Dear All,

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

In case, you come across some bits of cricket commentary, please understand that it's the effect of watching the India-England match while I finished this update.

Do let me know how you find it.

Lots of love, May

About half an hour later, Sameer reached home. Rather than getting someone to open the gate, he just parked the car outside and rushed indoors. The main door was open. He had not known what to expect, based on Mr Parmar's analysis of the call, but the silence in the house seemed out of place. On approaching the lounge though he was pleasantly surprised.

He exclaimed happily "Aare Mummy! Aap?! Suddenly kaise aana hua?" Seeing Mr Somani sitting on the sofa too, he nodded in his direction and added "Kab aaye aap log? Pehele bataya hota toh main Farookh Chacha ko car leke bhej deta aap ko pickup karne..." Suddenly his voice trailed off a bit noting the various expressions on everybody's faces.

Vishakha looked very disgruntled and her husband rather puzzled, while Nanaji seemed very uneasy and his wife was nowhere in sight. He asked anxiously "Nanu, kya ho gaya? Aur Naina kaha hai?" Vishakha shot him an angry look and almost shouted "Naina kaha hai?? Iss se tumhe kya matlab hai?!" Then turning to her husband, she added "Aap ne socha tha hum inhe surprise denge... yaha toh humme hi surprise mila hai!" Nanaji murmured "Vishakha, shanti se baat karo... itna chilane ki koi jarurat nahi hai." She looked at her father shocked "Papa, aap ab bhi isski side le rahe hai?!" Nanaji tried to explain "Side nahi le raha hu... par, sari baat zara aaram se bhi ho sakti hai."

Sameer again questioned his grandfather "Par, Naina kaha hai?" When Nanaji gestured in the direction of the kitchen, he rushed inside. She draped in an ink blue and turquoise bandhani print that he had selected while shopping the other day, was near the cooking stove, watching the milk coming to a boil. As he approached her, she blew lightly on the milk about to boil over and turned off the heat. Turning towards him, she said sounding worried "Acha hua aap aa gaye. Mummyji aur woh... achanak aa gaye. Unke kissi rishtedar ka rishta fix hua hai Baroda mein, waha aaye thay toh, Nanaji ko dekhne Ahmedabad aane ka plan bana liya."

He asked still confused "Par hua kya hai? Itna ghussa kiss baat pe hai?" She started fidgeting with her kangan and then went on to recount the happenings from earlier.

When Naina opened the door, she squealed in delight and surprise "Aare aap?! Achanak kaise aa gaye? Main toh soch rahi thi iss waqt kaun aaya hoga... par aap log honge yeh toh bilkul bhi nahi socha tha. Par aise bina bataye kaise??" Mr Somani chuckled "Aare, saare sawal yahi poochogi kya?!" Naina remembering her manners quickly bent forward to touch their feet and apologised "Sorry... mujhe ekdum dhyaan mein hi nahi aaya... aayiye na." Vishakha patted her head and asked warmly "Kaisi ho beta? Aur Papa kaise hai? BP aur Sugar theek hai unka ab? Bahoot chinta lagi thi unki..."

Naina closed the door after them, saying "Ji, Nanaji kafi better hai ab. Lagta hai nayi wali dawai acha asar kar rahi hai. Doctor uncle kal subhe aane wale hai phir check-up karne."

Hearing the unexpected noises, Nanaji called out from his room "Naina... kaun hai beta?" Naina smiled at her mother-in-law "Lijiye... uth gaye Nanaji, aap hi awaaj sunkar." She quickly peeked into his room and explained "Nanaji, Mummyji aayi hai!" The older man still a little disoriented from his sleep asked sounding puzzled "Kaun Mummyji??" Vishakha entered the room smiling "Papa, main aayi hu. Aur Vivek bhi hai sath." Vivek followed behind on her heels "Namaste Papaji. Kaisi hai tabiyat ab? Baroda aaye thay, meri woh US wali mausi ke Naati ki sagai mein, toh soch aap ko dekhne chalte hai."

Nanaji sat up in his bed, while Vishakha caressed his forehead fondly "Papa, bahoot chinta ho rahi thi aap ki. Ab theek hai na?" As her father nodded "Aare theek hu main... yeh dono toh bus aise hi darr gaye thay!" Vishakha settled on the foot of the bed, while Vivek pulled a chair closer and perched on it.

Pleasantries were exchanged for the next few minutes, before Naina suddenly mumbled "Sorry, main Paani toh lana hi bhool gayi... bus abhi lati hu." She returned a minute later with three glasses of water and offered to all. Vivek asked her "Sameer kaha hai?" She replied "Factory gaye hai, panch sade-panch tak aa jayenge." Vishakha asked her father "Sab kuch sambhal raha hai na theek se?" Nanaji smiled "Bilkul beta... saara kaam ekdum dil lagakar dekh raha hai." Vivek murmured a Good.. Good.. while Vishakha responded "Shukar hai Bhagwan ka... mujhe toh bahoot chinta lagi thi..."

A few more minutes later, Vivek stood up saying "Papaji, main zara fresh hoke aata hu... Vishakha, tum baitho." Naina collected the empty glasses and took them back to the kitchen. As she started deliberating on the whether the sukha nashta should be alright to be served with the tea or if she should make poha, she heard Vivek calling out "Vishakha, zara idhar toh aao... yaha toh bahoot samaan hai." Bobby, used to the house for years now, had headed to the guestroom to put away their bags after using the bathroom. Finding the guestroom unexpectedly full of lot of things, he called out to his wife.

