On board the aircraft on her way back to Mumbai Sanyukta was literally on cloud nine, enjoying a leisurely lunch. When she arrived in Kolkata she had been apprehensive about her mother's reaction on meeting her rebellious daughter, but Shonali had done an excellent job of making Anju see things from Sanyukta's perspective. Mother and daughter had made up for lost time in the little while that they managed to spend together and Shonali had promised to remain the vital conduit between them. Sanyukta felt as if the mountain of guilt she had been lugging around had vanished, giving her wings to fly. This boost in confidence assured her that she had been on the right track all along, even if her father and brother still had reservations about her it was their point of view, at least her mother had forgiven her for being ahead of times in chasing her dreams. She wished she could inspire more girls like herself to take the bold step of shaping their own destinies rather than being stuck in a mundane, humdrum existence.

She had been really nervous going over to the Rajbari not knowing what to expect. But Vidushi had smartly  smuggled her into the house without being detected. Randhir was much too surprised to find her waiting for him and the two lovers had spent a magical night together in the room that held his happy childhood memories. While waiting for him to return after dinner she had flicked through his childhood pictures with his grandparents, one album being dedicated to his Mukhe Bhaat or weaning ceremony when he was about six months old. She had a smile on her face seeing the baby Randhir dressed in a traditional dhoti with chandan dots adorning his forehead, looking like a pin-up calendar Krishna. His Dadu or grandfather was proudly feeding him payesh using a silver bowl and spoon set as his Didima looked on with adoration in her eyes.

 Sanyukta felt a surge of affection at the sight of his grandmother's expression, she could easily relate to the feeling as she held as much love for Randhir in her heart as she could see in his Didima's eyes. She immediately clicked those pictures with her phone wanting somehow to be a part of them. She did not tell Randhir how the experience had moved her and how she had come to feel some warm, welcoming vibes as if she was being called upon to be at home there. The next morning before leaving she once again felt a compelling need to collect some of the jasmine seeds, having come to regard the plant as a good omen wherever she went. As she left the Rajbari she has expressed a heartfelt desire to return as a bonafide member of the family where she would be welcomed at the front door rather than having to sneak in like she had done this time.

Back in Mumbai she found little Aman waiting for her eagerly because she had promised to get him treats from Kolkata. He was delighted to taste the chocolate sandesh and danced a happy jig around her to see the little dhoti-kurta set she had picked up for him, along with a traditional saree for his grandmother. There was something immensely satisfying in seeing the joy on his face, Sanyukta took him in her arms and gave him a motherly peck on his cheeks wishing she could give him such moments forever. She thought that his biological father must be a certified idiot to have turned away from such a winsome child. Some day, she hoped, if life turned out like she had planned she would surely come back for Aman, providing him with whatever he was missing all these years.

The following day turned out to be a deluge due to heavy rainfall, she somehow managed to get home after college while Randhir messaged her that his flight had safely landed and he was on the way to the Barsaati. She quickly rustled up a warm dinner and heated water for his bath anticipating a power failure. Just as he reached it stopped raining but the neighbourhood had become so inundated with floodwater the power company shut off power to prevent short circuits. She set the table while he bathed and they had dinner by candlelight. No sooner had she tidied up he blew out the candles and carried her in his arms on the terrace where he placed her on a large air mattress. 

He had just a few months left to spend with her in the city after which his work was cut out for him in the US, the paperwork was already done. Both knew it, both had decided not to discuss it and take things in stride, they would cross the bridge when they got there.The air had turned pleasantly cool after if stopped raining, it was pitch dark outside. Not a star was visible in the sky and she wondered if her lover had gone crazy.  Soon she had her answer as he rid them of their clothes and her breath hitched at his boldness while his lips tasted the deliciousness of her skin arousing her as he loved her under the open skies. As she protested about getting naked like this he simply sealed her mouth, his fingers teasing her where she was most sensitive. He began exploring her intimately making her groan and sigh. She felt the thrill of anticipation, this was going to be a long night and he looked very eager to make it well worth it, there was no way she was going to deny herself the pleasure.