Be ready for a long chapter

Sameer turned the key in ignition.

Nothing happened.

He tried again... and again.

The only sound was of the pouring rain. He picked up the phone... to realise that the battery was dead. Keeping GPS on for over three hours had eaten up the entire charge. Narrowing his eyes, he peered around at the empty street, and sighed. There was no way he was getting out of the car in this rain.

"Chal beta Sameer. Aaj ki raat Naina ki gali mein guzaar, kisi majnu ki tarah." He glanced at the hint of light on her terrace, and smiled.

He took off the blazer, removed his tie, and opened two buttons of his shirt. Without the air conditioning, it would be difficult to stay in the car, but there was no option. After folding his sleeves upto the elbows, he opened the window of passenger side just a crack.

Bhalla aunty heard the main door open, and came out of Ayush's room.

"Oho, tu toh poori bheeg gayi hai. Jaldi se kapde badal le warna bimar pad jayegi." She said in a low voice, seeing Naina totally drenched.

"Jee aunty." Naina quickly put aside her bag and went to her room.

Few minutes later, dressed in satin pyjamas, she came out, her hair open and wiped.

"Thank you, aunty. Aaj itna traffic tha na ki pucho mat. Teen ghante se bhi zyada lag gaye humein yahan pohochane mein." She let out a weary sigh.

"Humein?" Tere saath koi aur bhi tha kya?" Aunty queried.

Naina bit her tongue, realising her folly, "Haan mere boss the. Unhone hi drop kiya. Meri car office mein hi hai kyonki wahan jaate toh aur late ho jaata." She gave the true version, without any name.

"Chal achha hai tu drive nahi kar rahi thi. Tere boss samajhdar malum hote hain." Aunty nodded, and touched her hair, "Ab tu baal sukha lena, warna thand lag jayegi. Aur itna thank you na bola kar. Mujhe aur Bhalla saab ko toh bada mazaa aaya Ayush ke saath. Woh bhi khush tha. Ab so raha hai aaram se. Roshni se keh ke tere liye khana rakhwa diya hai kitchen mein. Mujhe laga itni der se aane ke baad thodi mann karega banane ka."

Naina was overwhelmed at her concern, "Aunty, aapne aise hi takleef ki."

"Puttar, bachhon ke liye kuch bhi karna takleef nahi hoti. Tu kha ke chain se so ja. Yeh toh achha hai kal chutti hai. Aaram se uthna. Ab main jaati hun, darwaza band kar le." Aunty instructed her with a warm smile.

Naina came up to the door. She picked up the large umbrella, turning to Naina, "Bada wala laayi thi, jisse dono cover ho jayein."

Naina waited at the door, till aunty carefully went down the stairs, and disappeared inside her house. With a deep breath, she was about to shut the door when her eyes fell on the car across the road. She narrowed her eyes to see clearly in the rain induced haze. It looked like Sameer's car, but she couldn't be sure.

"Nahi, koi aur hoga. Sameer ko toh ab tak ghar pohoch jaana chahiye tha." Thinking aloud, she closed the door and rushed in to check her phone.

There was no message. Putting the phone aside, she went to Ayush's room. He was sleeping peacefully. She adjusted the quilt around him, stroked his hair and came out, closing his door. With nervous hands, she picked up her phone again. Nothing. She contemplated for a few seconds, but couldn't wait any longer to press his number.

His phone was switched off.

"Off? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? He promised he would message. Kahin kuch..." Her heart sank even without thinking ahead.

The tension didn't let her sit still. Taking out an umbrella from her cupboard, she slid the terrace door open, and walked out.

Her eyes widened as she recognised the car, "Yeh... yeh toh Sameer ki hi car hai. Lekin ab tak yahan kyon hai? Aur agar car yahan hai toh Sameer ghar kaise gaye? Unko toh baarish se problem ho jaati hai."

There was only one way to find out.

Holding the umbrella tightly in her hand, Naina opened the gate as silently as she could and walked across the street. Stopping at the passenger side, she leaned to see through the window. Sameer had pushed back the seat and was lying with his arms across his chest. His eyes were closed.

