12th Dec 1998

Naina was in the room which had been used the previous day for the lantern making workshop. Radhika had notified her that her group had decided to head to the Main palace for a visit after lunch. The material for the kid's crafts session later in the day was being sorted and set up at one end of the room, by some of the staff. The others were busy sorting and packing gifts and mementoes of the wedding, which were to be handed to the guests attending the wedding.

As Naina stifled another yawn, Radhika remarked pointedly "Looks like you are very tired from all that dancing last night." Naina smiled awkwardly and chose to stay silent. Not getting any of the hoped-for reaction, Radhika probed "So, how is that Deepika's foreigner husband? He seemed to have a lot to say to you..." Naina smiled warmly "Ollie is very friendly and kind. He insisted on teaching me some simple steps. Said he has lots of practice teaching his sisters."

Radhika narrowed her eyes "Ollie... so, you are already on nickname basis with him. That's fast." As Naina shifted uncomfortably at the insinuation, Radhika went on "Is Sameer friendly too? You were dancing with him for much longer, weren't you?" Though the people working around carried on with their tasks, Naina realised that everyone's ears were perked and waiting for her reply.

Her heartbeats accelerated wondering if anyone had noticed Sameer's drunken escapades from the previous night and reported it. But then, wouldn't Radhika have already fired her?

Trying to keep her voice as even as possible, she replied "He had taken a holiday with his grandfather in this area few years back. He was just reminiscing about that trip." Seeing that Radhika didn't seem convinced, she added "It was the last time he spent any time with his grandfather, so he was rather nostalgic about it. I suppose he is missing Nanaji during this wedding." Naina again mentally kicked herself for referring to his grandfather as Nanaji, but luckily Radhika did not dwell on it.

* * *

Naina helped herself to some of the Dum Aloos and Paneer Makhanwala that had been highly praised and recommended by Guptaji. She was supposed to leave with her group in about an hour. Radhika's previous inquisition had left her feeling on the edge. She had not realised that her dancing with the hosts had given arise to so much curiosity and speculations. Finding a chair at a safe distance from Radhika and others she settled down hoping to enjoy a quiet meal.

But it seemed that peace and quiet were not luxuries that she should have been dreaming of. Sameer entered the room and made a beeline for her. Naina almost started chanting 'altu jalaltu aayi bala ko taal tu' under her breath. Oh God! Why is he providing them with even more ammunition? I am definitely going to get fired!

As he stood towering over her, dressed in a faded-blue jean and a black t-shirt with a slogan of 'Just do it.', her breath hitched a little. Naina was glad she was already perched atop a chair, seeing him after the previous night's amorous encounter turned her insides and knees to jelly. Her lips tingled and her cheeks took on a hue not unlike the pink rose placed in a vase on the table. Her trembling fingers returned the piece of roti to her plate.

Sameer watched her jittery demeanour with mixed feelings. On one hand he was pleased that she was shaken just like himself, but he was also apologetic for upsetting her, on the other.

"This time, I decided to just say sorry, rather than plan some elaborate apology!" he chuckled with a nervous edge to his voice. He rushed to add "And, no one has stressed upon me the need for this sorry. As shocking as it might seem, I realised, all on my own, that my behaviour of last night was really stupid!" She fleetingly wondered; He thinks it was stupid, not inappropriate?

As his eyes seemed to search around, she asked "What are you looking for?" He sighed "A chair, so I sit down and talk to you properly. Naina, as embarrassed as I am about my actions of last night, it wouldn't have come to that if we just talked. I don't know about you, but I am fed-up of this lets-pretend-to-be-strangers policy! Cause we are definitely not that."

She nodded in agreement and then rushed "But please not here! Radhika has already been interrogating me, ever since morning. I will quickly finish lunch and meet you in five minutes." Noting that he looked unconvinced, she added "I promise." Some doubt flashed in his eyes, but he nodded "Where?" She thought quickly "In the lemon grove at the back. I doubt anyone will be there at this time." He mumbled "I will be waiting." and walked away.

Naina quickly gobbled just half of the roti, barely tasting the Dum Aloo or Paneer in her plate and put her plate away. As she made her way towards the door, Radhika called "Is there any problem?" When she just shook her head, Radhika asked "What did Sameer want with you then?" Inwardly, Naina cursed the older woman and her penchant for meddling but replied "He just wanted to let me know that Deepika was looking for me." To avoid any further questioning, she added "He wasn't sure why. But don't worry, I will go talk to her now."

