Next day, Rajveer, standing in front of the mirror, applying the perfume, calls Naina.

"Hi!",

she greets, smiling.

Without greeting back, he straightaway asks, whilst searching for his watch,

"Bees minute!",

he says.

"Bees minute?",

asks Naina, confused.

"Hmmm... bees minute hai tumhare paas. Jaldi se taiyar ho jao.",

says Rajveer, whilst searching for his hanky in the cupboard.

"Magar jana kahan hai?",

asks Naina, confused.

"Mere kuch dost hain unse milne.",

he says shoving the hanky into his trousers' pocket.

"Apke doston se? Apke doston se main kyun milun?",

asks Naina, confused.

This makes Rajveer to halt in his process of getting ready.

"Kyunki main bol raha hun! Isn't this reason enough for you to come with me?",

asks Rajveer, knitting his brows.

Naina arches a brow in surprise and simply says,

"I don't think so."

This skips Rajveer's heartbeat. He realizes he is rushing things.

Taking a deep breath, he says very calmly,

"Mujhe nahi jana!"

This comes as a surprise for Naina.

Knitting her brows she says,

"Nahi jana, to aap mana kar dijiye na!"

Sighing, he says,

"Nahi kar sakta.",

sitting on his bed, holding the phone in between his ear and shoulder, he ties his shoe laces, whilst saying,

"She is very demanding."

"Who is very demanding?",

asks Naina, eager to know.

"Apki wo friend jiske liye apne lipstick li thi?",

she asks.

"Nahi!",

he says, plainly.

"Fir?",

asks Naina, calmly, yet eager to know who is he talking about.

"Nandini!",

he says, taking a deep breath.

"Nandini? Kon Nandini?",

asks Naina, intruiged.

"Meri batchmate thi.",

Rajveer takes a deep breath.

Naina waits for him to give more information.

"I don't know why, main usse mana nahi kar pata.",

he says, regretting the fact that he fails to decline her offer.

Naina tries to understand the situation.

"I mean she gets to persuade me somehow each time.",

he tells Naina, irritated.

"Mujhe laga tha ke apko persuade karna kisi ke liye bohot mushkil hoga. I am surprised ki koi hai aisa jiske liye ye aasan hai.",

says Naina, with a pinch of jealousy in her tone.

Holding his waist from the right side and his left hand holding the phone on his ear, Rajveer with knitted brows ponder at her words.

Naina on not getting his reply gets tensed thinking may be he is angry, and cross checks,

"Kya hua?"

Taking a deep breath, he says,

"It's only Dr. Shalini and Nandini who somehow manage to do so!"

Naina nods her head, understanding and asks,

"That means Nandini is as precious to you as Dr. Shalini is?"

"Absolutely not!",

comes his immediate reply.

Naina arches a brow and asks,

"To fir?"

Rajveer tries to think and clears out his mind. Sighing, he sits on his bed. Naina waits for him to say something, explain.

Very calmly, Rajveer says,

"You know what ek insaan kisi ki baat ya to tab manta hai jab wo usey bohot pasand karta ho. Ya tab jab usey bilkul pasand na karta ho, magar...",

he adds 'magar' quickly, before Naina could get into any conclusion.

"...uske paas koi zariya na ho usse dur rehne ka."

Naina nods her head, approving to his words.

"Zariya banana parhta hai!",

says Naina, smiling.

"Aur zariya tab khud mil jata hai when you desperately want it to happen.",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer lowers his eyes, feeling guilty.

"Now take for example exam wali baat.",

says Naina.

This alerts Rajveer, a little smile stretches on his lips.

"Aap nahi chahte the ke main apki taraf dekhun, to apne bina kuch kahe, mujh tak apki baat pohncha di.",

says Naina.

Rajveer's heart skips a beat.

"Jab aap bina verbally kahe kisi ko koi baat samjha sakte hain itni achhi tarah, to... main ye kaise maan lun ke aap bol kar kisi ko koi baat nahi samjha sakte?",

asks Naina.

"Wo 'kisi ko' nahi thi, wo 'tum' thi Naina!",

he says sternly.

This skips Naina's heartbeat she goes numb.

"You know Naina, Nandini mujhse ek saal junior thi. Wo bhi tumhari tarah khud mein rehne walon mein se hai. Kafi friends nahi the uske, just like tumhare nahi hain.",

says Rajveer, thinking about Nandini, all serious.

This comes as a surprise for Naina, she asks,

"How can you say ke mere zyada friends nahi hai? Uss din dekha to tha apne mujhe mere friends ke saath golgappa khate?"

Rajveer smiles hearing that and asks,

"Bus utne hi hai na?"

Naina lowers her eyes, hesitating, realizing that he got her right.

"Apko kaise pata laga?",

asks Naina, her voice low, her brows knitted.

Rajveer takes a deep breath and says,

"Hmm... I guess main parh leta hun insaano ko!",

smiles Rajveer.

(Rajveer-Naina slow piano tune begins)

"Main bhi!",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer smiles too, knowing it perfectly.

"So main keh raha tha ke uske bhi zyada friends nahi hain tumhari tarah. Par pata hai, jahan ek taraf uski ye baat mujhe usse dur karti hai; mujhe pasand nahi hai, wohi dusri taraf tumhari yahi baat...",

he pauses, wondering how should he put his thoughts into words!

Naina waits for him to complete, holding her breath.

"Mujhe tumse baar baar baat karne ke liye majboor karti hai!!!",

he completes, his voice seductive, possessive.

Naina blushes, lowers her eyes.

"Kyun?",

she asks, almost like a whisper, blushing.

