Title is a song by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, from movie 'Raid'

Repeated knocks made Sameer open his eyes. Brightness in the room indicated beginning of another day... he was one step closer to be with Naina again.

The knock was followed by a voice this time, "Sameer bhaiya, aapki coffee laye hain. Naina bhabhi ne bheji hai."

Her name made him alert. Sitting up, he hollered, "Toh andar aa na. Bahar khade hoke kya shor macha raha hai."

Ramdhari entered the room with a grin, "Good morning bhaiya. Aaj Naina bhabhi ne khud aap ke liye coffee banayi hai. Humne kaha bhi ki hum bana dete hain lekin unhone humein kuch karne hi nahi diya. Humne pucha aap kyon..."

"Offo. Subah subah kitni badbad karta hai tu. Chal ja jaake breakfast bana. Aur haan, kuch achha banana." Sameer interrupted him, eager to have the coffee... and to check the small envelope that was placed next to mug in coffee tray, along with a beautiful rose bloom.

"Yeh bhi koi kehne ki baat hai. Roz achha hi banate hain. Bura kyon banayenge." Mumbling under his breath, Ramdhari left.

After lovingly holding the flower within his fingers for a moment, Sameer opened the envelope to take out a folded paper. His eyes lit up at the thought of a love letter.

"Life mein pehli baar letter mila hai mujhe... woh bhi Naina se. Wow." He avidly unfolded it.

It had just two words

Good morning
...and an impression of her lips.

He gaped at the letter. Naina had applied red lipstick to kiss the paper.

He picked up his phone to talk to her. Then decided against it. She could have sent this message, even an emoji of kiss, on phone... but she chose this innovative style. He should return the favour in person.

Grinning, he took a sip of coffee. It was perfect. Just like her.

Naina was not with Ayush when Sameer went to his room. After talking to him for a while, he went down. She wasn't around, neither in the kitchen nor in living room.

"Ramdhari, Naina kahan hai?" He asked, keeping his voice casual.

"Naina bhabhi abhi abhi apne room mein gayi hain. Woh hamari..." Ramdhari stopped abruptly, shaking his head, "Aur kuch humein nahi pata."

Sameer narrowed his eyes. Was he hiding something?

He couldn't risk going to her room in broad daylight. Now he would have to wait till breakfast time to see her. As for her good morning, that would now be in office only. Invigorated at the thought, he sprinted up the stairs to get ready for office.

When Naina was missing from breakfast table. Sameer got impatient, "Mummy, aaj Naina breakfast ke liye kyon nahi aayi? Uski tabiyat toh theek hai na?"

"Haan baba Naina bilkul theek hai. Usne kaha aaj woh Ayush ke school jaake uski leave application degi. Isliye thodi jaldi chali gayi." Vishakha informed him.

Sameer frowned muttering to himself, "Yeh kya baat hui. Mujhe bhi jaana tha Ayush ke school. Aise kaise akele chali gayi. Subah se ek baar dekha tak nahi hai. Sochna chahiye tha mera kya haal ho raha hai uske bina."

Nanu leaned towards him, "Sameer, yeh konse mantra padh raha hai tu?"

"Jee nanu?" He jolted back to his surroundings, "Main woh... kuch nahi bas aaj ki meeting ke baare mein soch raha tha."

"Naina ke saath?" Nanu asked with complete seriousness.

He nodded... then shook his head furiously as nanu's question registered to him.

Nanu chuckled, "Arre pagle thoda toh chupana seekh."

"Main... woh... mujhe kaam hai nanu." He sheepishly got up to leave, not hungry anymore.

Ramdhari rushed to him with a plate, whispering as he reached closer, "Sameer bhaiya, Naina bhabhi ne khud aapke liye yeh alu paranthe banaye hain. Khayenge nahi?"

Sameer looked at the plate in amazement. If Naina had time to make paranthe for him, why she didn't wait to eat together.

Ramdhari discreetly fished out a small envelope from his kurta pocket, "Aur yeh aapko dene ko kaha hai."

Sameer grabbed the envelope, shoving it in his pocket swiftly. He then took his seat again, and started to relish the breakfast that his wife had lovingly prepared for him.

Vishakha gave him a surprised look, "Arre waah Sameer. Aaj tu Ramdhari ke kehne se hi maan gaya khana khane ko... warna toh bechare ko daant ta hi rehta hai."

"Mujhe bhook lagi thi." Sameer gave the most obvious answer.

