Title is the song 'Naina Baawre' from movie 'Tishnagi'

It was her body clock that made Naina sense that it was not too early in the morning, but still the room was dark. She reached for her phone to check the time. It was indeed past nine in the morning. She furrowed her brows. By now the room should have been filled with brightness seeping through almost sheer curtains.

She carefully slipped out of Sameer's grip, hoping that he doesn't get disturbed. He mumbled her name, patting his hand on the bed. She pushed her pillow to him. Burying his face in it, he went back to sleep. Naina crept out of the bed, and went to the glass door. What she saw outside made her squeal in delight.

"Kya hua? Naina!" Sameer sat up instantly, looking around in daze.

"Jaldi aao Sameer. Look at this." She waved at him frantically, her eyes glued to the scene outside.

He scampered out of the bed, throwing the quilt that was entangled around his legs. Naina clutched his arm the moment he reached her, her voice thick with excitement, "This is unbelievable."

He peered outside... and sleep vanished from his eyes.

Soft, powdery snow had casted a thin layer on the terrace. It had snowed sometime in the night, though not much.

"Sameer, maine aaj tak kabhi snowfall nahi dekha. I wish din mein hua hota. But it's still so beautiful. Chalo bahar chalte hain." Naina tugged at his arm.

He held her wrist as she reached out to the door handle, "Aise? Freeze hona hai kya?"

That is when it registered to her. She was in his tshirt while he stood wearing just his track bottoms, bare chested in front of her. Even after all the moments of intimacy, her cheeks flared up at their state.

"Room heated hai madam, isliye feel nahi ho raha. Bahar jaate hi kulfi jam jayegi." He informed, having enough experience of snow induced cold because of his stay in London for two years.

She lifted her gaze to his face. His hair fell on his forehead in a messy cluster, almost covering his eyes. The stubble that was now two days old gave his smooth face a rugged look, making her heart drum wildly. As her eyes ventured lower, she noticed the bluish marks on his skin, evidence of her passion. Her eyes raced back to his face, abashed at herself. But her heart seemed to be out of her control. All she could think of was how incredibly hot he looked at the moment.

Sameer had been observing the swirling emotions in her eyes. As if her tantalising form in his tshirt, which left most of her legs bare and was sliding down one shoulder wasn't enough to torture him, the colour getting deeper on her cheeks, the breath getting uneven and her unwavering gaze on him rendered him incapable of thinking about anything but her. In one swift pull, she was plastered to his chest.

"Aise dekhogi toh aaj ke baaki saare plans cancel karne padenge." His voice rasped in her ears.

"You look hot." Her hushed whisper made him smile smugly.

"Toh phir aise hi bahar chalte hain. Kal meri hot biwi ki wajah se mujhe thand nahi lagi... aaj tumhare hot husband ka effect dekhte hain." He traced a finger along her hairline.

"Ab itna hot bhi nahi kaha." She shrugged, trying to get a hold on her racing heart.

"Guess I'll have to prove it." He declared huskily before leaning to her neck, kissing the pulsating vein, and moved on to her exposed shoulder with a trail of kisses.

When he nipped the curve of her shoulder, her hands curled on his chest, her body arching back. In last couple of days, he had discovered the torrid, fervent expressions of her love. Her responses not just left him spellbound, they made him yearn for her even more than he could imagine... every minute, every second. He didn't want to share her, with anyone... with anything.

The control Naina was trying to bring in was incapacitated as his lips set her skin on fire. Nothing else mattered anymore, but the unfathomable craving that he kindled within her. She didn't protest when her feet lifted up in air and he carried her back to bed. The room crackled with the heat of their love, in sharp contrast to frozen white exteriors, just a door away.

They both were comfortably packed in warm clothes when they did step out onto the terrace later, making footprints on the layered surface. As if to welcome her, the snow started to fall again. She gasped, looking up with a start.

Sameer smiled at the awed expression on her face, "Dekho, maine tumhare liye snowfall bhi karwa di."

"Thank you so much." He had expected her to laugh at his claim but she hugged him, taking him by surprise.

Just as quickly her arms had wrapped around him, they left him to pick up a handful of snow, hurling at him, accompanied with the sound of her giggles, "Yeh raha tumhara gift."

He rolled his eyes, "Nainaa."

She looked at him, raising her brows expectantly, "Return gift nahi doge?"

He gave her a teasing look, "Sure. Chalein andar?"

The tip of her nose was red because of dropping temperature, but her cheeks coloured up because of rising one, he knew.

"Dhatt. Main iski baat kar rahi hun." She ruffled his hair, making the snow settled on his locks fall on both of them.

He leaned and kissed her cheek, before stepping back, "Enjoy while it lasts. Weather dekh ke lagta nahi zyada der hogi."

