Kiska Hai Tumko Intezaar

Kuch ho hi toh nahi paa raha

The minute Sameer drove out of building's parking lot, Munna let out his fear, 'Tune zyada nahi kar diya? Naina ke dost ke saamne jhooth kehne ki kya zarurat thi? Woh teri girlfriend teri family ke liye hai, baaki duniya ke liye nahi. Tera aise behave karna Naina ko achha nahi laga hoga.'

Sameer did not react for a while, then stated, 'Anu ko already lagta hai ki hamare rishte mein kuch off hai. Agar usne Naina ko kisi aur ke saath dekh liya toh uska shak pakka ho jayega.'

'Kisi aur ke saath matlab?' Munna asked in surprise.

'Woh ladka...' Sameer paused to form his suspicion into words, '... mujhe lagta hai woh Naina mein interested hai. Agar usne Naina ko patane ke liye... usne agar kahin chalne ko kaha... jaise, Naina ko kahin bahar le jaakar propose karne ka plan kiya...'

"Tu kya kya soch raha hai bhai?' Munna cut short his interpretation, 'Param interview ke liye aaya tha na ki Naina ko propose karne. Uska selection ho gaya hai aur woh hamari company join karega. Naina ko isliye jaanta hai kyonki woh dono ek saath pichle office mein the. Tujhe kisne kaha woh Naina ko bahar le jaa raha hai? Naina ki aaj tuition class hai, apne ghar ke paas. Woh ghar jaa rahi thi.'

Sameer shot a quick glance at him, 'Tujhe Naina ke office ke baad ka schedule bhi pata hai?'

"Haan kyonki mere saamne hi usne phone karke bachhon ko ek ghante baad aane ko kaha tha. Kaam ki wajah se usey nikalne mein late ho gaya.' Munna informed.

'Oh.' Sameer exclaimed but wasn't quite satisfied, 'Lekin us ladke ke saath kuch issue hai. Maine notice kiya jaise woh Naina ko dekh raha tha. Aaj nahi lekin aage jakar woh pakka try karta. Jab tak Naina ka contract mere saath hai, woh kisi aur ke saath date par nahi jaa sakti.'

A crooked smile played on Munna's lips, 'Matlab tu competition hata raha tha raaste se?'

Sameer shrugged, 'Kuch bhi samajh le. Role mein rehna hai toh actor ke jaise behave karna hi padega.'

Munna teased with a wider smile, 'Itna role mein mat aa jaana ki asli nakli ka fark hi bhool jaaye.'

'Of course mujhe pata hai.' Sameer stated matter of factly.

'Lekin fir bhi tujhe Naina se puche bina kisi aur ke saamne yeh baat nahi kehni chahiye thi.' Munna said with a serious edge to his voice.

Irritation bubbled within Sameer, 'Kyon? Uska chance spoil kar diya kya?'

'Woh baat nahi hai yaar,' Munna reasoned, 'tere liye...'

Pandit's call on his number interrupted their conversation. They had almost reached the place of meeting. Munna conveyed the same to an impatient Pandit. During their time together, Sameer tried to evade all questions about Naina. After a while, the discussion moved to Pandit. His father had started a new division in the factory and was planning to put Pandit in charge of that. It was almost like having his own business and Pandit was quite excited about it.

On his way back, Sameer's thoughts drifted back to Naina. He wondered if what Munna said earlier was right. Maybe Naina was more annoyed with him now for making such a declaration in front of someone who would be working with her. Not that he was bothered about her reaction but he didn't want any of her mood swings to effect her interaction with his family. Did he need to call up and apologise?

Sameer pulled the car to the side of the road, his thoughts all jumbled up. Should he or shouldn't he? After staring at his phone for a few minutes, he finally pressed the call button against her name.

'Hello?' Naina's voice over the phone was warm yet tentative.

Sameer furrowed his brows, 'Tumne abhi tak mera number save nahi kiya.'