Some fifteen minutes later Naina ascended the stairs balancing a tray with two mugs of coffee, a plate of the Sev and bowl full of grapes. When she entered the terrace, she noted with pleasure that Sameer was already on the two-seater swing and that he had pulled a table next to the swing.

As she set the tray down on the table, noticing that he had the wedding album in his lap, she exclaimed "Aap yeh uppar kaise le aaye?!" His voice faltered a little "Bus socha, theek se dekhte hai... maine bus ek baar dekha tha pehele, aur woh bhi theek se nahi... tumne dekha hai?" She answered smiling, as she handed him the mug of steaming coffee "Ha, bahoot baar." He was a little surprised "Bahoot baar?! Woh kaise? Matlab Kyun??" Now feeling a little sheepish, she replied "Woh toh... bus aise hi... matlab apni shaadi ka album toh sabhi baar baar dekhte hai, nahi?" And then she tried to explain "Chachaji ke ghar thi tab, har aane wala aap ko dekhna chahata tha..."

He asked tentatively "Aur tum?" She blushed "Kabhi kabhi akele bhi dekh leti thi..." He remembered something that she had complained about the night before, about he never calling her. The image of her looking at their wedding album and waiting in vain for his calls, was rather disturbing. Putting one arm around her, he lightly squeezed her shoulder in reassurance, not quite sure who needed it more.

They started flipping through the album together. After looking at a couple of photos where they were performing the pooja sitting near the holy fire, he asked "Tumhe kuch yaad hai? Matlab uss din ka?" She shook her head "Kuch khaas nahi... matlab aap se takrane se pehela ka yaad hai... aur phir raat mein ghar par jab main apne kamre mein ruki thi... Par beech mein ka kuch jyada yaad nahi..." He wondered, Kamare mein baithe baithe kiss cheez ka intezaar kar rahi hogi uss waqt?

He turned a few more pages, till he suddenly exclaimed "Yeh toh wahi hai!" She studied the photo, but not following who he was referring to, asked "Kaun wahi hai?" He pointed to a woman standing in the background "Aare wahi jisne mujhe toh thali thamai thi! Wahi jo tumhare sar pe giri thi." She asked sounded a little perplexed "Aur aap thali leke kya kar rahe thay?" He replied awkwardly "Main toh uss dulhe ke behen se bachne ki koshish kar raha tha..." He paused a little and then chuckled "Aur tumse takra gaya!" She thought relieved, Acha hua, jab takraye kissi se dur bhag rahe thay... agar kissi ke peeche bhag rahe hote toh?!

After a couple of more photos, they reached the one where he was filling sindhoor in her mang. She remarked softly "Yeh wali tasveer sabse normal lagti hai, nahi?" He made some sound indicating his agreement and then said "Pata hai ab mujhe sabse bada regret kya hai uss din ke baare mein?" As a lot of things ran through her mind; ranging from that maybe he wished he hadn't attended the wedding, to that he wished it had been someone else that he would have collided with, he elaborated "Itne important waqt mein, Munna-Pandit waha nahi thay. Unhe hona chahiye tha na... tumhe toh pata hai, mere liye woh dono bahoot important hai!" She let out a sigh of relief, so he did not regret getting married to her, just that his best friends hadn't attended the wedding.

Sameer asked her "Aur tumhara? Koi bada regret??" When she shook her head in negation, he pushed "Shayad mujhse shaadi hui, yahi?" She quickly objected "Nahi toh!" "Suchi?" he persisted. She tried to assure him "Main toh kissi aur ke baare mein soch bhi nahi sakti..." He put the coffee mug down on the table and clasping her hand asked softly "Mere baare mein sochti ho?" When she muttered something in affirmative, he asked "Acha, toh kya sochti ho?" As she sat there fiddling with her pallu with her free hand, unable to say anything, he murmured "Main toh bahoot kuch sochta hu tumhare baare mein..." When she stayed silent, he caressed her fingers and continued "Poochogi nahi kya sochta hu?" She whispered almost inaudibly "Kya??"