Rajveer takes his time to reply to this,

"Kyunki main janta hun ke tumhare zyada dost isliye nahi hai kyunki tum jaise log itni aasani se milte nahi! Tumhari saadgi, tumhari soch... that's different!",

his words seem to be that of a mesmerized person.

Naina got Rajveer mesmerized!

Naina blushes and goes dumbstruck!

Sighing, Rajveer adds further,

"Aur Nandini... ke zyada dost uski attitude ki wajah se nahi hai. Her constant interest in being friends with upper class people and all!",

Rajveer shakes his head out of disgust!

"Aur tumhe pata hai...",

Rajveer continues further, getting super pissed off with each passing moment.

But Naina intervenes,

"Bus... bus... bus... sub kuch agar apne hi bata diya, to mujhe judge karne ka mauka kahan milega?",

asks Naina, smiling.

Rajveer smiles too.

"Yeah. Actually you are right. Tum khud hi mil kar decide karna ke wo tumhe kaisi lagi.",

sighs Rajveer.

Naina smiles and says,

"Yeah!"

"Ab tum please jaldi se taiyar ho jao. Main thodi der mein tumhe lene aa raha hun.",

requests Rajveer.

"Theek hai. Aap wahin aana jahan apne mujhe chora tha. Akar ek message ya call kar dena. Main ready hokar jaldi se aa jaungi.",

tells Naina.

"Ahmmm... Naina...",

calls Rajveer before she could end the call.

His sudden addressing her skips Naina's heartbeat.

"Ji?",

she asks.

"Ahmmm... wo...",

he begins to put his feelings into words, but wonders how to tell her.

"Kya hua?",

asks Naina, knitting her brows. She realizes he is in dilemma, but why - she wonders.

"Tum... I mean... please don't mind...",

he says, still not able to say it freely.

"I won't tell me!",

assures Naina seeing his nervousness.

"Can you wear something Indian?",

he asks, shutting his eyes tight.

This skips Naina's heartbeat and makes her to blush.

"I mean... I didn't mean to force you... bus...",

Rajveer starts justifying himself, feeling that he might have offended her.

"Hmm... jaise aap mujhe lipstick na khareedne ke liye bhi force nahi kar rahe the. Right?",

teases Naina and purses her lips.

"Naina please...",

requests Rajveer, not wanting her to make him feel guilty for that situation again. He already was feeling guilty.

"Main already guilty feel kr raha hun uss baat ke liye!",

admits Rajveer.

This comes as a surprise for Naina.

"Guilty? Kyun? Itni choti si baat ke liye guilty?",

she asks immediately, knitting her brows. Not liking the fact that he is feeling guilty.

"Nahi Naina uss choti si baat se tum mujhse dur bhi ja sakti thi!",

he confesses his fear.

"What? Main itni si baat ki wajah se apse dur chali jati? Are you serious?",

asks a shocked Naina!

"Naina I understand ki main thoda demanding hun... par Naina...",

Rajveer starts explaining himself.

"Stop! Stop right away!",

Naina stops him midway not able to withstand the fact that he is explaining himself to her.

"Ek baat bataiye meri kis baat se apko aisa laga ke mujhe apke kisi bhi behaviour se problem hai? Did I ask for any explanation from you?",

asks Naina, feeling a little offended.

"Bingo! Tumne explanation nahi manga. And that is what made me feel all the more guilty.",

Rajveer raises his voice out of frustration.

"What? That's what made you feel guilty?",

asks Naina, shocked.

"Matlab agar main apse larhti, argument karti apko wo baat zada sahi lagti?",

she asks, shocked still.

"Haan maybe, I mean usse main ye to samjh pata ke tum kya soch rahi ho!",

tells Rajveer, clearing her confusion.

"Mujhe laga shayad apko mera argument karna nahi pasand!",

says Naina, understanding that he is a dominating person. Did she understand him wrong?

"That's true!",

says Rajveer, frustrated as he is unable to explain himself to her.

"Then?",

asks Naina, wanting to understand him.

"As much as I don't like you to argue with me but I cannot deny the fact ke tumhare argument se hi mujhe ye pata chalega ke tum kya soch rahi ho Naina. Par tum frankly kisi baat par utna argument karne walon mein se mujhe lagti nahi.",

says Rajveer.

His words make Naina to understand that he is chaotic. And the realization instead of making Naina to feel weird about him, makes her to fall for him a little more. A smile stretches on her lips.

His words keep ringing in her ear. Gradually, the smile vanishes from her face and she turns serious and slowly, sadly, says,

"That's right. Main nahi karti argument zada."

"Naina!",

calls Rajveer, concerned.

"Kya hua?",

he asks.

"Kuch nahi. Aap pohnchiye. Main aati hun thodi der mein. Bye!",

saying so she ends the call without waiting for him to reply.

"Naina...",

calls Rajveer but in no avail.

●●●●●

After sometime Rajveer reaches the spot where he dropped her the last time and messages her,

*Main pohnch gaya!*

*Ok!*

Within few moments he finds her reaching him from the front. His heart skips a beat on seeing her. His eyes turn dark with possessiveness. On seeing her. In her light brown coloured suit she looks simple yet beautiful, just the way he wants her to look like. Her hair kept untied adds into her beauty. A smile comes on his face as he realizes that their taste matches.

Naina climbs into his jeep and sits next to him. Rajveer doesn't look towards her after she climbs into the jeep, not wanting to let her know that he had been staring.

Clearing his throat, looking in front, he asks,

"Chalein?"

Naina looks towards, smiles and says,

"Haan!"

On their way to meet Nandini, Naina asks,

"Ahmmm... is there any occasion ya yun hi?"

