Paritosh assumed that Rupali would not turn up at the orphanage that day and started his check up after waiting for ten minutes past their appointed time. She had been avoiding him in the hospital since their encounter about Daar ji’s house. So, it was understandable that she would not want to come here, where talking to him would be unavoidable.

But she came after another five minutes. “I’m sorry, I got late.”

“It’s okay,” Paritosh replied calmly, although his heart had leapt with joy on seeing her. “Go get your friends in the next group too. Dr. Rupali is here,” he told one of the kids. “I asked them to go back because I thought you might not come,” he explained.

Rupali just nodded and they did the checkups mostly in silence.

—

Paritosh was unsure after the check up about whether he should offer to drop her back as usual. But she apparently had assumed that he would, because she walked back with him wordlessly to his car.

“I’m sorry,” she said after he had started the car.

“Thank God, you spoke. Sorry for what?”

“For behaving the way I did. Rudely.”

“I broke too big a news all of a sudden on you. It’s not a big deal. But have you concluded differently now?”

“I can’t decide. It doesn’t sound right.”

“What can be wrong about it? The whole world inherits things from their ancestors. It is all yours, Rupali. Daar ji really regretted behaving that way with your mother. You should forgive a dead man.”

“Who am I to forgive anyone? Anyway, I know you felt like you were a substitute for my mother. And you probably feel burdened by the favor. But it isn’t fair that you shift that burden on me. Like I had said earlier, I already have a set of people who I owe a huge favor…”

“They are your guardians, right? How about you asked their opinion.”

“I don’t even know how to broach the topic to them. What would they think?”

“Let me drop you home.”

“Huh? Where else would you drop me?”

“I mean not at the mall, or the signal. At your home. Since you had decided not to talk to me, I was planning to talk to them about it.”

“What? No…”

“I know how you feel about Dr. Moitra. At least I think I know… But as far as I know his parents, they are nice people.”

“That they are.”

“Then why have you distanced yourself from them so much?”

She sighed. What could she say? Ever since Rohan had entered her life, she was afraid of revealing too much of herself to his parents. Revealing herself would soon mean revealing Rohan; and revealing that part of him that they would not have imagined in their worst nightmares…

“Even if I tried to stop you, you would still talk to them?” she asked instead of replying to his question.

“You leave me with no other option Rupali.”

“Fine then. Let’s see what they have to say.”

—

“What the hell were you doing Rupa? I have been waiting for hours now, to take you to a movie,” Rohan burst out on Rupali as soon as she entered the house. He was so preoccupied that he didn’t even notice Paritosh entering behind her.

“I didn’t know you were planning anything like that,” Rupali replied in as steady a voice as she could manage.

“Why didn’t you tell me before leaving home?”

“Hello Dr. Moitra,” Paritosh intervened.

“Dr. Khanna? What are you doing here?”

“Rohan!” It was his father Sabyasachi Moitra, who had come to the hall, “Are you an eight year old or what? Do I have to remind you how to behave with guests? Please come in Dr. Khanna.”

Rohan walked inside in a huff.

“I am sorry about Rohan, Dr. Khanna,” Sabyasachi continued, “He has a bad temper.”

“It’s okay. It is understandable. I believe he had some plans that were spoiled.” Rupali’s and Paritosh’ eyes met for a moment as he said that and her face flushed.

“Please sit down. Rupa, can you ask the cook to get some tea and refreshments. Your Kakima has gone to visit her cousin today.”

“Sure Kaku.”

—

When Rupali came back to the hall, Rohan was also there. He looked angrier than earlier, while his father was thoughtful.

“This is an odd, a really odd situation. But I think… it really has to be her decision Dr. Khanna. What can I say?”

“Baba. She doesn’t need this,” Rohan interrupted.

“It was a dying man’s last wish Mr. Moitra,” Paritosh ignored Rohan and addressed Sabyasachi.

Sabyasachi had noticed Rupali by then, “What do you want Rupa?”

“I… I don’t know Kaku. I have never known him…”

“She is right Baba,” Rohan spoke interrupting her, “How do we know Dr. Khanna is speaking the truth.”

“Stop it, Rohan,” Rupali was irritated, “What business Dr. Khanna has lying about it? He is giving something away…”

“How do I know what business he has with you… You should know better….”

“Rohan!” Rupali surprised everyone by shouting at him, “You have no business insulting someone like this…”

“I don’t, is it?” Rohan was caustic, “Or is it that your business with me and my family is done? Now that you have found another benefactor…”

“Rohan!” Rupali and Sabyasachi shouted together. But Rupali could not face it any further. Tears clouded her eyes and she ran away crying.

“Leave Rohan,” Sabyasachi ordered his son.

Rohan was not in the least bit apologetic as he left.

“I don’t know how to apologize Dr. Khanna. This was…”

“No,” Paritosh interrupted him looking thoughtful, “In fact, I am sorry. I was trying to do the right thing. But right intentions do not make for right actions I believe.”

“That’s just… Let me talk to Rupa when Rohan is not around. And let me call you,” Sabyasachi was obviously very embarrassed.

“Sure. That’s fine…”

—

Paritosh was about to start his car, when his mobile rang. It was Rupali.

“Dr. Khanna. Please don’t leave. I am coming out in a minute,” she said hastily and disconnected the call.

Paritosh came out of the car and waited awkwardly.

“I want that house,” she said. She had washed her face, but it was still puffy from crying, “and I want to stay there.”

“Sure,” Paritosh replied and then hesitated for a moment, “The house is yours. What I am not sure is whether it it livable right now. I never went there. I don’t know when was it attended to last.”

“Oh!”

“Here is one set of keys. I will keep another one for now. If it is fine by you, I will get it cleaned up.”

“Can you do that?” Rupali was unsure about taking another favour from him, but she wasn’t up for the task herself either.

“Yes, I can and I will. But what you need to do is rethink about it with a cool head. Do you really want to live there by yourself? Or are you just angry right now?”

“I will pay you for whatever is the expense of cleaning up,” she just ignored his question.

“That is not needed. Keeping it clean was my responsibility. But do you really want to stay there?”

“Thanks for the keys, Sir,” she said and went back inside the house. Neither of them noticed Rohan watching them from the window of his room.

—

To be continued