Kulfi Girl Chapter 5: The Days of Love

18 years and 22 years – Ahmedabad

Hot swirling air welcomed Sameer and Nanu to Ahmedabad in the month of May. The heat was sweltering, fumes seemed to be rising up from the road as temperatures soared to an unbelievable level, and barely anyone could be seen on the road even though it was just 11am. Despite the suffocating weather Sameer took in a deep breath, feeling a strange combination of excitement and happiness on coming back home… It had been more than 2 years now… 29 months to be exact. The driver from their office had come to pick them up, and Sameer was glad to see his Nanu smiling fondly upon reaching home.

He just felt the extreme urgent need to see Naina… How would she be? Would she be waiting for him at the doorstep? Or would he find her in the house, probably waiting on the sofa and grumbling about the 30 minutes delay? He couldn’t wait to see what she had in store for him… How would she dress up? Frock? No… No… She was 18 now, so maybe she would wear salwar-kameez… And her hair would be open for sure… She had beautiful hair, falling just below her shoulders; the black mass was silky smooth especially when she didn’t apply hair-oil. He hoped she had her hair open because one of his long time fantasies had been to fist his hand in her hair when he kissed her on her pink inviting lips. That didn’t mean he would kiss her… not yet… First he had to tell her about his feelings, and understand if she felt the same for him… Plus she had just finished her first year, she was still too young for such kind of romance… If she felt something for him then maybe they could hug and hold hands, maybe even go out together on some dates, but anything more than that would surely have to wait. But first he needed to see her… just see her…

He looked around with eager eyes as he stepped down, hoping to see her running towards him from some corner, but to his utter dismay there was no one. Their servant opened the door when Nanu knocked, and then helped with the luggage… She wasn’t inside… Where was she? Dropping his bags in his room, he went up to the terrace to check if she was waiting there, but once more he was met with emptiness. He came back downstairs, to start unpacking, but then stopped again… Maybe she was waiting for him at her home… Ideally she would come here, but what if she had forgotten the flight time, or what if her Taiji had stopped her from coming. Anything could be possible… She might be sad, pouting that he didn’t come to meet even after seeing that she wasn’t there at his home… Well, he couldn’t let her be sad now… could he…? Almost grinning with delight, he took out the box of sweets he had brought, and walked next door. There were more gifts exclusively for her, but he wasn’t going to give that in-front of family. The door was opened by Chachiji, dimming his smile a bit… But Chachiji seemed to be extremely excited, “Sameer beta…! Bhagwaan jhooth na bulaye… aa gaye tum log… aao aao… andar aao…”

He stepped in, his eyes scanning the room. Chachiji asked, “Jaiprakashji kaise hai?”

“Nanu ab kaafi theek hai”, he smiled, “hum dono ko Ahmedabad ki bahot yaad aa rahi thi, isiliye jitni jaldi ho saka wapas aa gaye.”

Chachiji nodded, “ghar toh aakhir ghar hi hota hai… hum shaam ko milne aate hai Jaiprakashji se… Preeti ke papa office se aa jayenge na tab.”

He happily replied, “haan bilkul… yeh thodi mithai laaya tha…”

Chachiji accepted him, all the time saying that he need not have brought it. He got to know that Taiji and Tauji were out for some work, Arjun was also in office… The lunch menu was also passed upon along with an invitation to taste some tinde… Finally upon receiving no news of the person he wanted to see the most, he asked, “uh… Chachiji… Naina aur Preeti dikhai nahi de rahe…”

Chachiji smacked her forehead, “dhatt… batana hi bhool gai… woh dono toh kaalej gaye hai.”

He was puzzled, “college? Par summer vacations shuru ho gaye na.”

“Haan haan…”, Bela said, “par woh aaj kuch function hai na… kya bol rahe the… koi meeting… tumhe bhi toh jaana hai…”

He understood, “oh… alumni meet… lekin woh toh shaam ko hai…”

She nodded, “haan… Naina aur Preeti intezaam karne gaye hai… committee-shamiti hai kuch toh… jo sab log prabandh karne hai na…”

“Organizing committee”, he muttered.

Bela beamed, “haan wahi… tum bhi shaam ko mil lena… par ab toh tum itne bade insaan ban gaye ho… Bijness me prize bhi mila hai… dekho unn dono se baat karne ka mauka milta hai ke nahi…”

He smiled, “milega… main kitna bhi bada businessman kyun na ho jau, aap sab ke liye sirf Sameer hun.”

The afternoon was spent in restless anticipation, and the evening couldn’t come sooner for Sameer. He stood before his wardrobe, thinking what to wear, not because he needed to create the impression of a man who had just won the businessman of the year award, but because he wanted to know how he looked to Naina. Recalling the blue sweater Naina had knitted for him, he chose to wear a royal blue shirt, with charcoal grey suit, and a light grey tie. He hoped he looked good… good enough for her. Her smile could brighten up his days, but his wardrobe was full of what people termed as professional shades… There was no pink or yellow or red… Would she find him boring? He was seeing her after almost 2 years… and that too at a function… in her college… An ideal boyfriend would have gifted her bunch of red roses, but how could he take roses to the party? He was 22, and would turn 23 in few months, but he was still totally clueless about romance or dating… Maybe he should have looked up on the web about it, or bought a book that would give him some tips… Talk about deals, negotiation, business and he could speak for hours at end, but love… That was a topic that he had avoided all these years… He knew he could only love Naina, and he had thought he was not allowed to do that since it was wrong… But now… When he had decided to give it a chance, he had no clue how to proceed… What if a 22 years old Sameer looked too boring and old in-front of a cheerful bright 18 year old Naina…

Nanu beamed at the sight of his grandson, and complimented, “aree waah… aaj toh koi bahot handsome lag raha hai…”

Puzzled Sameer looked behind him, “kaun Nanu?”

Nanu slapped his forehead, “Sameer… main tumhari baat kar raha hun… Mera navasa… aaj bahot handsome lag rahe ho…”

“Really?” Sameer queried, a hint of disbelief in his voice, “umm… par yeh shirt nayi nahi hai… maine isse pehle bhi 3-4 baar pehni hai.”

Nanu chuckled, “kya hua? Tumne isse pehle toh kabhi apne kapdo pe dhyan nahi diya itna… Aaj Naina se miloge isiliye itne conscious ho?”

Sameer looked away staring at a spot on the wall, “main… Nanu… It has been so long… Aapko lagta hai ke woh aaj bhi mere saath waisi hi hogi jaise pehle thi?”

Nanu smiled, “agar tumhare phone conversations ko proof maanu toh I will be surprised agar Naina tumhe wahan sabke beech me naa daante toh… Pakka daant padegi.”

The assessment cheered Sameer up, “sach me? Are you sure…?”

“I am”, Nanu assured, “lekin tum aur time waste mat karo… I know Naina tumhare liye bahot special hai… usko yeh baat bata do…”

Sameer was silent for a moment, before slowly acknowledging, “I will try my best.”

The college gates looked just like before when he had been a student here, the sprawling lawn was the same… He spotted a clump of benches at the far end and tried to recollect if they had been there before, but couldn’t remember… Maybe they were new… He noticed the climbing roses that he liked against the south side wall. Looking around he wondered what were Naina’s favorite spots… It would feel so good to know and also share with her about his days here. He had never talked to Naina much when he had been in college because he had always tried to stay away from her, afraid he would fall in the trap of his desires. Maybe now he could… If she accepted him, maybe he could drop her to college some days, or pick her up from college for a date… The prospects pleased him. But the words… How to tell her how he felt about her? Well… First he needed to see her… With that thought he strode inside the college, as confidently and purposefully as if he owned the premises.

The alumni meet was scheduled in the big auditorium… When he entered through the door, there was a hush around him… A momentary silence as people took in the new arrival. And then there was scamper of feet as many people, some of whom he recognized, some of whom he didn’t, suddenly came to talk to him. He thanked his business acumen and experience of attending business parties; else he would have turned tail and fled. He hadn’t anticipated that the award would be the talk of the town in such a small city as Ahmedabad. His body language was calm and confident as he tried to keep with the conversations around him, and at the same time walk inside the auditorium; but his eyes were restless, moving from face to face, looking for that soft brown set of eyes that had the capability to make him lose trail of his thoughts. A quick but thorough scan told him that Naina wasn’t here…

Where are you Naina…?

