Friday, 23rd July, 1993, 11.300pm
Half an hour later, Naina heard a knock on her door. She opened it and saw Sameer standing outside. He had changed into a chequered shirt and plain, beige trousers, with a navy blue sweater on top of it, for the weather had turned a bit chilly. The rain had by now reduced to a slight drizzle. He raked his fingers through his wet hair as the door opened.
"Hi..., Sameer waved his hand at her. "Tum? Firse...? enquired Naina, pleasantly surprised to see him back. Sameer saw her dressed in a simple, full-sleeved, yellow chikankari salwar kameez with a creamish dupatta on her shoulders. He touched her long hair lovingly, "baal sukhe nahi na...? Chalo coffee peene chalte hain! "Coffee..? Is waqt...? Sameer raat ke 12 baj rahe hain..! Naina exclaimed. "Haan meri jaan...thodi dur pe ek canteen hai jo raat bhar khuli rehti hai...chalo jaldi karo...nahi to thand lag jayegi, he said. Without paying heed to any argument she might come up with, Sameer entered her room, took hold of her keys and purse from a table, and her blue shawl kept on the bed, and then ushered her outside and locked the door. Naina wrapped herself in the shawl and they started walking towards the canteen, hand-in-hand.
The canteen was open and to Naina's surprise, it was brimming with a horde of college students. Maybe they study in the college nearby, she thought. Sameer bought two steaming hot cups of coffee and settled himself besides her. The warmth of the mugs felt like bliss in the cold. As they sipped their coffee, an embarrassed smile quivered on both their lips as they looked at each other. After all, tonight they had moved a step deeper into their relationship. It had been the night of their first kiss. As Sameer glanced at her again, Naina started giggling. Sameer was surprised, "kya hua? Naina pointed to his lips amidst her sniggering, where the froth of the coffee had stuck. And then lovingly, she wiped the froth from his lips with her thumb. Sameer was stunned at her bold touch on his lips. Naina then licked the froth off her own thumb, as she eyed Sameer teasingly. He grinned to himself.
"Pata hai mera taste bahot acha hai...tabhi to tumhara man nahi bhara na..., he started flirtatiously. Naina blushed and hit him playfully on the shoulders. "Coffee khatam karo...kal subah jaldi uthana hai na...varna train choot jayegi, she replied. "Sone ka iraada kiska hai..., Sameer winked at her. "Toh? Kya karenge..., questioned Naina innocently. "Bataun...? Sameer inched closer to her. Naina blushed as she saw the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Kya kehti ho Naina...fir se karein? he proposed. Naina's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she lowered her eyes to her feet. "Bolo na...karein kya? Vaise bhi wapis jaane ke baad aise mauke milna kitna mushkil hai..., Sameer asked again, now impatient to hear her accede. "Sameeerrr...yahan bahot sare log hain...kaise...chodo..., Naina mumbled hesitantly. Sameer grinned, "arey pagli...yahan thodi karenge...room pe chalein? "Kyaaa!! Room pe...!!! Naina didn't realize she'd shouted in shock. A few people nearby turned to look at them as Sameer tried to hush her. "Sshhh...to aur kahan karein...tum hi batao Miss Topper..., replied Sameer defensively.
Naina stayed silent for a few seconds, and then said, "lekin Sameer...room pe...agar kuch galat ho gaya toh...hamari shaadi bhi nahi huyi... Sameer understood her hesitation, but decided to play along, "kya ho gaya..., he asked and then added in a hushed tone, "kiss na...? "Kiisss nahi baba...wo wo sab jo shaadi ke baad hota hai..., she tried to explain innocently. "Kya hota hai...kiss hi to hota hai na...batao mujhe..., he prodded, trying hard to keep a straight face. "Sameerrr!! Tum filmein nahi dekhte...wahi sab jo filmon me dikhate hain...aur wo angrezi filmon mein bhi...wo to tum dekhte ho na..., Naina tried to explain. Seeing Sameer still nonplussed, Naina added, "Arey jaise picturon me dikhate hain..ladka aur ladki raat ko baarish me bheeg jate hain...aur fir wo akele hote hain...aur ek dusre ke pass aate hain...aur aur fir ladki maa ban jati hai..., Naina completed quickly. "Kiss se?? asked Sameer, trying to convey surprise instead of amusement. "Nahi kiss se nahi baba...uske baad jo hota hai..., Naina was now piqued at Sameer for being so blunt. "Aisa kya hota hai ladka ladki ke beech...batao na Naina...meri shaadi thodi huyi hai jo mujhe pata hoga...tum kaho to abhi kar lete hain...aur fir pata chal jayega kya hota hai shaadi ke baad..., edged Sameer.
