Naina got out of the bed very early. There had been no question of waking up, as she did not sleep throughout the night, not even for a minute. She grabbed the undergarments off the back of the chair and the foot-board of the bed and checking that they were dry put them away in the cupboard. She had remembered to wash them rather late at night. She now headed to the downstairs bathroom that she would be sharing with Nanaji.

Ramdhari rang the bell about 7 am when he arrived for the day. Naina had learnt that he lived in a room built at the back of the house and worked in the house, taking about 4 hours off during the afternoons and usually the later part of Sunday. Naina opened the door to him and returned to her room. She sat there not having anything to do. In her Chachaji's house there had always been so much to do. Here everything was so different. She wondered how she would fill her days now, after all, there were only so many hours that one could spend on studying. She now hoped even more fervently that she would get the apprenticeship, at least that would mean two or three mornings would be occupied.

She had managed to avoid him the evening before, but she could hardly hide in the guest room forever. Or could she? What would she say to him when she saw him next? But, why should she say anything? She had come here all prepared to stay out of his way and pretend that she was just staying in a hostel or something like that. But, being forced to share his room for the past few days and being surrounded by his family and playing the normal couple had messed everything up. As much as she tried not to, she would keep remembering something of their interactions since she arrived here.

And then there was Nanaji to be considered too. She could not overlook him and his expectations. He had been nothing but kind and compassionate to her. And it wasn't just the kindness, she could see that he was genuinely fond of her, the warmth he emanated was more than just compassion. She had to be fair to him too. True, she had come to form this connection with him via his grandson, but the connection was now in place, and it mattered to her.

Sameer woke up with a start. After being up for a very long-time last night, he had overslept. Surprisingly, he did not have the cold or flu, he had been convinced that he had caught the night before. As he rushed through the morning routine, he wondered what to expect downstairs. The uneasiness from the night before returned as he made his way downstairs. He looked around the dining area anxiously as he entered the lounge and was further perturbed when he saw Nanu alone at the dining table. He murmured a good morning to Nanu and settled down for breakfast.

When Ramdhari served breakfast, Nanaji remarked "Aaj toh bahoot heavy breakfast banaya hai tumne... Aloo ki sabzi aur pooriya..." Ramdhari responded "Ji Nanaji... woh kal raat Sameer Bhaiya ne theek se khaya nahi tha... aur Bhabhi ne toh kal dono time khana nahi khaya tha. Toh humne socha aaj nashta zara bhar-pet ho jaye toh acha hoga." Nanaji asked sounding surprised "Dophar mein bhi khana nahi khaya tha usne? Nashta toh kuch kiya tha na sham ko?" Ramdhari replied "Nashta toh nahi kiya tha... bus chai ke sath biskut khaye thay."

As Nanaji and his grandson both listened to this information growing increasingly restless, she entered the lounge and approaching the dining table addressed Nanaji "Good morning Nanaji. Sorry mujhe late ho gaya. Woh samaan mein kuch dhundh rahi thi, toh time pe dhyan hi nahi raha." Nanaji replied that it was perfectly fine and insisted that she eat properly. Ramdhari brought out her favourite chai and served her some extra big portions of the breakfast.

Sameer noted that she had explicitly wished only his Nanu. So, she was not going to talk to him now. Of course, he must be truly stupid if he thought she would want to be friends with him after his decision. But she surely couldn't be such a brilliant actress, right? The goodness and concern he had caught glimpses of over the last few days, had to be true. He finished his breakfast silently, half lost in his thoughts and half listening to the limited conversation between Nanu and her.

Naina informed Nanaji that she planned to stop by her Chachaji's place after college to pick her books and few other things. Hence though she usually got back from college a little after 4 pm, she would be running late that afternoon due to this planned detour. Nanaji informed her that he would be back home about 6 pm as usual. Sameer thought to himself dejectedly, Main kab wapas aayunga iss mein toh kissiko koi interest hi nahi hai.

