A spoonful of sugar
Rishabh took a look into the mirror as he stepped into the bathroom.
This was a rare moment in privacy where he didn’t have to be anything else but himself. He looked strong but he didn’t necessarily feel it.
He was still recovering whether he wanted to admit it or not
His muscles were tense and his mind weighted with a constant headache.
The pills from the doctor now seemed tempting but not if he had to sacrifice his luxuries. He’d heal the hard way he told himself.
Staring at his reflection he reminded himself that he was Rishabh Bajaj and there wasn’t a thing in the world he couldn’t conquer.
Stepping under the shower, running his hands through his hair he feels his muscles relax a little, as he throws his face up to embrace the warm water.
After some time Rishabh feels a towel fall on his shoulders
“You forgot this” he hears Prerna say softly behind his back.
“Thank you..” He replied, feeling the love his wife bought with her even in passing.
“Prerna.” He called out turning to stop her in tracks.
“Hmm..” She replied turning to him, when she could see his eyes calling on her in a different way to normal she stepped closer.
Putting the palm of her hand to his chest she looked up into this eyes as to ask if everything was alright.
‘Good morning’ he said breaking out into a smile for his love and then taking her lips within his.
…..
Maria Da silva a middle aged Porteguse lady introduced herself as his health coach as Rishabh stepped outside of Bajaj house.
“Please use the other door Miss Silva” commented Rishabh rolling his eyes the lady tried to follow him into the car.
She was very much what he’d imagined a sporty looking doctor.
“It would be easier if you’d just take the medicine” she commented when she saw Rishabh rubbing his fingers over his temple as he looked over some paperwork to avoid speaking to her.
“Oh I see she said in a Portuguese accent looking over at the cigar compartment in the car” Rishabh ignored the lady who went on to make conversation.
“You know the morning commute is the best time for meditation...”
..
“May I look around?” Asked Maria as they entered Rishabhs office.
“Be my guest” he said as he sank into his chair, signature style.
When he caught her taking things from around his office and opening drawers he raised an eyebrow.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting rid of anything that might interfere with your medicine” she answered as she gathered his cigars, coffee.
There’s no need because I’m not any medication” he replied sternly and got even more passionate and firm response
“Well you ought to be because that will make you better!”
Mr Bajaj didn’t take well to the sharp tongued lady telling him what to do in his office,” if you don’t mind I have a meeting’ he said in a gentlemanly manner holding down his frustration
“I’ll be outside, breath Mr Bajaj..breath… stress is harmful she said in her quirky accent leaving the room as Mehra held it open and entered.
…
Maria had been observing Rishabh from outside his office and he’d spotted her, she was good at her job and Rishabh admired that. It was time to be honest with Dr Da silva.
“There is a reason Ive chosen not to take the medicine and it’s not the tabacco or the alcohol” explained Rishabh this time having offered Maria a seat which he’d drawn out himself along with lunch. Of course a healthy one she approved of.
“Dr Da silva I watched my mother die of a terrible illness the medicines only made her worse a lot worse.
Now my doctor tells me it’s just a matter of time before I get better and If I can heal without the help of those and a little endurance I will” he said taking Marias attention away from her salad.
“That’s very brave Mr Bajaj I respect that” she replied when she saw a different side to Rishabh.
“Can I give you a little bit of advise?” she added.
Rishabh looked up from his food to meet with her eyes telling her he was listening after all Mrs Bajaj had paid a lot of money for this advice and so he wished to hear it.
“Replace these habits with something else something else as addictive, as alluring, as exiting as the trill of tabacco and whisky..
“Sports , do you like sports ,or skiing do you ski Mr Bajaj’
“No..” Replied Rishabh
“Then Sex..” She added
only for Rishabh to raise a eyebrow
“..to beat a habit you must first replace It Mr Bajaj” she explained.
….
That evening in Bajaj house as Masi told old stories and the likes of Mahesh and Tanvi gathered too Prerna and Sneha felt somewhat out of place.
“Lets go get some food okay pumpkin” said Prerna picking up Sneha who was sat alone amongst her toys.
Once Sneha was fed, Prerna sat by the window side in the lounge with her. Sneha liked the night sky, her eyes lit up as bright as the stars when she saw them.
When Rishabh returned home from the office he spotted Prerna and Sneha in their little corner away from the rest of the family.
He took a seat quietly, going almost unnoticed until he spoke Is she a sleep..?
He asked, Prerna turned to her side and smiled when she realised he was home.
“Is she still uncomfortable around the others? He asked softly wanting to hear about his baby girl.
“She’s doing better now.”
“ Hamara pata nahin” she added and Rishabh looked towards her.
“Oh I don’t know I quiet like this Prerna” he said to lighten the mood. Referring to her power house avatar over the last few days.
“I still feel Masi doesn’t approve of us, me and Sneha.” She spoke with a lowered voice near enough a whisper. The way her eyes along with her voice dipped expressed her feelings on the matter.
“You’re Mrs Bajaj Prerna if anything she needs your approval not the other way around , he said In his Rishabh Bajaj tone of voice giving her the perspective she was missing.
…
As Prerna brushed her teeth in the on suit in prep to call it a night she noticed Mr Bajaj’s tablets still sat in their place, untouched no doubt
“Aap ne davay nain li “she said disappointedly into the mirror as Mr Bajaj walked into the bathroom behind her.
“And Maria? She asked looking up at him as he moved her hair away to give himself access to the crux of her neck
“She has other patients” he said which she knew meant he’d dismissed her.
Give it another go, for me she said with
A sigh but he had made his mind up.
He gave her one of his passive replies whilst caressing her neck with his kisses
“She did however have some advice I like the idea of”
“Hmm” said Prerna hopeful eyes only to cave ito her husbands ways as she heard him whisper sweet nothings into her ear and lead her to romance.
..shed have to rethink to get around Rishabh Bajaj Prerna thought to herself.
….
The next morning as Rishabh stepped towards his car the thought of his own space after day of Maria the health coach felt rather exciting he thought to himself. Only as he stepped out to the car awaiting him was little Kuki.
Kuki with her backpack and a smile waiting to spend her school holiday time with her pa.
“Sorry Pa not allowed” she said as she saw Rishabh checking a empty cigar compartment in the car.
He put two and two together when he saw Mehra in the drivers seat looking into the rear view mirror with a smile.
He smiled In fact kuki made him smile. For her he’d do this he thought to himself looking at the medicine. After taking the much avoided tablets he watched Kuki draw out her paper bag of sweets.
“ Toffee?” She said cutely to make smile again this time with his eyes.
Cricket
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