"Anupam, how dare you call me a pinecone?"
Moloy winced as his daughter tore into her husband.He did agree with Anupam though.Nivedita had chosen to wear a brown saree whose stiff material threw her pleats into rigid angles, making her look as if she were adorned with spikes.To make matters worse, her curls had frizzed up, completing a vision of a human pinecone.
He coughed delicately,"Nivi, you look beautiful darling but perhaps this is not exactly appropriate for a pooja.The met gala,yes,but a pooja hosted by a very conservative royal family, no."
Nivedita fumed;one could practically see steam coming out of her ears.
"Haan baby, you look too beautiful for those stuffy royals.All your efforts will be wasted on them.Let's find that beautiful blue saree which once belonged to your grandmother.It compliments your eyes ever so beautifully." interjected Anupam hurriedly, before his wife committed patricide,dragging her to their room.
Moloy watched them leave in amusement.He contemplated returning to his book considering the fact that they had more than two hours to leave the house.Putting his paper aside,he went upstairs to his room,shutting the door behind him, and deposited himself in his favourite chair by the window.His wife was nowhere to be seen.Knowing her,she would've started getting ready by now,yet there was no trace of her presence.Shrugging ,he turned to his book and was soon engrossed in the rivetting story of a pirate captain who had fallen for a princess.
Suddenly,the tinkle of anklets drew his attention.He looked up to see Mohini step out of the washroom,and the air left his lungs.She was a vision to behold ,in a red and white saree,her hair cascading down in wet,curly waves which she attempted to dry,but to no avail.Her skin looked flushed,no doubt from the hot shower she had taken.Detecting the unholy direction of his thoughts,he hastily turned to his book.Unfortunately for him,the story too had taken a rather risque turn and he could no longer continue.
Closing the book with a frustrated sigh, he stared the sky outside the window,ignoring his wife who was now doing her makeup.
"Are you quite alright,Moloy?"her voice cut through the silence.He jumped and turned around with a smile.
"I am alright,Shona.Just thinking about the book I'm reading."
"Which one is it?I might borrow it later if it is interesting enough."
"It's the Pirate's Princess.As the title says,it's about a pirate who falls for a princess and is determined to win her hand even if it means a switch to a more respectable career.An excellent read,if you ask me."
"I'll take your word for it but I don't think think it is very practical."she replied,moving to sit on the bed,under the fan,now donning her bangles.
"Why do you say that?"he asked,intrigued, joining her on the bed."Here, let me do it."he said,taking the bangles away.
He slipped them on her wrists,one by one.She thought for a moment before replying.
"While it does sound romantic, I doubt the relationship would last.They are very different people.If the pirate were to give up his life of adventure and settle down,he'd probably end up resenting the princess in the long run."
Moloy smiled at her in amusement as she pulled away only to grab a necklace off the dresser and hold it to him.He traced the patterns ,reminiscing the past.
"I'm surprised you're choosing to wear this necklace today.I thought you'd want something grander."
She simply gave him a withering glance and turned around.Chuckling ,he helped her don it and clasped in place.As he did so, he couldn't help but caress her still damp tresses.She turned around and regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
"Your hair's beautiful.I can't help myself whenver you leave it down."
"And what if I were to cut it off?"
"I'd still find you irresistable."
She shook her head exasperatedley, a faint blush tingeing her cheeks.
"Shona, wait.Let me get the alta."
"Moloy, alta is a bit too much-"
But he ignored her protests and made her sit on a chair before getting the alta and the brush.He sat in front of her on the ground and took one foot.He painstakingly started drawing.He could feel her shiver as the cool liquid touched her skin.After finishing her feet,he moved to her hands.
"Tell me something Shona,what would you think of the story if the princess had run away with the pirate?"he asked taking her hand in his.
"Then she is an emotional fool.She would be giving up everything for a person whom she barely knows.There's too much at stake to leave things to chance."
"Are you implying that she wouldn't be happy?"
"Maybe,maybe not.Only time can tell."
Moloy smiled at her, taking both her hands in his and kissing them."There,all done."
She shook her head at him and leaned forwards,giving him a light peck on the forehead.He smiled giddily and both of them stood up.
"It's time to leave."she remarked,her eyes never leaving his.
"Yes,but let me make a request of you.Please tie your hair."
Her eyes held an amused glint."What if I don't?"
He feigned sadness,"Then Mr.Basu will have to excuse himself from one of the most awaited social gatherings of the year on account of palpitations of a romantic nature."
"You're impossible!"
"That I am,my love."
"Fine,I'll ask Prerna to help me."
"Prerna?You?"
"Stop looking so shocked.She's a good girl,a little airheaded ,but good enough for Anu."
Moloy started laughing and stepped closer,letting a hand run through her tresses.
"Shona,don't you want to know the ending to the story?"
She came to stand closer,their foreheads touching.
She whispered,"The princess bid farewell to the pirate,not wanting him to be tied to her in bondage and unhappiness. She soon became queen and didn't see the pirate for a very long time.She thought he had forgotten about her.But on the day of her wedding to a prince...."
"the pirate showed up with his bride price and pledged his life to the princess.He swore to defend the lands she ruled and the hearts she adored.He swore to no longer plunder and kill." Moloy replied.
"You fool!yelled the princess, how can you throw your life away so?" She continued.
"How can I throw away a life which wasn't even mine to begin with?the pirate said."
"And then they were wed."both of them said in unison.
They stood in silence,hearts beating in tandem.
"Kaki!I'm here to do your hair!"came a yell from the stairs.
They broke away.
"Looks like Prerna is here.I should get going.I'll see you downstairs in a bit"said Mohini with a smile and left.
He nodded and settled back in his chair,turning to his book.
"Who knew my diary would be such an interesting read?"he chuckled to himself and leafed through the pages until he stopped at his favourite chapter,'The Royal Wedding'.
