Naina closed her eyes and was waiting for his surprise with curiosity. When his loving voice reached out to her, she opened her eyes slowly.

"Naina" He uttered in gentle tone.

Her eyes fell on him, he kneeled on the ground in front of her. He had extended a red rose towards her.

Naina looked into his eyes that was holding a lot of affection and love. She was seeing intense emotion in his eyes for the first time. His passion-filled eyes did not give a chance to remove her eyes. She was also looking at his deep eyes with the same passion that was pulling her towards him.

"Naina...Naina I love you"

Sameer confessed, his gaze were still at her ocean like eyes. His heart was throbbing very fast as waiting for her acceptance.

And Naina stunned and tears brimmed in her eyes. He scared to see her tears.

"Naina I am sorry... agar tumhe maine hurt kiya hai to...... If you have a feeling about me in your heart, only then you accept my love... Tum par koi pressure nahi." He said in panic tone.

"Shhh....Kab se ye sunne ke liye kan taras gaye the." She stopped him, after a few moment ....

"I...I.. love you to Sameer."

Naina accept his love as confessing her love to him and held the red rose.

After he assimilated her every words, tears shimmered in his eyes.

"Pagal tumne to mujhe dara hi diya tha." And he slapped her head slightly and wiped her tear with his thumb. He squeezed her hand for giving her solace. Naina too wiped his tears.

"Ye to khushi ke aashu hai Sameer." Naina smiled with tears, as she found her love back after a long time.

And Naina sudden jolted and said to Sameer.
"Sameer tum mujhe pinch karo."

Sameer looked at her perplexed.

"Kahi ye sapna to nahi." She answered his confusion.

"Nahi..Naina ye sapna nahi, sach hai... aur aisa sach jise shayad hum dono kai salon se dekh rahe the jo aaj pura hua hai... hai na." Sameer said with dreamy look and pinched her hand.

Naina nodded her head in yes.

"Naina mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kaise propose karu, bahut sochane ke bad mujhe jo samajh aaya wo maine kiya hai, I hope tumhe pasand aaya ho...Tum to janti ho mera dimag sirf padhai me hi chalata hai." And he gave her a sheepish look.

"Isse achcha confession to ho hi nahi sakta tha...I am very happy Sameer, ab se India Gate ka naam sunte hi mujhe hamare ye pal yaad aa jayenge." She replied and was adoring him with love.

Sameer came back to his seat beside her but this time he sat just close to her. Naina did not object him and felt her face heated up when he rested his hand on her lap.

She blushed.

They both again silent. Sameer noticed his impact on her, giving him a different joy. They both got lost in each other's eyes.

After some time, Sameer told about his love to her as they both had confessed each other's love.

"Naina mai to 5 saal pahle hi tumhe propose karne wala tha farewell day pe. Lekin nanu ki tabiyat thik nahi hone se chala gaya tha. Par jaane se pahle tumhe bahut dhundha par tum mili nahi.
Shayad wo din hi hamare liye nahi tha, hamare beech itni labi judai likhi thi...Tabhi to bahut pahle se apni feeling samjhne ke baad bhi confess nahi kr paya tha." He disclosed about his love, how long he loves her.

"Kaha se milti Sameer... aap ko Sunaina ke saath dekh kr mai tut gai thi aur vanha se chali gyi." She dejected and revealed the truth.

She rested her head on his shoulder and Sameer wrapped his one arm around her shoulder.

His heart tightened  as listen to her. He felt that something big had happened to make ruined their life.

"Naina sirf yahi baat to nahi ho sakti, aur kuch hua tha kya." He wanted to know the truth.

"Nahi... Sameer." She hesitated.

"Please Naina batao...Tumhe meri kasam." He demanded.

"Wo farewell day par Sunaina ne kaha tha..  ki Nanaji ne aap dono ka rishta tay kar diya hai...aur results aane ke bad shaadi ki date hai... usne ye bhi kaha tha ki aap iss rishte se khush hai." She said in a weak voice.

