9th Dec 1998

So deep was she lost in thoughts, that Naina noticed neither Sameer following her, nor Radhika throttling his attempt to confront her.

Back in her room, she kicked the sandals off her feet and then listlessly collapsed on the bed. She was too stunned to react. The reality seemed far too unreal. We are here again. Together. How is this happening? Will I wake up tomorrow and realise it was just a dream after all?

She shuddered at the thought of all this being just another mirage.

But she knew it was all real. Cause as much as she had fantasised about meeting him again, hundreds of other people had never featured in those fantasies!

The names he had mentioned in passing then, they had faces now. Rohan and Deepika both seemed sweet. Well, everything related to him seemed sweet to you even then! a tiny voice taunted.

Naina, what are you doing?! You are planning to help his family find bargains now?? Her instinct for self-preservation continued to fight a losing battle. Her heart wailed growing heavier by the second, He remembers the bargains I helped him snag, but he has no idea of the price I ended up paying.

* * *

20th May 1994

Naina woke up to the aroma of cloves and henna, and to little prickly bits of the dried henna in her bed. She had covered the bed with her saree the night before. The idea of spoiling any of the pristine white sheets with henna, was too scary! She let out a breath of relief on confirming the whiteness had persevered.

She tried scrubbing the remaining bits off, avoiding water, as this would allow the henna to keep growing darker throughout the day. But eventually gave up, on encountering too many challenges!

Once ready for the day, grabbing herself a cup of tea and some buttered toast, she settled on a small garden table. The early mornings and late evenings being the only pleasant times of the day in that season, she decided to make the most of it.

Nanaji and Sameer had their breakfast in the formal breakfast room, chatting about Sameer's plans for the future.

The elder man remarked sounding a little melancholy "When you were small, I always thought that may be some day you might choose to come back here and take over my business." Noting apprehension flicker across Sameer's face, he rushed "I don't mean to pressure you in any way! I understand, every young man should find and make his own way. And it makes me proud to see that you are doing so well for yourself!" Briefly pausing, he went on "It's just that, now, all this work feels futile. To some extent anyways... I don't know what will become of all this after me. Who will look after this business? Will it survive or will it crumble?"

Sameer objected "Nanu, why are you thinking this way? You are fit and fine! You will look after this for a long time. But you should start grooming some deserving employees to take on more responsibility now. Take some time out for yourself. Travel and relax a bit more."

Nanaji shook his head looking preoccupied "Beta, the day I stop working, I fear I will lose my purpose in life. I am afraid these old bones will rest only when I leave this world." Sameer just pressed his hand warmly for a moment and smiled "Nanu, you are worrying unnecessarily. Please enjoy this little break!"

By the time both the men headed out, Naina was leaning against the car. Taking in Sameer's beige cotton trousers and the navy-blue half sleeved shirt, her insides did a little happy dance, I am in blue too! She was wearing a sky-blue Lucknow shalwar-kameez, which was many shades lighter than his, but it was enough for her childish heart to rejoice.

Sameer inhaled deeply, as the exotic fragrance of her henna hit his nostrils. Naina happily spread out her palms in front of Nanaji, when he commented on the deep colour. The older man smiled indulgently, noting the bright smile on her face. Shambhu recounted how his two daughters used to run around the house insisting everyone smell their little henna clad palms, when they were much younger.

Sameer was seized with an insane urge to bury his face in her palms and breathe in the scent. His eyes lingered on her as they settled in the car.

As previously planned, they were soon heading to a farm offering horse-riding. Sameer had particularly liked the idea when Balwant shared it.

The car was filled with some background score of Hindi movie songs playing on the radio, the occasional chatter between the passengers, and the tinkling of Naina's glass bangles.

Sameer was startled, when Naina suddenly let out a delighted squeal and instructed the driver to increase the radio volume. Noting his expressions, she exclaimed holding up her hands "It's a very popular song about bangles from one of my favourite movies. And I am wearing my new bangles today, exactly nine on each hand! Isn't it a wonderful coincidence?!"

Naina tapped her feet and twirled her bangles as the song from Chandni played.