Naina rushed to Nanaji room and looked at him in alarm. Nanaji too now caught up with the reason for Bobby's confusion. Vishakha still oblivious murmured "Yeh bhi na... ek kaam nahi hota bina pura ghar sar pe uthaye... main dekhti hu..." Naina gulped trying to think of something and the soon followed her. Bobby stood with the closet door open, his eyebrows raised in confusion. Vishakha looked around for a bit and then turned to Naina who was standing just outside the door "Beta, yeh tumhara samaan yaha kyun hai?"

As Naina wrung her hands "Woh toh... bus... yaha rakha hai..." As Nanaji too joined her, Vishakha asked now sounding a little impatient "Aare, yaha rakha hai, yeh toh mujhe bhi deekh raha hai... par kyun?" Naina blinked a couple of times and then blurted "Nanaji ki wajah se! Matlab, abhi unki tabiyat theek nahi hai toh hum neeche hi sone lage hai... toh samaan bhi neeche hi le aayi hu." Her saas took a couple of steps towards the closet and gently ran her fingers over the neatly folded heavy sarees and other clothes, she turned back with a questioning look. Naina mumbled "Yeh bhari wali sadiya aur kapde toh main neeche hi rakhti hu... woh uppar almari nahi hai na... issiliye..."

Vishakha cast a nervous glance at everything in the room, her eyes lingering on all the books on Naina's study table, the purse hung on the peg by the door, all the everyday footwear lined in one corner and so on. She looked towards her father in confusion and noted how he refused to meet her eyes. She snapped at Naina "Itni bhi bewakuf nahi hu main! Saaf deekh raha hai, ke tumhara sara samaan yahi hai... aur Sameer ka kuch bhi nahi."

Bobby, who had so far been just an observer, now drawing his own conclusions muttered "Aare bhai, biwi ka ruth ke maike jaana toh bahoot baar suna tha... par yeh sasural ke hi guestroom mein shift hona, peheli baar dekh raha hu!" Vishakha building on this premise, turned to her father and asked sounding a little lost "Papa, inn dono ke beech itne jhagde chal rahe hai, aur aap ne mujhe bataya bhi nahi?" Naina mumbled "Nahi Mummyji, itna kuch nahi... bus kabhi kabhi..." Nanaji put his hand on his bahu's shoulder and stopped her "Naina, tum jaake chai aur nashte ka dekho. Vishakha tum log thoda fresh ho ke bahar aao. Theek se baith ke baat karenge."

Naina hastened to the kitchen but stood there feeling rather lost for a bit. She then decided to ask Sameer to head home as soon as possible and headed to the lounge to make the call. As she dialled the number, Vishakha who could not find in herself to be patient headed to the lounge and resumed questioning her father and complaining how they had all kept her out of with loop with regards to something so important in her son's life. When Mr Parmar answered the phone and informed Naina that Sameer was on the shop-floor, she just left a message for him to head home in a hushed voice.

Not wanting to face the music alone, Naina made an excuse that they had run out of milk and rushed outside on the pretext of buying some. She then further delayed the confrontation with her mother-in-law by staying in the kitchen to boil the milk before making the tea. And this is when her husband returned home.

The colour drained from Sameer's face as the realisation sunk in. His mother had found out about the separate bedrooms. Nanaji had not wanted his mother to know about his behaviour towards Naina, and ironically just when everything was falling into place, the secret had been revealed. He gave his wife a quick hug and murmured reassuringly "It's ok. Hum unhe samjha denge. Tum chinta mat karo." He picked up the plates full of biscuits and chaklis and headed outside, and Naina followed him with the tray of tea.

As she served everyone the tea, Vishakha looked at her bahu rather displeased and then shot at her "Naina, mujhe tumse yeh umeed nahi thi. Waise toh phone kar ke, kisske ghar kya pehen ke jaau ya kaunse dairy se Mawa mangwana hai, yeh jarur poochti ho. Par neeche shift hone se pehele ek baar nahi socha ke mujhe poochna chahiye. Poochna toh chodo, batana bhi jaruri nahi samjha!" She turned to her father "Aur aap kaise har waqt isski tarifo ke pool bandhne mein lage rehte hai?" Again, turning to her bahu, she continued "Ek baar toh sochna tha ke baaki sab gharwalon ko kaisa lagega... Papa ko kaisa lag raha hoga! Mujhe toh tum kafi suljhi huyi ladki lagi thi..."

As Naina's lower lip trembled a little, Sameer muttered "Na toh iss mein Naina ki koi galti hai, aur na yeh neeche apni marzi se shift huyi thi." Bobby shook his head "Lo, matlab jhagda tumhare laadle ne hi kiya hoga. Pata nahi kab sudhrega yeh." Vishakha looked at Sameer a little uncertainly, but still not ready to let her bahu off the hook said "Aare, kaunse pati-patni mein jhagde nahi hoti? Patni ko dus baate sun ke unsuni karni padti hai. Par yeh kya baat hui ke dusre kamre mein hi shift ho jao?!" Sameer spoke in a clear and crisp voice "Naina ko guestroom mein rehne ke liye maine kaha tha."

