STORY OF LOVE

                                             COOKED WITH LOVE                             

Few miles away from Harini’s house,  a car headed away from Bengaluru. 

“So how is it going?, his friend asked. 

“All my actions,so far, are felicitous enough to make her fall for me.”, he replied. “She is just awesome. Looking at her every day is so special. Her food is to die for.”, he smiled to himself. 

“Do you love her?” , his friend asked him. 

“Of course yes.”, he replied. 

“Then why do you have to do this to her?” , his friend asked in confusion. 

“For her good.”, he replied 

“You are imperiling your love for her, your eminence, above all your future.” , his friend warned. 

“Future?”, he asked in confusion. 

“Yes. What if she lodges a complaint against you?”, his friend spoke as he had an eye on the road. The darkness slowly crept in. 

“No, she won’t. She is bold and beautiful. Deep inside her, there is a tender hearted girl, who longs for a person, to support her dream. I will do it for her. I will do anything for her. And then..” he paused to smile. 

“And then?, his friend asked. 

He punched in his friend’s arm and nudged him to drive meticulously through the tenebrous road.

Chapter 1:

“Hello, Home away Home”, Harini answered the call, cradling the phone, in the crook of her neck. As she spoke, she moved out of the grocery store carrying two heavy bags.

Saba, her driver, who had worked with Harini’s father for more than a decade came running to relieve her off the heaviness of the bags.

She smiled at him, gesturing a ‘Thank you’.  She continued to speak over phone.

“I will repeat your order mam; Two Pesto Pasta, One Garlic bread, one cheese pizza, one Masala dosai.” There was a pause and Harini continued,  “Thank you for calling Home away home. Your order will be delivered by 8.30 PM.”, Harini ended the call.

“Saba, Anna. We have a delivery to make at 8.30 P.M.  The order is from Benson Town.”

“Sure.”, he nodded and ignited the car engine.

Harini, A Chemical engineer, commenced her career with an acclaimed Multinational company as a Process engineer.

Her opulent parents, suggested her to study Computer science and wear an ID card to sit in front of a computer. She chose to study Chemical engineering, wear a coat and stand behind the microscope, to deal with complex food science.

She was a process engineer in the Food industry.

She moved away from her home town to Bengaluru, very much against the wish of her Father, since her hometown did not have opening in Food industry.

While she broke the complex food science to simple particles at her work for analyzing them, she built complex foods from simple raw materials at home. She owned ‘Home away Home’ a takeaway and Delivery Restaurant. She loved cooking. She loved food. Hence her work and passion involved food.

The idea of starting a restaurant slowly germinated in her and grew into an obsession. It was simple and unpretentious. Most of her customers were her office colleagues, their friends and their friends of friends.

Harini wanted to make ‘Home away Home’ flamboyant and vibrant. She had been undergoing a lot of thought for the same.

She chose to live alone in a small 1 BHK flat, where she felt independent and secure. It was a big township. The only person she knew in her township was, Somaya ji, who owned her house. A couple,  who lived in the house opposite to hers, had hardly spoken to her.

Saba and his family lived just ten minutes away.

Her day unfolded at 5.00 A.M. She woke before the city was astir. Certain days were arduous right from the outset. But Harini was zealous and perky. She worked in the morning shift in her company, returning home at 3 P.M.

Her dinner preparations for ‘Home away home’ began once she was back. She served Indian and Italian foods. Her father had sent out his driver, whom she used for delivering foods. According to her dad, the Driver was for his daughter’s safety.

While her father called her profession ‘completely unnecessary to stay away and toil’, her mother called her Passion as ‘you were not brought up to be a cook. You never know what a dignified job is.’

But Harini was a born rebel.

She neither paid ears to her mom nor dad. She did what she loved. Her parents called her adamant. She did not bother.

Harini followed a simple thumb rule in life. ‘When you don’t stand for anything, you will fall for everything.’

As the car came to a halt, she rushed in to kick start the cooking. She totally had seven orders to prepare; three were to be delivered and the rest was takeaway.  She turned on the Microwave and raided the fridge for Basil leaves.

---

The next morning, Harini and Preetha were seated in their office cafeteria, situated at the Cunningham Road.

“So when is your wedding?” Harini could hear a voice which was feeble enough to escape the ear piece of her friend’s mobile and reach her ears.

Harini chuckled.

Preetha rolled her eyes as she sipped in some water.

The bright sky with tiny, scattered clouds looked beautiful. She looked at it.

Harini loved to fantasize things. She always loved imagining things in mind, which could never happen in reality.

One such silly wish of hers was a proposal; her prince charming, singing a song to propose her, under the moonlight.

She smiled at her thoughts.

“Crap.”, Harini heard Preetha abusing.

“Why do always people want to know what others had to do next? There is something called minding the own business. Are people aware?”, Preetha shook her head.

Harini smiled at her best friend and punched in her arm. While Harini was a silent rebel, Preetha was a bomb, ticking down, ready to explode anytime.

Preetha was an overprotecting friend of Harini. For Preetha, Nothing can be greater than Harini’s presence. They shared a beautiful friendship, beyond description.

“So did you speak to your parents?”, Preetha asked.

“I rejected few marriage proposals which my parents brought to me last month. They were upset. We never spoke for more than a week until yesterday. I got a call from Mom last night, when I was busy packing my last order. “

“What was it about?”

“It has been more than a month, since I visited Chennai. She wants me to be there this weekend. It is a long weekend for us. I could not deny. So I will have to start by Thursday evening after office hours.”

“That’s nice.“, Preetha turned her head as she spoke.

“Blue checks?”, asked Harini.

“No no. There you see the tall guy. He is the one.” Preetha smiled sheepishly.

Preetha loved gossiping about Guys. Harini always blamed her, for distracting their conversation, every time a good- looking guy passed by.

According to Preetha, there was nothing wrong in gossiping. In fact she took pride in it. She felt it was normal at their age.

“So, he is the most handsome guy, you have seen?”, Harini pulled her legs.

Preetha winked and thought about her Prince charming. His tall frame, spiked hair, and that breath taking look. He made her go crazy.

“Just one guy; One good looking guy and the entire conversation is lost.”, Harini sighed and sat back, folding her hand across her chest, not knowing which guy had registered himself in Preetha’s thoughts.

Chapter 2:

The long weekend arrived. Harini reached home 11 in the night. Her mom and dad were waiting to receive her. They had stacked the freezer section and kitchen with her favorite items. Harini looked at her mother. She was radiant and beautiful.

Her parents were sweet, except that her father was over cautious and mother was melodramatic.

Harini had a short talk with her parents and called it a day.

It was twenty three minutes past eight in the morning, when Harini woke up as she heard a sibilating ‘Good morning’ in her ears.

As she rubbed her eyes with her left hand and attempted to conceal a yawn with her right, she saw Vino, her cousin, standing there.

Harini slowly got back to sense and heard the house bustling with cousins and relatives.

“Wake up!!!!”, screamed Suji as she rushed in.

Sujitha  and Charan were her maternal cousins, while Vinodhini and Vivek , and Sreenivas were her paternal cousins.

“What happened?” Harini’s irritated tone did not surprise her cousins.

“Aunt told us.” Suji grinned.

“What did she tell you?” Harini tilted her head, gathering her disheveled hair.

“The groom’s family is coming here, today.” Vino widened her eyes, pinching Harini’s cheeks.

“Ouch.”, Harini exclaimed in pain. She never liked when someone pinched her in her cheeks.

“Harini, aren’t you out of bed still?” she heard her Mom’s voice.

“Ma, give me a moment to think. May I really know what is happening here?”

“Harini, we started matching your horoscopes with that of boys to look out for a perfect match for you. One such horoscope had matched and they are coming home today. I called you here for the same.”, her mom spoke with a pride that she had outsmarted her daughter.

“If we had informed you earlier, you would not have come.”, added her Father.

Harini sat there, hands covering her face. She was determined not to lose her temper for her parents, who had lost their mind, in an attempt to hunt boys for her.

She wanted some time to think, to deal with it. She slowly excused herself from her parents and locked herself in the washroom. She thought she needed a support, someone who could understand her.

She slowly walked out the washroom, after a refreshing bath, trying to separate her hair strands, which were tangled due to wetness.

She walked past the room where Vino and Suji were there. She thought of speaking to them.

“No, Vino. You don’t know that. Red Jhumka will go really good with this saree.”, Suji tried to rule out Vino’s idea.

“No. No. Kundan set will enhance the beauty.” Vino argued.

Harini let out a sigh. There were not the ones. They would not even understand her point.

She thought of seeking help from Vivek who was seated in the Maroon Dhivan.

“Vicky! I…”, she tried to speak, while Charan interrupted her.

“Hey, Boy, you know? The Groom is from a big Multinational background. We can really look out for some extravagant gifts and exorbitant meals. I heard they have parties there. He might take us, if we could impress him. I am super excited”, as Charan completed, they both gave a High-Five.

“Useless!” Harini muttered.

“Hey, Harini you were about to say something?”, asked Vicky.

“Not really. You are in your final year right? Get placed first. You will know what the reality is.”

“Hey look. She is worried we might make her husband spend more.”, Charan commented and they chuckled as if they had received an honorable accolade for their silly humor.

She stood there thinking, while her Mom and Aunt came running, shovelling the saree, which Vino had,  in her hand.  Her mom accompanied to her room.

“Mom, why don’t you understand? I do not want to get married now.” she persisted.

Her father and Grandmother had entered her room by then.

“What is your problem, Harini?”, her Dad demanded an answer.

“Appa, please. I have a big dream. “

“Please don’t repeat about that hotel, that you are running.”, her mom crooked her face in disgust.

“Ma, it is not a hotel. It is a Take-away and delivery restaurant. I know that you keep calling Saba Anna to check on how it is going. Hasn’t he told you about it?”, Harini argued.

“Son! Why don’t you let her chase her dream? Woman empowerment starts from home. She is just asking for time. Why don’t you give it?” , her Grandma came in as a rescue.

“In your days, people felt sick and crippled to tell that they cook. There were times when cooks were looked upon as poor people struggling to make both ends meet. This generation takes special pride.” her mom tried to stop her Mother in law from supporting her daughter.

“Had she paid ears anything to what we had advised? Studies, Nature of work, Place of job. Everything. Everything had been her wish so far. She is too juvenile to decide on what, when and how her wedding would be.” Her father spoke fast.

“Appa, I am not going to decide anything. I will leave it to you. But please give me time.”, Harini adjured.

“For what, Harini? Please don’t tell me it is for that hotel stuff you do.”

“Amma, Please. I know it is not flourishing. But, I have just started. I have to develop my restaurant. Climb up heights in my career. I want to write a cook book. I want to run a cookery show. I have so many ideas. I need time for everything. Please give me some time. Three years. Just three years. If I don’t achieve, then, I will get married.”

“Why can’t you chase your dreams after marriage?” her mom demanded.

“Huh”, Harini let out a sigh. “No, I can’t.” , her reply was stern.

“Why?”, her dad and mom asked in unison.

“.. that is because I want to be a strong and an independent woman. That is because, if my parents, who had risen me for twenty four years, cannot understand and believe in my dream, how can I expect a bunch of strangers to do? I do not want to rue for missing my dreams. I want to chase them. I want to achieve.” she spoke, her eyes shimmering with tenacity.

“Now, have the flowers pinned and get ready. Go.” Her mom urged.

She let out a sigh and walked towards the mirror. She smiled as if she got an idea. She suppressed it.

“I will come out in two minutes.”, she told to her parents.

Her dad stood still, reluctant to move.

“She will not run away.” her grandma snubbed her son.

“You might make her do so, by reminding, even if she did not have an idea of doing so.” Harini’s father blurted out. She smiled at her son’s fury.

Once the room was deserted, Harini did, what struck her few minutes ago.

“Hello, Sweetu”, his charming voice was audible after the fifth ring.

“Sree, I am in big trouble.”, Harini did not have time for beating around the bush.

“What happened?”, he was concerned.

“I am in Chennai now. It looks like a groom’s family is coming here today. It was planned without my knowledge.”

“Wow! Congrats”, exclaimed Sree.

“Sree! Please.”

“Ok, Ok. Cool. Listen, all these days, we had been shunning the marriage proposals. This time they are going to be right in front of us. We cannot eschew.”

“So?”

“Talk to the guy. Elders might not understand; Talk to the guy; tell him your dreams. If he rejects, Uncle and Aunt might find your point valid. “

“What if he accepts, just for the sake?”

“Let us hope that does not happen.”

There was a long pause.

“Sweetu?”

“Yes.”, her feeble response reached Sree.

“Ok, don’t worry. As I said, just try talking to him. It is time for a meeting. Catch you later. Bye.”, the line went dead.

As Harini, placed the mobile back on the rack, she just hoped to keep calm, and handle it.

As Sree, placed the mobile back in his pocket, he took two steps at a time to the meeting room, hoping the wedding proposal did not happen. He wanted his Harini. He yearned for a glimpse of her. It had been more than a year.

Chapter 3:

Harini was made to wait in her room while Suji was with her.  Harini closed her eyes and tried to stay calm. It was after ten odd minutes, they could hear a lot of noise outside.

“They are here.” Suji whispered. The mundane greeting took place. In another few minutes, Harini’s mom came in.

“Come!”, she held Harini by her hand and made her walk out of the room.

Her own living room looked a lot different for Harini that day. All eyes were on her. She could see so many strange faces smiling at her. She scanned the room quick to identify the groom. She could see no one.

Her mom nudged her to smile and greet everybody.

“Sit down, dear”, a lady in her mid-fifties, smiled at Harini.

‘Mother in law?’, Harini thought. Her mind corrected itself in a few seconds. ‘… Groom’s Mom.’ She registered.

“Why don’t you sing a song for us?”, the lady asked.

“Sorry, I am not a good singer.”

“She sings well. We had taught her music.”

Harini and her father said in unison. The groom’s family had a good laugh. Harini could hear Charan chuckling under his breath. She thought of dealing with the idiot later.

“That is okay.”, smiled a man in early sixties.

Harini again perused the room. She could not spot anyone who looked like a groom. Harini slowly lost her patience. She could sense that her expressions became restless. She made sure to restore it back to a formal smile.

“My son could not make it today.”, the lady spoke, as if she caught Harini’s scrutiny. “We are really sorry about it. His company had organized a, sudden crucial meeting today. We came here, to keep up our date and we thought why to begin an auspicious meeting on a negative note. “She smiled.

“We would be disturbing you again. We will visit once again with our son.”, the Groom’s father continued.

“Our pleasure.”, Harini’s mom and Dad spoke simultaneously.

“By the way, we love your daughter. She is so beautiful. We are just waiting to hear from our Son. How long you think you need time for marriage preparations?”, the lady asked.

“We have the jewellery, sarees, utensils and all other items ready. My friend owns a marriage hall; so even that would not be a problem. The preparations might hardly take a month. “, replied Harini’s dad.

Harini was stunned. She could imagine where this was going.

She was not sure whether it was for good or bad. How would she express herself?, Harini wondered. Does it have to wait till the groom comes again? She thought. It was not good. She cannot take chances with her parents. They are dangerous when given time. They will work fast. Her mind raced.

“Thank you for the photograph. I will show it to my son. Here is my son’s card. Please have it. We have already mailed our son’s picture. Hope everything goes well.”, the lady spoke and smiled at Harini’s dad, breaking Harini’s chain of thoughts.

“Vivek, my nephew helped me a lot in emailing the picture.” Harini’s dad introduced Vicky to the guests. He grinned in pride. Harini gritted her teeth.

The guests bade a bye and it was almost 12 in the noon when they left.

Harini changed to her tracks. She informed Preetha and Sree on what had been happening. She did not miss to grab the card and have it safe in her bag.

Harini tried to act normal as if she had no opinion about the proceedings. She could make out from what her Dad spoke. She had time until the groom visited their house. She decided to use it to its best.

---

“Best idea.”, Sree exclaimed as Harini spoke about her plan. Sree looked at the groom’s picture. He felt the groom was looking good. He was not sure whether to check with Harini about it. What if she had not seen still? He should not be driving her to look at him. The groom looked too good for a ‘No’. What If Harini accepts? Sree will not even have a chance. He did not turn the proposal down. It was Harini. He was just helping her.

“Hello!”, Harini’s voice was not loud enough to shut off Sree’s mind.

For Harini, Sree was special among the cousin. While only Sree and Charan were elder, the rest being younger, she always felt Sree had the same wavelength as hers. According to her Dad both were arrogant. According to Harini he was one who understood her. He was very close to her heart.

For Sree, it was a different feeling. She was not just special, but much more. Sree himself was not sure when it happened, but he started looking at Harini differently. She was not the same old kid, who gets irritated when someone pinched her cheeks. She was grown up. Her attitude towards life, her charm made Sree look at her differently. He fell in love beautifully. He was still awaiting a good opportunity to express it.

“Hello!”, this time Harini’s voice was loud enough to shut off Sree’s mind.

“Hey, yes, tell me.”, Sree replied.

“Day dreamer!”, Harini smiled. “So wish me luck.”, she smiled again.

“Sure! All the best. Hope everything goes fine. Everything.”, Sree felt awkward after stressing the last word.

“Thank you.”, she replied casually, assuring Sree that the stress meant nothing to her.

---

“Are you nuts?”, Preetha exclaimed when Harini spoke about her plan.

“No, believe me. It will work.”, Harini smiled. “I will show you how. Just call out this number.” Harini extended the card to Preetha.

“09”, Preetha called out the last digits, as Harini dialed. Harini waited eagerly for the line to get connected.

“Hello”, A warm voice answered the call.

For a moment, Harini felt the world around her coming to a halt. She was not sure why his voice gave her that feeling.

“Hi. I am Harini.”, she managed to speak.

There was a long pause on the other side.

“Hope your parents had informed you what happened last Friday.” She attempted to recollect who she was.

“Hey, Harini. What a surprise!” the voice exclaimed.

“Hope you are doing good.”, Harini thought she could start it polite. “I just thought I would talk to you about something. “, she paused.

“Yes, please”, the voice replied.

“I am not in a position to marry now; the reason which my parents won’t understand. I hope you will. I have big dreams to chase. I am not interested in getting married now. Can you please tell your parents that you don’t like me? You can project anything; my height, weight, color, etc. But please express your dislike. It would be easier for us to drop and for our parents to move on, if we stop at this stage. Once the proposal proceeds, it will be very difficult to look back. Thanks for understanding.” Harini closed her eyes, covered the mouth piece and let out a sigh.

Preetha was awestruck.

“Sure. Thanks for letting me know.”, the voice replied.

“Thank you so much.”, Harini smiled.

“Ok, Harini. Take care.”, the voice tried to end the call.

“Just a second.”, Harini tried to continue, which made Preetha to throw a weird look.

“May I know your name?”, Harini asked, sounding ambivalent about her own question. She heard the voice smile.

“Pawan. I am Pawan Kumar.”, he replied.

As Harini cut the call, she directly hit the delete button of the email in which her Father had attached the groom’s photo.

Chapter 4:

It was almost 8.15 P.M.  It had started to drizzle. Harini was peeping through her windows looking out for Saba. He had gone for a delivery.

It was more than a week since she spoke to Pavan.  She did not hear anything from her parents since then. She was not sure what Pavan had told. She thought for a while, cupping her face in her hands. Few minutes later, she made up her mind. ‘If there is a problem, let them come to me. I shall not assume and worry’.

The sky snarled with a loud thunder.  He wanted to rush home soon. He heard about ‘Home away Home’ through a friend. He wanted to give it a try. He parked his bike in a shade and called a number.

Her mobile phone started singing a melodious number. It was soothing for the cold night. She suddenly turned in surprise. How could her mobile sing? She came to her senses. It was a call from an Unknown Number.

“Hello.”, she answered.

“Hello. Is it ‘Home away Home’? “, asked a husky, male voice.

“Yes”, she replied.

“I would like to place an order.” He spoke fast.

“Sorry Sir. We take up orders only from 3 P.M – 8 P.M in the night. “, Harini replied.

“I guess I am late just by 15 minutes.”, he smiled.

“Ok, Fine. Is it a take away or delivery? If it is delivery, I cannot afford to, Sir, as my driver has not yet returned from the previous order.”

“No, It is a take away. I will come and get It.”, he replied fast.

“Sure. Can you please place your order?”

“1 serving of Aloo Paratha, please.” He ordered.

“Sure. Anything else, Sir?”

“No. That’s all.”

“Your name, please.”

“Uhh. I could not hear you. Sorry”

“Name, please.” She repeated.

She found it difficult to hear him. She heard him say Madhi.

“Thank you for placing your order with ‘Home away Home’. Your can collect your order by 8.35 P.M. “, she cut the call, heading towards her kitchen.

Harini neatly wrapped the Paratha in a foil and filled the ramekin with Dhal and Curd and replaced the lid firmly.

The clock struck 8.45 P.M. There was no sign of Saba. The order was still afresh. The sky started to pour down heavily.