Seeing Naina so perplexed, Sameer found it hard to suppress his laughter. He gave in a second later and began shaking with mirth. "Haaye meri bholi girlfriend...! he sniggered as he hit her head playfully. And then he added in hushed tone, "tum chinta mat karo...filmon me jaisa hota hai na usse bhi achi hogi hamari shaadi ki pehli aur aane wali har raat... Naina's red face contrasted with her milky white skin at his words. Sameer smiled, held her hand and whispered, "bharosa karti ho mujhpe...? Naina nodded. Sameer kissed the back of her palm as they got up to leave.
They walked hand in hand across the dank road, gleaming with water droplets, lined with dense greenery and forest cover, back towards the resort. All of a sudden Naina felt Sameer's grip on her hand tighten. She looked up and found him staring into the distance. "Chalo! he dragged her towards the edge of the forested area. "Sameer? "Shhh! Trust me! he said, as his eyes searched for something inside the forest. Their feet creaked over twigs and slid over the marshy ground as they slowly ventured inside, with Sameer holding Naina carefully to support her. Just ten minutes onto the track and Naina again felt his hold on her hand harden. She looked up and this time, she saw him beaming wide. She traced where his eyes were fixated, and let out a surprised gasp at the mesmerizing sight in front of them.
Hundreds of glittering fireflies were prancing about the trees and shrubs in the distance, probably the last of the few who'd survived the rains till now. The yellow light emanating from them was weaving beautiful patterns against the dark skies of the jungle. Sameer pulled Naina closer in his arms as they settled themselves on a moss covered rock to witness the spell-binding view. Naina and Sameer looked at each other, smiled wide, and then their lips met. As they kissed in the ethereal irradiance cast by Mother Nature, the glow-worms, in search of their own mates, witnessed the enticing surrender of the two lovers sitting on a rock beneath them.
"I love you! Sameer whispered as he broke the kiss and his fingers caressed her smooth cheeks. Naina hugged him tight, "Sameer! she mumbled. "Nainital mein bahot dekhte the hum pass ke junglon mein...tumne dekhein hai jugnu isse pehle? he queried. Naina shook her head. "Tumhare saath to maine duniya mein kitna kuch naya dekha aur seekha hai! Pata nahi tum na aate to mera kya hota! she murmured softly as she clung onto him tighter.
"Sameer? Naina suddenly spoke after a minute or so. "Hmmm? he asked. "Sameer...time kya hua hai? Naina shifted slightly and brought his wrist watch to peek at it. Sameer pressed a knob on the side of the watch and the dial came to light. "12.50! "Main late ho gayi! Naina mumbled. "Happy Birthday Jaan! she bit her lips and smiled. "Birthday! Of course! It was now the 24th of July! He'd been so engrossed in their first solo trip that he'd even forgotten that it was his birthday today. But his girl had remembered! He smiled wide and gave her a soft peck on her lips, "Thank you sweetheart... "Tumhara gift room pe hai! Naina explained. "Aisa kya gift dene wali ho? Sameer cocked his eyebrows teasingly. "Pagal ho tum! she snapped amidst her embarrassment. He chuckled and then added seriously, "chalo...nikalte hain yahan se! It was never a good idea to linger alone in such places for long, that too at night. A few minutes later, they came out of the forested area and started tracing their steps back towards Naina's room.
Naina went to her door, while Sameer made sure no one saw them together. Everyone must have slept by now. Both their hearts were fluttering, anxiety welling up inside them. This was the first time they would be spending the night together in the same room. Though their intentions were not wrong, given the plethora of emotions they'd held up inside themselves for the past two years, they, especially Sameer knew controlling themselves was a task. Naina unlocked the door and entered. Sameer stayed behind. He wanted to be sure that Naina wasn't uncomfortable when they were sharing such lovely, private moments with each other. "Sameer...tum aa sakte ho...kaha na mujhe tum par pura bharosa hai..., Naina smiled, understanding his hesitation. They shared a sweet eyelock, wherein Sameer's eyes assessed Naina's to see if she was indeed okay with the arrangement.
Once he felt assured, Sameer entered the room and Naina locked the door. This was his first time as well in a girl's room. His mother had hardly stayed with him and he never had any sister. His primary interaction with females, at such comfort levels had been strictly restricted to Naina. Naina offered him a chair and opened the window of her room. The smell of wet earth oozed in as the sound of residual rain droplets breaking down from the tree leaves, broke the stillness of the night. The moon was shining amongst the clouds now, casting a pale glow around. The night was heavenly.
