"So class!I hope you excuse me for few seconds.I would like to announce that the 53rd Annual Sports Day is the next big event for our institute after the prestigious BRAINS MEET.Soon the circular would come about details of name registration and schedule.I would like few volunteers for assisting me in event management.Anyone? ''JBR declared and there was absolute silence.
"Oh I forgot this class cannot speak..Haahhaah...'' JBR laughed out loud.Few giggles joined in.
"BAD JOKE.''JBR concluded with a serious stare.
"Sir!Main volunteer banungi.Mujhe experience hai.'' Naina said and JBR looked impressed.
"Sunaina!SUNAINA'' JBR called out enough loud to pull out Sunaina from her reverie.
"Yes Sir.'' Sunaina immediately stood up and Pandit gestured that she was gone case.
"Dhyan kahan hai tumhara?Will you be the volunteer?'' JBR asked straight.
"Kisme Sir?'' She asked and all heads turned towards her.
"College ki painting karne mein.'' JBR replied enough serious.
"SIR?'' Sunaina asked puzzled and the next moment she knew it was a bad and poor joke.
"Actually Sir ..Umm..I have a bit of health problem so I can't handle such a huge responsibility.Aap Swati ko le lijiye na.Wo bahut acha handle karti hai responsibilities.'' Sunaina suggested and Swati glared.If looks could burn, Sunaina would have been turned into ashes with Swati's look.
"Mere liye suggest karne ki koi zaroorat nahin.Mein apni suggestion khud de sakti hoon.''Swati mumbled with all the anger she could amass and suggested her name aloud to JBR.
"Yaar Sameer!Yeh frock wala Pandat aur Sunaina ke beech kuch hua hai kya?Jab se apne Pandat louta hai tab se wo geography kitaab ki jwalamukhi(volcano) ki tarah aag babula banke ghum rahi hai.Aur Sunaina ko dekhte hi ek dum bhadak rahi hai.Pata nahin yeh Nagpur mein kya khichdi paka ke aayen hein sab?''Munna murmured and Sameer looked a bit surprised with this new found information.
"Munna!Tu Swati se baat kar.Pata to chale ki aakhir baat kya hai.'' Sameer suggested and Munna reacted as if saw ghost of Sameer.
"Tujhe bukhar to nahin hai Bhai.Arey tera dimag kharab hai?Ab Pandat ke pass jaunga to mujhe sabke saamne maar kar zinda gadh degi.Mere antim sanskar ke liye bhi tum logon ko mera lass nahin milega.''Munna declared and Sameer felt a flicker of hope doused again.
"Welcome to 53rd Annual Sports Day of VJN University''. Shreya announced gleefully and Vicky co-hosted the morning session.Sameer had registered his name only for Cricket and Basketball.The cricket and basketball sessions were on final day of Sports day and Sameer had ample of time to carry on his investigation.
Sameer found Sunaina standing alone near the first aid tent.Several other seniors were seating occupying the chairs and Sunaina was leaning against the bamboo pole clutching some paper.
Sameer looked at Munna and Pandit.They were busy preparing for high jump and long jump events.He saw Ved already running on tracks.He could see Kartik getting ready for the next round of track event.He found Naina..his Naina juggling between some papers and noting down with rapt attention.
He then found that this was perfect opportunity to talk to Sunaina and find answers to few questions ,all by himself.No matter how much he tried he could not waver the thought of Sunaina's weird mannerism linked to Brains Meet competition.
As he put his foot forward he saw Naina's head lift up.She straight looked at him and smiled with all her love.They say joy is the source of smile but for him her smile id his source of joy.With her smile only he felt his world at peace..no more doubts,no more chaos.Absolute harmony,absolute symmetry.
But he needed to talk to Sunaina.Now he knew why most of the world famous detectives/private investigators, he had read by then; were bachelors or spinsters.Naina would definitely not like the idea of him talking to Sunaina for a longer time.Already she has laughed off his idea of being amateur investigator of Brains Meet Scam'.But talking to Sunaina was important too.He closed his eyes and decided to go forward with his plan.
"SUNAINA!'' Sameer called and fortunately she was not lost in her reverie.She turned around and found Sameer smiling wide and approaching her.
"Hi!Sameer.Tum field mein kyun nahin ho?Ya tumhe kahin chot lagi hai?'' She asked scanning him from tip to toe.
"Nahin nahin main bilkul thik hun.Tum field pe nahin ho.Kartik ka event abhi shuru hone wala hai.''Sameer informed and was surprised to see her indifference.
"Mujhe uski event dekhne mein koi interest nahin hai.Waise bhi use kabhi mujh mein interest tha''.Sunaina said and Sameer was taken aback with the tone.He felt like seeing a new shade of Sunaina who used to flirt or crib like a baby for smallest things.It felt as if suddenly she has found her aim,her mission..her man...Her man?
"Kya soch raha hai Sameer? Sameer murmured and hit the back of his head.
