The Lawyer In The Kitchen.

Chapter 2.

Shishir's POV

"Suvarna! Look who is here!" Anju Aunty, Suvi's maternal Aunty called out to her.

My breath hitched in my lungs even before she completed her sentence.

My senses seemed to pause and I didn't pay attention to anything else being said.

I have been telling myself repeatedly, stubbornly, I have come to this house to meet with the family and don't really care about meeting Suvi. However, much as I like go deny it, I know that is not the truth. The reason I rushed here almost immediately after reaching home was with the hope to meet her, see her.

Ten years! It is almost a life time. I have been angry, hurt but above all was the feeling of missing her.

She is here! She is here! My mind seemed to rant as she comes into the room, dragged by Pushkar. For a brief moment our eyes lock and in that instance the ten years seem to melt away.

Then my mind seems to kick start. Why did Paresh have to pull her in? Did she not want to meet me? A heavy despair threatens to take over my heart and I push it away determinately and I let anger take over me.

I pulled away my eyes from her face and focused on my shoes. I soon realised both Paresh and Suvi are wet. This makes me angrier. Upon knowing about my visit, instead to coming and meeting me, she was happily fooling around.

If she does not care, then why should I?

And no! I did not bring that gift in my pocket for her I tell my mind. I will eat the chocolates as well that I brought for her. I should have known she has not changed. Ten years back she had been eager to send me away and now too she is indifferent!

"So Shishir, what do you do in your free time in London?" Suvi's uncle's voice sliced through my angry musings.

"Suvi-" I blurted. Oh crap! Shishir Mehrotra, take hold of your mind and heart. Stop thinking about her!

"I – I mean summon. I have to summon people as to discuss case details as a lawyer." I try to cover my slip up with the silliest possible explanation.

Paresh's chuckle from beside me earned him a glare. He grinned at me in return and turned his gaze towards Suvi.

"Suvi! Why don't you tell bhaiya- er - everyone about your friend, before you introduce him?"

What??

"Suvarna's friend? What is Paresh saying Suvarna?" Anju Aunty asked Suvarna.

"He is talking crap!" Suvi says, as she directs a warning look towards Paresh. There is someone, I realise.

I try to ignore the pain in my heart. Fool! A complete fool I have been to come here.

"We need to go now." I said standing up suddenly. I need to get away from here. There is nothing left here for me. Not that anything was here in the first place I try to remind myself.

"No Absolutely not Shishir. You have come after so many years. You cannot leave just like that. Suvarna ask your friend to stay." Suvi's uncle tells her.

Friend! I seem to have developed an allergy to that word just now. I am no friend of hers. She has the other friend.

"Er -Hello Shishir- Um Stay- please." Suvi says not meeting my eyes.

"Um- Hello Suvi. No, thank you." I manage to say somehow. Our first words exchanged after ten years!

"Um Hello, we can actually stay." Paresh says looking delighted with our exchange. He of course has to rub it in! I can see he is totally entertained.