"Kya Sunaina ne tumse...Ye sab kaha..." He shocked.

"Nahi, Sunaina ye sab Mitali se kah rahi thi tabhi suna maine...Us time mai aap ko..." And she stopped as realization hit her that she blurted out her feeling.

"Kya Naina us time,... kya mere ko." He said impatiently.

"U...Us time mai aap ke paas ja rahi thi, apni feeling batane." She was hesitating to tell him and downed her eyes.

"Naina...Sunaina ne jo bhi kaha wo sab jhuth tha, aisi koi baat hui hi nahi thi...In fact Nanaji ne khud farewell ke din mujhe, tumhe apni dil ki baat batane ko kaha tha, unhone to tumhe apni ghar ki bahu maan liya tha... mai sach kah raha hu Naina." He told her in panic tone as clearing her misunderstanding.

"Kya...to phir Sunaina ne ye sab kyo kiya, uski vajah se hum dur ho gaye Sameer... Hamari zindagi ke keemati pal hum saath bita nahi paye, mai aap ka sabse bada dukh nahi bant saki, jab aap ko meri sabse jyada zarurat thi mai aap ke paas nahi thi.... Kyo kiya Sunaina ne aisa, Sameer." She said in chocked voice and cried after knowing the truth.

Sameer  consoled her while wiping her tears.
"Naina... shhh... chup ho jao, ab jo ho gaya use to badal nahi sakte na, abhi bhi der nahi hui hai.. hum ek nayi shuruat karenge tum dogi na mera saath."
He extended his hand towards her and Naina placed her hand.

Now Sameer took her hand between his both hands for give assurance that i will be always with you.

After sometime they remain like that and remembered their college days.

"Naina tumhe kab realised hua ki tum mujhe pasand karne lagi ho." He was curious.

"Jab aap ko pahli baar dekh tha corridor me tabhi ek attachment mahsoos kiya tha, par tab samajh nahi payi thi...phir jab aap ne apne baare me jab us din class room me bataya tha, maine aapke dard ko feel kiya ... par pyaar ka ehsaas Preeti ne karawaya tha." She narrating the whole matter.

"Achcha... To madam aap to pahle din hi mujh pe mar miti thi... Aakhirkar mera charm hai hi aisa jisse tum bhi nahi bach saki." He teased.

"Sameer... aise tease karenge to mai aapse baat nahi karungi." She pouted.

"Nahi karunga... tab to baat karogi na...Naina." he said lovingly. Naina looked into his deep black eyes.

"Mujhe kab ehsaas hua pata hai." He said in low voice.

"Kab." She looked back at him with perplexed face.

"Mere mann me tumhare liye feeling pahle se thi par realise us din hua jab tum apni didi ka roka hone ke karan college nahi aayi thi aur maine samajh ki..." But naina cut him in the middle.

"Mera roka ho gaya, hai na... isliye us ke baad aap mujh se gussa the." Naina grinned.

"Ha...mai kitna pareshan tha do din se ye janne ke liye... aur tumhe hasi aa rahi hai." He made a fake angry face.

"Sorry... par na saari galti aap ki hai, puri baat sunni chahiye thi na." She chided.

"To mai kya karta Naina, roka sunate hi mere hosh uad gaye the aur dimag ne kam karna band kar diya to kya sochata. Aur us time ek pal ke liye aisa laga jaise maine tumhe hamesha ke liye kho diya... tumhara mujh se dur chale jane ke ehsaas se hi mujhe realise hua ki mai tumse pyaar karta hu...Naina. " He said in a melancholy.

Naina noticed remorse in his eyes and she looked back him with love and caress his palm. And Sameer rested his head in her head.

