Page 17 of That Same Old Love

Sidhu dropped his idea of getting a Master’s degree, and returned from the U.S within a couple of weeks, and joined his family business. Their daughter, Srishti had arrived exactly seven months after their wedding day.

Ananya had always felt that she effectively ruined Sidhu’s future plans and that he had to settle for her, to do the ‘right thing’. She also felt that if she hadn’t been with him that night, there was no way he would have even considered being with her, let alone marry her.

CHAPTER 4

By the time Rajeev dropped Mahi back home, it was late in the evening.

“Seriously Rajeev, you didn’t have to accompany me for the bank and groceries errands too. You have to prepare for your finals as it is.” she told him worriedly.

“That’s okay. I had planned on spending the day with you. My campus is only a few minutes away and my friend was kind enough to lend me a car until tonight.”

Rajeev was glad he could spend time with Mahi. She was like an older sister to him, even though she wasn’t in touch with him and his mother for a few years. And after spending some time with her, he felt their special bond grow stronger. She was divorced and was back to India after many years. Anyone would require help getting around the city, after being gone for that long.

Mahi smiled at him as they unloaded her bags from the car. “Thanks for taking me to that great place for dinner. It was great! I’ve almost forgotten how authentic biryani and kubani ka meetha tasted like.”

When they got into her house, she said, “I’ll take it from here; you should get back to your hostel and study soon. I’m still angry that until ten minutes ago, you didn’t mention that your exams are starting next week. Run along and study immediately! Now that I have a SIM card and phone number, I’m going to text you or call you if I need anything. So don’t worry about me.”

Rajeev smiled. “Call me often akka, even though I’m sure you can manage. Ma always regaled me with tales of what a bundle of energy you were. I wish I remembered all our interactionsor had better memories of you as that girl. I just have some vague memories of playing with you or coercing you to buy me something.”

She walked him out to his car. “Oh trust me. I’m glad you were too young at that time and only have fond memories of me all those years ago. I was a horrible person back then and not very nice to know. But, I’m in a much better place right now.”

“I seriously doubt that. How can someone who took me to an exhibition fair each year be bad? I can’t ever imagine any other teenager or twenty something year old girl, taking her very young cousin along with her friends to any place. I remember eating a lot of cotton candy and popcorn, and later passing out in a backseat of a car, and then waking up next to ma in the morning. I used to look forward to the trip each year.”

Rajeev’s mother had been too busy at home to take him anywhere. Mahi had offered to shop for him and she often stocked up some toys during those exhibition trips. Since she didn’t enjoy the rides, she dragged Sidhu and her friends along, to accompany Rajeev for the spinning rides he seemed to love.

“You were the most well-behaved toddler and kid, and my friends loved you too.”

She hugged him tightly.

“Don’t forget to call me if you need anything,” he reminded her and drove away in his friend’s borrowed Mercedes car.

She still felt choked up after meeting her frail, but brave aunt in the hospital. She had hugged her aunt and acted strong even though she wanted to burst into tears.

“Mahi you look great, my child. You have always been a strong fighter and I am glad you decided to start your life in India. I missed you a lot when you left home,” her aunt said, smiling weakly from her hospital bed, her shorn head covered by a scarf.

Mahi spent a couple of hours at the hospital, which according to Rajeev was the longest his mother had ever allowed anyone to visit her. Her aunt had a lot of visitors who were mostly of her age.

Mahi had insisted that after the surgery, her aunt should come and live with her, but her aunt strongly opposed the idea, and said that she already made some provisions and not to worry about her.

“I need to spend some time with women of my age and similar life experiences. And Mahi, you need to spend time starting another chapter of your life,” said her aunt.

Mahi didn’t agree to that, but her aunt had been adamant, as had been Rajeev. She decided to try and argue her case the next time she saw them both.

Just before Mahi turned to go back into her house, she felt someone watching her.

It was Samrat and he was talking to someone on his phone, but his eyes were directed towards her.

She waved to him with a smile, but he didn’t bother acknowledging her and went back to his house.

“Great. Just great. He’s back to being the angry and pissed off neighbor again. Exactly what I need right now,” she muttered while going back to her house.

* * *

Samrat was back to his senses that he felt were missing during his temporary insanity this morning. That woman had been the cause of grief to him and his family, especially to his sister.

After his sister left, he had called Sidhu to let him know about Mahi agreeing to sell them her lands. Sidhu just responded back saying that it was good news, and that they could finally go ahead with some approval paperwork.

And having known Sidhu pretty well over the years, he knew that Sidhu was the kind to forgive everyone easily, and even go as far as helping them during their need. Samrat didn’t want Sidhu helping Mahi in any way or even have any sort of personal contact with her. She had been a user before and wouldn’t have changed much.

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