SS : Handa- The Loner, Part 13 Pg 35[19/03/19] - Page 12

Sixth Shot

Perhaps, she had wounded his pride this time. It would be the only reason, she didn't see him anymore. It wasn't that she missed him. In fact, she was more than relieved that was no more in her spectrum.

It was just that, she was curious. That's what she had told her therapist.

"Do you miss him? The doctor had asked during one of her sessions. Geet hadn't realized but she had been venting about her neighbor.

"No, obviously not." She was quick to reply.

"Then why are you thinking about him?"

"Curiosity."

"Curiosity?"

"Yes, he's always around and now he's no more."

"You know what Mother Teresa advises in her guide to daily living ?"

"What?"

"To avoid curiosity." The doctor was a cheeky one, Handa had to give her that.

"It's just that he's always around and now he's no more," she had tried to explain herself.

You've become habituated of him?"

Perhaps. Do you become habituated of your stalker?"

Was he a stalker?"

Not a full-fledged one but if he was not called out on it at an early stage then perhaps he'd have gone about it without any thinking of his activities and its consequences thereof.'

The doctor had remained silent and let her speak.

"He's a pest and am thankful that I've gotten rid of him without spending bucks on pest control,' she tried to joke but fell silent, a few moments later she continued,'But there's this bitter after taste left in my mouth. I think I've wronged him."

"How?"

"He helped me in my inebriated state and took me to his house and when I woke up the next morning, I accused him of things you know,' she trailed.

'No, I don't know. What did you accuse him of?'

She sighed and then continued, 'Of feeling me up...,' Her eyes, she had fixed on the quadrangular paperweight thus avoiding doctor's gaze but for just this moment, she met doctor's eyes. When she saw nothing judgmental in them she continued, 'in my unconscious state and trying to take advantage of the situation. I questioned his character.'

'Why are you worried? You said what you doubted.'

'He isn't that kind of guy?'

'So now you think the accusations were baseless?'

'He's a moron but not characterless."

'Then why did you say such things to him in the first place? So you think it was your fault?'

'Obviously not. It was his fault entirely. Why did he have to help me in the first place? Why did he take me to his place? I was out of my comfort zone.'

'So he should've have left you there like that?'

'Yes, that's what people do. And if he'd brought me to his place he should have taken advantage of me? People do that all the time. It wouldn't have been the first time. Why did he not? How is he like this? How and why does he strive to be so different?' The doctor heard the pure frustration and cluelessness in her voice.

'Why does he have to be so kind and then why did he have to stand there and listen to those accusations silently? Doc, you've studied psychology, right? Do you think he's sick? Should I recommend you to him? '

'Well, I won't mind. My daughter will be entering school this year. Wouldn't hurt my pocket. The more the merrier.'

'Hmm. I would. When he talks to me next. I will. But I don't know when that's gonna happen. You'll have to wait, I guess.'

'You want him to talk to you ?'

'No way. Why would I?'

'Anyway, you'll meet him tomorrow at the bus stand right?'

'No, he's got a new bike. So he doesn't have need of public transport any more. So will I be getting pills, today? I was honest, today, as you wanted.'

'No, no pills. I want you to go without them for a week. Let's see how it goes.'

'A week?! That's like forever. You know my head starts hurting. Then there are the noises inside them. I can't concentrate on anything.'

'I know, Geet. But for a week, please. You'll have to trust me on this.'

'Doc, please.'

'You can do without it, Geet. I know what I'm doing. Meanwhile, in return of your honest feedback, I prescribe you a healthy dose of your moronic neighbor.'

'Are you for real? That's an impossibly scandalous suggestion.'

'He's good for your mind, child. Do you realize you come alive when you speak about him? You're so detached when you speak about other person and aspects of your life.'

'Did you really go to Med School or did you just smuggle your degree from somewhere?' Geet said as she took her leave.

Dr.Usha Gupta, it seemed was a quack, passing such stupid comments. The sessions were going nowhere. She had even stopped giving her pills. Geet wondered if she should stop denting her bank account with these sessions.

It was only coincidence that she had been thinking about him and he appeared before her. Not miraculously. He just happened to park his bike as she was returning from her work.

She slowed down her steps because something had got inside her sandal and not because she wanted to wait for him. Fixing the strap of her sandal she was getting up when she felt rather than smelled his musky presence. By the time she had stood straight, he was already gone.

Bas***d!

Quickly, she got inside the lift where he was already present.

This was a perfect moment. Dr.Gupta had asked her to recommend her to him. Surely he needed help. He couldn't go around being clingy and kind and been taken advantage of.

'Uhm. Mr Khurana,' she had said but albeit a little late. For the lift had reached their floor and he had not waited for a second more to be away from her.

Yes, he was a first grade bas***d.