Sameer stepped out of the washroom in Gujarati outfit. He was initially a little apprehensive but when he thought about it, the idea didn't seem that bad. Whenever he had asked Naina to wear something special, she had complied every single time. It was his turn now. Moreover, it wasn't looking bad. The hesitation was also gone as he knew more than half of Ahmedabad men would be sporting this kind of dress.

Wrapping the thick, silver kada around his wrist, he slipped his feet into the mojris and was ready to go out and surprise his wife.

She wasn't surprised... she was bedazzled.

Sameer took long steps towards her. Her eyes took in every little detail of his elaborate look. Right from his bright mojris to red dhoti to the traditional patterned red top that flared below his chest, swaying with each step that he took towards her. The broad silver kada that he was wearing was perfecting the look even more. She was glad she insisted on buying it when they were picking up jewellery for her. The way he twisted it on his wrist now made her heart miss several beats. With a dry throat she watched his silky locks flutter as he walked towards her. She had never seen anyone appear as handsome as Sameer looked, in this costume.

He could see the unequivocal appreciation in her eyes. He did not miss the slight movement of the column of her throat as she gulped when he adjusted his kada. The effect he was having on her made his heart swell up in pride.

He was now glad about her decision. Naina had insisted that they would see each other only after they both were fully dressed up for the event. He had protested hard but she didn't relent. Finally, he had to give in, going to guest room to dress up. The way he had left her shaken was worth the effort.

If she was so affected by him, he was equally stirred to see her complete look. Slowly moving his gaze up her feet, he observed intricate work on her skirt. The colours spanned over black base were interspersed with hundreds of tiny mirrors, making the darkness of base colour sparkle up with the vibrancy on its surface. His eyes twinkled as they moved up to see the heavy flair of lehenga contained around her tiny waist, bare skin visible through the flimsy dupatta. Silver oxidised jewellery that she was wearing was his choice too, but it looked more captivating on her now. The heavy choker, long earrings, a small maangtika that rested in the parting of her open hair, and a number of jingling silver bangles on both her wrists. Her eyes were lined with dark kohl against the bright red on her lips.

He gripped her waist, pulling her harshly towards himself as he stared deeply into her eyes, "Kyon kiya?"

With her hands on his shoulders, she gazed at him with adoring eyes. Her hands slipped down his arms, feeling the clenched muscles as he held her tight.

Resting her palms flatly on his broad chest, she dipped her head to the side, "Tumne ek baar keh diya toh main kaise bhool sakti hun?"

His hold loosened, letting her turn slowly. This time, he himself pushed the hair away from her neck, letting them fall over one shoulder. The dori was properly strung through all loops but she had not tied the knot. With a smile on his lips, he held both strings, securing them to form a bow. He couldn't help placing a kiss on the bare part of her shoulder. She stepped ahead to bring some distance between them, scared that he would again make her lose control like he did in the trial room. Holding her wrist, he spun her around to crash against his chest. Her control was already tremulous, after seeing him dressed like this. As his dark eyes showed her reflection, she could feel the drumming of her heart so loud in her ears that she was sure he could hear it too.

"Tum... tum aaj bohot handsome lag rahe ho." Her voice was a husky whisper.

A knowing smile played on his lips, "Lagta hai aaj Mrs Maheshwari ka mood bahar jaane ka nahi hai."

"Hato." She blushed hard, cursing herself for being so transparent.

He held the back of her head, tilting it slightly, and placed his lips on hers, losing the grip on himself when he saw flecks of desire in her eyes.

Her response was equally fervent. It was some minutes later, when they were trying to breathe that she realised their mistake.

"Sameer, yeh saaf karna padega." She looked at his face.

He touched his face to check.

She pursed her lips, flicking her thumb across his lip, and held it to him. He saw the red stain and realised what she meant.

"Saari lipstick kharab kar di, ab fir se lagani padegi." She pouted.

"Agar aise karogi toh fir se kharab kar dunga." He leaned towards her pout again.

Placing her hand on his mouth, she pushed him back to the room. It took them another five minutes... for him to remove the lipstick, and for her, to apply more.

"Tumhari wajah se late ho gaye hum." She whined as he started the car.

"Haan, meri wajah se... ab main itna handsome lag raha tha ki meri biwi se kiss kiye bina raha hi nahi gaya." He adjusted the rear view mirror to look at himself, weaving his fingers through the falling locks.

"Lag rahe the nahi, tum abhi bhi bohot zyada handsome lag rahe ho." To his surprise, she lovingly smiled at him.

"Wapas chalun ghar?" He applied the brakes.

"Sameeer." She punched on his arm, "Sab intezar kar rahe honge."

He sighed, starting the car again, "Chal beta Sameer, sabko intezar nahi karwana... tujhe hi karna padega."

She punched him again.

The ground was covered with colourful awnings all around. A huge canopy of bright bulbs on the top lit up every dark corner. Strings of smaller bulbs put up in zigzag pattern all over the awnings gave an alluring look to the place. Bright hues of yellow, red, blue, green and other shades of the decorations competed with equally colourful spread of colours on the people crowding the ground. Everyone was dressed in a myriad of vibrant shades, making the darkness of night shy away for once.

