"Kyaaa?" Naina screamed, getting up from the bed where the two of them were sitting.

Swati pulled at her arm, trying to cover her mouth with the other hand, "Pagal hai kya? Itni zor se kyon chilla rahi hai? Abhi teri taiji aa jayengi o bai karti hui."

She sat back with a thud, "Teri sagai ho rahi hai aur tu mujhe ab bata rahi hai? Jab yeh sab chal raha tha tab khyaal nahi aaya ki ek bachpan ki dost hai teri jise tu ab tak har baat sabse pehle batati thi... aaj itni badi baat mujhe saari duniya ke baad pata chal rahi hai."

Swati could understand her anger. They had been best friends since the first day of school, sharing everything with each other. Swati was the first one to know about Sameer, when Naina had incurably fallen for him in the first glance. Swati had been there to console her when Sameer's indifference shattered her. When Naina was torn between choosing to live with her family and friends or run away from more heartache by accepting the scholarship from Mumbai University, Swati had helped her reach a decision... of leaving Ahmedabad... as she was aware how much pain Naina had suffered in accepting the fact that she was nobody for Sameer... not even a classmate. The decision of separating from her best friend had been excruciating for her... but it was needed for Naina. What happened in Mumbai was a different story altogether. Maybe, it was her friend's destiny. When she had given up all hope, luck smiled... and she found the love of her life.

Coming back to present, Swati saw Naina still sulking.

Wrapping her arms around her friend's neck, she tried to pacify her, "Tujhe surprise dena tha na... pehle kaise batati?"

Naina was not ready to forgive her, "Surprise? Itna kuch hua... ghar pe itna jhagda hua... Munna ne apne papa ke thappad khaye... aur tu intezaar karti rahi ki mujhe surprise degi?"

"Naina, kaise baat karti tujhse? Meri mummy bhi pehle thodi gussa hui thi... hum gujarati hain aur Munna marwadi... par baad mein maan gayi... lekin jab tak Munna ke ghar wale nahi mane tab tak mera ghar se nikalna band tha... mummy ne kaha ab main Munna se tabhi mil sakti hun jab uska parivaar bhi haan kehde... kaise aati tujhe STD karne?" She explained the situation.

Naina pursed her lips at Swati for a moment, then hugged her tight, "Main bohot khush hun tere liye... tera pyaar shaadi mein badalne jaa raha hai... woh bhi ghar walon ke ashirwad ke saath."

Swati told her all about how Munna had struggled to make his family agree to this alliance. Naina was proud of Munna. Somehow, she had never seen him as someone who could be so strong... he always appeared to be a happy go lucky person. In fact, when she came to know about him proposing to Swati, she was not sure if her friend should get serious about him. There was no doubt about him being a great person... but whether he was dependable enough... Naina hoped for the best for Swati.

But Munna had proved her fears baseless. He stood firmly for his love in front of his family.

And now her best friend was ready to take the first step towards a life long commitment with the person she loved.

Naina was ecstatic. She started making plans with her for the ceremony.

Preeti joined them shortly. She had gone for the makeup and hair styling classes she had enrolled for, during the college vacations.

The girls animatedly discussed the outfits and styles for the engagement.

Naina was especially excited about Sameer being a part of the ceremony.

When Sameer called in the night, she eagerly told him about Munna and Swati getting engaged.

"Mujhe pata hai, Naina... Munna ne bataya tha".

"Pata tha? Fir tumne mujhe kyon nahi bataya?" She was surprised.

"Woh Munna ne mana kiya tha... Swati tumhe khud batana chahti thi", Sameer had promised Munna.

She could understand that.

"Main un dono ke liye bohot khush hun... sachchi Sameer, jab school mein Munna har samay Swati ke peeche peeche ghumta tha... tab socha bhi nahi tha ki ek din yeh dono yahan tak pohoch jayenge",  she shared her excitement with Sameer.

He was happy too, "Haan Naina... aise hi ek din hamari bhi sagai hogi."

"Haan... ek din", the dream was beautiful.

"Umm... Naina, yeh sagai ke kitne din baad shaadi hoti hai?"

She laughed, "Arre, aisa kuch tay thodi hota hai... do din baad bhi kar sakte hain, do mahine baad bhi... ya ek saal baad."

He trembled, "Ek saal... Naina, aisa hai toh hum bhi abhi sagai kar lete hain... jisse college khatam hote hi shaadi kar sakein... main aur intezaar nahi karunga."

