Always and Forever Part 23 – Surgical Strike

The sky was a clear blue, but the wind blowing around was cold. A small crowd of people stood at the arrivals gate of the Ahmedabad airport, their eagerness only barricaded by a waist-high steel partition. Two uniformed guards stood, terribly bored, and probably grumpy at this added security implemented by the government at all the airports. A tea stall at the far end did quite a good business, as people treated themselves to a hot drink and munched on biscuits while waiting for their friends and family.

Standing amid the crowd, dressed in a deep red salwar-kameez, Naina checked her watch and immediately heard the sound of an airplane descending. She squinted up at the bright sky, but couldn’t see anything. Amused she heard an old man complaining to his wife about how he could go inside the airport just a few years ago, and now he had to stand outside in cold. It was true. She recalled how Chachaji and Tauji, who had gone to pick up Phulla Bua-Dadi during Pooja didi’s wedding, had told them how they could go inside, and see the plane at a distance too. She had never seen an aeroplane up close. She wondered if she ever would. But, then Sameer often travelled around, maybe she could see it with him.

Fifteen minutes later, she heard a yell from the gates, “Bhabhi!” Naina peered from among the crowd, and saw Deepika jumping up and down, her small pink backpack also bobbing along with her. She smiled and waved. Soon she saw Rohan and Vishakha too, and made her way towards them. Deepika flung herself in her arms as soon as she reached them, and squealed in delight. Naina also laughed, and lifted her in a twirl. When Vishakha came over, Naina bent to touch her feet, but Vishakha caught her and hugged her instead, “tumse kitni baar kaha hai, betiyan paanv nahi chhuti.”

Rohan greeted her with a grin, “hi Bhabhi. Bhai kahan hai?”

Naina smiled, “Sameer ki ek urgent meeting hai isiliye woh nahi aa paaye. Ghar chalte hai, woh aa jayenge 2 baje tak.”

“Lekin mujhe toh bahot bhuk lagi hai”, Rohan whined, rubbing his stomach, “kuch khake fir chale?”

Vishakha rolled her eyes, “subah ghar se nikalne se pehle teen alu-parathe khake bhi yeh haal hai.”

Deepika laughed and teased, “aap aise khaoge bhaiya toh aapki tond nikal jaayegi. Fir mujhe dusri Bhabhi nahi milegi.”

Naina chuckled, “chinta mat karo. Mil jayegi dusri Bhabhi, aur woh bhi iske jaisa hi itna saara khayegi.”

Rohan blushed at Naina’s statement, being quite familiar of Preeti’s love for food. Vishakha eyed her son curiously. Naina caught her gaze, and immediately diverted the topic, “chalein? Aur Rohan tum na thoda control karlo, maine ghar pe tuver ki sabji banvai hai.”

His eyes lighted up, “oh wow! Yeh to Delhi me nahi milta. Mazaa aayega.”

The drive home didn’t feel long, and everyone kept chattering non-stop. Naina warmed up to them, still slightly surprised at this unconditional acceptance. She had heard so many things about sasuraland sasuralwale that for some time she too had been clouded with doubts about how she would be able to adjust. But this was so different from everything she had ever heard or expected. She didn’t even feel like an outsider for one single moment. For the entire journey, Deepika clung to her, and Vishkha and Rohan kept talking about the wedding.

When they reached home, Ramdhari and the driver helped them with the luggage. Rohan immediately ventured into the kitchen, intent on sampling some food. Vishakha went to freshen up and change, and Deepika pulled Naina with her to show her clothes and accessories.

“Yeh dekho Bhabhi, Deepika chirped, “yeh main aapke liye leke aai. Mere school ke paas ek dukaan hai jahan pe handmade accessories milte hai.”

Naina took the black hair-clip from her, “yeh bahot khubsurat hai, thank you. Par tum yeh cheeze laa kaise rahi ho? Sameer ke haatho se shirt bhijwaya aur ab yeh? Tumhare bhaiya ne pucha nahi tumhe ke paise kahan se aaye.”

Deepika smiled, “pucha na. Maine kaha ke mere pocket money se bachaye.”

“Aur sach me kahan se mile paise?”, Naina queried gently.

Deepika shuffled her feet, looking down at the floor. No one had ever asked her about money, except her Sameer bhaiya. But Naina Bhabhi was different, she was happy with the gift, yet was asking her about how she afforded it. Should she say something?

Naina sat on the bed, and pulled her close, “Deepika… sach sach batao mujhe. Main tumhare bhaiya se kuch nahi bolungi.” She made sure that her tone was gentle yet firm, her experience as a kindergarten teacher coming in use.

Deepika frowned, “woh… mere paas sach me pocket money se paise the. Lekin kam pade toh ek dost se liye. Mujhe aapke liye achcha wala gift kharidna tha.”

Naina waited for a minute, and then slowly asked, “tumhe pata hai maine Sameer ko pehla gift kya diya tha?” Deepika shook her head. “Apne haatho se buna hua sweater”, she continued to explain, “dekho… jab hum kisiko gift dete hai na toh woh achcha feelings se banta hai, paiso se nahi. Tum apne dost se paise leke aise mehenge gifts kharidogi toh baad me usko paise kaise wapas dogi? Iske jagah tum mujhe apne haath se card banake de sakti ho. Mujhe toh who bhi achcha lagega. Aur aise tumko apne bhaiya se jhuth bhi nahi bolna padega, samjhi?”

