Office politics, insistence from Akriti and opposition from her husband and my own personal dynamics seems to have affected it in parts. And yet, I cannot blame any of these reasons. It was fate that betrayed me.

The things happened so fast that I didnt have time to think to ponder. My decisions were rushed, overhauled and in effect made redundant by the turn of events.

I was planning to interview one other client of Dr. Ananth that day. We had an appointment by 5 in the evening. All day, I was busy formulating the questions. Reading and re-reading my notes. I knew I don’t have much time. Thats when the phone started ringing.

I decided that I would let the voice mail pick it up. Akriti’s voice filled with fear floated through the room and I rushed to the phone. She said, ” My husband is trying to kill me! please come fast!” .
She was crying inconsolably and then the phone got cut.

I ran to the car rushing through the traffic breaking the rules and reached her house. But it was too late.

I found Ananth holding the knife dripping with blood. As if in a daze, he simply sat by his wife’s dead body .

Before I could talk to him and find out what happened the local police took over the control. By the time I met him he was too deep into the shock and hid behind the stolid silence. Not that anyone really tried to get the truth from him. The evidences, the foot prints, the finger prints and all those complaints damned him .

I had tried many times to get to him but he never agreed to see me. I had failed him. Failed them and he would have nothing to do with me.

Still, I couldn’t keep myself away and I went to his execution. They had decided he should be hanged. His last words to me was “Take care of Myra for me” and his eyes, his eloquent eyes damned me like words can never do!

A love Story- Prologue

I got down at Karjat station. Hustling and bustling, the station was far cry from what it was in 2005 when Soumya left the college, Konkan gyanpeeth college of engg, fondly called as King George college of engg by the students. I wonder how it was when Soumya first met Aryan. Its hard to imagine that they were friends all through their college life, never felt any attraction and eventually met down the road of life to fall in love. Destiny. It has a different style of operation.

Aryan’s Journey To Mumbai

Aryan was being nostalgic. He was trying to remember Soumya that was, some 15 years ago when he was irritated by the puppy crush of a gal who was thin mousy and nerdy!! Being a butt of countless jokes, he avoided her like a plague. But years down the line, when he met her again, online, things changed.

During those lonesome nights, initially, when Prachi left, he hardly knew what to do with the time he had. Sleep was hard to come and every gesture reminded him of what he lost.. To run away from reality he had hit the online bandwagon of lifeless n lost souls. Every day was the same. The same stories only the faces change. Saga of hurt and betrayal and sorrow. However, he had struck gold. He met Soumya.

Anticipation

“Oww I am sorry to miss picking you up! I should have come. Damn the meeting! “, Soumya wailed down the phone.

Aryan laughed into the phone, “That’s okay. We are meeting tomorrow anyways.”

“ I am sorry sweets, no go. The goddamn project! I can meet you on day after”

“ Hey thats okay. I understand. Work rules us.” he replied. Deflated and a bit sad.

“ Oww how sweet. I will hug you for that”

He laughs, “Waiting for that”

“Okay then, bye.”

“Bye”

The First Meeting

Sea and rocks have been a havan for lovers since long. The clashing of waves on to the rocks have sparked many a passion. It has witnessed many moans and drowned it in its overpowering roars. It has secrets untold if only you listen. On such an beautiful evening, in throes of love, Soumya was waiting for Aryan. Dreaming and apprehensive. After all those years of waiting, finally Aryan can be hers. She was terrified that he wouldn’t. Then what would be left for her? Only fact that Aryan will still be hers kept her going. The wobbly and clumsy gal is long gone, buried below the layer of sophistication. It wasn’t easily achieved. We won’t talk about the endless years of pain and humiliation and despair. That is best left in the past. Right now, I would like you to imagine a lady in love. Anticipating her lover any minute. The sweet and shy smile needs to be seen to know. I am sure the observant of your lot would agree how invaluable that smile is……

A Day out in Essel world.