She knocked on the glass.

He sat up with a jolt... and was even more shocked to see her.

"Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain? Ghar kyon nahi gaye?" She asked through the slight crack in the window.

When he realised she was real, and he wasn't dreaming, Sameer leaned to his side to roll down the glass panel a little more.

"Car start nahi ho rahi. Aur phone ki battery drain out ho gayi. But no issue, I'm fine. Tum ghar jao." He explained.

"What? Are you out of your mind? Saari raat yahan thodi baithenge... aap... aap chaliye mere saath." Naina commanded.

Sameer shook his head, "Raat bohot ho gayi hai, Naina. Tum jao. Jaise hi baarish rukegi, main walk karke ghar chala jaunga."

"Baarish toh ek week se nahi ruki hai. Aap aiye mere saath. Abhi. Main ghar se call karke cab bula deti hun." She wasn't ready to listen to anything.

Left with no option, as he couldn't see her standing in the rain, Sameer straightened his seat. Naina quickly walked to his side, and held the umbrella over him as he stepped out.

"Yeh tum rakho." He held the metal rod and pushed it over her.

Naina tilted it back, covering him, "Mujhe kuch nahi hoga, aap bimar pad jayenge. Please, aap le lijiye."

"Naina, main itna kamzor nahi hun ki tumhe bheegne dun aur khud umbrella leke chalun." His voice made it clear that he wouldn't accept it.

Naina pursed her lips, and stepped closer to him, leaving a distance of just a few inches between them, and adjusted the umbrella over both.

"Ab chalen?" She looked up at him.

For Sameer, the time stopped when she moved so close to him. He could hear the rustle of her satin night suit, feel the warmth emanating from her, smell the scent that was so distinct of her... his heartbeat accelerated..

Naina took a step ahead, and rereated when she realised he hadn't moved. She gave him a pleading look, "Please Sameer. Aap chaliye yahan se warna bimar ho jayenge."

Ever since their Jaipur trip, she had stopped calling him sir, but did not take his name easily, more so, while addressing him. The way she said it today, it melted him. Even in the drak night, he could see the caramel of her eyes... so close to him.

When her fingers clasped around his wrist, it was ultimate test of his patience. His eyes remained fixed on her head as she almost dragged him across the road. Neither of them realized that the umbrella was incapable of saving them from the downpour... both getting soaked as they walked close to each other. As discreetly as she had opened the gate, Naina closed it, and held his hand again, taking him up the stairs.

Once inside the house, she turned to look at him... a shiver went up her spine, and it wasn't because of the cold. He was completely drenched. The white shirt had turned see through, making his muscled torso visible. Open buttons from collar upto the middle of his chest left a lot of skin bare, right in front of her eyes. Her fingers around the umbrella tightened when he lifted his hands and flicked the wet locks away from his forehead... the shirt stretched even more on his chest and arms. A sudden dryness gripped her throat.

"Aap yahin rukiye, main towel laati hun." She put aside the umbrella and rushed in, coming back with a large towel and her phone within seconds.

Handing him the towel, she started tapping the screen, unaware that even she was dripping wet.

"Yeh toh no cabs bata raha hai." She looked at him helplessly, after checking all three apps she had.

Still standing with the towel in hand, he shrugged, "Iss mausam mein nahi milegi. Kisi private operater ko bhi bolenge toh nahi ayega. It's okay. Main car mein ruk sakta hun. Subah driver ayega toh mujhe pick karne aa jayega."

Her eye brightened, "Aap ghar se hi kisi ko bula lijiye. Mere phone se call karke."

Sameer shook his head, "Ghar pe sirf nanu, mummy aur Deepika hain. Woh dono drive nahi karte aur nanu... unhe saalon ho gaye drive karna chode hue. Aath saal pehle ek accident hua tha uske baad hum logon ne kabhi unhe drive nahi karne diya. Aaj achanak phirse woh bhi iss mausam mein main unhe nahi kahunga. Bas unhe bata deta hun ki car kharab ho gayi hai... if I can use your phone."

