Permanent Roommates

Chapter 41

"Hi Yasmin! Good evening!" Shehnaaz wished over the phone call. 

"Good evening Shehnaaz, kaisi ho?" her therapist replied. 

"I'm good and I'm actually doing good. Thanks to you." she replied.

"Aur ye toh nahi bolungi ki mai bilkul thik, kya pata aage jake apki zarurat pade? Lekin filhal mai thik hu, isliye, abhi mai sessions aur nahi lena chahti." she added.

"Ok, jaisa tum chaho. Aur yadi kabhi bhi lage ki meri zarurat hai toh tumhare paas mera number hai hi. Take care." Yasmin replied.

"Hanji, bilkul. You too take care." She hung up.

Though people hesitate to seek help, a mental health professional can provide a fresh perspective on an issue. Just like how Yasmin gave her a better understanding of her own emotions. She taught her how to positively accept those emotions. The sessions promoted her self-esteem, relationships, and outlook on life.

"Sidharth!" she called out for him from the kitchen.

"Ha?" he shouted back from his room.

"Mai market ja rahi hu sabzi lene, jab tu ghar jayega toh lock karte huye jana!" she informed, moving to her room to change.

"Sath me nikalte hai, mai drop kar dunga tujhe." he replied, coming out of his room.

"Thik hai." she agreed, walking out of her room changed into a T-shirt and jeans.

"Vo utar diye tune?" he asked, noticing she wasn't wearing her small studs in her ears but a simple black one now.

"Kya?" she stood on her tracks and checked herself out if she was missing anything.

"Vo chhote stone vala earring?" he clarified.

"Acha vo, ha abhi nikal diya maine. Ye vale ache nahi hai?" she asked, pushing back her hair strand.

"Nahi, thik hai." he nodded, walking out with her.

"Tune vo badi vali earring dekhi thi? Jo maine parso pehni thi?" she asked as they waited for the elevator to drop them downstairs, asking about the day she had dressed up a little but he didn't even compliment.

"Hmm. Thik thi vo bhi." he replied and she understood he didn't like them, big dangling earrings.

Once into the lobby, he opened the car door for her to get in and drove them towards the local market.

"Yahi rok de, mai chali jaungi varna tujhe poora U-turn lena padega." she told him, unhooking her seat belt.

"Thik hai, dekh ke road cross karna." he said, pulling the car aside.

"Ha, bye!" she kissed his cheek tightly. This man was so caring, she just couldn't help but adore him for that. He smiled and rubbed the lip gloss mark she left behind, making his way home.

Once she crossed the road, she entered the supermarket, looking for the vegetable market square inside and bought some. She was checking out the cabbages when her gaze fell on fruits placed next to it and she bought some papayas and apples for Sidharth too.

Done with the billing, she was waiting for an auto rickshaw with two loaded polythene bags when her eyes landed on a known figure, Adved.

He was standing across the lane, on the other side with his friends. She was about to wave at him but decided not to disturb because he had company until she noticed one of them pushing Adved challengingly and pointing a finger at him; it rather felt like a warning. It wasn't friendly banter because Adved had his hands raised in the air for surrender, trying to calm down his not so friendly friends.