I am overwhelmed with the comments in the previous update. Honestly, I would have loved to reply to each of them. However, that would not be possible (sigh) in my present situation. But I read each one of them. And I'm happy that you all could visualize Naina the way I wanted to show her.
Please do not stop your comments or your love for the story. I will reply whenever it is feasible.
Love you all for being with me in this journey of Samaina.

After two more couples joined them and introductions were done with... they sat down for some snacks along with glasses of soft drinks.

"Sameer, aaj ek gaana toh banta hai." Rahul urged.

"Par main yahan guitar nahi laya." Sameer was still a little shaken from the shock that had hit him earlier.

"Aise hi gaa de, yaar... teri awaaz hi itni achhi hai... humein toh ussi mein maza aa jayega." Rahul insisted.

Sameer was skeptical.

"Gaa do na, Sameer... itna achha gaate ho tum." Naina pressed his hand.

He pursed his lips... and nodded.

Gaurav, a neighbour who lived on the same floor, offered to get his guitar from home. Within a few minutes, Sameer had one in his hand.

He started with the one he played often in his room... each and every word meant for Naina... his eyes not leaving her even for a moment during the entire song

Chookar mere man ko
Kiya tune kya ishara
Badla yeh mausam
Lage pyara jag saara

Tu jo kahe jeevan bhar
Tere liye main gaun
Tere liye main gaun
Geet tere bolon pe
Likhta chala jaun
Likhta chala jaun
Mere geeton mein
Tujhe dhoonde jag saara

Chookar mere man ko
Kiya tune kya ishara

His soulful voice with the strums of guitar mesmerised everyone and Sameer had to sing quite a few songs... some of his choice and some on request. Gaurav was next and he being the eldest among the lot, sang Purani jeans aur guitar.

"Tum logon ke saath aaj college ke din yaad aa gaye, yaar... hum log bhi khoob masti karte the." He patted Rahul's shoulder after his song.

Music is one single factor to bind people together... today was no exception. Singing along with each other, the entire group became friendly in no time.

Naina soon came to know that besides Gaurav and Divya, only one more couple was married. Others were together like her and Sameer. In fact, Sejal and Pankaj had just met last week.

"Try karke dekhna padta hai, Naina... isliye aaj party mein aane ko kaha Pankaj ne toh main aa gayi... milenge tabhi pata chalega ki setting ho sakti hai ya nahi." Sejal confessed.

Naina and Sonali were amazed at her casual manner.

"Aur agar setting nahi ho paayi toh?" Naina could not stop herself from asking.

"Toh agli party mein kisi aur ke saath chali jaungi." She smirked.

"Waise Sameer ke saath tumhara permanent wala hai ya aise hi... kaafi handsome hai." Sejal raised one eyebrow at Naina, after eyeing Sameer for a while.

And Naina developed a strong dislike for her instantly.

"Yeh dono paanch saal se jaante hain ek dusre ko... bas college khatam hote hi shaadi hone wali hai." Sonali said firmly, making the picture clear to her.

In between several rounds of snacks and soft drinks, Naina noticed Sejal looking at Sameer with open admiration. The anger inside her started to boil.

Though, everytime she looked at him, she found his eyes on her, making her cheeks go red.

As the clock neared ten amidst music, laughter and eating... it was time to take the party to next level.

Rahul increased the volume of music... encouraging everyone to dance. Sonali changed the light settings to dim and the room was transformed into a dance floor.

Sameer was not much interested in dancing. He sat in the corner, enjoying the music. Naina was in the kitchen, helping Sonali to arrange the prepared food items.

Pankaj went inside to use the washroom. Sejal, who had been dancing with him, turned to pick up a soft drink for herself. Her eyes fell on Sameer. Looking around, she realised the absence of Naina.

She walked up to him, "Tum akele baithe ho? Aao saath mein dance karte hain."

Sameer gave a startled look, "Sorry, par mujhe dance karna nahi aata... isliye yahan baithke aap sabka dance dekh raha hun... aap please enjoy kijiye."

Sejal plonked herself on the adjacent seat, "Chalo main bhi thodi der baith jaati hun... thoda thak gayi hun... waise tum chaho toh tumhe dance sikha sakti hun."

"Nahi, mujhe interest nahi hai." He gave a polite smile, keeping himself in check with Rahul's guests.

His eyes searched for Naina... she was still in the kitchen, where she had gone sometime back, after informing him.

"Aap thak gayi hain toh main aapke liye juice le aata hun." He started to get up, grabbing the chance to go to the kitchen.

Sejal held his hand, "Arre tum baitho, juice aa jayega."

Sameer looked at her fingers around his palm, apalled at the action. Before he could react, Naina entered the hall.

The first thing she saw was Sameer sitting on the edge of the sofa, his hand in Sejal's grip and his face frozen with shock.

Seething in anger, she walked up to them, a fake smile on her face.

"Sameer, tum kabse yahan baithe ho... aao na dance karte hain... tumhe kitna man tha dance karne ka." Naina held his arm, the pull forcing Sejal to remove her hand.

Without a word, Sameer walked to the floor with Naina. She looked up at him... and he could see the blazing eyes.

"Naina, main toh kitchen mein hi aa raha tha... juice laane ke bahane... or usne..." He tried to explain.

"Pata hai mujhe... mere malai ke katore pe uski pehle se nazar hai." Naina hissed through clenched teeth.

Her possessiveness exhilarated him as much as her words amused him.

"Toh tum apne malai ke katore se door jaati hi kyon ho?" He slid his hands around her waist, pulling her closer as their feet moved to the rhythm.

"Bus do minute ke liye hi toh gayi thi... ab aa gayi na... aur ab bilkul apne se alag nahi hone dungi tumhe." She placed her hands on his chest.

