Daya was combing his hairs, when he heard the familiar sound of a car, parking in front of his house. Within seconds, Abhijeet called out, "Daya, tu taiyaar hua ki nehi?"

Daya ran downstairs to open the door, "haan boss, bas 2 minute!"

Abhijeet looked at his wristwatch, "abhi bhi 2 minute? Yaar, 11 baje taq pohunchna hai!"

Daya- haan, pata hai mujhe! Tumlog andar aake baitho, bas abhi ho jayega!

Abhijeet- achha, thik hai! (to his kids) tum dono car mein hi baitho, main jaake dekhta hoon! Warna iska toh… do minute do minue karke, ek ghanta lag jayega! (to Daya) chal jaldi!

It really took a few minutes for Daya to get ready. He was searching for the house- keys, when Abhijeet asked, "waise Daya, tumne yahan aas-pados ke logon ko kuch bataya?"

Daya- kya? Meri shadi ke bare mein? (smirking) kuch baatein batane ki zarurat nehi hoti Abhi, logon ko aise hi pata chal jata hai! I am sure, ab taq puri society mein kafi gossips chal raha hoga! (being serious) waise kisi ko samne se kuch kahne ki himmat nehi hogi, aur mere pith piche kaun kya bol raha hai, is baat ka mujhe koi parwa nehi! Haan, mujhe chinta thi ki, kahin koi Shreya ya Deepak se kuch ulta-sidha sawal na pooche, ya kuch ne kare, jisse unko pareshani ho! Isliye main Society ke secretary Mishra ji se baat kee hai. Hum dono kafi saalon se ek dusre ke padosi hain, achhe dost bhi hain woh mere! Unhone mujhse wada kiya ki woh dhyaan rakhenge ta ki aisa kuch na ho, aur agar hua, toh woh uske khilaf action lenge!

Abhijeet- chalo, achha hai! Aur tumhari family… I mean tumhare bhai aur bahen ko?

Daya sighed, "haan, bataya na! unko toh bulaya bhi reception ke liye!"

Abhijeet- toh… kya kaha unhone?

Daya- kuch khas nehi! Bhaiya-bhabi ka toh tumko pata hai, itne saal se America mein rah rahe hain, unke liye yeh koi itni badi baat nehi! Bas itna kaha ki woh khush hain mere liye, ki finally main settle kar raha hoon, mera pyaar mujhe mil gaya, bas yehi sab! Woh reception mein toh nehi aa payenge, lekin unhone kaha ki is baar chutti mein India aane ki koshish karenge! Puja aur jijaji thoda chaunk gaye the, kuch sawal-jawab bhi kiya, lekin zyada kuch nehi! Malhar ko toh shayed chutti nehi milegi, lekin woh dono reception mein aane ki puri koshish karenge. Dekho na, woh table par jo flower bouquets hai, ek bhaiya ke taraf se aaya hai, aur ek Puja ke.

Abhijeet could feel that there was a deep pain underlying the simple statements, but did not understand why. He stayed silent, waiting for him to say something more.

Daya turned to him, "mera isse zyada koi expectation bhi nehi tha Abhi! unke sath mera jo rishta hai, kya aaj waqei woh koi maine rakhte hai unke liye? Nehi Abhijeet, ab toh bas ek formal relation rah gaya hai! Unko kya farq padta hai meri zindegi mein kya ho raha hai is baat se? jabtaq usse unki zindegi mein koi asar na pade? Shayed galati meri bhi hai! Main ne bhi kabhi utna apnapan jatane ki koshish nehi kee! Woh dono apni apni zindegi mein settled ho gaye, apna ek duniya basa liya, aur main ne apne job ko hi apni zindegi bana lee! Kabhi unki duniya ka hissa banne ki koshish hi nehi kee!"

Abhijeet placed a hand on his shoulder and about to say something, but Daya cut him off, "tum dono pahle is rishte ke khilaf the, khas kar Tarika! Kitni koshish kee mujhe rokhne ki aur… Abhi, main janta hoon aaj woh kyun nehi aa rahi hai!"

