SECTION I 

1994: 4 Years Later 

Part 2: The Birthday Surprise

Tuesday, 13th September, 1994 (again):

Sameer and Naina sped out of college on Sameer's bike. As usual, Naina wrapped her arms around his waist. And as usual, Sameer felt his brain go fuzzy at Naina's touch.

"Ek touch se ye haal ho jata hai mera, to pata nahi aage kya hoga," Sameer thought. Restraining himself wasn't an easy job, knowing how madly and passionately he was in love with her. But he respected Naina a lot. Till she said yes, he wouldn't even dream of it...or probably, he could only dream of it.

Naina got excited as she saw him turn the bike towards the shopping area, instead of her home. "Maybe he's planned a surprise here," Naina thought happily. As they were roaming the markets, Naina stopped at a roadside stall as she began looking at the jhumkas for sale. She would put the ones she liked to her ears one-by-one, and wait for Sameer's approval. Sameer gave his nod to a pair of silver, antique ones. He loved to see his Naina wearing jhumkas, her hair open, flowing with the wind, her innocent eyes lined with kajal. Like always, Sameer was eyeing her with love.

"Ye meri taraf se gift hain tumhare liye," Sameer spoke as he paid the shopkeeper for the earrings. Hearing the word 'Gift', Naina's hopes rose and she waited for the birthday wish, which it did not come.

"Pakka bhool gaya ye to, nahi to ab tak to wish kar hi deta," she thought dejectedly. She then decided stubbornly that she too would not remind him today.

"Kal bataungi na to chehre ka rang udd jayega. Tab piche piche bhaagega kaan pakad ke, cute sa banke," she thought to herself. "Thoda sataungi, shikayat karungi, par phir maan jaungi," she contemplated. "Just like when Chachaji forgets his and chachiji's marriage anniversary, how chachi stays mad at him the whole day and then eventually forgives him. Maybe that's how couples who marry behave," she mused fondly as they stood there sharing a plate of Rabdi.

Suddenly Sameer exclaimed, "Nainu, kal to European Realism ka test hai na? Oh noo! Maine to ek hafte se class bhi miss ki hai. Main to gaya!" Sameer was tensed now.

"Naatak mat karo haan tum. Tumhe pata hai main hun na tumhe padhane ke liye. Chinta mat karo," Naina consoled him.

Sameer beamed at her, "Great! Love You Jaan! Tum na hoti to main to fail hua rehta ab tak".

Naina gave him a playful punch, "Nautanki!" she laughed.

It was almost 3.30 pm when they reached Sameer's home. For a moment, Naina's hopes rose again as they were about to enter her to-be sasural. She almost expected Munna, Pandit, Swati and Preeti to jump out at her, crying Happy Birthday! Her mind was already full of scenes where the hall was adorned with balloons and ribbons and a big cake was lying on the table.

"Naina?" Her reverie broke as she heard Sameer call. She realized she was standing at the doorway, smiling stupidly at the non-existent celebrations. Sameer was staring at her from the living room. Naina looked again. The hall was as it usually was- beautifully designed. But that was about it! No one jumped out of their hiding places. No balloons burst. There was no cake to be seen there. This was the last chance of surprise, Naina thought sadly as Sameer plopped himself on the sofa.

Few minutes later, they settled themselves in the living room as Ramdhari bought in tea and samosas for them. "Fir se samosa! Matlab itna khane ke baad bhi? Sameer was becoming bhukkad day-by-day," Naina mused, a bit concerned for his weight now. Her eyes hovered for a minute over his belly, to check if he was getting out of shape.

"Madam, books saamne hain, mere pet me nahi hain," Sameer quipped.

Naina returned her focus to the books and they started studying. It was almost 6.00 when they were done with the revision for the test. "6 baj gaye? Chalo Naina, tumhe ghar chod aata hu isse pehle aur der ho", said Sameer. At this, they heard some loud noises coming from Nanu's room. Sameer and Naina hurried over and found Ramdhari inside the room, standing amidst a pile of packets and clothes.

"Ramdhari! Ye sare kapde kyun nikal diye!" Sameer demanded.

