Sequel FF: Sameer 'sang' Naina (Section V Part 2 updated- Pg 107) - Page 17

Sameer was lying on his bed, thinking about all the beautiful times he'd spent with Naina. And today he had finally asked her to marry him. Sameer remembered how each and every time he'd kissed her had been so special for him. He hadn't forgotten a single one of them. He giggled to himself on how Naina used to say, "ye sab sirf shaadi ke baad! Poor Naina, she didn't know the intensity of her own emotions, and Sameer- well Sameer hadn't even expressed half of what he was capable of. Naina, in her innocence, hadn't realized at the time that when two people were in love, it was hard to control the way they expressed it towards each other. All these years, Sameer and Naina had taken care to adhere to their boundaries and the norms of the society, as much as they could. Yet sometimes, they had cheated on the rules and listened to what their hearts told them. They'd come a long way- from hesitant handholds, to side embraces, to hugs, to bone crushing hugs, to pecks on cheeks and finally lip to lip kisses, and soon Sameer dreamt smilingly, beyond. Sameer and Naina knew that deep down, they already considered themselves betrothed to the other. It was just a formal acceptance of this relation that was pending in front of the world.

Four years with Naina had whipped by so fast, Sameer thought. And they had made sure each and every moment they'd spent together was romantic for them- if you excuse the fights they had. There was a certain thrill in trying to keep their love affair under wraps- especially from the prying eyes of her family. Taiji had been very reluctant to allow Naina to go to college. But it was chachaji who had taken a stand for her. "If she wants to pursue her higher education, she would, he had firmly declared, putting a stop to all the discussions in the house.

Sameer and Naina had consciously decided to stay in Ahemdabad and pursue college from there only. While Naina easily got admission in city's best college due to her excellent academic performance, Sameer too secured a place there- aided partly by Naina's help in studies and partly by his excellence in sports. He had not wanted to misuse his Nanu's reputation and wealth to secure an admission. Nor did he want Naina to compromise with her education and choose a college, which was sub-standard for her. And he was pretty sure that Naina was wholly capable of doing something like this, if that meant she would be able to study with Sameer in the same college. All this had made Sameer work pretty hard for his Std. 12^th exams- to the extent that he'd enforced strict discipline upon himself just a month before the boards. Naina was surprised, and then irritated and then proud- the boy who could hardly take his eyes off her any other time, rarely turned to look up at her from his books, except when they were studying. Naina happily assumed that he wanted to show his mettle, like he'd wanted to during the headboy competition in 11^th, but what she did not know that the real reason behind Sameer's motivation. And then the board results were a pleasant surprise to all. While Naina had as usual topped her school, with a stunning 91% aggregate, Sameer had managed a decent 76% as well. And then with his excellent record in Cricket, he too had gotten admission in Patel Maha Vidyalaya, the best college in Ahemdabad, along with Naina.

Preeti had instead decided to pursue a course in beauty and styling. Because of the insistence of her father though, she had also enrolled for a distance BA programme as well. Munna and Pandit had opted for correspondence courses from the same college as Sameer and Naina, as they had to help their respective fathers manage their family run shops.

Swati had been trying her luck in acting. She had auditioned for a few Gujarati serials. Her acting interviews had often been the place where she got Sameer's company. Sameer had developed a penchant for acting ever since the Romeo-Juliet play happened in school. Now that he had his real-life Juliet by his side, he often tried his hand in college dramas. He was already handsome, was blessed with a nice personality and could emote exceptionally well- as he was told. And when there were times he had to "act in love with someone, Naina would fidget through till the drama was over, her eyes somehow bearing Sameer's lovelorn eyes on some other girl, even though he was only acting; and heave a sigh of relief when her Sameer was back with her. Sameer knew Naina's insecurities too well. So after every such role, he would come back and pull her into a warm, crushing hug, and since last year, also shower her with a few long, ardent kisses. Sameer was aware how much his proximity to another girl, even in a drama, bothered her. But he also knew that Naina trusted him and loved seeing him on stage, living his new-found passion. He'd often tried to cajole Naina to try out for theatre too and she would say, "Are you mad? Classes miss karun? Finally, after a year of convincing, Naina had tried out for a supporting role, wherein she'd ended up bagging the role of the female lead- that too, opposite Sameer. Sameer's joy knew no bounds as he shouted out to the director, "arey ache romantic scenes likhna...gale vale bhi lagwa dena 10-12 baar...kiss-viss bhi chalega..., only to receive a smack on his shoulders by a red-faced Naina.

Naina's father had blasted her for auditioning for the role, once he learnt that Sameer was playing the male lead. "Wo bigdail...wahan bhi hero banne aa gaya! Kaise jhelegi tu use? he had barked out loud, while Preeti had silently snickered as her eyes had met Naina's. "Arey jaane dijiye na bhaisahab...to kya hua...sirf acting hi to karni hai...kaunsi sach mein Naina Sameer se pyaar kar rahi hai..., assuaged chachaji. Luckily, chachaji hadn't seen the colour in Naina's cheeks at these lines, nor did he notice the pangs of guilt reflecting in her eyes. Rakesh had finally acquiesced; as chachaji went on to explain about how extra-curricular activities were important to shape the personalities of young students.

