A Hundred Flukes

Idol Worship

Idol Worship -Chapter 27

"Where were you last night Arnav?" her aged eyes rested firmly over her grandson, scrutinizing every twitch that her abrupt question might cause to his otherwise impassive countenance. But to her disappointment he maintained the same calm while replying her with yet another question.

"Are you keeping a watch over me Nani? You should know, it's very rude to do that."

"Answer my question straight Chote."

"I was with Lavanya."

Devyani puffed in anger. The family sitting around the large dining table fell absolutely silent. "It is to my deepest regret dear grandson that you don't seem to appreciate or have any reverence towards propriety in conduct. That you are unreasonable, indifferent and disgustingly irreverent towards the accepted norms of our society and religion." she stated in arrant disillusion.

"And which religion permits you to tamper with my freedom?" he snapped.

"Not one but all permit me for my cause is for your greater good. For it hurts me to great extent that my own grandson whom I wished to be a man of great virtues should be making insult to piety and visit a girl whom he is not married to at such unholy hours of the night for god knows what purpose."

"And sleuthing over me is indeed very scrupulous." he remarked sarcastically. "Nani you being a self proclaimed regent of propriety will stick to your natal prejudices but I have already made it amply clear that I do not give a damn to the so called norms of a hypocritical society." he said leaving his chair and added looking at his sister's saddened face, "but you know what hurts me? That you should always spoil the day for me." He picked up his coat and turned to leave.

"Arnav, wait... we can talk this over, please it's a gentle request." pleaded Shyam.

"No jijaji. I cannot stay here anymore."

"Arnav for your sister's sake please..."

"Let him be Shyam." said Devyani.

The lawyer looked around the table disconcerted, "Will anyone tell me what’s going on (what now heady brat)?"

Arnav hurried over to his car and sped towards the towering AR Designs. His logical capacity- averse to ponder upon relations was being dragged to a jagged ground of perception of the same. His grandmother was annoying him to say the least. He brisked towards his cabin, sensing the welcome Sunday silence that had whisked away the week's hubbub. A tiny population of his employees still occupied scattered positions, too scattered to appreciate anyone else's presence. ASR's jog came to an abrupt halt as his eyes fell over an unoccupied desk at his right just below the stairs. The sight of an idol of a goddess and a couple of cheap looking small containers juxtaposed made a stark contrast to the decor of his office, but that wasn't the only misery they caused. They brought in a swirl recent memories of their obvious owner to his puzzled mind.

The hireling lightly dozing off near the reception was jolted awake from the commanding master's distant call to him. He rushed immediately to serve him. "Whose stuff is this?" asked ASR frowning.

"Sir, Khushi Ma..."

"Whatever. Send it to her place." he barked and marched away.

Occupying his usual high backed armchair, for about an hour ASR struggled to concentrate on his work, he was intrigued... how just the mere sight of her belongings had flooded his mind with her images again. He gave up his resistance for once, freed his hands of the keyboard and eyes of the notebook screen. He leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on the sides of the chair and closed his eyes letting the maiden's image titillate his senses. He was reminded of the innocent radiance of her eyes, the glow of her skin, the silk of her hair, the sweet nectar that her lips seemed to offer... for a moment he wondered how would it feel like to kiss her... the next moment he realized she probably hated him... and so did he, the last thought made him stiffen. But it wasn't over, he wasn't over with her yet... when he had seen her at the temple, he had wanted to talk to her but she had seemed too dazed for having any sensible talk and on top of it, she wasn't even being reasonable. He was annoyed that she should avoid him like that. Dammit! Nobody had ever dared to behave with him the way she did. While his eyes were still closed he felt a soft breezy sensation hit his face, for some obscure reason he felt she was near him. Arnav, more often than not responded to his intuitions. He left his chair and walked over to the glass walls.