Sameer was sure now that Naina would be furious at this suggestion. She had not reacted for more than a few seconds... just staring at him with blank eyes.

"Naina, bolo na... tum nahi jaana chahti toh koi baat nahi... hum kuch aur soch lenge." He offered, the thought of giving up the chance to stay with her for one week tugging at his heart.

But he would never do anything if it did not have her consent.

Slowly, her lips curled into a smile, "Tum kaise hamesha jaan jaate ho mere dil ki baat?"

Sameer took two seconds to realise that she was in agreement... and his heart leapt in joy.

"Kyonki... main rehta hun yahan... tumhare dil mein." He said with a tilt of head.

His thoughtful gesture filled her eyes with love... in the form of tears.

"Sachhi Sameer, main papa ke aane se bohot darr rahi thi... humare paas court ka certificate hai fir bhi baar baar dehshat ho rahi thi... papa waise hi har samay gusse mein rehte hain... yeh sunkar toh unka para aasmaan choo jayega... aise mein unke saamne aane ki himmat nahi thi meri... woh bhi yahan college mein." Turning to her side, she wrenched her hands, voicing her fears with lowered eyes.

Sameer made her turn to face him, placing two fingers under the chin to lift her face, "Tumhe kabhi bhi akele unka saamna nahi karna padega... main tumhare saath rahunga... unko jawab dene ke liye... ki unki beti ab akeli nahi hai... Naina, abhi hum sirf exams ki wajah se jaa rahe hain... isliye nahi ki humne koi galti ki hai ya unse koi darr hai... ek baar tum achhe se exams de lo fir hum milke unke saamne jayenge."

Two drops spilled out of her eyes, rolling down on her soft cheeks.

Sameer wiped them with his thumb, "Meri Naina toh bohot himmatwali hai... tum kaun ho aur meri Naina ko kahan chupa ke aayi ho? Dekho, agar usko pata chala na ki uske malai ke katore pe tumne nazar daali hai toh tumko chodegi nahi."

Her laughter made his heart light... he was mesmerized by the tinkling sound.

"Ab tum khud hi apni tareef karne lage... Sameer Maheshwari... lagta hai khud se zyada hi pyar karne lage ho." She teased.

"Pyar toh tumse hai... aur har uss cheez se jo tumhe pasand hai... isliye keh raha tha... waise galat kya hai... naam toh tumne perfect rakha hai." He raised his collars.

"Uff... itna bhi hero mat samjho apne aap ko... bandar ho bilkul." She wrinkled her nose.

And his control snapped.

Grabbing her without warning, he sealed her mouth with his.

The shock was evident in her wide eyes as his tongue deftly stroked deep, taking advantage of her parted mouth, making her shudder.

He pressed his hands into her back to angle her for better hold... her hands clutched his shoulders... to balance herself.

He moved away abruptly, leaving her panting for breath, running a shaky hand through his hair... it wasn't easy to be so close yet stay away...

How would he manage to stay in the same house and keep his promise to her... how would he...

Her hands wound around his chest as she rested her head on his back, reeling with the effect of his sudden kiss.

He took a deep breath, placing his hand over hers on his thumping heart.

"Naina, sach mein tumhe mere saath rehne mein koi problem nahi hai... matlab Rahul ke yahan... itne din..." He swallowed.

Her hands moved away from his chest... and she stepped in front of him.

"Tumhare saath kahin bhi chalne mein ya rehne mein problem nahi hai Sameer... tumse kaisa darr." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Mujhe toh sabse zyada darr khud se hi lagta hai, Naina." He whispered, his hands clenched into tight fists at the sides.

"Daro nahi... hum milke sab sambhal lenge... ho sakta hai papa aayein hi nahi... aaj raat ko tum ek baar chachaji ko phone kar loge please... main toh raat ko bahar jaa nahi paungi... tum puch lena papa se baat hui kya... agar hui hai toh humein pata chal jayega ki unhone kaise react kiya." She tried to ease his worries.

