The alarm went off. Naina pulled out of his embrace, tapped the clock and restored the calm that had been momentarily disrupted. She murmured to him "Main Nanaji ki chai aur dawai dehkti hu... aap so jayiye." He drowsily pulled her pillow into his arms and drifted off to sleep for a bit.

After he had returned to her bed, they had stayed swaddled in their little world, dozing in and out of some light slumber, each silently marvelling at this miracle the morning was bringing their way.

As she offered Nanaji his morning dose of the medication with a cup of tea and a couple of Marie biscuits, she enquired "Theek se soye na aap? Kuch takleef toh nahi hui raat mein?" He assured her he had slept well, and then asked in a slightly hesitant voice "Sameer neeche hi soya hai?" As she nodded a Ji her eyes cast downwards but with a flush starting to creep up her face, he nodded in satisfaction.

A lot had to be done that day and they expected a fair number of visitors that morning. Naina rushed to get ready for the day, as soon as Nanaji had been attended to. As she entered her room post her bath that morning, she looked at her still slumbering husband a little uncertainly. She had donned the kurta from the night before over the saree petticoat and blouse in the bathroom, but now needed to wrap the saree. Knowing there would be some visitors dropping by, she had selected a much nicer chiffon for the day. She wondered, if she should wake him up and tell him she needed to change? But that seemed rather odd. She peeked at him a couple of times and then feeling confident that he was asleep, she closed the door and turning her back to him set about changing.

Sameer buried his face further into the pillow, inhaling her fragrance, the corners of his lips curving into a slight smile. This was perfect he thought and then immediately took back that thought, it had been perfect waking up with her in his arms. He had heard a sound... of a door creak and then being bolted. He stilled for a few seconds and then opened his eyes a little. The pillow was now a hindrance and he shifted it till he had an unhindered view of his wife. And what a view!

He eyes which has been sleepy slants a moment back, flew wide open. She had her back to him and was wriggling out of her kurta. His heart started thumping in anticipation. He wondered in a daze if he should stop her and empty the room for her, but then decided it was an undeniably idiotic idea. Meri biwi hai, khud hoke darwaja band karke change kar rahi hai, aur jaanti hai main yaha hu. Koi chupke nahi dekh raha hu usse!

But, as she pulled of the kurta, he felt mildly disappointed. She was already wearing the saree blouse, the much dreamed about lace nowhere in sight. The disappointment did not last too long though, as he found the vision of her clad in just the red petticoat and blouse extremely alluring too. It emphasised the intimacy of the moment and their changing equation. She then started draping a red chiffon saree.

As he watched the wrapping in fascination and getting more and more turned on by the second, a part of him wondered a little flustered, just what would the undoing do to him? His raging hormones questioned, and just what was he waiting for?! The dori tied in a knot at the top of her blouse seemed to be seductively summoning him.

She pinned the pleats in place and opened the hair tied in a messy bun. She turned towards him as she towelled the semi wet hair. The slight nervousness that she had been experiencing, turned into an almost full-blown anxiety attack, seeing him awake and watching her. Pata nahi kab se aur kya dekh rahe thay... She mumbled a Good Morning and quickly headed to the mirror to finish combing and braiding her hair. The task took much longer than usual as the hair kept slipping through her trembling fingers.

The doorbell rang and she muttered "Ramdhari bhaiya aaye honge... darwaja please khol dijiye." He half-heartedly headed to open the door, while she finished quickly applied the bindi and sindhoor and headed to the kitchen.

Breakfast was a quick and simple affair, with poha and lots of freshly cut fruit on offer. All members of the household were relived to see Nanaji recovering swiftly. Ramdhari said to Nanaji in a content voice "Nanaji, such keh rahe hai... aaj do din baad hum sab ke jaan mein jaan aayi hai!" Sameer thoroughly agreed "Yeh bilkul theek keh raha hai Nanu... aapne toh hum sab ko bahoot darra diya! Ab aage se sehat ka bahoot khayal rakhna hai, aur please aise koi aur shock mat dijiye humme." Naina shouted from the kitchen "Sameer, Nanaji ko fruits khilayiye. Main Ramdhari bhaiya se aur mangayungi." Nanaji just smiled and shook his head slightly feeling overcome by their concern and love.