She heard the doorbell ring. As she opened, she saw a guy standing in his formals. He was drenched. He shook his head vigorously, to shake off the water. Harini fixed her gaze at him. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair strands, in an attempt to set his hair right.

The water droplets in his palm and fingers, shined like little pearls, reflecting the fairness of his skin beneath.  He opened his eyes, bent down and made sure his shirt was fine. He unfolded his crumbled cuff to wither the excess moisture. By the time Harini opened the door completely; he slowly raised his head and met her piercing gaze.

His eyes were prominent gold in color. It shone in the night light. Harini had never seen such a guy. Harini had never seen a guy in such a way.

He did not expect her to be this way when she heard her voice. Her sharp features looked perfect on her. Her perfect brows, thin lips, such a talent from such a small package, he wondered.

They beheld each other, for a long time; their mutual admiration being resistant to most of the worldly disturbances.

It was as though the sky had to come down and make noise with its thunder, to make them both come to reality.

Both of them were shook by a loud thunder.  He suddenly shook his head, coming to reality.

“Home away home?” he asked.

“Yes. You are Mr.Madhi?” , she asked.

He tried to suppress a smile which was later vented out as a warm laughter.

“I am Abhivadan.” he introduced.” You had not heard my name properly then.” He continued.

“Sorry. Your order is ready.”, she excused herself and brought the pack. He paid her and as he was about to leave, he looked at the sky.

“Looks like it will not stop. Can I wait under the roof until the rain stops?”, he asked.  She could not deny. She thought for a moment at the same time. He was a stranger. She again looked at him. She felt he could wait outside.

“Sure, you can wait here.”, she pointed to the flat corridor, making sure he waited outside. She went in, closing the door behind.

Her Ceasar salad was waiting for her. As she moved to grab it, she heard her car honk. Saba was back. She hurried to the door. As she opened, she found Abhivadan, eating as he stood leaning against the wall.

“What?”, she asked.

“Hunger.”, he smiled.

Saba was already at the door step by then.

“Madam, what happened?”, he asked.

“He placed an order with us. He told he will wait for some time as it was raining. But he had already started eating.”, she narrated.

Harini felt bad for Abhivadan. She had an urge to invite him.

“Please come in.”, she invited. “Saba Anna, you too.”, she called.

As Abhivadan took a chair, the trio sat in silence.

“Why don’t you speak something, Saba Anna?”, Abhivadan asked.

Harini turned in a reflex by the sudden mention of the name.

“No! Just that I am able to hear my own munching sound, which I am not able to bear. So, I thought some external sound would help.” Abhivadan replied.

Harini burst into laughter.

“You are funny.” she justified her laughter.

“No, I am not funny. I am Abhivadan. Why don’t you get my name right?”, he asked with an innocent face.

Harini suppressed a smile.

“Ok, Ok. Abhivadan. Fine?”, Harini raised an eyebrow.

“You can call me Abhi.”

“Sure.”

“’Home away Home’ is too long.” he said.

“Sorry?” Harini asked in confusion.

“It is very difficult to address you every time as ‘Home away Home’. I hope you have a shorter and sweeter name.”, Abhi replied.

Harini shook her head. He was too charming.

“I am Harini.”, she smiled.

Abhi completed his meal. He thanked Harini and Saba Anna and left. Harini hopped to the kitchen to get her bowl of salad.

“Madam, I am leaving.”, Saba left.

---

As he entered his room, he felt happy. His first move was successful. He planned few, while some happened naturally. He was moved by her beauty, her mesmerizing voice, above all, her excellent cooking.

He dialed a number.

“Hello!”, a familiar voice answered.

“Thank you Saba Anna, for the co-operation.”, he smiled.

“No Problem Sir. But please execute your plan fast. I will be in big trouble if they know I am involved too.”, Saba spoke in haste.

“No worries, Saba Sir! I am on the right track.”, he cut the call.

Chapter 5:

The next day at work was exacting. There were so many onerous analysis and reports Harini had to complete.  It was around 3.15, she boarded her car.

She looked at the bright sky outside, Abhivadan’s face flashed through her mind. He looked smart. She felt as though she had been with him for so many times before. His looks never seemed strange.

Her thoughts were jammed by her mobile phone. It rang loudly.

“Hello.” She answered.

“Hello, Harini?” the voice replied. Her face lit up. She did not know why. It was him. She leaned forward in excitement.

“Abhi!”, she exclaimed.

There was a long pause and she could hear heavy breathing.

“I think you have got me wrong. This is Pavan.”, the voice replied, with disappointment.

Harini sat back, eyes widened.

“Sorry. I…”, she stammered.

“That is fine. I just called you to apologize. I am sorry for the delay. I am really not able to speak to my parents about my dislike. Hence I am delaying the visit to your house too. I will speak to my parents at the right time.”, he spoke in haste.

Harini took few seconds to gather her thoughts. She was not worried, addressing him as ‘Abhi’.  She did not mind about Pawan being disappointed with her, for addressing him with another guy’s name. She did not bother about Pavan getting her wrong. She had turned him down anyway. But why have Abhi’s thoughts gotten into her so much, to address another person as him? Had he been in her thoughts all this while? She thought.

“Hello!”, Pavan spoke on the other side.

“Yeah! That is fine. As long as you say a ‘No’, I am fine with anything. Thanks for the information.”, she replied.

“Sure, Take care.”, he let out his words fast and the line went dead.

That evening, she had only two orders to deliver. She packed them up neatly. One was from Preetha’s friend from RT Nagar, while other was from her colleague, to be delivered to Marappa Garden.

Saba took both of them and left. Saba had been returning late from deliveries in the recent days. She could not imagine why. She shrugged her shoulders as if it was fine until her customers did not complain.

She was not able to forget the phone conversation. She should have been a relieved girl by then, but she was confused.

Her mobile rang. It was a call for food order, to add to the number of orders she got that day.

“Hello!”, she answered in her usual voice, suppressing her confusion to one of her customers.

“Hey, Harini. Its Abhi”, a familiar voice called out.

This time she could not go wrong. It was not just a call to add to the number of orders, but also to add to her confusion. She had to meet him again today.

“Hey, hi.”, she replied.

“What is your dish of the day”, he asked.

“Uh. Hmm. Nothing in particular. You can place your order.”

“Well, then. A serving of Veg fried rice.”

“Sure, Thanks for your order. “, she checked her clock. It was 7.10 PM. “Your order will be ready by 7.40 PM”, she spoke in an urge to end the conversation.

As she packed the noodles, she checked twice whether there were packets of Tomato and Chilli sauce. Abhi came to collect the order. She refrained herself from any conversation. She began and ended with a formal smile, with very few professional words in between.

It was almost at 9 in the night, when Abhi called her again. She was hesitant to pick up the call, as it was not for an order.

She held her mobile and tapped it restlessly, staring alternatively at the green and the red button. Her bad, she chose to press the green.

“And before you start with your somber Hello, Miss.Chef, you should be careful before you swap orders.”, Abhi’s energetic voice startled her.

‘Why does he really have to disturb me again and again?’ she sighed.

“Sorry?”, she asked in discomfiture.

“I guess, I ordered for a Fried rice.”, she could hear him smile.

“Oh My…”, she exclaimed. “I am so sorry. I gave you noodles. So sorry.”, she apologized.

“That’s fine. It was the best Noodles I had ever had; so light, yet so filling. Less oil, loaded with crunchy vegetables.  I am feeling so good.”, he comeplemented her.

“Thank you.”, she smiled. Her intention to avoid him disappeared into the magical voice of Abhivadan.

“But you really have to answer for the mistake.”

“Why should I answer? It was just because of you, I was confused.”, she blurted out, disregarding the fact that she could be audible.

“What? Excuse me?”, Abhi cleared his throat.

“I mean. Sorry.”, she got back to her senses and the verity that she was audible. ”I should answer. It was just because of me. I am sorry.”, she faked an apology, with jollity.

He laughed, his same warm, comforting laughter, as if he got her completely.

Chapter 6:

“Your transfer is approved. You have to report in Bengaluru office the by 22nd ,Monday, next month.”, his boss confirmed.

“Thank you!”, exclaimed Sree.

Sree was happy. He could stay near Harini; meet her frequently; above all could express him well. If not for Harini’s dad, his Uncle, he would not have been timorous.

His uncle had never had a good impression on him. Sree’s mother was the last daughter in Harini’s dad’s family. Sree’s father never had a permanent job, due to which Harini’s dad had to support his sister, her son and her husband’s need. Sree was playful most of times, unpunctual and irregular in schools, slightly below than a mediocre student.

One fine night, due to ginormous piles of debt, Sree’s father decided to leave behind his family and move away. Harini’s father had to clear all the debt to bring him back to his family. Harini’s dad expected Sree to grow responsible and polite. He was, but in his own ways, which failed to impress his uncle.

The fact that his father was not able to support his own family, his uncle’s constant hatred towards his father, made Sree to cloister himself into his own world. He learnt to be independent, he grew as a one. His uncle named him, ‘Just like your father’, he neglected thinking, ‘you are too scathing.’

Harini’s mom had been a great source of encouragement for him. Sree decided to visit her. Before he could join in Bengaluru, he planned to visit Chennai.

He mailed Harini his transfer document and tried her number. It was busy. He tried again. It still was.

---

“We never imagined you would say this. Pavan came in person and told us.”, her mom spoke in trembling voice.

Harini made out that she was crying and Harini knew why, Pavan had done his job. She put her phone on mute, closed her eyes tight and exclaimed, “Yes!” Her headphone wire dangled severely in her mirth.

“Did you speak to him?”, she asked Harini.

Harini was still on mute. She was happy. She tried to conceal her euphoria.

“Harini, when did you speak to him?”, her mom repeated. As Harini began to speak, she heard her Dad’s voice in the background, coming in as a rescue, as her mom stopped her questionnaire there.

“We understand you child. We are happy you told this much earlier. Else, it would have been difficult. You could have very well told us about this, before talking to Pavan. I am still not sure from where you found such valiance.”, her Dad’s perception in this matter staggered her. “But, are you sure you are fine with what Pavan told us about the wedding?”, he continued.

“Yes, Of course”, came in her gutsy response.

“Can we proceed with what he has told us?, because once we are into it, there would be no room for looking back.”

“Please, Appa. Whatever he had told you is true. It was completely my decision.”

“What made you decide so?”, her dad asked.

“That is because, I care about my future.” she replied, holding her head high, as she had succeeded in an intrepid attempt to call off the marriage.

“Geeeee!!!”, she smiled as Preetha, picked her call up. Harini wanted to share it as soon as she could.

“What is the matter?”, asked Preetha.

“My wedding is called off. Pavan had told my parents about it.”, as Harini completed, her phone buzzed as there was another call waiting.

“Hey, my cousin is calling me, I will get back.”, she hung up Preetha’s call and switched to Sree’s.

“Sree!”, she smiled.

“Hey, Sweetu”, he replied.

“I have a happy news.”, both them uttered in unison.

“You first!”, Harini ordered, for Sree to oblige and he did.

“I am coming to Bengaluru next month.”

“Hey, What?”

“Before I answer, you tell me.”

“Wedding is called off.”

“Wow.”, Sree exclaimed.

“Mom called. She was sobbing that the wedding is annulled. Pavan had told something about what I spoke to him. I am not sure what it exactly was. Dad asked me repeatedly whether I was sure about rescinding the marriage. He was insisting that we cannot look back, once it is called off.”

“Happy for you.”, he said. ‘Happier for me.’ he thought.

“See you soon dear.”, Harini tried to end the conversation.

“Sure. Sree will see you soon.”, he cut the call, listening to Harini’s smile as he played with words.

Sree was sure she would ask him how and why he got the transfer. But she did not. She cared for him; but did not question his intentions. She watched for his actions; but did not follow them; She respected his feelings but did not interpret those.

‘Uff’, Harini let out a sigh of relief. She placed her personal mobile on charger and checked her official number. There were no calls. It implied she had no orders. She slided her window glass, rubbed her palm, folded her hands across her chest and sat cross legged on her chair, resting her cheek on the window pane. It has been a couple of weeks, she had hardly concentrated on her ‘Home away Home’. It needed a push. She had to take it to the next level. Few rain drops fell on her face. ‘Nice and chill’,she thought.

Her doorbell rang.

He did not wait for her to open the door completely. He tilted his head to meet her eyes. Before his enchanting smile or his alluring ‘Hi’, could reach her , her eyes caught his spellbinding look. His sharp gaze made her blush. She had never felt that way before.

“Ms. Chef, Hi.” , Abhi’s impeccable charm poured in.

“Hi, Abhi.”, she replied.

“The gentle drizzle, cool breeze, the pleasant night weather reminded me of you. “ he shrugged his shoulders, pressing his lips together and raising his brows, as if he could not help himself and that was why he was there.

“Excuse me?” , Harini crooked her brows.

“I mean, I ..I.  Just came here because I was hungry.”, He nodded his head, gesturing that he managed to correct himself.

“Hmmm.”, she smiled, tucking a starnd of hair behind her ear.

Kumar noted Harini and Abhi as he climbed the stairs up. This was the third time he was seeing him; twice with Harini and once in front of the flat, standing for a prolonged time. He threw a suspicious look and moved away.

“Won’t you invite me in?”, asked Abhi.

Harini still looked at Kumar and nodded with reluctance.

“What do you want for dinner?”, she asked still brooding on Kumar’s scrutiny.

“As you wish, Ms.Chef.”, smiled Abhi.

As he approached his flat, Kumar dialed his friend’s number.

“Hello”, his friend attended the call.

“Hey, this is Kumar. I find one of Harini’s customers is trying to get close to her. I find it strange. I saw him for the third time today. I do not think it is for good. “

“Oh, is it? Just let me know how he was. I will take care.” replied his friend.

Two floors below, Harini packed a serving of Phulka and subzi, which she decided to eat for dinner. She tried to send Abhi away, as quickly as she could.

Chapter 7:

It was 7 P.M, when Harini was paying her bill at the local grocery store. She had gone for getting some mozzarella. She had three orders for Cheese Pizza.  She was happier than ever. Her orders were gradually increasing in number. She had a minimum of 4-5 orders per day. She was just 10 minutes away from home. Saba had gone for a delivery, hence she had to come by walk. It was an order to be delivered near Quwwatul Islam PU College.

As she walked back, she saw Abhi talking to her Apartment owner Somayaji, pointing to her house.

Abhi froze for a moment, as he saw Harini. He quickly completed his conversation and kick started his bike. Before Harini could call him, he drove fast, disappearing from her sight.

Harini threw a weird look.

A couple of hours later, as Harini packed her last order, she heard her doorbell ring.

“Hi.”, Abhi stood there waving both of his hands.

Harini looked at him, taking a deep breath.

“What was it with the house owner in the evening?”

“I will tell you, before that can you let me in?”

She sighed. She opened the door widely, signing him to come in.

Saba was back and waiting to collect the next order for delivery.

“Saba Anna, How are you?”, Abhi asked in a cheerful voice.

‘Why does he has to ask this, when we met few hours ago?’, thought Saba. He still managed to answer, “Fine, Sir.”

“Harini. What is the order that you are packing?”

“Mr. Abhivadan, may I know who you are and what is going on?”

“Oh. Oozy –gooey cheese pizza.”, he exclaimed.

“I guess I asked you something.”, demanded Harini.

“I will tell you. Before that I want you to know something. ” Abhi nodded his head.

“What is that?”

“I know how much are into this ‘Home away Home’. I really feel you should come out a little of comfort zone to expand it and make it popular.”

“Come again!”, Harini stressed every possible syllable in anger.

“I mean to say, why can’t you take few more steps to make it happen?”

“I am already trying my level best to make it happen. I do not want some stranger to walk in and vilify me, who does mysterious things around me. You are just a customer and that is it. You can mind your own business and for now, you can leave.”, she pointed her hands towards the door.

Abhi looked at Harini and then at Saba. He looked at Harini again, for one last time and strode away, without uttering a word.

---

The next morning was usual than ever. The previous night’s incident did not have any impact on Harini.

She took her bag, locked the house and walked towards her entrance to leave for office.

She saw the girl who lived in her opposite house. She was in her PJs buying milk.

“Hi.”, she, for the first time, smiled at Harini.

“You are such a great cook to own a restaurant?”, she exclaimed.

Harini did not expect her to ask this, at least right in their first meet.

“Hi, I am Harini. Yeah, I do own one, but it is quite small. By the way, how did you know about it?”

“The board says it all.” she pointed to the outside wall of Harini’s flat. Harini turned in a jiffy, perplexed.

‘What? A board?’, she thought.

There was a beautiful board with ‘Home away Home’ written in beautiful cursive. It had her contact number too.

“Thanks.”, she managed to smile.

As she stood there confused, she saw her house owner approaching, heading for the morning walk.

“So you like it?”, he asked. “Your friend came to me last evening. He told that putting up a small board will help to boost your restaurant’s popularity. He was here to ask my permission. “

“Friend?”

“Yes. He told some peculiar name; some vadhan. Got it, Abhivadan”, he smiled.

“So happy with it?”, he asked again.

“Yes.”, Harini forced a smile on her face.

‘In just a day, the girl, who had not spoken to me once before, was able to identify me as a good cook. Such is the reach. Oh my god. I had been hasty last night.’ She thought as she walked.

Few hours later, Harini locked her computer monitor as she handed over her ‘Process Hazard Analysis’ report to her Chief chemical engineer.

George, her chief engineer was happy with the way Harini was interfacing with the Japan Team. It was half past 7 in Bengaluru, while it was already 11 A.M in Tokyo. Nobuyuki-San, the chief Analyst in Japan, had sent a note accrediting her flawless work.  She was allocated morning shift to overcome the zonal time constraint.

As Harini walked to the cafeteria, to grab a cup of hot coffee, her mind drifted to Abhi. She was thinking about him in the morning. She should not have been so hasty. She could now recollect the intensity those golden  eyes had. She tapped the cafeteria table with her fingertips.

‘How would I apologize?”, she thought. ‘When I had the nerve to chuck him out of the house, I should have the courage to repent for my mistake.’ She looked around. She had left her mobile at her work station. She finished her coffee and walked back.

As she grabbed to dial his number, she heard the chief calling her.

“Harini, can you please come here?”, he called. She walked swiftly to his computer.

“The Hazard and Operability Study, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis columns need more quantitative details. Also, here it is mentioned that there are no toxic or flammable substance. But this proposed reaction releases a lot of impure oxygen. This segment needs correction as well.”, he listed out , pointing to Harini’s report.

‘Disaster’, she thought to herself. She had already been a part of PHA Screening. She should not have let that happen. ‘Where is my focus?”, she questioned herself.

“I will talk to him first, this evening. It is eating my brain. But for now, I will get this done.”, she reminded herself.

Chapter 8:

“Hello!”, Abhi called out for the fourth time.

All that he could hear was soft breathing.

“Harini, if you are not going to speak, I am going to cut the call. For one last time, Hello?”, he spoke.

Harini was not surprised, that he knew her number. She called him from her mobile which she had been using exclusively for Home away Home.

“I am sorry.” she managed.

“That is ok.”, he replied stern and short.

“Accept my apology, please.” she requested.

“But still, wasn’t it too much to hurl me out, just like that?”

“I shouldn’t have done that. I was hasty. I know it was an impetuous and stupid act. I am really sorry.”, Harini tried to apologize.

“Ok. Ok. Apology accepted.”, Abhi smiled. “But in return, I want to meet you for a coffee this evening.”, he continued.

Harini sighed. She could not avoid.

“Ok, Sure, but not too late. I will have to get back home max by 7.”

“Excuse me? I cannot have a restaurant owner beside and go on a date outside.”

“What? A date? No. It is just a meeting.”  Harini corrected.

She heard Abhi laughing hard. “So you did not listen what I said prior?”

“Abhi!”, Harini let out a deep sigh. “Sure, Come home.” she pressed her lips together.

An hour later, he was home.

Abhi smiled at Harini as he sipped his steaming coffee.  She sat opposite to him with index and middle fingers of her left hand on her chin. She looked elegant in an Olive green Salwar, hair plaited. As she placed the coffee mug back on the table after a sip, a drop of coffee stuck to her lower lip. She took her index finger and wiped it off her lips. Abhi would not have mind helping her, but Harini would never ask for.

‘Lucky Coffee’, he spoke to himself, a little louder.

“Pardon.”, Harini spoke.

“I mean, I am lucky for this coffee.” He curled up his lips, took the mug in air and showed it to Harini.

“Thanks.” She replied.

“I wouldn’t have bothered if you had not apologized.”

“Then why did you pretend as if you were taking so long to accept mine?”

“You never know how sweet you sound. It is a pleasure listening to you. “, he complemented. “And if not for the prolonged drama, I would not have been here, making this evening a memorable one.” He finished.

“Come on.” Harini threw her arms in air, smiled at him and stared out through her windows.

“Where is Saba Anna?” Abhi asked.

“He has gone for delivering orders.”, she replied.

“Hmm. Okay. “, he shrugged his shoulders.

“So where do you work. Your timing seems to match mine.”, Harini probed her first question that involved a personal touch.

