FF~Human After All #11~Imp NOTE on 144:) - Page 43

How dare he put his dirty hands on me? How DARE HE???

What does he take me to be...his plaything, his, his ..Yuck!!

Khanak shivered with disgust as she picked up another can of tomato puree from the grocery store shelf and added it to the half a dozen or so already in her basket. Her hands shook as she blindly reached for another one...

She was thinking of puke worthy unsavory experience she had gone through earlier that day; something she had never thought she would have to face.

Because things like these happened to other woman, not Khanak, whose strength of personality and demeanor were enough to ward off potential parasites and insects who hung around society in the guise of men! Besides her being a doctor, and a professional, made her immune to it! Did it really?

I have been naive and gullible! It's so ridiculous that's its not even worth laughing about!! She burst out into hysterical laughter startling an old lady next to her who dropped a ketchup bottle she had been holding. It was made of plastic.

The unmentionable character responsible for Khanak's unstable state of mind was a certain Dr Sriram 'Magic Hands' Lodhi, a senior surgeon, well respected in his field and a founder member of the the hospital. But unfortunately a man who could not keep his 'wonderfully gifted' hands to himself.

Khanak had been ignoring his behavior so far thinking of him as a father figure (he was close to Papa's age.) He was among the lucky few who had been born with a trustworthy face 'bharose wala chehra,' which always broke out at appropriate moments into a benevolent smile. Therefore as a young green doc who was eager to rub shoulders with the who's who of her field she had not thought much of an occasional pat on the shoulder or a hug or a rather prolonged hand shake though she had always washed her hands thoroughly after each such contact.

But lately she had started hearing not so very flattering reports on Mr High and Mighty from other staff especially the nurses which somehow she didn't find very hard to believe but today when their paths crossed again after a long time; she was horribly surprised by a newer and blatantly more vulgar version of the old man.

So how is married life treating you Mrs Khanak Agarwal Khandelwal...very well I presume? He had said looking at her with a lewd grin.

Stunned for a moment not knowing how to react, a thousand and one thoughts racing through her head, no one had ever dared to speak to her like that; never in that particular tone of voice; well at least not in her professional life, not even Deepak whom she considered more of a nuisance; this kind of an incursion was new to her; it left her feeling sickened , nauseated.

There is a lovely new glow on that beautiful face of yours, very becoming and attractive Kha..na.k! He had said his voice somewhat slurred coming closer as she stepped back, grabbing a tight hold of her arm. She could clearly see his broken tobacco stained teeth and smell the alcohol on his breath!

The creep!

She had wrenched herself away; I don't know what you want to say sir! But I certainly don't like your behavior, I don't think you are in your right frame of mind..you are drunk!

He had laughed aloud as if she had cracked a joke and let go, but she could still feel his eyes on her as she had hurried away with as much dignity as she could muster.

Had she changed in some way to invite such attention or did her being married qualify her as easy prey?

She looked herself over and decided that she was more than adequately covered, and her shape defying doctor's jacket left everything else to imagination. No! Neither she nor her style of dress were to blame it was the man's ugly mind, his lack of character and the fact that society took the female sex for granted;Totally unlike my Shantanu..gosh how much do I need you now...a small sob escaped her mouth but then she shook her head in determination;..No! I will not cry..!

Doc Lodhi! SOB!! He dares to call himself a MAN??? That lout??!!

The B^*#*^&!!! How could he do this to me? How could he?

She couldn't stop tears of frustration and anger from streaming down her face as she paced up and down the aisles aimlessly, the end of her palloo chewed up, a regression to when she used to be in school.

She felt her basket growing uncomfortably heavy on her arm...and she stared at the ridiculous collection of the dozen or so cans with the silly grinning tomatoes on the labels.

She closed her eyes trying to bring her jumbled thoughts into focus; why had she come here? What did she mean to get?

She had come here directly from work after driving around the block several times in Shaan's Boxter (he had finally persuaded her to take it, despite her accusation that he didn't want to pick her up anymore;)

(What if you need to go somewhere in a hurry, will you wait for me; my fiercely independent wife?

