Kindle to Rekindle

42. The Guest

Surprise guests can either bring a smile or a frown to your face.
How long that expression lasts depends upon your equation with the guest.

Nimrit was standing in her regular jeans, and t-shirt, talking to his father while he was trying to explain something to her. Nivedya rubbed his eyes to get a clear view that was it actually Nimrit at his house? Was she there because he refused to talk on her behalf so she decided to take the matter into her hands? No way would he tolerate his father answering his stupid girlfriend.

He reached where Rudra and Nimrit were standing and heard his father saying, "Please understand, Nimrit. Trust me. Everyone will be safe in this adjustment."

"Why are you here?" Nivedya asked rudely to Nimrit who was lost in looking at him.

"Is that the way to talk to someone, Nivi?" Rudra scolded Nivedya and turned to comfort Nimrit. But what he saw made him go 'aww' because in Nimrit's eyes, he saw a sense of relief on seeing Nivedya.

"She always says that to me when I go to her place. Just giving her a dose of her medicine." Nivedya answered Rudra, but his eyes never left Nimrit's.

He took her to a side leaving Rudra standing alone in the large living room. "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you my father and phuphu won't hurt anyone unnecessarily? Get that in your thick head. My father doesn't owe you any explanations. Don't question him." Nimrit looked at him with a blank expression and not understanding what he was saying.

Nandini called everyone for dinner and Rudra put his hand on Nimrit's shoulder gesturing for her to come. She walked with him, leaving behind Nivedya who joined them after Nandini called him again.

A butler served them chicken soup and bread, and they ate it in silence. Nivedya was tapping his foot continuously as he didn't know the reason Nimrit was at his house. Therefore, he questioned again, "Why is she here? Her father won't appreciate her coming here. He's too prejudiced towards me."

"Nivi, what is wrong with you? You don't talk like that. She is here with her parent's permission. She will be staying with us for a week or so. Her... her..." Rudra paused before saying further. He didn't want to repeat the horrid incident that happened with Nimrit's family.

"My mother was returning from work when she met with an accident. She was severely injured and might have to undergo a few surgeries. My father will have to stay with her at the hospital. So, Rudra uncle and Nandini aunty were kind enough to take me in with them." Nimrit narrated the story to Nivedya without a single tear or despair in her voice.

"I... I... Didn't know. You could have called me..." Nivedya stopped saying further because Rudra gestured him to not say anything. Nimrit was putting on a brave face, but they could feel she was miserable from within.

Dinner arrived and Nandini served Nimrit with love, but she held her hand and said, "Thank you, aunty. I can manage on my own."

Nandini tried to make Nimrit feel welcomed so she put the curry on her plate and asserted with love, "I know you can, but I want to. Besides, I know you are your father's princess and princesses should be treated, well."

Nimrit fisted her palm on being addressed as "princess", but she knew she could not react as per her heart's choice. She took the serving spoon from Nandini's hand and put a little curry on her plate and asserted in the similar tone, "Princesses should know how to treat well, too."

Nandini and Rudra were bowled over by Nimrit's reply. Their eyes held adoration for the girl whose mother was in a hospital bed, but she didn't forget her manners. Nandini touched Nimrit's cheek with love, and they resumed eating in silence.