"Yun hi Naina! Nandini bohot dino se mujhse keh rahi thi milne ko. Actually tabse jabse usse pata chala ke main yahan aa raha hun.",

Rajveer fills Naina with information about Nandini a little.

Naina nods her head into affirmative, understanding.

"You know kisi unknown person ko 'na' bolna asan hota hai ya koi jisse aap utni baatein nahi karte. Par koi aisa jisse apka milna julna regular basis par hua ho, unhe mana karna thoda mushkil ho jata hai.",

says Rajveer.

"Regular basis par? Kyun? Aap log kya roz kahin ghumne jate the; ya jate hain?",

asks Naina, looking towards him, arching a brow, smiling a little.

"Nahi aisi koi baat nahi hai!",

he says, not elaborating it.

And his not elaborating it makes Naina to understand that either he didn't like her teasing him or he took it seriously.

"Mazak kar rahi thi!",

she clarifies, looking towards him, trying to read his mood.

Rajveer looks towards her for fraction of seconds and turns to look in front immediately, focusing on his driving.

"Waise apke driving speed ko dekh kar to nahi lag raha ke apko unse milne nahi jana.",

teases Naina, holding her seat so that she doesn't fall or get hurt by the constant jerks.

Rajveer takes a deep breath and says,

"I just wanna get done with this!"

"Well mujhe jab koi aisa exam dene jana ho jiski preparation achi nahi hai, I walk extra slow.",

saying so, Naina purses her lips.

Rajveer looks back towards her for fraction of seconds and then focuses back on his driving and asks,

"To kya isse tumhara darr kam ho jata hai? Ya tum escape kar pati ho exam ko?"

Naina considers his words, making a sad face, she says,

"Nahi!"

"Exactly! Aur main aisa hun ke jab main janta hun ki ek situation hai jis mein main nahi parhna chahta but there is no other way but to get through it, to main bina waqt zaya kare uss situation mein ghus jata hun! Why trailing away from it when you know you are bound to face it someday?",

asks Rajveer, all serious.

Shivers run down Naina's spine. She couldn't help but remember the circumstances of her home. The constant arguments of her parents.

"Agar kisi situation ko dekh dekh kar aap thak jao, aur deal karne ka koi rasta na nazar aye to?",

asks Naina, in a dreamy voice, remembering innumerable fights and arguments between her parents.

Rajveer realizes the change in her tone. He looks towards her, all serious.

"Kya hua Naina?",

he asks urgently.

"Hmmm...",

she says getting out of her reverie.

"Nahi... kuch nahi."

"Koi problem hai?",

asks Rajveer, concerned.

Naina looks towards him, smiling, she assures him,

"Nahi! Koi problem nahi hai."

"Koi baat ho to tum mujhe bata sakti ho!",

says Rajveer.

"Nahi... Nahi koi baat nahi hai.",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer decides to leave the topic as for now.

"Bata do Naina. Jab tak ki main tumhare saath hun.",

smiles Rajveer, sadly.

Naina immediately turns to look towards him and asks,

"Kyun aap kahan ja rahe hain?"

"Wapas academy.",

Rajveer again smiles sadly.

His saying so makes Naina anxious. She immediately turns to look towards him in a state of shock.

Rajveer smiles further, his eyes on the road but his peripheral vision helps him to learn Naina's reaction to his words.

"Aap... aap wapas ja rahe hain?",

asks Naina, her heart sinking.

Rajveer realizes how his words have affected her.

"Ahm.... haan Naina. Waise filhal ek hafta hun yahan. Academy ka hi kuch kaam hai.",

Rajveer lets her know.

"Waise tumne form bharne ka kya socha?",

asks Rajveer to drag her mind.

His informing her about his leaving gets her tensed and she thinks deeply and says,

"Main aaj hi baat karungi."

Rajveer could sense her anxiousness.

"Kya hua?",

asks Rajveer, looking towards her for a brief moment before he focuses back on driving.

Ignorning to reply to that, Naina turns to look towards him and stares him for a brief moment,

"Aap kisi se apni problem share nahi karte na?",

she asks, reading him still.

That comes as a surprise for Rajveer. He arches a brow, smiling, his focus still on his driving.

"To ab mujhe read kiya ja raha hai?",

smiles Rajveer.

"To? Hum yahi to karte hain aksar - ek dusre ko read.",

says Naina, serious.

"Naina!",

says Rajveer politely, not looking towards her.

Naina waits for him to say further.

"Aur tum iss waqt darri hui ho!",

smiles Rajveer, judging her too.

"Main kyun darungi?",

says Naina and looks away.

That makes Rajveer to smile further.

"Ye to main puchna chahta hun. Kis baat ka darr lag raha hai tumhe Naina?",

asks Rajveer, teasing her; testing her.

Naina could feel the rise in her body temperature because of his question. She looks away, frustrated by the fact that she is unable to reply to him.

Rajveer laughs silently then adds,

"Waise agar tum chaho to tum bhi....",

he trails off, teasing her, laughing a little.

Naina immediately turns to look towards him and knits her brows tighter, waiting for him to complete, and being able to anticipate what he would say further, her rate of heartbeat increases,

"Kahiye! Ruk kyun gaye?",

Rajveer laughs silently, reading her tone.

"Arey iss mein gussa hone ki kya baat hai?",

asks Rajveer, without completing his words.

"Kis mein?",

Naina dares him to state clearly.

Rajveer shakes his head, still not replying, knowing that she understands.

"Le ja sakte hain aap mujhe apne saath?",

asks Naina, knitting her brows.

Rajveer thinks,

"Ahmm....."

"Tum jana chahti ho mere saath?",

he asks, teasing her; testing her.

