Sorry about yesterday

Title is the song 'Parvardigara' from movie 'Fitoor'

If Sameer felt a feverish excitement at Naina's brazen stance, he was a bit confounded too. She was uneasy at the slight contact of his forearms with her belly moments back... but now her eyes glimmered with unknown promise. He wasn't sure what she meant.

"Sameer, tumne pucha tha na main kya karna chahti hun apni shaadi mein... main har rasm sabse pehle tumhare saath karna chahti hun. Jaise hamari shaadi sabse pehle sirf hum dono ki yaad hai, aise har rasm bhi hum dono ke liye special banani hai mujhe. Haldi mehendi, jo alag alag hoti hai dulha dulhan ke liye, woh hamare liye ek saath hogi."

Hearing her clearly say what she wants to do brought a sense of exultation to his heart, "Jo tum chahti ho wohi hoga."

"Bas thodi der... barah baje naya din shuru hoga, hamari haldi ka." She stated with a triumphant glimmer in her eyes.

"Mehendi bhi toh kal hi hai Naina... shaam ko. Woh kaise karenge ek doosre ke saath? Din mein thodi aa sakta hun tumhare room mein." He voiced his concern.

There was a knowing smile on her face, "Mehendi bhi saath mein hogi. Woh tum mujhpe chod do."

He leaned to get closer to her face, "Maine toh khud ko tumhare hawale kar diya hai. Ab tum jo chaho, jaise chaho... sab hoga."

"Achha? Sab?" When her one brow quirked up, he was again filled with a tickling anticipation.

"Haan... sab." His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Then take it off." She looked straight into his eyes, clutching his sweatshirt.

"Huh?" He was stunned, not sure he had heard her correct.

Her eyes were filled with innocent concern, "Haldi lag gayi toh daag reh jayega, Sameer. Haldi ka daag jaata nahi hai."

He had no qualms about taking his shirt off, but he could not leave the chance to tease her, "Daag toh tumhare kapdon pe bhi lag jayenge."

The look on her face did not change, "Daag se tumhe problem hai, mujhe nahi."

He held her arm, pulling her with force to make her crash into him, "Tumse mile hue kisi bhi nishaan ko main daag nahi... pyar ki nishani manunga... deke toh dekho."

His raspy voice did make her heart go into a frenzied rhythm, yet she looked into his eyes with the same intensity that she could see in their inky depths.

"Toh... tum yeh kehna chahte ho ki tum yeh sweatshirt nahi nikaloge?" Her challenging tone again left him amazed.

In one swift motion, he pulled both, the sweatshirt and tshirt under it, over his head and flung them away. His eyes bore into hers, "Ab theek hai?"

She glanced at the clock behind her. Leaving him standing in the middle of the room, she walked to the dresser and brought the bowl. Sameer was surprised when she dipped two fingers in it and spread on her one cheek, then other.

"Ab theek hai." She smiled, and placed the bowl back on the dresser.

"Naina, haldi khud ko nahi lagani hoti. Tum mujhe lagao." Sameer extended his hand to take the bowl again, but she stopped him.

Placing her hands on his shoulders, she raised herself. Sameer held his breath when she softly rubbed her cheek against his, first on one side then other. When she moved back, her face beamed with pride.

"Ab meri turn." He grabbed her waist.

Naina held his wrists and moved his hands away, "I'm not done yet."

He watched in fascination as she scooped out more paste. Her gaze drifted back to his chest. Yet again, she placed her hands just below his shoulders, palms flat on his skin... and started to glide them down slowly. Sameer held his breath, feeling her hands move on his bare skin in such deliberation. His eyes did not move from her... she did not shift hers from the expanse of his skin, taking in every inch of his skin, from his hardened muscles to his well toned abdomen.

Another scoop, another assault on his senses continued as she smeared his arms, starting from the curve of his shoulders. When she took more paste on her fingers, he waited with halted breath as she moved behind him. The moment her palms landed on his back, he couldn't help the shudder which made his muscles ripple under her fingers. A shiver ran through Naina... the thought of touching him like this had invaded her mind long back... on that rainy night, when she had first seen him without a shirt. Indeed, his shoulders hitched back when her hands skimmed from the broad expanse over her eye level to his lean waist. Sameer had stopped breathing long back, still his heart thundered at such an alarming speed that he was scared it would break his chest. Her fingers were creating a storm in him, making him wonder how long he would be able to bear it silently.

