Pavasali Ichha
The rains were no longer hated by her
She sat on her bed opened the window a crack and texted back and forth with him for an hour until Noonish
The skies darkened and cleared up and darkened all over again
The smell of moist earth wafted through her windows
The shower spray soaked her skin with the col mist
The water dripping off her chin causing Aadhya to pause her game and sidle up by her
And try to cup her hands and catch the downpour
"Khaana kya bana hai aapke ghar?" he asked politely
"Wo jo nai kha sakte"
"Aisa khaana kyon jo kha nahi saktin?" he asked innocently
He made her smile again
"Means... fish" she said
"Can u live without fish?" he asked
"For how long?" she asked back
" two weeks?" she offered
" A month?" he countered
"Thats too long" she said
They both sighed audibly at their phone
Satisfied...
Yeah... a month would be too long
"Sister gai?" she asked
"Ruchi hain abhi... Pushkar zaroor jaana chahte hain" he said
"He does not like?" she asked
"He only likes his wife" Neel responded
"Thats good" Suvi said with a twinge of jealousy "what is she doing?" Suvi asked curiously
"Her boys keep her on her toes, Amma made gujiya for breakfast, and aloo parantha... baarish hai, sabne hafte bhar ka khaaya aur TV ke saamne lete hain" he said
She groaned wondering how it would be to have kids running around and sit in the midst of family
"Mast" she said politely
"U shud come meet her"
"At ur house?" she asked panicking
"I was hoping..." he said
"She has come to meet you, " she stopped after the comma
He could read what was unwritted
He assumed it to be "Ur mother is in town Id rather not come meet Ruchi when your Amma is visiting"
"Monday ko lunch par milenge unhe?" he asked
"With you?" she asked
"U were thinking without?" he asked her back, and sent a smiley
She blushed and shook her head frantically at the phone
"Nai nai... barobar hai" she said
"Humse milna barobar hai ya unse?" he asked
"Tell her i said hello" Suvi said nervously
"She is very charming and friendly" he tempted her
"kabhi milegi mai usko... Monday I have too many meetings
"She can meet u for dinner" he offered
"My house?" she asked her heart thudding
"Wud u prefer a restaurant?" he asked
He was eager for them to meet
She was too
She craved for family he was making it hard to resist
everything about him was irresistible to her
Family, food, the togetherness, the camaraderie, the socializing, the closeness the bond he shared
She struggled to connect with the only sibling she had... the only living family
And here he was, dangling this pipe dream...
"I have not had gujiya" she said for the first time ever articulating a desire, making a demand
He didnt respond... she stared at the phone and got up to go eat
Fed her daughter, as it continued to rain
Tai ate half of what she had made and snored on the low divan in the living room she went to bed in the quiet dark apartment, darker because of the grey skies
She lay down looking out the window... wondering where the rains came from
Her phone buzzed
"Hum agar gujiya laaye to kya dengi aap hamey?" he asked
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