Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 16 - Double Double

"You have a kid?" he backed off, sporting a confused look.

I reached out for my phone and asked Parth to unlock it. "Is he... Sameer...," but before he could finish his question, my phone rang.

It was Ankit; I panicked and took the phone from Parth. "Ankit! Is everything okay? Did something happen?" I said in one go, the worst of all possibilities entering my mind rapidly. "What's wrong?"

"Relaaaax Sanyu!!" Riaan said on the phone, giggling as he mimicked his uncle. I exhaled in relief... "Hey baby, how are you?"

I saw Parth back off into the kitchen but I thought to give him some time to wrap his head around my story. It was probably a lot to take in all at once.

"Mommy, ,me and uncle watch moviee!" he exclaimed, bringing a smile on my face as I heard his excitement.

I heard him scream out a little "noooo" as Ankit grabbed the phone from his tiny hands. "Hey Sanyu, how's your dinner? Did you tell him?"

Containing myself, I kept my voice steady; "I did, I listened to you and I did what you said... and you know what, I'm really glad I told him," I spoke sincerely as I leaned back to see Parth leaning against the counter.

"Well I just called to let you know that Riaan is getting pretty sleepy so I'll just put him to bed here. Don't worry about him tonight okay?"

"Thanks Ankit!"

"No prob..." "Gooodnight mommmy!" Riaan said, snatching the phone back from Ankit.

I laughed; "Goodnight baby! Sleep well! Mommy will see you tomorrow!"

Putting the phone down, I headed to the kitchen to talk to him.

—

—

"I don't want to eat with you if you don't want to listen to me," she said, crossing her arms at me. "Vidu, I know you are right okay? You always are, but I can't do this right now. It's already a lot for me to take in so please, can I just speak to my best friend right now who will cut me some slack for having to go all through this again?"

Her posture loosened, but knowing her, I knew I had to push some more emotional buttons to get her to stay back.

"I can't be lonely again tonight Vidu... please?" I sweetly requested. She turned around and walked back to the table, taking her seat. "The pasta is good, and that's the only reason I'm staying!"

I smiled, "Thanks. Says the pasta!" She glared at me first, but couldn't hold back her smile. "You suck Shekhawat!" I smirked at her response, and joined her as we finished our dinner.

—

—

"Does Randhir know?" he said as soon as I got into the kitchen. I was startled by that question, not expecting Parth to be so direct. I stammered, "Erm... No..."

"You realize he's going to find out eventually right?"

"Yes I know. And it's going to be me who tells him, but it isn't the right time yet. We still have a lot of things more important to sort out; this news can wait."

He looked at me, confusion clouding his eyes. "I've been thinking this since you called me now..." he paused in the middle, making me a little worried. "What is it? You can ask me Parth!"

"Why are you back if you didn't want to see him again?"

I plopped myself on the counter, getting ready to share yet-another-one of my stories.

"I was never intending to meet him again. Do I miss him? Hell yes. Can I live without him? Hell no. But was I learning how to live like that? Yes! I was ready to start a new life. One where I didn't have to rely on anyone. I went back to FITE and finished my engineering degree. It was then that I was contacted by an employment agency which specialized in offering high-end internships for engineering students. I had a special request to stay away from Randhir by asking my agent to not apply to Shekhawat Corporation, but it was too late by that time. I already had an interview for the position. My agent told me to go for the interview and just decline the offer in person, assuring me that it was very unlikely for the CEO of a company to be conducting interviews to hire an intern. I believed that excuse, partially because I believed him but more because a little part of me wanted him to interview me. Without much of an option left, I went for the interview... But trust me, I had to intention to dig the old wounds again."

I paused a little before continuing on more quietly, as if almost just saying it to myself; "I knew his wounds would never heal, but I just thought that maybe he'd learn to live with them. As I did, as I had to."

"Sanyukta why did you make the decision for him as well? Why didn't you let him decide for himself?"

"Parth, do you really think I didn't want to? I promised to be with him at every step in his life!" I could barely manage to contain my choking voice. It seemed as if my throat was parched; "It was impossible for me to even think of getting married with another man, let alone think of a future of which Randhir wouldn't be a part. But things don't go as we want them to... If he was in my situation, he would've done the same thing to protect me. It may not seem right, but that's what I could to protect him. It was better to leave him rather than watch him try and fail. I couldn't make him a failure Parth..."

My eyes were dry but my heart was crying. It hurt me so bad to think of how ruthlessly I left him, but it hurt me even more knowing that it was me hurting him, yet again...

I stepped back to the ground and walked towards the doorway... "I think I should go..."

"I'll give you a ride, hold on..." he said, reaching towards his keys.

"No it's okay! I don't want to trouble you," I looked down, a fresh wave of guilt hitting me as it dawned upon me just how lucky I was to have a best friend like Parth.

"So now your best friend can't even give you a ride?" he said, smiling despite the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes.

I hugged him hard... "I really missed you Parth! I know I shouldn't have stopped talking to you, and I'm sorry. But I was so ashamed! I couldn't be a good girl friend to Randhir, or a good friend to you!"

"I know Randhir doesn't think that of you, and I also know that that is nothing even close to what I think about you. So don't blame yourself! You did what you had to Sanyu... And now, it is up to us if we choose to understand your position or not. Now stop crying. We'll grab some ice cream and then I'll drop you home... Maybe meet Riaan as well?" he added in quietly.

I smiled as I looked at him, "I'm sure you two will get along!"