The ring of alarm woke up Sameer. He snapped it shut, still sleepy. Naina had wanted him to sleep early last night... owing to a busy week and mental pressure that he had whole week. There was no rest during the day either as they were busy making plans for Preeti's marriage animatedly. When they reached home after dinner, she had insisted that he straight away hits the bed. He had made different plans but did not even come to know when he fell asleep. He was mildly aware of her fingers in his hair, lightly threading through... and he had snuggled towards her warmth, as if in a dream.

Looking at her now, he saw her sleeping on her back, hair spread over her face and front. Eager to get a glimpse of her beautiful face, he lightly held her hair and moved them away.

As always, a hint of smile on her lips made him wonder about her dream. Chiding himself for forgetting to ask when she was awake, his eyes moved down... and opened wide.

The top button of her night shirt was open... in fact, it was missing. Unlike his shirts, the first button was where her mangalsutra pendent ended... and it being open gave him a view that made his throat go dry.

He gasped. Did he do it at night... or the button had decided to give company to his shirt buttons? Whatever the reason, it wasn't good for his system.

As if the slight glimpse of her milky skin wasn't enough, she stretched her arm that very moment... and the shirt pulled to one side.

His breath got caught in his throat. Partial lacy whiteness of one side was staring at him. He gulped. The dry throat was even drier now. He recalled when he had seen her in the red lace and net. Only some outside light reflected in their tent that night but he could see how the alluring pieces clung to her curves. And now, in the bright morning light, whatever little he could see made his blood rush to his ears, pounding so loud that he thought maybe she would hear it and get up.

But she slept peacefully, unaware of the storm she was causing.

His fingers ached to clear the obstruction, to give his eyes the gratification they had been yearning for.

Shifting closer to her, he lifted himself on elbow... and moved his hand to the next button. The remaining ones met the same fate. Shifting the panels aside was just a flick away. But he could not bring himself to do so while she slept unaware.

Leaning, he placed a kiss on her forehead, them on her closed eyes, on the tip of her nose, on both her cheeks and on her chin. When he lifted his head, her eyes were open.

"Ek jagah toh reh gayi." She said in sleep laden voice.

"Yeh toh shuruaat hai, jaan." He winked.

She joined her brows in confusion when he placed his palm on her belly. She smiled, yet not aware that her shirt was open. When his fingers moved up, she thought of stopping him so he doesn't get late for office.

Her hand landed directly on his... she could feel her skin as well.

With a jerk she lifted her head to see herself... and was shocked.

"Sam... Sameer... yeh kaise... tumne..." Her heart stopped beating as she tried to clutch the panels of shirt together with one hand, other one pressed under Sameer.

"Shhh..." He held her wrist, pinning her arm to one side, looking into her eyes.

She twisted... the movement made open panels of her top slip to the side on their own. She squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lower lip hard.

He saw her pained face... and kissed her eyes again.

"Naina, humara ek khoobsurat rishta hai aur iss rishte ko kaamyaab banane ke liye usme pyar hona chahiye jo hum dono mein hai... ek doosre ki izzat karni chahiye jo humne hamesha ki hai... khud se pehle ek doosre ki khushi ke baare mein sochne ka jazba hona chahiye jo hum karte hain... ek doosre ki har sahi galat baat ke saath jeene ki aadat honi chahiye jo hum seekh rahe hain... ek doosre ki har kami ko uska ek hissa maan ke apnana chahiye jo humein karna hoga... Naina, main jaanta hun mujh mein bohot kamiyaan hain, par mujhe yakeen hai tum unn sab kamiyon ke saath mujhe apna maanti ho... hamare rishte mein yeh jo vishwas hai yeh sirf mujhe hi tum par hai ya tum bhi mujh par bharosa karti ho?" He asked in a soft, gentle voice.

Unable to speak, she nodded slightly, opening her eyes to look at him.

He gave her an assuring smile, "Tum har haal mein khoobsurat ho... aisa kabhi mat sochna ki main kabhi bhi tumhe abse kam sundar samjhunga... aaj bhi agar tum apne mann ke kisi darr ki wajah se mana karogi toh main maan jaunga... par mujhe iss baat ki takleef hogi ki tumne mujhpe bharosa nahi kiya... kyonki tumhari yeh jhikhak yehi batati hai ki tumhe kisi baat ka darr hai... jo tum mujhse chupa rahi ho... aur hum sirf tabhi kuch chupate hain jab humein lagta hai samne wala iss baat se dukhi ya naraaz hoga... tumhe kya darr hai?"

He could feel the rapid movement of her chest under his arm...

"Sameer, mujhe bharosa hai tumpe... par... par... tum... tumhe achha nahi lagega... jaisa tumne socha hoga, main... Sameer, tum hamesha kehte ho na ki tum mere sapne dekhte the... aur yeh bhi ki main tumhare sapno se bhi zyada khoobsurat hun... par main nahi hun... mujh mein..." She bit her lip again, pressing it so hard under her teeth that she could get the metallic taste of blood.

"Daag hai?" He cupped her chin, pulling her lip free with his thumb.

Her eyes opened wide, "Tumhe... tumhe pata hai?"

He stroked her face lovingly, "Naina, meri jaan, koi nishan koi daag tumhe meri nazron mein kam sundar nahi bana sakta... agar tumne isliye khud ko andheron mein chupa rakha hai ki mujhe woh daag dekhke bura lagega toh tumhe bata dun... tumhara aisa sochna mere liye zyada bada dukh hai... itna kamzor samajhti ho kya apne Sameer ke pyar ko?"

