10th December 1998

After turning away from the crowd engaged in either dancing or watching the dancers, her feet inadvertently moved in the direction facing the pool. Though most of the guests were on the lawn, a group of young smokers were lounging by the pool. A guy was trying to make rings with the smoke every time he exhaled, and a girl was giggling trying to get the rings around her finger.

Her thoughts flew to the fourth day of their last trip together to Sudhagadh.

21st May 1994

After a relaxing breakfast, they had gone to visit a beautiful Jain temple which was located about fifty kilometres from Sudhagadh. The temple, which was couple of hundred years old, had been renovated by a trust established by one of the big industrialists from that area. The trust had also added an elaborately planned garden around the temple.

The carvings in the white marble were exquisite. There were close to three hundred pillars in the temple, each built and decorated in a different style. The visitors walked around in awe of the dedication and artistic ability of people who had been involved in the creation of the marvellous monument.

Naina expressed her amazement "I can never get over the idea that all this was accomplished at a time when they didn't have access any of the modern equipment that we now use for construction." Sameer shook his head in wonder too, "It's truly amazing! I was watching a documentary some time back about the hypothesis of how the Egyptian Pyramids were built. Those are another unexplained marvel! It's hard to contemplate, even today, how those huge blocks of stone were brought to the site of construction and then lifted and placed at certain angles."

With a dreamy look on her face, she almost whispered "It's my dream destination... If there is only one place that I can visit outside India, it would have to be Egypt." He looked at her quizzically "Really? You are so keen to visit Egypt?! Not Switzerland or Paris?" Her eyes shone "You can't imagine what Egypt means to a history and tourism buff like me! I would love to see that place!" Already anticipating the joy that would be brimming from her in that moment, he thought to himself, And I would love to see you, when you see the Pyramids or the Valley of the Kings for the first time.

Nanaji was walking with them but was lost in thought for the most part. Naina clicked some photos of the two men as they strolled through the garden surrounding the temple. Before they boarded the car, Shambhu was tasked with clicking a photo of Naina standing between the Maheshwari men.

To be fair, the photo didn't come out all that great. The top of Nanaji's head got clipped off a bit, and Naina wore a very surprised and slightly alarmed expression thanks to Sameer resting his hand around her waist at the last moment. Yet, years later, they would gaze at it fondly - it being the only photo of them with Nanaji.

A leisurely lunch later, they got back to Dasi Mahal about three in the afternoon. One of the servants rushed forward to tell Nanaji that there was a message for him in the palace office.

Naina and Sameer settled in the bamboo chairs placed in the foyer sipping on some cold rose sherbet, while the older man made a trip to the office. When he returned a little later, Nanaji addressed Sameer "Dinesh had left a message asking me to call him back. He has invited us over for dinner again today. He wants me to meet some business associate of his."

Sameer flinched at the idea of a repeat of the previous evening. He immediately objected "Nanu, please don't expect me to join you guys again today! I was bored out of my mind yesterday. I understand if you want to meet him and whoever else he would like to introduce you to, but please count me out." Nanaji nodded in acceptance. Before heading to his room to rest for some time, Nanaji turned to Naina "Balwant mentioned there was some call from your office too. They have asked you to call them back at four."

As soon as he was out of hearing range, Sameer rolled his eye "Naina, I can't even begin to tell you how boring that Dinesh is!" Naina was soon in splits as he mimicked Dinesh and his description of all the shopping malls in Dubai. She has the most adorable little double chin! And those dimples just near the corner of her lips... so bloody tempting!

They sat chatting about this-and-that, everything-and-nothing, till it was time for Naina to call her office. Sameer headed to his room to change and relax.

Exiting the office after the phone call to the SKP Tours office, Naina headed upstairs to their rooms feeling conflicted. She reluctantly knocked on Nanaji's room. When the older man opened the door, his hair ruffled as he put on his spectacles, she was very apologetic "Sorry Nanaji! I wouldn't have disturbed you, but the office people are insisting that I get back to them at the earliest possible." He replied "It's okay Naina. I had already finished my nap. In fact, I was just about to call for some tea."

