FUEL FOR LIVING - PART II

“Hi Uncle!” Sindhuja opened the door as soon as Anand rung the bell.

“Hi baby! Between us, can you call me Anand? You make me feel very old!” Anand suggested.

“No way! Mom would kill me if I do that! Can I call you Buddy? Or mate? That sounds better doesn’t it?” Sindhuja suggested with a wink.

“It certainly does. Thanks honey!” Anand said and handed over the chocolates to her.

“Thanks buddy!” Sindhuja said and closed the door as Anand entered the house and took a seat. He could hear clinking noise from the kitchen and guessed that Vidya might be working. She came out in a few seconds wiping her hands over her apron. Anand handed over the bouquet to her.

“Hello!” said Vidya “Thanks for the roses; they are lovely”

“Where is Venkat? Or is it that only you have come onsite for some project as most of the females do today?” Anand asked curiously.

“Sindhu darling can you please clear up your room while I make dinner and have a chat with Anand.” Vidya suggested and Sindhuja nodding her head ran to her room.

“You mind coming into the kitchen? We’ll talk as I cook!” Vidya said and moved into the kitchen as Anand followed.

Anand watched as Vidya started to wash the dishes. She hesitated for a second and looked at Anand, as she spoke.

“I don’t know how it never reached you, but Venkat expired two years back. He was killed in a car accident. We were in Pune then. It was such a huge tragedy for all of us.” Vidya said and her voice shook.

He couldn’t believe what he had heard. Such mishaps happen in movies, in novels, not in real lives. The news clouded his senses and for a second, his head spun. This couldn’t have happened, shouldn’t have, he said to himself! He had stayed away from her believing, hoping that she would be happy. But she hadn’t been. Instead she was torn and hurt. The thought of the torment that Vidya was going through made Anand’s heart bleed. The loss of his friend burdened him and emotions choked his throat, but more than anything it was the misfortune that had befallen his lady love that made him shudder.

Gathering his guts and controlling his emotions, Anand stood up and went near Vidya. He put his hands on her shoulders and said “I am so sorry Vidya! Venkat was a nice man. I am so sorry you had to go through all of this. ”

“Thanks Anand. It was just meant to be this way, I suppose...

Turning sternly towards Vidya, Anand blurted out in a trembling voice, "No, no Vidya... it shouldn't be this way. You were supposed to be happy for life. Not this... you shouldn't be experiencing such a painful loss". As soon as he had finished, Anand lowered his head so that Vidya wouldn't notice the tears welling up in his eyes.

Vidya remembered Anand as a self assured Senior who had a reputation among his peers as someone who had dogged control over his emotions even during the most volatile situations. Vidya was surprised to sense the outburst of emotions inside Anand. She had never seen him so vulnerable during their college days.

Hoping to kill the long uncomfortable silence that followed, Vidya continued, "..His parents are extremely loving and caring. They objected when I wanted to come here, but I thought this would serve as a good change for me and Sindhuja, so I decided to accept the onsite deputation for two years.”

“Does Sindhuja realize that…her…dad….is no more?” Anand asked without looking at Vidya still fighting his emotions.

“She realizes that an important person from her life is missing, sometimes asks me about him and I tell her, as every mother in my position would, that he has gone to the heaven and is happy there. She at times cries over it and sometimes cribs. She surely longs for the fatherly affection that Venkat was never tired of giving her. But she is most of the times too busy and keeps herself happy and content with whatever she has. Just like me, I should say.” Vidya said and got back to her work.

Finally, getting control over his emotions, Anand looked at Vidya. He saw the pretty, innocent, affable and shy girl from the past. “And how are you coping up Vidya?” Anand asked her.

There was a brief silence before Vidya cleared her throat and replied “I miss him, very much. It’s Sindhuja who has made the pain bearable. But for her, I might just be a piece of wreck by now.” Vidya said.

“Yeah she is such a sweetheart, can make anyone around her happy. Kids are always good at that but she has got a special energy and charisma, I suppose.” Anand said smiling.

Vidya smiled and asked “So tell me what you have been doing all these years? Married? Or are you still single?”

Anand smiled “I finished my MBA in India and came abroad some four years back and am settled here since then. And no, I am not married, Vidya.”

“Why not?!” asked Vidya surprised.

“Hah! It didn’t just occur to me” said Anand and smirked. He continued “And how about you Vidya? You can’t live like this forever! You surely need a partner!”

“Sindhuja is my partner, Anand! And I seriously don’t feel I can think of another marriage for now. I don’t want to! I am happy the way I am.”

“And who takes care of Sindhuja while you are at work?” Anand enquired as he got back to the chair and sat.

“My in laws will be joining me next month. Till then Sindhuja will stay at her Nanny’s place after her school hours. I drop Sindhu at school in the morning and her Nanny picks her up from there by 2 when her school gets over, and keeps her till 8 in the night. I usually pick up Sindhu by 5 or 6. ”

“If at times you get late, let me know, I’ll take care of Sindhu! I’ll leave my number with you.”

“Oh sure!” replied Vidya wiping her hands and taking the chair beside Anand.

“Mommy, can I come in there now? I am all done with the cleaning job!” Sindhuja said appearing at the door.

“Sure baby, come in!” Anand answered and Sindhuja hopped on to Anand’s lap.
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The dinner was simple and delicious. When they were having desserts, Anand asked Vidya “Tomorrow is Sunday. How would you and Sindhuja like to come with me to the Colchester Zoo? I am sure Sindhu will love it!”

Vidya reluctantly looked at Anand and Sindhu.

“Mom please, let’s go! I want to see the animals, especially monkeys, since granny says they are our ancestors!”

“Alright!”

“So, I’ll pick you up at ten.”

Rest of the evening went in planning for the day ahead; most of the talking was done by Sindhuja while the adults listened to her amidst chuckles and giggles.