Naina had been in the library for more than fifteen minutes when Sameer came rushing.

"Sorry, sorry... aaj late ho gaya... tum bohot der se intezar kar rahi ho kya?" He pulled a chair, turned it around, and flopped down, resting his face on the bar of chair's back.

"Kya hua... aaj itne daudte hue kyon aaye ho?" Naina was amused as he sat there panting.

"Daudte hue nahi, daud ke aaya hun." He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Kya matlab?" She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

"Arre yaar, raat ko neend hi nahi aayi toh maine socha ab utha hua hun toh jogging ke liye chala jaata hun... ek ghanta daud ke aaya... thakan ho gayi kyonki kaafi dinon ke baad gaya tha... thoda aaram karne ke liye leta aur aankh lag gayi... abhi abhi dus minute pehle hi utha hun... bas kisi tarah bhag ke aaya yahan tak." He explained.

"Tum jogging bhi karte ho?" Naina found the idea exciting.

"Haan, pehle toh hamesha karta tha... ab kam ho gaya hai... fir bhi koshish karta hun hafte mein do baar toh chala jaun... par iss baar dus din ho gaye... isliye aaj thoda thak gaya." He dropped his head on the table, placing it on his arms.

She looked at his face... closed eyes, tired features, hair falling on the forehead.... her fingers moved on their own accord, threading through his hair, flicking the falling locks away from his face.

His eyes flew open at her touch. The light feathery fingers seeped up all tiredness from him. He took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Naina, tumhari ungaliyon mein bhi jaadu hai... meri saari thakaan mita di tumne." His relief was evident on his face.

She did not move her hand away, enjoying the feel of his silky hair as her fingers weaved through them.

"Umm, Naina, agar tum aise hi karti rahi toh main... fir mat kehna ki library hai... koi aa jayega." He gave a smirk, still keeping his head on the table.

She swiftly removed her hand, looking around. The library was vacant today. She looked down at the book in front... her mind going back to the same work... imagining him jogging on the sidewalk, a rolled up handkerchief tied around his forehead... to prevent hair falling in his eyes when he ran... sweat running down his face...

She had once seen him do push ups, and was fascinated ever since. She had loved his rippling muscles, the strength of his biceps that supported the weight of his body, the way he swooshed air out of his mouth... everything enthralled her. She could do it again, watch him exercising... her throat went dry at the thought.

Sameer saw the changing expressions, knowing that she was lost somewhere... and she was definitely liking what she was seeing in her thoughts. He decided to find out.

"Achha lag raha hun na?" He whispered against her ear.

"Haan, bohot achhe." Her voice was dreamy.

He grinned... she was weaving some fantasies. Looking around the library, he realised there was no other student besides them. He had a golden chance.

"Umm... kya kar raha hun main?" He dragged his chair closer to her, asking in the same low voice.

"Tum aise hi... " She came back to her senses completely this time, the sound of dragging chair breaking her thought bubble.

"Sam... Sameer... yeh kya kar rahe ho... door hoke baitho... college mein hain hum." She straightened.

"Pehle batao, kya sapna dekh rahi thi mere baare mein." He breathed against her ear.

"Tumhe kaise pata?" She shut her eyes, cursing herself again, "Matlab, tumse kisne kaha main koi sapna dekh rahi thi ya tumhara sapna dekh rahi thi."

"Tumhari aankhon ne, tumhare galon ke gulabi rang ne, tumhari yeh sharmati hui halki muskaan ne... yeh sab toh sirf mere liye hi hain na." He said matter of factly.

"Haan, dekh rahi thi." The shy smile was back, as she lowered her eyes.

"Batao na, kya dekha... mujhe bhi janna hai ki tumhare sapne mein main kya kya kar sakta hun." He winked.

He did not expect the smack he received on his shoulder.

"Chup baitho aur kal ke exam ke liye padh lo... saare ulte sulte kaam kar sakte ho par yeh nahi ki ek seedha sa chapter padh lo." The stern face was back.

He pouted, not happy that she did not reveal her thought. Promising himself that one day he would make her tell him all these fantasies, he opened his notebooks.

They studiously practised for the exam, discussing the portions which were important and had more chances of being asked in the question paper.

It was already lunchtime when they decided to end the library session for the day.

"Sameer, aaj shaam ko nahi milenge... kal ke liye sab taiyari kar lena achhe se... admit card, compass box, pens, ghadi... sab hai na?" She was a little jittery.

"Theek hai, Naina... aaj ground mein nahi jayenge... kal ke exam ke liye maine pehle hi sab taiyar kar liya hai... agar tumhe kuch chahiye toh bata sakti ho." He tried to relax her, pressing her hand.

She placed her other palm on his hand, "Sameer, sab achha hoga na?"

He slipped both her hands between his, lifting them to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on the back of each hand.

"Sab achha hi hoga." He assured her.

His words were like gospel truth for her... his assurance bringing an instant calm on her face, along with a smile.

They left the library to go to their respective dining halls.

"Naina, suno... shaam ko nahi milenge par main raat ko..." He stopped her at the entrance of college building.

"Nahi Sameer, aaj nahi aana... tumhe pata hai na fir wapas jaana kitna mushkil hota hai... tumhare liye bhi aur mere liye bhi... agar fir se tumhe neend nahi aayi ya aise hi dubara so gaye toh... nahi please aaj nahi aana." She almost begged him.

