As the clock on her bedroom wall chimed, indicating it was 8 pm, Naina immediately pushed aside the sheets, on which she had been sketching some new ideas for shopping bags. Inspiration had struck the earlier in the evening during a trip to the local vegetable market, seeing the little piles of variety of green mangoes. She was excited at the thought of designing a range of shopping bags for every season - depicting the in-season produce. So far, the sheet in front of her was filled with many rough sketches of mangoes, oranges and melons.

Rolling her shoulders to get rid of the tightness, she rushed downstairs to the kitchen and started gathering the dinnerware to lay the table.

Vishakha muttered "Aare, panch plates hi toh rakhane hai... lagaleti main... itna daudte aane ki kya jarurat hai? Aaj-kal toh tu aaise behave karti hai jaise main ekdum buddhi ho gayi hu! Dekh rahi hu main... har waqt mere kuch karne ya kehne se pehele hi khud aajati hai!"

"Mumma... aap buddhi nahi ho rahi hai, par main toh baddi ho gayi hu na... shayad apni zimmedariyan kuch behetar samajhne lagi hu." Naina responded with a smile.

Eyes softening, Vishakha remarked "Haa, badi toh ho hi gayi hai meri beti. Aur aaj-kal kuch jyadi hi pyari lagne lagi hai!" Brow creasing a little, she added "Bahut dinon se teri nazaar nahi utari hai. Aa baith, abhi uttar deti hu."

"Mumma! Aap bhi na... kaun lagayega mujhe nazaar..." Naina rolled her eyes.

But Vishakha was adamant, especially when Nirmala called from the lounge area "Sahi keh rahi hai Vishakha... Pata nahi uss kallage mein kitton ki nazaar hogi iss par..."

"Kisski nazaar kiss par hai ?" Sameer enquired sauntering down the stairs.

His grandmother responded "Laado ki baat ho rahi hai."

Naina's cheeks heated, when Sameer smirked "Dadi, aap kaho toh jab main isse lane jaata hu tab aate-aate kala tikka laga diya karu??" Mistaking his teasing for sarcasm, the elderly lady tsked "Bahut roop chadha hai iss par. Aaise mein buri nazaar lag jaati hai!"

Closing the distance between them, feigning a thoughtful expression, Sameer asked "Par aaisa kya hua hai jo suddenly iss par 'roop chadh gaya'?? Nainu, koyi naya makeup lagane lagi ho kya?"

When she mumbled "Nahi toh..." he addressed his grandmother "Dadi, mujhe toh lagta hai aap ka chasme ka number badh gaya hai. Warna baalon mein itna tel lagake, yeh toh waise hi behenji types dikh rahi hai... "

Seeing Naina frown, Vishakha interjected, "Iss mein behenji wali kya baat hai?? Tel lagane ko toh maine hi kaha tha... baal kitne sukhe ho gaye hai. Aur iss umar mein khayal nahi rakha toh baad mein jaldi zaad jaate hai."

"O... phir toh har do din mein tel lagaya karo!" Sameer remarked aloud, then leaning closer, he softly muttered to Naina "Kyuki mujhe tumhari yeh kaali ghani zulfe bohot pasand hai. Dil toh karta hai... bus har waqt inn mein uljha rahu."

Very flustered, she turned towards the kitchen announcing loudly "Forks... toh reh hi gaye... abhi laati hu."

"Aare dal-chawal aur sabji-roti ke liye forks kyu chahiye?" Vishakha was confounded.

Sameer chuckled "Le aao... aaj woh bhi try kar lete hai! Wasie bhi insaan ko roz kuch naya try karte rehna chahiye."

* * *

The sweet calls of a Koyal in the backyard, were heralding the arrival of spring. The weather had become much warmer and Vishakha had spent the previous day overseeing the packing of all winter clothes. Well, almost all. Nirmala's cardigan and shawl still made appearances during early mornings.

Though morning, it being a Sunday, everyone was in a relaxed mood.

Settled on one of the cane chairs in the porch, post breakfast, Vivek was flipping through the thick Sunday editorial sections of various newspapers. Seated on another chair, Nirmala was watching the gardener loosen the soil around the roots of some of the bigger trees before adding some fertilizer. 

Sameer was out to play badminton with some of his neighbourhood friends and not expected for at least another hour. 

