Naina moved a little in sleep. Suddenly, there was a feel of emptiness. Her eyes shot open. The warmth she was so used to was missing. Sameer was not in bed.

"Sameer!" She sat up instantly.

It was unlike him to be up before her. Even if he woke up, he never moved away from her. Why was he not here then?

Her eyes scanned the room.

And a smile replaced the frown.

It was the morning of their anniversary.

The threads tied from one point to another were not visible but the pictures put up on them, with tiny clips, were all around her. It apeared that the photographs were hanging in the air. She got up swiftly, taking a look at each one, her smile getting wider as she realised he had spread the beautiful moments of their one year journey in the room. From the day of marriage, the rituals, her entry to this house, family and friends, their honeymoon to her joining the office, their trips to Nainital, Delhi and Mumbai, even the ones of office where they both were inspecting the new machines last week... he had managed to include everything. She could see the whole year displayed in front of her, all over their room.

"Yeh sab karne ke liye tum jaldi uthe, Sameer? Lekin ab kahan ho?" She peered at the washroom door.

It was ajar. He wasn't inside. It was the perfect time to do what she had planned for him. Going to her cupboard, she picked up the large box and started with her preparations, hoping that he stays where he is, for another few minutes.

She had thought of getting up early and do it but the tiredness of continuous hectic schedule of past few weeks had been making her lethargic. Even today, she had drifted into deep sleep again after opening her eyes once early morning. That time Sameer was peacefully sleeping with his one arm over her. She didn't get to know when he slipped out of the bed.

Nevertheless, this was the perfect time to do everything.

"Good morning, sweetheart." His soft voice floated in the room just a few seconds after she had finished doing her work.

She turned around to see him standing at the door, smiling.

He spread his arms. She ran into them, wrapping her hands around his neck to give a hard kiss on his rough cheek.

"Good morning, jaan." The last word was still a little lower in volume as she always felt shy to use such endearments.

They looked into each other's eyes, feeling the presence of each other in every pore, every cell of their body and soul. Their hearts swelled up at the thought that the one in their arms would belong to them forever... and beyond. The euphoria had only one name... bliss.

"Happy anniversary, Naina." He planted a kiss on her forehead.

She closed her eyes... the touch of his lips on her forehead gave her the feeling of most sacred, most cherished, most valuable thing in his life. It was the most loyal, true to heart form of expression of pure love. It showed everything... love, affection, respect, gratitude, appreciation... it made her feel special, very special.

"Happy anniversary, Sameer." She went on her toes to give him the same emotional fulfilment and assurance of her love.

"Kaisa laga?" He flicked his brows towards the photographs.

"Bohot achha gift hai... ekdum alag... lekin mera..." She gave him an appreciative smile.

"Madam, yeh gift nahi hai. Yeh toh sirf hamare beete hue saal ki khushiyon ki jhalak dikhani thi aapko. Abhi se khud ko shabaashi mat do." He pecked her lips to make her halt in mid sentence.

She narrowed her eyes, wondering what was it that was making him so confident. But then, whatever it was, her gift would beat it for sure.

He noticed her self-assured smile, "Mujhe pata hai tum ab bhi yakeen nahi kar rahi ho... par jab time aayega toh tumko karna padega."

"Time aane toh do." She winked.

"Waise abhi kyon time waste kar rahe hain hum? Achhe se wish toh karna chahiye na." Her wink made him realise the distance between them, which he ended in no time.

As his lips brushed over hers once, she felt the same sparks. With him, the magic did not dwindle, rather, it intensified. Her body arched back to fit against his, her hands locked behind his head, pulling him closer with all passion that surged through her veins as their lost breaths did not matter anymore. It was probably their longest kiss.

When they parted, panting for air, she clutched onto his T-shirt for support.

"Yeh toh pehli kiss thi, jaan, tum abhi se hosh khone lagi... abhi toh bohot kuch baaki hai." He tightened his arms around her, whispering against her ear.

"Hato, mujhe nahane jaana hai." She turned her face to hide the colour creeping up her neck.

"Wahin le jaane toh aaya hun." He picked her up in his arms, smirking.

She was prepared for this, aware that he would not let her away from him, even for a single moment.

When he opened his cupboard for clothes after their bath, his eyes fell on the fresh bloom over his folded shirts. Picking it up with a smile, he saw the small chit attached to it

Kismat pe yakeen tumse milne ke baad aaya, jab meri kismat banke aaye tum

He kissed the piece of paper. When he turned, she was standing next to the dresser.

