AN INEVITABLE INTRUDER

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

NAINA

I had worn all the gifts that Sameer had gifted me last night... Even if I had worn a western outfit that didn't mean that I couldn't wear the bangles... This were his first gifts which were very special for me... I would cherish them forever... I don't know what the future holds for us, but I will live every moment with him to the fullest...

No doubt that I sat on the horse confidently, yet I was afraid of this first experience... Sameer's touches made me forget about the horse ride... All my nervousness & fear flew away the moment he wrapped his hands around me... I was now enjoying my first ever horse ride with him...

He was mumbling sweet nothings in my ear till we reached the Mahasu Peak... The scene in front of us was breathtakingly attractive... Sameer first got down & then helped me to get down too... We stood there silently taking in the beauty of the wonderful nature in front of us... The sky was clear & we could see many ranges of mountains too... There was greenery all around...

The weather was a bit colder up there & I was glad that I had worn thermal wear too... Sameer back hugged me & spoke, "Kaisa lag raha hai???" I was again lost in his warmth & forgot all about our surroundings... "Bohot accha...", I said softly closing my eyes... He chuckled & whispered huskily, "Main jaanta hun ki meri baahon me tumhe bohot accha hi lagega par main abhi iss jagah ki baat kar raha hun..."

I came back to my senses hearing his words & reprimanded myself for behaving like a love sick baby... I slowly moved away from his hug & stood near the edge of the Mahasu Peak... "Maine aaj tak itna khubsoorat nazaara kabhi nahi dekha... It's so beautiful..." "Yesss... It is beautiful...", he said that looking at me... I lowered my gaze & then looked around, searching for our office people & our friends... But I didn't find anyone around...

"Tum hamare friends ko dhoond rahi ho???", I heard his voice near me who had probably read my mind... "Haaannn... Koi dikh kyun nahi raha???" I said still looking around for them... He again wrapped his arms around me, "Aa jaayenge thodi der mein yahaan... Tab tak meri company enjoy karo..." We stayed that way for few more moments...

And then, I heard him singing softly,

Yeh haseen waadiyaan yeh khula aasmaan...

Aa gaye hum kahaan aye mere saajana...

He turned me in his arms & held my face in his large palms & kissed me on my forehead & continued singing, gazing in my eyes deeply...

Inn bahaaron mein dil ki kali khil gayi...

Mujhko tum jo mile har khushi mil gayi...

He smiled & then touched my lips softly, while rubbing my cheek with the other hand...

Tere honthon pe hain husn ki bijliyaan...

Tere gaalon pe hain zulf ki badliyaan...

Then he brushed his fingers in my open hair & inhaled... And slowly his hands moved from my arms to my hands & held them firmly...

Tere baalon ki khushboo se mehke chaman...

Sangmarmar ke jaise ye tera badan...

He led me a little ahead & then twirled me around twice...

Meri jaanejaan yeh hai teri chaandni...

Chhed do tum aaj koi pyaar ki raagini...

He left me & took few steps backwards... He opened his arms & sang again...

Yeh haseen waadiyaan yeh khula aasmaan...

Aa gaye hum kahaan aye mere saajana...

I could see his twinkling eyes that stared back at me, wanting me to close the gap between us... And I exactly did the same... I almost ran in his open arms & hugged him tightly, forgetting about our surroundings... We stayed that way for a few minutes wrapped around each other... Our moment broke when we heard some noises from afar & we moved away... Sameer wasn't ready to leave me completely, so he pulled me in a side hug, wrapping his hand around my waist & walked a little ahead, enjoying the beautiful view...

I heard his stomach growling... He looked here & there, maybe in search of some food stall... I took out the aluminium foil from my bag & handed it to him... He looked at me questioningly, & I gestured him to open it... He was elated to see his favourite aloo parathas wrapped in that foil... He munched on them & then offered me too... I took a bite & we continued eating quietly... Once we were done, we settled down on the bench...

