Title is a popular song from movie 'Ghajni'

Naina chose a semiformal jacket to wear with jeans for dinner. When she had asked Sameer about the place where they would be going, he had said it was a surprise. Even for the dress code, he had said whatever she wears, would be perfect for the place. She was glad for her choice because he himself dressed up in jeans and a casual blazer.

When they left the house, she looked at him, "GPS on kar lete hain. Pata chal jayega kitna time lagega."

A knowing smile loomed on his face at her yet another attempt to know the destination, "Mujhe saare raaste achhe se pata hain. Aur kitna time lagega yeh bhi jaanta hun."

"Kitna?" She asked immediately, hoping to get some idea.

Sameer gave her a quick glance. As she gazed at him with inquisitive eyes, he reached for her hand, and lifted it to his lips, dropping a soft kiss, "My date with you will last lifetime."

She couldn't look away, overwhelmed by his words. Everytime he talked about being together forever gave her a contented feeling... a feeling she wanted to cherish. She had never planned anything for her life. But this man here, had come like a breath of fresh air and filled her dark world with every colour, every possible emotion.

When the car came to a stop, Naina was surprised. Being lost in her thoughts, she hadn't realised they had driven for long. But one look outside, and she knew they hadn't.

"Yahan? Yahan kaunsi jagah hai dinner ke liye?" She was confounded.

Sameer got down from the car and came to her side, opening her door. She flicked her brows in question as she stepped out, placing her hand in his extended palm... but he didn't offer any answer.

The local market had normal crowd, at the regular shops. Being close to her house, Naina had frequented this market often, for daily needs. A few eating joints were there, but not a proper restaurant. The kiosks had a few plastic tables outside, where mostly teenagers could be seen in chirpy groups. Others preferred the takeaways. Today being Sunday, all the counters were packed with people waiting for their parcels, and several groups of young boys and girls munching into rolls, sandwiches, momos and other things. Somehow, Naina wasn't able to see the relevance of this place... for something as special as their first date.

"Sameer, are you sure hum yahan..." She gave him a tentative look.

"I'm sure, Naina. Trust me." He blinked at her.

The creases on her forehead eased. Of course she trusted him.

Holding her hand, Sameer walked ahead. She was again surprised when they crossed all the eating joints but he didn't stop. But she didn't ask him anything, walking along in silence. They halted at the other end of the market, in front of a florist. Sameer asked him to give a bunch of white lilies.

He turned to her, holding the beautiful, long stemmed flowers to her, "Naina, these are for you. Jab pehli baar hum saath mein bahar aaye the, issi market mein aaye the. Uss din... maine yeh flowers khareede the lekin tumhe dene ki himmat nahi hui. Aaj hamari date ki shuruaat inn white lilies se karna chahta hun. Would you accept them?"

And then it occurred to her. Almost a year back, they had come here to buy some decorations from the stationary store. That was the first time Sameer had met Ayush, and he had gifted the same white lilies to him.

"Yeh mere favourite flowers hain." She fondly touched the smooth petals as she took the bunch from him, "Thank you, Sam..."

Her eyes shot up instantly, recalling what he had said in the morning. His eyes glinted with the same memory.

Stepping closer, he narrowed his eyes, "Yahan?"

"Shut up." She turned instantly, her cheeks heated up.

"Unless you insist, mujhe bhi yeh jagah appropriate nahi lagi." He leaned behind her, whispering in her ear.

Naina stepped ahead, her heart in her mouth. Could he not forget it even once... catching her every single time.

Sameer chuckled, coming beside her, "Let's go. Hamara yahan ka kaam ho gaya."

She looked up with a jerk, "Hum sirf flowers ke liye yahan aaye the? Lilies toh kahin se bhi mil jaate."

He touched the flowers in her hand gently, "Lilies mil jaate, lekin mujhe apna sapna poora karne ka mauka nahi milta." His eyes were filled with love when he looked at her, "Naina, ab toh tumhe pata hai main pehle din se tumse kitna pyar karta tha. Lekin tum mujhse kuch gift lo, aisa rishta nahi tha hamara... tumhari taraf se. Isliye main khud ko bohot control karta tha... ki kahin tumhe kisi baat se offend na kar dun. Par ab sab kuch badal gaya hai aur main woh pal phir se jeena chahta hun... woh sapne jo uss waqt dekhe the, unhe ab poora karna chahta hun... kyonki aab jo hamara rishta hai, main haq se tumhe jo chahun de sakta hun. Haina?"

