-4-
It was another Sunday and tempers were running high. Abhi was visibly undecided and stubborn. Rudra on the other hand was sad and angry and the reason they were fighting was because Rima had agreed to go out with Rudra!! The plan they had made has evidently materialized but Abhi was undecided… as if not so sure if it was right in the first place and he said so. Rudra was furious and sad; furious because backing away now would be of no use and the elaborate trap set to capture Rima’s true colours would go down the drain, and sad because his premonition about Rima was going to be proved true. He had not predicted Abhi’s present reaction. The plan had been agreed upon and now there is no point backing away.
It had taken three letters to lure her to meet him next Saturday and Rudra was certain that he could bring her to admit her feelings for Abhi. The problem was how to bring up the subject of Abhi and that too very discretely so that the connection does not become obvious. But the way Abhi reacted, it seemed the plan would be very costly… for rifts in their relationship would be unacceptable.
Abhi could not let his feelings show. In spite of being very close with Rudra he could not confess of being very jealous and helpless. If only he could now back away… The thought that most infuriated him was the fact that Rima has replied to the last mail Rudra had sent out to her. It was very straight forward yet deceptive. Rima had called up Rudra on his cell and they had been chirping behind his back. She had agreed to meet Rudra because she thought Rudra to be "cute". That WAS alarming. Rudra had been impressive about his mails and he was an expert in Psychology. He had the distinction of being the only male student to have passed the masters in Psychology in Calcutta University in 6 years. Not that the subject was tough but because it was a non-professional subject and no-one, without a small fortune to support them, would venture to take up the subject. Everyone wanted some job or the other. Rudra never had the trouble of sustaining himself for his parents left him a small fortune. All of his classmates were girls. Hence, he was what he was… an expert in the area. Abhi had often heard about the various exploits of Rudra, who seemed to take a certain amount of pride in his lady-killer skills.
Abhi felt foolish and guilty to have brought on this impasse onto himself and Rima. He should have never agreed to the plan of unfolding the true nature of Rima… He should have walked away from Rima in the first place rather than abetting this dangerous game. He could not morally support what he had done. He never believed in deception and yet he has done it. He never liked to bring trouble onto someone he admired and loved and yet he has set wheels into motion that would lead only to further bitterness. Now he was even not sure what Rudra’s intentions were and he was definite that if Rima went out at all with Rudra… Oh he shuddered at his thought. He felt betrayed and yet he could not blame everything on Rima. Somewhere he felt, it was he who should be blamed. Now, with this development he was not sure if he could speak out his inhibitions to Rudra. It was already decided and the only consideration Abhi had deciding it was his faith in Rima. Somehow the whole situation was confusing and he felt he could have some time alone with himself to reason out what he should do as his next course of action. He looked over to Rudra, who was watching him closely. Abhi felt guilty again at not being able to be frank with his closest confidant.
"Rudra… err I think I am having a nightmare of a time now… Could you please leave some weed and leave me alone for a while…"
Rudra let out a loud sigh and made a move.
"Okay! Bro… suit yourself…" he flipped open his purse and brought out a small packet. Flipping it on the couch beside Abhi he turned to leave and then turned back once again…
"I understand the problem you are facing, but I know and we both know that this meeting has to be done and…" he paused, making sure that Abhi had his full attention…
"… I promise you that I would not … well… you know… touch her… okay?"
Abhi felt his face turn red with shame… all he could do was to nod in acknowledgement. He had been dreading this moment of truth and he felt stupid to have made it so obvious to Rudra. Very much in shame he also felt a part of his anxiety wane off.
Rudra grinned and gave him a nudge on his shoulder and winked…"Now… You relaxed?"
No comments:
Post a Comment