The rest of the day went away in a haze for Naina. The trip to library, few classes, dining hall chatters...  nothing brought her out of her stupor...

Sameer had spoken to her... directly.  She tried to pacify herself by thinking that his words were not to be deciphered as concern... he was just being polite. But her heart, which was so occupied with this name and face since last two years, tried to read more in between these lines.

Later that night, she got a call from Ahmedabad. After assuring chachaji and chachiji of her well being, Naina could not control her excitement when Preeti came on line.

"Preeeeetiii... " she tried to keep her voice low but failed miserably, earning a stern look from the guard at the phone booth.

"Kyaaa hai",  Preeti's irritation spilled in her words, "Kaan kyon phod rahi hai?  Salman Khan ko dekh liya kya?"

"Haan."

"Kyaa... tune Salman Khan ko dekha?" Now it was Preeti's turn to scream, "Kahaan, kaise, movies jitna handsome hai ya usse bhi zyaada... mummyyyy... mujhe bhi Mumbai jaana hai. "

Naina could not help but smile at her antics. She heard chachiji's voice in the background, "Beta Tu bhi thoda ache se padh leti to tujhe bhi Naina ke college mein admission mil jaata."

She could almost see Preeti's frustrated expression. "Offo,  sun na... asli Salman Khan nahi." Naina tried to come back to her topic.

"To kya uska duplicate dekha... aur yeh tu mujhe itna khush hoke bata rahi hai... kya yaar Naina... tera standard to girta hi jaa raha hai." Preeti was now clearly annoyed.

"Preeti maine Sameer ko dekha,  apne college mein." Naina could not hold any longer.
 
She went on to describe the events of past few days. There was no sound from the other side. Preeti seemed to have lost her voice.

"Preeti... tu hai?" Naina wondered if the connection was broken.

"H... ha... haan main sun rahi hun." Preeti stammered.

"To bol na, ab main kya karun?" Naina asked for advice from the only person she could speak to in this matter, besides Swati.

"Naina, ab kya karegi? School mein to kisi tarah tune apne aapko sambhal liya tha... main aur Swati bhi tere saath the... ab tu akele kaise handle karegi?" Preeti's voice was full of concern for her sister.

Naina tried to explain the present scenario again to her, "Arre tu baat ko samajh toh sahi... yahan Sameer ne meri help ki... aur phir mujhse poocha ki main theek hun... aur khana khaane ko bhi kaha."

Preeti shut her eyes tight at her sister's naivety, "Nahin Naina, iss raaste ki koi manzil nahi hai... tune bohot aansu bahaye hai uske liye jisne tujhe kabhi nazar uthakar dekha bhi nahi... uski ek baat ko apnapan samajhne ki galti mat kar...  phir se chot khayegi dil pe."

Preeti's words slowly sank in. She was right.

"Maybe I'm too blinded by his love and am not able to see what Preeti can see without being here." Naina's heart sank as she pondered over their conversation later, standing in her balcony, staring into the silhouette of far away trees in the darkness.

Remaining days of the week were full of animated discussions and fewer classes as the day of party approached. Komal tried to include Naina in their dance but she kept refusing. She thanked her stars that no one here knew about her winning the dance competition in her school.

And she did not see Sameer again.

Naina left for Phulla Bua's house on Saturday afternoon, planning to return the next day. The love and pampering the old lady always showered on her made Naina forget everything else for some time.

With the day of party drawing closer, level of activities increased considerably on Monday. Lectures were cancelled as all were busy in practice of their programs... a dance, short play, a song or a recital.
Phulla bua had gifted Naina a pretty pink suit so she decided to attend the freshers party in her new outfit. Taking Sonali's advice, she did not seek permission from home, thinking that she would be back to her hostel room much before the party officially got over.

But as they say, man proposes God disposes...

Tuesday morning, while practicing, Nisha slipped and hurt her ankle. She tried her best but could not perform the dance steps. A visit to the medical room confirmed their worst fear... she had sprained her ankle and could not dance for at least two weeks. Sonali and Komal panicked. The time was too short to prepare another dance. They asked a few girls but everyone was already doing something or the other. Dejected, they walked to the canteen.

Naina was in her favourite place, library, when Komal and Sonali came running.

"Naina, please, please, please, hamari help karde... nahi to hamari saari mehnat bekaar ho jaayegi." Sonali pleaded, trying to catch a breath.

"Naina ab bus tu hi hamein bacha sakti hai... uske baad poore first year mein hum teri saari baatein manenge",  Komal tried to bribe her, "Aur tera canteen ka bill bhi hum pay karenge."

"Aaj teri dosti ka test hai Naina, dikha de ki tere dil mein doston ke liye kitna pyaar hai." Sonali brought in the emotional factor.

Naina could not stop her self from bursting into laughter at their antics.

"Ye kya drama kar rahe ho tum dono",  she asked in confusion when she could control her laughter.

Komal explained the entire situation to her, with Sonali constantly requesting her to say yes.

Seeing her friends in such a state, Naina relented.

They immediately went to the empty classroom to start their practice. Both girls were surprised at Naina's fluidity.  In no time, she had picked up the solo steps and, in fact, her suggestions improved their group steps considerably. After a good practice session,  Naina asked about the costumes.

Sonali happily took out the outfits they had got stitched for their dance. It was decided that Naina will give her measurements to Sonali who will get Nisha's outfit altered to fit her.

