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VIVEK
Vivek came back to his home, humiliated after he met Ranjit and Snehal at Kamat. He shouldn’t have joined them and disturbed their privacy. He made a mistake. No doubt Snehal invited him because she hated Ranjit. Why had she avoided conveying her disinterest to Ranjit? Maybe, she was worried about her parents and didn’t want to disappoint them.
His mother approached while Vivek unlaced his shoes.
“I’m sorry for coming a bit late.” He sat on the couch.
“I have prepared dinner. You can have it before you go to bed.”
“I told you. Snehal called me to join her at Kamat.” Vivek heaved a sigh. “We had snacks a while ago.”
His mother approached him and looked at his face with her brows arched. “You’re looking so tired. Was everything okay at the meeting?”
“Um—-” Vivek stumbled for words.
“Tell me,” Prabha said, her tone insisting.
Vivek straightened. “Yes, I had a good time with her.” He couldn’t help lying.
His mother’s lips curved into a smile. She was no doubt interested in making an alliance with Snehal. There were many reasons why his mother liked Snehal. She worked with him, and she was beautiful. Snehal was well educated like Vivek and suited to him.
Should Vivek tell his mother about Snehal’s engagement? She wouldn’t be disappointed when she became aware of the fact early. Vivek didn’t want his mother to daydream and build fantasies about his union with Snehal.
“Was there any reason you both met at Kamat?” Prabha asked.
“Um... we discussed the next plan of action for our business. We need to find different marketing strategies to stay in this competitive market.”
“What have you guys thought about?”
“We need to upgrade our teaching skills and introduce the latest subjects,” Vivek said. “We may need to visit Bangalore after this semester.”
“I like that you both are working together to achieve your common goal.” His mother ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m happy for Snehal’s cooperation with you. You have found a good partner.”
“Yes, Mum. I agree with you.” He too was happy to see his mother happy about his success. Even if he didn’t earn much out of his business, he needed to ensure his mother stayed contented.
Vivek freshened and slipped into a night suit. The book rack containing his old technical books reminded him how hard he had worked during the four years to pass engineering courses with distinction grades. He often competed with Arjun to get a better score, but Arjun always scored well.
The trophy in the showcase caught his attention. Arjun had been a good partner in table tennis and they had won the state-level championships. Vivek was close to Arjun even after their graduation because they shared common interests in their studies and sports.
His cell phone rang and Snehal’s image lit the screen. It was an odd time for her to call him. Perhaps, she was interested in talking about their meeting at Kamat. She might request for help to avoid Ranjit as her partner. But Vivek didn’t want to get humiliated again by mediating between her and Ranjit.
The phone rang until the end, and Vivek sighed with relief. He wanted to unwind after a hectic day. But to his surprise, it rang for the second time. Vivek didn’t want to disappoint her. No doubt Snehal needed to discuss something important. He grabbed the phone and answered.
“Vivek, I’m very sorry,” Snehal said, her tone soft. “Please try to forget what happened at Kamat.” She coughed. “I never anticipated Ranjit would be so harsh with you. I am equally hurt by his behavior.”
“Snehal,” Vivek said. “I was calm because Ranjit is your fiancé. Had you not mediated, I would have given a befitting reply to him.”
His breath slowed down, and chest lightened. Snehal liked him; otherwise, she would not have called him soon after going home.
“Are you angry at me, Vivek?”
“No, I’m not.” Vivek didn’t want to express his disappointment. “And don’t worry about me. Whatever has happened has happened. We should try to forget.”
“Now, you know how short-tempered Ranjit is, correct?” Snehal said with her tone elated. “I never liked his angry and uneducated behavior.”
Vivek remained silent. He didn’t want to say anything related to Ranjit. He would avoid meeting him again and his silence would make Snehal realize it.
“Vivek, Please help me get out of the relationship with him.” Snehal coughed. “I’m sure you won’t disappoint me.”
