She had deep, blue eyes which reflected longing. Her smile was incomplete. Her cheeks were a baby pink but they could be a pastel red, you know. With a faint line of kohl in her eyes and tiny little earrings to enhance her elf ears, she was ready to go. She pulled at the creases to set her royal blue saaree straight and walked warily towards the door, all set to be scrutinized.
“What’s with the earrings? Aren’t they too small? And there’s absolutely no hint of any diamond. And you’re wearing a chiffon saaree. What, I don’t give you enough money, or what? Please, Radhika. These are high end parties I take you to; I want you to display the immense money I earn. I want you to display my annual turnover. I don’t want any of your cheap, negligible accessories. You reflect me in the society Radhika. How I keep you, how I shower money on you, how I made the best out of waste, I mean, how I helped you groom, Radhika. It should all be on display. Do you understand, now? Please change into a silk saaree and put on some diamonds. Thank you.”
And there, for the umpteenth time, she went back to her room and changed into a silk saaree. It was like a routine now. Vikram’s words didn’t even stab her anymore. The crying and sobbing had ceased. Now she was accustomed to it. As she changed into the green silk saaree, she drifted into the days when she fell for him; for his tall, lean physique, his hazel eyes, his smart mouth, his determination, his hard work, his obsession with her, everything. It was bliss.
She reminisced the days when Vikram loved her for what she was; a simple, confident, aspiring, young girl with dreams in her eyes and her heart on her sleeves. Vikram was more than perfect. He knew what he wanted and how. And yet, he fell for an extra-ordinary IT graduate that she was. IT. She missed it. She frowned. She had millions of opportunities; of course, she was the best of her kind. But then, she loved Vikram way too much. At that time, she wanted to be by his side, in his formative years, to support him and shower him with love and care. But was it all worth…
“RADHIKA!” Vikram had disturbed her painful reverie. She quickly fastened the pleats with a pin and without allowing herself a last look, walked to the door.
“Aah, see. Now you look like Vikram Khanna’s wife. Look at you Radhika, all embellished in diamonds and expensive jewelry. And you look happy. Wow, I don’t think anyone can point out you were a mere, inexperienced IT graduate when I met you. Well, I really do have the Midas touch, don’t you think?” He winked.
Little did he know, what Vikram saw, was not happiness. It was only an obligation. The diamonds, the jewelry, the saaree, they were all draped around a hollow body.
The party was amazing. Vikram had managed a deal or two and a sound sleep awaited him. She could hear his rhythmic breaths. It was the only time she actually liked to listen to him. It reminded her of the days when her breaths were in perfect sync as his. She slipped into her silk night gown and opened her bedside drawer. It had a crumpled piece of paper. She slowly opened it. It was stained with dried tear drops. She pursed her lips so as to hold back the tears. She let each word sink into her loaded mind:
“She sought freedom in the arms of the skies,
His arms held her back,
Clipped her wings with everlasting love.”
She read it every night. She longed for nothing but everlasting love. She could give up the world for his love. For his time. For his caressing. For his tenderness. For his…
“Put the light out Radhika, I’m sleeping.”
She wiped her tears and turned to the back of his head. Didn’t he know? He had put the light out long ago. It was pretty dark already.
His breaths and her sobs were in perfect sync. Perfect rhythm.
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