"Kaisa laga?" She repeated his question.

"Tumhare jaisa... khoobsurat, khushbu se bhara hua, pagal bana dene wala." He brought the flower to his lips, curving them against its soft petals.

"Tum abhi se hosh khone lage, abhi toh bohot kuch baaki hai." She gave a cheeky smile, again repeating his words.

His heart jumped in pleasure. Her promises always filled him with anticipation of something extraordinary.

When he opened the drawer for his watch, another flower awaited him, with another message

Jo pal tumhare bina guzare woh zindagi nahi the, main tab zinda hui jab tum zindagi mein aaye

He took a deep breath, touching the paper to his heart. He had also started to feel alive only after getting her love.

It was Naina's turn to be surprised by the huge bouquet of red roses waiting for her in the dining area when they went out.

"Happy anniversary, Mrs Maheshwari." The card on it announced as he held out the bunch to her.

She circled her arms around the flowers, rubbing her cheek against them.

"Dhyan se, Naina. Kahin kaante na ho." He tried to pull it away from her body.

She smiled with certitude, holding the flowers, along with the long stems closer, "Tum laaye ho toh kaante ho hi nahi sakte. Tumne pehle hi bol diya hoga ki sab kaante nikal ke hi bouquet banayein."

He blinked in surprise. He had indeed given this directive to the floral shop. But he could not take a chance where Naina was concerned.

"Jaan, main inhe vase mein laga deta hun. Tum chalo, kuch aur bhi hai tumhare liye."

She did not protest this time, giving away the flowers as her eyes moved to the table. What she saw made her gasp. The table was filled with dishes of all her favourite breakfast items.

"Sameer, yeh sab tumne... tumne khana banana kab seekha?" It was unbelievable for her.

He smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, "Nahi, woh maine... maine socha tha ki tumhari pasand ki kuch cheezen seekhunga par ho nahi paaya... yeh toh Ramdhari se keh ke banwaya hai."

It was still a huge surprise for her.

"Maine usse kal hi bata diya tha ki subah jaldi aake yeh sab bana de." He explained.

She enjoyed the breakfast thoroughly, making him eat with her own hands.

Sameer had planned a lunch party in a hotel for their family and friends. He wanted to spend the evening time with Naina alone.

"Bhai, shaadi ki saalgirah hai. Tujhe iske liye bhi honeymoon chahiye kya?" Munna had teased him when Sameer told him the reason for lunch party.

"Arre yaar, apne bhai ka pehla honeymoon khatam hoga toh doosra shuru hoga na... yeh sirf kehne ko Ahmedabad mein rehta hai... warna toh saare rang dhang Ooty wale hi hain." Pandit had given Sameer a top to bottom look with a solemn face.

"Ooty aaye the kya tum log mere saath jo wahan ke rang dhang itne achhe se samajhte ho?" Sameer frowned at them.

"Bhai hum tujhe samajhte hain. Jabse tujhe pyar hua hai na, tabse teri badle hue haal chaal dekh rahe hain." Pandit patted his shoulder.

"Oh hello. Tumhe toh pata tak nahi tha mere pyar ka... jab tak maine khud nahi bataya. Tumhe do saal baad maloom hua tha. Uss waqt kahan gayi thi yeh samajhne wali nazar aur dimaag?" Sameer sneered, poking a finger at Pandit's forehead.

Both Munna and Pandit pursed their lips. He was right.

After breakfast, Naina got busy on phone as Vishakha called up from Delhi. It was a long call, with Rohan and Deepika taking up a fair share of time. Later, Rakesh and Arjun called up to wish them. Naina was busy talking to Pooja didi when Sameer decided to get ready.

As he took out the black shirt that he was to wear for the party, another rose was in its pocket. He looked inside for the chit.

Tum muskurate ho toh mera din hota hai, tumhari aankhon ki shararat meri raatein hain

His eyes glittered with the thought of what she must have been thinking while writing this.

Another rose was with the belt.

