What is more important

Reunion

Sameen feels uncomfortable at granny’s words, while Vijay feels embarrassed and shy at the same time. He blushes, which annoys Sameen. Sameen rolls her eyes and Vijay says immediately: “Hey! Do not roll eyes at me.” Sameen says, “Whatever” and rolls her eyes again, at which both of them start giggling. Soon granny comes with food.

Vijay: “Why are you serving? Where are other people?”

Granny: “I thought I should serve my favourite people myself.” She puts the food on the table, moves closer to Vijay’s ears and says: “I have made a special dish for her, hope it reaches her heart.” She giggles and then winks at him. Vijay smiles and blushes again. It is for a moment and if one is not paying attention, then they will think that it is a misunderstanding or an illusion. He is trying to handle his emotions and composure now. Granny leaves and Vijay now pays his attention to Sameen: “Should we start?”

Sameen: “Sure. I am really hungry now.”

They put food on their plates and start eating. Sameen: “It is amazing. I am loving it.” She enjoys the food, closes her eyes and try to savor each and every flavor. Vijay is enjoying the moment as well as food. He responds to her by saying: “It is good.” Once they are done with food, Vijay asks: “Would you like to have dessert?”

Sameen: “I would love to.”

He goes over to the counter and asks granny for dessert. She puts two plates on the counter with some chocolate dessert on them and says: “Go and serve her. I sense that it is hard to get her but once you get her heart and you protect it, she will always be there for you. She is a tough lady, and I am liking that.” Vijay thanks granny lifts the plates and go to the table.

Sameen: “You should have told me, and I would have helped you.”

Vijay: “They are just plates and I think I am strong enough to pick them up.”

Sameen: “You are athletic.” Vijay puts the plates on the table and sits down. Samee continues: “It is beautiful. You like chocolate?”

Vijay: “Why?”

Sameen: “In the evening, you only picked up the chocolate cake slice and now this is also chocolate, so I thought you like it.”

Vijay: “I like it. I love desserts overall. I love eating and making desserts.”

Sameen: “So, you cook?”

Vijay: “I make desserts and I like to do BBQ. Do you cook?”

Sameen: “I am useless, man. I do not know how to do a lot of stuff. However, I am trying to learn. I can do outdoor work like driving, dealing with land, helping dad with his work, and sometimes helping mom in shopping.”

Vijay: “That’s cool. I do almost all these tasks in addition to cooking.”

Sameen: “by the way, that is cool.”

After getting done with dinner, when the bill arrives, a small fight erupts. As soon as Vijay is about to pay the bills, Sameen gets the bill from his hand and says: “I will pay it.”

Vijay: “I must pay it. You are my guest here.”

Sameen: “Back home, you said this was my home too; hence’ I am not a guest. I will be paying the bills. Come with some good excuse.”

Vijay: “I am older.”

Sameen: “Does that give you some license to pay the bills?”

Vijay: “Sameen, you are family as you said, but you are coming here for the first time, and I should be the one to pay the bills. I know you are super rich and independent, and you can buy your own diamonds and you do not need any other person to help you and I appreciate that, but let me do this for once.”

Sameen: “I also know that you are super rich and have a lot of money in your bank and you are full of consciousness, and you are a respectable man and I appreciate that and like that too, but I am moving back, and you never came to the US so consider this one for that.”

Vijay: “Let me pay for this one and you can pay for the next one. Whenever we come out.”

Sameen: “Why don’t we split it? We will both be able to hold our sides then.”

Vijay: “Ok.”

They pay the bills and move toward granny to say goodbye. Sameen extends her hand while the old lady takes her in her embrace and whispers in her ear: “This is the first time I am seeing this kid with a girl. You must be a special and nice choice.” She then let go of her and hugs Vijay. Sameen blushes at the comment but is embarrassed at the same time. They are about to leave the café and are wearing their coats when granny calls out: “Have fun guys and nice brooches.”

Both of them say: “Thank you” in unison. They then say goodbye and leave.

They walk on the road for a long time in silence. Vijay’s hands are in his pockets while Sameen has them crossed over her chest. To break the ice, Sameen says: “Thank you for today. It was fun.”

Vijay: “Welcome.” Silence prevails again. In streets full of hustle and bustle, the silence is dominant. It appears as if each of them is in deep thoughts. No one knows what they are thinking and what they are thinking of doing. After a while, Vijay asks: “I am sorry for what granny said. I noticed your discomfort. She is just like that. She was just kidding. I am sorry.”

Sameen: “That was awkward, but you do not have to be sorry. It is fine. She is a sweet lady. I like her and she has been good till now.”

Vijay: “Till now?”

Sameen: “People change eventually, and I do not like setting up hopes. She has been good to me till now. I do not know how things will turn out to be tomorrow.”

Vijay: “You think people change?”

Sameen: “No, circumstances change which make people act differently, but that change of behaviour can influence you badly if you do not have your guard up. We all should be aware of the risk that every decision and relationship carries. It is a bit of a complicated ideology, but I have got used to it and I know how to deal with it. Like the degree to which I should associate the risk and all.” She giggles and then continues: “It is complicated, and I am trying to make sense, but I am unable to do that.” She smiles again.

Vijay: “I thought I was the smartest one, but seriously, I did not get it. But I will try if you can explain it a bit more.”

Sameen: “I will explain it all. Whenever you have time, you can tell me or write to me. You can ask questions and I will answer them all.”

Vijay: “It has been a long time since we last wrote to each other. I have one question if you do not mind.”

Sameen: “Yes.”

Vijay: “Why did you stop writing?”

Sameen sighs and then continues: “Promise me you will not laugh at me.”

Vijay: “Why would I?”

Sameen: “So, you promise?”

Vijay: “I do.”

Sameen: “I thought that you had other people in your life, and I should not press you by writing to you. You had a lot of work and people here. I thought it was like wasting your time, which I did not wish to do.” She says all this while looking down as they are walking.

Vijay stops and stands in front of her. They are now standing face to face. Vijay was not expecting this kind of reply. He says in the lowest voice with a lot of care in his tone: “You thought that someone would take your place in my life, and you just raised your guards against me?”

Sameen looks down: “I thought you should have your space.”

Vijay: “It was my life Sameen. I should have been the one to decide that.”

Sameen: “I am sorry.”

Vijay: “Sameen, I just want you to know that I will always be there for you. No one can take your place in my life. Not today and never in the future. You were my first friend ever and no one forgets their first time. You mean a lot to me, Sameen, and words can’t do justice to what I feel for you. I wish that you are the only Luthra to my Gujrial.”

Sameen: "Dad asked me to always be with you and always be there for you. Therefore, I will always be there for you too. Also, does this mean that you are not angry with me and you are still my friend?"

Vijay: "I was never angry with you and I am and I always will be your friend."