CHAPTER-14
I saw her standing where she said she would be. For a moment there I ignored the fast growing line of cars behind me as I studied her. She looked so beautiful in her soft white salwar kameez. A heavenly goddess. Her silky hair were fluttering lightly in the air and shining in the sunlight that kissed her forehead. She wore no major jewellery or make-up, except her gold chain and a watch . . . my watch. I could sense her anxiety, her tense body. Everyone around her was laughing and gliding with friends or loved ones, yet she stood rooted next to the huge entrance to the mall. I drove next to her and opened the passenger side door for her. She must be feeling cold.
“Hop in.” I said, and she obeyed. As she sat down I wheeled my car, thanking my lucky stars. It was the first time she was sitting next to me, in my car.
“You are early . . .” She broke the silence.
“Well . . . my watch must be defective. But is yours too? You too were there, waiting early for me?” I spoke looking sideways at her. Her fist was clenched, clearly she was aggravated.
“Where are you taking us?” She asked again.
“To my house, where there is no one and a very lush bed . . .” She turned her head towards me, not a shadow of smile or amusement in her eyes.
“Okay . . . okay . . . take it easy Riya. There is a cafe a few lights from here. It’s safe and secluded. I’m taking us there.” I said trying to break her defensive shield. I hated it when she shut me out and made me knock on every possible door to try entering into her world again. Lord! Why did all women do that?
We settled in our seats comfortably. Apart from us there were few occupied tables. There was a very similar man like me, typing furiously on his laptop; another table had a young couple, school kids, holding hands and looking at each other with stars in their eyes; there was a man in late forties, engrossed in his blackberry; and then there was us. A homogeneous metropolitan crowd.
I looked at her. She was looking out, down at the traffic.
“Good view?” I asked.
“Yes. Good view . . .”
“Well . . . you always liked the window seats.” I spoke casually looking in my menu, though my mind was on her.
“Look Kabir, what happened last night must never happen again. Never!” she finally spoke. Her voice was hurried and she sounded desperate.
“Why? What part din’t you like?” I asked pretending to be ignorant.
“Stop it Kabir! I am going to be married two months from today. Yes, that was what my dad was discussing with Vikram this morning. Apparently he does not want to delay it any further, and the horoscopes gave a suitable date, two months from today. So, please stop all this!” she spoke with an irate pain.
I did not speak for the shock of it! Two months! Just two months!
“I am requesting you, please do not mess this up for me. If we meet or are seen too often, then things may get out of hand, and my in-laws will not understand . . . and Vikram . . . oh! Kabir are you getting what I’m trying to say? Yes?” she looked me in the eye. I saw a matured woman, desperate and under stress.
“No. I don’t understand anything Riya.” I said, putting aside the menu which did not interest me anymore. “What do you mean things will get out of hand? Are you afraid I will do something? I never did when I had the full chance and right over you, back in school. You know, how many times . . . how many times I had stopped myself from . . . well, you know all that. And yet you say this, it only means, that you are afraid... that YOU may let it get out of hands . . . why Riya? Are you afraid that if you spend too much time with me, you will realize something you are in denial of?” I asked her without blinking.
“Denial? What do you mean? You have a crazy mind Kabir that is filled with fancies and ideas. I am not in denial. You are. You are not agreeing that there is nothing between us. It’s finished.” “Really? You are telling me, that ever since that day we saw each other again till this noon when I picked you up, you have never thought of me in a lustful, romantic way? Because I have . . . every single moment of these days, I have thought of only you.”
“See . . . it’s your mind that’s driving round in whorls, not mine.”
“So you do not love me Riya?”
“No.”
“You love Vikram?”
“I . . . I . . . think that’s not your concern.” She looked down.
“Oh it is . . . because I recall fully well how you felt in my arms last night. I saw in your eyes reflections of our past. I saw in your eyes my face and the love you feel for me . . . You still love me Riya. You have only loved me, even if you broke your promise by removing my ring from your figure . . . Why? Din’t you trust me? Did you not have faith in me? I had said I would move the world for you and I meant it. I made myself into what you would have like . . . rich and successful. But it all amounts to nothing when the woman I love so madly tells me that it’s my head that’s in a whorl, that she has no feelings for me . . . when every look you give me is filled with nothing but love ! When you feel the same desire sweep over you when you see me! Don’t you look around your shoulders to see if I’m there or if I’m looking at you! Why do you look away every time I’m touching Manya? You think I’ve not seen all this? Oh! I’ve seen all this Riya . . . and I’ve seen your stance, your flushing, your panting, your quivering hands . . . I have seen you swaying in my arms last night, reliving for a tiny moment our love story when you laid your head on my chest.
Just tell me . . . Why are you in denial?” I spoke earnestly watching her face change shades of realization.
“You don’t love him Riya . . . stop lying to yourself. Stop lying to him . . . We love someone only once with all your heart. I speak out of experience. The sooner you accept it, the better it will be.”
“I don’t love you Kabby . . . I mean Kabir.”
“Kabby is just fine . . . And you love me like mad, I can see it. And you know what . . . so does your father!”
“What?”