"Tumne yeh aloo paratha kab banaye???", I knew he would ask this... "Subah jaldi uth gayi thi toh banaa liye... Mujhe pataa tha aapko bhook lagegi..." "Itna pyaar karti ho mujhse Naina???" I kissed him on his cheek, "Haannn... Itna pyaar karti hun ki aap soch bhi nahi sakte..." I kept my head on his shoulder & leaned on him completely...

After a while, I spoke, "Sameer... Thode pictures click kar le???" He left me for a second & then again pulled me in a side hug... He angled his mobile in front of us & started clicking selfies... After few clicks, he left me & asked me to pose for some photos... I did the same & clicked his solo pictures too... We were just going through our pictures, when we heard some voices behind us... Our friends were finally there...

"Kahaan the tum sab??? Hamare pehle nikle the na???", Sameer asked them... "Arey Sameer pooch hi mat... Yeh jo hamare saath bhukkad aaya hai na, isse bhook lagi thi, toh bas yahin chai ki tapri par gaye the... Chai ke saath garmagaram pakode khaaye tab jaakar iski bhook shaant hui hai... Isse na kabhi kahin le hi nahi jaana chahiye... Bas khaane ko chahiye baar baar...", Munna said pointing at Pandit...

"Ab bhook lagi toh bhook lagi... Kisi ke liye thodi rukti hai bhook??? Aur tujhe itna hi problem ho raha tha mere khaane se, toh tu saath mein ruka hi kyun??? Mere saath toh thoos thoos kar tune bhi toh pakode khaaye na... Ab bataa main sach bol raha hun ya nahi... Preeti aur Swati bhi toh the na saath, Sameer tum inn dono se bhi pooch lo...", Pandit replied back...

"Arey bas karo yaar tum dono... Kahin bhi jagadna shuru kar dete ho... Dekho hum yahaan enjoy karne aaye hai... Yahaan dekho, kitna accha nazaara hai... Iss mausam ka aur nazaare ka faayda uthaav, enjoy karo... Mumbai jaakar jitna chaahe utna lad lena tum dono...", Sameer said wrapping his hand around their shoulders...

They smiled & then we all were back to clicking group & solo pictures... Sameer didn't tell them that we had already clicked some solo photos of ours... We all kept praising the nature around us till the time to leave finally arrived... The hostlers were back with the horses & we all left reluctantly... The place was so beautiful & serene that we didn't feel like leaving from there so soon...

Swamun & Preedit left one by one & then we sat on the horse... This time neither I was nervous nor afraid... Sameer's arms came around me automatically & now I was enjoying his attention... This time I kept talking & pointed out somethings around us throughout our ride... His hand kept playing with the bangles on my hand... Now, I was getting used to his touch too...

It was almost lunch time when we reached our resort... I saw our staff already enjoying the lunch in the hall... We all freshened up & joined them for lunch... Kamya came to me, "Hey... Naina... Did you enjoy the horse ride???" I don't know how she knew about it as I didn't see her or any of our staff there... "Ummmm... Kamya... Tum sab kahaan the??? Maine kisiko nahi dekha wahaan??? Aur tumhe kaise pataa horse ride ke baare mein???"

Sameer joined us & we were waiting for Kamya to reply... She chuckled, "Naina... Main Sameer Sir ki assistant hun... Mujhe sab pataa hota hai, kyunki maine hi toh sab arrangements kiye hai... Aur jahaan tak baaki sab staff ka sawaal hai, toh hum sab kahin aur gaye the... Waise tumhe bhi Sir wahaan le hi jaayenge kal..." She winked at me & smiled at Sameer & then she was gone...

I turned to Sameer, "Yeh sab kya tha??? Mujhe samjhayenge???" He rubbed his neck nervously but before he could say anything, our friends joined us... We finished our lunch amongst all their banters & went back to the cottage to rest a little... I freshened up & was laying on my bed, when I heard a soft knock on my door... Before I could get up, the door opened & the view in front of me was delicious...

