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Chapter 49
When he came out to the living room, Simran had somehow pacified her and she was no longer crying. Seeing him approach them brought the memories of new years eve in her mind and her heart started beating faster...her chest rising and falling in rapid breaths making her look away. He was going to sit with them for a few but seeing her react to his approach in such a manner made him want to run away from there..."I have a meeting which I forgot about. I'm going to have to leave soon.." he said as he went to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee. He looked back at them and saw Simran flashing anger while saying "We were going to have brunch together...that's why I got up so early. And now you are ditching us?" She hated it when people changed their plans without informing others involved.
If he had not heard what she had said before, he would have thought that she was probably genuinely angry at him for leaving...but he thought otherwise...he abandoned making his coffee and walked back to the living room to say "I'm sorry Simi...next time" He allowed himself one look of her before walking out of Aditya's suffocating apartment...
And that's how the next few days had passed...he avoided being around them and made sure he was not alone with her at any time even if he happened to meet them. It had pained him to stay away from her but had pained him more to be in company of her and not talk to her.
It pained her even greater...she was quick to realize that he had distanced himself from them so abruptly and without notice...it left her perplexed and disappointed. She had been hoping for things to start between them...but now she felt that she was probably expecting too much out of him. Normally this behavior would have angered her, but for some unknown reason what registered in her was hurt...Not being able to bear the unexpected and unnecessary parting from him, she spent most of her weekends with the Malhotras...
...while having lost the company of his good friends, he spent most of his time with Naina. She had become his solace, his healer and his companion. She listened to hours of his endless distress without complaining...all the while drinking her silent tears from her own heartbreak...but appeared to be perfectly normal in front of him. She urged him many times to talk to her but he was adamant to keep away...
It was one such weekend that the Malhotras were to be on their way to their AID BOSTON meeting when Keerti dropped by to surprise them. She had taken the train to get to them and got a big lecture from each of them...one by one. They asked if she would like to be a part of it and she readily agreed. She had always wanted to do some kind of social service and was not going to let it pass when the opportunity knock on her door. The Malhotras had been very much involved in the group's activities and had been a part of it for quite some years.
They got there and introduced her to the coordinator, April Smith. She had been managing the activities of this group for over 9 years ever since she was first introduced to it by one of her friends. April was more than happy to welcome another member into their small but active and energetic group. They were all seated in front of April who was going to brief them about their upcoming annual fund-raising event. As the meeting started, Sharan spoke up to interrupt April reminding her "We are still missing one person..."
"Not any more" came the reply quite immediately and everyone looked over at the entrance to see Rohan walk in with Naina. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him unexpectedly and so did his when he spotted her there with the Malhotra's...
A wide smile crept on April's face as she saw him walk over..."Aah...one more new member today. It must be our lucky day that two beautiful girls have decided to join us..."
As she looked on, he and Sharan slapped each others hands before getting into a friendly hug..."Missed you man..where have you been?" Sharan said with earnestness and he only shrugged while smiling...not giving him a reply. She widened her eyes at their camaraderie...They know each other? This well? He hugged the other members present there as he introduced Naina to everyone and finally came over to Mira and Ravi to touch their feet...which truly touched her heart.
She got to see a totally different side of him...seeing him interact with these folks she thought things might change between them a ray of hope rose in her as he smiled at her and said "What a pleasant surprise...good to see you here..."
"Great to see you Rohan...and Naina" she looked over to send a genuine smile towards Naina who was standing right behind him...and she smiled right back at her. As the meeting progressed she wondered how many more surprises he was going to give her...while he thought of how he was going to stay away from her if she happened to take active part here...
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