R
olling her eyes, Sneha again started her song and dance routine, which was now considerably mellowed.'Small bites!' she directed Nikhil.
Getting her approval on the size of the bite, Nikhil put it carefully in Advey's mouth.
Sneha performed the 'itsy bitsy spider' with more vigour. A distracted child was easier to feed.
After ten minutes or so, by the time Sneha's throat was starting to hurt, Nikhil blurted out, 'I did it!' He held up the empty bowl to Sneha.
'Good job, Daddy!' The words accompanied by a broad smile slipped out before Sneha could stop them. She gave a small gasp, staring at him. Nikhil too seemed to freeze. 'I'm sorry, it just came out,' Sneha had to say, seeing his shocked face. He had lost some colour.
Nikhil put the bowl back on the tray. 'I'll be outside.' He got up from the bed.
'Nik!' Advey called out.
Sneha grabbed her son. 'He has to go. Nik has some work.'
Nikhil walked out without another word. Advey's disgruntled cries and Sneha's face in response to his reaction tugged at his insides. Nevertheless, Nikhil did not stop.
Just as Sneha was washing Advey's face, Amla came into the room. 'Nandini madam calling outside!'
'Is someone else there?' Sneha asked, wiping Advey's face.
'Barbie doll,' Amla said, taking Advey from her.
Sneha planted a quick kiss on her son's cheek. 'Play the alphabet game with him and then the blocks.' Ruffling Advey's hair, Sneha hurriedly left the room.
In the living room, she found Nandini sitting on the sofa, her face anxious, drawn.
Aditya stood at the other end of the room, looking out of the arched window overlooking Mumbai. His shoulders were taut and he had his back to the others. Just near the door in the foyer, hovered Gayatri, her face pale, demeanour subdued. She was visibly nervous.
Her dark eyes anxiously fixed themselves on Nikhil. Nikhil stood next to Gayatri, shifting glances between her and the other two. As she entered, Nikhil turned to Sneha, gazing at her. What do I do?
Make this short and quick.
Help me!
Last time!
Still looking at Sneha, Nikhil murmured a soft 'Thanks!' their recent angst pushed to the side.
Gayatri gave him a confused look, 'What are you thanking me for?'
Nikhil made a quick save, his eyes stern, 'For dragging all these people into a mess.' Gayatri stood, taken aback at his sharpness. For the last fifteen or so years that she had known Nikhil, he had never been rude to her—silent maybe, but never rude. She felt miserable; she had let even him down.
Nikhil and Gayatri saw Sneha walk forward. 'What is she doing here?' Gayatri whispered to Nikhil.
'Helping!' Nikhil snapped.
Sneha walked past Nandini and stopped next to Aditya who turned at her presence.
His eyes were furious and she saw the muscles work in his cheek. 'How could Nandini agree to letting that woman enter our house? Did you know about this?'
Sneha laid a hand on Adi's forearm. 'Nandini too wants to put this behind her. Gayatri will keep hounding you both until she doesn't get to apologize. Today, next year or ten years after that, she will come back and bring up the issue again. Things went way out of hand last night. She needs to fess up and she owes you and Nandini an apology. And the sooner she does it, the better. You and Nandini,' Sneha emphasized Nandini's name, knowing that was the only word that always got through to Adi, 'need to close this chapter.'
Exhaling, Aditya rubbed his forehead. 'I don't want all this. All this is too bloody stupid.'
'Agreed!' Sneha nodded. 'Then let's get this over with. You and Nandini can enjoy the rest of the weekend. Please!' Sneha reasoned.
Aditya nodded. 'Fine!' He walked back and took a seat next to Nandini on the sofa, giving her a halting smile that came hand in hand with a frown.
'Please have a seat,' Aditya said to Nikhil and Gayatri, his voice curt.
Nikhil guided Gayatri to the opposite sofa. Sneha stood at the window watching Nikhil's protectiveness towards Gayatri, Aditya's toward Nandini. Sneha felt out of place standing by herself. 'Excuse me!' She walked past the four. She had done her part.
'Sneha!' Aditya called out just as Nikhil too was about to stop her.
'Stay, please!' Nandini said. Sneha perched on the edge of the chair next to Nandini and crossed her legs under her. Nikhil tried to keep his eyes from Sneha's fair, delicate calves.
Clearing her throat Gayatri began, 'I'm here to apologize for last night. I don't think words can even begin to tell you how sorry and ashamed I am for my behaviour. I was reckless and irresponsible and,' Gayatri took a deep breath, 'and completely stupid.'
Nandini glanced at her and Gayatri faltered, 'I was driven by my own selfish and wrong notions and caused such pain to someone I once cherished so dearly as a friend,' she said, as tears slithered down her cheeks, 'and much more.'
Sneha glanced at Nandini and caught her miserable expression. Even Aditya seemed to have lost his ire, the darkness from his face was gone and in its place, she saw unease.
'Don't cry, Gayatri. It's okay. I'm fine,' Aditya spoke haltingly. 'We're fine too!' He glanced at Nandini. She smiled at him encouragingly.
