The day was here.

Naina was exhilarated since morning. She couldn't believe that she would be awarded along with big names of writing world. She had been winning medals and trophies in school all the time... for her exemplary performance in academics... but this was different. She will be the youngest person to receive this award.

She had been up quite early, unable to sleep. Finishing her bath, she got ready in the white dress. She combed her freshly shampooed hair till they fell like silk on her back. Searching her small jewelry box, she found the hoops she had purchased in Ahmedabad. She put them on, satisfied with how they shone against her dark hair. As she opened the drawer to put back the little box, her eyes fell on a stick. Preeti had given her a lip gloss when she was leaving.

"Behen, jijaji behosh ho jaayenge", she had winked while putting it in her bag.

Naina had never tried it earlier but today was a special day. She applied single stroke on her lips.

Stepping back from the mirror, she checked her reflection. Since Sameer started calling her beautiful, she had seen herself in a different light... feeling more confident now. Satisfied with her appearance, she picked up a small bag, just enough to carry some money, a comb and her identity card.

Sameer had been waiting outside the college gate with his bike. The minute she stepped out, he could feel her fragrance in the air. He looked at her... and was mesmerised. Dressed in white, she looked exquisite... so serene, so pure, so angelic... her hair flew in the morning breeze... and her earrings... he gaped in wonder at the big hoops she was wearing. Never had he seen her like this. As she neared him, another shock was ready to hit him. He stood spellbound... Naina was wearing a lip gloss. While they were in school, there was no question of any makeup, but in last almost two years, Naina had never bothered with anything.

He forgot to blink... or breathe.

She gave a big smile, stopping near him. All he could see was her lips.

" Sameer... Sameer ",  she shook him.

No response.

She tugged harder at his sleeve, " Sameeer".

"Huh... ha... haan",  he came back to his senses.

" So gaye kya?" She teased him.

"Nahi... kho gaya. Naina, yeh sab kya hai?" His voice a little breathless.

She was suddenly conscious, looking around her shoulders, "Kyon, achchi nahi hai dress... achchi nahi lag rahi toh change karke aaun kya?"

Dress?  Oh yes, the dress... his entire attention was elsewhere.

He looked at her beautiful white outfit... its sleeves reached her elbows and a belt of the same fabric was tied at the waist, making the lower part flow down till her ankles smoothly and the upper part... he gulped... the upper part hugged her snugly... showing off her curves more than any other dress she had worn.

He had so many reasons to die for, today.

Closing his eyes, he let out a long breath, "Naina, aaj kya maar hi daalogi? Ek din mein itne jhatke nahi le sakta."

"Kya bol rahe ho, Sameer... batao na, dress change karun kya? " She was not able to understand his mutterings.

"Nahi... change karne ki zaroorat nahi hai... achchi hai... bohot achchi hai... ab chalein", he turned his back to her... probably not looking at her will help him calm down.

As she sat on the bike, she felt the absence of her bag, which was always placed between herself and Sameer. The one she was carrying was too small. Having no other option, she held onto his shoulders, trying to keep some distance between them.

Sameer, like always, drove carefully but a few jerks were unavoidable at some stretches of bad road... and how thankful he was to the municipal corporation for them. Every time he felt her slip and get pasted to his back, he just wanted to stop and hold her. It was a miracle that they reached the venue safely.

The ceremony was being organised in a big Hall. Sameer parked his bike while Naina combed her hair and they entered the place together. Naina went to the registration desk and checked for her name. Her seat was right in front.

" Aapke saath koi aaya hai? Kya extra seat chahiye?" The man at the counter asked her.

"Jee, ek seat aur chahiye", Naina said with a smile.

Handing her a slip of paper, he instructed them where to go.

As Naina started to enter, Sameer held her hand, "Naina, suno... tum aage jao, main yahin peeche rukta hun... aise theek nahin lagega... koi puchega toh tum kya bologi? Function ke baad main tumhara intezaar karunga."

Naina looked at him, turned and came to stand right next to him, "Jahan jaayenge hum dono saath jaayenge... aur koi nahin puchega... puchega bhi toh main jawab de dungi... tum mera hausla ho, meri taakat ho, tumhare bina main bhi andar nahi jaungi."

Sameer tried to reason with her but Naina didn't hear a word. Finally, he went ahead with her and they occupied the seats in the first row.

The ceremony began with the welcome of Chief Guest and other dignitaries. There was a speech about the role of Print media in the society and then the award ceremony started. Many writers were awarded for their contribution.

When the category of best article about bringing about a change in the society was announced, Sameer smiled at Naina and pressed her hand.

