Silver Violets PT 1
Oh 'cause I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster(Kelly Clarkson)
Perspiration beaded his forehead and his lips under the surgical mask. His hand shook, the scalpel wavering over the skin of the head. The assisting surgeon, anesthetist and nurses stood still watching the chief neurologist surgeon, Dr Jai Walia once again wavering in the operating theatre.
Dr Walia looked at Dr Ranveer Bali, his assisting surgeon. He dropped the scalpel in the tray and said in a staccato voice, "Take…Over." The door swung close as Dr Walia exited the room.
Dr Walia threw off his gloves and mask with disgust in the bin and leaned his forehead against the wall. Lines of perspiration ran down his face. His hands still shook as he ran them through his hair. With guttural moan, he slammed his fists into the wall, "Dammit…why can't you forget." Flashes of an ashen faced woman with her skull smeared with blood floated in front of him.
XXXXX
When Ranveer burst into Dr Walia's room, it was dark, the blinds shutting out the light from the window. Dr Walia was sprawled on the sofa, his face covered by a cushion. "Mamaji!" Ranveer's sharp voice cut through the pillow.
Removing the cushion slowly, Dr Walia stared at Ranveer, his face tired, dark shadows under his eyes from the sleepless nights.
"How long is this going to go on? You can't turn up for surgery and then walk out. The chief is mad you know. Why don't you take some time off? Go away and deal with the problem away from the hospital." Ranveer stood his hands curled tight trying to control his anger. It wasn't that he minded performing the surgery; it was just the shame of seeing Dr Walia fail once again in front of the people who respected him for his brilliant work. Just one incidence…an unexpected complication in a surgery…that was now slowly eating away at the man, who was his mentor and friend, not just his uncle.
Dr Walia sat up and covered his face with his hands, the fingers which could perform miracles in the operating theatre were long and lean. "I am sorry Ranveer. I know I shouldn't break apart like that. But I don't know…what happens when I hold that scalpel…everything just falls apart."
"I understand mamaji. Believe me, I know what you are going through, but you have to pull through this. If not for yourself, at least for Krishan…he needs you…he has already lost his mother. Is he going to lose his father too? I am sure if Sonalimami were alive, she would be very unhappy to see you in this state."
"I can't leave Krishan and go off Ranveer. I want to run away somewhere for a while to deal with Sonali…her death at my hands." Dr Walia cried out in the room. Ranveer sat down and put his arm around Dr Walia. "Mama…mom is there. And so is masi and all of us who will take care of Krishan. Please go and see the chief. I am sure he will understand. We will miss you here in the hospital, but then we will look forward to you coming, ready to take up the surgeries again. And most important, Krishan will have his father back."
Dr Walia stared in awe at his nephew. He had seen Ranveer grow up in front of his eyes and follow in his footsteps to become a neurosurgeon like him. His nephew who used to come to him for help and advice was now trying to help him. Dr Walia hugged Ranveer, his voice was emotional as he said, "I don't know how to thank you Ranveer. I am very proud of you."
"I am proud of you too mamaji. Please come back to us." Ranveer said with tears in his eyes.
XXXXX
"Papa!" Five year old Krishan pulled at his father's hand. Dr Walia, stopped taking his clothes out of his wardrobe and dropped down on his knees. "What is it Krish?" He asked, holding him close to him.
Big drops of tears fell from Krishan's eyes. He licked his lips, "Do you have to go? Why can't I come with you? Dadi says, I must stay with her. Papa…I want to be with you."
Jai wiped the tears with his thumbs from his son's face. He felt heartless, hurt blinding his eyes. "I can't take you with me Krish. But I promise to come back quick. I just need to go away to do some work. You understand Nah. "
Krishan nodded his head, the tears still rolling down, "I love you papa. And I love mamma too."
Dr Walia felt his heart constrict tightly in his chest. He missed Sonali too for the sake of his son. The last couple of years with Sonali had been strained, but he had put up with everything for the sake of his son. Whatever had gone wrong between him and Sonali, at least he couldn't say that she had not been a wonderful mother to their son Krishan. Dr Walia, kissed Krishan on cheek, "I love you too beta. Promise you will be a good boy. I promise to call you everyday too."
Krishan just hugged his father tighter.
Ranveer put Dr Walia's bag in the trunk and closed it. He came to the driver's side where Dr Walia sat and leaned down. "Take care mamaji. Phone us if you need anything and don't worry about Krish…we will take good care of him."
