Chapter
13: Smile Distributions
Whatever happened last
night, I didn’t want to carry forward the next day and spoil my mood. As we
departed from the Shiva’s Land, I bid
adieu to His glorious seashores and welcomed His revelation of bitter truths
about Anusha. I was strong enough to digest this fact, but I prayed hard to
give a lot more courage to Vikram.
“Are we going to Divya’s
home?” I asked mom.
“Yes Abhi. I called her.
She’s cooked lunch for us.” Mom replied with a smile. It was 6:00 am and the
sun had risen on the other side of the sea. I
wish I could have seen another sunset. I just threw away a wish staring at
the glowing skies.
“Abhi. What happened? Why
are you so dull today?” Sakshi asked with a concerned look in her eyes.
“Nothing... It’s just that
everything got over so soon.” I said, without a smile.
“Did Anu say something?” she
whispered as she captured my fake expressions in a jiffy.
“Let’s talk about it later
sweetheart.” I gave away a consoling smile.
Nobody spoke a word while we
were going back home. Shrushti was numb with humiliation and she was plugged
into her earphones, Anusha still had a sobbing look in her eyes though she
didn’t speak much, Sakshi was worried about my mood and I was trying to get out
of this entire melodramatic situation.
“Amma. Can you pass me your
bag?” Sakshi asked mom. Sakshi unzipped the bag and started to make a crumpling
sound of polythene bags.
“Shhhhh....” I asked Sakshi
to stop whatever she was doing.
“I am searching my
bracelet.” She looked at me with a sad face. “I am not able to find it. I’d
kept it in this bag only.”
“You can go home and search
Sakshi.” I said. “Was it a costly one?” I asked to make sure if she talking
about the actual golden bracelet which mom had given her.
“Naah... Plastic du...” she smiled and gave a nod that it was just an
imitation gold bracelet.
Sakshi was sort of allergic
to gold as she was never used to wear expensive jewellery. Anything heavier
than wooden or fibre accessories, was an irritation to her and she always kept
herself away from them at a mile’s distance.
“Why don’t you wear the real
ones and look really beautiful?” I made a comical comment and expected a
similar reply.
“Why? I don’t look beautiful
now?” she looked at me with a drooping face.
“Well... You look gorgeous
now.” I rolled my hand over her cheeks and was about to peck my lips on them.
PHATTTT. Mom slapped my
arm tightly. “Behave!”
“Titanic sank because of
lovers. You know that?” mom cautioned me not to distract the driver. I got the
cue and comforted myself by holding Sakshi’s hands. I felt her warm blood
running through my veins and soothing my cold hands.
It was high time for me to
get serious about life. I played around too much and I’ve been working just for
the company. I had to do something for myself and my family. I made a strong
determination to talk this entire stuff with Divya and we finally reached her
place.
“Mallu ajji...” Ankit came running from the living room. He called
Mallu ajji not because mom Mallu (Malayali), but we stayed in Malleshwaram. My sister stayed in Yeshwantpur, not far from Malleshwaram, the distance was never a
concern though.
“Gaggu...” my mom held him in her arms. Though his name was Ankit,
we all called him Gagan.
The 7-year old, 3-foot,
short and smooth haired, broken-toothed kid leaped in his grandmother’s arms.
They had a great bond with each other and he loved his maternal grandmother
more than paternal.
Anusha rushed to the
washroom and I knew for sure she wasn’t in a hurry to pee.
“Can you check on Anu
please?” I asked Sakshi while she was busy unloading the bags off mom’s
shoulder. I took mom’s bag and hanged it on a wall-hook in Divya’s bedroom. Sakshi
swiftly paced towards Anusha and grabbed her hands.
“Everything okay Anu?”
Sakshi asked.
“Yeah! I just wanted to
clean my face.” Anu said hiding her eyes. “I think a speck of dust got into my
eyes.”
“I can see everything Anu.”
Sakshi held Anu’s hands with a firm grip and consoled her with enduring blinks.
“Don’t give up so soon.”
Sakshi hugged Anu and said, “You’ll need it later in your bedroom when Vikram takes
you to task in different positions.” Sakshi said with a wink to lighten the
situation. Anusha rushed into the bathroom with a shy smile and Sakshi came
back to the living room. Well done.
“Lunch is served...” Divya announced
after setting the dining table. Here we
go again. I said to myself. The legendary
dining table and its memories.
“Hmmmmm.... Puliyogure....” The aroma of fresh
tamarind juice, curry leaves and asafoetida mixed with cooked steam rice, garnished
by dash of lemon juice and coriander leaves minus the groundnuts, brought me
back on the ground while my nose was taking off along with the steam when she
unlid the box. The tangy taste of lemon and tamarind instantly hit my taste buds
and I made a clicking sound with my tongue blended with a smile.
“Eat properly.” Mom scolded.
“Don’t behave like a kid.”
All of us silently had our
lunch and Anusha didn’t seem to be in a very pleasant mood. I got in a playful
mood and started playing with her toes under the table. She was unmoved. I got
confused and looked down gradually to check. It was Sakshi’s and she was
constantly smiling looking at me. I signalled Sakshi to pinch Anu and Sakshi
did so. Still there was no reaction.
“Gaggu...” I called Gagan
and whispered something in his ears. He ran towards Anusha and pulled her hands
asking her to bend over him. Gagan quickly pecked her dampen cheeks and said, “I
love you Anu Aunty. Please marry me...” Anusha was smiling like, forever. Though
Gagan got a great reciprocated lip service from her, he still didn’t understand
what he said and why she kissed him. All I did was bribed Gagan. I told him, “If
you say this to Anusha aunty then I’ll give you two Dairy Milk Silks.” Gagan came running towards me asking for the
reward for his gallant performance.
“Nann kiss yelli???” I asked Gagan for a bonus kiss to me and gave
his reward. He silently walked towards the refrigerator and kept the chocolates
safely. This guy will surely rank on top
of “The Marshmellow Test.” I felt really happy about Gagan’s controlled
urge.
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