Adultery The Old Toothbrush by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Story :- The Old Toothbrush

Written by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Chapter-1

I planned it admirably. At precisely 1710 hours, sitting near the boarding gate 12B and in midst of a sea of humanity, I placed the call to Suhasini. She picked up after three rings and her breathless voice at the other end confirmed that all was well. I wouldn't have called her, had I not been warned by my daughter (at the last moment) that if she found my mobile switched off for more than two hours on a Friday evening she was sure to suspect something and therefore...

She had no inkling that I was about to board the flight to Pune and spring a surprise.

"Hey", I said. "We have a 'dengue' meeting and it's going to last till God knows when."

"Hmm, so?"

"I have to switch off the mobile and you will not get through."

"What's the noise? Where are you?" She enquired suspiciously.

"Err...I am in the foyer, for...for the meeting. Lots of fellows here?" I hurriedly replied.

"Ministry? Again?" She was steadfastly inquisitive.

"Yes, the same one," I replied on cue, trying hard not to panic.

"But you never mentioned about it in the morning." The query continued.

I was getting deeper into the muck and surely, she would sense something funny if I didn't stop this conversation forthwith.

Suddenly, a male voice called out the passengers from seat number 20 onwards to come forward for boarding. The entire human race stood up as if the final call for the doomsday had been announced.

Suhasini continued her investigative vigour, "What's happening? I heard some 20 or something."

In a brilliant flash of recovery, I said, "The minister is here and we are moving to room number 20. Okay, bye. I will call after the meeting."

I cut off the call, switched off the phone and wiped my brows.

Lucky escape!!

Standing at the tail end of the serpentine queue, I reviewed the situation. Thanks to the benevolent government we had an unscheduled holiday this Saturday followed by a scheduled holiday on Tuesday. So, I took a day's leave on Monday and lo, I had four days. I tried my best to convince my daughter to come along but she refused. Nowadays she was in a constant state of irritability ostensibly triggered by us, her bungling parents.

The line moved slowly though I did not make much personal advancement due to continuous mid-level entries that complicated the progress. I found that there was a general panic among the passengers and almost everyone elbowed their way through the bar code verification; rush to the bus; frantic move to the stairway and finally depositing the huge hand luggage overhead and finally settling on the window seat, in the process trampling over many a human form.

I had a middle seat that annoyed me and my flanking co-passengers. The primary life-threatening issue at hand was as to who will use the armrest!

Finally, the plane taxied and took off on yet another before time departure proving that it was good to be on time.

Two and half hours passed with difficulty. Further, I managed to disappoint the in-flight hospitality team by not subscribing to either pre-cooked noodles or customized merchandise. To avoid the 'less than friendly' glare, I closed my eyes keeping both my arms firmly on the lap (my own). I had conclusively lost the battle of the armrest.

Finally, we landed at 1940 hours at Pune airport. I stood on the aisle and called my daughter. A deadpan bored voice answered cryptically, "Reached?"

I said in a low voice, "Yes, any news?"

Her: Yes, mom called.

Me: Did she ask about me?

Her: Yes, she asked where you were.

Me: So, what did you tell her?

Her: I told her that I don't know. And you must be in office.

Me: And? What else?

Her: Nothing Baba. I know what to tell. In the end, you only will create the confusion.

Okay, bye.

The phone went dead. There was no respect for the elders these days. In our days...!

My thought process was broken by a firm shove that propelled me forwards towards the exit. The back-end wave pushed me out of the plane door like an egg, expelled from you know where!

The next 15 minutes were spent on coming out, booking an Ola cab and moving towards home. I had half an hour to reach.

Now was the time. I called Suhasini. The breathless voice appeared after three rings. All under control.

Her: What? In a vehicle?

I was well prepared this time and said, "Yes".

Her: How was the meeting?

Me: What meeting? I was there for the tea and snacks. Do you think I had anything to contribute? Whatever I suggested was shot down. The tea was good though. What are you doing?

Her: Hmm. You know what? After you switched off, I got a call from Aditya. There is some get-together at Pune club. The boss wants me to come. Special Invitee.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Me: So, what have you decided? I think you should go. Someone's marriage anniversary or what?

Her: I don't think so. I wanted to ask you but your mobile was switched off. I presumed that you will say the same. Actually, Aditya is here to pick me up. Talk to him.

Aditya: Good evening, Sir, what's happening at Delhi?

Me: Hi, Adi! And where are you taking my wife? What's happening?

Aditya: Sir, it's just a get-together at Pune club. I am here to take Ma'am. With great difficulty, I have convinced her.

Me: And I have never been able to do that. Congratulations. When will you be back?

Aditya: Sir, definitely by 10. I will drop her.

Me: Okay. Enjoy.

Aditya: Sir, over to Ma'am.

Her: What about your food?

Me: I have no party to go!

Her: Don't get jealous. Both of you go and enjoy, Fatty Bao or Monkey Bar.

Me: Hmmm. Okay! Take care.

I switched off.

Some minor change in plan was necessary. I was still about 20 minutes from home. Surely, I would miss them. I had a pair of keys. I had some funny plans but that needed to be shelved for the time being. I reached home uneventfully and quietly climbed the stairs and opened the doors. The guard didn't see me.

The inside of the house was exactly as I had left it three months back when I had visited last. It was intended to be a similar surprise visit. But to my great dismay when I had knocked the door, she had opened immediately and had asked me to come in and have food. Apparently, I had left multiple loose ends that had given my stealth away.

This time the preparation was better.

I settled in the armchair and thought for a while. I had two hours to kill. I was hungry. So, I carefully hid my bag and left the premises being careful not to leave any tell-tale signs. I avoided the watchman again and left for the MG Road in an auto.

I reached "Pulp Joint" and ordered many 'usually avoided nowadays' items and stuffed myself while washing it down with two glasses of 'cane sugar juice'. Then I had 'mango pulp' followed by the glorious 'India Kings', both strictly forbidden.

Heaven.

Chapter-2

Well, "Pulp Joint" was the place where I and Suhasini had decided to unite. Two energetic youngsters woefully short of cash spoke at length about the Niagra falls but could afford only the sunrise at the 'Katraj Ghat'. This is where they got so animated about the romantic 'Fort Kenilworth' that they ended up visiting 'Fort Purandhar', the next Sunday itself. That was us and that was more than 20 years back. Today, she was 41 and I was 44.

'Katraj and Purandhar' evoked the same nostalgia, much greater than Niagra, even today.

