Fifteen minutes later just as Sameer had changed into some comfortable grey tracks and white t-shirt, Naina knocked on his door. The earlier resolve made that day, while on the train was still very firm in his mind. He opened the door, his head buzzing with things to say.

He surprised to see her standing there wrapped in a shawl but empty handed asked "Naina, coffee kaha hai?" She smiled a little and mumbled "Bahar terrace pe rakhi hai... socha wahi peete hai..." He followed her as he wondered, why did she want to sit outside in the cold rather than in his cozy bedroom?

He soon realised it wasn't her idea, when his saali happily exclaimed "Jijaji! Humne socha hum apni chai bhi uppar hi le aate hai... taaki aap akele akele coffee pee ke bore na ho. Aur Naina hamesha aap ke terrace aur iss jhule ki bahoot tarrif karti hai!" Naina muttered as she handed him the coffee "Matlab, idea toh Preeti ka hi hai..."

Though feeling a little grumpy, that it was not going to be the tete-a-tete he had hoped for, Sameer was thankful to Preeti who had kept his wife company over the last few days. He settled down in one of the chairs and answered a lot of questions from both his wife and saali about the trip. The girls in turn, brought him up-to-speed on the latest happenings in Ahmedabad, which to be fair weren't that many.

As they conversed, Naina decided that he had definitely not been eating properly, as his jaw bone seemed more pronounced than ever. And though the long hair suited him, it needed a trim. As she pulled the shawl a little tighter around her, she suddenly asked him "Sweater le aayu aap ka? Kafi thand ho gayi hai ab toh..." He shook his head "Aare nahi... mujhe aadat hai bahoot jyada thand ki. Nainital mein toh isse jyada thand garmiyon ke dinon mein hoti thi!"

She nodded and went back to sipping on her tea, as Preeti continued the story about some dog chasing Taiji a couple of days back in the bazaar. Sameer seeing her draw her hand into the shawl thought, Aur baitho terrace pe subhe subhe thand mein chai peene! Itna nahi samajh aata ke pati itne din baad ghar aaya hai... toh kuch der ke liye akele hi mil lo! As Preeti finished her story, he laughed along with the girls, but not really finding it that funny, or maybe it was just his mood.

It being Friday, Naina has to leave a little early for her office. Preeti left with her as well. Sameer and Nanaji had a slightly delayed breakfast and then carried on with their routine.

It was a little past mid-day and Sameer was in the bike-stand impatiently looking at his watch. He had decided to whisk her away for the afternoon, get some lunch and then maybe watch a movie. And then if all went well, he was thinking of talking to her about the next step, though not quite sure how to approach that topic.

The first lecture of the day for her course had started, but neither Naina nor any of her fellow interns had reached college yet. As he paced around restlessly, Preeti made a very late appearance.

He immediately walked up to her and remarked "Hi, tumhe bhi late ho gaya aaj..." Preeti shrugged her shoulders and replied "Ha, woh subhe ghar pohochne ke baad, Mummy ke saath kahi bahar jaana pada, aate aate late ho gaya..." He nodded and then asked "Naina ne kuch bola tha? Abhi aayi nahi hai..." She replied "Aaj toh unka lunch tha na..." He was surprised "Kaisa lunch??" She explained "Woh unke koi manager Bombay se aaye hai, toh Joshi Sir saare interns ko lunch pe le jaye wale thay unke sath."

He feeling a little deflated mumbled "Batana toh chahiye tha... Main khamakha kab se ruka hu yaha..." Preeti tried to appease him "Shayad subha jaldi mein reh gaya hoga. Aur woh waise bhi zara tension mein thi... isiliye batana bhool gayi hogi." His eyebrows rose "Tension kiss baat ka?!"

Preeti wasn't sure if she should have said what she did and tried to brush away "Tension... kyun... ha... bus woh kahana, Bombay se bade manager aaye hai. Toh woh kya sochenge... iske performance ko lekar... issi tension mein thi!"

He smiling fondly shook his head "Bilkul pagal hai. Iss mein tension wali kya baat hai?! Aare itna acha aur sincerely kaam kar rahi hai, aur woh bhi free mein... unhe kya problem ho sakti hai bhala Naina se?!" Preeti looking at the ground muttered "Ha, maine bhi yahi kaha tha..."

Sameer went quiet for a few moments and then looking back at Preeti continued, "Theek hai... tum chalo... main sham ko usse samjha dunga. Aise hi choti choti baaton mein pareshaan ho jaati ha kya?" She nodded and started walking towards her classroom.

