FALSAFA

CHAPTER 14 - I'll be there for You!

Kriti: Why do you always avoid this topic? When I can trust you and share my pain, Why can't you trust me with your's?

Dhruv moved closer to her.

Dhruv: I trust you more than you know Miss Mehra. It's just that I need time.

Kriti: Ok, I will wait till you are ready. Btw what are all these nicknames! Miss Mehra and dumboo... Why the hell do you call me dumboo? (baby voice)

Dhruv laughed on hearing this and pulled her checks.

Dhruv: Because you are my dumboo!

He was laughing, and suddenly realized that he just went too frank with her. Kriti gave him a shy look.

Dhruv quickly changed the topic –

Dhruv: Ahem... Enough of melodrama! Now come and eat something. I brought your dinner, which is definitely gone cold by now. Come out I'll heat it in the microwave.

Kriti: Dhruv please! I don't feel like eating anything.

Dhruv: Shut up! I'm not asking, I'm telling you to come with me.

Saying this he hold her hands and pulled her along with him.

The dining was empty. Dhruv's parents went to their room. He asked Kriti to sit at the table and went to heat the food.

In no time he came up with the food.

Kriti: Did you eat?

Dhruv: Umm.....No. Wait I'll bring mine.

Kriti: Not needed! the food on my plate is way too much for me. We can share....

Dhruv: Huhhhh? (surprised)

Kriti: (embarrassed) Ummm... I mean..... if you don't mind eating from my plate.....Why to waste?

Dhruv: O......ok...

They started eating from the same plate and for the first time ever Kriti noticed Dhruv BLUSH!!!! She got so excited!

Kriti: ARE YOU????

Dhruv: What!!!! (aware of what she is upto)

Kriti: ARE YOU BLUSHING MR KHANNA????

Dhruv: What no.....No way!

Kriti: Yes you are!!! I can see.

Dhruv: You are blind!! (trying hard not to blush)

Their conversation soon changed into a sweet banter. Kriti was laughing loudly on Dhruv's condition while He was trying to hide his feelings.

They were busy in their cute little fight when Kriti's phone rang.

She went up, still laughing, and picked up the call. Dhruv was looking at her.

Kriti was hearing the other person when Dhruv noticed the smile fade away from her face. She turned sad.

Instead of the smile, tears started to roll down again. She sat down on the sofa immediately.

Dhruv stood up of seeing her like that.

Kriti replied in a loud and sobbing voice – "when did all of this happen...... Why didn't you call me before? ......... Yes I will come, is this even the time to ask this question?"

Dhruv's parents came out of their room on hearing her cry.

Mom: (to Dhruv) What happened beta?

Dhruv: I don't know mom... This call came and she started crying!

Kriti cut the call. Her tears were uncontrollable. Dhruv came and kneeled down in front of her.

He held her hands and asked –

Dhruv: Who was that Kriti? What has happened? Please tell me!

Kriti: It was maa.......Nani....... She is no more!!!!! (crying loudly)

Dad: Oh no!! When did this happened beta?

Kriti: 2 days back!.......I need to go there!!!! I should be there for her last rites!

Dhruv: You surely should be there. But you won't go alone. I'll come with you.

Kriti looked at him. She wanted to say no, but her teary voice chocked.

Mom: Don't say no. Someone should be there looking after you, while you look after your maa.

Dhruv: Yes mom is right. Wait, let me see if I can arrange flight tickets for tomorrow early morning.

He went to his room and came out with his laptop. He was searching for flights, while his mom was trying to control Kriti.

Dhruv: (Lost in the laptop screen) Where to?

Kriti: Shimla.

Dhruv was thunderstruck! He looked at Kriti in utter shock.

Dhruv's parents were shocked too. They stared at Dhruv in order to see his reaction.

He didn't speak a word instead closed his laptop with a thud and went to his room leaving Kriti amazed.

Dhruv's mom signaled her husband to go and check on Dhruv as she consoled a crying Kriti.