Thank you friends, for your concern and warm wishes. It really made me feel much better that so many people worry about me. Love you all.

Sunday morning was a pleasant one, the weather still a bit cool... a soft breeze made the sunlight seem less sharp. Sameer was excited to go out with Naina after a long gap. Owing to the study schedule, they had been confined to college and hostel premises. The time together was plenty but very little was left for some moments of his choice. Naina's dedication to studies and readiness to help others kept her busy the whole day. The evening meetings were different though.

He smiled, recalling how he had convinced Naina that they should meet a little later... planning in such a way that it was already dark when they met and under no circumstances Naina could get anything to revise or explain. But they did discuss about the subjects, much to his chagrin. Still, whenever he pulled her close, she gave in without resistance...

But today would be the whole day for them... alone.

And he planned to make the most of it.

Naina gave him the first positive signal by appearing in jeans.

His heart jumped up to his mouth at her sight... she looked stunning in a black top and black jeans.

When she settled behind him, just the way he wanted... the day felt even more beautiful.

"Sameer, kaunsi market chalenge?" She moved closer to his ear.

"Tum batao... iss baar Sonali ne kuch nayi jagah nahi batayi?" He turned towards her.

"Waise batayi toh hai par woh yahan se thodi door hai." Naina did not want him to go that far.

"Agar tum aise hi baithi raho toh main Ahmedabad tak bhi jaa sakta hun... yahan Mumbai ki kya baat hai." He held her hand that was placed on his heart.

"Main toh aise hi baithungi." Naina tightened her other arm around his waist, resting her palm on his abdomen.

She could feel his hard muscles clench at her touch. Looking at his face in the mirror, she saw the lower lip pressed under his teeth.

"Ahmedabad nahi, tum bas market tak hi le chalo toh kaafi hoga." She said with a mischievous smile.

Sameer glanced at her reflection... she was purposely doing it... knowing her effect on him fully well... and enjoying it too...

He let out a long breath, promising himself to get even.

It took them almost an hour to reach the address Sonali mentioned. The showroom was massive. Several mannequins placed in the glass front were draped in different types of sarees, from the simple ones to heavily designed ones for functions and weddings.

"Umm... Sameer, yeh toh bohot badi shop hai... mujhe bas ek simple si saree leni hai... yahan jaana sahi rahega kya? Kahin aur chalein?" She hesitantly stood next to the bike even as Sameer took a few steps towards the shop.

He halted and looked back hearing her voice.

"Naina, tum chaho toh saree lene ki zaroorat hi nahi hai." He stepped back, closer to her.

She raised her brows in question for a moment till she saw the hint in his eyes.

"Tumhe yaad nahi tumne kya waada kiya tha?" She reminded him.

"Maine kab waada toda? Main toh keh raha hun woh nani wali saree pehen sakti ho." He said innocently.

Her eyes softened instantly, "Naniji ki woh saree mere liye bohot khaas hai, Sameer... usse maine kisi khaas mauke ke liye rakha hai."

Seeing his expression, she lowered her voice, "Aur agar tumhe chahiye toh main woh green saree pehen sakti hun..."

His eyes had the brightest glint and darkest desperation.

"Lekin soch lo... farewell pe sab honge... kya tumhe chalega ki main sabke saamne waisa blouse..." She continued.

"Nahi, nahi..." His expression changed in a fraction of a second, "Tum khareed lo... aur jo aaj logi wohi pehenna."

Her snigger teased him again.

Sameer looked around. The place had very few people as it was too early for shoppers to hit the market... the few who were present were also busy in whatever they seemed to be doing.

He took a step closer to Naina, grazing her cheek with the back of his fingers, "Farewell pe woh saree pehenogi toh hum dono ko party miss karni padegi."

The surroundings ceased to exist for her as she looked into his dark eyes, the heat melting her on a cool morning.

Sound of a revving engine of a bike somewhere brought them back from their own revved up state.

Without a word, they walked to the shop.

The salesman started to show heavy sarees, thinking them to be shopping for their wedding.

"Itni bhaari nahi, bhaiya, simple dikhao." Naina frowned at the bright colours with lots of gold and silver on them.

"Sister, shaadi mein toh aise hi design chalte hain... ab nayi nayi shaadi ke baad aap halki sariyaan thodi pehenogi." The salesman showed off his knowledge acquired by working here for a long time.

"Shaadi nahi college ki farewell ke liye chahiye." She clarified.

"Achaa achaa, abhi dikhata hun." He nodded in understanding, only after giving a thoughtful look to Sameer.

Pushing aside the lot in front of him, he brought up another stack and started to open them one by one, praising each one for the style, colour or design.

Naina picked up a light pink one... with a small gold border. She liked the soft colour and the border gave it a little formal look. She looked at Sameer. He shook his head vehemently. Naina was surprised... he always loved pink on her.

Going through numerous other sarees, she selected a few. The salesman called a boy who draped the sarees around him one by one, showing the exact look.

Sameer was amused at the way the boy quickly wrapped the saree around himself, twirling to display it properly. Naina pressed his hand, to make him stop smirking.

"Ab bataiye aapko kaunsi pasand aayi, sister?" The salesman turned towards her once all were modelled by the boy.

Naina picked up three, in different colours, finding it difficult to make a choice.

