Why Did You Break My Heart? – Part VI

Now coming to the sixth part of the story “Why Did You Break My heart.” If you like it send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].
I asked my brother -in- law to join me. As we sipped our drinks we spoke on various topics. But I could not help but notice the excited tone of Shina as she discussed the next days plan as the 3 ladies prepared dinner. My wife was no less excited. As if she was going to meet someone special and SPECIAL she was but how special could only be apparent in a couple of days. I knew I had to act fast because even though I was in a relaxed because somewhere down a line the subtle threats were troubling me and creating flutters in my stomach pit…………. Was I being too optimistic? Well only time would tell.

Well after our drinks dinner was laid on the table and we all started to help ourselves and I noticed my wife was matching my baby in chattering and there was a special glow of happiness on her face. Was it because her baby was back to her happy self or was it the prospect of meeting her baby’s favorite aunty tomorrow. Whatever it was but I certainly liked it. It sort of helped me boost my confidence. Suddenly Shina’s cell rang and she looked at me with fear. {I have a rule that no one speaks on the phones during meals} but she perhaps in her excitement had absentmindedly brought it to the dining table.

She looked at me and in a pleading voice, “Pa, its aunty can I take it for a minute please”

{ Now I made rules but I wasn’t rigid. At least in this case I couldn’t } So I smiled and nodded my head. She quickly pressed the answer key.

Shina: Hello aunty.(Something was said from the other side. Shina giggled a lot and nodded her head in excitement.)

Shina put down the cell and we had dinner silently. I all the time imagining what Puno had told her. I went out in the balcony. My mind was churning new ideas or plans as how to make these ladies a family so that Puno would find a place too. I needed some privacy.

Shina followed me there, tapping my shoulder she said, “Thanks Pa, for giving me Puno aunty, she is such a nice lady.”

(How true she was and how guilty I felt on realizing that I slogged day in day out to make the ends meet and all along she had needed me only. This was my baby and then and there I made a silent resolution that come what may I was not going to keep my baby far from me any longer.)

I turned around and taking her face in my arms planted a kiss on her forehead said, “Darling, I did not give you Puno aunty but you discovered her yourself.”

Shina: But Pa, it was not possible had you not taken me to the party.

I: Oh! That was purely co incidental but I am so happy that you are happy to meet her and hope your relation blossoms.

Shina: Pa, nothing can come between our relation.

{Did I hear Puno in her voice? The same steely determination. Oh God……..}

BUT SHE WAS DEAD RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I: Seeing you so happy I too wish so.

(Just then Shahana came to the balcony looking for us.)

Shahana: Hmm!!! What is cooking between the two of you?

I: Oh its just that my baby wants to thank me for giving her Puno aunty.

Shahana: {with one finger on chin and thinking for a while} I think in a way she’s right. Had you not taken her with you she would have never met this girl and have we seen her ever so happy ? Being a mother I still envy that girl. But I’ve to admit that there has to be something special about this girl. I can’t wait to meet her tomorrow.

I: But you girls have been very unfair to me.

Shina: But Pa how?

I: You are all going without me and would be having fun. Is that fair?

Shina: Serves you right, you Mr. workaholic.{Shit ! This was a repetition of the evening}

Shahana: {reprimanding her} Shina you should not talk to your Pa like this.

I: Its ok Sahana, I want my baby to be more of a friend to me than a daughter. {True she was developing the temperament of Puno and at no cost was I going to stop her} Can you feel the Puno effect all around?

(Sahahana smiled and nodded quite understanding what I was upto and walked away leaving us alone.)

Shina:{snuggling more upto me} Thanks Pa. I love you.

I: No beta you don’t have to thank me because I’ve ignored you all these years and I’ve got to make upto you in a big way.

D: No Pa, I won’t say you’ve ever ignored me but you have given me more than I needed but its just that I’ve always wanted you near me. That’s all.

{This was the first father and daughter heart to heart talk and all because of that angel in my life?}

I: Baby I’ll try my best to rectify everything but you will have to give me sometime ok?