“Don’t worry.” Vivek sounded assuring. “I will do my best to help you. I will talk to Arjun tonight and plan something.”
“Thanks, Vivek.”
Vivek ended the call. He collapsed on the bed, pondering about Snehal’s objective. She was going against her parents’ wishes without anybody else’s support. It was the reason why she sought Vivek’s help. He hoped Snehal had some plan for her future, and she was working towards it.
He did agree that Ranjit was short-tempered and misbehaved. Ranjit had a reason to act that way as Vivek intruded on their privacy. But Vivek still wasn’t convinced why Snehal hated Ranjit. It would be better for her if she agreed to her parent's suggestions.
Maybe, she is interested in me. But she hasn’t explicitly proposed to me. I would wait and watch how things will open up in the next few weeks.
After dinner, Vivek tuned his Bose system to a local FM station. A regional song soothed his mind; he relaxed on the bed. His phone rang, and an unknown number lit the screen. Who might it be at this time? He decided not to answer. After a couple of minutes, the phone rang again. Vivek answered.
“Hey, Vivek,” the man said, his tone shaky.
The voice was familiar. Ranjit?
“Hi, Ranjit. How are you?” Vivek didn’t want to be harsh.
“Hey, I’m all right, man.” Ranjit cleared his throat. “Where are you now?”
Ranjit sounded drunk. He had called at such an odd time. Was he intending to argue over their skirmish at Kamat?
“Just relaxing,” Vivek said, composing himself. “Where are you calling from?”
“Can you come to the Galaxy bar?” Ranjit coughed. “I want to meet you.”
Vivek’s stomach hardened. He pondered whether to meet him or avoid. Ranjit was drunk. Vivek needed to avoid another impending clash. “It’s already late, Ranjit.” He crossed his legs. “Can we talk over the phone?”
“Are you scared of coming out in the night?” Ranjit said his tone challenging.
“It’s not that-” Vivek sounded harsh. His blood rushed to his face.
“Why don’t you meet me, then?”
Vivek went to the balcony, pondering. Better he would meet Ranjit and get to know his side of the story. Maybe, Snehal was wrong in hating him, and Vivek should convince her to remain in the alliance. Their union would free Vivek from facing Ranjit’s anger and future animosities even though he liked Snehal. It was no good loving someone who was already engaged. He would forego her for everyone’s betterment's sake.
“I’ll be there soon.” Vivek ended the call.
He slipped into black jeans and a dark blue T-shirt and went to the living room. His mother was watching a TV series. She looked at him with her brows narrowed.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Mum.” Vivek hated lying to his mother, but he couldn’t stop.
“Where are you going?”
“Um...I’ll meet my friend and come back soon.” Vivek rushed towards the door.
He steered the car outside the parking lot. It was dark, and the traffic was light; a few buses and taxi cars were headed down the street.
He parked his vehicle outside the bar premises and entered. The smell of alcohol and fried masala greeted him.
His eyes searched for Ranjit inside the dimly lit hall. A man in the corner waved at Vivek. It was Ranjit, seated beside a man in a pale blue shirt. Two glasses sat on the table, filled with whiskey.
Ranjit waved Vivek a seat opposite him; he was intoxicated, and his eyes were reddened; his chest wavered with his breath increased .
Vivek too breathed hard but composed himself as he sat on the chair.
“What would you like to drink?” Ranjit asked. “A beer? Or whiskey.”
“No, thanks.” Vivek shrugged.
“Meet my colleague, Prakash.” Ranjit turned to his friend.
Vivek shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Prakash seemed to be oblivious to the surroundings. He stared at the expanse, munched on snacks and took occasional sips of his whiskey. He too was heavily intoxicated.
Ranjit sipped his drink. “I want to know why you came to Kamat today.”
Vivek’s heart raced. “Well, it was Snehal who invited me.”
“We both are engaged and needed privacy.” Ranjit made another round of drinks. “Why didn’t you avoid coming there?”
