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S A M E E R

"I am just being honest. Whatever you say about him, I am still unconvinced that he is good for you. You met each other yesterday. You guys barely know about yourselves to understand any other person. You might feel I am being too protective or overreacting, but this doesn't make sense to me. This liking of yours is just an attraction and there's nothing more to it." Arjun said getting frustrated. I nodded my head a bit understanding his concern. I looked out at the other people walking in the icecream parlour and gentle murmerings ceased completely as my eyes met Naina. She smiled at me assuringly and then averted her gaze focusing herself to relish her ice cream. I finished mine before Arjun asked, "How did you know my sister was the one?"

I’d never been in love. Nor did I know how it ever felt in love. I didn’t particularly wanted to be. Before Naina, I could imagine a robot more capable of feeling than the man sitting next to me.

"I like being with her."

"No filmy shit. Be more specific."
He sighed.

"It’s easy being with her," I said after a long moment. “She understands me in a way no one else does, even if our worldviews are fundamentally different. Even if it's been just a day, when I’m not with her, I wish she were there. When I am with her, I want that moment to last forever. I don't have to think twice before I do anything because I know she isn't going to judge me. I genuinely like being with her." Arjun kept looking at me for a moment before averting his eyes.

"Can't we not speak anything about this, please." A small voice interrupted our conversation. I glanced at Naina whose face was flushed and she held Arjun's hand gesturing him to stop his interrogation.

"I will drop you guys at your place and then will leave to office. I had taken an half day, dad's going to be mad at me if I take such frequent leaves." Arjun said as he lead us towards the car. "I will come back whenever I get time, little one." He assured seeing her upset.

None of us  spoke throughout the journey. Naina kept tapping her legs as she stared out at the sprinting trees and vehicles moving on the street. As we reached our houses, I got down the car not before thanking Arjun for the ride. While, Naina and he exchanged a few words before she got down the car.

"Thank you for playing along. He isn't bad, it's just that he's protective when things are related to me." She said pushing back strands of hair behind her ear. I shook my head in response.

"I understand. He is a bit scary but that's fine. Whatever I said to him wasn't a lie. I really like being with you." I mumbled bringing her fingers near my lips and pressing it gently. I liked how she bit her lips averting her gaze from mine.

Such a pretty girl.

Heat shot up my arm, warmed my blood, and my body hummed with need as she placed her palm on my cheek. Her unexpected tenderness was not helping matters between us become less murky.
"Please." She uttered "Please don’t shoot me for this." and placed her lips on mine. Her lips were softer than anything. It's sweet, it's so effortlessly sweet. She withdrew quickly and stepped back.

"You are so tall!" She cribbed like a kid. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. She really didn’t weigh anything. I leaned towards her resting my forehead against hers. It felt good. It was more than good, actually.

"Go home and take some rest. It's been an eventful day." She looked up at me absorbing in what I said to her.

"I like being in your house. That house," She pointed towards her rented house and said, " It feels lonely. Nothing but just me in there with completely plain grey walls."

"My home is your home, Naina. You do not need an invitation. When you decide to return, I will send an escort." I said and watched her face brighten with a smile.

"Can you come to my place at evening, please?" She said after thinking for a moment. "I will treat you for being kind to me yesterday." I shook my head in response which made her lips tug instantly.

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I flinched at the voice of an utensil hitting the floor. What was this girl doing? "Naina? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am just—" Her words stalled in her mouth as I walked in the kitchen. Everything was messed up, she herself looked as if she had come from wheat mill. I raised my eyes to look at her who fidgeted with her hand.

"You don't know how to cook, Naina?"

“I know how to cook,” She blurted, before looking at me. She turned to take boxes placed on the slab. I leaned against the wall, staring at her as she mumbled things to herself chopping vegetables. I walked towards her and lifted her, making her squeal.

