It's 6 :00 pm by the time Vrinda reaches home. Her work timings in R-Infra are quite flexible. She got offers in many companies with a higher pay scale. But she rejected those offers considering the timings. The Sr. Architects and the MD of her current company were quite considerate towards Vrinda. They were impressed with her creativity and her working style. They motivated her by assigning her work with elite clients. They trusted her work and commitment. Ravi(Sr. Architect) made sure that she is comfortable with her work and gives her the space she requires to complete the given task.
After reaching home, she thought of having a hot cup of coffee. It's the last week of December and the weather is turning out to be more cold. She changed herself into some pajamas and a sweater. She was about to have her coffee when Lakshya interrupted her.
Lakshya was waiting for her to open the door. She had a warm smile on her lips when she saw Vrinda, but again, she whined, saying.
Lakshya: oye!. Will you allow me inside or make me stand here for the whole night. Move, I am freezing here.
Vrinda: Abba... , drama queen. Get in. What would you like to have. ?. Coffee, or anything else. ?.
Lakshya: Nah. It's nearly dinner time. But wait, what happened to you? You look so pale.
She checks her by keeping her palm on her forehead.
Lakshya : omg!. You are burning hot. You are having a fever. Now sit quiet and tell me if you have any headaches or body aches .?. Since when are you having this fever. ?. Only fever or cold, cough . Are there any other complaints.?.
Vrinda couldn't stand her continuous blabbering. She interrupted her in a feeble voice.
Vrinda: Maa.. . Please have some patience. If you are done with your questionnaire, then just listen . I only have a fever with body aches. Nothing more. I took paracetamol for fever, but I don't think it's working. The weather is getting worse due to winter. What to do.
Lakshya : You could have taken leave today rather than going to the office. Are they going to felicitate you as the best employee of the year for your punctuality? Don't overwork . See what you have bought for yourself because of your negligence. Ok. Leave it.
Hey, why are you drinking coffee when you have a fever?. You stay here. I will make dinner for both of us.
Suddenly, she realizes something . So she stopped in her tracks.
Lakshya: No. Wait... let's go. Come.
Vrinda: Where. I am not going anywhere in this cold. I'm feeling weak. Let's go some other time. You sit here. I make something quick for us. Tell me, what do you like to have for dinner and how was your college? What about the classes?
Lakshya: Everything is fine, and you.. don't try to deviate me. You are not feeling well but want to cook dinner. Stop your stubborn act. Let's go home. I'm not leaving you alone here. I forgot to tell you earlier that Latha Aunty prepared dinner for everyone. Annayya came back, remember. He arranged a small get-together.
Vrinda (in her mind): Your brother came. I know that, and it's the main reason for me to stay back here .
After some hesitation, she said.
Vrinda: No, Lakshya. I ll stay back. What if I'm having a viral fever?It is contagious, and everyone will suffer along with me. You go back. I ll have something and take the tablets. I will be fine in a few days.
Vrinda moved out of that bungalow after her parents' death. She stayed in the outhouse from then on. The images of her parents, uncle, and aunt lying motionless haunted her in childhood, and that continued even now. She used to get anxiety and panic attacks, remembering that incident. She lost everything along with her peace in that tragic accident .
She has avoided going to that bungalow since then.
Lakshya: I know why you are avoiding coming there. I'm not a child anymore. Vrinda, even I lost them. It's been a long time since the tragedy took place. I'm not asking you to forget them. But don't get stuck up with the past. Come out of it. It's hurting me to see you living here alone when we live there. I tried to convince you many times. But you are stubborn to come . I don't want to make you feel bad. So I come here every day to spend my time with you. Vrinda, I stay in that big house alone. I agree we have servants there, but imagine my situation. I stay with someone who is not related to me. Annayya in the States , Grandma in the village and you in this outhouse. Think for ones in my shoes. I am living a lonely life there. I felt depressed many times, but I came over my past. Now tell me how long you will take to move on. Vrinda life is unpredictable. Let's enjoy the present moment. We can't see the past, and we don't know what is awaiting in the future . So, why don't we live life to the fullest in the present? I know that I gave you a long speech, and now, enough of this serious mood. Let's go home. I'm hungry.
Vrinda gave an amazed look to Lakshya. This girl is unbelievable. She looks like a silly , funny girl, but she is more sensible and mature to her age.
Lakshya: Hey, I forgot to tell you Radha Aunty and Keerthi are also coming.
Vrinda: Who all are coming for the get together.
Lakshya: You, me, Anna, and Govind uncle's family. That's all.
Vrinda hesitated for some time and then asked
Vrinda: Then what about your uncle's (maternal) family. Aren't they coming?
Lakshya: I think so. Uncle went to Bangalore. Only Aunt and Sruthi. So, I don't think they will come. Anna didn't mention anything about them coming for dinner now.
Lakshya wants to have a great time with her family. It's been ages since they had a family dinner. She wants to cherish this time. She had a word with her brother regarding the family get-together in the morning. When she got a green signal from him,she was so excited that she came immediately after college to take Vrinda home.
Vrinda doesn't want to be a party pooper. So, she decided to join them.
Vrinda: OK, fine . You wait here. Let me change into something proper, and then we can go.
Saying this, she went to her room and changed into a salwar suit, and braided her hair to make herself look pleasant.
Thank you.
Bye.
Stay safe and healthy.
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Whispered Promises Of love ❤️
Romance"Life is never a smooth path . What we plan may not happen. Sometimes, we come across some uncertainties. We are made to face them due to circumstances. " Vrinda is a B.Arch graduate and works as an interior designer for R- Infra Architect...