She went on to explain "There is a four-day forty passengers SKP tour in the area. The guide with that tour has got sick with a heat stroke. He couldn't work today. A replacement has been identified and is being sent tomorrow morning. He should be able to join the group just after lunchtime, but the customers are getting very angry, as they feel their one day has already been wasted. My manager wanted me to check with you if you can spare me just for the morning half tomorrow. I will be back post lunch as soon as the other guide joins the tour." Before Nanaji could say anything, she rushed to assure him "Mr Chadha has asked me to assure you that they will not charge you for tomorrow. But I will only go if you are sure that it's alright with you."

Nanaji smiled kindly "It's absolutely fine with us. I was anyway thinking of taking it easy tomorrow." He added with a chuckle "I think we have covered enough temples to last Sameer for at least a few years now!" She nodded her head and thanked him for his understanding.

As she headed back to the office to make the call Naina was thinking grumpily, Why couldn't that guide just wear a hat and stay hydrated? How silly of him to catch a heat stroke! And why does Nanaji have to be such a gentleman?! Now, I have to miss out on 4-5 hours with Sameer! Her eyes gathered some moisture as she desperately tried to push away the thoughts of the impending end of the trip.

* * *

"But Nanaji said it was okay... I asked him if he was sure!" she almost pleaded, trying to pacify a sullen Sameer. He was standing in the foyer with his hands thrust in the pockets of his denim shorts, his jaw clenched. They both waved at Nanaji as the car pulled away.

"Well, you didn't ask me! I would have said no." he responded indignantly. She glanced at her watch "Sameer, it's too late to cancel now. I am sorry." Without a word he walked down the garden path leaving an agitated Naina behind.

Sameer plopped on one of the deck chairs by the pool. Some fifteen minutes later when he had cooled down a bit, he decided he was being an ass to her for no reason. Of course, she would ask his grandfather for permission, he had hired her company. Like Nanaji had said, they didn't have any specific plans for next day. So, her not being around for part of the day was not a real inconvenience.

And yet, the idea of her not being around for the next morning left him rather restless. He looked at the spot where they had sat chatting a couple of days back. Recalling her dreamy observations about the pool and its intended usage by the king who built it, made his chuckle. She really is something!

* * *

"Just one second!" Naina called out as she rushed out of her bed. Sameer noticed her red rimmed eyes with a pang the moment she opened the door. She had pulled some of her hair on top of her head in a scrunchie, making her appear even younger. She was again in her white shalwar-kameez and the multicolour dupatta.

Sameer quickly offered her a fragrant countryside pink rose and muttered "Sorry... I shouldn't have got mad at you." She replied in a small voice "I checked with Nanaji... He said yes." He inched the rose forward while holding one ear with the other hand "I know, I overreacted." She melted seeing the gesture and taking the rose deeply inhaled its scent.

Controlling his urge to pull on her cute chubby cheeks, he said "You have five minutes! Do what you need to and come downstairs." When she scowled "But why?" his eyes gleaming, he shook his head "It's a surprise!" "Are we going out somewhere?" Naina asked uncertainly. He smiled broadly "Nope! And I won't utter another word. So, stop asking!"

Fifteen minutes later, when she climbed down the stairs, he was impatiently pacing around. She was wearing the dark green dress she had worn the day they had gone about shopping, only this time the choker gifted by him graced her neck. Sameer was still dressed in the denim shorts and a smart black half-sleeved shirt. He smiled seeing the choker, and she smiled seeing the look of approval in his eyes.

Suddenly feeling a little nervous, he gestured towards another staircase and cleared his throat "Shall we?" Naina nodded, not sure where they were heading, but followed him none the less.

The staircase led to another small terrace where a table had been set for two. As Naina looked at the red roses in a small vase and candles on the table, her heart started galloping and her palms turned a little clammy.

He asked sounding extremely excited "What do you think?!" She smiled nervously "It's beautiful. But-" He beamed "I know, a mere sorry would not be enough. So, consider this evening as a very elaborate apology!"

She blinked slightly confused. Apology??? And here my poor stupid heart had started dreaming of a tiny cottage with a plaque of 'Home Sweet Home', a beautiful little rose garden, and a white Labrador in the porch barking madly at the milkman!

