by Candy Laine
“For physiotherapy.” Shweta countered.
“And usually end up staying for dinner.” Rahat continued without acknowledging her.
“Because his mother insists on it.” Shweta defended.
“Does his mother insist on you texting him through the day as well?” Rahat pulled out Shweta’s phone from her pocket.
“Where did you get that? Give it back to me.” Rahat held her hand with the phone out of Shweta’s grasp.
“Why? Is there something here you don’t want me to know about? Like how you have an ongoing conversation with lover boy?”
“He’s just sending me some of the poems he writes.” Shweta stood up and grabbed the phone back from her. “There’s nothing romantic about it.”
“Really? I thought some of his work was quite lovely.”Shweta gave her a dirty look as she sat down in her chair.
“You read the poems?” Shweta checked for new messages before looking up at Rahat. “Please don’t tell him. He made me promise I won’t share them with anyone.”
“Oooh, keeping secrets for him!”
“I swear, Rahat, being pregnant has addled your brain. There’s nothing going on between us.” The beep of an incoming message diverted Rahat’s attention to her own phone. She swiped right to read the message.
“Oh no.” Rahat gasped. “Arun slipped and hurt his head in the bathroom. Gagan needs to take him to the hospital.”
“What?” Shweta jumped out of her chair. “We need to go. What hospital is he taking him to?”
Rahat laughed, “Relax, sweetie. Your Arun is fine. Gagan just wanted to let me know he’s going to be late tonight.”
“That was not funny, Rahat.” Shweta sank back, deflated, into her chair. “Not funny at all.”
“I know but it was a good way to prove you like him.” Rahat fiddled with her phone. “You’re going to find this super funny...” Shweta tossed her head and turned away from Rahat. A video began to play. Shweta could hear Arun’s voice, she was tempted to look at it.
A very drunk Arun talking. About how much he loved her. About how he wanted to marry her, and of his heartbreak. “Where did you get this video? Who took it?”
“Ashish filmed this the night of our wedding. Vishal and he were with Arun that evening as he tried to drown his sorrows in alcohol.” Rahat was grinning ear to ear, “He really is a most adorable drunk.”
They watched the rest of the video and Shweta had to admit, he was rather endearing with his lack of coordination and slurred speech. She never thought she would cause a guy to get drunk over her. It was really fun to see how sweet he was on her.
Rahat fixed Shweta with a serious expression. “Jokes aside Shweta, he’s a really great guy.”
“I know he is.” Shweta was aware of the significance of this intervention.
“His feelings have only strengthened over time. He is very serious about you. I hope you know that.” Rahat was underlining the importance of his feelings.
“Yes, he is. It’s just that he’s in the army and you know about my...” Rahat made an annoyed sound as Shweta trotted out the same old excuse.
“How long are you going to let the shadow of your past hang over the possibilities of your future?” Rahat reached across the table and took hold of her hand. “I love you like a sister. You know I do, but sometimes I feel like taking you by the shoulders and shaking you till your teeth rattle.”
Shweta looked shocked but she held on tight to Rahat’s hand. “He’s a good guy. Gagan has nothing but praise for him. The army thinks he’s brave enough to be awarded medals. You said it was amazing that he drove all the way to thank that man for saving his life. And to top it all, he’s really into you. What more do you want?”
“I’m scared, Rahat. Really scared.” Shweta’s voice was really low. “What if he and I get together, only for something to happen to him? I don’t think I could survive it again. It was bad enough with my dad, I don’t want to relive that with my husband.”
“You have a right to be scared, Shweta.” Rahat stroked her hand, “I wouldn’t wish what you went through in your childhood on anyone. It was tough on you. It was tough on your full family. I agree with that, but who is to say that you marry a nice safe civilian and he won’t die? More people die in road accidents in India than in the army.”
“Logically I know that when I think with my head, but my heart is just so scared.” Shweta thought about it. Did she really want more with Arun? Yes, she did.
“Just take a chance on him. I’m sure his love will put all your fears to rest. Tell him you want more.” Rahat could see all her friend needed was a gentle push.
“I don’t know how. I already told him I wasn’t interested in anything serious. What do I do?” A woman had the right to change her mind, didn’t she. Not that she was being fickle or anything. This was a really serious decision.
A gleam entered Rahat’s eye. “Do you think guys hang out with girls who have rejected them for no reason? Shweta, he’s just waiting for you to change your mind. Tell him tomorrow when you meet him for physiotherapy. Or if you can’t come right out and say that you like him, ask him out on a date. Just the two of you without all of us hanging around.”
Shweta took a deep breath and said, “Okay, I’ll do it.”
~~~
Arun parked the car and headed over to open Shweta’s door. He held out his hand to help her out and shut the door. As they walked towards the restaurant Arun was happy that they were still holding hands. She hadn’t pulled away from him. It gave him hope that she was thawing. That she would come around to considering a relationship with him.
It was difficult to woo a girl when they were always surrounded by their friends, but he was doing his best. He smiled as they walked through the door of The Chinese Room. It had become his favourite restaurant of late, considering how much Shweta enjoyed Chinese food. He didn’t mind the rest of the gang being around them if it meant he got to spend more time with her.
