On the fourth day, when his mother started feeling better, Asrar returned to Mumbai.

Hina was busy with her exams.

They met at the Nagpada junction in the first week of May. They stood at the side of the road and chatted for a long time. Before she left, Asrar gave her his new mobile number.

The following week they met at the Gateway of India. They took a stroll along the beach and a small ride out on the sea. Hina was excited to see the sparkling waters in the middle of a summer day. Asrar was happy to see her happy. He was reminded of the day when he had taken his first trip to the sea. He had looked at the Taj hotel and the adjoining buildings religiously. This belief in Mumbai had now turned into love for the city. And the love he had for Hina had become his religion.

The boat was returning to the shore when something struck his mind suddenly. He said to Hina, ‘Let us get married.’

Hina could not hear anything because of the noisy wind. She asked, ‘What?’

‘Let us get married,’ Asrar looked into her eyes and repeated confidently.

‘All right. Let’s do it as soon as we get off the boat,’ Hina replied.

Asrar became thoughtful.

Hina smiled and said, ‘I’m not kidding. Let us go to my father’s shop after getting off the boat and get married.’

Asrar thought Hina was not serious. He was looking at the waves.

Hina put her arms around him and said, ‘What happened? Are you not ready yet? How much time do you need?’

Asrar looked into Hina’s eyes and said, ‘I am ready.’

‘Are you mad?’ Hina said.

‘Yes. For you,’ Asrar replied.

Hina didn’t say anything. She started looking at the waves again. She was trying to avoid meeting Asrar’s eyes because at that moment at least, she didn’t have the power to come face to face with the flame that she had just seen in Asrar’s eyes. On the other hand, her soul was ecstatic. An idea occurred to her. As soon as she got off the boat, she asked Asrar for his mobile phone and then dialled a number while standing in a shade near the Gateway. Asrar was buying peanuts, but his mind was still focused on Hina. After talking over the phone for a minute or two, she said, ‘I’ve spoken to Abba. Your wish of getting married shall be fulfilled today.’

Asrar looked at her with astonishment. To add to his surprise, Hina said, ‘I want to marry you too.’ Asrar didn’t know what to say because when he had said ‘Let’s get married’ he had not meant that he wanted to get married that day itself. It was said in the zest of love but at this moment he felt as if he was in the middle of a difficult exam. He looked at Hina and said, ‘I am ready.’