Dr Walia slipped his sunglasses on and started the engine. "Thanks for everything Ranveer." He called out as he put the car into gear and drove out of the compound.
Dr Walia drove along the coast south. He had no idea where he was going, all he knew is that he was going far away from his home in the city of Mumbai.
XXXXXX
The shrill ring of the phone had Bani running inside her small bungalow, her muddy shoes leaving footprints on the stone floor. She pushed her hair back, leaving a trail of dirt on her face. She grabbed the phone with her dirty hands. "Hello…Bani."
"Hi Di! What were you up to? You sound out of breath." Bani heard her sister's chirpy voice. She smiled, she loved talking to her sister and Rano, her sister always called her when she was in middle of doing something. "Hi Rano. How are you? I was just pottering about in the garden."
"I bet your hands are dirty and you ran in with dirty shoes. Right nah?" Bani heard Rano ask her with laughter.
Bani looked ruefully at the muddy footprints and her dirty hand. "Yeah…you are right. But you know I don't like to let the phone ring. Now tell me what's up."
"Nothing much Di. But I need a favour from you."
"Oh anything for you Rano. You know you don't have to ask. What is it? Do you need some money?" Bani asked sitting down in the chair nearby.
"No Di. Actually if I am successful on this trip…I will not have to ask you for money. I need to go US, there is a client interested in my work. He wants to see samples and discuss business…he is willing to pay for my trip. I can't miss such an opportunity. But I need someone to look after the B&B while I am gone." Bani could not help as she noted the anxiety in Rano's voice. Her talented sister, who designed and made glass beads and jewellery.
"When are you planning to go? You know I need time to make arrangement for Ganga."
"You let me know when you can come. I wish it was school holidays…then Ganga could come too. Thanks Di. Just let me know the earliest you can come. I don't have many bookings for the rooms at the moment and I will try and keep them to minimum while I am gone."
"You don't have to do that Rano. I can manage…I have done it before. Ok, let me sort things out and then I will call you back."
"Bye Di. Give kisses to Ganga from me." Rano shouted as she put the phone down. Bani smiled. Ganga will be upset at having missed the call and with the opportunity to go down to Rano's place with her.
Bani went outside and cleaned up outside and then cleaned up the floor, before taking a shower to clean herself. She put on a pair of old jeans and t-shirt and wrapped her wet hair in a towel before going to the kitchen to make tea. While waiting for the tea to be done, she called up her parents.
"Maa. How are you? How is papa?" Bani asked as her mother picked up the phone.
"We are fine. So good to hear your voice. How is my little angel, Ganga?"
"Maa, Ganga is fine…she is not back from school yet. Actually Rano called me. Maa she needs me to go down and help her out for few days. I was wondering if you and Papa could come and stay here and look after Ganga for me."
"Of course darling! You know your papa would love nothing better than to spend time with Ganga. We are not busy at the moment too…so it will be good to have something to do. When are you planning to go?" Bani's mothe, Kiran asked, while gesturing to her husband to come near.
Bani juggled the phone while she poured tea out. "I guess it depends on Rano making her arrangements, but I guess in a day or two at least. Are you sure you guys don't mind?" Bani asked feeling guilty. It was time her parents enjoyed their retirement and she felt guilty when she asked for their help. But since Rahul died in a car crash, she had to turn to her parents to help her out. Ganga had been only ten when she lost Rahul and Bani's whole world had come crashing down. For months she had been withdrawn into shell, until her Rano had returned from abroad, after finishing her studies. It had been Rano who had gently coaxed Bani out of her shell. And it was her parents who had been support for her daughter.
"Well you let us know when. Anyway talk to your father as well." Kiran handed phone to Nishikant .
Bani chatted few minutes with her father, before ending the call. She immediately called Rano and told her she can go ahead and make her travel plans and then let her know when Bani should come down.
Ganga threw a mini tantrum when Bani informed she was going away for few days and leaving Ganga with her parents. "Mom…it's not fair. Why can't you take me? You know I can always catch up with school work. I want to see Ranomasi too."
Bani hugged her daughter, "You know masi is going away. I am going there to look after little place…you know work. What would you do by yourself? You would be bored." Bani tried placating her daughter.
"Mom you know I wouldn't be bored. Who would be bored living on a beach?" Ganga whined some more.
"Well darling…how about you can go there for your next holiday. All by yourself too." Bani knew this would make Ganga happy.
"Really…I can spend my whole vacation with masi." Ganga said excitedly. Bani nodded. "Now go get your homework done while I make dinner."
