02-01-2019, 05:39 PM
Kajol and Four Men - Ep 3 : Ramesh
She was sore. She shivered under a blanket. It wasn’t the wounds – which luckily were superficial – but those terrifying images which refused to go away. The furious face of the professor – a maniac light shining in his eyes - using the whip coupled with the more horrifying action of seeing Riz who was trying to extricate himself from the handcuffs like a madman ... she closed her eyes and felt the involuntary tremor. Then there were the endless stream of security officer, sirens and the medical personnel.
They had patched her up at the hospital. Inserted stuff inside her to examine, to collect semen samples– she couldn’t care – she just wanted it all to end. A doctor had come and said that her baby was safe and that was the first time she had responded. Later, she had been given a sedative – for she was still in shock. The security officermen at her bedside had recorded her story briefly and asked if she felt well enough to return home. She had nodded and they had told her that she was free to go now. They would collect her detailed statement later. Outside, Riz had been waiting and together they returned home.
She headed straight for the bathroom and had a hot shower. Riz was sitting on the chair with a blank look on his face. Her heart broke to see him like that. It was more painful than her own sufferings. She went to the kitchen and prepared soupy noodles. Sitting besides him, she handed him over a bowl and he started eating mechanically. There wasn’t anything to be said – and both knew it. Later on she slunk back to her room and lied down in her bed.
Sleep wouldn’t come. She got up and went to his room and lied down besides him. All of a sudden he turned, his face tear stricken and cried, “I couldn’t, I couldn’t you know …” and let out a loud wail. Immediately, she put his arm around and drew him to her chest. The stinging sensation at the corner of her eyes had began …the feelings she had pent up no longer obeying her … the sobs overtaking …
* * *
The day after, there was a slow return to normal routine. Riz, more composed now, had informed his office about his not coming in. He attended to the doorbell – curious neighbors, local reporters – shutting the door after the minimum exchange. Later on, he had spoken with the security officer inspector handling the case.
“They said, it is ok if you go after a couple of days to record your statement”, he informed her.
She nodded. That bridge would be crossed later. Right now, she was wondering what to say to Riz. He deserved to know the truth.
“Rizu, I have to tell you something. I can’t stay here any longer …”, she began.
He whirled back towards her, his eyes wide in consternation, “What did you say?”
She told him everything. Right from the start – of her fascination for the professor’s wife, the fun games, the blackmail. Later she described about Mr. Rao, his seductions and the nefarious plans that he had hatched behind her – and how she had just played along – taking in the fun – throwing caution to the winds. At the end, she had looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
Riz had said nothing, listening to her with a ‘doesn’t concern me’ look. Quietly, he had said, “You are with his child – that is all that matters now. Stop worrying about stuff. You will see everything will turn out fine once he comes over tomorrow.”
Then he had sat beside her and taken her hand. Not looking at her, he had continued, “We all make mistakes and we learn. Your going away anywhere is out of the question. There is the baby - how can you even think of leaving here – can I show my face to Ramesh?”
She daren’t look at him, her eyes had brimmed over in gratitude. In a way he had made it easier for her. Now she had the courage to reveal everything to Ramesh.
Sometime during afternoon, she got a call from Preeti.
“Just heard about the incident” her voice was full of concern, “How are you?”
She stifled a sob and narrated her ordeal briefly. Preeti consoled her and then informed her that she had recently joined HK Corp.
Kajol hid her surprise, Ramesh had never mentioned this before, why – she wondered. , “Would you going to New York?”, she asked softly.
“Not now – as it seems – Ching wants me to work with him for a month or two. Thereafter – maybe – who knows?”
“I would be glad if you are there – at least Ramesh will have someone to talk to …”, her voice trailed off.
“Yes, until you join us there …”, Preeti said brightly.
Kajol was a bit relieved. “Look after him well, in my absence, will you?”, she said.
Preeti laughed and all of a sudden Kajol felt better. She felt a connect with this girl. She cried as she described her learning of Rao’s nefarious plans.
