After the sudden hug that day, Sneha left with her family. For the next three days we only saw each other from a distance. Whenever she came out of the under-construction house, our eyes would meet for a second and then both of us would look away. My wife was at home, so nothing could happen.

On the fourth day my wife left for her native place early in the morning. She would be gone for two full days. Around eleven o’clock I was standing in the balcony with a cup of tea when I saw Sneha come out alone. She was wearing a simple cream saree with a dark green blouse. Her short hair was open. She looked towards my house once, hesitated, then started walking in my direction.