Part 2

MP were silently watching the exchange from the door. Knowing Sameer too well, they knew that the reason for his smiling eyes was Naina. He was grinning like a goof and could not take his eyes off her. They were sharing an intense eyelock oblivious to their surroundings.

On the other side, Swati, although shocked to learn of what a feat Naina managed to pull in front of Shanti teacher, was slightly upset that she allowed a guy all night in the room staking both their reputations. But she was her best friend and knew too well that Naina was totally in love, did what she did for her love, and managed the situation well.

Sameer knew what he had to do now. It was high time he owned up for his mistakes, apologized, and started afresh. He didn't want to lose a true friend in Naina but at the same time he also realized that she meant a lot more to him than a friend. Now, he was determined to set things right. He took a step towards Naina without breaking the eyelock even for a second.

The bet boys were still hovering outside in the corridor and were also noticing the silent exchange between samaina.
MP suddenly realized what Sameer was up to and before he could ruin their chances of winning the bet & saving his hair, they broke his reverie.

Pandit: Sameer, chal yahan se!
Sameer: Nahi, ruko tum log, Mujhe Naina se baat karni hai!
Munna: Arre bhai! Tu baad mein baat kar liyo, pehle hamari baat sun le, and they almost dragged him back to their room.

Swati also pulled Naina inside & slammed the door shut! Her eyebrows were crinkled and hands were on hips! She slowly faced to look at Naina who was now standing by the bed appearing contrite as the weight of the situation slowly sunk into her! Her act out of love had also placed her best friend in the way of trouble. Swati walked towards her slowly and Naina was prepared to get an earful from her friend. Afterall, she and Swati were together for more than 10 years and though she never hid anything from her sister-cum-friend Preeti, Swati was the only one who knew her tiniest secrets, including everything about Sameer!
Swati held Naina's shoulders, which scared the girl, but then she immediately relaxed her hold, a small smile curving at the corner of her mouth. She gently placed one hand under Naina's chin and said "Mujhe tere masoom nirdosh pyar par pura bharosa hai."
Naina was surprised, but then both girls smiled and hugged tight... after all only best friends know you that well (much better than family at times) and support you through all thick and thin without being judgmental.

Munna to Sameer: Yeh kya ho raha tha wahan par? Tu kya karne gaya tha uss behenji ke kamre mein?
Sameer explained to MP whatever had transpired last night and how Naina helped him throughout. MP face-palmed and mentally slapped themselves that how their irresponsible behavior would landed all three of them in trouble. Then, thinking something, Pandit's face brightened immediately.

Pandit: arre bhai, iss sabse ek cheez bahut achchi hui!
Sameer had a confused expression.

Pandit: yaar, Soch, uss behenji ko teri fikr hai, tere liye kuch bhi karegi.
Munna: Haan yaar Sameer, yahi sahi mauka hai. Tu use side mein le ja, hum shart wale ladkon ko lekar aate hai, tab tak tu usse dou-chaar meethi meethi baatein kar. Fir woh pakka tujhe gale lagakar I love you bol degi. Fir shart bhi puri, baal bhi bache, aur yeh saara prapanch bhi khatam!

Pandit: Haan, aur fir tujhe uss behenji ke samne nakli muskurana nahi padega aur hum sabko usse hamesha ke liye chutkara mil jaayega!

Sameer: He was raging and furious. Buss karo yaar. Kya shart shart lagake rakha hai! Bhaad mein gayi shart. Jabse mt. Abu aaye hai, din mein sau baar tum mujhe uss shart ke baare mein yaad dilate rehto hon, un ladkon se bhi jyaada. Ek baar bhi socha humne ki Naina pe kya beetegi?

Munna: Achcha! Tujhe badi fikr ho rahi hai uss behenji ki! Bhool gaya usne kya kya kiya hai?
Sameer was reminded of all the accusations Naina had hurled at him and the taunts her father passed questioning his upbringing all the time! But then immediately those memories were replaced with the good deeds Naina gestured towards him, how she helped him in studies, came to his birthday, helped his Nanaji, burnt her hand to feel his pain, rolled a roti for him since he couldn't eat with the burnt hand, cared for him last night, knit a sweater for him (In this story, she gave him the sweater last night since he was shivering and he realized how painstakingly she would have woven it for him in 2 days, sacrificing her sleep, food, and hiding from the family. He was still wearing it).
Sameer: nahi yaar, Naina bahut achchi ladki hai. Meri dost hai. Usne Nanaji ki kitni madad ki aur uske liye punishment bhi seh li. Kal raat ko mera kitna khayal rakha, mujhe kambal odhaya, dawaii di, yeh sweater bhi bunkar laayi thi, pointing towards the one he was wearing!

