Naina was feeling restless. She wanted to meet Sameer. She was astonished how much she had become used to his presence around her. She missed him badly... his smile, his voice, his compliments, his touch...

There was everyone around her. Chachaji, chachiji had been pampering her ever since she arrived. Even her father had stopped for a moment and asked her how she was. And Preeti had not left her for a second... she kept pestering her for a day by day report of what all happened between her and Sameer, making her blush many times.

But nothing could be compared with the happiness she felt with Sameer. She had promised they would manage to meet here... but now she wasn't sure how it could be done. There was one person who could help. And now Naina had planned a meeting... Swati could give some good suggestions as she also managed to meet Munna. Hence, today Naina and Preeti were going to Law Garden to meet Swati.

But there was a hitch.

When they asked chachiji for permission to go, she readily agreed... announcing that she will come along.

"Woh kya hai na, beta, bohot dino se maine bhi paani poori nahi khai hai... toh main bhi chalti hun tum logon ke saath", chachiji had happily announced.

Naina and Preeti had no option but to nod... a forced smile pasted on their faces.

They reached Law garden a little after four. Swati was waiting.

She came running to Naina and hugged her real tight. Chachiji watched the girls with a loving smile.

"Kaisi hai tu, Naina? Kitne dino baad dekh rahi hun tujhe... pata hai kitni yaad aati hai teri?" She complained.

Naina hugged her best friend again, "yaad to mujhe bhi bohot aati hai teri... par kya karun? Ab padhai to karni padegi na... aur tu bhi kar le... aur iss Preeti ko bhi thoda bola kar", Naina reprimanded both of them together.

Preeti gave a murderous look to Naina, "Kya hai? Abhi to chuttiyaan hai... tu kyon yahan bhi masterni ban rahi hai? Padh liya na jab exam the... pass bhi ho hi jaungi kisi tarah... jaise hamesha hoti hun."

"Haan, jaise hamesha hoti hai... dhakka kha ke", chachiji let out a long sigh.

"Offo... hum yahan paani poori khane aaye hain... mera sar nahi... chalo mujhe bhook lagi hai", Preeti held her mother's hand and dragged her to the chaat stall.

Swati pulled Naina behind.

"Kya kar rahi hai Swati... tujhe nahi khana toh mujhe to jaane de", Naina tried to free her hand from Swati's hold.

"Sun na, tere woh aaye hain!"

Naina was alert, looking around. She had worn her old clothes, not bothering as they were coming only to meet Swati... chachiji had oiled her hair in the morning, complaining that it had become very dry since she was not taking enough care, and now it was tied in a loose, low pony.

She didn't want Sameer to see her like this.

And just then, she saw him... her heart jumped... he was looking even more handsome than earlier, if that was even possible. Dressed in jeans and a white T shirt, he stood hidden behind some cars, along with Munna Pandit.

"Naina, aaj jijaji ka test hai... dekhne ke liye ki unka pyaar sachcha hai ya nahi", Swati whispered to Naina.

She was startled, wondering what Swati wanted him to do.

"Jijaji ko tera phone number chahiye tha... Munna ka phone aaya tha mujhe... maine mana kar diya... kaha ki apne aap leke dikhao... aaj hi... chachiji ke samne... ab dekhte hain woh iss pyaar ke test mein pass hote hain ya nahi", Swati revealed the plan to Naina, smirking.

Naina's eyes opened wide... why did she not think of exchanging phone numbers with him before coming? She slapped her forehead.

Swati was not done yet, "Lekin ek shart hai... tu likh ke nahi de sakti... samajh le tujhe bhi uska test lena hai... samjhi naa?"

Naina gave a helpless look to Sameer, who gave a reassuring smile to her.

"Arre ladkiyon, kya kar rahi ho? Aao na... khana nahi hai kya?" Chachiji called out to them.

Naina and Swati walked slowly to the stall. Naina looked back again to see Sameer coming closer, taking care to remain hidden behind other carts selling various items.

She slowly reached where Preeti was impatiently waiting for them, "Chal behen, shuru karte hain... aaj to bohot saari khaayenge... kitne dino baad kha rahe hain."

And suddenly Naina's eyes lit up. She quickly looked at Sameer... smiling at him to be ready.

He understood.

Naina said a little louder, "Haan Preeti, aaj to dher saari khayenge... main to DO plate khaungi", stressing on the number, and looked at Sameer.

He made a note.

2.

Preeti looked at her strangely.

"Nahi... main na CHAAR khaungi", Naina was loud again.

Sameer did not miss.

4.

Preeti gave her an irritated look, "Chilla kyon rahi hai... kha le na jitni khani hai."

Chachiji was also a little surprised, "Beta Naina, aisa bhi kya hai... jitni chahe kha le...mana thodi kiya hai."

Naina started having her share... keeping quiet for sometime... not to make anyone suspicious.