The morning was interrupted by numerous phone calls and visits from family and close friends, all calling to convey their Diwali wishes. Every now and then, Nanaji would ask Naina to join them in the lounge when he was keen for her to spend time with certain visitors. The news of Nanu's recent health scare was conveyed to almost all by Sameer or Naina, which led to Nanaji receiving a lot of advice from all his well-wishers along with the greetings for Diwali.

Kamlesh Mama and his Bombay-wali also dropped by to seek Nanaji's blessings. Mamaji time and again offered any help required and emphasised how Sameer could always count on him for anything at all. Mamiji reviewed Naina's preparation for Diwali and shared advice on a number of things that could be managed much better. Naina couldn't decide if some of it was advice or criticism.

After they left, Naina murmured sounding a little dejected "Lagta hai Mamiji ko mera rasoi rakhna acha nahi laga..." Nanaji chuckled and replied "Aare beta, Kamlesh ki biwi toh hamesha se hi bolne mein kuch zyada teej hai. Tum uski baate dil pe mat lena." Then turning to Sameer, he added a little astutely "Sameer, beta ek baat yaad rakhna, kuch rishtedaron se sirf rishtedari hi rakhni chahiye. Dhande ki baat aaye toh inhe mix nahi karna chahiye, samjhe?" Sameer feeling a little surprised tried to understand this new advice from his grandfather.

As Naina sent out countless cups of tea and plates of food for the visitors and also some little takeaway packets for some special few as per Nanaji's instructions, she was overwhelmed by the fast diminishing quantities of ladoos and Sev-Chiwda. Looked like she would have to reach out to the Maharaj with an additional order soon. Of course, the visitors did not arrive empty handed and there was a pile of meethai boxes of different shapes, sizes and colours accumulating in one corner of the kitchen.

Though it was a holiday and the factory would stay closed for operations, according to the tradition the Maheshwaris were planning to perform a small pooja at the factory in the evening as per the Laxmi Pooja muhurat for that day. Nanaji had made it clear that there was no way he was planning on skipping this event.

About half-past five they all headed to the factory, dressed for the occasion and carrying a number of bags filled with the Pooja Samagri, Prasad and some boxes of sweets to be distributed to the few employees who would be attending the Pooja. Nanaji had donned the new grey silk kurta gifted by the young Mr and Mrs Maheshwari. Sameer had re-worn his new favourite Purple kurta and his wife was wrapped in forest green Banarasi silk saree and wore a pearl and emerald set accompanied by a lot of dark green glass bangles.

The drive to the factory took close to half an hour. As they approached the factory gate, Naina thought that though the structure felt vaguely familiar, she couldn't remember it from that visit the day of the Bidai. But she could clearly remember the fear and uncertainly that had then gripped her. That day, she had empathised and identified with the bali-ka-bakra. The future has seemed so bleak. Nothing around her had registered, and she had definitely not looked at any of it with any feelings of belonging.

But the big white arch shaped signboard with Maheshwari Textiles in dark blue lettering above the gate, felt a lot more apna today. Naina looked outside the window curiously as Sameer drove to the main entrance to drop Nanaji and Naina. Gopi kaka, their chowkidar and one of longest employees of the factory rushed forward with another younger man in tow to collect the multiple bags from the car. He advised them that Poojariji had arrived just few minutes back and had been served some tea.

While Sameer parked the car, Nanaji introduced his Bahu to the few employees gathered for the little Pooja. Naina was deeply touched by their loyalty and their choice to spend some time away from their families on this auspicious occasion. As Gopi kaka dusted an already clean chair with his handkerchief for Naina flashing her a warm smile, she recalling something Sameer had mentioned few days back asked "Kaise hai aap? Aur aapke bete ki dukkan kaise chal rahi hai? Sameer bata rahe thay ke nayi kholi hai..." This small enquiry left the weathered and fairly wrinkled face beaming and he spent the next couple of minutes reporting on the challenges his son had faced initially but how the sales had picked up now. As Naina nodded and murmured some words like "Chinta mat kijiye Kaka... sab theek hoga... thoda waqt toh lagta hi hai..." Nanaji observed this interaction with mounting pleasure thinking to himself that he was handing over the business to two sets of able hands and hearts.

