Title is the song 'In lamhon ke daaman mein' from movie 'Jodha Akbar'

A faint sound made Naina rub her face as her sleep was interrupted. The continuous, irritating sound slowly registered when she noticed the hint of daylight outside the glass doors.

"Oh damn! Alarm!" She tried to sit up... only to feel the weight on her belly.

"Sameer." With a jerk her head turned to the side.

His face buried in the pillow, he was sleeping on his stomach, one arm possessively around her waist. Her face beamed with a relieved smile. She quickly pushed back his hair that were blocking half his face. Unable to stop herself, she leaned and kissed his cheek. A low groan escaped his lips, but he didn't move. Not wanting to disturb his sleep, Naina cautiously freed herself from his grip, and slipped out of bed, searching for her phone frantically till she found it on the chair. After switching off the alarm, it slowly dawned on her that she had woken up in bed, but as far as she remembered, she was waiting for Sameer on this chair.

Slapping her forehead, she let out an exasperated sigh, "So gayi. Sameer ne aane ke baad utha ke bed pe sulaya hoga. Uff Naina, you idiot, thodi der aur nahi jaag sakti thi."

With a disappointed frown, she marched to the washroom. Her last memory was checking the time at 4:30 in the morning.

When she returned after sending off Ayush to school, Naina found nanu in the garden, sipping his tea, a newspaper in his lap. Nanu still enjoyed the old charm of reading a newspaper in the morning.

"Sameer so raha hai?" He asked when she wished him.

"Jee nanu. Paanch baje ke baad aaye hain. Isliye maine uthaya bhi nahi." Naina answered.

Nanu nodded, "Uske bag se papers laa do mujhe. Jaate hi lawyers ko dene hain. Aur aisa karna, tum dono aaj lunch ke baad aana... mujhe pata hai tum bhi raat bhar nahi soyi hogi."

"Main chalti hun nanu. Sameer ko sone dete hain." She offered, feeling embarrassed at the suggestion.

He shook his head, "Beta, poori neend aur aaram health ke liye bohot zaruri hai. Kal tum dono ka schedule disturb hua tha, usse balance karne ke liye aaj ke din rest karna chahiye. Dimaag fresh rahega tabhi toh productive hoga. Tum bas mujhe woh papers de do phir tum bhi aaram karo. And it's an order." He added sternly.

Naina brought back the papers from Sameer's bag and handed to nanu. He told her he had instructed Vishakha and Ramdhari not to wake them up.

"Maine keh diya hai jab tum uthoge tabhi khana de dein. Kuch ghante so loge toh fresh ho jaoge." His concern made Naina nod in acceptance.

When she entered their room again, he was sleeping in the same position. Smiling, she put away his bag and picked his blazer and tie to put in the cupboard when last night finally became clear in her mind.

"Shirt!" She exclaimed, dropping on her knees to check the laundry basket. last night, after changing into her night suit, she had left the shirt here, thinking that she would put it away later. But it slipped her mind. She had to find it before Sameer did.

"Isse dhoond rahi ho?" His voice made her spin around.

Lifting himself on one elbow, Sameer was holding the same shirt in other hand.

Naina paled.

He laid back, placing the shirt over himself, crossing his arms over it. A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

She ran a hand on her already in place hair, looking away, "Main... main cupboard mein kuch rakh rahi thi toh... toh galti se yeh shirt... gir gayi. Mujhe laga... wash karwa deti hun... kahin koi mark na lag gaya ho."

"Hmm." His gaze remained fixed on her, "Mark toh reh gaya, Naina."

She shot a confounded look at him. How could there be a stain? She had been very careful... or was she? Maybe the belt...

"You left your mark on it... tumhari khushbu hai ismein." He put her thoughts to rest, making her go red as she realised he was aware.

"Come here." He held up one hand, his sleepy voice pleading, not demanding.

Naina walked to him hesitantly. Her cheeks were burning at the thought of his discovery. Just as she neared his bed, he pulled her with a jerk, making her fall on him.

"Sameer, tumhe lag jaati toh?" She gasped, holding his shoulders.

His eyes moved over her face, "Kabhi phoolon ke girne se kisi ko lagi hai?"

"Phoolon ka poora gamla gir jaaye toh lag sakti hai." She chuckled.

He inhaled deeply, "Isiliye itni khushbu hai tum mein jo ab meri shirt mein samaa gayi hai."

The colour found its way on her face, "Main bas... tumhe miss kar rahi thi." She decided to accept it plainly.

He gazed into her eyes. Even with this proximity, there was no visible discomfort. He contemplated for a few seconds, then tightened his arms around her, and rolled over, pinning her under him.