"Let me cook and clean this mess."
A deep chuckle escaped my lips as she frowned. Pinching her cheeks, I took knife from her hand and started chopping. She took a piece of carrot and brought it near my lips. Before I could eat it she took it off and giggled. I held her head from back and pulled her closer eyeing her lips.

"Sameer, wants a kisse?" She teased in a babyish tone, placing her palm on my lips.

“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself." I mumbled as I held her hand and pressed my lips against her. She touches her lips and looks up at me. She reaches her hand up and flicks my forehead. “Jerk.”

My jaw drops. “Did you just flick me?”
She flicks me again.

"Did you just flick me again?" She starts howling as I tickle the shit out of her. She squirms and tries to escape my relentless fingers. I stop as she finds difficult to breath, "Naina?" I mumble palming her face, she looks at me and smiles softly. She narrows her eyes as she notices something.

"Sameer did you get into a fight?"

"N-No, Naina. Tell me what else do you want to eat. I am planning to make a curry—"

"This looks so bad." She uttered, not hearing a single thing which I had said. I held her face within my palm titling it to make her look at me. "This doesn't hurt. Now tell me what do you want to eat at dinner."

She shook her head in a way of no and got down the slab. "Come with me." She ordered and pulled my arm, taking towards her room. Everything was messed up, her clothes were scattered all over the bed while her books were left open. She pushed her clothes into a heap, making some space for me to sit.

"Naina, this doesn't hurt." I said again fearing the savlon which she poured in a small piece of cotton. She kneeled down and held my hand as she cleaned it with savlon.

"It doesn't pain, right?" She mumbled as I whinced. "Why did you get into a fight then, Sameer?"

"I didn't get into any fight willingly. Now, don't speak about all these things."

"I will order food."

"No—I will make it. Till then clean this mess." I said in a serious tone but she pursed her lips to refrain her laughter.

"You are so similar to Bhaiyu. Cleanliness freaks."

"Anyone who would see this sight would advise you to clean your room, Naina. Leave it, let me do it for you." I said as I started folding her clothes. She did try to help but instead she started messing up even more. Cursing herself she sat in middle of the heap of clothes watching me do the cleaning stuffs.

It took me about half an hour to set everything perfectly. I glanced at my pretty girl who was laying on the bed watching me, she smiled a bit gesturing me to come near her.

She held my arm close to her chest. "Don’t fall asleep," I murmured tracing her cheeks.

“I’m not. Though you’re so comfy. I miss him." I wrapped my arm around her and looked into her eyes.

"Miss whom, Naina?"

"Bhaiyu." I held her closer, running my fingers in her hairs. Even though, Arjun seemed to be rude to people, he genuinely careful for his sister. Humming in response, I didn't speak much letting the comfortable silence soak in me.

"You look like you’re about to take a nap." She stirred in sleep mumbling something against her breath.

I loved her curves of softness. She wasn't too slim and blessed fat of a baby. Naina was the most astonishing girl I ever met, easy to talk to and fun to be around. There's beauty in being a good listener, someone who seeks to make connections and joy and see things from new perspectives. "When I saw you with Zayn that day, I felt you you were too rude. Grumpy handsome man who speaks less. I like this caring side of yours."

"Everyone except you loves this version of me, so maybe it’s you who’s wrong."

"Everyone loves the awfully, fake versions of you." She says looking straight into my eyes “They love the lesser you because they don’t even know the real one.”

"Naina," I murmur, my chest blazing the longer I stare into her. She fuels the fire in my soul. I open my mouth but words stick back of my throat. I place my hands on hers, the ones clutching hem of my shirt.

She caught both sides of my jaw as she kissed me deeply, slowly, drank me in. When Naina pulled back, my thumb rubbed over her bottom lip, “Are you happy, Naina?"

“Extremely,” she replied with a smile. "You won't be happy because you have to cook for me and clean the room too. Ah, wait. I let you kiss me that does not mean I have accepted your fling relationship proposal." She said sticking her tongue out.

"You will accept that yourself." She giggled.

"I am never going to accept such proposals."

"Let's see what happens."

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