Last Man She'd Love

by Summerita Rhayne

  ‘Oh, you aren’t an atheist, I hope. Having a sage as an aunt, I couldn’t bend in that direction.’ She glanced at Vinita and said softly, ‘I don’t believe in attending satsung and sermons at the drop of the hat. I consider religion to be the freedom of the inner spirit.’ She expounded the topic without seeming to be aware that no one was interested in hearing her views except maybe Vinita and even in her case, it wasn’t interest. Lyna glanced at her in concern as a flash of anger came into her eyes at Tasha’s condescending air.

  Her hope that Vinita wouldn’t respond, trembled like a dry leaf and blew away as her mother said, ‘Well, it surprises me that you condemn the very sermons your aunt holds if you’re so impressed by her devotion.’

  Tasha’s eyes opened wide. ‘But I don’t mean any disrespect to her. People who have nothing to do flock to her and really, it’s better to remember Divinity than twiddle your thumbs that a lot of people who don’t go around in the society seem to do. Of course, don’t take that personally,’ she added hastily.

  Vinita took it very personally; that was obvious indeed. She flushed and visibly bristled.

  ‘Going about in the society is highly overrated. Speaking for myself, I love a quiet time at home.’ Guy’s timely interruption defused the situation. Or did it just hold it at bay? His request to have another helping of kebabs succeeded in diverting Vinita from the warpath.

  Dinner proceeded with currents underneath that would have done the Pacific proud. Her mother was offensive and defensive by turns. Tasha presided over the conversation like a queen. Vinita looked discernibly resentful that she was ignored while the outsiders monopolized Guy for a full ten minutes. Lyna distracted Vinita by drawing her attention to the next course and complimenting her on garnishing, thankful she allowed herself to be sidetracked and also apprehensive that under her smile she could detect the strain.

  Why had her father brought over his wife? Didn’t he see how Vinita would take it?

  The crux came when Vinita brought over the dessert.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  She’d made a beautiful chocolate chip cheesecake and her expression which had eased into a smile rarely seen during the course of the evening told how proud she was of it. Lyna knew no one would even guess at how much she’d worked over it. She was expert in traditional cooking. Kheer, gulab jamun and sheera were her specialties. She had learned and mastered Maharashtrian cooking, to impress her mother in law who belonged to the region. Now she’d ventured into something more contemporary with an eye to please Guy and – Lyna suspected – maybe to show her husband she could be up-to-date too.

  A hush fell as she carefully put the sumptuous looking, white and brown cake on the table, preening a little as she said, ‘Cheesecake. I thought it would round off the meal well.’

  Tasha leaned forward. ‘I suppose you used lots of cheese.’

  ‘It’s cheesecake, isn’t it?’ Lyna couldn’t help saying tartly. Her self-control seemed to be wearing thin, for all she’d cautioned Vinita a number of times giving her a nudging glance.

  Her mother saved Tasha from replying as she nodded emphatically. ‘Real cheese from the best dairy we have around here.’

  ‘And I supposed you added cream too?’

  There was hardly any doubt where this was going. Lyna caught a gleam of satisfaction in Tasha’s dark eyes as Vinita hesitated uncertainly, not expecting the attack. Tasha pretended to sigh. ‘I don’t blame you. You can hardly be expected to remember about Matthew’s high blood pressure. But it’s better he stays away from such unhealthy...I mean, just for him of course, desserts.’

  Vinita turned red, then purple. ‘Unhealthy...’

  Lyna shot out of her chair, on the tip of her tongue to say it was a pity Tasha hadn’t remembered about Matthew’s blood pressure at the start of the evening, because certainly the food had been oleaginous, like all rich Indian delicacies. But Vinita had had her feathers ruffled once too many. She gasped and said, ‘Well, I don’t have to sit here and take that from someone who didn’t have the least hesitation to be an uninvited guest in my home.’

  She was a little in error because she was standing, held immobile by Tasha’s intolerable remarks. But nobody paid much attention to that. There was a stunned silence. Everyone going red to purple or pale.

