“Do you know the name of the girls?” Rupali asked Paritosh as she took another hungry bite of the tasty cheese omelette at Paritosh’ house in the morning.

“I don’t. I actually don’t know anything about her, except the family she was married in to. That was difficult to not know,” Paritosh replied looking kind of lost.

“Are you still thinking about… about our conversation yesterday and then this…”

“No. No – I am over that now. I was just shocked then. The coincidence was too much…”

“Of course,” she mumbled.

“Why are you so worried about it… my irrationality?”

“You always do the right and the rational thing… I draw strength and hope from that… If you go weak there, I lose all hopes…” she replied not meeting his eyes.

“Rupali!” Her dependence on him, or his rationality was a news to him.

“I… I am sorry,” she glanced up with a nervous smile, “I am probably freaking you out. Don’t read too much into what I said.”

“We can read only written words, not spoken ones.”

“Excuse me?”

He chuckled, making her realize that he was joking.

“You got me,” she grinned foolishly.

“But Rupali…” he turned serious again.

“What?” she looked alarmed.

“Nothing. Are you done? I will drop you home. You would need rest after a tiring day.”

She had vaguely hoped that he would ask her to lie down in one of the rooms in his house only. But he was probably trying not to make her uncomfortable, she reasoned.

—

The girls recovered physically faster than their mother. But they were traumatized. The younger one was clearly in too much shock and she didn’t speak at all. Older one was also mostly silent, occasionally asking only about her Mummy, her nerves obviously frayed. Even the presence of their grand father did not help much.

Rupali took them to their mother when she did finally gain consciousness. Paritosh was also there.

“The baby died, Mummy?” The older girl asked her mother, her question wrenching everyone’s heart. Chand started crying on hearing the question and on Paritosh’ indication Rupali hurled the girls out. Seeing their mother cry couldn’t be good for their morales.

When Rupali came back to the room after settling the children in the ward, Paritosh was hugging Chand trying to console her. She went back without making her presence felt.

The girls were discharged a couple of days later. Paritosh called Rajesh Malhotra in his office, “Uncle. Although the psychiatrists at the hospital have tried talking to the girls, here is the number of Dr. Biswas. He is the best child and adolescent psychiatrist in Kolkata. I think you should take them to him.”

“Thank you, Paritosh. I don’t know if I should thank you… or apologize…”

“Please. None. And don’t bother about me. Chand and her daughters need love and care right now…”

The old man nodded.

“And…”

“Yes?”

“I know you consider it a family matter, but please don’t send them back there, to that family. Ideally they should be in the jail…”

“I understand. I have made more than my share of mistakes and put these innocent children at risk. Not any more.”

Paritosh nodded and he noticed Rupali standing nearby as Rajesh Malhotra left. He looked uncomfortable, but Rupali ignored it at first.

“That was a sound advice,” she said with a smile.

Paritosh just nodded and asked, “You had some work?”

“Erm… No,” she was caught unawares by the brisk question, “I just… came to check up on you.”

“I am fine, Rupali. Just another day. You should go back to work.”

And now she could not shrug it away. He had definitely been avoiding her. Since their breakfast date as he had called it. What was it?

But she did not know what and how to ask. So, she just left. She did not see Paritosh looking on longingly after her.

—

“You look preoccupied,” Rupali asked Paritosh after they finished the weekly check up at the orphanage. He hadn’t spoken much to her during their visit. He hadn’t spoken much to her at all for last few days. Usually nothing beyond the formalities.

“Umm… Yes… Mr. Malhotra wanted to meet me.”

“You are going there now?”

“Yeah.”

She wondered if he would drop her as usual.

“Where do they stay?”

“Ballygunge.”

That was in yet another direction, not in the way of either Rupali’s or Paritosh’ home.

“All the best then,” she said, “I will take a taxi.”

Paritosh looked like he would object, but he withdrew before saying anything.

“I am sorry,” he mumbled.

“Sorry? I will be fine,” she assured him while trying to hide her own disappointment.

Rupali felt terribly lonely at home that evening. Paritosh dropping her and staying for some tea was something she had started looking forward to. She repeatedly picked up her phone feeling compelled to call him, ask him about… himself, Chand, Mr. Malhotra… But she didn’t. It would be inappropriate.

—

She went to his office next morning for some work.

“Rupali,” he called her after she was finished and was leaving.

“Yes Sir?” Her heart skipped a beat, and she hoped that her reaction was not obvious to him.

“Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist?”

“Wh… Why do you ask?” she was taken aback. It was completely unexpected for her.

“You haven’t slept last night. It is obvious from how you look. You need to sort it out…”

Rupali stayed silent for a while. What could she tell him? That it was because he wasn’t talking to her?

“Thanks for looking out,” she replied finally, “I will manage.” She turned on her heels and walked out before he could say anything else.

—

Paritosh was surprised to see Rupali near Chand’s room later in the day. He stayed silent for a while and observed her watching Chand from outside. It was odd.

“Rupali?” he finally called her.

She was startled, “Dr. Khanna. Good…” she glanced at the wall clock, “Good afternoon, Sir.”

“Good afternoon. What are you doing here?”

“I was just passing by. I thought I would check on her.”

He nodded, and after a moment’s hesitation, spoke, “Rupali. I am sorry. I might have hurt you inadvertently this morning. By asking you to…”

“Please. Don’t apologize. You meant well. And you are probably right too, like always. It’s just that I… Anyway. I think you should give yourself a break from worrying about me now.”

“Why so?” he asked half amused, half curious at her odd remark.

“Why so?” she appeared amused now, “Some important people are back in your life. And they need your time and attention. That’s why. I will see you later. Bye.”

Paritosh frowned after her. What the hell did she mean?

—

To be continued