Sameer was almost shivering in anticipation. Naina had become his addiction. Three days away from her had been hell for him. He had been talking to her everyday, more than once... but only her voice was not enough. He wanted to see her... ached to hold her. When Munna informed him about the plan for Swati's house, he felt a huge weight lift off his mind. Finally, he was going to see her... he had to tell her how much he had missed her.

Naina and Preeti reached Swati's house after breakfast. Her parents were ready to leave.

"Beta, tum dono aaj ruk rahi ho na raat ko yahan?" Her mother asked them.

"Jee aunty, hum kal aapke aane tak yahin rahenge", Preeti replied.

Swati's mother smiled at them, "Chalo achha hai... ab mujhe chinta nahi hogi ki Swati akeli hai."

Once they left, Swati hugged both her friends.

"Yaar, aaj toh bada maza aayega... poore din masti karenge", she was delighted.

"Aaj toh subah se hi maza aa raha hai... pata nahi kiski shakal dekh ke uthi thi main... shayad shishe mein khud ko dekha hoga", Preeti pulled up her imaginary collars.

"Swati, Sameer kab tak aayega?" Naina could think of nothing else.

Preeti and Swati looked at each other and smiled.

"Aa jayega bas thodi der mein... uska haal toh tujhse bhi zyaada bura hai... kisi ke rokne se bhi nahi rukega", Swati teased her friend.

Naina picked up the overnight bag she was carrying, "Main ye tere kamre mein rakh ke aati hun. "

Preeti looked at her sister vanishing in the room at the end of the corridor.

She turned to Swati, "Mujhe ek baat bata, Swati... Munna jijaji bhi tere boyfriend the itne time tak... kya woh bhi aise pagal ho jaate the agar tu nahi mil paati thi ek do din?"

Swati smiled at her friend's innocence, "Sameer mein aur Munna mein fark hai... Sameer ko zindagi mein pehli baar kisi ne itna pyaar diya hai... nanaji usse apne bachhe ki haisiyat se pyaar karte the jo uski maa ne kabhi nahi kiya aur Munna Pandit uske bhaiyon jaise hain... lekin Naina ne uske dil mein utar kar usse apnaaya hai... uski har kami ko, uske har dard ko jaise apne haath se mita diya hai... jitna dard Naina ke dil mein hum dekhte the na school ke dino mein, utna hi dard Sameer ke man mein bhi tha... aur ab yeh dono ek dusre ke dard ki dawa ban gaye hain... Sameer ki tadap zyaada dikhti hai kyonki woh Munna Pandit ke saath rehta hai aur usse chupane ki zaroorat nahi hai... lekin Naina ghar mein sabke saath rehti hai... woh khul ke nahi dikha sakti ki uski kya haalat hai..."

Preeti pondered over what Swati said, then remembered something, "Sahi keh rahi hai tu... raat ko kitni der tak baithi rehti hai ghutno pe sar rakh ke... do din se toh dhang se kuch khaya bhi nahi hai... bathroom mein ro rahi thi kal subah... uski laal ankhen dekhi thi maine par kuch kaha nahi... ghar mein mummy papa ke samne normal rehne ka dikhawa karti hai par kamre mein jaate hi jaise jaan nahi ho usme aisi ho jaati hai."

They saw Naina coming out of the room and ended their discussion. She straight away went to the window and looked out at the empty street hopefully.

"Chal khane ki taiyari kar lete hain un logon ke aane tak", Swati tried to divert her mind.

They went to the kitchen... Swati had planned a menu of pao bhaji and pulao. Together, they finished all the work in half an hour.

"Aise karte hain, pakode bhi bana lete hain... Pandit ko toh har ghante kuch chahiye hoga", Naina suggested.

Swati was tired, "Chod na, Naina... maine Munna ko bola tha... woh laayega cold drink, chips aur kuch samaan... itni garmi mein kyon paseena baha rahi hai... abhi tera hero aayega toh kya kahega?" She winked at Naina.

"Tum log bahar baitho... main bas paanch minute mein bana lungi", pushing them out of the kitchen, she tried to hide her colouring cheeks.

