It had been a month since Vidushi had joined Parth in the US. Contrary to her apprehensions Megami had adjusted well to her mother's absence. She loved seeing her mother on the screen during video chats and would babble for minutes until a tearful Vidushi disconnected the call.

As Vidushi was out of the country and because Sanyukta had a busy work schedule Harsh spent most of his free time with Megami and Suketu. Between Harsh, Sanyukta, Randhir and nanny the children were secure and content. 

This was a Sunday morning. Sanyukta had to attend to an elderly patient so Randhir and Harsh fixed a quick breakfast for the children, hoping to take the family to the club for lunch where Hetal and Pebbles were expected to join them.

  "I am not allowed to have this, if it has sugar. Sugar is not good for the health!" K2 looked wistfully at the plate set before him by Randhir. He was not sure why sugar was supposed to be bad, he was just repeating what had been drilled into him by his mother.   

"This, my dear boy, is multigrain bread and homemade peanut bread with sliced bananas sandwiched in between. There is no added sugar, so go ahead and enjoy your breakfast with some orange juice!" Harsh explained patiently, while feeding a spoonful of banana to Megami. She was not very happy to sit on her highchair and asked to be carried in her grandfather's arms.

"Nearly everything we eat is converted to a sugar called glucose inside our body. It gives us the energy we need. So sugar is not bad for you unless taken in excess, especially as a part of a junk food diet." Randhir assured K2.

Randhir and Harsh knew why Sanyukta was paranoid about her son's diet. In the last few years of her life Anju's health had been severely impaired because of diabetes. Her death had been rather hard on Sanyukta and she was unwilling to take any chances.

"Why are there fruits inside these ice cream cones?" K2 quizzed, staring at the colourful new poster on Randhir's kitchen wall.

"To remind you that the best things in life are not always filled with added sugar!" Randhir smiled. His plan was working. K2 now loved spending time around his house and consequently with Randhir. To keep his attention riveted Randhir made small additions that would interest the boy, every now and then.

"I only know strawberries, what are these other fruit?" K2 asked.

"Oh, those are blueberries, mulberries and cherries! Would you like to try them, Bambi?" Harsh came into the conversation.

"Sure!" K2 looked interested. He was learning more about the world each day he spent with the Shekhawats.

"Ok then, you must convince your mother to have your passports made so we can take holidays abroad where you can enjoy more of such yummy treats!" Harsh had been waiting for a chance to plant the idea in Suketu's head. That was easier to do than to try and convince Sanyukta.

After he finished breakfast nanny took K2 away for a shower. Randhir tidied up the kitchen. He was fastidious about cleaning and would not stop until the counter sparkled.

"Dad, do you think asking Hetal along is a good idea?" Randhir voiced his doubt softly.

"It is a perfect idea! K2 and Pebbles get along well, Hetal is an amiable and sophisticated girl. And besides, Sanyukta must realise that you are a normal guy. An unattached young man must seek interesting feminine company. Maybe seeing Hetal around you will make Sanyukta realise that she should stop living like a granny. That girl has forgotten how to live, son! And there is no motivator like envy! Just sit back and have a good time just like Hetal does!" Harsh winked at his son.

"And if the plan backfires?" Randhir expressed his doubt.

"What do you have to lose? Surely you are not planning to move in with either woman just yet! Allow time and scope for a healthy competition to grow!" Harsh prepared to go for a shower.

"Hey Abby! We are having so much fun! Why don't you join us?" Hetal called out to Sanyukta as soon as she spotted her. Hetal and Randhir were overseeing Pebbles and K2 while dipping in the pool while Harsh let Megami, secured with buoyant floats, splash around in the water near the shallow end. 

The sun was overhead and Sanyukta squinted in the light, catching a glimpse of the children having a great time. She waved out to Hetal but proceeded  toward their designated table, settling in a comfortable chair, avoiding a glance of Randhir encouraging the children to use their leg and arm muscles optimally. There was no reason for her to disclose the fact that she was on her period and the idea of getting into the water made her feel uncomfortable, even with a tampon on.

