Curtains & Rooms
It was a gorgeous apartment over 2000 sq feet with expansive living room a lounge and 4 bedrooms
All the furniture was white, the cushions blue, grey or silver.
A help opened the door. She looked nervous fidgeting with her ikat crossbody bag. In yet another khadi kurta, this time in magenta, with a white chudidar, and mojari on her feet
The lil pom pom on her embroidered mojari matched the purple on her ikat bag
The Bangalore humidity causing her flawless skin to glow.
"Mr Narang?" she enquired
"Abhi kuch lene ka nei hai" the woman said with a condescending tone
She lingered unsure of what to do
The last 3 days were the most stressful in her entire life
She had three close friends, Mrudula, Lissie and Niru, at various stages in life, all married
She didnt tell them anything.
But appeared distraught and scattered causing Lissie to call Mr Shanbag after she left college on July 13th
She knew what everyone's answer was going to be for her marriage idea
"YOU ARE CRAZY"
She tread carefully the morning after speaking with him, avoiding any talk with Mr Shanbag
He showed her old magazines Rao Anna had brought to work that showed wedding attire
"You must choose that big hall by Sadanand stadium" he nodded
"Hubli is great for sarees, lets go to Hubli" he promised
"You must be dreaming. I am not getting married" she mumbled wiping down the counter late at night at the restaurant
The frig creaked loudly and rattled as the compressor begged for service
She opened and shut the door as sometimes that helped
Everything was neatly stacked inside in aluminum trays
Lots of leftovers from dinner meant heavily discounted lunch prices
There was no reason for Mr shanbag to even have a menu because he charged whatever he wanted to
" Lets go to Udupi this Saturday" he said, sitting down in Rao Anna's rest stool
Her heart jumped to her throat
"I might have to go to college" she said not looking at him
"that boy is not asking for Ph D bride. He will marry you in the dress you are wearing" Mr Shanbag spoke with gratitude and pride
"I want a nice glamorous wedding with a flower draped mandap and those chiffon curtains everywhere" she said
"Yes, I will give you al that. My dear. I want you to stay happy and blessed" he said his voice quivering
She nodded as her eyes filled up too
"You better learn to cook. Every man wants his wife to cook" he teased
"AANOOO" she shouted
They both laughed
"I have an appointment" she said softly
"Ruko" she said exasperated
It was Friday around 9:30 AM in the morning. Her bus had dropped her at 7 AM, after being delayed as usual.
She had checked into a motel by the bus station, owned by Mr shanbag's friend from childhood
It was cheap but clean and he was protective always sending a lady maid to clean her room and checking on her at night if she stayed over
She had taken the overnight bus from Mangalore on Thursday night much against her father's wishes
"You should fly" he insisted
"Do you know how much a plane ticket costs?" she asked
"I dont want you to go alone. I will ask that boy to go with you" he promised while they rode the bus from ullal to MLR
"That boy" was still sulking
She was afraid to go to talk to him also. She was afraid she would spill the beans and everything would come to an end
She liked and trusted him
He was needy and insecure but he was caring and lovable too
"I will ask him to help with the lunch crowd tomorrow. They have some stupid band playing in the Sadanand stadium. Lots of Mumbai and overseas crowd" she mumbled
"Let him go, he is studying economics. You stay with me" he urged
There was an unusual worry in his tone this time, or Trisha was feeling unusually guilty...
"Cal that boy and tell him. He will worry" he ssaid
"I will do that as soon as I sit down" she nodded
"Trishaaa" Ashvin stood in front, wearing white slacks folded at the ankles and a navy shirt with starfish pattern on it, and the same Sperry shoes
"Hello" she smiled nervously
"You should come in" he said intensely
She nodded
The house was air conditioned
The door was glass. Everything looked gleaming and sparkling to her
Coming from a crowded inter state bus, and then the dusty muggy bus stop and the smelly motel
"I got an auto so I came early" she said
"No worries" he nodded clearing the swanky glass topped walnut table
"Do you want to sit inside or outside?" he asked
"Inside??" she asked
"Sure, please sit"
His hair neatly parted sideways, shaved. He looked like a movie star to her
"Did you fly?" he asked
"I took a bus" she said sitting down gently
"Relax" he urged
The lady showed with sparkling water and juice
"Tea? coffee?" she asked politely now
"Umm.. no"
"Coffee? I promise Its Konkan" he said
She looked up at him startled... he was trying to talk light heartedly
When the lady left
"We cannot get married tomorrow" she said softly looking down at the table
"Its off?" he asked quietly
Leaning on a wall unit
"I want more time?" she said nervously
"Sure. Are you willing to look at the papers today?" he asked
"You told me " she said
He smiled gloriously.
"I filed for a permit at the Bangalore registrar's" he said
She nodded staring out the swaying white muslin curtains reminded of how she had imagined the chiffon curtains to be swaying at her own wedding...
"After we are done you can look at the rooms to see which one youd like" he said
She looked at him... realizing... how unaffected he was...he was calm, confident and self assured...
