Dark brinjal hues blanketed the sky when Sakshi opened the kitchen windows and switched on the light. She breathed in the scent of ripe mangoes and summer flowers from the garden mixed in the morning air. Turning on the tap, she scrubbed an iron tawa under cool running water.

"Beti, why are you up so early?" Lajo entered the kitchen in her nightie. Her glass bangles tinkled when she tightened the scarf over her head.

"Good morning, Lajo Aunty. I'm making breakfast for Maaji."

"Did you forget today is Sunday?."

"I'm preparing four dishes today."

"It's still too early. You don't even have college today."

"I am also sending food for my friend's father."

"Do you need help?"

"Can you pour some milk for Barfoo?"

"Sure, Beti. Anything else?"

"No, thanks, Aunty."

"I'll be in the storeroom if you need anything."

"Okay," Sakshi said and resumed her work. Within two hours, she managed to pack containers with wholegrain onion rotis, dal fry, dates pudding and moong sprouts tikki for Amar Singh. She filled a separate tiffin box with sweetened basmati rice kheer only for Ayush.

Now lay the real challenge- securing Lajo's permission without anyone spotting her. Neither her parents nor brother would let her out except for college. She would've used visiting Vinnati as a reason, but the latter wasn't in town for a week now.

She tiptoed past Ranveer's and her parents' rooms to the storeroom in the attic. Lajo was piling unwashed laundry into a plastic basket. She paused and glanced at Sakshi. "The aroma of your cooking has filled the house."

She smiled and shrugged. "Thank you, Aunty. I wanted a big favour from you."

"What is it, Beti?"

"Remember I said my friend's father is a diabetic and I'm making food for him?"

"Haan, I remember."

"I need to visit him and hand over the food."

Lajo placed a hand on her chest with a dramatic gasp. "Aye haye! Do you realise what you're saying?"

"Please, Aunty."

"You send it through one of Rana Sahab's men."

"It wouldn't be nice. I want to go in person and give him."

"Beti, I'm just the caretaker of this house. Why are you asking me? Take permission from your brother or mother."

"You know they will never agree."

"I cannot agree to this. Rana Sahab will kill me if anything happens to you."

"Nothing will happen, I promise."

"What if your father's rivals spot you?"

"I'll cover my face as always."

Lajo cared for Sakshi like her own child since she was a baby. She felt a piece of herself hurt when Sakshi was hurting.

"Where's the house?"

"Not house, I will meet him near my college . . ."

Fear erupted in Lajo's eyes. "Him?! This friend is a boy?"

"Shh! He's a mutual friend of Vini and mine. Actually, he is like Vini's brother. "

"Is he like your brother too?"

A shadow flitted across Sakshi's face.

"Speak up, Beti!"

"He's only a good friend, Aunty," she said, turning her face away.

"Oh my! What is this scar?" Lajo cupped her face and lifted her chin.

Sakshi pushed her hand away. "I fell down."

"Tsk-tsk. You should be more careful."

"Leave all that, Aunty. Can I go or not?"

"A hundred times no!"

"Sorry for thinking that you would understand me."

She stormed downstairs, her hopes crumbling like crushed cookies. All the food would go to waste, or maybe they could store it in the refrigerator and use it the next day. She climbed on the bed with knees folded to her chest. Heaviness enveloped her bones.

After a while, Lajo stood by the doorstep with guilt written all over her face. "Beti, please understand what I'm saying. I can't send you alone."

"It's okay, Aunty," Sakshi said wryly.

After scrutinising the window for a good while, Lajo sat on a chair beside the bed.

"How long will it take?"

"Fifteen minutes by autorickshaw."

"Then go ahead, Beti."

Sakshi gasped and stared at Lajo. "But you said it will be a problem."

"Give them food and come home quickly within twenty minutes. I'll handle the rest."

She jumped to her feet like a spring and hugged Lajo tightly. "I don't know how to thank you!"

"Please return home soon." Her frantic eyes put Sakshi under an obligation not to break her trust.

"I promise."

Hastily packing her bag and masking her face with her dupatta, Sakshi slipped out of the backdoor and waved to Lajo. The latter's eyes kept scanning the vicinity while waving a fleeting bye.

Reaching the corner of her college in an autorickshaw, she rang up Ayush's number.

"Hello, Ayush, I'm near the entrance."

"I'm just reaching there."

His bike entered her vision at a distance. He took a U-turn and stopped the bike right near the gate as Sunday was a holiday and there was abundant parking space.

"Good morning, yaara. How are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you and Uncleji?"

"We are doing well. Papa is eager to try your cooking."

"I hope he likes it."

Ayush patted her shoulder. "I'm sure he will."

"I have also packed kheer for you."

"That's very sweet of you! Get it? Kheer, sweet?"

