Love Bi the Way

by Bhaavna Arora

Mann Singh came over with a server who offered Zara wine in an unusual fluted glass with a silver handle. The glass made the wine even more compelling.

  Zara was kept busy by Shaurya, which made Rihana very happy. A tinge of jealousy crept up because of all the attention the prince was bestowing on Zara, but it was overcome by the affection she was feeling for her friend. Moreover, Rihana wasn’t sure if she was jealous because of the prince or because of Zara.

  ‘So what’s your weapon, Major Shergill?’ Rihana asked, striking up a conversation with the army man. She found him attractive, second only to Shaurya, who was busy giving company to Zara. Rihana anyway wasn’t the kind of person who would wait for one person to notice her, especially when there were so many men she could get to know that evening.

  ‘I am on horses for the time being. I’m in the polo team of the Indian Army. I’ve been assigned to train Your Highness’s team. Handicap five,’ Shergill proudly said, trying to show off.

  Rihana smiled politely, which was a cue for the Major to go on.

  ‘But tell me one thing, do guns impress women?’ Shergill asked.

  ‘It’s like asking a man if a woman’s knowledge about polo will seduce him.’ Hearing this, Shergill laughed out loud and Rihana joined him.

  ‘So what seduces women?’ Shergill was leading Rihana to a game that she had mastered already.

  ‘Try sex as a weapon. Many women respond to intriguing men who are confident.’

  Their conversation was leading to an objective that perhaps both desired, when suddenly something slimy crawled over Rihana’s leg. She shook her leg and flung it away as reflex. It was a desert snake! When Rihana saw what it was, she fainted, only to be caught halfway by Major Shergill. Mann Singh took control over the situation by killing the snake.

  ‘Major Shergill, can you check if she has a snakebite on her leg?’ Zara said as she ran towards Rihana, and together they examined her. But they couldn’t find anything indicative of a snakebite. A doctor was called immediately, and Rihana, in the meantime, was carried to her room in Major Shergill’s arms, while Shaurya followed them with Zara. She would have perhaps enjoyed the moment had she not been unconscious. The doctor came in soon after and checked Rihana’s blood pressure—it was way below normal.

  ‘Rihana has a phobia of snakes,’ Zara said to the doctor.

  ‘I’ve given her a shot, she should be fine in some time. By the way, the condition she suffers from is called ophidiophobia—an abnormal fear of snakes. But there’s nothing to worry about.’ The doctor assured them that she’d be fine and, with a promise to visit again the next morning, he left.

  Zara sat beside Rihana, and Shaurya sat on a chair next to the bed in her room. Shergill stood outside the door. They all waited for Rihana to regain consciousness. Zara would not be at peace till she saw Rihana was fine.

  After what seemed like ages—but was actually only about an hour—Rihana finally opened her eyes. She looked at Zara and said, ‘So how does the role reversal feel?’ Zara only smiled, thanking heaven that Rihana was fine.

  Rihana had the ability to lighten any serious situation with her indomitable spirit. And she was doing just that here as well. She had noticed Shaurya in the room, but was determined not to pay much attention to him till he was completely focused on her.

  ‘Hope you’re feeling better now?’ Shaurya asked Rihana, who nodded in response. She heard some noises from outside her room and asked Zara what it was about. She told Rihana that the others from the party were waiting outside the room to find out if she was okay.

  Overwhelmed with the concern shown, Rihana tried to sit up, but was unable to do so, and felt weak and drained.

  ‘You can rest if you want, Rihana. We will have dinner served for both of you in the room itself. You have a long day tomorrow,’ Shaurya suggested. But Rihana insisted they continue with their dinner. Shaurya would have none of it and dinner was laid inside the palace, as per instructions. Shergill, Zara, Shaurya and Rihana ate indoors, while the rest of the party enjoyed the bonfire and delicacies from the palace kitchen.

  ‘I didn’t know a person could be that scared of snakes. You seem to have a morbid fear of them,’ Shergill said, looking quite shaken.

  Rihana felt a little weak, but her smile and radiance hadn’t faded a wee bit.

