Jai froze. Went completely still. He stared into her eyes. Blinked. Frowned and then spoke.

“You can’t do this.”

Baani frowned.

“What?”

“You can’t do this. Aise public mai. Mai dhang se hug bhi kr skta tumhe yaha.”

(Like this in public. I can’t even hug you properly here.)

She blinked, processing his words and then burst out laughing. Jai smiled and adored her. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

“I love you.”

She smiled and caressed his hand with her thumb, whispering the words back.

Jai dropped Baani in front of her home. She turned to him and smiled.

“Don’t think too much about those dreams. Past jo bhi ho…ab hum saath hai. Hmm?”

(Whatever the past was…we are together now.)

He nodded and kissed her knuckles. She cupped his face and caressed it lovingly, before rushing out.

“Papa aane wale honge. Jaldi milte hai.”

(Papa must be about to come. We’ll meet soon.)

She waved and ran inside, making him chuckle. He shook his head and drove towards his home.

Baani and Jai have been dating for 4 months. Jai was in his final semester. It was Jai’s mother’s birthday and Jai has asked Baani to accompany him to his home.

He wanted her to meet his parents. She was a little nervous. Jai rang the doorbell and Baani clutched the gift she was holding tighter.

“Relax Baani! Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Easy for you to say. Jab mere papa se miloge na tab puchhungi tum se.”

(I will ask when you meet my father.)

She gave him a side eye, making him chuckle. Before he could reassure her, the door was opened by his mother.

“Kaha gaya tha tu subha subha?”

(Where did you go early in the morning?)

His mother asked and Jai looked beside him only to realise that Baani had swiftly moved behind him in order to hide. He rolled his eyes and said.

“Aapke liye gift laane. Aur isko bhi.”

(To get a gift for you. And her also.)

He said, side hugging his mother and giving her a sleek, small box, making her smile as he moved to reveal a very nervous Baani.

“N-namaste aunty. Happy birthday.”

She said quickly and thrust the gift towards her. His mother looked surprised but smiled warmly.

“Thank you beta. Andar aao na. Bahar kyu khade ho? Jai! Andar laao apni dost ko.”

(Come inside. Why are you standing outside? Jai! Bring your friend inside.)

Baani entered behind Jai, who discreetly gestured to her to relax.

“Baitho beta! Mai kuch laati hu.”

(Sit beta! I will get something.)

“Arre nhi nhi aunty! Aap bhi baithiye na. Aapse hi toh milne aayi thi.”

(No no aunty! You also sit. I came to meet you only.)

Baani said with a smile. His mother sat and they talked for some time. Jai was surprised how quickly the two gelled up. It was as if he was witnessing two girls of the same age gossiping.

“Aunty? Washroom kis side hai?”

(Where is the washroom?)

Baani asked after about half an hour. His mother pointed towards the washroom door. As soon as Baani disappeared inside, his mother’s eyes snapped to him.

“Pyaari hai.”

(She is sweet.)

She said. Jai nodded in daze. He realised what he was doing and blinked at her. She had a knowing smirk on her face.

“Bahu hai na?”

(She is my daughter-in-law right?)

“Mummy!”

“Kya? Haan ya na toh bta de.”

(What? Atleast tell me yes or no.)

Jai blushed. He looked away and nodded.

“Kabse chal raha hai ye?”

(Since when is this going on?)

“Abhi toh chaar mahine hi huye hai.”

(It’s just been four months.)

“Chaar mahine! Aur maa ko khabar tak nhi hai. Par chal thik hai. Tu mere birthday pr le aaya toh maaf kia.”

(Four months! And I don’t even know. But fine. You brought her to my birthday so it is fine.)

Before he could comment further, Baani came back. His mother got up suddenly, making Baani come to a startled stop.

“K-kya hua?”

(Wh-what happened?)

“Kuch nhi hua beta. Idhar aao.”

(Nothing beta. Come here.)

She called gently. Baani smiled and walked towards her. His mother cupped her face lovingly and whispered.

“Bhut pyaari ho tum.”

(You are very sweet.)

Baani blushed and lowered her eyes, muttering a thank you to her.

“Mujhe pasand ho.”

(I like you.)

The way she spoke the sentence made Baani look at her in shock. She gave a brief glance to Jai.

His mother took her in a warm embrace and patted her back.

“Tum dono baat kro. Mai kuch laati hu.”

(You both talk. I will get something.)

With that, she left the two alone. As soon as his mother disappeared in the kitchen, Jai pulled Baani down beside him and snaked his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into himself.

“Tum bata nhi skte the mujhe ki aunty ko pata hai.”

(Couldn’t you tell me that aunty knows.)

She hissed and hit his stomach lightly. He chuckled and caressed her face.

“Tumhare aane se ek minute pehle puchha unhone. And you don’t have to be worried now. Sasu maa ka approval mil gaya.”

(She asked just a minute before you came….You got mother-in-law’s approval.)

He teased while leaning closer, making her blush and turn his face away. He bit his lip mischievously and leaned in again. Baani placed a hand on his chest, sensing his intention.

“Jai! Pagal ho kya? Aunty andar hi hai. Yaha nhi!”

(Are you mad? Aunty is inside. Not here!)

She spoke in a haste. His eyes sparkled with mischief at her words.

“Yaha nhi? Toh kahi aur kr skta hu?”

(Not here? That means I can do it anywhere else?)

He asked naughtily. Baani felt her heart race inside her chest. During these 4 months of their dating, he hadn’t kissed her anywhere else apart from her forehead or knuckles and sometimes on her cheeks, very rarely.

“Tum…tum…chhodo mujhe.”

(You…you…leave me.)

She blushed and pushed him back, making him chuckle.

“Aunty ki help krni chahiye. Achha nhi lagta.”

(We should help aunty. It doesn’t look good.)

She got up and went to the kitchen. Jai followed and leaned against the doorframe, admiring the two women he loved, laughing and chatting with each other so freely.

Jai and Baani were going for the Lantern Festival which was taking place in Udaipur. Jai’s friends were also coming along.

They were supposed to stay the night at Udaipur itself. The four boys occupy two rooms and Baani has her separate room.

The festival ground glowed with lanterns and laughter. Music hummed in the background, children ran with sparklers and the crowd gathered for the release of the lanterns.

Jai and Baani walked hand in hand, weaving through the people until they found a spot beneath the open sky. They closed their eyes, making their wishes.

“Kya maanga?”

(What did you ask for?)

Jai asked but Baani shook her head.

“Wish batate nhi hai. Puri nhi hoti.”

(You don’t share your wishes. They don’t get fulfilled.)

He smiled and shook his head. He looked around and saw the same excitement on everyone’s faces.

The countdown began. Lanterns were lit, their warm light flickered against the night. One by one, they rose, drifting upward like tiny stars.