19 Dates

Chapter 9

Dev went home & did not speak with Shalini about this at all. After reaching home, he replied to her messages & told her that the date went well and he was too tired so he would talk to her in detail later. 

She was very happy to hear that but then Dev avoided meeting Shalini, something about Parvati's personality had disturbed him a lot. He had to get it out, so he went to meet his dad. Dev's dad Mr. Sinha was a retired pilot, he was living alone in his hometown Dehradun. It was a surprise visit & it had cheered up Mr. Sinha's sprite to see his son after a very long time. They had a very good time the whole day talking about his last trip, Mr. Sinha shared with Dev about how great a time he was having after joining the retired pilot's club & all the new friends he had made. Amidst all this he did notice that Dev was hiding something that was bothering him but he did not ask, because he knew Dev would bring it out, there was nothing that Dev did not discuss with his father. 

Later in the evening when Dev finally could not hold it inside anymore, he spoke up.

Dev, "dad, I want to tell you something."

Mr. Sinha, "finally you decided to talk, I knew it something was bothering you terribly."

Dev, "I had been on a date."

Mr. Sinha (surprised), "what? Am I hearing the right thing here?"

Dev, "dad please, I need you to listen to me well."

Mr. Sinha, "OK son,  go on tell me, just that I am happy & equally surprised to hear this from you. (speaking with a smile on his face)"

Dev, "so I met this girl Parvati through a dating application, a very good looking & independent girl. I definitely found her very interesting, to an extent that this would go a long way but then."

Mr. Sinha (in a worried tone), "but then what?"

Dev, "then when I understood that she dates a lot of guys & nothing is ever long term it brought before my eyes everything that mom is."

Mr. Sinha (sternly), "Dev you know nothing about what your mom is. I have told this to you before, the way you feel about her is terrible. Your mother made her choice & we or no one can hold her responsible for that. She never wanted or even today wants to leave you alone, it is you who has chosen to be away from her."

Dev, "I hate this fact that you are fine with she walking away from our lives. As for me I even hate that one time in the entire year that I have to meet her on my birthdays."

Mr. Sinha, "Dev, please don't make me walk out of the room. Your hate for your mother is not right at all but I don't expect you to understand this. At least do me a favour by not talking about the hatred you have for her to me. We can talk about this girl Parvati tomorrow son."

Mr. Sinha left the room, leaving Dev with tears in his eyes.