I needed an out. I would’ve loved to go for a run at that very moment. This office needed to invest in a gym. I considered telling Mr Kumar that but thought my time would be better served in getting a coffee.
I was headed in the direction of Perky Grace and was walking past another of the coffee chains when polka dots, black on mustard, caught my eye. It was her I saw before I spotted Andrew, and I wanted to giggle.
Andrew was on the edge of his seat, elbows resting on his knees, desperately trying to make a point.
She was wearing a dress only a little longer than a top. One of her hands was trying to hold the skirt down and the other was disciplining the hair.The wind was harsh, and they were a spectacle. An aesthetically enchanting one.
I had stopped walking and was openly gaping when Pooja let go of the skirt of her dress and reached for her coffee. The dress ballooned in the wind, and Andrew was all over himself trying to keep it down. If that wasn’t enough, Pooja turned the mug on herself.
Start walking,I told myself.
I had barely finished ordering my coffee when Andrew messaged.Make that two, Rai.
I considered spitting into the second one. That whole production to protect her modesty.
I watched Andrew saunter up Church Street. I love his walk; Beethoven was playing.
I wasn’t going to bring up the chaotic scenes I had just witnessed; it had been entertainment. Even though I felt a twinge when he lurched forward for her skirt.
Andrew settled into the opposite seat. Were his eyes on my lips? Honey drizzle on warm bread. I smiled.
‘I saw you,’ he said.
‘I know. I saw your message and ordered for you, too! Duh! You have a phone, check it!’
‘When I was with Pooja just now.’ Was that a blush?
The takeaway coffees arrived and so did my laughter. I just couldn’t stop. I wasn’t being mean; I was feeling bad for the kid. I promise.
Andrew picked up his coffee and leaned against the seat. He was waiting for me to finish.
When the hysteria finally subsided, I asked Andrew what that was all about.
‘She’s going through a difficult break-up, Myraah, and I’m just trying to help her.’
I stuck the steaming coffee to my lips. I could not laugh again, hysteria or not. I was on my feet.
I took a second sip of my coffee.
‘I was telling her I couldn’t see her much more because of the elections.’
‘Was that when she poured the coffee on herself?’ Because she couldn’t see more of you.
‘It was the wind!’ He looked away; his eyes were on the cashier.
‘Of course!’
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked as we headed back to office.
‘Better now,’ I said with a smile. I was able to establish some kind of a distance between the jail visit and my emotions.
We were out on MG Road, and the sun was shining. Just like an old acquaintance.
Andrew wondered if the younger son knew more about his family’s misdeeds than he was letting on.
We conjectured if he would leave Bengaluru, whether it was actually safe for us to run the piece on Pradeep. What if his older sibling came after him?
Pradeep wanted his story out. It was his call. I had asked him why, and he said it was important to his mother. I didn’t need to ask which one.