Soumya reached the flat. She saw the door was open and there was a lot of commotion. Evidently Pinky was being naughty. It warmed her heart. She entered to see Pinky sitting on the window and Aryan feeding her. Something clutched in heart. She knew at that moment she will kill for these two people if needed. She realised she was in love with Pinky just like that.
Finally, Pinky saw her and she ran to her and hugged her tight!
‘ What aunty you are late!” Pinky complained.
“Thank god that I atleast came”, Soumya retorted and kissed Pinky..

A night to remember.

Their eyes met for the first time in the kitchen. Aryan could see desire in her. But was that love? He was not sophisticated enough to screw and forget….
Soumya knew he wanted him. But the romantic heart wanted to be wooed.. she wanted him to make the first move!
And then she lowered her eyes, took a sip and lowered the cup. The cup fell with a thud as Aryan tried to catch it…At the same time soumya reached for it. Their hands met once again.
Later when she looked back Soumya wasnt sure who started it but they shared a kiss. Lip to lip. There are no words to describe the feelings the pleasure.. It was a kiss of love and that should suffice.
In that brief moment, Aryan went to heaven and came back. It was never like this not even with Prachi in their best of the days.. Surely she loves him??

After the fight – Part I

Aryan was trying hard to keep that fake smile pasted for his daughter et al. He didn’t realize until these last few days how much he had fallen for Soumya. How deep his attachment was. He cannot imagine how he will go back and live like nothing happened. But leave he did.

Its been a month since he left Mumbai. Her thoughts , her face kept haunting him. He couldn’t stay awake and he couldn’t sleep. His dream was all about her.. kissing her.. just being with her.
Where ever he went, whatever he did reminded him of her. He had never realized how much entrenched she was in his life… he used to wake up to her voice and sleep to that too and in between too he would get her sms, offliners etc etc.. She knew more about him then anyone else.. she was there when he needed someone and he had hurt her..

After the fight Part II

They say man proposes god disposes. And how much ever we want, we cannot change whats meant to be. Soumya and Aryan had so many dreams for each other. Some they saw together and some alone. They were sure that nothing can go wrong but god had decided some different things for them.

The next few days after the incident, Soumya didn’t know how she survived. She was morose and sick, not physically but deep within.. inside her heart. All she ever wanted was to run to Aryan… She couldn’t believe they acted this childishly. They evidently still have too much of emotional baggage.. She realized though that it seems hard right now, she cannot live without Aryan anymore..

They meet again

And there she was like a goddess.. and pastel pink chudidhar.. whats commonly called as lucknowi wading through the soft toy section. He thought of ducking and hiding but she had seen him.. and there was a tremulous smile on her face.. a naked vulnerability and there was pleasure too. He started towards her and Pinky rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.

The Love returns : Coming soon!

Aryan couldn’t rush like any hero in a movie. For you see he had responsibility. First and foremost was to find a job in Mumbai and then a school for pinky and a house to live in. Then he had to wait for Pinky’s school term to complete. So by and large it took him 2-3 months to return to Mumbai to start anew.

Once he was in Mumbai, he felt like a fool. The “What If’s ” started bugging him big time! He first thought “What if she is too angry ? Wouldn’t it be better to give her time for the anger to lose the edge ? Besides it wouldn’t hurt to settle down in Mumbai first. Then it was “what if she has a new guy in her life? ” So the days of wait became weeks and weeks months and he never tried to contact her.

And yet fate wouldn’t let them go. Not yet.

Six months had passed by. Everyday he woke up with the hope that he would see her and things would work out finally.. and every night was filled with dreams. And yet.. when that lucky day came he was totally distracted. A new mall had opened in a nearby area. Pinky wanted to go there and pick up her favorite comic series. And being a doting father, Aryan complied. While he was at it.. he decided to pick up some for himself..

