"Sameer, tum isse yahan le aaye?" Naina remembered him telling that he had bought it but it never occured to her that he would bring the lehenga to Mumbai with him. When they had left from Ahmedabad, they were not aware of this wedding.

"Apne saath hi rakha hai jabse khareeda hai... iss intezaar mein ki kab tumhe pehne hue dekhunga." He laid a hand on the soft silk.

"Pehne hue toh tumne tabhi dekh liya tha," she remarked, her voice dropping low.

He recalled his condition when he had seen Naina and Preeti hugging and laughing over it. And his throat constricted again. A low cough sound made Naina look up immediately. She fished out a bottle of water from her bag,undid the cap and gave it in his hand.

He definitely needed water... the memory of that day and the anxious face in front of him... his eyes did not waver from her as he gulped down half the bottle, some trickling down his chin.

As Naina took the bottle from him, he picked up her dupatta from one shoulder and wiped his mouth.

She followed the movement of his hand, amused at first but colouring instantly as she placed her dupatta back, her thoughts going back by a few minutes.

Sameer looked at the play of colour on her face... his fingers moving to graze her cheek with the back of his hand. She looked at him. He flicked his eyes to the lehenga, then raised his brows in question.

Her mind quickly came back to present, "Par iska toh dupatta bhi nahi tha."

He moved the folds to draw out a dupatta, in a dark maroon colour, with golden border and thread and sequin work.

Naina looked at it, thankful that it was not sheer. But she was still apprehensive. She had never worn such clothes... except that one green blouse... and the thought was enough to make her go a dark shade of red again.

He was watching her with expectant eyes waiting for an answer.

"Iska... iska blouse main sabke saamne... aisa kuch kabhi pehna nahi hai." She hesitated.

He thought about what she meant... and realised she was right. His own heart would not be able to take it... when seeing her from a distance had made him lose his breath, if he sees her in front of him... he shivered. And why should anyone else see her like this. It was his right.

"Theek keh rahi ho tum... sabke saamne pehenna sahi nahi hoga... lao main isse jaate hue wapas rakh dunga." He wrapped it back in muslin cloth and put it in the bag.

"Ab chalein?" Naina asked.

He shifted against the tree, pulling her against his chest, "Abhi se kyon jaana hai... abhi mehendi mein ek ghanta hai... aur humein thodi lagani hai."

She sat up in surprise, "Kyon nahi lagani? Main toh mehendi zaroor lagwaungi."

He straightened, "Par yeh toh shaadi walon ke liye hoti hai na? Jaise unko haldi lagi thi... waise hi ab unko hi mehendi lagegi... haina?"

She pressed her forehead, closing her eyes for a moment, "Arre baba, tum kitne budhu ho... mehendi toh sab log lagate hain... parivaar wale, dost, sabhi... dulha dulhan ki thodi khaas hoti hai, par baaki sab bhi lagwate hain."

"Oh... toh matlab tumhe bhi lagwani hogi?" He presumed it was a rule.

She gave him a poignant look, "Tumne kuch bhi nahi pata shaadi ke baare mein... humari shaadi mein tum kaise yeh sab karoge?"

He leaned towards her, speaking in a low, husky voice, "Main classes le lunga."

Naina coloured to the root of her hair, remembering her talks during their visit to Alibaug. She got up and moved away  facing the other side, not able to look at him.

Sameer gave her some time before getting up and going to her. He stood behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Mujhe batao jo mujhe nahi pata... sach mein nahi jaanta inn saari rasmon ke baare mein... uss din jo tumne bataya bas utna hi pata hai." He said in a soothing voice.

Naina mustered courage to face him... that day at picnic could be called as the most embarrassing day of her life... she wanted to go back and erase it... but life was not a blackboard.

He drew her close, wrapping his arms from behind, "Naina, mujhse toh mat sharmao... tumhari kisi baat ke liye tumhe aisa mehsoos karne ki zaroorat nahi hai... woh tumhara bholapan tha."

