There was a crowd outside the house in Malviya Nagar, Bhopal. Savitri Devi had passed away this morning. Her only daughter "Meera Rajput" was in the name of the family. Savitri was battling a serious illness for the last several years and today she took her last breath and said goodbye to the world. Meera was 21 years old and was in the last year of college. Savitri's lifeless body was lying in front of her eyes covered with a white sheet. Tears were flowing from Meera's eyes. The women sitting nearby her, were consoling her but only Meera could understand the pain of losing a mother. She was the only one in this world to call her own. Savitri had sent Meera to Indore for her studies, the special reason for which was known only to Savitri.

In Indore, Meera studied in National College and lived in a hostel of the same college. Meera is a very soft-spoken girl, she used to spend most of her time in books. Her only friend in college was "Nidhi Vyas" who lived in Indore with her family! Nidhi and Meera were both very good friends. They had completed two years of college together but Nidhi knew very little about Meera now, the reason being Meera being an introvert or maybe circumstances made her mature before her age! This time Meera came to Bhopal without telling Nidhi

The preparations for Savitri's last rites were complete. When her body was being taken away, Meera started crying loudly. The women tried to console her but no one could stop her. She ran out and said, "I will also go with you!!" "Daughter, women do not go to the crematorium!", said an old man standing there.

"I don't want to hear anything, I will also go with you!" said Meera

"Let it go uncle, it is important to have someone close to perform the last rites! And these days it doesn't matter whether it is a boy or a girl, let it go!", Vishwanath standing nearby said to the old man.

Everyone left from there carrying Savitri's dead body, with tears in her eyes, Meera was walking away holding the fire vessel in her hands! It was as if there was no courage in her lifeless legs, she had spent very little time with her mother, who knows what was the reason that her mother always kept her away from herself! Thinking and remembering the past, he reached the crematorium! Savitri's last rites were performed, being the only heir, he also lit the funeral pyre!! It was very difficult to control Meera in those moments! The eyes of everyone present there became moist!

After a month Meera came to Indore. She changed her clothes and picked up her books and came to the college. After coming to the college she talked to the principal and told him about her mother's death. Since Meera was the most promising student of the college, the principal agreed to her one month leave. Meera came out after thanking the principal. There was still time for the class to start, so she came and sat on the bench and started looking at the ground with sad eyes. Just then a familiar voice came in her ears, "Oh Madam ji, where were you all these days, neither a call nor a message, what is going on in your mind?

Meera turned towards the voice and Nidhi was standing in front of her! When Meera did not respond, Nidhi sat beside her and said lovingly, "What happened Meera? Is everything alright?" Hearing Nidhi's words, Meera's eyes welled up with tears. She looked down at the ground and said, "Mother is no more, Nidhi!" "What? When did this happen? And why didn't you tell me?", Nidhi said in shock.

"What should I tell you Nidhi? I myself did not know what pain my mother was going through. She always kept me away from herself so that I could not know anything and see, she went away from me forever", saying this Meera's eyes filled with tears! Nidhi took Meera's hand in hers and looking into her eyes said, "You are not alone Meera, I am with you! Don't say such a thing again!"

Meera hugged Nidhi! Nidhi kept encouraging her! When it was time for class, both of them got up and went to class! Nidhi went home after telling Meera to take care of herself but today she was very sad and kept thinking about Meera! The next morning the hostel warden asked Meera to vacate the room! She had not received the rent for her room for the last one month.

Meera asked for permission for a few days but the warden clearly told her to vacate the room! No one helped her, Meera packed her stuff and started packing it in her bag! The money she had was spent on her mother's last rites and the subsequent work! After all, whose help should she take in an unknown city? Meera was a very self-respecting girl and hence she did not tell Nidhi about her problem! Meera had no other option but to go back to Bhopal! She left the hostel with her bag!

When Nidhi came to college and did not see Meera in the class, she asked Ragini, who was sitting next to her and also lived in the same hostel, "Hey Ragini, where is Meera? Why didn't she come to college?"

"Hey, don't you know? Today, Warden Madam expelled her from the hostel", Ragini whispered. "What? But why?", Nidhi said in surprise.

