Suman was smiling into the mirror as she put the kajal bindi. Somehow today she was spending time in dressing up. She has worn the new saree Sreedhar had gifted her. She was going to his office that day as she had to make the final plan and also meet the shortlisted interior designers. Finally satisfied with the look she came out of the room.

Tilak was observing his brother as he looked at Suman when she joined them. He saw Sreedhar quickly glancing at Suman head to toe and Suman covering herself with the pallu. He was not sure whether Suman recognized the gaze and became uncomfortable hence she covered herself with pallu or she did it out of habit.

As they moved out Renu asked " Vindhya isn't Suman's saree new. I don't remember seeing it"

" Maybe Bhabi. She had bought some 15-20 sarees that day right. Today she might have taken something new from that. After all she is going to meet the interior designer " told Vindhya

But for Renu she couldn't place the saree Suman wore. She was kind of sure it was not among the sarees she bought during new year. She had seen all of them. But then she didn't want to create unnecessary issues.

As usual once in office Suman was in Sreedhar's room. Sreedhar closed the door of the room and gazed at her top to bottom. She smiled and blushed as he rounded her his eyes taking in everything about her

" Looking good " she asked

" Yes minus two things" he told

" What" she asked

" Sindoor and Mangalsutra" he smiled

" I didn't get them" she told looking at him

" You will get them soon. But for the time being sit here and read all the emails. Net connection is there" told Sreedhar and made her sit on the computer.

Suman opened her Hotmail account. She laughed as she typed in the username suman_rajput and her password which was Sreedhar's birthday. She had never thought she will get a chance to use computer after what had happened to her.

There were atleast 15-16 emails from Sreedhar. She opened from bottom. The mails started with Sreedhar's description of the hotel he was staying in, then in each email he proceeded to tell about the places he visited. He had done a vivid account of Disneyworld, Hollywood, Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon and he told he wished to take her to all these places one day, especially Disneyland. Suman giggled. Yes with whatever she had heard Disneyland was Suman's dream place to visit. He said he had taken many photos of these places.

Then there were mails on the presentations, how his presentation went, what all questions came, what all he answered. It said about the nervousness he felt and his need for having her with him to relive his tension.

Then another mail talked about the shopping and as she read without knowing tears started flowing from her eyes. He has talked about what all things he was purchasing for his new bhabi and for his Murali Bhaiyya. The email went on to say he has bought a very special gift for her and she couldn't create an issue because he bought only one gift for her and so many gifts for his bhabi. There was a big smilie after that line. She looked the date of email. It was 28th April. What did he knew, everything was over by then. Seeing him coming in she quickly wiped her tears and proceeded to the next email.

It was the final mail just before he leaving US. It told he is planning to give surprise to his family and he had taken a special photo of full moon from the balcony of his hotel. He wanted her to keep it framed in their room

" Where is the photo Sreedhar " she asked

Sreedhar looked up from the file he was holding " what photo"

" The photo of full moon you took for me. Where is it "

" Sumi I have not washed the negatives. I.."

" Then isn't it time naa Sreedhar to create those photo prints. I can use some good photos from them for the shop also"

" Sumi I don't know what Maa will feel. I mean I was enjoying in US while here .."

" You ask her Sreedhar. You didn't know what happened here. Then why you are hiding those photos. Those beautiful memories "

" Sumi you don't have anything to ask about the gift " he asked

" Sreedhar I know the day this society sees us as a couple you will give me that. I am not worried about that. Whatever it is , it will be precious to me as you bought it. But now I want those photos. I don't want you to be guilty of enjoying your US trip"

" Fine I will discuss with Maa" told Sreedhar

As he went out again Suman settled to do the final business plan. Though she said she was not worried about the special gift, she felt she had a curiosity to know what was it. She knew the other gifts he bought he distributed among Renu Bhabi and Vindhya Bhabi.

It was around three when Sreedhar came to the room with the representative of interior design firm she had shortlisted. The moment the man saw Suman he looked at Sreedhar angrily

" I had known your family is giving space to this widow woman. But please understand you can do whatever you want in your house. Ours is a reputed firm which believes in tradition and we do not want to bring inauspicious tidings to our business by seeing or talking to a widow. We don't want to do business with people who have decided to burn their business"

Sreedhar clenched his fists and Suman went to the corner of the room trying desperately not to cry. As the man was about to walk out Sreedhar's secretary came

" Sir one Rupesh from Crave Interior Design is waiting. He doesn't have an appointment but wants to meet you "

" Send him in if he is fine working with Suman Varma who the Varma family doesn't consider Chudayil , if not ask him not to waste time " told Sreedhar

" Sreedhar Varma do you think people will work with you. Everywhere is not Kotwal Lane. I would suggest you yourself do interior design"

" Sir may I come in. I didn't get response from you. So I thought of coming and meeting you and then explaining our design. Sometimes it looks complicated, but then believe me once done it will be the best " came in Rupesh as the representative of other firm looked on

" You want to work with this widow" asked the man

" What is the issue whether she is widow or not. We are doing business. Why should I look my client is Suhagan or widow as long as she knows what she is telling and can pay completely for the services"

" Now you may please " told Sreedhar holding open the door of the cabin for the first man who walked out in a huff.

" Sumanji please come and listen to what Rupesh has to tell " . Soon Suman looked through Rupesh's brochures, discussed in detail with him and finally they settled on the contract. Rupesh told he will need 40 days to complete the work. As he went Suman smiled as Sreedhar gently caressed her hands

" We will go to temple today Sumi"

" Sreedhar but.." told Suman

" No ifs and buts. We have a social relation Suman. Also we have agreed on a new contract today. So there are ample reasons for justifying temple visit"

Sreedhar told Rajasekhar as they were leaving that since he had done a contract today he wished to visit the temple and since Suman is also involved in the contract he would prefer she too accompanied him. Rajasekhar permitted him to take Suman.

Soon they reached Gowri Shankar mandir. As Suman climbed the steps a lady called her

" Suman beta you are not taking chadava for the Goddess "

She looked at the lady. She didn't know her. But she went near her. Sreedhar who had come by now parking the car stood by her side

" Sreedhar beta you are also there, ask your bhabi to take a chadava"

" Maaji how do you know.."

" How do I know you both. How wouldn't I know you both. Because of you I am able to sit here and do business. Atleast there are a set of people who believe they can buy chadava from a widow.I can send my children back to school from next year. Poor things they were struggling here because after my husband's death I was trapped in house and no one will support us. The only benefit of having my drunkard husband was I could work and take care of my children. Now actually me and my kids are free. We don't have to tolerate an abusive husband and father just because if he is not there we will be trapped in houses. Thanks to you. Now Suman beta take Chadava"

Suman took the Chadava and as Sreedhar tried to pay the lady she told " Beta take it as a mother's blessings. Let Mata Gowri do good for both of you"

Sreedhar and Suman smiled as they reached the Mandir and Suman kept the chadava in the altar. Then they both prayed and thanked the Goddess for keeping them together, supporting them in traversing the tough journey they have undertaken.

When Sreedhar and Suman came home that day Maheswari noted an unexplained glow in both their faces. She was not sure whether the glow was because of the business that is going to come or there was something more to it. She wished it was the latter.