As Vishakha asked baffled "Par kyun? Aisa kya ho gaya??" He retorted sounding a little angry now "Yeh sab aap ki Saas ki wajah se hua hai!" As all the three elders stared at him disbelievingly, he went on "Main toh pehele se hi shaadi ko leke confused tha, aur uppar se uss din unhone aake pata nahi kya kya bakwas ki Niana aur isski family ke baare mein, ke maine jaake isse keh diya ke ghar baar baar na aaya kare."

Nanaji was shocked "Tune iss liye Naina ko ghar aane se manna kiya tha?" Bobby sounded offended "Aisa kya kaha tha Maa ne?!" Sameer responded hotly "Kya kaha tha?? Aap thay toh sahi yaha unke sath jab mera character certificate phaad rahi thi! Yahi kaha tha, ke Naina agar yaha aati rahi toh jald hi uske gharwale kahenge ke maine isske sath kuch galat kiya hai aur ab bidai mein der nahi kar sakte. Tab toh kya, maine ab bhi kuch kiya hai!" The elders gulped tensely hearing this proclamation, while Sameer went on with his tirade "Aur phir jab Nanu ne bataya ke bidai itni jaldi hogi, toh mujhe bahoot ghussa aaya tha yeh soch ke, ke maine isse Sundays ko aane se kya manna kiya, toh issne bidai hi jaldi karwa li. Issilye bidai se pehele hi maine Naina aur Nanu ko kaha tha, ke main yeh rishta nahi apnayunga, aur isse guestroom mein hi rehna hoga. Woh toh ab pata chala, ke bidai prepone karne ka idea toh Dinaz aunty ka tha."

Vishakha's voice quivered "Bidai se pehele kaha tha??" She went quite for a few moments and then asked "Naina kabse neeche ke kamre mein rehti hai?" When nobody answered for a bit, Nanaji mumbled letting out a long-drawn sigh "Tumhare wapas jaane ke turant baad se." Vishakha and Bobby, who had assumed that Naina moving to the guestroom was a recent development, looked rather shocked at this revelation. Vishakha looked at Naina, who sat there, anxiously rubbing her kangan. New new bahu's scared tears, when they were leaving for Delhi made much more sense. She couldn't even imagine what Naina had been going through.

Suddenly Bobby asked sounding indignant "Aare, woh pehele hi din isske sar pe chot kaise lagi thi? Sameer, hath bhi uthate ho kya iss pe?!" As Sameer looked stunned at the accusation, his wife immediately defended him "Nahi toh! Woh toh main such mooch neend mein sofay se gir gayi thi." Vishakha bowed her head in shame at the thought of Naina spending her first night in their home on a narrow hard wooden bench, but her bahu went on "Sameer aise bilkul nahi hai... mera bahoot khayal rakhte hai. Aur jo bhi galtfaimiya thi... ab sab dur ho gayi hai." Her Saas shook her head "Ek Papa kum thay, jo ab tum bhi isski galtiyon pe parda dalne lagi ho!"

Nanaji spoke up "Vishakha, Naina theek keh rahi hai... un donon mein ab understanding ho gayi hai. Manna jo hua, nahi hona chahiye tha... par ab yeh purani baate leke baithne se kya hoga?" His daughter was not willing to relent "Purani baate?? Abhi bhi yeh toh guestroom mein hi rehti hai... toh phir, itna bhi kuch badla nahi hai! Agar dono mein such mooch understanding ho gayi hai, toh Sameer ne isse uppar shift hone ke liye kyun nahi kaha hai??" Turning to her son, she said "Itni hi tujhe isse apne pass rakhne se taklif ho rahi thi, toh mujhe bol deta... apne sath Delhi hi le jati. Uss ghar ke guestroom mein rehne se isske dil ko itni taklif nahi hoti, jitni yaha hoti hogi!"

Sameer stood up, left the lounge without a word and headed upstairs. Vishakha continued grumbling how even now he did not deem it necessary to accept his mistakes and set them right. Naina and Nanaji both sat there quietly, not knowing what else to say in his defence. About five minutes later, Sameer climbed down the stairs with two big bags and called from just outside the lounge door "Naina, yeh bags guestroom mein rakh raha hu, apna samaan bhar lo. Main zara bahar ja raha hu..."

She almost ran behind him, while the others looked on in a daze. Bobby asked Vishakha uncertainly "Such mooch humare sath Delhi jayegi ab yeh? Nahi, matlab... main toh bus issliye pooch raha hu ke, ek aur ticket book karwana padega na..." Nanaji said sounding a little irritated "Aare, Sameer kahi nahi jane dega usse... patta nahi hilta uska ab bahu ke bina." Vishakha not understanding what to make of this situation headed out of the lounge too. Sameer was slipping on his shoes, while Naina was asking him something. As he made to leave, she grabbed his arm "Kuch toh boliye! Aap ja kaha rahe hai? Main koi bag-wag nahi bharungi! Aur na hi kahi jayungi!"

