An Illusion That's Love

Chapter 8

The next day morning, Ananth's mother was screaming into the phone and then his father was. Ananth realised that the call from Shruthi's parents has come, informing them about the fact that Shruthi eloped with someone. Shruthi had said she will send her parents the news about her once she crossed the Kerala borders. So that has happened and now his mother was crying and shouting.

In a while, she was sitting with her head supported on her hands.

Ananth quietly removed the engagement ring from his hand. All his aunts and uncles and relatives were in the house in no time. And they began to talk bad about Shurthi and her family. Some even came to console Ananth. They promised to find him a better bride in no time.

Vandana was curious in the office. Ananth had not come to the office that day. He had taken leave. She was getting way too curious to know what happened after the family got to know about Shruthi's elopement. But she was somehow hesitant to call Ananth since things have become really awkward between them.

But when Ananth did not come to the office the next day and the next day as well, she began to worry. Jayamohan had informed the office that he as taken sick leave because he is down with flu. But Vandana knew the story of the whole elopement. So she wanted to know what was going on. She guessed that the flu was probably an excuse to take leave.

"Hello," Ananth's voice came hoarsely.

"Hello..." She asked, she was worried because his voice sounded bad. "What happened to you?"

"Fever and cold," He said.

"Really? I thought that was just an excuse."

"Well..." He coughed. He really had a fever and cold. His mother had taken him to a temple where he was to bathe in the temple pond for a pooja. His mother wanted to get rid of all the evil eyes on him. The result was just fever and cold though.

"Can you call later? I am making food."

"Why are you making food if you have a fever?"

"Because I am alone at home."And he started to cough again.

"Hello. Ananth...? Are you okay...?" Vandana was concerned. But all she could hear was a bit of cough. And then he hung up the call. When Vandna tried again he did not pick up.

***

After an hour, she rang the bell at Ananth's house. Nobody answered for a while so she rang the bell again. This time, Ananth came and opened the door. He was startled to see Vandana. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asked.

"Why are you not picking up your phone?" She asked, accusingly. "I thought you died."

"I am fine." He said.

Vandana now calmed down. She was really panicked when Ananth was not picking up her calls for hours. She made Karthik try as well, but to no avail. "I was not sure of the house location..." she said, scratching her neck, now feeling awkward. "The place has changed a lot from fifteen years back." She remembered coming to Ananth's house once or twice fifteen years back with other friends.

Ananth was now just staring at her.

"Well, it's good that you are okay. I just wanted to check." She said, avoiding his eyes. "I'll go back now then," She said. "You had some food, right?"

Ananth leaned onto the door frame and folded his hands. "Not really," he said. "I made some Kanji (rice porridge) but then I was too tired to eat it." He was carefully examining Vandana's reaction.