Harsh was knocked out at her request and the assault on his senses. This was the last thing he’d expected. Harsh knew he had to stay calm and breathe. He was not ready to discuss this with her yet. It was a matter of time that she explored the rumours.

‘Since when did you start believing in Godmen types?’ He teased her, switching channels yet again.

She laughed at his playful question. He knew it was strained. There was something he could not put a finger on.

‘Since you started following them.’

Harsh gave a dry laugh. The noose tightened around his neck. She suspected something, someone must have told her about the secret rendezvous. He was ready with a denial but she never asked him the question. He had always dreaded the moment his wife asked him about the affair. He had practised and rehearsed several answers and excuses, for could not take the risk of admitting his relationship unless he had a future with Rajjo. But Rajjo had made it clear there was none.

He needed to keep the peace at home for now. The wheels needed to churn, the engine needed to move on. A lot was riding on the merger between Upasana’s and his father. He was a pawn playing his part. He was ready to rebel only if he found a just cause. He cringed at his cowardice but he was ready to live with it for now.

‘Why do you want to go to her?’

‘They say if anyone has a problem in life, or Lord Shani is not favourable – seeking her blessings can remove those impediments and you can get what you desire. So many people swear by her power. She has helped millions. They believe her…’

Harsh smiled, ‘And what is it that you desire?’

She stared at him longer than usual. Like she orchestrated this entire conversation to come to this point and savoured this moment – her honeyed-eyes trapping him.

‘I want to pray to her for a son. I want to ask her for you to impregnate me with a baby.’

That was the second time in the last two minutes he found himself at a loss for words. The noise of a monitor beeping a flatline perhaps was all he heard. Was it his affair, or his non-compliance to give an heir? Did she really want to see Rajjo about a son? Harsh was unable to wrap his head around this.

He realized she was sitting next to him, very close. She smelt of daises, soft and beautiful. From somewhere in the quagmire of guilt, panic and confusion he found his voice.

‘I ve told you, Sana, I don’t want to have a child till I have figured out what I want in life.’

‘What does that have to do with anything? Give me a child to keep myself busy when you are too busy doing things that occupy you…’