Hello friends...
I am back with the first chapter...
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IN SEARCH OF HER...

CHAPTER 1

Sameer stood facing the sea at Marine Drive and watched the waves crashing on the huge rocks in front of his eyes. These waves depicting his own life right now. Being the captain of the Indian Football Team, he had a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. When they won the matches, he was praised for the great teamwork and his leadership, but when they lost them, his efficiency of being the captain was questioned.

Sameer was disappointed with himself. He hadn't played the last two matches perfectly. His focus seemed to be distracted. He himself had no idea why he was losing his attention from the game. He needed to get back into the game and prove himself soon.

Sameer belonged to a super-rich family which was picture perfect for everyone. Being born and brought up with a silver spoon, he had got everything that he wanted in his life without any worry. Perfect education, perfect family, perfect life. His only dream was to become a part of the Indian Football Team.

And he achieved that dream too with his constant practice, hard work and determination. Becoming the Captain of the National Team was another added bonus that he achieved with his efforts. Since his school days, he had played as a center forward and that continued even now.

In the last two games, Sameer hadn't been able to score a goal for his team. He had missed twice which had resulted in losing the games. His parents, Vivek and Vishakha Maheshwari, had called him to motivate him and improve his mood, but Sameer had disconnected the call and asked them to give him some alone time.

Sameer was at Marine Drive to calm down and refresh his mood. He had to refocus on another season which was going to start in the next fifteen days. Being a celebrity, he had come in disguise. Wearing a hoodie and his favorite aviators, he had covered his face enough so that no one could recognize him.

Being an evening time, there were many people who were enjoying the sunset. Some sat in groups while some were alone like him. As he walked a little ahead, his gaze landed on a girl who was watching the sunset too.

Sameer was not able to see her face but something about her long silky flowing hair attracted him towards her. His feet as if having a mind of its own made its way in her direction. He was next to her in few long strides. The need to see her face brought him beside her in a flash. He had never been this eager in his life to see someone.

As Sameer saw her side profile, he was mesmerized. The glow of the sunset on her face made her look more beautiful and ravishing. He had met girls till now who actually threw themselves on him to gain his attention, but he was never captivated on seeing any of them. He slowly removed his aviators and hanged them on his hoodie. Now the view was much clear to him.

Sameer was enchanted with the sight of this girl. Without thinking much, he sat down beside her, startling her. The moment she turned to face him; he saw her full face and fell in love with her at first sight. The moment their gazes clashed; he was lost in those brown doe-shaped orbs. He had never seen any girl who looked so gorgeous and innocent at the same time. His heartbeats accelerated as she searched his face for something, as if trying to decipher his identity.

Being rejected by a multinational company for the post of Chartered Accountant had already spoiled Naina's mood. She was damn tired with the preparations she had done for this important interview. Only her favorite place, Marine Drive, could change her mood and bring her back to life and so, she was here to rejuvenate herself.

Naina loved to watch the sea since her childhood. She belonged to a middle-class family. Her parents, Anand and Bela Agarwal had strived hard to provide for her education and Naina, with her firm determination to become a Chartered Accountant like her father, worked hard and topped every time, making her parents proud of her.

But today, she was rejected for the first ever interview of her life. Her parents were visiting some relative in Ahmedabad and so, she decided to spend her time at her favorite place. This place calmed her. The waves of the sea had a tremendous effect on her. As she gazed at the setting sun, she felt at peace.

But then suddenly Naina felt someone's presence next to her, which broke her trance from the beautiful sunset. Turning to face the intruder, she stared and stared at the most handsome and dashing male species in front of her. Her face automatically broke into a small smile as she gazed at him unabashedly. Was she dreaming? Why did this good-looking guy sit next to her? Was he here to search for someone? Had he mistaken her as his blind date or something?

Before Naina could say or ask anything, Sameer spoke, "Hii... Ummm... Sorry... wohh... main... tumse bina pooche yahaan aise baith gaya." Hearing his husky voice, her heart skipped few beats, but she somehow controlled herself and found her voice, "Hii... Aapko... aapko sorry bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Koi bhi kahin bhi baith sakta hai yahaan.", she said pointing around her.

