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So happy to see you excitement! ☺️
Love, May
So happy to see you excitement! ☺️
Love, May
Hi All
I had planned to share one long last part of this FF. But haven’t managed to write much over the last couple of weeks due to some personal problems. Rather than waiting to complete it for another week or so, I have decided to share two slightly shorter updates.
Hope you like it and looking forward to your feedback as always.
Lots of love, May
Chapter 48
Though largely happy to be sharing the room with his wife, Sameer realised that she was now acutely aware of the amount of time he spent studying, or rather not studying. And this of course led to some pointed and some not-so-pointed reminders from her side, which obviously registered as nagging at his end! On more than one occasion, his romantic advances were met with a cold shoulder and a pile of books instead.
Then one day, she put up a timetable reminding him that their final exams were approaching in just a couple of months and announced “Aur ab exams khatam hone tak bilkul bhi no romance!” Sameer clearly appalled by this bleak outlook muttered “Sukhar hai Bhagwan ka final year mein tumse takraya, warna toh college ke saare mauj-masti wale saal kharab ho jaate!” Clearly perturbed by this remark, that evening onwards Naina did not ask him to study, but instead made it a point to sit studying with the light on till mid-night, well knowing that he could not sleep until the room was engulfed in complete darkness.
Sameer soon arrived at the conclusion that it was better to just study while she was at it too, rather than just tossing and turning in the bed. Of course, it probably also had something to do with the fact that he had realised, that the likelihood of his wife being in a mood to cuddle, kiss and so on was greater, when he had burnt the midnight oil bent over his books!
Every once in while he would glance at her and think to himself something on the lines of, Such mooch kissi janam mein masterni hi rahi hogi! Bechare isske… matlab mere bache… Pakka homework check karne ke baad hi cream biscuits dengi unhe!
Few weeks before their final exams started, one evening Sameer arrived from the factory to find his wife sitting on the swing in the terrace in a melancholy mood. Though she tried to brush away his queries for some time, Naina finally shared “Aaj office walon ne Mohan ko Ahmedabad office aur Namit ko Bombay office ke liye formal job offer ka letter diya hai.” Feeling a little unsure how to react to this, he asked hesitantly “Par tumhe toh pata tha na ke un dono ka hi selection ho raha hai? Aaj toh sirf letter mila hai…” She nodded dispiritedly and then headed downstairs muttering something about wanting to finish the cooking.
After eyeing her glum expressions guiltily throughout dinner, Sameer addressed his grandfather “Nanu, main soch raha tha ke exams khatam hone ke baad Naina agar factory aana shuru kar de toh? Internship toh khatam ho gayi hai, par isse kaam karna acha lagata hai.” Nanaji was very pleased with the proposed idea “Aare, iss mein poochne wali kya baat hai?! Main toh pehele se hi keh raha tha ke humara business chod kar isse kahi aur jaane ki jarurat hi kya hai.” But his astute gaze did not miss the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. After a drawn out pause he continued “Naina, beta par sab se important baat yeh hai ke tum kya chahati ho. Dekho, agar tum aur aage padhna chahati ho toh hume koi harjh nahi hoga. Mcom… ya woh kya hai aaj-kal naya… ha, MBA! Beta tumhara jo mann hoga batado.” She shook her head dismissively “Nahi Nanaji, aur padhne ka toh mera irada nahi hai. Internship mein itna toh samajh hi gayi hu ke kaam karte karte bahoot practical knowledge milta hai. Kitabon mein ki bahoot sari cheeze kissi kaam ki nahi hai.”
Nanaji acquiesced “Ha, yeh toh hai… practical knowledge toh on job hi jaldi milta hai. Ab Sameer ko hi dekh lo, iss ek saal mein kitna kuch seekh liya hai isne! Dekhna tum toh aur bhi jaldi seekh jaogi.” She fidgeted with stainless steel drinking cup in her hand, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim again and again. Nanaji prompted “Kya soch rahi ho? Agar tum ghar se bahar kaam nahi karna chahati toh bhi koi baat nahi hai… Naina, main smajhta hu ke ghar chalana aur gharwalon ka dhyaan rakhna bhi koi chotti baat nahi hoti. Tumhara mann agar badal gaya hai toh theek hai beta…” She objected “Aisi baat nahi hai. Kaam toh main such mooch enjoy kar rahi thi aur continue bhi karna chahati hu. Bus, soch rahi thi ke kahi aur job dekh lu toh??”
