Na Jaane Kyon...

Tere hoke rahenge... dil zid pe adaa hai

Sorry, this one is totally unedited. Please point out the mistakes.

The office party was attended by all employees of the Marketing floor. Sameer accepted everyone's wishes with a smile. Over last few days since Naina had been working here, she had been acquainted with most of the staff. Though she was cordial with all, the bond she had developed with the gang of four from the floor above couldn't be recreated. Thus, she quietly stood in a corner as people crowded around Sameer.

"Naina, how are you? Markets ka project kaisa jaa raha hai? Koi problem toh nahi hai na?" Nanu asked her in a gentle voice, approaching her.

"I'm very well, sir. Koi problem nahi hai. Maine teen markets cover kar li hain. Do ki report bhi ready hai. Aap kahein toh aaj dikha sakti hun." Naina replied.

"Arre nahi, aaj nahi. Aaj main zara party mood mein hun." Nanu laughed, "Mere Sameer ka birthday mere liye bohot special din hota hai. Yeh toh iski zid ki wajah se office aa gaya warna... khair chodo. Lekin haan, tum apne birthday pe chaho toh chutti le lena... aur agar tumhara yeh boss manaa kare toh mujhe batana, main uska boss hun... usko bhi chutti deke ghar bitha dunga."

Nanu noticed a sharp wave of anguish flash in Naina's eyes before she lowered them. He was jolted by her reaction to something that was a reason of cheer for everyone... birthdays always meant celebration. Why did the mention evoke such reaction in her?

When she looked back at him a few seconds later, her eyes were vacant, "Mere liye Ayush ke baad sirf kaam special hai, sir. He's my younger brother. Mujhe leave Ayush ke birthday ke liye chahiye hogi... parson. Bas half day. Lunch ke baad ka time kaafi hoga uski party ki preparation ke liye."

Nanu had not failed to notice how she changed the focus from herself to her brother. On face, he smiled widely, "Arre waah. Lekin beta party ke liye itna kam time kyon? Tum poore din ki leave lo. Okay? And no argument over this."

"Lekin sir woh report..." Naina protested.

Nanu held up one hand, "Mujhe pata hai kaam important hai lekin rishte sabse pehle aate hain. Hum jo bhi hain apne rishton ki wajah se hain. Yeh jo khushiyon ke chote chote pal hote hain na... kabhi festival, kabhi birthday ya anniversary, aur kabhi aise hi kisi apne ke saath ke... unn palon ko samet lo. Yehi humein muskurana sikhate hain, yaadein dete hain, khush rehne ki wajah hote hain. Jo tumhare liye khaas hai, uske liye waqt nikalna kaam ko nazarandaaz karna nahi hota. Hamari company mein kabhi kisi ko aise occasions pe leave lene se manaa nahi kiya jaata. Haan, mujhe pata hai, kuch log iska galat fayda utha lete hain... lekin hazaaro logon mein se agar sau do sau galat kar rahe hain toh uski wajah se baaki sabka haq nahi cheen sakte. Yaad rakhna beta, jo log humein pyar karte hain, humein apni duniya samajhte hain, unke liye hamare paas waqt kabhi kam nahi padna chahiye."

Naina could feel the sting of tears in her eyes. Nanu immediately realised his mistake... his words must have brought the memory of her parents.

"Ab tum report ki tension mat lo, bas Ayush ki party ki planning karo... aur haan, main Sameer ko bol dunga ki parson ki full day leave maine approve kar di hai. Theek hai?" He changed the topic.

Naina nodded, blinking hard to contain the tears within her eyes.

Sameer had seen nanu talking to Naina. He badly wanted to join them but he was surrounded by people from staff. Finally, when the phone started to ring and he saw Ayush's name on the screen, he did not let the chance slip.

"Hey Ayush." He cheerfully answered the phone, walking towards the most important people in his life.

"Happy Bday to you, Naina ke sir. Aapne mera card dekha? Aapko kaisa laga? Maine special wala banaya aapke liye. Nice hai na?" The exuberance of little boy could be felt through the phone as well.