“Karishma. With what I know of them, my guess is that they believe in astrology.”

“Ardently. You see all these rings in all shapes, colors and sizes? Two years of marriage and I was still not pregnant. That’s why!”

“Were you having difficulty in conceiving?”

“No. I was taking pills. I hadn’t told them.”

“Hmm… That’s convenient. What if…”

Mou told her about her idea. Together they fleshed it out even better.

“Do you know any actors, then?” Karishma asked at the end.

“Better. There are people who help us in sting operations. They are real-life actors. Better than on-screen ones.”

“Mou. This plan has to succeed.”

“But tell me, Karishma. You are depending on Prof. Sen. I don’t know what you expect him to do. But whatever it is, don’t you think you should talk to him at least once? What if he is married, for instance?”

“He won’t have married.”

“How are you so sure? You moved on, why shouldn’t he?”

“It’s not about me, Mou. Don’t ask me be betray the secrets I know. Please. There are too many if’s and but’s here. But… I have to give it a try. If I call him… I don’t know… He or I may talk myself out of it. If I reach there… Something will work out.”

—

Jain household was in a commotion. The astrologer that has visited them on Mou’s recommendation had been quite brutal about it. It was some dosha in Karishma’s charts and she needed to do a penance for a year, if she were to get pregnant. And she had to stay away from the family. She must not see any family member in that duration. There were some conditions even on which place she should go to. After doing multiple calculations, the astrologer had zeroed in on Dharmshala.

“Dharmshala? Where is that… Himachal… Too far… Without family… One year… Impossible…”

Karishma had not known she was capable of so much theatrics. She had begged to her mother-in-law.

“Please Mummy. Please consider. Mou has sent him. She doesn’t even believe in astrology, but she said that this person has always been right. It has been two years. How miserable do you think I feel? Everyone asks me. At home, outside, friends… Send Geeta Chaachi with me. All I have to do there is pray and live religiously. One year, Mummy. Please.”

There had been extensive consultations. Even Karishma’s mother had been called. Vikram was not convinced at all. But, to Karishma’s surprise and relief, begging with her mother-in-law had worked. She gave her consent finally; then rest of the family also followed after that.

—

The door was open. Two students were there in his office, and he was engrossed in a discussion with them. She stood there silently for a while. She needed to ensure that she didn’t end up crying as soon as she spoke. At length, she felt tranquil enough to speak. “Prof. Sen.”

“Yes?” he looked up and his eyes remained glued to her for a long second. “Is that Karishma?” She couldn’t be sure what took him so long. Recognizing her; or believing that it was indeed she?

She bit her lips to control her extreme emotions and smiled through it. He turned to his students hastily, “Send me an e-mail. We can meet again tomorrow.”

“Yes Sir,” they left immediately.

Karishma walked in and shut the door behind her. He walked around the table and stood in front of her. “You look so different,” he said, his voice unsteady.

Instead of replying, she just went forward and threw her arms around him. He reciprocated without hesitating. “Oh God! Yes. I am so happy to see you. Really, really happy.”

“How are you? What have you been up to?” he asked when they broke the hug.

“Don’t ask me anything right now, Prof. Sen. I will tell you all. In good time. Right now… Oh – just don’t talk…”

“All right. What should I do? Where should we go? Right? First… are you with somebody? Do you have time now?”

“I am alone and have all the time in the world for next one year.”

“One year… one year.. wow!  Will you… will you come… home?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go. I am done here for the day.”

—

Siddhartha continued to be edgy on their way to his home and was no better once they reached.

“What should I get you… Coffee… Tea… Damn… I don’t even know what you like…. I should have something to eat here…”

“Prof. Sen,” she chuckled and interrupted him, “You look as nervous as I was before Science exam in high school. What for?”

“What for indeed?” he grinned, becoming conscious of his odd behavior, “I don’t know. You have just thrown me off-balance by suddenly appearing before me. And alone, you say. You haven’t run away, have you?”

It didn’t escape his notice that instead of laughing at his joke, she pursed her lips and her smile faded away. “Not exactly,” she replied forcing the smile again, “But let’ not talk of my sob story today. You tell me. How have you been? What have you been doing?”

“I have been keeping myself busy. Teaching, publishing… I am even trying to write a novel.”

“That’s great. Tell me about it…”

He settled on tea and brought out some biscuits, as they continued chatting. He talked about his students, his colleagues, his neighbors and all the things he was keeping busy with. While the undercurrents of loneliness were obvious, she was happy to observe that he was wasn’t discontent with his life.

—

“Who was he?” Geeta demanded when Siddhartha dropped her at the house they had rented for a year in Dharmshala.

Karishma was feeling happy after a long time. She didn’t want to spoil her mood. So, she gave an evasive answer instead of confronting Geeta about it. “He was a professor from my college, Chachi. He now stays here. So, I met up with him. We will need to make acquaintances here.”

Geeta groaned in reply, but didn’t say anything. “Shall I bring dinner for you?”

Karishma had eaten with Siddhartha. But she didn’t want to draw Geeta’s attention towards him yet. So, she asked him to bring the dinner to her room.

—

To be continued