Happy Holi All...Thank you for all love and support for this story.Keep the love coming.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The flashbacks are in Italics

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Morning

"Naina! Tu ro rahi hai? Kya hau?'' Swati asked worriedly seeing Naina seating clutching something and weeping badly.

"Bata na kya hua?Kisne kuch kaha kya?'' Swati asked conjuring all possible reasons.

"Nikita Didi ki... yaad.. aa rahi hai.. ''Naina hiccupped as Swati pulled her to embrace to shush her up.Naina's grip went firm on the photograph Naina had clicked with Nikita when their first co authored book got published.The smiles mirrored the emotion of their content hearts.

The happier times ...

"Aaj ke din aise roya nahin karte.Hum hein na sab.Tu jaldi se apna kaam khatam kar.Haldi ka paani bana rahi hun naha lena usise.Haldi,sangeet,mehendi to kuch huya nahin tera isise kaam chalana padega.Main Nisha ko dekhti hun.'' Swati spoke as she wiped tears from Naina's eyes and from the cheeks.Naina could not help but give her friend a tight hug.

"Nisha! Uth jaa meri heroine.Subah ho gaya hai. ''Swati called as she tried waking up a very sleepy Nisha.

"Mumma !sone do na.''Nisha half mumbled in sleep only to be pulled out of the bed.

"Mumma ki beti! Ab subah ho gaya hai.Jaldi uth ja. ''Swati spoke pinching Nisha's nose as Nisha rubbed her eyes and yawned.

"Mumma! Aap ko kya hua hai? ''Nisha's eyes dilated and all sleep was gone as soon as she saw Naina.Naina looked a shade of yellow bathed in the turmeric water.With a yellow saree draped she looked like models of some mango drink' company.

"Kuch nahin hua beta.Good morning.Ab jao jaldi brush kar lo.Mandir jana hai na. ''Naina instructed Nisha and Nisha sprang into action.

"Bilkul uski Mummy ki tarah dikhti hai.''Swati commented as Nisha rushed to the bathroom.

"Haan.Bas naak thodi Sharad Bhaiya ki tarah hai.Zid bhi unki tarah''.Naina spoke as she went to puja ghar' to light the diyas..

Naina pulled out the Red Banarasi Cotton Silk Saree from the lowest cabinet of the wardrobe.

"Naina bhulakkad! Yeh saree log shadi mein pehente hein aur tu ise function mein pehen ne ke liye kharid laayi.Chal koi nahin..Yeh sambhal ke rakh le aur meri yeh handloom ka saree pehen le..Jachega tere upar.''

Nikita's voice ringed in her ears as she caressed the saree tracing the anchal which Nikita had held to inspect the work on it.Two tear drops involuntarily rolled down her eyes as her mind realised the ''tryst with destiny'.

"Pata hai jab hum pehli baar mile the tab teri Sharad Bhaiya ko mujhse jyada meri handwriting aur yeh gold ring ka design pasand aa gaya tha.Matlab ladki se jyada uski ornament ko pyar karne wale ek hi honge iss pure universe se.''

Nikita's voice reverberated through corners of Naina's mind as she opened the wooden box wrapped in a scarf.The box about which Nisha has always been intrigued..to pull it out,to touch it and to see the contents.So was Rishav.

"Didi! Aap yeh magalsutra bhi kharide the?'' Naina asked as she saw Nikita taking out the precious looking mangalsutra and placing it in the box.

"Naina pagli! Mangalsutra to pati apne patni ko deta hai.To bhala main kyun kharidun? Yeh to tere Bhaiya laaye the jab meri first book bestseller hua tha aur bas ek week mein prints double ho gaya tha.Pata hai tujhe shadi ke waqt to sirf ek dhaga bandh liya tha mere gale mein..Aur aaj dekh do-do mangalsutra hein mere pass.Ek secret bolun!Tere bhaiya ko naa mujhe sajte sawarte dekhna acha lagta hai.Dar lagta hai ki kahin bank ki locker ko ornaments mein na bhar de... ''Nikita's laugh was contagious.

