Naina ran to the kitchen, trying unsuccessfully to hide her red face from the two girls waiting there.

"Lo, aa gayi hamari behen, phir se tamaatar banke",  Preeti nudged her.

Swati whispered, coming closer to Naina, " Abhi kiss kiya kya? "

She earned a smack on her shoulder.

As Sameer walked out towards the sofa, Munna got up and side hugged him, "Ho gayi shanti?  Mil liya bhabhi se?"

Sameer gave a dejected smile, "Abhi to sirf Naina ko yakeen aaya hai ki main sach mein yahan hun... koi sapna nahi hun."

Munna teased, "Toh iska matlab bhabhi tere sapno mein khoi hui thi?"

Sameer sat down heavily on the sofa.

The girls prepared cold coffee and brought out the plates of pakode, mathri, biscuits and chakli... along with glasses of cold coffee.

Munna Pandit were seeing Naina closely after one year... in school, they always admired her resilience and intelligence, in spite of regular teasings from fellow classmates and continuous bashing from her father.
They were never friends with her but whenever they asked for any help in studies or homework, she never refused. She had even saved them from the wrath of her father when they had accidentally broken the headlight of his old scooter... lying in the process... something which she never did.

"Kaisi hai Naina? " Munna gave her a warm smile.

Next moment, he received a smack on his head.

Pandit stood behind him, "Abe Naina nahi hai woh. "

Munna looked at Pandit in confusion, then looked back at Naina and rubbed his eyes. Others also looked puzzled at Pandit's declaration.

"Andha ho gaya hai kya ponga? Naina nahi hai to kaun hai yeh? " Munna shouted at him.

" Arre, ab woh bhabhi hai... Naina toh school mein thi... waise tab bhi nahi thi... tabhi se bhabhi hai... par hamein tab pata nahi tha... ab pata chala... ab se hamesha ke liye bhabhi... sirf bhabhi",  clarified Pandit, folding his hands and bending down in front of her.

Everyone laughed. Naina was overwhelmed to know that Sameer had told them about his feelings for her since their school days.

As everyone settled to enjoy the treat prepared by the girls, Munna indicated to Swati and she came and sat with him. They started eating from the same plate. Sameer looked at Naina and she looked down, blushing.

"Waise bhabhi toh do mil gayi mujhe... ab ek girlfriend bhi mil jaati toh samose ki kasam... mazaa aa jaata",  Pandit voiced his wish, stuffing his mouth with food.

" Tujhe khaane se fursat mile toh koi girlfriend banayega na... pet toh bharta nahi tera... dil ka number kaise lagega? " Munna pulled his leg, making everyone laugh.

They all enjoyed the food. Naina and Swati picked up the dishes, taking them back to the kitchen, as Preeti got up to look for some movie that they could watch together. She decided to play 'Baazigar',  announcing her choice, not giving anyone a chance to go against it.  While she went about to set the VCR, Sameer walked upto her.

"Preeti, suno... ", he was hesitant, not sure how she will react.

" Kya hua jijaji?  Aapko kuch chahiye?" Preeti was surprised to see him getting nervous.

"Woh... tumse kuch puchna tha... gussa mat karna please",  he pleaded.

" Aap mujhse kuch bhi puch sakte hain, jijaji... aapki yeh saali hamesha aapke saath hai", she gave him a wide smile, full of assurance.

Sameer gathered some courage, "Main... woh... uss samay jab main kamre mein gaya to Naina ko laga main sapna hun... usne mujhse baat hi nahi ki... jab tak maine usse yakeen dilaya toh Swati ne bula liya... ab main... ab... ek baar... ", he stammered again.

Preeti gave him an understanding smile, " Aap room mein jao... main abhi Naina ko bhejti hun."

He gave a big smile to her and sped towards her room.

"Jijaji... ",  Preeti called out, stopping him in his track.

He looked back at her, hoping she hadn't changed her mind.

" Picture khatam hone se pehle aa jana",  Preeti winked, making Sameer blush.

Naina was cleaning the kitchen after washing the dishes. She placed everything in its place and wiped her hands. Preeti walked in.

"Naina, tune baal abhi tak suljhaye nahi... sukhne lage hain...  jaa jake suljha le... main picture lagaati hun."