And there she was like a goddess.. and pastel pink chudidhar.. whats commonly called as lucknowi wading through the soft toy section. He thought of ducking and hiding but she had seen him.. and there was a tremulous smile on her face.. a naked vulnerability and there was pleasure too. He started towards her and Pinky rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.

By the time he reached her, they were already in an animated conversation. And Pinky already had told her that they had moved to Mumbai few months back. The cold polite smile that Soumya gave him almost made him wince. He didn’t know what to say. There was this stilted politeness between them that never was before. But with Pinky, she was very warm and that gave him hope.

Much later, sitting in a CCD sipping coffee, he asked her about her life.. and she replied with the generally acceptable platitude. And then silence. Both didn’t know what to say. Before parting, he asked for her mobile number which she gave.

It was an disaster! Aryan thought.. Next time it would be different! he promised himself.. for there is going to be a next time and soon.

The next few days after the incident, Soumya didn’t know how she survived. She was morose and sick, not physically but deep within.. inside her heart. All she ever wanted was to run to Aryan… She couldn’t believe they acted this childishly. They evidently still have too much of emotional baggage.. She realized though that it seems hard right now, she cannot live without Aryan anymore..

She had loved him before yes.. but that love was for an image she made of him…she could survive then.. but now she loved Aryan.. the real man. She has no illusion to hold on to. She knew now what kind of man he is..A man who loved his kid till distraction. One who is hopeful and cheerful even in hard times.. She wanted him.. and yet she wanted to be wanted. Soumya was tired of reaching out to people.. for once she wanted someone to reach out to her.. someone to want her enough to take a risk

As planned the next Saturday, she went to meet Raj. They didn’t know anything about Aryan. Soumya didn’t know how she will tell them. So with a fake smile and gifts for both Raj and Jenny, a cook book and a bottle of perfume, she reached Breach Candy, where they lived.

“Aww thats so sweet of you.. ” Raj already started reading through ..”Oh wow.. nice easy recipe I am gonna try it”.. thats just like him.

“You spoil us Soumya. Thank you so much” Jenny went inside and kept the perfume on her dresser. Thats totally like her.. They were so different.. chalk and cheese. and yet were the cutest couple around! Why can’t I have such a relation? Soumya thought as tears filled her eyes. She turned around to hide it.

Nothing escaped Jenny. She saw the tears but decided to keep quiet until Soumya was ready to reveal whats inside her heart. Knowing her for so long she knew when to dig and when to let it rest. The wound was too raw too deep to dig.

“Raj! Stop reading it now. Soumya is here remember? Talk to her while I set the table.” She said to Raj as she moved to the kitchen.
“Oh yeah! In a minute”
“He is hopeless” Soumya smiled. They could always manage to make her smile!
“Oh its your fault! Why did you buy that monster of a book?” She asked mock irritatedly
“Now now you girls don’t start on me . You are going to thank me when I serve you the gourmet from this book!” he said laughingly closing the book.

Soumya thanked Jenny. Jenny smiled back understandingly to her.

Just before they sat for the dinner, Soumya hugged both of them.

“I am so lucky to have you both in my life. You are my guardian angels”
“Whats wrong with you girl?” Raj asked
“Trust Raj to spoil the moment” Jenny said “It is a wonder that he proposed me romantically”

They all started to laugh and the dinner went happily enough. Though Soumya picked the food instead of eating. They relaxed with coffee in the living room when Raj asked, “So tell me about your guy wonder”

Soumya felt pain pierce through her heart. “There is nothing to tell Raj. Its over” she said dully.

“What do you mean by that? Did he hurt you girl? I am gonna kill him! how could he do that to you?”

“Raj calm down” Jenny said like she would to a recalcitrant child. Raj said ” Alright! Tell me everything. Don’t you dare not to”

Soumya was touched like so many times before by their love. She could always depend on them like she couldn’t on her family or anyone else. She thought she could on Aryan. But it wasn’t meant to be. He didn’t love her enough and she couldn’t take anything less . She had to accept it she was meant to stay alone.

