Adultery No One Dies a Saint (Completed)

[krish_999]

Chapter 20

Atul

 
Atul had dozed off a bit when he was waiting at the New Delhi airport lounge. Luckily he was woken up by another passenger in time and Atul was able to board the flight. It landed at Mumbai at the scheduled time.
 
Chetak Engineering Ltd was at forty kilometres from the airport. The office was a building with gorgeous looks. At the front desk, he saw a beautiful face - Sadhna. Atul liked her before she opened her mouth and welcomed him with a pleasing smile. He introduced himself.
“I have an appointment with Ridhima Sachdev.”
He tried to hate Sadhna when she asked him to wait though politely.
He thought of the key points to cover during his presentation to Mrs Sachdev while he waited in the lobby. He was then told that Mrs Sachdev was busy in a conference and he tried to hate Sadhna even more.
“I had an appointment,” he argued.
“I know. But the conference has the priority, sir. Inconvenience is regretted.”
These girls have mastered that trick – they tell you all the disappointing news and still manage to keep you stay cool with it. Atul learnt.
Mrs Sachdev turned out to be quite a busy person. Atul walked up to Sadhna many times seeking a positive reply that never came before lunch. At a quarter past two Sadhana brought him the good news and he was ushered to Ridhima's office.
 
Ridhima Sachdev was expectedly a forty-something businesswoman who mostly looked good except for the spectacles that annoyed him. It added years to her and he immediately judged her as a job oriented brain head.
So this was the person with whom he had been communicating for almost nine months with no fruitful response. He instantly formed a stubborn desire that he must derive a positive outcome of this meeting. However, his quest was put to rest in a few seconds.
“I am extremely sorry Atul. I kept you waiting; it’s been a very busy day. And I have worse excuse to give you. I have some very important, unavoidable guests at home waiting for me. My life depends on it, and I must attend it. All I can do is to assure you a guaranteed meeting tomorrow.”
That ‘tomorrow’ was going to be Saturday and Atul was sure her office would not be open. Hiding his disappointment behind a bright smile he leaned forward and extended his hand to her.
“Forget it Miss Ridhima. I am very glad to meet you in person. Finally, we meet.”
We shook hands and he saw the eyes behind those thick glasses growing wide in surprise. She stood up.
“Atul! I am so sorry. I forgot even the basic etiquettes. It’s been such a crazy day. You must be disappointed by our meeting.”
“Well. I would be lying if I said otherwise. But I can understand your situation, Miss Ridhima. I am looking forward to our next meeting.”
He assured her.
“I promise it won’t be same next time. We don’t work on Saturdays but we can meet if you...”
“I’m afraid I have my return flight this evening.”
“Oh!”
She looked genuinely sad.
“Then it’ll be very rude to send you back like this.”
She thought a long moment about it.
“Let’s do one thing. Let’s do it now. We just have to rush.”
If he rushed it, it would certainly end up a flop show. He knew and he needed time.
“Thank you for saying that, Miss Ridhima. Anyways, it’s okay. I will come another day. You have people waiting for you at home. That’s more important now.”
“Are you sure, Atul?”
“We have had a lot of communications in the past; it was great to meet you finally. I’ll take it that way. You must go home and meet your guests.”
Her face became bright.
“Actually, it’s not the kind of...” She paused, “It’s a bit personal to share. It’s not that kind of a lovely family gathering but a serious... you know...” She was unable to find words.
“Then I would suggest you leave this chair now and run. You don't want to mess with your family.”
She laughed. “Are you married?”
“If I had met you at least one year earlier, I would have invited you for that,” he said.
Ridhima gave him her personal number before she left.
 
Atul was disappointed. It’s another day, another flop show.
After one hour, he phoned her.
“Can I see you later, if you are okay and comfortable with time schedule? My flight is late into the evening.”
“I wouldn’t mind that at all, Atul. But I am afraid I can't tell you now.”
“Can I expect a call, if it’s possible?”
He was really counting on her soft behaviour. And she agreed. “I will call you later. Even if it’s a no I will call you and tell you.”
That was definitely a positive reply. He got her address from Sadhna and headed to it. It was at least twenty kilometres from the office.
Eventually, he got her response. “Can you come over? I hope it’s not too late.” She said.
He liked her instantly. She is a good person.
She began to give him her address of the apartment in front of which he was already waiting.
“I am already at your gate, Ridhima. I am just coming in.”
He said calmly.
 
