Part 10 - Him

I felt helpless as I watched from afar as she cried when they took her father away. My parents were both present as well as Arun and I had no way of comforting her.

"Anjali, I want you to come and stay with us" I was taken back as my mother suggested this that same afternoon.

"Oh no madam, I can't. I'm fine living here. Please don't go to all that trouble. She looked just as shocked as I felt. Ma and I had accompanied her home while papa and Arun had returned to work.

"I don't want you living here all alone Anjali, its no trouble. You can use the room Sayeeda slept in during Rahul's birth at home. You know the room down the hall next to the kitchen."

I wanted her to say yes. I also didn't like the idea of her staying all alone in this house. I couldn't voice an opinion on this in front of Ma so I stayed quiet.

"Madam please, I can't trouble you like this"

She was so stubborn! I was standing at the door watching Ma and Anjali talking in the small living room. The house was small and cosy. Her eyes met mine for a moment and she quickly looked away again.

"Anjali I won't take no for an answer, Pack some clothes now. We'll come back later for the rest. You're coming now; I really don't like the idea of you a lone here"

An hour later I drove the car up to the front of the house with Ma beside me in the front and to my pleasure Anjali sitting behind. Her eyes were red and swollen from all the crying, I just wanted to find a moment a lone with her to comfort her, but didn't find one that day.

Arun was waiting at home. He looked happy seeing the travel bag Anjali was carrying inside. Ma took her to her room and left her inside. I wanted to go in there but I knew it wasn't right, not now anyway. I let her have some space. But someone else didn't think so.

A couple of hours later I heard noises coming from down the hall. Ma had gone out to visit a friend and Arun had said he would be returning to work. It was raining heavily outside when I walked downstairs. Knowing it was Only Anjali and I in the house I wanted to check up on her.

But I heard noises as I emerged her room. I slowly turned the door knob and opened the door. Arun was sitting on the bed and Anjali was huddled against the wall and crying in the corner furthest away from him.

They both looked up and me as I entered the room. I felt rage beyond anything as I saw the smile on Arun's face.

"Hey little bro, come to join me?"

"Arun get out of here!" I replied warningly

"Or what? Going to bash me up again?"

"Get out!" I screamed. He was going too far!

He started laughing. "Okay okay, no need to get angry" he stood up and walked out of the room. That was way too easy I thought to myself, but I didn't care. I walked over to Anjali and kneeled down in front of her but I didn't have time to ask her anything, she immediately sprang into my arms. I held her as she shook violently. Her tears were burning holes right through my heart and I couldn't bear it.

Her

"What happened?"

"Rahul sir" I said unable to stop crying.

"What did he do to you Anjali?" He asked again patiently.

"Nothing" I replied. I hadn't had the chance to change into anything casual. I was still wearing the white saree that I wore to Papa's funeral, which was drenched in tears now.

He looked worried. "He didn't do anything; he just came into the room, sat on the bed and talked to me." I expanded on my answer before.

"Then why were you in a corner crying?"

"I was like that when he came into the room" I replied. I didn't know how to explain..

"What did he say to you?" Rahul was losing his patience

"He said…He said sorry and that he was here for me…." I replied monotonously.

He sat with me quietly. I couldn't tell he was deep in thought. I had cried myself dry and I didn't have anymore tears left in me to let out. I felt thirsty. All of a sudden a question I didn't expect sprang from his mouth.

"Do you love me?"

"w-what?" I replied. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did I love him?

"Do you love me?" he repeated again.

I didn't answer. How could I tell him how I felt? In the state I was in? I stared at him in shock. He lifted his hand to my cheek and gently caressed it. I closed my eyes at the warmth of his touch and rested my cheek against his hand.

"I love you Anjali….." and suddenly he got up and left the room.

I sat there for the rest of the night, not knowing what to feel.