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worried about this alliance, Gokul. What do you think the Malhotras will say after one week?”
    That was Leela’s voice, soaked in anxiety.
    Sunita did not mean to eavesdrop. But she couldn’t just walk in on the conversation or walk away
    from it either.
    “Leela,” Gokul Rishi’s impatient voice answered, “don’t bother your head with this. What will be
    the worst? They will say ‘no’.”
    Sunita relaxed on hearing that. It looked like there was some hope left for her.
    “But,” panic rose in Leela’s voice, “how can you be so cool about this? What will happen to Sunita
    if they say ‘no’? How will she get married?” Anyone listening to her could be mistaken into thinking
    that Sunita was old and ugly without a chance in heaven of catching a reasonably smart groom.
    “Don’t be silly, Leela! What if the Malhotras say ‘no’? Next week, I’ll have a queue of boys outside
    our house and conduct a swayamwar for our Sunita.” Gokul’s voice gushed with pride and arrogance.
    “Thank God for that, Gokul,” Leela sounded relieved. “I didn’t sleep the whole of last night
    worrying about this. I should’ve known that you’ll have an alternate plan.” Her voice was full of
    admiration for her husband’s strategy.
    Sunita was shocked. Even Akshay Malhotra’s warning had not prepared her for this. ‘Oh, my God!’
    she thought to herself, ‘can’t I escape matrimony after all?’ She imagined meeting prospective grooms
    as her father made them queue up in front of her and lost what little appetite she had. She quietly left
    the house by the back door without meeting her parents.
    She was distracted in class. She probably should have stayed away. She waited until such time
    when she was sure that her father would have left for work before returning home.
    Sunita left the institute and walked out of the gate, her head hanging low, deep in thought.
    “I hope I’m not the reason for that heavy scowl on your lovely face.” Only one person she knew had
    that sexy baritone. Sunita’s head went up with a jerk to see Akshay standing just a few feet away.
    She gave him a pained smile before saying, “Well, not directly.”
    Akshay’s eyebrows went up in query. A deep sigh reverberated through Sunita’s body.
    “You’re looking tired, Sunita. Didn’t you sleep well?” Akshay’s voice was gentle as he tried to
    befriend her. He couldn’t believe it was the same woman from last evening. The spark was missing.
    Sunita gave him a bitter look, shaking her head. “No sleep, no breakfast! My whole life’s gone
    topsy-turvy.”
    Placing a gentle hand under her elbow, Akshay firmly led her towards his car. She walked a few
    steps before realising what he was up to.
    “Hey!” She came to a stop in the middle of the road, making a Maruti screech to a halt, the driver
    swearing wildly. Akshay dragged her to safety after apologising to him.
    Sunita tried in vain to prise Akshay’s fingers off her elbow. “Just let go of me,” she hissed, shaken
    by the near accident.
    “Sunita,” said Akshay, “get in the car and let’s go somewhere private.”
    “No, let me go. I’ve to get home.” She was adamant.
    He dragged her to the passenger side of his Audi none too gently, opened the door and pushed her
    into the seat. Or he tried to! She refused to put her feet in and did her best to get out of the car.
    “Sunita,” Akshay lost his patience, “don’t be silly. I just want to talk to you.” He bent down to lift
    her legs in. She was wearing a midi-skirt and his touch on her bare legs disturbed her more than she
    cared to admit. She pulled her legs in a hurry and sat back in her seat, her arms folded primly. Closing
    the door, Akshay sprinted over to the driver’s seat. Sunita was on the verge of getting out of the car as
    he got in.
    “Sunita,” For a minute Akshay’s hard tone reminded her of her father’s that she became still.
    Akshay saw the shock on her face and guessed correctly that