"Wo...wo baba...wo main maalik ki almari sahej raha tha to ye sab kapde achanak se gir gaye. Main abhi inhe wapis laga deta hun. Aap chinta mat kijiye!" Ramdhari stammered. Sameer nodded as his eyes darted over to the heap of clothes and rested on a pinkish package there.

"Ye kya hai Ramdhari?" Sameer asked as he moved forward to pick it up.

"Wo...wo malkin ki sari thi baba. Unki sabse pasandeeda sari thi ye. Isiliye maalik ne ise sambhal ke rakha tha!" Ramdhari spoke, as he got busy in arranging the clothes in the almirah again.

Sameer opened the folds of the saree. It was a beautiful, light pink net saree, with small, white, flowery embroidery. The entire length of the saree was adorned with a beautiful lace on its borders.

"Woww!" Sameer and Naina exclaimed together as they saw the saree unfurl.

"Kitni sundar saree hai na Naina!" asked Sameer, and Naina nodded in appreciation. "Tumhe pata hai Naina, meri Nani bhi kaafi kuch tumhari jaisi thi. Aisi hi gori gori si, cute si. Unke shaadi ke photos me dekha tha maine!" Sameer reminisced as Naina came closer to take a good look at the saree.

Suddenly Sameer said, "Naina, tum ye saree pehen ke dikhao na please!" "Sameer...main...main kaise? Ye to Naniji ki saree hai," she objected.

"Naina, ab Nani to rahin nahi. Aur vaise bhi hoti to bhi ye saree apne Sameer ki dulhan ko hi deti na? Unka aashirwaad samajh ke pehen lo," Sameer said, turning emotional now. Seeing Sameer's pleading expression, Naina acquiesced. Excited, Sameer fumbled into the almirah and found some matching jewellery to go with it.

As Naina was changing into the saree, Sameer waited outside expectantly, while Ramdhari was busy dusting the antiques in the hall. After about half an hour, Naina reappeared, only to take Sameer's breath away. She was looking like a fairy out of a fairytale. Naina in pink- And Sameer's heart as usual, forgot to beat. He stood up from the bed, mesmerized, as he took in his girl, draped in his grandmother's beautiful pink saree, her pallu hanging to a side. She was wearing the matching sleeveless blouse, which too was bordered with lace. Her hair, which now came down to her waist, was left open- like she always did for Sameer. The small, glittering, silver choker necklace was adorning her neck. And in her ears were the matching, dazzling jhumkas of the set. Naina had put on a baby pink lipstick and reapplied kajal to highlight her eyes. A small silver bindi shone between her brows. Pink and silver bangles that she'd selected from the package from the almirah, were jingling on her wrists.

Naina beamed to see Sameer gazing at her, enchanted, his mouth wide open. She recalled the first time she'd dressed up for him in Mt. Abu. Since then, everytime she would dress up for him, he would get lost in her. The fact that he'd forgotten her birthday had been overshadowed by seeing him looking at her dumbstruck like this. Sameer started moving closer to her.

"Didi, kitni sundar lag rahi hain aap! Bilkul baba ki dulhan jaise," Ramdhari chimed, interrupting Naina and Sameer's daydream. They both blushed. They'd forgotten Ramdhari was present there too. Sameer looked at Ramdhari, who immediately realized that Sameer baba wanted to be alone with his girlfriend. Ramdhari exited on the pretext of making tea.

Naina went inside the room again, and stood in front of the mirror, checking that the saree was in place, when Sameer came in from behind, and embraced her. He looked at her in the mirror smilingly and raised his eyebrows in appreciation. Their eyes locked onto each other's for a while and then Sameer hummed, "mere rang mein rangne wali, pari ho ya ho pariyon ki rani ya ho meri prem kahaani", as Naina's cheeks competed with the colour of the saree.

Sameer added, "Kitni sundar lag rahi ho tum is saree mein...bilkul pari jaisi!" He saw Naina smile demurely and added, "ab pari ko koi bahana banana hoga, ghar der se jaane ka. Hum dinner pe jayenge!" Naina smiled again. Soon, she called up her family and informed them that she has to prepare for an event at her college tomorrow, and would reach home a little late at night.

