Here's the next part....

They both stood there for a while...Naina was seeing the scenery in front of her....while Sameer was seeing her....the moonlight and the dim light from nearby was adding to her natural glow. He just held her hand and took her to a nearby rock and both settled down there.....after a silence of few moments, Sameer started,

Sameer: Pata h Naina...jb mummy papa mujhe school se rusticate hone k baad daantne aaye the....tb mujhe bahot gussa aaya tha....Maine bike li aur yahan aa gaya.....raat ko...bahot der yahin baitha raha....roya b....lekin pata nii kyun, yahan ek alag sa sukoon h....yahan aake laga...jaise...jaise mere papa mere kareeb h.....

He looked towards the sky with a sad smile. Seeing him like this, she moved a bit closer to him and wound her hands around his biceps and kept her head on his shoulder....he looked towards her and found her staring ahead.....he kept his other hand on top of her other shoulder, in a way hugging her and continued,

Sameer: Tbse Mai yahan aane laga...kabhi kisi ko nii laya...jb b akela yaa sad feel krta tha to yahan aata tha...

She moved her head a little to see his face...

Naina: To fir aaj yahan kyun aaye hain hum?

Sameer: Is jagah kuchh achhi yaadein banane....is jagah se mere sukoon k saath saath dard ka rishta juda h.....aaj tumhaare saath aaya hun to sirf sukoon aur khushi h....

She again kept her head on his shoulder and both sat there quietly. But this silence was soothing for both of them....earlier whenever he came here, the silence haunted him....Making him feel that he was all alone...that he was meant to be alone....but today, with her, it gave him an assurance. No words were needed, just her mere presence in his life gave him the feeling that he wasn't alone anymore.....they both sat their in the same position for sometime...

Sameer: Naina chalo wapas chlte h....subah Jldi b uthna h naa....

She just nodded. He got up and gave his hand to her. She took his hand and stood up with his support. He turned to go, when she tugged his hand and as he turned...she just hugged him... and mumbled

Naina: Aap ab kabhi akele nii honge Sameer...

He just smiled and hugged her back....they both sat in the car and headed to the hotel. Reaching the door of her room, both bid good night to each other and went to sleep. The day ended with a happy feeling for both....and both slept peacefully.

Next morning, all woke up and met at the hotel garden for breakfast. Everything was set up separately for the Maheshwari family and their guests. Only specific staff members were allowed to serve them. All the arrangements were done for them separately, away from all the other guests, as specifically instructed by Sameer and Pandit.

After breakfast, all proceeded towards the waiting area, for Naina's family to arrive. When they all arrived, they were warmly welcomed by everyone. Naina's both the cousin sisters ran to her and hugged her. Maahi, her Maasi's eldest daughter, was the same age as Reyansh. They both just had a difference of twelve days, Reyansh being elder to her, hence they both never got along. All came and met each other, and Sameer was about to touch everyone's feet, when they stopped him. He tried to convince all, just like he convinced Rama and Rakesh and also dadu and dadi, but still they denied.

Sameer: Theek agar aap log nii chahte to Mai aapke pair nii chhunga lekin aap b mere pair nii chhuenge.

They all looked at each other, as their was a ritual in Brahmin weddings, that the bride's maternal uncle wash the bride and groom's feet under mandap. They cannot leave it, as it's considered one of the major rituals in wedding.

Mama: Beta aisa nii ho skta...Kyunki humaare yahan shaadi mei Mama apni bhaanji aur dulhe k pair dhota h mandap mei....Kyunki dono ka rishta maan ka hota h....to tumhaare pair to humein chhune hi padenge.....

Sameer was about to deny, when Nanu came forward and kept his hand on his shoulder,

Nanu: Theek h...lekin rasmon k alawa aap kabhi Sameer k pair nii chhuenge...aap nii chahte to vo aapke pair nii padega....lekin aapko b uski ye baat maanni hogi...

Reluctantly they agreed. Both of Naina's cousins were really happy to finally be able to meet their jiju. They all chatted for a while and then went towards their rooms to get freshened up and then meet for lunch. At around 1, all came downstairs when Vishakha spoke,

Vishakha: Naina...

Naina: Jii mummy jii

Vishakha: Lunch k baad Maine mehendi waali ko bulwaya h...tumhaare liye...kl k liye mehendi lgwa lena....(turning towards Nani) aur Mai kya keh rii thi mummy...ki kyu naa hum sb b mehendi lgwa hi lete hain....achha rahega nii?

Preeti: Haan mummy ekdum mst idea h...

