Facing everyone...

BETWEEN THEM
Part 58

She dragged her feet to the door... And opened it..... Shocked, Shriya mumbled a welcome.

Kamala strode into the house.

"Nicely kept. The place doesn't look as though you are packing up."

"Nothing here belongs to me, except my clothes and some kitchen stuff. Yes, and my laptop and other gear. I came here with a duffel and two suitcases. Will go back with one more case extra."

"You won't ask me why I am here?"

Shriya sighed.

"I guess Krish told you I am leaving and you came over to meet me. Thanks for coming over. Coffee?"

"Would it not have been nicer had you come over, Shriya?"

"I... er..... had some stuff to do...."

"I spoke to Gauri before coming over. She was shocked to hear you were leaving. Looks like you are in a real hurry to get out of here."

Shriya was setting the milk to boil. She looked up as Kamala entered the kitchen.

"I took this decision in a kind of haste. Will be telling her before I leave. I should have dropped by at your place..... I don't know why.... I thought I will call you up before I leave.... I really did."

"Shriya? Are you still hurt with Krish? I know he acted how he shouldn't have, yet, at least for love's sake....."

She almost let go of the cup she was filling with coffee. She set it on the kitchen table and turned to face Kamala...

"You......"

"Krish told me Shriya, he told me everything that happened."

"And?" Shriya was scared and nervous. Were things alright? Looked like she was in deeper waters than ever.

"And? He loves you"

"Does he, now? I really do not understand his ways of love. He is so playful, how can I ever presume that he isn't playing around this time?"

"I know him. You were the first ever girl to whom he ever showed care."

"Doesn't make that love."

Just then, the knocker sounded. Both of them hurried into the living room, Shriya, a frown on her face and Kamala with firmness etched wide.


She stood shocked at the door, for the second time that evening.

Shocked, might be an understatement.

Shradha looked over Shriya at Kamala, and walked right in. Shriya's parents followed. Hemanth hovered around at the end, seemingly in half minds, whether to step in or stay out. He gave up contemplating and stepped in, closing the door behind him.


"You all?" It was difficult, but Shriya found her voice.

Her mother looked at Kamala and then at Shriya.

"This is Kamala aunty ma.... Remember? I told you I was called for Dussera by a Tamizh family here? And this is my mom, dad, my friend Shradha and her husband Hemanth." She finished with a flourish of her hand.

"Thanks for having her there. She was lonely here and missed home. She told me lots about you, I guess you have been very hospitable," Mythili thanked the older woman, who smiled.

Shriya stood by nervously as they all seated themselves. And then she stared at Shradha, who was pointedly staring at the floor. Hemanth looked strangely miserable and was studying the cushioned ottoman.

No one spoke for a while. Shriya wondered why her dad was sitting by very silently, against his normal nature.

She realized that she was going to witness something catastrophic by her standards. Even as her throat went dry, she realized they were all staring at her.