Deepika thought about what she heard. A gift without money – she had never heard of any such thing. Hadn’t she always received expensive dresses or toys on her birthday? Dadi also gave her cash money sometimes. Then how can she give a gift to someone that didn’t require spending money. Yet, the thought intrigued her. Sameer bhaiya was always so happy when he talked about Naina Bhabhi, so that meant she was a good person. And Rohan bhaiya also liked Bhabhi, and mummy too. Dadi never liked Sameer bhaiya, so naturally she won’t like Bhabhi, that much was clear to her. Maybe, she could give it a try once. Check if really a gift without money can make people happy.

She looked up at Naina, “thike. Main agli baar dhyan rakhungi.”

Naina smiled, “good. Aur apne dost ke paise sabse pehle return karna. Pocket money me se kam pade toh mujhe batana. Promise?”

“Promise”, Deepika smiled back, “lekin aap woh shirt pehnogi na?”

Naina nodded, and Deepika hugged her. Both remained unknown to the woman standing outside, who had witnessed the conversation, and now had tears in her eyes.

Soon, Rohan’s voice drifted upstairs as he yelled again that he was very hungry. Naina and Deepika giggled, and went downstairs. Vishakha joined them soon.

Ramdhari came up to the table, “memsaab, sahab ka khana?”

Vishakha frowned in confusion, but her expression cleared when Naina immediately responded to Ramdhari, “haan, thoda khana alag se rakh dijiye. Aake man hoga toh kha lenge.”

The lunch was again a jolly event with all of them talking at the same time. Vishakha outlined her plan for the next three days, and to Naina’s delight it meant that she would get a chance to meet Sameer every day. Sameer arrived sharp at 2pm, and was delighted to see his family, and as usual awestruck to see Naina. Under the pretext of taking water from the dining table, he tried to inch closer to Naina, but Deepika pulled her away.

Naina turned for half a minute, giving him attention, “khana lagva du tumhara?”

He smiled, and nodded, “haan. Main change karke aata hun.”

As he ate, he tried to protect his share of tuver from Rohan, and at the same time gain some attention from Naina. But while he was successful in protecting the vegetable, unfortunately it seemed as if no one was ready to pay attention to him today. When Vishakha and Deepika chatted animatedly with her, he felt extremely happy on seeing the acceptance, but at the same time was upset that he didn’t have Naina’s exclusive attention.

“Samajh nahi aa raha mere gharwale aaye hai ya iske”, he muttered, scowling at the glass of water.

However, the immediate next moment he felt cool slim fingers, twining with his own under the table. He inhaled sharply, and looked down to find his hand joined with Naina’s. Smiling to himself, feeling relaxed now, he finished his lunch.

After lunch he again tried to talk to Naina, “kya baat hai? Aaj toh mera favorite…”, but was again interrupted by Deepika.

“Bhabhi! Chalo na mujhe aapse bahot baate karni hai”, she chattered.

Sameer facepalmed as Naina flashed him an apologetic look, and he heard Rohan chuckling behind him. He turned to scowl at his brother. Rohan grinned, holding up his hands in submission, “maine kuch nahi kiya bhai. Yeh Deepika jab se aai hai Bhabhi ko akela chod hi nahi rahi.”

They were all sitting on the living room sofa, and Vishakha was explaining how she needed Naina with her for the next couple of days. Naina and Deepika came out from the room, and Sameer caught her eye, gesturing to sit beside him. She smiled and acquiesced, but the next moment Deepika positioned herself between them, holding on to Naina’s arms. Sameer threw back his head, looking skyward for help, and missed the understanding smile on his mother’s face.

Naina also felt as if something was missing. Since their marriage was fixed, whenever she had come here, there was hardly a moment when Sameer had not been touching her. But now, with the whole family here, they had not even talked privately for a minute. Soon, Naina said that she would have to leave, but the doorbell rang at that very moment. Ramdhari rushed to open the door, and to everyone’s surprise Munna and Pandit came in.

“Tum dono yahan?”, Sameer enquired, “aur tu kab wapas aaya?”

“Aaj hi aaya bhai”, Pandit hugged him, “aur aate hi tere office gaya, par pata chala tu nikal gaya tha.”

Munna held up a bag, “mausi aayi hai toh humne soch mil lete hai, aur yeh laane ka bhi isse achcha mauka nahi hota. Bhabhi bhi yahi hai.”

Naina was puzzled, “kya hai isme?”

Sameer however grinned, “Roka ka album ban gaya! Jaldi de…”

“Aree ruk toh”, Pandit snatched the bag from Munna, “pehle hum dekhenge. Waise bhi teri photo tu khud dekhke kya karega?”

Sameer scowled, and lunged for the bag, “de na yaar.”

Munna and Pandit looked at each other mischievously, and then Munna asked, “pehle Pandit ko bata ke uss din tu office me itni seeti kyun baja raha tha?” Sameer’s eyes widened as he recalled how he had been whistling in office after spending the entire night with Naina. He had thought the matter was long forgotten, but he should have known that Munna would for sure share with Pandit.

“Seeti?”, Vishakha asked, “Sameer seeti baja raha tha? Woh bhi office me?”

