Link to previous chapters
Chapter 3
Rudra lay back on his bed feeling slightly better as compared to earlier in the evening. Soumya and he had spoken twice or thrice in the past year or so, ever since she had left for higher studies. Each time it had been because some other family member had been talking to her and had handed the phone to him upon seeing him. She had spent two years in Oberoi Mansion following the revelation of their accidental wedding. During that time Rudra and Soumya had barely seen each other during the day. It was the beginning phase of his learning the ropes of the business and he had been extremely busy. Soumya on the other hand had immersed herself in her studies to prove to her mother that she was completely focussed on her career. They only saw each other during meal times at night and a little more on the weekends. At these times both maintained a casual demeanor to avoid any distraction for themselves or speculation from others.
Rudra now reflected back on those times. The slow but steady realization that he cared very deeply about her had sunk in on him as he shouldered more and more responsibilities at work. He was still very jovial but the frivolous things that had mattered to him when he was in college slowly faded away. He saw and handled some real problems at work. He saw some real life stress and pain interacting with his co-workers. Being an innately sensitive and soft person, he had felt each pain deeply and one way or another it had led him to grow more and more attached to his connection with Soumya.
He recalled the day when she had informed him of her acceptance in an American university, with full financial assistance, for a highly condensed master’s program that would take about two years to complete.She had applied in consultation with Shikhar who knew the process very well having gone through it himself. Having had excellent academic background, the entire process had gone smoothly for Soumya. Rudra remembered her last night before leaving like it was yesterday.
“I am really happy for you. Finally Ranjana aunty believes our honesty.” Rudra had said as he sat at the edge of her bed besides her.
“Yes. She’s here to see me off and her soft manner with you is evidence that all that happened is well in the past.”
His heart gave a lurch and he felt some kind of an emotion welling up at the back of his eyes.” All’s well in the past.” he said softly. Each felt the palpable silence in the room and neither dared break it for a while. There was a sense of comfort in that utter silence. Eventually, compelled by a restlessness, Rudra spoke first. ” But our friendship remains right? That, is not well in the past. We will still be friends?”
“If you want to be.” Soumya said. ” In a couple of years you will be a fully grown, established, mature businessman. What would you want to do with my friendship? You will mingle with people of your circle, your society, your background, and your standing in life. Our friendship was one of a prolonged childhood. That ship has sailed now. When I come back both you and I would have changed in some definite ways. So let’s not try to hold on to something that is at its natural end.”
Rudra had stared at the floor as he listened to each of her words carefully. ” You are right. Here ends the friendship of our prolonged childhood. I am beginning one between two adults who have great regard for each other. I will assume you have great regard for me.” he had laughed but Soumya hadn’t.
” I do Rudra.” She had said seriously. “If you hadn’t been so strong that fateful evening two years ago and made it impossible for me to go back with my mother, I wouldn’t have achieved all that I have so far and I would not have been looking forward to exploring such exciting new opportunities. I have understood you in greater depth in the past two years and I have realized that unlike what I thought about you at first, you are an extremely layered person”
“You mean, haathi ke daant, khaane ke aur , dikhaane ke aur?” Rudra said trying to make light of her heavy praise of him.
Soumya smiled faintly at his joke knowing what he was doing. ” You are hardly a haathi! That’s me right? Sumo?”
“No you are not. But don’t divert the main topic. Do you accept my adult, grown up friendship?” Rudra asked looking directly at her.
Soumya turned a bright pink. ” Ok. Whatever that means. We are both setting on a journey where we will change and …”
“Yeah yeah.” Rudra cut her off. ” I know all that. So here is the thing. I want you to do well and be successful. I will not distract you by calls but we will stay in touch through messaging. Deal?”
” Ok. Accepted.” Soumya said.
With a deep breath Rudra came back to the present. “Friendship!” he thought.”I don’t know what form it is in at this point but once she is back, I will get her to see that it could be the greatest love of all.”
With these thoughts his eyes closed of their own accord and he sunk into much needed restful sleep.
At breakfast table next morning Priyanka finished her food quickly.
“What’s the hurry Prinku? Eat properly.” Jhanvi said looking at Priyanka with mild irritation.
” Yes Mom. There is a hurry. Last day of internship. Then need to go see the site for my boutique with Om bhaiya and… Yeah…So that’s the hurry.”
“And Shikhar right?” Jhanvi asked.
“Yes.” Priyanka said hastily as she got up with her plate and went to keep it in the kitchen.
Jhanvi looked at her thoughtfully. Who would of have thought this was the same Prinku who was always unsure and nervous. The last three years had seen her blossom as she delved into the career of her choice with her whole heart. She had gradually grown confident as she gathered one achievement after another at her design school. She had turned out to be one of the brightest students there and was predicted to be one of the up and coming designers of ethnic clothes. Jhanvi sighed with satisfaction. “All because she has three wonderful brothers ” she thought unaware that the root of inspiration for Priyanka’s confidence lay somewhere else. Her brothers had nourished those roots with great care though.
Priyanka came back rushing, “Bye mom. I’ll see you in the afternoon.” she said giving Jhanvi a quick kiss. Then she ran towards the door gathering her stuff on the way and crashed straight into Shikhar who had just stepped inside.
_______________________________________________
Another baby step forward. Hope the story will pick up pace soon. Meanwhile, thanks for reading. Please do comment if you can ☺