“I’m sorry for whatever happened.” Vivek sputtered. He needed to act gingerly to find out Ranjit’s attitude towards Snehal. “How do you feel about Snehal? Do you really love her?”
Ranjit blushed. He took another sip. “It’s none of your business.” He shifted his gaze to Prakash and then back to Vivek. “I will talk to her and will make sure she never sees you again.”
Vivek’s heart sank. Ranjit didn’t have any respect for Snehal. What Snehal guessed was correct. Ranjit was indeed mean spirited. His face was blushed and eyes were reddened.
Better Vivek left before things went awry. “So, why did you call me here?”
“To caution you.” Ranjit popped a peanut in his mouth. “Never try to meet her again. You’ll face the consequences, otherwise.”
“Mr. Ranjit, you’ve mistaken me,” Vivek said, his voice raised. “We work together, and don’t have any intimacy between us.”
“I’m going to tell her not to work with you.” Snehal sounded harsh. “And you must stop seeing her.”
Ranjit’s words pricked Vivek’s ears. It was likely that Vivek would lose Snehal. She had been very helpful in the progress of their business. But Ranjit was determined and he would go to any extent to break his friendship with her.
“Well, let her decide about it.” Vivek avoided his eye contact. “I don’t have any objections.”
“I know,” Ranjit scowled. “You’ve brainwashed Snehal and made her act according to your wishes. I don’t want you to go near her.”
Vivek needed to be cautious. Ranjit was influential and might harm him and his beloved ones. “I won’t force her to work for my institution.”
“That makes sense.”
But Vivek had promised Snehal he would help her from the clutches of Ranjit and her parents. He needed to know Ranjit’s interest in her. “Do you really love Snehal?”
Ranjit rose, his nostrils flared. “I told you already it’s none of your business.”
Vivek sensed something wrong with Ranjit. Before Ranjit reached Vivek’s collar, Vivek held Ranjit’s hand and twisted it towards his face. Ranjit's friend stood up and sat Ranjit back.
Vivek corrected his shirt. “You will have a bad time.” He muttered and walked towards the door. Ranjit yelled at him as Vivek went out of the hall.
He drove back home, pondering. Yet another humiliation he faced on that day. Ranjit behaved rather boorish. Vivek’s innocence had got him in trouble for the second time. However, he would bear all the trouble for Snehal’s sake; she had worked hard to make their venture a success. He didn’t want to lose her, but Ranjit might spoil his plans by forbidding Snehal to work. Vivek would seek Arjun’s help if Ranjit acted against his wishes.
His mother opened the door for him. “Whom did you meet?”
“Um...my friend called Ranjit.” Vivek avoided her gaze.
“Ranjit? You haven’t mentioned him before.”
“He was my colleague at Bangalore.” Guilt filled Vivek’s mind. He went to his room, saying he was feeling sleepy. He wanted to avoid his mother’s inquiries.
He needed to speak with Arjun before things went out of control. He collapsed on his bed and called him.
After they exchanged the pleasantries, Vivek said, “I met Ranjit today.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” Arjun said. “How is he?”
“Well, he was uncomfortable with my company when Snehal introduced to him at Kamat.”
“Why so?”
“He didn’t expect I would join them.” Vivek sat straight. “He needed some privacy.”
“That’s obvious. They are engaged, right?”
“But he acted rather unkind.” Vivek swapped the phone to his left hand. “And an hour back, he called and invited me to come to the Galaxy bar.”
“Did you go there?”
“Yes, and he tried to manhandle me.”
“My God. I’m very sorry to hear it.” Arjun paused then said, “You better be careful. I will speak with Snehal about the matter.”
“Yes. And I don’t want anything untoward to happen,” Vivek said. “I’ll speak with my uncle too to help solve Snehal’s problem.”
“Sure. We will talk to Snehal and Ranjit and sort out their problem,” Arjun said, his tone reassuring.