“Haan Mausi”, Munna affirmed, “aur puchne pe wajah bhi nahi bata raha tha.”

Pandit came near Sameer and whispered, “bata de warna Bhabhi se puchta hun abhi. Taarikh batayenge toh unko yaad aa hi jayega.”

“Teri toh”, Sameer muttered and tried to grab him. Pandit let out a shriek and ran for his life, and so did Munna. The rest of the people stood amused as the three of them jumped over chairs and sofa. Deepika was quite surprised to see this side of her eldest brother. Naina laughed, quite used to their antics. After a few minutes the trio subsided, panting for breath, and finally Rohan walked up to them snatching the bag.

“Oye!”, Pandit exclaimed, “yaar Chenu yeh Sameer ke saath Rohan bhi jud gaya.”

Munna and Pandit tried to get the album bag back in their possession, as they intended to tease Sameer some more, but Rohan smartly handed it over to Naina. The duo halted in their tracks, wondering what to do now.

“Hahaha”, Sameer laughed, and patted his brother on his back. He went to stand beside Naina, “ab chedo zara.”

Naina looked at him smirking, and whispered, “yeh konse din ki baat hai?”

Sameer turned to her, and blushed slightly, “woh… baad me batata hun.” Naina didn’t know exactly which day it was but the color on Sameer’s cheeks told her that the teasing was happening because of them. There were so many incidents after their Roka, which one did Munna and Pandit know? Was it today? If Sameer was whistling today, then it would mean he was recalling yesterday. Unknown to her, a blush creeped up her face, and she bit her lip. As usual, Sameer focused on her action, and his hand trembled to touch her.

Suddenly she felt a tug on her dupatta, and Deepika’s voice enquired, “Bhabhi, kya hua aapko?”

Sameer closed his eyes, and muttered something under his breath. Naina blushed even harder. Vishakha coughed, while Munna, Pandit and Rohan started laughing.

Rohan interrupted soon, as he couldn’t see his Bhabhi getting uncomfortable, “achcha chalo na photos dekhte hai. Bhabhi nikalo na album.”

Naina obliged, pulling out two large albums from the bag, “do albums?”

“Haan. Ek maine Chachaji aur Chachiji ke liye bhi banva liya”, Sameer informed. Naina smiled up at him, surprised at the gesture, and at the same time feeling that she should have immediately known. Sameer respected Chachaji and Chachiji as if they were his own parents, so it was natural that he had thought about them.

Deepika tugged one album out of her hands, “mujhe dekhna hai.”

“Aree, humne kya gunaah kiya”, Munna enquired jovially trying to tug it from her hands.

Deepika scowled, “aap sab log wahi the. Maine bhaiya-bhabhi ko nahi dekha tha.”

Naina handed over the bag, and remaining album to Sameer, “sab saath me dekhte hai. Chalo wahan bethenge.”

Sameer didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing the photos with Naina, and he knew his family members would soon surround her. So as soon as they reached the sofa, he caught her hand, and tugged her to sit beside him. Deepika who was clutching Naina’s other hand, followed the pull, and sat on her other side. Sameer sighed in relief. If his sister had sat between them again, he might have shifted her himself. What everyone thought be damned.

“Aap log iss wale me se dekho”, Sameer handed over the other album to his mother.

They passed the next 45 minutes, looking through the album, and exclaiming over the photos. Sameer had seen her that day in-person, but still he felt overwhelmed on seeing her again dressed in the precious green and orange saree.

“Wow!”, Deepika exclaimed, “Bhabhi aap saree me kitni sundar lagti ho.”

Sameer reached behind Naina, and pulled his sister’s hair, “kyun? Aise nahi lagti kya?”

Deepika tried to pull her hair free, “Ow! Bhabhi dekho na.”

“Sameer chodo use”, Naina reprimanded immediately.

He pouted, “tum na… abhi se mere alawa baki sabki side lo.”

Vishakha laughed, “lad kyun raha hai? Naina toh hamesha sundar lagti hai. Ab khush?”

Sameer smiled satisfied. And everyone returned to appreciating the photos. Naina picked up a photo in which she and Sameer were sitting side by side; it was one of the moments when they were stealing glances at each other. It looked so similar to the dream her sixteen year old self had seen during her sister’s roka that she couldn’t resist adoring the photograph. Sameer leaned over to her, “wow… perfect picture.”

“Haina”, Naina smiled, “aur dekho… main toh hamesha tumhare side hi hun.”

His eyes shifted from the picture to her, “aisi baate karti rahi to sabke saamne hug kar lunga.”

Naina checked her watch, and reluctantly repeated that she needed to leave. Sameer also didn’t want to let her go, but he didn’t want another Taiji scene, especially because his mother was here, and she needed Naina for the wedding shopping. His solace was in the fact that they would meet every day. He stood up too, “main chodke aata hun tumko.”

Vishakha told her that she would call up Chachiji and seek permission to take her with him. Naina nodded and took everyone’s leave. Deepika clung to her, asking her not to go, but she reassured that she would be back tomorrow. Sameer shuffled her outside before Deepika could proposition that she too come with them to drop her home.