“Yes. Why else would he hurry with the so called wedding? Don’t do this Riya . . . don’t. You will never be happy and you will kill me again! I love you! I always have . . . and no matter what you say or anyone say, I will always, always love you and only you! Do I still have to jump balconies and get suspended for you to see it?”
Riya sat transfixed. I saw her face change emotions from regret to fear to comprehension. She did not speak for quite a while. We had not placed any order. She looked out of the window. She drew in a deep breath and I saw a tear streak her rosy cheeks. I knew I had hit her heart’s chords once again.
“Our story ended a long time ago Kabir. Yes, I did love you once, but when we split, it got over. I moved ahead. It’s time you do too.” Riya still wasn’t looking at me. She was lying.
“Really . . . then how come my life stopped the day you left me? How come I nearly killed myself with grief and depression andhow come I feel alive whenever you are around me? Really, am I the only one who feels anything or are you still punishing me for something? Cause it is very painful!” She looked straight at me.
“Kabir, what has happened is past now. We have different people in our lives today. I am getting married in two months. Let’s be grown up about all this. I am not in denial, and I’m not punishing you. You are making it difficult . . . for both of us. Grow up Kabir, we are not kids anymore!” Riya was pretending, but I swear, she was doing an excellent job.
“No . . . I think I am the only one being grown up here. You are still that school girl, pushing me away because your daddy said so. You will speak your heart one day; you can’t hide truth for long. It has been long since I accepted a challenge in my life Riya. Today, you just gave me one. Congratulations on the wedding . . . you will make a beautiful bride.”
Tears of anger and frustration weld in my eyes and I had to leave her there and step out to catch some air. The m
eeting culminated. I drove her back in silence. I dropped her off at the same spot. She looked at me.
“I will see you soon,” I said. She backed away and then turned and walked towards the mall.
‘Yeah! I will see you soon, and this time, I swear I will make you say that you love me! I swear upon my love for you!’ I thought as I put my car into gear.
CHAPTER-15
The first time I had realized that I was good in basketball was when I was in my seventh grade. I was always a tall boy, and one day the big boys of our society need a substitute. I must have been a good one as I was in the team after ten minutes of play. I never looked back till the day I became captain of our school team; a challenging team with loads of expectations from me. And after so many years the sense of importance and the drive to excel had been reinstated in me. This time it wasn’t baskets that I needed to score. It was my life that needed a victory.
My plan was to make Riya recall our days of school. Maybe that will remind her of her true feelings for me.
But the problem was that I knew she would never come to our school with me, or anywhere else especially after the cafe experience. But struggle is something every good sports man inherits from his sport. That and a contingency plan.
“Hi Kabir! How are you buddy?” Vikram saw me enter the squash court and came over to me. We shook hands.
“Hi. I was busy with work. How is the new restaurant going?” My work in his hotel was over and so we hardly saw each other. Today was pure luck.
“It’s great! Pulling in a lot of crowd. You and our team did splendid, a great job. Hey, how about a game, with me?” Vikram asked as he put his kit down and began removing his jacket.
I saw around for my partner who had not yet arrived.
“Yes, why not; I was waiting for someone but it looks like he is running late”. I pulled out my racquet and we were soon splashing and panting heavily. I must admit, there is an energy that only a sport can induce in a man and squash drains you and yet fills you with vitality.
We made small talks in between. He told me of his wedding date and I reluctantly congratulated him. I thought about how Vikram would react if he knew about me and his fiancee? He will be upset, but he was a sensible man, surely he will understand. He would not get physical, but seeing him sweat it out, there in front of me, the thought did cross my mind more than once. For once, I had to admit, Vikram had a great physique. He was tall, well-toned and very energetic. I realized his arms were his strongest asset while playing squash with him. He had an amazing arm sweep, and his backstrokes were just as powerful as my front ones. With his complexion and professional looks, he was indeed a very charming man.
“Say, Vikram now that you are booked, how about a bachelor’s party? Your mates planning something for you?” I asked wiping my sweat, despite the winter season as our game was superb!
“Ha, these things happen in your USA, not in India, friend... All our events are family events. I will have loads of old uncles and aunts and their daughter in-laws, in their flowing sarees in every event in my house. Soon everyone will be giving me free advice on happy married life, highlighting their married crisis and how even I would soon be one of them . . . a troubled married man, bullied by his wife. And yes, there will be booze and their century old jokes and more booze . . . can’t complete an Indian evening without it!” Vikram rolled his eyes.
I agreed with him. When my sister had gotten married an year ago, it had been a huge family affair. I was driven mad with all MY aunts wanting to tie me up with their relative’s daughters. I even had one girl shown to me. I had to tell my mother that if this tomfoolery did not cease, I would actually ditch my own beloved sister’s wedding and fly back to States. So she had put me in-charge of driving everyone around; from the dress designers, to the caterers, the jewellers, the sweets merchants and the beauty salons. I knew my way pretty well around in Delhi after that.
“Well that’s not bad. But can’t be compared to what I have in mind for you!” I gave him a sly look and Vikram smiled back mischievously. For the first time I saw streaks of youth and mania in his very mature and obviously well concealing eyes.
