RAABTA

Ajabdeh walked into the banquet hall of the star hotel feeling a little conscious. She had spent almost two months savings for this wedding of her childhood friend and neighbour Asha and yet she looked clearly out of place in the circle. She adjusted the gown a little, clutched her purse for dear life and forced a smile as a familiar face approached her and asked about her father’s absence. Ever since she remembered coming to these events to keep up an appearance he had refrained from the pretension, making her an expert at making excuses for him. Sometimes Ajabdeh felt uneasy at how her father had blended into the downcasted life, befriending the judgy neighbours and even having an occasional chat with the milkman or watchman. She could not picturise him doing that had they been of wealth. The little she saw of her grandparents she remembered they kept an aura of elegance around them that was oddly missing in her father and his lifestyle. Had they been… Ajabdeh inhaled, preparing hers

Ajabdeh soaked in the salty air that played with her hair and glanced over her shoulder at the people on the deck of the pub looking over the beach on which she now stood barefooted. The sand felt good on her feet. She smiled to herself. She was glad that HR let her attend this getaway. She needed this. She glanced at her phone and dialled her father’s number to check on him. He had not been quite warm with her since the incident but she was a dutiful daughter who checked in on him from time to time. She started pacing the length of the beach as he told her not to worry and swept her hair across her shoulder as it played with the wind. She glanced up at the people again and this time Shivam was waving at her, in a gesture to call her up on the deck. “I have to go, take care.” She waved back at him disconnecting the call. She had left her flip-flops on the stairs and quickly collected them and brushed off the sand on her feet before adjusting the kaftan she wore over her bikini top and

Pratap woke up in the hotel room only when the sun was up in the sky and scratched his head looking around. The hangover was still throbbing in his head as he winced his eyes a little at the drapes they had not pulled the previous night. He looked around the room, at his clothes on the floor and picked up the pair of underwear from the headboard. He did not even remember he put it there. He looked around and realised he was alone. That was a first. Usually, he would leave a sleeping beauty behind with a note. His eyes immediately fell on the bedside table where a napkin was placed under his phone. He checked the time first. 7 A.M. “The night was great! Didn’t wake you up. G2g.” It was written in the same lipstick she wore. The napkin smelled of her. He smiled a little, satisfied perhaps with the validation of his performance and walked to the washroom. As he splashed cold water on his face, memories of the night came back to him. She was experienced. Aloof yet not whimsical. She challe

Pratap checked his phone for the time. It was half past five but the twilight was slowly getting darker with a hint of grey clouds circling overhead. He inhaled as the conversation he had just walked out of ran through his head. “I cannot marry Chetna.” His mother gave him a disapproving glance at Pratap’s words. It was almost the end of the day at the office and Jaivanta had arrived to drag him to choose an engagement ring. “What do you mean, Pratap? We announced the engagement yesterday, remember?” She snapped. “You have been given enough time to know her.” She watched him pace the room. “I know her and I do not like her. I can’t marry someone to save your company.” “Our company. As we speak you stand as its CEO and it is your duty and responsibility…” She made him stop and walk up to the desk. “My duty and responsibility should first be towards my happiness and well-being, Ranima. And I have thought of this all night. I do not see myself with her for the rest of my life.” “What do y