In a busy part of Mumbai, Rohan Sharma was trying to navigate the ramshackle Hyundai through a traffic snarl. The line of cars crawling at an agonizing speed stretched for over a kilometre. The heavy curtain of rain didn’t make things any easier.
‘Shit, we won’t make it on time,’ said his co-passenger, her hands shaking nervously as she lit the fifth cigarette that morning.
‘You’ve turned the car into a gas chamber. Stop smoking. It’s not good for either of us.’
‘Don’t preach!’ she snarled. ‘We would have reached on time if you had taken the other route.’
They were on their way to a director’s office for an audition. For the past few weeks Ekta had been making the rounds of television studios and directors’ offices in search of a role.
‘Taking the other route would mean extra kilometres. Petrol prices have gone up by another rupee and a half last night. You know I am low on funds right now.’
‘You are always low on funds.’ Her voice was bitter. ‘When was the last time you got paid for a job?’
‘There is no call for sarcasm,’ said Rohan, defensively. ‘It’s true, I haven’t been able to find an assignment, but I am likely to land a plum role very soon. That will force you to eat your words.’
‘I would love that,’ Ekta retorted.
Three years ago, when she fell prey to Rohan’s charms, she thought it was for keeps, but now she knew better. A future with him would be anything but rosy. The guy was a non-starter. Rohan, with his shock of wavy hair, light eyes and bulging muscles, was eye-candy, but he was also brash and selfish, with the hide of a rhinoceros. Years of doing the studio rounds failed to bring him stardom. All he managed to snare were a few fashion shows and some modelling assignments.
In a cut-throat arena, where being seen at the right places at the right time mattered significantly, he was vain enough to think that assignments would drop into his lap without any effort.
His fortune turned when Ramola invited him to move in with her. For a while, everything went smoothly. A few bit roles came his way as a result of her recommendations. They made a handsome couple, and people invited them to parties, premieres and events. Rohan basked in the limelight, mistaking the borrowed halo to be a sign of success. He grew arrogant and insufferable.
When Ramola proposed marriage, he agreed because he had grown addicted to good living. She earned and he blew the money. From cars, clothes and gadgets, he progressed to the race course, casinos and bars. And then, his eyes began straying. The nubile girls at parties were a tantalizing prospect.
Two years into the marriage, Ramola, fed up with his philandering, threw him out and the unrepentant husband moved in with Ekta, a small-time television star. To be fair, the girl managed to find side roles in a couple of soap operas, which kept the home fires burning. Persistent prodding by the girl led him to start his rounds of the studios, which resulted in him bagging a small role in a television serial.
‘How far are we?’ Ekta was getting impatient.
‘Relax. I am trying my best. We can’t fly over all those vehicles.’
‘How can I relax? I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. If I clear the audition, I will have enough work for the next year.’
‘There is no way you will make it to the studio on time,’ he declared flatly.
‘You’re such a laggard! No wonder Ramola threw you out. If I had any sense, I should do the same.’
The barb hurt. This was one territory that was off limits to everybody. He twisted around on his seat and slapped her. ‘Get out,’ he hissed. Stunned by the unexpected violence, she remained rooted to her seat. As soon as the initial shock wore off, she lashed out at him.
‘You think you can throw me out of my car? Just wait until we get home. I will be throwing you and your stuff out of my apartment.’
Immediately contrite, he tried to make amends. He couldn’t afford to be thrown out of Ekta’s house. He needed her more than she needed him. ‘Sorry darling, the traffic jam is stressing me out. Sweetheart, please, please, forgive me.’
The girl blinked away the brimming tears and stared stubbornly ahead. Her lips were pursed in a thin line and her jaw was set at a resolute angle. Rohan had lived with her long enough to recognize the signs. Ekta was a vindictive girl with a killer instinct. He knew he would have to suffer the consequences for his intemperance.
‘Won’t you forgive me, darling?’ he grovelled.
‘I neither forgive nor forget.’
‘I said I’m sorry,’ he repeated. Her obstinacy angered him. The beep of his phone interrupted their argument. Surprised, he stared at it. Hardly anyone ever called him these days. ‘It must be an acting offer,’ he muttered wishfully as he took the call.
‘Hi Rohan, this is Ramola.’ The familiar voice warmed his ear.
‘Hey Ra,’ his eyes sparkled with hope. Thrice in the past six months, he had sponged on her for money. He was hoping to extract some more to tide him over the current cash-crunch. ‘It must be telepathy. I’ve been thinking about you.’
Ekta ground her teeth, her face hardening further as she realized the identity of the caller.
‘Are you broke again?’ Ramola’s scorn made him squirm. ‘You won’t get it from me, this time. Try someone else.’
‘That’s unfair. Can’t I think of you? Does it always have to be about money?’ he wheedled.
‘It mostly is. Anyway, let’s not get into that debate. I’ll come directly to the point. I am organizing an exclusive weekend party on my birthday. I am sending you the travel tickets and a cheque to take care of your expenses. The details are in the email. I will be expecting you.’
It was a command, not a request. His face glowing with the anticipation of a holiday in the hills, he readily accepted her invitation. Things had not been well between him and Ekta for a while. ‘Of course, dear, I won’t miss it for anything in the world.’
‘…well, I am going to make a very important announcement. It may be of interest to you … and yes, you may bring that tart along.’
‘What tart? I only know an apple tart,’ he tried to make light of her statement.
‘Do you take me for a fool? I meant the woman you are living with.’
‘Darling, there are no tarts in my life. I am not living with anyone …’
He was speaking on a dead line. She had hung up.
‘You are going, aren’t you?’ Ekta asked, her voice dripping venom.
‘Of course, I’ll go,’ he sneered. ‘Only a minute ago you were threatening to throw me out, weren’t you? D’you think I have nowhere to go?’
‘You’ll be sorry if you go,’ she threatened.
‘I’ll be sorrier if I don’t go,’ he snarled back. ‘By the way, who are you to tell me what I should do and what I shouldn’t. You don’t own me.’
She punched him on his nose. Stunned, he hissed through his teeth, ‘just you wait until we get home.’
‘Asshole! Don’t you try to threaten me,’ she shouted.
Her reply didn’t bother him. Rohan Sharma’s heart was leaping with hope. An important announcement, which may be of immense interest to you … she had said. He was sure that she was seeking reconciliation. It had been a long time since he had had a vacation. The announcement had something to do with their marriage, he was sure, but what could it be?