Sameer was finding it difficult to sleep... Naina in her pink dress invaded his senses every time he tried to close his eyes... why she had to look so goddamn hot in everything.

Not even once did she ask how he got the dress for her... how he could buy such a perfect fit... she happily accepted his gift.

"Itni bholi kyon ho tum, Naina?" He thought aloud.

Naina lay in her bed, thinking about Sameer's efforts to make the day special for her. He had gone to extreme lengths to arrange everything... Sameer, who hated to get up early, was up at five in the morning to get fresh flowers for the decorations. He had bought such thoughtful gifts. Naina blushed as she remembered the saree... once he had said that he would like to see her in that saree again, and when she told him that she had returned the saree to Pooja didi, he had promised to buy a similar one for her. And he had kept his side of promise. Now it was her turn... to get a similar blouse made. She could not stop the red streak creeping up her neck as she thought of his reaction if she wore this saree with that type of blouse now... when Sameer could not keep his eyes and hands away from her in a normal dress... in such an outfit he would... she pressed her palms over her eyes... to stop the images that made the fluttering inside her go to insane levels. The red streak had covered her entire face as she smiled how even in her thoughts Sameer did things that made her blush.

"Itne badmaash kyon ho tum, Sameer?" She thought aloud.

Next day, they got up to a heavy downpour. The sky was covered with dark clouds and seeing the ground outside turned into a pool, it appeared that the rains must have started somewhere in the middle of the night.

Naina wondered if normal classes would be held today as it would be difficult for the professors and local students to reach college.

Her apprehensions were proved right when she opened the door to a soft knock a little later.

"Beta, aaj college nahi hoga. Sab jagah paani bhara hai isliye koi aa nahi payega." The elderly ayah informed her.

She smiled and thanked her.

Staying whole day in her room was no problem but staying without meeting Sameer was making her restless. She opened the balcony door against the splash of showers to check the open area... reaching their favourite place would be impossible today as the entire area around was submerged in water.

Naina had always loved the rains... but today she hated it. Just sitting next door to Sameer and she won't be able to see him the whole day. She wondered how he would react to the news.

Sameer was agitated when he came to know about the classes being cancelled for the day. And the deluge left no doubt in his mind that the ground behind their hostel was non approachable today. He stood at the window, cursing the grey curtain that made the visibility come down drastically.

Around eleven in the morning, there was some respite as the incessant pouring reduced to a drizzle. But going out was not an option as the flooded area made sure that everyone was restricted to their enclosed, comfortable spaces.

But two souls were far from comfortable. Sameer moved around impatiently, constantly devising ways to meet Naina. His mind kept rejecting each idea...

Finally, he could take it no more and walked out.

Naina walked carefully in the wet corridor, avoiding the small pools formed here and there. She climbed up the steps to reach the library, glad to see that it was not locked, only latched from outside. Opening the heavy bolt with difficulty, she went in. It was obviously deserted. No sane person would come to the library when the college was closed. But she could not sit in her room. It was getting claustrophobic.

She placed the umbrella in one corner and went near the big window that was closed today but the view through the glass showed the flooded outdoors. Thankfully, the drizzle had not intensified.

She was lost in thoughts when a touch on her shoulder made her jump.

She immediately turned... Sameer stood smiling at her.

Seeing her face gone white with fear, his smile froze and he held her by shoulders.

"Naina, main hun... dar kyon gayi?" He said urgently.

Hearing his voice, Naina breathed again. She closed her eyes, keeping a hand on her heart, "Sameer tumne toh jaan nikal di meri... aise koi darata hai kya?"

"Arre, par maine kahan daraya? Maine toh halke se kandhe pe chuaa, tumhe bulane ke liye." He reasoned.

She did not answer, still standing with her eyes closed, holding a hand to her heart.

Sameer noticed that she was wearing her short dress today... the one that just covered her knees. Her perfect legs made him gulp. And it did not cover up her arms like all her other outfits, it was short sleeved... it was rare that she wore short sleeves. The neck of her dress was round and the pendant he gave her rested on the edge. He felt his pulse quicken at so much of visible skin.

Naina opened her eyes, "Yahan kaise aaye tum? Pata hai na aaj college band hai? Aur itne padhai ke shaukeen toh ho nahi ki chutti ho tab bhi library aa jao."

He turned towards the chair, pulling it out to sit... standing there looking at her was not okay for his system.

"Kamre mein baitha nahi jaa raha tha... aur tumse milne ka bhi koi tareeka nahi tha... bas isliye yahan aa gaya... socha tumhe yaad kar lunga... mujhe kya pata tha ki meri kismat itni achi hogi jo tum khud hi yahan mil jaogi." He grinned.

Naina smiled and walked to the table, pulling a chair next to him. He could not help notice how her dress hitched up a little more as she sat.