When Sameer complained to Ramdhari that the coffee was too sweet today, Ramdhari shaking his head replied "Ek chamach dalo toh kum padti hai, dedh dalo toh jyada ho jati hai!" His Bhaiya snapped back "Toh sawa chamach dala karo! Har cheez samjhani padti hai kya?" Ramdhari too not willing to accept this criticism mumbled back as he headed to the kitchen "Itna chota chamach hai... usme sawa kaise hota hai?! Humne socha tha... inki biwi aayengi toh kum se kum humari yeh roz ki ek pariksha toh khatam hogi..." Sameer not quite hearing the exact words, shot at him "Kya bhoon-bhoona rahe ho? Jo bolna hai clearly bolo!"

Soon after, Nanaji and Sameer left for the day. Naina now moved around the house freely and talked to Ramdhari about things in general. Ramdhari was pleased to have someone to converse with about the everyday shopping, cooking and cleaning. She watched the TV for a little bit and then called Preeti to ask her to come to the college a little early.

When the sisters met in college, it could easily have been mistaken for the epic Bharat-Milap scene from Ramayana. Preeti had been besides herself worrying about her sister's condition in her new home. They had a lot to talk about. As Naina gave her a fairly detailed account of everything that had transpired, Preeti's expressions varied from anger, confusion, dismay to feeling conflicted. Sameer's words pre-bidai and actions post-bidai just didn't seem to add up!

Preeti asked Naina a little uncertainly "Tujhe nahi lagta, tum dono ko ek baar baat karni chahiye thi iss bare mein? Matlab tu neeche shift hone se pehele..." Naina replied sounding irritated "Baat karni chahiye thi? Kaisi baat Preeti? Unhone pehli raat ko hi bola tha, ke mujhe upar wale kamre mein sirf mehmaanon ke hone tak rehna hai. Toh phir main kya poochti? Ke kahi unka mann toh badal nahi gaya?? Aur main kyon kuch bolu... Agar unhe kuch bolna hai toh woh khud bole!" Preeti agreed that her sister was right in her stand too.

Seeing Swati approaching them, Naina quickly whispered "Isske saamne please kuch mat bolna..." Swati warmly pulled her in a hug squealing in delight "Naina!! Kaisi hai tu? Haye kitni pyari lag rahi hai sindoor lagake! Par tune shalwar-kameez kaise pehni hai? Mujhe toh laga tha ab toh saree hi pehenegi..." Preeti now stepped in and explained how Sameer had not liked the sarees bought by Taiji and had insisted that Naina should continue wearing Shalwar-Kameez to college. Swati was very impressed hearing about his family's broad-mindedness and continued praising him and Naina's good luck till the lecture started.

At some point Naina thought she saw Munna and Pandit in the distance and immediately changed directions, afraid of what they might say in front of Swati. Sameer had mentioned to his Nanaji at breakfast that they might be coming over to watch a movie on the VCR later today, which meant they knew she was no longer staying in his room, she deduced.

After college when Naina accompanied Preeti home, Chachiji was extremely excited and asked her a string of unending questions. Taiji was out visiting some relatives and hence the conversation and the atmosphere in the house was quite relaxed. Like Swati, she was also surprised to hear see Naina in a Shalwar-Kameez but was happy to hear that it was as per Damadji's wish.

Chachiji though advised her niece "Naina, beta college ki baat toh theek hai, par ghar par sadiya hi pehena. Beta unke ghar pe hazar rishtedar aur jaan-pehchan wale aate honge... koi bhi kisi bhi waqt... nayi bahu ko toh theek se hi taiyar rehna chahiye, samjhi?" Preeti now started "Mummy, aap samajh nahi rahe ho... Sameer ko woh Sadiya bilkul bhi"

Bela interrupted her daughter "Sameer?? Jijaji bulaya kar unhe theek se! Varun Jijaji ko naam se bulaya hai tune kabhi? Bhagwan jhoot na bulaye, yeh aaj kal ke bache! Maine aise sanskar diye hai tujhe?" Preeti thought to herself, Phele Jijaji bulane wala koi kaam toh kare! Biwi ko guest room mein rakha hai... aur main inhe Jijaji bulao?! Meanwhile Naina was thinking Chachiji ko pata chala unhe sadiya achi nahi lagi toh nayi le aayengi. Khamokham aur kharcha. Achi nahi lagti toh na lage! Mujhe bhi koi fark nahi padta. Main toh wahi pehenungi! She immediately shook her head at Preeti and said "Ji Chachiji. Main bilkul samajh gayi. Ghar pe sadiya hi pehenungi."

