"Good Morning Dad!" Sanyukta greeted Harsh who entered the kitchen looking for her. "Good Morning Beta, where is your husband?" Harsh asked her. "He is out jogging, should be back in some time. Shall I serve you breakfast meanwhile? I've made besan chilla with chutney." She started to plate the chilla for him. "It is unusual for the women in my family to be up and working in the morning while on a holiday. You should take it easy, I feel awkward to see you busy like this. Anyway, the chillas look delicious. But let us wait for Randhir to return, then we can sit down to eat together! Finish making your chillas till I deal with some mail." He turned to go but paused to speak to her.

"Oh, and now that you are part of the family I want you to have a regular allowance just like Vidushi so that you don't need  worry about expenses." Harsh was waiting for an opportune moment to mention this to Sanyukta when Randhir was not home. "No Dad, I have enough funds to see me through for a year, plus I am not going to spend much on shopping or on accommodation now that Shaila ji is married to Nobin da. If I need money Randhir will help me out!" Sanyukta said promptly. "Beta, I know you left home to become independent, but there is no harm in spending your husband's money. Randhir told me you don't let him splurge on you. Frankly speaking I have never met another girl like you, so it is going to take me some time to get used to it."

"Always remember that for me you are just like Vidushi, I have fond memories of seeing you girls grow up together. I never acknowledged this, but you have been a stabilising factor in Vidushi's life. That has helped keep her feet on the ground. Don't mind me, I get carried away at times. And please use the dishwasher instead of washing up in the sink, it will reduce your drudgery! I'll just have a cup of coffee before I shower." Harsh poured himself a cup of coffee and went to read his mail. As Sanyukta was finishing up Randhir returned after jogging and went for a bath. Sanyukta smiled to herself as she finished making the last chilla, her father-in-law was starting to warm up to her. She felt amused to recall how petrified she had been when she had spotted him standing in the living room the previous evening.

In a few minutes the Shekhawats sat down for breakfast. Along with the besan chilla and chutney Sanyukta placed fresh fruit and yoghurt on the table, she knew these were an integral part of the Shekhawat family breakfast table. "Beta, you can manage to turn the simplest of dishes into tasty treats. I must say, you have chosen the right profession, maybe you should consider setting up a restaurant in the future!" Harsh rewarded Sanyukta with a bright smile. "All credit goes to my mother, without her tuition I would be nothing. Don't know about starting a restaurant, but I would always love to cook for family." She replied as she noticed Randhir wink at her. Even Harsh noticed it and smiled. He finished eating quickly realising that he was crowding the place for his son and bahu. He finished his meal with a cup of aromatic masala chai.

After breakfast Randhir helped Sanyukta clean up, she decided to use the dishwasher as Harsh asked her to. "Chalo kids, you have a great day. I'll be back around half past seven in the evening, and like I said I'll bring Chinese take-out for dinner. I don't want you to spend your honeymoon slogging in the kitchen, Sanyukta. My son must have other things on his mind!" This time Harsh winked at Randhir who grinned shamelessly as he saw Sanyukta blush. As soon as Harsh left for work Randhir pulled his wife close to him. "Bless my Dad, he left nearly an hour earlier than needed so that we could have more time together. And I know a great way to turn this morning productive!" He told her.

He carried her effortlessly to the bedroom. "Randhir, you don't have to take your father's words literally! I am sure he was teasing us!" She whispered. 'As if you don't want us to make love! Stop pretending Jaan, and be nice to your man here! I know you are addicted to me and my skills in bed" He rained kisses down her neck and shoulders till she could not resist him anymore. "Don't assume that I won't explore options Randhir, it may get boring to not have variety in bed!" She smirked at him and he looked deep in her eyes as if to read her mind. "Pulling my leg now, are we? You deserve to be punished for being cheeky, and don't you dare cheat on me and force me to commit a crime of passion!" He said to her earnestly as he put her across his lap and smacked her on the buttocks.

