Always and Forever
Part - 13: The Beginning of Questions

The morning was silent, and had undertones of anger, that was yet to be unleashed. The clock ticked 11am, and Munna shifted uncomfortably in his chair wondering what had he done wrong as Sameer paced the cabin like an angry lion, muttering under his breath. Gayatri came in with a bunch of files, and threw a surprised look at her boss, who was behaving extremely unusual today. Ever since the wedding had been fixed, Sameer would be in perfect cheery mood in office, but today the sky seemed overcast. She raised her eyes at Munna in silent question, who shrugged fidgeting with a pen nervously.

“Sir”, Gayatri tried calling nervously.

“Kya…”, Sameer whirled about to yell, but calmed his voice on seeing the person who had called, “sorry Didi, kahiye kya baat hai?”

Gayatri smiled, “production files rakh di hai. Aap thik to hai na? Coffee bhijwau?”

“Thoda zeher bhijwado”, Sameer mumbled. He looked up again, and desperately asked, “Didi, jab aapki shaadi hui thi usse pehle Jijaji se baat nai karne dete the kya aapke gharwale?”

A moment of silence prevailed, and then Munna and Gayatri let out surprised laughter. Munna sniggered, standing up, “toh isiliye bhuke sher ki tarah chakkar laga raha hai cabin ke? Bhabhi se baat nahi ho paai?”

Sameer glared at his friend. Gayatri didi composed herself, “sir, jab meri shaadi hui thi to main Payal ke papa se shaadi se pehle ek baar hi mili thi, woh bhi gharwalo ke saamne. Uske alawa koi baat nahi hui thi. Aap to fir bhi lucky ho ke Naina se mil paate ho, aur roz baat bhi karte ho.”

“Karta tha”, Sameer sat down with a huff, “anyways thank you Didi.”

Gayatri smiled and excused herself, leaving the friends to talk. Munna looked at his friend’s annoying expression and asked, “hua kya batayega?”

Sameer rubbed his forehead, “yaar do din ho gaye Naina se mile hue. Raat ko roz baat hoti thi, par ab jab bhi call karta hun, phone engaged hota hai. Aur din main call karu to without fail Taiji zarur beech me aa jaati hai.”

Munna frowned, “par raat ko bhabhi ka phone engaged kyun hoga?”

Sameer fumbled looking for some excuse. Munna and Swati didn’t know about Rohan and Preeti yet, and he didn’t want to spill the secret until Preeti was ready. “Aree woh, hai koi rishtedaar unke”, he tried to give a false excuse.

“Achcha khair chod yeh baato ko, chal kaam khatam karte hai”, Sameer abjectly picked up a file.

It had been two days since Naina and he had met. The half-finished date had led to such purely romantic moments that it still took his breath away. Naina. His Naina. God, he could never imagine that she could be so outspoken and so bold. The way she had kissed his chest, his throat, shared that chocolate with him. He thought he could happily discard all his t-shirts and wear shirts every day for his whole life. And then, she had fell asleep in his arms. At first, he had been worried, wondering if it was her periods because of which she was in pain or so much tired. But then, he had recalled she never looked tired during her periods in college. He had let her sleep, and adored her innocent face, not realizing when he himself fell asleep. He had woken up when she had moved away from him, and opened his eyes to find her seated beside him with a confused expression on her face. On realizing that she had kissed him and then fallen asleep right on top of him, her cheeks had turned into the brightest shade of crimson. He smiled, recalling the feel of her in his arms, and felt happy imagining the many nights when she could sleep exactly like that.

He had dropped Naina home that evening, with a promise to call that night. Only he hadn’t anticipated the phone being engaged because of the new love birds. The first night he had thought, it might be some technical problem, but next morning he had got to know the real reason from Naina. On one side he was happy for his brother, but at the other hand he begrudged the time he couldn’t talk to Naina. Talking to her during the day was akin to mission impossible, because of her extremely interfering family. Chachiji never disturbed them, but Taiji never failed to saunter in between. Sometimes Sameer felt that there was a connecting line in Taiji’s house that let her know exactly when he was calling Naina. He was itching to meet her, and wondered when would all the preparations and shopping start, that way he would have excuse to spend more time with Naina.

