2 Sides

Welcome home?

It was 8pm on a Friday. Palomi entered the house and she switched on the lights. She seemed to feel exhausted and weared out. She threw her office bag on the couch, walked to the bedroom and fell dead on her bed.

2 hours later...

Palomi's cell phone was vibrating. She slowly woke up and saw that Kabir was calling her. She answered the call without any enthusiasm.
"Hmm. Tell me."
Kabir was literally screaming, "What's wrong with you? I must have called you a million times!"
Palomi didn't move and her eyes still looked sleepy, "What do you want Kabir?"
Kabir laughed and then said, "Baby, I've reached Mumbai."
Palomi got up from her sleeping position. She looked at the calender which was hanging on the wall. She realized that it was Friday.
She said, "I'm sor... I was busy. Where are you now?"
"I am in the basement waiting for the lift."
Palomi got off the bed and walked to towards the main door. She cut the phone and threw it on the couch. She was not really looking forward to see Kabir, her boyfriend. She rubbed her eyes and stretched to look fresh.
She opened the door at the sound of suitcases rolling and there he was.
Kabir entered and gave her a hug. Palomi hugged him just for the sake of it.
Kabir looked really happy. He kissed her on her cheek and asked, "How are you? You don't seem to be happy. Why so?"
"I just had a long and tiring day at work."
Kabir pulled his suitcases in the house and closed the door.

***

Kabir took a shower while Palomi set the dining table. Kabir seemed to look fresh and excited. Both sat opposite each other.
Kabir asked, "What's wrong Omi? Why do you look so dull?"
Palomi gave him a look and said, "I already told you."
"Or maybe, its because you missed me so much that you are recovering from the trauma."
Kabir was laughing at his own joke while Palomi started eating her food and said, "You wish!"
Kabir continued laughing while Palomi ate in silence. She finally asked, "How was your flight?"
"Oh it was the best flight ever. Trust me! There was a hot air hostess in the flight who was clearly checking me out. Well, I was the most handsome guy in the flight. The poor lady couldn't resist!"
Kabir laughed hard this time. Palomi was in no mood for jokes. She said, "Why are you so self - obsessed?"
She left the table abruptly, taking her plate and putting it in the sink. Kabir said lightly, "You didn't eat much Pallu. Come have some more food. Come."
Palomi started washing the vessels and ignored Kabir completely. Kabir said, "I was just joking Pallo. You know me, right?"
Palomi mumbled to herself, "I don't think I do anymore."
Kabir finished his dinner in no time and just dumped his plate in the sink. He washed his hands and sat on the couch.
He let out a deep breath and said, "I'm so tired Omi. People in Bangalore drive me crazy."
Palomi said out of frustration, "Stop it Kabir. Just shut up!"
Kabir was in a mood to trouble Palomi. He said, "Palomi. Baby. Baby listen to me. I'm so tired and exhausted and I'm having a headache. Can you please give me a massage? A full body massage? Please... Pretty please..."
Palomi just left her work and she walked fast towards Kabir. Kabir looked happy and said, "Wow. I was joking. You took it really seriously."
Palomi sat on the couch next to him and shouted, "Do you know the meaning of exhaustion? You clearly don't. Look at me. Look at my face. This is called exhaustion! Stop driving me crazy!"
Kabir chilled out a bit. He was puzzled. He said, "Omi what's wrong?"
Palomi gave him a look. She continued, "What's wrong? What's wrong is that I don't see where our relationship is going. You come to visit me once a month only for the weekend, talk bullshit all the time, make fun of me, take nothing seriously. Do you even remember when we last had a moment or we were so into each other or we spoke something useful or deep? Do you remember when we last had sex?"
"Uhhh. A few months..."
Palomi cut him, "Years. Its been years! Like 2 years, 8 months approx."
"Approx?"
"Its been 2 years, 7 months and 28 days."
Kabir was impressed. He said, "Okay that's what I call cool!"
Palomi snaps, "Don't change the topic! We don't have sex anymore because of Bangalore."
"What are you waiting for? Come let's hop in."
"It should be spontaneous and not planned."
Both remained silent for a while.
Palomi continued, "Do you remember the last time we kissed?"
"Uhhmm. 2 years, 7 months and 28 days?"

Stay tuned for the next chapter...