Tag: Rupa

Destined (Part 22)

Posted Mish2 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

The driver of the hired cab was very jovial and talkative. He took them to be tourists and kept barraging them with information about various tourist places on the way. When there was no specific tourist spot to be shown, he still kept them entertained and busy with the local folk tales, stories of his driving adventures and other anecdotes. But the result of his volubility and constant chatter was that they didn’t get to talk to each other at all. By the time they reached the venue, the convention had already started. At lunch time Paritosh asked Rupali to step out. “I need to talk to you,” he said.

“What happened?”

“Rupali. About last night…”

She didn’t react and waited for him to continue.

“Actually about everything. I don’t know how I make you feel. My behavior is not always consistent. Do I make you feel uncomfortable?”

She stood agape. Where did that suddenly come from? “Why Dr. Khanna? Why are you asking that? And now?”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I have slept enough. But you do confuse me.”

“I confuse myself Rupali.”

“Dr. Khanna. If you want me to talk, can I say something?”

“Sure.”

“If I am presuming things, then it’s fine. But if not, you need to move on. And not just from her,” she was referring to Chand and Paritosh understood, “From me too.”

“Rupali,” he sounded hurt, “Speak for yourself…”

“Rupa,” suddenly a familiar voice attracted their attention.

Both of them were startled and Rupali turned pale on seeing Rohan there. As an automatic reaction, Paritosh moved towards Rohan and gently pushed Rupali so that he was almost between them. “What are you doing here?” he asked tersely.

But Rohan ignored him and addressed Rupali, “It is so good to see you, Rupa. After so long. I have been shifted out of the facility and now in OPD care. I have been dying to see you…”

“I don’t want to know anything about you,” she said and made to leave.

“Wait Rupa. Please don’t run away from me. I have been thinking about you so much… I think of pediatrics and I think of you. That’s why I came here. I didn’t even know you would be here…”

“That’s enough,” Paritosh stopped him, held Rupali’s hands and took her away.

“Rupali…”

“Don’t ask me if I am fine Dr. Khanna. I am not and I will never be. Stop wasting your time and you life on me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Rupali.”

“Same to you. I need to go to the restroom.” She walked away. Paritosh looked on helplessly. Then he looked around anxiously. Where was Rohan? How much had he really recovered? From the way Mr. Moitra had talked of him last time, it didn’t look like he’d be stable for a long time. And if he had recovered, what effect seeing Rupali and Paritosh would have on him?

—

Rupali was relieved to find the women’s restroom empty. She let go of herself and sobbed piteously. What was she to do with herself? With Dr. Khanna? With the world? Why was she even alive? He had talked about suicidal thoughts yesterday. He apparently had them. She had them too. But somehow, even amidst the miseries of life, the physical pain scared her. That was the only reason she had not committed suicide. Probably she could use some painless drug from the hospital’s store. But…

She heard the sound of the restroom door opening. But before she could find tissues to wipe her tears, or get inside one of the stalls, she heard a click. Someone had locked it from inside. Startled, she looked up. And the dread she had felt when Rohan had pointed a pistol at her came back. So did the feeling of hopelessness that had been her companion through years of abuse at his hands. It was Rohan. Guarding a locked door. Looking mad. He was mad!!

“What are you doing here? This is women’s restroom,” she tried to be in control.

“You always insult me before him. Why?”

“Rohan. It’s not about him. Please… You must leave. What will people think if…”

“I have missed you, Rupa.”

“Rohan please…”

He closed in on her and pinned her violently against the wall without giving her any chance to escape.

“Hel…” Her cries were muffled as he pressed his palm against his mouth. His strength took Rupali by surprise. Even with only hand, he managed to not let her escape. She managed to bite his palm and yell once, although he immediately overpowered her.

A knock came on the door. Somebody had heard her. “Who is it?” It was a woman’s voice. Somebody had heard her. While Rohan was distracted, Rupali managed to shout for help once again.

“You will die at my hands,” he hissed.

“Somebody is stuck in the bathroom,” Rupali heard it even as Rohan’s hand tightened around her neck and she panicked for her life.

