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

in the hard drives, though it was not a good thing to do, especially in the absence of the owner. I looked at the watch it was half past ten, still sometime left till Raju comes back, so I was rest assured. I started searching folders, among them there was one folder named Sakshi. Initially I thought I shouldn’t do this but somehow I couldn’t resist myself, I was looking back regularly to ensure Aunty should not catch me spying personal folders of her daughter. I clicked on the same folder and found there were lots of videos and audios files, that didn’t interest me much and inside there was another folder called snaps. I clicked on the same and found many picture files. I pressed “Ctrl + A,” and pressed open, I could see lot of pics of Sakshi’s with her family, friends etc. I started checking some of the pics that were really beautiful. The one where she was wearing red salwar kurta was really amazing; I guess that was taken on some of her friend’s birthday party. I explored few more and then close them all hastily before someone could caught me red handed. I explore the web for some time and then switched off the computer. Suddenly I heard doorbell ring at the back, “It was time for Raju to return home.” I said to myself.

 

I went out of the room and sat on the sofa. Raju was there running directly to the kitchen while throwing his bag on the sofa, to my surprise I could see Sakshi following her. She saw me but didn’t say anything. The adrenaline rose in my nerve, “had it been a little earlier I would have been caught red handed” I thought to myself. Raju came near me and sat on the sofa and tune to some cartoon channel. I joined him as well. Sakshi went straight to her room and remain confined there for a while. Hopefully she didn’t find out that I had used her computer or her Mother had might told her about that.

 

She came out to the drawing room where I and Raju were sitting, I got little conscious don’t know why, whenever she came near me I felt uneasy. She sat quiet on the sofa watching the cartoon channel. She was wearing blue denim and a black top; she was fair and had round face perfectly matching with her well tone body. Her neatly tied ponytail hair complemented her beauty perfectly and had extremely beautiful eyes; I swear guys would kill themselves to fall in love with her. We remained silent for quite some time and this silence was making me feel more uneasy. To her my presence felt like I didn’t exist, she was still watching TV silently. Should I say something or should I leave was the question running through my mind. What if a leave and she finds it rude, so I discarded the idea of leaving now the only alternative left was to start the conversation, so I did.

 

“Hello Sakshi” I started.

 

“Hi” She replied quietly.

 

There was again silence for some time; I didn’t know what to say. If I don’t say anything further I would sound foolish, so I continued.

 

“How was your school today?” I enquired.

 

“Good.” She replied.

 

“You came early today?

 

“Yeah, because of some school function, didn’t have any class today.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Which stream you are studying?”

 

“Commerce, CBSE,” was her prompt reply.

 

“Good, even I did my graduation in Commerce” I replied, though she didn’t ask me about what I do. I might be sounding stupid, its better I should stop, so I rebuked myself.

 

I was observing her; she was replying in just a word or two and was not bother about knowing anything about me. This might be her nature as Kaushik said or might be possible she didn’t like me. But I was not bad either in looks, few girls had crush on me during college days, I thought to myself and felt somewhat proud. “Why was I being so edgy in front of her, I can be normal I said to myself, nothing to be scared,” I started assuring myself.

 

She was quiet again; I thought it’s better to leave her on her own. By this time Aunty came in and asked Sakshi to help her in the kitchen, she stood up promptly and went directly to kitchen. I stood up as well and went to my room. The whole day passed in similar manner and in the evening Kaushik return from office, I was waiting for him eagerly. We went to the nearby market where he bought some household items as dictated by Aunty.

 

“So are we going for a room hunt tomorrow?” I enquired.

 

“Let’s see, haven’t got any information yet.” He replied.

 

We stopped at a tea stall while returning, “So how long it’s going to take Kaushik?” I asked showing my impatient.

 

“Don’t worry, as I told you before, it will take few days, chill Yaar.” He said smilingly.

 

“No dude, I am not liking this idea of staying at your Aunt’s place its already second day, I feel uneasy try to understand.”

 

“What’s the problem; my relatives are very good nature and friendly people.

 

“Yes, no doubt about that. But try to understand they are your relatives not mine, it doesn’t looks good, you know what I mean.”

 

“Just few days Rohit, I will definitely find some good place for you”

 

“You better make it quick, otherwise I moving to some lodge,” I said being restive.

 

“Okay I will, now chill.” He said and orders two plates of samosas and tea.

 

“Once my accommodation issue is solved, I will start looking for some decent jobs.” I said to him.

 

“Don’t worry I will take care of that as well” He replied taking bite of samosa.

 

We had our samosa and tea and came out from the tea stall. He was about to pay, but I resisted and paid on my own and packed 6 samosas for home. When we returned it was already 8:00 pm and Aunty was busy preparing dinner and Sakshi was there helping her Mom for the same.