Swati: Haan fir kya awesome photos aayenge naa...

Even Swapreeamrita got excited about this.....seeing this Nani also agreed. After lunch, all the ladies sat down together, to get mehendi designs on their hands. Preeti came to the artist who was applying mehendi for Naina...

Preeti: Suniye...aap naa inke haath mei Sameer likh dena...

Artist: Jii...

Naina: Hain? Abhi kyun?

Preeti: Heheheh behen...dekh abhi likhwa le...Sameer dekhega to khush b ho jayega aur pagal b....kya pata kl tujhe sbke saamne hi I LOVE YOU b bol de...

Saying this she winked at Naina....and Naina's eyes went wide hearing this...but then a light hue of blush crept up her face....Preeti left from there laughing loudly....

Naina: (mumbling it to herself) ye Preeti b naa...kuchh b bakwaas krti h....Sameer sun lete to kya sochte...kuchh b bolti rehti h...pgll ho gyi h...ho kya gyi h...pehle se hi pgl h...

Sameer was coming towards her, when we saw her mumbling to herself.....he couldn't hear anything clearly,

Sameer: Naina...kya hua? Apne aap se kya baatein krri ho?

Hearing his voice, Naina abruptly turned towards him with a shocked expression...as if she's seen a ghost....Sameer got worried seeing her like this..

Sameer: Naina..kya hua h? Tumhara face poora white ho gaya h...Are you ok?

Naina: Ab...ha..haa....Haan vo bs kuchh nii...thodi pyaas lg rii thi...shayad isiliye...

Sameer: Kya? Pyaas lagi to bolna chahiye naa...Mai darr gaya tha....but you sure naa? Ki tumhaari tabiyat kharab nii h..

Naina: Haan Mai bilkul theek hun...bas pyaas lagi h..

Sameer: Achha tum ruko Mai kuchh lekr aata hun..

Saying this he ran towards the other direction to get something for her. Her got her a glass of mixed berry smoothie. And just like last time, her hands were covered with henna, so he brought the glass close to her mouth. But this time, she did not look around and just took the sip. He kept sitting next to her all the while she was getting her henna done.

He was looking at her mehendi design and saw his name on her hand....last time it was accidental...so he thought of asking her....

Sameer: Ummm Naina...ye tumhaari mehendi mei mera naam....firse glti se?

Naina remembered what Preeti said...and started looking here and there...Sameer's face fell...thinking that maybe Naina didn't wanted his name...or maybe it was again accidental...but her next sentence made his face glow....and his smile became wider....

Naina: Nii...vo glti se nii...actually Preeti ne suggest kia ki mai sagai ki mehendi p b naam likhwa lu aur mujhe b....mera mtlb...I found it to be nice suggestion isiliye maine b mana nii kia....

He turned towards her and kept looking at her....

Naina: Aapko bura laga kya?

Sameer: Nii nii bura kyu lagega? Achha laga...aur mehendi b bahot subdar h....

She blushed at his comment.....

Sameer: Shaadi mei b likhwatae h naa?

Hearing this the artist said before Naina could reply...

Artist: Jii Haan...lekin shaadi ki mehendi mei dulhe ka naam aise saamne hi nii likhte.....usme chhupa k likhte hain...

Sameer: Kyun?

Artist: Taaki dulha saari raat apna naam dhoondhne mei hi nikal de.....aur dulhan ko zada pareshaan naa kr paaye...aur fir dulhan ko achha khasa neg b milta h..muh dikhaayi ka...aur mehendi ka jitna gehara rang, dulha utna hi pyaar krta h apni dulhan se....

Sameer could not register the meaning of her words for a few moments...and he found Naina blushing profusely...she was giving tough competition to tomatoes...after a few moments, when he realised what the mehendi artist meant, his eyes became wide....and even he blushed...and kept himself away from asking anymore questions and they both couldn't face each other...and the artist chuckled at the shy couple.....

After all the ladies and girls were done, they proceeded towards their rooms and decided to meet after sometime and discuss about tomorrow's ceremony. In the evening all came down and sat together with tea and coffee being served along with some refreshments. Nani took the initiative,

Nani: To jaise ki Jai ne kaha, ki sagai 8 bje ki h...sb 6 bje tk ready ho jana....aur Naina tum Preeti, Swati aur Amrita k saath ek room mei ready ho jana...aur Sameer...tum Munna, Pandit aur Rohan k saath. Baaki sb b ready hoke yahin milenge...