"Naina." He groaned as she leisurely slid her fingertips down his spine. She took her own sweet time, torturing him with her touch while he couldn't even see her.

If one part of him was tormented by her ministerations, another side of his heart rejoiced at the absence of any hesitation to touch him. He felt a wave of pleasure surge through him when her hands curled over the dip of his waist, rubbing smoothly.

It felt like an eternity before he could see her face again when she stepped in front of him... but it was an eternity of feverish bliss.

She looked at him, her eyes brimming with a contented ecstasy, "Badhai ho... hamari haldi ki rasm shuru ho gayi."

His voice was deep and throaty, "Haan... sirf shuru hui hai. Abhi bohot kuch hona baaki hai. My turn."

Naina took in a shaky breath, well aware that he would subject her to similar ordeal... but she wasn't complaining.

Sameer took a little of haldi paste, and applied on her cheeks, where the traces were almost absent as she had transferred it to his face. The amusement in her eyes was challenging. With a feather like stroke, he ran one finger from the side of her face to her neck, feeling the goosebumps that erupted on her skin.

"Tumne mujhe itne pyar se haldi lagayi hai... main sirf chehre pe laga ke toh nahi ruk sakta. Naina, kya main apne tareeke se tumhe haldi laga sakta hun?" His raspy whisper sent a shiver down her spine.

Her nod was barely a movement, filling him with tumultuous anticipation.

Tilting his head, he pushed her sleeves up the curve of her shoulder, leaving her arms bare. A small smile curled her lips when he lightly mover three fingers from the top of her arm upto her elbows. With his head bent at an angle. His entire focus was on her arm. When he took a good amount of paste in his scooped hand, and divided it between both palms, she bit her lip, not knowing what to expect. Next moment, he placed his hands on her shoulders, just like she had done. His eyes darted to the column of her throat that moved as she gulped, but he had made up his mind... and her consent had given him courage to go ahead.

Naina stopped breathing, her eyes shut, her lips pursed together to stop their quivering... as his large palms started to slip down her front, over the tshirt. With a roaring heart, Sameer left a trail of haldi from her neck to the hem of her tshirt, not leaving the contact on the way. He felt her shiver, saw her chin shake even though her lips were pressed into each other, noticed her fisted hands... but did not stop. He knew the difference between her effort to keep herself from objecting... to showing such reaction because of the effect he was having on her. And today, it was the latter.

"Aankhen kholo Naina." He demanded hoarsely.

She opened her eyes, as if in slow motion. There was shyness, there was pleasure, there was nervousness, there was satisfaction... but there was no discomfort.

Sameer felt his heart would break his ribs finally. He had waited to see this acceptance in her eyes for so long. His eyes drifted down to the marks he had left. Her accelerated breathing was evident. He looked back into her eyes again.

When he filled up his hands with the the same amount of paste again, Naina knew what was to come... or so she thought. He stepped closer, took his hands behind her... and let them slip under the edge of her tshirt. A loud gasp escaped her when his hands touched the skin of her back... directly. Sameer did not break their eyelock while he covered her back with haldi. Her skin burned under his fingers which roamed over her smooth back as he pressed her to himself. Just like her, he trailed the groove of her spine, making her go weak in the knees. A different sound erupted from the back of her throat as she clutched his shoulders to support herself. There was something strangely gratifying in seeing her melting in his arms like this... with his hands on her skin, and hers on his bare shoulders.

Involuntarily, her fingers started to move behind his neck. When she tugged at the end of his hair, Sameer couldn't wait any longer, and dipped his head to capture her lips. There was nothing soft or gentle about the kiss. It was absolute fire from the first touch.

Only when they felt their lungs collapse with the lack of oxygen, did they break apart, gasping for air.

He was still clutching her waist when she lifted her eyes to him, "Hum... hum yeh haldi ke nishan kahin chod nahi sakte... kisi ko pata laga toh theek nahi hoga."

He waited.

She flicked her head in the direction of washroom, "Tum naha lo."

He rubbed his thumb on her waist, his eyes shining, "Haldi tumhe bhi toh lagi hai."

