“I guess I’m thinking about Jatin,” she remarked, spooning her bhaji.
“What about him?” he asked, tucking into the meal.
“He seems pretty serious about Naina.”
“And does that bother you?”
“Yes and no. He’s too young to get married or even to get serious about any girl. Of course, that’s my opinion. He doesn’t seem to think so.” She grimaced. “He’s madly in love with Naina. That guy is on a mission and nothing will dissuade him. He’s simply waiting for me to read Naina’s horoscope and give him the green signal. And somehow I feel responsible. I don’t want to give him the green signal just yet, but I guess if all is well with the horoscope, I will have to.”
“And Naina. You do approve of her, don’t you?”
Sonia took a few seconds before she responded. “I like Naina. She’s beautiful, she’s sensitive, she’s perfect for him. There’s not a fault I can find in her.”
“So then, what’s the problem?” Mohnish asked. “I thought the two were very well suited when I met with them at your house the other day. Jatin is a lucky guy.”
“Yes, but she has a sister who is completely dominating and frightens her to death.” Sonia narrated the asthma incident. “I’m afraid Priya may continue to influence and affect Naina all her life. Basically, she doesn’t seem like a nice person.”
“You cannot choose your relatives. You just have to accept your family as it is and move on. And besides, Jatin can’t have it all. He’ll get a perfect mate in Naina.”
“I guess you’re right. But Jatin’s not perfect himself.”
“Now, that is an argument that won’t gel!” He laughed. “Worried that Jatin’s admiration will now be divided between you and Naina?”
Sonia smiled. “I’m not certain that’s a bad thing to happen! He pays far too much attention to me anyway. Always correcting me in a condescending and patronising manner, thinking he knows what’s best for me. But he’s a dear. Can’t think of a day without him!”
“Hey, now you’re making me jealous!”
“Jealous?” Sonia raised startled eyes and found him staring at her, a burning intensity in his brown eyes. A thick lock of hair fell attractively over his forehead and she had an urgent desire to flick it away.
He leaned forward and casually took her hand in his. A shiver ran down her spine and her throat went dry.
“Sonia, you’re a beautiful and intelligent girl and. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while now, but somehow couldn’t muster the courage. Or the occasion wasn’t right. But I’ve decided that I’ve got to get it off my chest. I - ”
“Stop!” she gasped, and snatched her hand away abruptly. “Don’t say a word more!”
“But. ” He looked startled.
“No, not now. I’m not ready!” she exclaimed, desperate to put an end to the breathless thudding of her heart.
“Ready? I was going to ask you to pay the bill. I’ve forgotten my wallet!” Mohnish burst out laughing.
Sonia blushed beet-red. “You. What! You tell a girl she’s beautiful and intelligent so that she can pay the bill?”
“Sometimes.” He stopped laughing, but continued grinning. “Okay, that’s not strictly true. But you panicked. And I had to shake off that stricken look. You looked as if I were about to announce a death penalty!”
“You’re impossible!” Sonia shook her head, a mixture of contradictory emotions flitting over her. Disappointment and annoyance rolled into a dash of relief. Then her humour surfaced and she laughed. “All right. I admit I panicked. Now, have you finished? I have some important work to do and I must return to the office. Do you or don’t you have your wallet?”
“I do, ma’am!” He dug into his back pocket and extracted a black leather wallet.
“You deserve a punishment for that sick joke,” she said sternly.
“I’m all yours!” He paid the bill and rose, a wicked grin still on his lips.
Sonia averted her gaze. “Good. Because I have a busy evening lined up for you.”
“I can’t wait!”
They both raced through the rain to the warmth of his car.
The huge Banyan tree sheltered the couple from the light rain as they sat in peaceful silence on the yellow painted wooden bench beneath it. Jatin was sitting cross-legged, humming a song from the movie they had just seen under his breath, holding a huge black umbrella in his left hand as the rain fell softly around them. He couldn’t believe that the moment was here. The moment which would change his life forever. He shot a glance at Naina, her face serene and angelic in the moonlight.
His parents had loved Naina. He had seen it in their countenance that evening when he had taken her home after the film. That was a relief in itself. But it was nothing compared to the joy he had experienced when his Boss telephoned him and gave him the best possible news!
“Are you sure about your feelings for her, Jatin?” Sonia had begun.
“Positive! Did you read her horoscope?” he asked, eagerly.
“Yes, you can even propose to her tonight if you wish.”
“Oh, thank you, Boss! I’m on my way!”
“Don’t you want to know the details?”
“Later, after the most important deed in my life is done.”
“Jatin, listen…”
But he hadn’t. He hadn’t wanted to hear anything else. He had made a swift call to Naina, telling her to be ready. He had taken her out to a candlelit dinner, while the rain had provided the most idyllic setting outside. And now they were sitting in a park, with just the moon and the feather-light drizzle for company. Tranquillity reigned between them. A comfortable togetherness. No compulsion to converse, no craving to impress. A contented, relaxed atmosphere of complete ease. This is what love is like, he decided.
“Don’t look at the moon,” Naina said suddenly.
“Why ever not?”
“You aren’t supposed to, during Ganapati”
“That’s only on the first day!” Jatin grinned. “Don’t you know the story behind it? Apparently Ganapati was sitting on a mouse and taking a ride when the moon laughed at him. Because he