At Agarwal house, the morning started in a cheerful mood, but that didn’t last long. Tauji and Taiji came in to have early morning tea and started the discussion about wedding preparations, which naturally led to tiffs between Taiji and Rakesh. Naina looked on dejectedly as again her father didn’t fail to express how little she meant for him. Chachaji took leave from office and stayed back to handle the situation. Preeti also called up at her parlour and excused herself for the day, nothing would make her leave her sister’s side in such situations.

“Bade bhaisaab thik keh rahe hai, aaj kal shaadi achche hall se karvate hai”, Chachaji tried to reason, “hume ek bada sa party plot aur hall book karna hi hoga.”

Rakesh yelled, “to karo na. Main kahan mana kar raha hun, main to bas yeh keh raha hun ke mujhse kuch umeed mat rakhna. Main bas apni taraf se tohfa dunga.”

The discussions escalated as everyone tried to convince her father that he too had responsibility towards sharing the wedding expenses. Chachaji had saved money, but there were so many expenses in wedding, and the wedding halls were not cheap, and good ones that could match up the status of Maheshwari family were definitely extremely expensive.

Naina sat almost emotionless, as if witnessing the scene through a veil. She didn’t understand why something that should be a matter of happiness turned into a reason of family feuds in this house. She hadn’t met Sameer for two days, hadn’t even talked to him properly, but the memories of the day they had spent together had kept her spirits up. How could she forget the way he had taken care of her? The way he had kissed her, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. The way he had reassured her and made her comfortable to talk about intimate topics. The way she had kissed him. The sheer bliss of sleeping in his arms. The five days he had been away for work, had been difficult for her too. She had relived their first kiss probably a hundred times each day. Her sleep had been disturbed with dreams. Finally, when she had found herself in his arms, cocooned in his warmth, she had never realized when she had dropped off to sleep, and that too on top of him. It didn’t feel like there were still two months for them to get married, it seemed like they were already together, sharing everything in their life. The home, the room, him, nothing felt unknown to her.

A loud comment about futile expenses on her wedding brought her out of reverie. It was her father, again, telling he need not worry as Maheshwaris could handle the wedding expense if they wanted. Right then Naina decided something, and she asked Preeti to come with her.

Chachiji stopped them, “aree beta tum dono kahan jaa rahe ho?”

Naina collected her purse, “mujhe stationery ki dukan se kuch kharidna hai, aap sab log baat kijiye hum 15 minutes me aa jayenge.”

She didn’t wait for permission from others, just pulled Preeti along with her.

“Naina, bata to hum jaa kahan rahe hai”, Preeti asked as they exited their society.

“PCO booth, mujhe Sameer se baat karni hai”, she replied.

Preeti jerked to a stop, staring at her sister, “kya? Tu yeh baate jijaji ko batane ka to nahi soch rahi na?” Naina nodded without hesitation.

“Dekh, aisa mat kar. Ghar pe pata chala to mushkil ho jayegi”, Preeti suggested.

Naina started walking again, “nahi Preeti. Main thak gayi hun inn jhagdo se. Mujhe bhi pata hai ke ghar ki baate bahar nai karni chahiye, par main Sameer ko sab kuch bata sakti hun. Woh koi galat matlab nai nikalega.”

Preeti thought about it, “lekin agar jijaji ne gusse me kuch kar diya to… Rakesh tauji ki baate sunke…”, she trailed off thinking of the consequences.

But Naina was firm about her decision, “Sameer ab gusse me kuch nai karta. Aur hamari shaadi ki har baat ko woh soch samajh ke hi karega. Tu nahi jaanti Preeti, yeh shaadi ke har ek pal ko woh jeena chahta hai. Usse jaanne ka haq hai.”

Preeti agreed, thinking Naina would know best, and anything that could stop those terrible discussions was welcome.

Sameer was drinking a cup of coffee, and debating whether he should call up Naina asking to have lunch with him, when suddenly his phone rang. Absently browsing through the file in-front of him, he picked up the receiver, “hello”

“Sameer”, Naina’s voice came from the other end, and he immediately straightened leaving the file.