"Main baad mein naha lungi. Mujhe yahin rehna hai lekin tumhe wapas jaana hai." She pushed at his chest.

Sameer was reluctant to let go of the contact, but they could not risk touching anything with haldi smeared bodies. He sighed, pulling out his hands from her tshirt, and walked to the washroom. It took him a long time to rid himself of the paste that had dried up on his skin.

When he stepped out, Naina handed him his tshirt and sweatshirt, "Pehen lo, warna thand lag jayegi."

He waited while she finished her bath. By the time she came out, they realised it was almost time for him to go back. They could not delay it much because the decorators would arrive early, and might start looking for the ladder. With a heavy heart, Sameer went out to the terrace, followed by Naina.

When they peered down the grill, their heart sank. The ladder lay flat on the ground. It must have slipped and fallen. There was no way he could take any other exit. No open pipes were around the balcony. When he suggested he could jump, Naina immediately shook her head, saying she couldn't see him do something that could hurt him.

While they stood contemplating, the sound of heavy metal gate opening made them turn sharply towards the main entrance. Sameer felt his palms go sweaty at the prospect of being discovered.

But what he saw brought a smile of relief on his face.

Sanjay entered the gate, rubbing his eyes. He wondered whether he was doing the right thing by reaching this early and disturbing everyone. But his shoot in Himachal lasted longer than expected last night and he had no option but to catch a flight in early hours. Sameer had given strict instructions to his friends to reach by morning on the day of haldi.

He had taken just a few steps when his phone started to ring. He was amazed to see Sameer's name.

"Oye right mein dekh. Upar, terrace pe." Sameer's urgent voice fell in his ears without any greeting.

Sanjay looked in the direction. On the faraway terrace, he could see two figures. Taller one waved.

Sanjay waved back, speaking into the phone, "Bhai, emotional kar diya tune. Mujhe nahi pata tha tu itni besabri se mera intezar kar raha hai."

"Baad mein bataunga pehle yahan aa jaldi." Sameer hissed into the phone.

Holding the phone to his ear, Sanjay quickly reached under the terrace. Naina had stepped back by then. Sanjay could only see Sameer, who pointed at the side, and whispered into the phone, "Jaldi se yeh seedhi laga."

Sanjay looked around, and noticed the ladder. He gave a baffled look to Sameer, "Abey teri koi secret girlfriend hun jo chupke se aaunga. Seedhi se kyon aaun bhai tu darwaza khol jaake. Aakhir apni bhi koi izzat hai."

Sameer gritted his teeth, "Seedhi tere liye nahi apne liye chahiye. Tu jaldi se laga jisse pehle Ramdhari ya koi aur uth jaye. Main aake samjhata hun sab."

Though Sanjay was perplexed about the situation, he placed the ladder against the wall. Sameer swiftly climbed down, after giving a discreet flying kiss to Naina who stood a behind.

When he reached down, Sanjay spoke into the phone, his voice full of emotions, "Main toh andar hi aa raha tha yaar. Tu mujhe itna miss kar raha hai mujhe pata nahi tha."

Sameer first took the phone from him and waved it in front of his eyes, giving a smile, "Call end kar diya maine. Ab main saamne hun, aise bhi sun sakta hun."

"Oh haan." Sanjay gave a sheepish look.

Sameer took him in a bone crushing hug, "Thank you yaar. Tune bacha liya."

"Hain? Bacha liya? Tu shaadi nahi kar raha kya?" Sanjay asked with wide eyes.

Sameer moved back, frowning, "Aise kyon bol raha hai? Aur shaadi pehle hi ho chuki hai meri."

"Arre haan." Sanjay nodded as realisation dawned on him, "Aur tu Naina ke saath hote hue bhi mere liye yahan balcony mein intezar kar raha tha, aur seedhi se milne chala aaya. Bhai, tune bata diya sachha dost kya hota hai. Aaj unn sab ke muh band kara diye jo kehte hain biwi ke aane se doston ki value kam ho jaati hai."

Sanjay hugged him tight, sniffing loudly.

Sameer pulled back after a few seconds, chuckling, "Apne TV show ke saare dialogue yahin maar de."

"Nahi yaar mere original hain." Sanjay had a hurt look in his eyes.

