••||••||••

Another hour, despite dirt, bumps and the pathway vertically standing,  Mr Oberoi and me just trekked up the mountain.

Me, a little , huff , out of br puff reathe.

Good thing, I earlier dropped the decision to wear long boots and have wear my most runnable trekking shoes. Which are doing their job well, keeping me ahead.  Although in this hour, it was him sometimes winning. And me... Okay, correction, most of the times he was in front and another few times I was.

Not my fault though. God has given my husband so so long legs that his one step cover with mine two.

However, currently it's me,  few steps ahead of him.

Though my legs are screaming for rest from hours of continuously sprinting, and my lungs, they are begging for mercy as my heart was just beating to get out of chest. But I, didn't stop.

I looked back once more and smiled, seeing him.

There is no way he is going to win this, now. I mentally laughed seeing, Shivaay Singh Oberoi's condition at this moment. He can be so competitive, I never thought but now. Funny him.

Oh, did I miss the little information that how I actually successfully left him behind?

That's the most interesting part!

So, ten minutes back when I saw mandir in my vision, the red flag flying, the end spot of our race, there at that point I got some kids playing.

Cute little kids, who wants nothing but sweets and chocolate and toffee.

The devil side of my mind made me propose a deal to them. I may have agreed to give ample amount of sweets and chocolates, but with just little payment.

Now the payment?

 They have nothing to do with money but just an eazy task. They have to keep certain blue green eyed uncle buzy for fifteen minutes and away from reaching that temple, till I offcourse raise my both hand at them from up there.

And kids, I just love them. Tini mini doing there work with so much determination. I couldn't stop myself from laughing in my this tired situation too, Mr Oberoi was literally stuck as kid held his hands and legs, demanding innocently. Mr Oberoi's expression are sight to watch, neither pushing kids, nor himself could get out. Even tried making poor kids understand and oh his glare once might have scared them off but no, I had before only warned kids, this uncle has natural eyes like this and he only glares when enjoying so much. So, getting encouragement from dear uncle, kids continued their work cheerfully.

"This is so much fun!" I grinned to myself, but soon enough it started to fade, seeing Khanna interrupting the lovely interaction now!

oh damn

Kids looked at me helplessly while my husband followed their line of vision,  and I had to immediately duck down. My husband should never know about this!

shit shit shit, Khanna ji this one time have to look back!

I looked at temple, just five minutes away. And as I looked back, I saw Shivaay trekking double the speed and in between glaring me too.

Don't worry Ani. Don't worry you'll win and you'll make him do that. You have to win this.

I almost ran in my steps. The last hurdle was these stairs and once I complete this, I'll win!

Only point, I sighed, these are like five hundred stairs.

If four hours way can be completed in half the time, so what these stairs are?

Last glance at Shivaay, furiously coming and about to meet me. His glare telling he is so not used to stay behind. Even though in this fun challenge. He will be such a sore loser.

Counting 1, 2, 3

I ran.

I ran up the stairs with whole of my power. Pushing all my energy. And instantly feeling I can do this. And already felt like I have completed two hundred and fifty stairs.

Instead all my hope crumpled down seeing the number fifty at corner of stairs.

Damn! Blast this bloody stairs!

Huffing and massaging my leg I stood straight at corner. I bet my face was already red and this sweat, it feels like I had just come out of shower. It's all worth it though. He is behind me. No matter what he couldn't reach this soon. I guess 10 seconds rest....

"Giving up already?"

The cool voice came from behind, startling me.

"What the..." I looked back and the most thing startled me was how normal he is looking. No red face and neither his breath is uneven nor he is limping.

He had that cruel light shining in his eyes, enjoying my state very much. His forefinger stroked his cheek, "For you, Mrs Oberoi, I assume we can end our race right now here." Lastly adding thoughtfully, "with your defeat."

I stood straight, inhaled deeply and instantly my nostril filled with his enchanting fragrance. I shook my head, no distractions! No Distractions! Looking in his eyes, I narrowed mine, saying confidently, "Why end here? I'm not tired. Perhaps you are tired and want to hide this fact behind your wife's defeat. Hmm hm?"