Sameer pulled out a chair for her, and then took the one opposite her once she was seated. An awkward silence prevailed for a bit, before he exclaimed "I have asked them to make Chinese for us today. The chef assured me that he makes delicious Chop Suey and Spring Rolls." As she stayed quiet, he rushed on sounding unsure now "You like Chinese, right? Maybe, I should have checked with you..." She agreed strongly "Oh yes! Absolutely! I love it!" He relaxed "Good... I mean, who doesn't like Chinese, right?"

By the time an attendant arrived to take their orders for drinks, Sameer had started feeling rather nervous. What the hell am I nervous about?! It's not like I am here on a date... Oh shit! This is a date. I mean, it sure feels like one. Oh man... I definitely didn't think this through. Red roses, candlelight dinner for two... Apology my ass!

"I will have a coke please." Naina smiled at the server. The guy turned to him with a smile "Sir, what would you like?" "Two cold beers!" Sameer felt his hands and back getting sweaty. The man asked sounding a little confused "Would you like both the beers together Sir?" Sameer looked at him stupefied for some time and then replied gathering his wits "No, bring one now and the another with the food." As the man left, he smiled nervously at Naina "It's ridiculously hot. I'm sweating like a pig!"

He looks so endearingly nervous. She chuckled softly "Did you know that pigs don't actually sweat? They just roll in the mud when they need to cool down." He squinted "Really? So, why is this phrase used so commonly?!" She shrugged and, looking around, said "Thank you. This is so lovely!"

After a small pause she confessed "I am glad you didn't accompany Nanaji today. The palace felt very spooky yesterday evening after the servants retired to their wing post dinner. I tried reading in the lounge for a bit, but just couldn't sit there by myself. In fact, I had a hard time falling asleep too!" He was pleased, She's calling me her knight in shining armour... well, not in so many words... but that's her sentiment for sure!

The server arrived with their drinks, Spring Rolls, and some other nibbles. As the food and drinks made its way to their bellies, their nerves settled too. Soon the conversation flowed, from what they had covered on the trip to what they were both looking forward to over the coming months.

Naina spoke about how balancing the final year was crucial before she could embark on her fulltime career. Sameer admitted how he was still undecided about joining his stepfather's business. He wanted to make his own mark and wasn't convinced that joining the family business was the right way to go about it. Her admiration for him only grew. He is so brave! Not at all looking for the easy way forward.

When he spoke about his family, especially his stepbrother and sister, Naina listened with longing. She had one memory of meeting her cousin Preeti at some wedding when she had been about eleven. Naina had looked forward to that event with a lot of anticipation and excitement. She had very happily dressed up in all her bests: the maxi dress with a geometrical print from her last birthday, the hairband studded with some fake pearls purchased for Diwali and a golden bracelet their neighbour Vimla aunty had given her for Bhaiduj.

But she had spent the day clinging to her mother's pallu, as Preeti and her other distant cousins flitted across the hall dressed in elaborate ghagra-cholis and decked in their not-fake jewellery. To the other girls, she had been an outsider to be gawked and giggled at. Also, she had been old enough to notice the condescending tone in which most of the women addressed her mother. On the way back, Naina had announced obstinately "Maa, they are not nice. I don't want to meet them again!" Rama had tried to brush away her doubts, albeit only half-heartedly.

As Naina sat there looking at him, he seemed to have everything she had ever wished for. She wondered fleetingly how different her life could have been had her mother remarried. The idea of siblings was so appealing. His sister Deepika sounded like so much fun!

Their mains and his second beer arrived. Looking at her intently he uttered "I hope you don't mind me drinking." She smirked "Isn't it a little late for that?" He coloured a little and laughed "True that! But, do you mind?" She shook her head "No, I was just surprised yesterday. I suppose it was unexpected. It's not common in Gujrat, at least not done openly." He nodded in understanding.

Naina spoke a little about her mother and grandmother as they dined. For the first time since he had met her, Sameer started understanding the challenges her family dealt with on an on-going basis, at least to some extent anyways. His mind was filled with musings on how lucky his mother and he were to have ended up where they had.