"Oh yes." She gave it to him.

Sameer called up nanu, explaining that due to water in the engine, car had broken down after he dropped Naina, and he had taken refuge in a Oyo room nearby. Nanu was relieved to know, and asked him to rest for now.

"Sorry, jhoot bolna pada warna car mein rehne ki baat nanu kabhi nahi maante." He said sheepishly, handing back the phone to her.

Naina swallowed... she had taken the decision when he was speaking to Mr Maheshwari, "Aap car mein nahi rukenge. You stay here."

His mouth fell open, "Naina, main yahan kaise... nahi main car mein ruk jaunga."

She pointed at the door few steps away from them, "Yeh guest room hai, aap jaante hi hain. You can stay here for the night. And please, aur discussion nahi. Main aur kuch nahi sunungi."

Her eyes flickered down his face... and raced back up again instantly, feeling the same tightening in her belly, "Aap aise toh nahi reh sakte poore bheeg gaye hain." She recalled something, "Car mein extra kapde rakhte hain na aap. Abhi hain?"

He nodded.

"Mujhe keys dijiye, main le ke aati hun." She held up her palm to him.

"Tum kyon jaogi? Main khud leke aata hun." Sameer retorted immediately.

Her voice turned out more firm and authrotative than she had intended, "Aap ab bahar nahi jayenge. Give me the keys."

Taken aback, Sameer held out the keys to her. Naina grabbed them, picked up the umbrella, and dashed out of the door. He saw her walking in rain again... and the difference made his breath lose track. Her olive green night suit was stuck to her like second skin. Once she crossed the road, her image became hazy, but his eyes did not leave her form. While walking back, she clutched the bag close to her chest, keeping the umbrealla over it, and letting rain fall on her.

Sameer was still standing at the same place, holding the towel when she entered. He had not wiped even a single drop of water. A small pool had formed around his feet.

Naina put aside the umbrella, holding out the bag with one hand to him, "Yeh lijiye aapka bag. Please jaldi se change kar lijiye warna..."

Her one step towards him made her wet feet land in the water that had already collected on the floor, and she slipped. The bag fell from her hand as she landed on Sameer's chest. Unable to balance, he stumbled back, the hand with towel coming around Naina in reflex, other one holding onto the console behind him. He groaned... less from the corner edge of console that jabbed into his back, more from the feel of her soft body pressed against him. Naina tried to stand, but her foot slipped again, making her weight press on him even more. Her hands, on their own, clutched his shirt.

They stilled. The sound of two heartbeats could be heard loud and clear.

The heat from his body seared her... a warm, masculine scent fogged her senses... feel of his wildly drumming heart under her fisted hand made her shiver... her face buried in his chest, directly on the skin because of his open buttons made her draw in a sharp breath.

Sameer was ready to die in the moment. He didn't know if it was a dream... or real. The towel laid between his hand and her waist, still he could feel the curve in the crook of his arm. Her fastened breath fell on his chest, where he could sense her face pressed into his skin... her nose, her cheeks... her lips. His sanity was at stake... the feeling making him intoxicated. The way her hands clutched his shirt on both sides, he was tempted to throw away the towel, wrap both his arms around her, and bury his face in her neck, inhaling the alluring fragrance that was more enticing now with their proximity.

She jerked her head, tilting it back to look up. His gaze drank in every inch of her face covered with raindrops... the way some drops trickled down her neck when she gulped, the way a strand of hair remain plastered from her forehead to cheek, the way a few drops were still on her lips... or maybe, had landed there when she jerked. Now, in the dim light of lamps in her living room, he could see his face in her wine coloured eyes. And he could see more... there was a softness, with a fire... there was an acceptance, with hesitation... there was a confusion, still a desire... there was the emotion he always wanted to see in her eyes. She had finally let her guard down, and he could see her eyes melting right in front of him... their steely indifference turning to passionate warmth.

Pressing her hands more onto his chest for support, Naina moved a little, trying to lift her body. He instantly felt the loss of warmth. His arm around her tightened, making the distance end. As she was again flushed aginst his chest. her eyes darted to his face. If his eyes were dark earlir, this moment they were inky enough to make her lose herself, never to be found again.