As he stood chatting with a couple of old classmates, Ananya sashayed up to him dressed in a red short dress, her arm looped in with another man who seemed vaguely familiar. She simpered, “Helloo Sameer… long time…”

He nodded, “Hi Ananya. How are you?”

“Better”, she paused, and then continued, “much better than that day in your living room.”

As she had wanted her statement caught the attention of the people around them, all of whom started to listen in with brazen interest, hoping to catch some juicy gossip. He felt mild anger at her attempt, but years of business had taught him to maintain an indifferent expression and attitude. He simply nodded, “yes… I agree… that day didn’t really end well for you… did it? I hope you thought twice after that day before saying things you shouldn’t…”

Her lips curled in a way that made the lip-liner stand out, a broody deep red that looked too dark to compliment the bright red of her lipstick. She tightened her hold on the man beside her, and introduced or displayed, “I hope you remember Karan… Our senior… He and I are dating. Probably we would be engaged soon.”

Karan looked too surprised to react, and also too infatuated to think on his feet. Sameer almost chuckled, but bit his cheek to control, and managed to say, “then I guess congratulations are in order. Stay happy.”

He would have ended the conversation then and there, but Ananya being the dimwit continued, “what happened Sameer? Grapes are sour… Maybe you would think twice before taking side of a useless wretched trash of a girl.”

His body stiffened and eyes turned cold, his face set in such a ruthless expression that people around him automatically took a step back. His entire being radiated cold calculated powerful threat. When he spoke his voice was low but had the undertone of menace and brutality, “be careful Ananya… Don’t step in territories you haven’t wandered before. Tumhe pata nahi main kaun hun aur kya kar sakta hun… Never ever talk about her in that way… Mere family ke baare me kuch bhi galat bola toh I promise, poori life kam pad jayegi pachtane ke liye.”

A silence of shock and fear permeated the jovial environment… He watched with satisfaction as Ananya’s face paled, and the man she was clinging to left her hand afraid of being associated with her and falling in Sameer Maheshwari’s bad books. His own classmates were staring at him as if he was an alien creature, and maybe he was, much more grown-up and matured than them, or much more experienced in life than them. He was a man who had seen the lowest depths in life and had risen from them by learning, adapting, changing. While people around him were just starting their careers, he was deep into business; while others spent time in celebrating friendships, he closed business deals; while others tried their hands at romance and dating, he had been deeply in love since his teenage years without even realizing it. Yes… He was different, and his measured, non-violent but calculated threat to Ananya was a showcase of the man he was and the man he could be when it came to protecting what was his.

Music started in some corner, too low to register. The environment in the corner where Sameer stood was still tense… But then suddenly, after so many months, his heart thudded in an old familiar rhythm. His eyes moved from Ananya to the doorway, a fine film of anticipation spreading over the coldness. Seconds passed… And then his vision was filled with the sight every cell in his body craved for. Naina… She was dressed in a baby pink chiffon saree with a maroon blouse; her hair unbound swirling in gentle waves till her waist; there were bangles on one hand and watch in another; her eyes were lined with black and silver jhumkas dangled from her ears. He had no idea if she registered the ruthlessness in his eyes, but whatever she saw seemed to not affect her at all as her soft brown gaze locked onto his and she smiled… The gorgeous pink lips curved in the most beatific smile ever, sending his heartbeats tripping over each other. The people around him who had suddenly started to fear the man he was saw a transformation they couldn’t believe was possible. His cold calculative eyes turned into glittering pools of molten chocolate, his stiff shoulders relaxed, and his impassive face eased into soft contented expression, and the straight mean lips curved up one side in a lopsided smile that had the capability to send many hearts racing. It seemed as if he had spotted his whole world, everything that he wished for and needed. His brain that could multitask in business meetings, now functioned in silo, focusing only on Naina and shutting down the rest of the world. His feet moved forward on their own accord, eating up the distance quickly… His heart thundered, a buzz in his ears blocking out every sound, a sensation of pure delight zinging through his veins like bubbling champagne. In a matter of a minute he was towering over her, his eyes roving over her face, taking in the sight of the girl who ruled his heart. His arms lifted, wrapping around her, and pulling her into a hug so tight that it seemed he was afraid she would vanish.

“Naina”, he whispered, his breath sighing in delirious need.

She shivered in his hold, and then he felt her slender arms wrapping around his waist, her small palms moving over his back, the sensation burning even through the layers of clothes. Her breath sighed on his chest, the warmth seeping through his shirt, and for those few moments it was as if just the two of them existed in the world.

None of them were aware of the room full of people ogling at their sight… Sameer Maheshwari, the famous businessman, was hugging a girl from the college… Only Preeti, standing next to Naina, and a boy at some distance seemed to be not at all surprised by what they were seeing. But the remaining students and alumni were too stunned to react. Preeti finally cleared her throat loudly, hoping to bring them out of their trance.

Naina stirred, coming back to her senses, and tried to pull back, “Sameer chodo… college me hai hum…”

Sameer reluctantly let go, scowling at her for disturbing him, still not completely registering the place and situation they were in. She quickly glanced around the room once, her cheeks flushing as she realized that he had hugged her in-front of so many people.

“Naina”, he muttered again, still holding her hands.

She looked back at him, her gaze moving over the slightly messy hair, the shadow of beard on his sharp jaws, the lips that were currently frowning, the eyes that were staring at her with so many emotions that it made her heart thud with happiness… Oh he looked so good… His shoulders had broadened, his chest was deep and she had felt the muscles under the shirt when she was pressed to him, he seemed taller than before or maybe that was just her imagination, but his personality was definitely much more imposing than before. A vulnerable confused boy had left Ahmedabad 2 years ago, but the person who had returned was a successful confident man… But guessing from the slight dark circles under his eyes, and the fatigue on his face, he was still just as careless about himself as before.

Her eyes narrowed, “Sameer Maheshwari… yeh kya hai? Nanu bimar the ya tum? Aaj bhi lunch time pe nahi kiya hoga na…? Naa hi Ahmedabad wapas aake rest kiya hai… right? Tum ruko…”

Her rant was interrupted as Sameer threw back his head and laughed aloud, the sound made her body tremble with unknown desires… If people were surprised at the courage of the girl scolding the businessman, they were even more surprised to see the ruthless businessman laugh like that. Getting a grip over himself, he sobered down… His eyes twinkled with delight as he said, “Nanu ne kaha tha ke mujhe sabke beech me daant padne wali hai aaj tumse.”

Her eyes widened, and then she promptly blushed, the color on her cheeks making him smirk. His gaze turned affectionate as he looked at her all over again, and blurted, “you look beautiful.”

She was again surprised, and bit her lip to control herself from blushing more or doing something untoward like hugging him again. Looking around once more, she took in deep controlling breath, and said, “teachers aate hi honge… tum sabse baat karo… I need to check the arrangements again.”

Sameer lifted her hand up, his thumb stroking the back of her fingers, his eyes fixed on her as if he was debating whether to leave her or kiss her hand… She made a pleading expression, still unable to control the blush on her face. Finally, taking pity on her situation, he smiled softly and left her hand, but said in a low voice, “find me when you are done… baat karni hai tumse.”

She gulped and nodded before moving away from there with Preeti. Sameer stood staring at her for some time and then moved to his old classmates, thankful that the irritating Ananya had left the scene. He wondered for a moment if she would cause any more trouble by talking badly with Naina, but then he smirked remembering how Naina had blasted her all those years back at his home. He need not worry about her… She was more than capable of giving back if someone misbehaved with her. His friends from college, some of whom had also been in school with him, looked at him in confusion. One of them finally dared to ask, “woh ladki kaun hai? Tune hug kyun kiya usko?”

Before he could answer some students walked in with the teachers and there were several reactions around the room. Old students immediately started talking to their favorite teachers, some professors recognized students and asked about their well-being. Sameer smiled at all of them, feeling happy when they blessed him with more success. His favorite professor was the cranky old computers teacher… A new course in the syllabus and the college had found the most eccentric man they could… Mr. Murthy was intelligent but most probably bit mad. On seeing Sameer he didn’t treat him like a businessman but rather just his student, and reached up to pull his ear, “what are you doing these days? The trophy didn’t go to your head, did it?”

