Early morning sunlight filtered through the cotton curtains and illuminated a patch on his face. His eyes crinkled against the sun, and he turned to his side and stifled a yawn. Rubbing his eyes, he stretched out his arms to get himself to rise. His being vehemently protested. Last night had sapped him out thoroughly. Not that he regretted it a bit. A smile crept upon his lips as he remembered her in his arms. His love, his life. But where was she? He rolled over to his side, the flimsy blanket skidding off his torso. He found the bed empty, but warm. She must be around.

At that instant, the door of the washroom opened.

"Good morning beautiful!" Arvind smiled sleepily.

The attractive woman smiled and turned to close the door of the bathroom softly. She pulled her emerald green satin robe together and mumbled softly, "Good morning!"

Arvind shifted to the side, and beckoned her to come closer. Sloe-eyed, dark haired, her skin all peaches and cream, the normally reclusive Arvind hadn't been able to take his eyes off her the first time he met her. Nor could he do so now.

She sat down besides him, pulling her silky, long mane to a side and Arvind wrapped his arms around her. Pulling himself up slightly, he placed a kiss onto her neck. She turned towards him and her slender, perfectly manicured hand, painted with a lustrous red curled in his.

"I Love You!" she whispered.

"I Love You too!"

"Mujhe kabhi chod ke to nahi jaoge na?"

"Mar na jaun main?"

There was a slight pause as she fixed her gaze upon the mosaic floor.

"Arvind...meri wajah se tum apni family se door ho gaye na?"

A hint of sadness appeared in his eyes. "Chodo inn baaton ko! Tumhe pata hai...main jab bhi tumhare saath hota hun na...kuch pal ke liye apni saari taqleeflein bhul jaata hun. Kaash tum sare din raat mere qareeb reh paati!"

"Aur abhi to hum ek aur din saath hain...toh bolo kya karein aaj?" he asked, kissing the insides of her dainty wrist.

"Kuch nahi...bas tumhare sath rehna hai!"

"Done!" he smiled.

She momentarily returned her gaze to the floor before uttering hesitantly, "Arvind? Ek baat hai...".

He pulled her closer, "bolo na?"

She brought his hand over her abdomen and glanced up at him. Her beautiful black eyes shone expectantly. "I'm pregnant." The words were spoken and a looming silence fell between them. Neither moved.

Color drained from his face. "Kya?" He blinked. Maybe he hadn't heard her correctly.

Slowly, she revealed the kit from the folds of her robe, which displayed two clear, pink lines slitted across it. "I'm pregnant Arvind. And...and I want to have this baby!"

Arvind's mouth fell open. And then he got scared. Terribly scared.

***

"Arvind?" Naina called.

He attempted a lame smile, before loosening his tie and heading towards the balcony. As the sun began to set in the distant horizon, the sky was splashed with iridescent red and pink streaks. September was at its fag end. The heat had dimmed and as winter prepared to arrive, the trees lining the boulevard had turned crispy golden, awaiting their turn to be free of the foliage they'd carried all summer. A hint of breeze rustled through, and a couple of more senescent leaves were added to the pile adorning the pathways. Arvind breathed in the scent. Autumn. His favorite time of the year.

True to its name, 'fall' as this season was called back in the States, was a fearful reminder of the law of Nature, of how good times are destined to end- a speller of doom. The stillness of everything, the helplessness of the trees, the plants, the chill that adorned the air as life completed its cycle. Yet...yet somehow this was the season to which he'd always connected the most- as if this was all that was real. Instead of the frivolous frenzy and merry making that accompanied spring, autumn had always brought him calm and serenity. He found it to be the time to introspect, to assess his life. Time to rearrange his plans to adjust to the pace of Nature- because life was not everlasting and he wanted to make the most of what limited time he had. Yes, autumn had always been his dearest.

He recalled that fall, that November of 1989 in Kyoto. His first international conference. A beautiful country draped in myriad hues of blazing reds and oranges and yellows, bubbling with an exceptionally hardworking crowd, and the numerous fellow intellectuals, who'd collectively lauded his research project. At just 22, Arvind got pats on the back by several eminent scientists and veterans and his confidence on his abilities had grown. Deep down, he'd thanked his professor for having guided him to consider genetics over marine biology that had caught his fascination initially. It had been then that he'd realized his true calling. Post that day, success had come to him naturally and expediently. And he had loved every bit of it.

