Part 17: The Dates...
The Temple Dates:
All through their courtship,
Naina and Sameer would regularly meet at the temple at sharp 5.30 on Monday
mornings. Naina would smartly leave earlier than Bela chachi and Taiji. Sameer
and Naina would first do darshan of Lord Shiva and thank him for making the two
of them meet. They had found love, happiness and completeness in each other. Sameer
would keep his palm over Naina's and they would ring the temple bell together.
After all, this was one sign that God had given them; that they were meant to
be. They would often do gau maata ki seva together- though they had already
gotten each other as their respective manchaha var and manchahi vadhu. After
their mandir dates, the two would sit at a secluded, quiet corner of the temple
and talk about each other, their lives, their families, their past. These chit-chat
sessions would often have to be in secret for fear of being caught red-handed
by Taiji and Bela chachi.
***
The Balcony Dates:
Naina and Sameer's Aashiqui' was
racing ahead with full force. During the day-time, all they could think of were
each other. As if a whole 8 hours in school, and 2 to 3 hours of study time
were not enough, new Romeo Sameer would linger on under Naina's balcony every
evening, hidden from everyone except Naina. The lovebirds would secretly exchange
glances and gestures to and from the balcony. Sometimes, Naina would play love
songs loudly on their cassette player for Sameer. And other times, Sameer would
play songs on the loudspeaker in the shop in front of Naina's home.
The Market Dates:
These days, Naina was forever
ready to help Bela chachi to get things from the market. Chachi was surprised
at this sudden urge to help in Naina. And during these market outings, Sameer
would follow Naina around, and then the two would try to catch moments to be
together and talk to each other. Sameer would sometimes take her for a ride on
his bike and the two would regularly visit the paani puri stall and eat meethi-wali
paani puris to their fill, but yes, always from each others' plates. And slowly
the two plates became just one plate. And one day, Sameer gathred courage and
offered Naina a paani-puri from his own hands. He hesitated initially, thinking
she might refuse, but Naina smiled. She gulped the paani-puri down from his
hands. They both beamed at each other at this. And then Naina too offered him a
paani-puri from her hands. Sameer happily accepted. Eating from each others'
hands became a norm since then.
The Rooftop Dates:
At night, when everyone slept
early in Naina's house and in her building, Naina would sometimes invite her
roadside Romeo over to the roof-top. She would quietly sneak him up onto the
roof. She would take care to put pillows under her sheets, lest someone came
looking for her. Sameer's love had emboldened Naina to take such risks. And
Sameer, well, he was already bold enough! Sameer and Naina would spend those
beautiful nights sitting under the stars, basking in the moonlight, talking to
each other, till the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes, they would just lie
down there and gaze at the beauty of the star-lit sky; or at each other, whilst
their eyes did the talking. They felt grateful to the Universe for making them
meet and discover the love they had found in each other. Being in love made the
world look so surreal and beautiful, they would think. However, the
side-effects of their night-outs would include a sleepy Naina and a Sameer
snoring on the school bench the next day. And whenever their late night
star-lit, roof-top dates were not possible, the phone lines in Agarwal and
Kabra residence would be engaged for a major chunk of the night. The two ring signal
was still a secret. Neither Preeti, Swati nor Munna- Pandit knew about it. And about
their two cough signal, the duo was to have a good laugh 4 years later, when
they saw the movie, "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! at Sameer's place on the VCR with
the gang. Naina and Sameer had looked at each other at the "uhhu uhhu scene
between Madhuri and Salman and smiled guiltily. Their love codes had been copied
in a movie now.
***
The First Movie Date:
Naina was getting ready. This was
their first movie date. Sameer had requested pink as the dress code for Naina.
Naina had wanted him to wear black. Though she felt he looked handsome in any
colour he wore, black took his otherwise flawless looks to an all new level.
Black contrasting against his fair skin- the thought made Naina turn red in the
cheeks. The excuse had been well thought-out. It was to be a Sunday movie
afternoon at Swati's house. Most of their class had planned to gather,
including Munna and Pandit. Naina was taking Preeti along. Sameer had made an
excuse of being unwell in front of his classmates and had backed out at the
last minute. Naina was cautious this time. She wrapped her dress carefully into
a bag, and hid the accessories and the makeup kit inside. Swati would help her
get ready. As decided, the Agarwal girls took leave and reached Swati's house
around 12 o'clock. Naina and Preeti met Swati's parents. This was important in
case Naina's over-protective family ever decided to cross-check upon her. Swati
rushed Naina to her room and helped her get ready. When she came out all decked
up, she saw Munna and Pandit were already there. "Whoa!! Bhabhiji...Sameer ki dil
ka dhadkan ka to khayal karo! they exclaimed, astonished to see this new
avatar of Naina.
The rest of the class was not
expected before 2pm. Swati let Naina out secretly through the back door. Naina
cautiously made her way out to the next alley, where Sameer was waiting. She
had covered up her face, lest anyone would see her there. She reached the
meeting point. Sameer was already there in his black polo neck. He was sitting
on his bike, looking the other way, waiting for her. Naina came up behind him.