Everyone assembled soon headed to the corner area on the shop floor where the pooja was being setup. Naina emptied the various bags and handed over things as the Poojariji instructed her. Nearby a few chairs had been pulled for the occasion, Nanaji settled on one of them and watched the proceedings.

Once the Pooja was setup, Sameer sat down with the Poojariji as per some earlier instructions from Nanaji, while Naina joined Nanaji wanting to keep him company. It was a small Pooja lasting about half-an-hour or so, but Sameer's eyes frequently travelled in the direction on his wife finding it a little strange sitting there by himself. The only two times he had previously sat down to perform religious rituals, she had been by his side. At the beginning he had asked the Poojariji "Iss mein akele hi baithana hota hai kya? Matlab meri wife yahi hai... toh usse bhi bula lu?" The elderly man had smiled feeling a little amused, remembering the time when this same young man had been so reluctant to get married and replied "Aare nahi beta, yeh koi Satya Narayan ki Pooja thodehi hai... bus apne factory aur business ki khushali ke liye hai. Har saal tumhare Nanaji bhi akele hi karte hai."

Nanaji along with Naina and others present offered their prayers once the Pooja was completed, and then the boxes of Meethai were distributed around. Sameer complained to his wife in a low voice "Waha kyun baithi thi tum? Yeh acha hai... main waha neeche baith ke Pooja kar raha tha aur tum khursi pe baithi thi!" As she mumbled "Maine socha Nanaji ke sath baithna chahiye..." he declared "Agle saal se dono baithange... mujhse yeh pooja-wuja akele nahi hogi!" She nodded in acceptance.

Naina now glancing around curiously said to him "Sameer, mujhse woh nayi wali machinery dekhni hai jo aapne install karwai thi..." He beamed and called out to his grandfather "Nanu, main Naina ko zara factory dikhne le ja raha hu... bus aapko thodi der mein aake milte hai." Nanaji nodding replied "Ha beta, main Munshiji ke sath uppar cabin mein hu. Aaya hi hu toh kuch jaruri papers sign kar leta hu."

For the next fifteen to twenty minutes Sameer gave her a brief of the factory explaining the operations carried out there. He realised he had never felt this sort of pride in this place before, though it had always been taken for granted that it would one day come to be his... but the last few months had been instrumental, in his taking steps to make it rightfully his.

Naina watched in wonder as he spoke so knowledgeably about the plant and the processes involved. In theory she had started becoming aware of the size of their operations over the last few months, hearing Sameer and Nanaji frequently discuss work at home. But, now faced with the evidence, it was more than a little awe-inspiring. She felt a rather ashamed that at some point she had a been a little disillusioned by his lack of dedication towards studies and had felt a little peevish about his less than excellent grades. The admiration in her grew as she realised just how much learning he was doing outside his normal course work, and while most boys his age were still busy having fun, he was already earning his stripes in the real world. The pride in her grew, thinking this accomplished young man was her man. She blushed at this thought.

Sameer who had been talking about the capacity of one specific machine, suddenly paused seeing her expression and asked "Kya ho gaya? Tum meri baate sunn bhi rahi ho ya kahi aapne ki khayalon mein khoi ho?!" She flushed some more at being caught, and then to divert his attention pointed to some huge container to one side and asked "Woh... main toh soch rahi thi... ke... ha... uss mein kya hai..." He walked in that direction and started telling her how they stored some discarded bits of yarn in those containers till merchants who could find alternative use came by to pick them up.

Naina inquisitively tried to peek into the containers stretching on her toes. Seeing her unsuccessful attempts getting a good view inside, he chuckled and then impulsively bent forward and picked her up. Naina squealed "Sameer! Yeh kya kar rahe hai?! Please..." He was not in a mood to let go so quickly and murmured "Ab itni short ho toh kabhi kabhi toh yahi solution apply karna hoga, right?" Feeling super conscious of this proximity, she tried to wriggle out of his hold "Please neeche rakhiye... koi dekh lega..." He laughed softly as he put her down "Tumhe kya lagta hai, main kissise darta hu? Bilkul bhi nahi... biwi ho meri... jab chahe utha lu!" Naina felt her face burn at this first ever direct proclamation of his haq. As she tried to move away, he pulled her towards him a little holding her by the arm and asked in a husky voice "Hai na??" She eyes lowered mumbled something incoherent, but he wasn't expecting a verbal response anyway, her expression was answer enough.

