Naina opened her eyes to bright light filtering in the room through a few cracks in the curtains. She looked at the bedside clock to realise it was past ten in the morning. But then, the time didn't matter. They were not bound by the hands of clock. With a smile, she stirred... and realised her state.

Holding the quilt upto her neck, she turned to see her husband sleeping peacefully. The room was not cold, but still, it wasn't hot either... for him to be sleeping in just his track bottoms, no quilt over him. Chiding herself for keeping the whole of it over her, she pulled it to cover him. He mumbled in sleep, incoherent though, as her arm touched his bare chest. Quickly drawing her hand back, she looked around. Her nighty lay at the foot of the bed... just the inner. Slowly slipping towards it under the quilt, she picked it up. It wasn't much, but she could get out of the bed.

On the way to washroom, her eyes fell on the gown on the floor... she blushed as the scene from last night replayed in front of her eyes.

The morning bell of hostel continued to ring as Sameer tried to shut his ears. But the sound did not stop. He didn't want to get up. He didn't want to go through the same routine... of sitting, dining, studying, attending classes with the same boys who were nice to him only when he spent money for them... even then, they sniggered behind his back, making fun of his mother who had remarried... and threw him out of his new life.

"Please, chup ho jao." He muttered, shutting his ears.

The sound stopped... only to begin again with the same intensity.

He got up with a jerk, dazed at the unfamiliar surroundings. The phone next to his bed was ringing. He picked it up quickly.

"Good morning, sir... aapne dus baje cab bulane ko kaha tha... woh aa gayi hai." The courteous voice of manager floated through the instrument.

"Huh... haan... theek hai... thodi der aur rukne ko kahiye." He instructed, trying to understand the situation.

"No problem, sir... aap jab ready ho bata dijiyegaa." He said in a soft tone before disconnecting.

Sameer wiped off the sweat from his forehead. All the bad memories were a dream.

He looked around at the spent candles... the room still smelled of fresh roses... and of his Naina.

He looked at his side with a smile... it faded abruptly as his eyes encountered an empty bed.

"Naina, Naina... kahan ho..
Naina... please bolo kahan ho tum." He frantically called out to her.

The door to washroom opened. She came out with a towel in hand, worried at his urgent cries.

"Kya hua, Sameer? Tum theek toh ho?" She rushed to him.

He pulled her into his arms, drowning his face in her neck, "Kahan chali gayi thi mujhe akela chod ke... main darr gaya tha."

"Main bathroom mein hi toh thi... tumhe chod ke kahan jaa sakti hun, Sameer... tum aise kyon keh rahe ho?" She was perplexed.

"Maine... maine ek bura sapna dekha." His voice quivered.

She rubbed his back with one hand, running the other one in his hair, "Sab bure sapne peeche reh gaye... ab hum dono saath hain... hamesha rahenge... aise hi ek doosre ke paas... ab hum ek parivar hain... tum darte kyon ho?"

His fears eased out. Her comfort and warmth soothed him. The thought of his dream did not trouble him anymore. He had a family... she was his family. Along with her, he had got many more relations... new ones. And he had also got the one he craved for most in his life... his mother. Naina had made his life complete... in every sense.

Holding her tighter, he breathed in relief. Her hands continued to slowly rub his back. The worries gone, his mind woke up to her proximity. He felt her soft body through the flimsy nighty, pressed against his chest. His hands started to move slowly over her back. She had tied her hair into a bun to wash her face. He tugged at it, letting the waves cascade down her back. She could discern that his mind was at ease... and his heart had taken over. She brought her hands to his chest, trying to create some distance between them, conscious of just the single layer of satin between them.

"Abhi toh kaha hum saath hain... fir kahan bhaag rahi ho?" He murmured against her ear, keeping her close.

"Woh main... mujhe... " She fumbled for excuses.

He slid back in bed with her in his arms.

"Good morning, meri jaan." He whispered, his hand slowly moving over her waist.

"Good morning... bohot der ho gayi." She lifted her neck, making an effort to get up.

His direct gaze on her face made her go red.

"Hone do na... humein kya kaam hai?" He smiled, looking at her downcast eyes.

She was shy, he could make out. It was so different from the version he saw last night... a girl who planned something special only for him, who made all arrangements herself, without his knowledge though he was with her all the time... the candles, the flowers, he had no idea how she managed that. She had faked tiredness, and tricked him into believing that all she wanted was to sleep. And then, surprised him in such a way that he was left dumbstruck. She was an enchantress... no doubt.

His grip got tighter as he felt her trying to sit up.

"Sameer, jaane do na... pehle hi der ho gayi hai." She said earnestly, avoiding to look at him.

"Naina, mat jao please... aaj kahin nahi jaate... bas aise hi paas raho... tum bhi toh yehi chahti ho." He refused to let go.

"Main? Maine aisa kab kaha?" Her eyes lifted... giving him a shocked look.

"Thodi der pehle... tum yeh jo neend mein bolti ho na... har baar mujhe kuch naya pata chalta hai." He made up a story, keeping her pinned over him.

She squeezed her eyes shut, embarrassed at the thought of saying something like this.

"Aaj pata hai tumne kya kaha?" He teased, enjoying the deepening of colour on her face.

"Mujhe nahi sunna." She could not bear him repeating if she had said something inappropriate.

"Tumne kaha... Sameer, aaj hum kahi nahi jaayenge... saara din aise hi rahenge... ekdum paas." Her denial could not stop him.