"Me and tired?" He arrogantly dismissed the point. "it's clear seeing out state, who is tired. And I'm clear winner here ."

"Yeah, you forgot I was the one ahead of you ." I pointed my finger at him.

"I told you I never lose. Your wish. Let's continue." And with that he started walking ahead.

But I who was entirely feeling new energy to get him prove wrong and his ego. I ran on stairs and exhaled.

Beside me people watched as if I am on rampage. Never mind people, this is important.

Fast forward, the last fifty stairs were left for me and far sight I saw Shivaay was about to step on plains.

Dammit. I don't want to do what he wants! I want my wish to get fulfilled! I have a brillliant plan set up!

And when I lose all my hopes, all my expectations from win, my eyes sparkled suddenly watching...

"Uncle, uncle, uncle"

"What the ....you kids again, leave me this instant."

Little kids holding Shivaay's hand and grinning while demanding something again.

These kids.. I could have happy tears just watching them.

I instantly ran half laughing, half hufffing and exhaling and ran and finally reach above, instantly walked briskly to red flag, despite this weird ache to sit down, I went there.

I won.

Yes, I won.

The red flag was long flying atleast twenty feet above me, shadow through wind dancing upon my body. I didn't look anything else but stood there, normalise my breathing before grinning  and looking back down the staircase at Shivaay, who was having very hard time handling the kids.

I called him out loudly, "Mr Oberoi"

He looked this side, just a single rough glance and than looked back at kids and as if he realised where I was his body paused, eyes looking back at me slowly and hard.

I raised both my hands, and kids, a large gang of around ten to fifteen kids came running before Shivaay could interrogate, making noise of excitement and hugged me tightly.

I laughed, "careful kids. Don't get hurt--"

They grinned, "we didn't let uncle reach here."

Shivaay who was just behind them, looked at me sharply, taken aback and almost shocking.

I cleared my throat, looking back at kids, "so, now party time."

I gave them packets of chocolates and sweets I had already bought before for them.

The kids grinned, jumped and excitedly went back to another corner partying.

"So," He gritted out slowly in a deadpan manner, "this was your deed."

I shrugged my shoulder off, innocently asking, "what? What did I do?"

"You..." He pointed finger at me, before taking it back and exhaling a calming breath. "This is cheating. You actually didn't win this challange."

"I won, accept your defeat." I flicked my hair.

"That wasn't fair, Mrs Oberoi. You technically hired innocent kids for your dirty win."

"Oh, husband," I smiled sweetly, before my hands reached out brushing his coat collars and taking him by surprise.

"What are you doing?" He held my hand trying to push them off him.

I corrected his coat, patted lightly the invisible dust and flutter my eyebrows stating looking in his eyes, "Haven't you heard, everything is fair in love and war? And this is most definitely war. I never claimed to play fair."

I smirked, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"So now, you have to do what I'll ask."

He looked at me, as I rubbed my hand clean and grinned thinking how fun it is going to be...oh most definitely. He didn't have any idea what adventurous I have planned.

"You..." He stopped saying, instead asking, "why are you grinning like some evil you are planning?"

I grinned more, innocently. "I?"

"What do you want?" He finally asked, suspicious.

"Oh, I'll tell you. But I think we should first do what we have come for, no?"

He thoughtfully looked at me. Maybe my excitement isn't hidden from him and he maybe guessing what all I could ask. But he gave me a look, and before averting his gaze beside me.

Around us was heavenly beautiful view, the lovely sun and orangish cloudy sky. The place was big. A lot bigger than I thought. The white plain marbel spreaded as far as I can see. The boundary was strong with waist length walls. It was all clean and gave ample amount of immense positive vibes.

In the line of this flag, there is a huge temple ahead. A very huge one indeed. The temple looks like was standing on this longest hill and surrounded by many other hills which adds to it's beauty. There was snow on far off hills, but not here. As Khanna ji came to us, we trio walked towards the temple, initially under open sky, later under the green shed, as again a pair of stairs started.

