It was late evening when Naina went to the kitchen to start working for dinner. She kept a few potatoes to boil.

"Main kuch madad karun tumhari?" Sameer entered the kitchen, still without his tshirt.

"Tum pehle kuch pehen ke aao... bohot ban chuke Salman Khan." Naina smirked.

"Kyon? Aise dekh ke kuch ho raha hai kya?" He leaned towards her.

She turned to face him, placing her hands on waist, "Mr Maheshwari, yeh kitchen hai... khaana banane ki jagah... yahan apna romance band karo."

Sameer started to look around, as if searching for something. He moved around the kitchen, peering at everything... platform, cabinets, refrigerator, table, walls and window as well.

"Ab yeh kya kar rahe ho tum?" She gave a weary look, sure that he was upto something.

"Dekh raha hun kahan likha hai ki yahan romance nahi kar sakte... mujhe toh nahi mila... tum dikha do." He said eagerly.

"Offo, kya karu tumhara? Jao... warna koi alu paranthe nahi milenge... maggi khilaungi." She said in an exasperated voice.

"Umm... chalega... fir toh kar sakta hun na... romance." He stepped closer to her, saying the last word with a drawl.

She let out a sigh... it was impossible to make this man think of anything else. Holding his arm, she dragged him to the kitchen door, and pushed him out.

"Tum bhi chalo na... mujhe nahi pata kya pehenu." He held her hand before she could turn.

"Sameer, tumhe party mein jaana hai kya? Ghar pe hi toh ho... kuch bhi pehen lo." She pulled back her hand, going to the sink where she was washing some coriander.

He walked away, grumbling about her dry behaviour.

She could not help but smile at his kiddish antics.

When she opened the refrigerator  she realised that there was no kneaded dough. She pulled out the container and took some flour in a wide tray. After taking some water, she had just started to pour and mix when Sameer was back.

"Naina, yeh dekho, white wala ya... " Holding two t-shirts in hand he looked up, and his words died down when he saw what she was doing.

"Yeh white theek hai." She glanced at him, pushing back some hair from her forehead with the back of her hand, and went back to her work.

Sameer stared at her, open mouthed... a prominent streak of flour on her forehead, her fingers smeared with the sticky mixture... she was making his pulse race at an alarming speed. He kept both t-shirts on the table near kitchen door, taking slow steps inside.

She sensed him when he stood right behind her.

"Mujhe kaam karne do, Sameer... kya kar rahe ho tum... abhi tak t-shirt kyon nahi pehna?" She peered over her shoulder.

His arms came around her, going over her arms till they reached her hands. She jerked at his intervention, her breath caught in her throat. He pinned her between himself and the kitchen platform.

"Sam... Sameer... yeh... " She felt her knees going weak as he linked his fingers with her, and started to knead.

"Shh... madad kar raha hun tumhari." He whispered in her ear.

His bare chest pressed on her back, his fingers sensuously directing hers, his hot breath falling on her cheek, his male scent making her lose focus of the task at hand... she was singed with the heat from his body pressing into her.

Closing her eyes, she swallowed hard... unable to stop him anymore. She was as much at his mercy now as the flour in front of them.

He bent his head, placing a kiss at the base of her neck. A small kiss... but it ignited her even more. His hands continued to move in the flour, holding hers firmly in his grip. Her heart hammered against her chest, threatening to break out.

Lifting one hand, he picked up the jug and poured some more water in the tray. The mixture became a little runny. He linked their fingers again, moving them in the batter. By now, both their hands were covered in the white mixture upto the wrists. He rubbed his palm on the back of her hands, his fingertips stroking hers. The current shot from her fingerstips to spread in her body instantly.