"Achha, kahin nahi gaye toh shaam ko jo party hai uska kya? Aur jo shopping karni thi?" She frowned, forgetting her hesitation.

"Oh haan... main toh bhool hi gaya... theek hai, abhi uthte hain... par pehle good morning toh bolo." His hands moved to her sides.

"Abhi bola na... do second pehle." She reminded.

The mischief that played in his eyes registered the meaning of his demand.

She lowered her head, hiding her face from him.

"Naina, jab tum aise sharmaati ho, toh mujhe tumpe bohot pyar aata hai... aur jab nahi sharmati, kal raat ki tarah, toh bohot zyada pyar aata hai... mera pyar kam zyada nahi... bas zyada ya bohot zyada hota hai." He whispered, craning his neck to reach her ear.

He felt her lips curl into a smile against his heart.

"Dil ko toh sukoon de diya... ab meri subah bhi meethe se shuru kar do." He tickled her waist.

She twisted immediately, "Ahh Sameer, kya kar..."

The words died down in her mouth as he took the opportunity to get his morning dose.

When he took bath that day, he did not shave, leaving the day old stubble. It had been a long time since he had seen her reaction to it, and he craved for it now.

Naina wore a blue and white dress, looking like doll. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Yeh dress pehle dekha nahi." He drooled as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror.

"Saare kapde naye hain... chachiji ne kaha shaadi ke baad purane kapde leke nahi jaana." She smoothed the dress, liking the design too.

"Par mujhe tumhare college wale dresses bhi bohot pasand the... woh le aana... aur jeans... aur uske saath woh pink top jo tumne mere birthday pe pehna tha, black wala jo main laya tha, aur... "

"Bas, bas, samajh gayi... sab le aaungi." She halted his list, smirking.

"Mujhe jo pasand hai woh tumhe kahin se laana nahi padega." She gave him a meaningful smile.

His eyes glittered at her hint, ready to stay back.

She lifted her toes, kissing his dark jawline.

He pressed his lower lip, raising one brow.

"Ab chalo, zyada sochne ki zaroorat nahi hai... bohot dino baad aise dekha toh socha bata dun kitne handsome lag rahe ho." She held his arm, dragging him out of the room.

They left the hotel without breakfast, planning to eat somewhere in the market area, shopping being first on their agenda.

Sameer wanted her to wear a saree. Happy to comply with his demand, she started searching for a saree shop. The market not being very big they found a small shop at the end of the lane. The collection was also not very vast. When the handloom sarees were shown, both of them together picked a black one, with a golden border.

"Yeh bohot achhi lagegi tumpe." He was happy.

Her next question wiped the smile off his face.

"Blouse kahan se banwa sakti hun... urgent hai... aaj hi chahiye." She asked the salesman.

"Bhabhi, waise toh hamare yahan bhi tailor tha par woh do din se gaon gaya hai... agar aapko zaroori hai toh peeche mere ghar se meri biwi ko bula deta hun... woh apne kapde khud banati hai... kaam chalaane layak toh bana hi degi." The salesman said hesitantly.

The smile was back on Sameer's face.

Before Naina could say anything, he beamed, "Haan, bilkul bula dijiye... humein koi dikkat nahi hai."

She suppressed a smile, knowing the reason for his exultation.

The genial lady came out a few minutes later, took Naina behind the shop and took measurements. She promised to give it in three hours.

Satisfied, they stopped at a small restaurant close by, and had a hearty breakfast.

The cab driver suggested that instead of going to the gardens, since they wanted to be back early, they could take a trip on the toy train.

The train was aptly named toy train... it was indeed like a toy. Painted blue and white, it was so narrow that there was no place for seats on both sides. Half the compartment was used as a passage, other half having wooden seats.

Sameer booked an entire compartment, not keen to be disturbed.

As the train started, it's steam engine let out a big cloud of smoke. It chugged out of the station at a slow pace. Sameer pulled Naina close, peeking out the window, his chin resting on her shoulder.

The train went through a picturesque route, passing tea plantations, thickly forested hills, rocky terrain and ravines.

Naina excitedly pointed out the tall trees and lush green tea gardens.

When the train entered a tunnel, Sameer grabbed the opportunity, kissing her neck and cheek.

She gave him a harsh look as the tunnel ended. He raised his brows, holding one ear.

Melting instantly, she threw her arms around him, surprising him with a kiss each on both cheeks, forehead and a peck on his lips. He lifted his finger to the lower lip, pushing his luck. She smacked his arm lightly.

Sharing small moments, they completed the journey in a couple of hours.

They went back to the market for lunch and then to pick up the blouse.

Naina was aghast to see the blouse. It was sleeveless.

"Lekin aapne aisa kyon banaya?" She asked the confused lady.

"Woh bhabhi, sheheron mein sab aise hi pehente hain... aur humne aapki baaju ka naap kahan liya tha... aapne bhi nahi kaha." The lady was scared.

Naina recalled she was busy smirking about Sameer's  reaction seeing a woman taking her measurements... she failed to notice what the lady said or noted.

"Koi baat nahi, Naina... tum ne cut sleeve ke top bhi toh pehne hain college mein. Yahan bhi pehen lena... ghar ke log thodi dekh rahe hain." He convinced her.

He was right... she comprehended.

I know that the toy train journey is five hours from Mettupalayam, a town in Tamil Nadu, to the station of Udagamandalam, known as Ooty. I have taken creative liberty here, just like the show... by showing it as a small train ride within the hill station.