Page 99 of That Same Old Love

Ananya watched her and said, “I heard that from my brother. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thank You. Look Ananya—”

“Something smells nice in here,” said Ananya, walking towards the dining table.

Mahi followed behind her. “I made some pongal. Please have some,” she offered and got an extra plate from the kitchen.

Ananya sat down and took a few bites before saying, “Hmm not bad, it just needs a little more pepper and a lot more ghee.”

Mahi smiled at the ‘not bad’ comment that was so similar to Samrat’s.

Ananya sighed. “Alright Mahi, I have to be frank with you. I don’t think you are the right person for my brother. You know that he was married before, and his wife, my sister-in-law, was an amazing person. She was beautiful and had the most nurturing and caring personality I had ever come across.”

Mahi nodded. “I know. Samrat spoke to me several times about Nandini.”

“Then you must also know that what my brother doesn’t need… is a high maintenance dramatic woman who has commitment issues, and would possibly break his heart several times before she is done with him.”

Mahi felt her breath catch in her throat. “I know I’m all that and broke his heart, but—”

“I had my friend Preethi picked out as my future sister-in-law. Preethi is sweet and caring, while also being a modern woman who juggles a career along with raising her son as a single mother. She does a great job at everything.”

Mahi felt her insecurities rear up. “I know that I haven’t always been the sweetest or the most caring person towards your brother, but I love—”

Ananya shook her head and sighed. “The only thing that Preethi is missing is that… she is not who my brother loves. He wants you and loves you. Even though right now, he is sulking at our village and driving our parents crazy, he is missing you and needs you back.”

Mahi began to cry softly. “I know that. I miss him too and I want to see him badly. I’m miserable without him.”

Ananya held her hand gently. “I know that you love him and went into pieces when you thought he was gone. I’m sorry for lashing out at you that day. I was angry with you and I thought we had lost him too.”

Mahi nodded in understanding.

“I think you should go to our village. I will ask my driver to take you there. He knows the way since he’s from the same village,” offered Ananya.

Mahi looked hopeful and uncertain. “But Samrat said he didn’t want to talk or see me—”

“Bahh, my brother can be a drama queen sometimes. He used to sulk angrily for long periods of time when we were children. It used to drive us crazy at home with his cold looks. It was my mother’s idea to ask you to visit our village home and speak with him.”

Mahi smiled imagining Samrat sulking as a kid. “Can I leave right away? I just need ten minutes to pack a bag… just in case I have to stay there a few more days at a hotel or somewhere to convince him.”

Ananya smiled. “Definitely pack a bag and be prepared for a few days of serious groveling. But no need to stay at a hotel, my mother will welcome you into our home. She wants my brother out, before he occupies their only other house and turns it into another space station.”

Mahi laughed at the apt description and then ran into her room. She hurriedly threw in some clothes in a small bag and rushed out. And then, she followed Ananya’s car.

At Ananya’s place, the driver joined Mahi and they drove towards Samrat’s parents’ village house which was only three hours away from the city.

CHAPTER 37

It was raining heavily by the time Mahi reached Samrat’s village. It was a little after three in the afternoon when the driver parked Mahi’s car in front of a modest two-leveled home.

The driver told her that he would be visiting his parents’ house and asked Mahi to call him when she was ready to head back to the city. She took his phone number and then got down the car with her bag.

She quickly ran inside a large front yard and rang the doorbell.

Samrat’s mother answered the door and didn’t seem to be surprised.

“Mahi, come inside,” she said and showed her into a living room. “You are soaked. Wait here. I will get you a towel. Would you like something to drink apart from water?”

“No thank you aunty. I… just want to see Samrat now.”

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