But not today- today the air did not smell of calm, but of dread. Despite having always believed in the fickle nature of existence, today he felt stumped, defeated. How could have his life changed its course drastically- in a matter of days? Just a few years before, he was a successful scientist, living the American dream of many a young researchers, with a pretty, loving wife by his side. Who would have imagined life would take such a drastic turn in a span of days- masking his professional and personal life in blackness? He remembered the struggle when the funding of his project was cancelled due to a decline in bio-technology related spending by the government. That had been fall too! But he hadn't lost hope that time, instead had gaily accepted the challenge that was thrown at him. He worked at it for days, months, years, until that one day, when he opened the sealed envelope declaring his rejection for an extension of work visa. He was supposed to leave- move back to his country jobless, abandon all his dreams, his exciting research projects- even the ones at the edge of a novel breakthrough, his...his glorious future, his financial security, everything back in the States. He had been shattered.

Two years down, he kept up at it. Slogged day and night. Tried to rebuild a future, but it felt as if his happiness was doomed. He strived to rise from the ashes, but tragedy struck yet again. And again.

He clenched his eyes shut to hold the tears that threatened to ooze out any minute. Was there still hope? His life was in a downward spiral! Everything was messed up. And then his child! His child!

He shivered in the waft of chilly breeze that swept across his face. He turned and realized Naina was now standing besides him, her own expression forlorn. He remembered that there were people who had it worse than him. Well, life hadn't been rosy for her too. He'd done the best he could for her. At the same time, he knew she'd tried to do her best too.

He tried to subdue the emotions raging in his heart and broke the silence. "Kaisi chal rahi hai kitaab?" he asked as he leaned onto the balcony and gripped the iron railings, staring down at the cars zipping by.

"Theek chal rahi hai. Shayad do mahine mein sab ho jayega. Aap chinta mat kijiye...fir paise honge hamare pass. Bas kisi tarah kitaab chal jaye thodi!"

"Best-seller hogi!" his mouth crinkled into a dry smile as he cocked his head towards her.

Naina smiled and shrugged as they both peered out at the expanse of the city they'd begun to call home. Oblivious to the struggle being faced by these two individuals standing atop a balcony, a group of middle aged women were enjoying their daily rhythm of evening jogging cum gossiping.

"Kya hua hai...bahot udaas hain aap?" Naina remarked.

Arvind clenched the rusty ledge of the balcony tighter. How could he tell her the real situation? He didn't want to trouble her any further. It was after years that he'd seen hope on her face and he didn't want to soil it. It had to be done someday, but not right now. But...his child!

"Arvind?"

He realized that Naina was awaiting a response. Hoarsely, he murmured,"bas mood sahi nahi hai!"

"Arvind...aise himmat mat haariye...dekhiye sabki zindagi mein utaar chadhaav aate hain...kisi ki zindagi mein zyada to kisi ke mein kam...aur jise bhagwan zyada struggle dete hain na...use utna kamyaab bhi karte hain...basharte wo mehnat karna na chode...apni kabiliyat pe bharosa rakhein...aaj shayad aapka din nahi...ho sakta hai kal bhi na ho...lekin parso to hoga...waqt chahe bura ho ya acha...hamesha to nahi rehta na. Aur aap haar jayenge to humara kya hoga? Bataiye!"

Arvind cast her a glance. "Kamyaabi? Na zindagi mein mili, na career mein, na parivaar mein!" he mused.

"Theek ho jayega sab!" Naina reassured him again. "Chai piyenge?"

Arvind nodded softly and smiled at her in gratitude. As Naina made her way towards the kitchen, Arvind mumbled after her, "tum bahot achi ho Naina! Main jaanta hun tumne bahot kuch saha hai zindagi mein. Agar mujhse koi galti ho jaye to...to please mujhe maaf kar dena".