“Raj he is not a bad guy. He never was and he isn’t now. We went out everything was fine. Then we went to our… my flat.” she corrected as her voice cracked.

“We went to my flat and then we kissed. It was just too much. The emotions were. Its not like my first relationship or my first kiss. But it was too much for me. I stopped the kiss . I suggested that we move to the patio so that I can catch my breath. I realized that it was special coz I am with him so I decided to leave the caution to the wind and go after love.. after all it was my dream come true. Some dream! It turned into night mare.”

“I donno wat went through his mind..he actually apologized for kissing me! “

“That cad!” They said clucking their tongues. They knew just the right words to say.
“Well I gave him nice and proper and then he left and well since then I am a mess. I can’t lose him the second time!”
” Then go and get him” Jenny says.
“Why would she go? If he wants let the guy come. My poor baby has been so patient for long now its her chance to ask things from life. Its just not fair” Raj spluttered.
“Don’t be stupid Raj! Whats more important her happiness or ego ?” Jenny asked.

“No jenny. Raj is right. I have to wait it out. He has to love me fully. I can’t live with a hidden regret. I want it all. When I gave it all am I asking more?”

Jenny sighed. “If you put it that way … even I want to say you deserve more and all.. All I want is your happiness. As long as you know what you want.”

Its been many weeks since that day. Jenny’s words echoed in her mind. Late at night. Is it possible for him to miss her and love her? Couldn’t she love enough for both of them ? So many times she went to call him. Picked the telephone and put it down.

‘Who am I kidding? If he missed me wouldn’t he call? I must be the rebound love and now I guess he would have moved to the next lady for all I know’

This doubt made her stop always. Its been nearly 6 months now. Soumya had stopped dating now. Somehow she never could make the effort. She took to walking down the Marine drive. Thinking of their first meeting .. that glance everything.. over and over again. She took to taking alcohol to fall asleep and nowadays that didn’t work too. She had graduated to pills.

Looking at Soumya self destructing herself, Raj had started supporting Jenny too but that didn’t change her mind. She was waiting.

Soumya was no longer sure what she was waiting for. For Aryan to come or was it for death to come? Each day was just the same. Her work was suffering, her boss concernedly asked her to take off. Told her infact. Everyone one was concerned about her but the person whom she wanted to be…

Such is life isnt it? You keep running behind someone who has no time for you.. and the people who care for you.. you dont have time for them….

Its been a month since he left Mumbai. Her thoughts , her face kept haunting him. He couldn’t stay awake and he couldn’t sleep. His dream was all about her.. kissing her.. just being with her.
Where ever he went, whatever he did reminded him of her. He had never realized how much entrenched she was in his life… he used to wake up to her voice and sleep to that too and in between too he would get her sms, offliners etc etc.. She knew more about him then anyone else.. she was there when he needed someone and he had hurt her..

He couldn’t take it anymore. He had stopped going online and like when Prachi left, he started drinking hard again. It was tough when Prachi left.. but this was tougher. Somehow he had some inkling of the fact that she may leave. And this was unexpected. He wanted so much for this to work..

Days passed by and it was Diwali again. Time for Akshay to come. 6 months since they parted. And Aryan was still the same.. if anything it was worser than before.. sunken eyes and sad face. Akshay was shocked!

“I know its none of my business but you got to talk to me! This wont work! Look at you! and look at pinky! See how sad she looks”

“I can’t stay alone anymore Akshay. I have tried and I failed! I thought I loved Prachi and yet the depth of feeling I have for her is not same as I had for Soumya!” he broke down and started crying.

Akshay kept quiet until he cried and the asked.” Tell me about her! Why are you guys not together? Everything was fine that day when you guys went to Esselworld!”

“I don’t know what went wrong! Everything did! She is so beautiful so successful! Why would she want to be with someone who has a kid from earlier marriage?”

