Kavya muttered something incoherent under her breath as she called the elevator to make her way to the accounts department. She wasn't pleased. The head of marketing had just called in her for a one on one conversation. There was only one item on the agenda - excessive marketing spending. Kavya's decision to spend without approval from her seniors had landed her in a hot boiling soup. And now she was being asked to put together an extensive report with receipts for her to-date spending with a warning to not exceed her allocated budget.

In her previous role, budgets and allocations were always managed by Vanraj. She never had to interfere and she got to spend whatever she wanted.

Her Supervisor had also warned her with regards to her haughty behaviour. Without taking any names she'd indicated that Kavya's demeanour was not being appreciated by her team and the department and should things continue to remain the same, her contract would be terminated within the probation period. Kavya knew what that meant. It would leave her ineligible benefits and a good reference. And that was only the tip of the iceberg.

While Kavya had perceived no obvious hierarchical changes, the warning had left her fettered. Her behaviour with her colleagues and subordinates hadn't changed either between A&M Global and AK Group. The difference was that she now lacked a godfather. With that came the realization as to the extent to which Vanraj's influence had eased Kavya's way in her earlier job.

She accepted to herself that sadly, her calculations had not been accurate. Right now, she was worse off. And despite having secured a job at the AK group, she was yet to meet Anuj Kapadia in person.

How was her plan to work if she could never get in front of him? It had been 20 days since she'd risked her relationship with Vanraj. And she had nothing to show for it. Patience wasn't one of her virtues. And the strain of uncertainty was beginning to show.

She'd also come to realize that Vanraj wasn't Abhimanyu. While the latter had been easy, trusting, and accommodating, the former was shrewd and suspicious.

The last 20 days had also changed her marital dynamics drastically. She realized her husband no longer trusted her. Anytime she was late from work, he created a scene. He dropped by her work, unannounced, to check on her.

Her mother-in-law had begun giving her sly looks, picking on her slightest mistakes and making her life miserable in general. Her father-in-law as always stayed silent. While most of her thoughts were consumed with anger and frustration, both at the Shah family and Anuj Kapadia, a small part of her heart went out to Anupama for having endured this never-ending circus for 26 years. Then she felt anger. Anupama should have dealt with these people long back. They only got worse, because she let them get away with their crappy attitude and treatment of people.

The elevator doors opened and Kavya stepped in, staring at the button that read 30 on the elevator. That's where Anuj Kapadia's office was. And that floor could only be accessed by a select few who had that special elevator key.

Lost in her thoughts, she pressed a button and waited for the elevator to take her to her destination. The doors dinged open. And she stared at two number panels - 3 and 0 - beautifully imprinted with floral patterns. By some stroke of luck, she was on Anuj Kapadia's floor.

*****

The Shah household wasn't doing very well. Ever since Kavya had found her new job at the AK Group, she was beginning to stay out of the house for longer hours. She rarely ever answered her phone anymore. Each time Vanraj called her office, her phone went into voicemail.

Leela had told Kavya off the day after her altercation with Vanraj, using the choicest of words exclusively reserved for her daughter-in-law. That had further aggravated Kavya. While she had not been disrespectful towards Leela, she had made it very clear that just like Vanraj, Leela had no say in her life.

Hasmukh had enjoyed the entire scene unfolding in front of him. He'd specially asked Samar to make popcorn and the two had sat on the living room swing usually occupied by Leela to enjoy the theatrics, much to the chagrin of the trio.

Vanraj paced, wondering what had changed in his relationship with Kavya. He had to do something to save his marriage. He couldn't get divorced again. One time had been bad enough. He was certain his mother wouldn't allow him a second one.

*****

As Anupama sprinkled some sugar onto her poha, she wondered what Anuj would've had for breakfast. She knew him well enough to understand that he hated eating the traditional continental cereal with milk and waffle breakfast first thing in the morning. That brought a scowl to her face. He rarely took care of himself. She picked up her phone to call them and then placed it down. What would she say?

"Anupama, I'll be home at 8.00." Vanraj was on another of his extended travel assignments.

Anupama sighed, shaking her head. Her life was going to get chaotic, again. She was tired. Leela and Hasmukh were visiting some of their distant relatives in Jamnagar and weren't expected back before the end of the month. And Anupama was enjoying the peace that came with an empty household. Couldn't Vanraj get delayed a little more? Clutching her phone to her hand, she looked towards her Kanhaji, begging him to delay Vanraj at least by another week.

She heard a female voice in the background, but somehow it didn't register. A few minutes later, Vanraj was back on the phone. "There has been a change of plans," he told her. "I won't be back before the end of the week."

Anupama sighed and smiled. Her Kanhaji truly loved her.

She smiled some more. The rarest of occurrence was becoming more frequent. And she seemed to genuinely savour it. Ever since she'd met Anuj, she felt lighter, free, able to fly. And then her smile waned. It was all temporary. Unless....

The doorbell interrupted her thoughts. She waited for Mohan or Sheela to open the door. Then it rang again. And again. Muttering under her breath about nobody doing their work properly, she washed and wiped her hands on the kitchen towel and began walking quickly towards the door. She didn't notice Sheela mopping the living room or a water spill right in the middle of the foyer. As Sheela wiped her hands on her sari and opened the door, Anupama stepped on the spill, skating right into the arms of her Prince Charming.