The walk back to the main gate of hostel filled Sameer with a kind of gaiety that he had never experienced even when he passed these gates for going on leave or when he left the place for good. There was a lightness in his heart today, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off him... a weight he had been carrying all his life.

He looked at the petite girl walking with him, holding his hand. She barely reached his shoulder, but could see his heart, could discern each feeling, each emotion so well. Probably, being closer to the heart, she could read it with such clarity... even better than him, at times. Like now. The most piercing pain in his life had been of abandonment... and she had turned it over completely, making it a path to his destiny, a path to HER.

He had been stunned by the way she had joined the dots, showing him that Nainital was the beginning of his good life. Why else the name would resemble every other source of his happiness... nanu and Naina?

Was this a coincidence? Was it a sign that he failed to notice earlier?
Why it never occurred to him?

Probably because he always thought of Nainital as his dark past, without seeing any glimmer of joy in it. And Naina was the opposite of all his gloom. Her name always filled his heart with boundless love. He could never connect the two names... yet they found the connection on their own.

Suddenly, the euphoria failed to remain contained.

He leapt in front of her, holding her shoulders in feverish excitement, "Naina, sab kuch hamesha se mere saamne tha par maine pehchana nahi. Yeh jagah, yeh mandir, yeh devi, yeh jheel... sab kuch toh tumhara hi naam hai... jab main akela tha tab bhi tumhara naam saath tha mere... iss naam se bachpan mein hi judd gaya tha main."

She watched in wonder as he swirled her around, a silly grin on his face, "Aur main gadha samajh hi nahi paaya... arre school mein tumhara naam sunte hi tumhe gale laga lena chahiye tha... pata hona chahiye tha ki agar Nainital se itni door aake bhi Naina mere saamne hai toh woh isliye ki Naina hi meri woh saathi hai jiski talaash thi mujhe... tabhi toh devi maa ne mujhe agli Diwali pe Ahmedabad bhej diya... aur uske agle saal se Ahmedabad ka hi raasta dikha diya... oh Naina, maine yeh sab pehle kyon nahi socha!"

She chuckled, though her heart filled with a satiated tenderness at his exuberance, "Kyonki tum buddhu ho."

He gave her the most charming, boyish grin, "Iss buddhu ke naino ko kholne ke liye Naina ki zaroorat thi... ab woh mil gayi hai toh main buddhu nahi raha."

She quirked up a brow, "Achha, kya ban gaye ho ab?"

"Naina ka Sameer." He wanted to crush her in his arms, but had to stop himself with just a touch on her cheek with one finger, as they were out in open, with guards at the gate watching them.

She wanted the same... but it had to wait.

Rest of the day was spent like typical tourists, enjoying the scenic beauty of the place, eating various types of delicacies at quaint little cafes, buying a few more items to take back home as souvenirs. The town changed completely for Sameer. Everything spelled beauty and cheerfulness now. Little children ran around in excitement, families enjoyed the activities, couples were lost in each other's eyes.

The love of his life stood against the metal grill, on the pavement, watching colourful boats in the lake.

"Naina, wapas chalen?" He suddenly wanted her all to himself.

"Abhi se? Abhi toh andhera bhi nahi hua. Ek baar hi chalenge na, dinner kar ke." Her eyes were still on the swaying sails on glassy waters.

He placed his hand on her waist, pulling her closer as he stood on her side, "Hotel mein hi kar lenge."

His low voice against her ear made her turn to look at him. His eyes held her gaze. She didn't feel his hand move till it rested at the back of her head. He leaned to place a soft kiss on her cheek. A shy smile lurked at the corner of her lips as she lowered her eyes, her hand reaching the spot where the feel of his lips still tingled her skin. A stolen kiss in the middle of the road felt like they were on their honeymoon... and her cheeks flamed up, thinking about the number of people who must have seen them.

"Chalen?" His eyes glittered at the spread of rosy glow on her cheeks.

She slipped her hand in his, leading him towards their hotel which was just a little distance away.