***

The lunch cum meeting with the client was at 12. And by 10, Sameer was already speeding on the highway with Sonu Nigam's melodious voice crooning his favourite number in sync with the pumping beats.

Yeh Dil

Deewana Deewana Hai Yeh Dil

Deewane Ne Mujhko Bhi Ah Kar Daala Deewana

Decked in a striped white shirt and khaki trousers, his favorite RayBan with an indigo tint perched upon his nose, Sameer turned up the volume as he sang alongside Sonu Nigam. His fingers drummed the steering and his hands and feet moved in tandem adjusting the gears and the pedals.

Maine Uske Shehar Ko Choda

Uski Gali Mein Dil Ko Toda

Phir Bhi Seene Mein Dhadakta Hai Yeh Dil

And then without prelude, his mind was half on the road and half on the woman he loved. His feet pressed the accelerator harder and the speedometer settled at 80 km/hr. With fluid ease, even at high speeds, Sameer dodged the other vehicles on the road and manouevered his way through. The sun was shining bright and the sunglasses helped- while his brain conjured images of him and Naina laughing, holding hands, kissing, teasing, crying, making love- vignettes of the past.

Maine Dil Se Usay Nikaala

Jo Na Karna Tha Kar Daala

Phir Phi Yaad Usi Ko Karta Hai Yeh Dil

As his feet depressed the accelerator further and the speed rose to 100 km/hr, and the sandy, rural landscape of Haryana gushed past, Sameer now helplessly tried to blot out images of Naina- the sound of her laughter, her magical voice and focus his attention on the now deserted road.

Dil Ki Khata Bhi Hai Kya

Mujhko Gila Bhi Hai Kya

Is Dillagi Ke Siva Dil Ne Kiya Bhi Hai Kya

Minutes into it and like a mirage, she apparated before his very eyes, right in front of him on the road. Sameer's mouth fell open and his eyes widened with astonishment.

Aashiq Hai Yeh Chor Nahin Main Kya Karoon

Dil Pe Mera Zor Nahin Hai Main Kya Karoon

Sameer clamped the brake as hard as he could to avoid hitting her. The car screeched to a halt and Naina, unperturbed, approached him. Clad in a flimsy, tangerine saree of some sort, with her pallu whipping about in the wind, her brown black tresses merrily dancing about her face, her smoky eyes laden with desire, she looked like a siren- a siren who wanted him.

Yeh Dil Ahh!

Deewana

Deewana Hai Yeh Dil

She slowly walked up towards his car. Her polished nails gleamed as she held the ledge of the driver's side window and locked his gaze. And then she smiled coyly and opened the car door. Sameer followed the lead and disembarked slowly, thoroughly captivated by her. His brain was in a daze. He was unable to decipher what Naina was doing there, in the middle of the road, dressed up to seduce him.

Dil Kaisa Bepeer Hai

Vo Ek Tasveer Hai

Main Kehta Hoon Tod De...Kehta Hai Zanjeer Hai

Naina held his hands and pulled them across her waist. Her arms flew to his neck and she tugged him closer. The thought of Arvind did not even wander into his mind as Sameer cocked his head and sealed her lips with his. She reeled towards the bonnet for support as he gained dominance over her.

Koi Kachchi Dor Nahin Hai Main Kya Karoon

Dil Pe Koi Zor Nahin Hai Main Kya Karoon

Naina groaned, enjoying him. Encouraged, he tightened his hold on her and deepened the kiss. Naina's moans turned louder and louder, and then strident, almost to the level of being unbearable.

Was he doing something wrong? Was he hurting her?

Sameer snapped out of his reverie and stared at the black bonnet of his Lancer gleaming in the morning sun. It was empty, he observed through the driver's seat. Naina had vanished. As he turned towards the window, he saw a furious truck driver waving his fist and yelling abuses at him. Sameer instantly realized he'd stopped dangerously, right in the middle of the highway. Quickly, he restarted the car and parked it on a clearing a few feet ahead. And then he paused again. He clamped his head in his hands and gulped. And then stepped out of the car for air. He patted his shirt and fumbled in his pockets. Damn! No Sameer! You'd promised, well decided, not to smoke anymore. Remember trashing all those packets? Stick to it. Yeah. Stick to it. He took in a few deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down.

