Chasing Her Shadow - Chapter Fourteen
Meera Srikant
7 September 2008, 20:25Continued From Chapter Thirteen
She had just spent a weekend away from home, but it seemed like eternity. She realised that she had really made this her home, and felt like a guest even in her parents’ place. She liked the feel of the sofa they had bought. She went from room to room, feeling things on the way.
She felt listless. Ravi and she hadn’t spoken since their fight in the park and except for basic necessities. She checked the refrigerator for vegetables and then went to her room to unpack.
She went off to sleep without waiting for Ravi, knowing she will not be asleep whenever he decided to come to bed. She avoided tossing, and being unable to sleep, picked up a book to read. Ravi had still not changed and was in the drawing room. She waited for some more time. It was close to 11 pm.
She got up slowly and went to the bedroom door. “Not coming to sleep?” she asked gently. He didn’t respond. She went close to him and found him asleep, with his head in his hands. She woke him gently. “Change first and come to sleep,” she said as he shook himself awake and went back to bed.
Life seemed to be crawling. She huddled into one corner. She couldn’t see him, but could hear him move about. It made her feel very comfortable to just be here. She must have dozed off, for it was dawn when she opened her eyes. Ravi was in deep sleep. It was 4 am and she felt fresh. She quickly freshened up and went out for a walk.
When she returned, Ravi was still asleep. She found the time dragging. She had a bath and started cooking, not knowing any better way of killing time. She found herself unable to focus on anything. The unresolved issue was heavy on her mind, but she had no clue in which direction she should look for a solution. She felt the best way was what he had suggested – give him a chance. It couldn’t be any worse than what it was now. And, if it was better, it would be a bonus.
She could hear him moving about in the other room. She made coffee. On normal weekdays, they usually didn’t get time for relaxing over morning coffee and it was clubbed with breakfast. But, as she had started cooking slightly earlier, she decided to join him for coffee. She felt a disappointment when she noticed him pick up the newspaper. He, noticing her come with coffee, was surprised. She kept it on the table and turned to go. “No breakfast, this morning?” he asked, half-jokingly.
“I thought we could have coffee first,” she replied, turning to him.
“You were up early?”
She nodded. “Got up at 4. Went for a walk.”
“Alone!”
“You were sleeping and I was feeling too fresh to go back to bed.”
“It would have been dark. Why do you do such things?” he said, patting the seat next to him for her to sit.
She felt emotional and cried – unexpectedly even for herself.
*
Crying, with him next to her, holding her with so much care, washed away a lot of pent up emotions. Breakfast remained half-done, but neither complained. Her doubts still persisted, but she decided to brush them aside till there was really a need to worry.
Beginning of the week was always relaxed at work. She was checking her mails at leisure, when Satish called. “Hi! How are you? Everything OK?”
“Yes,” she said cheerfully.
“I am sorry I couldn’t talk to you yesterday.”
“I understand. In fact, I think that is the best thing to do – not talk for sometime,” she said, impulsively. She felt light and nice.
He was quiet for a second and resumed, “Yes. Maybe that’s the best thing to do. How are things at your end?”
“Couldn’t be better. OK, Satish, catch up with you later. Bye,” she said and put the phone down. Breaking off was so easy and simple!
*
Picking up the threads of their life together again proved difficult at first. But, this was a fresh lease of life their marriage had got and both were wanted to make it a success. They spent a lot of time at home, as she wished. She was willing to go out with him more often. Sometimes they ended up fighting over who could please the other more. And then would giggle like children at their own foolishness.
It was an idyllic life, and after the trauma of the last few days, nothing could touch them.
Continued In Chapter Fifteen
