Piya finally heaved a sigh
of relief. She had been on the phone, fighting with the local electrician about
the insane bill that he had left for her in her mailbox for repairing the
internet connection. Dehradhoon had recently been inundated with new broadband
services, and every time she switched on the television, the latest commercial
was on. However, the electrician that had installed the wiring seemed to be on
his own trip and had charged her a fortune. Living for almost 25 years in
Dehradhoon had taught her many things, especially, to never back down from a
fight with the local repair men, whose only job was out to cheat you!
She went into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of
coffee so that she could relax. It had been a busy week at work. She hastily tried to get work off her mind. It was one of her
rare weekends off. Her boss had told her to take the rest of Saturday off so
that she could have some down-time.
The coffee was ready, the remote was in her hand,
and the couch was waiting. She plopped down in her favorite chair and set the
mug on the coffee table. It was then, that her eyes fell on a picture frame
that was on the table. The photograph reminded Piya of the fateful day, three years ago, that changed her life forever. So much had changed since then, yet
it seemed like time had stood still. The face that was smiling back at her
looked a lot like an old memory that was starting to blur, but at the same
time, one that she could never forget.
It was the same dimpled smile, the mischievous
lovable eyes and the careless or rather carefree hair. Some memories still linger in your mind and are as fresh as ever. It
was a strange dichotomy, but she had realized a long time ago there were a few things
in life that could never be explained and that they were best left alone. She
could remember the day like it was yesterday, yet at the same time it felt like
an eternity had passed by. The events of the day played out like a movie in her
mind. It had been a cool autumn afternoon'
-------
The doorbell rang incessantly, and it was a shrill noise that
rang throughout the entire apartment. Piya, who was in the shower, was hoping
that whoever was at the door would get tired of ringing the bell and leave. It
was probably one of those annoying door to door salesmen who had become quite a
menace in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the ringing did not stop, and before
the noise turned into a headache, she decided to go check who was at the door.
She hastily wrapped a towel around her wet hair and a bath robe around herself.
Swear words were in abundance as she turned the knob to open the door. The face
that she met hers had a dimpled smile and bright eyes. One hand casually rested
on the door frame while the other was in a pocket.
Before Piya knew what was happening, she was lifted off the ground, the towel
fell to the floor and the person at the door laughed out loud.
"Abhay! Put me down.. put me down this instant!"
Abhay however, was in no mood to put Piya back on the floor. He kept laughing
as he spun around with his wife in his arms.
"Seriously Abhay, I'm getting dizzy and I will throw up if you don't stop this
right now!"
This threat hit home and Abhay finally stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that
Piya got dizzy very easily and the outcome was usually not favorable.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you at work?" Piya said, as she stooped to
pick up her towel and wrap her wet hair back in it.
Just then Abhay grabbed the towel out of Piya's hands. "Come on darling.. you
know how much I love your hair all wet' you look so incredibly sexy"
"Oh really?" Piya replied as she made a bid for the towel, but Abhay kept it
out of her reach. Piya rolled her eyes at Abhay's immature behavior but it was
hard to be angry with him when he was intentionally teasing her.
"Oh Piya, now that the towel is off, let me help you out of your bath-robe as
well! Everything needs to be equal na?!" Abhay said, as he winked at her!
"Don't change the topic!! What are you doing back here in the middle of the
afternoon?"
"I just decided to take the evening off, and spend it with my beautiful wife.
You always tell me to act spontaneously! So, I'm being spontaneous!" Abhay
replied with his trademark grin. The dimples that shone through the happy
expression could only melt hearts. Piya replied with a smirk.
"Ok Mr. Spontaneous, what would you like to do today?"
"Well, whatever your heart desires sweetheart!"
Piya raised her eyebrow. "Sweetheart?" She was now absolutely positive that Abhay
was up to something. He never called her 'sweetheart' unless he had done
something wrong or was about to do something wrong. However, she decided to go
with the flow and see where the conversation went.
