Kulfi Girl Chapter 2: The Days of Growth

12 years and 16 years

Naina parked her cycle and stared at the boy dribbling the ball on the roadside… Was that…? The boy turned, and she gasped… It was indeed him… after a gap of two years… He was here again. She had no idea why he didn’t come for the summer vacations in the last year, but she did recollect their own personal moments when they had walked together to the temple, how he had made her eat that single pani-puri from his dish, and also how he had comforted her when she had cried on terrace.

“Sameer”, she whispered, the name escaped her lips just like that.

He couldn’t really have heard it, but still he turned and his eyes widened fractionally. “Hi kulfi girl”, he greeted, “how are you? And what happened to you?”

Her brows furrowed in confusion, as she noted the smile he bestowed on her was different. It didn’t reach his eyes anymore… In fact he also looked different… He was still good-looking, just like before, but he seemed to be tired… Very tired for some reason…  While she stood lost in thoughts, he walked over and snapped his fingers in-front of her, “oi… kulfi girl.”

She jerked out of her thoughts and frowned, “tum mujhe Naina nahi bula sakte? Aur yeh… tum peechle saal kyun nahi aaye?”

He smirked, something glittered in his eyes like before, “kyun? Miss kar rahi thi mujhe?”

She bit her lip, “nahi… umm… tumne what happened to you kyun pucha?”

He chuckled, “yeh choti dekhke… ribbon wale ponytails kahan gaye?”

She crossed her arms, “main badi ho gai hun ab…”

He snorted, “ya right… 12 saal ki bachchi… kid…”

She seethed, “jab dekho tab kid… tum toh jaise budhdhe ho gaye ho…”

He flashed a lopsided smile, “nahi… 16 ka hua hun… young handsome boy… soch raha hun ab girlfriend bana lu…”

She was puzzled, “girlfriend matlab? Koi ladki jo dost ho?”

He bit his lip to control his laughter, “uhh… haan kuch aisa hi samjho…”

She tilted her head, “oh… toh iska matlab main bhi tumhari girlfriend hui?”

He laughed out loud, “oh God kulfi girl… tum aur tumhare sawaal… Anyways… kahan chal di tum? Mandir?”

She shook her head, “nahi… bazar gai thi… kuch sabzi chahiye thi Chachiji ko.”

“Oh wow”, he teased, “toh ab kulfi girl sabziya bhi kharidne lagi hai… don’t tell me tum khana bhi bana leti ho…”

She stuck her tongue out at him, “woh bhi seekh lungi… next time aaoge summer vacations me tab kya pata main kuch khila du tumko…”

He immediately quipped, “aree… next vacation me kyun… kabhi bhi khila dena… ab toh yahi rehne wala hun main…”

The words hung between them for a moment… Sameer’s smile dimmed and an expression of anger and disappointment spread over his features… Naina’s eyes had widened in surprise, and she started to say, “wow… really… tum…”, but then she trailed off noting the change on his face… Gently she asked, “Sameer… kya baat hai? Tum theek toh ho na? Yahan kyun rehne wale ho? Nanu theek hai na?”

He just stood silent, his fists clenched and eyes closed… And then suddenly he ran back inside the house. “Sameer”, she called out, but he didn’t stop…

Just then a soft voice addressed her, “Naina beta…”

She gasped and turned, slowly relaxing on seeing the person, “sir… aap… Namaste.”

Jaiprakash Maheshwari smiled benignly at the girl, and queried, “tum Sameer ko jaanti ho?”

She hesitantly nodded, “thoda thoda… summer vacations me 1-2 baar baat hui hai… par phir peechle saal… umm… mera matlab Sameer yahan aaya nahi… aur aaj pata nahi kyun gussa ho gaya…”

The man sighed, “tumpe gussa nahi hua beta… Halaat hi kuch aise hai…”

She didn’t know if she should ask or not… Curiosity was making her restless. She had never seen Sameer so angry and sad at the same time… Usually he would smile and his eyes would hold mischief… But today… He looked so different…  Gulping once, she dared, “uske ghar pe sab theek toh hai na? Sameer bata raha tha ke ab se woh yahi rahega.”