Preeti walked for about five paces and then suddenly turning back called out "Jijajji!" He stopped too and turned in her direction. She fidgeted with the straps of her bag for a few seconds and then making up her mind with a small prayer in her heart, walked in his direction.

She started looking nervous "Woh, baat kuch aur bhi hai." He not able to follow, questioned "Kaisi baat? Kiss baare mein??" She fumbled a little "Tension wali... matlab... tension ke wajah wali..." He asked "Naina ke tension ki koi aur bhi wajah hai?"

Preeti nodded in agreement and then swallowing nervously explained, that the day before Mohan had informed Naina about something he had found out from Mr Joshi. The company was thinking of offering two of the interns jobs after graduation, and Mohan and Naina were being considered. One of the positions was based in Ahmedabad and the other in Bombay. Mohan had already notified them that he would not be able to leave Ahmedabad due to some family reasons, and hence it seemed likely that they would offer Naina the role in Bombay.

Sameer enquired baffled, "Bombay mein kyun role offer karenge usse? Shaadi-shuda ladki hai... Sasural yaha hai uska... Aur kare bhi offer, toh yeh na keh de... itna tension wali kya baat hai?"

Preeti now looked even more nervous "Woh... actually uske office mein pata nahi hai... toh usse samajh nahi aa raha hai ke ab kya aur kaise bataye." He seemed just more confused "Kya pata nahi hai??" She answered in a rush "Shaadi ke baare mein... usne kuch khul ke bola nahi tha. Joshi sir shayad samajhte hai ke woh single hai. Aur usse koi dikat nahi hogi move karne mein... yahi unhe kaise bataye, ab Naina ko kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai."

He now sounding a little annoyed retorted "Issme samajh na aane wali kya baat hai?! Mr Joshi aur uske baaki office wale andhe hai kya? Batane ki kya jarurat hai? Dikhta nahi hai ke ladki shaadi-shuda hai? Issi baat ko advertise karne ke liye mang mein sindhoor hota hai, right??"

Suddenly as something seemed to click in his head, he asked looked very displeased "Naina jaan bujh ke kabhi kabhi sindhoor nahi lagati hai kya?" Preeti paled and mumbled "Shayad... par woh... sirf office ka soch ke hi... aur kahi nahi chupati hai." He now glared "Oh! Toh office mein koi misunderstanding nahi hui hai... jaan bhuj kar chupaya hai issne!" Seeing him getting worked up, Preeti wished she had stayed quiet and let Naina workout this issue with her office people.

Taking her silence as a sign of agreement, he asked "Aur gayi kaha hai madam?" As Preeti stayed quiet, feeling scared what he would do, he laughed out sarcastically "Yeh toh perfect hai! Main yaha ullu ki tarah khada tha, soch ke ki apni wife ko bahar lunch ke liye le jaayunga... par wife ko toh kisiko batana hi nahi hai, ke uska koi husband bhi hai!" His saali watched apprehensively as he grated his teeth and fisted his hands, and then he demanded "Kaunse restaurant mein hai yeh lunch??" As Preeti looked away, he said in a clear voice "Tum nahi bataogi toh main uski office mein phone karke bhi pooch sakta hu."

She hesitantly replied "Woh naya wala Shiv Sagar hai na, waha." As he turned to leave, she called "Jijaji, please... ussne toh aap ki wajah se hi baat chupayi hai. Aap ko hi toh rishta manjur nahi hai... ya tha... pata nahi, aap kya sochte hai." He just smirked "Yeh acha hai... ab uski galti ke liye bhi main hi responsible hu. Main toh kisiko nahi bolta hu ke main single hu!"

He headed to the bike and getting on it drove away still seething. Preeti stood there feeling lost for a minute or so and then promising Ganeshji one coconut and twenty-one pedhas, if he ensured that this issue was resolved without blowing out of proportions, headed to her class.

The ride to Shiv Sagar took about fifteen minutes. Once he reached there, he stood by the bike still pondering on Preeti's words.

Naina looked around the restaurant a little excited about the experience. Had it not been for the information Mohan shared yesterday, she would have been even more excited. After all, it wasn't everyday that she got to eat out, and this restaurant was one of the new ones in town.

