SamAina FF: Maine Pyaar Kiya

Chapter 10: A stranger's entry

Maine Pyaar Kiya
Chapter 10: A stranger's entry

The days went by so fast that they didn’t even know when the time came and it was the night before the day Preeti and Naina would he leaving for Mt Abu. Even though Sameer didn’t want Naina to be away from him for the many days to come, he let go of his own desires, for the excitement that was visible in Naina's eyes every time she spoke of the upcoming wedding.

At first, Chachaji and Chachiji were a bit sceptical at the thought of sending Naina, given her accident that took place during the week, but Naina had convinced them saying it was nothing but a minor wound which would heal and that Preeti and Swati would be there along with Kritika and her family if any problem would arise.

Naina was then busy doing the last minute packing, making sure all was kept in the bag, from the clothes to the dresses for each function, to the matching jewellery and sandals to all that was needed to a wedding trip.

“Ahhh, mera Abhi tak kitna packing baaki hain, aur tera dekh. Tujhe sirf re-check Karna hain agar sab hain ya nai.” Preeti said as she grumbled over the multitude of stuff to be packed in her bags.

“Haan Haan. Aur jab main keh rahi thi, ki pack kar pack kar, aasan pad jayenga, Lekin naii. Main toh pagal hi hoon na, jo main sab pehle se hi karti.” Naina said, more like taunted and Preeti just rolled here eyes and decided on doing it silently as it would be better than hearing Naina's infamous taunts.

“Dekh, jijaji ka phone aaya.” Preeti said with a lopsided grin as the phone rang and Naina went to the lounge to pick the cordless phone.

“Beta! Kiska phone hain?” Bela hollered from the room.

“Swati ka.” Naina replied and answered the call.

“Hmm packing kaisi chal rahi hain?” Sameer asked as Naina smiled.

“Theek chal rahi hain. Bas Preeti thoda drama kar rahi hain kyuki uska Abhi tak bohot hain pack karne.” Naina said.

“Haha. Aakhir Sali kiski hain?” Sameer asked, proud at the fact that his saali is a procrastinator just like him.

“Obviously tumhari!” Naina said as she giggled a little.

The couple then continued talking and hesitantly went back to sleep, as they wanted to talk the whole night before their week-long separation.

The next day the Agarwal house was in a hustle and bustle with Naina and Preeti doing the last minute packing and keeping all the bags that were to be taken in the lounge. Even though only two girls were going, four bags were taken, two of which belonged to the girls and two which contained the gifts for the bride and her close family and the edibles.

Bela Chachi was hyperventilating and giving instructions to the girls on how to behave, what to do, what not to do. The way she was instructing them, it seemed as if they’re going to their Sasural.

Chachaji was busy doing the daily aarti and soon came with the plate from which everyone took the Prashad.

“Offo bela, Kya tum bhi. Humari bachiya bade huye hain. Samajhdaar hain. Dekhna Rukmani Bhabi toh in donon ki taarif pe taarif karengi.” He said as she smiled at the girls and the girls mentally thanked him, for if he hadn't come just yet, they would have to endure her lectures.

What to do? Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hain jab ladkiyon ka bahar jana, akele, badi baat hua karta tha.
“Haan Haan. Jaanti hoon main. Bhagwan jooth na bulaye, Preeti ke papa, mujhe bhi pata hain, humari dono betiyaan kitni samajhdaar hain.” She said as she smiled at them and the two gave her a hug before leaving.

The train just arrived at Mount Abu and as Preeti basked in the beauty of the place, Naina went in flashback mode remembering every single thing, second by second, that happened during her previous trip to Mount Abu.

How she wishes Sameer was there as well.
“Naina! Preeti!” a girl screamed from the crowd and walked to them.

“Kritika Didi!” The two girls exclaimed before the trio hugged.

“Kaisi hain aap?” Naina asked.

“Main bilkul Theek hoon. Batao, tum donon kaise hain. Kya hain yaar? Kabhi bhi Bombay aate hi nai hon.” She said.

“Hum bilkul Theek hain didi. Aur Kya kare? O bai hume kaise bejengi?” Preeti said as Kritika nodded her head as she giggled and Naina playfully hit Preeti by the farm for calling her o bai.

The cousins continued talking in the taxi till they reached the bhavan.  When they got out, they were met with a Bhavan. In those days, such weddings weren’t common.

Where the wedding would take place at a place far away from home.

Such was the first ‘destination wedding that Preeti and Naina attended.

“Wow Didi, kitna khubsoorat bhavan hain yeh.” Naina said as Preeti nodded her head, agreeing with whatever Naina said.

