Naina checked the medicine... to see if Sameer had taken his morning dose.

"Woh doctor ne de di thi", he cleared her doubt.

" Tumne kuch khaya? " She remembered that he had only eaten half a biscuit and one slice of cake the previous day.

He nodded his head, "Subah daliya bhijwaya tha kitchen se... doctor ne kaha tha... aur abhi bhi khana bhejenge... bahar nikalne ko mana kiya hai doctor ne... isliye aaj ka khana yahin aayega... kal se dining haal mein kha lunga."

Her eyes  changed instantly, "Dining hall tak jaane ko mana kiya hai doctor ne aur aap peeche wale ground tak jaane ke liye taiyar the?  Mr. Sameer Maheshwari, akal hai ki nahi?  Raste mein behosh ho jaate to? Kaun utha ke laata tumhe? Pata hai kithe bhari ho? "

Her voice was spitting fire... in her anger, she didn't realise what she had blurted.

But Sameer had caught her words.

He leaned ahead, pulling her towards himself, "Bhari hun, matlab?"

His face was close... she forgot to breathe.

Sameer waited for a few seconds, watching the play of different emotions on her face.

Then, he prodded, "Bolo na... tumhe kaise pata?"

Naina swallowed, "Woh... woh... tum itni exercise karte ho... kh... khelte ho... toh bhari hi hoge na... matlab... ladkon ka wazan toh... toh ladkiyon se zyaada hota hai. "

He kept his gaze on her... making her face go red.

Leaning back again to rest his back on the pillow, he streched his legs, crossing his arms.

This girl... who was fumbling now, looking like a small, delicate, precious doll... had the nerves of steel. She had broken all shackles of the society, kept aside her family values, broken all rules... only for him. His heart filled with pride... at the strength of her love for him. His fears... that if her family will not approve of their relationship when they get to know, she might be forced to give in... such fears started to melt away... that one tiny dark corner of his heart started to glow in the light of her strength... this fragile angel will hold his hand against anything... and anyone.

"Ab aise kya dekh rahe ho?" She felt a little conscious... sitting in boys' clothes, her hair disheveled... she was sure dark circles had appeared under her eyes.

Sameer smiled, "Dekh raha hun ki tum kaisi ho."

This made her even more conscious, "Kya karun... aise kapde nahi pehenti toh yahan pohochana mushkil hota... mujhe bhi shauk nahi hai iss tarah kisi aur ke kapde pehenne ka... par aana toh tha... tumhari wajah se pehne hain aur tumhi mazak uda rahe ho."

He leaned in again, putting a finger under her chin, "Mazak nahi uda raha... main kho gaya hun tumme... koi mere liye iss hadd tak bhi jaa sakta hai, yeh main kabhi soch bhi nahi sakta tha... tum har din mujhe ek nayi khushi, ek naya sapna,ek naya janm deti ho Naina", his voice was gentle.

She continued to look into his eyes, seeing nothing but love... and her reflection.

A knock at the door made both of them jump.

Naina looked nervously at Sameer.

" Tum bathroom mein jao, main dekhta hun",  he waited till she was out of sight, then walked upto the door.

"K... Kaun hai? " He asked anxiously.

"Sameer bhaiya... main chotu... aapka khana laya hun".

Quickly opening the door, Sameer took the plate from Chotu... thanked him and closed the door.

Putting his lunch on the table, he knocked at the bathroom door, " Naina, bahar aajao, koi nahi hai... bas khana aaya hai."

Naina came out, relieved.

The plate had four chapatis, some rice, dal, a vegetable of carrot and peas and some pieces of salad.

"Chalo ab jaldi se khao... tumne kal poora din kuch nahi khaya",  Naina was back to her commanding tone.

He tugged at her hand, " Tum bhi aao... mujhe pata hai tumne bhi kuch nahi khaya."

Naina was uncertain... she had not eaten lunch and now she would only reach the dining hall for dinner... but she didn't want Sameer to share his meal with her as he needed all the nutrition and energy.

He could read her thoughts, "Agar tum soch rahi ho ki mere liye kam padega toh bata dun, main itna sab nahi kha paunga... dawa ki wajah se muh kadwa ho gaya hai... shayad thoda daal chawal hi khaunga... woh bhi isliye ki khana chahiye, warna bilkul man nahi hai."

She sat on the chair, knowing she could not fool him.

They started to eat from the same plate. Seeing him struggling with small spoonfuls of rice, she tore a bite of chapati, dipped it in dal and brought near his mouth. He looked at it in surprise, then opened his mouth and ate it. A thought crossed his mind but he pushed it back.

Naina made him eat one full chapati, feeding with her hands, adding a bit of vegetable as well in the bites later.

Happy that he had somewhat better food, she got up to put the plate back and got him a glass of water.

