A month later, at Chavan Niwas, the scene was slightly different. Well, not very..
Patralekha had a new routine chalked out by the trainer. Getup at the crack of the dawn, do stretchings. Then a glass of hot water with a dash of lemon and a spoon of honey. This was a torture as the others had their round of hot sweetened tea made by her. And she herself was debarred. BoohoooâŚshe felt like howling at the top of her voice at times. Breakfast was oats or cornflakes, in unsugared milk. Eeeks. That was something she used to have daily at her maika and now had started to detest it with all her being. So boringâŚshe would practically drool as the rest of the family tucked in the goodies made by Ashwini Mami. That included her own husband.
In short, she never knew the path to a size zero figure would take such a sacrifice of her culinary space. On top of that was the body pain, vague aches and cramps, that made it practically impossible to get out of the warm bed. The alarm was unrelenting at times as Samrat nudged her awake. Not that gently or politely, though. He just stopped short of splashing a bucket of cold water on her.
Well, today was the day she was going to see her progress on the scale.
With Shivakumar crouching beside to get a better view, she mentally crossed her fingers as she climbed on the scale. Bappa..you know how much I have toiled these daysâŚplease, please, pretty pleaseâŚ
âNot much!â Shivakumarâs words were like a whiplash. She was wide eyed as she took in the figure on the display. What the hell? After a month of workout!
She was practically in tears as Shiva kumar straightened up.
âMaâam! Please donât lose hope. Your muscles have toned up at the very least. The readings on the scale donât mean much!â
âBut I wanted toâŚAnd I worked so hardâŚpractically followed all your instructions. And yetâŚâ A lone tear trickled on her cheek.
âI know thatâŚâ His face visibly softened in understanding. âThe treadmill has a log that tells me that you did workout pretty regularly. What I donât have a check on is your diet. Did you cheat on that?â
Patralekha thought furiously. Well, there was this birthday party and then the whole house had gorged on the cake. She had just contented herself with a small slice of the cake. Did thatâŚNo, she shook herself. Not possible. Just impossible.
âMaâam..â Shivakumar shook her out of her thoughts. âI know what you are thinking. A single cheat event will not make that much of difference!â
To hell as it wonâtâŚPatralekha thought savagely. Did he even know what was at stake?
âIf you feel very hungry, feel like snacking something, you can have something like raw tomato, sprouts. Or some roasted nuts. Any sort of fibre is more than welcome. It will take care of the hunger pangs. And after a workout, you can have some sports drink, it will replenish the lost salts in your body!â
Patralekha nodded. This was so relieving. She made a mental list of surfing the internet for high fibre salads and high protein foods. Cabbage, broccoli, paneer, beans..
âWe will check after another month. Till then, continue with the routine!â
Samrat walked in at that moment.
âSo, whatâs the progress?â
âMr Salunkhe, not much. Muscles have toned up. But itâs too early to expect anything on the scale. Please get a protein shake for her, that should help. I will send you the details. Now, if I mayâŚâ
âFine, Mr Shivakumar. I totally understand. Come, let me see you offâŚâ
Patralekha was viewing herself in the full length mirror as the duo left. Had the muscles actually toned up? Yes, the stomach had been flattened, breasts felt tight under her bra. She turned around to view herself from another angle. Yes, even her backside was taut and firm. Was that enough?Would Virat be impressed? A knock from the door broke her chain of thoughts. AhhhâŚthere he was. On the way to his office, standing in the door way, admiring her reflection. Her eyes invited him in her domain. Whistling softly, he enveloped her from behind. She relaxed against him.
âHey PakhiâŚI heard what the trainer said. Donât lose heart. You have trimmed down. To the sameâŚas you were in the Yoga camp! The same glowing skin, the same curly hairâŚâ
Ohhh Bappa..so he had started noticing her. Good, GoodâŚit was a dream come true.
âHmmmâŚYou still remember those days? That was a magical timeâŚâ
âHow could I ever forget?â
âAnd what about your wife?â
âThat junglee mulgi..A pain in the neck. Only thinks about her hospital. Forget about her for a moment!â
He nuzzled her neck and she strained against him.
The door clanged at the opportune moment.
Samrat stood in the door along with Karishma, holding a tray of snacks.
âPatralekha, what are you upto? measuring yourself?â
She shook herself in disbelief. It was all a dream! Ah never mind. Then a new thought stuck her. Virat was an absolute nobody when it came to comparison with her trainer. If Virat was fire, Shivakumar was a volcano. What would it be like to be kissed by him? Set her on fireâŚ
âPatralekha Vahini, what were you thinking about?â Karishma muttered in her signature audible capacity as she put the tray on the bed. âVirat Dada has left for his office long back. By the way, the trainer is so handsome na?â
Patralekha was startled to the bone. She never knew things were this obvious. She tried to change the topic, gesturing to the tray. And was largely unsuccessful.
âWhat is all this?â
âHere is a glass of beetroot juice, as suggested by Shivakumar. A bowl of boiled sprouts with a dash of lemon, if you feel hungry. And this is for protein supplement!â
Patralekha frowned at the contents. This is what horses ate! And she was supposed toâŚnever mind. The path to success was strewn with thorns and pebbles.
Karishma had that knowing expression on her face as she turned to go. So Patralekha Vahini was dreaming, eh? A romantic dream, with who else, but Virat dada? Or her trainer? Samrat dada shouldnât have interrupted her so soon. The scene was so entertaining. And then there was this moment when Shivakumar had asked if there was a doctor in the house and Samrat Dada had informed him enthusiastically about Sai Bhabhi. Ok, will talk to her soon, the trainer had then left, given his busy schedule. Now how best would Sai Bhabhi add on to this existing mess? Dadho sutto! Ashwini Mamiâs answer to a quick protein snack was roasted chana which was dutifully provided from the kitchen. Fine, so long as Patralekha Bhabhi didnât leave her aerial signature everywhere..Karishma twiddled her fingers. Dadho sutto!