It was 2145 hours and I casually walked to the Pune Club. Intention was to spring the surprise there. As I entered the gate, I found Aditya's SUV moving out with Suhasini sitting in front. I felt foolish. I cursed my greed for the pulp and the fag that lost me precious time.

I needed to change my plans, once more!

I loitered around for another half hour, caught a Pune city bus (what nostalgia!) and reached home at 2300 hours sharp. The watchman was there but looking elsewhere. I climbed the stairs for the second time and stood in front of the door.

It was time. I took out the keys.

For some time now, I was increasingly getting enamored by the qualities of WD-40, the one-stop solution for many household activities. I had generously applied it in the hinges of the double door 3 months back and it worked. The door opened silently like a Rolls and I entered planning to spring the ever-elusive shock.

There was a single dim light in the living room accentuating the darkness in the corners and there was the noise. From my bedroom.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I stood transfixed. Even for a callous fellow like me, I knew what was going on. The grunts and the moans said it all.

No, it wasn't my worst nightmare. This, I never knew existed.

Did I feel faint or angry or dismayed or anything?

Nothing. I felt unreal. Something that happens to someone else. Not me!

What was I to do? Shout? Charge in? Run out? What?

I slowly sat in the armchair. For the second time, today.

The noise continued and then got muted and then stopped altogether.

For how long?

How do I know? Was I timing it?

But I knew only one thing that I was sitting in my own living room.

That the surprise was on me.

I took out my mobile and switched it off. Why?

I don't know. Maybe, I did not want my phone to ring.

The events of the day crossed my mind like a cinema, the telephone calls, the car ride, the pulp joint and even the push in the aircraft. Everything passed like frames. A disjointed movie. In bits and pieces. Meaningless. I was tired. I had no will to react.

Time passed.

The phone rang somewhere in the distance. I did not care. I heard only one word that she uttered, "What?"

And then there was silence. Minutes passed and I stared into the darkness that my life offered.

She came in and we were face to face.

I looked at her and she looked at me.

Who will say the first words?

"I think Adi needs to leave," I said quietly.

A human form slowly emerged from the direction of my bedroom and stood in silence, head bowed. An undeniable shadow of the smart, athletic, handsome and witty man that I knew and admired.

I stood up and said with a surprising normalcy, "Come! Let me leave you to your car."

The door opened silently once again and I climbed down the stairs, not looking back.

This time the watchman was sitting bang near the stairs and was awake.

He said with a bright smile, "Sahib! You came today?"

I nodded.

He looked behind me, "Party? Sahib."

I nodded again.

Aditya whispered, "Sir, the car is outside."

I nodded once more and walked towards the Complex gate.

The lone SUV was parked a little away from the gate. He climbed and started the engine. He hesitated. He wanted to say something.

"Drive carefully", I said kindly.

He averted my eyes and drove off.

I returned. A whiff of cold air made a sudden chill go down my spine. Possibly, the chill was in my heart. The watchman looked at my tired face and said, "Sahib. Tell your guests to get their car inside. I will arrange parking."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I patted his shoulders and moved on. I had no energy to climb back the stairs. But I did, I had to.

And I also had to enter the door that nowadays opened silently.

I looked at the watch. 2347 hours. I was getting obsessed with the 24-hour time format.

My time was approaching the zero.

The door was closed and I did not have the keys this time. Should I ring or should I knock? Confused, I shuffled my feet. The door opened and she stood aside. Her face and eyes were enacting the nightmare that I thought I would never see. We both were the protagonists in a drama that never existed, for us. We didn't buy tickets for this Machiavellian comedy of intrigue. A comedy, most cruel.

It was a serious issue for both of us to take the next step. Finally, she asked, "Have you eaten something."

On another day, I would have omitted at least half the menu before mentioning the pulp joint. Today, I simply said, "Yes."

"Will you sleep?"

I looked at her and said blandly, "Okay."

I moved to the bedroom where all the linen had been changed during that short period of my absence.

For the first time in my life, I did not change. I just lay down, head down with my face on my arms.

The lights went out. The darkness engulfed me completely. I had never experienced how heavy darkness could be and how easily this darkness sucked out life. But sleep had its own mechanisms and the tiredness covered my body like a blanket and I descended into a slumber.

I don't know when I came out the stupor, but there was an arm around my back and a face on my outstretched arm. I was dimly aware of my arms being soaked in sweat. I turned my face and saw what I had never seen before. Relentless silent tears flowing from her eyes, drenching my arms.

What was I to do?

Kick her and leave the bed in rage?

Or just lay the way I was!

Or take her in my arms and comfort her the way only I could do.

What was I to do? What?

Tb be continued...

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Chapter-3

Why was she crying?

On most faces, this question should bring upon a smirk of ridicule. After all, why would a woman cry after she had been caught cheating? Of course, to save her own skin and to prove to her husband that she felt sorry. Absolutely correct and justifiable for those who did not know Suhasini, but I knew her better.

Our daughter was two years old and Suhasini would stitch clothes for her. She was exceptionally versatile on the sewing machine and on one such evening she was at it while I was watching TV when I heard a faint cry of anguish. I rushed to her and found her sitting shamefaced. She had had a momentary loss of attention. The needle had pierced through her finger nail and the bone and was protruding from the other side. And she was embarrassed. But there was not a drop of tear. She would complain about so many things but never about her own discomforts, pain or even bare needs.

She never cried.

Now the tears were flowing. She wasn't sobbing or wailing or even contorting her face. Tears just flowed out of her open eyes and she made no efforts to stem it. I was afraid to look into her eyes for I did not know what her silent tearful eyes wished to say to me. I was not prepared to decipher anything.

As I looked towards her she tightened her grip on my back, her fingers clawing my shirt. I looked the other way, away from her in equal agony.

The extreme tiredness coupled with the bizarre happenings that I was subjected to was now lesser and I could think a little more rationally. But the thread was getting disrupted because I could not identify the starting point. And, how could I? I was thrust into the eye of a maelstrom making me the judge of a court that I was unfamiliar with.

My arms continued to get wet and I knew that they were not sweating.

Fortunately, sleep once again embraced me into its folds of fleeting relief. I slept fitfully till the first light of the dawn struck my eyes.

I looked at her. She too was sleeping, in a fetal position, her hands on her knees. Amidst sleep, she looked so vulnerable, so weak and so much in need of comfort. Or maybe she was feeling the chill of the daybreak. I got up and then on second thoughts placed the thin fleece blanket on her, being careful not to wake her up.

