//Valentine's Week:Samaina OS FESTIVAL 2018// - Page 45

"Party till wee hours? No way I am going to be allowed ''.Sameerakshi Maheshwari declared to her best friend for life Riu or Riya to be specific.

"Chal na Sammy! Kitni nakhre hain na teri ''Riya coaxed seeing the annoying attitude of Sammy who was the biggest nautanki' of the world.

"Mumma ne sirf 12 baje tak ka hi permission di hai.Yaar! Party koun nahin karna chahega.But..'' Sammy sulked over while her bff gave the brightest idea.

"Uncle ko pata le.Wo man jayenge to Aunty kuch bol hi nahin paayegi.'' Riya was already excited about the plan and its sure success.

"Wah! What a plan..Slow claps for that.Mumma ruth gayi to Papa bhul jayenge ki unke life mein koi aur hai jo ki Mumma jitna equally important hai.Dono ladte hein,jhagdte hein lekin jab baat Sameerakshi ki ho dono ek baat pe hi vote karenge.God! Kis waqt aur kis mood mein yeh dono ka jodi banaya?'' Sammy looked up in frustration to only see the ceiling designed with her parents' favourite photos of her.

"Tu ek kaam kar.Ready ho jaa.Nikal ne ke time pe bata degi aur yahan aneke baad bahane bana ke reh jayegi.Phir to Aunty tujhe kuch bol hi nahin payegi aur Uncle to waise bhi tujhe kuch nahin bolte.Ekdum dhasu idea hai na?'' Riya asked excitedly about her Plan B.

"Yeah.You really are a genius.No doubt Science ke top marks tujhe milte hein.I am getting ready.Come to pick me up.'' Sammy spoke already jittery with excitement and thrills of partying.

"Kitne ghante lagayegi ready hone mein;Rajkumari?'' Riya asked knowing very well how much Sammy is fond of make up and how her one cupboard is full of branded make up kits and subscription boxes of accessories.

"Tujhe kitni baar boli hun I am not 'Rajkumari.I am Sameerakshi.I love my name.Duniya ki pehli ladki hungi jiski name mein uski Mumma aur Papa donon ka naam hoga.Sameer and Akshi' meaning Naina.So please no rajkumari.'' Sammy clarified while Riya face palmed at the explanation that she had heard atleast 1000 times.

"Haan haan janti hun aur yeh bhi jaanti hun ki yeh naam tujhe tere param pujya pitaji Shri Sameer Maheshwari ke pujya Nanaji Shri Jayprakash Maheshwari ne bade pyaar se analysize karke diya tha.Ab agar teri history analysis khatam ho gaya ho to bata kab lene aaun tujhe?'' Riya asked straight.

"Papa ke naam ke piche Shri' kitna ajeeb lagta hai na.waise...ready hone mein Sammy ko ek ghanta lagega aur phir Sameer Maheshwari aur Naina Agarwal ko manane mein adha ghanta to chala hi jayega...tu mujhe 7 baje pick up karne aaja.''Sammy spoke after mentally calculating the allocated slots.

"KYA? Do ghante lagenge tujhe ek birthday party ke liye ready hone mein?You are impossible.'' Riya spoke with shock though she knew how her friend was in department of 'getting ready''.

"Yes! I am impossible.Akhir beti kiski hun? ''Sammy spoke and winked at the mirror in perfect mimicry of her father.

"Chal chal itna bhav mat kha.Waise ek baat bata gift kya le rahi hai teri jaaneman ke liye?'' Riya asked before hanging up.

"Uska favourite brand ka wrist watch and a hand made card.Ab Mumma ya Papa se paise mangugi to hajar sawal puchenge and I don't want them to know so early about me and Akash.So pocket money se hi itna kharid payi.'' Sammy frowned as she spoke because her life was an open book for her parents.No lies,no secrets.But this one thing she could never bring herself to share with them.She could never fathom what was holding her back from sharing the best thing that had happened to her,to her parent's doll.

