A road less traveled

There was no contact between the two families. Life became very busy for Ador.

Company pressure, hitting monthly targets, going for office meetings at Delhi, Mumbai, client retention, there was no time for self assessment. By eating junk food in between work shift, she started getting chubbier.

Kir got worried, looking at his workaholic daughter. He had retired from work and settled in the metro life. He also got job offers, in new B. Ed colleges, to guide them in affiliations, etc. He joined an education organisation shortly. Ita used to stay in the hills, she too was busy with her school and used to come back to the family during winter vacation of three months and Dussehra. Unma joined an MNC in the meantime. The family of four were vigorously working hard, not to only just earn money but to keep themselves distracted from what happened a few months ago.

Didun, got diagnosed with lung cancer, and Ita left her job of Principal, Army school to be by her mother's side, in difficult times.

Months flew past , fast and Didun left for heavenly abode. The family was grief stricken.

Summer arrived. On a hot sultry summer noon, Unma and Ador met for lunch. After having delicious Mughlai dishes, they went homewards.

This time they did not take the usual route to home. Both decided on walking, as they felt heavier after stuffing their stomach with food. They opted for a road less travelled by them, as there was no public transport available on this road. Only private cars, unidirectional went that way.

After about fifteen minutes of walking in the street , they got tired, because of the high humidity of the weather, and saw a man selling tender coconut water.

Both ordered the same and started quenching their thirst. The road had a huge traffic snarl that time. After a few minutes the road was full with a queue of cars on way to airport.

Someone from behind suddenly said "Am pleased to see you both together. Having tender coconut water without offering me, eh ? " Both the girls looked up to see Dev. He was all smiles. He said he was on way to airport when he saw them together drinking and chitchatting. So he opened his car door and came out to share pleasantries.

Ador got angry, just looking at him, smiling at both of them. Half a year had passed since they last met. She looked down at her coconut, as if it was a precious diamond with many cuts and disregarded his existence. Unma was in a dilemma. She offered him a tender coconut and said, "Hi Dev, long time no news, how are you? " He said he was busy with his company, so could not get in touch and moreover he lost the contact number that Unma shared, so he could not call up. He asked for the number again. This time Unma gave Kir's number and said, before calling, to take Bali's permission. Dev, raised an eyebrow at Unma's statement. He smiled. Looked at Ador who was still busy with her sipping mode and left.

Both Unma and Ador were contented with the silent treatment that Ador gave Dev, and returned back home. Later the family of four discussed during dinner the happenings of the day.