Sameer entered my room dressed in a knee length khaki bermuda paired with a white t-shirt... He closed & locked the door on his way... My heart accelerated with his action... He came & sat beside me... I held his arm & leaned on his shoulder... He kept his head on mine, "Naina... Tumhe neend toh nahi aa rahi na???" I smiled, "Nahi... Main toh bas fresh hokar baithi hi thi..."

"Good... Mujhe laga kahin tum so na gayi ho..." How could I sleep when I was missing him terribly??? "Sameer... Aapne mujhe hamare pictures nahi bheje... Mujhe dekhne hai..." He took out his mobile from his pocket & shared all the pictures through WhatsApp... My phone pinged immediately... But I made no move to see them... Sameer opened his gallery of photos & handed me his phone, "Yeh lo isme dekh lo... Waise maine sabhi pics tumhe forward kar diye hai..." I took his mobile & we surfed through the pictures together, commenting about them here & there...

There was one selfie of us where he had kissed my temple softly... That was my favourite amongst all... There were pictures of our whole gang too which were clicked candidly by another person... I remember how Sameer had also asked a passer-by to click our photos together... Even those pics had come out great... There was one picture where I was looking at the camera & he was lovingly gazing at me... Even that pic was the best...

When I closed his gallery on the phone, I was stunned to see the wallpaper... It was my same favourite selfie... I was beyond happy... "Sameer... Aapko pata hai yeh photo mera favourite hai..." He kissed me on my forehead, "Mera bhi..." We sat there silently for few minutes, & then he mumbled, "Naina... Mujhe lagta hai ki hume hamare friends ko hamare baare mein bataa dena chahiye... Unhe baad mein kahin aur se pataa chala toh unhe accha nahi lagega... Aur waise bhi main tumhare saath khulkar sab ke saamne rehna chaahta hun... Yun hamara rishta chupaana thik nahi hoga..."

I thought about what Sameer had just said & he was right... We shouldn't hide our relationship from our friends at least... They've always been there for me & supported me from my first day here... Before I could say anything, there was a knock on my door & I heard Swati's voice, "Naina... Darwaaza khol... Tu soyi toh nahi hai na???"

Sameer instantly got up from the bed... I gestured him to go inside the bathroom & I opened the door... Swati & Preeti entered & sat down on the bed... "Yaar Naina... Hum jab se yahaan aaye hai, tab se saath mein time hi nahi bita paa rahe... Inn ladko ke chakkar mein hume baat karne ko hi nahi mil raha...", Preeti mumbled in a irritated voice...

"Haa naa... Inn ladkon se ek kaam khudse nahi hota... Packing khud hi ki hai aur hume poochte hai ki yeh kahaan rakha hai, yeh mil nahi raha, yeh dhoond do na... Kya hoga inka hamare bina???", Swati chuckled... "Tera accha hai Naina... Abhi tak koi nahi hai jo tujhe itna pareshaan kare..." Should I tell them about me & Sameer??? I was thinking about it when Swati nudged me, "Yaa fir koi hai jo tumhe bhi aise pareshaan kar raha hai... Huh... Bataa na..."

I stammered, "Aisa... Aisa... Kuch... Kuch bhi nahi hai..." They both sat at either sides of me... " Acchaa Naina... Yeh bataa ki Sameer ne tujhse kuch kahaa kya??? Aaj tum dono saath hi the na poora time... Kuch hua kya???", Preeti asked curiously & Swati joined too, "Aur tera confusion durr hua kya tere feelings ko lekar??? Abhi toh tujhe pataa hai na ki Amrita aur Rohan couple hai aur Sameer sirf uska ek accha dost... Toh ab aage kya karne ka iraada hai madam???"

Preeti pitched in again, "Naina... Teri aankhon mein Sameer ke liye pyaar saaf saaf dikhta hai hume... Toh ab usse bhi bataa de... Hum abhi yahaan apne ghar, apne shaher, apne kaam se durr hai... Isse accha mauka nahi milega tujhe... Apne dil ki baat bataa de Naina..." I looked at both of them one by one & really wanted to tell them the truth... I was about to speak, when Munna & Pandit walked in...