Before Nanaji could reply, Sameer interjected “Kahi aur job kyun karni hai tumhe? Naina, jab humara itna bada business hai... aur maine kaha bhi hai tumse ke main chahata hu ke tum wahi join karo! Factory mein tum apne hisaab se, Nanu ki tarah hi dus sade-dus ko aa sakti ho aur char baaje Nanu ke sath ghar wapas aa jaana. Aare itni flexibility tumhe kahi aur thodehi milegi? Yeh nine-to-five ke chakkar mein padne ki koi jarurat nahi hai!”
She blinked a couple of times finding it hard to counter his agreement, and yet remained a little unconvinced. Her words fumbled “Kaam toh main pura din kar lungi… flexibility ki kya jarurat hai… ghar mein bhi kaunsa itna busy hoti hu. Ramdhari bhaiya sab sambhal hi lete hai. Aur job hoga toh waha salary bhi toh hogi… thoda saving ho jayega... toh acha hi hoga, nahi?”
Sameer stilled. Was she still looking for financial independence outside the family? What was the need? Had he still not been able to provide her a sense of security? And taking a role within the business would have still earned her money, so maybe she just didn’t want to work with him. Sensing his discontentment, Naina and Nanaji went quite too. He swallowed a couple of more morsels in absolute silence and then excused himself from the table. As he walked a few paces away, he uttered in a very flat voice “Tumhe jo karna hai karo.” and then he left the lounge. Naina tried to gulp the unease starting to gather at the back of her throat. She looked at Nanaji in despair, wondering if she had said something inappropriate.
Naina cleared the dinning table and cleaned the kitchen trying to understand his reaction. Though not said quite in the same manner, his ‘tumhe jo karna hai karo’ had reminded her of the words said when he had left her in the college on that bench before the bidai. The disquiet slowly but surely spread through her veins, and with every heartbeat filled more and more of the organ pumping the blood through her body. She heard Nanaji call out to him from near the stairs and then heard him descend and head into Nanaji’s room.
When she turned off the lights in the kitchen and passed by Nanaji’s room, the door was closed but she could hear their muffled voices. She went through the motions of changing, getting their bed ready for the night and then sat down to study, but found it very hard to focus on anything.
Sameer had dragged himself to Nanu’s room post hearing the summons. Nanaji patted a spot on the bed next to him and asked gently “Kya ho gaya Sameer? Bahu ke job karne ke idea se tum itna upset kyun ho gaye? Mujhe laga tumhe koi aitraz nahi hai uske kaam karne se.” Sameer sat on the edge of the bed looking rather despondent “Nanu, baat uske kaam karne ki nahi hai. Mujhe toh dil se khushi hoti agar woh business join kare.” Nanu probed “Toh tumhe uske kisi aur ke liye kaam karne se problem hai??” He shook his head and then responded looking a little lost “Nanu, agar woh paise ke liye job karna chahati hai… toh iska yahi matlab huwa na ke main uski sari jaruratan puri nahi kar raha hu… ya toh usse ab bhi mujhpe bharosa nahi hai.” Nanaji tried to dispel his fears “Aare aisi koi baat nahi hai. Yeh toh sari biwiyon ki aadat hoti hai, chup-chap kuch paise jod ke rakhti hai! Tumahri Nani bhi ghar kharch ke paison mein se kuch ek alag batwe mein nikal ke rakha karti thi!”
Sameer looked at him blankly “Nanu, humare almari ke locker ki chaabi toh uske pass hi hoti hai. Jab bhi bank se paise nikalta hu, usse hi rakhne ke liye deta hu, aur jab bhi mujhe chahiye main usse mangta hu. Toh usse alag paise ki kya jarurat hai?!” His voice wavered “Shayad woh mere sath kaam nahi karna chahati hogi.” The elder man patted his shoulder reassuringly “Dekho abhi tum dono ki ghrihasti nayi nayi shuru hui hai, thoda waqt lagega ek dusre ke saare khayal ya darr samajhne mein. Usse khul se baat karo, samjhe?” Then he added thinking “Sameer, bahu jin halaat mein badi hui hai, uske dil se sare darr bus do din mein shayad dur na ho. Jaruri nahi hai ke iska yeh matlab hai ke tum kuch galat kar rahe ho, par shayad usse kuch jyada hoasle hi jarurat ho.”
