The efforts of one who is unenthusiastic, weak and immersed in sorrow cannot bring out any good and he comes to grief.

Everyone focused their mind, ears and senses on the captivating notes of the flute which were flowing in the air. They stopped all their work and moved outside, to the terrace or to the window to hear the notes clearly. The butterflies sat on the flowers, without sucking the nectar for the tunes of the flute was sweeter than honey. The birds perched on the branches, chirping gleefully, forgetting their enmity and duties.

Life had come to a beautiful standstill.

'Radha! Come fast or else we will miss the bus.' A man cried out and they ran to the bus stand.

'The bus hasn't come yet. We didn't have to run so fast.' Radha panted, wiping the sweat of her forehead. The bus stand was empty and silent, except for them.

'I know, I know. But I wanted to spend some time with you.' He said, holding her hand and locking his fingers with hers. A blush crept up her cheeks. He kissed her knuckles, his beard tickling her hand and she grew even more red.

'You enjoy teasing me, don't you?' Radha asked, pulling her hand away and turned her face away from him.

'Well, can't I tease my wife?' He smirked, coming closer and hugging her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, her back against his chest.

'I love you, Radha.' He whispered.

'I love you, Janav.' She replied with a blush.

Radha's eyes fluttered open and she stared at the ceiling of her room. "I miss you, Janav." She whispered, a few stray tears making their way down her cheeks. She shut her eyes, tears flowing continuously. "Why did you leave me if you loved me? What do I tell Abhiram about his father in future?"

She sighed, calming her mind and thoughts. Suddenly, she sat up straight and looked at her surroundings - Urmilla was sleeping beside her and Abhiram was on his bed. She looked out of the window, it was nearly evening.

"Weren't we on the terrace?" Radha asked herself, getting down from the bed. She walked outside, towards the entrance and found Madhav seated on the stairs, with a bowl of Kheer.

"When did you come back?" Radha asked, sitting on the chair beside him. She felt better after sleeping and that dream definitely relaxed her mind.

"I was always here. Where did I go?" He replied, eating a handful of the sweet.

"Ofcourse! You can never give straight answers, can you?" She retorted.

"This world isn't straight either." He replied calmly, putting the bowl down and turning towards her. He looked at her tear stained face with a poker face; Radha had been crying. He knew why and for whom as well. He knew everything but, stayed quiet.

"I agree. No one is the honest person they promised to be as kids." Radha whispered.

"Why were you crying?" He asked, pretending to be clueless.

"I'm not crying." Radha replied immediately.

"Well, but you were crying. Tell me, what is it that made you cry." He asked softly and Radha shook her head.

"No! I wasn't crying and I'm not crying." Radha stormed off inside.

Madhav smiled. "You can never lie to me, Radha."

• • •

"Why isn't Radha coming with us?" Madhav asked as Abhiram, Urmilla and he walked down to the temple.

"She doesn't want to come."

"Why?" Abhiram frowned.

"Well..."

"Tell me, Urmilla."

"She is angry with Murlidhar."

"Why?"

"Well..." Urmilla contemplated.

"Water." Madhav chuckled.

"What?"

"You said well, I said water." He replied with a smile.

Urmilla stared at him in utter disbelief, "Are you okay? Did you hit your head somewhere?"

"I am perfectly fine as long as those who love me are fine." He replied and Urmilla shook her head.

"You and your riddle talks. Just like Murlidhar!" She walked ahead and he laughed a bit, following her in a bit.

Urmilla prayed in front of the idol, while Madhav took Abhiram to meet his friends by the lake.

It was a peaceful evening. No one was bothered, no was bothering, except for that one tune, which played in everybody's mind.

The priest walked upto Madhav and put a crown on his head. The crown had three peacock feathers on it.

"Perfect! Just like Kanha." The priest announced and everyone smiled at him, who pretended to be clueless.

"What happened pandit ji?" He asked.

"Madhav, you will be playing the role of Kanha on Janmashtami." Urmilla squealed.

"And your little friends will be joining you as well." The priest said and the kids cheered.

"There is no one 'little' or 'big' for me. Everyone is equally important to me, pandit ji." He smiled and the priest nodded.

"Abhi, come with me. You love the evening Prasad alot right." Urmilla carried him to the temple.

• • •

Sitting alone in her room, Radha caressed a page in the photo album. There were three photographs.

One in which it was her and Janav; a photograph of their marriage. The second was a family photo with Urmilla and Abhiram included. The third was a picture of Abhiram and Janav playing, another woman watching them with a smile.

A sob escaped her lips, her gaze falling on the date on the first picture - 23rd May.

Eight months ago.

"Radha, are you alright?" He asked, sitting beside her.

"Yeah." She bit her lower lip. "No, I miss him. I miss Janav."

Patting her head, he waited for her to continue talking.

"How did we come to this, Madhav? Eight months ago, we were a happy couple. Getting ready for our marriage. For a new beginning, a new family. And now, we're so far." She looked at the ring on her finger in melancholy. "With only memories as our only support."

A wistful smile crossed her lips as she gazed at the third picture. "Abhi... he's going to get the worst of it."

"You know, Abhiram is Janav's nephew. His parents, Janav's bhaiya-bhabhi, died when he was a year old. Janav had only an uncle for a relative; but he lived abroad. So, Abhiram's responsibility fell on us."

She caressed Abhiram's smiling face on a photograph. "We weren't even in love then... we were just... good friends. Abhi got us close. He was the reason we fell in love."

"And he's one of the reasons, I'm still alive."

• • •

"Di, we're back." Urmilla announced. Madhav followed behind, drenched down from his knees. Abhiram, on the other hand, was drenched from head to toe. A gleeful smile graced his lips.

"Madhav?" Radha froze. "Weren't you with me, a few moments ago?"

"No, di. That's impossible! Madhav has just returned. With us."

Radha pursed her lips, refusing to accept the fact. She felt a pair of hands around her.

"Ma," Abhiram called, looking up at her. His cheeks were flushed red in happiness. "Chap chap."

Taking a step back, he stretched his arms out. "Ma, chap chap." He giggled, pointing towards the water on his clothes.

Radha smiled. "Did you have fun playing in the lake, Abhi?"

The child nodded happily.

"Let's get your clothes changed. Then you tell mamma everything you did."

Abhiram let out a squeal.