Advances

Shaan woke up from what was a very pleasant dream. Or had it been a dream?

With eyes still closed, he groped around in the bed. She wasn’t there. Now with them wide open, he bunched the sheets under his nose and sniffed and was able to appreciate a faint scent. Feeling much better, he flung the pillows to the floor and discovered an earring, the one he had given her, the one with the stars. “Ruhi!” He rushed into the living area, anxious for her feelings. She was in the kitchen pottering around appearing quite busy yet; upon seeing him, she disappeared behind the counter.

Ruhi was upset.

Ever since she’d woken up and found herself lying next to him, she had been beside herself, angry and frustrated. How had she allowed it to happen? How will she face him now? Gosh it was so embarrassing!

She could imagine him saying, “When ma’am talks, she is Ms. Idealist herself, but when it comes to actions, she fails pathetically!”

He won’t believe in what I say anymore. He’ll think I’m all “hot air.” Oh, how I hate to defend myself in front of anybody, particularly him! He was just waiting for this slip up.

No I won’t talk about it at all! Yes, that’s it! She was firmly nodding her head, resolving the conflict when she saw him pop out of his room. She instinctively dived behind the counter and tried to make some noise.

He peeked around and found her poking inside the oven, fussing with the baking sheets.

“Ruhi?”

“Huh?”

“About last night?”

Oh my god! Here it comes! “What about it?” she retorted gruffly, nonchalant.

“Uh…umm.”

Bloody hell. Say it, get it out! Her head knocked against the kitchen counter.

“Awww!”

“What happened?” He was beside her right away. “Let me look.”

Her scalp smarting with pain, her eyes brimming with moisture, she fended him away.“It’ll be fine!” Thank heavens he is wearing something!

“No, it won’t. It’s starting to bruise already. Why can’t you be more careful?” He got ice out of the refrigerator. “Anyways, what were you doing with your head inside the oven? Planning to bake us some…Venus lava cookies?” His eyes gleamed with mischief.

“Hah, very funny!” she retorted, looking annoyed. “I just wanted to surprise Sunshine with a birthday cake.”

“Well, that’s mighty sweet of you. She’s lucky to have you for a friend.”

“No, I am.”

“We both are…except JJ of course!”

“Shaan!”

“Sorry! It’s a touchy topic. But what I wanted to ask about last night…”

“Yes?” Her head tilted back in defiance. “Did I…uhm…misbehave?”

She glared accusingly at him. “Yes, you did! You drank a ton, then threw up, and the stink was so terrible I almost passed out.”

“But you didn’t. I’m sorry. Alcohol and I don’t usually get along very well.”

“I know, you have a history together.”

“It won’t happen again. Ruhi, what I meant to ask actually is…” He crouched over her while she buried her face inside the freezer. “Here, you left something in the bed.”

“Oh…that. Thanks.” She snatched the earring from his hand and shoved it into the pocket of her shorts without looking at him.

“Did I do anything I shouldn’t have? I mean, you and I…”

Ruhi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “No, nothing happened.” She marched to the window and stuck her burning cheek to the cool pane wishing he’d just stop talking.

“Then why are you acting so hot and bothered?” his voice whispered in her ear as a hand spread familiarly on her hip.

She flipped around and found his face barely inches away. “It’s…it’s the heat.”

“You’re right, it’s the heat.” His fingers traced the fine bones of her cheek. “Ruhi…I…”

“You better get going, your other Venus is waiting.”

“While I wait for this one” —his lips twisted awry— “forever and ever.”

***

“Hello! So sis finally decided to lose her faith in me.”

The stepladder teetered dangerously as Ruhi looked behind. She had been clearing out the top shelf.

“Hey, watch out! You don’t want to break your neck, do you?”

Pratik reached up with his long arm and handed her a carton filled with energy bars. He looked different today, his hair slick and gelled, the pigtail had been given a vacation.

“These shouldn’t be here. Regardless, they are expired,” she said, sending the box crashing to the floor.

“Whoa, careful! You are scaring the customers!” He grinned at her.

“The place is closed for lunch.” She smiled, hands on her hips.

“Why don’t you work on regaining some of that lost faith? Why not consider helping your sister?”

“I try,” he said, looking down at his large yet elegant hands.

“But not hard enough. She needs you, Pratik, and you seem to have a lot of time to spare.”

“No, I don’t!” He looked sharply at her; his grey eyes were cold. “You don’t mince your words, do you?”

“I like to speak my mind.” Though not all the time. She closed her eyes momentarily, thinking of last night.