"Ek din to unko pata chalega.Chal ab mood thik kar aur apne Akash ke birthday ke liye ache se ready ho jaa..Jaise tujhe dekh ke hi wo fattu Akash birthday bhulke Valetines Day celebrate kar lega''.Riya laughed as she teased her friend.

"Riu! Wo fattu nahin hai.Wo to meri Akash hai...Sameerakshi ka Akash.'' Sammy's eyes fluttered dreamily while Riya realised her friend has already drifted to lala land.

"E chal phone rakh aur jaldi donon ko mana. ''Riya barked into the cell and hung off.

"Chal Sammy! Ab apne Akash ke liye tayar ho ja...Sajna hai mujhe sajna ke liye..''.Sammy hummed as she took out her best dress from cabinet.

Meanwhile in the Kitchen

"Sameer! Kya kar rahe ho?Sammy ghar mein hai.'' Naina whimpered in protest as Sameer snaked his  arms around her and pulled her into him with an unyielding strength.She had been unmistakably seized in his cage of love.

"Wohi kar raha hun jo karna chahiye..Sammy apni phone pe busy hai.'' Sameer clarified as his lips planted a kiss at her temple.

"Yeh sab ke liye waqt hai..Aaj ghar mein guests ane wale hein na.Kitna kaam baaki hai..aur tumhe abhi yeh sab sujh raha hai.Chodo mujhe''.Naina spoke mechanically and tried wriggling out of his strong hold.

"Waise yeh koun guests hain jo mera romance ka time aur mood donon kharab kar rahen hein?'' He asked as he strengthened his hold around her while she still managed to cut the onions into dices.

"Munna aur Swati,Pandit aur Preeti,Bhaiya aur Shefali aur ... ''Naina halted before speaking the next name.

"Aur...'' Sameer asked as his lips traced across her collarbones.

"Aur..Papa''.Naina spoke with a hint of sly smile.

"Okay..Papa..WHAT? PAPA?'' Sameer's trance broke as he let Naina loose from his hold.This was certainly news for him.To night he was going to receive his param pujya Sasurji?

"Naina! If this is joke..Trust me bahut ghatiya hai''.Sameer spoke running his fingers through his hair,freaking completely.

"Sach mein baba..Koi Mazak nahin hai.Papa aa rahein aaj. ''Naina spoke in confirmed tone while Sameer drank a glass of water to help him cool down a bit.

"Batao..Kya kaam baaki hai? Kaam khatam nahin hua to baalon ke dukan,baalon ke dukan tana sun ne padenge.Tum wo..chawal dekho main yeh pyaaz kaat deta hoon''.Sameer took the knife from her hand and tried concentrating on dicing the onions.

"Tum yeh chodo aur jao.Main bana lungi sab kuch.Yeh pyaaz bade teekhi hein tumhari aankhon mein jalan hogi.Tum jao aur apna TV dekho.'' She said and nearly pushed him out of the kitchen.

"Tum yahan akele pareshan hogi aur main wahan maze lunga? Not possible. Jaldi batao aur kya baaki hai?'' He asked as he roamed across the kitchen counter to find himself a work to do.

"Acha Baba..Kam karna hai to..yeh cake ka batter taste karke batao kaisa bana hai?Sab taste barabar hai ya nahin? ''She asked as she passed the chocolate cake batter tin to him.

"Umm..Yummy hai par thoda chini kum lag raha hai.Taste karke dekho.'' He said as he dipped his index finger and licked off the batter.

"Dikhao to.. ''She asked turning around to face him.He looked so cute in his jeans and blue tee. He even looked a little manly holding that knife in one hand and licking off his index finger.She swooned a little just looking at him.

"Kya hua?Taste karo. ''He asked grinning; seeing her all lost.

She advanced towards him.Standing on tip toes ;circled her hands around his neck.He was taken a back a little with her sudden advance and moves.

"Naina! Kya kar rahi ho?'' He now asked not knowing the exact shift in her mood.