The vegetable spring rolls and corn tikki had been delicious, and they all now awaited the main course. Mr Bakshi from the Bombay office was making every effort to make the interns feel at ease and enjoy the meal. He joked that they should consider this as their Diwali bonus, as the company wasn't really paying them. Mr Joshi warmly praised all their hard work and smiling at Naina said "Naina, tumne na meri ek soch ko galat sabit kar diya... Mr Bakshi, I am telling you, she is a very clever girl and very hard working!" Mr Bakshi smiled approvingly too and murmured "Good... good! We want to promote the culture of more women in our work force, their abilities are often overlooked."

Naina smiled and softly thanked them for the opportunity. She cast another glance around at the other patrons in the restaurant, noting that it mostly seemed like a working crowd out for lunch with colleagues or business acquaintances. There was one big table at one side of the room, filled with a noisy bunch of college kids who seemed to be celebrating something, maybe a birthday.

As her eyes travelled back to the occupants of her own table, they widened in surprise. Sameer stood at the entrance with some guy who seemed a few years older next to him. And he was looking intently at her. Her heart started racing thinking of what he might say in front of Mr Joshi and Mr Bakshi. She thought that it might be better if she spoke to him away from the table and decided to head to him. As she put the napkin on the table and stood up, he walked over taking long and quick strides.

Sameer smiled at her trying to look surprised "Aare Naina, tum yaha?" He smiled at the other boys from her class and then addressed her again "Mr Sharma ke sath lunch ka suddenly plan ban gaya." Addressing the young man standing next to him, he said "Mr Sharma, aap meri wife Naina se humare factory pe hui Pooja mein toh mile hi thay, par uss din itne log thay... toh... Naina, yeh hai Mr Nitin Sharma, humare ek recent business associate."

Naina blinked a couple of times before muttering "Namaste... ha, woh uss din toh bahoot log thay... kuch theek se yaad nahi..." Sameer replied sweetly "Its ok... mujhe laga hi, ke tumhe yaad nahi hoga." He then said to her "Tumhare Joshi sir se introduce nahi karaogi?" She licked her lower lip nervously and turning to the men at her table said "Yeh Joshi sir aur yeh Bombay office se aaye hue Bakshi sir."

He extended his hand first to Mr Joshi "Very pleased to meet you sir. Naina bahoot baate karti hai aap ke aur office ke baare mein. She is very happy to get this opportunity and so are we. Nanaji bhi sochte hai ke aage chalke jab yeh humara business join karegi, toh aap ke jaise multinational ka experience toh jarur kaam aayega."

Mr Joshi looking a little lost asked "Aapka kya business hai?" He replied "Textiles main hai hum. Aapne shayad sunna hoga, Maheshwari Textiles ka naam. I am Sameer Maheshwari, Jaiprakash Maheshwari's grandson." Then with a dry chuckle he added "And of course, Naina's husband."

As Mr Joshi muttered "Oh... I didn't realise..." Sameer fake smiled "Woh, actually Naina prides herself on her own ability. Family ka naam ya connections use karna isse acha nahi lagta. Anyway, you all please carry on. I just wanted to say hello." As he started to leave, he asked her "Lunch ke baad college jaogi ya seedha ghar?" She mumbled "Ghar hi jayungi..." He replied "Mujhe factory se aate aate che baj jayenge... see you then."

As she sat down feeling a little dizzy, Mr Joshi and Mr Bakshi exchanged a look. Mr Joshi remarked "Pata nahi mujhe kyun laga ke tum unmarried ho..." She shrugged her shoulders not knowing what to say.

In that moment she was not that worried about what Mr Joshi thought, but was thinking about the look in his eyes as he had walked away. Though he had addressed everyone at the table very cordially, she had not missed how his jaw clenched every now and then. She had felt something akin to disappointment mingled with infuriation radiating from him, as he had made a point of reiterating the fact that he was her husband. And then he had left the restaurant without actually eating.

What did that mean? Had he been so angry to see her here with these other men? Did he expect her to ask for his permission for things like this? She cursed herself inwardly for not mentioning the lunch to him earlier this morning. She had not meant to hide it from him but had just been a little anxious about what Mohan had mentioned the day before.

Once outside, Sameer thanked the guy with him for agreeing to participate in the charade. Mr Sharma was Pandit's neighbour that Sameer had met a few times before. Seeing him outside the restaurant waiting for someone, Sameer had pulled him along requesting him to just follow his lead for a few minutes. The guy now felt a little uncomfortable to have been dragged into what seemed like a spat between a husband and wife, but not knowing what else to say or do, said a quick goodbye.

Sameer headed to the factory, still annoyed at her, but smug with the feeling of victory at having managed to ensure that there would be no offers coming her way for any job based in Bombay. There was no way he was going to let her move to some other town!