He took her one hand in his own, leaned towards her and said something. She nodded, visibly relaxing and then waving a quick bye to him, headed to the guestroom. Vishakha stood outside the lounge uncertainly for a few moments and then headed to the guestroom as well. She addressed Naina, who was putting one of the bags on the bed "Kaha gaya hai yeh ladka? Aur tum samaan kyun pack kar rahi ho?? Kya keh ke gaya hai tumhe? Dekho beta, thoda jaldi ghussa ho jata hai, par kuch der mein shaant bhi ho jata hai. Tum darro mat, main samjha lungi usse..."

Naina smiled slightly "Nahi Mummyji, aap chinta mat kijiye... woh toh... almari kharidne gaye hai." Vishakha asked in confusion "Almari kharidne gaya hai??" Her bahu nodded "Ha, uppar jagah nahi hai na mere samaan ke liye... issiliye." As Naina started packing her stuff, Vishakha headed to the lounge to share this news with her father and husband. Both the men were surprised but equally relived. Bobby said to his wife "Chalo acha hai... waise chai bilkul thandi ho gayi hai, please zara garam karke le aao. Ab aaram se peete hai." Vishakha muttered something about men and their misplaced priorities, but nevertheless headed to the kitchen.

About close to thirty minutes later, the phone rang and Nanaji answered it "Ha, bolo beta... acha? (brief pause) Ha, tumhe jo acha lage. (another small pause) Theek hai, main usse bata deta hu. (yet another pause) Ha, bhej deta hu uske sath. Koi naap chahiye? Theek hai." As he finished the call, he called for Naina "Dekho Sameer ka phone aaya tha. Usse koi cupboards aur matching dressing table wale sets ache lage hai, par keh raha hai tum aake final kar lo. Pandit ko bhej raha hai, tum taiyar ho jao. Aur jaate waqt mujhse cheque book le jana." She nodded and headed inside.

Vishakha mumbled "Wah bhai... ek pal alag alag kamre, toh dusre pal mein biwi ki pasand ka furniture shopping! Such mooch lakhon mein ek hai yeh ladka... in fact, one in a million hi hoga!" Bobby nodded in agreement, but tried to ease her worries "Chalo, jo bhi ho, kum se kum dono ab sath toh rahenge. Yeh toh nahi kaha ke, ha isse Delhi hi le jao!"

Ten minutes later Pandit arrived and after greeting everyone said "Nanaji, main zara Sameer ke bedroom mein ke kuch measurements le aata hu." Nanaji and Bobby trudged upstairs too after him. Next ten-fifteen minutes were spent measuring the sizes of different walls and any potential stops in the room that seemed likely candidates for setting the closets and dressing table. Naina joined them too, venturing some input on how the lighting in the room should be considered in the equation too. Finally, Pandit armed with a torn piece of paper and some untidy scribbling turned to Naina sounding excited "Bhabhi chale? Furniture le aate hai!" Nanaji handed her the cheque book with some instructions and then sent them off.

The husband-wife duo returned home about an hour later. Nanaji was sitting in the outside sitting area and asked them "Kya hua? Akele hi aaye ho? Mujhe laga ke sath mein dukkan se koi log bhi aayenge..." Sameer explained "Nanu, woh humme jo design pasand aaya woh white colour mein tha, par Naina kehne lagi ke safed rang bahoot jaldi maila ho jayega. Toh dark colour ka order diya hai. Dukkan dar keh raha tha ke uske factory pe design toh lag-bag ready hai bus humare choice ka sunmica lagake teen-char din mein sab aa jayega."

Bobby, who had joined them halfway through the conversation, remarked "Idea, toh acha hai, almost furniture ready rakhne ka... aur sirf sunmic client ki pasand ka lagwane ka... kitne aise piece rakhte honge yeh log factory mein??" Sameer shrugged his shoulders thinking, Kitne piece honge? Inhe kya karna hai... Kahi Delhi se furniture yaha sasta hai soch kar yahi se toh nahi lejane ka soch rahe hai! Naina murmured "Maine poocha tha, toh keh rahe thay, do-teen set ready rakhte hai." Bobby sat there pondering on the logistics involved and coming up with his own analysis of how the furniture business could possibly increase its efficiency.

Sameer ushered Naina towards the guestroom saying "Chalo mujhe jitney bags pack kiye hai de do. Main uppar rakh aata hu." When they entered the bedroom, his mother who was lying on the bed sat up saying "Aa gaye tum log? Zara peeth mein dard ho raha tha, toh socha thoda rest kar lu." Naina explained that though they had selected something, they wouldn't get the delivery for a few more days. Sameer addressed his wife "Abhi ke liye bus wahi uppar le jayenge jiski tumhe jarurat hai. Wardrobes aa jaye toh phir baaki sab shift kar lenge." She nodded and started unpacking the already packed nonessentials and started replacing them with the everyday essentials.

Vishakha said "Naina, beta mujhe dresses de do, main fold kar ke bag mein rakhti hu." Sameer grabbed a big jute bag hanging on one of the hooks by the door and started packing all her books and stationery from the table. Few minutes later he headed upstairs with the jute bag, saying "Suitcase pack ho jaye toh mujhe awaaj laga dena."