Mere haathon mein nau-nau chudiyaan hai
Thoda thaharo sajan majaburiyaan hai

Mere haathon mein nau-nau chudiyaan hai
Thoda thaharo sajan majaburiyaan hai

Milan hogaa abhi ik raat ki duriyaa hai

Mere haathon mein nau-nau chudiyaan hai...

Highly amused, Sameer observed her excitement, as the song continued for some time. Even after the song was over, Naina continued to stare out of the window with a dreamy look.

That morning she had spent three and half minutes agonizing over whether she should wear the bangles. Ideally, considering they were a souvenir from the trip, she should be taking them back to show the ladies at home, before wearing them. Well, at least that's what she would normally do. But, the desire to wear them around him, had won in the end. Just as well!

For the first time, she could relate with the appeal of dressing up to please that special someone.

What sort of girl does he like? Could he like me? her heart questioned. And then answered itself, Of course, he likes you! Why else does he keep staring? And whatever he might say, he was definitely not looking at all the women in sarees at the restaurant last night!

His hooded eyes watched her dainty fingers adorned with the red design, gently stroke the fragile glass encircling her wrists. Recognizing the dangerous direction, his thoughts were starting to turn to, he quickly averted his gaze.

For the remainder of the journey, Sameer doggedly kept his eyes focused on the front seat and updated his grandfather about all their acquaintances from London! Though somewhat surprised, Nanaji was pleased by Sameer's initiative.

On reaching the farm, they learnt that the horses were presently allocated to another group. With close to an hour to spare, the owner advised them to explore other parts of his estate.

They strolled through one side of the farm, which had patches of vegetables. Due to the summer season, the farmer had mostly planted pumpkins, eggplants, cucumbers and some tomatoes.

A content smile graced Sameer. He had never seen this face of India. The few visits back to India with his family, had been limited to attending some family weddings in Delhi, Bombay and Ahmedabad. It wasn't like he suddenly felt that he belonged to this place, but there was an undeniable sense of a new budding connection.

The amateur photographer was once again in action, this time his lens trained on the vegetables.

The cucumbers in different sizes, the bunches of tiny green tomatoes, pumpkins vines crawling on the ground, eggplant in varying shades depending the stage of their growth... Everything was captured.

When he came across a particularly large pumpkin, he wanted to highlight the size by using a point of reference. And of course, who else could possibly assist him in this?!

Naina was instructed to hold the pumpkin in various angles. He finally asked her to hold an open palm next to the pumpkin, apparently to highlight how many handfuls would it measure.

If the lens was focused more on her henna or the sunlight reflecting of the pretty glass bangles, it was only accidental, right? Or could it be attributed to the fact, that the photographer was a novice and was hence easily distracted?!

Nanaji pointed out the Sugarcane growing at some distance but decided to stay back due to some nagging pain in his knees. Hence the youngsters headed in that direction by themselves.

Most of the cane had already been harvested, and was stacked in piles, waiting to be the transported to sugar mills. Some female labourers were working in that area, cleaning up the already harvested part of the field. They were getting it ready so that another crop to be planted, as soon as monsoon arrived.

Sameer was very intrigued seeing an old woman amongst that group. Her face which was tanned a dark brown by constant exposure to the sun, was lined with a dense crisscross of wrinkles. She was missing a couple of teeth but had one of the most exuberant smiles he had ever come across! Her eyes gleamed with the joy of a life well lived. He couldn't fathom, just what had she found in life, that she seemed so content and happy. But he knew he had found something extraordinary.

He asked Naina, to check with the lady if he could click a few photos of her. When Naina posed the question, the lady nodded encouragingly at Sameer.

As he started his session, a woman in a green saree called to Naina in a teasing tone "Why is he clicking her photos when you are with him?" As all the women in the group burst out in laughter, Naina chuckled too.

Someone advised her "It's better to establish boundaries from the very beginning! Men are like a dog's tail." Another muttered a little darkly "More like a dog really..."

The first woman in the green saree smiled at Naina "Don't listen to her. Her husband is just an exceptional son-of-a-bitch! Not all are like that." She chastised the other woman "Why are you scaring the poor girl? The henna on her hands is still growing deeper."

Naina listened baffled, wondering what the henna on her hands had to do with most men being dogs or dog's tails? Her confusion was cleared over the next minute though.