Shina: Sure Pa you are the best Pa in the world and I love you so much.

I: I love you too sweetheart now you’ve a hectic day tomorrow so don’t talk to your aunty for too long on the phone and get a good night’s sleep, ok.

(Saying this I carried her in my arms and carried her towards her bedroom and on the way she planted me a kiss on my cheek. I laid her on her bed and planting a kiss on her forehead bid her good night and came back to our bedroom. As I lay down on the bed my heart prayed that everything would go on the expected lines tomorrow. I drifted off to sleep soon.)

In the morning I woke up to the excited chattering of ladies voices and couldn’t help chuckling to myself. Got up showered got ready for the office and went to the dining table and plenty of smiling faces greeted. I don’t recall having seen such a happy bunch ever before. These was good omen or the calmness before some storm. I asked my wife whether she would like to take my car or should I call a car from the hotel with a chauffeur. She requested me for my car keys saying that since it was an all womenfolk’s day they wanted no men’s intrusion.

So I handed her the car keys and calling up the hotel asked them to send me a car. Then I took out my wallet and taking out one of ATM cards and handing it to Shina told her she can spend as she wants to. She took the card with a look of pride in her eyes and thanked me with a kiss on the cheek. As the car arrived I wishing them a great day headed for my office. Puno called once to say that she was about to reach my place. Then I got involved in all my paper works because the next day i.e. the 4th Jan, 2005 I would be on leave.

I called Ranjeet to the office and discussed lot of things with him because in my absence he takes charge. How time went by and soon it was evening. The whole neither they called nor did I call them because I wanted to give them there space. It was around 7.00 pm my phone buzzed. It was my wife. I took the call with a beating heart.

I: Hello darling.

Shahana: {in a happy tone} Hi sweetheart I hope I’m not disturbing you?

I: No dear I was about to pack up. But how was your day?

Shahana: GGREEAATT. What a girl she is, no wonder our baby is so attached to her. She hasn’t left her side for a moment. It seems as if they are mother and daughter and I’m our baby’s aunt. But I can’t grudge her at all because her presence has a wonderful effect. I have to give it to her she’s something special.

{Was I relieved to hear that ? ROUND two WON. NOW I JUST HAD TO DELIVER THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH}

Shahana: Darling are you on line?

I:{hurriedly} Yes dear its just that I was so happy for our baby that I got distracted a bit.

Shahana: Oh I can understand . Thanx darling this is the best gift you have given her and I tell you I have never seen our child so happy.

{Now this script was unfolding just as I wanted it to. I didn’t expect it be so easy }

I: Now what are they doing?

Shahana: Oh they are enjoying their ice-cream at Baskin Robbins.

I:{worriedly} Dear don’t let her have too much. She might catch cold.

Shahana:{giggling} Sorry darling today she isn’t under my control and I don’t to stop her from anything. She is all Puno aunty’s.

{ Now can you feel the Puno EFFECT showing it’s magic. She was inseparable to me, had my baby drooling over her and now she had my matured 32 year old wife gushing over her like a school going teenager. Sounds too unrealistic doesn’t it? But believe me my I have tried my best to stick to realism. At the end you’ll see what a genuine person she is and I hated her for her genuineness, because it was this quality of hers that became the reason of my DESTRUCTION.}

I: So you also liked her huh?

Shahana: Liked her? I just loved her. Darling you don’t mind if I bring her home for dinner?

{Oh how I wish she had said, “Darling I hope you don’t mind if I bring her home forever? High hopes huh or wishful thinking! Well that will have to be from side.}

I:{coming out of my reverie}. Why should I dear? The house is as much as yours as mine.

Shahana: Thanx, darling love you.
I:{ I was tempted to say, “love you too for your love to Puno but could just mumble} Love you too.

Shahana:Bye and come home soon.

