Chapter 4: Chapter 4
The sun dipped low, casting a warm, golden glow through the intricately carved wooden doors of Meera's home. The red-tiled roof stood out against the deepening blue of the evening sky, as if the house itself was a sentinel, guarding the sanctity of the family within. The air was filled with the fragrant aroma of spices and incense, wafting from the kitchen where Meera stood, her hands deftly mixing the ingredients for the evening's meal.
Rajiv leaned against the doorframe, his eyes on Meera as she worked.
"You know, you've been humming that old melody since we got home," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Meera looked up from the pot she was stirring, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "What melody?"
Rajiv pushed off from the doorframe and walked into the kitchen, his footsteps echoing on the cool, polished stone floor. He circled around Meera, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. "That one your mother used to sing to you.
Remember?"
Meera's eyes softened, a distant look in her gaze as she remembered. "Oh, yes.
I remember now," Meera said, her voice soft with nostalgia. She put down the spoon and turned to face Rajiv, a gentle smile on her face. "Mummy used to sing it to me when I was little. It was our special song."
Rajiv smiled back, his thumb gently rubbing her shoulder. "It's beautiful. I can see why it stuck with you all these years."
Meera's gaze shifted to the window, her eyes lost in thought. "It reminds me of simpler times.
When life was all about lullabies and bedtime stories."
Rajiv's smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding.
"You know, I've seen that look before, Meera. The one that tells me you're thinking about something... or someone."
Meera's gaze snapped back to Rajiv, her eyes widening in surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.
Rajiv chuckled softly, his thumb still rubbing her shoulder in a comforting rhythm. "I mean, I know you, Meera. I know when you're lost in thought. And I know when it has something to do with your past."
Meera's expression softened, her shoulders relaxing under Rajiv's touch.
She knew he was right; he always was. She looked down at the tile floor, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... Arjun reminded me of someone from my past. Someone I hadn't thought about in years."
Rajiv's brows furrowed, concern etching lines on his forehead. "Someone from your past? Someone important?"
Meera sighed, her fingers playing with the hem of her sari. "Yes, someone important. But it's nothing to worry about, Rajiv. It's just... memories."
Rajiv was silent for a moment, processing Meera's words.