“I work with Netway; SJM Towers. Just 15 minutes from your office.” Abhi smiled.

“How do you know where I work?” Harini threw a skeptical look.

“Do you remember? I spoke to Somayaji regarding the board? I got to know from him that your office was at Cunningham Road.” , Abhi smiled.

“Oh.Ok.”, she replied.

“I am from Chennai. Where are you from?” Harini tried to know him more.

“I was born in Chennai; brought up in Ahmedabad. “  He smiled. “Parents are there.”, he continued.

“So how about you?”, he asked.

“My home town is Chennai, plus dad runs his office there. So parents are there. I came here for my career.” she stopped to look at Abhi.

He rested his arms on the table and cupped his face with his hands and leaned forward.

His gesture conveyed he was keen in knowing more. His eyes were warm and were liquid gold in the evening twilight. It was comforting to look at and it signaled that he would embrace more of her talks.

She continued to talk more.

“Food and cooking are the greatest thing for me. My work and passion both involves food. This restaurant is just a little spark to ignite my dream to land in stars; Starts in the sense, my cook book, my food channel, my own website, where I could couple home food and science behind it. “, she spoke with pride and aspiration beaming in her eyes.

“Hey, so, how long you have been here?”, Harini asked Abhi.

“Uh.. Two years.”, he managed.

“Oh. Ok. Ok.So how many of you in your family?”

“Four of us; Mom, Dad, brother and I.”

Abhi felt Harini had started to question him too much.

“So why this name?” he asked her, on a casual note.

“My dad’s choice. He wanted his daughter to be pure, gentle and prosperous always.”

“I did not mean ‘Harini’. I meant ‘Home away Home’.”, he smiled.

“Hah. Sorry. I am not sure, but I am a strong believer that food is the integral part of not just stomach, but also heart. The sheer magic of food is how long it indulges in your heart. Not just the stomach, but your heart should feel full too, after you eat my food.”, she paused to smile and look at him.

“That is how I wanted to cook for people. According to me, when I think of home, It is just the comforting food and relaxing environment that comes to my mind. I just named it in an attempt to give people, some comforting food , that reminds them of their home. Hence ‘Home away Home’. I was inspired by my mom. She is a great cook. She did it for 6 members in the family. When I try to do it for 6000 people, she claims is it not a dignified profession.” She smiled.

“Wow.”, he exclaimed.  “We do not connate the dreams; but, the attitude to achieve them. I am spellbound. Certain people inspire us by achieving; you inspired me by aspiring; they are so lucid.”, he smiled. He felt he could just hug her, gently pat on her shoulders, kiss her cheeks and say he would be there for her always.

But all that he did was putting up a gracious smile, suppressing his thoughts.

He felt it was time to get back to the topic.

“Hey, by the way coming back to business. “ Abhi rubbed his palm, pulled his sleeves back and clenched his fist tight.

“What?”, she asked.

“I have some ideas. They are open. You can choose or deny.” he pointed both his index fingers towards Harini.

Harini thought , she could  listen to him. She cannot be hasty every time.

“So you have two different numbers. One for personal and the other for ‘Home away Home’ right?”, he asked pointing to her mobiles on the table.

“Yes.”, she nodded.

“Let’s do something.  Let us note all the numbers who have contacted you so far. Let us form a group called ‘Home away Home’ in the texting service App. Have that as a platform to communicate to all members at once. Out of all the cuisine you offer, make one signature dish in each cuisine per day. You could decide it in the morning and plan accordingly. Exactly at 3 P.M when your order line is open, drop in a message in the group describing your menu for the day. It will attract people. They can either ping in the group or separately for placing the order. By making one dish in each cuisine, you can reduce the purchase of Raw materials based on the request, also you could be more organized. Apart from the signature dish, if you have some extra stuff in Pantry, just think what you can make and add them to the menu.” , he finally took a breath.

“I had thought about it. But what if that particular dish is not their preference?”, asked Harini.

“That’s an almost impossible thing. Only when you have a lot of choices, choosing is difficult. You choose it better when the choices are less. The same principle applies here.”, he smiled.

“Sounds great.” she smiled. “Thank you. I will surely do this.”, she assured. Harini was astounded.  ‘What an idea?’ she wondered.

“Oh, my time is up.” Abhi grabbed his mobile.

“7 P.M was for me to return if I was out. If it is at home, you can stay longer.”, Harini bit her lip as she spoke.

“What was that?”, he asked.

“I mean, It is already 7, how long will it take for you to reach home?”, she managed to re-frame her sentence.

“Uhh..”, Abhi fumbled.

“By the way, where do you stay?”, Harini asked.

“Twenty odd minutes from here.”, Abhi managed to make up.

“Oh. Vasanth Nagar?”, she asked.

“Yes.”, he smiled.

“Ok. And one more thing.”, Harini tried to continue. ” I thank you so much for the banner. It looks great.”

“Way too early!  Reserve your Thanks until you see the reach.”Abhi smiled.

“I have already! I witnessed one in the morning.”, Harini grinned. Abhi smiled back, as he waved her a bye and ran towards his bike.

He met Saba who was waiting for him in the street corner.

“Sir, I am standing here for the past thirty minutes. I would be in big trouble if I get noticed. “

“Don’t worry Saba. It is all until Harini gains my trust. And then..” Abhi paused to smile. “By the way, I thank you for providing Somayaji’s contact number. See you.”, he continued and raced ahead fast.

Saba was not sure about anything. He had kept his staunchness at stake.

Chapter 9:

Abhi’s messaging app group Idea worked well. It had been one week since Harini was executing it. It was perfect. Abhi’s idea did help in ameliorating her order flow. Harini served a minimum of 12- 15 orders per day. Abhi’s order came in every day. He was her first guest.

As she had the group going on, there was one thing that concerned her. It was Abhi’s absence in it.

She did not fail to ask him why.

“Hmm. Not Sure. Social networking does not interest me.”, he replied with a wry smile. Harini did not look convinced.

“Come on. You can stay in touch with just your fingertips.”, she justified.

“I do not believe in shrinking the atlas, but being a stranger to my own neighbor. I do not want to stay electronically connected through an App. I want to stay emotionally connected through the heart.” , he smiled. Harini found the point valid.

“You make sense.”, she smiled.

“Thanks.”, came in the response.

---

That day was a lot demanding. She had 4 orders for Pizza margherita, five orders of Cauliflower Pulao. She struggled to put things together. As she wiped her sweat away, she heard the doorbell ring. She still had 20 minutes for her order. She prayed it was not the person for take away. As she opened the door, she saw Abhi standing at her doorstep with a smile.

“May I come in, Chef?”, he smiled.

“Sure.”, she smiled back.

“Looks like a hard day.” He raised his eyebrow.

“Yes. Have a seat.”, she pointed to her sofa and ran into the kitchen.

As she rolled the dough for pizza, she heard Abhi walking into the kitchen.

“How may I help you?”, he asked. “Hey,  No. Thanks. I will manage.”, as she replied, she opened the oven door, trying to pull out the Pizza stone with bare hands. “Careful.”, Abhi shouted. He hurried towards her to fetch her glove. She managed to get a box and pack the pizza. She hurried to the stove top to check on the rice.

“You are inexorable.”Abhi looked at her in awe.

She winked and ran to get the Cauliflower florets. Abhi helped her to gather the items the pack things for her.

It was easy and fancy to cook 3 or 4 servings having more than half hour for each dish; but to make 12 servings it required a lot of multitasking and planning.

Abhi felt she was nailing it.

It was around 9 P.M when she packed her last order. Saba was there to deliver. Saba did not fail to throw a skeptical look at Abhi.

‘Ufff’, Abhi felt puffed after completing the last order. He was just moving around, getting things in place for Harini, while she did everything.

Abhi looked at her; for a long time. She arched her body and stretched her arms. It was surprising for him how much energy she had; it was surprising how well she managed; how beautifully she brought out a dish. She was not a chef, she was an artist. She crafted even the minuscule fragment of food with utmost perseverance.  He lost himself in her; in her determination; in the way she loved her dream.

He rested his palm on her kitchen countertop and with a low thud, he sat on it.

“Whoa!”, he exclaimed.

She smiled at him.

“You are a monster in the kitchen; A sugary , cute , little monster.”, he smiled.

“Thanks. I take that as a complement.” she laughed hard.

She checked for messages in her personal mobile, placed it on table and excused herself for a short refresh. As she returned to her living room, pat drying her face, she noticed Abhi meddling with her phone.

“What are you doing?”, she asked in panic.

“Just surfing through the messages.”, Abhi replied.

“That is my mobile. How dare you do it? “, She asked, her face reddening.

“Cool down Harini. I was kidding. I dropped it by mistake. I was just placing it back, checking if the display was ok.” he replied calmly.

She looked at her mobile and hit her head. “Sorry.”, she replied, smiling sheepishly.

“That is ok.” he smiled, feeling a massive relief that he was able to pretend as though he did not meddle with it.

Abhi left after a sumptuous dinner. Nevertheless to say, he visited her every day for dinner. He planned so many things to impress her. He was just being impressed by her more by every passing day.

Chapter 10:

A couple of days later, as Harini hoped out of the bus, she ruminated about the day’s dishes. Corn Avocado Pasta, Mooli paratha,Sago idlies, she thought.

She procured the ingredients and walked home brisk. It was almost a week, since she spoke to her parents. She texted her father a couple of days back, for which she was yet to get a response.  So she decided to call them tonight.

She climbed up the stairs , just to see Abhi waiting at her doorstep, with a huge pakcage in his hands.

“Hey.” , she exclaimed.

“Hello!”, he stood up and walked towards her.

As she keyed in her door, she opened it ajar and let Abhi in. He struggled to take the box that was wrapped in a shimmering red paper.

“What is with that pack?”, asked Harini.

“Well. That is my gift to the most enthralling cook I have ever seen.”, Abhi smiled broadly.

“It looks huge for a gift.” she shook her head. She did not expect this. She was not sure why should Abhi gift her something. What did she mean to him? She thought they were developing a good friendship. But what does this going to mean?, she had numerous questions.

“What is there to ponder on it so much? It is just a gift.”, he smiled, as though he read her mind.

“All the hesitation would prevail, just until you open it. Once you do, you are going to love It.” he continued.

“You will play with it like a pro.”, he exclaimed intriguing her further. Red shiny gift wrap, a little oversized box. What would it be?, she thought.

“A Persian Kitten or a Pug puppy?” , she raised her eyebrows.

“Well that would be a nice choie of gifts; but you are going to love this.”, he assured. As she unwrapped, all that her hands could feel was untangled long stripes which ended in a plug. She slowly uncovered the whole gift to see a new branded Oven.

She eyed him with awe.

He was gratified to see the joy in her eyes.

“That is wonderful. Thank you so much.”, she spoke in between her smiles.

He winked at her, gesturing there was nothing to mention.

“You do not have to run and pull out a hot pizza stone with bare hands.”, he smiled. “Hurt less work more.”, he added.

His smile was like the balmy days of the late summer. His presence was so comforting. She felt she could hold his hands and move mountains. She felt, his presence sourced prodigious power to move on and on. She panicked at her own thought. Wasn’t it too soon?, her mind reminded.

‘Sometimes it is just the instincts. Even a fraction of second is too long.”, her heart convinced.

‘Have I fallen for him?’, she asked herself, confused.

“Hello.”, his voice brought her to reality.

“Dreaming about Pizzas and cakes?”, he smiled.

“Yes, I was dreaming.”, she replied.

He helped her arrange the oven.

“You have octopus hands. Multitasking is your greatest asset. I hope that an extra oven will help you a little.”, he complemented.

“I am so excited to use this. Thank you so much.” she exclaimed.

“Please;  enough of thanking me. Will I get a cup of coffee?”, he grinned.

She slowly headed to the kitchen, looking at him through the corner of her eyes.

‘You are the one, causing the affable battle between my mind and heart.’ she thought, looking at him, smiling at her own self.

---

It was a couple of days since he gifted her oven. It did make her life easy.

A minimum of 12 orders came in every day. Abhi advised her to track how many new customers she fed every day. There were atleast 6 of them. She was very happy with the numbers.

“Off late I sense some difference in you.”, Preetha asked Harini, as they had their lunch.

“Really? What kind ?”, Harini tried to understand the question.

“You seem as though you have got rid of your uncertainity, hesitation, anxiety you had about this new place, your restaurant. You seem more confident. ”

“I have got good direction how I should really progress with ‘Home away Home’.”

“Yes. I really see good response in the group.”, Preetha nodded her head.

“Not Just that. Look at this.”, Harini showed her mobile.

“‘Home away Home’ page in a social networking site?”, Preetha exclaimed.

“Yes. It was his idea.” Harini smiled. “He gave this idea; to open a page and slowly invite all my friends to like them. Also, when someone places an order, I would post a pic of it on the page and thanking them for the order. If the member who has ordered is in my friend list, I tag them. By this way the page gets more popular and so my restaurant.”, she spoke in single breath.

“Who is that ‘he’ ?”, asked Preetha.

“Abhi. Abhivadan.”, Harini smiled. Harini could sense how much happiness his thoughts brought to her.

Harini’s smile lured Preetha to talk further. “Where and how did you meet him?”

Harini narrated the rainy day, Aloo paratha order until the gift.

“You are so fascinated to talk about him. What is going on?”

“It is too early for that.”

“I thought you were just attracted to him; but you assumed I was about to talk about love. “, Preetha nudged Harini. “You have fallen for him.”, Preetha assured.

“It is time to get back to work. Come on. “, Harini pulled Preetha by her arm.

She got an answer for the question she had last night.

Chapter 11:

“Mom, Your message did not reach me at all.” Harini argued for the fifth time. She called her parents that evening.

“No I did reply.”, her mom was not ready to give up.

“Why there is such a juvenile dissension? Just ask her will she be here by 20th.”, Harini could hear her Dad’s voice from behind.

’20th for what’, she thought. She did not ask though. It was almost a month she visited her parents. She had to go to Chennai.

“Harini..”, she heard her mom’s voice.

“Yes Mom.”

“Be here by 20th.“

“Ok mom. Fine.”, she sighed.

“Did you hear me?”, her mom asked. It was her parents’ way of re-iterating things.

She checked the calendar.

“Yes Mom. I will come on 20th.” she assured.

She suddenly heard a noise in the kitchen. Her mind diverted. The glasses she had stacked had fallen. As she hurried to arrange them, she sensed her mom was talking something.

“….You have to think how understanding we are. That is why we are calling you on a weekend.”

“God. Same story”, she mumbled.

“Ok, Amma. No worries.”, she tossed a generic reply.

“Ok take care until then. You are living in an apartment, all alone. You never think about asking me to come over. What else is my duty at this age rather than staying with my daughter?”

“Mom, I have told you ample number of times. It is difficult to set in a new place at this age. The climate is totally crazy here. It is freaking cold in the morning. It rains in the evening.”

“I checked with my friend Radha. She told me wearing a sweater would help.”

“Mom, please. Please don’t start all over again.”

She could hear sobs.

‘Just because they have accepted the way I have called off the wedding, does not mean I have to comply with everything that is being said.’ Harini thought.

“Mom please.”  She tried not to be offensive. There was prolonged silence. It meant upset and anger.

“Mom, Please. I will come on 20th. No worries. I will take good care; you too, please. Love you.” She pacified her mom and cut the call.

She headed back to Kitchen. She had five orders for cheese corn pizza and two order for Vegetable Paratha  on hand . As her mobile beeped, she rushed to check the order.

It was a text; A text from Abhi.

“Sorry. I am out of town for next few days. I will not be able to come over. Happy cooking, see you this weekend.”, Harini read it loud.

She was not sure what he was doing. She could ask. But she was not sure what stopped her. He had been doing so much to her. She was not sure why.

She was not sure about anything related to him; even how she was relating herself to him. She smiled.

She walked to the kitchen. She had prepared the food. She needed to bake it. She gently held the handle of the oven, Abhi gifted here.

‘How supportive he has been?’, she spoke to herself.

How it would be to find someone who would safe guard my dream, more like his own, she thought. He is doing so much for me. What am I going to re-pay with? Before that why should he?  Who was he? She wondered.

Why was her mind drifting towards him, she thought.  She was not the same until yesterday.

His absence slowly created a void. Her mind drifted to his thoughts to fill the vacuity.

‘Am I missing him already?’, she thought. ‘No’, screamed her mind. ‘Yes’, acknowledged her heart.

Her thoughts were distracted by a strange suffocating feeling.

‘What?’ she wondered as she turned around.

She then realized it was the burning smell of the flat bread which she had left on the stove top. She ran to fix it.

---

Few miles away from Harini’s house, a car headed away from Bengaluru.

“So how is it going? his friend asked.

“All my actions, so far, are felicitous enough to make her fall for me.”, Abhi  replied. “She is just awesome. Looking at her every day is so special. Her food is to die for.”, Abhi smiled to himself.

“Do you love her?” , his friend asked him.

“Of course yes.”, he replied.

“Then why do you have to do this to her?” , his friend asked in confusion.

“It is to make her mind feel exhilarated, unhindered by all her obsession.” Abhi spoke as he pushed back his seat.

“You are imeprilling your love for her, your eminence, above all your future.” his friend warned.

“Future?”, Abhi asked in confusion.

“Yes. What if she lodges a complaint against you?”, his friend spoke as he had an eye on the road. The darkness slowly crept in.

“No, she won’t. She is bold and beautiful. Deep inside her, there is a tender hearted girl, who longs for a person, to support her dream. I will do it for her. I will do anything for her. And then..” Abhi  paused to smile.

“And then?, his friend asked.

Abhi punched his friend in his arm and nudged him to drive meticulously through the tenebrous road.

Chapter 12:

The gleaming brightness of the aurora through the window glass, made her roll over to the other side of the bed.

She covered her face with the quilt and continued to enjoy her morning sleep, which she never got during the weekdays.

She was startled by the sudden ringing of her mobile.

“Hello.”, she answered, her voice evident that she was sleeping.

“Hey, Harini. Good morning.”, the voice from the other side cheered her up.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to open them.

“Did you see the newspaper?”, Abhi’s voice slowly brought her to senses.

“Good morning, Abhi. No I did not.”, she spoke in between short yawns.

Abhi sensed she needed sometime. He cut the call and was waiting for her to call him back.

Harini called him in the twentieth minute.

“Hey!!”, she exclaimed. “I saw that.”, she smiled.

A famous national Newspaper was conducting a Cookery competition in Bengaluru , to promote their newly launched Food magazine ‘Flavors’.

The participants were supposed to post the picture and recipe of their signature dish and panels of chefs will short list twenty members. The twenty members would cook in two rounds at the ‘Flavours’ magazine backyard studio and the winner would get to post their recipes or food ideas or any food related content in their magazine.

The recipes were to be submitted in another week’s time, while the phase-off cooking at the studio was due in a fortnight’s time.

“That’s huge.”, she exclaimed.

“Just think about ‘Home away Home’s popularity if you win it.”, Abhi re-iterated it. “ Now no time to waste. Just work on what the dish you would be sending.” He prompted her.

Harini was both, enthralled and bewildered. Her mind raced. It was a great opportunity. Her mind rushed with ideas. She thought about it all day at office.

Two days passed by.

Abhi felt he should call Harini and check on her progress. As he dialed her number, an excited Harini attended his call.

“Abhi. Can you come over? I have come up with a dish. I just want you to see it.”, she called.

“Hey, that’s great to hear. I am very excited to see it; but I am sorry. I am stuck up in office. Send me the image.”, Abhi replied casually.

“But, you do not use the App that supports Multimedia transfer  right? “, Harini asked, her excitement slowly fading. Had he started using without letting her know? She wondered. But did it matter, why should he tell her? she corrected herself.

Abhi bit his lip. He cannot afford to make mistakes at that point of time. Things were coming together beautifully. He was just a step away from gaining her trust.

“Hey, I am  Sorry. I was just held up here and sorry little out of mind. “ He managed. “I will be there in few minutes.”, he cut the call.

Harini rubbed her palm, impatiently.

Abhi expected a marvel in front of him, as he reached her home. She opened the door, letting him in, while his eyes searched for the dish.

All that he could see was golden potatoes, a cup of rice, Panner tikka in a skewer and red cabbage and capsicum juliennes.

She looked at his disappointed face. She smiled.

“Wait. The gimmick is here.”, she grinned.

Abhi could see that she was heating a unique looking wooden plate on high flame. After few minutes, she neatly arranged the cabbage leaves. The leaves sizzled.

She carefully plated the rice. The moment the rice came in contact with the hot plate, it gave out a perfect aroma of herbs. She plated her potato wedges and the skewers. Her house started smelling wonderful. The whole dish came together graciously.

Abhi looked stunned.

“Marvelous.”, he exclaimed. “What was that?”, he smiled.

“A sizzling Italian platter with South-indian inspired Chettinad Paneer tikka.”, she smiled.

“Oh my Goodness! It is sure a winner.” He exclaimed.

She rushed in and bought her digital camera. As she zoomed in, she found Abhi raiding his backpack. He took out an enormous looking DSLR.

