Hello friends! I'm back with the second part of this Samaina tale. To be honest, when I'd written the first part of this story on a request years ago, I hadn't envisioned another part for it. But over the years, many people encouraged me to explore Sameer's envy as well, and finally after months of putting my head at it, I was able to come up with a story. 

I  hope it is worth your time. 

This part is dedicated to pahul_gpk. I may not have written this one had it not been for you! <3  

And to solemnly_sarcastic. I'm posting it earlier than I would have because of you. <3

If you like the story, do vote and comment. 

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"Mmm...aahhaa...mmaahhh...yahi sach hai shayad maine pyaar kiya...aahaan...maine pyaar kiya...," Naina hummed while fluffing her pillows to get ready for sleep.

"Kahan the tu aur Sameer kal raat bhar?" Kamya's sharp voice made Naina pause her humming and look up.

"Matlab? Bataya to tha...uske relatives the Manali ke pass...".

"Bina kisi ko bataye? Aur raat ko jaana kya zaruri tha...?" Kamya interjected, her hands were now resting on her hips, her eyes assessing her friend.

"Wo Kamya uske relatives the na saath mein...".

"Shaadi se pehle kaun girlfriend ko relatives se milwata hai? Sach sach bata Naina...tum log sach mein Sameer ke chacha chachi ke saath the ya fir...?"

"Chup kar...kaisi bacchon jaisi baatein kar rahi hai...," Naina snapped, turning red now.

"Bacchon jaisi nahi...bacche paida karne wali baatein to nahi huyi na tere aur Sameer ke beech...?" Kamya strode over to her and clasped her shoulders.

"Kya? Tera dimag kharab to nahi hai Kamya? Mera Sameer aisa nahi hai!" Naina retorted.

"Acha? To kaisa hai...tera Sameer?" Kamya mocked as she plopped down onto her side of the bed.

"Baaki ladkon se bilkul alag...ekdum shareef...seedha saada pyaara sa...," Naina started, a smile playing onto her lips, as she reminisced her love.

Kamya let out a laugh. "Oh hello madam...sapne se bahar toh aa...".

Naina glared at her.

"Naina...tujhe sach mein lagta hai Sameer...matlab tera Sameer...," she corrected in answer to Naina's piercing stare, "....seedha saada hai...baaki ladkon se alag shareef sa...?"

"Aur kya...?" Naina crossed her arms across her chest.

"Naina tu bahot bholi hai yaar," Kamya giggled again.

"Kya bholi...main Sameer ko zyada jaanti hun ya tu?"

"Sameer ko to tu sabse ache se jaanti hai...lekin ladkon ko....Kamya sabse ache se pehchanti hai...," Kamya winked at her, "...aur Sameer kitna bhi acha kyun na ho...hai to ladka hi!"

"Tu kuch bhi mat bol haan Kamya," Naina sulked.

"Dekh Naina...mujhe pata hai tum dono kal raat akele the...par main kisi se kahungi nahi...tension mat le...bas tu thoda bach ke reh...abhi tumhari shaadi mein time hai...teri aur Sameer ki family ek dusre ko itni jaldi accept to karne wali nahi...aur abhi college khatam hua nahi hai...tum agar aise mein zarurat se zyaada kareeb aa jao...," Kamya hesitated, "tu samajh rahi hai na Naina...?"

Naina didn't really understand what exactly Kamya was implying at, but she figured it might be related to the way she'd impulsively and passionately kissed Sameer this morning. As she tried hard not to blush, she wondered if Kamya was also privy to the sources of information that Sameer had said were available to boys. How else did she know so much about things that happened after wedding?

"Naina?" Kamya clicked her fingers in front of her.

"Aisa kuch nahi hoga...," Naina mumbled disconcertedly, and then pulled herself together. "Mujhe Sameer par bharosa hai."

"Dekh Naina...bharosa hona achi baat hai....aur main ye bhi jaanti hun ki Sameer tera bharosa nahi todega...lekin fir bhi...ladka hai...kya pta kabhi khud ko rok na paaye...aur tu to Sameer puraan gaati reh jaayegi...," Kamya finished.

"Ho gaya tera? Maine kaha na mera Sameer baaki ladkon se ekdum alag hai!" Naina said.

"Acha...to prove kar!" pat came Kamya's response.

"Prove kya karun isme?" Naina's eyes widened in surprise.

Kamya grinned again. "Chal theek hai...kal main tujhe prove karke dikhaungi ki tera Sameer bhi baaki ladkon jaisa hi hai."

"Tu...kaise?" Naina stammered.

"Good night Naina!" Kamya grinned and turned off the bedside lamp.

***

The next morning Sameer was happily chatting with his friends at the breakfast table, sitting as usual with the chair turned around and his hands resting on the back of the chair, when he spotted Naina at the door. He waved over to her and she joined him at their table.

"Nayi salwar kameez?" he whispered in her ears as he stooped to pour orange juice into her glass. Naina nodded shyly, when all of a sudden the murmurs around ceased. The hall suddenly became pindrop silent. Naina looked up at the door and saw Kamya dressed in an incredibly small purple mini skirt, paired with a white fluffy top and matching six inches of heels. All eyes in the hall were besotted with the lady in the minis as she strode over to join them. And then Naina noticed something wet, watery touch her fingers. Her eyes darted to her hands. Orange juice?

"Sameer?" she howled.

And it was then that she noticed that Sameer was still pouring the orange juice into her glass, which was already overflowing. But he was oblivious to it all- Naina's presence or the juice soaking her dress. For his gaze, like every man in the hall was fixed upon Kamya, grazing over her long, slender, polished legs.

Naina saw him gulp, and her eyes widened in horror, shock. Unconsciously, he kept the jar of juice down onto the table and bent around to have a better look at Kamya. Kamya strode up to where they were sitting. "saamne se ghur le...," she smirked at him and gave Naina a didn't-I-tell-you-so look. Naina crossed her arms as Kamya took a chair opposite them, while Sameer and the other boys of their group grinned sheepishly.

And then Sameer realized Naina was sitting right next to him and focused his attention back onto her.

