Dharm

Me and Neel are sitting at the 1^st floor of my café. He is having spicy noodles which I cooked for him along with a cup of black coffee. It’s a weird combo but that’s what he gets for himself when he is anxious or worried or angry. He showed up to café impromptu to which I have no complain about but his worried and angry face made me worried. But if I also become worried, who will sort the situation then? So, I calmed myself while I was cooking for him. I told Ananya that I might come a little late downstairs so she has to take care of everything, to which she replied,

“Just go and be with him. He looks angry. Even I can tell he looks angry. I will take care.”

After half an hour conversation, I tried to sum it up.

“So, you are saying that your mom is seeing someone and you are angry about that she didn’t tell you?” I took a sip of his coffee which he didn’t touch as his whole attention was on venting and attacking the noodles.

He gave me a death glare like I got it wrong and I really got frightened that I might have misinterpreted it wrong. He put his fork down and continued,

“Partially. Was she seeing that guy even when dad was around? Was she cheating on him? Did he know that she was cheating on him? Is that the reason they had distance between them? Or did she started seeing that guy after father’s passing away? And all those days being away? Saying that she is going to Masi’s house? Was she going to see him?” he just kept going on and on and on.

“OK, first calm down.” I placed both of my hands on his shoulder and started rubbing his collar with my thumbs. Let me ask you some questions and answer me honestly. When he didn’t say anything, I continued.

“So, if she started seeing that guy after your father’s demise, would that have been OK for you?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He replied.

“If she was actually seeing that guy when she was still there with your father, was that wrong in your eyes?” I asked the second question.

“Well, I knew that they are being distant… I don’t know.” He answered.

“Why are you angry? Because she might be cheating on your father? Or for the fact that she moved on so quickly? Or that she didn’t tell you about it?” I asked my third question.

This time he took a little time, took the coffee mug from my hand and took a big gulp. And he answered,

“I don’t know”.

“Do you think she needs your permission to be with someone from now onwards?” I asked my last question.

“No, definitely not.” He replied quickly. He eyes staring at the mug.

“See what I am seeing that, yeah getting to know that your mom seeing someone else and you didn’t get to hear from her first is kind of a place where you might get angry but since you answered most of my questions as “I don’t know” I think you either don’t know why you are angry or you don’t want to tell me now.”

His eyes left the mug and started looking at me.

“Why wouldn’t I share with you? I am here talking to you right now.” His eyes went to mug again.

“I think you just need sometime to process this. Nothing more nothing less. Give me your phone.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Just give me.” I spoke.

He unlocked his phone and handed over to me. I left the table while I was searching for his mom’s number.

…

“Who did you call?” He asked when I handed over him the phone.

“To your mom, for sometime you are staying with me.” And I gave me a big smile.