"Aise hi raho." He whispered, his voice hoarse.

Her eyes widened slightly.

He closed his eyes momentarily, to hold onto his tremulous control, and said in a shaky voice, "Tum hilogi toh hum dono gir jayenge. Main... main karta hun."

She lowered her gaze, only to find herself looking at his jaw, which had turned darker than what it was during the day. From this close, she could see the bristles of his stubble... and her fingers itched to touch it. Unknowingly, her fists tightened on his shirt.

"Naina, hold properly. Main seedha hounga toh tum gir jaogi. Yahan sab jagah paani hai. Balance karne ke liye... hold me." He said without looking at her.

Slowly, her palms opened, and slid up to his shoulders. Placing her hands firmly, she gripped him. Sameer securely kept her in the circle of his one arm, and straightened, holding onto the console behind him. He stepped ahead carefully, taking Naina along, till they were not in the pool of water. Her hands lifted off his shoulders the moment he stopped. Sameer felt her stiffen, and reluctantly removed his arm from her waist.

Naina stepped away from him, her cheeks flaming. He itched to touch the scarlet on her plump cheeks. He clenched his jaw, to stop himself from doing anything that he would regret later... same moment Naina raised her eyes to him. Her heart stopped beating... at his expression.

"I'm... I'm sorry. Pair phisal gaya." She stuttered, looking away... mortified at whatever happened. It was an accident definitely, but given the time of night, their present state, and the fact that they were alone... it was highly embarrassing for her to think what impression Sameer would form about her. It had never mattered to her earlier, but now she felt conscious in his presence, and worried about her image in his eyes.

Sameer was too dazed to even understand anything. He had not imagined such proximity in dreams even, well no, dreams were way beyond, but he hadn't expected the most recent wish to come true so soon... that the night shouldn't end yet. But it would bring so much for him, he hadn't imagined. The feel of her soft form pressed against his hard muscles had left his nerve ends frayed... the music still lingering in his ears. The distance was troubling him now... he wanted to hold her again. Fisting his hands, he pursed his lips to put an end to his wavering thoughts.

When he didn't say anything, Naina picked up the bag from the floor, and extended it to him, "Aap change kar lijiye warna bukhar ho jayega."

Her flustered voice made him look at her. With eyes downcast, she had creases on her forehead. Sameer felt a nervousness grip him... was she annoyed at the way he held her!

"Naina, agar tumhe bura laga toh I'm sorry. Believe me, maine sirf hum dono ko girne se bachane ke liye pakda tha. I didn't mean to... I had no intention to... I held you only to save myself." His hesitant voice turned to a whisper at the end.

"I know. Mujhe pata hai aap aap aisa kuch nahi soch rahe the." She uttered in a quiet voice, and walked away to her room. After he heard her door close, Sameer let out a shuddering exhale, and went to the guest room.

Naina leaned againt the closed door, breathing hard. She was unable to understand the thoughts that had flooded her mind. She couldn't believe she was in his arms... for so long, and it didn't bother her. Nothing did... his touch, his scent, his breath on her face, his eyes, his dark stubble, his closeness... nothing bothered her, but it effected her, to an extent that she was consumed by a restlessness she had never felt. Her heart was still roaring at a speed that she didn't know it was capable of. Pounding in her ears was making her face burn with such heat that probably he could see the fumes. She covered her face with her palms. This was something she had never experienced in her life... it was a new feeling, a new sensation that had left her shivering. The sweet pain that had rocked her entire body still tingled till her fingertips. She didn't know she was capable of feeling such intensity for anyone. It took her sometime to realise that she needed to change. One look at herself in the mirror made her go crimson again. The night suit, dripping wet, was clinging to her body, enhancing every dip and curve. She squeezed her eyes shut again, at the realization that she stood before Sameer in this state.. not just stood there, but landed in his arms.