Two days later Bani was driving down to the coast of Kerala to Kollam, where her sister had a house on the beach, which she ran as a bed and breakfast place. It was a quiet spot and only people who were in search for peace and life away from the usual tourist spots came there. The place gave Rano a means to earn some money and work leisurely on her craft. Bani and Ganga loved the place, away from Mumbai, the place was haven, no pollution, no noise, just nature and solitude.
It took Bani over a day to reach. She had stopped for a night at one of the many resorts that now sprung up along the coast. It surprised her every time she passed how much things were changing. Rano was waiting for her when Bani reached Silver Violets, a small house on the edge of beach. Pots of white violets lined the shaded porch. Their musky, sweet scent laced the salty air. Rano stood at the door, her slender form clad in a flowing long white cotton skirt with a bright red tank top. She hugged Bani warmly and took her inside.
Rano went over some things which she thought would be useful for Bani to know. At the moment there were no guests staying and there was no booking. They had a quiet lunch on the porch facing the sea and then Rano left for the city to catch her flight.
Bani settled herself in Rano's room. The small room was elegantly decorated, the colours reflecting the sea outside which could be seen through the large glass doors, which Rano had recently installed. Bani put her clothes away and then opened the glass door and stood facing the sea. The salty breeze felt cool on her skin. The sound of the rolling waves soothing to her mind. The sunrays hit the water making the water shimmer in the distance. Bani went inside and picked up the book she had brought to read and lay down in the hammock in the corner comfortably. There was nothing much to do, unless some turned up.
She did not know when she fell asleep on the hammock, but when she stirred, it was almost dark. The sun had already dipped over the horizon. The tide had gone out and beach and sea were now dark. She stood up and went inside the room, closing the doors behind her. Bani put on a lamp and then went to the bathroom to freshen up.
The kitchen was located at the back of the house. Bani opened the fridge and took out some vegetables to make soup. There were leftover dishes from the lunch Rano had made. Bani set about chopping up vegetables when she heard the ring of the bell. She looked at the time. It's was past seven in the evening. She wiped her hands quickly on a towel and went out to the front room.
Bani looked at the man standing in front of her. He was looking bit disoriented, his hair was tousled, his shirt pulled out from the pants and dark stubble on his face as if he hadn't shaved for days. With trepidation Bani stepped forward and smiled.
"Hello…can I help you?" she asked.
"I need a room to stay."
"We have several rooms. Would you like to see them first? There are three rooms you can choose from." Bani said politely.
Dr Walia shook his head. He was tired and he just wanted to go to sleep. He pulled out his wallet and took some notes out. "How much is the room?"
Bani shook her head, "It's two hundred rupees a night. Extra if you require lunch and dinner. You can pay when you leave."
Dr Walia pulled out two notes, hundred each. "Here keep this. I don't know how long I am staying. Can you show me my room now?"
Bani nodded and asked him to follow her upstairs. She opened the best room in the house. It was the largest room in the house, again facing the sea. Rano had decorated in warm cinnamon and cream colour scheme. Bani switched on the light and let him come in. She opened the door that led to the bathroom. Dr Walia did not bother looking around. He dropped his bag on the bed and started to pull his shirt off.
Walking towards the bathroom, he just looked at Bani, "The room is fine. I just need a bottle of water." Bani nodded. "I will go and get you one. There are towels on the shelf behind the door," she said just for the sake of saying.
What a strange man? She thought as she went downstairs. He didn't look like a doctor. Bani picked up the bottle of water from the fridge and a glass and took it upstairs. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She opened it slowly and found Dr Walia sprawled out on the bed. He had not bothered to change his clothes and still had on his pants and socks. Bani picked up the discarded shirt from the floor and put on a chair. She put the bottle of water and glass on the table at the side of the bed and quickly left the room.
In kitchen she concentrated on making her soup, trying to curb down thoughts which her only guest had raised in her mind. She retired to bed after eating her soup alone in the kitchen.
XXXXX
The morning dawned bright and sunny. Bani woke up just as the sun was coming up. She put on a pair of Capri and a cotton sweater and ran down on the beach. She had time to go for a long walk before her guest would wake up and come down for breakfast. She walked along the beach, letting the surf roll over her bare feet. The beach was deserted at this time of the morning, except for seagulls and sandpipers. The warm sunrays chased away the chill from the early morning air and she felt a sense of calm seeping into her.