"Tum logon ne Sameer ko dekha??? Wohhh apne room mein nahi hai...", Pandit asked us... I'm sure Sameer could hear everything in the bathroom... Munna looked at me, "Naina... Sameer ne tumhe kuch bataaya ki woh kahaan gaya hai..." I nodded in a no... "Yeh ladka bhi na kabhi kuch bataa ke nahi jaata... Mujhe laga ki wohhh yahin hoga... Subah se Naina ke saath jo tha..." I blushed at Munna's indirect teasing...

Before I could speak, Pandit had dialled Sameer's number... His phone rang in my room & I closed my eyes... We never wanted our friends to find out about us in this way... Everyone's attention shifted towards the side table where his phone was kept... They all looked at me & I started stuttering again, "Wohhh...wohhh... Sameer apna suit lene aaye the, tab shayaad apna mobile yahaan bhool gaye honge..."

I didn't meet anyone's eyes as I was feeling guilty about lying to them... "Naina... hamari taraf dekh... Tu humse kuch chupaa rahi hai kya???", Preeti asked me to face her... Swati made me look at her, "Sameer kahaan hai Naina??? Tumhe pata hai wohhh kahaan hai..."

"Main yahaan hun...", I saw Sameer standing outside the bathroom... Everyone turned towards his voice... I sat there stunned at the sudden turn of events... We were just discussing about disclosing our relationship to them & our friends strode in my room one by one... Sameer walked a few steps & stood in front of me... He forwarded his hand to me & I placed my hand in his, ready to face anything...

I was by his side in an instant... Our friends kept looking at us with curious yet twinkling eyes... Sameer left my hand & placed his hand around my waist & pulled me to him... Our friends raised their eyebrows in surprise at Sameer's sudden move... But no one uttered a word & were waiting for us to say something...

I felt Sameer taking in a deep breath, "Hum dono tum logon bataane hi waale the..." But his sentence was cut by Munna, "Kab bataane waale the??? Jab hum Mumbai pohonch jaate tab, yaa fir kuch bataane ka hi iraada nahi tha..." I shivered at Munna's tone & Sameer rubbed my waist to calm me down...

"Sameer... Yaar... Hum bachpan se saath hai... Aaj tak koi baat nahi chupaayi humne ek dusre se... Humne har khushi aur har gham baanta hai... Aur aaj itni important baat tumne humse chupaayi... Hum toh teri help bhi karna chaahte the, par tune hi mana kar diya tha... Yaar... I didn't expect this from you..." He turned to me, "Naina... Tumhe toh humne hamari behen mana hai... Bhai lagte hai na tere, toh tune bhi yeh baat chupaayi humse..."

I lowered my eyes & blinked back my tears... I shouldn't cry now... Yes... We were at fault & we need to mend our mistakes... We shouldn't have kept our relationship away from our friends... "Naina... Humne yeh umeed nahi ki thi tumse... Tune hamara bharosa tod diya yeh sab chupaake...", Swati said looking hurt... Preeti too looked hurt, "Naina... Hum toh teri sabse acche best friends hai na, tune bhi humse chupaaya..."

I couldn't hold back my tears & hugged Sameer, hiding my face in his chest... He took me in his tight embrace & rubbed my back... He spoke, "Tum logon ko jo kehna hai wohh mujhse kaho... Naina se nahi... Galti meri hai... Maine hi Naina ko kisiko kuch bataane se manaa kiya tha... Toh sab meri hi galti hai, usse kuch mat kaho..."

I knew he was trying to keep me safe but I was at fault too. I was the one who told him that we would disclose our relationship once we were back in Mumbai... Even today he had come to tell me to let their friends know about us... He was only doing what I wanted him to do... So how could he be at fault alone???

SAMEER

I knew our friends would create a scene when they found out about us before we tell them... And that was exactly what was happening... I didn't want anyone to question Naina & make her feel responsible for keeping away our relationship... Our friends were staring at us, while I was protecting Naina... She was already crying & I knew that by now she must be thinking that it was her fault only...