Few minutes later Sameer plodded up the steps. He noticed her anxiety ridden eyes turn in his direction as he entered the room. Knowing he was hardly in the frame of mind to study that night, he directly headed to bed. His silence spoke volumes, just not the language that she could comprehend in that moment. A minute later, Naina too abandoned her books and switching off the light got into bed. When she slipped her arm around him, he placed his around her too, but she felt that his usual warmth was missing.
She uttered shakily “Sameer??” He let out a sigh and murmured “Good night Naina.” After another minute or so of the deafening silence between them, she asked “Aap itne naraaz kyun hai?” He muttered “Main naraaz nahi hu.” She wasn’t ready to let it go “Toh phir kya hua?” He started to turn away “Kaha na kuch nahi hua… So jao ab.” She clung harder “Nahi! Phele mujhe batao ke mood kyun kharab ho gaya tumhara. Agar tum chahate ho ke main job na karu aur ghar pe hi concentrate karu toh seedhe seedhe bata bhi toh sakte ho. Yeh flexi timing ka bahana kyun bana rahe ho?!”
He sat up and switched on the lamp next to him “Bahana main bana raha hu?! Tum kyun nahi kehti ki tum mere sath kaam nahi karna chahati? If you don’t want to spend so much time with me, you can say it clearly too!” Pulling herself up, she tried to pacify him “Sameer, tumhare sath kaam karne se mujhe koi bhi problem nahi hai.” He countered swiftly “Maine tumse kaha bhi hai ke agar tum humara business join karogi toh mujhe bahoot help hogi. Toh phir kyun bahar job karni hai tumhe? Aur please phir se yeh mat kaho ke paise ke liye, kyun ki mujhe nahi lagta tumhe iss ghar mein kisi bhi cheez ki kami padne di hai maine.”
Her lips quivered a little as she fidgeted with one of the kangans, “Sameer, baat sirf jarurat hi nahi hai… aur mujhe kuch kum nahi pad raha hai ghar mein. Par mere liye khud ki kamayi ki ek alag importance hai. Bus kuch apna kamaya hua hoga, iss khayal se hi bahoot tasalli aati hai.” He sounded confused “Par mera sab kuch toh tumhara hi hai. Yaar, aadha time toh uss locker ke chaabi kaha hoti hai mujhe pata bhi nahi hota!” And then his voice rose an octave “Tumhe mujhpe bharosa hi nahi hai kya?”
Naina’s voice trembled slightly “Bharosa hai. Par baat bharose ki nahi hai.” Suddenly pointing towards the window she said “Socho agar mujhe woh parde change karne ka mann ho toh… mujhe “ He interrupted “Naina, tumhe curtains change karne hai? Par tumne pehele toh nahi kaha… Agar mann hai toh bata deti, hum le aate naye.” She shook her head “O ho… parde nahi change karne hai. Main toh sirf ek example de rahi hu, ke agar karne ho toh… agar khud kamayungi toh aisi kissi cheeze ke liye kisise kuch kehna ya poochna jaruri nahi lagega. Bus le aayungi. Ya agar mera, tumhare liye kuch bada gift lena ka mann ho toh… tumse hi paise leke gift laane mein kya maza aayenga?!” As he seemed to dwell on this, she looked at him earnestly “Sameer, please galat mat samjho.”
He expressions softened a little “Toh samjhao mujhe… Kyun ki, fihaal toh mujhe tumhari thought process bilkul samajh nahi aa rahi hai. Aur ek baat theek se samajh lo, tumse free mein kaam karwane ka koi irada nahi tha mera!” She looked at him sharply “Kya matlab?” He elaborated “Naina, tum humare business mein koi role logi, toh salary toh tumhe uss role ke hisaab se milegi hi na… toh paise ko excuse mat banao.” She sounded puzzled “Ghar ke business mein kaam karne pe salary kyun hogi?”
