The car got back on the road as she gave him a once-over. ‘You clean up well, Jiju.’
Abhay tried his best attempt at a smile. ‘It’s tailored so I can’t really take credit for it.’
‘You look tired,’ she observed.
‘I haven’t been sleeping much. The apartment’s been too quiet without her,’ he explained. For the time they’d lived together, the place had felt theirs. Now, it was only his again, which meant it wasn’t really a home anymore at all.
She gave a small nod, as if she understood, and leaned back against her seat. For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence.
When he couldn’t stop himself, he asked, ‘Have you heard from her?’
Kashvi replied, ‘Only over texts. She checks in once or twice a day. She said she’s fine.’
‘And you believe her?’ The question left him before he could filter it.
‘I believe she’s strong enough to pull through, no matter what. That’s why, yeah, I do.’
He glanced at her. ‘Did she tell you where she is?’
‘No, she didn’t, even when I asked. She just said she’s taking care of something important and that she’ll be back when it’s time.’
That confused him more than it answered his concerns. What did that mean, she’ll be back when it’s time?
Abhay adjusted the cuff of his jacket as he asked, ‘Did she say she’d show up tonight?’
Kashvi hesitated, and he could feel that it wasn’t a happy answer.
‘No, Di didn’t mention the exhibition at all.’
The little thread of hope he’d been holding onto snapped in half. She’d worked day and night for this project and she didn’t even talk about it at all? Just as soon as this exhibition was over, he was going to find her, whether or not she wanted to be found.
‘She said she needed time and space and I gave it all, but not knowing where she is, if she's even okay is driving me crazy.’ His confession hung between them in the tight space.
Kashvi reached out and lightly rested her hand on his elbow, giving it a gentle squeeze to tell him she understood.
‘I don’t think she’s staying away to punish you. I don’t think even she knows what she’s doing, but I’m sure she’ll figure it out in time and come back to us. Just, have faith, Jiju.’
He gave her a tight-lipped smile, grateful for her comforting words.
The venue lights came into view as they pulled up to the curb before the turn. He turned to her and pointed to the side gate, ‘You’ll be going through the private entrance. I told Anisha to make sure you don’t have to deal with the crowd.’
Kashvi gave him an appreciative smile as she said, ‘Thank you, Jiju. I really did not want to face them with this pimple.’
Abhay chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, you look great.’
She took a dramatic bow and said, ‘I take after Di, so duh! Anyway, are you alright here?’
He nodded, but just as she was about to open the door, he called out her name. ‘Just text me if she comes, okay?’
‘Of course, I will.’ She smoothed a hand over her dress once, then slipped into the venue through the side exit.
Just then, the car door opened and Anisha slipped into the seat Kashvi had vacated. Without a beat, she launched into a tirade of dos and don’ts issued by the PR team.
‘Here are the talking points,’ she said, handing over a sheet to him. ‘Keep it light, steer clear of any questions about your personal life, and if they ask about Siya—’
‘They will,’ Abhay cut in as a flicker of annoyance passed through him.
‘Right, so Kartik sir has approved the decision that everyone keeps it simple and says she’s under the weather.’
