SIXTY ONE
Sleep was eluding Maya while Esha was sound asleep. She tried to listen to some Sufi music on her phone. She was not at ease since the time Nimesh went back. She didn't want to mislead him, but she didn't want to hurt him either. Her eyes were moist as she was drifting up and down in her thoughts. Suddenly the doorbell rang.
Who could it be? Reva had said she'd stay at Adithya's place tonight. A sudden fear gripped her. Could it be Raghu?
“Maya? Esha?” It was Reva. Maya opened the door with relief. Reva reeked of alcohol.
“I thought you said you'll stay back in Aditya's place tonight?”
“I broke off with him,” Reva said and broke down. “He does not love me!” she said.bWhat a time to talk about love!
“What happened?” she asked her.
“I was at a party with him. But Adi was so busy with other women that he completely ignored me!” she complained breaking into loud sobs. “You know well that he's always like that.”
“Maya, you always take his side! Why would you not, anyway? After all, he's given you his flat to stay in!”
“I think you need to sleep,” she said, getting up and leading her to the bed.
“You introduced him to me,” she almost accused her. She whimpered for a while, but the alcohol soon took effect and she drifted into sleep. Esha woke Maya up with a cup of tea the next morning.
“Was Reva late last night?” she asked.
“Late and drunk,” Maya said.
“What happened?”
“She broke off with Aditya,” she said.
They readied themselves to leave for work.
Let's have coffee together today evening. It was Nimesh.
It wasn't so much a request buta command, she noticed, but his effrontery did not irritateher. She went through a hard pressed day.
“I am going to be late,” she informed Esha on her extension.
“What's new Maya?I guess, it is Nimesh again” she sighed.
On her way, Maya thought about why Esha was so apprehensive about her and Nimesh. Reva also crossed her mind for what she had told Maya last night. Guilt seemed to be pricking her unreasonably. “Hi hotty!” Nimesh greeted her, with his usual smile.
“It's only you who find me hot,” she chuckled. “You should get your eyes treated?”
“Maybe you should get your mind treated!”
“How was your day?” he enquired.
“As usual,” she replied
“Don't worry. The end of the day will be great with me,” he smiled.
They ordered cappuccinos as usual. Nemo was looking cute as always, drawing appreciative glances from the girls in the coffee shop.
“My roommate dislikes you a little,” she said.
“She must be in love with me. She wants my attention,” he said.
“Very funny! She believes I'm falling in love with you.”
“Aren't you?” he looked deep into her eyes. She weakened, but only momentarily.
“I am. I love you Nimesh Tanna, but not as boy-girl love,” she said.
Her phone rang. It was her boss. What did he want at this hour?
“Maya, are you in the office by any chance?” he asked.
She glanced at her watch. It was almost eight pm. Why would he expect her to be there working this late? “No, I've left. I'm almost home,” she said.
“Meet me first thing in the morning when you come to work,” he said, ending the call.
“By the way it's late and we should go home now,” she told Nimesh. He dropped her home on his bike.
“Did you speak to Adi by any chance?” Reva asked her as she entered the flat.
“No, I did not?”
“Will you speak to him,” she asked Maya.
“How does it make a difference baby? Can I make him love you if he doesn't?”
“Please.”
“Okay I will speak to him.”
“I am sorry for yesterday.”
“It's okay,” Maya smiled.
Their friendship needed no explanation.