“Did she say that ?” Akshay asked incredulously.

“How can she ? she is too sensitive for that! She can only be friends with me and I want more! I hurt her! How I wish I hadn’t kissed her!”

“Tell me what happened not what you think!”

“Okay. We had amazing time! Joking and all.. then we went to her flat. Pinky already slept. We shared a coffee and then we kissed. I was good while it lasted and then she froze. I dunno why!”

“Was she enjoying it?”
“Most definitely”
“Why didn’t you ask what went wrong then?”
“What’s there to ask? She was too sophisticated for me! Thats just about it. I apologized for it”
“You did?”
“Yeah! and she.. “
“Yes what did she say ?”
“That we are consenting adults exploring possibilities and that It didn’t work out!”

“Isnt it possible that she was scared of the emotions you invoke in her and then well she might want some time and not the total break up and your apologizing hurt her?”

“I dont know!”

“Did she try to contact you ?”
“No”
“Did you?”
“How can I?”
“I think you should. Clear it off! If nothing, you can still be friends”
“I don’t wanna be friends and see her go with someone else!”
“I still think you should call and talk to her. I feel its your insecurity in regards to her that is hindering your relationship”
“Thanks! That feels just great!”

Akshay keeps quiet after that. They start talking about other stuff. General things his life, office etc etc etc.

In the night, they hear Pinky murmuring in her sleep.

“I don’t wanna live. I made my daddy cry. Aunty would be still with dad if I wasn’t there. god take me away. Why Aunty hates me? And mom too? God! I don’t want dad to hate me too. I want to die”

Aryan couldn’t take it. He held his kid and cried. Akshay took him out of the room and put him to sleep.

In the morning, it was time for Akshay to leave. Before leaving he said, ” Don’t live in regret later on. If your love is strong get answers! She loved you in college you know that! Why can’t she love you now? If you can so can she. The fact that she was with you all these days proves that! Go get her! If not for you then for Pinky”

That was a mean thing to say. Akshay knew that but he just had to. When he saw Aryan’s pained eyes, he wished he didnt..

Few days later Aryan called.

“I am coming to Mumbai ” he said.

Akriti and I were on talking terms. Thats just about it. The relation was strained, almost on tethers. I was stressed out . She was mercurial and exacting . Could say frequently exasperating.. however I cannot deny I had a blast with her. Her wry sense of humor and heavenly cooking compensated for everything. I needed a break! And gentle and warm nature of Ananth was just that….

It was a beautiful morning .. birds chirping.. a nice day for picnic and Ananth was an interesting person.. still charming..I could feel that I am being sweet to him.. and knowing that didn’t stop me either.. such was his charm…No wonder he was successful… his patients responded to him really well… Not surprisingly most his patients are women …

So I asked, ” What made you marry her? I know she seduced you”.

” You should understand.. she couldn’t have seduced me if i didn’t want it.. but I did. I fell in love her”
” Akru did tell me about your love story… But I am interested about after the marriage thing.. When did this accusations start?”

” Around 5 years after we married. She started playing mind games with me initially. She was bored of marriage. Wanted some fun.. but only with me”
” What do you mean by fun?”
” Well…. She would make me beg for sex and yet won’t sleep in my bed. be jealous of each of my patients… and when I became really angry… she would continue to tease me.. till I cudnt bear anymore… thats when I would force her.. and then it would be amazing… “

I gazed at him for sometime trying to gauge if he was saying the truth. He convinced me.

” So.. she forced you to rape her and you did… and what was amazing about it?”
” I didn’t rape her! She is my wife for god sake! I did act rude.. but eventually it was mutual… a little rough than usual may be but not rape…”
” Okay. Please continue. You know what I want to hear..”

He sighed but continued in a dispassionate and pinched voice..

” You don’t believe me do you?”
” I don’t know what to believe. I am just trying fit the pieces to get the whole picture”
” Well I don’t blame you. I know its hard for you.. you like us both”, he said understandingly.

