Part 42--Scoop of Life--- NUTS!

Feb 11th 2011
Friday
9:58 PM


Radhika: Busy ho? (PLEEEEZ SAY NO!)
Raghav: I dont think so... (smiles)
She can hear his pets.........
Radhika:I just wanted (to hear your voice?) to say sorry for this afternoon......(she shuts her eyes and waits)
Raghav: I thought you already did...... (teasing Gin with the hide bone, as he lunged)
Radhika: I did?
Raghav smiles....
Radhika: I didnt remember....... aaj mera din itna busy gaya..... My presentation went from 22 minutes to 47 minutes BTW. If you want I can share it with you when we meet (next time?) We are doing some really good work in UP this time. I am hopeful they will be convinced and will want to take this further.....


He listens as he amuses his dogs.....
Radhika: Youve met Poonam right? Last time at UPSIDC? Remember
Raghav: yep....
Radhika: She is a very good "data" person but wont speak in public even if her life depended on it.... she went to school in Baroda (she goes on and on about Poonam)
Then its Umesh's turn..... she tels him all that she can, how "a particular Saket-CP bus honks at 8:08 AM under her balcony.... about the neighbors across the hallway................He chuckles for the first time!
She stops her monolog to listen to that sound.......
Radhika: Its crazy!...... I got home from work and wondered if you would call....... (stops)
They both pause....
Raghav: Did you?(softly)
The implication of what she just admitted to sinks in...... ever so slowly.
Radhika: have you eaten dinner?
 Raghav: Not yet.......
Radhika: I was invited to go to a wedding tonite. But got home a half hour ago. I have seen so many people tie the knot this week, its not even funny, and my (parents are on a mission to make me do the same?).......
Raghav: Hmmm??....
Radhika:Kuch nahi.... (checks herself biting her lip) (quickly changing the topic) "How is your Mom's book coming along?
Raghav is startled at her memory " Oh! good! really good..."
Radhika: I want to write a book sometimes too (giggles) "autobiographical, about my life and experiences" "JUST KIDDING!" "I want to write about water. I want to write about depleting resources" (serious)
His helps wheels a cart with some snacks and a chilled beer on it......... he sips, and chews on the snack........ and listens.... as she speaks
Radhika: Papa loves his new job. He is extremely ambitious and talented. Mom is an academic. She is the calming force in the family. Papa could have been an explorer, I can imagine him finding new lands.... (giggles)
Raghav: Do you want to meet tomorrow? (softly)
Brings her back to the realization of who she is talking with....... not a coworker, not a casual friend........ an acquaintance, a man that turned her on like no other had.........his deep voice, his quiet nature triggered that intense feeling of physical awareness in her........... a feeling that was getting sidelined when she spoke animatedly about irrelevant topics.

He always brought  things back to being about just the two of them...............

He did....

With that direct, focussed reach.....
Radhika: Oh! (mutter)  "I (have to be home to meet a guy I might be married to?)  "Were you thinking lunch or dinner? (she asks instead)
He chews.... "what ever you pick Radhika"

She can hear him chew........ "Am I interrupting dinner?"
Raghav: No! (softly) I am snacking on nuts........ with my beer
Radhika: What kind? (smiling)
Raghav: Pecans........
Radhika: I LOVE THOSE (whines) I dont think we have any......... Dont you know its rude not to share? (firm)
He smiles....... as she continues to talk about where she ate them first............. and about where she eats lunch while at work, and about who in her friends drinks the most..... and the most drinks she has ever had
"I can hear car doors slam" she says
Raghav: I am outside in the lawns.......... taking a walk

When ever she quizzes him, he answers....... in short one word, one sentence replies...

Seconds blend with minutes...........
Radhika: Yikes! there is a knock on my door! 11 baje? (as she sprints to the door, breathless)
Opens it to find RAGHAV!!!!
Her phone slips from her hand and falls on the rug/mat by the door................
He is holding a jar of sorts....... AND there is a smile...........
Radhika: TUM? (shocked, words dont come out easy for some reason)
She unlocks the steel/wire mesh gate/door, he waits......... checking her out in the meanwhile......
Raghav: You said I was supposed to share!
Hands her the jar of pecans as he enters.... her heart rate soars......... as her insides dive.....