Chapter 44

Passion & Prayers

Weekend rolled by, Apoorva most likely returned Mrunal guessed

But her weekends were no longer her own, she was stuck in a flat that is most likely spooked

Only good thing to come out of all this, Jaidrith seemed very talkative suddenly

He was either getting into punching matches at school or being shunned by his classmates or reading an anime book

She opened the front door to pick up the milk delivery, Jaidrith was terrible about not sleeping longer on weekends, he was up rattling, shaking clattering, and dropping toys, she had to beg him to stay in bed until at least after 10

Her phone was buzzing, she wanted to go meet with Sameena, Zainab was not expected to be home, she didn’t know if Jaidrith could watch her having meltdowns

“Good morning, Happy Saturday”

“Thanks u too” she said impersonally

“A friend at work knows someone who owns Sankalp Farms near Mumbai, since he loves mangoes, would he like a tour? He can pick some out as well”

She couldn’t go.

“We had plans”

“This is not until later in the afternoon, Mendy can pick him up I am bringing those girls with me the couple has date night”

“I can let you know”

“Thanks”

Two hours later… at around 11 ish

“I will be headed out shortly”

“I thought Mendy was dropping his girls off?”

She was absolutely not going to let Jai be alone with Aatreya

“U did not let me finish” Smiley face

“OK” she was irritated now

“I am heading out for a game of tennis with a friend and hair cut, be back around 1, those girls should be here soon after”

“OK”

“I will see him at 1”

“We are busy today”

“I have to see him Mrunalini”

“Its Mrunal” she said stiffly

He ignored it

No sorry no thank u

“I will let Mendy know”

“Maybe next weekend”

“I wrote you an email on Thursday wanting to talk about how to rotate visits

“I did not see it” she mumbled she rarely checked her personal email

Her friends were all on SM and usually chatted over there

No family member ever wrote emails… she had no family

“I could write to your work email” he offered

It had begun to rain now

She looked out the window and wondered how a man could be so devoted to his child

A child he had no idea he had helped make

She had to cry about that… she did, 25 minutes later

She checked her texts

“Mendy knows, he will reach out Noonish”

“Where is this farm?”

He didn’t want to bring it up but since he was asked… “near Lonavala”

She imagined her carefree, uncaring days, an angry distant mother did not bother her, a playboy superficial father did not bother her

She was gorgeous, and men loved to look at her, she was going to use that to get pleasure

And that night with Aatreya was magical

She tried to shut it out as she walked numbly into the kitchen

Images far too vivid and erotic

She dropped a bowl she was holding, tearing abandoned sobs of pain, her whole body ached with s---al and emotional frustration

She didn’t know how to get a release

She knew the Mrunalini Ghatge nymph from 10 years ago was her anymore

Her skin tingling from the heat of his breath, she leaned on the kitchen window sill and stared out at the rain

He was a masterful lover. She knew nothing

He knew she knew nothing

He had watched her bones turn into liquid, floating formless leaving reality far behind

He had laughed at how eager she had been to assist him with such delightful rush of pleasure.

The intense swords of pleasure slicing through her body over and over again

She leaned her forehead on the window frame and ached to be touched

She was sure Mendy and his wife were in bed

While me… am staring into the rain, imagining other people having s—

“Don’t be afraid, express what u feel I love hearing you groan” he had urged huskily at her audible sounds of joys

When Jaidrith was 2 or 3 she had brought a “friend” home but he was too drunk and excused himself and fled, leaving her unsatiated

Now thinking back she realized having sex with strangers is probably going to be the hallmark of her life

Unless the man himself chose to walk away

She took a literal cold shower

And texted Aatreya after checking her email and finding 100s of pictures and email links to his parents places of work, their home in Bangalore, his childhood pictures, including about mendy and Lynn

His work ID

His new office, his team, his resume… his Penn diploma, even his last performance evaluation at the Wall Street Mutual Fund company

The balance from his checking and savings in the US and India accounts,

Almost all of them screenshots

His criminal background check (which he seemed to have commissioned recently in the US based on the date)

His blood work

Anything she could have ever thought to ask she had now

Things which never occurred to her she had as well

10s of home videos, Apoorva and his mother singing, Pa performing puja at home for festivals

Including pictures/videos at  some Shimoga? Udupi temple of his whole family in dhoti and janeyu performing a havans and poojas

All this was a different universe for her

Her family had no connection to refined religious rituals, no prayers or havans

No classical singing daughters, no fathers chanting mantras

“Are youa  vegetarian?”

Yes I am” he texted

“I am not, I am thinking of getting Jai started so he will have some choices in food”

“We can talk about it” he said politely

She kicked herself for supplying unnecessary information

“You don’t have to eat meat” she said generously

“Thanks” he responded sarcastically

She did not send him any pictures or videos

There was no happy family images

“Can Mendy drop him off?”

This was the FIRST time he was going to spend the day with his child he was stunned

“Whatever you like”

Mendy showed up at little after Noon

Jaidrith was ready, he hated Mendy’s girls AND loved the attention they gave him

They were clingy and chattering and giggly

He will never admit it but he liked it

This boy had no friends

A 7 and 5 year old thought of him as one

“I brought you a my little pony… Apple Bloom” Iris showed him a worn out horse with red mane

“Eeew” Jai preteneded to hate it as he peered at it

“DHRUUUU” she covered his mouth

“Thanks” she mumbled to Mendy

“Sister worry nei karne ka, Lynn mere ku maar daalegi if I am not a good Dad” he smiled sheepishly

“He is wearing his iWatch “ she told him

“Sahi hai na” he nodded

She texted Jai 20 times until he reached Aatreya’s

She told Aatreya he was wearing his watch

After Jai left she paced the flat panicking wondering if she should go bring him back

She had just sent her child off to a stranger’s house

She got in her car and drove 5 kms and pulled to the side in agony

“Is Jai there yet?” she texted like 6 times

When he got there Aatreya facetimed her

“Do u want me to keep this on the whole afternoon?” he offered

“Umm” she didn’t know she was being mocked gently

“Will you have network?” she asked innocently