Between Sessions

"Doc di, will you come for my school's annual function?" Vrishti asked, resting her head against the avocado-shaped pillow.

Leher looked up instinctively at Aarish, who stood at the kitchen counter, chopping coriander for the final garnish.

Not a single muscle on his face had reacted to the question his daughter just asked.

"I will check my schedule and let you know, okay?" Leher smiled softly, brushing her thumb across Vrishti's forehead. "Now sleep. You have had a long day."

Obeying almost immediately, Vrishti closed her eyes, snuggling closer to her pillow.

"I think you should come...if you can." Aarish finally spoke, untying his apron as he walked towards the table.

Leher glanced at him. "This is unhealthy, Mr. Gupta."

"What is?"

"The fact that my patient's daughter asked me if I am coming to her school function."

Aarish's expressions softened at that.

"And what about the fact that you want to say yes?"

Leher looked away because he had seen right through her. The one who always managed to look right through others had found someone for herself.

The silence stretched.

That had become their thing somehow. No unnecessary chatters, no direct confessions, no flirtation, just pauses that lasted a little longer than they should.

"Vrishti loves you." Aarish said quietly.

"Yeah," Leher whispered. "She does."

Then after a moment, she spoke, "But you still love Gargi." She said it softly, almost like she was reminding herself of the boundary before it disappeared completely.

Aarish nodded without hesitation. "I always will."

Leher swallowed.

"Then what am I doing here?"

Aarish opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again. For the first time since Gargi's death, Aarish Gupta had no answer for the woman sitting across him.

Because somewhere between sessions, grief had started sounding dangerously close to love.