Preeti nibbled at her sandwich and watched Vrinda browsing through the morning newspaper. She decided that this was the correct time to broach the topic which had been in her mind for quite some time now.
“I wanted to tell you something…”, she gathered her courage and kick-started the conversation.
“Hmm… what is it?” Vrinda answered, still glued to the newspaper.
“How long are you planning to stay alone?”
“What is this question? I don’t stay alone. I stay with you all”, replied Vrinda absent mindedly.
“I mean… why don’t you get married again?”, Preeti clarified herself.
Vrinda stirred on her chair uneasily. She was startled at this out of the blue question but tried her best to look calm.
“What is the need? I am fine by myself… and where is this coming from?”
Preeti came and sat close to Vrinda.
“No, you are not fine being alone…”
She pointed at Priya and Suresh who were busy working in the kitchen. It was a weekend so they had decided to clean the kitchen and cook lunch together.
“Just look at them. How he is helping her in all her work. Don’t you need somebody like him in your life too who would help in everything you do? I have seen how tired you get managing all your work alone”
Preeti held Vrinda’s hand in her own and tried to convince her.
“We all can find a suitable person for you. I have heard there are many sites and apps for that…trust me… life will be much better with a partner!”
“It hurts me to see you so lonely”, Preeti’s voice shook.
“I will find someone just like him”, Preeti said pointing towards a photo hanging on the wall.
Vrinda’s eyes welled up with tears.
She held Preeti close in her arms and said,
“No one can fill the void in my life after your Grandpa left… and I don’t need anybody when God has bestowed me with such a caring and loving granddaughter!”
Ten-year-old Preeti hugged her Grandma tight in her arms.
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