After a few pooris, again Naina's loud voice rang in everyone's ears, "Yaad hai Preeti, ek baar maine SAAT plate kha li thi?"

Sameer was ready.

7.

Preeti was annoyed now, " Kab khaayi thi tune saat plate? Pagal hai kya? Mumbai jaake tera dimaag kharab ho gaya hai shayad."

Swati was amused.

"Mummy, ho gaya mera... iss Naina ne pareshaan kar diya... ab aur nahi khani mujhe", Preeti stomped her feet and walked away.

Chachiji quickly paid and followed along with the other girls. Swati looked at Naina and raised her eyebrows in appreciation.

As they reached ahead, Naina called out, "Chachiji, kyon na EK EK gulab jamun khayein?" And she turned to look at Sameer.

He got it.

1. 1.

The girls sat down and chachiji went to order for them.

As they relished the sweet treat, Naina was at it again, "Kitna achcha hai na, Swati... main to NAU aur kha sakti hun."

Sameer got the next number.

9.

Chachiji looked at Naina, startled, "Beta, teri tabiyat to theek hai na? Tu itne saare gulab jamun khaa sakti hai?"

Naina braced herself again, "Arre nahi chachiji, main to mazak kar rahi thi... itne saare kha liye to pet mein ZERO jagah bachegi."

Sameer had a contented smile as he noted the last one.

0.

Topper Naina had given her number to Sameer... in front of everyone.

2471190

He was so proud of her.

As she looked back discreetly, Sameer blew a kiss to her.

Naina coloured to the roots...

He left after the succesful completion of mission phone number... he did not want to be spotted by anyone.

Later, at home, Preeti was still fuming, "Kya yaar Naina, ek to itne din baad gaye the Law Garden aur tune khaane hi nahi diya... aise ginte hain kya khaate hue?"

Swati gave a teasing smile, looking at her best friend, " Karte hain na ginti... tu nahi samjhegi, Preeti... jab pyaar ka test pass karna ho to karna padta hai."

Preeti narrowed her eyes and looked at Swati... then at Naina... then at Swati again. She understood there was something more to it.

"Naina, kya chal raha hai yeh sab... kya chupa rahi hai tu? Swati ko pata hai aur mujhe nahi... Jaldi batao tum dono", Preeti was anxious to know.

Just then, the phone rang... and Naina ran to answer it... glad that chachiji had not returned yet... she had to buy some household items from the market.

"Hello", she answered the phone with a thumping heart.

"Hello, Naina?" His voice spread a wave of relief over her entire being.

"Naina... tum ho naa?" He asked, getting no reply from her.

"Haan... yahin hun", she was again blushing, recalling the kiss he blew to her.

"Aaj to tumne kamaal kar diya... kya idea tha phone number dene ka... aaj pakka yakeen ho gaya ki tum topper ho", Sameer was still not over it.

"Ab yakeen hua hai? Pehle kya mere topper hone pe tumhe shaq tha?" She questioned.

"Nahi, nahi... shaq nahi tha... par bas jab Swati ne kaha ki yeh mera test hai to main dar gaya ki kahin main fail na ho jaun... tumhaari tarah topper nahi hun na!" He clarified.

"Aise kaise fail ho jaate? Swati ki bachchi ko to main bataungi abhi... aayi badi test lene wali... maine bhi soch liya tha... lene do jitne test lene hai... main bhi dekhti hun mera Sameer kaise pass nahin hota", she went on in her flow.

But Sameer had heard her, "Kya... phir se bolna...kya kaha abhi tumne?"

Naina was still unaware, "Kya kaha? Yahi ki main tumhe fail nahi hone deti..." she wondered what he did not understand.

Sameer was not ready to let go, "Nahi... poora bolo jo tumne pehle kaha... tumne kaha main bhi dekhti hu... aage kya kaha?"

Naina was puzzled, "main bhi dekhti hun mera Sameer kaise..." and she got it. She slapped her forehead, colouring again.

Sameer spoke in a low, husky voice, " Phir se bolo na... "

Naina could not utter a word.

Sameer coaxed her again, " Please, tumhe dekh nahi sakta... chu nahi sakta... kam se kam sun ke to pyaar ka ehsaas le sakta hun na... bolo na Naina."

She melted at his voice. Bringing the mouthpiece close to her lips, she whispered, "Mera Sameer", and disconnected, running back to her room.

Her attack team was ready.

"Aaye,hayee behen... kya laal hoke aayi hai... aisa kya keh diya jijaji ne?" Preeti teased.

"Sirf kaha ya kuch kar diya", Swati was no less.

" Chup karo tum dono... main phone pe baat kar rahi thi... phone pe kya karega?" Naina tried to shut them up.

"Achcha to jab milti hai tab kya karte hain, yeh bata? " Preeti asked with a sober expression, resting her elbow on Naina's shoulder.

