Part 86
"Prachiiiiiiiiiiii", Milind's deep groan cut through the quietness of the morning.
Seated at the breakfast table, Shweta gave Anand a knowing look. Inder continued to eat, his face betraying nothing. Prachi quickly got up. Oh dear! She was going to wake him after breakfast but he seemed to have woken up already.
"Prachiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii", his voice was louder. Shweta stopped her and pointed to the tray of coffee, "Take it with you, Prachi. That's what he needs", she smiled. Nodding, Prachi rushed up the stairs.
Slightly nervous after last night, Prachi stepped in slowly. The room was just as she had left that morning and Milind was still buried under the duvet. Prachi quickly pulled back the curtains letting the sunlight seep into the room. Milind groaned. Why did he have to drink so much? She thought angrily. She sat down on the bed and immediately, Milind moved towards her and rested his head on her lap, still half buried under the covers. Her resolve to be stern with him crumbling, Prachi smiled and ran her fingers through his curls.
"Hmmm, it feels as comfy as mom's lap", Milind murmured softly.
A sudden wave of tenderness filled Prachi and she bent down to kiss his cheek, "Wake up, mommy's boy! Time to rise and shine", she whispered softly.
Grinning, Milind rolled over and pulled her closer to him. Before his lips could meet hers, she closed her hand over his mouth.
She wrinkled her nose "You stink", she accused.
Laughing, he rolled on top of her and buried his face in her neck, "Now I am sure you smell just as bad as me. So, let go and take a shower……together", he whispered.
Protesting, she tried to push him away, "Behave, Milind. The whole family is at the breakfast table. What will they think? I have to go down now. Get ready soon. We are taking mama and papa for shopping", she said, still struggling.
Milind frowned at her, "You take them, Prachi. I have other things to do", he said and got up immediately.
Prachi looked at him surprised, "But you promised, Milind. I don't even know the city. Where will I take them?", she chewed her lip worriedly.
Milind gave her an annoyed look, "I will tell one of our men to take you wherever you want to go and take Anna with you as well", he said firmly and poured himself a cup of coffee.
Tears filled Prachi's eyes and she moved closer to him, "You are angry with me for last night, aren't you? I am sorry, Milind. I didn't mean to upset you", she said softly.
Milind sighed and leaned back, "I am not angry with you, Prachi. I am just not in the mood for shopping today" he said. Not another day with her father…….no, not if he can help it.
Her lips wobbling now, Prachi cupped his face, "Please, Milind. I am sorry", she said again.
Her tear filled pleading eyes were enough to waver him and sighing, he pulled her into his arms. Prachi hugged him tightly appologising repeatedly. Milind kissed her head, "Don't be silly, Prachi. Stop appologising now", he chided her.
"Then take me out today", she said softly.
Milind grunted, "Alright. You and your parents decide where to go and I will take you there. Don't ask me to suggest anything. Your papa will have a problem even with that", he said firmly. He knew Inder very well by now. Prachi's eyes searched his, confused, worried and scared. Milind kissed her lips softly. "Stop worrying, Prachi. Go down and let me get ready as well", he said softly and smiled as she gave a sweet smile and wound her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. "Don't I stink now?" he murmured against her lips.
Who cared? Prachi thought to herself and sighed, "Stop talking, Milind and kiss me", she ordered softly and chuckling, Milind obeyed.
The soft golden hue of the setting sun filled the room and Prachi smiled happily. After returning from their shopping trip, she had busied herself in the kitchen. With Anna's help she had made a chocolate cake and she couldn't wait to hear what Milind thought of it when she served it for dessert. The day had been very good and Milind hadn't left her side. He had taken them wherever they wanted to go and patiently waited for them to shop. He hadn't spoken much to her father but had been very polite whenever he did but to Prachi's irritation, her papa had been way too curt in his answers to Milind. Why is her papa behaving like this? She thought to herself. But atleast he hadn't said a word about last night to Milind and Prachi was very glad about that. She had planned to speak to her father after dinner and hopefully, it will clear his misunderstandings. Shaking out of her thoughts, she jumped feeling Milind's arms encircling her.
"Milind…….what are you doing? Someone might come in", she hissed, struggling to get away.
Kissing her urgently, his eyes fell on the chocolate cake and he whistled softly. "Oh my, is my wife trying to seduce me with her culinary skills?" he asked naughtily.
Prachi blushed and looked at him from the corner of her eyes, "Are you seduced?" she asked softly.
