Love in Mt. Abu- A SamAina FF

Part 12: Romeo and Juliet

Sameer was grateful for friends like Munna and Pandit. They had stood by him like a rock. Sometimes Sameer felt they repented more than him (if it was even possible) about hurting Naina. Munna had become formal and respectful towards Swati too. Sameer felt guilt, that in addition to his own jeopardized love life, he had invariably put Munna's in trouble too. Sameer knew till the time Naina forgives him, if she ever does, Swati too would not forgive Munna. He admired the bond she and Naina shared. Much like what he shared with Munna and Pandit. "Sameer, tujhe Naina se pyaar ho gaya tha na...isliye tune shart se haar maan li thi?" they had confronted him once. Seeing him so broken, even a fool would have understood what was there in Sameer's heart. Sameer had been silent for a while at those words. He had sighed and nodded. "Yaar pata hi nahi chala, kab, kaise...aur main use satane chala tha...kya nahi kiya usne mere liye...meri itni fikr to meri sagi maa ne nahi ki, jitni us ladki ne kuch mahino ki pehchaan me kar li...Main bahot bada gadha tha yaar. Main samjha hi nahi ki main khud usse door nahi reh paa raha hu. Kya kismet hai meri, pehli baar kisi se pyaar kiya aur usi ka dil tod diya." Pandit had comforted him, "Himmat rakh Sameer, tere aur Naina ke liye hum khud bhagwan se prarthana karenge!"

***

The night had dawned. Sameer was lost in thoughts of Naina, when he turned on the radio. He listened to the announcement, "aaj ki farmayish hai... Guide film se... geet hai- 'Din dhal jaye, raat na jaaye'... geetkar hain Shailendra... sangeet diya hai Sachin Dev Burman ne... aawaaz hai Mohammad Rafi ki". And the song started, 'Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, Tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye...Din dhal jaye...'. Sameer was listening desolately. For him, it was a reflection of what he'd been feeling these days. He was missing Naina like hell. Little did he know; Md. Rafi seemed to have been the choice for all heartbroken people that night. There Naina had tuned into her radio at the same time and was listening to the same song. Tears welled up in her eyes as she heard the first stanza, 'Pyar mein jinke sab jag choda, Aur hue badnaam, Unke hi haathon haal hua yeh, Baithe hain dil ko thaam, Apne kabhi the... ab hain paraye..., Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye....'. Why had Sameer betrayed her? She was in this condition only because of him, thought Naina, listening intently to each and every word. There, Sameer's misery intensified as the song progressed, 'Dil ke mere paas ho itne, Phir bhi ho kitni dur, Tum mujhse main...dil se pareshan, Dono hain majboor, Aise mein kisko kaun manaye...'. Both Naina and Sameer wept, remembering each other, as the song concluded... 'Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, Tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye....'.

***

The winter break had started. There was no school to look forward to now. Both Naina and Sameer were dealing with their own set of problems. Naina was finding it difficult to face her family for the entire day and act normal. And Sameer, he wasn't able to think about anything, anyone other than Naina. He would spend the day looking at her pictures and the nights in her dreams. The day Sameer had been spared of cutting his hair- he couldn't forget the look on Naina's face. She had seemed a bit forgiving. But Sameer knew his girl well- it wasn't easy to win her trust back. She was extremely righteous and he was proud of that fact. Still Sameer couldn't stand being away from her- not being able to look at her sweet, innocent face. He missed her smile. He missed her chirpy voice. Munna and Pandit had come over to Sameer's place that day. They were listening to him practicing for the competition. Sameer really was talented, they thought. And his music helped him voice his pain, his angst and his love for Naina. By the time he had finished, they too had their eyes moist along with Sameer. Sameer looked at them, and spoke, his voice heavy, "Yaar usse milna hai....". The pleading in Sameer's eyes was so intense, Munna and Pandit couldn't say no. They were willing to take the risk of being caught by Safari suit. The trio hatched a plan.