Gayatri pulled herself together with some effort. Nikhil passed her a tissue, which she took gratefully. 'Thank you. You both are very kind.' She glanced at Aditya and Nandini.
'Can I ask what the plan was?' The question came from Sneha.
'The plan?' Gayatri asked blankly.
'Giving him four sleeping pills. There must have been a plan, right?'
'Four pills?' Gayatri appeared taken back. She swivelled her head to Aditya. 'You were given four pills? I was told on—' Gayatri clamped on the rest of the sentence.
Nikhil looked at Sneha. What did I say?
Sneha looked away.
'Bloody hell, Adi could have died!' Nandini burst out. 'Really, really stupid!'
'So what changed your perspective? Because the equation here,' Sneha pointed at Aditya and Nandini, 'is still the same. Adi doesn't want you.' Sneha did not mince her words.
Gayatri spoke solemnly, a sad smile sitting on her pretty face. 'Yesterday I finally understood what Nik has been saying to me all this while. It is not what I have or I don't that matters, Aditya only wants Nandini. Only Nandini! It is as if she is his last woman on earth.'
Hearing her words, Nandini inadvertently leaned closer to Aditya, who turned and pressed his lips in her hair.
Then Nandini stood up, walked over and sat next to Gayatri. Nikhil got up and stood next to them. Nandini took Gayatri's hand. 'I too have an apology to make. You have been hurt very badly because of us. It was the right thing to do because in the long run you and Adi wouldn't have…' Nandini changed her words, 'however, just because it was right, does not mean that it was easy or painless; not for us, not for you.'
Gayatri put up a hand to stall Nandini, 'You don't have to say all—' 'I do!'
'She does,' Sneha said and added dryly, 'Believe me, she does!'
Nandini quickly added, 'And yes Gayatri, you are welcome in this house as long as you choose your friends well.' Glancing at Nikhil, she hastily amended the sentence, 'your women friends well.' Nikhil bowed his head in deference to the compliment.
Aditya got to his feet. 'Nandini and I have absolutely no hard feelings for you and wish you the very best, Gayatri.'
Gayatri got to her feet. 'I am returning to Amsterdam tomorrow. And once again, I am truly sorry.' Aditya, Nandini and Nikhil walked with her to the door.
Nikhil turned to Aditya, 'I'll make a move too.'
Nandini pounced on him. 'No, please stay just for some more time. Please.'
Nikhil's eyes went past her to Sneha who sat in the chair, straight and proud, her face turned to gaze at the sunset visible through the French windows. 'I really have to go,' I really should go,' Nikhil murmured, entranced by the way the sunset illuminated Sneha's face with a muted, golden-orange glow. She seemed ethereal.
'Nikhil?' Nandini said.
'Yes?' Nikhil looked at her blankly.
'Dinner with us tonight?' Nandini asked.
'Hmm, ya sure…thanks,' Nikhil's words were rushed. Gayatri eyed him suspiciously.
'I'll walk Gayatri to her car.'
Nikhil and Gayatri went into the elevator. 'I'm glad you see things in a new light,' Nikhil said to Gayatri.
'I do!' Gayatri sighed.
'Talked to Mona?'
'No and I am going to keep it like that for some time. I trusted her blindly. Four pills!
That's scary!' Gayatri exclaimed. 'I just wished that the other nut job wasn't there today.' 'Nut job?'
'Sneha, Nandini's watchdo—'
'Gayatri! Show some respect,' Nikhil snapped at her. He suddenly found Gayatri a tad bit of a nuisance.
'Okay, sorry!' Gayatri said indifferently. The elevator stopped and they got off.
As they walked to her car, Nikhil relented. 'No, I'm sorry. It's just Sneha carries a lot on her plate.'
'You seem to know her well.'
Nikhil shrugged his shoulders. He nearly opened his mouth to justify himself but then thought better of it. 'So what time is your flight?'
'Four in the morning,' Gayatri replied.
'I'll drop you.' Gayatri opened her mouth to protest. 'I'm not asking you sis, I'm telling you.'
'Okay bro!' Gayatri impulsively launched herself into Nikhil's arms. 'I'm sorry, Nik. I didn't mean for it to get so bad.'
Nikhil held her for a few seconds and then broke away. 'The first time I saw you, you were all of eleven with two braids and a mouth full of braces.'
'Oh don't remind me!'
'Since the last fifteen years or so I have seen you get into innumerable scrapes, soups and situations and yet you emerge on top of everything because you eventually figure out the right thing to do. Just like you did today.' Gayatri looked up at him, her gaze loving.
'And as you are growing, the number of scrapes are decreasing so I think you are headed in the right direction.' Nikhil ruffled her hair.
'Heyy!' Gayatri whined in her familiar style. 'Anything but my hair. But thank you.' Gayatri got into her waiting car. Then she rolled her window down, 'Are you okay?'
'Yes! Why?' Nikhil replied.
'You are talking differently.' She gave Nikhil a closer look, 'There is something different about you.'
Nikhil took a step away. 'Have you been raiding the hotel's mini bar?'