  Guy said slowly, ‘Do go on. Don’t stop on my account. Tell it like it is.’

  Lyna choked a little. The ridiculous comment he inserted lightly, conversely made Vinita drop off her high horse. She looked around, recollecting herself, and said instead, ‘Oh, I didn’t mean that, Tasha. Of course, you can come here any time.’

  Lyna wondered how she managed the words. Matthew who had stayed quiet so far now took part in the proceedings and got up hurriedly. ‘Come Tasha, we should leave. If you are treated this way in this place, I have no business even attending dinner for my future son in law.’

  Tasha deliberated what course to take. All eyes fixed on her. Lyna could see that was what she wanted by the way her dark eyes gleamed. She put out a hand to detain her husband, grasping his sleeve, and said sweetly. ‘Vinita has already apologized. We needn’t take offence at her words. Sit down and let Guy have dessert, Matthew.’

  And then Lyna saw her victory was complete. To show that she could guide Matthew. She smiled kindly at Vinita who turned pale now and stood twisting her hands. Lyna went to her instinctively and she regained some of her poise and murmured, ‘I’ll bring you some coffee.’

  Lyna caught her arm. ‘I’ll help you, Mom.’

  In the kitchen, she hugged her in spite of her efforts to push her away. She could feel her pain. Vinita said briskly, ‘This isn’t the time…,’ disengaging quickly from her.

  Her attention was drawn to the open door of the kitchen as a knuckle rapped there. Guy stood framed in the entry, hand raised. ‘Lyna, I just remembered one of the actors said he’d meet us, so we have to dash. Thanks, Mrs. Perry...Mom,’ he amended because she had asked him to address her like that.

  ‘Oh but, do you have to go so soon?’ Vinita hurried over to him

  ‘Yes, we do. Lyna, you have to come with me,’ he said firmly.

  They went along to the dining area where Matthew and Tasha were on their feet. ‘We’ll also be getting along then,’ said Matthew, and Tasha picked up her silver bag. She gave Guy a wide smile. ‘It was lovely to meet you both. You must come to our place sometime for dinner.’

  ‘Yes, I rather thought I’d be meeting you there. It was a surprise to find you here.’

  She looked taken aback for once because no one could doubt Guy’s meaning. Having made sure his punch was received, he smoothed it over by saying, ‘Nevertheless, it was a privilege to meet someone like you.’

  Tasha gave him an uncertain look, then covered it with a smile.

  Guy said goodbye to her mother and she heard him say in a mocking tone, ‘I’ll bring her back without mussing her hair, don’t worry.’

  She almost blushed at the picture that conjured up. There was enough impudence in the accompanying smile to make them all laugh heartily. A little too heartily, Lyna thought.

  Her mother slapped his hand and then pulled him to her level to kiss his cheek.

  To tell the truth, it was a relief not to sit through the dessert. But she didn’t want to leave her mother. Guy inexorably pulled her towards the door and without making a scene in the already tense environment, she couldn’t do much. She glanced at her, then gave in when she waved them away.

  He propelled her out even before Matthew and Tasha had reached their car.

  ‘There’s no actor meeting us, I know. Guy, I think you know what was happening too well. I should have stayed with my mom.’

  ‘No, you shouldn’t,’ he said bluntly. ‘You can’t be her support. She has her own issues and she must deal with them. Don’t make her dependent on you, girl!’

  She stared at him, offended by his words. ‘You don’t know...’

  ‘It doesn’t require much intelligence to work it o
ut. Most women have the least inhibition in airing their complaints and problems in front of their children.’

  ‘In my mother’s case, her troubles were quite – well, troublesome,’ she snapped. ‘She had only me to share them with.’

  ‘She had no business sharing them with you...at any point in her life,’ he said hardheartedly.

  She realized belatedly that she was in his car which was on the road and settled back with a sigh. She had to admit she was feeling a little tired. Mostly because of the strain. Maybe she was letting herself take the coward’s way out, listening to Guy, but that was how it was. ‘Where are you taking me?’

