The Love-addict - Chapter 20

             

           

 

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             Wanting to prolong their togetherness, Rohan suggested that they go for a long drive and then go home. “Let’s just enjoy tonight, dear. I’m not in the mood to hear your darling sister’s tantrums. Neither do I want you to feel miserable after the wonderful time that we’ve just spent together, this evening! If you’ll feel any better, let me promise that I will always be YOUR Rohan, in totality! Only, trust me.” He pulled her close and she rested her tired head on his comforting shoulder.

             

             After a while she relaxed. She was making a mountain out of a mole-hill, she mused. She regained her composure. As she made out the tall silhouette of the Kutub Minar, in the far distance, she suddenly giggled. 

             As Rohan looked at her enquiringly, she said, “You are as dependable as the one and only Kutub Minar. You have always been a pillar of support to me and yet I act peevishly. I’m so sorry, darling.”

             

              He was amused and indulgent, as he took his hand off the steering-wheel for a moment and ruffled her soft hair. "It’s O.K. It happens sometimes, when in love. I understand that you love me more than anything else in this world. Just loosen up a little. No one is going to steal your husband from you and nor I am going to let anyone do that! So tear that F.I.R of yours, immediately!”

            

               At this Amisha burst out laughing uncontrollably and Rohan joined in, happy that he had assured her of his commitment towards her.

             

              When they reached home at 3 p.m. both were too tired to do anything else than flop onto their bed, after changing quickly into night-clothes. Both slept soundly, wrapped in an embrace.

             

              Samaira’s incessant calls went unanswered as Rohan’s phone had been switched off. The next morning, Rohan and Amisha woke up at 10 a.m. when their maid-servant rang the bell. Rohan saw his cell-phone and remembered switching it off the previous evening. Hastily, he turned it on. No sooner had he done that, than it rang. 

               Seeing Samaira’s name on the screen he winced. Stupid girl! She was really getting on his nerves, with her obsessive behavior! Why couldn’t she just leave him alone? he thought crossly. Amisha had gone to the bathroom. He pressed the key twice and ended the call.            

             

                As was his habit, he switched on the T.V. set to watch the news. Samaira’s gorgeous face pounced on him, from the screen. She was clad in a multi-colored bikini. Her beautiful eyes looked at him accusingly. The next snap-shot showed her lying in a pool of blood on her bed, with her cell-phone beside her. The news-reader was stating in an emotionless voice, “Sultry siren, super-star Samaira is no more. She ended her life with her licensed pistol, early this morning.…..”

              

                So it was Samaira's maid-servant who had been calling him to inform them about her mistress’ death!

             

                Rohan felt as if his heart was being wrenched apart. He gasped and turned towards Amisha who had silently come and stood behind him with their mugs of coffee. He held her as she swayed, took the tray with mugs, placed it on the side-table; and made her lie down on the bed. She was shocked as hell! Rohan saw her stony face and called the doctor.

                

                Their life had come to a standstill.

       

       

         THE END

Explanatory notes: Terms in the Hindi language

Bibiji – Madam

Sahibji – Sir

Jiju – Short for ‘jijaji’- Brother-in-law

Pitaji - Father

Maaji – Mother

Didi – Elder sister

Bhaiyya - Brother

Dudhi halwa – Sweet pudding made of bottle-gourd

Biryani – Spicy rice dish

Ghaas-phus – Slang term/Derogatory reference to vegetarian fare

Bakshish – Present

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The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan. 

This novel is also available as an e-book at 

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The Love-addict - Chapter 19

                “Yes Amisha, what I am saying is the truth. I didn’t want you to be hurt or ashamed hence I didn’t tell you about it previously. But since we are having a heart-to-heart conversation now, I might as well inform you that she is addicted to alcohol. I guessed it by the manner in which her maid-servant readily bought a bowl for her to purge herself, when she felt nauseous. It appeared to have been a regular affair! Hence I urged her to promise me that she would give up this vice if she wanted me to keep in touch with her.”

