The sound of birds from outside made Naina open her eyes. Bright light inside the room indicated that it was definitely not too early. The weight on her belly made her heart lurch first thing in the morning.

Sameer was sleeping with his arm thrown across her stomach. His face nuzzled in the crook of her neck... she could feel his breath on her skin.

Naina shifted a bit, trying to get up without disturbing him. Her movement made him stir.

He looked up at her.

And Naina's wish got fulfilled.

The first face she saw on the first morning of the year was him.

His ruffled hair, sleepy eyes, the dark shadow on his jaw that she itched to touch, the collarbone and chest bared by the shifting of his shirt which now had two open buttons... and then, the love that reflected in those half open eyes, the softness of his features that relaxed at her sight, the promise that he kept by not trying to go beyond his limit in spite of the chance that he had, his attempts to make her feel comfortable...

Her smile had everything... respect, appreciation, adulation, gratitude... and immense love.

He smiled back fondly, "Good morning, jaan."

"Happy new year, Sameer." She said with a tilt of her head.

"Isse zyada happy toh kuch aur ho hi nahi sakta... subah tumhare saath aise uthna mera ek aur sapna tha jo aaj poora hua," he tightened his hold on her waist.

"Poora ho gaya na... ab uth jao," she tried to move.

His hand did not budge, rather he shifted closer, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Yeh kya subah subah?" She gave a startled look.

"Kyon? Koi rule hai kya ki subah kiss nahi kar sakte... hai bhi toh main nahi manta." He narrowed his eyes, then smiled and gave one more kiss.

"Sameer... " Naina showed fake anger.

"Aise nahi, pyar se bolo." He nuzzled in her hair.

"Offo, uthne do." She tried to remove his arm from her belly.

"Naina, bolo na." He whispered against her ear.

His voice and his breath was making her weak.

Just to get away, she said sweetly, "Sameer, please... jaane do na."

"Aiye hayee, itne pyaar se bologi toh kabhi bhi jaane nahi dunga." He pinched her cheek, loving the cute way she pleaded.

"Oh, toh aise bhi nahi waise bhi nahi... fir kaise?" She wrinkled her nose, tapping her forehead.

"Naina, kya tum roz subah aise hi cute baatein karti ho?" He raised himself on his elbow, looking at her in awe.

His arm over her was in same place though.

"Main tumhe pagal lagti hun kya?" She gave a suspicious look.

He raised his brows, "Pagal kyon?"

"Roz subah kisse baat karungi? Hostel mein kaun hota hai mere saath?" She growled.

"Achha baba, ab subah subah aise Jhansi ki rani bhi mat bano." He lifted his hands in surrender.

Grabbing the opportunity, Naina slipped out of the bed.

Sameer gaped at her, astonished.

"Jab seedhi ungli se ghee nahi nikalta toh ungli tedhi karni padti hai." She smirked.

"Oh, toh yeh gussa tumhari tedhi ungali tha? Abhi batata hun." He jumped from the bed.

Naina ran to the other side with him at her heels. They moved around the big chairs kept near the window. She managed to stay away from his reach, slipping from the side to go behind the dresser.

As Sameer rushed after her, his leg hit the small table.

"Ahhh," he bend over with a sharp cry.

"Sameer," Naina felt the blood drain out from her body.

She ran to him, sitting on the floor near his feet, "Kahan laga? Khoon aa raha hai kya? Sorry, meri wajah se lag gayi tumhe..."

Her eyes turned misty as the throat choked up at his pain.

He crouched next to her, taking her hands in his, "Jab seedhi ungli se ghee nahi nikalta toh ungli tedhi karni padti hai... kisi ne sikhaya hai mujhe."

Her eyes widened... the unshed tears rolling down her cheeks.

He lifted one hand and wiped the tears, "Aise ro ke saal ki shuruaat karogi?"

"Tum... tumhe chot sach mein nahi lagi na?" She looked at his foot.

He shook his head.

"Natak kar rahe the?" She pouted.

