The lazy evening sun rays coated Sonambar in rusty golden hues. Owing to the upcoming elections, Chocobar Café remained empty except for a few people downstairs. All seats on the top floor were vacant. Ayush reached the café earlier than Sakshi and placed two seats at their usual table by the terrace window. The place had been their safe haven for over three months. He rechecked the date on his phone, confirming it was their final time meeting together like this.

Her exam would begin in three days, and the quaint evenings spent in the café would become a distant memory.

He fished two rings out of his pocket. One, her emerald lion ring, another, a sterling silver ring with a heart-shaped white stone. He partly tapped into his savings and pitched in the payment from his Amore Grande performance to purchase the ring for her. He was sure she would accept his proposal, but even if she didn't, he would respect her choice.

Sakshi sauntered into the café with a pearly smile, dazzling in the sun rays. She sported a full-length golden anarkali gown and light makeup. The red rose tucked between the braids of her hair drove him insane.

"How are you, Ayush?" she asked.

"I'm okay, but you look stunning!"

A wistful beam crept on her face. "All my classmates wore something special today since it's the last day of college."

"And our classes."

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her throbbing heart. Tears collected in the corner of her eyes.

"I will miss these days," she said.

"Imagine if B.Com was for four years? We can have many such evenings for another whole year."

"That would be possible."

"How?"

She bit her tongue and shrugged. "If I failed in the exam!"

"Haha, no! I'd never dream of such a thing."

"On a serious note, I too wish we had more time."

"Like how long?"

"Forever

An awkward silence engulfed their table. They stared into each other's eyes without the strength to utter a word. Ayush stared at his fleeced fingers and cleared his throat.

"Sakshi I need to tell you something. It might hurt you, and I don't want to, but I can't hide it anymore."

"I don't think you can ever hurt me. What is it?"

He took a deep breath and rubbed his palms. "My father asked me not to talk to you."

She gasped and knotted her brows, gauging if it was a mere joke. She waited for him to burst out laughing, but his expression remained stoic.

"What have I done?"

"You haven't done anything. It is—please don't mistake me— your father."

"Babaji?!"

"Turns out he's the politician who had a controversy with my mother."

"Ayush, you're kidding me."

"I'm dead serious. When I said you're father's name is Udayveer, my Papa blew up in a public place. I've never seen him so worked up before!"

"Is Uncleji angry with me?"

Ayush froze at her question.

"Papa is upset only because of your father. Personally, he liked you very much." Ayush meticulously sifted out the curses his father had pronounced on Sakshi, not wishing to break her heart.

"What's the problem between our families?"

"I don't know the entire story. Your father might have a different version, but from what Papa told me, this is all I know . . . "

"Don't hold back. I want to know everything."

"My mother, Damini, was the daughter of Viraj Vardhan."

"What?! She's Kushwant Uncle's sister?"

He nodded. "I was baffled when my father told me yesterday. I can't believe that disgusting Hemant is my cousin."

"Does Kushwant Uncle know you're related to him?"

"Apparently no. Coming back to the point, my Nanaji Viraj Vardhan, the patriarch and founder of Sunehra Jeevan Dal, was very close to your grandfather, Bhaskar Rana."

"Woah! This is unexpected."

"Your father and Kushwant also followed suit and became inseparable friends."

"They still are. Babaji favours Kushwant Uncle more than Bhaiyya and me! He trusts him with his life."

"The Vardhans and Ranas emerged as the two most powerful families and political allies. To strengthen their bonds, both they decided to get their children married."

"So that's how Babaji met your mother!"

"They met long before at a family gathering where my mother sang a classical song. He liked her after seeing her performance."

"She was a singer? Is that where you got your talent from?"

"I think so."

She nodded. "Alright, then?"

"The problem was that my mother had already fallen in love with Papa. When your Bhaskar Rana approached her with a formal proposal in front of everybody, she refused to marry Udayveer—I mean—your father."

