"Sapna toh hum dono ka ek hi hai na... humara saath." Naina traced her thumb on his jawline.

Sameer held her hand, not able to bear the torture, "Woh sapna toh sabse pehle hai... par uske saath aur bhi bohot saare sapne hain... jo ab mujhe batane ki zaroorat nahi hai shayad... tumhari aankhon mei bhi dikhne lage hain."

His fingers on her waist rubbed the bare skin of her back.

Pulling her hand out of his grasp, she moved it along the lapels of his blazer, "Aaj meri aankhon mein tumhe apne alawa kuch nahi nazar aayega."

He closed his eyes, "Naina, aisi baatein karogi toh main tumhe jaane nahi dunga."

She placed her hands on his chest, taking a deep breath to fill herself up with his strong, musky scent.

Sameer could take it no more. He pulled her into his arms.

"Aaj kya maar dalne ke irade se aayi ho?" He whispered into her hair.

"Sameer, aaj tum school ki farewell se bhi zyaada achhe lag rahe ho... shayad isliye kyonki aaj tum mere ho." She locked her hands behind him.

"Main toh tab bhi tumhara hi tha." He felt the softness of her hair against his face.

Naina looked up at him, narrowing her eyes, "Par mujhe pata nahi tha na... mere liye toh tum woh chaand the jisse main dekh ke khush ho sakti thi par paa kabhi nahi sakti thi."

He looked fondly at her, "Tumhara yeh chaand tumhare hi paas aata... bas thodi der lag gayi."

Her eyes filled with love, "Aaj tum sirf mere chaand nahi, mere haathon ki woh lakeer ho jo meri kismat ban gayi hai."

He touched his forehead with hers, a smile of contentment on their faces.

The students had started to take seat by the time Naina and Sameer went back to the hall. Rahul waved at them to join him and Sonali in the first row. A little later, the chairs on the dais was occupied by the professors and Principal.

The program started with the address of Principal which included special laurels that were brought by this batch... including the exemplary performance of Naina Agarwal, who not only topped the entire university for two consecutive years but also won an award for her article and bagged a TV show that was doing extremely well. Along with few more students, the Principal also mentioned Sameer Maheshwari under whose captaincy, the college won Champions Trophy all three years. All the achievers were presented with a medal and certificate.

After the Principal, professors also addressed the students but did not keep the speech long or boring. A representative of second year was present to give the titles to seniors.

He read out a few lines about each student, mentioning the most noticable qualities... and others had to guess the name. Sometimes it was easy but few were not simple enough to be guessed clearly.

However, his next lines left no doubt in anyone's mind

Khubsurat sa chehra
Kaam uske hain mahan
Uski aankhon mein hi chupa hai
Uska pyara sa naam

The entire hall said in unison, "Naina Agarwal."

Amidst the sound of applause, she accepted the flower and the small card which had the same lines written along with her name.

The next one was not difficult either.

Apne naam ke jaise hi tum saksham ho har cheez mein
Pyar gehra tha itna shaadi bhi karli college ke beech mein

Rahul smiled shyly as everyone called out his name.

After a few more came the one that filled the hall with the whistles after everyone guessed the name.

Udde jab jab zulfein teri
Ladkiyon ke dil machle
Cricket me hi nahi padhne mein bhi
Tum toh chuppe rustam nikle

Naina was more than happy to see his achievements in academics being recognised along with his skills in sports.

Once the process was completed, the chairs from the stage were cleared and a few entertainment programs were presented by second year students.

And then was the time to really enjoy the party. The hall was cleared of all the chairs and the music system was set up to play songs for the dance party to begin. The professors left the hall, leaving the students to have some carefree time.

"Yaar, ye Naina aaj kitni sundar lag rahi hai... mujhe toh first year se hi bohot pasand hai par kabhi himmat nahi kar paya bolne ki."

The words fell in Rahul's ears... he sharply turned to see Nakul, one of their classmate, talking to another as he eyed Naina.

Rahul walked up to them.

Placing an arm around Nakul's shoulder, he said thoughtfully, "Naina pasand hai tujhe?"

Nakul nodded, thinking that Rahul might help him.

"Toh kabhi usse dhyan se dekha kyon nahi?" Rahul asked softly.

Nakul gave a surprised look, "Hamesha dekhta hun... teen saal se dhyan ussi pe hai."

He did not expect the smack he got on his head.

"Toh itna nahi dikhai diya ki Naina ke naina sirf Sameer ko dekhte hain... woh dono paanch saal se saath hain... aur ab agar kuch bola Naina ke baare mein toh soch lena, Sameer sirf cricket aur padhai mein hi nahi, boxing mein bhi champion hai." Rahul's threatening voice made Nakul look up in horror at Sameer who was talking to someone a little distance away.

Before Nakul could comprehend what he had heard, Rahul walked away to where Naina and Sonali were standing.

"Naina, tum uss Nakul se door rehna agar woh koi baat karne ki koshish kare toh." He said in a low voice.

Naina inadvertently glanced at Nakul... and found him staring.

"Isse kya hua, aise kyon dekh raha hai?" She looked back at Rahul.

"Dikhai hi toh nahi deta uss andhe ko... usse pata hi nahi abhi tak ki tum aur Sameer saath ho... planning kar raha tha tumse baat karne ki... abhi akal thikane laga ke aaya hun par fir bhi tum door hi rehna usse." Rahul was protective for her.

"Kisse door kar raha hai Naina ko?" Sameer's voice almost made him jump.

"Kuch nahi... tum yeh batao aaj toh dance karoge na?" Naina tried to divert his attention.

Looking at Naina, he smiled, "Aaj jo bhi tum bolo."