He nodded, with pursed lips and raised eyebrows.

"Tum na... jaan nikaal di thi meri." She punched his arm lightly with her free hand.

"Jaan toh main hun na tumhari?" He leaned over, dropping a kiss on the stained cheek.

"Hato," Naina stood up, pulling him along.

He saw the colour spread on her face... in spite of whatever they share, his girl would never stop blushing at his words... and he loved it...

The shy smile that she was trying to suppress as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear... eyes hidden behind her thick lashes... flushed cheeks... the tiny hair in her neck standing out...

If all his mornings would be like this after their marriage, he would fall more in love with her everyday.

"Chai peete ho subah?" She raised her eyes at him.

"Kabhi kabhi." He answered truthfully.

It wasn't a habit as he mostly skipped it in hostel. But whenever he was at home, Ramdhari made sure that he was served a hot cup of tea in the morning.

"Aaj peeoge?" She asked.

He dipped his head to the side.

"Main laati hun." She turned to go.

The jerk made her turn again to him as he did not let go of the hand he was holding. Her eyes darted to his fingers around her wrist, then lifted to him...

"Tumne na good morning kiss diya na new year ka." His deep voice brought back the goosebumps.

"Uhh, Sameer bohot der ho gayi hai... Sonali kya sochegi." She twisted her hand, trying to free it.

"Oh toh ab mere kiss se zyada zaroori Sonali hai?" He played the trick he knew would work.

"Nahi, Sameer, main toh bas..." She tried to clarify.

"Achha theek hai, jao," he left her hand, knowing that he didn't have to hold her to keep her captive... his words had done the job.

He was right.

Naina stepped closer, holding his face within her palms... the prickly feeling making her shiver. She moved a thumb over his chin, biting her lip at the raspy sound. His stubble always made her weak...

Raising herself, she placed a kiss on each of his cheek, and the chin.

He could see the effect on her... familiar with every emotion in her eyes...

Before he could react, she turned and rushed out of the room.

The kitchen was silent. Sonali and Rahul were not up yet. The servant had also been asked to come late.

Finding the pan easily, she started to prepare two cups of tea.

Sameer was not in the room when she went back, the sound of water from the washroom indicating his presence there.

She kept his tea on the table, going back to her room with her cup.

She had just taken out the clothes from the bag when there was a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Sonali.

"Good morning, Naina... happy new year." She beamed.

"Good morning... happy new year... mujhe pata hota tu uthne wali hai toh tere liye bhi chai bana leti... maine bas abhi hi pi hai." She pointed at the empty cup on the side table.

"Arre tune kyon banayi... oh achha... aaj John late aayega na... lekin tu mujhe utha deti." Sonali frowned.

"Usmein kya hai... aur tujhe disturb kaise karti... Rahul jaan kha jaata meri." She winked.

"Rahul ko hosh hi kahan tha... woh toh aisa soya room mein jaate hi ki ab utha hai." Sonali sighed, then looked at Naina with a mischievous smirk, "Aur Sameer?"

"Sameer toh do ghante baad hi uth gaya tha... bilkul theek haalat mein." Naina was surprised.

"Haan, Rahul keh raha tha ki Sameer ne bohot kam khaayi thi, aadhe se zyaada packet woh khud hi kha gaya... abhi bhi sar pakad ke baitha hai... main chai banati hun... tu legi?" She asked.

"Nahi, tum pi lo... main naha leti hun... aur haan... breakfast mein hum mil ke alu paranthe bana lenge." Naina offered.

Sonali readily agreed.

While Naina was in the bathroom, she heard the knock on the door again.

"Kaun hai?" She turned off the shower.

"Naina, dus alu ubalne rakh dun, ya zyaada lagenge?" Sonali called out from outside the bathroom.

"Chaar paanch aur rakh le... kahin kam na pad jayein." Naina pondered for a while before answering.

Sameer's appetite for alu parantha required them to prepare good quantity.

Aaj bas itna hi... baaki kal.