CHAPTER 28
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Did I cross any lines in your dreams last night? I hope not.
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Reyansh.
Aanya had just stepped into her office the next morning when the email popped up. How did he know she had dreamt about him?
She typed back a reply.
Ruhi’s Uncle,
You were sober but snoring like a tractor in my ear.
Ruhi’s Sleepless Aunt,
Aanya.
Reyansh chuckled when he read her message. Her humour was quick, unfiltered, and it made him smile without effort.
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Apologies for the snoring. I haven’t slept that peacefully in months. Maybe that’s why it got so loud.
Ruhi’s Snoring Uncle,
Reyansh.
Aanya laughed out loud at her desk for the way he admitted it without defence, without shame. Shikha noticed her flush and walked over.
“I see colour on your cheeks,” she teased.
Aanya quickly placed her phone face down.
“My husband’s message,” she whispered.
“Knew it,” Shikha grinned. “You two are dying to meet, aren’t you?”
Aanya swallowed hard.
“He does plan to come. But I don’t know when.”
“Aww. Look out for clues,” Shikha said confidently. “Men love surprises. He might just show up out of nowhere.”
Shikha was right. What if Reyansh suddenly showed up here without informing her? She decided she’d better stay alert.
***************
Ruhi turned two months old. Aanya took Radhika and the baby out for shopping. They stopped for warm clothes, toys, medicines. At the counter, while waiting, Aanya noticed a woman paying ahead.... Shagufta?
Before she could confirm, the woman disappeared out the door. Radhika returned with a dress.
“Aanya, will you hold Ruhi? I want to try this on.”
“Of course, Di.”
Aanya gently took the sleeping baby into her arms, but her mind was stuck on what she thought she saw. Could Shagufta Khanna be in California?
That evening, unable to shake the thought, she typed him an email.
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Just curious to know how’s your ex-best friend, Shagufta Khanna, doing these days? Thought I saw her at a store today. Any reason she’d be here?
Ruhi’s Confused Aunt,
Aanya.
She knew Reyansh would be asleep when the email landed. Still, an hour later, his reply came.
Aanya,
I haven’t seen Shagufta since I terminated all my business with hers. There’s no reason for her to be in California. But I’ll ask Sunny to look into it. She’s no threat. You have my word.
Reyansh.
It didn’t ease her completely. Aanya knew Shagufta had a wounded ego and hurt women often came back sharp and unpredictable. Still, Reyansh knew her better.
Day 160
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Nani is flying to California in two days. She’ll stay with Di for a month. Want anything from India? No luggage limits. She’s on my private jet. Ask for whatever you want.
Ruhi’s Uncle.
******************
Ruhi’s Uncle,
That’s very generous. I’ll send you a list soon. And I get why Nani’s coming. It’s hard to stay away from a grandchild.
P.S. I’m a little nervous to face her again. Hope she won’t mind me spending more time with Di and Jeeju while she’s around.
Ruhi’s Aunt.
*****************
Ruhi’s Uncomfortable Aunt,
Don’t be ridiculous. Nani knows what you’ve done for Di. She’s started seeing your goodness. She won’t mind. But there’s one thing. With the way you are around Ruhi, what if Nani wishes to see her grandson’s baby next?
Ruhi’s Considerate Uncle,
Reyansh.
********************
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Babies don’t happen in long-distance marriages. And definitely not just by coming in each other’s dreams. LOL
Ruhi’s Intelligent Aunt,
Aanya.
********************
Ruhi’s Intelligent Aunt,
Really? I didn’t know. Enlighten me please what version of baby-making are you familiar with?
Ruhi’s Dumb Uncle,
Reyansh.
*****************
Ruhi’s Dumb Uncle,
Try watching some good movies. That should help.
Ruhi’s Intelligent Aunt,
Aanya.
*****************
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Movies bore me. But I’m a fast learner. Why don’t you teach me when I get there?
Ruhi’s Obedient Student Uncle,
Reyansh.
Aanya’s heart beat faster. The man was getting bolder and their playful emails were turning into something that felt like... intimacy .
She composed her reply.
Ruhi’s Obedient Uncle,
If that’s your trick to make me beg you to come here, forget it. Self-learn. Don’t expect tutorials from me.
P.S. Even if you come, I doubt we’ll stay together. You’ll be at Di’s. I’ll be at the office accommodation with Shikha.
Ruhi’s Not-Very-Hopeful Aunt,
Aanya.
***************
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Oh, come on, show some liberty! We’re husband and wife. We have the right to sleep in the same room. Don’t worry about the arrangements. I’ll handle that.
Just say... YES or NO.
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Reyansh.
****************
Ruhi’s Uncle,
YES or NO for what?