When she returned she found Dr Walia, standing in the balcony of his room. He had shaved his face clean and looked a little bit more presentable than the night before. Wearing jeans and a cotton shirt, he was sipping water from the bottle. He looked down as Bani approached the house, their eyes clashing with interest.
"Good morning!" Bani called out, shading her eyes a little against the sun.
Dr Walia stared at the petite woman looking up at him. Last night he had been too tired, too drained to notice her. All he remembered was her soft soothing voice. He curved his lips slightly and nodded, "Is it too much trouble to get a pot of black coffee?"
Bani shook her head, "No…it's no trouble. Would you like something to eat?"
"No thanks. Not at the moment."
Bani went inside to make coffee. She filled the pot with coffee, set a mug and sugar dish on the tray. Looking at the tray of cookies she had baked last night. She pulled a small plate out of the shelf and put three/four cookies. Bani carried the tray upstairs and found his bedroom door open and Dr Walia still standing in the balcony.
"Where would you like to me put the tray Dr Walia? I can bring a small table out, if you would like to sit in the balcony." Bani remarked as she sat the tray on table in the room.
Dr Walia came in, "No need. I will just take my mug outside with me. Beautiful view…last night I was too tired to notice." He couldn't help staring at her legs peeping out of the edges of her Capri pants. Her small feet were bare and toes painted a bright pink.
Bani shifted aware of his gaze, "Will you require lunch Dr Walia?"
Dr Walia shook his head as he poured out coffee. "I am not sure. I usually eat when I feel like it."
Bani couldn't help blurt out, "Not very healthy is it Dr Walia? Feeding yourself caffeine, but not any food."
Dr Walia looked at cookies and picked one up, "Did you bake this yourself?" he asked sniffing at the cookie, noting a home baked smell.
Bani nodded, "Yes last night. Couldn't sleep as I had taken a long nap earlier…so I baked."
Taking a bite, he tilted his head slightly. "Not bad. And are you happy now? See I am eating something."
For some reason, Bani felt herself flushing at the way he made the remark. To hide her awkwardness, she gave a small smile and walked out of the room.
Dr Walia pulled a chair out on the balcony and took his mug and another cookie out with him. It was a beautiful morning, he couldn't remember when was the last time he had ever taken time to sit and notice the blue cloudless sky or the bright sunlight. He dug into his mind to figure out how he had found his way here yesterday. He knew he had been driving down the highway and remembered suddenly coming off on a side road, but why he did that he didn't know. May be he had been feeling tired and wanted to have a coffee or something. The past few days, since he left Mumbai were a haze, not remembering where he had driven to, where he had stayed or when did he last eat something.
Dr Walia left in the afternoon, telling Bani he was going to explore the area and that he would be back in the evening. Bani made his bed and cleaned up his room and bathroom, putting fresh towels in the bathroom and a vase full of flowers from the garden. She pulled the curtains over the glass door to keep the sunlight out of the room, to keep it cool. There was a photo frame lying on the side table, Bani picked it up and stared at the smiling faces of a beautiful woman and a young boy. There was no mistaking he must be his son, he had inherited many facial features from Dr Walia. She set the frame neatly on the table and smiled to herself, thinking of the lovely family they must make.
Bani had a nap in the afternoon and then just pottered around the garden. Around six she started cooking dinner, grilled chicken, salad and pilau rice. She had just finished making the dressing for the salad when she heard the front door opening. Before she could go out of the kitchen, she heard Dr Walia. "Do you have anything for a headache?" he asked crankily.
Bani gazed at his slightly red, perspiring face and glazed eyes. She rummaged in a cupboard and pulled out a bottle of aspirin and handed it to him with a bottle of water. Dr Walia opened the cap and took a four or five tablets and washed them down with water. He sat down on the chair and closed his eyes.
"Too much sun and I guess you been visiting the local liquor bar." Bani spoke, her voice brittle, while taking out few ice cubes and wrapping it in a towel.
Dr Walia opened his eyes and fixed it on her angrily. "Goddam place doesn't even have a place to get some decent drink. What is that?" he asked as Bani handed him the towel with ice cubes.
"Ice…it might help cool your head down a bit. You shouldn't really drink and then wander around in the hot sun."
"Thank you!" Dr Walia said sarcastically, "But I can dish out my own medical advice…I am a doctor after all." He snatched the towel and placed it on his head, feeling the cold from the melting ice on his scalp.
Bani finished cleaning up the dishes and then set the table for dinner.
"Are up to eating some food?" she asked as she placed the chicken on the table.