There was enough space. Like twenty lines can go inside together but later at once, four people were allowed in main darbaar.

Khanna ji went outside the line, ahead of us, talked to staff and instantly, he told us to move ahead, without even standing in line.

"I don't like this at all." I said, as we hurriedly get to walk through the lines. The people in line watching us curiously.

"What?" He asked, walking beside me. 

"Breaking the line and going first as if we're some vip."

"That we're." 

"Still. I feel everyone is equal in temple, no big no poor. This is basically not right. They are here for hours."

"Your thoughts are wise. However if we stood in line it'll take another two hours. And certainly we're tight on time."

I rolled my eyes, walked with him. Our head were covered. Mine with stall, his with hankerchief. As we reached infront of big idol of devi maa, Khanna ji  passed us the necessary items. The fruit basket to Shivaay and red saree and shringar box to me.

I smiled, greeting the pandit ji. He smiled and put teeka on our head, blessing us with holy water. Shivaay too greeted panditji, forwarding the basket. I followed behind, giving pandit ji remaining things.

"Tum prithvi ji ke pote hona" An old pandit who was till now worshipping eyes closed and facing other side, came to us and stared Shivaay intently  with lines forming on head.

Shivaay nodded, and his gaze told me he had identified him. "Namaste Pandit ji."

Pandit ji smiled, coming forward. There was a big silver border that separates public from that side. The pandit came closer and as his height was short and he was about to put hand on Shivaay's head to give his blessing, Shivaay himself bowed his head down.

"You came after a long time son." Pandit ji commented and as his eyes went on me, I greeted him and bowed my head as he blessed me too, "You're married now? Didn't realise when the time flew away and small Shivaay turned so big."

Shivaay smiled. The rare smile he had reserved for certain times. That smile shows millions of memories he has here. He smiled at panditji, nodding.

Pandit ji did pooja, in blessing gave me devi maa's garland which only few lucky people get as maa tells me.

At last when everything was done  and we were allowed to go inside and take blessing of goddess herself near the idol. I didn't wait and went down on my knees and bow down my head on feet of maa.

While praying for wellness for our house and everyone's happiness, I felt a presence beside me bowing down too. Looking from corner my eyes, to my surprise I saw Mr Oberoi praying just like me. Knees crouched on floor, head bowed on floor.

A smile formed on my lips, as I lastly prayed, unknowingly for him.

And as dramatic as this might sound, a marigold flower fell on my head.

I stood up slowly, picking up the flower in my hand. Beside me, I saw a moment later Shivaay stood up straight, forwarding his hand to me.

With one hand, carefully holding the flower, other I slipped into his.

"You're blessed, this flower is a sign of blessing from goddess herself. Your wish will surely got complete."

Pandit told me, smiling as he distributed us the prashad. I looked at flower, enclosing it safely in my fist, before looking at my husband.

He looked at me back, as usual in my eyes, questioningly raising his eyebrows.

"May god bless you with abundance of health, wealth and kids."  

On outisde we both nodded to panditji but kids?

I shook my head, mentally amused as a weird picture just came to my imagination.

In that image, he and I was sitting together eating our breakfast, and suddenly a kid got up, calling him dada and me mama, and that kid was the spitting image of Shivaay. He came up to my crying on his knees, hugged me and glared at his dada.

Funny, the kid against Mr Oberoi.

"Anika?"

I blinked, suddenly noticing my surrounding. When the hell did I come out and even wore my shoes back?

We were standing in middle, outside, the aromatic smell of temple now replaced with fresh cold air. Shivaay was standing beside me, looking at me with a line formed on his forehead.

"Wh..at?" I asked, trying forgetting the imagination I just had. "I'm sorry, I missed out. You were saying?"

He was silent,  analysing me. Suddenly he took my hand, and started pulling me.

Startled, "Hey, where are you taking me?"

But no answer. He pulled me to corner. Where border walls were and looking closely, were there seats for us. When I looked down the wall, man oh man I felt I'll just fell down from here. It's a deep ditch.