"Wo to aapse marte dum tak pyar karte the..ek pal ke liye bhi aap se dur na rehna pade isliye pehle hi chale gaye.Aap thi bhi itni khubsurat.Bhala aapse kise pyar nahin hoga...''Naina spoke as she traced the beads of Mangalsutra and kissed it.

"Naina! Sabun leke aa..Yeh kangan haath ko tight ho raha hai.''Nikita voiced in the highest pitch as she tried vehemently to fit the kangans in her delicate wrists.

"Aap dhang se nahin pehen rahe ho.Lao haath dikhao.''Naina asked as she pulled Nikita's wrist.Carefully she forced the bangle down her wrist bringing twinkles in pairs of eyes.Naina's with triumph and Nikita's with happiness.

"Tu nahin hoti to meri to film adhuri reh jaati...Teri shaadi mein bhi aisa wala kangan mein tujhe gift kardungi.'' Nikita promised as she applied light makeup.

"Aap bhi na Didi..humesha aap ko jaldi hai sab baat ki..Book padhne ki,likhne ki,use khatam karne ki,meri shadi karwane ki,phir mujhe vida karne ki..''.Naina pretended to get angry failing miserably.

"Dekho koun naraz ho gaya hai..Naina naaraz Anarkali! Ab shadi karoge tabhi to humein humare Salim milenge.Ya phir soch rahi hai ki zindagi bhar apni yeh Didi-Bhaiya aur Nisha ke pass padi rahegi?'' Nikita teased and Naina blushed as Nikita plays with her words.

"Padi rahungi aap dono aur Nisha ke pass.'' Naina declared as Nikita combed Naina's hair.

"Haan haan..Nisha to teri beti hai.Kabhi kabhi to lagta hai mein uski Maa kum tu uski jyada hai. ''Nikita sighed as she plaited Naina's hair securing it with a pink rubber band.

"Itni asani se uss din bol bhi diya tha aur chod ke bhi chali gayi.Didi! Aaj Nisha ke liye phir ek rishta judne jaa rahi hun..Pata nahin Nisha kaise apnayegi iss rishte ko.Sharad Bhaiya ki jagah Sameer kabhi le nahin payega aur na main aapki.Par meri koshish yehi rahegi ki Nisha ko kabhi aap dono ki kami mehsoos na ho..'' Naina spoke as she kept the jewelleries back and locked in the box rolling in the scarf.She pulled out another box filled with imitation bangles and bracelets.

She picked up the shining looking beautifuly designed set of bangles and slid through her wrists.A golden chain which Chachaji had presented her for topping in her graduation now dangled slightly above her sternum. She then fished out a silver ring for her ring finger.The ring struggled on her finger as she was still struggling with the sudden turn of events.

"Mumma! ''Nisha's voice echoed in the room as she came trotting in the royal blue coloured lehenga with a golden choli.The lehenga flowed and sweeped the floor as Nisha came stumbling towards Naina.

"Dhire beta.Gir jaogi.Swati Mausi ne pehna liya? ''Naina asked as she picked up Nisha in her arms.

"Haan aur pata hai mujhe Mausi ne kiss bhi kiya.Mumma! Yeh kandhe se phisal raha hai.Isse nahi pehnungi. ''Nisha complained as she tried to set the duppatta on her tiny shoulder.

"Ruk!Mein pin laga deti hun aur nahin phislega. Naina said as she made Nisha stand on the bed.Carefully she pinned the duppatta and Nisha did a happy twirl and did some pirouettes.

"Rishav ke ghar mein jaa;Niru aaj aloo paratha banayi hai.Breakfast khatam karle.Aur haan Swati Mausi ko bula dena jara.'' Naina instructed as she tried draping the saree.

"Okay Mumma''. Nisha obliged as she rushed out of the door.

In Nirupama's House

"Rishav!Tu bhi aaj mandir jaa raha hai.'' Nisha asked as she saw Rishav wearing a tuxedo.

"Haan..aaj Mummy bol rahi thi Aunty ka shaadi hai na.Pata hai aaj lunch acha sa hotel mein karenge.Papa bol rahe the.''Rishav informed while both sat to munch on hot. steaming aloo paratha.

