Sleep was far away from Sameer's eyes. He adored the sleeping form of his beautiful wife in his arms. What she had done today for him was unimaginable. She had stepped beyond her own zone of comfort... only for him. It must have taken enormous amount of courage for her to wear what she did... but he was equally astounded by the fact that she had purchased it herself. A smile crept up on his lips. He could make out very early in their relationship that there was an untamed, wild side of her passion... but he would get to see it so soon, this had never occurred to him. She would still lower her eyes when his hand went around her waist... yet, she had left him speechless today.

The realisation that she wanted him as much as he wanted her was another exhilarating fact...

He saw the serene expression on her face, the lips very slightly curled at the edges... as if in a smile. Her messed up hair covered half her face. He smoothed them away, pushing them behind her ear. The porcelain cheeks were flushed. He wondered what she was dreaming about that was making her blush. Her smooth shoulder was peeking through the quilt. Though his arm was around her bare waist, her body pressing into him, a mere glimpse of the creamy skin made his heartbeat quicken. She was so beautiful, so perfect, so enchanting... he could never get enough of her. The thoughts made his desires enliven again, making him long for her. The fire she had erupted tonight won't be doused that easy... he needed her again... and again... But he didn't want to disturb her sleep. His hormones had to wait till morning.

For now, he could watch her... and he knew he could do that forever...

As if his thoughts reached her, she opened her eyes, dreamily looking at him.

"Tum soye nahi?" Her voice was heavy.

He shook his head, "Neend udda di tumne."

Her already coloured cheeks became more red.

"Waise ab laal rang bhi bohot pasand hai mujhe." His eyes shone, knowing the effect on her.

She hid her face in his chest, not able to look at him.

He chuckled, amazed at her completely different persona from a few hours back.

"So jao, subah jaldi uthna hai." She murmured against his chest.

He wanted to stay awake the whole night... keep her awake with him... feel her love... show her how much he had been captivated by her colours...

He dipped his head, kissing her cheek, "Good night."

They drifted off to sleep, secured in each other's arms.

It felt that they had just closed their eyes when the repeated beep sound made Naina stir to see where it was coming from. There was a small alarm, attached to the pole supporting the tent. It was automatically set to wake up the guests in time to be out on the hill before sunrise. She shook Sameer, asking him to get up.

"Chodo na, Naina... sunrise toh sab jagah ek jaisa hota hai... kisi bhi din dekh lenge Ahmedabad mein ghar ki chat se... abhi sone do." He mumbled in sleep.

"Jis kaam ke liye aaye hain yahan, woh hi nahi karna tumhe?" She patted his shoulder.

"Haan toh uske liye bahar kyon jaana hai... aa jao, maine kab mana kiya." He pulled her over him, grinning with closed eyes.

She swatted his arm, slipping back to the bed, "Chup kar ke uth jao... warna main akele jaa rahi hun bahar."

He opened his eyes, grumbling, "Yaar Naina, yeh sooraj itni jaldi kyon nikalta hai? Abhi abhi toh soye the."

Her eyes turned mischievous, "Toh itni der se kyon sote ho? Ismein sooraj ki toh koi galti nahi hai."

He raised himself on elbow, giving her an intense look, "Par chaand ki galti toh hai na... mere chaand ki... jisne meri raaton mein rang bhar ke meri neenden udda di hain... pehle hara, fir pink, fir silver, ab laal... agla rang kaunsa hoga,  sweetheart?"

She held the quilt close to her chest, "Ab yeh indradhanush chodo aur taiyar ho jao."

He turned with a sigh, picking up his jeans from the floor. Since the shirt from last night had only two buttons left attached, he fished out another from the bag, adding a jacket over it.

Dressed, he looked back to find Naina still sitting in bed.

"Ab yeh mat kehna mujhe utha ke tum khud sone wali ho." He placed his hands on hips, narrowing his eyes at her.

She held the quilt closer, "Tum bahar chalo, main bas do minute mein aati hun."

"Nahi, main akele kyon jaun? Tum ready ho jao fir dono saath chalenge." He crossed his arms.

"Sameer, tum taiyar ho gaye ho toh jaake dekho na ki aur log aaye ya nahi... yahan khade hokar kya karoge?" She urged.

"Baaki logon ko dekhun? Naina, tum yeh kya keh rahi ho? Humein sunrise dekhna hai... aise hi ladte rahe toh sooraj hamara intzaar nahi karega... yeh faaltu ki baatein chodo aur jaldi uth jao." He frowned.

