After they had lunch Danny helped Anju wind up quickly and left to go home while Randhir stayed back to coach Sanyukta. It was nearly five in the evening when he finally set her free from his Math tutorial. The doorbell rang and before Anju got up to answer Randhir stopped her and went over himself. A man at the door handed him something, he counted some cash from his wallet and gave it to him before closing the door.

"There's a change in Sanyukta's travel plans. She need not board the 6.30 pm bus anymore, my travel agent managed to get her a berth on the overnight train. This means she gets more time with you and can travel more securely and sleep comfortably to arrive rested." Randhir showed Anju the confirmed ticket. She didn't know what to say, she was simply amazed.

"But Randhir, she could have taken the bus, why did you........" Before she could finish her sentence Randhir interrupted her. "Because we have something else lined up before we put her on the train at Dadar. On our way we are stopping by to meet someone who's really special to you." He paused to let the message sink in. Both mother and daughter stared at him, waiting for him to go on.

"Tell you what, let me just go change, I'll be back in a few minutes. Both of you can change meanwhile and we'll leave as we had planned earlier. I promise that you won't be disappointed." Without giving them time to react he left, leaving the two women stunned.

"Did you know about this Sanyu?" Anju asked. "Of course not, you know him Ma, he excels at planning but he does not always share. Maybe he was waiting for the hard copy of the ticket before letting us know. And you know him, he won't let you pay. If you try to he'll just remind you about how I worked for him last summer without getting paid. Anyway let's get dressed. We don't want to keep him waiting." Sanyukta was right, Randhir was too strong willed to argue with.

He was back within a few minutes and Anju and Sanyukta locked up the house before heading downstairs to meet him. He had managed to shower and change and looked as fresh as he was excited about executing his plan. 

"Who is it Randhir, who are we calling on?" Anju could not resist asking him. "It will ruin the surprise if I tell you, we'll be there in a while, the highway looks fairly empty." For the rest of the journey he kept his eyes on the road and they reached Bandra by 6 pm. Randhir stopped for some last minute shopping and when he returned he was carrying a large bag of packed food and a bottle of wine. The women were even more mystified. 

"Isn't that store-front window display fabulous? This furniture store is renowned for putting up a tasteful and thematic display every year. They've had some classic themes in the past, like Puss in Boots and Alice in Wonderland. And the owners don't mind if people like us stop to look." Randhir managed to distract them by stopping before the cheerful tableau to let them admire it. Sanyukta even managed to click pictures on her phone. 

Soon the car turned into a meandering lane lined with heritage villas that looked like they could could be in Goa, they were so out of place in the sprawling concrete jungle of Mumbai. They stopped before a house that was painted white and had a baked tile roof. Randhir dialled someone's number, informing the person that they had arrived. By the time he led Anju and Sanyukta toward the gate they could see a lady with white hair approaching them and they could hear a dog bark somewhere in the neighbourhood.

"Welcome, all of you!" As the graceful old lady came forward to receive them Anju recognised her and was pleasantly shocked, to say the least. "Mrs Faria, what a surprise to meet you after so long!" The two hugged each other affectionately. "Anju, my dear, I am equally happy to meet you after all these years. And we owe it to this young man." Mrs Faria shook hands with Randhir who introduced himself as the son of Harsh Shekhawat. 

"Yes, I remember you, and this must be your daughter!" The lady greeted Sanyukta who stepped forward as her mother introduced her. "This is Sanyukta, these children were little when you left Goa for Mumbai. Sanyukta, this is Mrs. Isabel Faria, my mentor and supervisor when I started teaching. She retired while you were still in kindergarten!" Anju explained.

"I know you very well, Mrs Faria, although you did not teach me. Dad talks about you often, in fact he is quite a fan!" Randhir grinned at their hostess as she led them indoors. 

"Of course, how can I forget Harsh, he was most charming even while he was still a schoolboy. And I remember seeing you in school too, a chip off the old block! Hope your parents are well!"

"They are, thank you! Dad is away on a business trip otherwise he'd be happy to come over to pay you a visit. By the way, since we are imposing on you we decided to bring some dinner, hope you won't mind if we eat with you because later we have to drop Sanyukta off to the station." Randhir handed her the bottle of wine and helped carry the dinner to the kitchen.

"Thank you my dear, of course, you must dine with me. Had I known earlier I could have cooked myself but guess you are here on a short schedule. Make yourselves comfortable while I get you some Christmas sweets." As everyone sat down they spotted the Christmas crib depicting the nativity scene. 

"What a lovely crib, Mrs Faria! Mind if I take some pictures!" Sanyukta asked. She had no idea Christmas was so festive in Mumbai, The whole lane housed Catholic families and their decoration reminded her of Goa.

"Not at all, go ahead!" Mrs Faria said as she emerged with a tray laden with assorted Christmas sweets. "Please help yourselves, everything is homemade though I must admit my domestic Maria did most of the work. I am not getting any younger, you see!" She smiled as she sat down beside them.

The Christmas Kuswar was something that Sanyukta looked forward to eagerly each year. They could see date rolls, nankhatai, kulkuls, guava cheese among other sweets. Randhir picked up a piece of milk cream fudge and bit into it. 

"Heavenly!" He remarked, encouraging Sanyukta to try some. "This is really yummy!" She agreed with him.

"Oh it is just condensed milk, cashewnuts and butter. I'll share my recipe with Anju, it is really simple to make. Have some more sweets, children!" She offered generously.