The oldest of the lot, who had so far been busy being photographed, approached her with a handful of small pieces of the sugarcane. When Naina forwarded her hand, she pointed at her dupatta and placing the sugarcane in the dupatta said "Beti, we cannot send away a new bride, with an empty anchal. May the gods bless you two."

Realisation dawned, that seeing her henna and probably the bangles, they had mistaken her and Sameer to be a newly married couple. Naina fidgeted with her dupatta her eyes on the ground.

While she was wondering how to clear their misunderstanding, one woman teased "Don't finish all the sugarcane by yourself, share some with him too!" Another winked "What does it matter who eats it? As long as the sweetness is shared!"

Pointing in the direction of the uncut section of the field, a more adventurous lady laughed boisterously "Nothing like sharing some quick sweetness in a field of sugarcane! Don't worry it offers a lot of privacy." Another woman snickered "She certainly knows! Her husband has a big sweet tooth, and always drops by." The adventuress was quick to retort "You are just jealous that yours doesn't have an appetite like mine!"

Completely red by now, Naina muttered something, probably a thank you and started walking away.

Sameer asked "What are they saying?" She mumbled "Nothing..." He looked in the direction of the standing cane "What did they say about that part of the field?" She refused to meet his eye "Nothing..."

Eager to explore new territories, he said "Naina, why are we turning back? Let's walk over to that part." She almost screamed "No! We can't go there." He was confused "Why can't we go there? Did they tell you to avoid that part?" She grabbed the opportunity "Yes! That's exactly what they were saying. That we shouldn't go there." He asked "Why? Is it not safe??" She vigorously nodded her head in agreement.

Naina was suddenly re-interpreting all the references to 'ghanne ke khet' or 'chane ke khet' in Bollywood movies.

Sameer broke her train of thought "What were they all laughing about? Were they teasing you about something? You looked so edgy." She stammered "I don't know... They were just talking amongst themselves."

He was not convinced at all. She looked far too flustered. He stopped walking.

Naina took a few paces and then looked over her shoulder "Why are you just standing there? Let's go. The horses must be ready." He obstinately shook his head "First tell me, what were they saying?" She started walking, muttering "Then keep standing there!"

Taking a few long strides, he caught-up with her and grabbed her arm "They kept looking at me. They were saying something about me too, right?" She tried to pull her arm away "It wasn't anything important, just some silly chatter..."

Seeing her unwillingness to share, his curiosity was stoked even more "Naina, that's really not fair! You are supposed to be my translator. It's your job! Whatever and however silly it might be, I want to know!"

Her shoulders slumped. Still avoiding his eyes, she fumbled "They were just teasing... thinking I am a new bride... they thought we are... a couple." He was surprised "Why did they think that?!" She bit her lower lip "Probably because of the henna and bangles. I don't know Sameer. But I did not say anything to imply something like that!"

He let go of her arm and after a moment started laughing "This is rich! Just because some young man and woman are walking together, they are assumed to be newly married. People here are truly unbelievable." She too laughed along, but there was a tinge of nervousness to her laughter.

Neither realised, that it wasn't just the henna or the bangles that the women had noticed. Their experienced eyes had also seen, the look of new blossoming love and adoration in her eyes, and the way his eyes unconsciously landed on her face every five seconds.

After a few steps, he asked her, now grinning widely "So what were they saying? Any useful advice for the new bride?"

She narrowed her eyes "Yes, they said all men are like dog's tails! Can never think straight." He chuckled "Come on, that's not a fair assessment! We do manage to think sensibly, even if it's only on rare occasions. But I am sure no one expects a newly married man to act sensibly!"

He winked still laughing "We should have made the most of the opportunity!" Naina grew a little breathless at his insinuation.

Did he actually understand everything that they said? Did he understand what that woman had said about heading to the uncut patch for a quickie? She wondered extremely mortified. Don't be ridiculous Naina! He must be implying something far more innocent.

Noting her blush growing deeper by the second, Sameer decided that she was still not being completely upfront with him. There had probably been more to that conversation. But he decided to let it go.

In that moment, he was happier to dwell on the effects of this conversation on Naina. He was highly amused by her susceptibility to turn into a blushing babe, at the slightest flirtation. Is she always like this? Or is this the special effect of Sameer Maheshwari? He hoped it was the later.

