Meena was waiting inside Paritosh’ apartment when they reached there.

“Meena ji? What happened? Is something wrong?”

“I needed to talk to you. Alone.”

Rupali shuffled uncomfortably. “I should go home,” she said.

“No. Just wait… Wait in the study. I will take you there.”

Paritosh took her into his study-cum-office and assured her that there was nothing to worry about.

Paritosh had shut the door behind him. She wouldn’t have overheard the conversation in the hall except that he grew really agitated and loud.

“For God’s sake, Meena ji. You are right. It’s not like arranged marriages back in India. Just because I am dating her it doesn’t mean I am going to marry her. I have no idea where this is going and you want me to be clear about what happens ten or twenty or fifty years down the line. I don’t know and I need some space and time. Please.”

She startled when Paritosh opened the door to the study.

“I want to go home,” she blurted.

“What! Why?”

“Just like that. I’m tired and sleepy. The meal was heavy.”

“Are you upset about Meena ji showing up? Because trust me, Rupali, that is not your problem.”

“No, Dr. Khanna. I am not upset about her showing up.”

Paritosh himself was exhausted after the argument with Meena. So, he gave in.

“Fine. I will drop you.”

“Don’t spoil me,” she gave a tired smile, “I will be fine on my own.”

Her tone brooked no dissent and Paritosh found himself looking on helplessly as she left.

—

Rupali didn’t turn up at his office and it was already time for him to leave. He hadn’t called her, expecting that she would turn up sooner or later. Now he was getting worked up. She was upset last night. He had thought she would come around and tell him what was upsetting her. She hadn’t. Was it non-trivial?

She must have looked through the keyhole, because she didn’t appear surprised to see him when she opened the door.

“Should I come in? Or do you want me to wait in the car until you join me?” he asked, controlling his voice with difficulty. She seemed to have come out of some hell hole. Despite her face being freshly washed it didn’t take a genius to figure out that she was still in the clothes she had slept in last night and she had been crying!

In reply, she just stepped aside, indicating that he should come in.

“You are alone?”

Now she had to speak, “My roommate is out of town today.”

Paritosh stopped short on hearing her croaked, hoarse voice.

“To hell with pretenses,” he grumbled and grabbed her by arms. “What’s going on, Rupali? I have never seen you like this. You are scaring the hell out of me.”

The tears that she must have been controlling with all her might immediately came back and she started sobbing.

“Rupali!” He pulled her in an embrace, “What’s wrong? Has something happened.”

Her sobs subsided although the tears continued to hang in her eyes, “No. I don’t know. I am perhaps just being stupid. I am sorry.”

“Be stupid before me, if you have to. But stop crying for God’s sake and stop torturing yourself. About whatever? Why didn’t you call me or come to me if you were so upset?”

“You also didn’t call me.”

“I—I…” Paritosh struggled for a moment, then sighed and replied honestly, “I was dying to see you, but I had work to do. And I thought I shouldn’t disturb you while you are writing your final report or studying for your interviews. I am sorry. I should have checked in with you. Is that what made you so upset?”

She didn’t reply. He held her hand and said, “Let’s go and sit somewhere.”

She walked him to the hall, where they sat down next to each other on the sofa.

“It’s not just about me not calling, is it? You are upset about Meena ji’s unannounced visit last night.”

“I am not upset with her.”

“With me, then?”

“I am not complaining, Paritosh. I think it is great that your family matters to you.”

“And I have told you I will not let them come between us.”

“But you care about Meena ji. You care about Aniket.”

“In case you have not noticed, I care about you too. I care a lot.”

“But if there are a thousand reasons this relationship may not work, it won’t be worth your while to antagonize you family for me. When you aren’t sure where this is going– And I know this is stupid and premature–”

“Rupali. Stop belittling yourself.”

She fell silent and he also stayed silent for a while.

Finally, he spoke, “We need time for this. I am not sure if you have had your meals today. Why don’t you freshen up and meanwhile I will order something to eat and make us some coffee? You have a coffee machine in the kitchen?”

She nodded.

“Great. And until then, Rupali, stop worrying. Because here is the thing. I am not going anywhere.” He planted a kiss on her cheek, then made her stand up and go to the bathroom. He ordered some food and went into the kitchen to make coffee.

—

To be continued