**Replies to your comments begin from page 27. Those who have asked any questions in their comments, I do recommend you to take the effort of reading what I replied.14. Bonds Beyond Blood
I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears with my hands. Anaya and Raya had met today and in all their joy, they were screaming loud enough for me to want to remind them that we were in a residential building where apartments were close together and any noises could be heard through the walls. Their squealing was sure to bring a complain or two my way.
While they caught up with the latest happenings of each other's lives, I went to make some coffee. When I went back to them with the coffee, Anaya was trying to convince Raya for something.
"I was thinking we could go shopping today since Ayush is at home with the kids and I have time, and you're off from office too, but she wouldn't agree." Anaya complained to me when I queried about the matter.
"Raunaq has called me to meet him in about half an hour so we can finalise the house, so I can't come." Raya gave her own explanation, which couldn't be argued upon. Raunaq had been gone since morning for the same reason, so taking Raya along for shopping today was out of the question.
"Can't we go some other day?" I tried to find some middle way but Anaya couldn't agree on that. She hardly got any time from the children and now that she miraculously had some, she was desperate to shop some stuff. After some discussion, we decided that Raya would go for her own business while Anaya and I would go shopping.
I remembered Anaya to be a quick shopper. The tomboy she had been, she didn't like to spend time the way usual girls did but now, shopping was a reprieve for her and she took her own sweet time to look at things and decide what she wanted to buy. I accompanied her to various shops while she bought stuff for herself, Ayush and the kids. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I shopped some things for myself too.
"I'm so tired I'm going to snore tonight!" She exclaimed when we finally sat down in the food court after hours of walking around.
"Tell Ayush to record it if you do. I'd love to listen to that!" I laughed as her eyes narrowed in mock anger.
We chatted about random things as we bit into the cream rolls and sipped tea.
"Do you want to say something?" I probed her when I felt her hesitating more than once.
"I was on phone with Mrs. Khurana the other day." She began slowly while her eyes were fixed on my face. "I mentioned to her that you're here and..."
I nodded to her in encouragement when she trailed off.
"She said she wanted to meet you." I stiffened, even though I had seen that coming. Mrs. Khurana was Maan's mother. How was I going to look her in the eye after having broken her son's heart? Did she want to meet me to ask me why I had done so?
"Geet." She gently held my hand, seeing me in a fix. "She really wants to meet you. I even refused her but she was insistent that I take you to meet her."
"Why? Because of...?" I could not complete my question but the message was through because she shook her head.
"Look Geet. I have never asked you or Maan about what happened to change things so much. You both are very dear friends to me. Individually. I would never want to let my friendship with either of you suffer because of what happened between you two." She was explaining softly while I had my eyes trained on the table. "In the same way, you and Mrs. Khurana formed a bond which was totally separate from all bonds you shared with anyone else. It is only for the sake of that bond that she wants to meet you, Geet."
I couldn't deny a word Anaya had said. I mulled over the idea of meeting Mrs. Khurana. I remembered her to be the loving and caring woman who had showered me with her kindness even though I wasn't related to her. I couldn't deny her wish of seeing me, could I?
"Alright, Anaya." I looked up at her. "I'll go with you to meet her. Whenever you say."
She squeezed my hand. "You won't regret it, I promise." I just smiled. I hoped so too.
Edited by mayyo - 11 years ago
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