When they sat down to have dinner, Naina informed Sameer about Ramdhari and his brother.

"Isiliye jaldi chala gaya woh." Sameer nodded.

"Tumse mila hoga na... tabhi pata chala tumhe... aur mere saamne natak kar rahe the... jaise mujhe kuch samajh hi nahi aayega." Naina smirked.

Sameer raised his brows, "Tumhe pata chal gaya?"

"Jab Ramdhari ke naam pe tumhare gale ka loudspeaker on ho gaya main tabhi samajh gayi thi ki woh yahan nahi hai... warna tum itni zor se baat karke usse bulane ka risk nahi lete." She placed her elbow on the table, resting her face on a fisted hand.

"Achha ji, isliye mauke ka faayda uthaya aapne." He looked at her lips that had puckered due to her action.

"Mauka mila tha toh faayda uthana hi tha." She blinked her eyes with a coy smirk.

Sameer was taken aback. He had expected her to go red at his mention of the moments in library... but she was totally the opposite.

"Toh thoda faayda aur utha lete hain." He leaned towards her, eyes drifting back to her lips.

Again, to his surprise, she didn't move away or stop him. He had almost reached the object of his interest when a sudden cold sensation on his lips made him jerk.

Naina shoved the piece of cucumber in his mouth as he frowned.

"Chup karke khana khao." Her eyes twinkled.

"Meethe se shuru karte hain na." He swallowed the piece of salad.

"Meetha khane ke baad hota hai... pehle nahi." She placed a hand on his chest, stopping him from coming closer.

"Kisne kaha? Meethe se shuru bhi kar sakte hain, saath mein bhi aur baad mein bhi le sakte hain... aakhir meetha hi toh shubh hota hai na?" He raised his brows hopefully.

"Baat toh sahi hai tumhari... meetha shubh toh hota hai... chalo meethe se hi shuru karte hain." She dipped her head with a smile.

His eyes lit up as he pulled his chair closer to her.

This time, it was a laddu she stuffed his mouth with.

"Nainaaa... yeh kya hai?" He uttered with full mouth, cupping a hand around his chin.

"Laddu hai, prashad ka... saath wale ghar mein koi pooja hui thi woh deke gaye the aaj din mein." She again rested her face on the fist, enjoying his frustration.

"Toh mujhe kyon khilaye?" He wiped his mouth, having gobbled the sweet.

"Tumne hi toh maanga tha meetha... ab agar tumhara meethe ka shouk poora ho gaya toh khana kha lein?" She nonchalantly started to serve in his plate.

He looked at her with narrowed eyes, then relaxed back in his chair, pondering over something.

"Ab kya soch rahe ho, khao na." She insisted when he didn't start.

"Umm... ek aur ek... gyarah baar toh hona chahiye... baaki sood ka." He did some calculation on fingers before answering.

"Ek aur ek gyarah... yeh kya hisaab hai... kya bol rahe ho, Sameer?" She couldn't understand a word.

He held her wrist, pulling her close with a jerk, so that her hand was on his chest, "Ek baar kheera khilaya, ek baar laddu... mil ke hua gyarah... baaki sood ka bhi... itna hisaab chukana padega tumhe meethe ka."

Her eyes widened in amazement.

"Aur kya... tumhe laga yeh sab kar ke bach jaogi?" He smirked.

"Pehle khana toh kha lo." Her eyes lowered as her cheeks bore the colour of his threat.

"Hayee jaan, jab aise sharmati ho na, dil karta hai... dil karta hai... " He sighed.

"Kya dil karta hai?" She asked when he didn't continue.

"Room mein chalke batata hun." He grinned, planting a kiss on her cheek.

The colour got deeper.

She placed a hand on his cheek and turned his face away, pushing her chair a little far.

The dinner was eaten amidst more teasing and more blushing.

Coming week turned out to be a very busy one for Sameer. They were working on some new contracts, which required certain changes in the production unit. He often discussed with Naina about the plans and she suggested small deviations which could help them achieve their targets sooner.

