Love Forever

Chapter 3: Raindrops and Moonlight

Sunil was driving the car. It was raining and they have taken a short cut route through the backyard of their bungalow in Borivali. It was wild route with spreads of forests and Pinky switched off the A/C of the car. She was feeling cold. She had goose bumps on her body due to weather and every time, she was trying to cover herself with her Saree, Sunil was distracted with her jingling bangles and he gave her a side gaze. He was smiling and just wanted to lift her in his arms. She was lean in her college days and he too was a match stick yet he enjoyed lifting her in his arms in the first year of their blissful affair. Now in two decades, she had gained a lot of weight yet he at times panicked and lifted her in his arms when she complained of acute knee pain or when she fell down often in their pebbled garden of flowers, fruits and veggies. She was fond of gardening like her mother. At times she will fall down in the kitchen while cleaning the shelves.

Sunil wanted to hire a maid but Pinky never trusted people, easily. She was insecure if something went wrong in her dream bungalow. She even hesitated calling her cousins due to her over thinking and fear. She was a mother of a daughter that made her more cautious. Till Payal was 12, her mother would be her bodyguard every where she went and Payu felt safe in Mamma's cocoon. Later, Payal's friends teased her and she cried for her freedom. Sunil then sent her to Karate, Dance, Drawing and Singing classes to expand her wings of creativity and make her bold. She was very good in her studies and only joined a coaching class when she was in tenth. Now she had lot of friends and her parents always kept a check about her circle. Her best friend Roshiba was like an elder sister to her from her neighbourhood. Roshiba treated Pinky and Sunil with respect and they trusted her fully. They were glad that Roshiba, Rajath and Poonam her besties were with her when they were out for a date.

After 45 minutes drive without traffic, the couples reached Sun and Sand. A huge round table with King Size basket chair was reserved in advance, in a corner by Sunil.

That restaurant was always their favourite place since college days. It was a simple restaurant with wooden stools and small tables those days. The interiors were jazzy in recent times with ceiling drizzling effect lights , glazing star Chandeliers and mood lighting. The marbled floor and privacy zones with best paintings and quotes attracted the young generation to this place. The middle aged people came here to enjoy family time and games. The old people relished the medium spicy food catered with love. Pinky and Sunil were welcomed with a bouquet and Sunil patted the hostess slightly on her shoulders, thanking her for the same. Their table was decorated with Red Roses. Sunil smiled at the hostess and Pinky felt jealous. He was still fair and handsome. He did not look like a 40 year old man. He took a Red Rose and Pinky stretched her hands. She thought it was for her. He kissed the flower and smelt the fragrance. He put it back to the pot again and gave a mischievous smile. Pretty girls drooled at Sunil while Pinky felt no-one looked at her. She was plump and looked like an Aunty and she always decided to join a gym. Everytime she backed out due to her knee pain. She would often stroll in her garden with Sunil in the morning. They loved watching different coloured birds and peacocks dancing in their Verandah. In the Evenings after having tea, she would walk with Payu and their Mimzi cat in the garden. This was her exercise. She craved for Pani Puri most of the days and they would eat one or the other chat or popiscles from a little pull cart near their bungalow. Pinky called that vendor kaka and Payu too addressed him in the same way. Payal and Pinky then cooked together before Papa arrived home. The daughter loved making round rotis with extra ghee for her Papa while her mother would make a simple vegetable or Kadhi rice for her hubby. He ate just for name sake and Payal often said :

"Papa is dieting..."

She would eat less as she had some snacks in the evening. Sunil felt bad and would fed her at times.

"Papa, I am dieting to stay Slim..."

Sunil will frown with her words but he felt his damsel was really dieting.