The three friends were lounging in Sameer's room after college enjoying the yummy freshly made pakodas by Poonam Bhabhi when Munna suddenly exclaimed, "Yaar meri kahani shuru toh ho gayi par utne ki jaldi atak bhi gayi hai! Wo frock wali Pandit toh college mein khul kar baat bhi nahi karti"". Pandit replied smirking "Aur haath pakad pakad ke ghoomo! Pehele nahi soochna chahiye tha ke anjaam kya hoga?"". Munna melodramatically said "Abe Ponga, Pyar karne wale anjaam ki kab soochte hai! Bus iss pyar ke dariya mein kud padte hai"". Pandit retorted "Toh aab khushi khushi uss dariya mein dub bhi jao"". Munna looked at him grumpily.

Sameer interrupted their blame game, "Tum dono toh bus har waqt lage rahete ho. Band karo ye khali phokat ke drame aur ye soocho ke iss problem ka kuch solution kaise nikale. Aaj kal toh Naina se phone par bhi pehele jitni baate nahi ho pati hai. Swati ke naam ka bahana bhi khatam ho gaya hai... "". Pandit cheerfully said "Aare bhai toh iss mein kya problem hai? Usse bol aab Kamya se dosti badha de aur usske sath phone bar jyada baate kiya kare! "" Sameer had to grudgingly admit "Kya baat hai... aaj toh tune such mooch samajhdari ki baat ki hai. Main kal hi Naina ko yeh idea deta hu.""

Munna in no mood to be appeased "Yaar mujhe toh Swati ke sath ghoomne jaana hai!" He continued with a dreamy look "Iss baar toh main usse lamba ghoomane le jaayunga aur iss baar bolunga sirf kandhe pe hath rakhke nahi chalega..." Both Sameer and Pandit looked at him incredulously. Pandit touching Munna's forehead with his palm announced "Beta tujhe toh bohoot tej pyar ka bukhaar chadha hai." Looking at Sameer he continued "Sameer bhai yeh toh pura kaam se gaya..." Munna continued "Haa hai mera bura haal... tu nahi samjhega. Yaar Sameer tu hi kuch sooch ". Sameer was about to blurt that Naina had not even put her hand on his shoulder during their bike rides when his ego got the better of him and he just nodded along trying to mask his disappointment.

Just then Mamiji entered the room and offered them all prasad. She informed them that she had taken Bitu to a Shiva temple which was known for granting the wishes of the devotees who offered prayers there. She praised the location and the natural beauty surrounding it especially the greenery in the rainy seasons.

As Mamiji left the room Munna murmured "Hey Bholenath, aab toh meri naiya teri hi hawale..." Sameer's face instantly lit up and he exclaimed "Exactly! Aab toh Bholenath hi humari naiya matlab bike sahi raste pe le jaayenge." Pandit looking at Sameer "Kya pak raha hai tere dimag mein?" Sameer smiled "Tirth yatra" Munna and Pandit both "Kya?!!" Sameer elaborated "Tirth yatra ke sath sath picnic bhi hogi..." And then he went on to share his latest idea about organising a picnic for the group using the pretext of visit to the temple to persuade the girls. Munna looked at Sameer with a look of pure adoration "Bhai tu dhanya hai... pur hum log jaayenge kaise?" 

Sameer though for a moment and then announced that they would take the car and his bike. Six people in the car would be a bit of a tight fit but could be managed. And then before Munna could start dreaming again he quickly clarified that he had absolutely no intentions of sharing his bike on this trip with either of them, it was reserved only for him and Naina. Munna though disappointed accepted this verdict and then proposed that he could borrow the bike for a ride once they reached the destination. Sameer obviously had no objections to this idea. Now that they had a plan in place all that was left was to convince the girls, which itself was a herculean task. And they decided to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of this mission from the very next day. That night Sameer was slept with a head full of fantasies of which at least some seemed achievable!

