"All lavish weddings should be banned! I don't think I can endure another one with those endless rituals! My jaw is still aching from smiling for the camera!" Jay whined and Sanyukta chuckled. The week long festivities had obviously taken a toll on her friend's patience.

"Come on, Jay, the wedding is all done with! You should be looking forward to your honeymoon cruise right now!" Sanyukta was at her desk, glancing through the MIS reports the night shift had prepared. 

"You were sensible, to not have gone through the public spectacle called a shaadi! Let us see! The jewellers, the kapda designers, event planners, the decorators, the caterers, confectioners, the DJ, the photographers and videographers, the priests are all laughing their way to the bank. And what did I gain? A temperamental bride whom I can barely handle! I hope at least the hotel's revenue reports are encouraging!" Jay looked at Sanyukta hopefully.

"The hotel rooms have been booked at peak season rates, we have over ninety per cent occupancy and with some smart marketing strategies we can boost the convention business as well! Cheer up, Jay! I think you are just nervous about the honeymoon!" Sanyukta had known him long enough to sense his moods.

"Urvi seems like a regular gal but every now and then she seems to get a crack attack! She has a problem with goose down pillows in the hotel rooms, bone china in the restaurants and silk drapes on the windows. I did not know she had turned vegan, I have distinct childhood memories of her tearing roasted meat off the bone during farmhouse parties. Don't know what she will decide to ban next!" Jay sounded a little frustrated.

"I grew up around Marwari Jains and although they include dairy they otherwise eat a plant diet. Some families will not use cosmetics unless they are labelled cruelty free and will replace silk and wool with cotton or artificial yarn for their clothes. Come on, Jay, the world is getting more inclusive. My parents brought me up vegetarian but I am no longer one! Urvi may have changed her lifestyle just like I did. You should accept her for what she believes in, maybe as time goes by she will soften her stand!" Sanyukta summoned an assistant to file the reports away.

"Life will not be the same again. Yuvrani, I miss those good old carefree college days, late night snacking on the eat streets of Mumbai and backpacking trips to coastal hangouts!" Jay signed the papers Sanyukta had placed before him without glancing at them.

"Jay, don't just sign any document placed before you without checking it first! How will you run the business after I am gone?" Sanyukta stood up. They had to go around inspecting the hotel premises to make sure that quality standards were being followed.

Jay walked by her side absentmindedly. He knew that Sanyukta had agreed to stay back to assist him only because she had experience running a heritage hotel and because she was dealing with her own issues. She had always been supportive through their college years and he often turned to her when he needed help. But she was due to deliver her baby in a few months and the thought of her impending absence troubled him.

"Wake up Peter Pan, you have to grow up, now that you have a bride and a also business to run!" Sanyukta hesitated as they entered the coffee shop. Urvi was seated at the table reserved for the owner's family.

"Good Morning, Urvashi. Jay, why don't you join her? I will get back to work!" Sanyukta did not want to intrude on the newly married couple's time together.

"Sanyukta, please stay, I insist! And call me Urvi! We need to get to know each other better! Jay barely tells me anything about you!" Urvashi gave her a warm smile. She looked every bit the radiant bride with her henna painted arms and her diamond accessories.

"That's a great idea! Why don't I leave you girls alone to give you the opportunity to bond while I run along and meet a client? Try not to nag too much about me, Urvi! I'll see you around!" Jay turned and left before Sanyukta could react. She smiled at Urvi and sat down, it would be impolite to decline the invitation. But Sanyukta knew she had to be careful, she had unwittingly sensed some envy. Urvi wanted to dig deeper to discover if there was more to the Jay-Sanyukta equation than was being made obvious.

Sanyukta waited until the staff had served her order of a fruit platter and smoothie. 

"So, Jay tells me that you were brave enough to run away from home to study in the college of your choice in Mumbai. It would be interesting to know more, unless you find the question invasive!" Urvi looked confident as she munched on a large strawberry.

"It is not something I am proud of, Urvi! I was desperate to escape an unwanted arranged marriage, but what it could have gotten me into a lot of trouble. I would not recommend running away from home to any naive teenage girl. I was fortunate to have met the right people. Not everyone is as lucky. I could have been molested or trafficked had I fallen into the wrong hands!" Sanyukta knew that Urvi wanted more information.

"So, you worked to support yourself through college! That's quite awesome! I don't think my parents would let me!" Urvi squeezed some lemon in her tea.

"The question of parental approval did not feature in my case. My parents too would have disapproved if they knew. Most Indian parents are uncomfortable with the idea of empowering their daughters. They are not entirely wrong. Most children depend on parents to make major decisions about education, career and relationships." Sanyukta looked at Urvi who was in no apparent hurry to end the conversation.

"So then what is the right approach? Should parents continue to mentor them or should kids be given the freedom to decide for themselves?" Urvi asked.

