The Love-addict Chapter 9

              Meanwhile, Rohan’s business grew and he became increasingly busy. He started resenting Samaira’s calls as he thought that they distracted him from his work and interrupted his schedule. If he was in a business meeting and he received her call midway, he would be highly irritated and tell her abruptly to call later. Even at late nights, he would be too tired and sleepy after a hard day’s work; and would hence avoid taking her calls or switch off his cell-phone for the night.

             The persistent and by now desperate Samaira would phone him up in the early mornings, but would be frustrated and angry on not being answered to. Her maid would bear the brunt of all her tantrums then, patiently picking up all the broken pieces of expensive vases, artifacts and cutlery thrown around in a fit of rage; by her tempestuous mistress. She would also bear all her taunts and abuses with extreme fortitude. She took consolation in the fact that at least no was around to watch her being humiliated like that for no fault of hers. She had watched with growing concern as her mistress became increasingly dependent on Rohan’s phone calls to make her happy. It was as if all her life depended on them. She was cheerful when he responded and sorrowful when she couldn’t get through to him.

                  Amisha thought that Rohan was just showing as if he didn’t encourage Samaira’s calls, for her benefit. She was sure that throughout the day, at office, he would be chatting with her merrily over the phone. Maybe he didn’t want to be questioned by her! He was astute. A hard-nosed businessman had to be astute! His skills were coming in handy, just then, she thought uneasily. What was cooking between the two? Was he secretly planning to divorce her and marry Samaira? She racked her brains endlessly to find a solution to her doubts and to her threatened marriage. Her work suffered in the bargain.

                One evening, a customer who had given her a blouse to stitch, picked up a quarrel with her. “What have you stitched Amisha? Is this a blouse? It looks like a small child’s vest. Whose measurements have you referred to while sewing it?” Irritably, Amisha answered in a high-pitched voice, “Of course yours! I haven’t stitched for the first time in my life! I have been sewing since 15 years.”

               That customer retorted sarcastically, “Good you informed me, though it looks as if you are a beginner!”

                  After a few more heated words were exchanged, that lady said, “Kindly give me the cost of the material. I refuse to accept this ill-fitting blouse.”

                 Realizing her mistake and to maintain her reputation, Amisha quietly gave her the requisite amount with a heavy heart. If things continued in this vein, she’d have to wind up her well-established business. The tension of her married life and her husband’s ‘affair’ with her sister was taking a toll on not just her business, but her well-being too! She started refusing work that came her way and became listless and despondent. She was depressed and stopped dressing up properly and even combing her hair.

                  Rohan observed these changes, but didn’t interfere after some initial persuasion to cheer up, as he felt that she was missing having a child of her own. He knew that the customers who came to her, invariably questioned her about it. He didn’t want to rub it in by commenting on her appearance. He continued with his routine, as usual. That incensed Amisha even more, as she expected him to be caring and sympathetic towards her plight. She felt as if she was no longer needed by Rohan.

                One evening when Rohan arrived home from work, exhausted and famished, he realized that Amisha hadn’t made anything for dinner. He blew his top when he saw her lying on the bed, vacantly staring at the ceiling, lost deep in her thoughts. She looked disheveled and haggard. Previously she used to take trouble to look presentable for him, when he returned from work. Nowadays, she had just given up on everything.

                “So you didn’t get time to cook meals today?” he enquired irritably. She just stared vacantly at him, which incensed him further. “Amisha, I am asking you something. Please reply!”

                She turned to her side and muttered, “I am not well.”

                “I can’t see anything wrong with you. These days, you have become very lazy. What’s the matter?” he asked.

               “You should know better,” she said caustically.

               He sat down next to her and forced her to sit up, by physically lifting her. “Come on, explain! I hate you for talking in riddles. Please be frank and let me know what’s bothering you. Maybe I could help you. But if you keep going on like this, I don’t know what could be our future!”

              “Our future!” she grimaced and said, “Yours is surely bright and mine is dark as hell!”

               Amazed, he looked at her, as if he was seeing her for the first time in his life. She had never talked so cryptically to him before. She had always been pleasing and well-mannered.

            Gently, he asked her to get ready. “Come, I’ll take you out for dinner today. Will you wear that pink sari, which is a favorite of mine? Yes, and also your lovely smile!”

            Amisha visibly brightened and started getting ready. Rohan had decided to get to the bottom of the matter that night. He couldn’t bear to see his wife so unhappy and depressed. Maybe he was at fault, as he had become a workaholic and hardly spent time with her.

            He went to freshen up. Just then, Amisha heard the buzz of his cell-phone, indicating that he had received a message. It was from Samaira. “Hi dear, long time, no see?” it read. Amisha deleted it.

           She scrolled through his calls received and saw 10 calls from Samaira. She was furious, but decided to confront Rohan after dinner. She didn’t want to miss the opportunity of spending some precious time with her husband.

            Rohan drove her to a swanky restaurant with a Greek theme. Playful cupids and beautiful cherubic angels were carved on the marble columns of the dining hall. Soft music played through the music system as the steward politely ushered them to a corner table. Rohan looked very sauve in his smart attire of neatly pressed blue shirt and black trousers. Amisha looked presentable in her soft-pink sari with pearl accessories. She had left her hair loose, brushed to one side. The elegant nape of her neck enhanced the even features of her face. The soft lights played magic on her, as she appeared enticing and alluring to Rohan.

           Tonight, she looked bewitching, he thought. Maybe, it was the dream-like setting, with gurgling fountains, green flowering shrubs all around, and those erotic cupids and guileless angels that were responsible for that romantic feeling. He forgot all his animosity towards her. Even Amisha had decided to soak in the beauty of that enchanting evening and romantically charged atmosphere. The unpleasant tasks could wait!

To be continued....

The copyright of this story is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.