Naina went out to the balcony. The half moon stared at her sadly. It looked like the missing half had taken away all the brightness and beauty of it. There was no shine, no repose that was generally associated with it.

She sighed. The logical brain knew the reason for missing part. Of course she knew all about it. But the heart, that was hopelessly in love, always turned poetic whenever it looked at the moon. And presently, her aching heart could feel the pain of the sad, dull, half moon... which seemed to be waiting... just like her, for the other half to bring back the effulgence that it was identified with.

She peered closely. Her eyes could make out a faint outline of the rest of it... an almost invisible other half.

It was there... even though anyone who looked at the moon today would call it half, but the other half was still with it, hidden... but together.

A smile appeared on her face. Yes, her other half was with her as well. Sameer might not be visible in person to others, but could he ever be separated from her being... he was in her every thought, every breath, every heartbeat... every blink of the eye brought his face in front of her, every breath filled her with his strong, manly fragrance, every movement of her hand felt his touch, every step seemed to be in sync with him.

She looked at her palm... and his long fingers seemed to fit in the empty spaces between her fingers. She folded her fingers lightly, feeling their intertwined hands, and placed them on her heart, closing her eyes.

Sameer felt a pull towards the moon, as he stood gazing at it. The partially hidden celestial marvel was calling out to him, it appeared. Probably, sharing his grief... it was missing a part too.

"Main kal apni Naina ke saath hounga... fir hum dono adhoore nahi honge... jo andhera hai aaj, woh kal mit jayega... mera chaand kal poora hoga." He smiled at the moon, placing a hand on his heart.

The night was too long. In spite of having not slept the previous night, neither could get any sleep. Naina kept tossing in the bed, recalling all the times when she was snuggled against him in this very bed. This was where they had started to come close. A wild fluttering in the heart reminded her of the time he had first  pulled off his tshirt, and held her close to his bare chest, saying that this is how he slept. Her breath quickened at the thought of all the times they had restrained themselves in this very room, backing away from each other... so that they could fulfill the dream that he had once told her about. The colour spread on her face, as the visions of the night of their wedding loomed in front of her. The colour got deeper as each moment flowed out of her memory, with precise clarity. She clutched the pillow to her chest, her heart brimming with love for the way Sameer took care of her every doubt, every fear.

With a deep breath she got up and went to the bag, taking out his shirt that she had packed with her things. Getting rid of her top, she slipped on his shirt, filling herself up with the musky scent that enveloped her instantly.

Though Sameer could see all her clothes in the cupboard, he fished out the green dupatta that was amongst his t-shirts, the one he had kept with him in college. And he was surrounded by the same delicate fragrance that had given him solace on so many lonely nights in the hostel.

Both laid awake in their beds... separated by distance... holding onto the part of each other.

Morning arrived with the promise of bringing them together again. Though Naina was upset about him not reaching at the expected time, she was relived that he would be here by afternoon. When Sonali suggested that they should go out for some shopping and chaat, she agreed, thinking that afternoon would be easier to reach if she did something rather than sitting and staring at the clock.

"Try toh kar, Naina... dekhna, aachha lagega tujhpe." Sonali insisted.

"Nahi Sonali, kuch kharab ho gaya toh... main... main yeh risk nahi le sakti." Naina was apprehensive.

"Maine bhi kiya tha... achha lagta hai... Sameer ko bhi pasand aayega dekhna." Sonali had to pull her inside the parlour.

Naina could not believe how different she looked after the styling. The hair seemed to be much more in volume, framing her face in a wild way. And it was just a temporary style, she would get back her normal straight tresses after a wash. She was pleased with the experiment.

"Ab inke saath ka dress bhi lete hain." Sonali dragged her to a big store.

"Sonali, pagal hai kya? Hair style se match karke kaun dress leta hai?" Naina was flustered, in no mood to shop.

But Sonali was adamant, making her buy not only the dress but a pair of earrings too.

Sameer was extremely irritated at the speed of things. There was no sign of his new clients as he waited impatiently in his office. Calling up the hotel didn't get any result as they had 'Do Not Disturb' sign outside their door.

"Munshiji, aap toh keh rahe the unki aaj ki flight hai wapas jaane ki... abhi tak ghode bech ke kyon so rahe hain fir?" He asked in a discontented voice.

"Flight raat ko hai... chaar baje... shayad isliye unhe jaldi nahi hai." Munshiji was apologetic, understanding his restlessness.

Sameer regretted his outburst instantly. It wasn't Munshiji's fault.

"Chaliye hum hotel hi chalte hain... jaise hi woh log ready honge, hum sign karwa lenge... fir main nikal jaunga." He got up to collect the documents, softening his voice.

Munshiji nodded.

When Naina came out of her room, Sonali let out a whistle.

"Aaj toh gaya Sameer." She winked.

"Par hai kahan woh? Rahul, phone aaya tha kya chalne se pehle?" The praise was lost in her desperate concern.

Rahul pursed his lips, shaking his head.

Naina dialled their home number. There was no response. Ramdhari must have left after finishing the basic work. She then dialled office number. No one picked up on his personal phone. Having no option, she called up at the general number.

"Sir toh chale gaye munshiji ke saath... bohot der ho chuki." The peon informed her.