“Did you know that he had sacked Ramesh and was blackmailing him?”
It was Preeti’s turn to be candid this time. She described everything – how Rao had taken advantage of her at Singapore, how she had played her part at Rao’s scheme, how her family conditions were – how Ching had occurred as a godsend for both of them ... everything she spilled out except the one-off incident at her home with Ramesh.
Kajol felt the instant bonding with her.
“And Preeti – uhhm - about that day – we two and Rao - does Ramesh know …?”, she asked fearfully.
“What are you talking about? I don’t remember any such thing. In fact nothing of that sort ever happened – do you understand”, Preeti cut her short. Then almost in a whisper, she had added; “I have dumped all those baggage from the past; and so should you. We live in a men’s world – don’t we? Let’s never forget that.”
She was much relieved, that was at least one episode that she didn’t have to reveal to him. She had a feeling Ramesh harbored some sentiments towards that girl, and she didn’t feel any resentment whatsoever. She was in fact glad that Ramesh could have a touch of home abroad with Preeti around.
* * *
The moment Ramesh came inside, he dropped his bag and flew directly to her. On the way from airport Riz had apprised him of the previous day’s happenings and he was still in shock.
“Oh my baby – oh my baby”, he sobbed hugging her tight.
Kajol melted as well. Later he held her apart as if to examine if he could determine any residual injuries. “Oh my”, he cried and hugged her again.
Riz put in a word from the sideline. “Believe me Ramesh; I couldn’t do anything. I feel like a dog.”
Ramesh let go of Kajol and went to hug his friend. He patted his back.
After lunch, Riz had withdrawn discreetly to his room and they had settled down in her bed – him cuddling her. He kissed her again with tenderness, “Can’t believe that that professor would do such a thing. Anyway leave all that. I never knew, there was a baby on the way …”, he was smiling.
She pushed his hand off. It was now or never. And she didn’t want to live with a lie any longer. Sitting up, she said; “This is something I want to discuss. The baby may not be yours.”
It hurt her to see his eyes grow wide in shock. He had sat up in a hurry. “I have to tell you something.” She took a deep breath and started narrating …
Half an hour later she had disclosed everything. Ramesh who was sitting like a statue eventually moved. He went out to Riz’s room to borrow his packet of cigarettes and went over to the balcony. There he started smoking in silence …
Half an hour later, he came back to her and asked, “I don’t understand. You mean to say that you were attracted to your professor’s wife and to the old guy who was my boss – why?”
“I can’t”, she answered, “To be honest, I don’t understand my actions myself. Look, maybe since we are of the same age – and I was looking for security and the attraction of a matured man – I am so sorry Ramesh – it had nothing to do with you – there must be something rotten inside me.”
He moved back to the balcony and lit another cigarette…
“He was fucking you all the time – all the time”, he had returned and was almost shouting …
She stayed silent.
“And, and what a glorious conspiracy – surrogate – I bet you were part of that plan too …”, his voice had assumed an edge.
She said softly, “No, I had nothing to do with that.”
“And you think I will believe that?” he was practically shouting.
“How could you – how could you even think of doing that – I wonder if I know you at all – do we know each other any more Kajol?”
She sobbed. He had every right to berate her, hurl any number of insults, she had to bear that … there was no way out …
“And do the list of your lovers include Riz as well?”, he thundered.
“NO”, she shouted back and immediately hid her tearful face in her palms, “you should know your friend better.”
“At this point I do not know what I know, what I don’t”, he declared flatly.
Then he went out to the balcony again and sat down, one leg on the balustrade, smoking a cigarette, his mind still in a turmoil…
* * *
It was evening and both of them were sitting in silence. Riz came in and said that dinner was ready. No one had any appetite – but Riz reminded her that she must – for the sake of the child.
“That’s it”, Ramesh shouted, “now you will do as I say. You get rid of that baby and then we will see what to do next.”
“Ramesh”, this time it was Riz, “you know what you are saying?”
