Chapter 22: The 'Yes' That Trembled

Next day,

In the morning,

At Naina's apartment,

In her bedroom:

(The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently warming Naina's face. She stirred, her lips curving into a relaxed smile. Last night had been nothing short of magical, and the peacefulness she felt now was a rare gift.

Her hand reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, seeking Vikram's familiar presence. But her fingers met only the coolness of the empty sheets. Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of confusion.)

Naina: (murmuring to herself) Ghar chale gaye honge...

(She sat up slowly, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh. Glancing at the clock, her brows knitted in confusion.)

Naina: (eyes widening) 9 baj gaye? Alarm kyun nahi sunai diya, mujhe??

(Shrugging it off, she slid out of bed and grabbed a fresh set of clothes.

After a quick, refreshing bath, she put on her daily comfortable cotton co-ord set and stepped out of her room, ready to start the day.)

.

.

Outside her bedroom:

(The soft clinking of utensils, the unmistakable aroma of roasted peanuts and grilled bread drew Naina into the kitchen.

She paused in the doorway, wide-eyed, her breath hitching slightly as she took in the scene before her.

There stood Vikram, his tall frame, clad in a light grey apron tied loosely over his clothes, expertly tossing something in a pan.)

(For a moment, she just stared, her lips parting slightly in disbelief. She hadn't expected to wake up to this.

Vikram, sensing her presence, turned his head slightly. When he caught her expression, his face broke into a wide grin.

Setting the spatula down, he walked over to her without hesitation and pulled her into the warmest embrace, her head resting lightly against his chest.)

Vikram: (grinning) Good morning!!!

Naina: good morning

(He leaned down to plant a soft peck on her lips, his touch tender and unhurried.)

Vikram: did you sleep well??

Naina: (realizes and then mock accuses him) Aapne mere subah ke alarms band kar diye, hai na??

(Vikram stepped back slightly, his smile turning sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck.)

Vikram: Haan... I wanted you to sleep aaraam se. Pichhle kuch din kitne hectic thay, tumhaare liye... and since it is a Sunday today, so...

Naina: (thoughtfully) Aur mera phone kaise unlock kiya? Hmm?

Vikram: (his grin widens as he leaned casually against the counter) your password, it very obvious... 2808- bacchon ka birthday hai, 2nd August 2008. Mera bhi wahi password hai!

Naina: (gasps) Unbelievable! Aapka bhi password wohi hai?

Vikram: (shrugging, with a soft laugh) Kiaan and Kiara... are the most precious things in our lives!!!! Woh dono hamaare binding factor bhi rahe hain.

(Naina felt her faux annoyance melt away, replaced by an overwhelming warmth. She reached out to straighten the knot of his apron, smiling softly.)

Naina: (gently) Aur yeh sab kya ho raha hai?

Vikram: (his expression proud and boyish) Yeh breakfast ban raha hai, meri queen ke liye.... Don't worry, maine tumhara diet chart dekha tha, jo tumne fridge pe pin kiya hua hai. Sab ussi ke hisaab se banaya hai.

(He moved back to the kitchen counter, gesturing to the spread he'd prepared.)

Vikram: Dekho, peanut poha almost ready ho gaya hai. Fresh orange juice bhi nikaal diya hai, maine. Bas ek cheez thodi hatke banayi hai- woh hai vegetable sandwiches.

(Naina chuckled, her earlier shock melting into affection as she leaned against the counter.)

Naina: (softly) Vikram ji... iss sab ki kya zaroorat thi? Mujhe toh laga aap ghar chale gaye honge... bacche tension mein aagaye honge naa!!!

Vikram: (grinning as he plated the sandwich) Maine bacchon ko, yeh story kahi.... ki kal raat, main aur mere friends, kuch zyaada hi alcohol pi gaye thay, toh raat ko, party waale hotel mein hi check-in karke rukna pada.....(he gives a mischievous grin) ab agle din, breakfast buffet toh karke hi waapas ghar jaunga na?? (he winks at her) so we have a lot of time!!!

(Naina couldn't help but laugh, her cheeks warming with a rosy glow.)

Naina: Aap bhi na...

Vikram: (transferring the poha to a serving bowl) Ab tum chalo, baitho. Sab ready hai.

.

.

At the dining table:

(Vikram was carefully setting the table, placing the plates and glasses with precision.

As he arranged the freshly grilled vegetable sandwiches, he glanced at Naina, who was pouring orange juice into the glasses.)

Vikram: (casually) Toh... shaadi ki date kab fix karni hai?

(The smile on Naina's face faltered. Her hand froze mid-air as she placed the jug on the table.

She hesitated, her eyes darting away from him.)

Naina: (softly) Vikram ji... mujhe nahi lagta main kabhi shaadi ke baare mein soch bhi paungi.

(Vikram's hand stilled on the plate he was holding. His brows furrowed, his confusion evident as he looked at her.)

Vikram: Kya? Tum... tum kya keh rahi ho, Naina?

Naina: (her face apologetic yet firm) Main bas yeh keh rahi hoon ki... aapki maa kabhi mujhe accept nahi karengi. Unke aur mere beech ek cold war hamesha chalte rahegi.

(Vikram took a step closer, his voice steady but laced with hurt.)

Vikram: Aur tumhe lagta hai main us cold war mein tumhe akela chhod dunga? Main hoon na, Naina! Iss baar main tumhaare liye stand loonga-no matter what!

(Naina's eyes filled with unshed tears as she shook her head.)

