Sameer loved the library sessions. It being a college library, hardly any student was interested to visit. And if some lost soul did come once in a while, it was always to issue books or return them. Only one person had mastered the art of sitting and studying there... Naina.

And now it was a rule for Sameer too. He would have done it even if he had any dislike for it... because Naina wanted him to... but the fact was that he enjoyed it as much as their evening meetings in the ground.

The way she always shifted closer to him while explaining something... the way she leaned behind him while he was sitting, to check if he was making the right graphs... the way she shook his hand when he got lost in her... the way she put the end of the pen between her teeth, thinking or revising... the way she rubbed her forehead trying to remember something... the way she pursed her lips at him when he could not recollect what she had been teaching the previous minute... the way she squealed, after completing a chapter before time, spreading her arms to hug him, and then realise where they were...

Whatever she did, she made his heart go crazy. Not being able to resist, he tried to steal small moments of romancing his girl in between... which he could, being Sameer.

Because of their regular efforts and hard work, they were able to complete whatever Sameer had missed because of his game in a few weeks. He diligently finished all assignments and notes.

The day they closed the notebooks after the revision was also done, Naina felt very proud of Sameer. He was an average student in school. She had never seen him in their school library. And now, on her insistence, he had studied hard in first year, surprising even himself with his marks. His efforts of last few days had left no doubt in Naina's mind that this year too, he'll excel.

They left for their respective hostels, looking forward to the  evening meeting, as today, after a long time, they need not discuss books at all.

Sameer, finding it difficult to stay in the room, reached much before her.  By the time Naina came, he had paced more than hundred times in the small space.

"Kya Naina, kab se intezaar kar raha hun aur tum ab aa rahi ho?" His frustration was clearly visible.

"Main toh roz ke samay pe hi aayi hun, Sameer... tum kab se kyon intezaar kar rahe the? " She gave him a perplexed look.

Though he had managed a few moments, but Naina's ban on romance had contributed to his frustration.

In a flash he was close to her, " Intezaar toh maine bohot kiya hai... pehle tumhara... phir tumhare saath ka... phir tumhare pyar ka... aur abhi bhi kar raha hun... ",  he pointed towards his cheek.

" Achcha, aur tumhe lagta hai tumhara intezaar abhi se khatam ho jaayega ",  she was ready to tease.

" Agar tum nahi khatam karogi toh main khud kar dunga",  he kept a finger on her cheek.

Naina's face turned into beetroot red.

She turned her back to him.

Sameer came closer to her ear and whispered,  "Muh mod ke khade hone ke liye aayi ho?"

" Tum aisi baatein mat karo na, " Naina said in low voice.

"Theek hai, baatein nahi karunga... aisa kaam kar lu?" His voice changed.

She could not speak or move.

Sameer stepped back and sat down,  "Achcha baba, ab aa jao... aisa laal laal hoke mat khadi raho... yahan aake baitho, please Naina. "

With a thudding heart, Naina sat, keeping more distance between them.

Sameer sighed and looked up at the sky, "Hey bhagwan, pata nahi mera kya hoga? "

As if God wanted to answer him, it started to rain.

Sameer looked at the falling drops with open mouth, "Dekha, tumhari tarah bhagwan ne bhi mere sapno pe paani daal diya."

Naina giggled.

Soon, the drizzle started turning  heavier... they could feel fine spray coming through the thick cover of foliage on the massive tree.

"Sameer, hamein wapas jaana chahiye", Naina started getting worried.

" Abhi nahi... waise bhi yahan hamein kuch nahi hoga... iss ped ke neeche hum bheeg nahi sakte", Sameer didn't want to shorten their time here.

Naina loved rains. She had no qualms about sitting here and enjoying. In fact,she would shun the cover of this tree and step out to get properly drenched. But Sameer...

She was worried about him. He caught cold easily... she had discovered in the last one and half years. She didn't want him to get wet in the rain.

