Sanyukta had gone off the grid; she stopped using her existing phone number and deleted her social networking accounts. She did whatever possible to stop herself from being found, although did not have an option to using her bank account. She was determined to finish her degree and embark upon a career. She had wisely put aside all the money that had been gifted to her in the previous years, besides the endowment given by her grandparents in the form of fixed deposits. She had enough funds to cover her education; she only had to budget her living expenses in the city. The daughter of a business family, she knew how to manage funds wisely. Of course now it meant no luxuries, no indulgence, she had to learn to live within her means.

She opened a new email account, the only means to communicate with Vidushi who had given her news about her parents planning to move to Kolkata. Vidushi had moved to New Delhi for her degree in fashion technology. She also updated her on having taken her relationship with Parth to the next level when she met him in Mumbai, of course with her brother's blessings. Sanyukta was amazed to hear that, even if she had been witness to how liberal Randhir had been with his sister while still being a protective brother. No doubt the siblings shared a great trust bond and Randhir obviously had a lot of faith in Parth.

She knew that by now the extended family and her community would have gotten wind of her flight from home. She was sorry her family had to weather the storm because of her actions, but had she stayed back she would have been married off against her wishes. Ironically she felt a little unshackled now, no one in her community would now want her married to their sons; she had become an outcast, the proverbial black sheep. She also knew that people would cast aspersions on her character without bothering to check with facts. She felt distressed with homesickness. She missed her mother very much but dared not call her, if the rest of her family were around there would be the inevitable confrontation. She had to deal with the reality that now Sanyukta Agarwal was literally on her own!

On the other hand Yasmeen joined Randhir and Parth in the effort to set up home. Randhir's charm had worked well, the landlady allowed them to move up some old unused furniture and a two burner LPG hotplate which she had set aside after her own kitchen had been renovated. They then went shopping and instead of visiting a large store Yasmeen dragged them to the market where, in the tiniest of shops she could manage to eke out the best bargains without compromising on quality. Randhir was glad they had borrowed the landlady's car for the day, Yasmeen was a woman on a mission, and they had to persuade her to take a break so they could all have lunch in peace. Parth subjected Randhir to a great deal of ribbing, he had already begun referring to Yasmeen as Bhabhi behind her back, and Randhir did nothing to stop him. The idea of living under the same roof with her was beginning to grow on him.

She only stopped buying things when she realised her money was almost spent. Randhir managed to pick up an affordable grinder and spares for the old washing machine. He did not want to make any major purchases before her because she had insisted on spending on everything that day; he did not want to deprive her of the satisfaction of feathering her nest, though he knew money must be an issue for her.

When they got back  Yasmeen enthusiastically put her kitchen together, while Randhir and Parth got the washing machine overhauled and working. The boys also put up some lines to hang the washing. Having forgotten to buy milk, she served them Sulemani chai- black tea with lemon in 'cutting chai' glasses and onion pakodas, fitting refreshment after the long day they had. She then got busy with preparations for dinner, making dal palak, smoky baingan bharta and parathas. After they were all showered and changed she served them the meal under the moonlight on the open terrace, as their first load of laundry was being washed in the machine. Parth voted to have his dinner made by her every day; he found her so accomplished in the art of cooking. Randhir simply complimented her for the meal with a genuine smile. She apologised for not having made any dessert, serving them sliced fruit instead, remarking that she missed the convenience of a fridge. Randhir made a mental note of adding that to his shopping list along with a phone; he had not seen her use one and assumed she was avoiding getting one. But he would need to stay connected with her, he had realised today what she meant to him!

After they had eaten the boys helped her tidy up and hang up the washing. They went to bed soon after that; the boys in Randhir's room and Yasmeen in hers. She felt blessed to have them and prayed that they would continue to be a part of her otherwise lonely life.