The Same Night...

Naina freshened up in comfy clothes and tied her hair into a loose ponytail, the ends of her strands resting on either side of her cheeks. She opened the drawer and took out a box, staring at it with a slow smile. She walked toward her bed and crawled on the thin sheet to sit relaxedly on it.  The pillow settled behind her as she pressed her back on the satiny fabric, fiddling with the box.

Soon her phone rang thunderously, and she knew who must be calling her. Heaving a deep sigh she slid up to answer the call but didn't realize it was a Video Chat.

What the hell! Naina slapped her forehead in sheer embarrassment as she watched her mini frame on the camera, looking like a joker in the baggy blue top. She saw Sameer's smiling face while walking on the street, probably amused at her cute expressions, and she said - "Yaar tum pehle bata nahi sakte the you want to VC me?"

"What's VC?" Sameer asked her confusingly.

"Video Call pagal," Naina spoke irately, rubbing her fingers on her forehead.

"Kyu? You are wearing proper clothes mujhe kuch aisa waisa dikh bhi nahi raha hai." He teased her while winking at her bashful eyes, and she palmed her face out of mortification.

"Chill, I was kidding," Sameer said in a gentle voice.

"Tum pahuch gaye pune?" Naina asked him with a solemn visage.

"Yes, I will reach the flat in a minute. Socha tumse tab tak baat kar loon." Sameer replied to her with a sweet smile, and she saw the background behind his tall frame. It was completely dark and no illumination could be seen in the vicinity.

"Ghar pe call kiya tumne?" She asked him softly.

"Hmm, pehle aai ko kiya, phir tai ko, aur uske baad tumhe. I know you would have scolded me agar unse pehle main tumhe inform karta that I have reached here safely." He explained to her with a knowing smile while raking his fingers through his fluffy black hair.

"You know me so much na," Naina said with a sly smile, zooming on the front camera so that he could see his personal maid.

"Of course, for you and mere liye family comes first." Sameer grinned, his teeth shining in the darkness.

"Yes, ab jaldi se jake fresh ho jao aur so jao. Kal subah phir office haina." She instructed him like a teacher, and he hummed, entering the society gate once the watchman confirmed with the owner that a guest has come to stay at his place.

"Yes Ma'am, but pehle main tumhari gift dekhuga uske baad souga," Sameer told her with an obstinate smile, and Naina knew he wouldn't listen to her suggestion to open her gift tomorrow.

"Fine, but pehle you'll get fresh." She told him strictly and he nodded yes.

"Alright, I'll call you back in some time, if you want to sleep toh so jao...kal tumhara college hoga na," Sameer spoke with a concerned look, and saw her smiling at him.

"I am not sleepy," Naina said.

"Pakka na?" He asked her unassuredly.

"Haan baba." She gave a wide smile.

"Ok, then stay awake for me, main 15/20 minute me call karuga tumhe. Bye! love you." Sameer hung up the call with a bright smile on his face at the prospect of talking to his girlfriend late at night, and Naina was relieved her boyfriend reached his destination safely.

She folded her hands for a sincere prayer and thought - "Bappa mere Sameer ko uski nayi job me bilkul pareshani na ho aisa kuch karna, usne bahut struggle kiya hai bachpan se, main nahi chahti abhi bhi woh wahi kare. Just make sure woh apni job se khush rahe aur apni sari dreams puri kar sake."

It was 1:30 am by now, and Naina was patiently waiting for Sameer's call. She rubbed her heavy eyelids, letting out a loud yawn, and her head was tucked against the headrest. The phone was secured in her tiny palm, and she even checked a couple of times that her cell phone wasn't in a silent zone.

Soon the musical instrument rang in her ears, and she quickly positioned herself, blinking her drowsy eyes to control her sleepy-soul. She attended his video call and saw him enthusiastically waving his hand at her.

"Sorry, wait karane ke liye...I was having a chat with my roommates." Sameer genuinely apologized to her with a glum look.

"It's fine, so hogaye tum fresh?" Naina changed the topic and saw him nodding his head.

"Tum neend me lag rahi ho, so jao na." He said helplessly as he saw sleepiness in her orbs.

"Nahi, I am fine...tum batao, dinner kiya theek se?" She replied to him with a small smile while watching his crystal clear face on the phone screen.

"Haa, tumne?" Sameer answered.

"Yes!" Naina said affirmatively.

"Good girl, chalo ab main tumhari gift khol ne jaa raha hoon." He said with a cheeky smile, walking toward his luggage to reveal the shining box.