Fifteen minutes later, he was walking into her flat on the seventh floor. It was quite spacious – a 4 BHK, he guessed – but far from a luxurious one he was expecting. Its simplicity actually amused him. Filled with minimal objects and decor the most attention-grabbing thing was indeed Miss Ridhima herself. She wore a sleeveless lightweight top and a printed pyjama and looked younger than her office version. She had done away with her spectacles and he had to admit she had beautiful eyes. She welcomed him with an elegant smile and they sat on the adjacent sofas in the large square living space.
They talked briefly about family while he got his laptop ready for presentation.
Ridhima was married to Sudhakar Sachdev, a businessman. He had many shops in the city and he ran a travel service also. They did not have children. She had earlier thought about adoption but Sudhakar was decided against it for he believed in blood relations. Ridhima laughed slightly when she said that.
“Blood relations.”
“What happened?”
Atul asked.
“I have one brother. And I don’t remember the last time when we had smiled at each other.”
“The same sort of thing goes with me too. My dad and I never get along.”
“How about your wife?”
He smiled. “Anvita. She’s one of the best things ever happened in my life.”
“Love marriage?”
“Yeah.”
“Not surprised. You are very handsome.”
He was surprised at her comment. He spoke briefly about his love story and Ridhima was a good listener.
“It’s so bad I missed it. We should have met earlier.”
She said. Atul went on to mention Saturday’s dinner at home too, implying the need to reach home in time. She read his mind and asked him to present the proposal.
They were in the middle of the presentation when the doorbell rang. The servant, Neelam, opened the door and a man stormed inside. The visitor was a half bald head with a grey moustache and beard. He walked in with a sense of urgency and authority and sat on the couch facing Ridhima. Atul looked at Ridhima and she gestured him to remain seated. The man certainly did not enjoy it.
“Who’s this?”
He asked scornfully.
“He’s a friend. “
Ridhima said coldly.
“Friend from work?”
As though trying to be sarcastic, he threw a stern look at Atul as if the latter was his daughter’s boyfriend. Atul hated him instantly.
“Okay, listen. Wait outside until I finish with her. Come on...”
He ordered. Atul hated the man even more and he slowly turned his face to Ridhima.
“Let him stay. What do you want to say?”
“Tell him to go outside.”
“Why?”
She sat up, clearly in an attempt to put up a resilient posture. He dismissed her and threw Atul a hateful look.
“Boy, I’m her husband. Get out!”
He looked comical to Atul now, despite his seriousness. He slightly raised his palm.
“Okay.”
He nodded and looked at Ridhima. “It’s okay ma’am; I’ll wait outside.”
“Sit down Atul. You’re not going anywhere. And don't call me ma’am. Call me Ridhima.”
“Tell him to go.”
Mr Sachdev raised his voice.
“What’s wrong with you, Sudhakar? He’s my guest and you’re insulting him.”
Ridhima asked furiously.
“I know what you have come to talk to me; every single word of it. Listen to me carefully, Sudhakar; I am not gonna let go of that villa. No matter how many times you push my brother to me. They were here an hour ago. Why didn't you come with them?”
“If you think you can ditch me for nothing, I’ll make you pay for it.”
“You can't do anything Sudhakar. You have had a lot of chances to redeem yourself. Not anymore. You can leave.”
He jumped up, his eyes blazing.
“You’ve insulted me in front of your friend. You insulted me, I will never forget it. Pfuh!”
He ranted and stormed out of the house.
 
