Chapter Nine

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

Anurag stood at the terminal, looking around. She’s late again. Why is she always late?

“Who are you looking for?” The sudden and unexpectedness of her question, startled him more than the actual realization that she was already there.

He turned to face her and asked, “Where were you?”

Prerna pointed behind her, “I just went to…” But she didn’t finish the sentence since he nodded and asked. “How’s the baby?”

“The baby is determined to sit as low as possible today, I think she knows we’re going to fly.”

“But everything is fine?” Anurag as good as demanded, his concern obvious.

Confused Prerna asked, “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Anurag was stunned for a moment, not knowing how he should answer her. “I just… I’ve never flown with anyone who’s pregnant, sorry.”

“Never mind. They will be boarding soon, so we should go.” Prerna said.

Maneuvering in the narrow and crowded passage in the middle of the plane was difficult for Prerna, but finally they made it to the first class section and could settle in their seats.  

“Your first time flying?”

“First time to Mumbai.” Prerna replied.

Anurag had no idea what else to say to her, yet at the same time felt comfortable with their shared silence. He noticed her pressing the palms of her hands against her eyes and realized that with the morning flight she would have had to get up earlier than usual.

“You can sleep once we are up in the air, I’ll wake you before we land.”

Prerna smiled and then teasingly replied, “And then miss the in-flight movie.”

“Are you really looking forward to the movie?” Anurag playfully replied.

“How else am I supposed to pass three hours in your company.” It was out before Prerna could stop it and she quickly looked at him.

“I see you are still speaking without thinking.”

Prerna frowned at that, but then shook her head.

“What’s wrong? Why are you shaking your head?”

“You used to say that to me. I was just trying to remember if you actually said it when we were younger.”

“What do you mean I used to say it to you often.”

She looked at him for a moment poised to answer his question but then thought twice about it. 

“No,please, tell me.”

“But…”

“If I’m asking you’re not forcing anything, so relax.”

“When we were at college together, whenever we got into trouble or if we argued about something, well perhaps not always, but often you would say that.”

“Did you often speak without thinking?” Anurag seriously asked.

“I used to be more carefree. And you were Anurag, I could say whatever I wanted to you.”

Anurag seriously asked, “What’s changed?”

“Ina word, everything.” Prerna replied.

Anurag was prevented from answering as the flight attendants started their pre-flight safety session and preparations for take off as the aeroplane started taxiing towards the runway. The flight attendants secured everything and checked that all passengers had securely fastened their seatbelts.

Prerna gripped her armrest as the aeroplane increased speed for takeoff. Anurag placed his hand over hers, causing her to look at him, “Relax, I’m right here,nothing’s going to happen to you.”

His fingers instinctively intertwined with hers, a tightening sensation settling around his heart as she moved her hand. He wanted to grip it to tell her to keep it in place, but was surprised when she turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his. He smiled as their eyes met. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, which caused him to tighten his grip, hoping to reassure her.   

Their hands remained that way until the hostess came to serve them their in-flight meal, and even then he reluctantly released his hold.   

Prerna pushed her food around her plate, eventually giving up on consuming any of it.

“Have you eaten anything today?” Anurag asked when she indicated for the flight attendant to take her food away.

“No,I feel a bit nauseous.” Prerna said then turned to the flight attendant, “Can I have some water with lemon.” The flight attendant nodded and left them.

“It could be the altitude.”

“It’s fine Anurag, don’t worry about it. It will pass.”

The flight attendant returned with her water and Prerna thanked her after taking it,slowly sipping most of the contents before setting it down.

“You should take some rest. I can have them bring you a pillow.”

“Anurag,I’m pregnant not sick.”

Anurag had no idea how to react to that, so he let it slide.

It was about an hour into the flight when Prerna drifted off to sleep, something Anurag was eternally grateful for since he could unabashedly look at her.  There was a calmness, a serenity that filled him with the knowledge that she was comfortable enough to sleep around him. He lifted his hand to push aside the strand of hair that always seemed to fall across her face. Her skin was soft and glowing. She seemed so at peace. He instinctively reached for her hand, his fingers covering hers. He knew he should feel guilty, for she had no idea of the previous day’s events, no idea that he had sent Komolika packing yet again. He smiled, simply indulging in the simplicity of the moment.

About two-and-a-half hours into the flight, he saw her frown and shift in her sleep.He tightened his grip on her hand, uncertain whether it was that or her discomfort that brought her back to consciousness.

Prerna looked cute all sleepy. She looked about her for a moment before asking, “How long did I sleep for?”

“We’ll land in about twenty minutes.”

Prerna shifted in her seat and rubbed her back

“Are you okay?”

“My back is a bit sore, but I’ve been in the same position for so long it’s to be expected.”

“You should move about then” Anurag said, but just then the announcement started to call all passengers back to their seats, to fasten their seatbelts, as they would be starting their decent soon.   

