After dinner, Sameer waited for Naina in the ground.

He had often come here in the night in his initial days... to cry and hide his tears from everyone.

But now he had no place for tears...  his eyes were full of dreams... of Naina... of their future... of their love.

A sound made him turn. Naina stood there.

She sat down leaving a little distance between them, like always.

"Ab batao", she directly came to the point.

Sameer gave a perplexed look, " Main kya bataun? Tumne bulaya hai... tum bolo".

Naina kept her gaze on him, "Wahan se kyon nikle, woh bhi itne gusse mein? "

Then he realised why she had called him here.

"Jaane do... kuch nahi... bas thak gaya tha",  he lowered his eyes.

She did not believe him even for a second,  " Jhooth nahi bol sakte tum... saaf dikh raha hai chehre par... batao na kya hua tha? "

His anger was back, remembering the two boys, "Woh... wahan... do ladke the... jo... umm... jo tumhare liye... kuch ulta seedha bol rahe the."

"Toh", she remained unaffected, to his surprise.

" Toh, Naina, main sun nahi saka... main toh chahta tha jaake unka sar phod dun... par mujhe pata tha tumhe mera sadak pe aise ladai karna achcha nahi lagega",  he tried to make her understand.

Naina held his hand in between her palms, "Sameer, mujhe khushi hai ki tumne aisa soch ke sadak pe maar pitaai nahi ki... aur doosri baat, koi hamare baare mein agar door khade hokar bura bol raha hai toh hamein fark nahi padna chahiye... woh hamein nahi khud ko nuksaan phoncha rahe hain, aisi soch rakhke."

Sameer looked at her, anger clearly overshadowing everything else, "Nahi Naina... tum chahe jo bhi  kaho... main tumhare baare mein kuch nahi sun sakta... aisi ghatiya baatein toh bilkul nahi."

"Toh mat suno na, aise hi mujhe chupa lena jab koi kuch kahega toh",  her voice was softer.

Sameer looked at her face, but she had lowered her head.

He put a finger under her chin and raised her face...

" Chupa lunga, Naina, hamesha ke liye, apni baahon mein... phir hamein koi alag nahi kar paayega",  the images that had been haunting him since afternoon, were more vivid now.

She did not lift up her eyes.

"Tumhe pata hai tum dulhan banke kitni sundar lagogi",  he wanted her to see those images as well.

Naina felt the colour rise up on her face.

" Main toh dopaher se yehi soch raha hun ki dulhan banke jab tum mere ghar aaogi toh main khushi se pagal ho jaunga... har samay tum mere samne rahogi, tumse milne ke liye intezaar nahi karna padega," his voice started getting heavier, "tumhe gale lagane ke liye sochna nahi padega, tumhe kiss karne ke liye poochna nahi padega, tumhe choone ke liye darna nahi padega... "

She still did not look up.

Sameer saw her beautiful face... moonlight making it look ethereal, her long lashes covering her eyes, her glowing cheeks, her slightly parted lips, her long satiny neck... everything about her was making him crazy.

"Idhar dekho, Naina", his hoarse voice commanded.

Naina's eyes remained veiled.

Sameer wanted to see his face reflected in her eyes.

" Naina, idhar dekho, nahi toh main shayad hosh mein na rahun", his voice trembled.

Naina slowly moved her lashes, but could not bring her gaze up to his face... it got stuck at his neck.

She watched in fascination as a vein pattered wildly at the base of his neck, her own breathing breaking all past records.

Sameer waited another moment... groaned and burried his face in her hair.

Naina shivered.

He picked up both her hands and held them against his chest, next to the heart.

She could feel the storm that was raging in him... her own insides thundering.

His breath was fanning her neck.

"Naina, tumne kya kar diya hai mujhe?" His muffled voice reached her.

She slowly tilted her face and rested her cheek on his, feeling the prick of his day long stubble.

The sensation was maddening for him.

