The lectures got cancelled next day again. Sameer could not stop grinning. No classes meant he had the whole day with Naina again.

"Naina, chalo ab hum subah ka show dekhne chalte hain, " he excitedly pulled her as they saw the notice.

"Theek hai... kyon na Rahul aur Sonali se bhi pooch lein... woh bhi aa jayenge hamare saath." She suggested.

Sameer was not ready for any company, "Nahin... unhone dekh li hai... woh nahi chalenge... chalo na hum jaldi chalte hain jisse tickets mil jaayein."

He almost dragged her.

"Achha konsi picture dekhenge yeh toh bataya hi nahi tumne", she asked as they were on the bike.

"Nayi film hai... bohot achhi hai maine suna hai," he informed her.

"Nayi film? Salman Khan ki hai?" She was suddenly excited.

The pang of jealousy hit him again, "Shahrukh Khan ki hai."

"Oh!" She sighed.

Sameer wanted to stop the bike and stand in front of her... telling her to take a good look at him.

"Apna khud ka Salman hai iske paas, lekin uss screen wale ke liye aankhon mein aisi chamak aati hai jaise woh hi iska pyar hai... arre, aaj bhi kitni ladkiyan mujhe Salman bolti hain... sab ko dikhayi deta hai bas Naina ko nahi dikhta." He muttered angrily.

"Tumne kuch kaha?" She heard some murmurs but could not understand anything.

He looked back with a fake smile, "Nahi, main kya kahunga... tum Salman Khan ke sapne dekhti raho."

She smiled, instantly aware of the sarcasm in his voice and the reason for it.

Sliding one hand around his waist, she placed the other one on his heart, keeping her chin on his shoulder, "Sapne toh main tumhare hi dekhti hun... mere liye Salman bhi tum ho aur Shahrukh bhi tum."

His grin could be seen from miles... as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed.

"Achha ab road pe dhyaan do, mere hero, " she pulled her hand.

"Naina, haath yahin rakho na," he missed the warmth the moment she removed her hand.

Laughing, Naina wrapped her hands tightly around him, placing her head between his shoulders.

Sameer wanted the road to never end.

But it did... very soon.

The theater was not crowded at this hour. Sameer easily got the tickets... asking for corner seats.

They walked in. Naina was coming to a theater after a very long time. Her last movie had been in school once when chachaji had taken everyone to watch a new Salman Khan movie. At that time, she had dreamt of watching a movie with Sameer... sitting close to him in a theater... maybe holding hands. Her innocent heart had gone crazy at those thoughts. The closeness in her thoughts was too much for that time... when Sameer wasn't even aware of her existence... at least that is what she thought. And today her dream had come true. She was here, in a dark theater sitting on the corner seat, with Sameer. Holding hands had become as normal for them as breathing. It was always needed, it was always there, it was always essential.

She looked around... very few seats were occupied.

Sameer looked at her, raising his eyebrows, "Kya dekh rahi ho?"

"Umm... bohot kam log hain na yahan... flop picture toh nahi hai?" She gave a suspicious look to him.

He leaned towards her, lips almost touching her cheeks, "Kya fark padta hai... kaisi bhi ho... hum yahan film dekhne thodi aaye hain."

She rounded her eyes as her heart lurched, "Toh kya karne aaye hain... dekho Sameer, yahan koi shararat mat karna... chup chaap film dekhne dena."

He smirked, "Tum dekhna na... maine kahan roka... bus tum bhi mujhe mat rokna."

He could see the colour on her cheeks in even in darkness.

After a few documentaries and advertisements, the movie started.
Naina clasped her hands in delight as the screen displayed the name
   'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'

"Sameer, yeh toh bohot hit film hai... iske gaane sach mein itne achhe hain..." She pressed his arm in excitement.

He looked at her excited face and put his arm around her shoulder.

She looked at his hand, then looked up at him with a frown.

"Naina, abhi toh shuru hui hai... abhi se gussa mat karo... ab andhere ka faayda nahi uthana hota toh yeh corner seats kyon leta?" He winked.

In their argument, they missed the initial credits.

The movie started and Naina got engrossed in the emotional beginning.

"Arre yaar, yeh toh college ki love story thi... yahan toh shuru mein hi family drama aa gaya", Sameer cribbed, watching Naina giving all attention to the screen.

Thankfully, there was not much crying in the initial scene. And later, as the focus shifted to college Sameer was excited to see Naina relaxed.

