Prem Vivah

• Akelapan •

4 days later...

Naina made all the arrangements in her bedroom for her and Sameer's virtual romantic anniversary night, she didn't do anything fancy but instead kept it simple as per her boyfriend's liking. She was nervous as hell, it was the first time in these four years that they weren't together to celebrate their special day. She couldn't stop rubbing her clammy palms while wandering her orbs around the room to check if something was left but everything seemed perfect to her. Thankfully her aai and baba weren't there at home as they went to the Ganesha temple to offer him their sincere prayers, and would probably return home at midnight as they were going to visit relatives too, and Prashant as always was occupied with his patients.

"Finally, aakhir woh din aa hi gaya jab main aur Sameer apni anniversary manayege...toh kya hua if we're not together? We can still express our love and happiness through video call." She thought with a beaming expression and unlocked the cabinet to check out her traditional clothes. She slid hangers while peering at the gowns and suits and wondered which one would look elegant on her according to the decorations.

"Sameer ko blue colour zyada pasand hai, i think I should wear this suit." Naina thought confusingly while holding the net cloth in her hand, staring at it with a Yes or No swirling in her mind.

"Usko hi poochu kya?" She mused.

"Nahi baba jane do, woh mujhe aur confuse kar dega, ya phir yeh kahega ki Naina tum jo kuch pehenti ho...sab me acchi lagti ho mujhe." Naina giggled at her thoughts while gently closing the cabinet, donning a soft smile. She added - "Mera Pagal."

She was about to enter the bathroom, when her phone rang thunderously, causing her to huff in annoyance. Naina walked toward the nightstand to pick up her cell phone, the navy blue suit folded around her wrist. She furrowed her eyebrows as she saw an unknown number flashing on the screen, and unnamed dread crept into her heart. She slid to answer the call and heard a familiar voice informing her in an urgent tone.

Time almost froze for Naina when she heard something unexpected from the other side, and she wasn't able to move or even blink her eyes.

"Main aa rahi hoon." This is all she managed to say in a low voice and immediately disconnected the call.

Naina threw the suit on the bed, grabbed her sling bag, and hurriedly wore the slippers before dashing out of the bedroom. She locked the house and hired a taxi for herself while anxiously fiddling with her gooiest fingers. She can't believe the news she just heard on the call. How can that be possible?

It's very hard for her to recover from the shock the familiar person has bestowed upon her a few minutes ago.

Warm tears occurred in her eyes while tightly clutching her bag, and she looked out of the taxi to no one in particular, trying to breathe normally. The air wasn't supplying into her puffed lungs and it was suffocating her now. Naina softly rubbed her palm on her sweaty chest, shivering at the thought of facing the worse situation of her life, and dwindling her leftover courage. She wasn't ready for it but also she can't sit idle at home.

"Deva, sab theek kar dena." Naina thought with a restless face and exhaled.

• Sameer has been calling Naina for one hour but her battery seems to be worn out. He panickingly paced the length of the room while blinking his heavy eyes, and lowered his gaze to the bond touch bracelet. He tapped on the digital screen, sending her I Miss You, and sent her a few messages to know her whereabouts.

"Radhika, do you know Naina kaha hai?" Sameer finally called Radhika after waiting for two hours.

"No, main toh bahar hun...kya hua?" Radhika replied to him in a soft voice.