"Arey...ye orange juice kaise gir gaya...Naina tumhari nayi dress kharab ho gayi...," he sounded alarmed.

Naina shot him a cold glare and snapped, "tumhara dhyaan bhatak gaya tha na isliye!"

Before Sameer could react, Naina got up from the table in a huff and stomped out of the room.

Sameer held his head in his palms, cursing himself for his slip at that moment. He wondered what Naina thought of him now. Did she think he was betraying her? Ohh God...she was too innocent!

And he too sprang up from his seat and dashed after her, "Naina...Naina!"

"Yaar do din mein do baar manana pad raha hai....dono baar Kamya ki wajah se...is Kamya ko to main dekhta hun...," he muttered under his breath as he tried to catch up with her again.

Naina was furious and mumbling under her breath, ignoring him calling after her.

"Mujhe tumse baat nahi karni Sameer. Please mujhe akela chod do." She turned back and shot him a filthy look.

She quickened her pace to evade her boyfriend who was at the end of the corridor.

The moment she turned around the corridor, her breath hitched in her throat for she was about to collide with someone. The person in question was a tall lad with a cheeky smile plastered on his boyishly attractive face. He smiled at her good naturedly, held his hands out to create distance between them as he stepped back.

"I'm sorry Ms...?"

"Naina...and no, I'm sorry-" Naina began.

"Naina! What a beautiful name."

Despite herself, Naina smiled. "I'm sorry...wo mera dhyaan nahi tha-"

"Ahh that's okay. Actually maine bhi dhyaan nahi diya."

Naina nodded politely, wondering if Sameer ran down the opposite corridor in search for her. "Serves him right!" She fumed again, when Raj broke her chain of thoughts.

"And since you didn't ask- I'm Raj. Raj, naam to suna hi hoga," he gave a cocky grin.

Naina laughed. "Nice to meet you Raj!"

And then Naina heard footsteps racing around the corridor. Sameer! Her anger came pulsing back.

"Uhh...Sorry Raj...I have to go. It was nice meeting you," she exclaimed hurriedly.

"Likewise," Raj smiled briefly and moved left to let her pass. But Naina had stepped left too just that moment. Smiling at this, Raj turned to his right to allow her passage, but Naina again followed his move. The two grinned and Raj held his hands out in a signal to wait. He stepped again to the left, and flicked his hands towards the free passageway.

Naina smiled at him gratefully as she scuttled around the corridor while Raj messed his hair, peering after her.

Smilingly, he started whistling, "ek ajnaabe haseena se....yun mulaqaat ho gayi.." as he strode towards the mess.

A few seconds later, he spotted a strikingly handsome boy, partly out of breath, roving his hands through his silky hair.

Sameer peered down the length of the corridor, and was dejected realizing it was empty.

"Kahan gayi hogi?" he thought exasperatedly. "Tujhe bhi uske saamne yeh idiot wali harkatein karni zaruri hai na Sameer?" he mentally cursed himself, when he spotted a boy whistling in the corridor coming towards him.

He straightened himself, and passed a polite nod, which the guy returned and then still crooning, he walked further down the mess.

Meanwhile, Naina was in her room, still fuming at Sameer.

"Kamya theek keh rahi thi- sab ladke ek jaise hote hain." And then she countered herself again, "par Sameer to mujhse pyaar karta hai to wo Kamya ko kyun ghurta hai? Yahi plan kiya tha Kamya ne...ab kitna chedegi mujhe...kahin sach mein Sameer ka pyaar shaadi wala na hoke time pass wala hua toh?" Naina's insides churned at the thought. "Nahi nahi...Sameer kitni baar keh chuka hai wo mujhse hi shaadi karega...papa ko bhi to kabse sasurji bolta hai...na na...arrghhhh!" She clutched her head in irritation.

"Mil gaya saboot?" Kamya spoke from the doorway looking rather pleased with herself.

"Tu baat mat kar mujhse," Naina snapped at her.

"Arey, isme maine kya kiya? Ab tera Sameer koi sadhu nahi to isme meri kya galti?"

Naina bit her lip, unable to come up with a significant retort for that.

"Nahi hai na koi jawab...maine kaha tha tujhse tera Sameer bhi baaki ladkon jaisa hi hai-"

"Tu chup kar Kamya...mera dimag mat kharab kar."

"Arey Naina gussa mat ho. Aur itna tension mat le. Main jaanti hun Sameer tujhse pyaar karta hai, lekin iska yeh matlab nahi ki tu dheeli pad jaa-"

"Dheeli?"

"Aur kya. Abhi Sameer ko lagta hai- Naina to mujhse pyaar karti hai. Mere alawa kisi aur ko dekhegi bhi nahi and all- wo bahot secure hai tujhe leke. Agar usse kuch galti bhi ho jaye to wo jaanta hai tu aaj nahi to kal use maaf kar hi degi-"

"Par aisa to main bhi Sameer ke bare mein soch sakti hun na?"

"Haan, par tu kisi aur ladke ko Sameer ke saamne aise ghuregi? Aur agar aisa hua to kya Sameer ko gussa nahi aayega?"

"Main kyun ghurungi kisi aur ko?" Naina protested.

"Exactly. Aur yeh baat Sameer ko pata hai!" Kamya pushed a chair closer to Naina and sat down face to face with her. "Naina, ladkon ko na excitement pasand hoti hai. Sameer ko pata hai uske liye koi competition nahi hai, to wo kuch zyada hi relaxed hai tujhe leke-"

Naina's eyes widened. "Toh main kya dusra boyfriend banaun? Chee...yeh kya bol rahi hai tu?"

"Uffo duffer. Dusra boyfriend mat bana. But use ehsaas dila ki agar wo zyada casual hua tujhe leke to aur bhi options hain tere pass- use insecure kar ki tune kahin use chod diya toh-"

"Lekin main Sameer ko nahi chodungi na!"

Kamya slapped her palm to her forehead. "Oh meri mata...wo to mujhe bhi pata hai." She then beckoned her near and whispered something in her ear.

"Kya- tu pagal to nahi ho gayi?" Naina spat in alarm.

