18

Chapter 12

It was nearly 10:30 PM now when Nil reached home. He got freshened up quickly because he was so hungry by now and in all this, his head started aching. He left all his stuff in his room and rushed towards the kitchen. Their full-time maid, a 56-year-old lady and maid since his mom's death, served his dinner before he asked.

As Nil started eating, she asked gently, "Headache?"

"Yes." Nil replied, but his focus was on eating.

"From tomorrow, I will send tiffin with driver uncle." There was care in her voice.

"No need to do that...please." Nil pleaded in a lower voice because he didn't want someone putting much effort into him. But she didn't react to his words and focused on washing dishes while humming the tune of Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar. She always showed care towards Nil because she also knew 13-year-old Nil, who cried every day for a month after his mom's death. From that day she was not only a maid in their house, but she also took the role of granny for Nil.

Nil knew that there was no point in pleading. He finished his dinner and placed the plate near the sink. As he put the plate, he saw a teapot. In their house, no one drinks tea except his dad.

"Did he come back from America?" Nil asked.

She understood why he asked such a question, and said, "No...but your sister visited."

Nil's eyes winded and he asked, "What? When?"

"Near 7 in the evening." She replied, still washing dishes without looking at Nil.

"Then why didn't you call me back?" Nil asked angrily.

"Your dad...." She tried to explain but Nil stopped her and said while lowering his voice,

"Waiting 8 years is not a joke."

[College]

Near 11 PM, the college gates were about to close and Professor Ghogare and her research colleagues were finally going home. Everyone was tired, and it was written all over the face.

"I don't think I will wake up for a month now." There one of the male colleagues said with a tired smile.

"Don't forget to come tomorrow, since we didn't make much progress this month." Their senior researcher, Dr. Nirmala Joshi, said in a teasing tone.

"Yes, ma'am." He said while saluting dramatically.

As they walked, Dr. Joshi looked at Professor Ghogare, who was walking behind them without engaging in much conversation."Sheya, you did an excellent job this month. Go and take a nice rest." Dr. Joshi encouraged her and Professor Ghogare also admired that with a smile and a nod.

After that, as everyone went towards their houses, Professor Ghogare also headed towards her home with her Scooty. After 1 hour, she reached her home and realised that it was already open as she was about to open the main door. This realization made her heartbeat skip. Since it was midnight, this realization was worse. She searched for papper spray in her bag and as she got it; she pushed the door a little. From that slightest view, she realized that the lights in the living room and kitchen were on. As she entered the house with ready-to-use paper spray, the aroma of cooked food came from the kitchen. It made her suspicious weak and he realized two eyes looking at her.

"Surprise!!" a loud, excited, familiar female voice echoed, and the owner of that voice hugged Professor Ghogare from behind. The familiar voice made her heartbeat back to normal, and she said, "Tanvi, you almost killed me...."

"I am so sorry, my bestie, but I want to surprise you." Tanvi said while smiling excitedly. Tanvi was her friend from childhood and was always with her in her every stressful situation.