Next two days were gone in hectic preparations at Agarwal house. Sameer and Naina spent whole day with the family, helping out with everything.

Third day was the day of haldi and mehendi.

"Naina, kitne baje chalna hai?" Sameer asked as he came out of the shower.

Naina was setting clothes in the small case, to carry a change of clothes for evening mehendi function.

"Dus baje ke baad hi chalenge... chachiji ne kaha tha barah baje ka muhurat hai haldi ka." She replied, without looking back.

Sameer glanced at the clock. It wasn't nine yet.

As Naina zipped up the bag, his arm went around her waist, pulling her to him.

"Sameer, kya kar rahe ho? Abhi jaane ka time ho raha hai." Her voice quivered at the realisation that he was fresh out of a bath... and bare chested.

"Abhi waqt hai... nau bhi nahi baje... aur agar hum pandrah bees minute late hue bhi toh kya hua... haldi se pehle pohoch jayenge." He nuzzled his nose in her hair which were still a little damp after shampoo.

Inhaling deeply, he got lost in the fresh scent of her shampoo that mixed with her warmth.

"Sameer, abhi bohot kaam hai." She clutched his arm that laid on her belly, tilting her head to the side as his nose rubbed behind her ear.

"Mujhe bhi hai." He murmured, his breath fanning her ear.

She tugged at his forearm, trying to loosen his hold. If he continued to do what he was doing, she wouldn't be able to carry on her protests for long.

His arms slid to her side. Before she could step away, he held her shoulders and turned her to face him. Her heart lurched. The new trimmer he had bought a few days back helped him keep the stubble as if it was just two days old. He had used it today. The prickly growth on his chin took her breath away. His wet hair, pushed back by fingers were leaving a broader forehead... but the unruly strand had shown it's defiance... falling over his forehead in a curve. A beam of morning sunlight shining through small gap between curtains fell on his shoulder blade, turning the drops on his milky skin glitter like diamonds. Her eyes moved to his neck... the vein at the base throbbed wildly. She was fascinated by the way his skin bobbed incessantly, matching his heartbeat that she could feel against her. Her eyes drifted down to his heart... could the movement be seen here too... with such wild drumming, probably the skin throbbed here too. Her hand involuntarily rose to feel it. His sharp intake of breath made her eyes dart back to his face.

His eyes were clouded pools of darkness. Her throat went dry as he pulled her closer. Other hand came to rest on his chest as well, fingers curling on his bare skin that felt hot in spite of the water drops covering it. The action made many of the droplets slither down, getting lost between them. She touched one of the drops that was still holding its place bravely in the center of his chest... and it lost its identity.

"Naina." His voice was hoarse.

She looked up.

'Yun jo choo rahi ho mujhe
yeh boonden kahin jal na jayein

Main aashiq hun tumhara
hasaraten meri machal na jayein

Meri jaan tere aagosh mein
kahin meri jaan nikal na jaaye'

She lost the power to step away... the will to stop him... the need to distance from him.

When she spoke, her eyes had the same flecks of glittering desire,

'Inn boondon ko jal jaane do
jo tumpe atak jaati hain

Yehi anjaam hai inka
kyon tumpe haq jatati hain

Mere choone se jo bhadakti hai
aag nahi mohabbat ki khumari hai

Jaan ho tum, sirf meri
yeh Naina sirf tumhari hai'

If he was craving for her earlier, her words bewitched him, flaring up his desire to another level... the current that ran through his veins made his mind go foggy with just one need at the moment.

When his fingers clutched her waist harder, she raised herself on toes to reach him. But her lips did not give him what he sought... she kissed the pattering vein on his neck... going to plant small kisses all  over his collar bone and throat. When her lips pressed into the hollow at the base of his throat, he threw his head back and let out a groan. His sharp jawline covered with dark bristles made her knees go weak. Holding his face in her hands, she pulled it down, skimming her lips over his jaw.

He tried to stop her, fearing that it might hurt her.

She nipped his chin, and he knew she would do what she wanted. His tigress was ready to enrapture him with her ministration.

His eyes flicked to the door momentarily, coming back satisfied that it was latched.

They could leave the house only after an hour.