Naina nodded and went out.

"Sun... aaram se suljha lena... koi jaldi nahi hai", Preeti called out after her.

" Yeh Preeti bhi na... aaram se hi suljhaungi... mere baal hai... mujhe pata hai kya karna hai... iska toh mujhe samajh hi nahi aata... ",  pondering over the meaning of her sister's instruction, Naina entered her room, failing to see Sameer standing behind the door.

She straight away went to her cupboard, to search for a band to tie her hair... there was a sound of door closing. She looked back from the cupboard door, expecting Preeti... her breathing stopped as she saw Sameer standing against the closed door.

" Sameer, tum andar kyon aa gaye?  Woh log kya sochenge? Preeti kya kahegi?  Please bahar jao... main abhi aati hun" Naina was scared of Preeti's reaction. 

He looked sweetly at her, "Preeti ne hi mujhe yahan bheja hai... aur usne kaha hai picture khatam hone se pehle aa jana."

Then, leaning closer, he whispered, "Picture to abhi shuru bhi nahi hui, Naina!"

She froze. They were alone in her room... her sister had knowingly sent Sameer to her... and he was so close.

The speed of her heartbeat crossed all possible limits.

She looked up at his face, dangerously close to her... his eyes were focused on her... his breathing was out of control as well, Naina's eyes drifted to his chest, rising and falling rapidly. 

Sameer felt his heart could jump out of the chest. His eyes drifted over her... the hair had partially dried and were still open, carelessly spreading over her shoulders... her face was slightly flushed after working in the kitchen, few drops of sweat visible on her forehead... and she was clutching the side of her skirt... she did that when she was nervous, he had realised long back.

He raised his hand towards her cheek and she closed her eyes. Sameer waited for a few seconds... then withdrew his hand... without touching, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. It, however, took extreme willpower.

"Naina, I miss you", he said with all the love he was feeling.

She opened her eyes. She saw his hand was back to his side, fisted ... and looked into his eyes... she could see them darkening... and a new feeling started spreading warmth in her stomach. She could not tear her eyes away from his... and her hands slowly reached out to hold his fisted palm. Gently, she opened his fist and held it in both her hands.

"I miss you too, bohot zyada", she squeezed his hand, assuring him of her feelings.

"Kuch dino ki baat hai... phir hum wapas Mumbai chale jaayenge... wahan phir se roz mil sakte hain", Naina tried to calm him.

"Mumbai jaane mein abhi bohot din hain... tab tak toh tumhare bina main mar jaunga", he groaned.

Naina instantly placed a finger on his lips, "Aisa kabhi mat kehna... aisa sochna bhi mat... tumhe kuch nahi ho sakta... mera pyaar tumhe kuch nahi hone dega", her eyes brimmed with tears.

The feeling of her soft finger on his lips was heaven... he held her wrist, not letting the hand move away... and kissed softly on her finger, speaking against it, his lips brushing her finger as he spoke, "Sorry... aage se aisa nahi kahunga... bas yeh bata do ki kya kahu jisse tum apna yeh haath aise hi mere hothon pe rakh do."

Naina lowered her eyes ... trying to free her hand. Sameer had no intention of letting it go, his eyes not leaving her even for a moment. She was still holding his other hand. His gaze shifted to her hair, falling in soft waves around her face.

"Tumhe baal suljhane the na", he reminded her.

Naina remembered why she had come to the room. She turned, pulling her hand out and leaving his.

She sat on the chair and picking up the comb, started to run it lightly through her tresses... while Sameer watched her. Somehow, this moment felt very personal, very intimate... 

After combing away all tangles from her hair, she picked up a band to tie them.

"Rehne do na... khule hue achche lagte hain", Sameer loved her hair.

Naina tied it into a pony, like she did in college, and turned to look at him, " Jab sirf tum aur main honge, tab khol ke rakhungi, tumhare liye".

And he was next to her in an instant, kneeling down, " Achcha... aur kya, kya karogi mere liye?" he questioned huskily, taking her hand in his.

She smiled at him, " Jo bhi tum kahoge... sab karungi."

Sameer played on, rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand, "Agar main kahun mujhe kiss de do... to dogi?"