"Because she did not pay the hostel room rent, now don't disturb me, let me study", said Ragini and looked into the books. When Nidhi heard this, she started thinking, "All this happened and Meera did not even tell me, this girl is really very difficult to understand! I don't know where she would be at this time? I have to go." Nidhi picked up her bag and books and went out of the class.

She came straight to the hostel from college and asked Meera's roommate. The roommate told that Meera was talking about going back to her home. Nidhi left from there and immediately came to the railway station. The train had left. Nidhi became dejected, she looked at the train going with sad eyes and as soon as she turned to go back, her eyes fell on Meera sitting on the bench.

Nidhi came running to him happily but the very next moment her happiness turned into anger and she said, "What do you think of yourself? And

Where are you going hiding your face like this?"

"I am not going hiding my face, I informed Ragini before coming", Meera said in a low voice

“And you think I will let you go like this!”, Nidhi said angrily.

"But what will we do here now? The warden has also expelled me from the hostel!", said Meera

As for the warden, I.... Tell me why didn't you tell me?", Meera became silent on this question of Nidhi!

Nidhi sat next to her and said, "Meera you are not my friend just for the sake of it, there are many girls in the college but I chose you as my friend, do you know why? Because you are very good and intelligent too! You are a very strong girl Meera then how can you go away like this? How can you forget aunty's dream? You have to study and become a big officer, how did you forget that?"

"Nidhi, I have not forgotten anything, I remember everything but I have learnt one thing from this city that if i want to live, then money is necessary and I don't have that Nidhi! I will go home, at least i have my own house to live in!", Meera said sadly.

"Enough of your idealistic talk, let's go!", said Nidhi while getting up.

“Where?” said Meera.

"No questions, get up and go", saying this Nidhi picked up one bag herself and handed the other to Meera! Both of them came out of the parking lot and Nidhi brought her scooty

She took it out and started walking with Meera! Meera, who was sitting behind Nidhi, had several questions troubling her mind! Whenever Meera thought of leaving this city, this city would pull her back towards it! There were many questions but no answer to where Nidhi was taking her.

She had no idea! While driving the scooter on the road, Nidhi suddenly applied the brakes and took a U-turn!

"What happened? Where are we going Nidhi?", Meera sitting behind asked

"Hostel!", said Nidhi

“But why?” said Meera

"You come, I'll tell you!", saying this Nidhi increased the speed and after some time both of them were in front of the hostel! Nidhi parked the scooty on the side! She held Meera's hand

She caught hold of him and took him inside! The warden was standing right in front of her. Nidhi came in front of her. She took out some money from her pocket and gave it to the warden.

Handing it over to her, he said, "Keep your money and from now on never throw any girl out of the hostel like this!"

"If the rent is paid on time, why would anyone leave? But these girls waste the money of their family on luxuries and then start crying at the mention of rent", said the warden while counting the money with a frown

"Witch! How dare you say such a thing about my friend. I will tear your face apart!" Nidhi said while arguing with the warden but at the last moment Meera intervened.

I stopped her and said, "Nidhi, what are you doing? Leave her!"

"I will break her face, no matter what the girls of this hostel do, you are not like that", Nidhi said angrily to Meera.

"Please let's go from here please!", said Meera while almost pulling Nidhi. When Nidhi left from there, Meera came to the warden and said in a very low voice

Meera said, "Ma'am I apologize for what Nidhi did, one more thing and not every girl comes here to enjoy!" Saying this Meera left from there. When she came out she saw that Nidhi was angry. As soon as Meera came to her Nidhi said, "Are you really from a Rajput family? She told you all this and you listened it all and didn't even said anything!"

"It was my mistake. If I had paid the rent on time, this wouldn't have happened", said Meera in a calm tone.

"Oh Goddess of Aadarsh! Stop it, if you keep on like this, someone will sell you off!", said Nidhi with folded hands in front of Meera. "Nidhi, it is not like that! I have been here for the last 3 years, I do not want my mother to be embarrassed because of me! It is also important to maintain the respect of the surname I have got!", said Meera.