"She was very brave."

Ayush gave a small smile. "True. She requested Nanaji's permission to marry the person of her choice, but he asked to renounce her share in the family property."

"That's not fair!"

"Mumma agreed and signed all the papers. Then Nanaji gave his half-hearted blessings and conducted a close-knit wedding ceremony."

"How was Babaji involved in this?'

"He was felt humiliated that Mumma rejected him for a simple school teacher. Using his friendship with Kushwant, he portrayed her in a bad light, saying that a good woman will never overstep her parents' decision."

Sakshi gulped and clutched her dupatta.

"Bhaskar Rana supported him and forced Nanaji to disown her and make an example out of her for any girl who chose to do so."

"Don't tell me your Nanaji did that!"

"He did."

"What nonsense! Why did he give his blessings in the first place?"

"He was a good-natured man by himself, but external pressure made him take such decisions. But my family's ordeal didn't end there!"

She sighed and placed a hand on his.

"Udayveer got hold of my parents' landline number and kept sending constant death threats before I was born," he said.

Her face contorted into a horrified glare.

"She became paranoid fearing for my safety. When Papa went to work, he asked the neighbours to help her. Yet still, she kept checking the doors and windows multiple times. Though he made a police complaint, no one could touch the Ranas. Worse, Nanaji and Kushwant supported it. After I was born, she didn't go out for six months . . . until her death.

Sakshi felt her cracks of grief thaw her heart.

"One day, Kushwant and Udayveer sent men to vandalise Papa's bike. Thankfully he escaped with a minor fracture. That was the limit for Mumma. She had become pale, lost weight, complained of chest pain often. No matter how much Papa tried, he couldn't force her to go to the hospital. One day, after a final threat call from your father and Kushwant, . . . she suffered a massive heart attack."

He hung his head low. "I miss her, yaara. I miss her very much. When I see others my age with their mothers, I think how it would have been if she was with me."

Ayush panted heavily, tears blurring his vision. He never cried in front of others, he could be himself in front of Sakshi. He didn't realise that she was gripping his shoulder with one hand and his own hands with the other.

She sniffed and stifled a sob."I'm so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing for what's not your fault?" he whispered.

"Now I know why Uncle asked you to stay away from me. He has all the reasons to say so."

"No, no! Your father's actions have nothing to do with you. You're in no way like him."

Sakshi sighed. "Being a girl, I cannot imagine how much Damini Maa faced. My hands are trembling just hearing it."

He jerked his head toward her with broad eyes and an unknowing smile. She addressed his mother as 'maa', like her own.

"Please don't be upset about what I said about your father. My Papa told me and . . . "

"I'm not upset. Though I love Babaji very much, I'm not blind to his ways. He can be aggressive when he sets his heart upon something. Be it love, politics, or parties."

Moments of poignant silence slipped by. Ayush pursed his lips and leaned closer.

"I hope things were not so complicated between us."

She placed her hand on his jaw and turned his face toward her. "But thanks for telling me. Many people hide bitter truths, others seek revenge. You are a gem, Ayush. One in a million."

His heart swayed like a kite on a windy afternoon— light and free.

Of all the diverse people in Sonambar, he was the only one fortunate to be loved by her. By the exquisite, humble, ravishing Sakshi Kumari Rana. He pushed the stray wisps of hair behind her ears, peering at her delicate features in the shadows of the sun-dappled corner.

He decided not to express his feelings until her exams were over. He had already dropped a huge cannonball by revealing their family secret. It would be best not to burden her more. He placed her emerald ring on the table and slid it to her.

"Here's your ring."

"Thanks a lot, Ayush."

"Now for the next one month, don't worry about anything. Focus on your exams and give your best!"

"You think I'll do well? What if the balance sheet doesn't tally?"

"All those are unnecessary fears. You will pass with flying colours, I'm very sure!"

"Thank you for believing in me, Ayush," she said with comfort melting her features.

"I always have and always will."

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