Shiva frowned. “What?”
“He was worried about you and…”
“I don’t…”
“Listen to me.” The woman said firmly. “I was with you when you rejected Vaishnav Sachidanand but…What you are doing now…That’s hardly what I’d call a sensible decision.”
“What isn’t a sensible decision?”
“That man…A blind man…He can’t even walk…What…”
“Jacob is a nice person.”
“Even if he is…That…Shivani…you are healthy and young. Don’t you think you deserve better?”
Shivani’s lips curled into a smile. “Better is such a nice word…”
The woman turned around, only to meet her daughter’s flaming eyes. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Better is the word you used to make me agree to marry Nandan. Do you remember what you said then?”
“Shiva…That…” “Forgot it already? You’d get a way better life than if you clung to a simple job…And look what happened to me, mother. Is this the better life you had in mind for me?” The woman looked away guiltily. She took several deep breaths and turned back to her daughter.
“Think about it, Shiva…Should I be happy to see my daughter with a man who…” She paused. “This may not sound nice but..A man who needs a nurse more than a wife?”
Shiva laughed. She laughed and laughed till tears rolled down her eyes. Her mother watched her, eyes fearful. Twice the dry lips parted but no sound came. Her pale face went, if such a thing was possible, even paler.
“I’m sorry mother…” Shiva said, when the laughter stopped. “Do you have any idea who you sounded like now?”
“What?” “I thought my mother better than this…” Shiva said, her eyes boring straight into her mother’s. “Even if you do disapprove of someone…I never thought I’d hear such words drop from your lips.”
“Shiva…I want only good things to happen to you…” “Would you, for once in my life allow me to decide what’s good for me? Or is your life such a roaring success that you feel confident enough to make choices for everyone…”
I pushed Shiva out of the room when she said that. As she tried to regain her balance, the woman broke into muffled sobs.
“I really think humans need a ‘Think before you talk’ sign posted before their eyes.” Goldy muttered. Maybe that’s why humans argue so much…Because they are incapable of seeing anything outside their point of view. Because…like Jacob candidly told Shiva…only their own feelings and troubles matter to them.
Suddenly there was a sound of an approaching car. Mr. Raghunath’s ride stopped gracefully at the car porch. The door opened and the he stepped out.
“Come, Vaishnav.” He said cheerfully. The passenger side door opened and out stepped a way too familiar figure. Mr. Vaishnav Sachidanand had a band aid stuck on his nose. Tiny blood drops clung to it’s edges. He wiped them away ruefully and stepped in.
“You see what I mean now, Mr. Raghunath? Than man is bad news…To let your daughter…” “I know…I know…And I tried to…”
“You are allowing her to simply do as she pleases. She’s your daughter. If you can’t control her…”
Shiva gritted her teeth and walked to the living room. She greeted Mr. Vaishnav Sachidanand with an icy glare.
“Are you this intent on following me around?” She asked, a mocking smile on her lips.
Mr.Vaishnav Sachidanand didn’t even flinch. He laughed softly and said. “You may not be the politest person around but I don’t want you walking right into a trap.” “I don’t need your concern.” Shiva said curtly. “I am gifted with enough brains to judge people for who they really are. And you…You are the kind of person I…” “Shiva that’s enough!” Mr. Raghunath said. He stepped in between the two young people who were staring daggers at each other. “Shiva…This young man wanted to help you. He realized you were heading towards trouble and stepped in to warn you. You must…”
“I don’t understand anything except that this man has been stalking me for the past few days. The last time I checked, Dad…That’s not doing me a favour. It’s a crime.” “He was just looking out for you…”
“And who is he to look out for me? My father? My friend? My husband?”
“I would like to marry you.” Mr. Vaishnav Sachidanand stepped forward, his tone surprisingly gentle. “You may have rejected me rudely, but from what I’ve seen of you, you are a good woman.”
“From what I’ve seen of you…” Shiva said coldly. “You are not a good man. I’ve already suffered enough for bending to everyone’s wishes. I will never repeat the same mistake. You might as well give up buttering my Dad and leave right now.”