Once in the car, Naina turned to look at him. He was again dressed in jeans and a casual yellow checked shirt, and had his sunglasses on. His lips were pressed in a straight line as if he was holding back some words. Puzzled at his silence, she enquired, “kya hua tumhe?”

He shook his head without looking at her. Naina was at a loss, she couldn’t understand what happened. Suddenly he turned the car in a different lane, and she made a confused sound, “yeh kahan jaa rahe hai hum?”

He gritted his teeth, “do minute please.”

She sat in silence, as the car bumped over uneven roads. She had no clue where he was taking her, but soon they reached a completely deserted area with some under-construction building. He parked the car beneath a lone tree, unbuckled his seatbelt, and removed his sunglasses. In another swift movement, he reached over to her, unbuckled her seatbelt and in the same motion grabbed her and fused his mouth to hers, kissing her hungrily.

She made a surprised sound that was muffled by his mouth. Her body instantly lost all momentum and her bones turned liquid. He pulled her closer, and she never even noticed the gearshift digging in her thighs. All she knew that he was still too far from her. She closed her eyes, and felt him trace a scalding path across her lips with his tongue. She heard herself whimper, and found herself reaching up to urge him closer. With one hand she delved into the silky mass of his hair, and her other hand clung to his strong shoulder.

He pulled back slightly, and whispered hoarsely, “tumko pata bhi hai tum mera kya haal karti ho?”

She looked into his eyes; eyes that held all the anguish of a man condemned, and felt a momentary thrill of victory. Oh how she enjoyed to see the effect she had on him. She smiled and touched a hand to his cheek. He growled, pulling her to him in a crushing embrace. When his lips met hers again all the gentleness was gone, replaced by something untamed and ferocious that left her breathless. He moved to kiss her throat, fisting a hand in her hair and tugging her head back to gain access. His other hand cupped her breast, his thumb caressing an already taut nipple, and she moaned his name aloud.

When he felt her hand drift over his chest, he shuddered. She could be his undoing, he realized through a mist. How could this woman make him forget even the time and place? Groaning at his helplessness, he set her away from him, and leaned back himself. He opened his eyes, and stared at her – leaning sideways on the seat, her lips swollen and wet, hair slightly messed. He muttered a curse, “panditji ko thodi rishwat de deta toh shayad shaadi ki date jaldi ki nikalte.”

She coughed, and then started laughing, completely amused at the tangent of his thoughts. “Tum pagal ho”, she declared affectionately.

He grinned, “sab tumhara kasoor hai. Kisne kaha tha red pehenneko?”

She tilted her head, “umm… iska matlab aur koi color pehenti toh kiss nahi karte?”

He pretended to think for a moment, and then chuckled, “jaane do…”

She laughed again as he pulled on his seatbelt and started the car. Sometime later she asked, “waise yeh jagah kaise pata tumko?”

He was silent for a moment, and then replied, “kaafi saalo se yeh site bandh pada hai. Main Munna aur Pandit ke saath aata tha yahan pe… Jab unko cigarette peena hota tha.”

“Sameer tum…”, she began, only to be cut off by him. “Nahi”, he interrupted, “maine college me cigarette nahi pee.” Satisfied with his reply, she leaned back in her seat, and stared at the passing scenery, missing the slightly tense expression on his face. He had quick flashes of himself dressed in jeans and t-shirt smoking with a group of boys. He felt he could almost smell the acrid smoke for a second, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. He swallowed, deciding then and there, that he would let Naina know of it soon. He had been wrong to hide it from her all these years, but that phase in his life had lost all importance when he had had Naina back in his life. He had conveniently forgotten everything of Delhi except the good memories with his siblings. But now, they were going to be married. If before he thought that Naina could have visibility to everything in his life, now it was her right. He didn’t think that there would be anyone else who would tell her about it. But not telling her now, when he had suddenly recalled that phase felt like cheating. Her innocent question had triggered those memories he wished he had never created. And now he felt the sudden need to tell her about it, as if she was the only one who could cleanse him of the hate he had felt for himself. And if she punished him for going back on his words? Then he would accept it. And those boys? Should he tell her about them? A bead of sweat trickled from his temple, down the side of his face and disappeared beneath his collar.

Back at Maheshwari Residence, Vishakha collected the albums and moved upstairs to keep them in Sameer’s room. She was surprised slightly to see the neatly folded bedsheet, and pillows kept in a stack on a small stool near the mattress that stood against the wall. Did this mean that Sameer slept here even when no one was at home? Why? Vishakha was confused as to why her son didn’t use any other room in such a big house. The small photo of Sameer and Naina taped to one wall made her smile. She had seen it before, but had never observed properly. It was from Udaipur, that much she recognized, and recalled some hazy snippets of conversation where Sameer had informed her of a college trip. What touched her was the loving affectionate gaze that passed between the young couple in the photograph. She had never seen Sameer like this, until she had met Naina. She recalled how unruly and impulsive her son was when he was in school, but now when she saw him she was astounded each time by the discipline in his life.

A boy, who never used to wake up early, now was up almost at dawn to work. A boy, who never used to eat with family, but now sat through all meals with patience even when he was in Delhi. A boy, who would erupt in anger at the tiniest things, now held back and channeled his energies. A boy, who always mocked the family he had landed upon, now felt responsible for a girl and was about to start his own family. Her son had turned into a man, and it had been because of a woman, and that woman was not her.

