The night had been long with so many friends and the glare of disco lights, loud music and fake smiles. She just wanted to
get back to her apartment safely now. For that very reason, she had
enlisted her friend's help, who had ever so willingly agreed to drop her
home.
Mona looked over at Bhuvan's expression, as she spoke the next few
words, the cars around theirs, stationary, stuck in traffic.
"I wish we had met in that bar. Years ago."
With a flick, Bhuvan's head turned towards her, all his thoughts interrupted.
"Where I used to sing?"
"Yeah."
"Do you imagine we would have sung together? Or are you implying you
wanted the free dinner performers got in there?" Bhuvan laughed, a
hint of playfulness in his tone.
"Neither." Mona replied seriously, her tone punching the light-heartedness
straight out of the air.
"I mean-" she paused. "I wish we had met way before all this. When we
were children. I was a child, Bhuvan, and I needed a safe place to run
to. Home just wasn't that. Mom just wasn't that. Could you hold my
hand for a moment?"
"Most certainly," Bhuvan smiled...