Even the most casual of observers would have realized that something was wrong after the conversation she had witnessed, but still Naomi was shocked when she looked away from vehicle pulling away from the house, to her friend. "Rachna, are you okay?" Her face ashen, Rachna, had flinched at Naomi's voice, before turning to rush through the door. "Mummy, I need to speak to Mummy" she muttered leaving her perplexed friend in her wake.

 

Apprehensive for her friend, Naomi raced up the steps to follow her inside, but was intercepted by an agitated Gunjan. "Naomi, have you seen my mobile?"

"No Gunjan, we just got in. Is Aunt Shail home?"

"Yes she is, but I'm not certain in where exactly she is. God, where could have my mobile got to?"

Extracting hers from her purse, she handed it to Gunjan, "Here call your number."

"Ah right, thanks so much." Identifying the ringing coming from beneath a chair, Gunjan picked up her mobile, a confused look on her face, "How on earth?"

"Gunjan, who was the lady who just left here?"

Her face still a visage a bewilderment, Gunjan looked at Naomi at last, "Nay Naomi, I didn't see her, but she couldn't have been here too long; I mean I had been down here with Massi Ma , but then went up to my room for a while, until I realized that I had left my mobile here. I honestly didn't see her."

"Okay, could you let Rachna know I have gone to the bedroom if you see her."

 

Standing outside her parents' room, Rachna listened to the words that seem to solidify her fate.

"Two weeks, Shail, no longer; I want no doubt over this timeline."

"Ji, I will talk to her."

Watching as her father left the room , Rachna hesitated briefly before knocking on her mother's bedroom door

Coming to sit on beside her mother on her bed, Rachna pleaded, "Mummy, please."

"Beta, I guess you heard your father, hmm?" "Smiling, she pulled her daughter into her arms. "My advice is to use the time you have to make sure that you know all you need to, so that you will be ready for the next step."

"Mummy, I know now.  Plus, when will I have time between college and work?"

"Well college we can't do anything about, but there's more to life than work; make the time, Rachna and use the time wisely. Get to know him as much as you are able."

 

Crestfallen, Rachna sat in her room, attempting to gather her thoughts before she placed her telephone call. She was taken aback when instead her phone rang; looked at the time and answered.

 

At the computer, Naomi too noted the time and smiled to herself. KT was early tonight, she thought, he must have known that Rachna was in need of cheering up. Just before placing her headphones on, she heard the two of them arranging to meet for coffee and was glad for it, as she knew that Rachna was happiest when she was with him. All too soon the call was over and she noticed Rachna turning in. "Ra did you want to talk?"

"Nay, Naomi, I just want to get some rest now. Let's talk in the morning, okay?"

"Okay, Good Night."

 

Now sitting in the cafe, mulling how she would handle this conversation, Rachna again checked the time. She should be able to get back before it was too late, and hopefully without being noticed.  She hoped that what lay before her wouldn't be too difficult a task, but she was determined to get her point across. If not now, when would she be able to; certainly not after the deadline she had been given.

 

She looked up aware that he had approached the table finally. She looked up at him; her eyes widening in shock, "You?"

"Yes me, I'm pleased to meet you at last, Rachna."

"Where's your obnoxious friend today?"

"Just me I'm afraid, I figured we didn't need an audience for our conversation."

"Shekhar, Look I need to just come to the point."

"It's okay Rachna, I get it already. You don't want to marry me, right? Well the thing is Rachna, I don't want to marry you either, but I do need your help."

"Are you mad...I mean you're absolutely right, but how could you possibly think to start off like that, my God!"

"My mother is right, you are absolutely perfect," Shekhar said with a laugh, "That's what I'm counting on Rachna, so can you at least hear me out? Mind you this probably take a little longer than coffee; how about lunch then?"

"Ah, sure?"

Signaling the waiter for menus, Shekhar once again smiled at her. "First thing Rachna, let me commend you on your resourcefulness; and thank you for the six month reprieve. Mother was fit to be tied, but I was definitely relieved."

"But you couldn't solve whatever your problem is during that time?"

"Unfortunately no, and mother is adamant about you."

"Tell me then."

 

Lunch now done, Rachna sat there disbelieving that she was actually contemplating this, but as Shekhar said, it would solve both of their problems. She smiled shaking her head.

"Will you at least consider it, Rachna?"

 

"I guess it all depends on what she has to consider, don't you think?"

 

Rachna looked up in shock at the group that had approached the table without the two of them being aware and in particular the person who had posed the question.

"KT how...?"

crtkelly2014-08-16 21:56:40