Taking it from her, he asked the question that was gnawing at the back of his mind since few minutes, "Naina, ek baat batao... tumne mujhe biscuit aur cake khilaya... Aur phir dawa bhi di... paani pilaya... kaise?  Matlab main toh uth bhi nahi paa raha tha... mujhe yaad hi nahi hai kuch. "

The images of him dipping his head into her, his lips repeatedly brushing her fingers while feeding him and giving medicines, his arms circling her waist, his kiss on her thumb... all came back vividly.

She gulped, "Thodi mushkil hui, par tum chup chap maan gaye... jo maine kaha."

She handed him the medicines, avoiding eye contact... and shifted her chair closer to the study table, away from him.

Her lies had always been laid bare in front of Sameer, he could recognise the eyes lowering, lips twitching, her fidgeting fingers, rubbing of ground with the toes of her right leg... he could catch it everytime. Mostly, he let her have the satisfaction of pulling it successfully but not today.

The dream he had... or was it real... the closeness he felt, the fragrance all over him, the hazy images in his mind, he had to hear all of it.

Quickly, he swallowed the tablets and put aside the glass. Then he bent and pulled the chair to himself,  along with Naina, her startled expression not deterring him even for a moment.

The chair now was locked between his knees, his hands on the armrest caging her, his face was at level with her.

Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke in a low voice, "Mujhe sab janna hai... kaise tumne yeh sab kiya. Mujhe bataya tha nanu ne ek baar ki jab mujhe bukhar hota hai toh main bejaan ho jaata hun, kuch sunai nahi deta, behoshi mein rehta hun, mujhe dawa dena unhe tak mushkil hota tha... phir tumne kaise kiya?"

She lowered her eyes, scared that he might see the images running in her mind reflect in her eyes.

"Aur maine dekha ki tumne mujhe doosra takiya bhi lagaya... warna woh cupboard mein rehta hai, aur woh rumaal... pattiyan ki thi na?" He continued.

Naina nodded, eyes still downcast.

Sameer took her hands that she was continuously wrenching, "Bolo Naina, mujhse tum sab kuch keh sakti ho... main bas isliye pooch raha hun jisse mujhe yakeen ho jaaye ki tumhe koi takleef to nahi hui... matlab... main bhari hu na... "

The colour crept up on her cheeks.

He slowly brought her hands to his heart and whispered, "Batao nahi toh kasam de dunga."

"Nahi,  kasam mat dena",  she spoke up instantly, looking at him.

He raised his brows.

" Woh... tumhare takiye ke side me baithkar tumhari gardan ko sahara diya tha... bas thoda sa hi uthaya tha... utne mein tumne kha liya... " Her voice had a hint of constraint.

Sameer tilted his face to look at where his pillow was. The image that appeared in front of his eyes made him colour too... did she really bring him this close to herself?

Looking back at her, he realised she was seeing the same image, staring at the same place... his heart started racing.

"Aur takiya?" He could only utter this much.

It was becoming more difficult for her now. As if the happenings of last night were not enough to torment her, this prodding was bringing it all out in front of him... how could she let him know about the kisses, her touches, his touches, the feel of his lips on her thumb...

She shivered.

All that she did was to comfort him.

Her mind voice sprang into action, "Naina, tune jo bhi kiya Sameer ko un sabki zaroorat thi uss samay".

But she had kept something hidden from her mind... her little secret... secured in her heart... that she had loved to be so close to him, she had felt hundreds of  different sensations in her body when her lips had touched his skin, she had melted when she had held him against herself.

" Naina, takiya?" His voice seemed to be coming from far away.

He held her shoulders and shook her gently.

She looked at him with glassy eyes. And was shocked to see a wave of fear.

"Naina, Maine kuch aisa toh nahi kiya na jo mujhe nahi karna chahiye tha? " His voice quivered.

Her eyes opened wide. Here she was reminiscing about what happened and he was burying in guilt.

With tears pooling her eyes, she wrapped her arms around him, "Tum kabhi aisa kuch nahi kar sakte jo galat ho".

He exhaled in relief, feeling the softness of her hair under his hand.

Naina slowly moved back, brought her hands around his neck and touched her forehead with his.

" Kal tumhe choone se dar nahi laga mujhe... tumhari haalat dekh kar bas ek hi khyaal aaya... ki tumhe meri zaroorat hai... aur mera hak hai tumhari dekhbhaal karna... haan, tumhe kareeb lakar mere dil zyaada tez dhadakne laga par tum uss samay jiss haal mein the, mere liye tumhara theek hona sabse pehle tha", she confessed in a low, soft voice.

Straightening up, she looked into his eyes, "Agar main bimar hoti toh kya tum yeh sochte ki mujhe choona theek hoga ya nahi... ya phir sabse pehle mujhe theek karne ki koshish karte? "

He stared at her, transfixed.

