Later that afternoon, Shalini and Anuradha were chatting in the dining room while Shiva and Narain were in the living room. Nila was quietly reading a simple book on her own, taking turns walking from room to room and taking turns sitting on one of her four parents' laps every few minutes.

After a while, Nila moved to her desk in the living room to work on her activity book.

As soon as there was a silence of few minutes between the men, Shiva stood up and walked past the dining room into the kitchen, calling out to his wife, according to plan. "Lini!"

Taking his cue, Shalini too made her way to the kitchen, leaving Anuradha alone in the dining room while Narain was in the living room.

Seeing the apprehension in Shalini's face, Shiva wrapped his arm across her shoulders reassuringly.

"Don't worry, Narain will surely listen to you. You just go talk to him coolly," assured Shiva in a low voice. "This will be difficult for them. But sometimes, the most difficult thing in life can bring about the best change. They have to know that."

Shalini smiled a bit at his optimism before nodding a little and heading towards the living room rather dubiously.

Shiva entered the dining room. Anuradha was looking around, feeling bored and wondering where Shalini and Nila were.

"Hi, Anu," began Shiva.

Anuradha noticed him and stood up with a slight smile. "Hi, Shiva."

"It's alright, you sit."

Anuradha seated herself on the chair again. Shiva leaned against the dining table and paused for a moment.

"How's work and everything going?"

"Just going on as usual."

"Okay."

Silence.

"How long do you intend to remain in this darkness?"

"Darkness?"

"Yeah, everyone faces problems in their lives. But just like there is sunlight in the morning to give hope after the darkness of the night, everyone tries to leave the darkness and sorrow in their lives behind and strive for the light and happiness. But you are not interested in that, are you Anu?"

"I am kinda happy."

"We know you are. But we also know that you're not. You can't always depend on your friends to be there for you. Shalini or Nila might not always be with you to give you a reassuring hug when you're down or celebrate your happiness or be there with you even if you may need them anytime. You need to think about having a life of your own.

Don't take me wrong, we will always support you. But while juggling between her work and the needs at home, there are times when Shalini feels guilty that she isn't able to give you much of her time."

Anuradha frowned a bit. Why does Shalu have to feel guilty for that? I'm her friend; doesn't she know that I would understand and wait patiently?

"You lost a child once. Does that mean you can never have another child? Definitely not. The man you loved left you. Does that mean you will never be loved? Definitely not. But if you want something, you have to put your mind and heart to it. If you think you can never have a child or you will never be loved, that's it. You'll never have a child or be loved and you'll always have to live like this, a dark lonely life. Is that what you want?"

Anuradha averted her gaze but remained silent. No, but sometimes this lonely life is easier to bear than the thought of that pain.

"There is a limit to how much we can try to change your mind. The rest is up to you now. You refused to give any guy the chance to get to know you. Finally, you told me that if I find you a guy similar to myself, you will think about it. Shalini and I chose a few people and you met them. But you didn't give it your best and things didn't work out.

Now as a last trial, we have chosen a guy for you. He was the first guy who we thought would be perfect for you. And he will be the last guy we ask you to meet. Give him a chance. Perhaps things might work out this time, Anu."

"I'll try, Shiva. Whoever he is, I'll meet him. Just tell me when and where I have to meet him."

"Narain is here already. We called both of you over to join us for lunch for this."

That guy? Did I agree to Shiva too soon? Whatever, I'll give it a try at least for Shalini's and Shiva's sake.

"Before we go to the beach this evening, we'll go out for coffee. Usual place. So while Nila is playing in the play area, the two of you can talk to each other. Sometimes, it's hard to move on, but once you move on, you'll realize it was the best decision you've ever made. We want you to give him a chance, without having any arguments or grudges about the past. Just once. I don't think you'll regret it."

Anuradha smiled half-heartedly in agreement.

***

Meanwhile, Shalini walked over to Nila in the living room.

"Nila, come with Mommy to the bedroom," said Shalini, in a low voice.

"Why, Mommy?"

