Silently Falling in Love: Race - #Wattys2017

Chapter 31 - November 1995

Alex:

Anjali sat quietly in my car as we rode up to Boston to visit Arjun. It was the first time she was going to Boston after the break-up with Karthik. She had been putting it off as much as possible, but she knew she eventually had to go and visit him.

She stared out the window most of the time and fake sleeping the other part. We stopped for food and gas and exchanged only the necessary conversation. As I waited for Anjali outside the diner we had stopped for dinner while she finished up in the bathroom, I couldn't help but think maybe I should have done more to help her see what an ass Karthik is. If she had broken up with him I don't think she would feel so defeated.

She walked out of the restaurant and gave me a weak smile, "I'm ready."

Before she could walk around to the passenger side I pulled her into my arms and gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head, "It's going to be okay. I know it doesn't feel like it, but you dodged a bullet."

She nodded into my chest and I could feel the emotion well inside her. I know she wanted to cry but she was not going to let herself. I didn't want to let go of her; I wanted to hold her until that feeling of hurt went away.

After several moments, she broke away, "We should go. You know Arjun, he'll be crabby if we get there too late," she said trying to be her usual self.

We got back in the car and this time Anjali flipped through the radio stations and at least music filled the car between the silence and distance between us.

Eventually, we got to Arjun's and he must have seen our car pulling up because he ran out of his brownstone and ran down the stairs to greet us. He picked up Anjali and twirled her around, "It's about god damn time you two got here. Don't tell me you stopped somewhere and did something fun without me?" he teased.

Anjali just smiled weakly but didn't tease him back like she normally did. There were no smart-ass responses from her.

"Come on, let's get you guys upstairs. Are you hungry?"

"No, we ate on the way," I answered.

We had left after work so it was already ten pm when we arrived in Boston.

"Do you want to go out?" Arjun asked as we walked up the stairs with our stuff.

"Not really," Anjali replied.

"Okay in that case I have a movie marathon set up. We're going to watch Sholay, Star Wars, and then we'll end with 9 to 5!"

"Okay, that's a weird combination even for your Arjun," I said.

Sure enough as we entered the apartment he'd transformed his living room into a movie theater. The popcorn bucket was out with the cooler filled with cold beer. Pillows and throw blankets were strategically placed. I know he was trying to cheer Anjali up in his own way.

"Now go change into your pajamas and lets get comfy," Arjun demanded. "Anjali you go first."

She took her overnight bag into his room obediently and went to change. Anjali never did what Arjun asked without first arguing with him.

I looked over at Arjun after Anjali left the room and I saw his smile fade. He looked at me with questioning eyes; I knew he was as worried as I was about Anjali.

I nodded my head letting him know the ride over hadn't been much better. Arjun blew out a long breath of air and walked over to the cooler and pulled out two beers and handed me one.

Several minutes later Anjali emerged from the room. She hadn't changed. She walked over to Arjun and handed him an envelope and the tears finally began to fall from her eyes.