Naina curiously watched his actions while unclosing the box, and his facial expression turned perplexed when he found a sheer black bracelet inside the white cardboard box, unable to decipher the purpose and intention behind this gift.

Sameer pulled out the black band and told her gently - "This is very nice, thank you."

"Pagal, tumhe pata bhi hai yeh band kis kaam ka hai?" Naina chuckled at his confused expression, and Sameer gave a blank look.

"Umm, I forgot to tell you ki tumhe ise pehle charge karna hoga, connect the USB with your laptop." She said with a cute pout, and he rolled his eyes at her nonchalance.

"Kitna time jayega?" Sameer asked her.

"About 2/3 hours," Naina informed him while biting her lower lip in anxiety.

"What? Toh ab kya Karu?" He said with a miffed face, scowling at her.

"Sorry na, mere mind se hi nikal gaya." She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Chuck it, let me charge this." Sameer dismissed the topic and put the USB cable into the laptop, connecting the electronic bracelet with it.

"So, missing me baby?" Once he put the band in charge, he came to ask her with a lopsided smile.

"Nope." Naina chortled.

"Chal Jhooti." Sameer twisted his lips while ruffling his silky shiny hair.

"Le, I am not jhooti, sach keh rahi hoon." Naina gave an adorable pout, which made him feel an urgent need to kiss these pink lips.

"Chal chal." He waggled his tongue over her laughing expression.

"Tum mujhe miss kar rahe ho?" She asked him in a gentle voice.

"A Lot," Sameer said solemnly, sitting on the edge of the bed with a flat smile.

"Awww mera bacha." Naina blew a soft kiss to console his gloomy face, and he heaved a heavy sigh.

"Hey, don't call me bacha." He scrunched up his nose in miffedness.

"Why?" She asked him amusingly.

"Boyfriend wali feel nahi aati phir," Sameer said with a thin smile.

"Toh boyfriend wali feel phir kya sunke aati hai?" Naina put the pillow on her lap, placing the phone over it to have a proper conversation with her boyfriend.

Sameer bit his inner cheek while looking around his new room, and said in a husky voice - "Mera Sameer."

"Acha." Naina blushed, trying to suppress the budding smile on her lips.

"Hmm, I wish I could hug you right now. You are looking so cute meri jaan." Sameer expressed his desire while placing his palm under his chin, watching her with a sullen smile, and Naina gaped at him in flabbergast.

If she would go out right now then undoubtedly people will call her a Maid with a messy ponytail, and loose clothes.

"Tum apni aankhon check karwao jake," Naina told him in sheer annoyance.

"Why?" Sameer looked at her in mystification.

"What why? Tumhe main cute lag rahi hoon aise dheele kapdon me?" Naina asked him with a frown on her face while puffing out a breath.

"Kya kharabi hai isme? It's not that a girl should always be dressed up in modern clothes so that she can impress her boyfriend or husband." Sameer said amusingly or rather sarcastically, his head shaking a little.

"But phir bhi." Naina tried to push the meaningless discussion.

"Shut up, you are looking very cute, aur agar main waha hota na, toh trust me...I would have kissed you so hard," Sameer spoke with an intense smile while gazing at the pink shade painting her cheeks.

"Tum thake nahi ho?" Naina hopefully attempted to change the romantic subject.

"Bilkul nahi, bahut acha stamina hai mera," Sameer replied to her with a careless smile, leaning his head closer to the camera. He teased her - "tumne toh dekha hi hoga."

"Sameer!" Naina palmed her eyes, restricting the blush.

"What? I am not joking." He tried to sound serious while holding back his smile.

"Tum na pune pahuch kar bade besharam ban gaye ho." She taunted him with a fake annoyed expression, and he shrugged off.

"So, do you want me to talk about coding?" Sameer asked her with a wacky smile.

"I have zero knowledge about this, toh tumhari yeh alien information mujhse door hi rakho," Naina answered him with a small smile.

"I wasn't going to tell you either, so kya kar rahi ho?" Sameer looked at her lovingly, placing his head on the pillow.

"Tumse baat, you say?" She replied.

"Same Here!" He smiled, and there was a temporary silence between the couple who were adoring each other's faces from a long distance.

Noticing something, Naina said worriedly - "Baal geele hai tumhare, jake sukhao inhe pehle."

"Tum aa jao na," Sameer demanded, fondly watching his girl.

"Sameer yaar, I am not joking." She said calmly but frustratingly.