“Naina… tum iss waqt”, he asked concerned. Just the time was enough to get his attention, but apart from that, he instantly realized from her tone that something was wrong, and also the sounds in background told him she was outside.

He frowned, “Sweetheart… kya baat hai? Kyun pareshan ho? Aur bahar se kyun call rahi ho?”

Warmth spread through her at the endearment and also how easily he understood that something was wrong. She hesitated for a moment, but then took a deep breath and explained that was being discussed by her family right now. Sameer muttered a curse, “aise kaise woh log abhi baat kar sakte hai. Chachaji ne kaha tha ke mujhe batayenge woh jab bhi yeh faisla liya jayega.”

She waited for a moment, “shaadi ka kharcha ladki walo ke taraf se hota hai na, shayad isiliye.”

He took a deep breath, “Naina, tum jaanti ho baat paiso ki nai hai. Bas shaadi ke faislo ki hai. Tum fikar mat karo, main adhe ghante me aata hun.”

She didn’t say anything. He asked, “bharosa hai na?”

“Nai hota to phone hi nai karti na”, she smiled, “bas samajh nai aa raha ke iss maamle me tum karoge kya.”

He chuckled, “aree meri jaan… tum ab tak apne pati ki har ada se wakif nai ho. Intezaar karo mera bas.”

She let out a soft laugh, finally feeling relieved. She trusted him completely. They went to the stationery shop, buying a few items just so nobody asked questions.

Sameer fumed for a couple of minutes. He knew how much it hurt Naina to hear her father say those things, and he had wanted to save her from it, protect her, that is why he had insisted to be involved in every discussion about their wedding. And Chachaji had promised to do so. But, maybe he had forgotten, or maybe they thought he was still young to be included in such discussions. He finished his coffee and smirked. Well, the Agarwal family was about to get to know how serious he was. He just needed to discuss a little something with his mother, and then he could go to Naina, because she needed him.

As promised, Sameer was at her doorstep within the next 30 minutes. He stood at the door for a minute listening to the ongoing discussion, and then knocked. The entirely family was stunned to silence at the sight of him. Dressed in black suit, with a crisp while silk shirt, he looked authoritative, and his posture didn’t reflect the geniality it often did in-front of family. It was clear to Naina, that the man standing at the door was Sameer Maheshwari the businessman, though she was sure that her family wouldn’t catch on to the difference in his expression.

“Sameer beta tum”, Chachaji surfaced from the shock first, “aao andar aao.”

Sameer stepped in greeting everyone, and took a seat on a chair. Naina brought water for him, and then stood aside waiting. Taiji started talking, “Bholuram, tum iss waqt yahan. Sab thik to hai na.”

Even Tauji added a concerned question. Sameer took a minute, staring at the faces, especially Rakesh sir, then spoke up, “darasal mummy aur mujhe aap sab se zaroori baat karni thi, par ab mummy to yahan hai nahi to isiliye main hi aa gaya.”

“Aisi kya baat hai beta?”, Tauji asked.

Sameer glanced at Naina once, “hamari shaadi me ab sirf do mahine bache hai to hum log soch rahe the ke aap sabse shaadi ke taiyariyo ke baare me baat karle. Chachaji ne mujhe kaha tha ke woh batayenge jab bhi aap log iss baare me baate shuru kare, lekin mujhe laga ke hamara nazariya pehle bata dena chahiye aap logo ko.”

“Yeh lo… ab inn logo ki bhi farmaish hogi?”, Rakesh blurted.

Something flared in Sameer’s eyes for a moment, but he controlled it and didn’t bother to reply. Tauji glared annoyed, “Rakesh… main baat kar raha hun na”, he turned to Sameer, “beta tumhe fikar karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Hum log soch hi rahe the ke ek achcha sa party plot book karwa denge.”

Sameer shook his head, “nahi. Mujhe yahi baat karni thi aap sabse se shaadi party plot se nahi, iss ghar se hogi.”

Everyone was shocked by his statement, including Naina. She gaped at him, but then understood what his intentions were. He couldn’t offer to bear the expenses, half or full, without appearing to be insulting her family. So instead he was reducing the burden of expenses for Chachaji.

