The Weeping Stars

Goodnight

Something had been bothering Indra lately..but he could not put a finger on it. But tonight, it has become very clear. He cannot share Isha- not a smile, a single embrace, a kiss, nothing! Isha belonged to him. It was not simple attraction that was drawing him to Isha. It was much more deeper than that. The same feeling that is churning up a storm inside him. He now needs the whole world to know that Isha belonged to him.

He was watching the play with the rest of the spectators. He like nothing about the play. He did not like the fact that Isha was looking fantastic in her orange saree. He did not like it when Vivek touched her hand to drag her out of her house. He did not like that everyone was looking at Isha. He could almost laugh at his own stupidity. He forcefully dragged himself back into his study.

Next day Isha moved into the small guest quarter located on the third floor of the house. Although well connected to the house, it awarded a lot of privacy as well. It was surrounded by open terrace on the two sides. On the other end of the terrace, Isha could see another similar quarter, which had one door opening on the terrace.

'Another tenant' Isha thought to herself.

She did not have much to unpack. All her belongings took up only a tiny corner of the gigantic wardrobe. The room had everything she needed. A desk complete with reading light, a dining table and chair, one small sofa and a television set, and a small bookcase.

'This is like a hotel' thought Isha as she plopped down on the mattress.

She went down to dinner with a beating heart. She was still not comfortable having to live with the Banerjee's, although Nitin had assured Isha that there are many such guests living in the Banerjee household currently for various purpose. Other than that, there are many employees who work from the mansion itself.

Dinner was a huge affair. The men folk finished their dinner first. Spotting Isha downstairs, Anubha engaged her in serving the dinner alongside other girls of the family. Isha was asked to serve the dal. Isha worked her way around the table until she reached Ishaan and Indra. She could barely look at Indra. She hurriedly deposited some dal on their plates and rushed back to the kitchen. Anubha and the other ladies were busy supervising the servants.

'Its really difficult to serve them when you can hear the bile digesting your intestines' observed Preeti, Ishaan teenage cousin. Most of the other girls agreed immediately.

'Ishaan had tried to change the tradition, but the elders have stuck to it', commented Shivani, her arms groaning under the weight of vegetable curry.

'Let me take that. Why don't you have a rest' asked Isha. Shivani handed over the bowl with obvious relief.

'I think they do it on purpose, to punish us for all the luxuries we take for granted back in the city' said Shivani.

'Tell me, how are you liking this place. Won't it be a bit boring after having lived in a city' asked Preeti.

'I have studied in a city. But I spent most of my childhood in a town. And this is work. It feels good to be independent and earning my own living', said Isha.

'You are right. I will be finishing college soon and dad will have me join his company. But it will be back-breaking work. Indra is a slave driver and they don't go easy on family.' Shivani made a face.

As dinner went on, Isha grew more comfortable. The family seemed very nice, with none of the snobbery displayed by Usha.

Isha was relieved that neither Ishaan or Indra had tried to engage her in conversation. Ishaan seemed to be lost in his own thoughts while Indra barely acknowledged her. He was busy discussing some business matter with his father and uncle.

After the men left the table, it was the girls turn. Isha had a lively chat with the girls. By the time she said goodnight, she had abandoned much of her misgivings.

Tonight a slightly cool wind was blowing from the direction of the lake. The terrace was washed with moonlight. Soon, it will be a full-moon. Isha had draped a light shawl on her nightie and came out on the terrace. There were no stars, but the whole village stretched out in front her. The lake looked bigger from this side. The moon had cast a long shadow on the surface.

Isha expelled a long breath,'This is beautiful'!

'If you are planning to camp out on the terrace tonight, wrap your self in something warmer. The early morning chill can be quiet potent' said Indra from behind her.

Isha jumped, and went right into his arms. Indra casually wrapped his arms around her to steady her. Isha wriggled out and put quiet a few feet between the two. Her heart was racing away. It took her some time to find her voice.

'What are you doing here?'

'I live here' Indra clearly was enjoying himself.

'You know what I mean. What are you doing in front of my room?'

'I live in that room on the other side of the terrace. Didn't you know?' Indra asked in an innocent voice.

Isha was not fooled.

'If you think you can take advantage of the situation, you are wrong. I will change to some other room tomorrow'.

'This is not a hotel. This was the only available guest quarter fit for a young girl. All the other guest quarters are in the ground floor, which is occupied mostly by our employees and servants. No one will agree to you shifting there. And what reason will you give for the move?'

Isha opened her mouth to protest but could not find a good answer. Indra took advantage of her confusion to carefully inspect her from head to toe, taking special interest in her bunny slippers.

Isha unsuccessfully tried to get them out of sight. She too inspected Indra from head-to-toe and realized with a start that he is dressed in outdoor clothes.

'Where are you going?'

'I have a group of friends who patrol the nearby forests for poachers. Poaching is easier on a moonlit night. So, I am joining them today', said Indra.

'The jungle is full of snakes. Runa told me that there are tigers as well. Is it not risky?' Unknowingly, Isha's voice betrayed more than she realized. Indra hid a small smile before answering.

'What's the fun if it's not risky? Now, I want you to get in your room and lock the door before I leave'

'I don't need you to tell me what to do. I want to stroll in the terrace a bit more.' said Isha with clear defiance in her voice.

'You can do that tomorrow when I am in. Now be a good girl' said Indra giving Isha a slight push towards her room.

Isha wipped around with a smart retort. But it was lost under Indra's lips as they descended firmly upon hers. The kiss was possessive and lot more demanding than the last one. Isha was slightly trembling when it ended.

'Will you go in, or do you need more persuading?'

Isha did not need another prompting. She quickly entered her room and closed the door without a backward glance.

She stayed awake for a long time, listening for his footsteps. But sleep claimed her before she could hear the door opening.