Sameer replied with an impatient edge to his voice “Business toh business hota hai… family ho ya koi corporate. Har role ki salary toh hoti hi hai! Nanu ki hai, meri hai… toh tumhari bhi hogi.” Her eyes narrowed “Such mooch salary hogi??” He looked at her oddly “Tum seriously salary ka soch ke kahi aur kaam karna chahati ho?” As she nodded her head in agreement, he questioned “Toh tumhe humari factory mein mere sath kaam karne mein koi problem nahi hai?” As she shook her head in negation, all his features visibly relaxed.
For the next hour or so, they excitedly talked about what it would be like to work together. As he shared his vision on how he hoped they would be able to grow the business over the coming years, Naina realised just how much he had really been banking on having her support and involvement. His dreams and hers… gradually grew into their dreams.
The next month buzzed by, as Sameer stopped going to the factory regularly and instead focussed on preparing for the exams and then the exams themselves. The duo would be up at all odd hours of the night, Sameer trying to cram in as much as possible at the last minute, while Naina with the goal to complete her nth revision! Every once in a while, one would nudge the other person when they started dozing off. Cups of tea and coffee were consumed in the wee hours of the morning, in an attempt to drive sleep away. A couple of times some arguments ensued on when the light should be turned off or on, but nothing that was not forgotten the very next morning.
Naina’s exams started a few days after his and lasted for a few days post his too. She would watch him grudgingly those last few days, as he would pull the blanket over his head and continue sleeping, while she pulled herself out of the bed at four in the morning. But those days passed too and finally it was the last day of her exams.
When she exited the exam hall, Sameer was standing near the stairs with Munna and Pandit. He exclaimed to his wife with a big grin “Ab agar phir kabhi woh alarm subhe char baaje baja toh main hi guest room mein shift ho jayunga!” He winced overdramatically when she punched his arm playfully and teased “Ghar chalo, phir deekhati hu tumhe…” She smirked “Agar mere alarm se itni problem thi, toh bata dete… main hi Chachaji ke ghar rehne chali jati! Tumhe guest room mein shift hone ki koi jarurat nahi hai.”
Pandit interrupted their banter “Yeah tumhara jhagda ya romance, jo bhi hai, ghar ke liye hi reserved rakhna. Abhi humne aagle show ki tickets reserve ki hai, toh jaldi picture dekhne jayenge!” Naina squealed in delight “Hum movie dekhne jaa rahe hai? Aur woh bhi abhi?!” Sameer teased her “Plan toh kuch aisa hi tha… tum teeno ko surprise karne ka… par ab agar tum Chachaji ke ghar rehene jaana chahati ho toh…”
Munna’s eyes were still searching for one particular face. He muttered “Aare yeh Swati aur Preeti kaha reh gaye?? Yaar, humme inhe pehele hi bata dena chahiye tha film ke plan ke baare mein. Surprise ke chakar mein film hi na miss ho jaye!” Pandit tried to calm him “Aa jayengi dono… abhi puana ghant hai film shuru hone mein.”
Naina said to Munna trying to divert his attention “Munna, Mausiji aur Sweety didi se kehna ke ab koi bhi kaam ho toh mujhe bataye. Shaadi ki taiyari kaise chal rahi hai?” Munna updated her on the how Sweety didi’s wedding preparations were coming along. His sister had got engaged about two months back and the wedding was about ten days away. Sameer and Naina had been invited to his place for a meal sometime back and Naina had hit it off quite well with Munna’s mother and sister. The women had since meet a few times for some pooja or the other.
Just then Preeti and Swati approached them and Preeti called out “Naina! Tera paper kaisa raha?” Swati chuckled “Iska toh hamesha ki tarah acha hi raha hoga?!” Preeti then turned to Sameer “Jijaji! Aaj kaha meri behen ko le jaane ka plan hai?” Sameer answered “Saali saheba… plan toh hai, par sirf aap ki behen ko leke jaane ka nahi.” Munna quickly pulled out some tickets from his pocket and waved them in front of Swati and Preeti “Tan-ta-dan! Film ki tickets hai… hum sab ke liye! Chalo jadli chalte hai. Jaake zara cola-wola bhi karidenge!” The two girls squealed happily and then everyone happily headed to the cinema.
Everyone enjoyed the newly released Mamta Kulkarni and Aamir Khan starrer ‘Baazi’. Munna managed to edge himself next to Swati and watched the movie feeling extremely thrilled with this achievement. Copious amounts of Samosas, popcorn, soft drinks were consumed and still the group left the cinema debating which restaurant to head to next!