Swati and Preeti were checking the movie collection when they heard the sound of car in front of the house. Before the boys could ring the bell, Swati opened the door.

The boys were laden with bags of food and drinks. They stepped in and deposited everything on the table.

"Kasam se, Swati, ye saare khane peene ke thaile uthake bilkul pati jaisa lag raha tha... shaadi ke baad bhi mujhse aise hi saara samaan mangwayegi kya?" Munna came close to Swati, teasing her.

"Tumse nahi to kisse mangwaungi", Swati blushed.

Munna pulled her cheeks, " Aiye hayee, aise bolegi toh saara market le aaunga".

Sameer looked around... searching for Naina.

"Preeti, Naina kahan hain?" His voice was impatient.

Preeti thought of teasing him but then remembered her conversation with Swati a few minutes back and pointed to the kitchen.

Sameer looked in that direction and then at Preeti. She smiled and dipped her head sideways.

He dashed to the kitchen.

Naina stood mixing the batter for pakodas, her back to the door. Since the door bell did not ring, she was not aware of their arrival.

Sameer stood in the doorway for two seconds, absorbing her sight... white top paired with yellow skirt and hair tied in a pony... she could take his breath away in any outfit. Not able to bear the distance anymore, he walked towards her... ready to close his arms around her from behind.

Naina suddenly felt his presence, her heart lurched as his smell filled up the air around her.

Sameer reached her the same moment as she turned.

Her fingers, covered with the batter, landed on his shoulder as he engulfed her in a tight hug.

The butterflies of her stomach turned huge, fluttering within her whole body... the relief and the warmth of finally being with him made her knees go weak.

Sameer could not get enough of her... he kept pulling her closer, burying his face in her hair, inhaling the smell of her shampoo, one hand clutching her waist and one hand under her pony... on her neck.

Naina, forgetting about the batter, let her hand travel to his back, resting between his shoulders, while her other hand stroked the hair at his nape. Standing on the toes, she buried her nose in his shoulder, inhaling deeply.

Neither said anything...

After a few minutes, Sameer pulled back, his eyes longing to see her face.

Hers were closed. He leaned and kissed her eyes.

"Ankhen kholo", his voice was barely audible.

She slowly opened her eyes, raising them to look at him... and her heart came to her mouth.

He looked incredibly handsome... his hair slightly disheveled, the dark shadow on his jaw more pronounced than she had ever seen, his eyes depicting his sadness.

He brought his one hand to cup her face... and gazed into her eyes... breathing heavily.

"Teen din, Naina... kyon?" His eyes showed a hint of wetness.

His pain made her lips quiver... and she bit onto the lower one, trying to control her own tears.

Raising her hand, she wiped his unshed tears... letting her fingers linger on his cheek... then she moved them lower to stroke his jaw...

"Kitne din se shave nahi kiya?" Her voice was soft.

"Do din", he was amused at her fascination for his stubble.

She rubbed her thumb around his chin, feeling the rough ends prickle her soft hands... she loved the feeling.

"Aise rakha karo... " her hand was not ready to leave his face...

Turning the palm, she let the back of her hand glide all over his jaw and chin, moving down till the neck where she could feel the dark line end.

All the while, Sameer kept looking at her, watching her eyes get darker as her hand explored his face... and when her fingers reached his neck, they both swallowed hard.

Hearing the sound of TV from the room outside, Naina came to her senses.

She pulled her hand down... her breathing completely out of control.

Sameer smiled, rubbing her cheek with his thumb, "Tum bologi toh hamesha aise hi rakhunga... phir mat kehna ki chubhti hai."

She turned crimson... and lowered her head... trying to move away.

His grip on her waist tightened, then suddenly he released her, "Naina, woh tumhari chot... " His fingers touched the spot on her waist where he had seen the bruises.

"Woh theek ho gayi", Naina assured him.

"Bilkul dard nahi hai ab?" He wanted to be sure.

She shook her head.

Instantly, his hand went around her waist again, fingers rubbing the skin with feather like strokes, "Toh fir pakad sakta hun na?"