Next day in college the boys started the marketing of their latest idea. They were sitting in the Red Rose Café enjoying a plate of scrumptious samosas with steaming cups of teas when Sameer started laying the groundwork. Sameer suddenly said to Naina "Aare main bhi kitna pagal hu... tumhare liye prasad toh lana bhool hi gaya!"". Naina was intrigued "Prasad? Tum mandir gaye thay?"" Sameer explained that his Mamiji had got some. He then added "Waise Naina, Mamiji keh rahi thi ke yeh Mandir bohoot hi jagrut hai. Wo khas Bittu didi ke liye pooja karne gayi thi... shayad tumhe bhi Pooja didi ke liye jaana chahiye"" Naina now thinking "Par wo hai toh dur na... thik hai main Chachiji se keh dungi..." 

Sameer quickly replied "Aare unhe kyu pareshaan karna hai? Kyu na hum log he jaake le aaye?... actually, hum sab sath mein janeka plan bana sakte hain... prasad bhi le aayenge aur picnic bhi kar lenge!"" Hearing the words picnic Preeti immediately perked up "Wah Jijagi! Yeh huyi na baat! Bohoot maja aayega... par hum jaayenge kaise?"" Naina looked at Preeti disbelievingly "Preeti tu thik toh hai?! Picnic jaane ki sooch rahi hai? Tujhe kya lagta hai ghar se permission itna easily mil jaayengi?"" Preeti pouted "Behen tu na bus zindagi bhar har cheez ke liye permission ka he intezaar karte rehena. Kabhi toh thoda risk lena seekh!"" Sameer looked at his favourite Saaliji with heartfelt thanks.

Munna now said looking at Swati "Aur nahi toh kya? Aab jab pyar kiya hai toh darna kaisa!"" He then turned to Naina "Bhabhi yeh toh tumhe manna hi hoga!"" Naina muttered "Maska lagana ho toh bus Bhabhi Bhabhi chalu kar dete hai... jaise mujhe kuch samajh hi nahi aata! "" Munna continued "Aare toh issme galat kya keh rahe hai? Mandir jaayenge... darshan karenge... prasad lenge... (after a brief pause his added mischievously) aur aap Pooja didi aur hum sab ke hone wale baacho ke liye prarthana kar lena"" This left some members of the gang giggling and others blushing.

Soon they had to head to the class for lectures. Sameer continued advocating his cause in the class too via little notes that were passed to and fro. Later at the end of the college day the gang headed to their hangout on the stairs at the back of the building. As soon as Sameer and Naina settled on one of the steps, Sameer resumed his efforts. He said "Naina chalo na... dekho tumne movie ke liye toh na kar diya... aab picnic ke liye toh maan jao!"" Reference to his last proposed movie plan had Naina blushing intensely as it immediately brought to her mind the kiss that had followed that conversation in the store room, not that it had been far from her mind ever since. Sameer gave her a knowing smile, which further heightened the colour in her cheeks and left her incapable of saying anything for a while after.

Sameer and Munna with some support from Pandit continued their efforts to convince the girls for the next couple of days. Many questions were raised regarding the feasibility of this plan by the girls especially Preeti. Sameer soon realised that Preeti by raising these questions was giving him a chance to provide all the solutions to help him convince Naina and the others! He told them about his plan to bring the car and the bike, also how they could leave for college as usual and meet at a convenient spot from where on they could all proceed together and then be back in time to return home as usual. Finally, after Naina and Swati had exhausted all the excuses they approved the plan. Sameer and Munna's joy knew no bounds!

Now that Naina had agreed to go on the picnic Sameer's day dreaming took on a new life! The rest of the gang was equally excited too. The four lovebirds kept drifting to some la-la land every now and then, in pleasant anticipation of some alone time with their beloved. The singles club more interested in the fun activities they would all indulge in and the snacks they would carry with them! Long discussions ensued about the cassettes that they would play in the car. Baba Sehgal's 'Thanda Thanda Pani' was all rage at that moment... but 'Aaja Meri Gadi Mein Baith Ja' (released years later) would have been more apt to describe the emotions of the boys! When on their own, the girls excitedly deliberated on the choice of attire and accessories for the trip.