Meal done, Naina walked down the stairs her heart growing forlorn at the prospect of the evening ending. But on reaching the ground floor, Sameer steered her in the direction of a lounge and left her there with strict instructions "Just sit here for five minutes. I'll be back soon. But promise me you won't move from here!"

When he returned a few minutes later, his eyes were sparkling with anticipation. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and blindfolded her as she voiced some protests. "Just let me lead you. Don't worry, you'll be fine. You trust me, right?" amid these and other such entreaties, she followed him somewhere through the garden, her hold on his arm tightening every time she stumbled a little. Along with the slight fear, there was a distinct thrill in letting him lead her down some unknown path.

"Just another minute!" he murmured as they stopped somewhere. Her confusion grew as he seemed to take a couple of steps away from her and then she heard something being sprayed around. Approaching her again, he removed the blindfold with a flourish! The perfume sprayed by him assaulted her senses just as her eyes adjusted to the surroundings and the twinkling lights registered.

Naina looked around in awe and then at him. They were standing near the swimming pool and there were about a dozen or more candles lit around the pool. Satisfied with her reaction, he grinned "Perfumed floating lights was a little hard to achieve, but I hope you like this!" He gestured at the candles and held up his bottle of perfume as a way of explanation. She was completely overwhelmed "Sameer... This is... How did you even?"

Smiling broadly, he replied "I was out here earlier and was thinking of what you said about the pool that afternoon. And I just thought of trying to recreate your fantasy! So, I take it that you like this?" "Like it?? I love it! And I love-"she abruptly stopped gushing. "I mean, this is just such a wonderful idea. You are... This is amazing!"

They settled on the deck chairs, Naina looking around dreamily and Sameer gazing at her serene smile.

Naina looked on surprised as he pulled out a bottle of beer from under his chair. He smiled sheepishly looking at the bottle "Well, this is part of my fantasy." She smiled indulgently and settling back into the chair continued to stare at the night sky.

Both were silent for some time, before she whispered "I feel like I have been here before..." He looked at her quizzically "What do you mean?" She replied staring in the distance "You know... there are times when something feels familiar, and you don't know why." His expression turned a little pensive "You mean like déjà vu?" She shook her head "No, not like that. Just like this is not new. This place... you and me here."

Then she chuckled dismissively "Seeing my fascination for the past, Nani says I should have been born at least couple of centuries ago!"

He seemed to ponder on it for a moment and then said teasingly "Maybe you were! Maybe you lived right here, and that's where the notion of perfumed lights floating on the water came from. Also, you seem to have a very clear idea on what the kings used the pool for!" She blushed a deep red and hit his arm playfully. He just continued laughing for some time.

Naina quipped "Well, if all I had to do was lounge around and have servants waiting on me... I wouldn't have minded living here." He countered "If I was the King and you lived here, I would have never gone to that other palace!" With a haughty tilt of his head, trying to look regal, he added "I would have declared this my primary residence and you my chief consort!"

Both burst into giggles at the absurdity of these declarations. Sameer took a long swig of the beer, intently watching her mirth filled eyes. "Your name suits you. Your eyes... they are so expressive!" he continued gazing at her. Naina felt the heat creeping up her cheeks.

He mused "But, we would have needed a different name for you... Naina wouldn't have fit that era, right? Tell me names which are synonyms for Naina," She pondered on it for a bit and then started listing the few she could think of "Lochana, Naayantara, Akshika, Charunetra, Ambujakshi, Meenakshi" "Wait! What do they mean? The last two..." he interrupted. "Meenakshi means one with eyes shaped like a fish, and Ambujakshi means 'lotus eyed'" He shook his head "No... they don't suit you." Tilting his head, he asked "What would mean - with eyes like a deer? There is something doe-like about you."

Her heart fluttered. He prompted her as stayed silent "Come on! There have to be names with that meaning." She gulped and replied "Mriganayani... or Harinakshi. Maybe" His eyes shone "That's it! Hirnakshi" She smiled "It's Ha-rin-akshi, not Hir-nakshi." He tried it again "Ha-rin-akshi... I like it! Its feels exotic and mysterious. Just like you!"

