Chap 12 Can Feelings Change With Time ?
As they drove out of the school, many eyes followed them, as this was the first time, when anyone had seen Ghazal with a male companion. She had made it a point to never discuss her personal life with anyone there. Yet she knew, Arun’s visit must have posed so many questions in everyone’s mind.
Ghazal kept silent during most of the drive, listening to non-stop chat of Vrinda, answering only with a word or two, when she was addressed . Both father and daughter were busy chatting away. Vrinda was delighted to reach their destination, the Triton mall , which was her favourite, as she loved to play virtual games there. They had snacks and coffee at the cafe and then headed towards the game zone, where Vrinda got busied herself for almost an hour, leaving just two of them together. Ghazal and Arun just roamed in the mall, Arun asking her to buy something for herself but she refused politely.
After an hour, when Vrinda joined them, they visited the girls’ section. After another hour or so , they came out of the mall with an armful of shopping bags and a huge stuffed monkey in Vrinda’s hand. On the trip back to home, Vrinda fell asleep on the backseat of the car. The trip ,though enjoyable, had exhausted her. Arun carried her inside and laid her down on bed. She made tea for both of them and took the tray with tea mugs and cookies to the balcony, where Arun was sitting with his eyes closed. A look at his face with lines of exertion showing, made her heart catch. She was shocked at her own thoughts, when she felt like caressing his face to remove those lines. At that very moment, Arun opened his eyes to see her looking at him. Their eyes met and for the first time after so many years, she saw a tender and loving expression in his eyes. She quickly looked down and picking up the tea mug, handed him and offered him cookies. Arun asked her about her school and shared about his work too. It was as if they were re-living those days , when he was here at the time of Vrinda’s illness. After tea, when Arun made to leave, a wave of sadness passed over her, reminding her of her loneliness, which was reflected in his eyes too. When she came to see him off, just before opening the car door, he turned towards her and asked her , if she and Vrinda could spend few days at THEIR house. He had two weeks, before he left for his new site. The term THEIR took her aback, she kept silent for few seconds and then told him, she would let him know after talking to their daughter. Arun looked pleased, knowing fully well , what their daughter’s answer would be. He sat in the car and drove away waving at her, with a smile on his face.
Ghazal kept silent during most of the drive, listening to non-stop chat of Vrinda, answering only with a word or two, when she was addressed . Both father and daughter were busy chatting away. Vrinda was delighted to reach their destination, the Triton mall , which was her favourite, as she loved to play virtual games there. They had snacks and coffee at the cafe and then headed towards the game zone, where Vrinda got busied herself for almost an hour, leaving just two of them together. Ghazal and Arun just roamed in the mall, Arun asking her to buy something for herself but she refused politely.
After an hour, when Vrinda joined them, they visited the girls’ section. After another hour or so , they came out of the mall with an armful of shopping bags and a huge stuffed monkey in Vrinda’s hand. On the trip back to home, Vrinda fell asleep on the backseat of the car. The trip ,though enjoyable, had exhausted her. Arun carried her inside and laid her down on bed. She made tea for both of them and took the tray with tea mugs and cookies to the balcony, where Arun was sitting with his eyes closed. A look at his face with lines of exertion showing, made her heart catch. She was shocked at her own thoughts, when she felt like caressing his face to remove those lines. At that very moment, Arun opened his eyes to see her looking at him. Their eyes met and for the first time after so many years, she saw a tender and loving expression in his eyes. She quickly looked down and picking up the tea mug, handed him and offered him cookies. Arun asked her about her school and shared about his work too. It was as if they were re-living those days , when he was here at the time of Vrinda’s illness. After tea, when Arun made to leave, a wave of sadness passed over her, reminding her of her loneliness, which was reflected in his eyes too. When she came to see him off, just before opening the car door, he turned towards her and asked her , if she and Vrinda could spend few days at THEIR house. He had two weeks, before he left for his new site. The term THEIR took her aback, she kept silent for few seconds and then told him, she would let him know after talking to their daughter. Arun looked pleased, knowing fully well , what their daughter’s answer would be. He sat in the car and drove away waving at her, with a smile on his face.
Comments