With great difficulty, he had controlled the fire raging within but now her proximity in the dim light and the music made his heart act up again. He held her waist tight, getting lost in the dark, beautiful eyes, his breathing going uneven.

As the song changed to a romantic one, Naina shifted her hands around his neck, the move taking her face closer to his... the uneven breathing almost stopped... seeing her so close, all he wanted to do was feel her with his lips. The number of people around forced him to remain in control.

Naina was too occupied with keeping an eye on Sejal to notice how she was effecting him. Though she was dancing with Pankaj, Sejal's eyes kept coming back to Sameer.

"Hadd hai... abhi bhi idhar hi ghoor rahi hai." Naina fumed.

Sameer leaned and kissed her cheek.

Stunned, Naina held one hand to her cheek, looking at him with wide eyes, "Yeh... yahan... sabke samne..."

"Jiski wajah se tum ubal rahi ho usko dikhane ke liye... main kissi se darta nahi hun... aur agar ab bhi nahi samjhi toh thoda aur bhi karke dikha sakta hun."  He came closer to her lips.

Naina leaned back, "Bas, bas... itna kaafi hai... sabke samne zara sambhal ke raho."

"Theek hai... sabke saamne chalega... par akele mein mat kehna... aaj sambhalna mushkil hai." His voice turned heavy... eyes hooded with half lids.

Naina felt her throat go dry... his fingers were pressing into her waist... his eyes making her go weak in the knees. She unclasped her hands from behind his neck and placed them on his chest, trying to create some distance.

"Sameer, please... abhi sab hain yahan." She took one step back.

He let out a long exhale, threading his fingers through her hair, "Jaanta hun... isiliye rok rakha hai khud ko... par tum ab meri aankhon se door mat hona."

Her eyes darted back to Sejal... the envious looks she was giving Naina made her breathe in relief... the point had been driven home.

The dance numbers turned peppier as the time of midnight came closer. With the countdown to the new year, all lights were switched off. The moment clock struck twelve, loud screams of 'Happy New Year' resonated in the room. The sound of fireworks erupted in the city with everyone cheerfully welcoming the new year.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Sameer pulled Naina and pecked her lips, whispering 'Happy New Year, Mrs Maheshwari', just before the room was bathed with bright lights again.

She moved away, smiling, as she wished him the same.

Rahul and Sonali came over to them. Rahul hugged Sameer and Sonali hugged Naina. After wishing each other, they mingled with the other guests. The constant greeting of new year wishes could be heard everywhere.

Sameer did not leave Naina's hand as they moved around, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind.

Some people, however, don't take hints.

Sejal approached them with a big smile.

"Happy New Year," she extended her hand to Sameer.

His right hand being in Naina's left one, Naina held her extended hand in a tight hold.

"Thank you, Sejal... aur Happy New Year tumko bhi... hum dono yehi wish karte hain ki humari tarah tum bhi jaldi hi shaadi kar lo." Naina's fake smile was wider than Sejal's.

Looking from one to another, Sejal nodded and turned to leave.

"Aur haan, Sameer mere liye sab kuch bohot special karta hai toh humari shaadi ka invitation bhejungi tumhe... aana zaroor... dekhne ke liye ki mere Sameer ne kaise hamari shaadi ko mere liye khaas banaya." Naina called out behind her.

Sejal and Pankaj were the first ones to leave.

"Kya baat hai, Naina... mera Sameer." He brought their joined hands to his heart, leaning towards her.

"Haan toh, mera hi toh hai." She gave a cheeky smile, making him skip a few beats.

He could not wait to be with her alone.

Within half an hour, all the guests were gone. Rahul plonked on the sofa, remarking how tired he was.

"Sonali, chal coffee banate hain... sabki thakan utar jayegi." Naina suggested, not looking at Sameer.

"Arre nahi Naina, kyon pareshan hoti ho... tum bhi toh thak gayi hogi... aao hum log yeh gifts dekhte hain." Rahul did not want the girls to get busy in the kitchen as the cook had already left.

"Koi pareshani nahi hai... hamara bhi man hai coffee peene ka... haina Sameer?" She fluttered her eyes at him.

Sameer glared at her.

With a mischievous smile, Naina held Sonali's hand and walked to the kitchen.

"Sameer naraz hai kya kisi baat se? Thoda ukhda hua laga abhi." Sonali commented as Naina started to beat the mixture of sugar and coffee powder.

"Kuch nahi... bas usko mere saath thoda time bitana tha aur maine coffee ke liye bol diya... isliye thoda rooth gaya." Naina chuckled.

Sonali laughed, "Waise bohot satati hai tu bechare ko... itna seedha hai... koi aur hota uski jagah toh tujhe aise dekhke ek second bhi apne se alag nahi hone deta."

Naina turned towards her friend, "Woh koi aur nahi hai, Sonali, woh toh mera Sameer hai... main jaanti hun usse... samajhti hun achhi tarah... woh sab kuch mere liye karta hai... khud se pehle mere baare mein sochta hai... uski poori duniya hun main... alag woh bhi nahi reh pata lekin mere liye woh doori bhi bardaasht karta hai."

Sonali was stirred by the love and respect they both had for each other.

"Tum dono ka pyar hamesha aisa hi rahe meri yehi new year wish hai tum dono ko." She smiled.

When Naina and Sonali walked out with the tray holding four steaming cups of coffee, both boys were sitting on the floor... torn gift wrappers around them... a few boxes still unopened while some items were scattered near them.

"Arre tumne humare bina hi gifts khol liye." Sonali exclaimed, sitting next to Rahul as Naina settled next to Sameer.

The boys looked at them with a lost expression... their eyes glazed.