No Hope- Chapter 2 (Part 1): Duties to Fulfill
Alka tapped her 4" stilletos onto the just-swept tiled marble floor, waiting for everyone to assemble themselves into order.
Last night, Alka had been rudely shaken out of her dream by Indu's shriek. Thinking that something had happened to her'or worse; the baby, Alka had sped along the corridor into Indu's room only to find Indu with a melted chocolate moustache and beard surrounding the wide grin on her face. "The baby kicked!" She had exclaimed.
"You're eating chocolates?! In the middle of the night?!" Alka had yelled, snatching the bar from her hands, "You are having a baby, but you act like you're a baby yourself!"
Indu's eyes widened, the corners of her lips turned down, and she whimpered in a hurt tone, "The baby kicked. Usko chocolate chahiye tha" Her lips had started quivering and her eyes were moistened. Alka looked down and gulped, "Dekho Indu, ro mat. Don't cry. Please" She kneeled down to face Indu, "Baby kicked? Really?"
Indu nodded, "See?" and grabbed Alka's hand, flattening her palm against her belly, "Idhar!"
"Oh my!" Alka smiled, "It truly did kick!!"
Indu smiled mischievously, "Can I eat my chocolate now?"
"Ma'am?"
"Alka!" Nityanand boomed.
"Haan?" Alka stopped tapping her feet. She hadn't realised that everyone had settled down.
"May we begin?" Govind asked.
"Right. Sure."
"This time, the elections'" Nityanand began.
"Ek minute. Mr Tiwari I think you're forgetting that this time, I'm the CM of IPP. Can I..?" She interrupted.
"But beta.." Nityanand tried to hide his discontent at Alka's behaviour, "You are new'" He stopped, not wanting to start a commotion which would defame him even more, "Ok. Continue."
"Thank you." Alka nodded towards her father and raised her eyes to meet everyone else's,
"These elections, everything is going to be different. And when I say everything, I mean it. I don't want any of you to start educating me about how things were done before." She paused, looking pointedly at Nityanand before continuing, "I don't care. This time, things will be done my way, and if any of you have a problem with that, then you're most welcome to discuss it with me" She gazed at everyone individually, slowly rotating her head, making sure that each and every person understood her point.
She continued outlining the details of her plan, ignoring Nityanand's hard stare burning her back. She knew he wouldn't stay quiet; she just wasn't sure for how long.
-
"Mr Abhishek Tiwari" The clip-clop sound of high-heeled shoes against wood came closer towards him.
"That's me."
"I know."
He could see her shadow now; a hour-glass figure, swaying hair up to her waist, her dress swishing right and left as she sashayed closer still, till her face was just a fingertip away from his. "You haven't changed" She breathed. Abhishek hesitated, then stepped away, "Why'so suddenly?"
"Oh didn't you miss me?" She crossed her arms, standing with her weight on one leg; the other leg peeking out from the slit in her dress; an eyebrow raised.
"Do you want me to do something for you?" He couldn't help but check her out, the way she swept her hair to one side, her fringe covering the slight scar that he knew existed, unless she'd gotten it operated away, her rosy, hollow cheeks, her pouty pink lips on her tanned face, the curve of her elegant neck, the slight cleavage showing from her peach coloured dress, a glistening diamond brooch in the middle of sash she had tied around her waist creating rainbows on the ground, and then the dress starting to gain a little flair as it bounced off her hips straight down to her pedicured toes.
"Oh come on Abhishek. Don't be like your father" she giggled behind her hand, "Let's have a drink"
"You drink?"
"I don't. But you do."
"I don't either" He remembered the countless times Nandini had reprimanded him when he brought home alcohol. He had finally put a stop to it 3 weeks after their marriage.
"You can't be serious. Just one...please?"
"Why are you even..."
"You're more fun when you're drunk!" She answered before he could complete his question.
"Now come!" She tucked her arm through his and dragged him into the restaurant.
-
The door of the car opened and two legs covered in mustard trousers appeared. She lifted her shades and made her face visible to the crowd.
"Alkaji ki jai ho!" The people cheered. A man came and offered her his hand. She smiled and shook her head, getting out of the car herself. The man closed the door behind her as she swung her handbag over her shoulder, beaming at her spectators.
Alka folded her hands together as a greeting and began to walk as people moved away forming a clear aisle for her. She continued waving and greeting, till she reached the carpeted, portable stage.
The rest of her party, besides Nityanand, followed behind her.
Her father, already on the stage, acknowledged her with a curt nod and turned towards the audience, his hands folded above his heads. "Namaste!"
Alka sat on a plastic chair, drifting off in her own world, as he began his introduction, about how the Indian People's Party had been working towards making life better for these people for seven whole years, and how blessed he would feel if they continue showering their love on this party as they had in the past. Alka stifled her sarcastic laugh, examining the faces of the people looking at her and her father with admiration and hope.
"Why do these people bother? Why do they hope so hard that this time, this time Papa will have a heart and actually try to make their lives better? Why, when they know their hopes will be crashed? No, not this time. I won't let their hopes crash this time. Hopefully." She pondered, chewing the inside corner of her lip.
Alka realised that it was her turn to speak up, and replaced her father's position behind the podium. She cleared her throat and lifted the microphone to her lips.
She greeted her audience, and began her speech. She briefly outlined the problems facing the common man, and stated her party's solution for each. Though she hadn't gained complete approval for her solutions, Alka was confident that she would convince her father, by hook or by crook.
"We will try our best to make each and every one of you lead the happiest of lives. If there is any problem, any at all, please don't hesitate to come and consult me, and together we will find out the answer." She added as a conclusion, and left the podium to make way for Nityanand.
She descended the stage, looking at a group of children. She took out her wallet and beckoned the children over.
"Do you want to eat ice-cream?" Alka asked, a mask of playful mischief disguising any hints of sadness or remorse.
The children screamed, "Yesss!" and gathered around Alka in a half-circle. She took out two 100 rupee notes and gave it to the oldest girl. "Here, buy them all an ice-cream and a plate of chaat, meri taraf se."
"Thank you didi!" The girl beamed and herded the children towards the ice-cream thela.
-
Julie wore her green scrubs, staring at Chander through the window. He was so, so calm. She closed her eyes and saw Alka, on her knees with her eyes clenched shut and tears making their way down her cheeks. Sighing, she opened the door.
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