Ajabdeh looked up at her reflection in the mirror and took a deep breath. It's been a long time since she dressed up like that. Kasturi helped to pleat her saree neatly on her shoulder and straightened the ruffles of her blouse. She then put the three strands of pearl around her neck while Ajabdeh put on the earrings. After her hair was done up in a side bun Ajabdeh put some kohl on her eyes and stopped at her hairline. Kasturi went about her work, telling her about how she looked almost angelic in her soft lilac saree while she chose the perfect pair of shoes for her mistress. Ajabdeh's hands froze over the box of vermilion on the dressing table as she looked up at her reflection. Her hand drew away. Not today. Not anymore.
"Are you…" Pratap stopped at the threshold as he looked a little wide-eyed at her. His hand stopped at adjusting his cufflinks and his mouth opened a little. He expected her to get ready for the party Maya had invited them over to, rather reluctantly. He didn't expect her to look her best. She looked elegant and simple yet captivating. Her eyes seemed to have gotten back the spark they were missing for a long time. She was dabbing the lipstick on her lips. The locks on either side of her hair fell over her cheeks. He cleared his throat.
"Ready?" He asked as she turned around to look at him. He had shaved clean after ages and he smelled of musk. His usual polo t-shirts and office shirts were replaced with a pair of jeans and a casual white shirt teamed with a beige summer blazer. He looked fresh as a flower. Ajabdeh couldn't resist her eyes from lingering. She nodded as his stare met hers. Kasturi placed her heels down as she slipped them on and collected her purse.
"We can get out fast if you want," Pratap said driving towards the Shekhawat house reassuringly. " Besides, we don't know anyone there so we can leave with some excuse."
"I don't want to make excuses and leave early." She said adjusting her hair locks behind her ears. "Besides, she said she invited very few close people. We should be polite enough to acknowledge that she takes us as one of them."
"You like her a lot." Pratap smiled. Ajabdeh raised her eyebrows at him at his statement.
"Why do you feel so?" She asked.
"Well, for once you are not trying to get out of a party you didn't plan." He shrugged.
"He is my doctor. I think it's part of being decent that I…" she stopped at Pratap's nod.
"All I meant was whenever you feel like leaving we can just leave." Ajabdeh nodded in agreement.
"Did you bring the gift?" She asked, alarmed.
"Yes, I did. I am a responsible adult." He nodded. She shook her head with a faint smile.
"Who is scared to sleep in a room alone." She added.
"The room which could have been an execution chamber in the past." He added.
"Here we are. I suggest you keep this topic off-limits. With everyone, especially Shakti." She looked surprised at his words as he shook his head. "You told him already didn't you?" He asked suspiciously. "or Heer?"
"Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." She smiled amused.
The lunch party was set out on the lawn of the Shekhawat home. With the tables and buffet laid at one end and the bar and couches on the other. About twenty or thirty people flocked to the centre. As soon as Ajabdeh got out of the car, Pratap handed her the wrapped gift from the back seat and walked towards a welcoming Dr Sekhawat with a smile.
"Hope we are not late?" He asked, shaking his hand.
"No, not at all. There's Maya." He pointed at the crowd. My nephews and nieces are here.
"Happy anniversary Doctor." Ajabdeh smiled from behind.
"Thank you. Thank you for coming." He smiled.
Ajabdeh couldn't help but notice the name tag Pratap had put on the gift. "Best wishes from Pratap Singh Sisodiya and Ajabdeh Punwar." She sighed. She looked up to see Pratap talking to Maya. Is he slowly accepting that we have drifted apart? Ajabdeh couldn't understand why she suddenly felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. As though she was hollow. She breathed deeply as if to fill in the hollow with some air and walked toward Maya.
"You look lovely. Happy Anniversary." She gave Maya the gift as Maya smiled at her. "Come let me introduce you to the family." She held Ajabdeh by her hand and dragged her to the crowd.
Pratap walked towards the bar to be introduced to one of Sekhawat's nephews and started talking about the stock market with a drink in his hand. He kept his eyes on Ajabdeh without making it obvious to her. He observed her smiling with the ladies. Her smile faded a bit when one of the children, a girl about six, ran to her mother who wiped off the sweat from her forehead. Pratap looked away as Ajabdeh's smile faded. The child then ran towards them, to the man sitting beside him at the bar counter.
"Papa, what are you having?" She asked eagerly as the man laughed and picked her up. "This is my daughter." He introduced as Pratap forced a smile. Ajabdeh's eyes had travelled with the running child towards him and for a moment she observed him, a little worried. She looked away the moment he smiled at the child and got up to look for water.
"Oh if you want chilled water, you can get it inside." Someone said as she rushed inside and found a bottle in the refrigerator. She gulped down half the contents and sighed.
"Are you okay?" She turned at Maya's familiar voice. Ajabdeh nodded quickly and forced a smile. Maya smiled back.
"Now what's wrong?" She asked. "I may not be my husband but I do know a fake smile when I see one." She held Ajabdeh's cold hand in hers. "come sit with me."