* * *

The lemon grove was deserted, as she had hoped. In fact, she couldn't spot him either. Maybe he's running late... or changed his mind? Or maybe he got busy with that Ishita!

He watched her standing towards the entrance, glancing around as she fidgeted with her pallu of her royal-blue saree. So many feelings fleeting across her face: confusion, uncertainty, and irritation. There she was, the old Naina with her ever expressive eyes. He called out, as she started to turn back "Naina, I am in here."

She jumped slightly at the unexpected voice and then walked towards the back. He was sitting near the foot of a big tree, his back against it and his legs bent at the knees. He spoke as she approached "I thought it would be harder for anyone to spot us if we are at the back." She nodded and chose a tree almost opposite him, to settle down against.

She waited for him to start the conversation thinking, You are the one wanting to catch-up, so it's only fair that you speak first! His one leg involuntarily jerked a bit, before he muttered "As I said, I am sorry for last night. It was that last round of Tequila shots... I am never going to drink Tequila, ever again! Raja had got the bottle and Dad egged everyone on." Suddenly realising she would have no clue who he was referring to, he explained "Raja is my cousin from Boston."

As she still stayed silent, he glanced around feeling unnerved. Why did she even agree to meet me for a chat if she is planning to just stay on mute mode? Back then she would keep talking all the time!

Suddenly recalling her earlier comment about Radhika, he exclaimed "And what happened with Radhika?! Did someone complain about last night? Naina, you don't have to take any grief from them for it. I will tell her that I ended up losing my way and was banging on the wrong door, as I was so drunk." Naina shook her head "No, it wasn't that. She just wanted to know what I was talking to you and Oliver about, while dancing last night."

Sameer was surprised "What does it have to do with her? It was a private conversation!" She shrugged her shoulders "She was just being nosey. Maybe trying to ensure that I am maintaining a professional distance with the guests." The moment she uttered the words 'professional distance', they both flushed, recalling the not-at-all-professional closeness of the previous night.

He mumbled sounding embarrassed "I shouldn't have barged into your room like that. I truly am sorry." After a small pause, he chuckled wryly "My only intention was to take back the apology! I know, it was stupid, but I think we have already established beyond a doubt that I wasn't thinking straight." She squinted at him "Take back the apology? What apology? You kept mumbling something about 'taking it back' last night too."

A flush tinted his face as Sameer tried to explain "I was so angry when you said that you barely remember anything! And then I got this idea in my head that if you barely remember anything, I should take that whole elaborately planned evening of apology back."

She paled thinking; He wants to take it back? Now, after all that happened that evening, and everything that followed!

Naina scoffed "Not everything can be undone so easily." He missed the weight of her words and replied simply "I know, and as I said it was stupid of me. But I was drunk, and it is not a state very conducive to making smart decisions."

Her face lost more colour, Which evening is he talking about? He was drinking that night too...

Some silence followed, as both wallowed in their own doubts and fears.

Sameer asked in a slightly shaky voice "Naina, do you really not remember much of my last trip?" When she met his eyes, the hurt reflecting there took her breath away. Maybe, that time had mattered to him after all. Maybe, just a little.

She was tired of the endless running of years. Sometimes towards his memories, sometimes away from the agony of the past, and now away from him for these last few days.

Naina pulled the pallu around herself as a chill descended on her. Time to stop pretending. Her voice quivered "Of course, I remember Sameer. How could I not? It was ..."  the words trailed off as she struggled to find the right word. How could she say that it had been almost everything that had defined the adult Naina, without admitting as much?

The air whooshed out of him in relief. Sameer asked expectantly "That time together, it was something special, wasn't it? I mean, you felt it too, right?" Finding herself incapable of uttering a single word at this unexpected declaration from him, she just nodded, her lips trembling a little.

He spoke sounding annoyed "We should have stayed in touch! Why did you never call or write? I know calling from India is bloody expensive, hardly anyone ever calls us! But you could have at least sent me a lousy letter. Was that expecting too much?!"

Naina sat, vacantly staring at him for a bit, as she tried to make sense of his words and tone. And then something snapped. Her voice was heavily laced with sarcasm "So, did you not get any of my letters??! Oh... that's such a shame... I guess all those letters in bottles that I chucked in the sea, must have floated to some other island instead of whichever part of the world that you were in."

