“You came very late last night? What kind of work goes on till after midnight? And who was the guy who dropped you? It wasn’t that boss of yours.”

Karishma wondered. Should she tell her that it was the CEO of the company? Would that make things better or worse? She decided to go back to her silence strategy and started dressing Kirti up.

“If I notice, do you think neighbors don’t?” her mother said and stomped out.

Karishma looked at her watch and at the open cupboard that held all her and Kirti’s personal belongings. If she skipped Kirti’s pre-school, she would be able to pack it all and still reach office in time. She had the luxury of booking a taxi these days. One thing her mother had not noticed. Neighbors must have though!

“No school today, Kirti.”

“Why Mommy?”

“Because we are going to pack and go to our new house today.”

That drew no particular reaction from the child. She showed no signs of either elation or anxiety. That was good enough, Karishma thought. Cramped spaces and dilapidated houses didn’t seem to bother children. Spacious houses with latest fixtures and open terraces didn’t seem to impress them. But she would grow up. And hopefully she would appreciate her better fortunes then. For now, if an abrupt change didn’t bother her, it should be fine. She hadn’t received much attention from her grandmother in the time she had spent here, except when Karishma absolutely needed to leave her behind. During her job search, for example. That one night when she had gone to see Siddhartha at the hospital. A few times when she was ill. Then also Soumen had taken her away almost every day. When else? No. Kirti would not miss her grandparents.

The only reason Karishma’s confrontation with her mother was not prolonged was because the old lady was thoroughly confused.

“You can pretend before the neighbors that I am back with Vikram. Meanwhile, I have got myself a place. So, we won’t be a burden on you anymore. I may have to come back to collect some more stuff.”

With that she dragged her suitcase towards the lift and left her parents’ home. For the second time.

—

She called Siddhartha from the taxi. She didn’t want to do it beforehand lest she lose courage. He had only mentioned it last night. She risked appearing greedy in asking to be given the apartment this morning. But here was her chance at some mental peace. And she wanted to seize it.

“Hey!” his voice at the other end seemed to caress her.

“Good morning,” she blushed despite herself.

“Listen. Good you called. I was about to call you myself. Something has come up and I need to go out of the city. I will be back tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh! What happened?”

“An aunt of mine passed away. She was Baba’s cousin.”

“I am so sorry–”

“She was old and had been ill for a while. But Baba must go and I wanted to drop him myself.”

“Of course. When are you leaving?”

“Right away.”

“Oh!” What was she to do with the luggage in the boot of the car? And where was she to spend the night?

“What happened?”

“Uh, nothing. I just—Never mind. This isn’t the time to bother you.” Could she find a hotel quickly?

“Just tell me.”

“Could you perhaps meet me just for a minute before leaving?”

“If I have to, I will find a way to. But why don’t you tell me what’s going on, Karishma?”

“I need– I need the key to the apartment. I– I have packed my stuff and brought it with me. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done without asking you–”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“Soumen has a key. I will ask him to give one to you. But will that be enough? Or do you want me to stay back? Soumen could go with Baba–”

“No. The key will be enough.”

“I will be back by tomorrow. Will you be okay until then?”

“Yes. I will be. I am fine. Really.”

“Why don’t you go to the apartment directly? I will ask Soumen to meet you there.”

“There are some calls and meetings in the morning. I just have a suitcase with me. I can keep it in the office and go to the apartment in the evening.”

“Okay. He will give you the keys at the office then.”

—

Soumen insisted on dropping Karishma at the apartment in the evening.

“I will take a taxi Soumen. You really needn’t bother–” Karishma didn’t want to sit beside him in his car again!

“Karishma!” Soumen interrupted emphatically, “Dada asked me to. He is worried that everything you need may not be there. He wants me to check.”

Karishma fell silent.

“And look,” he added, “I know I have made a fool of myself in past. Repeatedly. But I am really happy for Dada. And you.”

“You haven’t made a fool of yourself, Soumen. It’s just that I–”

“Karishma. If you won Dada’s heart, you were way out of my league.”

“Please don’t embarrass me, Soumen.”

“I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. Just that we never cleared the air. Are we okay, Karishma? Can we leave the uncomfortable things behind us and be okay?”

“We are okay, Soumen. In fact, I hope we are more than okay. I hope we are friends.”

Soumen smiled and nodded.

“I hope so too. So then, can I come with you now and bring some peace to my elder brother’s bleeding heart?”

She chuckled, “Let’s go.”

The house may not make a difference. But Kirti was absolutely thrilled to be in Momen Uncle’s red car again.

“Dada was worried sick,” Soumen said after checking that electricity and all the appliances were working well, that there were fresh sheets available in the bedroom and that water filter was also functional, “But everything seems to be in order here. Just like one expects at a place that he himself maintains.”

Karishma chuckled in response. The observation was spot on.

“The only thing missing is food. I will order you some dinner, if that’s fine.”

“Okay.”

“And I could buy you some provisions for breakfast tomorrow. What do you need?”

“It’s alright, Soumen. I can manage for one morning–”

“Milk? Bread?”

Karishma sighed and smiled, “While you are at it. Some sugar and tea leaves would be nice too.”

“Done. I will order dinner first. Then get you the stuff.”

“Soumen!”

“Yeah?”

“Would you care to join me for dinner?”

He seemed surprised by the invitation. But recovered quickly. “I would love to,” he said.

Siddhartha called later that evening. “A maid comes every morning to clean up the place. She has her own key. So, don’t be worried if she lets herself in. I have told her, however, to leave the keys with you. Now that you are staying there, she need not have the key. It will be safer for you to open the door for her.”

Karishma chuckled, “You really think everything through, don’t you? Now, do you want to know what I will cook for breakfast.”

He laughed, “No, Karishma. Once you take something over, I know I don’t have to worry about it. I am just a little flustered about the apartment, because I didn’t have a chance to–”

“Look it over yourself. But it is in perfect condition. You needn’t worry. I have everything I need.”

“I am glad to hear that.”

—

To be continued