"Lekin Naina tum ne to bahut himmat kiya tha, par ye Sunaina ne sab spoil kar diya... lekin usse bada buddhu to mai tha jo apne dil ki baat batane me der karta gaya...Nanu aur Munna to kahte kahte thak gaye the par mai tumse dosti tut jane ke dar se bata nahi pa raha tha. Naina... Aaj hum dono ke beech itne salon ki duri bhi meri vajah se hi aayi...i am sorry , tumhe bahut kuch sahna pada hoga in 5 salon me... use to mai nahi badal sakta par mai promise karta hu ki tumhare aane wale kal me ek bhi gam ya dukh ki parchhayi nahi hogi." He apologized him in guilt face.

"Bas Sameer ab beeti baaton ko yaad nahi karenge, abhi kuch der pahle hi aapne kaha hai na...To bas." She comforted his heart in her sweet voice.

Samir looked into her eyes, as he heard her soothing words and adoring her pretty face.  He wondered how she consoled him easily.  She was such a pure heart that he easily forgives everyone who had given her immense pain.

"Sameer ab hame chalana chahiye nahi to lunch time over ho jayega." She frightened.

"Naina ab tak to lunch time over bhi ho gaya hoga... time dekho." He confirmed.

Naina looked the watch and panicked as she was late for go back to college. She got up and started to walking.

"Naina abhi to mile hai aur abhi se jane ki baat kar rahi ho... Please baitho na kuch der yahi rukte hai... aisa chance phir kahan milega... Please." He pleaded.

And he grabbed her hand, as again to make her sit on the bench and she almost bumped into him when he suddenly pulled her towards him.

Naina immediately straight and moving from him and sat beside him. Their hearts tumpping loudly and a current ran their whole body. For the first time they both came to close like that.

"Naina... tum kaho to mai yahi samajh deta hu. Jo kuch bhi training me bataya jayega, mujhe sab pata hai." He smirked and mischief visible in his eyes.

"Nahi janna mujhe." She blushed and turned her face.

Today, both of them had a dream fulfilled, which both of them had left the hope of being fulfilled. Both were feeling that emotion.

Sameer wanted to spend time with her as he was waiting for his dream to be fulfilled after a long time and which he almost gave up hope for. He wanted to see her and listen to her all day. He looked at her face keenly and wondered that Naina looked more beautiful than in college days. He mentally thanked God for getting her Naina.

Naina was also wanted to spending time with him but same time she feared as she did not attaine the training. Sameer voice soothed her fear.

Sameer found her anxious and he calmed her down. "Naina tum tension mat lo kuch nahi hoga, mai sab thik kar dunga."

Just then an aged couple approached them.  They had been watching Naina and Sameer for a long time.

"Beta kya hum yahan baith sakte hai, kahi tumhe disturb to nahi hoga." The old lady asked.

"Nahi aunty ji hame disturb nahi hoga, aap baithiye na." Sameer answered but Naina hesitated to see them and withdrew her hand from his grip.

The couple settled on the adjacent bench. They looked Sameer and Naina and they began to discuss something while glancing them.

"Naina tum dar kyo rahi ho, Delhi me ho tum aur yanha koi kisi ki life me interfare nahi karta hai...Ye ja ke tumhare ya mere family ko thode na batane wale hai, aur bata bhi diya to kya hua, hamne koi galti nahi ki hai... Kya tumhe lagta hai ki hamne galti ki hai...Ha Naina... batao." Sameer asked to look intensely in her eyes.

Naina first shocked then she answered with deep voice. "Nahi Sameer... Hamara pyaar galat nahi hai aur na hi hum galat hai...thodi der ke liye mai dar gai thi par ab nahi."

She rested her head in his arm again and they remained in that position again. They were feeling each other's presence, as they wanted to erase the painful memories of the five years gap.

"Beta tum dono ki shaadi ho gai hai kya." The lady asked in curiosity.

The old man glared her but the lady gesturing to him for stop. Sameer noticed this exchanges and before he answered she continue again.

"Tum dono ki aankho me ek dusre ke liye gahra pyaar dikhata hai, tumhe dekh ke hamare jawani ke din yaad aa gaye, jab hamari nai nai shaadi hui thi aur ye first time mujhe yanha ghumane laye the to mai bhi bilkul is bachchi ki tarah dar gayi... ki log kya kahenge." She said as made them comfortable.