Sameer smiled and came to stand next to Naina besides the window. His eyes fixed themselves on the object they had come to like the most in this world- Naina. As Naina's eyes met his, the two pairs of eyes spoke volumes of love that they felt for each other. Sameer took hold of her hand and started caressing her fingers as Naina looked down shyly. "Naina, kitni khoobsurat beeti na ye raat...aur ye subah jaise jaise ho rahi hai...mere dil me rang aur khushiyaan bharti ja rahi hai...tum saath hoti ho to zindagi kitni suhaani lagne lagti hai..., he said as he placed a soft kiss on her palm. "Tum hamesha mere pass rahogi na...kabhi chod ke to nahi jaogi mujhe? he enquired with hesistant, pleading eyes. Naina smiled at him in reassurance and inched closer to him.
Sameer's eyes bored into hers as he pulled her into his embrace. Her hands flew to his neck and their eyes closed as their lips parted in anticipation. They kissed softly this time, as if trying to take in the feeling of those soft lips- lips which could bring them a strange contentment, a strange serenity; yet stroke the embers of the fire raging within them, unsated, demanding forever more of each other. Sameer's hands moved up from her waist and cupped her face lovingly as he peppered kisses all over Naina's lips, the corner of her mouth, her cheeks and returned back to her lips again. Eyes closed, they both savoured the feeling of belongingness to each other.
They occasionally paused for some breath and then their lips resumed caressing the other's. Sameer's fingers moved from her cheeks as he stroked through Naina's hair while snogging her. Naina too was enjoying the feel of his silky hair under her fingers. The kiss were pure magic. Sameer felt himself get aroused again. But so deeply he admired the woman in his arms, even his heart did not want to put them in a situation she might regret later. If he'd promised to himself that he'll abstain till their wedding night, he would do so. He wanted Naina to completely and wholly surrender to him, with happiness, without any qualms, the day he made her completely his own. Sameer was breathing heavily as he broke apart and looked in her eyes- the innocent, dove-like eyes he could lose himself in. Her kajal had still not worn off and it continued to mesmerize him. Naina read pure love, lots of unspoken desires in his eyes, yet she saw a firm determination, a restraint he'd thrust upon himself. Had it not been for Sameer's control, she would probably have given-in to those carnal urges a while back only. But Sameer knew what their love was capable of, and wanted to make their special' moment, whenever it came, really special.
After a while, Naina settled down on the bed. "Naina...ek baat kahun tumse...tum bura to nahi maanogi? asked Sameer, as he propped himself against the bed where Naina was sitting. "Bolo naa! prompted Naina, as she turned to lie down on her stomach with her hands supporting her face. "Wo Naina...tumhe pata hai...maine tumhe first time...kiss karne ke baare me kab socha tha? he muttered sheepishly. "3 ghante pehle? she teased. "Itna bhi seedha nahi hoon main haan..., Sameer responded with a glint in his eyes. "Acha acha batao..., she placated.
"Tum gussa mat karna...par tumhe yaad hai jab hum Mt. Abu gaye the 11th mein...wo jis raat hum campfire ke aage baithe the puri raat...ek dusre ki baahon me pehli baar...? Sameer started. "Tab???? Naina's eyes widened in surprise. "Nahiii...tab main pehli baar tumhare itne kareeb tha ki main kuch soch hi nahi paa raha tha, accepted Sameer. "Usi raat ko, tumhe hostel chodne ke baad, mujhe sapna aaya tha ki hum usi campfire ke aage baithe hain...aur main tumhe kiss karne jaa raha hun...main khud ko rok nahi paa raha bilkul...aur tum bhi nahi...main sapne mein soch raha tha ki ab to Naina hi mujhe rok sakti hai varna ye to ho hi jayega...lekin tum nahi rokti mujhe...tum bhi mere utne kareeb aana chah rahi ho...aur fir hum kiss kar lete hain...aur wo feeling...baap re Naina...aaj tak yaad hai mujhe...main uthne ke baad tak use ekdum aise mehsoos kar raha tha jaise maine tumhe sach me kiss kiya ho...pure din wo feeling mere hothon pe thi...hamesha sochta raha isse koi khubsurat feeling ho hi nahi sakti hogi...aur aaj jab sach me tumhe kiss kiya tumhe to pata chala ki sach me to ye sapne se kayi zyada khubsurat tha..., Sameer concluded.
