Prithvi parked the vehicle at the gate, and looked at his fidgety companion. "We'll get down here. The jeep has to go for servicing."

"Okay," Nandini said with a dry throat and got down readily, grateful for the extra time it would take to reach the bungalow. What would she tell Choti maa... what reason would she give for her behaviour...

"So what did Choti maa say when you told her you're my girlfriend?" Prithvi asked interestedly as they approached the house.

"I didn't tell that!" she gasped. "I didn't – couldn't talk to her at all," she confessed shamefacedly. "She was talking to a child. I waited till she was free. Then she saw me and asked who I was. I couldn't think of an answer. A lady from the kitchen asked her about a dish. When Choti maa was answering her, I - I ran away."

"Damn. There should have been CCTV cameras in the hall," he muttered wistfully.

"There should have what?" she asked suspiciously.

"Someone to help you," he modified promptly. "But don't feel bad. It could happen to anyone. I'll ask Sumer Baba to introduce you to her."

"That would be wonderful," she said earnestly, gladdened by his thoughtfulness. "But I'm still worried. What must Choti maa be thinking of me?"

"Relax. At worst, she might think you've escaped from an asylum," he highlighted charitably.

"Thank you," she said wryly. "That's very reassuring."

"You're welcome," he said graciously. "I'm so good at this...I think I should take up a career in motivational speaking," he ruminated, and then grinned as she started laughing.

But Nandini's laughter ceased within moments, and a shadow of anxiety marred her face. They had reached the doors. Her steps slowed. Before they could pause completely, he caught her hand firmly and led her into the house. They crossed the threshold together, but once inside, he released her hand and coolly sauntered to the nicely designed seating arena.

Sumer Singh bounced up from a huge sofa and happily waved them over. He'd felt troubled on learning that Nandini wanted to stay in the guesthouse. But Prithvi had forbidden him from raising the topic in front of Nandini, and had calmly guaranteed that she would change her mind.

Nandini smiled at Sumer Singh but stayed put, trying to decide if she should remove her slippers. She had not removed them the first time. Was that a bad omen? But she couldn't see any footwear near the door.

"Nandini! Come in," Sumer Singh prompted.

She nodded and hastened to join them.

Prithvi was lounged in a snug armchair, and was taking a tall glass of water from a tray held by a male servant who seemed to have materialised out of nowhere. He drank it in one go and kept the glass back. Sumer Singh resumed his seat and leaned forward to speak to Prithvi.

Nandini ambled around the couch, admiring the insides of the bungalow. It was quite grand. And the lovely winding staircase and gorgeous chandelier enhanced its charm.

The tray was extended to her. She gratefully picked a glass with a genial "Thank you", drained the contents and replaced it on the tray.

A hand tugged hard at her plait, and she turned with an angry hiss. "Why did you do that?"

"You're not under punishment," Prithvi said unrepentantly. "Sit down."

She glowered at him and occupied the armchair next to his.

Prithvi looked incisively at Sumer Singh. "It's too quiet. What's going on?"

"Nothing to worry about," Sumer Singh said. "One of the maids thought she saw a snake upstairs. But it was a piece of rope."

"A snake...right...Baba, introduce Nandini to Choti maa. I'll be right back," Prithvi said, rising from the chair

"Yes, my lord," Sumer Singh assented. He had assumed Nandini had met that volatile lady during her first visit, but something must have gone wrong. His mobile phone trilled in his pocket. He took it out and saw the name of the manager of the Daheer palace. He excused himself and dashed to a corner to speak freely.

"Where are you going?" Nandini quizzically asked Prithvi.

"To talk to my uncle."

"I want to meet him too," she said radiantly, surging to her feet.

"Choti maa should be your priority," he recommended. "She's the one who thinks you're the village idiot."

As she was about to respond angrily, he sharply asked, "Hey...where's your chain?"

Her hand jumped to her neck. "It fell off when we were in the ashram," she mumbled, discreetly crossing her fingers of her other hand within the folds of her dupatta. "It's alright. I have a spare necklace."

He eyed her sceptically. "If you had lost it, we would still be stuck there. You would be sobbing your eyes out and crawling on the ground to find it. And nagging me to join the 'search and rescue' team," he imagined darkly.

Discomposed by the well-founded argument, she dodged his scrutiny and evasively replied, "I gave it to someone."

"To whom?" he enquired, brows knit.

"It's not important," she mumbled.

"I see. Smart move," Prithvi admired. "You got rid of the silver chain to get the gold one back. But the plan won't work."

"That's not why I gave it to Manisha!" Nandini refuted heatedly. "It was blessed for my protection and I felt she needed it more than me. And what do you mean 'the plan won't work'?" she demanded on an afterthought.