  After dessert, Zara called it a night as she wanted Rihana to rest. The inauguration the next day would sap a lot of energy out of her anyway. Rihana, on the other hand, wanted more of everything going on in the party—except that snake.

  7

  Royally Loved

  When morning came, Rihana was back in the pink of health. She felt well-rested, and the events of the previous night had conveniently taken a back seat. At the given time, they were driven with the royal entourage to the cancer institute, the main reason why they were in Jodhpur.

  The Maharani inaugurated the hospital in the presence of a handful of press people and many eminent local persons and citizens. There were no chief guests as the Maharani considered the common folk to be more esteemed. This was an institute meant for the welfare of the people and she did not want any politics around it.

  When it was time to declare the institute open to citizens, the Maharani gestured for Rihana to step forward. Rihana was delighted that the Maharani had remembered her and given her the honour of sharing the limelight with her for a noble cause, at such a prestigious gathering. At the Maharani’s insistence, they cut the ribbons together. Zara beamed with pride as she watched her friend take centre stage.

  But this was not all! There was more attention in store as they walked into the institute. Rihana had not known that her painting was going to be unveiled as a part of the ceremony! The Maharani hoisted the velvet drape to reveal the painting to the public for the first time. The press and the shutterbugs went into a tizzy, and Rihana got more than her fair share of photographs and sound bites.

  The institute administrator gave them a tour of the facility. They saw that the hospital was state of the art, boasting all the latest equipment from around the world. The girls could tell that the Maharani had spared no expense on this project. Impressed, Rihana asked, ‘Your Highness, this facility must have cost a fortune. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how much did it actually cost?’

  ‘No money can compensate for the suffering caused by this dreadful disease, Rihana. I didn’t tell you when I met you in Delhi, but I auctioned your painting as a fundraiser for the project. There are many generous business tycoons who want to do more for society, but simply do not have the time. And they trust us to deliver. The bid for your painting started at one crore rupees, but I will not tell you what the benefactor eventually paid for it. In fact, the owner of the painting will be coming to collect it today.’

  Rihana had no idea that her painting could have sold for so much money—that too for a charitable cause! Overwhelmed, she had tears in her eyes. ‘I am honoured, Your Highness. I feel so fortunate to have been able to contribute in some way.’

  ‘Success brings complacency, and I don’t want your brushstrokes to slow down,’ the Maharani said with a smile that emanated wisdom.

  ‘Success is not always measured by money, Your Highness. And I will remember your words and keep going.’ Rihana was a more evolved person now compared to the time when she was measuring Saif’s success with the money he made.

  ‘Trust me, Rihana, in today’s world, money is the ISO standard to measure success. And the world can malign the purest of souls.’

  ‘I only captured some colours from a dying body on my canvas, but you showed it light and gave it a soul. I must salute you.’

  ‘It’s nothing, Rihana. After all, it is considered fashionable for celebrities to be charitable.’ Both the girls smiled at the Maharani’s humility, as both knew that that day was nothing like a typical celebrity charity event.

  ‘And it was your artwork that inspired me to do some good work,’ the Maharani confessed.

  The media broke up their little
mutual admiration society as they wanted a few more pictures and sound bites.

  ‘There are plenty who are born with a silver spoon, but very few have big plans that encompass all of mankind. The Maharani is a person with big plans, and this institute will go a long way in giving succour and aid to families in need. It is such an immense pleasure to be a part of this project in this way. And I thank the Maharani wholeheartedly for this!’ Rihana was short and crisp.

  The Maharani’s speech was even shorter. ‘Rihana showed me the path to kindness through her painting. Her art was a catalyst for this project, and one of the mediums through which we could attain this dream. The construction is still on for its expansion, but for now, the centre is open to those suffering from cancer and cannot afford expensive treatments.’

  ‘Your Highness, how will you sustain such a white elephant with the rising number of cancer patients?’ one of the media persons asked.

  ‘We will ask Rihana to make more paintings,’ the Maharani said with a smile, and dispersed the media to proceed for lunch with the guests.

  Rihana fell back a little, looking for Zara.

  ‘This is amazing, Rihana! I hope you are able to see what great things you can achieve with your art. This is just the tip of the iceberg!’ Zara said, hugging Rihana.