She tilted her head to look at the photograph better. She frowned. Something was amiss in her thoughts. All the qualities she had attributed to the grown up man, was also reflected in the photograph before her, and in this he was a boy of… what… 19 or 20. So, that meant her son had these qualities in him, but she had missed it? How? How could she have missed that transformation in her own son?

Suddenly she felt the need for details, a more detailed view in her son’s life. But how would she even get that? The lost years won’t come back. It had been her fault too. Hadn’t her own father told her so many times about Sameer’s capability? But she had ignored, completely convinced that her older son would never amount to much in his life. And now look at the turn of fate. Sameer Maheshwari was not only successful in his life, but was also enabling his brother to succeed. The same brother, with whom he had been so often compared and pronounced to be inferior, by his own mother. Vishakha felt ashamed of the words she had uttered sometimes. How could it have taken her so much time to realize that she was not being the mother Sameer needed? How could she have not realized that she was neglecting him? Or was it that somewhere she had realized and yet had not been bothered enough?

Sighing with regret, she opened the cupboard beneath his desk intending to stow the albums, when she saw a small stack of envelope sized albums. Frowning she reached inside, and pulled out the five albums. Each one had been marked with a year, written neatly on a white chit and taped to the cover. She carried them to the sofa and sat down, opening the one from 1990, realizing the Sameer must be in school then. It was the year he had shifted to Ahmedabad, to stay with his Nanu. She wondered what would the album comprise.

To her surprise the first picture it held was of her and her father. She traced her fingers on it, and recalled that it must be immediately after Sameer had ran away from Nainital, and she had come here to take him back. When had he clicked this? From the expressions on her face, she realized that it was a tense conversation. Maybe when her father had been trying to tell her to let go of the matter and let Sameer live here. It meant he had overheard the complains she had done, the criticisms she had uttered… and still this photo was here.  She turned over and found a photo from his birthday celebration. Her father was doing Sameer’s aarti. The next few photographs showed them dancing along with Munna and Pandit, a gold chain glistening around Sameer’s neck. She felt bile rise in her throat, as she recalled how she had termed her own son as thief, and refused to attend his birthday. Her father had fulfilled the duty of a mother that day, and so often after that in Sameer’s life. God… how could she have done that? How could she have not trusted her own son? He was smiling in the photograph, yet she knew that he must have felt extremely sad when she hadn’t even wished him. Maybe that was the day when she had lost all importance from her son’s life. And didn’t she deserve that? Yes, she absolutely did.

She flipped over a few pictures of Sameer, Munna and Pandit, and finally found the face she was looking for. Naina. She looked so… so small and young. Where was this picture clicked? It seemed like a mountain. Yes… The Mt. Abu trip. Her father had told her about the trip from Sameer’s school. And what else had he said… something about Naina too… yes, he had said that Sameer and Naina had become friends. She had been surprised at that time, because Naina had been the one who had blamed Sameer of theft. But here was the proof of the friendship, or love that had bloomed at that time in her son’s life. Naina was dressed in blue jeans and pink checked shirt, her hair open but much shorter than now. She was holding a sweater in her hands and her poses screamed innocence. She turned the page and found more pictures of her, some in a very strange brown dress. And then, there it was… Photos of Sameer and Naina, together. Was that her son? Dressed in the blue pyjamas she had so often seen him in, he looked so different. The smile that lit up his entire face was mesmerizing to her. If Naina’s poses screamed innocence, so did his. How had she failed to see this innocence in him? She had always felt Rohan had been a child, too innocent, too simple, and needed affection and guidance. Why hadn’t she seen Sameer like that? And… looking at the next photographs from a boat ride on a lake, she realized that Naina had seen the innocence in Sameer, and preserved it. She had understood the need for affection in him, and she had given it to him. All the remaining photographs in that album were of Naina, and some of the entire class.

The next three albums were for college, one for each year. She saw the tired look on her son’s face in the first year album, when he had been trying to learn business as well as study. She found the photos of each college trip, and in each one them she understood the depth of love they shared. Through the photographs, the years passed in front of her eyes, and she saw her son growing up, and she also saw the bond between Sameer and Naina deepening. She had never thought that she could see a photograph and say that the people in it loved each other, but looking at the albums she felt as if even if she hadn’t known about the relationship she would have known. She looked at a photograph of Sameer with Munna and Pandit and saw the glittering mischief in his eyes, and immediate next when she saw a picture of him with Naina; she could see how his eyes and expressions had softened. She also understood the happiness Naina brought in her son’s life. Even though his mother had not been present in his life, his Nanu had passed away too, but Sameer had struggled and survived. And in each of his struggles, Naina had been by his side. She was the one who had filled his life with happiness and love. She had changed him from a boy to a man, made his responsible. She was the one who had bestowed so much love on him that he had never felt the dearth of a proper family. Vishakha realized that even though Sameer was getting married to Naina now, she had been his family since quite a long time.

Sameer came back home in an hour, he had dropped Naina and talked to Chachiji for some time, letting her know that his mother would call. He bounded upstairs and checked the guestroom first, and smiled on seeing Rohan and Deepika sprawled on the bed. He wondered where his mother was, he checked the other room, but even though her suitcase was there, she wasn’t. He frowned, and went to his room, thinking to freshen up and then ask Ramdhari.  But as soon as he stepped in his room, he saw Vishakha sitting on the sofa. He went up to her, and was appalled to see her crying.