During the whole day, Sameer's thoughts on and off wandered to the new no talking policy she seemed bent on enforcing now. She had not said a single word to him, nor had she acknowledged his presence this morning in any way. If his co-workers noticed his lousy mood, they found it only natural, considering he should have been on his honeymoon right now and not stuck in the factory. After all none of them had ever spent the first week of their newly wedded life comparing and worrying about the performance of some new machinery to an older model.

About 5:00 pm Mr Parmar who shared the cabin with him, not able to handle his antsy state anymore, insisted that he should head home for the day. Sameer not wanting to appear eager to be around her at home, went to the meet Munna-Pandit for a bit.

As his friends munched on some chaat, he stuck to just sipping on a cola. Seeing him unnecessarily arguing with the stall owner about the imperfect temperature of the cola, Munna asked him "Naina guest room mein chali gayi?" Sameer looked at him a little surprised and then nodded. Pandit about to stuff a Pani-Poori in his mouth stopped and put it back down in the plate, indicating to the stall owner to pause he asked Sameer "Tune roka nahi usse?" Sameer answered sounding annoyed "Kaunsa mujhe pooch ke ya bata ke gayi... Main toh tha bhi nahi ghar pe jab usne samaan neeche shift kiya. Aur ab kal se toh mujhse baat bhi nahi kar rahi hai!"

Pandit looking him straight in the eye asked "Aur tu ghar pe hota toh kya karta? Rok leta usse?" As Sameer turned his gaze away without answering, Pandit continued "Yeh jo kuch bhi ho raha hai, waise hi ho raha hai jaise tu chahata hai, ya shayad chahata tha. Agar kuch badal gaya hai toh bol, aur abhi bol!" Before Sameer could respond, Munna said in a tentative low voice "Sameer, tum dono ke beech... kuch hua ho toh... tujhe apna faisla turant badal dena chahiye. Dekh yaar, woh bahoot seedhi sadhi hai..."

Sameer looked at him with a shocked expression "Woh seedhi sadhi! Toh main kaunsa tedha hu?! Kuch nahi kiya hai... bus patti lagayi thi uske sar pe ek baar... aur ek baar galti se hath laga tha, alarm band karne ke chakar mein." Munna trying to calm him responded "Teri niyaat pe koi shak nahi kar rahe hai... aare teri biwi hai, kuch hota bhi toh galat thode hi hota."

After some awkward silence, followed by what felt like a forced conversation, Sameer headed home. A car from her household was parked in their driveway. As he entered the house, he saw a couple of bags left near the outside sitting area. Entering the lounge, he saw her sitting there with her Chachaji and his Nanu. She was wearing a pretty Turquoise Shalwar-Kameez, that he guessed was bought while out shopping with his mom. A tiny smudge of sindoor in her parting declared her marital status, so she was at least not trying to hide their relationship in college anymore.

Chachaji immediately stood up greeting him warmly and he bent forward to seek Chachaji's blessings, something that he had now got used to doing even without any prompting. Chachaji said "Aare beta, tum toh jaldi aa gaye. Maine toh Naina se kaha tha tumhe phone karke wahi bula le, sabke sath thoda waqt guzarte aur sham ka khana bhi kha lete. Par yeh keh rahi thi ke tumhe factory se aane mein bahoot der ho jayengi." Sameer covered for her and explained that he had unexpectedly finished early today. Nanaji spoke "Chalo acha hua, yeh log bus abhi aaye hai." Then turning to his bahu he said "Ramdhari bahar gaya hai kuch samaam laane. Beta jao sabke liye Chai-Coffee banao."

As Naina made the tea for three of them and coffee for him, she remembered his argument with Ramdhari that morning. Looking at the teaspoon in the sugar jar, she thought to herself, Sahi toh keh rahe thay Bhaiya, itne se chamach mein kaha sawa hota hai... Nakhre toh dekh inke! Meethas ki kami toh khud inme hi hai! And yet, she followed the one spoon of sugar with a few extra pinches too, grumbling to herself all the while.

