"Toh aaj mere liye koi special surprise hai kya? Ek aur nighty di thi Sonali ne?" Sameer could not keep his excitement in control.

A coy smile crept up on Naina's face, "Kyon? Nighty nahi ho toh achi nahi lagungi main?"

His pressed his lower lip, bringing his face close to hers, "Nighty ke bina toh aur bhi achhi lagogi."

It took her a few seconds to understand what he meant. And when she did, her face turned crimson.

"Dhatt... main pooch rahi hun mere baaki kapde achhe nahi hai kya?" She turned her face away from him, quickly clarifying herself.

"Tumhara toh sab kuch achha hai, Naina, bohot achha... tum jo bhi pehenti ho itni sundar lagti ho... chahe woh dress ho, suit, saree ya fir nighty... tumhare har kapde ki kismat khul jaati hai... pata nahi kya jaadu kiya hai tumne... jab bhi dekhta hun, tumse aur pyaar ho jaata hai... tumhe dekh ke mera dil hi nahi bharta." He slipped his hands to her waist, gripping it tight.

Her hands landed on his chest, "Aur agar ek din bhar gaya toh?"

His eyes turned intense, "Woh din iss janam mein toh kya agle sau janmon mein bhi nahi aayega... aur agar Mrs Maheshwari apna pyar dikhati rahi toh hazaron janmon tak nahi aayega."

She didn't shy away this time. Her one hand went around his neck, bunching the hair ends, while the other one touched his jaw, feeling the stubble that he had been growing for two days now.

"Sameer, tumse jitna pyar karti hun, woh dikhate dikhate toh mere bhi sau janam nikal jayenge... fir bhi shayad bata na paun." Her thumb rubbed against the prickly growth.

The sudden ring of the door bell made them jump.

"Ab yahan kaun aa gaya? Sab pyar ke dushman hain... yahan bhi chain se nahi rehne dete." He grumbled, raking a hand through his hair as he left her.

A uniformed waiter stood at the door.

"Kya chahiye?" Sameer snapped at him.

He was startled at his curt voice, but recovered quickly.

"Sir, aaj aapne permanent cab ke liye bola tha... woh driver abhi aaya hai... manager sahab ne kaha hai aap ek baar dekh ke driver ke bill pe sign kar dijiye... jisse car book ho jaye... " He stated the reason for his presence.

Sameer remembered the conversation in the morning. He thought it would be better if they had their own cab, like Mr Chauhan today... they won't need to rush in the mornings and use it according to their convenience.

He looked back at Naina, "Main abhi aata hun."

She nodded.

He checked the comfortable vehicle, approving it for next three days. Completing the formalities, he turned to go back when his eyes fell on the brochure kept at the reception. It was a beautiful picture of small tents in some open place.

"Yeh kaunsi jagah hai?" He asked the manager.

"Sir, yeh sunrise point hai... yahan se kareeb dus km door hai... wahan tents bane hain jo aap ek raat ke liye le sakte hain... yahan sunrise sheheron ke mukable jaldi hota hai isliye wahan yeh arrangement kiya hua hai... raat ko wahan bonfire hota hai, dinner ka bhi intezam hai... subah sunrise ke baad sab wapas chale jaate hain."

The place sounded interesting... the tents looked cozy, dreamy and inviting.

"Yeh booking kahan se hogi?" He was keen.

"Yahin se ho jayegi... aap bataiye aapko kab ke liye chahiye?" The manager smiled.

The promise he had seen in Naina's eyes few minutes back lingered in his mind... what better place to make it more memorable.

"Aaj ke liye ho jayega kya?" He said earnestly.

"Aaj... main pooch leta hun." The manager quickly picked up the phone, speaking softly into it.

"Ho jayega, sir, book kar dun kya?" He said in a minute, keeping a hand on the mouthpiece.

"Kar do... yeh cab ko aaj se hi book karlo... kitni der mein nikalna hoga?" Sameer beamed.

"Aadhe ghante tak bhi nikal jayein toh chalega... aadha ghante ka raasta hai... aap log aath baje tak pohoch jayenge." Manager told him, going back to confirm the booking on phone.

Sameer ran back to the room, thrilled at the prospect of spending a night under the stars.

"Naina, jaldi se ready ho jao." He held her shoulders, eyes shining.

She was amazed to see his exuberance.

"Aaj raat hum yahan nahi rahenge... ek bohot special jagah hai... wahan jaa rahe hain... subah sunrise dekh ke wapas aayenge." He said eagerly.