Ridhima sat back, her palm over the forehead.
“I can't believe how he’s turning my life into a hell.”
“I’m sorry Ridhima. I chose the wrong time to be here. I didn't know...”
Atul said apologetically.
“No. It’s not your fault.”
She let out a sigh.
“It’s not even my fault. It’s fate.”
She shook her head disapprovingly.
“I don't deserve this; none of it.” She was lost in thoughts after that. A small smile formed at the corner of her lips; perhaps laughing at her own destiny. Atul just looked on, thinking.
“Let’s continue with the presentation.”
Ridhima said finally.
Atul shook his head.
“I can't be that selfish. Sorry, Ridhima. You need some fresh air.”
She stared at him.
“I know. And I know I look a sorry figure now, right?” She asked honestly.
“You look far from what I saw at your office. But no, you don't look a sorry figure even now. You are a tough woman.”
“I act tough. In reality, I am a very simple person. Sometimes I feel like I should leave all this and just run away.”
Atul did not know what to say.
“But don't worry Atul. I won’t run just like that. At least I will make myself sit through your presentation.”
Presentation.
He was running short of time with the presentation already. He was constantly checking the watch and it was taking away his concentration. He knew he needed more time.
On an impulse, he folded his laptop.
“It’s nothing, Ridhima. All you need is some fresh air; not a presentation.”
He said.
“I don't know where to find it, Atul.” She seemed lost.
“Let me figure it out. Let’s go out.”
He said.
I will miss the flight.
Ridhima was now paying him her complete attention. “Don’t you have a flight to catch?”
“That’s not the last one for sure.”
He said quickly. She was at loss for words.
“I... I don't go out like... I mean...”
“That’s very good. I am sure you’ll enjoy it.”
Ridhima stared into his eyes for long before she nodded.
“Okay.”
Atul packed his laptop and got up.
“I will pick you up at seven thirty. Is that alright?”
She agreed.
 
Atul hired a cab and went for some quick shopping and then asked the driver to take him to a nice hotel; ‘Regal plaza’. When he reached the hotel he called Anvita.
“There’s a small delay in the proceedings, baby. I still haven’t got the sign on the deal and I’ll have to cancel the flight.”
Anvita was disappointed as expected, but he managed to convince her.
“I can handle it,” Anvita assured him, in the end.
“Thank you Anvi; I love you.”
“Come back soon.”
She said.
 
Atul googled and decided on the dinner place. Then he took a fine shower and got ready, wearing the faded blue jacket over the white and black striped round neck casuals that he had just bought.
 
