Ayush quickly brushed his hair in the mirror, coiffing it into a neat style. He dotted orange-scented hair-gel on his palm and lined it within the layers of his tresses. Perfect. He winked at his reflection as an easy smile played on the corners of his lips. Sakshi would be riding on his bike for the first time. He had washed it sparkling clean and left it to dry in the afternoon sun. Humming a soft tune from his favourite love song, he danced his way out, oblivious to his father's presence in the living room. Amar set his newspaper aside and called out to him.

"Ashu, where are you going?"

He froze for a second before gaining composure. "I . . . will be back within an hour."

"I am planning to visit Gupta Uncle's family. Why don't you come along?"

"I'd love to come, but not today. Maybe next week."

Amar frowned and tsked. "He's been wanting to see you for a long time, son. Come, no?"

Ayush's conscience troubled him. His father glowed with hopeful expectation. Though he hated to disappoint Amar, he was bound by his word to Sakshi.

"I have some important work, Papa," he said, choking on his words.

Amar let out a weak sigh. "Alright, you carry on."

"I'll surely visit him next week."

"Helmet?"

"Yes, Papa."

Hopping onto his bike, he rode across the scenic plains of Sonambar to their usual meeting point, Chocobar Café. He spotted a young girl in a mustard yellow salwar with her face covered waiting near the entrance. He didn't think twice before halting in front of her. Her beautiful kohl-lined eyes were puffy and bloodshot.

"Yaara, what happened?"

"I-I'm fine, Ayush. How are you?"

"What's with the formality all of a sudden?"

"Just like that."

"Ready to go?"

She dipped her head in a nod.

"Something is bothering my yaara."

"I've never climbed on a bike in ages."

"Ohh, you said you like to drive vehicles."

"I meant my Bhaiyya's jeep. Not a two-wheeler."

"Impressive!"

"What if I fall off, or worse, make you land on the ground?"

He snorted in laughter. "Nothing will happen. Just get on top and I'll take care of the rest."

"How do I climb on?"

"Hold my shoulders, place your leg on the rest footrest and put your feet on either side."

With a fluttery empty sensation in her stomach, she gripped his shoulder and hopped on the bike.

"That was easy!" she said.

"Haha, told you so! Are you comfortable?"

"Yes, we can leave."

"Make sure your dupatta is your on lap, else it might tangle in the wheel."

"Done," she said, smiling at how much he cared about her comfort and safety.

They rode through the bumpy roads, speeding past buildings, trees and animals. When they crossed a flyover over the Lehak River, Ayush gasped as she tightened her grip on his waist. A rush of adrenaline pumped through their bodies. Cool breeze filtered through her clothes. The pincode and addresses on signboards shifted from North to South Sonambar.

"You can take off your dupatta if you'd like. No one will hurt you here."

"I'm still not convinced. Can't tell where Babaji's party members might be roaming. I'll remove it when reach Gaurav Bhai's store."

"Hmm. How is Barfoo?"

"He's become proud and doesn't even bother about me. Lajo Aunty keeps pampering him with milk and fish pudding."

"Haha, naughty boy."

They coursed through a sun-dappled street with towering fruit trees. Except for a couple of children playing gully cricket, a sweet calmness brushed the street.

"This is where I live. See that blue building far away? That's my home."

"Everything is very peaceful. I wish I could stay here."

Ayush smiled genuinely at her expressive eyes in the bike mirror. He parked his bike and pointed to a little shop in the corner with a board that read 'Gauranya Fancy Stores' in English and Hindi. Golden tinsel garlands from yesterday's opening hung at the doorstep. A young couple and their child were leaving the store with a bag full of toys and stationery.

"Gauranya is a combination of Gaurav and his wife Maanya Didi," Ayush said.

"Ohh," she said, absorbing the surroundings with keen eyes.

As they stepped in, Gaurav was rearranging bangles and toy cars in carton boxes and shelving them behind a sliding glass door. He beamed upon glimpsing at them.

"Sakshiji! Welcome to my humble shop."

"Namaste, Bhaisaab. Congratulations on this new place!"

"Thank you, ji."

Sakshi peered at the handmade toys, Barbie dolls, bangles, and rows of earrings. An oily yellow bulb warmed the ambience. She untied her scarf and stuffed it inside her handbag, revealing a red cut below her lips. Ayush's held back a gasp, panic rioting within him. He sensed something was wrong, but the cut confirmed his suspicions. Still, she glowed in the lights like golden dust was sprinkled on her cheeks.

"Ayush said you have new jewellery collections, Bhaisaab."

"That's right! Let me present to you the Mughal jaali collection." He pointed to a row of earrings in the glass cabinet and unlocked the door.

