KHKT 2 - An Emotion

Episode 4

When the bell started ringing incessantly, Ajit felt as if they were warning bells that something terrible was in store for him.

Due to Junta curfew, the staff was on paid leave. Vimmi and Hari along with a handful of helpers under them were the only staff.

Ajit was the only one in the hallway, working on an important presentation. He tried to ignore but the bell just continued ringing.

With an irritated scowl he limped to the door and threw it open to get the shock of his life.

There stood that stupid girl with a pronounced heart shaped face, thick lips and droopy eyes, "You! How dare you come to my house!"

Akruti was as shocked, "This is the Sippy Mansion right? I'm a guest here."

"O really? Obviously you haven't been listening to the government directive of social distancing. No guests are welcome. See you never!"

And he actually slammed the door on her face.

Aakruti just stood there stupidly staring in front of her. This was a first for her. Obviously he didn't know who she was. Beyond doubt her visits to India were jinxed but never this bad.

She chewed her upper lip and wondered what to do. In the current senario, it wasn't safe to go to any hotel or try for any other accommodation. She decided to wait in the empty lobby until she could figure out what next to do.

Meanwhile, badimumma who had come to the hall after she thought she heard the calling bell asked Ajit, " Was there somebody at the door?"

"Yes badimumma. There was a girl.."

Badimumma clapped her hands in delight, " That must be Aakruti Iyer. I have been waiting for her. I'm so eager to see how's she turned out. Where's she?"

Ajit swore under his breath, "I just threw her out. I'm I'm sorry I thought.."

His grandmother glared at him, "Get her inside right now with due respect. She's my special guest."

Aakruti was about to leave when Ajit called out, " Whoever you are, come in. My badimumma has asked me to get you in."

"Aajruti Iyer", she said evenly and folding her hands looked into his eyes, "And whosoever you are, while I'm staying here, I would be glad to never look at you again" and coolly walked in to the house.

Ajit made a fist and angrily strode after her, trying to ignoring the pain in his goin that that girl had given him.

"Welcome, my love," badimumma clapped her hands, " Difficult times dear. I cannot hug you but I'm very glad to see you. I'm very relieved you are finally here. Thankfully you didn't catch the infection. You used the hand sanitizer?"

"Yes", Aakruti smiled and folded her hands in a namaste even as the rest of the family started appearing.

"This is the girl I have been talking about Veena. She is my best friend, Padmini Iyer's granddaughter."

The Sippy family was very cordial and welcoming. But Aakruti could detect an underlying sadness. None of them seemed themselves.
Was it the supervirus scare or something else?

She looked at Ajit who was glaring at her. He had not yet apologized to her for his rude behaviour.

Usually Aakruti would not have tolerated anybody hurting her self-respect. She would have made him pay. But she somehow understood Ajit Sippy.

She understood that he was the saddest amongst the Sippys. She understood that he was unsuccessfully hiding something that was eating him up.

"Show her into the guest room Vimmy, on Ajit's floor."