"This is how you will maintain your respect, if someone says something, listen to them quietly and if possible, apologize yourself!", said Nidhi

"I won't be able to make you understand!", said Meera while picking up the bags.

"This is good of you, well forget it, come sit, let's go, it is getting late!", said Nidhi while starting the scooter. "Where do you want to go now?", said Meera. Nithi smiled and said, "There where all are your own people!" As soon as Meera came and sat, Nidhi moved the scooter forward. Both came to "Shivaji Nagar"! After coming to Indore, Meera saw this city for the first time! Clean roads, big tall houses, she was looking at all this with unblinking eyes. Nidhi was driving the scooter at a fast speed.

"Nidhi Vyas" is everyone's darling in her family! She met Meera in college and she liked Meera's calm behaviour at first sight but she herself was not calm at all! She was always laughing and giggling! She was her darling so she was never told no for anything! Nidhi stopped in front of a big house with Meera! She parked her scooty on the side and came inside with Meera! Meera's eyes fell on the name plate on the door of the house "Vyas House" Meera came inside holding her bag! As soon as she came inside Nidhi shouted Mumma Papa, Dadu Dadi, Bhaiya, everyone come.

Everyone came out as soon as they heard Nidhi's voice! Seeing an unknown girl with Nidhi, everyone had a question mark in their mind which Nidhi removed the very next moment and said, "Grandpa, this is my friend Meera!" And then turning towards Meera, she said, "Meera, this is my grandfather Shri Nath Vyas ji and she is my grandmother Surekha Vyas ji"

"Namaste!" said Meera with folded hands.

"This is my father Vijay Vyas and this is my mother Radha Vyas", Nidhi said pointing towards her parents. Meera greeted them as well and both smiled in response. Nidhi came to her brother and said holding his hand, "This is my elder brother Arjun!" "Hello!" Arjun said smiling and Meera also replied with a Namaste.

After introducing everyone, Nidhi came back to Meera and said, "This is my sweet family, (she remembered something and said looking around) where is Akshat Bhaiya? "Akshat has gone out!", Radha said coming in front of Meera. She looked at Meera very carefully, big eyes with kaajal on them, bright pink lips, a slender neck like a swan, fair complexion, long thick hair which was neatly braided and a strand of hair coming from them was falling on Meera's cheeks again and again.

Seeing Radha looking at her, Meera said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Radha came back to her senses and with her finger, removed the kajal from the corner of her eye and applied it behind Meera's ear and said, "You are very pretty, touchwood .That the evil eye may not fall on it!"

Meera smiled! Perhaps she smiled for the first time since coming home! Radha held her hand and brought her among everyone! All the sofas kept in the hall

But he sat down! Nidhi said everything in one breath! And then she came in front of her grandfather and said innocently, "Did I do the right thing, grandfather?"

"Yes, beta ji, you did the right thing. In times like these, only a friend helps a friend.", said Dadu, touching Nidhi's cheek lovingly.

"Then Meera can stay here, right?", Nidhi said.

“She can stay here as long as she wants!”, said Dadu and then looking at Meera he said, “Meera!”

"Yes!", Meera said softly! Dadu smiled and said, "Consider this your own house, if you need anything, feel free to ask for it!" "Yes, thank you!", Meera said with folded hands!

"Papa, I am leaving, there is a meeting in the office!", Arjun said while getting up.

"Yes, okay, dad and I will come later!", said Vijay. Arjun picked up his phone and bag from the table and started leaving after saying bye to everyone, when his eyes fell on Meera, he said, "Bye Meera!"

"Bye", Meera said softly

"Come on children, first you both have something to eat!", said Radha and brought both of them to the dining table! Nidhi and Meera came and sat there! Radha served food for both of them!

Grandma got up and went out for a walk. It was winter time and in this season the only solace is sunlight. Grandma came out to the garden and was basking in the sunlight. Vijay and Shri Nath ji also came out after some time. Nidhi started eating but Meera was sitting quietly. Seeing her silent, Radha said lovingly, "What happened child, eat na?"

"Hmmm!", said Meera with a choked voice.