“Winning dishes deserve much more.”, he pushed her camera to a side and focused the lens onto the plate. He suddenly stopped.

“If you won’t get me wrong, I feel it could have some greens sprinkled. Probably leek or fennel or parsley or coriander.”, he spoke as though he recollected it hard.

“Are you kidding me? You are talking about leek and fennel? Where did you get all these names from?”

“It is not unfair to get a bit of knowledge of something that you have mastered.” He winked. “I know how much you love food and cooking.  I thought I would know about it a bit, so that I can understand you better.”

She looked at him in awe. ‘You tried to know it for me?’, she thought.

“Hello? Some green coming up or shall I take a snap?”, he brought her back to reality.

“Just a second.” she ran to the fridge, to see the stock, still not out of the shock.

They posted the best picture captured, along with the recipe. The wait to know the result, which lasted for a week, seemed as though it was never going to end.

To Harini’s excitement and Abhi’s surely-you-will-win attitude, her recipe was short listed.

By that time, the next week, she would be cooking in the city level competition.

Her excited voice filled his earpiece.

“Sure, I will be there in the next 5 minutes.”, he smiled as he cut the call.

She had invited him over to celebrate their first victory.

She sat at her window, the cool breeze hitting her face. She thought about him.

She smiled, how much his presence had impacted her. She could not think of anything else except him , his charm, his attitude, his interest in her passion;  the way he revisited every single letter before uploading the recipe; the way he motivated her; the way he assured she would win.

She could imagine how well he would support her, for the rest of her mammoth ambitions. Life would be so much easy with him, she assured herself. He was the one who could understand and love her passion as much as she did, in fact even a  little more.

She smiled, ‘Yes, he is the one.’

As he cut the call, Abhi thought hard with a wry smile. He planned to deceive her, but the things that happened in sequence enhanced his chances and encouraged his motives.

“Don’t do this to her.”, his friend, who had been watching Abhi all the while, warned.

Abhi smiled.

“She shouldn’t have done…”, Abhi paused to smile.

His friend shook his head.

“No time for old stories. My present is just more awesome.”, he clenched his fist tight and punched in the air.

“I am reminding you, your whole life is at stake.” , his friend apprised. Abhi was calm.

“You have unnecessarily involved Saba.”, his friend cued up.

Abhi smiled. “Yes, but I know I will win.”, he spoke as he took his bag, heading to Harini’s flat.

Chapter 13:

Abhi was invited by the cheesy aroma.

“You have taken orders today, too?”, he casually removed his bag off his shoulders and placed it on her bean bag. He walked straight to the kitchen.

Off late, Abhi made him more comfortable at her place.

“Just 5 pizza orders; this is the last one I am preparing; two in the oven; two gone already. “, she smiled. Her smile was warm. Abhi felt he should be the reason behind it, forever.  He loved her; he loved her a lot.

As she soiled both her hands with pizza dough for the next order, she sensed her apron knot loosening.

“Oh my!”, she exclaimed. As she tried to support the rope that was unfastening quickly, she heard Abhi’s voice.

“If you don’t mind”, Abhi spoke softly, “I can help.” he continued. She looked at him stunned. How it would be to feel his arms, around my waist, tying the rope?, she wondered. She felt goose bumps all over her body. She slowly closed her eyes.

“Excuse me.”, his voice startled her.  He stood there, holding the end of the rope that had just unfastened. It held the apron in place.

“I hope your hands are not wet. Just dust them and tie.” he instructed.

She smiled at herself.

“What?”, he asked.

“Nothing.”, she looked at him, deep into his eyes, smiling broadly at her own stupid thoughts.  He was too gentle.

She looked into his golden eyes. She was not sure how long it had been, she would not have bothered even it had been ages that way, lost in his eyes.

She shifted her gaze as the doorbell rang. She knew it was for the take away.

She took out the pizza from the oven, packed it neatly. She stuffed a couple of packets of mixed herbs, Chilli flakes and ketchup sachets.

“You have to be careful with the other famous Pizza shops.”, Abhi spoke as he stood, leaning against the wall.

“I know. But they are professionals. I am just an amateur. I can be inspired by them to make good pizzas, but it is way too soon to consider them as my competitors.”

Abhi smiled. “By careful, I meant, don’t send them home soon. Leave some business for them too. “

Harini smiled. “Well that is an exaggeration. Hey  , we have got to give this.”, she grabbed the pizza box and walked to the door.

There stood a guy, waiting for his order.

“Thank you for placing your order with Home away home.”, Harini smiled.

As she handed over the pack, the guy looked around, handing over a card.

“Sorry sir, I do not accept cards.” ,Harini clarified. As she did it, Harini saw him searching his wallet for money. The guy came up with a one thousand rupees note and exclaimed ,“ I don’t have any change.”

Harini walked in to get the change, while Abhi felt something was strange with him. Abhi felt he was just buying time.

“How much was the bill?”Abhi asked, trying to sound polite.

“180”, Harini replied.

“Here is your change Sir. Thank you for ordering with us.” he tried to smile. Harini neared as the guy was about to leave.

“I am Naveen’s friend. He never told me you are married.” , He asked in an attempt to clarify his confusion.

Abhi looked at Harini. She answered him as though she read his mind. “Naveen is my colleague.”

“I am sorry. But I think you have your food delivered. Is there anything we could do to you, related to your order?” , Abhi suppressed his disgust, stressing on the last four words, optimistically ordering the guy to mind his own business.

“No thanks.” the guy moved as though he understood what Abhi meant, not failing to throw a who-is-he look.

Harini smiled at Abhi. His anger towards the guy was evident on his face. She looked at him, realizing how protective he was.

Abhi saw the guy leaving, he also saw an older man looking at him.

Kumar ascended the stair case, scrutinizing Abhi.

“Come” , Harini called Abhi in.

He smiled at her, he smiled at his own accomplishment. From a stranger, whom she hesitated to allow waiting in the corridor to a person whom she thought , would protect her.

“I will bring you dinner.” she walked into her kitchen, grabbing the Apron and the sweet memories it held. It was after twenty minutes, she walked out with hot masala dosai and its accompaniments.

“Wow.” Abhi exclaimed.

She smiled, as she placed the plate before him.

“This is special.” she smiled.

“I can’t wait.” Abhi rubbed his hands. As he grabbed a big piece to pacify his growling stomach, he heard Harini speak.

“You would not ask me, by what means it is special? “

He smiled at her. “What makes it special?” He asked.

“I have added an ingredient; A four letter ingredient, for the very first time.” She smiled trying to hide her blush. Abhi kept relishing the food, not noticing her.

“Salt? But that is supposed to be added to every savory dish right? What else it could be?” he thought hard. “Some more clue.” he grinned.

“Starts with L and ends with E.” she smiled.

Abhi thought for a while. Couple of minutes later, He smiled, as if he knew it.

He looked at her and said, “Got it; Lime.” He grinned.

She sank back into her chair and frowned.

“You are not getting it, do you?” She replied, worried.

She grabbed the plate from him and pretended not to return it until he answered.

“Brain does not work with hungry stomach.” He replied, his face innocent.

She smiled as she handed over the plate back. She looked at him for a few seconds. He was enjoying her food.

“I wish I could cook for you, forever.” she blurred out, words falling through her mouth involuntarily.

He looked up, stunned as if he heard her. “What?”, he asked, suppressing a smile.

“I mean, I wish I could cook forever, for a person who could enjoy as much as you do.”, Harini replied. She was not sure, if it made any sense. She was happy she could at least manage.

He smiled.

“I am thinking hard, but I cannot make it out. What is that four letter ingredient?”, he asked. He lied and Harini knew it.

She looked at him, deep into his eyes.

“You know it. Why would not you tell it?”, her eyes spoke in silence.

“I want to hear it from you.”, his eyes replied.

She sought solace in his eyes.

She lowered her head, swallowed hard and parted her lips, just to say , “Love.”

The moment she uttered the word, his mobile rang, aloud. She was not sure whether he heard what she spoke. He took out a big mobile. It was a smart phone, for sure.

“Abhi, I…”, she tried to talk.

“I am getting a call, don’t you see it?”, he replied. He was tensed.

Abhi was tensed; he did not expect the call now. He can neither attend nor walk away as both might be a problem for him.  He quickly finished his meal and left. Harini was not able to talk to him any further.

He thanked her for her meal and bade a bye, not failing to wish her luck for the competition.

She did not get a moment to ask him about what she had told.  She was embarrassed. She was confused. He had told her, he never used latest phones. Where did the new phone come from? Had he been hiding something from her? What was the call all about? If it had been a more personal, he could have attended at the least. Why didn’t he attend?

Something was strange.

Chapter 14:

Two days passed by. The competition was just four days away.

Abhi did not visit her for the past two days.

Harini was confused. What was he doing? Had she been speculating too much? Had she been hasty? His equivocal nature left behind questions, just moot questions.

She could not confirm he was wrong, but could neither assume he was right. She checked her watch. It was 3.15 P.M. Time for orders in ‘Home away Home’. She could not do it today. She held her head. She took her mobile and posted in her group that Home away home was not functioning today.

She sat in silence for an hour. She decided to make coffee for herself. In another few minutes, the entire house was filled with the aroma of the brewing coffee.

Her doorbell rang. She simmered the flame and walked to the door. Stalking few books in hand, that rose up to his face, stood Abhi, craning his neck above the books.

“It’s heavy. Would you mind helping.” he asked. Harini was perplexed.

She was sure to ask him few things, to set them straight.

As she placed few books on her table, she turned towards him. He saw her. She refused to meet his eyes. She knew they would drive her crazy. She knew those eyes would daze the mind and dumb her tongue.

“I know you are angry.” Abhi commenced.

She sat in silence. Abhi sat in the couch opposite to her.

“I am so sorry. I had to leave the other day. It was a call from a friend, who got caught in a small misunderstanding with the police. I had to be there to help him off the case. I was not really sure how would I explain it to you, since it involved cops, case etc. That would cause you unnecessary concerns to brood, when you have big things to ponder.”, he smiled.

She shook her head. He was convincing; but every time he was. She was not ready to believe this time. She still looked away. He got up and slowly moved towards her.

“Abhi.. please.”, she spoke for the first time in the past ten minutes. “I know you have reasons. But just that they are confusing Me.”, she held her head.

“Your actions…”, she paused. “Your actions are either disturbing me and rattling my heart; or confusing me and rattling my mind.” she paused to take a breath.

He knelt down before her and got a closer look of her face, her eyes. She turned away, skipping his gaze.

“Harini…”, he called in a mellow tone. “I am sorry.” He continued.  Harini still looked away.

“Harini, can you look at me?” he pleaded.  She was still.

“Abhi, can you understand that I am upset?”

“Of course I do. Can you understand I am pacifying you? “

“Stop playing with words. I don’t want you to conciliate me. I want you to elucidate me. “

She concealed her tears. She spoke her heart to him, for the first time; for the first time ever to a guy.It was when he left her. She was not sure if he heard it. Had he heard it and ignored her? Or had he not heard it? She did not know.

She was angry; he was true. She decided not to bring it up again, until he expresses it.

“Harini, look at me.”, he spoke breaking the silence. “I am very sorry for what had happened the other day.” he continued.

She looked at him, trying to stop herself, looking at his eyes. But she could not. She looked at those deep golden eyes.

“I know I should not have left you that way.”, he spoke looking at her eyes.

“It was not about leaving me, but did you…”, she tried to speak, stopping herself, somewhere in between, reminding the decision she took few minutes ago.

She let out a sigh.

“Fine, let us not talk anything about it further today.”, she took her hands to wipe her tears. Abhi stood up. She looked at him. He looked embarrassed.

“Here are some books; few of them are recipes, while rest, of it talks a lot about various unique combinations of spices and ingredients that take a dish to whole new level. With just four days left for the  competition , I am not sure if you can finish it all by then. But you can just go through as of now. Read it slowly, they might help you in the long run.”

She still looked down as he took his bag. He walked towards the door expecting her to stop him; but she did not.

As he stepped out, he heard her murmur.

“What was that?”, he asked.

“Nothing.”, she replied looking away.

“I heard you.”

“You know that I am upset and angry. You still shove these books and move away right? Can’t you just make me feel better?”

Abhi dropped his bag, standing at the door step, not sure whether to step in and hug her or step out and run away, for the statement she just made.

He stood there, looking at her.

“Why don’t you get anything, the first time it is said?”, she asked, her face red in anger.

He walked slowly towards her and kneeling down this time. He could see her reddened face.

“Harini, I do not have any fancy words to assuage the chagrin. I don’t even know if I am doing it right or if it is further aggravating your anger. I walked away the other day, with the belief that you will understand me. ” he stopped for her to look at him and she did; into those deep golden eyes.

“We expect someone to understand, only when we really want them to; only when we really do not want them to get us wrong; only when they mean something more important than the others. It is easy to have a wrong assumption; but it needs an altruistic heart to assume that someone was right. Needless to say, you are one such a person.” he stopped.

She looked at him still. He had thought so much about her. Why did not she do that? She was embarrassed. She had tears.

“I just…”, she began, while he slowly signaled her to stay quiet.

“I wanted you to understand and believed that you will; you were angry on me, because you wanted me to tell. I expected you to understand and you expected me to justify. We have started expecting more mutually.” he smiled.

He neared her to wipe away a tear drop that ran through her cheeks.

She stopped him. “I should wipe away my own tears. I am not weak.” she replied, her face stern.

“Ok Madam, but are you strong enough to clean the pot, with coffee stuck to the bottom?”, he winked.

She rushed into the kitchen, with a smile.

The whole night seemed to convey so many things. The books were laid on the table undisturbed, while she stood by the window, thinking about him. She fixed her gaze at a tiny spider web in her window pane and ran his thoughts through her mind. Everytime a wind blew and her hair strands came up in front of her eyes, she came to senses.

For a while she thought where was the relationship with Abhi going? But for the next few minutes she thought who was he? In short she was confused.

If he was just a stranger, why could’nt she banish his thoughts from her mind?

If she wanted him through the rest of her life, why could’nt she affirm it in her mind?

She let out a sigh. She did not like being this way, anguishing about him.

The darker the night, the brighter the stars are.

The deeper she thought about him, the more he shone like the brightest star in her confused, conjectured mind.

She sat on the couch, legs crossed, waiting for the sky to turn bright, and her mind too.

Chapter 15:

She never knew when her alarm went off. It was 6.30, when she woke up. She dressed herself fast and left for office.

The competition was just three days away.

Harini sat on the cafeteria squishing her cheeks in between her palm, enjoying her meal.

“What is with this competition and all about? You have been so much occupied with it.”, asked Preetha, as she poked into a big piece of watermelon.

“Yes. I am really hoping to win it. Abhi has been motivating me so much into it. ” Harini smiled.

“I don’t like that guy.”, Preetha blurted out.

“What is the problem with you? What did he really do to you?”

“I don’t know. Probably you don’t have time for me, as you did before and it is only after this guy came into your life.”, Preetha shrugged her shoulders.

“Hey, come on. Sorry if am not spending time with you. But, that is because ‘Home away Home’ got a little bigger.”

Preetha turned her head away. Harini leapt and turned her face towards her.

“You are the most important person in my life, Harini.”, Preetha spoke, her voice shaky.

“You too are, dear.”

“I can understand that it becomes difficult to spend time when responsibilities increases.  I know we could never be the same, spending a lot of time, in the long run. Just say, once you get married, things will change. But somehow, I don’t like him.”Preetha shook her head.

“I really have not thought much about marriage yet. In fact, I am not even sure, who he is to me.”

“See. This is your problem. I told in general. I did not speak about marrying him. See where your mind relates.”, Preetha frowned.

“Hey, I am sorry.”, Harini smiled and pulled Preetha by arm.

“I am just concerned about you dear. Don’t chase your dream and lose yourself in it. I wish you could take some extra care.”

Preetha was emotional, in fact a lot, yet sweet. Harini knew it was where she had to stop.

Harini nodded, silently. She did not want to talk about this to Preetha further. It was clear she did not like Abhi. But that was not the case with Harini.

---

August 4th:

Sree saw the date twice. That was what his mobile showed as the current date.

Just a little more than couple of weeks, he thought. He sat on his bed, slowly going through his mobile gallery.

There were a lot of pictures of Harini and him. Most of it was taken in and around Chennai. It was surprising for him, how Harini could not feel it the same way as he did.

He was disheartened when the wedding was fixed. He was now a happy man. He knew Harini called it off. He smiled.

It was just a few days. He could slowly start telling her what she is to him. He wanted her to believe no one would ever take care of her more than him. He would safeguard her as the Apple of his eye; he already was.

Harini hadn’t known all these days. But now, it is the time to tell her. No one ever understood Harini better. He did; he will.

She was his future.  Nothing restricted him from opening up right the next moment. But that was not what he wanted for. He wanted to look at her; her eyes; he wanted to freeze every minuscule reaction of hers in his mind as he unfolds his love for her.

He smiled at the mobile again. Few more days, he told himself.

---

August 8th:

The big day had arrived.

Abhi called her twice the previous night. He confirmed he would take her to the competition.

The contenders had to be there at 10 A.M. Abhi was there at her home at 7.30. He made sure there was no delay.

Harini was busy tying her hair into a pony tail.

“All set?” , he asked. She nodded. She looked tensed.

“Harini”, Abhi called slowly.

He came close, close enough to make her see herself in his eyes.

“What do you see in my eyes?” , he asked.

“My own self. “, she replied.

“That is good. Do you know what I see in your eyes?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“Anxiety.”, he continued.

She nodded.

“Do you really know what I would like to see?” he paused for a minute and continued, “Determination.”

“Come”, he made her sit on her couch. He walked into the kitchen and walked out with a glass of water.

“Take a sip.” he handed over the glass.

“There is nothing to be anxious about. All that you should have in your mind, at this moment,  is just the way to maneuver things at the competition. I know the result is huge; if you have a chance to get a column in the magazine, it is going to be great. But, on top of everything, I want you to be your own self. I want you to go and do your best. Go for it casually, as you would walk into your kitchen daily. I believe you can put up a spectacular show. There might be new things there compared to your kitchen. It is your first competition. Just remember, there is nothing that could stop you. If you feel you are cornered on all sides, there will be a new way; if there is none, create it. Do it your way. The rest is not in our hands. Whatever the result of the competition is going to be, I know my Harini will make me hold my head high and say, ‘She is the one.’ ” , he smiled.

She looked at him, carefully listening to all that his lips spoke and all that his eyes did not speak. When the last time was, when someone had encouraged her to do what she loved, she wondered.

The word “My Harini”, which, flew from his mouth was a serendipitous surprise for Harini. Am I his? She thought.

“All Set?”, Abhi asked her again.

She replied a “Yes.”, with determination. Nothing could boost her like his mere presence.

She locked the house and walked fast.

As she took the seat, Abhi ignited the car engine.

“Can you please turn on the map?”, he asked Harini. She nodded and directed him.

As they drove for fifteen minutes, Harini told him that they had to go straight for the next 1.5 kms and then a right.

As he looked straight through storm of vehicles, Harini looked at him. She was not sure how long she had been looking at him. She came back to her senses, when Abhi turned to look at her.

“Don’t look at me.”, he spoke.

She was startled. “But why?”, she thought.

“It is difficult to drive.”, he smiled. “So where are we, we are supposed to take a right, is it the coming one?”, Abhi asked pointing to the next right.

“Oops.”, Harini said it loud. “We have missed the right.” She said, in panic.  Abhi slowed the car, trying to reverse it. As he saw there was a no-parking sign behind, he reversed the car. He applied the brake, when he felt the car hit something, followed by a loud thud.

“Oh my God.”, Abhi banged the steering.

“What happened?”, Harini asked in panic. “I hit a vehicle that was parked behind.  It had a ‘no-parking’ sign. So I just watched out for moving vehicles.”, he shook his head.

“I am sorry. I should have told you about the right well ahead.”, Harini replied.

“That is ok. Just be seated here. I will be right back.” Abhi came out of the car, to check on the vehicle. It was a bike. The damage was not bad. In fact his car had bigger scratches. The bike’s mud guard was bent and there were few dents.

The area people had gathered. The bike’s owner, who was standing at the nearby shop, rushed to the scene and started inspecting his bike.

Abhi looked at his watch. It was already 8.30 A.M.

“Sorry Sir.”, he apologized.

“Sorry for what? Park your vehicle there.”, the bike’s owner showed a corner. “You are not moving until you fix It.” the guy snarled pointing to his bike.

Abhi looked at his watch and the brawny arms of the guy. He decided to tackle with the former.

He looked at his watch again. They had less than an hour to reach there. The bike could never be fixed within that, he thought.

Harini peeped out, trying to see what was happening.

“Saaar, bitbidi saaar!”, she heard him say. She saw him pleading to the guy. She felt sorry for him. She bit her lip and shook her head.

He spoke few more words mixing kannada and English, every time showing his watch. He was doing it for her, she realized.

All of a sudden she saw Abhi plunging 3 thousand rupee notes in his hands. He came rushing towards the car.

