A Thousand Years

Chapter 15

Shravan's POV

My heart was racing as I opened the gate. I was going to see her again after five years. I have waited too long. Her garden still looked the same. I smiled as I walked in and Sagar ran into my arms. I hugged him tightly. I missed my little buddy so much. It was hard to live without him and when I heard that they were opening a center in Bhopal, I immediately volunteered to lead the project. I opened my eyes and my Sumo was standing afar on her patio. My heart had yearned to see her again. I stopped in front of her and smiled but she kept looking down. Sagar was jumping with joy and accidentally pushed Sumo into me. She fell into my arms and looked up startled. She quickly moved away and I gave her an amused look as I was expecting more excitement from her. Why was she acting so shy?

Sagar laughed, "You two are so weird. Aren't you best friends? Don't best friends hug when they meet after a long time?" Sumo nervously gripped the edge of her dress and I was a little confused by her behavior. She slowly brought out her arm to shake. Why was she so formal with me? I took her hand and she gasped. The minute I touched her hand, we both felt a tingle go through our bodies similar to when our shoulders touched after the play when we were in school. I slowly asked, "How are you, Sumo?"

She looked down and stuttered, "Fine. You?" She looked the same except for the scars on the side of her face. Sagar had mentioned Sumo's scars but I didn't know what he meant. I assumed something must have happened on a mission. But, these scars only enhanced her beauty. I noticed that she brought her hair forward. She was trying to hide her scars. My heart sank realizing that her scars ran deeper than the surface of her skin and had shattered her self-confidence. She quietly whispered, "I'll bring snacks for you. Sit and rest". She quickly walked back into the house. I was a little disappointed by Sumo's reaction. I thought she would have been a lot happier to see me. Sagar pulled my arm and asked me to play badminton with him.

Sagar and I were laughing and enjoying our game when Sumo walked out with snacks and set them on the coffee table. She shook her head and said, "Sagar, he just got here and you're making him play badminton? Let him rest". I smiled seeing her concern and told her that I was fine. She asked about my leg and I told her that my strength improved and I could even run and play sports. She beamed with pride but suddenly her smile faded away and she got up to leave. "I...I just remembered I have some work to do. You and Sagar continue eating".

I grabbed her hand and she stiffened. I softly asked, "Can't it wait? Please, stay. We have so much to catch up on". She pulled her hand away and apologized that she had some urgent work. Why was she acting so odd? I broke out of my thoughts as Sagar sat on my lap and gave me a tight hug. He told me that he missed me a lot. He went on to tell me about his school, Bhopal, and how surprised he was to know that I knew Sumo. He told me that Sumo had been restless all week to see me. But, then why is she acting distant now that I am here?

Sagar and I were talking when suddenly Sumo came out and yelled, "Sagar, what is this?" She waved a white paper in front of his face and his eyes widened with panic.

Sumo continued yelling at Sagar and he instinctively moved closer to me. I asked, "Sumo, what happened? Why are you yelling at him?"

Her face was red with anger and she replied, "Why don't you ask him? Actually no, as usual he will spin up some lie. He failed his math test. The teacher asked him to bring it back with my signature. Instead, he didn't even show it to me and forged my signature on it".

I took the paper out of her hand and asked Sagar, "Are you struggling with math, again?" He nodded his head. I caressed his hair and said, "Don't worry, we'll figure this out together. But, remember how we talked about that lying was bad? Forging a signature is just as bad. Don't do it again, okay?"