She blinked her eyes a few time, fighting the dampness, but her lips curled into a smile, "Mujhe samajh nahi aata meri kismat itni achhi kaise ho gayi ki aap mujhe mile."

"Tum." He reminded her.

"Oh haan." She slapped her forehead, scrunching her face, "Tum mujhe mile."

She looked so adorable with this action of hers that he had a tough time controlling himself from crushing her in his arms and kissing away the frown. Since morning, when she had finally agreed to do away with her formal address of 'aap', she had faltered a few times, but he could understand that the habit would take a while to go. He just hoped next time she did the same, they were at some place where he could show her what it did to him.

"Ab hum wahan jayenge jahan main bhi khud se yehi puchta tha ki meri kismat itni achhi kaise ho gayi." He held her hand and walked towards the car with brisk steps.

This time, she had a fair idea where they were going, and wasn't surprised when they stopped in front of Bhalla aunty's house.

"Tum pehle bata dete toh main keys le aati." She looked up wistfully.

He fished out the jingling keyring from his pocket, "Plan mera tha toh sab kuch main hi karunga na."

Her face beamed with utmost elation as she undid the seatbelt and leapt out. When she asked him what he was carrying in the bag that he picked up from back seat, he shook his head, refusing to say anything. Naina accepted his decision. Whatever he had in mind, it would be worth waiting for.

When they unlocked the gate, she felt a little sad at the unkempt state of aunty's garden, but it didn't dampen her excitement for coming back to the same house which had changed her life.

They entered together, after Sameer had opened the heavy lock. The house looked same... yet different. Furniture was covered with white sheets but everything was clean. Aunty had mentioned she would leave a caretaker.

Sameer took the flowers from her and picked up the same vase where she had put them last time.

"Yahan kyon rakhna hai? Ghar leke jayenge na." She followed him to the kitchen where he went to fill the water.

"Yeh bhi toh ghar hi hai, Naina... hamara ghar." He smiled fondly, looking around after he had arranged the flowers.

Naina exhaled happily, her eyes absorbing every corner, every object, "Maine socha bhi nahi tha iss ghar se mujhe itni attachment ho jayegi. Main aur Ayush ek saal bhi nahi rahe yahan, phir bhi aisa lagta hai jaise yeh hamara hi ghar hai."

"Aur woh ghar?" Sameer asked, though he had no doubt about her acceptance.

She turned to him, "Woh ghar bhi apna hai. Jahan aap..." She gave a quick shake to her head, "tum ho, wahan main."

And he got his chance.

In one long stride, he reached her, wrapping his arm around her waist, "Tumhara yeh 'aap' ke baad jo pause aata hai na... isme mera dil karta hai..."

"Kya karta hai?" Her eyes had no hint of shyness.

He gazed at her for a few seconds, before speaking in a raspy voice, "It's a long list. Yeh dil aise aise sapne dekhta hai ki tum sun nahi paogi. Lekin har kaam ki shuruaat meethe se hoti hai toh sabse pehle muh meetha karna chahiye."

She placed her hands on his chest, stopping him from leaning at her, "Abhi kaunsa kaam shuru kar rahe hain?"

"Date! Hamari pehli date hai. Isse achha kaam kya hoga." He winked, leaning again.

"Uh... uhh, Mr Maheshwari. Bohot utawale hain aap... aur yahan main aap hi kehna chahti hun." She giggled at his raised brows, hearing the same word again.

"Main?" He gave her a shocked look, "Main utavala hun? Naina, you have any idea iss ghar mein maine kitne zulm sahe hain?"

"Zulm?" She let out an amused laugh.

He nodded fiercely, "Pehli baar aaya tabse. Har baar... Naina, har baar tumhare kareeb aana chahta tha, par darta tha, kahin tum mujhe galat na samajh lo."

Her heart melted at his plight. Cupping his face with one hand, she planted a kiss on his stubbled cheek. He grinned, "Har visit ka milega na?"

Pushing him away, she laughed, walking away, "Greedy bhi ho tum."

"Haan hun. Lekin iss ghar pe mujhe aaj bhi faith hai. Jaise yahan meri har wish poori hui hai, aage bhi hogi." He rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Aise keh rahe ho jaise yeh koi mandir hai." She started to remove the sheets covering the furniture. If they had to spend some time here, she wanted to feel at home.

"Tum nahi jaanti mere liye yeh ghar kya hai." Sameer sighed, plopping on the sofa that she had cleared, and holding a cushion to his chest.

"Achha? Toh bata do kya hai." She sat on the adjacent chair.

