"So we will have some time?" She asked, raising her head.
"Ofcourse, I don't think they will demolish Badi before at least 6 months." Sanskar knew the nitty gritties of business.
"Really?" Sudden happiness bloomed over her face, which spread relief over his heart.
It was afternoon when after lunch Swara came to Sujata, "Mom, I want to go to Badi. Can I go?" This was her way to initiate some communication with her mother-in-law. 
Sujata was also not much on talking terms with her daughter in law, she was maintaining her distance but Swara's everyday's efforts used to jeopardise her plans. 
"Hmm" Sujata hummed without looking at Swara.
"Do you need anything from outside?" One more try from Swara.
"No." Again a monosyllable from Sujata.
"I will return in an hour or two." This time Swara crossed her fingers.
"Ok." but her hopes died when there was again one word reply from Sujata.  She was concentrating on her book.
Swara turned with a heavy heart when Sujata asked absentmindedly, "But there is no driver at home." 
Annapurna had gone to meet her cousin whereas Ragini had gone to pick up Mishka from school and Uttara had gone out for her friend's birthday party preparations.
It was after almost two months of trying that Swara heard her mother in law talking an entire sentence.
"No worries Mom, I can drive now by myself." In her happiness she blurted out.
"But every morning you and Sanskar go out for your driving lessons?" This time Sujata raised her eyebrows. 
"Act... Mom... me and.. San... I..." Swara tried to find answers.
"It's ok. Come home soon." Sujata bit her lower lip looking at the flushed face of Swara. She turned her eyes back to the book.
Swara took it as an opportunity and left from there but today she was delighted with recent small talk.
She parked her car and entered Badi while messaging Sanskar, 'I drove to Badi, if possible come here. I can drive both of us back home.'
'Did you reach safely?' His reply was instant even though he was in a meeting. It was for the first time Swara had driven a car without him.
'Yes, just stepping inside.'
'I will come once I am done with my meeting. See you soon.'
'I will be waiting for you.'
She went straight towards Dida's house but was halted hearing a voice from her back.
"Swara, you here?" It was Parvati.
"Hi Dadi." Swara turned reluctantly. "Yes, I came to spend some time in Dida's house." 
Sharmishtha came outside when she saw her daughter and mother in law talking.
"Shona, when did you come?" 
"Just now Ma." Swara gave a fake smile as she felt pang in her heart remembering her mother's silence over Badi's reconstruction.
"Come... come inside. See Ragu is also there." Sharmishtha forcefully pulled her inside Gadodia house where she saw Ragini, her father and grandfather along with Ayush.
"Ragini you had gone to pick up Mishka right?" Swara remembered her talks with Sujata.
"Yes, but I told the driver to drop me here and then take her home." Ragini replied.