He woke up with a splitting headache. Spending so much time in the factory for the last ten days or so had been absolutely exhausting. And it was not so much about being physically tired, he was used to long days of extensive practice and days on the field in all types of weather, but more about feeling mentally drained. And it was just Monday, still a long week to get through, he thought.

It seemed like every two minutes someone or the other kept approaching him with questions and expecting him to have all the answers. It was either the men from the company installing the machine wanting a quick resolution to issues related to the infrastructure or some permission from local authorities for parking in a specific area or just that the local carpenter hadn't shown up. Or it was his own employees complaining about the disruption to their daily schedule or the dust in their eating area. And then one of the labourers who was supposed be helping with the installation had shown up quite sick, though Sameer suspected it was only another word for very drunk and he had to rush around phoning Munshiji's other contacts to arrange for a replacement.

He wondered how Nanaji had done this for so many years and always seemed to be in control and had everything running so smoothly. He already felt like a headless chicken most of the time. What had made Nanaji think that he was ready for taking on so much responsibility? This was a very important project for the future of the company, for the expansion that Nanaji was dreaming of. Was he really ready and did he deserve this responsibility?

No, it wasn't about whether he was ready... it was his grandfather's way of forcing him to step up and to become responsible. He felt Nanaji wouldn't have probably made him in-charge of this project before he joined the business properly post completion of his studies, but the wedding had impacted the timeline he had in mind. Suddenly Nanaji wanted Sameer to man up and get involved in the important stuff earlier than expected.

He had barely attended the college since last week and had hardly spent any time with Munna and Pandit. Nor had he met her. He had seen her alighting from the rickshaw just once last week, and he had already been in the car driving away. He honked twice not really expecting a response but surprisingly she had turned around and recognised the car. They had waved at each other as he drove away. He had been relieved to see her waving happily, especially after the silent treatment he had been subjected to for the rest of the evening post the photo session. She had barely met his eye as she waved them all a goodbye after they dropped her off.

Nanaji had not been in town over the weekend and so she had not come by the house yesterday. Just as he returned from the gymkhana, the phone had rung, and he had quickly shouted to Ramdhari that he would get the phone. As he rushed to pick it up, he had wondered if it was her, calling to check if Nanu was back. When it had turned out to be Pandit, he had felt oddly irritated.

Was she still annoyed, he had thought? For a moment he had contemplated calling her to check, but then had felt very silly thinking just what exactly would he ask her. He could hardly ask her if she was angry that he hugged her while posing for the photos. He had been posing as per everyone's instructions and it could not be considered as a real hug... it had not even lasted a whole minute, and everyone had been watching! And if she hated it so much, why did she lean into him like that, like she was melting? Had he not tightened his grip, he was sure she would have collapsed to the floor and then what?!

And was she always that warm? Or were women in general warmer than men? He couldn't recall the last time someone had hugged him lovingly. With Munna Pandit there were some instances of excited boisterous hugs and with Nanaji some restrained ones. But what did a hug feel like which said that you are loved and treasured? One that said you are well and truly the centre of someone's universe. The one thing that had stayed with him was the memory of her almost turning around, just for a moment her ear had brushed against his chest, before her head snapped back to it original position facing the camera. As he remembered that moment, he thought, this is the closest anyone has ever come to listening to his heart.

He had spent the next hour or so once again recollecting every tiny detail of that evening over a cup of coffee. For once the lack of the required amount of sugar hardly registered.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present moment and resolving to spend some time with his friends that day, as he desperately needed a break, he headed downstairs ready to grab some quick breakfast and head to the college.

Nanaji who had got back from Baroda the evening before, was already at the breakfast table, sipping on some tea and reading the newspaper. Sameer greeted him "Good Morning Nanu" to which Nanu replied as usual "Good Morning Beta." Ramdhari quickly brought Sameer his coffee and told them that breakfast would be ready in just a couple of minutes.

