~Aag barasti hai saawan mein, paani ka hai kaam~
It was a cloudy afternoon. The cool breeze along with the smell of wet earth was giving the environs a pleasant feel. It was Sameer's birthday in a week and Naina was trying to find the perfect gift for him. She had asked him umpteen times what he wanted, but he would never oblige her with a direct answer. The truth was Naina's existence in Sameer's life- as his best friend, as his lover and as his future life partner was way more than anything Sameer could ever ask for. And then, he knew how Naina and Preeti hardly got any pocket money. He didn't want Naina to go around and spend all her savings on him, which she had already done once.
"Sameer...bolo na kya chahiye tumhe? Naina slipped in a message on a chit to Sameer in class. Sameer rolled his eyes at her persistence, and then smiled at how much she cared for him. He wrote, "Chai pilaogi? Thand si lag rahi hai..., on the chit, before secretly passing it back to her. Now it was Naina's turn to roll her eyes. "By God, this man was impossible, she thought. She took the chit and scribbled beneath Sameer's handwriting, "tum kabse chai peene lage? Tum to coffee peete ho na! and threw the chit near him when the teacher and students were not looking. Sameer smirked and wrote back, "jab se tumne mujhe apne haath se chai bana ke pilayi... He folded back the chit and was about to pass it to her, when he noticed Kamya's eyes on them. He then asked Naina if he could borrow her scale. Naina obliged. As she handed out the scale, he pressed the chit beneath it into Naina's fingers and took the scale from her. "Boy! he was clever..., Naina thought to herself, impressed with his trick. She opened the note and a smile appeared on her lips. She looked over at Sameer, her cheeks now flushed, while Sameer reciprocated with a flirtatious smile. Sameer then acted as if shivering with cold, and his eyes pleaded with her to go for a chai with him post school. Naina nodded in a yes and then the two lovers tried to focus on what Shanti teacher was explaining on the board.
As the bell rang signaling the end of school, Naina and Sameer loitered over in the back, with Naina fussing over her bag and Sameer chit-chatting with Munna and Pandit. He told them he was going for a tea date with Naina right now and would meet them in the evening. Naina told Swati that she was going to buy a "chai for Sameer's birthday, and both the girls started sniggering. When they were sure the school had emptied and Rakesh sir, a.k.a Safari suit Sasurji of Sameer too had gone home; Sameer took out his bike and sped out of school. Naina followed him after a minute on her cycle. They met in between at their secret spot, where Naina parked her cycle and hopped onto Sameer's bike.
The breezy weather and the feel of impending rain, was adding to the romance already brewing between them. Naina still had the no-touch rule, much to Sameer's dejection. But then he loved her too much to force her to put her hand on his shoulders for support, while riding the bike. As a result, he always drove very cautiously. Soon, he halted outside a tea stall. They had to make sure they went to places not frequented by members of their families, lest they get caught. As Naina and Sameer got down from the bike, the sky seemed to have darkened further. Sameer ordered two special cups of tea for him and Naina. At that moment, the clouds roared and small drops of rain started falling from the sky. "Arey arey baarish shuru ho gayi..., said Sameer and ushered Naina in the shade of the tea stall. As both started sipping their hot tea and chatting with each other, the tea stall owner increased the volume of the radio in his shop. Due to the prevailing monsoon, Vividh Bharati was playing melodious rain songs. The song started playing loudly:
Baadal yuun garajataa hai dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai, Baadal yuun garajataa hai dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai, Chamakchamak ke lapak ke ye bijali ham pe gir jaayegi, Baadal yuun garajataa hai dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai, Chamakchamak ke lapak ke ye bijali ham pe gir jaayegi...
Baahar bhi tuufaan, andar bhi tuufaan, Bich men do tuufaanon ke ye shishe kaa makaan, Baahar bhi tuufaan, andar bhi tuufaan, Bich men do tuufaanon ke ye shishe kaa makaan...
Aise dil dhadakataa hai, Dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai. Chamakchamak ke lapak ke ye bijali ham pe gir jaayegi,
Ye divaani shaam ye tuufaani sham, Aag barasati hai saavan men paani kaa hai naam, Ye divaani shaam ye tuufaani sham, Aag barasati hai saavan men paani kaa hai naam...
Soon, Sameer started humming the song along with the radio. Naina's hand crept upto her cheeks as she remembered the slap from Taiji that this song had earned her. Her eyes moved over to Sameer enjoying the song.
Bas kuchh bhi ho sakataa hai, Are bas kuchh bhi ho sakataa hai, Dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai, Chamakchamak ke lapak ke ye bijali ham pe gir jaayegi
Taubaa husneyaar badale rang hazaar, Sharm kabhi aati hai aur kabhi aataa hai pyaar...