Humming along to some evergreen hits by Hemant Kumar, Naina was upstairs in her room sorting some shelves of her wardrobe.

Vishakha had been relishing the unrushed Sunday morning, as she tidied the showcase in the lounge, when her simple pleasure was disrupted by the shrill ring of the phone.

After she finished answering the phone call, she rang the little bed next to the stairway, that Vivek had insisted on installing the week before, after her repeated complaints about having to climb the stairs too many times just to summon him and the kids downstairs.

She sighed at the thought that her body had started grumbling. Some days, her knees creaked more than usual and some days the joints of her fingers protested while kneading the flour for the rotis. At times, when she spent more than two rushed minutes in front of the mirror, the reflection depicted a vaguely familiar face. Where was the twenty year old girl who had spent long braiding her hair and decorating them with strings of jasmine, or making intricate bindis before her new husband returned from work? Felt like, decades, not just months and years, had passed in a blink of an eye.

Her musings halted as Naina almost skipped down the stairs "Mumma, aap ne bulaya?"

"Haa, Payal ka phone aaya tha. Woh aur Shobhna-ben kahi pass aaye hai toh thodi der mein ghar aa rahe hai."

Pleased with the news, Naina smiled, "Aare wah! Bohot dinon baad Bhabhi ghar aa rahi hai aaj."

Before heading to the porch to inform the others of the pending arrival, Vishakha mumbled "Lagata hai Rohan ne kuch kaha hai usse. Parso phone pe Maaji bol rahi thi Rohan ko ke seher mein hote bhi Payal bahut time se milne nahi aayi hai." Naina just hummed, as she followed her Mumma.

On learning of the call, Vivek nodded "Chalo achaa hai Payal aa rahi hai. Naina, woh colours ke samples usse bhi dikha do aur donon mil ke rang final kar lo."

As part of the preparations for Rohan's wedding, the house was to be repainted and the contractor had dropped off some catalogues.

When Naina started nodding "Ji Kaka-baba-", Nirmala interrupted "Payal ko kya poochna hai? Woh kaunsa yaha rehene wali hai... Laado ke pasand ka hi rang lagwana."

"Maa... Rohan ki shaadi hai... ab woh yaha hai nahi... toh usski biwi ki pasand pooch leni chahiye. Aakhir nayi bahu ghar aa rahi hai." Vivek presented his argument.

After some deliberation, Nirmala declared "Thik hai... usse apni room ka rang pasand karne ko keh dena. Par baaki pure ghar ka rang toh Laado ki pasand ka hi hoga."

Understanding the topic was no longer open for discussion, Vishakha gestured to Naina "Chal mera haat batta de... thoda nashta banake rakhte hai."

Once in the kitchen on their own, as she started peeling some potatoes for the bhajiya, Naina hesitantly muttered "Mumma... Bhabhi ko bura lage ya na lage... Rohan bhaiya ko toh lagega na ke unnki shaadi ke liye ghar sajaya jaa raha hai aur humne Bhabhi se kuch poocha hi nahi."

Wiping some tear, resulting from the onions she was slicing, Vishakha sighed "Maaji ko Payal ka ghar na aana chubh gaya hai. Par usse bhi sochna chahiye tha... ek hi shehar mein hai toh char-panch din mein ek baar milne aana chahiye! Ab sasural hai yeh usska. Kum se kum Shobhna-ben ko usse samjhana chahiye tha. Patta nahi aaj-kal ki ladkiyon ko yeh kyu lagta hain ke sasural walon ko thoda importance dene se unka khuka importance kum ho jayega. Aare bhai... koi competition thodehi hai! Aur shuru-shuru ke dinon mein toh donon taraf se thodi adjustment karni hi padti hai. "

"Par Mumma... bahu se adjustment ke expectations jyada hote hai, nahi?"

The older lady nodded, as she added some besan to the sliced onions and potatoes, "Haa nayi bahu ko jyada adjust karna padta hai... par beta yeh toh insaan ko kissi bhi badlav mein karna hi padta hai. Chahe shehar badlo, naukri badlo, ya kuch aur. Ab Rohan ko hi dekh le... itni dur gaya hai... chalo sasural na sahi... udhar khud ke ghar mein rehta hai, par kitne saare adjustments karne pade hai usse, nahi ? Ab agar woh khud ke liye khana pakaye, ya cleaning kare toh complain thodehi karta hai. Jaise waha jana usski choice hai, shaadi karke kissi ghar ki zimmedariya apnana bhi toh ek ladki ki choice hi hoti hai."

