Dev replied reluctantly, yet politely, "Hi Sonam! How have you been?" Bhumi returned with a bottle of milk in her hand, and took back Ashi from Dev's shoulder. Sonam asked Dev, "She must be your brother Akash's wife and daughter, who are now your wife and daughter, right?" There was bitterness in her voice but Dev replied without a hint of anger, "No, you're wrong. This is my wife, Bhumi, and my daughter, Ashi." Afterwards, Dev excused himself to tend to his sleepy daughter. The intermeddling stranger left, but the damage had already been done. Bhumi and Dev, both, were tired to being the nasty topic of a constant discussion behind their backs amongst unconcerned people. People had already assumed that it was an unsuccessful marriage and looked at bother of them with insincere pity.