She hung up. I gathered my belongings and handing over my office keys to Sander and bidding a quick good bye to all who mattered. I called for a car to drop me home. But before that, I turned back and handed my laptop to Sander. I had promised my family no work and carrying my laptop would be too tempting to resist. I promised to to make this trip to Goa a memorable one. I had just started and had a long way to go. She would be getting all my attention. After all my angel deserves every bit of it.

On the way home I remembered Robert Frost’s lines…..
“The woods are lovely dark and deep,
I have promises to keep,
and Miles to go before I sleep,,
and Miles to go before I sleep.”

As I looked out of the window suddenly it occurred the turn of events for the past few days one QUESTION was bound to crop up and what would the ANSWER be? Now my God was really helpful as things were shaping up and pieces were falling into places.

(I am sorry if I am boring you. But every detailing is important to understand the human emotions involved in it.) After reaching home I found that they had not come back home as yet and it was then that I realized that Puno who if given a chance could talk to me the whole day had not called me up even once. Was she right when she said she had come to love my daughter more than me? Well who cares? Why should I?

After all it was my angel, whom she was devoting her attention to and she was in a way even teaching me how children are to be taken care of. Well I saw my brother-in-law watching TV and his wife was in the kitchen preparing dinner. We exchanged hi and I went to my bed changed, freshened and coming to the living room motioned for my brother-in-law to join me in the bar. Today I felt I needed a treat and so I took out bottle of Glenfidich and poured us drink. As we sat sipping and talking I my car enter the driveway. Suddenly there was a lot of squealing and giggling.

{You may have enjoyed all the parts but the next to or 3 parts are going to be the mother of all parts.}

As they entered my jaw dropped at the sight that greeted me. Shina was clinging on to Puno and Puno in turn was hanging on to MY WIFE. All the faces had happiness written all over. What a sight !

AT THAT MOMENT IF THERE EXISTED THE 3 MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN ON THIS EARTH THEN THEY WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

I notice even my brother-in-law could not help admire Puno. They all squealed a loud hi ! and Shina came running and embraced me so hard that for a moment I felt breathless.

I just closed her in my arms and stroking her hair asked,”So how was your day darling ?”

Shina: Ooh Pa it was the best day of my life. Puno aunty is so much fun to be with. I just love her company.

I: {looking at the other to ladies} So how did it go for you two?

Both together: Fantastic.

(Then looking at each other gave a fiver and burst out laughing. Gosh they were behaving as if they were old friends and to think they had just met this morning. Isn’t it too good to be true?

Shahana: Puno please make yourself comfy. I’ll just change and come.

Puno came and sat down on the settee and Shina instantly left me and plonked herself next to her and clung tightly to her.

Shina: Aunty will you tell me one truth?

Puno: What baby?

Shina: Don’t you find my Pa very handsome?

{Now where did this come from?} Hearing this Puno blushed.

Shina: Don’t worry this is not your hotel and here he’s not your boss but only my Pa.

I: Baby { I tried to open my mouth in protest}

But she put her finger to her lips for me to keep quiet and I shut up. But I was wondering what was she trying to do?

Shina: C’mon aunty please speak up.

M: { in a shaking voice } Yes baby its true that I do find your Pa to be very handsome.

(And she lowered her head shyly.)

Shina (looking at me triumphantly): See I told you, Pa?

Now I’d to divert the topic because it was getting difficult for both of us.

I: OK honey now what did my baby buy today and what did you all do today?

And it worked as she went on chattering away and then my wife came out of the bedroom and remarked,”Baby, please take your aunty to your room and let her freshen up.”

Shina:Oh so sorry aunty, please come with me.

(And taking her hands started to take her inside.)

Puno {pausing at the door and looking back}: Mam I would like to come back and help in the kitchen. Can I?

{Now the most amazing of things happened}

Shahana: Puno will you please come here for a minute?

Puno turned and walked to my wife. As she reached her my wife holding her by shoulder and looking her in the eyes said, “Listen Puno, you are the 1st person who has made my only child so happy and which I have to admit that perhaps we have failed to do so in so many years. {looking at me} Right honey?

