Chapter 23: "Remembering the Good Olden Days"

I snickered at her behaviour when I called her as my sister. Her face told me everything about annoyance. While I was looking at my wallpaper on my phone, I recalled that old man words and it turned my face into a question mark.

"I think he studied deeply about human expressions," I thought.

"But, where did he get me?" I asked myself.

"Where should I drop you, Sir?" the driver asked.

"Yes! Gaikhonde Ho-," I paused as my phone ranged.

"Sir!" he asked again.

"Ok-ok! Drop me aside."

I put the call on hold; paid him and got out.

"Hello! I'm sorry for keeping you wait, Prachi!"

"I was just thinking about you baby, and you know, I'm very happy today," I said, happily.

"Hi!" she said.

It was an uncertain voice I heard from her after a very long time. Whenever she speaks in that voice, then it means that she's worried about something and angry on someone. While I was walking to the hospital entrance, I asked why her voice was low.

"Nothing! Where are you?" she asked.

"I'm heading to your room, baby!" I smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm at the hospital, now."

"Oh! By the way, my dad parcelled me home today."

"I'm not in the hospital," she added.

My mind stopped working, and I said in a low voice, "Oh!"

"So, I can't talk to you on the phone daily," she stated.

"I didn't get you, Prachi, but why?"

She told me that her father questioned the relationship between us.

"No! I didn't ask you about this. What did you answer?"

"I said that we're just friends and nothing more," she replied.

"Are we just friends?" I asked, lowering my brows.

"Oh, Jeez! You are my boyfriend."

"Why did you even lie to your father?" I yelled, walking out of the entrance.

"How can I tell my father that you are my boyfriend, and I love you so much?" she asked, pressing her voice.

"It's okay to tell lies sometimes, Baby!"

"Are you not committed to me?" I questioned.

"Don't you know? I think you know the answer," she said.

"Nothing happened, Raghav. Chill your mind!" she added.

"Nothing would happen? Dammit!" I shouted.

"Stop it! Why are you so offended by my lie?"

"You would understand how difficult to tell the truth if you had a father," she added.

I paused for a second and said, "You're right! I don't have a father. Thanks for reminding me," I smiled in tears.

"Okay! Forget whatever I said."

The way she reacted made me, even more, sadder than before. I wanted to shout at her, and tell her that I miss my parents but, she was least caring for me. I wiped my tears and smiled along.

"Prachi!"

"Yes, I'm hearing."

I hardly pulled out the words and asked, "Can I come to your home?"

"No! My father won't allow me to meet you."

"So, won't you meet me again?" I asked, shivering.

"I will but after my recovery," she said.

"By the way, how was your conference? Did it go well?" she asked.

"Hmm. I'm glad you remember. It went..."

"Okay! Okay! Okay! My dad came early today. So, Bye! Bye!" she hung up the call.

I sighed.

I started imagining her negativity and carelessness towards me. She doesn't even know what to say and what to not. At that moment, I wished Harini around me.

"If she was her, she wouldn't say those words."

When I entered home with stress, I smelt some burning food again.

"Not again!"

I rushed towards the kitchen and found her near the dining table, eating pizza.

"Come here, my dear. Have a seat!" she said.

I was a bit confused and walked towards her asking about the smell all over the house.

"Oh! The smell?" she asked.

"After 5 failed attempts, I ordered two large-sized pizzas for both of us," she said, taking a bite.

"I was about to call you. How is she, now?" she added.

"Yeah!" I took a piece; sat on the chair beside her and said, "She's fine!"

"What happened, stupid? You look like a disappointment," she questioned.

"It's nothing!" I sighed.

She drew her close to me; took my arm in hers and said, "I'm always here for you!"

As soon as she said, I hugged her tightly.

"Prachi was different today."

"She also said that I don't have a father," I cried.

"I miss him already."

She hugged back and said, "The one who doesn't have anyone will always know, how to give importance in what others lost."

"I know!"

"Stop fooling around yourselves. Not everyone knows the pain of losing someone," she said as she released her arms.

"Well!" I wiped my tears and smiled, "Let's finish the pizza we have now."

"Hold on! You eat your pizza, not mine."

"You took my piece, and according to the eating rules, you have to give me back my piece."

"OK! Take it," I said.

"No! No! The new piece," she cleared the point.

We laughed at each other's behaviour. After all those tears for Prachi, it was a good day with Harini.

"I always wanted to be beside you, Harini," I said to myself looking at her smile.

"Ragh! Do you remember the day we had an indirect communication with our common friend?" she asked, curiously.

I nodded.

"Is that the sports day you are talking about? How could I forget? You were the worst in those days with me!" I proclaimed.

"Haha! I don't remember much but, please, tell me the exact incident," she requested holding my hand.

"Ok! Remove your hand first."

"How rude!" she said with an annoying look.

"Well," I resumed.