Part 7

"Flirting much, Vihaan? I am left wondering if they were lovers in the past, who estranged because of some reason unknown to me, and you are trying your luck for the second time," said Vrinda, her mischievous grin reminded him of the Vrinda of the past who had loved teasing him.

A whimsical smile played on his lips. "Maybe we were, maybe we weren't."

"What's with this suspense, Vihaan? Was I that interested in suspense previously that you are still indulging me in it? You know now I have no interest in it, so divulge the details," said Vrinda, curious to know about the relationship they had shared.

The question had kept her awake for the entire night. She could not help but wonder about the relationship due to which he considered secrecy to be better than reality. She could, also, not help but let go of the reins of her heart at his thoughts. There was something so mysterious yet familiar, scintillating yet soothing and intriguing about his presence that she felt herself drawn towards him at every passing moment.

"You were not interested in being kept away from things even in the past, but I feel there's a right time for everything. You will learn about us soon enough, don't worry. But to compensate, I will continue with our story and how your got over mutism over the years," said Vivaan, looking at her as she whined in a manner typical of Vrinda he had grown up with.

Vrinda pouted at him. "Humph! Fine. Since you have the upper hand here, you are playing with me. So be it. There will be a time when I will have the upper hand and I will avenge this!"

Vivaan could not control his urge of pulling her cheeks as he used to, since they had become friends. That annoyance of hers, her mock threats, her pouting, the way her nostrils flared and the way she looked away from the intended. She had not changed, but everything around her underwent a transformation beyond her imagination.

"I would love to be on the receiving edge of your revenge, Vrinda! Coming to the past, it was when both of them returned to the school...."

FLASHBACK

"Tho Bhai Sach Bol Rahe The?" asked Vivaan, oblivious to the fact that Vrinda could hear him.

(So, Brother was saying the truth?)

"What was Daksh Bhai saying?" asked Vrinda, smiling at Vivaan as always.

Guilt punched him right in the gut to notice her unwavering smile towards him, despite everything. He forced her to speak in the public, face her worst fear, which was not possible to achieve for anyone around her and as a result she had lost her consciousness. Her sincere smile and the way she claimed her seat beside him showed she did not regret even a bit. After all, she considered him to be her best-friend, unlike his facade.

"Bhai Bol Rahe The Ki Tumhe Bolne Main Takleef Hoti Hai Lekin Main Nahi Maana. Tumhe Sach Main Bolne Main Itni Dikkat Hoti Hai Ki Tum Behosh Hi Hogayi?" asked Vivaan, reminiscing about the way he had woken up on the bed beside her in the hospital.

(He told that you find it very difficult to speak but I couldn't accept. You find it tough to speak right?)

"Yes. I find it very difficult to speak in front of everyone, especially when everyone is looking at me," said Vrinda with a sigh of disappointment as her smile faded away.

Vivaan bobbed his head in understanding as another question struck him.

"Tum English Main Hi Kyun Bolti Ho Hamesha?"

(Why do you always speak only in English?)

"Papa. He wants me to speak English always. He has appointed a tutor at home so that I can speak good English."

She reminisced about the boring and forced sessions with her tutor, Shilpa. She was a sweet lady in her early 20s who took up coaching as her part-time job and was the daughter of one of Chaturvedi's employees. Although proficient in her job, Shilpa struggled to cope up with the expectations of her employer and tender age of her student which she often tried to balance by offering treats and presents, from her own pocket, to her student for her progress.

"Arre re! School Ke Classes Kya Kam Hai Jo Aur Classes Rakhne Chahiye? Lekin Ab Woh Yahan Nahi Tho Tum Hindi Main Hi Baat Kar Sakti Ho."

(My Goodness! Aren't classes conducted by school enough that he wants you to attend more? But now since he is not here, you can speak in Hindi.)

"No, it's fine. I don't want to disappoint him," said Vrinda, her frown widening as her eyes turned misty.

"Seedha Bol Do Na Ki Angrez Sikhte Sikhte Tum Hindi Bhool Gayi!" teased Vivaan, knowing that she will respond to reverse psychology.

(Instead of covering up, confess that you forgot Hindi while learning English.)

"No!"

"Haan!"

(Yes!)

"No!"

"Haan Bilkul!"

"Nahi! Aati Hai Mujhe Hindi! Kisne Kaha Nahi Aati?" asked Vrinda, giving up, making him grin as she realized she had given in to his tactics.

(No! I know Hindi, who said I don't?)

But instead of feeling dejected, she relished the taste of freedom. Speaking in one's mother tongue was much easier and instinctive as compared to speaking a foreign language, especially for a child, and Vrinda was no different. She did not have to ponder repeatedly if her sentence structure and grammar were correct and felt much at ease.

One 'mistake' had made taste freedom and like every other addiction, freedom compelled her to commit those 'mistakes' repeatedly, as she relearned her life.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"God, was I that obedient and submissive? And why was my father so authoritative? I heard from Aunty that he did not allow me to be named 'Radha' because we associate the name with love and now, this. I think I am understanding why I had selective mutism after all."

A rueful smile made its way to Vivaan's lips as he remembered the stern man, her father, and his mentor.

"I am sure he had his reasons to do so, Vrinda. He loved you the most in the world. He associated his good fortune, his happiness, his peace and everything auspicious with you. Maybe that's the reason he wanted you to be named as 'Vrinda' which is another name of 'Tulsi'. And in the era of globalization in which we were born, maybe he wanted you to bring his business to new heights by dealing with foreign clients. We would never know. Because authoritative or not, he was a very secretive person. I wonder if even your mother knew him well enough."

Vivaan's ending comment seemed to brighten up Vrinda's mood. She understood her father could have had his own reasons and since she did not love him in the way she did in the past, she was failing to understand his perspective.

"You seem to have an answer to every question of mine. Ever since Aunty told me I was about to be named 'Radha', I keep wondering which one suits me better; Vrinda or Radha? Since you can answer every question, what do you think about this?" asked Vrinda, deciding to play with him.

"To me, they both mean the same. 'Vrinda' is the epitome of purity and 'Radha' is the epitome of love. For me, love is another name for purity, above every sin. So, Vrinda or Radha, both would suit you, but if you want me to address you as 'Radha', I will oblige to do so," said Vivaan, looking straight into her eyes as her cheeks heated under his intent gaze.

"It's just the name which is reminiscent and link to my past. How can I let go of that? But I want to respect my mother's wishes too. So I want you to address me as 'Radha' as the part of the new relationship we are forging. Let everything be new. Name, basis and path!"