They went to the library to complete the notes.

"Mere toh aaj ke lectures bhi miss ho gaye." Sameer made a sad face.

Naina looked at him, "Pata hai tumhe kitna dukh hoga iss baat ka... ab zyada acting mat karo... maine aaj ke saare lectures ke notes tumhare liye likh diye."

She forwarded the folded sheets to him. He took the papers, a sheepish smile on his face.

Naina pulled the chair closer to the table, concentrating on the book in front, back of the pen in her mouth, head tilted... she looked adorable... his mind was far from studies. His elbow on the table, he rested his face on the palm and was lost in her, his lips curled into a small smile.

Feeling his eyes on her, Naina looked up... and shifted her gaze back to the books immediately...

The fresh, soapy smell mixed with his own musky fragrance was driving her crazy ever since he had arrived in the afternoon. And the darker growth on his jaw... it was taking all her self control to keep her hands away. To make it worse for her, now he had his own hand on the cheek... she wondered how the stubble must be pricking his palm. Taking her hands under the table, she fisted them. The books failed to get her attention. She kept her eyes on them though, appearing to be reading... but all she could see on the printed paper was his face, cheek pushed up slightly, making his one eye appear as if he was winking. She swallowed.

The movement of the column of her throat made him sit up straight. Naina was staring at the same page for quite some time now. Was she not studying? He gave a quick look around... being almost lunch time, the library was deserted. He shifted his chair closer to hers.

Naina instantly got up and went to the window, her back to him. She crossed her hands, trying to focus on the outside view.

Sameer went to stand behind her. His proximity started to multiply the butterflies in her stomach even when he had not touched her.

"Naina, aaj chalogi  bahar lunch karne?" He asked in a low voice, bending near her ear.

His breath fanned her cheek, making the redness turn darker.

"Aaj... aaj kuch kaam hai mujhe... episode poora karna hai." She lied, speaking with great difficulty.

He could sense the restraint in her voice. He held her shoulders, slowly turning her towards himself. Her eyes did not lift up.

He looked at her wrenching the fingers into her belly. He brought his face up to him, one finger under her chin. She still did not look up.

"Idhar dekho." He commanded.

The lashes lifted slowly, to reveal the brown eyes... darkened with sparks of light shining in them.

He was mesmerised.

His hand moved from her chin to the face, long fingers weaving in her hair behind the ear...

"Pyaar jatane mein koi burayi nahi hai, Naina." He whispered huskily, leaning to kiss her cheek.

Her hands clutched his t shirt on the sides.

Coming up on her toes, she kissed his jaw, the prickle on her lips soothing her instantly. Her fingers moved to his face, tracing the line of his jaw and chin, lost in the sensation. As her lips moved on one side of his face, she could not resist... and nipped near his chin.

Loud ring of the bell to mark the end of last lecture brought her out of the pool of emotions she was drowning in.

Before Sameer could stop her, she swiftly moved away from him, picked up her bag and ran out of the library. He stood with a hand on his jaw, smiling. The table still had her books scattered... she did not pick up anything in a hurry.

He gathered all the books and notebooks and walked out.

Naina stood in front of the mirror in her room.

"Kya kar rahi thi... dimaag kharab ho raha hai tera, Naina... aise library mein... koi hota wahan toh... ab teen mahine bache hain college ke... zara dhyaan rakh... kisiko mauka nahi dena hai ungali uthane ka." Her mind voice chided her.

"Par Sameer se pyar jatane se ab main ruk nahi sakti." The heart silenced the mind.

She glared at herself... the face still bore the colour of her escapade few minutes back... she actually bit him. The colour rose a few shades and she covered her face with her hands.

Sameer stood in the window of his room... a smile still on his lips. He had not shaved in the morning... rather afternoon... due to lack of time. He was aware of her fascination for his stubble but it had been a long time since he had left one, mainly because of the regular college.

Her reaction today brought back the memories of the day in Ahmedabad... when she had openly explored his face for the first time... making him realise her weakness for the prickly growth on his face.

He rubbed his fingers on the jaw, wondering what was so good about something that felt like sharp needles. Well, if it brought out such reactions from her, he was ready to comply... a stubble would be a permanent thing once the college got over. Also, for now, be decided to skip shaving on weekends. Getting a trailer of what to expect after marriage would be great.

He grinned.

Naina spent the time after lunch to sort out the clothes she had washed in the morning. A late lecture had given her the opportunity to shampoo and finish her washing. Folding all the freshly washed clothes neatly, she took the bundle to place on the lower most shelf.

Her eyes fell on the green saree. After keeping the clothes in hand in their place, she brought out the saree.

Sameer had never mentioned it since the day she had put her kasam. Lovingly touching the fabric along the delicate border, Naina thought about the time she had planned to wear it.

"Sameer, mujhe pata hai tum intezaar kar rahe ho... bas kuch din aur."

