Ramani was back to square one. History seemed to be repeating itself. Like her mother, she was left alone with a small kid. When Shiv's absence was noticed by neighbours, they began asking where he was, when he would return and so on. Ramani put off their queries, saying that he had gone to his hometown in Kerala and would be back soon. Months passed by with no news from Shiv. Ramani became desperate as antisocial elements began showing unwanted concern for her. Financially she was well-off, as her tailoring business was flourishing. But without a man in the house, she was feeling insecure. She decided to go back to the Home where she had grown up.

At twenty-two Ramani was back in the Home. Her customers were inconvenienced due to her shifting to the Home which was quite far from her from her house-cum-shop. Her old patron, Shoma Prasad comforted Ramani as best as she could. Ramani poured her heart out to her, saying she was still hopeful of Shiv returning to her. She was desirous of moving out of the Home as she wanted a good life for her son. But living alone was also a problem. Shoma promised to think of some way to solve her problem.

The next time Shoma came to the Home, she had good news for Ramani. Her uncle and aunt had recently moved to a spacious bungalow and had an outhouse with two rooms at the back of their house. The uncle, Major Premnath, had, after taking voluntary retirement, taken up a job in a multinational firm. Their only daughter had been married off. There was an old gardener and his wife in one room of the outhouse, while the other room could be used by Ramani. Shoma suggested that Ramani could do some sewing work for the Major and his wife, if she wished. In return for their kindness.

Ramani accepted the offer as the Major's house was in a fashionable part of the city. She could lead a respectable life, free from the attention of unwanted suitors. As she had a good amount of savings, she rented a small shop at the end of the street for her tailoring business. She employed two more girls to help her with the stitching, doing the cutting herself. Her efficiency in delivering the dresses on time and her precision stitching soon won her many customers. She had by now become a good businesswoman. She also did some jobs for the Major's house, like stitching their curtains and upholstery, in return for their kindness in giving her a room to stay in.

Her son Velu was four years old and was admitted to a school nearby. Days went by with no news of her beloved Shiv, for whom Ramani still kept a vigil. Among her customers was a film technician's wife, Mrs. Sinha. She persuaded Ramani to do a course in fashion design. After that there was no looking back. Orders began to pour in from starlets and even big stars. Mrs. Sinha introduced her to many bigwigs in the film industry. At a party she attended at Mrs. Sinha's, she met Pulin Dasgupta, a well-known cameraman. He seemed to be attracted to Ramani. Though well in his forties, he was still a bachelor. He liked Ramani's quiet and dignified behaviour. He thought her face had character. He noticed that her son Velu, who was ten years old, was troubling her with questions and demands. He was able to win over Velu with his jokes and story telling. When the party was over, Dasgupta offered to drop them home. But Ramani politely declined, preferring to go with another family staying near her house.

Ramani had now moved into a good house as she could afford to rent it. It was not far from the Major's house. The living quarters were upstairs, while her boutique was on the ground floor. She kept in touch with the Major and his wife, with Shoma and the matron of the Home where she had grown up. Dasgupta used to phone her sometimes to invite her for lunch or dinner, which she tactfully refused, pleading that she was busy. He would sometimes visit her at her boutique and charm her with his conversations on various topics. He had become quite friendly with Velu, who had now entered his teens. Ramani was finding it difficult to manage him. Dasgupta quietly observed everything. He was a self-made man and appreciated Ramani's struggle up the ladder of success.

One day he told Ramani that he had something important to tell her. Though she had a fairly good idea of what was coming, she could not refuse outright. She agreed to his coming over in the evening. Dasgupta came straight to the point saying, "Rama, I cannot control my emotions any longer. You know that I am very fond of you. Will you marry me? I love Velu as my own son. He needs a father's care as he is now growing up. Do you care for me? Or are you still pining for Shiv?"

Ramani was tongue-tied. What could she say? More than twelve years had passed since Shiv had left her. Should she go on waiting for him? Dasgupta seemed genuinely concerned about her and Velu. He was right in saying that Velu needed a father's care. She liked the man, though Shiv was her first love and no one could take his place.

Hesitantly she replied, "I agree with you regarding Velu needing a father's guidance. I must be frank with you - I can never forget Shiv. I do like you and respect you. Is that a good enough basis for marriage?"

Dasgupta was delighted and said, "It is enough for me. I shall be content with that for the present. I am sure that with the passage of time, your 'like' will turn to 'love'."

He called out to Velu to come out of his room. When he came to him, he hugged the boy and said, "You know, your mummy has agreed to marry me. Can you accept me as your papa?"

Velu shyly replied, "I like you, and don't mind having you as my papa."

Ramani and Pulin Dasgupta got married under the Special Marriage Act. At the registrar's office, the witnesses were her close friends, the Major and his wife, Shoma and the matron of the Home. Afterwards the newlyweds went with presents and sweets for the children at the Home.

To be continued