Sapno Ka Shaher

46. Two Years and Forever...

23rd November 1996

"Sameer.... Utho... " Naina shook Sameer, caressing his cheek. He didn't budge, he was sleeping too deeply.

"Sameer utho..." she pushed his bare shoulder. He was sleeping almost on her, resting his head on her chest, holding her too possessively on her waist, as if he had found her after long and now too scared of losing her, and one of his legs on her.

She smiled looking at the serenity on his face. She would have liked to let him sleep like the other days, but today time was running.

He stirred in sleep, moving his eyeballs behind his closed eyes, and slowly opening up. The first sight his eyes met was Naina's light blue night suit. He scrunched his nose in displeasure and looked at her, "tum kapde kyu pehenti ho?" He asked in a gruff voice.

"Kya?" Naina frowned, but couldn't stop herself from laughing at his question. Is he sleep-talking? She wondered.

"Ab hato bhi..." she pushed him again, getting up herself.

Sameer grimaced and sat up reluctantly, making an annoying face like a kid. He was still groggy.

"Yeh lo... aur jaldi karo... " Naina threw his shirt on him and started folding their comforter.

The moment Sameer was finished with the last button, she pulled him holding his hand, dragging him with her out of the room.

"Abhi time hai Naina," miffed, Sameer said, as they climbed the stairs.

They were greeted with the low light of dawn as they entered the terrace of J wing.

Naina inhaled the fresh air while closing her eyes, her lips widening in a peaceful smile.

Sameer was still upset for waking him up from his slumber. He held Naina from behind, locking his hands on her belly and placing his forehead on her head.

"Kitne dino baad itne achchhese soya tha mai kal raat," he mumbled with a hoarse voice, his eyes closed as he hid his face in her hair.

"Achchha? Parso nahi soye the? Mujhe pakad kar?"

He blushed on being caught, putting a kiss on her temple and now resting his cheek on it, he asked, "tumhe pata chala tha? Mai subah hatt gaya tha."

Naina took her time to respond, heaving evenly and lowering her eyes. "Mai tumhari har ek chhuvan se wakif hu, Sameer... '' she whispered, now focusing on the sky. While Sameer could do nothing but stare adoringly at his world.

They stayed in the position for some time, facing towards the east and waiting for the Sun to outspread its rays over the city. As the Sun emerged from the horizon, painting the sky in hues of yellow and blue, the Maheshwari couple gazed at it with gratitude in their eyes and heart. They silently thanked the god of nature for everything they had, and prayed for a beautiful future together.

Naina turned within Sameer's hold, keeping both her hands on his chest, she looked up. Her husband's face was glowing in the first rays of the morning, his cheeks radiating and shining as he smiled at her.

Was it because of the sunlight or the effect of last night?

A mischievous question played in her mind and she giggled to herself.

"Kya hua?" amazed, Sameer asked.

Stifling her giggle, Naina shook her head. "Happy Anniversary Mr. Maheshwari," she voiced, looping her hands around his nape, "mai bhagwanji se yahi prarthana karti hu, ki chahe kitna mushkil waqt kyun na aa jaye, hamara pyar kabhi kam na ho."