He was surprised that his grandson had shared even this bit of information. Why would he do that? And that too with this girl… Did they know each other so well? But no matter what he couldn’t divulge something that Sameer might not be ready to share… And so he sighed, “hai kuch problem… lekin main bata nahi sakta… usko achcha nahi lagega… agar Sameer tumhe bataye toh theek hai.”

Naina nodded, glancing once in the direction Sameer had disappeared in, and then removed the bag of vegetables from the cycle, going to her own home. For the next two days she couldn’t spot Sameer, but some people did arrive in the house next door and raised voices could be heard. Naina was reading a novel near the window of her room when she heard Sameer yelling, “bas mom bas… aapko mazaak lagta hai kya yeh sab… pehle Nainital se yahan aur ab keh rahe ho Delhi chala jau? Kyun jau main aapke saath?”

A woman reprimanded, “Sameer… awaz unchi mat karo.”

“That’s all you can say”, he countered, “do saal se mujhse sab chupaake rakha tha aap logo ne… Business trip bolke leke gaye the na mujhe… Main kitna khush tha ke finally hamari family saath me vacation pe jaa rahi hai… Mujhe kya pata tha…” He trailed off and then after a moment added, “Vikram Somani se mera koi rishta nahi hai… Main Delhi nahi aaunga.”

The woman raised her voice once more, but another calm and authoritative voice instructed, “Delhi nahi toh London chalo…”

Sameer laughed, but it wasn’t a happy one, “wow dad… nice offer… but no thanks… main yahin pe theek hun…”

Another voice, that Naina recognized as Jaiprakash sir spoke up, “Sameer yahin rahega mere saath… Tum dono se mujhe yeh ummeed nahi thi… Ab bas usko akela chod do kuch din, baad me woh khud tay karega usko kiske saath rehna hai.”

Naina had no clue what was happening in the house next door, but if Taiji’s gossips were to be believed then Sameer’s parents were divorced. She didn’t want to assume anything, but her heart kept aching on thinking about his condition if this was true. That night when she went to the terrace the place was as usual empty, or so she thought… After a few minutes, she felt as if she heard some small sound… Like a sniff or a whimper. She looked around, but couldn’t see anyone and let it go. But then she heard it again, and upon some instinct she peered over the parapet in the neighboring terrace and was shocked to see Sameer sleeping on a mat on the floor. The whimpers were coming from him, as he twisted and turned in sleep… Without a thought, Naina crossed over and sat next to him, and called softly, “Sameer…”

He didn’t wake up, neither did his restlessness stop and when the moonlight shone on his face she was horrified to see the tears. Hesitating only for a minute, she gently touched his cheek, wiping the tears. He gasped, sitting up suddenly and looked around… On seeing Naina, his eyes widened and he quickly rubbed his face on his sleeve, and then started to get up.

She subconsciously grabbed his arm, stopping him, wanting to ease his pain but not knowing how to do it. She could see him closing his eyes, his body trembling slightly as he tried to control his pain, and her heart wrenched. Somehow she could relate to him in that moment from the deepest darkest corner of her own heart… She had spent a lot of moments like this whenever she missed her mother, whenever her father just blatantly ignored her… No one knew of her torment because she never shared it with anyone, she just didn’t know how to… Since she was a child she had heard of her mother being in heaven, and she had assumed her to be one of the stars, and so she came to the terrace in those moments of pain and loneliness. Only Sameer had seen her in such a weak moment and he had comforted her. Now when he was in the same situation, it seemed to be destiny that she also be with him.

Softly she said, “so jao Sameer… Main kuch nahi puchungi tumse… Bas yahin bethungi apni mummy ke saath.”