 
He picked up Ridhima on time. She wore a white and navy blue sleeveless sheath dress that ended right at her knee. She had a wonderful body that showed she worked out regularly. She carried an innate sense of dignity around her. She was elegant and elite and Atul was impressed in every way.
It is just a casual date. He reminded himself as they sat together in the car.
“You look fabulous.”
He said.
“Thanks.” Ridhima flushed.
“You got rid of your specs.”
“I was trying to cut down my age.” She smiled. “I have a young man’s company. I don't know how I should do it.”
She looked anxious, making Atul wonder why. She held a position that apparently commanded a long line of smart men. Is there a shortage for smart men in Mumbai?
He placed his palm over hers.
“Go?”
“Yeah, go!”
She said, smiling.
Ten minutes later, the cab was on the road.
For one moment, Atul thought about Anvita. On an impulse, he pulled out his phone and put it on flight mode. If there was one thing he didn’t want to do, it was to answer a call from Anvita and lie to her in front of Ridhima.
“I am sorry I messed with your plan... work... I promise I’ll surely look into your...”
Ridhima began to say and he grabbed her hand as if to interrupt.
“Ridhima, tonight we don't speak work at all. Is that alright?”
“Alright.”
She smiled.
“There is a difference between how we deal with things in and out of our workplaces. In the office, we listen to our brain. Tonight, you are going to follow your heart.”
He said.
Atul held on to her hand throughout the drive and Ridhima never tried to move hers. It was almost like they were exploring each other’s cognizance without asking anything. Even though Atul was constantly aware of it in the beginning, it became a normal feeling as they arrived at the place an hour later. Atul felt like he knew her for long. In some sense, it was true. Over a hundred emails had been exchanged in the span of two years before the fallout between Wallzec Systems and Chetak Engineering.
The night turned out to be exciting.
In fact, Ridhima turned out to be exciting. She was mature and she had proved herself playing boss to a large group of employees than any boss Atul had known of, yet she was down to earth to accept how excited she was to find herself on a dinner date with a man she had just met that noon. She was not an adventure-seeking freak but a person embarking on a genuine friendship.
The hotel was on the first floor. We were promptly guided to a fine spot by a waiter.
Atul suggested they start with drinks. Ridhima chose vodka for her and readily confessed him she never in the past had gone beyond three smalls.
“Promise me you’ll keep me in check.”
She said.
“That’s actually good.” he declared. “It shows you are very healthy.”
“I am forty-one year old. I know I am just as healthy as that.
She said blatantly.
“I can't believe you have just revealed your age to me.”
“I am truly following your advice. Go against what my brain tells me; and listen to my heart.”
“What makes your heart so honest with your age? I thought it’s strict ‘no’ for ladies.”
“I am disturbed by the fact that I am much elder to you. The last thing I want to do is to fool around with you. I am not a match to you.”
“I am happy that you took my advice into your heart. And I want to confess you one thing. I am really attracted to you not just because of your good looks, but the way you carry yourself. After our drink, I am going to ask you to dance with me out there, and I want to hold my hands around you, assuring you in every sense you are a match to me. And yes, we are definitely not fooling around.”
“Honestly I don't know what to say to that.”
“We are way more honest than necessary on a first date. If we keep this pace we’ll end up sharing the story how we lost our virginity.”
She laughed, “Seriously? Then I say we keep the pace for sure.”
Drinks arrived soon.
They chatted with their eyes locked into each other’s until they found it became a topic itself.
“It’s my second drink only but I think I am already drunk. I am really staring into your eyes.”
Ridhima said.
“I have a feeling that actually it’s me doing that.”
“Do you think? Then why are you doing it?”
“I was thinking about what you said earlier; about your age. I have a strong feeling that you were lying. You look much, much, much younger than that.”
“I am not so drunk that I can't see how you are flattering me now.”
“You know you look younger than that, don't you?”
“I have put on some makeup.”
“It’s not makeup.”
“You should have a closer look then.”
“I am having a closer look.”
“Not enough closer.”
“Fine.”
Atul leaned forward and reached for her hand. She clung to his fingers.
“I still find you same. Beautiful eyes, nose, and lips, everything…and yes, an arresting smile.”
She flushed.
“We are not actually drunk otherwise I would have gone on to describe every other feature I have noticed about you.”
She parted her lips as if to say something juicy and then held it back. Atul said nothing more and kept his eyes dove into hers.
“Isn’t it a bit awkward that we are staring into each other like our juniors?”
“Then I say we keep drinking.”
He quipped.
 
Towards the end of the third drink, Atul returned to the subject.
“Are you comfortable with my eyes now?”
He asked.
“Why not?”
“Then let’s lock it into each other like our juniors.”
“Like our juniors?”
“Like our juniors.”
It was quite silly but it was what they sought at the moment. They played with their eyes until she looked away, laughing. Atul reached for her hand across the table.
“Let’s go to the dance floor.”
Ridhima panicked at the word.
“O no!” She looked at the dance floor where nobody was dancing despite a tempting romantic track being played at the moment. “Not a chance.”
 
Ten minutes later they were at the centre of it, facing each other, feeling each other’s breath, and their eyes locked.
“I feel awkward.”
She whispered.
“Me too.”
“You too?”
Her eyes widened. He slowly placed her right palm over his chest.
“Check my heartbeats.”
“Yeah! I can feel it.” She said with her mouth wide open. “But my heart is beating harder.”
“Isn’t it amazing?”
“I don't know.”
“How often do you feel it this way?”
He asked and her eyes shone brighter. She didn't say anything. When he showed her how to move her body she followed and learnt it quite well.
“You are making me dance. Is it this simple?”
She wondered.
Atul placed his arm around her and she allowed herself to move closer and they almost rubbed each other’s nose together.
“I can have one more drink.”
She said when they returned to the table, “Actually I need it.”
“You were splendid. You outshone every one there.” Atul said.
“But there was nobody.”
Ridhima was amused.
“There have been many, Ridhima. Believe me, you were spectacular.”
She flushed.
“I owe you for it. How did you know you can teach me all this?”
Her voice was genuinely filled with excitement. Atul patted her on the arm.
“If I told you that, you’d accuse me of flattery.”
“No, I won’t.”
“You have a perfect body; perfect like a professional dancer.”
“Ok, that’s flattery.”
 
