“Finally, we have come to our real home. Last night was the ultimate bliss of my life. Though it was not the first night of mine with Aditya it was the first ritual night of our newly married life. From every aspect, it was a content night for both of us. I have never seen Aditya so relaxed and happy. Last night he perhaps surrendered himself completely to me. At that time, he was not Aditya Oberoi…the complicated and complex person. Rather he was only Aditya, my Aditya, my Brute who is very transparent and simple. Today morning we have come to his bungalow…I mean our bungalow and surprisingly it is decorated like a wedding venue. No doubt Aditya’s servants have obeyed his instruction word by word. Ayan even has refurnished his bedroom…I mean our bedroom. It has now a new walk-in wardrobe with numerous clothes of mine. I am surprised how Aditya manages all things so perfectly. I think very soon I have to honour him with a new name…Mr perfectionist.”

“Dreaming about me, Mrs Oberoi?”

Aditya’s word breaks Nandana’s reverie. She turns at him.

“Not at all, Mr overconfident. I was thinking about the wall colour. Don’t you think this pale peach colour makes this room a bit dull? I would have preferred it with bright pink.”

Nandana says affirmatively while looking around the room. Her eyes have some suppressed jest.

“Pink! Are you serious? I am gonna live in a pink room? Give me a break.”

Aditya scoffs while sitting on the couch placing his legs crossed on the centre table.

“Why not? Last night you said I have changed you completely. So, change your colour taste too…for me.”

Nandana demands. She bites her lower lip to control her smile. Aditya’s expression is worth watching. With a deep frown, he keeps on observing her for a moment, trying to fathom if there is any chance of teasing.

“For you, I can die…but this bright pink option is even worse than that.”

Aditya crunches his nose while saying nonchalantly.

“Oh, My, my…Mr arrogant Brute is ready to even die for a simple girl like me? Did I hear it correctly?”

Nandana sounds frolic while sauntering at Aditya. For a moment, he places his brown intense orbs on her angelic face. A mischievous smile peeps through his lips. In a blink of an eye, he grabs Nandana’s wrist and yanks her towards him. With a suppressed yell, she lands straight on his chest. Her soft silky tresses curtain Aditya’s face. He tenderly removes them from his face and tucks them behind her ear. Both are looking at each other with sheer admiration.

“Who said you are a simple girl? You are a Midas touch for me. You have melted my stone heart. You made me understand what love is? How can you be a simple girl?”

Aditya’s voice is grave which sends a shiver to Nandana's every pore. Aditya pulls her closer to fuse his lips to hers. However, with a naughty smile, Nandana pushes him and frees herself to stand.

“Enough of your praise, Mr Oberoi. Don’t forget I love your Brute image more. This puppy romantic dialogue is just not meant for you. And for your kind information, today is my first morning in this house. So, according to your North Indian rituals, I have to make some sweet dishes in the kitchen. Thanks to Bollywood movies and serials. At least we inexperienced get to know about this nitty-gritty of marriage. Otherwise, who would have told me?....”

Nandana abruptly halts her tongue. She knows unknowingly she has touched Aditya’s wound. She embarrassedly looks at Aditya who smiles palely.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You said it right. If my Mom had been there, she would have told you all the rituals. But unfortunately…”

Nandana immediately places her palm on Aditya’s mouth and wobbles in denial.

“Please, no more sulking. That is your past…a painful past. And you can’t drag it with you for your entire life. Just remember her good memories and be happy. Because she will be happy to see you happy. Right?”

Aditya nods at her words. Nandana smiles brightly.

“Good. Now, go for a bath. Meanwhile, I make breakfast. After that, we will have it together. You have to go to the office, right?”

Nandana enquires. Aditya shrugs with a pissed-off face. He doesn’t want to go to the office but he has to. After that, he has a party meeting too. Although he has planned for a grand honeymoon for them it will be a surprise for Nandana. After arranging everything, he will tell her. Smiling inwardly, Aditya disperses for freshening up.

.............................

Nandana was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when a suppressed commotion pours into her ear. She tries to concentrate on the source of the scattered words coming from the living room area.

“You can’t…go inside like this. How…did you enter?”

She can recognise caretaker Raghu’s voice. In reply, someone argues,

“I can...Let’s see…who….will stop me…I won’t go without meeting her…”

“Hey, watchman…guard…who allowed him to get in…like this? Stop…hey…stop…”

Raghu’s voice becomes impatient. Nandana's forehead lines. She wraps the saree end around her waist and comes out of the kitchen. The sight in front of her gives her jitter. Raghu almost grapples an elderly person around his upper torso while the person is struggling his best to free himself. Within no second, the guard and other servants come into the picture. All are approaching them. Nandana feels bad for the aged man.

