Jaunt

He looks cool, Ruhi thought as she stole a peek at her husband. Shaan had chosen to don a polo shirt in heather green and tan casual pants over which he had pulled on a teak cord blazer. She was seeing him wear a jacket, or for that matter anything which even came close to being called formal attire, for the very first time and he looked…good!

Good enough to rev the pulse rate up a few notches and make me giddy. He’s also watching me, conveniently taking cover behind those shades, and it’s driving me nuts! She raised a hand to her forehead.

“Are you all right?” he asked, steadying her arm.

“Yes I am.” If you’d only remove those glasses.

“Better?” He smiled, removing them as though having read her mind. She frowned upset, though in reality it was because they had just stepped into the very dark and cool interiors of the restaurant. She almost ran into his back, blinded for a few seconds.

“Are you really all right, Ruhi?” This time with both his hands on her shoulders and his husky voice drizzled with a pleasing anxiety.

“Yes, I am!” As soon as you take your bloody hands of me, you handsome brute! She glared at him.

Surprisingly the result was immediate, but not due to the force of her thoughts. Shaan too was having a rough time maintaining a bland disposition.

Is she growing outrageously provocative by the day, or am I falling for her feminine wiles?

“Ahem… Welcome to the Olive.” The hostess had to raise her voice slightly to get the couple’s attention. They were engaged in a task quite different than what usually brought people to the restaurant. “Table for two?”

Shaan affirmed with a brisk nod and led the way. He was trying his best to appear indifferent, not bothering to note this affronted Ruhi quite a bit.

“I hope this would do. Unfortunately, we are booked solid.” The hostess looked apologetic as she led them to an enclosed booth.

“Yes, this’ll do fine, thank you,” Shaan replied with a slight smile. It’ll do very well indeed.

“Ladies first.” He directed Ruhi ahead with a gracious tilt of his head.

What a weird guy he is, at times rude and at others charming.

The hostess rattled off the beverage selection after they had taken their seats in the cozy booth, which appeared to be way too intimate for Ruhi’s liking. Her discomposure did not escape Shaan who watched quietly as she slid to the farthest end.

Damn I need a drink! “I’ll have a glass of your best Kalyra and sparkling water for the lady please.”

“You are drinking! Isn’t there a law against drinking and driving in this country?”

“Yes. But that’s as long as I don’t go above the legal limit or cause an accident,” he explained softly, his minute scrutiny made her writhe in her seat.

“I still think it’s a bad idea, though.”

Darn! Doesn’t she realize the havoc she’s stirring in me right now in that virgin white summer dress?

She blushed as she attempted to rearrange the neckline of her blouse which exposed her delicately boned shoulders. She had never before felt the need to do so, but his eyes… She grabbed the menu to hide her confusion. “What am I supposed to order when I can’t understand a single word?”

“Let me help,” he said, removing it from her hand. “Since you have trained your palate to rebel against most cuisines, I decided as my very last-ditch attempt to bring you to one of my favorite places and if you happen to dislike this too…you are on your own.”

She couldn’t help breaking into a smile.

“Hello! Good afternoon, folks! Welcome to the best taste in town! And a rose for the lovely lady!”

They were startled out of their reverie by a flamboyant voice, which belonged to a particular slim and long body now bent at the waist offering the aforementioned bloom to Ruhi.

Shaan smarted at how the ABCD was able to provoke an immediate smile of pleasure on his girl’s—My girl?—face. Bloody slick bastard!

Have I seen him before? She racked her brains as she stared at the neat figure all in black with slick gelled hair smoothed back into a tiny ponytail at the nape of his neck ala Amitabh Bacchan in Cheeni Kum. Then it hit her when he looked directly at her with a cheerful smile. “Ahh! A desi beauty unlike any other, how lucky you are, sir.”

He addressed Shaan without taking his eyes of Ruhi who colored crimson. He is the five-cent guy!

He didn’t appear to recognize her though and was now sporting a quizzical look.

