“Oh yes… You need not worry about anything, I will take care of you…”
“Like how you took care of me for the past five years?”
Ranjan was taken aback but managed to say,
“Let us put the past behind us Thulasi… If you want, let us be friends after our marriage… I can wait till you change your mind…”
That’s never going to happen thought Thulasi… I can’t even think of anyone other than Dinakaran as my spouse…
“Please Ranjan, don’t make this difficult for me…”
“I am making it difficult? Think Thulasi, what will I tell my parents now?”
“…”
Ranjan was encouraged by Thulasi’s silence.
“Also think about Kavya’s marriage… Do you want to stop her marriage?”
“What? Why should I even think about stopping her marriage?”
“I know everything about Krishna’s condition Thulasi…”
Thulasi kept quiet in surprise. But Ranjan took it as a shock and said,
“See Thulasi I am not a fool… You can’t just tell me I am your fiancé and run away from me… Remember, whatever be it, we are getting married this 24th… Don’t even think anything against that…”
Even before Thulasi could react he got up and started walking…
Thulasi stayed there in astonishment for a few minutes… Finally when she got up and started walking, her phone started ringing… She took her mobile and was surprised to find Dinakaran’s number in the screen. She thought for a few seconds and then attended the call.
“Hello…”
“Hi Thulasi!”
Dinakaran voice sounded cheerful… In a surprising manner that gave her the much needed energy…
“Hello…” she replied in a low voice.
“Listen Thulasi, I need to tell you something important…”
“Yes…”
“Thulasi, you Know I am a very busy man, don’t you?”
“Yes…”
“But amongst my busy schedule I have spared one hour for you tomorrow Thulasi…”
“…”
“If there is anything that you want to share with me you can come and talk to me between ten and eleven tomorrow morning… Ok Thulasi?”
“…”
“You have any questions Thulasi…”
Thulasi, Thulasi,Thulasi! See how he is addressing me, as if he is the one who named me…
Thulasi’s thoughts were disturbed by Dinakaran’s voice,
“Thulasi, you are there?”
“Yes…”
“Any questions Thulasi?”
“No…”
“Really Thulasi?”
“Pch… Yes…”
“But how will you know where I will be tomorrow morning? I have many offices in the city Thulasi…”
“But I am not planning to meet you Mister Dinakaran…”
“Hmmm… Just in case if you change your mind what will you do Thulasi?”
“…”
“Ok, no problems Thulasi, I can share you the address…”
“…”
“You didn’t ask me how I will share it Thulasi…”
“You can message me…”
“I can do it… But there’s another easy way… If you can stop walking and turn around you can get the address…”
“What?”
Thulasi turned around and found a smiling Dinakaran with his mobile phone… He waved at her…
“Good evening Thulasi…”
“Stop addressing me like that…”
“How else should I call you Thulasi? Please tell me Thulasi…”
Thulasi could understand that Dinakaran is teasing her. As usual she pacified herself and looked straight into his eyes…
“Cool…” said Dinakaran with his trademark smile…
Thulasi didn’t reply.
“Ok Thulasi, here’s my business card… I had to cancel a very important meeting to afford this very special meeting… I hope you will not disappoint me… As I said, if there is anything that you want to share with me, you can come to this address and meet me anytime between ten and eleven… Just tell your name and you will know where to find me…”
Dinakaran took Thulasi’s right hand and placed the card in her palm and left the place.
To be continued...