Accidentally in Love Chapter 18: Growing Together

The mellow golden sunlight filtered through the window drapes, some birds chirped, the cool air from the air-conditioner hit her bare arms and shoulders. Naina dragged in a deep breath, her eyes still closed, her brain slowly returning to consciousness. Was it time to wake up? She shifted her legs beneath the quilt, her hand searched beside her, but she couldn’t find her husband. Why wasn’t he holding her today? She was so used to waking up in his arms that now not having his hand around her body felt incomplete. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking at the light, and then looked on the other side of bed thinking that he may have turned over in sleep.

Sameer was there, right next to her, but he wasn’t sleeping, rather he was sitting up, a file in hand, and was looking at her with a smile. “Good Morning darling”, he grinned.

Her brows furrowed, her gaze moving over his bare torso, he was sitting with his legs stretched out but the quilt covered the lower half of his body. She queried, “aap itni jaldi uth gaye?”

He stroked his hand on her hair, “hmm… kal raat tumne itna special feel karwaya mujhe ke main ekdum sukoon se so gaya tha… Aur aaj aankh khuli toh himmat bhi aa gai yeh files padhneki…”

She smiled, “kuch mila?”

“Haan… par woh baad me batata hun”, he said, “pehle yeh batao, tum theek ho? Bathroom jaana hai?”

She was puzzled, “aisa kyun puch rahe hai?”

He bit the side of his lower lip, and informed, “umm… kal raat… tumne… uh… mera matlab, humne condom nahi use kiya.”

Her beautiful eyes widened, “oh no… mujhe bilkul dhyan hi nahi raha. Aap itne pareshan the kal ke main bas…” She blushed as she continued, and her hand clutched the quilt to her chest, “main bas aapko batana chahti thi ke main aapse kitna pyaar karti hun.”

He leaned down to kiss her forehead, and whispered, “kal raat itna amazing tha ke main toh ab tak khoya hua hun…”

She glanced away shyly, “uh… main bathroom jaake aati hun.”

He smiled, and offered her his t-shirt, “yeh pehenke jao… aur suno… wapas aana jaldi… mera ab tak uthne ka man nahi hai… thoda bethna hai tumhare saath, tumhe hug karke.”

It was such a sweet request that she couldn’t refuse, so she put on his t-shirt, and after a quick trip to bathroom, she was back on the bed, sitting next to him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, and she placed her head on his shoulder, her breath sighing on his chest as she thrust her legs beneath the quilt, her feet tangling with his. He smiled, closing his eyes, leaning his cheek on her head, “I love you.”

“I love you too”, she whispered, turning a bit more to the side, her hand wrapping across his stomach.

After a minute he said, “medical reports sab mummy ke hai… unke pregnancy ke time ke. Papa ka bhi medical report hai, jo unhone insurance ke liye karwaye the. Dusre files me insurance ke papers hai, ab tak kisine claim nahi kiya.”

She gently queried, “par itne saal baad hoga?”

He shrugged, “pata nahi… aur koi parwah nahi. Mujhe paiso ki zaroorat nahi hai. Naina, sabse main wali file red wali thi… jo maine tumhe kal dikhaya tha. Jaanti ho usme kya hai?”

She tilted her head back to look at him, “kya?”

“Blue prints”, he informed, “papa loan leke koi zameen me invest karna chah rahe the, aur ek architect ko bhi hire kiya tha.”

Puzzled, she queried, “dusra ghar banana chahte the?”

He shook his head, “nahi… anaathaalay… orphanage… Unki ichcha thi ke jis tarah se unhone apne parents ke bina itna struggle kiya, kisi aur bachche ko naa karna pade. Isiliye woh ek orhphanage kholna chahte the jahan aise bachcho ka dhyan rakha jaaye, aur unke sapno ko udaan di jaaye.”

She straightened up, “toh iska matlab…”

He nodded, cupping her face, “tumhare wajah se mujhe himmat mili yeh files padhneki, aur dekho… mujhe raasta bhi mil gaya… Ab mujhe pata hai ke ghar ka kya karna hai… Papa ka sapna unke hi ghar me poora hoga. Thank you darling…”

She smiled, and he leaned forward to kiss her. His lips were soft and tender as they moved against her mouth, but soon her lips parted and he deepened the kiss stealing her breath away. His hand fumbled in the drawer beside bed, and he pulled out a condom, putting it on, without breaking the kiss. He threw off the blanket, and pulled her on top of his legs so that she was straddling his thighs. The t-shirt came off, and his lips was on her shoulder, kissing a trail down the smooth skin, his hands cupping her breasts, rubbing the tips. And then he raised her up, his lips skimming down over the soft swells to draw a succulent bud in his mouth to suckle on. Her body stiffened, shuddered and she moaned, her fingers fisting in his hair. His mouth moved back and forth between her breasts, and his hands stroked down her smooth belly, his finger finding the soft flesh between her legs and stroking her to readiness. Her thighs trembled, and then tightened as he pulled his finger out, and started to guide himself inside her. Instinctively, she pushed down; enveloping him slowly, just like last night, and he threw back his head on a deep groan. Her fingers moved through his hair, and she kissed his face, starting to move up and down. He let her have her way for a minute, and then reared up, pushing her back on the bed, and supported himself over her on one arm, while using his other hand to hold her right leg up, and thrust hard. She arched up, moaning his name, her nails scoring his shoulders… It didn’t take her long to shudder and dissolve and he followed her into oblivion, his hips grinding against hers, his breath bellowing out of his lungs. Couple of minutes later, when Naina felt she was back to her normal senses, she muttered, “aapne kaha tha sirf bethna hai hug karke.”

He lifted his head to look at her, and was amused on seeing the mischief sparkling in her eyes. Before wedding he hadn’t believed that Naina could be mischievous ever, but now her sassy comments made him realize that his wife had several hidden layers. He grinned, she giggled, and then they both started laughing, rolling on the bed in each other’s arms, until he had to get up to discard the condom.

The next few days were filled with sightseeing and fun. Sameer even decided to extend their stay for a couple of days so he could make arrangements for the house to be cleaned, find an attorney who could handle all the legal matters and help with the registration procedures later on, contractors who would be willing to submit a quotation for renovation. He had asked for Naina’s opinion regarding changing the entire structure, but she had said that his father wanted to create a home for the children, so it would be wise to still keep the same structure and extended the construction on both sides to accommodate more living quarters. There was space in the compound, so extension could be done without sacrificing the gardens a lot, and he also wanted to check the feasibility to add one more floor. Naina had also suggested that even though he didn’t need money and could fund the entire operation on his own, he should still file for that insurance money if possible. The premiums for that insurance was done by his father from his own earning, so using that money in the orphanage would mean a lot to him. After a bit of thought and a discussion with Nanu and his mother, Sameer agreed to the idea, and so they also fixed an appointment with the insurance company. The case was unusual as never had anyone waited so long to claim money after death, but they assured that they would surely help.

Sameer wanted to wrap up the initial things on this trip, but he never compromised on the time with Naina, and they managed to cover all the sightseeing spots they had planned for. He even arranged for a candle light dinner in the hotel’s garden restaurant, followed by a long drive to a vantage point from where they could see the stars and constellations. What cheered him up considerably was that they did finish all the boxes of condoms he had bought, and on their second last evening he had to go out to hunt for a chemist shop and brought back three more boxes. When Naina asked why so many as there was just a little over one day left here, he said, “baaki ka Ahmedabad me jaake use karenge. Wapas jaake bandh thodi na kar denge use karna… aur ghar pe stock nahi hai… Isiliye le aaya, warna airport pe utarke seedhe chemist ke dukaan me jaana padega.”

The day they had returned home, Nanaji had been ecstatic, and had even taken Munna and Pandit’s help to decorate the house as a gesture of welcome. Ramdhari had prepared a meal that was fit for a king’s palace, claiming that outside food was bad and they must be craving for proper home-cooked meal. As they sat with bowl full of ice-cream after dinner, Nanaji had said, “jaanti ho Naina… pehle mujhe khali ghar ki aadat pad gai thi. Par jab se tum aai ho tabse wapas ghar chahak utha hai… Isiliye itne din dur rahe na tum dono toh mujhe bahot akela lagta tha.”

Naina smiled and suggested, “Nanaji… agli baar ghumne jayenge tab aap bhi chalna na hamare saath.”

Sameer choked on his spoonful of ice-cream, and Nanaji laughed, “dekho Sameer ko abhi se khaasi aa rahi hai iss sujhaav se…”

Sameer reddened a bit, and then said, “uh… aisa kuch nahi hai Nanu…”

“Jhoothe”, Nanaji fondly admonished, “beta… tum logo ki alag alag jagah ghumne ki umar hai abhi… tum log ghumo… Haan, hum sab saath me ek baar Jaipur chalenge, thandiyo me. Shaadi ke baad kuldevi ke darshan ke liye.”

Sameer delicately queried, “uh… thand me kab Nanu?”

Nanu thumped his back, “kyun beta? Second honeymoon abhi se plan kar rahe ho?”

Sameer blushed, and Naina giggled, “chodiye na Nanaji… yeh toh iss trip pe bhi bas kaam hi karte rahe… jabse ghar ka faisla liya tabse poore din busy.”

As Naina went away to keep the used bowls in kitchen, Nanu threw a concerned glance at his grandson, “beta… Naina kya bol rahi hai? Maine iss trip pe tumko enjoy karne ke liye bhi bheja tha… Tumne use akela toh nahi chod diya tha na?”

Sameer chuckled, “kya Nanu aap bhi… aapko pata nahi chala woh masti kar rahi thi? Bahot zyada shaitaan hai meri biwi… Shaadi se pehle inn khurafato ki khabar hi nahi thi mujhe… seedhi-saadi ladki samajh ke fas gaya main.”