Noting the sugarcane pieces in the temporary pouch of her dupatta, he asked "Why did that lady give you these?" She muttered "It's sort of like a blessing." "Blessing for what?" his brow rose. She answered cryptically "For a happy journey." Sameer muttered "That was sweet of her... But what were the other ladies laughing about after that?" Naina inwardly cursed his unrelenting curiosity, God... He really is like a dog with a bone!

She uttered a half truth "They asked me to not finish it all greedily, to make sure you got to taste some too." She immediately offered it to him "In fact, keep it all! I can easily find some of this in my town too, but you most probably won't find any back in London."

Seeing his confounded reaction, at seeing the little pieces, she showed him how you are supposed to chew on a piece till you get all the sweetness out, and then just spit out the leftover tasteless pulp.

Later, after he left, she would think that, he had just done what she had taught him to. He took everything sweet that she had to offer and left behind a very bland girl.

Sameer munched on a few pieces, savouring the new experience. He remarked thoughtfully "That old lady... she seemed so happy. She is toiling in a farm in the middle of nowhere... and yet, she seemed so content! Do you not find it odd?"

Naina was pleased to see that his thoughts were diverted to much safer topics. She replied musing "I suppose, it's all about figuring out what one really needs to be happy. She may not have a lot in terms of money, but probably has enough to meet her needs. Her children and probably her grandchildren too, must be settled in life."

He looked at her oddly "Settled? What do you mean?? They are probably labourers on another farm, just like her!" Naina shrugged "So? Does that mean, they cannot be happy?"

Seeing his unconvinced expression, she continued "Sameer, it's all about expectations and perceptions. If her belly is full, her body able, and she is surrounded by loved ones... she probably has all that she needs to be happy. Of course, it may not meet someone else's definition of what they need to be happy, but that doesn't matter from her perspective."

Sameer nodded his heart seized by wonder at her sage words. Can life really be so simple? She smiled a little wistfully "My Nani always says – our desires are like the tantrums of our souls. When you fulfil one, another takes its place. It can be endless. One should know, when to reign in these tantrums."

When just a few paces away from Nanaji, he stopped walking and asked her "What will make you happy?" She silently looked at him for a bit and then smiled "I am happy now."

She embodies the much-coveted spirit of mystical India! His heart brimming with a sudden euphoria, Sameer watched her walk on.

The memory of that moment: Naina standing amid the half-harvested fields, clad in a pale blue shalwar-kameez. Her caramel-brown eyes filled with a mysterious emotion, as she radiantly smiled at him while trying to push the hair away from her face. It would stay with him forever.

Over the years, whenever he was struggling with the challenges in his life, he would remind himself, that like her he could be happy too. But, though never deeply unhappy, he didn't feel truly happy either. Nothing like the way she had been, when she was with him that day.

When Naina offered Nanaji the remaining few pieces of sugarcane, he popped one in his mouth for a bit. He reminisced nostalgically "These used to be the equivalent of candy during my childhood days! Such simple times..."

The horses were free in a few minutes. Nanaji opted out of the activity, citing his age. Naina declined the offer too, blaming her fear of large beasts that she felt very ill-equipped to control!

For the first fifteen minutes the instructor explained the basics of horse riding, ways to handle the reins and manoeuvre the animal as per your needs. He stressed on the importance of bonding and intuitively communicating with the animal.

Settling on chairs placed some distance away, Nanaji and Naina watched the rider with admiration. He was astride a dark chestnut mare, his hair flying in the air with every bounce. An excited smile played at the corner of his lips. Though a new rider, he looked very relaxed and at ease in the saddle. Yet, every now and then when the horse picked speed or Sameer swayed atop it, a shadow of slight apprehension would pass over the two spectators.

At one point, Naina anxiously muttered "Why is he trying to gallop? Didn't the guy say that it's better to stick to an easy trot for the first few times?!" Nanaji nodded his head and voiced his disapproval "He has always been far too adventurous for his own good. Poor Vishakha has spent so many sleepless nights worrying about him!"

Unaware of the slight agitation in their hearts, the young man was basking in the attention bestowed by the two sets of eyes following his every move. While his grandfather sat slumped in his chair, Naina sat on her edge of hers, her back rigid. Nanaji's acceptance of Sameer's cocky nature, certainly didn't help to calm her nerves.