Sameer took the car keys from the dining table, and said, "Car se jayenge!" He understood Naina would have problems in sitting on the bike in the saree. As they sped off towards their favourite restaurant, she saw Sameer take a wrong turn.

"Sameer, ye galat liya tumne. Yahan se seedha tha na," she exclaimed.

"Arey ek naya short cut mila hai Nainu. Trust me!" Sameer pacified her.

"Time kya hua Naina?" Sameer asked suddenly.

"7.15!" Naina replied.

"7.15? Oh my God!" Sameer accelerated. Ten minutes later, they screeched to a halt outside the city garden. As Naina saw Sameer get out of the car, she said, "Sameer, ye to garden hai. Ye kahan rok di tumne?"

Sameer replied, "uhh wo Naina, bathroom. Sorry!" "Sameer, tum bhi na," Naina said, slightly irked at him, "Jao aur jaldi aao."

"Arey tumhe yahan road pe akele kaise chod ke jaun? Tum bhi aao andar!" he said.

"Kya!!" Naina almost shouted.

"Arey matlab, thodi door khadi ho jana," Sameer explained. After a bit of pestering, Naina agreed and came out of the car.

"Aaj pata nahi ise kya ho gaya hai," she thought irritatedly.

Sameer led her inside the garden. They went a bit deep inside, when they were almost near the lake bordering the garden.

"Ye to hum bageeche ki dusri taraf aa gaye," Naina exclaimed, now seriously worried about what was wrong with Sameer today. Sameer smiled and deftly moved behind her and closed her eyes.

"Sameer, ye kya?" started Naina, but Sameer hushed her. He led her slowly towards the lake.

After a few minutes, Sameer checked his watch, "Five minutes to 8- perfect!" Sameer stopped and uncovered her eyes. Naina took in the view with a gush of breath. A few feet away from them was the lake, surrounded by trees all around, which were adorned with gleaming, yellow, fairytale lights. The moon was shining brightly- chaudhavin ka chaand it was! Its reflection was falling on the lake below, which was tranquil, but shimmering under its ethereal glow. Everything was pin drop silent. And there, just in front of the lake, she saw hundreds of diyas lit up in the shape of a heart. The heart was filled to the brim with red rose petals. And again inside the heart, diyas were lit up in a formation which read, "I Love You!" The entire sight mesmerized Naina- A heart full of red rose petals, lined by diyas, the glowing I Love You, besides a beautiful lake, in the middle of a garden, on a beautiful moonlit night, and the entire area decked with glittering lights! Her eyes then hovered over to a table set for two, inches from her. A beautiful big chocolate cake was placed on top of it. Naina was stunned to see Sameer's surprise.

She turned to look at Sameer, who was observing her, a soft smile on his lips. "Happy Birthday Sweetheart!" he said as took her hands in his and kissed them softly.

Naina looked at him lovingly, "Tumhe yaad tha? Ye sab tumne kiya? Mere liye?" she asked, deeply touched at the gesture and now regretting that she was planning to scold him tomorrow.

"Nahi nahi, wo meri dusri girlfriend ke liye kiya tha. Wo aayi nahi to tumhe le aaya," he replied cheekily, earning a smack on the arm from Naina.

Sameer then said, "surprise ka maza tab aata hai na jab thodi tadap ho! Sorry jaan, maine raat ko 12 baje nahi wish kiya!" He held his ears in apology.

Naina pulled his hand away from his ears and placed them around her waist as she buried her face in his chest.

"Kaisa laga?" Sameer whispered.

"Ye meri life ka ab tak ka best surprise hai Sameer. Thank you," she said as she looked up at him again, her eyes on the verge of welling up.

"Madam bhool gayin? Dosti me no sorry, no thank you!" Sameer replied, wiping the tears with his thumb and wrapping his arms around her tightly.

Naina looked at Sameer, overwhelmed with emotion. Her arm slid to his neck as she pulled him towards her and planted a deep kiss on his lips. For a moment, Sameer was taken aback by the surprise kiss, and then he reciprocated with utmost passion. She felt his grip on her go tighter as they kissed and caressed each other for another two minutes.

