Slouched in the armchair, which was usually occupied by her mother-in-law during the evenings, Vishakha was peering out of the window. Other than the lights lit near the gate of 'Nirmala Niwas' the rest of the lane was shrouded in darkness. Glancing at the wall clock, she muttered to herself "Kaha reh gaye yeh log... sade-panch baajne ko aaye hai..."

About forty minutes back, Sameer had called from a payphone to inform her that Rohan had safely landed and they would soon be on their way home.

Vishakha felt like she had been waiting for this moment since the minute Rohan had disappeared from her view at the Mumbai airport the year before. She smiled slightly at the irony of how all parents eagerly look forward to their babies growing up and spreading their wings. And once their babies fly the nest; they spend the rest of their lives waiting for them to return, even if only briefly.

Her palpitations surged hearing the familiar sound of their car approaching down the lane. Hastily rising to her feet, Vishakha first rushed to Nirmala's bedroom and called from the door "Maaji, woh log aa gaye!"

As Nirmala sat up, she asked "Aarti ki thali tayar rakhi hai na?" But Vishakha had already rushed out to open the door.

Rushing down the steps of the porch, she swung the gate open. She was a little confused to see Vivek occupying the front passage seat next to Sameer. But it made sense when she noted Payal was in the backseat with Rohan and Naina. As Rohan stepped out of the car, tears of joys streaming down her cheeks, she rushed to him. Engulfing her in bone crushing hug, Rohan muttered "Missed you Mummy!" Wiping away some of the tears, she enquired "Safar thik raha tera?"

As Rohan assured his mother, chuckling a little, Vivek uttered "Rohan, ajeeb aurat hai tumhari Mummy. Tum gaye thay tab bhi ro rahi thi aur ab aaye ho tab bhi."

"Kaka-baba, woh wale aasu sad thay aur yeh wali happy!" Naina responded, as she opened the other side of the gate for Sameer to park the car in the driveway.

Leaving his mother, Rohan rushed to his greet his Dadi as she hobbled into the porch. Kissing his forehead, she smiled toothily, as the dentures were missing, "Aa gaya mera bacha! Aare kaha itni dur jaake baitha hai. Main toh kehti hu chod aaisi naukri ko..."

While Nirmala tried to brainwash Rohan, Vishakha fetched the aarti thali and completed the ritual to welcome back her son. Turning to Payal, she said "Chalo acha hua tu bhi innke sath hi aagayi. Daddy nahi aaye sath."

Vivek interjected before Payal could respond "Maine toh kaha tha Santosh bhai se chai peene ghar chaliye... par kehene lage about sade-dus baaje Shobhana ben ko leke aayenge."

"Haa, Mummy bhi bohot excited hai Rohan se milne ko!" Payal chimed in.

As Vishakha nodded "Chalo, acha hai..." Vivek was thinking – Payal ki excitement toh phir bhi samajh aati hai... Shobhna ben ko kiss baat ki excitement ho rahi hai?! Aare bhai abhi abhi bechara itne dur se thaka haara aaya hai... thoda aaram kar le toh sham ko milne aa jaate!

Nirmala prompted everyone to move indoors, "Aare Vishakha... Rohan ke liye nashta tayar rakha hai na?? Aa beta pehele kuch khaa le. Pata nahi raste mein khane ko kuch mila bhi ke nahi."

"Tere favourite Paneer ke paratha banake rakhe hai..." Vishakha caressed Rohan's cheek.

* * *

After spending about an hour and half with Rohan; of everyone simultaneously bombarding him with questions about the weather in Dallas, his daily commute to work, availability of Indian groceries in his area, cost of a bunch of coriander, the food served on the flight; Vivek, Sameer and Naina had withdrawn to their individual rooms to catch some sleep.

Nirmala, now wearing her dentures, bathed and dressed for the day, was intoning some lengthy prayer to thank Bhagwanji for her grandson's safe return.

