Adultery The Old Toothbrush 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.