“Sanju won’t accept it. She’s angry I dropped out of school.”

“What school?” Ruhi asked casually while attempting to lift the heavy carton.

“Let me.” He scooped it up and tucked it under an arm. “Law school.”

“Law school? Were you crazy or what!” She stared at him openmouthed.

He burst out laughing. “Man, you quoted Sanju word for word! It isn’t a crime, look at Steve Jobs.”

“Yes, but everybody cannot be a Steve Jobs.”

“Yeah…I guess not. But it was too boring, those heavy books and heavier lectures! I hate reading anything other than stuff like Harry Potter.” He smiled. “Escapism, fantasy, magic, love…”

“But how long will you escape from reality?” Unlike me. “You have to come to grips with life sometime.”

“Hmm…noble words from someone so young,” he concluded after studying her astutely. “But it’s too late. Pratik has missed that bus. But I’m not bekaar as you might think. I’m working on forming a rock band,” he said, strumming an imaginary guitar. “Justin Beiber needs some serious competition, and I could do with some pretty chicks on my arm.” He winked at her. “Meanwhile, I DJ at the local desi club, and of course, you saw me at the Olive when you came in with your…uh, significant other.”

Ruhi turned her back to him and started rearranging the magazines on the news rack. Several dropped out of her nervous fingers. He picked them up and stowed them back.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how’s it going between you two? He’s your live-in boyfriend, isn’t he?” he ventured casually.

“He’s much more than that, and I do mind! It’s none of your business!” She walked briskly away, head held high, back firm and straight.

He stood rooted to his spot. “Sensitive, aren’t we? There’s more to this than meets the eye. I need to investigate.”

***

Shaan was elated. He had been able to fix a key bug in the Venus modular design, something which had the entire team on edge for the past few days. Now they could move on.

Even Rich, his boss, was thrilled to bits. He’d stopped by his desk on his way out. “Great job, son! This problem had been a thorn in our sides. What say you, Sujoy?”

“Yes, Rich. Shaan is very sharp in that aspect. He has the ability to go in and root out the flaws.” Sooj said as usual, quick to respond.

“Exactly. He’s the quarterback of our team, and without him, we are all lost.” Rich, though a slave driver, had never skimped on praise.

“Oh, Rich, c’mon! I am just doing my job. Every single person in our team is indispensable,” Shaan countered, pleased yet not too fond of being singled out. Though ambitious, he knew his limits well and liked to be considered a team player.

But his boss’s attention had been diverted. He had spotted a picture on Shaan’s cluttered desk, one he had finally chosen to display. It was Ruhi smiling absently at the camera, a rare treat.

“Charming! Your wife?”

“Yes, my wife.” He was ineffectual in erasing the telltale glint of pride from his eyes.

“I’d love to meet her, the force behind the man. Why don’t you bring her tomorrow? It’s ‘take your spouse to work’ day! Show her off. A girl that gorgeous deserves some exposure. Right?” Rich winked.

“Right.” She’s had a lot of that already! Shaan thought dryly while receiving a resounding thump on his back. Will she agree to come? It won’t hurt to try though.

Concentrating with his eyes closed, he tried to anticipate her reaction but could only picture her slightly parted virgin mouth. He sighed, running anxious fingers through his hair. “Gosh! I need to see her right now!”

He headed home, determined to beat the infamous LA rush hour. The 5:00 p.m. meeting could wait.

“Darn! But of course she’s at work!” He grunted in disappointment when he found the apartment door locked and no sign of Ruhi.

Not missing me as bad I suppose, he thought petulantly. At least, not yet. But I so want her to see me! Damn it!

He paced restlessly outside the door, racking his brain; the thought of facing an empty apartment had become quite abhorrent.

Yes, that’s it! His face broke out into a wide grin as a sudden thought occurred to him, and he raced down the stairs taking them three at a time.

Shoot! Am I getting out of shape! He came to a stuttering stop outside Singh’s Convenience Store, winded after the nearly three-mile run.

Taking a glance at his timepiece, he muttered, “Five minutes overtime! Ruhi, you have to stop feeding me those parathas! Win me with love instead.” He chuckled.

Wandering in, his curious eyes panned the entire store, taking in the recently rearranged shelves and neatly marked racks. He also saw a muddled heap of old packing boxes stowed away in a corner waiting to be cleared.

So this is where my wife spends most of her day. But where the hell is she?

Dangerous to leave the cash register unattended! What’s with these people! His ever analytical mind did not miss the important detail.

