Sidharth and Sana both walk out of Geeta's counselling room. They were silent as they walked along the corridor. When they reached the exit of the building, he opened the door for her.

"Thanks.", Came her first word and he nodded his head simply.

"I.. I am going home.", He said.

"Hmmm..", she nodded.

"You can come in my car.", He said.

"I've got my car..", she replied.

"Hmmm..", he hummed and she turned her back to him as her car was parked the other way.

"Sa.. Sana..", he called her hesitantly.

"Hmmm?", She turned around and looked at him.

"I have a driver. He can bring your car so you can...", He said.

"But I am not going home.", She replied.

"Oh!!! Whe..", he stopped himself from asking her any questions. What was the use though? They were to seperate in 15 days. Did he have any right on her to ask that question?

"I.. I am going to my parent's house. It's Maa's 60th birthday tomorrow.", She informed him knowing that he wanted to ask the question.

"Hmm.. Wish her a happy birthday from my side.", He said.

She shook her head in affirmation. She wanted to invite him but he would be busy anyways. Just because he spoke few sentences, she can't expect him to leave his important work and come to her parent's house. Why would he want to attend it?

"Bye then.. take care and have fun.", He said to her

"Hmmm.. Si.. Sidharth.. It's a small party with just few close family and friends. Would you...", She hesitated to speak further fearing his rejection. His work was more important than her mother's birthday. They were going to be strangers again after 15 days.

"Where is the party?", He asked.

"Huh? At home.", She answered.

"What time?", He asked.

"Cake cutting will be at 7 in the evening.", She said.

"I'll be there by 6:30pm", he said surprising her.

"Your office?", She asked.

"I'll handle.. we have to spend an hour together everyday, remember?", He said.

"Oh!! Hmmm..", she nodded her head.

"I must leave.. bye..", she said and went to her car.

He watched her leave and for an unknown reason, he felt a sting in his heart for a second. He went and sat in his car. The driver looked at him through his rear mirror waiting for his instructions but Sidharth sat silently while his mind pondered upon the conversation inside the counselling room.

"Sir.. Are we going to office?", Asked the driver after some time.

"Huh? Hmmm..", he nodded and the driver turned the key to start the engine.

"No.. wait.. take me to the Hangover Pub.", He said.

The driver nodded his head and maneuvered the wheel to drive to the pub.

.
.
.

(Ding-Dong)

The door bell rang.

"I'll get it. I think it's the deliveryman", said Sana to her mother and went to attend the doorbell straight from the kitchen.

As she opened the door, her eyes caught a glimpse of Sidharth standing at the door with a flower bouquet. Though he had said that he would come by 6:30 pm, she hadn't expected him to turn up. But he was here even before the time at 6:00pm.

He looked at her dressed in an elegant black saree, the loose end of which was tucked into the waistband giving a sneak of her fair skin. Her hair nicely kempt and bound by a banana clip while a few loose strands of hair kissed her right cheek. Simple pair of earrings, nude lipstick and the only ornament in her neck was the black beaded nuptial necklace which he had tied around her neck 4 years back on the day of their marriage. She looked as divinely beautiful as she looked four years back. He had forgotten when he had last adored her beauty this carefully.

"Sana.. should I turn off the oven?", Asked her mother from the kitchen bringing both of them back from their trance.

"Huh!! No Maa.. it's still not done.", Said Sana loudly to be heard.

"Come in, Sidharth", She said giving him the way by opening the door wide.

He stepped inside and waited for her to close the door. A glance at her back reminded him of days when he would cuddle her from back as she would get ready standing infront of the mirror.

When she turned around he lowered his eyes nervously as if he was guilty of stealing something.

"Where's maa?", He asked

"She is in the kitchen. I will call her.", Said Sana.

"What's taking you so long Sa... (Looks at Sidharth) Oh!! Sidharth, what a pleasent surprise.", Her mother exclaimed.

"Happy birthday Maa..", he wished giving her the bouquet of flowers.

"Oh!! Thank you Sidharth. White lilies are Sana's favourite.", Her mother said looking at the flower.

"I know.. ", he blurts. Sana and Sidharth glance at each other.

"Maa, you aren't ready yet. Go and get ready quickly.", Said Sana.

"Yeah.. I will.. In the meantime, could you arrange these flowers in the vase there? Sidharth, I will be back soon. It's been so long since you visited us.", Said her mother before she made her way towards her room. Though her mother said it in excitement, Sidharth felt embarrassed for not meeting them.

His phone started ringing and he answered the call after glancing at the screen.