Nanu now looked at Sameer noticing he was already dressed to head out and asked "College ja rahe ho aaj? Factory late jaaoge?" Sameer replied "Ji Nanu. ab installation ka kaam chalu ho gaya hai. Aaj toh unhe humari taraf se aur kuch lagna nahi chahiye, aur Parmar kaka ne mujhe bola hai ke agar kuch problem aaya bhi toh aaj woh handle kar lenge." Nanaji nodded "Chalo acha hai tumhe aaj factory jaldi jana nahi hai... par college bhi mat jaao aaj."

Seeing the look of confusion on Sameer's face he continued "Woh raat ko Vivek ka phone aaya tha. Woh aur uski Maa Nadiad aaye hue hai kissi shaadi mein. Aaj dopahar ki flight hai unki Delhi ke liye Ahmedabad se. Toh pehele humse milne yaha aa rahe hai. Lunch yahi karenge humare sath."

Sameer who had no interest in meeting his step-father or that Dadi replied "Nanu, aap mil lijiye unse. Mujhe koi interest nahi hai." Nanaji who had already anticipated his response responded calmly "Sameer, beta Vivek khaas tumhare baare mein pooch raha tha. Woh aur tumhari Mummy tumse shaadi ke baad mile nahi hai, toh milna chahata hai... bahoot sawal hoge unke mann mein. Aur ek din college miss kar dena. Its important beta." Sameer asked "Kitne baaje aa rahe hai woh log." Nanu confirmed "Vivek ne kaha hai, dus baaje ke aas pass pohoch jayenge. Sameer grudgingly accepted "Theek hai, main thodi der milke chala jaaonga."

As the expected time of arrival of the Somani's stretched from 10 am to past 11, Sameer waited in his room impatiently. The thought of meeting that woman again brought back so many bitter memories for him. He had never confided in Nanu just how badly she had treated him during those three years in Delhi, not wanting to burden his grandfather with additional worries. But, her constant reminders of how he was an outsider and totally worthless compared to her precious Rohan, had eaten away at his peace of mind and confidence too. And his mother and Mr Somani had just stood by, never putting up any resistance to her mental abuse. He truly hated her.

Finally, the Somanis arrived about 11:15. They blamed the late arrival on the traffic and road conditions due to the rains, but Sameer did not sense any real regret for keeping him or his grandfather waiting for so long. He unwillingly touched their feet. After some initial queries about the Dadi's health and the Somani family's well-being, the conversation soon turned to the topic of Sameer's wedding.

Nanaji answered some questions from Dadi about the girl's family and her education, nothing that he had not shared with Vishakha or Vivek before. He then opened a small cabinet under the TV in the lounge and brought out a photo album. Seeing Sameer's surprise, he explained that Naina's Tauji had sent a copy of some of the photos clicked of the wedding just a couple of days back.

The Somani's looked at the photos with great interest, Dadi all the while expressing her regret at the circumstances in which this wedding had happened, and poor Sameer being forced to accept a girl from such a mediocre family as her wife. She lamented that she had so many more appropriate girls in mind for him, but alas it wasn't meant to be. This was the first time Sameer felt grateful to the Guruji, thanks to him, at least he had been spared of a wife of Dadi's choice. Vivek commented that the girl looked pretty enough but seemed a little short compared to Sameer. He then went on to advise Sameer about how he should now start being more responsible and start acting as a married man.

Dadi now turned to Nanaji saying "Waise ladki dikhne mein toh theek hi hai... par swabhav ki kaisi hai? Jyada important toh wahi hota hai." Nanaji answered very happily "Kya kahu behenji... Bhagwan ki daya se bahoot hi sushil aur suljhi hui hai. Bahoot hi pyari bachi hai." Dadi not very happy to hear such glowing reports of Sameer's wife, in fake concern replied "Yeh toh bahoot achi baat hai bhaisahab, par ladki wale toh tarrif hi karenge. Asli baat toh tabhi pata chalegi jab aap khud usse jaane lagenge."