"Main bohot akela ho gaya tha Naina. Maine bhi tumhe bohot miss kiya. Tumne kaha tha na wapas aake batana kitna... ab bataun?" He asked wistfully.

She was taken aback at their position, getting a sudden urge to free herself. But next moment, his forlorn voice tugged at her heart, making her realise how much he loved her.

Her face eased into a smile, "Tum nahi bhi bataoge toh main jaanti hun."

He raised one brow, "Achha? Aur kya kya jaanti ho mere baare mein?"

"Sab kuch." She said confidently.

"Umm... toh yeh batao... abhi kya soch raha hun main?" His voice was heavy, she didn't know because of sleep or...

She lowered her gaze, only to find herself looking at his lips. Quickly lifting her eyes, she blurted, "Shirt ke baare mein."

The moment word was out, she regretted it. She could not speak out what she knew for sure... and the only thing that came to her instantly was shirt.

He gave a lopsided smile, "Chalo iske points de dete hain tumhe. Lekin yeh sirf aadha khyal hai. Baaki aadha tumhare baare mein hai."

She gulped, the confidence of last night leaving her.

"Mujhe yeh shirt pehen ke dikhao." He murmured.

Her eyes went wide, "Tumhe? No way."

He gazed at her with narrowed eyes for a while, then whispered, "Main pehna deta hun."

"Sameer." She turned her head to the side, her voice shaky at his insinuation.

"At least let me tell you how much I missed you." He rolled over again, letting her rest on him, and locked his lips with her.

She didn't know she missed his kisses this much, till now. His lips gave her such a sense of completion, that she caught him for another one within seconds of him pulling away after a long one.

"Kya baat hai jaan, aaj kuch zyada hi pyar aa raha hai tumhe?" He grinned, rubbing his knuckles on her cheek.

"Tumhe mujhpe gussa nahi aata?" She asked, as she lay in the crook of his arm, her head on his shoulder.

"Gussa? Mujhe gussa kyon ayega?" He furrowed his brows, then planted a kiss on her forehead with a smile, "Mujhe toh hamesha pyar aata hai... bohot saara."

She gazed at the sincerity in his eyes, "Tum sach mein bohot achhe ho Sameer."

"Pyar bhi... tareef bhi. Sameer beta... ek raat ki doori se itna sab mil sakta hai toh ek hafte ke liye koi trip plan kar le... soch zara wapas aake kya aish hogi teri." He gave her a sly smile.

"Sochna bhi mat." Naina glared at him, "Ek din aur gaye na toh... toh..." She fumbled, searching for something appropriate.

His arms tightened, "Tumhe lagta hai main jaa sakta hun? Naina, ek din toh kya, mujhe ek ek minute, ek ek second mushkil lagta hai tumhare bina. Mera dil karta hai din raat bas tum mere paas hi raho, aise hi meri baahon mein."

With a contended smile, she snuggled closer to him. Within minutes, they drifted into a comfortable sleep.

It was eleven in the morning when Naina opened her eyes. For a few seconds, she was a little disoriented, seeing the time on her phone. Then she relaxed, recalling that they still had more than two hours before they left for office. Without disturbing Sameer, she finished her bath, and dressed in simple clothes. There was no need to get dressed for office right away. She thought of going down to get tea for both of them, then dropped the idea, as she wanted to spend some more time with Sameer, without being disturbed.

"Good morning." Leaning over him, she kissed his cheek.

"Ek aur." He sleepily turned his face, offering other cheek.

"Greedy." She giggled, and kissed there too.

"Very greedy... tumhare liye." He gave a lazy smile.

She grazed his jaw, loving the prickly feeling on her fingers. The sensation made her heart flutter, and she bent over him, peppering his jaw with kisses. He smugly lifted his chin, giving her as much access as she wanted. When she straightened again, he winked, "Someone really missed me."

She looked away, stifling a shy smile, "Ab jaake naha lo. Bhook lagi hogi na tumhe."

"Mujhe bohot tired lag raha hai, Naina. Mere liye ek kaam karogi?" He held her hand, tugging at it to make her look back at him.

"Haan bilkul. Bolo na." She asked eagerly.

"Time bhi bach jayega... aur paani bhi. Saath mein hi naha lete hain." He gave a tongue in cheek smile.

Her eyes rounded in astonishment. She could not think of an answer rightaway, turning her face to other side.

"Bolo na." He tapped at her arm, fluttering his eyes innocently at her bewildered expression.

"Main... main already naha chuki hun." She gave the only answer that occurred to her.

He nodded in understanding, "Oh! Of course that is the only reason. No problem."