Before Nanu could reply, a towel came flying over to them, and Sameer laughed catching it in mid-air. Nanu glanced in the direction of kitchen to see Naina grinning, and he too laughed, “chalo  achcha hai… do-do shararati bachche hai iss ghar me…” He got up and added in a low voice, “ab teesre ka intezaar rahega. Good Night…”

Leaving a speechless couple behind, he walked over to his room for the night. Sameer and Naina looked at each other, and then he shrugged, “bas mazak tha Naina… tension mat lo… upar chale?”

She nodded, “haan… aap chalo… main bas lights bandh karke aati hun.”

He shook his head, and quickly turned off the hall lights, then went to kitchen, flicking the light off there as well, and then lifted his wife in his arms, “ek minute lagta hai light bandh karne me… ab chale?”

She smiled, tilting her head to place it on his shoulder; one hand looping around his neck and subconsciously her other hand went on her own belly as she thought of Nanaji’s words. A baby… Wasn’t it too soon? She wanted a child for sure, but hadn’t thought of the timing. And Sameer… She recalled how he had said that a child would partake on his share of love. They hadn’t talked about it later on. But… did he really think like that? Would he not want a child? And how should they even talk about it? They had made love twice without condom… There was a chance of pregnancy, she couldn’t deny it… What if it happened?

He put her down inside the room, and helped her stand steady, “kya hua? Itna kya soch rahi ho?”

“Kuch khaas nahi”, she assured, “bas aapki kahi hui ek baat yaad aa gai.”

He locked the door, “konsi baat?”

She hesitated for a moment but then truthfully said, “Mussoorie jaane se pehle aapne kaha tha na koi teesra, matlab bachcha, beech me aake aapke hisse ka pyaar kam kar dega.”

He sighed, gesturing her to sit on the bed and then sat next to her, “Naina… mujhe sach me nahi pata ke husband-wife ke relationship pe baby aane se kya asar padta hai. Bachpan me maine bas yahi dekha ke Rohan aur Deepika ke wajah se mere hisse ka pyaar mujhse cheen gaya. Isiliye uss waqt main aisa bol pada… Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ke main hamare future me aane wale bachche ko koi kebab me haddi samjhunga.”

She smiled in relief and held his hand, “sorry… main bas woh baat bhula nahi paa rahi thi.”

“It’s okay darling”, he said, pulling her in a hug, “hum dono ko kabhi bhi ek dusre se koi baat share karne me ya koi sawaal karne me hesitation nahi honi chahiye. Uh… hesitation matlab…”

She chuckled, interrupting him, “aapko har English word Hindi me translate karne ki zaroorat nahi hai… mujhe English achche se samajh me aati hai.”

He grinned, “okay… aur koi sawaal?”

She queried, “Nanaji kya sach me chahte hai ke hum abhi… matlab… bachcha…”

“Naina”, he drew back and cupped her face, “Nanu kabhi humpe zor nahi daalenge. Aur main jaanta hun ke Indian society jaise hi shaadi hoti hai couple pe bachche ke liye pressure ban jaata hai… Lekin tum zara bhi fikar mat karo… Hum ek-dusre ke saath achche se waqt bitayenge, aur phir hum khud tay karenge ke hume kab apni family ko badhana hai… okay?”

She nodded, and then tried to get up, “main fresh hoke night dress pehenke aati hun.”

He tugged her back, “aane ke baad naha toh liya… aaj kitchen me khana bhi nahi banaya… toh abhi wapas kyun fresh hona hai… aur change karne bhi kya zaroorat? Kapde rehne thodi na wale hai.”

She gasped, “Sameer… aap… mmm…” Her statement stayed incomplete because he captured her lips in a heated kiss. At the back of her mind she recalled how Sameer had informed her that the surprised gasping sounds she made made him want to kiss her… Well… it was certainly true, she thought for a fleeting moment, before wrapping her arms around him and surrendering to the onslaught of passion that he evoked in her with each touch and every kiss.

The next few days went by in visiting relatives, including the Agarwal family as everyone wanted to invite the new couple for dinner or lunch. It was a tiring exercise and true to their guess, people did start to talk about baby, especially asking Naina when she was giving the good news. Almost a week later, when the invitations died down, Sameer started to go to office, and Naina began to settle down in her new home properly. She had already taken charge of kitchen from her first cooking ritual, but over the days she became familiar with the other responsibilities in the house, about Nanaji’s health, about the various types of people who visited their home including the office staff. Nanaji still went to office, but usually he would return early, while Sameer returned in evening, around 6pm. They all would have the evening tea together, and the Naina would prepare dinner along with Ramdhari. Nanaji usually retired to bed by 10:30pm, Naina would finish her kitchen work and then she and Sameer would go to their room by 11pm, or sometimes they would spend some time on the terrace and then go to the room. The nights would be long with lovemaking, and ever since their honeymoon there was one more time when Sameer had turned over and lay on bed, letting her do the work.

One more week later Naina also started to go back to her school, which meant that she also had to leave by 8am. For few days Sameer came drop her, but then she asked him not to do so, as he usually left for office by 9am, and dropping her kind of altered his morning routine completely. He had said that he couldn’t let her go alone, but she had countered that she always travelled alone before. After a lengthy discussion that evening with Nanu, it had been decided that Naina would take the second car, and Sameer and Nanu would go to office together. Having a driver to drop her off made Sameer relax a bit, but that also meant she wasn’t there at home to see him off for office, for that one last hug and kiss of morning.

He sulked for a couple of days at that, until one night she gently queried, “aapko pasand nahi na ke main job pe jau? Aap chahte hai ke main job chod du?”

Sameer was taken aback by the question, and it forced him to reflect on his behavior of past few days. He immediately regretted making her feel that he didn’t like her working independently. He had promised her before wedding to fulfill all her wishes, to not restrict her freedom and dreams. And here he was, sulking because he didn’t get enough time with her in morning. Holding her hand, he pulled her down on his lap, “I am sorry darling… main aisa bilkul nahi chahta ke tum job na karo… Mujhe apne saare waade yaad hai. Tum apna kaam karo, aage badho inn sab baato se mujhe bahot khushi milegi… Aur mujhe pata hai maine theek se behave nahi kiya peechle kuch dino me, par woh isiliye nahi ke tumne job pe jaana shuru kar diya; balki isiliye ke mujhe subah aadat ho gai thi office jaane se pehle tumhe hug karneki, kiss karneki, aur tum jo rumaal, bag sab laake deti thi…”

She smiled, leaning on his shoulder, “bas itni si baat? Kal subah se main aapke kapdo ke saath saath wallet, rumaal, bag sab kuch rakh diya karungi. Aur rahi baat kiss ki, toh maine roka hai kya kabhi?”

He chuckled, “main try karunga ke bachcho jaisa behave naa karu. Lekin kabhi kabhi agar kuch galat kar du toh mujhe daant dena, ya tok dena… Gussa hoke bura mat manna.”

True to his word, he didn’t sulk from next day, and Naina felt relieved. She loved Sameer so much and understood his need for attention, that if had expressed his wish for her to not work then she might have actually considered it. It wasn’t uncommon for women to leave their job post wedding, and at one time in her life she had also thought that she would have to do the same. But Sameer had assured her that she could work, and even Nanaji had said so. Still… Family was always a priority for her. She was glad that she was blessed with Sameer as life partner who had his own quirks and moments, but she could talk to him about everything. In a world where she had always seen husband’s comfort and wishes to be of utmost importance, she had found a husband who truly cared for what she wished for. And so, over the next one week, on a couple of days she had chosen to surprise him with home cooked snacks like sandwich and samosa, in evening when he returned.

Another few days went by, and a new tension sprung inside Naina’s head. It had been more than a month since her wedding, and her monthly influx hadn’t started. She quickly checked the dates, and realized that ideally it should have started a week ago. Shocked beyond words, she touched her belly… Was she… No no… It couldn’t be… She can’t be pregnant. But then why hadn’t her periods started? She didn’t miss dates, she had never been late. Then why now? There was only one explanation… The two times without condom had had its consequences… Oh God… She really was pregnant…

To her added dismay, this self-revelation happened when she was in school, and that resulted in her losing total focus. Pleading sick health, she left from office in afternoon, and rushed home, totally clueless as to what she should do. She debated talking to Chachiji, but didn’t know what to tell her, because if she even suggested pregnancy then the news would spread like wildfire. Talking to her mother-in-law was also out of question… Could she talk to Preeti? Or maybe Swati? But what would they know… A doctor? Should she meet a gynecologist? But how could she do that without Sameer? And how could she even tell him that she had missed her periods… Such conversations were not for male members of family.

She was sitting on the floor, near the balcony, lost in her tumultuous thoughts, unmindful of the heat at 2pm when suddenly someone crouched in-front of her. She jerked in fear, and looked up, her eyes widening on seeing Sameer. “Aa…aap”, she stammered, “aap yahan?”

His eyes were clouded with concern, “maine tumhare school me phone kiya tha toh wahan se bataya ke tum bimar ho aur ghar chali gai.” He touched her forehead, “kya hua tumhe?”

She drew back from his touch, scrambling to stand up, “k…kuch nahi… aapne khana khaya? Main Ramdhari ko kehti hun…”

“Naina”, he interrupted her, grabbing her hand, “tum mujhse dur bhaag rahi ho? kya hua hai?”

She shook her head, “kuch nahi hua mujhe… bas thoda sir me dard tha… chodiye na… main khana banati…”

He pulled her in his arms, holding her struggling form tight, “shh… kuch toh baat hai jo tum chupa rahi ho Naina… Main pyaar karta hun tumse… tumhari aankhen padh sakta hun.”

She stilled in his arms, closed her eyes, and slowly accepted, “mujhe nahi pata main aapse kaise kahu…”

“Jaise har baat kehti ho waise hi keh do”, he suggested, “mujhse kuch chupane ki zaroorat nahi hai tumhe. Jo bhi problem hai hum saath me milke suljha lenge.”

She took a few minutes to frame her thoughts, and then stuttered, “Sa…Sameer… sha…shayad… m…main… main… pr… pregnant hun…”

He froze in shock, and then quickly drew back, “kya?” His mouth opened and closed for few moments before he could utter in a scared whisper, “pregnant?”

