The evening at the beach was as enjoyable as the previous day. They all had a great time before returning to take bath and get ready  for dinner.

Naina washed her hair and went out the back door to put the towel to dry when she saw Sameer walking on the stone path in the garden.

She stepped down to join him.

"Kitna achcha mausam hai na?" She said as she reached him.

He looked sharply at her... then touched her shoulder with a finger, and then grazed the same finger lightly against her cheek.

She pouted her lips, "Kya kar rahe ho?"

Sameer's face broke into a smile, "Asli ho."

Naina knitted her brows, "Matlab? Nakli kab hoti hun?"

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath, "Mujhe toh har jagah tum hi dikhti ho... isliye chu kar dekh raha tha ki sach mein ho ya phir se mera sapna hai."

She smiled and they resumed the walk.

"Waise sapne jaisi hi lag rahi ho... abhi abhi baal dhoye hain?" He leaned back a little to see her wet hair.

"Haan... subah jaldi nikalna hai toh abhi hi dho liye".

"Naina, tumhe thand lag jaayegi... yahan toh hawa bhi hai... bimar ho jaogi... hamein andar jaana chahiye",  he was worried that she might catch a cold.

Naina was enjoying the pleasant breeze, "Nahi Sameer, mujhe kuch nahi hoga... pehli baar thodi shaam ko baal dhoye hain."

"Ek minute, yahin rukna",Sameer ran to his room.

He was back in two minutes, with his jacket, " Tum ye pehen lo."

She looked at his jacket, then at him, and smiled, "Zaroorat nahi hai, Sameer... aur pehen li toh tumhari itni achchi jacket gili ho jaayegi."

He slipped it on her, "Sachchi? Kitni khushkismat hai yeh jacket."

She gave up and adjusted her hair, covering herself with his garment.

It was big for her... but warm and comforting, and as she wrapped her arms around herself, she felt the snugness of his body cover her.

Few minutes later, they went back to their rooms to get ready for dinner.

Nothing was planned after dinner as they had to leave by six in the morning.

As they walked back to the cottages, Naina reminded Sameer, "Saari packing abhi raat ko hi kar lena... subah toh tumse utha nahi jaayega. Kuch reh gaya toh wapas thodi aa payenge."

He stopped in front of her as they reached her cottage, "Sabse zaroori jo hai... woh bohot sambhaal ke saath leke jaunga."

"Kya?" She wondered how some things could be less important that he was not worried about forgetting them here.

Curling his fingers into hers, he raised his brows, "Tum."

She could not take her eyes away from his deep, black ones... which were full of immense love for her.

Sameer slept hugging the jacket.

Though it was quite early, students had started gathering around the main hall just after 5:30 in the morning. Some looked sleepy while some were dozing off sitting on the chairs. Some chirpy ones were happily discussing how much fun they had in two days.

Naina waited for Sameer.

He walked in just before six, the same jacket around his shoulders.

Seeing her dressed in a full sleeves kurta, he touched the lapel of his jacket and raised his brows in question.

Naina smiled and shook her head.

The buses started back after everyone had comfortably settled. Unlike their drive from college to Alibag, all were quietly looking out or catching up on their sleep.

Naina opened the window slightly and cool wind gushed in. She inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh and crisp morning air when something caught her eye.

Tugging at his sleeve, she pointed at the shoreline suddenly visible from their window. He leaned his head over her shoulder, coming  at her level to look where she was pointing. The same moment, she turned her face to speak, unaware that he had leaned in.

And her lips brushed his cheek.

Immediately pushing herself back, Naina clasped her hands over her mouth, her eyes going wide.

Sameer sat stunned for a moment.

His heart hammering, his breath stuck somewhere at the back of his throat, he slowly raised his hand and touched his cheek.

The feel of her lips melted his entire body.

He raised his eyes towards her... sitting with a shocked expression, with her palms over her mouth, she looked like a doll.

His eyes brightened and a smile played on his lips, "Subah jab tumne  good morning bola toh mujhe pata nahi tha meri morning aaj itni good hogi."

Naina turned scarlet.

Not able to look at him, she covered her face with her hands.

Sameer held her wrists and pulled her hands down. He could see the red face but her eyes were hidden beneath the thick lashes.

"Meri taraf dekho, Naina",  he said softly.

She did not react.

" Naina, dekho idhar",  his voice was softer.

She shook her head.

He shifted his face closer and whispered, "Naina... "

Her eyes slowly lifted the veil... her face getting a deeper shade of red as she looked at him.

"Thank you", he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing the tip of her fingers.

They sat lost in each other's eyes... till a bump on the road jerked them out of their world.

Snatching her hands from his grasp, Naina sat back straight, turning her eyes to the scenery outside.

Her heart was thudding at a speed greater than that of the moving vehicle... she could not believe what had happened...

She had gone numb for a few moments. And then, hundreds of different feelings had flooded her.... the briefest of touch of his skin on her lips and her face was burning... all blood had rushed to her face, rather her lips... she could feel them throbbing.

Unknowingly, she touched them with two fingers.

Sameer saw her raising her hand to those lips... and touching them lightly. He ached to do the same.