Abhijeet- yaar, main ne use bohot samjhaya, magar…

Daya- janta hoon Abhi! lekin yeh bhi janta hoon ki woh aisa kyun kar rahi hai! She cares for me, I know that! Use lag raha hai ki hum galat kar rahe hain, isse koi khush nehi rahega! Yeh uski galati nehi hai Abhijeet! Ek umar ke baad kisi insaan, khas kar kisi aurat ke liye life mein koi change, koi bada decision ko accept karna asaan nehi hota! Aur main yeh bhi janta hoon ki jab hum use galat sabit kar denge, toh sabse zyada wohi khush hogi! Kyun ki tumlog meri asli family ho! Aur tumhe farq padta hai!

With moist eyelids, Abhijeet patted his shoulder. And the next moment, both heard Tanisha calling out, "papa, chachu, kitni derr? We're getting late!"

Abhijeet shouted back, "haan, aaya abhi!" and pulled Daya by his hand, "chal yaar, ab sach mein derr ho rahi hai!"

At Marriage-Registrar's Office:-

Abhijeet- Daya, wohlog abhi taq nehi aaye! zara phone karke dekho!

Daya- Deepak se abhi abhi baat hui meri! Wohlog ghar se nikal chuke hain, bas aate hi honge.

Within minutes, a cab arrived there. Deepak and Jyoti came out.

Daya- yeh lo, aa gaye wohlog!

He introduced them to Abhijeet and his children. They exchanged greetings.

Abhijeet- par beta, Shreya kahan hai?

Actually Daya's eyes were searching for her, since they reached, but he was feeling awkward to ask.

Jyoti- ek minute uncle!

She went to the car and opened the door for her. She came out of the car.

For a second, Daya was completely out of breath! It's the same condition, once he went through, seeing her on her engagement-day! She was still the same… no, not same, but she was looking more beautiful today! What he never noticed, she gained a little weight with age, but that made her figure perfect. Wrapped in emerald-green chiffon, hairs beautifully tied up in low side-bun, red roses pinned around it, wearing a light gold-necklace, designed as mango-leafs, matching earrings and two bangles and a bindi between eye-brows, her beauty was mesmerizing! She had applied some make-up, of course, but the glow in her face was not due to make up, Daya could easily tell. He could not take away his eyes from her!

Shreya looked up to meet his eyes. Today she did not even try to hide the blush, turning her face in pink.

Their trance was broken by Tanisha's voice, "wow! Aunty aap kitni sundar lag rahi hain!"

Shreya smiled at her, "thanks beta!"

Deepak- waise Daya uncle bhi bohot handsome lag rahe hain, kyun maa?"

Shreya pretended not to hear him, but her eyes were silently giving a lot of compliments, which Daya could see. He actually was looking amazing in the cream-color sherwani. This color really suited him.

Abhijeet- chalo chalo, yeh sab baatein toh hoti rahegi! (to Daya) aur tum dono, baad mein ek dusre ko jee bhar ke dekh lena, aaj ke baad yehi toh karna hai! Philhaal chalo, jo kaam karne aaye hain, pahle woh nipta lete hain!

Now it's Daya's turn to blush. He tried to protest as, "kya Abhi", but Abhijeet and others already moved from there. Daya and Shreya also followed them.

The procedure of marriage was successfully done. Abhijeet signed the papers as witness from groom's side, and Deepak and Jyoti from bride's. Everyone congratulated the newly-married couple.

Abhijeet- yaar Daya, aaj main bohot khush hoon! Kisi ne sach kaha hai, jodiyan toh upar banti hain! Jo jiske kismat mein hota hai, chahe kitni bhi mushkilein kyun na aaye, use woh milta zarur! Kya kabhi kisi ne socha tha, ki tum dono kabhi ek ho paoge? Lekin aisa hi hua! Aaj mujhe zindegi se aur kuch nehi chahiye yaar, kuch bhi nehi!

With tear-filled eyes, Daya hugged his best friend. Abhijeet caressed his head lovingly, before hugging back.

After a while they pulled back, and Abhijeet said, "Daya, tum dono sirf court-marriage karne ka decision liya, woh toh thik hai, par kuch rasmein hai jise pura karna chahiye!"

Both Daya and Shreya gave him questioning glances.

Abhijeet pulled out a velvet-covered jewellery-box from his coat-pocket, which contained a mangalsutra. He handed it over to Daya.

Abhijeet- yeh tumhari shadi ka gift hai Shreya, humari taraf se. Daya, Shreya ko yeh pahena do!