"Tujhe kya chahiye Sameer aise hi dusri ladkiyon ko ghure...aaj to main hun saamne...kal ko koi dusri ladki hogi to mauka nahi chodegi...agar koi aur Sameer par meherbaan ho gayi to kya karegi? Aur ladkon ka dil na bada chanchal hota hai- aur tera Sameer to hai hi hawa ka jhonka...kabhi yahan se wahan ho gaya na to haath malti reh jayegi...apni cheezon ko sambhal kar rakhne ki zimmedari bhi hamari hi hoti hai samjhi?"

Naina was still unsure of the plan that was in Kamya's mind. Today was the first day of the trip, and apart from shopping at local markets for woollens and tourist crafts, the schedule was comparatively light for them. They had ample time.

Kamya quirked her brows. "So bata done hai?"

Naina took a few more moments to think, and then nodded. "Done...magar-"

"-magar kya?"

Naina lifted the salwar off her feet slightly in embarrassment.

Kamya eyed the plentiful growth of hair on her skin and sighed.

"Tune kabhi waxing nahi karayi na?"

Naina shook her head.

Kamya tugged at her arms and inspected them. She pulled her face closer and examined her brows. "I should have guessed. But worry not when Kamya is here. Naina tu padhai mein number one hogi, lekin yeh mera department hai."

She hurried over to her bag and pulled out a container of wax, an electric heater and other accessories.

"Tu yeh sab leke ghumti hai?" Naina's mouth fell open at that assortment of unfamiliar objects.

"Trip pe looks ko maintain karna aur zaruri hota hai. Kya pata Manali ka koi handsome ladka mujhse takra jaye?"

Naina's thoughts briefly flew towards the boy she'd almost collided with in the corridor today. Raj.

The next hour or so Naina was cursing her stars for making her a female. The sounds coming from their room must have mirrored an inmate being tortured in jail as strip upon strip of hot wax singed her skin and then left it red and blotched as the reminder of the excruciating pain she'd experienced.

She promised that this was the last time she was doing this. She'll go and tell Sameer she can't bear this pain. He'll understand. He has to.

But when she'd washed off the sticky remnants of her torture, Naina coursed her fingers over her arms. Her skin felt silky smooth now. It was brighter, fairer. She checked her legs in astonishment. How feminine she looked. Absolutely beautiful! It was worth all that pain. If she seemed so beautiful to her own self, imagine how pleased Sameer would be.

Assuaged, she sat down as Kamya began shaping her brows. And again the pain resurged and Naina shrieked again.

"Naina, chup kar. Badi ho gayi hai tu...thoda seh le!"

"Oww..ouch- yeh sab bhi karna zaruri hai kya?"

"Haan...yaad rakh Sameer shocked ho jayega tujhe dekh ke. Ab toh uski nazrein tujhse hatengi hi nahi."

Then Naina was pushed into the bathroom with the dress that Kamya chose for her.

A few minutes later, Naina emerged looking extremely self-conscious, as she tried to pull the dress lower down. She was clad in a flowery dress that Kamya had lent to her. It had long frilly sleeves, but it barely touched her knees, making her uncomfortable.

"Kamya, yeh sab main nahi pehen sakti. Yeh to bahot choti hai."

"Kya choti hai? Yeh to kitni sweet aur decent dress hai."

"Par.."

"-Par var kuch nahi." And then Kamya made her sit down for her makeup. She brushed her hair and gathered it up into a high ponytail. She then applied a layer of eyeliner on her lids, and dabbed her lips with a blush pink lipgloss (on Naina's insistence to keep it mild). Naina paired the look with her big golden hoops and a bracelet for her wrist.

"Ab lag rahi hai na tu supermodel!" Kamya winked at her.

Naina couldn't deny it. Though this wasn't her usual style, she was stunned to see the transformation. She was glowing on the inside, but the moment she stepped out with Kamya, her hesitation and embarrassment returned at the sight of people milling about in the distance.

"Main...main nahi kar sakti yeh...," she pulled at the hem of her dress again.

"Shhh...kuch nahi hota," Kamya pushed her ahead, "tu aage chal...main aati hun das minute mein- mere liye bus rukwa ke rakhna!"

Naina almost stumbled in those platform heels that Kamya had lent her. To add to her mortification, the first person she came across was Raj, not Sameer.

Raj almost halted in his tracks as he caught sight of Naina in her new avatar.

"Whoa! Uhmm," he put a finger over his lips, "Naina right?"

Naina nodded, still feeling conscious under the gaze of a man, especially one who wasn't her Sameer.

Raj tried his best not to stare at the attractive girl in front of him. "Uhmmm...you look beautiful by the way."

"Th..thank you," Naina muttered, unable to meet his gaze.

Raj nodded. "Well- I guess that's your group outside...VJN College?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, nice to meet you Naina- again!" Raj extended his hand out to her.

"Same here Raj," replied Naina as she clasped his hand in a friendly handshake.

Then Raj pushed his hands in his pockets and made to leave. And then stopped just next to Naina and whispered, "you look lovely. But if you want to carry that look, do it with confidence and you'll charm all the guys around here."

Her gaze snapped towards him and then she turned away abashedly. He gave her a friendly grin and wave and then headed off in the opposite direction.

Naina consciously strode along to the waiting area, where their college group was gathered and a despondent Sameer was checking his watch every few seconds for her arrival.

His gaze flicked to the entryway as he saw Kamya scurry after a girl. And then he did a double take as he recognized the girl. Naina?

His mouth fell open in surprise as his girlfriend in a completely new avatar, descended the stairs and stood next to the group of girls. Her eyes caught his, and she flushed, pulling the hem of her dress down. Sameer's gaze swept her up and down. Her calves are so shapely, he wondered mesmerized, his eyes grazing over the silky smoothness of her legs, suddenly wishing he could rove his fingers around them and-"

Ramit nudged him in the ribs, "bhai, muh band kar le. Makkhi ghus jayegi!"