"Dekha, kitni baatein manta hai Sameer Naina ki... aur ek tum ho... meri sunte hi nahi." Sonali elbowed Rahul.

"Arre, maine kya kiya? Main toh... " His sentence drowned as the volume of music was suddenly raised many decibels.

Rahul dragged Sonali in the center of the room for a dance, to join others.

Sameer slid his hand behind Naina, holding her from the waist.

"Sameer, yahan sabke samne..." She mouthed as he looked down at her.

Bending down to make her hear him over the music, his lips brushing her ear, he made her shiver both with the touch and his words.

"Main sabke samne kuch bhi kar sakta hun... tum meri ho yeh batana zaruri hai."

Her eyes widened, "Tumne sun liya tha?"

Sameer swiftly moved to the dance floor, still holding her. Though the songs being played did not require a close dance, he did not let go of her hand.

When 'pehla nasha' started to play, Sameer pulled her closer, not paying any heed to her protests.

"Sameer, college hai yeh." She tried to remove his hand from her waist.

"Par yahan abhi sirf students hain." He gazed into her eyes.

Later, while Naina and Sonali were seated, Sameer asked Rahul while taking food, "Kaun tha?"

Without looking up Rahul answered, "Nakul."

Sameer glanced around the room, to see Nakul talking to his friends, his back towards them.

"Dekh Sameer, usko maine bata diya ki Naina teri hai... aur uske baad usne ek baar bhi Naina se baat karne ki koshish nahi ki... tu bhi kuch mat karna... aaj party ka mahaul hai." Rahul earnestly placed a hand on Sameer's arm.

"Main kuch nahi kar raha... usne Naina ko pareshan thodi kiya hai... ab door se agar koi pasand kare toh isme bura kya hai." He was calm.

Rahul was scared now, "Sameer, main janta hun tune Ahmedabad mein uss ladke ka haath tod diya tha... aur jabse Sonali ne bataya ki shaadi mein Sahil Naina ke peeche pada tha tabse mujhe lagta hai uske saath jo hua usmein kahin na kahin tera haath hai... ab Nakul ko chod de bhai... exam aa rahe hain... kyon kisi ke haath, pair, naak todna chahta hai... fir Nakul ne kuch kaha bhi nahi ab tak."

Sameer turned towards Rahul with a comforting smile, "Tu chinta mat kar... main tab tak kuch nahi karunga jab tak koi Naina ke kareeb jaane ki koshish na kare... yaar, Nakul ko hum teen saal se jaante hain... woh toh itna shaant aur sharmeela hai... aur ab jo tune usse mere aur Naina ke baare mein bata diya toh mujhe nahi lagta woh Naina ki taraf aankh bhi uthayega... mujhe usse koi problem nahi hai."

Rahul heaved a sigh of relief. Sameer's judgement turned out to be true... Nakul did not once look in Naina's direction again.

As the party came to an end, everyone got together for a group photo. This time, Sameer stood right next to Naina... fulfilling his dream of school time.

After Rahul and Sonali left, along with most of the students, the corridors that were filled with cheerful voices suddenly looked quiet and deserted.

But for Sameer, the brightness was still around, in spite of the dark surroundings.

"Naina, main tumhara intezar karunga apni jagah pe." He said in a low voice.

"Par Sameer, aaj to kaafi der ho gayi hai." She glanced at her watch.

"Theek hai, tum chalo, main tumhare kamre mein aata hun." His voice did not change.

Naina could see the determined look, knowing he wasn't joking.

"Achha theek hai, aati hun dus minute mein... par bas thodi der ke liye." She gave in.

They parted with the eagerness to be together again soon.

Sameer had been waiting for more than twenty minutes, worried as hell, when she reached the spot. One look at her face and he knew something was wrong... very wrong.

"Naina, kya hua? Tum itni pareshan kyon ho? Kissi ne kuch kaha hai kya? Please batao na." He was anxious.

She looked up and he could see the clamped lashes... she had cried.

He engulfed her in his arms, placing one hand at the back of her head, a lump forming in his throat.

"Naina, please bolo... mera dil bohot ghabra raha hai." His voice was choked.

With a long exhale, Naina took a step back, looking into his eyes.

"Sameer, jaise hi main building mein gayi, papa ka phone aaya. Unhone kaha woh agle hafte yahan aa rahe hain... koi bohot zaroori kaam hai... mujhe laga pata nahi kya hoga par zyada darr nahi laga... room mein pohochi toh paanch minute mein chachaji ka phone aa gaya... unhone bhi kaha bohot zaroori kaam hai... Sameer, mujhe ab darr lag raha hai... chachaji ne kal Phulla bua ke ghar aane ko kaha hai." Naina was on the verge of crying again.

He cupped her face, speaking softly, "Chachaji se baat karne mein darr kaisa... main khud tumhe wahan chod dunga... ghabrao mat... main neeche hi intezar karunga... jab wapas aana hoga toh tum auto stand pe aa jana... wahin milunga."

Naina gulped, the fear in her eyes evident, "Sameer, chachaji ne hum dono ko bulaya hai... saath mein."

Sameer could feel his heart fall to the bottom of his stomach. The fear of unknown gripped him.

Keeping a brave face for her sake, he smiled, "Yeh toh achhi baat hai... hum saath mein chalenge... ab tum daro mat... ho sakta hai chachaji humari shaadi ki tareekh nikalwa rahe ho."

He managed to bring a smile on her face.

"Itni tension mein bhi tumhe bas yehi sujhta hai." Amidst misty eyes, she punched lightly on his chest.

In his room, Sameer spent a restless night, wondering what could be so crucial that chachaji was travelling to Mumbai and wanted to meet both of then together. He had played it light in front of Naina but nie his own heart was fluttering with a premonition.