“Rupali…” Dr. Khanna! Banging on the door… “Hey. Get away from her…” Someone shouting from the top… the ventilator… Bang… No… it was thud… Were they breaking the door…

The next few minutes – or were they seconds – were a blur. She knew she was going to die. Or was she already dead? No… she must be alive. She was extremely uncomfortable… This can not be death…

“Rupali!” Paritosh shouted as he ran towards her. He looked as mad as Rohan. And madness must bring some strength in people. Rohan had been able to subdue her way too easily. And Paritosh was able to push Rohan away like he was a piece of paper. The world was spinning around her. But she saw those cufflinks as one of his hands went around her head. His other hand held her at waist. He did not let her fall. She was able to breathe now… She will be saved… “Stay with me… Rupali… Breathe… Slowly… Clear the space… Take the bastard away… He is mad…” Yes… she could breathe. She could feel him, see him. “Dr. Khanna.” Yes. She could speak. She wasn’t dead. She wasn’t going to die.

And then… It was all too overwhelming. She didn’t know what to do. She started crying. She was crying before the door had been locked. She cried again…

“Dr. Khanna. I have a room in the hotel. I think you should take her there,” it was an elderly lady.

“Thank you, Dr. Biswas,” he took the keys, “Please take my phone. Call Mr. Sabyasachi Moitra. Ask him about his son’s psychiatrist and hand him over to his doctor.”

“Sure.”

He led Rupali out. She leaned on him and continued crying.

—

To be continued.

Destined (Part 18)

Posted Mish7 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

The conversation with Damyanti had helped Rupali understand what was weighing her down. She also felt the same current between them that Radha or Sabyasachi had felt.

She looked up to him. He had been her rock ever since the day he had intervened between her and Rohan. He had given her the strength. On a very practical level, he had given her this house without which…

But she didn’t have anything to give back to him. She was an emotional and physical wreck. It’s okay if Chand was his past, and could not be his future. She could not be his future either. He deserved better. Period.

What did he think though? He sent confusing signals. Sometimes avoiding her, sometimes seeking her out, telling her that Chand could not be back in his life… No. It didn’t matter what he thought. She could not let it happen. For his sake.

—

Paritosh’ emotions and actions in last few days have been on a roller-coaster ride. And he was aware of that. Supporting her, getting scared by the faith she put in him, ignoring her, assuring her about his feelings for Chand… What the hell was he doing?

“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…” Her words kept ringing in his ears. Those words had scared him. Those were the words that he didn’t think he would be able live up to. And he had started avoiding her. He let her go home on her own from orphanage too. Something he hadn’t done even when she had to answer to that obsessive, possessive finace of hers. He had an alibi. But he knew very well that it was just that – an alibi. He had apologized before he could stop himself. She had assured him that she would be fine. But he couldn’t ignore her condition the next morning. She hadn’t slept well. And then she had remarked about Chand coming back into his life. Obviously she thought that he was ignoring her because of Chand. Oh, the innocent simpleton. Rupali! What was he to do with her?

If he listened to his heart, he wanted to hug her tight, kiss away her wounds, and keep her safe from everything, everybody…. Be that ultimate hero for her that romantic stories talk about. But he wasn’t the perfect, rational, wise person she made him to be. Her faith had already been tried too often. Parents died at an early age, relatives were ready to send her to an orphanage, the adoptive parents failed to keep her safe… from their own son… What if he ended up breaking her trust, making her lose her faith once again?

After all, his own life had been filled with complexes. Not knowing where he came from, getting insulted for that by the father of the girl he had loved, then the feeling of being a substitute, loneliness of all these years… And letting all these wounds fester within him. What was rational and wise about him or his life? Time had taught him a few things. It was easier to say the right things. It was difficult to live by them. She put trust in whatever he said. But would he himself be able to live by them? He wasn’t sure. Yes. He was scared… Of taking responsibilities, of loving, of living….

And yet, turning himself away from her was being difficult! What was he to do?

—

“Good morning, Dr. Khanna,” Rupali knocked on the door and came in without waiting for his permission.

“Good morning, Rupali. How are you doing?”

“I am fine. I came here to… Do you have any recommendation for psychiatrist I could see?”

“Oh! So Mrs. Moitra was able to convince you?”

Her face twitched despite her attempt to smile. Paritosh noticed that. “Oh… Oh God!” he exclaimed, “Are you mad at me for talking to her about it?”

Was she mad? She wondered. She shouldn’t be. May be she was. Outwardly, she forced a smile, “I am not mad. Why should I be? Your advice is reasonable… right. Just tell me a name… preferably somebody who doesn’t work here…”

“Sure. I should have a card here, somewhere. I had kept it for your… Here it is. Dr. Mathew. He stays in Salt Lake City and has how own center there, where he meets pa… people,” he changed ‘patients’ to ‘people’ to avoid making her feel bad.

