Na Jaane Kyon...

Palken chamakne lagi hain... ab khwaab kaise chupayen

Title is the song 'Phir Kabhi' from the movie "MS Dhoni'

After meeting Ayush, Sameer and Naina went to check on nanu. With the spectacles perched on his nose, he was reading some reports on his laptop.

"Good morning, nanu." They said in unison, coincidentally.

"Arre aa gaye tum dono." Nanu's face broke into a bright smile. He put away the laptop, waving at them to sit with him as he took off his specs.

Naina checked the medicines in the tray kept on bedside table, "Kaise hain aap? Medicine le li na? Raat ki dose miss toh nahi ki?"

"Saari dawai le li. Tumse daant thodi khaani thi." Nanu rolled his eyes, then added with a fond pat on her cheek, "Lekin meri asli dawa toh tumhare chehre ki yeh smile hai. Naina, bohot achha laga beta, tumhari aankhon mein subah jaisi roshni dekh ke."

Sameer looked lovingly at her... same moment, her eyes drifted to him, brimming with love.

Nanu was filled with gratification at this exchange. Naina was taking care of him ever since he fell ill, but he could see the emptiness which still lurked in her eyes, the shadows that marred acknowledgment of her place in the family... even in Sameer's life. He had no idea how they got married, because he couldn't see complete acceptance in her demeanor till now. But today, her face radiated a different glow. The warmth that flowed in their eye lock warmed him as well. Something had definitely changed between them, that had broken the ice of her resistance.

He cleared his throat to get their attention. Both looked back at him, sheepishly.

"Mr Mahajan ka mail aa gaya hai. Kal ki meeting ke points unhone incorporate kar liye hain. Yeh matter toh solve ho gaya. Ab agle mudde pe aate hain." Nanu crossed his arms, showing no inclination to pick the laptop to discuss the matter he was talking about.

Sameer gave him a questioning look, "Kisi aur client ka issue ho gaya hai kya, nanu?"

"Nahi, iss baar client ka nahi, company ke maalik ka issue hai. Uski shaadi ho rahi hai." Nanu gave them a meaningful look.

Though Sameer was aware this would be planned eventually, he was surprised nanu had thought about it so soon. For Naina, it was a shock.

"Nanu, pehle aap poori tarah theek toh ho jaiye. Abhi se aapke liye itna exertion sahi nahi hai." Sameer proposed.

"Yaar main ekdum fit hun. Kal doctor bhi hairan tha. Kehne laga ki konsi jaadu ki chadi mil gayi hai jo dawa se bhi zyada asar kar rahi hai. Maine kaha bhai doctor, tum log sirf shareer ka ilaaj kar sakte ho. Lekin agar aisi khushi mil jaaye jo dil ko sukoon de toh shareer apne aap hi fit ho jaata hai." Nanu smiled brightly at them. Though her hesitation had worried him a little in last few days, he was sure Naina was not forced by Sameer to agree to the marriage... and he was happy for them, besides being excited for the day when he would see them together in real sense.

Sameer showed fake annoyance, "Achha, aapki khushi hum log nahi the kya jo aap bimar pad gaye?"

"Abey gadhe nayi khushi ka charm alag hota hai. Meri bahu ke aane se aur zyada rounak aayi hai. Tujhe toh bachpan se dekh raha hun. Aur isiliye tujhe achhe se jaanta hun. Zara meri agli baat dil thaam ke sunna." Nanu's eyes raced between the two of them, to capture every reaction that he was to get at his next words, "Ab kyonki hum shaadi poore tareeke se karenge toh thoda mahaul banana chahiye. Isliye main soch raha tha... jab tak shaadi ki rasmein nahi ho jaati, Naina ko mere saath wale room mein shift kar dete hain."

If eyes could actually fall off the face in utter shock, Sameer's would have rolled down to the floor. A momentary look of dismay appeared on Naina's face too, but she was quick to camouflauge it, lowering her eyes.