Sameer chuckled, managing to free his ear and rubbed it, “no sir… and it was a plaque, not trophy…”

Mr. Murthy harrumphed like an old horse, “plaque… trophy… all the same… useless things to keep in showcase… are you doing something useful with all that success?”

“I am sir”, Sameer dutifully responded, “does funding primary education of 50 students seem good enough?”

Mr. Murthy displayed a rare wide smile, the only sign that he was extremely happy on hearing this. And then said, “you know… there is one more student like you now… too much interested in computer, and just as mischievous… She reminds me of you a lot… The only difference is while you used to eat up my idlis, she gives me her own tiffin in return for my idlis…”

Sameer laughed, recalling the idli adventures, and asked. “who is it?”

“Let me introduce you to her”, Mr. Murthy said, looked around and hollered, “Naina…”

Sameer was amused at the thought that it was Naina who ate up Mr. Murthy’s idlis… What else did this girl do? He watched with glittering eyes as she walked up, and smiled, “yes sir…”

Mr. Murthy, unaware of their bond, introduced, “Naina… this is Sameer… my old student… he is supposedly a businessman now, though God knows how he managed that… I was just telling him that you remind me a lot of him… especially your habit of eating idlis from my tiffin… Sameer used to do the same.”

Naina looked at him in surprise, “you did?”

Sameer shrugged, “yes… yaad hai woh professor jisne mujhe college me murga banaya tha?”

Naina’s mouth fell open in surprise and then she laughed, “oh my God… sir aap the woh? Please please… Sameer ko phirse ek baar murga banaiye na…”

Mr. Murthy was puzzled, “you know each other?”

Sameer nodded, “yes… I know her since she was an 8-year old kid with two ponytails.”

Naina chuckled, “and I know him since he was an unruly boy who was worried more for his orange basketball rather than the girl who had fallen on the road.”

Sameer bit his lip to stop himself from laughing aloud again… Mr. Murthy looked at his two students, and then asked in a low voice, “so… when’s the wedding?”

Naina and Sameer both jerked, staring at the professor… After few awkward seconds Naina escaped saying Preeti was calling her. Mr. Murthy looked expectantly at Sameer, who tried to keep on the impassive face of a businessman, but soon faltered… He loosened his tie a bit because his throat suddenly felt too dry, and mumbled, “she has to finish college first…”

Mr. Murthy eyed him critically, and advised, “you should talk to her…”

“I totally intend to”, Sameer assured and then moved away before he received any wedding tips from his cranky professor.

The evening was fun… Sameer enjoyed talking to his old classmates and also getting introduced to new acquaintances… A few girls tried their luck, but his lack of interest was too obvious… All evening the suave businessman lost track of his speech and thoughts whenever Naina Agarwal walked by. His eyes kept tracking her among the crowd, watching with amazement at how comfortably she carried the saree, the glimmer in his eyes deepening whenever he saw the curve of her bare waist, and his heart sighing with delight each time she smiled. However, just after dinner he spotted something that made him furious and also extremely disheartened… A guy was talking to her and held her hand in between, much like he had done before, and they both laughed over something, and then… then Naina blushed… What the hell was happening…? Who was this boy? Keeping his dessert aside, he walked over to them, and stood silent, waiting for Naina to explain. She smiled at him, “oh Sameer… ice-cream khatam?”

He nodded, feeling relieved that she had known what he was doing. She moved back some strands of hair from her face, and said, “tumhe yaad hai… yeh Abhi… jisse tum market me mile the…”

Abhi… Of course… The name he had hated with reverence once. He had totally forgotten about this character in the two years he was in Mumbai, but it seemed like Abhi had not forgotten Naina at all… They were in same school… And now in same college… Jealousy surged inside him, green and murky… Who was he? Why did he hold Naina’s hand? And why did Naina blush in-front of him? Abhi was no one… He, Sameer Maheshwari, was a successful businessman, and definitely much more good looking than him… But… But… the only one thing was that Abhi was younger than him… same age as Naina… He turned to look at Naina, his eyes full of questions…

She was puzzled, “what’s wrong?”

He decided to be direct, “is he your friend?”

She nodded, “haan… bahot khaas dost hai…”

“Aur tumhare gharwale”, he tentatively broached the topic, sure that the conservative Agarwals wouldn’t allow their daughter to be friends with random boys. He was different because they had known him since many years, and he was also their neighbor… But Abhi was no one… However, his assurance was shattered when Naina replied, “Abhi ghar bhi aa chuka hai kaafi baar… Chachaji aur Chachiji ko bahot pasand hai… Par tum yeh sab kyun puch rahe ho?”

Insecurity clouded his gaze, and he moved his eyes away from her, “uh… kuch nahi… bas aisai…” He decided to move away before he thrashed Abhi for daring to be close to Naina… But before he could do so, his friends walked over… The guy who had asked him before about Naina, asked once more, “aree Sameer… tu poore time isse baat kar raha hai… hume bhi toh milwa…”

Naina smiled warmly, “hi… I am Naina Agarwal… First year… uh… I mean coming term se second year student…”

His friends nodded, returning the greetings, and another of them asked, “how do you know Sameer so well?”

Abhi, to his extreme frustration, chuckled. Naina bit her lip and once more blushed. Sameer took a deep breath and said nonchalantly, “meri padosi hai… Nanu knows her well… main bhi isko bachpan se jaanta hun… Main 2 saal Mumbai me tha toh mila nahi… aaj itne time baad mila toh… you know…”

His friends acknowledged, and soon started to talk about other things drawing him in their conversation. He talked carefully avoiding looking to his side, and thus missed Abhi’s surprised expressions, and also the disbelief mixed with tears in Naina’s eyes. After a long minute, she croaked, “excuse me… I need to go… Abhi, tum chal rahe ho?”

Abhi nodded, and both of them moved away from the group. Sameer let out a shaky breath, sadness spreading over his heart… Did he lose Naina in these two years? Was he already late? He wanted to tell her that he loved her… But Abhi… What if… What if she said that she loved that miserable Abhi and not him? He turned his head, trying to keep track of where she was… And after couple of minutes he spotted her near the water counter… She was hugging Preeti while Abhi stood aside watching the sisters. He looked on with confusion as Preeti offered water to Naina, and patted her shoulder… Naina drank, and then wiped her mouth, and eyes, nodding with a small fake smile on her lips. What the hell…? Why was she crying? Did Abhi do something?

Like a missile focused on its target, he abandoned the group he was talking to and strode over to Naina… Grabbing her hand he pulled her out of the auditorium, and demanded, “what happened? Ro kyun rahi ho…?”

She averted her gaze, “main nahi ro rahi…”

“Don’t lie to me”, he reprimanded, “sach sach batao… uss Abhi ne kuch kiya kya? Phirse badtameezi ki usne? I had warned you against him Naina… kaha tha na maine saalo pehle… Phir bhi itne saal tumne usse dosti rakhi…” She gaped at him, as he continued, “maana same age ka hai… lekin ladka hai… when will you understand? Tumne socha what will people think when they see him holding your hand… Aur tum sharma rahi thi jaise maano woh tumhara boyfriend ho… Mujhe laga college me aa gai ho toh akkal aa gai hogi tumhe… but I was so wrong… you are still a kid…”

She jerked a bit, unnoticed by him, and with surprising strength pulled her hand back from his hold and pushed him away… He staggered back a few steps staring at her in shock. Her eyes were flashing in anger, the sight still just as mesmerizing as it had been when she was 16. Her voice was cutting with bitterness as she said, “how dare you Sameer Maheshwari? Tumhe kya lagta hai… tum bahot bade businessman ban gaye ho toh poori duniya ke logo pe tips de sakte ho… Tum Abhi se sirf ek baar mile aur impression bana liya… What does it matter to you agar Abhi mera haath pakadta hai toh? Tumhe kya farq padta hai agar main uski baate sunke sharmati hun toh? And don’t you even dare to say ke mujhe kuch samajh me nahi aata ya mujhme akkal nahi hai… Dimag tumhara kharab hai… Businessman of the year jiski akkal pe aur aankhon pe parda pada hua hai… Jo darpok ki tarah apne dil ki baat bolne ke jagah dusro pe blame daal raha hai… Seriously… I am surprised at myself, ke main itna wait kar rahi thi tumse milneka… 2 saal Sameer… What a waste of this evening…”

He blinked at her outburst, “Naina…”

She held up her hand, “bas ho gaya… mujhko abhi tumse koi baat nahi karni… mujhe ghar jaana hai, bhaiya aa gaye honge lene… Aur… kal jaldi uthna hai… bahot preparations karni hai… you see… kal mujhe dekhne ladkewale aa rahe hai…”

“What?” He croaked, unable to believe what he heard… But she didn’t give him time to ask anything… He stood shocked as she fled from there. Ladkewale… Marriage… Did that mean Naina was getting married? She wanted to meet prospects for wedding? His brain was unable to grasp the enormity of the situation for many minutes, but finally the realization of losing the only girl he had ever love started to sink in his being, and he collapsed against the wall. He felt defeated… He had no idea how long he stood there, taking support of the inanimate wall as he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. Without his own knowledge, he seemed to lose control over his body, starting to slide down the wall… Just then someone held his arm, steadying him, and a voice asked, “sir… aap theek ho?”