This brought Sameer back to his senses. He realized he'd been staring greedily at Naina in front of everyone. But the next moment he realized he wasn't the only one doing that. A group of boys from his own circle were stealing surreptious looks at her, while some were staring her down shamelessly.

His blood curdled, and he shot a murderous look at the gang. Some of them smirked right back at him, some turned away, while some disregarded his angry glares completely.

Naina, meanwhile was feeling terribly conscious amidst the stares, and at Sameer's surprised and then angry reaction. Silently, Sameer moved to the edge of the group where the girls were standing, and their teacher coordinators were issuing directions about their itinerary today and how they should all stay together and not wander off far away on their own down Mall Road.

"Psst...Naina," he whispered next to her ear.

"Kya?" she mumbled. She was still angry at him.

"Yeh kya pehen ke aayi ho tum?"

Right at that moment, another group of boys soared out into the crowd, backpacks slung on their shoulders, chuckling and talking to each other. Raj was one of them. He caught sight of Naina and gave her a subtle nod.

"Naina?" Sameer, used to being the focus of Naina's attention seemed irked when her gaze wavered to a group of boys in the distance. "Tumse baat kar raha hun main...yeh kya pehen liya hai tumne?"

Raj's words reverberated in her ears. Remember that confidence Naina!

"Dress hai aur kya!" she responded coolly.

"Aisi-?" he gritted his teeth.

She turned to face him. "Haan, maine dekha tumhe aise kapde bahot pasand hai na. Isliye, just for you!"

Sameer flustered. "Wo...wo main...Naina, wo...sab ghoor rahe hain," he whined.

"Toh ghoorne do na...tum bhi to ghoorte ho...iska matlab main achi dikh rahi hun, haina?" she said, twirling the frock around.

"Yaar tum gussa mat ho na Naina...you know na I love you...aur baaki sab ladke dekh rahe hain. Mujhe acha nahi lag raha."

"Toh mujhe bhi to acha nahi lagta na jab tum kisi aur ladki ko dekhte ho."

Sameer felt contrite. "Sorry Naina. I really love you...tumhare alawa aur koi ladki nahi hai meri zindagi mein. Please jaan...gussa mat ho."

There was a faint wolf whistle in the background, and Sameer glared at the perpetrator and then shielded his girlfriend from him.

"Gussa me to tum lag rahe ho...lagta hai main tumhe sundar nahi lag rahi," she twisted her leg and gazed at it. "I knew it- meri legs Kamya jaisi nahi hain na-"

"Pagal ho gayi ho? Tumhari legs Kamya se bahot better hain-" Sameer started and then bit his lip seeing Naina's cocked brows. "Matlab hongi hi...maine kaunsa Kamya ki legs ko itna dhyaan se dekha hai..."

"Acha...fir main kisi aur se puch leti hun jisne dhyaan se dekha ho- Ramit...Ramit ko puchun?"

"Jee nahi...kisi se puchne ki zarurat nahi...aur tumhe sirf main dekhunga," he murmured as they filed into the bus, Sameer ensuring he covered her from prying eyes as she got onto the bus.

As they moved down the aisle, Kamya who was just in front of Naina, turned to her and muttered in her ear, "plan kaam kar raha hai...Sameer ki kaise jal rahi hai dekh," she sniggered.

Naina turned around herself, and grinned when she noticed Sameer giving death glares to any guy who was staring at her. She felt his palms on her waist as he guided her through towards one of the seats at the back.

They slid into a seat, Naina on the window side and Sameer next to her, and Kamya right behind them. All through the short fifteen minute ride, Naina caught Sameer glancing at her legs very often, at which he colored and smiled embarrassedly.

"Ghooro to mat aise," she muttered, though fully enjoying his attention.

"Shaadi ke baad bhi yahi kahogi?" he responded huskily.

She colored under his pinned gaze. "Shaadi kahan se aa gayi beech mein?" she mumbled.

Sameer allowed his gaze to wander lazily over her willowy legs and then slowly up her body, lingering on the miraculous swell of her chest, and then on her rose tainted lips, before finally meeting her eye again. For reasons unexplained, Naina's heart was thumping erratically under his scrutiny. Sameer bit his lip as he tried to tame his raging hormones and smiled mischievously, "Uhmm...tum nahi samjhogi Naina. Kuch kuch hota hai."

She nudged him in the ribs. "Bas baatein karwa lo tumse."

"Nahi...baton ke alawa bhi bahot kuch kar sakta hoon main." He winked at her.

"Kya?"

"Kaha na...tum nahi samjhogi Naina. Kuch kuch hota hai." And then he leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Don't worry. Shaadi ke baad sab ache se samjha dunga."

Before Naina could further quiz him on what exactly he intended to explain post their marriage, the bus ground to a halt near Mall road, and the students started descending.

Kamya again pulled Naina to a side and grinned. "Sameer ki to wicket chali gayi hai...kaisi kaisi baatein kar raha hai."

"Tu hamari baatein sun rahi thi?"

"Toh aur kya...live romance sun rahi thi...vaise Sameer full mood mein aa gaya hai...aaj mat akele kho jana uske sath."

"Kyun...mera matlab kya?"

"Kyunki tum nahi samjhogi Naina...kuch kuch hota hai." Kamya chuckled as she egged Naina to get down from the bus where Sameer was waiting for her.

Sameer and Naina explored Mall Road hand-in-hand, and selected various gifts for their family members. Sameer was checking out jackets at a shop and Naina was looking at the stoles hung in a corner when she caught sight of Raj again. He too noticed her and gave her a hearty wave.

He walked upto her. "Hey Naina! What's up? Kaisa lag rha hai Manali?"

"Bahot acha lag raha hai...aapko pata hai this is my first time to Himachal...sardi si hai, but maza aa raha hai," Naina responded cheerily.

Sameer, who'd been haggling over a brown leather jacket, turned his gaze to where his girlfriend was busy chatting with a stranger. Wait, he wasn't a stranger. He'd seen him before. It was the guy who was whistling in the corridor this morning. And wasn't he there with a group of boys when they were boarding the bus? "How does Naina know him? And why is he good looking?" thought Sameer irritatedly.