Nanaji immediately clarified "Jaan ke hi bol raha hu... Naina ke sath kafi waqt guzara hai maine... Sunday ko aati hai mere sath time spend karne." Dadi looked surprised "Aare Bobby toh bol raha thay aap logo ko bidai itni jaldi nahi karni hai... phir bhi ladki ko uske ghar wale itni baar bhejte hai abhi se?" Taking a small pause, she continued "Ha, waise kyun nahi bhejenge woh... unke liye toh acha hi hai." Nanaji looked a little uncertain not understanding what she was implying "Main kuch samjha nahi..."

Dadi smiled in a patronising manner and replied "Aare bhaisahab, dekh lena kuch din baad kahenge ke ladki ko itni baar aap ke bulane pe bheja tha, aur ab bidai mein aur der nahi kar sakte. Jawaan ladka ladki itni baar mil rahe hai, toh yeh toh hona hi hai." Looking at Sameer she continued "Mera yeh bikul bhi khena nahi hai ke humara Sameer kuch galat karega... par agar woh log kuch kehte hai, toh hum unhe jhoota bhi toh nahi sabeet kar sakte."

Sameer's face burned at the insinuation of him initiating any physical intimacy that would be considered inappropriate before the bidai. Nanaji immediately responded "Woh log achi tarha jaante hai ke Naina jab aati hai, Sameer jyada tar yaha hoti hi nahi hai, aur jab hota hai aur bhi bahoot log hote hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye, uske ghar wale bilkul aise nahi hai." Dadi made one final dig "Jaisa aap theek samjhe... par bahoot duniya dekhi hai maine. Achi tarah jaanti hu ladki walo ko kitni jaldi hoti hai aise maamle mein aur woh bhi jab ladka itne bade ghar ka ho..." Turning to her son, she said "Bobby, tum likh lena meri yeh baat, aage ke ek-do mahine mein bidai toh ho ke hi rahegi. Aur bechare humare Sameer ko na chahate hue bhi grihasti basani hi padegi."

Sameer's headache which had stared subsiding after taking a Saridon at breakfast, stared making a full-fledged comeback. Not able to bear anymore of this conversation, the implications and forecasts being made, he made some excuses about needing to be at the factory urgently and said his goodbyes. Not in a mood to go to the factory as yet, he headed to the college. As his friends were still busy with the last lecture, he parked and waited in the bike stand.

As he waited, he kept playing Dadi's words in his mind. Bizarrely they seemed to make sense. Why was her family sending her over so frequently before the bidai? Munna Pandit's comment from a few days back, that she seemed to be slowly moving in without him even realising it, came to his mind. They had just been teasing him, but now he felt like he was seeing it all in a new light. She was there every Sunday and she left back food to last the next few days, which made it feel like she was around even when she wasn't. And then the other day, the way she was supervising Ramdhari in the kitchen preparing for Rustam uncle's visit or buying gifts for those kids. She seemed to be getting so comfortable in his house.

What if her family really imply that after spending so much time in his house and around him, they couldn't delay the bidai? Would anyone believe even for a second, that there had been no inappropriate behaviour involved from his side? After all, didn't everyone just take the girl's word at face value in situations like this? Was this the real agenda behind her visits? How had he been so stupid?! And imagine what everyone would start expecting from him the moment she actually entered the house for good! Nanaji would probably expect him to say goodbye to even the idea of fun and start working in the factory full-time even post the completion of this project.

Naina had left a little earlier for college that day. Preeti had used the excuse of her monthly periods and decided to skip college for the day, though Naina knew that the real reason was that someone in the building had mentioned that the cable guy was planning to play the latest Madhuri starer that afternoon. Naina wanted to return some books to the library before the lectures. Unfortunately, the rickshaw broke down about 5 minutes away from the college and she had to walk the remaining distance through all the muddy water carrying the extra books. By the time she reached college her pale green shalwar was looking really soiled leaving her even more irritated.

Of course, there was another reason for her grumpy state of mind too. She hadn't met him since that evening spent with the Bharucha family. It was nine days today. She understood that he was probably very busy at the factory, but it still irritated her. On one occasion when she had run into Munna and Pandit last week, she had enquired how his work was coming along and had been assured by them that all was well. She had contemplated on calling him over the weekend. Knowing that Nanaji was away, the likelihood of he answering the phone was quite high. But, had chickened out at the last minute. But, why couldn't he call? If he can call to summon her to meet his relatives, why not call to just talk to her? That's it! The next time she met him, she would make it clear that he had to call her at least a couple of times a week, if not that, at least once. Yes, she would ask him to call her on Thursday afternoons as Chachiji would also be out for her weekly bhajan meet at the local mandir.

