Randhir's body clock followed a precise circadian rhythm owing to his fastidious routine. Rising early, he switched on his bedside lamp to avoid disturbing the sleeping Sanyukta. Before falling asleep the previous night he had gently slid himself out of her embrace and placed a pillow in her arms to ensure that she felt secure enough to sleep well, before moving himself onto the couch. Not that he did not trust himself, but she was drunk and vulnerable and had shown nascent signs of sensuality which he had artfully dodged. He could never forgive himself had he done anything inappropriate with her, not only was she still a minor but also because her mother had bestowed her responsibility on his father and him, and he could never betray that trust. While his mind firmly curbed his actions his eyes wandered to her sleeping form. She looked angelic, buried into the pillow she swaddled firmly in her arms, her thick hair falling into careless wisps over her back and her face, tempting him to set it into place. Checking himself yet again he made his way to the bathroom to freshen up before embarking on his morning fitness routine. 

Today he decided to jog on the beach, the cool sea breeze ruffling his hair as his feet traversed over the soft sand even as snippets from the previous night still flashing in his mind. Over the weekend, in her inebriated state she had opened up to him, he knew she had let him onto her most hidden secrets involving her abusive father, about the unrequited love between Anju and Harsh, her attachment for Harsh and finally her attraction to Randhir. He was aware that infatuation was a rite of passage for any teen of her age, and she was no different. She would grow up and start dating boys soon enough, and Randhir would remain an unattainable crush for her, may be she would get over him when she found herself a boyfriend. He turned around, starting toward the house. Bumping into the gardener he asked him if her tale of the mongoose and the tailorbirds was true. The gardener expressed surprise at Randhir's question, he had always known him as to be a dedicated businessman in the making, poring over accounts and reports. Yes, the garden was an Eden for many such feral denizens, both feathered and furred, was the reply. She knows my home ground better than me, Randhir thought.

He crept back into his bedroom and saw that the bed was empty, she must have gotten up while he was gone. He walked out on the sundeck on just a whim to glance at a sight he had never witnessed before. There she was in the pool, clad in a bright red costume, graceful as a mermaid as she swam without any inhibitions. After some time she clambered out of the pool, her wet body and her dripping tresses gleaming in the early morning sun as she made her way indoors, her hips swaying gently. He ducked just before she could look up and spot him, and he gingerly made his way to his bathroom for a shower. Seeing her rise out of the pool had filled his head with unchaste thoughts, and he took really long, much longer than usual to emerge from his bath, hating Parth as he imagined what a good time he must have had at night with Vidushi for company. After getting dressed for work he instinctively knocked on the guest bedroom door. Getting no reply he opened the door and peeped in and was hardly surprised to see that the bed had not been slept in.

Feeling just a touch jealous he made his way downstairs for breakfast, amazed to see it already set with an Arab spread, including hummus, labneh or whipped hung curd with toasted pita chips, a salad and an egg dish which he recognised as shakshouka. "Good Morning, sit down and eat before the eggs go cold!" She mouthed as she gestured him to sit down, pouring him a glass of papaya juice. "How much do you hang out with the Israeli hippies on the beaches? He asked her sarcastically. "Just enough to grow accustomed to their food, but not enough to join them on their karma kosher trail in a cloud of hashish smoke." Pat came her reply. "Where did you get hold of these ingredients?" He asked, actually curious. "Think you should know, your pantry is well-stocked. I just rummaged and put this together, besides, Geeta masi helped." She informed him, referring to the house help. "Well, this food is great, beyond expectations. But you don't need to cook or do anything else around the house." He said generously. "Randhir, Mom was very clear, no free lunch for me. I have to do my bit, and in any case, my shenanigans landed me in this situation so let me do my penance. I also made avocado and chicken sandwiches for lunch. " She said. 

"You are really fast!" The compliment was genuine. "Thanks, and I am also quite talented!" She added. His face broke into a grin as he turned away from her. Fast and talented, right, that's why I took so long in the shower, baby, his mind taunted her within his head as he recalled her drunken antics. He tried to remember what she looked like undressed, he had barely noticed then. Dagnabbit Randhir, get a grip, man! She's just a kid, his mind argued and he almost kicked himself. Besides, she was going to work with him at close quarters over the next few weeks, he could not afford to fantasize over a teenage intern, even if she had slept in his room for two nights and had been willing to be seduced in her drunkenness. "I'll wait for you in the car, hurry up!" He reminded her. "Can we ride in the BMW?" She pleaded. "Why, what's wrong with my car?" He was taken aback. "Because that was the car I vandalised and also because I am less likely to step on a discarded condom in your father's car!"The words just slipped off her lips, she had not meant to be bitchy. 

"Gosh, you are still jealous! Sorry, the discarded condom must be Parth's, I don't use any!" He smirked his best smirk to see her face turn red. "You mean you don't use protection?" She squeaked. "No, it means I don't believe in hitting a home run in a vehicle, did you really think I'm that cheap?" He was enjoying this. She was quite confused now, did he mean he did not sleep around or that he just did not go for it in a car? Let the girl stew in her own cauldron, this is way too much fun, he decided! She sat in stone-faced silence as his grin refused to be wiped off his face as he drove them in his own car, happily ignoring her request for a change of transportation. She sulked until she stepped into the office while he went to park the car. A gloriously pregnant Nafisa greeted her with a bright smile as she sat at her desk. Sanyukta cheerfully returned the warm greeting, eager to notch a new milestone in her young life.