Vishakha was issuing instructions to the maid and prepping the food to serve Rohan's in-laws, who were expected in sometime. The aroma of freshly fried Samosas and the Chole simmering in the pot was wafting through the house.

Post grabbing a quick shower, Rohan had settled on the cane sofa placed in the porch with Payal. The lovebirds had been constantly conversing in hushed tones.

Every now and then, Vishakha's contented gaze would drift towards the partially open door, leading to the porch. Her life felt complete.

Noting it was close to ten, she directed the maid "Usha-ben, pyaaz aur dhaniya kaat ke ho jaaye toh dining table saaf kar ke ache wale plate aur chamach nikal ke rakhna. Main bachon ko uthake, kapade change karke aati hu."

When the Desai's arrived about ten forty-five, everyone was assembled downstairs to welcome them. Some chit-chat followed as plates full of Samosas and Chole-Puri were consumed.

"Mummy! Aap toh aate hi itna khila rahi hai... abhi toh subhe khaye hue paratha bhi digest nahi huye honge!" Rohan protested when Vishakha tried to add another piping hot puri in his plate. As she started "Pasand hai na tujhe issiliye-", Sameer interjected chuckling "Rohan bhaiya, jab se aapne ticket book kiya hai, bus tabhi se Mummy aur Dadi ka menu planning shuru ho gaya tha! Abhi toh lunch, sham ka nashta aur dinner bhi baaki hai!"

"Kya batau beta... humare yaha bhi Payal ne pura ghar sar pe utha ke rakha hai jab se tumhare aane ki date final hui hai!" Shobhna tried to impress her own daughter's eagerness too.

Looking happy, Nirmala uttered "Chalo acha hai yeh bhi Rohan ke pasand ka khana banana seekh rahi hai! Ek baar shaadi ho jaaye toh humme Rohan ki koi chinta nahi rahegi... Vishakha, isse thode aapne Marwari pakwan bhi banana sheekha dena." Turning to Payal, she added lovingly "Kissi din humme bhi apne hath ka khalana."

Not knowing how to admit that all her time had been focused on shopping and planning for the engagement, forcing a smile, Payal muttered "Bilkul Dadi."

To ensure that her daughter should create a great impression, Shobhna immediately proposed "Sagai ka function khatam ho jaye toh ek din aap sab humare yeha Payal ke hath ka khana khaane aayiye! Bohot hi tasty khana banati hai yeh!"

As an idea struck her, Nirmala beamed "Aaisa karna sagai ke baad jab hum gaav jayenge ek waqt ka khana tu aur Naina sath banana! Hum sab aangan mein baith ke khayenge. Kya kehete ho tum woh... ha, picnic ho jayega!"

As others happily nodded at this proposal, Payal and Shobhna exchanged some nervous glances, as cooking was definitely not one of Payal's skills. While proposing the idea of dinner at their home, Shobhna had hoped to pass of their maid's cooking as Payal's. But now a new challenge had popped up.

Wanting to divert attention from this topic, Shobhna addressed Vishakha "Yeh toh bohot acha hai ke aapne bhi Naina ko sab kuch seekha diya hai! Waise isske liye rishte dekhne shuru kiye honge na?"

"Abhi kuch socha nahi... dekhenge... Santosh-bhai, ek aur samosa lijiye na!", Vishakha muttered wishing to evade the topic.

But Shobhna persisted "Aare dekhna shuru kijiye! Inn cheezon mein time lagta hai. Rohan aur Payal ko bhi bar-bar itni dur se aana mushkil hoga... Toh agar isski shaadi bhi, May mein inn donon ki shaadi ke time pe hi ho jaye toh ekdum pefect hoga!"

Smiling uncertainly, Vishakha fiddled with her spoon.

Sameer glared at Shobhna thinking, Badi aayi Naina ki shaadi ki chinta karne wali! Apne hone wale damad se milne aaye hai, toh ussi pe concentrate kyu nahi karti?!

