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HI guys..sorry for the delay...
And I Miss You Like the Deserts Miss the Rain...
It was late when Khanak drove in to the apartment building lot and parked the car. She told herself it was due to work but in truth it was because she didn't want to return to an empty apartment where everything would remind her of him.
She turned off the engine and sat there in the dark alone with her thoughts and wept.
He hadn't called even once since she had left to go to the coffee shop with her old friend. She knew that she had hurt him,...hurt him bad by asking Nurse D'Souza to tell him half the truth. She had held back some vital information because she had wished to make him suffer. And now she was repenting it.
She cursed herself; she cursed him for making her feel this way. Didn't he know her well enough by now to hurt her so callously then try to call her a million times? But she wasn't any better either, she had hung up on him as often. They were two of a kind, unable to exist without making the other cry in pain. He loved her and loved her alone and she loved him; nothing could ever change that..then why this heartache?
She stepped out of the car to make the long and arduous trip upstairs, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight just as he had predicted.
Damn him!!!
She heard them before she saw them, the now familiar rhythm of a ball being bounced against the concrete floor.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Her heart stopped, skipped a beat and then began to thump hard, it was painful to breathe, her hands and feet had gone numb...and he wasn't even here! Shantanu!!!
She leaned against the wall, unable to move, praying...Sorry, sorry, sorry God! I am guilty of being mean and behaving badly with my husband. If you wish to punish me, please do but not like this..Please?!
She heard the echo of footsteps as they came down the stairs towards her, she looked around desperately seeking a place to hide..but she couldn't find one, even the elevator was out of order.
She tried to make herself smaller and wedged herself into a dark corner, but her white saree was a clear give away! Why, oh why did she always want to appear pure and saintly...it would have been so much better if she had worn black, a perfect match for her mood as well.
The footsteps stopped, hesitated..oh no he had seen her! She opened her eyes wide and looked at him getting ready for a piercing scream..if she had to go down she might as well give it the best she could! At least make her Shaan proud of her! Oh Shaan..!!!
He was alone this time. He moved up into the light making her shrink back. Then she was surprised to see that there was actually fear in those eyes..not anger or aggression. He looked nervous, scared...and there was a huge bump on his jaw where her Shaan had punched him. He moved towards her...
No! Don't you come any closer! He stepped back..that was encouraging, she decided to take a chance; Don't you remember what my husband did to you the other day? You still have that bump as a reminder, if that wasn't enough he will be more than happy to give you a booster shot!
Sandy looked puzzled for a brief moment, he then actually smiled; it wasn't a bad smile...
Oh You've mistaken me; I don't want to harm you at all. In fact I want to apologize. Ever since your husband hit me that day, this thing has been irking me constantly..he touched his jaw gingerly and winced.
Her heart went out to him; Does it really hurt? she reached out but he moved away.
She smiled; Don't worry, I am a doctor, you will be fine in a few days. I'm glad you've learnt your lesson..My husband's only intention was to warn you off, he's actually a very nice guy if you get to know him better.(God what am I saying?)
I bet he is, but right now I intend to stay out of his way! Sandy blurted out nervously before hurrying away.
Khanak smiled and continued upstairs with a new bounce in her step. She felt proud of her Shantanu ! If only he was here, she'd tell him so.
As she let herself into the apartment and locked the door carefully;
Darling! You are here even when you are not here. What an idiot I am to doubt you..of course you are being just you! My burthal Shantanu!
Dr Frank Matthews, an old college friend, a nice capable young man...
Damn Khanak! Would you?!! Shaan asked Khanak's pics as they flashed by on his lap top.
No, no you won't! You can't! You belong to me and me alone!!! He said with conviction.
I've seen it in your eyes, your smile, the way you look at me slyly when there are people around,...he lay back with his head on folded arms and smiled looking dreamily at the ceiling.
I can feel it when I kiss you and hold you in my arms, when I make love to you; the way you tremble and sigh and moan tells me how much you want me too! ..he closed his eyes in pain.
God!! All I wish for right now is to come to Mumbai, take you in my arms and kiss you there in that coffee shop right in front of your OLD FRIEND..I don't care who so ever he is! He needs to know that I'm your husband and have every right over you and that he can go to Hell!!! You don't need any bloody partner!! You can just stay home and take care of our kids!!
