Page 63 of Since You Came Along

‘Well, I doubt you woke me up at eight just to tell me that. So, what’s up?’ he asked.

‘It’s about Meera and Raghav.’

She heard the faint rustle of sheets, followed by a cough. Abhay cleared his throat before he asked, ‘What’s wrong?’

‘How do you know something’s wrong?’ she countered, curious if Raghav had confided in him.

‘Because you’d never call me unless something’s wrong,’ he replied, as if it’s obvious.

Siya hesitated, his words hitting too close to home. ‘You know why I don’t talk to you,’ she said.

A heavy silence followed. She unclenched her fingers and exhaled, deciding to focus on the reason she had called. ‘HasRaghav said anything to you? I went to see Meera half an hour ago, and she was upset.’

‘No, Raghav has mentioned nothing. Why was Meera upset? Did they have a fight?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Siya replied, leaning her head against the cool window of the cab. ‘From what she said, it seems like Raghav is shutting her out. He doesn’t talk much, leaves for work early, and comes back late.’

Abhay spoke with quiet consideration. ‘Now that you mention it, every time he’s spoken to me lately, he’s kept it short and work-related.’

‘Why didn’t you ask him what was wrong?’ Siya asked, frustration creeping into her tone.

‘I’ve been overwhelmed by work,’ Abhay admitted, guilt lacing his words. ‘We’ve got a new client, and it’s been taking up most of my time. I suppose I didn’t notice. But Raghav and Meera aren’t the kind of people to engage in a cold war. They’d have talked it out. Did Meera try?’

‘She did,’ Siya replied, recalling her defeated expression. ‘Meera hates this passive silence and prefers to address things head-on.’

Siya thought twice about whether she should reveal Meera’s suspicions. Despite what has happened between them in the past, she knew he cared about Meera.

After a moment, she continued, ‘Meera thinks it’s because she danced with Rutvik last week. She believes Raghav is upset about it.’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ Abhay said. ‘Raghav isn’t the jealous type, Siya. He wouldn’t hold that against her.’

‘Then why doesn’t he eat at home anymore? She told me that whenever she cooks or sends him food, he avoids it.’

The line went quiet. Siya knew Abhay had understood the implication.

‘That doesn’t sound like Raghav,’ he said.

‘I know. She’s worried she hurt him. She didn’t mean to. Meera looked exhausted, Abhay. Stressed out. She just wants to know what’s wrong. She’s hurting too.’

‘I can imagine,’ Abhay agreed. ‘It’s Meera. This would hurt her deeply.’

His words carried an innate tenderness when he spoke about Meera, and that made Siya smile.

Breaking the moment, Abhay said, ‘I just got a message from Raghav. He’s coming to Delhi. I’ll talk to him, don’t worry.’

Before Siya could reply, Abhay sneezed twice. She couldn’t stop herself from asking, ‘You’ve caught a cold, haven’t you?’

‘It’s the Delhi weather,’ he admitted, his voice hoarse.

‘When did you go to Delhi?’

‘A day after the dance event. There was some work-related issue, and Luv needed help, so Kusha and I came here. Raghav stayed back.’

‘You know you catch cold easily. Why don’t you take better care of yourself?’ Her tone was sharp, edged with worry.

‘I do,’ he responded defensively.

‘Ha! I know better. You’re hopeless at taking care of yourself when you’re sick.’

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