The air in the city was different to Kolkata, with more moisture and a faint tang of salt. Traffic was a nightmare, at times slowing to a crawl. After arriving at the hotel they were shown to a suite containing two bedrooms.

“But I had them book two separate rooms.” Prerna said as the porter showed them about the suite.

“I had them change it.” Anurag deadpanned.

“But why?” Prerna demanded.

“There’s two rooms here, so there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll deal with your husband’s issues should any arise. ” 

“He’s not the problem, it’s your wife and your family that will have a problem with this.” Prerna stressed.

Anurag was uncomfortable with her quick and obvious dismissal of him. He knew that if she had been with anyone else, he would have… A flash crossed his mind for a moment, followed by an image of him setting a decorated bed alight. The image made no sense causing him to shake his head.

“What happened?” Prerna asked, concern lacing her voice.

“I think I remembered something, but it does not make any sense.” Anurag said gesturing to the rooms, “Pick one.”

“What?” Prerna asked, adding, “You should take the main bedroom.”

“It’s luck of the draw, I don’t mind either way which room I get.” But added to himself, You’re here with me and that’s all that matters right now.   

Prerna picked the one to the right and moved her bag there. Anurag took his luggage to the second room. Unknowingly Prerna had chosen the main bedroom.

“We’ll leave for the showroom in about half an hour.” Anurag said just before entering his room.

The showroom was busy on their arrival, more so than Prerna had expected it to be over the weekend.

“So exactly what are we doing here?” Prerna asked as she glanced over the various displays.

“I’m thinking of remodelling my washroom and possibly the kitchen as well.”

“And your mother is going to allow that?” Prerna asked in surprise.

“Oh, no, it’s for a different house.” Anurag said.

Shocked, Prerna asked, “You’re thinking of moving out with your wife?” Anurag thought over her words for some time, for the first time actually considering the option. But before he could reply Prerna added, “Don’t you think you should then have come with her? I mean there is a world’s difference between my and her tastes.” 

He could not answer her, for had hoped to ease the conversation in that direction,but then that has never been easy with Prerna. He again frowned at the sudden thought, and then remembered his decision to accept such matters without question. His mind shifted to a possible excuse, but then lied outright, “I haven’t decided on a place yet, I just wanted to have a look at what is available.” From the look on her face he could tell she did not believe him.

“Well should we start?” Prerna said moving off to the first display.

Anurag followed her, not really paying attention to what they were looking at, while trying to figure out her change in attitude.

Several displays later he asked, “Have you seen anything you like?”

Prerna looked at him in disbelief and said, “We’re not looking for me.”

“But you know me, I trust your judgement. If I had to ask any of the others I would get something showy,” Anurag said pointing to a display, adding, “It will end up something like that.”

Prerna turned to look at the display he was pointing at and said in disbelief, “You serious?”

“You know that my mother and Nivadita would get involved, and there will be no end to the flair they’ll include.”

“It’s just a washroom,” Prerna reasoned.

“So you understand.”

 “Do you have any Idea what you want?”

“I’m open to all suggestions.”

“I don’t know.”

For the following hour Anurag tried to get her involved, but somehow she always sidestepped making any decision. Finally resolving to baiting, he pointed to the most obscene things he could find, knowing she would not like them and suggest alternatives. I took just under an hour for him to establish which items she liked. It was when she once again rubbed her back that guilt encroached. He had been so absorbed in what they were doing that he had forgotten that prolonged period on her feet could cause her discomfort.

“I think we’ve done enough for the day.” Anurag said, taking hold of her elbow and moving her towards the exit.

“But we’re not done yet,” Prerna countered.

“The rest can wait until tomorrow,” Anurag declared, “For now, you should take some rest and we will have dinner later. I was thinking of suggesting a stroll on the beach, but I think it would be too much right now.”

“Why?” Prerna demanded.

“Because I know your back is bothering you again.” He saw the confused expression on her face and added, “Do you really think I don’t notice such things?” Prerna then made to answer but he simply held up his hand to silence her, “Come let’s go.”

They returned to the hotel where he helped Prerna to her room, ensuring she was comfortable before retiring to his own.

A restlessness consumed him. It quickly morphed into outright irritation he could not understand, shake off, or make sense of. If he tried to settle, even if only for a moment, but the crawling sensation under his skin would drive him up within moments. He wanted to be close to her, needed to be close to her. It grew to such an extent that it finally drove him from his room.

He would check up on Prerna, told himself that it was just to ensure that she was okay. He pushed open the door to her room, only to stop dead in his tracks. She was standing next to the bed, her eyes pinched as she breathed deeply.

“Prerna!”He called in concern.

She held up her hand, took another deep breath and several moments to compose herself, before opening her eyes and stating, “I was coming to look for you.”

“What’s wrong?” he asked, rushing to her side. Hesitant as to what to do or if he should even touch her.

“I need to get to a hospital, I think the baby is coming.”