Sleep eluded Sameer that night. It had been a day of surprises and discoveries. Right from the morning when they had left for the movie till they said good night to each other a couple of hours back, he had gone through a roller coaster ride of emotions... her closeness in the theater, her surrender to his demand for the similar blouse, his knowledge of her measurements, her acceptance of his curiosity and discovery about herself, her comfort with him... everything had fueled his longing... each cell of his body craved for Naina.

His Naina... innocent Naina... he had no idea how to express what he was feeling. She was too naive to see it in his eyes. She had become more receptive and bolder but was not even aware of the other levels. Her ignorant mind gave in to whatever he asked but that only heightened his desire. At times he felt something in her eyes... but it was not possible... she would have no means to enhance her knowledge... and she had not asked anything from him... he was sure those moments were only her confusion regarding her own feelings and reaction. She was still the same clueless girl... only more open to him now.

He was amazed when she stood before him without dupatta. There had been times previously when she was conscious... she had wanted to run back home in Ahmedabad, when they met on her terrace and she realised her dupatta was missing. Not today... she had not even turned her back to him, standing comfortably in a kurta that hugged her at all the right places, showing off more neck than he had seen before. His eyes had moved down for a moment... lingering at her curves... before he forced himself to look up again.

Sighing, he sat down heavily on the bed, holding her dupatta close to his face. He had to keep himself in check. She belonged to him... but he had to wait...

Of course he would tell her... tell her about his desires and fantasies but only when she was ready... he would tell her all she needed to know to make their relationship complete...

He knew the boundaries that he could not cross till she was officially his wife... and he respected those boundaries... ready to wait for her... but he still wanted a little more. And there was no way he could tell her. Inhaling her fragrance from the dupatta, he fell back.

Naina had seen the change in him the moment he had come to the ground. He was tensed. He was lost. During the day,  she had seen him trying to take a look at the paper she was giving to the tailor. And she knew... it won't be long before he tried to check it out himself. When he pulled the trick of losing bike keys, she waited patiently for him to come back from the tailor. Someday she would ask him how he tricked the tailor into showing him the paper.

His eyes had changed after that. That was the reason she had worn a suit for the evening...  covering herself with the dupatta... her own heart threatening to jump out of the chest at his burning gaze.

She could feel his coiled muscles as she had leaned on him. And when he had confessed to seeing her measurements, she had loved him even more... if it was even possible.

When he had held her waist between his palms, she had felt her insides flare up. His hands on her waist was something she had become used to but today, armed with the knowledge of her size, he had rubbed his fingers in such a manner that the heat in her veins had turned to molten lava.

And then the dupatta...

It wanted to be with Sameer too...

Standing in front of him without one was something she could have never dreamt of... yet she felt no need to cover herself. Not even when his eyes dropped down from her face, moving lower... though, only for a few moments.

She melted into a puddle, burnt to ashes, blew up in smoke... as his eyes stopped at certain places on her body.

Sighing, she sat heavily on the bed, wondering when she could tell him that she understood his desires... and had been burning in hers.

Her values would not let her cross the limits before they were actually husband and wife... but in her heart she had started seeing him as her husband.

His passion made her glow.

In the next few weeks, keeping a strict hold on themselves, Sameer and Naina spent time with each other daily, enjoying their moments, showing their love, hiding certain feelings.

The fever of cricket gripped the entire college again when their team went to play the finals. The match was in Mumbai again and Sameer thanked his stars. Another separation from Naina would have made him a liability for the team.

Winning the trophy for third consecutive year brought a festive atmosphere in the college. The Principal organised a party for the team.

"Main tumhare bina kisi party mein nahi jaunga." Sameer blankly refused when Naina tried to reason with him that the party was for the team and no other student could come.

They were at their spot, the day before the party.

"Rahul bhi toh jaa raha hai na... bina Sonali ke... fir tumhe itni kya problem hai?" She gave him the example of his friend.

"Rahul ka mujhe nahi pata... bas maine keh diya... tum nahi chalogi toh mera wahan jaana namumkin hai." He was adamant.

Naina pressed his arm, "Sameer, aise achha nahi lagta... tum captain ho apni team ke... tumhara wahan hona zaroori hai... iss party mein tum sabse khaas hoge... main nahi chahti ki jahan tumhe itni izzat milne wali hai wahan hi tum na jao... apne liye nahi toh mere liye jana hoga."

He was left with no choice. But he had an idea to turn it to his advantage.

"Tumhare liye jaana hai toh theek hai... lekin main yeh karunga toh tumko bhi mere liye kuch karna hoga." His eyes were shining.

"Jo tum bolo, " she bowled him again with her acceptance.

"Jo main bolun? Soch lo... main kuch bhi maang sakta hun." He raised his eyebrow.

Naina kept smiling, her eyes showing full trust on him.

Pulling her into his arms, he exhaled... it was impossible to say no to her and it could not happen that she said no to him.

"Party ke baad mujhse milna hoga... tumse mile bina main wapas kamre mein nahi jaunga." He said softly against her hair.