"Naina Agarwal", hearing her name on this level was like a dream for her.

She walked up to the stage and accepted the award from the Chief Guest, along with an envelope. 

The announcer wanted to ask a few questions and Naina waited with a smile.

"Aap toh shayad umar mein kaafi choti hain phir bhi likhti hain?" His first question was something Naina expected.

"Main ek college student hun... mujhe hamesha se likhne ka shauk raha hai... jab mujhe  iss magazine mein likhne ka mauka  mila toh mere liye apne vicharon ko sabke saamne laane ka yehi sunahara avsar tha... likhti toh main bohot pehle se hun lekin padhne wale ab mile hain."

Her answer drew a good laugh, along with appreciation.

The announcer was ready with the next question, " Aap apni prerna kise manti hain? "

She looked at him and brought her mouth close to the mic, " Meri zindagi mein mere chachaji woh insaan hain jinhone mujhe sapne dekhna sikhaya, mujhe ghar ki duniya se aage bahar ka aasman dikhaya, mujhe aage badhana sikhaya."

"Toh aap apni safalta ka shrey apne chachaji ko dengi?"

"Chachaji ko shrey dungi mujhe iss sapno ki duniya tak pahuchane ka... lekin koi aur bhi hai jise main apni prerna manti hun... aur woh hai Sameer... mere sapno ko hakikat mein badalne ka hausla mujhe Sameer ne diya, jo aasman chachaji ne dikhaya tha usme udne ki himmat Sameer ne di,mere aage badhte kadmon ko kabhi dagmagane nahi diya... main toh yahi kahungi ki mujhe pankh Sameer ne diye hain."

The entire Hall broke into applause... 

Sameer could only hear... his vision was blurred because of the flowing tears.

She came back to her seat and looked at Sameer with a grateful smile. Seeing him in tears,she gently held his hand and they sat quietly through the rest of the ceremony.

Later, there was a lunch hosted for everyone but Naina politely refused and came out with Sameer. Without any word, they sat on the bike and left the place.

After a long ride,finally Sameer stopped at the same hilly place where he had brought her once earlier. Because of the rains, the place was lush green. The breeze was a little stronger here due to the height.

He held Naina's hand and brought her where the entire city was visible.Then, he turned to look at her. His eyes were still wet. For Naina, her chachaji was the most valuable person in her life, he had come to know in the time he had known her. And today, she had given him the same place in her life. In front of so many people, she had given him the credit of her achievement. He had done nothing.

"Naina, yeh tumne kya kar diya?" His voice was choking.

She went closer to him... and wiped his tear stained cheeks with her palm.

"Maine wahan jo bhi kaha, sab sach hai... tumhe nahi pata tumne meri zindagi, meri soch kitni badal di hai... Sameer, sirf aage badhne ki baatein karna hi kaafi nahi hai... khud ki soch bhi pragatisheel honi chahiye... woh mujhe tumne sikhaya... jaise tum har mauke par mujhe sambhalte ho, usne mujhe mushkil ke aage khade rehna sikhaya, tumhare mujh par vishwas ne mujhe kuch bhi kar jaane ka hausla diya... aur tumhare pyaar ne yeh bharosa diya ki main kabhi haar bhi gayi toh bhi main tumhare liye wohi rahungi jo hamesha se thi."

Sameer stared at the small, petite girl in front of him.

Naina wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear, "I love you, Sameer."

He closed his eyes and enveloped her in a tight hug, a smile playing on his lips, "Tum toh meri Jhansi ki Rani ho. "

When they left each other after a long time, Sameer scratched his head,giving her a sheepish look, "Ek baat puchu?"

"Haan,  bolo na."

"Woh pratishi... matlab? Hindi mein bolo."

She narrowed her eyes for a moment and then, seeing his smirk, realised he was teasing her.

She ran after him as Sameer ran to the other side of the cliff.

She tried to catch him... but he was no where near her hold.

Suddenly, Naina fell. Holding her foot, she cried out, "Sameer."

He came running and bent on his knees, "Naina, kahan lagi tumhe... bohot dard ho raha hai...  chalo doctor ke paas chalte hain".

Naina held his hand tight, " Pakad liya... Sameer ke bachche, tumhe lagta hai tum hi mazaak kar sakte ho".

He looked at her open mouthed... wondering how she could leave him spell bound everytime.

The breeze made her hair come on her face which she was flicking away repeatedly.

Tucking a lock behind her ear, he held her other hand, "Kya kaha tumne, badi jaldi hai Sameer ke bacchon ki? "

Naina looked at him in confusion and then turned crimson, her eyebrows shooting up. She turned her face away from him.

