Sameer-Naina SS- Unanticipated Moves (Part-10 Updated)PG-44 - Page 8

'Naina!'' Sameer called as he entered the empty classroom only to find her busy calculating something with her delicate fingers.She had applied a bright red nail polish and he noticed it then.Ugh!This girl is a tease'' his mind noted and a naughty smile played on his lips.

"Jijaji!'' Preeti hopped from the desk and greeted with a bright broad smile.Sameer smiled back wider shifting glances between now a nervous Naina and amazed Preeti.

"To boliye kya baat karni thi apko Naina se?'' Preeti asked crossing her arms and Naina clenched her eyes in fear.Was Sameer talking about results? Will he really ask for the prize? Oh!She wanted him to accompany her but wasn't she fool to put that proposal...Was she right or was she plain foolish?

"Naina!Jaa Jijaji ko tujhse kuch 'prize' ke bare mein baat karni hai.Main canteen mein jaa rahi hun.'' Preeti said and scurried away leaving a flushed Naina back in classroom..alone.

"Toh.. ''Sameer trailed as he presented himself before her.He could see her scrapping the red nail polish off her nails,her face flushed ,her fore head sweating and her whole body shivering.

"Toh..toh kya?'' Naina asked fumbled.He understood how frightened she was,she was not the challenge-driven Naina anymore,she was not the Naina who proposed 'The flying kiss se zyada' proposal that night.She was the shy,shivering yet totally in love girl with whom he has been falling in love all over again every minute,every second of the day.

He would be lying if he would say that it was Naina's lollipop that made him labur hard.Rather it was her happiness that mattered to him.He knew how hard he had tried to digest the accounting and economics papers and how he had strained his eyes for solving the brain wrecking sums.He even has emptied a bottle of eye drops for he needed to keep his eyes moist and not dried up.No infection,no irritation could keep him away from his goal.But Naina has not known the small struggles he did to see those twinkling happy eyes.

He even adopted P/S meter.Preparation Versus Security meter...Well that was not his invention.Its Vedic Engineering.Through it he measured how much chapters he had covered and how many chapters he is confident and secured about.And no doubt,less than 60 % in Intermediate to 76.4% in just 13 days.The progress was visible.He was feeling proud of himself but at the core it was all for her happiness and her confidence in him.

He gestured her to follow him and she immediately fathomed where they were heading to as soon as she crossed the main gate.Soon they reached the abandoned basketball court.The court was just behind the University's playground.Once a flourishing Sports Complex to a dilapidated court..the negligence in maintenance by University and Sports Authorities screamed through.It was not until one day Pandit had to attend his nature's call the gang discovered the place.It was a quick getaway from prying eyes and to steal some private moments.

"Sameer!Tumhe sach mein flying kiss..se kuch zyada chahiye?'' Naina asked fumbling and fidgeting with the loose tassels of duppatta.

"Han chahiye na..Akhir itna mehnat jo kiya hai.'' He teased triumphantly pulling her closer ,gently holding her hands.

"Notice to nahin laga hai.Kisne bataya?'' Naina asked certain that he has made into the eligibility criteria.

"Munna Pandit ne.76.4% it is''. Sameer whispered as he pulled her more closer ,this time holding her by her waist.A smile broke on her lips and travelled to her eyes.Specks of tears pooled in her kohl lined eyes and the next moment she was hugging him tight.He deserved all the prizes of world for trying to make her happy,keep up his promises and making her believe that she has indeed chosen the best person for her life.

"Naina!Hug hi karti rahogi ya phir aage badhein..Aise consolation prizes nahin chahiye mujhe. Sameer whispered in her ears caressing the back of her ears.She gasped at the sensation and dis entangled herself though disinterestedly.

"Aage kya?'' She asked knowing very well what he was hinting at.

"Aage wohi ..Chalo mein tumhe gaana gaake samjhata hoon...Hum tum ek basket ball ground mein khade ho aur kiss ho jaaye...'' Sameer sang and Naina burst out into laughter with the open declaration.

"Despo Maheshwari hona chahiye tumhara naam..'' Naina said as she inched closer to him.She had a mischievous glint in her eyes which he decided to ignore as he felt a caress that rocked him even through the layer of denim jacket.

He closed his eyes and felt like surrendering to her.She cupped his face and rose on her tip toes.He felt weak for several moments as she planted a soft,short kiss on his forehead.The wrinkles on his forehead showed how tensed he had been,how he hard he has strained.Then she swiftly pulled herself away.

"Sameer!'' She whispered against his ears and he opened his eyes anticipating if this was just the beginning.''Yeh lo tumhara prize'' She blew out a kiss and sprinted as Sameer quickly understood how she escaped by just giving him a forehead and flying kiss.Ahh!He has been cheated by his girl.

"Naina!Ruko.. Nahin to pachtaogi .''Sameer sprinted behind her to the main building meandering through the groups and bevies.

Only to dash against someone..Someone called Karthik.

