I did my very best to not keep you all waiting so have a read. Will proof read later. Also keen to get back to some smaller moments from the next one onwards. Do leave your views and likes.
His way
….
“A toast to my wife Prerna on her very first business deal”,
“Mrs Bajaj.. “Prerna”, said everyone around the dinner table raising their glass’s with a smile whilst Kuki clapped in her chair sat between Mr Mehra and Veena.
Prerna smiled, thanking Mehra for his help who was as ever modest about it, later looked over to the head of the table at Rishab. “Thank you for your love and support” she said softly hoping her eyes which this time she let linger with his for a while would express the unsaid.
He gave her a intimate look, a look which was comforting and reassuring.
“Let’s eat” be announced to the table all agreed.
..
As one would expect dinner was a exchange of pleasant chit chat, passing of plates, storytelling and quiet laughter. Amongst all that Rishab found Prernas eyes and went back to his ask of her.
“Is there something you wish to say to me Prerna?”
“Ji nahin” said Prerna catching on to what her husband was referring to. She stood by her view, she wasn’t going to use his name.
The one ask had become a chain of glances and carefully planted implications by Mr Bajaj. Flirtatious in their nature.
Veena had noticed the underlying tone between the couple.
...
Some time later as some still finished their meals, others zipped the last of their drink little Kuki climbed off her chair to walk towards her father at the head of the table. “Pa, dance ?”
Rishabh hears Kukis little voice down beside his knee and looks over to see his little angle hold out her hand up to him. He smiled. “I’d love to.”
..
Whilst Kuki had Mr Bajajs attention Prerna went on to spend time with her mother.
Veena took prernas hand in hers for a moment as her daughter took a seat next to her and smiled. I’m proud of you beta, she said with a smile. She really meant it.
“Atcha bata tumare aur Mr Bajaj ke beech yeh kya chal raha” she whispered. Shocking prerna making her wonder if their sweet nothings were really that obvious.
“Kuch nahin ma woh bas zid pe ade hai” she said dismissing that thing very quickly. Veena smiled seeing the playfulness in what was going on.
“Toh tu maanja na beta,” she said hoping her daughter would see sense on whatever it was.
“Maa aap yeh sab rehne dejiyey ek min. Mere saath chale please” she said wanting to have a quiet word.
..
In the quiet of the kitchen veena watched prerna hand her a file. “Aap ke liyey” for you, she said softly as veena opened up it up.
“My first deal, purani printing press jaha papa kaam kiya karte they.”
She wanted to gift it to her mother.
Veenas eyes teared up and understandably so. Prerna hugged her mother tightly ..in so she could see Kuki at a distance dancing with her Father. A little sadness and a little happiness all in the space of a short time.
..
That night when Bajaj house had fallen into silence, guests had left as had house help.
Prerna walked out into the bedroom balcony to tidy up. Rishabh felt her presence as he smoked in his chair quietly looking on at the night sky. A daily ritual of his.
Prerna took his blazer and put it in its rightful place. She walked back into the balcony and left his water on the side table and put his phone where it ought to be. She looked after all the little details the same way every night.
“Aap kuch bhul rahi hai Mrs Bajaj?”
(Aren’t you forgetting something?)
He said casually still looking out at the night sky as he blew away cigar smoke.
Prerna looked around trying to spot what he was referring to.
“I take it you’ve made your choice then. My way it is ..” and with that Prerna caught on to what he was referring to. Of course he hadn’t forgotten.
Prerna watched his rise from his chair.. put out his cigar and walk towards her. His eyes seemed as adamant to get what he’d wanted as they with with one of his take overs.
A few footsteps towards her and Prerna knew she could no longer take this lightly.
“Mr Bajaj ..aap”.. she began her reasoning but he interrupted.
“Abhi vakt hai,” (there’s still time) he suggested as if he was warning her.
“Jane dijiye na” she pleaded (can we let it go) her eyes looked up to him and flickered upon meeting his gaze.
“Please..” she added softly being backed into a corner by him.
“Please what?” He said heavily leading her on as Prernas back hit the shutters and he closed the little space that was between them.
“Mr B..—“ Prerna tried to begin but he interrupted quickly and firmly.
“Try again”.. he said looking down into her eyes.
“Aap..” (you)..he stopped her again this time by wrapping his arm around the right hand side of her waist. Feeling his hand tuck into the fold of her waistline only made retaliating harder.
“Mr Baj..” - another failed attempt. This time he sank his lips into her neck.
“Again” he whispered trailing up into her ear.
“I have all the time in the world for this Prerna” he said into her ear lobe. “I won’t let you go until I hear what I want to hear”
“I can’t” she said now with her eyes shut.
“Well I’m Afraid I can’t let you go either “ he said caressing and kissing her neck. His playfulness was different now, a little less open for negotiation.
Prernas heart raced, at the proximity but her mind too.” She began to doubt the moment. A normally understanding husband was being incredibly adamant. Intimacy and subduction was healthy in a marriage but something disturbed her.
“Kuch puchu aap se” ( Can I ask you something?)
“Hmm” he mummers as he continues to kiss her.
“Kal raat joh hua ..” ( What happened last night)
He pulled away immediately. She’d obviously upset him by interrupting their moment with mention of that. Feeling him step away because that isn’t what she wanted she took hold of his wrist to pull him back.
“Mr Bajaj .. as you wish, bas Yaha nahin, she said quietly looking up at him and being clear about one more thing. “Aur Bas ek baar” (and just the once)
Rishabh stepped closer and looked over his wife for a moment, picked her up and walked her into the bedroom. His way was certainly more demanding, and led to Prerna indulging him many times with his name. Something that would remain between the two of them but was another milestone in their marriage.
...
jagrutid2020-06-22 23:34:57
A widow, Gauri met her long lost friend Omkara in a family function, who still ...
Life Journey of two people poles apart in career, status and style. One is the ...
Drabbles for Shrimad Ramayana Contest
Comments (2)
View all
coderlady @coderlady
+ 8
12 hours ago
His way it was. We got it. He got what he wanted. She got what she needed.
Waqt Zaya @WaqtZaya
+ 7
3 years ago
You have to update the next chapter (✿^‿^)