Forbidden Desire, Ritesh Prasad [chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT] 📗

a girlfriend and had witness their telephonic arguments couple of times while returning home with him in the same cab. But I have never infiltrated his personal space.

“Don’t worry I think you are pretty new in this game. That’s why you are looking so upset.”

“Not new exactly.” I counter his statement.

“How long you have been in relationship with her?” He enquired.

“Almost 4 years now.,, and you?” I asked him.

“Two years.” He replied in crisp.

“Sorry Bro! in that case I am senior to you in this field, ” and we both laughed.

“Anyways what exactly happened?” He asked further.

“Nothing my girlfriend is going out of town for couple of days tomorrow.”

“Ohhh. So this makes you sad.,.. common give her some space Yaar.”

“It’s nothing like that. Actually she just had return a month back after enjoying a long extended two months vacations. And now she wants to go again. That’s why we were having argument.” I said to be in precise.

“Okay so finally she is going…right??”

“Yeah. I tried to stop her but couldn’t … plus I don’t want to make her feel that I am being dominant. So I finally agreed.”

“Is this the only reason for your stress? Or there is something else brewing in your mind?” He tried to enquired further.

“Ahhh… Nothing serious will tell you in details some other day. Let’s get back to the floor.” I said throwing the cigarette butt.

“By the way what are you doing this weekend? Why don’t you come to my Flat in Baguiati? We will have some good time.” I will call Kishore and Rajiv as well.” He said while returning.

Kishore and Rajeev our other new friends in office, we all worked in the same department.

“Ohhh sure. Ok so do you stay alone?”

“Yeah I have my own flat here, my elder brother purchased it few years and my family stays in Orissa.”

“Great Yaar!!! So let’s party this weekend at your place.

“Okay Sure” he said as we enter the lift, I pressed 7th floor.

“So what’s the name of your Girlfriend? I asked him.

“Preeti… and yours?”

“Sakshi. She has just completed her graduation this year.” I said while coming out of the elevator.

“Okay I see. Mine has just completed her Chartered Accountant course this year.”

“Good to know that… once I also wished could do the same course but unfortunately due to family responsibilities I had to get into jobs.” I said while we both entered the floor.

“Okay so deal we are meeting this weekend.”

“Yeah definitely.” I said and we parted to our respective bay.

 

We all four met in the weekend as planned. A get together without booze is never fun. So I and Ankit went to market and bought a large bottle of Whiskey and some snacks to complement that. Ankit knew I was good in cooking, so he requested me for preparing chicken and rice at home itself for dinner to which I obliged happily. We bought the items and went back to flat.

Our party began and after having few pegs I went to kitchen to prepare the dinner. While others were enjoying their drinks and soft music was being played in home theatre.

 

I started making arrangements for cooking the curry in the kitchen and Ankit entered and said, “Let me help you with cooking. Though I can’t cook much but can assist you. So that I could also learn how to prepare chicken curry.”

“Okay sure that would be good for me as well.” I replied.

“So do you want one more peg?” He said taking his glass back to fill up again.

“Okay but don’t added water ... I prefer soda instead.”

“Yeah sure.” He went back and fetched two glasses filled again while I was cleaning the chicken meat in the wash basin.

“Are you basically from Kolkata or somewhere else?” He enquired.

“No I am from Silchar, Assam. I did my schooling and graduation from there and came here for job opportunities and to continue my further studies as well.” I said while chooping onions.

“What about your family?” He said taking sip from his glass.

“We are four siblings two elder than me and one is younger than me. My eldest brother is married and stays separate with his a family in Siliguri. He has a business of gift item. , while the other brother is looking after our old tradition family business of medicines and Mom and Dad stays with him. My younger brother stays in Siliguri and is working as an IT executive in a MNC. And I am here in Kolkata. So you see we are family that’s sparse in all corners.” I said lighting one cigarette.

“Okay… Mine is also same Yaar. We are two brothers. My Dad expired while I was still in school. So my elder took responsibilities at a very tender age. He worked hard to complete his engineering, he is posted in Chennai and stays there with his wife, while my Mom stays with our maternal Uncle in Orrisa.

“Ohhh sorry to hear about your Dad.” I said while putting the pan in Gas.

“Na its fine….nothing to be sorry. By the way you didn’t mention anything about your Dad.”

I just smiled and said, “There is nothing to be mentioned about my Dad, my equation doesn’t match with him so we barely interact.”

“Now the pan is heated put some oil in it and after few minutes add the chopped onions there.” I said him while taking sip from my glass.

“So how do you come to know Sakshi? When did you meet her first?” Ankit asked while stirring the pan slowly.

“Sakshi is the cousin sister of my childhood friend Kaushik.” I said while asking him to add the meat in the pan.

“Ohhh… So was this love at first sight?” He said while following my instruction.

“No it was nothing like that; in fact she used to behave so absurdly during our initial meets in her home… Ankit please add the ginger garlic paste and closed the lid.” I said while replying his question,

.”Ohhh is that so!!!”

