Finally, when Rahul saw the crowd dwindle away, he, along with Sonali, went to Sameer and Naina.

"Aaja yaar, main bhi zara fir se badhai de dun... roz thodi mere dost top maarte hain." Rahul turned Sameer from his shoulder and engulfed him in a tight hug.

Sonali did the same to Naina, "Haan Naina, thank you so much... teri wajah se hum dono ke bhi itne achhe marks aaye hain... Principal ma'am sach keh rahi thi... tune hamari aadhi se zyada class ko toh padhaya hi hai... sach mein kaafi professors se achhi teacher hai tu."

Rahul parted from Sameer, looking at Naina, "Maine bhi yehi kaha tha Sonali se, ki agar Naina na padhati toh hum ya toh paas nahi hote aur agar hote bhi toh dhakka kha ke... tumne humein itna achha result dilwaya hai iske liye jitni baar thank you bolen kam hai."

And before Naina could reply, Rahul stepped ahead and took her in a side hug.

Sameer gaped at him, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Rahul grinned after leaving Naina, punching him on the shoulder, "Zyada jalkukda mat bana kar, apni behen ko jab marzi gale laga sakta hun."

Sonali and Naina chuckled as Rahul pushed a sulking Sameer to dinner tables.

The moment they left the auditorium, Sameer felt some irritation in his nose, stepping out into the heat after strong AC inside. The cool interiors of car were a relief. Sonali asked him to sit behind with Naina.

"Aage baithe toh gardan mein dard ho jayega kyonki poora time peeche hi dekhte rahoge." She smirked.

Thankful to her, Sameer slipped in besides his wife, shifting as close as possible.

As he leaned towards her face, Rahul's eyes teased him through rear view mirror, "Bas itna yaad rakhna yeh car hai aur hum bhi hain yahan."

Sameer scoffed at him, "Tu peeche nahi aage dekh ke chala... driver ki nazar saamne honi chahiye."

Putting one arm around Naina's waist, he pulled her to other end of the seat, out of the view of Rahul.

She shook her head slightly, placing a hand on his lips as he leaned again. He mouthed a 'please', she pushed his face away from her, flicking her eyes towards front seat. Sameer sat back with a sigh, waiting eagerly to reach home.

When the car came to a halt few minutes later, he straightened excitedly, only to see that they had stopped half way, in front of an ice cream vendor.

"Yeh hamari favourite jagah hai ice cream ke liye... chalo aaj tumhe bhi khilate hain." Rahul quickly stepped out of the car before Sameer could object.

The same itching hit his nose as Sameer came out. Rubbing it a little, he joined others near the cart.

"Main sitaphal icecream khaungi... aur Sameer bhi." Naina declared, recalling the delicious flavour they both had relished a number of times in Mumbai.

They had their ice creams laughing about various incidents of their three years in college.

Sameer sneezed the moment they entered home.

"Kya hua Sameer, theek ho na?" Naina pressed his arm.

"Haan, bas zara..." He sneezed again, before completing his sentence.

"Coffee pi le... agar kuch sardi jaisa ho bhi raha hoga toh theek ho jayega." Rahul suggested.

"Main banati hun." Sonali started to walk towards the kitchen.

"Nahi, main banata hun." Rahul stopped her, smiling.

"Sameer, aaja hum dono aaj inko apne haath ki coffee pilate hain." Taking Sameer with him, he left the girls in the living room.

Once in the kitchen, he looked thoughtfully at Sameer, "Tabiyat toh theek hai na teri?"

"Pata nahi, yaar, kuch ajeeb sa lag raha hai naak mein." Sameer rubbed his nose vigorously, and let out another sneeze.

Rahul gave him a deep look, then turned towards the corner cabinet.

"Yeh kya hai?" Sameer was aghast when Rahul held out a glass with about two spoons of dark liquid in it.

"Brandy."

Sameer widened his eyes, "Rahul, paagal hai kya?"

"Saari raat cheenkte hue bitani hai kya? Main bhi le leta hun jab sardi hoti hai... halki si shuruaat hote hi le lene se theek rehta hai... warna kal doctor ke paas jaana padega... aur teri yeh chutti sick leave ban jayegi." Rahul said in a low voice.

Thinking about it, Sameer realised what he was saying was true. The cold did bring a persistent irritation with it, not to mention the annoying sneezing repeatedly.

"Lekin Naina..." A small doubt still held him back.

"Sameer yeh dawa hai... aur itni se kuch nahi hota... iske baad coffee pi lega toh mehek bhi nahi aayegi." Rahul cleared his apprehensions.

Sameer took the glass, rolling it in his hands, biting his lips... till two quick sneezes rocked him.

Rahul flicked up his brows towards the glass.

Without another thought, Sameer drained the dark contents, coughing at the bitter taste and sharp burning feeling in his chest. But the warmth spread up instantly, making him take a deep breath.

"Achha laga na?" Rahul took the glass from him.

Nodding, he started to help Rahul set the cups in the tray.

"Sameer, abhi kaisa lag raha hai?" Naina asked as the boys went out with coffee.

"Yahan sabke saamne bata dunga kaisa lag raha hai toh tum gussa ho jaogi." He grinned, winking at her.

Sonali burst into laughter as Naina slapped her forehead, lowering her head to hide the blush.

"Sab log ab chup kar ke Rahul ki special coffee piyo." Rahul offered the first cup to Naina.

"Coffee mein tum hamesha topper ho." Sonali appreciated, after taking a sip.