Vishakha glanced at his plate, smiling, "Achha yeh baat hai. Tere liye khaas breakfast bana hai. Ramdhari itna makhhan kyon laga raha hai tujhe?"

Ramdhari scratched his head, looking at Sameer, "Darasal Naina Bhabhi ne..." Getting a glaring look from Sameer, he quickly added, "...kaha tha... ki aaj Sameer bhaiya ke liye alu paranthe bana dun."

Nanu raised his brows in appreciation, "Bhai waah! Naina sabka kitna khyal rakhti hai. Hum sabki pasand ka alag nashta banwaya hai aaj. Aur itna kuch karke Ayush ke school chali bhi gayi, woh bhi meeting ki taiyari karne ke baad. Keh rahi thi saare points mujhe mail kar diye hain."

Sameer stopped eating, and looked at nanu, "Aap mile the Naina se?"

"Haan. Abhi dus minute hue usse gaye hue. Tere neeche aane se pehle hi toh gayi hai." Nanu replied nonchalantly, digging into his sabudana khichdi.

After Sameer finished his food, he asked nanu if he was ready to leave.

"Nahi beta aaj mujhe Vishakha ke saath mandir jaana hai, panditji se baat karne. Main baad mein Raju ke saath aa jaunga. Woh abhi Naina ko leke gaya hai. Bas aata hi hoga." Nanu replied.

"Naina apni car se kyon nahi gayi?" Sameer was perplexed.

Nanu shrugged, "Pata nahi. Usne kaha aaj woh Raju ko leke jaa rahi hai."

"Shayad car mein kuch problem hogi." Vishakha offered.

On his way out, Sameer pulled out the envelope and opened her letter. It was just one line this time.

Tumhare liye alu parantha banaye hain. Khana zarur.

And another mark of her lips.

Sighing, he pocketed the envelope and got in the car. To his surprise, there was another letter on the passenger seat, along with two roses which had a sticky note on them. He first picked up the flowers to read the note

Do roses isliye ki pehle wale letter ke saath nahi de paayi thi. Agar Ramdhari sabke saamne tumhe phool deta toh sab kya sochte

Sameer laughed at how circumspect she was. He then picked the letter from the seat

Abhi toh yeh seat khali hai. Wapas aate hue kya mujhe yahan baithne ka mauka milega?

A kiss again.

"Abhi bhi tum yahan ho sakti thi Naina." He caressed the lipstick mark, sadly looking at the vacant seat.

After reaching office, he first went to her room, frowning when he found it empty. Back in his room, he received another letter, neatly placed on his table, and the rose.

Gussa mat hona please. Sabr ka phal meetha hota hai.

She had left one more kiss on the paper. What a way to waste those kisses. But his anger had already melted. She must have been as impatient to meet him, still she was playing some sort of game. He was sure there was a reward at the end of it. Now he was eager to know what it was.

When he tried to call her, the phone was switched off. It did not trigger an alarm though. She had done it purposely.

Half an hour later, he received his coffee, along with her note, and its perpetual partner, a rose.

"Yeh kisne diya?" Sameer asked the boy.

"Dhruv sahab ne café mein choda tha. Kaha tha aapne mangwaya hai coffee ke saath." He replied.

Sameer was amazed how Naina had planned everything. She had managed to reach him, without him getting a whiff of her whereabouts. He hastily checked the message on the latest note.

Bas thodi der aur.

A kiss.

"Ah Naina. Kyon itna tadpa rahi ho. Raat bhar tumse door rehne ki sazaa kam hai kya jo din mein bhi tumhe nahi dekh paa raha hun." He whined, tracing the impression of her lips.

A knock on the door made him look up in anticipation. But it was a few people from the department who wanted to show him some documents before the meeting. Putting away Naina's letter in the drawer, Sameer focused on the documents. Next two hours went by in discussion. The moment everyone left, Sameer called up Naina again. Her phone was still off. He couldn't wait more. Marching out of his room, he went to the next one and pushed open the door, without having the patience to knock. As before, a vacant chair greeted him. He noticed Lakshman, the helper, coming out of the lift.

"Naina madam kahan hai pata hai tumhe?" He asked, keeping the edge out of his voice.

Lakshman gave him a fearful look, then peered inside the door which was still open, "Jab hum dus minute pehle neeche gaye tab toh yahin thi, sir. Aap kahein toh hum bade sahab se pooch ke aayein?"

"Nahi. Main dekh lunga." Sameer waved him off, going back to his room.

Now he was desperate to meet her. He took out the phone from his pocket, but before he could press against her name, a knock on the door made him turn swiftly.