Though Naina nodded along, a part of her wanted to say 'Par mujhe toh aap sab ne koi choice diya hi nahi.'

Sometimes it's not the choice but rather the illusion of having a choice that makes all the difference.

Soon the Desai ladies arrived and everyone gathered in the living room. Once the exchange of pleasantries was completed the conversation turned to the weather.

"Pehele toh holi ke baad garmi badhne lagti thi... par aaj-kal toh pehele hi itna temperature ho jata hai!" Nirmala started fanning herself with a newspaper.

Naina pouted "Dadi... aap fan ke neeche baithna chodkar uss konne mein kyu baithti hai?"

Some lively debate ensued about Nirmala's preference for the specific chair.

Finally brushing away Naina's teasing, Nirmala addressed Payal "Rohan ko chodkar iss ghar ke log tumhare kuch nahi lagte kya?"

Flustered at this unexpected questioning, Payal fumbled "Dadi... aaisa kyu keh rahi hai aap? Aap sab toh... meri family hain."

"Parivar hain, toh phir itne dinon se aayi kyu nahi yaha? Har baar kya Rohan se keh kar tumhe niyota dena padega??" Nirmal's continued interrogation had the other Maheshwari family members shifting uncomfortably.

Smiling nervously, Shobhna rose to her daughter's defense "Actually, humare yaha shaadi se pehele ladki ko baar-baar sasural bhejne ka rivaz nahi hai... bus issiliye..."

Nirmala countered "Shobhna-ben, humare yaha bhi shaadi se pehele dulha-dulhana ke bahut milne-julne ka rivaz nahi hai. Par, Rohan ke yaha hote toh yeh donon roz milte thay. Aur ghanton phone se lage rehte thay! Humne toh toka nahi..."

"Dadi... par Rohan aur mere milne ya baat karne mein kya problem hoga... ab toh registered marriage bhi hua hai humara..." Payal muttered uncertainly.

Nirmala stubbornly demanded "Agar maanti ho ke shaadi huyi hai toh phir sasural walon ki khabar poochna jaruri hai ke nahi??"

Finally Vishakha interjected "Maaji... shayad ab Rohan yaha nahi hai toh akele aane se sharma rahi hogi... Payal beta ab se iss ghar ko apna hi ghar samajh kar aati rehna, thik hai?"

Payal too rushed to agree "Ji Mummyji... pukka aati rahungi!"

Ignoring Nirmala's still slightly grumpy expression, Vishakha smiled "Acha, ab Naina ke sath jaa aur teri aur Rohan ke room ka colour final kar. Char-paanch dinon mein painting ka kaam shuru karne wale hai."

Glad to get away from Nirmala, Payal quickly scampered upstairs behind Naina. The moment they were at a safe distance, she turned to Naina "Baapre! Dadiji toh bohot hi strict hai! Rohan ne toh kabhi bataya hi nahi. Din bhar tumhari bhi aaise hi class leti hai kya?? Yaar, mujhe toh ab shaadi ke baad... matlab woh pheron wali shaadi ke baad kya hoga ne soch ke darr lag raha hai!"

"Nahi Bhabhi... aap darna mat. Dadi bohot pyari hai. Bohot laad uthati hai meri! Aap ke bhi uthayegi." Naina smiled in reassurance.

Looking unconvinced, Payal pouted "Tumhari baat alag hai... tum toh beti ho iss ghar ki, par main toh bahu hu."

Naina reflexively started "Main bhi toh iss ghar ki-" but abruptly stopped realising she had been about the reveal her relationship with Sameer. Hastening to open the window, she continued "Yeh colour catalogue dekhiye Bhabhi... aur aaram se select kijiye. Main humare liye bhajiye uppar hi le aati hu. Mumma ne bohot tasty banaye hai!"

* * *

Later that night, post dinner, seated on the sofa, Naina was browsing through some channels, when Sameer plopped down next to her with the colour catalogue. After studying it for a couple of minutes, interlinking his left hand with her right, he leaned closer to her "Naina, humare bedroom ka colour bhi tum hi decide karna."

Trying to pulled her hand away, Naina looked around in alarm at the thought of being caught by one of the elders.