Whether it was a blunder on the rider's behalf, or the animal was spooked by something, but suddenly the horse neighed and lifted both his front legs off the ground. Sameer tried to hold on to the reins for a bit, but then got tossed off. Luckily the horse sped away without trampling the dumped rider.

The riding instructor, a couple of stable boys, Nanaji and Naina all dashed in Sameer's direction with thundering hearts. The sight of Sameer lying unconscious on the ground, had everyone insides tied in knots. One of the boys ran to fetch some water. Nanaji started patting Sameer's cheek calling out his name again and again. Naina just knelt by his side, shaking like a leaf.

Some water was sprinkled on Sameer's face, and within a minute or two at the most, he opened his eyes. The instructor checked him and confirmed that there were no visible injuries, except a grazed elbow. Nanaji let out a sigh of relief, as it was established that Sameer's cognitive capabilities seemed perfectly fine as well.

The focus now shifted to Naina, who was still shivering, tears staining her cheeks. Someone offered her a drink of water, while Nanaji murmured some soothing words to the distraught girl "It's okay... He is a strong young man. These things happen." Her hands shook as she tightly gripped the glass of water.

One of the stable boys tried to reassure her too "Bhabhi, Bhaiya is completely fine. Don't worry, it's just a few scraps... Mahua is usually very calm. God knows what got into her today!"

Nanaji started to protest "She is not his..." and then gave up halfway through the sentence, probably thinking that it hardly mattered if some stable boy thought she was Sameer's wife. The more important thing was to calm her. He was a little unsettled by her extreme reaction.

Very quickly, the charges were settled, half of which were wavered by the owner on account of the little incident. The car was sent for, and the passengers were quickly ushered in. Nanaji now starting to worry about the possibility of a concussion, directed Shambhu to drive to the closest hospital.

When five minutes into the drive, a still pale faced Naina sat staring out of the window, Sameer inched closer to her. Gently holding her hand, he murmured "Hey, I really am okay. It was just a tumble." He tried to joke "Bit of a Humpty Dumpty moment! Believe me, only my pride was wounded. But, seeing you so worried for me, even that is making a very quick recovery!"

Her fingers curled around his, and she muttered back "Are you really alright??" When he squeezed back her hand reassuringly, she let out a shaky breath and drew her hand away.

Finally noticing Nanaji's glances in their direction, she addressed him "I am sorry Nanaji, I am usually not like this... but I was so shocked." As Nanaji nodded still looking a little perplexed, she shared with a trembling voice "My father... he passed away in an accident. He was on his scooter, when a horse carriage crashed into him. The horse was agitated, and the driver couldn't control it."

Sameer immediately clasped her hand again, only much more firmly. Understanding the reason for her distress, Nanaji too empathised more with her. Naina mumbled looking into Sameer's eyes "I don't know how to explain, but it that moment as I saw you being thrown off... I was utterly terrified. I just couldn't think rationally."

He shushed her "It's okay... you don't have to explain. I can understand. It must be a very traumatic memory for you." She had a faraway look in her eyes as she replied "I don't have any memories of him or that accident... I was just a couple of months old back then. But I guess the impact... or fear is more deep-rooted than I had realised." Sameer and Nanaji both nodded.

All the way to the hospital, the passenger's in the backseat sat their hands placed in the space between them, fingers entwined. Though Nanaji noticed their proximity, he did not deem it objectionable in that moment.

A thorough check-up later, a doctor at the hospital reconfirmed the riding instructor's assessment, and declared Sameer fit and fine. He advised Sameer to take some painkiller in case of any resulting muscular pain.

Though the young man tried to persuade everyone that he was perfectly fine to carry on with more sightseeing, his Nanaji was feeling too shaken after the morning's events.

Following a quick stop for lunch, they headed back to Dasi Mahal. After issuing strict instructions to his grandson to rest, Nanaji retired to his room for a lie-down.

(Hi everyone, hope you are well. This is it for today. Do let me know how you found this part, as I am always very eager to hear your feedback. Though sharing updates more frequently seems unlikely, I will try to share longer weekly updates :)

Take care of yourselves. Stay home and stay safe. And stay positive!

Lots of love, May)