She looked at him confused "Exotic and mysterious... and me?" When he nodded, she deliberated "But, I am an Indian, like all the other Indian people you must know there."

Sameer took another sip of his beer and shook his head "No, you are different. Quite different." He didn't explain it any further and Naina sat there looking slightly puzzled.

Once again getting into the playful mood, he exclaimed "I hereby confer the title of Ha-rin-akshi on you!" As she smiled sweetly her cheeks a rosy pink, he raised his bottle in a mock salute "To my chief consort Harinakshi. Long may she reign!" Sameer took another sip and held out the bottle to a giggling, pink cheeked Naina. As she looked at the bottle with uncertainty, he urged her "Go on... take a tiny sip. It's bad luck if we don't drink while toasting to someone."

It wasn't the fear of any resulting misfortune that was playing on her mind as she reached out to take the bottle from his hand. She looked at the rim that his lips had just touched and brought it to her own lips. The small sip tasted slightly bitter, but for Naina that bitterness was largely overshadowed by the fact that it was his jhoota.

As she handed the bottle back to him, he smirked "It's not all that bad, is it? I know... it takes time to develop a taste for it. But for all you know, a few more sips throughout the evening and you might actually start enjoying it!" She rolled her eyes at him thinking, Just as likely as me actually becoming your chief consort!

The feeling of intoxication was almost instant, as her eyes languidly travelled over the hair falling over his forehead covering part of his eyes. His eyes so dark, with an unfathomable depth. Those perfect full lips, and it was no exaggeration! What does he use to keep them looking so soft and supple? And so...

She took another sip when he extended the bottle, this time just to pipe-down the restlessness bubbling inside her. Sameer was surprised. Yesterday, she was annoyed at me for offering her beer and was interrogating me on what sort of girl I think her to be! And now one sip and it's no longer an issue? Why do people create such extreme opinions without trying something?!

"It's surprising how many stars are visible here considering it's the full moon tonight." Sameer mused. He pointed out some constellation in the sky and shared some information about it. She pretended to listen, but all she looked at was his fingers pointing at the far away stars. The image of their entwined hands from the day before, as he had tried to soothe her anxieties in the car after his riding incident, flashed before her eyes. Her hand had felt so small in his, and yet it had felt so right!

Some conversation and four sips later, as she handed back the bottle to him, Naina asked "What is the other part?" He squinted "What?" She elaborated "Well, you said the beer is part of your fantasy. So, what's the other part?" His eyes widened and he tried hard to suppress a smile. Sweetheart, I don't think you really want to know my fantasies! Unaware of his thoughts, she pushed on "So?"

Hmmm, let me share a harmless one with you. He stood up and started unbuttoning his shirt. Her eyes almost popping out of her head, Naina stuttered sounding alarmed "What... What are you doing?!" Unfazed he carried on and dropped the shirt on the chair. Her attempt to peal her eyes off the half-naked Adonis utterly failed.

As he started unbuttoning his shorts, she almost screamed "Sameer! Stop it!" He chuckled "God! You are really scared. Hello... I am just going for a swim. And don't worry, I have come fully prepared with my swimming trunks underneath." Dropping the denim shorts on the chair too, he moved towards the pool, just dressed in his blue trunks. Before she could gather her wits, he jumped in the water with a big splash that sent some droplets in her direction too.

Did he just... undress in front of me? She watched on horrified. Oh God! How could he? Leave Naina! Yes, I should leave, immediately.

And still she continued to stay seated where she was, her unblinking eyes on the swimmer. She hadn't seen enough swimmers before to have any opinion about the finesse of his stroke or the speed, but decided that whatever he was doing was really good!

Sameer stopped at the side closest to her and resting his hands on the edge called out "Since I first saw this pool, I was fantasizing about enjoying a cold beer and a dip in the pool at the same time!" She smiled nervously.

A minute later, he called out "Don't just sit there watching! Come on, join me in the pool." Her eye grew wider, Join him? Does he think I am shamelessly going to undress here too?! He beamed "Believe me, the water is just perfect!" Naina vehemently shook her head "I am fine here!" He scowled as he resumed his swimming.

Few minutes went by, as she tried to stare at the sky and recall what he had said about the constellations earlier. Every now and then, she surreptitiously sneaked some glances at the rippling muscles of his back.