Smiling, Daya did as told. Everyone clapped. The couple smiled looking at each other.

Arjun- chalo, finally sari rasam complete! Toh abhi hum lunch ke liye jaa rahe hain na? bohot bhukh lagi hai!

Abhijeet lightly slapped his head, "bilkul apne chacha pe gaya hai yeh ladka!"

Daya- haan, toh? mera bhatija mujh pe gaya hai, tumko kya problem hai? Chal beta, hum lunch ke liye chalte hain! Inhe agar nehi aana hai, toh mat aaye, hum toh jayenge!

Suddenly a voice from behind said, "rukho Daya! Sari rasmein abhi puri nehi hui hai!"

Everyone turned and became astound.

Abhijeet- Tarika, tum?

Tarika- kyun? Daya aur Shreya ki shadi mein main nehi aa sakti?

Abhijeet- nehi matla, tum hi ne toh kaha tha ki… tumko zaruri kaam hai, nehi aa paogi…

Tarika- kaam khatam karke hi aa rahi hoon.

She moved near Shreya and said with a smile, "hi Shreya! congratulations!"

Till now, Shreya just kept staring silently. She was too shocked to say anything. This woman once was her best friend. But within time, those fond memories were faded. In her CID-days, once Abhijeet was arrested because of her. Tarika never forgave her for that, though the matter was solved between them, because of Abhijeet. Tarika tried a lot to stop her from getting married to Siddharth, as she knew it would hurt Daya terribly, and Shreya also would not be happy. She asked her many times to talk to Daya directly, but Shreya kept clinging to her ego and the age-old idea, that 'a girl should not propose first.' Shreya took the decision of marriage, mostly because of her family, but she knew that she was wrong, at least in Tarika's eyes.

When shreya heard from Daya, that Tarika was now against their marriage, she did not say anything, but thought that she still held the grudges against her. She did not expect her to be here.

"why is she here? To create a scene? To humiliate me? But she could not do anything, as the marriage is already done! But she could spit the venom she had for me in her heart! If she does anything like that, would anyone stop her? Will Daya speak up for me? And what will Abhijeet sir do?" A lot of thoughts flooded her mind. All she could manage to say was "thanks", in a awkward tone.

Both stayed silent for a minute, then Tarika said calmly, "kaisi ho tum?"

Shreya- bas… thik hoon! Tum kaisi ho?

Tarika- fine! Aur, mujhe apne bachhon se nehi milwaogi?

Shreya- haan, sure! Deepak, Jyoti…

But Tarika stopped her, giving both of them a smile, "achha chodo, yeh sab toh hota rahega! Pata hai Shreya, main kyun aayi hoon?"

Shreya shook her head, frowning.

Tarika smiled, "tumko shayed pata hoga, main is shadi ke khilaf thi! Lekin woh isliye nehi ki, tum mujhe pasand nehi ho, ya mujhe tumse koi shikhayet hai! Saalon pahle jo kuch bhi hua ho, woh main bohot pahle bhool chuki hoon Shreya! aj mere dil mein waqei kuch nehi hai! Lekin mujhe darr tha, ki tum dono phir se ek galat faisla lene jaa rahe ho! Isse sirf problems create hogi, koi khush nehi rahega! Aur Daya ke liye main aisa nehi chahti thi! Tum bhi meri dost ho, lekin zindegi ne hum dono ko bohot dur kar diya ek dusre se! par Daya humesha mera dost raha, meri… humari zindegi ka ek ahem hissa raha! Mujhe uske liye chinta ho rahi thi! (brief pause) lekin jab Abhijeet ne mujhe sari baatein bataya, tab pata chala ki main galat thi. Pyaar dil se kiya jata hai, lekin main toh dimag se soch rahi thi! Isliye toh tum dono ke pyaar ki sachhai mujhe dikhai nehi di! Pyaar woh ahsaas hai jo har musibat se ladne ki taaqat deti hai, aur har sthiti mein khush rahne ki, sath rahne ki kabiliyat! Tumhare pyaar mein woh kabiliyat hai Shreya! isliye aaj, dil se, tum dono ko badhai dene aayi hoon!"

Shreya tried to say something, but found her voice was chocked in emotion.

Everyone around them released the breath, for some unknown reason, they held so long.