"Main yahin tumhara intezaar karungi kal, " she whispered.

Sameer straightened with a jerk, "Yahan? Nahi Naina, tum andhere mein yahan mat aana... main tumhare kamre mein aa jaunga."

"Kal kaafi log honge raat ko hostel ke aas paas... kisi ne pipe pe chadhte dekh liya toh theek nahi hoga. Yahan aane mein koi darr nahi hai... tumhe pata hai na yahan humare siwa koi nahi aata." She explained.

Sameer could see her point. He agreed.

The success party next day was made special for the final year team members as it was their last match. The captain was given a special trophy as he had won the match in all three years of his captaincy. Rahul and other team members lifted him up on their shoulders, cheering for him.

Principal, coach and sports head of the college thanked the entire team and hoped that the winning spree will continue in future.

The Principal made a special mention of how she was extremely happy to see Sameer's growth in the college... he had not only proven himself in the sport that helped him get an admission in this college but also had secured a position in academics in top three in second year.

The party continued with good food and dancing. Sameer wanted to run away but everyone would notice his disappearance if he left early. Moreover, someone or the other was always speaking to him... the professors praising him and teammates asking him how he managed to excel in academics along with playing.

It was past nine by the time they wound up.

The local students who were in the team left for home but most members were staying in the hostel. As the boys walked back to their building, Sameer constantly thought of ways to run to the ground, without making others suspicious.

Rahul guessed his condition.

"Naina se milna hai?" He whispered, pulling Sameer back from the group.

Pursing his lips, Sameer nodded.

"Ek minute." Rahul held his hand.

He turned to the other boys, "Tum log jao... mujhe aur Sameer ko kuch baat karni hai."

They sniggered, thinking that the two would be going for a smoke.

But they left the two alone.

Rahul smiled, "Le teri line clear kara di... jaa mil aa."

Sameer hugged him, grinning, before running away to where Naina was waiting.

She was sitting against the tree, staring at the stars, a thin shawl wrapped around her.

"Sorry Naina, itni der ho gayi, " he stood next to her, breathing a little hard due to the sprint.

Her face brightened... smiling, she got up.

He was wearing his sports blazer over a white shirt and dark trousers. The end of his hair stuck to the neck due to sweating.

"Yeh shawl kyon pehna hai? Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi hai kya?" He was immediately concerned.

Naina did not answer. He took a step towards her to check her forehead but she stepped back.

He looked at her, perplexed.

As if in a slow motion, she removed her stole.

Standing there in a black jeans and black sleeveless top, Naina took his breath away.

He kept staring open mouthed.

She looked like a model from glossy magazines. Her milky white skin contrasted with the black top. The sequins on the broad neck showed a hint of glimmer as they caught the light of full moon that gave them company from the sky.

Nothing compared with the sight in front of him... nothing was more valuable to him.

He slowly reached her.

His eyes moved from top to bottom, then back to top again.

His fingers itched to touch her, to feel the skin on display.

Slowly, he lifted his hand to her face, tracing it with his fingertips... taking it down to her neck, moving over her shoulders till it reached the end where her skin began. He rubbed the back of his fingers on the soft skin. It felt like silk. As his fingers slid down, he could feel the goosebumps on her arm.

Naina had gone still when his fingers moved over her face... as his hand continued its trail, she prepared herself for what was to come.

His touch on the skin of her arm made her break into a sweat. The thudding heart hammered louder... her goosebumps had grown to the size of eggs.

Sameer circled his finger around her slim hand as he reached below the elbow, lifting up the arm. He bent his head and touched his lips to the gleaming skin, its coolness soothing his burning lips.

Her breath hitched.

"Tum bohot sundar lag rahi ho." He managed in a hoarse voice.

Her eyes moved to his face, taking in the hint of darkness that appeared on his jaw. As her eyes shifted to his open collar, she wanted to feel the throbbing skin with her lips. Breathing harder, her eyes went down to his buttoned up blazer.

Sameer looked down at her hands and shot up a shocked look when she fiddled with the buttons.

"Naina?" He could not stop himself from questioning as she pulled the blazer down his shoulders.

"Mujhe tumhe white shirt mein dekhna hai... blazer se sab dhak gaya tha, " she replied, clearing his confusion.

He put aside the blazer and stood in front of her, smiling with the knowledge that his girl openly expressed her desire to look at him.

As her eyes took in the broad shoulders, the top button stretching on his chest, the sleeves left open, her muscles tightened.

He flicked a finger on her cheek, "Apni aankhen band karo."

She looked up at him, "Kyon?"

"Karo na... bas do second." He insisted.

Naina closed her eyes.

He fished out what he was hiding behind, tucked in his shirt.

"Ab kholo."

Naina opened her eyes to see him holding a golden trophy, figure of a boy swinging a bat in air.

Naina looked at him proudly, "Ye tumhari trophy hai?"

He shook his head.

She was confused.

He leaned, kissing her cheek, "Meri trophy toh tum ho."