Naina spent the rest of the afternoon at home feeling on the edge. She unnecessarily rearranged her cupboard, and then bombarded Ramdhari with unending questions and instructions related to the preparations for Diwali.

Nanaji arrived home about five that evening, a little earlier than usual as he was tired from the journey the night before. Naina served him some tea and snacks and sat chatting with him for a while. And then feeling fairly anxious, she escaped to her little vegetable patch just about the time when Sameer was expected at home. Even after she heard his bike arriving, she continued watering her plants.

As Sameer entered the house, Ramdhari greeted him "Namaste bhaiya, Nanaji apne kamre mein aaram kar rahe hai aur Bhabhi peeche bagiche pe unke mirchi-tamater ko paani dal rahi hai. Aap fresh hoke aa jayiye, hum nashta lagate hai." He responded sounding a little irritated "Mere sar mein dard hai, tumhari bhabhi se kaho main nashta uppar hi karunga."

Ramdhari nodded and dashed to convey the message. His bhabhi put away the hose, fiddled with her pallu for a bit and then headed to the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later, Ramdhari entered his bhaiya's room and said "Bhaiya, nashta laye hai. Bhabhi ne sar dard ki goli bhi bheji hai." Sameer thought, Oh... toh mirchi-tamater ko khud paani dalegi... aur mujhe Ramdhari ke haaton nashta bheja jaa raha hai!

He retorted "Tumhari Bhabhi ko bolo mere sar mein balm lagana hai." Ramdhari replied "Ji bhaiya, abhi le aate hai." Bhaiya almost pounced on him "Hello! Tumhe laane ko nahi bola hai. Usse bolo." Ramdhari nodded and slipped out of the room before he become the target of any more of his bahiya's mood swings.

When he reached downstairs, Naina was sitting at the table in the lounge writing some Diwali cards. She asked him eagerly "De diya nashta?" Ramdhari nodded and then conveyed the latest demand. She muttered "Tum hi de aao... unhe kehna main kuch kaam khatam kar rahi hu." Ramdhari muttered "Bhabhi aap ho aayiye na... bahoot naraz ho rahe hai..."

Nanaji who had just come to fetch something from the lounge, said a little crossly "Naina, yeh kya baat hui bhala? Sameer ki agar tabiyat theek nahi hai aur tumhe bula raha hai... toh tumhe yeh cards likhna jyada jaruri lagta hai? Aare woh bechara baccha peechle panch-che din itni bhaag-daud karne mein laga tha... aur tumhe zara bhi fikr nahi hai??"

She stood up instantly and muttered "Nahi Nanaji... aisi baat nahi hai... maine dawai aur nashta bheja tha unke liye..." Nanaji still sounding annoyed continued "Toh? Iska yeh matlab hua ke ab usse kuch aur chahiye, toh nahi dekhogi? Jao dekho usse pehle."

She almost ran from the lounge to her room to fetch the bottle of Zandu balm and rushed upstairs. As she entered his room, he was standing by the window. He continued staring out without acknowledging her presence till she approached him and looking at the untouched food said "Aapne nashta nahi khaya? Aur dawai bhi nahi li??" When he still did not reply, she said "Main balm leke aayi hu... aap let jayiye... laga deti hu."

He now turned around and said "Rakh do waha... laga lunga baad mein, agar mann hua." He still looked cross, even more than the restaurant. But instead of apprehension, she felt a pang of worry seeing the dark shadows under his eyes and the tan he had acquired after spending the last few days mostly outdoors. She said softly "Bahoot thak gaye hai na? Aaj raat jaldi so jayiye... apne bed mein soyange toh kal subhe tak bahoot better feel karenge..."

When he still did not reply, she fidgeted with her kangan and said "Main subhe aap ko bolna hi bhool gayi lunch ke baare mein... aur aap log bina khana khaye hi chale gaye waha se?? Maine socha ghar aake aap ko phone karungi, par dekha toh phone dead hai. Abhi bhi chalu nahi hua hai. Maine Ramdhari ko bheja tha complaint karne PCO se..." He suddenly realised, that if the phone was dead then there had been no conversation between her and Preeti, and she was completely unaware of the fact that he now knew about her misrepresenting her marital status in her workplace.

He had been about to say something biting, when she uttered "Aap ke bathroom mein tel toh hoga na... main le aati hu, aur ache se sar mein maalish kar deti hu. Dekh lena raat ko neend bhi achi aayegi aur sardard bilkul theek ho jayega." Looking very pleased with herself for coming up with this idea, she headed to the bathroom.