Sana placed the flowers on the table and got the scissor and the vase. She sat in front of him and cut the stem and arranged it nicely in the vase while he observed her still on call. She bit her tongue displaying its tip on her right and narrowed her eyebrows as she concentrated on arranging the flowers which he found very endearing.

"Perfect!!", She said appreciating her own work which made his lips curve subtly.

"Okay bye!!", He said before disconnecting. When she looked up, he turned his face pretending to be normal.

"Nice aroma. What's cooking?", He asked as she placed the vase back in its place.

"Oh my cupcakes!", She slapped her head for being forgetful and ran haywire into the kitchen.

"Sana.. be careful!", He screamed a fraction of a second before she hit her elbow to the door frame.

"Ooucchh..", she shrieked but her feets kept moving to save the cupcakes. He stood on his feet before running behind her.

Quickly grabbing the mittens, she opened the oven door and pulled out the tray. Her hand trembled due to the pain in her elbow which he noticed and quickly supported her hand to avoid any accidents.

"Thank God!!", She sighed in relief looking at the perfectly baked cupcakes.

He pulled her hand and inspected her elbow, it was bruised. She bit her lips and uncomfortably pulled her hands back from his hold. It stung his heart knowing the reason behind her uncomfortableness due to his touch.

"Where is the first aid box?", He asked.

"It's not something big. I am fine.", She said.

"Where is the first aid box?", He asked more sternly.

She pointed towards the cabinet and he got the first aid kit. His phone rang again and he pressed it between his ear and neck. She had a constant frown on her face as he did her first aid. He was done with the call and giving first aid.

"Were the cupcakes more important than your safety Sana?", He asked in a strict tone.

"Yes, it's my maa's birthday. I can't afford to burn those cupcakes and get it wasted.", She answered.

"Don't act as if the world would have come to an end if they got burnt. I've got money, I can afford to buy millions of cupcakes.", He said.

"I baked them with love for my maa. Can you buy my love with all your money?", She asked annoyed by his money talk.

He was speechless. He had already lost her love. Wasn't it evident by the way she reacted on his touch? She had sent him a divorce papers a month back and because of her parents involvement they mutually agreed to see a counsellor. Yesterday was their second visit. The first one being 15 days back when he turned up very late and Geeta had another appointment to attend.

Geeta convinced them to give 15 hours to each other and he agreed because he realised that he was wrong and he wanted to make her life secured. She gave him 5 precious years of her life including a year as fiance.

They met in a business party where she was present as a secretary of one of his father's client. She was young, beautiful and attractive. After few encounters on business parties, Sidharth proposed to her and they got engaged. Soon they tied a knot and spent a year filled with love, romance and compassion with each other.

Sidharth's thought was interrupted by yet another call. He looked at her. She had engrossed herself in preparing a buttercream frosting for the cupcakes. His existence and presence in the same space had no charm on her unlike 3 years back.

The door bell rang.

"I will check..", he said and headed towards the door and opened it.

"Hellooowww.. Sidharth.. How are you?", Said the male smiling brightly at him.

"Hey Nakul.. I am fine. How are you?", Said Sidharth shaking hands with him.

"Uuuummmmm.. the aroma!! That's surely Sana's cupcakes.. ", Nakul floated towards the kitchen feeling his nostrils with the sweet smell from the cupcakes.

Sidharth followed him and saw Sana jump in joy having met her best friend from school. The smile which made her eyes glow came in Nakul's company.

"Wow!! My favourite muffins..", Nakul tried picking up one from the tray and earned a slap on his hand from her.

"Keep that down, you bugger. Wait until the cake cutting is done. I've made exactly 60 cupcakes for maa..", she scolded him.

"Don't embarrass Maa, you peahead.. she doesn't look like 60.. I think I can eat half of these, because she still looks like 30 to me.", Nakul teased her.

"Dare you touch those. I will murder you.", She yelled.

"Okay, go ahead. But only after fulfilling my last wish.. I want to eat these cupcakes before I die..", he said with puppy eyes.

"Loser!! Here check if this cream tastes fine.", She said shoving a spoonful of cream frosting into his mouth.

"Uuumm.. perfect!!", He said with a thumbs up. She lifted her imaginary collar up and giggled.

"Okay, common help me with icing these cupcakes now. The guests will arrive shortly it's almost 7.", She said.

"What? I can't help.. ask your husband. I am here only to hog.", He said licking his finger smeared with frosting.

Sana's facial expression changed. She went out of the kitchen searching for Sidharth but he wasn't there in the house. When she went out, she saw his car leave.

____________________

To be continued.. ❤️❤️