As Sameer watched her stupefied, she continued "And how very silly of all those pigeons that I sent with little notes tied around their feet! I really must go ask their trainer for a refund, because they obviously did not fly to you!"

He was feeling rather unnerved by this outburst of hers, but she was still not finished, "But I admit, it was most stupid of me to not call all the Maheshwaris in London! Surely there couldn't have been that many, right? So, all I had to do was order a telephone directory of London and then go through the list. But wait, that wouldn't have worked either, cause the phone is probably listed in Mr Somani's name!"

When she finally paused, he retorted "As much as you love history, you are currently living in the twentieth century! There was no need to rely on pigeons, bottles, or whatever modes of communications the kings living in this palace used. So, instead of using all these ingenious methods, you could have just sent me a simple letter by airmail at the address I mentioned in my note."

Before she could get going again, he added "Also, rather than trying to finding my number in directories of the world, you should have called me on Nanu's number that I had asked you to call me on while I was still in India."

He snorted after a small pause "Do you know, I waited around the phone like a fool those four days?! I barely ventured out to even meet anyone, because I didn't want to risk missing your call. Don't you think, I deserved at least a call to wish me a bloody Bon Voyage, even if you didn't want to turn into a pen pal?!"

"What note?" she uttered; her voice barely audible. He responded hotly "The one I left for you that day, when I had to leave before you got back from the trip! I had suggested to Nanaji that I could stay back and accompany you back the next day, but he didn't seem comfortable with the idea."

Naina asked in a small voice "Who did you leave the note with?" He replied trying to recall "It was that guy from the palace office – Balraj or something like that... You know the one who used to give you all the information about this area." She murmured "Balwant?" He agreed "Yes, that's the one. I haven't seen him this time though. I suppose he doesn't work here anymore."

Suddenly the relevance of her last couple of questions dawned on him, and Sameer asked surprised, "Did you not get the letter?" When she shook her head in negation, he demanded "Did that guy not tell you that I left you a letter in the office? You thought I would have left without even a note?!"

Her features contorted in shock and pain, Naina muttered recalling something "Balwant said you had left an envelope for me in the office." He asked impatiently "So, did you not collect it?!" She stared at his, her gut twisting "I did, but the man there gave me an envelope with just cash in it. I thought it was from you."

Sameer was confused "Cash? Why would I leave you money?" Her eyes glistened and Naina turned her face away in shame "I thought, it was for... that night."

"Money for that night... what do you mean?" he asked the confusion still lingering in his eyes, but then it was replaced with indignation as he understood. In an instant, Sameer moved closer to her and crouching in front of her, turned her face towards him. He hissed "You thought I paid you for sleeping with me that night?! You think I would treat you like a whore?!"

She flinched at the word and tried to explain with teary eyes "Sameer... there was just money in it... I didn't know... I felt so ashamed, thinking that you had put a price to that... time with you. I couldn't bear the thought of facing you."

He sat down next to her heavily, clasping her hand he tried to convince her "Naina, I didn't leave any money for you." She whispered, "I know." Seeing his questioning gaze, she muttered "After you had returned to London, I went to Nanaji's office to return the money."

Over the next few minutes, Naina shared the details of her visit to Nanaji's office and his revelation that he had left the money for her as a scholarship.

"So, you never got my letter..." Sameer sounded deflated, as all the anger and resentment of years, that he had harboured against her flowed out of him, some gushing and some trickling.

He left me a letter? He left me a letter... He left me a letter! Her heart repeated it like a mantra but with so many different emotions.

He let out a long sigh "I called your office a couple of times. Once while Nanu was not around, I looked up the contact number for your tour agency and called your office. But you weren't in and they didn't have any other contact number for you." Naina asked holding her breath, "When was that?" He replied flatly "The day before I left for London." She mumbled "I was off sick that week with fever."

"I had called again few months later, after I had moved to Malaysia. I couldn't understand the guy answering the phone very well. He kept saying you are not there, but I couldn't understand if he meant that you didn't work there anymore or just that you weren't in the office at that moment. Last night you mentioned, you stopped working there... So, I guess, you weren't working there by that time." Sameer spoke, and she listened feeling torn.

Finding out that he hadn't abandoned her without a single thought, should have seemed like good news. But in that moment Naina only felt inconsolable. It had probably been easier to accept the perceived betrayal of one person, than considering that the whole universe has conspired against her.