He breathed against her ear, making her shudder. Slowly, he started to move his hands up her arms, leaving a trail of watery dough. She watched the marks on her forearms which were devoid of sleeves. But he didn't stop at her elbows... going up over the fabric till he reached her shoulders. Her hands clenched in the dough as his fingers traced her neckline, the cool mixture on her heated skin bringing goosebumps all over. He brought back his hands along her arms, reaching for the mixture again. This time when he brought them up, his hands landed on her waist, after he had pulled out the top from the band of her skirt, making a way for his palms to touch her skin. She turned into a puddle, her legs refusing to support her when his thumb circled her belly button, evoking all butterflies at once. Her fingers clenched harder... leaving a mark of nails on her palm.

He shifted slightly to her side, making her turn to him. Her hands lifted from the batter, going on his chest instinctively. She watched with dazed eyes at the marks on his skin. Taking cue from him she started to glide her hands on his bare torso, the white paste leaving thick lines wherever her hands went. Fascinated by her artwork, she dipped her hands in the dough again, placing them on his shoulders now. His dark eyes glittered with stars of desire, feeling her fingers slip smoothly on his shoulder to his upper arms. Seeing the way her eyes hungrily scanned him, he could wait no more... dipping his head to meet her lips. There was no softness in the kiss. They both seeked the solace to burning fire within, plundering each other as if in competition.

The vehemence of their actions left them in a state of mess... the hunger was not for food anymore.

Sameer scooped her up, after extending his hand to switch off the stove where the water with potatoes had been boiling for a long time.

Their eyes were locked with each other as he moved towards the room. She did not realise where he was headed till he put her down... and switched on the shower.

Naina gasped loudly, coming to her senses.

"Yeh... yeh... kya... kar rahe ho?" She tried to step away from the steady spray from overhead shower.

He started to rub her arms, washing off the white residue.

"Sameer, nahi... please." She squirmed, knowing where this would lead to.

He stopped, searching her eyes. They were already drenched by now.

"Kya hua, Naina?" His voice was soft.

She shook her head. In spite of the water over her face, he could see the panic in her eyes.

Switching off the shower, he stepped back. There was a towel on racks. He picked it up, holding it out to her.

"Tum naha lo... main bahar hun." He moved out, closing the door behind him.

Sameer stood dripping outside the washroom door, confused about her reaction. He couldn't understand her. She had learnt to express her desires, even make demands... but still stopped at this particular threshold. What he saw in her eyes was definitely not shyness... she was scared, she was petrified.

Inside, Naina got rid of her clothes, cleaning herself thoroughly under the shower. When she stepped ahead to pick up the towel, her eyes fell on her reflection in the mirror... and on the mark.

The big, ugly, black mark.

She had the mark from as long as she remembered. It was an odd shaped black patch on the side of her left breast. Thankfully, it wasn't visible in any kind of dress, be it a blouse or sleeveless. As a child, she had asked chachiji about it, who said it was a birthmark. Naina wasn't really affected by it... till she started seeing her through Sameer's eyes. He found her beautiful... he had even helped her come out of the insecurities she had about her looks, thanks to taiji's constant taunts. But he wasn't aware of this ugliness on her body.

Sameer was so handsome. He was perfect in every manner. The way he sang for her today, he looked much better than the actor the whole nation was drooling over.

"Sameer, yeh daag leke kaise tumhare saamne aa sakti hun... tumhari khoobsurati ke aage mera yeh daag bohot badsurat hai... andhere mein yeh nazar nahi aata isliye tumhe andhera karne ko kehti hun... agar tumhe iske baare mein pata chal gaya toh main nahi jaanti tumhe kaisa lagega par mujhe bohot bura lagega." She sighed, touching the mark.

Outside, Sameer stood stunned. He was still standing at the door, wondering what made her so scared, when her voice fell in his ears.

And what he heard shook him to the core. Naina was hiding something from him... some mark. But he had never felt anything under his hands. Her body was always smooth and soft... so what was this mark that was making her timorous? He had to find out... on his own. This was something he couldn't ask anyone in her family.

One of her night suit was on the bathroom rack thankfully. Naina came out wearing it. The room was vacant. She looked at the pool of water outside the door, wondering where he had gone in wet clothes.