MP looked at each other, surprised and more sure about feelings in his heart!

Sameer: Jo aaj tak meri Maa ne bhi kabhi mere  liye nahi kiya, wo Naina ne kiya. Wo ek achchi aur sachchi dost hai aur main aisi ladki ka dil nahi dukha sakta. Sameer could no longer face his friends coz he was afraid that the raging emotions inside him would be clearly visible in his eyes and his friends could read him too well!

But MP never relented when it came to their best friend! Munna forcefully caught Sameer's elbow and turned him around.
Munna: achcha, Sirf dost hai! Toh use chot lagti hai toh tujhe dard kyon hota hai? Use daant padti hai toh tujhe kyon bura lagta hai? Agar wo tere alawa kisise baat karti hai toh tujhe kyon jalan hoti hai? Uska dil tootega yeh sochkar tera dil kyon ro raha hai?

Sameer looked down as he had no answers to his friend's questions. He couldn't explain the storm of emotions wreaking havoc with his insides. He could not understand why he felt terrible about breaking Naina's heart.

Munna: Sammer, tujhe Naina se pyar ho gaya hai! Apne aap se puch tu uski khushi mein khush aur dukh mein dukhi hota hai ya nahi! Apne andar jhaank ke dekh!
Pandit: Pehle toh hume sirf shaq tha, par ab yakeen ho gaya hai ki yeh sirf dosti nahi. Tujhe sach mein Naina se pyar ho gaya hai.

Sameer felt as if someone had punched him right in the gut! He could not fathom the impact of MP's words. He kept thinking, main toh Sameer hoon, yaani hawa, kabhi yahan kabhi wahan, pal pal badalta hoon! Aaj tak duniya mere peeche bhaagti thi, Sameer Maheshwari kabhi kisi ladki ke peeche nahi bhaaga! Then, all moments spent with Naina, her acts of kindness, and her gestures of unconditional love flooded his mind and warmed his heart. He could see through the genuine person she was and how deeply she loved and cared for him!
The realization hit him with full force, yes she was much more than just a friend. He could not stop appreciating her goodness, he could never take his eyes off her when she was around and he was restless when she was not in sight. His heart ached when she was hurt emotionally or physically.
Yes, it was true. He loved her. Sameer Maheshwari loved Naina Aggarwal!
His heart warmed and face broke out in a million dollar smile.
Sameer: Yaar tum log sahi keg rahe ho! I love her!
MP jumped in elation, they were ecstatic for their bestie. They hugged and danced happily basking in the new feeling of love. They were happy for their best friend as he could experience this beautiful feeling of love!
Then Sameer said "mujhe Naina ko apne dil ki baat batani hai. Par yaar, mujhe usse sach bhi bolna hoga, jhoot bolkar Naina se pyar ka sachcha vaada kaise karunga?"

MP: Dekh yaar Sameer, agar tu usse sach bolega toh wo naraaz ho jaayegi aur kabhi bharosa nahi karegi. Tujhe pehle use apne sachche pyar ka yakeen dilana hoga fir shayad wo tera sach samaj paaye.

Sameer gave it a thought: Shayad tum log theek keh rahe ho! Pehle mujhe Naina ko apne pyar ka yakeen dilana hoga, uska bharosa jeetna hoga, aur fir main use sach bataunga. Ho sakta hai wo gussa ho, naraaz ho, par uska yakeen mere pyar par bana rahega aur main use mana loonga! Tum log mera saath doge na?
MP: Sameer, tu chinta mat kar! Hum tere pakkewale dost hai...dosti ki hai toh aakhir tak nibhayenge...dost ke liye toh laat, ghuse, chappal bhi kha lenge...aur dost ke pyar ke liye toh jaan bhi hazir hai!
They hugged in their usual trio hug with tere jaisa yaar kahan in the background!

Sameer smiled inwardly when everything was becoming clear to him as now he was determined to make Naina his forever.
Sameer to himself:  Naina, I love you aur ab ek tuchchi si shart hume alag nahi kar sakti. And he decided, what he was going to do next.