Ridhima finished her fourth drink with comfortable ease.
“Why am I not feeling drunk today?”
She wondered.
“Then we should hit some other place.”
Atul made out.
They exited the place and he took her to the pub at the rooftop. She grabbed his hand at the sight of the maddening crowd.
“Oh shit. These are much younger people. I’ll be an outcast.”
 
 
“Not to me.”
He said pleasantly.
“You have no idea how gorgeous you look right now, Ridhima.”
She looked at him unbelievably.
“Where are you taking me, Atul?”
He led her to the bar where they took shots of tequila.
“It burns.” She yelled at his ear.
He drew her closer. “Let’s go dance.”
He guided her to the centre of the dance floor and they danced. This time it was Bollywood style jumping and bumping. He showed her the moves and she emulated him. She was as energetic as any youngster on the floor.
When they took a break she threw her arm around him.
“Can we have another of that drink?”
He was amazed. “Sure. And that’ll mark your third drink of the day.”
“I need a check-up. I don't know why I’m not getting drunk at all.”
She said innocently and moved back, only to trip and fall into the hands of a man sitting comfortably in his seat.
“O my God!”
Ridhima was laughing silly.
The man got up quickly, carrying her in his arms. Atul blinked as he felt the face familiar. Ridhima was quite easy with the situation for a long moment and then she realised what was happening.
The man looked up to the ceiling and then to her face.
“You must have come from heaven. I am so happy you chose me.”
She was embarrassed.
“Will you put me down for heaven’s sake please?”
“Yes. You must be. You look heavenly.”
He smiled at her and looked at Atul.
“Does she belong to you?”
Atul was actually watching the fun.
“Yes, she belongs to me.”
The man walked around his chair as if she weighed nothing in his hands, and then put her down in front of Atul.  Ridhima gasped and joined Atul’s side with an embrace.
The man looked like a Salman Khan. Beefed up arms and shoulders; must be a bodybuilding freak; Atul thought. Suddenly a light memory flashed in his mind. Isn’t this the man who woke me up at Delhi airport?
He was.
“We meet again, young man!” he said.
Ridhima looked on, still embarrassed, as the men nodded at each other.
“I am so sorry.” Ridhima blurted out. She had felled his drink on the floor.
“Don't be,” he said lightly. He had brooding eyes. “This was the first time these muscles have come for any sort of real help to the world.” He joked. Atul and Ridhima couldn’t help falling for his apparent humbleness. Atul shook hands with him and invited him to have a drink.
“Let the lady ask.”
He insisted.
“I am asking.”
Ridhima said boldly. She grabbed Atul’s hand when he turned to make the order. Atul looked at her eyes.
“Last one.”
She whispered in his ear.
“Are you sure?”
Atul asked.
She leaned to him. “I trust you” and she kissed lightly on his cheek.
They had another round of tequila with the new friend and Atul was now beginning to worry about Ridhima.
If she decided to have another one, I will have to get the help of the bodybuilder friend one more time, in order to take her to the car. He calculated.
Their new friend was a simple fun loving guy. His name was Maniesh Sain.
“It’s nice to meet you, Atul. And...”
He looked at Ridhima with a smile. “...and of course, your heavenly belonging.”
“Nice to meet you too, Dwayne Johnson.”
Ridhima retorted.
Maniesh wished them a very romantic night before vanishing into the crowd. Atul and Ridhima returned to their silly banter.
“He just wished us a romantic night. How wonderful a guy he is!”
Atul remarked. Ridhima clung to him.
“Yeah, and he called me your belonging!”
“Heavenly.”
He added.
“Am I?”
She dared him. He had a hard time avoiding it.
“Well, he’s got a great body, right? He was really Dwayne Johnson.”
“You know when I was watching him I wanted to hit him on his stomach.”
“What? Why?”
“Just like that. He’s tough. He can take it.”
“And guess what you actually did. You fell into his lap like a lamb.”
“Shut up. Somebody had pushed me from behind.”
“I wish someone did push you to me too.”
He joked blatantly. She bit her lips like a teen.
“Really? You want me to fall into your lap like a lamb?”
Suddenly they were staring deep in the eyes of one another. Slow and steady, some unknown force pulled them closer, and then they were kissing. Her lips were soft and warm. It took them a moment to realise what they did after it passed.
“It’s alright.”
He was the first one to speak. She bit her lips and looked away and then smiled.
 