She forced out a dry laugh. "Haha."

"What happened, yaara? You're dull from yesterday."

"I'm fine, maybe it's the weather?"

"The weather is beautiful. Something is bothering you. Hey! I forgot to ask-what was that scar near on your face?"

Sakshi's hand rushed to her face, making sure it was covered. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw it yesterday at Gaurav's shop. The one below new your chin."

"Promise me you won't tell anyone."

"I promise.

"Remember Babaji's friend Kushwant Uncle?"

"Yeah."

"His son Hemant did this."

"When? How?!"

"The last time the Vardhans visited us."

His breath fumed in rage. "Accidentally, or-?"

"On purpose."

"What?! Why?"

Tears clouded Sakshi's eyes and she blinked rapidly, steeling her emotions. "I served him lemon juice and returned to my room. Our families were talking downstairs. Hemant came up and barged inside, demanding . . . a kiss."

"That bloody rascal!"

"When I refused, he was very angry and rubbed his knuckle on my lips. The sharp edge of his ring scraped me and caused the scar."

"Stupid dog! Did you complain to your father about him?"

She laughed sarcastically. "Haha, he won't believe me as usual. He'll think I'm making things up because I don't like Hemant."

"To the police?"

"Babaji will kill me if I dream of such a thing."

"Yaara, I'm so sorry. No girl has to face such harassment!"

"Ayush, do you believe me?" Her innocent eyes twisted his soul.

He held her face between his strong hands. "Is that even a question?"

"Say yes or no."

"Yes, yes, a million times yes!"

Intense emotions flooded her heart. She crashed into his arms and broke down crying. He gasped for a moment, but slowly wrapped his arms around her, feeling her whimpers against his heartbeat.

"I'm always here for you, yaara. I promise."

"Thank you so much," she mumbled into her chest.

"It takes great courage to speak up about such a harrowing incident. Thank you for trusting me enough to share this."

She ran his words in her mind a couple of times. The warmth from his body soothed her aching pulse. How did people like Ayush and Hemant exist under the same sky? Realising that she was hugging him a bit too long, she let go of him with flushed cheeks.

"I must leave now before my family finds out. Lajo Aunty is covering for me."

"Sure, please take care. The next time that rascal tries something, throw hot chilli powder on his face!"

"Sorry for burdening you with my story."

"Don't ever say like that, yaara. You can tell me anything, okay?" he said in a tone that was strong yet loving.

She nodded. "Tell Uncleji I enquired about him."

•••

Sakshi slithered inside the Rana mansion through the narrow opening of the backdoor. Keeping her promise to Lajo, she returned within twenty minutes.

No one was around.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she ambled to her room. Her breath twisted in her throat and came out as a strangled groan. "Bhaiyya?!"

Ranveer sat on her bed with a grim frown, tapping his fingers on the pillow in a calculated manner.

"I shouldn't have trusted Lajo Aunty. But what can I say when one's own family is dishonest?"

Dread mingled in her bloodstream as she drew shallow breaths. Did Lajo reveal everything in fear?

"Where were you?" Ranveer's question rather relieved her. Lajo was faithful to her words and hadn't divulged the truth.

Lajo rushed into the room with her body shivering. "Ranveer Beta, she went for an early morning stroll."

"I didn't ask you! Please leave!" he shouted, not caring to pay respect despite her being older than his mother. Lajo cast an anxious look at Sakshi and scurried out.

"Lajo Aunty is right, I went for an early morning stroll."

"I ordered you never to step out! How can you roam out without my permission?"

"I was feeling breathless, so I went to get some fresh air-"

"If you wanted to go out for a walk, I would have taken you. Remember how I requested Baba and took you to the fair?"

"Sorry, Bhaiyya."

"One word won't change anything. Baba and I have set boundaries to keep you protected. If you cross them, it can cost your life!"

"What have I done wrong to be jailed within these walls, Bhaiyya? I can't be locked up and waste my life because of Babaji's rivals."

"Your life will be wasted if you go out. The world outside is very cruel, Saash. I can't afford to lose you."

"It is better than getting assaulted inside one's own room."

Ranveer's eyes bulged out and he gnashed his teeth. "Don't talk rubbish!"

"See this scar? Hemant did this because I didn't kiss him."

"What a cheap lie to hide your actions! Think about what I said and change your ways before your wedding."

He barged out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and tears. Her biggest was being born in the Rana household. Though she treasured her family, she couldn't help thinking of a life beyond the limits they forced on her.

"Meow! Meow!" Barfoo stood on his hind legs trying to climb the bed. The kitten was growing up fast and sprinting all over the place. He was twice the size from when she adopted him.

"Want to come up?"

"Meow!"

She chuckled and put him on the woollen quilt, scratching his head.

"Don't worry, Barfoo. I won't keep you locked up with me forever. When you're older, you are free to go wherever you wish."