"Oh God! How will I face him now! Pata nahi yeh sab kyon hota hai. Jaise hi ek situation se thoda bahar aati hun, doosri khadi ho jaati hai. Sameer kya sochenge... hope he doesn't... hope mujhe galat na samjhe. Main jaan ke nahi giri thi unpe." Her embarassement turned to dread.

She didn't realise that the night suit she pulled out from the cupboard was the one Ayush had stained with chocolate cake once. It had been washed several times, but a faint brown patch was still visible on the white fabric, around her neckline.

When Sameer had put the stuff in his bag, it had never occurred to him that he would need a night dress too. The bag was only to carry a change in case his office or casual clothes got stained. He had a trouser, shirt, jeans and a tshirt. Having no option, he changed into the jeans and tshirt, leaving his wet clothes in the washroom.

"Subah jaate waqt Naina se ek packet leke usme daal lunga nahi toh bag aur baaki kapde bhi kharab ho jayenge." As he rubbed his hair vigorously with the towel, a sharp pain shot through his back. "Yeh kya hua?" He tried to touch the point where he felt the pain but couldn't reach it.

Before he could think of anything, there was a knock at the door. he walked upto it, and opened it to see Naina standing in front of him.

"Agar aap ready hain toh dinner... dinner kar lijiye." Her eyes lowered after a flicker of a second on his face.

"Oh haan. Khana khaya hi nahi. Main bhool gaya tha." Sameer tried to sound normal, seeing that she was not feeling very comfortable.

He followed her, after putting away the towel that he was holding when she came.

Naina laid the food Bhalla aunty had kept for her. Sameer was astounded to see a platter of chapatis, pulao, paneer and a dry vegetable.

"Yeh sab tum subah bana ke gayi thi?" he asked, looking at her with wide eyes.

"Nahi, Bhalla aunty ne diya hai. Mujhe late hua isliye unhone bhijwaya." She replied in a soft voice, placing a plate infront of him, "Maine garam kar diya, aap le lijiye."

"Aur tum?" He noticed that there was only one plate on the table.

Naina had no appetite left. Her stomach was a jumbled mess. The consternation of events of sometime back was still rattling her mind... even now it was extremely difficult for her to peel away her eyes from the way his damp hair fell on his forehead, the way his tshirt stretched over his chest, the way its short sleeves fitted his biceps, the way he ran his long fingers through his hair, which fell back the moment he removed his hand. Naina cursed herself... she didn't understand why she was conscious of everything. His presence, his eyes, his voice, his hair, his hands, his movements... she was hell effected by every single thing.

"Get a plate. Humne saath hi toh lunch kiya tha. Agar mujhe itni bhook lag rahi hai toh tumhe bhi lagni chahiye." His voice brought her out of her messed up thoughts.

Though food was the last thing on Sameer's mind, he wanted her to sit and eat with him, to feel less awkward. That short glimpse in her eyes had given him a new hope, and he wanted to spend more time with her, to make sure what he had felt was real, not just an illusion.

"Aap kha lijiye. Mujhe bhook nahi hai." She turned to go to the kitchen.

Sameer pushed his chair back, took a few long strides and entered the kitchen right behind her. Searching around, his eyes fell on the stand in one corner of the platform. he picked up a plate from there, turned, and walked out, with his hand around Naina's wrist. Her eyes fixed on his hand, she walked behind him, too dazed to question.

He left her hand and pulled back a chair, opposite his own, "Yahan baitho." he commanded, and put the plate in front of her.

As if in a trance, Naina sat down without a word.

When he was back in his chair, Sameer offered her the bowl of vegetable. She gingerly added some to her plate. After they both served themselves, Sameer started to eat, urging her without looking "Have."

It wasn't easy for either of them, but they managed to eat a bit, unable to finish any of the dishes. Once they were done, Naina picked up the bowls and put them in the refrigerator. Sameer stood up when she came out of the kitchen. It was impossible to get more time, now that the dinner was done. She hadn't looked up at him even once while eating. He wasn't sure she was annoyed or shy... but he definitely hoped it was latter.

"Good night, Naina." He said in a quiet voice.

