Cross Roads of Life

The Love

                                TUSHAR

My head was bursting by the time I woke up, walking towards the Kitchen with my half opened eyes, I asked "Aparna, can I have some buttermilk?"

I was about to sit on the couch but the answer from her took away my total daze.

"Make it yourself"

Wait... did something happen to my ears or did she really deny me?

"I would have but now I have a headache, so please" I requested.

"You should have thought that before drinking, make your own buttermilk"

Stunned would be an understatement.

"Aparna, is everything okay" I walked near the kitchen only to hear a heavenly giggling.

"So this is your training now" I grabbed her ear and pulled her, as she hid behind the refrigerator.

"Eyy, what wrong has she said? If you want make your buttermilk, if don't go to hell" she pushed my hand away and dragged away Aparna.

"Ruchi, he might be really...."

"What now? Taking your husband's side? Open your eyes Appu, he is a grown up donkey totally capable of doing his chores"

"Why are you calling her Appu all of a sudden?" I asked.

"My wish, I don't think you should be given any explanation" she shrugged.

"What is with both of you? Ignoring other people, that's not the right thing to do" I said when they were about to walk away.

"I am telling you Appu, this guy is the most jealous individual in this universe" Ruchika announced.

Aparna was just looking at both of us.

I saw Ruchika trying hard to control her smile, I understood that she is playing with me and she became the Ruchika I knew, my heart swelled with ease, not just due to her smile, but also Aparna not being awkward with us.

I have this feeling of betrayal eating up my chest looking at Aparna, but looking at them giggling with one another, I sighed in peace

Ruchika cooked a special breakfast, that included all of my favourites, she was smiling but I could see her masking fear and pain of separation. Her flight is scheduled at night and I never want to let her go.

I held her hand beneath the table and Aparna wondered why I was eating with my left hand.

My eyes never let go off her and Ruchika tried being as calm as possible.

She pushed me to cook and even told Aparna to make me cook on alternative days.

Aparna gave us space by reasoning Tulika's homework.

I kept stirring the Kadai, avoiding any sort of eye contact with Ruchika, I was scared of falling weak before letting her go back to hell.

I felt her eyes boring my back, and soon her pair of hands hugged me from back. Her hot tears wet my shirt, I lost grip on the stir.

"I don't want to go away.... I don't want to leave you once again.... I don't want to miss you," he sobbed fisting my shirt.

"Then don't go... we will fight, we will seek support from Police," I said turning towards her.

"Ohho mad idiot, don't you still know that money can control anything? You being safe and sound is more important than I being with you, I have risked your lives enough...not anymore" she cried in my arms.

"When will I get to see you again? How long will I have to stay deprived?"

"Only time will tell the tale, but promise me that you won't do anything or try contacting me in any way" she spread her arm.

"Only if you promise me about visiting me whenever possible, my dead heart comes alive only for you Ruchi"

Not answering my questions, she cupped my face dearly and next minute her lips are on mine, my body who was dead for years was brought back to life. Every inch of my soul felt alive and I kissed her back with the same amount of passion, only to understand that we never lost our love or rhythm. All the emotions, fears, truths, and depths intricately got aroused.

"Nhoo... Noo" she pulled away breathing hard.

I looked into her eyes.

"Aparna doesn't deserve this, she doesn't deserve an unloving husband like you nor a friend who cheats on her, with her husband" she gulped back her tears.

"Look at the position, The Cross Roads of Life has put us in, where four lives are interlinked and not one is leading a happy or peaceful life. Deprived of love, deprived of happiness, deprived of peace" I sighed.

"Are we holding back due to our love or we have been stuck?" she looked into my eyes.

"Look girl, I am a shithole son for my parents and have been an Arse to Aparna, but for you Ruchika Biswas, all I have is love. Every inch of mine only knows how to love you. I am still the same impulsive idiot who can drive you to Amritsar on the almost vandalized bike" I confessed all I have in my heart holding her close o me.

"How long will you be this mad?" she asked caressing my temple with her thumbs.

"As long as you want me to" I winked tickling her ear.

"Ohh God" I pulled away my hand from Ruchika's waist hearing Aparna's shriek.

Ruchika looked away as Aparna walked towards us.

"Who will clear all of this now?" I felt shocked looking at Aparna worrying about the Kitchen.

"You should have at least put off the stove Tushar, I got this Kadai from D-Mart on a discount and the lid is burnt too"

"You know what Aparna, we can buy another," I said as a matter of fact and a little relieved that she is more worried about the Kadai rather than her husband kissing his love.

"And how exactly will you do that?"

"Going to D-mart and purchasing it" I shrugged.

"The company has stopped manufacturing that product and I fought with four women to get this last Kadai, and you burnt it down Tushar" she yelled.

"That sounds like a sincere problem Aparna, I think the Prime Minister has to look into that" I held back my laughter looking at how she is panicking for a Kadai.

"Are you really taunting me? After burning down my Kadai, you still have the audacity to taunt me Tushar?" she got real serious.

I look at Ruchika thinking that she would solve the National Issue about THE KADAI, but she was not seen anywhere near.

Did she run away feeling ashamed? I felt an instant panic rile up within me, I felt my breath being knocked out.

My eyes wandered in every direction, but Aparna grabbed my hand all of a sudden and led me to the balcony, where I saw rain pouring down and my Ruchika finding joy in the love of the universe, just like how she used to be.

My lips curved into a sweet smile seeing Tulika and Ruchika jumping in the rain and twirling holding their dress. I was completely drawn by the smile Ruchika had at the moment, she held all my senses.