“lekin beta yahan se shaadi kaise hogi, kitne mehmaan honge tumhare”, Tauji voiced concerned.

He crossed his right ankle over his left knee, a position assumed on purpose to show authority, “hamare rishtedaar zyada nahi hai. Business associates ko hum log shaadi me nahi, balki sirf reception me bulane wale hai. Aur reception ki arrangement ki puri zimmedari meri.” Sameer then turned to look at Chachaji and smiled, “waise bhi jabse Pooja didi ki shaadi me shaamil hua hun, tabse yahi socha hai ke main bhi apni baraat yahin leke aaunga, aur Naina ko isi ghar se vida karke le jaunga.”

Complete silence prevailed over Agarwal house. Preeti looked at Naina and winked. Naina smiled. She knew no one in her family had anticipated or was the least bit prepared to deal with this Sameer Maheshwari. He had just declared about his commitment to her since he was 17 years old.

Sameer went on to add, “agar aap log chahe to abhi mummy ko call karke unse bhi baat kar sakte hai. Unki bhi yahi ichcha hai, kyunki woh bhi maanti hai ke dulhan ki vidaai uske ghar se honi chahiye, kisi marriage hall ya party plot se nahi.”

Tauji looked at Rakesh and Anand, wondering how to talk about this matter. Sameer understood, he stood up, “aap log shanti se baat kar lijiye. Main niche gaadi me intezaar karta hun.”

Chachaji immediately spoke up, “aree nahi beta. Niche jaane ki zarurat nahi hai, andar kamre me chale jao. Naina, Preeti tum dono bhi jaao beta.”

The three of them went into Naina’s room, and Sameer shed his jacket immediately, rotating his shoulders. Preeti shut the door, and turned to them, “maan gaye aapko Jijaji. Kya sahi wala daav khela hai. Ab to woh log mana kar hi nahi sakte.”

He narrowed his eyes, “mana karne ka option maine diya nahi hai kisiko. Samajh jaaye to behtar hoga.”

Naina sat down on the bed, and expression of worry on her face, as she waited for raised voices to erupt any moment from the living room. Sameer sat beside her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her firmly to his side, “chinta mat karo. Main aa gaya hun na.”

“Jaanti hun”, she leaned on him, sighing.

Preeti looked at them, smiling. She had seen them together for so many years, and the love they shared for each other was so much evident. She was happy that Naina was comfortable enough to not feel shy sitting like this with Sameer in-front of her, or maybe it was because of the situation. She decided she would prod her for answers later on. For now, she wondered, if Rohan would also hold her like this someday. Though they had not yet confessed their feelings, she was sure it was love.

Chachiji came to call them after 30 minutes, and Sameer put on his jacket again. Presentation was sometimes crucial, and it was today. He wondered if there would be more arguments. But, Tauji told him that they had talked to his mother, and she expressed the same thing as him, so the family has no problem in conducting all the rituals at home, just like it was done for Pooja’s wedding. Sameer thanked them for respecting his wishes, and requested to involve him in whatever preparations they do.

Sameer got up to leave, but Chachiji stopped him, “beta aaye ho to khana khake jaana. Thodi der me hum log bana lenge. He was only too happy to accept the invitation, but hesitated given the kind of discussion they had today. However Chachaji too added his request, then added in low tone that he wanted to talk to him. Tauji and Rakesh left, Taiji also left so she doesn’t have to help in any food preparations for damadji.

Preeti checked the time and decided to go to the parlor for half day, so she soon left. Naina went in kitchen to help Chachiji in lunch preparations. Chachaji and Sameer sat in the living room, and Sameer wondered about the topic of discussion.

“Sameer, mujhe pata hai tumne mujhse baat ki thi pehle ke main tumko shaadi ki taiyariyo ke baare me batau”, Chachaji spoke, “par bhaisaab aaj subah hi achanak se baat karne lage. Aur fir hume laga ke yeh sab ladki wale hi karte hai to isiliye…”, he trailed off unsure how to position it.

Sameer thought for a moment. He didn’t want to make him feel guilty, or make it seem like he did a favour on him. The respect he had for Chachaji was completely genuine, and he knew that if he could, he would have lavishly spent on Naina’s wedding. He tilted his head, “aapko yaad hai na ke Roka ke baad maine aapko aur Chachiji ko kaha tha ke mujhe damadji na bulaye.”