"Nahi aunty.... par jald hi karne wale hai... hai na Naina." He said looking at Naina with love.

"Ha aunty ji." She surprised as Sameer open declaration about their marriage.

Hearing about the marriage, Naina's mind became numb and she was thinking about her marriage to Sameer which gave her a new sensation to her body. His leg turned jelly and her hands trembled as he thought about how handsome Sameer would look when he came her home as a groom.

Sameer felt the movement of her body and looked at her as he was telling their story to the couple about how they met years later and confessed their love today.

"Naina kya hua tum thik to ho na." He worried.

"Ha Sameer thik hu." She whispered.

"Beta ab tum jaldi se iss pyari si bitiya se shaadi kar lo, iss baar shaadi me der mat karna jaisa pahle kar chuke ho samajhe." This time the old man scolded to Sameer and gave him a mind.

Sameer smiled in shy and made a note in his mind this time he would not make a mistake. He would not delay the marriage as he had done before.

The lady turned to Naina. "Iss baar ye der karega ya drame karega to do thappad lagana apne aap akal aa jayegi. Iss baar mat pareshan karna meri beti ko samajh hero."

"Nahi karunga aunty aur uncle ji iss baar jaldi to mujhe hai, to late hone ka to sawal hi nahi... Kyo I am right Naina." And Sameer winked her. Naina blushed and hide her face in her palm.

"Sharma gayi...Sharmati hui badi pyari lagti hai...Rab tum dono ki jodi hamesha banaye rakhe." The lady pray for them.

Sameer realised that both of them had spent much time at the India Gate and his stomach was grumbling, as they had not eaten anything after breakfast. He felt that Naina had also skipped her lunch, so she would be hungry as he was. He thought they would have lunch first and then other things.

"Umm....Uncle ji aunty ji ab hame jana hoga, nahi to late ho jayenge, hame aap dono se mil ki bahut khushi hui...Ab hum chalate hai." Sameer gave them respect as he got up.

"Tum dono se mil ke bahut achchha laga, tum dono ne hume hamare purane dinon ki yaad dila di.. thank you beta." The lady said with affection.

"Thank you mat kahiye aunty ji, aap hum se badi hai...balki hum dono ko aap se sikhne ko mila." And Naina touched their feet. The couple gave them a blessing.

"Khush raho beta, aur dono hamesha aisi hi ek dusre ka saath dete rahna, kabhi bhi saath mat chhodna, jab kabhi ye budhdhu galti kare to kan kheech ke do thappad lagana apne aap samajh jayega." Both blessed her.

Sameer then grabbed her hand in his hand and they walking towards the parking. The couple saw their joining hand and retreating figure then said "kitne achche lagte hai na dono ek saath, bhagwan kare kabhi inko kisi ki nazar na lage."

*************

As the car hit the road Naina asked Sameer "hum college vapas ja rahe hai."

Sameer without looking at her replied "nahi Naina." As his whole concentration was on the road due to heavy traffic.

"To phir kaha." She bemused.

"Madam lagta hai tum apne sapne pure hone ki khushi me bhul gayi ki hamne lunch kiya hi nahi hai, aur mujhe bahut joro ki bhukh lagi hai, mujhe pata hai bhukh tumhe bhi lagi hai par tum kahogi nahi." And turned his face to see her flushed face.

After five minutes they were sat a restaurant but this time they sat next to each other. Sameer glanced the menu and said to Naina for order. Naina denied but Sameer insisted her and finally Naina agreed to gave the order.

"Naina aaj mujhe bahut bhukh lagi hai to full meal order karna light food nahi kal jaise." Sameer demanded.

"To bhir hum tanduri roti, pulao, dal fry, pindi chana aur Shahi paneer order karte hai... Thik hai na." She asked.