"I know, but main kya karu tumhari itni aadat hai ki khud se kuch karne ka mann nahi ho raha." He replied to her with an honest look, tucking his arm under his head while serenely seeing Naina with a benign smile on his exhausted face.

"Baatein karwa lo inse bas," Naina said playfully.

"Door se baaton ke alawa aur hum kar bhi kya sakte hai meri jaan?" Sameer asked her with a lopsided smile, making her shake her head in disbelief.

"Acha ab jao na baal sukhane, tumhe sardi lag jayegi." She said in a vexed tone, worried for his health, and Sameer reluctantly got up from the bed, grabbing his towel to dry his mildly wet hairs. He rubbed the cotton fabric on his scalp while saying - "Mujhe na tumhe video call hi nahi karna chahiye tha."

"Yaar, yaha main tumhare liye concern dikha rahi hoon and you're getting irritated?" Naina spoke with an infuriated countenance.

"I am not getting irritated, it's just I am feeling lazy," Sameer said adorably while gently massaging the towel over his silky smooth hair.

"Aalsiyo ke sardar ho tum." She mocked him.

"Oye, subah se kitna kaam kiya hai maine obviously banda thak jayega at the end of the day." He looked at her offendedly, pursing his lips, and Naina nodded, palming her mouth to hide her giggle.

"Ok, I was joking." Naina accepted.

"Me too." Sameer winked at her and kept the wet towel on the bed.

"Sameer, tumne geela towel hi bed pe rakh diya?" She shrieked aloud, causing him to experience a heart attack.

"Don't tell me to hang it outside on the balcony, main nahi uthne wala hun." He told her in a finality tone.

"Chair pe toh sukhao," Naina suggested.

"No, I won't get up, that's it," Sameer said with a stubborn look.

"Lazy Ass." She muttered furiously under her breath.

"What did you just say?" He asked her with a raised eyebrow, eager to learn the beautiful words his girlfriend might have used for his laziness.

"Nothing." Naina gave a tight-lipped smile.

They continued to talk for hours, nearly forgetting that it was past 5:00 Am now, and they had to wake up early for their respective purposes.

"5 baj gaye yaar." Naina was first to realize the time, her hand naturally slapping her forehead.

"Oh Shit," Sameer exclaimed shockingly.

"Yaar kitna bolte ho tum, time ka pata bhi nahi chalta." She scolded him for keeping her engaged in one topic to another.

"Tum bhi toh bada interest leke mere baaton ka jawab de rahi thi na, uska kya?" He said thoughtfully, looking at her in rage.

"Haa toh ab I can't make you feel ignored na," Naina spoke innocently.

"Oh ho ho ho, itna khayal humara?" Sameer asked her mockingly, and she glared at him.

"Ab late ho hi gaya hai toh jaag lete hai aur kya, waise bhi sirf ek ghanta sone milega aur," Naina said with a tired expression while patting her mouth.

"Hmm, I guess woh bracelet ki charging hogayi hogi ab." Sameer said or rather asked his girlfriend, and she nodded, saying - "Haa, nikal do usb."

He nodded, quickly disconnecting the USB cable from the charging point, and now all his attention was pinned on the black bracelet in his hand and on its owner who gifted him this for some unknown reason. Ofcourse!

"First download the Bond Touch application." She guided him, and at first, he wrinkled his nose but decided to go with her instructions. He quickly downloaded the app, and Naina told him to wear the black bracelet on his wrist. Sameer was clueless but eager to unfold the mystery of this ordinary piece of ornament which was looking attractive. He was following her orders while biting his nails, and Naina went through her phone to connect her profile with his. She glanced at the band on her left wrist and her lips were curled for a mischievous grin. For once her eyes lay on Sameer who was desperately waiting to know the meaning of this black belt, and a soft giggle made its way through her mouth.

"Naina yaar batao kya ho raha hai?" Sameer asked her vexedly.

"Just a minute," Naina said distractedly, choosing the color for the light.

Completing the remaining process, her face gleamed in sheer glee as she apprised him - "Ok, so are you ready for your surprise?"

"Kab se yaar!" He huffed in vexation.

"Okay, wait." Naina lowered her gaze to the electronic bracelet on her wrist and tapped her thumb on the black screen for a long time.

Sameer's bracelet glimmered with a red light and he joined his eyebrows in utter bewilderment.

"What is this?" He asked her with a clueless face.

"It's a Bond Touch Bracelet," Naina informed him about the alien product clasped around his wrist.