I went to the kitchen and prepared tea. This was something that Suhasini allowed me to do and actually indulged me. On an impulse, I put sufficient water for both of us. The tea was ready after ten minutes of infusion. The aroma was the same as before. It tasted as before. Had anything changed?

Logically, everything! Only I was unable to react appropriately. I had no SOP for such situations. I was strangely surprised at myself. I did not feel the anger that I was expected to feel. I failed to get justifiably enraged. I was like a large stone impervious to pain or insults.

Knowing me and my temper, this calmness was disconcerting but not distressing. And finally, I tried to figure out its reasons, sitting all alone and reviewing my life with Suhasini and sure it was a long one. In essence, we had stayed in each other's company for more time than we did with our respective parents and we knew each other better than they did. I thought about this long period of our togetherness, the big and the small little things that we did. And, all at once, the cobwebs of my mind cleared.

I knew why I was behaving such!

I had no more doubts.

I went back to the bedroom and lightly touched her. She opened her eyes and looked past me. I said, what I had said numerous times earlier, "Suhas, tea is ready".

She looked at me a bit confused and suddenly the overwhelming shame and embarrassment were roaring back in her eyes. I was not surprised at her reaction. I repeated, "Come. Tea is ready".

Suhasini nodded her head dumbly and tried to get up. Her long hair was all rustled and dishevelled. She looked kind of cute. I came out of the room allowing her to assimilate what I just said.

I waited in the living room.

After a few moments, she came in. We sat facing each other on the dining table and had our tea and biscuits that we had been doing for years now. Nothing changed. Except that Suhasini was quiet, her eyes barely left the cup and her body was still.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

It was time for me to speak. After a little hesitation, I started speaking. Initially, my voice seemed alien to myself. Suhasini looked up and tried to say something. I raised my hands and said firmly, "Suhas! Let me speak and you please listen! What happens at the spur of a moment is never the complete truth. What happened yesterday was just a bad moment in our life and nothing else. For me, you are too precious, too important to be judged by a single incident or even multiple ones. For me, I alone know what you are and what you mean to me. So, stop thinking about what I think. I think nothing. It's a nightmare, that's all. The night is gone and a day has begun. Nothing's changed."

Suhasini sat stooped. For me, who has always seen her upright, her downcast eyes and that pathetic body language were more painful than her deeds. I was not even sure whether she had heard me at all?

Dismayed, I repeated myself, "Did you hear what I said? Forget it! Nothing's changed!"

She stood up, still looking down, muttered carelessly, "Nothing's changed?" And left the room.

I had thought that I could set things right but was I wrong? I sat silently, stumped.

My mind insisted that I keep trying. Somewhere, some sixth sense alerted me to quickly restore normalcy lest things go completely out of hand, forever. Explanations and displeasure could wait. They were not the priority. There would be time for that too.

I found her sitting on the edge of the bed, looking nowhere. I caressed her hair fondly. Not for a moment did I feel that some punishment was due. She kept sitting, emotionless, blank.

A living dead.

I thought it prudent to leave her to herself, to her own devices.

I retrieved the bag that I had so carefully hid in the store. Had I left it in the living room, the story would have been different. Indeed, an act of omission. There was a surprise gift for her, an iPad suggested and procured by our daughter Ranjana.

Nothing else to do, I emptied the bag and spent some time in the bathroom. I took a long bath.

I found a breakfast ready comprising of my favourite things. I ate in silence because it was becoming difficult for me to breach the wall of silence pervading the house.

The household work progressed like clockwork without a word being spoken. I tried a little more to break the ice.

I suggested tentatively, "Let's go for dinner tonight!"

She looked blankly at me and then said, "Where?"

I said enthusiastically, "Let's go to Mainland!"

I said that on purpose. Suhasini always opposed my interest in that restaurant saying that in addition to other flaws, it was too expensive and we usually went to someplace else. I wanted to evoke that response in her.

She looked up and said nothing.

I changed track and said, "Of course, it's too expensive for the fare that it doles out.

What do you suggest?"

She thought for some time and said without enthusiasm, "No, you like Mainland, let's go there."

The evening was a disaster. The arrival of dishes was interspersed with my monologue. She nibbled at the food. I took the opportunity to present her the iPad for which she had only one drab comment, "What will I do with such advanced gadget?" Somehow, we managed to trudge through the agony and reached home.

The night, the bed, the sleep and the eventual Sunday morning came in its own routine. Somehow, contrary to my habit, I overslept. I found her sitting on the in the dining room engrossed in her thoughts. The tea was already done and I joined her with my cup.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

She allowed me a few moments to settle down and said quietly looking directly into my eyes, "You go back to Delhi."

"I will", I said. "On Tuesday", I added with a bit of trepidation.

"No, you go back today". Still looking directly at me.

For the first time in two days, I felt my anger rising or whether it was my frustration, I didn't know. Damn it. Was I some kind of a play doll who could be bent at will? With great effort, I retorted back, "Why?"

She continued her gaze and said, "I need to think. I can't do it with you being around.

You should go."

I reasoned with her, still annoyed "Look, Suhas. You don't have to think a thing. There is nothing amiss! I am telling you."

With a wry smile, she replied, "Huh! Is it? Nothing amiss! Not for me."

Trying the last ditch attempt, I shouted in anger, "What will I tell Ranju if I go back early?"

"Tell her the truth!" She replied with a frightening coolness.

Chapter-4

The only thing that Suhasini did not leave me with was an option. And I was not going to beg anymore. The line was drawn when she asked me to leave and without any compunction. But, I was not ready to go back to Delhi. Unlike her, I was not yet ready to answer questions raised by Ranju. I was not well adept at lies.

There was no point in sticking around. I got ready and by 9 am, left the house. The only words expressed between us was:

Me: Should I take the iPad back?

Her: Will they take it back?

Me: No.

Her: Then leave it.

There were no byes, no hugs and no 'call me once you land' words.

Booted out? Yes.

Was it my fault? No.

Did I deserve it? No, no, no!

Was I feeling bad? Yes.

Did I want to go back?

Yes.

I took an auto and left for the railway station. What for? I did not know. At the station, I found a driver looking for a passenger for Belgaum. I took that and we were off. The car moved but my mind didn't. I did not respond to a few innocuous questions by a co-passenger.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I travelled aimlessly from Pune to Belgaum to Goa. Stayed for two days at Colva and then returned to Delhi late at night on Tuesday. Ranju was there to open the door.

"Did she like the iPad?" She asked

"Very" I replied enthusiastically.

"Did you show her all the features?" She questioned.

"Definitely, you take me for a fool or what?" I said, irritated.