(I had to nod my head in assent.)

She continued, “Our baby calls you aunty right? (She nodded her head in assent.) So that makes you my sister and from now on you are a part of the family. Her papa must be your bloody boss in the office but I am your Didi from now. Is that clear? From now on you don’t to ask permissions for anything in the house.”

(Hearing this Puno just looked at her with streams of tears flew down her cheeks.)

She could just say, “Thank you Didi.”

It was turning to be a perfect setting for the final onslaught. After sometime we were seated at the dinner table and there was no chance of the chattering subsiding.

As we were having dinner suddenly Shina said. “Pa, can Puno aunty stay over tonight in my room?”

Now I had to brace myself for the most unexpected of things. I had planned to have a talk with Puno after dinner on the pretext off dropping and here my baby was putting a spanner to my plans. But today I did not have the heart to refuse her.

I: Beta it is your room and you can do whatever you want. Why should I’ve any problems?

Shina: Oh thank you Pa so much.

(I could see a hint of smile on Puno’s face.)

Shahana: Puno after dinner you can change into one of my nighties from the wardrobe ok.

Puno: OK didi thanks.

Shina: Pa, you are on leave from tomorrow right?

I: Right beta.

Shina:Then we’ll not sleep early tonight, o.k and talk till late night.

I: OK beta from today I’m all yours for a whole week.

Shina: Oh Pa it will be so wonderful. Aunty isn’t he the greatest Pa in the world.

Puno: Yes baby you are very lucky in that way.

{I could sense a hint of pride in her voice}. After dinner my wife led her to OUR bedroom and left her there to change and came out.

I immediately texted her, “Soon you are going to be a part of the family?

She replied, “But I’m already a part of the family”

I: “In the real way”

Puno: “What do you mean in the real way”

I: “Just wait for a few days”

Puno: “You are scaring me.”

Then I came out to the balcony for a smoke. After that as I came to the living and saw Puno go to the kitchen wearing my wife’s cream nighty and she looked divine. I just sat down and heard the ladies washing the dishes in the kitchen. After they finished we were sitting in the living room and chatting but I sensed that Puno wasn’t her usual.

She was in the conversation but knowing her I knew her mind was elsewhere. Now what was bothering her? Well I’ll have to find a way of asking her.

As we were talking suddenly my wife turned to me and asked, “Darling can’t you arrange for Puno to also come along with us to Goa? I’m sure you can call Ranjeet and ask him to arrange for an extension of her leave or should I call him ?

{ I forgot to mention Ranjeet and my wife share an excellent rapport since our days of dating }.

But this sudden question stunned both of us and we just exchanged glances. NOW THIS WAS THE QUESTION THAT I KNEW WOULD DEFINITELY CROP UP. True I had a day in hand and I could easily make the necessary arrangements but what shocked me.

Puno: No didi, thank you for the offer but I will not be able to come with you because I’ve a sick mother at home and I’ve already told you my family condition. I’m sorry if I’m sounding rude.

{What she was refusing a week long vacation with the people who mattered the most to her? I could see disappointments on the faces of all.}

Shina: Oh aunty how disappointing. It would have been so much fun if you could have come along also. But we do understand, don’t we Ma?

My wife nodded her head in assent. {They understood but I didn’t. I had a gut feeling that something was wrong somewhere. But I couldn’t figure what it was?} Any way after sometime I got up saying I was feeling sleepy and wishing everybody Good night went to the bedroom. As I lay on d bed I was feeling very uneasy.

I texted her, “What’s bothering you?”

Puno: “Nothing.”

I: “Then why did you refuse to come with us?”

Puno: “But I told the reason.”

I: “But that alone cannot be the reason”

Puno: “Yes it is and now you please go to sleep”.

