As she was sitting on the sofa, just few feet away from him, staring at him, her heart was both bursting with happiness and yet somehow heavy. She had nearly fainted on the spot when he announced his coming two days ago. It wouldn't be right to say she was not expecting him. She was always expecting him. Every day. Every minute. Being as patient as the flame of the lamp she had lit up for him so many years ago, and burning on the inside as well. 18 months have passed since their meeting in Chitpore, 18 long months without a word. At times she would be imagining him coming out in the middle of the night. And then he would be hers, hers forever, finally. She wouldn't let him go again. She would have him here, where after her husband's death nobody now knew his name and past, she would take care of him. And then he appeared for real. Just it was in the middle of the day. And while he looked tired and in need of bath, there was no sign of illness, weakness or anything. Her Devdas was once again back to full health and strength. But to Paro's surprise he did not seem ready for being taken care of.
„I need your help," he said, but even though she readily agreed to anything, it didn't seem to have lifted any weight off his shoulders. She arranged for his stay, introducing him to the household as a family friend and son of a landlord, but what next? He wouldn't look her in the eye, just said his thanks and pleaded some more. „You will not refuse me, will you? It is important." She assured him she would do anything. But what he wanted and when - he never said. He kept walking around the house, staring out of all the windows and balconies. He seemed anxious. And even at this very moment as they were sitting opposite each other in one room, with only servants passing by occasionally, as they followed their daily routine, she could tell he was far away in his thoughts. The uncertainty and questions tormented her. And when the day passed, she was no closer to the answers. Just he was even more frowning.
..............
„There are visitors, my lady," a servant girl said. „A man and a woman. They say are traveling from Lucknow and beg for your hospitality."
„Of course, send them in," Paro answered. The girl disappeared. Only then Paro noticed her most precious guest, who had been pretending to read shortly before, is staring fixedly at the door, as if his life depended on it.
„Dev?"
He did not hear her. In a little moment a tall man entered, with a petite woman draped in an expensive saree by his side. And odd couple. He looked like a bandit, much as he seemed elegant and handsome, with few minor and one prominent scar marks on his face and burning eyes. The woman has drawn her veil deep into her face and lowered her head. It was impossible to see more than her chin and mouth. Paro did not move for a second. The couple felt completely unreal and at the same time..... familiar. Especially him. But she was sure she had never seen him before. He had a face that one doesn't forget.
„Oh thank God!"
That was Devdas. Whenever she tried to recall what happened, Paro would always fond the moment as if from a bad dream. Too unexpected, not welcomed and never thought of. He tossed the useless book aside and in two giant strides was by the couple, taking the veiled woman in his arms. Her veil slipped. And he pressed a fervent kiss into her hair. All the tension, all the burdened depression that has been laying upon him since his arrival disappeared at once. His face relaxed so much he seemed another person.
Slowly, without understanding anything, shocked, Paro stood up and came closer. In amazement she was watching Devdas, who seemed to have forgotten about the world. She notice the woman, whose face she recognized immediately, clung to him, leaning into him for support. And from that new angle Paro saw that Chandramukhi, the one she loved as friend and was jealous of at the same time, was with child.
„Before these two return to reality we may as well get to know each other," the tall man smiled, and there was both sarcasm and pity in his voice. „You can call me Ram. I trust Devdas has told you everything?"
She only managed to shake her head a bit, still too shocked. And too scared no voice would come out of her throat anyway.
„Why am I not surprised?" Ram snorted a bit, but noticing the utter pain that has finally made it into Paro's wide-opened eyes he softened his tone a little. „I suppose he was afraid you would turn us down." He quickly looked around to make sure nobody else was in the room, only then went on: „We are on the run. In need of a hiding place for a few days. Please, do not refuse. We will try not to be a burden to you."
Burden? He may as well stick a knife through her heart. No. She could not talk. Is she opened her mouth now she would cry. Break down. And she will not. She gave a little nod. The harsh prankster he seemed to be looked at her with new curiosity. She surprised him.
„Thank you," he said gently. „And...." he glimpsed towards his sister, still enclosed tightly in Devdas' embrace, „if it is possible, please summon a doctor."
