‘I heard Roopa talk a great deal about you too,’ Sandhya addressed Ramu holding Meera’s hand. ‘We admire your zeal to become an entrepreneur. We all know how difficult it is for someone to build from the scratch that too with none to back up. Well, it’s a different matter with families into business for long. In time, a new entity of the old group would come up for the brat to lord it over, isn’t it?’
‘How true,’ said Sathyam while the rest nodded in agreement.
After a sumptuous meal that Sandhya savored, they settled for a round of rummy.
‘With Roopa around,’ said Meera, shuffling the packs, ‘the winner is known beforehand.’
‘You people,’ protested Roopa, picking up her cards, ‘make too much out of my little bit of luck.’
‘Looks like,’ said Sathyam as the opener was grabbed by Sandhya, ‘we’re going to get sandwiched between the friends.’
‘It’s no more than a beginner’s luck,’ said Sandhya smiling.
‘Why withdraw,’ teased Roopa, as Ramu scooted the next deal, ‘at the very first reverse.’
‘Look at her beaming face,’ said Ramu referring to Sandhya’s. ‘One should be blind not to read her hand in that glow, though she holds the cards to her chest.’
When it was five in the evening, Sandhya was all set to leave for Langar Hauz.
‘All the best,’ she said, preparing to leave, ‘to all of you.’
‘Wish the same to you,’ said the Ramus. ‘It’s nice that we met.’
‘I’ll long for another visit,’ Sathyam turned sentimental.
‘So do I,’ Sandhya took his hand.
‘Let me see her off,’ Roopa said getting into her chappals.
‘Why not I go with them,’ said Meera to Ramu.
‘Let’s get on with the game,’ dissuaded Ramu, ‘moreover, they may like to be alone.’
As Sandhya looked around furtively as they stepped out, Roopa commented, ‘Are you still expecting him!’
‘Who knows?’ Sandhya said casually.
‘In that case,’ said Roopa, teasing, ‘it’s only fair to favor him for his perseverance.’
‘Oh,’ said Sandhya in exasperation, ‘you’ve become a devil lately.’
‘Let me see,’ said Roopa, pinching Sandhya, ‘what a daredevil you become after your marriage.’
‘That’s some way away, anyway,’ said Sandhya, ‘but what’s on in the New Year?’
‘What difference does a New Year make for me but for the change of the calendar?’ said Roopa gravely.
‘Well,’ said Sandhya squeezing Roopa’s hand, ‘we never know what surprises life has in store for us.’
‘Any way,’ said Roopa resignedly, ‘I’m tired of hoping.’
‘Hope for the best,’ said Sandhya, ‘and prepare for the worst, that’s wisely said, isn’t it?’