  Rihana hugged her back and whispered in her ear, ‘I had no idea, Zara, that this day would turn out so amazing. I could never have imagined that art could, in such a tangible and practical manner, do so much for the world too.’ Zara smiled at her and patted her shoulder. Rihana bent forward conspiratorially and said, ‘Will you come with me to the washroom?’

  ‘Nooo! The last time is still fresh in my mind. You and your juvenile delinquent act. I was so embarrassed while I was waiting outside with the other women and you made a pissing noise to help you pee. That is definitely not happening in such a distinguished place!’ Zara said.

  ‘No, silly! The laces of my boots have come untied. I need you to tie them,’ she said, looking at Zara with puppy eyes and sounding more child than woman.

  Zara shook her head at Rihana’s behaviour and asked her, ‘Why are you wearing boots with shoelaces in the first place when you don’t know how to tie laces? What if I wasn’t here now? What then?’

  ‘But you are here! And these boots really match my dress and the occasion. And it’s not that I don’t know how to tie shoelaces—of course I do,’ Rihana protested.

  Zara knew she was lying through her teeth, but she also gauged from something in her tone that this was a sensitive topic with Rihana. She didn’t pass any more comments. Instead, she bent down and tied the laces with Rihana looking rather embarrassed.

  ‘Couldn’t we do this in the washroom? If any media person sees this, I will be in the headlines, “An international painter who can’t tie shoelaces”,’ hissed Rihana, sounding mortified and glancing around nervously to see if anyone was looking at them.

  ‘You’ve made me do more embarrassing things than this, Ri. It’s just that you’re in your senses today,’ Zara said, looking up at her.

  ‘You don’t miss an opportunity to wind me up, do you!’ Rihana protested in a childlike tone.

  ‘Why would I? I feel your problems are bigger than mine: you’re scared of snakes, you can’t tie your own shoelaces despite knowing how to tie them and you have an alcohol problem. I think you need a shrink more than I do.’

  ‘Alcohol is not a problem, it’s a solution,’ Rihana said confidently.

  Zara wondered how it was that Rihana had learnt to defend the poison that was consuming her even in her most vulnerable moments. ‘Can I make a request, Rihana?’ Zara kept her hands on her knees and propped herself up.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Please don’t drink here. One mistake and the media will tear you apart. All the good work that you’ve done will go down the drain.’ Zara wanted Rihana to be careful about her profession and reputation, both of which were dependent on each other.

  ‘Zara, the media has just created me. They won’t destroy me so soon.’

  ‘For once, can you please just take what I am saying seriously?’

  ‘All right, all right! I won’t drink. Now let’s go and join them for lunch. I’m hungry.’

  Rihana and Zara walked towards their reserved table and took their seats. The Maharani was attending to the other guests.

  ‘Is that Shamita walking towards us?’ Rihana asked, hoping to avoid the emerging figure.

  ‘That sculptor?’ Zara asked, fork stopping in mid-air.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Hmm . . . Yes, I think that’s her.’

  ‘Why is she here?’

  ‘The Maharani has invited all the well-known artists of the country so that they can get some inspiration and make some artistic contributions. Your Manoj Khurrana is also here. Businessmen, CEOs—even that Bollywood hero Sheik Khan—they are all a part of this. It’s huge, Rihana.’

  ‘How do you know so much?’

  ‘Umm . . . the prince mentioned it,’ Zara said, colouring a little.

  ‘Oh yes! I forgot to tease the shit out of you. Someone was getting a lot of attention last night. Is he genuinely interested?’

  ‘Even if he is, he can’t do anything about it. I’m not blue-blooded.’

  ‘Come on, we all bleed red.’

  ‘You know what I’m talking about, Rihana.’

  ‘Do you like him?’

  ‘He is the first man I’ve spoken to in the longest time, if we don’t count Kanhaiya.’ Giggling, they both stood up to go get some more food.

  Zara noticed that Rihana was visibly wary of Shamita. ‘Why are you avoiding Shamita?’ she asked, curious.

  ‘Because every time she must be having sex with her husband, using a condom, I’m sure she’ll be thinking of me.’