He admired the blush turning deeper on her face and the way her eyes were lowered in coyness and then replied "Sochta hu, ke tum bahoot sweet ho." And then blushing slightly himself, he added "Aur tumhe toh pata hi hai na ke mujhe meetha kitna pasand hai..." As she nervously bit on her lower lip, his eyes darkened with desire. A part of him urged him urgently, to confess all his feelings and take things forward.

With a renewed sense of dedication, he continued "Aur dil ki ekdum saaf ho. Naina, such kahu mujhe toh kabhi kabhi samajh hi nahi aata ke koi itna acha kaise ho sakta hai?" She feeling a little overwhelmed tried to brush it away "Aisa kuch nahi hai... main toh bus baaki char ladkiyon jaisi hi hu..." He insisted "Nahi, tum bilkul alag ho! Main aaj tak tumahri jaisi kissi ladki se mila hi nahi hu!"

She suddenly looked at him and asked sounding a little annoyed "Aap kitni ladkiyon itna jante hai? Kal bhi main soch rahi thi... ke itni kisse baate ki hai aapne?!" Sameer bit his tongue thinking, Aur karo dusri ladkiyon ki baate... Aise toh zindagi bhar kuch meetha milne se raha! He tried to appease her "Aare, main kaha kissi ladki ko jaanta hu... tumhe toh pata hai mere sath toh sirf Munna Pandit hote hai! Dekha hai kabhi college mein kissi bhi ladki ke sath??"

Seeing the uncertain expression on her face, he went on "Aur agar kisiko jealous hona chahiye toh woh toh mujhe hona chahiye! Tum hi toh hoti ho uss Mohan ya Suarabh ke sath hamesha. Maine toh kabhi nahi poocha tumse ke kya jarurat hai kissi ladke se baate karne ki?" Finding herself on the backfoot, she fumbled "Woh toh sirf padhayi ya kaam ki baat hi hoti hai." He grumbled "Toh maine kaunse kissike sath koi park mein jaake gaane gaye hai!" She tried to soothe him "Maine aisa toh nahi kaha... acha, chodiye na." And then she tried to use her wifely charms and smiling sweetly said "Aap toh bata rahe thay ke aap kya sochte hai... mere baare mein..."

He tried to refocus too "Naina, mujhe such mooch tumse baate karna acha lagta hai. Bahoot sari cheezon ke baare mein tumhara point of view alag hota hai... par mujhe woh samajhna aur uss angle se sochna interesting lagta hai." He entwined his fingers with hers "Mann toh karta hai ke bus tumse aisa hi baate karta rahu." She smiled blushing "Sameer, mujhe bhi aapse baate karna... aur aap ke sath waqt guzarna, bahoot acha lagta hai."

As his heart experienced a deep sense of joy, she turned the pages of the album till they reached one from the visit of Bharuchas. Looking at one of the group photos, she confessed "Mujhe toh uss din bilkul ghar jaane ka mann nahi ho raha tha..." He was surprised "Kyun??" She replied simply "Aap sab ke sath bahoot acha lag raha tha. Aane se pehele, main kafi nervous feel kar rahi thi... ke pata nahi aap ke Bombay wale guests kaise honge. Aur agar unhe main pasand na aao toh phir kya hoga... Par woh log toh sab itne pyar se mile mujhse, ke laga hi nahi ke peheli baar mil rahi thi."

He was happy to hear that her perception of that family was so favourable. He suddenly realised how much he had hoped that they would all get along well. The Bharuchas's approval had always meant a lot to him, but he realised that her approval of people relevant to him mattered to him too.

Naina after mulling over something continued "Actually, main pehele kissi aise family se milli hi nahi thi... uss din un sab ko dekh kar samajh aaya ke humare kuch khayal bilkul sahi nahi hote." He was confused "Matlab??" She answered "Matlab, humare yaha toh badon aur choton mein kitni formality hoti hai... kum se kum mere maike mein toh aisa hi dekha tha maine. Uncle-Aunty ka woh unki bahu ke sath itna khulkar aur pyar se baat karna... mujhe bahoot naya par acha laga tha."

