09. Rose and Thorn - Sandhya
Bavi noticed Barath's gaze and tried to pacify herself.
“Dad, I think it is better to give them some privacy” she said in a milder tone.
Murthy looked at Barath and Subha inquiringly.
Subha frowned while Barath addressed directly to Bavi.
“With all respect to your dad, a young woman like you ought to be out with younger friends like Subha and me. Why are you avoiding a golden chance to be with wonderful people like us?”
Subha had to try hard to hide her smile as Bavi’s face turned red in anger.
“What he says is correct Bavi” said Murthy and pulled out a chair for her.
Though she didn’t like it, Bavi didn’t show even a slight bit of disapproval. She just obeyed her Father.
Putting lots of effort, she transferred herself from the wheelchair to the chair.
Murthy also settled in the nearby chair.
“So young man, what do you do?” asked Murthy looking at Barath.
Barath politely described his job profile.
“You talk in a different language Youngman. All that I can understand is you are another millennium software engineer. Anyways nice meeting you chap” said Murthy in an enthusiastic voice.
That sort of broke the ice for all four of them.
Slowly their environment calmed down. But still Bavi was quiet and didn’t join the conversation much.
But to the surprise of Subha, Barath kept on dragging her in their conversation. Though Bavi seemed reluctant and rude at first she did seem to enjoy the chit-chat slowly.
Subha even saw her smiling for something.
Will Baskar also smile if someone can withstand his rudeness and talk to him?
She remembered how he screamed at her the first day. Now it sounded a bit funny for her.
Is he hiding away from something? Why is he so weird?
Why Baskar and Bavi are behaving like this?
At least in case of Bavi she could understand her feelings. It is hard to be in a wheel chair and spend your wonderful youth years. And that too when you have more than the wealth you need, it surely should be difficult.
But then what is her problem? Why is she in wheel chair?
Subha is aware of the artificial limbs and other advancement in medical facilities.
She didn’t want to take that topic and upset Bavi. In a way even she felt happy to see her smiling and talking.
When Subha reached her hostel that day, it was way past eleven o clock. Suja was still waiting for her.
“Suja, I told you I will be late. Why didn’t you sleep?”
“How can I sleep when I am troubling you so much?” said Suja in a sad tone.
‘Here we go again’ thought Subha but didn’t say anything.
Suja continued to bemoan Subha’s fate and Subha quietly listened to her friend’s lamentation.
But, even with all her patience, Subha couldn’t withstand Suja’s lamentation for long.
She really wanted to change the topic.
“Suja, you know, Barath and I met Baskar’s dad and sister in the restaurant”
“Why didn’t you ask them to help you?”
“I never thought about that. But Barath seemed to like Bavi, Baskar’s sister a lot. You remember I told you she is also sort of Baskar. Very rude……”
“Yes……….” Said Suja thoughtfully.
“But today Barath helped me to see her other beautiful face. It’s not like she was friendly or anything. But she enjoyed the conversation. I could see that from her glowing eyes and smile”
“I see……” said Subha again in a thoughtful tone.
“When we first met her, she was very rude to Barath as well. But he just shrugged it aside and spoke to her in a very jovial manner……” said Subha.
I think I should try the same with Baskar instructed her heart secretly.
Yes, that’s the last thing you want, said her mind scornfully.
While Subha was in her own deep thought, Suja was in a different confusion. And that came into light when she asked,
“Subha…. So you think Barath is interested in this new girl?”
Though Suja wanted to sound casual, Subha could easily identify the nervousness in her voice.
Glee took over Subha.
That’s the first time Suja has showed any direct signs of liking Barath.
Why are women so jealous? She asked herself.
I will never be jealous of my spouse. I will give him freedom, she thought to herself.
For some unknown reason Baskar’s gaze came to her mind. She could feel the heat building in her cheeks.
It’s a very different experience. Though Subha couldn’t understand what’s happening to her, she did like it.
“Subha, are you sleeping? I asked you a question?” asked Suja in an angry tome and made Subha come out of her new world.
“Sorry Suja…. Yes I think he is interested in her and from the look of it I also think Bavi is interested in him. So, I guess there will be no heart break this time”
Suja’s face darkened.
Subha felt sorry for her but kept quiet as she knew that’s the bitter medicine Suja needed very much come out of her cocoon.
So she ignored Suja and said,
“OK Suja, it has been a long day, let me wind up…… Good night dear….”
Suja didn’t even reply to her friend. She was quietly staring at the dark night sky.
To be continued...
Next episode will be published as soon as the writer shares her next episode
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