As she served the hot drinks with some namkeen without uttering a word to him, the men that is mostly Chachaji and Nanaji chatted about some local politics. Sameer after taking one sip of his coffee paused for a bit and then took another bigger sip more deliberately. He looked at the coffee and then at her with a puzzled expression. No, this cant be right, he thought to himself and tried some more. It has got to be a fluke! She couldn't have possibly managed to make his coffee just right, and that too the first time she made it!

Chachaji now addressed his grandfather and said "Bhaisaheb, main bahoot khush hu ke aapne Naina ko college chalu rakhne diya hai." Then taking a small pause he continued a little hesitantly "Aaj yeh bata rahi thi ke uska selection ho gaya hain apprenticeship ke liye." Nanaji turned to her and asked "Tumhara selection ho gaya beta? Tumne bataya nahi..." Naina explained "Nanaji, mujhe aaj hi pata chala. Sir keh rahe thay unhe bhi bus abhi teen din pehele confirmation mila hai. Aagle hafte se do din jana hai, Tuesday aur Friday college se pehele subhe Sade-Aath se Sade-Gyarah tak. Baad mein shayad kuch change ho sakta hai... par abhi toh itna hi pata chala hai."

Sameer looked a little confused as to what was being discussed. Chachaji noting the expression on his face asked his niece sounding a little annoyed "Naina, tumne application ke baare mein Sameer ko bataya nahi? Aur sirf batana nahi, poochna bhi chahiye tha!" Naina a little taken aback by the criticism in his voice, started fidgeting with the kangan in her left hand and fumbled "Nahi... bataya toh..." Before she could go on for longer, Sameer spoke up "Nahi Chachaj, isne bataya tha internship ke baare mein. Main hi bhool gaya tha. Bus din bhar kaam ki baaton mein, yeh baat toh dhyaan se nikal hi gayi thi."

Chachaji looked a little unconvinced but could hardly question Damadji's word. He once again addressed Nanaji and said "Bhaisaheb, main toh yeh kehna chahata tha ke... maine Naina se bhi kaha hai, ke college chalu hai yeh toh bahoot acha hai. Par ab yeh internship shuru karne ki kya jarurat hai? Abhi iss ghar mein aayi hai, ghar pe bhi dhyaan dena chahiye. Ghar ki aurat ko hazar kaam hote hai. Bahoot kuch naya seekhna hoga... aise mein yeh kuch aur shuru karna mujhe toh kuch jaruri nahi lagta."

All the while as Chachaji spoke, Sameer observed her listening nervously and looking dejected. He spoke up "Chachaji, humare yeha pehele se hi Ramdhari sab kuch sambhalta hai. Naina ko ghar ke kaam ki chinta karne ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Agar uska selection ho gaya hai aur woh karna chahe toh internship kar sakti hai." Chachaji smiled at him and said "Dekho beta, tum log itni achi soch rakhte ho... Iss baat ki mujhe bahoot khushi hai. Bus main nahi chahata ke Naina ghar ki taraf iski jo bhi zimedaariyan hai, unhe pura na kare. Aur tumhare Nanaji ne pehele hi kaha tha ke college khatam hone ke baad yeh agar chahe toh tumhare business mein bhi involve ho sakti hai. Toh phir abhi se kissi aur company mein jaane mein kya fayda hai?"

Nanaji who had been listening quietly so far said "Anandji, jaise Sameer keh raha hai... agar selection ho gaya hai, toh karne dijiye. Kuch acha seekhegi... toh shayad aage chalke humare hi business ko fayda hoga." Chachaji nodded and finished his input on the subject with one last directive to her "Naina, yeh log keh rahe hai toh kar lo. Par agar tum ghar ki zimedari na utha pao... ya Sameer ya Nanaji kabhi bhi kahe toh yeh turant band karna hoga, samjhi?" Naina nodded and offered him the chakli that he hadn't tried yet.