And then with great difficulty, Sameer broke apart and heaved, "Pehle cake to kaat lo birthday girl!" "Gift baad mein leti rehna!" he winked.

Sameer took Naina's hand and led her to the table. He then lit the candle on the cake. Naina was dazed. She couldn't take her eyes off Sameer. He gave her the knife. She blushed as she slowly cut out a piece of cake.

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to my dear Naina, Happy Birthday to you," Sameer clapped and then added, "Only one boyfriend to you. Only one boyfriend, that is Sameer to you".

Naina laughed and offered him the first piece of cake with her own hands. Sameer took a bite and made her eat the remaining part. Naina's happiness was beyond measure. This was the best birthday that she'd ever had. Post the cake cutting, Sameer clicked lots of pictures of Naina, in that saree, next to the heart of gleaming diyas, with the cake, sitting besides the lake, as well as many of their couple photos.

Fifteen minutes later, Sameer and Naina were sitting besides the lake, hand-in-hand, snuggling together. Sameer whispered, "I love you Naina."

She replied blushing, "I Love you too Sameer."

Sameer was grinning broadly. He murmured, "Naina...meri Naina...Naina Agarwal." "Naina Agarwal...," his tone changed. "Yaar Naina tum kitni achi ho lekin tumhara naam...matlab kaisa naam hai tumhara?" he said making a face.

"Kyun? Kya kharabi hai mere naam me? Acha to hai...Naina...Naina Agarwal!" she exclaimed. "Nah! Acha nahi hai. Mera naam dekho! Kitna stylish hai...Sameer... 'The Great Sameer Maheshwari'!" he said and added smugly, "tum na apna naam change karke kuch acha sa rakh lo!"

"Change kar lun? Acha, aur change karke kya rakhun 'The Great Sameer Maheshwari'?" taunted Naina. "Umm not a bad idea," he grinned wickedly, "in fact even better, tum apna naam change kar lo to Naina Sameer Maheshwari!"

This took Naina by surprise. She looked at him, confused at how to react. Sameer was beaming, looking into her eyes, a tinge of red appearing on his cheeks. The time had come! His face suddenly turned serious, expectant, as he felt himself go all jittery and nervous.

"Did he really mean-?" Naina thought incredulously as Sameer got up from his place. Their eyes locked and then Sameer bent down on his knee in front of her and took out a small box from the inside pocket of his jacket. He flicked it open, his eyes still on Naina. Inside was a slender gold ring adorned with small, sparkling diamonds.

Sameer took the ring in his hand and started, "Naina Agarwal, I Love You. Main bahot khushnaseeb hun ki main Ahemdabad aaya, tumse mila, tumhe chaha. Tum mujhe is zindagi me sabsi pyaari ho...khud se bhi pyaari. Subah uthata hun to tumhara chehra dikhta hai. Raat ko sota hun to sapnon me tum aati ho. Aur baaki samay to bas kab tumhari aankhon me dekhte huye beet jata hai pata hi nahi chalta. Aisa lagta hai tum din bhar, raat bhar, har pal mere saath raho.

"So Naina Agarwal, ab aur intezaar mujhse to nahi hoga. Isliye kya tum ab Naina Agarwal se Naina Sameer Maheshwari banana chahogi? Naina, mujhse shaadi karogi?" Sameer finished his proposal, as he looking expectantly at Naina. His heart was pounding so hard, he felt as if his rib cage would break. He knew Naina loved him, yet he was extremely nervous. He finally wanted a life-long commitment- to love her and to be loved by her. It took Naina a few minutes to absorb all this. Sameer was proposing her? He wanted to marry her? She actually pinched herself to check if this was a dream. She'd set records dreaming about Sameer and the way he would propose marriage to her. She had been right just a while before. 'This' was indeed the happiest moment of her life till now- her best birthday ever.

Naina looked into Sameer's eyes- her happiness knowing no bounds! For a few moments, Naina and Sameer knew nothing but each other and the love engulfing them. Naina smiled, blushed and slowly put her hand out for Sameer to put the ring onto her finger. Her eyes lowered as she saw Sameer's expression turn from tense to relieved.