"Shh! ''She hushed him and licked off the smooth batter from the contours of his lips.Her lips parted against his lips as amorous emotions coursed through her veins.She kissed him with all the aching longing that being this close to him evoked;she kissed him in all the ways he had taught and ever kissed her.She felt dizzy with joy when he began to kiss her back,his mouth moving with fierce tenderness, opening with fiery demand over hers, until their breaths were reduced to mingled gasps only.

"Sameer..I love..you'' She whispered into his ear and kissed his temple before breaking away from his clutched arms.

"Naina! ''He pulled her hand and drew her closer to him.

"Apna Valentines Day ka gift nahin logi? ''He asked her cocking his eyebrows with a smile of contentment adorning his face.

"Aaj kahan Valentines Day hai? Wo to kal hai.'' She sighed as she returned back to removing the sweet condensed milk from the tin to add to the batter.

"Kal wo bachon ka Valentines Day hai. Humein to din bhar office mein baithke files ke saath valentines day manana hoga.Toh..'' Sameer trailed and halted with the ''Toh...''

His pause every time after a 'toh'' always sent shivers down her spine.Even after 22 years of successful matrimony she could not help but blush to his toh...''s...

"Toh...'' She asked as she tried avoiding to look at him.

"Toh...'' He took out a velvet box and opened it.

"Toh.. ''She asked turning into shades of scarlet as she put the batter in oven and set the temperature and baking time.

"Toh... ''He held the diamond studded mangalsutra (nuptial thread) infront of her.

Her face exploded into a bright smile seeing the gift.Perhaps that was the best gift she ever got from him.She cherished all  his gifts,all his handmade cards and even every chit of scribbled poems he threw into the trash bin.He was important and his gestures were treasures for her.She still dreads the day she would have lost him to the fatal road accident. Only she has seen the deep scars and dark demons of his life.

"Pehna do! ''She urged as she lowered her head so that he could reach around her neck more easily.In an instant,he put the mangalsutra around her and secured the clasp.

"Apne aap ko dikhogi nahin kitni pyari lag rahi ho?'' He prompted seeing her bright smile as she traced the beads.

"Tumne keh diya pyari lag rahi hun...utna kaafi hai ''She said as she rested her head on his chest.Her eyes had tears.Her  tears had their own vocabulary whose language he had by-hearted since long.

"Naina!Nahin!In motiyon jaise ek bhi anshoo tapakna nahin chahiye.Mujhse bardasht nahin hoga.Aise hi ek mangalsutra pehnakar tumhari Chachaji se vaada kiya tha ki Naina ki inn nainon se kabhi anshoon nahin niklenge.Tumhare ankhon mein har ek ansoo meri kamzori hai.Isse bekar main behne mat dena. '' 

He said as he planted a kiss on her soft hair; at the parting where she filled the red sindoor of his name for his well being.

"Naina! I ..love..you '' He voiced as he engulfed her in a crushing hug.They were not two souls.One soul inhabiting in two bodies.

"May I come in Mr.and Mrs.Maheshwari ''Sammy's voice resounded in the kitchen while both parted and looked at the apple of their eyes,their Sammy.

"Yes! Come in Ms.Maheshwari ''Sameer spoke straightening his tee- collar while Naina wiped the tears and took out the cake from the oven to apply the icing.

"Mumma! Tissue kahan hai? ''Sammy asked while searching the kitchen while both her parents looked confused at the sudden demand.

"Wo..Fridge ke upar hai. ''Naina replied as she readied the ingredients for icing.

"Milgaya.Papa yeh lo. ''Sammy pulled out a tissue and handed over to a confused Sameer.

"Tissue ka kya karun? ''He asked quizzingly.

"Yeh aapka temple ke pass Mumma ka bright lipstick ka nishan hai.Wipe it.''She said straight while Naina face palmed at her ignorance and Sameer eyed her embarrassingly.