But hearing the words ekdum perfect, Naina's cheeks turned pink.

For the umpteenth time since the airport, Sameer's claim, that she was perfect as she was, sprang to her mind. Though the words had infinitely warmed her heart, his body language had left her flustered. The possessiveness with which he had placed his arm around her, almost tucking her into his side... a delicious shiver had run through her. Trying to mask the reason for shivers, she has blurted "Thand bohot hai na... ghar chale??"

Misinterpreting her blush, Shobhna chuckled "Dekhiye toh... shaadi ka naam sunte hi kaise sharma rahi hai! Vishakha ben time aa gaya hai iske bhi hath peele karne ke!" Turning to her husband, she continued "Suniye... aap ke office mein jo Manish Tibrewal hai, unke bete Sanjay ka abhi Baroda mein electricity board mein job laga hai na? Pata kijiye agar usske liye rishtey dekh rahe ho... itne saalon se aap jante hai Manishji ko. Ladka bhi acha hi hoga..."

Noting Naina's flushed look, Sameer incredulously glared at her – Kahi yeh such mooch kissi Sanjay Tebriwal ke sapne toh nahi dekhne lagi?!

Surreptitiously lifting his fork, he poked her under the table.

"Ouch!" she winced, more startled than hurt. Worried, Vishakha immediately questioned "Kya ho gaya beta??"

As Naina fumbled to make explain in the present company what had just happened, Sameer grunted "Shayad Sanjay Tibrewal ka sapna tut gaya." Having completely missed the last few sentences from Shobhna, she uttered sounding lost "Kaun Sanjay Tebriwal??" Sameer muttered under his breath "Tumhara toh definitely koi nahi!"

"Aare Vishakha... phir se ghar mein chitiya ho gaye hai... lagta hai bechari laado ko kaat gayi." Nirmala drew her own conclusion.

Wanting to stop Shobhna from offering any more advice on the topic, Vivek stated "Behenji, abhi iss bare mein hum bilkul bhi sochna nahi chahate. Abhi toh Naina ka graduation bhi khatam nahi hua. She must decide, ke usse master's pursue karna hai, ya kuch aur. Main nahi chahata ke itne jaldi iss pe koi aur zimmedariya aaye. Humme koi jaldi nahi."

Rohan cleared his throat, "Mummy, sab log yaha hai toh main wo gifts wala bag kholta hu... Auntie-uncle ke liye kuch laya hai..." Vishakha smiled at him gratefully "Good idea beta! Hall mein hi hai tera grey bag..."

Pushing back their chairs, everyone started heading to the lounge area. But Naina jerked Sameer back by his shirt and hissed "Wo kya tha... fork se poke kyu kar rahe thay mujhe?!" He retorted, before marching away "Tumhare imagery haldi ke function ka gubara puncture kar raha tha. Sanjay Tibrewal... naam se hi ekdum champu lagta hai!"

Naina stood rooted in place confounded by his repeated references to some guy that she had never heard of, till Vishakha nudged her "Ja, Dadi ko BP ki goli de... phirse lena bhool gayi."

By the time everyone was settled in the lounge, Rohan had flung open the big bag and was riffling through the contents trying to find the gifts specifically bought for his in-laws.

First, he presented Santosh with saving supplies gift pack "Uncle, aap ke liye... abhi yeh type ke rozors India mein nahi milte." Santosh nodded appreciatively "Four blade wale razors... very nice. Thank you beta!"

Rohan held out a perfume to Shobhna, "Auntie, maine Payal se pocha tha ke aap ko kya acha lagta hai... par issne kuch batana nahi. Toh bus maine Mummy ke liye jo liya wahi pefume aap ke liye bhi le liya... I hope aap ko acha lage."

Shobhna's chest swelled, she couldn't wait to share with her friends and sisters how her future son-in-law already treated her equal to his mother.