Raj shuffled his hair, smiling at Naina's words. "Hamein thodi aadat hai. Delhi mein thand padti hai na..but Ahemdabad must be gentle, right?"

"Baal kyun sawaar raha hai yeh?" Sameer was startled.

"Haan...Ahemdabad mein itni sardi nahi hoti."

"Vaise now you're carrying this dress well. Confidently." remarked Raj.

"Is he blushing?" Sameer's mouth fell agape.

"All thanks to your advice," started Naina, when she heard Sameer calling her from the front of the shop.

"Naina!" he rushed to rescue his girl from the charming stranger.

Raj looked up at him and smiled. "Hey, I'm Raj." He held his hand out.

Sameer took it firmly and shook it a little harder than usual. "Sameer."

Raj winced at the strong hold and eyed Sameer in confusion. Perhaps he read the signal in Sameer's eyes.

"Hi...tum dono bhai behen ho kya?" Raj exclaimed. Perhaps he misread it.

Naina coughed and Sameer looked as if he'd been slapped across the face.

Raj flicked his head towards Sameer. "He seems so possessive about you. Even your faces are similar, only you are prettier," he added to Naina.

Before Sameer could open his mouth to retort, Raj heard his name being called out by his friends and excused himself. "Hey need to go...my friends are waiting...will see you around Naina," he turned to Sameer, "and you too Sameer."

"Bhai-behen? Seriously? Yeh apna chashma ghar bhool aaya hai kya?" Sameer scowled after him. Naina tried to stifle a smile. Sameer turned to her. "Aur yeh hai kaun?"

"Raj Malhotra."

"Raj Malhotra? Kaun Raj Malhotra? DDLJ chal rahi hai kya?" exclaimed Sameer in exasperation.

"Sameer! Wo hamare guest house mein thehra hai...wo bhi apne college friends ke sath Manali trip pe aaya hai."

"Tumhe uske bare mein itna sab kaise pata?"

"Subah hi by chance takra gaya tha...to thodi bahot baat ho gayi..decent ladka hai."

"Takra gaya tha?" Sameer's face lost color. "Meri Naina ke sath takra gaya tha?" he thought morosely. "Dikh raha hai kitne decent hai...bada aaya Raj Malhotra kahin ka, huh," pouted Sameer and pulled his Naina closer to him. "Bhai-behen! Kuch bhi...teri behen hai Naina!" Sameer called out after him even though Raj was way out of earshot.

Sameer treated Naina to an early lunch as they both had missed breakfast today and repeatedly apologized to her for being so crude and insensitive. Naina, who couldn't stay angry at him for long forgave him. In the restaurant, Naina revealed to him how Kamya helped her with her makeover, and it was her dress she was wearing. "No wonder!" thought Sameer. "Meri bholi bhali Naina ko bigad degi."

"Tumko acha lag raha tha itne saare ladke tumhe aise dekh rahe the?" Sameer asked sadly.

Naina shook her head. "Nahi, par tum aise dekh rahe ho to bahot acha lag raha hai."

Elated at this, Sameer brought Naina her own pair of heels, ones that matched her dress perfectly, and which Sameer suggested made her long legs look even more enticing.

After the visit to the local shopping areas as well as the picturesque Old Manali, Sameer and Naina returned to their hostel along with the rest of the students. Sameer and Naina were in a much better mood now, having forgotten the altercation of the morning, and promised to come down for dinner in an hour.

Back insider her room, Naina happily recounted the events of the day to Kamya and how Sameer seemed to be completely besotted by her.

"Dekha, maine kaha tha na? Aur Naina, aaj to har koi tujhe hi dekh raha tha. Aur Sameer bechara jal jal ke raakh ho raha tha."

"Sameer sach mein jal raha tha?" asked Naina hopefully.

"Aur kya? Uske chehre pe saaf dikh raha tha!"

Naina seemed happier now and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks Kamya!"

Kamya waived it off. "Rehne de. Aaj use dose mil gaya ki tujhe halke mein na le. Ladkon ko sambhal ke rakhna padta hai Naina- yeh sab seekh le. Aur aise kabhi kabhi Sameer ko sambhal liya kar. Wo kya kehte hain angrezi mein...haan, give him a dose of his own medicine."

"Taste of his own medicine," Naina corrected her.

"Haan haan wahi...ek hi baat hai," said Kamya.

Naina and Kamya took rest for a while before heading to the mess for dinner. At sharp seven, Naina went down, while Kamya mumbled she was tired and wanted to sleep in for longer.

Naina loitered around in the empty mess, waiting for Sameer, humming to herself and checking her watch every now and then. A few minutes later, dinner was opened and a few people filed into the room. Naina noticed Raj was one of them. He was ladling spoonfuls of rice and dal on his plate. As soon he caught her eye, he smiled. He excused himself from his friends and came to where she was seated at an empty table.

"May I?" he asked, pulling a chair out, dinner tray in one hand.

"Sure!" Naina smiled politely.

He settled himself opposite Naina.

"Aren't you having dinner?" he asked.

Naina shook her head. "Waiting for...uhh...my friends. Should be here soon."

"Ahh...I'll wait for them to join in that case?"

"Ohh no...please carry on."

"Sure?" he asked and Naina nodded.

Raj acquiesced and then started eating. "Sorry. Actually I have to be up quite early tomorrow. That's why I'm winding up my dinner soon. Khair, how was your first day of Manali?"

"Acha laga kaafi...bahot shopping ki...and Old Manali is so beautiful-"

"Yeah, it's pretty romantic," he caught her confused expression. "I meant it's a romantic little town, a quaint one," he clarified.

"Ohh!" Naina nodded in understanding.

"Rohtang Pass dekha? Aur Hidimba temple?"

"Nahi aaj to bas thoda bahot aas pass hi ghume. Kal Hidimba temple aur Solang Valley jayenge aur parso pura din Rohtang pass hai."

"Rohtang is beautiful...if you've never seen snow- you'll love it," he explained. "Aur Hidimba mandir mein kehte hain koi bhi wish ho, mata puri karti hain."

"Waah aapko to bahot pata hai...Vaise aapko yahan kitne din ho gaye?"