Grasping it tighter, Sameer whispered, "Teeno abhi bhi dining table pe hi hai. Aur waise bhi miya-biwi ke pass-pass baithne se kisiko kya problem hogi?? Acha toh bolo... bedroom ko kausa rang lagane ka mood hai? Bus aaisa lagana ke har waqt romance ka mood bana rahe! Matlab tumhara... mera toh bina kissi rang ke bhi hota hi hai!"

His declaration instantly tinted her cheeks.

Hearing Dadi scuffling in the direction of the lounge, Naina unsuccessfully tried to pull her hand away, yet again. Only this time, Sameer strategically placed a large cushion over their joined hands.

Oblivious of the romantic tug of war in-progress right in front of her, Nirmala nattered on about the daily soap about to air soon! 

Sameer sat with is smug smile, caressing Naina's fingers under the cushion while she tried to feign interest in the drama that Nirmala was highly invested in.

* * *

Post Nirmala's little outburst, Payal made it a point to visit her sasural very couple of days. Though Dadi's reaction had seemed a little over the top to Naina to start with, slowly she accepted that the result was favourable, as Payal started interacting more freely with her in-laws, leading to a closer bond with all of them.

For the next couple of weeks the Maheshwari household's life was disrupted with the coming and goings of the painters.

Must of the stuff was moved around, furniture covered with old sheets and tins of paints plus other painting supplies lay scattered around.

Nirmala constantly complained about the noise and dust, Vishakha about the men leaving the garden hose open, and Sameer about the accidental specks of paint on his bike. At least four times a day, Vivek responded in a huff that this was the last time he was going to get the house painted!

But amid all the chaos, the love birds still managed to snatch some moments for themselves. Sometimes by sneaking around and sometimes in the presence of three rather naïve adults!

One evening when Sameer returned home with some groceries ordered by his mother, Naina who had been trying to tidy some of the mess left by the painters in the porch, got into a playful mood.

Picking up a two of brushes – one tinged with yellow and another with pink – she smirked "Sammy, tumhe nahi lagta tumhara yeh white -t-shirt bohot boring hai? I think, it needs some colour... something to brighten up your life!"

Eyeing the brushes worriedly, Sameer responded "Naina, mujhse dur raho! You know I love this t-shirt. Bilkul bhi pass mat aana!"

"Awww... I know you love it... par mujhe kya lagta hai na... ke agar iss pe thoda pink aur yellow lagega toh everyone else will also love it! Afterall, it takes a extra macho man to carry off pink and yellow at the same time..." 

Grinning widely, Naina chased him around the house.

Even Vishakha's repeated chiding of "Bachhe ho kya jo ab bhi aaise ghar mein halla macha rahe ho?! Bahar le jao woh rang... Naina tang mat kar usse!" was completely ignored.

"Mere rang mein rang ne wala... dur hai kyu tu... pass toh aa na..." Though completely out of tune, Naina kept belting her spontaneous creation, while Sameer kept running around the furniture for a bit.

Couple of minute later, when it became evident that she was not about to abandon the chase anytime soon, he made a mad dash outdoors and jumping astride his bike zoomed away, after casting some annoyed glances at her.

As Naina stood doubling in laughter over his reaction, Vishakha muttered "Ab jab muh phula ke wapas aaye toh tu hi usska mood thik karna!"

* * *

That night after most of the household was slumbering, Sameer knocked on Naina's door. She was standing near her wardrobe, putting some clothes away. Turning to face him, she chuckled recalling his earlier frantic escape "Aaj sham ko toh tumhara video nikalna chahiye tha! Dekhne layak tha kaise thodese rang se darr ke bhag rahe thay!"

Walking closer to her, he smirked "Badi hassi phut rahi hai... hmmm... bohot mood tha na tumhara mujhe apne rang mein rangne ka... toh ab apna armaan pura kar lo."

She pouted "Ab toh iss liye bol rahe ho kyu ki tumhe pata hai mere pass koi rang nahi hai!"

"Uss mein kya bada problem hai? Let's improvise." He grabbed one of her lipsticks from the vanity.

Eyes twinkling with laughter, Naina uttered "Mujhe nahi pata tha tumhe lipstick lagane ka shauk hai... waise I am not sure if red will suit you... but we can try... khud laga loge ya main laga du??"

Slowly opening the lipstick, he stepped closer and huskily countered "Phele main tumhe lagata hu... aur phir tum wahi... mujhe lagana."