Noting the increasing attention being lavished by Munna on Swati that day and her subtle acceptance, Naina asked him the next time he visited their home “Munna, ab toh jaldi Sweety didi ki shaadi ho jayegi … tum, Swati se kuch baat karne ka soch rahe ho?” Munna accepted that the idea had been running through his mind a lot. After some brainstorming, they decided that Naina would approach Swati for help and get her involved in the activities around the wedding. This would give his family and Swati a chance to interact and hopefully form a favourable impression on each other.
After Munna left, Sameer asked her “Tum toh keh rahi thi ke inka rishta hona mushkil hai??” She responded “Muskhil toh hai, par namunkin bhi nahi… Dekhte hai, kya hota hai. Kum se kum usse aur humme yeh tasalli toh rahegi ke humne try kiya tha.”
Munna’s mother and sister had happily accepted her offer for help with the wedding preparations and Naina had been a frequent visitor in their household since. It had been especially busy since the day before as the wedding functions had now started.
They had just returned home from Sweety’s mehendi function. Naina draped in a rust-orange tusar silk and some traditional gold jewellery had eagerly kicked off the heels as soon as she crossed the threshold. The last two days she had been on her toes almost all the time. Having parked the car, Sameer followed her inside and asked sympathetically “Bahoot dard ho raha hai pairon mein?” She pouted “Patta nahi kyun hum ladkiyan khud ko yeh saja deti hai?! Phir bhi dophaar mein bina chappal ke hi ghoom rahi thi main.”
As soon as they entered their bedroom, he muttered “Baithon main tumhe foot massage deta hu.” She excitedly pulled him to the bed and exclaimed “Woh sab choddo! Pehele meri mehendi dekho.” He smiled looking at the intricate pattern covering well over half of her forearms along with the palms “Kaha toh tha, bahoot sundar lag rahi hai…” And then pulling on the collar of his deep red kurta he smirked “Aur rang bhi ekdum gehra chadha hai! Aakhir tumhara pati pyaar hi tumhe itna jyada karta hai!” She retorted “Khud ki tarrif karna band karo, aur yaha apna naam dhundho!” When he looked a confused she explained “O ho… woh humari shaadi mein toh nahi kiya tha na, toh maine aaj mehendi wali ladki ko bola ke tumhara naam likhe mere hathoon par. Ab dhundho!”
A slight blush spread across his features as Sameer brought her hands close and deeply inhaled the exotic fragrance. He then set out to find all the letters of his name hidden in the design on her hands. Every time he found a letter, he would present his cheek for a quick kiss as his reward. When he found the last letter, Naina pulled him closer and pressed her lips against his. That night their lovemaking turned even more intense and the room was soon filled with their soft moans and the heady scent of the henna and the crushed jasmeen gajras had been adorning her hair.
Later as they lay tangled together with a sheet pulled over them, he said “Sweety didi ke shaadi ke functions mein bahoot maza aa raha hai, hai na?” When she just nodded against his chest, he went on sounding a little dejected “Naina, humne yeh sab khaas moments miss kar diya. Tumhe bura lagta hoga na?” She stayed silent pondering for a bit and then replied “Miss toh ho gaya… par humme woh sab experience karne ko mila jiske liye bahoot saare couples taras jaate hai.” He tilted her face up “Matlab??”
Her face scrunched up slightly “Socho toh… aakhir kitne aise ladke honge jo bina kissi rok tok ke subha-sham apni girlfriend ke ird-gird mandhra sakte hai, jaise tum karte thay apni dating phase mein?” A warm smile started spreading across his face, as she continued after a small pause “Ya kitni aisi ladkiya honge jo roz raat apne kamre mein, apne premi ke sath baithke baatein kar sakti hogi, ya usse goodnight bol sakti hongi…”
She kissed him tenderly on his chest, just where his heart lay underneath “Sameer, mere liye toh woh pal bhi bahoot khaas hi hai.” He murmured contentedly “Ha, tum theek hi keh rahi ho… waise bhi kehte hai na… sab rasmon se baadi hai dil se dil ki sagai.” She chuckled softly teasing him “Aaj toh ekdum hi Salman Khan se inspired lag rahe ho! Lagta hai abhi Sweety didi ke sangeet ka asar khatam nahi hua.” He responded cheekily “Yeh unke sangeet ka nahi… tumhare sangat ka asar hai!”