What in the world is he doing? Naina is raging over his mind, his senses, all over again. He'd stopped in the midst of a highway? Without any indicators? There could have been a major accident! He could have been hit, even dead. Worse, someone else could have suffered that fate! What's wrong with you Sameer? Thank goodness it was bright daylight, or else...Sameer gulped again, afraid to think of the debacle that might have ensued. Why can't he get Naina out of his mind? She is married, has a child. Slowly, subconsciously, he'd started festering this feeling deep within- pining for Naina and unable to have her. How long can he go about loving her like this? He'd surely lose his bearings if this continued! It was high time this issue was done and dusted with. If she is not happy with Arvind, she never speaks up, which most probably means that she is indeed happy with him. And if that is the case, he needs to back out. It all needs to be in black and white now. But how? Yes! He nodded vigorously. He will let her decide. He will confess his feelings for her truthfully- that he'd been in love with her since ages. And the fact that he is still not over her. Being with her rekindles the past in him and makes him want more of her. He wants to be a friend to her and help her out, but if this persists, he would end up losing his mind. And he can't afford to do that again. One devastating breakup was enough for him.

Sameer sat listlessly at the edge of the conference table, his mind elsewhere (reciting, practicing and then scratching out lines that he may say to Naina once he broached the topic of his lovestruck heart), while Mr. Das and Mr. Arora conversed about the new marketing strategies for Somani Publications.

The conversation dragged on and on, with Sameer nodding his head here and there, and murmuring "yes, of courses", and "let's think about its" wherever needed. It was ten minutes past three when they finally broke for tea. Concentrate Sameer! This is an important meeting and you hardly listened to them. You really need some marketing boost. This is only the first of the meetings lined up. You have to meet with some suppliers too tomorrow. You can speak to Naina next week when you are back. You already have an appointment scheduled with her. You could take her to lunch and talk to her, like a mature, sensible person. Tell her your dilemma and seek her help for a way out.

Or maybe he could do it right now!

Restless beyond explanation, he cleared his throat. "Uhh...Mr. Das, Mr. Arora...I'm not feeling really well since morning. Would it be okay if we postpone the other part of our discussion to another date? I'm actually not able to focus right now and think I should consult a doctor."

"Ohh... sure...no problem Mr. Maheshwari...kya hua aapki tabyat ko...down with fever? We can arrange for a doctor here as well."

"Thank you...but I think it's better if I head back home right now. It was a pleasure meeting you both."

As they bid goodbyes to each other, Sameer hastily got back into his car and drove, with utmost caution, with the radio turned off, straight towards Naina's house. As he alighted from his car in front of her society, he wondered briefly if Arvind was home. It was nearing four. He generally comes home late. And even if he's decided to pop in early, well, he'll mutter an excuse about the book then, and on the pretext of discussing something, seeking an opportunity, he'll pass on his message to Naina.

Making his decision, Sameer hastened to the flat on the third floor. The staircase was musty and the walls surrounding them were stained in shades of brown, black and maroon- the latter Sameer didn't want to believe were tobacco stains. He stomped up the stairs into the old fashioned building. Looks like these are from one of DDA's initial housing schemes. He scanned the floor for the nameplate with 302 and finally found it. A tarnished metal placard that read 'Aroras' was pasted on a chestnut coloured wooden door, with an iron frame surrounding it. He looked around for the bell and pressed it. And then cleared his throat and straightened up. He checked to ensure his attire was proper to meet a colleague in case Arvind showed up. That hadn't been necessary for it was Naina who opened the door.

"Hi!" Her eyes widened in surprise. "Tum?"

"Hi!" Sameer let out a forced smile. It was when he saw her face to face, he started having second thoughts about his decision to confess his love to her. Should he? Should he not?

"Uhh...andar aao!" Naina opened the door wider to let him in.

Well! Perhaps the choice was made.