Naina herself spent a lot of time in the library, studying about the policies and practices of textile production. Ramdhari's brother's example had encouraged her to a great extent. If a simple, village boy was ready to take a new challenge in a new city and different circumstances, she was at her own house, with her own husband to help and guide.

Sameer was delighted to know that she was thinking on these lines.

It was the next Monday morning when Sameer was woken up by a shriek.

"Sameeer."

He quickly looked around with groggy eyes. Naina was not in the room.

He jumped off the bed, running out after checking the washroom.

"Naina, Naina... kya hua? Tum theek ho na?" He held her shoulders, sleep vanished from his eyes.

"Sameer, yeh... yeh..." She mumbled incoherently.

"Naina... batao please, kya hua?" He was gripped by unknown fear.

"News... newspaper." She pointed at the paper lying on the table... and tears spilled down her eyes.

He was disconcerted at her state. Though not aware about the cause of her distress, he took her in his arms.

"Tum ro mat... jo bhi hai hum mil ke dekh lenge, Naina... sab theek ho jayega." He tried to comfort her.

She pushed at his chest, squirming to free herself from his tight grip. Perplexed, when he left her, she beamed at him.

"Ro nahi rahi, buddhu... khushi nahi sambhali jaa rahi mujhse... Sameer, hamara result aa gaya." A few more tears slid over her cheeks as her smile became wider.

"Tumne top kiya na? Mujhe pata tha... meri Naina ka naam aur photo zaroor aayega newspaper mein." He was as thrilled as her.

"Mera hi nahi, tumhara bhi aaya hai." She picked up the newspaper, showing him both their pictures.

Sameer's mouth fell open. He took the newspaper, staring at his printed face.

Naina had topped the entire state, securing first position in the college with 92% marks. Sameer was at the second position with 89% marks. But he had scored first position amongst the students who had initially taken admission in sports quota. He had also topped the state in the same category. College had issued a statement that it was proud of both their students and it was a big achievement for the institution as well, to have such brilliant students.

Principal's message was also stated, "Usually, students who come through sports quota give all their time to the game, not faring very well in studies. I'm pleasantly surprised by the phenomenal improvement in the marks of Sameer Maheshwari who had taken admission with much lesser marks. He not only won trophies for the college in cricket for three consecutive years but has also excelled in academics... getting better each year. Both Naina and Sameer have brought great honour to the college. Naina Agarwal has been a topper throughout, won awards for her articles on women upliftment, has been recognized as a great writer and appreciated for her contribution in the form of writing a great show. This year, both of them together have put the name of this college on top amongst all institutions in the state. I am extremely proud to have both these students as alumni of my college."

Sameer could not believe what he had just read. He was openly being praised in the newspaper by the college Principal. That too, for academics.

"Sameer, tumne sach mein kar dikhaya... yeh hamari jeet hai... bohot badi jeet." She flung her arms around him, after putting aside the newspaper carefully.

"Oh Naina, mujhe yakeen hi nahi ho raha." He crushed her in his arms, his eyes turning misty.

"Yakeen kar lo... kyonki yeh sach hai... hum jeet gaye, Sameer." She looked up at him, flashing a bright smile.

He took in a deep breath. This was a dream he had not dared to see clearly, shoving it to the back of his mind. He had never believed he could see his name in the newspaper for such achievements. All his life, his step father and till a few months back, even his mother had taunted him for not being good enough in anything. The constant comparison with his step brother, Rohan, who was very good in studies, agitated him every time. But Naina had helped him to get the unattainable. He was a state topper... not just a college topper.

"Naina, ek baat puchu?" He held her by shoulders.

She nodded.

"Maine pehli baar kisi cheez mein top kiya hai... aur mujhe aisa lag raha hai jaise main hawa mein udd raha hun... tum toh shuru se hi top karti ho... tumhe bhi har baar aisa lagta hai kya?" He pursed his lips.