"Hamein chalna chahiye, Naina", Sameer used his iron willpower to move...

He wanted to stay... so badly... but he knew Naina could not handle any more proximity.

With extreme difficulty, he dragged himself up... and was about to turn when Naina held his hand.

He looked back with a jerk, first at her hand on his wrist, then at her still half seated form...

Her gaze was burning.

She stood up, putting some pressure on his hand as she balanced herself.

Sameer slipped his other hand in pocket... to stop himself from touching her face.

Looking into his eyes, she stepped closer and he shut his eyes.

He could not handle this Naina.

She left his hand and he wondered whether to open his eyes or turn away like this itself.

And he felt her hands surround him... his hand fell out of the pocket, itching to hold her.

She wrapped him completely, tightening her hold... more and more, "Tumne kaha tha roz gale lagane ko", she whispered.

Sameer fisted his hands, knowing that if he touched her now, he might not let go when he should.

Naina's one hand moved to his forearm, bringing it around her.

And he could control himself no more.

He crushed her with his strong hold,  head burying in her neck, kissing her shoulder.

Naina could feel his burning lips through the thin material of her dress... and her blood heated up.

Her legs turned into jelly and she clasped him tighter to stop herself from sliding down to the ground.

Sameer could feel her body going weak... and he held her closer, his one arm around her back and other palm resting on the back of her head.

He nuzzled his nose close to her neck and heard a low sound coming from the back of her throat.

His hands slowly moved and came to hold her face...

" Suno Naina, ab tumhe jaana hoga... please Naina", he could not say anything more.

She stared into his eyes and started stepping away from him. Then she took a long breath and turning back, ran away to her room.

Sameer ran his fingers through his hair in frustration... and walked back.

After breakfast next morning, he waited for her... till the bell rang for first lecture. Thinking that she might have gone early, he reached the class, only to find the first bench vacant.

Naina didn't come for the entire lecture... or for the next one... or for the next two.

Sameer was worried like hell. He asked Sonali if she was aware why Naina is missing classes.

Sonali replied, "Main toh khud tumse poochne wali thi ki Naina ko kya hua... woh toh class se chutti nahi karti... "

He ran to the library. Maybe she had decided to study there.  But their table was lying quiet in the corner.

With no option left, he went back to his hostel, knowing for sure that Naina would come to their spot in the evening.

"Kya hua hoga? Bimar toh nahi ho gayi?  First year mein bhi do teen baar usse sar dard tha toh class mein nahi aayi... kya aaj bhi sar dard hai?" He kept wondering.

Suddenly he was scared, "Kal raat ke liye gussa toh nahi ho gayi?"

He smacked his head, "Itna aage badhne ki kya zaroorat thi mujhe... Naina ko bura laga hoga... par usne toh khud mujhe wapas roka jab main jaane laga... "

He was losing his mind. Realising that he could not wait in the room, he went to the ground.

The door to Naina's room was slightly ajar. Hoping that she might step out, he kept looking in that direction, hiding himself from the view.

But she didn't come to the balcony.

She didn't come to their spot either.

Sameer wanted nothing more at the moment than to see her... and know that she was fine.

He thought of running to her hostel wing and directly going to her room...  but that would create problems for her... and him. He was not worried about himself but if Naina ran into some problem, he'll not be able to forgive himself.

When Rahul asked him to come for dinner, he refused, saying he was unwell.

Desperately waiting for everyone to go to bed, he paced his room.

As the lights were switched off one by one, Sameer stepped out.

He walked softly towards Naina's balcony. Standing under it, he wondered what would happen if someone is there with her in the room... someone might be visiting her.

But the thought couldn't keep him away... though, he decided to be discreet, till he made sure that she was alone.

Sowly climbing up the pipe, he stepped into her balcony very softly.
Walking up to the door, he tried to hear if anyone was inside... but the room was silent... the light spilling out from a small crack in the door. He craned his neck to peep inside.

Naina sat on the bed, hugging her knees, her head resting on them.