“Ahem!” Shaan brusquely cleared his throat, thoroughly irritated at the daring of this young upstart who seemed to have Ruhi eating out of his hand. Perhaps we were better off at home!

“Do you serve anything to eat out here?”

“Oh, please accept my apologies, got a little sidestepped. But of course! Can I start you off with an appetizer? I recommend some Artichauts or our best seller Tomate con Meile?” he said as Ruhi scanned the menu for details…

“No, I don’t favor any of that. May I?” Shaan asked her briefly and, without waiting for her reply, quickly ordered for both of them including the entrées.

“Excellent choice, sir, I couldn’t have done any better.” Mr Sleek hair disappeared with a brief nod of his head after shooting another puzzled glance at Ruhi.

“That was very rude of you, Grey!”

“I don’t think so. Anyway, since you haven’t been here before I thought I may as well go ahead and do the honors. Did I do it wrong?” The hell I care if she thinks I did! The hell I care if she thinks anything! Blast! She’s my wife for God’s sake, and here I am tolerating some nitwit boldly flirting with her!

Ruhi looked on with consternation as Shaan squeezed hard on the stem of his wine glass. “Watch out you may break it.”

“Huh?” Why the hell does she not appear to know anything?

She shivered.

“Are you cold? These Americans consider even seventy degrees hot,” he said, offering his jacket.

“No thanks, I’m fine.” It’s your eyes. They seem to be piercing through to my soul, and I feel naked.

Her hands shook as she tried to sip on her sparkling water, suddenly wishing they weren’t here but in the apartment watching comedy reruns on TV, making small talk, playing pretend.

“Hey, I know where I’ve seen you before!” Mr. Sleek hair had reappeared with their food. “You were on the bus that day looking all hot and bothered, and I came to your rescue with the nickel. Cool! Isn’t it?”

She inclined her head. “Yes…those five cents.”

“What five cents!”

“Shaan? This nice…” She hesitated.

“My name is Pratik, by the way. Pratee to my friends.”

“He pitched in with the change I was missing for the bus ride, and I still owe him. Can I borrow it from you?”

He delved into his pocket and produced the coin.

“Ah…uh, I guess that takes care of it.” Pratik sounded a little disappointed. He stood there looking curiously at the couple.

Ruhi smiled. “I think we should introduce ourselves.”

Like hell we should!

“I am Ruhi and this is my…friend.”

“Hi! I’m Shaan and we live together,” he volunteered with a broad grin stretching out one hand while placing the other familiarly around her shoulder.

“But…” She stared at him, a slow flush creeping over her cheeks. How could he? She couldn’t bring herself to face Pratik.

“Isn’t that correct, my dear?” he said, looking at her for affirmation. His eyes bored into her, indicating a certain level of intimacy that didn’t exist.

“Nice to meet you, Shaan.” Pratik shook his hand, the flashiness instantly substituted by incredulity.

***

Damn you, Grey!

You asked for it, Bee.

“Why did you say that?”

“Say what?” He leaned close, trapping her against the hood of his car.

“That…that we live together?” she gasped out with a nervous frown. Out of the corner of her eyes, she thought she spied Pratik watching them not so discreetly from the entrance of the restaurant.

“I was speaking the truth, and I believe you like honesty no matter what.” Shaan’s air was defiant.

“But…the implications. What will he think?”

“Think? Who cares what he does think? My dear, this is America where cohabitation is commonplace, and it was you who started it all. You wished to hide our true relationship,” he said, grinning smugly.

He has me trapped in a web of my own design, and I thought I was clever. Yet I don’t feel mortified, rather I feel agitated and aroused. She smiled and took his breath away.

***

“You are driving at 80mph, way above the speed limit. What if you get a ticket?”

“I’m willing to chance it. Too tired of playing by the rules.” Who the heck cares! Be wild for a moment, and that moment will last a lifetime!