Sameer jerked, turning his head to look at the person… The boy was familiar… He was so disturbed that it took a few minutes for recognition to dawn… Abhi… What was his full name? Why didn’t he remember the name of his nemesis?

Abhi sighed, “main Abhi… Abhijeet… Naina ke saath tha…”

Sameer nodded, “I remember…”

“Naina ke saath mera affair nahi hai”, Abhi informed directly, “woh school se mujhe har saal rakhi bandhti hai.”

Sameer was stunned, “what!!??” His heart started to thud again, pumping life through his body that helped him gain his footing and stand straight. Narrowing his eyes at the boy in-front of him he whispered in horror, “bhai?”

Abhi gestured to a bench, “wahan bethte hai.” He guided Sameer to the bench, and sat beside him, “aap bahot bade businessman hai, par honestly… you are a fool…”

Sameer blinked at him, not really sure if he was in a very bad dream. Abhi sighed aloud, shaking his head, “saalo pehle jis din aapne mujhe pehli baar dekha… market me… pani-puri stall ke wahan… main Naina ko ched raha tha… I mean… not flirting, but teasing… main usko aapke naam se ched raha tha.”

Sameer was shocked, “kya?”

Abhi nodded, “usne sirf mujhe aur Preeti ko bataya tha uss time ke woh aapko pasand karti hai…”

“Naina tab 16 saal ki thi”, Sameer affirmed.

Abhi chuckled, “so? 16 saal ki ladkiyo ki feelings nahi hoti? Aap jab 16 saal ke the aapki koi feeling nahi thi? Kisi bhi ladki ke liye… ya phir Naina ke liye…?”

Sameer glanced away recalling that year when he had turned 16 and his parents had divorced. Naina had been there for him, the only person who had been able to heal him with her silent companionship… He remembered the nights on terrace… The way she had assured him that she was there for him always. Oh yes, he felt for there then… But he had been clueless… He had just known that he could share his deepest pain with her without any hesitation.

Abhi didn’t seem to need his reply as he continued, “aaj bhi I was teasing her in the same way… uska haath jaise aapne pakda tha, maine bhi pakda… and I told her that if you both were on your terrace then you would have kissed her. Aur Naina sharma gai…”

Sameer closed his eyes in pain, her blushing face flashing in-front of his eyes. And then he remembered his own rash words…

Tumne socha what will people think when they see him holding your hand… Aur tum sharma rahi thi jaise maano woh tumhara boyfriend ho…

Damn you Sameer… you fool…

“I am sorry”, Abhi continued, “Naina ko laga tha ke aap jaante ho ke woh aapko pasand karti hai… She would always tell us that you trust her, that you share everything with her. Khaas karke uske 16^th birthday ke baad se toh usko yaqeen tha iss baat ka ke aapko bhi woh pasand hai. Hume nahi pata ke kya hua tha aap dono ke beech me… Lekin jab aap Mumbai chale gaye tab bhi ek bhi uska yeh bharosa kam nahi hua… Preeti aur main usko bolte the ke Mumbai me bahot opportunities hai aapke paas, wahan ki ladkiya bahot beautiful aur stylish hoti hai, aap bahot bade insaan ban gaye ho toh aapke aas-paas ladkiya ghumti hogi… Par sab kuch sunner ke baad Naina muskurake bolti thi – Sameer ko inn sab baato se farq nahi padega.”

A fine tremble ran through Sameer’s body, he felt disgusted at himself for even daring to speak such words to Naina. Abhi further informed, “aaj ke liye bhi saara prep Naina ne kiya… Aapko pata hai, kitne din pehle se usne saree arrange karke rakhi thi… specially Chachiji se seekha usne kyunki woh yahan college me taiyar hone wali thi. I was scared ke aap itne famous ho gaye ho toh Naina ko attention doge ke nahi… But she was so proud of the fact that you have received the award. Uska kehna tha ke aap uske saath sab share karneko wait kar rahe hoge, and you deserved a surprise… Isiliye woh itna taiyar hui thi… sirf aapke liye. She was so happy today… But you made her cry… How can you be so cruel to ignore her like that? Aap usko sabke saamne hug kar sakte hai par uska introduction sirf ek padosi ka dete ho apne friends ko… Kitna insulting feel hua hoga usko… Phir bhi woh Preeti ko keh rahi thi ke aap shayad kisi aur ko kuch batana nahi chahte isiliye aisa bola… But I guess she was wrong… Haina?”

Sameer squeezed his eyes shut, and cursed, “dammit… what have I done?”

Abhi sat silent for some time, letting the man grieve in silence, and then finally stood up thinking to leave. Sameer softly called him, “Abhi…” When he turned, Sameer said, “maine Naina ke saath galat kiya… usse maafi mangunga… lekin usse pehle maine tumhare saath bhi galat kiya… I am sorry… Maine bas tumko Naina ke saath dekha and I… I was jealous…”

Abhi thought about it for a moment, “seems fair… par ek baat puchu… do you really feel that Naina likes you?” Sameer immediately nodded, and Abhi asked, “then how can you think ke aapko hug karneke baad, ya aapko special feel karwake woh kisi aur ladke ke saath bhi aisa karegi? Isn’t that a question on her character?”

Sameer raked his hand through his hair, trying to explain, “mujhe Naina pe shaq nahi tha… mujhe bas… insecurity hai… kyunki main Naina se bahot bada hun… aur tum uske class me, same age ke ho… there’s reason behind this feeling, and I will only tell it to Naina…”

Abhi nodded, “all the best… I know she will understand you like she always has… But please… this time you need to make some effort if you really feel for her.”

Sameer agreed to this, and so he nodded, standing up, “I should leave… need to talk to her.”

He drove home hoping Naina would be there on the terrace, but no such luck blessed him. He debated if he should go to her home, but thought that it was late… Still that was a good excuse… He knocked on the door, disappointed when it was opened by Chachiji… He gathered himself, and asked, “umm… Chachiji woh… Naina aur Preeti theek se ghar toh pahonch gaye na?”

Chachiji smiled, “haan haan beta… pahonch gaye aur so bhi gaye… kal itna bada din hai na…”

Sameer was puzzled, “kyun? Kya hai kal?”

“Ohoo…”, Chachiji mused, “main toh tumko batana bhool hi gai aaj dopahar ko… Kal Naina ko dekhne ek ladka aa raha hai apne parivaar ke saath… Bhagwaan jhooth na bulaye, Naina ki shaadi tay ho jaaye bas, main mandir me do kilo mithai chadaungi.”

Sameer paled in shock… So, Naina hadn’t been lying… A boy was indeed coming to see her with a marriage prospect. She wasn’t teasing him or taking revenge for his foolish words… Damn… Now what should he do… His mouth opened and closed without words…

Chachiji asked, “kya hua beta? Kuch kehna hai?”

Sameer shook his head and turned back to go to his own home, thinking that he needed to talk to Nanu at the earliest. There had to be some solution to this… He thundered up to Nanu’s bedroom, and blurted, “kal Naina ko dekhne ladkewale aa rahe hai.”