As he smiled in understanding, she went on "Aur mujhe pehele hamesha yahi lagta tha ke peena bahoot bura hota hai... jaise koi mawali type ki baat hoti hai..." He shifted uneasily "Peena?? Kya peena??" She narrowed her eyes at him "Acting karne ki koi jaurat nahi hai! Mujhe pata hai aap uss din kaunsa badon wala soft drink pee rahe thay." He asked a little flustered "Tumhe kaise pata chala?" She explained how Peroz had spilled the beans.

He said hesitantly "Naina, main kabhi jyada peeta nahi hu... bus kabhi kabhi... believe me ekdum rarely!" Then recalling that evening when she had abruptly said goodnight after he had a little to drink at his classmate's car showroom opening, he continued "Par, agar tumhe acha nahi lagta toh main bilkul nahi peeyunga."

She asked her face a little scrunched "Waise peene se hota kya hai? Matlab jaise filmon mein dekha hai, waise uss din toh na koi hungama kar raha tha na koi badtamizzi.... Aisa toh lag hi nahi raha tha ke kissine pee thi..." He attempted to explain how it all that rowdy behaviour that has been stereotyped is not the norm. He then went on "Jaha tak main samjha hu, log toh aise hi apna bura behaviour daru pe blame karte hai. Thoda peene se na toh kissiki sahi-galat samajhne ki capacity khatam ho jati hai aur ka logon ka pura character change hota hai. Ha, yeh jarur hota hai ke humare inhibitions thode kum hote hai." As she pondered on this, he added "Waise maine kabhi bahoot jyada pee nahi hai... toh yeh bus mera impression hai."

She asked "Aap ko khud ko acha lagta hai?" He wasn't sure if she was hoping for a specific answer but decided to be truthful "Kabhi kabhi, based on the company, thoda maza jarur aata hai. Jab bhi Rustom uncle aur family ke sath thodasa peeta hu... it's always fun, sab log thoda party ya celebration ke mood mein hote hai. Ek baar, Munna Pandit ke sath peeya tha, tab hum bahoot hasse thay aur Pandit toh adhi raat ko zor zor se gaane ga raha tha!" She giggled hearing this and then asked "Sar ghumne lagta hai kya??" He frowned "Ha, shayad thoda lightheaded feel hota hai... but I guess it depends on the individual, right?"

Noting her still-lost-in-thought expression, he leaned a little closer and teased "Waise, tum agar ek baar try karna chaho toh... mujhe koi problem nahi hai..." She baulked "Nahi! Mujhe kuch ho gaya toh?!" He pulled her a little closer "Toh, main tumhe sambhal lunga. Mujhe thodisi talli biwi chalegi! Of course, it will be your choice." She again protested, but he noted it was a little half-heartedly. Sameer smiled at discovering this side of his curious wife and thought, Teerth Yatra bilkul cancel. Ab toh pakka honeymoon pe hi jana hai!

She turned another page to divert his attention from this topic. Both went silent seeing the photos of their first hug. Naina was surprised how even now, the memory of that moment still never failed in making her feel a little weak in her knees. Sameer recalling her silent treatment post that hug, asked sounding a little uncertain "Tumhe uss din mera pass aana bura laga tha kya?" She exclaimed "Nahi toh!" and then blushed a bit at this very quick rebuttal. He asked in a sulking voice "Toh phir tum itna chup kyun thi? Baad mein... jab tumhe ghar drop kiya tha, toh meri tarraf dekha bhi nahi tha tumne..." She blinked a few times not sure what to say. How could she tell him that it was because of how his hug made her feel? And just how or what had it made her feel?? Finally, she just muttered "Woh bus... sab kuch itna naya naya lag raha tha... mujhe kuch samajh nahi aaya. Par main aap se bilkul bhi naraaz nahi thi..."

He felt a huge weight lift off his chest. His touch had not been un-welcome, even then. But as he turned another page of the album, he almost felt the air being sucked out of his lungs.

There she sat, on the day of the Bidai, like a beautifully decorated mannequin, looking magnificent in Magenta and Gold. But with eyes that refused to speak, or maybe eyes that were too scared of revealing anything to the people around.