“Guess it is not late. We will still make it in time.”, Abhi smiled. She looked at him, astonished.

“Those damages were not worth three thousand bucks.” She spoke in dismay.

“That is ok. I really do not want to goad you into more hassle.”

She looked at him stunned.

“At this moment it is just the competition that is important.” he continued as she still looked at him.

“Madam, let us not miss the right this time.”, he smiled.

Chapter 16:

The completion commenced at 10 A.M. Abhi stood beside the cooking station, where Harini began her work.

To the contestants’ surprise, in the first round of the competition, they had to cook the same dish, which they had uploaded.

They would be judged and the five, most impressive dishes, moved on to the second round. The cumulative score was considered for deciding the winner.

Harini almost bent half her height, probing her head into the chopping board.

Abhi smiled at her.

He was looking at her, chopping the herbs for her flavored rice.

He loved her, more than he thought he would. He let out a sigh.

Half an hour flew in a jiffy.

It was in the last Thirty minutes, Abhi noticed that Harini was speaking to the organizer. He saw her face turning grim. He sensed something was wrong. His mind raced, as what it could be. He checked her cooking dock. All elements were in place. It looked as though, plating was the only thing left to do.

“What else could it be?”, he wondered. “With only plating left, what is she checking with him?”, he forced his mind to think hard. “Plating; Presentation; plating…”, his mind raced, and then it struck him. “Plate…”, he remembered. She used a peculiar plate. He could not remember the name. “… That should be missing here.”, he nodded his head as he spoke to himself.

He met her fret filled eyes.

He did not want her to lose her sangfroid.

He smiled and nodded his head in aplomb. She smiled back, as if she got the Assurance his smile gave.

He approached the organizer, checking with him, if he can bring it now. The organizer, who did not expect this to happen, had to accept Abhi’s idea and he let him buy one for her.

Abhi checked his watch. He had 27 minutes left. He can never think about the car which he has parked. Taking his car out will cost him more than 15 minutes.

He thought quickly.

He used his map to identify the shop where the plate was available. The shop was 15 minutes away by walk.

He took an auto. The shop keeper took a lot of time to locate the plate and much more time to bill. Abhi checked his watch. He had only 10 more minutes. He rushed the auto driver to go as fast as he could. Traffic jams and red signals caused him few more minutes.

‘Bengaluru traffic!’, he sighed.

Harini had only two minutes left when the wooden plate was handed over to her. Abhi stood there panting, wiping the sweat off his face. Harini looked at his face as she placed the sizzler plate on the stove top.

Few of his hair strands stuck to his forehead; his shirt well soused with sweat.

She had troubled him way too much, she thought.

She noticed that the time was ticking away. She had only few seconds left. Harini removed the plate off the stove. She knew it was not hot enough to sizzle.

As she carefully plated the rice, the aroma did not rise as it did at home. Her face reddened.

Abhi, from a distance, could sense that, definitely there was a problem. He could neither hear the sound nor smell the aroma.

He cursed himself. He should have been faster. He hid his disappointment. He worried whether it would cost her some points. He was petrified to think that the deciding scores were cumulative.

Had he been quicker, he could have brought the plate earlier.

“3,2,1. Your time is up. Wow. That was an enthralling cooking, isn’t it?” , The organizer spoke, marking the end of the first round.

The contestants were called one by one for the taste test.

“We really appreciate your effort. The plate should have been hotter to spread the flavor across the dish. You see the cabbage leaves, they are still raw, which implies there was no heat and without heat, it is just a plate of few independent dishes, put together.  Unfortunately, heat is the binding element here.”, judges pointed at Harini’s plate.

She nodded.

“But, nevertheless to say, every dish in this plate tastes amazing. I love the potato wedges, they are still crisp, finely roasted. We really understand the amount of techniques that has gone into this one plate of food.  You either win this competition or not, but, you will definitely make it big in the food industry.”, they added.

She smiled.

She made sure not to show her emotions. It would in turn hurt Abhi. She knew it well. She wanted to be sensible and wise.

The taste test was over.  The organizer came up with the mic again.

“Thank you all for the wonderful cooking. There were five dishes which impressed our panel of judges. And nevertheless to say, the makers of those five dishes would be competing in the second and the final round, to win the cash prize of 5000 rupees, a free one year subscription of our new magazine Flavours and an opportunity to own and write a column in every edition.” , he completed his announcement, eliciting the contestants with an extra zap to win the competition.

One of the judges took over the mic, calling the names, entering the final round.

“The first person to enter the finals is, Ms. “, he paused in an attempt to build the suspense.

Chapter 17:

“The first person to enter the finals is, Ms. “, he paused in an attempt to build the suspense.

“Ms. Deepika. Your score will be up soon. Now you can step forward.” The judge signaled her to move. A lady in her late twenties swaggered with a grin.

Abhi looked at Harini, who fixed her eyes at the dais. She stood there biting her lower lips. She turned in a reflex to look at Abhi, who was standing hands tied at the back. He blinked his eyes and nodded, assuring her a million things. She fluttered her eyelids and smiled back, as if she got everything he assured.

“ …. And that is why Mr.Prakash, you are the second to enter the finals. “ They heard the judges say.

Abhi tried to hide his disappointment. He wanted her to make it up. He was confident about her cooking, but he was worried that, the delay he caused might put her down.

“She gave us a platter.” The judge stopped. Abhi’s eyes beamed with bliss. “ the flavoured rice and the potato wedges .. whoa.. it was an experience tasting your dish and that is why Ms.Harini, you are the third to walk into the second round.” Abhi clapped as hard as he could. Harini moved forward amidst the sound of cheer. She turned to look at him, who gave her a thumb up.

The fourth and the fifth contestants were two middle aged women.

The finals began after a short interim.

Abhi was waiting for the ten minute interval.

Harini came running to him.

“I don’t have enough words to thank you. I could not imagine a dish without the plate.”, she spoke looking into his eyes.

“Come on. Just forget about all that. I was scared, it might put you down. Thank goodness. You were just awesome, my beautiful chef.” , he smiled.

Eight minutes were already up.

“It is time for the final phase off.” , Abhi and Harini turned simultaneously as they heard the organizer speak.

She nodded and walked fast towards the cooking station. She suddenly stopped. She came running to Abhi.

“Look at the board. I need to have a strategy to move two positions up. I will strive and do all I can. You know for what? Not for the prize amount, not for the column in the magazine, not for home away home, not for my passion, not for me, but …. “She paused and touched his shoulders. His shirt was still damp out of sweat. The moisture stuck to her fingers. She showed him her fingers “… but for this. For you , for all your selfless travail. I will win this. I will win it for you.” She ran, her pony tail dancing to the rhythm of her run.

The ingredients were numbered beforehand and were placed in front. The contestants randomly picked a piece of paper and were asked not to open it. Once the judges gave a green signal, he contestants opened the paper to get to know the number. Harini had got number four and it was a musk melon. Abhi did not know what she had in mind. All that he could see was an undaunted and pertinacious Harini at work. She ran to the oven to place the baking pan in.

Harini decided to make a savory musk melon soufflé.

When there was half an hour left, the test batch which Harini had placed in the oven was ready. She took it out and inserted a skewer. It was done. She tried to unmold it in a plate. She dehydrated the muskmelon skin and powdered it for dusting over the top. As she unmolded it, her mouth fell agape.

She could not believe her eyes.

She found the soufflé to crumble and fall. Harini was disappointed. She let out a sigh. She did not have time to prepare another batter. Her decision to make eggless soufflé did not work. It did not hold its shape.

It was not working out. She just had twenty five minutes. It was the exact amount of time the soufflé took to bake. She thought hard. She saw Abhi, who stood clueless, why she was all distorted. She looked at him.

She shook her head.

Abhi could sense something was not working; but he did not know what it was.

All that he did was, to cup his hand around his mouth and shout “Go Harini. You can do it.”

She heard him. She made up her mind not to give up. She wanted to put things together. She wanted to win this for him.

She did not waste further time. She mind raced.

She looked at him. He smiled. “Just Go for it!”, she read his lips. She looked at the crumbled soufflé.

“If you feel you are cornered on all sides, there will be a new way; if there is none, create it”, his voice lingered in her head.

She nodded to herself, as though she brought back the tenacity.

She was trying to find a way, find a corner to overcome, while still looking at the ramekin.

She smiled as if something flashed. He was happy to see her smile.

She worked quickly. It was a good sign, he thought.

She grabbed few coffee mugs and poured her batter into it and stuffed them into the oven. The dehydrated skin powder was sitting on the cooking bench undisturbed.

Harini sliced the fruit and dressed the slices with a musk melon, raisin and herb jus.  When it came down to less than five minutes, she took out the coffee mugs from the oven.

She carefully placed them on a plate, placed a spoon and fork beside. She meticulously sifted the skin powder on top. Abhi craned his neck to get a better picture.

He was not sure why she had to dust on top of the spoon. As he watched, she slowly took off the spoon and fork, which left an artistic impression of the fork, in white, the color of the plate and the surrounding, in bright orange dust.

Harini looked down at her plate. She made sure not to take out the soufflé off her baking dish. It got deconstructed only when removed off the ramekin. Her idea was to bake it in a dish, with which she could serve.  She chose the coffee mug.

She smiled, few feet away Abhi smiled too.

Harini looked at the board. Deepika topped the list with 27 on 30, while Prakash trailed by two points. He stood second with 25. Harini scored 23, followed by Malini and Aruna with 22 and 21 respectively.

“4 points.” she reminded herself.

The final cooking was over. It was time for the taste test.

Prakash’s dish scored a 23, making a total of 48.

Aruna and Malini scored a 21 each, making 43 and 42 respectively.

The next to the taste test was Harini. She walked, holding her plate.

The judges were completely impressed with her dish. They applauded her creativity.

“Excellent.”, she heard the judges say in unison.

“There is nothing big we could say about this dish, except that it Is food heaven.”, once of the judges appreciated her. “I love the idea of serving it in a coffee mug. It hides the crumbly texture.”, another judge laughed.

To her surprise and Abhi’s ecstasy, she scored a score of 27 on 30.

She made total of 50 on 60. She turned back, looking at Deepika’s dish. She was the last to the taste test.

The judges were impressed with her dish too. She scored a 8 from the first two judges.

Harini’s heart beat rose rapidly. She could hear it herself. She closed her eyes.

Abhi tried to calculate hard. Deepika has to score 6 or below for Harini to win.

“That was a good cooking and that is why, I scored your dish, 8.”, the third judge in the panel, smiled.

“So 27 and 24, makes it 51. You are still leading in the score board, winning in this competition. Congratulations. ” , the judges smiled.

Deepika was over joyed. She had won the competition. People, who accompanied her, came running to her.

Abhi walked towards Harini. He felt he should be by her side. He smiled at her.  He found few drops of tears rushing out of her eyes.

She let out a sigh. She looked at Abhi. She had failed him. He wanted her to win this competition to get the opportunity for owning a column in the Flavours magazine.

“I let you down. I am sorry.”

“First of all; there is nothing to regret. If at all you are sorry, be for yourself. “, he paused. The tear drop escaped her lower lash and fell onto her cheeks. She hid it with her finger.

“You did a great job. As I told you, I will hold my head high and say, you were the one who gave the best dish to score the highest in the final round. “ Abhi spoke placing his hands around her shoulders. The touch was comforting. She needed one. Abhi knew it.

“The dish was shola, right.” Abhi asked in a low tone.

“No. Soufflé”, she smiled.

“That’s what I want.” he replied. She looked at him crooking her brows. “No, not the soufflé, I meant the smile.”, he raised his eyebrow.

The organizer took over the mic and congratulated Deepika. As he was about to end the recap, of what Deepika won, something he spoke, caught everybody’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have an important announcement to make.”, he paused.

“Ms. Harini , we apologize, for not having the sizzler plate with us. We all know it was a last minute panic. There is a special request from the judges, to us. In spite of trailing behind by four points, you made it to the runner up position, with the highest score in your second round. As per the points table, though you are the runner up, the judges wanted to hand over a special prize to you.” He paused.

Harini looked at Abhi. He patted her gently on her shoulders and asked her to listen to the organizer.

“You win the ‘Special Award’ for today, a runner up trophy and an opportunity to own a column in the Flavors magazine, every fortnight.  As per the competition norm, we cannot give you the prize money or the free subscription. Hence this special award.“, he smiled wide, inviting Harini and Deepika to the dais.

Harini looked at Abhi with glee and solemn gratitude.

Abhi looked away, hiding his tears of joy, while his lips curled up in a triumphant smile. He wanted her to win, more than anybody.

Chapter 18:

They sat close, looking at wide spread Chinnapanhalli lake.

It was his idea to drive to the lake which was almost more than half hour travel from the newspaper office.

Earlier that evening, “How do you want to celebrate this moment ?” asked Abhi,as they walked back to car parking, after the competition.

“Take me somewhere. I need to talk to you.”  She replied. He drove her to the lake. It was walker’s paradise.

“This is wonderful.” She exclaimed as they reached. The wide spread water and the rich flora and fauna captivated her.

“This is a hidden gem. Only the residents nearby know about it. Though the timings are limited, it is one of the best places to deify nature. “ Abhi extolled.

There they sat,  close to each other. She looked at the trophy, which glinted in the evening light.

Abhi turned to look at her. She looked beautiful against the reddish orange horizon.

She let out a sigh.

“Well, where do I begin?” , she shook her head, fumbling for words. “Thank you so much.”, she exclaimed.

“This is the fifth time. If you had to thank me, you could have done that over there. I thought you had something else in mind.” Abhi cracked the ice.

She sat in hesitance. She was not sure where to begin.

“Abhi, I did not imagine even in my weirdest dream that I would sit with a guy amidst the sound of water, fumbling for words.” She paused. He looked at her.

‘Those two golden eyes are making me go crazy.’ She thought, turning her head away.

Abhi smiled.

“I thought about this, for so long. You … “she let out a sigh. She took a deep breath looking at the water.

“I know.” he replied, as though he heard her mind.

“What?”, she asked.

“I know. You are fumbling for words. Words are not necessary when your eyes say it all.“ he smiled. She turned to him in a reflex. He moved closer to her.

“The four letter ingredient is LOVE. you had cooked with love for me.” He whispered in her ears, looking directly into her eyes. She was not able to behold the warmth emanated from his eyes.

“Abhi!,  you knew it?  Did you hear it that day?” , Harini was effusing about the fact that he had heard her the other day.

He found her smile fading away and her expressions turning hard.

“When you heard it that day, why did not you reciprocate? Can you imagine how it had hurt me? I understood you had an emergency. But you could have told me after that.”, she frowned.

“I could have, Harini. But I chose not to. Please  don’t have your face grim.”, he smiled and continued his talk.

“I chose not to because, I did not want to distract you. I wanted you to win the competition at any cost. If we had spoken about it prior, I am pretty sure you would have just spent a lot of time thinking about me, about our relationship and what not? ” He paused.

She did not look convinced.

“I did not want to stand in between you and your dream. I wanted you to win this more than anyone else.”

She turned towards him in a reflex. She did not think about it in this perceptive.

“The love you told me was, just the icing on the cake. You thought you expressed your love , for the first time the other day. But it was just the icing. You had been building that beautiful cake of love, extemporaneously. You made me hear it that day, but you made me realize it long back. The love in your heart came through your words that day. But it reached me through your cooking long back. “

“Your eyes and the delicious food on your plate, conveyed it all, even when you said nothing at all.”

“Abhi.” She called in a low tone.

She looked still. “Abhi, how could you interpret all of this?”

“Are we dealing with Math or Physics, to interpret? This was what we felt in and about each other. “

She thought she was there to talk. But he had felt it all. But how, she wondered.

“Your eyes…”he started to talk, answering her silent question.

“Your eyes Harini; Your eyes said it all. The moment I saw them, I knew you were mine. To be more precise, those eyes made me long for you. I wanted to be your vision. The vision your eyes saw today and the visionary your eyes wanted to see tomorrow. “ He spoke fixing his gaze on the pebbles.

“Abhi, to be more practical, I don’t match your charm. I am short, stout …. “

“Harini stop. “, she heard his voice; a little sterner than the usual.

“Harini, we are not born measuring the size of our heart. Short or long, we have it for ourselves, it beats for us, every second, reminding that we are alive. You are such a thing to me. You are the one who reminds me the purpose to stay alive.” he paused.

Harini did not expect this coming.

“I wish I could say more such aesthetic, flowery words. But, to be honest, I enjoyed watching you. The Apron which fell much longer than your knees, the way you think you are too tall for the kitchen counter and bend half your height, the way you stick your pink , cute little tongue slightly out, when you  engross yourself much into cooking,  The way you handled your kitchen. “

He paused to smile.

“I love the way you chase your dream. You did not care about how stained your apron was; you wanted your food to look good. You did not mind tying your hair into a French bun, to make sure the food was hygienic. Your looks, your preferences, took the back seat. You strode, as if nothing could abate your crusading zeal. ”, he paused again to grab a short breath.

She looked at him, her eyes moist.

“I just hope, I could join you in that journey. To hold your hands and walk along, Not to guide you, but just to stay in accord with your dreams,  as a solemn troth and as a vow to fortify you, as a source of solace, to succor you.”

He looked at her blank. He had said it all.

“It is all in your hands.”, he told, looking at her eyes.  The tear drop that ran down her cheeks came from her eyes, carrying the emotions from her heart.

“You perceived the most imperceptible; you heard the most inaudible; you envisaged the most indiscernible; you felt the impalpable; you cherished the inappreciable. If all these could not make sense to me even now, what else would? I love you Abhi.”  Tears of joy ran down her cheeks.

Abhi held her hands, within his and sat in silence for  few seconds.

He suddenly looked at her. She was looking at the water. She slowly turned towards him.

“You can. “, he nodded, as if he knew it.

She slowly moved closer, as if she understood what he meant.

She moved further close, resting her head on his shoulders.

“You knew I wanted to?”

“Your eyes.”, he smiled, resting his head on hers’.

He slowly closed his eyes, her hands within his, her head on his shoulders, her thoughts in his mind, her love in his heart, the sound of the wind caressing the water, on his ears.

He had won.

Chapter 19:

“Can you report in Bengaluru office on 18th? I know it is a short notice. But since it is just a couple of days in advance, I thought I can ask you to.” , His manager asked him.

Sree had to think about it.

He had to revisit all of his plans. He would be happier to meet Harini the sooner. But he had to cogitate about his Chennai trip.

“Sure, but I would need day-off for a couple of days. 16th  and 17th . “

“I can take care of that.”

“Ok. Thanks. In that case, I think I will be able to make it, Madhan.“, he replied.

“Thanks for taking it up, Sree. “, his manager smiled.

He could not wait telling it to her.

---

“I am good Mom.” , She replied.

“I recently won in a competition. I will be posting in a food magazine, by one of the leading national newspapers. “

She was not sure if her mom listened.

“No. We are not interested. “, she heard her say. She was not sure if it was for her.

“Sorry Harini, a salesperson was at our doorstep. You were telling something about a newspaper. What was that?” her mom tried to ask.

“Uhhh. Nothing mom. “ Harini let out a sigh.

“Harini, regarding your wedding… “ her mom started to speak. Harini could sense something new was coming up. Her thoughts were stuck with Abhi. How would she introduce him, to her parents? Will they accept him?

They had not understood her decisions. On top of it, she had assured her dad, she would not decide herself on her wedding. When would she tell her parents about Abhi? They were acting quickly. She had to be wise and fast at the same time.

“Hmmmm.” She replied to her mom’s talks without listening to her.

“Harini, are you with me?” , she heard her mom’s voice, loud enough to shake her off her thoughts.

“Yes mom. “

“We will be expecting you on 20th. “

“Sure mom I will be there.”

“Ok Harini take care.” , she hung up.

The thoughts made her jittery.

She lay awake on her bed rolling over from one side to another.

Sleepless nights, dreamy days, she had never been that way. It was new.

She never worried about things, she knew she could either make it or break it. So far she had made it all; but so far, it had involved only her.

She was now, somewhere in-between making and breaking. To make it, she wanted her parents to believe and accept.  To break it, no, she should be kidding herself, by thinking about breaking it. The mere thought of breaking it terrified her.

She could neither take it easy, as she could not afford to lose Abhi; nor take it too hard, because she believed, if something was hers, no one can take it away from her.

She had been taking things as they came up. She did not brood on them. She could not be the same way with her love life.

She had fought for her decisions before. But this one was new. She knew she could not hide it long. She had to broach about it someday to her parents and she knew that fine day was not long.

---

Harini sat in office, doing a HAZOP study of the process equipment. She had a lecture on the heterogeneous and multiphase reaction engineering, to be presented.

She found it difficult to concentrate. She felt she needed to talk to him.

She dialled his number.

“Sree!, How are you?” , she exclaimed.

“I am good sweetu. How are you?” he asked. What else would make his day, if not her voice?

“Sweetu , I have so much to tell. First of it, my transfer is advanced. “ , he continued, not waiting for her to transfer.

