Time Travels but Love Stays (Part 5)

Mum stopped and I knew who is at the door. I looked at mum and she looked away from me.

I walked forward towards the door and I could feel my palm sweating. I felt numb.

I took a deep breath and opened the door and it was the same gentleman who came yesterday. I could not even smile well.

I greeted him, “Good morning! Please come in.”

He wished me back in a crisp voice, “Good morning! Dear.”

I thought mum would freeze into silence once again. But to my surprise she invited him for breakfast.

“Good morning! Welcome,” She greeted him with a smile. How are you doing Akhil?

“I am doing very well, Thank you,” He replied. What about you Shruti?

“I am good too,” Mom said.

“Did you have your breakfast yet?” She asked politely.

“Not yet.”

“Then why don’t you join us for the breakfast”

“Yes, Why not?” He smiled.

Akhil? I had never heard of him before. I wondered who he was! It looked like both of them knew each other very well.

Then we sat around the table. I looked at the clock and it was still twenty minutes to ten. He was early. He looked exited.

Mum started serving the hot Idlis (Indian dumplings) and the spicy curry. It was the perfect way to start a rainy day.

I was eager to break the ice but by then Akhil interrupted.

“Shruti, you cook really well.”

“Thank you,” Mum said with a gentle smile.

“I met Nisha recently.”

Mum stopped eating, she looked at him and said, “Ok, so Nisha is the reason why you are here. Huh?”

He hurried, “Please do not misunderstand her.” She has done a real favour to me. If she hadn’t told me about you then I would be in a very bad shape. Trust me! He pleaded.

First time in these two days I felt a bit sidelined and found myself to be more of a spectator. I knew that today I did not have to speak much. I continued with my breakfast, listening to their conversation with perfect silence. All I hoped was to know more about mum’s past and to see mum happy again as always.

He continued, “Do you both stay here alone?”

Mum looked into his eyes and said in a low voice, “I am sure Nisha must have told you about it.” And then she looked down and continued with her food.

“Yes, but I don’t know where to start from.”

Just then mum intervened, “Akhil!” she said in a sharp voice.

Both of them looked at each other as if they were trying to open up the old treasure of memories locked in their minds.

I looked at them startled for a second. My spoon slipped from my fingers and fell on the melanin plate making a squeaky sound loud enough to break their thoughts. Mum took her eyes off him and looked at me, but she couldn’t manage to hold it for long. We continued with our breakfast. There was complete silence. Not even a leaf moved, just the sound of crockery.

I was physically there but my mind was wandering all over the universe to find a clue about what was happening. I was pacified about one thing that mum was much more confident today than she was yesterday. I knew his name by now but I failed to understand who he is. And when he started to speak mum stopped him. Those 25 minutes I could not feel the blood in my body.

The silence started eroding my patience.

Akhil seemed to be planning for a very long discussion. This was the longest breakfast I could ever imagine.

I looked at him hesitantly. He looked at me and gave a warm smile. My hands started to sweat. I did not know what to do. I could not eat anymore. I somehow managed to gulp the rest of the food on my plate.

Finally the breakfast was over. And the time I was waiting for was nearing. I cleared the table along with mum as soon as possible. I rushed with each and every vessel.

All this while, Akhil was sitting on the couch waiting to break a conversation. It looked for sure that this time he would not go back without speaking with mum. We set right the kitchen and mum headed towards the couch. I followed her. There were butterflies in my stomach.

Finally, like a centre stage everyone settled down on the couch. I felt a thrill like the cricket world cup finals. It was very cloudy and was getting darker. Mum switched on the halogen light in the hallway. Everything was literally in light now.

Not able to wait even for a moment he broke into the silence, “I want to speak with you, please shruti,” He requested.

Both their faces reflected the warm yellow light and I was waiting to put some light to my ignorance.

Mum spoke up to Akhil’s relief, “Yes, tell me.”

“So what are you doing these days?” Mum asked.

He started to speak with a sweet twinkle in his eyes. His innocence magnetised my attention and his clarity of speech awed me.

“I am a senior Executive in Infosys, Mumbai.” He said confidently. I got promoted recently.

Mum gave a glance at his face. “That’s nice.”

“Thank you.”

“What about your parents?” Mum enquired.

He quickly looked away. The yellow light lit one side of his face creating a rim.

I wondered.

“I do not speak much with them these days.”

“What do you mean by these days?”

“I mean since last 22 years.”

Mum asked surprisingly and with concern, “But why?”

Still lost in thoughts she started narrating the story of a lifetime. I was looking forward to each and every word he uttered.

“As you know after our college days I did my MBA from Pillani College in Ahmadabad. I worked hard and secured good marks. I enjoyed my college life a lot. I had a whole lot of friends. I did not know how my two years passed by and later I got a huge break to start my career.

My career was fantastic. I got into a multinational company. And after 6 months of training they sent me overseas for 1 year. I had a fabulous exposure in my career just at the initial stage. Then I came back to Ahmadabad and I got a promotion along with a posting in Mumbai. Everything went just as I wanted it to be. I knew I was on the right track. Some of my friends got married but I was too busy with my career.

I made many friends. But only some were close to me. One of them was a woman who often caught my attention. She was very calm, talented, and quick witted and lovely woman. We often went out to have a cup of coffee. We bonded really well as friends.

Very soon my parents thought it was time for me to get married. I never really thought of marriage then but since mum insisted I gave in.

I married the first girl whom I first went to see. To my surprise she was none other than my office colleague and a good friend. I was a bit hesitant about how she would react to the idea. But she was happy to get married to me. And so were everyone else in the family. My good friend had become my life partner.

It was absolutely beautiful being with her.

As he narrated this his eyes reflected the love and sincerity in his marriage. I felt a lot of respect for his wife. By the way he described her I could feel her presence even in her absence. I was more curious to know.

She was the most beautiful person in my life. Life was gliding like sow. It felt pure and beautiful. I loved her light brown eyes.” He stopped and looked straight into my eyes.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. I had exactly the same eyes.

“She loved those red bangles.” He said and smiled at me. Suddenly I felt a deep connection. I thought he was describing more of me. I always insisted mum to wear red bangles. I have always loved that vibrant color.

I could no more sit comfortably. There was a deep look in Akhil’s eyes. All of a sudden I seem to have taken the centre stage. I was wondering what was happening.

He looked down and said “Netra was such a beautiful woman. I loved her the most. She was the one who understood me like no one else could.” His eyes were moist as he looked up.

I was taken aback. Netra! Still echoed in my ears. I was in a wonderland. I tried hard to understand what was happening. Netra was his office colleague to whom he got married, but it coincided with my name. I just wanted to know more.