When he kissed her once they were in the room, there was nothing soft about it. His tongue invaded the deep corners of her mouth, filling himself with her delectable taste. Her fists tightened behind his neck, not just accepting but plundering his senses with same ardour.

The kiss did not end till their lungs almost collapsed for want of air. Gulping for breath, they rested their foreheads against each other for a while.

When her lips sought his again, there was a tenderness... it was comforting in a way, soothing him like her words had done during the day. That was the healing of soul. Now he wanted her for his heart, for the burning desire that shot up as his lips moved in sync with hers. His hands rested below her ears, his thumbs rubbing her cheeks as her lips moulded against him when he took control of the kiss. Her hands pressed into his back, till his heart was thudding against her chest. The heat surged in him as he felt her tremble when his hand slipped over her shoulder, moving slowly over her perfect softness. Warmth radiated from her as his lips and hands tormented her, making the kiss turn wild again, with no intention of ending any time soon.

Without breaking the contact, he peeled of their jackets, searching for the zipper at the back of her dress. Her fingers fiddled with the buttons of his shirt for a few seconds, before tugging at them impatiently. Yet again, the poor buttons couldn't stand her onslaught.

As the view outside the glass doors turned dark, the sparks of their passion lit up their senses, making the room aglow with their expressions of desire for each other.

Later, as they laid in bed, covered with the fluffy blanket, he nuzzled his face in her hair.

"Tumne itna kuch diya hai mujhe, Naina, ki main samajh hi nahi paata kya karun tumhare liye." His overwhelmed voice surprised her.

Ruffling his hair, she said in a lighter tone, "Bata dun kya kar sakte ho abhi?"

He raised his head to look at her, "Haan bolo na, jo bhi kahogi main karunga."

"Mujhe bhook lagi hai, khana order karte hain na, please." She wrinkled her nose.

His eyes got the twinkle back at her cute style, "Bas tumhare liye mangwa deta hun, main toh tumhe hi khaunga."

She couldn't move away in her present state as he nibbled her plump cheek.

"Ahh, Sameer... kya kar rahe ho?" She rubbed her cheek, pushing him away.

He grabbed her waist, tickling  lightly, watching as she laughed uncontrollably, twisting to free herself. This time when she pushed, he allowed himself to fall back on the bed.

"Aaj tum order kar lo, jo bhi khana chaho." He folded his hands behind his head, smiling.

She made a face, then narrowed her eyes as something clicked in her mind. Looking around, she spotted his shirt next to the bed. Only after wearing it she noticed the missing buttons.

He winked when she looked back at him. Clutching the shirt tightly against her abdomen, she walked to the intercom, placing order in a low voice.

The food arrived shortly.

Sameer was surprised to see the cake.

"Yeh kisliye? Aaj mera birthday thodi hai." He was confounded to see her light one candle on it.

"Birthday hi toh hai... tumne kaha tha na aaj tumhe aisa lag raha hai tumhara naya janm hua hai... toh aaj hum Nainital mein tumhare iss naye janam ko celebrate karenge." She handed him the knife.

Elated, he cut the cake after blowing the candle... it was indeed a new life, a new day... his birthday.

After feeding each other a small piece, they had their dinner, realising how hungry they were.

"Ab meetha." He relaxed back on the chair.

She frowned. He pointed at the cake, making her blush instantly. When she offered him a piece in a plate, he shook his head, opening his mouth.

Well aware of his intentions, she still held the piece to his mouth. Holding her wrist, he leaned, eating the cake from her hand, then moving to lick each of her finger clean of the creamy residue.

"Ab meri baari." He proceeded to cut a piece.

"Mujhe nahi khana, Sameer, mera pet bhar gaya." She held his hand.

"Mera abhi nahi bhara." He looked deep in her eyes.

Before she could understand, he had pulled her next to him, holding her firmly with one arm, bringing the piece closer to her face.

She tried to wriggle out, but it only made him hold her tighter. Finally, she sat still as he lovingly smeared the cream on her face.

"Ho gaya? Ab main saaf kar lun?" She gave him a smoldering look when he was done.