Opening his eyes slowly, Dr Walia looked at the chicken. "I guess so, it looks edible enough…what is it?"
"Grilled chicken and there is rice and salad to go with it."
"Wow…quite a gourmet cook aren't you?" he remarked.
Bani turned and smiled, "I like cooking. Nothing wrong in eating well." She sat down and made a plate for him and then looked at him with a grin, "There is some wine in the fridge. I would offer it you, if you weren't suffering from the local brew."
Dr Walia snorted, "Now you tell me. I will remember that next time I feel like getting drunk." They ate in silence, Dr Walia making a quick meal of his food. Bani sat and ate leisurely.
"Is there any desert?" he asked after some time of sitting and watching her.
"There is some ice-cream. Oh…and those cookies I baked."
Dr Walia stood up, "I will take the cookies and a cup of black coffee it is not too much trouble."
"I will bring it up shortly." Bani replied as helped herself to some more rice.
After she had washed the dishes and put leftover away. Bani made a pot of coffee and put it on a tray with a plate of cookies. She carried it upstairs and knocked on the bedroom door. She heard his deep voice call, "Come in."
Bani opened the door and noticed Dr Walia was sprawled out on a chair in the balcony. His chest was bare, wearing only track pant bottoms. A cigarette lay burning in an ashtray on the floor. Bani poured a mug of coffee and walked over to hand it to him.
"Sit!" he ordered as he took the mug. "I feel like company tonight. Tell me about yourself and this place. How come a gorgeous woman like you is living out here alone?"
Bani felt a rush of pink brush over her cheek. She sat down on the empty chair and told him that the house belonged to Rano and how she had come to look after it while her sister had gone abroad. She was careful about how much information she gave him about herself.
"What about you Dr Walia? Are you taking a vacation from your job?" Bani asked to banish the silence that had fallen after she finished talking.
His eyes were pained when he looked at her. His face grimaced as he said roughly, "I wish it was a vacation. No my dear…I am kind of hoping to rediscover myself…or let's say find confidence to hold a scalpel without dropping it on the floor and running out of the operating theatre."
Bani did not know what to say to the outburst. She fiddled with the edge of her t-shirt, until he reached over and clamped his hand down on hers, "Stop it. Say something or else leave. I am not looking for pity." His voice was harsh and his hand trembled slightly as it lay on hers. Bani slowly moved her hand from underneath his. Her eyes were blank as she looked at him. "I am sorry, I don't know what to say except what happened to make you run away from your job?"
Dr Walia laughed loudly. In the stillness of the night, it sounded eerie, "What happened? Nothing much…I just couldn't save the one person who I needed to save. Do you know…" he paused, grabbing her shoulders, "what is like to see your wife lying on the operating table, dying while you operated on her?"
Bani gasped loudly and pity filled her eyes. He shook his head, "You know this is what I hate…pity…everyone looks at me the same way when they find out. Poor man…must be terrible to see his wife die in front of his eyes while he was cutting up her head."
Not wanting to hear any more, Bani stood up, "I am sorry…I don't want to hear anymore. Good night Dr Walia." Her footsteps ran across the wood floor as he stared at her. After she was gone, Dr Walia looked up at the night sky, "Good night…she doesn't know what it is like to sleep…how can I sleep when all I see is her, lying bleeding on that table."
Bani lay on her bed, breathing deeply. Her core shook at the revelation made by Dr Walia. Her inside cried silently at the tragedy, for the little boy who had lost a mother, for the husband who lost his love. Suddenly she thought of Rahul, the day she found out he was no more…and a tear rolled down, not for Rahul but for the man sitting on the balcony trying to come to term with the death of his wife.
XXXXX
Next morning Bani did not see Dr Walia come down for breakfast. His bedroom door remained closed and she did not go looking for him. Instead she took a long walk on the beach and then went to nearby village to browse the market.
Dr Walia could hear the phone the ring, but no one picking up. He pushed the bed sheets off him and opened the door. The ringing stopped. In the bathroom he set about shaving his face. His saw slight flaking off the skin from the sunburn and grimaced, cutting his chin slightly. He washed away the blood that oozed. A cold shower gave a welcome relief to his skin. He put on a white t-shirt and jeans and went downstairs looking for Bani. Now fully awake, he was craving caffeine. The house felt empty. He put some water to boil and rummaged in the cupboard until he found coffee and made himself a strong cup of coffee.