“I realize fully well”, he faced Riz now, “must get rid of the bastard at the earliest.”
“Ramesh”, Riz’s voice was louder, “one more word like that and I will never speak with you for life.”
“You stay out of this”, Ramesh was dismissive, “this is a husband – wife discussion.”
Riz glared at him. He spoke slowly looking at Kajol “I am going to the office now – will stay there tonight.” Then he shuffled away.
Kajol sat with Ramesh, the silence hanging heavy between them. Later she remembered what Riz had said – the baby inside her certainly needed nourishment. She walked over to the dining table and laid out two plates. Then she called Ramesh over.
After she had put away the dishes; Ramesh had again gone to the balcony for another smoke. Kajol came to her room. Deliberately, she locked it from inside. She needed to be alone, to think, to have some time with herself …
* * *
In the morning, she had made up her mind. She waited till Ramesh came out – he had slept in Riz’s bed last night and hadn’t even once knocked at hers. She handed him a cup of tea and after he returned from the bathroom told him,
“Ramesh, I have decided.”
“Good”, he said, “when will you have the abortion.”
“No Ramesh”, she chose her words carefully, “I am not going to have an abortion. This baby has every right to live and I am going to give it that. What I have decided is that we will have a divorce.”
He stared at her as if she had gone mad. “Don’t try to be so melodramatic”, he sneered, “all that I want is for you to get rid of your sin and then we will have our life as before.”
“It can be never as before”, she cut his words, “do you think you can go through your life without ever harboring a doubt when you see me talking with another man?”
She looked at him as he stayed silent. “Find a suitable girl and marry her. Marry Preeti, she would be ideal for you.”
He gaped at her, “Are you serious? Let’s wait a couple of days before we rush to any hasty decision.”
“The facts won’t change even if we wait for ever”, she said almost in a resigned manner. “Let’s part ways while, there are still some feelings alive between us. Let us keep those memories intact at least.”
He looked away, ,.ng things over. Finally he said, “You are right! So be it”
She was sore. She shivered under a blanket. It wasn’t the wounds – which luckily were superficial – but those terrifying images which refused to go away. The furious face of the professor – a maniac light shining in his eyes - using the whip coupled with the more horrifying action of seeing Riz who was trying to extricate himself from the handcuffs like a madman ... she closed her eyes and felt the involuntary tremor. Then there were the endless stream of security officer, sirens and the medical personnel.
They had patched her up at the hospital. Inserted stuff inside her to examine, to collect semen samples– she couldn’t care – she just wanted it all to end. A doctor had come and said that her baby was safe and that was the first time she had responded. Later, she had been given a sedative – for she was still in shock. The security officermen at her bedside had recorded her story briefly and asked if she felt well enough to return home. She had nodded and they had told her that she was free to go now. They would collect her detailed statement later. Outside, Riz had been waiting and together they returned home.
She headed straight for the bathroom and had a hot shower. Riz was sitting on the chair with a blank look on his face. Her heart broke to see him like that. It was more painful than her own sufferings. She went to the kitchen and prepared soupy noodles. Sitting besides him, she handed him over a bowl and he started eating mechanically. There wasn’t anything to be said – and both knew it. Later on she slunk back to her room and lied down in her bed.
Sleep wouldn’t come. She got up and went to his room and lied down besides him. All of a sudden he turned, his face tear stricken and cried, “I couldn’t, I couldn’t you know …” and let out a loud wail. Immediately, she put his arm around and drew him to her chest. The stinging sensation at the corner of her eyes had began …the feelings she had pent up no longer obeying her … the sobs overtaking …
* * *
The day after, there was a slow return to normal routine. Riz, more composed now, had informed his office about his not coming in. He attended to the doorbell – curious neighbors, local reporters – shutting the door after the minimum exchange. Later on, he had spoken with the security officer inspector handling the case.
“They said, it is ok if you go after a couple of days to record your statement”, he informed her.
