But Ahana breathed a little easier when Ahana was safely seated in the passenger seat of his car. Ahana waited until he slid into the driver’s seat before glancing at him. “You know, I wouldn’t mind if you dropped me off at temple and came back in an hour if you don’t want to go in with me.”
Vikram looked past her, over his shoulder as he backed out of the parking space. “Is that a polite way of saying I’m not welcome?” Vikram asked.
“No! Of course not.” Ahana was horrified that he would think that. “I guess I just never noticed you attending temple services before.”
A smile bloomed across his features. “Isn’t it the job of a good to convince us non-goers to attend temple and to rediscover our faith?” Ahana asked in a teasing tone. “At least that’s what my sister always tries to do.” Jeevika relaxed after hearing his sister was a good girl. “Yes, you’re right about that. I would love for you to come to temple, but I can’t force you to believe in God. You have to come to that realization on your own.”
Vikram was silent for a moment. “I have to be honest with you. I haven’t been to temple in well over a year.”
Ahana wondered what had happened to cause his lapse in faith. And given what he’d just told her, Ahana had no idea why he’d even offered to come with her in the first place. But she didn’t want to prayer into his personal life by asking. Ahana, better than anyone, understood the need for privacy. “Well, I have to tell you that out of all the temple services I’ve attended in my lifetime, Shakshi gives one of the best,” Ahana said lightly. “He’s down to earth and yet always helps remind us what God would want us to do. Maybe I’m being act some time in different way, but I think you’ll like him.”
Vikram made a noncommittal noise but didn’t say anything more as he pulled up to the parking lot of the temple. Ahana struggled to get out of the car, which wasn’t easy, but within moments, Vikram was there, helping her.
“Thanks,” Ahana murmured, hoping Vikram wouldn’t notice the breathlessness in her tone.
“Stay there,” Vikram told her. “I’ll get the crutches.”
Vikram pulled the aluminum crutches out of the backseat and set them next to her. “Try these. I set them up for your height based on memory, but I might have the measurements wrong.”
Ahana took the crutches and propped them beneath her armpits, not surprised to discover they were perfect. “They’re great. Thanks so much.”
“I broke my foot once, so trust me, I know what you’re going through,” Vikram confided. “It’s not as easy to crutch walk as it looks.”
Ahana flashed him a smile and made her way over toward the sidewalk leading up to the front door of the temple. Vikram stayed right beside her, his hand hovering on the small of her back, as if he was worried she might fall.
There weren’t many people attendented as it was the holiday, but those who were there greeted her by name. Ahana didn’t know if she should introduce Vikram, and if so, as what? Her friend? A colleague? One of the doctors Ahana worked with? She couldn’t bring herself to use any of those options, so she decided not to say anything at all.
Vikram was likely regretting his offer to bring her, based on the knowing looks being flashed their way. Did Vikram realize the power of small-town gossip? Ahan could feel her cheeks turning red and ducked her head, hoping no one would notice.
Ahana told herself not to worry what anyone else thought. If this was what Vikram needed to bring him back to the temple, then the minor discomfort was well worth it.
Closing her eyes, she sent up a small prayer. Please, Lord, show Vikram the way home.