"Raat bhar? Sameer, bahar kaise?" She was puzzled.

"Arre tum dekhna... tumhe bhi bohot pasand aayega wahan sab kuch... pata hai kaisa lagega? Jaise humein college mein lagta tha... apni special jagah pe... uss ped ke neeche... jaise wahan taaron ke neeche hum milte the." He started to weave fantasies again, like he did in college when they met under the tree.

Only, this time he won't have to wistfully say goodbye to her. The days of restraint were over... he had his Naina as his wife... forever with him... to fulfill all his fantasies.

She packed a few things. Since they were to be back early tomorrow, they did not need much stuff.

He let out a whistle as she came out of the washroom in jeans and a loose white top. The jeans hugged her body, making his imagination run wild. The loose top hid her curvaceous upper part but his pulse quickened at the thought of her earlier promise. The outfit was making the wait difficult though.

As they left the hotel in their hired car, Sameer pulled her closer.

"Apna promise yaad hai na?" He whispered.

"Promise? Maine kya promise kiya?" She asked innocently.

He looked sharply at her, "Naina, aisa mazak theek nahi hai... mere sapnon pe paani mat phero... warna... warna... "

He paused.

"Warna kya? Hum wapas aa jayenge?" She quipped.

"Nahi... hum yahin rahenge... jab tak tumhe apna promise yaad nahi aata... aur tum usse poora nahi karti." He lowered his voice further.

She gazed into his eyes for a while blankly... then a knowing smile spread on her lips.

Ruffling his hair, she winked, "Bohot utaavle ho tum."

As he tried to assimilate the meaning of her actions and words, she turned her face towards the window, looking out.

"Naina, kya matlab hai tumhara?" He whispered, sliding one arm around her waist to pull her so that her back was against his chest now.

"Woh dekho." Ignoring his question, she pointed out side.

"Kya hai?" He lowered his head, peering out to look for the object of her interest.

"Ped." She grinned, turning briefly towards him.

He wrinkled his brow, then smiled, resting his chin on her shoulder as they looked at the beautiful scenery outside.

Their destination was much more enthralling in real. They were spellbound to see the vast green pasture dotted with small tents, at a fair distance from each other. Since the dusk had started to settle In, there was a lamp placed outside each tent, no provision of light inside it. There was a carpet type of mat on the side of each tent. In one corner was a large, circular canopy, covered with fairy lights. There were a number of tables under it, covered with white tablecloth, presently bare. Another edge had a collection of logs, piled up for bonfire. Mats were spread around it.

A few people moved around, while some sat on the mats, chatting idly.

A man came running to them with a register. He confirmed their details and walked them to their tent.

"Abhi aadhe ghante mein bonfire shuru ho jayega... aap aa sakte hain chahe toh... ya fir yahan ghoom sakte hain... bad zyada door mat jaiyega... humne boundry pe flags lagaye hain... andhera hone ke baad usse aage jaana safe nahi rahega." The young man informed them.

"Kyon? Koi khatra hai kya yahan?" Sameer was alarmed.

"Nahi sir, aisi koi baat nahi hai... par hai toh pahad hi na... kahin koi jaanwar na aa jaaye... waise itne saalon mein aaj tak aisa kabhi nahi hua... fir bhi dhyaan rakhna zaroori hota hai... aapki safety hamari zimmedaari hai." He assured Sameer.

Once he was gone, they entered the tent. It appeared extremely small from outside but was quite comfortable. A double bed was placed in the center, with a small cabinet on one side. Other side had a square table with two bottles of water and a basket with chocolates. The light of outside lamp brought a glowing effect in the interiors. White tent, white sheets, soft light... everything made it look ethereal.

"Sameer, yeh sach mein sapno jaisa hai... kitna sundar." Naina held her breath, taking in the beauty of the place.

"Aur inn sabse sundar meri Naina... jo iss waqt kisi pari se kam nahi lag rahi." He inched closer to her, admiring the effect of lighting on her face that had turned translucent.

She turned, placing her hands on his chest... he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, holding her by waist.

"Thank you... mujhe iss sapno ki duniya mein laane ke liye." She lifted her heels, kissing on his rough cheek.

He smiled... nothing could lessen her fascination for his stubble... and he loved it.

"Mera sapna toh tum ho, jaan... jahan tum saath ho wohi mere liye sapno ki duniya hai." He kissed her forehead.

She shook her head, "Ab main sapna nahi tumhari zindagi ki haqeeqat hun... sapne toh aankh khulne ke baad khatm ho jaate hain... lekin main hamesha rahungi... tumhare saath."

