"Naina, I badly need one. Sameer pleaded with urgency, begging Naina to relent. Her steps halted and she turned back towards him with a stern look on her face. The bustling college corridors were witnessing yet another of their fights, only that this wasn't as impish and casual as their other ones.
With Naina's reluctant yet determined help, Sameer had been able to keep his urge for cigarettes in check. He sincerely wanted to get rid of the habit he had unwillingly developed, and his friends were helping him each second, especially his Naina.
Naina slightly tilted her head in disappointment as she grunted in frustration. He knew how strenuous all this was for her, and yet she was the most cooperative. She too knew how helplessly addicted he had become, and this was the fifth time he had repeated his plea since eight this morning. However, Sameer hadn't failed to notice a newfound confidence surge through her, which was clearly evident in her gait and voice. Naina did everything with utmost determination and sincerity, and no challenge had the courage to intimidate her, specifically those that involved him. Her fierce look softened to a tremble as she drew in a wavering breath, trying to compose herself. Grabbing his arm, she dragged him to an empty classroom. He turned on his heel, facing her serene face. There was nothing else but a few chairs and tables scattered messily in the classroom covered with dust. Sameer coughed twice while Naina looked on imperviously, her arms crossed lightly in front of her chest.
"Tell me more. She spoke finally, however, succinctly.
Sameer breathed, "Everything is under control as long as you're around, Naina. You isolate me from the entire world, because you're the only person I see. You're my addiction, your love is my necessity. There is no room for anything else as long as you are with me, Naina. He took a few strides away from her, gazing at the dusty chairs with sudden fascination. She turned around, waiting for him to complete.
His mouth dried and he looked at her warily, "But the haunting addiction saunters back as soon as you disappear, Naina. And that's when I lose myself. The desire to inhale one puff overpowers my determination to stay away from cigarettes. The foul yet satisfying smell, the illusion of all my stress vanishing into thin air...I can't, Naina. Dejected, he sighed, looking at her for some hope and a solution to his problem.
Naina let out a sigh, commiserating his situation. She was well aware of this fatal addiction and its consequences. She had no doubt in his sincerity, nor did she have a doubt in her strong tenacity. Inching towards him, Naina brought her hand to his shoulder, startling him by her touch. Despite the familiarity of three years, her touch still sent shivers down his spine. He turned around to find himself delve into her hazel brown orbs. The orbs that carried an ocean of emotions and reflected a thousand memories; of happiness and pain. Taking his hands in hers, Naina clutched his cold hands, assuring him of a sanguine future.
Pursing her lips she wondered out loud, "Hmm. So this is the matter that bothers you so much.
Sameer wore an expression of helplessness and compulsion, as Naina noticed his eyebrows arch in worry.
"Sameer, do you remember what I told you that night? After a pause she completed, "You can only have one addiction. Either cigarettes or love.
"I know, Naina. And I understand. He gave in dejectedly. His shoulders slumped and his hands left hers.
"But what should I do to evade this urge? What should I do to escape this brutal wrath? The wrath so intimidating yet so inviting? His voice obliterated, dissolving into darkness with each second.
Naina took a step towards him and regained captivity within his ice-cold hands. Gazing into his eyes, she nodded understandingly.
Bringing her trembling hands close to him, Naina touched the edge of his forehead, feeling the slow sweat beads forming on his head. Sameer instinctively closed his eyes, taking in the exhilarating sensation of her touch. His hand wrapped around hers simultaneously, clinging on to her as if his life depended on her. Her hand felt soothingly warm, the softness leaving him appalled. Tracing each goosebump that had automatically appeared, her finger slid down his face, through his closed eyes and stopped at his cheek. He exhaled surreptitiously as he whispered huskily onto his face, "Naina...
Brushing across his recently developed stubble, her finger felt the tickling sensation as she let out a laugh, "This tickles. I like it.