Sameer had been about to retort, that he did not need her help, especially considering that she was so reluctant to even acknowledge to people around her that she was married to him. But suddenly stopped and blushed a little thinking, Pata nahi meri akal bhi kaha ghaas charne chali jaati hai! Yeh bhi koi ladhane ka time hai, jab woh khud massage karne aa rahi hai?!

A minute later she appeared with the blue plastic oil bottle and smiled "Mil gaya!" As he started lying on the bed, she said "Nahi nahi... tel lagane ke liye toh baithna padega. Main bed pe baithti hu aur aap na neeche baith jayiye... toh phir aasani hogi."

As they settled in the positions as suggested by her, he murmured "Ek minute..." and removed his t-shirt. She stammered seeing him in his sleeveless white vest "Yeh... kya... kar rahe hai aap?" He replied trying to sound casual "Aare acha khasa t-shirt hai, kahi tel ke daag gir gaye toh? Ha, ab lagao..."

Her hands shook slightly as she poured the oil on to one palm. She tried to remind herself that this wasn't the first time she was seeing a shirtless man in a vest. She came from a house with three grown-up men and two boys. Plus, over the years there had been numerous mamas and kakas who chose to go shirtless every time it was a particularly hot or humid day. And yet, this felt so different.

Before she started applying any oil, she first tentatively touched his hair, his lovely silky hair. It felt even more soft and heavy than she had imagined. Thankful that he couldn't see her face in that moment, she gulped nervously and started oiling his scalp. He stayed quiet for the next few minutes, as his parched scalp and soul both tried to get their fill of the nourishment she was providing.

He gradually leaned back till his back was resting against her legs, as her finger continued to work their magic. She asked softly "Pressure theek hai?" He hummed. She pleased to see him relaxing said "Chachaji hamesha kehte hai, ke main unke sar mein tel lagati hu toh unka sardard bilkul khatam ho jata hai. Dekh lena aapko bhi behtar lagega..."

She couldn't stop her eyes from marvelling at those strong shoulders and the muscles of his upper arms. No wonder she always felt safe around him. For a moment she allowed herself to daydream of sitting by his side and resting her head on his shoulder. And wouldn't it be perfect if his arm was around her? She was sure, all her feelings of loneliness, longing and incompleteness would vanish. And all her demons of doubts and insecurities would be vanquished.

Lost in these thoughts, she didn't realise just when her hands moved to his nape. All his muscles were taunt. Her fingers continued massaging and trying to turn him pliant under her. And then she traced the muscles extending from the neck to his left shoulder. But as she reached his shoulder, the kneading changed to a caress as she almost reverently ran her fingers over him. Sameer shuddered and his face jerked to that side, his gaze focussed on her hand on his almost bare shoulder.

His sudden moment broke her reverie and she feeling flustered tried to make it seem like she was just wiping the oil off her hands and mumbled "Tel laga diya hai... app aaram kijiye." As she stood and made to move away, he askes a little huskily "Balm nahi lagaogi?" She blinked a couple of times and murmured "Ha... let jayiye..."

He laid on the bed and she applied the Zandu balm on his forehead and temples. Suddenly realising that she finally had access to his forehead, she tried to soothe and erase the lines of worry and hurt she had glimpsed etched in his brow at various times over the last few months.

Usne jalti hui peshani pe jab haath rakha,

Rooh tak aagayee taaseer masihayee ki

(credit – Shayara Parveen Shakir)

Sameer watched her from under his hooded eyes. She seemed to be lost somewhere. She was so close to him and yet seemed a million miles away. What was she thinking? Was she disappointed about him turning up at the restaurant that afternoon? If anyone had a right to be upset, it was him!

Naina coming to the present, tightened the lid on the balm bottle and started to stand up. He reached out and holding her right wrist pulled her back to the bed. As she sat down with a thud, he sat up too, still gripping her hand. She looked at him in surprise mingled with some alarm, while he with some exasperation.