As she entered the gates, she thought she saw him in the bike stand. As she got closer to the bike stand, she realised that it was definitely him, and her spirits immediately lifted. All the irritation with the muddy puddles, weight of the books in the bag, the rickshaw-wala who had not been responsible enough to get the rickshaw serviced on time, and of course him, was forgotten in an instant. Her eyes lit up and her lips started getting ready to reflect the smile in her heart. She had an excuse to talk to him too, to check on the progress of the installation. And he was alone, she thought with extra pleasure. The memory of that hug left her blushing and with butterflies in her stomach.

As Naina approached him, he looked tired and a little lost. His first foray into business must be proving rather challenging and exhausting, she thought. When she was just a few paces away from him and he still hadn't looked up, she called out to him softly "Sameer..." His eyes jerked in her direction and he seemed a little surprised to see her there.

Sameer, who had been lost in thoughts, was surprised to see her suddenly in front of him. She usually did not arrive for at least another 30-40 minutes. So, what was she doing here now and why was she alone?

Naina smiled and said "Aaj bahoot dino baad dikhe aap college mein. Factory ke kaam mein busy hai na? Kaam kaisa chal raha hai? Sab theek se toh ho raha hai na?" He mumbled "Ha, sab theek chal raha hai..." She asked sounding very concerned "Bahoot thake hue lag rahe hai aap... tabiyat theek hai na?" He replied "Ha, theek hai, bus zara zukam hua hai aur sardard ho raha hai." She asked "Nanaji aa gaye na Baroda se?" When he nodded, Naina thinking of something continued "Acha, main Sunday ko aayungi toh Ramdhari ko ek kadha banana seekha dungi. Raat ko roz thoda le lena. Thakan kum ho jayegi aap ki aur aap ka zukam bhi. Chachiji bhi Chachaji ko banake deti hai kabhi kabhi..."

Suddenly hearing her talking about the Sunday visit and making kadhas for him, the earlier doubts planted by Dadi resurfaced very strongly. He gruffly said "Koi jarurat nahi hai baar baar ghar aane ki." Naina thinking she had misheard him, said "Sorry... kya kaha aap ne?" Sameer now spoke in a loud and clear voice "Maine kaha, koi jarurat nahi hai baar baar ghar aane ki. Aur tumhare gharwalon ko bhi koi aaitraz nahi hota tumhare aise chale aane par?" All the colour drained from her face. What was he saying? She mumbled "Kya matlab? Main kuch samjhi nahi..." He retorted "Ya yahi soch ke bhejte hai, ke kisi na kisi bahane se jaldi bidai kar denge? Shayad yahi plan hai sab ka, right?"

Naina finally catching the drift of his words stilled for a few moments trying to make some sense of these accusations towards her and her family. Indignation set it. Taking a deep breath, she spoke "Main aise hi muh uthake nahi chali aati hu. Sirf tabhi aati hu jab Nanaji bulate hai." Sameer responded "Nanaji toh hai hi bechare seedhe sadhe..." Naina now soundly very angry "Kya matlab? Aap yeh kehna chahate hai, ke main aur mere gharwale koi tede kissam ke log hai?!" He replied "Maine yeh toh nahi kaha... par shayad ho bhi sakte hai... Warna tumhe kyu bhejte?!"

She felt a little dizzy, like the ground beneath her feet was slipping away, but mustering all her strength looked him straight in the face said "Theek hai, toh ab se main Nanaji ke bulane pe nahi aayungi. Aap hi samjha dijiye unhe jo samjhana ho." Sameer taking offence at the thought that she was saying that she won't respect his Nanaji's wishes asked angrily "Kya matlab Nanaji ke bulane pe nahi aaogi?!" She replied equally crossly "Matlab, ab tabhi aayungi jab aap khud bulayenge, apne dil se!" Having said her piece, as she started turning away, he responded hotly wanting to get in the final word in the argument "Toh phir zindagi bhar issi intezar mein baithi rehna. Mujhe koi shauk nahi hai tumhe apne ghar bulane ka!"