  He didn’t bother to answer.

  ‘Ok, I admit it. It was gruesome. I’m sorry that you have to sit through that.’

  ‘Not your fault. It occurred to me everyone was indulging in a few illusions at that table. Your mother about your father. Your father about your step mother. You about your mother. Me about evening going off as any other… Well, all of us are now better for a reality check.’

  ‘That’s one way of looking at it,’ she snapped, still not mollified.

  ‘Don’t worry. We can still have ice cream.’

  He took her to an ice cream parlor in Borivali West. A cool air blew and they sat down on one of the outside tables.

  She thought of Vinita’s cheesecake, but felt defeated by her mother’s stubbornness about her father and couldn’t resist the sweet comfort of vanilla and chocolate sundae.

  ‘Don’t let it weigh on your mind,’ Guy admonished. ‘It’s only a dinner.’

  She nodded, for once without a smart comeback for him. ‘I know but it’s the same whenever they meet. It’s a wonder they stayed together for fifteen years. They are so different. They should never have married. You’d never believe it, but my father fell for her and chased her no end. Her family comprised of devout Hindus and they refused to have anything to do with him, because of his mixed parentage. But ultimately, they gave in when Mom begged them to and that on the condition that he’d follow all the traditions and their customs during the marriage.’

  Guy didn’t say anything, just listened quietly, his gaze on her face and she continued, ‘I suppose he realized only too late what he’d taken on, or maybe he was willing at first but later on got tired of it. He had to give up alcohol and non-veg food during many auspicious days. Mom fasts half the week sometimes and when she was young, she did it even more frequently. Then she’s a traditionalist at heart. He moves in select circles and you know how glamour equates skin show. Mom refused to wear dresses of the style fashionable women wore. He never accepted her for what she was and she – I guess, she tried to mold him more than he could take. But he took the way of least resistance. He’d disappear for long periods and say he had been on business trips when she discovered they were actually weekend assignations with women. He’d promise me toys that he never brought. Mom continues to be loyal to him even today. Faithful! Misguided idiot that she is.’ Her throat became thick with tears. She shook off the sudden emotion and laughed instead. ‘Women are so gullible and stupid! He finally got her to agree to a divorce and remarried the woman he thought more fitted to his life. While she...’

  Surreptitiously, she wiped a tear, embarrassed to find herself being so open with him.

  Guy’s eyes were still focused on her, his attention unwavering. ‘Have you thought she is leading the life she has chosen for herself? You can’t take the onus for her decisions and the troubles she faces because of them, you know.’

  ‘But I can’t say she deserves to be like that and forget about it.’

  He became silent. ‘The picture can be different. Women are not always like your mother. Maybe it’s a kind of circle. Some give pain and some others accept it and that’s how nature equates itself.’

  She smiled at his whimsical philosophy. ‘I do usually accept it, it’s just that occasions like these…’

  ‘So you admit I was right to make you miss dessert.’ His mouth quirked.

  ‘Yes.’

  A dark eyebrow rose. ‘Now this is certainly a change, you being so agreeable!’

  It was certainly restful. She managed to smile at him which fifteen minutes ago she wouldn’t have thought possible.

  ‘You have a knack,’ she reflected. She gazed meditatively at her nails resting on the table then raised her gaze. ‘You are dependable too…’

  ‘Hard wearing.’

  ‘For staying till the end of it.’

  ‘I wonder why you’re getting so soft?’

  She ignored that. ‘So, I’m ready to fulfil my part. When do we have to go to your country house?’

  ‘Tomorrow.’

  She gave a small shriek, nearly toppling her chair as she uncrossed her leg and brought both feet on the ground. ‘Tomorrow!’ she squeaked. Then cleared her throat. ‘You don’t mean that.’

  ‘Ok.’

  She glared at him.

  ‘What now?’ He held up his hands. ‘I’m damned if I do and worse if I don’t?’

  ‘It’s impossible to talk to you.’

  ‘Relax. I’d prefer to go tomorrow because my grandpa is calling thrice a day, every day. But after a scene like today’s...’ He shrugged. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t plunge into another family gathering so soon.’