"Each family is different. Every child may have a different goal. I think parents should invest resources in ensuring that their children stand on their own feet. Although a life partner should be one's own choice! And a wedding should not be a burden for the families, especially if they have modest means." Samyukta glanced at the antique clock behind the buffet, without making it obvious to Urvi.

"You married the guy you wanted to! But your situation is still unusual, is it not?" Urvi knew Jay would not like her posing such questions to Sanyukta.

"When I left the comfort of my father's home I knew the path I had chosen would be tough. I took calculated risks because I knew life would not hand me anything on a platter. But I don't regret my choices. I value my independence above everything! " Sanyukta paused. It was up to Urvi to continue.

"But would it not have been simpler to marry Jay, considering he was so besotted by you?" Urvi came to the point.

"Maybe, had I seen anything more serious than infatuation on his behalf. But to tell you the truth, I was already living in with the one I loved when Jay tried to ask me out!" Sanyukta smiled. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her chest.

"So that means Jay and you never dated?" Urvi persisted.

"Never ever! But he has always been a good friend. And I am sure he told you about that! You have no reason to disbelieve him! Now if you could excuse me, I have to get back to work!"

"Sanyukta, you should look after your health, your bump is quite distinct now!" Urvi got to her feet.

"I certainly will, thank you!" Sanyukta walked toward her office while Urvi went toward their accommodation.

"You told her, did you not? Spoilsport!!" Jay grinned at Sanyukta.

"What did you want me to tell her?" Sanyukta could hardly believe her ears.

"Arey, you could have been evasive, letting her think that your baby is mine too! It would be fun to torment her!" Jay's eyes were glued to his phone screen as he was busy playing a game.

"One of us is not shameless, guess who!" Sanyukta checked mail on her phone screen.

"Come on, Yuvrani! A wife should learn to trust! Women should understand that men resent unilateral control over their minds. We ogle hot bodies, enjoy watching porn and talk dirty with buddies while drinking, that is the guy code! We are not saints, nor are we ogres. We strike a fine balance, as the need arises!" Jay tapped on the desk to draw her attention.

"Yes, and men also think that managing the home and kids is the woman's primary responsibility and watching sports and hanging out with buddies is their fundamental right. I am glad I am not in a conventional marriage, Jay!" Sanyukta adjusted the thermostat to a bladder-friendly setting. She was running to the bathroom more frequently now.

"Do you know that among lions, the male just watches over the pride and impregnates his females while they bring home the meal and also nurture the cubs, no questions asked? It would be fun to be born a male lion!" Jay stretched in his desk chair.

"Do you also know that a male lion remains in his prime for just a few years before he is ousted by a rival younger male, who kills all his cubs so the females come into heat and mate with the usurper? Anyway, we have a meeting with the department heads in five, better stop playing that game on your phone now!" Sanyukta laughed to see the look on his face.

"See what I mean, your gender wants unilateral control. You girls hate it when we have fun!" Jay put down his phone reluctantly as the others began trooping into the office for the morning meeting.

"The classification committee will be here on Wednesday. All will ensure that their departments function optimally and all areas are kept spotlessly clean before the inspection!" Jay addressed his employees in a tone as authoritarian as he could manage. Sanyukta resisted the urge to giggle. 

The meeting went on for nearly half an hour before the room emptied out and only Jay and Sanyukta were left.

"I have ordered akkha masoor and bhakri for lunch! I am afraid if you continue to spend more time with Urvi you will go back to being a vegetarian!" Jay stayed by her side as they decided to break for lunch early. Jay disapproved of her delaying her meal as typical hoteliers do.

"Should we not wait for Urvi?" Sanyukta asked cautiously. 

"I already messaged her. She replied that she is having lunch at some friend's place. Bet it is some vegan witches' potluck event! Have this mint buttermilk, it is wicked! And why are you eating like a sparrow? You make me feel guilty!" Jay fussed over her.

"See, you are being Daddy again!" Sanyukta laughed. She did enjoy the attention, however. The Shekhawats were in touch with her over the phone, but Jay's presence and his genuine concern for her was comforting.

"Not Daddy! I am playing Valmiki to your Sita while Ram is being an ass as usual! It is my moral responsibility to see that you go through a safe pregnancy, and I will be godfather to your baby when he or she arrives. So eat well, Yuvrani! I asked them to tone down the spices in the lentils! By the way, I almost forgot to tell you. Randhir Singh Shekhawat has booked a suite here, he will check in around six this evening! Funny, he declined my hospitality and insisted on paying for the stay!" Jay tried to keep a straight face.

"Really? He did not tell me anything!" Sanyukta looked astonished. Neither Randhir not anyone else had told her about the visit.

"He said it would be easier if he checks in as a hotel guest rather than be my personal guest! Wonder when this cloak and dagger nonsense will end! Anyway, we are having malai kulfi for dessert! And some great coffee afterwards!" Jay declared.

Sanyukta could barely focus on her work for the rest of the afternoon. She left the office by half past five. She peeled off her saree, she had to take a shower and change into something more comfortable before Randhir arrived.