The next couple of days around the wedding seemed to fly by at jet speed. As tears ran down Munna’s cheeks at the bidai, Sameer and Pandit’s eyes grew moist too. When Munna’s mother lamented how their home would feel extremely empty now, Naina along with a lot of other ladies of course, reinforced the idea that the easy solution to this problem would be to bring home a bahu at the earliest possible. The elder lady’s experienced eyes drifted in the direction of the bubbly girl dressed in a green lehenga who accompanied Naina and who had managed to somehow become part of the preparations almost like a family member, over the last couple of weeks. Of course, she had not missed the twinkle in her son’s eyes or the blush that would creep up his face as he made some silly comments in Swati’s presence.
Few days later, when Naina stopped by at Munna’s place to check-in on his mother, the elder lady asked “Aaj tumhari saheli Swati nahi aayi?” Naina replied “Nahi Mausiji, maine pehele se plan nahi kiya tha… bus pass se gujar rahi thi toh socha dus minute aapse milti chalu…”
Mausiji went quite for a bit and then came start to the point “Munna pasand karta hai na usse? Kuch chal raha hai kya dono ke beech?” Naina spluttered on the nimbu sherbet she was sipping on and stammered “Aap ko aisa kyun laga… kuch nahi chal raha hai… Swati bahoot achi ladki hai!” Mausiji tutted “Aare… Maine yeh kab kaha ke woh achi ladki nahi hai?! Aur main apne bete ke nas-nas se waqib hu… Sweety ki shaadi mein sara waqt uski nazar toh bus tumhari saheli par hi tiki thi!”
Naina fumbled for a bit but then shared that Munna had been smitten with Swati for quite some time now. She further admitted that the intent behind getting Swati involved in this wedding had been to see how the family got along with her and vice a versa.
Mausiji suddenly asked “Swati kya sochti hai?” Naina was at a loss “Pata nahi… Meri usse khul kar kabhi koi baat nahi hui… iss baare mein.” Munna’s mother looked at her quizzically “Agar itne time se usse pasand karta hai toh Munna ne usse kuch bataya kyun nahi hai??” When Naina tried to explain how Munna had not wanted to create any challenges in getting his sister married, his mother’s eyes misted “Bilkul sone ka dil hai mere Munna ka! Main toh hamesha kehti hu uske pitaji se… jitna shararati aur hasi-mazak karne wala lagta hai, utna hi apni zimmedariya samajhne wala hai!”
The elder woman sat pondering for some time, while Naina fidgeted for a bit wondering what would be the outcome of this revelation? As per the original plan, Naina was not supposed to do anything more than just introduce Swati to the family in a casual manner. After some deliberation, Mausiji grabbed her hand and said conspiratorially “Pehele tu pata kar ke Swati ke dil mein kya hai… agar uski taraf se ha hai, toh phir Sweety ke papa se baat karne ki aur manane ki zimmedari meri hogi!”
That evening as soon as Sameer arrived home, a slightly worried looking Naina said “Main coffee leke uppar aati hu. Jaldo fresh ho jao… uppar baithke kuch baat karni hai!” Despite some questioning, she urged him to just wait upstairs for her. Few minutes later, she set down a cup of coffee and some biscuits in front of him “Sameer, aaj shayad mujhse bahoot bada… locha ho gaya hai!” He was rather surprised at the choice of the word and asked “Locha?! Kya ho gaya??”
She recounted the details of her afternoon visit and the conversation with Munna’s mother. Looking anxious she asked “Ab kya karenge? Aise kaise Swati ko pooch sakti hu ke usse Munna pasand hai ke nahi??” Sameer couldn’t see the problem with that “Bus pooch lo… itna sochne wali kya baat hai?” She tried to reason “Agar usse bura lag gaya toh? Agar woh naraz ho gayi ke maine usse Sweety didi ki shaadi ke liye issi kaaram madat mangi thi… toh?” Sameer still couldn’t understand her apprehensions but decided to let her be the judge of Swati’s expected responses. After some thinking a plan was set in place and Naina invited Swati join them for some chat the next evening.