Nanaji smiled with great satisfaction, as he happened to watch part of his grandson's antics from the small window in his cabin overlooking the shop floor. The way Sameer's eyes always sought her every time he entered a room, or the way whenever he returned home from somewhere these days he immediately asked Ramdhari Tumhari Bhabhi kaha hai?, it all brought so much solace to his heart. Bus ab ek baar Naina uppar shift ho jaye, he mused.

Downstairs Naina mumbled "Ab chale? Nanaji bhi thak gaye honge..." He nodded and started leading her to Nanu's cabin. As Naina looked down at the shop floor on reaching the upper level, she remarked "Kitna bada hai na... mujhe toh uss din kuch bhi samajh hi nahi aaya tha..." Turning to him a bit she asked sounding a little confused "Uss din bhi hum yaha aaye thay kya?" He shook his head "Nahi, uss din toh function ke liye bahar hi pendal lagaya tha..." He lost some colour remembering how she had looked like a lifeless statue for the most part that day, till she completely dissolved into tears at the end. Today would be very different he decided.

Before heading to Nanu's cabin, he pulled her into another cabin and pointing to one chair said "Main yaha baithta hu... Waise toh yeh Parmar uncle ka cabin hai... par main temporarily yahi use karta hu. Unse bahoot seekh raha hu." She looked around with a wide smile on her face "Bahoot acha hai!" He beamed at her enthusiasm about the fairly standard cabin. She walked around it a bit lightly running her fingers on the files on his desk and briefly touching his pen stand. Seeing the small Ganesha calendar by his desk, her right hand automatically touched her forehead and then her chest offering some silent prayer for his success and prosperity.

When Naina made to leave the room, he suddenly blocked her way by his left arm. As she looked at him a little astounded, he said blushing "Peheli baar mere office aayi ho... kuch meetha nahi dogi?" She uttered "Meethai toh sari neeche hi hai. Jate waqt le lijiye..." He frowned slightly and pouted "Naina mujhe woh neeche wali nahi, kuch khaas chahiye!" Her brows creased in confusion "Khaas kaunsi? Abhi toh ek hi sath laye hai."

He sucked on his lower lip feeling both excited and nervous, and then extending his right hand took her hand in his own. She forgot to breath as he drew her hand closer and closer to him and finally to his lips. She leaned heavily against the doorframe touching her back. For a moment her fingers tried to pull away in surprise and then clasped his hand tightly. He stood with his lips pressed against the back of her dainty hand for a while. Both were too overcome with wonder and emotion to be able to determine if it was just a few seconds or minutes.

He slowly lifted his head and continued gazing at her, his pupils dilated and a shy smile tugging more at one corner of his lips. She feeling many things... but mostly flustered pulled her hand away and nervously touched it almost reverentially where he has just kissed it. She tried to say something, but words completely failed her and so colouring very deeply she turned and almost ran away.

Sameer looked around for a few moments in a sort of daze. Downstairs he had picked her up in fun, almost like a tease, but then watching her inviting pink lips from such close quarters had left him wanting much more. Finding himself alone in this room, he had gathered the courage to ask for more but had been confounded by her innocence and had only managed to kiss her hand. Coming out of these thoughts, he ran his fingers through his hair and then quickly followed her to Nanu's cabin.

Nanaji looked up from some papers on his table as his bahu stood in the doorway and smiled "Aare andar aao... waha kyun khadi ho? Sameer ne dikha di tumhe factory?" She replied as she took a few paces forward "Ha, dikha di... bahoot badi hai. Nanaji ab aap ko itna kaam nahi karna chahiye... issiliye tabiyat theek nahi rehti. Bus ab kaam kum... aur aaram jyada!" He smiled at her indulgently "Aaram toh karunga... par pehele tumhara woh buddhu sab sambhal toh le!" She fumbled a bit "Woh toh kitna kaam karne lage hai... par kuch waqt toh lagega na... college bhi toh hai abhi..." Nanaji's eyes twinkled seeing her instinctively raising to her husband's defence.