"Sameer, yahan toh theek hai par wapas jaane mein bheeg jayenge... tumhari tabiyat kharab ho jaayegi toh? " She tried to convince him.

He wasn't ready to give in, "Kuch nahi hoga."

But Naina was not the one to let go easily... she continued to pester him till he finally gave up.

Getting up with a sigh, he held her hand, "Ab maine tumhari baat maan li na... tum bhi meri maan lo".

"Kya baat maan lun?" She gave a puzzled look to him.

Sameer pointed toward his cheek.

"Hato", she pushed him and ran, looking back once to give him a big smile.

Sameer stood there, watching her as she walked towards her building, balancing herself on the slippery ground... getting soaked in the downpour.

His mind brought back the images of last year, when she had been in that saree. He took a few steps to leave the cover of the tree and stood under the rain,closing his eyes and letting out a deep,long breath. He bent his head back, letting the water fall on his face... and spread his arms wide.

Next morning, Naina waited for Sameer but he didn't come. Reluctantly, she went to the class... hoping that he comes soon.

One after the other, the lectures got over but Sameer didn't turn up. She could not wait any longer.

Walking up to Rahul, she asked, " Rahul, aaj Sameer kahin gaya hai kya? Class mein nahi aaya."

Rahul looked around, then remembered something, "Aaj toh Sameer subah dining hall mein bhi nahi tha... breakfast karne nahi aaya... mujhe usne kuch bataya toh nahi, kahin jaane ke baare mein."

Sonali, who was sitting with Rahul, urged him, "Tum ek baar room pe check kar aao na... dekho Naina kitni pareshaan hai."

Naina looked at Sonali,thanking her with her eyes,  she herself wanted to ask him to do the same but was hesitating.

Rahul nodded and ran out of the class. Naina and Sonali walked out, stopping at the college entrance, waiting for his return.

He was back after ten minutes, "Naina, woh Sameer ki thodi tabiyat kharab hai toh aaram kar raha hai."

Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach, "Ky... kya hua usse? "

"Kuch nahi, bas halka sa bukhar hai, doctor aaya tha subah, dawa de gaya hai... tum fikar mat karo, kal tak theek ho jaayega", Rahul tried to ease her fears but she could see tension lines on his forehead.

Sonali squeezed her arm, " Naina, pareshaan mat ho, bukhar utar jaayega, dawa le raha hai na woh... tu dhyaan rakh apna."

She sat down on the steps at the main entrance as Rahul and Sonali left.

After an hour, Rahul returned after dropping Sonali home and found Naina sitting at the same place.

He ran to her, "Naina, abhi tak yahan baithi ho? "

She looked up at him and tears rolled down her eyes, "Rahul, mujhe milna hai Sameer se... please... main usse dekhna chahti hun... please, please, mujhe milwa do. "

Seeing her state, Rahul thought for a few seconds and asking her to wait there, ran back to boys hostel. He came out a few minutes later, a packet in his hand.

"Yeh kuch kapde hain... ek ladke se laya hun... tumhe thode toh bade honge par isse chota koi ladka hai nahi hostel mein... tum change karke aao, main wait karta hun... aur haan, ek cap bhi hai... baal chupa lena... waise toh dopaher mein zyaada koi bahar nahi dikhta par phir bhi... agar dur se bhi dikh jaaye to tumhe ladka samjhe", handing her the packet, he gave all instructions.

Naina ran to the washroom of college, changed, hid her own clothes and bag in the washroom and was out in no time.

Rahul noticed with satisfaction that Naina had tied her hair in a bun and worn a cap over it.

With their hearts hammering in nervousness, they stepped in the boys hostel.

Thankfully, the passage was deserted. Quickly climbing up the stairs, Rahul took her to Sameer's room.

The room was covered in darkness, owing to a cover of clouds in the sky and drawn curtains on the window.
Sameer was on the bed, sleeping.