"Toh waste mat kar. Jaake apne director ko suna de. Tujhe actor ke saath saath dialogue writer bhi rakh lenge." Sameer smacked him on the back.

"Tu meri chod, yeh bata Naina bhabhi ne gussa nahi kiya ki usse chod ke mera intezar kar raha tha." Sanjay winked at him.

"Uh... woh..." Sameer rubbed the back of his head, "Main actually... Naina se hi milne aaya tha."

Sanjay narrowed his eyes. Sameer explained the whole situation to him, ushering him towards the terrace of his room, with ladder in his hands.

The shocked expression on Sanjay's face changed to drooping lips as he gathered that Sameer wasn't waiting for him, "Dil tod diya yaar. Khush karne ke liye hi keh deta ki mere liye aaya tha."

"Khush karne ke liye shaadi mein bulaya hai na. Chal ab tu paanch minute baad doorbell bajana. Tab tak main apne room mein pohoch jaunga. Aur haan, Ramdhari ko bolna mujhe aaj coffee dene na aaye. Raat bhar jaaga hun, ab sona hai." Sameer adjusted the ladder, nonchalantly.

"Dost dost na raha... dosti dosti na rahi." Sanjay declared dramatically after him.

"Shh." Sameer looked back from halfway, "Kisi ko pata chala toh teri khair nahi. Bhabhi ko tere saare kisse bata dunga."

Sanjay quickly gestured to seal his lips, and waited till Sameer jumped onto his terrace and waved at him. Only when he had taken a few steps towards the main entrance did it occur to him, "Mere kaunse kisse? Meri biwi toh mera bachpan ka pyar hai. Koi aur kissa hai hi nahi mera." With a frown, he looked back, "Yeh Sameer har baar apna kaam nikalne ke liye mera ullu bana deta hai."

Ramdhari had just got up when the doorbell announce Sanjay's arrival. He was excited to see Sanjay after a long time, and immediately carried his luggage to the guest room on second floor. After Sanjay refused his offer of tea and breakfast, saying that he would sleep for a few hours, Ramdhari readily agreed to get his flavoured tea when he got up.

"Sameer bhaiya so rahe hain nahi toh aapko dekh ke bohot khush hote." He informed with a wide smile.

With a crooked smile on his face, Sanjay raised his brows, "Sahi keh raha hai tu. Sameer toh ab tak so gaya hoga."

"Bas hum aadhe ghante mein unhe utha denge, Sanjay bhaiya. Aapke paas bhej dein?" Ramdhari asked in a chirpy voice.

"Nahi, abhi toh soya hai woh." Sanjay quickly tried to salvage what he had blurted when he saw the confused expression on Ramdhari's face, "Matlab... main aur Sameer phone pe baat kar rahe the... poori raat. Isliye dono hi nahi soye. Ab tu usse, aur mujhe disturb mat karna. Hum dono haldi ke time tak uth jayenge. Theek hai?"

Ramdhari accepted easily, and went away. Sanjay let out a relived breath before changing into comfortable clothes, and instantly hit the bed.

Except for the two people, entire household was brimming with frantic activity. There were quite a few people setting up the main hall for haldi functions. Transparent yellow and white drapes were placed all around, furniture was given a wrapping of yellow satin covers. Lilies... yellow and white... adorned the walls and filled the vases, giving a tasteful look to the room. Strings of small mirrors placed strategically to catch sunlight were the perfect substitute for fairy lights which could be used only at night.

Naina was dressed up when Deepika entered her room.

"Bhabhi, dekho maine aapke liye floral jewellery banwayi hai. Isn't it cool!" Deepika gushed as she spread out delicate pieces... necklace, earrings, bracelets, maangtika and a kamarband all made with white flowers, with a dash of coloured ones at few places.

"Deepika itna sab pehnu?" Naina had never worn maangtika or kamarband. She wasn't a jewellery person. Neither she had attended any elaborate occasions, nor she had ever garnered hopes for having something to celebrate in her life. Though all this was made with flowers, she was apprehensive how she would look, decked up like this.

"Of course Bhabhi." Deepika stated matter of factly, "Aur yeh itna kahan hai. Pata hai, jab Navya di ki shaadi hui thi, uhone isse double items banwaye the... you know, teen sizes ke necklaces, payal, armlet, rings, haathphool aur baalon ke liye bada sa hairpiece."