She first rushed to assure him "Of course beta! Aare tumne itne pyar se laya hai... toh pasand toh aayega hi.", then his mother "Vishakha ben... bohot hi sushil hai aapka beta. Sach kehti hu... ek baar milte hi ekdum mujhe toh apna hi beta lagne laga hai! Payal ko leke meri toh saari chinta hi dur ho gayi."

Gazing affectionately at Rohan, Vishakha responded "Ha, bohot samajhdar hai. Bilkul bachpan se! Hamesha bina bataye hi mujhe har situation mein support karne aa jata hai. Sameer-Naina ke liye bhi bohot protective hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye... Payal ka bohot khayal rakhega."

As Rohan flushed at all this praise, Sameer teased him "Rohan bhaiya, sirf saas-sasur ko impress karne ka irada hai, ya Bhabhi ke liye bhi kuch laya hai? Ya unhe private mein gift dena hai??"

While other tried to supress their smiles, completely missing the meaning behind Sameer's words, Nirmala eagerly prompted him "Ha, ha... dikha toh sahi bahu ke liye bhi kuch laya hai na..."

Rohan chuckled "Dadi, kuch nahi... bohot kuch laya hai. Aapki bahu ne lamba sa list bheja tha! Kitne saare dukanon ke chakkar lagane pade mujhe!" 

Feeling conscious, Payal started protesting "Itna kaha.. bus kuch hi toh make-up bola tha-"

Nirmala immediately interjected "Hone wali biwi hai teri! Pura haq banta hai uska, jo chahe mangwaye. Ab isske laad uthana teri hi zimmedari hai, samjha?!"

"Lo, ab toh Dadi ki bhi backing mil gayi tumhe! Shaadi ke liye aate waqt kya le aana hai uski list abhi se banana shuru kardo!", laughing jovially, Rohan handed a big polythene bag to Payal. "Check kar lo shades thik hai na... pink ke itne sare shades hote hai peheli baar pata chala mujhe!"

Payal delightedly pulled out the a set of six different shades of pink, an eyeshadows palette, mascara, some nail paints, body creams and few other titbits. While the men politely smiled, eyes twinkling, all the women admired the gifts.

Picking out one of the lipsticks and a nail paint, Payal excitedly shared "Naina, yeh wale mere sagai ki saree ke sath bohot ache se match karenge!"

Matching her enthusiasm, Naina picked up the eyeshadow palette "Bhabhi, iss mein toh itne shades hai ke sagai toh kya aapke shaadi ke bhi sare outfit ke liye matching ho jayega!"

Turning to Rohan, she ribbed "Rohan bhaiya, agar humme pata hota ke aap ki choice inti achi hai toh Mumma aur main bhi ek list bhej dete... par isse pehele aapne kabhi koi aaise gifts humare liye kaha laye... Nahi Mumma??"

"Jab pucha tha ke kya lau, tab toh keh rahi thi ke sirf chocolates chahiye... Par mujhe pata tha ke aane ke baad aaise hi dialogs sunne ko milenge! Puri tayari ke sath aaya hu!", eyes crinkling with laughter, Rohan pulled out another bag and handed it to Naina, "Shopping karte waqt har cheez ke do piece liye thay!"

"Rohan bhaiya, itni sari cheeze kyu li mere liye?? Maine toh seriously aapse kaha tha ke mujhe sirf bohot sare chocolates chahiye!" Naina uttered staring into the bag.

Rohan assured her that he had brought lot of chocolates too but they were in the other suitcase which was upstairs.

Pulling the bag from her hand, Sameer studied the contents for a bit and scoffed "Itna sab lagaogi toh bilkul bandariya dikhogi! Bhabhi se pehele jara sikha lena, samjhi?"

Glaring back at him with , Naina snatched the bag, "Main bandariya lagungi ya morani yeh toh ab sagai ke din hi pata chahela!"

"Thik hai... maan liya morni lagogi. Yaad hai na, morani ke pankh nahi hote, more ke hote hai!" he sniggered back.