Sameer reminisced about the initial days, "Jab first time aaya tha toh mere diye hue white lilies issi vase mein issi table pe the. Bohot achha laga tha dekh ke. Naina, mere pyar ka yeh pehla gift iss ghar mein aaya tha, indirectly hi sahi... yahin pe tumne mera dosti ka haath thaama tha... yahin pe mujhe pehli baar ahsaas hua ki tum mujhpe trust karti ho... aur yahin pe ek din maine tumhe mangalsutra pehna ke hamesha ke liye apna bana liya tha."

Naina thought about all those times that he had been here. From being wary of him, to unknowingly care for him to realising that she had fallen in love with him... she could recall everything.

"Ayush ke birthday pe tumhe dekh ke khud ko badi mushkil se control kiya maine. Waise main help karne hi aaya tha..." He held up one hand when she gave him a probing look, "lekin tum itni... itni hot lag rahi thi ki..." he winked.

She threw a cushion at him, which he caught, grinning.

"Sach mein Naina, jab tum ladder pe chhad ke balloons aur decorations laga rahi thi, main peeche peeche ghoom raha tha... hoping that you would fall." His mischievous smile made her eyes widen.

"Tum chahte the main gir jaun, mujhe chot lage?" She asked in wonder.

He shook his head quickly, "Chot kaun lagne deta tumhe madam. Main chahta tha tumhara balance bigde aut tum seedhe meri baahon mein land karo."

"Mujhe balance karna aata hai." She huffed.

"Achha? Toh uss din kya hua jab Ayush ke room mein spider ke saath dual kar rahi thi?" His tongue in cheek smile implied she fell on purpose.

The memory of that day made Naina blush. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she lowered her eyes, "Uss din... saree ki aadat nahi hai mujhe. Ayush ne jab kaha toh main saree mein kisi tarah chair pe chhad toh gayi par mushkil tha. Actually Ayush ko spider se bohot darr lagta hai isliye maine socha jaldi se maar deti hun."

"Tumhe nahi lagta? Spider, cockroach ya kisi aur insect se?" He had seen his mom and sister getting scared of insects and creepy crawlies.

She looked up, and shook her head.

Sameer raised his brows in appreciation, "Wow Naina, maine pehli ladki dekhi hai jise kisi se darr nahi lagta."

"Ladki hun toh darna zaruri hai kya?" She frowned.

Sameer pinched her cheek lovingly, "Nahi nahi meri Jhansi ki rani... tum aise hi best ho."

The rush of colour on her face made him forget everything, and he leaned to kiss the cheek that he had just pulled.

When she gave him a startled look, he raked his fingers through his hair, "Jab bhi aata tha yahan, yeh karna chahta tha. Aaj chance mil hi gaya."

She pursed her lips, showing fake annoyance.

"You know I was always in love with you, Naina. Iss ghar mein aisa feel hota tha jaise tumhare aur kareeb hun. Main bahane dhundta tha aane ke. Aur jab kuch din tumhare saath rehne ka mauka mila, uske baad wapas ghar jaana mere liye kitna tough tha bata bhi nahi sakta." He sighed, thinking about the days and nights he had seen her so close to him, yet out of his reach.

Sitting upright, he held her hands, "Woh saare pal mere liye bohot precious hain. Tumhare dil mein kuch nahi tha phir bhi tum jaise care karti thi, mujhe achha lagta tha. Jab mera haath jalne pe daanta tha, woh pyar wali daant itni pyari thi ki main apna poora haath jalane ko ready tha."

Not bothered by her glare, he continued, "Anjaane mein tumne jab bhi chuaa, dil kiya tumhe baahon mein le lun. Tumhe toh yaad bhi nahi hoga... jab ek baar tum Shahpur Jat se aane mein late hui thi, yahin par khade hue the hum dono, with your arm resting on my chest. Tum Ayush ko goud mein lekar late aane ke liye sorry bol rahi thi aur main mann hi mann Ayush ko thanks bol raha tha."

Her eyes rounded. That was too long back. The touch hadn't even registered to her... and that was shocking. Because at that time, Sameer was just another man... and she would feel disgusted by any proximity with a man.

"Mujhe pata hi nahi chala." She thought aloud.

"Maybe tumhara dil bhi pehle se hi accept kar chuka tha." He rubbed his thumb on the back of her hands.

Her astonished expression softened as she looked into his eyes. Probably now was the time when he should also know about her love for him.

"Shayad. Mujhe nahi pata main kab se pyar karne lagi thi. Lekin jab Ayush bimar hua aur tum yahan rehne aaye... I realised I loved you."

It was Sameer's turn to stare at her in amazement, till he found his voice, "Tum... tabse... toh kaha kyon nahi?"