Naina gets self conscious. Adjusting to that feeling, she turns towards Rajveer all the more, adjusting in her seat and takes him by surprise by asking,

"Le jane ki himmat hai aap mein mujhe apne saath?"

Her challenge results in Rajveer's arching a brow and a smile that stretches on his lips slowly. He wonders and takes a deep breath, smiling a little more, he says,

"Bilkul le ja sakta hun Naina."

"Aur main rahungi kahan? Academy mein?",

she asks sarcastically.

Rajveer laughs silently at her tone that reflects her irritation. She and he both know that this discussion is not a serious one, they are just taking out their frustration. 

Rajveer chooses to play along,

"Wahan mera ghar bhi hai. Academy to nahi le ja sakta haan magar tum uss ghar mein reh sakti ho."

Naina rolls her eyes. 

Rajveer enjoys witnessing each gesture of hers.

"Aap apne academy mein bhi aise hi hain?",

asks Naina, narrowing her eyes.

"Bilkul nahi wahan main Captain Rajveer hun. Aur tumhare saath.....",

he smiles.

Naina's cheeks warm up merely for the fact that he kept her different from everyone in his academy. She cascades her eyes, smiling a little.

"Mere saath?",

she asks, softly.

Rajveer smiles, blushes and adds softly,

"Sirf Rajveer!"

Naina smiles and blushes too hearing that, then asks,

"Kya Rajveer, Captain Rajveer se alag hai?",

her eyes twinkling with excitement to listen to his reply.

"Ahmm... in some ways, yes!",

he nods his head.

"Kaise?",

asks Naina, curious and excited, smiling wide.

"Ahmm... Captain Rajveer aise leisure activities nahi karta. You know aise ghumna and all. Rajveer karta hai!"

Naina nods her head, staring him throughout, reading him.

"Mujhe laga ke ye apke liye ek duty hai. Jisse hum milne ja rahe hain unke paas jana.",

says Naina.

That skips Rajveer's heartbeat.

"Thanks for letting me know ki ye 'leisure' activity hai apke liye.",

taunts Naina.

Rajveer smiles on that. Naina ignores it.

Rajveer realizes that she is getting jealous and hence he plans to ignite her jealousy all the more.

"You're welcome.",

smiles Rajveer, purposely.

That irks Naina.

"Waise kafi time baad mil rahe hain hum. Na jane kya kya baatein hongi.",

teases Rajveer and purses his lips, his focus on his driving.

Naina turns to look towards him in shock.

"Waise aa bail mujhe maar kisse kehte hain wo koi....",

and before she could say further, Rajveer completes it for her,

"Tumse seekhe!"

That irritates Naina all the more and she stares him out of anger. Rajveer controls his fit of laughter.

Naina out of anger doesn't say anything and looks away to her front.

After thinking for few moments, still angry, Naina says,

"Theek kaha. Indeed mujhse seekhe."

Rajveer laughs at that.

"Arey tum gussa kyun ho rahi ho?",

asks Rajveer and purses his lips.

"Apne pairon par kulhadi mari hai na, bus ussi wajah se.",

says Naina out of anger.

Rajveer laughs at that.

Rest of the drive goes quietly, Rajveer doesn't make any effort to get her normal. This fact frustrates Naina.

Reaching the venue, Rajveer parks the car and finally speaks after what feels like eternity,

"Chalo pohnch gaye. Let's go."

"Mujhe nahi jana.",

says Naina, her face turned to her left, staring out of the glass.

That comes as a surprise for Rajveer. Removing the seatbelt he asks,

"Kyun?"

"Mujhe nahi lagta ke apki ye 'leisure' activity main enjoy karungi.",

says Naina, stubbornly.

"To tum all the way yahan ayi mujhe ye bolne ke liye ke tum ye 'leisure' activity enjoy nahi karogi isliye mere saath nahi ja rahi?",

taunts Rajveer, arching a brow, smile twitching on his lips.

Naina shuts her eyes, calming her frustration down she opens them and says,

"Apko jo sochna hai aap soch sakte hain."

Rajveer keeps staring her, all serious.

"Meri taraf dekho!",

he says, his voice serious.

Naina doesn't turn to look towards him and takes a deep breath as if making herself get ready for an argument.

"So tum mere saath nahi jane wali?",

asks Rajveer, anger rising inside him.

"Mere sir mein dard ho raha hai.",

Naina makes excuse.

Rajveer glares her.

"Purey raaste to nahi ho raha tha?",

his voice turns deep.

Naina shuts her eyes tight.

Naina rests her elbow on the side frame of the car and rests her head on her index finger.

The fact that she is not replying to him increases his anger. Glaring her, keeping his anger under control, Rajveer tells her plainly,

"Tum chal rahi ho mere saath!"

"Main nahi ja rahi.",

says Naina turning to look towards Rajveer.

"Janti ho Naina agar tum ye baat normally kehti ke tumhe jane ka mann nahi kar raha, to shayad main ek baar tumhari baat consider bhi karta. But kyunki ye tumhari zid hai, so I am not listening to you. Get out of the car right now!",

orders Rajveer, staring her sternly.

That shocks Naina and out of anger she asks,

"Kyun zid karne ka haq sirf apko hai?",

her heart throbbing inside her chest. Her brows knitted together.

"Agar yahi sunna hai tumhe, to sunno - when it's between you and me, so yes meri hi zid maani jayegi. Clear?",

says Rajveer, raising his voice, staring her sternly.

Naina feels all the more frustrated. She rolls her eyes out of frustration.

"Likewise! Agar aap bhi mujhe taunt nahi karte to main baat maan leti. And then ye gussa apka.... Mujhe nahi jana kahin aap ho ayiye. Clear?",

says Naina, clearly and looks away.