------
Abhay coming home during
the day had put a damper on Piya's surprise for him. She had been planning this
dinner for days and she had wanted to find the right time to do it. But, now
her plans would have to change. She kept this secret under wraps for a week now
and it was high time that she told him.
As Abhay strode across the room, he planted a kiss
on Piya's forehead. "Ouch! Abhay!! How many times have I told you to shave??
You don't understand how it feels to have a hundred needles poking into your
skin!!" Piya complained, as Abhay's scruffy stubble poked her in the eye.
"Arre Piya' don't you think this beard makes me
look hot and sexy?
Abhay said as he scratched his stubble in a very
intellectual manner.
"Hot and sexy huh? Who are you trying to look hot
for anyway? I already told you, I like you clean shaven! And your hair.. look
at how long it's grown! I've told you to go get a haircut a million times!"
"Piya darling.. this is the style now! You should
see all the women at work. They all swoon over your handsome husband, and you
don't even see how hot I am!"
"Oh really? And who are these women?? Imaginary
people that you work with?
"Imaginary?? Hmmm.. I don't think Isha is imaginary
is she?? And' she was telling me today that I've been looking really good for
the past few weeks. The beard really suits me and so does the long hair. You're
lucky I didn't show her my abs.. she would have fainted!"
"Oh really?? I think she needs to get her eyes
checked!" Piya made a mental note to talk to Isha. She didn't like women flirting
with her husband, let alone encouraging his fashion sense.
"What are you thinking about Piya? Are we going
out or what? I'm back in the middle of the day to take you out! Let's go, let's
go, let's go!!!" Abhay clapped his hands impatiently, as if this would make Piya
dress up magically!
"Go?? Where?? I'm not even done with my shower! I
came out half-way to answer the stupid door!"
"Ohhh' you're not done? Then let me come and help
you finish up! I could use a shower as well!" Abhay winked as followed his wife
into the bathroom.
"What's gotten into you today? Now will you please
leave so that I can finish my bath in peace!" However, Abhay looked like he was
going nowhere. He had his half-smile spread across his face, and his dimples
shone. His eyebrows were raised and his eyes had a
mischievous glint in them.This was the one look that Piya found irresistible,
and Abhay knew it. Piya gave up trying to fight him and proceeded to take off
her towel as Abhay peeled his shirt off.
They both stepped into the bathtub and as Abhay turned on the
shower, Piya could feel Abhay's hard abs against her back. She turned to face
him and ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him on his neck. Abhay
wrapped his arms around her, and slowly planted kisses all along her
collarbone. Piya shivered slightly as he did this, as she nuzzled closer into
his neck.
Their hands moved in perfect unison as their bodies sought each other with a
ravenous hunger. It was as if their bodies were made for each other. As the water cascaded over their forms, the two of them came together
as one. The peaked at the same time, and reached new heights of pure love and
satisfaction.
With a moan of pleasure, Piya embraced her husband with complete contentedness.
As they both came down from the dizzying peak, no words were spoken as they
both kissed passionately. They were lost to the world, lost to reality and to
everything around them. At that moment, they had achieved a new level of bliss,
that neither wanted to leave. Piya opened her eyes slowly, and smiled. Abhay
pushed a stray hair out of her face and kissed her forehead with love and
affection.
"I love you Piya. I love you so much! Even after I'm gone, remember how much I
love you. Nothing will change that, nothing can change that." Abhay murmured.
"Eeesh, what are you talking about.. even after you're gone? You've got another
girlfriend somewhere or what?"
"Hmmm' you never know!" Abhay winked
"Oh, I'll know, and for that, this is what you get!" and she punched him in the
arm.
"Ow!!! I guess I deserved that! Haha"
"Let's go to eden garden now. I'm in the mood for a walk" Abhay turned
around and called out to Piya.
"eden garden?? Why there.. and today out of all days?" Piya thought to
herself. They usually didn't go there except on their anniversary, because it
was where Abhay had proposed to her. She found this to be extremely unusual.
What was Abhay upto?
