Thorns and Roses

Throns and Roses 

Prerna and Mr Mehra were sat in Mr Bajaj’s office for a last review of the paperwork for Snehas school when Rishabhs  PA walks in with a bouquet of flowers.  

"These were delivered for you ma’am from Mr Malloy Basu." 

Rishabh raises his eyes from the file to look at Prerna who nervously looks away on the meeting of their eyes. 

Seconds later Mehras phone sat on the table rings and Rishabh sees Maloys name on his phone display.

Once the PA leaves , having put the roses on the side of the desk .. Rishabh sinks back into his chair for a moment looking on at his wife and friend. His partner CEO and legal council. The two he’d trusted the most.

“Did you or did you not offer the Basus aid?”

Well? He asks with a bit more sharpness when he gets no response. 

“Yes” she’s said hoping he’d understand.

“And I assume you helped?” Rishabh says looking at Mehra at Prernas side. 

Mr Mehra couldn’t lie to his boss 

“Get out the pair of you!”

Rishabh eyes look disgusted. 

...

Prerna had never seen him to angry!

 Outside the cabin as their passes are taken away Mr Mehra looks on at a concerned Prerna.

“He’ll come around” he reassured her when she looked back into the glass cabin at her husband who had flung his files across the desk and reached for a cigar.

...

Prerna and Mr Mehra decided to stop for coffee on the way home. Mehra pondered on what he’d say to his wife about the unusually early return home  whilst Prerna strewed.  Only if she’d thought sooner. 

“I’ve hurt his pride haven’t I” She said to Mehra stirring her coffee, “it seems we both have” agreed Mr Mehra.

..

Prerna tried not to think about the matter  where possible. When the clock struck 5pm and Rishabhs car parked up outside  the house Prerna washed her hands under the kitchen tap.
George taken a early leave today and there was few other house help.
She Picked up a glass from the shelf  and filled it with water. She had second thoughts on even approaching him. Was it “Fear ? Maybe it was.”

She took a deep breath and picked up the tray and walked out into the lounge where Rishabh was already calling out for George.

“He left earlier”  she Said to the back of his posture as he took off his blazer and turned her way.

Prerna offered him the  glass of water without looking up into his eyes. She seemed quiet but he had decided he wasn’t going to make conversation. 

Until prerna plucked up the courage that was. 

“Can we talk?” She asked as she watched him put down the glass of water having taken his drink.

He looked her way the way he always did, with attention and emphasis. 

“Im disappointed Prerna, I didn’t expect you of all people to let me down. I have nothing more to say on this”

Prerna looked up into his eyes just the once to see a notion that matched the words in his eyes. He was aloof. 

“Dinner is ready” She said gently trying to cover up her feelings of hurt”

..

Prerna served Rishabh his meal. They ate mostly in silence. When Prerna noticed Rishabhs plate get empty on food she asked upon another serving.  Those were the only few spoken words between them. 

..

As Rishabh lay in bed later that night with his book Prerna could no longer bare his silence. 

She perched on the end of the bed in hope he’d listen. She was quite for a moment and then put her words together 

“I’m sorry ..”

“Kaka babu has always been like a father to me I couldn’t bare to see him struggle like that.” Moloy had spoken about having very little to survive on, Anurag was bankrupt and in his old age Malloy was trying to make amends for his family. 

“If you’d been in Malloys shoes Kuki would have helped you wouldn’t she?” The mention of his daughter got Rishabh’s attention.

He looked up at his wife for a moment and then back at his book. He wasn’t prepared to forgive. 

Placing the palm of her hand at the bedding under which Rishabs feet were rested she asked innocently. 

“Pehli galti Maaf nahin karenge”? (Won’t you overlook my first mistake”)

A inaudible sigh passed though him. Rishabh looked towards her for moment his heart leaning towards his wife but his mind rooted in place. 

“Go to sleep Mrs Bajaj it’s late ..” he says feeling her regret but not ready to forgive her.

....

A hour or so later Rishabh hears turns to his side in bed when he sees the light out in the balcony on.

Standing at the shutters of the bedroom balcony he sees Prerna sat with teary eyes on the sofa, In her hands what looked like a framed picture of him.

You’ think she’d be thinking of anyone but him.

Sighing helplessly for he couldn’t bare to see her cry.

Seeing a handkerchief held out for her Prerna quickly puts the picture frame down and wipes her tears like nothing at all was the mater. 

Watching her take the handkerchief but just hold it in her hands Rishabh takes a seat next to her.

“If you’d just mentioned it the once I would have agreed to disagree.”

Sighing his eyes turn soft , almost sugary as he says sorry for hurt he’d caused.

Prerna looked towards him..

“The Basus don’t deserve you they never have and they never will. I just don’t want you to get hurt again that’s all.”

Prerna nodded ..

Continuing the conversation quietly about her good intentions, fear of Mr Bajajs temper and Mehras innocence.

jagrutid2020-08-16 17:24:30

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