Dekhen kaun thaharataa hai, Are dekhen kaun thaharataa hai, Dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai
Chamakchamak ke lapak ke ye bijali ham pe gir jaayegi...
Tum baitho us paar, ham baithen is paar, Aao apane bich banaa len ham koi divaar...
Dil phir bhi mil sakataa hai, Ho dil phir bhi mil sakataa hai, Dar kuchh aisaa lagataa hai...
Did he understand the meaning of this song? Should she ask him? At this, Sameer looked over at Naina, one hand holding the glass of chai and the other on her cheek, looking at him bewilderedly. Naina was lost somewhere. Sameer clicked his fingers in front of her eyes to bring her back into the present. "Kahan kho gayi? Mere khayalon mein? he asked mischieviously. "Haan wo...wo..., Naina realized her hand was on her cheek and immediately removed it. "Wooo kuch nahi...! she lied. "Uh Uh...kuch to hai...kya sapna dekh rahi thi tum...gaana sunkar to tum to pure romantic mood me aa gayi..., he teased her again. "Romantic mood mein...?, Naina said out aloud before she could stop herself. Sameer was taken by surprise, "haan ab romantic hi bolenge na...matlab at least shareef logon ki bhasha mein..., he replied hesitantly. Naina's eyes were growing more confused, "Sameer...aisa kya hai is gaane mein? she asked. It was Sameer's turn to go red in the cheeks. "Umm Naina matlab wahi sab na...tumhe bura lag raha hai to main ye gaana nahi gaata okay...main to aise hi radio ke saath...mera koi galat matlab nahi tha.., Sameer started blabbering. He feared Naina would get upset at him for singing such a sensual song in front of her.
"Bura matlab...to tabhi Taiji ne wo thappad maara tha? she let out aloud in surprise. "Thappad..? Sameer was totally bemused now. "Ab kyun thappad maara unhone meri Naina ko? he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Kyunki us din main jab Meghaben se is gaane ka matlab puch rahi thi, to unhone sun liya, aur tapaak se ek chaanta maar diya. Aur upar se...upar se bataya bhi nahi is gaane ka matlab kya hai, Naina started explaining in her innocent manner. Sameer's concern gave way to a grin, which widened and finally he started laughing uncontrollably. "Naina tumne is gaane ka matlab Taiji ke saamne pucha? and he started laughing harder, "lekin kyun? Naina could not fathom what was so funny in her getting slapped by Taiji that Sameer was in splits. "Kyun kya matlab...wo Romeo Juliet play ke audition ke time pe...Lochan sir ne mujhe bola..Naina pyaar ka bhaavarth samjho...gaanon ka, lines ka matlab samjho...maine samajhne ki koshish ki to thappad muft mil gaya! she concluded in a huff.
Sameer tried to control his laughter seeing Naina getting piqued. He tried pacifying her, "acha acha meri jaan...shuru se batao kya hua... Naina then started, "tumhare school aane se 2 din pehle ki baat hai...mujhe wo din ache se yaad hai...kyunki us din Bela chachi ne aloo ka parantha bana ke diya tha...kabhi kabhi to deti hain wo...aur wo bhi koi chura ke kha gaya tha... Us din koi to school me aaya hua tha...sab class ke ladke...haan Munna, Pandit bhi the us din...wo sab log milkar canteen me antakshari khel rahe the... Sameer suddenly remembered the time he went to their school to meet Munna, before he had taken admission there. Naina continued, "Wahan wo naya ladka ye gaana gaane laga...aag barasti hai saawan mein, paani ka hai kaam. Maine socha isi se kyun na pucha jaye is gaane ka bhaavarth... At this, Sameer let out another accidental burst of laughter. He remembered the scenario vividly now. "Sorry sorry..., he said and prodded Naina to continue, "fir kya hua...? "Fir kya hona tha! Isse pehle main us ladke se us gaane ka matlab puch paati, Swati mujhe Kumud teacher ki class mein khinch ke le gayi! Lekin pura din mere dimag me yahin chal raha tha ki is gaane ka bhavarth koi bata de. Swati, Preeti vaise to bada uchalti rehti hain lekin un dono ko bhi nahi pata tha...To ghar aate waqt, saamne Meghaben dikhi aur maine is gaane ka matlab unse puch liya. Taiji ne piche se sun liya aur mujhe jor ka chaanta maara aur khub sunaya. Kitna bekar din tha wo! Ek to aloo parantha gaya, upar se thappad bhi pad gaya...aur gaane ka matlab bhi pata nahi chala!