Suddenly she heard a yelp from the pool. He was to one side, holding his forehead and scrunching up his face in pain. Naina fled in his direction and was soon kneeling by the pool, trying to pull his hand away "What happened? Did you bang your head? Oh God! Maybe you were more hurt than we realised yesterday. Are you feeling dizzy? You shouldn't be in the water..."

He readily agreed "You are absolutely right. I shouldn't be in the water. Alone!" Before the last word registered, Naina felt a jerk and was sputtering in the water the very next second. As she tried to catch her breath, he grinned devilishly "Now it feels right!" Her arms still flailing, she screamed "I can't swim! Please... I need to get out!" Quickly putting an arm around her, he shushed her "Naina, calm down. Just stay still and you can easily touch the bottom with your feet. The pool is not that deep. Did you not see me standing and talking to you earlier?"

Still holding his arm, she took a few deep breaths and straightening her legs tried to tentatively feel the bottom. As soon as she was standing on her feet, she smacked him on his shoulder and started in a very shrill voice "What sort of prank is this?! It's not at all funny! How could you? I could have drowned!" He moved his ear as far as possible muttering "Has anyone ever told you, that for someone so tiny, you have a very loud voice? Stop screaming. No one is drowning. But, at this rate, I might soon end up deaf!"

Isn't someone with their hair plastered to their head supposed to look like a Champu? How can he look so handsome even now?! She watched him totally flabbergasted. His eyes skimmed over the shimmering satin-like skin of her face and neck, the wet outfit clinging to her like a second skin. God, she looks like a luscious goddess, who had just arisen from the ocean! The dark green of her kameez, even darker now, highlighted the creamy complexion of her neck, collar bones and arms. The chunky choker should have seemed out of place in the pool, and yet it just added to her allure.

Naina started withdrawing her hand which was resting on his shoulder for support. But then feeling wobbly in the water, whispered "Can we please go to the side? I need to hold on to something."

Doing the gentlemanly thing, he guided her to the side, allowing her to grab the edge. Once she seemed safely anchored, he again cut through the water. Sameer swam for a bit trying to cool down his raging hormones.

Once he felt like he had it under control, he returned to her. Noting that she was shivering slightly, he advised "Don't just stand still in the water. Keep moving, that way you won't feel cold." "Moving? How?" she murmured.

Donning his teaching hat again, he went about showing her how to keep kicking while holding on to the edge of the pool. "Just relax and let your body float... then move your legs like you are cycling. It's easy. Don't be scared. I am here, right?" As she tried to follow his commands, she was thinking. You being here, so close, is what I'm scared of right now!

Trying to correct her posture, he slipped an arm under and supported her belly "Stretch your body, nice and straight." His proximity was too much for her. As her eyes landed on the mole just near his left nipple, Naina almost whimpered "I can't. Please... I have to get out." "Alright... let me help you. Here pull yourself up while I support you." He helped her exit the pool, and then pulled himself out too.

Moving in the direction of the small room to the side, he called "Come here." Hesitantly following him, she stood at the entrance. He grabbed a towel from one of the shelves "They keep the towels and changing robes in here." She protested "What's the need? I will change back in the room..." He looked surprised "You can't walk back to the palace dripping wet like this. You will catch a cold. And what's the need to rush back?" He gently pushed her inside as he stepped out "Go on. Dry yourself properly and get into a robe."

Naina stood timidly not doing anything for few moments and then locked the door from inside. It felt like she was suddenly incapable of not following any of his instructions.

Sameer quickly dried his body and then continued towelling his hair. The swim had been so refreshing. And pretty damn invigorating for an entirely different set of reasons! He glanced in the direction of the changing room and a goofy smile lit up his face. Ha-rin-akshi... Damn, she is quite something!

Naina unbolted the door and stepped out clutching the wet green dress and her choker. The white fluffy terry robe reached past her claves, and more than adequately covered her. The towel dried hair came down in messy waves around her face. Sameer's eyes crinkled in amusement at seeing her in the robe, which was a few sizes too big for her.