"Arre Naina, aa gayi tu... sabse pehle toh yeh bata tune apni behen ko manaa liya hai na mehendi lagwane ke liye? Main toh thak gayi hun uske nakhre utha utha ke... pata nahi Pandit bechara kaise sambhalega... mujhe uski badi fiqr ho rahi hai." Bela moved around the kitchen with a hassled look, worried about her daughter's dislike for mehendi.

Naina held Bela's shoulders, making her stand still, "Aap bilkul fiqr mat kariye, chachiji... na mehendi ki na uske nakhron ki... Pandit se zyada kisi ne uske nakhre nahi uthaye... college ke dino mein anjaane mein hi woh uske liye sab karta tha... uski pasand, napasand, uska gussa, roothna, zid... sab samajhta hai... khud bataya tha usne mujhe aur Sameer ko... shayad Preeti ke liye uske mann mein bohot pehle se bhavnayein thi par usse ahsaas nahi hua... jab kabhi college nahi jaati thi toh Munna ko bolta tha Swati se puchne ke liye ki kahin Preeti ki tabiyat toh kharab nahi hai... hamesha se khyal rakhta tha... ab toh aur bhi zyada rakhega."

Bela flashed a beaming smile, satisfied, "Tune toh meri aadhi chinta door kardi... sachhi, bohot kismat wali hai Preeti jo usse itna achha pati mil raha hai... usse poori tarah samajhne wala."

Naina smiled, "Pandit ki kismat bhi kam achhi nahi hai... hamari Preeti har baat mein uska khyal rakhti hai... aapko pata hai sagai mein poora khana Pandit ke hisaab se banwaya tha usne."

"Haan, bataya tha tere chachaji ne... unhe bhi khushi hui Preeti ko aise fiqr karte dekh ke." Bela recalled her husband's words.

"Aur aap mehendi ke liye bhi pareshan mat hoiye... woh khushi khushi lagwa legi shaadi ke liye." Naina chuckled.

Bela was relieved to hear this.

Preeti was dressed in a bright yellow saree, looking like bright morning sunlight.

"Kitni pyari lag rahi hai... Pandit dekh paata toh khushi ke maare pata nahi kya karta." Naina quipped, watching her reflection in the mirror as Preeti sat on the chair in front of it.

"Kya karta... khushi mein do samose aur kha leta." Preeti giggled.

Naina again noticed that her laughter was reaching her eyes... the thought had not piqued her.

"Preeti, tujhe pehle toh iss baat se badi chidd hoti thi... ab khud hi uske khaane ke baare mein aise bolti hai... kya baat hai... bada gehra rang chadh gaya uske pyar ka." She leaned to rest her chin on her sister's head.

"Ab kya bataun, behen, usne baat hi aisi keh di." Preeti let out a long exhale.

"I Love You se aage bhi kuch kaha kya." Naina asked with a mischievous smile.

"Usne kaha mujhe utna pyar karta hai jitna samose se... ab Pandit aur samose ka rishta toh poore Ahmedabad mein mashhoor hai... agar woh mujhe itna pyar karta hai toh main khushi se pagal hi houngi na?" Preeti winked.

Naina let out a hearty laugh.

When the function started in the living room, Sameer stood near the main door. The only time he had seen a girl's haldi was at Sonali's place when he had gone to give Rahul's haldi to her. He watched all ladies smear Preeti with the yellow paste. Naina had her fingers coated with the same paste. After she had applied it on Preeti, she went in to wash her hands. Seeing everyone busy with the ongoing ritual, he sneaked in behind her.

Naina stepped out of the washroom, only to bang into him.

"Tum... tum fir andar aa gaye? Koi dekhega toh kya kahega?" She reprimanded him, looking towards the door.

"Mujhe bhi tumhe haldi lagani hai." He put forth his demand, least effected by her fears.

"Sameer, pagal ho kya? Yeh meri haldi nahi hai... jab meri thi tab lagayi thi na tumne... sabse pehle." Her cheeks tinted at the memory.

"Jaise tab lagayi thi waise hi ab lagani hai." He pestered.

"Jaane do, please... koi aa jayega... tum abhi mujhe haldi nahi laga sakte... haan, mehendi lagwaungi main bhi... aur tumhara naam bhi likhwaungi usme." She tried to placate him by shifting his attention.

