Night Jasmine Part 100 is dedicated to all my readers who have been an integral part of the journey and have interacted with me constantly, offering comments and suggestions, unwittingly becoming my inspiration. Please keep the faith for the rest of the journey too, really appreciate your encouragement. In any case readers make a writer :)

Some things never change, Sanyukta smiled as she told herself. She was a child when she was first initiated into cooking by Anju. Working in her own kitchen in the barsati often made Sanyukta feel nostalgic. She would recall happy memories of her mother sharing culinary tips like adding a little semolina for puffy puris, a pinch of sugar to retain the colour while cooking green peas, a touch of fenugreek seed powder in the flour for rotis and many more. If she ever burnt her hand while cooking her mother would soothe it with honey. Anju would explain how cooking for family should be a matter of pride, the way a family ate reflected their culture and values, and women had a major role in affirming them. As Sanyukta put together the ingredients for aloo parathas for breakfast she felt connected with her mother even if she was far away in India. Her dexterity at work came from apprenticing under Anju. It would definitely help her during her internship in the upscale restaurant in New York.

The two men greeted Sanyukta cheerfully at the table. "You can have another paratha Dad, these are healthy, made with less fat and the stuffing has mashed peas along with potatoes." She plied both Harsh and Randhir with extra helpings. "They are delicious. Itney laad pyar ki to aadat pad jayegi mujhey. Not that Renuka does not look after us, but she is always travelling and does not have much time to fuss over us." Harsh defended his wife. "Of course Dad, Vidushi and I appreciate how hard Mom works!" Randhir sounded genuine as he acknowledged his mother's efforts in holding the business together. Sanyukta smiled at Randhir remembering her days of visiting his haveli. Renuka had always been a formidable person and Sanyukta had respected her for being that.

"Beta, some day in the future Renuka will accept you just like Randhir, Vidushi and I have done. But until then do not worry, just enjoy your life with Randhir. Also you are not toiling away today! I have called the maid service and their staff will be here soon. They clean up pretty efficiently in a couple of hours, just guide and supervise them. And Randhir and you will meet me for lunch, I'll text you the time and place later." Harsh got dressed quickly  and left for his meeting. As he was leaving the maids came in. They were a team of three and started their job of vacuuming, scrubbing and doing the laundry. Sanyukta and Randhir waited while the maids cleaned the whole apartment; offering them some coffee and cookies before they left after finishing the work. "Finally we are alone!" Randhir smirked at her. "Don't even think about it Randhir!" Sanyukta muttered.

She hardly managed to dampen Randhir's enthusiasm. "The maids have just changed the bed linen Randhir, I don't want the bed messed up." She whined. "Fine, we can do it in the shower then, be nice to your starving husband!" He hammed. "What do you mean starving, we made love first thing in the morning!" She retorted. "But that was like four hours ago!" He grinned to see her expression. "Hey, I was just kidding, come on let's get dressed and step out." He told her and by the time they changed and left home it was half past ten. "We have some spare time before we meet Dad for lunch. Let's walk about in Bryant Park, it is very close to where we have to meet him!" Randhir explained. They took the subway to 42nd Street on Time Square and made their way to the park. 

Seeing the urban oasis of Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan Sanyukta was filled with admiration to see how the city planners had cared enough to create green patches like Central park and Prospect Park among many more. Families, couples and singles lazed on the lawns or around the gardens or used the open air library. Scrupulously clean public restrooms and free Wi-Fi access made the park convenient. The French themed carousel was an attraction for kids making Sanyukta fantasise about bringing her own kids to venues like this in the future. The lovers strolled around the shaded tree-lined paths and even played free board games like scrabble and chinese checkers to kill some time. Just then Randhir's phone buzzed, it was Harsh calling to say that he had just wrapped up his meeting and  was on his way. 

Randhir and Sanyukta walked towards the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co outlet on Time Square and Harsh stepped forward to greet Randhir and Sanyukta warmly. "We are going to spend the day together doing things you enjoy best, beta. Randhir has made a small list of things that would interest you and a seafood lunch is the first thing on it!" They were shown to a table after a brief wait. They consulted the menu and proceeded to order their meal. Soon they were enjoying Popcorn shrimp, Seafood Hush Pups, Pear and Berry Salad, a combo called Shrimper's Heaven which combined Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp, Crisp Golden Shrimp and Shrimp Tempura with fries. Harsh even ordered a Cajun rice dish called Jambalaya specially for Sanyukta.

The jambalaya combined spiced rice and shrimp with chicken, andouille sausage, bell peppers, tomatoes and green onions. "This dish is perfect for our Indian palates!" Harsh told Sanyukta. They tucked into their meal enthusiastically. Harsh had ignored Sanyukta's protests and ordered Corona Margaritas for them which came with takeaway souvenir glasses. He also called for a dessert sampler plate that had a trio of bread pudding, biscuit topped with fresh strawberries and  a chocolate chip cookie sundae. Sanyukta groaned as she had no more place for dessert. "The restrooms here are clean enough to deserve a visit!" Harsh joked, though they did follow his advice before leaving.