"Yaad hai jab main behosh hui thi college mein?  Kaise tum fauran mujhe god mein utha ke le gaye the... bina soche... tab tak toh humne kabhi baat tak nahi ko thi... shayad tumne toh meri shakal bhi na dekhi ho college mein", she shuddered at the thought of those initial days.

He had seen her on the second day of college... and stayed hidden from her sight consciously... but she didn't know.

Sameer pulled her up, pushing the chair back... and cupped her face, " Naina, main yeh nahi keh raha ki tumne kuch galat kiya... main toh bas... bas... woh... " He stuttered.

She placed her hand over his, on her cheek,  "Bolo na... tum bas... kya? "

He pouted, "Behoshi mein pata nahi chala... kuch parchhai jaisa dikhta hai bas... kya tumne... matlab jiska main kabse intezaar kar raha hun... kya tumne... tumne kiss kiya mujhe?"

Naina lowered her eyes, her cheeks turning hot and her breathing becoming erratic... her hand slipped down.

Sameer was ecstatic, "Iska matlab haan... Naina, please, phir se... "

She squeezed her eyes shut.

Sameer's heart was beating so fast, he was scared it might jump out of his chest.

Bringing his lips close to her ears, he whispered, "Tum karogi ya main karun? "

Naina's legs turned into jelly. She tried to move away but Sameer's grip was strong.

"Naina... " His husky voice made the knots in her stomach tighter.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at him... then, rose on her toes and kissed his forehead.

It was his turn to close eyes. He could feel the music playing in his ears. The cool, soft lips that touched his forehead had started a fire inside him. His grip on her hand tightened, unknowingly.

When he opened his eyes, they were filled with longing... so was his voice, "Aur bhi kiya tha na? "

She stared at him... how did he know?

"Woh bhi chahiye",  he was adamant.

She hesitated, then tip toed again and kissed his temple.

Sameer could hear the music again... but he did not close his eyes. He wanted to see her face, her eyes, her reaction.

She was getting redder with each passing moment. Her eyes downcast, hair spread around the shoulders, her slender body lost in his t shirt... she was every bit the image of his dream.

" Ab agla wala? " He wanted all.

Her eyes shot up, confusion visible in them, "Agla wala?  Bas itna hi tha."

He was sure there was more... he had felt the touch on himself when he got up in the morning... probably she was shy to admit that she had done it... while he was not awake.

He gave a lopsided smile, "Naina, tumhare choone ka ahsaas toh mujhe neend mein bhi ho gaya tha... tum jhooth nahi bol sakti."

"Sach Sameer, do hi ki... matlab... bas yehi tha",  how could she have forgotten this?  She was sure of the number.

Sameer slowly brought up his hand and placed a finger on his lower lip.

Naina felt a chill run down her spine. Her touch... he had felt this touch as well... that means he had felt his face nuzzling into her as well. He knew everything... was he really not awake? She was not so sure about it anymore.

He raised his brows again, indicating at his lips.

" Nahi kiya... wahan nahi",  Naina was almost inaudible.

"Phir mujhe kyon mehsoos hua? "

"Woh... woh... tumne khaya tha na... toh kuch laga tha... maine bas saaf kiya?" She tried to get out of the situation.

"Kaise? " How could he let go so easily.

Naina looked back at him, "Haath se".

Sameer's gaze had not left her even for a second, " Abhi bhi khaya hai... phir se saaf kardo."

She started to step back. As Sameer was holding only one of her hand, she had some leeway.

But he moved along... matching her step. She kept going till her back hit the wall. Startled, she looked behind, then at him... he took one more step... his body was just short of touching hers.

"Tum hi khyaal rakh rahi ho na mera, toh chalo, khana ho gaya, dawa ho gayi, ab saaf kardo", he reminded.

Knowing that she had no way out, she had to pay for the liberty she had taken last night,  her eyes fell to his lips. Well, she didn't mind paying... the thought brought a fresh streak of colour on her face.

She raised her hand and cupped his face, like last night.

Deliberately, she stayed in the same position, eyes fixed on the target... till his voice rang in her ears, " Naina".

Her thumb traced those lips... very slowly... again.

Sameer's entire body broke into a sweat, the fire within was threatening to burn him completely, he could feel the shiver as his legs refused to support his weight.

He stumbled. Naina's hands shot up to hold him.

She supported him till the bed and made him sit down. The passion in her eyes was instantly replaced by concern.

"Kabse khade ho... dekha chakkar aa gaya na... tumhara kya karun main... bilkul khyaal nahi rakhte apna." She pressed her forehead with her palm in exasperation.

His eyes were still on her.

He raised one hand and slid his fingers through her hair on one side. Fisting them lightly, he pulled her face down till it was right in front of him, "I love you, Naina."