"Oh. It's been a week for me here. Hamara to month long plan hai- adventure trip ka. Ek Himalayan trek pe jaa rahe hain hum iske baad- Saar Pass. To parso yahan se Kasol base camp."

"Himalayan trek? Wow! Aap mountaineer ho?" asked Naina impressed.

Raj laughed. "No way, though I'm trying to be. This trek will show me how worthy I am. Actually kal bhi ek small preparatory trek hai- that's why I have to get up at 4 am tomorrow."

"Ohh," Naina remarked. "Bahot dedicated ho aap."

He then paused and met her eyes again, "Naina? If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Matlab kaunse year me ho?"

"First year...about to go into second," she smiled.

Raj reciprocated. "Good then you should know I'm just a year or two elder to you...so yeh aap vagerah ki zarurat nahi."

Naina giggled. "Ok Raj...tum bhi mujhe tum keh sakte ho."

He smiled. "That's better. So Naina, what are you studying?"

"B.Com (Hons)."

"Oh wow. I'm in the same course, will be going into final year."

"Which college?" asked Naina, her eyes wide.

"Shri Ram College of Commerce. Delhi University."

Naina was impressed. SRCC was undoubtedly one of the best colleges for commerce in the capital.

And then Raj launched into a discussion of the courses he'd taken vs. what Naina was studying. During the course of the conversation, Naina discovered that Raj was a scholar like her. Minutes flit by as the two immersed in academic conversation, their future goals, scope for higher education as well as jobs in their fields, so much so they didn't realize when the mess hall started filling up.

Sameer turned around on the bed and with great difficulty opened his eyes and checked the time in his watch. "8.15." He saw and rolled around to the side intending to sleep for some more time.

His eyes flew open the next minute. "Naina!" He sat up in the bed with a jerk and checked his watch again. Damn! He was late. They'd decided to meet at 7, before dinner and now Naina must have been waiting for him for over an hour. Hurriedly, he washed his face with water and drove a comb through his hair before darting over to the mess hall.

"Now Naina will again be angry at me. How could you forget to put an alarm Sameer?" he chastised himself, worrying at how Naina would be furious at being stood up like this. He entered the mess hall, catching his breath, his eyes roving around the crowd for Naina. "Had she already left? Had she eaten? No..she wouldn't have eaten without him. Hey bhagwanji...bas Naina gussa na ho."

And then the sound of her melodious laughter hit his ears. He whipped around and saw Naina sitting at one of the corner tables and laughing with that guy they'd met before in the afternoon. Raj had his fork in the hands and was gesticulating wildly and Naina kept on laughing.

"Yeh DDLJ sample idhar bhi aa gaya," Sameer gritted his teeth. "And Naina ne dinner iske sath kar bhi liya?" This fact upset him. He made a sullen face, but Naina had not even noticed him come in.

"Isse to acha gusse mein hi hoti..," he whined.

Kamya tapped him on the shoulder.

"Kya hai Kamya?"

"Kahan gum hai? Aur teri Naina madam kahan hai?"

Sameer pointed to the corner where Naina was sitting with Raj with his eyes focused on hers. He seemed completely besotted by her.

Kamya noticed Naina absorbed in conversation with a handsome young man.

"Wow...yeh ladka kya dikhta hai!" Kamya whispered.

"Aisa bhi kuch khas nahi hai," snapped Sameer.

Kamya turned to him. "Tujhe badi jalan ho rahi hai...vaise yahan mujhe ek nahi mil raha aur Naina ko do-do, huh!" She then turned around to grab dinner.

"Tu chup hi reh liya kar na...wahi suit karta hai tujhe," Sameer snapped at her as he followed her with a plate of his own.

"Aise muh latkane se kuch nahi hoga...ja apni Naina ko sambhal...aaj to uske aage piche bahot bhanware mandra rahe the," smirked Kamya as she filled her plate.

"Haan...thanks to you!" he muttered irritatedly.

Kamya grinned. "Aaj scene ulta pad gaya nahi?"

Sameer scowled at her. As Kamya left to join a group of their classmates for dinner, Sameer eyed Naina still talking to that Raj at the table. Miffed, he walked towards the duo, but neither of them paid attention.

He caught sight of an empty table besides them, and put his plate down with a thud. Still there was no reaction from the adjacent table.

"Aisa kya baatein kar rahe hain ki Naina ka dhyaan mujhpe nahi aa raha?" he clenched his teeth and then took his plate and tapped it twice on the table.

This time Naina turned around to face him. He was glad to see her face light up at the sight of him.

"Sameer? Tum aa gaye? Main tumhara hi wait kar rahi thi," she said.

Sameer gave her an upset look and then glanced displeasedly at Raj.

"Hi Sameer!" said Raj, and Sameer responded with a cold Hi.

Raj glanced at his watch. "8.30? Oh no! Tumse baat karte karte time ka pata hi nahi chala Naina. Main nikalta hun. Kal jaldi bhi uthna hai na! Vaise bhi ab tumhare bhaiya bhi aa gaye-," he added slyly.

"Bhaiya-?" Sameer's mouth fell open. Jaan ke kar raha hai saala!

Naina bit back her laugh again.

Sameer opened his mouth to retort, but Raj had escaped again.

Naina gave him a thumbs up. "Best of luck for tomorrow!" And this irked Sameer further. "Best of luck? Aur meri Naina se baat karte ise time ka pata nahi chala? Huh?"

"Tumne mere bina kha liya Naina?" Sameer turned to Naina, a tinge of hurt in his voice.

"Haww aise kaise kha lungi? Kabse wait kar rahi thi tumhara. Itni der kaise laga di tumne?"

He pushed his plate in the middle. "So gaya tha...alarm lagana bhul gaya tha," he muttered unhappily.

Naina noticed he seemed upset. She broke a morsel of chapatti and dipped it in curry and offered it to him.

His eyes met hers, and silently he allowed her to feed him. Though he was still a bit unsettled, Naina offering to feed him made things better. He too did the same and they started feeding each other. Finally, unable to resist, he asked, "tumse kabse baatein kar rha tha wo Raj?"

