“Ritu.” He turned and set her back on the bed, hovering over her — “I am not fucking around when I say that you will not see her.”
“I took an oath to…”
“There are hundreds of cardiologists in this city for her. Not you.”
She nodded.
“I just feel guilty holding something as sacred as life ransom for this…”
“Thisis not a forgivable crime. He stole an entire life, an entire future, an entire personality from a young girl. He dimmed your brightness. I can see it. Fuck, I can see it now. Those parts of you that shine from behind your tightly held guard. You must have been that, and so much more than that. He took that from you, and you are not obligated to do anything back for him except break his fuckin…”
“I broke his fingers.”
“I was going to say something far more delicate but well done.”
“I feel so bad.”
“You did right.”
“You can forget about all this when this afternoon ends.”
“Would you want me to?”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you pity me.”
“I see that we have a communication gap when it comes to my looks and your interpretations, Doctor. But I do not feel pity for you. I feel rage and helplessness, and also proud joy.”
“Seeing me cry.”
He laughed — “That’s collateral benefit.” He playfully reached for his phone but she grabbed his hand, locking it between her chest and his. He laughed harder, laying his body down beside hers and covering her as much as he could without suffocating her. Her chest deflated in a sigh, and he pushed more of his weight on her, resting his head beside hers. He turned it to meet her eyes. Hers turned too, and this time, she advanced towards him. Their noses touched, and something peaceful stayed there. Her eyes closed. His did too.
Nilay had never experienced such peace. Maybe on the swing under his mango tree as a child. But never after that. Her breaths met his, and his body slowly began to lose its tight grip on staying awake. It was a workday for him. His mobile had been on silent ever since she had gotten into his car. He knew it was lighting up from time to time behind him. Nilay ignored all of it and let sleep pull him in.
“Maasi!”
That voice jolted him up. Ritu was faster, scampering out of the bed and towards the door — “Stay here, don’t come out.”
“How did she come in?” He jumped to reach for his shirt.
“It’s her house, she has keys!” She snarled
“Lock your door next time!” He sneered back, donning his shirt and buttoning it up.
“If she comes in, I will start singing a song from the corridor. Go and hide in the bathroom. And take your belt!”
“You seem to be issuing orders like you have experience hiding men.”
She picked up her duffel bag and threw it at his head. He laughed, thankfully catching it in his hands and realising it was just clothes. Before he could instigate her, she was out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Nilay looked around himself — he was hiding in a woman’s bedroom! At 41, he, NiP, was hiding inside a woman’s bedroom, waiting for her niece to go away, and plotting what he would do if she came inside and he was caught.
Since he had fallen so far down the rabbit hole, he went completely juvenile.
Nilay padded to the closed door and stuck his ear to the panel. Muffled voices. Just female voices. Thank god Gautam wasn't here. Maya was unhinged enough to buy his excuses or even digest the real one. Gautam… he wasn't too sure.