“Hold on!” His eyes sparkled as he stroked the accelerator and edged into the leftmost lane—the fast lane. She held on to the dashboard but couldn’t deny a sensual rush when they breezed past the rest of the traffic.

“Where are we going?”

“Wait and see.”

“Hell! Must have got off the wrong side of the bed!”

The piercingly loud wail of a police siren could be heard approaching fast behind soon followed by flashing lights of blue and red.

There goes a couple of hundred bucks and all the affected bravado down the drain! What a fool she must think me to be! Shaan frowned as he slowed to pull the car on to the shoulder.

But the cop speeded past, and Shaan heaved a sigh of relief.

“Seems like some poor punk has stolen the limelight. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am, but my day will surely come.” He winked mischievously.

He isn’t too bad when he applies himself to the task, she thought, starting to get the drift.

He was humming again.

“I hate silly love songs!” Ruhi said.

“No don’t!” He leaned over to stop her from toggling with the dial, scraping her fingers in the process. She jerked her hand away. “I love them, just like I love old romantic movies.”

Her pulse quickened as his brown eyes sneaked sideways, and he mouthed the words of an old Eagles melody as if they were meant for her and her alone.

I am not afraid to say anymore that I want you to stay with me and be my wife for real. Get it quick, lady, for I can’t wait.

How I wish you had told me all this before, Shaan.

Are you hearing me, Ruhi?

She looked away.

That rogue, Pratik! Must have a rose garden for the sole purpose of impressing females! I’ll kill him if he tries to mess with my girl again!

Don’t gnash your teeth, you look like a pig!

“Did you say something?” She shook her head, and giggled.

Vixen!

“Oh, this is beautiful!” she exclaimed. They were driving down Sepulveda Boulevard, having left behind the concrete monotony of the freeway.

He grinned, pleased. “Wait till you see what’s next. It’ll leave you breathless.”

You already do.

For the next half an hour or so, Ruhi was, as he had promised, agog with enchantment as though she’d been magically shipped to another world.

Shaan chose to remain mysterious, but she could sense his fervor when after parking the car; he grabbed her by the arm and hurried her to a spot from where they were shuttled on a computer-operated tram to the top of a hill, which he explained was part of the Santa Monica mountains. She gasped, literally sucking in her breath when they came upon a huge complex, which appeared to have sprouted from the hill side.

“This is the Getty Museum, one of the richest in the world when you take in the value of its art collections. It was built by an oil billionaire who was known to be a miser yet who left most of his estate to this place. To me that makes him one of the most generous men on earth! I love it here!”

A spontaneous smile creased Ruhi’s lips. She had never witnessed him so enthused before and found it very infectious and attractive. “So is art your second love after fancy flying objects?”

He paused for a moment at the entrance while holding the door propped open for her. “No, it’s my third.”

She flushed under his gaze but didn’t ask him to elaborate. She was afraid of what he might say.

“So what do you think of this one?” he queried later with interest. They were standing in front of a particularly arresting portrait of an old Roman peasant woman. “I think she’s happy even though she’s dirt poor since she still has the love of her husband and children.”

“No, I think you’re wrong. I feel she is miserable because he left her for a younger and more beautiful woman.”

Ruhi was subject to a piercingly sharp survey but was able to maintain her cool. “She is finished crying, now all she wants to do is take him to the guillotine!” she continued defiantly.

He chuckled. “There were no guillotines in Rome at the time this picture was painted.”

“Whatever, I don’t care! She only has vengeance on her mind!”

So you want to kill me! I need to get my hands on that Swiss army knife.

“Hold that pose. You look like a girl who swallowed a vile-tasting insect!” He laughed, pulling out the Nikon.

“Shaan! You—”

“Do you folks want a picture together? You make a handsome couple,” a man in a French beret offered amiably, and Shaan immediately handed him the camera.

“What are you doing?” she asked irritably when he hugged her from behind, placing both arms around her waist.

