“Oh yes I do remember that book and the blue eye I supported for a week, you do have a good aim. And as for why did I help you? Well it started out because of Rahul.
He was a gem of a person and superb boss. He taught me a lot in the six months I was with him and never did he once make me feel his subordinate or below him so doing anything for him was an honour. Secondly, I remember seeing this lost wife at her husband’s funeral asking his colleagues about his return and calling him continuously. And no there is no pity or sorry feelings involved here not then and now no way, because you have come a long way from then and are much stronger. But the love and desperation that I had seen in those eyes then made me concerned and care for her. I always knew of the love and passion Rahul had for you but seeing yours made me not only jealous of Rahul but brought out a protective instinct for that woman, which by the way I mean is you (winks). So when the bosses assigned me to help you it was a gift, one I was not going to refuse. And as for staying I don’t know why, I just never felt the need or inclination to leave after a while.”
That is exactly what happened, slowly and unintentional-ly (I think), Abhi had become a very important part of our life and my family. Both set of my parents like and respect him. Though he is as different from Rahul as night is from day, they both have some very similar qualities, an aura I think that surrounds them that just makes you like them. He slowly and steadily took up the role Rahul would have had. I know what had started as friendship and support to a friend’s wife has now become much more for him. He was there by 135
my side when I needed to be rushed to the doctor during my seventh month in the middle of the night.
There he had stood by me holding my hand and watching the ultrasound images of my baby. He was there when I finally gave birth to Rahil, holding her like rest of the family. I also remember Aashi hating it. She never could tolerate his presence by my side nor his interaction with the family.
I felt it in the conversation we had that his emotions towards me were stronger and more intense than he proclaimed. He said a lot but still was vague and I have also seen the gradual change in his behaviour towards me, in his way of talking or seeing me. Even though I have started accepting his importance and his affections towards me and his presence in my life I am just not ready to take any major decisions or make changes which I think he understands and tries to accept.
He accepted my decision to just be friends and keep things simple. That could also be because except for him I have let no other man in my life. In the past three years he knows me well enough to know I am afraid of falling in love again and of marriage. So that is another reason he can afford to be patient, he knows I will never see another. Rahul had spoilt me, so to settle for less was not even in consideration. And the one person whose approval matters most is RAHIL, well where she is concerned she not only loves and accepts him but already considers ‘Abhi’ as she calls him, as a part of our family. No occasion or celebration is complete without Abhi.
And to make sure his foundation is strong and 136
that he has everyone’s approval and support he very smartly and slyly got both the parents on his side. He went personally to each one of them to get their approval for a future with me. So, now not only Rahil even my parents are all set and ready to officially welcome him into our family.
I think the only person other than me he had a little tough time convincing was Aashi, because for her no one is ever going to be better than Rahul. She liked and respect-ed him on an individual level it was just his role in my life that she did not want to accept. She is now a proclaimed psychologist and engaged to a doctor, a neurologist which is how they met at some conference about brain nerves and their cause and effects. Well, despite all that she gave Abhi a difficult time before finally accepting him. He had to pass some hard tests to prove he cares, which he surprisingly agreed to without a frown. I think his willingness to get her approval and put himself in embarrassing situations gained him respect. I think this is what she told him in acceptance -
“You are no Rahul but if I had to choose someone then it would be you for sure, compared to some of the crappy people I have seen approach her. But if you hurt her or Rahil you will regret it, for a very looonng time.”
“Damned with faint praise but I guess it will have to do for now. And as to hurting her or Rahil, don’t stress I would kill myself before you get the opportunity to do anything.”
Well ever since then everyone has been waiting for me to take a decision for the past six months now. It has been 137
three weeks since he finally proposed to me, declaring his love and intentions loud and clear but I still have not been able to accept what seems inevitable to others. I remember Aashi asking me once about why I let him stay if I had no intention of marrying him and accepting his love. I was unable to answer her. I know he means the world to me but taking the final plunge is scary and I still need to be sure about me and my feelings.
Well, no more contemplation at this moment in time I need to reach home, but I am very very late (the traffic has become worse with time). Oh, I think I have already mentioned it before that I shifted to our old house the one Rahul had transferred to my name. Anyway, as I said I am late and now I am going to be slaughtered by my own little executioner. As I reach my door before I can even ring the bell my angel at home opens the door (oh ohh)
“You are very late as always. Abhi (she just refuses to call him uncle) and I have been waiting for like hours and hours. I am very very hungry, my stomach is shouting for food and you still have to get it ready.”
Oh God, she is a replica of Rahul, she even has a sweet dimple on her right cheek when she smiles. As for her smile it never ceases to remind me of Rahul the same sweet mysterious naughty one. But her nature is totally like mine impatient, temperamental and impulsive. I remember a conversation we had had about children, that last day, Rahul had said-138
“If we get a girl first and if she is half like you then I am going to go grey haired before time. Handling one of you is a task and requires super energy and being on toes all the time, two of you will make me old before time.”
Tears well up my eyes as I remember the past but as she continues to chatter away I just stand there listening to her and thinking I could do this all day long and never tire.
When suddenly she shouts out again, ‘Moooommm. I am hungry, will you please hurry up.”
I look up with a start and see Abhi standing some feet behind Rahil watching us with a slight smile and an intensity which causes me to blush (God, I always believed I was beyond blushing now but I guess one never is). My sudden shyness and embarrassment sure surprises Abhi from the look on his face .
“Hey, are you okay? You a lovely light shade of pink not that I am complaining, the colour looks good on you. Its just that I am shocked to see you blush.”
“I am not blushing so stop grinning. I was just thinking something and suddenly there you were. Anyway, its nothing.
And will you stop smiling like that.”
I quickly turn to Rahil to avoid further conversation and kiss her on her forehead and giving a quick hug to Abhi.
“Just give me 10 minutes people.” I rush to get ready.