"Do not open the window. The AC is on." Neel grumbled, his eyes glued to the road ahead, one hand firmly steering as he pushed a loose straggle of hair back with the other onto his sweaty forehead.
It was a muggy day, the sky overcast and yet no sign of rain. Silently, Reema pushed the window button back. Not a word of resistance.
Odd, Neel mused. She had been awfully quiet the past two days since Anu's departure. Initially Neel had felt a bit sorry but then he had decided; he couldn't mollycoddle the little girl. Kids need to be tough. It would be good for her. So they had continued on, both of them, with surprising and courteous civility and silence in the big old fashioned house.
Neel had an amused expression. It suited him fine. Perfectly fine- the peace and quiet after so long. No nagging from his wife. No quips from the insolent kid.
He spared a quick glance back -- Aryan was in a deep slumber, strapped in. And then to his side on the passenger seat. The small girl seated with her hands clasped against her chest, her eyes downcast, awfully quiet. It bugged him for some strange reason.
"I might well say it now we are here. I am mightily pleased with your behavior in the absence of your sister, Reema. I suspected that you might be a handful now that Anu was gone. But what a surprise! Well done," he said, not unkindly.
She gave no reply. So he went on.
" I suspect she might have had a big hand in spoiling you. Well well, now that I am here I guess you can learn from me I suppose."
Their eyes met for a brief second. Neel was in for a big shock. Her eyes glared red as she watched him steadfast, not unlike her wife.
He coughed and fixed his eyes to the road ahead. Reema finally averted her gaze too, not before Neel noticed a shine in her eyes. Was she crying?
Then she gave a small wince. It was a subtle movement. A slight jerk in her right shoulder, pulling back, arms pressing further tightly against her ribs.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a voice of slight concern.
There was the slight hum of the AC and the hum and trill of the car's engine but no human voice.
"Reema? Are you sick?" his voice was a tad bit louder.
"No." She relented. "But my sides hurt a bit." He gave her a puzzled look.
"Oh." He said finally.
Reema turned her face to the window, her profile barely visible.
Was she avoiding his gaze more than usual or was he imagining it?
An uneasy thought crept. A memory. Like he needed more specters of his broken past. His hair rose on its end.
That memory:
A girl. A friend, A love.
Her wavy curls, her amber eyes. Her face. Streaked with tears.
Her mouth.
The words-- she kept on repeating, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
His regret. His helplessness.
The car screeched to a sudden halt. Neel was panting, It was suddenly so hot. Unbearable scorching. Neel glanced at the AC; It was set to max.
"Uncle what happened?" Reema gasped, positively alarmed.
He heaved a few deep breaths
"Nothing" he answered with a finality. Turning the ignition he gave Reema an anxious glance, and guided the car back home
YOU ARE READING
A Heart of Stone with a Coat of Gold
General Fiction"I steal smiles, Anu. That's how I live. I stole the smile of an innocent cherry tree. One who I brought in my life only to then burn it to the ground. You, Reema, my mother all are the same for me. And I am afraid, soon, I will steal it from my son...