They went out after a while, to see if the bonfire was lit. The staff was making the arrangements for it. Food was being placed on the tables. Bowls of fruits, snacks, flasks of tea and coffee... nothing elaborate but enough for the few couples who were around.

After a cup of coffee and some snacks, they settled around the bonfire which had started to spread its warmth with crackling sound.

Shortly, a young boy, about their age, came with a guitar. A chair was placed for him. He started to sing soft, romantic numbers from Bollywood movies. Soon, the people sitting there joined him.

They were given blankets to cover themselves as the temperature started to drop as it got darker. Sameer wrapped the blanket around them, keeping her close. The cover gave him a chance to do what was otherwise not possible. Naina turned to give him a sharp look as he pulled out the top tucked in her jeans, letting his hand wander on the satiny waist.

He raised his brows in question, feigning ignorance at the reason of her annoyance. She tried to reach his hand, but he drifted it up her back, slipping his fingers under the stretched elastic band. She gave a pleading look, he gave a lopsided smile.

She stiffened, feeling his fingers trace the straps.

"Sam... Sameer... yahan itne log hain." She whispered, her breath uneven.

"Toh andar chalo." His fingers reached her shoulders under the blanket.

"Abh... abhi nahi... sab kya sochenge." She shuddered.

"Sochne do... humein jaante thodi hain." He whispered, nuzzling his nose in her hair.

She tilted her head, "Sameer, agar tum abhi nahi ruke... toh... toh... main apna promise bhool jaungi."

He sat up instantly, a mischievous smile on his face, "Yaad aa gaya na? Wohi yaad dilane ke liye kar raha tha... car mein tumhe mushkil ho rahi thi."

She rounded her eyes as he slipped his hand out, tucking her top back in the jeans.

As it got colder, the table was laid and they were invited to have food. Not too elaborate, but hot meal was extremely satisfying.

Naina looked up at the dark sky sprinkled with stars. There was no moon tonight... but the beauty of a starry night was something else, she realised.

"Dekho Sameer, chaand nahi hai fir bhi taaron ki roshni se raat ka andhera daravana nahi lag raha." She linked her hand with his as they walked back to their tent after dinner.

He looked up... indeed, the twinkling stars looked brighter and bigger as compared to city sky.

"Yahan taare zyada hi chamak rahe hain." He marvelled.

"Haan, kyonki unhein chupane ke liye na chaand hai na sheher ke roshni jo unki chamak ko halka deti hai." She leaned on his arm, lost in the magic.

"Tumhe pata hai yeh carpet kyon hai tent ke bahar?" He stopped as they reached their tent.

She gave one look to it... and shook her head.

"Jo taaron ki khoobsurati dekhna chahe woh yahan let ke aaram se dekh sakte hain... aisa nazara milna aur kahin toh mushkil hoga." He explained what the waiter had told him when he had gone to refill his plate a few minutes back.

She raised her brows... a question in her eyes. He didn't need her to speak to know what she wanted.

"Tum yahan ruko, main andar se kambal laata hun... warna thand lag jayegi." He pinched her cheek.

With a grin, she walked quickly to the mat as he ran in to get the pillow and blanket.

They laid side by side, looking up at the bejewelled sky... mesmerised by the number of stars.

"Jab hum Mumbai mein the toh taaro bhari raat mein jab bhi tumse milta tha, sochta tha kab woh waqt aayega jab tum inn taaron ke neeche mera chand banke meri baahon mein aaogi... kab saari bandishe khatm hongi... aur aaj woh din aa gaya... jab upar yeh taare hain aur mere paas mera chand hai." Sameer turned towards her, coming up on his elbow to look at her.

Her gaze shifted to him, eyes reflecting his face amidst the images of stars. He placed his hand over her clasped ones on her belly, his foot rubbing hers, making her shiver.

"Naina, tum bohot sundar ho." He leaned to whisper, his breath fanning her face.

She raised her hand, rubbing the back of her fingers against his jawline, "Tum bhi... inn taaron ke beech tumhara chehra mera chaand hai... mera apna chaand... jispe sirf mera haq hai... jiski chandni mein main nikhar jaati hun... isliye tumhe sundar lagti hun."

Even in the darkness engulfing them, the pools of flaming passion in his eyes leaped out at her, searing her in the cold night.

"Tum paanch minute baad aana... mujhe kuch kaam hai." Speaking in a rough voice, she got up to go inside the tent.

Sameer didn't stop her... the wait would be worth it.

Next update tomorrow morning