Sameer asked her getting to the heart of the matter right away "Tumhare Joshi sir mujhse mil kar kafi surprised lag rahe thay, nahi?" She lowered her eyes and stuttered "Acha... mere dhyaan mein nahi aaya..." He felt even more annoyed, so she intended to lie to him now. He asked with an edge to his voice "Inta surprised kiss baat se thay woh? Tum Jaiprakash Maheshwariji ki bahu ho yeh sunn ke??" She swallowed and whispered "Ha... shayad... maine kuch bola nahi tha na..." He probed "Ya iss baat se ke tum shaadi-shuda ho? Mujhe toh laga ke unhe pata hi nahi hai ke tumhara koi pati bhi hai! Kya bataya tha tumne unhe??" She shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze "Kuch bhi toh nahi bataya tha... matlab unke sath kabhi aisi koi baat hi nahi hui... office mein toh sirf kaam ki baate hi hoti hai na... unhone kabhi koi personal baate poochi hi nahi...."

He started stating in a steady tone "Munshiji ke beti ke nanand ki shaadi hai agle mahine, Parmar uncle ke Saas ka kidney stone ka operation hua tha peechle mahine, Gopi kaka ke ladke ne paan ka dukaan shuru kiya hai, Farookh Chacha ke chote bete ka Baroda mein admission ho gaya hai. Accounts mein jo nayi trainee aayi hai Priya uski do hafte pehele engagement hui hai." Naina looked at him in confusion as he shared all this information. He continued after a brief pause "Aur yeh sab main unse poochne nahi gaya tha! Colleagues ek dusre se aisi personal baate karte hai, just as a part of normal conversation. Unless they are deliberately trying to hide something!"

Naina hearing his accusatory tone, went on the defensive "Ha, nahi kiya maine kuch bhi personal share unse! Aur kyun karu??! Unhe toh yahi lagta na ke mujhe koi jarurat hi nahi hai iss opportunity ki, toh dil lagakar kaam karne se rahi. Jitna important kaam diya hai abhi, shayad kuch bhi nahi dete... yahi sochte ke main toh bus time-pass karne aati hu!" He interrupted her "Naina, tum baat ko ghooma rahi ho!"

She retorted sounding agitated "Main kaise baat ko ghooma rahi hu? Aur kyun ghoomayungi?! Aur waise bhi, aapne hi kaha tha ke kissi ko kuch batane ki koi jarurat nahi hai." He appearing confused asked "Kya bakwas kar rahi ho? Maine aisa kuch nahi kaha." She pushed forward "Kaha tha... aur exactly yahi kaha tha... jab aapne mujhse pehli baar baat ki thi. Kya kaha tha aapne... It's not like we are really married, right? Khaas yahi batane ke liye toh phone kiya tha na?!"

He paled remembering what she was referring to, and then replied "Kab ki baate kar rahi ho? Uss baat ko toh zamana ho gaya..." And then again gearing up, he continued "Aur agar aisa hi sochti ho, toh phir toh, kissi bhi baat ka koi matlab hi nahi hai. right? Kyun karti ho jo bhi karti ho mere liye? Kyun rakha tha woh Karwa Chauth ka vrat? Keh deti Nanu se bhi ke tum toh mujhe apna kuch maanti hi nahi ho!"

His anger surged, his grip on her wrist which had been tightening over the last couple of minutes, now loosened. He abruptly let go of her hand and sprung out of his bed. He almost walked out of the room, before remembering to pick-up and pull on the t-shirt discarded before, and then headed out. He felt like his fake headache might soon be turning into a real one.

Naina rushed after him in a panic, following him down the stairs, trying to explain "Sameer, aisa nahi hai... please... aap galat samajh rahe hai... suniye toh!" He flung the question over his shoulder "Tumne jaan bhuj kar shaadi ki baat chupayi ke nahi? Aur mujhe koi jhoot nahi chaiye! Ha ya na??" She mumbled, as he started slipping on his shoes near the main door "Ha, par... mera koi aur matlab nahi tha... bus woh internship ke liye." He looked at her his eyes blazing "Bhaad mein jaye tumhara woh internship! Aur tum bhi!"

Naina watched in horror, as he got atop his bike and rode away. She stood in the porch rubbing her kangan for a few minutes as tears ran down her cheeks. When she heard Nanaji calling out for her from inside, she quickly wiped away all the traces of her hurt and patting her face a couple of times with her pallu, headed inside to the lounge "Ji Nanaji?"

Nanu unaware of anything that had transpired between the couple, asked "Aare, abhi kaha gaya yeh? Sar mein dard hai na uske?!" She muttered "Ab shayad sardard better hai... unhe kuch yaad aa gaya achanak. Kisiko milna tha..." Nanaji asked her to make him a cup of tea. As she headed to the kitchen, Nanaji continued muttering to himself about how he was worried about this boy "Zara aaram karna chod kar bus sheher bhar ghoomta rehta hai... ab toh ghar mein biwi bhi aa gayi... par majaal hai jo yeh zara samajhdari se kaam le..."