“Shiva!” “Dad…” Shiva’s eyes shone like embers as she turned towards her father. “If you bring this man in front of me again there’s no saying what I’ll do. So…get him out of my sight. Right now!”
“You…” Vaishnav looked like he was about to explode. You…” He half raised his hand but brought it down quickly. “If she were my daughter, Mr. Raghunath, I would have slapped her well and good for that.”
Mr. Raghunath went red. “Shiva…” He said weakly. “Mind your tongue.” “Once, I gave in to your threats, slaps and emotional blackmail.” Shiva said. “Not again, Dad. Never again.”
“Shiva…” “Mr.Vaishnav…I want you to leave. And if you follow me around again and take my photographs without my permission…Stalking is a crime. I’ll make sure you are arrested for it.”
“Calling it stalking is a bit over dramatic.” Mr. Raghunath said slowly. Goldy gave me a “Can you believe that?” look. “Maybe you don’t mind a stranger trailing your daughter and taking pictures of her but…I don’t appreciate a stranger following me around and talking my pictures. So… Either you stop or I go to the police.”
“That won’t be necessary Shivani.” Mr. Vaishnav Sachidanand said. “I’m leaving. You’ve decided to ruin your future. Nothing I can do about it.” “Don’t be too concerned. I can take care of myself.”
“Shiva…”
“I want him to leave right now.” Shiva said. “And no…not another word in his favour.”
Mr. Raghunath flinched and closed his half open mouth. He stared helplessly at Mr. Vaishnav Sachidanand.
“There’s no need to be so rude Shivani. I am leaving.”
And just like that both of them were gone. I heard a sigh come from the direction of the kitchen.
“What in the world are you thinking Shiva?” Her mother asked sadly. “Is this what you want to do with your life?”
Shiva didn’t reply. She went into her room and shut the door.
.
CHAPTER 25
“I think you guys deserve a break from my cooking.” Dan remarked. The grandfather clock in Jacob’s apartment proclaimed one o’ clock. Shiva had arrived early that morning, her bag(probablu a leftover from her college days.) full of the thick textbooks she picked up from the library. It now lay on the couch forgotten, while Shiva sat on the floor next to Jacob.
“That’s a fantastic idea.” Jacob said mischievously. “Shall we stop at your favourite restraunt?”
“Actually, I was suggesting the two of you go…” For some reason Dan turned red. “I’ll…I’ll find something to do.” “You ought to join us if we are going.” Shiva said, a small smile on her lips. “Certainly…”
“My Goodness!” Dan’s eyes shifted from Jacob to Shivani and then back to Jacob. “Are you guys for real?”
“What?” Both of them asked together. Dan gave a long fake sigh. “Here I am suggesting you both go and have lunch together and the first thing you ask is for me to join you? Seriously guys…” He laughed. “This is the part where you tactfully get me to not join you…"
“You’re ok with that? Us leaving you behind?”
Dan laughed. “See that Shiva…He’s all ready to drop me.”
“You suggested it so no protests please.” Jacob laughed too. “Shiva…Where do
you want to have lunch?”
Shiva started at the abrupt question. “I don’t really know…I haven’t gone out to eat that often.” She went slightly red.
“Maybe we’ll go to Cuisine international…” Jacob suggested with a smile. Shiva’s face darkened for one brief moment. “That’s totally not my kind of place.” She said. “Let’s try somewhere simple.”
“Maybe we’ll take a walk…” He suggested. “A long walk…” His eyes twinkled. “We’ll stop at whatever place we find and eat.”
And walk they did. Silently through the busy street. Not caring a bit where they were going. They passed the library and withering park. They passed dozens and dozens of going. They passed the library and withering park. They passed dozens and dozens ofVIBGYOR both small and large restaurants but Shiva didn’t stop. She kept looking behind, a disgusted look on her face.
After almost half an hour, Jacob touched her hand lightly and said, “We must have passed about a lot of restaurants…” “Someone’s behind us.” Shiva said curtly.
Jacob frowned. “Vaishnav?”