She had known Hetal for over two years. Somehow, it made Sanyukta feel uncomfortable to see Hetal in the pool  so close to Randhir. Her eyes were concealed behind sunglasses and she went through her phone messages until the others had emerged from the pool and washed themselves under the outdoor showers. Hetal's well-toned body looked attractive in her black costume, without revealing much. Sanyukta turned her face, she did not want to know if Randhir's eyes were on Hetal at any time. She took a deep breath and reminded herself to mind her own business. 

To distract herself Sanyukta ordered herself some tender coconut water while she dried K2's hair with a thick towel. In a few minutes everyone was dry and changed and they ordered a large pitcher of beer which Sanyukta declined. Instead, she took charge of feeding spoonfuls of baby rice to Megami so the others could enjoy the cold beer. Sanyukta watched from the corner of her eye as Randhir poured some lemonade into Hetal's beer to cut down on the bitterness. Hetal acknowledged him with a charming smile.

"Come on, K2, Pebbles, let's check out the buffet!' Sanyukta beckoned, and the two kids followed her. They were ravenously hungry by then.

"Careful, hold the plates firmly. K2, don't pile so much food at one time. And Pebbles, these noodles contain chicken, you want to grab some pesto pasta instead!" She helped the children choose their lunch while she placed some salad and sprouts on her own.

"Salad again? Try some real food, Abby, today is Sunday! By the way, do you know if Randhir is seeing anyone right now?" Hetal whispered to Sanyukta, as the children were close.

"No Hetal, I don't know anything about that!" The thought of discussing Randhir and his personal life with Hetal made Sanyukta feel uneasy. She could not believe this was happening. And she could not understand why it was affecting her.

"Abby, can we do this every Sunday? Pebbles and I had so much fun today!" K2 looked at his mother with hope in his eyes.

"I agree, we should do this more often! The children had a wonderful time!" Hetal asserted, smiling at Randhir.

"Sure, why not?" Was all Sanyukta could mutter. She stared at her sprouts, taking care not to look up. Harsh exchanged a knowing look with Randhir.

After dropping off Hetal and Pebbles the Shekhawats headed home. Harsh had made it a routine to spend Sunday afternoons in Sanyukta's drawing room where he  watched old classic kids' movies with K2, becoming a child himself. Sometime during the movie both Harsh and K2 would fall asleep on the sofa. This afternoon he asked Randhir to join them to watch The Jungle Book and told Sanyukta to make them some cardamom coffee, just like Anju used.

"Did you know that your mother was called Mowgli when she was a child, after the character in this film?" Harsh told K2, who looked surprised.

"Why were you called Mowgli?" K2 asked his mother, who was taken aback. It had been years since anyone mentioned that name in her context. That was almost like another life, or maybe a previous birth. Sanyukta said nothing, she just continued to stare at the screen.

"Because, just like Mowgli, she was a child of the woods, climbing trees and making friends with animals and birds!" Harsh ruffled K2's hair as he spoke.

"Let me check on Megami!" Sanyukta excused herself and fled the scene, trying to conceal her tears and telling herself that it must be the PMS that was making her hormonal.

"Go after her!" Harsh instructed his son.

Randhir was not sure if it was right to go after Sanyukta. Although logic told him that the discomfiture phase between them was meant to be water under the bridge, he did not know the right way to approach her. He found her checking Megami's diaper.

"I can change her, you go on and relax!" Randhir said, his tone hushed, as Megami was still fast asleep.

"No, she'll be just fine, let her sleep!" Sanyukta replaced Megami' s blanket.

"Wait, don't go. I need some advice!" Randhir said abruptly.

"Advice? What about?" Sanyukta asked.

"About Hetal! I mean, you've known her for some time now!" Randhir's mind was in a whir. He had to play his cards carefully. One wrong move and the damage could be irreversible!

"What do you want to know? As far as I know she is single!" Sanyukta's heart skipped a beat as she uttered those words trying to appear dispassionate.

"I know, she dropped hints. The problem is, I am not ready for a relationship, if that's what she is looking for. Do you think a woman would misunderstand if a guy just wanted to keep things platonic?" Randhir looked at Sanyukta intensely.

"Is there such a thing as a platonic relationship?" Sanyukta looked at him, as if to study his expression.

"Did we not have one, not very long ago?" Randhir had put the ball in her court. It remained to be seen how she would react.