Na Jaane Kyon...

Teri umeed tera intezar

Next two days at office were the hardest for Sameer. In spite of his best efforts, his path didn't cross Naina's. He didn't see her in the canteen, nor could he meet her in the lift. On their way back, Rohan's non stop talks confirmed that she was coming to office regularly, and doing her work efficiently.

"Nanu, yeh toh sarasar nainsaafi hai. Rohan ke liye aapne Naina ko dhoonda aur mera kya? Mujhe bhi..." He checked himself before blurting out what was on the tip of his tongue while they drove towards office on Friday, after Rohan had just ended a call with Naina.

Nanu gave him an apologetic look, "Sorry yaar, mujhe kya pata tha woh Vikas itna irresponsible hoga. Uske pichle job ke recommendation letter ke hisaab se toh woh bohot hard working aur sincere hona chahiye tha. Lekin aisa bhi ho sakta hai beta koi genuine problem aa gayi ho. Main aaj hi HR ko bolta hu uske home address pe contact karein, kyonki uska mobile non reachable hi aa raha hai itne dino se."

Sameer looked at Rohan through the rear view mirror. Seeing him busily typing into his phone, a pang of jealousy again hit him... was Rohan sending messages to Naina. Here, he didn't even have her number, and Rohan called her up just about anytime.

"Rohan, tu office aata hi kyon hai?" The anger in his voice surprised both Rohan and nanu.

"Kya matlab bhai? Office kyon nahi aaunga?" He was puzzled by his brother's strange question.

Sameer glared at him through the mirror, "Nahi, kaam toh tune saara unko... Miss Naina ko de diya hai. Toh unko hi sambhalne de na... tujhe kuch karna hi nahi toh chutti leke baith aaram se."

There was a silence of few seconds in the moving car, and then it was taken over by the loud laughter of nanu and Rohan.

"Nanu, bhai meri assistant se jal rahe hain." Rohan managed to speak when his laughter subsided a bit.

"Teri assistant se nahi tujhse." The words simmered in Sameer's mind, but he remained quiet.

Nanu placed a hand on his shoulder, "O yaar, itna kya kud raha hai. Ya toh assistant chahiye hi nahi tha tujhe aur ab aise taane maar raha hai jaise woh TV wali aurtein maarti hain."

"Nanu, ab aap bhi mera hi mazaak udaoge? Ek toh waise hi itna stressed hun do din se." Sameer lamented.

"Kyon bhai? Kuch issue hai kya?" Rohan sobered down immediately.

Nanu narrowed his eyes, "Sameer, kuch problem hui hai? Bataya kyon nahi. Woh New Zealand wali deal ke baare mein hai kya? Kyonki Mumbai ka matter toh resolve ho gaya tha Vivek ne bataya raat ko. Beta, tu akele sab handle karne ki zid mat kiya kar. Bata kya hua."

Sameer realised his folly. Till now, his only reasons of stress were matters at office. His personal life had been smooth and always in control... till he met her. But this wasn't something he could share with anyone.

"Nanu, bhai ki problem ka solution kiske paas hai mujhe pata hai." Rohan shifted a little ahead, rubbing his palms.

"Tujhe pata hai? Kiske paas hai bata toh?" Nanu gave him a surprised look.

"Naina ke." Rohan declared.

The car came to a screeching halt, making all of them jerk ahead, but protected by the seatbelts. Thankfully, they had reached the driveway of their office... or it could have caused a major accident. But  Sameer's mind could not process anything except what Rohan had said.

"Na... Naina ke? Ky... kya matlab?" He turned in his seat, staring at Rohan with rounded eyes.

"Bhai aaj itni rough landing kyon? Agar aap drive kar karke thak gaye ho toh mujhe bol do, nahi toh driver ko. Nanu, aapko lagi toh nahi?" Rohan gave him a shaken look before turning to nanu.