Ranju looked at me quizzically. Fortunately, her phone rang. I was let off.

Routine life rambled on. Outwardly, nothing had changed, but internally? I think I was getting obsessed with changes!

Two weeks passed and I, like a maniac kept on checking all my electronic addresses. Nothing pinged. Slowly, I stopped looking. I gave up.

The WhatsApp showed a message on Tuesday morning, exactly 14 days after my return to Delhi with a cryptic message, "Check mail." I opened the mail and there were a short message and one attachment.

"Take some leave and come. John Pinto will meet you at the airport. Bye."

The attachment was an air ticket to Dabolim airport for Wednesday morning. I had 24 hours to understand the meaning of all this. I replied the WhatsApp message with an okay sign.

Leave wasn't a problem. I called Ranju and informed her that I needed to go on a short duty trip and to my relief, she did not ask questions. In the evening, we went out for dinner to the Saket Mall and akin to a pilgrimage went inside the 'fabindia' store. A woven jacket caught my eyes and I showed it to Ranju. She flipped the price tag and arched her brows, almost touching the roof.

What the hell! I bought it.

The early morning flight gave me time to reflect on this very peculiar travel of mine. It was a mysterious journey and straight out of a thriller story. John Pinto would be there to take me to his den. Would I be blindfolded? I laughed. The passenger on the next seat looked back curiously. I was nonplussed but he smiled back. Maybe, he too was pursuing some story of his own. The sun was rising and I felt the excitement of a new day.

As I came out of the airport building, I looked for a heavy set muscular man with a cigar and goggles. He was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a thin balding man in slippers was standing with a placard with my name wrongly spelt. I shouted, "John Pinto!" The gangster in slippers approached me flashing a smile extending to his ears. The first words that tumbled out of his mouth were, "Nasta karinga to bolo (Have some breakfast)."

I soon realized that the cab was taking me towards the southern part of Goa. John Pinto appeared to have an intense interest in the dwindling quality of 'feni' (a local cashew/coconut wine), produced nowadays. He lamented the dishonesty and shortcuts that had engulfed the 'feni' producers. Good days apparently were gone from Goa! I listened to him carefully. I wanted to ask him the whereabouts of my destination but refrained, for a variety of reasons. I allowed my luck to take me to my endpoint.

Once we crossed Margao, I suspected that I was headed towards a place we had visited a long time back. We crossed Canacona and I knew that I was going to the Palolem beach, the most exquisite beach in Goa. Our dreams of conjugal bliss had matured there. At "D'souza's Shack." The beach hadn't changed much and retained its charm. I asked Pinto to drop me at the car park. I needed to walk about 500 meters to the shack. It had to be that place!

Pinto asked me, "Tumko D'souza ka shack malum hai kya? (Do you know where D'souza's shack is?)"

I nodded. Pinto handed me a worn-out card and said with humility, "Sir, car ke liye phone karneka. Raat ko chhod kar. Thora feni chalta kya? (Call if you want a cab except at night. Would you like to sample some feni?"

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I shook my head and started to walk down the beach leaving Pinto to sample some quality feni in the adjacent joint.

D'souza's shack had a marvellous gazebo jutting out on the beach and I could see a silhouette of a woman in colourful attire holding the wooden rails. It took me about 5 minutes to reach and came face to face with Suhasini, stunningly beautiful. A completely new look. Everything was new, the hair, the dress and the body language. She came down to meet me, smiled and touched my new jacket.

"Nice". She said.

In contrast to her confidence and smartness, I felt lowly, out of place. I could not take my eyes off her.

She knew it and asked me conspiratorially, "How do I look?"

I answered honestly, "Neighbour's wife."

She laughed loudly, obviously pleased. Her voice was tantalizingly intoxicating sufficient for anyone to lose control.

She held me by my hand and pulled through the stairs to the gazebo. There were two reclining couches side by side. She made me lie down. She went behind and caressed my head and temples. Suddenly I could feel the fragrance of her hair and her whispering in my ears, "How are you?"

I looked up and said nothing.

She continued to massage my head for a long time. No words were exchanged.

The vast blue ocean in front of us was calm and so were we. Turbulence if any was hidden.

Everything was of best quality and in perfect cadence, the food, the ambience, the comfort and the lady. I was not able to comprehend the situation. It appeared so unreal.

By the laws of nature, the evening brought in the sunset, dazzling in its colours slowly turning the sea from molten gold into a dark body of unknown terror.

We sat on the couches side by side. Suhasini did not let go my hands even for a moment in the last few hours. But I could not recognize my Suhas in her. But, she was undeniably mine, her touch was the same. With closed eyes, I could feel it.

Night descended and brought along the human silence. The only sounds that I heard were of the waves breaking against the shoreline.

We had a memorable dinner and it was time for me to make love, to this beautiful woman. My anger was gone, a long time back. I pulled her to me. Inexplicably, she resisted. I looked at her, visibly surprised.

She kissed me on my forehead and said, "I need to tell you something and you need to listen."

"What?" I asked, worried.

"The truth. Your Suhas wants to confess."

Chapter-5

I wasn't a 'Padre' but if Suhasini had decided to confess to me, I didn't have a choice.

I nodded dumbly.

She sat near me, still holding my hands and started to speak.

"That night when you found me with Adi, it was not a one-off event. I love him.

My 20 years of existence with you is an enigma to me. We were distinct individuals for maybe five years. For five years we explored each other, discovered each other, loved each other and disagreed with each other. We fiercely quarrelled and then fiercely made love. We didn't speak for a week and when we made up we didn't stop loving for a week. When you returned from the tours, I would think for hours, how I would look nicer, to you. You once purchased a copy Rayban simply to impress me.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Soon, this discovery was over. The model family disease caught us. We started appreciating each other's viewpoints and accepted each other the way we were. We no longer fought and became an ideal couple! We lost our entities.

Maturity snatched away from us our romance. We started caring but we stopped wooing. I started worrying more about how you look than to what I should be doing so that you keep looking at me. You too did the same. Slowly we took each other for granted. I would wear some shapeless nightie at home and you would just wear a Bermuda and nothing on top exposing your pot belly. To look nice or to make efforts to be presentable to each other just did not happen anymore.

You started liking what I liked and also disliked what you previously liked simply because I did not like it. Even I conformed to your ways. We had become so much as one that our entities collapsed into one. Our happiness's and worries were one. We were no longer different persons with different viewpoints. We were frighteningly one. Though for the world we were such a well-adjusted couple."