For some reason, this made me defensive.

” I try hard to not get involved with my work emotionally.”

” But you are failing right now. My wife has this effect on everyone. I still couldn’t figure out why…”
“Excuse me!!”, I said exasperatedly.. I didn’t like his high handedness!

” Sometimes, I believe in what my wife says. She is so mesmerizing “

I stopped and let him talk.. coz he was saying the truth.. she was that.. a master story teller!

” She was such an beautiful wench.. and willful.. and hurt.. but like a lioness.. vicious.. the things she has seen and undergone.. we cant even imagine.. even if we r psychologists.. that experience is hers.. and she is marked for life.. she needs help yes… I give the best thing possible.. I give her love” , he said that looking into my face.. with tears in his eyes.. with utter sincerity that left me shaken..

” I… don’t know what to say..” I said.

” I am sorry. Its just that I love her so much.. but she is so hurt that.. she doesn’t understand the language of care.. just that she needs time..”

He was getting emotional I could see.. just to change subject I said, “Tell me about your kids.. how do they take all this stuff?”

“They don’t know anything.. “

“You know thats bull crap”

This was a wrong thing to say coz he visibly closed up.. I wonder why I neevr realized how shoddily I handled this case… If anyone else did notice no one said anything…

He said, “They are safe and in boarding school. I never ever would let them be affected by this..”

“And you think that being away from family would help them achieve that? “

He decided to keep quiet…

The silence was broken by a phone call… his mobile rung…

“Hi, How are you Rubiya? Oh thats just gr8! Am so proud of you…” I was not paying attention but the name caught my mind.. it was one of the lady Akriti had mentioned in her story.. one who was supposed to be in love with him and one with whom he had affair…

“Hey I am with…. you know… So I will call you later okay? Yes I will be there in the party and yes I will come alone.. I wont spoil your party dear.. I promise.. bye”

“I want to meet her” I said.

“Who?”

“This Lady Rubiya! She is the one mentioned in your wife’s statement”
“I am sorry, I cant make you meet my client”
“I can ask her permission. Let her choose”
“She has nothing to do with this.. My wife is lying! I told you why..She is insecure and delusional.. you know this is clear cut kleinian situation!”

‘
–In those cases in which the significance of reality and real objects as reflections of the dread internal world and images has retained its preponderance, the stimuli from the external world may be felt to be nearly as alarming as the phantasied domination of the internalized objects, which have taken possession of all intuitive and to whom the ego feels compulsively bound to surrender the execution of all activities and intellectual operations, together of course with the responsibility for them‘

This is exactly whats happening with her! She fears me coz in our relationship I am the giver.. So in rebellion she cries foul and when I nurture her she is back to normal!”

“Dr. Ananth. I know you are more experienced than me. However, I do not have any back ground knowledge about your wife. I am here to investigate if there is any truth in her claims. And I plan to find that out. I dont care about what you think. I need answers and I will get it whether you are comfortable with it or not”

My voice had a timbre more than my usual one. I was irritated and it showed… I felt more drained than I usually am!

Soon I left the deli and went for a walk.. I had to clear my mind there were just too many impressions.. What exactly is true.. their love or the ugly scar on her face??

I received an SMS.. it was Dr Ananth.. he had sent Rubiya’s phone number and few others too.. The ladies he was supposed to have relations with….

It was late in the evening around 8:00 I was out with Shlok having dinner when I got a call..

“Hello. I am Rubiya.. we need to talk.. are you free?”

Chapter 3

Chapter 1

Yes. I was sitting all by my own listening to death metal *yeah I can see her cluck her tongue*

So I was listening to music.. head banging.. and i see my Sardarji! *there she clucks again.. politically correct insipid gal!*

Having nothing better to do… I walked over to him to talk * it was boredom not goodwill will u stop ? *

After 12 years of marriage one would expect things r better.. I mean the la di da lady must know if a bloke sticks around for so long he must be a sap at head.. or in love.. got to say for a woman to cry for him.. she has to be half mad… from his story she seemed that anyways!
Really the lady must b happy that he returns to her even after her wrinkles and all.. But if only wishes were horses!