The confusion caused by his words fleetingly flickered on her face, before the intent become clear.

He wants me to kiss him with painted lips!

Her heartbeats thundered, eyes widened, and lips parted in surprise.

As she peered into his dark, tempestuous eyes, all his desires were laid open for her to read. 

Nothing hidden.

Nothing forbidden. As per him.

Leaning even closer, he started painting her lips with feather light strokes. The colour smeared on her lips, streaked her soul will all the hereto unexpressed shades of his passion.

After her plump lips were flawlessly coloured, he whispered "Perfect. Absolutely, perfect."

Gently skimming the slope of her cheeks, he added "Lo... bilkul pass aa gaya hu. Ab rang do mujhe apne pyar ke rang mein."

The warmth of his breath, ignited a thousand fires within her. His heat of his thumb caressing her cheek, branding her as his own.

But then, had there ever been a time when she was not his?

Sameer's Naina.

Sammy's Nainu.

The need to make her his in every way, was blazing in his intense gaze.

Naina trembled.

Was he asking for just a kiss? Or for more??

Biwi ho meri! The assertion he had reiterated on innumerable occasions echoed in her ears.

Even if he was asking for a just a kiss, she wasn't sure they would be able to stop there. And where was the boundary supposed to be in their relationship? 

Young couples in the throes of passionate love, usually created some boundaries based on the idea that certain acts of intimacy could be indulged in only after they were tied in holy matrimony. 

So, were no boundaries needed between them?

And yet, something seemed to be pulling her back. A fear gripped her heart filling it with unease... uncertainty of something unknown. Probably the fickle future. 

Her eyes closed, trying to block the barrage of emotions and doubts.

Sameer froze seeing the unmistakable sheen of fear coating her. The eyes that he adored – squeezed shut. Her luscious deep red lips - slightly shivering.

Taking his hands off her, he staggered back in shock. Chest tightening, he turned and left her room.

For long, he paced his room unable to comprehend what had transpired.

All he had wanted was a kiss... but she had reacted like he had pounced on her, about to force himself on her.

The woman he loved beyond any measure, was scared of him? Was the idea of any intimacy with him so frightening? Or was she repulsed by his touch?

He tried to analyse their interactions since he had informed her of their marital status. 

Agreed, he now often held her hands, or tried to sneak in some hugs and had on a few occasions slipped his arm around her shoulders or waist, but he hadn't been pushy. Yes, he had started teasing her... ok, maybe even pestering slightly for a kiss... but wasn't that what men were supposed to do? Take initiative and slowly nudge the intimacy forward in the relationship.

Try as he might, he couldn't understand what he had done to incite such an extreme reaction from her.

The night passed in fitful bursts of sleep.

When he awoke the next morning, it was very early, but he couldn't bear to agonise over the events of the previous night any longer.

When Naina opened her door in answer to his soft persistent knocking, her puffy eyes told the story of the sleepless night her pillow too had been subjected to.

Though she had rubbed away most of it, her lips were still tinted with red.

"Nainu... Tum janti ho na, main kabhi bhi kuch bhi aaisa karna nahi chahunga jisse tumhe uncomfortable feel ho. I love you. So much! Please tell me, main ne aaisa kya kiya jo tum itna darr gayi? I just can't make any sense of it! Tumhe mera pass aana itna bura laga? Ya mujhse darr laga??"

"Sameer! Tumse kyu darr lagega mujhe?"

"Toh, tumhe mere chunne se kuch problem hai? Do you find it – off putting? Dekho, jo bhi baat hai tum khul ke keh sakti ho. Maine kal raat bohot socha... and I realised, I might have assumed that you feel the same way as I do about you. Do you not??"

Guilt swept through Naina at the thought that she had caused him so much anxiety and self-doubt. She rushed to assure him "Of course, I love you!"

He nervously cleared his throat, "Naina, love is so many different emotions... and feelings. I know we deeply care about each other. But along with that, I am attracted to you. Do you not feel the same? Is that the problem?? If that's the case... I..." he uncertainly ran his finger through his hair, "I seriously don't know... what we can do about it... but-"

Naina closed the couple of paces between them and buried her face against his chest, doing the only thing she could think of in the moment, to assuage his fears.