  ‘Who all will be there?’

  ‘Many people,’ he said. ‘You will see when we get there.’

  No matter, that she asked again, he wouldn’t tell her much more than that, besides adding that quite a lot of household was there because they maintained positively an army for the upkeep of the house.

  ‘The day after then,’ he said, when he dropped her off.

  To her surprise, the door opened and her mother stood there, ‘Come in, Guy, it’s all ready.’

  When they were inside, she held out a box to him. Lyna glanced at her, puzzled, then followed Guy out as he took the box, thanked her mother, submitted to being kissed once again and went out to place it in the backseat. She turned on him suspiciously as he straightened, and found she was standing slightly too close to him. He didn’t budge and out of a rebel streak, she didn’t either. This close she could make out the fine lines on his suit jacket fabric. ‘Why is she so doting on you?’

  ‘Don’t be jealous, love. What if I were your fiancé for real?’ He reached out and took a strand of her hair, giving it a gentle tug.

  ‘God forbid,’ she said instantly. For some reason, the casual touch sent a shiver over her skin. She stepped back. His perfume weaved around her.

  He laughed, letting go, but let his fingers brush against her cheek. ‘Am I that bad?’

  ‘You’re certainly not husband material.’ Strange that the butterfly soft contact had again the same effect.

  ‘What kind of material goes into making husbands?’ He prepared to go towards the driver seat. ‘Brijesh cotton textile?’

  Brijesh? Funny that she’d nearly forgotten about him.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to challenge him if he was interested in the job. But she desisted. Knowing the answer.

  ‘There’s always someone like Vinayak.’ She wasn’t sure what made her say that. She wasn’t in the least interested in Vinayak except as an efficient set designer because that took her productions up another notch on the viewership scale.

  ‘Vinayak! That playboy?’ he said scornfully.

  ‘You are saying that?’

  He considered her, his hand resting on the hood. ‘Haven’t I said you misunderstood my reputation? A man might like women without going through the lot. It would be why he likes you.’

  ‘I don’t know why we’re talking about it. I’m not even interested in marriage and you surely aren’t!’ Amusement sounded in her voice.

  ‘That makes things so much less complicated. If you’re interested in a fling, why not look closer to home?’ He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  She laughed outright at the suggestion as he meant her to, but her heart skipped a beat.

  The
sedan reversed in a smooth arc, straightened and roared away. She went back inside.

  ‘Mom, why did you pack him the cake? All of it?’

  ‘He told me to. How could I refuse?’ She wore a satisfied smile. ‘He said before leaving, “I might have to run a few miles extra, but that cake is all mine. Have it ready to take away by the time I’m back.”’

  ‘And so you...’ Her eyebrows went up.

  ‘So, I went across the street to the bakers and got a box from them. I couldn’t send it on the plate, could I?’ Humming a little, she bustled about the kitchen, putting things away.

  Lyna marveled at her powers of resilience. Obviously for her, the day had had a happy ending.

  She made her way to her laptop to check the next week’s workload. If Guy intended them to take time off, she’d have to juggle and fit everything in two days!

  But when the screen was lit bright in front of her, she kept staring at it, fingers drumming at its edge.

  Hottie or softie? Which way should she think of him?

  She knew what she was asking herself. Did she intend to do something about this intangible something that stalked her when he was around?

  What if he meant that last offer?

  For last few days, he had been seriously flirting with her…

  He flirted often. There was the tone he used to tell Mrs. Charanjit that the new dress made her look like Madhubala. Not the same as the one in which he flung innuendoes at her.

  But did he mean them?

  Should she take him seriously? How could flirting be serious, my girl?

  She realized she’d spoken out loud and grimaced, jabbing a button on the keyboard.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Nothing had prepared her for the sight that greeted her as they reached near Nenthi. Guy’s casual words hadn’t indicated that the very entrance to his kingdom...for that was how it began to feel to her...would be endowed with such a rich plethora of natural beauty.