I am happy with the improvements taking place in my marital life. I still do sleep on the couch while Rohan sleeps on the bed but we do not forget to exchange our pillows every alternate day. The rest of my puja holidays passed smoothly. My heart feels something these days, it has never felt before.

"Anjali, today Rohan's cousin brother would be coming to our house", my mother in law said.

"Cousin?"

"Yes, he is about three four years elder to Rohan. "

"Was he invited in our marriage?"

"Yes, but he couldn't attend as his wife was pregnant at that time. He will be coming to invite us for his daughter's rice eating ceremony. "

"That's so sweet!!"

Around 2 o' clock in the afternoon he arrived.

I touched his feet to seek blessings as the tradition runs in our family.

We chatted for an hour and so..

"So I want all of you to attend my daughter's rice eating ceremony. "

"All of us won't be attending, just Rohan and Anjali will go", my Mil said.

Deep down I was too happy to get a chance to travel with Rohan.

"And Shristi?"

"Her exams are starting soon, she won't be able to go."

Oh no!! I have totally forgotten about my exams. I haven't opened my books since Durga puja.

"Anjali, talk with Rohan and decide the gift and pack your luggage. The ceremony is just 2 days to go."

I have got only two weeks to study for my semester exams and I don't want to miss this chance of travelling with my husband. So there's one way out! Be a night owl and study for long hours.

I sat with my books and found my condition comparable with Rose from Titanic. I am lost in the sea and have no idea how to complete my syllabus. The thought of failing in my exams swung like a dagger over my head.

I didn't even realise when tears started flowing out of fear.

"Anjali! Why are you crying ? Is something wrong?"

"No... but.."

"What happened?"

"I am going to fail this time. "

"Fail in what?"

"My exams are after 2 weeks. I haven't studied anything. And I want to attend the rice eating ceremony too."

Rohan chuckles.

"You won't fail. I will help you out."

"You can't help me. I am a science student and you were a commerce student."

"So what? The basic principle of studying is same irrespective of the stream."

"So what will I do?"

"Simple. Just follow the pattern of previous years question papers. Study only the parts from where questions have been asked. Leave those areas where you consider yourself weak."

There's nothing more lovely than seeing the person you love motivating you towards your goal.

Everything in the world appears to be deceptive, especially when someone gives you study tips in a deep voice. How flawlessly he speaks!!

"Where's your attention Anjali?"

"Umm... nothing..."

"You have to complete your syllabus. So just focus."

"Yeah.. I know."

How am I supposed to concentrate on my books if he keeps giving me study tips in that tone!

"A few moments ago you were concerned about your exams, now your attention seems to be somewhere else!"

"How am I suppose to concentrate when my attention is only on the way your lips are quivering and your se.. "

"What ?"

"Umm.. nothing.."

"You were saying something don't stop. "

"And your horrible voice... happy?"

A deep blush reddened my face.

"Stop blushing Anjali, study. I won't disturb you."

I didn't realise when I fell asleep. When I woke up I found a bedsheet over me and my books neatly arranged on the nearby table. My dad always did this for me. Aisha dii would have thrown water to wake me up. How time changes everything!

"Rohan thanks for arranging my books and also covering me."

"No thanks. You had fallen asleep. As a reward please prepare your special tea for me."

"Yes sure."

Thank you elaichi and cardamom; you were the first reason which helped me to come closer to him.

"Here's your tea."

"If you need any help to pack, ask me without any hesitation."

"What should we gift the child?"

"I don't know, mom will decide. "

"We will be the one attending the ceremony, so we will decide."

Holy hell! When did I learn to switch my wife mode?

"Okay, let me decide the budget after talking with mom."

There's a tradition that's deep rooted in Indian especially Bengali families. The budget for a gift is decided after checking the budgets of all the gifts previously gifted by them.

Finally my MIL came to the conclusion the child will be gifted with silver anklets and bangles.

"Rohan I will gift something from my savings."

"What do you want to gift?"

"Some toy may be."

"A teddy bear?"

"Yes a great idea!"

I am exited for tomorrow. My first trip with my husband.

"Anjali, the journey will be long. So don't carry too much luggage. I don't want to be your coolie."

"I can carry my own luggage. "

How eude! He calls himself a coolie for helping me!

"Don't you know how crowded the metro is? With that big teddy bear in your hand you won't be able to carry yourself. Forget about the luggage. "

I arranged my clothes and essentials in a trolley bag. It was difficult for me. It was for the first time in my life I am packing for myself. I dressed up in a cotton patiala suit, ready for the journey.

"Rohan stop, we can't go by metro."

"Why?"

"It's too crowded. I will be claustrophobic."

"We have no other option Anjali. It will take just twenty minutes maybe. "

"But..."

"Trust me, I will be with you all the time."

"Okay...", I said in defeat.

People glared at us when we boarded along with a huge teddy and a trolley bag.

I didn't have space even to breathe, let alone move.

Admist all the crowd, I felt a known touch interlocking my fingers. Rohan.. as long as I am with him I am safe.

I couldn't see him but a small view of his hand confirmed his presence with me. The crowd intensified in the next station and I was pushed back.

"Hey, don't push", I yelled to an apparent deaf person.

I didn't even realise when my fingers left slipped from Rohan's grasp.

"Rohan?"

I tried to call his name at the top of my voice. Panic gripped me. I could neither see him nor hear him.

"Rohan can you hear me?"

"Madam, it's already crowded. Please don't call."

Let me make a call, my smart brain gave the idea.

Oh no! My mobile is with Rohan along with my purse!

To add on to my miseries I felt a touch on my waist. This isn't Rohan. He won't hold me by my waist even in a private place.

Maybe an accidental touch.

I tried to move to avoid the touch in vain. Soon the hands moved down my back and I couldn't do anything.

Should I shout?

Maybe it's still accidental.

How can a touch down your spine be accidental?

Before I could do anything the hands came gliding down to my hips. My heart started pounding loudly in my chest.

A pervert was touching me while I could not even have a look at that evil face with malice intensions!

The train came to a halt at the next metro station. I couldn't even hear the name of the station.

I am feeling dizzy. I told Rohan I feel claustrophobic but he didn't listen. I feel breathlessness. Of all the places on the Earth he chose to get rid of me without a penny and a phone in the metro??

I hate him..

I hate him terribly..

"R... o...h..a..n..."

I called out his name for one last time before blackness prevailed in front of my eyes.