She sat mortified even after he had disappeared into the washroom. Her cheeks burned, but she did not feel agitated. What he said was shocking for her, but in a pleasant way. She smiled, wondering how he never got tired of making small attempts to draw her out of her hesitation. With a deep breath, she went out to the terrace, to soak in some winter sun.

Sameer stepped out after bath, with a towel around his waist. He had not taken his clothes inside today. Naina's reaction yesterday in office had intrigued him... and he wanted to see if his shirtless state had the same effect on her.

He looked around, to find her walking towards the room from terrace. An idea struck him. Quickly going back inside, he hollered, "Naina, mera towel dena. Main bhool gaya."

She checked the drawer, went out to see if it was still on clothes stand, even searched in his cupboard... but his towel was nowhere.

"Lagta hai Ramdhari bhaiya ne galti se kahin aur rakh diya." Murmuring to herself, she took out a new one from the bottom shelf of cupboard and knocked at washroom door.

"Tumhara towel nahi mil raha. Abhi ke liye yeh le lo main baad mein Ramdhari..." Her words were lost in shock when the door opened, and instead of towel, Sameer grabbed her arm, pulling her inside.

"Sameer, yeh kya..." She shrieked, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Ab bolo kya keh rahi thi. Mujhe paani ki awaaz mein sunn nahi raha tha." He made no effort to take the towel from her hand.

"Tum... tum yeh lo... aur mujhe... mujhe jaane do." She waved her hand in air, thrusting the towel ahead.

"Aur agar na jaane dun toh?" His voice was closer.

She stepped back in panic, covering her closed eyes with her palm, "Tum... main... mujhe..."

"Achha theek hai. Chali jaana, lekin meri ek condition hai." She could sense him standing just a step away.

"Kai... kaisi condition?" She stuttered, pressing her back to the wall.

"Mujhe kal raat wali shirt mein dekhna hai tumhe... abhi." He demanded.

"Nahi." Her heart jumped to her mouth.

"Toh phir hum yahin rahenge... aise hi." He sniggered.

"Nahi." She shivered as his fingers grazed her cheek.

"Well, tumhare paas sirf yeh do options hi hain. Choose one." His voice was firm.

"Aise... kab tak... khade rahenge?" She clutched the towel with one hand.

His breath fell on her face as she felt him lean towards her, "Jab tak tum aankhen nahi kholti."

"Please Sameer." Her voice was barely audible, her heart hammering against her ribs to break them.

"Please Naina. Choose one." His lips brushed over her ear.

Her knees almost gave up. To support herself, her hand flew back from her eyes to hold onto the doorknob. Seeing her lose balance, Sameer grabbed her waist.

"Main... main shirt pehen lungi." She blurted, electrified by his touch.

"Promise?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Pakka promise?" He whispered dramatically.

"Ha... haan. Pakka promise." She was desperate to get out of this situation.

He removed his hands, holding onto his laughter with great difficulty, "Great. Main bahar jaa raha hun. Tum change karke aao. Shirt yahin hai rack pe."

"Lekin tum yeh towel..." Keeping her eyes firmly shut, she held out the towel.

"Oh haan, lao." He chuckled, taking the towel and walking out.

Naina finally let out the breath that was stuck in her throat for so long. Slowly, she opened her one eye a crack, looking around with caution. It wasn't beyond Sameer to pull another stunt. When she was sure that she was alone inside, she sighed. He had given her the shock of her life. Still shivering from it, she looked around, to find the shirt on the side rack. After she changed into it, she rolled the sleeves, but there was no belt.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she bit her lip. Wearing his shirt when he was away was different... but in front of him... she wasn't feeling bold anymore. Except the top most one on the collar, she buttoned up the shirt all the way up. The length wasn't much of a bother, she had been wearing shorts and dresses all her life. Still, the thought of going in front of him in just a shirt... that too, his shirt... made her heartbeat plummet to abnormal levels. But then, her resolve from yesterday needed her to take a step ahead. She had to let go of her inhibitions if she wanted her fears to go away. Steeling herself, she drew in a breath, lifting her chin to get some confidence, and not be a nervous wreck in front of him.

Sameer had not shifted his eyes from the shut door. He stood with bated breath, not able to believe that his dream of last night... rather today morning... would be a reality so soon. He didn't know how the thought of asking her to do such a thing slipped out of his mouth. He just wanted to tease her in the washroom, but the scandalous look on her face made him take the teasing further. He was aware of her fears, of her mind blocks. But it was getting increasingly difficult for him to keep up his control, with her so close to him. Her responses to his touch and kisses were no help either, fuelling his yearning more each time he was close to her. He just hoped Naina didn't see his demand in any adverse manner. Steeling himself, he drew in a breath, deciding that if there was even a hint of hesitation in Naina's eyes, he would apologise, and ask her to change.

