Hearts Entwined (I)

Her Birthday

Anirudh's POV

New Year has arrived. It could have been happier if my father had not been sick recently. He has been overworking himself, I can understand it...but he will still remain strong and pretend he is fine. He needs to take care of his diet, and work balance too. I try to help him as much as possible, by bringing stuff from the market, or doing some other chores during the time I stay at home.

When me and Maa made him understand about it, he smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. "Ani...you are growing up now, and you are the best son I could ever ask for. Just promise that you will really be a successful doctor. Keep it up, my boy, how you are performing, keep doing it. I am eagerly waiting for that day." Then he gently hugged me and Maa. I did not say anyone, but his face looked really tensed and different.
"Baba, don't worry about it. I will surely fulfill mine and your dreams. You just focus on your health and be fine. Your son will handle it all." I said, by touching his feet.

Our final exams were approaching. Once these finish, I will need to look into the new sessions syllabus. Today was the last day we, that is, me and Rahi were going to the Institution. I don't know why, but Rahi is extremely silent today. She barely spoke with me the whole bus ride, and she even put on earphones, listening to music. I was not hurt or disappointed, but it surely felt weird. Generally she is not much talkative, but still she speaks a lot with me about how the week went, how her sister Kuhu acted, and various confusing things about her family. I don't mind hearing her though. Last week, she told me that she was feeling stressed again, and although I talked to her to overcome it, I don't know if that had any effect on her or not. But today she was silent, barely talking or acknowledging.

She was unmindful even during the whole class today. At break, she insisted on going to canteen today. I stared at her for a few good minute, as Ms. Rahi Sanyal never goes to the canteen. She brings food from home, and besides, she told me that she despises seeing those couples in the canteen. But today she herself is saying so? "Rahi...are you okay?" I blurted out.

"Why, can't I want to go to the canteen for once?" she said, chuckling, and walked off. I followed behind, confused. "Sure, but you are not being normal since the morning today. Have you forgotten your lunch, or are you on your periods?" I asked, and she widened her eyes and shook her head.

"Ani, never speak of such ominous things. My periods just got over two days back."

"O. But then, why are you so silent and weird today, hm?"

"You are right about one thing though, I did not bring tiffin today."

"And why so?" "I did bring it from home, then I fed it to a dog on road." She said in nonchalantly as if it was no big deal, and I held her shoulder to turn her towards me. "Rahi why did you do that? You should have not wasted food."

"Excuse me, I DID NOT waste the food. I fed it to someone who needs it more than me. And besides, that dog is good, it is the only one that does not scare me." she said, thoughtfully.

"And what about you?" "Well, that is why I am going to the canteen now, right? Stop delaying, we won't get back on time..." She said, pulling me on, and I stared at her, but obediently followed her in confusion and frustration.

At the canteen, she led me to the front counter. "Do you eat pastry, Ani?"

"Wh-what? Pastry? Yes, why?" I raised my brow suspiciously.

"What why...do you have any favorite flavor?" She asked, suddenly cheerful, from being grumpy the whole day.

"No...I mean, nothing such." I gritted out, fighting the urge to shake her by her shoulder and get to know till the depth why she was being so weird af.