"I love you Sameer! In every way! Tumhare pass aane se, na mujhe bura lagta hai... aur na mujhe darr lagta hai."

Sameer tightly embraced her, relief seeping in through every pore. 

Tilting up her chin, he asked "Toh phir itna darr kyu tha tumhare chehere par kal raat?"

Lowering her gaze, she muttered "Woh toh main aage ka soch ke thoda darri... matlab anxious ho gayi thi."

"Aage ka kya??" he looked lost.

Not sure if she had misheard him, her startled gaze flew up to meet his. When she stayed silent, his eyebrows rose emphasizing he was awaiting her response. She stammered "Aage ka... matlab... wahi jo... aage hota hai... ya hoga..."

Seemingly understanding her, he exclaimed "Yaar! Tum phir kaun kya sochega pe hi aake atak gayi?! Naina, shaadi hui hai humari... believe me koi problem nahi hogi. In fact, dekh lena ghar wale khud kahenge humme aage badhane ko! I am sure Dadi will insist on a grand reception. I too think we should announce our marriage in a big way. Shaadi ki toh koi yaadey nahi hai... par reception toh hogi, right? I want you dressed in red! Ekdum typical bride types. Aur tum jo chaho main wahi outfit pehenunga! Yaar, mera bohot maan hai ke ghode pe aayu... par reception ke liye baraat ajeeb lagegi thodi... nahi?"

Suddenly realising that he was blabbering, he shook his head "Anyway... woh sab baad mein decide kar lenge. Par tum aage ki chinta karna chod do please!"

"Bilkul buddhu ho! Mera matlab reception ya kissi party se nahi hai – jo kiss ke baad hota hai... woh aage ka!"

"O..." Sameer's eyes grew big, as he finally caught the gist of her apprehensions.

Over the next few minutes, with many stops and starts, Naina shared her apprehensions.

After quietly contemplating on them for some time, Sameer finally spoke "Peheli baat, I believe har ristay ki boundaries sirf uss rishtay mein bandhe do logon ko hi decide karni chahiye. Phir woh rishta dil ka ho, ya shaadi ka. Private ho, ya publicly announced. Kissi teesre ko koi haq nahi hai apne expectations unn par ladhane ka. Toh humare beech koi boundary honi chahiye ya nahi... ya kab tak honi chahiye, yeh sirf humare comfort level pe depend karega. Aur dono ki comfort level aur needs se decide hoga."

Holding up his palm, to stop her from reacting, he continued "I don't want you to misinterpret my expressions of affection, romance or desire as pressure to do something you are not ready for. At the same time, I don't want either of us to be scared to act on what feels natural due to the fear of rejection by the other. If either of us has to constantly holdback from letting the other know what or how they feel in a moment, in my opinion, that's not fair either. Please take some time to try to understand what I am trying to say before jumping to any conclusions."

"Naina, I know, this is all new to us, par yeh rishta char din ka nahi hai... humari puri zindagi ka sawal hai. Kal tumhare chehere par ki ghabrahat dekhkar kuch der ke liye mujhe apne aap se ghirna hone lagi thi! Iss khayal se, ke mere pass aane se tumhe itna kharab laga – main bata nahi sakta mujhe kaisa feel hua. Hum koi ajnabi toh nahi hai na ke ek dusre ko itna galat samjhe."

"I am sorry..." Her lips quivered, understanding how deeply her reaction had hurt him the night before.

"Nainu, sorry ki baat nahi hai. Kal raat mera maan tha tumhe kiss karne ka... humare closeness to thoda aage badhane ka. Ho sakta hai, kissi din mujhse jyada tumhara maan ho. Hum donon ko sheekhna hoga ke ek-dusra ka maan kab rakhna hai, aur jab na rakhna ho tab bhi dusre ka dil na dukhe.. Tum meri baat samajh rahi ho na??"

Nodding, she once again buried her face against his chest. The rough feel of the embossed logo on his yellow t-shirt against her soft cheeks, his comforting familiar essence filling her nostrils, the steady thunder of his heartbeats against her ears, his strong arms embracing her – Naina knew there couldn't be another place in the whole world that could be this exhilarating and soothing at the same time.

* * *

(Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the long delays between updates. all I can say is I am trying but its hard to find good chunks of time to get into a creative mood and write something that I am happy with. But, I have a clear vision for the story and will keep at it!

Do share your thoughts on this part.

Lots of love, May)