A short while

His flight to Mumbai was delayed by three hours. The day was not being that easy on Vijay. He strode
across the hotel room salvaging his time. The silence at the Miramar beach residency was making him
uneasy. As if, the old memories were haunting him again. The waves were calling her name and so was
his heart. He cracked his fingers as his eyes wandered through the raging sea waves. But nothing
compared to what was going on during the entire short while. He closed his eyes with a little hint of
moisture, probably not because of the fever which he was about to have, but because of the memoir
which had swept into his mind, making him weak on his knees…again.

Rohini stroked the paintbrush onto the canvas to apply the final touch to her painting. She had an
unusual glee to herself for two reasons; she had completed the painting in a record time for herself and
she finally had on portrait of the boy she loved the most. The smile on her face wandered across to the
hall to meet his face. She bounced her way to him and gave him a warm hug. He did not stop her, he had
never. “It is finally done! I am sooo happy”, her smile was so infectious that he almost forgot what he
was about to disclose to her. “Thanks, thanks a lot. I know you had to wait for a long time” Five hours
are something which passed away like five years, he thought to himself, however after that five hours, it
seemed like only five minutes. Her industrious look and focused brows made him frozen. “This is my
best portrait ever!” her excitement was spread across the room like a room freshener. “Don’t you think
so?” He was not even concentrating on what she said, but her body contact had made a statue out of
him by now. She had hugged him before as well, but this was something different. This was them going
to the next level in their relationship. He was too confused about all the things going on his head. It was
close to late evening by now and he had to travel overnight. But the first two words, which came to his
mind when he went through this, were “Screw it”. She looked at him, deep into his eyes and all the
unspoken was being transmitted from her end. They used to quarrel a lot over communication before
today however, without saying a single word; the conversation was much more meaningful than
anything. “You know today is a full moon day” he told her. “Then?” she had not left him till now but
shifted in a comforting position. “I want to gaze at the moon with you on my side” “What sense would
that make” she played with his fingers wrapped around her “Nothing. I just needed to provide some
clarification” “To whom?” “To the moon” he softly brought her closer, “Am going to tell the moon, that
hey! You might want to slow down. I have someone who is doing your job better than you and she does
it every day” She blushed like blooming daises, her dimples being visible now. She turned towards him in
her grip and gazed at him. But something stopped her right there. She retracted herself and freed
herself from his hold. Walking towards the painting she felt tired and feverish. Her sudden behavior
change confused him. He walked towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “What
happened?” he asked to himself more than her. “Sorry. I did not mean to ruin the moment”,
embarrassed to her, she gripped her stomach as if it had begun to wobble. The environment which felt
pleasing few moments ago had now turned tense. He walked her near the balcony to have some fresh
air. As she touched the bar, her eyes glistened and hands trembled. He immediately felt something very
fishy. “Did anything happen today?” he was concerned by now. He did not want to let go of her by any
chance. “Do you believe in second chances?” “I do!” he replied without thinking. “I don’t” she looked
away. “I don’t believe in second chances at all. So if you want to tell me anything which I wouldn’t like to
hear, make sure you have a very good explanation for the same” her firm voice scared him. “I won’t.
Trust me, I would never” He removed his hand from her shoulder and placed it on his hand. The sweat
on his hand made her feel stressed. But she could not understand the reason why she was being so
worked up. Did he ever make her feel lonely or depressed? The answer was a firm no, but she was
unable to trace it.” Funny, how simple things are the most difficult ones to handle”, she thought to
herself. But was it simple? What made her so complicated in a short while? Her uneasiness had
trespassed her thinking senses, making her remember all the harsh things she felt when left alone. The
night was coming alive and it was time that he would leave, but she did not realize it. He wondered
whether he should leave or not? His heart said yes, but his mind said no. He had just made a hurried
promise to her which he feared to break. But, he was tired of her mood swings just scared to confess to
them. “Listen, I’m hungry”. “I am not” she mumbled. This frustrated him “Oh! C’mon, everything was
great a short while ago!” She felt to herself “Yes, it was indeed great. No doubts, it felt as if it was a
short while ago” “Sorry” she whispered and took him in her arms. “I did not mean to hurt you. Please
don’t leave me” her grasp strengthened. He realized it and held her. He kissed her forehead, she melted
down. She gazed at the moon after the meltdown. Somehow it did not feel the same from Mulund, she
thought. The pollution had got better of the area and that short while had got the better of her.

Vijay’s phone displayed fifteen missed calls till now, but his attention stuck on the waves, which had
gone silent by now. He had missed his flight by now and he would have to give a strong reason for the
same. A silly painter knocked him on his way would not be a reason anyone would agree to. He rubbed
his eyes which were completely wet by now. He walked back to the landline, wondering if he could call
her so late at night. Freeing from the questions, he dialed her number. As the count of rings increased,
the sweat on his neck sloped down on his back. She finally picked up, “Can you please let me sleep?” she
begun. “Couldn’t do it, just couldn’t do it. I am sorry” She was wide awake till now “What is it?” “I
messed up once again” he was calm now. “Tell me clearly and don’t worry. All would go well” He
wanted to speak everything, but he stumbled. Should he tell her or he shouldn’t. Will it be justified that
he fulfilled his promise but she did not keep her part. Where he got afraid but he never gave up, but it
did not take her more than a minute to change her mind. He expected that she would explain, but
instead she expected an explanation. She firmly pointed fingers at him and he lost it. Did he really keep
his promise? He did not. His heart said this again and again to him… What if she got angry? Didn’t you
give her the right to do it? She did everything in her might to keep him; all he had to do it is kept his
cool. She deserved few collapsing moments’, didn’t she? Should he apologize for leaving her? Even
though they would still be in touch later, he knew it that she will not give second chances to anyone. She
would not show any remorse or nostalgia at all when she would meet him. Then why should he pay any
heed to her? He should not be making this call as well. He made his decision, clearing his throat he said
“Nothing to say Ma, good night” he disconnected the call.

That night was tough for both of them. She was in his arms, but he was alone. A message from Rohini
Tiwaskar was received by V.Kadam instead of V.Rajagopalan brought back the time in a short while