A short episode …….. Part 2
Yearning
The Deshmukh household went back to its good state with her return. Things around the house were in their proper place and the place was neat and tidy. The house ran like a clock and she was doing a wonderful job. Once they realised that she was not to be blamed for their stint in the jail, Vandu and Kaka were back to being friendly with her. Baba of course was in seventh heaven until his eyes fell on Shravani. His foolish son had put his foot in his mouth regarding her and was suffering for it.
Vandu and she would tend to all the needs of Shravani. He sighed with relief that he didn't have to do her little chores. He never shirked work, but he didn't like waiting on Shravani. He was soon realising that he and his brother's fiance were poles apart. They had no common interests and no attraction for each other…… at least he didn't. With his wife around the place, he didn't even want to look at anyone. But she was never around him. She was a bit afraid of his mother and in order to prevent his mother's outbursts, she kept away from him.
He had been returning from work, when he had seen her buying vegetables from the vendor not far from their chawl. He had hurried his pace to catch up with her but she had finished her purchases and had gone home. From her unnecessary haste, he had realised she had seen him and didn't want to be with him. He had been a bit cross at that.
She wasn't going to get away that easily. He went home and lingered over his bath. He chatted with the men of the family deliberately so that Vandu would call it a day and go to bed. She did exactly that. She had to wake up early to study and told her SIL to wake her up. He smiled inwardly. This meant that for tonight, he would be served by his wife. Everyone went to their rooms to sleep. She had been quick at warming the food and serving it. She busied herself in cutting vegetables far away from him. She didn't look at him nor make an attempt to talk to him. But she was sensitive to his needs. There was complete silence behind her. She realised he wasn't eating. She turned around to see what the matter was. He was not there at all! She kept the knife down and went to look for him. He entered the kitchen just as she was about to go out. She took a step back. He stood there looking at her. Three months, his senses screamed at him……….just three months. After that you'll be on your own and she'll be out of your life forever. He shook his head as if to shake the shouting demons away. She looked away.
"Archana," he said softly.
She nervously touched her hair.
"Hmm?"
"Have you eaten?"
She shook her head in negation.
"Come and eat."
She looked at him as he had taken leave of his senses. He uncovered his plate.
"I ….I"
"Archana," her MIL called. "See if Shravani wants anything!" She didn't hesitate and was out of the kitchen in a flash.
Manav stood looking after her. He was irked that he couldn't spend even a second with her. He turned and sat down to eat.
She returned to the kitchen in a short while. Everything had been cleaned and put away. She noticed a covered plate on the platform. She took away the lid. Exactly half the food that she had served him was there. He had eaten the other half and left this for her. He made sure she wouldn't go hungry. She swallowed, for emotions overwhelmed her. Her hands shook as she slowly ate. She savoured the food even more because he had been considerate.
She put off the light and started on her way to her bed on the terrace. She began to open her hair and she took each step leisurely. On the fourth step she turned as the flight wound its way up. It was dark and he was coming down with the dry clothes in his hands. She stood still her hands still on her hair. Through the window, the moonrays filtered down on her upturned face. He sucked in his breath. Her fine skin shone against the dark walls of the stairway. Her eyes looked at him intermittently blinking like a doe. Her lips slightly open in surprise made an inviting moue. He came down just a step or two away. They looked at each other not wanting to break eye contact. He reached out to touch her cheek but she shied away.
"No," she pleaded.
He felt as if he had been kicked in his solar plexus. His fist clutched on to the clothes tightly. But he did not move from his place.
"We are no longer bound together and you are to be married to someone else," she said.
She saw the dismay in his dark eyes and felt sorry. His jaw clenched and a muscle twitched in his cheek. She looked at him nervously. She began to edge away but in the narrow corridor, her shoulder brushed him and her hair trailed its way over his shoulder. It had the fragrance of flowers. Come back, his heart called. But she ran up to escape him and her blatant desire to stay with him. She knew he had chosen a life with someone else. She had to come out of this with some dignity and in order to preserve herself, she had reminded him of his decision.
He looked at her retreating back. Something had lit up brightly when he had seen her but within seconds the fire had been doused. Why did he want her? He was going to marry for the sake of convenience. He had put his happiness on the line. Why had he bent backwards to accommodate Shravani and not Archana? Was he marrying Shravani on the rebound? Why did he feel like he was wilting with each passing day? Why did he feel like he was about to be taken to the slaughter house? Why did he feel attracted to his true love once again and with greater intensity? Why did he feel she was to remain his wife and not anyone else's.
He returned to his room. He lay on his bed trying to sleep but only thoughts of her came into his mind. Her eyes, her skin, her hair was so alluring ………. He felt electrified in her presence. So what the devil was he doing trying to marry Shravani?
O God! He exclaimed in self disgust………….What have I done!!!!!
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