Chachaji nodded. Sameer added, “woh koi mazaak nahi tha. Main sach me iss ghar ko aur aap logo ko apna maanta hun. Umar me chota hun, lekin samajhta hun shaadi me kitne kharche aur kitni zimmedaari hoti hai. Sach kahu to mujhe wakai fark nai padta Naina aur meri shaadi kahan ho rahi hai, lekin jo baat maine sabako batai woh sach hai. Pooja didi ki shaadi ke waqt se hi main apne aur Naina ke shaadi ke sapne dekh raha tha, har ek rasam jo maine dekha, wahi karna chahta tha. Basically, main yeh kehna chahta hun, ke Naina ki tarah hi aap logo ka bhi mujhpe pura haq hai, to shaadi ki taiyariyo ko leke mujhse baat karne me jhijhakna mat. Mujhe bas Naina ka har ek sapna pura karna hai, aur agar woh aapko aur Chachiji ko hamari shaadi ko leke kisi bhi tarah se pareshan hote hue dekhegi to woh khud udaas ho jayegi.”

He looked up in the kitchen through the wide window, and saw Naina and Chachiji smiling at him with tears in their eyes.

Chachaji pondered over everything for a moment, then asked, “aaj Naina ne tumko bulaya na?”

Sameer saw Naina’s eyes widen, and Chachiji’s eyes jerk towards her. He took a deep breath and then replied, “haan. Kyunki yeh uska haq hai, aur mera bhi.”

Chachaji stood up, and so did Sameer. There were tears in his eyes, and then he hugged Sameer, which he immediately reciprocated. Naina grinned, and Chachiji placed a hand over her head.

After lunch, Chachaji also left for his office. Sameer didn’t leave, and nobody asked him to. Chachiji went to sleep after she and Naina had cleaned all the utensils. Now Naina stood cleaning the kitchen, while Sameer crossed his arms and leaned against the refrigerator watching her work. He had shed his jacket again, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled-up, midway to elbow. When Naina was cleaning the gas stove, he went up to her and slid his arms around her waist pulling her back to him. She inhaled sharply and her hands stilled.

“Kya hua? Kaam karo na”, he muttered.

She swallowed, starting to clean again, and Sameer lowered his head sniffing at her neck, inhaling her womanly fragrance. She was wearing a simple light green chikankari suit with white patiala salwar. He knew she was dressed in home clothes, since of course she couldn’t change even though she knew he was coming.

“Tumhare periods khatam ho gaye?”, he asked blowing in her ears.

She shook her head slightly, “nahi, last day hoga kal.” He hummed. Her hair was tied in a bun, and she wore tiny golden rings in her ear. He shifted her dupatta aside, and traced a line up and down the side of her throat, with the tip of his nose. She sighed, leaning more into him. She shivered when he kissed her softly, small open-mouthed kisses, tasting her.

“Sa…sameer…”, she breathed.

“Shshh… Chachiji uth jayegi”, he admonished softly, and continued peppering kisses along her neck and shoulder. He sucked her earlobe in his mouth, biting gently, and she bit her lip to hold back her moan.

“Mujhe haath dhone hai”, she whispered somehow.

He chuckled, releasing her. She washed her hands, rubbing them dry on a towel. He pulled her back to him, “kiss me”, he demanded, wanting to feel her take the lead again like she had that day.

She shuddered, lowering her head, leaning on his chest. He hooked a finger beneath her chin making her look up at him, “kiss me”, he demanded again.

Her lips parted, eyes glazing over, “r..room me”, she stammered, “yahan Chachiji agar…”

He didn’t let her finish the sentence, instead dipped and picked her in her arms. She looked at him shocked, her eyes wide like saucers, and lips parted in an ‘O’, and he grinned. He carried her to her room, and kicked the door close, then put her back on her feet, “practice kar raha tha.”

She still looked stunned, “kis cheez ki practice?”