"Offo, itni si baat samajh nahi aati kya... yahan bathroom thodi hai... main taiyar kaise ho sakti hun jab tak tum yahan khade ho?" She blurted out.

Then it occurred to him...

"Oh, toh pehle bol deti." He said softly.

"Bol deti toh tum chale jaate?" She was surprised.

"Tch." He shook his head, giving a lopsided smirk, "Pagal samjha hai kya?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, "Sameer, please na... dekho hum sirf sunrise dekhne aaye hain yahan... aur agar tumhari wajah se woh reh gaya toh... "

He realised they didn't have time for arguments or his teasing. Picking up the bag, he placed it next to her on the bed.

"Yeh lo... ab jaldi se ready ho jao... main udhar muh kar raha hun." He turned his back towards her.

She quickly took out the clothes, pulling them on, her eyes fixed on him. But he didn't move, patiently waiting.

Once she was dressed in jeans and a pullover, she stood up.

"Chalo." She said, taking a stole to cover her messy hair.

The horizon was visible from right outside their tent, but they walked ahead, climbing the hill to reach a small cliff. Sitting down on the edge, they saw the colours spread in the sky. The view was breathtaking. Hues of pink and orange, mixed with shades of blue cut through the darkness that was melting with each passing moment. What appeared as lost surroundings last night, came alive as valleys filled with blooming flowers. When the first rays of sun spread over these valleys and hills, a warm glow of yellow spilled over everything around them. The blooms turned more colourful... the hills became more green... the sky turned clearer... even the dew drops on the blades of grass around them reflected the shining light.

"Wow, maine itne saare rang apne chaaron taraf ek saath kabhi nahi dekhe." Sameer was mesmerised.

"Rang toh har tarf bikhre hain... tumne dhyaan se dekha hi nahi." Naina gazed at the carpet of flowers in the valleys below.

He looked at her, "Rangon se pehchaan tumne karwayi hai, Naina... maine rangon ko dekhna tumhare saath hi shuru kiya hai... meri zindagi ke kaale andhere mita kar usse indradhanush tumne banaya hai... aur ab har rang mein tumhari jhalak dikhayi deti hai... isliye yeh khoobsurat lagte hain."

Her eyes shifted to him... his face shone with the warm glow that was slowly becoming brighter... the happiness in his eyes swelled up her heart.

For her... this was sunrise... this was the end of darkness, the end to his loneliness that would never haunt him again, never bring back the painful shadows in his eyes... she would always be with him, and he would forever be the effulgence of her life... his sparkling eyes made her world luminesce.

She leaned on his shoulder, beaming with the joy that filled her up, "Sachmuch, itna sundar sunrise toh maine bhi kabhi nahi dekha."

He linked his fingers with hers. They sat till the soft orange ball rose completely over the hills, and started to get the golden tinge on edges. Soon, it won't be possible to look at it anymore.

"Ab chalein?" Sameer asked, looking around to see that other couples, who had preferred to watch from outside their tents only, had already gone back, leaving them to be the only ones still sitting outside in the cold.

"Hmm." She felt the cold too.

They walked back to their tent. Once inside, Sameer secured the door before turning to take her in a back hug.

"Ab sunrise toh ho gaya... toh... " He inhaled deeply, nestling in her hair.

"Toh wapas chalte hain... apne hotel." She rested her head back on his shoulder.

"Usse pehle breakfast hona chahiye na." He whispered against her throat.

"Haan, toh chalo." She attempted to move away, though his meaning was clear to her.

He turned her swiftly, "Uh huh... woh nahi... mera special breakfast."

His mouth sought hers, throwing the stole away. She arched her back, slipping her hands inside his jacket, feeling the rippling muscles through thin fabric of his shirt. His hand went behind her head, clutching her hair softly, one hand settled in the small of her back, pulling her closer. His hunger increased as she pressed more into him... her soft curves flattened against his chest, her hands urgently exploring his back, her tongue playing with his, her eager body arching more to fit against his...

He raised his head when his lungs almost gave up in want of air, taking in deep, shaky breaths. She collapsed on his chest, breathing heavily.

"Naina, tumne kya jadoo kiya hai... tumhare siva kuch nazar hi nahi aata... tumhare alava kisi aur cheez ki zaroorat mehsoos hi nahi hoti." He wondered aloud, looking down at her.

In answer, she came up on her toes, placing a couple of kisses on his thick stubble, "Mujhpe toh yeh jadoo salon pehle kar diya tha tumne."