“Hey, that’s good to hear. When are you coming here? “ she asked.

“I am going on a road trip to Coorg on 13, 14,15, as a part of my farewell treat. I will go to Chennai on 16th and will be there on 17th. I will have to join the Bengaluru office on 18th.

“That’s too many dates to remember. Looks like you are having the itinerary ready in mind?”

“I have been waiting for it for so long. I cannot afford to forget.”

Harini smiled.  She could not tell anything now. She understood he was excited. She thought she will wait.

“Sree, I have lots to tell you. I need you here. “

He was happy to hear it. She needed him. It was a good sign, he thought.

“Sure, we will talk sweetu. That is why I am coming there.” He spoke.

“Ok dear. Take care. See you soon. Keep me posted.” , she replied.

“Ok, dear, buh bye.”, he tried to cut as he heard Harini’s voice.

“Sree!, just a sec.”

“Hey, I am still on line, tell me.”

“Sree, whatever it is going to take, whatever my father might say, will you be by my side for my decisions?  ”, she asked. She had never expected a lot of favours from him. But she felt she needed him now. She needed a support to talk about Abhi.

“You should not be asking it Harini. You should believe it.”

“Sorry Sree. I believe in you. “

“That’s good. I will be there for you; to stand by your side, always, whatever may Come. Keep calm.”, he smiled.

He could hear Harini’s smile.

She hung up the call, imagining all that she had to tell Sree, about Abhi.

Sree cut the call, imagining all that Harini would listen from him about her, especially how she had been making him feel.

Chapter 20:

“The kitchen is so quiet.”, Abhi raised his eyebrow.

“Yes. It is only take away orders in ‘Home away Home’. I just had two orders. They have come and collected.”

“Why?”

“Saba Anna has left for Chennai. I am not sure why, yesterday morning, he just told me he is having some work and he is taking his family and going to Chennai. He handed over the car keys to me.”

“Oh. Okay. Why do you look dull?”

“Abhi, to be honest, I have never been this way. “, she sighed, leaning against the oil pull out of the modular kitchen. Her dad made sure the modular kitchen was completely furnished before she moved in. Her dad did not support her dream directly, but he made sure, Harini was comfortable.

Abhi sat on the kitchen counter top, dangling his legs, His heel hitting the metal handle of the crockery segment in regular interval.

“What is there to worry about? Things will be fine.” , he assured , his face stolid.

His glaikit assurance failed to pacify her.

“Abhi, it is not that easy. My parents are tough to convince. Your parents should like me. My parents should like you.” , she paused. She thought about asking him about his parents. She also wanted to tell him about Sree.

The sound of the handle irritated her.

“Abhi, stop hitting it.”, she held her head. “The sound is irritating me.”

“Sorry”, he smiled. “By the way, what are we, 30+? to worry about marriage? I am in my mid-twenties and you in early twenties. We have a world of time.”

“No. My parents are very serious about my wedding. In fact, one of the proposals got too close. But I called it off in the last moment. “ She frowned.

“Really?”, he asked. She nodded.

“Abhi, I really feel I need to talk about our love to my parents.” She looked at him.

“We have just proposed. Do you really need to take things that far, so soon?”, Abhi winked.

“What did you just say? Abhi, are you swearing at me? “, her face reddened.

“Hey, calm down. That was just for fun.”

“Silly. Mr. Abhivadan. For your information. I am taking you, our relationship more serious than my life. I cannot imagine you going away.  I hope you have understood. Dare to talk like this again.” her nostrils flared in fury.

Abhi hopped to the floor, to move closer. He tried to reach her. She moved away avoiding his touch. She pulled a chair and sat, facing away from him.

“Harini!” , he knelt down before her.

“I am so sorry. I should’ve been more careful. I just meddled with something delicate. I have caused the most exquisite kind of agony. I am so sorry dear.”

She did not turn. Abhi slowly moved away.

“Don’t play with my emotions.” She spoke under her breath.

“Harini, I knew I was wrong. I apologised for the same. But be careful with your choice of words. You don’t know what ‘playing with emotions’ actually means and I am NOT playing with your emotions.” he spoke, his voice squawky.

He sat on couch, hands on his cheeks. There was complete silence.

They sat still for more than ten minutes.

“I am leaving. Lock the door.” , he moved away closing the door behind him. Few minutes passed by.

Her anger had a point , but she realized, her words did not. Her comments were callous.

She wanted to talk to him. She was sure he might have gone. Over phone he told he had something for her. She had not asked what it was. She felt a little bad.

She strode towards the balcony, trying to search for his bike. It was not there. He was gone.

She opened her door,driven by a vague instinct.

He stood there leaning against the wall, smiling instantly at the click of her door knob.

“Abhi?”, she exclaimed, looking into his eyes, like a hungry pup, looking at its bowl of food.

“I know you will open the door.” He smiled.

“You were waiting for me?”

“Yes. I was mad at you, to be honest. But more that, I am madly in love with you.”, he grinned.

“Abhi, I….”she began.

“We will move in first.”, he reminded. As they sat, “Abhi, you know I have so many dreams. Out of all, you are the most important and the precious dream. I cannot afford to lose you. I cannot imagine a life without you. When I misunderstood your humour, for not having taken it as serious as I did, I was mad. I am sorry. “, she spoke, her voice shaky.

“Shhhh..shhh…shhhh….”, Abhi tried to calm her down. “I know and I am sorry. “he whispered , his voice hoarse, due to the weather.

She looked at him. “What?” he raised his eyebrows.

“You sound so normal. I thought we had a fight.”

“The beauty of any relationship is not to stay calm always or to have the same opinion always. There would be differences. There would be fights. But how quick a sorry and a smile can get us back to normality is the essence. “, He paused to smile.

“The bigger the fight, the sooner should be the apology.”, he continued.

She looked at him in awe.

“And, You know what the real beauty of a fight is? “, she asked. He shrugged his shoulder. “How casually we move on with the next conversation.” She smiled.

“So what’s the dinner?” he asked, sniffing. “I hope that was casual enough.” he winked.

She took the small divan from the sofa and threw it at him. It hit his head and he pretended for a major blow.

“Thank God. He is unconscious. I wondered what would I do with just one serving of the pasta.”, she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

He faked a sudden conscious gain.

“Where am I? I heard someone say pasta. Is that ready?” he spoke, his eyes half open.

Both had a long laugh.

“Hey, now, on a serious note, can you please give me a copy of your Id proof, and the certificate they gave you in the competition. We should be submitting it by this week, so that they can verify and get gear up the procedures for your maiden magazine appearance.” He smiled.

“Sure, I am on it. But before that, my cousin is coming next week. You have to meet him. “Harini looked at Abhi.

“Oh. Sure.”, he kept his reply short.

“You would not like to know his name?” , she asked, in confusion.

“Hey, sorry. I was just thinking about the procedures.”

“Hmm , anyway. His name is Sree. He is coming from Noida. He will visit Chennai on 16th and will be here by 17th. We will meet him.” She smiled.

“Sure.”, he nodded, devising a plan as how to avoid the meeting.

“August 17th “, he thought. The date reminded him something else.

Chapter 21:

August 16 : 7.30 P.M Chennai international airport

Sree took his baggage from the conveyer, walking out of the domestic arrival. He wanted to meet his Mom and aunt. He knew his uncle would never like him. Sree would need to convince his mom someday. He had to face his uncle and aunt too.

He did not inform them he was coming.

He adjusted his shoulder back pack and entered.

As he stood at the door step, his aunt who heard his footsteps came fast approaching, he saw his mom too.

His Aunt’s eyes were reddened, filled with tears.

“Hey, Sree, my son, you have come at the right moment. Sorry it was your uncle…… “, his aunt’s next words came as a huge blow.

He dropped his baggage in shock.

“Does Harini know about it?”, he asked. “Yes. We already informed her.” his aunt replied.

He wanted to go back to Bangalore and meet Harini as soon as he could.

August 16: 10.30 PM : CMBT

Sree sat on the bus, drinking water. He was tired and hungry, which he did not mind. He waited for the bus to reach Bangalore.

August 17: 5:15 A.M Kempegowda Bus Station:

A pair of feet landed on the Majestic Bus station, which was situated opposite to Bangalore City Railway station.

Right at the same time, 284kms to the east, there was a pair of feet, which landed in CMBT, Chennai.

August 17: 5.45 PM Cunningham Road:

“Preetha, I saw your message only in the morning.”, Harini frowned as she dried her hair.

“I sent it around 11 PM yesterday. Don’t tell me you were asleep.”, she heard Preetha’s voice. Harini had put the phone on speakers. “You don’t even have a moment to share it with me, right? I need to know your updates only through social networking. I saw your status about winning the competition.”, she continued.

Harini heard her door bell ring. She wondered who it might be.

“Just a second, Preetha.”, Harini hurried to the door as she put the phone on mute. The phone was still on speakers.

“Sree!”, she almost shouted as he saw him.

“Come in.”, she smiled. “What a surprise!”, she exclaimed. “Just sit and relax, I will be back in few minutes.”

“Harini, are you still there? Or it is your Abhi knocking your door this early?”, Sree and Harini heard Preetha’s voice.

Harini realized the phone was still on speakers. She signalled Sree to sit, while she walked to her bedroom.

“Abhi?”, Sree asked to himself, loud enough for Harini to hear.

“I will tell you, just a moment.”, she whispered, running to her bedroom.

“Stupid, why do you have to shout? My cousin has come home.“, Harini gritted her teeth.

“Oh, yeah. I am a stupid. Of course, else why should I beg for some time and attention from you?”

“Preetha , please. You are my dearest friend and there is no doubt. No one can grab the time, attention, over all the love I have for you. Please don’t speak this way. It hurts.”

Preetha was silent. Harini guessed she was calming down.

“Ok, fine. But be careful about that strange guy. He is at the back of you for something fishy. I could sense it and don’t ditch me for him.”, Preetha warned.

Harini was not in a mood to argue with her and start all over again. “Ok.Sure.”, she kept her reply short. She had to tell Preetha about the love she had for Abhi. Well, before that, she had to tell it to Sree.

“Hey, who is that cousin, this early?”, asked Preetha.

“Sree. My dad’s sister’s son. You have met him too, twice before. Hey fine. It is getting late. I will see you in office. “, Harini cut the call.

“So, Sorry Dear.”, Harini ran towards Sree. He held her head and smiled. Her hair strands were wet.

“That’s my crazy friend over phone. So tell me how are you?”, she asked. “This is the problem, when I have so much to tell you. First go and refresh yourself. “, she smiled.

“I had my morning tea. That is fine. What is with your friend? I guess she was angry.”

“That angry bird is unhappy with me. She feels, I spend less time with her, since Abhi came into my life.”, she paused.

“Abhi?”, Sree asked.

“I will tell it to you. Before that, did you go to Chennai?”

“Yes Harini , back home…”, he pulled her by her arm, making her sit. His face was dull and tensed.

“What happened there?”, she asked, her heart beat rising rapidly. “Is everyone doing well?”

Sree hung his head, how would he tell it to her. It might be a huge shock.

“All are good, happy and excited. But …” he paused.

“Sree come on, what’s wrong?”

“Can you apply for leave for the next couple of days? We might need to go to Chennai.”

“What happened, Sree?”, she asked , anxiety raising several folds.

“Is everything okay?”, she asked, her eyes trying to find the clue for Sree’s despair , in his face.

“Everyone is doing great, excited, happy and busy bustling about … “, Sree paused.

“About what?”, Harini asked in impatience.

“… about your wedding with Pawan which is going to happen on August 30.”

Chapter 22:

She sank into the couch, frantic with worry. Her hands wringing with sweat.

She was bewildered.

“How could it be?”, she spoke to herself, aloud.

Sree narrated all that happened back in Chennai.

“I looked at the house. It did not seem normal. There were certain things packed and ready. Your dad was discussing something over phone.

“Hey, Sree, my son, you have come at the right moment. Sorry it was your uncle…… “, your mom paused.  My mom signalled her to speak low.

“…. Your uncle thought…” she started, when I heard your dad’s voice.

“Yes, I did not want to inform you. That is because, I very well know Harini and you would be in touch and she would have definitely told you. It is a must for youngsters to involve elders in their decisions. If you don’t, then you would be treated just as a guest and not as a family member.”, Harini’s dad snarled at his nephew.

“Ignore him. He is just a little tensed and worried about the wedding. Anyway you have come at the right moment. “, your mom smiled, wiping away her tears. 

“Sree, come inside, son.” my mom ushered me in.

“Why are you crying?”, I asked, looking at your mom.

“The groom’s mom is unhappy with something. Harini’s dad is not ready to apologise. He does not realise that his Daughter’s life is more important than his ego. I was pleading him to apologise.”

“What is happening here?” , I asked them in confusion.

“Harini did not tell you?” , your mom asked me.

“Tell me about what?” , I was totally lost.

“ The wedding.”, my mom replied as cool as she could.

I was struck in utter shock.

“It was a miracle son. When they came home, we did not believe Harini was interested. They told us they will visit us along with their son.

In the meantime, we visited their house and Harini’s dad, through his friends, made sure that the groom and family were all good, and it was a safe family to get her married to.

Both the families liked each other. We were waiting only on Harini and Pawan to meet.

It was when, after a couple of weeks’ time, our son in law, Pawan, himself called us. We thought he was informing us about his visit. We actually planned for an engagement on August 30, if at all Harini accepted.

But to our surprise, he told us that he spoke to Harini. He himself was not sure what made Harini to say so. It looks like she had liked him a lot. I guess she was a little embarrassed to express her liking directly to us. She had asked Pawan to proceed with the wedding as soon as possible. Pawan and his family gave us an idea about fixing the wedding on engagement date itself. We felt so happy. We could not believe our own ears.

Harini’s dad was equally shocked. He wanted to confirm it once with his daughter. We called up Harini. I could not control my tears of joy. Her father asked her several times if she was the one who spoke to Pawan and was Pawan true. Only upon her confirmation, we started with the proceedings. In fact even I spoke about this to Harini. She was completely fine with everything.”“

“I took the next available bus and came here.”  Sree looked at Harini as he completed speaking.

“Harini, what was all that? You told me everything was cancelled. Your parents are telling it was all done on your confirmation. I don’t understand. “ , Sree sat beside.

Harini could not imagine what was happening. Pawan had played the worst game, out smarting her.

“I misinterpreted my mom’s tears of joy to be that of sorrow. Over phone, I could just make out that she was crying and hence the shaky voice. My dad asked me several times, if I really go with what Pawan had told them. I told him a yes, because I thought..”, she paused at the word thought.

That was the worst assumption she had ever made.

“… that was because, I thought Pawan  called off the wedding.”, she held her head.

“Pawan called me up and told he called off the wedding. My stupidity, my bad, I believed in that stranger. My dad never told me the actual thing. I just thought….”, she paused again.

That was her second assumption.

‘If dad had not spoken directly, I should have asked, at the least. I should have mentioned about calling off, either directly or indirectly.’she thought.

“I just thought my dad, too, was confirming with me about calling off.”, she spoke, her voice shaky.

She could now recollect, why her mom insisted on being there on 20th. The part which she left unattended in one of the previous conversations, in attempt to save the glasses which were stacked;  the way she just nodded to all that her mom told with a monotonous ‘hmmm’, losing her thoughts with Abhi and how would she make her parenst like him, few days back, made sense. That was when she had missed what her mom spoke.

“God!” she thought. She was in trouble. Communication gap and mammoth wrong assumptions, have led to huge chaos.

She covered her face. Sree moved closer.

“Harini, call it a day off in office. We will go to Chennai. We will try our best to set things straight.” he tried to console.

“Sree, I have to tell you much more. Stopping the wedding alone will not set things straight. Not just this one, But I shall never be interested in any other wedding, my parents would plan for me in the future.”, she paused.

‘Had she decided she does not need one?’Sree was intrigued.

“But, why?”, he asked, slowly.

“I am in love with a person, Sree. I met a  month back. His name is Abhi, Abhivadan.”, she paused.

Sree felt blood rushing to his head. He could not know how red his face was.  It came in as a huge blow.

He could not handle the distress. He did not wish for this. He did not try hard in getting a transfer, from his manager, just to bear shocks one after the other.

Something was terribly wrong with him. He was not sure why things did not work out for him.

He sat, panting heavily, as Harini slowly unfolded about Abhi and their relationship.

Chapter 23:

“I cannot afford to Miss Abhi in my life, Sree. Remember I asked you whether you will stand by me for all my decisions? It was for opening this up to my parents.”

As Harini ended her talk, she heard her door bell ring.

It was Preetha.

“Preetha…” , Harini called out. “Come in.”, she tried to smile.

She looked at Sree.

“This is Sree, my cousin. You have met twice before. Hope you remember him. “, Harini tried to introduce.

‘Remember?’, Preetha smiled to herself.

His tall frame, spiked hair, and that breath taking look, she could not forget him.

While his looks made the first impression on her, the more Harini spoke about him to Preetha, she fell for Sree slowly. The care he had for Harini though he was miles apart , impressed Preetha.

Preetha felt she needed that care, coupled with love, for a full lifetime, all for herself..

Sree sat with his hands on his head. His face reddened, he was not sure if it was anger. He rolled his eyes in exasperation. He was perturbed by the series of revelations. They had come to put a whammy on him.

He fought back tears. He expected years of his seclusion to end in the solace.

He desiderated nothing but Harini’s love. It seemed impossible now.

He thought he would clonk anything that came on his path towards his love. He never thought Harini herself would hurdle his path, bearing the love she had for someone else.

His eyes were moist.

“Sree, this is my friend, Preetha.” , Harini tried to introduce. She saw his tormented face.

“Sree, what happened?”

“ Harini, I need some time.”, Sree got up from the couch.

He walked towards the balcony, he rested his elbow on the balcony wall, hard enough for the coarse concrete to cast its impression.

‘What do I do now?’ , he wondered.

“Were you in love with Harini? “ ,he heard a voice behind.

Sree looked at her, blank. He was not sure why, in spite of she, being  a stranger, he nodded.

Preetha was disappointed, but not shocked. She looked at him, he looked the same for her, charming and breath taking, his expressions a little distorted,she thought. That was fine for her, she believed she will get it straight.

“Sometimes, you just do everything and wait for something to happen. That moment when you realise it was never going to happen..” he paused , let out a sigh and banged the balcony grill.

They both heard Harini approaching.

“Sree”, she came close, “I can’t see you crying for me. Don’t worry.” she wiped away his tears.

‘You always assume wrong. Pawan , your parents, and now my tears’, Sree thought.

“Will you be by my side? Will you help me?”, she asked in a low tone.

Sree thought for a moment. He could not deny. It was his Harini. She needed him now. He thought how buoyant she stood for backing up her dreams.

Fighting alone was not new to her. She needed him now. He wanted to be there for her.

“Sure.” he replied, his answer bringing a ray of hope to both Harini and Preetha.

“You told me he works in Netway, right ?”, Sree asked. Harini nodded.

“Let me go and meet him, but before that, I need to get some details about him, kind of a check. My colleague’s brother is a HR in the same company, in Mumbai though. I will try to get some official records about that guy.”

The three of them sat in silence, awaiting Sree’s mobile to ring.

The mobile quivered in Sree’s hands, culminating the trio’s silence.

“Really?” , they heard Sree speak.

“Oh, ok, sure.” He ended the call.

“It looks like the Mumbai HR cannot locate such an employee. He is asking me to go and check with the Bengaluru office.”, Sree shook his head.

Harini looked at him, her expressions still.

“I will go to his office. “, Sree rose from the chair. “I will come with you too.” Preetha joined him.

“Take our car”,Harini handed over the keys.

She tried to call Abhi, his mobile was switched off.

August 17: 1 PM

‘I never expected him to act so promptly, in spite of being heartbroken’ she thought.  The more proactive he was, the sooner he would find Abhi. Once everything goes fine between Abhi and Harini, she could slowly talk to Sree,  Preetha  thought.

Sree rushed before the light turned red, his bad, he missed it by a fraction of second.

“Sometimes you never know what was your mistake, things does not seems to happen.”, he banged the steering is disappointment. The car honked loud.

“Sree, I can imagine how hard it is for you. But it is better to let certain things go, however close they were to us. Harini had just looked at you as a good friend. It is better you be the same to her. I am not asking you to loathe her, but just treat her the same way she treats you. I am not asking you to ignore Harini, but ignore the pain she is causing you, though it is unintentional. “

“Sometimes it is always good to let certain things  go off, however good they are,  so that we have more space in our life for  better things.” , she smiled at him.

He nodded, slowly, pondering on everything Preetha spoke, few moments ago.

“Sorry sir, there is no one in the name of Abhivadan. “ , the Bengaluru HR replied. Sree and Preetha met him in the  cafeteria. They were not allowed further, as they did not work there.

“Sir, He is from Vasanth Nagar. Can you please try checking again?”

“Mr. Sreenivas, as per our company policies, we cannot reveal anything about our employees. Sunil , from Mumbai , requested and hence I did this much. As per our records, we do not have anyone named Abhivadan working here. That is it. I am really sorry for not being a great help. But this is all I can do.” He replied.