Milind kissed her again, "Well and truly, sweetheart. I am defenceless where you are concerned", he said softly and Prachi gave a shy smile.
Inspite of her protest, he carried the cake to the dining area in the garden, openly admiring it. "I can't wait to eat it, Prachi. Can we have start our dinner with dessert?" he winked and Prachi laughed.
Polite conversation flowed around the table, with even Inder participating freely. Dinner had been mouthwatering and Prachi looked at Milind proudly when dessert was served. The sound of his ringing phone was shrill and Milind picked it up, throwing an appologetic look around the table.
"Hey, Sal, sorry, I am in the middle of dinner. Talk to you lat……….", he stopped, his facial expression changing from shock to concern. Prachi stiffened by his side. "Oh god, Sal, are you alright?........No, honey, calm down", he spoke urgently and Prachi looked at him shocked. "You are not hurt, are you? Is Mark okay?............ I will be right there. I am leaving now" he got up as he spoke and Anand and Shweta looked at eachother. Milind cut the call and looked at them, "I am sorry. I got to do. There has been an accident", he said and seeing Anand get up, he stopped him. "No, Dad. Relax. Sally is okay. So is Mark. Just a bit of trouble but I will see to that. Just don't say anything to Simon. He is not in the country and he would go into a panic. And please continue the dinner", he said and quicky reassured a very concerned looking Shweta. Pulling his coat on, he clicked his fingers at one of the men hovering at a distance. "Get my car ready" and turned to pat Prachi's cheek. "I am sorry, darling. I will back soon but don't wait up for me. I will explain later" he said and quickly appologising to Inder and Premlatha, he walked away, already calling Vicky.
A very uncomfortable silence filled the place. Prachi sat stunned, her mind a mixture of concern and disappointment. Her eyes fell on his untouched dessert plate. He didn't get to even taste her cake. But then his friends are in trouble. She chided herself for her petty thoughts. She gave a small smile at her parents, quickly looking away at the anger in her father's eyes. Clearing his throat, Anand called to continue the dinner. As everyone exclaimed how good her cake was, Prachi managed a smile. Her eyes kept going back to the empty chair next to her. Without even registering the taste, she continued to eat.
It was well after 11 pm when Prachi walked to her parents' room with a tray of milk, half lost in thoughts. Even she was worried when Anand told them after dinner that Milind and Vicky were at the hospital with Sally and Mark. But atleast it was nothing serious. Hopefully, he would be home soon, she thought to herself wishfully. About to knock on the half-open door, she stilled hearing her parents's conversion or rather her father's tirade.
"I keep telling you, Premlatha and you just don't believe me. All it takes is one phone call from that girl and he goes running. He didn't even touch that cake. Did you see Prachi's face?" he said angrily.
Premlatha glared at him, "Aap bhi choti choti bathon ko lekar hangama kada kar dete hai, Inder. There was an accident and they are his friends. Prachi can bake him a cake any other day. Don't keep finding faults with everything he does. It's not going to help anyone, not you and not Prachi", she said sternly.
Inder stared at her, "All I care is about my daughter, Premlatha. If you hadn't stopped me I would have given Milind a piece of my mind about that party. Even Anandji understood my feelings", he said.
Premlatha sighed, "But inspite of me warning you not to, you went and spoke to Anandji. He heard what you had to say but as I expected he defended his son. He is always polite towards you and even understands your feelings but Inder, you seem to forget that Anandji is Milind's father and you are cutting his son down in front of him. I am sure Shwetaji would have reacted completely different if you had said anything to her", she said worriedly.
Inder snorted, "Oh, yes, she would have. She thinks her son is the most perfect human being on earth. Little does she know that he seems to have dated half the London's female population. Whoever you meet seems to have a daughter or a sister or a cousin who had dated him, and ofcourse, they were all short lived relationships", he said sarcastically.
Anger coursed through Prachi as she listened. How dare her Papa speaks of Milind like that? Unable to stand there anymore, she pushed open the door and entered the room, her eyes blazing. Shocked, her parents looked at her. Placing the tray on the table, she stood in front of her father, her eyes filling up with tears of hurt and anger, "Papa, I am telling you for the last time. I don't want to hear you say one wrong thing about my husband. Not just for his parents, but for me too he is the most perfect man on earth. How he lived his life before was his business and how he lives now is his and my business? I know you care about me a lot. I am very happy about that. But that is no excuse for your behaviour. I told you that were mistaken last night but you even went and spoke to Dad. What would he think? Why are you doing this, Papa? Why are you interfering so much? Now you even degrade him for going to help his friends. You never approved of Milind and I was foolish enough to think that you had changed. But enough now, Papa. Not a word more about my husband. I am tired of hearing about your opinions about him", her voice shook as she spoke. Her mind vaguely registering the stunned look on her parents' faces, she turned and walked away.
