Little Things
Page 10
‘Yes, I remember that one. What about it?’
Kavya tore a few blades of grass.
‘It’s not like I’m an introvert or anything. It’s just that I really liked the way she expressed herself, you know? I wonder if I have ever expressed myself so clearly.’
‘You must have.’ Dhruv was looking at her intently.
‘I don’t know . . . Maybe I did when I was a kid. But it stopped once I grew up. I used to concentrate so hard when I would paint. I used to be such an active kid in school—debate clubs, cultural events, sports . . . I used to be a part of everything. I was always at the top of my game, all the freaking time! I really enjoyed being busy and tired.’
She stopped for a while, looked around, took a deep breath and carried on.
‘You know, I thought that when I grew up, I’d be something, that I’d do something really kick-ass. I loved to surprise myself. That hasn’t happened in a long time now. I think I have just become . . .’
‘Lazy?’
‘No!’ Kavya looked offended. ‘Not lazy.’
Dhruv looked at her questioningly. She looked back at him.
‘Okay, fine. Lazy.’
Dhruv smiled.
Kavya looked into the distance. ‘I hate that word. I have become lazy not just physically but also mentally.’
She continued hesitantly. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but . . .’
Dhruv urged her to go on.
‘Most of the things that we do . . . are the things that you want to do. And I love doing them because I love spending time with you. I always have a ball when I am with you. But, honestly, it takes a lot more out of me than you to travel two hours on a Sunday to just have some bhajis or cutlets . . .’
Dhruv was a bit stumped. ‘So, wait. You didn’t come here for the bhajis?’
‘Of course not. I came here for us. We haven’t got out of the city for the longest time. I thought we could do with some time together.’
This softened Dhruv.
‘And there’s another reason, but I’ll tell you about that later.’
‘Well, okay, at least you are thinking about these things. You just have to figure out some of them and you’ll be fine. This is good. This is a step in the right direction.’
‘You’re sounding very formal, you know?’
‘Yeah, that’s because I’m serious.’ Both of them stared into the distance, at the lake and the hills. There was silence for a few moments before Kavya spoke up.
‘You didn’t feel bad about what I said, right?’
‘Are you crazy? Not at all. You’re expressing yourself so well, opening up to me so freely, why would I feel bad? This is nice. This is really nice. Every time we go out, we have fun. We should do this more often.’
‘I know . . . It’s funny how so many girls my age are busy getting married and travelling, some are doing so well professionally. And here I am, trying to quit my job and start something completely new. And I don’t even know what.’
‘You’re just trying to figure out a way to make everyday life more fun and fulfilling. Not many people think like that, Kavya Kulkarni. So this is a good thing. Chill!’
‘It’s true. And you know, the dog-sitter job is actually a good idea.’
Kavya took a deep breath, looked at Dhruv’s soothing, knowing smile and felt better.
‘Great! Now say, “Thank you, Kundan!”’
She giggled and looked at him. ‘Thank you, Dhruv.’
‘Wow, manners! Where did that come from?’ Dhruv laughed and defused the situation.
‘That’s because I am feeling really light right now!’
With this, Kavya stretched out on the vast mattress of grass. Dhruv lay down beside her. The grass was cold, soft and a little moist because of the dew—it felt so good.
‘I don’t want to go back to Mumbai. Like, seriously,’ he said with a smile. Kavya smiled too, taking in the statement that was totally unlike Dhruv.
She decided it was time he knew.
‘I didn’t come here for the bhajis, silly! I came here because . . .’ Kavya pointed to her colourful, round earrings.
Dhruv didn’t get the hint. ‘Nice, they look pretty.’
‘You don’t remember, do you?’
‘Remember what?’
‘That exactly two years ago, we met for the first time, in that movie hall.’
‘No, I don’t think it is today. It’s tomorrow. Let me check, I have the tickets in my wallet.’
‘Let’s do this.’ Kavya seemed to be absolutely sure.
He pulled out his wallet from his pocket and took out a neatly folded piece of paper. He opened it and stared at the date—he’d got it wrong. It was indeed the day on which they had first met two years ago! He sheepishly put the tickets back, then turned to Kavya and grinned.
They remembered how they had noticed each other in the movie hall, both of them watching the film alone. Later that evening they had shared an autorickshaw and Kavya had come to his house. They’d chatted nineteen to the dozen, losing track of time. It wasn’t long before they moved in together. Those were happy memories.
‘Love you,’ Kavya said softly.
‘I love you too.’ Dhruv put his arm under her head. He gave her a peck on the cheek and both of them held each other, looking at the sky. Kavya fell asleep—she felt so carefree, safe and warm in his arms. Dhruv didn’t move lest he woke her up. He loved being there with Kavya. It felt like they were meant to be there in that moment, on that day.
They lay there till the sun had nearly descended and it had started getting dark.
* * *
Dhruv came out of the shower and went to the kitchen to turn off the pot of coffee he had set to brew. Kavya had already had a shower and was busy doing something. They had returned home exhausted but feeling great. It was time for bed.
As he entered the room, Dhruv saw Kavya putting up a picture on the wall behind them—the one that was full of Kavya’s drawings, the one that had sketches of their outings, even the one at the movie hall!
Dhruv came closer to see what it was and was pleasantly surprised. It was a sketch of him and Kavya walking hand-in-hand, between rows and rows of vines. For added detail, Kavya had even sketched a bottle of wine in one hand. On the bottom right corner was the date and her signature.
‘Wow, this is so nice! When did you make it?’
‘When you were taking a bath.’
Soon after, they snuggled up in bed with coffee and their books. It had been a perfect date, a perfect anniversary. Nothing loud, over-the-top, or special—just everyday stuff.
They knew that there was nowhere else they would rather be, nothing else they would rather do.
Because what is life and love, if not for the little things?
THE BEGINNING
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Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
This collection published 2018
Copyright © Pocket Aces Pictures Pvt. Ltd 2018
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Jacket images © Neeraj Nath
ISBN 978-0-143-44151-9
This digital edition published in 2018.
e-ISBN: 978-9-353-05026-9
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of bindi
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