That was the end of texting. I was worried as hell. Can you understand the twist and turns in the emotions? Something was terribly wrong. Just a couple of hours ago I was blissfully happy and now I was overcome with a feeling of uneasiness and was tossing and turning in bed. I had a very disturbed sleep and woke up in the morning with a splitting headache and found that I was the last one to wake up. With a groggy head I went to the kitchen.

I went and sat on a stool holding my foreheads between my palms and everybody looked at me with concern. I asked my wife for an aspirin and a black coffee.

Shina came running to me and holding me in her arms in a concerned voice said, “What happened Pa?”

I: Nothing beta just did not sleep well last night and so I’m having headache.

Shina: Wait Pa I’ll apply balm.

Taking me by my hand led me to the bedroom and made me lie on the bed and started applying balm on my forehead and her soft hands felt so good.

Shina: Pa now try to sleep for some hours as you don’t work today.

I drifted off to a deep sleep and woke up around noon feeling much lighter. As I freshened came out I only saw my wife in the living room.

Shahana: Hi ! How are you feeling now?

I: Feeling much better. Where are the rest?

Shahana: Oh I’d called Ranjeet and requested him to give Puno another day’s off because baby wanted to be with her till she boards the train. They have all gone for a last minute shopping.

Shit this meant Puno would be surrounded by all these folks and that meant I would not be able to talk to her. This somehow did not bode well. Well they came back after sometime all giggling and chattering. I sensed Puno was purposely avoiding my gaze and though she was laughing I could not miss the pain in her face.

Now this was maddening. What the fuck had I done? I was infuriated and thought if I stayed any longer in the house I might end up slapping her. I told my wife that I had some purchasing to do and taking the car keys went out and drove to nowhere but just kept on driving fuming inside.

Here I was on the verge of making her a part of the family and she was audaciously avoiding me. BULLSHIT !!! BULLSHIT !!! BULLSHIT !!! I slammed the brakes hard and the car screeched to a halt. I just laid my head on the steering panting out of breath and tears in my eyes.{Believe me even now as I am jotting down these lines my hands are trembling and tears are in my eyes as I recall that day. Believe me I’d never been so furious in my life till date as I was on that day.} I don’t know how long I sat in that state.

After calming my nerves a little I checked my location and found that I was at Marine Drive just outside Lazeez Bar and Restaurant. I’d driven a cool 45 km away aimlessly. I needed to soothe my nerves. I drink only after sunset but today would be different because my Puno had treated ME of all the people ME indifferently. I parked the car and entered the bar and took a corner and ordered a double Vat 69 neat.

I took it at one and felt a burning sensation in my throat but it gave me a kind of relief as well because this sensation was nothing compared to the sensation felt by my heart and mind. Another dbl, Another dbl, Another dbl, meant four dbl neat down and I started thinking a little clearer. She was ignoring me huh… she knew very well that I could not react in front of my folks… Very well, she was going to get a piece of my mind over the phone once I reach Goa.

Just then my phone buzzed. It was a text from her, “Honey where are you? I’m worried. I’m sorry but I’ll explain later. Plz come home soon”.

Now this added fuel to the fire. Fuck her {I’m sorry for the vulgarity but I’m trying to portray to you the exact state of my mind at that given stage. You saw that she was giving me the shit in the morning and now she was worried}

I texted, “Balls.”

{ to this day I consider myself the biggest bastard to have sent her this sms and even now my eyes are moist} Well I became more furious and now I was hell bent on reaching home late so I called up my wife and told her that I bumped into a fictitious friend of mine after a long gap and so I was going to have dinner with him outside so they needn’t wait for me. In any case I was going to be with them for the entire week. Then two more dbl neat followed. I was going to show her what it means to ignore me.

Again a text, “Honey missing you a lot and am dying to see you plz come home.”

Let her suffer. She made me suffer since yesterday night didn’t she? It was payback time. So I chose to ignore it. I paid my check and drove my car at a leisurely pace to Juhu and parking my car to one car lit a cigarette and sat there enjoying the cool sea breeze.