Soon after Chachaji said goodbye and Naina took the new bags to her room and set about finding a place for the contents of those bags. As she did that, her mind drifted to what Chachaji had said to her on the way here, Naina, itna acha sasural mila hai. Itne suljhe hue log hai... par tumhe bhi unki achai ka fayda nahi uthana chahiye. Uss ghar ki bahu aur Sameer ki biwi ke naate tumhari bahoot zimedaariyan hai. Pehele unhe samjho aur uthana seekho. Mujhe bilkul acha nahi lagega agar tum iss baat ko importance diye bina sirf apne baare mein sochogi. Seeing her eyes tearing up, he had continued a little softly but still firmly Beta, main tumhara dil dukhana nahi chahata. Par ab tumhari shaadi ho gayi hai. Iss ek rishte ke bante sabko bahoot kuch peeche chodna padta hai. Ab tum humare ghar ki bachi nahi rahi, unnke ghar ki bahu ho. Tumhari Chachi ne itne saalon mein kuch bhi mere ya ghar ke baadon ke marzi ke bina kiya nahi hai. Unke aur mere diye hue sanskaar bhulna mat, samjhi?

Once everything was set, she spent some time copying some notes and trying to catch-up on what she had missed over the last two weeks. A little before dinner time, she went to the kitchen to check with Ramdhari if she could help with something, but he had everything under control. She discussed the plan for the breakfast for the next day with him, remembering her Chachiji's instructions from earlier that day Naina, din ka ek khana toh tumhe banana hi chahiye. Kum se kum subhe ka nashta banaya karo. Acha thodehi lagta hai, ke ghar ki aurat ke hote gharwalon ko naukaron ke hath ka khana hi khana pade! Dopahar ka khana toh waise hi woh log ghar pe nahi khate. Aur Damadji aur Nanaji se poonch ke dekh lena unhe sath tiffan dena hai kya.

Everyone had so many instructions and expectations. Nobody wanted her to think and decide for herself.

Dinner was a fairly quiet and quick affair. Based on Sameer's conversation with his Nanaji, she learnt that his team was playing a match locally the next day, meaning he would be out from about 10:30 am to 5 pm. The Sunday cricket that she had resented during her pre-bidai visits, now seemed to hold more appeal, at least she didn't have to worry about how to avoid him the whole of Sunday.

In his far too quiet room, which now missed the melodious tinkling of her glass bangles, Sameer dwelt a little on the conversation with her Chachaji. He wondered about the internship she had signed up for and the fact that she had been shortlisted for something that sounded rather prestigious. Of course, she had not told him about it, he thought sullenly. He felt a little silly now about talking to her about his project and the story behind the Cadbury given by Munshiji. She had not shared anything with him.

Though not quite wanting to, when his thoughts drifted to the conversation with Munna and Pandit, especially the question that Pandit had asked, what would he have done had he been around when she moved downstairs, he quickly redirected them somewhere else, probably as he did not have any answers. And lastly, he dwelt at length, on her continued silence, with the uneasiness still gripping his heart.

Downstairs his wife dissected at length her conversations with Chachaji and Chachiji, the conversation between Chachaji and her husband, and her evolving role in this household. Chachaji's words to her all these years, his expectations of her success, had been a source of strength, but today his expectations seemed to weigh her down. She felt her guts knotting up, wondering how he would react if her marriage failed. Would he forget everything else she had achieved over the years? A tiny but persistent voice insisted that he would view her as a failure in the first real challenge that life her sent her way. She fleetingly questioned her decision to sign up for the apprenticeship, worrying how she would balance it all. But then decided that if everything else turned out to be transient, she had to find some anchor for herself.

She also deliberated on her no talking stanch. Just how long could that go on? Should she just talk to him a little and pretend like everything was perfectly fine? But the truth was, it had hurt like hell, no correction... it hurt like hell. And why didn't he make the first move? Was he incapable of saying a simple Good Morning at breakfast or a Thank You at the dinner table when she passed him the pickles?!

Naina was once again up very early the next morning, after spending another fairly sleepless night. She worked alongside Ramdhari on the breakfast. When Ramdhari served the slightly unevenly cooked parathas by the more-than-a-little-nervous new bahu, his Bhaiya was quick to point out the lack of perfection, but then ate them without any further complaints on learning about their origins. The coffee was not sweet enough that morning, which Ramdhari defended as "Kal jyada meethi thi, issiliye aaj kum cheeni dali hai!"

