06-08-2020, 06:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2020, 02:55 AM by cmtkullu. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
The rest of the evening with Vikas passed off rather sedately. After my arrival, I acted normally and both Meena and Vikas also behaved normally. We discussed the house they had finalized, according to them after lot of ‘hard work’. It sounded reasonable to me and I gave my go ahead. The deal was done and we were ready to shift to our new house.
“So, do it. Do you need a written invitation?”
I wanted to get the evening with Vikas to be done quickly. Because of two reasons. One, I knew no more action would be coming that day since I had arrived home. And second, I wanted to quickly lay my hands on the recorder that I had placed in Meena’s handbag.
After exchanging pleasantries, Vikas got up to leave. He offered to help with house shifting and also suggested that he could tie up with a friendly movers-and-packers who would be cheaper than market rates. I remembered the last time he had made no such offer. Clearly he had additional interests now in wanting to linger along longer. I remained non-committal on his offer because I wanted to watch Meena’s reaction. She readily agreed. Her logic – since we were shifting so soon again, so if we could save some money on movers-and-packers then why not? She also asked Vikas to help her in other related things like fixing appliances, carpenters etc. to which also he agreed happily. With future opportunities sorted for them to continue meeting, Vikas left for the day.
“Finally. After long effort, it's done”, I started the conversation after he left.
"Yes it is. And all because of me. Say thank you to me”
“Not just because of you. Vikas also. You two make a good team”
“What do you mean?”. She expressed mock anger.
“Nothing. Just joking yaar”
“Haan haan….you bakwaas jokes……But now that you say it, that is why I asked him to stay along for a few more days and help out in the shifting also.”
“But what will he do which cannot be done without him, we managed last time also”
“Yes, but remember, you had to take three days leave to just to arrange the things once the mover and packers shift the things. They just unpack, but don’t arrange”
“So? We could have done this time also”
“You will again take leave? Your office would laugh at you if you take leave for shifting every few months”
“Oh !! So, this was done as consideration for me?
“Then what?”
“And not because that young Vikas can spend a few days more with you”
“Shut up. On the one hand I think of his good and he mocks me”
With that she pretended to be dismayed and went to the kitchen to fix the dinner. I noticed that she did not offer to rescind the proposal to have Vikas help her in shifting.
So, for three days, I would be in office, our kid would be in college and they would be alone in the house!!! It was a neat plan. I had to plan something to know what would happen in these three days. But wait, before that I had to listen to that tape…..
Aah ! the Tape…..
“I am going to bathroom…will take some time…will be in the tub”
“Ok….Dinner will be ready in an hour….”
I hurriedly went to the place where she had kept her bag, took out the recorder, went to the bathroom, started the tap, put on my earphones…and started listening….
{The total recording in the tape is of several hours….I am narrating just some selected portions. Time Jumps in conversations would be demarcated by a line… }
“The house is more or less sorted. Glad we don’t have to see other options and liked the first one itself.” Vikas was clearly happy…..
“Yes. Thank God. Else it was getting very boring”
“I thought you wanted to Ph.D. in house hunting”…
“Shut up. ….."
(sound of Meena playactingly hitting Vikas made out, but barely)
“Accha, What now?” asked Meena
“We have the whole day, right? You have to go back in the evening. Why not head to Gurgaon drive now itself and come back in evening”
“OK…but let’s take the longer route”, said Meena….
……………………………………......................................................................
“Wow ! what a beautiful scene. Look. Never seen such a lovely peacock before”….
(So, this was the peacock moment, I thought and started listening more intently )
“Yes. Stunning. But be careful. Watch it from the car itself. Don’t get out as the bushes outside may have insects”
(I remembered the photo I had just seen. Obviously he wanted to her to remain inside the car because of the view she was giving. She on the front passenger seat, turned sideways, away from Vikas and looking out through the opened front passenger side door. Bending down, with her back towards to Vikas who was on driver seat)
“You are darpok. There is such stunning beauty outside and you want to remain embedded inside”
“I am happy with the stunning beauty inside, sitting right next to me”
“Very funny. You remain here watching me, while I watch nature in all its glory”
(Sounds of Meena opening the door further and slowly getting out)
“You mean in exactly similar way I can also watch you in all your glory”
“You and you fake analogies….sudhar jao….”
(sound of laughter by both of them)
“Look…..such beautiful flowers…..amazing. Never seen them before in any flower shops..”
“Don’t move ahead….the bushes there are longer….”, Vikas again warned
“Uff, what a man you are! Such an inviting beauty and you would leave the chance to see it from up close”
(I noticed that Meena would willingly herself initiate risqué conversation each time. Vikas was smart enough to obviously take the hint)
“Don’t worry. I will not miss the chance in the beauty I am interested in. Will see it from not just up close but even feel inside her”
(Suddenly a loud sound of Meena is heard. Not of crying, but one of anxious fear and sudden danger. Sound of another door opening – probably Vikas’s side – and Vikas heard running towards her)
“Come fast…help….fast…. Oh God !.....Aaa….Aaa…fast…..”
“I am here, what happened?” Vikas had by now reached her…..
“An insect has entered inside”
“Where?”
“Inside my jeans at the back…..”
“What?!!! How?”
“What do you mean how? Must have dropped from that high bush branch”
“aah….aaah”
“Oh ! I had told you not to come out”
“You fool, you will only blame me or will also help? It is slowly crawling inside and making me uneasy”
“But how? Tell me what to do?”
“I cannot touch the insect and take it out. I get grossed out. Help me take it out”. Meena was by now sounding delirious with fear
“But…..But…….” Vikas was clearly dumfounded at the unexpected turn of events and was searching for a response
“What but?”
“But….I will have to insert my hand inside to take that out….”
“So, do it. Do you need a written invitation?”