Radha put her hand on her shoulder and said, "I cannot share your pain but I can certainly reduce it! All these people are with you, child!" When Meera looked at Radha with moist eyes, Radha lovingly took her face in her hands and said, "Such a cute girl does not look good when she is sad! Now eat the food, it is getting cold, till then I will make arrangements for your stay." Radha left from there.

Meera liked everyone but she liked Radha the most as she could see her mother's image in her. After having food, Nidhi started showing her the house. The house was built very beautifully. Downstairs on one side was the grandparents' room and next to it was the puja room where there was a big statue of Shiva Parvati. Next to the temple was the kitchen in front of which was the dining room. Vijay and Radha's room was right next to the stairs and there was an office room where they sat and discussed work. There was a garden at the back of the house in which green grass was spread and plants were planted in pots in a row. After showing all this, Nidhi took Meera upstairs where there were 3 rooms and a big hall. Where two rooms were together and the third one was separate from them and was built right in front by joining the hall. One of these rooms was Arjun's and the other was Nidhi's. Nidhi did not say anything to Meera about the room in front. Meera also did not ask. As soon as Nidhi opened the door and came into her room, both of them closed their noses because of a strong smell. Nidhi closed the door again and called her mother. Radha came upstairs and said, "Sorry son, the cleaner bottle got accidentally broken in your room this morning. Raghu will do it!"

"But till then where should I go? Meera also needs to freshen up, look at her condition", said Nidhi.

"Do one thing till then you can use my room downstairs!", Radha said.

"Let it be, I will use Arjun bhaiya's room!", said Nidhi

"Okay!", saying this Radha went away.

Both of them came to Arjun's room and Meera saw that the room was very clean and organized, each and every thing was kept neatly! Meera was observing all this very carefully.

While she was watching, Nidhi said, "Brother always keeps his room in tip top condition, just like you!"

Meera smiled and Nidhi said, "Okay, you take a bath, till then I will bring your stuff from downstairs!"

Meera went to the bathroom to take a bath and Nidhi went downstairs!

When Meera came out after taking a bath, she found her clothes kept on the table. Meera wore her clothes and came out of the room to dry her wet hair but there was no sunlight except in the balcony of the hall. Meera came to the balcony of the hall with her wet hair wrapped in a towel and started drying her hair. Then her eyes went to the door of the room connected to the hall on which was written in big letters "Akshat Vyas a complicated boy". "Who keeps such a name plate?", saying this Meera went away from there.

After drying her hair, Meera comes from there to Nidhi's room! Raghu had cleaned the room! Nidhi brought coffee for herself and Meera and came to her room with it! Meera saw that the room was very beautiful! A big cushioned bed on which a flowery bedsheet was spread! There was a pile of square and round pillows! A light pink colored teddy was lying among them!

Meera started surveying the room! There were cupboards right in front of the bed! There was an attached bathroom next to them! There was a study table next to the wall on which books were kept and a night lamp too! There was a big window just a little away from the bed and next to it was a balcony which had light pink colored curtains! Seeing Meera like this, Nidhi said, "Hey, what happened, sit down na? The coffee will get cold!"

"Hmmm!", saying this Nidhi sat on one edge of the bed and looking at Nidhi said, "I don't understand Nidhi how can I accept this favour of yours !Will I be able to repay? You have done me a great favour by bringing me here!"

"You have started again! What did Dadu say downstairs that only a friend is useful to a friend, so tell me how is this a favour?", Nidhi scolded her.

"You don't know what you have done for me Nidhi?", Meera said calmly

"It is good, whenever i need something i will ask you for it, you just give it to me and i will repay the favor!", said Nidhi while taking a sip of coffee.

“Okay!” said Meera.

"Don't promise me like this, your word is very important for you Rajput people, isn't it? Come on, give it", said Nidhi extending her hand.

Meera placed her hand on his hand and said, "i promise, i will give you whatever you ask for!"

Smiling, Nidhi hugged Meera and said, "I don't want anything more than you being happy!"

