As soon as I woke up in the morning, I went to Raman, hoping for any information about Devu's father. However, the outcome was disappointing. He hadn't received any news. Concerned about not wanting to upset Devu, I refrained from mentioning it, and she didn't inquire.
I recalled Raman's parting words, encouraging us to reach out if we needed anything. His uncertainty about Ajayan lingered in my mind.
"Ajayan hasn't turned up in any place I've looked. Is there reason to be worried?"
That fear weighed on me as well. I couldn't help but wonder about the fate of this girl if such a scenario unfolded.
Devu had seemed preoccupied since morning. Something was clearly on her mind. I imagined she would be saddened not to find her father here either.
"Was that girl attractive?"
"Which girl?"
"The one Nandu was interested in... her..."
"Oh, her? You're still fixated on that? She was passable to look at."
"Is that all there is?"
"If you ask me plainly, yes, that's all there was... nothing more."
"Isn't Nandu upset about the girl being gone?"
"Why should l be? She was unaware of my intentions. What's the use of dwelling on it and being sad?"
Once again, silence filled the scene. Every time I glanced at her, it was evident she was grappling with something significant.
"Nandu, I'm hungry."
She had mentioned this after Pollachi. Since leaving Raman's in the morning, I hadn't paused to eat anything.
I parked the car in front of a small hotel I spotted along the road and stepped out.
"Let's have something light. The food here can be a bit hit or miss sometimes," I suggested.
I signaled that it was time to enter the shop, but I could see from the way she was eating that she was quite hungry. Catching me eyeing her while she ate, she raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
"The person who used to avoid even looking at my face out of fear is now sitting across from me, enjoying a masala dosa..." I teased. I noticed a slight blush on her cheeks.
"You, who used to threaten to bite me if you caught sight of me, now want to buy me this masala dosa... Is that right?" she quipped, finishing the last bit of dosa in her mouth.
"Just a little joke... to prove that I'm a good sport," I replied.
"Ohhh..."
It was a lighthearted jest, but it had us both in fits of laughter.
"Nandu, you don't need to put on an act to prove you're a good person. I know you," she assured me.
Her words filled me with pride. Despite all the times I had belittled and wounded her since bringing her home, she still saw me as good. The irony was not lost on me. I pondered why she said that, though I couldn't quite find the answer.
We swiftly finished our meal and resumed our journey. Today's Devu was unlike the one I knew until yesterday. She seemed lost in thought, only offering brief responses to my questions. I couldn't help but wonder if this girl had a different side to her every day.
"How many years has it been since that girl left?" Devu inquired.
"What's wrong with you? I had put it out of my mind then. And you?" I responded.
"Just tell me..."
"It's been two years. So what?"
"How have you managed to spend these two years without finding someone else to like?"
"Well... It took about a year and a half to get over the pain of her departure. Then, in between, there was..."
Devu listened with rapt attention, as if I were recounting something of global significance.
"When we deeply love someone... even after they leave, it's not easy to simply forget them. No matter how much time passes, there's a lingering sorrow when they depart without knowing our feelings... It's agonizing..."
That day, that girl hadn't seemed as distressed. But with Devu there to listen, I wove in some literary musings to elucidate. Various expressions flickered across her face.
"And then there's..."
She interrupted me as I began to continue.
"Enough. I have a headache..."
Devu's voice carried a touch of resentment as she turned away.
"Ahh... Do you need to go to the hospital for something?"
"No."
"Alright, just bear with me a little longer. We'll be home soon."
Devu rested her head against the door's glass and closed her eyes, offering no response.
"Did Raman mention anything about my father, Nandu?"
Devu asked, as if recalling it just then.
"No... Nothing yet. Raman mentioned he hasn't been in touch with anyone. But don't worry. We'll find out..."
I didn't observe any significant shifts in her expression, either because she had heard it before or because she anticipated the same response. Nonetheless, she was lost in her thoughts. I couldn't fathom what was weighing on her mind, perhaps contemplating certain decisions.
"What's on your mind?" I inquired of Devu, who seemed lost in contemplation.
"Have we arrived, Nandu?"
"Ah... We're nearly there. We'll be there shortly."
"Let's head straight to the bus stand."
"Why go there? Is there a need to visit the hospital?"
I kept my focus on the road, not letting my attention waver from her.
"I won't be coming home with you anymore, Nandu. Just drop me at the bus stand. I'll make my own way back."
To be continued...