Page 27 of That Same Old Love

“My stomach is about to burst now. That was the best lunch I had in days! And also thanks akka, for making me cheesecake,” said Rajeev smiling.

Mahi got up to clear the dishes. “Glad you liked it. It’s always so boring to cook food for myself. I’ve been making some desserts for my office team too, but this was my first attempt at cheesecake in India.”

Rajeev helped her clear the table and they sat in front on the couches, watching a really old movie that was coming on the T.V.

She didn’t mention that she was fired. Rajeev would be outraged at the reason and probably try and confront Samrat about it. He was very protective of her, and always texted her each night to check if she was doing okay.

“How is it that you are spending your Saturday afternoon with your much older boring cousin, and not with a girlfriend or friends your age?”

“Well… friends my age are mostly night owls; we usually meet during the evenings on Friday and Saturday nights to party the night away.”

“What about a girlfriend?”

Rajeev’s smile dropped. “I don’t have one. Well… not anymore.”

“Why? What happened? Tell me only if you want to talk about it.”

Rajeev looked sad more than angry or upset. “I don’t particularly want to talk about it, but all I can say is that wedidn’t suit or rather our backgrounds didn’t suit. She comes from a Mercedes driving elite crowd and I… well… you know my background.”

She frowned. “What the hell Rajeev? Which century are we living in? Why would that matter? What’s wrong with your background anyway? You and Kamala aunty are the nicest hardworking people I’ve ever met. Did your ex-girlfriend state those reasons for your break up?” she asked angrily.

Rajeev looked at his cousin who was outraged on his behalf and smiled sadly. “No she didn’t. I did. But I don’t want to talk about them. Let’s talk something else, please.”

She wanted him to unburden his feelings, but she didn’t want to pry either, especially when he still felt hurt by whatever had happened with his ex-girlfriend.

“Do you know that Kamala aunty and her roomies have a big circle of friends who have formed a Rummy club? I was there the other day and those women are a hoot,” she said, remembering the naughty jokes they had cracked. She also found some of their discussions very touching.

She spent the next few hours with Rajeev regaling all the antics his mom and her friends were up to and also told him about some funny incidents during her childhood.

Soon it was four in the afternoon and Rajeev had to leave to meet his mother, before partying with his friends.

She went out to see him off near the gate.

“Okay don’t drink and drive. Stay safe and responsible,” she told him in her mock parental tone.

After Rajeev drove away, she spotted Srishti on the opposite side of the street, waving at her. Before Mahi could respond, Srishti ran towards her. “I don’t know why Samrat Uncle doesn’t want me to meet you. But I want to.”

Mahi sighed. “Srishti, he does have a reason. I was very mean to your mom and uncle when we were at college together.”

Srishti looked at her keenly. “But you are sorry now, right?”

Mahi nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m also ashamed of my past behavior. I have apologized to your uncle, but not to your mom.”

Srishti watched her shrewdly. “I have an idea. You should come to my tenth birthday party next Friday night. You can meet my mom there and apologize to them.”

Mahi was stunned. “What? No. She will hate it, and it will ruin her mood. It’s a really bad idea.”

But Srishti looked determined. “No. It’s a very good idea. I know it is. And besides it is my party, and I can invite whomever I want to, and I really like you, and you are my friend now. Let’s ask Samrat uncle about it. He’s your friend since you have apologized to him. Come with me.”

“No. Samrat won’t like it. He just—” Mahi broke off from saying fired me from his company.

But maybe what Srishti said was a good plan. Mahi did want to meet Ananya and Sidhu to apologize. She knew it was a selfish act that would makeherfeel better and might not bring much satisfaction tothem. But she had to do that, to make peace with herself. Although, she will need to be prepared to face embarrassment or worse because of it.

“Okay. Let’s go. Give me a minute. Let me lock up my house and come with you,” said Mahi.

When Mahi went to Samrat’s house along with Srishti, Samrat’s help informed them that he was in the gym room and they were to wait.

“Let’s go up to the game room. There is a new version of Stimmulus I wanted to play with,” suggested Srishti.

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