The week that went by had not been easy for the mother and daughter duo. While still in Mumbai they had applied for leave from work. Then there was the hectic packing before they boarded the flight to Goa. 

As expected Anju had insisted on staying at her own place in Goa.  The throbbing headaches had begun soon after her daughter unexpectedly brought home a rather unlikely husband. Attributing her discomfort to stress Anju resorted to taking painkillers but chose not to mention anything to her daughter. And Sanyukta was too preoccupied with the extra work she took on to notice her mother's condition.

On the day set aside for her daughter's Griha Pravesh Anju rose early and gulped a pill to deal with the now familiar headache. She pushed her apprehension aside, bathed and prepared her daughter's favourite breakfast. Both women ate in silence, each battling a different storm in their respective minds. 

"Why did you get me such an expensive saree, Ma?" Sanyukta whined, as her fingers listlessly caressed the silken tassels at the end of the orange and silver kanjeevaram. Anju helped drape her saree and adorned her with gold jewellery appropriate for the occasion. 

"Because you short changed me by eloping with Vishad and I missed the opportunity then. It is tradition to dress up the bride when she leaves her parental home formally. What will people say if you go there looking like you are on your way to work? Now stand still while I pin these in your hair!" Anju commanded.

"No flowers, please Ma!" Sanyukta protested. 

"My dear child, this ordinary strand of aboli is a metaphor for your bond with your humble mother! You may have married into an affluent family but these flowers shall serve as a reminder that no matter how high you fly tomorrow, your feet, like the aboli bush, must remain firmly on the ground! That is where people like us belong! I don't have to warn you that apart from Harsh the Shekhawats may not exactly welcome you with open arms, because we are not their equals. But as long as you keep your dignity and not let yourself be provoked you should be fine!" The counseling was very essential.

"I know there will be drama, Ma!" Sanyukta hugged Anju desperately, hoping that a miracle could somehow turn the clock back two month in time. Already the thought of crossing that threshold was making her feel uneasy. How she had longed to breeze into that home once, hoping to have her name linked to a man she could no longer hope to have, now that she had wrecked the chance by marrying his bitter rival Vishad.

"I am not taking all my stuff, Ma! By the end of this week I have to fly back to Mumbai with you!" She sulked.

"Normal couples plan a honeymoon after their wedding and you want to get back to work so quickly? Why can't you be like your peers?" Anju knew her Sanyu had been brought up differently from the other girls of her age, perhaps it was time for her to start living more like them.

"I know that you never went on a honeymoon. Despite an unhappy marriage you lived a balanced life against all odds. There could be no better role model for me. Why should I emulate anyone else? But Ma, I must ask you something important once again. Have you really no regrets about letting go of the one you cared about so much?" She had heard the answer before and yet it had not been convincing enough.

"Being in love and being in possession of your love are disparate from each other. The human heart is selfish, it does not easily let go of the one it claims. Pining for someone is just a natural emotional response. But it would be a bigger disappointment to end up with that person and later realise that one was not good enough for them. As time goes by one learns to train the mind to stop craving for the physical manifestation of romantic love. The other person's happiness offers greater gratification. But you should not worry, you have chosen the man you wanted to be with, there cannot be a better beginning for married life." Anju kissed her on the forehead reassuringly and Sanyukta forced a smile. 

"Ma, I think you should have found someone else to share your life with. Was that not the most viable alternative?" Sanyukta could not reveal that she was seeking answers to some unspoken questions. She decided to skirt around the issue.

"Maybe I was too old-fashioned. Yes, moving on is the most sensible thing to do. But I had you to share my life with so I did not need anyone else. Bringing up a child brought me greater fulfilment!" It was the truth, or at least she was convinced of it.

"And if you did not have a child to bring up? Would you have considered finding love again?" Sanyukta persisted.

"How can I answer so many if-then questions? All I know is that most lives do not unfold like a fairytale. Imperfection is more commonplace and still people manage to be content. You may call it being vapid, but life is less complicated if one is more pragmatic!" Anju was interrupted by the sound of a car stopping before their home. She went forward to open the door and saw a smiling Harsh emerge from the car and walk toward her, his arms filled with gifts for Anju and Sanyukta.

"I am afraid my dear nephew has been engaged at home in some meaningless rituals by his aunt. So I am here to accompany your daughter and you into our humble abode!" Harsh declared, still smiling. Humble abode, indeed, thought Sanyukta! The sheer grandeur of that classy mansion was downright intimidating. 

