahe toh mujhse share kar sakte hai."

Sameer opened his eyes & looked at her with a fond smile curving on his lips. "Haaannn... Main subah thoda pareshaan tha, par ab main thik hun." She looked on & he asked, "Tumhe kaise pataa ki main pareshaan tha?" She looked away from him & saw the shining stars. "Bas mujhe mehsoos hua aur waise bbhi aapki aankhon se pataa chal jaata hai."

While she was looking at the stars, he was observing her serene face. Something struck her & she got up from there. Sameer too quietly followed her into the room & closed the balcony door as it was too cool outside. He saw his wife rummaging something in her luggage & then she took a small photograph of her parents.

Sameer kept looking at her & then he saw her resting down on the couch, pulling the thin sheet over her. He was confused now. What had happened for the sudden shift in her mood? He quietly switched all the lights off & then slept on his bed. Though he was tired, but still sleep was far away from his eyes today. Many things were going on in his mind.

He kept tossing & turning till midnight. And then suddenly, he heard some sounds of sobbing from his room. He was instantly alert. He looked at the empty couch & switched on the lamp. Where was his wife? And from where were the sounds coming? He got up from the bed & walked ahead to hear the sound coming from the washroom.

Sameer knocked twice, "Naina... Naina... Tum... tum ro kyun rahi ho? Tum... tum thik toh ho naa? Jaldi se baahar aao." When she didn't open the door after his incessant knocks, he warned, "Naina... dekho... tumne abhi darwaaza nahi khola na toh main yeh darwaaza tod dunga, fir Nanu bhi uth jaayenge." Hearing the name of Nanu, Naina opened the door.

Sameer was shocked to see her dishevelled state. She came out of the washroom & walked towards the couch slowly while Sameer kept looking at her painful state. His eyes shifted to the photograph that she was holding to her heart. He silently sat next to her & then pulled her in his arms. She rested her head on his chest & then the damn of tears broke again.

Sameer kept rubbing her back slowly till his t-shirt was soaked with her tears. "Sshhhhhhh... Naina... ab bas bhi karo. Kab se kitna ro rahi ho. Mujhe bataao, kya hua hai? Tum itna kyun ro rahi ho? Aur... aur yeh photograph kiska hai?" She parted from him & then she handed him that photograph.

Sameer asked, "Yeh... yeh... tumhare parents hai???" The colourful photograph was quite old & was a little faded. The couple in it were very much happy & they had held a small cute daughter in between them & they were kissing her on her cheeks together. The photograph brought a small smile on his face as he saw the small chubby Naina so happy with her parents. His smile dimmed when he remembered that he had no such photo to reminisce his parents.

Naina's sobs brought him back to her & he spoke to divert her mind, "Yeh choti si, cute si, chubby si ladki kaun hai?" She looked at him surprised at his teasing comment. She smiled a little & then again, her eyes welled up with tears seeing her parent's picture.

Sameer finally asked, "Aaj bohot miss kar rahi ho mummy-papa ko?" She just nodded & then took the picture back from him. She looked fondly at the photograph & spoke, "Aaj mere parents ki barsi hai." And he froze. This wasn't what he had expected. He thought that she was just missing her parents today but now after hearing the reason, he didn't know how to console her, he had never done this before.

Sameer saw Naina tearing up again & then he asked, "Tum... tum... aaj ke din kya karti ho? When she didn't speak anything & continued crying, he too didn't ask her further. He got up from the couch & brought a glass of water for her. She sipped it slowly & then after a few minutes she spoke, "Main... main har saal iss din Nanaji ke saath mandir mein choti si pooja karti thi."

He hummed & then asked, "Tumhare paas yahi ek photo hai?" She looked up at him with her misty eyes, "Haaannnn... Yahi ek hai." Sameer saw the time & it was already 2 a.m. at night. He watched the tired face of his wife, "Naina... main jaanta hun ki tum kitna akela feel kar rahi hogi. Pehle tumhare Nanaji hote the tumhare saath aur iss saal wohh bhi nahi hai. Par main promise karta hun ki main tumhe akela nahi chodunga. Main, Nanu, Preeti, hum sab hai tumhare saath."

Naina asked, "Kya... kya hum thodi der baat kar sakte hai?" He nodded & asked, "Accha chalo mujhe yeh batao ki tumhare college mein koi best friends the yaa nahi? Jaise Munna aur Pandit mere best friends hai." He was trying to divert her mind & heart but unknowingly he was holding her raw nerve.

She replied in a choked voice, "Mere koi friends nahi the, jo bhi the wohh sirf naam ke liye the." Sameer asked in confusion, "Matlab?" Taking a deep breath, she continued, "School aur college mein sab mere dost sirf isliye bante the kyunki unhe mere notes chahiye hote the. Isliye main kahaa, sab sirf naam ke liye dost the. Meri life mein koi sacche friends hi nahi bane, toh best friend toh bohot durr ki baat hai."

Sameer's heart broke further after knowing about this. She continued, "Preeti hi meri sabse pehli friend bani hai, jisne har kadam mera saath diya. Ab main keh sakti hun ki wohi meri best friend hai. Aur ab toh Anjali bhi meri friend ban gayi hai."

She looked at him, "Aap lucky hai Sameer, ki at least aap ke paas Munna aur Pandit jaise bachpan ke dost hai, jisne kabhi aapko akela feel nahi hone diya hoga. Par mere paas koi nahi tha sivaay mere Nanaji ke. Main toh tab bhi bohot akela feel karti thi aur ab bhi."

He asked, "Ab kyun? Ab toh Preeti aur Anjali hai na?" She turned fully to him, "Sab baatein unse share nahi kar sakti na? Koi aisa dost hona chahiye jisse baat karne se pehle mujhe sochna na pade, jo dil mein hai wohh bol sakun, jo mere bina kahe mere dil ki baat samaj jaaye."

Sameer's heart went out to her & he hugged her. His eyes watered instantly & he asked hesitantly, "Naina... Kya... kya tum mujhe wohh dost maan sakti ho, jisse tum sab baatein share kar sakti ho, wohh bhi bina kisi hichkichaahat ke? Main promise karta hun ki tumhari har baat sununga, tumhara hamesha saath dunga, tumhe kabhi akela feel nahi hone dunga."

When she didn't say anything, he continued, "Naina... Kya... kya tum mujhse dosti karogi???"

How was the update???

I know it was a little bit emotional...

Some more Samaina conversation coming up in the next chapter...

Do you think Naina will accept her husband's friendship???

Do you think what Kabir is doing is right???

Will Kabir ever be Naina's friend???

Stay safe... Take care...

Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