"Sach mein Rahul, bohot achhi coffee hai... din bhar ki thakaan utar gayi." Naina gave him a grateful smile.

"Bas ab iski bhi utar jaaye." Rahul looked at Sameer uncertainly.

"Kya?" Sonali narrowed her eyes at him.

"Thakaan... aur kya?" Rahul shrugged, getting the hint of doubt in her voice.

He was worried at the glazed look in Sameer's eyes. This quantity of brandy had never affected him. In fact, he had once given it to Sonali as well... and she was fine too. But Sameer appeared to be a little different. Rahul hoped he wasn't much influenced.

Thankfully, he walked back to his room without swaying or saying anything that could arouse suspicion. In fact, he didn't speak at all, except the 'Good Nights'.

"Sameer, change toh kar lo, aise kaise so rahe ho?" Naina saw him resting against the headboard, one leg dangling down, other one on the bed, still clad in socks.

He opened his eyes slowly. Her face swam for a while before coming into focus. He smiled at the moon that gleamed only for him.

"Jaan, tum itni door kyon khadi ho?" His arm went behind her neck, making her bend over his face.

Her eyes were the most beautiful pool he wanted to drown in... her lips were the sweetest nectar he always wanted to taste... her porcelain cheeks were the softest cushion he could feel... her little nose was the cutest thing he wanted to pinch... her chin was his pride when she held up her face to look at him... her hair that fell on his face as she bent over him were the silky curtain that enveloped him like a soft cloud...

"Kya hua?" Her voice broke his chain of admiring her further.

"Tum bohot sundar ho, Naina." His voice was hoarse.

Her eyes turned soft, as a shy smile adorned her lips.

His eyes drifted to her lips... and he remembered how she had bitten the lower one in college.

Next moment, he was kissing her ardently... holding the back of her head firmly over his face. Naina clutched his shoulders, giving in to the demand of his mouth that sent her heart jumping wildly against her ribs. The distance suddenly became unbearable for him, as he pulled her closer, breaking the kiss in the process.

"Sameer, pehle change toh kar lo... tum thak gaye hoge subah se inn office ke kapdon mein." She resisted the pull, holding his shoulders for support.

"Naina, maine bohot miss kiya tumko." He wrapped his arms around her waist, pushing his face in her belly.

Her heart jumped to her mouth, feeling his nose nestle against her navel. Her fingers went to his hair, raking through the soft locks.

"Maine bhi bohot miss kiya tumhe, Sameer." Her voice was shaky.

"Toh tum aa jaati mere paas." He looked up at her,

"Kaise aati, buddhu... itni door the tum." She ruffled his hair, smiling.

"Udd ke aa jaati, Naina... tum toh pari ho na." He said matter of factly.

She narrowed her eyes at him. With his forehead covered with messy hair, his eyes looked different. She quickly pushed the hair back, looking at his face.

"Tum hamesha se meri pari ho." He gave her a wide, goofy grin.

"Sameer... tum theek toh ho?" She was puzzled at his strange voice and funny expression.

His eyes were wide open as he straightened up, spreading his arms, "Bilkul theek hun... aur ab toh sardi bhi nahi hai... Rahul ki dawa se sab theek ho gaya."

"Dawa? Kaunsi dawa? Rahul ne tumhe dawa kyon di? Mujhe kyon nahi bataya tumne?" Her forehead creased in concern.

"Bohot achhi wali thi, Naina... tabse aisa lag raha hai main bhi udd raha hun." He swayed his head lightly with a soft smile on his lips.

Suddenly his eyes were wide again, "Arre, main bhi udd sakta hun kya? Naina, main bhi pari hun kya?"

And he slapped himself laughing, "Pari kaise ho sakta hun... main toh para ho sakta hun... Naina, kya main para hun?"

Hearing his nonsense blabber, it registered to her what medicine Rahul had given him. Once Sonali had mentioned that they kept brandy at home... and Rahul had given it to her when she had come down with a sudden cold. Remembering Sameer's sneezes, she realised Rahul wanted to ease his upcoming cold, but Sameer had gone into a different world. With a sigh, she recalled the night he had alcoholic chocolates, here in this house only. She would definitely have a tough time handling him now.

"Bolo naaa... main hun kya... para?" Sameer tugged at her arm, again pulling her over himself.

"Tum jaan ho meri." She kissed his forehead, feeling a sudden warmth for the child in him.

He grinned again, "Aur tum meri."

"Ab so jao... dawa li hai toh uska asar tabhi hoga na jab tum aaram karoge." Her tone turned soft.

His hands gripped her waist as she straightened. She raised her brows.

"Akele kaise so jaun?" His voice wasn't childlike anymore.

"Sameer, tumhari tabiyat... " She couldn't finish her sentence.

He had pulled her on the bed, making her fall on her back, and he leaned over her now, his hands holding her shoulders firmly, "Aisa lag raha hai pata nahi kitne dinon baad dekh raha hun tumhe... Naina, tum aur bhi sundar ho gayi ho."

His raspy voice, falling locks of hair on the forehead, glossy eyes, dark shadow that had started to appear on his jaw... and his lips that he pressed under his teeth as her eyes stayed on them... she could feel each  nerve in her body fraying at the way his hooded eyes devoured her.

If he was under the influence of alcohol, she was intoxicated by him. The effect on him would wear off by morning... she would not be able to come out of this inebriated state all her life.

Next update tomorrow evening