SIX
The car ride to Prerna's home was a silent one. But it wasn't uncomfortable.
She liked the silence. For once, she had nothing to say. She wanted to thank Mr. Bajaj, for saving her. She was still a stranger and yet he talked her into not killing herself.
She knew Mr. Bajaj was an enigma but she realized his enigmatic presence was persuasive as well as lethal.
If someone else was in his place, perhaps that person would not have been able to stop Prerna from taking such drastic measures but Mr. Bajaj did.
He was as influential as well as a resourceful person. For once, the rumors were true.
But that's why he was so successful. Because of his personality and hard work of course.
The sun had set half an hour ago and darkness fell over Kolkata like a mist. All she could see was the headlights of the vehicles on the roads of Kolkata. Her family must be worried sick.
Her poor mother. She must be terrified.
And her father. God! What was she thinking? Trying to kill herself. Her parents raised her better. And was this the example she wanted to set before her siblings? To kill yourself because of some spineless scrub and a molester and few people with and IQ level below the temperature of Kashmir in winters.
Mr. Bajaj was seated beside her in the car. He was looking into the horizon, lost in his thoughts as the car sped. She took the moment to admire his chiseled face. His eyes that could look through anybody's soul.
But what surprised her the most was that he saved her. He wasn't a bad person. Just sheltered. Misunderstood.
He was a mystery. A mystery she wanted to unravel.
She was peeking at him from the corner of her eyes when he said abruptly, "Ms. Sharma, I would like to apologize for what happened on that afternoon. What I did was inappropriate. I shouldn't have mocked Mr. Basu like that."
"It doesn't matter, Mr. Bajaj. You said the truth. I was a fool. I didn't realize that it could never work between us. We belonged to different social circles. Our personalities are different. Our upbringing is different," said Prerna, as a lone tear escaped her eye. "I was naive to think that I could have my happily ever after. Loving him was a mistake."
Mr. Bajaj took out a handkerchief from the lapel of his jacket and handed it to her. She took it, grateful. Their fingers touching briefly. She wiped her tears. The handkerchief smelt just like him.
"No,it wasn't," said Mr. Bajaj still looking in front. "Loving someone can never be a mistake. And you must never regret doing something. I've seen the world, Ms. Sharma and it's the not doing that I regret more."
"But love makes us vulnerable. It made me vulnerable. Anurag's indifference broke me. I would've killed myself if it wasn't for you," she said, bitterly.
"No. You wouldn't have. Something or the other would've stopped you," he looked at her. His gaze intent. "You are your father's daughter. He wouldn't have raised a girl who would be so weak as to kill herself. He would've raised you better."
Prerna could do nothing but to gawk at him.
"You met my father once. He told me. And already you know so much about him," Prerna blurted her. "Have you been stalking us or something."
Mr. Bajaj looked rather as if she had just asked him to donate both of his kidneys.
His look was that of sheer incredulity.
"Why would I stalk you?"
"How would I know? But you clearly followed me to the cliff," she said, mischievously. The atmosphere lightening.
"Of course I did. You were running like a maddened woman. As if someone had unleashed a thousand pitbulls upon you."
Prerna could only let out a small chuckle.
"But seriously, Mr. Bajaj. Thank you, for everything," she said, smiling shyly.
Mr. Bajaj nodded. "No need to thank me. It's my favourite hobby. Rescuing damsels in distress and wiping their tears."
"I never knew you were so cheeky," Prerna commented.
"You dont know me at all, Ms. Sharma," he remarked as the car stopped in front of her house.
"Oh, but I do know something. I know that you're a good man," she smiled at him before she got out of the car.
She thanked him once more and went inside.
He watched her disappear. It had been a long time since someone said that to him.
"Bajaj Mansion, Ram," he said to the driver.