Sameer noted she spent most of the time in the kitchen sending things out with Ramdhari. When she finally joined them at the table, the silent treatment from the previous day continued. She was once again draped in one of those terrible Taiji sarees, this one in parrot green with some large bright pink flowers all over it. So, she was definitely out to irk him in very way possible and show that his likes did not matter. But the bright pink modern blouse did not look half bad at all... Well, as long as she didn't wear them outside, he didn't really mind it.

After he had left for the day, Naina joined Nanaji in the garden when the gardener arrived. Nanaji now recalling his promise to give her a small patch of her own to experiment, advised the gardener to help her choose what to plant and advise her on how to look after her plants.

Naina deciding that she wanted to grow some everyday use herbs and vegetables that she could use in the kitchen, started asking the gardener for his advice "Kakaji, aisa paudhe lagane hai jo jaldi bade ho jaye aur kuch de." When he asked her what sort of time frame did she have in mind, she went quiet for a few moments calculating something and then said "Jyada se jyada dus-gyarah mahine mein kuch aa jana chachiye. Mujhe dekhna hai unhe hara-bhara. Yeh batayiye kya jaldi bada hoga." The gardener went on to advise her that Coriander would take about 6-8 weeks, Chilli and Tomato plants about 3-4 months and some other leafy vegetables like Methi and Palak about 4-6 weeks.

As Naina deliberated over her wish list, Nanaji listened quietly. He addressed the gardener when they seemed to have finalised "Kaka, Bahu ke haaton ek Kele ka pedh bhi lagao." He then turned to her and said "Beta, kuch paudhon ko bada hone mein aur phal dene mein waqt lagta hai. Par unhe bada hote dekhne mein aur phir jab woh saalon tak baar baar meetha phal dete hai... toh uss mein ek alag khushi hoti hai. Aise hi nahi kehte ke sabr ka phal meetha hota hai, samjhi?" Naina felt like he wasn't talking about just the plants that she was planning to sow and replied softly "Ji Nanaji."

She spent the afternoon again making more notes and watched the TV for a bit. As she flipped the channels, she thought a little about Nanaji's words from earlier. It turned out Nanaji liked to take a long nap on Sunday afternoons. They had tea about 4:30 pm and then Nanaji went out to meet some friends, after leaving some instructions with her to serve Sameer something substantial to eat with his coffee when he returned from the match.

Naina waited in a slight state of agitation for the next couple of hours, wondering what she would say or do, but she shouldn't have worried. Nanaji seemed a little disappointed when he got back about half past six to see that his grandson had still not returned. Sameer finally arrived home a little after seven, when Naina and Nanu were watching the local news on the TV.

As soon as her husband entered the lounge still dressed in his whites, Nanaji immediately asked him "Sameer, itni der kyun ho gayi? Match khatam hoke toh kafi time hua hoga na?" He explained "Ha Nanu, match toh paune-paanch ko hi khatam hua tha. Par... uske baad... woh sab team wale treat ki zidd karne lage..." Nanaji asked "Treat? Kiss liye? Match jeetne ke liye tum kyun treat doge?" Sameer explained sounding a little uneasy "Match ke liye nahi Nanu... woh Shaadi ki khushi mein treat chahiye tha unhe. Kehne lage, pooja ke function mein bhi nahi bulaya tha unhe..."

Naina who had been drinking some water, choked on it hearing the words Shaadi ki khushi mein treat, she was thinking Kisski shaadi aur kaisi khushi?! Without realising, she looked at him incredulously. Sameer now further embarrassed by her reaction, tried to justify "Ab woh log itna zor de rahe thay, toh main manna bhi toh nahi kar sakta tha..." She thought O... toh khud apne doston ko ek treat ke liye manna nahi kar sakte... aur mujhe keh rahe thay, ke main apne gharwalon ko bidai ke liye manna kar du!

Nanaji replied "Acha kiya beta. Ha, tumhe unhe bhi pooja mein bulana chaiye tha... chalo koi baat nahi. Par aage se itni der hone wali ho toh ek phone kar diya karo. Bahu raah dekh rahi thi." Though he nodded in response, he was thinking Raah dekh rahi? Aur meri?! Nanu ko bhi pata nahi kaise kaise wehem hote hai... Do din se, baat toh chodo, dekh bhi nahi rahi thi meri taraf. Ha, par ab treat ki baat sun kar, dekho kaise badi badi aakhen deekha rahi hai mujhe!