Again the anger built up. Why the fuck had she acted in that way in the morning? Tears of anger dropped from sides of my eyes. I looked at my watch and it was 10:00 p.m.I seemed to have sat there for a good four hrs. Now if I drove back at a slow pace it would take me 3 hrs to reach home and they would be asleep by then. As I drove I promised myself that I would be ruthless, little realizing that I had already been brutal.

As I reached home and then saw that the living room light was on and people were talking. I took a deep breath. Some stubborn bunch of people I was dealing with. The door opened and there standing were Shina and Puno.

Shina came flying into my arms and hugged me tightly, “Oh Pa, you are so late and we were all waiting for you.”

I: Sorry beta I met a very old friend and had to entertain him. But from now I’m only yours.

I purposely stressed on the words “ONLY YOURS” and carrying her went past Puno as if she did not exist. Did I see tears in her eyes. Fuck her, she deserves it.

{Plz freeze this moment, imagine the scene. There was I seething with anger and despair trying to avoid the love of my life and treating her like shit. And was portraying myself to be very proud and hard. }

Suddenly they were hugging each other and crying. Wow this was much more than I’d expected. But I can assure that every eyes in the room was moist on seeing this emotional reunion. I don’t know how long they were in that state but when I regained my senses I found my angel also huddled with them. Now what a sight and no guessing who was the happiest man on the planet at that given point of time.

I wiped my eyes and clearing my throat said, “Now ladies if your emotions can be controlled then can we have some dinner?”

Hearing me they separated, wiped their tears and blushed. Then laughing went their respective ways. I now felt this was going to be easier than I had expected it to be. I went to the bar and poured a drink.

My bil: Jeeju isn’t this girl amazing?

I just nodded my head in agreement. I was just lost in my thoughts. After a while Puno and Shina came out and went straight to the kitchen. Soon there was chattering and giggling and believe me had you been there you would have felt it was a bunch of amateur school girls.

I WANT YOU TO FREEZE THIS MOMENT because TILL NOW YOU MUST BE CONSIDERING ME A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING and YOU’LL ONLY COME to KNOW WHAT A “SELFISH BASTARD” I HAVE BEEN. I AM THE GUY WHO COULD NOT TAKE ANYTHING WITH SOFT HEART BUT A VERY REVENGEFUL GUY. AT THE END and YOU MIGHT EVEN NOT FEEL LIKE TALKING to ME.

Well back to the story. As I entered the living room I saw everybody was waiting for me.

Shahana: Hi honey we were just waiting for you to come because tomorrow morning our train leaves at 8:00 am. so what time will we leave?

I: I’ve asked the hotel for the car at 6:30 am and I think we should leave by then.

Shahana: OK honey then would you like to eat something? You know honey today’s dinner was prepared by Puno alone and she didn’t let anyone enter the kitchen and what wonderful vindaloo she makes. Would you like to try some?

{Now if you’ve realized that I’d not eaten anything except maybe some tit bits served along with the drinks and yes my tummy was growling} but yours truly, (this BASTARD) had developed animalistic instincts.

I: No dear I’ve had a wonderful dinner at Lajeez and nothing, nothing can beat the food out there.

I’d deliberately said that but did they note the sarcasm in my voice. But the beast that I’d become, hardly cared.

Shahana: {protesting} But darling you love vindaloo made by me and she’s made it especially for you and ask anybody and they will agree that they have the best vindaloo ever. At least try some.

Shina: Yes pa the vindaloo is simply amazing plz try some.

I: {patting her on the cheek} I am full now but since you all insist I’ll try that in the morning but now if you’ll excuse me I need to take my drink and I think you should also sleep because tomorrow all have to get up early.

(I poured myself a drink and taking the glass in my hand walked over to the balcony sat in the reclining chair and lit a cigarette. Soon the crowd moved to their rooms but somehow I felt Puno’s gaze piercing my back. But who cared? Since I’d already had too many earlier so one drink was good enough to make me feel sleepy. So I got up and walked towards my bedroom and I thought I heard a sniffing voice somewhere. But who cared? I entered the bedroom and changed.) .