Suhasini kept quiet. I looked at her with incredulity. What as she saying. For all this long, I had thought that we had achieved perfection in marriage. Myth.

She appeared to organize her thoughts.

"Similarly, my shame was yours too. When you found me in bed with Adi, you were more ashamed than annoyed. I was supposed to feel the shame alone but you were feeling it on my behalf. You were more embarrassed as if it was an indiscretion by you. Guilty of barging in unannounced.

That night you behaved like a father who tries to cover up for his son's mistakes. You were not the possessive husband flying in an uncontrolled rage at Adi or me!

Rather, you escorted back Adi. You were considerate and kind to him as if he had just made a silly mistake that should be overlooked.

I have never seen you sleep in your jeans and shirt. You were uncomfortable and slept fitfully. For the first time, I was so livid with myself, for losing the control that I always cherished. I cried in anger but it did not give me solace. I had lost it.

Throughout the day, you kept consoling me trying to make me comfortable. That made me more miserable. We should have thrashed out the matter. You should have been angry. I kept looking at you to see that spark of anger. The only thing that I saw was sadness and some fear. The fear of losing me.

What I did was of least concern to you? You were simply letting me go. You did not ask for my relationship with Adi because had I told you that I was leaving you for him, you would have allowed me, for my sake. My happiness was supreme. Yours? It didn't matter.

I was like "the old toothbrush", of supreme sentimental value whether it's useful or not. Something that's just a habit."

Her eyes were moist, I could feel it. I failed to understand her intense hatred for herself. In her mind, she was convinced that she had let herself down. What I thought didn't matter at all.

She was in agony, I knew. In great pain, she continued her confession.

Suhasini continued, "Every time I looked at your gift, I felt despondent and I tried to scrutinize my own actions. There was nothing much to analyze. Adi was younger, stronger and in love with me. To him, I was an object of desire. He could do anything for me, even the most preposterous things. On the other hand, I had myself switched you off by assimilating you in me. Your entity as a lover had ceased to exist long back. Adi ignited that passion in me that decimated all my control, all my resolutions and I was blown away by this tornado."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"You know? How many times that day I had the desire to hold you in my arms like the old times? How many times did I want to cry on your shoulders and seek your pardon? But, the sadness in your eyes was scary. I knew that you would conform to anything that I wished. You would agree to any explanation, any truths or lies that I would tell. I could not defend myself because I would be presenting my case to a biased evaluator. There was no point in being declared 'not guilty' by a judge who was flawed."

I sat stunned. I was no appraiser of character but never had I been accused of being prejudiced. Well, I was learning newer chapters of life.

"On that Sunday, I asked you to leave and for the first time, I saw anger in your eyes, not hatred! You asked me about the gift. How could I return it? It was priceless.

And Ranju? She is my daughter, my flesh and blood, connected together for nine months. She is my life but not my weakness. I am not obliged to answer her anything.

But to you, I am. We, two genetically unrelated persons were united in a unique relationship and we vowed to uphold its dignity that I failed to honour.

You know I am a cheat. It no longer matters to me now whether Ranju knows it or not?

I am her mother, a defective human, not God.

Her opinion does not matter to me, yours does. And my own does.

The only thing that has continued to perplex me was that why Adi? Why not anyone else? I could not understand. To date, I was not fully sure why? But, today, when I saw you coming down the beach, looking so fit, so trim and so handsome in that jacket, I suddenly realized that I was looking at Adi, a clone of the younger you. My subconscious intuitive mind somehow recognized you in Adi.

But does that absolve me of my deeds? No, it doesn't. It will never be."

She looked at me intensely and whispered, "Tonight, I am here to woo you back to me with all my might, with all my beauty and my entire guilty mind. Tonight, I seek your pardon, your forgiveness and plead acquittal by the supreme judge of my being, you! Will you accept back this cheat?"

The sound of the Arabian Sea was incessant. It appeared too close to us and too close to me. The daybreak was near.

I got up, Suhasini responded. We locked ourselves in a deep passionate kiss.

Chapter-6

She clung to me like a creeper and her breathing got heavier. I closed my eyes and caressed her. Her lips, her face, her back, her arms, everything. My Suhas was in my arms. Her lips were mine. She too touched my hair. Her arms were around my neck. Her legs touched my legs. I never felt so aroused, so much in love. How long we stood there, I did not remember. The light of the early dawn touched our body and my soul.

I opened my eyes.

Her eyes penetrated my heart. It was intense. She whispered, "Let's go inside."

I closed my eyes again and felt her.

She giggled, "Let's go in!"

I whispered back, my eyes still closed, "Let me feel you. Let me identify my Suhas like a blind man recognizes the words in Braille."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Suhasini touched my face, "Is that why your eyes are closed?"

"Yes, I am one with my Suhas that I know and I know it well when my eyes are closed."

Suhasini pulled me and said breathlessly, "Open your eyes and tell me what you see?"

I opened my eyes and looked at that beautiful face and the deep eyes. Her lips were upturned towards mine. Her fragrance was all over me. I wanted her intensely.

She looked deeply into my eyes and said, "What do you see?"

I said with great difficulty, "I see a beautiful woman, so desirable, so enchanting!"

She smiled, "She's all yours, Come in. With me!"

"Yes", I said.

I added after a pause, "But can I say something?"

"Of course you can? And you must." She held me tighter.

I was torn between the excesses of emotions and initiation was a challenge. I was unable to look at her eyes and say it.

"Suhas, Do you know what I did after I left Pune? Do you know that I could not go back to Delhi?"

"You came to Goa, I know." She said.

I was incredulous, "How?"

"I tracked your mobile. I knew you hadn't gone back to Delhi. I was worried." She answered.

"Do you have any idea what I have gone through the last two weeks? Wasn't I worried?" I asked again.

She was quiet now. After a moment she said, "Yes, I know."

I continue to look the other way, "I had no clue about why you called me here. I was just following instructions. I met you here, in your new avatar.

A brand new Suhasini, perfect in all respects. In this beautiful shack.

Perfect.

And you spoke about yourself and us. You spoke about your own philosophy of life, to me at least, it was brand new again, When you spoke, I kept looking at you. It was mesmerizing. I am still looking at you.

But, I am not looking at my Suhas. I am looking at someone whom I don't recognize. You are everything that I desire but you are not my Suhas."

Her eyes blurred in confusion, "What are you saying?"

In great pain, I continued, "You told me about us. How our oneness became the central core of anomaly in our relationship. Maybe, you are right. Maybe, this is the real reason. But this is beyond my comprehension. For me, it's very complex. I don't know, don't understand this thought process.

