‘How disappointing it is?’ said Sandhya. ‘Will he be back before we leave tomorrow?’

‘I thought,’ said Roopa in disappointment, ‘you would be staying a little longer.’

‘Honestly,’ said Raja Rao, who joined them by then, ‘we’re hard pressed for time, but wanted to see you two nevertheless.’

‘He’s again at it with that ‘too’,’ Roopa thought amusedly, but said softly. ‘Can’t you imagine what your coming means to me?’

‘Why imagine,’ he said seductively, ‘when it’s all so apparent. Thanks for the hearty welcome.’

‘He’s impossible,’ Roopa felt thrilled by his audacity. ‘He’s not even worried that Sandhya might guess.’

Securing the rest of their luggage in the cloakroom, they exited with a suitcase that Raja Rao carried. Walking along with them, Roopa thought, ‘Surely, he heard about Sathyam’s absence but failed to voice the customary disappointment. Why, won’t he know it’s a godsend for him to make advances at me? It’s clear that he knows that I have fallen head over heels for him, with all my heart and soul as well. The fact that he kept mum shows he’s not a hypocrite, and how I abhor hypocrisy, though I was guilty of it with Chandrika then. Anyway, won’t Sathyam’s absence suit me as well, for the same reason? Well, it could be providential, couldn’t it be? Besides, Sathyam’s presence could have devalued me in Raja’s esteem.’

Gladdened by Roopa’s warm welcome, Raja Rao was saddened that he would have to bid her adieu the very next day. Though he toyed with the idea of extending their stay, he gave it up in the end, afraid it might give him away. However, he made up his mind to probe her heart while expressing his feelings to her.




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