As soon as her son left the room, Vishakha patting the spot next to her on the bed said "Zara mere pass baitho." Naina gulped uncertainly and then fiddling with the clothes in her hand perched on the edge. After collecting her thoughts for a few minutes, Vishakha started "Dekho beta, main yeh sab dekh kar bahoot shock ho gayi thi... aur darr bhi gayi thi. Issiliye shayad thoda strongly react kiya pehele. Par main tumse bilkul naraaz nahi hu, samjhi?" She went on as Naina nodded "Par tumne mujhe kuch toh batana chahiye tha na..." Her bahu muttered "Nanaji nahi chahate thay... shayad aap ko pareshaan nahi karna chahate honge..." Vishakha did not look convinced "Mujhe pareshaan nahi karna chahte thay ya Sameer ko protect kar rahe thay?!"

Naina stayed silent not knowing whom to defend. Vishakha reaching out held her hand and asked a little tentatively "Such mooch ab Sameer theek hai tumhare sath? Dekho abhi bhi kuch problem ho, toh main usse samjhane ki koshish karungi." Her bahu replied "Mummyji, ab sab bilkul theek hai. Thoda waqt laga... par jaisa Nanaji kehti thay, unka ghussa aur sari galatfaimi dur ho gayi."

Though very pleased to hear this, Vishakha could not shake off the unease completely and asked "Ussne tumse uppar shift hone ki koi baat ki thi pehele?" Remembering Sameer's words indicating there had been no physical intimacy between them even yet, she asked struggling to find the right words "Beta, main samajhti hu... ke shayad thoda jyada waqt laga hoga... tum dono ko ek dusre se ghool mil kar baate karne mein... jaane mein... par pati patni ke rishte mein hamesha duriya bhi theek nahi hai." Seeing Naina's expression and inferring that she probably wasn't understanding what was being indicated, Vishakha tried to get to the point a little more directly "Mera matlab hai, ke husband-wife mein itna distance rahe, it's not natural. Yeh alag alag kamre... yu Sameer ka tumhare paas na aana..."

Naina blushed as she timidly interjected "Par ab toh woh roz yahi sote hai... mere paas. Shayad Nanaji ki tabiyat theek nahi hai, issiliye uppar jaane ki koi baat nahi ki hogi..." And then hoping her mother-in-law wouldn't assume that they had been neglecting Nanaji, she rushed to assure her "Aur, hum dono kameron ke darwaje khule rakhkar hi sote hai, takki Nanaji kabhi bhi humme bula sake!" Vishakha smiled slightly at her simplicity and caressed her head warmly. She wondered fleetingly, how had her son stayed immune to her innocent charms for so long? Then she asked in a slightly troubled voice "Tumhare ghar pe kissiko kuch pata hai?" Naina mumbled her eyes lowered "Sirf Preeti ko..."

Vishakha wondered whether words of encouragement or advice or gratitude would be appropriate in this situation? In the end, she advised "Beta, ek baat yaad rakhna. Iss ghar mein rehna tumhara haq hai. Ek aurat jab Sasural mein kadam rakhti hai, toh usse apni duniya banane nikal padti hai. But, uss diniya walon ko bhi yeh ehsaas hona chahiye, ke unki duniya usski wajah se hi bani hui hai." Taking a small pause, she continued "Sameer adiyal hai, par dil ka bura nahi hai. Dekho, ab aage ka safar bina kissi gile-shikwe ke shuru karna. Usski sari galtiyon ko dil se maaf kar do. Aur yeh main sirf uski nahi, tumhari bhi bhalayi ke liye hi keh rahi hu." Naina smiled slightly "Aap chinta mat kijiye. Woh such mooch mera dil se khayal rakhte hai." She flushed "Aur main bhi."

Sameer stood near the window, lost in thought.

He had felt like a fool, when his mom had asked the big question a couple of hours earlier, Agar dono mein such mooch understanding ho gayi hai, toh Sameer ne isse uppar shift hone ke liye kyun nahi kaha hai?? For once, his habit to act impulsively, had resulted into something constructive. He had not even asked her to move back into his... no, their room, but had just told her to pack and then headed to buy the closets for her.

Thank God, he had at least thought of calling her over to finalise the furniture! She had asked the shopkeeper what seemed like hundreds of questions and pointed out the inadequacies in some of his choices. Finally they had decided on one which was aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly had enough selves and closed drawers.

When he left her packing with his mother and brought her books upstairs, he had recalled Preeti's dig at him about not making space for her in his room or cupboard, from what seemed like a very long time now. He had started putting her books in one of the selves by his desk thinking he wanted her to feel at home as soon as possible.

While stacking the books, he had come across an old black with diary with the year 1991 embossed in gold on the front. Wondering what she was still doing with a three-year-old diary, he had flipped it open. As he absentmindedly flicked a few pages, he realised it was her personal diary. A few lines here and there, quickly revealed the straightforward wandering of a young girl's mind. He feeling a little guilty about this lapse in his judgment had been about to put it away when the following words grabbed his attention, Life used to be so much simpler, I knew exactly what I wanted and what was expected of me. And then I bumped into him, and everything changed instantly. So this was written after they met, unable to resist the temptation, his eyes sought the start of that entry.

24th July 1994

It's been a while since I wrote here last. The last time I wrote, I was Ms Naina Agarwal and now I am Mrs Naina Maheshwari. I even have a bank pass book as a proof of this new name! These last couple of months have been extremely strange to say the least... half the time... no, actually much more than half the time I have been feeling completely lost, just following a new set of instructions every day.

(She had not been exaggerating when she claimed the other day that she had been quite lost too.)