He felt her stiffen next to him. When he squeezed her hand, she did not reciprocate, instead tried to pull her hand away muttering something about maybe Nanaji was awake. He understood that hurt ran too deep to heal overnight. Finding himself at a loss of words, he pulled her hand and pressed it against his chest, as if wanting her to feel the tremors in his heart. "Naina..." he whispered almost pleading for forgiveness. She wanted to let it go, but it wasn't that easy.

The melancholy of the moment was ended or maybe just put on pause, when they heard some scuffling inside and his duo appeared entered the terrace. Thinking they had disrupted their Bhai-Bhabhi's romance, Munna and Pandit coloured a little. Munna grinned at Pandit "Aare Ponga, hum toh ekdum galat time pe aa pohoche! Yaha toh kuch special Diwali dhamaka shuru hai." Naina quickly drew her hand out of Sameer's and got up from the swing.

Pandit smirked at Munna "Maine toh kaha bhi tha, ke pehele phone kar ke pooch le... par tujhe to Sameer ko surprise dena tha! Ab khud hi kyun itna surprised deekh raha hai?! Bhai ki shaadi ho gayi hai... ab aise hi aana band karna chahiye, samjha?" Sameer objected "Aare pagal ho gaye ho kya? Iss mein poochne wali kya baat hai... Tum dono toh kabhi bhi aa sakte ho."

Naina mumbled that she would go make some tea for them and asked them to head down for the nashta in few minutes. As soon as she was on her way down, Pandit asked Sameer "Bhai, yeh kabhi bhi aa sakte hai, wala offer asali hai ya nakli?" When Sameer looked confused, he winked "Soch le... kahi tere Honeymoon pe bhi na pohoch jaaye!" Munna burst into laughter, as Sameer alternated between blushing and looking irritated. He then muttered "Naina ne already Nanaji ko toh invite kar hi liya hai... toh tum bhi aa jao!" Munna and Pandit gaped at him, till he explained the conversation from that morning. Munna tried to placate him "Aare, Nanaji such mooch thodehi aayenge tumhare sath..."

Sometime later when the young men went downstairs, Nanaji was sitting in the lounge sipping some tea. They all sat chit-chatting for a while. Munna had recently started helping out his father a little in his shop, so that was discussed. Nanaji asked Pandit about his plans. Pandit mentioned that he was thinking of getting something started related to computer hardware with his cousin brother. Apparently, it was a very upcoming field with lots of anticipated demand. But Pandit's father being an old school type of man, was a little unenthusiastic about this idea, and hence he was still undecided. Nanaji shared some advice and asked him to get in touch with one of his friend's son who worked in this new Information Technology industry in Bombay.

It was already starting to get dark by then. Naina lit the diyas in the porch and courtyard. Nanaji suggested that they light the fireworks while Munna-Pandit were around. Everyone embraced this idea with great pleasure, and the next half an hour for so was spent by the youngsters happily squealing in glee, while Nanaji watched seated in the porch.

Sameer gave his wife a quick tutorial on the best way to light a Sutali bomb and run for cover, while Pandit tried to explain to his Bhabhi the best size of glass bottle and angle to light a rocket from. A big round metal vessel was fetched and used for lighting the Bhui-chakras, as the ground was deemed too uneven.

As some childhood memories of lighting firecrackers were shared, Naina noted her husband was disconcertingly quiet. Trying to pull him out of the gloomy thoughts probably running through his mind, she asked him to help her set off the dark green Sutali bomb. The anticipated loud bang had her clinging to him, while he urged her to run as fast as possible. Nanaji laughed heartily watching all these antics.

Finally, Munna announced "Chal yaar, ab chalte hai... jaake apne ghar pe bhi kuch patake jalate hai, warna gharwalen kahenge ke, ab rehena bhi Sameer ke ghar pe hi!" Naina asking them to wait for a few more minutes rushed inside and then returned with some boxes of meethai, that had collected the day before along with some that the Maharaj had made. Pandit teased Sameer as he left "Bhai, tera pet aur na badh jaaye, yahi soch ke Bhabhi ab meethai humme khela rahi hai!"