"Ab aap dono ka romance khatam ho gaya ho to,mujhe ek baat batani thi.Main Aakash ke ghar jaa rahi hoon.Uski birthday party hai.Wahan se main Riya ke ghar chali jaungi.Kal subah ghar lautungi.'' Sammy declared while Naina and Sameer looked at each other in confusion and shock.

"Par tum to bol rahi thi 12 baje taka aa jaogi.Ab yeh subah tak kya natak hai?Nahin ghar 12 baje hi lautna.''Naina clarified and her stance indicated she was in no-ears to listen to any nonsense.

"Papa..Aap batao.Birthday to 12 baje hi celebrate hota hai na.Ab use pehle aa jaungi to jaungi kyun?'' Sammy asked to her father hoping that her father's immense love for her could get her the permission.

"Hmm..sahi keh rahi ho.''Sameer said and nodded in affirmation.

"Sahi keh rahi hun na..Dekha Mumma.Aapko party ke bare mein kuch nahin pata.Papa party karte the isliye unhe pata hai.Papa main kal subah wapas aa jaungi breakfast se pehle.Pakka.Promise.'' She swore while Sameer smirked and Naina instantly knew their darling was going to get the biggest surprise or can say shock.

"Ruko.12 baje se pehle nahin aa sakti lekin uske baad to aa sakti ho na.Party karo lekin 1 baje main lene aaunga tumhe.Yeh wohi ladka hai na jisne us din PTA meeting mein mera pair chuya tha?Kahan hai uska ghar?'' Sameer asked while Sammy was completely thrown off guard.

"Haan..wohi hai.Unka ghar Park road mein hai.Aap mujhe chodne jaoge abhi?''Sammy asked keeping her fingers crossed.

"Nahin chodne driver jayega par lene main khud aaunga.Taiyar rehna 1 baje.Aur haan iss dress ke upar uska jacket pehenke jao.Kisi ladke ke ghar aise jaate hein?'' Sameer asked with a tinge of anger seeing his doll not decently dressed for a guy's party.

"Wo...Main aise hi achi dikhti hoon.Aap Mumma se pucho, unhone hi bola tha ki main bina jacket ke achi dikhti hoon''.Sammy asked sulking and pooling eyes with tears.

"Mumma ne ghar ki party ke liye kaha tha.Papa jo bol rahe hein wohi karo.Jao jacket pehenke aao.'' Naina instructed and nodded at Sameer with a smile.She loved how Sameer struck the perfect balance between a doting father and a disciplinarian head.If he could pluck stars for his daughter ,he could scold her for not dressing decently enough.

"Ab main jaun? Ab thik hai? Waise main Riya ke saath jaa rahi hun,aap aa jana mujhe lene.Address message karlungi. ''Sammy asked as she heard Riya's car honking at the main gate.

"Hmm..Perfect.Ab jao.Aur suno... ''Sameer called her and she instantly knew why her father was calling her.

"Ache se enjoy karna.'' He said as both her parents planted kisses on her cheeks. She kissed them back with all smiles.She waved them back in her unique style as always.

The Kodak Style..

"Mumma!Papa!Khichik!''She says as she captures her parents in her fingers frame.Both smile at her posing.After all she was the signature of their bond, which had promises for eternity and beyond.

After few hours-

"Bhaiya!Papa kyun nahin aaye? ''Naina asked Arjun as all sat for the sumptuous dinner.

"KYA? Safari Suit?Matlab Rakesh Sir bhi anewale hein?'' Munna choked on the paneer tikka piece.

"Naina! Tu bilkul pagal hai.Tujhe sach mein laga mein Papa ko Valentine's eve ke party mein leke aaungi. ''Shefali laughed as everyone face palmed at the thought of Rakesh Sir's presence in the party,that to,party of Valentine's Eve.

"Waise Jijaji! Aap pe yeh purple coloured shirt  jach raha hai.Haaye! Kya dikh rahe ho..ek dum Ranveer Singh''. Preeti fluttered her eyes ennobling her charming Jijaji to the status of a charming superstar.

