Non-erotic Bonds of Love by sfraza

[pastispresent]

Chapter 8

Authors's note: Writing is flowing now, Lets see where it goes. Please do let me know your comments and feedback.

Neeta sat across the glass partition, noticing her family in the busy airport terminal from afar. Instead of rushing to meet them, she was frozen with fear in her seat. What had she been doing these past three months? She had completely forgotten everything about them. Why had she been so cold and indifferent? She must have been a terrible wife and a horrible mother. Anjali had the appearance of a sickly waifish teenage not the health wholesome girl she remembered. Rohit looked wild and neglected; his hair sticking in all directions, his mouth and t-shirt dirty with chocolate stains. Neeta shook herself as if to swat the mass of complicated thoughts swarming her head like dirty flies. Bottom line was she had abandoned the. She looked at Aditya as he frantically searched for her and her heart curled up into a bitter foul mass like stale meat. Something you just want to throw out of your refrigerator.

Aditya was frustrated and tired too, the children were getting on his nerves. Rohit in his excitement had got lost twice, Anjali had not eaten and consequently was cranky and wimpy both. They just had a 26-hour long journey and he could not find Neeta anywhere. For the past 4 months, Aditya had only one thought and that was to catch a glimpse of his wife and hug her tightly and now he could barely wait. A panic rose within him, lately she had not been too prompt with her phone calls and messages, barely keeping in touch. Was she alright? Had she slipped further into depression, he had been two engrossed in managing the household that he barely thought about her well-being. About how she was managing in a foreign and strange country. He should have paid more attention to her. He started to feel desperate until he saw her statuesque like staring at them. He rushed off leaving the kids and the luggage behind and held her close.

As they all bundled up excitedly into her brand new secondhand car and Aditya loaded the luggage in the boot, the first snow of the season started to fell. Anjali and Rohit both squealed with delight simultaneously. “Oh, it is about time, this was long coming”, Neeta told them.

Neeta realized that children were forgiving. They had done well without her and did not grudge her indifference over the past few months. Anjali showered her with an affection she usually reserved for her father and Rohit brought her gifts. Aditya was as surprised as her at their love and the family slept in the same bed all on top of each other, laughing and joking late into the night. In the middle of the night, Aditya took a pillow and flopped on the carpet, dead to the world.

The next morning, Aditya planned to take them to I-Hop for breakfast. Kabir met them in the hotel lobby and was promptly invited too. The kids loved the pancake and tried all variations, cream, blueberries, chocolate sauce. Aditya chatted up with Kabir and Neeta welcomed the diversion. She would prefer anything but a chat with her husband now.

“She is always knee deep in work, always on her laptop, working, working and working”, Kabir gestured towards her.

Neeta quailed at the undeserved commendation, she wondered why Kabir would praise her when he knew how untrue it was. She hardly had paid any attention to office and was the first one to run away in the evening. But Aditya was not paying attention, Rohit dripped chocolate sauce on his t-shirt and he promptly wiped it up with a tissue. Neeta could not but notice that Aditya was more responsible towards children now and much more considerate and affectionate. She wondered if his changed behavior was to appease her and if it was too late.

When they came out, the whole landscape was covered in a thick sheet of white. Snow came late but had fallen thick and heavy. The air was not just chilly, it was biting and icy. But the scene was no novel to them and so beautiful, everyone just got immersed into the scenery. Rohit and Anjali buddied up for a snow throwing match while the elders looked on mesmerizingly at the innocence of the kid’s game.

The small hotel room where Neeta lived was overcrowded with the four of them. The whole room was a big mess with big suitcases threw in and clothes strewn all over the bed and floor. Steam sneaked through the bathroom and outside filling the room with thick haze. Rohit was making full use of the bathroom facilities and Anjali was banging on the bathroom door, much like the old days. Neeta was quickly getting ready for office. She was already late; her hair was wet, and she was looking for warm clothes in this mess. Suddenly she found herself scooped in her husband’s arm and being kissed. Anjali was focused on the door; a mist had formed in the whole room and Aditya had seized his chance.

Neeta tried not to think of the discomfort it caused her while driving back to the office.

Aditya had planned well for the two weeks. All evening they would have, or other activity lined up and and the children were really enjoying themselves. During a long weekend in between, they planned to meet go to Las Vegas/LA for holidays. The evening before their weekend Neeta passed Kabir in the hallway. He told her he was going out with Milind.