"We'll save your plum cake for after dinner, Mrs Faria, it looks really scrumptious! If you don't mind I'd like to take Sanyukta over to see Mount Mary Church. We have some time before dinner. We'll leave the car here and take a rickshaw so we can get back quickly!" Randhir looked hopefully at the two women.

"Why not! Anju will help me get the dinner on the table so that we can eat as soon as you return. Sanyukta needs Mother Mary's blessings since she is writing Class 12 exams! Let the children go ahead Anju, meanwhile we'll make a salad. I've made soup and dessert and our main course is ready too. Don't be too long, children!" She said as they left.

"That was some fast thinking, Randhir, you really have a super computer for a brain! Thank you, I never thought I'd see Mount Mary so soon again after you pointed it out yesterday. " Sanyukta trilled happily as the rickshaw passed through more winding lanes before they arrived at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount. 

"I saw you admiring it yesterday. The place is steeped in history. The statue of Mary outside the church dates back to the 16th century. The church itself has been attacked twice, once in 1700 when Arab pirates raided it and again in 1738 when the Marathas attacked Portuguese establishments in Bombay and Bassein. Currently the shrine is a seat of syncretic worship and people of all faiths frequent it. The Marathi speaking Hindu Koli fisherfolk gave the statue the name Mot Mauli (Pearl Mother)!" He said as he led her indoors. 

The interiors of the church were really serene just like in many heritage shrines. As they sat down on one of the pews Sanyukta bowed her head and muttered a silent prayer. Since this was a house of worship it was not appropriate to take pictures so they simply looked around appreciating the art and architecture. "Earlier you could see the Arabian sea clearly before the cluster of tall buildings obscured the view." He told her as they descended the hillock on which the church stood. "The annual fair in September draws hundreds of people but it is better to come here when not many people are around!" Randhir found them another rickshaw and the were back within minutes.

"Just in time children, let's sit down to eat! You don't want to be late for your train!" Mrs Faria had their meal set for them. They began with cream of pumpkin soup and moved on to roast chicken and vegetables that Randhir got. Mrs Faria offered them gravy and sauce along with the large salad Anju had helped her prepare. Randhir and Sanyukta ate hungrily while the ladies chose lighter portions. They had declined the offer for drinks since Randhir had to drive, Anju did not drink and Sanyukta was officially not supposed to!

"I am so glad to have you with me today. I hardly get visitors these days. When Alfred was alive this house was always buzzing, now everyone's lives are so busy I only get phone calls and messages!" Mrs Faria shared her peeve, like the other people of her generation. "Anju, you must visit again before you return to Goa. And make sure to spend some more time unlike today!" "Sure Mrs Faria, I will definitely visit you again! I am so happy Randhir helped us reconnect!" Anju gave Randhir an appreciative nod. 

After the main course Mrs Faria insisted that they try her Alle Belle, pancakes filled with coconut and jaggery. Since everyone was feeling full they cut the pancakes into halves. Seeing them struggle to finish the dessert Mrs Faria packed the remaining pancakes, plum cake and other Christmas goodies into three parcels, one each for her guests.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs Faria! This is an evening to remember for all of us!" Anju had fond memories of the years she spent with her mentor who was sympathetic about the drifting apart of Anju and Harsh. Mrs Faria was discreet enough not to bring it up into discussion. Just before leaving Randhir and Sanyukta thanked her profusely.

As she stood at the door Anju and Sanyukta continued to wave at her from the car until she disappeared from view. Luckily Randhir knew the shortcuts to avoid traffic bottlenecks and they arrived at Dadar well before the arrival of the train. As Randhir parked the car Anju bought platform tickets so they could see Sanyukta off personally. They made their way to the platform and Anju was back to being the concerned mother.

"Sanyu, please stay focused on your studies! And eat only home cooked meals until you finish your exams!"

"Yes, Ma! Don't worry!"

"And don't go looking for trouble. I'll call you everyday. Meanwhile let me know immediately if you face any problem. I'll get back in time before your exams!"

"I know Ma, take care of your health! I'll call you as soon as I get home! Love you!"

Just then the train pulled into the station. Mother and daughter hugged each other quickly and Randhir gave Sanyukta a friendly pat on the back. After she boarded the train Sanyukta located her berth and waved out to Anju and Randhir. "Parth will pick you up at Karmali station, I've asked him to be there by 9.15 am, call me if you face any issues!" Randhir shouted out instructions as the train started to move. They waited until the train had left the platform before walking back to the car.

Randhir took the highway once more on the return trip. While he was busy driving Anju was lost in thought. She was glad Sanyukta has listened to Randhir and came over to Mumbai to spend time with her. She missed her daughter and felt guilty about having left her home alone in such a decisive academic year. 

"She'll be fine, don't worry. She's strong, just like you!" Randhir said, reading the mother's thoughts. "I sure hope so! I am grateful to Harsh and you for everything, Randhir! You've made things easier for me!" She thanked him genuinely.

"Happy to help anytime! We are here, I'll take your leave now!" Randhir said politely and waited until Anju entered the elevator before he drove off. On the train Sanyukta gushed over how the evening had turned out. She flipped through the recent memories captured by her phone camera. Keep your wishes simple and they are likely to be granted, she had read somewhere. She had remembered those words while praying that evening. She had asked for blessings for her mother and for the man whose presence meant everything to her.