They reached the college late
afternoon. Naina promised to call him when she reached Ahmedabad.

With a heavy heart, Sameer entered his room. He did not want to go.The suitcase was already packed. He adjusted the gifts he had brought for Munna Pandit. Checking his watch, he realised he had about five minutes to leave. He sat down heavily on the bed...

Naina felt a sudden emptiness engulf her. She had been staying alone in this room... still it felt as if something had been snatched away. The feeling, the assurance that Sameer was just a few steps from here, brought a sense of belonging to this place.

One day without him seemed too long.

As the outside light started fading away, she went out to the balcony. The railing, the pipe, everything brought tears to her eyes...

The tree seemed to be sad too, as it stood... rooted... waiting...

Naina could not stay in the room. She fled... out to the ground... stopping only when she reached the tree. And the dam burst.

Sitting at their usual place, her back resting, she continued to cry for a long time, thinking about the increasing distance between them as the train took him away from her. Darkness gradually started falling... with a few stars becoming visible.

Lost in thoughts of Sameer and the moments they had spent here, she kept staring into the darkness, face wet with tears.

"Naina"... His voice.

She jerked her head... he was there.

Sameer was standing in front of her.

She got up and ran to him. Wrapping her arms tight, she completely plastered herself against him, a fresh flow of tears running down her eyes.

Sameer held her close, giving the comfort she needed and drawing the solace he wanted.

They had been away for just a few hours, but the thought of him gone had made it more painful... and now that he was here, all she could think was holding him close... closer. She pressed her palms more on his back, the side of her face digging into his chest.

She could hear the drumming of his heart.

Sameer had one hand firmly around her waist as his other hand rubbed her back gently. He could feel the pressure of her hands increasing on his back.

They kept standing for a long time...  not speaking... not moving... not wanting to leave each other.

Then, Sameer slowly shifted... just enough to see her face.

Her tears stained cheeks and her swollen, red eyes clutched at his heart... and this time he gave in to the urge... bending down to kiss her forehead.

As his lips touched her skin, Naina closed her eyes... and stopped breathing.

He did not move even after the kiss... letting his lips soak in the softness of her skin... feeling the hammering of her heart against his ribs.

This time, Naina moved... shifting her face to look at him.

He was surprised to see that she was not blushing... rather, she looked at him with same passion in her eyes as he was sure his must be reflecting at this moment.

One more sentiment was added... shock... as Naina rose on her toes and kissed his forehead... her lips curling tight over his skin... her hand in his hair, bending his head to reach her lips.

His heart stopped... altogether.

This was not a simple brushing of her lips... the kiss was as tight as her hugs.

He looked at her face as she slipped back to her height... the eyes that stared back at him were filled with love... and calm.

Emboldened, he bent his head again... cupping her face, he brought his face closer and Naina closed her eyes.

He kissed her eyes, planting his lips softly on each eyelid.

Her hand on his back clutched his shirt... and he could feel the sharp sting of her nails through his shirt.

He waited... gazing at her face... her closed eyes... hoping for the veil of lashes to lift up soon.

It did... and his heart jumped at what he saw... more love... and longing.

Her hand reached up for his hair again, and he felt a gentle tug as she brought his head down, lifting her heels till their heights matched...

His eyes closed in anticipation... and a gasp escaped his lips as she touched her lips to his eyes... one by one... softly.

This time when he looked at her, a faint streak of colour could be seen creeping up from her neck to the cheeks.

He tilted his head, lips curling into a smile, admiring her boldness.

As she looked back, a shy smile appeared on her face as well.

Sameer raised his brows in question as she looked back with a slight frown, wondering what he wanted to ask.

He placed a finger on  her cheek... as his intention dawned on her, her smile widened and she shyly buried herself in his chest, her nose pressing against his heart.

Sameer exhaled, and lightly kissed on the top of her head, a contented smile still on his lips.

As they sat a little while later, Naina nestled in his arms, with her head on his shoulder and her arm around his waist, she looked up at him, " Gaye kyon nahi tum?"

He tilted his head slightly to gaze at her, "Nahi jaa paya... tumhe yahan chod ke."

And added with a sparkle in his eyes, "Agar chala jaata toh tumhara yeh pyaar kaise dekhta?"

She bit her lower lip and hooded her eyes.

Though he wanted to, but Sameer knew that Naina might not be able to take more of his expression of love today.

"Achcha ye batao, tum itna ro kyon rahi thi?" He tried to divert his mind.

"Akeli ho gayi thi... Sameer, tumhari itni aadat ho gayi hai ki ek din tumhare bina rehne ke khyaal se mera dil baith gaya. " Her voice choked.

He tightened his hold, "Agar itna sa door jaane se mujhe yeh sab milega toh main jaa sakta hun... thoda sa door."

To his surprise, she didn't glare at him or show any anger... she just brought his hand to her face and pressed her cheek to his palm, "Iske liye tumhe door jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai... mera saara pyaar tumhare liye hai... aur hamesha rahega." She moved her face a little and placed a feather like kiss on his palm.

Sameer looked up at the sky... and thanked all the stars.

They sat till late, making plans of meeting in Ahmedabad.

Next morning, after breakfast, Naina stepped out of her building, and was not surprised to see him waiting... leaning against the pillar with his hands crossed.

