Things we do---4

"burning a hole in the rug with your pacing" Dan said as he lounged in one of their couches. Viji actually looked at the track she had made on the carpet before she realized it was another one of american phrases. Dan must have caught it for he laughed at her again.

"I cant believe how naive you are beautiful" he said "lucky for you i am here to guide you through the american jungle"

Viji made a face at him "lucky..tell that to my ear drum" this only made Dan laugh more "my i do believe you are getting americanized".

"Dan..i am worried my dad has not answered his phone and no one is picking up the phone in my relatives place" Viji said frown creasing her forehead.

"i am sure he is fine viji, may be the old man has found himself a new girlfriend.." Dan regretted saying it the moment it left his mouth "Damn me and my mouth" he thought. "i am sorry Viji..i did not mean that" Viji turned away from him biting her lips. Dan recognized it as a sign that she was angry with him and he tried to mollify her. In many ways this cute girl from seven seas away was a mystery to him. Sometimes she was downright sweet when she insisted that he eat at her place whenever he came to drop her home and how sometimes when playfully put his hands around her shoulder in public she will push him away...he realized that he loved this girl but was not sure where he stood with her.

"hey i am sorry..you know me" Dan said shrugging his shoulders.

"i am just worried" Viji responded it is not like my dad "we talk to each other every day"

Dan found it very interesting that Viji enjoyed talking to her Dad. He usually tried to avoid talking to his old man whenever possible and it seemed to be mutual to him.

At this precise moment the phone rang and Viji literally trampled him to get to the contraception.
"appa.." she gushed and Dan could feel relief followed by anger in that one syllable, he had hung around a bit realize that in her language that was how one addressed her dad. He watched her with quiet smile on his face as her face transformed and a brilliant smile lit her face. "it would not too bad to spend rest of his life with her..." he thought

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Viji woke up with a start and found herself curled on the couch, she must have dozed off, the clock chimed 2 am and she woke up to check on the baby. He slept peacefully in another hour she had to wake him up to feed him again. Usually Ravi took care of the mid night feeding, even without asking her. She had heard some of the new mother's complain that their husbands never helped much with the babies but Ravi had helped as much as he can, whenever he can. A deep sense of loss filled her and tears spilled from her eyes. Things will never be the same again..she knew that in her bones.

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"do you like it" Dan asked with an expectant look in his eyes as Viji cautiously tasted the chocolate. A huge smile came over her face as she said "..SHooo goood" she answered with her mouthful and then blushed.

Dan had taken her to the Lindt shop in the strip mall telling her that he will take her to heaven on earth. "good now i know you have taste for alcohol" he said and Viji nearly spat out the chocolate and Dan laughed.

"No it does not.." she answered indignantly and finally Dan acceeded.

As they started walking across the mall Viji started looking about herself at the shops lined with variety of shoes and clothes. "it does not compare to T.nagar" she told herself. They came to stop in front of water fountain with the kids playing about. Viji smiled at the picture as she bit in another piece of lindt truffles.

"Vij.." Dan asked something in his tone made her look up "Do you like me??"

"No" she retorted but somehow he did not break out in to a smile. "I am serious.." he responded simply and his blue eyes seemed to get bigger as if they wanted to see more learn more. "i do like you Dan ...you know that"

"why??" he asked

"huh...because i dont know..you are nice and you do nice things for me and you took care of me when i first got here and you are my best friend ..you make me laugh" she answered not sure what else she needs to say. In pit of her stomach butterflies started to crawl.

"I love you...more than a friend" he said seriously " can we be more than friends"

Viji stared at him wide eyed, not sure what to say "you dont have to answer right now, think about it and let me know friday night when we go out for dinner"

She nodded dumbly and soon they headed back to his car in silence, as they walked towards the lot Dan took her hand hesitantly in his but Viji did not protest. Inspite of the inner turmoil filling her it seemed to be the right thing to do. Their hands fit perfectly together.