Half an hour later, we found ourselves sitting in a restaurant, finishing the last bits of Momos from our plates. As we scrubbed out the last sticky bits, the waiter arrived and served us with the steaming bowls of chicken soup. Even the smell of it was mouth watering. It was because of its delicacies that this place had become so popular within few months since its opening.
It took us another ten minutes or so to finish off with the soup. Didi paid the bill and we all got up to leave.
As we walked out of the restaurant and emerged into the crowd filled road, Riddhi di called us together and asked, "Do you guys know any place quiet and close?"
Both Dhruv and me smiled together. "We know just the place."
Even Kavya had got the hint, evident from her smile as she joined us.
"But we gotta condition," she said.
"What?" Ridhhi di asked.
"Ice-creams."
Ten minutes later and licking our cold cream covered sticks, we made our way towards the Matigara railway station. It was under construction for the last year or so and still was a long way from completion. This was the result of the local public's interference, who humbly considered the Government's property to be their own, and so helped themselves with every new article installed in the station. As a result, the work was always somehow hindered. The only thing that remained safe were the electric light poles, which were clearly out of reach, and thus remained safe.
Beside the main building, there were a pile of iron rails that were to be laid out as tracks. That was our seat. We finished our ice-cream and sat there.
It was the best place if you needed some quiet and alone time.
It was almost dark, except for the lights that ran along the entire length of the platform. The privacy of the place was slightly invaded by the distant sound of vehicles on the road and from the other side of the building.
There was a cold breeze from the nearby Balasan River, that dried the light perspiration on our foreheads. It was getting slightly chilly too.
Suddenly, a phone rang. It was Riddhi di's. She got up and descended down the rails to gather some distance between us before receiving her call. We eventually saw her pick it up and begin talking very slowly. Almost in whispers.
"Who is she talking to?" I asked.
"Who do you think, dumbo. Its obviously her boyfriend," Kavya answered, with a casual wave.
The ease with each she had said it surprised us both. I don't know if it was the conservative social mind inflicted upon me by our society or just the blatentness of the way the news was delivered, but I ended up exclaiming, "What? Boyfriend?! Does your mother know about it?"
"No. Absolutely not. And don't either of you dare to spill anything out in front of her," she said, clearly threatening us both.
"But isn't it wrong?" Dhruv, to the rescue. Like always.
"No, silly. Why would it be? Is it wrong to like someone? Its just like friendship, but a special kind," she answered, with a soft smile on her face.
"Why are you smiling?" Dhruv asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking about Basu dida."
This caught my attention too. "What about her?"
"You know that mango tree, at the far end of the compound?"
Both of us nodded. In approval.
"Do you know why she gets angry when we steal mangoes from the tree?"
Both of us shook our heads. In denial.
"It was gifted to her by Dadu. Her husband. The first year after she got married. As an anniversary gift. They both planted the tree together. Nourished it, grew it. Even after Dadu's death, that tree still reminds dida of him. Its shade comforts her. Its fruits reminds her of the sweetness of his love. That is why she gets angry when we steal that love. Tell me, is that silly?"
We had no answers for that. So we choose silence. But she continued.
"You know even my mom and dad were lovers once?"
"Really? Like those they show in the movies?" Dhruv asked.
"Maybe. She doesn't say much. Just that, they were in school together. And were friends. Best friends. Just like us. They grew up and went to college together. Fell in love. And eventually got married," she said, with a sigh. "But that doesn't matter anymore, does it?"
We knew what that meant. She was definitely missing her father. Realizing, where the situation was heading, we decided to quickly change the topic.
"What's his name?" I asked.
"Humm?" Kavya didn't seem to hear me the first time, or didn't get the question.
I pointed towards Riddhi di who was still busy over phone.
"What's didi's boyfriend's name?"
"I don't know," she answered. "She rarely tells me anything about him. And even I don't ask her. We're close but sometimes privacy is necessary."
Riddhi di, had by then, returned after concluding her call. "Let's go," she said.
We began our journey home. Dhruv had grown silent again. I do not know what comes into him from time to time. Though there was something going on my mind too, but I didn't speak of it then.
In about fifteen minutes we reached Dhruv's home. He wished us a good night, and went in. We then headed back to our respective homes. Once I reached, after wishing both Riddhi di and Kavya, I freshened up, changed and got into my bed.
Bizarre thoughts began to circle in my head as I tried to understand the confusing knot that had settled upon my heart. Without ever coming to any conclusions and more perplexed than before, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep after a tiring evening.
