It was a beautiful cloud free morning. Twilight melted away, majestic sunrise, red orange glow seeping over the horizon as if the light itself was being poured from a molten Sun amalgamating into the threads of her wet golden hair. I went closer and kissed her neck, while she shied away.
Her:“Neel, what has happened to you? Why are you acting mad since last night. Started on anby hormonal pill or what?”
Me:“You are my hormonal pill baby. Do you even remember when we had sex last time?”
Her:”Yeah, the last night in Bombay?”
Me:”Fuck. Three months and no sex. “
Her: You had been busy nah.
Me: Look , I know we had been through a lot lately. Coming here , all the way from Bombay, and then shifting into this house, moreover my college, I was pissed. I am sorry I couldn’t give you enough time.
Her: Hey,its okay. I understand. But let me tell you, last night was your best>
She held my hand, which felt assuring, but at the same time I was fighting my doubts.
Me: Are you sure?
Her: Yes, now get ready for college. You’ll get late.
Everything was okay, except that, it was not. She was playing smart. I couldn’t help but freak out- “What could possibly upset her, and she has to hide it from me like that?”
My only way to find out was Arvi who never talked with me.
The entire day in college was a big piss. I couldn’t concentrate while teaching giving a clear exposure of mental stress not only to my students, but also my colleagues who kept asking me if I was alright and that pissed me off further. I had to take a half day and left for home. By the time I reached, it started raining. The front door was open which was very unusual, no one even answered when I got in. The lobby was unusually dark, the windows were shut and the occasional flashes of thunder kept lightning the lobby now and then. I called for Meghna, but she didn’t answer. Even Shanti and Arvi were not to be found anywhere. Almost breathless, I ran towards my bedroom and as I opened the door, I was stoned at what I saw. It was Meghna with that one-eyed doll, she kept stabbing it until blood oozed out of it. I couldn’t help , but scream. She looked at me and smiled- there was nothing but venom in those eyes. The world was turning about me faster, and all I could hear was the constant stabbing of the doll. My vision was gradually fading away and soon someone drew black curtains on my eyes.
When I retrieved my consciousness, I found the three of them surrounding me. The nervous little girl sat close to her mother, while Meghna was worried.
Meghna: What happened Neel?
I took less than a minute to fake the entire incident as a bad dream, but then I was lying in the same room, except that there was no blood stain.
Meghna: Are you alright?
Me: Where have you been all this time , that too leaving the front door open?
Meghna: We went to admit Arvi, to a nearby school. Shanti, didn’t you lock the door?
Shanti looked embarrassed.
Shanti: Sorry madam, I guess it was my fault.
Meghna: What do you mean? Someone could have entered, anything could have happened , why are you so irresponsible?
She sounded furious enough to make the child run away.
I got up, and relaxed myself on the couch, making attempts to forget the meaningless dream or whatever it was.
Me: Its alright honey. And you be careful next time. Come on sweet heart you scared the child away.
Shanti: I am sorry madam. I will take care next time.
Me: Its okay, now see if Arvi is alright.
She left the room, wiping her tears.
Meghna: But you didn’t tell me yet why were you lying on the floor like that? I am worried. And why are you so early , you usually return after evening
Me: Nothing I just stumbled and fell on my face, and lost consciousness maybe. I returned home because I wanted to spend the day with you honey.
Meghna: That doesn’t sound very confirming though.
Me:And do you want me to explain in some other way .
I dragged her by my side, and once more tried to make a move, until she pushed me back compelling me to take rest.
Meghna: Awwwww, thats so cute dear. Taking a half day because you missed your wife so much, now stay here and take rest. I will be busy making dinner and don’t disturb me before that.
Me: Okay. But i then what happens after dinner?
Meghna: You are a jerk.
She kept calling names until she reached the first floor leaving me alone in the room. Something above the cupboard kept staring at me all the time, as if laughing or making a joke on me. I hated that doll.