Pratap checked his watch for the umpteenth time and cursed himself. He had insisted on taking this one-day trip to Chennai for a business meeting instead of his father and back and now a sudden spell of rain and storm had delayed their flight back home. He sat in the first class waiting for the lounge with Shakti who had just ordered himself some dinner. It was already 7PM and there was no way the flights would resume in anything less than a matter of three to four hours. Shakti took a bite of his sandwich and eyed his restless brother.
“Do you want dinner?” He asked, offering him his own plate. Pratap shook his head. “I… am not hungry.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Shakti chuckled in between bites savouring the cheese melting in his mouth. “I know you are fasting for Teej.”
Pratap looked up at his younger sibling a little annoyed.
“So what if I am?” He snapped. “I promised her. She would be waiting. It was my decision to take this damn trip. Now Teej will be over and god knows when we can reach home.” He inhaled.
“Take a deep breath.” Shakti shook his head “I talked to Ajabdeh. I informed her of the rain and storm. She is mature enough to understand it is not in your hands.”
“Coming here was. Ranima told me not to. I should have listened to her.” Pratap almost murmured.
“When do you ever listen to anyone?” He looked up at Shakti’s words. “Call Ajabdeh and tell her to eat something and you have your dinner. There is absolutely no point in this. Teej will be long over when you reach home.”
Ajabdeh sat by the poolside of the Sisodiya farmhouse where Jaivanta was hosting a Teej Party. She had no clue such things existed. Thankfully, Jaivanta had called some other event planner to arrange this. But that also meant Ajabdeh scrutinized and criticized every single detail in her mind. Jaivanta had gifted her an heirloom Zari work red saree from her own first Teej and she had teamed it up with her own pearl set. However, Jaivanta didn’t look very impressed by the lack of adequate gold on her. Especially when all the kitty party ladies paraded their daughters-in-law in gold. Ajabdeh felt out of place. In their conversations, gossip and opinions, her ideas had no place. Most of the daughters-in-law were better educated than her, yet were mute spectators in the opinions and ideas of the elder ladies. Ajabdeh missed being around Shakti and Pratap. She found an excuse to call them because of the storm and walked away towards the poolside at the back of the bungalow.
The pool was decorated with floating lamps. She sat down on one of the deck chairs and loosened the necklace around her neckline. She was hungry, tired and conscious of the eyes on her. Many of them asked about Pratap. When she told them the truth most of them stared at her with some sort of sympathy as if he was lying to her about being stuck. She decided it was best to ignore all of them. The ladies had broken their fasts as she watched from across the glass door and looked away, back at the night sky. Footsteps behind her alerted her as she looked over her shoulders to find Udai approaching her. She was about to stand up but he gestured at her to remain seated and sat down on the deck chair beside hers.
“Any news?” He asked with a smile.
“Shakti called. He said the weather has cleared but there is a substantial amount of water on the runways. Can take a few hours.”
“My child.” Udai cleared his throat. “I am sorry your first Teej…”
“No, Dad. It is not anybody’s fault.” She shook her head “He told me how important the deal was and…”
“Nothing is more important than this.” Udai reassured her gently by placing his old ruffed hands on hers “Family should always come first.” He looked across the glass partitions at Jaivanta attending to guests. “We sometimes forget that. Like I wish I gave her enough time.”
Ajabdeh couldn’t help but look up at Udai and think her father would have been of the same age now and perhaps would have noticed her sitting alone at the party just like he did. Ajabdeh smiled faintly at him. “Can I say something?” She asked as he looked up with a nod.
“You remind me of Papa.” Her words made Udai smile and pat her head softly. “I don’t know about Jaivanta but you are exactly the kind of daughter I would have wanted. In fact when Shakti was due we both hoped it was a girl. Well, Jaivanta made up for it by dressing him up as one.” He shared a laugh with Ajabdeh “For the first year he was wearing clips and frocks. He gets really mad at us if we mention that.”
“Dad?” Ajabdeh made him stop and look at her “Why do these people look at me judgmentally?”