"I don't want you to wear the gold chain," he said absent-mindedly, studying her with an inscrutable emotion.

"Why not?"

"It used to be precious. Now I don't know what it represents," he shrugged.

Her temper cooled all of a sudden. Of course...the chain had belonged to his mother....

"It is very precious to me," she said gently.

"Sure it is. The number of times you've given the chain back to me is conclusive proof," he retorted unemotionally.

Discomfited pink tinted her skin, but she firmly said, "You were to blame each time."

Prithvi started to reply, then realised Sumer Singh had returned and was watching them with a broad smile.

"You're competing with her for the post of village idiot?" he asked irascibly.

"I'm sorry, my lord. You both appeared to be arguing and it transported me back to Shamli," Sumer Singh chortled.

"She started it," Prithvi stated carelessly. "It's actually her style of flirting openly."

"Prithvi!" Nandini shrieked, turning scarlet with mortification.

"Angry because your secret is out eh?" he grinned, striding backwards.

"Will you shut up!" She yelled furiously.

"Don't be upset. He knows you're crazy about me," Prithvi consoled, and then spun with a laugh to make his way to the staircase.

Boiling with rage and indignity, she was plotting ways to slaughter him when Sumer Singh disbelievingly said, "He laughed."

She looked at the elderly man. There was a wet sparkle in his eyes.

"Sumer uncle, are you okay?" Nandini asked, stunned.

Sumer Singh got hold of himself and turned his face away. "There are five rooms on the ground floor, and eight on top," he babbled, swabbing at his eyes. "My room is on this floor...the one behind that column. Your room is upstairs. On that end of the corridor. His Highness Uday Singh's room is at the other end. There is another small passageway on that side and it leads to Prithvi's room."

Recovering control over his emotions, he looked at the nearest guard. "Call the head cook," he directed loudly. "Tell her she is being summoned by the prince."

Still battling embarrassment, Nandini tentatively said, "Sumer uncle, Prithvi didn't -"

"His 'Choti maa' won't heed anyone else's orders," Sumer Singh said with distaste. "Nandini, you should be prepared. Kadambari is very possessive about Prithvi. And she believes she is the only one who doesn't have a selfish motive for loving him. And - Oh, here she comes. Don't be friendly. That woman is dangerous," he forewarned.

Nandini's head reeled under the terrifying advice. She looked at the smiling woman walking out of the kitchen.

Kadambari's eyes fell upon them, and her expression altered. She gazed doubtfully at Nandini, and then the penny dropped. The warmth in her smile vanished and her eyes narrowed.

As the middle-aged woman stopped and acquired a hostile look, Nandini dismally realised that Sumer Singh's fears had not been baseless.

******************************

Uday Singh stared repentantly at his wrinkled fingers.

"What did you do?" Prithvi asked coldly for the second time.

"She was sweeping near the bed when I woke up," Uday Singh said gawkily. "And I caught – that is... for fun...I might have - flirted."

"All the gratitude in the world won't stop me from putting your other foot into the grave if you keep that up," Prithvi cut in grimly.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Uday clarified rapidly. "Flirting with women is a habit. I can't help it. But my overtures are limited to words. Can't follow up with action. My equipment doesn't work anymore," he mourned deeply.

Revolted, Prithvi scowled at his great-uncle. "Please don't share these delightful revelations with me unless I go deaf or die," he said tetchily. "Now getting back to topics that don't make me want to throw up, the next woman who has to endure your flirting will be given a knife and freedom to chop anything she wants to."

"Understood," Uday said remorsefully. "It won't happen again. So errr...where's Nandini?" he enquired eagerly. "Did Sumer tell you about going to Daheer day after tomorrow? I felt Nandini would be more comfortable if she knew Janki's house wasn't too far away. But I should have discussed the matter with you before telling Janki. I know you will have to travel longer distances if we shift to the palace, and it would be tiring -"

"Not an issue," Prithvi muttered. He knew the motive behind the move was a very different one. And that they were going to use Nandini to get his consent for insufferable plans. But he would cross that bridge when he came to it. As matters stood at present, he would shift to a hut made of cardboard if it gave her an incentive to stay for a few days.

"So it's decided then," Uday Singh clapped his hands gleefully just as Prithvi's phone rang.

Prithvi glanced at the screen. Lakshman Upadhyay. He answered the call immediately and listened to the other person for a minute. Subsequently, he reached for the notepad and pen lying near the bedside lamp, and jotted down a list of names, telephone numbers and addresses on the first page.

Then he cut the call and looked at his great-uncle. "I have to go out."

"Prithvi, why don't you halt the search until Nandini's with us?" Uday suggested.

