A short episode …….. Part 3
The Clock ticks ……
He had left home for work almost at daybreak. He had filled the water and done as much as he could to make her workload less. He had told everyone at home that he'd be late in returning home and not to wait up for him. He had spoken loud enough for his voice to carry over to the kitchen so that she would hear. In his heart he knew she would wait up for him and this made him happy. However, he didn't want her to lessen her time of rest. He had touched his chest as he had stood in front of Bappa and hoped that it would be a good day. No one had been up in the morning. She had brought him his cup of tea. He had taken it from her in silence. She had moved back a step or two. He had looked at her. Her hair had been pinned away from her face though it was still loose at the back. He'd sipped the hot refreshing brew, looking over the rim at her. His eyes had drunk in her pretty picture and had saved it in his heart to help him through the day.
She did her usual routine but a bit listlessly today. Her head was aching somewhat and her eyes were hot. She hoped she wasn't in for fever. That would create a problem. She was tolerated by her MIL because she worked like a dog. What would she say if she fell ill? The thought of being subjected to her ire terrified her. She wondered why one felt so miserable and alone when one was sick. Baba noticed her pale face and said he'd like her to read the newspaper out to him. His wife had objected but he had been adamant. She knew that was one way of giving her rest. The others too had taken their cue from him and had shown kindness to her. Kaka hung around the living room so see to it that Savi wouldn't harass her. She was thankful for the small mercy that Bappa sent her way.
She cooked a simple meal for everyone which her MIL declared as insipid. She had pushed her plate away and glared at Archana. Tears smarted her eyes. The feverishness was increasing and with it her inner grit was crumbling. Vandu came into the kitchen to help her but Archana begged her to go and study. She didn't want her MIL to start another war game.
All her work done, she sat at night on a mat on the doorstep.
"Go and sleep," advised Kaka.
"In a while….." she replied hoarsely. She pulled up her knees and clasped her hands around them. Baba sat down near her. He looked behind to see that no one was there.
"Would you like a drink?"
She looked at him, shocked.
"Ah," he continued, "you are already drunk ……. Just look at your bloodshot eyes!"
He fished in his pocket and took out a bottle.
"Here," he said. She lifted her aching head and saw the bottle. She smiled wanly.
"One peg of cough syrup for you," he said as he spooned it out. "I am excellent at mixing drinks. You can ask anyone ….uh .. not your husband."
Her eyes watered as she heard the word, husband. She took the spoonful of syrup. She was grateful to Baba. As always he was concerned about her. She quickly wiped her eyes before her tears flowed down.
"He's coming late today, so go to sleep," Baba advised.
She nodded and said, "in a while."
Baba sighed and went inside.
Time was no longer on her side. The clock was ticking by and soon her marriage would be over in every sense. She felt miserable as she rested her head on her knees. Everyone in the chawl was almost asleep. Silence descended all around. Sleep engulfed her and thankfully morose thoughts stopped poking her. She didn't know how long she slept, but her sixth sense woke her up and she knew instinctively that he had returned. She opened her eyes and saw him nearing the stairs. She got up as quickly as she could. Her feet had gone to sleep. She shook them to allow the blood circulation to bring sensation back in them. She turned into the house and slowly made her way to the kitchen resting her hand on the furniture for support.
He had neared home glad to be back. Why? What was there at home that he was happy to return there? His conscience snidely asked him "Shravani?" His heart shrivelled in revulsion. But his head was a different matter.
He saw her as he took his first step up. She had got up immediately. How did she always sense him? He saw her making her way gingerly. It's the darkness he thought. She stopped at the kitchen's door. He was behind her now and he stopped too thinking she wanted to say something. But she was silent and still. Her knuckles white as her fingers clung to the door jamb. It was then that he noticed that something was wrong. He reached her instantly and touched her shoulder. She turned around and saw him. She swayed toward him and then pulled back. Her brows came together as dizziness threatened. She put out her hand for support. He caught her hand and gently pulled at her. Her hand was hot as she clasped his arm.
"Manav ….." she weakly cried out for help. Her glazed eyes seemed to beg him to help her. He was getting a proper hold on her, when she closed her eyes and slowly began to descend to the floor. He caught her in time. He felt life ebbing away from him. Dear God! What had happened to her? She was burning with fever……….
He lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed. Her hair was strewn over the pillow. He remembered that story he had read as a child…….Sleeping Beauty. Even through his distress he noticed how beautiful she was. Her alabaster flawless skin, her long eyelashes resting on her burning cheeks and that long dark hair made her look like that princess in the story book. He took a wet towel and wiped her face. After a moment, she opened her eyes.
"I….where am I?" She spoke incoherently.
"Why did you stay up ? Didn't I tell you not to ……" She put her fingers on his lips.
"Don't scold me," she said tiredly.
He took her hands in his and began to rub them to infuse some warmth in them. She looked at him and asked for some water. He fetched her a glass and a tablet to bring her fever down. He lifted her from the pillows. He held her shoulders in one arm and brought the glass to her lips. She drank it sip by sip. He set the glass aside and was about to set her back against the pillows when her arm came up his back and lodged itself round his neck. Her head rested against his shoulder. Her breath came out in short whiffs. She had almost started wheezing. He felt terrible. Had she been overworked into an illness? He swallowed hard with guilt.
"Why is it that I never seem to do anything right?" she whispered.
He looked down at her face so close to his. What was she saying? She was not totally in her senses for her eyes had closed.
"Shhhh…….," he said. "Don't speak. Take some rest."
"No," she said and clutched on to him. "Why do I lose even before playing the game ?"
He gathered her close to him. "You're fine, nothing's going to happen."
He rocked her slowly holding on to her. He never wanted to let go. This was the woman he longed for. This was the woman he loved. This was the woman he'd die for. His conscience snidely asked…… "then what the hell are you doing marrying that Shravani?"
He remembered the days when he'd want to catch a glimpse of her…….he was so smitten. And when he had married her, his joy knew bounds. Where had that love gone? Since it had dissipated so fast, wasn't it true love? Of course it was……..he knew he couldn't love any other. His conscience snidely asked…… "then what the hell are you doing marrying that Shravani?"
She had looked so beautiful when she had washed her hair and let it loose. He loved seeing her shyness and her quiet demeanour. What more would a man want than a woman like her to love him. So why was he hesitating to take up his chance at the togetherness he longed for with Archana? He loved her and didn't want any harm to come to her. She was his and his alone. His conscience snidely asked…… "then what the hell are you doing marrying that Shravani?"
She seemed to have gone to sleep. He laid her back on the pillows once again and looked down at her. He took in her image. His face softened. He put his hand out and straightened her hair from her forehead. He trailed the back of his knuckles down her soft cheeks careful not to disturb her. He couldn't help himself as he leaned forward to plant the lightest of a butterfly kiss on her warm cheek.
"I love you, Archana!" he said gruffly as he held her hand to his chest. "You don't know how I much I miss you………"
His conscience snidely asked…… "then what the hell are you doing marrying that Shravani?" Shut up he said to himself. He had made a decision and tomorrow he would tackle it. Archana would remain with Manav ……….. he'd make sure of that.
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