"Naina, mera gussa is a part of me. Ye to tumhe jhelna hoga agar tumne kuch galat kiya to.",

warns Rajveer.

"Oh so you mean jab jab main apki ji huzuri nahi karungi?",

asks Naina, looking towards him in shock.

Rajveer takes a deep breath, looking heavenwards.

"Maine tumhe meri ji huzuri karne ko nahi kaha. Par ye kya bachon jaisa natak laga rakha hai?",

asks Rajveer frustrated.

"Bachon jaisa natak?",

asks Naina in utter disbelief.

"Abhi jab main apke saath ane ko taiyar ho gayi to wo meri maturity thi. Aur ab jab mujhe nahi jana to wo bachpana ho gaya?",

asks Naina, raising her voice, knitting her brows.

Rajveer out of anger exits the car and reaches her side. Opening the door of her side he orders her,

"Bahar niklo."

"Main nahi ja rahi!",

says Naina, sternly, staring him, then looks away.

"Don't test my patience Naina. Neeche utro.",

scolds Rajveer.

Rajveer keeps glaring her. When she doesn't give up her stubborness, Rajveer holds her from her upper arm to pull her out of his jeep. But as soon as he does that, Naina's heart skips a beat. She looks towards her front and finds people coming their way. No, not that they are gathering around them, they aren't even giving heed to what's going on between Rajveer and Naina, they are too busy to reach their destinations to stand and stare the duo!

Naina tries shoving Rajveer's hand, getting out of his hold, but fails in doing so,

"Aap...",

she trails off, knowing it is of no use to say anything to him.

She gets out of the jeep.

"Agar pehle hi chup chap utar jati bina natak kiye, to itna waqt barbad nahi hota humara.",

saying so he walks forth out of anger.

Naina glares him as he walks forth.

Rajveer waits for the vehicles to give them way to cross the road. Naina stands next to him maintaining a certain distance from him. Rajveer whose eyes are on the vehicles, finally gets the road free to walk and extends his hand backward for Naina to hold it.

Naina stares his extended hand. After a heated argument moments ago, now he wants to save her from the world? - the thought enters her mind. She looks away for fraction of seconds. Looking back towards him, she discovers that Rajveer still hasn't turned to see whether she is giving him her hand or not. The truth makes Naina to realize his immense trust in her. Trust that she would give her hand to him if not immediately so either gradually or soon.

Staring him throughout Naina places her hand on his hand slowly. As soon as she places, Rajveer holds her hand tightly. The tight hold of his makes Naina to realize his want for her. That swells Naina's heart and brings a smile on her face. Finally they cross the road. Reaching the other side of the road, Rajveer leaves her hand and enters the restaurant, expecting her to follow.

Reaching the area where apparantely Nandini is waiting for Rajveer, he scans to find her. On finding her occupying one of the seats, Rajveer takes a deep breath. He turns to look one last time towards Naina to make her understand that he has discovered Nandini, he turns and walks to Nandini, knowing that Naina would follow.

"Nandini!",

addresses Rajveer, reaching her.

Nandini who had been reading the menu, looks up towards Rajveer on hearing his voice and finds him staring her. His looks tell Nandini clearly that he is really not interested to attend this meeting but is here out of politeness. A smile comes on Nandini's face who is ignoring to acknowledge the fact.

Closing the menu and placing it on the table, never taking her eyes away from Rajveer, Nandini greets him,

"Hi Rajveer."

She checks her watch and says,

"Abhi pandrah minute hain. Meeting time aath baje ka tha. But seems ke tumse raha nahi ja raha tha.",

smiles Nandini.

Her words irk Rajveer.

"Bilkul. I was waiting ke kab main tum subse mil lun aur wapas jaun. I have got plans.",

says Rajveer, looking straight into Nandini's eyes, challenging her.

"You know what Raj, bus yahi baat tumhari mujhe buri lagti hai.",

says Nandini, resting her hands on the menu and entwining her fingers, looking towards Rajveer.

Naina gets all the more interested to know what is she talking about.

"Humesha khud ko importance dete ho tum.",

complains Nandini.

That irks not only Rajveer but Naina alike.

"Anyways, please have seats guys.",

says Nandini showing her politeness.

Naina looks towards Rajveer who is staring Nandini, giving nothing away. Naina within few minutes of meeting Nandini wonders why are they even here? Naina waits for him to make the first move in occupying a seat before she does it. Rajveer does that staring Nandini throughout, almost like glaring her. Naina follows the suit. Naina doesn't understand why she feels neglected; out of place.

"Batao kya logey?",

asks Nandini, smiling sweetly.

Rajveer stares her and asks her directly,

"Kyun bulaya hai tumne mujhe yahan Nandini?"

"Raj why do you think ke main tumhe itni importance dungi that sirf tumhe yahan bulaungi?",

asks Nandini, daring him.

Rajveer keeps glaring her.

"Aur waise bhi hum akele kahan hain?",

asks Nandini, staring him throughout, her expression going serious and angry.

That skips Naina's heartbeat. She knits her brows.

Nandini tears her gaze from Rajveer and turns towards Naina and asks her,

"Hi, Nandini here and you are...."

"Naina.",

says Naina, looking towards Nandini.

"Naina. Hey why do I feel that ye naam suna hua hai? Like bohot familiar sa name lag raha hai. Jaisi kisi apne ka....",

Nandini fails to remember who is it that Naina's name is dragging her mind towards.

Rajveer knits his brows too, wanting to know where is her mind wandering towards.

Naina's breath hitches on hearing that. She lowers her eyes out of hesitation and fear.