*I know you wanna know what it is.. but you got to wait *

S: I know my ***preet. She wont fall for this!

S: Oye theek hai.. lag gayi 1000-1000 ki.. meri wife ko mein nahi jaanunga kya ?

I reach his place….

Mrs. S was busy crying bucketfuls and gobbling up them chocolates. With an audience of neighbors commiserating… The moment I said I am Sji’s friend.. the neighbors gave such dirty looks as if I am his lover.. God! I was like stepping into the lions den literally.. And man it was 5 hours since they fought.. how much can this woman cry ?

I mean if i wasn’t a mutt head enough to suggest helping sardarji.. I would have video-taped it and sent it to them Guinness world records guys.. there has to be a record for this too.. am sure our Indian females wud top the list!

So back to the story. I told mrs S. I have something to tell her.. and I went ahead to tell her that Mr. S. might leave her then what will she do ? she can’t even go back home.. wudn’t she be wiser to make peace with Mr S.

Okay I agree this is not what I told Mr S. that I would be saying.. Do you see him agreeing? Ofcourse not!

But It was true.. mrs S had no where to go.. her kids were young she old and her family considers her dead! Someone had to make her see the light. But does she thanks me for it?

Whooping no!

She started crying bucketfuls again.. cursing him even more loudly..

And fate played its cards too! I mean what the heck!

Sardarji made his entry.. I was nearly toast.. Wondering how I escaped? Well it was coz of mrs S. she cried so much that everybody including him concentrated on her…

Well the rest of the story is comical to extreme. him saying he loves her.. and she is not old at all.. am a crazy old bachelor! * how dare he.. crazy bachelor is okay but old???* what the fuck…. things i listen to for friends…

And he continued that I wanted her for myself * god forbid! I wud choose to kill myself before that!* and thats why.. I actually lied..

This fanned the latent ego in the lady’s heart.. she decided to forgive him and he decided to spend quality time with her.. he had nearly lost her n learnt his lessons etc etc

And me?

Erm I was thrown out of the house forever banned.. and Mr S. is not supposed to visit the pub i visit.. on the positive side.. he got the rights to drink at home…

Any sane person would thank me.. if I hadn’t lied to him and her…

Ah well thats how the world is.. so.. am back to my pub world…

That And what about that bet money? he forgot that conveniently.. that Two-timing Troglodyte! Dunderheaded coconut!

Well I guess so here I am.. drowning my misadventures in beer….

Author’s note: The curses can be found here

Finally 3 hours late, I reached Kanakpura road where she lived.

Akruti… The victim or the villain? In her case everything is so muddled. You cant help but love her charm..her humor.. her concern.. Such a warm host she was… Even while sporting a huge patch on her eye. she has this huge grin plastered on her face.

” Ah you are completely wet and late”, She said tongue in cheek.

” The traffic uff! I am sick of it!” , I replied rolling my eyes.

” Why don’t we sit in the kitchen? It is warm and I can make something for you. You must be hungry”

” Oh starving! “

I sat on the dining table as she made coffee. Over coffee and yummy home made bhajiyas we started talking.

” Akruti. You know why I have come here don’t you?”

“Yes Dr Rao I know. You guys dont trust my words”

” You have an history with us and not all very good . This time it wont be easy. It will take hard evidence for you to convince me. This is the last time you know”

“Believe me I know. I have lived in the system all my life!”

” Mr Ranganathan is a very respected man. He is my counterpart you know. ” , He is a psychologist.