"Arey arey! Sameer Maheshwari.Sambhalke kahin phisal na jaaye.'' Karthik taunted as Sameer made himself steady.

"Abhi mujhe tumse koi baat nahin karni.Rashta chodo.'' Sameer commanded as he tried to avoid an ugly altercation.

"Hum to Congratulations kehne aaye the.Aap top kiye ho.''Kartik said and his gang burst into laughter as he added ''niche se.''

"Eligible to ban gaya hoon na.Ab top bhi karlunga...Upar se.'' Sameer said as he pushed Priyank out of his way and walked away.

Naina halted as she gasped for breath.She held on to the panel door of Administrative block and drew few quick breaths.As her breathing returned to normal her eyes travelled to the notice board.The results were finally there.She did a victory jig to find her name on the top of list with 88.7% followed by Ved Kothari of B.A. Stream,Karthik,Swati,,Rajesh of B.Sc Stream,Manvinder Kohli of B.A.,Ismail Thamarasseri of B.Sc ,Sunaina and finally Sameer with 76.4% ,fortunately just above the margin.

How she wished all her gang Preeti,Pandit and Munna's name to be on the list too.If only wishes were horses ..

The notice read Screening test after 2 days and submitting 350 rupees as enrolment fee.6 students out of 9 students had to be chosen.It seemed not so difficult for her but she was worried about Sameer.

What if he could not make it?

"Sameer!Tum kis liye form bhar rahe ho?''Naina asked as she passed the chit through Swati.

"English Aptitude'' Sameer scribbled in the chit as Pandit passed it on.

"Tum Speller Bee ya Crossword ka form nahin bharoge?'' Naina asked as the chit was passed.

"English Aptitude is my strong field.Speller and Crossword--I don't understand them.'' Sameer clarified and Naina closed her eyes in praying lord to give all her aptitude even in English to Sameer and make him get through.

In the evening

"O Bai!350 rupaye sirf naam daalne ke liye?Shadi ka shagun hai kya?'' Taiji exclaimed while sipping her mandatory elaichi essenced chai.

"Enrolment fee hai to bharna padega.Nahin to test nahin de payenge.'' Naina informed while Bela Chachi emptied all her jewellery and secret boxes to count the notes.Anand and Rakesh were out of town for meeting Arjun in the hostel and Taiji forbid asking a single penny from any neighbour.Afterall it was Agarwal Khandan ka Izzat'.

"Iss test mein jayegi to aur kya ukhad layegi?'' Taiji asked cocking her eyebrows as another cup of tea went down her food pipe.

"Wo..Jo bhi is pratiyogita mein koi bhi khel mein first ayega use 2000 rupaye milenge.Aap bas 350 rupaye de dijiye.Aur kuch nahin mangungi.'' Naina asked pleadingly and Preeti too joined in.

"Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye Bhabhiji.Aap abhi de dijiye na.Pooja ke Papa ayenge to main apko 350 rupaye sudh samet wapas kar lungi. ''Bela Chachi requested and after much persuasion Taiji finally got up after another cup of tea and a plate ful of Kachori.

"Yeh 350 rupaye bekar nahin jana chahiye.O Bai!Pata nahin yeh phisalti kadam ke umar mein yeh ladke ladkiyan akele beghair maa baap ke kahan bhatkenge. ''Taiji speculated while handing the folded notes to Naina.

"School ke fess hi bharna isi mein..Apni Paraly babu ki dress ki paison se kaat ke de rahi hun tujhe''. Taiji reminded and Naina nodded adding "School nahin College''.

The two rings went on making the whole of table vibrate.Naina sneaked out of her room and picked up the phone before it went for another two rounds.Clutching it tighter she made her way to the balcony.

"Kya soch rahi thi?'' Sameer asked as he heard her sharply exhale before muttering a whispered Hello''.

"Kuch nahin.'' She voiced and he smiled.

"Sach batao.Kya pareshani hai. ''He asked as he laid on the bed.

"Tumhe kaise malum ki main pareshan hun?'' She asked surprised.

"Tumhe do saal se jaanta hun.Raat ke 1 baj rahein hein aur tum ek hi ring mein phone utha liya.Ab tak to tum so jaati ho phir aaj aisa kya hua ki tum abhi tak jaagi ho aur upar se mera phone ka intezaar bhi kar rahi ho? Padhai to tension nahin ho sakti to phir aur kya hai?'' He explained and her fears surfaced.

"Sameeer! ''She trailed and he hummed back reassuring that he is always there for her back.

"Wo enrolment fees ko leke.'' She voiced as she leaned against the balustrade of balcony.

"Taiji ne paise dene se mana kiya kya? ''Sameer asked as he knew Chachaji and Rakesh were out of town.

'Paise diye hein par agar mein competition mein first nahin aa payi to..Mujhe bahut dar lag raha hai.Agar screening mein pass nahin ho paayi to?'' She asked; her voice quivered and heart beating faster at the uncertainty.