"Thank you Saali ji.Waise aap bhi bilkul Deepika dikh rahi ho ''Sameer winked and said.

"Tum jija-saali ko koi aur kaam nahin dikhta na..Ek dusre ke sirf taarif hi karti raho.'' Naina fumed as she served another round of main course to Pandit and Munna.

"Preeti!Tujhe kahin se jalne ki badboo aa rahi hai kya?Lagta hai koi bhun rahi hai ''Swati quipped and hi-fived with Preeti.

"Swati ki bachi! Tu bhi inke saath..Ugh!'' Naina stumped her foot and sat sulking.

"Arey Naina bhabi!Tumhare side mein main hun.Ab thoda wo cake ka piece milega?'' Pandit said as he helped himself with spoonful of gravy.

"Nahin aur cake nahin..Kitna khaoge.Tumhe jyada meetha khane se doctor ne mana kiya tha na.Kabhi mere baat hi nahin sunte..'' Preeti pushed away the cake plate and passed the glass of water to him.

"Preeti! ''He called seeing her all engrossed in animated conversation with all others.

"Kya hua?Kuch chahiye?'' Preeti asked and was gifted with a kiss on her cheek.

"Get a room guys!'' Sameer voiced seeing the couple sharing kisses.

"Tera bedroom use karlein? ''Pandit quipped only to be chased around by Sameer and Munna.Their bond was always thicker than blood.Naina smiled seeing the three share a brotherly hug.Munna kissed Sameer while Swati face palmed at their dostana'.

Few hours later

"Sameer!Yeh lo.. ''Naina handed over the coffee mug and sat resting her head on his shoulders.He put an arm around her and pulled her closer as he sipped his coffee.

"Sameer!'' He looked at her questioning with eyes if there was anything troubling her.

"Apna Valentine's day ka gift nahin loge? ''She asked as her cheeks got tinted with shades of crimson.

"Yeh to main socha  hi nahin tha.Jaldi lao mera gift.'' He uttered excited because her gifts were not ordinary.It always held a personalized touch which exuded her immense love.

She moved away a bit from him.With trembling fingers,she undid the tassels of her blouse.Pulling it open, she felt like she was baring her soul .The sensation intensified when she unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse and slid it off her shoulder, revealing the tattooed words on her right shoulder blade.

He was stunned for several seconds as he saw the calligraphed words "Sameer and "Sameerakshi.

He touched the tattoo.She trembled under his fingers.Soon his lips replaced his fingers and the world fade away.She melted while his lips moved across her svelte nape .The heat emanating from the light brushes of his lips set her body ablaze.She was amazed at how her body reacted to his tender touches even after decades of relationship.

She fisted her hands in his silky hair-and pulled him closer.Cupping the back of her head with one hand,he lowered his lips to her neck. His tender kisses flooded her with desire that made her shiver. She gasped and moaned as his lips moved lower.He kept his touches light as his hands traced the edges of her body.

Kuch iss tarah
Kuch iss tarah
Ae raat tham zaraa
Kuch iss tarah

Do jism se ek jaan mein
Dhal jaye hum zaraa
Kuch iss tarah

He held her close,both of them sweating, panting and trembling.She closed her eyes,relishing the utter satisfaction washing over her.

"Naina! Thank ...you'' He stuttered as he voiced.

She nodded and pressed her palm to his chest over his heart.Its soft rhythm pulsed beneath her palm and she marvelled at how familiar it felt.As she lay cocooned in his arms,she felt she had known the beat of him for many lifetimes and would treasure it for many more.

Kya Sadiyon Se Puraana Hai Rishtaa Yeh Humaara
Ke Jis Tarha Tumse Hum Mil Rahe Hai

Yunhi Rahe Har Dam Pyaar Ka Mausam
Yunhi Milo Humse Tum Janam Janam...

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P.S.:Thank you for reading.😃 Don't know how it has turned out to be.Fingers Crossed. Would love to read all your feedbacks.😳