And then she heard him become naughty again, "Mujhe kuch sunayi nahi diya...Haan ya haan?" he asked. Naina blushed even more and looked back into his eyes, "haan!"

"Zor se, sunayi nahi de raha!" Sameer yelled.

"Haaaannnn!!" Naina spoke louder now. "Kya yaar! Itna acha proposal koi boyfriend karega kya? Duniya ko chilla ke to batao ki tumhara jawab kya hai....ki tum Sameer Maheshwari se shaadi karna chahti ho ya nahi!" he teased, shouting again.

"Haan! Haan! Haan!" Naina screamed happily at the top of her voice. "Main tumse, aur sirf tumse shaadi karna chahti hun Sameer Maheshwari. Yeh intezaar ab mujhse bhi nahi hota. Tumse door jaane ka man nahi hota...I can't wait to marry you Sameer!" she shouted and then threw her arms around Sameer and hugged him.

Sameer beamed ear to ear as he clasped his hand around her, embracing her tightly in his arms. Then the joyous couple broke apart a little and Sameer slid the ring onto her ring finger of her outstretched hand. Naina admired the ring on her finger- it was so delicate, so dainty- she would have probably picked out this one herself. It was more beautiful than any ring that she'd ever seen. Sameer really did know what she liked. Sameer, on the other hand could only look at Naina in adulation- at her face glowing with happiness, and her fingers sealed with his token of love. He could only thank God that he'd been blessed with Naina. All the love that he had craved for in his entire life- was compensated by this one girl. She'd come into his life like a miracle, a dream and yet, she'd turned his reality more beautiful than he could have ever imagined.

Naina voiced feeling extremely emotional now, "pata hai Sameer, main kitne saalon se tumhare muh se ye sunne ka, aur tumhe haan bolne ka intezaar kar rahi hun. Maine iska sapna kitni baar dekha hai main bata bhi nahi sakti. Kitni practice ki hai yaad bhi nahi. Lekin phir bhi aaj aisa lag raha hai ki aaj ka din mere har sapne se, meri har kalpana se bhi bahot khoobsurat hai. I love you Sameer!"

Sameer beamed and kissed her forehead, "Mera bas chalta to chaar saal pehle hi tumse shaadi kar leta. Par fir child marriage ke ilzaam mein humein jail mein apna honeymoon manana padta," he chuckled. "Haaye yeh zaalim zamaana, kabse wait kar raha hun ki bas 21 saal ka ho jaun...usi din tumhara haath thaam lunga. Lekin phir laga, mere janamdin se zyada ye din tumhare janamdin ko khaas banayega!"

Naina looked at him in surprise as he continued, "Naina 21 saal pehle tum is duniya me aayi...mere liye. Tumse zyada ye din mere liye ahemiyat rakhta hai, kyunki is din meri zindagi mein khushiyaan aayi. Main jaanta hun tumne apni mumma ko khoya...par aaj ka din abse tumhare liye hamesha khushiyon bhara hoga...aaj tumne pehli baar mere naam ki angoothi pehni hai...main waada karta hun ki jo pyaar 21 saal pehle tumhari zindagi se chin gaya tha...main tumhe usse bhi kahin zyada pyaar karunga...zindagi bhar...aur ye pyaar main kabhi kam nahi hone dunga...ye Sameer ka promise hai aur tum to jaanti ho ki Sameer apna promise kabhi nahi todta," Sameer said as he pulled her into his arms yet again, "I love you Mrs. Naina Sameer Maheshwari!"

Sameer and Naina beamed as their eyes locked onto each other, twinkling with happiness. Sameer bought her hand to his lips and and kissed it, as Naina blushed. And then his lips moved to her wrist, over to her arm. Naina closed her eyes at the touch of his lips. He inched closer to her and pushed her hair away to plant soft kisses on her neck and her shoulders. Naina heaved softly. These sensations always drove her mad. A smile quivered on her lips as Sameer cupped her face and pulled her into a deep kiss again. He kissed her with a combined intensity of all the times that he'd kissed her. After all, this was the first time he was kissing his fiancee.

After many minutes of kissing each other voraciously, they pulled away with great difficulty. They both looked at each other and smiled shyly, and decided that some things ought to be left for after their marriage.