Ek Rang Rashk ka
Chapter 18: Tohfa
Barkha's apparent merriment on dancing with Manthan was not the only reason for Nakul's resentment. "Your wife seems more comfortable with Manthan than with you, Nakul." Tripti remarked. "Mom!". "I'm just telling you what I observe Nakul. She was having a gala time in the Titan Showroom yesterday afternoon. With Manthan, of course.... And one more thing Nakul." Tripti said before walking off. "Earlier in the evening you told me I was very inconsiderate in inviting Abhir for a family party. I did no more or no less than what your wife did when she invited Ganga Mehta."
"So...What do you think about my new watch, Barkha?......Not a bad deal for spending two and a half hours helping you select a watch for that good-for-nothing-husband of yours.........Aaieeeeeeeeeeeeeee........What was that for?" Manthan asked in injured tones, checking his recently boxed nose for any broken cartilages. "For reminding me what a lousy gift selector I am that I have to depend on the likes of you." Barkha answered dryly. Manthan chuckled as Nakul's face grew greener progressively. "If he turns any more green, I'll call him Shrek!!" was Manthan's comment as soon as the dance ended. Pleading exhaustion, Barkha left the party in the next twenty minutes. Nakul followed her half an hour later.
"Why did you have to invite Miss Mehta for a family party, Barkha?" were Nakul's first words as he entered their room. "Because she is family." Barkha answered calmly. "Really? By what virtue?", Nakul taunted. "Or do you like humiliating Mom?". "Mrs Virani's insecurity is not my concern Nakul. Neither is her inability to trust in the relationships she's forged herself." was Barkha's impatient rejoinder. "Damn it Barkha...Why cant you address her with a more customary title?Like Mom or Mama?". "When she behaves as such, Nakul, I will. And if you've finished asking me inane questions, I'd like to go to sleep." "Inane questions? But of course. The only enlightened and enjoyable conversations you have, are with Manthan, isn't it? You prefer to talk to him, to dance with him, to lunch with him, to shop with him. Tell me Barkha," he asked, hauling her up roughly from the makeshift bed on the couch, "What were you doing with Manthan yesterday afternoon when you refused lunch with me? Buying Manthan Valentine gifts?".
For the second time, Barkha slapped Nakul. This time much more harder. "I don't need to justify my friendship with Manthan to the likes of detestable, disgusting .................", Barkha's sentence was left incomplete as Nakul yanked her very close and kissed her. With a violent emotion similar to Barkha's when she slapped him. After several minutes of her futile struggle, he let her go. "It was not my intention to hurt you, physically or otherwise, Barkha. " he told her repentantly, as she looked at him, outraged. "I'm really sorry.............I feel livid when I see your closeness to Manthan. And it is not because I hate him." The last sentence was an inaudible, honest confession to himself.
Rashk is the Urdu word for jealousy
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Once again if anyone is offended by the suggestion of violence in the story, I apologize 😕
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