One day in Hyderabad, Ten months back

"Hey Sarojaa .." he called as he hurried after her. She turned back, her eyes widening in surprise as he caught up with her.

"You here?" he asked a bit nervous, slipping his hands inside his trouser pockets.

"The Library is here" she indicated towards some building, existing somewhere in the vicinity.

"Oh" he peered around. "Why don't you come and join me for a cup of coffee?" he pointed towards the CCD, where he had requested the waiter to hold onto his table.

"Please" he added and smiled, in good measure.

Saroja was distinctly uncomfortable and glanced at her wristwatch. His voice was much gentler now

"CA finals. Right? Think you could spare some time with a friend? And share some coffee? Unlike last night?"

Saroja smiled and shook her head. She remembered leaving her coffee untouched in her room last night, while he had drained his.

A few minutes later, he was deftly guiding her back to the CCD, his fingers light on her elbow.

"I am sure you will do well even if you skip studying for an hour or so" he added to lighten the mood.

He looked down at her. Saroja smiled back, choosing silence. He continued - "By the way, I never went to a Library. They bored the hell out of me"

They were inside the Cafe now.

Her eyes twinkled - "Not everybody is as brilliant as you Mr Junior Raju"

He threw his head back and laughed out aloud "Mr Junior Raju? Exactly when did I mention that my name is Junior?"

Her smile widened. And deepened. And Saroja realized that she liked it. No scratch that. Loved it actually. Loved smiling, that is.

...

An hour later, they were still seated inside the Cafe, talking about mundane, everyday things Saroja, a bit hesitant, and Vedant, a bit too exuberant.

He felt good. It was kind of nice and reassuring to see the girl smile once in a while, talk once in a while, sip her coffee haltingly as if testing the warmth and flavour with every sip. She was reserved of course, and responded to his questions in a roundabout way. A thousand questions ran through Vedant's mind but he decided not to ask about anything personal and confuse the already complicated situation.

As she sipped her second cup of coffee, Saroja wondered how and why on earth was she sitting in a cafe with him and drinking coffee. She was not stupid; she remembered the instructions well and her heart constricted. Did she fall weak because he referred to himself as a friend? Or did she accede because it was nice to be talking to someone about things, about life in general, without having to worry endlessly ? She knew very well where to draw the line, it was permanently etched in her mind and she knew well than to cross it.

As the warmth of the coffee seeped in through the cup, she realized that probably the answers to both the questions were a resounding YES; she also knew she couldn't afford to feel like this again. Ever.

And unfortunately, she also knew that this could not continue.

Last night had been a necessity. She had indeed been surprised when Gopi Mama had come to her with Vedant's request, warning her that this was one persistent guy alright, but in a good way. She had agreed to meet him and share with him the bare facts about her presence in the House. And that was it.

Today was a surprise for her alright.

"What is it?" he asked, his eyes mirroring concern. "I didn't mean to startle you out there. And I don't mean to make you uncomfortable ever. I hope you realise that"

She started negating his words.

"Saroja, I can't claim to feel and understand whatever's happening with you and to you. Or your life. But all I can say is that it makes me feel uncomfortable. But, but, but ... it's of course your life. It's for you to decide. All I could do is to try and be a friend, if you allow me to be so.

I saw you laughing outside, and it warmed my heart. How is it I never see a glimpse of your smile otherwise?"

Saroja looked at him thoughtfully. How could she tell him that the outsiders did not know the truth? And that it is relatively easier to deal with people, laugh with people who did not judge you every instant of your life, for something that is not even your own damn fault?

But she decided to let it pass, it was after all too much to explain. And too messy to deal with.

Vedant seemed to be a nice chap, but her own experience with the world at large had not been very encouraging. .

"Hmm" Vedant sighed, his fingers lightly drumming the table.

"Guess I will have to take you to the National Library, to get you to speak more. Seems like that's the only spot that would perk you up"

He made a sad face with a drooping smile which made her smile nonetheless; he was such a cartoon anyway.

...

"You go ahead. I will walk" Saroja said as they neared his car.

Vedant stared at her aghast - "Are you crazy? You can't walk this far? Why don't you come with me?" he asked.