After spending one more day in practicing, students were ready for the party on Thursday.

Komal and Sonali met Naina in the afternoon and they went towards the green room to get ready. When she stepped out wearing the golden coloured long dress, both girls stared at her in amazement.

"Wow Naina, tu toh badi mast dikh rahi hai...  college mein dheele dhaale kapdon mein pata nahi chala ki tera figure itna acha hai." Komal could not stop herself from admiring her.

Naina blushed at the compliment. She has shampooed her hair in the morning and had not oiled them.  Now they fell like a silky sheen on her shoulders, almost reaching her lower back. The golden mang tika gave her a royal look. Since she had no idea about makeup, Sonali made her sit in front of the mirror and started working on her face. Naina had flawless skin. Without putting too many layers, her skin glowed and reflected the golden of her dress. Sonali lined her eyes with kohl and liner and painted her lips red.

As the three girls stepped into the Hall where the students were supposed to assemble, the first person they met was Rahul, who had met Naina in the library the day she had fainted.

He let out a slow whistle.

"Baadlon ke peeche se chupa hua chaand nikla hai, woh bhi dopahar mein." He said, looking directly at Naina.

Though she was not very comfortable with such talks, Naina gave him a polite smile and walked ahead with her friends. She did notice many eyes on herself and immediately looked around, scanning the Hall to search for the face she was dying to see. But Sameer was no where.

Once the program started, everyone focussed on the stage. Each performance received loud cheer.  When it was the turn of Naina's group, the level of their dance could be judged by the thunderous applause they received. She was overwhelmed at the praises from her other classmates, who specifically complimented her on her elegant dance moves and flexibility.

As the program neared its end, Naina wondered why Sameer did not attend.  Maybe he was busy with his cricket practice again... but others from his group were here.  Lost in thoughts,  Naina didn't pay attention to the announcement and jerked up in her seat when she heard the music of guitar strings. Sameer often played guitar in the music room of their school and Naina listened to it hiding behind the door. She could recognise his notes anywhere.

Sameer was dressed in black jeans and shirt... holding a red guitar, head bent down, long fingers slowly making melodious music.

She was lost as he started singing.

Hothon se choo lo tum
Mera geet amar kar do

Ban jao meet mere
Meri preet amar kar do

Aakash ka soonapan
Mere tanha man mein
Payal chankati tum
Aajao jeevan mein
Saansein dekar apni
Sangeet amar kar do

Ban jao meet mere...

Jag ne cheena mujhse
Mujhe jo bhi laga pyaar
Sab jeeta kiye mujhse
Main hardam hi hara
Tum harke dil apna
Meri jeet amar kar do

Ban jao meet mere
Meri preet amar kardo

There was a pin drop silence for a moment as the music stopped... and then the entire Hall roared with the sound of claps. All eyes were moist. Naina touched her cheeks to realise that she had been crying openly... there was so much feeling and pain in Sameer's voice. 

He had not looked up even once during the entire song, she noticed. In fact, after his performance,  he bowed and quietly walked backstage, without meeting anyone's eye.

As the competition ended, all students went out to the open area where music was being played and few boys were dancing.  Tables on one side were filled with food and soft drinks.  Soon everyone got busy  in what interested them,  dancing or eating.

Naina wanted to go and change but Sonali did not let her move out... knowing for sure that if she left now,  she won't come back to the party.  Finally,  Naina gave in to her friends' demands and settled on a chair, with a glass of soft drink.  She refused when Sonali and Komal went to the dance floor, saying she was tired. They did not insist, remembering her health condition a few days back.

After a while Naina got up and went towards the garden area for some fresh air. She sat down on her favourite bench under the tree, close to the parking area. Though it had become dark but she felt at peace here.

Her thoughts drifted to Sameer's song, "Why did he sing such a sad song... did it have some meaning?"

Naina remembered that he shared very good bond with his nanu,  the trustee of their school,  Mr. Jai Prakash Maheshwari.  The old man doted on him and she had always seen him very happy around his nanu. Then why was he studying in Mumbai and not in Ahmedabad, with his nanu?

Lost in thoughts, Naina did not hear the approaching footsteps.

She was startled to hear a voice close to her, "Mere saath dance karogi?"

She looked behind to see Neeraj, a boy from her class, standing behind her, holding the bench very close to her shoulders and bending down to bring his face close to hers. Naina tried to get up, feeling uncomfortable at the proximity but Neeraj placed his hands on her shoulders, restricting her movement. 

Naina was shocked.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum?" She blurted.

 "Arre dance ke liye hi toh pooch raha hun...  ab maan bhi jao... chalo mere saath." Coming in front of her, he held her wrist.

She tried to free herself "Neeraj mera haath choro... mujhe nahi karna dance."

Naina tried to loosen his grip with her other hand. Neeraj pulled her up with a jerk and tried to snake his hand around her waist when the sound of a slap resonated in the quietness of night. Neeraj looked at her... placing his palm on his cheek. She saw the surprise in his eyes changing to anger, his grip on her wrist tightening...  hurting her.

But before he could react, Naina felt his body drifting away from her... like it was being dragged.

And then she saw him.

Sameer was holding Neeraj by his collar and dragging him till he was a safe distance from Naina. Then he looked in her direction... though not looking at her directly.

"Tum andar jao." His deep, commanding voice left her with no choice. 

Without a word, she fled.