Vignette 1 : A Step Forward ...

Nachiket banged the door shut behind him, as he entered the house. He was weary and tired - the flight delay, compounded by the ever increasing traffic from the Airport did nothing to alleviate his mood.

His mood further darkened when he heard a cackle of laughter coming from the other side of the hallway. Depositing his travel bag near the foot of the staircase, he walked towards the Hall and peeped inside,

Pam was sitting at the centre, flanked by four or five of her friends. He knew them by face, but did not remember them distinctly. On any other day, he would have gone up to them and said Hello'. But he was in no such mood today. All he wanted was to find his wife and spend some time with her.

He turned away from the Hall and made way to the staircase. His olfactory senses however stopped him dead in tracks when he recognized the waft of smell emerging from the kitchen.

His first thoughts were that of Ragini cooking. He knew it instinctively. The delicious smell, emanating from the kitchen, tickled his senses to such an extent that he was almost able to feel the taste and texture of food in his mouth.

His mood further worsened.

He entered the kitchen to find his wife deeply immersed in cooking. He stood near the door, taking the scene in.

Ragini was cooking but her mind was definitely somewhere else. She moved about mechanically, her hands going through the motions of cooking, totally oblivious to the fact that her husband was in the kitchen, trying to fathom her, understand her. She looked frail, Nachiket thought.

Nachiket closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He stood rooted at his spot for a few minutes, before he stepped forward towards his wife.

Ragini nearly jumped off her skin as Nachiket's arms wove themselves across her waist. She wondered for how long he had been in the kitchen - she had not been aware of his presence. She mentally chided herself.

She smelt of spices and warmth, as Nachiket pulled her to himself. He then enquired

'Why are you cooking now?'

'Pam asked' Ragini replied. Nachiket's arms tensed around her. Hurriedly, she continued

'Her friends enjoyed my cooking the last time they visited. Hence, she requested.'

But the damage was already done. Nachiket pushed her away abruptly and stormed out of the kitchen. He was even more disturbed to see Ragini cooking non-vegetarian food for Pam's friends, while in reality she was a vegetarian.

'Pam' he called out from the Hall entrance.

Pam looked up at him and smiled widely.

'Arrey Neil, you are back. When did you come? Why don't you come and meet my friends? You already know Roopali over here' she indicated towards one of her friend.

'Please come and meet the others. They have been waiting to meet you for some time now.'

She rattled off.

Nachiket smiled at the ladies gracefully but did not enter. He continued from where he stood

'Excuse us; I have something very important to speak to Pam. If you all would excuse us for a moment, please.'

Pam knew well than to protest. She joined her brother at the Hallway.

'What is it Neil?' she asked.

Nachiket retorted back

'You are asking me? Why is Ragini cooking? Don't you know that she is not in any mental framework to do so? The Doctor has advised her to rest and not engage in stressful activities. You know that, don't you?'

Pam flashed her pearlies -

'Oh that's it. My dear brother, I am helping her regain herself. Her confidence. And Ragini could have told me if she found cooking stressful. I wouldn't have requested her. After all, for how long is she going to mourn ...'

Nachiket exploded

'Shut up Pam. How long? The miscarriage just happened 3 weeks back. Why are you so unfeeling towards her? What has she ever done to you? It was our first child. Our child ...' his eyes welled with tears.

'And you requested her to cook so that you could entertain your friends? You are entertaining your friends now, Pam? Is this a time for entertainment? Even today, she cries in her sleep. Often I have to hold her close, so that she is able to get some sleep eventually.

But why am I even telling you all these? You will never understand, will you? It's my mistake; I should have been with her. Should not have left her with you.'

Pam replied coolly - 'You cannot protect her always Neil'

'Watch me' her brother responded. He strode towards the kitchen, and after a while exited the same, holding Ragini's hand firmly by her wrist. Ragini glanced at Pam, who now looked plain spiteful.

...

Nachiket emerged from the washroom sometime later.

Ragini was sitting in the exact same spot where he had left her, before he went to take a bath. He was dusty and tired, and he needed to be in his senses before he approached her.

Shaking his head gingerly he walked over to the dresser and started wiping off the water droplets clinging to his hair, when he felt her hands encircle his waist from behind. Her palms were unbelievably warm against his cool torso, her head touching his back.

'I am sorry Nachiket' she whispered. 'I should have been more careful. I am stressing you out. Everytime.'

He caught hold of her hand and slowly pulled her in front of him, into his arms.

She continued

'I never asked how you were holding up. The baby was as much yours, as mine'

He held her close to his heart, and rested his chin on her head. He realized that she was crying, her body quivering in his arms. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged her closer, and cried for themselves and for their unborn child, who would never take a single step in this world.

...

They had gone out that night for a long drive, simply content to be with each other, needing no external juxtaposition of words.

Nachiket had driven about aimlessly, and had followed the highway route for some time. They had eaten at a local dhaba - it seemed like a luxury when he realized that Ragini was actually enjoying her food. And eating something.

On their drive back home, he was even more relieved to find Ragini fast asleep, cocooned in the warmth of his blazer.

They reached home pretty late that night. The house was quiet, except for the sound of radio ad jingles playing from the guard's quarter, situated by the gate.

He had woken up Ragini from her slumber and urged her to go inside, as he parked the car.

...

Next Morning

The twitter of the birds on the balcony woke Nachiket up. He looked at his watch - - it was only 5.30 in the morning.

He turned to his right and saw Ragini sleeping contentedly after many days, without any tear streaks running down her cheeks.

He pulled a pliant Ragini into his arms, and wrapped her in his warmth.

Kissing her forehead gently, he mused about their future together.

But he knew that he had a major task at hand, something he needed to do to ensure that they remained happy forever.

...

That day at breakfast

They were all seated down for breakfast. Nachiket was surprised to find that Pam's friend Roopali had stayed back the previous night.

He didn't, however, want to delay his decision any further.

'Pam' he said, ;There is something you should know. Something that Ragini and I have discussed, debated, deliberated and decided upon'.

He picked up Ragini's right hand and wove his fingers through hers.

'We are shifting to our own place by this month end. It's nearby.'

He looked into his wife's eyes and he uttered the next words,

'This is my gift to you, sweetheart. 'You deserve to build our own home. For us. For our children in days to come'

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, as he bent sideways to lightly graze her lips with his.

They were oblivious to the sound of the screeching sound of a chair, as Pam left the breakfast table with Roopali in tow.

The future did indeed seem pleasant, Nachiket mused, as he pulled his wife to himself and kissed her some more.

...

The End