Through fire & silence - IPKKND FF

Chapter 42: Edge Theory

"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Madeleine L'Engle

May 27 2012

NK stood alone in the lawn, let the breeze wash over him, grounding himself after the conversation with Anjali.

That hadn't been easy. He hadn't meant to hurt Anjali. She wasn't a bad person. She wasn't malicious.

Maybe she thought it was the only way, he told himself, eyes tracing the grass on the ground. Maybe the pressure to keep everyone happy, to preserve the calm, made her cross a line she didn't even realize existed.

It didn't make it right but it made it human. He could still hear her voice low and shaken. Do you think she hates me for it? He didn't know the answer and maybe that's why it hurt so much.

The marriage certificate felt heavy in his hand. He turned back toward the house slipping in through the side entrance to avoid questions.

In his room, NK carefully placed the certificate inside a folder, smoothed down the edges then closed it. He picked up his phone and typed a message to Dhruv - Can we meet at 4?

A moment later, his phone buzzed.
Send me a message when you're nearby. Here's my address. Come over.

NK slipped the folder into his bag, stepped out past familiar corridors, family portraits as a quiet resolve settled over him.

The apartment building was tucked away in a quieter pocket of South Delhi. NK adjusted the strap of his bag as he rang the doorbell, whistling under his breath.

The door opened a few seconds later. Dhruv stood in a dark grey T-shirt and jeans, barefoot, a faint mark of ink smudged on one thumb.

NK stepped inside glancing around with a low whistle. "Well color me surprised. Clean kitchen, no empty pizza boxes, books lined by subject. Dhruv bhai, are you sure you're a bachelor?"

Dhruv raised his eyebrows as he closed the door. "I like knowing where my things are. Chaos isn't romantic when you're alone."

NK chuckled toeing off his shoes. "Just say you like tidy corners. No need to scare the romance away entirely."

Dhruv gestured toward the small sitting area. "Water? Coffee?"

"Water's good." NK slid into the chair pulling the black folder from his bag.

Dhruv set the glass beside him took the folder and opened it. "You got it."

NK leaned forward. "Di gave it to me, I am anyway planning a scrapbook for the babies so I told her I needed it for that."

Dhruv scanned it again before he set the folder back down. "I'll get it verified discreetly. Give me a day or two."

"Perfect I owe you one."

"You owe me nothing."

NK tilted his head, a sly grin creeping up. "So... is this where I ask the serious question?"

Dhruv raised an eyebrow.

"Girlfriend?"

"No."

NK said solemnly. "No live in girlfriend leaving scarves around or at least a mysterious houseplant named after your ex. Tragic! Anyway boyfriend then?"

Dhruv huffed a quiet laugh. "No."

NK continued undeterred after taking a sip of water. "Are you the type who wants marriage someday or are you in that glorious phase where commitment sounds like jail time?"