Sameer and Naina started planning the whole sequence.

"Lekin Sameer, college mein theek nahi rahega... utna achcha nahi ho payega", Naina said thoughtfully.

" Phir kahan jaa sakte hai... aur kaise?" Sameer was not very sure.

Suddenly Naina grinned widely, "Yaad hai woh aunty... jinke yahan hamne khana khaya tha? Wahan jaaye toh?"

He gave it a thought and agreed it was a good place.

They planned to explore the possibility over the weekend.

In her room at night, Naina delicately folded her dupatta. Bringing it closer, she inhaled the musky smell... his smell... and her entire body broke into sweat, hair rising at the back of her neck. This dupatta will always be very special for her... she kept it on her heart and squeezed her eyes shut, smiling dreamily... feeling him close to her.

Sameer took a bath and stepped in front of his cupboard, looking for the track pants. As he felt water droplets from his hair making the neck wet, he remembered Naina as she had wiped the sweat from his neck... and her dupatta... and he was lost again.

She had come very close to his face... on the pretext of wiping his neck... and that gulp of water... from the same bottle... he could not forget the look on her face and the twinkle in her eyes...

His girl was getting bold... he could see how she held his hand anywhere, without hesitation... how she grabbed his arm... how easily she had started leaning into him when they sat together... how she looked him straight in the eye, not shying away... how she had rested her cheek on his...

He touched his cheek, and felt the tickle of his growth... did it hurt her silky, soft skin?   He moved his hand a bit and felt the prick on his palm... Oh God! It must have hurt her... what will he do once they get married... he couldn't  stay away, thinking that his stubble might hurt her... no, there has to be a way... he'll have to find out.

Next few days were quite hectic as the boys had their practice and attended a few classes specially arranged for them like previous year, Naina tried to prod Sonali more about Rahul, also helping Sameer with studies that he had been missing... and both of them worked on the plan.

On Sunday, they went to the same restaurant and talked to the lady who was very happy to help them.

As the day approached, Naina's excitement also increased and she was having a tough time keeping it a secret.

Finally, the day arrived.

Naina reached the classroom to find the three girls chatting happily about a new movie.

"Kya chal raha hai?" She inquired.

Sonia gave her a big smile, "Aaja Naina, hum log picture jaane ka soch rahe hain... tu chalegi? "

Komal teased her, "Aajkal Sameer toh practice mein rehta hai toh tere paas time hoga na... aaja hamare saath."

Naina smiled at them, "Abhi toh tum log mere saath chalne ke liye haan bolo... aaj ek hi lecture hai... uske baad jaana hai."

They looked at her in surprise. It was the first time Naina had suggested to go anywhere except the class and library.

"Tera birthday hai kya? Party de rahi hai?" Nisha was the first one to recover.

"Nahi, birthday nahi hai... woh meri ek aunty hain, unhone restaurant khola hai... bohot achcha khaana hai wahan... tum logon ko leke jaana chahti thi", Naina explained.

" Pakka chalenge... hum toh khud soch rahe the ki ek hi lecture hai uske baad ghar toh nahi jaana toh isiliye picture ka plan bana rahe the par ab tere saath chalte hain",  Sonali was happy with the program.

Naina picked up her bag and looking into it, slapped her forehead.

Komal asked, "Kya hua? Pareshaan kyon ho rahi hai? "

"Arre main abhi wali class ki notebook lana bhool gayi... Komal, please room tak sath chalegi... wapas aane tak sir aa jayenge aur akele late aungi to zyaada daant padegi",  Naina pleaded.

Komal immediately got up from her desk, " Haan, chal na."

They both left the class in a hurry. On the way, Naina explained everything to her, asking her to tell Nisha whenever she could.

They returned after a while, notebook in hand.

As the lecture got over, Komal and Nisha went to the washroom while Sonali and Naina collected their bags and started walking to the main gate. Soon, other two girls joined them. They hailed a rickshaw and started for their destination.

Sameer and Rahul had reached the place before the girls. Rahul was impressed with the arrangement.
Seeing him fidgeting with anything that came to his hand, Sameer tried to ease his nervousness.

"Itna darro mat... bas jo dil mein hai woh bol dena",  he placed a hand on Rahul's shoulder.