As the day of the event approached, Naina started feeling more and more nervous, not sure what Sameer was expecting post that last kiss. Though it had felt like one of the most fulfilling moments of her life so far, it had also left her feeling a little apprehensive about how things would progress from here on. The deep joy and excitement of that moment had brought with it a small share of unease too. One's moral code does not change overnight. Even if she did not feel that some amount of intimacy with Sameer was not wrong, it still did not feel completely right either. And where was the line drawn? Long back she would have easily condemned the idea of holding hands or hugging a guy before marriage. But over a period with her relationship with Sameer progressing on an emotional level and the trust building up steadily between them, her boundaries had been stretched too. It no longer felt wrong or questionable. But that kiss has shaken her up. Though welcome in that moment, it left her revaluating their boundaries and her ideologies. Last time it had been unexpected and hence she had not been forced to decide, but the next time would be different.

Sameer knew that he had jumped the gun with that kiss, but it had been unplanned for him too. He had just followed his instinct in that moment to rid her of her insecurities and agony arising off them. Not that he had not dwelt on it for long before, but he had been mindful of all their restrictions, both social and self-imposed. He understood the difference between their mutual needs and respected her beliefs. He knew it was going to be harder now to control his urges, especially considering Naina's response. The fact that she had not slapped him or looked at him in disdain following his initiating it was a huge positive. Nor had she indicated in the weeks following that she did not want a recurrence. So, now Sameer battled with himself with where to expect things to head from here on. In the end, he decided to not overthink and just go with the flow.

The day of the trip finally arrived. The sun seemed to take forever to rise that morning for Naina. She had been up since pre-dawn, tossing and turning in her bed eagerly waiting for the morning birdsong. The sounds of the milkman and the newspaper boy calling out around the neighbourhood which usually irritated her, were most welcome that morning. She joined Chachiji in the kitchen and offered her help with cooking a breakfast of aloo parathas hoping to sneak a few away for her bhukaad bhlooram. Preeti was also up and about much earlier than usual, leaving her mom pleasantly shocked and hopeful that her youngest daughter was turning a new leaf.

Naina and Preeti had packed all their stuff the night before in a small backpack. The guys had volunteered to bring along most of the things anyway, knowing how many hoops the girls would have to jump through to sneak anything past Taiji. Preeti was dressed in a pair of Jeans and a lovely light-yellow top which suited her sunny disposition to a tee. Naina had chosen a shalwar kameez since Sameer had told her in no uncertain terms that she would be with him on the bike for the most part. She decided a dupatta would come in handy in this case to avoid the risk of being easily recognised. It was a slightly unusual combination with the Kurta in forest green shade with delicate embroidery work all over of mostly light pink paired with a light pink shalwar and dupatta which had some sparse embroidery in green. It had been a gift from Bua dada and Naina reserved it for special occasions only. Once ready the girls made an exit as quietly as possible. Luck was on their side that morning as Taiji did not crop up with an endless list of queries and directives.

On reaching the meeting point agreed, they discovered from Swati that Kamya had come down with a slight fever and couldn't join them. And once Kamya pulled out Hema quickly followed her not wanting her best friend to feel left out. Naina tried suggesting that maybe they should consider postponing their plan to another day, but the rest of the gang were too excited to change the plan at the last moment. Also, this now meant they wouldn't be so cramped in the car.

To start with Sameer drove the car with Munna and the girls in the passenger seats, while Pandit rode the bike trying to emulate Akshay Kumar. Once they were outside the city limits they stopped briefly, where Sameer and Naina transferred to the bike and Pandit to the Car. Naina covered most of her face with the dupatta as they were still on the outskirts of the city. To Sameer's relief she had left her bag behind in the car. Though she seemed much more relaxed compared to their first bike ride and wasn't sitting on the steel bar at the end of the seat, she had still left some distance between them and did not place her hand on his shoulder. 

Pandit again happily took on as the driver with Preeti besides him, while Munna and Swati looked forward to some cosy moments in the backseat. Preeti started playing her favourite songs excitedly grooving to the peppy music. Pandit found his eyes drifting off road in her direction every now and then and laughed good naturedly at all her antics. Munna and Swati were too engrossed in each other to care about which songs were playing or what was going on in the front seat!