He opened his eyes to look at her in confusion for a moment, and then looked up at the sky. Sighing he lay back on the mat, his head hitting the pillow, and kept gazing at the stars. Naina gave him his privacy, she didn’t speak… After many minutes she felt Sameer turning over, once more restless, and instinctively reached out to pat his head just like he had done to her. He jerked slightly, turning on his back to look at her, but saw that she was still looking at the sky. He was not sure if he wanted her to be there, but he couldn’t form the words to ask her to leave. He simply kept looking at her face while she watched the sky and kept patting his head. Slowly the pats turned to strokes, her fingers sifting through his hair, and he felt his eyes flutter shut. He had no idea when he fell asleep or when Naina covered him with a thin sheet that he had brought up, and not even when she left.

This same routine happened the next night, and the night after… She didn’t ask, didn’t speak, didn’t even look at him when he was awake… His parents had left; the tormenting days kept turning to soothing nights because of the silent vigil she kept next to him. The fourth night, he softly whispered, “thank you kulfi girl…”

She looked down at him in surprise, and then smiled, “so jao… main yahin hun.”

The fifth night, he spoke again, this time a question, “kulfi girl… tum kal bhi aaogi na?”

She assured, “main roz aaungi Sameer… don’t worry.”

Finally on the tenth night, she found him sitting up on the mat, with a chocolate in hand. She sat beside him, and he informed, “maine tumhari mummy ko bataya ke tumne meri bahot help ki.”

She looked puzzled, “maine to kuch bhi nahi kiya… bas chup-chap yahan bethti thi.”

“You have no idea”, he mumbled, “har jagah shor tha… sawaal the… bas tumhare saath silence tha… And dheere dheere pata laga how much I needed that… Roz lagta tha tum kal nahi aaogi, that you will give up… Par phir tum aati thi and I would be relieved. Thank you so much Naina…”

She was surprised, “tumne mera naam liya…”

He smiled, “aadat mat daalna… tum hamesha kulfi girl hi rahogi…” Extending the chocolate towards her, he said, “yeh tumhare liye.”

She grinned, “share kare?”

He nodded, and accepted the piece she offered. That night he told her about the problems that were apparently there in his parent’s wedded life since many years. He explained how his mom had told him that his dad’s constant attention to business was affecting her, as he was never there when she needed him. And his dad didn’t really understand this need to be with family when he had such a big business to manage. An occasional holiday during Diwali or some other festival weren’t enough to save the relationship. And three years ago his mom met Vivek Somani, an old friend from her college. Upon his suggestion his mom joined his NGO to spend time productively, and that relationship developed from friendship to something more. Two years ago his mom-dad talked to each other about divorce… His dad was concerned about sorting the business matters and since he was nominated for an award he didn’t want the news of divorce to affect it. His mother was concerned about her new flourishing relationship… But none of them tried to sort out their differences or think about their son, it was assumed that money would sort everything. Finally his dad won the award and they went for the planned trip, where they disclosed about their impending divorce to him, and conveniently arranged that he would stay with his mom for the school term and with his dad for vacation term. He cried as he told Naina how unbelievable it was that none of his parents even thought of the effect of this on his life, and were astonished at his childish behavior when he refused to cooperate with the so-called arrangements. He explained he had chosen to stay in school hostel for a year, and didn’t even come here for the vacations as he wasn’t in a frame of mind to enjoy. Finally his dad had told him that they would file for a custody case if Sameer didn’t agree for the arrangements, and that was when Nanu had intervened and brought him here.

Naina rubbed his back, her own tears spilling at the pain he had gone through. How could his parents do this? She felt so hurt when her father ignored her, but in his case neither his mom, nor his dad seemed to care about his feelings. “I think mummy dusri shaadi karegi”, he informed miserably, “tabhi mujhe Delhi le jaana chahti thi. Mr. Somani ka ghar wahan hai.”

After a few moments Naina asked him the question that no one did, “tum kya karna chahte ho?”

