The feeling of having Naina in his arms on a lazy morning, with no worry of leaving the house, or the bed, was the most gratifying feeling for Sameer. Even though it wasn't morning in true sense, his day had started now.

"Naina, abse hum har Sunday ko der se hi uthenge... main hamesha se chahta tha hamara chutti ka din aisa ho jismein tum ek pal ke liye bhi mujhse alag na ho." He gripped her small hand securely within his palm.

"Jaisa tum chahte ho hamara har din waisa hi hoga." She snuggled into him.

All she wanted was that her love should surpass his pain, all his bitter memories. Every moment, every incident should bring a thought of their time together, rather than the recollection of those dark, lonely days.

"Naina, ab tum purane dinon ke baare mein mat socho... main bhi nahi sochta... humein jo yeh nayi zindagi mili hai isse jee bhar ke jeena hai... har lamhe mein khoobsurat yaadein banani hain... tumne hi toh kaha tha... ek din jab main nanu ke jaisa ho jaunga tab hum saath baith ke yeh sab baatein yaad karenge." He could feel her pensive mood.

"Nahi sochungi... bas mere Sameer ke chehre pe hamesha yeh pyari si muskaan rahe aur aankhon mein shararat... usse zyada kuch nahi dekhna ya sochna mujhe." She raised her head to rest her chin on his chest.

He gazed into her eyes... there was a hint of sadness brought about by his reminder of past. He mentally kicked himself for bringing this melancholy on such a perfect morning. But he was prepared to erase every hint of despair from her beautiful face.

"Chehre ki muskaan toh dekh li tumne... ab aankhon ki shararat ke saath saath dil mein uthne wali shararaten bhi jaan lo." His dark eyes sparkled with the glint she recognised so well.

He pulled her over himself, taking her mouth without wasting another second.

One hour later, Naina was in the kitchen, preparing a simple meal for them while Sameer stood against the counter, hands in pockets, a pleasant smile on his face as he watched her go about doing her work, clad in a powder blue and white dress.

"Tum jao na baahar... yahan garmi mein kyon khade ho... main bas abhi bana ke laati hun." She told him the umpteenth time to sit under the fan.

He kept looking at her with the same expression, not moving an inch.

Letting out a quick exhale in resignation, she went back to cooking.

After setting up their plates, she picked up both and raised her brows, "Ab chaloge? Ya fir yahin garmi mein khade hoke khana hai?"

He straightened, and took the plates from her. She opened her mouth to protest as he placed them back on the counter... but his finger on her lips did not let any words come out. He brought out his handkerchief from the pocket, and dabbed her forehead.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum?" She frowned.

"Kitna kaam karti ho tum... dekho kaise paseena aa gaya." He continued to wipe her forehead, moving to her cheeks, then the neck.

She swatted his hand as his gaze followed the trail of his handkerchief.

"Arre, apni biwi ki sewa kar raha hun usmein bhi gussa dikha rahi ho." He pouted.

"Mr Maheshwari, biwi ko achhe se pata hai aapki sewa kaisi hoti hai." She blurted.

He quirked up a brow, "Achha? Batao toh kaisi hoti hai?"

Colour spread on her cheeks instantly.

Pushing him towards the door, she averted her gaze, "Tum chalke khana khao... itni der ho gayi hai kuch khaya nahi tumne."

After the meal, they decided to watch a movie. Since Naina didn't want Sameer to go out and get some new movie, they checked the collection at home, settling down for Mr India.

Sameer wrapped his arm around her as they relaxed on the sofa, getting engrossed in the entertaining movie.

He peered at her when she sighed dreamily at the heroine's realisation of her love for the invisible hero.

She glared at him when he let out a long exhale as the heroine danced in a blue saree, professing her love.

"Tumhare paas blue saree hai kya?" He asked once the song was over.

She flared her nostrils, "Tum Mr India banke gayab ho sakte ho kya?"

"Jaan, main toh aise hi pooch raha tha... matlab blue bohot pasand hai na mujhe... jabse tumne uss din... " He winked.

"Sameer, bas karo... ab agar tumne aisi baat ki toh main room mein jaake darwaza band kar lungi...  kal subah tak... aur tumhe yahin sona padega raat ko." Her stern voice faded his grin that had appeared at the mention of closed door till next morning.

He quickly held both his ears.

She smiled, holding his wrists to bring his hands down, "Buddhu."

They spent the evening talking about the week gone by, events at the weddings, family members and everything about the ceremonies. In between, Naina prepared tea.

"Abhi kuch khaas bhookh nahi hai, Naina... chalo aaj Maggi khate hain." Sameer suggested when it was time for dinner.

She could never say no to Maggi.

They went up to the terrace after dinner. Sameer had got a big pedestal fan put up to enable them to enjoy summer nights comfortably. He switched it on, directing towards the swing where Naina was seated. She placed a hand in front of her face, to stop strays of hair tickling her as they flew over her face.

"Itha tez kyon chalaya hai... thoda dheere karo." She insisted.

He joined her on the couch, "Aise hi rehne do, tumhare udte hue baal achhe lag rahe hain."

She smiled and ruffled his hair, "Tumhare bhi."