She cupped his cheek, not able to contain her happiness, "Hawa mein udne ke liye hawa ka jhonka chahiye hota hai... jabse woh aaya hai meri zindagi mein, main hamesha hawa mein hi udti hun."

He furrowed his brows, unable to get her meaning.

She laughed, "Buddhu, tum... Sameer... hawa ka jhonka... thoda toh topper jaise vyavhaar karo."

"Oh... aadat nahi hai na." He scrunched his nose, holding one ear for his mistake.

She shook her head, bringing his hand down, and hugged him tight, "Main bata bhi nahi sakti main kitni khush hun, Sameer."

Ramdhari arrived a little later. He was surprised to see both of them up already. When Naina showed him their photographs in the newspaper, he was overjoyed.

"Hum abhi malkin ko batate hain." He ran to call up Vishakha.

She wanted to speak to Sameer right away.

"Hello mummy." He answered in excited voice.

"Sameer, I'm so proud of you... tumne toh kamaal kar diya... cricket hi nahi, college hi nahi, poore state mein top kiya hai itne achhe marks laa ke... aaj jitni khushi tumne mujhe di hai na, itni sirf tumhare paida hone pe hui thi." Vishakha was ecstatic.

Sameer felt as if years of indifference and contempt washed away with just one statement from his mother. His birth was the happiest moment of her life... and this achievement had made her equally happy and proud too.

"Vishakha, kisse baat kar rahi ho, phone chodo... sabke phone aayenge Rohan ko badhai dene ko, aakhir usne school mein top kiya hai." Sameer could clearly hear dadi's commanding voice in the background.

"Mummyji, abhi Sameer se baat kar rahi hun... usne college hi nahi, poore state mein top kiya hai." Vishakha proudly informed her, not bothering to disconnect.

Sameer gulped down the emotional blockage in his throat. His mother had given him more importance than Rohan... and he had finally accomplished more than his step brother... something he never thought was possible.

Vishakha excitedly talked to him for half an hour, asking about Naina's result, exulting at the Principal's statement that Sameer read out to her, asking the driver to fetch Mumbai edition of the newspaper immediately, assuring him that she would visit them very soon.

Naina watched with a contented smile as Sameer told his mother how he had studied all through the year, how he had toiled whole night, how much he had revised. He was like a small child... hungry for his mother's adulation.

"Yeh sab Naina ke jadoo se hua hai jisne tumhe itni mehnat karne ke liye inspire kiya." Vishakha said in the end.

"Meri zindagi mein saari achhi chhezen Naina ki wajah se hi hui hain, mummy... aap bhi uski wajah se hi wapas mili hain mujhe." He looked back at his wife, standing quietly, admiring him.

"Main bohot jald tum logon se milne aaungi, beta." Vishakha felt the tightness in her heart, ashamed of her scornful behaviour all these years.

The moment Sameer disconnected, the phone started to ring again. Anand and Bela congratulated both of them, telling how proud they were.

Since Munna Swati and Preeti Pandit had reached back last night only, their calls came a little later. Swati and Munna had scored first division while Pandit and Preeti had passed in second division. But it did not being any despair to either of them. In fact they both were extremely happy to have passed and to be officially done with studies for lifetime.

Sameer called up munshiji to tell him that he wouldn't be coming to office as they had planned a party at home in the evening.

"Sameer, main party ka dekh lungi... tum jao... aise chutti karna theek nahi hai." Naina insisted when they were back in the room.

"Party ka tum dekh lena... maine toh tumhe dekhne ke liye chutti li hai." He pinned her against the closed door.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum?" She twisted her hands which he held at the wrists.

"Thank you bol raha hun... aakhir meri topper biwi ne mujhe bhi topper bana hi diya." He whispered before thanking her in his style.

She parted her lips, drowning in the kiss that brightened her morning even more.

Next update tomorrow evening