Sanyukta was pleasantly surprised to see what the two men had lined up for the afternoon. They were going to the Imperial Theatre nearby to watch a performance of the classic musical Les Misérables. As expected Randhir had managed to book them seats with the best view. Father and son had decided that since Sanyukta enjoyed theatre and music the premium seats were well worth the price. Sanyukta was so happy that she gave Randhir an involuntary hug. They took their seats with Randhir and Harsh flanking her. Harsh had already seen Les Miz once with Renuka unlike Randhir and Sanyukta. Soon Act One opened with the prisoners singing the Work Song during their hard labour. 

  The embittered convict Jean Valjean gets caught stealing a bishop's silver but the bishop gifts him a pair of silver candlesticks additionally, asking him to use them for a good cause. A transformed Valjean takes on a new identity and becomes wealthy and is made Mayor. The character of Fantine who turns to prostitution in her desperation to support her illegitimate daughter Cosette sings about the wretchedness of her life and lost love in the famous song I Dreamed a Dream. The world has been quite unfair to both Valjean and Fantine, but as a woman herself Sanyukta could relate to Fantine being betrayed by a lover who vanishes leaving her to fend for her daughter born out of wedlock. Cosette's illegitimacy is cruelly exposed by Fantine's adversary and she loses her job, forcing her to turn to sin. Sanyukta turned emotional and Randhir held her as she wept into tissues watching the plight of a dying Fantine after being exploited by the heartless Thénardiers whom she entrusted Cosette with.

The stories of Javert trying to catch Valjean, the love triangle between Cosette, Eponine and the rebellious student Marius, the death of Eponine who sacrifices herself to save Marius, the suicide of Javert are events which culminate in the union of Cosette and Marius and the death of Valjean who is united with the spirits of Fantine, Eponine and the rebels who died at the barricades in the scuffle with the French Army. Though Randhir and Sanyukta had watched the movie, the live performance  by the incredibly talented cast moved Sanyukta immensely and Randhir held her through most of the poignant moments during the two acts. Harsh and Randhir exchanged smiles, they were glad they had decided to bring her to the Imperial, she was going to cherish this memory forever.

"You ok, Sanyukta?" Randhir asked her after the cast had taken their bows. "I am sorry for being such a mess!" She replied, managing a smile as he kissed her gently on her cheek. "Thank you both, I really enjoyed watching Les Miz!" She said and Harsh held her hand as they exited the theatre. "But we made you cry, and I know just how to cheer you up!" Harsh told her as he hailed a cab and Sanyukta wondered what he had meant by getting her to cheer up. Just when she was expecting the cabbie to take them home she realised they were heading in another part of the city. They got off before a sober looking pub. As they walked in Harsh asked for a lounge table and they relaxed after asking for a pitcher of home-brewed beer and pub grub. 

 Harsh walked across to the jukebox and made a selection of a retro classic. He returned to the table and asked Randhir formally for permission to dance with Sanyukta and Randhir nodded with a smile. "Would you dance with me dear?" He asked Sanyukta who rose to her feet and followed Harsh to the dance floor. Just as Harsh and Sanyukta began to dance a couple of other folks joined them and soon the mood changed. Somebody chose a jive song and the dancers quickened their pace energetically. Sanyukta complimented her father-in-law on being a brilliant dancer, she had never watched him dance before. "I have never seen my son so happy before, I can see that your presence in his life has made a big difference Sanyukta, thank you for being there for him. I wish the two of you great happiness, may the love and solidarity in this relationship always flourish!" Harsh had an earnest look in his eyes. "And I cannot thank you more for being so understanding and accepting me through our unconventional situation. We need your blessings always, Dad!" Sanyukta responded graciously. "That goes without saying!" He assured her. 

As the songs became more romantic Harsh asked Randhir to take over and returned to the table quenching his thirst with chilled beer. Randhir held Sanyukta in his arms and they soon felt sheer euphoria. The place had the perfect setting for the two lovers to enjoy their slow dancing without being stared at,  though they did draw a few admiring glances as their intense feelings for each other became apparent. "I feel perfect today, you complete me Randhir!" Sanyukta whispered in his ear. "No Jaan, we complete each other! Let's not change anything between us!" He nuzzled her as he spoke the words. They went back to the table to join Harsh and sipped on their beer and crudites with dips. "Guys, you can dance some more, you look good together!" Harsh told them. "No Dad, we should drink up and leave now, you have a flight to catch early in the morning!" Sanyukta reminded him. Harsh picked up the tab and they stepped out, waiting for a cab. 

In a few minutes a cab picked them up and in under an hour they were back home. "Dad, finish your packing and go to bed! We'll see you off at the airport tomorrow!" Randhir said to Harsh. "I am already packed. I have hired a cab for tomorrow  and you two need not come all the way to Newark with me! Randhir, please follow me,  I need to discuss some matters with you." Sanyukta excused herself to leave father and son alone as she went off to take a shower and to change for bed.  After she came out of the shower she realised that Harsh and Randhir were still talking business so she opted to go to bed rather than to wait for them to finish. While she drifted off to sleep she felt truly happy for the beautiful moments she had lived through with Randhir and Harsh that day.