Sameer stepped inside Naina's home for the first time. While Naina closed the door, Sameer surveyed the place. He was standing in a room painted in a shade of light blue, and from the condition of the walls- the chipping paints and the blotches of moisture, he ascertained it'd been a while since the last painting. The room was small and seemed to serve as the living room. On one side it opened to a mini balcony, with an iron door leading to it. The other side led to the kitchen and a narrow corridor pointed towards another wooden door, which Sameer guessed was the bedroom. The house was pretty small, but Naina ensured it was spick and span. His inspection of the house, however, was interrupted by Naina's voice.

"Baitho na!" She pulled out a gray plastic chair from a stack of three in the corner and dragged a matching table before it.

"Husband kahan hain?"

"Wo...wo...aate hi honge...thodi der ho jaati hai aajkal!"

Sameer nodded. A's absence was good for his plan. A sign from the Universe perhaps?

Naina fidgeted in front of him. "I'm sorry...ghar kaafi chota sa hai...zyada kuch hai nahi...tum uncomfortable to nahi ho?"

Sameer smiled at her. "Chota ho ya bada ho...ghar to ghar hota hai na...bas family ho aur pyaar se rahein sab...".

Naina's forehead creased. "Yeh Sooraj Barjatiya type dialogue kyun maar raha hai?" Then remembering her manners, she enquired, "Chai...coffee...sharbat...kya loge?"

"Coffee chalegi tumhare haath ki...achi coffee banaya karti thi tum!"

A dash of colour came onto Naina's cheeks. She pursed her lips and nodded, "abhi laayi!"

"Diya kahan hai?" Sameer called out.

"Wo na din bhar badmashi kar rahi thi...abhi aadha ghanta pehle zabardasti sulaya hai...tum kaho to utha dun?"

"Nahi nahi sone do use...agar jaane se pehle uth gayi to mil lunga...koi nahi!"

Naina put the kettle on to boil, while she brought water for Sameer in a stainless steel glass. "Vaise kaise aana hua?" She queried as Sameer sipped the water.

"Kyun...nahi aa sakta?"

"Nahi...," Naina started.

"Nahi?" Sameer raised his brows.

"Arey mera matlab wo nahi tha...matlab kuch important baat hai kya? Tum to Manesar mein the na is week...agar kuch zaruri tha to mujhe bula liya hota...main aa jaati!" Naina tried to sound casual.

Sameer teared his gaze away from her and instead stared at the glass in his hand. He rotated it pensively for a few seconds before answering. "Kuch zaruri baat karni thi tumse...," his eyes met hers and a brief silence ensued.

"Bolo?"

"Wo...coffee peete peete baat karte hain? Sunke kahin tum mujhe bahar nikal do to meri coffee miss ho jayegi!" He forced a grin.

Naina returned the smile. "Kuch bhi...kahin mera contract to nahi cancel kar rahe?" She asked, suddenly worried.

"Pagal ho kya...nahi...coffee to leke aao pehle!"

Naina nodded, still uncertain, "bas do minute!"

"Sure!"

While Naina got engrossed in brewing coffee for him- half a teaspoon sugar, less milk and potent- exactly as he liked it, Sameer got back to examining the room. It was sparsely furnished. Apart from the the plastic tables and chairs, there was a metal bookrack, a wooden cot frame with ropes wound around it to make a small bed. A paper calendar with a photograph of Devi Durga hung from a nail on the wall. Opposite to it, a square wall clock ticked the time. At the far end of the room was a wooden TV unit (though there was no television on it) - again old or probably second hand from its condition. A few showpieces and some photographs were displayed on the shelves. With nothing better to do, Sameer ambled over to the photographs for a closer look.

There was one old picture of Naina and Preeti (he remembered her face) holding hands in front of some lake. It must have been from their schooldays for they both looked very young and also because Naina's hair was oiled and tied into two thick pigtails as she used to do in school. He ran a thumb over her face, reminiscing their schooldays and then neatly replaced it.