"Rishav! Shaadi kyun karte hein?'' Nisha asked as they went for the last paratha on the plate.

"Pata nahin.Lagta hai hospital jaane ke liye.TV mein dikhate hein na wo sab hospital jaate hein ,phir pooja karte hein..Mujhe lagta hai best friends ek saath rehne ke liye.Jaise hum school mein ek saath hein waise hi ghar mein rehne ke liye.''Rishav proposed his assumptions and somehow it appealed to Nisha.

"To phir hum bhi shaadi karenge?Hum bhi best friends hein na.''Nisha asked wanting to clear her confusion.

"Hum kyun karenge?Waise bhi tu to humare ghar mein rehti hai''.Rishav reasoned while Nisha felt satisfied with the answer.

"Ho gaya tum do no ka serious conversation?'' Nirupama asked as she saw both of them rushing towards the wash basin.

"Nahin Mummy.Thoda baaki hai.''Rishav voiced as Nisha's eyebrows shrunk in doubt.

"Acha acha karlo apni conversation jaldi puri.Nisha tujhe medicine bhi khani hai.Baat khatam karke ghar chale jana.Thik hai?Aur Rishav! Nani ki dibba kahan hai? ''Nirupama asked as she cleaned the table.

"Aapke bed ke upar.Main ab Nisha se baat karlun?''Rishav asked while Nirupama nodded with a smile.

"Kya baat karni hai?Exams ke bare mein?''Nisha asked as both sat in their favourite corner under the portico.

"Tujhe bada wala SORRY bolna tha..Tu mere wajah se gir gayi thi na.''Rishav spoke pulling his both ears as mark of 'SORRY''.

"Main to bhul hi gayi thi ki mujhe tujhse baat nahin karni hai.Pata hai kitna dard ho raha tha mujhe.Tu Shivam ke friend banker mujhe bhul gaya na.Jaa mein tujhse baat nahin karti..Tu meri friend nahin hai.Bye''.Nisha spoke and left while Rishav knew it's tough this time to get his best friend back,his Moti back but he will not give up.He would ask his Mummy to get lots of chocolates and cookies only for Nisha.

"Piku!Nanaji ko dawai de di thi na? Haan Namrata!Main sochke bataunga.Nahin do nahin tum paanch bachon ka audition lo.Main khud unhe supervise karunga.This is prestigious scholarship and I want my students getting the most.Tum Malhotra ko bolo main next week meeting mein rahunga.Network problem hai to use phone nahin lag raha hai..Aur kuch chahiye to immediately call karna.Haan haan main files dekh raha hun..''Sameer trailed and juggled with files on his table as Munna and Pandit looked amused.

"Sameer!Tu shayad issi bathroom towel mein aaj shaadi karne jaayega Naina se.'' Pandit voiced while Sameer smiled engrossing himself in file.

"Arey bhai aaj to kaam chod de.Yeh sab mein handle kar lunga.Tu jaake pehle kapde to badal le.Yaad hai na Mandir mein humein 11 baje pahunchna hai aur ab ghadi mein 10 baj rahe hein.Jaa jaldi kapde badal.''Munna commanded as he snatched the file from Sameer's hands and pushed him inside his room.

"Piku! Suit kahan hai? Yeh blazer kahan bhag gaya?'' Sameer called as Munna and Pandit face palmed.

"Mujhe pata tha tu suit mein shaadi karne zaroor niklega.Akal thodi bhi nahin hai tujhme aur log humein gadha samjhte hein.Yeh le Sherwani.Pehen ke jaldi nikal.''Munna said as he thrust the packet into his hands and left the room.

"Arey Sameer!Tu taiyar ho gaya?''Nanaji asked seeing Sameer draping the stole and roughly combing his hair with fingers.

"Haan! Nanaji ho gaya.Aap aarram kijiye main Piku ko puchta hun yeh taxi kab tak aayegi''.Sameer assured and was leaving while Nanaji pulled his arm. This surely made his heart skip a bit and he halted in his tracks.