She nodded, turning away from him in embarrassment. He was stunned… Pregnancy… They were just married for a month… okay, a few days over a month… It was so soon for a baby. How could they manage a baby now? Hadn’t they discussed that they would wait and then mutually decide about the baby? Then how…

He queried the same, “Naina… humne decide kiya tha na ke hum wait karenge… toh phir abhi kaise…”

She looked at him in disbelief, “haan decide kiya tha… lekin usse pehle hi jo hona tha woh toh ho gaya na.”

He was puzzled, “kya ho gaya? Shaadi ke baad toh har couple ke beech me yeh sab hota hai… Par itni jaldi baby kaise manage karenge hum dono? Tumne aise kaise…”

“Maine?” She interrupted in a high pitched tone, “maine nahi aapne… aapko abhi baby nahi chahiye tha toh pehle condom use karte na… meri kya galti hai isme? Main thodi na control kar sakti hun ke kab pregnant hona hai kab nahi?”

His frustration also spilled out, “achcha… ab sab meri galti ho gai… Tum bhul rahi ho shayad ke tumne bhi Mussoorie me condom use nahi kiya tha… Usi waqt yeh sab hua hoga.”

She argued back, “jee bilkul nahi… yeh uss first night me hi hua hai… tabhi abhi pata chal raha hai… Mussoorie me hua hota toh aur der se pata chalta.”

“Tum kya doctor ho?” He countered, “itne yaqeen se kaise bol sakti ho? Thodi toh warning deni chahiye insaan ko… Shaadi me itni jaldi pregnancy kaise sambhalenge? Hamare second aur third honeymoon ka kya hoga?”

She grabbed her forehead, “hey bhagwaan… yahan ek bachcha aane wala hai aur aapko second aur third honeymoon ki padi hai… aapko andaaza bhi hai ke yeh kya ho gaya… hume toh kuch bhi nahi pata iss baare me… Aur abhi itni jaldi…”

“Isme galti tumhari hi hai na”, he responded, “tum toh ladki ho… yeh sab pehle se pata hona chahiye na… aise shock de rahi ho mujhe… Chachiji ne kuch samjhaya nahi tha kya?”

She stared at him for some time at a loss of words, and then tears filled her eyes, her voice cracked, “mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha… main kya karu… kisse kahu… mujhe pata tha aap nahi samjhenge… isiliye aapko bata nahi rahi thi… aapne hi zor daala, kaha main sab kuch bata sakti hun… par dekha… aap mujhe hi dosh de rahe hai… jo bhi hua usme hum saath the na, maine akele ne thodi na kuch kiya hai.”

The tears rolling down her cheeks, reeled him back in control, making him realize the things he had said and he cursed aloud, “shit…” She jerked, taking a step away from him, and he immediately grabbed her hand, tugging her back to himself, “rona bandh karo please… I am sorry… I am so sorry… Main ghabra gaya tha.”

She kept sobbing, and he wrapped his arms around her holding her, closing his eyes, trying to calm himself down so that he could handle her. It was obvious she was scared, and had been tense since some time… Did she get to know of it in school? How? And what should they do? He hadn’t really even thought of a baby… But she was right… The two times without condom had meant that there was a risk, something which he had totally ignored, somehow assured that it was no big deal. Well… turned out that it was a big deal. The thing he hadn’t thought of had happened, and now he… no, they had to deal with it. He tried to imagine a life with a baby, but couldn’t do that because he had no knowledge or idea of how it was. But holding his wife in his arms, he was sure of one thing that he wouldn’t let her worry about it or feel that she was alone, and that if there was a baby he would welcome it and give him/ her everything that he hadn’t had when he was a child. It would take some time to adjust, and yes, it was totally unexpected and unplanned, but then so was life… If till date he had dealt with whatever curveball life had thrown then he would deal with this one too… And who knew, he was so scared right now but maybe this curve in road could actually lead to a beautiful journey.

Rubbing her back, he tried to calm her, “Naina… please shaant ho jao… dekho… agar sach me baby hai, toh tumhare iss tarah rone se usko taklif pahochegi.”

She immediately quieted down, and drew back a bit, her hand on her belly, her wet eyes round with curiosity, “sach me?”

He nodded, and made her sit on the bed, “I am sorry maine woh sab bola… achanak se pregnancy ka sunke main ghabra gaya tha. Par tum sahi bol rahi ho… Zindagi ke iss safar me hum saathi hai, toh har daur ka saamna saath me karenge. Agar baby hai… toh hum uska swagat khushi se karenge.”

“Par Sameer hume toh kuch bhi nahi pata”, she said, distressed.

He wiped her tears, “nahi pata toh seekh lenge. Pyaar karna seekha… shaadi me aur uske baad kitne cheeze seekhi… toh yeh bhi saath seekh lenge. Lekin pehle… tum yeh tension lena bandh karo. Aur mujhe yeh batao ke tumhe kab aur kaise pata chala?”

Her face flushed, and she glanced away, her hand fidgeting with her dupatta, “umm… school me…”

He queried, “kaise? Chakkar vagera aaya tha kya? Mujhe idea nahi hai kaise pata chalta hai… Movies me toh chakkar aata hai aur phir doctor batate hai…”

She shook her head, “nahi… chakkar nahi aaya… aur doctor ke paas bhi nahi gai… par… umm… woh… darasal ladkiyo ko har mahine kuch hota hai… Toh…”

He interrupted, “kya hota hai?”

Her cheeks turned redder, “Sameer… please… main nahi samjha sakti… Bas kuch hota hai… Aur iss mahine nahi hua mujhe… Pooja didi ke shaadi ke baad unko bhi aise hi pata chala tha, toh unhone hi mujhe bataya tha.”

He scratched his head in confusion. What was this monthly thing she was talking about? Was it some kind of signal for pregnancy? And why would it happen to all girls? Every month… what happened every month to girls…? Suddenly his eyes widened, he let out an ‘oh’ of realization, and asked in a relieved tone, “tum periods ki baat kar rahi ho?”

She gasped, her eyes wide in shock, “aap… aapko yeh…”

His smile was gentle as he explained, “haan mujhe pata hai… hamare ghar me koi ladki nahi thi, lekin iska matlab yeh nahi mujhe ladkiyo ke baare me nahi pata. Maine science padha hai, aur TV pe bhi ads aati hai… Shayad sab details nahi pata lekin itna toh pata hai ke har ladki ko periods hote hai. Normal baat hai… Isme itna sharma kyun rahi ho?”

She replied in a puzzled tone, “par Chachiji ne toh bataya tha ke ladko ko kuch pata nahi hota… aur mujhe aapko nahi batana chahiye… chupaake rakhna chahiye.”

He quirked a brow, his tone incredulous, “seriously? Naina… hum har raat ko kaise sote tumhe pata hai na? Toh mujhe yeh batao tum apne periods mujhse kaise chupaati? Mujhe pyaar karne se kaise rokti?”

She gaped at him, fumbling with words to reply, “main… um… uh…”

“Rehne do”, he stopped her, “yeh sab baate pati-patni ke beech me nahi chupaai jaati Naina. Mujhe nahi pata Chachiji ne aisa kyun kaha, ya tumhare ghar pe kya hota aaya hai… Lekin agar Chachiji ya Pooja didi tumse yeh keh rahe hai ke unke husband ko unhone apne periods ke baare me nahi bataya hai toh woh jhooth bol rahe hai. Aur mujhe unn logo ne kya bola usse koi lena dena nahi hai… Yeh baat hum dono ki hai, hamare rishte ki hai… Tumhe mujhse yeh chupane ki zaroorat nahi hai… Ulta tum mujhe bataogi toh main tumhara dhyan rakh paunga. Agar tumhe kuch davai ya kuch aur cheez ki zaroorat ho toh main laa sakunga, aur tumhe unn dino proper rest bhi milega…”

She bit her lip, thinking over, and found his statements to be completely logical. How would she ever hide periods? They made love almost every night, then how could she have stopped him for those four-five days without telling him the truth of her condition… It was not like she could have pretended to not be in a mood for a week every month… Her lips curved in a hesitant smile, “maine itna kuch socha hi nahi tha… bas chachiji ne jo bola woh maan liya.”

“Koi baat nahi”, he assured, “par ab se dhyan rakhna. Ab yeh batao ke school me kya hua? Tumhe kaise pata chala?”

She shyly explained, “mujhse ek dusri teacher ne… woh… umm… sanitary napkin maanga. Mere purse me hamesha ek extra rehta hai, toh jab maine unko diya toh ehsaas hua ke mere bhi kaafi din ho chuke hai… Date check kiya toh pata chala ke ek hafte pehle shuru ho jaana chahiye tha. Pehle kabhi aise late nahi hua… Toh isiliye… Turant Pooja didi ki baat yaad aai. Pregnancy ka yeh ek sign hota hai, kyunki 9 mahine periods nahi hote.”

He thought over what she said, and then asked, “iska matlab… sirf periods miss hua iske wajah se tumhe lag raha hai ke tum pregnant ho? Tum sure nahi ho… right?”

She shook her head, “nahi… sure toh nahi hun… lekin aur koi wajah bhi toh nahi ho sakti na.”

“Yeh tum nahi, doctor tay karenge”, he suggested, “ek kaam karte hai… tum fresh hoke taiyar ho jao… tab tak main gynecologist ka appointment le leta hun. Check-up karwake aate hai toh hum sure ho jayenge.”

She took a deep breath and nodded, finally feeling relieved. It felt so good to tell him everything, to have him take the lead in what they should do about the situation. He was right… Before panicking or planning they should confirm if she was indeed pregnant.