Rupali noticed his cuff-links as he handed her the card and an old dream came back to her… Her saviour…. The hands that hadn’t reached her in her dream, but which had reached her in real life. At least to save her! Somewhere deep in her heart, she wanted those hands to hold her, to embrace her. But that couldn’t happen…

She tore her eyes off his wrists, hastily took the card and mumbled a thank you. She was about to leave with Paritosh’ questioning eyes following her, when a knock came at the door. Paritosh flustered for a moment, but gathered himself quickly and asked the person to come in. It was Sabyasachi Moitra.

“Kaku!” Rupali exclaimed.

“Rupa. Good that you are also here. I was hoping to see you,” Sabyasachi gave a warm smile and hugged her affectionately.

“When did you come back?”

“Just this morning…”

“And how is… Rohan?” she hesitated, but asked. She hadn’t talked to Damyanti about Rohan. But she felt more at ease in talking about him to Sabyasachi. With Damyanti, she always felt an emotional pressure about the relationship.

He sighed in reply. Then added after a moment, “He is recovering.” His voice wasn’t convincing at all. Ruapli just nodded and did not pursue it.

“Please sit down Mr. Moitra,” Paritosh spoke finally, “You had some work at the hospital?”

“Actually… I came to meet you… I’m not sure if this is a good time. I didn’t call. If you are busy I can come later…”

“This is a perfect time,” Paritosh replied warmly, “No hell has broken lose in the ward. Right Rupali?”

“Yes Sir,” she smiled, “I will see you later Kaku.”

“Can you ask somebody to send in some coffee and snacks please?” Paritosh requested Rupali.

“That won’t be necessary, Rupa. Really,” Sabyasachi preempted Paritosh’ objection, “I am fine. I had breakfast before coming.”

Paritosh nodded at Rupali and she left.

Silence prevailed in the room for a few moments after Rupali left. Sabyasachi was looking down at his own hands, rubbing his fingers against his thumbs as if trying to gather his thoughts and prepare himself to talk.

“Mr. Moitra?” Paritosh had to break the silence.

“Yes. Of course… I am supposed to talk,” Sabyasachi smiled nervously, “And suddenly I feel like a fool for coming here…”

“Mr. Moitra. You don’t have to… You can talk freely.”

“I am a lost man Dr. Khanna. I don’t know from where to start putting things together…”

“Rohan is not well, then?” Paritosh asked. He had stopped called him “Dr. Moitra” altogether. That address had not only a formality about it, but also a respect. And he could not summon that respect for Rohan any longer.

“No. He is not well at all. But that’s… that’s not something you can do anything about.”

“Rupali is holding up fine, Mr. Moitra. I know this isn’t easy on you…”

“It isn’t easy on me at all Dr. Khanna. And I am glad that at least Rupa is holding up. I had always thought that the girl had a quiet strength about her. But it kills me to think that the strength was being tried in the most horrible way in my own house. And now… like a fool… I have lost both my children… I wish she would blame me, complain about her… And would let me apologize at least, if not explain. What can I explain anyway…”

“Mr. Moitra. Please calm down.”

“I am rambling off. I didn’t come here for that. I came here to…”

“Talk about Rupali?”

“Yes. Indeed. Dr. Khanna, I am aware of your reputation. Of being a lonely person, of strictly being a professional. And yet… In this case knowingly or unknowingly you have gotten involved personally. So, please talk to me on a personal level Dr. Khanna. And give this answer to a father, not to a trustee of the hospital. Am I wrong in assuming that you care about Rupa? And not just because you had to give her the share of her grand father’s property. But even beyond and without that? You must give me a very honest answer.”

Paritosh flushed. Mr. Moitra was literally forcing him to face and resolve his feelings. Like hell, he cared about her. Cared deeply. But was he willing to admit it openly? And deal with everything that came with that acceptance? Mr. Moitra was not forcing him to answer quickly. He was just staring at him in expectation.

“I don’t know if you are implying something else,” he finally spoke firmly and slowly, “But the answer to your question is yes. I care about her. She is… she is a lovely and brave person. It is difficult for anyone not to care about her.”

Sabyasachi sighed, “Thank God. In that case, if I ask you to take care of her, it won’t be a burden for you, will it? You are already doing it. So, I have assumed that it isn’t…”

Another long pause. Was he prepared to commit to it? He hasn’t been very sure of himself in this regard. “Rupali is fine Mr. Moitra,” he mumbled.