You want me to be angry, not sad, nor hurt, neither forgiving. In your eyes, these make me unqualified to make you feel comfortable. You may be right again but what about me? What about my perceptions?

After five years of marriage we rolled into one, we became more tolerant of each other, more understanding and more caring. Was that wrong? Did we not strive for it, to make small little adjustments and compromises, for ourselves? Did we ever repent making those little 'gives and takes' in our life. Moreover, did we not feel better sacrificing a little for each other? I did, but today I am not so sure anymore.

And all these prevented me from asking for explanations. That, in my mind, would have gone against the grain of our existence built over a period of 20 years, with great difficulty. So, when you asked me to leave, I felt bizarre but did not argue. If you said it, you had a reason. That's that!

You love Adi. Absolutely fine with me. You love me more. That too is fine. We are partners in life. We don't own each other's thoughts. But when you say that you love him because he, in retrospect reminds me of younger me, I am filled with a sense of deficiency. Deficiencies are borne out of our endeavours to adjust towards each other's happiness.

You didn't want me to fear that I would lose you but I felt exactly that when you turned me out. You wanted me to be angry but I could not because I was more hurt when you refused my efforts to console you, stand by you. You think I would have been a biased judge and you are right because to stand on judgment on someone who has done everything for you would have been a sacrilege, an unthinkable option.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Today, when this matter is resolved and I, the shunned one is back in the folds of my beloved at her own insistence, I find in her someone else, not the lady I had known before. With my eyes open, I see a stranger.

Do I have a philosophy of my own? I dare not. That is most likely to be at gross variance, with yours. And that would be catastrophic, wouldn't it be?

I want it to happen, really, but with my own old simple Suhas who was always poor in mind games but super large at heart. Today, we are two different people.

You turned me out one day. Today I am booting myself out. Actually, I am the "The Old Toothbrush" who is so redundant that his discard would go completely unnoticed.

And I stopped, emotionally drained, exhausted.

She was no longer holding me. Sitting on the couch looking towards the horizon, she looked unmindful of everything.

I started packing. It took me only a couple of minutes and it was time to leave.

As I got down the stairs, I turned back. She was looking at me, the silent tears welling up, once again.

She whispered in extreme grief, "Please!"

The pain in my heart was searing through. I was getting weaker.

I turned back and left.

John Pinto was waiting for me in the car.

The End.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

The Old Toothbrush Pt. 03

Dear friends. It is with great trepidation that I have embarked on the third and ostensibly the last part of the toothbrush story. It has two parts. First, the 7th and the final chapter (small one) of the previous story that I am sure would bring around some more insults.

But, it couldn't be worse than what has already been said. What worries me is the appropriateness of this update and I so, have been hesitating to post. But, better be out than in.

The second part is a newer story as an epilogue to the first one and has about four chapters. I have called this part "twists in the tail". It has characters from an earlier effort of mine that I might post if you all are interested.

There would large number of passages that would be typical of the Indian culture and alien to the gentry but I would try to give explanations here and there or at the end.

The names of the characters would also appear strange and some of the relationships call too shall be unfamiliar. Some are as follows: dada (big brother); didi (elder sister); boudi (wife of elder brother); Shakuntala & Dushyant are two romantic mythological characters who were separated by fate and were reunited at the end. The first paragraph of the "twist in the tail" deals with a ***** mythological deity who is all-powerful and also benevolent. He roams around in dark places with two of his bulls (real ones!!).

Chapter-7: The Old Toothbrush

It has been 3 months now that I had returned to Delhi. Life was brilliant, rather it was dazzling. I had no problems, no qualms, nothing. I had one person less to think about, one less to care; super. As dazzling, as the sky on a rainy night; as brilliant, as my dimly lit mind.

What did I do? Why?

The road to the airport had passed in a blur. Only thing Pinto had said on the way, in his typical inimitable Goan style was, "Very short trip, I say?" And then he had added conspiratorially, "your girlfriend is very beautiful." I wished to shout at him, "She is not my girlfriend you silly man; she is my friend for life; she is my life." But I couldn't. With my own hands, I had destroyed the final link that held us for 20 years. I had kept quiet.

At the airport, I purchased new tickets and when the clerk asked my destination, I had blankly answered, 'Pune'. Halfway through the booking, I remembered that my end had ceased to be Pune. I had blocked it. I asked him to change it to Delhi. The clerk looked up sharply but probably realized something was amiss; he quietly modified the ticket and let me in.

My days passed in the routine. All went well, breakfast, office, lunch, back to home, everything. But, time ceased to move in the evenings. The nights were long. I restarted smoking and I was skipping dinner. Initially, Ranju tried to encourage me to go and eat but then gave up. Once in a while, we went out for dinner. She wasn't aware of anything except that I was trying to lose weight. Healthier lifestyle!

Sometimes, I felt bad for Ranju. I was neglecting her, she was just a child. But, I was going numb and tired. I had no one to share my pain.

The more I tried to forget Suhasini; her memories held me that much fiercely. She pervaded my senses, my entire being each day and each night. I could not get rid of her. I tried everything.

Her tear-filled eyes and her silent prayer for me not to leave remained etched in my mind. I saw my Suhas pleading, my old Suhas.

I thought about it a lot. My logical mind asserted that I had no other option but my heart rebuked me each day for being cruel, insensitive, a monster. And the more I thought about Suhasini, the more I was drowning in the quicksand of remorse.

She had turned me out, no doubt, but it was her inner strength that had prompted her to do. To first set her own-self in order and it was not an easy task. She went to some extreme end to win back her husband, her closest friend. She converted herself, made her attractive beyond imagination to woo me. Only for me!

She narrated her side of the story in complete honesty, without fear and with full faith that I will understand. Did I understand? Sorry! No! Did it take intense courage to say such intimate things and accept her mistakes? The answer is yes.

Did it take courage to plead for pardon repeatedly even at the cost of self-esteem? Again the answer need not be told! Why did she do that? Because she had that immense trust in me! That I would understand.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

How did I reciprocate all this? By leaving her in a most unforgivable way and not contacting her again for three months. In the end, I ended up punishing her so severely that there was no redemption for me. In the garb of a considerate husband with great magnanimity, I showed myself an ugly face that was jealous, unforgiving, malicious and truly inhuman.

I did not have the courage or audacity to call Suhas and seek her forgiveness. I had lost that right.

Three days back, Ranju informed me that she was planning a 7 day trip to Pondicherry. I readily agreed, because she too needed a break from me. She left an hour back and I now, am all alone.