"Sit down, and try to relax."

He himself settled down, instructing me.

I frowned, "but I'm fine!"

"Yeah, I can see. If we waited for five more minutes there standing, you might have fallen down."

"Ary" I patted his hand, which were still holding mine. "But what happened? I'm perfectly alright."

He looked at me, telling me. "You were spaced out back there, I have been calling you for five minutes, you didn't answer. You were slow and looking down." He declared, " It's clear sign of dizziness."

"Oh, that" my cheeks turn red. More red as the image of kid came. Now kill me for being an hyper imaginative Aquarius. "I...uh.."

"You're now turning red, and sit straight, don't lean down. Don't faint here, Mrs Oberoi, I have send Khanna to bring something for you."

I controlled my blush and took my hand out of his grasp. "Stop. I'm alright. See," sitting straight and looking in his eyes I stated to him, " Perfectly alright. And strangely, today I didn't even feel hungry. And don't feel it now. And that...I wasn't lost because of feeling low or anything..."

"So?" He questioned, curiously.

"I...uh.." I looked at far away pole behind him.  "Just thinking something that got me buzy."

"What"

Staring him I took a pause. A second later, "That I can't tell you." I shook my head. " It's a very very personal thought."

That kid, cute little. Me and Shivaay? Like that? Bad, Anika! Bad girl! You are in temple right now! Think about good. Something actual good....like food. Yeah tasty food and...

He narrowed his eyes. "You're acting weird today."

"No, I'm not." I said back quickly telling him, "Remember what dadi told you about breaking the fast, with my favourites?

He nodded, "yes. I need to break your fast. Technically, after pooja whatever you get should be okay."

"Nuh." I shook my head. "We're going down, now and we are having my favourite, well let it be a surprise for you."

"Unhealthy food? Isn't it?" He guessed.

I grinned, "aww, how well you know me husband?"

Khanna ji came in time, with polybag of apple and juices hanging. I looked at those bag, looked at Shivaay asking him by my eyes, 'did you really thing these will be my favorite?'

He sighed looking at me and ordered Khanna to distribute them to kids playing other side.

I grin. Our first marital score calculating.
Husband : 0
Wife : 1

"Khanna" Shivaay suddenly called and took single pack of juice, with his eyes on me.

"If you're thinking I'll drink that artificial stuff, than you're wrong."

"We'll go after you drink this."

I shook my head, ready to deny but he beat me, warning "we won't go than."

"I don't like this."

"And I don't like the idea of carrying you all the way."

"I won't..."

"We're not going than."

Glaring at me, he show no sign of backing down. 

"Fine."  In a go that chemical mango flavour savoured my tongue. This all time my husband's eyes were on me. Showing him empty can,  "Now? See it's finished to it's last drop. Can we go now?"

In answer he nodded, walking beside me. In heart, although I felt he was being nice. Does he know it's not his usual trait? Mentally chuckling, I walked lastly looking at side profile of Mr Oberoi.

Going down the hill was eazier than climbing. It was around six, when we reached our street in nick of time. After seeing Khanna ji's guest house door closed and before we could go inside our house. I grabbed Mr Oberoi's hand and took him outside.

"What do you think, you're doing?" Being dragged, hardly, he questioned.

"Offcourse, taking you to market, I got to know there's this cute little restaurant. Remember I'm on fast, you need to break it."

And that shut him up. Now eazy to be dragged, for a second.  Before silently taking his hand back and walking beside me as usual like he owns this road.

Not a long walk later, lines of cafe came to our view.

Hudson Café.

We went inside, the cafe instantly giving us cozy feeling. And it looks like a famous one, seeing the crowd here taking place. We settled down at only available seat for two, the corner one. Window showing town road in it's full glory of evening.

Shivaay talked to manager and as manager seemed to identify him, his eyes widened but before he could scream about this little fact that billioner Shivaay Singh Oberoi is in his little cafe, Shivaay politely warned him to not to utter a world and be discreet about this.