Daya broke the awkward silence, "lekin Tarika, tum kuch rasam ki baat kar rahi thi… woh kya hai?"

Tarika- arre haan! Ek minute.

She pulled out a small, beautiful golden casket from his bag, filled with vermilion.

Shreya- sindur ka dibba?

Tarika- haan. I know it's a bit awkward, par yeh na karke bhi mujhe chain nehi mil rahi thi! Woh kya hai, humare yahan ek riwaaz hai, jab nayi bahu ghar aati hai, tab ghar ki kisi buzurg aurat ke hatho use aisa sone ka sindur ka dibba diya jata hai! Ab tumhare sasural mein toh aisa koi hai nehi, lekin… jaise tum janti ho, Abhijeet Daya ko apna bhai mante hain, toh us nate main tumhari jethani hoon! Toh yeh haq toh mujhe milna chahiye, kyun?

This time Shreya did not even try to speak, just pulled Tarika in a tight hug! Face pressed in her shoulder, she let the tears fall, some of the unknown emotion chocking her voice, and some of the shame and guilt. She should not think like that about Tarika! Their friendship might not be that strong, but at least they were not enemies!

Sometimes it really feels good to proved wrong.

They pulled back and found everyone smiling at them. Tarika also smiled and handed the casket to Daya.

Tarika- yeh lo Daya! Shreya ki mang mein sindur bharke, use puri tarah apni patni ke roop mein swikar karo!

Daya smiled, "uske liye sindur ki zarurat nehi hai Tarika, woh toh main pahle hi kar chuka hoon!" but he did as instructed.

No one but Daya noticed that her breath hitched. Actually, she won't admit it later, but the pinch of vermilion gave her a great sooth; and a feeling of being complete!

Abhijeet- chalo, yeh rasam bhi ho gaya! Abhi hum chale?

Tarika- haan. Waise Daya, tumlogon ke nikal jane ke baad main tumhare ghar gayi thi! Duplicate keys toh hoti hi hai mere paas! Thoda-bohot decoration karna tha, aur Shreya ke swagat ki bhi kuch taiyaari karni thi! Sab khatam karke a baa rahi hoon!

Daya looked at her, surprised, "Tarika, tum akele yeh sab…"

Tarika- nehi, Manisha bhabi ko bula liya tha, aur Mrs. Mishra ne bhi kafi madat kee hain!

Daya- arre, phir unko sath lekar kyun nehi aayi! I mean, Freddy, Manisha bhabi aur Mishra ji aur unki patni ko main ne reception mein bulaya hai, lekin aaj lunch pe bhi bulana chahiye! Itna sab kiya unhone! Koi baat nehi, main abhi phone karta hoon!

Tarika- nehi Daya, main ne kaha tha unse! Par Mrs. Mishra ke ghar aaj guests anewale hain, aur Freddy sir abhi Mumbai mein nehi hain. Manisha bhabi akeli toh nehi aayengi na! tum baad mein unse baat kar lena!

Daya- achha thik hai! Par Tarika yeh sab karne ki kya zarurat…

Tarika (in warning tone)- Dayaa!

Daya shook his head, smiling.

Shreya said in a low tone, "thanks Tarika! Tumne humare liye itna kuch kiya…"

Tarika stopped her, "thanks ki koi zarurat nehi hai Shreya! yeh mera farz tha, aur tumhara haq."

Now Arjun was getting impatient, "ho gaya aap sab ka? Abhi chale?"

Daya- haan haan, chalo!

Everyone moved from there, but Deepak called Daya from behind.

Deepak- Daya uncle!

Daya stopped, "haan beta?"

Deepak hesitated a little, "uncle woh… ek baat poochna chahta tha…"

Daya- haan bolo na, kya hai?

Deepak- uncle kya… kya ab main aapko papa bula sakta hoon?

Daya could not answer immediately. 'Papa'- he always desired to be addressed as… but right at the moment, he felt so… strange! It's not like he did not want Deepak to do it! He loved Deepak as his own son… wait, what did that mean? He never had a son of his own!

When Arjun was born, he asked Abhijeet that how did it feel to be a father? Abhijeet said it was the most beautiful thing happened to him in life! He said that he loved Daya with all his heart, he loved Tarika more than anything in this world, and he never thought that he could love anyone else more than them; but when Arjun came, what he felt was not love, it was a feeling much deeper than that, which no word could describe or define! It was the same when Tanisha came, he felt that he was the luckiest person in the world.