"If you want to go to the beach later, come with Mommy to the bedroom now." This girl won't listen unless we pose a condition.

Nila scowled before following her mother into the bedroom.

Shalini opened the cupboard and took out a jigsaw puzzle for Nila to play.

"New puzzle, Mommy?"

"Yes, Daddy bought it for you. You can play with it now." She got too many gifts on her birthday so her Daddy's gift had to be kept away for later when she is bored of the other toys already.

"Okay!" Nila grabbed it and started skipping towards the door.

"Where are you going? Sit here and play with it."

"I want to say thank you to Daddy and then show my new puzzle to Papa and Mama."

"You can show them later. You sit here and play first."

"Why, Mommy, why?"

"Mommy and Daddy want to talk to your Papa and Mama about some serious things. You're still too small to know all that."

"But I'm already 6 years old, Mommy. See, I'm only this much shorter than you." Nila stood next to her mother and compared their height.

"You're Mommy's and Daddy's good girl, right? Then, be a good girl and play your new puzzle here. Mommy will go talk to your Papa for a few minutes and come. Then, we can get ready and go out, okay?"

"Okay." Nila pouted but seated herself on the floor in the room and started playing the puzzle eagerly.

Shalini made her way out to the living room where Narain was tapping his feet on the floor in boredom.

He stopped tapping his feet and smiled upon noticing Shalini.

"So, how is everything going, Narain?"

"What to say, Shalini? Just going on as usual."

"Are you happy?"

"Hmm yeah."

"I want to ask you something."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Tell me about Swetha."

Narain's smile disappeared from his face the moment her name was mentioned.

"Tell me what led to her abortion, Narain," prompted Shalini.

"No. I don't want to talk about her, Shalini."

"Why not?"

Silence.

"Nila was just a few months old when you lost Swetha, Narain. Now, she is 6 years old. More than 5 years have passed. When Shiva and I tried talking to you about Swetha, you always brushed the topic aside from that day. We thought okay, maybe you want to move on and not keep thinking about her. We waited for that. Time flew but you still haven't gotten over her.

You say I'm like your sister. As a sister, even I'm concerned about you as much as Shiva is. After keeping things to yourself all these years, did it help you? No. You still can't forget her or look at any other girl in the same way. Perhaps if you talk about it, it might help you feel better."

"Shalini, you are my sister. I will tell you anything if you ask me. But she is a closed chapter in my life. I really just don't want to think about it or talk about it. And don't worry, I have gotten over her but it's just that memories can be overwhelming at times. I met all the girls you asked me to meet. I did give it a try but nothing worked out."

"Do you know why? Because you weren't interested. That's the truth. You didn't give it your best. As long as you don't set your mind to it, no matter how many girls we find for you, nothing will ever work out. They may like you. What do you lack? But they couldn't find love in you. Every girl wants a loving and caring partner and I know you were very loving and caring to Swetha.

You just have to be open to having a new life partner, falling in love with the person who you feel is right for you and showing it to her. I know it might be difficult for you. But there are times when the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. Someday, you might realize it was for the best."

"I will try, Shalini. I will give it my best. But I have lost my trust in other girls. If you can find one more girl who you think might be suitable for me, I'll surely try to make it work this time."

"I have found one. Anuradha. She's my last hope for you. That's why we called the two of you to join us for lunch today. Before we go to the beach this evening, we'll go out for coffee. Usual place. So while Nila is playing in the play area, the two of you can talk to each other.

Shiva and I want you to give her a chance, without having any arguments or grudges about the past. Just once. You won't regret it. Anu is a good person. I'm not saying this just because I'm her friend. But both Shiva and I feel she is the best for you."

Oh man. I think I agreed to Shalini too soon. Whatever, I'll give it a try at least for Shiva's and Shalini's sake. Narain smiled meekly.

To be continued...

A/N: Hey peeps, hope you liked the chapter.
Anu and Narain finally decided to give each other a chance! How do you think it's gonna turn out?
Please vote and comment. :)