She placed the saree on her shoulder and went to the mirror again. The dark green shade contrasted with her fair skin. Still, she did not see what was so great in it that it brought out his hidden feelings when he had seen her in a similar saree for the first time.

Her thoughts drifted to the rainy day that had changed her life.

How different her life would have been had Sameer not been on the window that day... or would he have still accepted his love... for her, the day was most important as that was the first time she had seen his care, his concern... and a faint spark of love for herself in his eyes... something that she had believed to be unattainable.

Sameer sat waiting for her under the tree... the few minutes were also getting unbearable. The way she had run away... had he not been in such a surprised state, he would have not let her go that easily. Her display of such feelings was rare, but when it happened, it left him breathless.

The breeze brought the fragrance he was craving for... he looked sideways... she appeared in a white suit, the hair framing her face to show the stark comparison of her skin with the dark mane.

He forwarded his hand... she walked towards him and held it, sitting next to him.

Sameer put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, as his fingers closed around her soft hand. He lifted it and kissed.

"Pari lag rahi ho aaj tum." He rubbed his nose in her hair, the perfume of her shampoo filling him up.

To his surprise, she lifted his hand and kissed it... just like him.

"Aaj tum bhi kuch alag hi lag rahe ho." She said softly.

"Kya baat hai... aaj mere upar itna pyaar dikhaya jaa raha hai." He nudged her with his head.

"Kisi ne kaha tha pyaar jatane mein koi burayi nahi hai." She said in a serious tone, then looked up at him with a smile.

He pressed her closer, "Toh khul ke dikhao na apna pyaar... jaise main dikhata hun."

"Abhi ke liye itna kaafi hai." She moved her head away from his leaning face.

"Kaafi nahi hai, Naina... mere liye bilkul kaafi nahi hai." He brought his other hand around and engulfed her in a tight hug.

Being in a sitting position, her face brushed against his... and she felt herself go weak again as his stubble pricked her soft skin.

Sameer felt as if he was starved... last two days she had been stopping him from getting closer... he did not pressurise much owing to the tiredness and lack of sleep. But today he wanted her close to himself.

His hands went to the back of her head. Fisting the hair gently, he pulled her  back.

Naina looked into his eyes.... the dark pupils showing her own image.

Her glowing cheeks, soft eyes widened slightly, plump lips parted as his gaze slipped to them.

He could hold no longer.

Her mouth was warm and welcoming.

And responding.

Her hands on his back pushed him closer... her moulded lips making him go dizzy.

She did not just give in... she demanded.

He felt elated. His was apprehensive that she might be scared of his advances... he had indeed gone a few steps ahead in the past few days... he had even anticipated some anger... but she had taken him by surprise.

He was engulfed in a pleasure that was insurmountable.

They moved when neither of them was able to breathe. But she did not shift away. The raspy sound of her soft cheek grazing against his face made him stiffen.

"Naina, tumhe lag jayegi." He tilted his face to avoid touching hers.

Her cheek was red.

He cupped her chin, looking closely at her face, checking for any abrasions.

"Kuch nahi hua... aur agar hua bhi toh mujhe usse koi dard nahi hoga." She tried to ease his worries.

"Par mujhe achha nahi lagega agar tumhare chehre pe koi nishan aaye." He rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"Khud nishan dete ho aur aise darte ho?" She surprised him with her boldness.

He was reminded of the mark on her neck... and the mark he had given at the back of her shoulder.

His eyes moved to the spot. Lightly moving his fingers over it, he looked back at her.

She knew what he was thinking.

"Ab nahi dukhta." She kept a hand over his.

"Aur nishan?" He raised his brows.

"Halka ho gaya hai... jaldi chala jaayega." She said in a low voice.

"Naina, agar tumhe meri kisi baat ka bura laga ho toh tum mujhe bata sakti ho... main jaanta hun tumhare liye yeh sab... matlab yeh... mera aise karna..." He was at loss for words.

"Sameer, mujhe tumhari kisi baat ka bura nahi lagta... tum mere liye kya ho yeh mujhe batane ki zaroorat nahi hai... tum kuch galat nahi kar sakte... kal ko main bhi agar koi galti karungi toh tum mujhe rok loge... itna jaanti hun tumhe." She lovingly pressed his hand against her face, easing out all his fears.

"Aur tumhare kareeb aana mujhe bhi achha lagta hai." She added shyly, the colour spreading on her face.

Sameer was astounded at her trust in him... she had not only cleared the small feeling of guilt that had been gnawing at the back of his head for some time but also given him a glimpse of her own desire.

I am really sorry but from today onwards I won't be able to give evening updates due to some travel plans and a heavy load of work which has a deadline of 31 October.
I am finding it difficult to update on time since last one week so I had to take the decision that only one update will be given daily... only in the morning.
The moment I'm done with the work in hand, I'll switch back to the same pattern again.
Till then, I request all my readers to please adjust.
Love you all
Niki