The shock on Naina's face was enough to send the two girls rolling in laughter.

" O bai, kya khi khi laga rakhi hai in ladkiyon ne... zara bhi saleeka nahi hai... Bela, o Bela... ", a heavy voice boomed in the house, silencing all traces of fun.

Preeti ran out to the living room, " Taiji, woh mummy toh market gayi hain... kuch samaan lene", she had a forced smile on her face.

"Yeh Bela itni kharidari kyon karti hai? Ghar chalana aata hi nahi... jab dekho tab fizoolkharchi... badon se to puchna bhi nahi hota paise udane se pehle... ", taiji went on to curse chachiji, while Preeti stood listening, hoping for her to leave soon so that she could go back to Naina and their interesting conversation.

But taiji had a reputation... of spoiling all good times... how could she not live up to it?

" Ab Bela nahi hai to chai kaun pilayega? Sar phata ja raha hai dard se... Arre haan, woh maharani aa gayi hai na? Ab aaram hi karti rahegi ya kuch kaam bhi karegi? Bula usse..., " and not waiting for Preeti to react, she hollered, "Naina... Naina... kanon mein rui daal ke baithi hai kya? Sunta nahi hai... "

Naina came running before taiji could pour some more bitterness, "Jee taiji. "

The fat lady gave her a look of disgust, "wahan kya karti hai jo aur bhi shakal bigad gayi hai... pehle hi koi roop - rang nahi tha... ab aur bhi badtar ho gayi hai. "

Naina's eyes watered.

"Yeh kya keh rahi hain bhabhiji aap? Kitni pyaari toh dikh rahi hai meri Naina", chachi ji came to her rescue, as she entered the house, " Mumbai jaake toh aur nikhar gayi hai... purane kapdon mein bhi ekdum gudiya lag rahi hai." She placed a soothing hand on Naina's cheek, looking at her with eyes brimming with love.

Naina was overwhelmed... thanking God for giving her a mother in the form of chachiji.

Later, in the night, as Preeti and Naina sat in their room after dinner, Naina thought of clearing her doubts, her sister being the best person to answer.

"Preeti, ek baat puchu? Sach, sach batayegi? " She looked at her.

Preeti was busy checking out new hairstyles in a magazine. Without looking up, she answered, "Exam ke question mat puchna... baaki sab chalega. "

Naina smiled at her averseness
to studies, "Mujhe apne baare mein puchna hai... tu meri behen hai... hamesha se mujhe dekhti aayi hai... tu hi bata sakti hai. "

She had Preeti's complete attention, who threw her magazine and came closer to Naina, holding her hand.

"Haye behen... aisa kya hai? Mujhe tension ho rahi hai... jaldi bol", Preeti's concern was clear.

Naina lowered her eyes, " Preeti, mujhe pata hai main sundar nahi hun... kuch khaas nahi dikhti... phir bhi Sameer mujhe itna pyaar karta hai... kya... " She hesitated.

Preeti raised her eyebrows, indicating her to ask.

Naina took a deep breath and carried on, "Kya aisa ho sakta hai ki kuch din baad Sameer ko bhi lage ki woh mujh jaisi sadharan ladki ke saath nahi rehna chahta... aur woh... woh... mujhe... mujhe chod ke chala jaaye? "

Preeti was pained at the extent of fear Naina had... but she was aware of the reason... taiji had always been extremely cruel to her and very vocal in her criticism.

"Naina, tu pagal hai... Sameer ne tujhe pyaar kiya hai... woh kabhi nahi chodega tujhe... teri shakal se, tere dil se, teri har cheez se pyaar hai usse... aur jahan pyaar hota hai wahan sab kuch sundar hota hai... Sameer ko tujhme koi kami nahi dikhti hogi main jaanti hun..." Preeti tried to ease her fears.

Naina gave a tearful smile to her.

Preeti continued, "Aur tu kitni sundar hai yeh sab jaante hain... woh O bai bhi jaanti hai... bas faltu mein taane marne ke liye kuch bhi bolti hain... tujhme koi kami nahi hai meri behn... tu khud ko dekh toh aaine mein... kitni pyaari dikhti hai... school mein woh Sanjay yaad hai? Aisa fida hua tha ki love letter likh diya tha... woh toh tauji ne rakhi bandhwa di tujhse warna woh toh gaya tha... aur phir Sameer bhi toh tujhse tabhi se pyaar karta hai na... tabhi se pasand karta hai. "

Naina nodded, not being able to speak as her throat choked.

Preeti smacked he head lightly, " Ab aisi baatein dimaag mein kabhi mat laana... tu koi madhuri se kam nahi hai, " she winked, "aur taiji ki kaunsi baat hai jisme koi sachai ya samajhdaari hoti hai? Ek bhi dhang ki baat boli hai unhone aaj tak? Aur tu chali hai unki baat sunne, pagal kahin ki "

Naina hugged Preeti.