"They paid you ten dollars an hour for work? You are a rich girl now!" Randhir remarked with a grin. They were discussing the stipend she got during her training at the restaurant kitchen in New York. "And fifteen dollars an hour for overtime! I know it sounds trivial to you but it is my first khari kamaai here in the States, I am hoping to return next year and take up a real job. I don't want to live away from you Randhir!" She added, clinging close to him. She was feeling increasingly depressed, how was she going to spend a year away from him, she wondered. "Nothing about you is trivial, my love, you are my world now! Let's see if I can come to India during the Christmas break, we can meet then!" He sounded hopeful. "Even if you return you may have to stay with your parents in Delhi. How can we be with each other?" She asked.

"You can fly down to Delhi, I will come up with an idea to meet somehow!" He smiled, pecking her on the forehead. "But will you get leave in just six months? And I don't want to stay alone in some hotel in Delhi!" She voiced her doubt. "You can stay in Parth's house as Vidushi's friend. You will be safe there and it will give me a valid excuse to meet you regularly, I can just tell my parents that I am hanging out with him!" Randhir knew it was easier said than done, he would have to confide into his father whose help he needed to enlist to try and meet Sanyukta. "Fingers crossed, let's hope for the best, although I am very uncomfortable with the idea of deceiving your mother!" She remarked.

"Kabhi kisiko muqammal jahan nahi milta, kahi zameen to kahi aasman nahi milta! Chalo biwi, naashta khila do, unlike you I have a busy day ahead!" He hurried to the bathroom for a shower while she set their breakfast on the table. He had asked her not to make any lunch but rather to defrost and reheat some of the food she had frozen earlier. She had made grand plans to pre-cook and freeze Indian dinners for him but ever since his mother's arrival was announced he thought it would be best if Sanyukta avoided cooking. Renuka would promptly spot the evidence and it would be near impossible for Randhir to convince his mother that he had been cooking, she knew for certain that he was a novice in the kitchen. Also both Randhir and Sanyukta were in the process of painstakingly removing all traces of her presence in the house. She would leave New York within minutes of his mother's arrival. 

Randhir wolfed down his breakfast while Sanyukta ate slowly. She handed him sandwiches, salad and some fruit to carry to work. He kissed her goodbye before stepping out of the apartment. "May be a bit late coming home." He reminded her just before leaving. The smile that she had on her face as she saw him off vanished as soon as she shut the door behind her. It bothered her to think how, even when they had a proper Hindu wedding her place in his life was uncertain. She was living a lie, if his mother found out she would unleash a hurricane in their lives. Her mind assured her that it would pay to be patient, she would simply wait for a few years until Randhir was settled in his career. But her heart ached when she considered herself a clandestine presence in Randhir's life. No wife wants to be married secretly. She longed to have a regular existence by his side, while bringing up Aman and any other children they could have in future.

She kept herself occupied with cleaning chores around the house, gathering anything that would make Renuka suspect her presence and packing it in a medium sized bag Randhir had set aside for the purpose. It could lie concealed in a corner in his wardrobe, hidden from inquisitive eyes and when she returned to the city to join him she could start all over again. If Renuka happened to spot the bag Randhir could explain that a friend had left the stuff behind before leaving for India. Sanyukta had just a day with him before she flew back. She could not believe she had spent nearly ten weeks with Randhir in the city. She missed her Mom, although she had assurance from her aunt in Kolkata that she was doing fine. Sanyukta forced herself to have some lunch even if she had no appetite. 

She decided to chat with Aman later that day, he always managed to bring a smile on her face with his warmth and exuberance. Their affection for each other had long been mutual, just thinking about him was enough to cheer Sanyukta up. Even if she had to leave Randhir behind in New York she would still have her cherub close to her back in Mumbai. She waited patiently till she got him online. "Hi Sanyu, you finished packing?" He asked excitedly. 

"No Aman, I have yet to finish, but it won't be long now. You will come to the airport along with Dadi?" She asked him with a smile on her face.

"Of course, I can't wait Sanyu. Where is Randhir, at the office?" Aman quizzed her.

"Yes, I am home alone. Vidushi is quite busy but I knew you would be there so I decided to meet you online. And how is your girlfriend Bubbles?" Sanyukta winked at him.

"Sanyu, I told you so many times Bubbles is not my girlfriend. Yesterday we had a fight and she sat with Riya in class, not with me!" Aman spoke with a stoic expression.

"Oh, is that so? When I get home you can share the chocolates I give you with her. I am sure you will become friends again soon!" She assured him, and they continued to chat until Randhir got back. Aman and Randhir greeted each other warmly and talked for some more time. Later Randhir went to have a shower and Sanyukta went into the kitchen to warm their dinner. She was about to dish up the food when a freshly bathed Randhir came upon her suddenly and carried her to the bedroom. "What are you doing? Is this the time? Dinner will get cold!" She protested. "We'll heat it again. Right now I am hungry for more than food!" He sounded husky as he threw his towel on the floor exposing himself to her and pushing her down on the bed. 

Her breath hitched to see him eager for her, and she peeled off her own clothes before he lowered himself upon her, kissing her eagerly. His mouth explored every inch of her skin before he settled himself on his favourite spot, teasing her and sending her over the cliff within minutes. She held onto him lovingly when he began thrusting inside her, eagerly receiving his invasion, moving her own hips to his rhythm, doubling their pleasure. Soon they lay next to each other panting but with their hunger sated momentarily. "Are we celebrating anything special tonight?" She asked him as he handed her a chilled glass of bubbly. "Maybe I am just stocking up on your love as much I can! Or maybe because I managed to single out an ideal apartment for Sara that neither Mom nor that girl would have any reason to reject!" He said to her with a triumphant smile.