Shortly, he walked in... fresh after a shower... a towel around his waist. She gave him a surprised look.

"Main doosre bathroom mein nahane gaya tha." He smiled at her, hoping that she wasn't feeling awkward.

She smiled back, searching his eyes. Her twisting fingers against her belly made it clear to him that she was edgy. He didn't want her to get any inclination that he had heard what she was telling herself inside the bathroom.

"Aise kya dekh rahi ho... maana handsome hun, towel mein hun... par aise ghoor ke dekhogi toh main koi guarantee nahi le sakta." He stepped closer to her, smirking.

He could see her relax visibly.

"Sameer... woh... main..." She tried to clarify.

He held her shoulders, "Mrs Maheshwari, kab tak sharmaogi... jaldi hi tumhara yeh sharm ka parda na giraya toh kehna... apni khoobsurat biwi ko dekhne ka haq tum bhi mujhse nahi cheen sakti."

She lowered her eyes... dreading that time.

"Hayee, bilkul dulhan lag rahi ho aise sharmate hue." He placed a finger under her chin to make her look up.

"Hato." She pushed at his chest, moving away with a shy smile.

He was relieved to see the hesitation gone from her eyes.

"Tum aa jao, main khane ka dekhti hun." She stopped at the door, speaking over her shoulder without turning.

The sight in the kitchen made her eyes go wide. The dough was now spread all over the platform, a bit on the floor as well. It was nowhere close to what it should have been... more like a paste now. With a sigh, she emptied the tray in dustbin. The  potatoes were in equally pitiable state. They had been boiled for far too long... and now they were a mushy mess mixed in hot water. Another sigh and this went to the dustbin as well.

Naina had finished cleaning the platform and stove when Sameer reached the kitchen.

"An thoda time lagega, woh atta aur alu toh kharab ho gaye... main fir se taiyari karti hun." She looked up at him.

"Tumhe itna sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai... chalo aaj main tumhe khana bana ke khilata hun." He came in.

"Maggi?" She questioned.

He shook his head, "Madam, abhi aapne apne pati ka talent dekha kahan hai... mujhe Maggi ke alawa bhi kaafi kuch aata hai." He flicked up his brows in self appreciation.

"Achha... kya?" She asked directly.

"Umm... woh main... main bana ke dikhata hun." He turned to the refrigerator.

"Rehne do... main bana deti hun alu paranthe... tumhara mann tha na khane ka... bas thoda sa time lagega." She started to pick out more potatoes from the corner basket.

He quickly reached her, taking the potatoes back from her, "Nahi... mera mann toh kuch aur khane ka hai... jaldi se yeh khana khatam karke mujhe mera meetha chahiye."

Her eyes fell to his lips.

"Aahh Naina, aise dekhogi toh aaj sirf meetha hi milega khaane mein... main aur intezar nahi kar paunga." He groaned, more loud for extra effect.

She turned her gaze away quickly.

With a smirk, he took out butter from the refrigerator and picked up a loaf of bread. She saw in amazement as he started to butter the slices and place over one other.

"Tum bread butter khilaoge?" She blurted.

"Haan." He said matter of factly.

Shaking her head, she took out some tomatoes, cucumber and green chutney from the refrigerator.

Soon, their sandwiches were ready... with butter, mint chutney, ketchup, thin slices of vegetables and some seasoning.

Sameer insisted on making some cold coffee himself. And he made it well.

They sat down on the kitchen counter, feeding each other in between having their own food.

"Umm... bohot achha hai yeh tumhara kaafi kuch." She smirked, biting into the sandwich.

He looked up. His gaze got stuck on a tiny speck of sauce on her lip. She seemed to be unaware of it.

Leaning ahead, he brushed his lips on hers, taking the sauce smeared on her lip.

"Sachmuch bohot achha hai... aur tumhara yeh sauce lagane ka idea toh kamaal tha." He grinned, licking his lips as she gave him a shocked look.

Next update tomorrow morning