He held her waist, backing her to the wall, “shaadi ki pehli raat ko aisai uthake le jaunga na room me”

She blushed, but then immediately blurted, “lekin main to pehle se hi room me wait karungi na tumhara?”

He grinned, “achcha? Aisa hota hai kya?”, he kissed her cheek, “aur kya hota hai uss raat ko?”

She clutched onto his shirt, “muj…mujhe nahi pata.”

“Uhmm”, his lips trailed along her jaw, “kya kya pata hai Naina? Movies me dekha hai?”

She was drowning in sensations, her heart beating erratically, “dekha hai. Dudh ka glass hota hai.”

He went back to her neck, “kyun hota hai dudh ka glass?”

“Pa…pata nai”, she stammered, her hands going around his back, holding on tight.

He dipped one hand below her kuti, not able to resist touching the bare skin at her waist, “mujhe to dudh pasand nai, to tum kya karogi?”

She pulled back, her eyes clouded with confusion and desire, “dudh pasand nahi?”

He smiled, and shook his head, “ab?”

She frowned genuinely puzzled. Even Pooja didi had mentioned that she had taken milk to her room on her first night. But if Sameer didn’t like milk then what would she do? And why was there need to keep milk? She looked back at him, and finally asked, “dudh kyun rakhte hai?”

He tried to hold back his smile, “energy ke liye.”

“Energy? Kis liye?”, she quizzed, but then her eyes widened and she blushed.

He looked at the tint on her cheeks and bit his own lip. Interesting, he thought. So, she does know something. He pulled her to him more firmly, “bataona kya jaanti ho tum.”

She looked up at him again, gazing into his eyes, at the mischievous glitter and understood what he was doing. He was keeping her dazed enough, so she would answer all his questions. She didn’t react, didn’t let him see that she could see through him, instead she licked her own lips. His eyes shifted, darkened, and she could see his nostrils flare. She trailed her hands from his back to his chest, and undid the top one, “aaj buttons nai khole tumne?”, she asked.

His chest surged, as his breathing increased, “office.” One word. Short. Clipped.

He clenched his teeth, as she undid another button, “hmm… ab sahi lag raha hai”, she pursed her lips and blew on his chest.

“Naina… hum hamare ghar me nahi hai”, he managed to remind her.

“Jaanti hun”, she breathed, and stretched up to lick his lips, her hands on his shoulders.

He shuddered. He muffled a curse, “shit”, and drew back confusing her. His eyes glinted and he shifted away to lock the door, then was back to her immediately.

“Sameer… Cha…ummm”, her words were muffled as he caught her lips with his own. His hands stroked her back, and he bit her lip, demanding access and she gasped. The kiss began as slow and soft, that smouldered, growing hotter and deeper, by degrees. His hips moved against her, need fuelled by her innocent moves. She answered his passion with her own, clinging to him, letting his hands wander beneath her dress. His fingers trailed up, touching her lace, and she moaned softly. He stopped, pulling back with a jerk, leaving her aroused and confused. He squeezed his eyes shut, breath bellowing from his lungs, his hands clenched.

“Sameer”, she whispered, unsure of what happened.

He opened his eyes to look at her. Her lips were swollen. Her hair messed. He kurti dishevelled. She looked amazing, breath-taking. Yet, this was not how he wanted her here. He pulled her in his arms again, straightening her kurti, “Naina, yahan nahi, iss waqt nai.” He showed her, her own reflection in the mirror, “dekho, Chachiji ne agar dekh liya to kya sochegi. Aise sirf tumko main dekh sakta hun. Samjhi?”

She nodded, realizing that her actions had almost driven him out of control. He was right. This wasn’t the place for such things. At their home, there was no one to disturb them or question them. Here, anyone could appear, and then the situation could go out of hand.

“Hum jaldi hi milenge wapas, I promise”, he kissed her forehead, “aur tab tumko mere sawaal ka jawaab dena padega. Jaanke rahunga ke tumko kitna pata hai.”

She grinned handing over his jacket to him, “pehle mere sawaal ka jawaab dena padega tumko. Fir hi main bataungi.”

He opened the door, “Thike, lekin main kuch bhi bolke nai samjhaunga”, he dropped a quick peck on her lips and sauntered backwards admiring her blush.