Etched On My Heart- SamAina Wedding Special

Where it all started

Author- Anjali_J33

"Sameer, please bata do hum kahan ja rahe hain?" asked Naina for the umpteenth time, but Sameer, just like everytime, shook his head "Na na na" and continued driving. Naina crossed her arms at her chest and gruffly turned her face away from him, making Sameer chuckle. He had called Chachaji the previous night and asked for his permission to take Naina out with him. As there were only two weeks left for their wedding, this would be the last time they'd be meeting as boyfriend and girlfriend. And he wanted to make it special for them, so he requested Chachaji to not disclose about the place to Naina. He wanted to surprise her.

Naina sat looking outside the window, not really focusing on the surroundings, muttering to herself, "Ajeeb ziddi h! Kya ho jayega bata dega to.. lekin nahi! Aur nahi batana tha to zikr hi nahi karta is baat ka. Agar chachaji ne kaha nahi hota ki surprise hai to main puchti hi nahi. Mujhe kaunsa har chiz jaanna hota hai" These were the very rare moments when she frowned at how, within few months, her family had come to love their damaad ji more than her. His saalis had always been in his team, she never really expected them to give in to her. But Chachaji and Chachiji too ditched her!

Naina stopped her cursing session when the car halted to a stop, and that's when she took notice of the place they were at. To confirm, if what she was thinking was right, she rolled down the window glass and peeped out. A wide smile made way to her lips as her guess was proven right. At a distance, stood a yellow building that had been a very important part of her life. Where she had spent more than ten years of her life. Where she had got every happiness of her life. The place that made her the Naina that she is today. Her school. Pragati Vidya Ka Mandir.

Too overwhelmed with happiness, she looked at him with an expression that showed how blessed she was to have him. Sameer quickly wiped the tears that had pooled in her eyes before they could roll down. He could read her eyes, that reflected her wonder at how could he love her so much, and lightly shrugged his shoulders, as if responding to her.

Sameer decided to bring her back from her lost state, "Itna mat dekho mujhe Naina. Warna phir tumhein meri demand puri karni padegi!" He pointed towards his lips, making Naina chuckle, "Pagal ho tum! Sameer, tum nahi jaante, yahan lakar tumne mujhe kitna bada surprise diya hai." Sameer took her hands in his and softly said, "Lekin ye zarur jaanta hu ki school tumhari zindagi ka, humari kahani ka kitna ehem hissa hai. To isiliye, humari shaadi mein pura school invited hoga. Principal sir, sare teachers, yahan tak ki peon bhaiya bhii." She was amazed at his love and how much he cared for her every little happiness, falling in love with him all over again. The school had been the best place in her life. No student would've ever loved school as much as she did. It had given her her values, confidence, knowledge; but most importantly, Sameer.

It was here that she had first seen him. It was here that she had first bumped into him. It was here that her heartbeats raced for the first time. It was here that she had first felt the butterflies in her stomach. It was here that she and Sameer had confessed love to each other. It was here that they first held hands. It was here that they had become each other's soul. And today, he had brought her here again, to tell the entire school of their wedding.

Unable to contain her happiness, she hugged him, wrapping her arms around his torso, mentally thanking God for sending him in her life. She didn't thank him, he never let her. But he understood and lightly kissed her hair, "Chalein? Sabko shaadi ka card dene. Ye batane ki ab hum Mr and Mrs Maheshwari banne wale hain" He shifted slightly to open the car door, but she turned him back to her side. Slipping her hand slowly around his neck, burying her fingers in his hair, she kissed him on his lips. A slow, soft kiss, filled with love and gratitude.

Too startled to react, Sameer took a moment to realise what was happening, but when he did, he didn't waste even a fraction of a second and kissed her back. They pulled back quickly, as they were at just at a few feet's distance from the school. "Ab chalo" said Naina, smiling at him. Sameer got out of the car, walked over to her side and opening the door, held his hand out for her. Always a gentleman, she thought and giving her hand in his, stepped out.

Walking hand in hand, holding their wedding card in the other hand, they walked towards the school. Afterall it was here where it all started.