Chapter Thirteen
It was the day before Nanhi's party. Mohan was excited to make something special for his Cookie. He was involved in some baking and grilling for a small get together with Megha's friends.
Megha was feeding Nanhi inside the room. She could hear Mohan moving around the kitchen, opening cupboards and moving utensils. She closed her eyes against the cozy, homey sounds. Her lunch date with Mohan came as a flash. She remembered the shiver inside her whenever he neared her; the moment of temptation she had when he touched her face in the process of moving the hair. She found the danger for her in it. I can't let me do that! And he doesn't deserve it!
She finished feeding Nanhi, laid her in her cradle and joined Mohan in the kitchen. He was mixing something that smelled delicious. Does he have any idea what he is doing to me, just by his presence around?
"I will be done with the painting in another three weeks" She said surprising him. "I have the old design, which was time consuming, because I worked on every fine detail from scratch. Now I have a reference to work with that makes things easy and takes less time. And I am speeding up the process so I can be quicker this time"
Mohan stopped what he was doing and looked at her with disappointment. You have got your guards back on!
"You are really not comfortable around me, are you?" He asked without hiding his disappointment
"I don't want any distractions" She said calmly
"Distractions?" He joined her near the table
"I am learning who I am; I am growing a relationship with my baby; I am developing my own way in life. I don't need any distractions calling for more changes than I already have" And she added "It's not about you Mohan. It's all about me and about what I want to be and do on my own."
Mohan was glad that Megha hadn't lost her trust in men instead it was only her perception of living her life that had changed. She was a woman with remarkable combination of courage and gentleness, and particularly at her very young age. He was proud of her and wanted to give her the opportunity to explore her life in her own way. Even if it means I have to stay away from her!
"Actually, I would be needed back on my site as well" He said smoothing out the situation
"I see" She said
He hoped it was not relief in her voice.
"I think it should be ok for me to stay another three weeks or until you finish" He said as a statement not as if seeking her acknowledgement
He went back to his kitchen work trying not to continue the conversation, for fear of any other outcome. He didn't think he would find a way to heal himself during the separation. Or a way to fill the emptiness that he would feel when he was gone. But he hoped to collect some memories of his belonging to this world, which he longed to share forever. I should at least be given the time that I need.
She was watching his silent profile, wondering whether she had hurt him. Her heart longed to go near him. She craved to have him soothe the fluttering restlessness inside her. She yearned to open up and clear the air between them, just like the cleaned up ruined painting. But she did none of these. She held back her strong position not wanting to do anything that she might resent later. She wondered how he managed to stay calm and cool, in any situation.
"You are very much at ease playing the house. Don't you?" She asked when he was back into his domain
"And you are very ill at ease, watching a man working at your home. Aren't you?" He countered her question with his own
They both looked at each other, without saying anything else.
***
The morning on Nanhi's birthday, Mohan was very excited. He went to the terrace to check with Megha for anything to be done. He stopped where he was, to watch Megha working. He leaned near the doorway. The image of her intently focused on her art captivated him. He stood there watching her without a blink. Megha dressed in a simple cotton skirt and printed top, looked elegant holding a color palette in one hand and the brush in the other. The apron that he had gifted covered her dress from getting stained. She had tied her hair at the back. The mild breeze played its way through her hair and moved a strand across her face.
Mohan walked towards her and closed the space between them. She looked up and faced him. He placed his right hand around her waist and pulled her gently to him. With his left hand fingers he brushed the hair away from her face. Their eyes locked with each other. He slowly traced his index finger along the middle of her forehead curving through her eyebrows, cheeks and closing it on the side of her lips. She shivered under his soft touch. Suddenly Megha's voice stopped him.
"Mohan, is the baby ok?"
Mohan looked at her and turned to look around. He found that he was standing alone near the doorway as is, watching Megha. He was daydreaming. Mohan control your own! He chided him.
"Shall I get Cookie ready for the party?" Mohan requested abruptly embarrassed by his dreams
"I will bathe her before that" Megha said
"I will take her with me for a good birthday shower!" Mohan blabbered
"Are you sure?" Megha asked "You are not nervous about screaming baby and slipping skin?"
"What?" He was confused. "Not to worry. I can handle it" He tried to maintain a cool tone but inwardly he wasn't sure of what he was saying
Back down, he carried Nanhi with him to the shower room sharing his embarrassment with her.
"Cookie, Thank God you saved me. Do you know what I got myself into today?"
The baby snuggled against his chest as he gently directed the shower on them. As Nanhi slowly relaxed in his arms, he found the difference in his doubts and they started enjoying the bathe. He sang, talked and imitated her "goo-goo" sounds. He gently moved his hand across the baby soft skin, enjoying the feel of a baby in his world. He would miss holding her and touching her softness. And definitely miss the warmth and delight the baby brought into his life.
"Why isn't your mother as easy as you to get along with, Cookie?" He asked the smiling baby
If only Megha too wants the closeness as much as I do! And it appeared that she didn't, for her own reasons.
Edited by Senpoo - 12 years ago
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