"I don't want to," Prithvi said candidly, ripping the page from the notepad. "And she doesn't expect it."

"Then take her with you. Sumer said you're sending the jeep for servicing. You can take one of my cars."

"It's more convenient to use public transport. And Nandini needs to rest," he said vaguely. "Talk to her once I leave. And to be clear...I know why you want her to stay till my birthday. Your nonsensical plans are not going to work. But if you help convince her to stay, I'll not act on the wish to skewer and roast you on a slow fire for concocting those plans," he granted grudgingly.

"A fair deal," Uday Singh laughed and extended his hand.

Prithvi grinned and exchanged a firm handshake with his great-uncle.

******************************

Nandini smiled diffidently and murmured a nervous "Namaste". She wanted to touch Kadambari's feet, but the gesture would probably not be welcomed.

Kadambari unsmilingly returned the salutation. She looked at Sumer Singh. "I was told Prithvi was asking for me."

"He was," Sumer Singh replied rigidly. "He has gone upstairs because he wanted to speak to His Highness Uday Singh. He called you to introduce you to a close friend...this is Nandini."

Kadambari's hard gaze moved back to Nandini. She bowed her head slightly and coolly said, "It is an honour to meet a friend of the prince. If there are any dishes you would like to have, please let me know. I will prepare them to the best of my ability."

Frazzled by the official-sounding lines, Nandini said, "I don't have any – I'll be happy with whatever you –"

"She will inform you," Sumer Singh interrupted haughtily. "You can go back to the kitchen."

"Take care to fulfill your duties efficiently," Kadambari conveyed abrasively. "Don't bother about mine."

Nandini's shocked gaze swung between the two. She had not heard Sumer Singh speak rudely to a woman until today. And Kadambari's response and bearing had been positively aggressive.

Sumer Singh curbed his ire with considerable effort and looked at the maid who was placing cutlery on the dining table. He beckoned her summarily, and the woman rushed to them.

"Take Nandini to her room and make sure she is comfortable with the arrangements," he ordered, and then turned to the pale young girl beside him. "Nandini, if you need anything, let me know at once. You can freshen up and rest for some time before lunch," he said caringly.

Nandini managed to smile and nod. She glanced at an expressionless Kadambari, then pensively turned to smile at the timid maid and follow her to the upper floor.

Sumer Singh stiffly turned his back on Kadambari and walked to his room. He needed a few minutes in private to calm down. Then he would call the manager of the palace at Daheer. Important matters had to be discussed in detail.

Kadambari disdainfully watched him leave, and then shrewdly looked at the girl silently ascending the stairs.

"Vimla, come back here and continue your work," she said loudly, walking to the steps. "I'll take Nandini to her room."

Nandini stopped and swivelled to see Kadambari climbing the stairs. Her hands tensely wrapped around the dupatta as the maid left her standing alone. It should have felt terrific to get an opportunity to create a fresh impression, but it didn't. If anything, the queasiness in her stomach was increasing.

Somewhat out of air, Kadambari paused on the same step as her and smiled civilly. "Please come with me."

Nandini smiled and nodded.

Kadambari led the way to the top of the stairs. Then she turned left and walked along a broad corridor.

Nandini looked quickly towards the right as she hurried in Kadambari's wake. There were three widely spaced doors on that side. A fork in the corner appeared to lead to another corridor.

She looked ahead, and then glanced over the banister running alongside the passageway. A major portion of the hall was visible from the top. The main door, the seating area, and one half of the dining area...

They bypassed three doors to reach a room at the end of the corridor. There was no fork in the corner on this side, just a plain cream wall.

The older woman opened the door and then mechanically stood to a side to allow the guest to enter the room.

******************************

Prithvi closed the door to his great-uncle's room and turned to proceed to the stairs, then halted. At the other end of the corridor, Nandini was entering her room.

She would be displeased if he didn't tell her he was going out again. But if he did let her know, he would also have to refuse to take her along. Then he would have to witness her disappointment.

He preferred to face her irritation any day.

***********************************

"Your bag has been kept inside the wardrobe," Kadambari said. She should have offered to help with unpacking the clothes and sending clothes to be washed and ironed. But the girl didn't know that.

Nandini found herself stepping into a very big room. The walls were white. A double bed with a highly polished headboard and lovely lamps on either side. A large wardrobe attached to the wall, a nice table with a notepad and pens on it, two big chairs, a bottle of mineral water and two glasses on the bedside stand, a television set, a nice balcony, and another door that presumably led to an attached bathroom. A large window with creamy curtains allowed sunlight and air to enter the room.

"This is my room?" she asked in astonishment, strolling around with great interest. "It looks bigger than my house," she chuckled.

