Chapter 2

1. Love Untold

'When are you meeting him?' Shruti asked, keeping away the electric appliances and then proceeding to dust the racks and shelves.

'Tomorrow evening,' Kirti replied, picking up the broom kept in the corner and beginning to sweep away the hair scattered on the floor.

'Excited?'

'Not really. I am worried and scared. What if it ruins our friendship, Shruti? What then? I can't live without him!'

'But what if he feels the same about you? What if he's been suppressing his feelings too? What if you lose this chance and then regret it later? Isn't it better to take a chance?’

'There's so much at stake. I can lose him...my everything!'

'You can gain so much more. A lifetime of togetherness with him!'

Kirti's heart skipped a beat. A future with Tejas? A life together with him? He has always been her rock, her only family, and now the possibility of being a family officially?

'What are you going to wear tomorrow?'

'The red dress I had bought last month.'

'The one that was on sale? That's very pretty. Drop-in here before you leave. I will do your hair and face.'

'Sure thing!'

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'I am back!' Kirti called out, stepping inside the porch.

'Kirti, are you back my child?' Karuna limped outside her room. 

'Yes, Dadi. I am back. Did you eat?' She hugged her tiny, gray, and ragged grandmother. 

'I was waiting for you.'

'Arre Dadi! How many times have I asked you not to wait for me!?'

It was only them in this two-storied house. No wonder her grandmother missed and waited for her.

'Tere bina gale se niwala hi nahi utarta hai beta.'

'Tabiyat kharab ho jayegi Dadi aapki!'

'Tabiyat ka kya hai...kharab toh hoti rehti hai. Umar hi aise hai.'

'Koi umar-vumar nahi hai aapki. Let me freshen up and we will eat together.'

Once she had taken her bath, Kirti plated the dinner. It was a humble menu. Pulses and Chapati. They were out of ration which she would have to get tomorrow but with the inflation hitting the roof, she wondered if she would be able to afford meat and vegetables. 

After dinner, when they were in bed, Kirti pressed and rubbed oil on her grandmother's legs. 

'You do not have to, my child. You must be tired.'

'Not at all, Dadi'

'Apna khayal rakha kar. Din bhar kaam karti hai aur phir meri sewa...'

'I take care of you my sweet grandma but it's all for myself. Aap ho to main hoon. Aap fit toh main fit.'

Then she made her bed next to her grandmother and lay down on it. Her heels were sore from all the standing but she was too exhausted to do something about it.

It wasn't too late into the night but they slept early. She was always very tired and there wasn't any other source of entertainment. Their TV after one lightning had stopped turning on and Kirti had never gotten it fixed. Too much of an expense! Anyways, there was nothing good on TV. 

As was her habit, she turned on her phone chat to see if anyone had messaged.

Tejas' 'Can't wait for tomorrow' had been her last message received which was understandable since her list of contacts was too small. Keeping away her phone, she slipped into a fitful sleep dreaming about confessing to her best friend numerous times, and each time he had a different reaction. 

 [NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]