She lifted her eyes to meet his, and his gaze fell below her face, his eyes widening, "Yeh kya hai?" He pointed at her tshirt.

Perplexed, Naina looked down at herself... only to realise that he had noticed the chocolate stain.

"Chocolate ka mark hai... woh ek baar aapne..." She stopped, he didn't have to know how and when she got it, "Ayush ko khilate waqt lag gaya tha."

Even when his eyes were finding it difficult to move away from the stain, Sameer didn't fail to notice that she mentioned him, "Ek baar maine kya? Meri wajah se laga hai? Kab?"

"Nahi kuch nahi. Meri hi galti thi." She tucked away the hair falling on her face.

"Naina, meri tarah tum bhi daag nahi dekh paati, tumhe bhi sab kuch saaf rakhne ki aadat hai, tum bhi khud kabhi koi daag nahi lagne dogi, aur na aisa kuch sambhal ke rakhogi jispe daag lag jaye... itna toh main janne laga hun tumhe. Isliye yeh nahi maan sakta ki iss daag ke lagne mein galti tumhari hogi." He walked around the table to come in front of her.

Her eyes slowly lifted up to him, "Farq hai, Sameer. Aapki tarah mere liye har nishan daag nahi hai... mere liye daag se zyada uss cheez ki importance hai jispe daag laga hai, ya jiski wajah se laga hai." He was shocked to see the pain in her eyes when she continued, "Haan, yeh uss chocolate cake ka nishan hai jo aapne pehli baar Ayush ke liye bheja tha. Lekin uske haath se yeh nishan maine khud lagne diya... kyonki main usse cake se pehle khana khilana chahti thi. Aur yeh night suit..." She looked down at it sadly, "Mummy ka akhiri gift tha mujhe... acc... accident se kuch din pehle hi laayi thi."

His heart twisted at the way her voice quivered.

She swallowed the restricting lump in her throat, "Iss night suit pe chahe sau daag hon, yeh mere liye utna hi important rahega jitna tab tha jab yeh naya tha." Turning her gaze to him, she let out a rueful smile, "Yeh priceless hai mere liye, isliye mujhe iska koi daag dikhta hi nahi."

Sameer pursed his lips, "Sorry Naina. Jo bhi ho, galti meri hi hui na. Agar uss din main woh cake nahi bhejta toh yeh sab hota hi nahi. Meri wajah se tumhara itna precious dress kharab hua. I'm really sorry."

She shook her head, "Kharab nahi hua hai. Yeh toh hamesha ke liye ek yaad ban gaya... kyonki ismein ab mummy ke pyar ke saath saath Ayush ki masti ka pal bhi judd gaya hai."

Whatever she said was quite meaningful, but Sameer couldn't stop his gaze from returning to the mark repeatedly, till he went away to his room.

Naina secured everything and switched off the light in kitchen. Looking at the rain still splashing furiously against the window, she sighed. She had almost reached her room when the realisation made her halt abruptly.

"Sameer ko toh baarish se bohot problem hoti hai. Uss din halki si drizzle se sneeze karne lage the. Aaj itna bheegne ke baad pakka bimar pad jayenge. Mujhe pehle hi kadha bana dena chahiye tha. Abhi so gaye honge kya?" She peered at his door. A beam of light under it was an indication that he was awake.

Naina quickly went back to the kitchen. It took her less than ten minutes to make the same kadha. While adding honey, the memory of last time she had prepared it for him made her blush.

Sameer stood at the glass door, watching the rain splatter on the terrace outside. Few days back, in the same house, he had wished to get soaked in rain with Naina. Lifting his hand, he eyed the wrist which she had held... with full right. He brought up his wrist and placed a kiss where her fingers touched him.

"Shayad bhagwan pe bhi koi jaadu hai tumhara, Naina... jo mangta hun tumhare saath, bhagwan poora kar dete hain. Bas ab tumhe mera bana de... hamesha ke liye. Ek baar yeh mil jaaye toh uske baad kuch nahi mangunga." He mumbled, smiling at the way his fate was bringing her closer to him... but the wait was killing him.