She could only hold her tears till she reached the lounge of their private wing. She sobbed, angry and frustrated and looked up feeling her mother's hand on her head. She hadn't even realised that her mama had followed her. "Mama, I am sorry", with a sob she hugged her.
Premlatha held her close, "Prachi beta, calm down now. I know you are very angry and I appologise to you for Inder. He shouldn't have said such things", she said slowly. Ignoring Prachi's protest, she continued, "Prachi, I don't have to tell you how much your Papa loves you……may be too much. He has always planned everything for you, Prachi……..how you would grow up, where you would study and every little thing. And he is a very traditional man………too conservative even for my liking and he forms opinions easily. He had planned out a life for you and then Milind came, who is very different and opposite to whatever values and traditions your Papa held close to his heart. He agreed to the marriage for your sake but never accepted Milind. I don't know how long that will take and till then I am afraid that you will always be tugged between the two. I could see that even Milind's patience is wearing thin" she said and hurried when Prachi was about to speak. "No, Prachi, please hear me out. I don't blame him. Even I was surpised on many occasions that he never rose up to the bait whenever your father picked on him. But I can see that it is coming to an end. Whatever you said just now was very correct, Prachi. No woman likes to hear such things about her husband and you are no different. But you know your father. Its good that we are leaving the day after tomorrow. I think we should have left right after the reception", tears filled her eyes.
Horrified, Prachi held her hand, "No, mama, please don't say that. I am sorry. I don't know how I could say such things to Papa. I will go and appologise now" she sobbed more.
Wiping her tears, Premlatha gave a small smile, "No, Prachi, your papa needed that. Leave it for now. Let him sleep over it. But Prachi, I know I am interfering too. But can I ask you something?" she asked softly.
Prachi looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please mama, ask me anything you want. You have every right. I really didn't mean it that way", she pleaded.
Premlatha squeezed her hand, "Prachi, your father told me a lot of things about the party. But I won't judge anything just by his opinions. His friends…….I mean, are you happy with all this, beta?" she asked, struggling to phrase her question.
Prachi smiled, "Mama, Papa was watching everything from a distance. He was just a spectator and I can understand how it would have looked. But I was there, mama. I was a part of the group. I knew these people. They may wear such clothes and behave differently but they are fantastic people. Milind is not how Papa thinks he is and he cares for and respects his friends a lot", she said softly.
Premlatha smiled, "That's what I wanted to know, Prachi. Thanks for telling me, beta. Now just forget everything that happened and get some sleep. Milind should be coming back soon anyway", she said and got up.
"Papa will be very angry with me", Prachi said softly almost to herself.
Premlatha patted her cheek, "He can't stay that way for long. However he is Prachi, he loves you very much. Whatever you do or whatever you say would never ever change that", she said.
Prachi wiped her tears, "I know I hurt him, mama. Let me appologise now", she said. The look of extreme hurt and pain on her father's face seemed to have etched itself in her mind.
Premlatha shook her head, "No, Prachi. Leave it till tomorrow", she said firmly and left the room.
Long after her mother left, Prachi sat there, her mind pondering over a lot of things. She didn't how she was going to pacify her father the next day but she will have to. Her thoughts broke as the clock stuck twelve. What was keeping Milind so long? They should have left the hospital by now. She called his mobile and reached only the answering machine. She called Vicky's mobile and frowned when he told her that he was just leaving the hospital with Mark and Milind had already taken Sally home. Agitated, she paced the room. Why should he take her home and not Vicky? she thought irritatedly. Her father's words came back to her. Even he seemed to have noticed how close Milind and Sally were. Though she would have readily defended Milind in front of her father, when alone, all her insecurities seemed to come out in full force. Sleep long forgotten, she paced their bedroom, her eyes on the clock every now and then. Even time seemed to torture her moving ever so slowly. As minutes ticked by, her agitation grew and frustrated, she gave up trying to reach Milind. She curled up on the bed and brooded, her mind a complete riot.
It had gone just after 2 when the bedroom opened and Milind walked in. He sat on the bed looking exhausted and looked startled when she called his name. "Prachi, I thought you would be asleep by now", he said surprised.
"I couldn't sleep. What took you so long? I tried your phone a number of times", she sat up and said softly.