Why was Daya not feeling the same? Was it because Deepak was not his own blood? Was Tarika right, that he could never forget the fact that Deepak was Siddharth's son?

"No, that's not true!" he screamed mentally. For a split second he thought it was, but his heart knew it was not.

He remembered their conversation at that night on highway. How could he forget that if it was not because of Deepak, this day would never come to his life? And that night, he did not know if he would ever get Shreya or not, but he accepted Deepak as his son.

He would be happy to be called as "papa" or "dad", whatever Deepak liked. It just sounded unfamiliar, that's why he was a bit puzzled. He did not know what to say.

But he took a little more time to think, and Deepak misunderstood his silence. He quickly said, "it's ok uncle, agar aap comfortable nehi hain, toh koi baat nehi! I can understand." He tried to speak normally, but the hurt was not hidden in his voice.

And he left, without waiting for an answer.

Daya shook his head. A mistake was done again. And it had to be rectified immediately.

They enjoyed their lunch together in a restaurant. No one, not even Shreya noticed that Deepak was keeping a distance from Daya. Not in a way that anyone could doubt that something was wrong, but Daya could sense it. But he did not get a chance to talk to him.

After lunch, the ladies decided to go for some window-shopping, and the men were forced to accompany them. Daya was not in a mood, but seeing a gift-shop, he got a plan.

Within two hours, Abhijeet and his family left for Daya's home, as Tarika said that she would do the rituals of "swagat" of the bride. Daya dropped Jyoti at her PG, and Deepak to their flat. As the rent of the flat was already paid for the month, it was decided that Deepak would stay there for the last two weeks. He would move to Daya's house on first day of the next month.

Daya and Shreya also came to the flat, as Shreya had to collect some of her belongings, though most of her things were already taken to her new address. She instructed Deepak to stay safe and take proper care of himself, to call her every day, and other things a mother always concerned for! Deepak smiled and assured her that everything would be fine! But when Daya said the same things, he just nodded curtly.

When they left, Deepak closed the door and came back to the hall. Immediately his eyes fell upon a gift-pack, placed on the centre-table.

Curious, he opened it. It contained a box of expensive chocolates, with a paper attached to it, and a beautiful greetings-card, with a picture of a father and son, enjoying in rain.

He read the paper in chocolate-box first.

"Deepak beta, yeh woh chocolates hai, jo tum jab 5 saal ke the, tab tumhe chahiye tha, lekin tumne mujhse manga nehi! Main tab tumhare paas nehi tha na!

Pata hai, kahin saalon se main ne bhi intezaar kiya, ki kab tum miloge, aur main yeh chocolate, woh stuffed puppy, woh cycle, woh cricket-bat, sab tumhare hath mein de sakun! Kab tum collage jaate waqt mere after-shave lagate huye pakde jao! Kab apne dosto ke sath bahar jaate waqt mere bike lene ki zid karo! Hum dono sath baithke derr raat taq match dekhe, aur phir tumhari mummy hum dono ko daantein, ki main ne tumhe bigadke rakha! Lekin apne dil ke in chupe huye armaano ke bare mein, mujhe khud nehi maloom tha! Aaj jab tumne 'papa' kaha, pahli baar, woh ek pal mein main ne woh sare pal jee liya, jo asli zindegi mein mujhe kabhi naseeb nehi hua!

Ek din main ne tumse poocha tha ki is rishte se humein kya milega! Tumhari maa ka toh pata nehi, par mujhe woh sab mil gaya, jiski mujhe kabhi ummeed nehi thi!

Thanks beta! Thanks for everything!"

With tear-filled eyes, Deepak opened the greetings-card. Just two lines were written inside;

"kore kore sapne mere kitne saalon se the adhure,

Dheere dheere rang sajake tu ne kar diye unko pure."

With Love

Papa

Deepak held the gift pack close to his chest, and whispered, "thanks Papa! Thanks a lot."

At the same time, Daya was sitting at the terrace of his house, watching the sunset. He remembered the other day, he watched the sunset alone. Everything was so different now!

Shreya came and sat beside him. For a long time, both stayed silent, relishing the moment, the warmth of the presence of each other. When two hearts are that close, talking is not necessary to express feelings.