"Acha, aur isme kya unique hain?" Sameer questioned her curiously.

"Tumhe samjh nahi aaya?" She asked him in surprise, and he shook his head, aimlessly staring at his phone screen.

Naina lifted her left wrist to show him the same bracelet she had given him, and Sameer was amazed at first but didn't question her anything. She neared the band so that he could get a clear glimpse of it, and said - "Dhyan se dekhna ab tum, main iske middle me tap karugi aur waha tumhare bracelet me light aayegi."

"Really?" Sameer was amused, and she nodded, pressing her finger on the digital screen. His face glowed up as he saw a bright red light popping on the black screen, making his grin wider than ever.

"Wow, this is freaking awesome, Naina." He exclaimed surprisingly.

"Haina? Ab tum press karo apna bracelet aur phir dekhna." She told him zealously, and he nervously tapped his finger on the middle of the electronic object. Naina showed the twinkling light of her bracelet to her boyfriend through the phone screen, and he beamed.

"Kaha se mila tumhe yeh?" Sameer asked her with an excited smile.

"Main ek electronic shop pe gayi thi, socha tha tumhe bluetooth headset ya kuch useful dungi but waha mujhe display me yeh dikha and I asked the shopkeeper about this product. He explained to me everything ki yeh specially long distance relationship walo ke liye banaya hai, and I felt tempted to buy this." Naina told him with glittery eyes while glancing at the black band on her skinny white wrist.

"Acha you know...There's one speciality about this product, you can send up to 10 taps in one message, making it easy for your partner to understand that you're missing them right now, also we can create our own secret code." She elucidated to him about this attractive device, and Sameer was intently listening to her with a constant smile on his effervescent face.

"Secret Codes sounds." Sameer beamed

"Haan, so let's make our secret codes, first tap me it'll be, I Am Missing You." Naina started to tell him while giving a beautiful smile.

"Second tap me, it'll be, I Want To Talk To You Right Now."

"Third tap me, it'll be, I Am In A Very Angry Mood, or having mood swings."

"Fourth tap me, it'll be, I am in a problem, like periods pain, or health issues."

"Five tap me, it'll be, I Wanna Hug You Tight."

"Sixth tap me, it'll be, I Am Waiting For Your Call Or A Message."

"Seventh tap me, it'll be, I Am Craving For Your Kiss."

"Eighth tap me, it'll be, I Am Alone, and I need you."

"Ninth tap me, it'll be, I Am Sorry if I made any mistake or hurt you."

Sameer was amused by Naina's secret codes for their virtual conversation, and he zestfully asked her - "And what about the tenth tap?"

Naina tilted her head sideways with a fond smile and answered him - "Tenth tap me, it'll be, I Love You...very very very very very much."

"Hayeee." He placed his palm on his heart, closing his eyes with a big grin on his face.

"So, ab yeh sab codes yaad rakhna, and yes. Tumhara phone humesha 3 km ke andar hona chahiye hai, also this application should run in the background or else yeh kaam nahi karega." She shared more important information about this bracelet, and he nodded, jotting down the Secret Codes on the notepad.

"I never knew aise bhi products aa sakte hai...it feels you're close to me door hoke bhi," Sameer spoke with an overwhelmed expression, feeling cathartic while adoring the simple yet powerful black bracelet.

"Hmm janti hoon, that's why I told you tum bahut khush houge yeh gift dekhne ke baad," Naina replied to him with a gentle smile.

"You were right, thank you for such a beautiful gift, ab dekhna tumhe din raat yeh bhej bhej ke tang karuga." Sameer teased his girlfriend with a waggish smile.

"Main bhi karugi, phir tum hi kahoge Naina bas yaar itna miss mat karo mujhe," Naina spoke in an enthusiastic tone, her eyes glowing with the lights of delight.

"Aisa toh hone se raha." He said confidently.

"Dekh lege." She smiled cutely.

"Waise yeh kitne ka hai?" Sameer hesitantly asked her the price this electronic product might've caused her, and the shine faded on her face.

"It's not expensive, tum chodo na yeh sab," Naina said anxiously.

"Naina please, tell me kitne ka hai yeh? It's looking quite costly." He said calmly, now sounding solemn.

"Promise me you won't scold me, or return me half money?" She looked at him with a tense expression.

"I can't promise." Sameer shrugged off.

"Yaar, aise thodi hota hai, I won't say then," Naina announced in a firm voice.

"Fine, I promise I won't scold you and return you the money." He reluctantly agreed to her conditions.