Milind grimaced, "Sorry, honey. I had turned it off when I reached the hospital and forgot to turn it on again", he threw the phone on the bed. "What a night!" he exclaimed tiredly and fell back on the bed, his head resting on her lap and closed his eyes.
Prachi's hand smoothed away his curls, "How are they now?" she asked tentatively.
He sighed, "They are okay. Poor Sally is all shaken up. I took her home and it took me a long time to calm her down", he said.
Of course, she wouldn't have left a chance to cling to him, she thought nastily and fell ashamed immediately.
Ignorant to her thoughts, he continued, "She had fallen asleep when I left. The medicines seemed to have calm her down. We will check on her in the morning", he said.
Prachi held her breathe. Did he put her to bed? What else did he do? Is that why it took him so long? Furious, Prachi remained silent.
"I was so close to hitting that idiot Mark, Prachi. Thank god, Vicky was there. That moron was driving the car and it could have been worse. It would be a long time before he gets behind any damned wheel", he said angrily.
Shocked by his anger, Prachi looked at him, "But Milind he was hurt too", she said.
"Oh, not as much as he deserved. He says it was the truck driver's fault but then he should have been more careful. The car had slid off the road but the passenger side had took a hit. The car is not in a good shape. It was a miracle they had such minor bruises, especially Sally. I was shocked to see the car when I got there. She could have easily got hurt really badly. Thank god she spoke to me before I got there. So, I knew she wasn't hurt badly. Otherwise, I would have just feared the worst." he said hoarsely, his eyes gleaming in the soft light and distant with a mixture of emotions, fear, worry, relief and a lot more.
Prachi froze, unable to take her eyes off his face. He closed his eyes again and she gasped a breathe in without even realising that she had been holding her breathe. An unknown fear filled her. "Milind", she called his name softly and her lips wobbled.
He linked his fingers in hers. "Micky is staying the night with Sally and Merin would come in the morning. I am so glad that nothing worse happened, Prachi", he said softly.
Slightly relieved to hear that Micky was also present there, Prachi rested her head against his, "I am glad too" she whispered to herself.
"I still have the hospital smell on me, sweetheart and you know I can't stand hospitals", he grimaced. "Let me take a quick shower and come. And hey, have you saved my share of cake? I am sorry I missed it then. Can I eat it now?" he asked.
Easing up slightly, Prachi kissed his forehead, "Of course, I saved it for you. You freshen up and come and I will bring it for you" she said softly.
Putting together a tray of cake and coffee, Prachi bit her lip, her mind replaying Milind's words and the expression in his eyes. Did he even realise how he sounded? The strength of his emotions had rattled her. She knew that he cared for Sally but now she suspected that he cared a lot more for her than he let her or even himself know. There was such naked concern, worry and anger in his eyes and her stomach knotted in fear. Was she imaginging something that is not there? Oh, how she hoped so. But no, she couldn't shake the feeling of trepedition. Her steps faltered as she walked back to the bedroom and watched Milind emerge out of the bathroom in his night shorts. Her heart gave a fiere lurch as he smiled at her. She rushed towards him and hugged him tightly biting back a sob.
Surprised, he held her close, "What is it, darling?" he asked softly.
"I am scared", she said in a muffled voice.
Smiling, he kissed her head, "Were you thinking about the accident? Don't worry, Prachi. Everything is fine. Both of them will be back to normal in a few days", he said and sat on the bed with her on his lap.
A sudden anger filled Prachi and she moved back to glare at him, "Then what kept you so long? Don't you know that I would be waiting here for you? Is Sally more important to you than me?" she asked angrily.
Taken aback, Milind looked at her in disbelief. Slowly it occurred to him that in the event of all that happened he had almost forgotten that Sally was still a sore subject for Prachi and cursed himself for being stupid. He cupped her face, "I am sorry, Prachi. I should have atleast called you. No one is more important than you, sweetheart. How can you even ask me that? But I just couldn't leave her alone, Prachi. She was emotionally in a bad shape", he said softly. Seeing Prachi's unforgiving stare, he sighed, "Prachi, Sally lost her mom in a car crash. Her mother's boyfriend who was driving the car at that time escaped with a few scratches. They had to struggle to cut her body loose from the mangled car", he said slowly. Shocked, Prachi gasped. "It had brought back very harsh memories for that poor girl. And Vicky and I were backpacking in the Australian outback at the time……living rough. The news reached us only a few days later and we even missed the funeral. I expressed condolences only through email and Sally shut herself out from everyone for a very long time. I had always felt guilty about that. I think I was just making up for that tonight. It was painful to watch her, Prachi. I just couldn't leave", he explained softly. Sally had been very quiet in the hospital but once they reached home post traumatic shock had set in. She had gone from hysterics to sudden silence in no time and he had been very worried. She had cried on his shoulders letting out all her pent up anger and pain and he had struggled to comfort her. Micky had given her a heavy dose to calm down and atlast she had slept.