Kadambari confidently marched into the room. She had seen an opening to level a taunt as well as launch an investigation.

However, just as she started to speak, Nandini cheerfully continued, "I think it's as big as the living room of my aunt's house. She's my mother's cousin, not her own sister. But she's a lovely person, and her family is very sweet. They have a huge house. I had gone for the housewarming ceremony some months back. I returned alone. It was the first time Grandpa and maa let me travel by myself. The bus met with an accident that day," she recalled soberly, halting near the table. "Many people were injured badly."

"And you?" Kadambari asked inquisitively from the foot of the bed, unable to suppress her curiosity.

"I just got some scratches by God's grace," Nandini assured, forgetting the tension she'd been under merely minutes ago. "Grandpa said our temple's deity had protected me. It must be true. I -"

Kadambari confusedly asked, "Which temple?"

"My family's temple...It's small but it's the most beautiful shrine of Lord Vishnu in Shamli," Nandini declared vivaciously. "My grandfather is the main priest. Ma and I help him and take care of its decorations and cleanliness. And after Mochi bhaiya came to stay in our town, he started assisting grandpa," she said fondly. "Prithvi was the one who asked him to help, and....." her voice wavered and quietened down as her listener's expression turned harsh.

Kadambari frantically regained her bearings. Engrossed in the girl's animated talk, she'd forgotten her original intention behind escorting her to the room. Descriptions of the family and the temple had captured her interest. And she wanted to know more about Sankatmochan, the perpetually hungry and wayward lad. But then the girl had mentioned Prithvi, and sense had returned.

She was preparing to stiffly excuse herself when Nandini unsurely said, "Choti maa, I'm sorry about - about earlier. I shouldn't have left without speaking to you. I just didn't know how to –

"Forgive me if my words offend you, but please don't call me Choti maa," Kadambari cut in frostily. The girl looked crestfallen. But that was fine. It was important to lay the ground rules at the outset.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," Nandini mumbled, feeling humiliated and deflated.

Kadambari averted her gaze and looked at the floor. "You can keep aside clothes that need to be washed or ironed," she said more considerately. "I'll send a maid after a while to collect them."

"Oh that won't be necessary. I'll wash and iron my clothes," Nandini said anxiously. "Could you tell me where to hang them? And give me an iron box?"

Kadambari stared at her blankly. This meek and clueless slip of a girl was important to the prince? A bigger misfit in Prithvi's life couldn't be imagined. She took a moment to regard Nandini contemptuously and then left the room.

Dejection spread on Nandini's features as the door shut. She had ruined any chance of making a good impression on Kadambari. Every word she said had seemed to be wrong. What could she do to win Choti maa's approval, if not affection...

For one, she had stop calling her Choti maa.

Nandini gloomily walked to the bed and sat at its foot. She stared at the phone in her hand. Her family were unaware of Mr Bhargava's illness. If they found out, they wouldn't want her to be a burden on the author, and she would have to return to Shamli. At present, they believed she was on her way to Vishranti Nagar with Mrs Bhargava. Her mother might ask to talk to the author. What would she do then..

Reluctantly postponing the call, Nandini placed the phone on the bed, pulled off her dupatta and rose to go to the bathroom. She would freshen up and rest briefly. Prithvi would hopefully be free by then, and this feeling of being alone and lost would vanish.

********************

Nandini nervously peeked over the banister. He wasn't at the dining table. She straightened and scanned the rest of the hall and the empty corridor again, seeking a specific face.

Where was Prithvi?

She couldn't ask the maids who were bringing dishes to the table. They must already be wondering who she was and why she was staying in this house. And she wasn't going to approach Kadambari until her courage returned.

"Nandini, he has left."

She looked around quickly. Sumer Singh was walking towards her with a remorseful expression.

"Left?" Nandini echoed in dismay. "Why didn't he tell me? I would have -"

"He didn't tell me either. But I was in His Highness Uday Singh's room just now – it's the room in that corner, just before the other corridor starts – and he said Prithvi told him you were exhausted and he wanted you to rest," Sumer Singh explained swiftly. "And it is probably for the best that he isn't at home at the moment. His Highness Uday Singh wishes to speak to you in private."

Nandini hadn't yet absorbed the first piece of information when the second one was flung at her. A host of scary possibilities attacked her mind. Distressed, she fearfully asked, "Why? Why does he want to speak to me?"

"Don't be afraid," Sumer Singh placated her. "He simply wants your help in an important matter. All of us do..."

*****************************

Uday Singh looked up from the file on his lap at the sound of the opening door. A beautiful young woman was being ushered into the room by Sumer Singh.