Naina walked away with tears of anger and hurt starting to make their way down her cheeks. She rushed to the ladies toilet and spent the next couple of hours either crying remembering his words or cursing him for saying those words. Every word was replayed a thousand times and every time she found herself at a loss of understanding why he had said the things that he had said. What had happened that he was questioning not only her integrity but her family's too? But the one thing she was clear on was, that she would not go visiting again, unless he apologised.

That week on Saturday, she called when she knew that neither Nanaji or he would be home and left a message with Ramdhari that she would be unable to make it on Sunday as she was unwell. When asked by her family, Naina made an excuse that Nanaji was travelling.

Sameer was rather surprised to see her sticking to her guns. On Monday, when he passed her near the college gate, she completely ignored him, and he in turn looked away too. Naina had expected him to apologise in a day or two for all the rude things he had said, justifying to herself that he probably hadn't meant any of it and must have been worried about something at work. But, seeing no apology from his end, resolved to stay away from his house, mortified that this is what he really thought of her.

Meanwhile, one of her professors had approached Naina regarding an opportunity for an apprenticeship program that a big organisation was planning to offer for four of the Third-Year students. The professor explained that they had already shortlisted three male students who were interested and had good academic record. The organisation was quite keen for the fourth student to be a female student and the professor felt that Naina would be a perfect match. She had been very excited at the prospect of this experience and had presented the case at home. Unsurprisingly, her father and Tauji had immediately dismissed the idea of her applying for the apprenticeship, seeing absolutely no need for her to get involved in any such extra activities now. They both felt that she should be focusing on honing her housekeeping skills now, and limit her academics related efforts only to the point of appeasing her in-laws need for an educated daughter-in-law.

Taiji wholeheartedly agreed that Naina should be focusing on the household tasks and started hounding Bela with dire predictions of Naina's in-laws being sorely disappointed with her cooking skills post the bidai. One of her favourites and much-repeated monologue became "Bela, mana tujhe bhi kuch nahi aata tha shaadi ke waqt, par kum se kum jab tu iss ghar mein aayi toh main thi yaha sab seekhane ko. Naina ki saas toh itna dur Delhi mein rehti hai. Isse kaun seekhayega?" Bela would think to herself Mujhe pata hai, innhe kis baat ki mirchi lag rahi hai... yahi ke waha Naina ko sataane ke liye na koi saas aur na koi jethani baithi hai!

But she still enrolled Naina for some Punjabi cooking classes once the baking classes were over, explaining to her niece "Beta, Damadji udhar Nainital aur Delhi mein bade hue hai, unhe toh uss pradesh ka khana khane ki aadat hogi. Aur mujhe woh sab itna kaha aata hai?" When Naina objected "Chachiji, unnke yeha toh khana Ramdhari banata hai. Mujhe banana ki kya jarurat hogi?" Chachiji shared her pearls of wisdom "Ramdhari toh naukar aadmi thera beta. Aur ghar ki aaurat ke hath ka khana kuch alag hota hai." And then she added as if sharing a precious secret "Aur ek baat yaad rakhna beta, Pati ke dil ka rasta usske pet se hoke jaata hai!" Pooja who was visiting that day whispered to Naina "Ek aur bhi rasta hai, aur jyada guaranteed hai! Khana toh unhe koi bhi banake khila sakta hai." When Naina looked at her blankly, she shaking her head said "Bidai ke baad sab samajh jaayegi tu!"

In spite of her family's lack of keenness, Naina did not give up on the idea of signing up for the apprenticeship. She now started thinking if she should approach Nanaji regarding this matter. But, having decided and proclaimed that she would not visit until he called her himself, she didn't know when she would next meet Nanaji.