Sree left, with no clue, wondering who and where Abhi was. How would he look?, he thought for a second.

8.00 PM

As they rode back, Preetha smiled , an idea popping up.

“Sree, there is a service apartment, adjacent to the French embassy in Vasanth Nagar. We can go there and check . We may or may not find Abhi, but we definitely can find someone working in Netway.” She smiled. Sree felt it was a good idea.

“Sree, it is getting late for me. I need to go. “Preetha smiled.

“I can drop you. Just tell me where to go. “ , Sree asked for a courtesy.

“No problem, it is just a stone away.”, she replied.

As she got down and closed the door, she heard Sree’s voice.

“That was a nice conversation. Thank you. I felt much better. Sorry if I had dumped my despair on you.”

“Not at all. It is my pleasure. Sometimes, more than the actual solution, a pair of ears to listen will make you feel better.” She smiled.

As he slowly raised the window, he found her face disappear and his face’s reflection, coming up. Her face, which he saw through the glass and his reflection which he saw in the glass, merged into one.

Chapter 24:

August 18: 7.00 AM

“He has deceived you.” Preetha tried to surmise that something was wrong, after the clueless previous night.

Preetha came to Harini’s house the next morning.

“He does not hold any identity. There is no such employee in his name in Netway. “ Sree added  in anger.

Preetha and Sree made sense. He was never affirmative when she asked him about his parents.  He refused to meet Sree. He did not express any interest in meeting her friends or relatives. He had not taken her to any of his friends or relatives too. But his charm and charisma never gave any room for incertitude. ‘Has his love been fallacious too?’ the mere thought bewildered her.

Harini could have been dubious about their words, but she could not mistrust him or his love. Such was his love for her.

“What are we going to do now?”, Preetha  asked.

Preetha’s voice, broke Harini’s chain of thoughts.

“Call him again.” Sree’s voice got louder.

Harini stabbed her phone with her finger tips to dial his number. All that she could hear was a recorded voice.

“He is not reachable even now.”, Harini’s voice broke.

“You met him recently?” Preetha asked.

“Yes, the previous week. To give the documents to be handed over to the magazine”, Harini answered weakly.

“What the hell?”, Sree looked at Harini, pouting.

“He hasn’t taken away, just those papers, but everything; my love; my Future.” Harini broke into tears.

Sree looked at her tear stained eyes. Harini had never cried. Or at least he had not seen her this way. He felt he could take her in her Arms and comfort her.

“This guy Abhi is getting into my nerves. Where the hell is he?”, he shouted.

“I could not find anybody knowing him, in his locality.”, he continued. “I just have one option in hand. I have given my number to the security. As per his info, if he finds a guy, who works in Netway, staying the apartment, he will contact me.” , he continued, this time his voice feeble.

“Sree, even if you know any small information, do not delay. Please make sure you meet Abhi.”, Preetha added.

Preetha wanted things to go fine in between Abhi and Harini.

She wanted Sree.

“Harini, dont worry.”, Sree tried to console Harini, breaking Preetha’s chain of thoughts.

“Sree, Preetha, I believe in Abhi. More than him, I believe in his love. I know nothing can wrong. I am going to go to office today, I am going to apply for leave. Let me see what is happening in my life.”, she looked determined.

“Sree, have this set of keys, in case you need.” , she continued, handing over the house keys. “Preetha, are you coming to office with me?” , she asked.

Preetha, whose jaw dropped at her friend’s staggering attitude, nodded.

“How come so confident?, Preetha asked as they descended the stairs.

Harini closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. All that she remembered was his smile, deep golden eyes and his face,”I did not want to be in between you and your dream.”, ” Yes I was mad at you, but more than that, I am madly in love with you.”, she saw his face, his voice lingering .

She dallied down the stairs, long enough to recollect him.

“No, he could not be wrong.”, she spoke, trying to fight back the tears, within her eyes, which had already reached the corner of lips.

August 18: 3.30 PM

Sree received a call from the Service apartment Security that the resident who was working in Netway was back home.

Harini’s life and safety were jeopardized. Sree wanted to find some clue. He had to find Abhi, to cease the disorientated situation.

Deep inside his mind, he still had a small wish. He coveted Harini’s love. He was not selfish, but at the same time, he was not able to let a strange guy bulldoze the secret orchard of his love.

August 18: 5.30 PM:

Sree had called Harini around 3.40 PM , that he was on the way to the service apartment.

Harini tried his number for the fourth time. It was still not reachable. Did he meet Abhi?, she wondered.

She did not have time to meet Preetha in office. She wound things up, to cover for her absence. She applied leave for the rest of the week.

She informed Preetha that she was leaving.

She took her mobile , trying to post in the ‘Home away home’  messaging group, tears blurring her vision. She had to inform people that due to personal emergency, the restaurant will be closed for next few days.

He has driven her from nowhere to where she was. Her first glorious step towards her dream, the magazine; he was not with her to celebrate.

She missed Abhi. She was not worried about his false identity, she believed in him, but she was wondering where he was. She wanted to know he was fine. She wanted to hear his voice. She wanted him to come back to her.

Was she in imminent danger of losing him?, her panic-striken eyes locked itself to the cloudy evening sky.

She gathered her things, she gathered herself too. She had to head back home. She should first know where Sree was.

She tried Sree’s number several times, before reaching home. The call never got connected.

August 18: 8.15 PM

Harini could not wait anymore. She was worried about Sree. He left home around 3.40. She did not hear anything from him since then.

She needed to take an action. It was Abhi in the beginning and Sree, then.

What was happening?, she wondered. Where were they all going? Who was behind all this? , A million of questions came up in her mind.

She had no mood to cook, she could not eat anything.

It was around 9 PM, she heard her door bell ring.

Chapter 25:

“Can you imagine what have you done?”, a frenzied  Preetha entered.

She could not stand the fact that Sree was not reachable. She felt her relationship with him, slowly grow. She could not imagine, losing him.

“Preetha, come in”, Harini swallowed hard.

“Harini, do you really know what is happening around you? “

“Preetha I am trying to make it out, but am helpless.”

“Harini, do you really understand what I mean? Do you know where Sree is?”

“I don’t know Preetha. But I am trying hard to find out.”

“How? By sitting here under the roof, relaxed and happy?”

“Preetha, this is the limit. Do I really seem happy and relaxed to you? “

“You don’t talk about limits. You are so selfish; endangering other’s life for your wishes.”

“Sree made his move for me. Where does selfishness come in here, Preetha?”

“You have unnecessarily involved Sree in this. I am not sure where he is. I am really worried.”

“Preetha, I know him better than you. I am equally, in fact much more worried.”

“What do you know about him? What do you know about anybody?- when you can’t even get your boyfriend’s identity correct.”

The words hit Harini harsh. She fumbled for words to defend herself. She fought back her tears. There is nothing more hurting that not knowing anything about someone whom she loved more than her life.

She did not want to cry.

“You do not know him, because you did not love him. You wanted to chase your dream. Nothing else mattered to you. You came here hurting your parents. When you found a guy you forgot about me. You were attracted to him, just because, he would help you. It was all conditional Harini. It was not love; that is why it did not last long. And now Abhivadan is gone.  He has taken away Sree too. How many more are you going to trouble, in the name of dream?  If it is your dream, you have to chase it. Don’t invite people to run for you, or run along. If you cannot run alone, drop the dream. Don’t drag people into it.”, Preetha blurted out in between short breaths.

“Preetha, do you really mean what you are trying to tell?”

“Harini, I don’t have time for any emotional words. I have whole lot to do. I am going to go to the police for lodging a complaint. “

“Preetha, I will talk to my dad and seek his help. I will explain him. Please don’t be hasty.”

“I can’t wait anymore.”

And before Harini could utter another word, Preetha slammed the door behind and walked out.

Harini could not imagine she would hear all of what was spoken.  She was her best friend ; wasn’t she? What had made her speak so much? Did she really mean all that she spoke?

Harini sat in the dark, covering her face, breaking in to tears.

She did not know how long it had been. The sudden vibration in her mobile jarred her into the reality.  She rushed to it.

There was a text from an unknown number.  She opened it, breathing heavily.

The clock in her mobile showed 11.17 P.M

The text message slowly loaded.

“The two important men, in your life, are now mine. You do not have any other option baby. Hope to see you soon.- Pawan”

Harini dropped the phone, petrified, sweat beads covering all over her body.

Chapter 26:

She could understand what Pawan meant by ‘men’ . ‘Abhi, Sree’ , she murmured.

She sat there , confused and lost.

What was happening to her life?, she wondered.

So many things had happened just in the past two days.

Her best friend called her an oppurtunist.

Her parents had been planning so many things which were never clear for her.

Her dearest person was missing in the search of her life.

Her love of life; She did not know where he was. She did not know who he was. She did not know if he was in charge of the accusations Sree and Preetha raised about him.

On top of everything, the guy with whom her wedding was fixed in just a few days, had sent her the text which had scared the bejesus out of her.

August 19: 2.00 A.M

She sat in murkiness of the night, bursting into hysterical tears , with an uncanny feeling that she was being deceived.

“Most of the times I don’t understand the cooking terms, But All that I understood was the love you had, which got conveyed through your cooking. I love you Harini.”, She recollected his words , gasping for air, in between her sobs.

‘What would I do next?’, her mind raced. She thought for a second.

She nodded, as if it struck her.

She waited all alone, for the east to brighten, not being aware of the unexpected guest at her doorway the next morning.

August 19: 5.00 A.M

The alarm which usually goes off in the morning, to wake her up for her shift, did not ring that day.

Preetha , was wide awake, to turn off her alarm well before it rang. She sat on the bed cross legged.

As she stood up, the first thing that caught her eyes was the coffee mug, the one Harini gifted for her previous birthday.

“To the world’s bestest” read the mug, bearing a crazy selfie of Harini and Preetha.

She sat back on her bed, lost in deep thoughts.

She remembered asking Sree not to hesitate even if he gets a small information  about Abhi. She was the one who was selfish to gain Sree’s love. She was the one who sent him. It was because of her , he was missing.

As she thought deeply, she realized, none of it was Harini’s fault.

She decided to apologize to Harini for being harsh. She remembered Harini applying leave for the rest of the week. She thought she should meet her in the morning.

August 19: 7.00 A.M

She was disappointed to knock the locked door.

‘Where is she?’Preetha wondered staring at Harini’s door.

“Āke elliruvaḷu?” She enquired the security, where Harini was.

“ Nānu tiḷiyalu illa” ,  I don’t know, he replied. “Nānu beḷigge tanna nōḍalilla”, I didn’t see her from morning, he continued. She would not have left for office. Where was she? Preetha’s mind raced. She took her mobile to call her. Her instinct threatened Preetha, that Harini might not be reachable.  “Where were people going for the past few days?”, she shook her head, to wither the wrong intuition.  To her ecstasy, Harini’s mobile rang. Too soon, her joy faded away as she did not pick up.  Preetha decided to wait for some time.

August 19: 7.40 A.M – Kempegowda Bus Station:

Her mobile rang for the fifth time, as she sat in the bus, heading to Chennai.   “If you want to chase your dream, run alone.”, she heard Preetha’s voice.  The idea of going to Chennai and talking to her parents, beamed through Harini’s mind, the previous night. She booked the seat in the next available bus.  As she walked out of her apartment, she saw her neighbor. Harini thought she could inform someone at the least.  Harini told her neighbor about her Chennai visit and headed to the Bus stand. She did not pick up the call. She did not want anyone to know where she was. She was moving forward, to get things done, for her.

August 19: 2.00 P.M: CMBT Chennai:  

The bright sun light hit her face, as Harini stepped on to the bustling bus stand of Chennai. It looked less crowded, comparatively, as it was a weekday afternoon.

She squinted her eyes, which were already bulged due to sleepless night and incessant whimper.

She walked towards the main road, dragging her brief case. As she reached the entrance, the cab she had booked had arrived.

“Drop enga madam“, What is the drop location, Madam?, the driver asked.

“Nungambakkam”, she replied, looking out at the bright sky. She let out a sigh. The car started to move, Harini still wondering, what Chennai had in store for her.

Harini paid the sum, got out of the car and shut the car door. She looked at her Two-storey house that looked bright, as the new paint shone in the afternoon sun.

There were more than three cars parked, which meant her relatives were there. As she approached the door, she saw the scented floral hangings, which hit her forehead. It was cold and soft.

Her house had got ready for her wedding, while she had not.

She knocked the door and waited. No one turned up. She heard a lot of noise inside. She pressed the calling bell switch hard and it rang aloud.

The door knob clicked and her mom exclaimed in surprise.

“Harini?, dear, you are here today? What a surprise my sweetheart. Come in.”, she ushered.

“Have you forgotten everything? Harini drop your bags here and wash your legs in the pipe outside. Vinodhini, get the Aarthi plate ready.”, her grandma interrupted.

“What is it?”, her father approached.

“Harini, is here. We were expecting her tomorrow right. Your daughter has surprised us.”, her mom smiled at her dad.

“What happened, Harini? Why didn’t you inform us before?”, asked her dad.

“Everything need not be asked right at the door step.” , her grandma cut her son short.

Vinodhini came with a plate that had dark orange sacred water in it, with camphor lit in the center.

Vinodhini and Sree’s mom stood left and right to Harini to move the plate, in circles, across Harini’s face.

She looked at her aunt. ‘What would she tell if her Aunt asks about Sree?’, she wondered.

Vinodhini took the plate and ran to the entrance, to pour the liquid at the center of the big Rangoli.

“Come in”, her Grandma held Harini by her hand and made her sit.

She touched her cheeks.

“What happened dear?”

“Nothing Paati.  It is just the travel.”, she pretended to smile. Harini was surprised that her Aunt did not ask her about Sree.

“Hey, Harini!”, Vino, came running to her. Suji joined them too.

“You guys are here?”

“Of course, the entire family is celebrating. The first wedding in our family right.” , Sujitha smiled.

“Someone was not happy for sharing their photograph. But is in such a hurry to marry.”, she heard Vivek’s voice from behind.

“Hey!”, she let out an exhausted sigh.

“But you really have to tell me how could all this happen? I mean How did you like him, just with a conversation over phone?” , Vivek shrugged his shoulders.

Harini shook her head. How would she explain it to them? That she was there to stop the wedding.

“Hey, you are useless. I told you long back it is a girl’s thing. You can never understand. All that you can do is drool over Deepika Padukone. “, Vonidhini snubbed him.

“Not everybody from Bangalore are Deepika. What say Harini? ”, Vivek winked at Harini.

“Vicky, please.”, she stood up to leave. She took her baggage and headed towards her room.

“Harini, Vasanth nagar is near your locality?”, Suji’s voice stopped her.

She turned in a reflex.  She nodded, perplexed.

“It seems, a guy in mid-twenties, working in SJM towers had met with an accident.  I assumed you must know the area, so just like that, I thought I could ask. “, Suji replied

Chapter 27:

Harini dropped her baggage.

“How did you know?”, she asked Suji, panting.

“Suji, She has entered just now and do you really have any sense on what to talk to a bride? Allow her to get some rest.” , Suji’s mom interrupted her.

“I saw it in newspaper.”, Suji pointed to the rack where newspaper were stacked, as she followed her mother.

She saw her mom and Grandma busy checking the return gifts bags. She wanted to end this all. She wanted to scream, to stop it all, but on top of it, she was worried about Abhi. She surfed the newspaper in an attempt to read the news.

“Harini, what are you doing there? Go refresh yourself and come down for lunch. It is already late.”, her mom ordered.

She ran to her room. She had had enough. She tried Abhi’s number one last time. It was still not reachable. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

She tried Sree’s number, which was also not reachable.

She held her head. She felt, she could not take things anymore.

She rested her tear stained cheek on the pillow. The pillow felt soft for her throbbing head.

She was not sure when she fell asleep.

Harini felt a soft hand, caressing her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes to see who it was.

She woke up with a jerk.

“It is me, dear.”, her father smiled.

“Appa”, she held his hands and controlling the tears.

“It is few minutes past seven. Your mom wants you down.”, he smiled.  She wondered how three hours flew.

“Appa, I need to talk to you.”, she paused, when she heard her phone beep.

It was a text from an unknown number. The number ended with 09. It was unusually familiar.

As she opened it,

“Thanks for coming to Chennai Baby. Really worried about Sree? Your worry ends here. Come up to your terrace. Your beloved cousin is waiting for you.- Pawan.” ,  read the text.

She felt her blood rushing to her head.

“Just a minute pa.”, she excused herself, running. She opened the door and ran in the garden. She reached the steps that led to the terrace. She took two steps at a time.

She was panting heavily. She struggled for breath as she reached the end of the steps. Her feet slowed down. It pained.

She gathered herself and stepped into the terrace. It was dark. She turned around and saw the switch.

As she turned it on, the entire terrace was lit in bright white light.

She froze for a moment, not believing her own eyes, as she saw Abhi standing there, hands across his chest.

“Abhi?”, she ran to him tears gushing down from her eyes.

“Pawan sent a message that Sree was here.”, she spoke in between her sobs, gasping for air.

Abhi nodded, as he looked behind Harini.

Harini turned in a reflex. Sree stood there smiling.

“You guys are safe? Thank goodness. I thought you were in danger. I came to know about an anonymous accident. I was worried it was you. You guys are safe. You guys are safe.”, she knelt down in the cold concrete, covering her face, weeping heavily. She was obstreperous.

Abhi saw Sree walking towards her. He touched her shoulders. She uncovered her face, trying to look at him. She stood up and looked at him for few seconds.

“Where were you?” , she asked.

“Let me tell you.”, she heard Abhi’s voice.

She strode towards him, filled with anger, sorrow and confusion.

“Where the hell were you?” , she asked.

“Harini.”

“Tell me. Where were you?”, she was shouting.

“These guys told me so many things about you. Do you want me to believe them? You let me down Abhi.” , she was still crying.

“Where the hell were you?”, she now held his shirt, demanding an answer.

Abhi slowly raised his hands to calm her down. As he tried to wrap them around her, he saw a figure approaching. He stopped his hands in midair.

“What are you doing here Harini? Is this what you came to Chennai for?”, Harini and Abhi were startled by the voice.

---

“Harini what are you doing here?”, her father repeated.

Abhi looked at him in shock.

“Appa.”, she stared at him in shock.

“Harini why are you crying?, asked her dad. “I saw you reading a message and running out of your room. I tried to follow where you were going. What is all this Harini?”, her dad continued.

“It is just a thing between them. They had been in constant touch in Bengaluru, but, he had been to Chennai all of a sudden, without informing her and hence the…”, Sree who was silent for the past ten minutes, spoke his first words.

“Oh! This wonderful man is also here?” , Harini’s dad snubbed him back.

Sree ignored his comment.

Harini was not sure how would she explain. How would she introduce Abhi? With the wedding preparations going on, would it be fine to introduce him as the one she loves? , she wondered.

Her dad looked at Abhi.

“This is why I insisted not to meet frequently. It creates problem.…”, her dad spoke to Abhi as if he knew him.

“When my friend Kumar told me about you, that he saw you with my daughter, I was worried and confused.”, her dad paused.

Kumar?, Harini wondered.

“The old man who always kept scrutinising me.”, Abhi whispered, hinting about Kumar. Harini recollected. He lived in the fourth floor. Was he her dad’s friend? She wondered.

“Kumar told about him?”, Harini asked, pointing her fingers towards Abhi.

“Yes, he told me that a guy is visiting you frequently. He called me up one day. I asked him to explain how the guy looked. I was able to understand it was him. I just let it go as I felt it was ok.”, her dad paused.

“Ok, what?”, she shook her head. ‘My dad knows Abhi?’ , she thought. She held her head in despair.

“Kumar called me up again and told me that he was visiting you every day. I dialed his dad’s number and asked her to speak to him.” , her dad rubbed  his forehead, letting out a sigh.

Harini saw her mother coming.

“Appa, you knew his Dad?”, Harini asked swallowing hard.

“Remember the call I got, when I was half way through my dinner”, Abhi whispered. Harini looked at him blank. “…the night you were about to say ‘Cooked with love’” , he whispered again, for Harini to recollect.

“My mom called me to check if I was with you. She also told me that your dad was not ok, with, me meeting you daily at your home. I could not talk to my mom with you by my side. That was why I left in a hurry.” Abhi smiled.

Harini who was completely lost, raised her voice.

“Abhi, please stop. Appa, do you him already?”, she asked , crooking her brows.

“Harini, why do you have to ask this? Isn’t it natural for a Father in law to know his Son in law?”, her dad asked her.

“Son in law?” , she uttered the words slowly.

“Yes. Of course. He is my Son in law. “, her father shrugged his shoulders.

“And why do you call him Abhi, when his name is Pawan?”, her dad asked casually.

Chapter 28:

“Uncle, I will leave in few minutes. I came here for meeting Harini.”, Abhi smiled, waiting for Harini’s dad to move.

“You come. They will handle it themselves. After all, she is going to be his wife in another ten days.”, Harini’s mom whispered to her husband.

