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ARJUN

“Hello Aai, how are you?” I ask Aai as she opens the door.

‘I am fine Beta. Come in. How was the Amti?” Aai asks me.

Since as long as I can remember, our families have always exchanged meals with each other. Amti is my favourite dish, along with Karanji and Chivda.

“Delicious as always, Aai. Thank you so much!” I say. “Has Kiddo come home? We were going to walk around the compound.”

“Hi.” Kiddo says shyly as she enters the living room. She has an uncertain and vulnerable look on her face. It breaks my heart. What really happened to her???

“Hey Kiddo. Had your dinner?” I ask her, feeling very, very protective about her all of a sudden. Something is not at all right with her. It worries me.

She nods. “Aai, I will be back in a while. Just going for a walk around the compound.”

Aai mutters something which feels like ‘Just a walk?’ Kiddo chuckles tiredly and shakes her head. We step out of the house.

She walks in silence, her head bowed and lost in some thought. I cannot take it any more.

“Kiddo.” I stop and hold her by her shoulders. She looks at me nervously. “What happened to you? I am very worried. You look so… so defeated.”

She smiles sadly and places her hand over my own on her shoulder. “I already told you what happened to me. It will take time but I will be fine.”

I stare at her, searching her face for exactly what I do not know. “How can I help?”

She shakes her head and gulps. “This is my battle and I have to fight it on my own.”

I take off my hands from her shoulders and sigh. “Is it someone I know?”

“No. Let us talk about something else.” She smiles at me. “I have better news. Not good for me, but better news I guess.”

“Anything will be better than a grieving Kiddo.” I say.

“I have received an offer to work in New Zealand for six months.” She says and looks at me.

My first thought is that Kiddo will be away for six months. The ground beneath my feet feels like sinking. I look at her and find her eying me curiously. Thankfully, sense kicks in. I berate myself for thinking only about how I would miss her when clearly this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kiddo to proceed ahead in her career. I try to muster as much excitement in my voice. “Wow! That is awesome news! Congratulations!” I internally cringe at how fake my own voice feels to me.

Her face falls.

“You are happy about this, right? Are you planning to accept the offer?” I ask her, confused by her demeanour.

She sighs. “Yes I am thinking about it. But it would mean leaving everyone here and going away for six months.” She says in a low voice.

“Awww, Kiddo. Don’t think like that! I personally think this is a great opportunity for you to expand your horizon. I think a change of place will also be beneficial for you.” I say and take in the grief that clouds her face. “That is, if that is what you want. Take your own time to think over this.” I tell her softly.

An auto approaches and halts near us. Mrs.Sharma alights from the auto. She pays the driver and walks into the building.

“Hi Shreya, hello Arjun.” She says.

Shreya greets her back but I just nod curtly. When she has passed us by, Shreya looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Are you ever going to let me know what grudge you have against Mrs.Sharma? You are always so stiff and curt towards her.”

I shake my head. “Just know that she ruined something which was very precious for me.” I look at her. “Have you discussed with Aai and Baba? What are their views?”

“They are happy for me but have left it to me.” She inhales sharply and looks at me. “I think I will accept the offer.”

“That’s my Kiddo!” I exclaim and drape my arm around her shoulder ignoring the way my heart feels as if someone has placed a cold palm over it.

“It will probably take two months for everything to get finalized. I will be applying for a visa tomorrow.” She says leaning onto me.

“I guess by that time Abhimanyu will also be home.” I say, trying my best to not to imagine not having Kiddo around to receive him.

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