It was raining heavily by the time Naina concluded. Sameer was listening intently, half chuckling and half in awe of his girlfriend's innocence. He was so lucky that he had someone like Naina with him. "Naina...wo naya ladka kaisa tha? Usne kya pehna tha tumhe yaad hai kya? School dress? he asked deliberately. "Nahi...usne to jeans pehni thi...aur uske bhi na Salman Khan style baal the..., Naina's voice trailed off as she realized it. "Wo tum the kya Sameer...? she asked, eyes widening in surprise. Sameer let out a chortle as he saw the witty mind taking over the innocent face. "Aur kya buddhu...tab naya naya Ahemdabad aaya tha...aise hi ghum raha tha to yaad aaya ki Munna ne apne school ke samoson ki tareef ki thi.. to bas chala aaya khaane...wahan wo sab log mil gaye aur hum antakshari khelne lage...aur haan us din maine kisi ke khule huye dabbe se aloo ka parantha bhi khaya tha...matlab tumhare dil ka chor hone ke saath saath, main tumhara parantha chor bhi tha..., he added slyly. And then suddenly something struck him, "arey Naina...maine to kabse tumhara jhootha kha liya tha...tumse milne se bhi pehle..yaar tum itni pass thi, aur humne ek dusre ko jaana bhi nahi...kitna ajeeb hota hai na waqt...vaise us time tum mujhse baat karne aati to main yahi sochta kya behenji hai...! This invited an angry gasp from Naina. She raised her hand to hit him playfully and then stopped an inch short of touching him. Both of them felt a little embarrassed here. And then Sameer cleared his throat, "socho Naina...tum is gaane ka matlab mujhse puchti us waqt toh...main to sochta ki ya to ladki sach mein ekdum buddhu hai ya to bahot hi chalak hai...khullam khulla line maar rahi hai...! "Line maar rahi hai kya matlab...aakhir aisa kya hai is gaane mein...? Naina enquired. "Tumhe sach me is gaane ka matlab nahi pata...? asked Sameer incredulously, to which Naina shook her head in negative. "Hmm..., he heaved, thinking how to explain the sensual nature of the song to his girlfriend, who till now, had not even mustered the courage to touch him. Sameer saw the rain outside getting heavier with each passing minute. The rain drops pattered on the shed of the tea stall. They were sure to get wet on their way back. Ek minute...he could do a practical demonstration couldn't he? His mind lit up with the idea. Of course, he can't cross their limits. He has to make Naina understand the emotions behind the song, yet take care to maintain the sanctity of their relation. He would have a hard time post their marriage- he would need to turn teacher for the smallest forms of love expression to her, he mused.
"Sameer...??? Naina's words shook him out of his dreams about their wedding night. He smiled at her and said, "chalo..., and took the empty glass from her hand and paid the shopkeeper. "Kahan...? asked Naina. He hushed her and got on his bike while Naina propped herself on the back seat. Sameer then raced his bike in the rain. "Sameer...hum bheeg rahe hain..., Naina called out. "Bheegne do...isi me to maza hai..., he yelled back at her. Soon, he parked the bike outside a garden. The entire area was completely deserted due to the heavy rain. "Chalo..., he guided her inside the park, which was covered in hues of resplendent green. "Kya kar rahe ho tum..., Naina called out from behind, trying to save herself from the rain, though in vain. When they were well inside the park, Sameer turned around to look fully at his lady love. It was raining cats and dogs now, and as a result, both he and Naina were soaking wet. Naina was taken aback by the intensity in Sameer's gaze. Today it was not his usual warm one. Instead it was lit with a fire she hadn't seen before. She grew nervous as she saw his eyes traverse down to her wet cheeks, to the water dripping from her hair and then linger over her lips...and then down to her neck, which had become fairer under the influence of water. Naina saw Sameer's eyes moving further down and then they arrested themselves mid-way. It was as if he commanded his mind to stop. Sameer had been checking her out? Knowing this made Naina extremely anxious. She saw Sameer's silky wet hair now strewn across his face. His shirt had become translucent and his lips had turned reddish.