Couple of hours later, she was seated in-front of a lady gynecologist along with Sameer, who though utterly scared, had bravely accompanied her inside. The doctor asked her few questions about her cycle, her usual flow, a couple of other details about her health, and also about if they were taking any precautions during intercourse. She replied to each one of them shyly, painfully aware that Sameer was also listening to all of it. The doctor calmly explained, “dekhiye… possible hai ke pregnancy ho, kyunki aap logo ne protection miss kiya hai. Aur ek possibility yeh bhi hai ke sirf exhaustion ke wajah se periods late ho gaye hai. Mere kai patients ke saath aisa hua hai… Shaadi ki bhaag-daud me thakan ki wajah se next months periods late ho sakte hai, aur aapka toh traveling bhi hua hai. Main recommend karungi ke aapka tests karwa lete hai… Sure ho jayenge, aur agar sirf exhaustion ke wajah se late ho raha hai toh mujhe pata chal jayega ke aapko koi supplements ki zaroorat hai kya.”

Sameer had been silent until now, but on hearing this he queried, “supplements…? kyun?”

The doctor replied, “shaadi ke baad ek aurat ke sharir me bahot badlaav aate hai Mr. Maheshwari… Hormonal changes ke wajah se kaafi auroton ko iron ya vitamins ki kami hoti hai. Yeh saari cheezo ka dhyan rakhna bahot zaroori hota hai… Khaas kar ke agar aap pregnancy planning kar rahe toh.”

He nodded, “toh… Naina ke reports?”

“Kal subah tak aa jayenge”, the doctor assured.

When they were back in the car, Naina sat silent lost in thoughts, and Sameer also didn’t feel like going home right now and facing Nanu. He had hoped they would get the confirmation today, but there was one night in between. He drove them to a small ice-cream parlor, and she looked outside in confusion, “hum ghar nahi jaa rahe?”

“Ice-cream khate hai”, he suggested, “soch bhi lete hai ke ghar jaake kya bolna hai. Baby ka bolenge to Nanu over-excite ho jayenge.”

She nodded, agreeing to this. They went inside the shop, and sat down on a small table for two. Sameer placed some random order of ice-cream not really caring about what flavor he was asking for, and then as the waiter left, he asked, “so… kya lagta hai tumhe?”

She sighed, “main soch rahi thi ke aaj pata chal jayega. Par ab kal tak intezaar karna padega.”

He nodded, “haan… maine bhi wahi socha tha. Khair… kuch kar nahi sakte. Par Nanu ko abhi nahi batana… mere khayal se… Tum kya kehti ho?”

“Sahi bol rahe hai aap”, she agreed, “Nanaji ko bolenge ke mujhe sir me dard ho raha tha isiliye main ghar aa gai. Aur aap wapas aaye toh aapne zidd ki mujhe hospital le jaane ki.”

“thike”, he replied, as the waiter placed their order in-front of them. He blinked at the huge bowl of mixed ice-creams in-front of him, “yeh maine order kiya? Isme kamsekam 4 scoops hai.”

She giggled, “jee aapne hi order kiya.”

He shook his head, picking up his spoon, “wow… sirf baby ke aane ki possibility mujhse yeh sab karwa rahi hai… socho agar sach me baby aa gaya toh kya hoga mera.”

Laughing softly she dug into her two scoops of chocolate and vanilla, “aapke bade-bade haatho me chota sa baby bahot achcha dikhega.”

His brows furrowed as he watched his wife enjoy her ice-cream and then looked at his own hands. Naina thought a baby would look good in his hands… Really? He had never thought of it. But now he wondered… How small a child is at birth? How delicate he/she must be? Would he really be able to hold a child? What if he messed up in the role of being a father? After all he had no idea how a father should be.

Suddenly she slid her hand in his, “kya soch rahe hai?”

He hesitantly queried, “Naina… mujhe nahi pata ke papa kaise hote hai… main agar achcha papa nahi ban paaya toh?”

She smiled, feeding him a bit of ice-cream, “aisa toh bilkul possible hi nahi hai… Aap caring hai, protective hai, aapme samajh hai, sujh-bujh hai, pyaar hai… Ek achcha pita banne ke liye aur kya chahiye. Experience ya knowledge se hi sab kuch thodi na hota hai… Mere bhi toh mummy nahi hai, sirf Chachiji se sikha hai jo sikha hai… Toh kya iska matlab yeh ke main ek achchi maa nahi ban sakti? Aur aapne hi toh kaha tha na… jo nahi aata woh seekh lenge. Aur aap yeh sochiye hum kitne lucky hai ke hamare saath Nanaji bhi honge, hume seekhane, hamari galtiyo ko sudharne ke liye.”

He nodded after a moment, “haan… tum theek bol rahi ho. Mujhe bas koi idea nahi hai na isiliye aise sawaal aa rahe hai man me.”

She queried, “Sameer… humne bilkul plan nahi kiya… Agar kal pata chalta hai ke main sach me pregnant hun toh… um… aapko koi problem toh…”

He tightened his hold on her hand, “Naina… Mujhe pata hai maine ghabrahat me ulti-seedhi baate boli… Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ke main sach me woh sab sochta hun. Maine kaha na… Agar sach me baby hai toh hum khushi-khushi usko welcome karenge. Life me kab kya hona hai yeh hum hamesha tay nahi kar sakte… Kabhi kabhi kuch aise mod aate zindagi me jahan hume ladne ke jagah accept karna chahiye. Agar tum pregnant ho toh hum uss hisab se apni zindagi ki planning change kar lenge… Aisa socho na… ke yeh ek naya safar hoga… ek naya adventure.”

Her lips curved in a wide smile, “adventure… aap bhi na… thank you… aaj itni shaanti se mera saath dene ke liye. I love you.”

“I love you too”, he grinned, “ab mujhe yeh ice-cream khane do… saare flavors pighal ke mix ho rahe hai.”

That night was an uneasy one… They had told Nanaji about her headache as per agreement. But they couldn’t eat properly, neither did they make love and nor could they sleep properly. Finally next morning, at around 10am the couple left to visit the doctor once more… Naina had already taken leave from school, and Sameer had told Nanu that he would be a little late as he was worried about Naina’s health. They had to wait for thirty minutes before being able to meet the doctor, and she smiled gesturing them to sit.

Naina immediately queried, “sab theek hai na? Baby…”

“Mrs. Maheshwari”, the doctor interrupted, “aap pregnant nahi hai.”

Sameer was stunned, “kya? Lekin aise kaise…”

“Aap phirse check kijiye na…”, Naina added.

The doctor smiled, “kamaal hai na… kal aaye the tab aap tension me the ke kahin unplanned pregnancy toh nahi hai.  Aur aaj jab confirm ho gaya ke pregnancy nahi hai, toh aap log keh rahe hai ke yeh kaise ho sakta hai aur dobara check karna chahte hai.”

Sameer and Naina looked at each other in surprise. The doctor continued, “aisa hi hota hai… bachche ke idea se bhi attachment ho jaata hai.”

Naina swallowed, “iska matlab sach me… main pregnant nahi hun?”

The doctor shook her head, “iss baar nahi… I am sorry… Main samajhti hun ke iss waqt aap dono ke man me uljhan chal rahi hogi. Ghabrahat dur ho gai lekin sirf ek raat me thodi ummeede jo ban gai thi woh tut gai. Lekin aap dono udaas mat hoiye… aapki toh abhi abhi shaadi hui hai… Aisa sochiye ke ab aap poori planning se wapas koshish kar sakte jab aap dono ki marzi ho.”

Sameer sighed, “thank you doctor… Naina theek hai na? Aapne kaha tha ke reports dekhke kuch supplements denge…”

“Nainaji bilkul theek hai”, the doctor assured, “chinta ki koi baat nahi. Koi supplements ki zaroorat nahi hai.”

Naina asked, “par mere periods.”

The doctor replied, “sirf exhaustion ke wajah se late hue hai… apne aap shuru ho jayenge. Main davai de sakti hun par recommend nahi karungi. Do-teen din intezaar kar lijiye… Uske baad bhi start nahi hota toh mujhse aake miliye.”

Today too the visit to the doctor hadn’t been as they had expected. Yesterday they had hoped that the pregnancy scare wasn’t true, but today there was a mixture of relief and disappointment. None of them had any idea of what to do. As they sat in the car he queried, “ghar chale?”

She shook her head, “thodi der mandir chale? Man bechain ho raha hai.”

He agreed, and drove to the temple near Rajshri park. He also went inside along with her, but just stood with folded hands not sure what to do. She closed her eyes, trying to organize her thoughts, everything that had happened since yesterday. Finally after ten minutes she felt calm as she realized that whatever happened was unavoidable, but had also helped cement a few things in their relationship. If this unexpected turn hadn’t arrived in their life then she wouldn’t have had a discussion with Sameer about it, and then the topics about periods and child would have remained untouched. This scare and tension had made them talk and share, her misconception about periods not being a topic to discuss with him, his insecurity of not being able to be a good father. This situation had also made him accept that even though he was scared about the possibility of a child, but still he was ready to welcome that phase in their life.

She turned to him, and smiled, “bahaar bethe?”

He nodded, accepting the prasad from panditji, and then went outside with her to sit on a bench. She asked, “aap theek hai na?”

He shrugged, “pata nahi… raat ko aisa laga almost sure hai…”

“Mujhe pata hai”, she replied, “lekin aisa maan lete hai ke jo hua woh bhagwaan ki marzi hai. Dekhiye na… hum dono ke beech me kitni naye baate hui. Ab jab bhi sach me baby aayega tab hum dono theek se taiyar honge.”

He held her hand, “tum udaas ho?”

She replied, “thi… par ab theek hun. Mandir aake man thoda shaant hua… Waise bhi jaise ki doctor ne kaha… hamari shaadi abhi abhi toh hui hai… Waqt hai hamare paas kaafi… aur phir… aapka second aur third honeymoon bhi toh baaki hai.”

He chuckled, feeling bit relieved, “haan… toh kab jaa rahe hai?”

“Dhatt”, she swatted his arm, blushing. They both sat at the temple for some more time, and then went home.

