‘What about Tauji–Taiji? They haven’t come looking for you?’
‘They don’t know where I am but I called them, asked them to not look for me, or I will go to the police. Tell them about the assaults.’
‘You would do that?’ I asked.
‘No, but they thought I would. That’s why they couldn’t even ask for the scooter.’
‘As happy as I am to see you I know you’re going to leave. You have been looking at the clock for the last fifteen minutes. So let’s go.’
‘Are you going to be okay?’
‘As okay as I can be without seeing you for days on end.’
‘Raghu.’
‘I am not saying that to make you feel bad, which you probably are. But I had to say it to someone.’
‘I know. I had to say something to you as well,’ she said.
‘What?’
‘I love you.’
‘I love you.’
She put on her helmet and sunglasses, which were a new addition, and we rode off towards my home. Maa–Baba had always told me sunglasses weaken the eyes and slowly rob one of his or her eyesight. I wonder if it will happen to her. Will she one day stop seeing my love?
‘I will see you later?’ she said after dropping me and kicking her scooter back to life.
I nodded.
She put it into gear and had only driven a few yards when I started to run after her scooter. I was on my knees, blinded and choked with dust when Brahmi noticed me in the rear-view mirror. She took a swift U-turn.
‘Raghu? What were you doing? Why were you running?’
‘Don’t go.’
‘What?’
‘I can’t bear to not see you. I look around in school for you and you’re not there,’ I said, the words streaming out of my mouth, unchecked.
‘. . .’
‘I’m sorry but I am doing badly in school. I need you there. Didn’t you tell me the same? You needed me? Now where am I supposed to go without you?’
‘. . .’
‘Why don’t you say something?’
‘. . .’
‘I can’t call you. I can’t see you. I don’t have any secrets of ours to hide from Rishab and Sahil. You don’t even care about Mina any more. Don’t you think she misses you?’
‘. . .’
‘Why am I the only one talking? Why are you not saying anything?’
‘. . .’
