3.

Prakash and Veer were chatting on the sofa, laughter floating softly through the room. Pratibha was outside, tending to her plants in the courtyard.

Veer suddenly got up. “Papa, mein ek minute mein,aaya .” he said.

Prakash just nodded, and Veer excused himself, walking toward the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, Naina was kneading dough, focused on shaping it perfectly. A few strands of her hair had escaped her braid and fell over her face. She blew them away softly, trying to keep her concentration.

Veer stopped behind her, watching her quietly for a moment. Gently, he brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Naina felt a small shiver run down her spine and looked up at him, flustered.

Veer smiled softly, though he could feel his own cheeks warming.

“Aapko kuch chahiye tha?” Naina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Veer shook his head.

“Toh kitchen mein kyun aaye the?” she asked, still trying to focus on the dough.

“Bas… aise hi, dil kiya aane ka,” Veer replied, his voice soft.

“Main kuch help karun?” Veer added, glancing at the dough.

Naina shook her head. “Nahi… sab ho gaya hai, bas yeh hi rehta tha.”

She carefully placed a cloth over the dough to cover it and walked to the sink to wash her hands.

Once done, both Naina and Veer walked out of the kitchen together and sat side by side in the lobby .
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They were all sitting in the lobby when Pratibha looked at them and spoke warmly, “Veer beta, Naina ko bahar le jao… gaon dikha do. Usne abhi tak dekha hi nahi hai.”

Veer glanced at Naina.
Naina noticed his gaze and shyly nodded her head.

“Theek hai,” Veer said, then looking at her he added, “Aap tyaar ho jaaiye… hum abhi chal padte hain.”

Naina nodded again and quietly went upstairs.

In her room, she quickly brushed her hair, smoothing her braid and adjusting her pallu. Her heart felt a little excited — it would be the first time she stepped out to see the village.

After a few minutes, she walked back downstairs, ready to explore the village with Veer.
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Veer and Naina were strolling slowly near the fields that belonged to their family. The evening breeze moved gently through the crops, and the quiet surroundings made the moment feel calm and peaceful.

Veer pointed ahead and said, “Yeh wale khet bhi hamare hain… aur jo wahan dikh rahe hain, woh bhi.”

Naina followed the direction of his hand and nodded softly.

For a while, they walked in silence, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and their footsteps on the narrow path.

After a moment, Veer spoke again, “Aap zyada baat nahi karti kya?”

Naina looked at him, confused.

“Nahi… mera matlab,” Veer continued with a small smile, “aap mere saamne bolti kam hain… aur aapki aankhein zyada bolti hain.”

Hearing that, Naina’s cheeks turned pink.

Just then, her foot slipped slightly on the uneven ground. As she was about to fall, Veer quickly held her by her waist to steady her.

His hand brushed against her bare waist, sending a small shiver through both of them.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, as if the world around them had faded away. The soft breeze moved around them, and neither of them seemed to realize how close they were standing.

Suddenly, the loud caw of a crow broke their trance.

Veer quickly helped her stand properly and stepped back, looking down at the ground, slightly embarrassed.

Naina also lowered her gaze, her heart still racing from the unexpected closeness.

After strolling for a while, Veer and Naina returned home.
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Naina quietly went into the kitchen to help Pratibha, while Veer sat beside Prakash in the lobby and began chatting with him.

Later that night, Naina sat in front of the dressing table, gently braiding her hair as she got ready to sleep.

Just then, Veer stepped out of the bathroom after freshening up. He looked at her for a moment, then opened his almirah and took something out.

Walking toward her, he said softly, “Hum aapke liye kuch laaye the.”

Naina looked up at him curiously.
“Aapki pehli rasoi thi na… uska gift,” he added, handing her a small box.

Naina opened it carefully. Inside was a simple yet beautiful pair of rose-gold anklets with tiny ghungroos attached to them.

“Bahut sundar hai,” she said softly.

Veer smiled. “Aap pehenengi?”

“Haan,” Naina replied shyly.

She took one of the anklets out, about to wear it herself, when suddenly Veer bent down in front of her and held her foot.

Naina quickly pulled her foot back, startled. “Arre, yeh kya kar rahe hain? Hamare pair mat chhuyi—”

Veer looked up at her calmly. “Apni biwi ke pair chhu raha hoon… kuch galat thodi kar raha hoon.”

Before she could protest again, he gently placed her foot on his knee and carefully clasped the anklet around it. Then he took the second one and made her wear that as well.

Naina watched him quietly, her cheeks warm and her smile shy.

“Kya hua?” Veer asked, noticing her expression.

Naina thought for a moment before speaking softly, “Hamare ghar mein… koi apni biwi ko aise nahi rakhta tha. Pair chhuna toh door… woh unke liye kabhi tofa bhi nahi laate the. Aapko mere liye yeh sab karte dekh… mujhe ajeeb lagta hai.”

Veer looked at her gently. “Naina… main pati hoon tumhara. Mujhe par haq hai tumhara. Aur agar main tumhare liye tofe nahi launga… toh kis ke liye launga bhala?”

Naina replied innocently, “Mummy ji aur Papa ji ke liye.”

Veer chuckled softly. “Haan, unke liye toh launga hi…”

Then he looked into her eyes and said warmly, “Par sabse pehle toh apni biwi… apni Naina ke liye hi launga na.”

Naina simply stared at him for a moment, feeling shy and overwhelmed. Slowly, she smiled and lowered her gaze.

Veer watched her quietly, a soft smile still on his face.

That's it for this chapter.

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