"Abhi toh khana ready kiya hai, jaan, khaya thodi hai." He smirked.

She watched with wide eyes as he leaned to eat up the cream from her cheek, licking his lips to clean them. When he leaned again, she pushed at his chest.

"Pagal ho tum." She ran to the washroom before he could catch her.

"Arre Naina, khane toh do... achha theek hai, gussa kar lo... badla le lo mujhse... mujhe bhi aise hi tang karo... mere muh pe bhi laga do... main kuch nahi kahunga... suno Naina... achha darwaza toh kholo... maine lagaya hai na, main hi saaf kar deta hun." He banged the door.

She opened only after she had cleaned her face and hair properly.

"Kya jaan, mera meetha bhi nahi diya tumne." He pulled her the moment she stepped out.

"Saare baal kharab kar diye... bohot bure ho tum." She whined.

He quickly held one ear, twisting his lips to the side.

As always, her heart melted.

When he leaned towards her lips, she couldn't deny his actual dose of meetha to him.

The physical and emotional exhaustion of the day soon took over and they drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

Next morning, Sameer opened his eyes to find her in deep sleep, with her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder. A grateful smile spread on his face, thinking about what all Naina had done for him.

And it suddenly occurred to him that he had planned something for her as well but forgot to ask the hotel manager about it last night. Carefully, he placed a pillow under her head and slipped out of the bed. A call, and some arrangements later, it was time to wake her up.

"Naina." He touched her cheek.

"Hmm." She opened her eyes lazily, peeping through the thick blanket.

"Good morning, jaan." He leaned to place a kiss on her forehead.

Her arms went around him, making him lose his balance and fall on her.

"Good morning... jaan." She whispered in his ear.

"Itne khoobsurat good morning ke baad toh uthna ka mood hi badal gaya." His hand reached inside the blanket, grabbing her waist.

"Sameer, maine sirf jawab diya tha. Hato." She giggled, squirming as he tickled her.

"Haye, dil toh nahi hai par hatna padega, warna mera surprise kharab ho jayega." He sighed, sitting up.

"Surprise? Kaisa surprise?" Naina peeled off the balnket, looking around the room.

"Bata diya toh kaisa surprise... jao, tum jaldi se brush karke aao fir milega." He pushed her towards the washroom.

When she came out a few minutes later, he made her wear the jacket over nighty  and covered her eyes with his palm.

"Chalo mere saath." He directed her, making her hold onto his arm.

As the sudden gush of cold air touched her skin, she knew they were out on the terrace. Taking small steps, she moved ahead with Sameer, till he stopped her, and removed his hand.

She gasped at the beautifully laid table. It had different dishes for breakfast, along with juice, coffee, tea and even a glass of milk. A vase in the center had two rose blooms. All around it, roses were arranged to form a heart shape.

He pulled a chair for her, making her sit.

Picking up a tall stemmed rose from the vase, he walked behind her chair, resting his arms to reach her level. As he rubbed the rose against her cheek, a blush crept up her neck, covering her face instantly. He held out the rose to her. Taking it with a shy smile, she lowered her head, colouring under his intense gaze.

His eyes got stuck to the red on her cheeks that matched the rose and his feelings spilled out,

Yeh roshni bikhri hai tumse
meri subah ka khwab ho tum

Jo chubhte the inn wadiyon mein
mere unn sawalon ka jawab ho tum

yun sharma ke dekhti ho jab
meri rooh bhi behek jaati hai

rang aur khushbu se jisne waqif karaya
zindagi ka woh surkh gulab ho tum

Her lashes moved to bring her gaze to his face. She could see each word reflect in his eyes.

It was her turn to thank the town of Nainital for giving her the most beautiful gift of her life.

The cake scene was the celebration of our hero's birthday...

May all his wishes come true
May all his dreams be fulfilled
May he get all the success he deserves
May he find the perfect person to love him as much as Naina loves Sameer
May we get our Ashdeep soon

Oops, last wish toh hamaara tha 🤭 koi nahi, hum return gift samajh ke rakh lete hain 😂

Next update tomorrow evening.