Sighing, he shoved his hands in pockets, only to get the same jab of pain in his back.

"Kya hua hai yahan jo baar baar dard ho raha hai!" He went to the mirror, lifted his tshirt from the back and glanced over his shoulder. He could see something but not clearly . Taking his tshirt off in frustration, he threw it on the bed, and stood sideways in front of the mirror, bending his arm ahead to get a proper view.

A knock on the door made him say "Aa jao" without second thought, just like he said it at home.

Naina pushed open the door... to find him standing without a shirt, his back towards her. With a loud gasp, she turned around, shutting her eyes. Next second, she opened them, alarmed at what had met her vision. She spun again, as swiftly as she had done so earlier.

Her gasp made Sameer discern that it was Naina who had knocked. He faced her, ready to apologise. Before he could look for his tshirt, to his astonishment, she turned again, and came inside, straight to him.

"Ghoomiye." Placing the cup on the dresser, she commanded.

"Huh... kya?" He stared at her foolishly.

"Turn around. Aapko lagi kaise?" She did not dare to waver her eyes from his face, "Aapki back pe chot lagi hui hai."

"Oh! Isiliye dard... main itni der se koshish kar raha tha lekin mujhe dikha hi nahi toh samajh nahi aaya." It finally registered to him what had happened. When Naina fell on him, the sharp edge of wooden console had pierced into his back. "Yeh bahar girte time... console se..."

"Ek minute." She sprinted out, leaving him confused.

Back within a minute with a tube of ointment, she placed it on the table, "Yeh laga lijiye. Pain nahi hoga."

Sameer gave a tentative glance to the tube, "It's okay. Isse le jao. Main theek hun."

"Abhi toh aapne kaha pain ho raha hai. Please laga lena or else I'll feel ki meri wajah se aapko dard sehna pada." She expressed her concern yet again, "Aur yeh kadha hai, uss din jaisa. Kadwa nahi hai. Thanda hone se pehle isse pi lijiye." She pointed at the mug.

He dipped his head in acceptance, soaking in the warmth of her care for him. She took a few steps away from him, and stopped again, facing the door, "You're sure you are fine? Aap itna zyada bheeg gaye aaj. Uss din toh sneeze kar rahe the. Let me know if you want anything else."

"Main theek hun, Naina. Pata nahi kaise, par aaj ki baarish se sardi nahi hui mujhe." He very well knew the reason, but couldn't tell her yet. "Umm, I do need one thing. Extra charger hai kya tumhare paas?"

"Lekin kadha phir bhi pina padega. Main charger laati hun." She went out, leaving him alone.

Sameer gulped down the kadha. Though he didn't need it today, he couldn't explain it to her.

Naina returned to find Sameer twisting his back, trying to put the ointment on the wound, but unable to reach. Her hand trembled. There seemed to be no alternative now. She was the one responsible for his pain... she couldn't let him suffer just because her stupid heart was ready to crash open her chest at the sight of him shirtless.

"Main laga dun?" Sameer froze at her hesitant, soft offer.

Naina stood behind him, a minute later, her eyes closed, her hands shaking. Sameer was aware that his hard breathing was evident from the way his shoulders moved, but he had no way to control it. Steeling herself, Naina slowly opened her eyes. Without looking up, she squeezed some ointment on her fingers, and fixed her eyes on the slanting line of scratch. After what seemed to be an eternity, Sameer felt the feather like fingertips touch his skin. His body twitched, inadvertently, shoulders flexing backward. Naina bit her lip, as her eyes betrayed her mind and roved over the rippling muscles. This was harder than she had presumed. Sameer pressed his entwined fingers hard, suppressing the sound that was stuck in his throat as her fingers rubbed his skin softly. He craved for the feel of her palm, both her hands, her forehead, her face... all of her against his back. He yearned for her in his arms.

The torture ended, to a small extent, for both of them when she moved away. Replacing the cap on the tube, Naina fled out of the room, stopping briefly at the door to mumble an almost inaudible 'Good night', before she vanished into her room.

Two souls spent a sleepless night, so close to each other, yet far.

Next update on Monday