He looked around but couldn’t see anyone he knew, “I guess we are the first here today.”
“A table for two?” the maître d' asked. Arun shook his head mentally counting the number of people who should be arriving shortly.
“Yes, please.” Shweta said and began following him to a corner table. Arun was confused enough to not move till she looked back and beckoned him. She sat down as he pulled the chair out for her.
“What about the others?” he asked. “Shouldn’t we get a larger table?”
“No one else is coming, Arun.” Shweta couldn’t help but smile at him. “It’s just the two of us tonight.”
“Did they all cancel?” Arun wondered, then he caught the twinkle in her eye. That’s when it hit them. “They weren’t coming at all, were they?”
“Did I tell you that they were?” She smiled shyly. He thought back to when she had invited him for dinner. She hadn’t mentioned the gang, but since they had never gone out without them, he had just assumed that they would all be there.
“So,” he cleared his throat, “It’s just the two of us tonight?” He wasn’t sure what that meant.
“Yes.” She looked at him and ducked her head behind the menu card. “Do you want to split a Hot and Sour Noodle soup?”
“Ah, okay.” Arun picked up his own menu card. She had invited him to dinner. Without the others. Did that mean she was interested in him now? He wasn’t sure what to say, so he peeked at her over the menu and found her looking at him over her menu. He quickly looked down at his menu again, feeling ridiculously close to a schoolboy caught doing something wrong.
“How about the Egg Fried Rice with Chicken Manchurian gravy?” Shweta was looking at him directly now.
“Sounds great.” Arun put down the menu and wondered how to ask her what it meant. The two of them eating dinner together. Here. Without the rest of the gang. He just didn’t know how to ask. He fidgeted with the napkin while she gave the waiter their order.
“Are you going to ask me?” She turned
to look at him with a small smile, once the waiter took off. “Why I asked you out to dinner?”
“It had crossed my mind.” He grinned at her, “Not that I’m complaining about anything.”
“I know it may seem strange that I want to spend time with you, alone. Especially in light of the fact that I didn’t want you to get any wrong idea about us.”
Arun was quiet. He knew there was something important going on here and he didn’t want to mess it up by saying the wrong thing. He would wait to hear her out.
“The thing is, when I first met you at the hospital in Sikkim I was attracted to you. I told myself you were just another masochist guy and let it go. Then we met at Rahat’s wedding and spoke. I liked you better, but I couldn’t get past the fact that you were in the army.” Her voice went low on the last word. As if it was something repugnant she spoke about. He nodded his head, too scared to say a word. Not sure where this conversation was headed.
“Then your dad died and I saw how you took care of your mother. With the shifting and everything. I began to admire you a lot more. When I heard about you getting shot,” her voice broke. She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye, “I couldn’t imagine not seeing you again. I was so worried till you came out of the coma. I knew then, that you were already a part of my life. That if something happened to you, I would be heartbroken anyway. So I took a decision.”
She seemed unsure how to proceed. Arun was sitting rock steady. His gaze intense and serious. Totally focused on her. Waiting for her to find the words. “I decided that I wanted to be with you. As more than friends.” She was startled when Arun got up. “Arun...” She stuttered as he walked to her side of the table and sat down next to her. He turned the chair towards her and took her hand into his.
“Shweta, I don’t know where to start.” Arun kissed the back of her hand. “I know it was a very difficult decision for you to take, but I’m so glad you are willing to do this for me. For us. I promise I’ll make it worth your while to love a guy in uniform.”
“Where would you like the soup?” The waiter had impeccable timing. Arun looked frustrated and Shweta smothered a giggle when he said wryly, “You don’t want to know, buddy.”
The waiter’s hand hovered over the table and finally he set down both soup bowls in front of them as they were seated. He shifted Arun’s place setting and left. Shweta tugged at her hand when Arun refused to let it go, she mock glared at him, “I need my hand back to eat the soup.”
“I need contact to know this is real.” They both grinned at each other as he reluctantly released her hand. Then he scooted his chair as close to hers as possible and when he sat down his leg pressed to hers. She should have felt crowded, but she just smiled and ate her soup.
Arun ate dinner but had no idea what he ate. All he could think about was Shweta. If he could get away with making her sit on his lap and feeding her dinner in the middle of the restaurant, he would have. For now he was happy she was next to him, talking to him, laughing at his silly jokes. When the waiter brought the bill, he paid for it despite her protest.
“I invited you to dinner. I should pay.” She pretended to pout.
“You’ll pay, but not here.” Arun’s eyes twinkled.
“Oh, and what would this payment be?” She was flirting with him. It was a heady sensation.
“I’ll think of something.” His eyes were focused on hers but his thumb lightly brushed the side of her lips. Shweta leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “That’s a good start.”
Arun helped her up and they walked out of the restaurant. “Do you want to go home?”
“I’m in no hurry.” He tucked her close to his side and placed his hand around her back, resting at her waist. She felt like she belonged there, by his side, forever. He felt a sense of contentment as they walked along Main Street. After a while Arun dropped her home. He escorted her to her door.