"Muh mitha nahin karega?Le tere liye jalebi laya hun.'' Nanaji said as he pulled out a packet from inside his kurta ;opened it to see twinkling eyes and happy smile of Sameer.

"Ruk!Main khila deta hun.''Nanaji said as he stuffed the jalebi into his mouth and Sameer happily munched it.Sameer wiped the sweet syrup trickling down his lips and touched Nanaji's feet as Nanaji engulfed him in a hug blessing and wishing him all the best for his second innings of life.

In The Temple

"Sameer! Namrata ka message aaya hai papers ke bare mein.'' Munna informed while Sameer clicked open his mobile to check on further details.

"Pandit ji! Shadi khatam ho jayega to aap humare ghar mein aa jaayeiga.'' An old lady spoke while Pandit was getting impatient since the Pandit to perform marriage had not arrived so also Naina.

"Han hum to tumhare naukar hein..tumhare ghar kyun jaayein?'' Pandit asked irritated and the old lady looked at him all her surprise and shock.

"Tumse kisne baat ki hai..Main to Pandit ji se baat kar raha hun jo tumhare piche khade hein.''The old lady informed while Pandit bit his tongue realising his folly.

"Oh! Mujhe laga aap mujhse baat kar rahein hein..Mera naam bhi Pandit hai.'' Pandit clarified while old lady giggled a bit.

"Naam Pandit kaam murkh ka..''The old lady went away mumbling much to chagrin of Pandit.

"UNCLEEE! ''Nisha called from far seeing Sameer engrossed in a phone talk. She by now knew her one call would make her Uncle cut all other calls.

She trotted towards him holding the flowing lehenga which was getting difficult to manage.But she had to look beautiful.

"Dhire beta! ''Sameer voiced as he picked up Nisha from stumbling on the stairs.He picked her up in his arms while Nisha clutched his sherwani kurta tightly.

"Uncle main kaise dikh rahi hoon?'' Nisha asked as she got down from his arms.

"Bilkul Princess ki tarah.Idhar aao.Yeh dori khul gayi hai.''He pulled gently Nisha towards him and fastened the lehenga dori' tight enough.

"Thank You.Aap yahan kya kar rahein hein. ''She asked as she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Shaadi karne tumhari Mumma se''.Sameer voiced as he planted a kiss on her cheek too.

"To aap Mumma ka best friend ho..MUMMA!'' Nisha exclaimed happily seeing her mother ascending the stairs with Swati and Nirupama on both her sides.Sameer turned back to see Naina walking towards the altar draped in the red saree with no make up absolutely. She looked exceedingly alluring with her natural good looks and the tinge of turmeric shining bright as the warm sunlight of hill station filters through her saree and illuminates her.The gajra on her bun and the dangling earrings complimented her looks pretty well.Suddenly he realised that the school going chirpy Naina he had seen and known had transformed into a beautiful lady,more responsible,mature and exceedingly beautiful.

"Sameer!Chal. ''Munna voiced as Swati gestured him to call Sameer to sit at the altar.

Sameer looked at Naina with his eyes filled with concern while Naina fidgeted with a bit of nervousness .Her body warmed as he watched her.She looked into his eyes and he blinked his eyes giving her sense of calm.She felt like things were really going to be all right.

"Mumma! Mein aap dono ke bich baith jaun?''Nisha asked as she was bored of sitting on Nirupama's lap for long.

"Aa jao. ''Sameer called as he knew Naina was going through lot of emotions and turmoil at the moment. She was so distracted that hardly she could speak or respond.

Nisha made herself comfortable and clutched her mother's saree to sit close to her.The ''damn' lehenga was beautiful but difficult to handle.Sameer helped Nisha sit comfortably shifting a bit to side while Nisha was in all smiles.

"Ab sindoor pehenaiye inhe. ''Pandit ji asked handing over the sindoor box.Swati lifted Naina's face and separated the fringes from her forehead while Sameer applied a speck of it.

She risked a glance at his face and felt emotion well up in her throat.Blinking rapidly ,she managed to hold her tears at bay.