As Piya caught her breath
after the hot and steamy shower, she walked to the kitchen to pour herself a
glass of water. Abhay followed her through the living room but instead of going
into the kitchen, he went to the CD player to put on some music. Piya could
hear strains of a song playing.. "dil ibadat kar raha hai" It was amazingly romantic and had been one of their songs during their
dating phase.
She walked into the living room to find Abhay with
his arms spread out and huge smile across his face. Piya couldn't help but
return the smile. He then walked towards her, put her glass on the table and
said "May I have this dance?" Piya put her hand in his as Abhay twirled her
across the room. The towel from her still wet hair fell off and cascaded on her
shoulders. Abhay pulled her closer to him as they moved together in perfect
unison.
Just then, the phone rang. Piya tried to pull away
to answer it, but Abhay didn't let go off her. "It might be important Abhay!"
"Mmm.. leave it.." Abhay said, as he buried
himself in her long hair. "Right now, it's just you and me. Nothing else.. this
is our dance.. our first dance and it will be our last dance as well."
The phone kept up with its impatient ringing, and
eventually stopped when no one paid heed to it. Piya couldn't figure out what
was going on. Abhay coming home in the middle of the day, making love in the
shower, dancing in the living room' was this her workaholic husband?
Instinctively she knew that he was upto something, but she was at a loss. She
gazed into Abhay's eyes hoping for a clue, but all she saw was a strange
emptiness, like there was no energy in them at all.
"Come on, weren't we supposed to go to eden garden? Let's go and
get ready"
Piya grabbed his hand and led him into the bedroom
and proceeded to comb her hair. They both got dressed and started to head out
the door. Just as Piya turned the key in the lock, she heard the phone ring
again. "Oh.. not again" she said, as she proceeded to open the door to answer
the phone.
"Oh Piya, forget it.. we're already outside now.
It must be some stupid credit-card company" Piya figured he was right and
started walking towards the elevator, hoping that the call wasn't important. Abhay
handed her the car keys in the parking lot, and she started to drive through
the city towards eden garden.
eden gardens was one of the most favored locations for
couples. They were always seen strolling around the ground hand in hand. It was
the best place to be, away from prying eyes of parents, families, and friends.
It was here that Abhay had proposed to Piya. They had been dating for three
years, when one weekend, he invited her to the "Sights and Sounds" show which
took place at the garden. Piya had no idea about the treat she was in for that
night. There was no one there except for the two of them. Within ten minutes,
the words "Will you marry me" formed on the screen. Piya turned around to see Abhay
on his knees holding a ring. She was floored. She was speechless, but still
managed to say "YES!!!" Abhay slipped the ring on her finger and got up to hug
her. They kissed under the moonlit night and as she lay in his arms, she knew
that they were meant to be. Nothing and no one could stop them from coming
together as one.
It was almost three years since they had gotten
married. As Abhay and Piya walked hand in hand through the ground, she couldn't
help but remember all those wonderful times in the past. It had started to
drizzle lightly, and they didn't have an umbrella. Abhay then suggested that
they take buggy ride. There were horse carriages outside the garden, that
people could take rides on. They were again usually hired by couples so that
they could have some private time. As Piya went up to a buggy and asked for a
ride, the carriage driver gave her a quizzical look but told her to get in. She
saw the questioning glance in the driver's eyes but put it out of her mind, as Abhay
grabbed her hand to get into the buggy.
The buggy ride was just
perfection. The soft rain was adding to the romance which was definitely
palpable. As the carriage took its usual ride around the gardens, the weather
started to get cooler. That was the quirk of dehradhun weather, one minute it
was bright sunshine, the next it was raining. However, like a typical romantic
couple, instead of getting annoyed by the rain, Piya and Abhay enjoyed it.
After the ride was over, Abhay handed Piya the money to give to the buggy
driver. The latter shot her another quizzical look as she thanked him. Before
she could catch the glance, Abhay grabbed her hand and they walked to the car.