She nodded. That bridge would be crossed later. Right now, she was wondering what to say to Riz. He deserved to know the truth.
“Rizu, I have to tell you something. I can’t stay here any longer …”, she began.
He whirled back towards her, his eyes wide in consternation, “What did you say?”
She told him everything. Right from the start – of her fascination for the professor’s wife, the fun games, the blackmail. Later she described about Mr. Rao, his seductions and the nefarious plans that he had hatched behind her – and how she had just played along – taking in the fun – throwing caution to the winds. At the end, she had looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
Riz had said nothing, listening to her with a ‘doesn’t concern me’ look. Quietly, he had said, “You are with his child – that is all that matters now. Stop worrying about stuff. You will see everything will turn out fine once he comes over tomorrow.”
Then he had sat beside her and taken her hand. Not looking at her, he had continued, “We all make mistakes and we learn. Your going away anywhere is out of the question. There is the baby - how can you even think of leaving here – can I show my face to Ramesh?”
She daren’t look at him, her eyes had brimmed over in gratitude. In a way he had made it easier for her. Now she had the courage to reveal everything to Ramesh.
Sometime during afternoon, she got a call from Preeti.
“Just heard about the incident” her voice was full of concern, “How are you?”
She stifled a sob and narrated her ordeal briefly. Preeti consoled her and then informed her that she had recently joined HK Corp.
Kajol hid her surprise, Ramesh had never mentioned this before, why – she wondered. , “Would you going to New York?”, she asked softly.
“Not now – as it seems – Ching wants me to work with him for a month or two. Thereafter – maybe – who knows?”
“I would be glad if you are there – at least Ramesh will have someone to talk to …”, her voice trailed off.
“Yes, until you join us there …”, Preeti said brightly.
Kajol was a bit relieved. “Look after him well, in my absence, will you?”, she said.
Preeti laughed and all of a sudden Kajol felt better. She felt a connect with this girl. She cried as she described her learning of Rao’s nefarious plans.
“Did you know that he had sacked Ramesh and was blackmailing him?”
It was Preeti’s turn to be candid this time. She described everything – how Rao had taken advantage of her at Singapore, how she had played her part at Rao’s scheme, how her family conditions were – how Ching had occurred as a godsend for both of them ... everything she spilled out except the one-off incident at her home with Ramesh.
Kajol felt the instant bonding with her.
“And Preeti – uhhm - about that day – we two and Rao - does Ramesh know …?”, she asked fearfully.
“What are you talking about? I don’t remember any such thing. In fact nothing of that sort ever happened – do you understand”, Preeti cut her short. Then almost in a whisper, she had added; “I have dumped all those baggage from the past; and so should you. We live in a men’s world – don’t we? Let’s never forget that.”
She was much relieved, that was at least one episode that she didn’t have to reveal to him. She had a feeling Ramesh harbored some sentiments towards that girl, and she didn’t feel any resentment whatsoever. She was in fact glad that Ramesh could have a touch of home abroad with Preeti around.
* * *
The moment Ramesh came inside, he dropped his bag and flew directly to her. On the way from airport Riz had apprised him of the previous day’s happenings and he was still in shock.
“Oh my baby – oh my baby”, he sobbed hugging her tight.
Kajol melted as well. Later he held her apart as if to examine if he could determine any residual injuries. “Oh my”, he cried and hugged her again.
Riz put in a word from the sideline. “Believe me Ramesh; I couldn’t do anything. I feel like a dog.”
Ramesh let go of Kajol and went to hug his friend. He patted his back.
After lunch, Riz had withdrawn discreetly to his room and they had settled down in her bed – him cuddling her. He kissed her again with tenderness, “Can’t believe that that professor would do such a thing. Anyway leave all that. I never knew, there was a baby on the way …”, he was smiling.
She pushed his hand off. It was now or never. And she didn’t want to live with a lie any longer. Sitting up, she said; “This is something I want to discuss. The baby may not be yours.”