"Never mind. Shayad aise hi lag raha hoga.",

says Nandini, smiling.

"Hmm... mujhe nahi lagta ke tum Naina se kabhi mili hogi. Tum aur Naina ek saath kabhi kahin ho hi nahi sakte.",

states Rajveer, spitting venom through his each word.

That pinches Nandini, but she chooses to show herself all calm. She smiles politely to let go of the topic.

Naina too stares Rajveer in utter shock.

"Ahmm... Aap yahan kisi kaam se ayin theen?",

asks Naina, in order to change the topic.

"Haan Naina, ayi to kaam se thi par socha ke apne kuch purane doston se bhi mil lun jane se pehle. But lagta hai ke koi interested hi nahi hai mujhse milne mein.",

says Nandini, glaring Rajveer, her face glowing out of anger.

Rajveer and Naina don't fail to notice Nandini's anger.

"Aisi... aisi koi baat nahi hai. I am sure wo log bus atey hi honge.",

assures Naina, smiling.

Nandini smiles.

"Waqt nikalna parhta hai apno ke liye.",

says Nandini, staring her entwined fingers as if thinking something.

"Bilkul!",

retorts Rajveer.

Nandini looks towards Rajveer. Naina too turns to look towards him.

"Waqt nikalna parhta hai apno ke liye. Magar saath saath ye bhi janna zaruri hota hai ke kon apko kitna apna manta hai.",

challenges Rajveer, staring Nandini.

"Har ek rishte ki ek mariyada hoti hai jo mutual understanding se tai ki jati hai. You need to be mature enough to understand that mutual understanding.",

says Rajveer, sternly.

Their friends choose to reach them at that particular moment and as a result the discussion that seemed to turn serious, comes to an end. All of them greet each other, elated to meet each other after such long time.

Rajveer introduces Naina to his friends and tells her,

"Naina ye sub KMA se passout hain par fir inhone alag academy join karli few as teachers and kuch ki posting alag alag jagah ho gayi."

Naina smiles at them politely.

"Ahmm... ye kon hai Raj?",

asks one of his friends.

Naina's cheeks turn red and she looks towards Rajveer, all serious.

Rajveer turns to look towards Naina and looking straight into her eyes, he introduces her,

"Ye Naina hai."

Naina doesn't understand why his introducing her that way makes Naina to feel that she holds a special position in his life. Her heart swells hearing that. He didn't make it sound sugary adding words of appreciation for her, that's true. But that is what exactly Rajveer attracts Naina to you!

Nandini smiles staring a particular point at the table.

"Naina? Kya ye humari batchmate thi kya?',

asks another of his friends, wondering.

Naina smiles and was about to reply, that Nandini intervenes, turning to look towards their friends she in a sugar coated voice says,

"Nahi yaar. Iska KMA se kya lena dena?"

Naina glares Nandini on hearing that. But smiles soon enough.

Rajveer was about to speak in Naina's defence that Naina speaks up,

"Bilkul theek kaha apne, mera KMA se kya lena dena."

Nandini shifts her attention on to Naina, smiling sarcastically on her.

"Well ab tak to nahi tha...",

she smiles looking towards Nandini.

Then she turns to look towards Rajveer and says confidently,

"Lekin ab mann hai KMA join karne ka."

Rajveer stares back Naina, all serious.

Smirking, Nandini warns Naina,

"Ye koi khel nahi hai Naina ke jab mann karey team mein aa gayi aur jab mann kare khel se nikal gayi."

Naina turns to look towards Nandini and says,

"Trust me, mujhe ye baat achi tarah pata hai."

Naina gives Nandini a challenging look. Nandini reciprocates the gesture.

"Apni zindagi dau par lagane ja rahi hun, lemme warn you.",

warns Nandini.

"Wahan main akeli to nahi?",

reminds Naina, challenging Nandini.

"Mere apne honge mere saath.",

she says, turning her head a little towards Rajveer.

Rajveer looks towards Nandini, glaring her.

Naina's words pinch Nandini.

Nandini smiles sarcastically and says,

"Dushman bhi!"

Naina knits her brows looking towards Nandini.

"Jab apne saath ho to dushmano ki fauj hi kyun na ho, kya darr?",

challenges Rajveer, staring Nandini, sarcastic smile adorning his lips.

That hurts Nandini to the core. She turns to look towards Rajveer as if he is the cuckoo in the nest! Rajveer enjoys witnessing Nandini in her shocked state.

"You know what Raj main aj tak samjh nahi payi tumhare 'apne' humesha tumse itne kam umr ke kyun hote hain?",

Nandini couldn't help herself from taunting him, emphasizing on 'apne', understanding that he and Naina too would understand her taunt aptly.

That certainly irks Naina.

His other friends too realize the heatening up of the normal conversation with this question of Nandini's and they stare at Rajveer and Nandini, all serious, holding their breath.

Whilst laughing sarcastically, Nandini taunts further and says,

"I mean no offence but itni khoobsurat ladkiyan apne class mein hote hue bhi...",

Nandini adjusts her strand of hair, showing off, then continues,

"Tumhari nazar humesha KMA se bahar ki ladkiyon par hi rehti thi."

Rajveer's rate of heartbeat picks up pace as anger rushes through his veins.

Naina too glares her.

Smirking, Rajveer retorts in a sugar coated voice,

"Nandini lagta hai tumhari yaadasht kafi kamzor hai."

Naina turns to look towards Rajveer, knitting her brows lightly on hearing that.

Nandini smiles infectiously, looking towards Rajveer.

"Meri nazar na to KMA ke bahar kisi ladki par thi, and for long... na hi KMA ke ander kisi ladki par thi.",

says Rajveer, clearly, glaring her.