Naina was equally excited now. The idea wasn't that bad. After all it was her own wedding. She had seen several pictures and ideas about the rituals, and for every function, bride was dressed excessively. Well, if this was the way to show that she was happy, she was ready to don the accessories from head to toe.

Sameer was ready and waiting for her when Naina appeared on the top of stairway. Sanjay was teasing him about his nightly rendezvous while Sameer tried to hush him.

"Oh wow, Naina kya lag rahi hai." Preeti's exclamation made him turn... and his breath lost its track.

When he had seen the image of this lehenga, he had no idea it would look this enchanting on her. And the floral adornments were nothing less than magic. The white flowers around her face, in the form of necklace and earrings, along with maangtika made her look ethereal. And then there was the alluring kamarband. It circled her dainty waist so perfectly that he felt jealous of it.

"Bhai muh band kar le, makkhi ko raasta mil jayega." Sanjay nudged him, making him realise that he was gaping at Naina with open mouth as she descended the stairs.

"Uh... woh main..." He gulped, looking around. Thankfully, others were busy in admiring her as well, paying no attention to him. Laughing, Sanjay left him alone to admire his wife in solitude.

Preeti dashed to her as Naina reached the gathering, joining her index finger with thumb, "Pataka lag rahi hai, behen."

Rohan joined her, "Haan bhabhi, you look mind blowing."

Naina smiled consciously. Sameer was with her next moment, having heard Rohan's comment, and glaring at him.

Preeti exclaimed, looking at her gleaming face, "Haldi lagni baaki hai, lekin tera glow dekh ke lagta hai teri haldi already ho chuki hai."

"Haan woh toh ho chuki hai." Rohan stated calmly.

Naina and Sameer shot him an alarmed look. If Rohan was aware of their meeting at night, he wouldn't keep it to himself.

Preeti gave him a quizzical look, "Ho chuki. Kab?"

"Inke dil mein." Rohan grinned, looping an arm around Preeti's shoulder, "Pehli shaadi mein rasmein nahi hui thi lekin dil hi dil mein toh bhai ne pata nahi kitni baar shaadi ki hogi... haan lekin sirf Naina se."

Sameer would have reprimanded him for not calling her bhabhi but he was too busy breathing in relief. The sounds from main door diverted everyone's attention. naina was delighted to see her friends from office.

Vedika clasped her hands to mouth, "Oh my God Naina, you look ravishing."

The boys praised her too. Naina was shy at such open compliments. She touched the delicate flowers on her wrist, "Deepika ka idea tha."

Vedika tapped a finger on her cheek, smiling adoringly, "Main kapdon ya jewellery ki baat nahi kar rahi. They are good too. Lekin main tere face ki glow ki baat kar rahi hun, teri aankhon ki shine ki baat kar rahi hun, teri iss smile ki baat kar rahi hun... jinse tu inn phoolon ki tarah khil gayi hai."

Naina looked at Sameer, "Sab kuch yahin mila hai mujhe... Deepika ne diya ho, uske bhai ne ya mummy ne."

Raghav's loud voice made all of them look at the door, "Haash. Aakhir haldi se pehle pohonch hi gaya."

Standing at the door, he was huffing and sweating, his suitcase lying carelessly on the floor. Last few months he had been in Ahmedabad where his dad was setting up a new factory.

Sameer rushed to him, "Tu toh subah aane wala tha. Itna late kaise ho gaya?"

Raghav rounded his eyes, "Subah hi aaya tha airport pe. Pata nahi kaise flight miss ho gayi. Agli wali book karani padi."

Sanjay joined them, "Breakfast kar liya tune."

Raghav forgot everything and placed a hand on his stomach, "Haan bhai kar liya. Do baar. Pehle airport pe phir flight mein."

Sanjay smiled knowingly, "Pata tha. Khaane ki wajah se miss hui hogi flight. Meri bhi ek baar karwayi thi tune." Looking at Sameer he asked, "Yaad hai?"

Vishakha came to them, "Chalo chalo bachhon, yahan kyon ruk gaye." She saw Raghav and smiled lovingly, "Aa gaya tu. Main Sanjay se abhi hi puch rahi thi."