Naina hurried to the kitchen to get dinner sorted. Once the evening meal was done, Nanaji watched the 9 pm news and then headed to his room. Sameer and Naina watched the movie playing on the cable, as they waited till it was time for Nanaji's bedtime medication.

Though seemingly watching the movie, Sameer's mind was miles away... no not miles... it was months away... in the past. Since seeing her reaction to the Bidai photos, he had been getting flashbacks of that day and the days following it. Every now and then he would glance at her uncertainly, wondering what she had really felt during that time. Had it left back the type of wound, that might seem to heal on the surface, but the pain resurfaces every time the cold hard winter visits?

Would she always hold a grudge against him in some corner of her heart? And would she always bring it up whenever they had any arguments in the future? The other day when he had accused her of purposely hiding the marriage at her workplace, she had flung his words from long ago, from their first conversation. This was a much bigger issue considered to that. Would it leave a permanent unbridgeable chasm between them?

As the clock crept to half-ten, he headed to Nanu's room, while she headed to the kitchen to pick a bottle of water for the night.

Some ten minutes later, when he entered the guestroom, she was tiding something in her closet. As he closed the window, he grumbled "Naina, yeh almari abhi kyun theek kar rahi ho?" She responded sounding a little distracted "Theek nahi kar rahi hu... bus kuch dhundh rahi hu. Kal subhe Arjun bhaiya Bhaiduj ke liye aa rahe hai na, toh bus socha unka gift uppar nikal ke rakhti hu. Kaunsi bag mein rakha tha... yaad hi nahi aa raha hai." After some more shuffling through the cupboard, she exclaimed "Mil gaya! Iss mein kaise rakh diya maine??" He already lying on the bed, rolled his eyes and muttered "Ab so jaye??"

Turning around, she showed him a box of the Old Spice aftershave and said "Yeh laya hai. Socha kuch useful ho toh acha hai, nahi?" He frowned slightly "Aare, yeh toh saare uncle use karte hai, woh Park Avenue wala le aati." She argued "Acha toh hai, Chachaji bhi yahi use karte hai..." He chuckled "Exactly! Maine kaha na saare uncle use karte hai. Acha choda... bahoot acha hai. Ab sone aa jao!"

Naina turned off the light and approached the bed, her heart fluttering wildly. Even after the past two nights, she found this new nightly intimacy rather overwhelming. She sat on the edge and started un-braiding her hair. As his eyes got accustomed to the darkness, her features grew sharper. Just like the night before, he lifted his blanket for her as she started lying down, and she quietly slipped inside it, as he slid his arm around her. Both were convinced that the other person could clearly hear their loudly thumping hearts.

Sameer still not able to shake off the unease around the Bidai, whispered "Naina, tum ab bhi bahoot udaas ho jati ho na, jab bhi bidai wali koi baat yaad aati hai?" When she stayed mum, taking it as an affirmative, he went on "Main bhi kabhi nahi bhool payunga, tum kaise ro rahi thi uss din." Mumbling "Chodiye un baaton ko", she tried to turn her back to him. But his tightened his hold, half remembering and half thinking he said "Pehele toh pura din itni chup chap thi tum, bilkul kissi statue jaisi aur phir ekdum se itna rone lagi... such keh raha hu, main toh bahoot darr gaya tha, tumhe waisa dekh kar."

She thought bewildered, Yeh darr gaye thay?! The tears she had been holding in since the evening, now started flowing. As the silent sobs rocked her, he feeling equally distraught, tired to hush her "Naina... please itna mat ro... main toh sirf tumhe batana chahata tha ke, I am really sorry... aur mujhe uss din bhi bahoot bura laga tha, tumhari halat dekh ke."

She screamed on the inside, Inhe toh zara si bhi idea nahi hogi ke mujhe kya mehsus ho raha tha! And then the words tumbled from her "Aap kuch nahi samajhe thay! Meri toh zindagi khatam ho rahi thi..." He tried to calm her "Naina, zindagi toh bahoot badi hai... abhi toh humari shuru ho rahi hai." She shivered at the memory "Nahi... Nanaji ne kaha tha, mujhe beti banakar le jayenge..." He couldn't see the problem with that "Ha toh... Nanu toh such hi keh rahe thay... unhe such mooch bahoot parwah hai tumhari."