Sameer appeared in the doorway just about then and asked "Nanu, ab chale?" Nanu chuckled "Barkhurdar, tumne bataya nahi ke tumne isse apna advocate appoint kiya hai?" Naina looked contrite thinking she had overstepped in some way and mumbled "Nahi Nanaji... mera woh matlab nahi tha." Sameer asked sounding a little confused "Kya hua? Main kuch samjha nahi..." Nanaji rose from his desk and walking closer patted Naina's head "Aare beta main toh sirf mazak kar raha hu! Aur waise toh pati-patni ko hamesha ek dusre ke liye ladhna hi chahiye."

Naina blushed as she packed the Pooja prasad, now realising that earlier in his office he had not been referring to this meetha. As they got into the car, Nanaji insisted that she sit next to him in the front seat. Today, if Naina's eye turned slightly misty as they left the factory behind it was only with joy.

On reaching home, Ramdhari informed Nanaji that Rustom uncle had called a couple of times to convey his wishes for Diwali. Nanaji returned his call and chatted for a bit but did not mention about his recent health problems. Sameer noting this, expressed his wish to talk to Rustom uncle and then went on to bring him up to speed on the happenings of the last couple of days. He also requested Rustom uncle to talk to his friend and ask him to slow down a bit and pay more attention to his health. Nanaji was handed the receiver once again and this time had to listen to a barrage of instructions and questions from his friend.

Sometime later, Dinaz aunty called up to enquire about her Bhaiji's health and further bombarded him with advice. She then asked for Sameer and questioned him "Aare aisa kaisa ekdum tabiyat kharab ho gaya?!" As Nanu called out to him in the background forbidding him from scaring everyone unnecessarily, Sameer stepped outside on the lawn to talk with her in peace. Dinaz had played an almost mother like role in his life for a number of years and he at times found it easier to share his anxieties with her than with Vishakha. He went on to share some of his worries and further entreated her to advice Nanu to slow down a bit and not worry. Dinaz asked him how they planned to look after Bhaiji and then said she would talk to Naina the next day and share some tips with her too. They spoke for another five minutes for so before Dinaz bid him a goodnight.

Sameer had expected to feel lighter after the conversation, but instead sat down with an even heavier heart as he hung up. About ten minutes later Naina found him in the garden still lost in thoughts. She urged him to get the firecrackers out quickly so that they could all light a few before dinner time. He almost dragged his feet to go fetch them, while his wife got Nanu to join them in the porch again.

That evening as they lit the firecrackers, Naina insisted on Nanu lighting a few sparklers too. As their eyes twinkled and smiles illuminated their beings, Sameer smiled too, but it was a fairly shaky smile. Talking to Nanu that night had already been on his To-Do-List, but now his restlessness reached new heights.

As Naina served Kheer with the dinner, Sameer objected "Naina, Nanu ko meetha kyun serve kar rahi ho?!" She explained looking rather pleased with herself "Maine Nanaji ki kheer mein Sugarfree dala hai. Doctor uncle ne bataya hai mujhe ke koi khaas awsar ho toh woh use kar liya karu... Ramdhari bhaiya se shaam ko hi medical shop se mangwaya hai. Diwali ke din Nanaji kuch bhi meetha na khaye toh acha thodehi legega..." Nanaji seemed very happy with this solution and thoroughly enjoyed his dinner of kheer-puri and paneer masala.

