When you Say Goodbye

Take me back

They stood outside the store and talked for a while until before he said. "Hey, so, I guess I'll see you later then,"

"Aren't you going to invite me in again?" she asked as Dhruv stared in shock at her. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to come inside his house or not. His living room could have competed with dumping land, the week's issues of newspaper, glasses, and mugs could be anywhere, furniture moved around. Combs, brushes, dirty dishes from evening snacks, milk encrusted cereal bowls, on the couch, half-open backpacks disgorged receipt and other documents. At times he felt his household was a madly spinning star, but the chaos had never bothered him very much as he never stayed at home for a long time.

"Then wait out here for about two hours or more, and then you can come in," Dhruv said.

She blinked at him. "Why must I wait that long?"

"I need to clean up the place."

"I've put up with you for eight months, Dhruv. I think I know you well enough by now to not mind your messy house," He shrugged.

Dhruv opened the front door, and Ditiya peered inside. She said, "You were honest when you said it is not very clean!"

"It is heavy with atmosphere," Dhruv said.

"And filled with thick cigarette smoke!" She commented almost with a tease.

"Come inside, Ditiya," said Dhruv, and he stepped through the doorway, and Ditiya followed him inside, and then he coughed twice.

After picking up the picking up the wrappers of some packed foods and a few popcorns off the worn couch. He motioned for her to sit down.

"Coffee or?" He asked her

"Or?"

"Tea and water are the only other choices."

"A cup of tea would be nice."

Dhruv plugged in the machine, then went to start a kettle for tea. But, when he opened the tea canister, he found it empty. Frowning, "It's coffee or water," he yelled at her.

"Coffee, please! What happened to you hot tea?"

"A stray cat sneaks into my flat when I am not home if a sliding door is also left open."

"Bizarre cat. Aside from clips or popcorn that was lying on your sofa, the tea must have been the most appetizing item here for a cat."

"Are you making fun of my place?"

"Yes, quite frankly."

He heated water in an old aluminum pot and made two cups of instant coffee. He put two spoons of sugar in each chipped mug.

After handing her one, he sank into the leather armchair.

"Why did you come back to Chicago?" He asked her

"Because I wanted to see you."

"A most enlightening answer." She stretched her smile wide as he looked up.

"How was your trip to Japan?"

"Japan will always be a pleasure to visit."

"Did you any Japanese guy?"

"I can't lie, I dated a Japanese guy, but not because he was Japanese or I was in Japan!"

He didn't seem the least bit surprised, or displeased about it, "So Japan managed to persuade you after all. The last time we talked, you told me you would never date an Asian. What changed your mind?

Not really angry and more just playful, she glared at him "Are you writing a book about me?"

She smiled. "Sorry. It's not often I meet someone who goes who is so pretty and roams around the world."