"Nandini, my dear girl," Uday said warmly, keeping the file on the mattress and leaning against his pillows. "I've been waiting impatiently to meet you. Please have a seat," he said courteously, pointing to the chair that Prithvi had vacated a short while ago.

The gracious welcome made Nandini smile, but it didn't lessen her tension. It was impossible to imagine how she could be of help to Prithvi's affluent and powerful family. She had beseeched Sumer Singh for more information, but he had expressed helplessness. Uday Singh had instructed him to keep his silence.

She covered up her uneasiness and touched his feet respectfully. He raised a gnarled hand in blessing, pleased by the action.

When Sumer Singh moved to stand near the head of the bed, she unwittingly said, "Uncle, please sit in this chair. I'll draw another one up."

"I'm comfortable standing here," Sumer Singh said hastily.

"He is," Uday Singh confirmed. "Please sit down, Nandini."

She obeyed hesitantly.

"Would you like something to drink or eat?" Uday Singh enquired.

She shook her head politely.

Uday Singh looked at her meditatively. "You must be wondering why I wished to talk to you. I won't beat around the bush. You might already be aware... but it is Prithvi's birthday on the coming Tuesday."

"His birthday!" she exclaimed with delight, brightening instantly.

Uday Singh smiled at the exuberant response. "Yes, and I need your help to celebrate it."

He waited for the expected puzzlement and questions. She did seem momentarily confused. Then understanding dawned in her eyes, and he observed her plummeting excitement.

"Sumer will tell you how he usually spends the day," Uday Singh offered.

Nandini looked apprehensively at Sumer Singh, and as the latter unhappily revealed the details, her heart sank. But she wasn't shocked. It was easy to visualise Prithvi's reaction if they organised a party for him. He would smash the cake on her head and use the candles to set her on fire.

"But this time, everything has to be different," Uday Singh said keenly when the other man fell silent. "I have some plans in mind for the day. And I believe you can convince Prithvi to cooperate."

Nandini repressed a rueful laugh. They were harbouring a huge misconception about her significance in Prithvi's life.

As she contritely began to convey the same, Uday Singh peacefully said, "Before you refuse, please listen to me..."

************************

In the centre of the cushy bed, Nandini sat with her face in her hands, and elbows on a pillow in her lap. The pose hadn't changed for a quarter of an hour...since her return from Uday Singh's room.

She had left the room in a comatose condition, hazily aware that Sumer Singh was telling her to take the whole day to decide....assuring her that her meals would be sent to her room....encouraging her to relax and contemplate peacefully...

But how was she supposed to think about it calmly. The number and magnitude of requests they had placed in front of her were unbelievable.

How could she stay with Prithvi's family till Wednesday? And even if she killed her conscience and agreed, she would not be able to persuade Prithvi to give a patient hearing to his family's programme schedule for his birthday, leave alone participate in them. And then provided he didn't murder her, she had to buy a good gift.

How was she going to achieve any of those goals...

*****************************

Nandini stood with her hands on the banister, maintaining a steady surveillance on the bungalow's main door. From this place, she had a good view of the empty hall.

It was half past ten, and everyone had evidently retired for the night.

The chandelier had not been switched off, and it bathed the hall in a pale yellow light. The illumination was sufficient for central portion of the semi-circular corridor of the first floor. The ends of the passageway, however, didn't benefit much from the chandelier's glow. And in the safety of the shadows, she was waiting for Prithvi.

She knew he hadn't returned. On emerging from her room with the intention of finding out if he was back, she had spotted two people downstairs. Sumer Singh and Kadambari had been restlessly marching on opposite sides of the hall, clearly awaiting Prithvi's arrival. The view had made her smile for the first time in hours. Although their animosity had been apparent even from this distance and height, they could have been mistaken for a squabbling couple waiting together for their son. It had been a strangely sweet sight..

Sumer Singh had quit first. He had looked at the clock, and ambled away. Kadambari had done the same after ten minutes.

Nandini rubbed her aching temples. The comfortable bed in her room was calling out, but she needed to speak to Prithvi before collapsing on it. She had less than twelve hours to make a decision.

Time had sped today while she'd been mentally trapped in a maze. She had wandered restlessly from one spot of the room to the other, trying to solve multiple emotional equations. It was a blessing that all her meals had been brought to her room, as conversations had been beyond her. She'd felt guilty, though, for putting the maids to the trouble of bringing the trays to her room. They must be really annoyed with her, as proven by the fact that her effusive thanks and apologies had been met with uniform reticence each time, Nandini recalled resignedly.

She'd dozed off after lunch, but the sleep had not been restful. A string of nightmares – all centred on the violent scenes she'd witnessed in the ashram - had disturbed her, causing her to wake up in a sweaty and shaken state.

