Standing at the threshold of terrace, feeling the outside cold compete with the fire burning inside them, Sameer held Naina close to his heart.
They stood comforting each other for how long, they didn't realise. Only when the intercom started to ring did Sameer lift up his head.
"Sameer, dekho toh kaun hai?" Naina nudged him when he kept staring at the ringing phone, without making any effort to move.
With a sigh, he walked to pick up the instrument. In reply to his dull hello, whatever the person on other side said, he listened without much interest.
"Theek hai." He ended the call with a contribution of two words.
Looking back at Naina, he spoke with a serious face, "Jab hum Ooty jayenge toh aisa kamra nahi lenge jahan intercom ho."
She blushed at his mention of their honeymoon destination... and his frustration at being disturbed by the call.
"Chalo, Rahul apne kamre mein bula raha hai... unhone khana wahin mangwaya hai." He got up from the couch, running a hand through his hair.
They went to Rahul's room. He had ordered food for all of them. Rahul and Sonali were in their usual excited and chirpy mood, teasing each other, joking with Sameer and Naina. Soon, their cheerful banters helped to improve Sameer's state of mind as well. By the time they finished their dinner, he was enjoying with them, pulling their leg or getting laughed at.
"Sameer, pata hai, Sonali ko lagta tha mujhe Naina mein interest hai... isliye usne mujhse kabhi baat nahi ki." Rahul chuckled, winking at his wife.
"Haan toh lagega hi na... baat tum usse karte the, bahane dhoondhte the uske paas jaane ke, yahan tak ki baithne bhi lage the uske saath. Ab koi bhi yehi samajhta na ki tumhe Naina pasand hai." Sonali smacked his chest lightly.
"Waise laga toh Sameer ko bhi tha." Rahul gave a mischievous look to his friend.
"Theek toh keh rahi hai Sonali... koi bhi aisa soch leta tere naatak dekh ke." Sameer frowned as he recalled his own reaction to Rahul's advances.
"Lekin Naina, tumne toh aisa nahi socha na?" Rahul questioned her.
Naina pursed her lips, twisting her fingers.
"Rahul, sach bataun toh maine kabhi dhyan nahi diya ki tum kya baat karte ho... main apne hi problems mein itni uljhi hui thi ki aur kuch sunne samajhne ki haalat nahi thi." She looked at Sameer, then lowered her eyes.
"Bas isiliye maine tumse baat karni shuru ki thi, mujhe pata tha tum mere kisi baat ko galat nahi samjhogi... Naina, jo pyar karte hain na, woh pyar samajhte bhi hain... mujhe lagta tha tum kissi ki wajah se iss haal mein ho... par woh Sameer hai yeh ahsaas baad mein hua." His voice went soft.
All three gave him a surprised look.
"Tumhe pehle se kaise pata tha... main toh iske saath rehti thi fir bhi nahi samajh paayi." Sonali was impressed with his interpretation.
"Sonali, tumhare saamne yeh khush rehne ki koshish karti thi... kyonki tum iski dost ho... main jab bhi baat karne gaya, Naina ka dhyan kabhi hota hi nahi tha mujh par... uski aankhen jaise kuch dhoondti rehti thi... aur ek din woh nazar Sameer pe jaake ruk gayi... uske baad maine hamesha notice kiya ki Naina ke naina Sameer ko hi dekhna chahte the... aur ek woh tha... jo chupta rehta tha." Rahul glowered at him.
"Tujhe bataya toh tha maine... uss samay sab kuch alag tha... bohot mushkil haalaat the." Sameer was reminded of the melancholy of his initial days.
Naina placed her hand over his. He looked at her... she gave him an assuring blink... those days were over... they were together now... and will always be...
