She knocked at his door although it was open. He was sitting sprawled on the carpeted floor, his back resting against the bedframe and his eyes were closed.

He opened his eyes and was startled, “Rupali!”

“Can I come in?” she asked, smiling.

He stood up and came to her, “You are still on bedrest. Don’t be roaming about the house.”

“You already spoil me by caring so much. It’ll take me some time to get used to the idea that I could be spoiled more. Try not to get angry if I falter in the beginning.”

He ran his hands over her ear-rings, then held her hand and led her to the bed.

“I’m sorry,” he said after they were seated, “I over-reacted.”

“I did too,” she replied, “Worrying has become my second nature.”

He nodded. “As a matter of fact, I admire how responsible you are. But–”

“But I am tired. I do want to let go.”

“And I am happy to take over. Let go, Rupali. The more you got involved with Meenal, the more I let go of my worries about her. I now know that even if something happened to me, she would be safe with you. Your worries are easy for me to handle. So don’t hesitate. Let go.”

She leaned forward and he embraced her gently. “Let go,” he murmured again in her ears.

—

“What’s cooking?” Soumitra entered the kitchen, excited to find Rupali there. He was missing the familiar taste of Rupali’s cooking.

“Mutton,” she replied.

“Not chicken?” he asked, somewhat surprised. In the moments of indulgence, the siblings’ preferred choice of meat was chicken.

“Nope!”

“But you cook chicken so well.”

“Don’t worry, Piku. I will cook mutton as well. It is Dr. Khanna’s favorite.”

“Ah! I see,” Soumitra managed to flash a teasing grin at her, while fighting an inner anxiety. Her priorities were changing!

“He will come home late today,” Rupali continued, “Now that I am finally allowed to do some work, I want to surprise him with a nice dinner.”

“Great idea,” Soumitra replied and made to leave.

“Piku,” she stopped him, “Can you book me a taxi after half-an-hour?”

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“Check online where the nearest Lakme parlour is.”

“Okay.”

—

“Papa is home, Meenu,” Rupali told Meenal when she heard Paritosh parking his car, “Meenu will stay with Friend, okay?”

“Meenu will stay with Friend.”

“Good girl,” Rupali took Meenal to the boys’ room and settled her beside Soumitra with her toys. Then she rushed to Paritosh’ bedroom.

Paritosh entered his room and was about to switch on the lights when the dim glow of a candle arrested his attention. Rupali looked surreal sitting on a chair wearing the same white dress that had brought them together.

Paritosh inhaled sharply, then deposited his bag on the floor and walked towards her. She stood up and met him midway.

“Welcome home,” she beamed at him.

He started her by responding with a hungry, passionate kiss. “There couldn’t have been a better welcome,” he said after breaking the kiss.

“You haven’t seen the real welcome gift,” she replied, panting and flushed from the kiss.

“No? Let’s see it then,” He led her back to the coffee table where the candle was lit and his eyes widened in surprise at the spread there.

“You… cooked all this?”

She nodded.

“Good God!” He gave her a quick peck on forehead and said, “I will be back.”

He went to the bathroom and came back after freshening up and changing into a comfortable kurta-paijama.

He took his place on the chair opposite hers and rubbed his hands in excitement. “All my favorite dishes!”

Rupali chuckled, “There’s no telepathy involved there. I asked the cook what you like.”

To Rupali’s delight he ate with relish and particularly liked the mutton she had labored on.

“Shall I cook from now on?” she asked at the end.

He laughed heartily. “I will soon be overweight if you did that, Rupali. No. Let this be an occasional delight. This is too special to be done every day.”

“I don’t have much to do the entire day.”

“We will correct that once you have fully recovered,” he smiled and stood up wiping his hand on the napkin. “What about the kids? Have they eaten?”

“Yes. I will go and put Meenal to bed. Did you meet her already?”

“No. I will come with you and wish her good night.”

After they took Meenal to her room, Rupali asked Paritosh to go back and rest as he would be tired.

“I am going, but after Meenal is asleep, you must come straight to me,” he whispered in her ears before leaving.

She gulped hard and lied down beside the little girl with her heart thumping so loud that for a moment she worried if that the noise would keep the child awake. Meenal, however, cooperated by falling asleep quickly.

Rupali did not go straight to Paritosh’ room as he had demanded. She went to her own room first, washed herself and touched up her makeup using her newly acquired makeup kit. Only after taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down did she finally make for his room.

She stopped at his doorway and looked around. Their dirty plates had been cleared away. He must have done it himself. He had also remade the bed as the fresh, crisp bedsheet attested. She took a deep breath again and that drew his attention to her. He had been sitting sprawled on the bed. He got down and came to her. Without a word, he held her hands and brought them to his lips. Then he noticed her manicured hands and painted nails. He smiled.

“In relishing the food,” he said, “I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look today.”

She averted her eyes.

“Rupali,” he lifted her chin to make her look him in the eyes, “Are you happy?”

“Extremely,” she replied and her eyes moistened.

He led her inside the room and bolted the door. Standing beside the bed he expertly undid the hooks of her dress and then let it slip on the floor. Rupali felt self-conscious for a moment, then closed her eyes and let herself be drifted by his strong, expert, guiding hands.

Later as they lay spent on the bed, he turned to her and asked, “How soon can we get married?”

“As soon as you are ready,” came the unhesitant reply.

He chuckled, “Left to me, we could go and find a pundit right away. But tell me what do you want your wedding to be like? What are your dreams?”

She snuggled up closer and rested her head on his chest, “I dream of nothing except being here, beside you, at peace. Do you need a big wedding?”

“No.”

“Then let’s go and find a pundit right away.”

He chuckled again, “I am too tired now. But soon enough.”

She reached for her dress, but he interrupted, “You can’t wear that to bed.”

“I will go and find a night dress in my room.”

“No, stay,” he commanded. He put on his kurta and went to his cupboard. He rummaged through it and tossed a baggy t-shirt at her. “That should do for now.”

She flushed, but complied by wearing the t-shirt and slipping back under the covers.

They didn’t go to sleep immediately. His head was full of plans. For her. She would have about ten months to rest and enjoy. The next year Meenal would start going to school. And that’s when she would restart her studies too. Perhaps an open university for under-graduation, and then join a regular one for post-graduation. She wondered if she still had it in her to be able to study and write exams. He assured her that studying will be a piece of cake compared to all the responsibilities she had been handling until then.

Silently she vowed to prove him right. If for no other reason, then to safeguard his reputation. It wouldn’t do for a professor to have an uneducated woman as his wife. She drifted off to sleep with happy and hopeful thoughts in her head.

—

To be continued