He sat up and let out a long ragged sigh; This torture is acute! No, I am not going to call you again! You are the one who is going to have to call me! I'm going to just concentrate on work; not you!
He glared at the monitor. And I am going to eat, I am not going to starve even if you are!!
He said with determination as he reached for the room service menu.
It was past midnight..
She was pacing up and down the bedroom wringing her hands muttering to herself; I need to speak to him, I need to hear his voice, I need to say that I'm sorry! But I can't call him first, it just doesn't work that way! Can't you understand honey?
She plunked down on the bed on her stomach and addressed his picture on the mobile; Girls don't call guys; Well sometimes they do..but
Just call me!!!
Damn! I guess you just won't but I want my peace!! She dialed him, exactly at the same time he called her..
Shantanu!
Sweetheart!! OMG..at last!!
What were you..
What the hell were you doing with that new doc??
What do you mean?! (Shocked)
I mean, I .Darn! I really didn't mean..well, don't you get it?!
She couldn't help but laugh..the poor dear!
Why are you laughing? What did I say?! He seemed really pissed.
Just enjoying that green monster which seems to have taken you over!
Oh Yeah! If that's the entire purpose of this exchange, I am hanging up!
Nooo!!..Don't! Or I won't be able to sleep!
Really? ( his voice dropped several decibels sending a shiver down her spine;) Then please tell me what kind of a fool are you playing me for!!?? He shouted.
Startled at the intensity of his annoyance; she hesitated; I..I'm sorry I purposely withheld some information from you.
What kind of information? Isn't he an old college mate!?
Yes, he is a few years my senior, but..
But what?!
I didn't say that he is happily married with two wonderful kids and he has invited us for dinner at his place next week!
Kha..nak!!! Shaan moaned; I wish I could kill you right now!!
Yes, kill me, punish me! I prefer to die then stay away from you any longer! You have already cursed me to endless nights without sleep!
Is that true? Are you missing me that much already? His voice turned tender again as he reached out to hug a pillow.
Already? You said already?! Do you know how long it has been since I last saw you??!! she broke into a sob.
He moaned; Oh God darling! Don't do that! Or I'll just drop everything and run to you right now!
Do that please??! I, I want to hug you so much!
And..
Kiss you..
And..
Ummm..
Why? What happened? Why did you stop?! He whispered grinning to himself in the dark.
She giggled; The rest goes without saying! You are so mean! Now get up and come back to me right now! That's an order!
He laughed and then groaned; Darling, I wish to do nothing else but share your bed! But I also need to think of our future, I need to take care of you, our family and our cute little ones. I want to see a little Khanak and a little Shaan running around. In fact I think we need more than just two, actually we should have had a couple by now!
Khanak laughed; Shaan I'm not a baby machine and you are a complete Burthal! Anyway, at least you know that for us to have them you have to be with me. It takes two to Tango! ( Ooops! What did I just say?) She buried her burning face into the pillow.
He laughed;Yes I know that I'm the biggest Burthal in the world and dancing Tango with my lovely wife is my favorite pastime. I'll be there in a week, sooner if they hate my designs..in a way I hope that they do.
No! Don't say that! They'll love them!
Khanak sighed wishing life didn't come with tough choices; she had to be a good and supportive wife.
Are you all right honey? He asked anxious.
I love you Shaan.
I love you too.. the future mother of my babies.
I love you my chromosome donor.
I love you my upma, sambhar, idli, and vada.
Why do you call me that?
Because that's what I had for dinner! By the way the upma was just out of this world!
What? It was better than the one I made?...Go I won't speak to you!
Gosh! My teekhi mirch is back in business! A guy needs fuel of some kind girl!
Teekhi mirch! You called me Teekhi mirch! You, you...Karela ka juice!
Hahaha! But you'd love to drink me up right now..won't you; my apple turnover.
No! Unless you morph into butterscotch ice cream!
I'm all yours honey, just come and get it..
Pick me up!..
There you go..back to square one!!
( And so it went on and on and on...)😳
Siggi by Sandhya (@sevenstreaks) (P.S this was my pitching picture to the production houses - which Sandy had done for me a couple of years...
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