"Pareshan mat kar usse! Humari laado toh hamesha hi pyaari lagti hai. Dekh lena gulabi lehenga mein toh bilkul pari lagegi." Nirmala issued her verdict.

Noting Rohan trying to supress a yawn, Santosh said "Chalo, ab humme bhi nikalna chahiye... Rohan beta bohot thak gaya hoga. Itni lambi flight se aaya hai... aur Payal bhi subhe airport se directly aa gayi thi toh so nahi paya hoga."

Everyone nodded in agreement and the guests started preparing to take their leave. It was decided that both the families, at least some members, would meet at a jewellers the next evening to pick the engagement rings as Rohan and Payal wanted shop for them together.

While the elders were busy discussing something about the advance to be paid to the caterer, Payal quietly ushered Rohan towards the porch. Once they were out of everyone's earshot, she uttered in a rush "Rohan! Jab se Dadi ne kaha hai ke gaav jaake khana banana hoga... mujhe bohot tension ho raha hai! Dekho mujhe thoda bohot basic sa toh aata hai par itna acha toh bilkul nahi! Maine socha tha abhi toh shaadi mein time hai toh baad mein seekh lungi... par ab... pata nahi tumhari family mere baare mein kya sochengi!"

"Aare iss mein kya hai... samajh jayenge ke abhi nahi aata..." Rohan tried to ease her worries, but she remained tense "Uss mein Mummy ne jhoot moot ki itne tarrif kar di meri cooking ki! Pata nahi kya soch rahi thi?? Tumhare ghar aane se pehele hi mere impression kharab ho jayega!"

"Ek minute! Abhi problem solve kar dete hai. Naina ko aata hai khana banana." Rohan assured her and called Naina over. As soon as she joined them he quickly explained Payal's anxiety.

Naina smiled "Payal Bhabhi, Dadi ne kaha hai hum dono ko sath milke khana banana hain. Hum pehele se hi menu decide kar lenge. Waise toh mujhe kaafi kuch aata hai... aur baaki main Mumma se pooch ke likh lungi. Don't worry, hum sab manage kar lenge. Aur Rohan bhaiya aur Sameer bhi toh honge waha... jaarut padi toh yeh bhi humari help kar denge."

When Payal started, "Thanks Naina... mujhe toh-" clasping her hand, Naina interrupted her "Bhabhi! Thanks ki koi jarurat nahi hai... aap ab iss family ka hi hissa ho. Main toh bohot besabri se intezaar kar rahi hu ke aap kab aati hai yaha rehne!"

Just then Vishakha summoned Naina inside as Shefali had rung.

"So, all okay now??" Rohan asked his almost-fiancée. When Payal nodded, he continued "Actually, this will be a good opportunity... for you and Naina to start getting to know each other. Main dil se chahata hu ke tum donon ke bich achi friendship... achi understanding develop ho."

Payal smiled back at him "Don't worry, maine already tumhari behen ko apni party me shamil kar liya hai! We are already like sisters now!" Looking very pleased, Rohan uttered "Like sisters... wow... that's perfect!"

"Payal beta, ab chale?" Santosh called from the gate, where others had now moved on to.

Whispering some sweet goodbyes, after extracting a promise from Rohan that he would get some good rest, Payal left with her parents.

After spending few minutes on the lawn, as his father pointed out some repairs that had been recently done to the garden fence, Rohan headed to the kitchen where Vishakha was transferring the leftover food to smaller containers. Hugging her tightly from behind, he kissed her cheek.

She laughed "Toh ab jaake fursat milli hai maa ke pass aane ki! Subhe se toh honewali biwi ke hi chakkar kaat raha tha."

"Mummy! Aaisa kuch nahi hai." Rohan protested blushing. She responded "Aaisa hi hai! Par main samajh sakti hu. Complain thodehi kar rahi hu. Acha laga mujhe... tum donon ko sath dekh kar."