Sabyasachi looked expectantly at Paritosh for a moment, hoping that he’d say something else. But he didn’t. “Of course,” Sabyasachi had to speak finally. He looked clearly embarrassed at his uncharacteristic emotional outburst from a few minutes ago, “I should get going now. Have some work to attend to. Thanks a lot for your time Dr. Khanna… And for everything…”

Paritosh was suddenly very embarrassed. He was evading. “Mr. Moitra…” he started speaking, but his words drowned. He was quite at loss. It wasn’t like he didn’t intend to support Rupali. It wasn’t like he didn’t care for her; or that he didn’t want her… It wasn’t about her at all. It was about him. How inadequate he felt…

“Mr. Moitra. Don’t get me wrong,” he finally found his voice, “Rupali is a great girl. She deserves… a lot. And I think she will get everything she deserves. Your shouldn’t hurry yourself; or her.”

“Yes Dr. Khanna. I shouldn’t be hurrying. Her; or you. I just panic when I think of her loneliness. And of my failures. Still, let me say this. I am often in that area when you and Rupa make your weekly visit to orphanage. I sometimes meet the orphanage staff. NET is one of the donors there. You probably didn’t realize, but I have seen you together. She looked happy. And so did you. Try to think about that. Nobody has seen you happy very often. And her? She had all the reasons in the world to be sad. Still?”

Sabyasachi left leaving a flustered Paritosh behind.

—

To be continued

Destined (Part 17)

Posted Mish5 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“I feel like a VIP,” Chand smiled on seeing Paritosh.

“That’s a good feeling, but can I ask why?” Partitosh also quipped back on seeing Chand in a good mood.

“The entire Pediatrics department seems to be at my beck and call. Attending to me one after another.”

“I am not the entire Pediatrics department.”

“Of course. So, you send that young protegee of yours to me, when you are not around.”

“Excuse me?”

“Dr. Banerjee. Rupali, I guess.”

“Rupali was here?”

“Poor girl. She is so besotted with you, she would do anything you asked her to.”

“Anything I ask her to? Besotted with me? What are you talking about Chand? Are you out of your mind? I never asked her to come here. Why would I?”

That made Chand’s smile grow wider, “You didn’t tell her to? And still she spends so much time here…”

“Rupali has been spending time with you? Why would she?”

“I must be her favourite patient, Mr. thick-head.”

A smile formed on Paritosh’ lips, on hearing the long-forgotten “Mr. thick-head” from Chand.

“Some things haven’t changed Chand. And yet how much has changed!” he said somberly.

“Yes,” her smiled became sad, “So much has changed. But why are you stuck Paritosh? Why did you never move on?”

“This is not the time to talk about me,” he avoided her and changed the topic, “You tell me, how are you feeling? I am eager to see you discharged, healthy!”

She sighed, “I am not too eager to leave. It feels safer than home.”

“Chand,” Paritosh spoke with some alarm, “Don’t think like that. Your father really repents not listening to your earlier. He is taking care of your daughters. And he won’t let you go back to that hell again.”

“Of course. He is not going to do that… Now…” her hands went to her tummy for a moment. Paritosh realized that she was thinking about the baby she had lost.

“You have two daughters to take care of, Chand. You can’t afford to be sad and depressed like this. You understand that, don’t you?”

She nodded and smiled. She spoke after a few moments of silence, “If possible, forgive me Paritosh. And if you have, move on. Please…”

“I never wished you any ill Chand,” Paritosh felt compelled to say that.

“Of course. I know,” she replied, “If you had, I wouldn’t be alive. Your ill-will would have been too powerful. It is your good-will that I and my daughters are alive today.”

“Just take care of yourself, and don’t fret over the bygones.”

She nodded and smiled.

—

After finishing his work, Paritosh went out to look for Rupali. He found her on the terrace.

“Not done for the day yet?”

“Another hour to go. We came in the same shift,” she smiled and stopped rubbing her eyes. She was clearly sleepy and had a headache.

“There is a simple secret to good health, you know.”

“What?”

“That you do things at the right time. For example, you sleep when you should sleep.”

“Right,” she sighed and mumbled.

“And that is true not only of one day, but of life in general.”

“And what does that mean?”

“For everything in life, there is a right time… The moment – you know. There is a moment, for example, when two people are on the same wavelength. They understand each other and they can come together. And after coming together, from then on, they can grow together. But if that moment is gone, and they don’t come together, then they grow separately, they grow differently, and they grow apart. Do you understand what I am saying?”