Couple of months went by, the small family of three had settled in their daily routine. In this meantime Sameer even bought a new mobile, and that caused a ripple of excitement in everybody. Another reason of celebration came when Naina’s short story for children was chosen to be published in the school magazine. Sameer and Naina found their own personal time over Sunday trips to nearby areas twice a month, and the remaining two Sundays were kept to meet relatives. Nanu insisted on meeting Naina’s family at least once a month, his argument being that there were no female in their house, and Naina would need her family, especially Chachiji and Preeti close sometimes. That is why on one such Sunday when they went for dinner at Agarwal house, they were informed of Chachaji’s and Tauji’s efforts to find a suitable match for Preeti. Sameer and Nanu were extremely happy at this news, and promised to come over to meet the boy’s family if required, but Naina was silent throughout this conversation.

At the first chance she got, she grabbed hold of her sister, took her inside their old room and locked the door, “yeh sab kya ho raha hai? Mujhe laga tujhko Pandit pasand hai.”

Preeti’s expressions were downcast, “haan pasand hai… bahot… lekin ghar pe kaise kuch kahu? Maine toh Pandit se bhi kabhi kuch nahi kaha hai.”

Naina frustratedly asked, “toh tu kis mahurat ka intezaar kar rahi hai? Tauji teri shaadi kahin aur tay kar denge phir baat karegi?”

Preeti sighed, “Naina, maine bahot socha iss baare me. Mujhe kuch samajh me nahi aaya… Pandit aur maine bahot kam baate ki hai… ek dusre ka phone number tak nahi hai hamare paas. Aise me main kaise kuch karu…”

Naina deliberated over the situation for a moment, then asked Preeti to wait, and went outside to the living room, to her husband, “Sameer aapka mobile denge ek minute ke liye… Mujhe ek phone karna hai.”

He handed it over without any question, and she went back to the room, quickly searched for Pandit’s number in the contact list and dialed it. She handed over the mobile to Preeti, “le baat kar.”

Preeti’s eyes widened as she took the mobile, “Naina… main kya…” But before she could finish her sentence, someone picked the phone at other end, and wished, “Hello…” Preeti closed her eyes at the voice, because she immediately recognized it to be Pandit’s and a small smile curved her lips. That was all Naina needed to see, and she snatched the mobile back, “Pandit… main Naina bol rahi hun.”

“Bhabhi…”, Pandit was surprised, “kya hua? Aap theek hai na? Sameer…”

“Hum sab theek hai”, Naina interrupted, “mujhe aapse ek zaroori baat karni hai… hamare gharwale Preeti ke liye rishta dhund rahe hai… Kya aap bhi aa sakte hai ladkewalo se milne?”

There was a silence at the other end, and then Pandit’s voice thundered, “kya? Rishta… aise kaise woh rishta dhund rahe hai? Preeti ne mujhe kuch bataya kyun nahi…”

Naina once more interrupted, “aapko kyun batayegi? Aap dono me kuch hai kya? Pasand karte ho ek dusre ko? Aur agar aapko Preeti pasand hai toh aapne kabhi usse baat kyun nahi ki? Phone number tak nahi diya usko…”

Pandit fumbled, “uh… bhabhi woh… aapki shaadi ke time pe baate hui thi… par… uske baad… samajh nahi aaya aage kaise baat karu… kai baar uske parlor bhi gaya usse milne, par baat nahi ki… mujhe laga waqt hai… dheere-dheere sab ho jayega.”

“Toh…”, she delicately asked, “iska matlab aapko Preeti pasand hai?”

“Haan”, Pandit firmly replied. She smiled, “shaadi karenge usse?”

Pandit gasped, “bhabhi… aap yeh… uhh… Preeti kya…”

Naina giggled, “mere budhdhu devarji… Preeti ko bhi aap bahot pasand hai… Main phone deti hun usko… baat kijiye.”

Preeti shook her head, her eyes wide with apprehension, but Naina thrust the phone in her hand and fiercely whispered, “aakhri chance hai tere paas… Pandit ko pasand karti hai toh saaf-saaf baat karle… Aur baki mujhpe aur Sameer pe chod de. Abhi main bahar jaa rahi hun…”

Naina went outside in the balcony, giving some privacy to her sister, and after ten minutes grinned when she felt Preeti hugging her from behind. Preeti sniffed, “thank you Naina…”

“Pagal”, Naina fondly smiled, “itna bhi nahi samajhti ke har koi itna lucky nahi hota ke pyaar bhi hua aur saare sanjog bhi beth gaye. Kabhi kabhi hume bhi mehnat karni padti hai.”

Preeti queried, “ab kya karenge?”

Naina determinedly said, “ab mujhe Sameer se baat karni hogi… Kyunki agar yeh rishta koi mumkin kar sakta hai toh woh sirf Sameer hai.”

That night in their room, when Naina came to bed, dressed in a peach night dress, Sameer immediately tugged her to him, “aaj toh kamaal lag rahi ho darling… Yeh shade bahot achcha hai…”

She smiled, “achcha… toh phir yeh pehenke hi soti hun aaj.”

“No chance…”, he assured, “thodi der hi rahega yeh… in-fact… mujhe lagta hai bas do-teen minute aur…” Saying so he leaned forward to kiss her, but she placed a hand over his lips, stoppig him, “uh uh… abhi nahi… aaj mujhe pehle kuch baat karni hai aapse.”

He whined, “Naina… subah baat karenge na… dekho aaj maine do katori meetha khaya hai… toh exercise thodi zyada karni padegi na hajam karne ke liye.”

She pouted, “Sameer please… bahot zaroori hai.”

He sighed, “okay… bolo kya hua?”

Without any kind of preliminaries, she clearly stated, “main chahti hun aap kisi tarah se Preeti ki shaadi Pandit se karwa dijiye, kyunki woh ek dusre ko pasand karte hai.”

He choked, starting to cough; she immediately rubbed his back, and he asked, “kya? Yeh tum kya bol rahi ho? Preeti… aur Pandit…? Mera dost… aur meri saali… yeh sab kab…? Kaise…?”

Naina smiled and informed, “hamare roka ke baad jab dheere-dheere hamara rishta gehra ho raha tha, usi dauran do aur rishte jud rahe the…”

He frowned in confusion, “do aur? Preeti-Pandit toh bataya tumne… dusra konsa?” She just lifter her brows, not answering in words, and after a moment he gasped, “Munna aur Swati?” She nodded, and he facepalmed, “hey bhagwaan… tab yeh sab chal raha tha…? Mujhe pata kaise nahi chala?”

She chuckled, “aap mere alawa aur kahin dhyan kahan dete the.”

He smiled and shook his head, trying to grasp the situation, “iska matlab… Pandit aur Preeti ek dusre ko pasand karte hai… par ab… Preeti ke liye rishta dhund rahe hai… Pandit ne kabhi mujhe kyun nahi bataya?”

“Unhone toh Preeti ko bhi nahi bataya tha”, Naina declared, and then narrated the entire incident from today evening. He listened on with amazement, and once more shook his head at the foolishness of his friend. If Naina hadn’t noticed this budding relationship in that one month then Preeti would have silently accepted her fate, and Pandit would have stayed clueless. He queried, “toh ab main kya karu?”

Naina pleaded, “mujhe nahi pata… par aap hi kuch kar sakte hai… kisi tarah unn dono ki shaadi karwa dijiye na.”

He tried to explain, “Naina yeh itna asaan nahi hai.”

She countered, “hamara rishta bhi toh asaan nahi tha… Kaun maanega ke theatre ke dim light me hume pyaar hua aur phir Nanaji aapka rishta leke mere ghar aaye yeh jaane bina ke hum ek dusre se pyaar karte hai? Kitna unbelievable hai… Toh phir jab hamari kahani ban sakti hai toh inki kyun nahi…”

He stared at her for a moment, and then sighed giving in, “theek hai… main koshish karunga… lekin sirf koshish… koi guarantee nahi hai… Chachaji aur baki sabki marzi bhi maaine rakhti hai… aur Pandit ke gharwale bhi…”

She flung her arms around him, “mujhe pata tha aap maan jayenge… aur mujhe yeh bhi pata hai ke aap pakka yeh mumkin kar denge.”

He fisted his hand in her hair, drawing her head back to look in her eyes, “jo bhi karunga kal karunga… abhi bas mujhe meri Naina chahiye…”

Thunder clapped outside, lightning flashed, and the atmosphere started to echo with the sound of first rains of the season. She smiled, glancing at the window for a moment, and then back at her husband. Her lips parted in invitation, her eyes heavy with desire, “toh maine kahan roka hai…” He dipped to kiss her, and her hands slithered beneath the hem of his t-shirt, skimming up his bare chest, and soon their sounds of pleasure were lost in the pattering of rains on glass windows.

The next day Sameer kept thinking about how to address the situation, he couldn’t just waltz up to Chachaji and demand that he get Preeti married to Pandit. He would have to find some other way to make it happen. However, the opportunity came across through Nanu, who walked in at lunch time and declared, “aree Sameer… tumhare sasural baat hui abhi.”

He glanced up from the file he was reviewing, “kisse?”

“Anandji se”, Nanu sat down on a chair, “keh rahe the ke jin ladkewalo se baat chal rahi thi unn logo ne Preeti ki photo dekhke mana kar diya… Kaha ladki ka rang thoda saawla hai.”

Sameer looked incredulous, “saawla rang? Yeh bhi koi wajah hoti hai mana karneki?”

Nanu chuckled, “haan… arrange marriage me hota hai. Ab har koi tumhari tarah toh hota nahi hai ke pyaar karle chupke-chupke aur phir usi ladki se arrange marriage ka rishta leke milne jaaye.”

