Love in Mt. Abu- A SamAina FF

Part 9: Sameer's Redemption Begins

Sameer was early to school the next morning. This was becoming the new normal for him. He had just kept his bag on his seat when he saw Naina enter the classroom, with her drooping face and doleful eyes. She was startled to see him there, but did not say anything. It was a miracle how she could manage to look so cute, even when upset. Though Sameer was happy to see her, the only change he wanted was to see Naina smile. Smile the way she used to. The way she used to smile at him. He knew she was not able to forget the pain he had caused her. If only he could go back in time, not take up that bet and start an honest friendship with her. She'd opened a book to read. "Tick, tick", he tapped his pencil. No reply. "Tick, tick". Again no response. Suddenly, he threw the pencil at Naina. Startled, she looked at him in agitation and saw Sameer holding his ears in sorry! The expression on his face was cute, pleading. He looked genuinely sorry. Naina looked away and threw the pencil on the floor. But Sameer was glad, at least by accident, she had looked at him.

Till the time other students started entering the class, Sameer was humming every song on 'maafi' he could think of, much to Naina's irritation. She however ignored him and tried to focus on the book she was reading. Munna and Pandit joined Sameer after a while. They too were sad seeing Naina so miserable because of their actions. Munna and Pandit had been doing their bit to make it up to her. They too, like Sameer had said sorry innumerable times to her. "Yaar Sipahi, maaf kar de please. Bahot badi galti kar di yaar. Tujhe jante nahi the. Tu aise udaas mat ho. Tu udaas bilkul acha nahi lagta", Munna would keep telling her. But they too, never got either a smile or a reply from Naina. Soon after, Swati entered the class. She had been extremely worried about Naina from the past few days. She could sense something major had happened between her and Sameer. But Naina would not tell her. Exasperated she had forced Munna to tell her the truth. He had told her everything about the bet. "Yaar Pandit, ab tu mat rooth ja, wahan wo Sipahi ki aankhon me aansu nahi dekhe ja rahe. Yahan tu rooth gaya to pata nahi kya haal hoga", he had told Swati. But Swati had left in a rage. She had spoken to Naina after school that day, and had seen her shattered and crying her heart out. She didn't know about Naina, but she wasn't going to forgive Sameer. She'd dashed right to the parking and lashed out at him. "Sameer, tum sach mein hero nahi, ek bade zero ho. Tumhe duniya me Naina hi mili thi dil dukhane ke liye. Arey uski jagah mera dil dukhate na, tab bhi mujhe itni taqleef nahi hoti, jitni Naina ko aise dekh ke ho rahi hai", she had snapped at him. Her eyes had been moist with tears. "Pandit, maaf kar de ise", interrupted Munna. "Haan Swati, ye to khud Naina se pyaar karta hai. Bechara ise to ye lag raha tha ki wo Naina ke sath naatak kar raha hai sirf shart ke liye. Isne samajhne me der kar di", added Pandit. Swati had calmed down a bit at this, looking at Sameer's morose face, but she was not in a mood to relent. Swati put her hand on Naina's shoulders to comfort her as the classes began. Through all the classes, Sameer had eyes only for Naina.

***

It was lunch time and Swati and Naina were sitting in the canteen. Sameer, Munna and Pandit were sitting on the side. Sameer had not touched his food. His ears were on the table next to him where the two girls were sitting. Sameer was worried for Naina. He knew she would not be eating properly these days. Swati noticed that Naina had not touched her tiffin. "Naina, khana kha le please," pleaded Swati. "Bhook nahi hai Swati, tu kha le mera tiffin", replied Naina, uninterested. "Naina, khud ko tadpane se kya hoga. Tu bhi na gussa hamesha khaane pe hi nikalti hai", said Swati. Sameer was reminded of how his mother used to scold him for doing the same. He was pleading to God deep inside that Naina would eat something. When Naina ignored her, Swati said, "tu nahi khayegi to abse main bhi nahi khaungi" and with this, she closed her tiffin too. Naina knew that her best friend was not going to give up. She gave her a small smile. Happy that Naina had acceded, Swati opened up her tiffin for her, "Arey waah, aloo parantha...," she exclaimed happily. Naina's smile vanished as soon as it had appeared and anger shone in her eyes yet again. "Aloo parantha...aloo parantha...jab dekho bela chachi aloo parantha hi banati rehti hain...ye jaante huye ki mujhe aloo parantha bilkul pasand nahi hai", she exclaimed in anger and stormed out of the canteen. Sameer's face drooped further. Few moments later, he too left the canteen, his plate untouched. "Yaar, kaisa pyaar hai inka...yahan wo khana nahi khati...yahan ye bhukha rehta hai...Ishq dono ko hai lekin fir bhi roothe baithe hain", exclaimed Munna slapping his palm on his forehead.