"Ab yeh Mangalsutra pehna dijiye.'' The words made her heart skip a bit as unknown emotions coursed in her veins.She felt feverish as he felt his eyes on her and his hands reaching around her neck to tie the nuptial thread.She trembled on inside as she bent her neck and he clasped the hook sealing her in holy matrimony' and shielding her from the prying eyes of world.

Nisha saw tear drops trickle down her mother's cheeks and decided upon something.Hence she shifted onto Naina's lap without any warning or permission.

Naina hitched a little as Nisha wiped her tears and started counting the number of beads on mangalsutra.Naina smiled at her innocence and kissed her.Sameer felt relaxed that only Nisha could bring out Naina's smiles.

"Nisha! Kya kar rahi ho?'' Nirupama asked as Nisha focussed on the beads as the marriage rituals proceeded.

"Beads count kar rahi hun.Kitne saare hein iss chain mein''.Nisha informed as she concentratedly counted on the beads.

"Pooja khatam ho jaaye beads gin lena..Ab aa jao Rishav ke pass.''Nirupama asked and Nisha nodded in negation.

"Nisha! Yahan aag jal rahi hai.Aunty ke pass jao''.Sameer asked as he saw Nisha rejecting Niru and Swati's requests while Naina sat clutching her.

"Main Rishav ke pass nahin baithungi.Wo mera friend nahin hai.Mujhe gira diya tha. ''Nisha complained while Rishav looked sad and extremely apologetic.

"La dunga tere liye chocolates..Mumma! Nisha ke liye chocolates le ana.''Rishav asked as all laughed at the children's antics.

"Shaadi sampan hui.Ab badon ka ashirvad lijiye '' Pandit ji declared startling Naina for a second as the fact that she was married ..married to Sameer was yet to sink in.But that's the truth.She has been bonded to him no more to be a 'Kati Patang'.

"Khush raho''.Nanaji blessed while Nirupama's mother presented both of them wishes and a gift.

"Niru! Main hotel mein baat kar liya hai.Lunch ready hai.Chalein?'' Raunak voiced and Munna agreed ushering all to the temple stairs.

"Munna!Naina ki shaadi to ho gayi lekin grihpravesh kahan hoga?Sameer ke ghar mein ki uski khud ki ghar mein?''Swati asked as she recked her brain over the matter.

"Sameer ke ghar 'grih pravesh' hoga to dono ko zameen ke upar sona padega.Double bed to hai nahin.Agar Nanaji ke bed join karliye tab Nanaji kahan soyenge?Yeh Sameer kab kuch dhang ka plan karta bhi hai. ''Munna voiced frustratedly and looked for options.

"Chenu kya fusur fusur kar raha hai apni frock wali pandit ke saath? Chal Nanaji bula rahein hein.''Pandit called as they moved out of the hotel.

"Jaa rahein hein Ponga Pandit.Sab humein hi dekhna padega.'' Munna murmured under breath as he followed Swati to the parking.

Nanaji instructed all the cars to be diverted towards their house.He needed to talk about something to all before they all dispersed for the day.

In the Evening

"Niru! Ho gaya bistar?..Yahan aur thoda gulaab dal do.Naina ko gulab bahut pasand hai.''Swati said as she placed the tumbler on the side of bed.

"Sach kahun Swati! Ab lag raha hai maine kabhi Naina ko pehchana hi nahin.Yeh baat to mujhe pata hi nahin thi.Tum uski pakki saheli ho.Acha dudh le aaye na? ''Niru asked as she plucked few more petals from the rose bunch.

"Main thoda candle bhi jala leti hun.Haaye! Mujhe to meri pehli raat yaad aa rahi hai.. ''Swati blinked dreamily as Niru hit her gently.

"Tum kafi filmy ho.Heroine ban na chahiye tha tumko.Yeh Karishma,Sushmita sab fail ho jaate tumhare saamne.''Niru voiced while Swati blushed to shades of scarlet.

"Jaldi candles lagao'' Raunak aur Manoj ji unko lekar aate hi honge.Nirupama voiced as she fished out the room freshening perfume from her bag.