Sameer shook his head, “Nanu… mujhe toh pata bhi nahi tha ke uss din hum Naina… matlab meri Naina se milne jaa rahe hai. Agle din hi shaam ko theatre me dekha tha aur pyaar ho gaya tha… par samajh nahi aa raha tha kya karu… yeh toh kismat thi ke main usse wapas mil paaya, aur uss din agar aapne bataya nahi hota ke ladki ka naam Naina hai toh main shayad milne bhi nahi jaata. Par jab aapse naam suna toh laga kya pata shayad thoda chance ho…”

Nanu smiled, “kismat wale ho tum ke jisse pyaar karte the woh mil gai… Aur main bhi ke Naina jaisi bahu mili hai… Khair… main Preeti ki baat kar raha tha… Anandji keh rahe the ke rang ki wajah se dusre kai jagah pe rishte ki baat ched nahi paa rahe. Jin panditji se unhone baat ki hai, unke paas ladke toh bahot hai par sabko saaf rang wali ladki chahiye… Isiliye woh bol rahe the ke agar hamare nazar me koi ladka ho to hum bataye.”

Sameer felt his heart skip a beat… This was it… The perfect opportunity… But how should he introduce Pandit? Nanu was oblivious to the thoughts racing in his grandson’s head, and continued, “main soch raha tha… Vishakha ki nanand hai na, jo Mumbai me rehti hai… Rekha… Uske bete Vishal ka rishta kaisa rahega?”

“Nahi”, Sameer piped up, “umm… mera matlab… Mumbai toh bahot dur hai na… Yahan Ahmedabad me koi rishta mile toh zyada achcha hoga.”

Nanu agreed, “achcha toh hoga… lekin meri nazar me koi hai nahi Ahmedabad me. Tum kisiko jaante ho kya?”

Sameer thought for a moment, and then said, “uh… actually… Naina ki nazar me koi hai… Usne kal raat hi mujhse baat ki aur main soch hi raha tha ke yeh baat ko chedu kaise.”

Nanu queried, “ladka kaun hai?”

“Pandit”, Sameer informed.

Nanu was surprised, “tumhara dost? Par… kyun? Kahin woh dono bhi toh…”

Sameer immediately clarified, “nahi nahi Nanu… mere aur Naina jaisa nahi hai… par kya hai na… hamara roka hua tab hum sab achche dost jaise ban gaye. Preeti aur Pandit pehle ladte the lekin dheere dheere sab theek ho gaya… Pyaar nahi hai ab tak par pasand karte hai… Mujhe toh yeh pata bhi nahi tha, Naina ne bataya… Lekin Preeti kisiko bata nahi sakti yeh sab, aur bina kisi connection ke Pandit rishta nahi bhej sakta…”

“Hmmm…”, Nanu linked his fingers, lifting them to his chin, thinking over, and then said, “tum aaj baat kyun nahi karte Anandji se… Agar woh baat aage badhaneko taiyar ho toh Pandit ke ghar pe hum log baat karenge.”

Sameer’s eyes windened, “lekin main kaise baat kar sakta hun Chachaji se…”

Nanu urged, “kyun nahi kar sakte… Tum damaad ho uss ghar ke… Anandji iss baat ko samjhenge ke tum achcha hi sochoge.”

After a bit of thought Sameer agreed to the idea. And later in the evening, he called up Chachaji, asking him to meet. Anand met him at the agreed upon restaurant, and after Sameer placed orders for tea, he queried, “kya baat hai beta… Naina ke baare me koi baat hai? Meri beti se koi galti hui kya? Kuch hua bhi ho toh…”

“Chachaji”, Sameer interrupted, “aap aisa kyun soch rahe hai? Naina meri patni hai… Main uski shikayat aapse kyun karunga. Agar mere aur Naina ke beech me koi problem hogi bhi toh woh hum dono milke suljha lenge… Shaadi aur pyaar me yahi hota hai na?”

Anand exhaled in relief, “haan hota toh hai… par aapne aise bulaya toh bas main thoda pareshan ho gaya.”

Sameer smiled, “maine Naina ke baare me nahi, Preeti ke baare me baat karne bulaya aapko… Nanu ne mujhe bataya ke aap log jin logo se baat kar rahe the rishte ki unhone mana kar diya.”

The waiter came to place two cups of tea along with dishes of vegetable sandwich. Anand waited until the waiter left, and then said, “haan… hamare samajh me twacha ke rang ka itna prabhav hai aaj bhi ke hairaani hoti hai… Panditji ne kaafi jagah rishte ki baat karne se bhi mana kar diya hai isi wajah se. Mujhe koi jaldi nahi hai Preeti ki shaadi ki, bas yeh nahi chahta ke baar ladkewale naa bole aur meri bachchi ko dukh ho…”

Sameer gently queried, “aapne Nanu ko kaha tha ke agar unke nazar me koi rishta ho toh…”

Anand gazed up hopefully, “haan kaha tha maine… koi hai kya?”

Sameer gestured him to have his tea, and then said, “ek ladka hai… meri nazar me… agar aapko aitraaz na ho toh.”

“Mujhe aitraaz kyun hoga”, Anand assured, “aap achcha hi chahenge. Lekin aise hi kisi se bhi rishte ki baat karna… pata nahi mumkin hoga ke nahi.”

Sameer sipped his tea, “aap fikar mat kijiye… agar aap uss ladke se milne ko taiyar hote hai toh Nanu aur main ladkewalo ke ghar pe baat karenge.”

Anand was surprised, “sach me? Ladka kaun hai? Kaisa hai? Koi tasveer…”

Sameer chuckled, “aapko tasveer ki zaroorat nahi hai… Aap ladke se mil chuke hai.”

Puzzled, Anand queried, “kaun?”

“Mera dost”, Sameer informed, “Pandit…” Anand was stunned, and Sameer hastily added, “meri puri baat sunn lijiye pehle… Munna, Pandit aur main saath me padhe hue hai… main bahot saalo se unko jaanta hun. Pandit mere saath hi kaam karta hai… Uski poori guarantee main leta hun… Masti karta hai bahot lekin dil ka bahot achcha hai… Aur mujhe yaqeen hai ke woh Preeti ko bahot khush rakhega.”

Anand toyed with his empty cup of tea, “beta baat woh nahi hai… Aapne kaha toh ladka achcha hi hoga… Lekin aapke dost hai matlab… mera matlab… hamari hesiyat… pata nahi yeh sahi hoga ke nahi.”

Sameer leaned forward a bit, “Chachaji… aap yeh sab kya soch rahe hai? Shaadi me agar koi samaj, caste, paise, social status yeh sab dekh raha hai toh main kahunga waise ghar me aapko apni beti ki shaadi karni hi nahi chahiye… Main jaanta hun ke yeh sab baate kahin na kahin maaine rakhte hai shaadi ki baat karte waqt, par aise bhi ladkewale hote hai jo inn baato pe dhyan nahi dete.”

Anand kept thinking for a couple of minutes, and then asked, “unka naam Pandit hai?”

Sameer laughed, “nahi… pura naam toh Purshottam Pandit hai… par hum sab Pandit hi bulate hai.”

Anand smiled, “main ghar pe baat karta hun aaj… mere khayal se aapne kaha hai toh sab milneko toh taiyar ho hi jayenge. Phir bhi…”

“Koi baat nahi”, Sameer assured, “aap baat karke dekhiye… mujhe phone pe bata dijiyega.” Anand nodded, his spirit lifting a bit at this proposal for his daughter. Sameer knew he had hit the right mark, and smiled, “um… ek-ek chai aur mangvaate hai… sandwich toh khaya hi nahi humne.”

Couple of hours later when he went home and shared the meeting details with Naina, she ecstatically hugged him, and then prayed to God to sort everything out. By that night he was sure that God did listen to Naina, because Chachaji called and said that they were ready to meet Pandit’s family. Nanu managed to talk to Pandit’s father, and also showed them Preeti’s photo from Sameer-Naina’s wedding album. The meeting was done two days later, and to everyone’s joy Pandit’s parents really liked Preeti’s jovial nature. Customary questions were asked, but when Preeti accepted honestly that she wasn’t so good at cooking, Pandit hastily assured that sometimes they could eat outside. Bela assured that she would teach more to her daughter, but Pandit’s mother said that such responsibilities can be shared after wedding and slowly Preeti would learn. Pandit’s father jokingly commented that even managing Pandit was an excruciatingly tough task, so if Preeti can manage that then they were okay with the lack of cooking skills. Needless to say Pandit and Preeti also said they were ready to marry each other, albeit after a customary chat where all they did was talk about movies and food.

The roka was done two weeks later and wedding date was fixed for the month of November. Preparations started, especially shopping, and Sameer found Nanu ecstatic for this wedding as well. Few of the family members did worry about such a huge expense for the second time in a year, as there was just a gap of few months between Naina and Preeti’s wedding. Nanu and Sameer knew they couldn’t offer any help, but they did whatever they could without disrespecting the emotions of the Agarwal family. When Sameer took over the responsibility for Pandit’s sherwani and other items, Anand hesitated, and even Tauji said it wouldn’t look good. But Naina said that Sameer was doing it for his brother, and she was doing it for her devar…

In October, the Maheshwari family did a short trip to Jaipur for their kuldevi darshan, and Naina spent two full days in shopping much to her husband’s astonishment. One afternoon, in-front of a saree shop, Sameer complained, “tum itni shopping kabse karne lagi? Aaj subah se ek kiss bhi nahi mila hai mujhe… Subah late utha, aur tumne Nanu ke saath walk ka plan bana rakha tha… Aur phir breakfast ke baad se shopping hi kare jaa rahe hai…”

Naina smiled, holding his hand, “Preeti ke liye thode cheeze liye the kal… Aur Swati ke liye bhi, kyunki jaldi hi uski shaadi ki baat bhi hone lagegi. Aaj sirf mere liye shopping karni hai.”

He quirked a brow, “tumhare liye? Seriously? Shaadi se pehle toh shopping ke naam se hi neend aa jaati thi tumhe… ab kya hua?”

