Sameer and Naina's friendship was deepening with time. They now knew that if they wanted to be friends, they would have to take the physical attraction piece of it along with it. Though neither of them minded their growing intimacy; they also enjoyed each other's company during the times they were completely platonic as well!

They'd started going out for movies, for picnics, for outings. It would be an understatement to say that Sameer and Naina had explored the whole of Mumbai on Sameer's bike. Naina had shed her initial apprehensions about touching him in public. Well, after what all had happened between them, she wasn't the one to blame. She couldn't resist him! And Sameer, well, he never told Naina, but he found it extremely hard to control himself with her hands around his waist, her body so close to him on the bike.

They'd taken numerous evening walks along seasides. Mumbai evenings were the loveliest, Naina would say. And yes, she adored the sea. And for this reason, Sameer would often take her to the popular sea-sides of Bombay. Sometimes, they would sit there in silence, hearing the waves crash against the shore. They wouldn't even realize when dusk would become night as they sat there listening to the music of the sea. And sometimes, they would take walks around the magical Marine Drive. And during one such walk, when the weather was breezy and the evening cool, Sameer's hand found Naina's and his fingers entwined in hers. She looked up at him in surprise, but he continued to look ahead as he clasped his hold on her fingers tighter. Naina hardly had any option but to hold his hand back in return. The brainy side of her squeaked that she was in for a heart-break. She'd already turned physical with him and now she was getting more and more emotionally involved. It had already been three months since their relationship began, yet he still seemed so far away from loving her or from confessing what exactly he felt for her. But then, this was the first time, he'd displayed his affection for her in full public view. Did his holding her hand meant that he did love her, or was it because he thought of her as a friend- well a friend who came with some added benefits (a term she got to know about a decade or two later). This would not end well, her mind warned her. But her heart could not muster the courage to confront him or take her hand out from his grip- ever!

Sameer did not know why he held her hand that evening. Somehow, it seemed the right thing to do. He enjoyed her company. He enjoyed their intimacy. He enjoyed listening to her innocent talk. Sameer finally felt, he'd found a real friend in Bombay. A friend he could put onto the pedestal of Munna and Pandit, maybe higher. Her hand clasped in his, felt as if it completed what seemed to be missing from his life. He continued to walk as his fingers caressed hers, revelling in the warmth she provided him.

***

"Main nahi aa raha!" Sameer declared in a huff. "Aaoge!" Naina was adamant too. "Ji nahi! Tum jao na! Main kyun aaun? Vaise bhi ye ladkiyon ki shopping me mujhe koi interest nahi!" Sameer tried to reason with her. Naina made a face and said, "ladkiyon ki shopping nahi...shopping karne ja rahe hain...tum bhi apne liye kuch le sakte ho na!" "Arey tum jao na wo Shraddha-Shruti ke saath!" snapped Sameer in irritation. "Wo sab ghar gaye hain na Sameer...chuttiyaan hai na Holi ki!" Naina tried to explain. "Aur mujhe yahan Professor ne rok liya wo Literary Week ke liye!" she muttered sadly. "Ab kamse kam kuch ache kapde to pehen lein tyohar pe!" she added, making a cute, pleading face.

Sameer melted a little. "Acha theek hai! Chalta hun!" he gave in finally. "Yay! Sameer! Tum kitne cute ho! Thank you so much shweetu!" she yelped in joy as she pinched his cheeks hard in happiness. Sameer knew he must have blushed at that moment. Whenever she pulled his cheeks like this and called him shweetu or sweetheart or darling, the raunchy Sameer would rise inside him, which he would have to quell, at least till they got some privacy. Sameer knew that Naina had presumed that he didn't want to go home for the Holi vacation as Nanu was abroad. What she didn't know was that Sameer had willingly stayed back in Mumbai, despite fervent attempts by Munna and Pandit to invite him to their grand Holi fiesta, laced with bhang and colours and masti, and maybe a few girls. And it was only because he knew Naina wasn't going back to Ahemdabad and he did not want to leave her alone, or maybe he just wanted to be with her. Whatever it was, he now found himself convinced to go out for shopping with a girl.