"Aap idhar sheeshe ke saamne aa jao, main aapke upar hi try karwa deta hun." The salesman invited her on the white sheet covered mattress where he sat, pointing at the large mirror behind him.

Naina had seen Swati try sarees this way when she had accompanied her for the engagement shopping. But she was also aware of Sameer's reaction... seeing the salesman tying the saree around her waist and adjusting it on her shoulder, Sameer would definitely not be able to take it.

"Nahi, main aise hi laga ke dekh leti hun." She placed one over her shoulder, adjusting the pallu, and checked in the mirror. Her eyes darted to his reflection... Sameer scrunched his nose, showing his dislike.

The saree was instantly rejected.

Next one did not make him give the same reaction, but the grim line of his mouth conveyed to her that this one also was not that good.

His eyes brightened the moment Naina placed the yellow saree on her shoulder. It made her face glow even more, like sunshine. His pushed up brows and clear admiration in the eyes made the choice for Naina.

"Yeh wali de dijiye." Naina handed the saree to the salesman.

He beamed, happy that she had selected the most expensive one.

"Aap kaho toh iska blouse bhi dikha dun." He offered.

Naina looked around, "Blouse ka fabric bhi rakhte ho aap?"

"Nahi sister, readymade blouse rakhte hain hum... market mein kahin nahi milega... bas humare yahan hi hai... jaisa aap chaho... simple, thoda achha wala ya shaadi, party ka... sab tarah ke hain..." He proudly claimed.

"Theek hai, matching ka dikha do." Naina was pleased to be saved from the hassle of going to another shop to buy matching fabric, going to the tailor, choosing a design, then going back to collect it... and then, Sameer's frustration at her visit to the tailor.

Suppressing a smile, she looked at him.

The grin on his face surprised her. She raised her brows in question, wondering what was making him so happy.

"Naina, ab toh readymade blouse aane lag gaye... ab tumhe tailor ke paas jaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hogi." He leaned to whisper in her ear.

She was amused at his excitement.

"Pehle dekh toh lein... ho sakta hai bekaar ho... market mein nayi cheez aati hai toh perfect nahi hoti... agar sahi nahi lag mujhe toh yahan se tailor ke paas chalenge... wahin jahan pehle gaye the... yaad hai?" She said with a serious expression.

It took less than a second for his smile to vanish... the exasperation was back.

Their exchange halted as the salesman was back with a big bundle of stitched blouses.

He spread the saree in front of him and started to place the blouses on it, some in similar shades and some in contrast.

"Sister, aajkal alag rang ke blouse bohot demand mein hain... aapki saree ke saath dark rang wale bhi achhe lagenge." He took out several in different shades.

Naina checked the pieces he showed, trying to imagine how it will look with the saree. She liked one in peach, and asked him to take out from the bundle.

"Aap try karke dekh lo." He gave the one she had asked for.

Naina picked up the saree along with the blouse and walked towards the trial room.

The combination was different but looked beautiful... she was satisfied with the fit and decent neck design. The sleeves reached her elbows and the neck at the back wasn't too high but not too revealing.

She stepped out after changing into her own clothes to see Sameer waiting.

"Arre tumne try karke dikhaya nahi." He straightened.

"Tum yahan kya kr rahe ho?" She was embarrassed.

"Kya kar raha hun matlab? Tum hamesha dikhati ho na mujhe jab kuch naya try karti ho... aaj kyon nahi dikhaya?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

Naina pressed her forehead, "Offo, tum abhi chalo yahan se... kya sochenge dukaan wale... aise toh log apni biwi ke saath bhi nahi khade hote honge jaise tum yahan khade ho."

"Naina, par aisa kya kiya maine? Batao toh sahi." He rushed after her as she went towards the salesman, asking him to pack both things.

Giving a sly smile, the saleman went to the counter.

As he handed over the bag to her, he asked in a low voice, "Aap Ahmedabad se ho?"

She looked up, astonished, "Haan, par aapko kaise pata?"

"Woh aapke saath hai na, woh puch rahe the Ahmedabad mein kahan milte hain aise readymade blouse. Maine bataya wahan nahi milenge kyonki yeh humare khud ke design hain... toh unhone humara number le liya aur kaha ki jab zaroorat hogi tab humse mangwa lenge... Maine kaha isse toh keemat badh jayegi toh bole tum chaar guna keemat le lena par jo chahiye bhijwa dena."

Naina stared at Sameer in total shock. He was looking around with his fingers in pocket.

As they left the shop, he pestered, "Naina, ab toh bata do tumne try karke mujhe se pucha tak nahi... aaj tumhe meri pasand se nahi lena tha kya?"

"Tumne kya kaha salesman se?" She turned to face him, hands on waist.

"Kya?" He gaped in confusion.

"Tum yahan se blouse order karoge? Ahmedabad jaake bhi?" She said with pursed lips.

He shrugged, "Haan bilkul... tailor ke paas jaane se toh achha hai na... main toh soch raha hun inko ek shop Ahmedabad mein khulwa dun... tum araam se apni pasand ke lena."

The grim line on her face changed into a smile.

"Tum kahan tak ka sochte ho, Sameer." She pinched his cheek, turning towards the bike.

He held her wrist, making her look back at him.

"Madam, maine toh itna aage tak ka soch rakha hai ki tum sun bhi nahi paogi... bataun?"

The bright sun was not the reason for the red colour on Naina's face.