He crouched in front of her, “mummy aap ro kyun rahi hai?”

Vishakha looked up, and quickly wiped the tears she hadn’t even noticed, “kuch nahi beta. Bas yeh… photos…”

Sameer looked down frowning, but on seeing the photos a smile lit up his face, “aree yeh kahan se mile aapko… yeh toh…” He paused remembering that his mother was not smiling but rather crying, “aap yeh photos dekhke… matlab… achche nahi lage?”

Vishakha laughed, “pagal jaise baat mat karo. Kitne khubsurat tasveer hai. Main toh yeh soch rahi thi ke apne bete ke jeevan ke iss safar me na main saath thi, aur na hi maine isko dur se dekha. Bas apne alag duniya me rahi. Kabhi tumhare baare me nahi socha… mujhe maaf kardo beta, please.”

Sameer stared at his mother, “yeh aap kya bol rahi hai? Mere saath toh…”

“Naina thi”, Vishakha interrupted, “hamesha… haina? Jabse tum Ahmedabad aaye ho tabse. Usne tumhare andar jo khubiya dekhi, jo zaruratein dekhi woh main ek maa hoke bhi nahi dekh paai. Jo pyaar mujhe dena chahiye tha woh pyaar Papa aur Naina ne tumko diya. Maine kitna kuch miss kar diya Sameer… tumhare birthdays, tumhare girna aur girke sambhalna, kuch naya sikhna… mujhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata ke college me tum car leke jaate the ya bike leke.”

He didn’t know what would be the right things to say. He wanted to reassure his mother but at the same time it was also true that everything in his life was woven around Naina. Finally swallowing, he replied slowly, “main bike aur car dono use karta tha… jab jaise zarurat hoti thi. Aur haan…”, he pulled the 1990 album and opened the first photo, “Naina hamesha thi, lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ke aap nahi thi. Main jaanta hun ke hamare beech me hamesha sab kuch thik nahi raha. Lekin, usme dosh sirf aapka nahi, mera bhi hai. Naina hi hai jiske wajah se mujhe parivaar ki ehmiyat samajh me aayi… aur yeh bhi samajh aaya ke zaruri nahi parivaar me har koi ek jaisa ho. Maine hamesha Mr. Somani ko irritate kiya, unke naam se gussa hua, lekin aakhir kaar rishta toh hai hi na. Usko accept kar lene se sukoon milta hai, yeh baat bhi Naina ne hi sikhaya.”

Vishakha smiled, “mujhe tumhari pasand pe garv hai. Naina se behtar Jeevan-saathi tumhe mil hi nahi sakti.”

“Woh toh mujhe pata hai, aakhir pasand kiski hai”, he smirked and lifted his collar. They both chuckled and Sameer hugged his mother pleasantly surprising her.

Vishakha stood up to keep the albums, however the Roka albums were too big to fit in the cabinet under desk. So, she opened his cupboard to keep them, and her eyes fell on some neatly folded light green fabric. It was embellished, and didn’t look like Sameer’s shirt. Frowning she lifted the top material, and pulled it out – a kurti. He hand trembled, and eyes widened as she realized what it must be.

“S…Sameer”, she stammered, “y…yeh kya hai?”

Sameer who had been just about to step inside the bathroom, turned and froze on seeing the kurti in his mother’s hands. His face didn’t pale as if he had done something wrong, but his stance immediately became that of the businessman, and not the son who was speaking to his mother. It was to protect Naina. He stayed silent for half a minute, before speaking, “Naina ka hai. Kal woh yahan aai thi toh bathroom dekhte hue achanak shower chalu kar diya aur bheeg gai. Isiliye main uske liye naye kapde leke aaya tha aur yeh wale yahin sukha diye the usne.”

Vishakha stared at her son, trying to figure out if what she was hearing was true or not. She couldn’t tell, even though she desperately searched his eyes. She wondered if Naina was able to recognize if he ever lied… well… of course she would. Naina knew Sameer much better than she ever did. She sighed, and walked up to her son, “dekho beta. Shayad mera iss mamle bolneka haq nahi hai, lekin mujhe bhi Naina ki fikar hai. Khaas kar ke uske gharwalo se milne ke baad toh aur bhi zyada. Papa ki parvarish ke wajah se main tum logo ke pyaar me koi galti nahi nikalti, aur shayad main tum dono ka rishta kitna gehra hai yeh bhi samajhti hun. Lekin fir bhi… iss samaj me har rishte ke kuch dayre hote hai. Tum dono ki shaadi honewali hai, hui nai hai… jab bhi Naina ke saath raho iss baat ko yaad rakhna please. Apne liye nahi, uske liye. Galti se bhi uske gharwalo ko kuch pata chal gaya toh tumhe andaaza bhi nahi hai ke kya ho sakta hai.”

Sameer stood still, unsure of what to say. He knew this, he knew all of this. But somehow listening from his mother, he felt a cold sensation settle in the pit of his stomach. His thoughts returned to Taiji. On seeing his tense face, Vishakha asked, “kya baat hai? Kuch problem hai kya?”

