The Anklet's Lost Rhythm #Wattys2017

CHAPTER 14

RUPSHA

By next morning my injured foot felt a lot better. I could walk without limping and I definitely was in a good mood. I took a shower and wore my anklets-one of my most treasured occasions, the only competitor to it being my engagement ring.

My mother was in the kitchen, humming as she cooked something for my father. "Morning maa." I hugged her from behind.

"When did you sleep last night?" She asked.

"Why?"

"There are two extra plates in the sink. Seems like you didn't have your dinner at the invitation."

"No I didn't." I replied.

"But why are there two plates?"

"Umm...er...I felt hungry twice. Once at 2am and another time at 4 o' clock."

"A tube of Volini was kept on the table."

"Oh really? Whose is it?" I asked trying to pretend I knew nothing.

"I thought you'd know that better."

"I was deep asleep." I tried to sound convincing.

"Oh were you? Then those voices in the drawing room were my hallucinations for sure. Old age after all.."

"Voices? What voices?" I tried to keep up my degree for acting.

"Who's the boy?" She asked me suddenly. I realised it was pointless trying to pretend.

"Maa, I'm not dating anybody."

"You are an adult and it doesn't suit mine telling you this anymore, but still I am. Look, you are still married to Siddhartho, and I don't think it will be fair if you get involved elsewh-" She stopped in her tracks when she saw the ring in my finger.

I quietly poured some juice into a glass and took it up to my bedroom leaving her in a puddle of questions.

I caught hold of my mobile and decided to send him a message. I wondered if he had reached home safely. I typed in a few messages.

Good Morning Siddhartho.

How are you feeling now? Did the fever relapse? I hope there were medicines in the house. Was your office still open when you went back? Were you able to collect your belongings?

I waited for some time. He came online and I saw the word typing... flash below his name on the bar. Suddenly a call came and the chat vanished. It was Sparshika who was calling. Such anxious was I to receive his message that I cut the call quickly. I surely had to pay for cutting her call, she was bound to get annoyed.

The chat popped up before my eyes again.

I'm finished. Last nite while retrning I hurt my leg terribly. These street lights are always fused.

HOW DID U GET HURT? Cudnt u see and walk? Didn't u hv a torch in ur phone? How bad is it?

On my way home a car was driving at me with full speed, I tried to save myself and in the process I cut my leg on a pin jutting out of the gate of my house.....left leg.

I got scared and called him up.

"Haan bolo."

"You won't go for office. Promise koro."

He laughed. "I've a lot of work dear. Don't worry..Rono had bandaged my leg."

"You got hurt by a pin. You have an anti-tetanus taken right? What was the need to rush home? You should have been careful."