Nanu kept aside the book he was reading, and nodded, “mujhe bataya aaj Anandji ne… I hope ladka achcha ho…”

Sameer glared at his grandfather, “what do you mean ladka achcha ho? Woh koi aur ladka hai… Don’t you remember… You… You told me to tell her that she is special.”

Nanu nodded, “haan… mujhe yaad hai… Tumne bataya? Naina ka kya jawaab tha?”

Sameer fumbled, “umm… main… uh… main bata nahi paaya…”

Nanu sighed, “aur ab bahot der ho gai… hum bas hope kar sakte hai ke kal jo ladka aayega usko Naina pasand naa aaye… tabhi tumhe ek aur mauka milega.”

Sameer gasped, “Nanu… yeh kya bol rahe hai aap… Naina… Koi aur ladka… Nahi… main aisa nahi hone dunga…”

Nanu queried, “kya karoge?”

“Main…”, Sameer looked around for a moment, “main kal subah hi Naina se baat karunga.”

Nanu pursed his lips, “usse kya hoga?”

Sameer confidently said, “ek baar Naina ko pata chal jayega mere feelings ke baare me toh woh khud uss ladke ko mana kar degi… I am sure.”

Nanu nodded, “fine then… kal subah mil lena… all the best…”

Sameer spent a restless night, devising ways and framing sentences to apologize to Naina and to tell his own feelings. He woke up early, barely sat still at breakfast, and then rushed up to the house next door… The whole house was in a pandemonium… Arjun and Chachaji seemed to be rushing around putting up wall hangings and arranging showpieces. Chachiji and Taiji were in the kitchen, cooking something maybe and chattering… Tauji was overseeing from his vantage point on the sofa… Naina’s father was nowhere to be seen. Chachaji spotted him at the door, “aree Sameer beta… achcha hua tum aa gaye… tum bhi madad kardo hamari…”

Arjun smiled, “haan… woh dekho bag me phoolo ka toran rakha hai… darwaze pe lagana hai.”

Sameer scowled at the flowers… No way was he going to hang them up to welcome some random boy coming to see Naina. He ignored the bulging bag, and instead asked, “Naina hai…? Mujhe kuch important baat karni hai.”

Arjun shook his head, and informed, “Naina aur Preeti toh parlor gaye hai… bole kuch special treatment karwayenge. Dopahar ke baad aayenge, aisa bataya…”

Before he could ask which parlor it was, Taiji shrieked from the kitchen, “aaj kal ki ladkiya aur unke shauk… neva! Purane zamane me toh bas ubtan laga lo twacha pe… par inko dekho…”

Sameer rolled his eyes, and mumbled, “main baad me aata hun…”

True to his words he came back after lunch, but was told that Taiji wouldn’t allow anyone to meet Naina before evening… It was keep her away from evil eyes… “Nazar lag jayegi”, Preeti informed with a giggle.

Sameer sighed, “tum toh shayad sab jaanti ho na… usko bologi ke mujhe baat karni hai shaam se pehle.”

Preeti nodded sympathetically, but added, “bata toh dungi… par din me kahan baat karoge? Chhat me mil nahi paoge… Aur ghar me Taiji milne nahi degi…”

Sameer scowled, “just tell her… I will wait for her on terrace at 3pm. Okay?”

Preeti agreed with a shrug. And so at 3pm in the prickly heat of Ahmedabad, he waited on the terrace to meet Naina… Ten minutes went by… then 20 minutes… But still the door of her terrace didn’t open… He was sure she would put in every effort to meet him, like she always did… But when his wrist-watch showed 4pm he knew that she won’t come… or maybe she couldn’t come… Oh God… What to do now…

His worry worsened when he went downstairs and Nanu asked, “baat hui?”

Sameer shook his head, “nahi… mil hi nahi paaya…”

Nanu sighed, “hmm… chalo… dekhte hai kya hota hai… tum fresh ho jao… 5pm ladkewale aayenge toh hum thoda pehle jayenge.”

Sameer didn’t want to see that boy, but he knew he had to be at the spot of crime if he had to stop it from happening… He had no idea what he would do… But he would surely do something… Even if it meant causing an upheaval and a rain of “Oh bai-s” in the calm and happy Agarwal house… He would stop this nonsense today once and for all.

By 4:30pm he was dressed in a beige shirt with black suit, intending to throw all his weight, attitude and personality just to steal the limelight from the wannabe groom. The Agarwals welcomed them happily, asking them to sit on the sofa. Sameer took his place, his mind occupied in several ways to kill the boy… Maybe he could punch him on his nose, and jaws… Kick him as well… Yes, beat him to pulp for even daring to think of Naina… He would throw the entire family out saying Kulfi girl belonged to him and only him… He would grab Naina and pull her to him, clearly telling her that there was no way on earth she was getting married to that idiot.

As he mused gory ways of murder that included scalding the boy with hot tea and then throwing him out, suddenly the object of his fascination came rushing out in the hall…

Taiji immediately scolded, “oh bai… tujhse kaha tha na kamre ke bahar mat aana.”

Dressed in a dark blue saree, looking like an angel on earth, she pouted, “Preeti kahan hai? mujhe matching chudiya nahi mil rahi…”

Sameer scanned her from her toes that were painted pink to her bare waist, up to her long line of neck, her pink pouting lips, her shining eyes, the long wavy hair, and every single thought left his brain… That is, every single thought except her… She was his… And there was no way any other boy was even seeing her today. He stood up, walked up to her and ignoring everyone he grabbed her hand, and pulled her along… Once in her room, he turned around and locked the door, determined not to open it even if the entire family knocked.

His eyes glittered with rage as he demanded, “why are you going through this nonsense? Ladkewale and all… Why Naina?”

She looked mildly confused, “what do you mean? Ladkewale mujhe dekhenge nahi toh meri shaadi kaise hogi?”

He gritted his teeth, “why do you have to get married to some random boy? A stranger… Koi era-gera insaan…”

She calmly explained, “ab kisi ajnabee se shaadi nahi karungi toh kisse karungi? Aisa toh hai nahi ke mera koi boyfriend hai…”

He took a step closer to her, “who the hell am I then?”

She seemed to be considering him for a few moments and then smiled, “umm… a friend… ek aisa dost jisko meri awaaz pasand hai, meri hasi pasand hai aur mere haath ka bana hua khana pasand hai… aur haan, mere padosi bhi ho… such a helpful neighbor… and of course… a boy… oh sorry… a man who thinks that I need to be protected all the time since I am a kid.”

His nostrils flared in anger, “you were a kid dammit… you were only 16 when I was about to kiss you on terrace… did you forget that?”

Her mouth for a perfect O of surprise, “oh… that’s what you were doing? How would I know… matlab… main toh bachchi hun na…”

“Thi”, he asserted, “bachchi thi… par ab nahi ho…” Holding her shoulders he turned her to the mirror, “look at yourself… tum chahti ho ke koi bhi ajnabee ladka yeh dekhe…”

Her puzzled gaze met his in the mirror as she asked, “kya dekhe?”

He dragged in a deep breath, and dared for the first time in his life to place a possessive hand on her bare waist, his fingers spanning the soft skin, “yeh… tumhe… all of you… tumhe, tumhari khoobsurti ko… do you really want it?”

She swallowed once, and meekly replied, “wahi toh baat hai na… khoobsurat lagungi tabhi toh ladkewalo ko pasand aaungi… khoobsurat nahi dikhungi toh shaadi kaise hogi? Ab har koi tumhari tarah lucky thodi na hota hai… Hamesha se handsome ho… aur ab toh ameer aur famous ho… Tumhe toh koi bhi ladki mil jayegi… Effort toh mujhe daalna padega kisiko dhundne ke liye…”

He softly admitted, “mujhe koi aur ladki nahi chahiye… I… I just… I just want you… just you Naina…”

Her eyes widened, “why?”

His voice shook a bit as he said, “kyunki tumhare jaisi koi aur nahi hai… no one makes me feel the way you do…” He paused for a moment, and then inched even closer to her back, “please… please don’t put me through this torture Naina… Main nahi dekh paunga kisi aur ladke ko tumhare saath… not even for a few minutes… please mana kar do…”

She sighed, “tum thoda late nahi ho gaye Sameer?”

