She shrugs.“Your vibe” — she waves a finger around my face — “is different.”
“Must be the gym sessions and the fresh mountain air.”I wave off her point, but my nonchalance only goes so far.
“Do you love him?”
Shalini’s question forces me to drop the casualness.I see traces of sadness on her face.My mind goes on a guilt trip, like the one all those years ago when my parents took me to grandma's house in Gwalior.I had created a ruckus at the interstate bus terminus, fussing over the scorching June Delhi sun and had earned myself an ice cream – a luxury at the time.I sat by the window seat, relishing each lick, when a young girl in tatters and grime, with a baby on her hip, called out from the road, asking for food and water.Her tongue swept her dry, parched lips when I licked my ice cream softy.All my happiness died at the longing in the girl's eyes.I gave her my ice cream and watched her run off.What will I give Shalini?
A hand lands on my back, jerking me out of my seat.The collar on my shirt chokes me as I am shoved down to the floor.The chair rattles to the ground.Before I can react, a foot slams into my ribs.
“Papa, stop!Rahul, please, stop!”Shalini pleads with her father and brother.I curl into a fetal position, bracing my hands to protect my head.A commotion breaks out.All I hear are shouts.No words register as more kicks land on my stomach and back.A scuffle ensues with more shouting before everything becomes silent.
“Sir, are you all right?”A man turns me.He helps me limp up to a chair.I double over in pain.God, I hope the ribs are intact.“Someone call an ambulance!”the man shouts.
“No.No ambulance.No police.”I stop them before a bigger scene is caused by involving the authorities.A glass of water is pushed my way; I gulp it in one go to wet my parched throat.A hand reaches out and hands me a napkin.The mental agony of recognising the wedding ring on those slender fingers adds to the physical pain.
“Get away from the scoundrel!”Shalini's brother screams.
I turn towards the voice and find Rahul being restrained by two guards.The restaurant manager is holding Shalini's father.
“Papa, I told you I will deal with Aditya.Why did you come here and cause a scene?”She picks another napkin from the table and presses my bleeding nose.
“Why are you meeting him?I will ruin him for making your life hell!”Shalini's father shouts as he and Rahul are led outside the restaurant.
***
“Aditya, you are inno shape to attend the event.”
Jatin sits beside me in Priya's office.He rushed from Gurgaon when I called him for help.I did not want to risk going to my place in Paharganj.Shalini's father and brother have the address.Priya's office is safer.She arranged for a doctor to examine me.Thanks to the thick tweed coat and sweater, there are no fractures.The bruises can be hidden under clothes.
“The bleeding has stopped, and the painkiller will take effect in a while.”I hold the ice pack to the side of my chest.
“Jatin is correct.You should rest.Go to his home or a hotel.”Priya is hovering around me like a mother hen.My arrival at the reception with a bloody nose had shaken her to the core.Until now, she never believed my fears.
“And what will I tell Jimmy?He is anxious.This is the first live talk.”
“I will take care of Jimmy at the book signing along with our marketing team.Moreover, what if Shalini's family lands up there?What if they are stalking you?”Priya expresses her concern.
“You should file charges against those thugs,” Jatin adds his two bits.
“What will we achieve except unnecessary police interference?I have had my fill of the courts during the divorce.Shalini has promised to rein in her brother and father.”I place the ice pack in the tray.
Jatin lets out an exasperated sigh.“This is a holy mess.You gave in to their demands.What more do they want?”
“Retribution for their hurt egos.”I smile to calm Jatin, but we know this is not the last we will hear from Shalini's family.
“Can't your uncle talk some sense into them?”Jatin paces the room, rubbing his temple.
“Huh?No way.None of my family wants anything to do with me.Uncle is more upset at me than Shalini’s father.”I snort at Jatin's suggestion, recollecting my last meeting with my uncle.He threw me out of his house.
“So, what do we do?”Priya asks.
“Nothing.Ignore her family and go about our lives, but with a bit of caution.”I stand and pick up my peach-coloured shirt.“Give me five minutes.I will walk to the book event.”
Priya is still not convinced.“Are you sure?I am worried about you.Hateful people should not cloud your happiness.”
“What else can we do?Till society accepts people like us, our joy will be held at knifepoint.”
The worry lines on Priya’s forehead increase.