Finally, Shreya broke the silence, "kya soch rahe hain?"

Daya- kuch nehi, bas… kabhi socha nehi tha Shreya, ki yeh din bhi kabhi humari zindegi mein aayega!

She leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Smiling, he lifted the arm and let her head fall on his chest.

After a few seconds, he said, "Shreya, har bachhe zindegi mein apne maa-baap se bohot kuch sikhte hain! Lekin woh maa-baap bohot kismatwale hote hain, jinke bachhon se unhe koi seekh mil jaye! Aaj job hi kuch huya, woh Deepak aur Jyoti ke waje se hi toh hai! Warna hum kabhi soch bhi nehi sakte the ki…"

Shreya sighed, "haan Daya! Pata hai, kabhi kabhi bohot afsos hota hai, agar us waqt…"

Daya cut her off, "nehi Shreya! ab koi purani baatein nehi! Narazgi mein, galatfehmi mein hum ne apni zindegi ka bohot kimti waqt zaya kar liya! Abhi agar afsos karne baith gaye, toh aur kitna waqt bachega humare paas?"

Shreya smiled, "nehi Daya, woh baat nehi hai! Main bas yeh soch rahi thi ki, agar us waqt ek kadam main ne badhya hota, ek baar apne pyaar ka izhaar kiya hota, toh mere sath sath Deepak ko bhi ek bahtar zindegi milti! Use kabhi apne pita ki kami mahsoos nehi hota! Aaj woh aapka apna beta hota aur…"

She had to stop as Daya pressed a palm on her lips, "sshhh! Aisa kabhi dubara mat kahena! Deepak mera hi beta hai! Shayed mera apna khoon nehi, lekin us baat se kisi ko koi farq nehi padta! Aur… aaj se humare bich kuch bhi mera ya tumhara nehi hai! Jo bhi hai, humara hai! Deepak bhi humara hai! Ok?"

Shreya smiled and gently squeezed his palm, "ok. Waise, ek hisab se, woh waqei aapka beta hai!"

Daya looked at her, "matlab?"

Shreya- aapko toh pata hai, jab main humesha ke liye woh ghar chodkar aayi thi, tab Deepak ka janam honewala tha! un nau (9) mahine mein main bas aapke bare mein sochti rahi, Bhagwan se yeh dua karti rahi ki mere bachhe par, Siddharth ke khoon ka koi asar na ho! Meri aulad mein, mujhe aap nazar aaye! aur, Bhagwan ne meri yeh ichha puri kar di! Aur pata hai, main pahle se sochke rakhha, ki agar mujhe beta huya, toh Deepak naam rakhungi, aur agar beti hui toh, Diya! Poochiye kyun?

Daya echoed her question, "kyun?"

Shreya- uski do wajah thi! Ek toh mere zindegi ke sab se andhre waqt pe, woh ek nayi roshni banke aa raha tha! aur dusra yeh, aapke naam ka pahla akshar se uska naam bhi shuru ho, ta ki jab bhi use bulaun, mujhe aapki yaad aaye!

Daya could not say anything, as his voice was chocked in emotion. He leaned in and pressed a kiss on her head.

They stayed like that for a while, then Shreya whispered again, "aapko kuch nehi kahena hai mujhse? Aaj ke is khas pal ke liye?"

Daya took some time before answer, "Shreya, yeh pal agar 25 saal pahle humari zindegi mein aayi hoti, toh kahne ke liye bohot kuch hota! Lekin abhi mann mein jo aa raha hai;

What if we still ride on, we two,
With life forever old yet new,
Changed not in kind but in degree,
The instant made eternity,
And heaven just prove that I and she
Ride, ride together, forever ride?"

Today, she cupped his face and pressed her lips on his. Their age, the judgmental people around them, did not matter at all now! They did not know what would happen to them tomorrow, but they knew that this moment of love, had become a part of eternity! This moment would never end, and they would live forever in this moment.

Because love-stories never end…

A/N- finally, it's complete. Thanks to all of my readers and reviewers for staying by my side through the entire journey. Thanks for your valuable opinions, for criticisms, for helping me to do better.

Special thanks to Geet, Mystic Morning, Aash Vin, Kingaftab, Karan, Topaz007, Dareya lovers, Harshit, Pari 24, Richa Darshan and guests. Love u all.