The shapes and designs glimmered in her irises. She traced her hand over them, making a tinkling sound, and selected two of them. She placed a pair of heart earrings and grapevine earrings on the counter.

"I'll take these, Bhaisaab."

"Wonderful choice. Shall I pack them?"

"Yes, please."

Ayush engaged himself in sifting through a few keychains for Sakshi. She always had one attached to her handbag zipper with the initial 'S'. He picked a plastic keychain with two teddy bears. They were blushing and one was giving a red heart to the other. It perfectly depicted their feelings for each other. He turned on the tiny black switch at the back, and the heart lit up with 'I love you.'

Gaurav packed the earrings in a chiffon pouch and passed it to Sakshi. "You're my guest today, please don't pay me."

"No, Bhaisaab, I insist."

"Nahi, Sakshiji. Think of it as a gift from your brother," Gaurav said in a gentle voice.

Sakshi broke into a smile. "Thank you so much."

"Bhai, how much are these keychains?" Ayush asked.

"Do I have to tell you separately? This is the first time you people are visiting. I don't want to take money now."

"Thanks, Bhai," Ayush said.

"Next time you come, you should pay double the price," Gaurav said, tongue in cheek and the three of them burst out laughing.

"We'll pay you triple the cost, Bhaisaab," Sakshi said with a giggle, unaware that Ayush slipped the keychain into her handbag.

Gaurav noticed this and parted his mouth, but Ayush silenced him with a pleading look and a finger on his lips. The former grinned and nodded. Sakshi's phone danced in her hand.

"Excuse me for a minute," she said and went outside.

Meanwhile, Gaurav ushered Ayush to a corner and clutched his shoulders.

"Nice to see things progressing between both of you. Have you asked her the question?"

Ayush bit his tongue and scratched the back of his head. "Not yet, Bhai. She has her exams coming up. I'll ask her after that."

"You know better, but I'd say not to wait for the perfect time. Pop the question when it feels right."

Ayush pondered over his friend's words and shook his head as Sakshi returned inside.

"Thank you again, Bhaisaab. With a lively host like you, the fancy store will be a big hit."

"Oh, thanks a lot, Sakshiji. Keep visiting . . . along with Ayush."

Heat stole into her face. "S-sure, Bhaisaab."

After bidding adieu to Gaurav, they walked to Ayush's bike.

"Sorry for the trouble, Ayush."

"It's nothing. Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving! Remember at this time we used to have snacks at Chocobar Café?"

"Would you like to come with me to a special place? It has the most amazing pani puris in the area."

"I'd love to! I've barely explored the South," she said with a gloomy frown.

"Don't worry, we have all our lives to explore."

Her eyes glinted like twinkling stars. "What do you mean?"

He gritted his teeth realising what he had blurted out. "I said . . . it is nice to explore."

"You're right," she said.

They got onto the bike and he rode three lanes away to a food cart. An elderly man with a towel banded over his forehead was serving crunchy pani puris and chaats to a gaggle of youths. The man's face eased into a familiar smile seeing Ayush.

"Sumit Bhai!"

"Aao, Ayush! One plate pani puri, as usual, right?"

He pointed his thumb at Sakshi and then to himself. "Two plates."

The man arched his brows and studied her features before curving his lips into a friendly smile.

Ayush pointed to a wooden bench under the tarp roof. "Have a seat, yaara."

"Thank you. This place kinda reminds me of the day we met," she said.

"Oh, yeah," he said, perching himself beside her.

Sakshi breathed in with half-closed eyes. "I can already smell the potatoes and tangy sauce."

Sumit meticulously poked his finger between the crispy fried disc, filled it with potatoes and dipped it in the sweet-spicy sauce and chutney. He passed one puri after another to Ayush and Sakshi.

"Extremely yummy!" Sakshi munched the puris and licked her fingers with her eyes watering.

Laughter floated up his throat seeing her aggressive gobbling.

"Aaram se, we don't have to catch a train," he said.

She nodded and her silver jhumka hooked tugged her hair. "Aah!"

"Arrey! Wait, I'll get it out."

He set his plate aside and washed his hand. He carefully untangled the earring and tapped it with a smile. As he tucked loose hair strands behind her ear, a known figure stared from a distance.

He froze seeing his father gaping at Sakshi and him. Amar strode to the young couple with a terrifying frown.

"Papa, you w-were visiting Gupta Uncle."

"He's not at home. Is this your important work, Ashu?"

Ayush muttered gibberish words and looked back and forth from his father and Sakshi. The latter was rather excited. She got up and joined her hands in a formal Namaste.

"Hello, Uncleji. You must be the amazing teacher Shri Amar Singh! Ayush has told me so much about you."

Amar Singh was startled by the beautiful stranger with his son.

"Namaste. Who is this, Ashu?"