"Ye kya Naina tumne to saare mere hi pasand ka order kar diya... tum apni pasand ka kuch karogi kah ke tum se order karawaya tha." He dejected then he said to waiter "aap isme bhindi masal aur mix veg add kar lijiye."

"Sameer itna sab kyo kiya order...Hum nahi kha payenge." She disappointed to see his ordering the food.

"Shh... Kitna bolti ho...mai finish kar dunga, ab khush." He stopped her.

Naina looked at him in puzzled.Then she remembered that how they suddenly met the couple today and smile curved her face.

Sameer seeing her smile, he was  curious to know the reason "kise yaad karke muskura rahi ho."

"Hai koi, aap ko kyo batau." She chuckled and tease him.

"Naina...Kon hai wo." He asked instantly with sad face.

"Mai to wo park wale uncle aunty ki baat yaad karke muskura rahi thi, kitne achche the na dono... koi anajan longo ko bhu itna pyaar de sakta hai aaj pahli baar dekha... Sameer." She said to see his sulked face.

"Naina jo sachche hote hai wo parayon ko bhi apna bana lete hai, unka dil bahut bada hota hai kisi ke baare me bura soch hi nahi sakte... vaise Naina tum dar kyo gai thi... apne dar ko apne upar hawi mat hone do, maine college time me bhi kaha tha, ye dar hi hamari sab se badi weakness hai jo hame aage badne nahi deti." He advised while taking her hand in his palm and gave her a console.

Naina was hearing him very carefully and nodded her head as gave him assurance she would remembered his advice.

After the food arrived, they started their lunch. Sameer broke a piece of roti and fed her with some bhindi masala. Naina ate the food from his hand with a shy smile and she also fed him the first bite. He happily ate from her hand and his ecstisy was no bound.

"Vaise dil to chhota kisi aur ka bhi hai, jo chhoti se baat se jal utha." Naina commented after a while.

"Kiska." He puzzled.

"Aap ka." She chuckled.

"Abhi to jal rahe the mujhe muskurate dekh ke." She teased.

"Ha to hogi hi jalan tumne baat hi aisi ki thi... lekin madam aap ko bhi jalan hui thi, bhul gayi kya... first day college gate, yaad aaya." He chuckled.

"Ha to mujhe bhi hui jalan jaise aaj aap ko hui..." She defended herself.

And Sameer looked at her, his eyes indicated I knew it.

"Mai kaha mana kar rahi hu... Lekin aap itne pyaar se baat kis se kar rahe the." She asked him with suspicious look.

"Naina maine tumhare alawa kisi ke baare me socha tak nahi, to baat kis se karunga... wo to Deepika ko promise kiya tha shopping pe le jane ka, uske exam ke result aaye the to bas use hi mana raha tha... aur shayad vahi baat tumne sun li thi aur tumhari misunderstanding bad gayi." He said a serious voice.

"Sameer ek question hai puchu." She asked nervously.

"Puchho." He replied.

"Aapne mujhe first time kab dekha college me, kal corridor me dekha tha kya...ya phir." She wanted when he saw her.

"Naina maine to tumhe first day hi dekh liya tha." And he narrated the whole matter how he first time saw her in the parking after then happened whole things revealed.

As they finished their lunch Naina said "Sameer ab chale."

"Are bahut badi galti ho gai Naina." He said a dramatic voice.

"Kya Sameer." She panicked to see his face.

"Naina hamne hamara special day celebrate nahi kiya jo hume lunch se pahle karna tha." He serious as they have made a big mistake.

"Kon kahega aap vahi college wale serious Sameer Maheshwari hai jo hamesha books me dube rahte the." She said in jovial way.

Then Sameer gave her a what a joke look.

"Naina aaj ka din hum dono ke liye special hai to kuch to celebration banta hai na... jaise hamne hamari dosti ki shuruat chocolate se ki thi, to aaj ke special day ki shuruat bhi mithe se banti hai...To batao kis mithe se kare." He asked while looking at the menu.