He pulled her closer and she settled her head on his shoulder, without any resistance.

Before Sameer could think of the next step she held his hand between her palms, squeezing as the friendly fight of Rahul and Anjali started on the screen.

Though she would have preferred a Salman Khan movie but Naina had to admit that she was enjoying this one as well. Sameer's fingers on her neck and cheeks were making her shiver every now and then but she was enjoying this closeness amidst the crowd. Till now they had been close only when they were alone... today, with other people around, it felt thrilling... as if they already had full right on each other... they did, in their hearts, but not officially... but somehow, here in the darkness, she felt more close to him.

During the interval, Sameer got popcorn and a bottle of soft drink.

"Yahan bhi ek hi bottle", Naina complained.

He settled in the seat, giving the bottle to her, "Yahan toh aur zyada zaroori hai."

Naina took a sip and he snatched the bottle, kissing the rim before covering it with his mouth to take a big gulp, his head tilted back.

As he swallowed, her eyes got stuck on his adam's apple... the way it bobbed, her heart skipped a beat. She pressed her lips between her teeth. Sameer looked at her at that moment. Her eyes had the now familiar sparks. He took the bottle to her lips, pulling at them with it. She released them, letting out a long breath.

As the theater turned dark again, he leaned closer, "Naina, aise dekhogi toh main pata nahi kya kar dunga."

She gulped, lowering her eyes instantly. Sameer brought her hand to his lips and kissed the fingertips.

Naina shivered, leaning back into the seat with her eyes closed.

The scene in front started to show a rain sequence. Sameer held her hand tightly as Anjali ran to a closed  place in a wet saree.

He looked at Naina... his mind bringing the green saree image alive.

She saw Rahul's hand go around Anjali's waist... her mind going back to Sameer holding her, his wet t-shirt stretching on his chest.

As the couple on the screen started their dance, Sameer saw himself and Naina on screen... his hand holding hers against his chest.

When Anjali let her hand move on Rahul's face, Sameer could feel the touch... Naina had touched him in the same manner several times.

As Anjali ran to the jungle, they sat breathing heavily, having relived a fantasy in their minds.

Naina freed her hand from his, bringing it to her lap.

There was thundering on screen, as Anjali confessed her love.

And then the flash of lightening showed Salman Khan...

Naina sat up in excitement, her hand falling on Sameer's leg, above the knee, holding tight.

He gasped.

Naina was so lost in seeing the hero on screen that she did not realise her own hero's condition.

Her hand tightened more as Salman started talking...

"Isme toh Salman Khan bhi hai," she whispered, looking at him.

His eyes were not on screen... she followed his gaze to see her hand... with a loud intake of breath, she pulled it away.

Sameer caught it midway, "Kisi aur pe thodi rakha hai."

He slowly brought it back, placing it where it was, keeping his hand over hers.

Her heartbeat skyrocketed as his muscles rippled under her hand. It somehow felt too intimate and Naina clenched her hand.

Sameer watched her red face, her downcast eyes, her heavy breathing... the presence of Salman Khan on screen was lost to her.

He smiled, leaving her hand. She immediately removed hers.

"Tumhare favourite ke scene miss ho rahe hain", he pointed at the screen.

Naina tried to pay attention to the movie aware of his burning gaze on her.

As the scene of marriage started, both got lost again, dreaming about their own.

When Anjali was dressed up as a bride, Sameer brought his hand around Naina's waist, whispering, "Tum pink pehenna, meri dulhan pink mein bohot sundar lagegi."

His bride turned red again.

All through the scene, Naina was aware of his thumb rubbing her waist constantly.

As Anjali got married to Rahul, Naina finally woke up to her on screen hero, "Haww, bechare Salman ko toh heroine mili hi nahi."

"Agli film mein mil jayegi... Salman Khan ko kami thodi hai." He was jealous again... her momentary softening towards him was also intolerable.

As the end credits started, lights in the theater were switched on again and they moved out.

"Kaisi lagi film?" He asked once they  reached the bike.

"Achhi thi, " Naina wondered how much of the movie she had actually missed because of his hands making her lose all senses of the surroundings.

He was happy with this experience. Salman Khan had lost out to him today... Naina could not concentrate on the movie in spite of knowing who was on screen... she had forgotten Salman in front of Sameer.

He was exhilarated. Now he felt no threat from the actor.