Without breaking the eye contact, he forwarded his hand to her, "Hii... main... Sameer... ummm... Sameer Maheshwari hun... aur tum?" Naina stared at his hand for few seconds more before she placed her hand in his, "Hii... Main... Naina..." The mere touch of their hands jolted them but they calmed themselves soon and broke the handshake.

Sameer stared at her, hoping that she would recognize his real identity but when she didn't acknowledge his identity, he had given his full name. Yet she hadn't recognized the captain of the Indian Football Team and he was grateful for that. He didn't want another fan-girl here.

Naina had a rule for herself that she would never introduce herself to a total stranger, but when this stranger is someone so handsome and stunning, she couldn't just let it go. Still, she had just given only her first name. At first, she had thought to use a fake name, but being a honest person, she didn't want to lie. And so, she sticked to her first name only.

Sameer watched her face closely and realized that she had been crying. Her red puffy eyes told him a different story and though he had met her just a few minutes ago, he felt protective of her.

Unable to bear the silence from his side, Naina asked, "Aap... aap aise kyun ghoor rahe hai? Mere chehre par kuch lagaa hai kya?" She touched her face subconsciously and realized that she had been shedding tears a while ago. Turning her face away, she wiped her face and took few deep breaths.

Sameer continued watching her. Unable to resist himself, he spoke, "Suno... meri mummy kehti hai ki agar koi baat dil ko dard de rahi ho, toh usse kisi ke saath share kar lena chahiye, mann halka ho jaata hai."

Naina faced him again, but this time the tears that she had been holding in front of him, flowed down her cheeks. She herself had no idea why she had lost control on her emotions in front of a complete stranger.

Sameer continued looking at her, "Agar main apni problem tumhe bataa dun toh kya tum bhi mujhse apni problem share karogi?" She mumbled under her breath which was loud enough for Sameer to hear, "Aap jaise handsome ladke ko kya problem hogi?"

Sameer chuckled, "Toh main handsome hun huh? Not bad Naina... Waise main jaanta hun ki main bachpan se hi handsome hun..." He said it giving the most charming smile which stole her breath yet again. Naina looked heavenwards and rolled her eyes, "You are such a self-obsessed person."

"Ab handsome hun, toh hun... Kyun... hun naa main handsome, abhi just tumhe hi kahaa?" She flushed under his stare while he continued staring at her crimson face. After a while, he spoke in a serious tone, "Jo saamne dikhta hai wohh hamesha sach nahi hota Naina. Meri life mein bhi problems hai. Mujhe dekhkar sabko yahi lagta hai ki main apni life mein kitna khush hun. Bhagwaan ne mujhe accha ghar, acche parents, accha career diya hai. Par fir bhi main kabhi kabhi akela feel karta hun. Khelne se fursat hi nahi mili, ki koi best friends banaa paata."

Naina watched him and heard his side while he continued, "Pataa hai main yahaan kyun aaya hun? Mujhe yahaan ek alag sa sukoon milta hai. Yahaan baithkar inn lehron se baatein kar leta hun, toh lagta hai ki koi hai jo mujhe bina judge kiye mera dard, mere problems sunn raha hai, samajh raha hai."

"Aaj tum kausa dard, kaunsi problem share karne aaya ho yahaan?", Naina asked curiously. Sameer smiled. Finally, she was interested in his conversation. "Meri wajah se meri team do matches haar gayi. Shaayad meri hi galti thi, kyunki main game par focus nahi kar paa raha tha. Koi friend toh hai nahi mera, toh kiske saath yeh sab share karta?"

"Aapne apne parents se baat nahi ki?", she asked. "Unka phone aaya tha, par main unse baat nahi karna chaahta tha.", Sameer replied and added, "Wohh hamesha ki tarah mujhe motivate karte, mujhse kehte ki agli game mein sab thik ho jaayega."

Naina spoke, "Yeh toh acchi baat hai naa?" Sameer shook his head, "Acchi baat toh hai, par main chaahta hun ki koi mujhe daante, mujhe meri galti dikhaaye, taaki main usse sudhaarun aur next time acche se khelun." And then, he added further, "Coach ne daanta tha, par main kisi apne ki daant sunna chaahta hun. Bachpan se hi laad-pyaar mila hai, toh kabhi kisine mujhe daanta hi nahi."