He struggled for many minutes, swallowing audibly, “mujhe nahi pata… I think I will stay here… but sure nahi hun… Nanu ne bataya school khulne me zyada time nahi hai… jaldi decide karna padega. Hostel ya Ahmedabad.”

It didn’t even take her a moment to innocently query, “jab Nanu aur main yahan hai toh tumhe hostel me kyun rehna hai?”

He gazed at her in surprise… Nanu was there, he knew that, assured of his protection and guidance from the time he had rescued him from the threat of custody case. But Naina… How simply she had asked the question… And it surprisingly didn’t feel like a question but rather an assurance that she was there… Did she understand what she said? Staring into her eyes, he realized that she did mean it… And that too without much thought, as if it was natural for her to be there for him. He thought back to the last ten nights, and a calm spread over him as he agreed that indeed she was there… She had been there as his companion through his pain, easing it in the process even without any words. That night when she had said she wouldn’t ask anything he hadn’t been able to believe it, the other night when she had said that she would come every day he hadn’t truly expected it… But throughout it all she had been there, curbing his restlessness, helping him sleep, assuring him that there was someone who was watching over him. The nightmares had disappeared and he had started falling asleep sooner, but not a single night did he know till when she had been there… All he knew was that the next morning he would wake up with a sheet covering him, his mind at rest, his body relaxed from sleep and his hair a total mess because of her stroking fingers.

He took a deep breath and asked her with a smile, “kal aaogi chhat pe kulfi girl?”

She smiled, immediately understanding that he had decided to stay and happily nodded. He slept on the mat like always, and she sat beside him, stroking his hair as they kept talking in low voices about random things, until he fell asleep. Next morning he woke up with a smile on his face and informed Nanu about his decision to continue his studies in Ahmedabad.

13 years and 17 years

“Oi kulfi girl”, he called out, “tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Padhai ho gai?”

She shook her head, “nahi… padh hi rahi thi… Chachiji ne yeh Diwali ki mathri bhijwai hai. Tumhe aur Nanu ko achchi lagi thi na… isiliye…”

He grinned, “wow… I like all this pampering… Chachiji bahot achchi hai.”

She nodded, sitting next to him on the sofa, “tumne padh liya?”

He tapped her head, “dumbo… exams tumhare hai… mere nahi…”

She frowned, “Nanu kahan hai?”

“Bedroom me”, he informed, “kuch kaam hai unko… want one?”

She accepted the mathri, nibbling on it. He looked at her in amusement. Naina was a topper in her school, but this time she was nervous as the exams were for some scholarship. He had asked her what was the need, and after repeatedly pestering she had divulged that her school fees were paid by Chachaji and she wanted to do everything to ease that pressure off him. He had no idea why her father didn’t pay the fees, but in the few months that he was here he had noticed a lot of strain in that relationship. Naina was just plain scared of her father, and every time he would scold her she would be sad. Sameer never asked about it, thinking that she would tell him when she wanted to.

In these few months he had also been acquainted a bit with her family, through Nanu. He got to know that Naina’s father worked in the same school as Naina studied, and hence Nanu knew both of them very well. Also, the year he had first met Naina was the same year their family had shifted to that house, which now made sense to him because he had never seen her before that on his vacations. He liked the inquisitive and bubbly Preeti and the bond she shared with Naina but he never talked much when he was at their home. He respected Chachaji for his understanding and wise nature… When it came to Naina’s Tauji and Taiji he simply had no comments. Also Naina’s older sister, Pooja didi, just plain annoyed him with her constant marriage rant. Thankfully her wedding was now fixed, which meant there would be some peace. His own dad was now settled in London, his mother had remarried and was in Delhi, while he was here in this city he had never thought of as home earlier. Nanu believed that getting Sameer acquainted with their family would help him heal and adjust in Ahmedabad… He didn’t tell Nanu that he didn’t need the whole family… The youngest girl in their family was doing that task perfectly.