The weather was lovely. The sun kept playing peek-a-book with the clouds. It had rained the previous night, and everything around seemed brighter and greener than usual. There were some scattered puddles along the roadside. Cows and goats were happily munching on the abundant seasonal grass growing in the fields. Naina had always loved monsoons! It was as if everything got a new lease on life. Right from the smell of the parched earth after the first rains to the abundant wild flowers that seemed to spring out overnight, it never ceased to amaze her. It seemed apt that Sameer had entered her life on one such rainy day and all the feelings of love and longing that had been dormant and buried deep in her heart before had budded. As Naina happily observed everything around her, Sameer lovingly gazed at the joy reflecting in her eye, through the rear-view mirror that had been adjusted at just the right angle!

Sameer slowed down the bike stopping at the edge of the road and turning over his right shoulder indicated towards his shoulder with his eyes. Seeing Naina frown slightly he softly added in a teasing tone "Naina, wo tumhe seekhya tha na... kandhe pe hath kaise rakhte hai... phir se demo chahiye kya? Aur aab dupatta hata do na... please?"" Naina pulled back the dupatta from her face revealing a blushing face and shyly placed her right hand on his right shoulder. Sameer now able to get an unhindered view of her sweet face, smiled at her contentedly and resumed the ride.

They talked about all the planning that had gone into this trip and expressed their mutual satisfaction that it had turned out so well. Naina remarked "Bus, wo Kamaya aur Hema nahi aa paye toh thoda bura lag raha hai."" Seeing the thoughtful expression on Sameer's face she asked "Kya sooch rahe ho?"" Sameer replied "Sooch raha hu ke main jab yaha nahi tha tab se tum sab ki dosti kitni badal gayi hain... Pehele toh tumhari Kamya aur Hema se koi khas banti nahi thi. Jab maine college join kiya toh bohoot ajeeb lagta tha tum sab ko ek dusre se itna khulkar interact karte hue dekhna. Bechaare Himmat ka toh dil hi tut jaayenga yeh jaanke ke usne yeh college na join karke kitni baadi galti ki hai! Kamya se dosti ka bohoot armaan tha uska"" He laughed reminiscing.

Naina remarked "Waise maine notice kiya hai ke tum aab bhi bohoot formally baat karte ho Kamya aur Hema se."" Sameer remembered that incident in Kamya's house when the group had got together to watch a movie and Kamya has confessed her liking for him in her room. He had always felt a little uncomfortable around her since and maintained some distance to avoid any further misunderstandings. Sameer had not mentioned that incident to Naina as he had been only in his bet mode at that time and he did not see the point bringing it up now. He mumbled "Ha wo... pata nahi kyu main thoda awkward feel karta hu..." 

Naina understood his apprehension and softly said "Sameer, main janti hu ke wo tumhe pehele pasand karti thi aur usne movie wale din tumhe bataya bhi tha. " Sameer looked at her astonished. Naina continued "Daro mat usske baad usse Suraj bhi bohoot pasand tha." Seeing his confusion she further continued "Usske society mein reheta tha. Ganapati ke function mein sath mein dance kiya tha donone. Par phir wo society chod ke chala gaya. (after a brief pause she added mischievously) Aab aage dekhenge aur kaun pasand aata hai. " Naina smiled at him reassuringly "Sameer, inn sab logone meri bohoot maddat ki hai aur mera bohoot khayal bhi rakha hai jab tum yaha nahi thay. Tumhe awkward feel karne ki koi jarurat nahi hai." Sameer contemplated on this new information.

In some time, they reached the temple, which was luckily not very crowded as it was a week day. They all bought some offerings of flowers, coconut and sweets from the little stalls outside the temple before entering. The temple was an old one built mostly of stone and had very peaceful vibes. After offering their prayers and taking prasad from the panditji, they all sat in the temple premises for a little while. As Naina carefully packed away some prasad especially for Pooja didi, Preeti questioned how they could tell their family where the prasad was from and Naina suggested that they could say that a friend from the college had been there, which wasn't entirely false!

They then headed to a picnic spot about 10-15 minutes away, this time with Munna and Swati on the bike and Sameer-Naina in the backseat of the car. Sameer now played some of his favourite Michael Jackson songs, which only Preeti seemed to enjoy other than him. Naina and Pandit kept looking at the duo with puzzled looks!

