( The readers are requested to read the earlier chapters 1 to 10, to understand the continuity of this story so far …)
Chapter 11
What should I say to Uma? Something that would make Uma stay back. In that case Geeta would be upset. Or some words which would make Uma return to her village. I knew that is what Geeta wants me to do. But that would make Uma sad.
What should I say ? What do I want to do ? Whom do I myself want ? Geeta or Uma or both ? Or possibly the other sister Sita ??
All these thoughts were going on in my mind before I gathered my words to reply. I said, "I do not know what to advise. I think Uma knows her brother better than anybody. If she is able to control him and bring him about to see reason in running the shop, I think it's worth a try. The other alternative is to rent the shop out to some third party. Let him run it and earn profits and pay you a monthly rent. But I am not sure how feasible that is in a village environment."
Uma responded to this, "No Sir, I think that will be risky. Any villager who takes the shop on rent, will stop paying the rent after a few months. Over and above he will forcefully usurp the shop and will not return it ever. I will be losing my property in such a case. No, I think it's better that I return. Let Sita stay with Geeta. If she starts earning, that will be a big support for me. I may then relax a little in my old age and not toil so hard to make the shop productive and profitable."
I said, "In fact in all this turmoil, I could not even make the happy announcement which I came prepared to surprise you all with. Actually, my secretary has resigned today. I have decided that now I will take Sita in that position. That would mean that in 6 months time, Sita will have a chance to become a permanent employee of our company. That would mean that she would get a steady good salary increasing year after year. She will get PF, gratuity, medical insurance for herself and also for her mother and all other company benefits. Her life will now be settled till her retirement at her old age. She can also save enough for a happy retired life."
I saw happiness in the eyes of all the three ladies. All of them were smiling and hugging each other. Sita came forward, bent down and touched my feet. Geeta did the same. Uma just looked at me with watery eyes. She put her arms around me. I was worried that in her excitement, lest she pick me up in her arms in front of her two daughters.
Sita and Geeta were packing Uma's things which were strewn in the rooms. It was just 3 or 4 days she had been here and already it seemed like we had known each other for ages. I was not sure about myself, but Uma had definitely developed a feeling for me in this short time.
It was time for them to leave. Uma will be taking the early morning bus tomorrow, which leaves at 6 am. Rajesh, Geeta's husband will be dropping her off at her village and returning. He has his office to attend on Monday. Today Geeta was also leaving early. Uma turned to her daughters and said, "You two go ahead, I'll just come a little later."
When the two girls had left and once we were alone, Uma came to me and put her arms around me. She hugged me to her body. Standing right in front of her tall 5'9" frame, with my 5'3" height, I had to crane my neck up to look at her eyes. The top of my head was coming up to her lips level. She squeezed me into her body tightly. Since my face was in front of her neck, it went right inside her thick neck. She bent her head down. Her hair fell all around my head. She remained like that for about 2-3 minutes, engulfing me inside her big body. I had a feeling that she was crying. Then she slowly lifted her head, allowing my face out of her neck. Her eyes were wet. She tilted my face up to look at her and whispered, "Kiss me."
I was mesmerized. I lifted my lips upwards, but her lips were 6 inches above mine. My lips couldn't reach her lips. She didn't bend her head down to meet my lips. So I had to stand on tiptoes to try and reach her lips. But I was still falling short. She bent her head down and crushed my lips with a big sensual kiss. My face was turned upwards. I was still standing on my tiptoes. She was hugging me tightly to her front and kissing me hard. Her one hand was behind my back holding me tightly to her. The other hand was firmly behind my waist. She was pressing forward with her weight. I felt my body arch backwards supported by her strong hands. She was kissing me hard. I had my arms around her solid waist just to hold on to something. This was odd. A 55 year old woman hugging a 40 year old adult male from the front, bending him backwards on her arms and kissing him forcefully.
Then without any letup she just bent down and scooped me up in her arms. By now I'm used to this routine from her and her younger daughter Geeta. My arms went around her neck. She carried me in front of her favorite window through which there is a clear view till the far away railway tracks. She stood there and looked down at me lying helplessly cradled on her breasts. Her eyes were sad. "Sorry, I didn't take your permission this time to pick you up. I know you wouldn't have said no. I have become so used to carrying you in my arms in these few days. I don't know how I can live without you now. Just promise me that you won't forget me….Ever."
