Seeing the Light

Doubts Being Sowed

Arnav didn't have a good night sleep, at around 4 in the morning, he decided he would go for a run, to distract his mind from everything else. His normal morning run lasted 45 minutes, but today he went for double. He reached back home when it was almost nearing 6 am. When he had left the house, it had been quiet and lifeless, by the time he returned, he could see that the house had livened up with activity. 

The Prakash brothers had started their morning routine of cleaning the house, JaiPrakash, who was cleaning the hallway near the main door, was surprised to see his boss coming into the house at the time that he usually left for his run. "Arnav Baba.. aaj aap jaldi uth gaye? Coffee bana du aap ke liye?" (Arnav Baba.. you woke up early today? Shall I make coffee for you?) Arnav gave the young man a curt nod and walked further into the house.

He heard his sister's voice coming from the kitchen, he went up the stairs jumping three at a time, so he could escape from his sister's investigation as to why he was up so early. He wasn't up for discussing what was bothering him, and his sister was very astute when it came to him, She would catch his lie by just looking at his posture.

Arnav was picking out his clothes, when he heard a knock on his door, thinking it was JaiPrakash bringing him his coffee, he gave permission to enter. When he turned around he saw Anjali standing inside his room with his mug in her hand "Di?" Anjali smiled at his surprised tone, He took the mug from her and placed it on his coffee table

"Good morning Chote" She gave him a bright smile "Morning Di" he returned her smile. He expected her to leave, but she started to straighten out the bed that he had already straightened out, and he understood she wanted to talk about something. Hoping that it wouldn't be anything about him, he walked up to her, held her shoulder "Kuch baat karni hai di?" (Do you want to talk about something Di?) 

She gave him a sheepish smile "Har baar tumhe kaisa pata chalta hai?" (How do you get to know every time?) she chuckled, then quickly sobered up "Hume Khushiji ke liye bohot chinta ho rahi hai" (I am very worried about Khushiji) Arnav let go of Anjali's shoulder, cleared his throat to keep his voice steady "Kyun? usse kya hua?" (Why? What happened to her?) he asked avoiding direct contact with Anjali's gaze

"Khushiji bohot pareshaan lag rahi thi kal" (Khushiji was looking very upset yesterday) Arnav's posture stiffened, he looked at his sister from the corner of his eyes, she was now seated on his bed, looking elsewhere.. he was thankful for that, it meant she wouldn't notice his uneasiness, but just to be safer, he walked towards the coffee table, to put some distance between him and Anjali

"Kal jab sab unhe unke sagai ke liye badhai de rahe the.. woh kisi se bhi nazar nahi mila rahi thi.. " (Yesterday when everyone was congratulating her for her engagement, she wasn't making eye contact with anyone) Her words made Arnav concerned, and confused.. hadn't he heard her giggle yesterday? 

He looked at his sister "Mai aur Lavanyaji unhe tease kar rahe the.. aur tab bhi woh humaari taraf nahi dekh rahi thi.. ek do shabd mai humaare sawal ke liye jawab de rahi thi" (Lavanyaji and I were teasing her, even then she was not looking at us.. she was answering our questions in one or two words) Anjali shook her head.. "Tab hume samaj nahi aaya tha.. hume laga sharma rahi hai.. lekin uske baad.." (At that time I didn't understand, I thought she was feeling shy.. but later) She turned to Arnav, and he quickly made a show of picking up a file 

"jab hum unhe unke fiancé se phone pe baat karte hue dekha.. tab unki aakhon mei ek alag hi bechaini nazar aayi.. woh bilkul bhi khush nahi lag rahi thi.." (When I watched her speaking to her fiancé on the phone, there was a distinct restlessness in her eyes.. she wasn't looking happy at all) Those words stuck a cord with Arnav.. so she wasn't happy with her engagement? Then why on earth did she agree to it? Anger coursed through him.