"Oh...wo main tumhara intezaar kar rahi thi to Raj aa gaya dinner karne aur fir hum baatein karne lage...tumhe pata hai wo Himalayan treks pe jaata hai...aur wo bhi B.Com kar rha hai DU se...pata hai kaunsa college? SRCC! Abhi final year mein hai...MBA ke liye prepare kar rha hai- uska dream hai IIM Ahemdabad se graduate karna. Keh raha tha agar wahan admission mila to mujhse zarur milega...aur pata hai-"

"- bas karo...tum to Raj puran leke hi baith gayi," Sameer cut her off. "Jabse wo aaya hai tumhara dhyaan mujhse zyada uspe hai."

"Aisa kuch nahi Sameer...wo to sirf ek dost hai jo yahan mila...acha ladka hai...aur phir pyaar to main tumse karti hoon na?"

This assuaged Sameer a bit and he lightened up. He even made Naina eat both the gulab jamuns on his plate. But silently, he was still scowling at Raj. IIM Ahemdabad hi mila tha isko. Pakka fenk raha hai. Ladki patao nuskha number 52.

The next morning, Sameer woke up earlier than usual, at having set two alarms this time. As he came down, Sameer heaved a sigh of relief when his Naina was back to her usual self, dressed in a turquoise churidaar (covering her beautiful legs from predatory eyes), big antique earrings dangling from her ears, and her long hair half-pulled into a knot at the top. As she adjusted her duppatta while ladling breakfast on her tray, Sameer stared at her mesmerized.
She put her tray next to his and sat down in front of him, again adjusting the shimmery duppatta.

"Good morning!"

"Morning to sach mein bahot good hai...," he sighed dreamily, his gaze fixed on her.

Naina blushed and patted his arm. "Tumne start kyun nahi kiya..thanda ho gaya tumhara nashta."

"Tumhare bina kaise kha leta?"

She smiled and exchanged their trays. "Lo, tum yeh kha lo. Yeh puriyan garam hai."

Sameer saw this and was touched. He exchanged the plates back again. "Aur tum thanda kyun khaogi?"

Finally, they acceded on sharing the breakfast between them from the two trays.

That entire day was eventful and they went to various sites and visited the Holy Hidimba temple. Naina told him that Goddess Hidimba fulfills all wishes, and both Naina and Sameer prayed that they could be together for life, that they could be married with the blessings of their families, and that their love for each other would continue to grow and blossom throughout their lives.

Sameer was exceptionally buoyant as that Raj was nowhere to be seen the entire day. The excursion was eventful as they visited many famous landmarks in Manali. There was a lot of laughter, hand-holding and moments stolen beneath the warm mountain sun warming their hearts. As they came back to the hostel in the evening, they got to know that the hostel authorities had arranged a campfire for the residents tonight. It was a welcome thought for as the sun had faded, a slight nip had spread in the air.

Sameer and Naina freshened up and sat chatting with their friends in the mess hall. An hour or so later, as night fell, they ambled outside to the lawns. There were people scattered about, sitting on benches, or standing huddled in groups, talking and laughing. A few watchmen had piled up wood in the centre and were trying to ignite a fire. To Sameer's elation, a snack counter had also been set up, with chips, samosas, pakoras and biscuits, along with steaming hot cups of tea and coffee.

As the campfire lit up the surroundings, people started gathering around it and chattering, basking in the warmth. A few minutes later, a group of college students had taken out a guitar and were taking turns to play soulful music and sing along. The rest of the crowd cheered and clapped, and Sameer and Naina too joined the group.

"Sameer? Tum kyun nahi bajate inke sath?" Naina suggested.

Sameer shook his head. "Nah...yeh ladke to experts hain-."

But he had to eat his words, when Raj emerged in the group and took hold of the guitar.

"Hi!" he waved at them, or in Sameer's opinion, specifically at Naina, who acknowledged him enthusiastically. Sameer shot her a look and she shrugged, "what?"

"Nothing," he murmured. Naina led him to the center of the crowd, as Raj began to strum the guitar. Sameer caught him staring and smiling at Naina a bit too often, but the song he chose completely rattled him.

"Hmmm...hmmm...hooohh...ohhhh...

Chand, sitare, phool aur khushboo

Chand, sitare, phool aur khushboo, ye to saare purane hain

Taaza-taaza kali khili hai, hum uske deewane hain

Are kaali ghatayein, barkha, saawan

Kaali ghatayein, barkha, saawan, ye to sabh afaasne hain

Taaza-taaza kali khili hai, hum uske deewane hain...."

Raj's eyes found Naina as he sang and this infuriated Sameer beyond reason. He edged closer to his girlfriend and flung an arm around her shoulders, marking her as his in front of Raj. Sameer noticed a slight hesitation on his face, much to his satisfaction. Raj continued to sing to the crowd as his friends cheered him on, and even Naina clapped to the rhythm.

"Hai roop mein itna saada pan, to kitna sundar hoga mann

Hai roop mein itna saada pan, to kitna sundar hoga mann

Bin gehne aur singaar bina, wo to lagti hai dulhan

Kajal, bindiyaa, kangan, jhumke

Are kajal, bindiyaa, kangan, jhumke ye to guzr zamaane hain

Taaza-taaza kali khili hai, hum uske deewane hain...."

Raj ended the song to a rapturous applause. Naina too had joined in and was praising Raj's incredible talent in front of Sameer.

"Kitni achi aawaaz hai na Raj ki...ekdum lag rha tha Kumar Sanu hi gaa raha ho."

"Theek hi tha. Itna bhi kuch khas nahi tha."

Naina stared at him incredulously. "Tumhe kya hua? Itna to acha gaa raha tha wo."

"Kuch nahi...chodo...main tumhare liye coffee aur snacks leke aata hun..."

"Ok...thand ho rahi hai na lekin?" She pulled her shawl closer around her.

Sameer saw her rubbing her palms together. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled out his jacket and covered her shoulders with it.

"Maine kaha tha sweater pehen lo...lekin tumhe to heroine banna hai."