” As if I would forget that! Thats how we met you know. “

The equanimity with which she took my words kind of surprised me. I put it to the fact that she wants to impress me. I decided to play along and said, “ Tell me about it”

“ He was such an handsome man. He still is”, she smiled.

I didn’t turn the recorder on. I wanted her to trust me first. We were quiet for some time.. it was as if she was dreaming.. remembering the past. I took the time to observe her properly.
It is very hard to tell much about her features as her eyes was swollen with a black eye, but her mouth was sensitive and with a pout that many would sell their soul to have. Slim and lithe she was still very beautiful. Long eyelashes and intelligent face that was live with good humor and fun.

She was wearing a very pleasing floral saree. And an apron tied to her waist. She looked like any other housewife happy in her life save her face.

“ So serious and so helpful”, she continued.

“ The first time I saw him I fell in love. He didnt want to love me.. but he couldnt resist me”, Still dreaming she started giggling.
“ I seduced him you know. And he drooled like a dog seeing a piece of juicy bone”, she guffawed.

I already started liking her. It became more like talking to a friend.. somewhere down the line we both forgot for what I have come until…..

“ You know he didnt want to marry me. He said I am not his type. He liked his ladies a bit servile and a lot dependant on him. That I am just too independent….” , she said

“ Bull!”, I was indignant! “ Why did you marry him? And how did it happen? “

“ I loved him. Even after all I have faced I still love him. We got married because he loves me. I told you.. I seduced him” she replied.

“ So how many kids do you have? “

Without knowing the bond that we had broke. And this always would be the tone of interview. Somehow we were back to the actual relationship.

“ Don’t you have it on file? “, she asked shortly.

“ Yes, I do. I want you to tell me though.”

“ 2. My boy is in 4th std and one girl. She is 7 years old.”

“ Where are they? “

“Both are in boarding school. We didnt want them to be affected by the issues we are facing.”

“ Whose decision was it?”

“ Ours. We decided it unanimously.”

“ Do children like it?”

“ They cannot decide what they want.”

I had antagonized her. I wanted to make amends but her husband came home. I was waiting for her to explain me off as her friend. I wanted to see fear, guilt and servitude that is common in most abused women.

I saw none of those. What I saw was a romantic union of two people so amazingly intune with each other.

They hugged smilingly thats when he noticed me. I saw a change in emotion here. I could see the man visibly closing up. He came to me formally with no smile and yet seemed warm.

“ Ah Dr Rao, pleased to meet you. Congratulations for your award”, he said as we shook hands. He had a firm grip.

“ Thank you. Didnt expect you to recognize me Dr Ranganathan.”

“ Call me Ananth. We all need to keep tabs about the competition don’t we?” He laughed.
“ Quite true”, I replied laughingly.

“ I hope you would stay for dinner”

“ Oh no. I have already taken too much of Akru’s time. I got to go.”

“ Please stay. It was fun”, Akriti said without any enthusiasm.

“ I insist. Lets have dinner in some restaurant. We have one nearby. The food is awesome you got to taste it”, he said.

Somehow I suddenly wanted to leave. I couldn’t possibly like both of them. They were a very likable and warm couple. I wondered what evilness lurked behind the man to hurt the wife he loves so much. Thats what interests me in my field. The complexity of human mind.

“ No some other time.” I replied. “ We will keep meeting for next few weeks. Why don’t we meet for lunch. I would like to ask you few questions” I was all business.

“ Sure. Anytime you would like.” he complied.

Soon I left their house with a very warm send off. Akriti even gifted me a casket of wine. I hadnt had fun for a long time. I even shared my life with her. She was so easy to talk to. I missed my girlfriends who had become busy with life kids n family.

Dr Ranganathan seemed to know what I was there but he didnt seem angry at all. Akriti was very friendly initially, but asking her more than what she wanted to say made her angry. I couldn’t peg both of them. I should be able to. I am a psychologist!

Soon I received Shlok’s call and I forgot all about them….

Chapter 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Prologue