Vandana took another ten minutes imagining sleeping in the big bed, enjoying early morning sun rises from her patio, composing letters sitting at the large oak desk and the list was endless. Maybe she doesn’t want to move to cramped hospital living quarters. As long as she is here, she might as well revel in this luxury. God knows when she will ever be able to enjoy such luxurious comforts. Not in my life time, she thought.

She quickly showered, thankful for the running hot and cold water. She wore a light yellow and pink floral cotton dress keeping in mind the heat during the mid-day. With a light touch of makeup and a dab of lip gloss, she loosely braided her hair as it was still damp. She left the room imagining returning later that day and sinking into that inviting bed.

As she walked the long hall, she took her time looking at the pictures. She noted that the Kumar family was well acquainted with several politicians, musicians and some celebrities that she didn’t even know. As she made her way into the large living room, she noticed that it was empty. She didn’t know if she should sit in one of those couches or just wait standing there.

“Namaste, Dr. Mittur,” said a female voice from behind. Vandana spun around to find an old lady standing with a tray of coffee and tea.

“Namaste,” greeted Vandana.

“Babu will be right over after his phone call. Please take a seat,” urged the old lady.

“That is alright, umm… I didn’t catch your name, amma (mother),” smiled Vandana, sitting down at the edge of the sofa.

“Sorry, Dr. Mittur. My name is Satyamma. I am the caretaker of the Kumar residence. If you need anything, just holler my name,” declared Satyamma, setting down the tray on the coffee table.

“Nice to meet you, Satyamma. I must say that you have done an excellent job of taking care of this house. The house is so beautiful,” admired Vandana, relaxing a little bit into the sofa.

“I hope everything in your room is to your content. I mean, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask us. Forgive me doctor, but I sincerely hope you decide to stay here and not at the hospital quarters,” beseeched Satyamma.

“The room is perfect as it is and I think I have everything I need at least for now. I might change my mind about moving to the quarters. I really love it here,” decided Vandana.

“So glad to hear that, Dr. Mittur,” boomed Prashanth’s voice from behind them. “I was dreading that you will insist on moving to the hospital quarters.”

“If you had offered me anything less, I would have moved out,” teased Vandana.

“Thank you, Satyamma,” smiled Prashanth, taking his cup of tea from her.

“Babu, breakfast is ready. Whenever you are ready, I can serve,” said Satyamma.

“We will be there in ten minutes, Satyamma. Thanks again.” Prashanth sat across from Dr. Mittur.

As Satyamma quietly left the room towards kitchen, “I honestly hope you like our guest room, Dr. Mittur.”

“I was quite sincere, when I said I like the room, Mr. Kumar. I promise you until you fire me, I plan to be here. Even in my father’s house, I was never in such luxurious quarters. Who knows if I will ever live like a princess in the future! While I am given the opportunity, I plan to take full advantage,” stated Vandana, looking at Prashanth over her cup of coffee.

“I like that,” said Prashanth, mightily pleased that Dr. Mittur is loosening a bit. He liked that sense of humor and that twinkle in her eyes when she smiled. “Now coming to the important part of your stay here, Dr. Mittur,” said Prashanth, moving to the edge of the seat. He placed his cup on the tray, picked up a file that was on the sofa next to him and pulled out a pen from his shirt pocket.

“We have some formalities to fulfill before you officially start your work at our hospital. It is just our agreement, some background checks and referrals, etc. You can take this file, please read through carefully and I have inserted copies for you, me and my lawyer. So, you can practice your signature while you are at it,” advised Prashanth, winking again.

Vandana leaned forward to take the file.

“Thank you, Mr. Kumar. I will go through the documents and will sign and return them to you by tomorrow,” said Vandana, flipping through the documents.

“Shall we have our breakfast, Dr. Mittur?”

“Yes, of course,” said Vandana as she stood up. She placed her empty cup on the tray.

As she leaned forward, her braid fell forward, which she promptly tossed back as she got back up, catching Mr. Kumar staring at her. As she raised an eyebrow in question, he snapped out of his ogling and blushed slightly.

Vandana smiled as she followed Mr. Kumar to the dining room. She looked around the place wide eyed as more antiquities caught her attention. Two colorful embroidered tapestries adorned the main hallway.

“These are the prettiest embroidery work I have seen in years,” remarked Vandana, stopping to study the intricate design much closer.

“Ahh..these! My wife’s handiwork, I must boast,” raved Prashanth, running his fingers tenderly on the design in one corner.

“I must say, it must have taken a long time for her to finish these,” added Vandana.

“Sure did. These embroidered pieces took six months to finish and she used to sit late in the nights to work on them. She was quite obsessed about finishing them. Memories, they are the only ones you are left with,” sighed Prashanth, looking at her, misty eyed.

“Forgive me, Mr. Kumar. My intention was not to bring back painful memories,” consoled Vandana, gently touching his arm. “Forgive you, Dr. Mittur? I am left with beautiful memories of my Pratima. I am glad to be reminded of her. That is why I surround myself with all her things. Makes me feel she is still within arm’s reach,” assured Prashanth, pointing towards the kitchen.

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