"WOW!Aunty!Yeh ghar kyun saja rahe hein?'' Nisha asked as she saw the room decorated like never before.

"Wo..Naina sone ke liye''. Swati voiced at wit's end.

"Oh! Mumma aur main sone ke liye itna sajaya hai.Thank you Aunty,thank you Mausi.'' Nisha voiced and hugged Nirupama by her waist.

"Nisha!Ab tum jake dekho to Rishav kahan hai?Kabse dhund rhi hun use.'' Nirupama voiced thinking the only way to keep Nisha distracted was befriending' her with Rishav again.

"Nahin.Main nahin dekhungi.Main use gussa hoon. ''Nisha voiced as she sat on the chair near by huffing.

"Jab friend apne aap SORRY bolta hai use maaf kar dete hein.Gussa karne se dost dur chala jaat hai.Kya tum chahte ho ki Rishav tumse dur chala jaaye? ''Swati uttered while Nisha looked shocked at the prospect of Rishav going away.

"Nahin nahin..Main use maaf kardungi.'' Nisha uttered and ran away to forgive Rishav.She can't let Rishav go away from her.

"RISHAV!RISHAV!'' Nisha called only to find Rishav sitting and playing alone chess.

"Kya hua? Mummy bula rahi hai kya? ''Rishav asked while Nisha ran and hugged him.

"I am Sorry.I promise main Shivam se phir kabhi friendship nahin akrunga.Tujhe chocolate laa dunga.SORRY. ''Rishav apologised holding his ear while Nisha planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Tu promise kar kabhi mujhse dur nahin jayega.Aur haan Shivam se bilkul friendship mat karna.Bahut naughty hai wo. ''Nisha voiced and Rishav swore holding his underdeveloped Adam's apple.

"Chal tujhe kuch dikhana hai.''Nisha said all excited and pulled him.

The door bell shrilled through the house as Swati rushed to kitchen and Nirupama to open the door.

"Aao..Apne hi ghar mein grihpravesh kijiye Naina Rani! ''Swati teased as she did the aarti.

"To Sameer Ji! Ab aap ko nek dena hoga tabhi aapko Naina se mulakat hogi.Tab tak ke liye ta ta byee byee Naina.'' Nirupama spoke; herself feeling weird at her antics but was really happy for both of them.At first she could not believe the news when Naina informed about getting married and that to with Sameer.

But she knew both had some sparks to last for this lifetimes as true soulmates though they always bickered on front.

"Nirupama Ji! Aap bhi nautanki group mein saamil''.Sameer smiled and fished out a five hundred note and handed over to Niru.

"Aap ne Naina aur Nisha ke liye jitna kiya hai shayad main aur uski gharwale apna sab kuch apke naam kar bhi lenge tab bhi aapki keemat nahin chukka paayenge.Farishton ke bare mein padha tha,suna tha par aapse milke laga sach mein wo hoten hein..saadhe kapde mein,humare bich...bas hum pehchan nahin paate''. Sameer spoke while Nirupama's eyes pooled with tears.

All of their lives were tangled mess and they all knew that.

"Bas bas kuch zyada taarif ho gaya.Ab aap apni Naina ko sambhaliye hum chalte hein.Swati! Naina ko andar le jao. ''Niru instructed as she served Sameer,Raunak and Munna with drinks.

Meanwhile

"NISHA!Yeh bed pe aise phul kyun bikhrai hai?Aunty dekhegi to gaali padegi.Main to bol dunga maine kuch nahin kiya. ''Rishav said hell shocked looking at the room and especially the bed.

"Budhu! Yeh maine nahin bikharyi yeh to Aunty aur Mausi sajaye hein Mumma aur main sone ke liye.''Nisha spoke as she hit Rishav playfully.

"Oh!Aisa hai...To chal hum so jaate hein ab.Aunty to abhi nahin aayi hai na.''Rishav proposed and Nisha looked excited about the plan and both jumped oonto the bed to catch some blissful sleep on the petals-laden bed.