He turned her around, "Aur aaj jo maine dekha woh tumhara pyaar... tumhari chahat... Naina, mujhe tum tab bhi bohot pasand thi aur ab... ab kitni pasand ho yeh batane ke liye abhi kuch mahine baaki hain."

His voice had gone heavier at the end.

Naina could melt into a puddle. His heart started to attack his ribcage again... seeing her red face and rapid breathing... his hands around her waist tightened.

"Sam... Sameer, der ho rahi hai." She stuttered.

He took a few deep breaths, then put an arm around her shoulders and took her back to where they were sitting.

"Ab bolo... mehndi tum bhi lagwaogi?" He asked gently, like he was talking to a child.

She nodded, still not looking at him.

He shook her knee, "Achha sorry na, ab kabhi Alibaug ki baat nahi karunga... please idhar toh dekho... wapas jaake toh fir se humein alag alag jagah rehna hai... pata nahi kab tumhe fir dekh paunga."

She raised her eyes slowly.

"Kya mehendi bhi laani hogi Sonali ke ghar? Main leke aa sakta hun?" He was suddenly happy.

Naina could not help but smile, "Mehendi saath mein hi hai... bas haldi hi alag thi... aaj mehendi ke liye Mumbai ke sabse famous mehendi walon ko bulaya hai Sonali ke papa ne... ab woh do do jagah toh baith nahi sakte, isliye sab log Sonali  ke yahan hi aayenge. Aur kal subah tilak ke liye bhi Rahul ke yahan se sabko aana hai aur fir shaam ko sangeet ke liye hum log tumhari society mein aayenge. Toh ab saare functions ek saath hain."

He let a long breath out, "Yeh achhi rasmein hain... saath saath."

"Ab chalein? Yeh achhi wali rasm ke liye wahan hona bhi toh chahiye humein." She said with a smile.

He got up, now happily looking forward to the upcoming events.

"Main yeh lehenga wapas rakh ke aata hun... tum chalo... main gate pe milunga." He picked up the bag.

"Uh... Sameer, aisa karo mujhe de do... main le jaati hun," Naina held the bag from one side.

"Tum kyon leke jaogi... pehenna thodi hai... abhi yahi rakh deta hun." He insisted.

"De do na... ek baar pehen ke dekhna tha... dupatte ke saath, " She said slowly.

His hand froze.

"Toh fir... dikhana bhi padega, " his eyes brightened.

"Abhi nahi... tumhe fir kabhi... abhi bas mujhe dekhna hai." She took hold of the bag.

Sameer made a face, thinking how he could manage to see her in this lehenga.

They started back to attend the mehendi ceremony.

Sonali had dressed up in a pastel green lehenga, with a floral dupatta. The pink border on her lehenga gave it a delicate look.

She was getting her hair done up in a braided style when bhabhi entered her room.

"Sonali, Naina kahan hai? Kaafi der se dekha nahi." She looked around.

"Bhabhi, Naina ko kuch kaam tha market ka... abhi aati hogi, " Sonali said without moving her head.

Bhabhi nodded and went out.

"Mummyji, Naina toh market gayi hai... aa jayegi toh usse bata dungi." She told her mother in law.

Sonali's mother wanted Naina to take the responsibility of Sonali's food and other requirements like oil for mehendi and providing the mixture of sugar and lime later to apply once it dried.

"Achha theek hai... bata dena... hum log toh mehmaano mein lage rahenge... aisa na ho ki Sonu ka khana peena sab bhool jayein... Naina badi samajhdar hai... ek baar bata denge toh dhyaan rakhegi." She trusted Naina with her daughter.

Sahil heard the conversation. On one hand, he was worried about Naina going alone to the market, on the other, he was happy to see how affectionate her sister's family was towards her. He decided to make some general conversation with her in the evening.

Naina reached Sonali's house with the bag. Bhabhi met her as she entered.

