Roshan worked with what Uncle was currently capable of. MS was unpredictable. Uncle’s mobility could get better or it could get worse. He decided to assume that Uncle would stay the same and set things up accordingly.
Reena popped outside, Naya toddling behind her. “How are you doing out here?”
Roshan stopped, surprised to see Nimita’s sister. “He’s doing great. The only thing he can’t do is lift the heavy bags and pots. He can easily water them and check on them. I’ll be by periodically to see how it’s going. Pull a few weeds, that sort of thing.”
He went over to Naya with Finn, knelt in front of the little girl and had Finn sit. He was rewarded with a giggle. Naya proceeded to play with Finn, who was extra gentle with the toddler.
“Why are you doing this?” Reena asked, bringing his attention back to the garden. She was nothing if not direct.
Roshan shrugged. “I love gardening. And so does Uncle. And it would be really good for him. Gives him not only purpose each day but a level of joy.” He nodded in Uncle’s direction. “See?”
Reena and Nimita’s father was fussing with the dirt in the pots, spreading it around, muttering to the plants. He was in his own world, and he was happy.
“Us gardeners have to stick together.”
“So nothing having to do with my sister?” Reena asked.
“This has everything to do with how I feel about your sister. Uncle is important to her, so by extension, he is also important to me.” Roshan swore he saw Reena smile. “I just happen to have a skill he likes, so why not help him?” He paused. “He’s also important to you.”
Reena raised an eyebrow. “You’re trying to impress me?”
“Of course. You are Nimita’s sister.”
“So all this is because you’re trying to impress my sister,” Reena stated.
“I will never stop trying to impress your sister,” he said quietly.
Reena just stared at him. “Well, thank you,” she said at last, watching her father.
“Of course.”
A couple hours later, they had five pots with two kinds of tomato plants, bell peppers, spicy chiles and jalapeños.
Roshan checked his phone and found that his parents had been trying to reach him. He called them back.
“Where have you been? What have you been doing?” His father sounded anxious at the other end of the phone.
“I was helping my girlfriend’s father with a garden.” Roshan could not help the soft feeling he got when he saidgirlfriend.
“Is that really your priority right now? Malini is not picking up her phone,” his father barked at him.
“She’s at a work thing,” Roshan said. “Sometimes she can’t pick up.”
“You need to go check it out,” his father said.
“She’s probably fine. She was in for testing today. Paula seems positive,” Roshan said.
“Roshan. She’ll answer if you call,” his father insisted, the panic in his voice increasing.
“Okay. Okay, Dad. I’ll check it out.” He ended the call. He didn’t really need to go check, but he would, to keep his parents at peace.
“Hey, Reena. I’m sorry. My parents are freaking out because my sister isn’t picking up her phone.”
She smiled—actually smiled—at him. “No worries. I’ll have this clean in no time.” Reena started cleaning. “Go make sure your sister is okay.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“She had cancer, right?” Reena met his eyes, compassion in them.