 

Next day was Sunday, we had our breakfast and went to enquire about my accommodation, we went to one place in the same locality but didn’t like it. No worry, I have informed few of my more friends, definitely we will find something better of your choice at reasonable price.” He assured.

 

I didn’t like the idea of staying in a mess or hostel, because of the quality of food and environment, so was in search of a 1bhk rented house or a single paying guest. The hunt was still not over and don’t know how many more days I had to stay at Aunt’s place.

 

The days were passing by in similar fashion, Raju’s by this time had become very fond of me. We used to play video games together, watched cartoons in the evening, went for walk. Aunty used to have conversation with me regularly and I used to had some talks with Uncle as well at night during dinner. The absence of Kaushik didn’t bother me like earlier somehow I was also getting used to their homely atmosphere. But the attitude of Sakshi towards me was still the same, I didn’t know why, she used to talk very less with me, she was still hesitant. 10 days passed in jiffy and finally Sunday afternoon Kaushik came with the good news.

 

“Hey Dude, now be happy your worry days are gone.” He said excitedly.

 

“Did you find the room?” I said.

 

“Yes Yaar, it’s a hostel just half an hour distance from here.” He replied.

 

“That’s good, how much they will charge?” I enquired.

 

“Six thousand a month for everything, including two times meal and morning snacks.”

 

“Don’t you think it’s little costlier?” I said worryingly, it was a bit above my budget.

 

“You won’t get cheaper than this I bet, it’s a single room as you required with attach bathroom.” He asserted resting on sofa. “We will go there in the evening, and then you decide, if okay you can pay the advance and shift tomorrow.” He said

 

“Okay fine.” I said.

 

I was very happy finally I found a place to stay in this new city. In the evening we went to Mall Road, the name of the place, where the hostel was located. It was a three-storey building, actually a lodge later converted for Paying Guest service, with their own restaurant on the ground floor. The room was on the top floor, I inspected the room it was a small room with attached bathroom with a bed and table chair on the side, a ceiling fan was attached there. I liked it right away and paid the owner the advance money, all the formalities were completed and I was to move here the very next day.

 

I felt much relief while returning back, we came home directly and I gave this news to Aunty. She wasn’t that happy to know about it. But some day I had to move I said to her. Sakshi was confined to her room when I gave this news to Aunty. But I wanted her to know about this right away though it was not important to her, I don’t know why but I felt bad somewhere within.

 

“So when are you planning to shift?” Aunty enquired me.

 

“Tomorrow morning.” I replied.

 

“Why so hurry, make it next week.” She insisted.

 

By this time Sakshi came in the drawing room, our eyes met but I didn’t say anything; somehow I wanted her to speak first and asked about why I was leaving. But she didn’t utter a word and sat quietly by the side of her Mom on the sofa.

 

“No Aunty, I have already bothered you for so many days, not anymore.” I replied.

 

“You are like my son, why you say like this, Raju will miss you a lot, he had found a new companion in you; see he is already upset.” She said placing her palm on Raju’s head, who was sitting quietly by the side of her Mom.

 

“Yeah I will miss him as well.” I said looking at Raju, who by this time ran away to other room. I was shyly looking at Sakshi as well to notice her reaction, but she was just quiet as usual. Somewhere this was upsetting me, but I avoided any eye contact with her. Why was I more concerned about her, we hardly spoke ever, why the hell should I care how she feels about me leaving. It was difficult for me to understand those feelings at this point of time.

 

“It’s just half an hour distance from here Aunty, I would come regularly.” I assured everyone.

 

“Promise?” Aunty said looking at me.

 

“Yeah Aunty promise, after all whom do I know in this strange city apart from you all.”

 

“And this all included Sakshi as well,” I said to myself.

 

“Thanks to Kaushik, for introducing me to such a wonderful family.” I said to Kaushik while hugging him. He smile and revert the hug. Every one of us felt silence for few moments.

 

“Okay fine, I will let you go only on two conditions.” She said.

 

“Agreed,” I replied promptly without any hesitation.

 

“One, you will not go in the morning but only in the evening.”

 

“Done” I said.

 

“Secondly you will visit us every Sunday, without fail and have lunch with us. If you miss any Sunday, I am not going to talk to you forever.” She commanded.

 

“Sure Aunty, I give my word.” I replied with a smile.

 

“Okay.” She responded placing her palm on my face.

                                                                                  

Within all this conversation, Sakshi was the only person who was tight-lipped, rest everyone spoke and felt bad. Somewhere I was hurt with her strange behavior. Suddenly the doorbell rang, “Ohh it’s already 10:00 pm, it’s time for Raju’s Papa.” Aunty said and stood up in hurry. Uncle came in and sat on the sofa; Aunty brought glass of water for him and told him about me leaving tomorrow.

 

“So you are leaving tomorrow?” He asked me to confirm keeping the glass on the table after finishing his drink.

 

“Yes Uncle, I found