Half an hour later, they found themselves sitting at a dosa selling street vendor. They sat among a small crowd of customers, face to face, and ate from the only plate that he held in his hand. They exchanged gazes and were unable to look away. On an impulse, Atul took a bite of dosa from the plate and fed her. She was stunned at the gesture but readily accepted it, sucking on the tip of his fingers. And she looked on as if to watch what he would do with it. He couldn’t take his eyes off hers and he brought his fingers to his mouth to lick it clean, and he watched her eyes go down. Her face flushed. She was beautiful than ever. He fed her four more times, and every time he allowed her to suck on his fingers and then pleasured himself tasting it. He tasted the sweetness of her tongue, and he tasted her.
 
They walked along the street later, hand in hand like a couple. Though they spoke nothing, the sensual tension between them was on a rise. They sat on a bench at the far end of the street.
“It was a beautiful night.”
Atul said. He kept her palm to him and played with its softness. She was thoughtful.
“What are you thinking?”
She looked at him.
“I was replaying it all...”
Her eyes mesmerised him.
“It was unbelievable. I never thought I would fit in that crowd. I thought my time for such things was over.”
Ridhima said.
Atul laughed.
“You have no idea how many are out there in that crowd who’d like to have your company for the whole night.”
Where are you taking it, Atul? His tongue had slipped.
He rose to his feet before she could say anything.
“Well, it’s getting late. I should drop you home safely.”
Her face paled.
“Oh yes.”
She looked at him as if she was woken up from a dream.
I belong to Anvita, my dear. I am sorry.
She had been silent until they found a cab and then asked. “You don't have to come along. Where are you staying?
He told her the place as they sat in the car. “It’s close. I’ll drop you home safely.”
Ridhima nodded.
“And I will see you in the morning,” he added, reminding her about the proposal presentation.
“I will be waiting for you.”
Her voice was low. Atul took her hand.
“Do you want to come with me?”
Don't do it, Atul.
“Your place is a long way,” Atul added, as though trying to deceive his own conscience. Ridhima clung to his hand.
She’s going to say no.
“Yes.”
He could now sense the sudden change in her voice.
“My place is a long way.”
Their eyes were hooked. Through the corner of his eyes, he watched her lips slightly parting. All he needed was a little push. And their lips met. A moment later, we were kissing madly, sucking into each other’s mouth. Her arms wrapped around him and her tongue darted into his mouth. He was devouring her lips.
When they stopped finally, she whispered in his ear.
“Yes.”
Atul’s face paled and his heart sank.
Ridhima was a woman he had met half a day ago. And he was now taking her to a hotel to spend the whole night. He looked at Ridhima once again. She was smiling at him as if in a dream. Perhaps she was beginning to dive into a beautiful one.
Suddenly Atul thought about Anvita.
No. I belong to Anvita. Atul knew.
Will you be able to face Anvita when you return home? Atul thought of Anvita’s beautiful, innocent face, full of love and happiness and what she would do if she ever knew.
I wouldn’t live to interrupt you, Atul. I would jump off the building that I am at.
Atul thought of her words. He thought of her lifeless body awaiting him at home.
Atul tapped on the shoulder of the driver, “Please turn to the right. Regal Plaza.”
 
 

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