SIXTY THREE
Maya was cooking when Esha entered. She had left the office earlier. “You ditched me, Maya. You snatched the trip away from me,” Esha said, furious. Maya did not know how to convince her that it was not her idea.
“The son of a bitch was screwing me, but he gaveyou the trip. Did you sleep with him, Maya?”
“Watch your mouth! Why don't you go and ask him, Esha?”
“You should have rejected it.”
“I need promotion Esha, as much as you do,” Maya was irritated. Esha turned her head with a jerk and went inside the hall.
“I should have known this from the start. You are such a looser both in your personal life as well as professional. You are not even loyal to your own husband. Screwing up with that little kid and spoiling his life. Oh, how I disapprove of you and Nimesh, Maya. I disapprove of everything you do.” Esha screamed from inside She brought out a suitcase from the cupboard. “I'm not going to stay with someone as mean as you,” she said.
“What's wrong with you, Esha. I let you stay with me and this is your way of repaying me? By accusing me unfairly? Anybody else could have been sent on the trip. It just happened to be me!” “But it's you, Maya. I cannot trust you anymore.” She refused to see reason. She called for a taxi and left.
Reva was sitting quietly watching the entire episode. Maya sat on the bed with tears running across her cheek.
“Why did you do this to her?” Reva spoke.
Maya had nothing to say except for meeting her gaze. Reva got up and walked towards her.
“I know it's not your fault. Why are you letting it make you feel sad? At times we vent out our frustration on someone else blaming the other person for our loss.” She took a deep breath. “We are responsible for our own choices, Maya. You only taught me this.”
Maya hugged her and cried aloud for some time before her phone rang.
It was Nimesh.
“Where have you been? I've called so many times.”
“I am not feeling well.”
“I'm coming over,” he said.
“Not now, Nimesh. Let me call you tomorrow,” she said.
Maya was worried that he'd get the idea that she too was interested in him, for they were meeting often.
“You will feel better, once I come over!” he chuckled.
She smiled at his bluster. She convinced him that they couldn't meet then.
Darkness was falling. She made a cup of coffee for herself and Reva and drank it, looking outside the window at the cemetery. It wasn't an encouraging sight, she said to herself, turning away.
“Maya, don't worry. She'll be fine.”
“What did I do to hear such rude comments?” Tears rolled down again her pale cheeks.
“I have learnt that you can't make everyone happy all the time, Maya. So live with it.” Reva held her hand and pressed it.
The next evening, it was a Sunday, she spotted Nimesh's bike coming into the compound.
“You look cute,” he said.
“Thanks.”
He drove her to his favorite place. A coffee joint just next to Bandra beach.
He ordered two coffees and looked at her. Her big eyes were as infinite as the sea, the artist in him thought. “What's with you today?”
She turned to look at him. The cool breeze was making it difficult for her hair to stay in one place. She took out a clip from her bag and tied her hair. “Don't tie them,” he said. “I love you with open hair.” She smiled.
“Where's your book?” she asked him. He had promised to get along a synopsis of a book he had just completed.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy, she remembered. Photographer, painter, artist, writer!
“I will become a famous writer. You can marry me then.”
“Nonsense!” She looked away from him.
“You know my mom is going to meet a publisher tomorrow evening. She knows a friend who can help me with getting the job done,” he said.
“That's nice.” She tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you?” he asked her. “You look so pale.”
“I got a promotion.” She pressed her lips in her usual style.
“Is that a bad news?” he raised his eyebrows.
“Not really, but with the promotion I am supposed to go to Italy for a project.”
“What's the problem?” he looked confused.
“Esha was to go there. She thinks I have grabbed a foreign trip meant for her. She vacated in a huff.”
“Good. More space for you! Anyway she didn't like me. More space for me too,” he winked. She looked at him.
“What happens, happens Maya. She came, she left. Stop worrying, Maya.”
Photographer, painter, artist, writer, philosopher. Maya smiled.
“Lets take a walk on the beach,” he held her hand.
They walked in silence for some time.
He came closer to her and held her hand.
“Y Y Y Y … you look beautiful.”
His eyes stared into hers.
She smiled. He leaned to kiss her cheek.
“A a a a .. I love you,” he stammered as he touched her ear with his thumb.
“Nemo….”
“All right. I know,” he held her hand with a smile and started walking.
The sun was setting. He stopped and faced the sea. He took out his camera and took a few pictures.