Meera also smiled! Nidhi, while sitting there, started telling Meera stories about the family, "Come, I will tell you about everyone! First of all about grandfather, Dadu is a very cool person, I have never seen him getting angry, he is always smiling! He loves grandmother the most, do you know that even in those days, both of them had a love marriage! How romantic, isn't it, grandmother is from Kolkata, so grandparents definitely go there once a year As love birds!" (Nidhi starts laughing)

"There is so much love between them even at this age! Grandma is really lucky!" said Meera

Nidhi smiled and said, "Yes, of course! After them, there are mummy and papa. Papa is always busy with work and mummy is busy taking care of papa's needs. Even when she is at home or in office, she calls them and informs them about food and medicines!

Nidhi stopped and looking at Meera said, "You know Meera, Mumma and Dad don't talk much but still Mumma knows what Papa needs at what time? Interesting isn't it!"

“Because there is a lot of love between them!” said Meera showing interest in Nidhi’s talk.

"Yes! Then Arjun Bhaiya, Arjun Bhaiya is just like you, calm, idealistic and quiet! He doesn't like noise at all!

I have completed my M.B. and now I am managing the office with my father!”, said Nidhi.

"Is everything done?" Meera said as she got up.

Nidhi held Meera's hand and made her sit back and said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you about one person!"

“Who?” said Meera.

"Akshat Bhaiya! It won't be wrong if you call him the 8th wonder of the world. No one has been able to understand him till date, not even mom and dad! he just finished the college this year. He topped the college in History!" Nidhi said cheerfully.

Nice!", Meera said softly!

"The room that is attached to the front hall is his, no one goes to that side, he say it is his part! He is crazy, what's yours and mine between the family", said Nidhi.

The name plate appeared in front of Meera's eyes on which was written 'Akshat Vyas a complicated boy' Meera was now understanding the meaning of this word! She did not know how she would face Akshat but she knew that he was different from the rest of the family members! After telling about everyone, Nidhi said, "Now you are also a part of this house, right? So I will introduce you to people like this 'This is my most beautiful friend Meera, Meera Rajput! A little quiet, a little silent, but her eyes speak a lot!"

Meera started laughing and said, "Hey stop it, I am not that beautiful!"

Nidhi looked at Meera and said, "Oh, you are so beautiful. If I were a boy, I would definitely marry you!"

"Shut up, you are really a big drama queen!", said Meera while getting up.

"Meera, let's go to market, it will be fun!", said Nidhi.

"Nidhi, our exams are going to start next month and I was also not going to college for a month, all my revision is pending, I will not be able to go, sorry”, said Meera.

"It's okay, I am not going either, then!", Nidhi said, sitting back.

"Hey, why aren't you going market now?" said Meera

"Do you like leaving me alone?", Nidhi said innocently.

"I will stay, don't ruin your happiness because of me! You go", said Meera lovingly touching Nidhi's cheek.

"Thanks! Well Mira, the first cupboard is empty, you can keep your clothes and other stuff in it, and keep the books on my table! If you need anything else, tell Mom or call me!", Nidhi said in one breath.

"I will take care of everything and you can go without any worry!", said Meera while opening her bag.

Nidhi took her purse and phone and left from there.

Meera closed the door and then started keeping her clothes and stuff in the cupboard told by Nidhi. After keeping the stuff, Meera took out her books and started reading. Meera did not even realise when an hour passed with the books. She picked up a book and sat on the chair lying in the balcony. Meera was reading leisurely while turning the pages of the book, when she felt a bright light on her face. Meera looked in that direction but that light was falling straight into her eyes due to which she was not able to open her eyes even if she wanted to. That bright light was of the mirror. When Meera turned to the side, she saw the eyes of a person standing below under the cover of the leaves.

The mirror whose light was coming in Meera's eyes was the mirror of the watch of the person standing below which was tied on his hand. As soon as he raised his hand, once again the same light fell on Meera's face. Meera tried to see but this time only his red lips were visible. Meera was getting annoyed. Firstly, because of the bright light, she was not able to see the person standing below. The eyes of the person had increased the restlessness in Meera's heart. Clothes were drying on the wire attached to the balcony

. As soon as Meera caught hold of the wire, the wire broke and all her clothes fell on Meera. Meera got so entangled in those clothes that she could not see the person. When she got up and looked down, she saw him going out. Meera was very disappointed for the first time. The glass of the boy's watch on his hand was still shining. As soon as he raised his hand while walking, a bright light once again fell in Meera's eyes.