“Will I see you tomorrow evening?” Shweta dug inside her purse for the house keys.
“Of course.” Arun took the keys from her hand before she could fit them into the door. “Aren’t you going to make me do my physiotherapy exercises?”
“I will. Do you want to do something else afterwards?” She tried to take back her keys from his hand but he held them behind his back.
“I believe you owe me some payment for this evening.”
"So collect it already!" Shweta moved closer to him. He bent his head as she raised hers and their lips brushed lightly. She shivered. He barely touched her lips again almost coaxing her. Her hands went up around his neck and his came to rest on her hips.
“I'll decide how we spend tomorrow evening.” He whispered next to her lips. This time he swooped in surer, harder, claiming, conquering. She lost track of time, of place. The world was just the two of them, together.
"Have you quite finished?" A voice had them jumping apart. Sameer stood at the open door, glaring at Arun.
"Er, hi Sameer. Didn't see you there." Arun was flushing red and Shweta could feel the burn in her cheeks.
“Obviously, you didn’t.” Sarcasm dripped from Sameer as he raised his eyebrow and gave his little sister a what’s going on look.
"Arun was just saying goodnight." She gave Sameer a dirty look, telling him silently to back off.
"Right, er, goodnight." Arun looked at Shweta and then back at Sameer, "Good night, Sameer. See you tomorrow, Shweta."
~~~
Arun took Shweta to see a movie the next evening. The evening after that, it was dinner for two at Arun’s home. He encouraged his mother to go out for dinner with her sister. They managed to spend all their evenings together with a little planning. Even if they shared many of them with their friends.
It was the night before his medical review board. Shweta had insisted on pushing him through his daily workout. She knew it would be some time before he regained peak physical form, but he needed to pass the board.
“Do you think I’ll pass?” Arun grunted through his last repetitions.
“I should hope so. There’s nothing wrong with you that some time won’t heal.” Shweta was waiting with a glass of glucose water for him to wind up. “You’ve been pushing yourself so hard. It’s going to be okay.”
She wasn’t looking him in the eye and he knew why. If he passed the medical review board, they would declare him fit for duty. That meant he would have to rejoin his unit. In the valley.
“I wish I knew what to say.” He began sitting up and taking the glass from her hands.
“We knew this was going to happen, Arun.” She sat down on the chair closest to her. “You will get better, and you will go back.” She closed her eyes before he could see the pain in them.
“Are you serious about giving us a chance?” Arun kneeled in front of her. Taking both her hands in his.
“Of course I am.” Her eyes flew open as she looked at his face. Trying to memorize how he looked so that she could take out this mental snapshot when he was no longer around.
“Then will you marry me?” He dug under the sofa cushion and took out a little black velvet box. As he opened it to show a sparkling princess cut diamond solitaire, Shweta gasped. “I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Shweta’s jaw fell open. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Arun looked up and smiled. “Shweta, are you going to answer?”
“Yes,” She took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger. Then she took his face between her hands and kissed him. “I love you too. Yes I will marry you.”
“You know, I wanted to slide that ring on your finger.” Arun pretended to be cross.
Shweta held out her hand and admired the ring. "You want me to take it off so you can do that?"
"Nah. I don't ever want you to take it off." Arun got up and pulled her up to stand as well. "Do you like it?"
"I love it. How did you guess my size?"
"There were no guesses. I had help." Arun took her into his arms and kissed her. "Speakin
g of help, I need to make a phone call. She insisted on being called the minute you said yes."
"Let me guess... it was Rahat?" Arun nodded his head as he grabbed his mobile off the side table and dialled a number. He put the call on speaker and almost as soon as the ring went through it was answered by a very excited Rahat.
After the phone call Arun and Shweta broke the news to his mother who blessed them. They decided to leave the rest of the celebrations for the next day. After the medical review board had convened for Arun.
o0o
22
The Switch
o0o
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson
“Are you sure about this, Shweta?” Sameer was holding the hand on which she wore the engagement ring.
“I’ve never been more certain.” They both looked at the ring and what it symbolised.
“He’s going to uproot you from here and take you away.” Sameer wanted to make her understand just what she was signing up for. “You will have to give up your job at the hospital. Then there’s the postings every couple of years.”
“I have thought this through, Sameer. It’s not an impulsive decision.” She patted his cheek. “Thank you for worrying about me, but I need to do this. I really love him.”
“Of that I have no doubt. You are glowing and happy, now. I just want you to understand what a huge difference marrying an army officer will make in your life.” Sameer looked worried and anxious.
“I do understand, and I could really use your support when we tell Mama.” Shweta knew he only wanted the best for her and loved him for it.
Sameer squeezed her hand lightly before he let it go, “She’ll come around.” They walked into the dining room together to tell Urmila Karkare that her daughter wanted to get married to a man in uniform.
“Mama, there’s something I wanted to tell you.” Shweta began hesitantly, looking at Sameer for support. He smiled his encouragement and dipped his head.