Rupali gulped hard. She felt her goosebumps. He must be referring to him and Chand. But why was he telling that to her? Why bother clarifying to her that they can not come together any longer?

“Rupali?”

“I think I do,” she managed to speak, “But I didn’t intend to hurt you… What I said earlier…”

“Don’t be an idiot,” Paritosh rebuffed her affectionately, “You can not hurt a fly Rupali Banerjee. I am tougher than that.” He was smiling by now and Rupali could not help but smile with him.

“If you are free,” Paritosh spoke again, “Let me make up for the tea we missed yesterday and treat you to one in the canteen. It will help with your sleepiness as well.”

“Sure,” she nodded. She could definitely do with some tea. But something about this exchange was making her think hard.

—

“Kakima!” Rupali was surprised to see Damyanti at her home when she reached back that evening.

“How are you, Rupa?”

“I am fine…” And against her better judgment tears came to her eyes.

“Oh my God! What happened, my child? Why are you…”

“I thought… you would never come…” Whatever be her failings, this woman has been the mother to her all these years. On seeing her, suddenly she felt the need to have a mother’s shoulder to cry on.

“Oh God! I am so sorry, Rupa… I should have come earlier. I was just so unsure…”

They hugged and Rupali cried softly.

“That’s enough. That’s enough, Rupa… Stop crying now. Come on… Radha. Bring some water for Rupa,” she hollared to the maid and took Rupali to her bedroom.

“Is something wrong, Rupa?” she asked after Rupali had calmed down.

“No Kakima. I just… got emotional to see you…”

“I should have come earlier. I am so sorry, Rupa…”

“Please don’t embarrass me, Kakima…”

“You could also have told me, Rupa, if you wanted to see me…”

“I know…”

“Anyway. Radha tells me that Dr. Khanna comes here often. He has been taking good care of you, right?”

“He is a good man, Kakima,” Rupali replied in a controlled voice, unsure about where this was going. There was already too much going on in her head about Paritosh, which she was yet to sort out.

“Of course!”

“Kakima…”

“Yes?”

“You don’t hold him responsible for what happened, do you? Because he is not. This house was just incidental. Sooner or later…”

“I know. I know Rupali,” Damyanti’s sadness and disappointment were not hidden, but she did put up a brave and rational face. “And trust me,” she added slowly, “Despite what I had hoped about your and… Rohan in past, you would always have my blessings for the right person in your life…”

“I… am not… sure… what you mean, Kakima…” Rupali stuttered.

“Your Kaku felt so… And even Radha tells me that you and Dr. Khanna…. are together?”

“What?” Rupali nearly jumped out of the bed, “What are you… No Kakima. That… That is not happening… That can not happen…”

“I thought so… I told both of them… It doesn’t make sense… He is too… I mean you are much younger than him and…”

“Kakima. That is not the point. It is not about him at all.”

“Then?”

“It’s… It’s me Kakima. I’m… How do I explain it… I am a damaged person Kakima, a damaged woman… I cannot… be with anyone. And least of all someone as nice as Dr. Khanna…” she almost choked on her words towards the end, “And Kakima. Please, don’t ever mention this to him. Being the kind of person he is, he might just agree to you for my sake. That won’t be right….”

Damyanti spoke after few moments of silence, “You should see a psychiatrist, Rupa.”

Rupali was startled, “Why are you… Did Dr. Khanna tell you to…”

Damyanti sighed, “I had called him up before coming.”

“Why?”

“Wanted to ask how you were doing and what I should be doing…”

Rupali sighed! So, Dr. Khanna was her official guardian now!

“You don’t need to ask anyone about me, Kakima…”

“I shouldn’t have to… But I have failed Rupa. And I want to be extra cautious now…”

Rupali buried her head in her hands feeling helpless, “Everybody is in such mess because of me…”

“No. No Rupa. Please don’t talk like this. You have been very brave. You shouldn’t give up in your life and future like this. Take time. You are not running out of it.”

Rupali wondered if those were her words, or Dr. Khanna’s. He was capable of saying things like those. But outwardly she just smiled and changed the topic, “Shall I get you some tea, Kakima?”

“Sure. Tea would be good.”