She smiled at his impatience, "Kabhi kabhi sagai ke do teen  saal baad shadi ka muhurat nikalta hai."

He could not see the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Naina, main tumhe uthakar le jaunga... agar kisi ne mujhe college ke baad ek din bhi rukne ko kaha toh tumhe seedhe mandir mein le jaa kar shaadi kar lunga... ab chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye... agle saal tum Mrs Maheshwari banke yahan hogi, mere paas... hamesha ke liye", his tone was firm.

Naina could not speak for a few moments. The resolve, the tenacity in his voice made her shiver...

"Iski zaroorat shayad nahi padegi, Sameer... ab toh Swati ke mummy papa bhi marwadi damaad ke liye maan gaye hain toh shayad chachaji bhi maan jayein",  her voice was low.

He was in control now, " Tum pareshan mat ho... humne plan banaya hai... matlab maine aur Munna Pandit ne... abhi sagai ke time main tumhare ghar walon ka dil jeetne ki poori koshish karunga."

She was impressed by his foresight, but was scared, "Dhyaan rakhna... kahin zyaada koshish ke chakkar mein kuch gadbad mat kar dena."

He was confident, "Tum dekhna jaan, tumhare chachaji khud tumhe kahenge ki ladka bohot achcha hai."

"Main bhi keh dungi, pata nahi, mujhe toh nahi laga", she pulled his leg again.

This time, Sameer didn't fall for it.

His voice was low and heavy, "Achcha, tumhe pasand nahi aaya?" He kissed into the phone, "Ab aaya ya aur kuch karun... ruko... tumhare ghar aata hun abhi... fir tumhare baalon ko... tumhare maathe ko... tumhari aankhon ko... tumhari naak ko... tumhare galon ko... tumhare hothon... "

"P... pas... pasand hai",  Naina fumbled, turning crimson.

He whispered, "Itni jaldi? Abhi toh bohot kuch baaki tha."

She was breathing heavily at the thought of what he had said.

"Naina... kab milogi?"

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Kal... subah mandir mein... Swati bhi aayegi."

"Mujhe akele milna hai tumse",  his voice had a slight tremor.

She paused for a few moments before answering, " Mandir ke piche jo chota talaab hai, neeche utar ke... jahan pichli baar mile the... wahin aa jana... 6 baje."

Next morning, Naina left her house early, not wanting to run into taiji again. Swati was to meet her at the temple at 6, so was Sameer. But when she reached there, Sameer was already waiting... along with Munna.

"Kaisi ho, bhabhi",  Munna gave a warm smile as she approached them.

Naina was happy to see him, " Main theek hun... aur bohot khush hun tumhare aur Swati ke liye... mujhe tumpe garv hai ki tum apne pyaar ke liye ladte rahe jab tak sab maan nahi gaye."

Munna rubbed his neck with a sheepish smile, "Swati toh jaan hai meri... uske liye main ghar walon se kya bhagwaan se bhi lad sakta hun... lekin aaj toh bhagwaan ko dhanyavad kehne aaya hun... hum dono saath mein prarthana karenge ki hamara pyaar aur saath hamesha bana rahe."

Naina looked at him with a new respect, "Main bhi aap dono ke liye prarthana karungi, jijaji."

Munna blushed.

"Milti hun dus minute baad",  she looked at Sameer and climbed up the steps.

Swati joined her as she reached the main courtyard. They prayed for a while, then Naina walked away as Munna approached them.

Later, Munna and Swati sat on a bench placed outside... they were getting engaged in a week's time so they did not fear anyone seeing them.

Naina reached behind the temple and climbed down to find Sameer sitting on a rock... lost.

She went close to him and ruffled his hair.

Sameer looked up at her and immediately stood up. Removing her band from the pony, he let the soft waves fall.

He slipped his hand in her hair, over the left ear, and rested his palm behind her head, pressing it a little to make the head bend backwards and her face push up towards him.

"Naina, aaj tumse waada karta hun... chahe tumhare gharwalon ko manana pade ya bhagwan ko... main tumhe apna banakar rahunga... humare pyaar ke aage sabko jhukna padega", his eyes had a determined look.

Naina looked into the dark pools, reflecting her face, "Hamein kisi ko jhukana nahi hai, Sameer... bas apne saath milana hai... apne pyaar ki sacchai ka bharosa dilana hai."

His expression turned soft, "Tum mere saath ho... meri himmat banke... aur mujhe kuch nahi chahiye."

