"Are you feeling unwell? May be you should slow down and focus on your health, Anju!" Harsh's veiled words betrayed his concern for her. Actually he was calling on her for a specific reason. He knew that Sanyukta was working late that evening and as usual, Vishad was out of town for work. No matter how much Harsh tried to rationalise it, the union of Sanyukta and Vishad seemed inconceivable. Harsh knew Tanya since the day she joined the Shekhawat Group. Her break up with Vishad was rather abrupt. In the past he had betrayed Tanya often but she had forgiven him each time. Harsh was determined to get to the bottom of the matter but he had to be cautious. He knew Anju would be uncomfortable, both with his presence, and with having to discuss her daughter's personal life with him. But he had a strong reason, he did not want Sanyukta to end up with a life similar to her mother's. 

Harsh could have called ahead to let Anju know he was paying her a visit but he did not want her to be anxious. For over two decades he had stood aside like a silent sentinel watching her brave tremendous odds in her personal life, trying to bring up her daughter without much help from her abusive spouse. Harsh had refrained from offering assistance overtly because he knew she expected to be left alone. It nullified any chances of friction between Harsh and Renuka and offered Anju the dignity that she valued above anything else.

But Harsh was unprepared for the sight of Anju's tired look and her listless eyes. These were the same eyes that had once sparkled with the anticipation of first love. Her forced smile could not conceal the dark circles set in contrast against her pallid face and her rapidly greying hair.  Moving to Mumbai for her new job and for Sanyukta's education had made her happier but off late clearly either she was neglecting her health or was really stressed. Harsh was shocked and had to try hard to conceal his reaction. He was tempted to reach out, to express how much he really cared about her wellbeing. 

"Hush, Harsh, I am just ageing faster than you are, that's all! And I am feeling perfectly fine,  and I no longer have to worry about getting Sanyukta married to a suitable boy. I trust you will look out for her, just like you watch over Randhir, Parth and Vidushi, being the head of the family. Now I can really shift my focus to my work." The smile did not leave her face but Harsh was perceptive enough to know that she had failed to mention Renuka and Vishad among the others. The seeds of doubt had first been sowed in his mind as soon as he heard about the hush hush wedding and the unusual living arrangement of Sanyukta and Vishad post-marriage aroused more suspicion.

"Fine, I'll take your word for it. Look, I am hungry, and I am certain you have not made any dinner yet. Go change your clothes, we are going out for a bite." He declared without warning, and was amused to see a change in her expression.

"Oh, how silly of me, I should have known! Just give me a minute, I'll rustle up something quickly!" She stood up, making her way to the kitchen.

"Hold on, I meant what I said! I don't want you to cook. We are going out to eat like a couple of normal adults. Now that we are related it is perfectly in order for us to sit down and make conversation while someone else takes the effort to put a meal together for us. We are not teenagers in college anymore so don't worry, this is not a date. And if you don't mind we have to get there before they run out of food, so change already!" He said firmly, without leaving her any option.

Within a few minutes they were ordering, at her request, a simple vegetarian meal. Harsh would have loved taking her out to a fancier place but he wanted her to feel comfortable. After she had overcome her reservations she spoke animatedly about how she had a motivated team of enthusiastic young teachers who were doing an excellent job at the school. Harsh smiled to see her childlike eagerness as she spoke. He could not reveal that he already knew everything she was telling him because the bursar was his man and gave him regular feedback about the goings-on in the school. Of course the man did not know about Harsh's personal interest in Anju and so had not reported about her recent health status. 

"I know you have something on your mind, Harsh! And I have a feeling it concerns Sanyukta!" Anju brought up what he had been seeking to clarify. He could see that it was affecting her too, she was not close to anyone in whom she could confide. Years of managing a business empire had toughened Harsh but the guilt which he had repressed was now rekindled. It hurt him to see how lonely she had become even when she was surrounded by people around her.

"I want to know everything about this court marriage. Don't hold back anything. Trust me, this is very important or else I would not be here." Harsh looked at her directly.

"What's to tell! You know as much as I do. She has been rather uncommunicative after Parth's wedding. I tried to probe but she just began taking on extra work after her day at the hospital to avoid any discussion. It was not as if they were dating, because if they had I would know. There were no signs at all and one day she got him home and simply declared that they had gotten married in court. Your nephew is such a smooth talker I could not register any protest, the way he convinced me he promised to take full responsibility for Sanyukta in a couple of months, stating that he was too occupied with his professional responsibilities at that moment. When I asked them why they rushed through things and avoided confiding into us they just said they wanted a glitch-free marriage, without any hassles from the family." Anju's pain was evident in her confession. While it was not really a betrayal she wished her daughter had found her more trustworthy. She was still unsure if Sanyukta and Vishad had fallen in love or if it was just a hasty, impulsive decision. The stress was beginning to take its toll on Anju.