“Oh My! You tell this now. But at the same time you were the one who asked me to speak to his dad about Pawan’s visits to Harini’s flat. When Pawan’s mom felt that we should not call them up and complain on her son, I did not apologize. You were the one who created a big drama for it. Remember how you had been crying for it when your most pampered son, Sreenivas came to Chennai? I am really not sure. Either I should be crazy or people around me should be. “, he murmured as he descended the stairs.

Harini’s mom shook her head in disappointment. “This man is losing his tempers so easily these days. I really hope the wedding happens peacefully.”, she looked up and closed her eyes as if she was in a prayer.

In the interim, up in the terrace, Harini was livid.

“You are Pawan? The one with whom my wedding was fixed?” she asked her veins standing out of her neck.

Abhi nodded calmly.

She looked at him furiously.

“And you knew all this?”, she looked at Sree.

“Not until I spoke to him in Bengaluru.”, Sree replied.

“You met him in Bengaluru?”, Harini asked.

“No, I spoke over phone. He came to Chennai the day I came to Bengaluru.”

“So everyone knew everything except me. I just had to sit and cry for hours together, confused and lost , wondering whether you two were alive or dead, while you cronies were busy concocting a plan to hoax me. Sounds great.”, she spoke sarcasm glimmering in her last two word.

She turned and strode towards the stairs. As she stepped out of the terrace, she stopped, as she ran into her best friend.

“Harini!”, Preetha exclaimed.

“I came to your apartment to meet you this morning; in fact to apologize. I waited for more than forty minutes. I tried calling you. But you did not pick up. I was about to leave not knowing where you were. I checked with the security too. When I was about to leave, your neighbor, the girl in the opposite house saw me and informed that you had left for Chennai. I took my car and came here.”, Preetha continued.

“You drove all by yourself?”, Sree asked, in concern.

Harini gritted her teeth and glared at him.

“No, my own driver.”, she replied, not missing Harini’s glower.

‘Driver.’ , Harini turned towards Abhi , her thoughts flooding back to Saba.

“Did Saba Anna know that you were the one?”, she asked, her voice low.

“Well, I can explain everything.”, Abhi tried to stop her.

“That means Saba knew it, Right?”, she pressed her lips together,  nostrils flaring.

“I hate you guys.”, she spoke and did not wait for their reaction. She descended as fast as she could.

Pawan followed her swiftly.

“Harini, you have to listen to me.”, he tried to stop her.

“I have heard a lot in the past two days Mr. Abhivadan . Sorry Pawan. Or, do you have any other name, which is at least real?” , she spoke with  moist eyes.

Harini went to her room, directly.

“Harini, please.”, he held her hand.

“Do not create a drama in front of my parents and relatives. I am not in a mental state to justify your actions to them.”, she shook her hand off his grip. “And now, get lost.”, she spoke under her breath.

Sree and Preetha reached her room.

“Harini, I just thought I could help you.”

“Helping for getting more orders in ‘Home away Home’? and did I ask you? Did I beg you for your help? I was happy with four orders, rather than a flourishing business and a name called ‘Opportunist’. “, Harini said with a snap.

“And that is how some of them call me, isn’t it Preetha?”, she looked at her.

Pawan looked at her with a ‘why did you say so?’ look. She replied with an ‘I am sorry’ look.

“Harini, I know you are extremely upset, I know you have underwent a lot.”, he came close to hold her. He cupped her face in his hands. She tried to turn away, spilling few tear drops in his hands.

He made her sit on her bed. He knelt down, beside her. He waited for her sobs to mitigate.

Sree was amazed at his gesture. This was the first time he saw Abhi and Harini together.

He slowly realized how much Harini meant to that guy.

“Harini, I am so sorry. “, he started in a low tone. “Harini please look at me.”, he continued.

She looked at him, into those golden eyes; they were moist too.

“Do you remember our first conversation?”

She nodded. “You ordered for an Aloo Paratha.”

“Not as Abhi. As Pawan.”, he smiled. She frowned.

“Ok, sorry about that. But tell me.”

“The conversation I had with you over phone. How could I forget it. I am here, at this moment right now, because of that phone call, isn’t it? ”

“Yes, you got it right.  Do you remember what you spoke?”

“Of course I do, but why?”, she asked irritated.

“Just tell me.”

“Well, I asked you to reject me. I told you I have my own dreams.”

“And, then?”

“And then what? I asked your name and I ended the conversation.”

“You said it all.”, Pawan smiled. “You told me all that you wanted to do. You asked me to reject, to put it better, you rejected Me.; but how? Well before you could know my name. You concluded I would not support your dream, well before you knew me. “

He paused, to shift his weight from one knee to another.

“You can sit on the chair. I am not going to forgive you anyway.”, Harini showed him the chair.

He smiled as he took his seat.

“Harini, the moment I saw your photograph, I decided you were the one. Your eyes; they said it all. I wished I could impress you the best. I even chose what to wear on our first meeting. To bury all my excitement, there came a call from you, asking me to reject you. I am not a man who is afraid of rejections. But, I had few concerns with your reason for rejection. How could you ever conclude just by mere obsession? I wanted to prove myself to you. I wanted to take the obsession off your mind. I wanted to gain your trust. I wanted to love you. Above all I wanted to be loved by you. “

Sree listened to every word Pawan spoke.

“Abhi  , but.. ?”Harini spoke , for the first time, in the past twenty minutes, looking into his eyes.

“Harini, don’t ask me how. Your eyes had the magic. If something is attractive for the eyes, it must be beautiful; if something is attracted in the eyes , it must be love. That was what your eyes showed me to behold. It was an instinct. An instinct that popped up in my heart and rang a bell in my mind, that you were the one.  I realized what it is to be loved by you. I admired the way you loved your dream. It was obvious, that, to attain and sustain what you love, you go great limits. I wanted to be one such thing for you. I wanted to be loved by you.”

Tears faded away from Harini’s eyes.

Veneration slowly crept in Sree’s eyes.

“i wanted to win your heart, trust and love. I needed space. If I had come before you as Pawan, with a tag of ‘The groom selected by your parents’, do you think you would have paid attention to me?”

She slowly shook her head,’No’.

“I needed some space. It was a luxury for Pawan to secure a space to prove him. Pawan wanted a disguise. That was why I had to change my name, my identity, my work place, everything for you. I travelled back and forth between Chennai and Bengaluru to balance home and my love. I opted for a work from home option in my office.”

Sree could not believe his ears. He knew how difficult it was. A mere transfer approval, took ages and there were so many questions were to be answered. He got a transfer and till date he considered it to be the greatest thing he did for Harini. As he slowly listened, he realized how much Pawan had done to win her heart.

“I had to speak about it to Saba because I was not wrong, I refrained my originality not for a lecherous intention or vendetta. It was for our love. I spoke to him and he understood. He was worried about facing your fury once you know it. I told him that we will handle it.”

He paused to look at Harini, who sat in a torpid state.

“Whatever it is, however you put it, At the end of the day, I was fooled.” , her gravelly voice answered.

“I am now completely lost. To be honest, I am in a state not knowing what to believe and what not to.” She continued.

Chapter 29:

“I don’t deny. My friend warned me. He was telling me all that I had been risking, first and foremost, my love. “, he paused to take a deep breath.

“Harini, all that I said was wrong, lie and spoof; except one thing. My love. My love for you.”, his voice broke, as he looked at the ceiling to conceal his tears.

Harini slowly walked to him.

“You deluded me, inorder to love me. I loved you, though you deluded me. I rejected Pawan, before even knowing who he was. But I loved Abhi, without even knowing who he was.”, Harini spoke, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Sree could understand the mutual love they shared.

Preetha realized how wrong she was. Abhivadan was a great guy.

“True. You are so innocent and genuine.”, Pawan replied.

“Let them have their moment.”, Sree spoke, asking Preetha to accompany him outside.

“I need some time Abhi, Sorry Pawan. Do you see? I am not even sure how should I address you. I hope you understand my mental trauma.” she replied , closing her eyes.

Pawan understood she wanted her space. He walked out, slowly closing the door behind.

He looked at Preetha and Sree.

“How did you guys meet? And you are Pawan?  I could not believe you did all this for her.”

“Does that really matter now? But she is still not convinced. “

“She will. She is just in confusion. “, Sree gave an assuring nod.

“I am just going to wait for a couple of days. If she is not going to answer, I will talk to my parents and call off this wedding. It all started because of me. Let me end it all. Meanwhile, let me figure out how to impress and convince her.”

“Good luck, boy!”, Preetha shrugged her shoulders.

Sree and Preetha saw Pawan leaving.

“Hey, at least you tell me. How did you guys meet?”, Preetha asked Sree.

“The apartment security called me that the person working in Netway was back. I went there to meet a guy in his mid-twenties. I asked him if he was Abhivadan. He looked at me startled as though the name rang a bell. He asked if I was Harini’s friend. I was shocked. He invited me into their room. He asked me to sit.

“By any chance are you Abhivadan?” I repeated.

“No. No. I am his friend. Is there a problem?” he replied.

“Yes. Abhivadan is missing. Harini is in a complete turmoil. She is not sure where he is.”

“He has gone to Chennai for his wedding.”

“What? How could he do this to her? Harini is… ”

“Sir, please. Harini is supposed to be his bride.”

“What?”

“Sir, he had lied to Harini with a false identity. His name is not Abhivadan. His original name is Pawan. Pawan Kumar.”

I was shocked. I did not believe him. But my brother mailed his photo to me, when the wedding was fixed. When Pawan’s friend showed me his snap, I had to believe.

He gave me Pawan’s Chennai Number. I contacted him. He explained me everything, as why he faked his identity. I did not listen to him much. The moment I came to know that he had deceived her; I expected Harini would not be convinced. I just stayed calm and abided by his plan;  Switching off my mobile; sending her two anonymous text messages from Pawan’s Chennai number.

I just wished, Harini would not get convinced.

But after hearing all what he spoke now, I really wish she could get convinced. He is the right one for her.”

Sree smiled. Preetha smiled too, nodding her head.

“Sree Maapillai  left?, his Aunt ‘s voice interrupted their conversation.

“Yes Mami. Just now.”, Sree replied. “And this is Harini’s friend. She has come for the wedding. “, Sree introduced her.

“Most welcome, my child. You have to stay here, in our house.”, Harini’s mom smiled.

“Thanks Aunty.”, she replied. ‘We will be together.’ Preetha thought, looking at Sree.

---

That night, Harini tried to cover her face and think hard. She could not sleep. Her mind drifted to Abhi. His eyes, his charm, the way he understood things before she could tell. She could not take him off from mind and heart.

She recollected the way he motivated her to win the competition. It was selfless, she thought. She thought how he made sure to familiarize with cooking, for her sake, though it was not his cup of tea.

She could not forget the oven, he gifted her. “You do not have to run and pull out a hot pizza stone with bare hands.”, he smiled. “Hurt less work more.”, she heard his voice.

It was not about the gift, but the care he took. His concern for her knew no boundaries. She sat on her bed. She rubbed her forehead. She could not believe what happened in the evening.

The way he knelt down beside her, calm and composed, waiting for her to accept his apology. She was disturbed.  She needed him. She loved him.

“You know! How much I disliked him. When his love for you can impress a third person, who had been hating him, it should surely convince you, who had been in love with him.”, Preetha’s voice echoed in her mind.

“You had already loved him. Forgiving him and accepting his apology should not be difficult.”, Sree’s voice lingered.

She was not sure about anything.

As she closed her eyes, thinking hard, she heard a song in a distant faint voice.

“Ennodu vaa veedu varaikkum, en veetai paar, yennai pidikkum;

En jeevan jeevan neethaane , yena thondrum neram idhu daane

Nee illai illai yendraale, en nenjam nenjam thaangathey.”

The voice was beautiful with a subtle guitar. It sounded like Abhi’s voice. She pursed her mouth in a smirk. Everything around seems like him, she thought. She shook her head to bring her mind back to her life.

‘Where was I?’, she thought.

“Hum tere bin ab reh nahin sakte
Tere bina kyaa vajood meraa”

She heard the voice again. She lifted her room curtain to peep, where the music was coming from.

 “Tujh se judaa gar ho jaayenge
To khud se hi ho jaayenge judaa”

She continued hearing.

As she squinted in the darkness, she saw Pawan, with a Guitar.

She ran to the balcony.

Pawan was able to see her. As he saw her, he knelt down, still singing.

“Kyonki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho
Zindagi, ab tum hi ho
Chain bhi, meraa dard bhi

 He paused to place his hands on his chest.

Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho”  , he pointed his fingers to her.

He continued to sing.

She did not think for a second. She unlocked her room and ran to the lawn at the back of her house.

As Pawan saw her coming, he placed his guitar on the floor, still kneeling down.

Poovin kaambil pootha boomi pandu naan;

Suttri suttri vaazhven unnai mattum dan;

Un manadai yenadhai porthi padupean              

Udalil Uyir pol unnul  kidappean.”

He closed his eyes, stretched his arms and sang soulfully.

“Abhi.”, she called softly.

She was moved by him.

The cold night, vast sky with infinite stars, her love, kneeling in front of her, singing her favourite songs. What else could a girl ask for?

Her prince charming was right there.

He opened his eyes. She looked into his eyes; the same golden eyes.

“What is this?”, she asked.

“I thought you would love it; your guy singing for you, under the night sky, in the moon light? Don’t you?”, he asked.

“How could you know all this Abhi?”

I understood that you love to fantasize, just by the way you looked at the lake and the sky. I thought of proposing this way, way back in Bengaluru. But I wondered how it would seem to kneel down on the road, in front of your flat. No privacy there, you see.”, he looked at her.

She held her head.

“I am floored by the way you understand me, Abhi.”

“For the first time in the history of proposals, you are going to witness the most unique one.”, he spoke, as he took out his wallet.

She threw a weird look.

He slowly arranged his entire identity cards one on top of another.

He extended them, like a bunch of roses.“A proposal, made with identity cards.”, he smiled. “I am a valid citizen of this country. I am not a fraud.” he smiled.

She grabbed them from his hands and shoved it back into his hands.

“Harini, once again, I am so sorry. My identity was fake, but I was not. Everything else was wrong, but my love never was. I am not sure how much more I can convince. I cannot persuade you more. Love is not to be forced. I came here tonight, not just to apologize or convince or impress, But just to tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. “, he looked below, as he squeezed his eyelids tight.

He let out a sigh , as he raised his head.

“Harini, even in my wildest dream, I never thought about deceiving you , just to marry you. I wanted to love you Harini. Love you more than anything in this world.”

She looked at him. If she did not mean to him as much as he says, he would not have toiled himself, travelling between the two cities, managing his work, balancing his home and the marriage preparations, she thought.

“Harini.”, his voice broke her chain of thoughts.

“I am just waiting for you. Tell me a ‘No’ , I will go and stop everything. Don’t worry about the elders, I will take care. It was all started by me. Let me end it all.”, he spoke.

“I don’t want to miss you; but more than that I do not want to be mistaken by you. You mean so much to me. If all what it takes to prove me right,  is cancelling everything and walking away from your life, I will do it. I will do it for proving myself right to the most important person of my life, the love of my life.” he tilted his head and looked at her as if he had done all , that he could.

“Abhi.”, she called slowly. She was moved. She was emotional. He was standing there, seeking her love.

“I can never explain what kind of a feeling your presence gave me. You showed me a new myself; A new way to look at things. You taught me what it is fall in love and what it felt like. You can walk away but you cannot take off all that your love left behind in me. I need you Abhi. Do you believe me I loved you, not just because you were there to help me? Did you believe that my love was  unconditional and real?”

“I believe, and that is why I am here, longing for it. I believe and that is why you are here justifying it to me.”, he looked at her.

“Abhi, my life was so real and I actually lived my life when you were with me. I don’t mind who you are. I really don’t care what your identities are. I want you to be the Abhi whom I met in Bengaluru. I don’t care if you would love me more as Pawan. All that I knew was the love, my Abhi gave me. I love my Abhi. I want to love him, just him. If you could love me, as my Abhivadan , it will suffice.”

He stood still looking into her eyes.

“Will you try love me again?”, he asked.

“Will you try to fool me again?”, she asked.

“Never.”, he replied. ‘I will never fool you again.’, he thought.

“Forever.” she replied. “I have always loved and will always love you forever.”, she replied, hugging him, her tears wetting his shirt.

“You sing so well.”, she spoke, resting her head on his shoulders.

“That’s from my mom. She is a great singer. But confined to kitchen and prayer room alone.”, he paused.

She raised her head slowly.

Pawan nodded. “Yes, her dream to become a great singer was suppressed. She knew what it is to miss a dream. She will not let it happen for others, especially her daughter in law.”, he smiled.

She looked at him, stunned.

“As your husband, it is not just enough, if I could understand you. I could give you the best life, only if I make sure, my family understands you, who you are; the complete you. “, he spoke softly.

She wrapped her arms around his broad frame, tighter.

Epilogue

August 30: 5.15 P.M

The wedding hall was calm. From the traditional back drop, which involved paintings of God and goddess, the stage was changed to bear a pink satin cloth, with hung from the ceiling. The people in charge of the decorations were pinning up roses.

The marriage ceremony, which  took place in the morning ended on a pleasant note. It brought smiles to everybody.

Harini dressed herself in a beautiful  pink Zardozi  saree. Pawan was waiting at her room entrance, waiting for the photographer to complete the single photographs.

“Mami,  the beautician is spending a lot of time with Vinodhini. Look at me. I am yet to get even my hair, dressed.”, complained Suji.

“Ok. Come with me. Let me see what it is.”

“Ma”, Harini pulled her mom, as she placed her Mehendhi dyed hands on her mom’s.

“The photographer wanted a pic of both of us together.”

Her mom bent down and slowly tucked the hair that fell on Harini’s cheeks. She looked at Harini for a long time.

“Ma.”, Harini called again.

“How beautiful my daughter is.”, she spoke with her eyes, moist. Her eyes slowly looked at her neck, which had a bright yellow thread, bearing the Mangalayam.  She was the happiest mother.

“Now please stop admiring. The make up woman is not ready for styling my hair.”, Suji shouted from behind.

Harini broke into a big laughter, beautifully covering her lips with her hands, the mellifluent jingle of her bangles, making Pawan smile.

“Madam, I need to complete the photo shoot inside this room and some more, on the stage,  before the reception begins. “, the photographer hurried Harini’s mom on his behalf.

“Sure, I am leaving now.” she turned to leave.

“Oh my god. Mapillai. How long you had been standing? You could have come in. So sorry.” , she apologized.

“That is ok.”, he smiled.

Harini’s mom and Suji left.

Pawan walked in, as Harini smiled at her.

“Goddess in pink.”, he smiled as he walked near with admiration and love overflowing in his eyes.

“The photographer is here.”, she nudged him, chin down,  hiding her reddened cheeks.

The photographer suggested various stills and positions. It lasted for almost 15 minutes.

“One last pose, madam. Just rest your forehead on his arm and smile. Probably place your hands gently over your lips and smile.”, he suggested.

Harini tried, but the photographer was not satisfied.

Preetha walked in. Harini smiled and waved at her.

It almost took two days for Harini to forgive Preetha and Sree. It was Preetha and Sree who helped Harini is distributing the invitation. With only ten days left, Harini almost wondered, how would she invite them all? Sree and Preetha made it possible.

Once the invitation was to be finalized, Harini’s mom sent her a picture of the invitation. After a busy day, when Harini left her mobile open, on her table and went for a short recess, the invitation image had reached her mobile.

Pawan saw it, replied that it was nice and deleted both of them, before Harini could return.

Harini came to know about the entire thing, only when her mom showed her mobile as evidence to her stubborn daughter, that the invitation image was sent.
“Once more Madam.”, the photographer repeated.

“I cannot force such poses. It has to be natural.” Harini frowned.

“Harini, he is just a photographer, not your Abhi. So please spare him and pose as he says.”, Preetha chuckled.

“We will get it right this time.”, Pawan winked.

As Harini tried to lean against his arm and smile,” What was the dish you did on that finale?” Shokla. Right?”, Pawan asked his face innocent.

Harini burst into laughter, her hands automatically rushed to cover her lips. She had a good laugh for few seconds and then replied, “Souffle.”

Nevertheless to say, the photographer clicked the most candid and the beautiful shot.

“Nothing makes her happier than food and cooking.”, he smiled at Preetha.

As they walked to the dais, Preetha walked towards Sree who was seated in a chair.

“All done?”, he asked as he saw her.

“Yes. Few more photos on stage, before the reception begins.”,Preetha smiled.

Preetha pulled a chair and sat behind him. Sree checked his watch. It was 6.00 PM. They still had more than an hour for the reception to begin.

He thought for a moment. He made up his mind to ask her.

“Preetha.”, he called.

She turned in a reflex.

“How about a coffee?”, he asked, smiling.

“Sure. I would love to.”, she replied, getting up from the chair the next moment.

They knew where it was going.

–END–

PUBLISHED BY-OURHELLO.COM