"Main toh saat janam tak tumhare saath hun... ek din yeh panditji hi hamein aise bandhan mein bandhenge",  her eyes were full of love... and promise.

Sameer looked at her for a few moments, then wrapped his other hand around her waist, drawing her head to his chest.

Naina enclosed her hands around him, taking a deep satiated breath.

They sat for sometime, weaving the dreams of their future.

As she got up to leave, Sameer held her wrist, getting up along with her.

"Ab kab milogi?"

Naina gave a big smile, "Roz."

His face beamed in joy, "Sach? Kahan?"

"Ek hafte baad Swati aur Munna ki sagai hai toh main aur Preeti roz hi Swati ke ghar jaayenge... taiyaariyon mein madad karne... hum ya to raaste mein mil sakte hain ya jab bhi market jaana ho toh wahan mil sakte hain," she explained.

He immediately brought her hand to his mouth and kissed on the back of it.

Next morning, the sisters' room looked like a dumping yard, almost all clothes from the cupboard were thrown out and lay piled up on the bed.

Naina and Preeti sat with disappointed faces in the middle of all the mess.

Bela entered the room when the girls did not answer her repeated calls.

She was shocked at the scene that met her eyes, "Hey bhagwan, yeh kya haal bana rakha hai kamre ka? Aisa lag raha hai yaha koi tufaan aake gaya hai... kya hua tum dono ko?"

"Mummy, dekho na... humare paas ek bhi achcha dress nahi hai... kya pehnenge Swati ki sagai mein?" Preeti whined.

Her mother rounded her eyes and waved her hand at the bundle in front of them, "Itne saare kapdon mein se ek bhi dress achcha nahi hai?"

"Haan, mummy... kuch nahi hai... hum dono ko special dress chahiye",  Preeti said with a gloomy face.

Bela narrowed her eyes, " Kyon? Sagai toh Swati ki hai na... fir tumhe itne khaas kapde kyon chahiye?"

Preeti got up and swirled dreamily, "Kya pata mujhe bhi mera Shahrukh mil jaaye wahan... jijaji ke dost bhi toh aayenge na... "

"Haan, haan... daamad ji ke saare dost toh bas tere aur Naina ke naam ki mala hi jap rahe honge", Bela raised her brows in exasperation.

Preeti winked at Naina and muttered, " Naina ke naam ki toh jap hi raha hai koi".

Bela gave a suspicious look, "Kya kaha... Naina ka kya?"

"Arre mummy, main keh rahi hun Naina ko nahi chahiye Shahrukh par mujhe toh mauka do na... please, nayi dress banwa do na",  Preeti pleaded, also diverting her attention.

Bela smiled at Naina, "Beta, tujhe nahi banwane naye kapde?  Aise chup chap kyon baithi hai?"

"Chachiji, main toh Preeti ko bhi keh rahi thi ki isme se hi kuch dundh lete hain... Pooja didi ki shaadi mein banwaye the jo dresses woh bhi toh hain... woh pehen lenge",  Naina said.

Bela looked at her daughter with fake annoyance, "Dekh zara Naina ko... bilkul zid nahi karti... aur tu jab dekho aasman sar pe utha leti hai."

Preeti made a face at Naina and then gave a sad look to her mother, "Theek hai... jab aapko hi chinta nahi apni beti ki toh main bhi itne saal purane Pooja didi ki shaadi wale kapde pehen lungi... koi ladka toh milne se raha... ab toh aapko hi mere liye dhundna padega."

Bela pinched her nose, "Tere aur Naina ke liye ek se ek ladke dhund ke layenge tere papa... dekh lena."

"Bas mere liye hi dhoond do... Naina ko koi zaroorat nahi hai", Preeti blurted.

Both her mother and sister looked at her with wide eyes.

Bela pulled her ear, "Naina ko kyon zaroorat nahi hai?"

Preeti tried to get out of her grip, "Woh... matlab... yeh toh har samay apni kitabon mein khoyi rehti hai na... toh yeh kahan in sab chakkaron mein padegi".

Bela lovingly stroked Naina's head, "Meri bacchi har cheez mein aage rahi hai... rishta bhi iska bohot achcha aayega, mujhe yakeen hai".

Then she looked at Preeti with a wide grin, "Tere papa ne subah paise diye hain... tumhare liye naye dress banwane ko... jaldi se naha ke taiyar ho jao fir market chalenge."

Preeti happily hugged her mother. Naina too jumped from the bed to join in.