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College, confusion and romance - Part II
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He turned on the radio and started to drive. He then switched it off, all of a sudden, and steered the car swiftly as he pulled up in front of Starbucks.
"Would you mind if we talk and have something to drink?"
"No sure." I said completely caught off-guard.
"You know ever since, um ah, Payal. It's so weird to say her name outloud these days. Ever since Payal left I've been meaning to stop you and find out if you had heard anything?"
"No, nothing," I said. There was complete silence for what seemed like an eternity but in reality was only a few minutes.
"Oh."
I looked back at Rahul and asked him, "So what are you plans now?" I continued conscious that he was staring at me. "I mean about your work and all. You know once the semester is finished?"
He replied, "I might take a scholarship and try and get into med-school down East or something. Not really sure."
We talked about debate team, and Sandra, and Malti but we didn't bring up Payal again. The evening ended rather fast considering it was unplanned and he was supposed to have dropped me home at least a couple of hours earlier. We finally got up to leave.
Rahul drove me to my house slowly. I think he wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. And I felt awkward. I mean more awkward than usual. We arrived sooner than I wished. And he gingerly stopped the car. He then proceeded to chivalrously get out of car. He walked around the back of the car and opened the door for me.
He helped me out and held my hand for a moment. I thought to myself my hands must be sweaty. He then held my books as he walked me to the front door.
"You don't have to wait..." I said as I rang the door bell. But he didn't move. A few seconds past. No answer and no lights.
"My Mom was out too. She was meeting her friends. I wonder maybe she hasn't returned yet," I glanced at my watch not knowing what to do if she really hadn't returned. I turned to Rahul,
"I left my keys in the house in the rush to reach the debate venue on time." I explained sheepishly. And continued, "We could wait a few minutes before I try and call Mrs. Patel's I think, I mean if you don't mind waiting?"
Just then a light appeared in the back hall.
"Oh Mom is there. Great!"
I looked at Rahul and was going to say good-night when he reached down and kissed me on my lips. He caught me totally unaware. Just then the door opened and as I was fixing my hair hoping Mother hadn't seen the kiss. I felt the sound of thunder and the earth move both from the kiss and from the disbelief of having Payal open my front door.
"Oh my God," both Rahul and I were stunned.
"Payal, What are you doing here?" I asked stunned. " I mean it's not what you think," I said to her.
She ignored me and looked seethingly at Rahul, "I came back from India without telling my family because I realized I wanted to be with you," she said accusingly and started to cry. "I didn't agree to marry anyone, but I think I should have," she turned and glared hotly at me and then turned abruptly towards Rahul.
She continued to cry as she spoke, "My parents are still in India and they must be furious," she paused for a moment, "and by now I've probably been banished from my family because of," she turned to Rahul and then just started to wail as she cried. I put my hands on her shoulders.
"My cousin sister got my seat booked and told me to return to California if my heart was here," she continued to cry. I pulled out a Kleenex from my bag and gave it to her. "I came to your house Sarah because I thought you...you...were my, "she hesitated for a second, "my friend. But I was obviously wrong." She brushed my hands off her shoulders at this instance.
"I am Payal," I replied.
Rahul said, "It's not what you think Payal. I mean I don't know what I mean. You left suddenly without telling me, and that meant, at least I thought it meant it was over. Over between us. I mean this was nothing. I mean it was... I mean," and then he stopped and the look of his eyes changed and mellowed at the same time. I felt like I had also melted in that one breath. That one look.
"I mean could it be something?" He stopped for a moment and looked at me tenderly.
"Could it?"
The End
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Rohini Bhatia-Singh
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