And how polite he can be, we all know.

"So, what do you want to have?" He asked me, correcting the position of fork on plate in front of him.

I rolled my eyes, seeing his OCD effect here also. Seeing the menu, I exaled. "It's too difficult to decide."

"You're having difficulty?" He pointed out. "What about your favourite dishes?"

"Ah," I grinned, "that's the problem, almost everything in here is one of my favourite."

He gave me a disbelief look, before checking his phone once. "Your.... Avantika aunty called me before. You weren't picking her phone up, she was worried."

"Oh." I sat straight, keeping the menu down. "I was about to than dadi's call came, and it just slipped off my mind."

He nodded.

"I'll call maa later."

When the waiter came to take order, I ordered in once, "han ji bhaiya, one chilli tika paneer, half plate dry manchurian, one honey chilli potato, one plate gravy manchurian and fried rice."

Waiter kept writing, Shivaay looked at me blinking.

"And ha, bhaiya one latte at the end."

"Yes madam."

And as he was about to go, I called him back, "Bhaiya where are you going. You didn't take his order."

"My order?" Shivaay asked pointedly.

"Yes, aren't you hungry?"

"No" he shook his head, drinking the water. "I'm alright."

I frowned, "aise kaise alright," I looked at waiter, "do one thing, bring white sauce pasta, and a black coffee."

"Yes mam."

When waiter went away and I turned to look at him, he asked with a crease on his forehead, "how did you know?"

I grinned "your favourites? Kamla amma, told me very first day."

He instead asked, "are you certain you can manage to eat all that you ordered? Because I'm against wasting food."

I frowned. "Offcourse, I can and that makes us two, I also hate those who waste their food." I clicked my tongue, leaned closer to table, asked him, "Why are you surprised?"

Silence, for a moment or two with me staring him, curiously.

"A fashionista, as yourself doesn't seem to be eating without a thought of calories count."

"That's rude, husband. Being prejudice." I raised my brow continuimg, "Besides, models live on smelling food. Like seriously, lives on eating salad everyday of their life. And I, can't even think about living like that. Without food, no way."

"I underestimated and apologize" He sat straight, adding to my surprise "for misjudging you."

"It's fine." I waved my hand. "Apology accepted."

The food arrived shortly. Our table, filled up fully. Even required a extra one. Once food was infront of me, I dig in. Not like an animal, offcourse. But my undivided attention was on food.

"Hm, this manchurian is good, taste it, you'll like it." I told him, raising the tray in air. 

"No thanks. I'm good." He said, eating his own pasta.

"You sure?" The tray was still in air. "Try it, food is amazing here."

"I'm sure." He said and I nodded, realising he isn't Mallika or Ryan with whom sharing food is so natural. Not saying anything else with a casual shrug I was about to take my tray back, meanwhile he added, "but if you're insisting, I can try manchurian and rice."

I smiled, "you're gonna love it."

And he loved it for sure as he filled corner of his plate twice. I had a blast of time. Not talking or anything, but having this delicious meal. Eating chinese in this minus degree gave some unknown pleasure to self. Seeing Mr. Oberoi I can't tell seeing his detached face what he felt but he had that calm eyes that seems the effect of his town.

"Omygod," I leaned back, finishing last spoon of chilli potato. "I'm about to burst out."

Unlike me, he was his usual. "Who asked you to order this much?"

"Not said, I regret it. Also, our coffees must be coming. I have space for that left."

And as if on cue, waiter came with large cup of our coffees.

I chuckled, while seeing my whatsapp messages. "Rudra is complaining you're not taking his calls."

He take a sip of his coffee. "Tell him, I had a talk with his teacher."

"Okay." I typed the message, instantly Rudra sending horrified face and requesting me hard not to tell his Shivaay bhaiya he just complained about him. I chuckled, reading the messages. "He is terrified."

"He should be." With last sip of his coffee, he told me, "we should go now. It's getting dark. We have to give gifts to dadi's friends too. It'll alone take an hour or two."