I surfed my mails aimlessly. I was opening it after 7 days. Suddenly something caught my eye. In 90 days, that was the most precious mail of all. Suhasini has written, "Heard that you are not eating well. Don't do that. Look after yourself. Because of me, you are suffering so much. I can never forgive myself. I cannot even comfort you. Every time, the bell rings, I rush, thinking it's you. Foolish of me; I have lost all rights. Don't worry about me. I will be alright. Suhas."

The night passed. I read and re-read that mail a hundred times till it was time for me to go to the office. I went straight to my boss.

They adjusted me on the 12 pm flight to Pune and I was on my way. To make amends, if luck permitted. I had a very vague memory of the journey. Standing in front of the door, my hands and feet were laden.

I rang the bell. The door opened and I saw one female form wrecked by life. Only a shadow remained of her previous self. Hairs disheveled; stains under the eyes, deathly pale. That was my Suhas alright. I had managed to convert her to this state.

Waiting for me to come back; was I too late? A strained smile crossed her face. She said with a bit of difficulty, "I was waiting for you. I knew you will come."

I held her. I could feel the bones that emerged out of her body due to neglect and self-flagellation; punishing herself with all her might.

I held her fiercely. And then we sat down.

She had forgiven me.

The bell rang again. I opened it this time. Ranju was standing with grocery.

She came in and said, "Baba, have you seen what Maa has done to herself?"

I said quietly, "You don't know what she has gone through."

She said, "Baba, I know. Maa has told me everything. You two are the limits!"

The End of the toothbrush story

Twists in the tail-1

Trambak

I call myself Trambak. Who's that? Any insights?

Have you seen the phallic man coloured blue around the throat? No? Okay, the one, in the company of two bulls!

Still negative? Exasperating!

Man! The one who roams around in places where good people like you wouldn't dare venture!! He is also addicted to the good stuff that sometimes you people roll with elaborate care and happiness.

Does your mother know what you have been rolling?

Got it?

So, here I am, but who am I actually? Why am I hiding behind my alias? Why am I scared to lift the veil that could expose my innermost secrets, perennially dark but lovely?

[Ramesh_Rocky]

This darkness is my prized possession; my small little snake, venomous to the core!

A nice fellow called Maverick once identified me by my name. He has a similar one, I presume. He insists that I am good and benign. Let me not disappoint him! What say, you?

Whereas, I sneak in like a stealth bomber and cause havoc and no one's any wiser. I am all too pervasive, omnipresent but I evade radars.

See, life is a big baking kiln. It roasts you like hell and burns holes into your precious skin. The fun is that you think it is all enjoyment and so-called 'good experience'.

Sir! You are actually getting screwed, with royal fervor and damnation.

I am a bit different, not because I don't get my share of the goring but because I compensate by doing the unspeakable to others, in various ways. It is so uplifting! There is nothing more satisfying than actually planning the assault and then meticulously implementing it.

I am like a dark blanket that cuts out all light, all goodness, all hope. But people still think I am benevolent. That is my trump card.

I am occult cancer. I strike the feeble and sick who are unable to resist me.

What's wrong with me? Today, I feel feisty. I feel like an aggressive hound, ready to pounce on some unsuspecting fellow who thinks that I can do no wrong. Whoa! That's my ammo!

I never do anything openly.

I am the destroyer of untapped contentment. Beware.

Knock, knock, knock!!

The train of thoughts that was igniting all my faculties were rudely tethered by the entry of the lady, the light of my life. LED lamp of high intensity but low on wattage; expensive but comes with a long warranty.

"Darling, are you writing something?" She coos into my ears.

I look blankly.

"The same pathetic rubbish I guess?" She reinforces the idea, with finesse.

"I am just writing letters of nomination to the insurance company." I reiterate forcefully.

"Atta boy! Hope they settle the claim quickly. Do I have to go personally?" She rubs it in.

"If you talk to me like that, I will do something awful. And that day, you...you...." I leave the sentence unfinished, for effects.

She nods her head sagely, like Shakuntala for her Dushyant, "I am living this terrible life only on that hope, howsoever slim."

She faces me and pouts her lips. I move forward in anticipation. She too comes forward. Nice.

I am back in my chair. Her push could be rather forceful.

"You dirty mind" She cries, how's my new lipstick? How do I look?

"Countess Dracula. Wretched colour choice." I reply morosely.

In retaliation, she picks up the bowl of 'prawn masala' meant for me and occupies her appointed place in the hammock tied between the two trees.

In vengeance, I order a double bowl, of crabs.

Musings could wait.

To the uninitiated, hammocks could be a frightening experience. Climbing in, settling down and then de-hammocking, all have their uncharitable moments. But once you get used to, it's unadulterated bliss.

I settled down in the one adjacent to the Countess and looked up to find nice juicy coconuts menacingly hanging bang over my cranium.

Life was uncertain; I had the choice of injury from the top as well as the left.

Looking at the blue sky through the coconuts, I ventured into a benevolent dialogue, "Where the f...k is Probal"?

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"Doing what he does better than you." The Dracula replied.

The slant was not to be missed.

"Not some firsthand experience, I hope?" My turn to rub it in.

"Why not? Keep guessing!" She was relentless.

Not to be outdone, I said, "It is just your personal view otherwise I am much sought after."

"Yes, by monkeys and gorillas! Be careful." She was obviously enjoying the banter. So, I changed the track.

"Okay! So, Probal is busy, then, where is Ahana?" I asked, pretending ignorance.

She winked at me suggestively and concentrated on the prawns. I licked my lips and waited patiently for the crabs.

A rustling sound caught my attention. It was Ahana, in her swimsuit with a towel carelessly wrapped, freshly sea bathed, looking ethereal.

I placed my hands over my eyes.

"What happened dada?" asked Ahana?

"Don't scorch my eyes, go away." I cry.

Difficult to fool the Drac! With utter dryness, she comments, "I can see your eyes through your fingers, dammit!"

Ahana laughs aloud, "didi, at least someone is looking at me."

"Why, I thought you two lovebirds were at it." I poked.

"Who? Probal? Catching up with sleep that he missed during his college days." Ahana sighed.

I said with sufficient seriousness, "Look Ahana, it's not a matter of joke. If you permit; I and this lady can jointly kick Probal's butt. Only you, have to say yes."

"Can I contribute too?" There was plenty of eagerness in Ahana's voice.