She dumped the her wet shalwar kameez next to her chair. As she sat down, she kept checking that the belt was safely secured and robe covered most of her legs. He asked softly "Feeling better now?" She nodded.

Naina sneaked some glances at him from the corner of her eye. How can he sit here like this? With just a towel around his shoulders? It's barely hiding anything! Maybe he did sustain some injuries to his brain yesterday. She asked nervously "And you? Are you feeling okay? Maybe some dizziness?"

Sameer looked at her quizzically and then grinned, sounding pleased with himself "I told you, I was just acting, to get you to approach the pool. And it worked out perfectly, just as planned!" Naina, looks like you are the one suffering from brain damage! She was annoyed at her gullibility.

They sat cocooned in the fragrant, twinkling silence for a while. A couple of the candles had got blown out by the light breeze, but most were still burning bright. Their faces were awash with a warm glow, probably more from the smouldering desires in their hearts. The cliché phrase of the 'air between them was heavy with sexual tension' applied very aptly in that moment.

How can she look so sexy in such an ill-fitting robe? Turns out this wasn't such a harmless fantasy after all! He pulled the towel away from around his neck and dumped it on his lap, not wanting her to witness the evidence of his increasing fascination for her. Good one mate! Fascination... what a creative description of a hard-on.

But why the hell does she keep fiddling with that knot?! Before he realised it, he leaned across and gripped her hand that was busy confirming that the belt was still tightly knotted. His voice came out all hoarse "Please stop touching that knot! Every time you check it, it only makes me more desperate to unknot it!"

She forgot to both blink and breathe. And when the breathing resumed, the quick movements of her chest were not hidden even through the thick fluffy robe. For some time, he stayed dangerously close unable to move away, his eyes focused on her slightly trembling lips. As an iota of sanity started resurfacing, his grip on her hand started loosening, but her fingers curled around his. Her eyes clearly betrayed the longing hidden in depths of her heart.

Without another thought he leaned in and tenderly pressed his lips to hers. Naina sat very still, like all of her except her lips were incapable of moving or feeling. But her lips were feeling things never felt before. His one hand moved to gently cradle her face and he claimed her lower lip, softly sucking on it.

Sensing her shiver against him, breaking the kiss, Sameer drew back a little. Her eyes were closed, and she was trembling a little. Caressing her cheeks with his thumbs, he whispered "Hey, you okay?"

As her eyes opened, her face was flooded first with confusion and then mortification. She almost jumped out of the chair and frantically started gathering her things. He leapt out of his char too "Naina, what's wrong?" As he held her hand, she stammered without meeting his eyes "I can't... we shouldn't. How did that?" He tried to pull her into a comforting hug "It's okay... It happens." She looked at him uncomprehendingly thinking, It happens?? No, it does not happen! At least, it has never happened before!

She just managed to mutter as she turned in the direction of the palace "I am going back." He grabbed his stuff too and quickly followed her. They walked back in complete silence after he caught up with her.

Sameer couldn't fathom why she was reacting in this manner. Yes, it was unplanned... and happened sort of out of the blue. But she had wanted it too! Did she not like it? But I didn't even get a chance to kiss her properly. Surely, she can't decide that I am a bad kisser just based on that little preview! Why the hell did I stop?!

He kissed me... like really kissed me! Oh my god... we just had our first kiss! Oh... it was perfect! He was so gentle. Wait, did I kiss him back? I don't think so. It sort-of seemed too short though... But he kissed me! Naina's thoughts and emotions were all over the place.

Naina fumbled with the lock on her door. Her trembling fingers just couldn't manage the simple task. Sameer pulled the key from her "Let me..." As she stood in the open door her eyes lowered, he muttered ramblingly "Sorry, it wasn't good... I shouldn't have rushed it. I just didn't think it through."

She glanced up at him wide eyed "It wasn't good??" Her artlessness made her more adorable and endearing in that moment, as her eyes displayed a heady mix of innocence and desire.

He took a step closer and whispered, "No, it was perfect!" The blush creeping up her cheeks, made her even more irresistible. He cupped her face again "In fact, so perfect, that I can't wait to..." the rest of the words were lost as he leaned down and captured her lips again.