Gayatri squinted at him. And then she snapped her fingers. 'You are explaining things!
And being sarcastic, like witty sarcastic…and…and smiling, oh my God…your face muscles do work.'
Schooling his face to its usual impassiveness, Nikhil lifted his hand in a wave. 'Be ready by one in the morning. I'll meet you in the hotel lobby. Bye, bye Alice in
Wonderland.'
'See? Another sarcastic but funny quip.' Nikhil turned and walked away from the car and Gayatri. 'Call me.'
'Will do!' Nikhil called out as he raised his hand over his head without looking back.
Just outside the door to the apartment building, he stopped. Looking out at the lush landscaped gardens in front, he leaned against the exterior wall. He was wondering if there was any truth to what Gayatri had said, in which case it was time to bolt.
Nikhil only knew himself as a bitter, cold, brutal man who could bring no happiness to a child's life or to that of a woman who he thought was more beautiful and more complete than art painted by the gods. Nikhil shook his head wondering how and when he had fallen for Sneha. Was it when she came to him angry and damp or when she danced for her child or was ready to slay the dragon for her close friends or when she sashayed in that blue dress that only made her hazel eyes more alluring? Or was it just now as he had watched the setting sun cast a glow on her face? Bleakly, Nikhil closed his eyes. This would not do. No real damage had been done, no words spoken. He could walk away right now. He would.
Having made up his mind, Nikhil took the elevator to the penthouse. As the door opened, he walked inside and found everyone on the floor, including little Advey. 'Nik!' Advey called out, holding an alphabet book in his hand.
With a stiff smile, Nikhil walked towards them and sat on the floor next to Advey. He happened to glance at Sneha, who was looking at her son with such fierce determination that he was sure her thoughts were somewhere else.
'You think she'll be okay?' Nandini asked Nikhil.
Nikhil saw Sneha turn her face away, her curls covering her profile. 'She'll be fine,' Nikhil murmured not sure who he was referring to, Gayatri or Sneha. Why was Sneha not looking at him?
Sneha was recalling his expression when she had mindlessly called him 'Daddy'.
Going by his expression one would think it was a blasphemous word. Sneha hated the hurt hammering in her heart. When Advey's biological father had washed his hands so easily off his child, why would any other man accept Advey like his own? And why would she be so stupid to even expect it? And Nikhil, he was nothing to her. Sneha fixed her eyes on the sky visible through the window resolutely. I'm okay. No, better than okay, I am fantastic. 'Nandi, can we have an early dinner? I have some work in the morning that I need to finish and then I have something at lunch.' Sneha's words were rushed.
Nikhil's ear pricked at Sneha's tone but he refrained from saying anything. Instead he concentrated on making a structure for Advey with Lego pieces.
'What lunch thing?' Nandini asked. Sneha just gave a smile which did not quite reach her eyes. 'What lunch thing?' Nandini persisted.
Sneha sighed; tact would never be Nandini's second name. Or third. Or gazillionth.
'Lunch with Dr Sai—Pradeep, I mean.'
Nandini eyes went wide. 'A date with Dr Pradeep?'
Nikhil's hand hesitated as he took another piece Advey offered him. He had to concentrate extremely hard to stack the smallest of the pieces on the largest one.
Sneha began, 'Well, it's not really.' Nandini gave her a glare. 'Okay fine, it's our third date.'
Nandini shot forward, 'Third? I mean, seriously, third?' She put her hands over Advey's ears. He began to laugh and squirm thinking it was a game. 'WTF, when did the second one happen?' She shot a quick glance at Nikhil and was satisfied to see a frown on his face. He too wanted to hear Sneha's answer.
'While you were getting super close to that warped shrink friend of yours.' Nandini pulled a face at Sneha's answer.
'Give me details—'
'Where is Aditya?' Nikhil interrupted, getting to his feet. Advey was immersed in passing his trucks through the bridge Nikhil had just made.
'I'm here. Great news!' Aditya came in, talking to Nikhil. 'Viraj is on board.' 'That's great!' Nikhil and Aditya shook hands.
'He is? Wow!' Nandini jumped up. 'We have to tell Badi Maa and Ajit Bhaiya.' Aditya smiled. 'We will tell my mom and older brother but after we sign the papers.' 'And Nikhil is on board?' Nandini asked, peeking at Sneha who kept her eyes on her son.
'We are going fifty-fifty on this,' Nikhil replied politely.
'Oh wonderful, that means we'll be seeing more of you.' Nandini perked up.
'Not if Aditya still adheres to his rule of not bringing work home,' Sneha said icily, giving them a quick sharp smile.
'Champagne time! Let's celebrate. I'll get some.' Nandini made a quick exit and Aditya followed.
Nikhil turned and said to Sneha, his manner short, 'Do you have a problem?' 'With?' Sneha asked airily, her chin going up.
'I don't know, with everything it seems,' Nikhil snapped. Why the hell am I fighting with her, he wondered while he refused to back down.
'You are not everything.' Megalomaniac, Sneha scorned.
'So you have a problem with me?'