continued
"Chalo mere ghar"
Rajveer picked up the dupatta and wrapped it around Naina's head , planting a kiss on her forehead. He picked up her bag on his left shoulder and holding Naina with his right hand led her to his simple makeshift home.
His home was an one-room abode , brick walls but thatched roof , quite common in rural Punjab. As they came near the doorstep, Rajveer asked Naina to stop and stand there.
"Tum aankhen bandh karo aur jab tak main aapas na aoon, yehi pe khare raho.. " saying this to Naina , he went inside. Naina, like an obedient student stood there, her eyes tightly closed.
Soon Rajveer came out with an earthen bowl in his hand. A lone lighted thin stick of a candle stood on it surrounded by a handful of wheat and rice. He held the bowl up close to Naina's face.
"Naina, aankhen khulo"
As Naina opened her eyes, Rajveer himself was astounded by the beautiful scenario he was witnessing – naina's face., wrapped around by the maroon piece of cloth ,her tanned skin glowing golden , reflecting the candle light, and her bright smiling eyes shining like diamonds…….Rajveer wanted to worship this goddess!
"Tum mere apne ghar mein pehli baar kadam rakh rahi ho , aaj meri ma ya bahen hoti to tumeh zarror aise hi swagat karti. " Rajveer uttered.
" You know Naina, I have no memories of my parents as they died when I was less than three years old. Neither do I have any sister, nor a brother. I am absolutely alone. My school and college years were all spent in boarding houses and supported by my parent's lawyer. Only when I joined the academy did Lala Sahab contact me and accepted me as a son. He said that he knew my dad."
After the "aarti" done with, Naina entered the room, slowly putting her first step over the threshold – the threshold that every woman has to cross . The room was small and bare except for some basic necessities of life.. A bed stood on the right-hand side neatly covered with a bare threaded but clean spread. Few pieces of clothes and a towel hung on a rope besides the bed. On the opposite side stood a rickety table with a more rickety chair next to it. . A tray containing wound dressings, scissors and medicine was lying on that table. Just to the left of the door, there was a wooden platform with few utensils, cup, a jug of water and a small kerosene stove. Compared to the luxury of Rajeev's quarter at KMA this was indeed a very humble abode but for Naina, this home of her beloved was her paradise on earth.
Naina looked at the tearful eyes of Rajveer and smiled. She threw her bag on the bed and got down to business.
"Sir aap ka ye bandage bahut ganda hai, main ahbi dressing kar deti " Naina pushed Rajveer to the rickety chair.
She lit the kerosene stove and put some water to boil. She took out soap from her bag and asked Rajveer where she could wash hands. Rajveer waved towards the left of the hut. . Naina went out and found a paved area with a tube-well. in the middle. While washing her hands she looked around. A big house stood towards the east about 200 feet away with a big courtyard bustling with usual activities.
Naina returned to the "hut". This time Rajveer like an obedient patient did not move an inch from that chair. Naina gently took out the old bandage from his arm, screwing up her face and nose. "Kitna ganda hai " .
Tenderly but deftly she cleaned the wound of any dry pus and blood with cotton wool and warm water. . She again wrapped it with a new bandage. Meanwhile Raj was staring at her and observing her closely. Every time Naina looked up , her eyes met those of Rajveer. And each time her cheeks turned a shade rosier.
When finished with the dressing, Naina lovingly patted the wound and turned around to throw the litters outside. Rajveer also got up from the chair and got hold of Naina's right hand and swiftly pulled her to him. He held her face close to his, getting lost in her eyes. He bent down and got closer to Naina, his lips almost touching Naina's.
Unconsciously Naina parted her lips .The litter bag dropped from her hand and her arms went around Rajveer's neck.
Rajveer desperately wanted to kiss Naina.
Naina was eager too.
But their lips did not meet.
Rajveer managed to control himself.
He just smiled at Naina, whispering – "Thanks Naina"
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