Rahul gave a weak smile but panicked next moment, " Agar usne naa kaha toh... gussa ho gayi toh... "

Sameer again tried to calm him, "Naina ne bataya na ki usse lagta hai Sonali bhi pasand karti hai tumhe. "

The lines of tension on Rahul's forehead deepened,  "Bas lagta hai... ho sakta hai Naina galat ho."

Sameer's reply was instant, "Naina kabhi galat nahi hoti. "

Rahul still had his apprehensions,
"Yaar, tere liye galat nahi hoti... mere liye ho gayi toh? "

They heard the sound of rickshaw and then some voices.

Sameer assured Rahul that all will be well and went out.

The girls got out of the rickshaw and started moving towards the restaurant.

Suddenly, Naina fell. She shrieked in pain. Sonali quickly sat next to her to see how much she was hurt. Though, there was no visible wound, Naina was crying in pain due to a twisted ankle.

"Naina, chal wapas chalte hain... phir kabhi aa jayenge." Sonali could not see her friend suffering.

"Wapas jaane mein bhi toh mushkil hogi... ab aa hi gaye hain toh thodi der baithte hain... tab tak Naina ka dard bhi shayad kam ho jaaye",  Komal suggested.

Nisha readily agreed, " Haan, ye hi theek rahega... thodi der rukte hain."

Naina looked at Sonali and said in a dull voice, "Tu andar jaake dekh table toh khali hai na... main in dono ka sahara leke aati hun."

Sonali nodded and ran inside.

The three girls looked at each other and grinned.

As Sonali entered the restaurant, she stopped... there was darkness all around.

"Lagta hai aaj band hai yeh jagah",  she thought.

Before she could turn back, her eyes fell on a chair kept right in front of the door. A rose was kept on it and a small chit next to it read 'Pick me up'.

Curious, she picked up the flower and there was another chit under it  with an arrow pointing ahead. She took a few steps and a dim light switched on behind her. Her head jerked back to see if anyone was there... but no one was visible. One more chair had one more rose. Picking it up, she found another arrow... the process continued till she had half a dozen roses in her hand and had reached the center of the room. With each rose, one light had been switched on and now the place was well lit. She looked around, astonished... it was beautifully decorated with red and white balloons and ribbons.

But there was no one anywhere.

As she wondered whether to go back or call out to see if anyone was there,  the music of guitar playing hit her ears.

And then... she saw with wide eyes... Rahul walking towards her.

He came and stood right in front of her as the music continued to play.

Then he kneeled... offering her a rose and started singing

Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga
Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga
Jaise khilta gulab
Jaise shayar ka khwaab
Jaise ujli kiran
Jaise van mein hiran
Jaise chandni raat
Jaise naghme ki baat
Jaise mandir mein ho ik jalta diyaaa
Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga

Ans suddenly there was a shower of flower petals on Sonali

She lookedup...  the petals were falling from the fan which had been switched on right then.

She was too stunned to speak.

Rahul still sat on his kneesknees, holding the rose towards her, " Sonali, yeh tumhare liye."

Dazed, she accepted without realising.

He started in a soft voice, "Jabse pehli bar dekha tha tumhe, college ke pehle din, tabse pasand karta hun tumhe... "

He brought forward another rose... Sonali accepted it.

He continued, "Bohot koshish ki tumse apne dil ki baat keh dun... par himmat hi nahi hui."

Another rose.

"Jab tumhe Sameer aur Naina ke liye khush hote dekha toh laga ki ek baar bol dena chahiye. "

Another rose.

His voice became softer and eyes lowered, " Kya tum... kya tum... kya mera pyaar manzoor hoga tumhe?"

Sonali's eyes were filled with happy tears.

She nodded... then realised that Rahul was looking down... she uttered, "Haan."

Rahul looked at her and jumped up in delight, holding a bunch of a dozen roses to her.

She accepted it, and gave him a big smile.

Rahul whispered, "I Love You."

Sonali hugged him, murmuring, "I love you too. "

The gang enetered, clapping and they separated.

Sameer went and hugged Rahul.

Sonali looked at everyone in surprise, "Tum sabko pata tha? "

The girls raised their eyebrows and came running to hug her.

Sonali saw Naina running and got worried, "Naina, tujhe chot lagi hai... bhaag kyon rahi hai?"

Naina laughed, "Kuch nahi hua mujhe... woh tujhe akele andar bhejne ke liye acting ki thi. "

Sonali looked at her, astonished... and then at everyone... with same expression... and blushed, lowering her eyes.