I kept rubbing her back to calm her down & then suddenly she turned towards our friends, "Munna... Pandit... Preeti... Swati... Sameer ki koi galti nahi hai... Maine hi kahaa tha unse ki hum Mumbai jaakar sabko batayenge..." She continued speaking between her sobs, "Abhi bhi Sameer mujhe yahi kehne aaye the ki hume tum sabko hamare baare mein baata dena chahiye... Par main kuch keh paati, usse pehle hi Swati aur Preeti aa gaye aur fir tum dono... Toh galti meri hi hai... Sameer toh wohi kar rahe hai, jo maine kahaa tha... Toh isme unki koi galti nahi hai... I'm sorry..."

"Naina... Tum sorry kyun bol rahi ho??? Tumhari koi galti nahi hai... Tumhe sorry bolne ki koi zarurat nahi hai..." I pulled her towards me again & she came in my arms easily... Our friends kept looking at us & then suddenly, they all burst out laughing... I & Naina were confused with the way our gang kept laughing holding their stomachs... What was wrong with them??? Then I realized that they already knew about us & were just teasing us...

"Tum... Tum logon ko sab..." Pandit cut my sentence halfway, "Bhai... Hume sab pataa hai... Tujhe kya lagta hai, hum sirf naam ke best friends hai kya... Teri har dhadkan se wakif hai hum... Kal raat se hi tere mijaaz badle badle se lag rahe the... Aur waah kya pyaar hai, dono ek dusre ko bachaane mein lage hai... Pyaar ho toh aisa..."

Munna continued, "Sahi kahaa Pandu... Kal raat maine tujhe Naina ke kamre se baahar nikalte dekha... Fir subah bhi jis tarah tum Naina ko sambhaal rahe the, wohh dekhkar thoda yakeen ho gaya tha... Fir jab humne Mahasu Peak par tum dono ko gaate, naachte aur ek dusre ko khaana khilaate dekha, bas fir kya tha, humne do aur do jod diye..."

"Humne bhi Naina ko itna khush kabhi nahi dekha... Kal se kuch toh badal gaya tha tum dono ke beech mein, yeh hum sabko dikh raha tha... Kyun Swati???", Preeti asked winking at her... "Haannn bilkul... Kal Amrita ke jaane ke baad koi bohot hi khush ho gaya tha... Sab misunderstandings jo clear ho gaye thi... Isliye toh pyaar ka izhaar gaano se ho raha tha... Kyun Naina???" And everyone laughed heartily...

"Toh tum sab kab se hamari taang khinch rahe the..." Everyone just shrugged & continued laughing... "Tumhe Naina ko rulaate hue zara bhi sharam nahi aa rahi... Kamino... Abhi dikhaata hun..." I ran behind my buddies but they stood behind Naina, "Bhabhi... Hume bachaa lo please..." I stopped right in front of her & was stunned to see the colour on my girl's cheek rising up a few notches...

My friends grinned behind her... I pulled Naina at my side, "Aaye bade bhabhiwale..." Swati & Preeti took Naina in a group hug & screamed, "Congratulations Behnaa..." I was content seeing her happy... My friends too crushed me in their hug & shouted, "Congratulations Bhai... Finally, hume hamari Bhabhi mil hi gayi..." We all had a group hug & then left towards the living room to have some coffee & snacks...

We were getting ready to visit the market of Kufri... Now, our friends knew about our relationship, so there was no need for me to hide my feelings... I knocked on her door & opened it swiftly without making any noise... I leaned on the doorframe & was watching her combing her hair... She sensed my presence & turned... My heart missed a few beats after seeing her beautiful smile... I reached her in few steps & took her in my arms...

