Bombay and The Queen's Necklace

CHAPTER 5

The 1BHK floor on the top of Artico cafe was like a temporary studio for Dhruv. Now it was where Janani was staying. The clear view of the sea and walkway through the window was the first thing she liked. The walls had some amazing framed photographs by Dhruv. Dhruv would come up occasionally and indulge himself in a corner with his work. Janani would make him coffee. She wanted to make him cappuccino, but she never succeeded in making a good one.

Most evenings both Dhruv and Janani would make a walk through the marine drive. Now she would happily and willingly pose for Dhruv. Though good pictures, both knew it never matched the intensity of the candid ones he produced her for the first time. Sketching pictures and creating doodle arts sitting inside the house were more comfortable. Vikrant's office introduced her to a fresh working atmosphere. And she really enjoyed working there. Initially she planned it as a temporary setup, now she didn't want any other job as the satisfaction the work gave really helped in all sense. Her work there was highly appreciated and salary too was enough for a decent life in Bombay.

The best thing that happened to Janani was Dhruv. He truly made her rediscover herself, and made her shadow the past. He even took her to his home one day and introduced her to his mom and younger sister Drithi. Dhruv and Drithi lost their father when they were too young and was brought up single handily by their mother. Maa and Drithi talked to Janani like they had known her for ages. That was how Dhruv had explained the things at home.

"Beta, the longer you live in the past, less is the future you enjoy. The doors are wide open for you in Bombay." Words from Dhruv's Maa showed Janani the connection the mother and son shared. "Count me as your own Maa."

"Didi, I'm a fan of your sketches." Drithi said.

Drithi showed Janani their old family album. Janani burst out of laughter seeing the naked Dhruv baby. Dhruv thundered at the album and closed it.

"Not fair yaar", Janani was still laughing.

After the laugh session Janani again swiped through the photos. It had many photos which picturised the evolution of Dhruv. She spent minutes looking at his photos. Sat on the same sofa along with Dhruv, Drithi and Maa made her eyes wet. She saw Dhruv passionately staring at her wet eyes, which then induced a smile in her. And that smile took priority by overshadowing the tears.

Janani spent the entire day at Dhruv's home. And that was such an unforgettable day. She really felt like having a second family out of the blue. Maa and Drithi loved Janani. At the end of the day Dhruv also felt very happy.

The same night after Janani went home Maa and Drithi talked a lot about Janani. Dhruv really enjoyed hearing their conversation. Janani too was overwhelmed by thoughts of Maa and Drithi and the way they treated her.

Dhruv in his room was swiping through the photos of Janani in his laptop that he had taken. The memories of them sitting on the top of the building and witnessing the queen's necklace ran infront of him. Suddenly Dhruv's phone rang and Janani's name pop on the screen.

"Dhruv, can you meet me here now?" Janani's voice had completely lost all that sorrow she possessed initially. This particular tone seemed so pleasant. And Dhruv knew how big had been his part in her transformation. Janani too knew that.

"10 minutes" replied Dhruv.

**********

Dhruv knocked the door. Janani opened.

"What's the matter?" Dhruv asked right away.

"Get inside."

Dhruv smiled with suspicion and entered. Janani urged her hands towards his eyes. "May I?" she asked.

"You always may." The reply had some real sweetness and both felt it.

Janani shadowed Dhruv's eyes and instructed him to walk forward.

"Dhruv, open your eyes", Dhruv heard a sweet murmur. Infront of him was a painting. Not a sketch but a painting. A painting on an average sized canvas.

"The Queen's Necklace," words of amusement fell down from Dhruv's lips.

"Yes, The Queen's Necklace" replied Janani with an essence of joy and satisfaction.

Both looked at each other and then looked the painting. It was an out of the world lively portrait of that night, 'Dhruv and Janani sitting on the top of the building looking at each other with the Queen's Necklace beautifying the background and imposing extra aesthetics to the moment.' A real emotional roller coaster gem of a painting it was.

Dhruv took the painting in hands and stared at it for very long. In between Janani gave him a cappuccino that she had made herself. That was the best cappuccino Dhruv ever had. May be the moment made him feel so. But he didn't mention. He continued looking into the picture, sipping the cappuccino.

Dhruv handed back the painting, "Thank you Janani."

"Take it. I made it for you." That glitter in her eyes was something.

Dhruv couldn't find the right words to tell then. And what he said was "Good night."

Janani too wanted to say something but ended in "Good night Dhruv."

Dhruv went and Janani was watching him exit. When he was out of the sight she closed the door. She went inside and felt her cheeks growing hot.

There was a knocking at the door. Janani ran towards the door. Her heart reached the destination before the body could. Her chubby cheeks were now red. She opened the door.

"Janani", it was Dhruv who initiated again.

"Yes Dhruv," the glitter in Janani's eyes was what both wished. This time the context was same for both.