On reaching the picnic spot they eagerly attacked all the snacks and drinks. There was much happy banter, teasing and gossip. For a change Pandit did not seem very excited when Munna teased him about some girl who had approached him with some queries in college a couple of days back. Someone fished out a couple of packs of playing cards and they all played Bluff for some time, during which all the boys were impressed by Naina's ability to bluff so easily.

After a bit the two couples headed out for a walk in different directions, leaving Preeti and Pandit behind to hold the fort and look after all their belongings. Preeti grumbled a bit about missing out on all the fun, to which Pandit replied that he was happier sitting in one place and enjoying another packet of crisps rather than stumbling through the woods pretending to be interested in plants or birds. They started a game of Saat-Aath and were soon giggling away.

Sameer and Naina choose a small meandering path that headed towards a little brook, that would provide them ample opportunity to hold hands on the pretext of helping each other. After a bit Sameer gave up the pretence and tucked her hand around his elbow and walked on till they came up on a lovely spot by the brook with a big rock making an ideal seat for the lovebirds. As they settled there for a chat, Sameer put his one arm around Naina holding her close. 

It was the perfect moment, sitting together surrounded by the greenery and the sounds of the chirping birds and the bubbling brook. The feeling of contentment experienced by the two souls as their hearts beat in union, was the kind that would inspire them to stand by each other and fight for each other through any tempests that life would bring their way. And then as Sameer gazed at her face his eyes were drawn to her lips and lingered there with a longing that was reflected in his eyes. The look was not missed by Naina and set her heart aflutter. There was a battle going on between her heart and her conscience. Sameer noticed the uncertainty fleeting across her expressive face and realised that she was not quite ready. He just clasped her hand tightly, smiled reassuringly and enjoyed the serenity around.

Once both the couples had returned, the gang quickly packed away everything and started their journey back with Sameer and Naina on the bike again. This time Naina placed her hand on his shoulder without any prompting. There was a very slight drizzle but luckily it cleared up in a few minutes. Naina was feeling very light hearted. Suddenly all her apprehensions of the past few days were gone. She knew that he had understood her reluctance and despite his own keenness had decided to wait. She now knew for sure that he would not push her for anything till she was completely ready. She could take her time till it felt right to her. To be cherished thus is a precious feeling.

Seeing the happy expressions on her face as she looked around, Sameer enquired "Naina, kya sooch ke itna khush ho rahi ho? Mujhe bhi toh batao... ". Nothing quite willing to share her exact thoughts at the moment, Naina answered "Mujhe barsaat ka mausam bohoot pasand hai! Itni hariyali har taraf... aur itne saare phool... aur kabhi kabhi indradhanush bhi nazar aata hai. Sameer, mujhe barish mein bheegna bhi bohoot achaa lagta hai! Kya tumhe bhi achaa lagta hai? " Sameer smiled at her enthusiasm for the rains. He replied "Naina, mujhe baaki sab kuch toh bohoot achaa lagta hai... par bheegna itna nahi achaa lagta... wo kya hai na mujhe barish mein bheegte he usually jhukaam ho jata hai. Toh issiliye thoda avoid karta hu... "

He then continued after a brief pause "Waise tumhe manna padega... tumhare gharelu nuske kafi damdar hai. " Seeing Naina's confused expressions he elaborated "Wo hum Mt Abu gaye thay tab mera hath jalne par tum ne bataya tha na ke colgate lagani chahiye... aur tumne uss waqt yeh bhi bataya that ke jukaam hone par Adrak wali chai peeni chahiye. Toh, tab se main hamesha jara bhi sardi lage toh waisi chai peeta hu, aur such mooch Jukaam turant thik ho jata hain!" Seeing Naina smile happily he continued "Waise, Delhi mein tha tab wo chai aaise hi pee leta tha jab tumhari bohoot yaad aati thi." after a small pause he continued in an emotional voice "Bohoot miss kiya maine tumhe Naina." 

Hearing him Naina felt very emotional too and without a thought removed her hand from his shoulder and slipped it around his waist encircling him. Sameer was pleasantly shocked and overwhelmed by this unexpected closeness initiated by her. Naina gently rested her head on his back and whispered, "I love you Sameer." Sameer drew her hand closer to his lips and placing a kiss on the back of her palm whispered back "Naina, I love you too. A lot!""