"Tum khush toh ho naa Naina???", I asked her softly... "Haannn... Main bohot khush hun Sameer... Ab sabko pataa chal gaya hai hamare baare mein, toh ab chupaana nahi padega sab ke saamne..." "Chalo ready hokar neeche aa jao, thodi der mein hume market ke liye nikalna hai...", I kissed her forehead & left to my room to freshen up...

We were waiting for the girls to arrive... I was getting restless to be with her again... My friends were smiling at me, maybe enjoying the sight that met their eyes... "Dekh raha hai Ponga... Koi kisika kaise besabri se intezaar kar raha hai..." "Haann Chenu... Dekh raha hun... Finally, The Sameer Maheshwari jo aaj tak khud kabhi late nahi hua hai aur kisi late aanewale ko baksha nahi hai, aaj wohhh khud kisi ka intezaar kar raha hai aur uske late aane pe chilla bhi nahi paayega..."

I heard my friends' teasing & they were indeed right... "Bohot mazaa aa raha hai na tum dono ko... Aane do Swati aur Preeti ko, fir jab main tum dono ke ek ek kar ke saare raaz kholunga na, tab main bhi mazze lunga mast se..." They chuckled & before I could say more, I felt her presence... I turned instantly & was lost in her... "The Almighty has finally fallen..." I heard my friends laughing behind me that broke my trance...

Naina came & stood next to me... After a few moments, even the other girls joined us & we left for our shopping spree... This time I & Naina sat at the back seat together... The market was hardly ten minutes away... We reached there & kept roaming around the market... Girls did some shopping... They bought shawls for our elders & some nice woollen clothes too... The girls then raided on a small jewellery stall, where they were buying some long earrings...

It was almost over an hour that the girls winded up their shopping... The market was a small one, so there wasn't much to explore other than the warm clothes... We kept the bags in the car & started roaming around again... I held her hand throughout, didn't even leave it for a second... I knew she was a bit shy & was uncomfortable with PDA so I just kept holding her hand...

We all settled in a nearby restaurant to have early dinner... We all were anyhow very much hungry... We ordered a typical Punjabi meal & relished it wholeheartedly... It was already nine at night when we left the restaurant... I informed my gang that I & Naina would come walking & they could go in the car... They agreed happily... I wanted some alone time with Naina... We both started walking hand in hand towards our resort...

There was a kulfi stall on the way... "Sameer... Kya hum kulfi kha sakte hai???" I looked at her lovingly, "Naina... Tum mujhe hakk se keh sakti ho ki mujhe kulfi khaani hai... Mujhse poochna nahi hai, bataana hai tumhe..." She nodded & we went towards the stall... I ordered for two kesar badam kulfis & we started walking again while relishing the tasty kulfi... We reached our resort in the next five minutes...

When we entered, there was no one in the garden area... That night no one gathered for the campfire as everyone was tired after the sightseeing... We all walked to our cottage silently... There was no one in the living room, maybe our friends had already called it a night... I followed Naina upstairs & into her room...

When she switched on the light, it was then I noticed that some kulfi was stuck near her lips... I gestured her towards her lips but she didn't understand... "Naina... Ummm... Tumhare hothon ke upar kulfi lagi hai..." She tried cleaning it but she wasn't getting to the right spot... I took a step towards her & stood very close to her...

I dipped my head & whispered, "Main saaf kar deta hun..." I heard her sharp intake of breath & she shuddered at my words... I held her face gently stroking her cheeks... I closed the distance between our faces... I was just an inch away from her lips... She had closed her eyes in acceptance of whatever came ahead...

"Naina...", I whispered again & closed the distance... I licked the kulfi away from her lips & her lips quivered in response... I saw her flushed face & her quivering lips... She opened her eyes when I didn't do anything for the next few moments... Her eyes had darkened which reflected the same desire as mine... I've been waiting to see the same desire in her & today I could see it in her shining orbs...

I felt her hot breath on my lips... She stood on her tip toes & closed the gap... She pressed tiny kisses on my lips & I tugged her lower lip & sucked on it... The moment she opened her mouth, I deepened the kiss... When our tongues met, desire erupted & flared till I was burning with need...

