Part 9
"Ever considered why those stars twinkle?"
"It's because they are afar, different light rays take different light years to reach Earth. So it appears as if the stars are twinkling. Never paid attention in science class at school, eh?"
"Mayank!"impatiently I stomped my foot." You know our love is like a twinkling star". I proclaimed delighted at my conclusion.
"What the..."he raised one brow." Are you serious?"
"Yes, of course I am. Try to look things my way."
"Your way?" he looked bemused.
I nodded my head "Yes, my way. You see just like the twinkling stars, our love has various shades and colors and delights that keep changing as time passes. Just like they keep traveling across the space and reaches us in years covered by speed of light, our love is eternal. No space and time can bind it. No matter what, the star does not move and keeps twinkling its beauty. Our love is just like that- constant and pure."
"Are you comparing me to a star? There's nothing new in it. Everyone 's considered me a star since birth."
"You never get me, do you?"
"Missy, I get your sentiments very well. Cummon now let's go inside for dinner else an empty stomach will harm your mind." He plodded a very grudging me to move inside the Diner, it was only me who had entered. I turned around to look for him.
Looking up at the clear sky, where the black envelope was bedecked with golden jewels, Mayank muttered under his breath," Our love shall always remain like that twinkling star. Time may test it and it will withstand to shine in its full glory."
...**********************************************...
La Creme was his destined dinner place. A classy restaurant in downtown Manhattan which overlooked the Brooklyn River. This place to be an expensive one was an understatement. But that much grandeur was expected of the board director of CNBS networks, one of the fiercest competitors to old biggies in television and digital networks in East Zone, America.
Everyone was dropping of Chauffeurs driven cars to enter La Creme . Conscious of myself I drew the long coat closer to myself , crossing the road to enter the restaurant. Mayank's black velvet tux made an appearance at the lobby before he took off for the lifts.
G, 1,2,3,4...the lift button stopped and flashed red. So he was in the fourth floor.
My steps hesitated in the corridor. What I was doing was callous and low, to follow him like this was morally wrong. But I had every right to know what he was upto, for this not only affected his life but mine too.
The balcony was the site where they were dining. A white tablecloth covered the centre table adorned with lights and delicacies. Three people were seated around it. The man in black looking more handsome than ever was Mayank, a middle aged lady in purple gown with huge furs around the neck sat next to him. She had short wavy golden brown hair. The Botox spoiled her face off expressions, but nevertheless she looked a lady of class. Beside her was a pretty girl with light brown tresses in a lemon- yellow tunic. She looked no older than twenty. The three were busy in an animated conversation.
I moved ahead cautiously and hid myself behind the nearest pillar and pretended to be busy with my cell while eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Son, it's time for you to move on now."
"Aunt, I am satisfied at the place where I am right now."
"Tsk...I knew your mother very well. She was my best friend. If she had seen you like this, would she be happy?"
"Mom, you are right. Mayank you can't let the past haunt you. She's gone forever." She gripped his arm on the table.
"Naina, "he withdrew his hand from her clutch." I know that you guys care for me so much. But there's no need for you all to be worried."
"Then why haven't you dated anyone these past three years?"
"Who says I haven't been seeing anyone?"
"Mayank, there is a difference between dating and having these one –time wild affairs that you young people do these days. Introduce me to her then."
"Aunt, there is no her. There are many of them."
"Mom, he's lying. He never looks at girls now. I always invite him to my parties but he never comes!"
"What would I do in a kid's party?"
"I am not a kid anymore. I am in college now!"
"Stop it both of you. Mayank listen to me well," she paused for a bit." After her death, you have won the custody of your child. But that child needs a mother. You know it very well."
"The child needs much care, poor child." She sighed."
"I know."He uttered dead cold.
"Mayank, don't be upset, you know I can always come if you want..."
The voices trailed away. My legs were running on their own. My mind had stopped working . It was numbing. Why can't I breathe? Is there no air left? It can't be, he had always loved me. Like I was true to him, so was he. Wasn't our love like the twinkling star- constant and pure?
The exertion brought me to the opposite side of the floor. My knees wobbled like jelly as I fell down on them. I didn't know if I wanted to scream, cry or just stay quiet.
She was dead...that bitch Angelena was no more...it was true afterall...she had Mayank's child...Mayank's child was hers...She had wanted the child...now Mayank wants the child...where am I in all of these?
Hot beads of perspiration began to trickle down my forehead and neck. My cheeks felt wet as tears flowed. I wiped them. Burning fumes of hatred seethes inside of me. I have to hate him like I did these three years. He had betrayed me. He was all pretense till now. He had never loved me.
Someone was wailing nearby. The wails grew louder in proximity. I turned to my right. A small boy of about three years of age was looking lost and crying...it was his child.
I looked hideously at the devilish creature. A monster erupted inside me. I eyed his little monstrous self. He was milky white with a gentle and fragile frame. He had small arms and legs. Dressed in a cute white t-shirt and blue half-pants, he was standing half-afraid. His curly locks were like Angelena's but his handsome and proud face resembled Mayank's. His large black eyes and pouting pink lips were wet. There was a terrified expression on his small face. Those huge eyes were brimming with continuous tears, his cheeks were red from wailing. That poor creature was scared. He looked at me with those huge eyes and uttered nonchalantly...."Mammma...Mammaaa..."
Once again today my feet carried me unknowingly closer to the child..as I was about to scoop him in my arms, I heard rough footfalls behind me.
It was Mayank.
"Stay away from my son."
Debate Mansion