Sameer turned around and got scared, "aahhh! Naina realized a minute late that
her face was all wrapped up with her duppatta. She smiled and let the duppatta
loose.
Sameer stood spell-bound as he
saw the pink duppatta give way to those innocent dove-like eyes. (Dekh lo, Hum ko kareeb se...Aaj hum mile hain
naseeb se...Ye pal fir kahaa, aur ye manzil fir kahaa...starts playing in
background). Sameer noticed that her eyes had again been lined with kajal
today. As the duppatta withdrew, her lustrous hair, that she'd kept open,
started flowing with the breeze. Sameer blinked as a strand of her soft hair
touched his cheek. Her hair had grown longer he thought. His eyes followed the
contour of her cheeks, to her dangling, cute pearl earrings, to the curve of
her lips. His eyes became transfixed on those beautiful pink lips. Had she put on
some lipstick today? That light pink colour- ohh! Naina and pink were a killer
combination wherever Sameer was concerned. Sameer could feel his heart
throbbing in his chest. He was recalling his dream at Mt. Abu and several ones
after that. How he wished they would soon come true!
Naina was smiling coyly, enjoying
his undivided attention, his mesmerized gaze. "Uhhu..uhhu..., she coughed twice
and Sameer was jerked to the present. He blushed and looked down as he got back
on his bike. "Itna saj-dhaj ke aayi ho? he tried to brush it off. "Tumhare
liye, replied Naina shyly. Sameer was taken in again. (Kya kahun Mera jo haal hai, Raat din tumhara khayaal hai... Fir bhi
jaane jaan, main kahaan aur tum kahaan...plays in background). "Kaisi lag
rahi hun? asked Naina. "Ekdum pari ki tarah! he replied, truthful this time.
"Ab chalein, late ho raha hai! he said. Naina got behind him on his bike and
before he could say anything, put her hand on his shoulders. Sameer felt the
familiar sense of assurance. Her love made his world seem beautiful. Off they
rode to the theater, where Sameer had arranged for the tickets. After a while,
Naina slipped her hand lightly around Sameer's waist. Sameer felt his body go
numb. He felt hot. This was the first time Naina had touched him like this. And
she had done it of her own will. He collected himself and called out to her,
"Naina, yaar agar tum aise mujhe pakdogi to main bike kaise chalaunga? "Kyun?
Maine kya kiya? Naina questioned innocently. Sameer parked the bike in the
parking of the theatre and smiled at her naughtily, "Acha!!! Toh tumne kuch
nahi kiya? Par mujhe to bahot kuch hua! Naina's cheeks flushed with colour as
she descended from the bike. Sameer smiled and held her hand. He looked around.
The parking seemed deserted right now. He took the risk again. He bought her
hand near to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her delicate fingers. He
half-expected another slap, but his heart told him she was okay with it now.
And his heart was proven right. Naina's cheeks had now turned a deeper shade of
crimson. Naina looked over at him embarrassedly and Sameer returned her gaze
lovingly. Few minutes later, Sameer and Naina entered the theatre hand-in-hand,
for what was to be their first movie together- just for the two of them. (Gazab ka hai din, Socho zaraa...Ye deewanapan
dekho zara...Tum ho akele, hum bhi akele, maza aa raha hai... kasam se...kasam se...plays
in background).
The theatre wasn't that crowded.
Sameer had taken care of this thing. He didn't want Naina to feel uncomfortable
seeing so many people around. He remembered how guilty she had felt during his
birthday, when she had spotted "Chiman bhai from her society at the
restaurant. Sameer had got corner seats for them in the balcony. Oh no, not
that he had any such intention! It was just so that Naina could be comfortable
and so that they do not have people eyeing them with reproach and passing
inappropriate comments. Sameer treated Naina like his queen. Naina and Sameer
settled down in their seats and held hands again. The movie started. Sameer's
heart got pangs as and when Naina turned to face him to discuss a particular
scene. More than the movie, Sameer's attention was focused on Naina. He smiled
to himself. What had this girl done to him! If a year back in Nainital, someone
had said Sameer would fall in love, he would have laughed his guts out. Love!
He had seen girls drooling over him, getting lost in him in boarding school.
But this was the first time he found himself in their shoes. He always seemed
lost in Naina- what Naina said, what Naina did, what Naina wore, what Naina
wrote. His life revolved around his Naina. He mentally made it a point to tell
Kabir, his bestie in Nainital about Naina soon. Just then Naina caught him
smiling, gazing blankly at her. She pulled his sleeves to bring him back into
the movie. He chuckled and settled down to watch the film, his hand entwined in
Naina's and her head resting against his shoulders.
The movie ended way too soon,
thought Sameer. He felt it was the best movie that he had seen till now or rather
not seen. Even though his wrist-watch showed 4pm, Sameer felt that time had literally
flown away. Each and every moment he spent with Naina seemed magical! But
what's perfect in a love story! As they say, the more you try to hide from people,
more is the possibility that you bump into someone you know. As Sameer and
Naina were about to exit, they came face to face with another couple holding
hands. The boy turned and Sameer's heartbeat stopped! "Arjun! he let out.
