“How do they look?” Naina studied herself critically in the mirror.
“Excellent, Madam, they suit your complexion very well,” the salesman offered smoothly.
“Thank you” Naina smiled at him.
“They look perfect on your face,” Jatin agreed. Then he lowered his voice. “But Naina, they’re too expensive”
She nodded at him and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’m a rich girl, Jatin, and I have the money right here in my purse.” She patted her fat handbag. “Can you show me a simple necklace to go with this?” she asked the salesman. “Just a string of simple stones?”
Jatin watched, amazed, as she placed some very expensive diamond studs around her swan-like neck.
“You do look ethereal in diamonds,” he admitted, admiration and love shining in his eyes, and a new respect dawning for her unstinting generosity towards her waspish sister.
“I know. And these are the perfect gifts for Priyadidi, don’t you think? Oh, I’m so happy! All our lives she has scrimped and saved for me, giving me the best and sacrificing her life for me. Not anymore! This is the only way I can say thank you to her. I’m really so happy!” Her eyes danced and again Jatin decided she was the prettiest girl he knew.
“I’ll have these!” Naina’s mobile squealed a reminder and she glanced at it. “Oh, excuse me. I have to make a phone call.”
While Jatin took a look at some of the other necklaces, Naina quickly dialled a number, listening keenly. Jatin’s mobile rang.
“Boss? What’s up?” he asked, surprised.
“Have you bought the jewels yet?” Sonia’s voice sounded breathless in his ear.
“I’ve bought my ring but Naina is still purchasing a pair of earrings and a necklace for her sister.”
“Where’s Naina?”
“Right here beside me.”
“Jatin, I’d like to help you choose the rings. Do you mind waiting till I come there?”
“Not at all, Boss!” But the confusion on Jatin’s face was obvious.
“Right, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Hang on!” Sonia hung up without further comment.
“Everything all right?” Naina flashed him a quick look.
Jatin nodded. “It’s Boss. She’s coming over to help choose the rings. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we’ve already made our choice.”
“Jatin, here’s my purse. Will you pay for the earrings and necklace while I… ” Suddenly Naina choked and her hand went to her throat. All colour drained from her face as she struggled to breathe.
“What is it!” he exclaimed in instant anxiety, bending over her.
She whispered something, but the roar of drums and shouts from the street seemed to invade the store as more customers trooped into the already overcrowded room. Everyone but Jatin was too occupied to notice anything amiss. But he called frantically to Mr Wadekar and the salesman, who hastened forward in concern to offer assistance. Immediately, some customers turned in curiosity. Others clustered around them.
“What’s the matter, Jatinji?” Mr Wadekar inquired solicitously.
“It’s an asthma attack,” Jatin explained to the gathering crowd. “Please, don’t surround her! Make room, please, give her air!”
Naina fumbled with her purse. “The open air!” she gasped, fighting for breath. Her hands dug into her purse and extracted the inhaler. The purse fell open on the floor, a bundle of money sliding out of the open lid. “I need air!” she pleaded.
“Please help,” Jatin appealed to the salesman and Mr Wadekar.
The salesman at once moved forward to give Naina an arm. “Make way, please, this is an emergency”
Naina stumbled along with them, threading through the thronging customers, gasping for breath, using the inhaler. Her hand clutched Jatin’s in a painful grasp. They stepped outside and she took in deep, grateful breaths.
The crowds seemed to have multiplied and the air was rife with gulal and jostling shoulders. The festive spirit was rampant, and the real immersion ceremony had yet to begin! Jatin realised belatedly that bringing her into the dust-laden outdoors was a huge mistake. The pollution would surely only worsen her condition. He held on to Naina and struggled to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, swaying with the excited rumble of passersby and worshippers. He had to get Naina away from this street. He had to… In a rush a group of devotees bore down on them, spilling red powder in the air in a whirl of noisy activity. His hand jerked, as someone pushed him hard against the wall. The next instant Naina’s hand was ripped out of his.
Within seconds the crowd swarmed around her, swallowing her up.
“Naina!” he yelled. He spotted her bobbing head as it passed with the tide and he recklessly plunged into the throng.
“Naina!” His voice was lost amidst the din of the dholaks and the “Ganapati Baapa Morya!” cries of the people.
Somehow, common sense intruded into his feeling of acute frustration. And he realised that it was useless running after his fiancee. Naina would somehow manage to extract herself from the crowd and return to the jewellery store. It would be sensible for him to retrace his steps and await her return at the shop. But her asthma! He couldn’t expunge the extreme worry which swamped him at the memory of her suffering. What if she couldn’t. ? No, he chided himself severely, quelling the rising wave of panic. He had to think positively. He had to believe that she would feel better. And that she would find her way safely back to him.
The crowd thinned suddenly, but even as it did so, another truckload of people appeared round the corner. Jatin hastily stepped aside, dodging people, and doubled back to the shop. Mr Wadekar and the salesman were waiting for him, anxiously.
“Are you all right? Is your friend okay?” Mr Wadekar inquired.
“I hope so!” Jatin sighed. “Naina seemed to have gotten lost in the crowd somehow.”
Mr Wadekar and the salesman flashed each other apprehensive glances. The latter handed a purse to Jatin.
“Madam dropped this,”