It struck her that even now, this little kitten given by Ayush brought her happiness, just like him. If they were birds or cats, they could run away from everything and build a life just for two of them. What a silly thing, she thought.

Lajo's slow footfalls caught her attention. "Beti, come for breakfast."

"Is Bhaiyya waiting for me?"

"Yes, Beti."

"Tell him I'll be eating in my room today."

"So sad, he's waiting for you."

"Am I also not sad?"

"How will you eat on the bed?"

"I'll use the reading table."

"Are you sure you're not coming?"

"Hundred percent."

"Shall I get your plate here?"

"Yes, please."

Lajo brought a plate with crispy pooris and subzi placed it on the wooden reading table by the window.

"Thank you, Aunty."

"Don't say thank you, Beti."

Sakshi finished the food slower than a sloth when a familiar name flashed on the phone, making her lips curve into a smile.

"Hello, Vini!"

"Hello, Sakshi! Enjoying without me?"

"Nonsense! I'm waiting to return."

"You don't have to. I'm on my way to your residence."

"You're kidding me!"

"I'm coming down that road right now."

Sakshi paced to the balcony. Her eyes popped out seeing Vinnati walking toward her mansion. The two guards posted at the front gate halted her with furious gazes.

"Let her in! She is my friend!" Sakshi shouted from the balcony.

"Theek hai, Madamji." One the guards said and opened the massive black gate for Vinnati.

Sakshi ran out and barged into her friend's arms, trapping her in a hug.

"You're crushing me, Sakshi!"

"Oops, sorry!" she said.

"You look so stressed out, girl."

"Because I am. Come on in, I can't wait to tell you everything!"

"I can't wait to listen!"

Looking away from Ranveer who was munching food at the dining table, Sakshi led Vinnati to her room. The girl's face beamed as she stepped in.

"Aww, is this the kitten you were telling about?"

"His name is Barfoo."

Vinnati gently shook his paw. "Extremely cute."

Sakshi nodded and Why don't you jump into bed?"

"Oh yeah! . . . Can't believe our B.Com years are coming to an end. Remember all we did these years?"

"Sneaking snacks into class," Sakshi said.

"While watching movies!"

"And listen to 90s music!"

"Trying crazy nail art, finishing projects."

Sakshi sighed. "I wish we could start all over again!"

"Man, me too!"

An hour slipped by bathing in nostalgia, drinking iced mosambi juice, and chatting about the past month. Resting on cane chairs by the window, Vinnati gazed at the ornate leaves of the mango tree bathing in the sunrays.

"I wanted to tell you something," Sakshi said

"Go on. . . "

She briefed her about Hemant's visit, his harassment, their wedding plans, and Ranveer's reaction.

Vinnati scowled. "This is serious, Sakshi!"

"I feel helpless, Vini. No one except you and Ayush understand me."

"The worst thing your parents can do is to marry you to that sick idiot! He'll make life hell for you."

"I won't let that happen."

"What's your plan?"

"Once my exams are over, I'm telling Babaji about Ayush."

"You think he'll agree?"

"I'm giving him an ultimatum- either I'll marry Ayush or stay single all my life."

"Marry?! From when is this story?"

"I'm serious about it. He's the only one who truly deserves me."

"Has he expressed the same feeling?"

"I overheard him telling his friend that he is waiting for the exams to ask me out."

"I hope your family doesn't yank mud into your dreams."

Sakshi sighed with misty eyes. "People have grand dreams, Vini. But I only want a loving husband, healthy children, and you and I being business partners. Is it too much to ask?"

"No, bae. I hope you get all of that."

"Maybe, Vini."

"Speaking of Ayush, I was thinking of presenting him a good opportunity."

"For what?"

"My father has been supplying spices to a businessman from Mumbai for many years. That man is opening a five-star restaurant in a month."

"In Sonambar?!"

Vinnati nodded. "We can boast that our town also has the luxury of a five-star restaurant."

"This is truly amazing. So what is the opportunity for Ayush?"

"The owner is hosting a grand inauguration with high profile guests. He was looking for singers to perform at the event."

"This is a wonderful chance for Ayush. I must tell him."

"But he must confirm it soon. The openings will be full within one month."

"Thanks for this beautiful opportunity, Vini. My Ayush's soulful voice must never go waste!"

"Your Ayush? Calm down, bae. You're jumping as if you got a chance."

"His joys are mine, his sorrows are my sorrows."

Vinnati placed a hand on her mouth and fluttered her eyes. "Someone call a doctor! My friend has become lovesick."

Sakshi rolled on her bed laughing out loud, but the tinkling of glass bangles alerted her of someone's presence. Her muscles turned rigid seeing a shadow hiding behind the curtains, eavesdropping on them.

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