After dinner was done, they all sat in the lounge chatting a little about the day and the visit to the factory. Sameer said to his grandfather "Nanu, aap ab such mooch kaam kum kar dijiye. Main sham ko jyada time factory mein spend kiya karunga." Nanaji objected "Aare beta ghar bhaith ke bore ho jayunga main..." Naina added in support of her husband "Nanaji, hum soch rahe thay ke ab aap subhe bhi thoda late jayiye... subhe nau baje ki jagah dus sade-dus baje chale jayiye... aur sham ko na jyada se jyada char baje tak ghar aa jayiye... main bhi tab tak wapas aa hi jati hu... hum dono sath mein chai piya karenge... aur mausam acha ho toh thoda gardening bhi. Toh aap ko ghar pe bore bhi nahi hoga!" Nanaji nodded "Ha, sochte hai...", while he thought, Ek baar inke chintu mintu aa jaye toh phir toh main bilkul bhi bore hone se raha! He stood to head to his room, his mind still full of the joy of the impending patter of tiny feet echoing in the house. Sameer got up too mumbling "Nanu, mujhe aap se kuch baat karni hai. Aap change kar lijiye, main bhi change karke aata hu."

About fifteen minutes later Sameer knocked on the slightly ajar door to Nanu's bedroom, and then entered when he heard "Aa jao beta..." He stepped inside and pushed the door close again. Nanaji noted this without saying a word, but understood his grandson wanted to discuss something important. He was sitting on his bed his back against the headboard in a simple white cotton dhoti-kurta.

Sameer pulled a chair next to him and started tentatively "Nanu, mujhe shayad yeh baat aap se bahoot pehele kehni chahiye thi... par main bus aapne hi khayalo mein khoya tha. I am so sorry, maine aap ko itne din khamokham tension diya hai. Main jo karna chahata tha, woh toh main aap ko puri baat bata kar bhi kar sakta tha..." Seeing Nanu starting to look a little puzzled now, he uttered "Mera matlab hai, mujhe aap ko batana tha ke Naina mujhe pasand hai." After a brief pause he continued "Such mooch, dil se pasand hai. Aur bahoot waqt se... yahi baat aap ko batani chahiye thi. Aap please meri shaadi ko lekar bilkul bhi pareshaan na rahe."

Nanaji's eyes crinkled as he smiled broadly "Aare beta, Nanu ho main tera! Ha manna ke ab buddha hone laga hu... par abhi meri nazar itni bhi kamzor nahi hui hai ke yeh bhi na dekh saku ke tu kaise bahu ke aage peeche ghoomne laga hai... ya usse dekhte hi kaise teri aankhen chamak uthti hai!" Sameer blushed thinking his feelings had been so transparent. After a brief pause Nanu continued a more serious tone now "Par maine usski aankhon mein bidai ke baad bahoot dard aur darr bhi dekha tha..." Sameer paled and sounded extremely contrite "Sorry Nanu. Main jaanta hu mujhse bahoot badi galti ho gayi hai... bahoot jyada badi. Maine uss waqt bahoot bura behave kiya tha usske sath... aur aap ke sath bhi. Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Pata nahi kya behuda baate sochne laga tha. I am really sorry Nanu."

Nanu took a deep breath, and then as he exhaled, he tried to let go of all the pain he had suffered during those days. After a few moments of silence, he asked "Naina ko batayi hai sari dil ki baat?" Sameer looked a little uncertain "Nanu, abhi khulke toh koi aisi baat nahi hui hai, par jaise aap samajh gaye... woh bhi toh samajh gayi hogi, right?" His grandfather sounded a little annoyed "Ha, shayad samajh hi gayi hogi... par jiss tarah usse bade zor-shor se kaha tha ke ghar na aaye ya guest room mein rahe... yeh bhi toh bolna chahiye!" Sameer lowered his eyes acknowledging he was ashamed of his past behaviour.

He then tried to explain "Nanu, woh main actually usse uppar shift hone ko kehne se pehele thoda date karna chahata tha... humne yeh sab kabhi kiya hi nahi. Sab kuch itna fast forward mein ho gaya... direct shaadi." Nanaji sounded astonished "Date??! Kya baat kar rahe ho?" Sameer thinking he was probably not familiar with that word tried to elaborate "Nanu, date matlab... woh phase hota hai na jab ladka ladki ek dusre ko jaanne pehchaanne lagte hai... time spend karte hai... jaise film dekhna ya dinner pe jaana." Nanu not sounding convinced uttered "Humare zamane mein toh yeh sab shaadi ke baad hi hota tha... aur zindagi bhar hota tha, isske liye koi khaas phase nahi reserved hota tha! Aare bhai biwi ke liye roz gajre lao... yeh bus shuru shuru mein char baar bouquet dena, aisa kaha ka rule hai??" Sameer seemed to ponder on it for a bit and then mumbled "Ji Nanu, aap theek keh rahe hai."