Naina asked Ramdhari to fetch the food tray from upstairs and continued making Nanaji his tea. When Ramdhari returned, he remarked "Bhaiya ne toh kuch khaya hi nahi... dawai bhi nahi li..." Seeing his Bhabhi struggling to keep her tears from flowing, he said softly "Bhabhi, aap bura mat maniye... bhaiya ka mood toh bus aise hi hota hai. Agar naraaz hoke gaye hai... toh wapas aane tak bilkul thande hoke aayenge." Naina offered a small smile, hoping that Ramdhari's word would come true.

But when her husband returned a little before 8 pm, he was still in a lousy mood. He did not address her and asked Ramdhari to serve him an early dinner. Naina not wanting to further antagonise him, stayed in the kitchen sending Ramdhari out to serve the food. After a very quick meal, he announced that he was tired and was heading to bed.

When Nanaji sat down at the dining table, he was surprised to hear that his grandson had already retired for the night. Naina managed to swallow a few morsels as she joined him, to keep up the appearance of everything being okay. As she wrapped up things in the kitchen for the night, Ramdhari murmured that he had closed the window in her room as Bhaiya had forgotten to.

She bit her lip trying to hold in the tears till she escaped to her room, but then started sobbing as soon as she was on her own. How desperately she had been looking forward to his return, and the return to their semi-normal routine. That night, it felt like he was more far away from her than he had been while he was in Kalyan. As she sobbed, her heart silently screamed for him, entreating him to let go of the anger.

Sameer wasn't sobbing upstairs, but he wasn't feeling any better either. He had been very angry to start after his talk with Preeti, but since Naina owned that she has deliberately not disclosed anything at work, he was experiencing disappointment laced with some fear too. Why did she do that? And more importantly, how could she? He had started dreaming of a future for both of them together, and she was still holding on to the words he had said such a long time ago? Had she been serious about leaving this home once she completed her college and found a job? Did she not feel anything for him?? No that couldn't be right...

He tossed and turned for a long time, and so did she.

Sometime just before midnight, when the rest of the house was completely quiet, she crept upstairs and stood outside his room, trying in vain to gather the courage to knock. She lifted her hand twice, but then descended the stairs with a very heavy heart.

He stilled thinking he had heard the tinkling of her bangles. Was she outside? After waiting for a minute for so, he jumped out of bed and opened the door his heart thudding in anticipation. But, was greeted by just some empty space. Then why did the air feel laden with her fragrance? He headed back to his empty bed with an even greater sense of emptiness within him.

The next morning, he was still cross, and she still scared. When Ramdhari apologetically informed her that bhaiya did not want to eat any Aloo paranthas for breakfast, she gripped the kitchen platform feeling a little dizzy. Nanaji feeling worried checked his forehead for a fever, but he was alright. Sameer headed back upstairs for a bit and then left for college. Nanaji left for the factory too.

Naina was feeling rather lost when the phone rang and Ramdhari informed her that Preeti didi was on the line. As soon as she picked up the phone, Preeti said "Naina, kya hua hai tumhare phone ko? Kal se kitne baar try kiya!" She muttered that it had been dead. Hearing her flat voice, Preeti asked "Kya hua? Tera aawaj aisa kyun lag rahi hai?"

She almost crying, uttered "Preeti bahoot gadbad ho gayi hai..." She explained how Sameer had appeared in Shiv Sagar the previous day with some business associate and everything that followed. Preeti listened in rising alarm feeling guilty that she had set this in motion, though it seemed Sameer hadn't revealed his original source of information and she didn't either. When Naina paused, Preeti asked worried "Ab kya karegi tu? Dekh itna darr mat... Jijaji shant ho jayenge kuch time mein."

Naina still sniffling "Nahi yaar... woh toh bahoot ghussa hai. Kal shaam se mujhe bilkul baat nahi kar rahe hai... raat ko do minute ke liye bhi kamre mein nahi aaye... aaj unki pasad ka nashta banaya tha, toh woh bhi nahi khaya. Preeti, mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai, kaise manau unhe... Main unki naraazgi bardash nahi kar sakti..."

Sameer stood outside the lounge door listening to part of this conversation. He had forgotten to take some travel receipts with him that he was supposed to submit to the accounts department and had turned back, well that's the excuse he made to himself anyway.

Her anguish and tears soothed his soul. So, she did care after all, he drew solace. But he was not willing to let her off the hook so soon. And so, he retreated without uttering a word or making his presence known.