Sameer, Naina, Pandit and Swati were gathered around a table at Pandit’s all-time favourite chat joint. Sameer had roped in Pandit for the mission planned for that evening. A few minutes after placing their orders, Swati asked a little surprised “Munna nahi aaya aaj?” Pandit replied smiling broadly “Woh kya hai na… apna Chennu ab kuch jyada hi zimmedar ho gaya hai.” After signalling the waiter for some lassi, he added “Aur hona bhi chahiye… ab toh uski zimmedariya bhi badhne wali hai!”
Noting that she looked fairly confused, Sameer explained “Munna ke ghar wale ab uske liye ladki dekhna shuru kar rahe hai.” Swati lost some colour “Acha?? Par abhi toh unke yaha ek shaadi hui hai… itne jaldi kyun?” Naina now added “Aare, shayad didi ki shaadi mein hi Mausiji ko koi ladki achi lag gayi hai.” Swati stammered sounding agitated “Par… Munna ki pasand ke baare mein bhi toh sochna chahiye na… matlab usse bhi toh poochna chahiye… shayad usse koi pasand ho.”
Pleased with this reaction, the other three at the table exchanged some looks and Sameer mouthed at his wife ‘bolo!!’ Naina cleared her throat and said softly “Waise, Munna ki pasand kaun hai… yeh toh hum sab jaante hai. Toh Swati, ab tu hi bata, ke kya usse apne ghar walon ko bolna chahiye ke usse kaun pasand hai?” Swati flushed and fidgeted under the scrutiny of the three pairs of eyes.
Sameer started tentatively “Swati, dekho… Munna bahoot acha ladka hai. Tumhe dil se pasand karta hai…” Pandit joined in “Aur woh bhi saalon se! Tujhe toh yaad hi hoga, kitni baar apni society ke Navratri function ke liye chanda lene tere ghar mere sath aata tha!” Swati finally muttered “Woh kyun nahi aaya aaj tumhare sath baat karne?” Sameer replied “Actually, humne socha agar tumne seedhe seedhe na kar di, toh bechare ka dil buri tarah toot jayega. Issilye usse kuch nahi bataya.” She turned to her childhood friend looking tense “Naina, par uske ghar wale mane nahi toh?” Pandit assured her excitedly “Aare, tu kuch tension mat le! Uske ghar walon ko manane ki zimmedari humari. Tu sirf ek baar ha kar de… phir dekh, hum milke sab setting kar denge!” When Swati looked to Naina for reassurance, her friend squeezed her hand.
Lost in thoughts as a whirlwind of doubts, anxieties and also some excitement seized her imagination, Swati sat sipping on the cold drink that Naina had thrust in her hand.
Sameer exchanged some looks with his friend and pointed at his wrist watch, post which Pandit excused himself and ventured to the PCO outside to make a call. When he returned a few minutes later, he whispered to Sameer “Uske papa ne kaha ke dukkan se nikle dus-pandhra minute ho gaye… aata hi hoga.” Few minutes later the third musketeer entered and happily exclaimed as he approached their table “Abe Ponga, tune bataya nahi ke Naina aur… Swati bhi aane wale thay?! Main jaldi aa jata.” He tidied his hair rather self-consciously as he settled in the chair across from Swati.
Swati looked at him in surprise and then started looking at the pattern on the tablecloth with concentration. Casting some curious glances around the table, Munna asked “Kya ho gaya bhai? Tum sab itne shant kyun baithe ho? Koi tension ki baat toh nahi hai??” Pandit nodded his head agreement “Tension ki baat toh hai… Swati bahoot tension mein hai ke ghar walon ko kaise manayenge…”
Munna now looking worried questioned “Kiske ghar walon ko? Aur kiss baat ke liye manana hai??” Sameer too taking a cue from Pandit, added “Uske ghar walon ko… shaadi ke liye. Aur ha, ladke ke ghar walon ko bhi manana hoga na…” Munna visibly paled and then stuttered addressing Swati “Tune… shaadi ka… faisla kar liya? Kyun? Matlab kisse… aur kab?” Swati mumbled something incoherent colouring deeply as Pandit and Sameer struggled to hide their smiles.