He looked at her, “umm… nahi. Kuch khaas nahi.”

She placed a hand on his arm, “batao mujhe kya baat hai. Shayad main kuch kar saku… Kahin tum aur Naina shaadi se pehle…”

“Nahi mummy”, he interrupted, “mujhe apne zimmedari ka ehsaas hai. Aur Naina se badhkar mere liye kuch bhi nahi hai. Main kabhi aisa kuch nahi karunga jisse uspe koi musibat aaye. Lekin… woh Taiji…”

“Kya kiya Taiji ne?”, Vishakha asked.

He struggled to string words together, not sure how much to share, “bas woh… taane maarti rehti hai na. Kabhi kabhi thik hai lekin ab jab Naina ki shaadi hone wali hai toh tab aisa sab…” He stopped, unclear about his confession, as he thought that he shouldn’t be criticizing one family before another.

Vishakha however might not have been able to understand if her son was speaking the truth or not, but she could perfectly gauge the level of venom Taiji was capable of spewing. After all she had had similar experience with her mother in law in her second marriage. She had suffered because there was no one to take her side then, but she would not let Naina suffer like that. She didn’t lie when she had said that Naina was her daughter, and plus Sameer’s who world revolved around Naina. She had failed miserably in being the mother Sameer needed, but she wouldn’t fail this time.

She smiled, her eyes lighting up, “hum aaj sham Naina ke ghar challenge.”

He frowned confused, “kyun? Aap to kal use bulane wali thi na.”

“Woh toh bulaungi na. Lekin aaj khaas kaam hai. Dekho… Taiji jaise logo ko handle karne ka ek hi tareeka hai. Joh woh sochte hai ke hoga, uska ulta karo. Mujhe yakeen hai Taiji ko lagta hoga ke Naina ke sasural wale bhi uski qadar nahi karenge, par hum karte hai… bas usko jatana padega ab. Jitna karte the, usse thoda zyada”, Vishakha declared.

Sameer started to feel the excitement he usually felt before clinching a new business deal, “plan kya hai?” Vishakha just smiled and asked him to be ready by 6pm.

The Agarwal household suddenly went into upheaval after a phone call from their would-be-damad. They all were arriving this evening, and everyone flew in different directions to make the required arrangements.

Taiji panted carrying a heavy kadhai, “oh bai! Aise itna kam waqt koi deta hai bhala. Kaun khana banayega.”

Tauji ordered for all the arrangements and also made Taiji take out their best dinner set, Chachaji went to the market to quickly buy some ice-creams and cold drinks. Rakesh escaped on the pretext of meeting some friends. Bela, Naina and Preeti were busy in the kitchen, preparing all the dishes for dinner. Naina was excited to meet Sameer again, although she had no idea why they were all coming over so suddenly.

At 6:30pm they welcomed Sameer and his family, and as usual Deepika immediately came over to Naina. Pralay who was standing near Naina, gave her a disgusted look. The girl was dressed in jeans and fuchsia pink top, he had no idea why all girls liked pink; it was such a weird color. Deepika observed the boy staring at her, and she pulled a face with a snobbish upward tilt to her head.

Soon they were all seated, and Naina caught Sameer’s eye, asking in gesture about the visit. Sameer gave her a small smile, and after checking that no one was looking at him, winked at her. Soon Vishakha started to discuss about the wedding arrangements, “reception hall bhi soch hi liya hai humne – Cube Grand. Bas ek baar Naina dekhle aur usko bhi pasand aaye toh hum final kar denge.”

As expected, Taiji couldn’t resist, “Neva! Ab aap logo ne dekha hai toh Naina dekhke kya karegi? Waise bhi sasural wale jo soche ladki ke liye wahi sahi.”

Vishakha smiled, “hum toh shayad sahi hi sochenge, lekin Naina ki pasand aur raay utni hi maaine rakhti hai jitni Sameer ki.”

Chachaji and Chachiji beamed with pride, Taiji had a shocked expression, Tauji tried to understand this new type of dynamics where a female was given so much importance, while Rakesh shifted in his chair perplexed. Naina looked up at Sameer, who blinked reassuringly.

Vishakha continued, “aur haan, maine lucknow wale tailor jo hai yahan pe unse baat kar li hai. Kal maap lene aayenge toh Naina ghar aayegi to achcha rahega. Preeti beta, tum bhi aa jaana saath me agar kaam se chutti mil sake toh.”

Preeti was surprised at the invitation, and Rohan grinned wide until Sameer nudged him with his elbow indicating him to control his expressions. Naina also nudged Preeti, and then looked up at Chachaji who nodded in approval. She smiled, “haan mummy, main Preeti ko saath leke aaungi.”

“Thike”, Vishakha smiled, “toh fir tay raha, kal ghar pe shaadi ke jode ke liye maap le lenge, aur shaam ko yahan pe design select kar lenge. Tumhare Chachiji aur Taiji bhi designs dekh le na. Aur maine ek saree wale ko bhi bulvaya hai kal shaam ke liye.”

“Aur saree?”, Naina queried, “aapne itne saare toh kharide uss din Asopalav se.”

Vishakha laughed, “woh toh bahot kam the beta. Abhi tak toh humne shaadi ke dusre functions me tum kya pehnogi woh bhi nahi socha. Aur fir hamesha saree thodi pehnogi, thode salwar-kameez bhi silva lenge.”