Despite Sameer's revelation, the unease gripping her heart would not dissipate. Her gaze kept drifting to their entwined fingers. Though it gave her a feeling of being grounded in that moment, it also reminded of how she had struggled through life longing for this handhold.

Naina wordlessly rested her head on his shoulder, feeling like she did not have any more fight left in her. He too silently shifted a little closer and rested his cheek atop her head.

Somewhere a bird twittered. A few bees buzzed around. The winter afternoon's sun drenched the earth with a delicious warmth. However, the beauty of the moment was completely lost on Naina and Sameer, who sat amid it all grappling with their recent discoveries.

Naina was the first to break the silence, as she said in a pained voice "After I read about Nanaji's passing, I had gone to the attend the memorial. I expected to see you that day. Why weren't you there?"

Sameer inhaled deeply before replying "It was difficult to fly back at that point. I had just moved to Malaysia. Only mom had come to Ahmedabad back then, as Dad couldn't travel either."

She muttered "Yeah, I saw her then, but couldn't find the courage to approach her and ask about you." He nodded and then shrugged "Other than Nanu, I had never been particularly close to any of my relatives in Ahmedabad. With him gone, there wasn't any big appeal in coming for the condolence meetings. Mom said she would prefer that I spend time with her in London for a couple of weeks, once the project in Malaysia was under control."

His watch beeped and as her eyes drifted towards it Naina exclaimed "Its two already! The guests must be waiting in the foyer for me." Pulling her hand away, she scrambled to her feet and patted her face trying to get rid of any tear marks.

Sameer asked her astounded "Are you planning to conduct the tour even now?!" She replied sighing "Of course. It's time to get back to work. I will see you later."

After a couple of steps, she turned around and smiled slightly "I am glad we finally had the chance to catch-up." He nodded and replied, leaning back against the tree "I will stay here for a bit longer."

She had taken three more steps, when he called out "Naina, did you visit Egypt?" She was surprised by this question which seemed out of context but shook her head with a small forlorn smile. He asked, "Is it still your number one travel destination?" Her smile turned a little cheerier "Yes, definitely." He nodded looking her intently "See you in a bit."

He watched her walk away for as long as she remained in his line of vision.

Sameer sat in the lemon grove wondering, if and how things could have turned out quite different, if she had received his note.

She never got my note... and I kept waiting for her phone calls and letters. Sameer's eyes burned with unshed tears and then closed as he recalled the time following that last time, they had unknowingly bid each other goodbye.

* * *

22nd May 1994

Sameer woke up with a start at some sound. Was it a door? He looked in the direction of the bathroom, expecting her to be stepping out. That door was ajar, but there was complete silence, both in the bathroom and room. A quick glance around the room established that her bag and sandals were missing. He realised that he had fallen asleep and she had left. Glancing at the wall clock , he saw that it was close to half-past eight, which meant he had been asleep for almost two hours after she left.

He rested his head back on the pillow. His eyes lazily travelled across the room, taking in the rumpled sheets, her multicolour dupatta hanging on the back of the chair, some bangles hastily dumped on the dresser, the Agatha Christie that she had been reading by the pool the other day carefully placed on the table. It all brought a smile to his face.

In that moment, he didn't realise how these few seeming disjointed things would come to bear the essence of her in his heart for years to come.

Sameer lay in her bed for a bit longer, the previous evening and night playing in his mind. She was a captivating mix of naiveté and allure.

He recalled her words from when they were sitting by the pool – how the two of them together felt so familiar in spite of being so new. As bizarre as it seemed, it was exactly what he had been experiencing over the last couple of days.

He chuckled to himself recalling her shocked expressions when he had promised to keep her awake again that night. Well, he might have just been teasing her when he uttered those words, but he was determined to keep that promise now!

He started planning the evening, as he picked up the clothes discarded on the floor the night before. Sameer hoped that Nanaji would once again make plans with Dinesh and leave them alone. He decided to check with Balwant if he could borrow a bike from the palace staff and if there were any spots around that seemed a likely candidate for a romantic ride. His mind complained - Romantic ride?? What the hell am I thinking?! His heart tried to reason – Well, girls like all this mushy stuff, right? And, of course dinner afterwards! 

Lost in thoughts, he almost pulled the door to her room, remembering her warning to ensure that he did not forget the key to his room, just in the nick of time.

On returning to his room, he grabbed a shower, his heart seized by many doubts about the future. They were scheduled to head back to Ahmedabad the next morning, and he was leaving for London in four days. He could meet her few more times while he was in Ahmedabad, but what after that? It was too early to make any long-term plans. But, the idea, of saying goodbye to her forever at the end of the trip, it filled him with deep disquiet.