Looking a little nervous, Rohan asked "Aap ko Payal achi toh lagi hai na? Main yaha nahi tha usse aap sab se introduce karne ke liye..."

"Bohot pyaari hai teri pasand!" Vishakha rushed to assure him. Examining his dark circles, she muttered "Ja thoda aaram kar le..." 

"Agar che baaje tak na uthu toh jaga dijiye." He nodded and then headed upstairs for a much needed sleep.

* * *

On the way home, in their car, Santosh happily announced "Acha ladka hai Rohan!" 

Payal pouted "Daddy, aap ko meri choice pe koi shak tha kya? Acha hai tabhi toh mujhe pasand aaya hai!"

Her father laughed "Ha bhai woh bhi hai!" Turning to his wife, who had been abnormally silent since they left Nirmala Niwas, Santosh asked his wife "Tum kaha khoyi ho? Kya hua Damad pasand aaya ke nahi??"

Eyes narrowed, Shobhna replied " Acha hai... par mujhe kuch khatka hai..."

"Waha pe toh bohot tarrif kar rahi thi uski... phir kya ho gaya??" Santosh sounded perplexed, as was his daughter going by her expressions.

"Aap ko ajeeb nahi laga ke usne Payal ke liye jo gifts laye hai, same wahi uss Naina ke liye bhi le aaye hai! Payal usski honewali biwi hai. Naina ka usse kya comparison ho sakta hai?!" Shobhna spit the bitterness churning inside her since Rohan had handed the gifts to Naina.

Santosh incredulously uttered "Hum gents ko waise bhi yeh tumhari shopping karna nahi aati. Usse jo easily mil gaya le liya hoga. Aur comparison ki baat hi kaha aati hai! Aare bhai behen hai uski... jo marzi ho gift de usse."

Shobhna sneered "Sirf uss ghar mein pali hai. Behen nahi hai usski!"

"Mummy, par behen jaisi toh hai na..." Payal rolled her eyes in exasperation. Santosh nodded "Exactly!"

Recalling Naina's willingness to make her feel welcome and assuring her that she would help her cook and impress Nirmala, she added "She is sweet... aur Rohan bhi chahata hai ke, we both get along well..."

"Behen jaisi hai, behen nahi!" Shobha huffed. 

Glaring at her husband, she drew his attention to his own behaviour "Diwali mein jab aap apni maa se liye saree le jaate hai, tab aapki Gauri massi jinhe aap hamesha 'maa jaisi' kehte hai, unn ke liye adha kilo meethai le jaate hai. Jab Gauri massi ka bypass hua tha... sara karcha unke bete ne uthaya tha... aap sirf hospital mein fruits leke gaye thay! "

"Payal, meri ek baat gaath bandh lo! Behen hone mein, aur behen jaisi hone mein bohot farak hota hai! Shuru se hi Rohan ko usse do hath dur rakhna, samjhi?!" Shobhna warned her daughter.

* * *

Glancing at her watch, Naina anxiously muttered to Shefali "Yaar, aaj hi ma'am ko lecture extend karna tha! Sameer kabse aake ruka hoga. Sab log jeweller ke pass pohoch bhi gaye honge."

Shefali attempted to calm her "Aare rings select karne ka kaam toh dulha dulhan ka hai... as long as they are there... it's all good!"

"Haa... par main bhi excited hu na unki shopping dekhne ke liye! Pata hai mahinon se magazines mein latest designs ka analysis kar rahi hu." Naina tried to justify her impatience, as she rushed down the stairs of the building her class had been held.

As expected Sameer was sitting astride his bike, when she exited the main gate. They were soon zooming towards Manek Chowk where most of the jewellery shops were located.

A minute into the ride, Naina yawned. The night before, after all the elders had retired to bed, she had sat chatting with Rohan and Sameer for a very long time. Refreshed from his long nap and jet lagged, Rohan had been wide awake.

