*Kamal Pov*“This week was so hectic guys.” I said, taking my place at our regular table in our favorite restaurant.“Well, that’s why my Dad doesn’t stop praising you at all.” Pallavi said smiling at me.“I hope so! I don’t want to lose this job when I am planning to bring Mom here. I even selected a flat.” I said, thinking about the perfect flat.“She will not come here until your marriage is over. Speaking of marriage, did you get a chance to have a word with your fiancé? Or is she still at her friend’s house?” Rakesh asked sipping his coffee.“No! And Mom seems to be worried as this is the first time Vani stayed away from the house.” I replied leaning back.“Why are we talking about her? Let’s talk about something else important.” Pallavi said, shaking her head.“She is his fiancé and is going to be his wife. What else is more important than that?” Girish asked glaring at her.“Guys!” I said, frowning at both of them.“Because she is not his fiancé.” Pallavi retorted without givin
*Vani Pov*“Are you fine?” Rupa asked the moment I stepped out of the ICU after my parents.“Yeah! Why don’t you come in and meet my Aunty?” I asked her trying to smile before dragging her inside.“Aunty! Meet my friend.” I said, ignoring everyone and sat on the stool.“I am Rupa, Aunty.” She said calmly after hesitating a bit.“The Rupa!” Aunty asked slowly smiling.“I guess!” Rupa mumbled scratching her neck.“You made this poor girl walk home from college, so many times, dear.” Aunty said in a stern voice.“Oh! I didn’t mean it like that. It was just…” Rupa stopped herself when she saw Aunty smiling.“You were staying with her?” Aunty asked me with a frown.“Yes! We became great friends.” I replied, smiling at her.“My parents even started loving her more than me.” Rupa added, making me shake my head.“She knows how to make everyone love her. Do you know that we wished she was our daughter when she stayed at my house for the first time?” Aunty said holding my hand.“I can see that.
*Vani Pov*“Take care.” I heard someone saying and glanced up from the tray of water glasses to see yet another person from the village leaving the house as the body was taken for burial.“Vani! Sit down for a second. You are not taking a rest from morning.” I heard Mom’s voice.“Mo…m, she is not coming back right?” I asked still staring at the door.“Shh!” she mumbled hugging me and I closed my eyes still not wanting to accept the truth.“Listen to me, Vani. What I am asking you is really a hard thing, but it is needed.” She suddenly said and I frowned at her.“Your husband needs you now more than anything, Vani. He already lost his father and now her. We were lucky to spend so much time with her unlike him who was living in a city.” She slowly explained and I stilled.“He needs you now more than anything and I hope you will be there for him. Look at all of us, we are crying non-stop trying to reduce the pain, but it is not that easy for the men.” She added seeing my stiffness.“I kn
*Kamal Pov*“I am fine.” I mumbled for the millionth time wishing I can hide somewhere from everyone’s caring words.My friends were wrong thinking we will be free from such words from the people after leaving the village. The place is changed, but not the people.At least the villagers knew my mom, but not the people who are around me at present. God! When did I become so bitter? I thought and then remembered my snapping comment to Vani.What had she even done? I thought, shaking my head and started looking at the appointments for today before reaching near the patients following my resident.I did as much as I can do throwing myself into the work and trying to take anyone’s task to just fill the time until my friends literally threw me out asking me to go home.So, I reached the house late and then remembered about Vani seeing her sitting on the sofa.“Dinner?” she asked, glancing at me.“I will freshen up!” I replied, to which she nodded before getting up and walked towards the kit
*Kamal Pov*I sat there stiffly for a few seconds after feeling the arms around me and then turned around only to crush her to me before releasing the tears which I couldn’t stop anymore.“I miss her so much, Vani. I kept on thinking she will walk inside the house any moment, but I know that it will never happen.” I said closing my eyes tightly.“I… I am feeling guilty thinking maybe I should have stayed near to her without staying away. I missed so much time and always thought she would be with me forever after I get settled down.” I added shaking my head.“It is not a wrong thing to miss her. I miss her too and will miss her forever. However, she would kill both of us if we made sure we are sad and are trying to get stuck in a moment.” I heard her voice making me slowly control the tears.“I do not know how you are feeling at this moment and maybe no one will ever know. It is not an easy thing to get on with the life.” She mumbled and slowly moved a little to glance at my face.“Do
*Vani Pov*When Kamal suddenly groaned, we all glanced up from our food to see him, frowning at the dishes with a serious thought.“Is something missing?” I asked the others, but not him.“Are you kidding? There are so many items and I think I should have to exercise more tomorrow because I don’t want to miss eating any one of it.” Girish said shaking his head.I gave him a small smile before glancing at my plate while everyone started to serve themselves and to my luck that girl is sitting beside him.“This is so delicious.” Rakesh said, smiling at me.“Are you forgetting something, David?” Kamal asked and I frowned at them only to see David is looking everywhere except to my side.“No!” he replied simply and they continued to have their lunch.“Do you like living in the city, Vani?” Pallavi suddenly asked when everyone stayed silent.“Yeah!” I replied, not even looking up to stare at her.I know what she is trying to tell because I am not really liking to stay in the house with not
*Vani Pov*“Damn! I am getting late.” I mumbled to myself rushing out of the washroom only to scream looking at the person near the door.“What are you doing here? I thought you left a few hours ago.” I mumbled before stepping outside near to the mirror.“There was a special emergency case so I had to leave early.” He mumbled in a whisper, making me frown and I turned around to see him staring at me but not only my face.I glanced down to see that I am not wearing a Saree and just holding it in my hands. I gulped, but looked away, feeling shy and also feeling a blush ready to cover my face.“I will go outside.” He mumbled and walked away, making me get a reality flashed.It will not matter to him even if I stand with even less clothes than this. What am I in front of his girlfriend?You are just stupid, Vani! I thought, and started getting ready before taking a deep breath.I walked outside to see him reading a paper and I calmly packed the lunch, which he hasn’t taken while leaving e
*Vani Pov*“Guys, why don’t we have our dinner too?” I heard Pallavi asking and glanced up to see her looking at everyone.“I don’t think it is a good idea.” Kamal said and everyone frowned at him.“Why? Your wife is also here and I am sure she would love this holiday of cooking.” Girish said frowning at him.“Say that you like this idea.” He added, staring at me with a glare.“Are you asking me or ordering me?” I asked, leaning back feeling comfortable with this conversation with him.“Take it as anything but that should make you stay.” He replied shrugging.“Now, how can I reject you?” I asked, smiling and everyone laughed, making me remember the other people around us.I glanced up to see Kamal frowning at me making me frown back. Why is he looking at me like that like I did something wrong?Is he mad that I am making his friends as mine? Does he want me to stay away? What else can be the reason for him irritated look?“It is going to be my treat by the way to celebrate Vani’s job.