The Foster child

Chapter -14.

Dharani was  stunned hearing Agastya's words. She was surprised. She wondered if she had been so bad at hiding her emotions. She quickly masked them and said while walking 

Dharani:
“ No, you misunderstood me. He is my mamma and got injured seriously recently. You know about these soldiers. They are our heroes who put their life at risk for our civilians. I was just worried about him. Nothing else”.

Agastya:
“ Thank God. I was worried looking at your longing face. I thought you have feelings for him and though he is your uncle, he doesn't look that aged. Hey, sorry to doubt you”.

Dharani:
“ No, That is fine. I understand. But, why did you tell him that we are dating? I asked you to keep it a secret.”

Agastya:
“ That came out in a flow. Hey, I am sorry. Anyway, he is your family. He said he trusts you. Why bother?”.

Dharani felt that it's difficult for her to make Agastya understand her situation. She stayed silent and started walking ahead. Meena, who was a silent spectator all the while spoke after a long time.

Meena:
“ I wish we could reach home quickly. I thought we were near our home. But I guess I am wrong”.

Agastya:
“ You know what Meena,. You realized it very late.We walked about 4kms. Let's wait here for some taxi or an auto.”

They waited for another 15 min. They got a taxi and reached home safely.

She didn't message Prithvi that she reached home. She felt that he must be busy. She was engrossed in her work when she got a call at around 10pm.

She thought it was from Kasturi but to her surprise it was Prithvi who called her.

Prithvi:
“ Hello, Dharani. Did you reach your room safely”.

Dharani:
“ Hello. Ha mamma. I reached home long back”.

Prithvi:
“ You could have called me and said that right. At Least you could have sent me a message. When did you become so irresponsible”.

Dharani felt  surprised first. Then she thought that  Prithvi is unnecessarily getting worried about her. She is not a kid and not to forget, she was not alone. She was having company. She shook her head and said to the worried man,

Dharani:
“ Mamma, I am sorry. I thought you were busy with your work. I didn't think that you would be worried about me. Anyway, I reached home safely. 

Did you have your dinner?”.

Prithvi:
“ Hmmm”.

Dharani:
“ Then, shall I cut the call. You  must be busy “.

Prithvi:
“ I am not busy”.

Dharani:
“ Then what am I supposed to do?”.

Prithvi didn't know why he was worried about Dharani’s safety. He trusted his father's choice but, somehow when he saw Dharani  with another man, it didn't sit well in his mind. He didn't think twice before questioning Dharani about Agastya. He expected Dharani to message him at least when she reached her room. But that didn't happen. So, he called her. 

He was confused with his own behavior. He didn't know what to name these feelings. Was it  out of concern , liking or something more than that?. He doesn't know the answer. He came out of his trance  when Dharani called him on the other end.

Dharani:
“ Hello… Mamma, hello… hello. Mamma.. mamma. Are you there? “.

Prithvi:
“ Hmm.. Yes. I was just thinking about something”.