Sameer closed his eyes... she clearly did not understand his fears... facing her father was not what was burdening his mind at the moment.

"Please Sameer, agar tum hi aise ghabraoge toh socho mera kya hoga." She started to get tensed.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking into her innocent ones... wondering how he could explain his dilemma to her.

She had raised the heels to wrap her arms around his neck... which brought her face closer to his... her eyes were full of hope... brows raised slightly... her plump cheeks still looked flushed due to the kiss... the lips were swollen...

He almost groaned aloud... why she had to look so delectable all the time... how was he supposed to keep himself in check staying with her in the same room twenty four hours... there would be no college... no requirement to go out... it would be like a honeymoon... but far from it... he gulped... it would be an ultimate test of his patience and self resistance... his own promise and her strict study schedule might help him remain in control...

"Bolo mera kya hoga agar tum aisa sochoge toh?" Her voice was no less than a shock for him.

"Huh... tum... tumhe kaise pata... main... main kya soch raha hun?" He stammered.

She narrowed her eyes, "Saaf likha hai tumhare chehre pe ki tum kitne pareshan ho... humari shaadi ko sirf ek din hua hai aur tum mujhse baatein bhi chupane ki koshish kar rahe ho... socha nahi tha aise pati banoge."

"Achha... toh kya socha tha? Kaisa pati banunga main?" His eyes got the glint back.

She squinted, pretending to think, "Maine toh socha tha bohot seedhe se, pyaare se, meri saari baatein manne wale pati hoge tum."

"Oh, fir toh tumhe shaadi nahi karni chahiye thi." He gave a naughty smile.

"Kyon?" Her eyes widened.

"Kyonki... " He leaned towards her, his hands circling around her tiny waist, his long fingers reaching the front of her stomach on both sides...

Naina held her breath.

Drawing her more into himself, he softly whispered, "Kyonki... seedha toh main bilkul nahi hun... aur na tumhari saari baatein manunga... pyaara sa shayad nahi par pyaar karne wala pati zaroor hun... dher saara... hamesha... har waqt... "

He leaned again towards her face... she placed her fingers on his lips, bending backwards.

"Pehle toh jo main kehti thi tum maan jaate the... ab kyon nahi manoge?" She pouted.

"Tum mujhe jab bhi pyaar karne se rokogi...  bas wohi ek baat nahi sununga tumhari." He held the slender wrist, bringing her hand down.

Before she could ask further, he captured the tempting lips again, taking her by surprise one more time.

The kiss was soft when it started... he lightly nipped her lower lip, teasing with his tongue... but the moment he got access, the kiss deepened... his hands clutched her waist tighter, her fingers threading and fisting his hair.

She could feel the urgency in the way he claimed her... moulding herself to fit against him, she returned the kiss ardently... his one hand moved over her back while the other went up to gently grasp the back of her head...

The tightening in her stomach turned painful... she had a desperate urge to clutch the muscles that made their presence felt strongly at the moment... the loss of air seemed to be less of an issue... her legs were losing the strength to support her... sweat beads started to form on her forehead...

Even when he eventually broke the kiss, the little explosions in her head didn't stop, making her feel dizzy.

Sameer immediately scooped her closer, feeling her lose balance. She collapsed against his chest, wondering how he always remained in control... how could he stop when she herself wanted him to go on...

He stroked her back gently, kissing the top of her head.

"Tum subah nau baje bahar milna mujhe... theek hai?" He spoke when his breathing eased out a little.

Naina nodded, wondering how she could hear amidst the wild roaring of his heart under her ear and the deafening pounding of her own.

Back in the room, she packed her bag before going to bed, keeping all the books as one week was a long time and she didn't want to ignore any subject. In fact, staying together would give her more time to study with Sameer, making him sit with her without the tension of going back for lunch or dinner.