Vivek: Vo sb to theek h mummy Jii lekin in naalaykon ne ye nii bataya ki sagai ka venue kya h...

Vishakha: Haan..ab to bata do...

Naina looked at Sameer with questioning eyes...as till now she was under the impression that the engagement ceremony will be held here in the hotel itself....understanding her thoughts, Sameer told everyone...

Sameer: Maine engagement yahan isiliye nii rakhi kyunki maine kaha tha naa ki ye ek dum personal aur private hoga...aur yahan guests wagerah aate jaate rehte h....koi b dekh lega yaa photos leak ho gyi to problem ho jayegi....isiliye Mai venue kahin aur rakha h....

Nanu: Haan hum smjh gye...lekin kahan?

Sameer: ye surprise h....aur aap log kl 6 bje nii balki sharp 4.30 bje humein yahin milenge...lobby mei...Munna Pandit Rohan....sb taiyaar h naa?

Romundit: Haan bhai...sb preparations ho gyi h....

Vivek: Lo in teenon ko b pata h? To beta apne baap ko b bata de kam se kam...

Sameer: Sorry papa lekin aapke liye b surprise h....

Vivek gave all of them an exhausted look...but left the matter. All chatted for some time and went to their respective rooms after dinner. Everyone slept early...but two souls had a difficult time falling asleep...Sameer and Naina...tomorrow they are ready to take another step towards their relationship.....

Early morning all woke up and followed the daily routine. There was a lot of hustle bustle in each and every room. All were busy keeping everything ready for the evening ceremony. Naina and Sameer both woke up a little late, as they slept really late last night after hours of tossing and turning in the bed. And nobody woke them up. They skipped having breakfast and lunch separately and settled for a brunch. All were done at around 12.30 and proceeded towards their rooms to get ready. Naina still did not have her dress....

Naina: Sameer...ab to dress de dijiye naa....Mai ready kaise houngi?

Sameer: Jaanta hun...but don't worry...tum room mei jao...tumhaari dress wahin h.....

Naina: Jii...aap b ready ho jaiye....

Sameer: Ok...achha listen dress k saath ek letter b h...sbke aane k pehle jaa k dekh lo...

Naina: Theek h...

Saying this she went to her room. As she entered, she went towards the dressing area and was mesmerised seeing the dress in front of her....a mannequin was placed and the dress was adorned on it. It was a pink coloured lehenga...with mirror work. It had an almost backless blouse, full of mirror work. Naina went around the dress to take a full view of it. There she found a note stuck on it. She gently removed the note, as to not ruin the dress.

Dear Naina,

I hope tumhe ye dress achha laga hoga....actually waise to tumpe har colour achha lgta h...but pink adorns you the most. Isiliye pink...Maine poori koshish ki h...ki tumhe ye dress pasand aaye...batana zaroor ki kaisi lgi...Mai tumhe is dress mei dekhna ka wait krunga...

Tumhara Sameer.

She read the last line multiple times...tumhara Sameer. This mere word sent chills down her spine. She hid the note, hearing the girls barge in her room. All came and stood rooted to their places with open mouth...

Naina: Kya hua? Tumlog aise kyu dekh re ho?

Swati was the first to come back to her senses....

Swati: Yrr kya dress design kia h Sameer ne...mtlb really...woow..

Amrita: Haan yrr...I'm speechless...

Preeti: Behen...tu heroine lagegi..

Naina: kuchh b bolti h...chup kr...lekin Swati...tum b to designing team mei hi ho naa..to tumne kaise ye dress nii dekhi?

Swati: Vo isiliye ki Sameer ne is dress ka poora kaam khud kia h...aur kisi ko dekhne b nii dia...mujhe b nii....

Amrita: Haan hum mei se kisi ko nii...

Naina was really happy hearing that Sameer made so many efforts to make everything so special for her....he always made her feel like the most special and lucky girl in the world...

Preeti: Achha ab baaki sb baad mei...pehle Jldi se ready ho jaate hain....

Naina wore the dress and Amrita did her hair and make up. She looked beautiful with that dress and simple yet elegant diamond jewelry completed her look. She didn't wear anything too heavy, but light weighted jewellery, which was also designed by Sameer.

Naina's dress....

After getting ready, all the girls came to the lobby, where everyone was waiting for them. Seeing everyone looking at the back, Sameer also turned and was lost in Naina totally.....even Naina was lost in him. He was wearing a three price navy blue tuxedo with white shirt and a matching tie...

Sameer's outfit...

