Sameer-Naina SS-Holding It Together (EPILOGUE UPDATED) - Page 3

Part-4: Forbidden to Feel

"Naina! " called Arjun as she came out of the washroom.Yes!Bhaiya! Do you need something?" she asked wiping her hands with the rose printed kerchief.

"Whats going on in between you two? "Arjun's voice definitely carried a heated temper but then Naina could gauge the emotion of fear interlaced in those words.

"You two means'? Naina asked feigning.

"You and Sameer!Do you realise you are stepping in a mess.If Papa comes to know,even if he gets slightest hint about this,you better know what will happen" Arjun spoke in one breath in one go.He was definitely worried ,more terrified.

"But Bhaiya! We are just friends and now we are Head Boy and Head Girl of the school.We need to work together ' Naina spoke trying to maintain a straight face all the while.

Arjun could very well see that there is more to than what just meets the eye.That blush on his darling sister's face with the mention of Sameer's name was enough for him.He could smell the tea brewing but then he feared the consequence of aroma.The tea is forbidden to brew.But it is late enough to hold back .

"Carry everything at professional level,Naina.I just don't want any mess.I hope you control everything before anything overflows and just leap out of our control. " Arjun caressed his sister's head wishing that his sister doesn't land in some unnecessary puddle of problems.

"Naina! Naina! What's the name of the inspector ?" Swati asked Naina who was lost in her own battle of reason and misery.

"Sameer! " Naina blabbered.

''What! NAINA!" Swati's pitched voice was enough to break her reverie.

'Oh! Sorry! I was .thinking something else..Yes! what were you asking ?" Naina said stuttering.

"Btw Naina from when did Sameer become Inspector?" Swati's voice definitely had an undertone of tease in it.

"Swati! Come to what you were asking about". Naina stressed on each word to divert Swati's attention.

'Leave that.How is the preparation going for Annual Function? "Swati asked inquisitevely.

'They are going according to plan.Thankfully Sameer is working patiently with everyone without messing.Once this function gets over successfully I will go to mandir for puja ... ' Naina's trail broke as her eyes drifted to a far away corner.

"Sameer! Sameer! Leave him..." Pandit and Munna's voices reverberated in the corridor.

'Munna leave me.I will finish him today.Get out of here if you don't want to die with him." The smouldering rage in Sameer's eyes met with the tranquilizing eyes of Naina.

The knuckles rolled into fist to land a punch on the meek assaulter's face stopped midway.A look at the eyes that rolled in denial and the dainty lips murmuring silent NO's. was enough.The assaulter landed in a thud while Sameer left combing his dishevelled hair.

"Naina! NAINA!' Swati nudged her.Yes! Naina jerked to reality.

'Where do you get lost often?.You were saying Sameer is dealing patiently.Is this how he is dealing.I just hope Principal doesn't punish him for what happened now." Swati said muttering a silent prayer.

Art Room

"Didi..look what happened? " one of the volunteers held out the broken thermocol piece as Naina entered.'Oh my god! How this happened?Who did this? My..art...' words choked in her throat as she saw her hours' hard work in pieces.

"One Bhaiya stamped on it knowingly.We are sorry.We could n't save it." The volunteer sounded dejected.

"Leave this and leave the art room even". Naina ordered as she tried to hold back the tears that were hitting against the boundaries of eyelid.

An empty classroom and alone Naina, a sob broke out as she vainly tried to assemble the pieces .Her eyes were hazy when a handkerchief unfurled infront of her.She took it without a forethought and wiped the tears pooling in eyes.

"Sameer!' she looked up to find Sameer leaning against the window.Her voice broke his line of thoughts and he turned to look.

"You fine ? ' Naina asked as she spotted lines of worry etched on his forehead."NO! How could I be fine when that son of gun destroyed this beautiful piece.Feel like landing two three punches right away."He said holding the grilling of the window in a tight fist.

"Calm down.I had made it once.Right? Will make another time.Don't be so mad at that idiot." Naina caressed his shoulder as he threw up his head in utter dejection.

"NO! Naina.It was the best.It can never be recreated even though you made it at the first place.It can't be the best one more time,you would have to work hard more now,this is not done,I will not leave that ... " he trailed as a smile flashed across her face.

Why is he worried for the piece she made?Why is he so mad at the boy?Why is he so disturbed though it should be her ?Why is he concerned about her?

