"Baa?" Vanraj looked at her puzzled. In his 48 years of existence, his mother had never raised her voice on him, forget raising her hand. And today, she'd hit him with her slipper?

Leela dropped her slipper and rushed up to him, checking his face, his hair for any sign of bruise.

"I'm sorry beta, I'm so sorry beta," she chanted as she brought him inside and gave him a glass of water, worriedly continuing to look at him.

He placed his glass of water down and gently took her hands in his. "Baa, I'm okay. I'm fine."

She looked upset. Pulling her closer to him, he asked: "What happened?"

"Since the day you were born, I have never even raised my voice on you, and today, my chappal???"

"But what happened? Why were you going to greet our visitor with your slipper?"

She then told him about the annoying ringing of the doorbell and how every time she opened the door no one was there.

"Must be some neighbourhood kid's prank," he said chuckling. "Anyway, forget all that, how are you feeling?"

Leela looked stressed. She hadn't yet told Vanraj about Anupama's invitation to the entire Shah family to meet with her at the AK Offices tonight. And she didn't want Vanraj to meet Anupama before she'd had the chance to speak with him and prepare him for what might happen.

"Vanraj," she began tentatively. "Anupama has invited us all to meet her tonight."

Vanraj's face lightened up. "Why didn't you tell me before. I need to get dressed. I knew it. I knew she would forgive me. We were after all married for 26 years. You can't wipe away that many years just like that."

Leela felt nervous. Vanraj was so excited. She didn't want to break his heart. She cursed Anupama for not forgiving Vanraj. Clearing her throat, she began:

"I know Vanraj, you're extremely excited. But I'm having a rather bad headache. I think the entire bell incident managed to elevate my blood pressure. I want to go lie down. Can you ask Samar to call Anupama and reschedule?"

Vanraj looked at her crestfallen and nodded. Leela felt bad once again. For the first time in her life, she'd lied to her son. If only Vanraj would give up this unnecessary stubbornness of wanting to get back with Anupama. He could easily have his pick of women. He was still young. He was extremely good looking. He had maintained himself well.

What of his three kids? Her conscience prodded. If Anupama, after being a mother of three children can find a life partner at this age, Vanraj was still a man.

Nodding at him, she made her way to her bedroom to lie down, hating herself for having broken her son's heart for the first time. Anupama would never live peacefully.

*****

Anupama came home chuckling to find Anuj already there.

"What's so funny," he asked.

She shook her head, fished her phone out and showed him the picture of Leela Shah with her slipper on Vanraj Shah's cheek. He chuckled as well.

"Where did you get this?"

"Aditya."

"Who is Aditya?"

"He is the Shahs neighbour's son."

"And why did he send you this?"

"Because I promised him 100 Rs to ring the bell and run away, over and over again, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. I was angry with Baa for having upset you yesterday and this was my childish way of taking revenge."

"Anu," Devika called out. She and Devika had been best friends since school. Devika had always been the live-in-the-moment kind of girl. Anupama, the more sorted one. Devika dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Anu always wore salwar kameez. Devika had big dreams. She wanted to work, she wanted to move to Mumbai, she wanted to fall in love and get married. Anu was more practical. She only wanted to finish her studies. Given her family dynamics, she knew this is all she could hope for.

"Anu," Devika called again. She turned from the top of the tree and pressed her index finger against her lip to silence Devika. She then slowly pulled herself towards the edge of the branch she was sitting on and let herself into the room that it led to.

That room belonged to Ajay, the son of their Sarpanch. That boy was not only full of himself, but had no manners, and as recently Anu had figured out no decency as well. He went to the same college as Anupama and Devika and two days back had looked at Devika and whistled. When Devika had refused to respond, he'd revealed his disgusting thoughts.

He'd whistled again and said loud enough for all to hear, "Are Devika dear, why fear when Ajay here? Give me one kiss, I make you queen for one night. I promise you it will be best night in your life."

Devika had turned red and run away from there. And Anupama had stood watching. That night, Devika had been slapped and taunted by her family for exciting boys by wearing such skimpy clothes. And Devika had looked at them hurt, but she hadn't shed a tear.

The next day, when Anu told her of her plan, Devika was hesitant. But once Anu decided something, she seldom listened to reason. The two had walked the dirt path to the Sarpanch's house and Anu had climbed the tree that stood near the house to get into Ajay's room.

Once she'd gotten into his room, she'd spotted a huge dressing mirror. Quickly untying her dupatta to retrieve the piece of coal she was carrying, she wrote on his mirror "Buri nazar wale tera mooh kala (The one with the evil eye, may your face turn black)" And proceeded to crush the coal and spread it on his towel. She then quickly exited the room the same way she'd come in, careful to close the window so as to leave no evidence.

The next day Ajay was very angry. Apparently, one of the servants had discovered the writing on his mirror and told his parents. He'd received a severe talking down for having damaged expensive property.

This morning, after he'd wiped himself with his towel, he'd been covered with coal dust, forcing him to bathe again. He was late for breakfast and his super-strict father had made him go without food.

Anu smiled. The act was extremely childish, but Anu felt good. She felt like she'd avenged her best friend.

She felt the same way again today after 26 years.

******

Ping.

Anu picked up her phone as she finished wearing her other earring. Samar had sent her a text.

Baa not well. Papa has asked to push the meeting.

She replied: Tell Papa it will have to be after two weeks. Next week I'm not in town.

The phone beeped again: Where are you going?

She replied: None of your Papa's business.

Another beep: A laughing emoji

She smiled and replied: But if you're asking I'll tell you - Modhera Dance Festival

She held her phone in her hand for a while and then placed it on her dressing table while she finished putting on her earrings.

It beeped. Clapping hands emoji.

She responded with a heart.

Smiling, she applied some kohl and lip gloss and got up to make her way to Anuj's room and knocked.

When Anuj opened the door, he looked at Anu and whistled softly.

"What's the occasion?"

"Nothing."

"Then to what do I owe this surprise."

"The meeting with the Shahs got cancelled."

Anuj merely raised his eyebrows. "You dressed up like this to meet them?"

"Of course. I'm soon going to be Mrs Anuj Kapadia. I have an image to keep," she replied nonchalantly and he laughed silently. How he enjoyed it when she vocalized her thoughts.

"So, now that the meeting is cancelled, what do you have in mind?"

"Let's go out on a date."

Anuj looked at her. He then stretched his hand forward and asked her to pinch him. She did. He winced and then rubbed his arm where she'd pinched.

"What?" she asked him.

He shook his head. She pushed him aside and made her way into his room, opening his cupboard to pull out a set of evening clothes for him.

"Get ready in 10 minutes. I'll ask Mohan to get the car out."

As she was about to make her way out, Anuj held her hand and gently turned her around: "So to clarify, YOU are taking me out on a date."

"Yes Mr Kapadia, I am taking you out on a date. My treat." 

As she got near his door, she turned once again to look at him.

"Get ready fast. I'll let Kaka know and ask Sheela to not make dinner for us." And she winked at him before turning and making her way out leaving him to wonder as to what had gotten into her.