Chapter 15


At first, Atul felt Anvita was going to rub her lips to Shreyas's cheek. Atul opened his mouth to let out a yell, but before that he paused a moment to see if she really would dare to that. It turned out she was responding to something he had told her, but it never meant to bring any solace to Atul. At that moment, Shreyas turned his face to Anvita, and his face came into Atul’s focus for the first time.

He felt a jolt as he suddenly recognised the man who was holding his arm around his wife. It was not Shreyas.

It was Varun.

How the hell is he here? What is happening here? Why did he take her here?

A thousand questions filled Atul’s head. He felt exhausted and confused. A part of his mind told him to wait and watch how far they would go. Rest of his mind questioned him why he should do so. It was foolery to test his wife to see if she would err. Atul wasn’t that insecure.

He took a deep breath and spoke out.

“Anvita…!”

Both Anvita and Varun turned their face at the same time. Varun’s face was filled with surprise and Atul wondered if he was actually annoyed. Contrary to what Atul was expecting subconsciously, Varun seemed happy to see him.

“Atul! Finally, I get to see you. How are you, man?”

He came forward and grabbed Atul’s hand.

“Enjoying your life like anything, huh?”

“You surprised me; I didn't know you were here.” Atul tried to maintain a straight face as they shook hands. “And you too,” he looked at Anvita, “I didn't know you were here.”

Anvita moved closer to him.

“Varun called you many times. You didn’t pick up.”

She said.

“Really?”

Atul checked his phone and saw Varun’s missed calls. He hadn’t heard his phone ringing due to loud music, and then he didn’t really see the missed call on his phone when he took it out to call Shreyas. It was Shreyas who was dominating his mind all the time. His mind was too panicky to behave in a normal way.

Atul was convinced.

“I hadn’t seen his call.”

Atul admitted.

“I thought you have come for me...”

Anvita said.

“I looked for you and someone mentioned he saw you coming here.”

“Varun brought me here. I looked for you but couldn’t see you.” Anvita said. “Look; you can see the whole city from here. It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?”

She showed him the view. The view from the top of the tall building was indeed mesmerizing. But Atul could not enjoy it. He felt bad for he doubted his wife during her absence. Isn’t it my insecurity?

He turned to Varun.

“How are you here, Varun? You should have told me, we could have had a blast already.”

“I was just around for someone else. I heard about Wallzec and I guessed you would be here. I came to see how you guys party. And yes, how you dance.”

“Let’s go down and let’s drink first, and then dance.”

Atul said.

“But Anvita says she won’t dance.”

“What?”

Atul was surprised.

“No more dance for tonight,” Anvita grabbed Atul’s hand. “I’ve danced enough for tonight.”

Atul felt great. She had refused to dance with Varun!

Atul felt a breeze dancing around him and slowing entering his body, refreshing him. He wanted to put his arm around Anvita and say how much she means to him.

“But you can drink with us.”

Anvita added.

“No dear. I am leaving. I have promises to keep with someone.”

Varun rejected her offer. Anvita made a face.

“Really? Who is that new one?”

“I will tell you when it is time. See you. See you Atul.”

He hugged them both and left soon. Atul felt even better.

“I thought you guys were about to make out here.”

Atul spoke his mind and hoped she would take it as a joke.

“Here? Mmm... It’s a nice idea.” Anvita stopped and looked around.

“Actually, it’s a very nice idea.”

She wrapped her arms around him and the next thing he knew was her soft lips pressing against his. They were softer than usual and he tasted wine from her tongue.

“You taste sweet.”

He commented.

“You taste whiskey.”

She pinched his cheek.

“It’s scotch.”

“Whatever.”

They kissed again. He grabbed her ass cheeks and mauled them at will. She darted her tongue further into his mouth and he sucked her like honey. He was growing bigger in his pants and he wanted to make love to her right there. Somehow he managed to control.

That night they had drunken sex. It was sloppy and mad when it began, but unfortunately, it went nowhere as Atul fell asleep in the middle of it.