She wrapped her hand around my neck & pressed against my chest... I drew her in my arms, resting my hands on her waist, holding her tightly... She plundered my mouth & I let her... Our first kiss was no doubt explosive... All our pent-up desire had found its way through this kiss... We broke our kiss, when we were almost breathless... Naina hugged me tightly, hiding her face in my chest, probably feeling shy to face me after our ravenous kiss...

"Naina... Meri taraf dekho...", I spoke huskily... She refused to look up... I held her face & made her look at me... "Naina... Tumhe acchaa nahi laga... Toh main aage se nahi karunga...", I teased... She instantly replied, "Maine kab kahaa ki mujhe accha nahi lagaa..." I chuckled & she understood my teasing... She punched me softly on my chest... "Aap bhi naa Sameer..." We stood there in each other's embrace for a few moments... I reluctantly wished her goodnight & left her room...

The next day I got up early & was ready within an hour... I tiptoed to Naina's room & opened the door without knocking... I went inside & heard the sound of water running in the bathroom... Without making any noise, I placed a dress for her... I'd bought it from Singapore...

I went back to the living room & switched on the television... I turned to a music channel & listened to the 90's songs... After few minutes, Munna & Pandit joined me... Then Swati & Preeti too were ready... Now, I was desperately waiting for my sunshine... We all were talking about some project when I felt her presence & my eyes instantly locked on hers...

She took slow steps towards me... My friends had already vanished from our cottage as I didn't hear any noises from them... She stood few steps away from me in a bright pink full sleeved floral dress that ended at her ankles... She looked stunning... She was as usual herself, without even a hint of makeup on her face... Her hair was left open as I liked... She had worn my gifted jewellery too...

I opened my arms & she came running to me... I hugged her tightly inhaling her intoxicating fragrance... "Thank you for this gift Sameer... This dress is beautiful..." I took a good look at her, "Yeh dress tum par bohot accha lag rahaa hai... Ekdum pari lag rahi ho... Mere dil ki pari... Waise toh tum par sabhi rang acche lagte hai par yeh pink color kuch jyada hi jachta hai tum par... Tum jyadatar pink hi pehna karo..." She blushed & her cheeks matched the colour of her dress...

"Chalo... Sab wait kar rahe honge breakfast ke liye...", she pulled me from the cottage reluctantly... We had breakfast with our friends... They complimented her on her dress & she simple blushed... They understood that I had gifted her that dress... Once we finished, we left towards our car for another sight seeing destination...

When our car came to a stop in front of a temple, everyone was shocked... They hadn't expected that for sure... We were visiting the Jakhu Temple in Shimla... It was an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu Deity Lord Hanuman... It was mesmerising to see 108ft Hanuman Idol which is one of the tallest in the world...

I told my friends that according to Ramayana, Hanuman had stopped at this location to rest while searching for the Sanjivani Booti to revive Lord Lakshman... Everyone stood there amazed after seeing the huge idol in front of them...

There were lots of monkeys around & the tourists were told to be a little careful & protective about their belongings... We explored the temple & offered our prayers together... We didn't click any pictures there & we all went in different directions to have some privacy... We sat on a bench facing the Idol...

"Tumne kya manga Naina??? Tumne kuch jyada hi lambi prayer ki thi...", I said & chuckled... She glared at me, "Kabhi kisi ke saath apni prayers share nahi karte... jab prayer poori jo jaaye tab bataana chahiye..." "Achaaaa... Tum yeh sab mein maanti ho Naina???", I asked curiously... She nodded, "Bachpan se mummy-papa ne yahi toh sikhayaa hai... Aur kuch kuch prayers poori hoti dikhaayi de rahi hai...", she said looking deeply in my eyes...