He leaned toward her, "Naina... "

She lowered her eyes, not able to turn and look at him.

"Naina, tum itni tension kyon le rahi ho? Anjaane mein hi sahi par yeh jo itna pyaara gift tumne mujhe diya hai... yeh toh pyaar karne walon ke beech hota hi hai... please, tum aise pareshaan mat ho."

Naina gulped... what he said brought back Sonali's words, 'gaal pe toh kai baar kiya hai... real wala kiss, French kiss'.

Did it mean that now since a kiss on hand and cheek was done, he would ask for a...

"Nahi... ", she said loudly.

He quickly held her hand, " Kya hua, Naina?"

"Ab tum french kiss mangoge?", she blurted out her thoughts.

Shock was too small a word to describe his state... he was stupefied.

Looking at his open mouth and stunned expression, Naina realised what she had said... and squeezed her eyes shut.

She wished she could run away... but she was sitting so close to him... with her hand in his.

His grip became tighter... as the words sank in. He had never imagined Naina to be aware of a french kiss... what had she been up to?  Where has she been gathering all this information from?

Her tightly shut eyes made it clear that what she had said was what she didn't want to... but did... in her innocence.

His tried to control his racing heart...

Slowly rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand, he spoke in a comforting voice, " Aisa kuch nahi hai... main tumse kuch nahi mangunga... tum daro nahi."

His voice, his words had a strange soothing effect... she could feel her fears dissolving.

Opening her eyes, she looked at him lovingly, "Tum bohot achche ho, Sameer'.

He gave a warm smile, " Par tumse kam."

The journey was over before they expected. Return journeys are somehow shorter... the euphoria of seeing a new place, getting new experience, having a pleasurable time turns into the memories of beautiful moments spent...

A trip represented life greatly... when you start the preparations it's like childhood... feelings of excitement and happiness... as the journey begins, you enter the youth stage, ready to explore the unknown... being there actually is like enjoying a blissful life... and return journey is like old age, making you rich in experience and reminiscing about those days.

They returned to the college after living an entire life in a span of two days.

The students were given off for first lecture but had to return for later classes.

Naina freshened up and unpacked her bag, putting away the clothes for washing later in the afternoon.
She checked the time to realise that she still had half an hour before the next class.

She went to the balcony... getting the same feeling of calm spread over her that she felt whenever she stood here. Looking out at the deserted expanse of the ground, her gaze reached the tree... their tree.

It was a witness to their journey... from the time they had seen each other from this long distance, not even aware of the identity of the other person, not knowing that the one before their eyes was the one their soul was seeking...  then, the accidental discovery that slowly transformed into occasional talks, which soon turned into waiting for each other... and then changed into being there together... in love.

The tree had seen them coming closer... body and soul. It had become like a family member... rather a family elder... blessing them and keeping them protected.

Letting out a deep breath, she checked her watch and realised that it was time to go.

Picking up her bag, she locked the door and rushed down the stairs...  finding him waiting for her.

They walked to the class together.

After the lectures, Sameer wanted to go the canteen but Naina wanted to study in the library.

"Please Naina, bohot bhook lagi hai... itni subah breakfast kiya tha... chalo na kuch khate hain,  phir padh lenge." He pleaded.

Knowing his appetite, she agreed.

They ordered pao bhaji and sandwich with cola. But Sameer was not satisfied... he got up to get one samosa.

"Ek samosa? Mere liye nahi liya?" She was full but wanted to tease him.

He offered it to her.

"Nahi, main toh mazak kar rahi thi...   tum kha lo nahi toh tumhara pet nahi bharega."

He urged her to take a bite... she did.

"Ab bhar jaayega... tumhara jhootha kha ke", he winked, biting into the samosa.

She wondered how he could fill love in every situation, every moment.

They went to the library later and Naina did not let him get up till lunch time. They went back to their hostel rooms after lunch.

As the dusk started to make its appearance, Sameer walked to the meeting place. Naina already there.

"Arre, aaj tum jaldi aa gayi?" He was pleasantly surprised.

"Miss kar rahi thi", she smiled at him.

It was unlike Sameer Maheshwari to waste any time when given such hints.

He quickly sat close to her, turning his head to the side to touch his forehead with hers, " Sachi... mujhe itna miss kar rahi thi?"

"Tumhe nahi... iss jagah ko", she said with a mischievous smile, looking into his eyes.

He threw his head back dramatically, " Uff, Naina Agarwal ki zindagi mein tumhari jagah iss pedh se bhi kam hai Sameer Maheshwari."

She laughed hard at his antics.

He looked at her, lost in her laugh...
till she turned her gaze back to him.

He cupped her face, "Hamesha aise hi hansti rehna."

She nodded, blinking at him as he rubbed his thumb on the soft cheek.

Bringing his face closer to her ear, he whispered, "Aur kabhi kabhi subah jaisi galti bhi kar dena... lekin iss baar zara kas ke."

It took her a moment to realise what he was saying.

Then... she wanted to hide, but her face was trapped between his palm and his face...

Sameer slowly moved back, to see her expression... she was all red.