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“You don’t miss him?” Daadi asks softly.
That question definitely tickles something inside me. I’ve never really been in a relationship before, so I don’t know what exactly I’m missing. But when I see my friends talking about their boyfriends, husbands, and fiancés, sharing their naughtiest moments, I feel a pang of longing. The thought that Vikram is more than willing to share these moments with me makes my body ache with unknown desires. I am attracted to him; there’s no denying that. But I’ve always wanted the love quotient to be high in my relationship. With Vikram, it’s definitely not love yet, but who knows what the future holds? Will I fall in love with him just because he is my husband? Or will I compromise to be in love with him for the world? It’s a complex theory.
I come out of my stance and take out the file from my purse. “What is this?” she asks, surprised when I hand it to her.
“Your dream.”
She gives me a confused stare before opening the file and reading the contents of the first page. The smile that spreads on her lips after reading is her best so far.
“An old age home? Vikram is building one at Devki Estate?”
I nod, giving her a side hug and admiring those papers with her.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” she queries.
“He didn’t tell me either. But today, when I grilled him beyond repair, he had to break the surprise. Your grandson is fulfilling your dreams, Daadi. He’s making you proud again.”
I kiss her cheek and keep hugging her. She hugs me back as tears roll down her eyes.
“I never thought Vikram would do this for me. Didn’t he need the land for his business?”
“Maybe he changed his mind.”
“Yes, he did. He changed his mind. You made him change his mind.” Daadi hugs me tight.
“Me?” I chuckle. “I didn’t do anything.”
“No,” she replies. “He did this for you, Maahi. He knows what fulfilling my dreams means to you. Vikram has always been like that. He has his own way of showing people he cares for them, that he loves them.” She pulls my chin up. “He might never say this, and worse, he might not even realize this, but his actions prove everything.”
Daadi is putting me in another dilemma. Love? Vikram can fall in love with me without even knowing he has?
“So if you want to know what he feels for you, look for his actions. His words will follow soon,” she adds. I smile, leaning my head on her shoulder, absorbing every piece of advice Daadi gave me today.
***************
The next morning, I feel joyful and energetic as I come down for the Puja. Daadi and I sit for breakfast, and I quickly check my social media accounts to see if I have any important notifications.
“Maahi, it’s not good to browse your phone while eating. I’ve been telling you this since long.”
“Two minutes, and I’ll log off, I promise.”
I browse some more and am about to log out when I see a random profile, “Sabrina Patel,” in the “People you may know” list on my Instagram. The name sounds familiar, so I open the profile and browse a bit. That’s when I see a picture of Vikram with this woman at a party, posted just last night. So, she is the same woman who had disconnected my call, and Vikram was partying with her last night? Interesting! I keep browsing and realize she has also posted a few more pictures in the last few months with Vikram and his mom, Meera. Wow! So Meera aunty knows about her too. Great! I browse her profile to learn more. Sabrina is an interior designer in New York. She has her own store there and a few branches worldwide. I am impressed.
“Your two minutes are up,” Daadi reminds.
I sigh and shut my phone, focusing back on my meal. But my mood is no longer the same. Not after I recall Vikram had told me he and Sabrina had a history. Sabrina seems comfortable with the Grover family, and she is also an independent businesswoman. Vikram even attended a party with her last night, and how can I forget the caption of that picture – “Mine.”
“All okay with you?” Daadi asks.
“Yeah, I am fine and done eating.”
I have suddenly lost my appetite.
“Done? You hardly ate anything.”
“I am getting late for work, Daadi. Today is my final meeting with the client. Once that’s done, I am free from tomorrow.”
Daadi’s eyes glitter with hope.