"Arre main aane ke liye nahi keh raha tha... mujhe pata hai aaj nahi aana chahiye... mai keh raha tha ki raat ko dinner ke baad, kareeb 9:30 pe, main tumhari balcony ke neeche aaunga... goodnight kehne... tum bhi balcony mein aana." He pinched her cheek.

"Oh... haan theek hai... aa jaungi." She was embarrassed.

The evening, though was long, but they concentrated on preparation for the next day. After dinner, Naina went out to the balcony, waiting for him. She hardly had to stand for five minutes when she saw him emerging from behind the college building.

Their smiles, upon seeing each other, conveyed the relief they felt.

He blew a kiss to her, mouthing a silent good night. She caught the kiss in her fist, placing it on her heart. When she blew him a kiss, he did the same. A thumbs up sign to wish luck and mute instruction to sleep well ended their night meeting. Waving at her, Sameer went back to his room.

The morning saw commotion of students appearing for examination. The college building that had been eeringly quiet for last few weeks, suddenly buzzed with activity. Every corner had a group of students, holding onto a book, notebook or some printed paper, discussing animatedly. Last minute tension was visible on almost all faces. Nervous faces of those who had some how missed some important questions and were reminded of them now by their friends were seen in almost each group.

Sameer waited outside her hostel. Naina stepped out, wearing a white and pink dress... her hair tied in a pony.

"Good morning, jaan." He flashed a bright smile.

"Good morning." She was happy to see him fresh and enthusiastic.

"Yeh kya... sirf good morning?" He raised his brows.

"Aur kya chahiye yahan?" She mocked.

"Jaan toh bol hi sakti ho na." He leaned.

"Hato." The colour spread on her cheeks at his blatant words.

"Aaj yeh baal baandh ke kyon aayi ho tum?" He ran after her as she scurried away.

"Paper likhte time baar baar aage aate hain... isliye mujhe khule rakhna pasand nahi." She justified her pony.

"Yeh exam kitne tareekon se jaan lenge meri... aur kuch nahi toh meri biwi ke baalon ke hi dushman  ban gaye." He cribbed dramatically.

"Kya kar rahe ho, Sameer," Naina looked around in panic, "itni zor se biwi bol rahe ho, kisi ne sun liya toh?"

"Toh? Main kisise darta hun kya? Madam, main toh sabko chilla chilla ke bata sakta hun ki tum biwi ho meri, shaadi hui hai bakayda hamari." He said with confidence.

"Achha, thik hai bata do." Naina challenged him.

Sameer was taken aback for a moment. He was just teasing her. But then he noticed the knowing stare... she was sure he wouldn't do it.

"Hello, hello... sab log please suno... udhar wale students bhi... sirf ek minute ki baat hai... choti si announcement hai... kuch important batana hai aap sabko." He hollered, clapping toward the various groups.

Naina felt the ground slipping beneath her... was he really... today, of all the days...

"Sameer, please chup ho jao." She tugged at his arm.

By that time, a lot of students were looking at them, those who stood a little far had started to move closer.

Naina quickly stepped back, her heart in her mouth.

"Aaj aap sabko kehna tha ki main aur Naina..." He looked back at her... she could have shut her eyes tight had so many people not been looking at her.

He looked at everyone and carried on,"Main aur Naina kehna chahte hain ki aapka pehla exam hai toh iske liye aur aane wale baaki saare exams ke liye aapko All the Best. Seniors hone ke naate humne socha kyon na sabko ek saath wish kardein."

Everyone thanked and the ground was filled with students wishing good luck to each other. Quite a few of them came and wished Sameer, going up to Naina as well.

She took some time to come out of the shock... and then gave a deadly glare to Sameer, smiling back at those who came to wish her.

Walking to the examination Hall, she pinched his waist.

"Ahh... Naina, kya hua?" He made an innocent face.

"Tumhe toh pata hi nahi kya hua... mere bhole bhale patidev." She gave a fake smile.

"Achha sorry na... ab jaane do... sabko wish hi toh kiya na... ismein gussa kyon karna... humein bhi itne saare good luck mil gaye... ab tum bhi bol do na, please jaan." He pressed her hand, holding one ear with his other hand.

One gesture and she melted... smiling back at him.

"All the best... dhyaan se karna paper... aur koshish karna ki saare question attempt karo." She wished him.

Sameer was elated to see her warm smile, wishing her back.

Their roll number was in the same room, though in seperate rows.

Three hours of exam passed away too soon.

When they met outside, discussing the questions, they realised both had performed very well.

"Naina." Sonali's voice made her turn.

Rahul and Sonali rushed to meet them. Their seats were in adjacent room and they got late in reaching today morning so could not meet before the exam.

"Par paper nahi chuta, shukar hai." Rahul let out a relieved exhale.

"Agli baar se thoda jaldi nikalna ghar se." Sameer instructed him.

After chatting for a while, they decided to leave.

"Chalo, hum bhi chalte hain." Naina turned to Sameer after their bike exited the gate.

"Aaj shaam ko toh milogi na." He asked.

She nodded, before saying bye and leaving for her room.

Sameer walked back to his, a soft smile on his lips.