Kavya

"I am moving to Italy." I told Meera as I helped her with the dishes after dinner. When she just nodded in response, I continued.

"I told you about applying to various colleges remember. I got through to a special programme in a university there."

I saw her eyes water as she put away the plates she had washed before hugging me.

"I am so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world." I was grateful to her for giving me a place to stay and helping me reinvent myself.

"When do you have to go?"

"The classes start in the mid-week of September. So, I have less than a month left. But, since I don't have much things to wrap up here, I should be fine.

"And what about the people you left back in Mumbai? Are you going to at least talk to Karthik? It has been three months you asked him to stay away and he respected your wishes. But, I am sure he is waiting to hear from you."

I let that comment sink in. she had a point. Karthik has always supported me through everything. This wouldn't be any different. I would be putting him in a tough spot where he would have to hide things from his friends. This self-imposed exile of mine was keeping me away from my niece as well. It was time I got back in touch with them.

I dialled Karthik's number form my new phone. I heard him greet me from the other end of the line. I couldn't gather the courage to greet him back.

"Hello." He repeated and I stayed silent.

"Kavya, is that you?" I heard him say and I couldn't stay silent anymore.

"Bhai..." I didn't realize when I had started crying.

"Kavya, how are you? Where are you? Are you okay? You are okay, aren't you?... Gunjan... its Kavya.. Kavya, please say something. Are you still on the line?"

I could understand the emotions he was going through. I understood what I did was unfair to him. He had consented to my wishes and stayed away. But, hearing him on the other end made me realize it was not easy for him to do what I wanted him to.

"I am sorry bhai for disappearing. I am doing well, I am in Pune with Meera. I had to run away that night and I just followed my instincts. I should have stopped and thought about you guys."

"It is okay Kavya. You did what you wanted to do and you know I would support you in anything you want to do."

"Bhai, I got accepted to a university in Italy. I am going to take art classes. I have to go next month."

"Kavya, I am telling you again, I would support you through all your decisions. If you think this move is a step in the right direction, then I am with you."

"Thank you bhai. This is what I want."

"Can we see you before you go?" He asked and I knew he was dreading the answer no.

"I want to bhai. My flight is on the 17th next month, from Delhi."

"Would you be willing to go stay with Gunjan's parents? We could meet you there." He said and I understood the motive behind that. He hated lying and if I was with Gunjan's parents, he could tell his friends – specifically Rahul and Sneha – that they are going to Delhi to meet the family.

"I have no issues with that bhai. I will let you know when I would be able to be there. Tell me, how are things there? How is everyone?"

"You mean Gaurav?" he asked and I did not correct him. In fact, I did not say anything. So he continued speaking.

"I do see him from time to time. Not to make you feel guilty or anything, but he doesn't look good. But , he has promised me that he would stop looking. He said he will wait for you however long it takes."

"oh..."

"And yes, I met his family. His sister and mother apologized to me for whatever they said to make you take this drastic step."

"Bhai, can you help me with this. Tell him it was not their fault. It was not his fault. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. It was me. I was the one who was not ready. If not this, I would've found some other reason to run away. Maybe things were going too great and way too fast. That was probably what scared me. You know, after all that had happened, I probably wasn't ready to accept the fact that I could find happiness."

"I understand Kavya. You need to heal before you start a new life with someone. Its better you realised thus before, let's say, you got married. Also, not to scare you away or pressurize you, I don't think Gaurav is going anywhere."

I smiled in response, thinking about Gaurav and the promises he had made. Karthik promised to only convey the message after I was off to Italy. I spoke to Gunjan for a while. She updated me on how Rishika was growing by the day.

The next few days passed by quickly. Ashna and Meera helped me with my shopping and packing. I was preparing myself to familiarize myself with the living situation there. I had interacted with few of the students through the college's portal. I had found myself a single room in a 3BHK apartment just outside campus. The other four occupants were 17-18 year old girls. One of them was Indian. I knew it would be a bit difficult for me to adjust, but I was going with an open mind.

Soon it was time for me to bid farewell to Ashna and Meera. They dropped me to the Railway station as I boarded the train to Delhi. Karthik had already informed me that Gunjan's parents would be picking me up from the station and that they would arrive the next day. So, it came as a surprise to me seeing the three of them at the station to receive me. Little Rishu jumped right into my arms and my eyes welled up instantly.

"She clearly missed her bua." Gunjan said hugging me. Karthik was next in line and I hadn't realized how much I missed them. I was so lucky to have a family like this.

The next couple of days was a blur and it was soon time for me to say goodbyes to them. This time I did it properly rather than running away leaving just a note, not explaining much. I was entering a new chapter in my life and I hoped this would heal all my wounds and help me move forward in life.

As I waited in the airport, I decided that I would reply to a few mails from my friends. Over the last couple of days I had read through all of their mails and decided what I wanted to tell them. I opened up my laptop to type a mail to Maya, Neha and Shreya. Gaurav required more details and attention. But not now. In fact, I would like to talk to him in person one day and I hoped he would wait for me until then. I really hoped that he wouldn't get fed up of waiting and move on in life. Well, it was a risk I had decided I would take and that was that.

Hi,

You must by now know about what happened. At least a version of it. Let me tell you anyway. I heard Gaurav's sister and mother talking about my life, especially Rishi's death. That was when I realized I was not ready to move. Not as ready as I would like to be to start a new life. So, like a coward, I ran. I am yet to contact Gaurav. I hope I will be ready to face him soon in the future. Karthik assures me Gaurav will. Not that I am taking him for granted, I just want to make sure that none of us regrets any decisions in the future.

Well, now that we have cleared all that up, how are you? I really miss each and every one of you. I am doing good. In fact, as I write this, I am at the Delhi airport to catch my flight to Milan. I have decided to pursue my passion for art. I have taken up a one-year programme in a university there. I don't know when I will be back to Mumbai. But till then, I want you to know, the next time you hear from me, I will be back for good.

Neha – I wish you all the best as I am sure I will be missing your wedding while I am gone.

Until next time – Cheers!

Kavya

I knew I had written a lot about Gaurav and I hadn't mentioned to them to not show it to him. Maybe a small part of me wanted them to show his this, so that he would wait for me.

Gaurav

"I got a mail from Kavya, well, the three of us did." Maya told me as I entered my cabin on Monday morning. She was there setting up my files for the day.

"Do I even want to know what she said?" I tried to be indifferent while I asked her that. To be honest, I was afraid. Would she have mentioned me at all? Maya knew me way too well to understand I was faking my disinterest.

Arjun entered my cabin before she could answer my question. He wanted to update me on the cases he was working on and he spoke for ten very long minutes.

"I believe there is hope for you." She said as soon as Arjun exited.

"Did she say anything... what makes you say that?"

She handed me her phone prompting me to read the mail.

"She never told me not to share with you." She shrugged pointing at the phone.

I took my time reading each and every word of that mail.

"Well, she was hurt. But, she will never forget you. Trust me, she will be back before you know it." She said taking the phone back from me.

I realized I had a big smile on my face. I haven't been this happy since that fateful night three months ago. I was now confident she would come back to me and it was only a matter of time.