As the days passed without him initiating any contact or apology, Naina started feeling rather apprehensive. She had not mentioned anything about their disagreement to Preeti, not wanting to anger Preeti with his stupid implications about their family. She didn't know what to make of this. What should she do for the coming Sunday now?

On Wednesday about 6:30 pm, as Naina and Preeti sat cleaning some Methi and chatting with Chachaji about their college, there was a slight knock on the door and Nanaji stood there. Chachaji warmly welcomed him and sent Preeti next doors to let Taiji know about his arrival. As Naina greeted him, she started feeling rather sacred wondering what would happen now, when the truth came out that she had lied about being unwell the past weekend.

Taiji immediately rushed over on hearing the Samdhiji had come visiting. Nanaji explained "Main baju wale building mein Shastriji ko dekhne aaya tha. Unka abhi teen hafte pehele heart ka operation hua hai." Taiji immediately exclaimed "O bai! Bahoot bura hua Shastriji ka." Nanaji looking a little confused said "Behenji, woh toh theek hai. Recovery bhi achi ho rahi hai." Taiji replied "Ha, woh toh hai. Bus operation hua yeh bahoot bura hua." Nanaji just smiled slightly still not understanding her point of view.

He then continued "Itna pass aaya tha, toh bus meri bahu aur aap sab se mile bina jaane ka mann nahi hua." Turning to Naina he asked "Kaisi ho beta? Tabiyat theek hai tumhari?" Naina stammered a little "Ji... main toh... bikul theek hu..." And then she quickly asked trying to change the topic "Aap ka Baroda ka trip kaisa raha? Shaadi kaisi rahi?" Nanaji replied it had all been well. Taiji now added "Ha Naina bata rahi thi ke aap kahi bahar gaav gaye hue thay iss Sunday ko."

Nanaji was about to explain that he had been to Baroda the weekend before, but seeing how pale Naina had suddenly gone and the look on her face indicating that something was not right, he stayed quiet. It seemed like she had lied about being unwell to avoid the visit. He wondered if she was finding the weekly visits boring, but it had never seemed like that. Or maybe she had wanted to do something else, maybe go out with friends and hence made an excuse. Naina realised that Nanaji had caught her lie and had let it slide rather than calling it out in front of her family. She felt absolutely miserable.

As the elders chatted over a cup of tea and some pakodas made by Bela and served by Naina, Naina started thinking that maybe she should use this opportunity to raise the topic of the apprenticeship with Nanaji. But what if he was very cross at her about lying about the Sunday visit? Though he was talking to her as nicely as always, she sat there deliberating on it. After about close to an hour, as Nanaji was about to leave and Chachaji too started getting ready to accompany him to the car, Naina quickly gathering some courage said "Chachaji aap baithiye na, main Nanaji ko gadi tak chod ke aati hu." Nanaji added "Ha Anandji, mujhe waise bhi Naina se kuch baat karni hai."

As they climbed down the stairs, Naina said "Nanaji, aap se kuch baat karni thi, agar aap se pass time ho... bus panch minute lagenge." Nanaji nodded and once reaching the gate, said to her "Chalo gaddi mein baithke baat karte hai." On approaching the car, he had a quick word with their driver Farookh explaining they would be sitting and chatting in the car for a bit. Farookh chacha nodded and headed to a nearby tea stall.

Once settled in the back seat of the car, Nanaji prompted "Naina, tabiyat such mooch kharab thi tumhari ya kuch aur tha?" Naina feeling and looking very contrite replied "Sorry Nanaji. Tabiyat theek thi meri, bus woh..." She stopped not knowing what to say next. It didn't seem appropriate to complain about their first fight to his grandfather. Nanaji drawing his own conclusions started "Beta, tumhe agar kabhi kissi bhi wajah se aane ka mann nahi hai, toh bata sakti ho. Main samajhta hu tumhara bhi kabhi apne dosto ke sath kahi jaane ka mann hoga. Ya shayaad har Sunday ek buddhe aadmi ke sath baate karne ka mann na ho." Naina rushed "Nahi Nanaji, aisa kuch bhi nahi hai. Mujhe toh aap ke sath waqt guzarna bahoot acha lagta hai." He now thinking of something else asked "Tumhari Taiji ke kuch kaha hai?" Naina nodding in negation replied "Nahi, ab woh mujhe jyada kuch nahi kehti." He thought the pass book had worked it's magic, just as expected.