The click of door made him press his lower lip under his teeth in anticipation.

As she stepped in the open doorway, coming in his view, his jaw dropped to the floor. He had, not even in his wildest dreams, imagined how alluring she could look in a shirt that covered her completely till mid thighs. He had seen her in dresses which showed more skin, were flattering to her curves... but the sight in front of him surpassed those glimpses. He had noticed her legs since their first meet in the mall, in shorts that ended much above where the hem of his shirt lay, but this view was enchanting in a different way. His eyes intricately observed her from head to toe. Her delicate figure was lost in his big size shirt, still he could see the dainty curve of her shoulders... the width didn't waver at her slight waist, still there was a subtle impression where her hands clasped in front of her... the long sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, giving him a glimpse of her slender arms... and her perfect legs were bare, making his pulse race at a maddening pace. How was he to stick to his decision of moments back when the picture in front of him was robbing him of his sanity... and self control.

Naina stood still, her eyes downcast, waiting for his reaction. When the silence stretched for longer than a few seconds, she hesitantly looked up... and her heart did a somersault as her eyes registered the image in front of her. She knew he had taken a shower, but hadn't expected to see him standing in a towel, and nothing else. She had seen his wet, unkempt hair several times, but the effect they stirred up when combined with his bare skin made her throat go dry. Unlike yesterday, she didn't drop her gaze. Her eyes traveled down his neck, to his shoulders and arms. Their strength was visible in the way his muscles flexed, making her ache to touch them. Her slow gaze moved over his torso, taking in every inch of gleaming skin, covered with drops of water. How did the water not vaporise, given his hotness. For the first time, she noticed a mole, right over his heart. On his smooth, glistening expanse of skin, the mole seemed to be a striking mark. Because of regular workout, his flat abdomen was lined in packs. She did not even know that men had a dip at the curve of their waist too. He was perfection... in every possible way.

Finally, she lifted her eyes to his face... meeting his gaze. The way he looked at her made her heart drop to the depth of her stomach.

"Tum aise dekhogi toh main khud ko kaise rokunga Naina?" He whispered, both gratified and bothered at the same time.

When he found her gaze on him, he was stunned to see the wild abandon in her probing glance. She wasn't averting her eyes, like yesterday. As her gaze traveled all over him, he found it extremely hard to hold onto his threadbare control. Sameer did not even know he was taking slow steps towards her, not sure anymore if this was real... or one of his dreams.

"Tum bhi toh aise dekhte ho." She stepped ahead, not breaking their eyelock, to reach him in the center of the room.

He searched for words, to express how he felt, but his mind drew a blank. There was nothing that could match his feelings, nor her beauty.

"Main... main... kya karun mujhe samajh nahi aa raha." He mumbled, unable to stop himself from gawking at her from head to toe and back several times.

Her flushed cheeks heated even more. Slowly, she lifted her hands, and placed them on his chest. The heat from her palms seared through his skin. He fisted his hands, when her fingers started to glide on his chest, touching every inch of his skin. She flicked away the water drops, moving her fingers over his bare skin. Every night, her hand rested on his chest, her face rubbed against him, her arm wound around his bare middle... but this touch, combined with her intense gaze, burned him in a fire that threatened to leap out of control.

As her soft touch flickered over his abdomen, he knew he was doomed today. Every fiber in his body, that had suppressed its innate desire for her, wanted to break free of restraint. He shuddered as her fingers moved upwards, to his shoulders. Her exploration thrilled him, and scared him at the same time.

He took her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. Something had changed. Definitely. He could see it in her eyes, but wasn't sure what it meant. Before he could say anything, her hands circled around his neck, and she rose on her feet, to give him a tentative kiss on his lips. This wasn't the first time she had kissed him, but it was the first when he couldn't react, too stunned by whatever was happening.

"Jaan logi kya meri!" His gruff voice sounded alien even to his own ears.

She didn't get time to think of a reply. He bent down to seize her lips for a passionate kiss, which was anything but gentle. Her hands tugged at his damp hair, pulling him closer as she kissed him back fervently. He pressed her into him. She arched back, melting in his arms. He was jolted by her reaction. She had never let her body be this pliant for him. His hands moved behind her, digging into the small of her back, taking more and more of what she offered. The kiss was different... they didn't want to end it till it left them breathless enough to force them to part.

Breathing heavily, he dragged his mouth away. He was still cupping her face, his eyes taking in her swollen lips and shining eyes... the combination was lethal.

