contd. from The Wife Ch -2...
The entire weekend following the 'wardrobe malfunction' drained Anushka of tears. Apart from serving the necessary food to Bikash, who seemed all the more distanced from her because of a sudden upsurge in his official work, she kept sobbing.
It was the same while taking a shower, in the kitchen and also while lying on the bed at night. She craved for a magic trick that would turn it all into a fantasy like the ones she immersed herself till recently but never after the torrid incident. The worse part was she could not share it with anyone. What would she tell Bikash? "Mr. Gupta saw your wife butt-naked?" Damn! Bikash anyway went crazy hearing Manish's name and now this! She even dreaded to move out of her flat fearing an encounter with Manish. What if he thought she did it intentionally to seduce him? People draw all sorts of conclusions. She was simply not ready to face him. Not till she knew how to dig a hole in the earth and bury oneself there at will. Simi turned out to be her only option and confidante.
After Anushka told her, over phone, what all had happened Simi tried her best to console her but Anushka didn't calm down. Several messages followed. Then she visited her during the day.
"What is the problem with you?"
"Problem? Someone has seen me butt-naked!"
"So?"
"So? Nothing!"
"I have had a talk with Manish. He said he didn't see anything except your towel on the floor."
"Liar. And why did you have to ask him about this?"
"Stop behaving like a teenager. He didn't cheat you on your virginity. Moreover what's his fault if you walk around your flat semi-naked."
The moment it escaped Simi's mouth she knew it came out rather rudely. Anushka felt further embarrassed. Simi immediately apologized.
"But what do you want to do about it really? File a case or something!" Simi asked. Her concern was genuine. "You can't simply lock yourself in your flat all life."
"I will not move out till I forget it or come to terms with it with time."
"Forget it? Come to terms with it? Trust me, the next moment you see Manish be it tomorrow or days and months later it will all come back to you. And the same old depression shall follow."
"So what should I do?"
"Talk to him."
"I can't talk to Bikash about it."
"Talk to Manish I meant."
"Are you mad? What will I talk to him about?"
"About what happened."
"Do I look like I'll be able to do so?"
"You want me to arrange a meeting with Manish at my place? A party or something where you two can be at ease."
"No. No more parties please. And I don't think I'll ever at ease with him again."
"Then?"
"I don't know."
They intentionally kept quiet as the maid brought in two cups of coffee for them. As she left for the kitchen Anushka asked, "What would you have done if you were in my place?"
Simi sipped her coffee thoughtfully and said, "Honestly, I would have gone to him. And would have told him it was an accident and not to think anything otherwise. Also, not to bring up the subject ever."
"What if he brought it up again?"
"I would slap him hard for it deals with a woman's decency."
Finally something made sense. But would she be able to do what Simi told her?
"You think I should do the same?"
"All I know is you got to do something because this house arrest thing won't last long. Since he lives in the same society nor will the avoidance work for long."
Anushka didn't speak after that but kept thinking about it all through the evening and night. The next morning when Bikash left for office she called up Simi asking for Manish's number. Simi happily gave it to her and wished her luck. It was afternoon when Anushka summoned all her guts to punch the number on her cell and dial it.
"Hello?" She was sure it was Manish. But there was a tumultuous noise in the background.
"Manish?"
"Yes, who is this?"
'This is Anushka."
There was a momentary silence on the other side. Anushka didn't know whether to repeat her name but realized the background noise was decreasing rapidly as if Manish was changing location.
"Anushka?"
"Yes, Anushka Mukherjee from..."
"Of course I know only one Anushka. What a pleasant surprise! Is this your number?"
"Yes this is mine."
"Okay I will save it."
Anushka wasn't sure if she wanted him to save her number. At least she won't save his.
"Okay." She found herself saying.
"So, what's up with you? Sorry I scampered out that day without meeting you."
So it was there. The consolation was she didn't have to bring up the subject herself.
"I called up to say whatever happened that day, was an accident and I don't want you to bring it up ever again."
"Can you shut up for a moment."
"What?"
"No, not you. A guy is screaming on his mobile. Am actually in a meeting. Can I please call you later?"
"Yeah, sure." Anushka didn't know what else to say. As she kept her phone beside her she wondered when would Manish call. She hoped he did so before Bikash came home. She chose to wait.