But what about her? Will she want to keep in touch? He desperately hoped that she would!

He had just stepped out of the bathroom, with just the towel draped around his waist, when then was a knock on his door. Sameer looked at his watch in surprise. It was still early for anyone to come knocking. Opening the door revealed Nanaji, who was already dressed for the day.

Sameer wondered nervously, why his grandfather stood there with a solemn expression. Did Nanu somehow figure out that I spent the night in Naina's room? Shit man! What if he knocked on my door last night after returning from his dinner and realised that I wasn't here? He must have put two and two together!

He managed to mutter "Good Morning Nanu... I didn't realise when you got back last night. Sorry, I was tired and..." Nanaji brushed away the rest of his excuse "It's okay. I got back late myself and retired to bed immediately." Looking Sameer over, he went on "It's good you are up and already showered. Listen, we have to head back in an hour or so. So, get your packing sorted and get some breakfast."

"Head back in an hour? But where? And why?" Sameer queried confusedly. Nanaji explained "That man Dinesh wanted to introduce to me yesterday, turned out to be a potential investor. He is leaving for the USA for a couple of months in a few days. Before that, Dinesh wants to show him my business setup and financial books." Sameer started to protest "Nanu, we are scheduled to head back tomorrow anyway. It's just a matter of another day... why can't it all happen a day later?"

Nanaji smiled at him apologetically "Sorry Beta. If Mr Kumar decides to invest, there will be some formalities that Dinesh is keen to kick-off at the earliest possible. It's really very time sensitive. Anyway, we were not planning on doing much today. Get ready and I will see you soon."

As his grandfather started to turn away, Sameer objected "But Naina has left for the tour. She will be back by afternoon. How can we leave without her?" Seeing Nanaji's eyes narrowing, he rushed to add "And she had taken Sambhu and the car too, right? So, how can we travel back?" Nanaji nodded "Yes, I mentioned this to Dinesh when I just spoke to him to confirm all the other plans. He is organising another car to pick us up. It will be here at 10 am. So, you have another thirty minutes for so to get sorted."

Sameer made one last attempt "Nanu, rather than rushing, what if I stay back till Naina and Shambhu get back? I can come back with her. I mean, it would be safer for her too..." Nanaji smiled warmly "Don't worry, I had called her office and explained about the change in plan. They said it's perfectly fine and that Shambhu is most reliable. She will be fine. And I would prefer that you travel back with me. I don't think your mother will be pleased if I leave you back and you get into some trouble! I will knock on your door when I am ready to leave. I still have to pack." Nanaji walked away.

Sameer quickly changed, packed, and grabbed some breakfast. Over breakfast, he deliberated on how he could reach Naina once back in Ahmedabad and decided to write her a note asking her to contact him instead. Once back upstairs, he scribbled a note explaining the reason for their hasty departure and included all his contact details both for Ahmedabad and London.

Nanaji knocked on his door as he was putting the note in an envelope. On leaving the room, as he was wondering if he should slip the letter under her door, Nanaji remarked that he had earlier stopped by the palace office to leave tips for the palace staff and had left something for Naina too. Hearing this Sameer to decide to leave his note in the office too and hence handed it to Balwant as soon as he spotted him downstairs.

The journey back from Sudhagadh to Ahmedabad was unremarkable for the Maheshwari men. Both were immersed in their own thoughts. Nanaji was dwelling on the business discussions with Dinesh and Mr Kumar, while Sameer was preoccupied with Naina's anticipated reaction on her return from the other assignment. He had overheard Nanaji's conversation with Balwant. Balwant had agreed that Naina and Shambhu could stay back that night if they preferred. But Sameer hoped she would decide to return to Ahmedabad the same evening. That way they could meet up tomorrow and talk. Well, most probably, she will call me today evening itself. He thought assuredly.

* * *

He lingered by the phone that evening and next day, confident that she would call.

On the second day, he had worriedly remarked to Nanu, that he hoped that Naina and Shambhu had got back okay. Nanaji had assured him that he had spoken to her manager and had been assured that both were back safe and sound. He had been only marginally relieved by this news of their safe return, as he anxiously wondered why he hadn't heard from her. He tried to reassure himself that she must be caught up with something important and would call the following day.