Chachiji smiled, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye, iska matlab Naina shaadi ke baad bhi salwar-kameez pehen sakti hai?”

Vishakha looked at Naina adoringly, “haan kyun nahi. Uska jo man ho woh pehenegi Naina. Maine aaj hi uske college ke photos dekhe the, jeans me bhi kitni pyaari lag rahi thi. Maine toh aaj tak jeans me dekha hi nahi hai Naina ko.”

“Oh bai! Sasural me jeans”, Taiji exclaimed.

“Naina ka apna ghar hai woh”, Vishakha announced. Sameer stifled his laughter; his mother was on the roll, and Naina’s eyes kept widening with each statement. He could see that Taiji was almost on the verge of fainting at the thought of the freedom Naina would have post marriage.

He added more fuel to the fire, “mummy, parso wala plan bhi abhi hi tay karlo. Taiji ko fir aur koi kaam hua toh aa nahi payengi warna.”

Vishakha nodded, “haan”, and then addressed Taiji and Chachiji, “parso agar aap dono 11 baje ke baad thoda samay nikaal paaye toh Naina ke liye zevar kharidne chalenge. Waise bhi itne saare zevar banne me time lagega. Abhi se banvane denge to waqt rehte ban jayega.”

Sameer saw Taiji sway a little and she held on to the swing for balance. He very nearly grinned. Naina looked over at him, and saw the sparkle in his eyes, as if he was enjoying the situation. She followed his gaze and it landed on Taiji who now looked slightly pale. Instantly she understood what he was up to. Taiji had raised questions on their marriage, and through all these arrangements Sameer was reinforcing that nothing could deter him from getting married to her.

Very soon it was time for dinner; it seemed that most members of Agarwal household had been rendered speechless by the surgical strike suddenly conducted by Sameer and his family. Chachiji made hot parathas in the kitchen, while Preeti and Naina served dinner. Taiji still sat at the swing with a slightly dazed expression, as the discussions on the dinner table also revolved about the wedding preparations. Preeti and Rohan also jumped in with suggestions about Sameer and Naina’s dress color coordination. When Naina came to serve dal to Sameer, he sneakily brushed his fingers along her thigh and was gratified on hearing her sharp intake of breath. She narrowed her eyes at him, and he knew that he was in for some adventure very soon. His woman was not the one to be left behind. But, what would she do this time? And what would he break? He glanced around at the glasses and dinner set, and then at Taiji and thought that he wouldn’t mind breaking the entire set this time.

After dinner when ice-creams were being served, Naina handed him the bowl and in the process brushed her fingers on his hand. He stilled on seeing the small smile playing on her lips. Soon after, when he went to wash his hands, Naina handed him a towel and winked gesturing behind him. He frowned, turning back to look at what she was pointing, and saw a small shower unit on the wall. Not as sophisticated as the one they had installed at their home, but nevertheless it was a shower; and he immediately recalled how the water had flowed over her silken flesh. Trembling slightly at the memory, he watched her walk away from him, and then she turned to look at him with the same sensual smile. Oh God. His Naina was in full on flirting mode, something he had never been subjected to. He didn’t know how to react, but in a trance he started walking behind her. When they reached the small, narrow corridor bifurcating the kitchen and living room, Preeti rushed in like a hurricane, and Naina shifted to give her space. Sameer froze, because to give space to Preeti, she had moved back and her whole body brushed against his. He made a small sound, like a trapped person, and she moved away, but not before flashing him a grin and flirty wink. Dammit! She had done it on purpose. He struggled with the desperate urge to grab her and kiss her, and kept on repeating in his mind that he couldn’t do it now.

Taiji was sending Preeti and Pralay to keep her precious dinner set back at her home, afraid that Sameer might again break something. She had been nervous all throughout dinner, but thankfully nothing had happened.

“Jaldi chalna Pralay”, Preeti nagged.

Sameer came out in the living room, his eyes still plastered on Naina. Deepika chirped, “bhaiya, kal main bhi aau aapke saath Bhabhi ko lene?”

“Huh”, Sameer replied, still lost, “umm… woh… Preeti bhi hogi na saath me. Tum ghar pe mil lena.” What was he saying? He didn’t know.

Deepika sulked, and glared at Pralay who was passing by. He stuck his tongue out, and Deepika repeated the motion, then turned away from him with the same arrogant tilt of head. Pralay scowled, and tried to walk away while still glaring at Deepika, but unfortunately stumbled at the raised threshold near the entrance, and all the dishes he was holding went down crashing.

Sameer, who was standing away from the scene, stared at the broken pieces in surprise, while Deepika giggled because Pralay had also fallen down. The loud crash had stunned everyone, and Taiji moved like a bullet train. No knee pain stopped her from investigating the ruined set. Three dishes! Three precious dishes and three bowls were gone. She couldn’t even utter a sound at the devastation. Rohan and Preeti looked at each other, and Preeti carefully placed the remaining dishes on the table.

Naina sidled up to Sameer, and whispered, “Mubarak ho damadji. Scoreboard me aur marks add ho gaye.”

Sameer stared down at her, and his eyes glittered sending a shiver down her spine, “tum kal milo mujhe bas…”