| |
Pratibha
Pratibha checked her email soon after the computer booted. Sai Krishna had sent a team meeting and the subject was about awarding the best performing member and giving goodies to the remaining members. Her heart raced as she confirmed her attendance. She read the remaining emails related to her project and then walked to the meeting room.
Sai Krishna was seated along with his team members. Pratibha went and sat at the table.
“Once again, congratulations to everyone,” Sai Krishna said, smiling. “Our customer is happy to have the product developed by us. And thank you for working so hard to make it a success.”
“We can't wait to know who is getting the award.” A team member said.
“Oh, yeah. I'm coming to that point.” He took out a white envelope from his bag and ran his eyes over all his team members. “I’m going to announce the award. And goodies for everyone else.” He pulled out a letter from the envelope. "The best performance award goes to Pratibha.”
The team members cheered in unison. “Thank you so much.” Pratibha took a small trophy from Sai Krishna and a certificate. “I achieved this because of your encouragement. Thank you all.”
He distributed an envelope of goodies to each of the team members. It included a check of twenty-five thousand rupees. “I suggest you consider Pratibha as your role model and follow in her footsteps. I’m sure you all will work hard once again to make the new project a success.”
She needed to tell him about her travel plans. "I'm leaving for Bangalore this Sunday night.” She looked at Simran. “What are your plans?”
“I too am leaving for Mumbai this Sunday.”
He nodded. “You can leave. I know you’re eager to see your parents and loved ones.”
Pratibha smiled. "Thank you, Sai."
“I forced you to work on weekends and didn't allow you to go to your homes because I wanted to see this moment. You would’ve lost your dedication if you had taken time off often.”
Pratibha thought of hosting a party along with Simran. She needed to invite him and her teammates. Even though she was unhappy with Rahul for not answering her calls, she needed to remain cheerful until she went to Bangalore and found out what’s really wrong with him.
She plastered a smile on her face and said,” Simran and I would like to host a party this Saturday.” She turned to Sai Krishna. ”I hope you’re available on that day.”
“Wow,” he said. "I’ll make myself available, even though I’m busy” Sai smiled. “Is your boyfriend, Rahul attending?”
Pratibha’s chest constricted. What should she tell him? “Well, he may not because he visited Hyderabad a few days ago.”
“But you can insist, right?” Simran asked.
Pratibha lowered her gaze and remained silent. She hoped Simran would understand as she knew Rahul was not answering her calls.
“How about you, Simran,” Sai Krishna said. “Is your fiancé coming here?”
“Yes, he is picking me up and taking me to Mumbai.”
“It’s good to know,” he said. “I look forward to seeing him at the party.”
Before adjourning the meeting, Sai Krishna insisted Pratibha and Simran be part of his team for the upcoming project.
Pratibha opened her flat door and entered along with Simran. Her mind was clouded with Rahul’s silence. She wanted him to attend tomorrow’s party and she hoped he would answer her call.
Simran collapsed on a smaller couch. “At last, we’re free from our duties.” She heaved a sigh. “Your suggestion to host a party in a Punjab restaurant is well thought out. We can taste some north Indian food there.”
She nodded. She was not in a mood to discuss; she needed to call Rahul.
Simran stared at her with a ''what's-the-matter' expression on her face. "Are you depressed for some reason?”
“Um- no. I’m all right.”
Simran seemed dissatisfied with Pratibha’s answer. “Let me know so that I can help you.”
“Well.” Pratibha drew in a heavy breath and tried to gather enough courage. “Rahul is still not answering my phone calls.”
“Did you try today?”
“Yes. He is not picking up his phone.” She took her phone from her purse. “Let me try now.” She tapped on Rahul’s name and turned on the speaker. The phone rang and rang. No answer.
Simran suggested she try from her phone. When she did, Rahul didn’t answer either.
“Do you know anyone in Bangalore who can meet up with him or track him down?” Simran asked.
“I’ve told Usha to tell me if she sees him on her college campus. She had seen him there a couple of times in the last two months.”
“What if Usha goes to his home?”
Pratibha too thought of sending Usha to Rahul’s home. But ego stopped her from doing so. After dating for two years, Rahul shouldn’t have behaved so. Anger coursed through Pratibha's soul.
“I’m going to Bangalore on Sunday and meeting him, anyway. I don’t want to send Usha there alone.”
“But, you need to act fast. You had told me Rahul wanted you to speak to your parents soon. He might lose interest in you otherwise.”
"Yes, I will." Pratibha stared down, her heart sank.
"I hope you’re not hurt by what I suggested to you.”