Having the lounge to themselves, he had shared juicy titbits about his exploits like visiting clubs with friends. Or getting sloshed on one occasion and calling Payal, a call which had cost him almost hundred and fifty dollars! Sameer and Naina had doubled over in laughter hearing him describe his panic on seeing the phone bill the following month and how he had switched over to homemade sandwiches for lunch for few weeks after that.

He had then enquired about the latest happenings in Sameer and Naina's lives and about their friends too. Many other topics were mulled over as well.

At two, Vishakha had come downstairs to remind them that some of them had to go to college the next day.

"Kal raat kitna maza aaya na Rohan bhaiya se itni saari baatien kar ke! Kitne dinon baad sirf hum teenon sath baithe thay..." Naina leaned forward.

Sameer smiled widely "Haa, bohot acha laga! Bilkul waisa lag raha tha jaise woh Mumbai se aake humse unki nayi job ke baare mein share karte thay."

After humming in agreement, she added pensively "Tumhe kya lagta hai, sab log maan jayenge shaadi ke baare mein?" Nibbling on his lower lip, Sameer shrugged "I don't see the problem... it logical... bus Dadi ko samjhana padega."

Considering the traffic at that time of the day, it took them longer than expected to reach the shop. Vivek had been held up at work and, post all the preparations to receive her grandson, Nirmala's back was acting up that day. So only Vishakha had accompanied Rohan from home but the whole Desai family was there.

Naina rushing to where the group stood examining a range of rings, "Sorry! Humko late ho gaya! Mera lecture jyada der tak chala... Sameer bike park karke aa hi raha hai."

As Vishakha uttered "Koi baat nahi... yeh log abhi dekh hi rahe hai.", Shobhna tutted "Aare beta, itni bhaag daud karne ki kya jarurat thi? Din bhar college ke baad thak gayi hogi... Waise bhi yaha sirf Payal aur Rohan ka hi hona jaruri hai. Tum ghar par hi dekh leti kya liya hai."

Not seeing through Shobhna's words of fake concern, Naina smiled "Aare nahi Auntie, itna important moment thodehi miss karti!"

Moving closer to the guy, she truly considered her brother, " Rohan bhaiya, kal aapko dikhaye thay waise koi designs mille kya?"

"Exactly waise toh nahi hai... par yeh wala dekh, Payal ko bhi acha laga hai." Rohan held out a men's ring for her inspection. Studying the gold band with three small diamonds, Naina nodded "Smart hai... aur aaj kal aaisi understated jewellery ka hi fashion hai. US ke liye bhi perfect hai!"

"Rohan beta, thoda bhari wala dekh lo... yeh kuch jyada hi simple nahi lagta? Dekho price ka bilkul sochna mat... humari ek hi toh beti hai. Sab kuch iska hi toh hai, kyu Payal ke Daddy?" Shobhna pointed to the section with big showy rings with stones glittering so bright that one could possibly use them to draw attention while lost at sea!

"Nahi Auntie... mujhe kuch simple hi chahiye. Jaisa Naina ne kaha... udhar US mein... office mein pehene ke liye yeh acha lagega." Rohan tried to sensitively turn down her suggestion.

He turned to his girlfriend for support "Payal, bolo na... tumhe bhi yahi achi lagi hai na??", who nodded "Ha achi hai. Aur peheni toh tumhe hai... so, it has to match your style!"

Just then, Sameer arrived and mumbled some apology about having run into a classmate on the way.

After showing him the ring, Rohan beamed at Payal "Great! Toh meri toh final ho gayi. Now, let's concentrate on yours."

Shobhna, internally stewing at how Rohan had given more credence to Naina's input, forced her lips in a thin line and addressed Payal "Beta, ab tum toh apne choice ki hi pasand karna. Engagement ki ring hai. Bohot simple bhi nahi honi chahiye." Turning to Vishakha, she added, "Matlab, ladkiyon ke hath mein toh jyada diamonds hi ache lagte hai, nahi bhenji ?" Vishakha promptly nodded "Bilkul Payal beta. Tumhe jo achi lage select kar lo!"