"Achha hua tu time pe aa gayi... chal ab pehle fresh ho ja fir zara mere kamre mein aana... kuch kaam hai... uske baad taiyar hona."

"Jee bhabhi, bas abhi aayi," Naina rushed to the room she was sharing with Sonali.

She stopped at the door, looking at her friend who was ready. She looked like a princess, dressed in a pastel combination lehenga, styled hair and glowing face. Her braid was resting on one shoulder, leaving her back with a deep cut blouse bare.

"Sonali, bohot sundar lag rahi hai tu." Naina exclaimed.

Sonali was delighted... she beamed at Naina, "Thank you... ab tu bhi jaldi se taiyar ho ja... baaki baatein baad mein karenge."

Her wink made Naina blush again.

After a visit to the washroom, she went  to meet bhabhi.

Her knock on the door was answered by her sweet voice, "Aajao."

Naina went in.

Bhabhi was taking out something from the cupboard. She came to Naina and forwarded a dress.

She looked at the green suit and gave a perplexed look to bhabhi.

"Sonali to taiyar ho gayi... ye kisko dena hai?" She asked.

"Yeh mummyji ne tere liye banwaya hai," Bhabhi smiled.

Naina widened her eyes, "Mere liye kyon?"

Bhabhi gave a look of mock anger, "Kyon nahi? Tune hamesha Sonali ki itni madad ki hai... usse padhaya hai... woh bhi tujhe behen ke jaisa manti hai... to tu bhi hamare ghar ki beti hi hui na... aur teri dadi ne bhi toh Sonali ke liye suit bheja tha na?"

Naina pursed her lips, not knowing what to say.

Bhabhi placed the suit on her hand, keeping her other hand on top of it, "Naap ka hai... ussi tailor se silwaya hai jisse tune blouse silwaya tha... waise teri choice hai badi kamaal... main bhi gayi thi Sonali ke saath jab blouse lene gaye the."

Naina felt the colour returning to her face.

Bhabhi leaned to look into her downcast eyes, "Teri pasand ka tha ya Sameer ki pasand ka?"

"Bhabhi aap kya keh rahin hain?" Naina felt herself go completely red.

Bhabhi cupped her face lovingly, "Bohot pyaari hai tu... aisi hi rehna... aur tera Sameer bhi kam nahi hai... kai ladkiyan nazar rakh rahi hain uspe."

Naina looked up in alarm.

Bhabhi chuckled, "Oho... itna gussa? Mazaak kar rahi hun... tera hi hai woh toh... koi bhi dekhte hi bata sakta hai."

Naina sighed in relief. Bhabhi gave her the instructions regarding Sonali that her mother in law had asked and then sent her to get ready.

The moment she came out, Sahil was coming towards his sister's room. Seeing her, he stopped.

Naina gave a small smile and tried to move past... he did not step aside.

"Naina, aapko market jaana tha toh bata deti... main le jaata... aap akele kyon gayi." He showed his concern.

Naina gave a confused look, then realised that Sonali must have said so.

"Mere kaam ke liye kisi ko pareshan kyon karu? Main jaa sakti hun... mujhe pata hai yahan ke raaste." She replied matter of factly.

"Nahi woh baat nahi hai... aap akele rickshaw se gayi hongi... main car se le jaata." He said in a kind voice.

"Thank you. Lekin uski zaroorat nahi hai." She tried to remain polite.

He moved aside and Naina went to her room, closing the door.

Sonali was ready now. Naina went to the washroom to change. When she came out, both Sonali and the lady who had come to do her make up and hair admired her outfit.

"Tu bhi baal style karwa le aaj... achhe lagenge." Sonali suggested.

After some reluctance Naina agreed.

After a makeup and hair session, she looked at herself and was surprised. She looked very different... and beautiful.

Sonali fished out a pair of long traditional earrings from her jewellery box and made her wear it.

They were now ready to go to for mehendi.