Reason to Love

7. A key for the lock

Next day Sridhar and Madhavi were arranging plate of food for Aadhira, though they know her disinterest towards the food somewhere they believe that she will come back. This belief makes them not to stop their efforts to bring her back. Once the plate was ready Madhavi was about to go to Aadhira's room but the bell at the door made her to stop in her tracks whereas Sridhar turned to attend the door. There was a man standing in his height of around 5.7 to 5.9 with a well manitained body in brown shirt neatly ironed and tucked in his white pant with shinning black shoes. Wearing black glass and a bluetooth on his left ear gave him a perfect appearence of an officer. His presence made Sridhar confused for a moment before he realized with a suprised smile.

"Hi Mr. Arjun, what a surprise?" Sridhar smiled slightly and extended his hand for a handshake to which Mr. Arjun too extended his hand for a firm handshake with the same smile. Mr. Arjun was a good friend and colleague of his brother-in-law(Harivardhan). He had met him few times when he had been to Nilgiris, he had seen him last at the funeral of his sister and brother-in-law. So his sudden appearance after six months suprised him, he thinks that Arjun's presence is something related to his brother-in-law.

Sridhar invited him inside, Madhavi welcomed him and returned to kitchen to prepare tea for the guest.

"How have you all being?" Arjun asked with a concern voice. The loss of his friend was dreadful for him, apart from the job they became family friends after dealing few cases together. He wanted to strip the skin of that rival alive but Sridhar made it before him, however he was satisfied and didn't question his action because he too wanted to the same for his friend.

"I can't say we are good but almost trying to move on, but Aadhira..."he sighed and closed his eyes with worriness.

Arjun can understand how much his friend's daughter would be affected as she was more attached to them.

"yeah I can understand, infact I came here for her" Arjun replied coming staright to the point for the purpose of his visit.

"That means? " Sridhar asked with confusion.Meanwhile Madhavi reached both the men with two cups of tea.

"I wanted to meet her to give some thing which is related to her parents" Arjun told him looking straight at him.

"May I know what that would be?" Sridhar asked raising his eyebrow.

" There is a CD which is to be given to Aadhira as per her parents wish" he replied while sipping his tea.

Sridhar didn't understand, he could have given it on the day of funeral, instead why did he bring it now?that to after six months of their death or why did her parents didn't give it to her straightly? his brain was now flooded with many doubts.

"what is there in that CD?" Sridhar wanted to know this.

"It's something her parents wanted her to know" Arjun replied shortly." Can I see her now?" he wanted to cut this conversation because it is not his place to tell the things which is in CD.

Sridhar understood his thoughts, so he didn't want to stress him on this.

Madhavi told Arjun about Aadhira's condition, she also told that she was about to take her food before his arrival. Three of them headed upstairs towards Aadhira's room.Once they opened her room they were invited by darkness. Madhavi switched on the light only to see Aadhira lying on her bed with wide open eyes with dry tears streamed cheeks. For two of them to see her like this was usual, but Arjun was completely shocked and worried at her condition. She had become weak and lean with thick dark circles around her eyes and messed hair. Suddenly he felt guilty, he thought that he should have brought this CD earlier to avoid her long suffering.

Arjun marched towards her in light steps. Sridhar decided to be a silent with some hope.

"Dear! Arjun uncle had visited to see you" Madhavi told her by caressing her head.

"Hi uncle" she greeted him with a sad smile.

"How are you doing dear?" he asked her with a smile, eventhough he knows, he wanted to make a conversation.

She didn't reply him instead she averted her gaze. Arjun sighed sadly before speaking again.

"Aadhi dear! your parents wanted to say to you something." He told her.

Aadhi's head snapped towards him immediately with tears welled eyes but didn't speak anything.

Arjun watched her intently for some response but he didn't receive anything. Hence he continued.

"Here are two CD's which your parents wanted to give you."he took out a blue cover from his pocket containing two CD's. Aadhira reached her hand to get the cover.

Sridhar was now confused, Arjun told him there is a CD but now he is giving her two CD's. Now he was curious to know about the CD's. Madhavi and Sridhar exchanged a look.

Arjun came near her and Madhavi moved little aside to give him space.

Arjun sat beside her on the bed before starting to speak. "Dear! I know how much you are suffering from this pain but life is not going to stop here. You have to move on, even your parents would not prefer to see you like this." Aadhi remained silent.

"you have a life to lead, you have people around you who need you in their life. I can understand that no one can replace your parents but still you have people around you who loves you."

"You must watch the CD's.Please think about it dear " he caressed her head before leaving the room.

Sridhar followed him out whereas Madhavi stayed back with food to feed her.

At living room,

"This CD will bring some change in her. Hari was an intelligent person and so he had created this CD." Arjun answered the unasked question of Sridhar.

"It will be a key to open the lock of her heart, it will better if she sees as soon as possible.Make sure that she sees it." Sridhar nodded at him.

"Can I know now about the CD" Sridhar wanted to know desperately.

"Yeah, infact you should also see that. It's just that I wanted to handover straightly in hands of Aadhira as it is my duty." Arjun replied with a slight smile and took his leave.