Chap 13 Oh God ! I Love Her

Vrinda’s response to the idea of a visit to their old house was as expected. Her excitement convinced Ghazal that her decision was not wrong. Next day Arun came to pick them up, helping Vrinda pack her things while Ghazal packed hers. Ghazal asked her neighbour and friend, Disha to keep a watch on the house in her absence, who was more than happy to oblige, happy for her friend and little Vrinda who was like a daughter to her. Three of them then headed towards the house, which had once been her home.

          The house was just as she had left years ago, no major changes, but felt lifeless. Ghazal’s decision to leave, had come as a shock for Arun, but his pride had come in the way and he had just allowed her to go. As years had passed, Arun had immersed himself in his work, not caring about anything else. The lonely house had made him realise Ghazal’s importance in his life, but the day, he shifted with Ghazal and Vrinda , owing to his daughter’s illness, he had realised what he was missing. He loved not only his daughter but also his wife. He shifted their luggage to Vrinda’s room, and Ghazal busied herself in unpacking.

             As the cook arranged dinner, three of them sat together, Vrinda telling Arun about her school friends and her teachers. Ghazal watched them silently, wondering why had Arun changed so much, and then there was that question lingering in the corner of her mind, his call to Mihir. She decided to wait till Vrinda slept that night. Leaving them talking, She helped the cook in putting away the dishes, who looked hesitant to take her help but Ghazal’s warm smile made her comfortable. She was a woman in her fifties, very soft spoken and cooked as well as served food with love.

               An hour later, Vrinda just drifted into sleep with her head on her father’s lap, while watching her favourite cartoons. Arun shifted her head on the pillow lightly so as not to disturb her sleep and came out of the room, putting off the lights. He found Ghazal going through the newspapers in the living room. He went straight to his room and had a packet wrapped in a gift wrapper, tied with fancy ribbons, in his hand when he returned. “ Ghazal , this is for you”, he said with a smile on his face. She was surprised but could not refuse, after what he had done for her and Vrinda during the last few weeks. He asked her to open it, and Ghazal got another surprise when she saw a beautiful red sari, delicately hand embroidered, in smooth georgette material. She was about to thank him, when he stopped her with a nod of his head. “ Will you wear it tomorrow, when three of us go out for dinner?”, was what he said. She simply nodded her head in affirmative and wished him good night and went to sleep with Vrinda in her room. Arun looked tired and her question could wait for another day, she decided. Arun smiled and wished her too, watching her go into the room.

OH GOD ! I LOVE HER SO MUCH, he said to himself.