Naina threw her husband and devar an irritated glance and then snapped at them “Yeh bhi koi topic hai bechare ko pareshan karne ka?! Kissi bhi waqt chalu ho jate ho!” She rushed to reassure the clearly distraught young man “Munna, tun inki baaton pe dhyan mat dena. Baat tension ki nahi, khushi ki hai!” Pandit eager to be the one sharing this stupendous news with his childhood friend jumped in “Bhabhi ne ha kar di hai!”
As a confused Munna looked at Naina for explanation, Sameer chuckled gesturing at Swati “Munna, teri Bhabhi nahi…. Meri Bhabhi ne ha kar di hai!” Swati’s blush grew much deeper. Munna continued to look stumped for about another half a minute and then comprehension dawned on him. The smile that slowly spread across his face and then turned into one of unbridled happiness, filled the hearts of all his well-wishers with deep joy and satisfaction.
For the twenty minutes or so, everyone except Swati seemed to talk all at once. Munna couldn’t take his off her for even ten seconds, every now and then wondering, if it was all just a beautiful dream. Naina gave him and Swati a brief overview of her conversation with Mausiji. Learning that Munna’s mother was willing to champion their case with the rest of his family, gave them a lot of hope that the battle wouldn’t be too up-hill.
Wanting to give the new lovebirds some privacy, the other three said their goodbyes and left the restaurant. The new couple stayed quiet for a bit, Swati staring at the restaurant entrance and fidgeting with the fork and knife, till Munna remarked grinning “Ab aur kisko ghayal karne ka irada hai? Mere dil pe toh tere teer kab ka lag chuka hai!” She blushed and then asked “Acha? Toh pehele bol nahi sakte thay??!” And then she asked uncertainly “Munna, agar humare gharwale nahi mane toh?” He replied super confidently “Koi aur mane ya na mane… mujhe koi farak nahi padta! Bus tune ha kar di toh ab toh humari shaadi hoke hi rahegi!”
As the other three stood outside by the bikes, Pandit smiling broadly announced to Sameer “Yaar, main toh khush hu ke hum teenon mein se kissi ek ka toh love marriage hoga! Matlab, love marriage ka toh excitement kuch alag hi hota hai, nahi?! Aur woh bhi, apna Chennu!!” As they all marvelled at this miracle, Naina laughed “Waise, excitement toh humari shaadi mein bhi kuch kum nahi thi! Jaan na pehechan… bus ho gayi shaadi!” As Pandit agreed jovially “Woh toh hai!”, Sameer addressed his wife blushing a little “Aur humare marriage mein bhi love ki koi kami nahi hai, right?” A delicate shade of pink started creeping up his lovely wife’s face.
(That's it for this part. And hope all Swana shippers are happy to see Munna ending up with the love of his life 😊)
Hey May
As much as I enjoyed this part... I am really feeling sad about my favourite story coming to end... I will miss waiting for its next update and imagining the upcoming in samaina's life
Its the same feeling I had when the show ended...
Har achi cheez ka kabhi na kabhi annt hota hi hai...
Please dont stop writing on samaina so soon...
will wait for your OS, TS or FF because you have a unique style which binds the readers ...
Now coming the update...
The small details like Samaina being unaware of female orgasm / feelings involved in consumption was so realistic...
Masterni Naina was really nicely put... And I need not mention how much I loved the part where Naina opened up on her need for financial independence...
Its not husband's fault coz Indian boys were brought up with a mentality that they have to be the provider to family and wife play the role of homemaker...
I liked the way Naina has started Addressing Sameer as "Tum" and Munna by his name... Its shows the difference in their dynamics...
Again with heavy heart... waiting for the last update
Cheers,
Akanksha
This was beautiful May di.
Masterni Naina in her full form
She wanted to be independent in one sense and I am glad they talked this out.
Chalo Swamun will be together
Naina was right yeh afsos toh nhi rhega ki try bhi nhi kia
Try krne se ab baat hi jayegi
I hope now you are doing fine
Will wait patiently for the next one
Wow.. Was waiting for an epilogue and another part came up.. Thank u dear.. I can relate myself with Naina's thoughts about salary and all.. Have been helping my husband in business from few years, but sab tera hi to hai doesn't give the satisfaction of self dependence😏
Swana having a live marriage here.. Nice.. Waiting for next update soon.. Hope we cross half century updates atleast before ending..
Love
Vandie
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