I can barely recollect the first few days after that incident, like I was moving through some daze. Some vague memories of talking to his Nanaji, the rituals, the endless wait to find out what came next and then the relief knowing I wasn't leaving this home anytime soon. I suppose it must have been equally hard for him too. I am sure this is not how he must have imagined getting married either. But apparently God spoke in the form of Guruji! Well, at least my family is quite pleased with the match and Chachaji really likes him. And that is good enough for me. Nanaji is really kind too. As strange as it may sound, he makes me feel safe.

(She had been thinking how this must be hard on him too... and had felt safe around him. He thought in disbelief.)

About him... I can't really make up my mind... I mean of course he is educated, from a good family and very handsome too! But I don't know... its sort of hard to put my finger on... but his behaviour is very confusing. Sometimes he acts like a complete stranger... and I know we were strangers when we got married... but won't we always stay strangers if we don't try to get to know each other or talk to each other? And then at other times, he suddenly decides to act like a complete husband! Especially when he wants to scold me about something like Papa's behaviour towards Munna-Pandit today or losing the kangans... Oh god! That was awful... that whole incident with the kangans going missing... All the elders would have absolutely killed me had he not found them. But, how and where did he find them? I must ask him this... that is, whenever his lordship decides to start having a proper conversation with me.

(Yes, his behaviour had been nothing short of stupefying. And in spite of it, she had wanted to get to know him better. The memory of the saga of the lost-and-found-kangans made him flush lightly, one day he would have to explain that mystery. Her referring to him as his lordship made me smile a little and the open confession that she thought him handsome brought a blush to his face.)

Today after seeing all those books in his room, I thought we had finally found something to talk about and just then that fiasco with the saree had to happen! I hope he doesn't start thinking of me as a clumsy silly girl. And thank God... He doesn't know how to drape a saree! My poor heart would have been completely broken if he did! Dear God, I promise to come by the mandir tomorrow and offer you one nariyal.

(He glanced back over his shoulder, at the exact spot, where she had stood deeply mortified, holding the saree pleats in her hands. He was rather perplexed, about her worrying if he knew how to drape a saree. Where did that come from??)

I really liked his home though. It's big and has that feel of luxury to it, but it doesn't feel like a museum. I remember visiting Tauji's client Mr Shukla once with him and his house was beautiful but like a museum... filled with souvenirs from all over the world and everything was so perfectly placed that one would always feel scared of even breathing like something might get broken.

(Her fondness for simplicity took his heart again.)

Anyway... coming back to my sasural... Goodness me! I really do have a sasural now. And a Nana Sasur and him! Nanaji has said he would like me to keep visiting now... hopefully he will talk to me properly next time... I just have to make sure that I don't wear the saree so long and trip on it again. Do I have to wear a saree every time I visit them or was it just because it was the first time today? I will have to check with Chachiji. I really liked the peach coloured saree they gifted today, it has such a simple and small border and that pearl and coral set will go with it beautifully. I should buy some matching glass bangles as well! Why does he like bangles so much though? I mean they are pretty and all... but so noisy at times and it's so hard to go about your normal work wearing so many of them! I obviously don't mind wearing just the kangans all the time... in fact it now feels weird to be without them and somehow, I feel strangely connected to him wearing these, knowing that the hands that wore them before me, held him as a baby and loved him all through his childhood. The kangans have watched him grow. I wonder how his Nani was? And even more importantly I wonder, how his mom my actual saas is?! I hope she likes me.

(Her heart had been hopeful that he would talk more.... She had been happy to wear more bangles if they pleased him, even if she found them an encumbrance.... But it was her perceived connection to him via the kangans, that left him bowled over. If something inanimate could incite such depth of love in her, what could have loving handhold accomplished? No point in dwelling on lost chances, he reminded himself sharply.)

Oh, dear God! I almost forgot about the photo... has he realised that it is missing? And if so, what does he think about it? I am sure he will think I took it! Will he be cross at me? But, why would he be cross? It's just one photo... Pooja didi had about 4-5 photos of Jiju with her and that too before the wedding. Should I apologise to him about Preeti taking the photo? But it will sound even stranger that his Sali took the photo... no, I will not bring it up and will decide what to say only if he asks about it. But I will treat Preeti to some chaat soon, she definitely deserves a treat for brining his photo along.

(He smiled thinking he owed a lot to Preeti too. And then he thanked Munna and Pandit from the bottom of his heart for stopping him from making a big deal about the disappearance of that photo.)

Time to sleep for now! Feels so good to be writing here after such a long time. I really should write more regularly.

He wondered if this was the only entry, she had made in the diary post the wedding, with a heart full of hope and dreams? But he could not bring himself to turn any more page. He knew, her euphoria must have turned to despondency fairly quickly. Maybe he was being selfish, but he did not want the past casting deep shadows on this new beginning, at least not right then. As he stood thinking, his heart felt more and more torn between the fact that she had clearly embraced their relationship at the start with her heart, and what had been the possible aftereffects of his impertinence.

He heard something banging outside. Quickly slipping her diary between some of her other books on the shelf, he headed outside. She was almost at the top of the stairs carrying her purse and another bulging small piece of luggage. He rushed forward "Aare, tum kyun uthake layi ho? Maine kaha toh tha, mujhe bula lo..." As he took the bag from her, she muttered this wasn't heavy, but there were two other bigger bags ready to be brought upstairs. As they entered the bedroom, he pointed out "Tumhari kitabe uss shelf pe laga ke rakhi hai." She smiled, but then her eyes lingered a little on the dairy.