Then upon perceiving sounds of activity from the rear, he sauntered over. There he saw the back of a rather thin woman who appeared to be on the losing end of an argument with the delivery man.

“I had placed the order three weeks ago for these doughnuts, and you bring them to me now? And who asked for those condoms or supplements? Not me! I have no place for them on my shelves!”

“It says so on this order. See for yourself,” the burly man grumbled, thrusting a clipboard in front of her face.

“Yes I see, but I won’t sign it. Take them back! I don’t want knocked-up teenagers coming in complaining about malfunctioning Trojans! I have enough of a migraine already with Prati’s jobless gang and…” Her unhappy voice trailed off.

“You have to take it!” the trucker insisted, hustling his way in and causing the woman to retreat.

“Didn’t you hear what the lady said? You can’t force her! Take the goods back. You are local, that I can see!” Shaan felt it was time to step in, though he was finding the discussion quite amusing.

“Yeah, that I am.” The brawny fellow seemed surprised to hear a male voice of authority. He backed down, disgruntled. “Guess I could do that, but make no mistake the order was placed from this address.”

“It could’ve been. But the lady doesn’t agree. She’ll take it up with the reps. You just carry the stuff back.”

“If you say so.” The man unhurriedly started reloading his truck.

Turning around, Sanjana smiled gratefully at Shaan. “Thank you!”

“You are welcome. Don’t let these guys push you around. They need to be dealt with a firm hand.” Shaan kept his voice soft and low.

She nodded while keeping a close eye on the supply truck.

“Uh… Is Ruhi around? I don’t see her anywhere,” he inquired, getting restless.

“Yes, upstairs,” she said, absently pointing in the direction.

“Thanks.”

He bounded up the steps. What the hell is Ruhi doing up here? What’s her job description? Hope that idiot Pratik isn’t bothering her. I won’t spare him, if he is!

“Hey! Watch out, dude!”

Shaan was almost knocked over by a big black guitar, which clattered down the stairs, creating a musical furor.

“Ahh…excuse me. I was in a hurry.” He looked up apologetically after assuring the instrument was still intact.

“Excuse me! Look who we have here. Just the devil I was thinking about!”

Shaan felt his temperature surge as Pratik gave him a once-over. “What are you talking about?” he asked from between clenched teeth.

“Cool it!” Pratik raised his hands in defense. “No, I haven’t stolen your girl yet, though she’s quite the dish. It’s gonna take some work.”

“What the heck are you talking about? Don’t you dare go near her…or…or—” Shaan worked hard at not losing control.

“Or what, dude? It’s a free world! But she’s a toughie. Hell, she’s devoted to you, man. You lucky SOB!”

“Watch that trap of yours!” Shaan let his guard down, overcome by an intense affection for his wife. This clown could go to hell!

“Am watching it. Regardless, am sure we’ll meet again soon. Have a date with my band. You’ll find your girl in the second room on the right. She has quite the moves, man!” He winked, disappearing in a hurry before Shaan could react.

Moves? This is getting crazier by the minute!

Strains of loud music and laughter drifted out of the slightly ajar door. Shaan pushed it open further and was witness to a strange sight. His wife, alongside a little boy, were jiving together in tandem to a video game and apparently having a great time.

He stood there watching in silence, his throat going dry at the sight of her long suntanned legs revealed to great advantage by her denim shorts. Her demure, sleeveless white shirt only added to the allure, cutting a most delectable picture. His hands bunched up into fists in his pockets when he pictured a certain lanky miscreant watching the same scene with no less delight.

Why does she have to be so attractive that men fall all over themselves? It’s unhealthy! He could feel his chest tightening.

“Bee! Look…a man!”

“What, Surjit?” Ruhi hadn’t realized their little escapade had an audience. She was even further surprised to see Shaan standing there looking at her with a bemused expression on his face; it was weirdly similar to when she had found him drunk at the pub.

“You! Here?” she said.

“Yes, thought I’d surprise you,” Shaan said, “but the reverse happens to be more true.”

“I… I don’t understand,” she said feeling all at once shaky. She patted the little boy on the head as he hid behind her legs.

“Me neither, just that you grow more bewitching by the day.”

She blushed. “Now that’s an exaggeration. I’ve never felt more tired and worn out before, and it’s all because of this little angel here!” She unclasped Surjit’s hands, which were glued tightly to her legs. “Look here, darling, don’t be scared. Meet Bee di’s friend, Grey. He is a great dancer and loves to play pretend.”

“Ruhiii!”

“What? Did I say something wrong? Don’t you love to playact like I do?” she asked, fearlessly coy. “Smile! You are scaring Surjit!”