A sudden shame filled Prachi and her eyes filled up. Losing one's parent itself was the most cruel thing in the world and especially in such a way was even worse. No wonder Sally had been hysterical. No one deserved such a loss, not even Sally. And here she was, picking up on the fact that he stayed back to comfort her. Even she would have done that even if it was her worst enemy. She cupped his face, her eyes appologetic, "I am sorry, Milind. I didn't know. It was just that I was waiting for you for a long time and ….." her voice trailed away. Whatever happened between her and her father hadn't helped either. But she wasn't going to tell Milind that.
Milind's lips caressed her forehead, "It's alright, Prachi. I was at fault too. Now, Let me taste the cake that you so lovingly made for me", he said.
Smiling, Prachi fed him and seeing him relish every bite, her heart soared with happiness. Sighing contently, he lay down on the bed, his head resting on her chest. Her earlier trepedition gone, Prachi caressed his head.
Milind groaned, "I can't get the smell of the hospital out of my head, Prachi. It brings back memories. All I can associate with hospitals are pain and utter helplessness. And I hate feeling both", he complained.
Prachi's hand automatically traced the scar on the back of his neck, wondering if he was talking about it.
Milind looked at her, "No, Prachi. I am talking about the first time I was in the hospital, when I got stabbed when I was 18. I was in so much pain when I woke up but Vicky and mom was in such bad state that I pretended that I was fine. When the nurse came to give me painkillers, I snapped at her badly and threw a tantrum telling everyone to leave me alone. Though shocked, no one wanted to upset me. Everyone including my parents, Vicky and his parents left without a word. But within a few minutes, Dad came back. He sat down next to me, held my hand and told me that I can stop pretending now because everyone had left and it was safe to cry. And I did, Prachi. I cried like a child telling him how much it hurt. He comforted me like he had always done and called the nurse back to give me painkillers. I slept only after a long time and he sat there talking to me about a lot of things. When I woke up the next morning, he was still there, slumped on the chair next to me. Just watching him sleep and knowing that he had been there the whole time was the most comforting thing I had ever felt. I suddenly knew everything was going to be fine and it was. I came home within a few days. There is nothing more comforting than having the right person with you, especially the one you need the most", he said softly.
Prachi's heart constricted, feeling the ache, the fear and the strength of the young man he had been. He was right. Being with the right person means the most. In spite of everything, she understood that Sally needed to be with him not just for what happened tonight but for the night her mother had been snatched away from her so cruelly. She had needed to vent it all out and this time, she had the right person with her……Milind. Prachi closed her eyes, struggling within herself trying to accept it. She opened her eyes and looked into his honest ones. She didn't know what else was in his eyes when he spoke about Sally but she knew what she saw now………love in abundance and ony for her. She relaxed, her mind suddenly calm. He is not only a good son, a good brother and a good husband but also a great friend. And she respected him even more for that. She caressed his face softly, her mind going back to what he had shared with her. She knew that he hadn't told that to anyone else. "You love Dad a lot, don't you?" she asked softly.
He smiled, "I adore him, Prachi. He is my friend, teacher, guide and the best dad one could ever ask for. He had given me everything before I could ask him and more importantly, he gave me you. If it was not for him, it would have taken a very long time, darling", he said and kissed her lips softly. "I only wish that I never let him down, Prachi…… come what may", he said passionately.
Prachi kissed his forehead, "He will never have any complaints, Milind. You will never let him down", she said softly and sighed as he buried his face in her chest, his arms gathering her close.
Opening up to her had eased his mind completely and Milind felt at peace. But then she always had that effect on him. He never had to pretend in front of her. He could tell her his weakest moments and she would love him even for that. Oh, how he loved her! His hand tightened around her, arching her body close to him. He brushed his mouth against her softness in an intimate caress and his body tightened at her answering gasp. He slowly moved up and his mouth claimed hers in a deep kiss.
He fell asleep a long time later, holding his sleeping wife close to him. It will be dawn soon, ….another day……….new events. Life would go on and he will cherish every minute of it with his love by his side.
Arjun
Sensational South
Current Affairs
