Even in her weakened state, she couldn’t miss the drastic change in his physical appearance. The strong jawline had become a little less pronounced and now carried a grey stubble. Without the rigours of cricket, he had lost his golden tan and looked pale. His injured eye looked hollower than she remembered. Overall, he had lost the invincible air of his youth, but somehow still managed to look regal.

‘I am very well, thank you.’

‘Looks like you don’t want to talk much now,’ she said.

‘Listen,’ he said, leaning in towards her, ‘Veena will be here tomorrow, and soon, maybe in a week’s time, you’ll be discharged. This might sound inappropriate, especially since it’s coming from me, but I request you to stay back here. Let Veena see you and go back. I need … a few days with you.’

‘Why, what do you have in mind?’

‘I don’t know.’

Meera did not reply right away. Abhimanyu stayed away from the hospital once Veena arrived, giving the sisters some time together, except for a dinner he arranged for the three of them on the day Meera was discharged. Veena thanked Abhimanyu profusely again, much to his discomfort. The three of them then talked about Bombay, with Veena filling them in on what had happened in the city since their sudden departure to New York. The women parted early to get some rest and prepare for their early flight the next day. Abhimanyu had offered to accompany them to the airport.

By this time, he had given up on Meera staying back with him. He spent the night in agony, not knowing when he would see her again, if ever. So many things left unsaid and unexplained – things he didn’t know how to express. Somehow, he was able to swallow the hard pill of rejection and showed up at their hotel lobby on time. The drive to JFK Airport was a silent one, especially for Abhimanyu, who was lost in a world of what-ifs reeling through his mind. So much so that he failed to notice just one set of luggage being loaded onto the hotel car – Veena’s. His relief knew no bounds when he realized that Meera was staying back. The sisters said their goodbyes, and Abhimanyu saw Veena off at the departure gate, helping her with the luggage while Meera sat in the car.

‘My sister … you know, even before this incident, when she was on top of the world with all the praise and adulation she received …’ She looked over Abhimanyu’s shoulder at Meera. Abhimanyu turned around and did the same. Meera was looking at them, and she waved with a wistful smile. ‘She wasn’t happy. At least not the person she was back when you two … Whatever the two of you decide, just make sure you conclude it on good terms,’ Veena said quietly, and walked inside the airport to catch her flight.