"This is my friend," Ayush said, eyeing a brick on the ground.

"Is this the friend you were meeting all these weeks?"

Sakshi interrupted, "Yes, Uncleji. Ayush helped me a lot with accountancy.

"Was this your accounts related work?"

"Papa, I-"

"What's your name?" He asked Sakshi.

"I'm Sakshi Kumari."

"Nice to meet you." Amar stretched out his hand and shook Sakshi's hand as Ayush's jaw dropped.

"Very pleased to meet you, Uncle. How is your health?"

Amar crossed his arms. "Health?"

"Ayush was telling your sugar levels are high. He was very worried."

Amar narrowed his eyes at Ayush, then nodded at Sakshi. "I'm on medication."

"My mother is a diabetic. Her doctor said the best remedy for high sugar is regular brisk walks in nature."

Amar Singh was impressed by her concern and honesty. "I go for walks but my diet is the problem."

She pursed her lips. "Have you tried bitter gourd juice?"

"Never! I hate it. I'd rather eat sweets and fall sick than have those diet foods," Amar said with a laugh.

"Haha, I understand how you feel. My mother says the same thing, so I make special foods for her."

"Special foods like what?"

"Jamun smoothie, jowar pyaaz rotis, cauliflower soup, green dal fry."

"They sound delicious."

"Because they are!"

The way the two of them were bonding within minutes delighted Ayush.

"The best one, Uncle, is the crispy moong sprouts and onion tikka. I can share all these recipes with you. They're tasty and good for your health."

"I don't have time and health to make all that, Beta. Ashu too stays busy with work throughout the week."

"I can make them and send them to you!" Sakshi said.

"You need not take trouble, Beta."

"Anyway I have to prepare all this for Maaji . . . I'll just make a little extra for you."

"That's very sweet of you. Thank you."

"Don't say thanks, Uncleji, it's my pleasure. I'll send it across tomorrow through Ayush."

"Why don't you join me now for tea?"

"Sure, Uncle."

"How did you come here, Ashu?"

"By bike, Papa."

"Along with Sakshi?"

His cheeks heated and lowered his head in a nod.

"You two go ahead, I'll join you in five minutes."

"You can go by bike, Uncleji. I'll follow you."

"I need to complete my evening walk, Beta."

"Or I'll pick up my bike later. All of us can go by walk," Ayush said.

Agreeing to this, the three of them walked in silence to Ayush's home. Now and then, his father kept scrutinising him with a smirk. Stopping at the wrought iron gate, Ayush looked sideways at Sakshi whereas Amar went inside first.

"Ours is a normal middle-class house, not like your mansion," he said.

Her footsteps faltered. "Buildings don't matter to me, Ayush. The people in them do."

Giving her a soft smile, he opened the gate and led the way. A mini jasmine garden inhabited the space beside the door, pouring its fragrance all around.

"I love jasmine flowers. These are so well arranged," Sakshi said.

"My father maintains this in memory of my mother. She was very fond of jasmine flowers."

"Beautiful. It's like keeping her alive through the things she loved."

Sakshi left her slippers out along with Ayush's sandals and stepped inside the Singh home. Her feet sank into the warm maroon carpet lining the living room. A cosy bamboo sofa set surrounding a coffee table, embroidered curtains, traditional wall hangings, and a vibrant photo of the Singh family.

His mother was clad in a golden silk saree like the angry sun rays, standing beside a young and healthier-looking Amar with Ayush nestled in her protective arms. The same dimpled smile as Ayush, and deep eyes- extremely deep.

"She looks like a queen, what is her name?"

"Damini Singh.

"Beautiful. And look at you, you're a plump teddy bear!" She chucked.

Ayush's eyes widened and he scratched the back of his head with a shrug.

"Welcome to our home, Sakshi Beta!" Amar emerged from the kitchen with a tray bearing a kettle and ceramic teacups in his hand.

"Have a cup of tea."

"Thank you very much," she said with a pleasant smile.

"Have a seat and make yourself comfortable," Amar said, pouring a cup of piping hot milk tea for Sakshi.

"Thank you, Uncleji."

"You too sit down, Ashu."

Ayush sat beside her on the sofa gingerly and took his share of tea.

"What are you doing studying now?" Amar asked.

"B.Com third year, Uncle. That's the reason Ayush was coaching me."

Amar glanced at Ayush, controlling a grin. "I see."

"My exams are in a month," she said.

"All the best. May everything go well for you, Beta."

"Thank you so much for your blessings, Uncleji."

Sakshi felt an intense pull to everything in the Singh residence- the rustic room, homely furnishings, perfectly blended milk tea, fine jasmine blossoms, Amar's fatherly encouragement, and Ayush's stirring gaze on her.

She didn't want to leave the place and return to the pressure cooker called home.

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