Nanu now said "Aur sabse pehele usse sorry bolo. Bahoot pareshaan kiya hai tumne usse!" Sameer's eye glistened and he murmured "Ji Nanu... main jaanta hu."

Sameer once again replayed what Dinaz aunty had said to him earlier, Acha hua na ke maine Bhaiji se kaha tha ke bahu ko jaldi bida karke ghar le aaye?! Unki mann ko bhi shanti hogi... aur ab Naina ghar mein hai toh tumhe bhi sari bhag-daud akela nahi karni padti hogi. Issliye ghar ki bahu ka ghar mein hona hi acha hai. Ab aise mein uske gharwalon se kya yeh kehte, ke waise toh humme unki beti ko ghar le jane ki koi jaldi nahi thi, par ab jab kaam pada hai toh jaldi lejayenge??!

He asked in a quivering voice "Nanu, Naina ki bidai jaldi karne ki baat aapse Dinaz aunty ne kahi thi? Aapne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?? Main toh khamakham usse aur uske gharwalon ko hi ilzaam deta raha..." Nanu's eyes turned thoughtful as he replied "Dinaz Bhabhi ne baat toh chalayi thi mere pass, par maine sirf unke kehne par yeh faisla nahi liya tha. Mujhe unki yeh baat toh sahi lagi ke, tum dono ka aise toh koi milna-julna nahi hota tha, toh ek dusre ke liye koi apnapan mehsus hona shayad mushkil tha... Par Naina ke ghar ke halaat bhi zara ajeeb hai beta. Toh mujhe laga yahi behtar hoga ke woh jald se jald yaha aajaye."

Sameer felt like he had been kicked in his gut, she had never been responsible for initiating the early bidai. How he desperately wished that he could rewind to the past and erase that moment of his outburst in the college and take back all the bitter words that had spilled out of him that day. His heart screamed in pain feeling crushed by a vice-like-grip, as he recalled the look of terror that her eyes had reflected in that moment.

Both were quiet for a minute or so, lost in their own thoughts. Nanu then deciding something cleared his throat and said "Sameer, beta maine socha tha tujhe yeh baate kabhi araam se batayunga... socha tha tu ek baar yeh rishta khud dil se apna le toh phir tujhe samjhayunga maine teri aur Naina ki shaadi ka faisla kyun liya tha... par iss bimari mein sochne laga zindagi ka koi bharosa nahi beta. Jo kehna hai abhi keh du toh acha hai."

He then went on to explain, how he had approached the room where the Agarwals were assembled the day of the wedding to announce his decision that they did not wish to proceed with the marriage, irrespective of the Gurujis and panditji's verdict that they were a made-for-each-other match. But witnessing Naina's predicament and potential hardships she would have to bear, had affected him deeply. Sameer uttered horrified "Kya matlab usse Banaras chod aate? Aise kaise koi apni hi beti ke sath kar sakta hai?"

Nanaji responded shaking his head "Pata nahi beta... shayad uske chachaji aisa kuch hone na dete. Par meri himmat nahi hui uske gharwalon ko aazmaane ki." Seeing his grandson glance at him gratefully, he went on "Par, yeh mat sochna ke maine sirf usske baare mein soch ke shaadi ke liye ha kar di. Beta, who teri kabhi shaadi na karne ki baate sunn ke mera dil waise hi baitha ja raha tha... aur uss pal Naina mein maine ek aisi bahaduri dekhi thi ke mujhe usse teri zindagi ka hissa banane ka bahoot moh ho gaya. Socha yeh ladki datti rahegi jab tak tera dil nahi jeet leti."