"Toh main daant dun?", she asked innocently stealing his breath. Sameer stared at her, "Tum... tum mujhe daantogi?" She nodded, "Kahaan tha dhyaan aapka? Kyun focus nahi kiya game par? Waise... kaunse game ki baat kar rahe hai aap? Kaunsa game khelte hai?"

Both of them held their gazes for a few more seconds and then burst into peals of laughter. Their eyes watered, but these were happy tears. All the tension and problems drifting away from them. When they finally stopped laughing, he asked, "Maine apni problem toh bataa di, ab tumhari baari. Ab toh mujhse apni problem share kar sakti ho naa?"

Wiping her face again, she looked ahead, "Aaj mera pehla interview tha aur... aur main select nahi hui." Sameer asked, "Kaisa interview?" And Naina explained how she was rejected from the top multinational company for the post of Chartered Accountant.

"Toh tum bhi yahaan meri tarah sukoon dhoodne aayi ho?" She agreed, "Haan... yeh meri favorite jagah hai. Jab bhi bohot khush yaa bohot maayus hoti hun, toh yahin aati hun." He smiled, finally he had met someone who shared something common.

"Naina... tumne apne parents se share ki yeh news?", he asked politely. Maybe he already knew the answer. She inhaled deeply, not because he asked about her parents, but because her name sounded so melodious from his lips. She loved her name some more now.

"Bolo naa Naina?" That broke her daze and she looked at him, "Nahi... wohh actually kahin busy hai, aur main unhe yeh bataakar disturb nahi karna chaahti?" She dint want to reveal to him that her parents had gone to their native village. He asked, "Poora sach bolo... Aisa toh nahi ho sakta ki unhe tumhare interview ke baare mein pataa hi naa ho."

When she didn't reply, Sameer asked, "Ek minute... tumhare parents ko pataa bhi hai ki tum interview dene gayi thi?" She shook her head and he went quite for a few minutes. Naina was fighting herself whether to disclose everything about her life to him or not, should he trust him or not with her life story? Then again, she thought, "He is a total stranger, Naina. What he will do if he even knows about your boring life? He would forget about all this by the next day. They were not going to meet again. There is no harm in sharing, is it?"

Making her decision, Naina broke the silence, "Sameer..." Hearing his name, a shiver ran down his spine. She continued, "Main ek middle class family se hun. Main aaj jahaan bhi hun sirf mere Maa-Papa ki mehnat ki wajah se hun. Unhone ek ek paisa jodkar mujhe padhaaya hai. Maine dekha hai kaise unhone apni wishes maarkar meri fees arrange ki hai. Aur jab maine CA kar liya hai, toh socha ek accha job karke unhe aaram dun. Ab meri baari hai, mehnat karne ki, unki sab wishes poore karne ki. Main jaanti thi kisi bhi multinational company mein job milna itna aasaan nahi hoga. Aur issi wajah se maine unhe mere interview ke baare mein nahi bataaya. Maine decide kiya tha ki jab mujhe job mil jaayegi tab hi main unhe surprise dungi. I don't want to give them hopes before that. Aaj jaise main maayus ho gayi hun, waisi maayusi unke chehron par nahi dekh paaungi. Isliye unhe interview ke baare mein kuch nahi bataaya aur naa aage bataaungi."

Sameer couldn't resist anymore and covered her hand that was between them with his. Now, he understood her point. His warm hand gave her courage, and she blinked her eyes in assurance, "Main thik hun... yahaan aakar finally sukoon mil hi gaya." She said that staring deep in his chocolaty eyes, making her point clear.

Sameer had no idea why he was sitting next to her and listening her story. He had no idea why he shared about his games with her. How had he trusted her enough to disclose his real identity made no sense to him at all? Had he gone mad?

Naina cautiously removed her hand from his and stared ahead. The sky had already darkened but still she could feel a light of hope rising within her. She had never done this before. She had never shared her problems and life with anyone, that too with a complete stranger. But was he a stranger anymore?

Brushing of his thoughts, Sameer offered her something that he too had never done before. Forwarding his hand, he asked, "Friends???"

Naina glanced at the forwarded hand. She had no second thoughts about this. She was taking a leap of faith. His honest and dashing face, his charming smile, his strong aura, everything screamed of trouble. Yet she made the decision which she had never taken before and held his hand, "Friends..."

