"Umm, we can leave the room to allow you some privacy if you have to nurse her!" Sanyukta, clad in her night clothes, tried to gather a sleepy K2 in her arms when she noticed Vidushi prepare to breastfeed Megami.

"No, please stay!" Vidushi urged her. Sanyukta and Suketu staying the night with Vidushi in Randhir's guest bedroom was part of the pyjama party plan.

"Chachi, Megu is a big girl now. Why does she still have mother's milk?" K2 asked. Like any child unconcerned about social mores he worded out the first doubt that came to his mind as he watched Megami latch on to her mother's breast eagerly.

"K2, it is not proper to ask this. And look away when Chachi is nursing!" Sanyukta was slightly embarrassed by her son's natural curiosity.

"No K2, it is fine. It is perfectly natural for a mother to feed her baby. Only grown ups feel uncomfortable at the sight. Do you think a mother should be keep of sight when she is nursing?" Vidushi smiled to see the earnestness on his face.

"I don't know, Chachi!" K2 was still brooding over why Megami needed to have mother's milk when she had shared grown up food earlier. Vidushi sensed that.

"K2, I once read in a research paper that the longer babies are breastfeed the more intelligent they are likely to be as adults. And the act of nursing is comforting to the mother and child. It helps them bond and has a calming effect on both!" Vidushi elaborated.

"I agree, Bambi, it is a wonderful feeling! But Vidushi, how will you cope when you fly to the US?" Sanyukta asked. 

"I know, Abby! I'll probably need pills to stop lactating, it will be difficult to stop abruptly. But I am not taking the pills yet, until I leave I want my baby to enjoy her privilege!" Vidushi sighed.

"Frankly, you should not go at all! Maybe Parth can come back instead!" Sanyukta was not sure it was ideal for Megami to be away from her parents.

"Let's not go there, Abby! We've talked it through. Randhir needs to be away from the US right now, while Parth and I take his place instead." Vidushi realised that her baby had fallen asleep. She placed her in the baby cot and settled comfortably in bed next to a very drowsy K2.

"I know, he needs to take care of his most recent venture, but still....." Sanyukta hesitated, she was not sure she wanted to bring Randhir back into the conversation.

"Yes, Randhir is an engineer. Parth and I do not understand technology as well as he does. But that is not the only reason he needs to be here. I am going to frank, but things just did not go as planned between Nicole and him. Rumour has it that they are on a break, but actually she has begun a relationship with another man, and Randhir simply rearranged his priorities by embarking on the start up." Vidushi ruffled K2's hair affectionately.

"Vidushi, I don't understand. They were perfect for each other, what could possibly have gone wrong?" Sanyukta had wanted to know the reason but had not dared ask anyone else directly.

"They were a perfectly arranged match. But sometimes things are not meant to be. Yes, Nicole was quite taken up by him initially, and the truth it, he did try to make it work. But when two people eventually realise that they are not cut out to be together it is hard to go on pretending. I am sure you understand!" Vidushi was hinting at the lack of compatibility between Sanyukta and Vishad without saying it aloud.

"So does that not mean that it is an open field for him now?" Sanyukta almost whispered.

"Of course it is, but I guess he is being cautious and has decided to focus on his job right now. You never know when another woman may show up as a blip on his radar though. He's a rather attractive wealthy young man! And I pray that he does not have to wait too long for the right one!" It was important for Vidushi to study Sanyukta's reaction as she spoke.

"Vidushi, why did he set up home here? He could have found a much better place for himself. You see, I have struggled a lot to build this little nest for K2. And if Randhir's Mom finds out that he has moved in next door to me there will surely be a fiasco! Vidushi, I am wary of getting entangled into their already complicated family matters! I am not sure about how I should proceed!" Sanyukta did not understand what was making her open up to Vidushi.

"At the end of the day Randhir is a businessman. He is cautious about his money. Yes, he could have shared his parent's apartment  but he is used to living independently, and he wanted a place of his own. The house next door to you was a bargain, it cost him far less than a he'd have to spend on a more exclusive address. As his business is new he'd much rather invest the money where it is needed more. If I were you I would not worry. Randhir has moved in next door to you as a matter of convenience. And Mom is unlikely to return to Mumbai in the near future. She does not want her rift with Dad to become public knowledge." Vidushi could not possibly tell Sanyukta the whole truth, she just told her what she had to know.