Raghav greeted her. Sameer called out to Rohan and Preeti who were talking to Vedika Dhruv and Farhan. All were introduced to each other.

After talking to them for a while, Vishakha ushered them to the center of the room, where two similar low seats were placed, next to each other but... to Sameer's astonishment, a thin curtain was erected between them now. He opened his mouth to object, but a stern look from his mother made him purse his lips.

They were made to sit on adjacent seats, getting only a faint impression of each other on the other side of curtain.

Vishakha applied haldi to Sameer first, caution not to let it touch his clothes. Preeti did not take any such precaution, smearing him properly.

Vishakha panicked, pulling her aside, "Oho Preeti pehle sab ko lagane toh deti. Ab bhagega yeh kapde badalne."

Preeti giggled, whispering to her, "Jee nahi mummy. Naina ke liye yeh haldi toh kya holi ke rang mein bhi chup chap naha lega. Dekhna kuch nahi kahega."

It was indeed a shock for Vishakha when Sameer sat patiently as one after the other person started slathering him with yellow paste.

Naina stole glances at him everytime the curtain shifted due to movement of people around them. His face now matched his kurta. When she had first seen him in this yellow kurta and white patiala salwar, she couldn't take away her eyes. Instead of the regular pants, he had opted for salwar, which gave him a royal look. The colour of kurta reflected on his face, making him look fairer, and enhancing his dark eyes which were fixed on her. The moment their eyes met, same images flashed in their mind... from last night. It made her cheeks heat up, and his eyes glitter with the knowledge that she knew what was in his mind.

Now, as he laughed with his family and friends, unaffected by the stains on his clothes or the colour on his skin, she smiled in contentment. When he said he had understood the difference between a stain and mark of love, he truly meant it.

While the men attacked Sameer after the ladies were done, Vishakha took the bowl to Naina. She dipped fingers of both hands, and dragged them over her cheeks, "Iss haldi ke rang jaisi roshni se bhar dena mere bete ki zindagi. Bas aise hi rangon se bhara rahe tumhara har din."

Sameer, who had shifted the curtain a bit to see the first mark of haldi on Naina, stated, "Aisa hi hoga mummy. Haldi ke peele rang se aapne shagun kiya hai... agla rang toh laal hi hoga."

Vishaka narrowed her eyes in fake annoyance, "Tune parda kyon hataya... tu Naina ki haldi nahi dekh sakta."

He winked at Naina, "Ab toh dekh li."

Preeti pulled the curtain back, "Bas itna hi allowed hai. Aur mister, agla rang laal nahi, mehendi ka hara rang hoga."

"Lekin mehendi bhi aakhir laal hi hogi na." Sameer flicked his brows.

Preeti admiringly bobbed her head, "Waah dulhe raja. Aapko toh saara procedure malum hai. Phir pehle bina inn sabke shaadi kyon ki?" She asked in a lower voice.

Rohan winked at his brother, "Pehli baar toh bhai ring hi leke gaye the, pehnana mangalsutra pad gaya."

Preeti gave him a surprised look, "Tumhe pata hai? Mujhe toh ab tak woh story nahi pata."

"Mujhe bhai ne kal hi bataya." Rohan beamed proudly.

Before Preeti could start a fight, Vishakha called her to put haldi on Naina.

"Behen, waise toh tujhe zarurat nahi hai lekin ab mera bhi toh farz banta hai na teri achhe se khatirdaari karne ka." With a mischievous smile, Preeti covered her entire face with the mixture.

Naina loved the way all women praised her even when she knew she must be looking quite funny smeared with the paste. Except nanu, none of the men applied haldi to get.

Vishakha gave a satisfied look to both of them, and smiled, "Ab tum dono jaake naha lo. Rasm poori ho gayi."

When the curtain was taken away, Sameer looked at Naina. Her eyes darted to him at the same instant. Same memory hit them together... of seeing each other like this earlier... but much closer.

Rohan whispered in his ear, bringing him out of the spell, "Haldi ke function pe dekhne ko mil gaya woh bohot hai bhai. Isse zayada kuch nahi ho sakta. Don't expect anything."

Sameer surprised him with a pleasant smile, "Sabki haldi ek jaisi nahi hoti, bro."

Rohan was still trying to figure out what he meant even after Sameer was gone.

Next update on Wednesday