He was surprised to see that Naina did not look away. She just kept looking at him with eyes full of love, "Dungi... pakka dungi..." and Sameer's heard thudded at alarming speed... 

Naina continued, "Lekin shaadi ke baad... samjhe budhu!" She placed a finger on the tip of his nose, pressing lightly.

Sameer wrinkled his nose at her, " Usme toh abhi bohot time hai? Tum itne din mujhe aise hi tadpaogi?"

Getting up, Naina pulled him along, dragging him towards the door, "Intezaar ka phal meetha hota hai... isliye intezaar kijiye, Mr. Maheshwari".

They went out and joined the gang who were enjoying the movie. Pandit sat on the floor, hugging his knees while Preeti was on the chair she had pulled from the dining table. Munna and Swati were together on the sofa, holding hands. Naina settled on the swing hanging in the living room. Sameer sat behind her, his back resting on the chain of the swing. The emotional scenes made Naina sniff and Preeti looked at her in amusement... simultaneously looking at Sameer, who was surprised to see this side of Naina. Then he looked at Preeti, raising his brows. Preeti smiled and gestured him to relax. 

Munna lovingly looked at Swati when a song played... and Swati smiled at him. Next moment, he leaned towards her and whispered something in her ear, earning a playful smack on his arm from Swati. 

As the movie got over, Pandit stood up and streched, "Bhai, bohot thak gaye... pet mein chuhe daud rahe hai... ek ghante se kuch nahi khaya".

"Jhoote, abhi dus minute pehle hi to tune yeh saare chips khatam kiye hain", Preeti chided him, bending down to pick up the empty plates of chips, popcorn and biscuits and another one with a heap of banana peels.

"Dus minute kya hote hain tujhe pata bhi hai? Pet ko itni der khaali rakhna uski tauheen hai." Pandit was ready for another attack on food.

Sameer got up from the swing, "Ab hamein chalna chahiye... koi aa gaya to problem ho jaayegi".

Everyone agreed. Pandit was the first one to leave, after Preeti went out and checked that there was no one around. After a while, Preeti and Swati again went out to check and gestured Munna to go. Sameer looked at Naina who was standing near the door, a little anxious. 

He went to her, " Daro nahi... main sambhal lunga... kuch nahi hoga".

She smiled, " Dhyaan se jaana... aur phone karna... main intezaar karungi", stressing a little on the word 'intezaar'.

Sameer looked at her in surprise. His simple Naina was learning to tease.

Latet, the girls sprawled on the bed in relief that nothing happened... the boys were able to leave safely without being spotted.

Preeti was impressed with Sameer,
"Behen, ladka toh tune sahi chuna hai... bohot pyaar karta hai tujhe"

"Haan, aaj dil khush ho gaya jijaji ko  aise tere pyaar mein dooba hua dekhkar",  Swati was also happy for Naina.

Naina gave a contented smile, looking at the ceiling.

" Pata hai tumhe, Sameer hamesha mujhe aisa mehsoos karata hai jaise main bohot sundar hun... hamesha meri tareef karta hai... aise baat karta hai jaise mujhse behtar koi aur nahi hai",  she said dreamily.

"Aur kya, jijaji ke liye tujhse behtar koi nahi hai... jab woh teri taraf dekhte hai toh unki aankhon mein unka dil utar aata hai... har baat mein bas Naina, Naina... aisa kya jadoo kiya hai behen tune? " Preeti teased her.

"Bata de Naina, main bhi Munna pe waisa hi jadoo kar dungi... waise toh woh bhi bohot pyaar karta hai mujhse par Sameer jaise tujhe dekhta hai na, waisi gehri aankhon se kabhi dekha nahi usne mujhe",  Swati sighed.

" Yeh kya laga rakha hai tum dono ne...aise dekhta hai, waise dekhta hai... ",  Naina showed fake anger, though her heart was jumping with joy.

Swati pulled her hand, " Ab zyaada bholi mat ban, Naina... sach bata... jab woh tujhe dekhta hai toh kuch kuch hota hai? "

"Haan... hota hai... bohot kuch hota hai",  Naina was lost, thinking about his eyes.

Swati came closer, " Toh phir kiss kiya?"