After getting into the driver's seat, Piya asked Abhay
where they should head to next. Abhay suggested going over Bridge, which
used to be one of their favorite drives to take. There was this deserted nook
before they got on the bridge that used to be one of their staple haunts on
date nights. It was definitely secluded and away from prying eyes. One could
see the skyline of the city from there, and the lights twinkled in the
distance, as she parked the car. They just sat in the car and enjoyed the soft
music that was playing on the radio.
Piya put her head on Abhay's shoulder as he put
his hand over hers. He raised her face up to his, and planted a soft kiss on
her forehead. Piya put her lips closer to his.
Abhay collapsed in Piya's
arms. A tear rolled down his face, and she kissed it away.
"What's the matter?" Piya asked
"Nothing.. that was just amazing!!!" Abhay
murmured back, as blew a stray hair out of her face.
"I know' " said piya
"I told you today would be special" Abhay said.
"Mmm.. today is special. And what I have to tell
you is going to make it even more wonderful'."
-----
"YOU'RE WHAT???" Abhay got
up suddenly, and apparently forgot where he was, because he smacked his head on
the roof of the car. "Owww"
Piya laughed as she patted his head "I'm pregnant"
"WHAT?? WHEN? HOW? WHO?"
"Who? You stupid.. what do you mean who?" She
punched him the arm.
"Owww!" I guess I deserved that one. "But HOW?
And WHEN?"
"How? You're seriously asking me that after what
we did today...?"
"Ok.. stupid question again! Ok.. I think this one
is safe. When? Right, this one isn't going to get me punch or a smack on the
head. How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me? When did you come to
know? Is it a boy or a girl? Ohhh my GOD!!!!!" Abhay blurted it all out and he
tried to catch his breath. He still couldn't believe it! Finally, he was going
to be a father! Then just as the happiness hit him, the reality set in, and his
face fell.
Piya was laughing as Abhay tried to come to terms
with her pregnancy. It was a dream come true. They had been planning a baby for
a year now, and it had happened! "I came to know last week." she practically screamed!
Abhay leaned over and kissed Piya hard on the
lips. There was a searing passion in his eyes. He took his hand and rubbed over
her stomach. That was his child in there. He started to get overwhelmed and
tears started streaming down his face. Piya held him tightly. This was a big
moment for the both of them. She wiped his tears away and smiled. This was
their baby, a beautiful boy or a girl. In eight months, their entire lives were
going to change. Their whole world would be different. Abhay bent forward and
kissed her belly.
"Oh my god.. stop! Haha.. you're tickling me.. !" Piya squirmed away from him.
"Oh, so now it's ticklish! How come you didn't say
anything before?"
"Oh shut up! Can we go home now? It's raining really heavily. I don't want to be
stuck in the floods or something." said Piya
"Abhay! Stop.. dont irritate me now lets go!" She declared emphatically.
"Oh darling.. you won't be complaining anymore
after tonight." Abhay said softly as he kissed her once more.
"Mmm'. Can we go now please?" Piya got into the
front seat and revved up the engine. They drove through the pouring rain back
to their apartment. Piya parked the car and got out. Abhay came and put his
arms around her waist. He kissed her forehead.
"Thank you Piya. Thank you so much for everything.
for being with me and for being yourself. You made my life into a paradise.
Thank you so much." Piya returned this heartfelt thank you with quick peck on
the lips. They walked hand in hand to their apartment. As Piya opened the door,
she heard the phone ring. She sped through the living room without turning on
the light and reached for the phone.
"Hello?" she practically gasped into the phone, as
she tried to catch her breath.
"Piya, its me Jeh. I've been trying to call you
for the past three hours. Did Misha come there to fetch you? You need to get to Apollo Hospital right away. It's Abhay. He met with an accident and ..you just need to get here immediately. It's
bad news."
Piya wasn't listening anymore. She whipped her
head around and searched for the face that had been with her all evening.
However, the lights were still off and face or the dimpled smile
was no longer there.
"Piya where have you been all day, please come with me we need to go" entered Misha crying " We lost Abhay, I am sorry sweetheart" said Misha while hugging Piya.
Piya's world had shattered that very moment.