Later, they all enjoyed the meal prepared by aunty, who was more than happy to see a love story starting in her restaurant.

Komal and Nisha left in a rickshaw after a while, Rahul offered to drop Sonali and they left on his bike.

Sameer and Naina walked out to the bike stand.

"Tum itna achcha guitar bajate ho par tumne mujhe aaj tak koi gaana nahi sunaya",  Naina said thoughfully.

Sameer sat on the bike, asjusting his guitar in front so that Naina could sit comfortably, " Sunaya tha... freshers party mein."

She recalled the song, "Woh toh tumne competition ke liye gaaya tha."

He looked at her as she stood next to him... since he was seated on the bike, their faces were at the same level.

"Sirf tumhare liye gaaya tha... competition ke liye maine doosra gaana taiyar kiya tha... par pata nahi tumhe dekhke man mein sapne sajne lage... umeed karne laga... uss samay toh main apne apko manhoos hi manta tha phir bhi pata nahi kyon... dil kiya ki tum kareeb aao, mera pyaar dekho, mehsoos karo... bas sirf tum dil aur dimaag pe chaa gayi thi uss din",  he was lost in her eyes.

Naina remembered everything clearly, " Lekin tum toh kahin the hi nahi... jab apne performance ke liye stage pe aaye tab pehli baar dekha tha maine tumhe."

He gave her a naughty look, "Par main toh tumhe hi dekh raha tha... shuru se... itni kamaal lag rahi thi tum... dil kar raha tha abhi jaake baahon mein le lun."

Naina felt the colour on her cheeks rise.

Sameer noticed and chuckled, "Kya Naina, ab bhi itna sharmaati ho... Sonali ko dekha... kaise jhat se Rahul ko gale laga liya.

Naina hit him on the arm, " Tum na... ab chalo. "

He started the bike and Naina sat with her hands on his shoulder.

As they drove, she felt it was a different road.

"Sameer, hum kahan jaa rahe hain?"

He turned his neck a bit, "Tumhe kuch dikhana hai."

They drove till the traffic and noise of the city was left behind and greenery around them increased.
They were on the road for almost one hour when Sameer stopped.

Naina got down to see a clear flat patch of land, surrounded by hills... moving ahead, she could see the city, where the lights were beginning to switch on.

She loved the place, "Yeh toh bohot achchi jagah hai, tumne kaise dhoondi?"

Sameer had a forlorn look in his eyes, "Bas ek din bike chalate chalate mil gayi thi yeh jagah... jab mere andar ka toofaan itna zyaada ho jaata tha ki mujhse bardaasht nahi hota tha tab yahan aata tha...  yahan khade hokar zor se chillata tha... apni ghutan kam karne ke liye."

Naina looked at him sadly, "Phir aaj yahan kyon aaye hai hum?  Tumhe phir se koi ghutan ho rahi hai kya?"

He could feel a slight tremor in her voice.

"Nahi, Naina... ab koi ghutan, koi dukh nahi hai... iss jagah se buri yaadein mita kar yahan khushiyon bhari yaadein banana chahta hun... isliye laya hun tumhe", he cleared her doubt.

She let out a breath she was holding... and smiled at him.

They sat near the edge, looking down at the city. As the darkness fell, lights below started getting multiplied. In no time, it appeared that they were sitting in the centre of universe... sky full of twinkling stars above and citylights shining like stars below them.

Naina was mesmerised.

She moved her hand, to hold Sameer, but could not feel anything.  Alarmed, she looked around.

And she heard the strums of guitar... 

Sameer was walking towards her, his long fingers churning out beautiful music.

He went near the edge and started singing

Bohot pyaar karte hain tumko sanam
Bohot pyaar karte hain tumko sanam
Kasam chahe le lo khuda ki kasam
Bohot pyaar karte hain tumko sanam

Naina got up and went ahead, standing close behind him. He continued

Hamari gazal hai tasavvur tumhara
Hamari gazal hai tasavvur tumhara
Tumhare bina ab na jeena gavara
Tumhe yunhi chahenge jab tak hai dum
Bohot pyaar karte hain tumko sanam

Her eyes brimmed with tears. Sameer kept his guitar down and wiped the tears that spilled on her cheeks.

Smiling down at her, he gathered her petite form into his arms.

She placed her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat... which was calm and rhythmic.

They sat for another hour, soaking in the beauty outside and warmth beside them.