Precisely at this juncture, the prodigal man with some supposedly extraordinary prowess named Probal made his entry exhibiting all the 32 teeth and holding a double bowl of chili crab, almost empty. He gallantly offered the last two to his legally wedded wife evoking in me an intense urge to cause him some appropriate physical damage e.g. reduction in the number of exhibitable teeth and/or kicking a sensitive area below the

belt.

"The waiter was looking for you and I offered to carry the bowl. Sorry boudi, it is almost finished." He explained patiently.

The ibid 'boudi' launched into a mirthless laughter; her entire body shook and made me tremble like an aspen, in anger. (Confession: This sentence has been partially plagiarized from a PG Wodehouse novel)

I became philosophical post this trauma. A great calm descended on me and I condoned the follies of all including the truant hammock.

What truly pained me was the behaviour of Ahana who a moment ago had been actively conniving to inflict injury to the backside of Probal had now completely changed sides; thanks to the two pieces of crab at my fu...ing expense and further sharing a single hammock with the culprit. Life was cruel.

I concentrated on the coconuts above while Probal shamelessly flirted with the female folk.

"What a relief from the politics of the college," Ahana volunteered.

Probal added with gusto, "Why doesn't your Director stop this? And what about you, the Vice Principal?"

Ahana sighed, "The Director is a perfect asshole. You just don't know whose side she is. Anyone with a fancy name like 'Adishakti' would be creepy!"

The husband-wife couple almost fell off the hammock in laughter while Countess Dracula quietly mopped up the remaining gravy from the bowl.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Incidentally, the Drac herself was the Director called 'Adishakti' and they called me weirdo!

"You know, today I heard a funny thing," Ahana said suddenly.

"What?" Probal enquired.

"There was this couple on the beach who made friends with me. Young pair, one good looking girl and one handsome hunk." Ahana said excitedly.

"Okay okay, what did you hear?" Probal wasn't interested in the hunk.

"The girl was saying that funny things happen around this place. So, I asked her, what funny things but she evaded it?" Ahana said.

"Then," Probal enquired.

"Nothing," She asked me my name and I asked theirs, that's all," Ahana remarked.

I was getting a bit interested.

"What's their name?" I asked.

Ahana thought for a moment and said, "Keya and Karan."

Twists in the tail-2

Flummoxed

Keya and Karan!!

I was dumbfounded.

But why?

To confirm, I asked Ahana, "Can you describe them?"

She replied enthusiastically, "Keya is the dominant type, has nice large grey eyes and Karan? Ooh, he is handsome but he seems to be intimidated by Keya."

That was enough for me. They were here and that meant that they were up to some mischief!

And how about the rest?

I carefully said, "The names appear familiar but it could just be a coincidence."

I found Adishakti looking peculiarly at me. She had some idea about what it meant.

They were coming to interrogate me. They had last visited me on 31st July, precisely 6 months back.

They were back again.

But I was still unclear. Why were they here? I asked myself, once more.

Slowly it dawned. This had to be the toothbrush story. I myself was aware of the loose ends that I had left under the guise of open endings. The scathing comments that had poured in were unnerving, to say the least. There were discerning readers who were gentle, nevertheless not very convinced with the arguments that I had set in.

Neither was I.

Because I was myself bogged down by the contradictions that no debate could close.

My options were limited as I was being tracked down relentlessly. The last time, when I met them, I was alone. This time, there were others, watching. It was bizarre.

All of a sudden, I seemed to have found a way out. They would not appear as long as either Probal or Ahana was there with me. They could be my shield.

And for all I cared, it actually could just be a simple coincidence.

Armed with this comprehension, I said with confidence, "Forget everything and let us have a ball in the evening in honour of the two best ladies who have made my and Probal's life so beautiful."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Ahana said dubiously, "Dada, are you talking about us?"

Adishakti said only one word, "Liar!"

That settled it.

The arrangements were made quickly and the evening turned to night as we assembled outside for the gala evening. Fortunately, we were only the four of us. The sound of the waves breaking the shore was loud enough to impart an ethereal ambiance.

Ahana was clutching the arms of Probal.

"We may have guests tonight." Shakti calmly vocalized my innermost predicament.

"Anything's the matter?" enquired Probal, clearly confused.

Ahana was quicker on the uptake. She said, "Does it have to do something with this couple Keya and Karan; you know them?"

Shakti considered the question for a second and before I could say something said, "Well, I don't know them but have some idea. Your dada knows them well. They may be coming to ask him questions."

"Questions?" Probal queried. "Are they some sort of detectives?"

"Detectives! You could say that but of a different type." Shakti said.

Exasperated, Ahana jumped in, "Dada, stop being a mystery man. What's the scene?"

Being cornered, I spoke being careful not to mess it up, "Look, Keya and Karan are characters in a story that I created. And there are a few more. This was a story that I wrote as a continuation of another story that affected me seriously. Though not desirable, I felt that certain aspects of the original story needed closure and a few characters deserved empathy. So, I took permission of the original author and with her blessings continued the story."

Ahana interrupted me, "Dada! You mean to say the people I met today are not real? What are they? Ghosts or what?"

I did not know how to counter her question but now the die was cast, "Probal, Ahana, look, it's a complicated matter. After I completed the story, I felt that each aspect had reached their logical conclusions. However, one night, I had a dream where all the characters in the story appeared and demanded explanations of my points of views. They were very insistent and I had a distinct feeling that they weren't going to leave till I answered their questions satisfactorily. In the end, they left, apparently satisfied."

"So, why are they back?" Probal asked with incredulity in his voice.

"They may have fresh questions or it may be something else," I replied.

Ahana came close to me and put her hand on my shoulders and said seriously, "Dada, I hope you are not taking some funny stuff or some medications. Are you ok?"

Shakti responded from her hammock, "He does not need anything. He is congenitally creepy. All this has started since the time he has started writing there."

"Writing where?" Probal interjected.

"Where else, the website! He is seriously into it. This place is full of people who have never seen each other but communicate like friends, foes, and lovers through aliases. He too has three VMs that he is smitten with."

Concerned by the unrecognizable terminology to an otherwise accurate description, I interrupted, "What are VMs?"

Shakti laughed, "That's my abbreviation for 'virtual mohinis (beautiful damsels)'. He has three of them, one is apparently cute, the other one insists that she is indeed Rachel and the third one seems to be suffixed in 2016. The last of the mohinis specifically uses the English vocabulary as if this place is witnessing some sort of an ongoing philosophical deliberation attended by Kafka, Aristotle and Nietzsche espousing skepticism, hedonism, and nihilism all at once."