ArHi SS: Inertia [Completed] - Page 31

Chapter 12: Summer's End

She looked out of the window as clouds descended over the horizon and the breeze gave up some of its intensity. The long hot summer was slowly coming to an end and her job had ended less than a week ago. Venkat had given her substantial amount as her salary much to her surprise.

"You have no idea how much help you have been, Khushi. Never underestimate the contribution you make to society around you. You deserve this and much more." He had petted her head. Without giving more room for argument he changed the subject. "What do you think about archaeology and history after three months of working with some?"

Khushi smiled. "We think all that's necessary for humanity to move forward is innovation, science and technology. We forget that these things cannot exist alongside of us without some liaison. Art, history, social sciences...they are all there to make us better as human beings. To make us rethink of our actions in the past when faced with similar challenge."

Khushi pocketed the envelope with her salary in it and stood up. She extended her hand politely to an amused Venkat. "Thank you for making me a better person." She said sincerely.

Venkat's expression softened. "I would love to visit you from time to time. Is that okay?" She asked, standing on the other side of the door.

"Of course Khushi." Venkat replied immediately. Khushi nodded and walked out.

A moment later Khushi stopped walking and turned around. "Would you mind telling me about Leela if you encounter her again during your research? I will be doing my own research on her too."

Venkat was surprised at the request. "Sure. How come?" He asked, curiosity notwithstanding.

"One day, I will tell her story to the rest of the world." She replied.

She waved as she drove away from his house - her place of reprise and employment for a long time.

"Khushi?" She turned around to see Payal standing a feet away from her, worrying her lip.

"Sorry, I didn't see you come in. You said something?" She asked.

Payal wrung her hands and took a deep breath. "I getting books for this semester. Do you want to come along?"

Khushi nodded. "I will be ready in ten." She said and left Payal alone with her thoughts.

It wasn't uncommon for Payal to be silent for long stretches of time. It was however uncommon for Khushi to be silent for very long. She had struggled with rambling intentions at work. As archaeologists worked on sensitive sites, distractions could forever taint history by scratching a relic or breaking it before discovering it in full. It had taken her weeks to spit out the random thoughts that danced in her mind. After almost six weeks, she didn't feel words stuttering in her throat, trying to get out. It became a habit from then on.

"Have you bought supplies for the new semester?" Payal asked when silence went on for too long.

Khushi nodded. "I kept buying every now and then as I was around a lot. I am pretty much set for the rest of the year actually." She added distractedly as she searched for a spot to park the car.

"Oh." Payal replied, her voice small.

"You went shopping alone?" Payal asked browsing reference books for classes.

Khushi, who was flipping through a book looked up. "I wasn't always alone. Bunch of us used to go together after a movie or luncheon. Sometimes it was just Divya or Arnav or Venkat."

"How come you never called me to go with you?" Payal blurted.

Khushi looked surprised at that. "What?"

"After last time, I thought we could hang out again. But you never seemed to have time. And you never called me either even after I told you that I would always come when you called me." Payal replied bitterly.

Khushi threw the book on shelf making several books lose their place and fall from shelf. It was blasphemy in her world but at the moment she was too irritated to care.

"Yes. You told me you will hang out with me when I called because I would call you only if it was important. Remember that Payal? That little caveat you added at the end of your speech? You made it surprisingly clear that your understanding and expectation from me was that of necessity of a shared home and parents. I should call you if there was something important - not when I wanted to just because I was having a bad day or I was bored. But important so that you do your part in being related to me. So no Payal. No, I didn't think shopping for supplies was important enough for you to drop your plans for me so I didn't bother as I clearly don't understand what it's like to have awesome people around me all the time. I went with my friends instead." Khushi replied acidly.

Payal looked stricken at that. "Are you finished?" Khushi asked dully. When Payal didn't respond, she added. "I will be at the front. Come out when you are done." She said and walked away.

Khushi blamed herself for letting this steep for such a long time. She should have confronted at the stupidity of Payal's argument when it was made (Chapter 05 :=)) instead of dwelling on it and succumbing to her own insecurities. She had steadfast belief that the friendship she had shared with Payal was going to last forever irrespective of what happened between them. She failed to realize that when things get fractured, tiny bits of fragments chip away. Nothing is never good as new once they are broken irrespective of how wonderfully they heal.

"Let's go." She heard Payal's soft words wafting close by and without looking back, she walked towards exit. She felt incredibly tired at the whole thing. They had been doing well with small talk and going out with their parents.

"I didn't mean it that way, you know?" Payal said, her voice a mere whisper. She was standing on threshold of Khushi's room that was surprisingly neat and organized.

"What?" Khushi asked, looking up from the book she was reading. Payal was surprised to see Khushi read a non-fiction book. Khushi had always bemoaned reading something just to know. She preferred Wikipedia over non-fiction books. Yet, her she was reading some book about Armenian genocide.

"I messed up." Payal confessed, instead of offering an explanation to things she had said. There was no need to give an explanation or justification for the words she had said. She had come to terms with the gravity of her mistake on the drive back home. She realized why Khushi rarely initiated any sort of contact between them. It was just because Khushi didn't want to be rejected again. And that had happened so many times in the past that Khushi had given up. And that thought had sent Payal to a frenzy.

"I want to fix it." Payal said again taking Khushi's hands in hers. "I want to fix us." She added desperately.

"You didn't handle our previous conversation well. And I didn't handle it better either. I should have talked to you more instead of sitting ignoring it." Khushi squeezed her sister's hands. "We will work on it, okay?" Khushi said and wiped Payal's tears.

After moments of silence Khushi asked. "Some friends and I are going to a play tonight. Do you want to come?"

Payal looked at Khushi and smiled. "I would love to."

Khushi ducked her head and smiled wanly. "I want you to meet Arnav. As my boyfriend." She said, softly.

"I will look forward to giving him the big sister talk." Payal grinned.

Khushi laughed.

They weren't okay by long shot. But they were invested in making them okay.

Khushi laughed again when Payal jumped listening to thunder striking in the skies. It was the first sign that indicated summer was coming to an end and it would be monsoon soon.

Khushi looked at Payal who was flipping through the book she was earlier reading and was making little comments. She knew this wasn't the last time they had a fight. There would be more fights, more arguments and more disconcertments to come in future. But that was future.

For now it was great that they were both willing to try to work on their relationship. To be better people. To be better siblings. To be better family. To be better friends.

Khushi relaxed back in her bed lulled by Payal's voice and pitter patter of raindrops hitting her bedroom window and ground below.