Naina pays attention on his each word.

"Haan ek galti zarur hui thi mujhse, ke maine ye soch liya tha ke shayad... shayad KMA mein koi hai jo mere nazron mein basne ke layak hai!"

That skips Nandini's and Naina's heartbeat. They stare Rajveer out of shock.

Nandini's rate of heartbeat picks up pace as anger surges through her out of anticipation.

Laughing a little, sarcastically, he says,

"Par afsos.... wo bhi meri ankhon ka dhokha nikla!",

his each word spitted like venom.

"Naye logon ki wajah se tumhare purane doston ki importance khatam ho rahi hai tumhari zindagi se I guess Raj.",

taunts Nandini, smiling sarcastically.

Naina couldn't help getting frustrated at that and she gets up excusing herself.

As she was about to leave, Rajveer holds Naina's hand stopping her, glaring Nandini throughout. His suddenly holding her hand skips Naina's heartbeat and she turns to look towards him. Rajveer doesn't care to look towards Naina and continues with glaring Nandini and says,

"Trust me Nandini itne saalon mein mujhe iss baat ka ehsaas achi tarah ho gaya hai ke mujhe kisko kitna importance dena chahiye!"

Naina stares Rajveer, dumbstruck.

"Mera yahan ana tumse milne, isko meri haar samjhne ki galti mat karna. Main yahan tumhe ye batane aya tha ke ye humari akhri mulaqat hai. Ainda se mujhe yun dhokhe se milne ki koshish mat karna.",

he warns Nandini.

His friends stare him, shocked.

Naina bearing a little smile of pride on her face stares Nandini.

"Kyunki agar aisi koshish ki, to dhokha tumhe milega, mujhse! Kyunki main tumse milne nahi aunga!",

he states clearly.

Naina stares Rajveer, knitting her brows lightly. Feeling proud of him.

"Naina se aise baat karne ki koshish fir kabhi mat karna Nandini, warna ye jo thodi bohot respect main show karta hun tumhare liye, uss mariyada ko bhi langhne se pehle main do (2) baar bhi nahi sochunga!",

and with that one glare, he warns her.

Raising up from his chair, glaring Nandini throughout, Rajveer finally turns and leaves with Naina, pulling her lightly with him, holding her hand. Naina follows him, staring him throughout, smiling at him.

As they leave, Nandini glares them.

*****

Rajveer ever so calmly walks out of the place, holding Naina's hand. The calm and composed look of his sends Naina into a dilemma. She collects how even inside although angry on Nandini, he never lost his cool and composed self.

"Apne to kaha tha ke apko inn sub chakkaron mein parhne ka kabhi shok nahi tha. To ander kis bhool ki baat kar rahe the aap?",

Naina couldn't help herself from asking him that.

Rajveer stops abruptly hearing that, still not reached his car.

He turns to look towards her, all serious.

Staring her for sometime he says,

"Thanks."

Naina knits her brows, confused and asks,

"Thanks? Kis liye?"

"Ye puchne ke liye.",

he smiles looking towards her.

Naina still looks confused.

"Warna mujhe samjh nahi aa raha tha tumse kya kahun, kaise apne aap ko explain karun. Kahan se shuru karun.",

says Rajveer, honestlt, looking towards her.

Naina's heart clenches hearing that.

"Naina ye such hai ke meri koi girlfriend nahi thi. In fact mujhe inn sub cheezon mein koi diljaspi hi nahi thi. Par Nandini...",

he breaths out of irritation.

"Na jane kyun har pal mujhse baat karne ke bahane dhundhti thi. As much as it was irritating, it was actually shocking for me.",

says Rajveer, thinking.

"Shocking?",

asks Naina, confused.

Rajveer nods his head into affirmative.

"Nandini aisi nahi hai.",

he says, thinking.

Naina somehow understands what he is talking about.

"Wo aisi hai ke wo chahti hai ke usse sub uske agey peeche ghoome.",

says Rajveer, his heart filled with bitterness for Nandini.

Naina nods her head in understanding, her head bowed, as he picturizes Nandini.

"Attention seeker!",

Naina words his feeling aptly.

Rajveer looks towards her and nods his head.

"To uska changed behaviour mere prati mujhe humesha chaunkata tha."

"Dheere-dheere humari dosti barhi. Par maine kabhi uske barey mein ek dost se barh kar nahi socha. In fact humare beech conversations bhi humesha Nandini hi initiate karti thi.",

Rajveer fills Naina with another piece of information.

Naina listens quietly, patiently, understanding him.

"Magar wo humesha dusron ke samne humare rishte ko aise show karti thi as if...",

Rajveer lowers his eyes out of hesitation and continues,

"... as if we were more than 'just friends' ".

That certainly irks Naina, shivers run down her spine and she lowers her eyes.

"To kya aap kuch kehte nahi thein? I mean kabhi roka nahi?",

she asks, hesitantly, looking towards him.

Rajveer looks towards her, almost apologetically and says,

"Kabhi himmat nahi hui. Shayad tab bolna nahi aata tha mujhe apne liye."

His eyes reflect his honesty.

Naina stares him and nods her head, all serious.

"Ahmm... phone. Main phone lekar aati hun.",

says Naina, remindinf him that she needs to go.

"Main chalun?",

asks Rajveer, skeptically.

"Nahi.... Main aati hun. I'll be fine.",

assures Naina, smiling.

"Okay!",

saying so Rajveer let her go.

As she walks back and reaches inside, she brings out her mobile from her bag. Looking towards it she apologizes,

"I am sorry ke maine apse jhoot kaha. Par agar apko such bol deti, to shayad aap mujhe ane nahi dete.",

sighing, she scans the area but finds Nandini no where.

