Just
when she was about to comment on the breath-taking setting, Rohan’s cell-phone
rang. With trepidation, Amisha watched as Rohan answered the call, “Oh Samaira,
I hope it’s nothing urgent. Please will you call later? I’m busy right now.” As
he abruptly disconnected the call without waiting for her response, Amisha
heaved a sigh of relief. She had been expecting a long call filled with hearty
laughs and soft responses to spoil her dinner! But a small doubt niggled. Was
Rohan doing it for her benefit? She’d find out later that night, when she took
the bull by its horns and confronted him about her doubts.
Nevertheless, her mood was spoilt slightly. Samaira’s thoughts hung like
the Damocles’ Sword over her. Peevishly, she said, “Rohan, will you please shut
off your cell-phone? It’s irritating!”
With a
small laugh, he did as she requested. “Happy? Now give me a good smile!”
She
laughed and said, “Eeee….” Then both of them burst out laughing loudly, till
they realized that other diners were staring at them. Both of them pored over
their respective menus and ordered for soup, main courses and dessert. Rohan
was playful and charming as he held out his hand to her. “May we dance till
dinner arrives?” “You know that I can’t dance to save my life!” she gently
chided. “Come, I’ll teach you. There’s always a first time!” he gallantly
offered.
She
allowed him to lead her to the dance floor where several couples were swaying
to the live band’s melodious tunes. Rohan guided her steps till she got the
rhythm and started tentatively dancing. Though awkward initially, she was soon
dancing in step with her husband. The proximity to her handsome husband and the
divine setting made her ecstatic. She felt as though she was in heaven and
always wanted to be there!
Rohan too was soaking in the
dream-like spell of that evening. He felt the tickle of her thick hair, her
warmth and noted the softness in her beautiful eyes. He studied her features
carefully, as if noticing her again. Her eyes were dark as midnight, her pupils
shone like stars; her slightly twisted nose lent a certain character to her
square-jawed face. And her lips? They were wide, full and moist, pink with
lip-stick and parted with desire! Unable to resist the invitation, he suddenly
bent and kissed her on her lips, lingering slightly, as she initially resisted
and then gave in to him. She reveled in his by-now tight embrace and then as
reality struck, she gently squirmed and looked at him teasingly.
“I hope
that you haven’t forgotten about our dinner!” she said in a whisper. With love
brimming in his eyes, he said, “No I haven’t! I had just forgotten about how
beautiful you are!”
“Now
stop buttering me up. I know that I’m not beautiful!” she said mockingly, but with
a small giggle.
“Then
you must look at yourself through my eyes, Amisha. As is rightly said by
someone, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, isn’t it?” She blushed and kept
quiet.
After
that dance ended, they went and had dinner, chatting about a variety of topics.
She told him about her botched-up blouse and he told her about his plans to
diversify and expand his business. They talked about their families. When the
conversation veered towards Samaira, Amisha knew that it was now or never!
“Rohan, will you be frank and tell me whether you have any romantic feelings
for Samaira?” He looked shell-shocked, as he tried to find words. Carefully he
asked, “Why are you asking this question now, Amisha? Don’t you trust me?”
Seeing his hurt expression, Amisha
almost felt sorry that she had broached that unpleasant topic and spoilt their
wonderful evening of togetherness. But she was determined to get back her peace
of mind. This was just a small sacrifice to be made, if she had to live happily
thereafter, with Rohan. “I do trust you Rohan. But I want your assurance too! I
have been feeling very insecure, of late, as you seem to be getting too close
to her. If you want me out of your way, I will gladly step aside. But you are
too good a person to give up, just like that! I love you and want to be sure
that you are only mine. I can’t share your affection with anyone else, not even
my dear sister.”
Her
expression was resolute, but she seemed tense to the point of breaking down
under the stress of talking so boldly to her husband. She had always been quite
reserved and conservative in her approach towards their relationship, partly
due to the rigid upbringing of her traditional parents. Maybe it was that same
rigidity that had made Samaira so rebellious and had eventually led her to flee
from her ‘prison’, thought Amisha.
As she
thought warmly about her impulsive, but lovable sister; she had to firmly
remind herself that that same sister had become the bane of her existence,
right then! Wasn’t she trying to steal her husband’s affection? Wasn’t she
downright ungrateful, as it was Amisha who had asked Rohan to keep tabs on her
and ensure her well-being in a big city?
Through a haze, she felt that she heard
Rohan saying, “Amisha, Samaira is lonely and needs company. I am just trying to
give her solace. I am also trying to help her kick her habit of boozing.”
With a
shock, Amisha jolted back to reality. “Did I hear you right? You never
mentioned this before!”
“Yes
Amisha, what I am saying is the truth. I didn’t want you to be hurt or ashamed,
hence I didn’t tell you about it previously. But since we are having a
heart-to-heart conversation now, I might as well inform you that she is
addicted to alcohol. I guessed it by the manner in which her maid-servant
readily bought a bowl for her to purge herself, when she felt nauseous. It
appeared to have been a regular affair! Hence I urged her to promise me that
she would give up this vice if she wanted me to keep in touch with her.”
“But
how can you be sure that she has indeed given up her habit, Rohan? Don’t we
know that this is the most difficult thing in the world to do, after smoking?
By the way, does she smoke too?”
“I
don’t think that she does, as she didn’t light a cigarette when I was there. She has assured me that she has stopped
drinking. She even swore on me!”
Amisha looked incredulously at
him. “Really? I hope that she was serious! If anything happens to you, I’ll
…..” As she looked belligerent, Rohan laughed and held her hand to assuage her
feeling of indignation. “We must trust her, Amisha. If we don’t, who will?”
To be continued....
The copyright of this story is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
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