She shook her head "Main achi tarah jaanti hu, betiyon ke liye koi permanent jagah nahi hoti hai kissi ghar mein. Paida hote hi humme bataya jaata hai ke, hum toh bus mehmaan hai, aur humme ek din apne ghar jana hai. Bachpan se maine sab se sirf yahi kaha hai ke main apne Chachaji ke sath rehti hu. Sameer, woh bhi kabhi mera ghar nahi tha." She made some sniffling noises and then continued "Nahi jana tha mujhe... phir kissi ghar mein mehmaan ban kar..."

Sameer felt like her words were clawing at his heart and ripping into it. How had he completely missed her need for the security of a home of her own? What else was she supposed feel, knowing there was nothing but a guestroom waiting for her here? He, who had always felt so adrift in life, who resented his mother so deeply for denying him a home, had done just that to her. The inability to empathise, is this what he had inherited from his mother?

He gathered her to himself, even closer, if it was possible. Tears slid down his cheeks too "Naina, mera bhi kabhi koi ghar nahi raha hai... par ab hum sath mein apna ghar banayenge, right? Dekho, I promise you, main kissi din ek bahoot bada ghar banayunga... aur bilkul waisa jaisa tum chahogi!" Her sobs subsided a little, as his promise sunk in. She mumbled against his shoulder "Mujhe bada ghar nahi chahiye... bus.." her fingers clutched his t-shirt.

As their tears mingled, they washed away the pain in each other. It is said that tears cleanse our souls, but sometimes they have the ability to do even more.

He kissed her forehead and then fervently trailed some kisses along her temple and cheeks. On reaching her cheeks, his lips tried to wipe away the salty residue. Khud ke aasu toh sabhi peete hai, kissi dusre ke peeyo, toh jaane!

He again and again whispered I am so sorry jaan, till she completely calmed down. Just before they drifted off to sleep, he murmured against her ear "Ab toh bus, tum jaha, mera ghar wahi hoga..." She clung to his arm even tighter.

The next morning, she did not hesitate even for a second before bolting the door and going on to wrap her saree.

Breakfast was a simple affair of some Palak Parathas and raita, and of course some fresh fruit. Arjun accompanied by Chacha-Chachi arrived about half past nine.

Anand explained "Bela aur maine socha ke hum bhi Bhaisahab ki tabiyat poochne chalte hai." Nanaji was pleased "Acha hua aap log aaye, par chinta ki koi baat nahi hai. Ab bahoot behtar hu." Looking at Naina fondly, he addressed Bela "Behenji bahoot achi parwarish ki hai aap ne isski! Itna dhyan rakhti hai mera, ke kya batau aap ko..." Bela and Anand both beamed, while Naina tried to brush away this praise "Nanaji, ab toh na aise hi itni tarrif kar rahe hai... itna kuch nahi kiya maine!"

Sameer and Arjun amicably chatted about Arjun's on-going cricket coaching, and then all the men discussed the Indian cricket team's excellent performance in the Wills World Series.

Bela accompanied Naina to the kitchen, while Naina made the coffee and got some nashta plates ready. Chachiji of course shared some more advice about housekeeping and food deemed appropriate for Nanaji, then some latest gossip from their society and Taiji's latest antics. Chachiji then asked her "Raat ko Nanaji ko akela toh nahi chodte ho na neeche? Beta itna bada ghar hai..." Naina was quick to assure her "Aare nahi! Akele nahi hote hai woh neeche. Ab toh Sameer bhi mere paas neeche hi hote hai." And then realising her slip of tongue, she rushed to cover "Mera matlab, hai hum dono neeche guestroom mein sote hai... Sameer bhi... aur main bhi!"

As Naina poured the coffee, Chachiji watched her solemnly, seemingly pondering on something. Maybe it was because she was watching Naina in her element for the first time... or maybe because her maternal instincts were finally picking up on something.