“Because they can't see beyond the superficialities of a person.” Udai smiled “Don’t let it bother you. In fact, to tell you the truth,” He leaned in to whisper “I hate these parties too, all people talk of is assets and profits.” He made her smile “Don’t tell Jaivanta though.”
“I won’t.” Ajabdeh shook her head.
“Okay now.” Udai got up “First thing first, call Pratap up, and inform him you will be having dinner, and that he should eat too. There is no point in you two fasting and falling ill.” Ajabdeh looked up surprised at his words.
Udai smiled “Go on. You think I don’t know my son? He would never let you fast alone.”
“But… I… the rituals… Ranima?” Ajabdeh looked confused.
“I will talk to her.” Udai reassured “This time even if she has an issue it will be with Pratap. Not you. Just call him up.” Ajabdeh nodded watching him leave.
Pratap frowned as his call didn’t reach her. The beeping sound made him restless. Was his network having issues? Ajabdeh stared at her phone as the call didn’t reach beyond dialling and got disconnected twice. She put the phone back in her purse.
“Dadabhai. They scheduled the flight in thirty minutes.” Pratap disconnected the beeping sound and headed for the flight back home.
When Pratap turned the doorknob to his room it was half past one. Ajabdeh was sitting with her legs folded on the couch, her work laid out on the table, in her pyjamas. She looked up at him with a relieved smile and said rather nonchalantly “I thought you won’t be back till morning.”
“I thought the same, so I cancelled work tomorrow.” He shrugged. “Where is Ranima?”
“Ranima and Dad stayed back at the farmhouse because Mausi is staying the weekend.” She sighed. “Dad sent me back knowing you two won’t go there.” She got up from her place “Should I check on Shakti? Has he eaten?”
“Oh yes!” Pratap nodded “A LOT!”
Ajabdeh chuckled at his tone. “I called you a few times, but it didn’t get through.” She spoke as she collected her work and cleaned the coffee table, and he undid his tie and shoelaces.
“I tried calling you too.” He added, “Maybe we were trying together.” She smiled back at his words. “I will go check on Shakti. You freshen up. I will get some dinner. I told the kitchen to make it though.”
“How do you know I haven’t eaten?” He asked as she walked past him and stopped at the threshold.
“The same way you know I haven’t eaten.” His brows shot up at her words. “You didn’t ask.”
She walked away as a smile lingered on his lips.
When the aroma of the food hit his nostrils it was the first time in these many hours that Pratap realised how hungry he was. He was wiping his wet hair with the towel he had on his shoulders as he came out of the bathroom in a Tee shirt and Pajamas and found Ajabdeh laying down the food on the coffee table.
“Did you err… do the rituals?” He asked, a little guilty. She shook her head.
“A lot of people were asking about you though. Rice or Parathas?” She looked up as he indicated at the rice.
“Do you… want to?” He asked. “I mean, do the rituals?”
“Does it matter?” Pratap was not sure whether her words were genuine or if she was cross with him.
“Umm… I am not sure…” He looked confused.
“Just come and have dinner.” She patted the seat next to her on the couch “I am tired and hungry.”
“You could have eaten.” He said concerned.
“So could you.” She held the plate of food for him to take. He did so with a smile and took some kheer from the bowl on his spoon.
“Here.” He surprised her by offering her the first bite. She looked up at him with questioning eyes.
“This is for not making it home on time.” He insisted. She shook her head with a smile and took the morsel. She then picked up some from her own bowl to offer him.
“And this is for being here now.” He smiled. They talked about the day, laughed at some of the mimics Ajabdeh did, of Jaivanta’s kitty friends and how she happily described the conversation with Udai. He in turn told her about the meeting, the storm and trying some local cuisines. It was after a hearty meal that Pratap offered a walk around the garden.
“I think I am too full to sleep. I need a walk.”
“Where are we going for a walk at this hour?” She frowned at him grabbing a shawl.
“We can go to the gardens or the further orchards.” He said suggestively.
“I have never been to the orchards,” Ajabdeh said almost to herself. Pratap grabbed a torch and put it in his pocket. “Let's go then, it is a walk through the gardens.” He gave her his hand, and she took it.
