“Hello, Sonia.”
“Dad!” Sonia exclaimed in surprise. Her Father rarely called her at the Office.
“Is everything all right?”
Mr Samarth laughed, amused at her concern. “Everything’s absolutely fine! How are things with you?”
“Not bad. Nidhi has had her meal and is taking a nap and Jatin hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Is it a busy day?”
“Quite unlikely. I’ve nothing on hand - I mean, no urgent case knocking on my door at least,” Sonia replied, a little regretfully. “Why?”
“I want you to do me a favour. I’ve got two passes for a special show for invitees of a play called Premasaathi Kahihi - Anything for Love. A friend of mine, Ravi Pujar, has financed the play. Ravi’s into promoting Marathi theatre, specially in Pune. He says he feels privileged to be a part of the long theatre culture of the city.”
“I’ve heard of the play. It is directed by my college friend Karan Mujumdar. He was my senior in Fergusson College,” Sonia replied. She hadn’t uttered Karan’s name in years. In fact, she hadn’t even thought of him in ages.
“You know him? Good. You know I’m not too fond of plays and your Mother isn’t interested, either. I was wondering if you could attend the show? As a representative of the Samarth family?”
“What time is it?”
“Six this evening. You could take Jatin along or your new friend, Devika. Or better still, how about Mohnish?” her Father suggested.
Sonia grinned. Her Dad wasn’t being too subtle. “Don’t seem to have much of a choice, do I?”
“Id appreciate it if you could go. I don’t want to disappoint my friend Ravi and I’m sure Mohnish would enjoy the change…”
“Dad, I didn’t say I’m asking Mohnish to go with me,” Sonia reminded lightly, but there was a smile on her lips.
“Then I guess what I’m saying is - Ask him! Take him to a play, and go for dinner. Then enjoy a summer night walk, chat to your heart’s content, and have a comfortable and wonderful time together. I promise, your Mother and I won’t ask you what time you returned home.”
Sonia laughed. “Dad, you’re too good to be true!”
“Then you’ll invite Mohnish for the play?”
“I’ll ask him if he’s free,” Sonia conceded.
“Good. Since I’m going to be out the whole day I’ll keep the tickets ready at home. Enjoy yourself, dear!”
Sonia was still smiling as she replaced the receiver. Her Father was actually matchmaking! Which meant that her parents liked Mohnish. That pleased her. Though she wasn’t ready for matchmaking, of course. Mohnish was a decent guy and she found his company refreshing, and at times positively invigorating, but there were sides to him. Something that she’d seen in his horoscope when she had checked it last year. Some mystery. And an angle, which she wished to explore, sooner or later. Until that time, she wasn’t ready to consider a serious relationship with him. But that didn’t mean that she couldn’t enjoy a healthy friendship with him. Her Father was right. She would invite Mohnish. If only in reciprocation to the wonderful article he’d written.
She moved to the box window where Nidhi was cuddled on the colourful pillows. Despite the May heat, the cat was comfortable, occasionally licking herself to maintain her body temperature. Sonia wished she had such a cooling-down technique. Smiling at the idea, she plumped up the cushions and caressed Nidhi’s silky fur. The cat responded with a purr of appreciation.
The door opened and Jatin strode in. He was beaming, sporting a brand-new leather jacket, over a new yellow T-shirt.
“Hello, Boss!”
“Jatin! Where’ve you been.”
“Boss, the most wonderful thing in the world has happened to me!”
Sonia eyed his new clothes. “You mean your leather jacket? On a hot May day?”
“Doesn’t it look great on me? Naina seems to think so.”
“Naina?” Sonia turned from Nidhi to focus completely on her assistant. Jatin was flushed, and grinning from ear to ear. Something was definitely wrong!
“Boss, I’m in love! I’ve found the most perfect girl in the world!”
Jatin in love? The concept was incredibly new and awe-inspiring. Not to mention the umpteen possibilities and doors that Jatin’s being in love opened! And which sent shudders down her back.
But Jatin scarcely noticed the response - bordering on horror, over the contemplation of events to come - that his declaration had evoked. “Boss, she’s an angel. Lovely from head to toe. So charming and sweet to talk to. I can’t take my eyes off her!”
“Where did you meet this girl?” Sonia asked, careful not to disclose her inner sentiments.
“Naina - her name’s Naina, short for Sunaina. Isn’t that beautiful? And just like her name, her eyes are beautiful. I met her at Frenzy. Remember that disco club you and Mohnish so unsuitably went to for a date last year?”
Sonia winced.
“My friends and I have been partying at the disco regularly and I met Naina there by chance. It was love at first sight!” Jatin declared, happiness radiating from his face, as he drew out a chair and settled down in it.
“Pomegranate-red cheeks, hair the colour of Kokam, and skin like a peeled banana?” Sonia asked, in an incredulous tone.
“All that and more. She’s gorgeous. ” Jatin gushed, a dreamy look in his eyes. “And we hit it off like tabla and dagga
Sonia smiled faintly. Tabla and dagga - the famous pair of drums! What next?
“And does she reciprocate your feelings?” she asked carefully.
“I haven’t asked her yet, Boss. These things have to be handled with care. I don’t wish to scare her off,” Jatin remarked, patiently. “But of course, I can feel it. I’m positive she reciprocates my feelings for her. She’s always adjusting her hair when I’m around. And she told me I look handsome in this jacket! These are sure signs of her interest in me. By the way, what do you think of the jacket?”
Sonia hated being caught in a trap like that. Handsome? She thought the jacket, which must have cost Jatin his whole month’s salary, looked roguish.