A stage set up at one end had a big banner, proclaiming the names of singers who would be performing for the evening.

"Dandiya ki baat hi alag hai. Aisi khushi hoti hai na iske naam se hi ki lagta hai bas seedhe khelna shuru kar dein." Munna waved his dandiya sticks as he entered the ground with Swati, Preeti and Pandit.

"Aaram se bhai, pehla set yahin tod dega kya... hamare sar pe?" Pandit dodged his waving hands.

"Aata hai mujhe... woh bas ek baar toot gaya tha dandiya jab zara zyada josh aa gaya tha." Munna retorted sharply, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Preetiiii." Naina's excited voice made them turn around to see Naina and Sameer walking in.

Sameer was astonished to see both Munna Pandit wearing similar dhoti kedia. They had never mentioned wearing it before. In fact, he had been to two navratri functions with them during his stay in Ahmedabad with nanu but every year they all had worn kurtas.

"Munna, aaj yeh kaise?" He thumped Munna's back, admiring his yellow dress with multicolored patches on it.

"Bas yaar, socha shaadi ke baad pehli navratri hai toh biwi ke saath match kar lun apna dress." Munna shyly looked at Swati who was wearing a yellow and red lehenga.

Sameer turned to Pandit. His blue outfit also matched Preeti's blue and yellow lehenga. He wondered if they should have chosen black for him or a red lehenga for Naina. With a frown he looked at her. She pointed at her dupatta. Only then did he notice the broad red border on her lehenga and dupatta. She had indeed matched their outfits. Grinning, he winked at her.

"Ab yahin khade rehke aankh maarta rahega ya ground mein bhi chalega." Pandit poked at his arm.

They all went to the side where a large area was segregated from the dancing section. Aarti had been performed here earlier, in front of a huge idol of Goddess Durga, the deity prayed during this festival. All of them placed some flowers at the feet of goddess, praying for happiness and success for everyone. It was time to join the festivities after pooja.

Presently, the music was being played for garba. They all joined a big circle, matching their steps with everyone else as they danced to the beats of popular Gujarati songs.

The two dance forms of navratri, garba and dandiya, are something that every person living in Gujarat knows very well. Right from the time children learnt to walk, they started to sway to the tunes of these two dance forms. Sameer had also become familiar with the dance when he had attended a navratri function once with nanu. And when he stayed here for two years, Munna Pandit always dragged him along. He had attended such events with Naina in Mumbai also but they were low key. The big ones in Mumbai started late in the night and their hostel rules didn't allow them to stay out that late. So this was the first time he was planning to enjoy fully in company of both his friends, and his wife.

Clapping and whirling around with the music, all couples were lost in each other, forgetting the world around them.

Sameer had been aware that Naina was an incredible dancer but still, each time he watched her moving gracefully to the beats of a song, he was mesmerised by her fluidity and elegance. He was enamoured by her teasing steps... hiding behind the dupatta, giving him coy looks, swirling in such a way that her hair flitted to give him a glimpse of her back...

When they paused to get some soft drinks for their parched throats after a long dance session, he pulled her behind the racks of food containers.

"Sab toh wahan hai, tum mujhe yahan kyon laye ho?" Naina raised her brows in ignorance.

Pulling her closer, he slipped his hands behind her back, touching the exposed skin, "Tum mujhe aise tang karogi aur main jaane dunga? Kya karne ki koshish kar rahi thi garba karte hue?"

"Main? Maine kahan kuch kiya?" She fluttered her eyeslashes.

"Naina, aise karogi toh yahin kiss kar dunga, fir mat kehna lipstick kharab ho gayi." He threatened.

"Achha, yahan sab ke saamne?" She feigned a shocked look.

He flicked up his brows.

"Jao jao, Mr Maheshwari, yahan tumhe kuch nahi milne wala." She mocked, wrinkling her nose.

He pressed his hands on her back, leaning to prove her wrong. The container which was keeping them hidden was picked up by someone from the other side, making them quickly duck down to avoid being spotted.

"Dekh lena, yeh Sameer Maheshwari apni Naina ko kiss karke hi rahega, issi navratri ke function mein." He whispered as she turned to check if there was anyone on the other side.

Sticking her tongue out, she waved her thumb at him before running away.

He stumbled back against the sacks, running a hand through his hair.

"Tumhare liye meri bekarari badhti hi jaati hai, Naina... kya jaadu hai yeh!" Letting out a sigh, he stood up to join his friends.

She was having a soft drink when he reached there. Snatching the bottle from her, he took a few swigs, with his eyes fixed on her.

"Bas aisa hi kiss mil sakta hai yahan, samajh lo poora ho gaya tumhara challenge." She said softly, eyeing his lips around the bottle.

He narrowed his eyes, offering the bottle back to her. She held it for a few moments, then slowly raised it to her lips, sipping from it as he smiled back at her.

Next update tomorrow morning

Yes, Sunday special 😊