“Shaadi ho gai”, she promptly replied, “iss baar Preeti ki shaadi me sab mujhe Agarwal khandan ki beti nahi Maheshwari khandaan ke bahu ke roop me dekhenge… Zaroori hai ke har ek function me main Mrs. Naina Sameer Maheshwari lagu… Isiliye yeh shopping…”

He immediately forgot every complain he had, and grinned, “main choose karunga saree… chalo…”

As they walked through the market looking for a place to eat after lunch, Sameer spotted a shop with window displays of night gowns, and he recalled the black polythene bag that had come along with Naina’s suitcase. They made love almost every night, Naina had shed so many inhibitions, but she still wouldn’t get out of bed naked at all, and also she never asked for anything specific. Did she not have any wishes? Or fantasies? Was she still shy? No… He recalled the way she had pushed him on bed last night after Nanu had gone to his own room… Naina wasn’t shy anymore, but maybe she didn’t ask or express because she didn’t know that there could be more ways… or rather places… She hadn’t ever replied when he had said that he wanted to be in bathroom with her in Mussoorie. She didn’t know that the nighties she had supposedly thrown in dustbin were actually stashed hidden in their cupboard. If he asked, would she wear those for him? And when should he ask? He couldn’t decide on a way to ask, neither any opportunity. Anyways… The nighties were back at home, so maybe he should wait to think until they reached Ahmedabad.

As the wedding day approached closer, Naina’s visits to Agarwal house became frequent. And then Preeti put forth a demand that Sameer could neither refuse nor accept with happiness. Before getting married Preeti wanted Naina to stay back at Agarwal house for 2-3 days so that the sisters could spend time together like they used to do before Naina’s wedding… Sameer was extremely reluctant of this idea, but on seeing Naina’s excited face he couldn’t refuse, though he wondered how he would ever sleep without holding her in his arms. Nanu understood his frustration, and explained that wedding didn’t mean that the girl never returns to her parental house, and that there will be days when Naina would want to spend time like she used to do before with her Chacha-Chachi and sister. Sameer understood all this, and he wasn’t averse to the idea of her going to Agarwal house, but he couldn’t help thinking of the loneliness that caved in from all sides whenever she wasn’t with him. That’s why he didn’t even like to go on business trips without her… Be it one night or more, every day without her was stifling. But he didn’t want to burden Naina with all this, and so he tried to think of ways to spend time when she wasn’t here… Maybe he could invite Munna and Pandit over, and they can spend the night together, like they used to do in school and college time sometimes. That was a good idea…

And so a week later, he found himself cossetted inside his room, eating pizza and watching movie with Munna and Pandit. It was the second night without Naina… Last night he had tossed and turned sleeping in the middle of the big bed with Munna and Pandit on either side of him, both of whom had no trouble in falling asleep, and had been snoring spectacularly by 3am. But he had barely been able to sleep, even though he had talked to Naina over the phone for more than thirty minutes… Each time he dozed off for a bit, his eyes would suddenly pop open after a minute or so, thinking as if Naina called his name, or she was tugging on his shirt, or she was cold and needed to hug him… But every time he woke up all he found was his two friends… And so tonight they had made plans to watch movie… It was late, but Sameer thought that if he was tired enough then probably he could fall asleep. About mid-way in the movie, when the hero-heroine hugged, Sameer felt his mood drop by several degrees, and he abandoned his ice-cream bowl, standing up to go to the balcony.

Pandit understood the situation immeditately, and after a quick discussion with Munna, suggested, “Sameer… sunn na… chal bahar chalte hai… drive pe.”

Sameer instantly recalled the way Naina would roll down the window and lean towards it, enjoying the breeze on their evening drives. He sighed, “nahi yaar… man nahi hai…”

Munna prodded, “pakka? Hum toh soch rahe the gaadi ka rukh zara Nirmal Jyoti Society ki taraf mod lenge.”

Sameer swiftly turned to look at his friends to find them grinning, and he couldn’t help the smile that lit up his entire face. The three friends quickly dressed up, and tip-toed out of the house, pushed the car out of the gates, and then only started it, afraid that Nanu would hear the sound. As they were driving, Pandit suddenly said, “aree… ruko ruko… mera matlab railway station ke taraf se lete hai.”

Sameer slowed down, “itna ghumke kyun jaana hai?”

Pandit explained, “kyunki wahi pe koi dukaan khuli milegi… aise raat ko jaa rahe hai toh saath me unka gussa shaant karne ke liye chocolates bhi le jaani padegi na.”

Munna agreed, “haan achcha idea hai… aaj toh Swati bhi hogi wahi pe… Kuch toh leke jaana hi padega.”

Sameer also thougt that it was a good idea, and so he turned towards the railway station. He had no idea of how Naina would react, or how they would even meet the women without waking up the entire family. After getting a stock of dairy milk, he asked his friends, “hum Naina ke ghar pe kya bolenge?”

Munna was puzzled, “ghar pe? Shaadi ke baad akkal ghutne me chali gai hai kya?”

Pandit laughed, “bhai… gharwalo ke saamne announce nahi karna… chup-chupke milna hai.”

“Phone karke neeche bula sakte hai”, Sameer suggested, and then immediately added, “par… phone ki awaaz sabko sunai dega.”

Munna shrugged, “dekhte hai udhar jaake… Kuch toh pata chal hi jayega.”

They parked the car a lane away from the society, and then went inside the compound, looking around for a way. Pandit suddenly pointed at something and said in hushed tones, “udhar dekho… seedi hai… usse upar pahonch sakte hai.”

Sameer and Munna agreed, and then the three of them put up the ladder against the balcony of Naina-Preeti’s room, and climbed up one-by-one. Sameer peeked inside the bedroom and on seeing the three women sleeping, he grumbled, “kamaal hai… yahan mujhe poori raat neend nahi aati aur yeh dekho… ghode bechke so rahi hai.”

Pandit whispered, “ab kya kare? Wapas chale? Inko uthayenge toh teeno awaaz karenge.”

Munna also said that they should go back, but Sameer smiled, “nahi… ek minute do mujhe bas… Naina abhi uth jayegi.”

He pulled out his mobile, switched on something, and then placed the instrument on the headboard of the bed, just above Naina’s head. Soon a deep voice muttered in a husky tone, “hey darling…” It was a recording of his own voice, that Naina had captured once in night, to show him the difference in his voice modulation because he hadn’t believed it when she had said it was different just before they were going to make love.

Naina gasped, sitting upright on bed immediately, “Sameer…” She turned to look, and was puzzled on seeing the mobile, and then a movement caught her attention. Her husband was waving at her from outside the window, and his two friends were also there, the three of them grinning stupidly. She quickly opened the balcony door, “Sameer… aap… aap log yahan…”

Sameer couldn’t reply, he was lost in staring at her, his lips curved in a wide smile, his heart beating hard. Naina asked once more, but then on seeing the look in his eyes realized that she was not going to get a reply in words… And it was pretty obvious why he was here… She looked at Munna-Pandit and whispered, “ek minute… main Preeti aur Swati ko uthati hun, phir aap dono andar jaana.”

The boys waited until Naina shook the two women awake, who were immensely surprised at this visit. Naina came outside and gestured the two men to go inside, and warned, “awaaz bilkul nahi…”

Left alone with her husband, she closed the balcony door, held his hand, and tugged him to sit on the floor amid the flower pots. She gazed at him for a moment, and then simply hugged him, finally feeling bliss when his hands also wrapped around her. He dipped his nose in her hair, breathing in the familiar fragrance of her shampoo, and murmured, “I missed you…”

“Maine bhi aapko bahot miss kiya”, she whispered, nuzzling his chest, his throat, surprised at the contentment she felt on just being hugged by him.

They just sat there in each other’s arms, their ears buzzing with the whispered conversations inside the room, but none of them paid any attention to it. After few minutes, he gently queried, “ghar kab aaogi Naina? Tumhare bina kuch achcha nahi lagta.”

She looked up him, and smiled, reaching up to brush a kiss against his jaw. Her hand skimmed up his neck, the side of his face, going into his hair, and then she pulled him down for an extremely brief and soft kiss. It barely lasted for a few seconds, but Sameer felt as if it had breathed life in him. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste of her on his lips, and then muttered, “theek hai… ek din aur reh lo… Par uske baad nahi.”

She chuckled, “yeh rishwat nahi tha… yeh toh isiliye tha kyunki mujhe bhi aapke bina achcha nahi lag raha. Kal shaam ko aapka aur Nanaji ka dinner yahan pe hai, main subah phone karne wali thi batane ke liye… Uske baad, aap logo ke saath hi main chal chalungi…”

His eyes lit up, “sach?”

She nodded, “haan… lekin mujhe ek gift chahiye ghar aane pe.”

He pinched her nose lightly, “bataona kya chahiye? Jo bologi dunga…”

She shyly demanded, “mujhe sardi ke mausam me kohre se ghiri hui vaadiya aur pahad dekhne hai.”

His brows furrowed, “matlab? Vaadiya aur pahad main kal kahan se laaunga?”

She shook her head, smiling shyly, “yeh sab nahi laa sakte… lekin Darjeeling ki ticket toh laa sakte hai na.”

“Darjeeling?” He queried puzzled, and then gasped, “tum… tum ghumne jaana chahti ho?”

She nodded, “haan… Preeti ki shaadi ke baad woh log honeymoon ke liye Manali jaane ka soch rahe hai… toh maine socha…”

“Hamara second honeymoon”, he murmured, his voice laced with excitement, and enthusiastically pulled her in a tight hug, “I love you Naina… I love you so much…”

A knock on the door interrupted them, someone cleared his throat, and then Pandit asked, “hum bahar aa jaaye?”

Sameer chuckled as he drew back from Naina and stood up, and then helped her too, “haan aa jao.”

Naina smiled at the men and asked, “ho gai baate?”

Munna clucked his tongue, “haan ho toh gai… par pehle lecture sunna pada… pata nahi kya kya toh bola…”

“Shaadi se pehle aise nahi milte… Kuch toh sharam karo”, Pandit mimicked Preeti’s voice. Preeti and Swati glared at them, and Pandit hastily added, “par ab hum samajh gaye… aisi harkate shaadi se pehle nahi karneki, ya phir karo toh baato ki shuruat hi dairy milk se karneki.”

Naina asked, confused, “dairy milk?”