He gulped, “kal… kal maine sabke saamne tumhe hug kiya…”

She nodded, “haan… aur uske baad mujhe apni padosi bolke introduce kiya… theek usi tarah jab main 15 saal ki thi… tab dost bolne me sharam aati thi, aur ab…”

“Aisi baat nahi hai”, he immediately countered, “main tumhe sab bataunga… poori baat… par kal sabke saamne… uss waqt… aur kya bolta…?”

Her voice was tired and resigned as she said, “I don’t know Sameer… you tell me… main kya kar sakti hun iss situation me? Meri family kya sochegi? All those years… hamesha, tum kehte rahe main bachchi hun… Kal sabke saamne hug kiya aur apne dosto ko wajah bataya ke mujhe do saal se nahi dekha sirf isiliye hug kiya… Phir mujhse ulti-seedhi baat ki, mujhpe ilzaam lagaya ke main kisi aur ke saath aise has-bol kaise sakti hun… Aur ab… Mere poore parivaar ke saamne mera haath pakadke mujhe kamre me le aaye aur darwaza bandh kar diya… Kisliye? Sirf yeh kehne ke liye ke main uss ladke se milne ke liye mana kardu? Tell me why? Kyun karu main aisa Sameer…”

He looked at her face in the mirror for a moment, and then turned her to face him… Cupping her cheeks he finally said, “because I want to be that boy… I want to marry you Naina… Please… Please say no to that other boy and marry me…”

She looked into his eyes and he kept his gaze focused, trying to let her know the depth of his feelings that he hadn’t been able to put in words… He hoped she would say something… But a couple of minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Preeti called out, “Naina… bahar aaja… waqt ho gaya…”

Naina turned away from him, opening the dresser drawer and pulled out a bunch of bangles. Slipping them on her wrists, she held his hand and said, “mere saath chalo.”

He shook his head, “I can’t… mujhse nahi hoga… I will kill that boy…”

“Toh maar dena”, she assured, “main taali bhi bajaungi tumhare liye…” She unlocked the door and tugged on his hand… He followed her helplessly, reaching the living room. But to his surprise there was no new face there… It was Nanu and her family… He opened his mouth to ask, but someone beat him to it…

Nanu addressed Naina as he asked, “toh…? Kya hua…?”

Naina grinned, “thoda waqt laga… aapko toh pata hai yeh kitna bada bewakuf hai… but finally he is ready…”

Nanu almost jumped up from the sofa, laughing ecstatically, and hugged Anand. Chachiji sniffed, saying she will bring the sweets… Sameer was even more confused, and demanded, “yeh ho kya raha hai? Kis baat ki khushi mana rahe hai sab?”

He couldn’t understand how could these people celebrate when his own life was falling apart. Naina giggled, “well… you know… shaadi tay honepe sab aisai khush hote hai…”

Sameer scowled, “konsi shaadi? Koi ladka hai kahan idhar?”

She slapped his forehead lightly and pointed behind him, “wahan hai ladka.”

He quickly turned around intending to throw out the intruder, but stopped short staring at his own reflection in the mirror… Beside him, Naina asked, “kaisa laga mera honewala dulha?”

He looked at her, his hand lifting to cup her face, and his voice was low as if he was afraid of shattering a pleasant dream, “tum… tum sach me… mujhse shaadi karogi?”

She beamed at him, “of course budhdhu… tumhare alawa aur koi ladka dikh raha hai yahan?”

Elated beyond words he pulled her in his arms, enticing a loud “Oh bai” from Taiji…

10:30pm at night, Sameer went up the terrace of his house, armed with a mat and two pillows, ready to meet Naina for their date. What a day…! He had been so sad and angry in morning, agitated in afternoon, and in evening delighted beyond words. Naina had given him the best surprise of his life… She had agreed to marry him even though he hadn’t really known that he was the boy who was supposedly going to see Naina. Once she had said yes, a quick shagun had been done, with Nanu gifting her Nani’s saree and a jewelry set, and Chachaji giving him a shirt-pant material and a gold chain. Chachiji explained that this meant the girl and boy as well as the families were committed to the marriage. It definitely helped to be assured that Naina was his, but there were many things to talk about, and so he had asked her in a whisper if she would meet him tonight on terrace. She had shyly nodded and given him the time.

Ten minutes later, though there was no sound, he somehow knew in his heart that Naina was coming up the stairs. Very soon the door on her terrace creaked, and she was visible to him. Smiling at him, she turned and closed the door, locking them up on the open terrace. He was sitting on the parapet, and when she came closer, he extended his hand out to her. She held it, and he tugged her in between his legs… Cupping her face with one hand, he tilted her head up, and whispered, “do you have any idea how much I have missed you?”

She smiled, lifting her free hand to push back the locks of hair on his forehead, reveling in the freedom to so, “maybe just as much as I have.”

“I am sorry”, he breathed, “I am so so sorry… mujhe koi haq nahi tha kal tumse waise baat karneka… tum chahe jisse bhi baat karo, jo bhi karo, mujhe aisi baate nahi karni chahiye thi. I am sorry Naina…”

She was silent for a moment, and then said, “tumhe pata hai ke maine already tumko maaf kar diya hai… I know ke tumne jo bhi kiya uske peeche koi wajah hogi… bas mujhe pata nahi hai ke reason kya hai. Theek waise hi jaise mujhe pata tha that you feel something for me, lekin yeh nahi pata ke tum accept kyun nahi karte the… I was so scared Sameer… Aaj kamre me, main thak gai thi wait karte karte… kuch pal ke liye aisa laga ke tum kabhi bologe hi nahi…” After another brief pause, she added, “in fact ab tak bola nahi hai… bas shaadi ki baat ki hai…”

In one smooth move he jumped down from the parapet, swiftly pulling her in his arms, he finally gave words to his feelings, “I love you Kulfi girl… Aaj se nahi, do saal se nahi… kabse pata nahi… shayad hamesha se… Mujhe bas itna pata hai ke jab bhi kisi ladki ke baare me socha toh bas tumhare baare me socha… there was no comparison, no trial and error, no confusion… It was always you… First time kisise flirt kiya toh tumse woh bhi tab jab tumko date ka matlab bhi nahi pata tha, first time chup-chupke kisi ladki ke saath bahar gaya toh tumhare saath, first time kisi ladki ke liye physically kuch feel kiya toh tumhare liye kiya, first time samajh aaya ke I am in love toh woh tum thi jisse mujhe pyaar hua… Only you Naina… Forever you my Kulfi girl…”

Her eyes welled up, and she clutched onto him tighter, “I love you too Sameer… I love you too… Mujhe pehle pehle samajh nahi aata tha ke main jo sab feel kar rahi hun woh kya hai, par phir dheere-dheere sab kuch clear hota gaya… Kitne saal wait kiya tumse yeh kehne ke liye, tumse yeh sunne ke liye…”

He drew back a bit, and queried, “kitne saal?”

“Jis din tumne mujhe first time hug kiya tha”, she promptly replied, “usi din finally iss ehsaas ko shabd de paai thi… usse pehle bas sochti thi keyeh kya hai…”

His eyes widened, “Naina… first hug… matlab… tum 14 saal ki thi…”

She smiled, “aur tum 18 ke…”

He swallowed, and then softly confessed, “uss din… um… pehli baar I felt the physical attraction for you… tumhe gale lagake… tumne rona bandh kar diya uske baad… woh feel… tumhare baal… I was so lost… mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke main aisa kaise feel kar sakta hun… I was so ashamed with myself.”

She was perplexed, “kyun?”

He sighed, “betho… it’s time ke tumhe kuch baate pata ho…”

She obliged, sitting on the mattress and he sat beside her, silent for a long minute. She waited patiently, giving him time to order his thoughts. He grabbed her hand, linking their fingers needing the support, and then slowly started to tell her, “mere mom aur dad ke beech me 5 saal ka age-gap tha… Jab woh log mujhe trip ke bahane le gaye yeh batane ke they are planning to get a divorce tab main… main roz unko jhagadte hue sunta tha… Dad ka kehna tha ke mom was so young when they got married that she couldn’t understand the pressures of business and only knew how to complain… Mom kehti thi ke dad itne busy rehte the business me ke unke liye koi ghar me wait kar raha hai yeh tak bhool jaate the. Bas tyohar ya functions me time milta tha unko thoda, par tab ghar me guests hote the… Mom used to crave for proper personal time with dad, and he couldn’t understand the need and necessity of this time when he was able to provide all the comforts to her.”