"Oh goodness. Is that Pratap Singh now?" Pratap turned at the words to find a lady in a beautiful white sundress standing with a drink in hand smiling at him. " Wow, Elina. What are you doing here?" He asked, surprised.
" Oh, I just stalked you here to take my chances." Pratap's brows shot up at her words rather seriously as she laughed.
"Too bad I am a married man now Elina." He shook his head amused.
"Too bad I am engaged, Pratap." She smiled showing off her ring. " My mother was a friend of Maya's. She is like my own aunt."
"Ah, I see. We know the doctor." He spoke. "Wait, I will introduce you to my wife." He started searching the crowd for Ajabdeh.
"Here's mine." Elina gestured at a man to come forward. "This is Ajay. That's Pratap, my college mate and first crush."
"Wow. That's not awkward at all." Ajay chuckled as Pratap shrugged. "Don't worry he's married." Elina chuckled. "Where is your wife?"
"I must tell you, you look stunning." Maya sat down on the living room couch beside Ajabdeh. "That husband of yours couldn't take his eyes off you." Ajabdeh looked up at her words.
"I am not sure of that." She smiled. Maya shook her head. " Why? Did you fight? Fights are very normal in couples."Maya smiled.
"Oh no. No. It's just that… we are going through a rough patch"
"All marriages do." Maya agreed. "There are times I feel like killing mine." Ajabdeh smiled at her words.
"And there were times I wanted to divorce him." Maya looked at Ajabdeh who looked a little taken aback.
"Then why didn't you?" She asked.
"Because leaving is always easy my dear. Working on our flaws takes commitment. And none of us is flawless." Maya smiled. "I am sure whatever issues you have can be worked on."
"I don't think so." Ajabdeh shook her head. " Whatever problems we have … is all my fault." She sighed. Ajabdeh blinked away her tears. Maya placed her hand on Ajabdeh's shoulder.
"What is a marriage Ajabdeh?" She asked. Ajabdeh looked up at her words.
"I don't …" she stopped. Maya repeated her question.
Ajabdeh sighed. Silence filled the room.
"My child, marriage is about two people who agree to be together through ups and downs and never give up on each other. Right? Then why are you…"
"The core reason for our marriage was different." Ajabdeh sighed. "He married me to protect me. And the only reason he ever wanted to get married was to produce heirs. You see, I am incapable of…" Ajabdeh choked. "but there is someone out there who probably can give me what he…"
"Stop. Just stop."Maya held her hands up. "did he ever tell you that he married you for an heir?"
"Not in those exact words. But he said in general…"
"We have a lot of ideas about marriage before we find someone and we eventually find out all our ideas probably never fit them yet we fit with them perfectly. That's the beauty of a partnership. He probably had an idea of marriage in his head. Could you possibly not have changed that?" Ajabdeh shook her head uncomfortably at the words as Maya smiled reassuringly. "Miscommunication can kill a marriage, but love can save one. Talk to him."
"There is no love in this marriage. There never was." Ajabdeh shook her head. "We were better off as business partners or even perhaps as friends."
"You think he doesn't love you?" Maya was surprised.
"I think he is a perfect husband. The best one can ask for. But…"
"But…?" Maya raised her eyebrows.
" I wasn't his exact idea of a marriage."
"Ajabdeh. My dear. Talk to him." Maya shook her head. "I know what you are going through. But you are not alone in it." She reassured Ajabdeh. " And take it from me. Children don't define you as husband and wife. Only your partner does."
"I think he is finally wrapping his head around the fact that we are not meant to be. And it's good for him."
"Then why are you not happy?" Ajabdeh looked pale at her words. "Why do you look empty?"
"I will be fine." Ajabdeh cleared her throat. "I am just used to having him around."
"And you don't love him?" Ajabdeh looked at Maya smiling. As though her question was rhetorical. She got up.
"I will go…Find…" she pointed at the doorway. Maya nodded.
"There she is." The moment Ajabdeh turned towards the lawn she saw Pratap wave at her. Ajabdeh walked across the lawn towards him and a couple with him.
"This is Elina. My collegemate." Pratap introduced. "This is Ajabdeh."
"Hi. You are so pretty. I see you stole my college crush." Elina smiled. "This is my fiance Ajay." Ajabdeh smiled in courtesy.
"We should catch up. I should befriend her to know her secrets to impress you." Elina smiled.
"We should go now, baby." Ajay wrapped his arms around his fiancee's waist.
"Oh yes. What about we self invite ourselves to your home?" Elina smiled at Ajabdeh. "And get to know each other better? This one will never invite us otherwise." She smiled.
"Sure. You are most welcome." Ajabdeh smiled. "How about dinner tomorrow?" She suggested.
"Sounds great. Text me the address, Pratap. We will see you then." Elina waved.
"Are you sure?" Pratap asked, a little surprised. Ajabdeh nodded.
"You should stay in touch with old friends."Ajabdeh nodded. "Besides it's been a long time since I hosted someone." She smiled at him. "This is the least I could do before I leave." Pratap's smile faded at her words as she walked away.
Comments
Post a Comment