—

To be continued

Destined (Part 2)

Posted Mish7 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“Come in,” Paritosh heard a knock on his door about an hour later. He had to prepare a presentation on the department’s performance in last quarter for the impending board meeting. But he was not able to concentrate at all. He could not let go of the feeling that he might have made a mistake by intervening between Rupali and Rohan. It did look like Rohan was forcing himself, but would his intervention make things better or worse for Rupali? They had a life outside the hospital too!

Rupali walked into his cabin, “Dr. Khanna. I needed your signature on these discharge papers. I’m sorry to disturb you for this, but Dr. Gupta has stepped out for an hour, and the parents are getting edgy. Only you have the authority to sign these.”

“No problem. I will sign it. You have ensured that he is ready to be discharged, right?”

“Yes Sir. Dr. Gupta also gave his confirmation over phone.”

“Dr. Banerjee,” Paritosh stopped her when she made to leave after getting the papers signed.

“Yes Sir?”

“I acted on my best understanding earlier. But I am not sure if I should have… I just…”

“Thanks for bringing it up,” Rupali looked relieved rather than awkward, “I wanted to thank you. For speaking up and not looking the other way.”

“Really?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Okay then. Take care.”

Rupali nodded and made to leave, when she was stopped again.

“Dr. Banerjee.”

“Yes Sir?”

“I have to ask. Did Dr. Moitra lie about your relationship? If so…”

“No,” she sighed, “He didn’t. I guess… But what you had said still stands, right? I have my rights?”

“Of course,” he assured hastily, “If there is ever any problem in this hospital or from any of the employees here, you must come to me.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

It was extremely odd. Why would she be engaged to a person when she needed and was fine with another person intervening between them? And what was hurry to get engaged? How old would she be? Was she under some pressure? What kind?

—

Rupali was relieved that Rohan was not waiting for her in the parking lot after her duty was over. Even when he finished earlier, he always insisted on taking her home with him and waited for her. It should have been romantic, but it wasn’t…

“Rupa. Darling, what’s up with Rohan? Have the two of you fought?” Rupali’s relief was short-lived as she ran into Damyanti Moitra, Rohan’s mother as soon as she entered home.

“Why Kakima? What happened?” Rupali’s behavior with Damyanti was nothing like the the dry, distant one she had with Rohan. And her conflicting emotions were clear in her body language. When Damyanti worried about something, Rupali worried about it too. But when it came to Rohan…

“He refused to eat after coming from the hospital and has locked himself in the room. Only you can handle him, when he is in that mood. Will you please see that he eats something, dear? Why don’t you take your plate also to his room?”

“Sure Kakima.” Damyanti always dismissed Rupali’s discomfort while speaking about Rohan as her shyness. Despite growing up in her liberal household, she found this girl to be incredibly shy. When she had come to live with them as an eleven year old, Damyanti used to worry a lot about whether or not she was comfortable. But over time, she was satisfied that she was.

And Rupali was indeed comfortable with Damyanti and her husband Sabyasachi Moitra. They had provided her not just with a roof over her head, but also with immense love and care. There was no repaying their kindness. She could do anything to keep them happy. And their happiness lied in their only son – Rohan!

—

“Kakima said you haven’t eaten anything,” Rupali brought a plate for Rohan in his room.

“Do you have a crush on Dr. Khanna?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why were you tongue-tied before him? Couldn’t you have spoken up, while he insulted us?”

Rupali took a deep breath. What was she thinking? That he would let it go? Of course not. And he wouldn’t leave her out of it either. Insulted us? Whatever that meant. As far as Rupali was concerned, she had been saved; not insulted. She didn’t want her workplace tainted with the memories of… But she did not want to anger Rohan further. Not at home, at least. Not when Kakima and Kaku would be around.

“It was not right Rohan. We work there…” she attempted a logical discussion.

“Don’t give me excuses,” he glared at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice.

“Why didn’t you speak up?”

“I… I got nervous,” that was an explanation he’d like. He liked to think of her as a damsel in distress, who needed rescuing.

He smiled. Rupali could not help noticing that it appeared affectionate. It still freaked her out…

“Of course. I should have known.” He got up from his bed and came to her. “But you really have to stop worrying when I am around, okay?”

She nodded.

“And right now, there is nothing to be nervous about,” he closed in on her.

“Rohan… Kakima is around…” she tried to protest.

“She is in her room, I know that,” he replied and kissed her. She endured the kiss fighting her urge to step back. She wondered if she’d ever feel the same way about a kiss as the heroines of novels did. It had always felt repulsive to her, something she had to endure. That was her destiny.

—

To be continued