“Oh, is he in the parking lot, I will go say hello.” Neeta was happy to see him. She wanted him to meet her family.

“No, he is waiting at the restaurant; he said he will meet me directly there”

A wave of regret washed over her as she wistfully remembered his face. The amused sunken face she had gotten so accustomed to.

“Oh well, say hi to him from me”

“Okay,” Kabir nodded.

“Your husband is a nice man” Kabir spoke suddenly changing the topic in an abrupt manner.

“Oh, I will be sure to tell him that he has earned a fan.” Neeta laughed at this observation.

Kabir shrugged and went on his way, leaving Neeta bemused.

They started the vacation with Vegas. Anjali enjoyed the shows and Rohit the stratosphere rides. Aditya followed Anjali like a magnet while Neeta spent time with Rohit; her adorable son who bounced from here to there in an abundance of energy until she was too tired to run after him and yet with shaky legs followed him everywhere. The family spent time in the waves pool, with hysterical shouts as each wave hit them. Aditya tried to make sure Rohit does not drown while Anjali and Neeta left all caution to winds and just enjoyed the moments. they walked on Vegas pathways until their feet hurt and were not able to walk anymore; everyone except Rohit.

The next stop was LA where they visited the sets of Hollywood; its fake beauty so magnificent it would put a real city to shame. The next stop was Disneyland. It was too big to cover in one day and they stood in queues as they took trips to the numerous attractions that dotted the place. The kids were hysterical with joy and were soon out of control. Aditya tried hopelessly for them not to get lost.

It is at this place and in their general state of blissful happiness that Aditya thought he could have a serious discussion with Neeta. He had no chance because Neeta did not seem remotely interested in any aspect of her old life. She did not ask anything about his parents, their friends, neighbors not even about the maid. He led the conversation slowly to topics related to their life in India and finally she responded.

“How have you been doing; has the trip been relaxing to you,” Aditya asked her.

Yes, very. She answered honestly.

“I cannot wait to have you back in India, things have been pretty hectic”

“And you want me to take care of it”, she replied sarcastically.

Aditya was hurt, “We cannot run away from our responsibilities and our life, Neeta”.

Neeta was quiet. She had not suggested that.

“I have realized it is us who have to make our lives and no one else who can do it for us; even if we do not like it. We can do this either gladly or joylessly. We have no other choice.”

No other choice. Life would be the same once she returns. The hectic chaos, the traffic, boring office, messy kitchens.

“Then let us make as much of this time as we can” Neeta got up, she had this conversation with him so many times. And it never went anywhere.

“I am willing to discuss this as much as you want”, Aditya did not want the discussion to be over.

Neeta did not reply. After some time, she spoke, “let us get our kids, they can easily get lost here”

Aditya was stricken by her callous attitude and he said what he never thought he will say in his lifetime, “Do you love me”

Neeta laughed out aloud, he looked so pathetic. She turned away and walked away among a sea of happy people, celebratory balloons, and fake clowns.

During the initial years of their marriage, Neeta would often ask him, Do you love me and Aditya would laugh and tease her. Sometimes he replied maybe, sometimes Not again, sometimes love is overrated, he never seriously tried to convince her that he loved her. Aditya was a practical man, he found the notion of romance and love quite foolish. After some years, she had ceased to ask. It was such sweet revenge to hear him pose this question to her now.

Aditya’s warmth for her cooled down a little bit after this episode. Nothing seemed to have changed on the surface even in their interactions. Both supposedly had a good time during the vacation. When the two weeks were over, and they were at the departure terminal, the troubled couple hugged almost disinterestedly. Many protestations of love were made by Neeta for the kids and she promised to take care of their big shopping lists. She cried taking them into her arms and quite embarrassing them.

Neeta stood up and looked at her husband with red-rimmed tear-filled eyes and seeing him desolate, tugged on his sleeve trying to reach out to him. They hugged again and this time she kissed him on the forehead a warm kiss.

“Come back soon”, he said misty eyed.

Things would become better after a time, he knew in his heart. There was no other turn they could take. Even the children did not say anything. They were amused with this unseen protestation of love from their parents.

“I will, I promise,” Neeta reassured him and they both knew the promise meant so much more than its literal meaning. Aditya looked relieved now. He herded the kids inside, Neeta stood at the same place long after they have gone.