Yes and she was the one who proposed me during New Year party and at first i denied her proposal but just a week separation I realized I loved her too. So this way our love story started.”

“Great Yaar… So does her family know about your relation?” He asked filling the glass for both of us.

“Yes both the families have accepted our relationship and we are engaged and plan to get married next year.” I said and went near the gas opened the lid to check curry doesn’t gets burn out while we are engross in our conversation.

“That’s Great Yaar. Congratulations.” He said taking sip from his glass.

“So have you understood?” I said taking sip from my glass.

“About what??” He said looking amazed.

“About how Chicken curry is prepared.”

“Ohh..yes yes I am observing that too.”

“So now once the water dries out. You need to add some chopped tomatoes and green chilies and then add the chicken masala and stir it thoroughly for around 3 minutes.

“Okay…” and he did as I said.

“Now some pieces of cardamom and cloves and stir again and then add four tablespoon of curds and three cups of water and stir it for sometimes.” He was following my instruction while I sat on the slab enjoying my drink.

“Are you getting me….it’s pretty simple.” I asserted him.

“Yeah,…. but need some more practice.”

“Now closed the lid and let it cooked in minimum flame for about 15 minutes. Your chicken curry will be ready.” I said filling my glass again.

 

“So everything was going perfect till last year. We hardly ever had arguments. I must say she has been very supportive and because of her only I managed to survive in Kolkata. But now I am getting the feel that the things are changing.” I said getting back to my love life conversation.

“It happens Dost!!!! Yet we know but still we find it very difficult to accept. I can very well understand what you are going through. In the first year of mine relationship everything was so perfect but after that things started souring between me and her. Now we have fights and fights and more fights. Ankit said gulping the peg at one short.

 

“Hmmm okay let it be….don’t get upset please open the lid and check the curry I think it’s done.” I said trying to evade the discussion because I could sense he was very much disturbed with his relationship.

“How would I know it’s cooked?” He said looking confused with the last instruction.

“Ohhh it’s simple. Press the chicken with the spoon you will find it will be soft and even if you are not sure then put a small piece in your mouth. But in anyways 15 minutes is enough for getting it properly cooked. I said and turned off the gas burner.

 

We then came out to the main hall area where Kishore and Rajiv were watching some Hollywood movies. We also sat and enjoyed till movie was over. We had our diner after that and around 10 pm I came back to my flat.

 

Today is “28th December” the date was there in my mind she needs to return tomorrow I said to myself and dialed her number. But to my surprise it was switched off.

I just could not believe it. This has never ever happened before, unless we had a fight. She used to never sleep before saying goodnight to me. I still tried to call her couples of times on regular interval but the result was same so finally I gave up and went to sleep.

 

The next morning I tried to call her again around 10:00 am, still her cellphone was still switched off this really pissed me. I then call at Avani’s number after few rings she answered?

 

“Good morning…Wats up my Dear Jiju?” She said giggling.

“I am not good. First tell me where is Sakshi? Pass her the phone. I said in straight tone.

“But Sakshi is not here. She has gone to the market.”

“Why market??? And with whom?”

“Ohhh she has gone with Vimal to buy some household items.”

“Vimal??? What is he doing there? As far I know he was supposed to returned to Bangalore ..right?” I said in anger.

“Ohhh No jiju he will go some days later after attending his sister’s wedding.”

Ohh I see. So it’s his sister’ s wedding there!!! Does he stay nearby your relative’s house?” I asked

“Yes…his house just opposite to my Auntie’s house and we had fun sometime in their or our house.”

“Okay…. I see.” I wanted to ask more but controlled my anger.

“But why the hell is Sakshi’s cellphone switched off.”

“What her Phone is off??”

“Yes I have been trying since night.” I said in desperation.

“I have no idea Jiju and she never told me.”

“You could have called to my number. We all were together having fun till late night around 1 am.”

“What were you doing till so late night?”

“Gossiping, Vimal was narrating us his funny college incidents in Bangalore. He is such a joker and keeps doing stupid things. Sakshi and he fight all the time and soon they patch up.”

“What was he doing late night there?? I was coming to know so many things about them from Avani which Sakshi never told me and with each revelation I was getting more annoyed.

“He sometimes stays at our house. Arun is his best buddy.”

“Now who is this Arun?”

“Ohhh Arun Is my cousin brother. We have come to his house only. And Vimal and Arun are best of buddies.”

“Okay, I never knew about that…anyways do ask Sakshi to call me immediately once she is back.” I said

“Sure Jiju… I will. Is there anything serious? You sound so upset.”

“No nothing like that. Ask her to call me back quick.”

“Okay Jiju, I will definitely. You don’t worry.”

“Thanks Avani.” I said and disconnected the call.

She was supposed to return today. She hasn’t left house that means she is not coming today. I need to talk her I said to myself.

 

It was afternoon but still there was no call from Sakshi. I was really getting impatient. Still I waited till evening controlling my anger. How can she be such irresponsible?