Shaan took in a deep breath, went down on his haunches, and solemnly shook Surjit’s hand while schooling a benign expression on his face.

She is back to her tricks. Is she referring to last night? Does she remember everything? About what she said, about what I did? Darn, if only this kid wasn’t here.

“Pretend? Cowboy?” Surjit tugged at Shaan’s sleeve and handed him a hobby horse.

“Great! You seem to have bonded already. My friend loves cowboys!” Ruhi beamed, clapping her hands. “Why don’t you both have a little fun while I go down and see if your mom needs some help?”

“But, Ruhi! Not now,” Shaan exclaimed in protest. But she was gone, her footsteps rapidly fading down the stairs.

She found Sanjana in the kitchen cooking a makeshift dinner; she had closed the shop early.

“Somehow I feel too rundown nowadays to stay open late. Ever since the new chain store opened across the street, most of my customers seem to want to go there instead. They serve free coffee. Free coffee!” A tremendous hopelessness clouded Sanjana’s features. “Soon I’ll have to close my doors forever.”

“But there must be some way, perhaps you can serve gourmet coffee.” Ruhi hated to think her new friend was talking of giving up. What would she do?

Sanjana laughed. “Coffee is big business in the US, my dear, and it doesn’t come cheap! Anyway, let’s forget about me. Tell me who was that sona munda who came by looking for you? He also helped me get rid of that delivery truck. Is he your…?”

“He, I…” Ruhi felt at odds, she couldn’t tell Sanjana something and her brother something else.

“Your son, Surjit, is a fine lad. He knows a lot more about cowboys than I do.” Shaan stepped in with the boy propped on his shoulder. “By the way, I’m Shaan, Ruhi’s friend. Nice to meet you.” He came forward and shook Sanjana’s hand who was staring at him and Surjit with frank incredulity.

“I am, Sanjana, do drop by sometime. Surjit sure seems to be taken by you. He doesn’t mix very readily.”

“It’s late, and we need to get going,” Shaan said.

Sanjana smiled, waving good-bye as Shaan hurried Ruhi to the sidewalk.

“Why, what’s the hurry? Sona munda, huh?” Ruhi teased while removing his arm from around her waist.

“Let it be! Now inform me, what’s with this Grey and Bee business? I thought we had them happily dead and buried a while ago?”

“Me, too! But they do come in handy sometimes. Surjit, uhh…was having a tough time with my name, so I asked him to call me Bee and hence you’d be Grey.”

“I don’t believe it. You are making it all up!”

“No, I’m not,” she declared firmly. “It was only for the benefit of that little boy. By the way, thanks for befriending him.”

“Ahh, no big deal. We had a few things in common. But you seem to have a way with kids, first Anu and now this little chap, Surjit.”

“Yes, he is very sweet but lonely. He needs kids his own age for company. I’m glad he likes me as a friend. Hope I’ll be able to share a similar relationship with my own kids someday,” she said pensively.

“Kids!” He stopped in his tracks. “I hope by that you mean our kids.”

She looked him straight in the eye. “Yes, Shaan. They’d have to be ours ‘cause if you and I don’t make it, then I hold no desire to tie the knot again with anyone else. I intend to stay single the rest of my life.”

“Me, too,” he said softly, his regard for her scaling several notches. “Thanks for being candid with me.”

“I said what I felt, nothing more.”

They walked in silence for some time, lost in their individual thoughts.

Then stopping suddenly, she asked, her tone riddled with anxiety, “What’s the date today?”

And when he told her, she remarked, “Just three days left.”

He wrenched her around to face him. “What are you talking about, Ruhi?”

“The two months are nearly up. Remember our deadline?”

They stared at each other, the events of the past few weeks flashing through their minds. So much had changed.

“Want to buy me a plane ticket?”

“No!” He was livid. “I’ve forgotten all about that, and so should you. Did you hear? When will you stop this torture!” He gave her a violent shake.

Her morose face lit up at once, and her lovely eyes sparkled with a familiar frolic. “I was just making sure, didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”

Jerking her close, he muttered, “You are a royal bitch!”

Her eyes widened with surprise at his boldness. “Yes, of the worst kind! Want to still live with me?”

She held her breath as he bent his head infinitely closer.

“I want to die with you…Koi Shaq?” His voice had become a throaty whisper muffled further by the wind. “My patience is wearing very thin.”

Ruhi could sense the static in the air, her hair whipping about her face mimicking her excitement. “Don’t walk off that cliff yet, our time is yet to come.”