Ananya’s Pov:

It’s been a month since Shiv left to Shillong. I stayed with mom for one week. I didn’t want to leave her alone, but I had to come to my apartment. As I promised, I go there on my weekends.

And today is Friday. I’m in still office but mom already called me and told me that she cooked my favourite snack for our evening tea. I’m excited.

*****

My phone buzzes, it’s an incoming call from Papa.

“Hello, papa.”

“Hi! Ani, I’m in Delhi. I had a conference here. Be ready, I’m coming to get you.” He sounds happy.

“To get me?”

“Yes, you’re coming with me to Dehradun. We were missing you, specially your brother. He requested me to take you while I return.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that, I know he just need me there to fight with me. He is getting bored without me.

“Papa I’m still in office.”

“No problem beta, I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay, I’ll try to come fast.”

I’m in a great dilemma now. On the one side, I can’t control the excitement to see my family after so long and on the other side the sadness to tell mom that I can’t come today.

I called mom and told my situation. She was happy to know that I’m going home to spend some family days with them. But I know, she’ll feel lonely without me. It makes me sad.

I tried many times to call Shiv, but I couldn’t connect with him. His phone is out of reach. It’s because of poor network quality. I know it, because I faced it when I was in Shillong. I sent a message to him, but it still not delivered yet. I finished my work and informed Neeraj that I won’t go with him today. He drops me at Shiv’s home whenever I go from office.

*****

When I got near my apartment building, Papa was already waiting for me with his driver. I invited them to my apartment because it’ll take time to pack my bags. I gave them two glass of juices. After I packed my bags for the weekend we left for Dehradun.

It’s like I’m in a dream and Papa is calling my name.

“Ani, your phone is ringing continuously. Ani…” I didn’t know when I fall asleep. I look at my phone. Its Shiv. I must take it, or Papa will ask why I didn’t take my call and Shiv will be worried.

“Hello Harshi, I was trying your call but couldn’t connect it, you got the message?”

“I don’t know whether Harshi got the message or not, but I got it. So, going to Dehradun?”

“Yes, on my way.”

“Sir is with you?”

“Yes. I’ll message you after I reached, okay? Bye for now.”

“Bye”

******

Ananya’s Mom Pov:

“Do you know who I met today?”

“Whoever you met I think it made you very happy. Now, tell me who you met.”

“It's Sukhdev.”

“You mean, Lieutenant Colonel Sukhdev Kaur from Chandigarh.” We met them when we were in Ferozepur Cantt.

“Yes, now he is a Brigadier. I invited him for tomorrow. He told me; it'll be great if we turn our friendship to a family.” Friendship to a family? What he is talking about? I didn’t say anything, wait for him to complete the whole thing.

“He was thinking our Ani for his son Avik. I said yes come to my home with Avik.”

“Why did you say yes without asking Ani?”

“I didn't see a reason to decline the proposal. And it's up to them whether they like each other or not, I won't pressure her. We are just playing cupid to make them together. He became a nice responsible guy and he followed his father's footsteps.”

“You mean he is in Army medical”

“Yes, I feel she’ll be safe and secure with him. She won’t have to worry every time like you do for me. I don't think they'll have any problem as they already know each other.”

“But that was when they were in school.”

“No problem, they have plenty of time to know each other. It’s not like I’ll fix my daughter’s marriage on tomorrow itself. I'll be happy if she settled with someone I know and Sukhdev family is very nice. She'll be happy there.”

“What if she has someone already?”

“Has she? I don't think so. If she has someone, she would have told me.” I tried to indicate him that she could have someone. Now she is all grown up. But no, he doesn’t think so. If she has someone, she would have told me. I can’t even tell him because Ani said she wants to tell him by herself. Uff! What I’m going to do. I’m stuck between father and daughter. If I tell him about Shiv, it’ll create a scene and I don’t want it to happen.

He already invited the Kaur family, if we declined the proposal now it’ll cost our friendship and Raghuveer will be embarrassed in front of them. Let them come, then I’ll see what will happen after that.

“Did you tell her about their arriving?”

“Yes, I did but I didn’t tell about the whole marriage thing. I don’t want to scare her on the name of marriage. Or it’ll be an awkward meeting. They’ll meet after a long time, let them talk, share their joy with each other. Even Sukhdev didn’t tell Avik about it. We want it to happen naturally, not forcefully.”

*****

Ananya’s Pov:

Like papa told me Sukhdev uncle and Avik came today.

When Avik saw me, he told me “I didn’t know you would become so beautiful. Do I need to be a bodyguard for you? If you need one tell me.”

“I thought, you’re a doctor.”

“I’m. But for you I can become a shield to protect you.”

Avik become a young handsome guy with manners. And he did this bodyguard thing when we were in school. It’s felt good to meet him after so long. I lost this protectiveness when they transferred to Pune.

Uncle, Papa and mummy are talking in the living room. We Babu, Avik and I are also talking in our room about our childhood days. Avik and I are teasing Babu that when he was baby, he peed on Avik lap not for once many times.

“I searched you on Facebook, Instagram but you’re not there. Why so?” I asked Avik.

“My girlfriend doesn’t let me be on social media.” He said in a serious tone.

“Are you serious?”

“Do you think? No, I was joking. Firstly, I don’t have girlfriend. Secondly, I don’t like to spend my time on social media looking at some strangers’ photos. But I have WhatsApp.”

“You know it’s up to you with whom you want to be friend. You don’t have to look at strangers. But again, you don’t want to waste your time. So, leave it, give me your number.”

“Give me your mobile.” I give him my mobile, he typed his number and dialled his number from mine.

“Thank you Lieutenant Avik ji.”

“As I remember you didn’t like the “K” from Avik. So, you called me Avi.”

“Yes, I didn’t. Actually, I still don’t like it.”

“It’s simple, just call me Avi like earlier.”

“Okay, where are you now? I mean your posting.”

“I just completed my training. They posted me to Delhi Base hospital, but I’m on leave now.”

“Are you really coming to Delhi?”

“Yes, after fifteen days. I heard you’re also in Delhi, right?”

“Right, I’ll meet you there.”

“Of course.”

****

One bonus chapter today. Again sorry, I was busy preparing for PhD entrance. Thank you for waiting.