A week after the schools had started Naina had come up with a paper to him, and handed it over saying it would help him. He had opened it to check and had been amused at the list of places with addresses which included some parks, restaurants, movie theatres. She had also given him her old Gujarati books, thinking he would want to learn since now he was staying here. And not to mention on the day of Diwali when he and Nanu had gone to greet them, she had proudly presented a cup of tea to him excitedly telling him that finally she had managed to make tea on her own and this was the first cup. He was simply touched by her gestures… The addresses and books made him feel that someone was thinking of making him comfortable in a difficult phase of his life, and the cup of tea made him feel special… It was not just any cup of tea, but rather the one she had prepared for the first time… Despite having her family with her she had chosen to give it to him. It amazed him at how naturally she managed to talk to him and understand him. And even though she was so young, she seemed to have an amazing sense of maturity in most of the situations. Of course there was that childishness too… He had listened to her tales of mischief in her village, but hadn’t realized how true they would be until just two days ago when on his way home from his new school he had spotted Preeti jumping beneath a tree. Upon asking she had pointed upwards and he had been astonished to see Naina up there, still in her school uniform, plucking jamuns. He had shouted at her to come down, extremely afraid that she would fall, but she had just grinned at him and finally after five minutes had climbed down skillfully. He had been so angry that he was tempted to rename her as monkey girl, but then she had apologized to him offering her share of jamuns to him.

“Mujhe jaana hoga”, her firm declaration brought him out of his reminiscence, “Nanu ko bol dena main aai thi. Bye.”

With that she dashed outside, and he shook his head, picking up another mathri to munch on. There was that odd thing as well… She addressed his grandfather as Nanu in-front of him, but as sir in-front of others… Even when Nanu talked to her she would address him as sir… But just in-front of him it was always Nanu… He didn’t mind it, but wondered why the difference.

14 years and 18 years

Sameer walked up to the terrace to find a distraught Naina sobbing her heart out… Horrified he rushed towards her, placing his hand on her head, “Naina… kya hua? Ro kyun rahi ho?”

She lifted a tear streaked face to him, and his heart twisted at the sight. The mat was always kept on terrace now except for monsoon, and he gently pulled her down to sit. She leaned her head on his arm, his strength offering her comfort, and for the first time she put words to her own grief. She wiped her tears and her voice lacked its natural warmth, as she narrated, “maine bataya tha na… meri mummy ki death usi din hui jis din main paida hui… aaj mera birthday hai… I am 14 years old now…”

He didn’t know what to say… Definitely he couldn’t wish her. She continued morosely, “maine kabhi celebrate nahi kiya… Choti thi tab samajh nahi aata tha, phir jab samajh aaya toh pata chala Papa ne celebrate karne se mana kiya hua hai. Ghar me sabka birthday manate hai… puja hoti hai, cake aata hai… sirf mere birthday pe ghar me mayusi chaai hoti hai. Aaj mere school ke kuch dosto ne mujhe gift diya… Enid Blyton ki Famous Five ki first book… waise toh 21 books hai series me lekin woh log mujhe ek hi de paaye… I was so happy… Par papa ne wrapping paper dekh liya aur book ko fadke phenk diya, aur sabke saamne mujhe daanta… Kaha ke main besharmo ki tarah apni mummy ki maut ki khushi mana rahi hun.”

His hands fisted at the harsh words… How could her father say such a thing? He felt so angry that he wanted to go downstairs and hit her father. But he remained seated beside her, sensing that it wasn’t over yet. Sniffing once she elaborated further, “shaam ko ghar pe bhi wahi hua… Chachaji mithai leke aaye the… meri favorite sonpapdi… lekin… Taiji ne papa ko bata diya… aur…” She started sobbing once more, clutching onto his sleeve, “Sameer… papa ne kaha ke main manhoos hun… meri wajah se meri mummy chali gai… unko lagta hai main unki life ki sabse badi problem hun…”

Unable to tolerate anymore, he simply opened his arms and engulfed her in his embrace, letting her cry on his shoulder. She was so small… just 13… no, 14… and so delicate and fragile in her baby pink night dress… How could someone hurt her like this? All these years how had she tolerated such words, such pain? He had thought his life was traumatic, that his pain was so big, but now as he heard her sobs he realized that she had been living with a pain far greater than his own. How could she still smile after being subjected to such treatment? How did she have the capability to comfort and heal others while hurting so much herself?

