17. Rose and Thorn - Sandhya

Bharath and Subha were lost in their personal chit-chat that they didn’t notice the uncomfortable eavesdropper who was listening to their friendly conversation.

"Bharath, stop it" said Subha with a dashing smile.

"Come on, accept it my friend. Everyone knows about the living monster you work with. How else can you tackle him? Be kind to that heartless stupid man."

Subha giggled.

Her laughter echoed in Baskar’s mind. He couldn’t take it anymore. Baskar started walking back.

His mind was spinning around. A hell lot of emotions went inside him.

His burning desire to just have a glimpse at Subha, the little boy’s compassion, the elder lady Jaya’s humbleness…

Baskar couldn’t think clearly.

Why did he let this happen to him?

Why did he soften his heart’s stone wall?

Subha’s smiling face with the beautiful curved lips sprinted through his mind.

At that moment, he knew the root cause of everything.

Now, he should find a way to fix it all. Find out how he can go back to NORMAL!

Subha peeped her head away from Bharath as if she was searching for someone.

"What happened Subha?" asked Bharath.

"No, I thought, I heard some footsteps" said Subha still trying to look for someone. But she couldn’t see anyone in the corridor.

"I don’t think anyone else is here Subha. Did you hear about the buzz going around the hall? Everyone wants to know why Baskar has come for the concert. I believe I know the answer"

Color rose in Subha’s cheeks. But she tried hard to appear normal.

"Bharath, I called you to talk about you and Suji. Let’s stay to the point. I could see the differences in you. You have been avoiding Suji as much as possible. Even today I came to know that you requested for a work that would help you to stay away from Suji. What’s happening? Please don’t hurt her feelings."

"Subha, you are being unfair. Your dear friend has always asked me to stay away