When Sameer returned few minutes later after fetching the other bags, he noted that the dairy had disappeared from the bookshelf. She obviously did not want anyone reading it. He now felt a little guilty for his earlier lapse in judgement.

He emptied one shelf in his cupboard saying "Yeh kapde mujhe roz nahi lagte. Tum apne yaha rakhdo jab tak naye closets nahi aa jate. Main yeh bag mein rakh dunga." Some ten minutes later Naina stood admiring the new look of his cupboard. It had not crossed her mind even once earlier that day as she put his clothes away, that they would be reorganizing it the very same evening! Looking towards the clock, she mumbled "Main jaake khane ka dekhti hu..." and left the room.

About an hour later, the Maheshwaris and Somanis were assembled around the dinner table. Vishakha had insisted that they keep it simple and hence just some mixed vegetable pulav accompanied by raita, papad and achar was on the menu. Naina had wanted to make a sweet to mark the milestone in her marriage but had felt rather awkward suggesting it.

Nanaji tried his best to keep the conversation centred on Bobby's business and queries related to Deepika and Rohan. Vishakha too following his lead, relayed the account of Deepika's various activities in great detail. As soon as the meal was completed, Nanaji, Bobby and Sameer moved to the lounge and started watching the news. Vishakha helped Naina tidy-up the kitchen and then the two of them joined the men.

Television was watched in relative silence for some time. Naina then excused herself, saying there was still a lot of stuff to be organised upstairs. After catching Sameer glance at the clock a few times, Nanaji said "Beta, tum bhi jaake dekho bahu ko kuch madat chahiye ho toh." When Sameer muttered "Nahi Nanu, main toh aapki dawai deke hi uppar jayunga." Nanaji directed him to fetch the medicine and hand it over to Vishakha, who readily assured him that she would ensure her father took it at the right time.

Once Sameer had explained the night dose to his mother, he bid everyone a goodnight and climbed up the stairs, sometimes taking two steps at a time.

Naina was shoving a bag under the bed when he entered. The room looked much tidier than it had a couple of hours before. She smiled slightly saying "Mujhe laga aap Nanaji ki dawai der kar hi aayenge." He explained that his mother had taken it over for the that day and then headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

He splashed some more water on his face, suddenly feeling a little nervous. He had spent almost the last month, trying to think of some plausible reason for asking her to move upstairs, but not once had expected it to happen like this. Changing into his tracks and t-shirt, he headed out.

She was already sitting on her side of the bed, her hair let loose for the night, but still in the saree. He closed and bolted the door, and then asked her a little hesitantly "Light band kar du... ya tumhe abhi chahiye?" She mumbled it was okay to turn it off. He turned on the lamp on his side of the bed as he got in. The air between them was heavy with varying amounts of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement.

He asked a little confused "Tumhe kapde change nahi karne? Matlab, woh log aaye hai toh raat ko saree pehena jaruri nahi hai..." She smiled sheepishly "Actually, ek dress dhone mein gaya hai... aur theek se sukha nahi hai. Aur dusra neeche ke kamre mein hi reh gaya. Koi baat nahi... main aisi hi so jayungi." He nodded and then both went quite for a bit, both remembering the last time they had sat like this together, chatting at the end of the day in this very room. Those chats had been the tentative start of their friendship.

Sameer opening the drawer on his side table, started rummaging through it, till he found something. An almost empty Cadbury bar wrapper. Opening it, he pulled out the one last piece and said blushing a little "Itna hi bacha hai... tum pehele jab uppar thi... uss waqt ka hai. Par thodasa muh meetha karne ke liye chalega, right?" She first smiled brightly and then blushing replied "Patta hai, mera bahoot mann tha, aaj kuch meetha banane ka. Par phir bahoot ajeeb laga, Mummyji se kehne mein." He smiled in understanding and then brought the piece to her lips. Naina took a small bite and then gestured for him to have the remainder.

The tiny piece of chocolate felt strangely fulfilling yet inadequate. He asked "Naina, aaj yeh sab thoda achanak se hua hai, par tum khush ho na?" She happily agreed " Ha, bahoot! " and then flushing at her enthusiastic response, added "Matlab, sabhi gharwale khush honge na... Mummyji ko bhi waha jaake koi chinta nahi lagegi. Aur Nanaji ka bhi sara tension khatam ho jayega... Toh achanak hi sahi, par aap ka faisla samajhdari ka hai." He looked at her, deep in thought for a few moments.

Deciding there should be no room for ambiguity now, he scampered out of the bed, walked to her side and knelt down on one knee in a dramatic gesture. He wished he actually had something to offer her. A rose would have been perfect, but in its absence, he grabbed a pen off her side-table and offered it to her.

Naina asked very confused "Kya likhna hai?" He blushed " Tumhara naam. " She was baffled even more "Par kaha? Abhi koi form bharna hai??" He tugged down the neckline of his t-shirt and replied cheekily pointing at his chest "Mere dil pe. Matlab undar toh already likha hai... Bahar bhi likh do." She blushing a deep red mumbled " Aur likhna kyun hai?? " He smirked "Taaki puri duniya dekh sake, ke Sameer Maheshwari ke dil pe kiska naam likha hai." And then after a small pause, he announced his eyes twinkling as if though he had just experienced a eureka moment "Actually, main na, yaha tumhara naam tattoo karwayunga!" She asked perplexed "Aur puri duniya aapke baniyaan ke undar jhaakegi kyon??"