He stroked her back, “shshh kulfi girl… it’s alright… dekho main hun na tumhare saath…”

Slowly her sobs subsided, and she rubbed her face on his shirt, subconsciously seeking his warmth, marveling at the strength she could feel. He could feel her warm breath seeping through the fabric of his shirt that was already wet from her tears. She quivered again, but this time not from the sobs but rather from the way his fingers moved up her back. His other hand moved through her hair, trying to offer comfort and at the same time marveling at the silky softness. She sighed, nuzzling against his shoulder, and that made him realize the position they were in… What was he doing? How could he hug her? She was a kid… But he… he wasn’t… Gently he drew back, holding her arms, straightening her. Clearing his throat, he tried to ignore how smooth and soft her skin was beneath his fingers, and asked, “tum theek ho ab?”

She nodded, blushing as she recalled how he had hugged her. Thankfully he couldn’t see her face clearly in dark, else he would have noted this change. How could she just break down like this in-front of him? Why did he hug her? Lately she had been feeling bit odd whenever she was around Sameer… From the night more than a year ago when she had stroked his head, putting him to sleep, she had felt a familiarity with him. There was no awkwardness between them… She trusted him fully, and that was why those meetings on terrace had continued. After a full day sharing those brief moments with him felt good. But she hadn’t understood when it had turned into a different track, at least for her. Her thoughts even during the day were filled of him. Whenever she did something she would wonder what he would think. Whenever he agreed to accompany her to the temple she felt thrilled, even though he still didn’t come inside. She had even accepted his treat of pani-puri, somehow not feeling that she shouldn’t. There was a relationship between, just what was it, she didn’t know. But recently she had started to notice how good he looked… His hair made her wish to touch it again… When he went for jogging early in morning, she would sit by the window waiting for him to cross so she could see him. When he finished his jogging, she would go out of her home under the pretext of watering the plants and grin like an idiot when he would wave at her and wish her good morning. And now the hug… It had felt so good… His strong arms seemed so comforting… And his body… God his body radiated so much warmth that she had an utterly awkward thought of falling asleep on his shoulder. Maybe she was going mad, because she couldn’t understand what this all meant.

“Naina”, he shook her a bit, “maine pucha tum theek ho?”

She jerked and nodded, “uh… haan… thank you…” After a moment she gasped, “oh no… main tumhare saamne royi…”

He was puzzled, “toh…?”

“Ladko ko roti hui ladkiya pasand nahi”, she immediately informed.

His confusion increased, “kya? Yeh kahan suna tumne?”

She bit her lip, “uh… mujhe yeh Kamya ne bataya… meri class me padhti hai… usko ladko ke baare me bahot kuch pata hai…”

He smirked, “really? Aur tumko kya farq padta hai ladko ki pasand-napasand se?”

“Sab ladko se nahi”, she confided, “par tumse toh farq padta hai na?”

He queried, “kyun?”

Her voice trembled a bit as she said, “umm… hum dost hai na… isiliye…”

Once more her innocence touched his heart… Little Naina was becoming smarter… And her avenues of information were increasing. Subconsciously, his hand lifted to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, “aisa nahi hota ke ladko ko rone wali ladkiya pasand nahi… agar ladka sahi ho toh usko genuine ladki pasand aayegi… koi bhi har waqt khush nahi reh sakta… sabke life me problems hoti hai… agar koi tumhe keh raha hai ke tumhe sirf muskurate rehna padega tabhi koi tumhe pasand karega, toh woh jhooth bol raha hai… main bhi toh roya tha na… Iska matlab yeh thodi na hai ke koi ladki mujhe pasand nahi karegi?”