"Nisha!Dekh na yahan pe milk shake bhi hai.Tere liye hoga shayad.Main pi loon thoda.''Rishav asked as he brough the glass to his mouth level.

"Okay pi le..par thoda.Mujhe bhi taste karna hai. ''Nisha ordered while Rishav obliged.

"Umm.bahut tasty hai.Man to kar raha pura pi loon par tere liye hai..Le pi le.''Rishav passed the glass and licked his lips.

"Lagta hai Mumma aa gayi.Mausi ki aawaz aa rahi hai.Chal so jaate hein.''Nisha said as she hurriedly placed the glass on the table and pushed Rishav and pretended to sleep.

"NIRU!Dekho yeh bachein kya kar rahein hein.''Swati voiced enough high to even make Sameer choke on the drinks.

Naina's eyes dilated seeing the scene and Nirupama rushed to find Nisha and Rishav sleeping on the bed clutching each other covering themselves in a blanket.

"Hey bhagwan!Yeh do saitan ka main kya karun?'' Nirupama face palmed as she went round the bed to wake the two pranksters.

"Lo!Dudh pi aadha pi liya hai.''Nirupama sighed as she noticed the half-empty glass on the tray.

"Tum dono aise react kar rahe ho jaise dono ne koi bada kaand kar liya ho.Bache hi to hein.Sone do.''Naina spoke up seeing Swati and Nirupama busy waking up both and prepping the bed and refilling the glass.

"Tu chup reh.Baith yahan pe.Main Sameer ko bulake laati hun.''Swati commanded as Nirupama pulled Nisha and Rishav out of the room.

"Sameer Uncle Mumma ke pass kyun rahenge?Mujhe Mumma ke pass sona hai.''Nisha complained as Niru took away both of them to her house.

"Mumma ko bukhar hai isliye Doctor ne bola hai Uncle ko rehne ke liye.Kal se Mumma ke pass phir se so jana''.Niru tried to find satisfying answers while Rishav was not convinced enough with the explanation.

"Acha to phir mujhe bukhar hoga to aap mere bed ko aise sajaoge?'' Rishav asked while Nirupama nodded hoping that the enquiries would stop soon.

"Sameer!Hum jaa rahein hein.Darwaza lock karle aur Naina ka khayal rakhna.''Munna spoke and thumped Sameer on his back.Sameer saw them off not before hugging his brother from another mother.

Naina presented herself before the mirror and saw the scarlet red mark on her forehead glowing in the low light of candle as Swati cleverly has removed the bright bulbs replacing them with the incandescent bulbs.

Her insides fluttered and gut wrenched as she heard the door open and then latched.

She turned away from the mirror and her eyes meet his gaze .Time stopped. Those eyes were piercing her, and he could swear at this moment he sensed the real her. The one without the attitude, without the facade.

"Naina! ''He voiced.

Startled, She focused on him. "Hmm? ''She hummed.

"Tum thik ho? he asked as gently as he could.

Her fingers had been toying with the bangles around her wrist without her realizing it. Immediately she dropped her hand to side.

"Thik hoon.Tum so jao'' She uttered not knowing what more to say.

"So jaunga.Par use pehle ek sawal poochna tha tumhe.'' His reply was enough to make her knees go wobbly.She clutched the chair to find some support.

"Aaj nahin.Tum ..please so jao.'' She stuttered as she tried coaxing in vain.

"Aaj hi.Tumne abhi tak shaadi kyun nahin ki? ''He asked as he pulled her by her wrist and made her sit on the bed.

"Iska jawab kyun chahiye tumhe?'' She asked as she put a distance from him and tried untying the knot of 'gajra.'

"Kyunki pati hun ab tumhara.Aur tumhara aaj,kal sab ke bare mein jan ne ka haq hai mera''. He voiced authoritatively and untied the knot making her sigh in relief and unknown pain.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai main shaadi karna nahin chahti thi..Har ladki ki tarah mere bhi sapna tha ..Jo ek baar tum tod chuke the aur phir jo main khud tod di''. Her voice shivered as the bitter days flashed by..

(To be continued).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would love to read all your comments. :)

ENJOY!