She grinned, spreading her arms and turning her face up, to feel the snow on her face. It was both soft and warm. Inhaling deeply, she looked around, at the floor that was covered in a new sheet, ready for fresh footprints, just like her life. The rough, bleak yesterdays were covered in a new, bright layer... which waited to be marked with their steps together. She brought her open palms in front of her. Some of the feathered crystals ended their chaotic flight in her hands, melting in the warmth of their destination, making her smile. Her share was falling in her hands... and nothing could stop it now.

She turned to the parapet. The valley below seemed to be covered in a veil too, but not too thick. She could see a combination of green interspersed with frothy white. But most charismatic was the way those balls of fluff were cascading down, unhurriedly, to form a cover that was most orderly, most uniform. Naina had seen snow covered surroundings, hills, mountains, even made a sloppy, unsuccessful attempt at skiing in Kufri but she had never seen this marvel of nature unfold in front of her eyes. It fell from above, like a large pillow had been torn open, to let the feathery fluff descend down to earth slowly.

The beauty could only be felt, not described. If rains refreshed her, this view was filling her with a strangely satisfying lightness.. as if she was a snowflake too, leisurely rolling into a new world... a world of love.

She looked back at Sameer, "Yahan aao na."

He walked ahead, and took the hand she held out, smiling at her, "Mujhe nahi pata tha tumhe snowfall itna achha lagega."

"Yeh view itna sundar hoga kabhi socha hi nahi. Inn snowflakes ko hawa mein udte hue dekh ke lagta hai kaash hum bhi aise udd paate." She leaned on his arm, holding onto his hand with both of hers.

He rested his head on hers, "Main hun na... tumhara personal hawa ka jhonka. Jahan udna chaho, tumhe le jaunga."

She huddled more into him, craning her neck to look at him, "Woh toh tum ho. Mujhe udna tumne hi toh sikhaya hai."

Contented with everything, Sameer dipped his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. There was same mellow tranquility in her eyes. He parted the lapels of his jacket, and pulled her against himself, closing the jacket over both of them. Outside chill didn't matter, as they basked in the warmth of each other, standing in silence as they watched nature weave magic in pristine white, a colour they both loved.

As Sameer had predicted, the snowfall didn't last long. When they went out after a light breakfast, roads were already cleared up. With the sun back in business, day looked brighter and more beautiful.

"Hum kahan jaa rahe hain?" Naina was curious after being in the car for about fifteen minutes. From what she had seen, the town didn't stretch till much far.

"Tumhari ek aur wish poori karne." He winked.

She was perplexed, wondering what else had she told him... and when. Nothing came to her mind.

When Sameer parked at a place little later, she looked around. There was a building, higher than most of the places she had seen in Kasauli. But it didn't look like a hotel. Only when they entered, and the pictures all around unraveled his destination, she grinned, clutching his hand tight to show how delighted she was.

Ropeway was always a fascinating experience. She had been in ropeway rides at other places, and was thrilled now to go for this one too. The cable car was like all others, a metallic compartment, painted bright red. Sameer and Naina got in the next one. She was surprised when no one else entered, though there were a few people waiting.

"Maine saare tickets le liye." He shrugged when she gave him a questioning look. It didn't surprise her.

As the cable car left the building, swaying on the thick wires, they looked out at the breathtaking view, of hills and meadows, valleys and houses, town and the meandering mountain roads. Fresh layer of snow had turned the place into dreamland as the settled snowflakes now turned into sunlit glitter, spread on trees and houses, lending a new shine to the town.

Sameer circled his arm around Naina's waist while she pointed excitedly at the mountains in distance. Her eyes shifted to him.

"Tumhe udna tha na... ab tum aur main dono hawa mein hain." He kissed her cheek softly.

She placed a hand on one side of his face, and planted a hard kiss on his other cheek, looking at him lovingly after stepping back, "Thank You."

"For?" He raised his brows.

"Everything." She kissed him again, on the other cheek.

"Mujhe pata hota tum honeymoon pe aane se itni romantic ban jaogi toh main bohot pehle plan kar leta... shaadi se bhi pehle." His eyes glinted as he gave her a lopsided smirk.

She smacked his chest lightly with a fisted hand, pursing her lips. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around to look at the view, and gathered her in his arms, placing his cheek against hers as they gazed at the beautiful landscape all around.

The view from top wasn't any less, they realised when they reached the hill. Sameer had been here earlier but the way Naina made him see and appreciate the beauty of nature, he felt it was his first visit too. After taking some pictures, they went to the small café, which wasn't much crowded, as it was neither tourist season, nor much people seemed to have ventured out due to dip in temperature after snowfall.

Though inside seating offered the warm comfort, they settled on the chairs outside and ordered tea and some fried snacks, which were perfect for the weather. It was a bright sunlit day, but chilly breeze at this height was making the effect of sun negligible. Sitting huddled together, they sipped piping hot tea, cherishing the moments that would remain etched in their memory forever.