"Hi Sameer." Dhruv smiled at him warmly.

"Oh hi Dhruv. All well? Tum yahan kaise?" Sameer fidgeted with the phone, not happy with this intrusion.

"I'm sorry to bother you lekin tumse ek kaam tha. Kya tum mere saath do minute ke liye chal sakte ho?" Dhruv asked hesitantly.

Sameer gave him an uncertain look, "Mujhse kaam hai?"

Dhruv nodded, almost pleading, "It won't take long."

Sameer followed him, hoping to finish whatever work he had as soon as possible. When they entered the lift, Sameer had his back to the number panel. He presumed the lift was going to the floor above. Dhruv animatedly started telling him about his sister and her husband, and their job in USA. Sameer was least interested but he remained quiet, trying to remain attentive.

"Let's go." Dhruv pointed behind him when the lift door opened.

Sameer turned to a completely unknown visual. He stepped out, his forehead creased, "Yeh kaunsa floor hai Dhruv? Yahan kisse..."

The sound of door closing made him turn to see Dhruv had left him alone. He lunged towards the lift button... but halted.

A note was stuck next to the button, with a rose over it.

Mr Maheshwari, kya aap mere saath ek date pe chalenge? Agar haan, toh apne right mein seedhe aa jaiye

She had left one more kiss on the paper.

He stood holding the paper, in a deserted corridor.

It was all Naina's plan... Dhruv was just a medium, to bring him here.

Sameer sprinted to the passage on right, till he found a turning that led to open space. He gasped, it was the rooftop of the building.

As he crossed the door to step into open, a shower of rose petals greeted him. He jerked his head to the side.

Naina gave him the most beatific smile that he had ever seen on her face. She threw another handful of petals on him, bringing him out of his trance.

"Oh God Naina. I missed you." In a few long strides, he reached her, pulling her in his arms.

"I missed you too." She plastered her hands on his back, breathing in relief.

Staying away from him since morning wasn't easy for her either. But she had been thinking about this plan for last few days. It was a special day, and she wanted to make it memorable for them.

When Sameer didn't move for quite some time, Naina nudged him, "Sameer, hamare paas zyada time nahi hai. Lunch ke baad meeting hai."

He lifted his head, not ready to leave the warmth that he was feeling after remaining parched for almost twelve hours, "Kis baat ka time?"

She smiled at him, "Mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai... nahi, kuch puchna hai?"

"Aise hi pucho. Main ab tumhe door nahi hone dunga. Itni mushkil se mili ho." He kept her in the circle of his arms, adoring her beautiful face.

"Yahan nahi. Wahan... maine kuch preparation ki hai." She pointed behind him with her chin.

Sameer twisted his neck to look back... and his jaw hit the ground.

He couldn't believe what he saw. There was a small table, surrounded by two chairs. On the white silk table cover, there was a small box, with a red ribbon over it. A plate next to it had a cake... a cake?

He looked at Naina, "Hum kuch celebrate kar rahe hain kya?"

"Tumhare jawab pe depend karta hai." She gave him a mysterious look.

Sameer was fascinated by all this, "What is it Naina? Mujhse aur wait nahi ho raha. Please jaldi batao na."

She chuckled at his childish excitement and held his hand to take him to the table. He leaned to check if the cake had something written on it. It had... but the words didn't bring him any closer to solving the mystery.

"Sameer."

He looked back at her, and yet again, his eyes widened in wonder. Naina was holding a bunch of fresh, long stemmed blooms of red roses, which she must have kept hidden under the table as he didn't notice them earlier.

She held them out towards him, "Will you be my Valentine?"

He gaped at her.

Was it valentine's Day? How did he not come to know?

"Will you?" She eyes him tentatively, repeating her question when he appeared all lost.

Coming to his senses, he wrapped his hands around hers, holding the flowers, "I would love to be. Will you be mine?"

She nodded, and lifted herself to give a soft peck on his cheek.

"I'm so sorry Naina. Mujhe pata hi nahi tha... matlab pata tha lekin khayal nahi aaya... I mean, pehle kabhi Valentine's Day ke liye..."

She kept a finger on his lips, "Ismein sorry bolne jaisa kuch nahi hai. Main yeh karna chahti thi."

He took the flowers, and put them on the table. Taking her hand in his, he grazed her lower lip with the thumb of other hand, "Isliye subah se itne saare kisses waste kiye... che. Ab mujhe woh sab wapas chahiye. Tumne red lipstick lagayi bhi aur mujhe dekhne tak ko nahi mila. Yeh toh cheating hai Naina. Mujhe waise hi kisses chahiye. Un papers se jalan ho rahi thi mujhe."