His smile widened to a grin as he opened his eyes to see her gleaming face. He cupped her face and tightened his grip, drawing circles on her cheek. Feeling the wave of nervousness mixed with excitement his single touch brought, she innocently bit her lip, igniting a fire of desire within him. He groaned in frustration as he whined, "Don't do that, Naina. Because you might have to come up with convincing excuses to give to our friends and your family for your swollen lips. And I shouldn't be one to be blamed.
Her frown soon made way for the crimson effect to take over. Parting her lips she exhaled scrupulously, her wavering breath fanning his neck. He gulped, knowing this was the last straw of patience. He would take her mouth into his before she could voice out anything else. But as soon as he leaned in, she tersely hid her face in him, making Sameer gasp. Naina slowly wrapped her arms around him, feeling each tensed muscle relax under her grip. Folding her arms around her neck, her fingers dove into his silky hair, making him tremble. Her right hand tangled itself in his smooth hair while her left hand rubbed his nape soothingly. Naina closed her eyes to experience the bliss he brought and her uneven breaths touched his skin, alerting each cell within him. He encased her in his arms, lightly touching her petite waist dubiously before tightening his grip. She fit perfectly, he realized. His lips curved as he breathed at the precious feeling. With her in his arms, he knew he didn't need anything else in the world. Bending his head, he muffled himself in her luscious hair, taking in the sweet aroma of her mixed with the succulent scent of her shampoo. She had washed her hair that morning, he inferred. The slight dampness of her hair fueled his desires as Sameer held an urge to fist her hair in his hands.
"How about now? Naina whispered into his ears, bringing him out of his imaginations. His eyes remained shut as he mouthed instinctively, "Home. Pure bliss.
She smiled genuinely as her heart welled up at his words. Sameer tightened his grip on her as soon as she tried to retreat, coercing her to stay. She hugged him again, reviving each sensation, each feeling, each moment that would now become a memory.
She drew back, but her hands still lingered in his.
"There, I just made your life easy. She spoke after a minute of peaceful silence. Sameer's brows puckered in perplexion as Naina answered his unasked question, "The solution to your problem?
"Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, remember this moment. Because I'm with you. Right here. She touched the left side of his chest, her breath short at that gesture. He covered her palm with her own and clutched it promisingly.
"I am here and will always be. With you. Because I love you, Sameer Maheshwari. And even you have no right over the extent of my love. For you. She promised, making his heart heavy. What had he done to deserve her?
"I am lucky to have you in my life, Naina. I love you. He reciprocated, engulfing her in another embrace at having failed to control his emotions. She stroked his back assuringly, thanking God for having him in her life. He retreated and cupped her face hesitantly. Rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs, he enjoyed the blush that had returned on her face. As if asking her permission, she started to lean in in affirmation. His grip on her intensified as he closed the distance between them. Just as their lips were centimeters apart from each other, the bell rang tersely, jerking them. Naina drew in a sharp breath before she murmured, "I guess I got saved from coming up with an excuse.
Sameer's smirk returned as he promised, "Not for long.
Her eyes widened at his tenacity before she shied away. As she headed towards the door, he clung onto her wrist, pulling her back. With her back crashing against his chest, he bent and asked almost huskily, "Where to?
"I've classes. She responded timorously, her voice barely audible to herself.
"I hope we'll get more such moments like these...
She freed herself from his grip and ran for the door. At the threshold she looked back and giggled, "Keep hoping. Leaving him with a wide grin on his face.
...
Students bustled from the hauntingly silent room, crowding the corridors with their gibberish talks.
Sameer walked alongside a sulking Munna as he asked, "Bad?
Munna eyed him grudgingly before shaking his head in affirmation. His best friend put an arm over his shoulder as Sameer coerced, "It's okay...just semester exams.
"Really? By the way you haven't told me how yours went. Munna smirked, flashing a hysterical smile as Sameer stuttered and his face fell guiltily.