"Sacchii..." And she nodded again... "Mucchi..." We looked at the idol again with a serene smile plastered on our faces... The atmosphere in this temple was peaceful... I was falling in love with this place... I held her hand & closed my eyes, "Bhagwanji... Maine aaj tak kabhi kuch nahi maanga hai... Par aaj maangta hun... Mera aur Naina ka saath kabhi mat chutne dena please... Bohot mushkil se mujhe saccha pyaar mila hai... Usse kabhi mujhse alag mat karna bhagwaanji please... Aapka aashirwaad hum par aur hamare parivaar par hamesha rakhna..."

I opened my eyes & found Naina watching me with love filled eyes, "Main prathna karti hun ki tumhari saari icchayein bhagwaanji poori kare..." I took her in a side hug & kissed her forehead... "Ummm... Ab chalein..." We both got up & walked towards our friends who were already waiting for us...

We again visited the Kufri market & entered the restaurant... I looked at others, "Guys... Amrita ka call aaya tha subah... Wohhh aur Rohan hamare saath lunch karna chaahte hai... Toh maine unhe yahin bulaaya hai... Wohhh log aate hi honge..." Everyone seemed happy, once Amrita & Rohan joined us for lunch... We all kept chatting & teasing each other...

Amrita & Rohan were very much elated to know that I & Naina were together now... Rohan though was a little shocked with the news... Mundit updated him about everything & he was surprised & stunned... "Waaahhhh... Naina... Tumne toh wohh kar diya jo aajtak koi nahi kar paaya... Iss khadoos ko tumne sahi rasta dikha diya... Tumhe pataa nahi par kitni ladkiyon ki life jahannum banaa di thi isne... Zara bhi bakshta nahi tha kisiko..." Everyone laughed remembering my antics with the female species & had something interesting episodes to share as they had experienced it first-hand...

We were done with lunch & were about to leave towards our resort, when we heard someone's voice from behind... "Hey Sameer Maheshwari... How are you?", my expressions changed drastically after seeing the person... I clenched my jaws & stiffened... Naina saw my demeanour changing & was beside me in a flash... My friends also stopped in their tracks after seeing the person in front of me...

"Arey yaar... At least smile toh karlo... Bhale hi main tumhara business rival hun, par hum acche dost bhi toh hai na???" I closed my fists tightly controlling myself from doing something in public that I shouldn't do... "Hum dost hua karte the, ab nahi hai Kartik..." Suddenly, someone joined him, leaning over him & looking at me, "Hey Sameer... Its nice to see you here..." I took a deep breath & finally spoke, "Kaisi ho Sunaina??? Nanaji kaise hai???"

I saw Naina glaring at her & was a little happy to see that... "Main toh ekdum mast hun... Aur Nanaji abhi hospital mein admit hai..." I shouldn't have asked this in the first place as I already knew that she didn't care for his grandfather anyways... She eyed Naina who was standing quite close to me, "Baaki sab ko toh main jaanti hun. Par yeh kaun hai??? Hume introduce nahi karvaoge Sameer???", she asked pointing towards Naina...

Before I could say anything, Naina replied, "Main Sameer ki girlfriend hun... Naina Agarwal..." Sunaina raised her eyes in appreciation & looked at me... "Not bad Sameer... Chalo accha hai... Finally, tumne kisi ladki ko apni life mein enter toh karne diya..." She turned to Naina, "Hii... I'm Sunaina Parekh... Ummmm... Sameer's ex-wife..." Naina smiled, "Jaanti hun..."

Sunaina looked from her to me & then back to her, "Sameer ne tumhe mere baare mein sab bataa diya???" Naina took a step towards her & stood ahead of me, "Wohhh kya hai na Sunaina... Kisi bhi rishte ki neev sacchai hoti hai... I mean Honesty & Loyalty, yeh hi har rishte ki neev hoti hai... Toh Sameer ne mujhe sab kuch pehle hi bataa diya tha..."

Sunaina was definitely stunned with Naina, "Acchi baat hai fir... Enjoy..." Sunaina dragged Kartik away before he could try to talk to Naina...

How was the update???

I'm really sorry for the delay in updating this part...

I hope you all are liking the story so far...

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Ignore the mistakes...

With Lots of Love,

Diku...❤