Life Is What You Make It A Story Of Love, Hope And How Determination Can Overcome Even Destiny by Preeti Shenoy Read Free Book Online Page B

immediately and switched off the TV. He saw me through the window and his face broke into a wide grin.
    “Welcome, welcome,” he boomed as he opened the door and held out his hand.
    “Hi,” I smiled as we shook hands, as though we were meeting formally for a business meeting. He led me to the drawing room which was tastefully done up and motioned to me to sit down. I sank into a plush coffee brown three seater sofa and he took a seat on the arm chair, beside me. The whole place had an understated elegance. The stream of light flowing in through the window made the atmosphere very cheerful. I forgot my initial hesitation and immediately felt at home.
    “God, I was waiting and waiting. I was so scared you had changed your mind,” he said.
    “I am on time. I had mentioned three, hadn't I?” I replied.
    “Oh yes, but when you are waiting for something important, every minute seems an hour. I am so glad you came.”
    I knew only too well, having waited the same way for Vaibhav's phone calls. But I said nothing and smiled.
    An elderly looking gentleman emerged from another room, which I presumed was the kitchen. He was tall, with a mop of gray hair, looked distinguished and wore a white Kurta and a dhoti.
    “ Appacha , this is Ankita, my friend from college,” said Abhi, introducing me.
    “And Ankita, this is my darling grandfather,” he said.
    I immediately stood up, out of respect. Years of schooling in a system which drilled Indian values in you, like respect for the elderly, was hard to do away with.
    “Hello Sir,” I said automatically.
    “Hello young lady! And there is no need to stand! Do have a seat.” he greeted me, his eyes twinkling. He sounded warm and friendly. I could sense the camaraderie between Abhi and his grandpa almost instantly.
    “A re you in the same college?” he asked
    “Oh no, I am from St. Agnes.”
    “Oh, so you're now hobnobbing with the enemy, eh Abhi?” he joked.
    “Enemies only at cultural festivals. Friends beyond those,” Abhi smiled.
    “Anyway, Mahaveers can never beat St. Agnes. That is for sure,” I boasted emboldened by his grandfather's friendliness.
    “Ha ha ha. Oh yes, I have to agree with you there. Agnes girls are very smart indeed,” said Abhi's grandpa.
    “We will wait and see. Youth fest is not yet over,” said Abhi, pretending to be offended, but I could see that he was feeling very pleased that his grandfather seemed to approve of me.
    “I want to watch the cricket match. Why don't you both go upstairs?” said his grandfather as he switched on the television.
    Abhi looked at me questioningly to ask if that was okay. I shrugged.
    “Okay, let us go upstairs,” I said and followed Abhi as he led the way up.
    Following him to his room is really not a good idea, my inner voice was beginning to tell me. But like before, I shut it up, acted nonchalant and followed him. I realised I was leaving a ‘safe zone’. The bedroom was positively dangerous territory. My inner voice was grumbling and shaking a disapproving finger at me now. But I was on a high. I was doing something that I had never done before. I was also curious to see what his room looked like. Besides, I had already agreed to come to his home and it was his grandfather who had suggested we go to his room, not him or me. How could I back out now?
    “Wow!” I said as I entered. I couldn't help it. The room looked like it had been plucked right out of the pages of an interior design magazine and planted there. It was quintessentially male. There was a single bed, neatly made, with a masculine geometric striped, blue duvet, soft fluffy pillows with matching striped pillow cases and a chest of drawers beside it. There was a bookshelf on the wall with books neatly arranged. The chest of drawers had a framed photo of a very beautiful lady. There was a large comfortable leather arm chair which faced the bed at a forty five degree angle. There was a cosy rug and a reading lamp beside the bed. There was a