"What's the matter Jaan, you are still awake?" It was past midnight and Randhir shut his laptop, placing it on the bedside table after wrapping up some office work. "I miss Ma, I haven't spoken to her since the time I called her after we moved into the apartment." She almost whispered. They had been in New York for over three weeks and Sanyukta was so occupied with her training and work around the house that she completely forgot to contact her mother. 

Sanyukta had broken the news of her internship in the US to Anju and as expected she had been concerned. She had bombarded Sanyukta with questions about where she would stay and how she could afford living in New York for nearly two months. To stop her from worrying Sanyukta had lied, telling her that her stipend was enough to cover her expenses because she shared accommodation with other girls, to split the rent. 

"Here, use my phone!" Randhir entered a certain code before dialing Anju to block his number from flashing on her caller id. Sanyukta had insisted on this precaution, she did not want anyone else, especially her father, to track Randhir's US phone number from Anju's call log. If Kishore found out that his wife had been in touch with Sanyukta, Anju could be in the soup, perhaps even losing the privilege of using her phone.

Sanyukta waited with bated breath as the phone continued to ring for some time before Anju answered it. "Hello! Sanyukta, is that you?" Anju spoke, her voice barely audible. "Wait a minute, let me step into the bedroom so nobody knows I am talking to you!" Anju paused for a while before resuming the conversation. "Ma, is Papa home? Can you speak freely?" Sanyukta asked anxiously. "Your father has gone to the market, he will be back in about an hour. And the maid is busy cleaning and dusting. How are you Beta? I was so worried about you!" Anju sounded relieved to hear from her daughter.

"I am doing very well Ma, the accommodation is quite comfortable and the work is exciting. I take the subway to work, though it is a short commute." Sanyukta went on to ask after Anju's and her father's health. "Your father's blood pressure is a little erratic and you already know about my aching joints. But there is also good news! Ankit called last week to say that Prerna is expecting, she is in her second month now. That means you will be an aunt by the end of the year!" Anju's smile was conveyed by her voice. 

"That's great news Ma, I am so happy for Bhai and Bhabhi! And now Papa and you better brace yourselves to become proud grandparents!" Sanyukta gushed as she nestled in Randhir's arms, his fingers playing with her hair. "I hope my limbs were stronger to manage my grandchild effortlessly. You better hang up now, this international call must be expensive. Take good care and stay in touch!" Anju was a little apprehensive about the maid overhearing their conversation but the woman continued working without even casting a glance at Anju.

"All right, please don't neglect your health, and remember to delete this call entry from your call log, I will talk to you soon!" Sanyukta said goodbye and Anju returned to her chores, happy to have spoken to her daughter though she could not share her happiness with her family. Even a passing reference to his estranged daughter was enough to upset Kishore. Anju liked staying connected with Sanyukta, she was secretly proud of her for daring to follow her heart, though she could never voice it out aloud to anyone. 

"Finished so quickly? That must be the blandest conversation a daughter ever had with her Mom, no nagging, no gossip!" Randhir grinned as Sanyukta returned his phone. "Oh, I would love to nag about my brother and his wife but we cannot speak for too long. She's paranoid about Papa finding out!" She let him swaddle her in his arms. "Randhir, I am so guilty about not revealing the facts to my mother. Lying and keeping things from her makes me uncomfortable. When should I open up to her?" She asked.

"Do you think your mother is strong enough to digest what you want to tell her?" He knew what her answer would be because she remained silent. "Look Sanyukta, our parents try to shape our value system but they often break rules themselves. Kids are told it is wrong to lie, yet parents  either lie or keep things from them for various reasons. Just like that we need to withhold certain facts from our parents. If you offload your conscience by telling it all to your Mom she will end up carrying the cross instead of you. She is already living with the fear and guilt of talking to you without your father's knowledge. Don't add to that burden!"

"We will have to level with our families when the time is right, until then hold your horses! A lady of your mother's background cannot rationalise what you have been through in these two years of staying away from her. Tell her what she may be able to handle, such as your meat eating, and only if she brings it up. Our parents have to deal with enough stress already!" Randhir explained. "She will really freak out if she finds out about our live-in relationship and the secret wedding!" Sanyukta worded out her anxiety. 

"Of course she will! Intimacy before marriage is frowned upon in our culture, but people tend to forget that our society is different from that of our forefathers. Earlier girls were married before or just when they hit puberty. Conjugal life began early, that meant no real need for pre-marital sex. Our generation is expected to become qualified and establish a career, with boys and girls marrying much later. If you become sexually aware in your early teens why should you be expected to remain celibate until you are 30?" He added."But Randhir, for me our emotional bond and compatibality is more important than sex. And I have no regrets about us staking each other out."

"The sheer depth of the experiences I've lived through with you has fortified my survival skills, I wish Ma could understand my standpoint!" She said, wrapping her leg around him. "My brother's wife is pregnant, I shall be an aunt by next year!" She shared. "I know, I was right here during your chat! I may be mistaken, but I don't think you like your Bhabhi too much!" It was unlike Randhir to make such an observation. They were beginning to interact like a married couple. "Well, the feeling is mutual, we started off on a bad note. There is no tangible reason for our distrust, could be just kitchen politics. She could be right and I wrong, but now that does not matter. I am looking forward to the new arrival!" She smiled as she surrendered herself in his eager arms.