Exile

3. THE AKSHAT GAUTAM!!

Anjali looked on as Agastya sat in the living room doing nothing. That was so not Agastya. He didn't even look approachable sitting like that. Everyone was staying away from him since morning understanding he was not in a good mood. He didn't do much to gain that impression early in the morning. He just didn't wish anyone Good Morning. That was enough Alarm bells for them. He had been living with them for more than 6 months. She only saw two kinds of emotions in the boy's eyes. 1 – Peace and 2 – Pain. Latter dominated. She didn't see a 3rd emotion or maybe she could say he didn't let any of them see. The boy was just 29. Young blood with zero anger! Something very hard for her to digest. It would have been different if she saw him controlling his anger. She wondered what can incite his wrath?

Pratyaksha who came down saw Agastya sitting the same way she saw 2 hours ago. She sighed. That was so not Agastya. The man always kept himself busy with something or the other. It was like he hated sitting idle. If he had no work, he sat down with that stupid magazine but never sat alone gloomily. For some annoying reason, she was not liking it. She looked at her mother who looked troubled just like her. She went away knowing her mother would take care.

Anjali had enough. For some unknown reason, the pain in his eyes tugged at her heart strings since the day he entered her house. She could remember the day very clearly.

Memories clouded her vision...

Anjali was working in kitchen, precisely making people work in kitchen. She loved cooking but she understood she can't tamper her health by cooking for 50 people everyday. At the same time, she couldn't even let her guests eat anything cooked by servants. She sorted a middle way and slowly started accommodating servants, her trusted people into her kitchen.

She remembered she had to ask Harika her food choice and walked to the living room....

And that is when she saw Agastya for the first time in her life. He looked so lifeless. His eyes held a wealth of pain which hurt her even looking into his eyes. And his body language screaming that he was done with life. He accepted the pain fate gave him.

She walked to her husband gravitated towards Agastya intrigued by him.

Anjali - Kaun hai yeh Raghu?

That is when the boy looked at her.

Raghav was surprised when his wife asked him about Agastya. She never interfered in these matters. But he answered anyways - Ise naukri chahiye.

Anjali looked at her husband. She could hear a doubt in his voice. Raghav answered her unasked question - Iss sheher mein naya aya hai. Pehli baar aya hai.

Anjali wanted to ask many questions but she feared she would be pressing a wrong nerve. The boy looked very close to break down - Dedijiye.

Raghav was unsure but didn't question her. He loved, respected and trusted her enough to not question her. He looked back at Agastya - Kaunsa kaam karna aata hai?

Agastya - Koi bhi kaam karlunga sir.

Anjali - Isse pehle kaunsa kaam karta tha?

Agastya didn't know what to answer - PA ki kaam kartha tha.

That was the most absurd answer Sharmas heard.

Anjali - Yaha bhi vahi kaam karo.

She gave her husband a look in warning to not trouble the boy. Raghav nodded - Mujhe mere kaam mein madat kar do bas.