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Aanya.
***************
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Do you want me to come there? Yes or No?
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Reyansh.
***************
Ruhi’s Uncle,
YESSSSSSSSSSSS.
But only to see you. And maybe sleep in the same room, if that’s okay with you. That’s it.
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Aanya.
***************
Ruhi’s Aunt,
I’m in no rush. That’s more than enough for now.
Ruhi’s Good Uncle,
Reyansh.
Aanya held the phone to her chest. She was lying in bed, unable to sleep. The knowledge that he was finally coming, it flipped something inside her. It had been five months already. By the time he arrived, it would be six.
Half a year down. Half a year to go.
And everything suddenly felt possible.
Day 165
“Hi, Dad,” Aanya answered, glancing at the screen before picking up. She had been knee-deep in work when the call came through, but she couldn’t bring herself to ignore it.
“Aanya… it’s been three days. You didn’t call. Everything okay over there?” Anand’s voice carried a shade of worry she hadn’t heard before.
She smiled faintly to herself. There was a time when her father wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t called for months. Now, he waited for her texts, her calls, almost daily.
“Sorry, Dad. I’ve been working extra hours lately. Just couldn’t find the time. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Not much left in my life now, just work… and waiting to hear from you.”
That reply didn’t sit right with her.
“How’s Kyle?” she asked.
“Uhh… yeah… she’s… she’s okay.”
There it was… hesitation . That had never been there before when he mentioned Kyle.
“Dad, is everything alright between you and her?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“You’re hiding something.”
“Aanya… I’ve got nothing left to hide from you. But I’ll talk to you soon about what’s going on. For now, don’t worry. Get back to your work. I didn’t mean to distract you. We’ll speak soon.”
“Dad, wait—” she tried to stop him, but he had already hung up.
Something was off. Even Reyansh had mentioned a ‘man-to-man’ talk with her father a few days ago. Could it be related? She had to ask him.
Before heading back into her workspace, she typed an email.
Reyansh,
Dad called. He didn’t sound okay. Do you know anything? I’m worried.
Aanya
An hour later, she checked her phone again. His reply was waiting.
Aanya,
Nothing to worry about. I’ll speak to him today and see if I can sort it out. You focus on work.
Reyansh
This was not the reply she’d expected. Not even close.
She typed back, frustration pressing her fingers to the keys.
Reyansh,
What are you two hiding from me? I thought we were on the same page, especially when it came to anything involving us or our families.
Keeping me in the dark about something related to Dad? I won’t tolerate that.
I need to know what’s going on. Does this have anything to do with Kyle?
Don’t just tell me you’ll take care of it. I know you will. But I’m his daughter. I have the right to know what he’s going through.
Aanya
His reply came almost instantly.
Wife,
Don’t be mad that I didn’t tell you earlier. Your father wanted to speak to you himself. He asked me not to say anything until things were definite. But since you’re not willing to wait, here it is.
Your father is getting divorced. He and Kyle aren’t living together anymore. She’s moved out. I don’t know where, and I didn’t ask.
He wasn’t going to tell me either. But during our trip to Cape Town, one night he drank a little too much. You know how that goes. He opened up. I tried to talk him out of it, asked him to give it another shot with Kyle, but he wouldn’t budge.
I’m on my way to see him now. I’ll check on him and update you.
Don’t worry. Everything will work out.
Reyansh
Aanya sat on the office couch, staring at the screen. So much had happened, and she hadn’t been told. Her father was heading for a divorce? Why? Was it because of her? Had her last meet with Kyle and her father before starting for California, driven a wedge between them?
Should she confront him? Or wait?
Day 166
The next morning, her first instinct was to check her inbox. Sure enough, there was a message from Reyansh.
Wife,
I met your father. He’s holding up okay. We talked again about the divorce. He says it’s inevitable.
Don’t be upset. Tell me how do you want me to help?
Reyansh
She took a breath, thought for a moment, and replied.
Husband,
Any suggestions?
Wife
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Wife,
Suggestions to stop the divorce, you mean?
Husband
**************
Husband,
Of course. I don’t know what happened between them, but I’m pretty sure this has something to do with me. Dad probably blames Kyle for the distance I’ve maintained from him all these years. That’s not fair.
They both share that responsibility, especially him.
Wife
**************
Wife,
I figured the same. Why not talk to him openly? Try to change his mind.
Husband
**************
Husband,
That’s a good idea. Thanks. You’re my saviour, honestly. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Wife
**************
Wife,
You’ll always have me to save you from anything, everything.
Talk to your father. See if you can change his mind.
Meanwhile, I’ll drop Nani to the airport. Don’t forget she’s flying to California today.
Husband
**************
Husband,