"Ok, it's for 12k." She revealed the price in a low voice, biting her thumb.

"What?" Sameer screamed at her in sheer shock, unable to believe the bracelet he was wearing on his wrist cost her twelve thousand rupees.

"Are you mad? Itna mehenga tohfa kaun deta hai?" He chided her in a strident voice, his pitch black eyes forming disappointment for Naina's careless behavior regarding money.

"Sorry, but it's ok...maine apne paiso se liya haina," Naina said meekly.

"It's not about kiske paiso se liya hai, it's about money yaar...bahut mehenga hai yeh," Sameer spoke in a stern voice, exhaling a frustrated sigh.

"Pyaar me paise thodi dekhe jate hai." She looked at him irritatingly.

"Arey but itna expensive gift lene ki kya jarurat thi? Meri kya shadi thodi huwi hai jo mere reception me meri ekdum best friend ban kar you wanted to give me something memorable." He sounded peculiar to her but his point was clear to understand. She narrowed her eyes at his comment and said - "Tumhari shadi me main best friend banke kyu aaugi pagal, I will be your wife na."

For a moment when she called herself his Wife his heart flourished with an array of emotions, and he said pensively - "Haan wahi yaar, tum uspe dhyan mat do, what I meant to say is iski zarurat nahi thi."

"Tum chup raho ab, mera mood bigado mat iske peeche...maine bhi toh mehnat se yeh paise kamaye hai, aisa toh nahi ki main apne baba ke paiso ka galat istemal kar rahi hoon. Kitne art workshops lagaye Radhika ke saath tabhi jake mujhe 25 hazar mile." Naina spoke with a gloomy face, and now his anger has subsided. He didn't want to make her feel offended or bad, all he needed to say was there was no requirement to give him such a costly gift.

Signing, Sameer tapped on the bracelet nine times, and Naina crinkled her eyebrows as her black band was glowing continuously, she looked at it carefully and asked him in wonderment - "Yeh kya hai?"

"Tumne hi secret codes banaye the na thodi der pehle ki agar if we want to say sorry to each other, then we will tap Nine Times? Bhul gayi itni jaldi?" Sameer replied to her with a cute expression knitted over his charming visage, and she cracked into a fresh grin at his reply.

"Pagal," Naina said with a smile.

"Tum na aaj kal mujhe bahut pagal bolne lagi ho, I fear I might end up getting Pagal sach me." Sameer taunted her with a flared-up nose, making a cute pose, and Naina nonchalantly reflected her budding smile.

"Pagal ko pagal nahi toh kya Samjhdaar kahugi?" Naina asked him with entertainment glimmering in her tiny orbs.

"Main samjhdaar nahi hoon?" He looked at her pointedly, and she shook her head while hiding her grin.

"Jao ab, katti," Sameer announced, looking away from her adorable face.

Naina giggled and lightly tapped on the black band Nine Times, sending him a secret apology. Sameer looked down at the radiating light with a knavish smile, and told her - "Yeh kya hai?"

"Secret codes banaye the na maine thodi der pehle ki agar if we want to say sorry to each other, then we will tap Nine Times? Bhul gaye itni jaldi?" Naina repeated his words with some of her own flavors in the dialogue, and Sameer couldn't feign anger. He eyed her with a pointed look and said cockily - "Fine fine, maaf kiya."

"Chalo ab 6:25 hogayi hai, mujhe ready bhi hona," Naina said softly.

"Haa, meri bhi 8 baje office hai, so I will take a short nap phir ready ho jauga," Sameer spoke simply.

"Yeah, send me your picture in the formal dress." She ordered him in an authoritative tone.

"Ok, and anything else?" He asked her in a gentle voice.

"Nope, just...miss me." Naina gave a flying kiss before blessing his morning with an exquisite smile.

"You too!" Sameer said lovingly.

"All the best for your first day in the office. Take care, I love you baby." Naina wished him, in a soft voice while blowing a kiss, and he just blinked his dark intense eyes.

"Love You Too, khayal rakhna apna," Sameer said, and they both ended their five hours conversation.

There was a hollow of sheer gloominess in their hearts when they both hung up the call, and it could be seen reflecting in their eyes. Both Naina and Sameer twiddled with the black bracelet while thinking about each other as if there was a soul connection between them. They both tapped on the digital screen at the same time, sending the loveliest message of I Am Missing You.

There was a blissful smile on their visage when they received a secret message from each other, and it was enough to gladden their mood.

To be continue...

How was the update?

Any favorite scene or dialogue?