When there was no call from her on the third day, Sameer had furtively extracted the name of her tour company from his grandfather's Munshiji. He had dug up the contact number in the directory and then called her office. The peon answering the phone had informed him that Naina was not in that day and that as far as he was aware, she did not have a residential phone number.

Sameer had been convinced that some sort of family emergency must have arisen in her household when she didn't call even on the day of his departure. He wrote down his email address for Nanaji before he left, assuring him that it was the quickest way to reach him.

Nanaji had just looked on confused at the strange little word with a @ symbol in the middle wondering how he was supposed to use it. Sameer had emphasized that the younger generation would know how to use it. Remembering that Nanaji had not been very comfortable with his growing friendship with Naina, he had not mentioned her name in particular, just that Nanaji could share it with any of his cousins or friends if they wished to contact him.

As he flew back, Sameer had wondered with growing unease, what if it had not been any exceptional circumstances that had stopped Naina from contacting him? What if she had chosen to not contact him just because she didn't want to stay in touch? But he found it hard to reconcile with this thought.

The month back in London had passed by, with him researching and applying for jobs. All the while, he had eagerly waited for the postman, which his family had mistaken for his impatience for a response to his job applications.

The day he collected the photo prints, he sat gazing at her numerous photos in slight shock. Why did I click so many photos of the girl who did not find me worthy of a single call or note? What the hell was I thinking?! It seemed ridiculous that he had allowed those beautiful eyes and smile to draw him in like a moth to the flame.

In fact, he had felt downright embarrassed at the thought of explaining to anyone why his lens had been focussed on her all through those four days. Had it been just four days? Strange, it seemed like a lifetime. Well, maybe not a lifetime, but definitely much longer than four days.

Sameer pushed all photos of her in an envelope at the back his closet and never showed them to any of his family or friends.

Few weeks later, Vivek twisted his ankle while gardening and ended up with a fracture. A new project that was about to be kicked off in Malaysia seemed to be in trouble, and Vivek asked Sameer to help him out at least for a few months. When Sameer moved to Malaysia, the packet of Naina's photos was also thrust in his baggage and from then on travelled with him wherever he went.

Nanaji's untimely demise, soon after he had relocated, came as a huge shock. Sameer struggled to make sense of this turn of events, so soon after his trip to India. Nanaji had spoken of reducing his workload and planning for the future of his business, during the trip, but had been in good health.

At that point, Sameer had been in the middle of the setup of operations of a new joint venture in Malaysia. He also didn't see any point in visiting some extended family to pay his condolences. He had instead spent a lot of time remembering all his fond memories of Nanaji. Oddly, Naina had become an integral part of most of the recent ones.

It was during that period that he had first dreamt of her. It had been a terrible nightmare really. Naina weeping, while sitting in a pool of blood. He had wondered, did it mean that she had sensed his loss and grief? Or was it just some bizarre way that his mind was visualizing his loss of two relationships? One very old, and one very new. After resisting the urge for about a month or so, he had called her office again. But once again the call had been unproductive, she wasn't there.

For a few months, he would enquire with Deepika if any mail had arrived for him. Till one day, she surprised him by asking 'why don't you just contact her directly rather than waiting for her letters?' When Sameer sheepishly enquired what she meant, much to his chagrin, he realised that Deepika was under the impression that he was missing Izzy and waiting for her letters.

When nothing arrived from her by the end of the first six months, neither any airmail nor any emails, Sameer stopped waiting.

He tried to convince himself that it had all been just in his head. She had been one of her kind, something he had never encountered before and hence he had got too caught in the moment. But it had not meant anything to her. After all, who was he, but just another tourist?! And she probably met many like him all the time. Or maybe she had reconciled with her ex and hence decided to maintain her distance. These thoughts did not bring him any solace, but he tried to make his peace.

* * *

(First of all, Eid Mubarak to all of you! May you all be blessed with health and happiness.

So, the promised Samaina conversation is done. Of course, there is still more time to go before all the secrets are out in the open. ;) Let me know how you found the conversation and also Sameer's side of the story. I have not been able to respond to all the comments on the last update, but will do it as possible.

Also, big thanks to my readers for nominating 'The Reluctant Groom and His Accidental Bride' and 'The Folly of Love' for the Critics Awards and Rainbow Awards. You affection and apprecaition means more than words can express!

Please note, I am going to be very busy on the family front over the coming week. Hence, will share the next part after 2 weeks. Take care all of you and stay safe.

Lots of love, May)