Naina assumed munshiji must have gone to drop him at the station, though it did not sit well with her. Why would Sameer ask someone to drop him when he could take a cab or go with the driver? She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer, hoping there was no new problem.

Sameer closed his eyes while he waited in the hotel lobby, gritting his teeth as there was still no sign of the clients.

When he could take it no more, he walked up to the reception, asking them to connect him to their room.

"We're so sorry... actually the different time zone problem got to us... we sat up all night, discussing about the options and missed the morning alarm... have you brought the papers?" The three men were seated in front of him half an hour later.

Giving a restrained smile, Sameer set the file in front of them. His irritation grew when they took forever to read it. Meanwhile, munshiji excused himself.

It took extreme willpower for Sameer to stop himself from snatching the file from them, tearing it to pieces and sprint out to catch the train.

After what seemed like a lifetime, they placed their signatures next to his at all needed places. Munshiji checked the documents thoroughly, nodding at him.

He stood up hastily, shaking hands with them as he picked up his bag.

"Uhh Sameer beta." Munshiji called out.

He looked back, irritation writ large on his face at every single minute wasted.

Munshiji held out something.

Sameer gaped at the contents, shocked. And then, a grin split the thin line of his mouth.

"Thank you, munshiji... mere dimaag mein hi nahi aaya." He took the paper.

"Jaldi jaiye." The old man smiled.

Sameer turned to leave, then turned again, and gave a hug to munshiji, muttering a 'thank you' again before dashing out.

The driver dropped him to the airport. Only after Sameer was seated in the aircraft did he breathe. Taking one hour flight was a great way to save time. Since they always travelled to and from Mumbai by train, this idea never occured to him. Munshiji's foresight made him respect him even more. He could see Sameer's urgency, the importance of him reaching on time... and had arranged for the ticket without even asking. Checking the time, Sameer realised he would have to go to college straight away. He just hoped Naina left on time.

"Kam se kam ek phone karke Rahul ko bata deta toh theek rehta." He hit his forehead with a fisted hand.

But realised next moment that it would have made Naina more anxious... she would have definitely got it out from Rahul that he was still in Ahmedabad, and would have panicked.

As the plane took off, he leaned back in his seat, smiling at the thought of meeting her after almost thirty six hours.

"Oh Naina, kab dekhunga tumhe." He sighed, taking out his wallet to gaze at her smiling face.

He still kept her school time picture with pigtails in his wallet.

The only reason Naina agreed to leave for college with Rahul and Sonali was her promise to Sameer. When she had voiced her doubt about him coming home first, Rahul had assured her that Sameer was sensible enough to reach college directly now that he was getting late.

They were at the main gate twenty minutes later. Naina stepped out of the car, looking at the same path that she had taken exactly three years back, with tears in her eyes... and despair in her heart... of having lost him.

But in reality, she had walked the path of her destiny... that took her to him.

"Sonali, main tumhe program ke time pe auditorium mein milungi... mujhe... mujhe kuch kaam hai." She turned to her friends, with a tight smile.

Rahul squeezed Sonali's hand, as she was about to offer to go with Naina, "Koi problem nahi hai... waise agar tumhe boys hostel tak jaana hai toh aaj bhi intezam kar sakta hun."

His words brought a smile on Naina's face.

"Rahul, abhi kyon jayegi boys hostel? Abhi thodi... " Sonali blurted, stopping halfway as Naina's smile faded again.

"Naina, hum baad mein milte hain... abhi toh time hai program start hone mein." Rahul dragged his wife.

She could hear her regretful voice, "Sorry Rahul, bolne ke baad khyal aaya... Naina ko kitna bura laga hoga na."

Somehow, Naina couldn't muster the courage to go inside the building. The pain was similar to her first few days of college... the emptiness, the suffocation of being away from him, the excruciating realisation that the distance between them had grown...

She shook her head to rid herself of such despondent thoughts... of course, he was coming... he would be here any moment... he would be with her to receive his medal... he would hold her hand when she got hers...

He was coming...

He had to come...

Her feet moved out of their own free will... to the side of the building, across the rock strewn ground, towards the tree.

It stood at the same place, majestic and comforting. The tranquil around it calmed her edginess instantly. She touched the thick trunk, and felt a sense of belonging.

She sat down, hugging her knees, resting her head against it as she always did while waiting for him.

"Naina."

She had been sitting for quite some time when his voice fell in her ears.

She opened her eyes to look in the direction he always came from.

And there he was.

He was breathing hard, as if he had been running. His hair were dishevelled, falling on the forehead. She could see the sweat beads on his face and neck. Wearing a dark blue trouser with white shirt, he held the blazer in one hand.

Next second, he was kneeling in front of her, his dark eyes gazing into her brown ones.

"Naina." His voice was a soft whisper.

She sat still, not sure if he was real... or her imagination.

Slowly, her hand lifted to his face. The fingers grazed lightly from the forehead, skimming down the left side, her fingertips leaving a feathery trail as they moved down his chin, over the collar and shirt, till they reached his heart. She pressed her palm on his heart... and felt the wild thudding.

"Sameer." Her eyes cleared up.

"I Love You." His voice wavered as he spread his arms.

"I Love You, too." She hurled herself against his chest, her arms going around him.

Under the same tree, they were in each other's arms again, awashed with relief.

Though it is difficult, but I know how much you all look forward to it, so next update comes tomorrow morning... Sunday special 😊