Naina and Sameer's first play together had actually been a superhit in college. Their chemistry had set fire to the stage. Very few people knew about their relationship status officially, though many did suspect and tease them. But the rest of the audience was oblivious to the fact that Sameer and Naina were not just acting in love. Instead, they were expressing their true feelings towards each other in public, under the garb of acting. On seeing the talent in Naina, the theatre group tried to rope her for a few more dramas, and Sameer made sure she had to miss as less classes as possible. That meant rehearsal after class, and an official excuse that Naina could cite at home, to spend time with her lover.

Sometime during their second year, history repeated. It had been Sameer and Naina's unfulfilled dream to play Romeo and Juliet together- the chance they'd missed out upon in school due to their misunderstandings. How Naina wished she hadn't backed out from the play at that time, and Sameer wished that he hadn't acted like a complete jerk- trying to kiss her hand for a bet.

It was nearing the end of their first performance of Romeo and Juliet that Sameer had improvised at the last minute. Similar to the time, he'd fainted just before he had to kiss Swati's hand in school. How Naina used to laugh now, thinking that if Sameer had indeed kissed Swati's hand as a part of the play, he would have been sworn to her. Here too, Romeo was to kiss his Juliet's hand, before he decides to pierce himself with his sword. Sameer had held the palm of his apparently lifeless Juliet, in his hands, and kissed it longingly, as Romeo howled in the pain of separation from his beloved. And then sobbing, he'd stood on his knees, and caressed her cheeks, looking at her with all the love he harboured for her. It was as if Romeo was trying to catch a last glimpse of his love. He flicked a strand of hair away from her face, and then like Romeo sealing his bond with his Juliet, Sameer kissed Naina on her cheeks. He'd wanted to kiss her lips, but controlled himself vehemently. He did not want them to become the talk of the town nor mar Naina's image in anyway. Naina had found it hard to maintain her composure and act unconscious, as Sameer's lips touched her cheeks. And then Sameer shrieked out loudly in pain, as Romeo punched his dagger in his stomach and fell down to the ground in a heap. The audience gobbled down the expression of romance with a tumultuous applause. Such was the magic of Sameer's lovelorn eyes and his romantic kiss. Once the curtain had fallen, Naina mumbled to him, "wo kya tha? "School ke play me tumhe kiss karna reh gaya tha na...yahan mauka kaise chodta? he winked at her as he grinned naughtily.

***

Soon, Sameer's mind drifted to the literature festival in Darjeeling. In their second year of B.A., Naina had been chosen to give a speech on fictional writing. Apart from Naina's innocence, this was one thing that hadn't changed in her- she was still the teacher's pet, Sameer giggled to himself. He'd been really proud that Naina had been chosen to represent their college. But then he'd felt a bit sad, thinking that he wouldn't be able to see her for a few days when she would be in Darjeeling. And then as if God understood his dilemma, Prof. Goswami had asked Sameer to accompany Naina to Darjeeling and recite his best poems in the festival, as well as talk on how poetry helped him express his emotions. Prof. Goswami was a big fan of Sameer's poetry and he wanted the world to know his talent. It had been Naina's persuasion and encouragement, as well as the thought of being with Naina in Darjeeling, all alone, which made Sameer accept this proposal.

The entire trip had been extremely special for the couple. This was their second trip after Mt. Abu, and this time- both of them were madly in love, there were no secrets between them and also no family members to disrupt their romance. Sameer recalled the evening of the end of the trip. That evening had been tremendously magical. Yes, magical not for one, but for two reasons- one was that both Sameer and Naina had delivered excellent speeches and received standing ovations from the crowd. Sameer had been apprehensive initially, but having Naina by his side had made him overcome his fears. He had just stood on the stage and looked over at her, beaming at him. And then he'd forgotten the speech he'd prepared and spoke from his heart. The rhyming words which had rolled out of his mouth were nothing but pure love, love he'd harboured for Naina since long; love that grew deeper with each passing day. The second reason which had made that evening of the trip magical was that it was then, there in Darjeeling, that Naina and Sameer had shared their first intimate moment together- their first kiss! Sameer closed his eyes as he remembered that night- one of the most special nights of their lives, and dreaming about it, fell into a deep slumber.

After such a heart rending update, you have kept this light hearted..You have balanced it out well..

Without Naina being present, you gave their lot of moments through Sameer's memories..I completely loved this update...

Sameer respected Naina's boundaries and Naina has respected the norms of the society yet sometimes they had succumbed to their heart desires...

The heart wants what it wants...

Liked how you showed their slow transition in physical intimacy..it actually felt so real reading it considering you have kept Naina and Sameer in their character as per the show..Kudos to you!

Haha, of course, the thrill of loving somebody without anyone knowing is something else...That chup chupke phone calls, almost getting caught etc...

Sometimes it's fun to break all those unsaid rules...

Chachaji, as always stood by Naina and her decisions..

It was nice to read how Naina was guilty when Chachaji said she wasn't really in love with Sameer..

Would love to see a scene between Chachaji and Naina after the revelation of her marrying Sameer...

Wow! What a beautiful thought you had here...Instead of naina joining VJN that would be lowered than her capabilities, you made Sameer work here, challenging himself and trying to provide the best of himself...that was amazing and the result of his hardwork was 76% but in love, he had got himself a 100%...

Liked how you mentioned the other four's thoughts on career after 12th..

So Sameer had got a passion for acting and he developed it in Naina's mind too...

How much ever you trust them, you can't help be a little jealous when what's yours is being shared..haha...Loved Sameer's act of reassurance! He's giving some tough competition to other boys, hehe.