Next morning, Sameer waited impatiently... it was not like Naina to be late... but today she was...

He checked the watch... it was past nine fifteen.

Hearing a sound, he looked up. Naina was coming out of the gate, holding her bag, dressed in a suit.

"Arre, aaj tumne jeans kyon nahi pehni?" He said with some disappointment as he was looking forward to some more bike moments.

"Kyon... rule hai kya... jeans nahi pehnungi toh bike pe nhi bithaoge." Her angry voice stunned him.

"Nahi Naina... main toh... woh bas... aise hi... " He was at loss of words.

"Ab chalo, pehle hi der ho gayi hai." Her irritation was evident from her expression and her voice.

Sameer started the bike, waiting for her to settle comfortably.

As they reached the road, her hand slipped around his waist... he felt her head resting between his shoulders. He looked through the mirror many times but not even once did she look up or say anything. The entire distance was covered in silence.

Reaching their society, Sameer parked the bike. Naina waited near the lift as he joined her. He knew something was wrong... frown lines on her forehead were not normal.

Sonali opened the door with a bright smile. She was exhilarated at the idea of staying together.

"Aise secret bana ke rakha tha itni si baat ko inn dono ne... kal humare saamne hi baat kar lete toh hum dono bhi kuch achhi planning karte... kyon Naina?" She exclaimed the moment they sat in the living room.

Naina gave a small smile.

The servant got some snacks along with glasses of cold drinks.

Sameer was surprised to see Naina refuse to take Mangola... it was her favourite.

"Le na Naina, kya hua... cola chahiye toh woh bhi hai." Sonali insisted.

Naina shook her head... something conspired between the two of them through their eyes... and Sonali looked back at the servant.

"John, aisa karo, ek cup chai bana do."

Sameer was utterly confused. There was some problem for sure. He was eager to be alone with her.

"Rahul, yeh samaan andar rakh deta hun." He got up, picking both their bags.

"Mera rehne do, Sameer. Main khud le jaungi." Naina stopped him.

"Tum dono rehne do... main rakhwa dunga... abhi samose khao... fir toh lunch time tak padhna hi hai..." he looked at Sonali with a sigh, "Meri biwi ne aisa time table bana rakha hai ki sirf khane ke time padhne se chutti milti hi warna toh kitabon mein hi doobe rehte hain."

"Haan toh... agle hafte se exams hain... pichle saal se achha result aana chahiye... main nahi chahti koi kahe ki shaadi ki wajah se number nahi aaye." Sonali gave him a stern look.

Sameer noticed that Naina was better after having tea... he was getting restless now. The servant had already taken their bags.

"Naina, tumhe bhi toh padhna hai na." He knew this would make her get up for sure.

She looked at her watch, "Haan Sonali, chal ab dopaher mein baat karenge... tum log bhi padh lo."

Getting up, she walked towards the room she had occupied previously.

"Woh nahi, Naina, aage wala room hai... thoda bada hai toh maine socha dono ke liye comfortable hoga." Sonali pointed at the end of the corridor.

Naina froze... it had not occurred to her till now that they would be sharing a room.

Sameer was right behind her. Seeing her standing, he held her hand and moved towards the room, taking her along.

"Sameer, hum... hum ek kamre mein kaise..." She asked nervously as he closed the door.

"Naina, hum yahan pehle bhi ek kamre mein hi rahe the... aur ab toh hamari shaadi ho chuki hai... tum chahti ho main Rahul se kahun ki humein alag alag rehna hai?" He raised his brows.

She bit her lip... telling him about it was one thing but sharing a room... when she was on her periods...

The pain and discomfort was already making her edgy.

It would be tough.

As she stood contemplating how to manage, Sameer wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Tum itni ghabrai hui kyon ho... main toh khushi se pagal ho raha hun... poora ek hafta apni biwi ke saath... na milne ke liye intezar, na wapas jaane ki jaldi."