Once everyone finished their coffees and sampled some of the Diwali goodies, Naina brought out the Aarti thali, the plates full of sweets and fruits, and of course Arjun's gift. Once the aarti was done, the brother and sister exchanged gifts. This year instead of the usual envelope of Rs 21, Arjun had got her nice shopping bag. He smiled warmly, as he handed it over "Chachiji ne kaha tujhe ab bahoot shopping karna padta hoga ghar ke liye, toh yeh kaam aayegi." She smiled equally broadly "Bhaiya, yeh design toh bahoot acha hai! Aur bag ekdum useful bhi."

As the Agarwals said their goodbyes, Sameer too headed to the factory saying he would try to be back by five or so.

The rest of the morning was spent answering the door and handing the Diwali bonus and packets of sweets and sev/chivda to a number of people like: Maali kaka, Kaam wali mausi, the night watchman for their society, the newspaper delivery boy, postman, couple of guys from the telephone department and so on. Nanaji had already kept the envelopes ready, but few minutes of conversation with each person was considered a must.

Nanaji and Naina had a late lunch and then Nanaji retired for his afternoon siesta. Naina went upstairs to put away his clothes that had arrived from the laundry earlier that day. As she started putting the clothes away, she suddenly realised that she was doing this for the first time since she had arrived in the house. A simple task, but it brought with it a sense of deep satisfaction.

Though the room wasn't really messy, she still walked around straightening a book here, a photo frame there, or just tidying his side table. After a long time, she did not feel like an intruder in his room. A few rays of the afternoon sun filtered through his window, lighting up the dust particles in their path. She watched their dance, in both fascination and a strange euphoria.

She sat down on his bed and let her mind wander to the late-night conversation in her room from the previous day. For the first time, she was able to think of her Bidai without the feelings of dread and loss, that it usually invoked it her. His grief had been genuine. It was as though, they had both finally grieved together for the lost time and all the pain that had accumulated over that time.

Naina gently patted the bed and the pillow, remembering her first few nights here and how they had occupied the two ends, always leaving a huge empty space in-between. She blushed deeply recalling how these days he held her tightly through the night. She lightly caressed her cheeks, as her mind lingered over his kisses from the night before. Though the setting and that moment had not been romantic, the memory now felt rather endearing.

The doorbell rang. She looked at the clock, a little befuddled and also little irritated at being forced to end her time in his room. It was just before four. Naina started trudging downstairs, but then the thought that maybe he had decided to head home a little added a spring to her steps. On opening the door to the unexpected guests though, she wasn't sure which was greater, her surprise, or joy, or the foreboding that started unfurling deep within her.

Sameer was talking to the Quality Assurance Manager about some minor issues identified in some of the latest production and how they would have to redirect that lot to their client who traded in seconds quality goods. The boy who served the afternoon tea/coffee approached them and handed Sameer his coffee "Bhaiya hum aap ki kaffee uppar le gaye thay. Parmar sir ne kaha aap ko bata de ke aap ke ghar se Bhabhi ka phone aaya tha, aur aap ko jitna jaldi ho sake ghar aane ko kaha hai."

Thinking something might be wrong with Nanaji he rushed upstairs to the cabin and question his co-habitant "Parmar kaka, ghar se phone aaya tha? Nanu theek hai?" Mr Parmar replied "Ha woh, bus abhi do-char minute pehele hi tumhari Mrs ka phone aana tha... kuch pareshaan lag rahi thi. Maine poocha toh kehne lagi ke Sir ki health ka koi problem nahi hai... bus ghar mein kuch aur problem ho gayi hai. Dekho, main baaki kaam dekh lunga... tum ghar jao." Then looking a little confused he added "Pata nahi kyun, par mujhe aisa laga ke she was whispering. Aur peeche kissi ke zor zor se bolne ki awaaj aa rahi thi..."

Sameer tried calling home immediately, but the line was engaged. Rather than wasting anymore time worrying, he decided to head home right away. As he rushed through packing his bag and headed to the car, he was thinking Phele toh Naina ne kabhi phone nahi kiya factory mein. Aaj kiya hai, toh kuch urgent hi hoga... par hua kya hoga? Aur yeh whisper kyun kar rahi hogi?!

(Hope you all enjoyed this part! Thanks for all the lovely comments and votes!!! 

Lots of love, May)