That had settled it, she didn't need his or anyone else's help!

I am only borrowing it till I can get a ride of my own dear husband; so there!

He had laughed disarmingly; As you wish my beautiful shrew!

Now don't you start talking Shakespeare with me, for I can quote you down anytime, English lit is my hobby! She had retorted with a playful smile.

Oh wow! Slowly doth truth reveal itself..each layer more enchanting as it peels away gently! Now what will be next my perplexing enigma?

The seductive sound of those words had accompanied her when they had parted ways that morning, making her heart thud with anticipation of something beguiling later on...)

Damn! Where is he when I need him the most?

She had been too upset to go home after her experience with that roach at the hospital. She needed a distraction, she had to calm her frazzled nerves. She couldn't let Shaan see her like this..he may start to suspect that it was her permanent state of mind. He may even be able to wheedle the reason out of her and then all Hell may break loose. No! She couldn't let that happen..she couldn't. She had to deal with it on her own.

She suddenly realized that she was staring blindly at some bright orange carrots, and she tossed a bunch of them in her basket, maybe she could make him some fresh carrot juice in the morning..tons of Vit A, help him see better in the dark, he was always fumbling around. She should probably get a juicer too...

CRAAASHH!!!!!!!

Maaammmyyy!!! See blood! Sooo much blood!!!

A little child with a leaking nose wailed pointing at the broken bottles of tomato puree which had flown out of Khanak's basket as it came crashing to the floor when he ran his tricycle into her; it was she who should have been screaming instead!

The chaos which followed managed to jar her out of what little solace she had been able to bring upon herself.

As she worked on removing the tiny shard of glass from her palm with a violently trembling hand, the little boy's mother arrived and glared at her,

Dekhke nahin chal sakti kya? Munnu ko kuch ho gaya tha toh? She said wiping Munnu's face who wailed even louder as if on cue!

Khanak who had been expecting some sympathy, stared back open mouthed. Soon a small crowd gathered around, all with the prefabricated notion that she had been the one who had preyed on the poor unsuspecting Munnu.

Closing her eyes she took a deep breath wanting desperately to scream back and use some choice cuss words; instead she turned to the inexperienced looking young man who happened to be the store manager and offered to pay the damages.

It's okay Madam, I saw everything..Aapki koi galti nahin hai! But your saree is all messed up!

Haath mat lagaana! She screamed frightening the young manager who had bent down to assess the damage, before rushing out of the store with whatever little she had.

I shouldn't have screamed at him like that, he looked innocent enough! But he is a guy, and guys cannot be trusted!

She thought as she haphazardly parked the car and decided to walk up the 5 flights of stairs; (less chance of running into people;) she couldn't trust herself to converse with anybody in the fragile state that she was currently in.

Two more flights to go... She counted down slowly as she made her gradual progress upstairs, her purse and the small bag of groceries clutched like a shield to her chest.

One more flight to go...Almost there, maybe it isn't so bad after all, I can always report to the Board of Directors, if he tries to get touchy feely again...He will get suspended in disgrace, serve him right!!

A group of 20 somethings of the male species were lounging on the last landing blocking her way. They all seemed to find her quite interesting.

A bunch of rich punks with nothing better to do; she thought nervously.

Her guard up, adrenalin pumping, fighting the irresistible urge to turn tail and run; she schooled an indifferent expression on her face; and calmly attempted to move ahead.

A tall gangly ruffian sporting a Mohawk, and tossing a basketball from hand to hand leered at her; Now what do we have here, naya maal hai kya?

This prompted mocking laughter from the rest of the group which infuriated and scared her at the same time; she decided to take the non confrontational approach.

They moved aside reluctantly, narrowly letting her pass continuing to snicker as she did so.

Hey! Looks like she shacks up with the arrogant dude who raised hell when he found us sitting in his jeep today! Babes, give us some time too..after all its a free world!

She turned back and glared at them; That so called dude is my husband! And I don't tolerate any BS! Nor does he! She shouted running upstairs.

The precious white jeep is missing...looks like our little bird is all alone!