"Sameer ab kuch bhi khane ki jagah nahi bachi hai....Ye celebration phir kabhi kar lenge."

"Naina celebration to aaj hi hoga... aur uske liye pet me jagah ki zarurat bhi nahi hai." Naina looked at him in daze.

"Matlab icecream se pet thode hi bharata hai.." He received a smack on his arm from her.

"Ouch...Naina ...Ab jaldi batao kon sa flavour logi." He was impatient.

After the celebration, they both left for college. As they were returning to college and on the way, Sameer feared that when he reached the college, he would get away from Naina. So he did not want to end his journey and he slowed down the speed of the car to spend more time with her.

But Naina was happy as she had found her love and today was her best day. Naina was thinking in a positive way.

After a while Sameer asked Naina "Naina tum Delhi me kahan ruki ho?" He glanced at her while the driving.

Naina looked at him with love and replied "Preeti ke yanha Sameer."

"Preeti Delhi me hai... kab se, kya karti hai?." He surprised.

"Marriage ke bad se, wo jijaji ek company me assistant manager hai." She informed.

"Ohh... chalo achchha hai, tum ghar me hi ho... bahar kisi hostel ya phir hotel me nahi rukhi ho." He sighed. A contented smile came on her face seeing his concern and caring nature.

They reached the college, half an hour before the training was over. Naina started going out of the car but Sameer grabbed her hand and pulled her when she was opening the gate. She leaned towards him by sudden pulling. Their face were just a few inches away, their warm breaths falling on each other's faces. Naina's heart throbbed fast as the up and down of her chest. She closed her eyes as she could not bear his intense passion those she saw in his eyes. Her face flushed and burned her wrist where he held.

Sameer looked at her closed eyes, he wanted to drowing into her chocolatey eyes, he wanted to touch her face and take her into his embrace, but he restricted his arose feeling as both of them confessed today and probably She could not be comfortable with him yet. He saw a hesitation in her eyes and he gave her time to accept him wholeheartedly. He left her wrist and sat straightly on his seat.

"Naina." He wishpered slowly.

Naina opened her eyes and looked at him with shyness. She saw him back in his seat and she too sat up straight. She observed his eyes and found love and care towards her in his deep eyes.

"Naina kal phir chalogi mere saath." His gaze fixed on her face.

She stiffened as listening his demand "Sameer ye possible nahi ho payega... daily mai training skip nahi kar sakti... Please Sameer." She also wanted to go with him but she had a responsibility of her school.

"Sirf lunch time me Naina." He requested.

"Sameer do din to kaise bhi kar ke nikal gaye par aage mai jhuth nahi bol paungi, unhe shak ho jayega... aur college me kisi ne dekh liya to aap ke baare me log baatein banayenge jo mujhe achchha nahi lagega..." She feared.

Sameer understood her point and gave her a assurance " thik hai Naina...Aisi baat hai to mai force nahi karunga.... par last day lunch ke baad tum pura time mujhe dogi... Promise karo... tabhi ye baat manunga." He demanded.

"Try karungi Sameer." She said in hesitate.

"Try nahi Naina ... Promise karo... Please." He pouted his face.

Naina melted his childish behaviour and said. "Achha promise, last day lunch ke baad ka time aapka raha...Ab khush...
Chaliye ab aapke chehare pe vahi charming smile laiye jise dekh ke mai aap me kho jati hun."

And Sameer gave her a charming smile and her heart fluttering to see his smile.

"Naina mai ruku tumhare jijaji ke aane tak." He asked with concern as he saw her going out of the car.

"Nahi Sameer mai wait kar lungi aap jaiye, aap ko late ho raha hai office jane, meri fikr mat kijiye." She reassured him.

Sameer left the college, Naina looks at his car until it disappears from her eyes. She recalled the whole day that how she was upset by misunderstood his love in the morning. Then her miserable days turned into joy and she found her first love and her life. Now she felt that she was alive again and all her happiness started coming back. She thanked God, looking up at the sky.

************