The mere touch of their hands for the third time had shaken them. None of them had experienced such strong feelings for anyone. It was getting dark and they weren't ready to let this meet end so soon. They had finally found a friend in each other. Neither of them was ready to leave soon.

Sameer asked, "Tum interview ke baad directly yahaan aayi ho?" She nodded and he asked further, "Tumne kuch khaaya?" She looked away and he got his answer. "Chalo kahin khaane chalte hai. Mujhe... mujhe bhook lagi hai."

Sameer wasn't hungry but he knew she must be starving. Naina looked around and spotted something. "Bhutta khaaoge?" He looked in the direction she was staring and agreed. "Chalo..." Once they were done eating, she said, "Sameer... agar tumhe abhi bhi bhook lagi hai toh hum... hum kahin restaurant mein jaa sakte hai. Par main kuch nahi khaaungi, mera pet bhar gaya hai iss bhutte se hi."

Sameer had a fair idea that why she was not going to eat anything. "Naina... hum aaj friends bane hai, toh aaj ki treat meri taraf se." Naina glared at him but he too stood his ground. She finally gave in, "Thik hai chalo... par agli baar treat meri taraf se hogi."

Sameer chuckled, "Tum naa mujhe tab treat dena jab tumhe job mil jaaye." None of them realized that they were hoping to continue this friendship and would meet again in future.

They entered a simple restaurant nearby and ordered their meal. All the while, Sameer and Naina shared some parts of their school and college life and relished their meal. They wondered if they ever had such awesome time with someone else apart from their parents. This connection seemed natural to them, as if they knew each other since ages.

After leaving the restaurant, Sameer asked, "Ummm... ek aur round le le, iss Marine Drive ka." He was prolonging the inevitable. He wasn't ready to leave her. He knew he was running out of time and she had to go home, it was getting late.

Even Naina knew what he was upto and like him, she too wanted to spend some more time with him and so, she agreed, "Chalo..." While walking together on the sidewalk, he spotted a icecream stall, "Suno... Icecream khaaogi?"

Her face brightened even in the darkness and he got his answer. He ordered chocolate cones for them and again started strolling. When a car zoom passed on the road, Naina mumbled, "Yeh log car itni speed mein kyun chalaate hai? Agar accident ho gaya, kisiko lag gayi toh kya hoga? Zara bhi sochte nahi hai log."

Sameer agreed, "Thik keh rahi ho tum? But speed se toh mujhe bhi pyaar hai." Naina looked at him perplexed and he continued, "Mujhe bike chalaana bohot pasand hai Naina. Aur wohh bhi main bohot speed se chalaata hun. College mein bike racing bhi karta tha."

Naina stopped midway and glared at him. Before she could burst on him, he raised his hands in surrender, "I know... I know... mujhe nahi karna chahiye tha, par kya karun, main apni bike se bohot pyaar karta hun... toh thoda speed mein chalaana banta tha."

Naina finally bursted, "Tumhe tab lag jaati toh, kuch ho jaata toh? Kabhi apne parents ke baare mein socha hai? Unhe pataa bhi tha ki unka shehzaada college mein kya kya karta tha?" Sameer smiled, "Fikar ho rahi hai?" She narrowed her eyes, "Haan... ho rahi hai. Tum mere dost ho, toh fikar karna banta hai naa?"

Sameer nodded and she walked ahead, thinking of what had escaped her mouth a while ago. What was wrong with her? Why was she acting like a typical girlfriend? Yes... she had accepted his friendship, but she knew they weren't going to meet again, then why was she acting like this, so concerned, so caring and all?

Sameer cleared his throat and asked, "Tum kabhi bike par baithi ho, Naina?" She stopped in her tracks and raised her eyebrow, "Kyun pooch rahe ho?" He glanced at a strand of hair that was coming on her face and she tucked it behind her every single time in irritation. He found that action cute and somewhat, he wanted to tuck that strand himself, but he had to control that desire. He couldn't dare to be handsy with her right now and also, he didn't want to get slapped by her.

"Ummm... main jaanna chaahta hun ki tum kabhi bike par baithi ho yaa nahi? Bas aur kuch nahi...", Sameer replied with a knowing smile. He wanted her curiosity to spike and he would get a chance to ask her to sit on his bike.