"What will you tell Naina? Munna asked worriedly, hinting at the efforts she had put in. Munna was proud of his bhabhi' for her strong-willed tenacity, and more elated for his friend for having found a true soulmate like her. However as of now, his friend wore a grim expression as his fingers fidgeted with each other.
"Want one? Munna stammered with hesitation. Sameer's frown soon dawned realization as he hit him on his back, making him raise his hands in defence. "I was just asking, since you're so tensed.
"It's been a month, Munna. I've quit smoking. A smile played on his lips as he remembered Naina. She had done the indomitable, or what he considered to be an impossible feat. She was a young woman of word, courage and determination.
"Sameer! Her voice rang in his ears as he turned to find an eager Naina approaching him.
"How did it go? She asked, her voice filled with concern and her eyebrows arched in worry.
"Um...Naina.. He stammered, his eyes shifting focus from her to the floor beneath.
"Sameer... She rested her hand on his shoulder with an exasperated sigh. She was about to console him when he floored her, "It went really well! For the first time, math was a piece of cake!
Naina jumped in happiness, almost controlling the urge to take him in her embrace. Their advances were still a secret from the entire world; including their friends. She bit her lip at the thought and instantly found him groaning under his breath. Naina chuckled at his desperation as she boisterously beamed, "I'm so happy. You did it, Sameer!
He took her hands in his as he whispered, "You did it.
Naina looked away blushingly as Munna engulfed Sameer, "You were kidding!
"Why, are you the only one who's allowed to joke? He giggled, making Munna's eyes widen.
"You knew? He asked, bewildered.
"Well, Swati was preparing you for these exams, so I assumed you wouldn't let her down. Sameer smirked victoriously as Munna hugged him once again.
The gang had joined and vented their exam jitters when Sameer grabbed Naina's arm, making her halt in her tracks. Surreptitiously, he sneaked out with her to a nearby empty classroom.
Naina grew alarmed as she shrieked, "Sameer!
Bolting the door he responded with equal excitement, "Naina!
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and tilted her head slightly, gazing him with scrutiny. His smirk still lingered as he took steps towards her, making her straighten in apprehension.
"There are some things that are only appropriate if behind closed doors. Quickly he added, "Unless you are too eager to come up with reasonable excuses.
Her eyes widened as her thoughts flowed to the wildest imaginations ever possible. She shivered in trepidation as she meekly voiced, "Sameer, yeh sab shaadi ke baad.
His brows puckered before they relaxed as he let out helpless chuckles. Leaning into her, he whispered, "kya sab?
"Everything that's running in your head. She spoke tersely, avoiding his gaze.
"Well, my thoughts start and end at you and only you. But what were you hinting at? He didn't relent, and his arm slowly encased her waist, making her tremble in the happiest way possible.
"Everything that is supposed to happen after we...turn adults. Things that teenagers; specifically boys desire from... She left her sentence incomplete, just like her thoughts.
He hovered over her as he murmured, "Well, I do...but I was just saying that... Her gaze met his as he felt his thoughts go haywire.
"I badly need one. Sameer whispered huskily, as she drew in a sharp breath. Retreating, he spread his arms, as Naina's worry changed to delight.
Naina flung her arms around his neck as he lifted her and twirled her around. "I feel on top of the world! She shouted in glee as she looked down at him staring at her in admiration and love. He brought her down and hugged her tightly, promising her a hopeful future.
"We did it, Naina. You were the ray of hope in my darkness that came and filled my life with happiness.
"So did you, Sameer. I love you. She confessed as a lone cigarette fell from her fingers and fizzled in agony. Wrapping her hands around his waist, she heaved a contented sigh as she let the bliss take over.
Love kills slowly yet painfully, through bad influences...however may promise a hopeful future. Because love isn't about rectifying one's mistake. It is accepting each other's flaws without judgements and making them better people by loving them unconditionally.
Note:-
Maybe boys weren't the only ones who smoked. Maybe she too couldn't handle the isolation and separation. Maybe that's why she understood him so well. Maybe that's how love heals...
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Cricket
