And that was the last time she saw him. She still remembered the hopeful look on his face. The way his eyes kept dragging back to her window.

Why was she crying? She had wanted him to move on. And he had. Why was she crying then?

Her thoughts were broken by the sound of her phone ringing. A smile involuntarily formed on her face seeing her elder sister’s number.

“Hello di!”

She chirped and the two sisters spent a good half talking to each other.

Two days passed within the blink of an eye. Isha’s heart was beating with anticipation and fear. Anticipation of his arrival. And fear that he would actually bring someone with him.

She had been sitting at her window since morning, waiting for him to arrive. Wanting to catch a glimpse of him.

She sat straighter when she saw a sleek, black car come to a stop in front of his house. Her heart started racing when she saw him step out from the driver’s seat. He had a wide grin on his face. 

He had changed a lot physically. From a distance, she could see his slight beard. She noticed the muscles and the rugged look. He looked more masculine and mature.

Her eyes lingered to see if he brought anyone along. She could see Pooja aunty getting emotional on seeing him. He said something to her and then pointed at the car. 

The three of them, then sat in the car and drove off somewhere. 

Was he going to take them to the woman he brought along? It could be. She closed her eyes, letting a few tears fall.

“Ishu!”

She heard her mother call and wiped her tears.

“Aayi mumma!”

(Coming mumma!)

Quickly correcting her face, she rushed towards her mother.

“Mai soch rhi thi ki aaj Pooja aur sabko dinner pr bula lu? Om bhi wapas aaya hai aaj itne saalon baad.”

(I was thinking of calling Pooja and everyone for dinner? Om is coming back after so long.)

Isha gulped and nodded. Getting to him up close and hear him talk about the woman he loved? 

“Haan. Bula lo.”

(Yes. Call them.)

She said with difficulty. Was she strong enough to survive the evening? 

“Kya banana chahiye? Suggest kr kuch.”

(What should I make? Suggest something.)

“Proper khaana hi bana lo. Continental toh Om ne bahar khaaya hi hoga na. Kuch Indian bana lo.”

(Make proper food. Om must have had continental there too. Make something Indian.)

“Haan ye sahi rahega. Kadhai paneer banau? Ya malai kofta? Dono toh same-same lagenge na.”

(Yes this is correct. Should I make kadhai paneer? Or malai kofta? Both of them would be similar.)

“Malai kofta bana lo. Bharwa wale. Usse pasand hai. Aur saath mai ek daal tadka. Jeera rice ho jaayenge, ek pineapple raita aur mix veg. Usse pasand hai ye sab.”

(Make malai kofta. Filled. He likes them. And daal tadka. Jeera rice, pineapple raita and mix veg. He likes everything.)

She said, subconsciously.

“Haan! Ye sahi rahega phir. Chal aaja! Help kara de meri. List de rhi hu pehle toh saaman le kar aa.”

(This will be ok. Come on! Help me. I am giving you a list, go and get the things.)

Isha had been standing in front of the mirror for the past 20 minutes. She couldn’t decide between two outfits.

“Ishu! Tu taiyar kyu nhi hui abhi tak?”

(Why are you not ready yet?)

“Samajh nhi aa raha kya pehnu mumma.”

(I can’t understand what to wear.)

“Pooja aunty hi toh hai. Kuch bhi pehen le.”

(It’s just Pooja aunty. Wear anything.)

Isha sighed. She couldn’t tell her mother that she wanted to dress up for Om. Even though he might have found someone else, she wanted to look good in front of him. 

“Achha inn dono mai se batao na.”

(Ok tell me which one out of these two.)

She said pushing two outfits forward. One was a simple sleeveless red kurti with white palazzo. And the other was a blue crop top with a white floral long skirt.

“Ye kurti daal le. Nayi bhi hai. Pyaari lagegi.”

(Wear this kurti. It’s new. You’ll look pretty.)

Isha nodded and got ready. She completed her look with oxidized jhumkis, metallic bangles, a small black bindi, kajal and a little bit of lip gloss. She left her hair loose and let them cascade down her back in wavy curls.

She heard the doorbell ring and quickly rushed out in time to see Omkara and his parents enter.

She heard his rich, deep laughter as he greeted her parents and touched their feet to seek their blessings.

She took slow steps towards them, making his eyes snap to hers. Time seemed to freeze. She could see a lot of emotions swirling in his eyes, the intensity of which had her looking away.

She tucked her hair behind her ear. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him walk in her direction. Both their parents looked at the two as Omkara stood directly in front of her.

“Hi Isha.”

He whispered. And only she knows how she managed not to melt right into his arms. The way he took her name. She felt her throat clog.

He forwarded his hand for a handshake. She slowly took it and her breath hitched. It felt good. To hold his hand. It wasn’t like earlier. She remembered holding the boy’s hand. 

But this! He was a man. A strong, masculine, rugged man. His palm felt warm against hers. Too big against hers. As if he could crush her if he wanted. 

He gave her hand a slight shake, her bangles clinking together, making a very pleasing sound.

“H-hi Om.”

Her voice came out as a broken whisper. She cleared her throat and smiled at him. 

“Tu bhut badal gyi hai.”

(You’ve changed a lot.)

He whispered, making her frown. Omkara grinned mischievously and turned to her father.

“Dekho na uncle! Pehle kaisi chuhiya si thi. Khaana peena start kr dia kya chuhiya?”

(See uncle! She was like a little rat before. Did you start eating, little rat?)

He teased and she gasped. She pinched his stomach, making him wince and all of them burst out laughing at their banter.

“Arre baitho na yaar! Mai chai naashta laati hu tab tak.”

(Come sit! I will get tea and snacks.)

“Arre thodi der mai aa jaayega chai naastha. Tu bhi baith saath mai.”

(We will have it later. You also come sit.)

Pooja said and everyone moved towards the sitting area. Isha noticed that he hadn’t left her hand. He tugged her along as they moved towards the couch.

She pulled her hand back, making him raise his eyebrow. He didn’t comment and took his seat. 

An hour later, the tea and snacks were done and everyone was gossiping together. Isha couldn’t avert her eyes from him. 

She was so happy and proud of him having achieved so much.

“Aaj toh isne surprise de dia hume.”

(He surprised us today.)

Pooja spoke and Isha sat straighter. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Achha? Kya surprise de dia bhai?”

(Really? What surprise did you give?)

Her mother asked with a chuckle. Isha gulped. She wanted to run away. Did not want to listen to him speak about someone else.