               

                “But how can you be sure that she has indeed given up her habit, Rohan? Don’t we know that this is the most difficult thing in the world to do, after smoking? By the way, does she smoke too?”

               

                “I don’t think that she does, as she didn’t light a cigarette when I was there.  She has assured me that she has stopped drinking. She even swore on me!”

                  

                 Amisha looked incredulously at him. “Really? I hope that she was serious! If anything happens to you, I’ll …..” As she looked belligerent, Rohan laughed and held her hand to assuage her feeling of indignation. 

                 “We must trust her, Amisha. If we don’t, who will?”

                 Suddenly, Amisha blurted out, “Shall we persuade her to get married?” Rohan was about to burst out laughing but refrained when he saw that Amisha was dead serious. 

                 Carefully, he said, “Do you have anyone in mind?” She shook her head in the negative. 

                 Then Rohan said, “She is a famous superstar. Her wild lifestyle is the talk of every town, thanks to the relentless media coverage. I wonder who will bell the cat? Besides, I feel that she is just not the marrying type!”

               

                Amisha was thinking about whether Rohan was actually trying to prevent Samaira from marrying. Wasn’t he having the best of both worlds? Why would he want to rock the boat?

              

                "I will phone her after going home. At least, we’ll come to know whether she has found someone special to share her life with, like me!” She looked meaningfully at Rohan, who seemed slightly disconcerted. Why was Amisha trying to corner him? Didn’t she trust him? He simply agreed.

              

                 Both were lost in their thoughts on their way back home. Rohan was thinking about how he regretted having ever met the beautiful Samaira. Amisha was thinking about how she had unwittingly created a menage-a-trois. Rohan wanted Amisha to trust him. Amisha wanted to trust Rohan desperately, but found that she just couldn’t! Thus the wonderful evening was thoroughly spoilt. What the night held for them, they didn’t know. 

       

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

The Love-addict - Chapter 18

               After that dance ended, they went and had dinner, chatting about a variety of topics. She told him about her botched-up blouse and he told her about his plans to diversify and expand his business. They talked about their families. When the conversation veered towards Samaira, Amisha knew that it was now or never! “Rohan, will you be frank and tell me whether you have any romantic feelings for Samaira?” 

              He looked shell-shocked, as he tried to find words. Carefully he asked, “Why are you asking this question now, Amisha? Don’t you trust me?”

               

              Seeing his hurt expression, Amisha almost felt sorry that she had broached that unpleasant topic and spoilt their wonderful evening of togetherness. But she was determined to get back her peace of mind. This was just a small sacrifice to be made, if she had to live happily thereafter, with Rohan. 

              “I do trust you Rohan. But I want your assurance too! I have been feeling very insecure, of late, as you seem to be getting too close to her. If you want me out of your way, I will gladly step aside. But you are too good a person to give up, just like that! I love you and want to be sure that you are only mine. I can’t share your affection with anyone else, not even my dear sister.”

                

               Her expression was resolute, but she seemed tense to the point of breaking down under the stress of talking so boldly to her husband. She had always been quite reserved and conservative in her approach towards their relationship, partly due to the rigid upbringing of her traditional parents. Maybe it was that same rigidity that had made Samaira so rebellious and had eventually led her to flee from her ‘prison’, thought Amisha.

              

              As she thought warmly about her impulsive, but lovable sister; she had to firmly remind herself that that same sister had become the bane of her existence, right then! Wasn’t she trying to steal her husband’s affection? Wasn’t she downright ungrateful, as it was Amisha who had asked Rohan to keep tabs on her and ensure her well-being in a big city?

               

             Through a haze, she felt that she heard Rohan saying, “Amisha, Samaira is lonely and needs company. I am just trying to give her solace. I am also trying to help her kick her habit of boozing.”

               

             With a shock, Amisha jolted back to reality. “Did I hear you right? You never mentioned this before!”

To be continued....

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.