It took every ounce of his will power to deny them the culmination both were aching for. He knew she had been ready for it a long time now, he could sense her frustration whenever he stopped short. He was not sure for how long he could restrain himself. The passionate lover in him could have her writhing with just his caresses. Their kisses were fiery though their hugs were soothing; the oxytocin peaks they experienced together had helped cement their pair bonding. The feel of her baby soft skin and her fragrance drove him crazy, if she did not fall back exhausted in his arms as he worshiped every inch of her he would never stop pleasuring her. He knew when he stayed back on campus she would pine for him, waiting to smother him with her love when he returned.

She had exhibited surprising maturity when he gave her the mangalsutra after explaining to her earnestly that he had done it to indemnify her from social stigma. He had seen her wearing it whenever he was around, but they had not discussed the matter further preventing awkwardness between them. She made no wifely demands; she would still not let him spend anything on her. He knew it would be hard to meet another girl like her; she managed the ménage in a pittance of a budget. His sister spent more money than that on salon treatments. He had never seen her adorned in fine clothes or jewelry. He knew his mother would be shocked if she ever found out about him living in with this girl; her idea of a perfect companion for him would be someone to the manner born, like Ishika. But that ship had sailed, and he was happy about it. The irony of his life was for the first time in his life he had found himself the perfect partner but she would never be good enough for his mother. The smartest thing for him to do would be to make sure his parents never found out, that way everyone would be at peace.

Sanyukta had never been more confused in her life. She had promised herself she would secure her empowerment by managing her education and career independently. She was happy to be close to Randhir though she had never envisioned this life with him. Everything has fallen into place when he took the initiative to share accommodation with her, they never planned it but had become lovers who shared more than just intimacy. Now he had gone and strung the sacramental necklace around her neck as casually as if it were a fraternity pin. And he had told her it would give her social sanction while keeping her safe from miscreants. What was he thinking, when his time in the city was over he would just walk away leaving her with that token piece of jewelry? As much as she would love being his wife she had to carve a niche for herself first. And he did not even know her real identity. How would he react when he found out about her? What should her next step be? How would Vidushi react if she shared this with her?

She found herself wishing her life had been simpler. She was glad that Ishika was no longer in the picture, but soon his mother would manage to find more beautiful eligible girls for him to meet. She herself could never be one of those; her background was not good enough for Renuka Shekhawat. If earlier she had been infatuated with Randhir, now she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. The time they had shared was singularly the most beautiful experience of her entire life. Yet she found herself caught in her own trap. She knew he had fallen for her too, but which woman did he fall for? The obvious answer to that question was Yasmeen. What if Sanyukta lost out to Yasmeen? And for Renuka Shekhawat neither Sanyukta nor Yasmeen fit the bill.

She could see there was no point in brooding over the matter. If life gave her lemons, she would bring her own tequila and salt to the table. In a few years the answers would emerge, until then she would continue to pick up the skills she would need to survive and succeed. She just prayed for courage to help her fight the battles rather than run from them.

Right now she had dinner on her mind, Randhir and Parth were both coming over for the weekend, she had better dish up a hearty dinner. Once her travails in the kitchen were over she decided to relax over some lemon tea and stepped out on the terrace to check on her plants while she waited for the boys to return. To her absolute delight her new jasmine had managed to bear its first tender blossoms. She was right; she should focus on the positives, leaving the rest to fate. Que sera, sera!