Meera came inside and lay down but those two eyes and red lips were repeatedly coming in front of her eyes! Meera's irritation increased even more so she came out of the room! She came down and went to her grandmother in the garden! When grandmother saw her, she asked her to come closer and said, "Are you enjoying it?"

Your here?"

"Yes grandma!", Meera said softly.

"Come and sit!", Grandma said lovingly and Meera came and sat beside her. Grandma looked at her carefully and said, "You look a bit troubled. Tell me, did anyone say anything?"

"No grandma, there is nothing like that. Everyone is fine!", said Meera avoiding eye contact.

"Then why is there such a worried expression on such a cute face? See, I am a grandma, I can read faces!", said the grandma, smiling mischievously.

Grandma, was there anyone down here just now?", Meera said hesitantly!

"Here, yes he came a while ago Akshat, but that guy never stays in one place. He comes and goes back, that boy just roams around all day long.

He wants to roam around and have fun! I don't know when he will understand his responsibilities!", said Grandma

"Ohhhh so he was there and I haven't even met him yet and he started torturing me! I hope I don't even meet him", Meera said to herself.

"What happened? Did he say anything to you?", Grandma asked

"No grandma, he didn't say anything, I was just asking!" said Meera

"Okay! Where are you from?", Grandma asked

"from Bhopal!", said Meera and after that the conversation between the two started! Due to which Meera forgot those eyes for some time! Grandmother told her about her journey from her marriage till now! Meera kept listening to her silently!

The day was getting darker , Grandma and Meera came inside! Meera saw Raghu carrying a pile of clothes from the veranda and she went to him for help.

She came and said, "let me help you, give some clothes to me I will carry them!"

"Oh no no didi, these are Akshat Baba's clothes! he doesn't like anyone touching his things!"

When Meera heard it, she felt strange and started thinking, "What exactly is this Akshat?"

"Do you need anything Didi?", Raghu's voice broke Meera's trance and she slowly shook her head in no!! She came inside. There were plants in pots in the balcony. Meera walked towards them! She removed the rotten leaves and after cleaning the pots, started watering them!

Dadu had come from outside and had been watching Meera doing all this work for quite some time! Meera was watering the plants with great love, seeing which Dadu's eyes were getting peace! He walked towards Meera and while sitting on the chair, said, "After a long time, I have seen someone working so leisurely!"

"Grandpa, it's you!", Meera said upon hearing her grandfather's voice

"You should call me Daadu like everyone else, I feel a sense of belonging! By the way, you have come to this house only today and have kept yourself busy in work today itself", said Dadu lovingly

"I like doing all these things Dadu, plants are also like humans, just like a sad person is not good, similarly a wilted plant is also not good! And my mother used to say that keeping wilted plants in the house is not a good omen!", Meera said in a low voice while caressing the small flower on the plant!

"You are a very intelligent girl! Akshat had brought these plants when we all went to Banaras last year for a trip! He had bought these on the way back from there!

It is a different matter that after bringing them home, that worthless fellow did not take care of them!”, said Dadu!

Hearing Akshat's name from her grandfather's mouth, those two eyes started moving in Meera's mind again! Seeing her silent, grandfather said, "You do it, I'll leave!" Grandfather left from there and Meera sat there and started thinking about Akshat! Whose name she had been hearing continuously since morning but whom she hadn't seen!

Hey Meera, what are you doing there?" Nidhi said coming from outside, carrying some bags in her hands. Seeing Nidhi there, Meera got up, washed her hands and came to the hall. When Meera came to Nidhi, Nidhi extended a notebook towards her and said, "Take this your one month's notes"

"Where did you get these from?" Meera asked in surprise.

"I met Vineet in the market today. I told him that Meera had not come to college for a month, so he happily gave me his notes!", said Nidhi

Putting the bag on the sofa!

"Why did you do that? You shouldn't have taken notes from him!", Meera said seriously.

"Oh come on Mira everyone knows Vineet likes you and that is why he gave you his notes!", said Nidhi

"I will return it to him tomorrow!", said Meera

"As you wish!", said Nidhi while sitting on the sofa.