Ajabdeh realised how strong the moonlight was when they were further away from the mansion and its lights into the winding path of the orchard. At one turn the mansion was soon out of sight.
"This used to be our summer afternoon place. Sajja Kakisa used to bring us here to play hide and seek. Then we used to sit on a picnic mat among the tall trees and enjoy the evening breeze with freshly picked fruits. The trees looked so tall to us then." Pratap smiled. Each and every corner they turned had some stories he told of his childhood summers.
Ajabdeh found a bench along the winding path and sat down. Pratap followed in silence. She looked up at the passing white cotton clouds in the clear sky. A veil of stars shone brightly. The moonlight shone on them from in between the branches, the leaves rustling in the cool breeze and crickets chirping around them.
"Don't you think there is a different kind of peace in nature?" She turned to him as he nodded. "And silences." He added. "But if you don't have the right company it can feel lonely."
"Did you ever feel lonely?" She asked without looking at him. He smiled and looked up at her. Every time you are not there. The wind played with Ajabdeh's locks. Pratap noticed how a lock of hair was tickling her earlobe and she tried to brush it off by shrugging twice. He had missed watching her smile. Two days away seemed too long.
Pratap held the locks lightly between his thumb and index finger and put them behind her earlobe. His hand stopped at her ear, where he noticed her mole again. He could feel his own heartbeat and breath in the silence of the night. Ajabdeh tilted her head slightly towards him as she didn't shrug his hand off. Her heart made a funny leap and her eyes locked. The churning feeling in her stomach was back. Pratap's eyes travelled from her eyes to her lips and back. He gulped.
Ajabdeh felt her lips dry as she parted them a little and her eyes seemed captivated by his. There was something different today in them. He drew closer as though he was measuring their distance centimetre by centimetre. She could feel his breath on her nose. He felt hers on his neck as she lowered her head slightly to draw her eyes away from his. With his free hand, he pulled her face up by cupping her chin. That forced her to look into his eyes again. She gulped.
Pratap leaned in to plant a feather-like peck on her forehead. Her hand immediately went around his neck. He lowered his hand from her chin to the waist. The other behind her ear cupped her face. Noses touched.
"May I?" His whisper sounded hoarse. It had a sense of longing. All she could do was part her lips. No words came out of it. She nodded. That was all he needed to know. With a lingering smile on his lips, Pratap kissed her nose, then her warm cheeks and then the earlobes. She let out a small gasp making him draw away and stare at her in the moonlight. Her hands were still on his neck and his on her waist. She leaned in, her eyes not leaving his. As soon as his lips touched hers, softly at first, then all at once, her eyes closed as his grip around her waist tightened and his hands explored the outline of her body.
It was like Ajabdeh was in a trance. She had missed him. She never imagined this. Her mind was numb. All she could sense and feel were his lips on her skin and his hands exploring her senses. At that moment Ajabdeh froze. What was she supposed to do? Pratap looked up at her, sounding a little out of breath.
"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly. Had he offended her?
"No...nothing…" she shook her head.
"Are you sure…?" His doubts gave Ajabdeh the courage she lacked. She drew him closer by the hands on his shoulders, around his neck and kissed him. A little taken aback, Pratap responded almost immediately. He led her, hand in hand, fingers intertwined, back to the mansion and to the chambers. It was going to be another long night, they planned to make the most of it.
Ajabdeh woke up as the first rays of the sun hit her face. She tried to move and found his hand wrapped around her waist. Flashes of the night came back to her as she blushed to herself. She looked over to his side. He was sleeping peacefully as she stared at him. A peck on his nose made him open his eyes and frown.
"Where are you going?" He asked almost sulking "It's just 6AM"
"I have to work." She reasoned leaning over him a little. "Remember?"
"Take a holiday." He spoke tightening his grip around her bare waist and pulling her closer to his body. "Call in sick."
"For what?" She frowned.
"I can think of several reasons. I can show you some now." He made her blush and then giggle as he tickled her a little.
"Enough now." She shook her head "You know I am not taking the day off."
"At least come home early?" He sulked again.
"We will see about that." She dismissed his request. She tried to free herself as he smiled amused and let go of her only after giving her a longing hug.
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