It was not a very comfortable night for a girl of just 23 years old though she was a very dominating new age girl. There were lots of questions, thoughts, and negative feelings popping up in Swagatha’s heart and mind. She felt she made a mistake by pursuing him to meet in real life. Their virtual relationship was going on quite steady and enjoyable which she thinks will definitely come to an end now. She felt like crying but she could not. She felt like screaming at the top of her voice but she could not do that as well. She remembered how he held her hands in his, so lovingly. How he made her feel so comfortable in that awkward situation. Someone else in his place would have surely failed to behave normally but he was so matured to handle the situation. ‘How the fuck that woman behaves so rudely with such a gem of a man?’ She mumbled to herself cursing Monalisha, her lecturer. She even felt ashamed of herself to be part of that group which mocked him earlier. She decided she will apologise for her past behaviours by sending a SMS or whatsapp message to him. She typed a message and pressed on the send button. She kept the phone down and tried to sleep again.
At the other end when Ronit got back home he had to face the usual nagging of Monalisha. He remained quiet as always. Monalisha was as usually busy with her chittir pittir but Ronit’s heart was filled with a sense of joy as well as lots of confusion regarding the young girl, Rubina or Swagatha. He knows he can manage everything about himself but he was feeling guilty thinking this might spoil a young girl’s career and life. He himself is 45, more than twice of her age. Moreover, he is married and that can't be denied. There were many conflicting thoughts going on in his mind.
He had his dinner and went to the bedroom at once. He was about to lie down when he received Swagatha’s message. A smile evolved in his face as he felt like a young teenage boy receiving his lover’s message. He controlled his emotions as soon as he saw Monalisha entering the room.
He was staring at her blankly when she asked rudely, “Why are you looking at me like an owl?”
“Because the owl thinks that you should take a break and go to your parent’s place. You look stressed.” Ronit replied as his wife stood there stunned at his response.
‘Ronit said this…!!!’ She thought for a moment and looked at her reflection in the mirror… “Am I? And Ronit are you alright? You said something very wise for the first time in your life, if you realise.” She remarked sarcastically as expected.
“Owls are always wise, Mona, if you realise yourself.” Ronit responded with a grin and turned to the other side wishing her good night. He could not believe he could reply to his abusive rude wife like this after so many years.
The next morning to Ronit’s delight, Monalisha ordered him to drop them at her parent’s place and submit her leave application on Monday when he goes to college. It was a Sunday so Ronit dropped her and their daughters in his car.
While returning back he thought to call up Swagatha and dialled her number. She picked up instantly, “Hello Sir! Good Afternoon”.
It was 2:00 pm then.
They had a casual talk for a couple of minutes before Ronit asked her if she could be available in the evening and their second meeting was fixed.
They met in the same CCD again the second evening and Swagatha was wondering what this evening had for her. They ordered some snacks and cappuccino and it was served to them. They found it easier to discuss their daily mundane life till they finished eating and sipping their eatables.
They parted. They met the very next day again on Monday. They repeated the same routine at the same meeting place for the following days as well till Wednesday, but on Thursday Ronit planned to take her out for a long drive after their very first dinner date.
He parked his car on a bridge where very few people were hanging around. They sat on the rocks and spent some time talking and when it was around 11:30 pm he decided to drop Swagatha at her place.
“I have something to tell you, Swagatha.” Ronit finally decided to give his verdict. He was looking determined and serious.
“What sir?” She asked curiously with little apprehension.
“I… I really don’t want your…” He paused and the traces of confusion were seen on his face. There was a struggle between his carnal deprivation and his responsible persona. And he decided to let his deprivation take the driver seat for some more time.
“Your parents will definitely be annoyed by this delay Swagatha… Isn’t it?” He knew why he asked that.
And she shook her head saying, “I have told my parents that I am going to study at my friend’s place and might be late… her dad will drop me.” She giggled.
“Do you know your Madam is not at home? She has gone to her parent’s house and will return only on Saturday evening.” He shared this piece of information which made Swagatha all the weaker for him.
“Oh I see, sir?” She paused and then said, “By the way, I had also told my parents if it will be too late studying I will stay back at her place for the night.” She lowered her head as she knew why she said that. She remembered how they played ‘man alone scenario’ on FB Chat once. She felt a tingling sensation instantaneously.
He could understand what she was thinking. He saw her lowering her head and blushing as they both reached his car.
“Yes, I am…” He wanted to say something more when she interrupted him by asking “you wanted to say something na Sir?”
He stood close to her resting his right hand on the car over her head as she was standing leaning back on the car. They were standing so close that they could feel the warmth of each other’s breaths. He opened his mouth to speak, “I was saying… that… May I kiss you?”
Swagatha was stunned and could hear herself whispering back, “Yesss sirrr ppplllease…” Though she never could utter those words in real life yet she felt her lips being pressed under his... passionately.