I nodded and raised my hand for bill. Despite his pressure that it'll be he who is paying the bill, I paid the bill. He may don't like it, but I feel paying own bills gives the feeling of independence and it's a pleasure to feel so.

Seeing Mr Oberoi face, it was clear he is not used to someone else paying the bills. There is this awkwardness his hand felt in putting his card back in pocket unused.

After collecting the bag of gifts on his shoulder, we went on foot along a buzy street. The silence between us, doesn't seem to bother me, instead the chatter around of kids, the bargaining of women with shopkeepers, and old lady whacking his big son made me smile.

While walking to I don't exactly know where, I saw Mr Oberoi slowed his pace at certain turn. Slowly he walked, looking at his side the big house. I frowned, at his sudden change of speed untill I read the name on empty house there 'Shah Nikas'.

Shah. His maternal side.

Silently, I stood beside him, our sides close by observing the beautiful house in front.

"It's your nani's house, isn't?" I break the silence.

He was silent. Not sure if he heard me or not. When I felt no wrds form him came out. He spoke so quietly, "It was."

A small smile played on my lips. "It's beautiful."

In return I felt his gaze on me. No words just his eyes on my side face.  And again we looked at the house. The house which looked like abandoned for years, overed with overgrown grass. 

"Do you want to go inside?" I asked, sideway glancing.

He shook his head,  "No. We should get going... it's already getting late."

I felt the coldness, as it left with his absence of closeness beside me.

We continued walking, Shivaay being more quite than usual. After fifteen minutes, he stopped infront of a cottage home, 'Lady's Territory'

A smile formed on my lips. "So here are dadi's friends?"

He nodded adding, "The home was build by dadaji and nanaji themselves, for helpless women. But dadi and nani looked after it and instantly made everyone their friend."

"That's interesting"

There were around eight ladies living in this small cottage home. All seems to be dadi's age or even older than that. They recognised Shivaay instantly, hugged him and asked him. Seeing me, they instantly forgot Shivaay and asked me all about him and family and dadi. But much more interest in knowing, how I handle my dear husband.

I grinned and laughed with them. We pulled Shivaay's leg so much that after an hour he had gone to talk to administration about some legal work that I don't know. After he went out, one old lady named Rita di, called me with her in kitchen and talked to me. She turns out to be Dadi's best friend. While telling about her young day and problem she had with her in laws, her eyes shone with proud telling me about dadi, how she helped her and other ladies to come out of trauma. Listening to her I saw dadi in new light, and my respect for her increased so much. 

I smiled, hugging her side way, "you're a strong lady Rita di."

She gave me a wrinkly smile, patted my hand, "you're too."

After a moment of silence and while she was cutting the veggies, she asked me, "how is Shivaay doing? Is he okay staying in that house?"

I frowned and smiled, "ji, he is okay. Why would you ask like this?"

She shook her head, "nothing, after last time whatever happened, he hasn't come here in years and now he has come, I was worried if he is doing okay."

"What happened last time?" I asked confused.

She stopped and looked at me slowly, "he didn't tell you? Oh dear, I'm sorry I shouldn't have talked about this."

I reassured her, "It's okay Rita di. But what happened last time?"

She tried changing topic, "nothing much, just.."

I held her hand, a part of me really curious about knowing what is hidden form me. "You can tell me."

She looked at me for a moment, nodding with trust in her eyes. Than telling, "Last time, he had come in this town was, when his dadaji died."

I instantly sobered up not expecting this. 

 "He loved his dadaji the most. More than anyone else, he had spend most of his childhood with him. I was there, in that house, supporting with difficulty to Kalyani."

Rita di smile dropped with her eyes having faraway look and glassing over memories.  "He was happy, he didn't had any idea. I was there, saw him when he came in room, and saw his dadaji lying in white covers. Shivaay thought, his dadaji was sleeping peacefully, so he went to him, frowned at us all innocently, and started shaking his Prithvji. What was his age, maybe ten or twelve? Kept shaking for an hour and trying to get him up. But when his dadaji who had never ignored his grandson one call, didn't wakeup.... That time I saw for the first time him frustrated with not understanding a thing, crying his heart out."