“You’re correct in saying so. Maybe, he has some other reason for not answering my calls and I’m hopeful that we'll be together again soon.”
"That's good. Stay positive and I'm sure you'll be happy to see him next week.”
Pratibha remembered Murali. He wanted to take their friendship one step ahead. He was as handsome as Rahul and worked as a Software Engineer. Had she not dated Rahul, she would’ve accepted Murali’s proposal. She hoped Murali was still open to their union. But she had faith in Rahul that he wouldn’t betray her.
She cleared her throat. “I’m planning to invite Murali and Prakash to the party.”
Simran’s face lit with a smile. She seemingly admired her decision to continue her friendship with Murali. “Sure. Why not? They would be glad to see you at the party.”
Pratibha called Murali and Prakash and invited them to attend. It was an opportunity for her to hint to Murali that she was still interested in continuing their friendship.
The party hall was decorated with colorful balloons and differently colored streamers. It was also lit with moderately soft fluorescent lights. The smell of masala food which was placed on the burners wafted in the air.
Inside the party hall, Pratibha welcomed Sai Krishna and his family along with Murali and Prakash. Sai Krishna wore a grey suit and dark blue tie which matched his sky blue shirt. His wife looked beautiful in her green silk sari. His two daughters looked pretty in their shining salwar kameez.
Murali, in his navy blue blazer and neatly combed black hair, appeared handsome. His cleanly shaven face and neatly cut mustache shone in the fluorescent lights. Prakash wore formal attire – a white checkered shirt and khaki pants.
Simran was busy speaking with her colleagues along with her fiancé. Though Pratibha was disappointed by Rahul’s absence, she became cheerful after seeing Murali and Prakash.
“Hi, Sai.” Pratibha approached him.
“Hey, Pratibha.” Sai Krishna smiled, chewing his food. He told his wife and daughter that Pratibha got an outstanding performance award.
“I wouldn’t have worked so hard without your encouragement,” Pratibha said.
“It’s my role to encourage my team members and you really performed well.”
His wife cleared his throat. “He told me about you and Simran often ever since this project started.” She mixed a piece of rotis with dal. "Are you eager to go back to your hometown?”
Pratibha nodded her agreement.
“I wish you all the best,” she said.
“What are you both studying?” Pratibha looked at Sai Krishna’s daughters.
They told her about their engineering course. Pratibha exchanged a few more words before she went to Murali.
“Hello, Murali.” She smiled. “Hi, Prakash.”
Murali finished chewing his food and said, “Hi. Thanks for the invitation.”
Prakash smiled.
“It’s my pleasure to see you both here,” she said. “How is your health, Murali?”
“I’m doing all right,” he said. “Thanks to you and Prakash for helping me recover.”
“It’s your determination that helped you to recover," she said. "You really gave us a scare. We want you around.”
She decided to change the topic and upbeat their mood. “How is your stay with your brother and mother? I hope you’re more comfortable living with them.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said. ”I’m feeling far better now. But I’m missing you in the evenings.”
She blushed. She was feeling attracted towards him in the two weeks ever since Rahul stopped answering her calls. Am I really attracted to Murali? Should I hint to him that I'm interested in him? But she still loved Rahul.
She needed to make Murali feel better about his missing evening rendezvous. “Don’t worry. You’ll be more comfortable with your loved ones at your home. Time is the best medicine for the injuries of the soul.”
Prakash nodded. "I agree with you.” He stared at Pratibha for a few moments. “Why isn't Rahul not attending the party?”
Pratibha’s pulse quickened. Prakash’s question had really put her in a tight spot. “Well, he had recently visited Hyderabad and is busy with his project work.” She couldn’t help but lie.
Murali darted his gaze between Pratibha and Prakash. Was he feeling hopeful about his proposal to her?
“Murali," she said, "I’ll be in touch with you even after going to Bangalore. You don’t need to worry about our friendship.”
“I'd really like that,” he said.
It was just before ten at night when Pratibha returned to her flat. She was a bit ashamed to face the invitees without Rahul. A sense of anger also clouded her mind.
Her cell phone rang. It was Usha.
With her heart pounding in her ribcage, Pratibha grabbed the phone and hit the green button.
"Hello, Akka."
"Hey, Usha. What's the matter? You called so late in the night."
"How can I-" Usha stopped short of words.
Pratibha grew curious. She gritted her teeth. "Yes, tell me. What's the matter?"
"I saw Rahul on his bike with Kamini seated behind him."
"Where did you see him?"
"Near our house when I was returning home from my evening tuition classes."
"Oh, no."