"Mujhe laga tum... kisi se pyar karte ho... shayad koi college mein thi." She stated hesitantly.

When Sameer asked her how she got this notion, Naina told him everything that lead to this confusion. Sameer rolled his eyes, "Yahan saari duniya ko pata chal gaya ki Sameer Maheshwari Naina Agarwal ke liye pagal hai aur meri Naina ko meri aankhon mein kisi aur ki tasveer nazar aati thi."

She scrunched her nose, "Maine... maine expect nahi kiya tha koi mujhse... kabhi pyar kar sakta hai."

"Nahi kar sakta." His eyes turned intense, "Mere jitna pyar tumse koi nahi kar sakta. Aur kisi ne socha bhi toh main... main uski naak tod dunga."

Inspite of the heartfelt confession, Naina couldn't control her giggle, "Naak? Naak kyon tod doge?"

He pondered for a while, then said, "Right. Sirf naak nahi, uski saari haddiyan tod dunga."

She laughed, "Tumko yeh sab nahi karna padega. Koi beauty queen nahi hun main jo mere peeche line lage."

With her hands in his grasp, Sameer stood up, making her stand along, and uttered in a deep voice, "Tum kya ho mujhse pucho, kitni sundar ho meri aankhon se dekho, kitni hot ho mere dil ki dhadkan se pata karo, kitni... umm..." He brought her close with a jerk.

"Dhatt." She turned scarlet at his words swirling around before he could say something that turned her into a puddle.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he placed his chin on her shoulder, "Naina, you think yeh ghar iss baar bhi meri wish poori kar dega?"

'Kya wish?" The question was out before she could stop.

He held her shoulders and turned her around. His eyes were dark as he gazed into her honey colored ones, "Pehle bhi bina kahe mila hai sab kuch. Let's see, iss baar kya hota hai."

"Toh humein tab tak yahan rukna hai jab tak wish poori nahi hoti?" She asked.

Sameer couldn't help but smile at her innocent query. If only she knew, how far from innocent his list was.

"Tum apna room nahi dekhna chahti?" He asked her, controlling the raging rush of emotions coursing through him.

Naina was more than happy to check out everything in her room. She opened her cupboard, and noticed the dresses which were piled up. Making a mental note to eventually shift them to her new house, she turned, and her eyes landed on her chair. How many nights she had spent sitting here. The chair was her companion when she had no one. And now it sat alone.

"Sameer, kya hum isse..." She looked over her shoulder to ask him, but stopped when she realised she was alone in the room.

"Sameer." Raising her voice, she was about to leave when he entered... holding two steaming mugs.

"Yeh kya? Tumne order kiya?" She was pleasantly surprised as the aroma of coffee hit her.

"Maine banayi hai madam. Sameer special coffee... for my special Maina." He proudly held out the mug.

She wasn't shocked... she was flabbergasted.

"Co... coffee banayi? Kaise? Kahan? Lekin tumhe toh..." She stuttered in utter disbelief.

Rubbing the back of his neck shyly, Sameer disclosed, "Maine Ramdhari se seekhi. Tumhe first date pe surprise dene ke liye."

She couldn't believe her ears. Sameer boiled alu is a dish Maheshwari... learned to make coffee for her.

"Kab seekhi? Mujhe kyon nahi kaha?" She was in a daze.

"Offo Naina, ab yeh interrogation baad mein karna, pehle taste karke batao coffee kaisi hai." He wasn't ready to divulge in details and waste their precious moments.

Naina took a sip quickly, and her eyes widened, "My God Sameer, it's perfect. Itni achhi coffee maine aaj tak nahi pi."

"Sach?" He beamed, immediately taking a sip from his mug.

The smile was wiped off his face, "Naina, tum jhoot kyon bol rahi ho? Na yeh strong hai, sugar kam hai, and it isn't hot enough."

Taking another long gulp from hers she said with a suggestive smile, "Bohot achhi hai. Rahi strong, sweet aur hot ki baat... woh tum ho."

He was taken aback for a moment, before a lopsided smirk adorned his face, "Is my wife flirting with me?"

She flicked her brows, "Don't disturb me. Mere husband ne pehli baar mere liye coffee banayi hai. Let me enjoy."

"Kar lo enjoy. Coffee ke baad toh idhar hi aana hai." He winked, and emptied his mug in long gulps.

The moment Naina took her last sip, he snatched the mug from her, and put it on side table. Knowing his intention, she tried to dart out, but he caught her arm, and pulled her back, making her crash into him.