Meera kept the book on the table and sat next to Nidhi! Nidhi took out a packet of chocolate from a bag and said, "Will you eat it?"

"You know I don't like chocolates!", said Meera "

"You are the 8th wonder of the world, ahhhhh just like Akshat bhaiya! That means you must be the first girl in the world who doesn't like chocolates. Anyways I brought this for Akshat bhaiya he loves dark chocolate!", said Nidhi putting a piece in her mouth.

By now Meera was tired of hearing everyone's name and this time Nidhi even said that she was like Akshat! Meera got up and left from there! Nidhi was very surprised. Meera left and surprised words came out of her mouth, "What happened to her now? Well, first let me eat the chocolate and then I will ask!" Nidhi put another piece in her mouth!

It was evening and the cold had started increasing. Meera took out her cream coloured sweater from the cupboard and came down wearing it. Grandmother was performing evening aarti in the puja room. Grandfather was sitting in the hall and watching the news on TV. Grandmother was getting interrupted while she was praying, "Please lower the volume!" But Grandfather did not pay any heed.

Meera smiled seeing this scene. In the dining area a little away from the hall, Raghu was cleaning the plate kept on the table. His attention was less on the table and more on the news and his facial expressions were also changing accordingly. Meera came to him and asked him to sit there and watch TV and took the cloth from his hand and started wiping the plate herself. Raghu smiled at Meera's behavior. From there, Meera came towards the kitchen and stopped at the door. Seeing her standing at the door, Radha said, "Why are you standing outside?"

Meera did not say anything. Perhaps she was hesitant to say anything. Radha saw her face and understood her problem. She said, "You must be thinking that we are Brahmins and you are Rajputs. Should I enter the kitchen or not? That is the issue, isn't it?"

"Yes, I am Rajput but I am vegetarian!", Meera said softly.

"No problem, come inside!", Radha said smiling. Meera came inside. The kitchen was as big as a room. All the stuff was arranged in an orderly manner. Seeing the kitchen, Meera had come to know that Radha liked cleanliness. She was looking at everything in the kitchen very carefully. Then her eyes fell on the coffee mug kept on the rack in front. Meera picked it up. There was a picture of a boy on it but his face was not visible. He had kept his hand close to his face, so that only his eyes were visible. Meera turned around and saw a message written on the back - My eyes are enough for you to fall in love with me.

When Meera read it, she felt very strange. As soon as she turned, Radha was standing behind her. Even before Meera could say anything, she pointed to the picture of the mug and said, "My little son Akshat, he does not like to be photographed at all. Nidhi had taken this on his last birthday and gifted it to him!" Meera again heard something new about Akshat and was also annoyed inside. Seeing Meera silent, Radha said, "Put it there!"

"Hmmm!", saying this Meera turned and jerked her hand vigorously just like we throw away things but she didn't throw the mug but put it back. Radha was busy cutting vegetables so Meera came to her and said, "Can I help you a bit?" "No beta I have done everything, I just have to make something for grandfather. Would you like some tea or coffee?", Radha said "No aunty, I would have liked to help you. Anyway ever since we have come we have been feeling like guests!", Meera said innocently "So that's it! Then do one thing, cut the raw coconut kept there into small pieces. Akshat likes coconut chutney a lot. He will be happy", said Radha while putting vegetables in the vessel. "Hmmm!", said Meera and picking up the knife, moved towards the coconut.

She picked up the piece of coconut and used the knife on it as if it was not a coconut but Akshat's neck. This one name had troubled her so much today that perhaps no one else in her life had. No one knew what would happen when the person whose name had troubled Meera so much would come in front of her. After cutting the coconut, Meera went out. She helped Radha in putting food on the dining table and then went to wash her hands and face.

When she saw herself in the mirror after washing her face, the expressions of worry were clearly visible on her face. While wiping her face with a towel, she started saying to herself in her mind: What is this Akshat? His name is on everyone's tongue in the house, everyone just talks about his happiness. Whether it is good or bad, no one is able to know? And then these strange thoughts of hers, who is this Akshat after all?"