Girl Friday

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 24

Arav

I looked at my brothers who were whispering something to each other quietly completely ignoring me . I invited them to have lunch with me today as I was feeling very low. In fact I have been feeling low for five days straight now. I know why Anjali left. I didn’t try to stop her because it is not my decision to make. She demanded answers and I gave her, genuinely. When she left my studio the other day, I felt she didn’t hold it against me. As far as she understands my intentions are clean, I am good. Frankly, I didn’t want her working in Malhotra Industries anymore anyway. With me declaring in front of my father that Anjali is my girlfriend (mind it without first confessing to her) he will try his best to make her life hell. I cannot put Anjali through it. Girlfriend or not she deserves more respect and safety.

That didn’t stop me from sulking though. Anjali has not contacted me since then, not even a message. Good Morning I had sent four days ago and no blue tick still. What does that mean? She has not been online since or is she deliberately avoiding me?

“Okay, Yash what is it?” I asked

“Umm..” he began to say. “I was just asking bhaiya why Anjali left.”

“How does it matter?” I asked narrowing my eyebrows.

“There has to be some solid reason for Anjali going back to her parents, right?’”

“What?” I asked.

Anjali has gone back to her hometown. Why? She left Mumbai and she didn’t even inform me.

“How do you know, Yash?” I asked

Yash took out his phone clicking on few icons before he showed it to me. “Rishab’s i********: post.” Said Yash

It was a picture of Anjali with her parents and Rishab. The caption read ‘Back with sweet family after long time.’

Is it a casual visit as it sounds or has Anjali shifted completely? Will she do it? Anjali loved Mumbai and working here. So, she is not gone forever, I guess. But why didn’t she tell me anything about it?

“Arav” called Rohan. “What are you thinking?” he asked

“Nothing.” I said nodding my head.

From Rohan’s look I could guess he was not satisfied with the answer and wanted to talk more about it, but he didn’t push, instead he easily changed the topic of discussion.

“Are you memorizing the scene to paint it?” asked Rohan as I stood near the window looking at a flower.

“No, was just thinking.” I said. Turning to face Rohan, I noticed him with his hands inside pocket staring at me pointedly. “Where is Yash?” I asked.

“He has got some work. Gone back to office.” Said Rohan walking to the bean bag and settling himself comfortably.

“He has work and you don’t?” I asked curiously

Rohan shrugged. “I can take some time to spend with my brother.”

I know Rohan wanted to talk. It was clear by the way he was sitting nonchalantly with his watch and phone thrown casually on the table and his sleeves pulled up. I smiled at his concern to know my plight.

“Okay.” I said as I sat in front of him. “What do you want to talk?” I asked though I already know the answer.

“Nothing. Do you want to talk?” he asked

“No.”

“No? Really! Nothing at all?” he asked

“No.” I said again

Rohan was about to say something but decided against it as he leaned back with a disappointed face.

I chuckled before I asked, “I guess I do want to talk something.”

“Sure, I am all ears.” He remarked moving forward in his chair.

“What was it like when you were courting bhabhi?”

Rohan looked at me narrowing my eyes. “Why?”

“Curious.” I said shrugging.

“What was it like?” he made a thoughtful face. “Was very good.” He answered.

“Rohan.” I said shaking my head. “Who realized the feelings first? I know you proposed, but before proposing how sure you that she will accept were?”

“Well...” he drawled as if trying to recollect something. “We started dating casually. Once we got to know each other everything felt so right. We never discussed which the point of realization was. I think it was always there somewhere deep within. So, while proposing I already kind of knew she will say yes. I didn’t think it could go other way.”

“What made you so sure?”

“Just instinct, I guess.” He answered

I leaned back on the chair processing what Rohan just said. How strong is my instinct about Anjali?

“Arav, what are you thinking about?” asked Rohan

“Can I tell you something and trust you to keep it a secret from Riya bhabhi and Yash as well?” I asked in a voice straight enough to put through seriousness

Rohan frowned confused, because never before I have kept secrets from either of my brothers. So, now asking one to hide something about me from another did sound suspicious even to me. But, Yash can be All India Radio when he wants to be. What he is trying to do between me and Anjali even before knowing one of our feelings surely is mad. So, I can’t imagine what he will end up doing if I reveal what I feel about Anjali.

“Rohan, I.... I think.... I mean not think, I am kinda sure that I have feelings for Anjali.” I confessed looking at my brother.

His face changed serious a minute before it broke into a wide grin and then he chuckled followed by a laugh. “What?” I asked lifting my shoulder.

“I always knew.” He said.

That was obvious with the way they kept teasing me. But, isn’t hearing it from me directly different?

“So, you haven’t told her yet?” he asked

I tilted my head unsure. “I guess she likes me too, but not sure.”

“Arav, you can never be 100% sure about a girl’s feelings. You just have to go with your instinct.”

“She keeps giving me mixed signals, Rohan.” I said sighing. “Sometimes, she is attentive, caring, acts possessive and all. And sometimes she is indifferent as if she is trying to ignore me. Doesn’t call, never leaves a message and acts as if we are just acquaintances. Other times she is totally into me, fussing about me, cutely craving for my acceptance and kiss... ”

“Kiss?” asked Rohan surprised  

“Just cheek kiss.” I said with a straight face making him chuckle. “So yeah what am I supposed to infer?”

“Is it because she left the job?” he asked

I clicked my tongue saying ‘No’. “She didn’t’ even send me one text in these five days. She is in her hometown with her parents and I don’t even know that until some social network post tells me.”

“Why do you expect her to give minute by minute update of her life?” he asked

“I don’t expect that, but we are friends. She can inform me about her whereabouts.” I said

“How many friends do you inform about your whereabouts?” Rohan asked. “Forget friends, do you give me, your brother, the details about your life?”

He made sense, he truly did. But, everything is completely different when it comes to Anjali. I have never been nosy even with my own brothers. But, when it is Anjali, I want to know everything. A part of me wants to be completely aware of everything about her. I want her to be safe and happy. I have this urge to make sure both of that all the time.

“Give both of you some time, Arav.” Rohan said. “You both have always been in front of each other a lot. I guess that messes up the system. You both need a break. She is with her family.  She must be having a great time. I am sure she will come back to Mumbai, when she does, you both can sort out things, okay?” he sounded easy

I nodded affirmatively. “I am thinking of all this too much. I do need a break.” I agreed

“Was I helpful?” Rohan asked

I nodded with a smile.

“Good, now please quicken the process of making that painting Riya’s aunt asked for. She keeps calling everyday” he requested.

I laughed at his expression before I said, “Let’s go, I will show you that painting.”

I was packing the painting that Riya bhabhi’s aunt requested neatly. If Anjali was here she would have had at least three arguments with me before letting me complete the work. God! why can’t I stop thinking about her? Everything remains me of her only. Even a simple candy takes me back to the memory of her bringing in a big glass bottle of candy and fighting with me only because I pooped couple of them in without her permission. God! I miss her. If only I could make her understand everything I feel about her.

It was one in the morning, when I locked the studio and walked to my car. Loud ringing of my phone amidst the otherwise quiet atmosphere startled me a bit.

‘Anjali’ read the caller ID.

I must be hallucinating. There cannot be another reason for her calling me at this hour. Maybe it is someone from home calling to know when I will return. It cannot be her.

“Hello... Arav.” Till the moment I heard her voice I was convinced it cannot be her.

“Anjali?” I asked surprised.