CHAPTER 20
The car pulled over infront of the entrence and Suhasini got down. Adarsh wondered if she had seen them. She quickly entered the house without even glancing at them. She seemed too lost in her own thoughts to notice them. Adarsh gave a sigh of relief.
"How long are we going to play this game of hide and seek. I sometimes feel like going straightaway infront of them and confess everything."
Swadheenta said impatiently
"I understand your frustration, but it is easier said than done. What shall we tell them.. that since we two are in love, they must break their own relationship? You know we would never be able to do that."
Adarsh said helplessly.
"Fine then..what is your next move?"
Swadheenta asked
"I have not yet thought about that. First I have to deal with Mom. I don't know how she is going react seeing your Appa here. I did not get the chance to inform her about it. Let's go inside"
Saying this he proceeded towards the house.
Meanwhile Suhasini had gone straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She was unable to get over her Chennai experience. She needed some time to cool herself down. As soon as she entered the kitchen she got another jolt.
"What are you doing in the kitchen Simmi?"
She asked her daughter in law who was trying to understand the mechanism to the pressure cooker.
"Oh Mom , thank God you are back. I am unable to figure out how to operate this thing. Please help me."
Simmi said
"But why do you need to use it all of a sudden?"
Suhasini asked, puzzled.
"I have to make khichdi for Mr. Ramakrishnan. The cook has not yet arrived, and the doctor has asked to give him something light to eat. Abhay is also..."
Simmi was stopped midway by her mother in law.
"Wait a minute. Mr. Ramakrishan means Vijay? What is he doing here? And which doctor are you talking about?"
Suhasini could not understand what was going on
"Adarsh Bhaiya did not tell you? Mr. Ramakrishnan sneaked inside our house last night to meet you but we mistook him for a thief. And Abhay knocked him out. "
Simmi couldn't help stealing a chuckle
"Oh my God! Where is he ? Is he alright now? This Abhay.."
Suhasini asked
"He is there in the guest room. Don't worry, the doctor said everything is fine. Please don't scold Abhay. He has left early for work today because he was afraid you might blast him on knowing ..."
Before she could finish Suhasini had stormed out towards the guest room.
"Suhasini"
Mr. Ramakrishnan's face brightened up on seeing her.
Suhasini walked up to him and said,
"I am really sorry for what happened. But why did you come here so late in the night?"
"I wanted to say sorry for treating you so badly when you were only trying to help. I have realised my mistake. So wanted to come here and apologise in person. But things did not go as planned and I am here."
Mr. Ramakrishnan smiled
"You came all the way to Delhi just to say sorry? You know you just got out of a serious illness. Sometimes you behave like a kid."
Suhasini smiled back but her eyes had turned moist at his warm gesture.
"So you are not angry with me?"
He asked
"No"
Suhasini got up.
"But where are you going?"
Mr. Ramakrishnan was surprised with this brief reply.
"Let me go and get something for you to eat. I don't know what Simmi is doing."
Suhasini hurried out after saying.
Adarsh and Swadheenta were eavesdropping on this conversation. After Suhasini left Adarsh said,
"They make up so easily. How are we ever going to break them up. Swadheenta.. does your Appa have any bad qualities? Something that can irritate my Mom to no end. Does he snore in his sleep?"
"Shut up Adarsh. Don't say anything agaisnt my Appa."
Swadheenta said indignantly
"Why are you getting so worked up. I was just trying to find a solution."
Adarsh answed in annoyance
"Oh my God ! you brought this girl home?"
Both of them were shocked to find Mrs. Ahuja at the door, looking suspisciously at them.
"No Lata Aunty, it's not what you are thinking, she is just a friend."
Adarsh tried to explain
"That I will find out very soon what kind of friend she is. Let me talk to Suhasini ji first."
Mrs. Ahuja said firmly.
"What happened Lataji, you are looking very restless. "
Suhasini came there hearing the commotion
"Your son has brought her girlfriend home and you are fine with that? I don't think you were so kind with my daughter."
Mrs. Ahuja said accusingly
"Please Lataji, let bygones be bygones, but what grilfriend are you talking about?"
Suhasini asked a bit confused
"This girl,"
Mrs. Ahuja pointed towards where Adarsh and Swadheenta were standing but was surprised to find only Adarsh there.
"No one is here Lata Aunty. Please don't mind but I guess you were day dreaming"
Adarsh said innocently. He had asked Swadheenta to slip out silently when Mrs. Ahuja was busy with his mother.
Mrs. Ahuja was puzzled. She tried to convince Suhasini
"I swear Suhasiniji, the girl was here"
"Doesn't matter, I think you should go and meet Simmi. She is in the guest room"
Suhasini pointed towards the room. She had sent Simmi to give soup to Mr. Ramakrishnan.
Mrs. Ahuja went there, but came out within moments followed by Simmi
"Suhasini ji, I never expected this from you. That man is living with you in this house. What kind of a family is this!"
"He is just a guest here. You are misunderstanding the whole situation"
Adarsh said angrily.
Suhasini went to Simmi and whispered,
"Please get your mother out of here quickly, else I don't know what I will do if I hear another word of her nonsense"
Simmi understood her mother in law was serious. She held her mother's hand and literally dragged her outside,
"Come with me Mummy, I will explain everything"
When they left Suhasini asked Adarsh,
"What girl was she talking about?"
"No one Mom. I told na, she has been imagining things"
Adarsh fumbled
"Hmm...I see. You must be getting late for office. Go and get ready."
Saying this she left.
"Suhasini, is there anything that has been bothering you of late?"
Mr. Ramakrishan asked Suhasini who was sitting quietly on a chair lost in her own thoughts. She had not talked to him much other than enquiring about his health.
"Viju, did Swadheenta come to see you today?"
Suhasini asked
"Yes, she left just before you came."
Mr. Ramakrishnan said. Then he asked,
"Was she supposed to meet you?"
"No..no. Nothing like that. Just asking. Excuse me for a moment."
Suhasini didn't want to bother him. She took her phone and went out. Then she dialled Swadheenta's number.
"Hello, Swadheenta"
Swadheenta: "Yes Mam, I meant to call you but ..."
Suhasini: "That's ok. I am really sorry for what happened to your father."
Swadheenta: "No Mam, you need not say sorry. Infact I am grateful that you all have taken care of him so well"
Suhasini : "It was our duty. We are responsible for putting him through this. Anyways, I was thinking why don't you join us for lunch tomorrow. Vijay will be very happy to see you."
Swadheenta: "But Mam, how can I...I mean.. "
Suhasini : "Come on Swadheenta...we are not going to eat you up. Tomorrow I will pick you up from the court after the hearing. I don't want to hear any excuses"
Swadheenta: "Ok Mam..I will be ready"
Suhasini: "Great..see you tomorrow then"
Suhasini put down the phone. She remembered how Swadheenta had come running frantically to the hospital after Adarsh was injured. She had not failed to notice her moist eyes. Then the file vanishing suddenly and Simmi bringing it back but not before a misunderstanding was created between her and Vijay. And today the girl with whom Mrs. Ahuja had seen Adarsh. Was it Swadheenta ? Was there any relation between all these ? She hoped to get the answers with tomorrow's meeting.
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