Naina: Mujhe pata hai ki aap, iss baar hamesha mere saath rahenge. Lekin yeh jhagde roz-roz hote rahenge, Vikram ji... aur, aap kab tak apni maa ke khilaaf bolte rahoge? Main nahi chahti ki aap unse nafrat karne lag jaayein...

Vikram: so what do you suggest? Should we live seperately???

Naina: are you serious??? Main kabhi nahi chaahoongi ki, aap apni maa ko akele chodo.... never!!!

(Vikram's frown deepened. His chest tightened as he processed her words.)

Vikram: (swallows) So what is the meaning of all of this???? Toh tum mujhse shaadi nahi karogi??

(Naina looked down, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She shook her head, her silence louder than words.)

Vikram: (his voice heavy) Toh phir... kal party mein? Kya tha woh?

Naina: (bites her lip, looking at him with regret in her eyes) Wahaan... aapke friends ke saamne... main aapko mana thodi naa karti.

(Vikram's expression crumbled, hurt flashing in his eyes. He stepped back slightly, his jaw tightening as he tried to make sense of her words.)

Vikram: (quietly) Toh woh sab... sirf ek show tha?

Naina: (quickly, shaking her head) Nahi, bilkul nahi. Main aapko bahut pyaar karti hoon, Vikram ji. Lekin... (She pauses, struggling to find the right words.) Mujhe darr lagta hai... ki hamaari khushi kaafi nahi hogi. Aapki maa, aur mere beech ka rishta, kabhi sudhar nahi sakta.

(Tears slid down Vikram's cheeks as he silently set the plate down.

His hand gripped the back of the chair tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Slowly, he bent his head down, his posture screaming defeat.

His pain was palpable, filling the small space between them with an almost unbearable heaviness.

Naina's heart twisted painfully at the sight. She couldn't bear to see him like this.

Without a second thought, she walked toward him and cupped his face with her trembling hands, her thumbs gently brushing away the tears that continued to fall.)

Naina: (softly, her voice shaky) Jaan, please aise mat karo... I love you, sach mein.

(She tried to lift his face to meet her gaze, but Vikram refused, his head remaining bowed.

The sight of his brokenness left her fumbling for words, her own tears threatening to spill.)

Naina: (murmuring, desperate) Main aapki bahut care karti hoon... but please don't look so sad. Situation ko samjho, please. Mujhse naraaz mat ho, jaan. Please? Don't hate me...

(At her last words, Vikram's head snapped up, his red-rimmed eyes locking with hers.

His expression was a mixture of pain and determination.)

Vikram: (his voice breaking) Hate you? Naina, I can never hate you!!!! (He exhales sharply) I hate this situation!!... woh situation, jis ne humein iss point par laake khada kar diya!!!

(Her tears spilled over at his words, and she shook her head, biting her lip to keep herself from breaking down completely.)

Naina: (whispering) Jaan, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.

(Vikram pulled her into his arms suddenly, holding her tightly as if afraid she would slip away.)

Vikram: (quietly, almost questioning) Toh ab kya? Ab kya karna hai??? do you want ki hum aise, boyfriend-girlfriend ki tarah behave karein? Dates pe jaayen... aur jab mood ho, tab we spend time at your place??

(Naina gave him a small, tentative smile, trying to keep things light.)

Naina: Abhi ke liye toh wahi karte hain. Bacchon ke bhi 11th ke finals aa rahe hain... let's focus on that. Uske baad, we'll figure out something.

(Vikram didn't respond immediately. Instead, he kept staring at her, his silence heavy but not uncomfortable.

His eyes were distant, lost in some deep thought.)

Naina: (confused, tilting her head) Kya hua? Idea theek nahi laga?

(Still, he didn't reply, his expression unreadable. He seemed caught up in his own world.)

Naina: (a bit anxious now) Kya hua, kuch toh bolo.

(Finally, a small smile broke across his face, as if he'd uncovered some delightful secret.)

Vikram: (softly, his tone teasing) Tumne aaj mujhe ek naya naam diya.

Naina: (frowns in confusion, trying to recall) Maine? Maine kya kaha?

Vikram: (smiling brighter) Tumne mujhe 'Jaan' bulaya.

(It hit her like a gentle wave, and she immediately flushed, her cheeks warming as she looked away sheepishly.)

Naina: (smiling nervously) Woh... woh bas aise hi nikal gaya.

(Before she could move, Vikram stepped closer, pulling her by the waist until there was barely any space between them.)

Vikram: (firmly but playfully) Ab se, main 'Vikram ji' nahi hoon tumhaare liye. Tum mujhe bas 'Jaan' hi bulaogi.

Naina: (eyes wide, stammering) Sirf private mein, right?

Vikram: (grinning mischievously, shaking his head) Nahi... sabke saamne bhi, tum mujhe 'Jaan' hi bulaaogi

Naina: (jaw dropped in shock, and she panics slightly) Bacchon ke saamne toh nahi, please? Bacchon ke saamne toh...

(Vikram chuckled deeply, clearly enjoying her nervousness, and without warning, wrapped her in a tight hug.)

Vikram: (whispering in her ear, his tone teasing) Dekhte hain... kaise manage karti ho.

(Naina groaned, burying her face in his chest, her laughter muffled as his warmth surrounded her.)

___________________________________________

Your Thoughts Matter!!!

Did Naina make the right choice by refusing to get married right away, or should she have just gone with it?

Was she being strong, or did she make things worse for herself? Team Naina or Team Vikram-whose side are you on? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!

And if this chapter made you feel angry, frustrated, heartbroken, or even conflicted, then don't forget to hit that ⭐ vote button! Your support keeps me going and brings more drama, twists, and surprises your way. Can't wait to see where you all stand! 💥🔥