Na Jaane Kyon...

Dhal jaun main tujhmein, ghul jaun main tujhmein

Sameer barged into his room, infuriated at what Vishakha had said. The words still burned his ears, making him want to break everything that he could see around.

Preeti... how could his mother even think of such a proposal. She was his kid sister, that is how he had seen her ever since he could remember. And for him, there could be no one but Naina... only Naina.

He clenched his fists, looking around. His eyes fell on the punching bag. Peeling off his tshirt, he started to rain blows on the punching bag fiercely. As the sweat dripped down his torso, his blows got harder. The knock on the door went unheard.

Nanu entered to find him lost to everything, venting out his anger like he did when he was incensed to extreme level.

"Sameer." Nanu's voice made him stop abruptly.

Sameer held the bag, resting his head on it, his back towards nanu. The room remained silent, except for his heavy breathing.

"Beta. Itna gussa mat kar. Khud ko kyon takleef de raha hai?" Nanu walked closer to him, his voice gentle.

Sameer gulped. The anger started to ebb both because of the physical exhaustion, and nanu's soothing voice.

"Sameer, maine samjha diya hai Vishakha ko. Uski bhi galti nahi hai, beta. Bas ek khayal aaya toh usne keh diya. Ek maa apne bete ke sar pe sehra dekhna chahti hai toh isme burai hi kya hai." Nanu placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Lekin nanu, Preeti ka naam kaise le sakti hain mummy." Sameer scowled.

"Kyonki woh Naina ka naam nahi jaanti. Tu bata de abhi jaa ke. Vishakha khush hoke usse apni bahu bana legi." The tease was back in nanu's voice.

Sameer turned at once, his eyes stretched, "Nahi, please abhi nahi. Aapne kuch kaha toh nahi na?"

Relieved to see the blaze in his eyes gone, nanu smiled, "Jab tak tu Naina se nahi kahega, main kaise kisi se keh sakta hun?"

Scratching his head, Sameer lowered his eyes, "Kaise kahun, nanu? Himmat hi nahi hoti. Darr lagta hai kahin woh galat na samajh le aur dosti ka rishta bhi khatm kar de."

"Toh beta, dosti se aage ki raah dikha usko. Usse ahsaas dila ki dosti ke baad agla kadam jo hota hai woh tu uske saath lena chahta hai. Sameer, Naina ke liye khud se yeh sochna shayad na ho paaye, kyonki tu uss company ka maalik hai jisme woh ek job karti hai. Raasta toh tujhe hi dikhana padega."

Sameer took a few steps towards the center of the room, hitting his palm with the fist of other hand.

"Arre beta, yeh kya hua? Yeh chot kaise lagi?" Nanu noticed the wound on his back.

"Uhh woh nanu woh main... main gir gaya tha. Wahan ek table thi... usse lag gayi?" Sameer fumbled, turning to face nanu.

"Wapas mud, dekhne de." Nanu poked at his shoulder.

Hesitantly, Sameer turned. All scenes were again vivid in his mind. Goosebumps erupted on his bare body, thinking about Naina's touch. Closing his eyes, he drew in a sharp breath.

"Sameer, dekh tu hyper mat hona, lekin agar iss chot ka nishan reh gaya toh? Aksar iss tarah ke deep scratches koi na koi mark chod dete hain." Nanu said in a fearful voice, tensed at the thought of his reaction.

"What? Nishan kyon rahega? Na... maine ointment lagai thi." He twisted his arm, trying to touch the abrasion.

Nanu observed his unsuccessful effort to reach it, "Tera haath nahi jaa raha isliye shayad theek se na laga paaya ho. Shukr hai yeh nishan dikhega nahi tujhe. Warna jab bhi nazar padti, iske lagne se judi yaad ko kosta aur kudkud karta rehta."