Pandit could not eat much... he had no appetite. All he wanted was a chance to speak to Preeti. She had given him a positive sign, but he wanted to know her decision... in clear words. He glanced at her number of times, but did not find her looking at himself even once. This baffled him even more. Did he read her correct last night... was it really a positive sign? She did hug him... she did say she was sorry... but about what... about taking so long to answer or about not being able to reciprocate his feelings... did that hug mean anything... or he was making some false assumptions?
He was desperate now... the dilemma taking away the feeling of elation that had spread over him since yesterday.
"Itna pareshan mat ho... main chachaji se jaldi hi baat kar lunga... Preeti maan gayi hai toh chachaji bhi maan jayenge." Sameer tried to cheer him when he saw his saddened face.
"Kya Preeti sachmuch maan gayi hai?" Pandit said wistfully.
Sameer was taken aback, "Munna toh keh raha tha... ek minute... Pandit, mujhe laga yeh baat clear ho gayi hai... tujhe abhi tak pata nahi?"
"Mujhe bhi kal aisa hi laga... lekin aaj shaq ho raha hai... usne koi baat hi nahi ki hai aaj... dekha tak nahi, yaar." Pandit whined.
Sameer looked at Preeti talking to Sonali and Naina near the kitchen door... she didn't seem to be stealing glances at Pandit.
He pursed his lips... he needed Naina's help now.
Sameer got up, "Chachaji, mujhe zara haath dhone hain."
"Aao beta, main le chalta hun." Anand offered.
"Nahi, aap kyon leke chalenge... mujhe pata hai wash basin kahan hai... main chala jaunga." He stopped Anand.
His hand brushed against Naina as he crossed the girls. She looked at him. He gestured her to come along. Before Naina could say anything, he was gone.
"Chali jaa... mushkil hai uska tujhse door reh paana." Sonali gave a crooked smile, seeing the exchange between them.
With a blush creeping up her face, she went towards the wash basin.
"Kya tum Preeti se baat karwa sakti ho?" Sameer said the moment she reached him.
"Tumhe Preeti se kya baat karni hai?" Naina looked at him strangely, wondering what he wanted to plan now.
"Mujhe nahi, Pandit ko karni hai." Sameer said.
She could understand Pandit's restlessness.
Leaning back, she looked at her family busy with each other. Amongst all happy faces, Pandit's gloomy expression was easily noticeable.
"Sameer, Pandit se toh Preeti ne kal baat kar li hai... fir woh itna udaas kyon hai?" She thought Sameer wasn't aware of their conversation.
"Haan, pehle Pandit ko laga tha ki sab clear ho gaya hai... lekin ab usse pakka nahi hai... matlab aaj Preeti ne usse kuch kaha nahi isliye usse samajh nahi aa raha... agar ek baar dono baat kar lenge toh achha hoga." Sameer suggested.
"Umm... sabke saamne kaise hoga?" Naina was unsure.
"Please kuch karo na, Naina... uski haalat toh dekho." Sameer almost pleaded.
"Theek hai, main kuch sochti hun." She contemplated.
"Aur saath mein apne liye bhi soch lena... mujhe bhi tumse milna hai." He slid his hand around her waist.
"Sameer." Naina jerked his hand away, scared that anyone could come there.
"Kitni der ho gayi tumhare paas aaye... thoda dose toh mujhe bhi dedo na." Sameer ran a finger along her arm, making her shiver.