"Screening mein tum select ho jaogi.Aur competition mein bhi first aa jaogi lekin agar tum apna darr ko dur rakhogi.Tum aise darogi th socho mera kya haal hoga?'' He uttered trying to lighten the situation.

"Tum ache se padhai karlo.Apna wo Nainaital wale school ke books bhi padh lo.Pata nahin mujhe itna ajeeb kyun lag raha hai?'' She asked as she sighed.

"Kya Naina.Darna mujhe chahiye,sar dard mera hona chahiye..Par yahan to scene ulta chal raha hai.Chalo mujhe ghabrahat ho rahi hai.Mujhe samjhao.Ek flying kiss de do.'' He asked and she smiled at his attempt to cheer her up.

"Tum na..Shararatein badh gayi hai tumhari.Jao so jao.'' She uttered and he could know she was finally smiling.

"Tum bhi apne faltu ke pareshani ko chod kar so jao.Mujhe kal subah ek kamzor Naina nahin balki confident Naina Agarwal chahiye.Aur haan apna prize to main le kar rahunga.''He chuckled and Naina face palmed grinning wide.

She heard the call disconnected and pressed her lips to the phone.''Yeh lo tumhara kiss''. She said and clutched the phone tighter revelling in the bubble of his words...Taiji's words long forgotten.

2 Days Later

The rickety door of Lecture Theatre banged against the white cemented wall as an angry Sameer Maheshwari walked off totally missing seeing Naina who was standing just behind the door.

She was shocked at first and then tensed and again shocked as her pupils dilated.

"Priyank'' She mumbled in surprise seeing him happily coming out of the room and whistling away with gang standing at far.

"Par iske toh above 76 nahin tha.Yeh kaise..''Naina felt she would faint if she stood there for a bit longer ..out of starvation and out of confusion.

"Jijaji! Exam kaise gaya?'' Preeti asked as Swati and Naina entered the canteen followed by Munna and Pandit.Munna had decided to give a treat of cold drinks since his frock wala Pandat has scored above 76% and now was sure of getting into Top-6.

"Preeti!Thodi der chup rahogi.Mujhe sona hai kuch der. ''Sameer said and dipped his head.Preeti faltered hearing her name first and then such a tense demeanour of his.

"Naina!Jijaji ki tabiyat kharab hai kya?'' Preeti asked taking Naina to a sequestered corner.

"Priyank screening test mein hai.English Aptitude ka.'' Naina worded and Preeti tried finding if it was anything absurd.

"Toh kya hua?Screening to hona hi tha na.Isme itni pareshan hone ki kya baat hai?'' Preeti asked scratching her head.

"Priyank ka 76 % nahin tha''Naina said looking all lost as she saw Munna and Pandit stroking Sameer as he lay dipping his face on the table.His body still and almost motionless.

"76% nahin tha to phir kaise...Naina!Eligibility 76% hi tha na ?Use kam to nahin na?'' Preeti asked more to reassure herself and the validity of her memory power.

"Pakka pata hai mujhe.Nahin to kya main aur Sameer itne pagal hein ki itna saara mehnat kiye hein.Ek hafte tak baat bhi humne thik se nahin kiya.Sard dard ki goliyan Ramdhari kharid ke leke gaya hai.Jitni chai shayad Taiji ne itne saallon mein nahin pi hogi Sameer ne inn 13 dinon mein pi gaya hai..Aur ab Priyank bina score kiye Screening mein aa gaya.. ''Naina threw her bag on the table and held her forehead still thinking how Priyank qualified and seemed so sure of getting into competition. She forgot how she had fared in her screening tests.

Munna and Pandit surrounded JBR as they saw him coming out of the Principal's Chamber.

"Sir!Sir! ''Munna called only to realise the folly.

"JBR...J..B..R.. ''JBR clarified and Munna nodded.

"Sorry JBR.JBR!Priyank ko kaise permission mil gayi Screening ke liye?'' Munna asked to earn a death glare from JBR.

"Kyunki wo College ke trustee ke pote ka dost hai.. ''JBR said seriously earning shocked expressions from Munna and Pandit.

"Hahhhaa..Bad Joke.Uske rechecking ke baad 76% aa gaye to eligible ho gaya.College ke examination aur administration ke bare mein zyada jaanch partal karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.Well tumhare kitne aayein hein?'' JBR asked crossing his arms.

"Hum canteen se aate hein ..'' Pandit mumbled and both scurried away.

Few hours later

"Well students! Screening tests ke results aa chuke hein.Notice Board pe class ke khatam hone tak lag gaya hoga notice.Apne names aur categories check and cross check kar lena.We want absolutely no discrepancy.Now attention Class!.'' JBR informed as he started with the class.

Naina looked at Sameer and both silently wished each other for the results seemed no less than a war fought and aimed to be won.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.And they did n't know how to win without fighting.

(To be Continued).

P.S.:Thank you for reading.😃 Would love to read all your feedback.😳