The air is nippy. Simran pulls her shawl more snugly around her. A shiver runs down her spine. They are sitting by the pool at 2:30 in the night with only a couple of lanterns illuminating the pool side. The water is still as a glass sheet. The stars are shining bright in the coal black sky, away from city pollution. They sit on wrought iron chairs placed across from each other with her feet on his lap. He gently massages the soles of her feet. Simran clearly avoids looking at Parth. She keeps her eyes fixed at the sheet of melted glass gleaming in the lambent light.
"It's been a while."he observes.
"Yes... Seems like forever."she agrees solemnly.
"I miss you...I miss us...I wish for us to come back together...be the way we were..."his voice trembling with emotion and the desperation all too visible.
She sits motionless for a while. Not saying anything. As if she hasn't heard a word of what he just said.
"Can you still read my mind?...do you still feel me?" she sounds as if she is in a daze.
"I want to..." he shuts his eyes. His hands rest on her feet. The cool December breeze carries her tangy perfume and his nostrils expand to inhale it...he can smell her...he can feel her presence again.
She feels as if hours have passed when he finally opens his eyes slowly.
"Yes we can. First thing tomorrow morning. Do you want to have breakfast before we leave?" he inquires gently.
"hmmm." she affirms.
*************************************************
The Return: Parth speaks
"I'll get the stuff. You go ahead and meet the kids."
I look at her as I say it. She nods, already gathering up her long flowing skirt in her hands and walks off.
I can hear the children screaming with delight. I can't help but smile imagining their eyes going wide and small pink lips stretching in a wide grin at meeting Simran after just a day. I unload the car and carry our bags inside. Just as I keep them at the foot of the sofa in the sitting room, Bruno comes wagging his tail in excitement and starts to wobble around me. I marvel at this 25 day old pup who has taken to the family so quickly. The kids follow. I gather them in my arms and hold them tight till they protest at being squashed.
I see my mum and dad come out to of the guest bedroom, smiling at me. Simran, Mimi and Nan come down the stairs, they must have been in our bedroom upstairs. Simran looks relaxed and Mimi is laughing at something Nan has just said. I smile too, a genuinely happy smile after a long time...
We all sit in the drawing room, we elders on the sofa and arm chairs, Nan and the kids on the floor mats. Simran and I talk about the 'Glasshouse by the Ganges' and the river, the mountains surrounding the resort and the food. I catch Mimi and Nan looking at me curiously every now and then. I know they are somewhat relieved because they tease me a bit.
I look at them all. I release a deep sigh of satisfaction. I think...I am finally home....
1 comment:
where did it go baby?the threads seem to be fluttering away something of a letdown not what i expected of you
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