It hurt her to see his eyes grow wide in shock. He had sat up in a hurry. “I have to tell you something.” She took a deep breath and started narrating …
Half an hour later she had disclosed everything. Ramesh who was sitting like a statue eventually moved. He went out to Riz’s room to borrow his packet of cigarettes and went over to the balcony. There he started smoking in silence …
Half an hour later, he came back to her and asked, “I don’t understand. You mean to say that you were attracted to your professor’s wife and to the old guy who was my boss – why?”
“I can’t”, she answered, “To be honest, I don’t understand my actions myself. Look, maybe since we are of the same age – and I was looking for security and the attraction of a matured man – I am so sorry Ramesh – it had nothing to do with you – there must be something rotten inside me.”
He moved back to the balcony and lit another cigarette…
“He was fucking you all the time – all the time”, he had returned and was almost shouting …
She stayed silent.
“And, and what a glorious conspiracy – surrogate – I bet you were part of that plan too …”, his voice had assumed an edge.
She said softly, “No, I had nothing to do with that.”
“And you think I will believe that?” he was practically shouting.
“How could you – how could you even think of doing that – I wonder if I know you at all – do we know each other any more Kajol?”
She sobbed. He had every right to berate her, hurl any number of insults, she had to bear that … there was no way out …
“And do the list of your lovers include Riz as well?”, he thundered.
“NO”, she shouted back and immediately hid her tearful face in her palms, “you should know your friend better.”
“At this point I do not know what I know, what I don’t”, he declared flatly.
Then he went out to the balcony again and sat down, one leg on the balustrade, smoking a cigarette, his mind still in a turmoil…
* * *
It was evening and both of them were sitting in silence. Riz came in and said that dinner was ready. No one had any appetite – but Riz reminded her that she must – for the sake of the child.
“That’s it”, Ramesh shouted, “now you will do as I say. You get rid of that baby and then we will see what to do next.”
“Ramesh”, this time it was Riz, “you know what you are saying?”
“I realize fully well”, he faced Riz now, “must get rid of the bastard at the earliest.”
“Ramesh”, Riz’s voice was louder, “one more word like that and I will never speak with you for life.”
“You stay out of this”, Ramesh was dismissive, “this is a husband – wife discussion.”
Riz glared at him. He spoke slowly looking at Kajol “I am going to the office now – will stay there tonight.” Then he shuffled away.
Kajol sat with Ramesh, the silence hanging heavy between them. Later she remembered what Riz had said – the baby inside her certainly needed nourishment. She walked over to the dining table and laid out two plates. Then she called Ramesh over.
After she had put away the dishes; Ramesh had again gone to the balcony for another smoke. Kajol came to her room. Deliberately, she locked it from inside. She needed to be alone, to think, to have some time with herself …
* * *
In the morning, she had made up her mind. She waited till Ramesh came out – he had slept in Riz’s bed last night and hadn’t even once knocked at hers. She handed him a cup of tea and after he returned from the bathroom told him,
“Ramesh, I have decided.”
“Good”, he said, “when will you have the abortion.”
“No Ramesh”, she chose her words carefully, “I am not going to have an abortion. This baby has every right to live and I am going to give it that. What I have decided is that we will have a divorce.”
He stared at her as if she had gone mad. “Don’t try to be so melodramatic”, he sneered, “all that I want is for you to get rid of your sin and then we will have our life as before.”
“It can be never as before”, she cut his words, “do you think you can go through your life without ever harboring a doubt when you see me talking with another man?”
She looked at him as he stayed silent. “Find a suitable girl and marry her. Marry Preeti, she would be ideal for you.”
He gaped at her, “Are you serious? Let’s wait a couple of days before we rush to any hasty decision.”
“The facts won’t change even if we wait for ever”, she said almost in a resigned manner. “Let’s part ways while, there are still some feelings alive between us. Let us keep those memories intact at least.”
He looked away, ,.ng things over. Finally he said, “You are right! So be it”
Like, Comment and Give Rating.
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)