 Anju immediately declined the invitation to attend citing tradition, as the bride's mother was not expected to escort her daughter to her marital home. But of course the Shekhawat family knew how uncomfortable Anju would be at the prospect of stepping onto Renuka's turf, no matter how cordially Harsh behaved with her. 

"You cannot stay away from us forever! Your child belongs there now, and you are welcome to visit her anytime you wish!" Harsh said generously.

"Maybe later when she settles down a bit." Anju offered Harsh some of his favourite coffee and he accepted at once.

"Please Harsh, be there by her side, it will help soothe her nerves. She has been jittery even if she tries to hide it." Anju whispered to him as Sanyukta went into her room to get her bag.

"She is not going to prison, Anju! You need to calm down. She is a sensible girl, I am sure she will stand up for herself better than you ever did! Did she not marry by choice? Not that I am picking on you!" Harsh paused as Sanyukta emerged. She hugged her mother once more.

"Will you be ok, Ma? I have to leave now!" It was hard for her to keep her real feelings bottled up. But she also had to be strong, both for her mother and for herself.

"I will be fine, and I am just a block or two away!" Anju walked her to the car and waited till Harsh and Sanyukta had driven off. She had managed to hold on to her tears until then somehow but now they flowed freely. Something in her daughter's demeanour had made her feel uneasy and she fervently hoped that her child would have a better life than she did.

Sanyukta's anxiety mounted as the car pulled into the Shekhawat driveway. The place was modestly but tastefully decorated to receive the new entrant. Harsh had called ahead and Sanyukta spotted Anju, Vidushi and Parth at the door. Vidushi had an aarti salver in her hand.

"Welcome to your new home, Sanyukta! Step this way and tip the measure of rice!" Renuka's tone was deceptively cordial but the smile did not reach her eyes. As she was offered a traditional welcome Sanyukta's eyes remained glued to the ground, she could not bear to look at the one she had offended with what had been perceived as a calculated move.

Without actually looking she became aware of the goings on inside. She was led to the puja set up and took her seat next to Vishad who looked roguishly handsome in a raw silk kurta. She could feel Randhir's glare without glancing at him. Without a word she mutely followed the priest's instructions to complete the obligatory rituals.

A simple vegetarian meal awaited them in the dining room and Renuka as well as Vidushi fed the bridal couple sweets when the family sat down to have lunch. Sanyukta ate just enough to avoid scrutiny and when they had finished Randhir greeted Vishad and her formally before going back to his room. Soon the rest of the family followed suit. Even Vishad led her into his bedroom.

"Why don't you unpack and settle in? You can take a nap if you want, I have to meet someone for work. See you in the evening!" He bid her a quick goodbye before she could react. Sanyukta did not bother to unpack her bag but changed into a salwar kameez for the sake of comfort. She knew Vishad was not coming back anytime soon. If they continued to stay this way it would become obvious to the family that there was hardly anything marital about their relationship.

In an effort to unburden her conscience she strolled toward the spot on the familiar terrace where she had spent some pristine moments a few summers ago. This is where she had spotted the milky white moon moth when she had been spending those dreamy nights in Randhir's bed. And now her karma had estranged her from him irreparably. She stole a look and realised that his door was bolted shut, there was no sign of movement inside. 

Feeling thoroughly depressed she reached for her phone and dialled her mother's number. She had to redial a couple of times before Anju answered.

"Sorry, my dear, I was just taking a nap because my head felt a bit heavy. That's all!" Anju lied. She did not want Sanyukta to worry.

  "Listen Ma, I am coming over just now! I need to be sure you are actually unwell and that this is not just a ruse for keeping away from the Shekhawats. And if you are really ill we better rush you to the doctor!" Sanyukta tried to keep the anxiety out of her tone.  

"Absolutely not! I am perfectly fine. Stop overreacting. You are a doctor too, remember? I can take care of myself, just feeling a bit tired. A good nap and later a warm cup of coffee is just what I need!" Anju's tone was soothing.

"I hope you are not trying to avoid me for some reason! Promise me you will never try to push me away this way!" Tears choked Sanyukta's voice.

"Save your care for the times when you come back to meet me! It is not proper for you to leave that home until after the reception. It may send a wrong message to the family!" Anju managed to convince her daughter that she was well and that she was looking forward to the grand reception planned for the next day. It was important to keep up with appearances for the sake of Sanyukta's happiness.