Naina fretted at home for the rest of the day and then busied herself baking a cake for him. When he arrived from the factory that evening, Nanaji called to him from the lounge to join him for a cup of tea. When Naina served the cake, glancing at him furtively, he took a bite and then put the rest of the piece down announcing it was not sweet enough and seemed like she had changed the recipe. As she took the plates back to the kitchen, she finished the rest of his piece thinking forlornly, Cake toh hamesha jaisa hi bana hai, badal toh yeh khud gaye hai...

A little later the Maharaj came by with different samples for tasting. As Nanaji sat discussing the order with the Maharaj, he asked Ramdhari to fetch Sameer too. She insisted that she would do the needful and ran upstairs. When she said "Maharaj aaya hai, Diwali ke nashte ki order final karne. Aap bhi aayiye na taste karne..." He retorted "Mujhe kya lagta hai, isse tumhe waise toh koi farak nahi padta... toh iss mein kyun mera opinion chaiye?" She tried to pacify him "Sameer, aisa bilkul nahi hai..." But he was still not in a mood to yield. She made some excuses to Nanaji that he was busy on the phone and then participated in the sampling with some forced and fake enthusiasm.

When he finally came down a little later, he looked at the sample of the finalised chivda left behind and remarked that it contained chips of coconut and he hated coconut in his chivda. Naina withdrew to the kitchen wringing her hands. When Nanaji seemed perplexed, Ramdhari explained to him when on their own "Nanaji, Bhaiya na kisi baat pe Bhabhi se naraaj hai... issiliye aise muh fulake baithe hai." As realisation dawned, Nanaji shook his head muttering something about both the husband and wife being idiots.

He barely spoke to her at dinner. But he closed her window that night, while she was still busy sorting the kitchen. Once again Naina lay in bed feeling wretched.

The next day being Sunday, he had plans to play cricket. As usual she kept the tiffin ready, which he took from her wordlessly and left. She let out a sigh of relief, Kum se kum dabba toh le gaye!

Sameer was not in a mood to play that day and since they had more than enough players, he decided to sit it out. As he cheered his team, his thoughts kept returning to how miserable she had looked for the past two days. His already diminishing anger further faded, seeing the contents of the lunch box. Apart from the usual paranthas and raita, she had slipped a couple of kismi toffees in the bottom compartment. He made some excuses and said an early goodbye to his teammates.

As Sameer drove up outside the gate, Ramdhari who was finishing early for Sunday and heading out opened the gate for him. He approached Sameer when he alighted from the car and twiddling a little said "Bhaiya, ab ghussa thuk dijiye na... Bhabhi bahoot pareshaan hai do din se." When his bhaiya did not bark back at him, he gathered more courage "Bahoot rasta dekh rahi thi aap ka... phone ki ghanti bajte hi daudti thi!"

He definitely felt happier hearing this but muttered "Ekdum Bhabhi ka chamcha ban gaya hai..." Ramdhari objected "Nahi bhaiaya, aisi baat nahi hai... such mooch bahoot dukhi hai woh, rasoi pakate waqt bhi aaj aasu nikal rahe thay unke." He asked sounding softer "Kaha hai abhi?" Ramdhari eagerly replied "Kitchen mein hai! Aap ke liye chivda bana rahi hai... bina nariyal ka." He smiled and headed inside.

She wondered, was that his car that she had just heard? The wall clock in the kitchen showed it was just half-past one. How could he be home so early? She controlled her impulse to rush outside and continued frying the peanuts.

As he entered the kitchen, she looking at him expectantly but also with some apprehension and asked in a slightly nervous voice "Aap? Itne jaldi? Match cancel ho gaya kya?" He put the tiffin down on the kitchen table muttering "Nahi... aaj main khela nahi. Bahoot extra players aaye thay."

He walking closer stood behind her with just a couple of inches between them. Then lightly holding her by one shoulder, nonchalantly picked a few fried peanuts from the plate. Popping some in his mouth, he said "Peanuts thode jyada dalna aur lasan bhi... mujhe waisa hi pasand hai." She leaned back into him a little as relief flooded her. As she beamed a teary smile at him over her other shoulder nodding, he leaning closer indicated to the kadhai with his eyes and whispered in a teasing voice "Jal jayenge... aur mujhe jale hue peanuts bilkul pasand nahi hai..." She blushed "Koi baat nahi... main aur bana lungi."

(End of this chapter... I think there was some confusion with the last one... )