She tilted her head thinking about his words and grinned, “theek hai… tum keh rahe ho toh maan lungi iss baat ko.”

He blinked in astonishment at the depth of trust her simple sentence reflected. But he decided to put that aside for the moment, and use it to explain something more to her. Gently he tried to frame his thoughts in words, “Naina… tumko pata hai… jab mere mom-dad ka divorce wala kissa hua tha I used to feel so bad about myself. Aisa lagta tha meri life me kuch theek nahi hoga… Khud ko kosta tha ke shayad main aur achcha hota toh mere mom-dad mujhse pyaar karte aur alag nahi hote. Thoda waqt laga samajhne me par Nanu ne samjhaya ke life ke har baat pe hamara control nahi hota. Mom-dad apne problems me mujhe bhool gaye yeh meri galti nahi thi… Mere aur achche marks hone se ya mere kuch karne se unn dono ke rishte me jo pyaar kho gaya tha woh wapas nahi aata… Unka rishta sirf woh dono khud hi theek kar sakte the, but they chose not to find a solution… Ek dusre ke liye ladne ke jagah unn dono se ek dusre se ladna pasand kiya. Inn sab me main included hi nahi tha, toh meri galti bhi nahi thi.”

She listened to him attentively, wondering what he was trying to say. Taking a deep breath he continued, “bilkul waise hi tumhari mom ki death me tumhari koi galti nahi thi Naina… Tum toh tab sirf paida hui thi… Kisike kuch kehne pe agar iss baat ka dosh tum khud ko dogi toh socho zara tumhari mummy ko kaisa feel hoga… I don’t know how to explain, but socho… Jab woh pregnant hogi toh kitni khush rahi hogi… She loved you already, tabhi tum aaj yahan ho. Tumhare papa bewakuf hai, and I just hope ke ek din aisa aaye jab unko ehsaas ho ke tumhe dukh pahochake woh apni patni ko dukhi kar rahe hai. If he loved your mummy, he should love you… that’s it… Lekin agar unke man me tumhare liye pyaar nahi hai toh naa sahi… Tumhe khud ko dosh dena bandh karna hoga. Tum bahot achchi ho Naina… Your family is lucky to have you. Kisi ek ke kahe hue shabd se khud ko taklif mat do… Find a way to divert the hurt… Mom-dad ke divorce ke baad main udaas hota tha toh I started exercising… Main busy raha, mera dhyan uss dukh se hatt gaya aur dheere-dheere sab normal ho gaya. Look at me now… I am happy. Tum bhi kuch dhundo jo tumhe khushi de… Koi hobby… Kuch bhi… Kuch naya seekho… You are still so young, bahot kuch seekh sakti ho. Do you understand me?”

His words soaked into her soul and she beamed at him, something irresistible surging inside her that was prompting her to fling her arms around him and give him a tight hug for being so good. But before she could act upon that impulse, he scooted back from her and stood up. He seemed to be bit nervous as he raked his hand through his hair and then declared, “hume jaana chahiye… it’s late.”

It wasn’t really that late, and she felt perplexed when he just jumped over the parapet and disappeared down the stairs. God knows what happened to him… That night she slept peacefully, and next morning as usual she sat by the window to stare at Sameer. In evening, he came over to her home with a box of sweets, saying that Nanu had sent it over celebrating a recently won deal. As Chachiji asked him to sit and eat a bit of halwa, he gestured Naina to come over and sneaked a book wrapped in newspaper to her. She had no idea what that was, but dutifully hid it, trusting that he wouldn’t have given it like that if it wasn’t meant to be hidden. After he left she went to her room and opened the wrapping paper to find the first book of Famous Five. Her heart thudded, tears spilling over, and she held the book to her chest unknowingly losing her heart to the boy next door. She was surprised once more during dinner when Chachiji served sonpapdi, happily announcing that Sameer’s Nanaji had sent it over, but she and only she knew that Nanu had nothing to do with this box of sweet.