Ritu sips quietly… munching on the cookies…. Dusting
the swing for crumbs….
K:You know I always wanted kids…
R:Pata hai Mystery… one thing that never was a
mystery (self deprecating)
K is solemn….
Ritu has seen the transformation, the thick
casing of ice around her heart no longer existed… Shaan had taken a blow torch
to it… from walking into their apartment to demand why she didn’t tell him she
was widowed to taking her fork against her will this morning and eating a wedge
of her muffin and his own egg mcmuffin with it before returning…he insinuated
himself everywhere in her life…
Her friend’s pride was almost intact… almost
because… she had given up some of it… when she was swept away by his passion…
Khanak had often shared how he would demand “tell
me you need me Khanak” in throes of passion, she would say “I want you Shantanu”
instead….
He would take it…
Ritu also knew her friend could live in denial,
till this date she hadn’t asked him what he did in the evening while separated…
she would blister thinking about who he “looked at”. “I am not possessive” she
would tell Ritu.
“Ofcourse not!” Ritu would chuckle…
Ritu saw the gap between “want” and need” and she
didn’t push her friend to bridge it…
She never expected her friend to tie the knot
again… family and “friends” had bruised her so much when Sooraj had passed away…
A man like Shaan?
Not in this lifetime!
But she was married within 5 months of meeting
him… she was never cynical… never bitter… she craved for someone, she told Ritu
that many nites in Chembur, but never envied young married couples, didn’t wallow
in self pity about her financial condition……..
“He doesn’t let me think”
“You do so much of that, so its good he
interrupts it Mystery’
Khanak had begun to collect the jasmine from the
dense vines…..
She had almost half a basket…..
“Did he wear a gajra around his wrist and did you
dance for him?” Ritu asked
Khanak shook her head… laughing… “Par..” she
began… and stopped
“You scattered it all over the bed and made love?”Ritu
asked ever so eagerly
“You are a troublemaker” her friend admitted
huskily…
“Is he still mad at you?”
Kis baat par?” Khanak asked
“Ofcourse, har time, there is atleast half a
dozen! “Sheesh!” you guys!”
“Abhi kaun kaun sa hai, your default on loan
payment, visiting Aada,(counts on her fingers) ab lautkar toone kya kiya?”
“Spa last nite with Ray” Khanak giggled, enjoying
herself…
“Did he ask you why you returned in a week from
Aada’s by yourself?”
“Hmmm”
“Did you say, yeh mera ghar hai, yaha mera haq
hai?” dialog…Ritu laughed out loud, punching the cushion theatrically….
Her friend was quiet…………(“he picked me up from
this exact spot and started making love at 5 in the evening yesterday””His
touch is what heaven must be like… I am sure”glorious pleasure snaked through
her viens, as she reminisced)
“Its good
I am not pregnant” her friend began…. Again…
“Kyon?”
“He will force me to take time off for 6 or 9
months” “I wouldn’t want to go work for
a year…….. atleast….. after she is born” (dreamy… fantasizing)
“Amogh leaps into Khushboo Bhabhi’s arms when she
enters, he must miss her” admonishing…
“How can I support my family if I take so much
time off?” resolute… her basket was full… her friend knew Khanak would string
it… patiently…
“Her haq”…. And his “haq” that’s where the whole
war germinated….
These 2 drive me crazy...
ReplyDeleteOkayyyy! I LOVED LOVED the update Aditee!
ReplyDeleteThere was so much told in their thoughts itself! How you described her transformation from her best friend's eyes!
'he insinuated himself everywhere in her life…' THIS line! Tells everything! How he wants it to be only him, in her every thoughts..in everything she does! And his NEED for her to be completely 'HIS'!
They've never required the need to exchange 'I love you', but yet these words are expressed in some other magical ways! Their passion, their obsession..it speaks it all!
When He pursued her..or tied the knot! They had nothing to promise other than the strong physical attraction, and the real need to be together! But time described how crazily they've become obsessed with each other.., that just each other's presence could make you feel at ease, at peace! There are so many unspoken emotions to their bond! They're so physically attracted, but so tied up emotionally as well! She believes He is completely her'! But is scared of the reverse, because of her own insecurities! He'd make her realize, she has already lost herself to him, and what is her's is also his!!
Hmm..! This matter has been haunting her since quite a long time! But she's trying to make herself understand, that whats happening is for good! A kid at this point is certainly not a good option! But later ofcourse! I hope, this does not broo some huge clashes b/w them!
Thank youuu! And continue soooon! :)
There was tinge of sadness...her turmoil regarding the want to be pregnant yet her financial baggage replaces it. She is such a deep character, that sometimes I wonder whether there will be a time where she lets herself in peace and let go.
ReplyDeleteThe ‘want’ and ‘need’ part was genius! I love how you portrayed he wanted to be her ‘need’ something she has to HAVE and its essential, she cannot live with HIM. Whereas her reply to ‘want’ kind of portrayed yes she can have him but if there is a chance she can live without him.
This guy is awesome...Sometimes I feel, that he deserves more...the extent of his passion towards her is infinity even Khanak lacks that. She is drained emotionally that she doesn’t actually has ever thought of his intensity towards her...if she did I’m sure her pride will be bilkul at toss :P
The pink...what a beauty! double entendre...slowly things will fall into space, and she’ll be the one.
Lets see how the ‘haq’ contention between them
Thankkkk youuu Aditee...
I’m immensely enjoying Ritu-Khanak, abit of insight of Shantanu, please :)
Actually I've always wanted something from Shaan's side also! He, talking about her to his friend! :)
ReplyDeletehahaahah ritu is really a troublemaker where is my shan man?
ReplyDelete"want", "need" and "haq" was brilliant!! Khanak-Ritu parts always gives us such wonderful insight of Shanak relationship....jinke baare mein tum kitna bhi likho Aditee, we will never be satisfied.....we will always ask for more!!
ReplyDeletelove their interaction, their friendship wish I had a friend who could get me like that, one I could always confide in and she could confide in me
ReplyDeleteNice update :)
ReplyDeletethese friendly talks is awesome...
ReplyDeleteLoved it!!! Beautifully penned down on wants and needs..I remember in my management class our sir explained it perfectly..this scenario is totally different..ROFL:D Khanak is fantasizing about having a girl child..she might ve twins too..its in Gujral's family right!!! What'll be Shaan's reaction when he gets to know he is gonna ve twins..Sigh!!! Btw where is he??? hope he comes soon..:)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward and thanks for writing..:)
loved the update
ReplyDeletethis two are awesome and their talk are awesomest :)
where is shaan, he doesn't need kids hope khanak got Pregnant
very soon heheheheheh!!!!!!!!!!!