Vidhya stepped off the ventilated tunnel and onto the parking lot of the Domed Bistro and cafe. She had met Abhi here numerous times. In fact, this is where they had met for the first time. It had been awkward at first but they had become good friends over mugs of coffee. Vidhya knew Abhi would be at their favorite table and headed for it without looking around the crowd.

"You made it. Is everything ok?" Abhi stood as Vidhya approached.

"Yes ... well nahi*. It's not."

They sat facing each other in silence both hesitant to be the first one to speak.

"Abhi ... something has happened and I don't know ke kaha se shuru karon*"

"Start at the beginning."

"The beginning would be too long a story to tell and this is so weird and awkward."

"Like the first time we met," he smiled, "We got through that then we'll get through whatever this is. Tell me."

"I ... I ... have you seen this?" she shoved her palms at him. Abhi grabbed the salt shaker before it fell off the table and put it against the wall. He took vidhya's palms in his hands and searched for the first letter of this name.

"Don't see it ... It's well hidden but was that the emergency?"

"Nahi! I mean the color ... look at the color."

"It looks fine. Dark. Isn't that how these things are?"

"It's the same color as the envelope."

"What envelope?"

Vidhya took a deep breath. She pulled away and rummaged through her purse spilling some of the items on the table. The waiter arrived with a tray. He put the expresso, chai and aloo* sandwiches on the table. Vidhya replaced her belongings back in her purse as he walked away.

"I ordered Tulsi chai* for you."

"Thanks"

She quietly placed the red envelope in front of him. He took a huge gulp of his expresso with a look of understanding.

"It's red that's for sure. It's another card?

"Nahi."

"What is it?"

"Read it."

Vidya sipped her chai without tasting it. If it had been karela ka juice* it would have tasted the same to her. She forced all her attention trying to decipher the emotions beneath Abhi's expressions as he read the letter. He put it down without a word and proceeded to polish off his sandwich with mouthfuls of his expresso.

"Are you mad?"

"No"

"Then say something ... don't just ... eat your sandwich!"

"I missed lunch and there is no use wasting food."

"Nahi. I mean about ... I mean about ... all of this?"

"What's there to think? You've obviously made your decision otherwise we wouldn't be here."

"That's not true ... I want ... your opinion."

"No, you don't. Don't lie to yourself. You're worried about hurting everyone's feelings but you've already decided, haven't you?"

"I have."

"Then go. I want you to go." Abhi reached over and held fingers, "Be happy in the stars than miserable with me."

"I wouldn't have been sad ... I ..."

"That's enough of that!" he grabbed the letter, "I'll take care of the rest of the stuff. This says here you have to be at the airport tomorrow afternoon. You have to pack. Have you told Mama and papa?"

"No, not yet. I wanted to tell you first." Vidhya wiped away a tear which had rolled down her cheek. "I am going to speak to them right now."

"Want me to come with you? I will"

"Nahi. This is something I have to do on my own. Thank you, Abhinav."

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1. Nahi - no

2. ke kaha se shuru karon - from where to start

3. aloo - Potato

4. Tulsi chai - basil tea

5. karela ka juice - Bittergourd juice