My own eyes filled up, imagining the little Shivaay.

Her eyes were now leaked a tear, filled with sorrow and sadness, she continued, "that was the time he last came here. After that, even when I talked to Kalyani, her worry was about his grandson.. an year or two later Shakti, Pinki dies. Your mother and father in law.  And we never saw that cheerful Shivaay again. That child, who puts smile to everyone, who will help everyone out, always talkative, always the sweet one."

She blinked away her tears, "today when I meet him, I saw nothing inside him but coldness...."

"Please drink some water Rita di.  don't cry." I rubbed my own eyes, passing her glass half filled with water.

She took it, taking a sip to calm herself down. "I'm sorry, bache. It wasn't my intention to make you cry."

"Please don't say like this. I know you love him as your own child and worried about him." I nodded, holding her hand. " Thankyou for telling me."

She shook her head, claiming. "I'm happy, he has got a diamond in form of you."

I smiled, rubbing my own eyes clean. "Thankyou Rita di."

We walked out, around us all the ladies happy and chattering about their own gifts. Some promising to call Kalyani as they would call, some promised to visit dadi soon. When Shivaay came back and it was time for us to go, everyone stood out in a line, giving their blessings and asking us to visit soon, but with a new member.

Initially I didn't understand that new member but when Rita di chuckled seeing my clueless face, she craddled her empty hands and than it hit me.

My eyes themselves widened and cheeks blushed on it's own, speechless  because hearing all this that weird imagination again came to me.

Bidding them bye, we walked on vacant street, silently, alone. I have never been to stay silent for this long, not specially when around it is also still quiet. I needed some sound, some music to always make me feel comfortable. But today... whatever Rita di told me, it is roaming in my mind. I can't even imagine what he must be feeling coming all the years later to this house where last memory pierced his heart. For me, I don't know...I can't imagine.

I want to say so many things to him, want him to talk to me. But yet, I had nothing to say. We're not like best friends or something. And in his view...

We reached our place, opened up the door, the chandelier was spreading warm white light throughout the home. Must be Shambhu kaka. I looked at corner room, without looking at him I went straight to my room. Atleast I was about to...

"Anika?"

"Hm?" I stopped in my tracks, turned, sideway. Looking at him, he seems to intend on  saying  something but instead asked other thing.

"I'm going to fire up angeethi...come outside." He told me, later adding, "if you wish to."

"Okay."

I went inside, changed into big warm pajamas and loose sweatshirt. After shoving extra clothes inside my bag, I went outside, towards the kitchen, while tieing my hairs in a loose bun. The varanda door was opened, he was there, standing under cement shed, in his still outside clothes setting the old looking angeethi, and filling with coals, he just bought from store room outside.

"Is there piece of paper or newspaper?" He asked without turning back.

I looked around, under the table were some old newspaper. Picking them up I passed them to him. "Here."

He took them, crumbling them into balls and inserting in little hole, the down empty portion the angeethi have. With the same lighter he had given me this morning, he lit that up.

The coals, started firing up. He turned saw me standing there. Our eyes met for the first time this evening. The oceanic orbs, analysing me as well as sending chills down my guts. Not able to keep the eye contact, without my strong instinct to utter what Rita di told me, I turned and went to kitchen.

"Do you want some coffee?" I asked at my back.

"Yes." His voice came from the same spot he was standing before, but facing towards the kitchen now. "I'll just go and change."

Ten minutes later, we both came in living room together. He had changed into trouser and a simple warm t shirt. I had my both hands occupied, holding two big cup of coffees.

"Where do you want to sit, outside or here?" He asked, surprisingly giving me the choice.

After a thought, I said, "it's breezy outside, here will be perfect."

He nodded, and went to kitchen.

Meanwhile I put the coffee mugs on table and shift it to aside. And man, this table is heavy.

He had wear the oven gloves, went outside, lifting the angeethi.

"Careful." I told him.