"Chalenge...lekin bike servicing ke liye di hai!" Sameer jerked his thoughts back from the daydream in which Naina was in his arms, to the Naina in front of him. "Oh no...fir kaise jayenge!" Naina became glum again. "Local se chalein?" he offered. Naina looked at him with surprised eyes, "tum? Tum Local me travel kar loge? Matlab garmi hai...wahaan bheed hoti hai bahot!" Naina started explaining. "Naina! Main chota baccha nahi hun!" Sameer revolted. "Nahi matlab Sameer...tumhe aise aadat nahi hogi na...mera kehne ka matlab ki tum itne...itne...". "Ameer hun?" Sameer cut her off, understanding her confusion. He started grinning. "Haan tum bolo to Hawai Jahaz mangwa dun? Naina! Mere pass bike nahi hoti to main local se hi aata jaata hun....mujhe trains bahot pasand hain...bachpan se hi! Tumhe pata hai...bachpan mein bhi hum jab Dilli se Ahemdabad aate the Nanu ke pass...mujhe yaad hai mom hamesha mujhe flight me lane ki koshish karti thi, par main hamesha train se aane ki zidd karta tha...," a tinge of sadness crept onto his cheeks as he reminisced about the long- forgotten times- the few joyous days of his childhood. "Kya yaar! Mujhe laga tum Ambassador mangwa doge mere liye...tum to gareebon ke shauk wale nikle!" Naina jested, in an attempt to lighten his mood, which worked as both Sameer and Naina broke into a giggle.

After about 30 minutes, they were at the platform waiting for their train to CST. Naina wanted to explore the local markets there first and then in Dadar. It was still 15 minutes to noon, but Sameer was already sweating profusely. Mumbai was always hot. And Sameer, who'd been brought up in the comfort of Air-Conditioners and Coolers at his service, sometimes found the heat quite unbearable. Sameer brought a bottle of a soft drink from a vendor on the platform and took a sip. And then he realized, he'd forgotten to buy one for Naina, while she was busy searching for something inside her purse on the bench. The vendor was not in sight now. Naina looked up and saw the cold drink in Sameer's hand and her face eased into a smile. She got up and grabbed the bottle from his hands and before Sameer could react, she took a big swig of Mangola. "Mmm...ab acha lag raha hai! Kitni garmi hai yaar! Upar se ye black jeans pehen li maine!" she exclaimed, as she took another gulp of the cold drink. "Vaise tumhe kaise pata chala mujhe pyaas lag rahi thi?" asked Naina curiously, unaware of what she'd just done. The smug, teasing look was back on Sameer's face, as his hands crept into his trouser pockets. "Nahi pata chala tha!" he replied. "Toh fir ye bottle kyun li?" Naina asked him curiously. "Wo actually...mujhe pyaas lagi thi!" he explained, trying to hide his grin, as he stressed on the word 'mujhe'.

"Ohhh...!" Realization dawned over Naina. "Ohhh!" she could only say and then she passed the bottle back to Sameer. "Rehne do...main dusri le lunga...main kisi ka jhootha nahi peeta!" Sameer told her. "Ohhh...," said Naina again, "good...main bhi nahi peeti!" Sameer turned to look at her again mischieviously, "tumne abhi piya!" "Kya?" Naina asked. "Mera jhootha!" Sameer answered, with a wink. "Ohhh!" Naina wasn't able to fathom why she was stuck at this "Ohh!" "I'm...I'm sorry!" she finally mumbled. "Arey koi nahi...actually mera dhyaan nahi gaya...varna tumhare liye bhi ek le leta...," he smiled and then added, "akele travel karne ki aadat hai na!" Sameer realized what he'd just said as Naina looked up at him in sympathy. She didn't say anything, but smiled as she drank the rest of the cold drink, while Sameer spotted the vendor again and purchased another one for himself.

A few minutes later, the blaring horn of the train sounded as the announcements overhead signaled the arrival of their train. As the usual maddening crowd of people bellowed in and out of the compartments, Sameer pushed himself inside. But Naina was still struggling against the flock of people. Sameer took her hand and pulled her inside the train with a jerk. Naina finally entered and fell face first onto Sameer's chest. Their eyes met as they both grinned. Somehow it felt amazing whenever they were in each other's arms.

"Mujhse zyada to tumko aadat hai gareebi ki! Hey Bhagwan!" Naina sniggered, as she held onto him for support as the train chugged out of the station. Sameer seemed quite comfortable there, as he held the ceiling handle with one hand, while the other was clasped around Naina. "Ladies compartment mein chali jaati to aaram se baithne ki seat to mil jati!" he told her. "Aur bore bhi ho jati!" Naina replied, as they tried to steady themselves as the train gained speed.