In the evening, a bath and hot tea had refreshed her. She'd phoned Janki Bhargava and had felt relieved to hear that Mr Bhargava's condition was stable. And after envisaging every question that could come her way and preparing believable answers, she'd called up her family. Although she'd succeeded in chatting heartily with her mother, Prakash and grandfather, it had been incredibly difficult. They didn't know Mr Bhargava was hospitalised, or that she was the most awful daughter on earth, and didn't deserve their love and trust...

Tears had kept their distance till the call was disconnected, and then they'd poured unceasingly.

***********************

Prithvi's gaze swept through the hall with cautious hope as he wearily trudged to the stairway. It was understandably vacant. She would be asleep by now.

He had not intended to be so late. But a heavy downpour had played spoilsport. He had already reached one of the addresses when the rains began, but the downpour had disrupted traffic everywhere. And the other spots in his itinerary had been scattered and far-flung.

A concerned Sumer Singh had called him in the evening to share that Nandini had not come out of her room after the discussion and hadn't reverted with a decision.

He wasn't perturbed. His great-uncle and Sumer Singh would unquestionably have exerted immense emotional pressure on her. Being pitifully soft-hearted, she was not going to refuse their pleas. But she would have spent hours in an agony of indecision, pondering solutions from every angle and everyone's perspective. The final decision would be announced to him tomorrow, and it would be riddled with complicated conditions, he reflected dryly.

He would tackle the situation at that time, Prithvi mulled as he tiredly strode up the steps with a fairly noisy bag in hand. He went around the final curve in the stairs, and then stopped in astonishment.

Nandini was sitting and dozing in the left corner of the topmost step, right hand coiled around the topmost spindle of the stairs' balustrade and her beautiful head resting against it. She had fallen asleep while waiting for him.

He gazed at her for a long time, quietly savouring a comforting and uplifting emotion that he had missed acutely for weeks.

The feeling of coming home.

He climbed the steps to reach the dozing figure. Preparing to move very swiftly, he bent and kissed a silken cheek.

As anticipated, she awoke with a start. But by the time her startled eyes adjusted to the light and settled on him, he was tamely sitting one feet away, the bag by his side. Fear receded from her expression, and she smiled sweetly.

"When did you return?" she asked sleepily, rubbing her inexplicably tingling cheek.

"An hour back. I was watching you sleep," he divulged.

She giggled at the romantic claim. "You're not that patient."

"You're right. I'd rather wake you up with a kiss," Prithvi conceded under his breath.

"What?" she asked, puzzled.

"I said I'm sorry for being late," he said sincerely, nonchalantly shifting closer.

"It's alright," she whispered, worriedly looking around the house.

"No one's watching. Feel free to take advantage of me," he permitted.

"Shhhh don't say things like that," Nandini said exasperatedly, "Wait..."

She rose to her feet and conducting a sweeping investigation of the visible portions of the first floor. Then she walked down four steps to scrutinise the large hall for signs of life, and peered down the sides of the balustrade just to make sure...

A low, rumbling laugh momentarily disturbed the silence. She turned indignantly. But his face was quite solemn.

"We could go to your room if you don't want to talk in the open," Prithvi suggested innocuously.

"My room?" she repeated in alarm. "But I – it's – it won't be – I don't think we should -"

"How about my room then?" he asked innocently.

"No!" she exclaimed, horrified at the idea. "We can sit here. It's a great spot!"

"I'm not sure..." he said with an unconvinced frown.

She rushed back to her seat and quickly coiled her hand around his. "See! Very comfortable."

He extricated his hand and draped it around her. She gasped as he gave a sturdy yank and attached her compactly to his side.

"You have a point. This is very comfortable indeed," he agreed cheerfully.

She rolled her eyes. "You're the most - "

"Lovable human being on the planet," he optimistically completed the sentence.

"The most lovable demon perhaps," Nandini said dryly, and then looked up at him concernedly. "Had food?"

"At a restaurant."

"Sumer uncle said you eat outside food every day. It's not good for your health," she reproved lightly, affectionately wrapping her arms around him.

"The only thing bad for my health is your absence," Prithvi muttered.

Happiness bubbling in her chest, she snuggled closer to him. Her head wasn't hurting anymore, and all huge dilemmas had shrunk into petty problems.

And then she remembered the reason she had waited up to meet him.

"Why didn't you tell me it's your birthday on Tuesday?" Nandini asked quietly.

He'd been ready for the topic from the instant he had seen her. "The day means nothing to me," he replied truthfully, then followed it with a barefaced lie. "And I didn't want you to feel obligated to stay back. I know you can't."