They had been sitting for almost ten minutes when she suddenly got up, "Sameer, tumhe kuch dikhana tha... main abhi aati hun."

"Main bhi chalta hun." He stood up along with her.

She pushed him back on the swing, "Nahi, tum yahin ruko... bas do minute mein aa rahi hun."

"Do minute... Naina, mujhe aur Maggi nahi chahiye." He frowned.

"Ha ha." She made a humourless sound of laughter before rushing down the stairs.

Sameer picked up a cushion, holding it against his chest as he waited for her.

"I Loveee You."

The husky voice of singer made him sit up with a jerk.

Standing in a blue saree, her hair open, Naina held the small cassette recorder playing the song he was drooling over, a few hours back.

As she stepped ahead, the gush of air from the pedestal fan made her pallu sway behind her. She turned her face to the side, and he could see the way her hair and saree reacted to the strong air.

His throat went dry. She looked like the image from TV screen... the same stunning, exquisite beauty as the heroine...

But better... she was his heroine...

And he was ravenous for her.

With the song playing in the background, she slowly walked to him, her enticing figure highlighted as the saree stuck to her.

His jaw hit the ground as she turned, raising her arm against the air, so that the pallu covered her face... and then held its edges, pulling it slowly down, mouthing 'I Love You' along with the song.

He was ready to faint.

"Naina, yeh kya hai?" He grabbed her, staring at her red painted lips.

"Yehi chahte the na tum?" She uttered in a husky voice.

His shaky breath stopped altogether at the throaty whisper.

Another starry night paved way for yet another beautiful morning.

The day was an exact opposite of previous one. It started with the sound of alarm which woke up the two of them from deep sleep. Realisation dawned on Naina pretty soon that it was an office day. She forced Sameer to leave bed and go for his bath. Herself, she hurried to the kitchen to make preparations for his breakfast. They had decided that lunch could be sent later... she need not rush in the morning.

Sameer came out to find his clothes neatly laid out on the bed. With a smile on his face, he quickly dressed up. As he was brushing his hair, his eyes fell on the blue saree lying on the couch... and the images from last night became vivid. He let out a gush of air from rounded lips... recalling her transformation from the simple blue dress during the day to the sizzling blue saree at night.

Naina could turn into a temptress just about anytime... making him go crazy with longing. She valued each of his desire, fulfilled every demand... however small it may be. He recalled how she had faked a foot injury on the day of their marriage...  and in a house filled with people, she had fulfilled his dream of carrying her to their room.

Ever since she came in his life, she was making each day better than before... his fears, his pains, his dreams, his fantasies... she had taken care of everything.

But had he been that good to her... had he been able to fill the void in her life... did he give her the same contended happiness...

He could see her eyes sparkle with pleasure at their closeness, her cheeks flush with warm satisfaction when he took her in his arms, her smile turn serene when he talked about their families, her face radiate with pride when he praised her achievements.

Still, he wanted to know from her how her life had changed... he had been so open about his insecurities as he had been about his desires. But she kept everything hidden... in the deep recesses of some closed corner in her heart. He promised himself that he would find a way to that unexplored corner. He wanted each cell of her being to glow up in the bliss of their love. He wanted to rid her of every shred of bitter memories.

Naina was placing his breakfast in a tray when Sameer wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Aa gaye tum... chalo jaldi se khaa lo." She tilted her head to make him comfortable.

"Thank you, meri jaan." He kissed her cheek.

"Alu paranthe ke liye itna bada thank you." She grinned, giving him a side glance.

"Alu paranthe ke liye bhi aur... " He straightened, taking the tray from her and putting it back on the counter.

"Aur?" She quipped, puzzled.

"Meri Naina banne ke liye." He cupped her face, intently looking into her eyes.

"Tumhari Naina toh main ussi din ban gayi thi jiss din dekha tha tumhe." She smiled fondly.

He saw the shine in her eyes... she was contended. But he remembered the promise to himself, and pursed his lips.

"Meri Naina toh tum tabse ho jab paida hui thi... tumhe bhagwanji ne mere liye hi bheja hai... jitna khalipan banaya tha mere liye, ussi saanche ki ek pari bana di... aur aa gayi Sameer ki Naina." He gave a grateful smile.

She was perplexed again, "Aaj kaisi baatein kar rahe ho? Kuch hua hai kya?"

"Aaj nahi... yeh toh kal raat ka asar hai... aaj tumne abhi tak mauka hi kahan diya." He winked, changing the track.

The rise of deep crimson was instant on her cheeks, as she lowered her eyes.

"Tumhe aise sharmaate hue dekh kar mujhe shaq ho raha hai ki jo raat ko thi woh tum thi ya tumhara bhoot... ya koi Mrs India." He teased, holding her in his arms.

"Tumhe der ho rahi hai." She said shyly against his chest.

"Ho toh rahi hai... toh jaldi se khila do na." He picked up the tray with one hand, one arm still around her shoulder as they walked to the dining area together.

Naina had to feed him the entire parantha. In spite of her frowning, he refused to lift a finger.

While driving to office, Sameer thought about their conversation in the morning. She could again guess there was something bothering him. But he had changed the topic... there wasn't enough time then.

I did not post the second picture on top as I didn't want to spoil the surprise 😜

Next update tomorrow evening