She gently observed, “you were scared…”

He nodded, “yes… aur upar se jab main tumse pehli baar mila tha tum sirf 8 saal ki thi… Maine soch liya tha ke tum bachchi ho… And that feeling didn’t go away… Tum mujhse choti thi, itni innocent ke girlfriend ya dating ka matlab bhi nahi pata tha, aur tumhara mujhpe bina kisi jhijhak ke bharosa karna… I felt this incredible need to protect you… Isiliye jab attraction feel hua toh laga ke how can I feel something like that for a child… I felt like a pervert…”

Her eyes widened, “oh no… maine kabhi socha hi nahi…”

“Of course not”, he interrupted, “tum jo feel karti thi pure tha… I mean… it was natural in your mind… tum ladki ho, main ladka and you started feeling something for me… you trusted me… dost the hum… we shared personal moments jo kisi aur ko nahi pata… mere bure waqt me mere saath rahi tum, aur apne dil ka dard bhi mujhse share kiya… It was like a normal relationship from your end. Lekin problem mujhme thi… mere past me… Mom-dad ki baate kaano me gunjti rehti, dimag me yahi chalta ke tum choti ho toh I cannot feel like that for you, aur main tumse door jaaneki koshish karne laga.”

She pouted, “I knew you were doing that… pehle boards, phir college… tumhare woh dost… aur Ananya…”

He chuckled, “lekin tum kahan mujhe kamyaab hone de rahi thi… Tumne toh impossible ko possible karne ki thaan li thi… Zindagi me pehli baar mandir gaya, sirf tumhare liye…”

She grinned, “I knew it then that you love me as well… warna tum kabhi aisa nahi karte…”

He shook his head, wrapping an arm around her to pull her to him, “sometimes I wish meri thought process bhi tumhari tarah simple hoti… toh shayad main khudse itna ladta nahi… Mumbai me kuch mahine pehle Nanu ne mujhe bataya ke unke aur Nani ke beech me 8 saal ka gap tha, aur jab unki shaadi hui Nani bas 18 saal ki thi… Tab aisa laga ke shayad hamare rishte ko bhi chance dena chahiye… Waise bhi tumse itna door hoke bhi main tumko door kar nahi paa raha tha… Phone pe baat kare bina din pura nahi hota tha… Wallet me tumhari tasveer rakhne laga tha… Har waqt tumko miss karta tha… Aur neend aati thi tab mere sapno pe bhi tumhara hi kabza hota tha… I was so damn helpless in-front of my feelings… Nanu ki kahani sunke dimag pe se ek bojh utar gaya and I thought ke Ahmedabad wapas aake tumse baat karunga…”

Her eyes glittered as she teased, “lekin sirf hug kiya theek se… aur jab baat ki tab…”

He scowled, and then confessed sheepishly, “I was insecure… khud ko toh vishwaas dila raha tha ke there is a chance for us… I wanted to tell you about my feelings… Par saath saath dil me tab bhi insecurity thi ke main tumse itna bada hun toh what if you feel it is not proper… what if you find me boring… mere kapdo ka rang, style sab kuch simple and boring… main life enjoy karne ke jagah kaam me duba hua rehta hun… saalo se theatre me jaake movie nahi dekhi… bahar khaya toh sirf business meetings me… dosto ke saath masti nahi ki… I was scared ke agar tumne mujhe reject kar diya aur apne age ka koi ladka pasand kiya toh… Like… Like Abhi…”

Naina sighed, “Sameer… Abhi mera…”

“Bhai hai”, he finished her statement, “I know now… Kal tumhare jaane ke baad he showed me a mirror that I didn’t really like… I realized how horrible and cruel I was… Tumne mere liye itna effort daala tha kal, aur maine tumhe rula diya… Do saal baad mile tumse aur pyaar ki baat karne ke jagah kadwe ilzaam laga diye… I have no idea tumne mujhe maaf kaise kiya Naina…”

She simply stated, “because I know you… Yaad hai jab Ananya wala kissa hua tha tab bhi maine tumhe kaha tha ke mujhe pata hai agar uss time maine bola nahi hota toh tum usko achche se sunate kyunki tum meri insult kabhi bardaasht nahi kar sakte… Waise hi tumhari door jaaneki koshish, baat karne ki bebasi, pyaar hona par jataa na paana, yeh sab samajh aata tha… bas wajah nahi pata thi jo aaj pata chal gai… Aur Sameer… do you really think ke mujhe koi aur pasand aa sakta hai? Tumne kabhi socha hai ke tum jisko boring lifestyle bol rahe ho woh kyun hai…?”

He frowned, “huh?”

She chuckled, “tumne dosto ke saath masti nahi ki kyunki tumhare actual dost yahan Ahmedabad me the… tum business me doobe rahe kyunki tum wahan apne Nanu ke liye gaye the, aur waqt aur haalaat dono ki yahi maang thi ke tum apni umar se badhkar kaam karo… tumne movie nahi dekha kyunki tumhare saath jaane ke liye main nahi thi… tumhare kapde plain aur simple colors ke hai kyunki tum wahan khush nahi the… Tumhara dil yahan tha toh cheerful colors kaise pasand karte apne liye? Jo zaroorat thi, jo common-sense tha business wear ke liye wahi tumne kharide…? And seriously… tum jis pehnawe ko boring bol rahe ho, you have no idea how sexy you look in that…”

His eyes widened on hearing her assessment… She cupped his face, her fingers skimming his stubble, “tum meri umar ke hote, ya 4 saal bade, ya 4 saal chote… I don’t think hum dono me se kisike bhi control me tha yeh feeling… It was meant to happen Sameer… We were meant to happen… Tum jitna lade iss feeling se, utna hi yeh gehra hota gaya…”

He stared at her, and then teased, “tum pakka 18 saal ki ho na? Aisi sab baate aur itni clarity thoughts me… Apni age galat toh nahi batai na tumne?”

She laughed, “nahi… bhagwanji ne mujhe zyada akkal di hai kyunki unko pata tha ke mere life me ek budhdhu aane wala hai.”

He chuckled, “possible hai…”

She queried, “toh ab tumko bharosa hai bhagwan pe?”

He slid his hand around her nape, his fingers sinking in her silky hair, his thumb rubbing the plump curve of her cheek, “no… lekin tumhare bharose pe bharosa hai…”

“I love you”, she sighed, closing her eyes at the feel of his hand on her skin…

He leaned forward, softly brushing his lips on her forehead, “I love you too kulfi girl…” The feel of her skin, her teasing fragrance, her sighing breath, everything made him crave more of her. And with a surge of delight he realized that he could fulfill his heart’s desire… There was no guilt, no doubts, no confusion… All that prevailed was a heady feeling of being in love… Oh yes, he loved her… And he had wasted enough years to fight it… No more… It was time he showed her how much he loved her, every day, every hour, every minute, every second… His lips trailed a path over her face, whispering confessions of love, teasing her with soft kisses… Her hands came up to his shoulders, making him delirious… He rubbed her nose with his, and asked in a low whisper, “kulfi girl… can I kiss you?”

She shivered, her hands moving from his shoulders to wound around his neck, “yes… please…”

Her wait, her love, her yearning, her need, all was conveyed in those two words lifting the last bit of barrier from his mind. He firmed his hold on her, and peppered her face with kisses again, this time urgent needy ones… And then finally he placed his lips over hers… His breath hitched and so did hers… He waited, just touching her lips with his, not moving yet… Desperately trying to calm his nerves he started with slow feather soft brushes, just feeling the texture, letting her know what was coming, giving her a chance to stop… But there was no fear or doubt in her… Just like they were meant to happen, so was this… it felt totally right… And so all she did was inch closer…

With a low groan at her action, he tightened his hold on her, almost pulling her on his lap, and opened his mouth to taste her… The soft pink inviting lips that had teased him for so many years were softer than he had imagined… And her taste… God… He couldn’t describe it but it was potent enough to knock his senses flat… She whimpered, her fingers fisting in his hair… He angled his head, applying firm pressure on her soft lips, and they parted immediately allowing him the entrance he sought. She gasped and trembled as his tongue slipped in her mouth, tasting her in a far more intimate way than she had ever imagined… His strokes were slow giving her time to assimilate and soon enough her body melted against his, her tongue reciprocating his gestures with shy curiosity. He shuddered, adjusting her slightly on his lap so that she wouldn’t feel his arousal… He wanted to cherish the bond they were starting to form, he wanted her to adapt and learn naturally, and so he took care to not do anything more than kiss her… And honestly, just kissing her was enough to turn him into a happy contented puddle right now… So long… It had been so long since he had wanted this… He took his time to kiss her thoroughly, sipping at her soft swollen lips, the corners of her mouth, and then slowly pulled back panting for breath. She collapsed against his chest, breathing hard, her arms still tight around his neck as if she was hanging on for dear life.