"Agar main bahar nahi aati toh?" She questioned as she reached him.

"Mujhe poora yakeen tha tum aaogi", his smile matched the confidence in his eyes.

They walked together in the garden. The campus was deserted. College had closed down after exams, most of the students staying in the two hostels had left the previous day, only a few stayed... who could not get earlier tickets. They were busy packing in their rooms.

"Arjun kab aayega, Naina?" Sameer did not want Arjun to see them... they were in direct view of the main gate.

"Woh teen baje tak aayenge... hame paanch baje yahan se nikalna hai. Aur tum kaise chaloge? Tumhari toh reservation bhi nahi hai?" Naina was worried about him.

Sameer pressed the hand he was holding, "Main pehle bhi reservation nahi karwata tha... iss baar hi karwayi thi... main aaj normal ticket leke train mein baith jaunga... TT paise leke berth de dega."

Naina made a face at him and he shrugged his shoulders.

She pursed her lips, "Meri wajah se tumhara nuksan ho gaya... sorry."

He leaned towards her ear, "Nuksan nahi faayda... kal raat ko jo mila aise faayde ke liye toh main roz train miss kar sakta hun."

She coloured... and turned her face to the other side.

Sameer was enchanted by her expressions... comparing her boldness last night to her blushing face now. She managed to take his breath away with her every look.

Arjun arrived after lunch. He waited at the reception as Naina brought her suitcase and a bag.

"Itna kya samaan leke ja rahi hai, Naina?" Arjun was surprised as Naina always carried few things.

Her requirements were not much.

"Kuch gifts khareede the, bhaiya. Bas wohi hai." She explained.

Arjun hailed a rickshaw... as Naina's eyes wandered around to look for Sameer, but he was nowhere.

They boarded and left for the station.

Naina searched everywhere but she could not see him.

"Chupne mein toh champion hai... pehle school mein chupta tha... fir college ke shuru mein... aaj bhi pakka kahi se chup ke dekh raha hoga",  she muttered to herself.

She was right. Sameer was watching her from a hidden corner, behind a group of soldiers who were traveling together, dressed in their uniform.

As the train moved into the station, the crowd herded in its direction, pushing and jostling to get in even before it stopped. Arjun held her hand and reached their coach... asking her to wait till the crowd thinned, and he pushed his way in with the suitcase.

Naina patiently waited for the door to have some clear space when she felt a familiar touch at her elbow.

She turned immediately, beaming at him, "Ticket le li? Issi train se jaoge na?"

He nodded, absorbing the warmth of her bright smile.

"Hamari seat iss coach mei hai... 34, 35 number." She informed.

He blinked, not taking his eyes off from her face.

"Achcha ab jao... Arjun bhaiya dekh lenge",  she nudged him away.

He had just turned his back when a voice boomed in, " Naina".

Arjun was waving at her from the window. Naina quickly picked up the bag and rushed to the door, stopping for a moment after getting in. She looked in his direction. He was some distance away, his eyes fixed on her.

She gave a small wave and entered the compartment.

"Isiliye main pehle chad gaya tha... nahi toh log apna samaan laga dete hain dusron ki seat ke niche bhi... la main bag idhar fit kar dun... ek hi chain se dono ko baandh denge",  Arjun clarified why he had rushed in even when they had confirmed berths.

Naina helped him to place the bag along with the suitcase under the seat and he tied it with a metal chain to the loop under the seat... securing it with a lock.

This was a common practice in trains at that time, to save your luggage from theft while you slept at night.

They settled comfortably on their seats as the train started moving. As the outside light faded and train lights were switched on, Naina took out the packet of pooris and dry alu sabzi that she had got packed from the mess in her hostel.

They had their dinner.

An hour later, people started placing sheets on their berths to sleep. Naina gave one sheet to Arjun who prepared his seat and then taking the other one from Naina, spread it for her as well.

She quietly lay on her seat for a long time. When the noise died down and the lights dimmed, she got up, checked on Arjun, and walked out of the compartment.

After a visit to the washroom, she washed her face. Wiping it with her dupatta, she stood near the door, watching the light poles zipping past... nothing else was visible outside as they were passing through the fields.

As she stood looking into the darkness, two hands circled her from behind, a chin resting on her shoulder.

She didn't have to look back to know who it was. This touch was her life now.

" Kabse intezaar kar raha hun... mujhe laga shayad nahi aaogi", he whispered in her ear.

"Sabke sone ke baad hi toh aati na, aur aana toh tha hi...bye jo bolna tha...",  she replied softly, getting a ticklish feeling on her shoulder as his stubble pricked through her thin suit.

"Kal jaise bye bol do na",  his soft voice brought colour to her face.

"Naina, wahan jaake bhi mujhse roz milna... ek din bhi tumhare bina nahi reh paunga", he mumbled near her neck.

His breath on her skin made Naina shiver.

He tightened his grip... this was the first time he had given her a back hug... and she fitted in his arms as if she was made for him.

She was.

Friends, I am traveling for some urgent requirement, so I won't be able to give evening updates for three days, starting from today. Morning posts will continue.

I am sorry but I don't want to compromise on the flow of the story as I won't have time to write.

Please accept my apologies in advance. Hoping to keep getting the same love from you all.

Love you.

P.S. Next update will be tomorrow morning.