Shiva snorted. “Who else?”
“What?” Both Goldy and I turned around. There among the cars stuck in the traffic was a way too familiar car. No doubt about it. He was following them. “Are we going to walk around all day trying to lose him?” Jacob asked her gently. “I suppose I’m being ridiculous.” She said sheepishly. “But…”
“It’s not about him sending more photos to your Dad, is it?”
“It…It feels…” Shiva bit her lip. “I hate having him behind us …I mean…us… like…”
Jacob shook his head comically and laughed. “He tends to spoil the mood, doesn’t he?”
Shiva laughed too. “All the same we’d rather not wander about endlessly.” The place they got in was exactly the kind of place Shiva would have avoided in a normal situation. Hotel Devona Palace was even fancier than Cuisine International. The chill of the air conditioner overtook me the moment I stepped in. Goldy made a Brrrrr sound. I don’t know what it is about the human ways of making themselves comfortable that make me uneasy but they do. The fans, the lights, electricity…All the things humans today can’t probably live without…Maybe it’s because these things aren’t really a necessity. A day without electricity wouldn’t probably be the end of the world, would it? So selfcentered humans…A tad too focused on their own comforts. That’s why, or so I feel, every luxury in the past became a necessity of today.
The receptionist, a tall thin woman whose real face was barely visible underneath a thick mask of makeup came up to Shiva and Jacob and greeted them pleasantly. “Shall I find you seats, Ma’am?” She asked
“Yes please.” Shiva said a bit stiffly. “I’d prefer it to be next to a window.” “If you would follow me…”
They were lead through glass doors into an even colder room. There were several tables and chairs(All posh and highclass as required). At the far end, a large window was hidden by thick brown curtains. The lady lead them to the table in front of it.
“This suit you?” She asked in the perfectly polite though mechanical tone. “It will do nicely.” Shiva said.
After the receptionist left, Shiva moved one chair away and wheeled Jacob’s wheelchair to it’s place. She then sank down on the chair opposite him. “Can you guess what sort of place we are in?”
“Definitely not a simple one.” Jacob leaned back comfortably and grinned. “No…” Shiva smiled. “But lets just make the most of this trip gone wrong.”
Almost ten minutes later, a waiter appeared, all prim and proper in a black suit. His oily hair was plastered on his forehead. Rather rosy lips were curled into a permanent smile.
“The menu, sir and ma’am.” He said, placing a thin leather bound book on the table. “Ring for me when you are ready.”
“Certainly.” said Shivani.
The butler gave a curt little nod and left. As soon as the door closed behind him, Jacob burst into laughter. “What?” Shiva asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Do you have any idea how stuck up you sounded when you said that?” Shiva snickered. “This is a stuck up place.”
Goldy and I took seats in the table next to them. I saw Shivani pick up the menu and fidget with it.
“Would it be too embarrassing if I didn’t know what half these things are…” She asked.
“I can tell you.” Jacob smiled. “I…” His smile faded for the briefest of moments. “I never spared anything nice when I…when I could enjoy them.”
Shiva looked doubtful but she recited the names for him all the same. Jacob stopped her at one or two points and told her to order certain things. “I think you’ll like them…”
“Weren’t you the one who said that…No one can be so sure of what another person likes?”
“But I’m not sure…I said…I think you’ll like them.”
“Do you know what they say about cats Jacob? That they are like you…” “What?
“However they fall…They always land on their feet.”
Jacob grinned. “I’m supposed to impress you. Remember? This is…” “Yes?” Shiva inquired playfully.
“Although I don’t look the part of the charming young hero who is supposed to make the heroine fall in love with him at first sight…”
‘Tut!” Shiva shook her head. “How very cliche!” Jacob laughed. “I wouldn’t mock them Shiva…Cliches are became cliches for a reason. They are expected to happen…A pretty young girl is supposed to fall in love with a handsome young man…”
“Where’s the fun when only the expected happens.” Shiva’s eyes twinkled. “Fun lies in surprises. Fun is when someone paints the canvas of your colourless life with a thousand colours…”
For a moment there was silence. Jacob’s eyes appeared to stare into Shivani’s, taking in all the newfound hope and happiness radiating from them. “And yet…” He said. “You didn’t ask me what I hoped you would.”