There was that loud derisive laughter again as she slammed the door shut, her heart pounding hard enough to make her chest hurt.

Have you been crying? I'm so sorry honey for being late! I tried my best... Chocolate? He winked smiling apologetically offering her a Hershey's bar.

No more! I am here now and my love doth reign strong and I am in the mood to talk, shall we before dinner? He whispered as he lay her down on the settee and kissed her softly on her mouth, she looked alluring in her simple tie die blouse and long frilly white skirt.

She blushed pushing him nervously away and hurrying to the kitchen trying to appear busy; Uhmm...later, shall I get you some tea or coffee?

Hmmm! I just wanted to talk! He protested plaintively, teasing at the same time. Some tea please! I have great news to tell you.

Hope you didn't put salt instead of sugar! His eyes twinkled as he gingerly took a sip.

She didn't react instead appeared to stare through him not touching her cup.

Wow! That's the best tea I've ever tasted! Anything wrong sweetheart?

She shook her head smiling, no she couldn't tell him, she didn't want him upset when he seemed so happy; No just thinking about a very sick patient, now what's the good news?

Satisfied he said; You know I talked to Ramzz today and she is willing to come here to help with the hospital project!

Khanak was genuinely excited; Is that right? I know her very well, she will do an excellent job!! That's great news Shantanu! Is she going to stay with us then?

I offered but she said no, she did not want to come in the way of two romantic love birds was her excuse, and I think she has a point there! He grinned as she blushed and dropped her eyes.

Rubbish! She's always been the biggest tease!

And that's not all, there is some more!

What is it?

He hesitated; Uhm...A big international IT company is going to launch its operations here and they are going to go all out by opening a huge complex which would include the Fab facilities and R and D as well!

Here in Mumbai? She looked at him doubtfully.

No, not here! In Chennai! Ramzz heard about it over the grapevine and she thinks that it would be a tremendous opportunity for me. He was excited;especially since the IT world has taken a beating, they want to do all they can to build a good rep and making sure that they have the most modern and environmentally up to date facility would be high on their cards!

That's awesome Shaan! She came up to hug him; I know that they won't find anybody better than you for the job! So when do you start?

Shaan laughed shaking his head propping her chin up with a forefinger; Silly! Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that you are in your twenties and that too a doc! For something as big as this there will be plenty of takers and I would have to make a convincing case before them in order to bag the contract!

So what are you supposed to do? She knew she wouldn't like his reply.

He sighed with regret; I would have to go to Chennai.

NO! You can't! You can't leave me alone! She cried out wringing her hands in a frenzy, her earlier fear multiplying several fold.

He tried to console her; But darling I'll be just gone for a week..

A week??!! She stared at him accusingly.

But. but..its not fair! I can't be selfish! No you should go, I will manage somehow. Guess you have to lose some to gain some. She said trying to reassure him as well as herself at the same time.

Later as they indulged in the routine that had become an essential part of their very existence, a ritual neither of them could imagine doing without; for it made their bond stronger. But this time his ardor was fueled by something else much more deeper and powerful.

He was finding it hard to hold himself back, his impassioned movements rough and unchecked wanting to consume her both physically and mentally. He wondered how he would spend all those sleepless nights without her by his side.

He was puzzled when she offered minimum resistance, her body pliant like putty in his hands. Something did not seem right, but she did not say a thing.

Then covering her face with kisses, overwhelmed by a feeling of infinite tenderness towards this innocent young woman who had agreed to be his wife; he was surprised to find her crying.

Darn! I am such a brute, I didn't mean to hurt you my love, it's just that sometimes I forget how small and delicate you are.

Oh no! She said kissing him desperately, clinging on tight, not wanting to let go;

These are tears of joy! I am so happy that I belong to a man like you who loves and respects his wife; please, please love me and make me yours forever.

Of course you belong to me! Dare anybody say anything otherwise or even try to harm a hair on your head. He said forcefully as he kissed her back harder, his fingers bruising her skin.

Yes, he would make everything all right; she smiled through her tears before surrendering herself to the man who was her destiny.