Seeing Sameer's face still clouded with some uncertainty, he rushed to assure him "Beta, maine usske gharwalon ko apna final ha bolne se pehle Naina se akele mein baat ki thi, usse pocha tha ke usse koi problem toh nahi thi na yeh rishata dil se apnane aur nibhane mein. Tu jaanta hai, tu toh meri jaan hai... teri zidagi main aise hi kissi ke hawale kaise karta bhala? Naina ne wada kiya tha mujhse ke woh tujhe khush rakhne ki har koshish karegi! Main jaanta tha woh khud ko bus tere hi rang mein rang legi. Aur mujhe bahoot khushi hai ke wahi hua hai. Woh toh bidai ke pehele se hi teri pasand ka kitna khayal rakhne lagi thi!" Sameer almost whispered "Nanu aapne mujhe yeh sab pehele kyun nahi bataya? Main sab kuch kitna galat samajhta raha..."

The elder man looked a little uneasy "Shayad batana chahiye tha... par main chahata tha ke tum usse dil se apnao... tumhe uski achai se pyar ho... sirf usse ek majbur ladki ke roop mein na dekho." When Sameer stayed quiet, he continued "Beta ab sari pehele ki baate bhula ke usse uppar shift hone ke liye keh do." Sameer mumbled "Phele aap theek ho jayiye... tab tak hum aap ko neeche akela bilkul nahi chodenge." It was just a few minutes shy of half ten by then, he gave Nanu his medication and then wished him a goodnight.

Naina looked at the clock on her table for probably the fiftieth time. Looked like he planned to sit with Nanaji till it was time for his medication. What did he want to talk to Nanaji about? He had seemed a little pensive since they got back home from the factory. She glanced at her hand for the hundredth time, the place where he had kissed her. Her heart fluttered again. He had spent the last night holding her and then the kiss this evening. What would this night bring? Her heartbeats turned a little erratic.

On exiting Nanu's room, he looked in the direction of her room and then turned towards the lounge. He sat in the darkness, trying to come to grips with all that Nanu had disclosed. What if she had really ended up in some ashram in Banaras had his Nanu not agreed to proceed with this wedding? His soul shivered. Nanu had indeed asked her willingness for the wedding, but only to ensure his happiness, it had never really been about her likes or dislikes. And then he extracted a promise from her to always put him first?!

She never had any options, and no one ever put her first. The saying dubte ko tinke ka sahara came to his mind. No one from her family had asked for any assurance or promise from him to keep her happy, not that day and not ever since. Was she so inconsequential as a daughter? And this thought process was not limited to only the uneducated?! A family with a teacher, an advocate and a CA treats their daughters like this too??

At some point Nanu had said, Main chahata toh uske gharwalon ko bol sakta tha ke hum yeh shaadi toh nahi kar sakte par uski shaadi ki zimmedari meri hogi. Koi padha likha ladka uske liye dhund sakta tha, jo tumhari tarah hi takrane se shaadi nahi hoti, aisi soch rakhta ho. Par uska uss halaat mein ka bhi woh hausla dekh kar, mujhe aisa laga woh na khud kabhi aasani se haar manegi aur na tumhe kabhi haarne degi. Aisi jeevansangini bahoot naseeb walon ko milti hai. Beta, bahoot pyaari bachi hai. Tumhe tut kar bhi pyar karegi, par tum usse kabhi bhi todna mat.

Was the damage already done? Had he already broken her? Would their future always be marred by some cracks left behind by the past? Could she still love him?? Or was it never about love but just a matter of making the best of her situation? No, that wasn't true, she truly loves me, he knew with a conviction that was hard to explain.

For next half an hour or so, he sat struggling with his conscious, wondering if he could ever find a way to absolve himself of all his wrongdoings.

Naina was convinced that she had been patient for long enough. It was past 11 pm, surely Nanaji must have retired for the night. So, where was he? Uppar toh nahi chale gaye?! she wondered exasperated. And then tying her hair in a messy bun, she jumped out of bed, determined to give him a piece of her mind. Kaan kheech ke neeche le aayunge! the angry young wife in her roared.

(Dear all, this was that last chapter that was ready with me. Going forward, I will update mostly on a weekly basis. I tend to share an update on Fridays, but of course it depends on how much time I am able to find during that week. As much as I would love to write more, it's hard to find the time to put all my ideas together and present them in away that I feel are  apt.

Thank you all for your awesome support so far!)