He wasn't sure she was sleeping or resting.

There was no one else.

He silently walked inside. Kneeling next to the bed, he called out in a low voice, "Naina".

She jerked her head up.

Sameer was shocked to see her state. Her eyes were red and puffy... she had been crying.

He was sure now that Naina was upset about what happened between them.

His heart sank.

It took a while for Naina to register that he was actually in her room.

Then, her eyes widened, " Sameer, tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?  Kaise aaye? Pipe se na... gir jaate toh? "

Sameer bent his head, "Naina, I'm so sorry... please mujhe maaf kardo... main aage se aisa nahi karunga... please Naina. "

She softened, "Haan, aage se mat karna... gir gaye toh haddiyan toot jayengi. "

Sameer gave her a confused look, "Gir gaya toh?  Kahan se gir gaya? "

"Pipe se... nahi aana chahiye tha na aise. " She said.

He realised they both were talking about different things.

But if she was not angry about last night, then...

His heart sank... again.

"Naina, tum theek ho?" He was tensed now.

Her voice trembled, "Theek hun, Sameer... tum jao..."

"Nahi... theek nahi ho... kuch baat hai... kya hua hai? Mujhe batao na", he pleaded.

She shook her head, closing her eyes.

" Please, Naina... tumhe kisi baat pe gussa hai? Ya phir ghar pe koi problem hai? Ya kisi ne tumse kuch kaha hai? Jo bhi hai, bolo na", he desperately wanted to know the reason for her present condition.

Frown lines appeared on her face... she snapped, "Keh toh rahi hun sab theek hai... kyon pareshaan kar rahe ho... jao tum yahan se."

Sameer was stunned. He had never heard her speak like this... something was gravely wrong... and he would not leave her alone to deal with it.

Getting up from his kneeling position, he pulled the chair and sat next to the bed.

Naina looked at him and her eyes pooled up.

Sameer immediately took her hand in his... his heart beating wildly, thinking about the possible reasons for her state.

Suddenly, Naina flinched... and her face twisted... with pain.

He got up, alarmed, "Tumhaari tabiyat theek hai?" He placed a hand on her forehead.

The temperature was normal.

"Sameer, kaha na mujhe kuch nahi hua... jao tum? " Her voice reflected her pain.

"Kuch nahi hua toh classes ke liye kyon nahi aayi? Aur shaam ko bhi nahi aayi?" He softly reminded.

"Kal aa jaungi",  she stated.

No excuse... no explanation.

He had to know, " Jab tak tum nahi bataogi, main yahin rahunga... chahe subah ho jaaye."

She gave a helpless look, closed her eyes again and bit her lower lip.

"Tum nahi samjhoge. "

He drew the chair closer, "Tum bolo na, main samjhunga... tum ek baar samjhao toh sahi. "

"Sameer... ", she flinched again.

He could not see her like this anymore.

" Tumhe meri kasam hai, Naina... abhi batao kya hua hai."

Her eyes shot open, "Kasam kyon di? "

"Tum maan jo nahi rahi... Naina, hum dono poori zindagi saath rehne wale hain... apni baatein hamein ek dusre se chupani nahi chahiye... sukh, dukh, jo bhi ho, baantna chahiye", he tried to reason with her.

" Yeh... yeh... kaise batau... yeh ladkiyon wali baat hai", she was getting uneasy.

"Ab tum ladki ho toh ladkiyon wali baat hi hogi na... par woh baat kya hai yehi janna hai mujhe",  he was very gentle.

" Umm... woh...", she squeezed her eyes tight, "woh ladkiyon ki monthly wali problem".

" Monthly wali... aisi kya problem hai jo har mahine... ".

Suddenly the clouds of confusion cleared.

She was on her periods.

" Naina, pehle kyon nahi bola periods ka time hai", his voice had turned smoother.