The following morning when Atul recollected the whole events, he was happy that Anvita had refused to dance with Varun. It was really a matured behaviour from her. She had no plan to embarrass him, yet Atul was the one who felt embarrassed by himself because of his absurd way of thinking. It also proved how ridiculous it was to doubt Shreyas.

Whatever sense of relief Atul assumed that night though was evaporated very next Monday. Anvita rang him up after her class to inform him that she’s going with Varun for a coffee. She mentioned the cafe’s name as she spoke, and it sounded as if she wanted to assure him that there is nothing wrong. Atul’s response was obviously positive.

When he came home at night she told him about it. It was just a coffee.

“I think he is seeing someone. But he’s not telling me anything.”

Anvita revealed.

Next week she went for the coffee again, twice. Apparently, it was becoming a routine and Atul protested.

“It’s not a good idea, Anvi.”

“What’s wrong, dear?”

“It’s okay for once in a while but don't let it fall into a routine...”

“Do you doubt me?”

“Of course not, but what if he mistook your friendly actions...”

“Don't be silly. We are grownups. We know who is what.”

She dismissed his concerns with a good laugh.

His worry was escalated when Anvita on a Friday agreed to go to a pub with him.

“I will be home before it is dark, honey.”

She promised.

That evening Atul rushed home early despite having unfinished work. When he reached home at night, loud music welcomed him. Anvita was cooking dinner. She was tipsy yet normal. Everything was normal. But there was that constant feeling at the back of his mind that told him something wrong was happening. He didn't like Varun being around her. His instincts foretold him that Varun may never let go of Anvita. He was sure Varun still had feelings for her.

Atul was growing insecure but he was not ready to admit it himself let alone to her. There was no solid reason to keep her away from her old friend. The fluctuating sex drive Anvita exhibited in bed merely added to his worry. If she was burning hot one night, the very next one could be unbelievably cold.

He had to do something. He needed to find out if he needed to worry.

On a Sunday that followed Anvita’s second visit to the pub, Atul walked into the place. It was a small one. Without much space, it didn't look like a lovers’ favourite place. The dance floor wasn’t a prime attraction for sure. It was just a sit-and-talk place. Atul noticed that majority of the customers were above thirty. It looked a safe place for an evening date. His nervousness certainly reduced though not vanished.

As he walked out of the pub he heard someone calling out his name. He turned to see his old friend Naveen. Atul was surprised to know he worked there. Naveen had attended Atul’s marriage but he had forgotten about him since then. Naveen hugged Atul and they sat down.

“I’ve been working here since January.”

Naveen revealed.

An instant idea struck Atul; that he could keep an eye on Varun and Anvita with help of Naveen. But his pride would not allow him to tell his friend that he suspects his wife.

Naveen noticed that Atul hadn’t had anything from the place.

“It’s a small one, Atul. Not much spacious, but our menu has some great choices; you don't have to leave like this.”

They settled down at a couch and ordered drinks. Half an hour gone, Atul was reconsidering to seek Naveen’s help to solve his agony.

“You were checking out this place. Why, are you planning to bring a date?”

Naveen was asking.

“Why, can't I bring one?”

“I know you won’t. But if you’re bringing your wife, you’re most welcome.”

Naveen said with a pleasant smile.

“If I remember, Anvita is her name. Isn’t it?”

“You are right.”

Naveen had come for Atul’s wedding. Even though he had spent most of his time with the guys and booze he still remembered the bride’s name. Atul was surprised and immediately saw something positive about it. He had to tell him more about her.

“Naveen, I want your help. It’s nothing serious but certainly not something I can ignore. Anvita has been here with her friend a couple of times for the last two weeks. Don't judge the situation, as there is nothing wrong about it so far. But, you see, we are men and we need to be watchful. I want to be absolutely sure that she’s safe whenever she’s here.”

Naveen was ready to help.

“Who’s this guy?”

He asked. Atul showed him a photo of Varun and Naveen recognized him immediately.

“I remember this face. He’s a regular here.”

“His name is Varun.”

“Varun,” he nodded. “Okay, send me this pic. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Atul forwarded the photo to him and left home with some kind of relief. He was going to get rid of his insecurity.