"Vaise jis din tumhara accident hua tha...us din to tumne mera jootha khaya tha...," Naina suddenly exclaimed after a few minutes. "Haaye...main tumhare dimag se ek minute ke liye bhi nahi nikalta... haina?" he chuckled naughtily and earned a smack on his chest. "Vaise yaad karo...same plate se khaya tha...jootha nahi...main to kabhi mom tak ka jootha na khaun...!" he added airily. "Ohh!" Naina was back to the monosyllablic reply. "Kha liya karo mom ka toh...jootha khane se pyaar badhta hai!" Naina informed him. Sameer rolled his eyes at her. "Thank God main tumhari tarah sara din filmein nahi dekhta rehta...kitne utpatang khayal aate rehte hain tumhe...!" he voiced, amused at how Naina believed in such small, inconsequential things.

More and more people entered the train as it halted at each station. "Jagah to hai nahi...kahan ghus rahe hain log!" Naina mumbled, now irritated, as an uncouth man pushed against her. She saw Sameer glare at that man for a while. And then she saw him move a little away from her, and mumble something to the man, probably to buzz off, or that is what Naina heard him say. As they reached their destination and disembarked, Naina opened her bag and fumbled inside. And then searched a bit vigourously. She was walking but her eyes were inside her bag, searching for something. "Kya hua?" Sameer asked coolly. "Sameer...mera purse...purse nahi mil raha...," Naina muttered as she fidgeted with chain upon chain of her bag, her anxiety building now. She was almost on the verge of tears as she sat down on a bench and turned her bag upside down, in the hope she would find her purse there somewhere. "Ghar se laayi thi na pakka ya ye to nahi soch rahi thi ki shopping ke liye ameer bakra hai na Sameer...sponsor kar hi dega!" Sameer joked. "Mazaak mat karo Sameer...main kabhi kuch nahi bhoolti...aane se pehle maine isi chain ki pocket mein rakha tha...pakka yaad hai mujhe!" Naina muttered in a perturbed voice.

"Kaisa tha tumhara purse?" Sameer asked, as he saw her holding her head in exasperation. "Red colour ka tha...usme mera college ID, voter ID sab tha! Lagta hai train mein kisi ne maar liya...ab main kya karungi Sameer!" she started crying out nervously. "Ro mat yaar...ye rakh lo!" Sameer handed out something to her. Naina looked up and saw her purse in his hands as he stood there smirking. She snatched it from him and checked the contents. "Tum hamesha mujhe pareshaan hi karte rehna haina? Tumne nikala tha kya?" she gave a punch on his arms. "Oh hello madam...ek to tumhe mujhe thank you bolna chahiye upar se maar rahi ho!" Sameer mumbled, rubbing his arms where Naina had hit him. He then saw Naina's confused expression and then explained how that rowdy guy had deliberately pushed against her in an attempt to get through to her purse. He'd almost succeeded too, when Sameer encountered him and threatened to shout out aloud in the train. The pickpocket was wise enough. He knew if Sameer shouted in the middle of the train, he was in for a good spanking from the passengers and hence returned Naina's purse back to him without a word.

The scenario in the train played back in Naina's mind and she sighed in relief. "Ohh...to tumne isliye use door hatane ko kaha tha? Mujhe laga ki...," Naina stopped in between. "Ki?" Sameer enquired. "Kuch nahi...!" Naina replied as she got up and started walking towards the exit. "Thank you to bol do!" Sameer called after her. "Chup...dosti mein log jaan de dete hain...tumne ko sirf ek purse bachaya hai!" she quipped. "Acha...10 minute pehle gala phaad phaad ke ro rahi thi! Aur thank you bulwane ke liye kya ab jaan deni padegi tumhare liye?" Sameer shouted in exasperation. "Uhh...chodo! Chalo bahot sara kaam hai!" Naina came back to him, and pulled him by his arm behind her, as she led the way to the shopping arcade.

After a five to six hour long parade, running from one shop to another, switching between train stations, experiencing Naina's expertise in bargaining first hand, they were finally done with most of the shopping Naina had in mind. "Main firse ye shopping-vopping pe nahi aane wala ab!" he made a promise to himself. She'd even coaxed him to buy a new T-shirt for himself- a black turtle neck. She'd suggested it would look good on him. "Ladkiyaan marenge tum pe!" Naina uttered as she tried to sort out something for herself in the pile of the clothes on the table in the shop. "Ohh...chalega tumhe?" Sameer winked. Naina looked up at him and realized what she'd said, "Nahi...chodo...ye nahi lenge!" She tried to snatch the T-shirt from his hands, while Sameer sniggered as he held it out of her reach, "ab to main yahi lunga!" he declared, teasing her.