"Bina bill diye bhagne ki koshish?" He smirked.

"Haww, ab mujhe apne hi ghar mein, apne hi pati ko bill dena padega?" She pouted.

"Tumhare strong, sweet aur hot pati ko bill nahi tumhara dil chahiye." He whispered, taking steps with her in his arms.

She moved with him, stopping abruptly when her back hit the wall. Her head jerked to the side, then at him, with a question in her eyes. His one hand lifted to the side, and opened her cupboard.

"Pehli baar mujhe laga tha ki tumhare dil mein bhi mere liye kuch hai, jab maine apna yeh blazer tumhare cupboard mein dekha." He flicked his eyes behind her.

She clearly remembered the day she had put it.

His eyes too glittered at the memory, "Main bata nahi sakta mujhe kaisa feel hua. I was over the moon. Tum isse guest room mein bhi rakh sakti thi, jahan already mere kapde the. Lekin tumne isse yahan, apne kapdon ke saath rakha... main iska matlab samajh gaya tha Naina, bas tumse sunna chahta tha."

She wasn't shy to confess, "Iska matlab wohi tha jo tumne samjha tha. Keh paane ki himmat nahi thi mujhme. Maine iss raaz ko sabse chupake rakha tha, lekin uss din pata nahi kaise tumhare saamne aa gaya."

"Aur iss raaz ne mujhe himmat di. Bhalla aunty ke kehne pe maine jo kiya, nanu aur mummy ke saamne tumse bina puche tumhe ghar le jaane ko insist kiya... kyonki mujhe pata tha yeh tumhari marzi ke against nahi hai. Tum khud ko jaan ke mujhse door rakh rahi ho, jabki tum bhi mujhe utna hi pyar karti ho. Saare raaste apne aap khulte chale gaye Naina. Isiliye main kehta hun, yeh ghar mere dil ki har baat sunta hai aur maanta hai." He smiled at her fondly.

She looked in his eyes, the ones that always had love, respect and care for her. Even if she didn't understand it before, now she knew he was always like this for her. He never demanded. And when he asked, he didn't force her or showed resentment when she was unable to give in. His love never changed. Not even on knowing about her... and Ayush.

Sameer gave a knowing smile when she raised her hand to his face, and stroked his stubble. But his eyes filled with incredulity when her thumb traced the edge of his lower lip. His heartbeat escalated at an alarming rate, his heart ready to burst out of his chest. He covered her hand with his palm, clutching hard. His brows went up in a question... her eyes blinked once, in answer.

His gaze dropped to her lips. Every cell in his body pushed him to her... the lips that he had craved for so long were so close. He wanted to touch them, savour them, feel them against his for so long. He wanted to taste their sweetness. When he slid his hand to the back of her neck, she didn't turn her face. Rather, she waited... waited for that first touch with hammering heart. Time stopped when his lips met hers finally... it was electric, cosmic.

He slowly grazed her lips first, the touch she felt all the way down to her toes. His hand tugged at her hair gently, tilting her head for better access, and her heart erupted in a wild explosion when his lips moved softly against her mouth. She was still for a few seconds, before her lips started to respond in the same rhythm. His tongue probed further, emboldened by her response, and next moment, he was exploring her mouth. His hand on her waist tightened as the kiss deepened. His heart kept missing beats and his hands couldn't bring her close enough. Whether it lasted a minute, or an hour, he didn't know. He kissed her with passion, with love, with longing, with every breath he had in his body. Her heart skipped several beats to remind her that something new was happening to her. It was a fire that was melting her. He was gentle yet passionate, sweet yet fierce, strong yet soft. The warmth of his lips was magical... and intoxicating. She held him tighter, to support the knees that had gone weak.

When they both were out of breath, he pulled back, placing his forehead against hers. He was breathing heavily against her cheek. She couldn't lift her eyes to him.

His fingers brushed her cheek, "Look at me."

Slowly, she raised her eyes, her lashes fluttering a little more than usual. A knot formed in her stomach at the way his dark eyes bored into hers. His thumb reached her lower lip. Involuntarily, her lips parted as she drew in a shuddering breath. Something snapped in Sameer. Almost as quick as lightening, he was kissing her again, with more passion than the previous one, if it was possible. And she kissed him back. With same intensity. Her hands moved up behind his neck, as she tried to memorise every moment, every sensation, every spark, every wave of pleasure that she felt.

"You took my breath away." He whispered, in a deep and husky voice after they parted.

It was an all consuming kiss, which truly meant that their soul had found a soulmate... it had found home.

The date ain't over yet 😉

Next update on Monday