Sameer then excused himself and headed upstairs to shower and rest for a bit. After some time Naina headed to the kitchen to get dinner finished. Ramdhari had already kept the dal and sabji ready in the morning as he would not be back after lunch it being Sunday, so she just needed to make a raita along with the rice and rotis. After that morning's unsatisfactory performance in the making of perfect parathas, she decided to stick to phulkas for the evening.

The evening meal was again a quiet affair, with some limited conversation between Sameer and Nanaji. Naina made countless trips from the kitchen and kept serving them the hot phulkas. For someone who had already enjoyed the treat, her husband seemed exceptionally ravenous. By the end of the dinner, she was resolved to hone her paratha making skills at the earliest possible.

Post dinner, the two men moved to the lounge and watched some TV, while Naina cleaned the kitchen for the night. Once that was done, she headed to her room to change for the night.

A little while later, Nanaji moved to the outside sitting area and turned on his radio. Sameer was sitting in the lounge by himself, when he heard her call from the door "Sameer..." He turned in her direction very surprised thinking Mujhe bula rahi hai?! She stood there in a pale pink cotton shalwar kameez looking a little nervous. When he just raised his eyebrows at her questioningly, she said a little tentatively "Aap se kuch kaam tha... upar jaane se pehele zara kamre mein aayenge?" He a little relieved but still annoyed by her silent treatment of the past two days replied "Ha, paanch minute mein yeh program khatam ho jaye toh aata hu." She nodded and headed back to her room.

The five minutes that followed, seemed like the longest of his life so far. Why did she call him to her room? What did she want? Must be something really important if she was willing to break her Maun Vrat, right? Well, it wasn't a proper Maun Vrat... she had been talking to everyone else happily enough... but still. At some point he mentally kicked himself for telling her that he would need another five minutes... why hadn't he said two minutes?! And now if he rushed inside, she would think that he couldn't even wait till the program was over. He didn't want to appear too keen. He waited for an extra fifteen seconds for good measure, before he headed to her room.

Nanaji seeing him exit the lounge asked "Ja rahe ho sone?" He mumbled suddenly feeling a little awkward "Ha, bus woh pehele... Naina ko kuch kaam hai... Kamre mein bulaya hai." Nanaji pleased to see that the satyagraha in his house seemed to be ending, encouragingly nodded "Ha... dekho zara. Aur poochte rehna usse, kuch chahiye toh nahi, theek hai?"

As he peeked inside the guestroom from the open door, he saw her scribbling away something sitting at the writing desk. When he knocked lightly on the door, she stood up quickly and said "Undar aaiyena..." He took a few steps inside and then stood still waiting for her to throw some light on why his presence had been requested.

She thinking to herself, Do din se toh badi akad dikha rahi thi... akhir bolana hi pada... started in a fumbling manner looking at the ground "Do din se... matlab do raat se... bilkul so nahi payi. Mujhe bilkul bhi aadat nahi hai aise sone ki... Bahoot darr lagta hai..." She now lifted her eyes to his face, only to see him staring at her in disbelief. Sameer was thinking, What was she saying? Was she saying that she wanted to move back upstairs? Naina suddenly catching on what he might have thought of her words paled and quickly blurted "Khidki band karne bulaya hai aap ko! Woh khidki khuli rehti hai toh mujhe raat ko darr lagta hai aur neend nahi aati. Aisa lagte rehta hai koi undar dekhega toh nahi... Ground floor hai na..."

He sounding confused but also unconvinced asked "Khidki band karne bulaya?? Kyun? Tum nahi kar sakti?" She deciding to prove to him rather than just let him keep doubting her, moved closer to the window and demonstrated how she was unable to reach the handle through the grill. He finding it funny, smirked a little "Short ho yeh toh dikhta hi hai... par itni ke khidki bhi band nahi hoti?!" She cast him an annoyed look and said "Chachaji ke ghar ki sari khidkiya band karni aate hai mujhe... jarur iss khidki mein hi koi problem hai!" He remarked with a thinking expression "Hmm... woh kya kahawat hai? Ha... nach na jane aangan tedha... right?"

