Deciphering His Love

40 | The One With The Feels and The Confession

30th December 2017,

Lewisham, United Kingdom.

-S H R E E     P R A S A D-

We had the most fun in the past six days. We cooked together, ate together, gossiped each night like teenagers. And of course, we looked after Madhu together. Madhav decided that he'd change her soiled diapers on mornings, afternoons, and nights. He would have done it in the evenings too, but I was adamant. He was better and faster than me in changing Madhu's diapers.

We both loved bathing Madhu. She would lay in the baby tub that father-in-law sent for her, looking at us with her big black eyes, smiling as I apply baby shampoo to her head. Madhav loved watching Madhu kick her legs, making waves on the lukewarm water. She would have drenched both Madhav and me, by the time we were done bathing her. He would laugh every time Madhu splashes water on us. His laugh was nothing but a catalyst that would encourage Madhu to splash harder, looking at us with the smile on her toothless mouth.

Madhu grew closer to Madhav in those few days. She threw tantrums every night, as I laid her on her nursery bed. She would squirm and shriek in my arms, for she wanted to sleep on her father's chest. Madhav gladly let her sleep on his chest. She fell asleep very fast, and a lullaby wasn't needed either. She would sleep peacefully, with her spit racing down from her mouth to his tee-shirt. He didn't mind.

I loved how he brushed her hair with that delicate baby hairbrush. He would hum nursery rhymes for her as he brushed her hair. It was the best way to have her distracted so I could trim her nails. It was not just Madhu and Madhav who grew closer in those six days. I felt as if Madhav and I were coming closer. Each night I think about the dinner date we had on Christmas Eve- the dinner, the dance and that kiss that should have happened. It's been so long since our last kiss, but I remember every detail about how it used to be.

Six days went past like six minutes. Madhav would be flying back to India today, at 10 AM. It broke his heart to leave Madhu. He left his favourite Iron Man tee-shirt. I swaddled Madhu in it, so she'd feel like Madhav never left.

"Chellam, where are you?" Madhav asks as he stands outside on the apartment corridor with his bags. "The taxi is here."

I grab my side satchel and rush to the door, zipping up my sweater on top of my blue shirt. Barbara, Madhu's young part-time nanny comes running behind me to give me my water bottle. "Thank you, Barbara. I'll be back as soon as the lecture is over. I made some cookies for you just in case you get hungry. There's some pancake mixture in the fridge, right next to the Madhu's bottles. Bye Barbara!"

Madhav was silent throughout the taxi journey. He was headed to the Heathrow Airport. He offered to drop me at the Kensington junction. I could take the bus from there till the faculty.

I was seated beside him, holding the big bouquet of red tulips he ordered for me, looking at him. He wore the same shirt I gifted him on Christmas Eve. He was looking out of the window, deep in thought.

"Madhav?" I call out, shaking him off his thoughts. He looks at me and holds my hand. He looks at my knuckles and runs his thumb softly.

"Yeah? I'm so sorry I-I-I- was just thinking about-about, you-you-know- regular stuff. How long will-will I have to- have to wait in transit at Muscat, the-the-the board meeting next week." He stammers.

"Interesting." I say and notice the taxi reach the Kensington junction. The taxi pulls over by the side of the road.

"I need to get down I guess." I say and grab my bag. I quickly open the bag and pull out the Tupperware lunch box in it. "I kept a few biscuits and I made some waffles for you to eat while you're in transit. I know the business class lounge rooms will provide you with food, but I-"