Page 103 of 12 Years
‘Yes. But we fell in love. Does love even consider age?’
‘I don’t think it was love.’
‘Then what was it?’
‘Forget it,’ Akanksha said, taking a sip of her coffee. She wiped the milk-foam moustache from her lips with a tissue.
‘Say it,’ I said.
‘You know about her thing for older men. Maybe it stemmed from that, from trying to win her father’s love and approval all her life.’
‘This isnotabout any daddy issues that she may have had. I’m not her fetish. I love her, and I’ll marry her. We’ll be happy together.’
Akanksha shook her head.
‘You don’t agree?’ I said.
‘I don’t think my friend will be happy. Sorry, Saket, but she can do better than you.’
‘And Parimal is better?’
‘Well, he fits into their family, and she fits into his. They’ve been family friends for years.’
‘But will he be compatible with Payal? Will he make her laugh?’
‘People find ways to laugh. They don’t have to marry a comedian.’
Ouch, I don’t know why, but that stung.
‘Does she love me?’ I said.
Akanksha didn’t answer.
‘Did she say she loved me or not?’
Akanksha took a deep breath before speaking again. ‘Saket, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you’ll never bring it up with Payal or anyone else. You can’t even acknowledge that you know this.’
‘What is it?’ I said, concerned.
‘Promise me first.’
‘I promise. I swear I won’t tell anyone, including Payal.’
‘Good. Just know that, for me, the most important thing is my friend’s well-being.’
‘Is she okay?’
‘She’s better. And yes, she did say that she loved you. She was obsessed with you. When she was forced to stay away from you, she had a nervous breakdown.’
‘What? What do you mean? How? When?’
‘After the temple incident. She stopped talking, sleeping and eating. Anand uncle found a therapist for her. She had daily sessions with him and was prescribed antidepressants. Someone had to be with her all the time. It was really difficult.’
‘Why didn’t she tell me all this?’
‘How could she? That would mean staying in touch with you. How could she heal if she kept seeing you?’
‘Heal from what?’
