Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 30

Pritha came closer and placed her hands on the backs of the two men.
"Enough guys! Ab rona dhona ho gaya ho toh dinner Kar lein. Rishab was hungry, right?"
The men broke the hug and Ryan said, "No one is crying, okay? Yes, Rishab was hungry and so am I. Let's eat."

Khushi, standing a little away from them, picked up her bag and said, "I should leave now."
Pritha said, "Dinner Kar ke jao. It's late."
Rishab looked at her once and turned away. Ryan stared at Pritha.
Khushi replied, "No, Pritha. Dinner bana hai ghar pe. Tum log kha lo. I am leaving."

Ryan said, "Right. Good night!"
Pritha gave him a warning shot and turned towards her, "Call me once you reach home. Drive safely. Bye."
The ladies hugged each other and Khushi left.

Pritha immediately turned towards Ryan, "Kya tha woh? Decency bhi bhul gaye ho?"
Ryan shrugged his shoulders, "What did I do? She said, ghar pe khana bana hai. Bolta please ruk jao? I can't do that."
He pulled the chair and sat down. Pritha shook her head and went inside the kitchen. Rishab looked back at the door and slowly sat down beside Ryan.

After dinner, Rishab stood up to retire in his room when Ryan stopped him.
"Kya kidhar chali sawari?" He asked him.
Rishab pointed to the bedroom, "Sone."
Ryan pulled him closer and whispered in his ears, "Club chalega?"
Rishab shook his head, "No."

Ryan just stared at him with surprise.
"You are not the Rishab I knew. You don't eat anything other than simple sabzi, dal and roti. You don't want to go to the club. I haven't seen you smoking. Drinks karta hai ki nahi?"
Rishab didn't reply but just smiled a little.

"Fine. Nahi jayenge. But let's drink and talk. We haven't got the time since you returned."
Ryan got up to get the alcohol and Pritha said, "Ryan, jyada nahi. Okay! Rishab, please make sure of that."
Ryan asked, "Why don't you join us, darling?"
"No, thanks. You don't have work tomorrow but I have. Chalo Good night boys! No noise, Pratistha uth jayegi."

Ryan came back to the sofa and started making drinks. He handed one to Rishab and sat back holding his glass.
"Ab bol kahan tha itne din? Please chup mat rehna."
Rishab held the glass tightly and stayed silent.
"Why don't you say anything? Where were you? What did you do all these days?"

Rishab lifted his head, "Roamed around. Wasted my life and then found the real meaning of living. That's what I did in these three years."
Ryan said, "Please elaborate."
He said, "I have been to places across the country. I had no idea what I was doing for the first few months. But then I came across a village in the Northeast. They had the cleanest streets, beautiful houses, schools and clinics. They were all independent, earning well from products they made at home. They didn't wait for the Government to do something for them. They did things on their own. I got my inspiration there and I started working for the people who needed a little help to have a better life."

Ryan looked surprised.
"Wow!"
"There's nothing wow in this. We all blame people or authorities for our problems. But we don't try to find solutions on our own. Like building roads or cleaning the streets or finding ways to self sustain. With a little guidance and help from NGOs a lot of villages today are doing so well. I just lended a little help to a few of them. That's it."

Ryan nodded, "Thoda heavy ho gaya. Acha bol, what's with the look? Was this a disguise?"
Rishab just smiled.
"Bol na. These glasses, hair, beard and clothes. Wanted to hide behind this look?"

"Nothing was intentional. Glasses because power aa gai hai. Hair and beard, because I didn't care to cut them. Clothes.. I like wearing them. Comfortable. These are comfortable. Meri baat chod. Tu bol Tera chal raha hai?" Rishab asked.
Ryan took a sip from his glass, "Mera life jaisa tha waisa hi Hai. Busy with hospital, family and trust. I had to ensure your dreams are fulfilled."
Rishab smiled, "Doctors on wheel is a success. I have read about it. The trust is doing good work."