By now even Suketu was fast asleep and Sanyukta covered him with his favourite blanket.

"I hope you are not feeling sleepy yet. I want to show you something!" Vidushi said excitedly as she rummaged through the wardrobe till she found what she was looking for.

"What do you think? I got the range- from classy to racy! Just could not resist! Mind you the fabric is a blend of cotton and silk, not nylon 6.6! " Vidushi squealed as she held up the new lingerie she bought in preparation for her trip to the US.

"Vidushi, I don't know what to say, I have no perspective here! It is sure to look good on you!" Sanyukta was tongue tied. She had only seen lingerie worn by professional models in the glossies. Personally she had neither the money nor the urge to splurge on designer underwear.

"Abby, I think we are lucky that nature created our bodies in the feminine form and that lingerie was crafted to make us look alluring. I know what you are thinking, I bought these things because I am going to be with Parth soon. Although you are right, that is not the only reason. I believe that every woman should be proud of her body and nothings gives one more confidence that to keep fit and look good all the time." Vidushi twirled around before the mirror admiring her flat stomach and her curves.

"Frankly, Vidushi, I have never entertained such thoughts. Maybe because my mother was a single parent and I had never hung out with girls as I was growing up!" Sanyukta sighed as she recalled how, until she had discovered that she had been attracted to Randhir she had never come to terms with her desires.

"Here, this is for you!" Vidushi handed her a set of fine black lace lingerie in her size. 

"Vidushi, who am I going to wear this for?" Sanyukta tried to hand the bag back to Vidushi.

"Look at me! You are a young woman, you deserve to live a normal life despite your unusual circumstances. Chances are there will be a man in your life tomorrow, it could either be Vishad or someone else! It is not worth living alone when instead you can enjoy the companionship of someone who wants to be with you. So stop living like a granny, and give life a chance! And just because anyone wears some sexy underwear it does not make them promiscuous. Promise me you will not continue wearing drab unattractive clothes just because you are afraid of being stereotyped as a man eater! If Vishal does not come back you have to start afresh with another man you trust!" Vidushi paused, wondering if she was pushing the envelope far too much!

"Vidushi, my experience with love has been rather sketchy. I don't know if things will ever go the way you suggested. Thank God you are luckier! Parth and you are perfect for each other!" Sanyukta avoided looking at Vidushi as she spoke.

"No, we are not perfect! There are no perfect pairs. Those exist only in romantic novels. I am more aggressive and ambitious than Parth is, he has just learnt to give me the space I need to grow. When we were dating I always thought Randhir was perfect, he was more level-headed than Parth is, and he could have a perfect life. And look at how things panned out for him. If you think you are unlucky in love what do you have to say for Randhir. His first girlfriend became a drug addict, then an escort and then went off and killed herself. Nicole moved on when she realised things were not meant to be with Randhir. That boy has much deeper issues than you, Abby, and I don't hear him complaining! Have patience, good things shall happen sooner than you can imagine them! Come on, let us go off to sleep now, I cannot afford to have dark circles! What will Parth say!" She tidied up everything and switched off the light. Sanyukta had no choice but to fall asleep.

"You should remember to switch your baby cam off, sister-in-law!" Vidushi' s phone glowed with a message from Randhir.

"What the hell, Randhir, were you snooping on us?" Vidushi was alarmed.

"Of course not, and I had switched off the video feed, so don't worry! But the conversation sounded interesting so I was tempted to listen in! If you remember to turn off the baby cam you don't have to worry about any intrusion!" Randhir texted.

"So, what do you think? Is is with anyone else?" Vidushi typed.

"No, she is not, I had her checked out! Do you think it is right to shadow her? I feel like a cur but I have to know the facts before I proceed!" Randhir added.

"As long as you intentions are not dubious there is no harm in probing. But be careful, she may catch up, and  then things may turn awkward!" Vidushi warned.

"Don't worry, I'll handle things discreetly. And it is not as if I have nothing else to do but tail her, so don't worry. Anyway, good night! And my brother is a lucky bast**d if you are flying back with all that lace underwear!" Randhir grinned as he typed.

"Don't worry, I've started your girl on her first pair! Let's hope the collection grows over time!" Vidushi ended the message with a wink emoji.

"Fingers crossed! Signing out!" Randhir set his phone aside and laid back on his pillow. The other side of his bed was rather cold. Not for long, he told himself before getting under the covers!