  ‘Whattt! That is so weird. Does she have a kinky thing for you? Why would she think of you while having sex with her husband? I can imagine her husband thinking of you—that is, if you have met him already.’

  ‘I have met them both,’ said Rihana, turning 180 degrees as she saw Shamita approaching her.

  ‘This is silly, Rihana. You are an adult. Start acting like one! Why would you avoid Shamita?’

  ‘Nothing major. I made this silly remark in passing once,’ she said, looking sheepish.

  ‘Oh, come on! I don’t believe a word you say. Did you do her husband?’

  ‘Come on, Zara! Then the joke would’ve been on me.’ Zara sniggered at Rihana’s remark.

  While Rihana was trying to escape Shamita, she noticed Shaurya looking at Zara—first, from the corner of his eye, then directly. Rihana nudged Zara and said, ‘Look at him admiring you.’ Rihana gave a nod of acknowledgement to Shaurya; he responded in a similar manner and approached them.

  ‘So what if one man took you for granted, Zara! Clearly, this one deeply desires you. He can’t take his eyes off you and is heading this way as we speak,’ Rihana whispered discreetly.

  ‘I wasn’t “taken for granted”. He was gay and didn’t bother to inform me,’ Zara clarified.

  ‘Same thing!’ Rihana said, shrugging her shoulders.

  ‘So how are the pretty ladies doing?’ Shaurya said, coming up from behind them.

  ‘Well, it’s a lovely afternoon, and your mother has made it even lovelier with all the arrangements,’ Zara replied before Rihana could say anything.

  ‘I didn’t know you have such a phobia of snakes, Rihana,’ Shaurya said.

  Zara looked at Rihana; her eyes half pleading, half threatening her to not crack any silly jokes. Rihana looked away from Zara and said, ‘It’s from my childhood days.’

  ‘Is it circumstantial?’ Shaurya asked curiously.

  ‘My life is circumstantial, Shaurya, not my fears. This one is inherent. I think it runs in my family.’

  ‘I hope you overcome this fear though. It can be pretty crippling,’ Shaurya said, meaning well.

  As Shaurya turned to Zara, Rihana’s phone buzzed. She answered and,
after listening for a moment, said, ‘But when? . . . How is he now? . . . Since the time we left? . . . Oh my God! Okay, I’ll take the first flight home.’

  ‘Everything okay?’ Zara asked hurriedly. She had never seen Rihana flustered, let alone visibly upset like she was looking now.

  ‘Tiger is not eating and seems to be acutely depressed,’ Rihana blabbered.

  ‘Who is Tiger?’ Shaurya was confused.

  ‘That’s our dog,’ Zara answered.

  ‘I’ll have to book my tickets for the first flight to Delhi,’ Rihana said, anxiety written all over her face.

  ‘Don’t you worry. I will have that arranged for you right away.’ Shaurya called for Mann Singh and gave him instructions to do the needful.

  ‘The situation is such that I cannot stop you. It’s a pity you won’t be able to stay. We will miss you guys at the polo match tomorrow,’ Shaurya said, disappointed at the turn of events.

  ‘I so wanted to stay too. But Tiger won’t eat without me, so it’s really important for me to return home. But Zara can stay here for the polo match. I can take care of Tiger,’ said Rihana.

  ‘I’ll come with you, Rihana.’ Zara wasn’t quite ready to be left alone—or to let Rihana go alone.

  ‘You’ll be fine. Shaurya will take care of you and it’s just a matter of two days. You enjoy the hospitality here. I’ll see you in two days.’ She kissed Zara on the cheek and got into the car to gather her belongings from the palace and leave for the airport. She was sure Mann Singh would manage her tickets without any difficulty. Rihana left for the airport in some time while Shaurya gave company to Zara.

  Zara didn’t get a chance to respond in the whole confusion, but she went with the flow. Moreover, Shaurya wanted her to stay back.

  They met again in the evening for dinner and Shaurya inquired in detail about Zara’s business. He was very impressed by the fact that a young girl was managing a business that had a turnover worth crores.

  ‘You’re very young to deal with so much,’ Shaurya said, admiring Zara.

  ‘I’ve dealt with much more. This is just business.’ Zara was candid.