She raised delicate fingers and stroked his face. "Your birthday is very important to me," she said dotingly. "And to everyone who loves you. I want to stay," she adjoined with sudden determination. She would spend the whole day with him even if she had to fight for it. But she had to formulate detailed strategies before making a commitment. To be able to stay till Wednesday, get him to agree to the big plans for his birthday, and to escape being killed by him while getting him to agree...

"I know you do," Prithvi murmured, unexpectedly feeling regretful. With her gargantuan conscience, she was going to struggle with the verdict long after she had made up her mind. Pushing her for a decision tonight would be a bit too callous even for him...

Cuddling her warmly, he conversationally asked, "How was your day?"

"Nice," she smiled up at him, surprised and thankful that he had changed the topic. "Everyone took so much care to make me comfortable. I didn't come out of the room all day because I was a little tired," she said guiltily. "I hope your grandfather -"

"Grandfather?" Prithvi asked sharply.

"Your great-uncle," she explained quickly. "I wasn't sure how to address him at first, but he's older than grandpa. So I think I'll call him grandfather. You should too. He doesn't have grandchildren, so he'll feel happy if you call him that. I hope he's not upset because I stayed in my room," she sighed. "Sumer uncle took me to meet him after you left. And they told me – they said he had had lunch," she changed direction in the nick of time. "Then I went back to my room... had food and slept for a while. Then I – I watched television from evening to night," she fibbed.

And thus concludes a short, somewhat fabricated and highly edited version of the day's proceedings, Prithvi mused ironically.

"I'd forgotten what it felt like," he said fondly.

"Talking to me?" Nandini asked glowingly.

"No, that sensation of my ears going numb and brain cells dying one by one."

Her annoyed fist struck his shoulder with a thump. Justice dispensed, she coolly asked, "How was your day?"

"Not half as fascinating as yours," Prithvi rejoined, and grinned on earning an additional, albeit lighter, wallop.

"Did you find anything?" Nandini asked carefully.

"A trail. But it might lead to a dead-end," he prophesised indifferently.

"Why did you leave in a hurry?" she queried in haste, not wishing to pursue a topic that would upset him. "I wanted to go with you."

He looked at her evenly. "Tell me you haven't been thinking about what happened today morning."

She tried to counter his piercing gaze and claim that he was wrong. But he would see through the lie.

"I kept seeing nightmares when I was sleeping in the afternoon," Nandini admitted despondently.

"It won't happen again. She'll be okay," he pledged in calm voice, caressing her hair soothingly.

The confidence in his guarantee was immensely comforting. It didn't feel necessary to enquire further. Then she recollected another matter that had been troubling her.

"What did you do to that man?" she asked hesitantly. "I saw you slapping him, and then I went inside...what happened after that?"

"I kind-heartedly showed him the error of his ways," Prithvi divulged modestly. "He was ashamed of his deeds, and promised to walk on the path of righteousness for the rest of his life."

"Be serious!" she pleaded.

He gazed down thoughtfully at her. "I'll give you a live demonstration someday."

"You'll hit me?" Nandini asked indignantly, pulling out of his embrace.

"I would rather cut my hand off," he said with touching honesty

Mollified, and more than a little pleased at the response, she looked uncertainly at him and asked, "Then what did you mean by -"

"Chocolate?" he interrupted smoothly, drawing a branded bar from his shirt's pocket.

The small offering sent a thrill through Nandini. This would be a lovely finish to a day that had been full of firsts in their relationship.

She elatedly took the bar from his hand, and then glowered at him. "Only one piece is left."

"It's the thought that counts," he said virtuously.

Nandini shook her head long-sufferingly and broke the piece into two. She extended the larger bit to him. He looked at her with an unreadable expression, then lightly plucked the chocolate from her grip and ate it summarily.

It was good that he hadn't eaten it directly from her hands, she thought moodily, turning to look at the hall while savouring her share.

Something heavy landed in her lap with a jangling sound.

"What is this?" Nandini yelped in surprise, gaping at the bag and then at him.

He was focussing steadfastly on the furniture in the living room, and she could tell that his skin was flushed.

"Some stupid stuff," Prithvi muttered awkwardly. "Don't make a big deal of it. And you won't tell anyone I bought these," he warned brusquely. He had regretted the idiotic purchases as soon as the temporary insanity has passed. But getting rid of them had proved to be peculiarly impossible. Regardless, he had entered the house with every intention of dropping them into a trash basket. Then he'd seen her waiting on the stairs ...

She gazed at him in joyous wonder. So many of his actions today had been unusually sweet and considerate, and she knew the phase wasn't going to continue for long. But she was going to relish each moment until it lasted.