"Lekin tum jab chahe yeh jataa sakti thi." His hand rubbed her cheek, then slipped down to go under her pullover, and the top.

"Main pehle nahi dikha sakta tha iss jadoo ka asar." The hand went up to seek the softness, feel her under his fingers.

She drew in a sharp breath, lowering her eyes... her hands fisting on his back.

Before they could succumb to their growing needs, what sounded something like a school bell started to ring in their ears.

"Ab yeh kya hai? Har jagah pyar ke dushman hain." Sameer lifted his head in irritation.

Najna giggled, "Breakfast ki bell hai... kal raat bataya toh tha jab dinner kar rahe the... ki yahan jaldi breakfast laga dete hain aur fir sab wapas chale jaate hain."

"Uhhhh... Naina, kya koi aisi jagah nahi hoti jahan disturb karne wale na ho? Bas tum aur main... har lamha... ek saath... koi phone, koi ghanti, koi awaaz na ho?" He wrinkled his nose.

His childlike demand and expression contrasted with the hunger in his eyes, making her knees go weak... all she wanted was to lose herself in him, to melt in his arms, to drown in those deep, dark eyes, to give... and take... what could ease the tightness in her belly...

The bell chimed again.

He saw her eyes clouded with the same yearning... pulling his hand out with steely control, he stroked her hair.

"Abhi jaana hoga, Naina... lekin hotel pohochane ke baad saara time hamara hoga." He whispered, kissing her forehead.

She smiled, nodding.

They packed their things, not even bothering to search for the lost buttons. Probably he would need a boxful in each colour when they went back home... to make his shirts wearable again... and for future requirements.

He glanced at her, sure that he hadn't seen the end of her button breaking abilities... his shirts were likely to bear this all their life... he wanted them to... he looked forward to it.

After breakfast, they left for the hotel.

"Ab koi disturb nahi karega." Sameer stretched his arms, happy to be back in their room.

"Tum naha lo tab tak main yeh bag khali kar deti hun." Naina suggested, bending down to take out the clothes they had carried.

He took off his shirt, standing in front of the full length mirror. His eyes fell on the marks at the base of his throat, and shoulder... they had turned blue now. He pressed a finger over each one. It still hurt a little. He saw the back of his wife through the mirror, and his eyes shone with mischief.

"Ahh Naina... ahh... bohot dard ho raha hai." He cried out, holding one hand to his throat.

She turned, running to him immediately... but stooped suddenly... her eyes wide... staring at his back.

He waited... for her to come in front... but she stood behind him, with a shocked expression on her face.

Finally, when he was about to turn, he felt her fingers on his back, gingerly tracing something.

"Sam... Sameer... yeh... yeh... " Her eyes were misty.

He wondered what she was referring to. Turning his back to the mirror, he craned his neck to check... the deep marks of her nails were clearly visible... some had a darker line, showing the faint signs of dried up blood.

"I'm so sorry, Sameer... ismein dard ho raha hai?" Her voice was choked.

He looked back at her, surprised to see such reaction.

"Naina, arre, tum iske liye ro kyon rahi ho? Yeh kuch nahi hai." He took her in his arms instantly.

"Lekin abhi tumne kaha... yeh toh jal raha hoga." She looked up with apologetic eyes.

"Buddhu ladki, yeh tumhare pyar ke nishan hain... jaise yeh." He pointed at the blue marks on his neck and shoulders.

Her eyes rounded in shock. She stared at the purplish blue marks, then looked at his face.

He saw the regret in her eyes.

"Oh Naina, meri jaan, yeh nishaan, yeh dard mujhe takleef nahi khushi de rahe hain... aur mujhe yeh khushi baar baar chahiye... tumhari aankhon mein aansu nahi kal raat jaisa nasha dekhna hai mujhe... sach, tumhari kasam... mujhe tumhare pyar ke aise izhaar ki hamesha chahat rahegi... hamesha." He cupped her cheek, wiping the lone tear that loomed at the corner of her eye.

Her fingers traced the nail marks on his back, her eyes boring into his, "Inmein bhi dard nahi ho raha?"

He shook his head, "Mujhe toh inka ahsaas bhi nahi tha, jab tak tumne bataya nahi... ab jab pata chal gaya hai... toh... "

"Toh?" She raised her brows.

"Toh iss baar mehsoos karne ki koshish karunga." He whispered hoarsely, turned on by the thought of her nails digging into his back.

Next update tomorrow morning