Gene Expression
She got yet another lecture from mandira about how Ashvin is not supposed to be a handyman around the house. Trisha promised her she will not tell him if she knew who to call.
Mandira promised she would give her all the information about the building maintenance.
Chirag offered to take her to Christ University the following day, she wanted to check it out before she signed up for that one class
Mechanism and Regulation of Gene Expression
Fall semester had already begun at BU but she might be allowed to be fitted in because she was a Ph D student and would be transferring from Mangalore Univ
She had taken a similar class during Masters but it seemed like she slept through it when she looked at the course curriculum.
She had the requisite teaching experience, she was planning to take her written exam in Dec and now found herself married to a stranger
Then there was Oral
Then there was Capstone plan, and dissertation
She stood up and paced the balcony, this class will definitely help with written exam she decided to go for it.
Aanu had given her some money she was going to use it first, and then maybe look for a job in Bangalore?
But lastly checkout Christ for a similar class tomorrow?
Her phone rang on her bed, she was waiting it out, for her MIL to leave home so she could sneak out
She did not ned or want a ride nor did she need a lecture.
It was Sharanbir, the secrecy of it makes my heart thump she told herself nothing else when she answered
(she didnt have names for both grand father and grand son in her phone book. Why did she need to? She was never going to be their family or friend)
"Hello Ms Shanbag" "How are you?"
"Oh good" she was surprised
"You do know who it is?" he smiled
"Yes I am sorry, I was geting ready to leave"
"Good, I am hoping I can see you again"
"Again?" she asked shocked
His laugh almost cracked the phone screen
"You dont flatter an old man that way"
"I am sorry... I thought you were done?" (after feeding me konkan fish?)
"Umm.. no I am not done" he said
Something about that caused her insides to hurtle like clothes in a washing machine
"Can you go with me tomorrow?" he asked
"Where?"
"To Ganpati ofcourse" "Dont you remember?"
"oh no, she had completely forgotten that the utsav was beginning tomorrow. How could she. This was the best time at Ullal. They had two ganeshas one at the restaurant one at home
She got new clothes and they fed guests only vegetarian for 9 days
"Oh yes" "I am sorry"
"You are in a new place. so its OK" he smiled
"To the temple?"
"Yes, that too, but to a coworker's house"
"i dont know them"
Yes you dont, thats correct, but you will meet, he is the construction supervisor at Narang-Fechine & Narang-Falcon near Yelahanka"
"Oh"
"Do you know what Fechine means?"
"No..."
"Its the raven, its an Irish word called fiach" he said choking up a bit
"Your building names are all birds?" she asked curiously
"My son Vishwas loved to fly" he said softly
"Oh" she didnt know how to react
He cleared his throat.
I will send a car to the Pizza Hut on 100 feet Rd, you can hop on at 6 tomorrow"
"I cannot eat, I usually fast for Ganpati" she mumbled
"Why do you fast?" he asked
"My mother fasted too" she said softly
His turn to digest the past tense in that word
"I will see you"
"Can I tell Ashwin?"
"Why do you worry for him?"
"Umm... I I am here because of him no?"
"Thats true, but does he need to know everything you do?"
"No.. I guess?"
"What will I tell him if he finds out?"
"I dont worry about things that may or may not happen in the future"
"Are you upset about hurting him?" he asked gently
"OH NO... NO... No i am not" she raised her voice a little to quickly again
"Oh then no problem" he said silkily
"Is his mother going?" she asked cautiously
"Umm.. no" he said
She wanted to slither out in that case
She made a face when he said that
"Now you have no excuse not to go"
She blushed gloriously
"If I told you AshWIN was going?" he asked syaing the name like her
"Umm...I ... umm.. I I dont think , I dont know" she finished
"See you at 5"
"OK Thanks"
"No THANK YOU... Please wear a saree. Do you know how?"
"Yes... I wear saree in Ullal for utsav"
"Good"
she opened the door to the narrow walk in closet and scanned the clothes she brought,
there was a peacock blue saree Aama had bought after visiting the Laksmi Narasimha Temple and Someshwara Beach, her first saree
From Fashion One
A inexpensive georgette that she guarded as much as her life
It had a sleeveless blue green blouse.
She spent the day at Barista wondering if she should tell Ashvin she was meeting his grandfather.
She stayed away from the awning in the evening. Chirag texted her to find out if she needed a ride to Christ the next day
"You dont come anymore" she enquired casually
"I am tired of Ashvin's policing I am going to meet you secretly"
She smiled at the joke.. or so she thought
"I cannot make coffee"
"We'll find a way" he winked
"Thank you for your help" she said politely
The next morning Chirag canceled in the last minute because he had two vendor
meetings, with people that supplied neon signs and exterior finishes for the franchises, apologizing to make it up to her
She returned home at 3 to find Mandira home, brought the cat much to Mandira's chagrin, she was on the phone with Mrudula so Mandira cudnt complain
She was terrified how she was going to leave home
She went to her room and called Sharanbir
"I cannot come I am sorry Ashwin's mother is home"
"Yes you can, tell her you are going to see a friend"
"But I dont have friends in bangalore no?"
"Yes you do... name a friend"
"Mrudula, Lissie"
"Yes Lissie is in town" he said bluntly
"I dont want to lie"
"I want to" he said
She showered and readied with care.
There was a knock on the door, it was Ashvin
"Umm hi"
"Whoa" he let his eyes rove all over
"Umm.. My friend is here"
"HERE?" he checked the room
"No.. I mean in Bangalore"
He ogled
"I am going to see her"
She still wore her glasses, her hair was moist again in wet tendrils.. making the bob appear shiny
It dripped on her blouse
"No time to dry your hair?" he asked gruffly
"Its almost 5 no?"
"She will turn into a pumpkin?" he asked seriously
She looked confused and smiled gloriously
"No... umm.. nooo.. I dont want to be late"
He nodded unable to speak
"What do you want?"
"Thats nice" he mocked
"I am sorry, its your house" she stepped back leaning on the wall letting him pass
"I am getting the awning replaced tomorrow I dont want you to use the balcony until the sealant dries?"
She looked sad
"He doesnt like the inside" she pointed to a glowering MJ
"Too bad, it is what it is" he said
the cat climbed on the bed and curled up under the top sheet like he always did
"He can go into hiding one more day" Ashvin said cynically.
She nodded
He paused in front of her
"Do I get a call when u reach?" he asked
She froze self consciously
"I dont get a call when you go out!" she countered
"Do you want one?"
She knew she shouldnt have asked that question, her chest pounded painfully
"I dont" she began with and then added the "know" after a long pause and saw his expression
soften visibly , she was gazing down, he was staring at the top of her head
"But I need to know" he said firmly
"I will be safe"
"I will make that judgement when u return" he said
"OK" she said obediently
Looking up at him
"Do I have a name now?" he asked
She blushed reminded of the way Sharanbir teased her
"Ashwin?" she repeated
"thats right.. I meant in the phone book?" he said
She looked confused...
He pulled his phone out and waved it
Her insides trembled like a high speed train on a bridge
"You know?" she asked shocked and embarrassed
"I do" he nodded
they exchanged a long quiet stare and he left her staring at his back
