Part 11 – Him

She hadn't replied to my question. Did that mean she didn't feel the same way? No, I had asked her at the worst time imaginable, I didn't blame her for her silence.

It had been a month since Anjali's papa had passed away. She was still sad at times. I noticed her staring into space as she cooked a couple of times. But she was returning to her old self again slowly. I hadn't had the chance to talk to her properly for awhile and I was getting desperate for her company.

"Rahul, we're visiting Uncle Ram this weekend. Your father is taking us there and you and I will spend a month up in the hills with them." Ma instructed me that night.

"Why" was the best answer I couldn't come up with.

"We haven't seen them in a long time and I just thought it might be good to get out of the house" She replied patiently.

"What about Anjali?" it had escaped my mouth before I had even registered it.

"Hmmm I thought about it and its better we take her with us, I think. She can't stay here a lone. That won't be right….Although Arun insisted that he can look after her, I just can't – he is a young man himself."

I felt my mood lift substantially at this news and all of a sudden was looking forward to the trip. I might finally have a chance to spend time with Anjali and it would be in a beautiful setting. Just like a movie, I could walk with her a long the snowy roads, whisper sweet nothings in her ear as we lay on the grass and –

"Rahul?" I snapped out of my romantic reverie "What are you thinking about?"

"I er nothing much, we should buy them a gift" I quickly lied

"Good thinking. Oh! You should buy something for Naina"

"Who?"

"Oh Rahul how could you forget your childhood friend like that. You two used to play all the time when they lived down here"

"OH!" the memories came rushing back. My mind had slipped right over Naina. Naina had gone to school with me, up until the 9th grade. That's when her family had relocated.

"It's been almost 9 years Maa since I last saw her"

"Good you remember her! So buy a nice present for her Rahul. She's going to be so happy to see you again after so long" Sounding quite happy Ma stood up and left the room.

Buy a present for her? What could I buy? I had never bought a present for a girl in my life.

Her

I was packing my bag to depart tomorrow with Rahul and his mother. We were visiting a family friend of theirs and Mrs Raichand had insisted that I not be left a lone here, for which I was very thankful for. Someone knocked on the door.

I opened it cautiously. It was Rahul. He quickly squeezed inside and shut the door behind him.

"Oh you're almost packed! I haven't even started. Remember to pack some sweaters; it'll be cold up there" he rambled on

"Sir, I er, sorry Rahul" I quickly said seeing the look on his face. For the last month he had been correcting me each time I had said Sir to him. "I don't have sweaters…."

"Oh! Its okay we'll pick some up on the way there, don't worry. Just make sure you tell Maa okay?"

I nodded but I didn't want to ask for clothes. Maybe I could quickly go and buy a sweater in the morning before we left.

"Sir, er Rahul, you better go. If someone sees…."

"Don't worry Maa has gone with papa to pick up some gifts for Uncle Ram and his family. I just wanted to show you something"

He pulled something out of his pockets. They were bangles, a bunch of colourful bangles. They were so beautiful clinking and clattering away as he pulled them out and held them out.

"Oh they're so beautiful!" I said in awe.

"Do you think girls would like these?" That was an odd question.

"Yes, I'm sure any girl would love these" I replied

"Good! I'm so relieved. Maa wanted me to buy a gift for Naina so I went and bought these, I just wanted to know if they are okay"

I felt sick. Naina? I didn't expect him to give me the bangles, but hearing he had bought them for someone else made me feel nauseous.

"Naina?" I enquired quietly.

"Are you okay? You look tired al of a sudden" He looked worried. I didn't want to worry him. He was so happy a moment ago. Why should I ruin his happiness? I mean what did he owe me anyway? I was no one.

"I'm fine" I used all my efforts to smile back at him to prove I was fine.

"No your not, your voice has changed. Anjali what's wrong?" He threw the bangles onto the bed and clutched my shoulders.

"Nothing, nothing!" I insisted shaking him off. "They're really nice Rahul, she will love them"

I turned away from him, tears threatening to break free.