He looked at me for a second and bring the hot thing in, keeping carefully infront of main big sofa. There were actually three sofas. One long one for three people, other single seat ones were other side.

He locked the varanda door and we settled down at opposite sides. As table was at his side, he took his coffee mug and passed me mine.

"Thankyou." I said quitely, shifting near middle, near the angeethi.

At the same time, he leaned near middle too, forwarding his hand above angeethi and warming it up. I forwarded mine as well, and the feeling of its warmness felt like a bliss in this cold weather.

We were silent, and he suddenly looked at me, at corner on my eyes particularly and signed. "Your...kajal."

He pointed and I rubbed that over and over again. He sit back, leaning to my side and tossed coffee cup in his other hand. He suddenly held my wrist and gently with his thumb rubbed the spot. I was silent. Tip of his finger gentle on my skin.

Out of nowhere, when seconds passed, he uttered breaking the silence, asking,  "So, what happened back there?"

My eyes snapped  at him without blinking.

So he noticed it?

I acted, frowned as he took his thumb back. Shrugged my shoulders off. Sitting back I tried denying, "nothing, we talked... they all were really nice. I enjoyed there."

Trying to grin I told him but he analyse me like he could see through me.

"And?" He pointed out.

And? My grin dimmed.

 What could I possibly say to him. The things I got to know again remembering them made my heart heavy. When my papa...I couldn't even visit his study for months. I...I just couldn't. And Mr Oberoi, he doesn't have to say it out loud but pictures in this house loudly tells how much he loved, adored his dadadji. Surely it might not be big deal to someone but who has faced the demise of their loved one can only understand. If I would have been in place of Shivaay, it was hard enough to stay at the place where my last memory was so painful but to spend the night?

I shook my head, averted my gaze from him. "It's nothing."

He didn't ask me after that neither I said anything. We sat quietly, having our own thoughts. Coffee sips were the only sound aside the fire burning. When silence was too much for me, I picked up my phone but there no network were coming. 

"There's no network." I breathed out.

When I didn't get the response, I looked at Mr Oberoi.  His blue green intense orbs were fixed on far away point. Looking at the direction, my heart melt realizing it was on the dadaji dadi ji's room. In his eyes were a storm brewing slowly and deeply. His body tensed, and the jaw tightened. The grip on his cup was so tight that I fear it could get crack and he could hurt his hand.

And here I thought he doesn't feel it. I thought maybe I'm overthinking. But I was wrong.

"Shivaay?" I called out keeping my hand on his shoulder. Under my touch he went all too still. Feeling he is uncomfortable, I took my hand back.

His trance broke and the eyes which were intense a second ago  met mine. They were blank. Detached from any feelings.

I wanted to ask him is he alright? or what got him lost? But I know he wasn't and I also know he won't talk about it. And knowing everything and understanding everything I can't sit around doing nothing.

"What?"

Keeping my cup aside and standing up, I determinedly told him, "I want you to come with me."

He cocked his head, raising his brow, eyes going to clock that shows it's past safe time. "Where?"

I shrugged my shoulder off, "yeah, you remember our deal? I won the challenge and you will do as I say."

"You mean how you cheated and won." I waved at that. He continued, "That doesn't mean you can ask whatever to do, at any time." He coldly stated.

"We also didn't decide the exact time. I'm asking you now."

"It's not safe."

"I don't care. Besides I will be with you. Don't worry I'll keep you safe."

"Ofcourse you will"

"I'm serious and if you don't feel like fulfilling your side of deal, I'll go alone."

"You wouldn't"

"Try me"

Seeing my determination and excited grin he asked,  "What do you want to do?"

I shook my head, already keeping his cup aside.  "In ten minutes, outside, wear your warmest clothes and meet me."

"Why? You know right it's minus here."

I stood up, a suspicious smile playing on my face.  "I' know. But go fast. We're low on time. I'm going to get ready too."

I walked to my room ignoring all his defences.

"Mrs Oberoi!"

I shut the door tight, after shouting,  "Get ready, husband!"

"What are you planning to do?"

"A Nightout"

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