“When?” He asked me. Obviously Vikram was more like me than I thought. Or let’s say that all men agree on certain topics.
I had realised this soon after we started playing sports together. Though he was never in a school team, he had remained a member of the gym ever since his teen years. Despite the fact that he travelled a lot and had a busy schedule, I appreciated the fact that Vikram always made time for entertainment and fitness. He was lively and cheerful and everyone in the gym liked him. I knew, had circumstances been different between us, we would have been great comrades. Nevertheless, we were friends and he was excited about his wedding. So I had to tag along as well. I did like his nature, despite all odds, so I could never truly dislike the man.
“You’ll know soon.” I said and trotted back to our game. A plan had already started formulating in my mind.
CHAPTER-16
I had always wanted to go back to our school. It had so many good memories. So the onset of my plan began from there.
I had asked Vikram to get Riya as well for our trip. I had mentioned she may refuse, but that he must show that he was the man of the relationship and get her anyhow.
“After all, she must know you will run the house hold one day and she will have to listen to you”. That kind of male ego boosting must have done the trick as I saw Vikram drive to my building and getting out of the car was Riya, rigid and reluctant.
Manya was present too. I need her today to arouse female jealousy. We greeted our guests and offered them drinks. I saw Riya avoiding my looks. Manya sat chatting with her, obviously about the upcoming wedding. Riya made small talks and often accompanied Manya into the kitchen. A typical Indian get-together.
“So Vikram, have you planned where you’ll take Riya for your honeymoon?” Manya asked, snuggling coyly next to me on ourvery small sofa. The house was beautifully decorated and there were lamps lit everywhere. Manya loved candles and so there were some gorgeous candle settings next to all sofas and in their dim sweet light, we looked like a couple deep in love. I thought it was the perfect setting.
“No, not yet, but anywhere that Riya wants to go will be my choice too.” Vikram gave the perfect reply.
“Oh! How sweet! Riya you are a lucky woman to have someone think so much for you. I think no one can love you more than Vikram . . . right?” Brilliant girl, I thought to myself.
Riya looked at Manya and smiled. I saw her steal a look in my direction and I nodded lightly. Lunch was served. Later, I invited both of them to accompany me and Manya for a surprise outing.
“Where are we going?” Manya sounded excited. Vikram too looked surprised, Riya looked alarmed.
“Not far, but somewhere very close to my heart. Come now, it’s a surprise.” I picked up my car keys and motioned for everyone to depart. After locking up we went down the lift, jumped in our cars and I took the lead with Vikram following me.
When we reached our destination, there was nothing I wanted to do more than look at Riya’s face. She stood transfixed looking at the red granite building of our school. I waited for her to look my way and when she did her eyes spoke volumes of what she felt. As memories flashed in her mind, her eyes showed a mixture of fear and foreboding.
“Kabir, this is a school! I really don’t like schools!” Manya stood solid, folding her arms on her chest in her repulsive way.
“It’s ‘our’ school Manya, mine and Riya’s. I thought before she started her new life it would be a ‘sweet thing’ to relive her childhood days once again. After all she will be married soon and far and away from all of us . . . all of this,” I spoke gently to create the melodramatic atmosphere the girls love so much. It worked. Manya took my arm and tugged along happily.
“But wil
l they allow us in?” Vikram asked. He too was excited to visit the place he had so much heard about.
“Ofcource! It’s the first week of January; schools are closed for winter vacations. No staff or students are there, except for sports students and senior students, those having extra classes for boards. The hostel is closed too. No problem there, I had it checked out.” I walked ahead.
As we approached the gate, a young watchman stopped us and began making routine enquiries. I tried explaining that two of us were alumni, and that we had just come to visit but he wouldn’t budge.
Riya took the opportunity and said, “Then we should leave; no point in creating a scene.” She had been waiting to escape.
“No way Riya! I will get us in, no matter what. Trust me . . . Madam Curie!” I smiled and intentionally took the guard aside. I knew Riya would need time to explain to others what Madam Curie meant.
“Kabir baba is that you?” I heard a long lost but familiar voice. I turned around to see an old man with thick glasses beaming his toothless smile at me. It took me time to recognise my old school watchman, Ramji.
“Ramji! You are still here?” I rushed to him and without the slightest hesitation bent down to touch his feet. He pulled me up and gave me a fatherly hug.
“And this must be our Riya! Oh my god how you two have grown!” Ramji was thrilled to see us.
“Ramji may we go in? We want to show our friends our school . . . please?” I asked him.
“Oh Krishna! Since when did Kabir Sharma start saying ‘please’! Ofcource you can go in captain! It is your school. Just don’t break anything or start a fight like old days.” Ramji remembered each of his students, thought it was hard forgetting me.
“He was our star! Captain of team A and then school captain! He had fire in his feet. Look how well he has done! Ofcource it’s because of our dear Riya! Yes... always been by his side helping him in all things! Go! Go! Enjoy yourself.” Ramji concluded, proudly entering our names in the ‘guest register’ maintained by him.
Schoolmates Page 24