“Playing pretend as you like to do so often. Now smile!” he whispered, leaning his head close to hers while Mr. Beret snapped away.

I hate you. I really do! she screamed inside, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

“C’mon, cheer up, Bee. Wipe that sour look off your face. We are good friends and housemates remember? Now tell me if you recognize this one!”

She blinked hastily, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Let me enjoy myself while I can.

“Oh my god! It’s Irises by Van Gogh!” She stared agape at the very familiar painting. “Don’t tell me it’s the original!”

“Are you out of your mind? It is the original! It was painted when the artist was in an asylum the year before he died. It’s evidence genius doesn’t require a sane mind. Poor chap, he received only three hundred Francs for it,” Shaan muttered as he dolefully regarded the canvas.

“How much is it worth now? A million, two?”

Shaan Googled on his cell. “For crying out loud! It was last valued at over one hundred million! It is one of the most expensive pieces of art in the world. Poor Van Gogh.”

Later at the museum café while Shaan frowned at his lackluster cappuccino.

“Perhaps you should steal it,” Ruhi interjected casually, taking a bite of her cold tomato mozzarella sandwich.

“Steal what. Irises? Are you kidding me?”

“No, I’m serious. I could help,” she said eagerly.

Throwing his head back, he guffawed. “Good god! No wonder I love you. You are one of a kind!”

She flushed beet red, unable to swallow. What is he trying to say?

“What are you doing?” She drew back when she saw him approaching too close for comfort.

“There is ketchup on your chin. There… Now it’s gone, my beautiful friend.”

I hate you, Shaan.

I love you, Ruhi!

***

“So what is next on the itinerary, Mr. Grey? Care to enlighten this curious bee?” Ruhi asked as they proceeded along a narrow winding road, which appeared to be steadily climbing into the hills. She had been tolerating her husband’s curiously aloof behavior for at least the past half hour and it was driving her berserk.

When will you stop calling me with that pathetic excuse of a name, Ruhi? Don’t you know I hate it already?

“We are bound for some education and entertainment.”

“Education and entertainment!” she exclaimed. “How is that possible?”

“Anything is possible here in LA…you shall see.” He was back at his enigmatic best.

“Oh this is marvelous. I should compliment you on your choice of sights, Grey!”

They had just stepped inside the Griffiths Observatory, one of the most popular landmarks and destinations in Los Angeles located on the south side of Mount Hollywood, which houses one of the largest telescopes in the world.

“I should tell you that this place was my most favorite haunt while in school and during the first two years at work. I used to come here on clear nights to gawk at the planets and stars and dream that perhaps one day I could journey to them as well.”

Laughing when he saw her eye him incredulously, he said, “I don’t mean in person but via one of the spacecrafts I helped design.” And it does feel like the dream may finally come true. He sighed, gazing into the distance.

That’d mean you were preoccupied with Des for the last couple of years. That sick witch!

I hate it when you look at me like that, Ruhi! What’s biting you?

“Anyway, this is the Foucault’s Pendulum.”

“What in crazy hell is that?” I know you’re trying to distract me, Shaan, but I do not intend to make it easy for you.

“Oh calm down, Ruhi, or Bee, or whoever you are right now,”

Shaan blurted out his poorly disguised exasperation. Why can’t you just spill the beans instead of throwing casual barbs now and then? “It demonstrates the rotation of the earth. The free-swinging pendulum, suspended by a forty-meter long steel wire knocks down each of the pegs, which the earth’s rotation brings into its path about every seven minutes.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

Then as if to prove his point, in precisely the space of seven minutes a peg toppled down from its upright position. Ruhi who had been watching with baited breath, let out a whoop of delight and clapped her hands loudly, which brought forth a few titters from the late-afternoon crowd.

“Get a grip, Ruhi, you are creating a scene!” Shaan growled, dragging her outside.

“But I want to see more pegs being knocked down, Shaan. That pendulum is way cool!” She struggled to free herself.