“And that is?”
“How a blind man knew you were pretty…”
Shiva smiled. “I have a feeling…” She paused. “That I am in for a long explanation.”
“Nothing of the sort.” Jacob shot back. “In fact I’ll answer you in one sentence. There are some things in the world one does not need eyes to see.” He paused, expecting her to speak. When she didn’t he went on. “Dan would mock me and tell you that I developed a sudden interest in a pretty girl who was weeping in a park.” The corners of Shiva’s mouth twitched. “ But it was not so. She was in so much grief that I just wanted her to feel better. But then…She fascinated me…with her kindness, her compassion, her talent. And…her ability to look at me and speak to me like a normal human being…”
Shiva still didn’t speak. It was as if she wished him to go on.
“I never mourned the loss of my sight. But…” He smiled. “Now…I wish I could see the extraordinarily beautiful but crazy girl who…”
“Who is mad enough to fall in love with you.” Shiva finished for him. “Actually…” Jacob’s smile grew wider. “I was going to say…Whose madness was so contagious that it infected me. That’s why I had to make a stupid, selfish decision.” “Selfish is not so bad.” Shiva said serenely.
“So you are saying everyone can go about life without caring tuppence for the feelings of others?” “Certainly not.” Shiva shook her head. “I’m saying that everyone must take the time to pamper themselves. Not too much but…” She paused. “Otherwise while outwardly you are being all selfless and noble, inwardly…You get bitter everyday... About not being able to do the things you want to do. Sometimes…Sometimes doing the things you love, is the best feeling in the universe.”
“What if what you want to do is to tie someone to your loneliness?”
“It doesn’t matter if the person is as lonely as you are. It doesn’t matter if that person truly wants to be with you. Not because of pity or sympathy…” “What if…”
Shiva leaned over and placed a finger
on Jacob’s lips.
“No more buts…” She said gently. “I am being as selfish as you are.” “Is that so?” Jacob chuckled.
“Because…I want you to be with me…I’m dragging you around against your will.” “You don’t realize…I’m only happy to be dragged. By you, obviously.”
Shiva was about to say something when the door opened. The receptionist strode in briskly. Behind her was…
“Nandan and Anasuya.” Shiva murmured. Anasuya looked stunning, her silver gown shimmering in the sunlight. Her hair was tied up into a tight bun behind her head. She surveyed the scene, her hazel eyes looking first at Shiva and then at Jacob. A contemptuous smile bloomed on her lips.
“Is this what I think it is?” She asked in a slow drawling voice.
Nandan frowned, an undecipherable emotion clouding his eyes. There was anger… yes…but there was also something more…
“Maybe we should go somewhere else, Anu.” He said in a low voice. His eyes were fixed on Shiva, who looked like she cared the least for this little drama. “Why should we?” Anasuya turned towards him. “Just because…”
“Stay if you like.” He snapped. “I’m leaving.”
“Nandan…”
“I never thought you’d stoop so low, Shiva…” He said, emphasizing each word. “ShivaNI” Anasuya cut in. She bit her lip looking first at Nandan and then at Shiva.
“Shut up!” Nandan exclaimed. He shot a venomous look at Jacob and strode towards the door.
“If you are desperate get married before me…” He said, turning back to look at Shiva. “At least choose someone who can walk around without your help.” And just like that he was gone. A baffled Anasuya ran after him, calling out his name. Shiva smiled widely and rang the silver bell on the table. The waiter came in and walked gracefully towards them.
“Your order, Ma’am?” He said Shiva recited the names that Jacob told her. After he left, she leaned back against the chair and said, “If these things are no good, I’ll probably abandon you here and leave.”
Her eyes twinkled mischievously. But there was no twinkle in Jacob’s eyes. Not even the faintest trace of a smile on his lips. “Doesn’t what he said bother you?”
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