Saroja remained firm - "Because I can't. Please"

"Saroja, if somehow this irked you" he indicated towards the CCD "then I apologise. You don't need to shut yourself away, you know"

Vedant didn't even know why he was apologizing. He only knew that all this made him forlorn. He blurted out

"And you should smile more. Laugh more. You have such a beautiful smile ..."

"Please"Saroja's voice was gentle and firm.

"Why walk?" he asked

"Walking helps me think. I like walking" she replied simply. As she stepped away, she turned to him

"Vedant, thanks for the coffee. It was lovely. I hope you realize and understand that this is only for once."

She could see pain, regret and sadness flash through his eyes.

...

An hour later

Vedant waited impatiently on the terrace, his eyes fixed on the back alley. It was only when he noticed her entering the house, all dusty and tired, that he turned away. He was immensely upset with her, with the entire situation, wondering where and how he had gone wrong.

He wanted to help, but he knew that they were hardly friends, in any sense of the term. He had indeed used it loosely in the Cafe, but it was just to create a doldrum, in order to make things easier for her.

He returned to his room dejected.

...

Saroja sat down on her bed and reached inside her bag. It held something precious.

She reached for the inside pocket and fished out the receipt for the coffee today. Her eyes welled up in tears as she stared at it. She felt funny inside, like all warm and fuzzy.

She had flicked the receipt  that the waiter had left behind on their table, when Vedant was not looking.

And for the first time probably she did not understand what to do with her emotions. She wanted to scream and shriek, and throw the lone vase in her room at the wall, and hear the sound of the porcelain breaking. Into pieces.

Usually, on other days, she took the auto on her way back. Today she chose to walk instead to put the distance and hours between the house and herself, between themselves.

She let the tears flow; she had been strong for too long.

After a few minutes, she laughed. All these years, she had desperately wanted to belong; chasing after that Utopia and now when kindness and friendship had stretched its hand, she had desperately pushed it away. The hand that belonged to that one person she could not associate with.

She lay down on her bed, hiding her face in the pillow, hoping that it would soak up her tears, like always.

...

Same night

Ravi entered Vedant's room

"Bhai, are you busy? Wanted to discuss something"

Vedant looked up from his laptop and indicated towards the couch. Ravi offered him cigarette which he declined.

"What is it Ravi?" he asked. "It's always nice to catch up with siblings. You guys have been so busy though"

Ravi smiled sheepishly as he puffed in a draught. He was only 2 years younger to Vedant; they had always been close when they were kids and then teenagers. But once Vedant moved to US, the bonding had faltered. Of the two, Ravi was athletic, handsome and a chick magnate alright.

"I am sure you had girls falling all over you in US. How did you handle them?"

Vedant walked upto the couch and patted his brother

"So its women related issues huh? But dear Brother, I am no expert. And I only had one Girl Friend all this while"

Ravi was visibly demoralized.

"Only one GF? Useless you are Ved. But what happened to that GF of yours?"

Vedant stared at the wall

"Meredith. Her name was Meredith. We just didn't gel. We were together for a year or so ... only"

Ravi stared at him

"What were you doing the remaining time? Following Brahmacharya?"

Both brothers laughed out aloud

"Not exactly" Vedant replied. "But what's the concern here?"

Ravi got up and paced around, his brows knit together in indignation

"There's this girl at our workplace. She's good. Initially I was interested and she wasn't. Now, it's the opposite"

Vedant was intrigued - "So you are saying you are no longer interested? Ain't she good enough?"

Ravi now stood in front of him, his hands on his hips.

"Shalini is a very good girl. But the problem is with me. I love somebody else ..."

"And?" Vedant prompted his Brother, who looked a bit angry now

"And? This female is not interested. Oh, all this is so frustrating. Sometimes, I just want to hold her close and ask what it is about me that she doesn't find appealing."

Vedant shook his head and got up

"Ravi, you are approaching it the wrong way, I feel. Give it some time. Maybe she needs more time. "

"You are useless Bro. I will call it a night though" Ravi was exasperated, as he walked towards the door.

Vedant added on reflex

"Just remember one thing. When a woman says NO, it means NO. We cannot force anybody to love us, irrespective of who we are.

Ravi grunted in response and left the room, banging the door on his way out.

...

End of Part 7