FF: Ricky & Indira: Serendipity - Page 59

Indira was cleaning up her house. She had been extremely happy to find Ricky was jealous of her supposed friendship with Alex. Did this mean he still cared? And was it right that she was caring so much after all that had happened? Her thoughts were disturbed by the shrill ring of the doorbell. She ran to the door to open it.

When she opened the door she stared in amazement at the man who stood in her doorway. Ricky stood there dressed in a red T ' shirt & black jeans with a black jacket hooked negligently over his shoulder. Indira offered a tentative smile as she willed her heartbeats to return to their normal rate.

I: Hi. What are you doing here?

R: Damned if I know!

Unable to suppress a smile Indira replied,

I: The usual excuse is that you happened to be in the neighborhood & decided to drop by.

Ricky smirked & replied in a dry tone,

R: Now why didn't I think of that? So, are you going to invite me in?

I: I don't know. Should I?

His gaze traveled the entire length of her body. He took in the tendrils of hair escaping the bun on her head, the short brown T ' shirt which accentuated her curves, the cream shorts. He looked her in the eye & said,

R: If I were you, I wouldn't.

Indira felt breathless after his frank sensual glance.

I: Well, in that case I will follow your advice. Goodbye Ricky.

For the second time Ricky Diwan found himself face to face with a closed door.

Indira congratulated herself for having the strength of will to shut the door. She had done the right thing by not letting him in. She forced herself to walk away from temptation on legs that felt like lead, reminding herself that jealousy & possessiveness were not love. This time she would not settle for anything less than his complete love. But half way across the room she lost her internal battle. Turning back she ran to the door & yanked it open. She hurtled straight into Ricky's chest. He was lounging with his one hand braced high against the doorframe looking down at her with a knowing, satisfied grin.

R: Hi Indira. I happened to be in the neighborhood & decided to drop by.

I: What do you want Ricky?

R: You!

That moment was the start of many priceless memories for Indira. They never talked of love, their touches were friendly bordering on impersonal. But she enjoyed these meetings with Ricky. They never had any fixed timings. They ran into each other in the elevator, in the office corridor, sometimes when Ricky walked into a meeting where his presence was not at all needed. Ricky started visiting her at her house sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for a cup of coffee. When he came for breakfast he used to drop her at office. She didn't know what her colleagues thought of them, but she was beyond caring. After many months she felt happy to the core. The sort of happiness which she could find only with Ricky. She was feeling content in her life. Even without any mention of love, commitment or future she felt secure when she was with him. If she would have been a vain person she would have thought he did all this to make her feel comfortable & happy. But she knew that wasn't the case. For that to be true he would have to love her. She brushed aside the depressing thought. She had decided the day Ricky had come knocking at her door that she would live in the moment & wouldn't stress about things which she might never have. She would live each moment of her present to the fullest. She liked being with Ricky. Period. He was like a drug to her, harmful but addictive. She knew she had a potential heartbreak in store for her but she just could not walk away from her present happiness.

Slowly but steadily Ricky's efforts were paying off. He was getting back his old Indira, the girl who laughed with him but who wasn't afraid to laugh at him either. He loved spending time with her. Unlike most girls he had known, she had an in ' depth knowledge about current events, politics, sports, etc. He found debating with her an engaging activity & something to which he looked forward too. She was especially beautiful when she fiercely defeated something she sincerely believed in. They were almost back to what they had been many months back. He had just left the passion out of their relation this time. He wanted to win her trust. He wanted her to relax & know him better before he acted upon his instincts.

The days passed & their relation blossomed into a rock steady friendship. They hadn't bothered naming their relation this time. They just enjoyed being with each other.

***

It was just six in the morning & Indira had just woken up. Ricky was out of town & was coming back later today. Hence she was surprised as to who could have come this early. She looked through the peephole & gave a broad smile when she saw Ricky standing there. Adjusting her clothes & running her fingers through her disheveled hair she opened the door.

Ricky felt his breath catch as he looked at the sight that stood before him. Indira looked ravishing in her pink night gown. He had never seen her this way. She had always been clean & tidy when he came to her place. However today her hair was messed up & had that out ' of ' bed look about them. His fingers itched to reach out & pull her into his arms. But before he could react in any way Indira was asking him to come in. As was their practice, they had breakfast & Ricky offered her to drop her at their office. He would be coming in later as he was just back from a business tour.

R: This Saturday there is a small party at my parent's place. It is their 40^th wedding anniversary. Would you like to attend the party with me?

Indira looked at him in surprise. He wanted her to meet his family? She told herself firmly that she should not jump to conclusions so easily.

I: Yeah. I would love to come.

R: There is no fixed dress code. You can even wear Indian clothes as there will be many old Indian friends of my parents. I will pick you up at 8 O'clock on Saturday night. Goodbye Indira.

Indira had spent the whole of Friday wondering what she would be wearing for the party. She wanted to look perfect for the party today. She did not want to waste time thinking why today was so important to her. This would be the first time she would be meeting Ricky's family. This would be the first time that she would be seeing his family house where he had been raised. And for the first time after almost a year she would be going out with Ricky once more. She did not know what the future held for her. But she did not want to think about the future. She wanted to be happy. She wanted to live in the moment & enjoy

every bit of it.

And she wanted to look her best. Indira sat before the floor length mirror gazing at her reflection. When the doorbell pealed she picked up her clutch, looked at her reflection one final time & went out to open the door.

Ricky stood in the doorway. Indira's heart pounded uncontrollably as she took in all the six plus feet of him, the elegant way in which he wore his impeccably tailored dark suit, the classy watch & down to his hand made leather shoes. Indira was having a similar effect on Ricky. His gaze moved over her perfect features and the lustrous mass of black hair mixed with brown which hung loose to her waist in deep, swirling waves. Appreciatively he looked at her in the dark blue saree which clung to her curves seductively. The pallu was held at her left shoulder by a beautiful sapphire & diamond brooch. He noticed that she wasn't wearing any jewellery except for the bracelet & blue stone tops in her ears. Finding him staring at her for so long Indira asked,

I: Is something wrong?

Ricky replied with a grin,

R: Nothing that I can see. Shall we leave?

I: Yeah sure!