“Doesn’t look like it.”
“I get these dramatic periods once in 6-7 months when I want to either bite somebody’s head off or chop my own head off. The extra cramps are an added bonus,” she managed, leaning on the frame of the door. “I manage without painkillers. Thanks for checking, though.”
He stepped back and closed the door, leaving just as he had come. Amaal didn't have the energy to be properly appalled at his behaviour. At least he had come, just by the look on her face. She got herself off the doorframe and was debating where to go now to wallow in this pain when the doorbell went off again. Who was it?! Didn’t they get that she was on half-day leave?! She pulled the door open — “You are lucky I am standing near my door or…”
Samar stood there, a hot water bag in hand. Amaal’s eyes widened.
“No more medicines?”
“You are better off with this.”
“You are meant to give medicines.”
“I am a doctor, not a pharmacist.” He pushed the bag towards her, and the mere sight of it brought tears to her eyes. She did not glance up, mortified that she would cry. — at the hope of relief, at the sight of this gesture, at the small pop of good in this excruciatingly painful day. She reached for the bag and found it empty.
“This is not hot.”
“You are supposed to fill it with hot water.”
Amaal finally had enough control to look at him — “Really?”
He snatched it back from her hand and marched inside. She gaped, in shock, as he went to her bathroom like it belonged to him and switched on the geyser. Amaal continued to lean there, through the sound of running water, through the tick of the geyser turning off, and through his footsteps that returned, his fingers twisting the cap on the bag. He checked the temperature on his hand and held it out to her. Far from fighting about him entering her bathroom, she accepted it and hugged it close to her tummy. Her mouth opened in relief.
“Sit down.”
“I will stand,” she smiled through the relief, leaning back on the doorframe. She would love to float in this now.
“Have you eaten?”
She sighed, throwing her head back.
“Varun told me you fought with him.”
“I did not.”
“Hmm.”
Amaal opened her eyes and glared at him — “I did not! He was going on and on about regulations for…” she shut her mouth, realising he was right and she was out of her mind. “I did,” she confessed in a small voice. “But I immediately informed them that I was taking the rest of the day off. I will speak to Atharva about the half day and apologise to Varun tomorrow. He is right. The EC regulations don’t allow us any promotions after circuit is declared. Even if it is nukkad natak. But… what if it is not sponsored by us…”
“Have you eaten?”
“Does your car ever travel in one gear?”
“Have you eaten?”
“No! I am bored with the food here. I…”
“Rest for an hour, then come with me to eat carbs.” He began to turn away.
“Hey! Wait, wait, wait! Come with you to eat carbs?”
“That’s what I said.”
And he closed the door.
————————————————————
Amaal sat in his hot Santro with a hot water bag. And with her pain mellowed, she could appreciate his gesture even more.