Slight irritation flickered on his face, as he muttered "Yaar, tum na bahoot jyada practical ho... Zara bhi romantic nahi... Kabhi toh bus moment ko feel kar liya karo!" Naina coloured a bit hearing his complaint, but then gathering a lot of courage, advanced a slightly trembling hand towards his chest and drew a little heart and included a SN inside it. He admired the art she had created for a bit and then kissed the fingers responsible for it tenderly.

She asked sounding a little grumpy "Aur kya matlab main romantic nahi hu??" He got up from the kneeling position, settled on the bed next to her and started "Gulab diye toh uska gulkad bana diya! Chocolates Munna Pandit ko khila diye... " She sounded uncertain "Par uska romance se kya lena dena??" He complained " Naina, tum hamesha dating phase mein, mujhe mixed signals deti rahi... Kabhi samajh hi nahi aaya, ke tum khush ho ke nahi! " She explained completely astonished "Kaisa aur kisska dating phase?!"

Sameer looking a little sheepish tried to explain that he had come up with a plan to date her, and hence got her the flowers and chocolates. He went on to tell her how the plan for the movie Suhag and bike ride on the pretext of masala doodh had been part of that agenda too. Naina was totally flabbergasted. After few moments of pondering on this revelation, she asked "Par humari toh shaadi hui hai, toh yeh dating kiss liye?!" He took her both hands in his hands and softly replied "Naina, main tumhe woh sare special moments dena chahata tha, jiske tumne sapne dekhe honge."

Looking apologetic, he admitted that he knew he had beens a lousy husband and had failed at understanding her needs from the start, but he had decided to set things right. He tilted her chin slightly upwards with one finger and told her that before he asked her to move upstairs he had wanted to be sure that she was satisfied with his attempt at wooing her.

Naina feeling very overwhelmed that she had so badly misunderstood his departure from her room that morning, lunged forward and hugged him tightly. She asked him in a quivering voice "Issiliye uss din subhe jaldi uth kar chale gaye thay aap?" Sameer nodded but then asked her "Toh tum jaanti thi ke main raat bhar tumhare paas hi thay? Toh bataya kyun nahi?!" She lowered her eyes " Woh... Mujhe bahoot bura laga tha... Soch ke, ke shayad aap ko meri baate achi nahi lagi... Ya mera paas aana. "

Sameer realised with shock that her arm around him that morning had been intentional. He pulled her into his lap. Her heartbeats accelerated and her bosom rose in an uneven rhythm. He whispered "Uss pal mein toh mujhe aisa laga tha, jaise zindagi ne mera sara udhar chuka diya ho..." A few moments of quiet later he continued, "Naina, dil toh karta hai kaash mein bahoot pehele Ahmedabad aaya hota. Socho, hum agar saalon pehele hi mile hotay toh? Aisa lagta hai, meri zindagi ki saari khushiyan bus issi sheher mein mera intezar kar rahi thi... Aur main pata nahi unhe kaha kaha dhundta raha."

She snuggled closer and rested her head in the crook of his neck. Contrary to his soothing voice, the pulse at the base of his neck was drumming wildly. Her heart proclaimed loudly with great pride and joy; He already loves me! She nervously tilted her face and tenderly pressed her lips to his cheek. When he looked her at her in happy surprise, she muttered shyly "Pehele chocolate kum pad gaya tha na... aur aaj toh theek se muh meetha karna chahiye, nahi?"

He made a hmmm sound, his eyes now fixed on her lips. Meetha toh aaj pura chahiye mujhe, he thought as he brought his one hand to cup her face and caressed her lower lip with his thumb. As his head dipped closer, Naina remembering something turned her face away a little and uttered "Abhi nahi!" He asked sounding a little hoarse "Abhi nahi? Par kyun??" She fumbled with her words "Woh... itna jaldi... theek nahi..." He sounded confounded "Itna Jaldi?! Naina, Shaadi ko almost chee mahiye ho gaye... " And then he tried another argument edging forward a bit "Aur abhi toh tumne kaha na ke aaj toh theek se muh meetha karna banta hi hai, right?"

She blinked a couple of times and moved back a little mumbling "Sameer, theek nahi lagta... Woh Mummyji aur Deepika ke papa bhi yaha hai." He tried to remind her "Aare, hum uppar hai aur darwaja band hai. Koi nahi dekhega humme..." She objected "Par, mujhe bahoot ajeeb lag raha hai..." He drew in a long deep breath and then conceded "Theek hai... jab tak woh log yaha hai, hum tab tak wait kar lenge." She smiled at him thankfully, anxiously thinking Kal Mummyji se baat karni padegi.

Though they turned off the lamp soon, his arm around her bare waist kept them both awake for a long time. That night for the first time, he was able to enjoy some advantages of her modern blouse, and it was Naina's turn to endure the effects of the sweet torture his soft lips and scruffy chin sometimes alternatively and sometimes simultaneously inflicted on her.