Over the next fifteen-twenty minutes, Payal tried on many rings.

Spotting a elegant design of a small flower made with a cluster of tiny sparkling diamonds, supported by a thin band, similar to something she had liked during her research, Naina excitedly instructed the salesman "Bhaiya, wo uppar ki row mein third wala dikhayiye. Bhabhi yeh try kijiye. Cartier ka similar design dekha hai maine!" But Shobhna turned her nose up muttering "Design toh thik hi hai... Par diamonds bohot hi chote hai..." Listening to her mother, Payal tried the ring for thirty seconds and then put it aside, "Bhaiya woh princess cut wala phir dikhayiye."

While Payal discussed with Rohan what he thought of the ring, Naina slipped the ring she had liked on her finger. It was a dainty design that perfectly suited her slim fingers.

"Achi lagi tumhe??" Sliding next to her, Sameer enquired in a low voice. When she nodded, staring at it longingly, he asked "Toh lele??"

Glancing up at him with surprise, she muttered "Kya matlab lele? Diamond ki ring hai! Koi twenty rupees ki kundan ki ring nahi hai jo bus achi lagi toh lele!"

Growing tired of Shobhna's nonstop advise to Payal, Vishakha moved closer to Naina and Sameer. Taking Naina's hand in hers, she smiled "Bohot jach rahi hai teri nazuk ungliyon pe!"

"Hai na?? Main toh keh raha hu le lete hai. Patti nahi baad mein phir yeh design mile na mile..." Sameer uttered, his eyes still admiring Naina's hand.

Eager to see, what was happening on their side, Shobhna stepped over. Seeing Naina trying the ring and realising it really looked very beautiful, her irritation flared. "Naina beta, makeup toh thik hai... par ab Rohan se Payal ke sath sath ring bhi logi kya??".

Naina immediately pulled the ring off her finger. Not sure if the woman was trying to imply something, or if she had just misread the undertone, Naina fumbled "Auntie... main toh bus aaise hi try kar rahi thi. Abhi toh.. sirf Bhaiya-Bhabhi ki shopping ke liye aaye hai hum. Mai kyu kuch lungi..."

Noticing that Vishakha and Sameer's expressions that instantly hardened, Shobhna forced out a laugh "Aare beta... jarur lena! Par tab, jab apne hone wale mangetar ke sath aao. Dekha Vishakha ben... main nahi keh rahi thi ab isske liye bhi jaldi rishta dhund hi lijiye! Maine toh Payal ke Daddy se kal hi kaha ke sagai mein Manish Tibrewalji ke Parivar ko khash bulayiye. Bina kissi formality ke woh log Naina beti ko dekh bhi lenge... aur aap logon se jaan-pehechan bhi ho gayegi. Phir dekhenge baat aage kaise badhani hai. Dekhiye... seedhe-saadhe ache log hai.. abhi toh kiraye ke flat mein rehte hai par Sanjay itna acha padha-leekha hai toh kuch saalon mein ghar-gadi le hi lega."

Offering a weak smile, Vishakha headed to where her other son stood "Kar liya tum donon ne final?" Looking at the ring finalised by Payal, she gushed "Bohot sundar hai! Tumhare hathon mein ekdum pyaari lage rahi hai." 

Whilst the bill was being settled, Sameer was seething on the inside. He had never thought that it would be possible to hate someone just hearing their name. Sanjay Tibrewal.

His fisted hand itched to punch the daylights out of this faceless guy. Sanjay Tibrewal ghar, gadi, ghoda... chahe le ya na le. Naina ke liye ring toh pakka nahi lega!

* * *

(Hi Everyone, 

Hope you are all doing great and liked this part. I had hoped to cover one more scene in this chapter... but ran out of time :(  Anyways, do share your thoughts. 

Lots of love, May)