Tears slid off her eyes, wetting the pillow, "Nahi Sameer, maine kabhi tumhare pyar pe shaq nahi kiya... bas khud ko taiyar nahi kar payi apni kami tumhe batane ke liye... iss baat ke liye khud ko kasoorvar manti hun ki maine tumhe kabhi bataya nahi mujhme kya kami hai."

"Daag koi kami nahi hai, Naina... aur agar tum mein koi kami hoti bhi toh mujhe usse koi farq nahi padta... jaise tumne uss din kaha tha... ki mere chehre ke nishaano mein bhi tumhe mera pyar hi nazar aayega... aise tumhare daag mein bhi mujhe sirf tumhari khoobsurati dikhegi." He wiped her eyes.

His words were like a soothing balm to the turmoil that raked within her. His eyes brimmed with love... she could see the mixture of everything. There was hesitation but there was hope... there was a request but also respect for her decision... there was pleading but there was warmth and assurance... there was a need but there was patience.

His pure emotions coated her heart with more layers of trust... she was filled with pride that he belonged to her... and wanted to be his priceless possession in return... to belong completely to him... to break the wall of darkness between them and bathe in the light of oneness... without any fear, without any inhibition.

Her face relaxed, eyes softening as the fear melted away, "Sorry, main darr gayi thi... mujhe laga tumhari nazren jaisi khoobsurati dekhna chahti hain main waisi nahi hun toh kahin tum... "

He did not let her finish, coming down to claim her lips with full possession. She arched to get closer to him. His hand moved up from her belly... slowly coming up to her shoulder. Deepening the kiss more, he pushed the top away from her shoulders. She arched more as he slid it away from her arms, pulling it from under her and threw it on the floor. His finger hooked under the elastic band.

Before he could go any further, the ring of door bell made them turn towards the door with a jerk.

"Ramdhari?" He quirked up his brow in irritation.

"Nahi, uske paas toh chaabi hai, aur woh aa chuka hoga... koi aur hai." She speculated.

He pursed his lips in exasperation.

"Tumhe office ke liye bhi late ho raha hai... uth jao." Her own voice was hoarse.

"Uhhh... sab pyar ke dushman hain." He sank his head in the crook of her neck, hating the office, hating the visitor, hating Monday... hating just about everything that was creating distance between them.

She dropped a kiss on the side of his head, "Please Sameer, uth jao."

With a groan he lifted himself. His eyes scanned the upper part of her body... there was no mark visible anywhere... she looked pristine, with the white lace moulded over her lush figure.

He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. The rustle of quilt made him open them. His eyes crinkled as he saw her covering herself again.

"Jisse tum uth sako... sirf isiliye." She said before he could ask anything.

Letting out a big swoosh of air from his mouth, he slid off the bed, grabbed his towel angrily and went for his much needed bath, shutting the door with a loud bang.

Naina got up slowly, going to the cupboard to take out a dress for herself. After changing, she selected and placed his clothes on the bed before going out.

"Ramdhari bhaiya, kaun aaya tha... thodi der pehle ghanti baji thi." She entered the kitchen.

"Namaste Naina bhabhi." He beamed at her.

She returned the greeting, waiting for an answer.

"Woh hamara chachera bhai aaya hai gaon se... kal se uski yahan ek dukaan mein naukri lagi hai... hamare gaon se hafte mein teen din hi gaadi aati hai isliye aaj hi aa gaya." He informed.

"Abhi kahan hai?" Naina peeked outside but couldn't see anyone.

"Humne bahar bitha diya hai... gate ke paas." He replied.

"Itni garmi mein bahar? Ramdhari bhaiya, woh raat bhar ka safar karke aaya hai... thak gaya hoga... andar bulaiye aur nashta karaiye... aise kaise bahar bitha diya... jaldi bula ke laiye." She ordered.

Ramdhari gave a blank look first, then quickly ran out, wiping his hands on the cloth around his neck.

He stopped at the door and turned, "Naina bhabhi."

She looked up.

"Aap bilkul nanaji jaisi hain." He grinned before running out.

A warm smile spread on her face.

When she served breakfast to Sameer, he was still looking grumpy.

"Aisa chehra leke jaoge office?" She whispered as she placed his cup of tea on the table.

"Ab aisa hi chehra bacha hai mere paas." He did not look up.

She pulled a chair and sat next to him. Breaking a piece of parantha, she added some curd and held it to him.

He gave a grim look. She scrunched her nose, mouthing a silent 'please'. Giving in, he opened his mouth.

Naina had to feed him the whole parantha as he refused to eat on his own.

"Ab toh smile de do." She pleaded.

He shook his head.

"Pata hai, jab tum gussa karte ho na, toh tumhare gaal tamaatar ki tarah laal ho jaate hain." She said seriously.

He furrowed his brows, touching his cheeks.

"Aur tumhari yeh naak, ekdum phool jaati hai." She said  with a wave of her head.

He quickly felt the sides of his nose... till he heard her smirking.

A smile finally appeared on his  face.

"Ab lag rahe ho mere wale Sameer." She pinched his nose.

He couldn't help planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

When she didn't frown, he  was surprised, "Aaj Ramdhari ka naam nahi liya... badi diler ho gayi ho."
.
"Hai nahi abhi woh... uska bhai  aaya hai... dono upar naashta kar rahe  hain." She flicked her brows.

He analysed the situation... and a crooked smile lit up his face.

She pushed the chair back, quickly getting up, "Sameer, der ho gayi hai tumhe, jao."

He was swift to get up, catching her by waist before she could move away.

Making use of the time alone, he pulled her for a proper, deep kiss, hoping that it would give him some respite from the frustation he was feeling.

It didn't.

Office appeared dull and bleak.

A surprise awaits you in the evening...
Do check out the notifications around seven...