KHUSHI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 042)
THEN DON'T TELL ME. SHOW ME, Khushi had said to him. And is that not simply the way of women, Sisters? We demand words and feelings and when men are prepared to deliver, we change our mind and want action. Fortunately for Mrs Raizada, her husband was exceptionally gifted at the sort of action which involved an almost-nothing negligee and a solidly-built bed.
It was not yet six in the morning. Arnav was wide awake. His wife was laying across him, using his abdomen as a pillow, which made him reluctant to shift out of bed. A five mile run or caressing a sleeping nymph? The answer was obvious. His mind returned to the previous night. A devilish smile dawned across his face as he recalled how prettily Khushi had blushed at his erotic demands, but met each one with appetite and relish. To challenge Khushi was the most expedient way to see something done; he had certainly taken advantage of this last night. His body rose in the direction of his mind. It was best to divert himself, otherwise he would fall the way of temptation and wake Khushi from much-needed sleep.
Arnav reached for his phone which rested on the bedside table, and scrolled through his texts. Aman's was the most recent: his daily schedule. Then a text late last night from Ashok and Tatyana: departing for Moscow today. Then a text---!
He shot up, nearly sending Khushi tumbling off the bed.
"Kya!" she protested, against being woken up in such a rude manner.
He noted the time of the text. Noted the current time. Then bolted out of the bed, dragging Khushi with him.
"What-the-!" Khushi stole his line.
"Mr Chopra. Meeting. Thirty minutes to dress," he said by way of explanation, hustling her towards the bathroom. Khushi did not delay except to quickly suggest that he use one of the guest room showers to expedite matters. "Clever girl," he replied, and rewarded her with a spank on her bottom as she disappeared into the bathroom.
KHUSHI WAS READY AND DRESSED and in the kitchen when he saw her again. "There's no time to breakfast," he announced before she could speak.
"A drop of milk, at least!" she insisted. They stood side-by-side at the kitchen counter sharing hot milk from the same mug. Between sips, Arnav explained that Mr Chopra had sent a message late last night; they were to meet him at seven this morning at an unfamiliar address. His cryptic text suggested they would witness a matter of import.
"A matter of import!" Khushi repeated dramatically. "He's so theatrical."
Arnav grinned. "And you are not? Come on." He took her hand.
Before he could lead her out the front door, she halted and said, "I'll just go tell Di or Naniji that we're going out."
"What will you say?" he pointed out. "That you have a seven AM meeting with a private detective?" Khushi saw the impossibility in his words and let him lead her to the car. He added, "in any case, everyone believes you spent the night at Buaji's."
As he fastened the seatbelt around her, she said saucily with a wink, "so that was Buaji in my bed last night?"
AT TEN MINUTES TO SEVEN, Mr Chopra telephoned Arnav instructing him to park in a school parking lot a short distance away from the address. Arnav complied. Within minutes, Mr Chopra's vehicle pulled up next to theirs. He told them to climb into the back seat of his car. And he instructed them to sink down low so they would not be visible.
Arnav and Khushi exchanged looks. Khushi's eyes said, didn't I say he was theatrical! Arnav's eyes said, this better be worth it!
Mr Chopra drove to the address and parked in a discreet spot. He passed them a set of binoculars, while he trained his camera on the door of a house at the far corner. Arnav lifted the binoculars to his eyes, feeling both ridiculous and curious at the same time. Nothing seemed to be happening. Khushi's apprehensiveness was palpable. He drew her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She was crouched low across his lap, peeking out from the window.
And then---the door of the house opened.
Arnav tensed as he saw something. And Khushi tensed because he had tensed.
A man stepped out of the house, began to descend the stairs, then halted and turned to face someone remaining at the door. It was a woman. They exchanged words. The man then walked towards a parked vehicle and drove away.
Arnav sighed, and dropped the binoculars on the seat.
"That was---?" Khushi began.
He finished, "---Shyam."
"The woman?" Khushi asked.
"His wife," Mr Chopra supplied.
By Jalebi Jane
Edited by JalebiJane - 8 years ago
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