"You are breathtaking." His thoughts spilled out.

"I'm a mess." She lowered her lashes, feeling conscious.

Holding her by shoulders, he walked her to the mirror, standing behind her as they stared at their reflection, "Dekho khud ko."

The tip of her tongue flicked over her lip, as their state registered to her. With him in towel, and she in his shirt, they looked so... so intimate. His hands started to slip down her arms, till he reached her palms. When his fingers intertwined with her, she leaned back on his chest. He lifted one of their joined hands, and brought it to his lips, his eyes locked with hers in their reflection. He dipped his head, rubbing his cheek against hers. Since he had shaved, his rugged stubble was missing, but it invoked subtle, yet strong sensations in her. This subtle pleasure was replaced by a stirring one when his lips skimmed over her neck, dropping kisses in between.

A gasp left her audibly when his teeth grazed on her throbbing nerve, under the collar. Reeling under the effects of his ministrations, she wrapped her arm around her belly, pressing hard to ease the knots that had formed. Only when his fingers rubbed her waist over the thin fabric of shirt did she realise that along with her arms, his linked hand was also around her waist now. She drew in a breath, tilting her head slightly. Sameer couldn't stop his eyes from roving down when she breathed in, making her curves more discernible. When his fingers moved to the top button, Naina felt a chill run down her spine, along with a sudden rush of heat when the button was freed. He moved onto the second one, keeping his eyes on her. His fingertips brushed against the skin below her collarbone, making her drown in new sensations. Even with two buttons open, the panels stayed overlapping each other, not showing any skin. His fingers closed over her collar.

That is when a slow fear started to gnaw at the back of her head, but she pushed it away. He turned his face slightly, rubbing his nose against her ear, then nuzzled in her hair. His tongue started to make contact with her skin, starting from behind her ear, going down again towards her neck. She was lost in the web of these tactile sensations, clutching his hand harder, also pressing their arms more into her belly.

First, it did not clearly register to her. Only when she felt his lips on the skin of her shoulder did she notice in the mirror. He had pulled down the shirt over one shoulder, and was placing feather light kisses on her soft skin. She gaped at his lowered head, with his eyes flickering between her face and the task he was busy with. She pressed her lips hard when his finger hooked under the elastic band on her shoulder, and he removed it from the way, kissing the skin that was under it. Suddenly, his teeth left a stinging sensation on her shoulder, bringing out a sound from the back of her throat... a very peculiar sound.  He blew over it softly, soothing the pain. She watched as the mark turned red, clearly visible on her pale skin.

"Yeh mere pyar ki pehli nishani hai." He kissed over the mark.

She was still breathing hard when he adjusted the shirt back on her shoulder. Holding her arms, he made her turn around, and looked into her eyes.

"Naina, mera pyar tumhe yahan tak leke aaya hai. Dekhna, ab woh din door nahi jab iss pyar se tumhara har darr mit jayega. Mere pyar ki yeh nishani iss baat ka proof hai ki tum khud uss yaad se bahar aane ki koshish kar rahi ho. Aur hum tabhi kamyaab hote hain jab hamara dil koshish mein hamara saath deta hai . Jis din tum woh saare dard bhula ke mere paas aogi na... main khud ko duniya ka sabse lucky insaan samjhunga... ki mera pyar tumhe andhere se baahar le aaya hai."

She stared at him. Even when she had not shown any resistance, he had seen that hint of fear in her.

"Sameer, I'm sorry. Main... main sach mein tumhe utna hi pyar dena chahti hun jitna tumse mila hai. Main... maine... I'm sorry." She blinked hard.

He cupped her face, "Don't be. Ismein tumhari koi galti nahi hai." His soft smile turned into a charmingly teasing one, "Ek baar phir se apne hot husband ko gaur se dekho. Iss hotness se door rehna impossible hoga tumhare liye."

"Hot toh tum ho." She acknowledged in a shy voice, "Lekin besharam bhi ho."

Sameer laughed aloud, "Aur tum buddhu. Mere paas towel tha... maine bathroom mein towel pehna hua tha. Agar tum aankhen kholti toh pata chalta."

"Hawww. Aisa kyon kiya tumne?" Her eyes rounded.

"Kaisa? Towel kyon pehna?" He quirked up a brow.

She swatted his arm, "Mujhe kyon bola ki towel nahi hai."

He dipped his head to the side, roving his gaze over her, "Nahi kehta toh yeh treat thodi milti."

Blushing, she went into his arms.

Sorry for the delay. My laptop caught fire... itni hot update thi 😜

Next one on Friday