In breathless anticipation, Nandini opened the bag and took out the first item her fingers touched. It was a small satin pouch. She opened it and emptied the contents into her hand.

Silver anklets glimmered in her palm.

"For me?" she breathed ecstatically.

"No, for Sumer Baba," Prithvi said dourly. "I just wanted your opinion."

She grinned and happily said, "They're beautiful. Thank you."

"One more pair for you to treat as junk," he muttered caustically, inspecting the seating area.

"I don't treat them as junk," Nandini refuted. "I'll die of stress if I have diamond anklets around my feet. But these... these I'm going to wear right now." Carefully keeping the gift bag to a side, she shifted backwards to sit cross-legged.

Prithvi glanced curiously over his shoulder. She was actually doing it. Her face was scrunched up in concentration as she tried to fix an anklet around a petite foot.

A narrow beam of light illuminated the area.

Nandini's bemused gaze rose to see that he had turned to face her, albeit with a grumpy expression, and was using his mobile's flashlight to make her task easier.

"I finally see why you're considered smart," she applauded vibrantly, and chuckled as a scowl spread on his face.

"Be quick," Prithvi snapped.

"Yes, your highness," Nandini replied reverentially, and laughed on hearing a growl. She completed her assignment, and then enthusiastically extended her feet towards him for his appraisal.

"How do they look?" she asked shyly.

"Were your feet always so ugly?" he contemplated critically, then grinned as she bad-temperedly drew back her feet and sat cross-legged again. The phone went back into his pocket.

"What else have you bought?" Nandini asked tartly, lifting the bag. She pulled out a dainty cardboard box and opened it eagerly. Her eyes widened with amazement.

She was holding a dozen thin silvery bangles... strikingly similar to the ones she'd worn regularly in Shamli...

"I don't know if they are the right size for your hands," Prithvi said uncomfortably. "I bought the ones that -" he paused as she kept the bangles on the floor between them and stretched out her hands.

He looked at her testily. She serenely continued to wait. The soundless clash went on for some seconds. And then one of them caved in.

He quietly caught her right arm and picked up some bangles with his other hand. Mulishly evading her eyes, he slipped them onto her wrist gently. She gazed at him with unrestrained adoration as he did the same for the other hand. Six bangles shone and clinked on each wrist. Retaining his hold on her hand, he glanced up, and her heart skipped a beat.

Her emotions were mirrored in his gaze... intensified to a blazing degree...

The stillness of the atmosphere found its match in them.

Prithvi let go of the soft hand in his clasp, and the odd trance broke. He deftly rose to his feet.

Abruptly conscious, Nandini gathered the pouch and box, put them into the bag, and stood up. "Good night," she whispered.

He muttered the same. An awkward pause ensued, then she turned and headed to her room at the end of the passageway. He watched her for a few seconds, then strolled slowly in the opposite direction.

He had done it. He had behaved honourably from morning to night.

No using her plait like a rope till she gave up and loosened her hair, no making too much fun of her infinite doubts and anxieties, no kissing her and forgetting the existence of the outside world...

Prithvi halted and turned around. She hadn't reached her room yet.

In silence, he began advancing towards her.

Nandini paused outside the door to her room, and swivelled on an impulse. He was approaching her, swiftly covering the space between them with a frightening determination. She froze in the faint illumination, afraid to wait but unable to move.

Then there was no more distance between them. One strong hand gripped her waist, and the other impatiently tipped her face up. Their eyes clashed for a smouldering moment, then his mouth possessed hers hotly...

She clasped his solidly muscled upper arms for support. He was plundering the softness of her lips without mercy, and the intoxicating agony was robbing her of breath and awareness. Her fingers glided up to dig into his hair. He freed her mouth after a long time, and his lips moved to graze her left cheek in a luscious caress.

Then he was pressing searing, featherlike kisses on every inch of the velvety skin of her face, creating a luscious trail that meandered wildly...and then lazily returned home to the freshly bruised tissue of her lips. She whimpered as the harsh ravaging began for the second time...

Several agonising minutes later, he raised his head and looked at the svelte girl trembling in his arms. He released her and retreated slowly.

She stared at him in a daze as he spun abruptly and strode away, then moved unsteadily to face the door. A crumpling noise pulled her attention to the floor. She looked blankly at the bag underneath her foot. It had fallen from her hands at some point...

Nandini grabbed the rumpled bag, opened the door and entered the room. She bolted the door shut, and weakly lounged against it. Her face was burning, and her heart didn't seem to want to stop jumping frantically in her ribcage. Her hair too was in disarray, cascading wildly down her shoulders.

She jerkily moved from the door and ran a tremulous hand through her thick tresses.

Her hair had been in a plait. When had he released it...

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