He groaned silently.

Naina looked at him... his hair and shoulders were slightly wet due to walking in the drizzle.

"Tum chatri leke kyon nahi aaye? Bheeg gaye toh fir se bukhar ho jayega na?" She was concerned.

"Woh mujhe dhyaan nahi raha... aur library tak hi toh aana tha... baarish bhi halki ho gayi thi." He flicked off his shoulders for any drops.

Naina took out a handkerchief from her bag and stood up to go behind him. Without a word, she started rubbing his hair.

Sameer was startled, "Yeh kya kar rahi ho?"

She held his head in place, "Baal sukha rahi hun, ekdum nazuk se ho na... thand lag jati hai itni jaldi... aur zyada daro mat... tumhare hero jaise baalon ko kharaab nahi karungi."

He could hear her chuckle.

Her soft hands rubbed lightly and Sameer closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation.

Naina regretted not wearing a suit... a dupatta would have been much better, her handkerchief was too small and it had already gone all wet. She kept it back on the table, weaving her hands through his hair.

This touch was electrifying for him. He held her wrist, bringing her back to the chair, "Bas ho gaya... ab baitho."

She narrowed her eyes, then looked at his hair before turning her eyes back to him.

"Baalon se itna pyaar hai ki mujhe choone bhi nahi de sakte", she sulked.

He was shocked for a moment, then realised he had to make her understand why he could not let her go on.

He pulled her chair closer, freeing her hair of the band. As she gave him a wide eyed look, he ran his hand in the long, soft hair.

Moving his fingers slowly from behind her ears till the nape, he watched as Naina closed her eyes. He continued to weave his hands through her hair... seeing her breathing go faster as her face flushed.

When she could not take it anymore, Naina held his hand, bringing it down to her lap.

Sameer leaned in, whispering, "Kya hua? Baalon pe pyaar aa gaya?"

She pushed back the chair and ran to stand behind a cabinet filled with books, holding onto the shelf as she fought to bring her erratic heartbeat in control. His way of explaining made her smile as she blushed thinking about how he must have felt when she did the same to him. She had seen his eyes darken many times but wondered if  he also felt the same tightening of stomach, his skin also erupted in goosebumps, whether he also felt his blood heating up at her closeness... his husky voice and desperation to be close to her was an indication enough that he craved the proximity but she wanted to know the exact feelings. His fingers in her hair made her skin tingle, did he too get similar feeling when she had touched his hair?

Could she ask him? She knew he would tell her if she asked but could she listen to him explain about his thoughts? That too when they were alone here... she immediately shunned the idea.

Looking at the books lining the shelf in front of her, she wondered if there was a book which could let her understand what type of feelings he had when he was close to her.

This being a college library, there was little chance. She sighed, moving along the shelf, eyes on the titles in front of her when suddenly the books shifted and his face appeared.

"Ab kitabon se aashiqi khatam ho gayi ho toh thoda dhyaan iss bechare majnu pe bhi de do."

She smirked at his dramatic dialogue.

He was next to her in an instant, "Aise hansti ho toh dil karta hai... "

He left the sentence incomplete.

"Kya dil karta hai?" Her mind was still filled with the thoughts about his feelings.

Taking a deep breath, he shook his head, pursing his lips.

She looked at him, standing with his hands in pocket, downcast eyes, hair falling on his forehead as they had started to dry. Her eyes drifted to the light blue t-shirt stretched across his chest, half sleeves revealing the firm and sinewy arms,
veins jutting out... she suddenly wanted to feel them.

Going closer, she let her palm slide down from his elbow to the wrist, circling around it as she pulled his hand out of the pocket.

Sameer looked at her, astonished at the way she had touched him, making him tremble.

"Yeh... yeh kya kar rahi ho", he stuttered.

Without raising her eyes, she did the same with his other arm, "Tumne hi toh kaha iss majnu pe dhyaan dene ke liye, wohi de rahi hun."

Sameer held her hands tight, "Naina, itna nahi jhel paunga."

Her eyes shot to his face, "Jab mujhe sataate ho toh mera kya haal hota hai socha hai kabhi."

The mischief was back in his eyes instantly as he pulled her to crash against his chest, "Tumhara haal dekhne ke liye hi toh sataata hun... ek baar keh do ki tumhe achha nahi lagta toh nahi karunga."

Her eyes did not leave his, "Maine kab kaha ki achha nahi lagta."

Her voice was barely audible, but he heard it... his hands moving down to her waist as he gripped it tightly, pulling her closer.

"Aur kya achha lagta hai?" His voice was deep.

Naina felt her knees go weak. She pushed his hands away and moved back.

"Yeh library hai", she reminded him in a shaky voice.

Running a hand through his hair, Sameer took a deep breath and pulled a chair.