As Nanaji turned to her, he observed her looking outside the window with a very anxious expression and rubbing the kangan in her hand repeatedly. Finding it an oddly familiar gesture, he asked "Sameer se koi jhagda hua hai kya?" She looked a little surprised at this question and stammered "Nahi toh... unnse toh na milna hota hai, na koi baat." But, the moisture glistening in her eyes was enough for him. He tried to explain "Beta, dekho Pati Patni mein kabhi kabhi thoda bahoot jhagda ho jaata hai. Aur main samajhta hu ke Sameer thoda ghusse wala hai. Par tum toh samajhdar ho, hai na?"

All the anxiety that had been tying her insides in knots over the last week, bubbled to the surface and slipped out as tears. Still not knowing what to say, she just sat there now as the tears flowed steadily. He tried explaining again "Beta, aise chotti chotti baaton mein naraaz hoke ghar aana thode hi band kar dete hai. Chalo naraazgi chod do aur main Sunday ko intezaar karunga, theek hai?" She shook her head and mumbled "Par unnhe mera ghar aana bilkul acha nahi lagta." Nanaji was confused "Acha nahi lagta? Aare tumhe aisa kyun laga?"

She now no longer able to hold it all in replied through her tears in a shaky voice "Unhone kaha hai ke baar baar ghar na aaya karu. Bahoot ghussa hai, ke main har Sunday aajati hu. Nanaji, main toh aap ke bulane pe hi aati hu, aise hi thodi na aati hu..." He interrupted "Naina, woh tumhara bhi ghar hai. Tumhe waha aane ke liye kissi ke bulane ki koi jarurat nahi hai." But Naina was not willing to budge easily, she replied "Nahi Nanaji, agar unhe mera aana itna bura lagta hai, toh yeh jaanke mujhe bhi aana acha nahi lagta." Naina didn't feel comfortable sharing what else he had said or rather implied about the manipulative intent of her visits. After a few moments, he asked "Tumne yeh baat ghar pe apni Chachi ko batayi? Unhone samjhaya nahi tumhe?" Naina tried to explain "Nahi maine kisise kuch nahi kaha. Warna Chachiji toh pareshaan ho jayengi bidai ke baare mein soch ke. Aur Taiji pata nahi kya kya bolna shuru kar dengi..."

They both sat there silently for about a minute or so lost in their own thoughts. Nanaji then asked her, sounding a little deflated "Yahi baat karni thi tumhe mujhe se?" She now recalling what she had actually wanted to discuss with him, wiped away her tears and told him about the opportunity being offered for the apprenticeship. She then said "Papa aur Tauji ne toh mana kar diya hai, par aap agar ha kahenge toh phir maan hi jayaenge." He wondering why she wanted to do an apprenticeship with another organisation rather than learning their own business asked "Par tum yeh karna kyun chahati ho? Tumhare result mein koi fayda toh nahi lagta hai."

As Naina tried to explain that the apprenticeship could possibly result in a job opportunity along with some good experience and learning, Nanaji started wondering why she was thinking about job opportunities. That moment from the wedding day when she had been reassuring her family that she would get a job and not be a financial burden on them flashed in his mind. Was she scared that the bidai may never happen and that she will have to fend for herself? What exactly had Sameer said to her?

He had been hoping that at least now his grandson would start leaving behind his impulsive behaviour and start dealing with all his relationships in a mature manner. He had hoped that over the last couple of months, Sameer had finally started recognising the goodness in her and developing some fondness for her. But it didn't seem that things were headed in the right direction. Nanaji assured her that he would think about it and let her know in a couple of days, before saying goodbye for the day.

Naina headed back to the house still stressed about the situation with her husband, but at the same time feeling much lighter post her conversation with Nanaji. She had finally been able to share at least part of her hurt and confusion with someone. Also, now she didn't have to make excuses to Nanaji for not visiting on Sunday.