章 9: The joy of togetherness…

A fortnight of calm reflection passed and Aman started becoming fidgety again. He was waiting for her call. Why didn't she call? Was she not missing him? Is it too complicated for her to handle their new situation? What was going on in her mind? How was she feeling about this? He was once again anxious and was suddenly unsure of himself and of his hold on her. He needed assurance and for that, she needed to call.

She, on the other hand, was dangling between propriety and the eagerness of her heart. She was not sure of what was right and was trying to buy out some time to get a grip on herself. If she could have her way, she would never be away from him. But she realized it was nearly impossible.

Then there was the fear of her ever so imposing father-in-law finding out. He had already become suspicious and asked uncomfortable questions. How could she explain to them what Aman was to her? A friend? But that would be untruthful.

Questions like - who he was? What does he do? Where does he live? Where does his family live? - were raised. She did not want to answer them. It was fortunate enough that the butler had not recognized him. How could she explain why this senator, who will soon be running for Vice Presidency, was suddenly interested in her?

And then there was the difficulty of an overzealous mind of the Raichand men. It was always eager to find a good business break wherever possible. They could try to trap him into a deal.

"I hardly know" – she said, trying to sound casual, "He did tell me something but I wasn't paying attention. We mostly talked of our childhood days and the games we played and our friends." She hoped this would suffice, but the seed of doubt had already been sown.

"Be careful; remember yourself and the family you belong to. Think of the respect that you enjoy with the Raichand name. Do nothing that will bring us disgrace." Mr Raichand delivered these threats under such a calm and patronizing tone that she quailed to the deep. She wanted to defend herself and to defend Aman, but where was the use? Who would understand what she felt for him and he for her was more pious than anything in the world? In what words could she describe their relationship to him? Would he understand? Would anyone understand?

She remembered her promise to call Aman. She wanted to call but was scared of her father-in-law. But just as luck would have it, her phone rang. The person on the other side said - "Are you ready to go out?"

She was delighted to hear Aman's voice, but pretended to be annoyed - "You can't keep a promise, can you?"

"Do you mean to say you don't like my calling you?"

She did not reply, just smiled.

"I thought so too." he said, "Now if you are ok with it, can we go?"

"Go where? Where are you taking me?"

"Can you drive?"

"Yes."

"Good. Get into your car. Come out of your house and take a left. I am waiting in my car, around one kilometre away."

"What?" – Myra was confused

"You should not tell anyone that you are meeting me. We need to maintain secrecy."

"You are scaring me," she replied. The truth is that she had never thought about this aspect of Aman's life. He was soon going to be the Vice-President of America. Every word he says or everything he does will be publically scrutinized.

"Don't worry, I have thought it through. Just come and I will take care of the rest." – he assured her.

She thought for a moment and then sighed audibly. "Ok"

"That's my girl. Now listen to me carefully." – he said. "I will give you a quarter of an hour to dress up. Wear something white. Cover your head with a white scarf. Put on big sunglasses and hurry."

Her heart leapt at the prospect of meeting him again. With trembling hands and fluttering heart to her aid, she scooped out a white dress, wore it, tied her hair in a bun and covered them with a white scarf. One look in the mirror and she was surprised. Her face was radiating the glow of her heart. She never thought that she was beautiful, but today even she couldn't take her eyes off the mirror.

She was late and he called up again. She ran down the stairs, got into her car and drove out of the house. Aman was waiting for her impatiently and came out of his car the moment he saw her. "Come out" – he said and opened the door for her. Then taking her hand in his, he carefully led her to his SUV. They got in and Aman locked the door.

"All clear," he said, on the microphone attached to his jacket. A girl came out of the car behind his car and got into Myra's.

"What is happening?" Myra turned to Aman.

"Don't worry, we are safe." He told her. In his microphone, he said - "I am switching it off. You guys take over."

"Don't switch off. Mute it." – came Major's voice.

"Ok" – said Aman and pressed the mute button.

"Still scared?" he looked at her. She shook her head and he explained – "The girl will take your car to the mall. She will park it there and go watch a movie. After that, she will bring your car to Anmol's house. The car behind us will follow us. These are my security personnel. I had to agree to their plan so that I could have you in here with me."

"Why Anmol's house?" Myra wondered,

"Sunanda is your alibi. If someone asks at home, you can tell them that you have spent the entire day with her."

Myra sighed and Aman drove them away. She did not notice where they were going. So long as she was with him nothing else mattered. They were both happy and alive in each other's company and their conversations were livid and entertaining. There was so much to share, so much to hear, so much to say. And it did not seem like they were ever going to be near the finish line.

She did not notice when or where he pulled over. "Come, let's go" Aman eventually said. Myra looked around and realized that they were at Kaki-maa's house. She looked at Aman with delight.

"I thought it would be nice to be together, just like the old days." He said. She got out of the car and ran in. Her kaki-maa was reading a book in the living room, in the east wing. She looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. The book fell from her hand and she stretched out her arms with a squeal of delight. "O, what joy!" she screamed as Myra ran into her arms and the old lady pulled her close to her heart.

To find love is the greatest blessing. But love, whose foundation is laid in childhood, nestles in one's heart and grows deeper and stronger. Sunanda came in and the three friends spent delightful hours together with kaki-maa.

In the evening when Anmol arrived, he found the women engaged in happy conversation. Aman was sitting quietly in one corner, enjoying the conversation of these women. He was filled with love and admiration for them.

After dinner, somebody proposed music. Guitars, sitars, banjo, conga and piano were all brought out. They did not need encouragement, merry hearts sang to content - old melodies, love songs, happy songs.

The clock struck twelve but they were hardly tired. Three hours could not satiate the appetite of a decade. One more, encore and one more was the call always.

Myra shook her head and said - "It's already late, I must go now."

Her Kaaki Maa agreed. "She must go." Myra stood up to take leave. "Come again my dear, I am not done with you yet." - she ordered. Myra laughed and agreed. She then turned around to Aman, who escorted her into the car. They left as they had come.

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