Chapter 25
Opening the doors at Neeli Kothi, she entered a dusty, unkempt house. She had been so upset that she had informed no one of her return, not even the servants. As she trailed into her bedroom, the phone rang. It was daadisa, "Chidakli, I know you have returned. We are waiting for you to come for dinner..." Crossing her fingers behind her back, she said, "Dadisa, I have already eaten and am very tired. Is it OK if I come home tomorrow?" Slowly sliding the phone back into the cradle, she wondered if she should call Sid. Somehow, she was hesitant.
As she emerged from her shower, her cell phone rang. Smiling as she saw Sid's name, she answered with a soft hello. "Piyu, are you OK? I was getting worried." Sinking on to the bed, wet hair wrapped in a towel, "Sid, I just had a shower; thought it was too early to disturb you " you must be busy with your family..." "Piyu, no work or person in the world is more important than you. Remember that. Call me at whatever time of the night or day that you want to. Anyhow, I'm glad that you reached home safe. How was Bhoomiji?" "I haven't been home, Sid. But, tell me, how is everyone at your place?"
Sid whispered, "Everyone is fine but I am not. I miss you so much. Each minute without you is sheer torture. Everywhere I turn, I can see you, feel you, touch you... I want to hold on to you till we both are one. I want to kiss you till we both are breathless, I want to be wrapped in the prison of your hair, I want to smell the sweet apricot aroma that is only you..." Blushing deep, Prats sank deeper into the pillows, "Sid, what are you saying... What if someone hears?"
"What do I care about anyone, Piyu? I love you so much that I want the whole world to know that YOU are my world. I swear that if I could come crawling down this telephone line, I would. At the moment, I would kill for a minute in your arms." Smiling shyly, Piyu whispered, "I know, Sid. I don't know how I will sleep tonight. No pillow is as comfortable as your shoulder. Sid, what have you done to me?" "Exactly what you have done to me, Piyu... I've gone sweetly, crazily, happily mad! Sheesh! Just hear me talk, a 32-year-old man cooing down a phone line. How my friends would laugh if they knew!"
Giggling softly, Prats whispered, "I'm glad that this madness is for me, Sid. So, tell me what you are wearing now. Back to suits?" Sid moaned, "Yeah, but I'm just tossing off my jacket; its hot..." Piyu breathed, "And then?" Sid stayed silent for a second, "And then, I will shuck off my trousers." At the pregnant pause, "And then I will unbutton my shirt, slowly, a button at a time..." At Prats sharply inhaled breath, he continued, "You know I like to sleep in the buff, don't you, sweetheart? And you know what I like too... What are you wearing, Piyu?"
The two lovers talked late into the night, titillating and teasing each other with talk that was meant only for the pillow. The distance between them dwindled to nothingness, only to resurface when the phones were disconnected, with a promise to chat as and when possible. The following days passed in a blur, with the love birds connecting for brief spells during the day, updating each other with what was happening in their lives. The nights were meant for their fantasies.
Friday finally rolled around, with Sid supposed to arrive late night, after work. Prats danced through the day, booking a room in the local resthouse for Sid. Though he would spend most time with her, appearances would have to be maintained. Cooking all his favorites, she informed her family about his impending arrival, ensuring them that they would take care of proprieties. Cleaning up her home, decorating it with fresh flowers and love, she set to preparing herself for the reunion. Decking up in a peach chiffon sari (he had never seen her in a sari earlier!), long braid hanging down her back to her hips, simple pearl earrings in her ears and fingers, she looked the epitome of gracious beauty.
Pacing on the front porch after 9, she glanced impatiently at her watch from time to time. What was keeping him? As the aroma candles placed strategically around the house started petering out, her anxiety increased. Picking up her phone, she dialed his number. It was switched off. Throwing the phone on the swing in disgust, she sat down on the front steps, head bent in despondency. So, it began... The first day he was supposed to come to meet her, he had switched his phone off! She so knew it! Men were not to be trusted. Why hadn't she listened to her instincts earlier?
Moving despondently into the living room, she sat down heavily on the sofa, angry thoughts raging through her mind. As her anger calmed, a tear slipped out the corner of her eye. Wiping at it furiously with the back of her hand, she fought the images of her past that flashed through her mind's eye. Breaking into tears, she buried her head in her hands as deep sobs racked her body. Her life was like this only. She wasn't good enough for people to love her and be committed to her.
As the sobs stilled to dry shudders, she looked up at the clock. It was past 12. Sighing deeply, she stood up to blow out the candles. As the first one died, her ears picked up the roar of a monstrous engine. Unable to help herself, she ran to the door. As the deep of the night parted to make way for yellow headlights, she saw the Jaguar appear out of the mist. It was him! He had come after all...
As she watched, an exhausted Sid got out, his 1000 W smile making the world a better place to be in. "Sorry, Piyu, there was this humongous traffic jam and I forgot my car charger. My battery died on me before I could call you." Leaving the door open, he bounded up to her, stopping to smile tenderly at her puffy eyes, before sweeping her up into his arms. "Ah Piyu, I missed you so..."