“Come in,” he said automatically, when he heard the knock, expecting it to be student. So looking up and finding her in the doorway startled him. “Karishma?” He stood up and went around his table as she walked in gingerly. “What happened? What brings you here?”

“Are you free for a while? I needed to talk to you.”

“Of course. Please sit,” he motioned to a chair, but she shook her head and looked at back door of his office. His office was in one of the oldest building of the university, and had its downsides with old plumbing and wirings, peeling plasters and water leaks. But one advantage was that it was spacious and had an attached balcony, almost as big as a terrace. It was a favorite spot with her. When she had to wait for him to wrap up his work before dropping her home, she preferred to be out there with a book than wait in his office. “I find the insides stifling,” she would say.

Presently he nodded and led her out on to the terrace. They stood in silence for a while gazing at the overcast monsoon sky.

At last she spoke, “I’m sorry about Saturday–”

“I’m sorry,” he interjected, “I had no idea Uncle hadn’t told you. But…” He hesitated and took a deep breath before continuing, “It’s little late, Karishma. Are you set against the idea of marrying Vikram?”

They were standing side by side, and weren’t looking at each-other. Their eyes were still fixed on the horizon in front of them.

“I’m not aware of anything objectionable against him. So, I guess not. I am not set against it. Anyway what does it matter?”

He turned towards her and in an uncharacteristic gesture held her. “I’m sorry, Karishma. I really am. If there is anything I can do–”

“I didn’t come here to hear you apologize, Prof. Sen. I came to say thank you.”

He stepped back, his brows furrowed, “What for?”

She fished around in her purse and took out two objects that made his eyes go wide.

“Thank you for the kindness you have always shown me. At times I might not even have known, but at others, I have.”

In one hand she was holding the old doll he had rescued from Aaradhya on their first meeting. In the other a blue plastic bracelet.

His stared fixedly at the bracelet, suddenly finding his throat parched. “You knew?” he croaked.

“This doll,” Karishma talked about the other object instead, “Was tattered ever since I got it because it was with my parents on their last fatal ride. They had gone to attend a wedding and I was at home because my exams were going on. To compensate for that, Papa had promised to bring me a gift. This was that gift. They never came back from that ride, this doll did. Just like this. Their last gift for me. Since you helped me get it back from Aru Jiji I always kept it hidden to safeguard it. And this-” She came to the bracelet then, “Is the only real gift I have received after the doll. Right now they are buying loads of gifts for me in preparation for the wedding. Apparently I am rescuing the family and the business with this wedding. Everyone is obliged. But I will never forget that you had remembered a friendless girl when nobody cared for her.”

Siddhartha did not try to stop his eyes from getting moist. “It was nothing, Karishma,” he replied in a heavy, throaty voice, “I never thought… I never found you wearing it. I assumed you didn’t get it or no longer wanted it.”

“It was too precious to risk wearing.”

It hadn’t costed him even twenty rupees. Even with his limited means in those days he hadn’t thought twice before buying that little piece of plastic.

“The Jains are really looking forward to this wedding, Karishma,” he said, “You will be the eldest daughter-in-law. You will have responsibilities and people will look up to you. You will not be friendless again.”

She looked at him as if she didn’t hear him at all and asked, “Did you ever think of me? Would you have married me if your obligation to the two families wasn’t in the way?”

“Karishma!”

“I need to hear. One way or the other,” her voice shook and she averted her eyes, but she still stood her ground.

“You must know this. My debts are not yours to pay. What I can or cannot do about you has nothing to do with my obligations.”

“Then?”

“God! Karishma, don’t you understand? Nothing works in my favor. I am the most unsuitable person you could think of. I am too old for you. I could be your father you know–”

“I don’t think my mother will appreciate the insinuation,” she replied, slightly bitterly.

“Joke about it if you want, but I don’t belong to your community and while what I have today feels luxurious to me, I am still too poor to ask for your hand from your family.”

“Poor,” she snorted, “How much did it cost?” she lifted the bracelet to him.

He stood before her, tongue-tied. His face, contorted with pain and guilt, struck her and she grew contrite.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “I’m firing away at you as if you promised me something and then betrayed me. That wasn’t my intention. It just… I did really just come to say thank you. You have been a good friend to me. And I will never forget that.”

“I hope to be your friend even in future, Karishma. If you can put up with it.”

“Remember to visit me sometimes then. And I will never have much for you. But I will have money, I have been assured. Eldest daughter-in-law and all. If this ‘poverty’ of yours ever really becomes troublesome… Oh what am I saying… But will you kiss me once?”

If he was surprised by that, he didn’t show it. He cupped her face and bent forward. Then planted a kiss on her forehead.

“I am not going to. Because I really want you to start your new life on a hopeful note. I want you to be happy. And if you felt you were dishonest at the beginning of a new relationship, you will not be happy.”

They went back to his office silently.

“How did you come?” he asked.

“Car. The driver is waiting. I should leave now.”

“Wait. There was something I had to bring to you anyway. Perhaps you can take it right away. Vikram’s mother had asked me to pick these up for you from the jewelers. Her gift.” He handed her a velvet jewel box. She opened it to find two heavy gold kangans inside. She turned the open box towards him and said, “I’m afraid you will have to make the trip home. This is for everyone else to see. My gift–” she lifted the plastic bracelet to him once again, “I am taking with me.”

He stood motionless as she walked away. At the door, she turned, “Also, I have come out on the pretext of meeting a friend at the university. Nobody knows I am meeting you.”

And then she was gone.

Siddhartha closed the lid of the jewel box and slipped it back in his drawer. Then he slumped back on his chair. What had just happened? It was madness and he should have known better.

—

To be continued