“Enact being the operative word, of course. Making love is no longer natural for us, is that what you’re saying?”
“You said it, not me.”
“You’re despicable, do you know that? I was right about you all along!”
He turned to face her, anger blazing in his eyes. “And I was right about you! You are nothing but a two-timer, out for cheap publicity and a quick buck.”
“How dare you say such things when all you did was actually use me, till your ‘project twins’ could get through!” she flung at him.
“Stop it! There’s no point talking about who’s pregnant and who isn’t. And don’t you dare drag Deepa into this! She’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met!”
“Sure, but does that wonderful person know what a contemptible man you are?”
Anup paled. “You won’t say a word to Deepa.” His voice was freezing cold.
Jaya uttered a short, mirthless laugh. “Oh-oh! Looks like I’ve touched a raw point. So much love, so much sense of protection - out of the blue - for a woman you were ready to leave just a day ago.”
“Thank God my eyes opened in time!”
“And thank God mine did, too, before it was too late. You’re the most detestable man I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet! You cheated me and you’re going to pay for it.”
“We’ll see who pays what in the end. Right now, I don’t ever want to lay eyes on you again! I want you out of my life for good,” he threw at her with venom.
Jaya stared at Anup, as if struck physically. “Be careful what you wish for, sometimes wishes come true..” Her eyes glinted with cold hatred.
She turned and strode out of the room.
Anup gazed at the closed door, his heart and face filled with loathing. He couldn’t allow Jaya to go free, with her threats and baseless accusations. And most important, he couldn’t live with the eternal sword on his head, the fear of Deepa learning about what he had done. His hand went to his pocket and he drew out the bottle of poison. This was one wish which was definitely going to come true.
The hall was illuminated as the curtains closed for the interval. Crowds surged towards the entrance of the Balgandharva Rangmandir - Theatre Hall - for a quick smoke, to chat in the cool evening, or to avail themselves of the refreshments. Mohnish turned in his cushioned seat and scrutinised Sonia with an assessing gaze.
“I can’t believe that you actually invited me to a play!” he remarked candidly.
Sonia blushed. “Why should it surprise you? You’ve taken me out to dinner and even to a disco last year, though you hate dancing! Why shouldn’t I invite you to a play?”
People jostled past their chairs in the second row from the stage and Mohnish waited a moment for them to pass. He looked handsome in a checked blue T-shirt and beige trousers. Sonia wore a white chiffon Salwar Kameez with silver embroidery. Her hair framed a heart-shaped face, swinging silkily. She looked elegant and poised. As he leaned over to talk to her, he caught the whiff of her faint perfume. Wild flowers dancing in the wind…
“I’m glad you did invite me, though I wish it had been your idea and not your Dad’s!” He spoke in a low voice.
Sonia laughed. “It’s a step forward, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely! And not just any play - a romantic play!”
“Hey, please don’t read too much into that, okay?
I had no say over the choice of the play!” she interrupted hastily.
Mohnish burst into a hearty laughter. “Will you stop! I’m kidding, okay? Why don’t you just learn to suspend logic and rational feeling and just enjoy yourself for a change?”
Sonia searched his face and found no sarcasm there. “Right.” She grinned sheepishly.
“And the play’s excellent. The lead actor and actress - what are their names?”
“Anup and Jaya,” Sonia supplied.
“Anup and Jaya are superb. There’s so much fire and energy between them, as if they’re truly in love. I particularly liked that scene in which she bursts into laughter and then tears, when she tells him about the death of her Mother. And the way he comforts her and holds her close. It was beautifully enacted, don’t you think so?”
Sonia nodded. “I think the credit should also go to the Director, Karan. The nuances in the development of their relationship are remarkable. Especially the difference in their religious upbringing, and the strong opposition they have to face from all sides. She’s a Muslim and he’s a Hindu. I wonder what the end’s going to be.”
“They live happily ever after?”
“I hope so. I hate tragic endings.”
The third bell rang and the audience returned to their seats. The lights dimmed and the play resumed. Mohnish and Sonia watched, totally enthralled by the performances of the two lead actors. As scene followed scene, the emotions of the lovers on the stage swung high and then low, as they battled the opposition from society to their love. Finally, frustrated and fed up, they decide to celebrate their love and make it eternal by ending their lives.
The lights on stage were dim as the last scene was enacted. Anup and Jaya looked at each other with tears in their eyes. They hugged, then moved away without a word. A lump formed in Mohnishs throat. A little ashamed, he flashed a glance at his companion and with great surprise witnessed drops glistening on Sonia’s eyelashes. Spontaneously, he grasped her hand and squeezed it.
Jaya poured juice into a glass and handed the juice to Anup, who did the same. Then they moved to the opposite ends of the sitting room. A sad, melancholy song of loving and parting played in the background, as the two lovers poured poison into their glasses. Then they approached, stared longingly into each other’s eyes, and exchanged glasses. They raised their glasses silently in a toast to their love, and then simultaneously swallowed their