Both were totally lost in each other and oblivious to all the eyes on them. They all fake coughed and our hero and heroine came back to reality...they both smiled sheepishly looking at everyone......Naina came downstairs and Rama went to her...

Rama: Kitni sundar lg rii h meri bachchi....kisi ki nazar naa lage...aur Sameer dress bahot hi sundar h...

Sameer: Thank you mummy...

She dab her finger to the corner of her eyes and put a kala teeka behind both their ears....Bela and Anand had also joined them, when the girls were getting ready....everyone from Naina's family were quite emotional seeing the eldest daughter of their family dressed almost like a bride...Rakesh's eyes were moist...and even her grandparents had tears in their eyes....but all these were happy tears.....

Nanu: Are ab to bata do....ki kahan h venue...

Munna: Nana Jii bahar line se cars lagi h...aap log bs baithiye...thodi der mei pata lg jayega....

All went out and settled in the cars....Sameer and Naina settled in the last car, which was especially for them....once they settled,

Sameer: Naina...dress pasand aayi naa?

Naina: Haan bahot...I just loved it....thank you Sameer...Mai khud b jaati to shyd itni achhi dress pasand nii kr paati....

Sameer: isme thanks ki koi zaroorat nii h....I'm glad ki tumhe pasand aayi...waise tumhaare upar ye dress zada achhi lg rii h...jb ready hoke aayi thi tb itni achhi nii lg rii thi...U really look gorgeous in this...

Naina just blushed at his open compliment....

Naina: Aap b bahot handsome lg re hain....

Even he blushed a little...

After a journey of almost 2 hours, the cars halted one after the other....they've finally reached their destination....Now finally everyone knows where they have come...All the members from Maheshwari family were ecstatic seeing the venue...

Nani: Are ye to hum Lonavla aa gye....

Sameer: Haan Nani...ye humaari Lonavla waali property h....yahan koi b nii aayega...

Kamlesh: Waah sonu beta...kya baat h...mtlb bahot hi bole to bahot hi maja aa jayega....hai nii hai nii...

Prabha: Haan Sameer beta..ye achha kia.....ab finally hum sb bina kisi tension k aaj ka function enjoy kr skte hain...

Nanu: Haan mere sher...well done...

Vivek: Sach...Maine b expect nii kia tha...ki tum chaaron itna achha idea nikaal skte ho...really I'm proud of you boys today...

Rohan: Papa tareef to achhe se kr dia kro..

Vishakha: Are ab aap log mt shuru ho jao...chalo andar....

All walked inside the through the path which was completely lit with candles placed inside glass jars...and many such jars were hung to the branches of the trees on the either sides of the pathway.....the entire place was decorated with fairy lights and candles....long off-white drapes were put up, which enhanced the beauty of the place...it all looked like a fairy world....

A huge canopy was set up, using the drapes, with a small stage which had a sofa kept on it. There was a table kept at the side in the canopy. On the other side, large tables were set up with covered food containers....and limited seating arrangement was put up, as only the families of both Naina and Sameer, along with Mundit's and Swapreemrita's families were present for the engagement. No outside guests were invited as of now to avoid any chances of getting any news leaked.

Vivek: Bhai ab to kehna hi padega...kya intezaam kia h tum logon ne....very good...

Samromundit gave a proud smile to everyone.....

On the decided time, Pandit jii came and asked Naina's parents and Sameer's parents to do the tilak of both of them and also to give them shagun.....Rakesh and Rama came forward with Dadu, Dadi and did the tilak and shagun for Sameer...whereas Nani, Nanu along with Vishakha and Vivek did tilak and shagun for Naina....

Pandit jii: Ab angoothiyan le aaiye...mahurat ho gaya h...

Preeti brought a silver plate, which was decorated with the rose petals...that contained the rings...

Engagement rings....

Firstly, Naina takes the ring and holding Sameer's hand, gently slides the ring into his ring finger.....

All clapped loudly for them....then Sameer picks up the ring and holding Naina's hand, gently slides the ring in her ring finger..... all clapped and hooted for the couple....just then Romundit bring the cake...

Romundit: Bina cake k celebration poora kaise hoga...aa jao sb...

All stood around and Samaina cut the cake..all again clapped for the lovely couple....after initial hesitation, both fed each other first and then the rest of the family.....their happiness could be seen on their faces...even from miles away...and they were blessed to share this special moments with people who were genuinely happy for them.....

Today finally they are engaged....

So as you all know...aaj hai Sameer and Naina ki wedding ki second anniversary...and here's a small gift from my side...khud ko b and also to u guys...hope I was up to the mark....