Sameer grinned, “oh haan… main bhi laaya tha tumhare liye… socha tum daantogi toh tumko manane ke liye use karunga…” Then he looked at his friends and raised his collar, “par mujhe toh daant padi hi nahi…”

Naina chuckled, taking the dairy milk from his hands, “aap pehli baar thodi naa aaye hai mujhse aise milne… shaadi se pehle bhi aa chuke hai.”

That was a news for his friends who immediately demanded details, but Sameer said, “yahan nahi… ghar jaake batata hun… chalo abhi yahan se.”

All three women watched the men leave, and then went back to sleep. Sameer narrated the entire incident of his adventure before wedding to his friends while driving, and then upon reaching home, he fell asleep with a content smile on his face.

The next few weeks were busy with the wedding festivities… Guests arrived… Rituals were done… Preeti was a fussy bride as she had questions about almost everything she was made to do. Sameer enjoyed being a part of the wedding as he hadn’t been able to see most of these rituals in his own wedding. Also, he liked to see Naina occupied in the several stuff that seemed to pop up during rituals. And everytime someone called Naina to take part in some ritual that was specifically for married women, he stood watching her, grinning foolishly, earning quite a few comments about how he was tied to his wife’s pallu. He didn’t mind it at all… He was extremely happy about his friend and saali; he even helped Munna by making Poonam bhabhi comment about Swati’s beauty in-front of his parents, so that they would notice her and think she might be good for Munna. There was a debate on if Sameer and Naina would arrive with the baraat or rather stay back and welcome the baraat. It was difficult to decide as Pandit was his friend and Preeti was Naina’s sister. But finally the couple came to an agreement, and they started off with the baraat, but mid-way Naina left in their car and came to Agarwal house, so she could be present to welcome the baraat. As soon as the procession reached the society lane, Sameer came up to the bride’s side welcoming party and stood by his wife as they greeted everyone. When it was time to help Pandit down from the mare, he helped Munna, and watched in happiness as Chachiji did his tilak. The next moment he was surprised when Naina came forward to do his tilak, but happily complied, grinning as she sprinkled flowers on him. She looked away from a moment when someone called, and Sameer picked up a handful of flowers, showering it on her, and winked as she looked at him in astonishment. They stood side-by-side watching the wedding ceremony, the phera, the sindurdaan, and reminisced their own special day. Sameer wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her firmly by his side, and leaned down to whisper, “paanch din baad… Darjeeling… yaad hai na?”

She looked up at him with a smile, “kaise bhul sakti hun…”

Sameer had bought the tickets for their second honeymoon just as she had demanded, and presented them to her when she had returned home. He happily remembered their long and slow lovemaking that night, and mumbled in her ear, “honeymoon pe main ek gift mangunga… Agar tumhe sahi lage, toh dogi?”

She didn’t even ask him any details, neither did any caution flash on her face. Instead her eyes were shining with love and trust as she assured, “haan… aap jo mangenge dungi.”

Four days later they waved off Preeti and Pandit on their way to Manali. And the next day they settled down on their flight to Kolkata, for their Darjeeling trip. It took them a 2.5 hour flight, an overnight journey in train, and then 3 more hours by car to finally reach the hotel Sameer had booked.  They were extremely tired that day, and after a hasty lunch they had chosen to take a quick nap, because Sameer had said that he wouldn’t let the first night of their honeymoon be wasted. Naina had chuckled but happily obliged, cuddling in his arms. They had spent the evening to roam around in nearby gardens, and then had dinner at a local restaurant. And then finally they had gone back to the hotel and freshened up for the night. Usually as soon as she came out of bathroom, Sameer would pull her in for a kiss, but tonight he made her sit on the bed, and said, “maine kaha tha mujhe gift chahiye… yaad hai?”

She nodded, “haan… kahiye.”

Biting his lip, he pulled out a bag from beneath the pillow, offering it to her, “mere liye yeh pehnogi? Koi zabardasti nahi hai… Agar tumhe theek lage toh hi…”

She curiously opened the bag and peered inside, gasping, “y… yeh toh…” Pulling out the blush pink nightie, she gulped, “yeh yahan kaise… yeh toh maine…”

“Phenk diya tha”, Sameer finished, “lekin Phulla bua-dadi aur Chachiji ne wapas tumhare bag me rakh diya.”

Still stunned at the way the nightie had appeared in-front of her, she asked, “par… aapko kaise…”

He once again answered before she could finish, “mujhe Phulla bua-dadi ne kaha tha ke tumhare suitcase me black bag dhundu… Jis din tum cupboard me sab rakh rahi thi, usi din mujhe mila, aur maine chupa diya. Itne din samajh nahi aa raha tha ke tumhe kaise batau… par phir jab tumne second honeymoon wali baat ki toh maine socha ke yahan bolunga pehenne ko.”

She was silent for a moment and then asked, “bag me ek hi tha…?”

He smiled, “nahi… chaar hai… sab laaya hun… par aaj ke liye yeh choose kiya maine.”

Glancing at the nightie, she bit her lip, “aap sach me chahte hai ke main yeh pehnu?”

He nodded, “haan… par agar tum chaho toh hi… waise mujhe pata nahi tumne yeh phenk kyun diye the… matlab… agar tumhe lovemaking ke baare me kuch bhi nahi pata hota toh main samajhta bhi… lekin hamari shaadi ke baad toh pehel tumne hi ki… phir yeh kyun phenk diye the?”

She took a deep breath and tried to explain, “aapko yaad hai na Mussoorie me jab humne din me… uh… l..lovemaking…” He smiled at her brave attempt and held her hand, offering her support. She continued, “tab… maine… uh… maine aapko bataya tha ke sab kehte hai main sundar nahi hun, isiliye nahi chahti thi ke aap mujhe waise dekhe.” He nodded, and she added, “nightie jab kharide tab bhi yahi socha tha… ke aapke saamne yeh sab kaise pehen sakti hun… yeh nightie dhakte kam hai, dikhate zyada hai… mujhme itni himmat nahi thi.”

He lifted his hand, cupping her face, “meri Naina iss duniya ki sabse khoobsurat ladki hai… meri biwi, meri jaan, mera sab kuch hai…”

She rubbed her cheek on his palm, “jaanti hun main aapke liye kya hun… sach kahu… aapko toh mere normal night dresses bhi achche lagte the, toh mujhe kabhi yeh nighties yaad hi nahi aaye.”

He chuckled, “haan… mujhe sab achcha lagta hai… par phir bhi mujhe dekhna hai tumko yeh pehne hue…”

She smiled, “maine kaha tha ke aap jo mangenge dungi… abhi change karke aati hun…”

He waited with bated breath as she went inside the bathroom to change, and when the door clicked open, he immediately stood up. Naina stepped out in the pink nightie that clung to her curves like a second skin, the flowy stain swirling around her legs as she walked slowly. The robe was tied at her waist, but parted at the neck to give him a glimpse of the lacy edge of nightie. His eyes raked over her from head to toe, his blood pulsing thick and hot, and he felt himself harden and stretch in the confines of his track. She stopped a feet away from him, her eyes full of questions and hope.

A minute passed, and then he covered the gap between them in a single step, wrapping his arms around her waist lightly, and kissed her forehead. “Tum itni khoobsurat lag rahi ho ke mere paas shabd hi nahi hai”, he murmured, peppering kisses over her face.

Her hands fisted on his t-shirt, she gasped as she felt his hand tug at the knot of her robe, and said in a voice laced with desire, “aapko bolke batane ki zaroorat nahi hai.”

Before he could rid her of her robe, she tugged his t-shirt off and he complied, helping her. When she hugged him, he gasped, feeling the satin rub against his bare skin. His lips wandered over her shoulders as the robe slipped down to the floor, and then he picked her up, carrying her to the bed. Her hand held on to his shoulders, pulling him down on top of her… Their lips met in a heated frenzy, seeking, demanding, dancing in a rhythm that was familiar to both of them. His clever fingers found their way over her body, rubbing, kneading, finding spots of pleasure he knew so well. Her palms roved over his muscular back, astonished at the tensile strength he possessed… She traced a nail down the deep groove of his spine, feeling a thrill course through her body on feeling him shudder.

This man… This big strong man would shiver and groan at her tiniest actions, and it made her feel powerful… The way his impatient hands tugged at her nightie made her feel desirable… The way his mouth sought every bit of naked flesh to taste made her feel loved… The way he grumbled at the inconvenience of pulling away for less than a minute to put on the condom made her feel needed… The way he looked down at her with intense focus as he parted her legs, and filled her with a single slow thrust made her feel treasured…

She wrapped her legs around his hip, opening to him fully, giving over to her own need, her moans urging him to increase his pace. He kissed her lips, her face, anywhere he could reach… His hands couldn’t stop exploring her body… She kissed his shoulder, his jaw, her nails digging into the pads of muscles on his back, eliciting groans of dark delight from him. “Naina”, he hoarsely whispered in her ear. The need evident in his voice suddenly made her entire body clench, heat blazed through her, tossing her on the shore of sensation, where she floated away like a helpeless torn leaf on waves… He heard his name from her lips, the loud moan grinding through his gut, and he squeezed his eyes shut as light exploded behind his eye-lids, the ectasy shimmering through his nerves like a bubbly champagne, and he felt her envelope him in her arms as he drowned helplessly in her.

Later, after a customary trip to bathroom, as they almost snoozed in each other’s arms, he sleepily murmured, “mujhe toh yaqeen nahi ho raha ke tum yeh nightie phekne wali thi.”

She nuzzled against his chest, “phenk toh aapne bhi diya… pata nahi subah kahan milega.”

With great effort he lifted his head once to check, and informed, “chair pe pada hai…”

She tilted her head back to look at his throat, “itni dur kaise gaya?”

“Kal wapas pehenna tab dekhenge kaise itni dur jaata hai”, he playfully suggested.

She chuckled, and yawned, closing her eyes once more, “kal mujhe red wala pehenna hai.”

He smirked at his wife’s demand, and dozed off happily anticipating the pleasurable days in Darjeeling.