The next picture made his heart sink. It was her wedding photograph. Arvind and Naina stood side by side, huge garlands made of jasmine, marigolds and roses in their hands, their friends flanking them. Their heads were cocked to a side. They all must have been laughing hard at something. Naina did not look one bit upset. Instead, she looked incredibly happy and in a really fun mood. Naina was looking resplendent, draped in a scarlet georgette saree with edges embroidered in gold and matching tassels that hung from her pallu. Her hair was pulled into a bun and she was wearing light make-up, the bright red lipstick accentuating her beauty. She had a few red and golden bangles in her hands and the jewellery wasn't extensive. But perhaps, with the way her family treated her, they might not have saved enough for her. A was looking dapper as usual, in a cream coloured embroidered sherwani, and he was looking at Naina with adulation. Though it seemed like a small wedding, it must have been a gala affair, for everyone in the wedding party was super cheerful. Did her conservative family allow all this merry making amongst the bride and groom? Jealousy and anger reeked inside him again. Why was he even here? The wedding was perfect! Naina had not missed him. From no angle did it seem like a forced wedding. Sameer tried to stifle his anger and reason with himself. Maybe, she was happy then and isn't now. Things change, people change, circumstances change.

He breathed in and kept the frame back onto the shelf. He studied the photograph again for a moment, then deciding something, put it face down and wandered into the kitchen, following the exotic aroma of coffee well prepared.

"Khushboo to badi achi aa rahi hai!" he complimented.

Naina looked up at him as he entered and smiled, and a bit of his earlier rage evaporated. My God- how could she charm him with a simple smile?

She poured the brewed coffee into two mugs and whipped them about to make it frothy. Topping it with a dash of coffee powder, she handed him his mug. It was then Sameer noticed her hands were covered in white flour. A streak of white was also there on her neck and some specks on her purple kurta.

"Yeh kya laga hai?" He couldn't help asking.

"Wo...main na cake bana rahi thi...". She pointed to the cooker on the simmering flame.

"Cake? Cooker mein?" Sameer asked in surprise.

"Haan...cooker mein cake banta hai! Tumhe nahi pata tha?" She giggled.

Her giggles!

Sameer shook his head and beamed. "Vaise cake kyun? Kuch khas hai kya?" He asked casually. Without taking his eyes off her, he took a sip of his coffee. Heaven! She still remembers how he likes his coffee!

"Haan...aaj wo Arvind ka birthday hai to isliye. Wo bahar jayenge nahi. Cake bhi lane ko mana kar diya. Pata nahi bahot upset hain wo kuch din se...to surprise party plan ki hai...usi ki tayyari chal rahi hai!"

It was as if the aromatic taste of coffee turned bitter and the anger which'd been seeping through him moments ago made a resurgence.

"Ohh...happy birthday to him! Meri taraf se wish kar dena!"

"Wo...wo aate hi honge...tum chaho to tum khud hi wish kar sakte ho!"

Wish karun main? Yahan uski biwi se apne pyaar ka izhaar karne aaya hun aur wo kehti hai birthday wish kar do! Kyun? Kyun aaya tu Sameer yahan? Yeh khush hai! Arvind ke sath! Yeh dono ek saath khush hain! Diya bhi khush hai! Uske liye tu kabhi Sameer uncle se zyada nahi ho sakta! Sab khush hain tere bina...teri zarurat nahi hai yahan pe...kyun aaya yaar tu? Cake...cake bana rahi hai uske liye...ghar pe...cooker mein...cooker mein kaun cake banata hai bhai...tere liye kabhi banaya...? Nahi banaya!

The coffee seemed bland now. He sipped it mechanically, desiring a means of escape from there as soon as possible.

"Sameer?"

"Uhh?"

"Kya hua? Kahan kho gaye? Tum ruk jao agar time hai toh. Cake bhi kha ke jaana...batana kaisa bana hai...?"

His voice regained the usual frigid demeanour he employed with his clients. "Nahi..wo aaj kaafi busy hun...".

Naina noticed the sudden change in his tone. "Ohh...koi baat nahi...vaise tum bata rahe the kuch baat karni thi...?"

"Hmmm? Ohh...ohh haan...kuch baat na...haan to yahi thi...baat," Sameer fumbled for an excuse.

"Kya?" Naina exclaimed.

"Matlab...yahi thi baat ki main kaafi busy hun...thoda aur busy ho jaunga. Aaj wo Manesar ki meetings bhi cancel karni padi iss zaruri kaam ki wajah se...toh next week hogi...fir uske next week bhi...," he rambled.