Reaching the powder room, she finds Nandini walking to and fro there blazing in anger.

"Kon hai ye Naina! Kyun yaad nahi aa raha ke isse kahan dekha hai.",

Nandini curses her luck.

"Sirf 'Naina' naam se sochogi to yaad nahi ane wala!"

Naina's voice startles Nandini. Her blood boils further. She turns to look towards Naina and finds her standing in front of her folding her arms over her chest, smiling.

Her smile pierces Nandini's heart. She glares her.

"Naina Singh Ahluwalia! Iss naam ko soch kar dekho, shayad kuch yaad aa jaye.",

smiles Naina, infectiously.

Nandini tries to remember.

*Flashback*

"Hey Nandini, meet Naina, meri behn.",

Naveen introduces Naina to Nandini when she and Naveen's parents have come to KMA on Independence Day. Nandini who was busy searching Rajveer in the crowd doesn't much pay attention to Naina.

"Hey Naina.",

says Nandini, without even looking towards Naina.

Naveen and Naina look towards each other. Naveen smiles at Naina - a gesture to tell her to let it go and for not paying much heed to her ignorance. Naina smiles back, though feeling offended. But she didn't want to make her brother feel guilty. And for his sake she doesn't teach Nandini a lesson for being impolite towards her.

*Flashback ends*

As soon as Nandini remembers, she turns to look towards Naina in utter shock.

"Naina...!",

she exclaims in surprise on remembering.

Naina smiles.

"Haan main Naina hun. Wo Naina jisse milne mein tumhe koi interest nahi tha uss din. Lekin aaj, aaj I noticed how you were eager to know more about me. That certainly came as a surprise. I felt special. Thanks to you.",

Naina smiles, infectiously.

Nandini glares her as her words irk Nandini.

"Tab bhi, aur aaj bhi Raj mera hai!",

Nandini warns Naina, indicating her index finger towards her, out of anger.

Naina smirks, calmly and says,

"Tab bhi aur aaj bhi wo tumhare liye sirf ek kat putli the Nandini."

That increases Nandini's anger.

"Par fark sirf itna tha ke tab main unhe ya wo mujhe nahi jante the. Par aaj wo mujhe aur main unhe achi tarah jante hain. To tum iss jaan-pehchaan ke beech problems create karne ki koshish mat karna.",

warns Naina, ever so calmly.

"Raj kal, aaj aur aane wale kal mein bhi mera tha, hai aur rahega!",

challenges Nandini.

"Uss din bhi, aur aaj bhi unki ankhon mein sirf tum theen; sirf tum - iss galat fehmi se tum jitni jaldi bahar nikal aaogi utna tumhare liye acha hoga.",

smiles Naina.

Nandini shakes her head in slow pace, glaring Naina throughout, out of anger.

*****

Naina reaches Rajveer to find him tensed and deep in thoughts. 

Slowly, Naina asks him,

"Chalein?"

Rajveer gets out of his thoughts and turns to look towards Naina.

Naina notices how he is shocked to see her there as if he had completely forgotten of her presence there.

"Kya hua?",

asks Naina, concerned.

"Ahmm... nahi kuch nahi. Nandini ke barey mein soch raha tha. Tumne le liya jo tumhe lena tha?",

asks Rajveer, gauging her reaction.

Lowering her eyes, she lies again by nodding her head into affirmative.

Looking back towards him, Naina teases him,

"Aur expect kar rahi thi ke aap unke barey mein soch rahe honge jo apke saath aye hain."

Naina's words succeed in changing his mood immediately, and a smile comes on his face. Naina smiles back, staring back at him. 

On their way Rajveer looks towards Naina at times and notices how she has gone very quiet.

And when Rajveer is not looking towards Naina, Naina chooses to look towards him to notice how serious and quiet he is looking.

*****

As they reach her home parking his jeep right there where he parked last time, Rajveer turns to look towards Naina and asks her ever so softly,

"Kya kaha Nandini ne tumse aisa ke tum itni gumsum ho gayi ho?"

"Ahmm... Nandini... nahi.... kuch bhi nahi. Wohi sub baatein jo apke samne hui. Mujhse aur... aur kya kahegi wo?",

says Naina, nervously, ignoring to look towards him.

Rajveer doesn't reply and chooses to stare her further.

Naina looks towards Rajveer with eyes filled with love for him and bit of worry, and says,

"Keh rahi thi ke aap bohot strict teacher ho. Warn kar rahi thi ke main KMA join na karun agar apki strictness se bachna ho to.",

and makes a puppy face.

Rajveer widens his eyes in amazement as he didn't expect this reply from her.

"Bus?",

asks Rajveer, surprised, knitting his brows.

"Haan. Apko kya laga?",

asks Naina, smile twitching on her lips.

"Ye nahi bataya ke jab mere favourite students exam mein excel karte hain to main unhe special treat deta hun?",

asks Rajveer, gelling easily in her game of tease and sweet lies.

Naina laughs closing her eyes. Rajveer laughs along with her, looking towards her.

"Wo mere past ka hissa hai, iss baat ko main badal nahi sakta Naina. Magar mera aaj aur ane wala kal tum ho sirf tum!",

assures Rajveer, staring her all seriously.

Naina smiles looking towards Rajveer. Rajveer smiles back.

"Bus tum jald se jald academy aa jao.",

requests Rajveer.

Naina sighs as she remembers about the form.

Looing towards him, she smiles.

"Thank you iss situation mein mera saath dene ke liye.",

smiles Rajveer.

They stare each other, smiling. Both realize that this situation has somehow made their bond stronger.