Unable to meet his passionate gaze anymore, Naina looked down shyly. She tucked over her hair strands behind her ear and started fussing about her drenched tunic. Sameer knew the effect his presence had on her. He smiled to himself and inched closer to her. Naina looked up to see Sameer standing really close. Closer than he had ever been to her till now. Her heart started pounding in her chest as she saw him grin flirtatiously. "Toh...? he murmured in his husky tone. His smile grew more suggestive as he combed his fingers through his wet hair. Naina looked spellbound at him, feeling extremely hot, despite the heavy downpour. He then shook his hair to the sides, and several drops of water landed on Naina's face. This was sudden. The drops which had just touched Sameer, clung to his hair; had now come to rest on Naina's face. "Samajh aaya...gaane ka matlab...? he enquired playfully. Naina looked away and shook her head, a coy smile on her lips. "Nahiii...?Sameer was taken aback, but realized somewhere Naina was playing with him too. He stepped closer to her. At this, Naina got flustered and ran away to a nearby tree. Sameer again smiled to himself and then eyed Naina hiding behind the tree. He traced his steps slowly towards the tree. As he got close to Naina, she moved away to the other side of the tree. He followed her again as they moved around the tree in circles, Sameer on Naina's heels. Suddenly, Sameer took her by surprise and came in front of her. He blocked her way with his arms. Sameer stood towering over her, his arms on the tree trunk caging Naina, though they were still in a no-touch embrace. Naina was trapped, but this trap was a pleasurable one. She smiled and her eyes lowered to the grass beneath her feet. Sameer could not tear his gaze away from her face. How in the world was he going to control himself from caressing that face, from touching those lips with his own? Waves of passion ignited inside him. His breathing became heavy and his heart raced, as he became desperate to enclose her in his arms. He was fixated with her when he noticed a beautiful white flower fall from the tree overhead. He then looked around and took hold of a leafy, flowery branch hanging near them and plucked a beautiful pinkish-white flower from it. His eyes darted lovingly to Naina again. Trying to abstain from touching Naina was, as it is too much for him; but trying to control himself from touching Naina, who was drenched in the rain, almost in his arms- was an altogether impossible task. Without tearing his gaze away from her, his eyes laced with adulation and passion, Sameer slowly caressed her cheeks with the flower. Naina's eyes closed at the touch and her head tilted over to the side. It was as if she was trying to take in, what was the closest to Sameer's touch on her. Sameer felt encouraged by the absence of a revolt from her. He moved the flower over her eyes and slowly brushed it across her lips. Naina heaved and her lips quivered. Sameer stopped, looking spell-bound at her. The rain was still falling hard on the tree, which in turn was showering the raindrops on the two lovers ensconced underneath it.
Naina opened her eyes and found Sameer's lovelorn eyes scorching with heat, set on her. There was admiration in them, there was love and there was a passion which Naina now felt fully aware of. Seeing Sameer's drenched face so close to her own, a fire had been ignited in her own heart. She too felt the pangs of what was known as burning with desire. Her eyes were captivated by his. Sameer slowly edged closer to her. Naina's breathing became swift. The two pair of eyes were inching closer to each other. When he was almost there, Sameer tilted his head to the side as their eyes closed, bracing for the blissful feeling they'd been longing for. Sameer's lips were about to taste Naina's, when the branches of the tree overhead gave in to the pressure of the rain drops collected over them. "Splash..., the two lovers were soaked in a heavy shower from the tree. This awakened Naina and Sameer and bought them back to their senses. Water had quenched their growing thirst- thirst they'd been feeling due to the heat their proximity had generated. Naina felt embarrassed thinking what she had been about to do, but a huge part of her wished the splash could have waited. Sameer too looked shyly at her and moved a bit away chivalrously. His emotions were difficult to tame when it came to Naina. He knew he might be tempted to kiss her again, and he would probably be successful this time.
As Naina and Sameer both grinned shyly at each other, Sameer hummed, "aag barasti hai saawan me...paani ka hai kaam... Naina face turned a bright red now, "bade wo ho tum..., she said and tried to run away from his embrace. But Sameer, who expected that, grabbed her arm and pulled her near him again. Naina was still facing away smiling, and reeling under the feel of his hand on hers. Sameer too was basking in the warmth of her touch, when he realized he shouldn't cross the barriers until Naina wills. He immediately let go of her hand and Naina turned in surprise. He pointed out to the flower in his hand and his eyes asked for her permission to put it in her hair. Naina again smiled shyly and turned back. Sameer lovingly caressed her hair and inserted the flower there, behind her ear. Naina was pleased and as she turned to face him, he quipped, "toh...mujhe birthday gift kya dogi...? Naina blushed as he whispered, "...us din bhi aise hi kisi gaane ka matlab puch lena mujhse... She rolled her eyes, as if saying you are impossible. Her flushed face with her wide grin said otherwise. She loved it when he flirted with her. While Sameer knew he'd made his naive girl understand the bhavarth of this song today! Naina made to leave as Sameer followed her. The rain had now become a little gentle. "Aur suno...aage bhi sirf mujhse hi puchna aise vaise gaano ka matlab ya aur koi doubt...kisi aur se nahi samjhi!! Sameer called out from behind her. Naina laughed and said, "ab chalein? Nahi to is aag ka to pata nahi...mere gharwale zarur dusri aag barsa denge... They laughed and Sameer dropped her to their secret spot. Naina picked up her cycle and made to leave, when Sameer called out, "Bye! Aur I Love You! Naina felt abashed as she said those three magical words back to him, and then added, "Kal bhi chai peene jayenge? "Mera bas chale to main roz chai piyun, he winked at her. Naina was a little confused, "did he mean tea only or or... She realized soon tea was hardly on his mind. She hit him with her bag playfully as he sniggered. And then the lovers parted for a brief hiatus till the next day.
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