Part 12 – Him

Anjali's behaviour had completely changed. She had avoided me during the entire journey up to Uncle Ram's house. She went out of her way to even look the other direction when meeting face to face with me. What happened? What did I do? I was so confused. I didn't know what to do? It was all so new to me and I was scared I had hurt her.

We reached the house situated beautifully on a sloping hill overlooking greenery and mountains. It was getting chilly even inside the car and Anjali had not asked Maa for a sweater. That stubborn girl of mine would catch a cold! Was she mine? I would talk to her about that later.

Maa got out of the car and was directing the driver who was carrying our luggage in. I quickly pulled off my jacket and gave it to Anjali. "Put it on please, and don't make a fuss or Maa will notice" I said knowing she would reject the offer. She took the jacket and quickly pulled it on before Maa came back and told us to get out.

The pathway up to Uncle Ram's small Bangalow was an incline up the hill. As we emerged their front garden I could smell all varieties of flowers. The white fence running a long the outside of the garden was covered with vines and various types of beautiful flowers.

Anjali was walking a little distance behind me and I couldn't help turning around and noticing how a like she and the flowers looked. So beautiful! The jacket looked too big for her and I prayed that no one would notice this. She looked enquiringly back at me; I smiled and continued the small distance to the front door. Uncle Ram, Aunty Sita and Naina were all waiting at the door. They were all taking turns hugging Maa as I drew nearer to them.

Without warning Naina who had spotted me sprang out and jumped on me giving me a forceful hug. She had always been playful.

"Rahuulllll! You're here!" She screamed happily as she detached her self from me. I felt awkward.

"Hi Naina" I said smiling. She had grown up so much but was still pretty short. Shorter than Anjali by a little bit.

"Rahul! You didn't even write to me!" She hit me playfully on the shoulder. "I wrote to you for so long and gave up when you stopped writing back!" She stopped smiling and looked over my shoulder.

"Who is this?" She said eyeing Anjali who was standing quietly behind me looking pale.

"This is erm, er" I stuttered unable to answer the question. But Maa sprang in "She works at our home, this is Anjali"

Anjali smiled awkwardly. Naina didn't seem to notice because she had just grabbed my arm and was pulling me inside wanting to show me my room. I resisted but Maa pushed me forward and told me to "Just go".

I turned back as I went into the house and saw Anjali concentrating on the ground.

Her

I sat in the room they had provided for me not knowing what to do with myself. Mrs Raichand had told me that I was free to do whatever I wanted as this would be a vacation for me too. I didn't want to do anything, not without him.

But he had left me, for her. Naina. I didn't like her at all. Why was she latched onto Rahul like a leech? The way she hugged him, the way she pulled him into the house, ran through my mind leaving a sickening sensation at the pit of my stomach.

I fell asleep that night without seeing him. Nightmare was an understatement for what I dreamt that night. "Rahul and Naina" were iced onto a cake and there they were, the happily married couple cutting the cake, while I served drinks to the guests. Their merry laughter haunted me the entire day afterward.

I walked out of the house that morning wanting to get away. Having fresh air might help clear my mind of all the insane thoughts that were crossing my mind. As I started descending down the path I heard footsteps running down toward me.

"Anjali wait!" Rahul called as he jogged toward me.

I walked faster. Anger searing through my heart as my face felt hotter. Why was I angry? I was no one…right?

"Wait!" he caught up to me and went a head a little, turned around and faced me. "I'm coming with you" He said

"She's going wonder where you are" my words were acid. I didn't intend them to sound so hateful, but it was reflexive.

"What? Who?"

I dodged him and walked on.

"Anjali what's wrong with you? Please talk to me, tell me what's wrong!'

I quickened my pace. I didn't want to have this conversation with him. I was hurting so much that I might have accidentally said something I regretted. I didn't want to hurt him, I didn't intend to.

"Anjali PLEASE" he screamed after me. He didn't give up, and kept walking steadily behind me. I was cold, I hadn't worn his jacket (why should i?) and my salwar was short sleeved and made of thin material. My teeth started to clatter a little and I forced myself to halt this immediately.

I reached the main road which was deserted, and covered with beautiful white snow. I stopped, deciding which way to go. Rahul stopped behind me and didn't utter a single word. He waited until I had decided and followed me into the trees. I felt too weak to stop him.