Change

' So you think I have changed? No dude, I am still the same, same old me. You are meeting me like after centuries, how will you remember who I was? You were so hell bent on 'maintaining' no contact! Right!' bristled Sia

Adi handed Sia a cup of steaming foamy mocha, and commented, 'You didn't pass a remark when I said thank you for accompanying me to have coffee, why has Rishi given you too many flowers, and teddy and chocolates and thank you cards already, for you to be tired of them?'

He continued baiting her by saying, 'yes you have changed madame, why are you averse to the idea? You thought change was natural right, so why this irritation?, anyways hows your beloved Rishi?'

"Hmmmm, he's fine, busy with his work, as usual, nothing has changed much just the workload has increased' answered a smiling Sia. "Our marriage has been good for his career, he's doing well.'

"You know I have already added three sachets of sugar to my espresso, slurped it, spilled it, and made tatters out of the issues, and you haven't once yelled at me. By the way, Did I tell you Adya is coming to town soon?' continued Adi

Hey! That's awesome man! When she coming? So I'd get to meet Mrs. Aditya Shergill finally!!!

'Mrs Adya Agarwal Shergill. She told your concept of your individual identity, with your joint identity :P'

'I still write Sia Singh.'

'Hey Sia, see there that girls standing next to the chocolate fountain, slurping away the chocolate! Reminds me so much of you! Want to try it out?'

'Of course! I haven't licked chocolate of a strawberry in like ages!!!!!!!!'

Of Sia rushed towards the fountain, Adi observed how different her walk was right now. When he'd met her an hour back at Lifestyle, she was a picture of poise, serenity and strength, yet her eyes were unexcited, her body language was monotonous and her smile plastic. It wasn't that Sia who'd even shop for his socks in the most excited manner, smile at every salesperson, rush to every chocolate fountain store, messaging people while shopping, calling or complaining to people, how they forgot her. That was Sia Lodha, this was Sia Singh.

' What your husbands still a miser?' commented Adi

'He never was Adi.'

'He could never be Adi, I am the only one, you know that.'

Sticking her tongue out, 'He never was a miser Adi, and he is the only Rishi.'

Sia linked her hand in his, and they went to Costa coffee again. 'Lets sit in that corner.'

'Why did you call Rishi a miser?' asked Sia

'He hasn't called you or messaged you in like last 4 hours. Has he changed?'

Sia shrugged, 'He never did call or message even then, it's okay.'

'What crap are you giving me? When Adya had told you I never call or message, you had bitten my head off, when I told you we men are like that, you were the one who told me, that it doesn't matter what others are like, you are Adi, and just one Adi, learn to treat your girl better, if you can't find time for her, then leave her, she's not gonna be your wall flower. It was you who had leaped out of the chair, and said if you got a Man like that, you'd move on, because if he couldn't find time to talk to you, meant he wasn't interested! Phew! I still remember the 30 minute long lecture at Underground, in front of 500 people! and you forgot! Disgusting memory. Chi.'

With a silent smile Sia said, 'times change Adi, people change with time, its either change or break.'

Adi went to her gave her a hug, they spent the next two hours sitting silently, with her head resting on his shoulders.

'I have to go now Mr. Aditya, hubby about to come home! I'll wait for you and Adya tomorrow at lunch and you'd better not be late, I hate late comers.' rushed Sia collecting her bags and kissing Adi on his cheek.

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'Rishi, I met Adi today, he thinks I have changed...' started Sia,

Cutting her out Rishi said, not glancing up from is laptop, 'of course not dear, you are still my understanding, space respecting girl.'

... even I think I have changed...' Sia left the room.