Her big earrings were right in front of his face. He looped his finger in and touched her cheek with the metal.

Naina closed her eyes, his proximity awakening the butterflies in her stomach.

"Sameer, please... " She managed to whisper.

Placing his finger under her chin, he turned her face.

His eyes again got stuck on her lips. Why had she worn it?  His hand itched. His mouth went dry.

"Naina... " The change in his tone made her open her eyes.

His were filled with longing. When she realised where his gaze was fixed, the butterflies multiplied... and she unknowingly bit her lip.

It was too much for him. He instantly got up and walked back to the edge... trying to control the raging blood in his veins.

Naina ran her tongue over her lips and realised that she was wearing lip gloss... her entire face heated up... this was why Sameer was gazing at her lips with such a look in his eyes. She quickly wiped them with her fingers.

After a few moments, when Sameer could get some control over his feelings, he turned around to see Naina sitting with her arms around her knees, the dress spread around her.

He went and sat with her, looking down at the city.

"Arre Naina, woh envelope bhi diya tha na tumhe stage pe... usme kya hai?" He tried to say something that did not fuel his emotions again.

"Arre haan",  Naina got up to get her bag from the bike.

He looked on  curiously as she opened the envelope to reveal currency notes.

Both looked at each other in shock. It contained five thousand rupees. Naina checked again to find a letter which stated that she had been the winner in this category and the prize includes an award and five thousand rupees.

Naina was stunned to get such a big amount in one go.

Suddenly, she got very excited. Getting up, she tugged at his hand, "Sameer, chalo na... aaj pehli baar mujhe itne saare paise ek saath mile  hain... hum shopping karenge."

Seeing her happiness, he smiled and got up. They left for the city.

First, they stopped at a restaurant for lunch, ordering her favourite pao bhaji. To celebrate, they had falooda after that.

Naina insisted that it was her treat to him and did not let him pay for anything.

"Sameer, hum ussi market chalein jaha se yeh dress liya tha? " She asked him.

The market was not very far from where they were and they reached in ten minutes.

As Sameer started walking to the same shop, Naina held his arm, "Wahan nahi... aaj mujhe tumhare liye shopping karni hai."

He looked at her in surprise, "Naina, mere liye?  Woh kyon? Mujhe toh kisi cheez ki zaroorat nahi hai...  tum apne liye lo na."

She tilted her head and repeated his dialogue, "Kabhi kabhi zaroorat ke liye nahi, khushi ke liye bhi kharid lena chahiye."

Amazed, he followed her to the showroom for men.

She asked for t shirts at the counter. Sameer looked on, fascinated, as she held each t shirt against him and selected a few. Next, she asked for shirts. Choosing one in blue and one in white, she handed him all the selected pieces and asked him to try them.

"Tum bhi chalo... batana konsa achcha hai",  he dragged her along.

As she waited outside, Sameer tried the t shirts and Naina approved all of them. Then he tried the blue shirt.

" Yeh toh bohot achcha lag raha hai tumpe... ye le lo."

He went back to try the white shirt. When he didn't come out for some time, she called out, "Sameer, kya hua? Itna time kyon lag raha hai?"

He stepped out, wearing the shirt but buttons open.

Her breath got stuck in her throat.

Sameer kept fumbling with the buttons, "Dekho na kitne ajeeb buttons hain... band hi nahi ho rahe."

He looked up at her, "Tum kar do."

"Main... main... kaise... " She stuttered.

He stepped closer, "Kardo na, mujhe leni hai yeh shirt... jab tak button nahi lagenge toh pata kaise chalega kaisi lag rahi hai? "

"Rehne do, Sameer. Har baar kaise band karoge agar aaj nahi ho raahe toh?  Koi doosra shirt dekh lo." She tried to find a way out.

He kept insisting that he wanted to buy this one.

Finally, with shivering hands, Naina started to close the buttons... she could not keep her eyes away from what was right in front... his vest stretched on his flat abdomen and chest. Seeing him like this, the knot in her stomach made its presence felt... and her legs went weak. Somehow, she managed to close all buttons. Sweat beads had collected on her forehead.

Sameer could see the expressions coming and going, her eyes on his chest, her shaking hands, the sweat... he knew how much he was effecting her.

Without looking up at him, she managed to speak, "Har baar kaise band karoge? "

He held her hands and brought to his chest, "Har baar tumse hi band karwa lunga... isse kamaal ki shirt toh koi ho hi nahi sakti."

She almost fainted.

Sameer went back to change.

In the trial room, he easily opened the buttons, winking at his reflection.