Sameer Maheshwari had always been the highly pampered kid due to being the youngest in the house. But this only led him to becoming a spoilt brat and nothing else. Being extremely handsome, his features resembling Salman Khan, Sameer was easily the dream boy of every girl. His school and college life went mostly in sports, dating and partying. Despite repeated requests, warnings and even ultimatums by his mother, he did not change one bit.

His father and brother loved him too much and pampered him a lot. They never objected to any of his demands. Whenever Vishakha would try to tell them what they were doing is wrong, they just brushed it off saying this life worth of riches were so that he could utilise them. Vishakha soon gave up trying to explain because she knew, there wasn't any point in it.

All his time would go in partying and enjoying with his friends and he would return late at night, drunk! Many a times, he wouldn't return home itself! But everything changed the day he had returned home to take something and found that his mother had sprained her leg. When she requested him to take the carrier for the kids, he couldn't refuse and thought to just give the carrier and leave immediately to Munna's house. But the fated collision between them and her one sight had left him enraptured! He was captivated by her and wanted to just keep looking at her, but she had run away when she was called by someone from within. He stepped out of the orphanage and instead of heading towards Munna's house, he drove to the riverside.

Sitting on the rock by the river, he tried to analyse his feelings because he couldn't quite comprehend them. He had felt attraction before and had also gotten intimate with a few women he had dated. He has had so many so-called girlfriends but none gave him the feel she did today! It wasn't attraction, he knew. He wasn't attracted towards her body because he had seen nothing but her alluring face. So what was it? He pondered over it and his heart gave him just one answer- it was love!

He couldn't believe it at first so he decided to confirm his feelings. He visited the orphanage the very next day. She was sitting with a few kids and teaching them something from the book. He leaned against his bike and kept watching her. The serene smile on her face teaching the children brought a smile on his face as well. And when she, sensing someone's gaze on her, looked up and their eyes met, yet again the surroundings stood frozen for them! A child shaking her hand brought her out of the trance and her cheeks immediately coloured red. She attended to the kid but did keep glancing in his direction. When she was done, she slowly walked towards him. Her eyes were downcast and she was fidgeting with the ends of her dupatta.

"Ji, aap......" she said in her sweet voice.

"Main Sameer aur tum?"

"Aap Vishakha Maa ke bete hain?" she innocently asked.

His eyes widened and he asked

"Haan, tumhe kaise pata? Main orphanage mein aata nahi hoon aur yahan log bas Maa aur Bhai ko jaante hain. Phir?"

"Ji woh... Vishakha Maa ne mujhe bataya tha aapke baare mein."

"Tum unhe Maa kyun bulati ho?"

"Unhone mujhe maa ke jaisa pyaar diya na, isiliye." she said childishly.

He smiled at her childishness while she immediately lowered her eyes.

"Aap aise kyun dekhte hain mujhe?" she asked leaving him surprised because he dint expect direct questions from her.

Clearing his throat, he just said

"Maa ne tumhe mere baare mein kya-kya bataya?"

She immediately looked up into his eyes and said

"Ki aap bigde hue hain. Bilkul zimmedar nahi aur peete bhi hain."

His eyes immediately lowered due to embarrassment. He dint know what to tell her. For the first time in his life, he felt ashamed of himself.

"Aapko sharminda hone ki koi zaroorat nahi! Buri aadatein toh sabme hoti hain aur aisi koi aadat nahi hain jo sudhari na jaa sake. Mujhe yakeen hain ki agar aap koshish karenge toh aap sudhaar payenge khudko!"

He looked up at her shockingly. How could she tell all those and not judge him? How can somebody be so good?

"Tumne mujhe judge nahi kiya, iske liye thank you"

She smiled and said

"Thank you ki koi zaroorat nahi!"

After this conversation, they met daily for a few days. He would spend the entire time with her. Though none had confessed their feelings, both knew that they loved each other.

One day, mustering courage, Sameer told Vishakha about his love for Naina but ended up being slapped by her!

"Tumhe yeh sab mazaak lagta hoga par uske liye yeh bahut badi baat hain! Pyaar koi mazaak nahi hain! You have been with so many girls and for you Naina might be your next temporary girlfriend, a temporary attraction. But for her, she loves you truly."

"Enough mom! I agree I have been a playboy, a useless jerk but my love for Naina is not a bloody joke! I truly love her. She is no temporary girlfriend. Infact, I want to marry her!"

Vishakha was shocked by his declaration
It took her sometime before she responded

"Look Sameer, Naina is like a daughter to me. She has suffered a lot to reach where she is now. Do you know she escaped being a rape victim? Do you know her parents had abandoned her because they dint want a girl child?"

Sameer was shocked by what he heard!

"But despite everything the girl has fought for herself. She dint let her grief take a toll over her. She is really very optimistic. But I don't want her to face any more problems. Till you rectify yourself, earn money through hardwork and lead the life of the common man without any luxuries, till you prove you are capable of her, I'm not going to take this forward! And this I don't think you'll be able to do, so just let it be and forget her! Save her life from getting spoilt."

Taking a deep breath and looking directly into her eyes he said

"If this is what it takes to prove that my love for her is true, then so be it! I shall fulfil your condition and shall surely marry her. I will become capable of her and shall show you as well, you who has doubted my true love for her! This is my promise Mom!"