“Hain na? Waise tujhe pata hain, mummy papa in sab mein believe nai karte, ki Agarwal aur Maheshwari ke beech shaadi nai no sakti. Issi liye Toh, tum donon ke jijaji Maheshwari hain.” Kritika said as the two looked amused.

Only if their family was as supporting. Lucky for Naina, her Chachaji was supporting them in every step of their relationship.

“Waise photo dikhau?” She asked.

“Haan Haan! Dikhado na!” The two asked over enthusiastically as Kritika chuckled at their excitement.

“Yeh lo.” She said as she took out the picture from underneath her pillow and the two gushed at how good looking he is.

“Wow! Kitne handsome hain jijaji. Bilkul mere Sam-" Preeti said but stopped halfway as Naina widened her eyes at her.

“Kaise? Tere kaun?” Kritika asked as she raised her eyebrow at Preeti.

“Mere? Ohh. Mere Salman jiju ki tarah!” She said!

“Salman jiju? Ab yeh kaun hain?” Kritika asked.

“Arrey Salman Khan! Naina ka favourite hero! Issi liye main usse Salman jiju bulati hoon.” Preeti said as Naina heaved a sigh of relief and Kritika laughed.

“Tu bhi na. Bilkul pagal hain.” Kritika said.

“Arrey ladkiyon! Idhar kya khi khi khi kar rahi ho? Kitchen mein aa jaao. Thodi si madad kardo.” Kritika’s mother said as she came in the room and the three nodded.

“Waise Swati nai aayi?” Kritika asked.

“Who kal aayengi. Uski mausi aur mausaji aaye the aaj. Lekin who kal pakka aayengi. Aur aapko toh pata hain. Uske gharwale itne strict nai hain. Usse akela bhejenge.” Naina said as Kritika nodded her head.

“Waise Preeti, main Sameer ko kaise phone karungi?” Naina asked as she whispered in Preeti's ear.

“Ohho. Judaai ke din kat nai rahe hain. Jijaji ki yaad aarahi hain. Tension na le, unki photo se kaam Chala.” Preeti said playfully as  she knew that Naina brought Sameer's photo, the same one that she took from his house.

“Preeti!” She whisper yelled.

“Meri ma, mazaak kar rahi hoon. Ruk.” She said as the two joined Kritika.

“Didi, yeh yaha koi cordless phone hain?” Preeti asked.

“Haan, har room me hain.” Kritika said giving them weird looks.

“Kyu? Kisko phone Karna hain?”

“Salman ko.” Preeti said as she turned to lool at Naina and winked at her.

“Kya yaar tu bhi.” Kritika said as she playfully hit Preeti on the arm.

That night Naina tried calling Sameer, and as the phone was about to ring, Kritika's mother came in and she shut the call.

“Naina, tu yaha hain. Chal haal (hall) me chal. Sab waha hain.” She said as Naina gave a small fake smile and went with her. She turned her head and looked longingly at the phone.

Lagta hain aaj baat nai ho payengi.

As she entered the hall, more of a huge empty place on which mattresses and pillows were kept, she saw the uncles were busy talking about either the upcoming cricket match between Bharat and Pakistan,  or giving their own opinion on politics with a cup of tea and snacks and savories.

The aunties were all talking about how big the girls and boys have become and deciding on finding a good proposal for them.

And the youngsters that comprised of Naina's cousins, Kritika's cousins and friends were all sitting together in a big circle. outside the hall. Seeing the fire that was flamed on the logs, she remembered back to their bonfire night in Mount Abu. They’re having one here too.

“Arrey yaar, tu yaha hain? Chal baith.” Kritika said as she pulled Naina to sit between her and Preeti.

“Baat kar payi?” Preeti asked softly and she shook her head dejectedly.

That night they kept on taking, and even though a part of Naina was happy to be spending her night with those she met after so many years, a major part of hers was truly sad at the fact that she couldn’t talk to him. She tried participating in the talks but she couldn’t help but remember Sameer and dream about him with her eyes open.

The next day, they all got ready early as the groom and his side of the family were to be coming.

Naina worn the pink dress that Sameer gifted her for her birthday. That’s how much she missed him.

She was then walking down the stairs, talking with Kritika, Preeti and as few of their cousins and that’s when a figure caught her eyes.

‘Yeh yaha Kya kar raha hain?’ she thought as nervousness and a tinge of fear took over her.

Oh my god, who did Naina see? Which stranger made her feel nervous and scared?

People! Here is chapter 10! Hope you'll enjoyed it! Please do vote, comment and follow! Will love hearing from you'll.

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