SANAM MEHRU
The undisputed queen of the music world, Sanam Mehru's name is synonymous with success. Her shelves are adorned with national and international awards, and no one comes close to touching her reign. But when the curtain falls and the spot...
"So you're doing this finally?" Voice cracked with a mix of disappointment and longing on the other side.
Kahini paused, the soft clinking of her spoon stirring the coffee filling the space between them. "You know I can't come... Amma needs me." Her voice a quiet firmness beneath it, the kind that came when decisions were already made.
Prashant exhaled. "Did you talk to Sam? He seemed pretty off today."
"Yeah," Kahini murmured, leaning against the kitchen counte. "He was hoping I'd come back. We had a pretty intense conversation this morning."
"Even I was hoping you'd come back after a few months," he finally admitted, his voice thick with sadness. "But now... you're settling there. I feel like you're leaving me. I don't want to lose you."
A lump formed in Kahini's throat. "You're not losing me," she whispered, her heart aching with the weight of his words. "Just because I'm away doesn't mean our friendship is over. it's not like I won't visit Mumbai. I'll come, I promise."
Prashant let out disbelieving laugh. "You haven't visited since you left. Do you really think I'll believe you now?"
"I was busy with Kaira's treatment... you know that." Kahini's voice wavered, a helplessness creeping in as guilt clawed at her.
Prashant sighed, his own guilt surfacing. "I know... I'm sorry. How is she now? She's back home, right?"
"Yeah, she got discharged yesterday. she'll need help for at least a month." Kahini's sadness in her voice was palpable.
"She'll be fine now. She has an amazing mother." Prashant responded softly, his voice filled with pride.
Kahini let out a soft laugh. "I feel old sometimes. So many kids here call me 'mother,' but Amma says it's complicated. She tells me I should be happy."
"She's right," Prashant chuckled, the warmth in his voice returning.
Their conversation shifted, flowing between memories, laughter, and shared emotions. Each word they exchanged softened the ache in Prashant's heart as he finally began to accept this new reality—this new form of their friendship. He knew she wouldn't visit as often as she promised, but hearing the calmness and joy in her voice reassured him.
Kahini was different now. There was something steady in her, something peaceful that hadn't been there before. She didn't say it, and maybe she hadn't realized it yet, but Prashant could hear it in her voice. She had found her home, and he knew she was finally where she belonged.
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September 2016
Kahini
"So after that, we went to that temple on top of the hill, and the view from there was breathtaking. Wait, I'll show you the picture."
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