"Tumhe kisse jalan nahi hoti." She teased.

"Toh mera share sabse zyada rakho na... phir main jealous nahi hounga." He pulled her closer, dipping his head to catch her lips.

But she ducked her face to the side, "Kuch aur bhi hai tumhare liye."

He closed his eyes, "Ab mujhe khud pe sharm aa rahi hai. Tumne itna kuch plan kiya aur main... mujhe yaad tak nahi raha ki aaj... main ekdum idiot hun."

"Hamesha tum hi mere liye sab karte ho Sameer. Aaj main karna chahti thi. Please khud ko blame mat karo. Mujhe apne Valentine ko khush dekhna hai." She pressed his arm in assurance.

Seeing the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes, Sameer let go of his guilt, and smiled, "Achha batao aur kya hai mere liye. Mujhe bhi dekhna hai aaj mujhe kitna pamper kiya jayega."

She picked up the box from the table. Sameer waited to see his gift. Naina untied the knot of ribbon, and opened it, to reveal a watch. He took off the one he was wearing and slipped it in his pocket. She pulled out the watch from its cushioned case, turned the dial and showed him, "Yeh hamare aane wale achhe waqt ke liye."

He read the fine engraving

Mera waqt badalne ke liye Thank You
Tumhari Naina

"Sameer." Her voice made him look back at her. She stared into his eyes intently, "Jab tum mera naam lete ho, aur jab mujhe Maina kehte ho, I again fall in love with you... jab tum shararat bhari aankhon se mujhe dekhte ho, I love you more... jab tum nazren jhuka ke kisi baat ke liye sorry kehte ho, I want to love you extra... jab tum meri choti se choti baat ka khyal rakhta ho, I cannot stop loving you... jab tum mere kareeb aake pyar jatate ho, I want to love you the same way... jab tum mere liye kisi se bhi lad padte ho, I just go crazy loving you... I love you Sameer... I love you for what you are, and for what you have made me. Main jitni bhi koshish kar lun lekin shayad kabhi bata nahi paungi main tumhe kitna pyar karti hun."

Her eyes were moist, but her face was glowing with rapture that her beaming smile conveyed. He extended his hand towards her, and she slipped the watch on his wrist, securing the clasp.

Sameer twisted his wrist, admiring the elegant watch before turning his gaze to her, "Waqt toh tumne bhi mera badal diya."

He held her face in his palms and leaned to kiss her forehead, "I love you Naina... for coming in my life, and making it so beautiful."

Now he knew why the cake had Thank You written on it.

They together cut the cake. Naina picked up a piece and brought it to his mouth. He took a bite, then directed her hand to her mouth. When she was about to take a delicate bite, he shook her hand, making the frosting cover half her face.

"Sameer." She frowned, "Yeh kya kiya."

"Cake aise nahi khaya toh cake mein mazaa kaise ayega." He grinned.

"Abhi humein wapas office mein jaana hai." She picked up a paper napkin from the table.

He held her wrist. She flicked her brows to question him... the glint in his eyes didn't leave any doubt in her mind about what he planned to do.

"Nahi Sameer, yahan..." Her voice was shaky.

He gave a quick look around. The rooftop gave them the required privacy.

"Yahan koi nahi hai, tabhi tumne yeh jagah chuni hai." He gave a mischievous smile, "Ab maine cake lagaya hai toh... saaf bhi mujhe hi karna chahiye na."

She stopped breathing as he inched closer. Grazing a finger against her cheek, he cleaned the white frosting. She let out a breath of relief... a little too soon. He licked his finger clean. Her eyes went wide. He did the same to the frosting on other side of her face. Her cheeks burned under his touch. The caramel of her eyes melted, appearing even lighter in the daylight, under the soft sunshine of a wintery day.

"Sam... Sameer humein... jaana hai." She mumbled incoherently when he leaned.

But Sameer had a score of six missed kisses to settle. He had to start somewhere. Her cake covered lips were the perfect beginning to his deprivation of the dose of 'meetha'.

"Happy Valentine's Day jaan." He whispered before taking her for the much awaited kiss.

A very happy birthday to our queen... Ashi, our Naina

This chapter wasn't in my planned schedule. It is an impromptu addition. After all, it is Ashi's birthday today... how could we not cut a cake here

Next one would be on Sunday as I am badly tied up this Saturday. Would try to make it a long one to compensate