Naina looked away and started walking again, "Nahi... main kabhi bike par nahi baithi hun." He asked again, "Baithna chahogi? Kya tum bhi uss speed ko mehsoos karna chahogi?" Before she could protest, he added, "Naina... I promise yeh tumhara sabse best experience hoga. Aur tumhe accha bhi lagega. Main... main jyaada speed mein nahi chalaaunga. I promise Naina... Please..."

Naina didn't know what to reply. She wanted to have that experience. She had seen many couples sitting on the bike and her heart had somewhere hoped to get that chance too. And now, when she was getting that chance to sit with the most handsome guy, how could she refuse?

Taking a deep breath, Naina nodded, "Thik hai... but dheere dheere chaalana. Mera first time hai." Sameer took her hand in his and walked across the road where his bike was parked. The bold letters of 'TRIUMPH' caught her attention and she became conscious.

The bike spoke of class which she could never belong to. Her palms sweated and she rubbed them on her trousers nervously. Sameer watched her silently giving her time to calm down. When he saw her relax after few minutes, he asked pointing towards his bike, "Shall we?"

At her nod, Sameer settled on the bike first and waited for her to move. When he turned sideways to look at her, he persuaded, "Come on Naina... you know you can trust me, right? Main... main tumhe bike se nahi giraaunga."

Taking a deep breath, Naina finally took a last step towards the bike and settled behind him. This was her first time sitting on a bike and she was damn nervous. When the bike roared to life, she kept her trembling hands on his shoulders one by one and started chanting Hanuman Chalisa, making him chuckle.

As Sameer drove his bike on the streets of Marine Drive, Naina finally relaxed and felt the cold breeze hitting her face, her flowing hair matching the speed and finally, she understood why Sameer was in love with his bike and this speed, because she too was loving and enjoying this experience a lot.

After an hour of driving, Sameer parked his bike again and they descended the bike. Looking at Naina, he was sure that she had loved this experience. Well... he too had enjoyed her company, her closeness to be precise. And something he hadn't mentioned to her was that she was the first girl who had sat on his bike. And he was never going to confess that to her.

"Toh kaisi rahi tumhari first bike ride?", Sameer asked her even when he could clearly read the answer on her face. She jumped in happiness, "Sameer... I can't believe ki main bike par baithi thi. I have ticked one thing of my bucket list finally." And she jumped again, bringing a charming smile on Sameer's face.

"Bucket list, not bad... toh batao... aur kya kya hai tumhari iss bucket list mein?", Sameer asked curiously. He didn't even know why he was so interested to know and why he desperately wanted to fulfil each one of it. Naina realized that her secret of bucket list was out in open as it had slipped out of her mouth in excitement. And now she was caught in her own words. She couldn't refute that too.

Sameer stared and waited for her reply, still smiling. He knew she would say it, just a little push was enough. "Come on Naina... dekho tumhari bike ride toh ho gayi, shaayad aaj koi dusri cheez karne ka mauka bhi mil jaaye. You never know... Shaayad main hi tumhara genie hun, jo tumhari saari wishes poori kar dun. Toh boliye Naina Aaka, aur kya hukum hai mere liye?"

Naina smiled the widest as his words registered. Opening her handbag, she handed him a neatly folded page. It had taken her few minutes to decide if she should give him that. But her heart won one more time and she had finally handed her dreams to him.

Unfolding the paper, Sameer glanced at Naina once to confirm, "Are you sure ki main yeh padh sakta hun?" She nodded, "Haan... padho..."

Sameer read the list,

One... Ride in a hot air balloon...

Two... Try all continental dishes...

Three... Ride on a bike...

Four... Get a job...

Five... Visit a night club...

Six... Get drunk...

Seven... Learn to swim...

Eight... Buy my own house...

Nine... Travel the world...

Ten... FALL IN LOVE...

Sameer smiled as he finished reading her bucket list. That was exactly what he had thought about her list, a typical girl list. But was he ready to fulfil all of it, especially the last one...

How was the first chapter?

The night is still young and neither of them were ready to go home...

Let's see if Sameer will be able to fulfil any on these...

What do you think which one of Naina's bucket list will Sameer try to fulfil?

Let me know in comments...

Take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️