Page 53 of The Redemption
For a moment, I say nothing. Mainly because I don’t want to think about it. So instead, I shift slightly, grounding myself back into what I know.
“I think you’re misreading the situation,” I respond at last. “There’s nothing between Siya and me. There will never be.”
Baba doesn’t argue. He just smiles and pats my back lightly. “We’ll see,” he says.
Just then, another buggy pulls up near the helipad. It stops a short distance away, and Siya quickly steps out, almost rushing as if someone had urgently called her here. There’s nothing particularly striking about the way she looks today except for her stylish footwear. They’re unmistakably from that same brand she seems to favour.
She is dressed simply otherwise. A loose knitted sweatshirt paired with blue denims, and a light scarf wrapped casually around her neck. Her hair is left open, falling freely around her shoulders, the wind at this height leaving a few strands slightly tousled.
And yet, for a brief second, I find myself staring at her angelic face.
What? Angelic?
F*ck! Where the hell did that thought come from?
I look away almost immediately, acutely aware of where I’m standing, and more importantly, who is standing beside me, observing every minute expression on my face.Baba!
Siya reaches us and stops right next to me, slightly out of breath as she tries to steady herself. She glances at Baba and frowns.
“You are leaving already?” she asks, but doesn’t give Baba a chance to respond as she continues hurriedly, “I just met Esha at the breakfast lounge. I was asking about you, and she told me you were leaving for Mumbai right now. I came as fast as I could.”
And before I can anticipate it, before I can even react, Siya turns to me and lightly swats my arm.
“Evenyoudidn’t tell me,” she complains. “I would’ve come earlier.”
The soft swat again comes so naturally from her, as though touching me like this is the most natural thing in the world for her. For a second, I go completely still. This isn’t something I allow. Not from anyone. Not even from those who’ve known me for years. There has always been a boundary around me, an invisible line no one crosses unless I let them.
And Siya… she doesn’t even see that line.
What the f*ck!
I glance at her for a fraction of a second before looking away again, forcing my expression back into place. But it’s already too late, because Baba’s eyes are gleaming with a knowing look, reflecting everything he had been trying to tell me just moments ago.
This… this is exactly what he meant when he said whatever exists between Siya and me comes naturally.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks again, this time looking directly at Baba. “I thought you were staying today.”
Baba smiles at her warmly. “I was, beta. But something urgent came up in Mumbai. I need to be there by evening,” he explains.
“Oh…” she replies, a little disappointed.
“But I’m glad you came before I left,” he adds. “I wouldn’t have liked to leave without meeting you either.”
That brings a smile back to her face. Then suddenly, as if remembering something, she quickly lifts the small paper bag she has been carrying.
“I brought something for you,” she says, holding it out to him.
Baba looks at it, genuinely surprised. “For me?”
She nods eagerly, her excitement slipping back into her voice. “Open it.”
He takes the bag from her and pulls out what’s inside.
A woollen Irish cap.
The kind that would fit perfectly with the cold weather here. Baba turns it over in his hands before looking back at her. “You didn’t have to do this,” he says softly.
“Why not?” she counters immediately. “I love buying gifts for people I like. You liked it?”