Another note

Tum meri pehli nazar ka pyar nahi, tum meri har nazar ka pyar ho

He was now impatient for more roses. These little notes of declaration of her love were so gratifying and soul soothing for him. He searched the cupboard but couldn't find more. He went towards the dresser. There was nothing on the top. Even the drawer was empty. Thinking that probably there were no more, he picked up the small basket that Naina had placed on one side for perfume bottles so that they don't get knocked down accidentally. Tucked behind the bottle was another one... rose and a chit

Tum duniya ke liye mere pati ho, par mere liye meri poori duniya ho

He kissed the message, "Aur meri duniya tum ho, jaan."

Naina had purposely stayed back in the kitchen after the phone call when Sameer went to the room to get dressed. She wanted him to find her love notes while he was on his own. It had been some time now. He must have got quite a few of them.

As she entered, her breath hitched. He was looking strikingly handsome in black silk shirt and black jeans. His soft hair framed the face that gleamed against black.

"Tum bohot handsome lag rahe ho." She muttered huskily, unable to look away.

He walked upto her, "Achha, roz nahi lagta?"

"Lagte ho, par aaj zyada zor se lag rahe ho." She traced a finger along his neck, stopping at the button.

He looked down at her finger on his chest, then looked up with a lopsided smirk, "Abhi todne ka irada hai kya?"

She moved back her hand instantly, turning crimson as she was thinking on similar lines.

"Mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Hamare paas time hai. Agar thode late bhi ho gaye toh kuch miss nahi hoga... akhir hamari hi toh party hai." He pulled her in his arms, nuzzling into her hair.

"Sameer, chodo. Mujhe taiyar hona hai." She shivered as his nose grazed her cheek.

"Aaj toh hamari anniversary hai na, aur fir main itna handsome lag raha hun ki tumse control nahi ho raha toh hum late chale jayenge." He skimmed his lips over the side of her neck.

He could feel the column of her throat move as she gulped, fighting with herself.

"Sam... Sameer, please, jaane do." She tried one last time, melting as he continued his ministrations on her collar bone.

To her surprise, he lifted his face, "Theek hai, lekin sirf abhi jaane de raha hun. Baad mein koi bahana nahi chalega."

She tried to bring her breathing in control as he stepped away, putting his hand in pocket. Another flower waited for him.

He grinned, taking it out and read the note aloud

Mere liye duniya ki sabse khoobsurat jagah hai... tumhari baahein

She coloured again.

"Yeh jo tumne har jagah apne pyar ka izhaar bikhera hai na, mujhe bohot achha laga." He took her in his arms.

She smiled, pointing at their pictures all over the room, "Aur tumne jo yeh khushiyaan yaad dilayi hain yeh mujhe bohot achhi lagi."

"Toh iska matlab tumhara gift bhi kuch aur hai, jaise mera hai." His brow quirked up.

"Jee haan, yeh meri taraf se jhalak hai. Competition ke liye taiyar raho, Mr Maheshwari." She gave a complacent grin.

Sameer was talking to Rohan on phone when Naina stepped out after she was dressed.

He forgot to speak for a while, straing at her with open mouth.

"Bhai... bhai... kya hua? Awaaz nahi aa rahi kya? Bhai bolo na." Rohan's hollered from the other end.

Naina could hear his voice.

"Phone." She pointed at the receiver in his hand.

"Bhabhi aa gayi kya?" Rohan understood the reason for Sameer's state, chuckling through the phone.

"Huh... kya?" Sameer stuttered.

There was a full throated laughter, "Ab kuch nahi, bhai. Kuch bolunga bhi toh tumhe samajh nahi aayega. Waise sundar lag rahi hain na bhabhi?"

"Bohot, bohot sundar." Sameer whispered into the phone, still lost.

"Bye." Rohan disconnected, knowing fully well that he had already lost the connection few minutes back.

Still holding the cordless, Sameer's eyes moved over his wife, who looked like an angel in an off white and gold outfit.

The long, flowing dress had a golden border, with big floral pattern at the base. There was no embroidery on the upper part. Still, her silky, open hair and long gold earrings made her look like a princess. She was holding a delicate dupatta, draped around her arms. When he had made her buy this outfit, she wasn't very sure because it was sleeveless, but he had insisted. And now, she had left him speechless with her simple, yet ethreal beauty. What enticed him most were the ruby red lips. Her bold lipstick made his throat go dry.

"Tum bohot sundar ho, Naina." He stepped ahead, slipping his arm around her waist.

"Ab chalna chahiye. Warna sach mein der ho jayegi." She placed her fingers over his mouth, knowing his intentions well.

Next update tomorrow evening