"Fine then. Work hard. Earn money worth buying the plot Mishraji has now. You can find out the cost from him. If you earn that much, solely with your hardwork, I'll get you married to Naina and a house made for you on that plot as well. Okay?"

"Okay!"

He then informed Naina the next day and decided to leave to a different place because of his own reasons.

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A few months later

Aniket and Sameer, working together had made enough money for a simple life. They had moved into a considerably better house. Sameer had also started educating him, giving him the basic knowledge required. But he also knew, he had a long way to go to save enough to buy the plot of land. Yet, he knew he wouldn't give up until he's achieved it. He had found love, true love and he wouldn't lose her at any cost!

Naina - the girl whose one sight had made him fall in love. He being a playboy had never known what it was to be in love till she came. He dint even know that he was capable of falling in love and hadn't even imagined in his wildest dreams that he would change himself to this extent for love! But now that he had, he dint want to return to that life.

A few days later

Standing infront of Lord Ganesha's idol in the local hospital, his shirt stained with blood, Sameer was praying, tears continuously flowing down his eyes. Aniket had met with an accident and he had rushed him to the nearest hospital. But the doctors have said his condition was really critical.
Just a day before had they celebrated as they had saved enough and they would be heading back to Ahmedabad. How they had laughed and enjoyed. And now the same child was fighting for his life in the operation theatre.

The doctor stepping out of the operation theatre made him rush towards him. The doctor then dejectedly informed that the impact of the accident was really huge on the child and that he had to be shifted immediately to a bigger hospital which would have the facilities for his treatment. The hospital were ready to transport Aniket to the bigger hospital but it needed more money and paying would mean losing a major part of the savings he had been doing to buy the plot and fulfill his mother's condition.

He was clearly in a dilemma but the next moment he knew what he had to do. Nothing was more important than a child's life and hence he agreed to pay the needed amount from his savings.

The doctor handed him a form which he immediately signed before reading.

"Doctor, I'll pay the money at the counter. Please ensure he's shifted into the ambulance at the earliest and with utmost care so that we can get him to the bigger hospital as fast as possible. I can't afford to lose him." Sameer said and was about to move towards the reception when he stopped all of a sudden hearing a familiar voice.

"It's not needed Sameer! The boy's condition is stable now."

He turned to see his father, mother and his Naina standing in the corridor. He couldn't believe his eyes. The confusion in his mind clearly reflected on his face.

"The day you left, I had sent a few people behind you to keep an eye on you. Not because I dint trust you but because I wanted to ensure your safety. Nobody knew about this, not even your mother. It so happened that I had a conference nearby and decided to bring Vishakha and Naina so that they could meet you. That's when we learnt about the boy. You had gone to collect the medicines needed when we arrived. I have covered all his charges and his condition is stable now. But I wanted to test you. This test was also to show your mother how you have truly changed and I am proud to say, you have made your mark. I'm proud of you my son. You giving this boy shelter and also placing his life before the goal behind which you came here and changed yourself has made all of us respect you. Well done son!" Vivek spoke, clearing his confusion.

"I'm so proud of you beta! Aaj tune saabit kiya ki tu asal mein kya hain. Aaj tune apne pyaar ki sacchai bhi saabit ki. Is Pyaar ke Imtehaan mein tu poore number ke saath pass hua! You have changed and changed for the good. I can't tell you how happy and proud I am!" Vishakha said with tears in her eyes.

Sameer hugged his mother and she held him tightly for she was seeing him after so long. He had become skinnier and looked very mature and wise. They broke the hug and his eyes landed on his beloved, his Naina, who stood watching them with tears in her eyes and also with emotions of adoration, respect and love. Their eyes met each other and they conveyed all those emotions they couldn't word. Seeing this, Vishakha smiled and said

"Aniket ko hum aaj hi discharge kara denge and we all can head back to Ahmedabad in 2 days. Phir waha jaake tum donon ki shaadi dhoomdhaam se karayenge!"

This made both Sameer and Naina blush and look down. Vivek and Vishakha giggled at their red faces and left to give them some privacy.

He immediately moved towards her and hugged her tightly. She too held on to him tightly and let her tears flow. She was seeing him after so long. The respect and admiration for him in her eyes grew all the more and the fact that he had done so much for her made her heart well up with overwhelming emotions.

"Yeh kya haalat bana liya hain aapne? Kuch khate nahi hain kya dhang se? Aapki tabiyat kharab ho jati toh? Aap ghar chaliye, main aapko acche se khaana banake doongi. Phir dekhti hoon aap itne duble kaise dikhenge!" she said pulling a little from the hug

He giggled and rested his forehead against hers, immensely happy to hear her pyaar waali daant. Both of them closed their eyes, feeling the love they had for each other.

A few days later

All of them reached Ahmedabad happily. Aniket was extremely happy to get a family. Sameer decided to take up a job but not business. He infact wanted to move to a smaller house and lead a happy middle-class life with Naina after their marriage. Vivek and Vishakha were a bit reluctant but he managed to convince them. Soon enough, Samaina got married and moved to their own house along with Aniket. They opened their own cafe which soon became popular. Samaina got admission for Aniket in one of the best schools of Ahmedabad. They all then lead their lives in peace and prosperity.

The condition Vishakha set not only changed his life but also made him realise the value of money and the hardships of life.

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Pratyu