He could not understand his mother's desire to see him wear a dhoti. Ever since he was a kid his mother did that. He remembered when he was over twelve or something he had worn it on the occasion of Diwali. One of the many embarrassing days in his life. He had stepped over it and the entire cloth had come down in a jiffy. Everyone had laughed including his mother. That was it. He loathed it after that.

Anika had barely got at the end of the stairs when she heard him scream her name. For a minute she had lost her sanity. What made him scream her name? And then when Pinky's name followed she knew Pinky had done something again. It was cute his Pinky made time and plans to annoy everyone at home. Before even she used to love annoying him. But now had no heart for it. She guessed the same things wouldn't even annoy him as before. He'd probably call it immature or childish behavior. Whatever! 

Pinky was an interesting woman. If someone did not know how to irritate or embarrass another person he should gladly take training from her. The charge would be irritation and embarrassment on a regular basis. She laughed at her thoughts. This was it. Pinky did this to make life lively. She wasn't one of those woman to hold up the tag 'I-M-Getting-Old' or complain endlessly about how her body was wrinkling out and giving her pain. She was a ultra cool woman ready to show you how to live life king size. She was an inspiration. In all honesty Anika felt she would have been a more miserable woman if Pinky wasn't around her at all times. Somewhere she knew Pinky understood what she went through but none of them ever out it to words. That was one thing she appreciated. Pinky was never nosy into her relationship with her son. Even though she made the witty remarks embarrassing them or spoilt many a moments she was never interfering with what was between them. 

Pinky was grinning like she knew what had happened. As she saw her mother in-law head up the stairs she couldn't help but follow to find out what exactly was on her twisted mind. 

"Mom are you kidding me? This?"he said raising the cloth. " What am I a ten year old?" He spoke annoyed.

"Don't you remember your age?" Pinky pretended to be confused.

"Mom!" He whined. Well to Anika he didn't seem anything away from a yen year old. She began laughing.

The two turned to her. It had been a while Pinky had seen Anika laugh so openly. Her eyes  colored in mirth. She knew her son was the reason.

"Now what's so funny?" He asked irritated on the outside but happy on inside. He finally saw her laugh.

"Nothing." She said trying to stifle her laughter. Pinky his her smile sharing a look with Anika.

"Get ready fast. Or we will leave you here. See, Anika is ready so fast. " pinky said in the perfect mom-tone.

"Mom. No. Dhoti like seriously. No man!" He threw his hand in exasperation. In the next few seconds his towel fell down. He heard the two women break into hysterical laughter. Embarrassing! His expression awkward he bent down and the two women turned laughing.

"Yes.yes.and yes Shivaay. Anika tell your husband to stop throwing tantrums and wear that and come down in ten minutes. Or - he can happily be here alone." Pinky said making her way out.

"Anika, also teach him to tie a towel properly, he seems to have forgotten." She disappeared laughing to herself.

At first Anika was laughing but the last comment made color rise up her cheeks.

"Did you see that? She knows I hate it. " Shivaay complained looking at the cloth trying to figure out what to do next.

"Anika, is there any of my clothes here yet? A jeans? A pant ! A track would also do." 

Anika stared with a blank expression. "None."

"I am not wearing this. I am not a kid. She can't make me- -"

"You are still her kid." She remarked slowly.

"OK whatever. But this? I can't. I don't even remember how to tie this securely. And I can't risk wearing this- I don't even have anything to wear beneath this for back up."

She laughed. "Shivaay! Cool it." She took the cloth from his hand. Now open a video on your phone, we will try to figure this out. "

He looked at her. Out of all days, today she was moving around him. Bending at times and giving his dirty mind food for thought. As much as possible he tried to stare at the wall. But then she would distract him saying hold this and he'd have to look at her again. 

"Tuck this neatly." She commanded. Her bangles were making soulful sounds. It reminded him of the initial days of marriage where she had to wear an entire huge set for a month. 

"I should?" That was a stupid question and got him a look from her. She only looked twice as sexy, nothing much.

"Thanks. Umm, this won't come off right?" He asked unsure.

"If you don't perform circus in them they won't!" She exclaimed, tugging at it to check.

He stared at her for a good minute. He could see his Anika surfacing. But there was something. Something very much bothering her.

"Well hope so. "

As she was walking to the door he called her name. "What about teaching me to tie the towel ?" He grinned.

That did it. Her jaw dropped and looking embarrassed she quickly hurried out. He laughed too. "Thanks Mom, for once I can wear this for you."

* * *

Anika was surprised how Pinky made her perform the rituals of a newly wed daughter in law again. From the imprints of her palms on the wall near the entrance to marking the tiles of the expensive floor with her footprints. She was overwhelmed at it all. She was sure she would have slipped while walking in, if he hadn't securely held her hand.

The house warming rituals went on for an hour and half more. The guests were limited to close relatives. She was happy to see her parents yet again.  The afternoon went smooth. By the evening everyone had left. The remaining stuff front heir old home had also arrived. 

Towards the close of the evening she finally decided to settle her room. As soon as she had entered he came before her. She stared at him. "Finally!"

He shut the door of the room in haste and Anika's eyes grew wide. As he approached her, she gulped listening to is words, "I've been waiting for you to come."

She stepped backward casually. He stood still eyeing her. He had a hint that her thoughts were anything but straight. He decided to play along. 

He unbuttoned the top few buttons. "Oh God!" He exclaimed. She was beat red. "You have no clue how long I have been waiting." He exaggerated. 

She blinked, why exactly did she have to come into the room. As he took steps towards her, she moved backwards. He was intimidating her.

"Shivaay!" She gasped as she slumped on to the bed.  

He finally couldn't control and laughed. "What?"

She stared at him embarrassed. "Nothing" she looked away.

"Are you sure?" He asked in a husky voice leaning over. 

She rolled her eyes. Of course, she was. But for a moment she was caught in a fix by his creepy manner. But she trusted him a lot too much. She knew if she said a No, it did mean a NO to him. Unless of course it did not mean a NO from her side. Gaining her composure she looked back at him. "You were saying something?"

He stifled his chuckles. "Right!"

"About plans for tomorrow. Remember."

"Of course. I had to ask you about the same. The team's been asking me the time to come over and decorate the place."

"Alright. So here's the plan.." He said sitting beside her. 

The plan was fixed. Execution had to kick off and that would happen at dinner. "Cool?" He asked.

She smiled raising her hand to give him a high-five. He smiled and tapped her palm. 

"See you at dinner then!" She said excitedly, getting up.

"Anika.." She turned. "Don't make it obvious we are planning something." 

She made a face. She wasn't an over-actor. He was."Same to you!" She said turning to the door.

"Anika!" He called again. She turned exasperated. "What?"

"I love you." She froze staring at him. Then quietly left the room. He sighed not getting to hear anything in return. At least she had started smiling again and did not avoid him like plague.

Tadaa!

-Anami!