Forget-Me-Not: Taste of Freedom

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

       Geet had just finished cleaning up the last of the dishes when the bell rang. She looked at the door, frowning, and muttered under her breath. It was only one day since she'd moved back to her old house, but people had already started calling over. Unbelievable. She dried her hands and went to answer the door, hoping it wouldn't be Gautam. His surprise visit this morning had jolted her... she didn't want to see him again, not for a long time. However, when Geet opened  the door, she stepped back in amazement.

      "Surprise!" her friends cried, coming inside, and she broke into a smile. Abhay, Vidhi and Dia on her doorstep only on the second day back here. What else could she ask for?

     "It's you," she said, "Well, surprise, indeed. Come on in. Hi Vidhi, how are you now?"

       "Oh, I'm good. I'm awesome compared to you... god, Geet. I didn't know... when Dia told me what was going on, I just..."

       "It's alright," Geet murmured, "Nothing that special to talk about."

       Vidhi didn't say anything, but she noticed the way her friend's expression turned all guarded. So her husband was off limits... well, she was sure they could find other ways to make her talk.

       "It was my idea  to surprise you," Dia announced, coming forward to engulf Geet in a tight, squeezy hug. Geet laughed, hugging her back, and said, "Thank you."

      "It's still the same, this place," Abhay murmured, looking around.

       "Yes, it is," Geet returned. They all looked at each other for a moment. Then Dia clapped her hands and said, "Where are the kids?"

       "Oh, Rohan is inside doing his homework, and Naina is most probably sleeping."

       "Can we see them?"

      "Of course. Although, I must warn you; my kids are a little shy with strangers. They can wreak havoc when they're with me, but introduce them to a stranger, and they go all silent and innocent eyed."

       Geet opened the door to their room, and smiled when Rohan turned around. His eyes widened slightly; he must have seen the number of people behind her. typical, she thought to herself with a  smile. He was already on his guard.

      "Hey, bunny boy," she said, going up to him. "What are you doing?"

       "Homework," he mumbled, casting another suspicious look at all  the people in his doorway.

       "Well, I'd like you to meet my friends. Abhay, Vidhi and Dia."

        Rohan blinked at the trio, pencil in hand, as he chewed its end. It was Vidhi who came in first and held out her hand  for him. "Hi, Rohan," she smiled.

      Doubtful, Rohan eyed her hand with suspicion. Dia laughed, coming in too, and said, "God, he's like me. Won't trust anyone. You are, aren't you?" she ruffled his hair affectionately. Rohan blinked, cracking a half smile at the laughing lady.

       But the most surprising thing happened when Naina made a gurgling noise, and they all looked behind to see her toddling towards Abhay.

       "Hey there," Abhay cooed, picking her up in his arms. "Who's the pretty girl?"

       "That's Naina," Geet said with a flourish.

        For a moment, all of them watched as Naina shot out one chubby, dimpled hand to stroke Abhay's cheek. "Nah-na," she whispered, saying her own name. "Me."