He stroked her hair, and after a couple of minutes when he got his breath back, he asked, “tum theek ho?”

She licked her lips, still feeling out of breath, and managed to ask in low voice, “kiss aisa hota hai?”

He hummed, “haan… kyun?”

“I don’t know”, she mumbled, “I thought itna mazaa nahi aata hoga… after all hothon pe aise kiss karna… matlab… messy and gross… par… still I wanted to know how it was… 16^th birthday se… aur aaj yeh… wow…”

Her rambling was a proof of her innocence and he was glad that he had taken it slow, giving her time… She continued, “Mujhe lagta tha ke kiss karna padta hai isiliye karte hai couples… But… I really feel like doing it again… aur…”

He asked as she trailed off, “aur?”

She drew back a bit to look in his eyes, and confessed with the utmost trust, “poore body me ajeeb sa feel hua… and I wanted to touch you… matlab sirf aise hug karna nahi… I wanted to feel the muscles on you back, you chest… And I wanted to kiss you like you kissed me… is it normal?”

His heart swelled at her abundant trust in him… She wanted, yearned, craved but didn’t know how to explain or act upon her need. But she was not scared to tell him about it, trusting him to know things and explain. He smiled, moving some strands of hair from her face and tucking them behind her ear, “yes… it is normal… I also felt the same… to touch you… to hold you…”

She bit her lip, her eyes wide, “matlab… tum karoge?”

He chuckled, “haan… par abhi nahi… bahot time hai hamare paas… sab kuch dheere-dheere hoga and I promise you will enjoy…”

She thought about it for a moment, and then nodded, “I trust you… shaadi ke baad hoga? I mean… ab tak toh date bhi fix nahi hui…”

He grinned at her impatience, “thoda shaadi se pehle, thoda shaadi ke baad… aur rahi baat date ki toh mujhe tumse baat karni thi uss baare me.”

She queried, “kya?”

Thinking to maintain his sanity and to stop himself from kissing her again, he lifted her off his lap making her sit on the mat. And then asked, “pehle yeh batao ke aaj jo hua woh kaise kiya tumne?”

She shrugged, “Nanu… He knew you love me… I knew you love me… Nanu aur main baat karte the… Jab tum log Mumbai me the tab unke last operation ke baad unhone mujhse kaha tha ke woh mere gharwalo se hamare rishte ki baat karna chahte hai… Maine unko bola ke pehle main tumse baat karna chahti hun… Isiliye kal jab tum college ke liye nikal gaye usi waqt Nanu ne mere gharwalo se baat ki… He was sure ke tum mujhe college me bata doge apne feelings ke baare me. Lekin jab hamara jhagda hua tab main wapas aake seedhe Nanu se milne gai, aur unse request kiya ke woh tumko naa bataye ke mujhe jo dekhne aa raha hai woh ladka tum hi ho. Nanu ne hi Chachaji aur Chachiji ko manaya yeh kehke ke tum sharma rahe ho bolne me toh hum sab tumko surprise de, aur agar tumko lagega ke koi dusra ladka aa raha hai toh tum chup nahi rahoge. Basically… mere gharwalo ko lagta hai tum sharam ke maare bol nahi paa rahe the ke tum mujhe pasand karte ho… Sirf Nanu, main aur Preeti jaante the ke baat kuch aur hai… Aur haan, maine Nanu ke college wala kissa nahi bataya, sirf itna hi bola ke tum nahi bol paaye lekin mujhe hug kiya…”

He simply couldn’t stop himself from hugging her again, wondering how he had been blessed with such an understanding and smart girl. The way she knew him was unexplainable… Some time later he informed, “Mumbai me woh kisi na kisi tarah mujhse ugalwane ki koshish karte the that I love you… And I think meri baate, meri harkate kaafi thi yeh janne ke liye, even though I never confessed to him…”

“I am sorry”, she apologized, “kal shaam se tumhe bahot pareshaan kiya maine…”

He shrugged, “I deserved it for being such an idiot…”

She smiled… He drew in a breath and then broached the topic, “Naina… hamari shaadi… umm… main chahta hun ke tum pehle apna college khatam karo…”

Her eyes widened, “kyun? Tumhe ab tak lagta hai…”

“Nahi”, he firmly interrupted, “agar ab tak doubt ya confusion hota, ya main tumko bachchi maanta toh tumhe iss tarah kiss nahi karta… So, don’t think like that please.”

She nodded, “toh phir kyun?”

He gently explained, “Naina… shaadi ke baad ladki ke life me bahot badlaav aate hai… tumse kaafi expectations hogi… hamare ghar me sirf main aur Nanu hai, lekin tumhara ghar pados me hi hai… Chachiji tumse kahegi ke tumhe ghar ke kaam karne chahiye, khana banana chahiye, aur pata nahi laakhon aur cheeze hogi… Rasme, reeti-riwaaz pure hi nahi honge… Shaadi ke functions me hi 4-5 din nikal jayenge, aur usse pehle tumhara college jaana bandh karwa denge yeh kehke ke ladki ko bahar nahi nikalna chahiye shaadi se pehle. Main nahi chahta ke hamara pyaar, hamari shaadi tumhare life me rukawat bane… Tum itni intelligent ho, main chahta hun tum theek se padho… Apne sapne poore karo… Isiliye main chahta hun ke hamari shaadi tumhare graduation ke baad ho, aur shaadi ke baad bhi I want you to decide ke tum kya karna chahti ho… Koi job, ya business me involve hona chahti ho… Choose something for yourself… I know you love me and can do anything for me, but I want ke tum apni life bhi jeeyo… And I will be there to support you… Tumhare achievements me taali bajane ke liye, tumhare problems me tumhara saath dene ke liye… And you do the same for me… Hamara rishta barabari ka hoga… I know main 24 ka ho jaunga jab tab tum graduate hogi, but I guess you will still love me just as much… Aur yeh 2 saal… We will get time to enjoy this feeling of love, to go on dates… Hum ek dusre ko bahot achche se jaante hai lekin aise kabhi personal time spend nahi kiya, yeh terrace meetings chodke… Toh hume yeh mauka milega… socho na… I can drop you to college some days… Phir shaam ko kahin bahar jaa sakte hai… Aur hum door thodi na hai… Pados me hi toh rehte hai… What do you say?”

She stared at him for a long time, feeling overwhelmed at his thoughtfulness about her education and career, something which no one in her family thought about. All of them were relieved at having her wedding fixed. “Gharwalo ko samjhana mushkil hoga”, she informed.

He smirked, “they don’t know me yet… Ahmedabad ke jo Sameer gaya tha aur Mumbai se jo wapas aaya hai unn dono me bahot farq hai… sirf ek cheez jo nahi badli woh hai meri tumhare liye feelings…”

She flung her arms around him, “mujhe mazoor hai… par yeh 2 saal kiss karna bandh mat kar dena…”

He hugged her tight, “oh kulfi girl… you have no idea what you are getting into… trust me… there’s lot more than kiss, and I am going to enjoy teaching you everything…”

She chuckled, “matlab college me bhi padhai aur tumhare saath bhi padhai…”

He sank his fingers in her unbound hair, like he had fantasized so many times, “yes… bas ek farq hai… mere saath ki padhai me rewards aur punishment dono me maza aayega…”

Her eyes fluttered, drifting to his lips, “trailer milega?”

The last thing she saw was his proud satisfied smirk before his lips closed over hers and her eyes drifted shut in pleasure. The stars twinkled in the night sky, a gentle wind rustling the leaves on trees, crickets chirped in some dark corner; his arms tightened further around her yielding body until his kulfi girl melted in his warm hold.