Home is where the heart is #YourStoryIndia

Chapter 21

I was kissing this certain brown eyed girl when suddenly there was light. A lot of light. Enough to wake me up. To make me open my eyes. Only to see that brown eyed girl standing in front of me with a scowl on her beautiful face. Nothing I haven't seen before. I smiled when I remembered last night. After coming back from the Bhasan, Maina had meticulously avoided me as I knew she would.

When Shanti Jal took place, an event where the priest sprinkles holy water on everybody to bring them peace, I had pulled her sari, hoping to get a reaction out of her. She looked so startled, like a deer caught in the headlights. Immediately she blushed in that adorable way of hers and murmured 'Subho Bijoya' before running off in the other direction.

'Subho Bijaya' I learnt is what people of Bengal tell others when they meet for the first time after Durga Pujo. The young take blessings from the elders, and wish peace to each other. The rituals of Bengal never cease to fascinate me. All the traditions are so meaningful. All the people so nice. Especially one person. The person standing in front of me.

"Your flight is at 12:30 p.m. I've got the passport and ticket. Get ready. We'll leave by 11." She huffed almost angrily.

"Good morning to you too,gorgeous." I smirked lazily just to get her attention. I could feel she was having some kind of inner debate. She hadn't once looked me in the eye.
"Are you dense? I said get ready! You have a flight. It's already 10." Maina said irritated.
"Why would I? I'm not going anywhere. " I replied casually, though now I was getting a little annoyed. What else would it take for her to accept her feelings?

Again the infamous scowl.
"Yes you are. I had a deal with Mr. Jensen. You were supposed to stay for Durga Pujo, which is now over. So go home!" She almost shouted. I flinched at my father's name.
I wanted to tell her that this was home. She was home. I didn't want to scare her though. She still wasn't ready to hear it.
"I'm not going anywhere." I repeated. I got up from the bed and went towards her, making a move to touch her. She took a step back so I stopped.

"Fine then I'll leave. You can stay here!" She said and her eyes flashed with anger and.....fear? It was only for a moment but it was there. She was scared. Oh my dear Maina! Only then I noticed that her hands were shaking. There were dark circles under those pretty eyes.

"Maina..." I started softly.

"Philip! Philip kothay?"(Where are you?" Maina's mom called out. We jumped apart when we realised how close we were.
"Oh here you are! I've been looking all over. Maina what are you doing here? Surya has been calling you since forever. Go see what he wants."She said, gently admonishing.

She reminded me of my mother before she turned into the bitter sarcastic woman that I remembered. She used to be so warm, her smile would light up the room. Sometimes when I fell down and hurt myself, she would pick me up in her arms and dance with me. It was one of the only pleasant memories I had of her.

"Uh....I have to pack actually. I'm leaving today." I told her all the while looking at Maina. I couldn't force this on her. If this was what she wanted so be it. She had to realise on her own. I would give her the space. Which didn't for one second mean I would leave her forever.

"Oh your flight is today? Maina you didn't tell me... Can't you stay for a few more days? We would love to have you here. You are like my son now." Maina's mom smiled warmly. Maina's eyes flashed towards her mother. She left the room without saying anything while I just stood there awkwardly.

"Give her some time. She's just so stubborn. Once she has a certain perspective she sticks to it, silly girl. She thinks too much. She'll get around in a few days. Don't give up on her." Maina's mom smiled at me.
I grinned.
"Oh I don't plan to." I replied.
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Deciding to go along with Maina for now, I got dressed and packed my stuff. I'm a light traveller so it didn't take me much time. When I went down I was overwhelmed once more. It was the exact same scene that had greeted me when I first arrived. All of Maina's family and by all I mean around a hundred people. A wave of nostalgia hit me even though it had only been a few days. How scared Maina was in the beginning, how accepting her family had been, how much love her mother had showered on me........