She stepped out of the shower on Wednesday evening, it was raining hard outside
She had dropped Aadhya off at kanika's
The whole day weather was muggy and intolerable
Delhi was different from Mumbai
In SO many ways...
She scrubbed her face in the bath sink and looked up
Rain drops slammed against the "push out" window glass, anchored to the frame with a hook
The glass was fristed and blue, bluish water dripped off the edges, or so it seemed like to her in twilight
She knew Tai was watching TV in the living room
Varsha had hung up soon after Suvi had demanded she be "happy"
It seemed as if given a choice between hanging up and being happy Varsha chose hanging up
Suvi had texted her Wed morning to ask "If there is something, will you come?"
She didnt use the word "wedding" but meant it
She was unable to use it at this time
After Mamiji's call there was no news from the Pandits or the Pants
Neel too had been spending a lot of time at the "PR" arm of the agency
Suvi had dialed down on sending and receiving comic strips the last few weeks
After the rainy Sunday meeting with Nihar and how he had asked her "So are u going to marry my Dad?" he had asked
"I dont know... Nihar... not yet" she had been honest, like she always was
He didnt like that answer
Suvi hoped he didnt like because he wanted to hear say "YES YES YES NIHAR I DO WANT TO MARRY HIM"
But she knew better!!
The kid didnt deflate because he craved for the union, he was distraught because he feared such a union was a distinct possibility
"Will you live in NOIDA after that?" he asked looking at her eyes
She couldnt conceal the sparkle in her eyes, when she had thought of that "Umm... IF it happens then I am thinking yes" she said cautiously
He shifted uncomfortably, and then picked up his water and drank, thirstlessly
"Can we go home now" he said as if he no longer wished to pursue the train of conversation
"Finish nai karega?" she asked
"No... sorry" he said politely, looking at her a tad bit nervously
"Koi baat nai... adhaya bhi barobar nai khata hai" she said
He chuckled "U said that like she is a boy" he smiled
"U have to teach me Hindi" she smiled
"If u marry him?" he asked akwardly
"U wont otherwise?" she asked softly
He didnt respond to that... just pushed his chair back and stood up
And handed her her purse as she picked up change from between the black folder
She had dropped him off at the gate, watched him go in and had gone off
She didnt have the courage to go in and meet the family... again
They would all be hopeful, as if she possessed a magic wand and somehow magically obtained Nihar's affirmation
Or who knows they were all praying she would say she didnt want to marry him anyway
It was too surreal for her... she imagined extreme behaviors just to tell herself not to get carried away
She opened the bathroom door as steam coated the mirror
She walked out like a Hindi hero walking into a villain's den
With steam all around her form
She wore a tee and had a towel wrapped around her head
There was no Aadhya on the bed... she realized she was at Kanika's
She didnt hear the TV she tip toed to the living room and peeked out and found NEEL
Walking in... the front door wide open
She slammed against the bedroom door, swearing as her back hit the wood
He heard her and walked right in
"Devaaa" she whispered
"Its Neel" he said freezing a foot or two from her
She chuckled at the bad joke
"Waise Maharashtra mein "Deyo" both popular hai she said with a thick accent
Naam badal lein phir?" he asked for her opinion
She smiled... Nahi" she said softly
He proprietorially walked up and hugged her and inhaled her neck
"Itni baarish mein nahane se sardi ho jaati hai humne suna hai" he said
"Baarish mein nai nahayi mai, bathroom mein" she laughed hysterically
He let her laugh at him fully and kissed her fully
Finally taking her to the bed
And laying her down, exploring her upper torso rolling her tee up
"Every part of you is as juicy as your goddamn lips" he groaned on her lips
His palm cupping her curves
She nodded like a drugged puppy
He rubbed and caressed and squeezed and watch her slip into sedation, only speaking in moans eventually
"Yaha kaise?" she asked finally...
"Kaam se laut rahe they, socha aapse mil liya jaaye" "Aapko to yaad aati nahi hogi"
"Ek baar aayi yaad" she smiled
He kissed her...
"Suvechha you symbolize brutal torture" he said gruffly, as he lay on her trembling controlling himself with heated urgency