“I’ll show you something even cooler. It’s high time for some entertainment,” he said through clenched teeth, roughly shoving her into the passenger seat.

“Look at what you’ve done!” she griped, blowing over a sizeable bruise taking shape on her arm.

“Sorry, but we are running late, and you were behaving like a regular clown!”

“No I wasn’t! How can you—Why are we stopping here?” she demanded, suddenly antsy as the car drew to an abrupt halt along a lonely stretch of road. He didn’t answer instead sprung out, ran over to her side, and held her door open pointing up the verdant hillside.

“What’s that? Yikes!”

“Presenting the famed Hollywood sign up close and personal. The iconic symbol of wealth, success, and entertainment!” He grinned, watching her as she stared openmouthed.

“Oh, thank you!”

“Now what was that for?” he asked, momentarily taken aback after she treated him to a quick hug and a miniscule peck on the cheek.

“For rough handling me so you could show me this. You are simply too cute sometimes. Oops!” She colored, clamping a hand on her mouth.

God, do I love you my poisonous insect!

“Shall we make a move?” he asked with an inscrutable smile, which made her nerves reverberate under her skin.

It’ll be a pity to waste such gorgeousness, but it has to be done, she thought regretfully as she strapped herself in.

***

“My feet are killing me!” she moaned, draping herself on a lamppost. “You didn’t say we’d be walking this much!”

He shrugged, unperturbed. “You didn’t ask. Anyways, I’m not too familiar with the layout.”

They had just passed the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he’d gotten thoroughly riled watching her squander a good half hour hunting for Leonardo Di Caprio’s nonexistent star. “Why are you not interested in Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein, or even Neil Armstrong who happens to be my idol?”

“Yes, I am. But Leo.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “When he froze to death in those icy waters in order to save the love of his life…”

“Gosh you sound like an out-of-work mortician.” He smirked. “Yes, that would be your opinion because for you love is a gimmick and anyone who gives up his life for it, a moron!” Her eyes bore into him like two very cold steely knives before she whipped around and marched away in a swirl of white.

“I didn’t mean it that way! God how do you make this woman tick?” he mumbled, hurrying after her. He didn’t have to go far. She was doubled over at the corner brooding at her three-inch heels.

“You could always take them off or—”

“Now don’t say you’re offering to give me a ride!” She stepped back in a flurry.

“What…and break my back!” he burst out as though at some fantastic joke. “I meant you could also choose to suffer by keeping them on.”

“Thank you for great advice!”

“Anytime, sweetheart!”

They stood at the intersection of Hollywood and La Brea, scowling at each other for several minutes.

“I think we are lost.”

“You’re bang on target for once!”

“Don’t you even know how to read maps?”

“I do, but I have no clue where I parked the blasted car!”

“Men!”

“Hey wait!” Why do I always seem to be running behind her?

The strains of MJ’s “Bad.”

Hooking around the corner, they came upon a small group of young black men jiving to the very familiar beat. They had managed to attract a sizeable crowd, and everybody was having a very good time.

“Let’s move on now. You can see this some other time.” Shaan grabbed her hand.

“No wait, that time may never come,” she retorted with spirit and pushed herself to the front.

I don’t think I’ll ever get her to myself today, he thought miserably when suddenly he heard the song change and a collective gasp from the crowd followed by loud applause. He gaped in disbelief when he saw his wife grooving with a pimply teen to the tune of PYT, and to make matters worse, she appeared to enjoy it. “How dare you dance with anyone else besides me?” he said as he hauled her angrily into his arms.

You don’t own me!

I think I do…very much so!

She tried to elude his grasp but found him too agile and determined.

“Not too shabby for a guy who spends most of his time in front of the computer. You are a revelation, Mr. Grey. Now you better feed me something cold or else I’ll melt into the sidewalk!” she said, all flushed and hot.

They had ice cream at a place he knew. She chose raspberry and cream while he requested his float to be spiked with generous dollops of rum, which the proprietor kept hidden under the counter just as Eric had told him. He took all his girlfriends there.