"I can do this all day, you know, pleasuring you!" He said as he peeled off their clothes slowly. "This time we are going do it the good old-fashioned way!" He muttered as he loomed over her body, he was in the mood to dominate. He caressed her as his lips made contact with hers. His fingers teased her between the legs until her moans grew more and more audible. As he placed a pillow beneath her hips she looped her legs around him and he entered her, getting her to match his thrusts with her own until they felt stars burst in their heads and he flopped over her. "I love you!" She said. "Not more than how much I love you!" He kissed her gently letting her cuddle. 

"I am storing all our happiness, it has got to last us for at least a year!" She told him. "According to my estimate, we need to make love at least six times daily to compensate for that!" He said. By the time they showered together and got dressed to go out it was ten in the morning. "Let's go to the Central Park Zoo. It is not as large as the Bronx Zoo but it is closer and you won't be tired at the end of the day." As he spoke they made their way to the subway station at Broadway/W 120 St. The ride took them 30 minutes before they got off at Madison Av/East 60-61 St and they walked the short distance to the zoo entrance. Sanyukta remembered seeing it featured in the animation film Madagascar.

  The zoo was not very large but there had been a good attempt toward re-creating natural habitats for the animals  in an urban environment. The zoo is a home to sea lions, monkeys, tropical birds red pandas and some endangered species. With the same ticket one bought for the larger zoo one could visit the Tisch Children's Zoo, an attraction designed for kids where they can feed and pet friendly animals or learn about them in a variety of simulated animal habitats. Randhir and Sanyukta got to the zoo just in time for the Sea Lion feeding time at half past eleven. The exhibit was very popular with visitors, mostly families with children. Seeing the handlers feed the smartest and the most entertaining animals at the zoo was a great experience for all.

The other interesting exhibits included the penguins in their chilled enclosure which was meant to simulate their natural environment. They were also lucky to spot the elusive snow leopard which prefers to remain hidden on most days. The grizzly bear and the red panda were other interesting inmates at the zoo and they got a lot of information about the animals and their habits from the staff. By the time Randhir and Sanyukta had taken in all the sights between the polar, temperate and tropic zones they had killed a couple of hours before their feet turned homewards.

Before they got home they had some pasta and salad for lunch. Sanyukta opted for penne in pesto sauce while Randhir had lasagne. After lunch they took the subway to get home. "It has been a while since we took a nap in the afternoon, Sanyukta!" Randhir mentioned and she nodded. They had seen a lot of places from the time they arrived in New York and this afternoon they decided to sleep away their fatigue. Sanyukta felt so refreshed after the nap that she made them some popcorn to munch on while they watched TV until Harsh came home with the dinner he had promised. Harsh made them ice cold glasses of Campari soda with a generous squeeze of lemon and they enjoyed the slight bitter, sweet and tangy drink with a herby flavour.

They opened the food cartons to find shrimp dumpling, scallion pancake, pan fried noodles with seafood, General Tso's chicken with fried rice and Bak Choy with black mushrooms. Sanyukta served them some iced lychees with ice cream to round up the delicious meal. "The food was excellent, Dad!" Sanyukta thanked Harsh, it was one of the nicest Chinese food she had tasted. "Randhir knows the place, you can pick up a different selection another time. Enjoy the city to your fullest before you leave!" Harsh said to Sanyukta.

"I have another day here in New York and I'll be free by afternoon. Let's meet up somewhere for lunch and then spend the rest of the day rambling in New York, unless you two have already made plans. I am flying home the day after!" Harsh said to Randhir and Sanyukta. "No Dad, we have not planned anything, it will be wonderful to spend the day together and bond as a family. It has been a while since we were together!" Randhir smiled at Harsh. "Count me in too, I am sure we'll have a great time Dad!" Sanyukta agreed with Randhir. They were an Indian family after all. Soon they were making phone calls back home to Shaila, Aman, Vidushi, Parth and Nobin da while Randhir and Harsh spoke to Renuka. "Time to sleep, let's tidy up and crash!" Harsh said. "Aloo paranthas for breakfast tomorrow Dad, hope that's fine with you!" Sanyukta asked, hoping that Harsh liked them. "Love them! See you kids for breakfast!" He said before going to bed and the lovers went back to their room for another bout of intimacy before they called it a night.