"Sunaina!Ek baat puchun bura to nahin manogi?'' Sameer mustered enough courage to ask her and 2 years of association with Naina has made him somewhat expert in studying girls' moods.And Sunaina seemed to be in a very happy mood.She smiled and asked him to carry on.
"Tum inn dinon kuch alag si matlab badli badli lag rahi ho''.He spoke in one breath and bit his tongue for asking such straight question that to a girl who is not even his close friend.He saw her eyes go wide and he immediately was ready with the apology.
"I am sorry ..mujhe aise personal sawal.''. He trailed when Sunaina's words kicked in.''I didn't mind.''
"Mujhe koi samajh ne wala ,pyar karne wala aur sache dil se chahne wala mil gaya hai.'' Sunaina confessed and Sameer suddenly felt a strange but comfortable aura around her.When it was not normal for a boy to talk to a girl casually,here she was sharing her personal details.But he felt happy that she has found a partner of her choice.In few days of association he had found that she was not that bad ,though she was friend of Kartik.She was just crazy and wanted her share of love and happiness.
"Nagpur mein?Brains Meet ?'' Sameer asked and she nodded ,a blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Par wo Brains Meet ke team ka hissa nahin tha.Wo VJN ka nahin hai.Wo Fergusson College ka hai''. Sunaina revealed and his detective mind sprang back to action.If not of VJN ,then what he was doing in VJN's programme?How on earth he came to be associated with Sunaina?It felt like she had never met him before..So much love and fondness in a week?
"Tum pehle use kabhi mili thi?Matlab itni kam time mein...'' Sameer asked and Sunaina had a look of amazement on her face.
"Tum ne kabhi kisise pyar kiya hai?Lagta to nahin hai.Ek pal mein pyar ho jaata hai aur kahin pe ek saath barshon rehne ke baad bhi nahin hota.Bas ek nazar,ek takrar aur ek..'' She could not complete the sentence and smiled abashedly.
He expected her to share it all but then he was gradually feeling a tight knot coiling inside him.He didn't want to hear but she was speaking as if emptying thoughts from her mind.
"Tum usko mile kaise?VJN ka nahin hai to koi bhi event mein to nahin hoga''.Sameer asked feeling that Sunaina's budding love story has nothing to contribute to 'Brains Meet Scam',as he had named it after 'Harshad Mehta Scam.'
"Hum jis din Nagpur mein pahunche uss din sham ko shopping ke liye gaye the.Next day Crossword or Chess ka preliminary rounds the to main free thi.Aur mujhe ek chithi mili ki main canteen mein table number 5 ke pass aa jaun.Koi mera 'Titanic 1912' ke T-Shirt pehen ke intezaar kar raha hai.Bas use mein mili aur ek hi pal mein aisa laga jaise BRAINS MEET mein select hone ka reason kuch aur hi tha shayad.'' Sunaina uttered as she reminisced the beautiful moments she had in the canteen of VJN,Nagpur,the lawns and the places they hung out.
"Usne sirf tumko dekha tha.Par tum kahan rehti ho,tumhari naam yeh sab kuch use kaise pata chala?'' Sameer asked and Sunaina's eyebrows frowned.
"Tum kya Police Inspector ho?Aise investigating sawal puch rahe ho?'' She asked furrowing her eyebrows and eyeing him suspiciously.
"Umm..sorry.Mujhe to genuinely interest aa raha hai tumhari Nagpur ki adventure sunke''. Sameer lied through teeth and tried to fake a smile.
"Hahha...Tension mat lo.Tumhare saath share karne mein mujhe koi problem nahin hai.Bas Papa ko mat bata dena please''.She said and he promised.
"Vikas Kartik ka dost hai.Dono pehle bhi mil chuke hein.Vikas aur Kartik ke Nanaji dono dost the.Isliye jab Vikas ko pata chala mein Kartik ke dost hun toh uska mujhe milna aur bhi asan ho gaya.Mein room mein thi jab Kartik ne wo chithi laa kar di.Kartik aur Vikas dono dost hein yeh mujhe bahut baad pata chala,jab hum date pe gaye. ''She confessed and Sameer was jolted from within.
"Kartik?Ismein bhi?'' He mumbled and was more keen to listen to her story because it was no more a simple,sweet love story rather it has a 'Kartik Angle' to it.
"Tum date pe bhi chali gayi?Tumhari to do events thi na?'' Sameer asked and Sunaina smiled with the shades of crimson setting back to her cheeks.
"Jis din hum date pe gaye usi din Public Speaking ka event tha.Aur main event skip karliya.Jaanti hun tum soch rahe hoge ki main kitni stupid hoon.Par pyar mein aksar aise pagalpanti hoti hai.Shayad agar main wo Public Speaking competition jeet bhi jaati phir bhi itni khushi nahin milti jitni uss date pe jaake mili.Kitni saare baatein ki,shopping bhi ki,aur phir hum dono ...'' She leaned against the bamboo pole again and took in the pleasure of reliving the day and the moments.
"Tum dono kya?Movie dekhne gaye?''Sameer asked as he mentally jotted down few points and failed to notice the surprised look on her face.