"I wish things were so simple, Anju. This has Renuka's signature all over it. Just like she played on your insecurities and separated us." Harsh blurted out suddenly and Anju was taken aback.

"What do you mean?  Harsh, it was my decision to walk away from you, not Renuka's. She was a better match to you any day. She has a lion's share in your achievements, it is not fair to accuse her so. And are you suggesting that Anju encouraged Sanyukta and Vishad to marry? Why would she do that? As far as I know she would never entertain the idea of Sanyu entering your family. What does she have to achieve by getting them married?" Anju sounded agitated.

"I am not sure yet but I am sure we are missing something here." Harsh has a hunch but he did not want to share it yet. He had to be certain about the facts. 

"Is there something serious, Harsh? I am so worried. This concerns my daughter's future. Please tell me everything is ok!" The mother in her wanted an assurance from him.

"Rest assured Anju, the marriage registration was authentic, my lawyers had it verified. And I will do everything possible to protect Sanyukta. She may not be my child but she is certainly yours, and that is reason enough. She will always be my responsibility and I will make sure she lacks nothing. Here's what I am planning. I want to formalise their union, they have played this hide and seek long enough. She is a Shekhawat now. Next week we will bring her home to Goa for a proper griha pravesh. This will be followed by a reception on our lawns. It is her privilege to live as a member of the household now that she is officially our daughter-in-law. The entire family will be there. And so shall you!" Harsh knew Anju was unprepared for what he had suggested but this was necessary. He had to know whether this marriage was genuine or a sham orchestrated by Renuka.

"But Harsh, how can I....." Her words were barely uttered when he interrupted.

"Wake up and smell the coffee, Anju. Your little fledgling has declared that she is prepared to leave her mother's nest. Her leaving you is inevitable, I am just setting a date. And if she is one of ours so are you close to us, as the mother of the bride. Do you want tongues to wag in Goa if you are found missing from your own daughter's wedding celebration? I have already made the arrangements, your flight tickets will be emailed to you shortly. Come on, we are done here, let me drop you home before Sanyukta returns from work." He said as he asked for the check.

Harsh wanted to have some food packed for Sanyukta but Anju declined saying it would be best if her daughter did not know that she had met Harsh for dinner. Soon they were on their way to drop Anju. Harsh's car stereo played their favourite retro songs from the playlist he had customised. This music was special to both of them, it had connected them during their college days.

"Thank you for everything, Harsh. Please just look after my child. God knows she has seen enough since she was a mere toddler!" Anju was emotional. A mother never ceased caring.

"Only if you promise me to look after yourself. In a parallel universe our story may have played out differently. Look Anju, I am not going to pretend anymore. I care more about your well being than you do yourself. This is not right. Don't put me through this agony, we are going to put you through a complete medical scanner as soon as we wrap up the celebrations planned. And I am not taking no for an answer!" Harsh sighed. He wished he never had reason to worry.

"And I must remind you again that you are a family man happily married to Renuka. It is not appropriate for you to show such concern about me. I will come to Goa but shall stay in my own place during the time. And I shall head back as soon as the event is over!" Anju said firmly.

"I am fully aware of my marital status, as I am of the fact that I have no right over you whatsoever. All I am asking is for you to guard your health long enough to enjoy the company of your grandchildren. Do you want your daughter to put her marital bliss aside and switch to nursing you on the sickbed? Give that girl a chance to enjoy her life, and handle your own more responsibly, for crying out loud! I have better things to do than to fight with a stubborn headstrong woman such as you!" Harsh summed up his thoughts.

"I cannot believe you are scolding as if I were a little kid!" Anju chuckled.

"If you were that small, I'd put you across my knee and spank you! But you are just a boring old marton used to disciplining those poor school kids!" He joined her in laughter.

"I am sure you don't talk to you wife so casually!" She immediately regretted those words as she spoke them. She had never crossed that line before. There was silence in the car after she apologised. Harsh pulled in into her driveway.

"No, I don't speak to her this way. Because unlike you, she has not been my friend!" Harsh saw her eyes mist up as she grabbed her bag and opened the car door.

"Goodbye Harsh, thank you for dinner! I will see you in Goa!" Anju escaped before she could let him see her tears. She did not know what was more difficult to live with, the thought that once when she could have had everything she threw the chance away or that the old love was just a social barrier away and her principles would not let her cross it. Her hope for Sanyukta's future was pinned on her acceptance among the Shekhawats. Anju could not afford to walk on eggshells. She had to be discreet and keep her distance from Harsh even if being in his company had dispelled the clouds of depression for a few fleeting moments. There was too much at stake. She wiped her tears and let herself into the house. She was glad Sanyu was not home still, it would be hard to explain why she had been crying.