She pushed him away, "Hato... jaise hamesha puch ke sab karte ho!"

He stumbled a few feet back... crossing his arms... a smile playing on his lips.

Swati entered the kitchen at that moment, and giggled.

Naina tilted her head to see... as the view of the door was blocked by Sameer.

"Kya hua tujhe?" Naina could not understand why she was laughing.

Swati came in and asked Sameer to turn around. He gave a quizzical look to her.

"Arre, mudo to ek second", she said in between her laughter.

Sameer slowly turned.

Naina saw what Swati was laughing at... and coloured to the roots.

There were dried patches of batter on his t shirt and also at the ends of his hair.

She looked down at her hands... that were now clean.

"Ab baaki sab dekhen aur mazak banaye usse pehle mere kamre ke bathroom mein le ja aur saaf karde", Swati whispered in her ears.

Naina quickly held his hand and dragged him out of the kitchen.

Sameer was not able to understand what was happening.

"Naina, batao toh hua kya hai?" He asked, surrendering to her pull.

Naina entered Swati's room and pushed him to the bathroom, entering after him and closing the door.

His eyes went wide, "Naina... yeh kya kar rahi ho?"

She looked at him innocently, " Kya? Tumhara t shirt kharab kar diya maine... woh saaf karne laayi hun."

He indicated at the bolted door... Naina followed his gaze... and suddenly understood the implication.

Turning red again, she raised her hand to open it... but Sameer held it.

"Mujhe koi problem nahi hai... darwaza band karke tum jo chaho kar sakti ho." The mischief in his voice and glint in his eyes sent her pulse racing.

She unbolted the door... and without looking at him, went to pick the hand towel, wetting it under the tap. Squeezing out the excessive water, she walked back to him.

"Mudo", she stood close.

Sameer turned, watching her over his shoulder.

Naina stood up on her toes and started cleaning the dried batter from his hair... but it was not coming off.

"Sameer, idhar aana padega", she went to the wash basin.

"Mujhe bataogi aakhir hua kya hai", he was still not aware.

She took some water in her hands and started rubbing it on his hair, "Jab tum aaye toh main pakode banane ki taiyari kar rahi thi... mere haath pe jo besan tha... woh... woh..." she found it difficult to go on.

And Sameer was already on the verge of losing control... her wet fingers were stroking his nape and the sensation was making his blood heat up. Her light touch repeatedly made breathing difficult. He clenched the basin... holding it so hard that his knuckles turned white.

When his nerves were about to snap, she stopped, "Ho gaya."

He started to turn but she placed her hand on his back, "Abhi t shirt pe bhi hai... woh bhi saaf kar deti hun."

He stood without a word as she cleaned the t shirt with wet towel.

He wondered how long he would be able to bear this torture.

"Naina, hua ya nahi", his husky voice made her stop instantly.

"Bas do minute ", she said in a shaky voice, suddenly aware of what she was doing.

Sameer closed his eyes.

When he could not feel the pressure of her hands on his back, he slowly turned.

She stood with lowered head... he could see the bright colour on her cheeks, going down to her neck.

He took two steps and stood close to her. Taking the towel from her, he wet it lightly under the tap and squeezed it with one hand.

Slowly, he lifted the towel to her face and started wiping the forehead... moving down to her cheeks...

" Yeh... yeh kya... kya kar rahe ho?" She stuttered.

"Badla le raha hun", his voice was so low that it didn't reach her clearly.

"Huh?" She strained her ears.

"Itni der se garmi mein khana bana rahi thi na... paseena aa gaya... saaf kar raha hun." He gave an innocent look.

His hand moved to the other cheek, going over her ear... and moved to wipe on the upper lip...

It was her turn to gulp as he continued the torture, sliding from her chin to the neck.

As his hand started to move to the side of her neck, she bit her lip and held his wrist, "Saaf ho gaya... ab chalo."

Her own voice sounded different to her.

Sameer kept the towel on the basin and encircled his hand around her, pulling her close.

"Maine bohot miss kiya tumhe", he huskily whispered.

"Maine bhi", Naina rested her head on his chest, hearing the rhythm of his drumming heartbeat.