"Kiss kiye.'' She uttered and Sameer looked at her as if he suddenly saw a ghost in place of her.The girl had totally lost her mind being in love with that Nagpur boy.She was confessing that they kissed'? So much progression in a week..Interesting.
"Wapas kab mil rahe ho use?'' Sameer asked to confirm if it was a time pass or both were definitely serious.He could see Naina getting done with her job as the break was announced.He must be soon done with Sunaina and retreat back to his tent nor Naina would not kiss him in his next seven births even.
"Ab to wo Abu Dhabi mein hai.Apne Nanaji ke pass.Par yeh letter bhej ke gaya hai.Hum jald milenge.''She said as she showed him the envelope that contained the letter.He threw a quick glance at the letter and felt that may be he was doubting Kartik unnecessarily.He can have grudge against him,or Ved but why Sunaina?They are friends ..but then Priyank too was his friend.
So many questions and he could not place where this was leading to.The girl infront of him was just regaling in her new-found love and here he was raking his brain where Kartik fits in.
He felt he was done with Sunaina and needs to get back to his Naina.
"Main chahunga pure dil se ..tum log jald hi milo''.He genuinely wished and knew how difficult it is to live away from the beloved one.He could see another Naina in her who was reading and re-reading the letter with a smile and accompanying blush.True!Love can knock out all senses.
"Sameer!'' Naina called as she spotted him returning from the first-aid tent.She had been searching him from a while,with no trace of him in the fields or even his tent.
"Kahan the tum?Kitna dhund rahi thi tumhe. ''She enquired as they came face to face.He smiled as he pulled her inside the empty tent.Rest of the students had flocked the field for lunch and the entire camping area looked deserted.
"Kyun dhund rahi thi mujhe?Kuch kaam tha? '' He asked and she nodded.Without lingering the surprise for more minutes she pulled out something wrapped in newspaper.
"Khol ke dekho.''She asked and he unwrapped immediately to find the surprise.
"Samosa?Kahan se kharidi?Aaj to canteen band hai.'' He asked as he could not help himself from taking a bite.
"Khud banayi hoon.Akhbar se padhke.'' She voiced and he felt the masala feeling more tastier now as they melt on his taste buds.
"Itna mehnat kyun kiya?'' He asked as he took another bite and gave her half of his 'jhoota'.
"Prize chahiye tha na tumhe.Socha ki isse achi prize main tumhe nahin de sakti.'' She said and he completed taking a larger bite this time.
"Bahut achi bani hai ..bas namak thoda sa ..bas itna sa kam hai.Next time jab banaogi to pehle chakh lena phir banana''.He suggested and she agreed.She loved how he didn't praise that it was perfect to core rather advised her for better.
"Sameer!Tumhe ek baat puchni thi.Tum bura to nahin manoge?'' She asked fidgeting and he could see something was bothering her.
"Pucho.Koi problem hai? '' He asked drinking the water from bottle.
"Wo..tumhe sach me ..wo ..English film wali kiss chahiye?'' She asked and he looked at her amazed.She was still nervous,still bothered about just a kiss.Well!He needed to blame himself for emphasizing on such trivial thing and he could see the impact.He capped the bottle and pulled her holding her dainty fingers.She now had a different shade on her nails.Her middle finger and ring fingers' nails had grown a bit,all nails painted with bright purple shade.
"Naina!Tumhe pata hai ki main aisa kuch bhi nahin karunga jisse tum uncomfortable feel karo.Tumne mere liye apne haaton se sweater buna hai,samosa banaya hai..yeh best se bhi best gifts aur prizes hein.Kiss ek emotion hai.Main chahata hun ki jab bhi humare beech kuch hoga usmein hum dono ki sehmati ho.Hum dono comfortable ho.Nahin to yeh kiss nahi sauda ho jayega.Aur Madam!Pyar mein sauda nahin hota''. He uttered raising her chin and she smiled her brightest smile.
"Naina! Ek baat bolun.Gussa to nahin karogi na.'' He asked and she nodded.
"Main ab bhi investigation kar raha hun.Tum competition main late kyun pahunchi?'' He asked and she face palmed with his stubborn attitude.
"Ek number ziddi ho na tum.Thik he,Jasoos sahib.Main batati hoon.Mujhe Swati ne galat timetable di thi.Speller mein 20 minute late pahunchi to paper complete nahin kar paayi.Shukr hai Crossword ke din Ved ne mujhe bula liya.Nahin to mujhse event miss ho jaata.Crossword ke liye kuch chapters main last minute revision ke liye chodi thi .Sochi ki haath mein do ghante aur hai lekin competition shuru hogaya do ghante pehle.Isliye 3rd aayi.Mujhe to laga tha Ved Crossword mein jeet jayega.Wo state level crossword champion reh chuka hai pichle saal ki.'' Naina explained and Sameer was surprised with Swati in question.
Why would Swati give Naina wrong time table?
(To Be Continued)
P.S.:Thank you for reading.Would love to read all your feedback.😳
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
