Is Love Enough ??

Chapter 29

Rupal looked curiously at the girl who sat before her.

It had been years since she had seen her last. Three maybe even more. Over the years her visits to the Singh household had reduced. And then with Aryaman taking Kirti away with him, had strained their relationships somewhat but Ashok and Mr. Singh had come to a common agreement that it was something they both strongly disapproved and that their business relations should not be affected. Though she knew that Ashok didn't really care about what Aryaman did or didn't do, till the time his business didn't suffer. Besides, Aryaman was doing very well with his own company. Something that interested Ashok more than who or which girl he was living with. When she had received the call yesterday from Kamal about Kirti's return to attend Anika's wedding, she had been surprised. Of course, she had understood that the Singh's probably had no choice but to accept her presence due to social constraints. As Kamal had gone on about all they had to listen and suffer, Rupal had listened with a half-smile on her face. Society? Hah! She could have laughed but she didn't. But the second she had uttered Aryaman's name...that he was here, Rupal had been more than surprised. Her friend went on about how he was still living with Kirti without propriety...or social sanction of marriage. She hadn't listened to anything Kamal had said in the next few seconds, her mind had been preoccupied. Her son hadn't spoken to her in over two years. Before he had left he had promised to never return, never to Chandigarh. Not that she blamed him. But he had returned. For....for Kirti? And her curiosity had been piqued. When Kamal had requested her to talk to Kirti, to put some sense into her, she had accepted. Not so much as to put some sense but more on the lines to get to know her better. She had always thought her to be shy and quiet. Not having the kind of personality that would interest her son. After all, with her kind of personality and background it was hard to imagine she would find it easy to be in a live-in relationship. But somewhere, somehow Kirti had done exactly that. If Aryaman had accompanied her or followed her or whatever the case was, he had kept his promise on the side to do that, and Rupal knew Aryaman, he would never have done that for anyone else. So maybe it was time to find out a little more about Kirti. And with that intention she had called Kirti and asked her to meet with her today. Rupal understood there was no time to be lost. They were here for a short time. Maybe, just maybe Kirti will be able to help with the silence that seemed to be growing between Aryaman and her.

And the girl who sat before her now, wasn't any different from what she remembered. But Rupal did see the maturity in her eyes and a certain confidence. Had that always been there? Or was it the result of living with Aryaman? She had hesitated in her greeting. And in Rupal's mind that could be excused since their relationship was uncertain.

"What will you like to have Kirti," Rupal said keeping her tone casual, "they serve some excellent coffee and sandwiches here," she suggested.

"Coffee would be fine," Kirti responded quietly.

"Nothing to eat," Rupal asked.

Kirti shook her head.

Rupal raised a hand and a server appeared almost immediately. She ordered two coffees and some cookies. When he left she looked at Kirti and smiled.

"How are you Kirti?" she asked politely.

"I am well aunty," Kirti responded and this time round she was glad the address for her came out more spontaneously, dissipating the awkwardness, somewhat.

Rupal smiled at the polite answer. She could sense the uneasiness in Kirti. She could see the questions in her eyes. She could understand, perhaps.

"Good," Rupal said, "so your return to your home after so long, has been well received," she said in her usual detached manner and raised an eyebrow in her direction. When Kirti didn't answer Rupal decided to not worry the girl unnecessarily, "I didn't think so either, not after your mother's frantic call yesterday," she said softly.