FORTY NINE
“Hi, I'm coming to Mumbai!” she heard Reva say.
“That's nice.”
“I'm transferred to Mumbai for a year. We'll rock the city together,” she said.
“Where'll you stay?” Maya asked.”
“They have offered me a guesthouse. But I'm going to stay with you,” she said.
“I already have a roommate.”
“Throw her out!” Reva demanded, putting the line down.
A friend is joining me in Mumbai, Maya told Esha. “She's coming tomorrow!”
Esha raised her eyebrow. “So”
“She is going to stay herefor some time,” Maya said meekly.
“Oh god, Maya we already have a space constraint here.” Esha was unhappy.
“Please Esha, it's just a matter of few days.”
Esha glued herself back to her machine with a sigh.
Reva called her after arriving in Mumbai the next day.
“Where are you?” she asked Maya.
“Where are you, stupid?” Maya asked. She took a taxi to Maya's flat. They hugged. They were happy to see each other after long time. Maya introduced Reva to Esha.
“By the way, I've another surprise for you,” Reva said. She turned around and gestured someone else.
Maya almost fainted to see Aditya walk in. They couldn't be a couple, she thought.
She greeted him warmly. It was so nice to see him.
She nudged Aditya who responded with smile.
“By the way he is our landlord,” She introduced him to Esha.
“Whoa.” Esha smiled.
“I am hungry,” Reva squeaked.
“Well, since the road is being repaired we would have to walk down to the pizza outlet. They are not delivering it here as yet,” Maya informed.
“Fine by me. I can walk for a good pizza,” Reva smiled. “I want to have a look at Mumbai too.”
“Now?” Esha was unwilling. “ Arent you tired?”
“Tired. Me! No way. Come on Maya,” Reva sounded excited.
“How come you made your mind to shift to Mumbai,” Maya asked Reva as they settled in with their pizza.
“Aditya helped me find a job here,” she replied as she grabbed a bite from her cheesy mushroom.
“How did you… as in ... met Aditya,” Maya asked hesitatingly.
“Maya I knew where she was working. That's more than enough,” Aditya smirked.
“She is very sweet, Aditya. She is my best friend,” Maya reminded him.
“Don't worry Maya, I am not going to eat her up,” Aditya chuckled as if he gave an answer anticipating her nextquestion. After lunch, Reva and Aditya went on ahead for some shopping.
Maya and Esha walked back home. As they opened the door, Maya's phone beeped.
So you met your pyaar today.
She read the message and went pale.
“What's it, Maya?” Esha asked.
Raghu's somewhere around, she told Esha.
“Shit!” Esha exclaimed.
“When will this end, Maya?” she asked.
“I don't know!” Maya was almost in tears.
“You must seek police help.”
“No yaar. Not for him,” She twitched her lips.
“Grow up, Maya.”
“Even if he is sick, he's doing this because he wants me,” Maya said resignedly.
Esha's pity for her was mounting.