"Acha theek hai baba...ab meri help karo...in dono mein se mujhpe kaunsa wala acha lagega- ye red wala ya ye yellow wala?" Naina enquired as she pointed out to the two tops in her hand. But Sameer wasn't paying attention there. His eyes were fixed on a mannequin far behind her. "Wo waala...," he bent down and whispered huskily in her ears. Naina's eyes followed where his gaze was pointed. It was at a mannequin, scantily clad in a blood-red, skimpy, satin nightie. Naina realized his intentions and immediately blushed, "dimag theek hai tumhara?" "Soch lo...mujhse vaise bhi kya chupa hai...bahot sexy hai...mujhe to pasand hai...wo bhi, wo red colour bhi aur shayad jo use pehnegi wo bhi...!" Sameer winked at her again. Naina tried to wave off her embarrassment as she snapped, "Tumhare sapnon mein....aur ab toh main ye yellow dress hi lungi!" as she pointed at the top in her hand. Sameer grinned. He somehow still enjoyed making her uncomfortable.

Naina didn't seem to be done as yet. After waiting for another half an hour with her in the shop and seeing her getting confused amongst the millions of clothes lying on the dashboard, Sameer excused himself from the shop. "Yaar....lena 1 dress hoga...lekin nikalwayengi hazaar...pata nahi kya sochti rehti hain ye ladkiyaan!" he wondered to himself, as he put down his own shopping bag on the sidewalk and lit up a cigarette.

He'd hardly finished when Naina emerged from the shop. "Uhh...uhh!" he tried to cough out the smoke from his mouth, and stomp the butt of the cigarette with his foot simultaneously. Naina was eyeing him menacingly as she crossed her hands, the numerous shopping bags dangling from her arms. She had the exact disapproving expression his mother had, when she returned home to find him embroiled in some mischief as a kid. Sameer gulped and picked up his own shopping bag. Naina still had the daunting look on her face- now Sameer was reminded of his primary school teacher Ms. Anita. She used to flare up in anger exactly like this.

"Kya ghoor rahe ho!" Naina snapped him out of his thoughts as she came up to stand besides him. "Wo...wo...main to kuch nahi kar raha tha...,"Sameer replied guiltily, trying his best not to meet her eye. "Maine kaha ki kuch kar rahe the?" Naina asked sternly. Sameer finally looked at her and then his eyes drooped. "Cigarette peena kam karo tum samjhe!" Naina gave him a big jab on his back. "Kam ki hain...ab bas din ki 10 hi peeta hun!" he replied, though truthfully. Naina was still eyeing him suspiciously. "Arey subah 11 baje se to tumhare saath hun...nahi pi na tab!" he asked. Naina's gaze melted, "acha theek hai!" Sameer smiled at this, and couldn't help but risk a dose of teasing here, "tum saath hoti ho to cigarette peene ka time hi kahaan rehta hai!" "Ab pitoge tum!" she tried to sound angry as her cheeks took on a bright hue of red- exactly like the satin nightie Sameer was pointing to a while back in the shop.

***

Naina helped him pull himself up at night through her window. As usual, she quickly closed the curtains as Sameer relaxed. "Kya surprise bol rahi thi?" he asked panting. Naina turned and smiled suggestively as she pressed the play button on her tape recorder. She pulled the ribbon out of her hair and shook her head to let her hair loose, as the song started playing in the background.

"Ek main aur ek tu, dono miley is tarah

Ek main aur ek tu, dono miley is tarah

aur jo tan man me ho raha hai

yeh toh hona hi tha"

Naina smiled at him enticingly, as Sameer looked on puzzled. And then with her eyes on his face, she slid open the strings of her dressing gown. Sameer knew he must hold his breath now as Naina slid out of the dressing gown and ambled close to him. She was wearing a darn hot, blood-red, sexy satin nightie, with holes and nets in all the right places. The exact same one he'd pointed out to her in the shop yesterday. Sameer could only gawk as his eyes moved down her neck, over to her partly exposed bosom and then hovered over where the nightie finished. It was just enough to cover her up minimally. His breathing hitched as he eyed her luscious, bare thighs and her shapely, beautiful legs. To add to the sexy attire, Naina had put on a deep, naughty shade of red lipstick and her eyes were lined with mascara and a smoky eye-liner, he noticed.

