An Unwanted Relationship #The Sunset Awards #flowers2018#PenToPaperAwards17

Part 6 (Edited)

Sanyukta was emotional to see her hubby at her doorstep early. She smiled her best smile and welcomed him and he gave a hug and moved in. His eyes fell on the bags lying on the floor, he raised a brow and looked at Sanyukta.

“I went for shopping and bought whatever was urgent,” said Sanyukta.

Aarav responded with a“Hmmm”.

“No hmm and na. I want you your help in arranging these. No excuses,” .
“I will,” said Aarav.

“Change and come fast. I'll prepare your favourite dish,” Sanyukta said and she went into the kitchen.

He came down to see her humming a song, he smiled and went near her.

He circled his hands around her waist and she jumped in fear. He chuckled and pulled her towards him ,she bumped into his chest and the ladle fell from her hand. He inhaled her scent and placed his face near her shoulders.

“Sanyukta, I love you,” Aarav said and pecked her cheek and she blushed and lowered her lashes. He made her turn to him and he inched closer....

“Shoo” the whistle of the cooker blew and he came out his night dream. He saw himself standing near the kitchen and herself busy in her cooking. He sighed.

Sanyukta turned to see Aarav there and ran to him.

“Sit down. I'll serve you,” Sanyukta said lovingly.

He took his seat she served in one plate.

“Where is yours, Sanyukta?” Aarav asked her.

“Huh. Did you forget how we used to have from the same plate and you used to feed me?” Sanyukta asked.

“Yeah, that was in the past”, Aarav shrugged.

“What do you mean?”

Aarav looked up from his plate and said, “I think we are matured enough and don't you think these are silly? Grow up! Come down to earth and start living in the real world.”

Her face fell but now she had become an expert in faking her feelings. She got up and went to kitchen. On the other hand, Aarav too was sad and he whispered a sorry again.

She was back with a plate and both had food without any talk. They retired to their room after arranging the items she had bought.

Next door, Randhir was thinking about his recent liking towards the neighbour’s wife. He, a guy who was lazy to even get a glass of water from the kitchen, asked her for coffee and prepared it.

He knew what he was doing was wrong.  He felt his heart smirking at his thoughts as if the organ didn’t know just to beat but could understand the change of emotions and feelings a person undergoes.

Randhir grabbed his cigar packet and opened the door to the balcony. This was  just an act. His eyes were on the opposite house’s balcony. Frown lines appeared on his forehead thinking where the neighbour's wife was.

Soon his wish was granted as the room lights went on and his heart started to beat rapidly. To his dismay it wasn't the wife but the husband who appeared on the balcony.

Randhir frowned. Then he saw Sanyukta coming to her hubby and handing him a cup and both sipping from their cups.

Sanyukta said, “Aarav, this place is good. I love it here. All are very loving.”

“Hmmm...”

In spite of his tepid response, she continued, “This place is new but people around are very helping. The cab driver was so patient and took me to all the shops.”

“You can't trust someone blindly, Sanyukta,” said Aarav.

“I know but still. Okay, leave that. You know Kaira, don’t you?” asked Sanyukta.

“Who is that?” Aarav had forgotten.

Sanyukta was exasperated, “Huh. She is our neighbour, stupid.”

“Oh okay. What about her?”

“She asked me to get jalebi and she was moaning while having that. Can you imagine?” Sanyukta said and giggled, “Then you know her husband made coffee for me, see that's what gentlemen do. Not like you who think that only ladies  are meant for kitchen and  guys are for to work outside.”

” I never exactly said that for the record. I don't like to cook and maybe that guy likes it,” Aarav explained.

“Don't get hyper. I'm so excited to buy things and to make her happy. Being a mom is the best gift for a woman,” she said and had the same dreamy look that Aarav knew well.

Aarav quickly said, “Sanyukta, I think it's time to go to bed. Let's go inside.”

“Yeah, I know you got bored of my silly talks.” She stressed the word silly purposefully and left the place.

Seeing this Randhir twitched his lips. He stood there looking at the lights on their room.

Inside the room, Aarav looked at Sanyukta and pecked her cheek. She flushed.

“Good night Sanyukta. I have an urgent work to be done. You sleep,” said Aarav.

“Aarav, but...” she trailed off.

Before she could complete, she saw the lights were switched off and  heard the door getting closed with a bang. Her eyes filled with tears. She lied on the bed and sobbed silently.

Seeing the lights going off made Randhir’s heart cringe. He took the cigarette and held in between his fingers and then slowly he kept it between his lips.

Before he could light up, he saw the lights getting switched on and he forgot about the cigarette and his eyes were fixed at the opposite house. His face lit up seeing Sanyukta on the balcony alone.

Unaware of Randhir, she was talking to herself again.

“Why are you doing this? What did I do that you are going away from me? You were home early, we had dinner together like old times, and then when I wanted to talk to you, you just pushed me away and when I wanted to feel your warmth and love you again you pushed me away. Why Aarav, why? I need the answers. Are you cheating on me? No, how can I even think so? I trust you maybe this over-thinking and assumptions are clouding my mind with such thoughts.”

Sanyukta turned to leave but her eyes caught the man standing on the opposite balcony .

Randhir knew that she saw him. In a hurry, he started to light the lighter and he failed badly.

“Shit, just light up please. I don't want her to think I'm a pervert,” Randhir thought to himself.

She went inside the room. He took a deep breath and he left to his room throwing the cigarette away.