"Sameer! Naina! Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho? Arjun saw Sameer's guilty face
and scared expression, and then his eyes darted over to their hands. He...he was
holding his little sister's hand!!! How dare he! Sameer saw Arjun staring at
their hands and immediately Naina and Sameer withdrew their hands. Arjun was
too angry to realize that he had been caught too. "Shefali! called out Naina
in surprise as light fell upon the face of the girl with Arjun. It was Arjun
and Shefali's turn to feel guilty. Arjun got flustered and he and Shefali too
let go of each others' hands. All four looked at each other. Sameer was
relieved. He was safe. Arjun too had come to watch the movie with his
girlfriend. "Kya chal raha hai tum dono ka? Arjun demanded from Naina. Naina
hardly registered his voice and instead asked, "Bhaiya, aapka aur Shefali ka
kya chal raha hai? She was totally taken aback to see her meek, obedient
brother going out with her friend. Sameer and Shefali looked at each other and
giggled guiltily. They both knew the brother and sister would have to keep each
others' secrets safe and their respective love stories could continue without any
hitch.
The four of them moved out of the
theatre to talk. "Tune mujhe maaf isliye kiya ki tu meri behen ke saath...,
Arjun's rage was building up. "Aisi baat nahi hai Arjun! Wo ek alag kissa tha.
Main jaanta hu tum uske bade bhai ho aur shayad tumhe ye acha na lage. Par sach
to ye hai Arjun, ki Naina aur main ek dusre ko pasand karte hain! And I
promise, main tumhari behen ka pura khayal rakhunga. Use kabhi dhokha nahi
dunga. Koi taqleef nahi pahunchaunga! said Sameer. Naina was admiring Sameer's
courage and cool-headedness in such a situation. She really adored this about
Sameer. Whatever he did, he was never scared of anyone, especially when he knew
he was right. He had stood up for her and shielded her, yet again. And he
didn't even question Arjun on being caught with Shefali. Shefali too was
impressed with this and looked at Naina in approval of Sameer.
"Arjun, said Shefali, "jis tarah
se tumhe aur mujhe pyaar karne ka haq hai, Naina ko bhi hai na. Sameer ko bhi
hai. Mujhe pata hai ki Sameer ek bahot acha ladka hai aur Naina ki bahot care
karta hai. Please is cute si love story me taang na adaao! "Hmm..., Arjun
looked at Naina and then back at Shefali, "ek second...tumhe pata hai matlab?
Tumhe pata tha is sab ke baare mein? Tumne mujhe bataya kyun nahi? he
questioned Shefali, shocked that she knew of his sister's affair, but had kept
it a secret from him. "Arjun! Pata tha, par agar tumhe batati to tum aise hi
gussa ho jaate. Aur Sameer acha ladka hai. Tum uspe bharosa kar sakte ho! said
Shefali, as she tried to pacify Arjun. Naina smiled and thanked Shefali through
her eyes. So this was why, her always-conforming-to-the-rules older brother had
become so bold and confident recently. Deep down, she felt happy for her Arjun
bhaiya finding love in a great girl like Shefali.
Arjun agreed reluctantly. He too
knew Sameer was a good chap at heart, but then his older brother instincts made
him very protective about Naina. He guessed it's a part of growing up and he
would have to get used to it. "Theek hai...Naina tu agar khush hai Sameer ke
sath...to theek hai. Aur haan Sameer. Hum dost hain! Par meri behen ko zara si bhi
taqleef huyi na to main sab bhul jaunga samjhe? said Arjun. Sameer nodded.
"Aur haan, ye...ye sab...haath vaath pakadna nahi chalega, Arjun muttered as
Shefali rolled her eyes at him. "Acha acha theek hai, lekin apni hadh me rehna
samjhe tum dono? Arjun concluded. Sameer and Naina looked at each other embarrassedly
and nodded. "Aur hum dono ke raaz, raaz rehne chahiye! said Arjun, and all
four of them promised to keep their respective secrets.
As they were about to part, Naina
smiled at Arjun and he couldn't help but smile back. Arjun too felt happy for
Naina that she had got someone like Sameer, who would care for her more than
anything else. He didn't know how- it was probably a boy thing; but Arjun somehow
knew that Sameer was extremely serious about his sister. Soon, Arjun and
Shefali left in an auto, while Sameer and Naina rushed back towards Swati's
place on his bike. Naina called Swati's home from the nearby PCO, to check if
the movie had finished and everyone had gone. Swati told her that only Munna,
Pandit and Preeti were remaining. All others had left. Swati ushered Naina
unseen through the back door. Naina went over to the balcony and saw her Romeo
waiting for his goodbye on the road outside. Naina waved back at him. He smiled
and winked at her. She saw him ride off and went in to change. The look on
Naina's face told the others that the date had been an exciting event.
comment:
p_commentcount