***

Venice Beach.

“Did you come here to show me couples necking on the sand?” she asked, giggling.

Blast! She sounds more drunk than me! Shaan thought, feeling stone-cold sober.

“No, I brought you here so you could walk barefoot. Sand is good for achy feet.”

“Shut up and stop making excuses, Shaan!” She laughed before darting away on the famed boardwalk, deftly avoiding the scores of avid skateboarders.

What does she mean? Does she know how I feel?

He cursed himself, following slowly behind, looking toward the horizon for inspiration and not finding any; the sun had set awhile ago.

“Sorry!” he muttered, nearly stumbling over a couple who were indeed “necking on the sand.” What could be going on in their minds?

The girl I’m sure believes herself to be in love while the guy…I bet he doesn’t even know her name. He chuckled.

Gawd! Is that what Ruhi takes me to be? A rake who would dump her soon after he has had his fill? Damnit! I bet that’s it. I need to set her mind right, but how?

His eyes scouted earnestly for her white figure. Where the hell has she disappeared?

“Ruhi! Holy crap! Are you out of your bloody mind!”

After a harrowing search for what seemed like an eternity, he came upon her standing waist deep in the warm waters, her arms stretched out in front as though reaching for someone.

“I’m not suicidal if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said, trying to flick away the restricting hand he had placed on her shoulder. “It just feels so good when the sand erodes beneath your feet and the sea slowly pulls you toward her, like a mother calling to her child.”

“It all sounds very cool, but in reality, this is how most imbeciles like you lose their lives! It’s called oceanic current darling, and it’s simply ruthless!” he hollered, roughly dragging her back to safety.

I’m certain I’m marked for premature death, but dying happy is always better than dying lonely, he agonized as she wrenched herself from his grasp.

“You called me an idiot!”

“Of the first order!”

She blundered away in a huff.

“Ruhi?”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Fine then, Bee. Anyhow, it fits you better,” he mumbled. Then, in a barely audible whisper, which the wind carried to her ear, he said, “Please, shall we call it quits now? My heart can’t take it anymore.”

In response, he was bestowed a dazzling smile, and her arms reached out to him. Her eyes sparkled with something he dared not guess.

They walked side-by-side, hand in hand on the beach, stealing furtive glances of each other, wondering, hoping, wishing.

“Shaan?” She stopped in her tracks and took a step, bridging the void between them.

“Yes?” He waited holding his breath.

“Let’s perchance imagine for just one moment that the world as we know it was coming to an end tomorrow.” I don’t know why I’m saying this, but I don’t care. Perhaps the sea is affecting me.

“What do you mean, Ruhi? Nothing like that is going to happen.”

“What is the last thing you’d want to do before you die?” she persisted, peering up into his eyes, her face gleaming ethereal in the moonlight.

I’d want to make mad love to you if it’s the last thing I do! He pulled her in to his arms, defying her to read his mind, battling against his instincts.

Yes, that’s what I’d want, too. Her hands reached up to clutch at his shirt, finding comfort in the heat that radiated from his skin and closed her eyes wishing the moment would never end.

But it’s the only thing he wants from you, Ruhi.

A sob escaped her mouth as she pushed him away.

“Don’t you dare run from me!” he yelled, pulling her back. “Stop playing these ridiculous mind games. Say what you wish to say right now and get it over with. Scream, shout, or even hit me! Just let it all out, Ruhi, just do it!”

Damn those lips are begging to be saved, he thought as their faces drifted closer and their breaths mingled…raspberries and cream. Her mouth parted; she felt drawn to him like a magnet.

Almost there. Now give it to him, Ruhi, let him have it!

She broke away, laughing while her chest ached. “I was jesting, Shaan. Who cares about what happens tomorrow? Let’s go home.”

He gazed after her in stunned disbelief. I’ll have you, then I will kill you—if it’s the last thing I do.