The phone rang again. He walked out to the reception desk and then picked it up. A high pitched female voice hit his eardrums. "Mom…it's Valentine day soon and guess what…there is a dance at school and I want to go. And mom…I wanted to ask you something personal…well there is a boy that I like…" Dr Walia cut her off, "Excuse me…but this is not your mom…I don't know where she is. Who shall I say called?"
Ganga felt herself go all red. She had just been about to talk about her crush to an unknown man. "Ganga…it's her daughter. Could you ask her to call me please?"
Ganga heard deep rumble of laughter, "Yes I will young lady. And if you want some advice on the cute boy you like…I can give you some."
Dr Walia heard the phone being slammed down. He smiled, he didn't mean to tease, but he couldn't help himself. He liked the sound of Bani's daughter. Wonder what she looked like he thought. He found Bani very attractive…the petite frame, the black hair, the almond eyes that watched him intently when he was with her. Suddenly he cursed loudly as he remembered how horrible he had been to her in the night. She had not asked him about Sonali…he had somehow just felt like talking. She had listened and then he had got angry because he saw pity in her eyes. No wonder she was avoiding him this morning.
He downed the rest of the coffee and made another cup and took it outside on the porch. It was hot, the afternoon sun set the sea ablaze with its rays. Dr Walia sat in the cane chair, slipping off his shoes and putting them up on the wooden rails. Under the shade of the porch he sat and watched the surf rolling in. The bottom of the coffee cup had dried up he saw Bani walking up, carrying a basket. She was wearing pink cotton Capri with a white long sleeve blouse over a white tank top. A straw hat was pulled down on her head. Her feet were cased in a pair of white flat sandals.
Their eyes locked as she came near. "Hi!" he greeted her cordially.
"Hi! How do you feel today?" she asked, genuine concern laced in her voice.
He shrugged, "Ok, I guess. The sleep helped. Been shopping?" he asked, looking at the basket.
"Yes…something for dinner. Would like something to eat for lunch?" she asked, stepping up on the porch.
"Yes…a sandwich if you don't mind." He stood up and followed her in. While Bani took out the vegetables from the basket, Dr Walia helped him to a bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap and took a long drink. "Oh by the way, your daughter called, wants you to call her up, " and with his twinkling and trying to keep his face straight, "err..I think she has boy trouble."
Bani's eyebrow shot up. "She is only fourteen." She said quietly.
"Ahhh…a teenager. Well you better call her soon." With that Dr Walia walked out of the kitchen.
Bani dialed her home number and heard Ganga answer the call.
"Hi Mom. Where did you go? And who is that man who answered the phone?" Ganga bombarded her questions.
"Hi Ganga. I just went to the market. How are you? And how is nana and nani?"
"Mom, you didn't tell me who the guy is who answered the phone." Ganga reminded Bani.
"A guest who staying here." Bani answered briefly.
"What's he like? He sounds so sexy on the phone." Bani squealed, "Gangaaaaaaaaaa."
"What's wrong? He does. Is he tall and hot looking?"
"No, he isn't. He is looks in his forties. And he has grey hairs." Bani said flatly.
"Man with grey hairs can be nice looking." Ganga giggled.
"Anyway what is this about a boy?" Bani asked, trying to change the direction of the talk.
"Oh…well…I want to send a Valentine card to this boy I like. His name is Rishi and he is so cute. But I need your help." Ganga voice trailed off in a plea.
Bani took a deep breath and sat down, "What kind of help?" she asked with her heart palpitating a bit. She had never thought she would ever be having a conversation like this with her daughter.
Half an hour later when Dr Walia peeked into the room, Bani was still on the phone. He chuckled to himself, thinking of grief the girl was giving her mother. Thank god he wouldn't have to deal with such stuff.
Dinner was a little late and Bani had ended up making just some sabzi and roti as the telephone call had lasted longer than she had wanted. They had ate at the kitchen table and Dr Walia had reminded her about the wine in the fridge. Bani had poured them both a glass, she feeling in need of one glass to relax her.
Bani made a pot of coffee for Dr Walia and left it on the kitchen table, informing him it was there if he wanted it. She wished him goodnight and retired to her room. A sound of loud clattering woke her up. It was dark in the room and she pressed the switch on the lamp but it did not turn on. Getting up she strained her eyes in the dark. The power must have gone off. She could hear the wind roaring outside. Must be storm brewing up. She tread carefully towards the door and then letting her eyes adjust to the darkness she carefully made her way towards the stairs. Rano must have some candles downstairs she thought.
TBC...