"Tum achanak se itne sadu kyun ho rahe ho?"

But Sameer didn't respond and strode off to the snacks counter. As he stood in the queue, he kept glancing back at Naina, hoping she was not being accosted by that Raj. And surely, a few minutes after he left, Raj had got up and ambled over to Naina's side. Sameer's face was contorted with fury. Never before he had to deal with this emotion before, but now he could every pore of his body bubbling with envy.

Raj and Naina were talking amicably, throwing their heads back and laughing, and Sameer was cursing every extra minute he had to stand in the darned queue.

"Bhai chal na aage...kitni sauce daalega?" he prodded the person in front of him irritatedly, who was taking his own sweet time pouring rings of tomato and chilli ketchup over his samosas.

"Free ka samaan mil gaya to nichod lenge," Sameer muttered under his breath as the boy stepped away but not before giving Sameer a dirty look.

Sameer collected eateries for himself and Naina and two steaming cups of coffee to ward off the night chill. He hurried over to where Naina and Raj were still immersed in conversation.

"Naina? Jaan? Yeh lo tumhari coffee...thand lag rahi thi na?" Sameer added in an extra sweet voice.

Naina turned to him, surprised at the sudden change in his mood. She took the coffee from the tray. "Thank you Sameer." And then she turned to Raj, "Raj...tum loge coffee?"

"Uhh...nahi nahi...tum log piyo," Raj rubbed his palms together. "Main le aata hun."

Sameer put the tray in front of them and sat down next to Naina, closer than they usually sat in public. To his immense satisfaction, Raj noticed the proximity.

"Ab jaa yahan se...," Sameer was thinking to himself, but Raj seemed to be in no mood to let go. He was telling them about the trek today and how he braced a very steep, snowy climb. Raj absently ate a few chips off their plate as he talked. While Naina didn't seem to mind, Sameer was piqued. "Ab meri girlfriend ke sath sath mere chips pe bhi iski nazar hai?"

"Aur maine Tushar ko haath diya...aur use bhi bacha liya...varna ek misstep aur seedhe 50 ft niche." he concluded, as Naina listened in wide-eyed astonishment. "Meri to dil ki dhadkan ruk gayi...itna khatarnaak hai to aise trek kyun karte ho?"

Sameer mused. "Show-off kahin ka. Bas kabse apne hi bakhaan kare jaa raha hai."

"Adventure is thrill for me, Naina...ek alag maza hai isme. You never know what's going to happen next," exclaimed Raj.

"Bada aaya thrill wala...ladki patao tareeka number 36...thrill huh kuch bhi!" Sameer muttered.

"Tum to ekdum all rounder ho Raj...matlab studies, sports, adventure, music- sab mein topper," said Naina. She looked impressed and this bothered Sameer, but the next words out of her mouth salved his pride. "Vaise Sameer bhi bahot acha singer and guitarist hai...and hamare school and college mein basketball and cricket teams ka captain bhi hai."

Sameer flushed. "Wo to bas thoda bahot-"

"And studies mein bhi? Are you a topper too?" Raj asked with an apparently innocent face.

Sameer understood the jibe but remarked placidly. "Nahi...uski kami Naina puri kar deti hai." He stared into her eyes. "We complement each other perfectly." Naina blushed. "As a couple, of course," Sameer added pointedly.

"So you two...I mean are you guys a couple?" Raj finally asked.

Naina nodded coyly, while Sameer laced her fingers with his. "Yeah," he said boldly, and "-so bugger off," he added in his head.

Raj finally understood the unsaid and excused himself.

Two hours later, everyone was tired and began retreating to their dorms. Sameer was putting the plates and coffee mugs away, when Raj found him.

"Hey Sameer."

"Hi," he responded coldly.

"Wo...I just wanted to apologize-"

"-for?"

"Uhh. I didn't really know that you and Naina were together- I mean...if I'd known...I called you both brother and sister...You may have felt bad-"

"Jhootha!" Sameer thought to himself, only half-hearing his words.

"I'd assumed she wasn't interested and it was you-," accepted Raj.

"So you were trying to hit on her?" Sameer asked incredulously.

Raj smiled sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. "She's really nice...beautiful, kind and she's so intelligent- really one of a kind."

"That she is."

"You're lucky."

"I know."

"So just wanted to know, I mean, don't get offended, but you're thinking about it long term right? Marriage and all. If not-"

"Oh hello- I'm going to marry Naina, in this life and for lives to come."

"Ahh yeah...okay...that was stupid to ask," Raj blabbered.

"It was," Sameer snapped.

"I liked her."

"So I could see."

"But obviously I was too taken up in my own infatuation to notice the chemistry between the two of you. Anyways, good luck then Sameer. Hope you two have a happy life going ahead." Raj held his hand out to him.

Sameer was skeptical for a moment or two but finally shook it. "Thank you. And I hope you'd find the one who's meant for you soon."

"Thanks...take care of Naina..or someone might steal her away from you."

"I won't let that happen."

And then the two walked over to where Naina was waiting for Sameer. Raj extended his hand out for her to shake. "Good bye Naina! I'm leaving for Kasol tomorrow. I really hope we meet again someday. Maybe when I join IIM Ahemdabad?"

Naina smiled and shook his hand too. "It was nice meeting you here Raj. All the best for your upcoming trek and life in general. And I hope we do meet at IIM A soon."

"By the way, this is my number," Raj handed them both a scribbled note each. "In case you guys want to stay in touch."

"Sure," Naina and Sameer nodded and then Sameer wrote down his number on a part of the slip and exchanged it with Raj.

Perhaps Raj was waiting for Naina to do the same, but she didn't. He grinned sheepishly, the slip with Sameer's number in his hand. "Thanks, we'll be in touch."

And then on a whim, he turned to Naina. "Just in case this guy ditches you, call me here."

Sameer's eyes widened, Naina was struck with surprise. Raj's eyes caught Sameer's and he sprinted off, Sameer right on his heels.

Naina couldn't help but laugh. What was it thatKamya had said? Yes, Sameer had gotten a taste of his own medicine tonight.