Layers of Us

Chapter 23: The Calm Before the Storm

The rest of the week seemed to slip away like grains of sand through clenched fingers for both Ram and Tripura.

For Ram, the days were filled with a whirlwind of meetings, negotiations, and strategies.
Yet, amidst all the chaos, his mind always found its way back to Tripura. A glance at his phone would inevitably lead him to scroll through the few photos he had of her — snapshots from movies, candid moments infornt of media; all captured in his memory.

He sat in his plush office suite, absentmindedly twirling a pen between his fingers while Vikram rattled off the details of their upcoming trip to Delhi and Amritsar.

“Ram, are you even listening?” Vikram asked, snapping his fingers in front of Ram’s face.

“Huh?” Ram blinked, snapping out of his reverie.

Vikram sighed, crossing his arms. “You’re hopeless, man?”

Ram didn’t deny it. “I don’t know what it is, Vikram. She’s always on my mind.”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to figure that out during this trip. Just don’t mess it up, okay?” Vikram said, giving him a pointed look.

“I won’t,” Ram assured him, though a part of him wondered if he could live up to his own promise.

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For Tripura, the week passed in a blur of client rounds, administrative tasks, and precious moments with Siya, Amma and her fur babies.

The clinic hummed with its usual rhythm, and the demands of her profession left little time for personal reflection.

Still, late at night, when the house was quiet, Tripura would sit by the window with a cup of coffee.
Her thoughts would wander to Ram — his earnest eyes, his unexpected vulnerability, and the way he seemed to see through the walls she had built around herself.

“It’s just for a month,” she reminded herself, as if saying it aloud would make it feel less daunting.

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Amma had noticed the subtle shifts in Tripura’s demeanor. One evening, as they sat together on the porch watching Siya chase fireflies with Candy and Ruffy, Amma gently placed a hand on her daughter’s arm.

“Ma,” Amma began softly, “your heart seems heavy. What is it?”

Tripura hesitated, then gave a small shake of her head. “Nothing, Amma. Just... work.”

Amma didn’t press, but her eyes were filled with understanding. “Whatever it is, don’t carry it alone, ma. You’re stronger than you think, but even the strongest trees bend in the wind.”

Tripura smiled faintly, leaning her head against Amma’s shoulder.

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The weekend arrived, and with it came the final preparations for her trip to Mumbai, connected to Delhi and then Amritsar. Uff!

Siya was upset with Tripura as she was again leaving her alone and going.
“Amma, can't I also come with you?” Siya asked, her big, hopeful eyes looking up at Tripura.

Tripura knelt down to her daughter’s level, brushing a strand of hair from Siya’s face. “No, kutty. You will have to stay with Cookie, Ruffy and Candy. But I promise I’ll bring back lots of stories and maybe even some yummy chocolates and snacks for you”