Though it started soft and slow just like the first one, this time he didn't stop. It barely registered with either when Sameer pushed her against the wall next to the door. The kiss turned hot and deep, as his tongue first cajoled her lips open and then tangled with her tongue.

Naina couldn't keep up with the onslaught on all her senses. The taste of him as his tongue tried to discover every corner of her mouth. The feel of his lips as the he ardently tried to possess hers. The contrast of his one big hand entwined in her smaller one, while the other explored the slant of her neck and then slipped under robe to caress a shoulder.

At some point, without fully breaking contact, Sameer manged to closed the door and carried her to the antique four poster bed. Their heartbeats were hard to tell apart as his fingers tugged open the knot that she had been trying to safeguard just a little while back.

The full moon shone through her window adding to the magic of the moment.

The young woman dressed in a very plain white cotton bra and a pale pink panty, drove him mad with the desire to mark her as his. His Harinakshi. Sameer fervently kissed and caressed the waist he had been eyeing and fantasising about since the day he met her.

Being the sweet simple girl that she was, the expected response would have been to protest and push him away. But she only clung on to him tighter. The couple of times Naina's brain started trying to think coherently, even in the least, his lips intuitively returned to her lips to drown any likely objections into a series of moans.

Her fingers reverently touched the mole near his left nipple, all the while absorbing the vibrations of his heart that lay just underneath. She kissed his cheeks and jawline, at first softly, tentatively, and then with growing ardour almost hypnotised by the feel of his end-of-day stubble against her soft mouth. Her fingers knotted in the hair covering his nape.

Love is characterised by many things, but in the begining, passion is probably the most prominent one. Young lovers have often abandoned rationale and behaved in extreme unexpected ways. Romeo-Juliet, Laila-Majnu, Salim-Anarkali, the list goes on. In that context, what followed that night between Sameer and Naina, was neither that extreme, nor that unexpected. It was, what has been happening between a man and woman deeply attracted to each other, since the times of Adam and Eve.

Essentially, all humans belonging to one gender have the same anatomy. And yet, we are drawn to just a few, and in some cases beyond all rhyme and reason to just one. With billions of pairs of eyes and lips out there, we end up coveting one more than the others.

Maybe, God really does create us in pairs. That night, Sameer and Naina discovered that like two pieces of a puzzle they fitted perfectly together. In that moment, edged against each other, they felt complete.

As Sameer collapsed on her, sated, his head cushioned against her breasts, he felt like he had come home. Curled against his chest, their legs tangled, her one foot resting against his much bigger one, Naina experienced a feeling of being anchored just where she was always meant to be. When she drifted off to sleep, she smiled contently, his earlier words playing in her mind - my chief consort Harinakshi.

* * *

(Hope this part met the promise of being extra special :) Let me know what you thought of it!

I would like to share something. The reference to Egypt in this part is special to me, because that is where the concept for this story came to me, when I was travelling there towards the end of  last year. We spent a lot of time with two very dedicated guides during that trip and it provided a good insight into their lives both personal and professional.

The basic plot for this story was born during the 4-5 hours long car ride from Luxor to Hurghada. While staring outside the window, I saw a group of young college-going girls, who were curiously watching the tourists. I wondered what it must be like for them to grow up in a place where the world comes to visit and then goes back, leaving those young girls behind dreaming of faraway places and people.  As my overactive imagination took wings, 'The Folly of Love' materialised.

And then of course, I spent a while refining the concept and adding the 'Samaina' flavour to it!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my incredibly intelligent and loving daughter Inu. Since I shared the concept with her while on that trip, she has provided me with constant support. Along with being a sounding board for my ideas, she has also become my editor and reviews each part meticulously before I am allowed to publish it! She is a voracious reader with a depth of understanding well beyond her years, and I really appreciate her input. My joy of writing this story has only multiplied, by her being an integral part of this experience.

Also, my heartfelt gratitude to all my readers. It makes me happy beyond words to see that you all are enjoying this story so much! Thank you so much for all your comments, votes and reads.

I hope you all are keeping well. Take care of yourself and all your dear ones. Embrace experiences that make you happy and stay strong. God bless.

Stay home and stay safe.

Lots of love, May)