When they drove back, Naina immediately recognised that they were on a different route.

"Hum wapas nahi jaa rahe?" She was puzzled.

Sameer gave an amused glance to her, "I understand Naina hum honeymoon pe aaye hain lekin thoda toh ghumna chahiye na... aakhir sabko pictures bhi toh bhejne hain."

Her eyes widened at the innuendo.

"Pagal ho tum." She said with a shy smile.

"Tumhare pyar mein." He puckered his lips at her.

Naina was in for another surprise, when they entered the railway station.

He narrowed his eyes, "Naina, tum last time train mein kab baithi thi? Honestly, mujhe toh yaad nahi maine train journey kab ki thi."

She looked uncertainly at Sameer, "Mujhe bhi nahi... lekin hum train se kahan jaa rahe hain?"

"Train nahi, toy train." He grinned, indicating at the narrow gauge train that chugged in that very moment.

Naina gasped. It was the same train which she wanted to take when she had visited Shimla with her parents. But since Ayush was small, they had preferred to travel by road. The Kalka Shimla toy train is considered to be a journey back in time. It has remained same, since the Britishers introduced it in 1903... a piece of history, still breathing, more than a century later. She was aware of these snippets as her dad always educated her on the historical lineage of places they visited.

"Nainaa." Sameer's voice brought her back to present, to realise that he had already boarded, and train had started to chug out of the station slowly. Sameer frantically waved at her. She ran towards him, taking his offered hand, and hopping on before the train left the platform behind.

He pulled her in his arms, his heart beating at an alarming pace, "Kya hua tumhe? Kahan kho gayi thi? Maine itni baar bulaya."

She held her ears, moving back, "Sorry. Papa ki batayi hui baatein yaad aa gayi thi... iss train aur iski history ke baare mein."

He again took her in his arms, "Sorry se nahi chalega. Share karna padega papa ne jo bhi bataya tha."

She nodded against his chest, overwhelmed each time he addressed her parents as mumma papa.

The train seemed to be directly lifted from British era, with curtained windows and cushioned seats. It was quite well maintained for the numbers of years it had been plying. Naina explained its heritage to Sameer, that she had learned from her dad.

The one hour ride was an enlivening journey as it waded through rugged mountains, pine forests and long tunnels. Sleepy little hamlets on the way looked serene, with calm village children smiling at the train. The gorges gushed with streams of clear water, wherever they were not frozen.

Sameer took advantage of darkness every time the train went through a tunnel... and kissed his wife, who was shocked the first time, but was prepared after that. They enjoyed the scenic view, partially covered with snow. Fresh air of hills, though chilly, was invigorating. At the end of their ride, when Sameer asked her if she wanted to go back to Dharampur in a cab or take the same route by train, Naina preferred the train. Not just the ride, it was an experience in itself.

It was getting dark when they reached home. Even though they loved the weather outside, warmth of home was relaxing. After freshening up, they sat down for dinner.

"Papa ki wajah se mujhe travel karna itna achha lagne laga tha. Hamesha wait karti thi trips pe jaane ka." Naina reminisced as she thought about the events of the day.

Sameer was pleasantly surprised that she initiated this topic and she said this with a smile. Earlier, any mention of her days with her parents made her glum.

He prodded, "Tum bachpan se holidays pe jaati thi?"

She nodded, "Har saal, aur kabhi kabhi winters mein bhi. It was a ritual for us. Hamara family time hota tha woh, jisme na mumma mujhse school ke baare mein puchti na papa apne office ki baat karte. Aur mumma ko kisi dish ke baare mein bolna allowed nahi tha, sivay uski tareef ke. Kisi se recipe nahi puchne dete the main aur papa." She chuckled, recalling her mom's curiosity about new dishes.

Sameer smiled, "Bohot mazaa aata hoga na tumhe."

"Aisa lagta tha hum log ek alag duniya mein hain... jahan sirf masti, hansna, khush hona, aur ek doosre ke saath khul ke baatein karna hi hamari life thi." She thought about how happy she was everytime her mom asked her to pack.

Her face ashened all of a sudden at the memory of that one time when she was not asked to do so... when her mom had packed her suitcase... when they left for the trip after her discharge from hospital.

Sameer pressed her hand, "Hum bhi aisi hi life banayenge Naina... apne aur Ayush ke liye."

The cloud moved away, bringing back the light. It was over... that time was gone. She won't let any fragments of its stale stench in her new life.

She placed her other hand on his, "Ayush ko bhi travel pasand hai. Aur ab woh car mein bhi tang nahi karta."

"Kyonki hamara beta bada ho raha hai." Sameer smiled fondly.

Naina took a deep breath. Ayush was their son now... and they would give him the same happy life that she had lived with her parents.

Next update on Tuesday