As I got into bed I heard murmurings from my baby’s room. I just nodded my head and snuggled up to my wife and soon dozed off. At 6:00 am I got a call and it was the hotel valet service informing me that the vehicle to drop me was on its way. I noticed all were already up and busy getting ready.

I got up went to the restroom freshened and changed into a jeans and polo t shirt and came to the dining room. I was surprised to see everybody was up and ready with luggage in tow. After exchanging the morning pleasantries my baby brought me my black coffee. As I sat and sipped on the coffee I had a feeling that Puno’s eyes never left me.

Suddenly the door bell rang and as my bil opened the door it was the bell boys of the hotel. {How thoughtful of the hotel to send them for loading the luggage on to the car}.They wished us Gm and on wife’s instruction started loading them on to the vehicle. After they finished I thanked and tipped them handsomely and asked them to go back to the hotel. My wife started locking all the safety locks securely.

As we waited for her I took out a cigarette and lit it. As I smoked I could feel Puno’s gaze continuously on me. I didn’t care and I avoided looking at her as we boarded the car. She came along us and we headed towards the station. All along I was just silent and was just waiting for the moment I reach Goa and then taking out my cell give her a good piece of my mind.

We reached the station at 7:30 am and as we waited for the train to arrive. I took a newspaper and pretended to read it but I found Puno unusually quiet. Good so my backlash had had its effect. Serves her right.

{Serves who right you’ll see at the end. Please do not come to any assumptions at the moment because the conclusion is nowhere near what you presume it would be.}

The train arrived and we boarded it and I was still quiet. I took the window seat and Shina was seated opposite to me. Puno was standing outside on the platform very close to the window. Shina was busy talking to her but her eyes were pleading for a glance from me. As the train whistled

Puno: Bye sir. (No response from me.) Bye sir {in a choked voice} Wish you a nice journey. {No response still and the train started pulling out.}

As the train pulled out of the platform I got up and walked to the toilet and taking out my cell dialed her no. SWITCHED OFF Shit was she getting on my nerves? But what could I do? Some vacation I was going on. I cursed to myself and took out a cigarette and lit it. After my smoke I came out and went and sat at my seat. It was then that I noticed that Shina was happily chatting to someone on the phone. No guessing who it was?

But I’d just dialed her no. and it was switched off. Had she changed her no.? BUT WHY? Again I was overcome with depression. Well I couldn’t ask my baby for her no because that could give birth to unwanted depression. So I just looked out of the window my mind a whirlpool of jumbled thoughts. Only if I had even a hint of what was in store for me I would have been more cautious. I decided I’ll reach Goa and then call the hotel and get connected to her. I wouldn’t care what the world would think. My mind was beyond caring. I had to talk to her and get to the bottom of it. Unless that I would not have peace of mind.

Now I was shaken out of my reverie by somebody shaking my hand and it was Shina.

Shina: Pa what’s wrong? I’ve called you three or four times but you’ve not responded?

I: Oh did you? Sorry beta I was just thinking whether I’d not forgotten any specific instructions at the hotel.

Shina:Pa, you’ve been acting strangely since yesterday and do you know that you were so rude to Puno aunty, yesterday?

I: Rude to your aunty? But how? I didn’t say anything to her.

Shina: She’d asked Mom for your favorite dish and had taken special care to prepare it for you and you didn’t even taste it. Do you know she was so hurt that she cried the whole night.

I: Oh did I? But I didn’t mean to, ok I’ll personally apologise to her once I get back to Mumbai. Is that ok with you? (This softened her up.)

Shina: ok Pa, but please don’t do anything to hurt my Puno aunty. She is very precious to me.

I taking her in my arms, said, “Ok baby I promise. Happy?”

( I should have taken her cell phone no and aplogised to Puno then and there and in the process could have got her no, but the Guillotine man in me stopped me from apologising.)

Here we end the sixth part. If you like it send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].