“Janet, please get the bags from the car and keep them in the baby’s room.”

Nandana requests one of the househelps. Janet professionally nods and leaves. Mini already has fallen asleep. In fact, she dozed off in Aarav’s lap only. Nandana is surprised to see Mini’s camaraderie with Aarav in such a short span of time. Fondling her back she heads to her bedroom. Thankfully Aditya didn’t call her during the shopping time. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for her to lie. Nandana tenderly lays down Mini on the bed. She stirs a bit and then turns to sleep again. Nandana sighs tiredly and stretches herself to loosen her nerves. Only then a soft knock is heard at the door. Nandana immediately rushes to open it lest Mini wakes up. Janet is standing outside holding a bag. Nandana frowns.

“I told you to keep them in the baby’s room.”

Nandana showed light annoyance. Janet wobbles in denial and mouths in a low voice,

“Aditya’s Sir sent this through his driver, Ma’am. And he told me to give this to you. I have already kept your bags in the baby’s room.”

Her words bring lines to Nandana’s forehead.

“Aditya sent!”

She murmurs confusedly and takes the brown bag from Janet’s hand.

“Okay, thank you!”

She says formally and Janet leaves. Nandana closes the door carefully and peeps inside the bag. There is a box neatly wrapped in gift paper. A tag is also stuck on the corner. She carefully takes out the box and reads the note written on the tag.

“A small gift to my small wife.”

A smiling face with a wink is also drawn.

“Small wife, seriously? Mr Eiffel Tower!”

Nandana mumbles under her breath and the next moment giggles. Her urge to keep on naming him with weird words will never change. She eagerly tears the wrapping paper and unboxes the surprise. Her eyes squint in confusion. There is a beautiful green dress. Nandana picks it up and a folded paper drops on the floor. Nandana bends and lifts it. It looks like a letter. A coy smile creeps on her lips. She unfolds it.

“Hope you liked the gift. Of course, you liked it. Your smiling face proves that. Okay, so you know that I am not a very romantic person but today I have tried a bit to be that. I want to take you on a date. Now, don’t frown. I know we never romanced in such a way but it’s a good time to initiate one. I will pick you up by 7 pm. Be ready. And please wear this dress. Don’t give any excuses because I am not in the mood to hear any.

Love you. Wait for me…”

Mr Moody (Even I can honour myself with weird names)

“Mr Moody…hmmmm. Even better, Mr Capricious. Even God doesn’t know when and why your mood changes.”

Nandana mouths admonishingly while unfolding the dress fully. The view widens her eyes. It’s a knee-length dress. Aditya knows she never wears so short dresses. He knew it. That’s why he wrote that anticipatory line. Nandana folds her lower lip and slouches on the couch. It’s 3:30 pm. She has enough time to get ready. First of all, she needs a relaxing shower. Nandana pandiculates and unwillingly leaves the couch.

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

Aditya checks the mailbox for the last time and shuts the laptop. He glances at the wristwatch and taps the calling bell. Within a second, a peon appears.

“Tell the driver to take out the car and keep the bag in it.”

Aditya orders and without wasting any time storms out of his cabin slinging the blazer from his shoulder.

“James must have delivered the box to Nandana. I am dying to see her in that dress.”

The thought brings an instant smile to Aditya’s lips. Since they got married, Aditya and Nandana hardly went on any date or vacation. There are many reasons behind it. First of all, Aditya was busy establishing his business, reputation and hold in a new country. Secondly, he was busy with his old friends. Thirdly, Mini was born just 9 months after their settlement in Manhattan and Nandana’s full concentration was on her newborn and Rishi. Last and most importantly, he was busy shielding Nandana and himself from the reach of the Indian police force. However, he never really felt that Nandana or Mini are missing his attention or involvement in their lives and vice versa. Most probably, he became a bit reluctant about the truth that he has a small world consisting of three close people and they are safe in his paradise. Aditya gets into the car and is about to order the chauffeur to head home his phone rings.

“Yes, Ayan! Everything is alright?”

Aditya asks eagerly. Ayan replies something from the other side which hardens the lines of his face. Aditya replies in a flat and stern voice,

“I am coming. Hold him.”

He cuts the call and commands in an intimidating voice,

“Doyers Street. Take to my lake house.”

After 15 to 20 minutes, their car reaches its destination. Manhattan is an island that spills over into Marble Hills and is surrounded by three rivers, Hudson, East River and Harlem. It’s a beautiful and famous city with culture and wealth. Aditya bought this lake house just 6 months ago. Till now, he couldn’t get Nandana, Mini and Rishi to visit this place. The car stops in front of the main entrance. Aditya gets down and meanwhile, Ayan comes out of the house.

“Where is he? Where did you get him from?”

Aditya asks ardently. Ayan replies in a worried voice,

“Ayan Sir informed me that his men nabbed a person who was involved in that car blast. Aryan Sir instructed his men to kill him but I requested him to hand over him to me. I needed some important information.”

“Information?”

Aditya sounds puzzled. Ayan nods and adds,

“He admitted that he planted the bomb in your car but it was not for you. His hire authority ordered him to fix it in Aryan Sir’s car but he got misled by the car’s colour and almost the similar number plate. No doubt it was a misfire of Aryan Sir’s rival gang. But that man saw something more which is related to you, Sir.”

Without using a word, Aditya arches his brow. Ayan continues,

“He saw a man who picked up a mobile from the blast spot and even saw him calling someone. That mobile must be…”

Aditya finishes,

“Mine. He called Nandana. He is the man behind Nandana’s problem. Did he recognize the person who called Nandana from my phone?”

Aditya asks. Ayan sways his head in negative and replies,

“No, Sir. But I think you can get an idea from his description.”

Aditya hardens his jaw and steps inside the house. It’s almost 6 pm and he has to pick Nandana up by 7 pm.

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

4 hours have passed. Right now, Aditya and Nandana are sitting inside a posh restaurant cum bar in New York City. The neon bulbs are flashing the name, Vol de Nuit. Aditya places the order and concentrates on Nandana, who is sitting on the opposite stool having a deep frown on his forehead. Since they started from home, Nandana didn’t speak a single word. The reason is she was ready since 6:30 pm, however, Aditya came around 9 pm. After that, they had a trivial argument about Aditya’s punctuality and Nandana’s dress. According to Nandana, she is looking fat in this short dress and Aditya was arguing about his choice. Needless to say, at the end of the fight, Aditya won and Nandana had to bow in front of his awesome dress sense.

“Is it going to be like this?”

Eventually, Aditya breaks the silence. Without saying anything, Nandana arches her brow at him. Aditya clears his voice and says,

“Look Nandana, I was late because I got stuck on some work. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. And I said sorry for that but that doesn’t mean you will spoil the dinner with this grumpy face of yours. Come on, I expected this date to be the best one.”

“And I expected you to prioritise me over your other work. At least for today when I anticipated so many things after getting your gift and the letter. Aditya, I never stop you from doing your work but nowadays I start feeling that I, Mini and Rishi come second when it’s a question of your priority.

Nandana sounds hurt.