He shook his head and not so secretly pleased that she had to ask him for help, easily closed the window. She quickly muttered a "Thank you". He smiled still enjoying his victory and replied, "Its okay." As he turned and headed to the door, she added "Kal ke liye bhi Thank You." He stopped and looked back with a questioning look "Kal ke liye? Kal toh maine khidki nahi band ki thi... phir kissliye?"

She took a deep breath and replied in a calmer voice "Woh aapne kal Chachaji ke samne baat ko sambhal liya... issliye. Agar aap aisa na karte, toh Chachaji mujhse bahoot naraaz hote. Aur unki naraazgi mujhse sahi nahi jati..." As if though reading the question in his eyes, she continued "Mere liye Chachaji aur unki khushi bahoot important hai... Shayad, jaise aapke liye aapke Nanaji hai... waise hi."

He looked thoughtful for a few moments and then asked "Par, Chachaji kyun? Tumhare Papa toh tumhare sath hi rehte hai." She answered timidly "Sath rehte bhi hai... aur nahi bhi. Papa aur Arjun Bhaiya Tauji ke sath rehte hai. Aur main hamesha se hi Chachaji ke ghar mein rahi hu." He now asked "Matlab tum unse sabse close ho?" She looked a little uncertain and then replied with a slight smile "Close toh hu... par shayad sabse jyada nahi... sabse jyada toh main Preeti se close hu. Usse mera koi secret nahi hota. Hum dono sab kuch share karte hai ek dusre se."

They both looked at each other, with so many questions in their hearts. But neither spoke. Sameer finally muttered a Goodnight and turned to leave. She muttered a Goodnight too and closed the door after him.

As Sameer passed by, Nanaji sounding a little worried asked "Sab theek hai?" He replied "Ji, bus usse khidki band nahi ho rahi thi..." Nanaji nodded "Aare ha... uss kamre ki khidki kuch ajeeb ban gayi hai... pata nahi kya pee ke banayi thi uss carpenter ne! Aur puri deevar tode bina sudharna bhi mushkil hain. Itne saalon se aise hi kaam chalana pada hai." Sameer thought smiling to himself as he climbed the stairs, hmm... toh such mooch height ki koi problem nahi hai... problem khidki mein hi hai!

That night both slept a little better than they had the previous two nights. A few simple words exchanged with each other provided a solace beyond comprehension.

Naina woke up to the ringing of the front door bell. She scrambled out of the bed and rushed to open the door to Ramdhari. As he entered the door having collected the milk bags left in a cloth bag tied to the front gate, she advised him that she would join him in the kitchen soon. After two sleepless nights, she had finally slept fairly well, well enough to have overslept.

Not having enough time to bathe, she joined Ramdhari in the cooking after freshening up quickly, still clad in the shalwar-kameez.

Sameer woke up, his heart not gripped by the uncertainty of the past few days. Before he fell asleep the night before, he had convinced himself that with the cold war now over, they could return to the warmth of their newly formed friendship. And being a friend was something he was good at!

But still his hands shook a little nervously and he ended up with a small nick on his chin as he shaved. As he climbed down the stairs, he wondered what if the truce she had called last night was just temporary. What if she didn't talk to him this morning?

He greeted his Nanu as he joined him at the table and tried to make some small talk, but it didn't probably make a lot of sense, as Nanu looked at him suspiciously. A few minutes later, she entered the dining area with some Palak-Paranthas and raita. He not wanting her to have a chance to revert back to greeting his Nanu only, quickly flashed a far too bright smile at her and said "Good Morning! Tum theek se soyi? Khidki phir se khuli toh nahi raat ko?" She smiled looking a little relived too and replied "Nahi, kal toh kafi behtar soyi... in fact, subhe Ramdhari ne bell bajayi tabhi neend khuli. Nahane ko bhi time nahi mila... socha pehele nashta bana leti hu..."

There was palpable sense of relief in all the three people at that table that morning. Sameer even drank the coffee served by Ramdhari without any complaints, though it was a little extra sweet. Naina was wondering, what did he mean by Khidki phir se khuli toh nahi raat ko? How could the window open by itself? As Nanaji rose from the table, he offered a silent prayer of thanks to his Gods and said to her "Beta, aaj se subhe ki Pooja bhi tum kar liya karo. Sham ko main Diya laga diya karunga."