“Raghu…what happened? Stop. You will hurt him.”

Her voice is laced with worry. As she speaks, the elderly man stops struggling. He turns at her. His eyes have an ocean of surprise.

“Stop. Let me speak.”

Nandana saunters at them. Raghu loosens his grip but he doesn’t leave the person’s hands completely. Nandana comes closer. The person is still gazing at her with perplexed eyes. Nandana feels uneasiness. With a composed voice, she asks,

“If you want to meet Mr Oberoi then you have to wait. He is getting ready. Don’t worry he will solve your problem. But why have you come here? He always meets people in the party office. Today also he will be there. You could have…”

The person snatches her words.

“Nandu…what are you talking about, Dear? I am your Papa. Can’t you recognise me? Have I changed so much? Nandu, it’s me.”

Vivek’s breaking voice stirs Nandana’s heart. “Nandu!” Again, she heard this name. But she doesn’t know this man. He is claiming that he is her Papa, which means father. How? She is an orphan. Then how can he be her father? And if so, why didn’t he come before? With a confused mind, Nandana determinedly says,

“Look Uncle, I don’t know who you are and why are you calling me your daughter? Because as far as I know, I am an orphan. My name is Nandita. Mrs Nandita…”

“Mrs Nandita Aditya Oberoi. My wife. I think you have mistaken, Mr…. Come to my party office. I will listen to your problem in detail. Raghu, get him outside and you, watchman…you are fired. How do you let anyone enter my house without checking? Don’t you know it can be risky? If anything had happened who would have been responsible? Hmmm... Get lost…you moron!”

Aditya yells while approaching the living room having both hands in his pant pocket. His face is emotionless; however, he is an excellent stoic.

“Hold on Mr Aditya Oberoi. Mr Vivek Basu is not alone. I also have some questions for Mrs Oberoi; I mean Ms Nandana Basu whom you are claiming as your wife. For your kind information, she is Mr Vivek Basu’s daughter. For the last two months, she has been missing. Now, care to explain to me how did she land up here and why didn’t you tell the police?”

Suddenly the SP enters the room and says in a determined tone. Aditya turns at him. His eyes have worry. On the other hand, Nandana is totally baffled.

“Mr Oberoi, I know you are a reputed politician; and that’s why I haven’t issued any warrant against you. But I think being a politician you also know this much law that it’s illegal to not inform the police about any missing person when she is with you. Or should I say that you have done it deliberately because you only are responsible for Ms Basu’s missing case as you kidnapped her?”

The SP shoots his direct allegation. Aditya shifts her eagle eyes from the SP and glances at Nandana who is trying to grok the whole thing. However, SP’s last allegation jolts her. She suddenly intervenes,

“Stop it, officer. What nonsense are you talking about? Missing, kidnap. First of all, I am not Nandana Basu. I am Nandita Basu…sorry I am Nandita Oberoi. Mrs Nandita Oberoi. Whom you are putting these baseless allegations on, is my husband. And I won’t hear anything against him. Do you understand? You want to arrest my husband…right? Based on this groundless charge, then let me clear you one thing even if I am Nandana Basu and Mr Aditya Oberoi kidnapped me, I have no complaint against him. I am an adult; individual and mature person and I am giving you the statement that I am willingly living with my husband because I love him and trust him. Nobody is forcing me to do anything. I don’t know why Mr Vivek Basu is cooking up all these stories but I am sure, it must be some plan of the opposition party to defame my husband.”

Nandana’s statement shocks Vivek. He observes his daughter from top to bottom. Is she really Nandana, his Nandu? Being bewildered he parts his lips,

“Nandu! What are you talking about, Dear? This Man, Aditya Oberoi has abducted you and forcefully confined you here. Why are you telling lie? Is he scaring you? Tell me….don’t be scared of him, Nandu. See, I am here…the police are here. You don’t need to fear anybody. Just speak the truth, Dear!”

Vivek sounds restless. He grabs Nandana by her shoulders. For a moment, Nandana keeps on staring at him. Her eyes have tenacity. Slowly she places her hands on Vivek’s arms and removes them from her shoulders with a jerk.

“Before that, you tell me the truth; how much money have you got to frame my husband?”