Naina seemed confused. "Koi baat nahi. Next week hamari appointment thi na...to tum fir kab free hoge? Mujhe kuch parts discuss karne the!"

"Come on Naina! Tum mujh pe itni dependent kyun ho? I'm a busy man! Aur bhi editors hain office mein- agar main available nahi hun to unse discuss kar liya karo na. Vaise bhi different point of views help!"

Naina sensed the sarcasm in his voice. The ambience had definitely shifted. Was he angry at her? But why would he be?

"Sameer...meri aisi dependent hone ki intention nahi thi. Wo tum khud hi discuss kar rahe the, to I thought, but koi nahi, main next week discuss kar leti hun kisi aur se. Main wo Arjit ji se baat kar lungi...!"

Instead of mellowing down, Sameer's rage shot up at the thought of her being in company of any other man apart from him. With great difficulty, he strived to maintain a cool façade. Who was he to intervene? She wasn't his to begin with. He forced an icy smile and placed the empty coffee cup on the kitchen shelf.

"Toh bas...main chalta hun. Yahi discuss karna tha- workload and all. Main nahi chahta meri unavailability ki wajah se tum suffer karo!"

Naina too smiled politely as she finished her coffee. If she wants to talk to him about Diya, she needs to get him in a good mood. Eager to cool him down, not that she knew what she'd done to invoke his anger in the first place, she changed the topic. "Coffee kaisi lagi? Pehle jaisi thi?"

"Yeah! Was good! Lekin zara zyada strong thi aur shakkar bhi kam...itni kadwi coffee kaun peeta hai?"

Naina's face fell at this comment, and Sameer noticed this. "Chalo ise bhi hurt to hua!" He mumbled to himself.

"Chalo nikalta hun main...der ho rahi hai...bye!"

And then without so much so as a glance at her, he moved towards the door. Naina followed him quietly, undid the latch and let him out. At the doorstep, he turned and their eyes met briefly, holding a barrage of unanswered questions, but neither chose to speak as the door came in between them.

As Naina bolted the door again, her heart felt heavy. "Why had she chosen this particular man in this entire universe to fall in love with?"

She moved back to the kitchen and began washing the mugs in the sink. She'd been astonished to see him arrive unannounced at her home. She'd been flustered, unprepared to meet him this early, for she was still working on how to broach the topic about Diya's parentage. He'd been genial initially, and had wanted to speak to her about something. She'd sensed it to be something of momentous importance, or else he could've telephoned her or explained his tight schedule in their next meeting or even conveyed the same through Rita. No. It wasn't what he'd come to talk about. But he'd suddenly turned sour and spiteful. Just when she was gathering courage! She was hoping he'd stay longer and maybe Diya would wake up in the meantime. Arvind had phoned in earlier that he'd be a bit late. That was set too. She'd made coffee exactly as per his taste and he said it was too strong, the sugar too less? Either he'd changed the way he drank the beverage or he didn't want to admit he liked it. The latter seemed more probable.

"Itni kadwi coffee tum hi peeto ho Mr. Maheshwari...isliye zabaan kadwi ho gayi hai tumhari! Yeh aur iske mood...pata nahi kisi baat pe to chidh gaya hai!" She huffed as she replaced the mugs on the shelf. Wiping her hands, she glanced at the wall clock and then switched off the gas stove. "Cake bhi nahi taste karke gaya!" she thought irritatedly.

"Mere unavailability se tum suffer na karo. Bada aaya...huh...meri life ki saari problems hi tumhare unavailable hone se huyi hain! Chodungi nahi. Ab karne do call...gussa thanda hoga...tab phone karega...tab bataungi ise...ache se baat karungi aur sab bata bhi dungi...fir dekhti hun...bahot ho gaya yeh drama! Cheeni kum hai batao!" Naina's reverie was broken by the shrill ring of the doorbell. "Dekha...aa gaya naa...aaj jaldi akal aa gayi!" She ran towards the door to open it. But the face that greeted her put her off for a few seconds. Arvind was standing at the doorway and he looked defeated.