As soon as Shiva strode out of the kitchen, Anuradha walked in to talk to Shalini.

"Are you staying for dinner tonight?" asked Shalini, without even turning to look at her friend while she boiled tea on the stove.

"No," answered Anuradha.

"You came here, no? Just stay for a while, have dinner and go."

"Shalu, I'm not in the mood for that. How can you act so normal like nothing is happening?"

"Why? What happened?" Shalini turned to face Anuradha, wondering what she was talking about.

"What is happening in this house? What's wrong with you and Shiva?"

"Oh, you mean that talk between me and Shiva? That is usual for us."

"Since when?"

"For a long time already."

"Why didn't you tell me that till now?"

"What is there to tell about it?"

"I thought you always talk to me when you have any problems."

"Yeah, I do. But this is usual for us, not a problem."

"Usual? But Shalu, what happened suddenly? You both used to be so happy before."

"What happened? We are still happy. This is just the way we are."

"I mean, you told me when you were coming newly to Delhi after marriage, both of you decided to concentrate on getting a job first and not to go for honeymoon yet."

"Yeah, that was when we first came."

"So what? If he's not ready to take you for honeymoon yet, can't you adjust? What happened to you, smiley? I never thought you would fight with him for such a small issue."

"Fight? What are you talking about? I was just simply saying about the honeymoon."

"Simply saying? That means you're simply having fights with him about it?"

Shalini frowned in confusion, not comprehending what was going on in her friend's mind.

"Poor Shiva, I can't believe you are being so difficult to him."

Shalini stared at Anuradha open-mouthed for a moment. "You are my friend but you're nicely believing his words about my torture. Why don't you go and ask him about my torture first? Let him tell you the truth."

"I don't know what you're doing to torture him but he's not happy. Fine, I will talk to him for you." Anuradha frowned before leaving the kitchen.

***

"What is wrong with you?"

"Wrong with me?"

"Yeah, you're simply picking fights with poor Shalini."

"Poor Shalini? Hello man, I was your friend before you got to know her. And you're siding her instead of me now."

"Yeah, agreed. But she is my sister. And she's the best person you could have got as your wife. You have to keep her happy, that's all I care."

"You are more concerned about your new sister than your old friend." Shiva pretended to look miserable.

Nila giggled, sharing a wink with her father.

"Yes, because she does so much to keep you happy and I have no doubt about that. But I'm not happy the way you're treating my sister."

"Treating your sister? What wrong did I do now?"

"You haven't gone for your honeymoon to Switzerland. She really wants to go; isn't that obvious? Why can't you go for your honeymoon at least now? Better you take her and go for your honeymoon next month."

"Listening to her, you have started talking about our honeymoon too! First you ask her if she really wants to go for our honeymoon now."

"I'll ask her though I already know that she wants it. You better take her to Switzerland and realize her value and try to make her happy so that both of you never even think of divorce again."

Narain turned to see Anuradha walking out through the door of the kitchen.

He walked briskly past her into the kitchen where Shalini was standing by the stove with a confused frown.

"Shalini, I'm very sorry on behalf of Shiva."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"I don't know what is wrong with him. You only asked him to take you for your honeymoon, right? There is nothing wrong in that. I will talk to Shiva and make him agree to take you to Switzerland next month."

"Wait, what are you talking? We both want to go for our honeymoon but Nila is too small for us to leave her behind. That's why I was simply saying only."

"Oh, I'll take care of her. You both go for your honeymoon and come. I will take care of her very well; you won't have to worry about her at all. But please don't ever think of divorce again. Maybe Shiva doesn't realize how lucky he is to have a wife like you but I can see that clearly. I don't want any problems to ever come up between you and Shiv.

You are the perfect couple; you should be happy always. Nila should be happy with both of you. I will do anything to make sure you are happy. If all you want is honeymoon, you could have told me before. I will make Shiva agree and take you to Switzerland."

"What? I mean, of course I know I won't have to worry if Nila is with you. We both trust you and know how well you will look after her. But..." Shalini trailed off.

"Shiva didn't agree, is it? I will talk to him right away and make him agree." Before Shalini could clarify, Narain left the kitchen.

***

"I'm so sorry, Shiva; I don't know what happened to Shalu suddenly. She's simply having fights with you about honeymoon. Please don't take it too seriously and get upset."

"What are you saying? That is usual for us. There's nothing for me to get upset about it. Why are you thinking like that, Anu?"

"I am worried about both of you. It's not good if you are unhappy and always fighting like this. You and Shalini are an ideal couple; it hurts to see problems between you."

"Problems? What are you saying?"

"Yeah, I know you both are upset and talking about divorce. But please don't even consider it. I don't know what Shali will do if she has to lose you. Though she is creating problems now, she won't be able to bear that. Please don't think of divorcing my friend. I know she is really lucky to get a husband like you but sadly she's not realizing that. At least for Nila's sake, just don't think of divorce.

If you can, please try to get leave and take her for your honeymoon next month or so. I'll talk to her and make her realize after that. I'm sure the honeymoon will only be good for you and for her to realize how lucky she is to have a husband like you."

"First Narain and now you are confusing me. I would never divorce her; I am very happy with her. And about honeymoon, Nila is too small for us to leave her and go. So we are still waiting to go for our honeymoon when she is a little older."

"Nila is six already. I will look after her. You both can go for your honeymoon. I'll look after her very well here." Anuradha glanced at Nila, who was smiling widely. "You'll be happy with Mama, right baby?"

Nila nodded in delight before glancing at the kitchen where Narain had appeared at the door, followed by Shalini.

Anuradha and Narain glanced at each other for a moment before turning their faces away with a frown.

"Shiva, no need to worry about Nila. I will take care of her. You take Shalini and go for your honeymoon at Switzerland next month, please." Narain approached his friend.

Anuradha frowned at him. I will look after my baby. You don't have to care.

"What has happened to both of you?" Shiva held his hand to his forehead in confusion. "Lini, our friends badly want us to go for our honeymoon. What do we do now? According to them, Nila is old enough and they will look after her. So shall we consider having our honeymoon soon?"

Shalini had a slight frown as she was deep in thought. She glanced from her husband to her friends before landing her gaze on her daughter.

Nila ran over to her mother and gave her a warm hug. "Go honeymoony with Daddy, Mommy. Nila have Papa and Mama to look after me."

Shalini frowned a bit, looking at her daughter in surprise. Narain and Anuradha too frowned, hearing the last sentence Nila uttered. Papa AND Mama?!

"Mommy and Daddy will come soon, right? Nila will wait here like good girl, okay?"

Shalini couldn't help but smile, hearing her daughter's reassuring words and seeing her eager expression. She touched her daughter's cheek with her hand before glancing at her husband and giving her approval with her eyes.

Yay! Mommy and Daddy are going for honeymoon! I will miss them. Nila's face fell as the thought struck her. But Mama and Papa will look after me. Together. A smile lit her face once again.

To be continued...

A/N: Hey peeps, hope you liked the chapter.
Shiva and Shalini decided to go for their honeymoon. Will Narain and Anuradha agree to look after Nila together?
Please vote and comment. :)