She stared at him with open mouth, "Tumhe pata hai? Kaise? "

There was no woman in his house... and even if there was, this topic was never brought up in front of men... never... not in her house, at least. Then, how did he know.

He explained, "Main hamesha se hostel mein raha hun... wahan sab tarah ki baatein hoti hain... ladkiyon ke baare mein toh khas kar... umm... uss umar mein ladkon ko bohot kuch janna hota hai... main... main zyaada kisi ke saath rehta nahi tha par baatein toh room mein bhi karte the woh log... tabhi sab maloom chal gaya."

He was a little embarrassed about his company in hostel... but that age was such that having the understanding of right or wrong could not be expected from a boy who had no one to teach him about righteousness.

Shaking off the thoughts of those days, he looked back at her, " Toh tumhe kuch takleef ho rahi hai... matlab... yeh toh har mahine hota hai na?"

Naina clutched her knees tighter, "Haan, par kabhi kabhi jyaada mushkil hoti hai. "

"Kaisi mushkil", he refused to let go.

" Bohot dard hota hai... pet mein, pairon mein, kamar mein, sab jagah... hilne mein bhi mushkil hoti hai ", she cleared the reason for her state.

" Pehle toh aisa kabhi nahi hua... matlab ek saal mein maine aise nahi dekha tumhe".

She looked at him and lowered her eyes, "Main Sonali ko keh deti thi tumhe bolne ko ki mujhe Principal ma'am ne bulaya hai... aur kabhi tumhe sad dard hai bolke aa jaati thi room mein."

He recalled a few times in the previous year when she had missed classes and a couple of times when she had cited same reason for not coming to the ground.

Moving his attention back to her, he pressed her hand, "Tum subah se yahin baithi ho? "

She nodded, biting her lip again to control the wave of pain that spread through her entire lower body.

Sameer could not see her like this.

He sat on the bed, next to her and put a comforting hand around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.

Naina did not protest... she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Tumne pehle kabhi bataya kyon nahi?"

Her voice was so low that he would not have heard if his ear was not so close to her face, "Aisi baatein kisi se karte thodi hai... ladkon se toh bilkul nahi. "

"Kyon... yeh toh ek normal cheez hai... sabhi ko hota hai... toh baat karne mein kya hai?" He could not understand the reason for keeping it a secret.

"Nahi... aise mein ghar mein bhi sabse alag rehte the hum... kitchen mein nahi jaa sakte... pooja bhi nahi karte", she cleared his doubt.

He moved his face a little to look at her, " Tum yeh sab manti ho? "

She pursed her lips, "Main toh nahi manna chahti par ghar pe karna padta hai... koi aur thodi meri baat sunega."

He felt her body stiffen again... as a  spasm of pain passed through.

"Jab hamara ghar hoga na... toh aisa kuch mat manna... jo tumko achcha lagega wohi karenge", he rubbed his hand lightly on her shoulder, looking ahead.

A few tears escaped her eyes and he felt the wetness on his shirt.

Placing his hand on her cheek, he spoke softly, " Naina, kya main aisa kuch kar sakta hun jisse tumhari takleef kam ho? Please mujhe khul ke batao."

His concern was already making her feel better, "Ghar pe chachiji garam paani ka bag deti thi... usse bohot aaram milta tha... aur... aur... "

Seeing her hesitation, he prodded, "Aur kya?"

"Aur chocolate khane se bhi theek lagta hai... dard mein nahi... par mood theek rehta hai... nahi toh har samay gussa aur chidchidahat rehti hai."

"Ab se hamesha chocolate milegi tumhe... kam se kam. mujhe dantogi toh nahi." He tried to lighten her mood.

"Haww, maine kab daanta tumhe? "

"Abhi thodi der pehle... par koi baat nahi... tum mere saath kuch bhi kar sakti ho... daanton, maro, gussa karo, zid karo... pyaar karo", he rubbed his thumb on her cheek.

" Tum na, sudharna mat", in spite of the pain, she blushed.

" Kabhi nahi".