"Mehendi bhi lagwa lenge lekin pehle haldi." Her words did not pacify him.

"Lagwa lenge? Mr Maheshwari, mehendi aapne laga li thi apni shaadi mein... ladke hamesha nahi lagate." She was aghast.

"Aur yeh kahan likha hai, Mrs Maheshwari?" He raised his brow.

"Sameer, tum samajhte kyon nahi?" She was exasperated.

"Maine Rahul ki shaadi mein bhi toh lagai thi... tab toh tumne kuch nahi kaha... kisi aur ne bhi nahi kaha ki mat lagwao." He said calmly.

"Offo, wahan hum kisi ko jaante thodi the... kisi ne dekhna thodi tha... yahan sab dekh lenge aur mujhe chedenge." She whined.

"Koi kuch kahega toh bol dena mera Sameer agar mujhse itna pyaar karta hai toh aapko isse kya takleef hai." He gave a lopsided smile.

Her heart melted at his declaration. They were standing close but not touching each other. He stumbled a little as she placed her hands on his shoulders, and gave a hard kiss on the cheek before running away.

This stolen kiss amidst a household full of family and guests filled him with prolific satiation.

After Preeti was done with her bath and everyone had finished their lunch, the ladies went down for mehendi. Mattresses covered with white sheets were laid out in the open area. Two professional girls had been called for the bride. Others picked up the cones from various thalis placed around, sitting down to decorate each other's palms with intricate patterns.

When Naina had opened the bag to take out her outfit for this function, she was surprised to see a brown packet, with her name written on it, along with a line under it, "Pehen ke balcony mein aana."

A knowing smile spread on her lips as she opened it.

The green suit was exceptionally beautiful. She picked up the delicate cloth, mesmerised by fine thread work on it. Sameer never failed to surprise her. She wondered when he would have bought it... and was reminded of the day next to engagement when he had dropped her here and said he would come after making a trip to Munna and Pandit's house. Probably, he bought it then.

She admired her reflection after she was dressed.

"Bada achha suit hai, behen... jijaji ki hi pasand hogi." Preeti said as she pinned her pallu on the head, a requisite for bride to be.

"Sameer ka surprise hai mere liye... aur uski pasand ka hamesha se koi jawaab nahi tha." Naina was still lost.

"Woh toh hai... aakhir yahan ki sabse sundar ladki ko pata ke shaadi kar li... unki pasand ka sabko pata hai." Preeti winked.

Naina turned to look at her, pursing her lips, "Tu taang kheech rahi hai meri?"

Preeti stepped closer, making her turn towards the mirror, "Dekh zara khud ko, Naina... aisa lagta hai tere andar lightein lag gayi hain... sundar toh tu pehle bhi thi lekin jabse jijaji teri zindagi mein aaye hain, tu khil gayi hai... aur ab shaadi ke baad toh aisa lagta hai ki teri chamak se kahin hamari aankhen na band ho jaayein."

Naina could see her cheeks redden.

She swatted Preeti's arm, "Teri shaadi ke baad main bhi aise hi chedungi tujhe."

"Kuch bhi bol, Naina, lekin na koi tere jaisa khoobsurat ho sakta hai na jijaji jaisa pagal... pyar mein." Preeti wrapped her arms around her sister, happy for the love that had changed her life.

Once she was ready, Naina stepped out in the balcony.

And her breath hitched.

Sameer was sitting on a chair, looking directly at the balcony.

He had not only bought the suit for her as a surprise, he himself was dressed in a black bandgala, with a red pocket square bringing first hint of colour and orange lining of his coat giving another splash of brightness.

She gaped at him, enchanted. He was looking no less than a prince.

The darkness on his jaw, messy hair falling on his forehead, a hint of smile on his lips, his eyes brimming with love as he kept looking up at her... everything made her heart hammer so hard against her chest, she feared it would fall out.

"Dekha, hai na pagal... kaise sab kuch bhool ke bas tujh mein kho gaye hain." Preeti's voice brought her out of the trance.

"Aur main apne pagal ki pagli... jo usme kho gayi hun." She murmured.

Next update tomorrow morning