Naina ran to him and kneeled on the floor, next to him. She placed her hand on his forehead. It was burning. Sameer didn't open his eyes at her touch. She nudged him a little, " Sameer...Sameer... utho... "

No response.

She looked at Rahul, tears forming again, "Yeh uth kyon nahi raha? "

Rahul explained softly, "Bukhar tez hai, Naina... ek baar pichle saal ke shuru mein bhi hua tha... tab toh baarish mein bheeg gaya tha... tum daro nahi... do, chaar din lagenge, par theek ho jaayega."

How could she not be scared?

"Par yahan uska dhyaan kaun rakhega? Uski dawa, khana, bukhar check karna... yeh sab woh khud karne ki haalat mein toh nahi hai."

Rahul tried to ease her fears, "Sameer hamesha se akela raha hai, Naina... tumhe toh pata hi hoga... woh khud ko sambhalna jaanta hai... aur phir roz subah doctor aata hai... sab theek ho jaayega. "

She got up suddenly, "Rahul, din mein kaun aata hai yahan? "

"Din mein toh koi nahi aata... bas subah safai wala chotu aata hai, aur  iske liye doctor aayega", Rahul explained.

She gave him a determined look, " Main iske paas rahungi... tum raat ko khana khane ke baad aana, jab sab so jaayen... mujhe nikalne mein madad karne ke liye".

Rahul's eyes flew wide, "Naina, tum jaanti ho kya keh rahi ho... kisi ko pata chala toh kya hoga maloom hai naa? "

She was unfazed, "Kisi ko pata nahi chalega... mere kamre mein bhi koi nahi aata aur yahan bhi... bas aate jaate hue thoda dhyaan dena hoga", she looked at his sleeping form and her voice turned heavy, " Sameer ko aise nahi chod sakti."

Rahul didn't want her to risk her reputation. He tried again, "Sameer ko kuch nahi hoga... pehle bhi toh kabhi uske paas koi nahi tha."

Naina gave a loving smile to the sleeping form, "Lekin ab main hun."

Rahul gave up. Promising to be back later in the night, he left.

Naina bolted the door from inside. She quickly pulled the curtain aside a bit and checked the prescription. Checking the strip of tablets, she realised that morning dose has been taken but not the afternoon one. She looked around to see if there was something to eat. A couple of biscuit packets were kept on the side table. It had to do for now. But first he had to get up.

She went to the bathroom and filled up the plastic mug with water. Since there was no cold water, she had no other option. She hesitated for a moment, then opened his cupboard... picking up a handkerchief.

Pulling a chair next to the bed, she started placing wet handkerchief on his forehead. After a few minutes, she wiped his face and neck with the same cloth and got up to get fresh water.

She continued the process for almost half an hour, frequently changing the water, when she felt him stir.

Quickly putting aside the mug, she placed her palm on his forehead... it was not as hot as earlier.

She shook him lightly, "Sameer... "

He murmured something, eyes still closed. She sat down next to him on the bed. Placing her hand behind his neck, she tried to bring him to a half seated position. It was not easy for her frail form to support his weight... but she didn't give up. After continuously trying, she managed to lift him a little.

Picking up a biscuit from the packet, she brought it near his mouth, "Sameer, thoda sa kha lo... phir dawa khani hai."

She managed to make him eat a few bites. Satisfied, she slowly put aside the half eaten biscuit and gently removed her arm from behind his shoulder. It was time for his medicine. She filled a glass of water from the jug and brought his medicines to him. Sitting next to him again, she whispered, "Dawa lelo, Sameer."

When he did not react, she placed a tablet in his mouth and put the glass to his lips, nudging him to swallow. Once he did, she gave him the second tablet too. She turned to put the glass back and shifted his body down, placing his head back on the pillow.

Taking a deep breath, she again settled on the chair... closing her eyes and praying to her bhagwanji to make him better soon.

After about half an hour, there was a soft knock on the door.

Naina froze.