I smiled up at her, lying cradled in her strong arms. "How can I ever forget you Uma ? And it's not that you are going away very far. You see how things work out there. If you can get your brother to see reason, you can even come back." I saw Uma shaking her head, as if to say that that is not possible. I continued, "Ok, if that is not possible, you can always visit us for a few days in a month. Then you can stay here and recharge your memories."
I saw her smiling, "Really ? You mean that ? Will you allow me to stay with you for some days every month ? I think now I can return to my village peacefully. I will live on with this hope of coming back to you every month. But then you promise me one more thing. That you will not say anything about this to my daughters Sita and Geeta. This is an understanding between the two of us only, that I will come and stay with you every month for 3-4 days. Let them
know of it only when it happens. Agreed ?"
I nodded in affirmation. She gave me a broad smile. Then kissed me smack on my lips…put me down…turned and left. She didn't even say bye, nor turned to look back. She was gone.
I stood there stunned for some moments. What is happening today ? First Geeta and then Uma…both kissing me so passionately! It was as if I'm getting caught up in a love triangle. But neither of these two romances are good for me. This will lead to nowhere but only create more confusion. But what am I supposed to do ? It seems both of them are secretly competing with each other to get me. What am I supposed to do now ? With Uma leaving, I felt that at least one of them will not be after me now. But the way it ended, it is very possible that she might actually come back to stay with me every month for a few days.
I didn't understand myself. Am I encouraging them? Do I inwardly like that they are both sort of having an affair with me ? Is there anything I should do to stop this from progressing ? But in such a case will my actions break their hearts ?
I don't know…I just cannot make up my mind what is the right thing to do.
As I was churning all these conflicting thoughts in my mind, my mobile rang. It was Sita. "Sir, are you busy ? Can I talk to you for a few minutes ?"
This is what I like about this girl. So respectful and well mannered. " Yes Sita, tell me," I replied.
"Sir, you are giving me such a big responsibility. Secretary in such a big company. Dar lag raha hai. I am not sure whether I can handle this," Sita sounded really worried.
"Listen Sita, nothing to worry about. You will be working with me and reporting to me directly. So I'll take care of all your mistakes if you commit initially. I'll guide you. Besides for the first week Mrs Sharma will be giving you hands on training and explaining everything to you. Clear all your doubts and ask all your questions to her. I assure you that after the first week, you will feel confident," I tried to pacify her tension.
Sita responded feebly, "Ok Sir, thank you Sir."
Geeta snatched the phone from Sita's hand, "Sir, since the time we left your house, Sita didi is worrying about this new work which you are giving her. I told her to talk to you so that you can explain to her. Now she looks a little relieved after talking to you. She's now smiling at me.
Sir, I want to tell you something. Sir, since didi has got such a good opportunity of getting a permanent position in your company, we have planned to go to a Mandir tomorrow. There is a very good Mandir about an hour's distance from here. Didi wants to offer Puja there. We are going there tomorrow morning. Ma will be leaving for the village early in the morning with my husband, Rajesh. He is taking our son also with them. It will be a day outing for the boy, since tomorrow is a Sunday..so no school.
Sir, why don't you come with Didi and me to the Mandir ? We will start by 9 am. So you can still have your Sunday morning sleep. We will be back by the afternoon. We had planned to take the bus. But if you don't want to go by bus, we can hire a full auto. It will wait there and we'll return in the same auto. In that case you will not have to walk much. Sir, what do you say ? Coming with us ?"
I was hesitant. I generally like to spend my Sundays lazing around. Just do nothing. I had heard about this Mandir too. But since it's a little far, I didn't have the energy to go. Now that these girls are insisting, I hesitatingly said yes.
Geeta was jubilant. She said, "Sir, I will come tomorrow at 9am. We will book an auto and come and pick you up from your home. There's a good dhaba on the way, where they make fantastic Alu parathas. We'll have those along with hot tea. It will be a great picnic. Sir, see you tomorrow morning then." She was ecstatic and brimming with excitement.
My earlier chain of thoughts were now broken by this phone call. I changed into my casual evening wear and switched on the TV.
Somehow, I felt I was looking forward to this trip tomorrow morning…
(To be continued…)
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