As she put her hand inside her hair to mess it further, she bit her lower lip and eyed him with pure desire. "Ye...ye kya hai...," Sameer finally managed to form a coherent sentence. She inched closer to him seductively, stood on tip toes and whispered in his ears, "Mera thank you bolne ka tareeka!" Sameer's eyes widened as Naina turned to look at him again and gave him a meaningful wink.

Sameer decided he'd already wasted enough time gaping at her like a fool. He was aroused out of his senses. He took off his jacket and threw it on the floor in frenzy as he pounced upon her. Naina cleverly moved away and grinned.

"oho khel khel me sanam aa gaye jahan pe hum

rok le wohin kadam

bolo bolo bolo

shhhh

ek main aur ek tu, dono miley is tarah

aur jo tan man me ho raha hai

yeh toh hona hi tha"

"Tut...tut...! Dooriyan waqt aane pe mitayenge.... ek din itna paas paas ayenge...intezar kab talak, yunhi pyar kab talak...bolo bolo bolo" she crooned along with the tape, doing her best to seduce him. Hardly needed, Sameer thought. He was already lured in for the night. "Ab intezaar nahi jaaneman...," he shook his head violently as he tried to grab her into his arms again.

"shhhh

ek main aur ek tu dono miley is tarah

aur jo tan man mein ho raha hai

yeh toh hona hi tha"

Naina stood smilingly in a corner, as her fingers caressed her thighs and her eyes invited him to take her. Sameer groaned. "Bas ab aur mat tadpao!" he thought helplessly as he again plunged towards her. Naina giggled as she evaded him again. She was enjoying Sameer's desperation building up- his adrenaline levels evident from his excited face.

After a game of cat and mouse, Naina finally relented as Sameer pulled her into his arms and pinned her against a wall. Naina looked right back at him. Nowadays, she didn't even feel conscious whenever Sameer explored her from head to toe. Infact, she rather relished it. Sameer's hands grazed up her thighs under the nightie. Naina's eyes closed in pleasure, and her lips parted out in a moan. Sameer yanked his palm further inside and Naina responded by pushing her body closer to him. His hand now moved up, tracing the curve of her body with force, both over and under the nightie. He felt himself go frenzied with desire as he savoured the beautiful woman in his arms. Sameer's hands traced her neck and then slithered over her undraped shoulders. His fingers circled right under the flimsy strap of the nightie for a few seconds as Naina heaved in anticipation. And then he slid the strap down her shoulders, leaving her completely bare skin for his eyes and lips to feast upon.

"Aahhhh...!" he couldn't help voicing his ecastasy at the sight of her undone. His lips sought to kiss every inch of her skin he could find, as Naina's writhed and moved in rapture at each of his touches. He embraced her into a crushing hug and the other strap of the nightie fell over her arm as well. Naina's hands clenched into fists as she held him, and then clambered inside the shirt to touch his back. A loud groan escaped Sameer's mouth as Naina's fingers dug into his bare back. She unbuttoned him fiercely and moved the shirt down his arms, as she planted kisses onto his shoulders and chest. And then Sameer held her face and their lips crashed together as the two shared a long, impassioned kiss. The kiss started slow. It wasn't fiery. Just like the lull before a storm, and then he jerked her closer to his body, as his tongue probed inside her mouth. Naina yanked out his shirt completely. Her fingers cascaded all over his torso and combed through his hair in return for the exquisite passion he was providing her with. And then Sameer could take it no more. He lifted her up in his arms and threw her down onto the bed and himself on top of her. In the next instant or two, the nightie and her lingerie were on the floor and Sameer was wildly undressing himself. A series of fiery love making sessions followed, much to the helplessness of Naina's old, creaking bed.

"Kab li thi ye nightie?" Sameer asked, as he tried to catch his breath. "Jab tum apne fefdon mein kala, bhayanak dhuan bhar rahe the...," Naina mumbled as she snuggled up closer onto his bare chest. "Fef...kya? Hindi mein bolo na!" Sameer demanded. "Fefde...ummm Lungs!" she explained. "Ohhh....to lagta hai mujhe aur cigarette peeni chahiye fir toh!" he suggested and got a sharp spank for his cheek. And then she made it up with a big smooch as sleep fell upon them.