She smiled. “Hello!”
“Hi! I’m so glad you came.”
She nodded and they sat down on the park bench. Telltale worry lines were etched deeply on her young face. Dark circles stood out starkly against her pale skin and the look in her eyes made his stomach twist in knots.
“Listen,” he began urgently. “You simply must listen to me. Get out of that place. They don’t care for you, none of them. They will crush the life out of you! Nothing is more important in life than love. And you know that I love you like mad. I’ll keep you happy. I’ll -”
She looked at him and the intense sadness in her eyes silenced him. “It’s too late,” she said. “I’m married. And I shall stay married.”
“But -”
“No, don’t say anything at all. I’m not here to talk about my marriage.”
“Why are you here, then?” he asked bitterly.
She smiled faintly. “I’m here because I’m worried about you. You need to get on with your life. Find a girl, settle down. Do anything, but stay away from me. You have to forget me!”
“I shall never forget you!” he cried harshly. “And you’re a fool to stay on with a husband and a family who are harassing you! It’s not worth it!”
“Don’t worry about me, I can handle them. But I want you to move on. Move on and never turn back, regardless of what happens to me.”
He gazed at her anxiously. “Are you sure that you’re not in any kind of danger?”
She stared back at him. A brooding stare. And for a moment he feared she wasn’t going to answer him. Then she said slowly, almost to herself, “There’s more to life than living…”
A chill ran down his spine. She seemed so reconciled to her fate, as if she knew that her in-laws had planned something. “What do…? Look here -”
Her smile deepened and for a moment she almost looked like her old self. “Relax. I have full control over my life. And if I sensed any danger at all, do you think I would hang on there?” She opened her handbag, withdrew a small photo frame, and handed it to him.
“This is my last memory of you and I am returning it to you.” He glanced down at the youthful, carefree, smiling faces of the two of them. Arms around each other’s shoulders, they were both laughing, without the slightest concern about the future.
She rose abruptly. “And stop following me around. It’s no use. I shall never see you again. Goodbye.”
He stared helplessly after her, his heart feeling as if it were being ripped out of his body. He couldn’t just let her walk away and out of his life forever. She loved him and she belonged to him. And that truth was engraved like a tattoo on his heart.
“Wow! You look great! Stand up, will you, let me take a good look at your dress!”
Sonia blushed. “It’s no big deal!” But she rose and turned around so that Devika could admire the simply cut, red silk Salwar Kameez with its delicate gold lining around the boatneck and the cap sleeves. “Satisfied?”
“It’s lovely! And you look beautiful today,” Devika gushed.
“She ought to, it’s her birthday!” Jatin contributed.
“Really! Happy Birthday!” Devika gave Sonia a warm hug. Then her eyes settled with a look of admiration on the detective’s wrist. “And that’s a lovely bracelet.” She touched the stones with her fingertip.
“Given to her by Mohnish as a Christmas present,” Jatin supplied.
Devika raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. But what are you doing sitting in the office today, on a Sunday, with boring tax accounts work? It’s your birthday! Go out, have fun!”
“Later this evening. She’s going out with Mohnish,” Jatin offered again.
“Jatin!” Sonia exclaimed. “I didn’t appoint you to speak on my behalf.”
“Sorry, Boss. I just thought that since you go out on dates so rarely, I’d spare you the embarrassment of admitting - ” Jatin broke off as he saw the expression on his Boss’s face. Within seconds, he had vanished from the room.
“Is he always this naive and outspoken?” Devika asked, amused.
Sonia grinned ruefully. “I’m afraid he is.”
“Well, good luck to you, then! And have a great day, and a super evening with Mohnish!” Devika winked.
“Hey, it’s not what you think.”
“And what do I think?” Devika countered, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. She was casually dressed in jeans and a pink, sleeveless top, perfect for the hot summer. Her bob was as sleek and shiny as ever, totally incongruous with her overlapping set of teeth.
“You know… Mohnish and I are good friends, that’s all.” Sonia shrugged.
“I’ve heard that line a zillion times before. Can’t you be more creative?” Devika teased.
“You’ve got to believe me.” Sonia insisted.
“Okay, I believe you. But I hope that doesn’t stop you from having some real fun,” Devika remarked. Her expression was almost matronly.
Sometimes she surprised Sonia with her maturity. Sonia grinned. “No, it won’t, though I still don’t like your insinuations.”
“Good, so you know exactly what I mean!” Devika called out over her shoulder as she walked out of the Office.
Sonia sighed. She glanced down at the stone bracelet which rested delicately on her wrist. It sparkled as she played with it. The day had begun well, with her parents wishing her a great birthday with an exceptional gift - single diamond ear tops, which matched the bracelet well. Then Jatin had presented a lovely bouquet of pink roses and Nidhi had brought her a mouse! She felt very special and loved. And less guilty, somehow. For years, celebrating her birthday had been an ordeal, always accompanied by a searing guilt. She knew it wasn’t her fault. What had happened long ago. But she couldn’t help it…
She thought of the evening ahead with Mohnish and her heart raced just slightly. She had to admit it, she was really looking forward to it. Suddenly the accounts papers on her table felt like an encumbrance and she thrust them away, rather uncharacteristically. A restless energy seemed to have