Questions clubbed her mind as her eyes sparkled with happiness with few assumptions. She looked at him. How cute he looked with that frown on his face. The way he was vehemently trying to fix the broken pieces. The concentration in his eyes and the swift movement of fingers between the pieces and gum bottle. Could she just jump off the bench and give him a ..

Hug.

A tight hug.

"Naina! Help me fix this.I think we can reuse this piece." Sameer's voice broke her reverie .

She facepalmed at her imaginations as she extended her hands to fix and rebuild the art work,perhaps building a new relationship along way.

ANNUAL FUNCTION NIGHT.

"Wow! Sameer! You looking class today.I know in this whole school scratch that in this whole Ahmedabad no body can afford such a suit.Bhai! Are you planning to make the girls of whole Ahmedabad swoon over you?" Munna said enthusiastically seeing his cousin brother dressed to kill.

"Munna! This is my dressing style for every formal occasion.And if girls drool over me,That's not my fault.' Sameer said with a smirk on his lips.

As the friends chatted away his eyes were searching for the Head Girl,for his co-host of the evening ,for his Naina.

When did she became yours'? his mind chimed back which his heart ignored to answer.

Dressed in a velvet embroidered midnight blue Lehenga Choli and Kundan infused danglers ,she stepped on to the carpet laid for the invited guests.She couldn't have looked more elegant,more beautiful.Period.

Sameer halted in his tracks as his eyes fell on her.The world stopped.All that existed for him was she and his eyes staring at her.There was nothing else.No noise,no other people,no thoughts or worries ,no yesterday ,no tomorrow.The World just stopped and it was a beautiful place and there was only she.

Bolo Na Kyon Ye Chaand Sitaare
Takte Hain Yoon Mukhde Ko Tumhaare
Chhooke Badan Ko Hava Kyon Mehki
Raat Bhi Hai Behki Behki
Mere Savaalon Ka Jawaab Do

Walking in three inches solid heeled sandals was seeming more difficult to Naina; more than the trickiest question in mathematics worksheet.Bela Chachi had brought those sandals for Naina to wear on Pooja's wedding but as usual she wore those on the Annual Night. Tripping, stumbling, steading herself she marched towards the gathered crowd of students.

"Careful! Naina!' he said as he held her hands firmly.He had seen her walkling clumsily trying hard to steady herself on the high heels.He was drowning in her beauty when he felt her stumble and there he rushed to hold her before she had a terrible fall.

A blush crept on her cheeks as she found her fingers entwined with his..firmly. He looked so handsome in that navy blue two buttoned suit.No doubt why girls drool over him.She looked at him and he was already staring.She could swear she was not breathing.

O Kyon Hon Tum Sharmaayi Hui Si
Lagti Ho Kuchh Ghabraayi Hui Si
Dhalka Hua Sa Aanchal Kyon Hai
Ye Mere Dil Mein Hulchul Kyon Hai

"SAMEER! " Pandit's voice boomed from far. Jolted,they broke away while Pandit came running toward them.

Naina moved a little away to fix her dupatta that had got dishevelled all due to her inefficiency in handling them and the supposed fall...fall..

She could still feel his slight puffs of warm breath that grazed her skin.The hold of his fingers over her.The sense of concern in his eyes..

"Sameer! The guests would be arriving soon.Lochan Sir has asked you and Naina to report behind the stage in 10 minutes.Come quickly. " Pandit informed and meddled in the crowd.

He turned to call her when he saw the colour of her lehenga in sync with the colour of his suit.She looked so angelic.Perhaps it was the first time he was seeing her in all her beauty that the daily dresses and uniform hid.

Mere Rang Mein Rangne Waali
Pari Ho Ya Ho Pariyon Ki Rani
Ya Ho Meri Prem Kahaani
Mere Savaalon Ka Jawaab Do
Do Na

"Naina! Lochan Sir has asked to report in 10 minutes behind the stage.Let's go. " Sameer said trying to hold her hand to avoid another fall.

"You go..I will join soon'. Naina said while Sameer looked at her in confusion.'I have to fix few things". She said as she read confusion in his eyes.

"Okay.Come Soon."He voiced as he saw her leaving towards the academic building.

A few minutes later...

Naina tried to open the latch of washroom she had entered.Damn! I am getting late.She muttered as she fiercely tried to open the door.

Somebody had locked the door from outside.

The guests had arrived.

Naina was locked in the washroom while Sameer awaited Naina to join her on the steps to stage.

(To be continued.)

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