There was a silence between them for a few seconds and then Naina spoke, "Matlab tabse...? She was astonished. "Tab to tumne mujhe dil se I Love You' bhi nahi bola tha...tumhe to pyaar ka ehsaas bhi nahi hua tha na...fir bhi? she argued. "Oh madam... I Love You' tab bhi dil se hi bola tha...bas samjha nahi tha ki dil se bol raha hun...aur wahan pe huyi choti choti cheezein...ye sapna...fir tumse dooriyan...tumhari fikr...in sabne samjha diya ki pyaar to ho hi gaya tha! he averred, taking her hand in his and kissing it.
Naina leaned over the bed over to him. "Aur ek baat bataun..., Sameer asked again. Naina blushed and nodded. "Agle din na main tumhe sab us shart ke baare me batane aa raha tha...bahot baar koshish ki lekin tumhe dekhte hi mera dhyaan tumhare hothon pe chala ja raha tha aur mujhe lag raha tha tumhe sach me kiss na kar baithun! Tumhe dekhte hi main aankhein band kar le raha tha us din... he chuckled. Naina recalled how Sameer had covered his eyes that morning at breakfast suddenly and left without completing what he'd come to tell her. And she'd thought that Sameer was embarrassed because of the I Love You', but Sameer had been way ahead even that time. Sameer looked at her smilingly and pulled her cheeks. He then whispered teasingly, "aur pata hai us din ke baad bhi mujhe bahot saare sapne aaye hain...kiiisss ke...aur kisss ke aaageee ke bhi...pata nahi wo sapne kab pure honge! Naina felt embarrassed as she hit him on his shoulders, "apne sapno pe control rakho...aur khud pe bhi...shaadi tak! "Haan aur uske baad no control vontrol...seedha kood padunga main to! Sameer replied naughtily, to receive another push from Naina.
"Arey ek minute...tumhare chakkar mein main to sab bhool hi jaati hun! Naina remarked as she rushed over to her suitcase and began searching for something inside. "Ye kya kar rahi ho...? he called. "Tumhara Birthday hai na! she muttered as she kept fiddling with her luggage. "Ohh acha acha...to aaj bhi wo bhalu wali dress pehnogi...? he jeered. Sameer was greeted with a sweater thrown on his face. Finally, Naina found what she was looking for. She pulled out a yellow coloured, small plastic polythene as Sameer looked on curiously. She came and sat next to him on the floor and Naina slid in her arms into Sameer's and whispered, "Happy Birthday Jaan...again! "Ye tumhara birthday gift...dekh ke batao tumhe acha bhi laga ya nahi..., she handed him the plastic bag. Sameer was surprised, "Naina...tum gift mat diya karo yaar...tumhe vaise bhi pocket money nahi milti..., he started. "Arey...tum chinta mat karo...mere hone wale pati ke pass bahot paisa hai...shaadi ke baad sab hisaab kitaab vasool lungi..., she joked. Sameer nodded playfully, "acha...aur main gareeb ho gaya toh? "Toh fir main kheton me tumhare saath hal jotungi...ab bak bak band karo aur khol ke to dekho na..., she added impatiently. Sameer took out a small box from the polybag and and unwrapped the gifting paper carefully. He opened the box to reveal a brand new designer watch- with a deep brown leather strap, a black dial, with lots of tiny features embedded in it. It must have cost Naina a fortune- probably all her saved money over the past three years. "Tumhe ghadiyan bahot pasand hai na...kaisi lagi? Naina asked hesitantly. "Jo cheez mujhe har waqt yaad dilaye ki meri zindagi ka har pal tumhare saath beetne wala hai...usse bhi khubsurat kuch ho sakta hai... thanks jaan! he whispered as he grabbed her into a tight side hug, feeling emotional now. On Naina's insistence, he tried on the watch and from then onwards, he wore it daily, even on the day he proposed her for marriage.
The dawn broke out as the couple chatted, kissed in between, making the best of their privacy that night. As it struck 5 in the morning, Naina opened her door to ensure no one was around and Sameer slipped outside, but not before he'd taken her face in his hands and kissed her lips long. These opportunities would not present themselves in Ahemdabad.
***
The return journey had been an enjoyable one. This time, they spent quite a few hours sleeping in the train, taking turns. Whenever the train would stop at a major station, Sameer would get down to get some special, famous snacks of that place for him and Naina. And in the night, when people around them dozed off, Sameer and Naina made best use of the opportunity, by kissing each other senseless.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