Naveen called him a few days later.

“Your gentleman is here.”

He was expecting it as Anvita hadn’t gone for coffee for last four days.

“Just keep an eye. I know she’ll be safe but still…”

“Trust me. I will deal with it.”

Naveen assured him.

“So far he’s a perfect gentleman. She’s having wine. Is she okay with that?”

“Yeah, that’s her drink. It’s okay.”

Atul couldn’t concentrate on work as he spent rest of his time speculating what Naveen could find out. He tried to imagine the ways of intimacy Varun could try to have with Anvita. Atul couldn’t visualise anything bad. He remembered the night at the office party. They were not going to kiss when he interrupted them. Were they?

He was holding his hand around her as if a lover. He was holding her close to his body. If Atul hadn’t interrupted, he would have held her tighter and even pulled her closer than that. And her chest would have rubbed against him and then he would have fancied kissing her.

Suddenly Atul was visualising everything bad.

He wanted to leave his office and go to the pub. He was itching to see his wife.

But, what if there’s nothing of such happening? No. I don't want to look like a retard.

At the end of one torturous hour, his phone rang. Atul picked it up at the first ring.

“They have left, and there is nothing to worry, gentleman. They have absolutely nothing between them apart from a warm friendship. He might have touched her hands a couple of times but not alarming in any sense. They were chatting and chatting. He looked a real bore to me, honestly. I mean it’s really frustrating to see someone talking so much. Just forget it and live a peaceful life, friend.”

Naveen said.

Atul breathed with a sense of peacefulness. There she is; my wife; my Anvi. She can't do ‘such things’, I knew it.

That night when Anvita opened the door to him, he put his arms around her to grab her by the waist and kissed her. Anvita was surprised and had no clue to his happiness. To his surprise, she didn't smell or taste wine. Perhaps she didn't have much wine. She was indeed careful.

If there was something that slightly disturbed Atul, it was that Anvita did not care to tell him she went to see Varun in a pub that evening. She will tell me later. Atul thought.

Atul waited for a day and then he asked her about it.

“Yesterday you were late to come home. You had gone somewhere?”

Anvita was in the kitchen, facing away from him.

“Yeah, I went for a coffee with a student. Why?”

“Nothing… Nothing.”

If there was something Atul did not want to hear from his wife, that was it.

A lie.

A big lie.

Why can't you just tell me you went with Varun? What are you hiding from me?

Atul could not sleep well that night. The cloud of suspicion was still there. It could rain at any moment and it could bring destruction. He feared.

And he had no idea that his fears were going to become true very soon.

Next evening, Atul was finishing the previous day’s pending work when Naveen telephoned him.

“Atul, we have a situation.”

Atul was alert instantly.

“Your wife and her friend are here. And they’re going overboard; clearly overboard!”

Naveen’s voice was alarming, in every sense.

“What do you mean?”

“They are kissing. They don't look like they intend to remain mere friends.”

Atul heard him clearly and his throat went dry instantly.

Atul reached for the water bottle and downed it into his throat. His heart was beating hard. He felt he would faint any moment. He looked around his office helplessly. Everything seemed meaningless.

He saw Shriya standing at the far end, talking to someone at a desk. Her eyes accidentally turned toward Atul and stuck with him for a moment. She turned away momentarily to look back as if to check if he’s still looking at her. Atul didn’t feel the need to look away. He did not feel the need to look cool.

Nobody could save him from the nightmare he was living at the moment.

A minute later, Atul borrowed his colleague’s bike and left his office. He wanted to see it.

He wanted to see how Anvita would do it.

He wanted to see it lest he wouldn’t believe it.

“If Varun had proposed you before I did, would you have said yes?” Atul had asked her once. She had said she would have responded positively if it was before meeting Atul.

“But the moment we met, you owned my heart. He lost all his chance then and there. You were so cute you know that?” Anvita had said.

Yes. I know I looked so cute. I still look so cute. What for? Atul rued.

If I own your heart, then what are you giving to Varun?

Atul was riding the bike as if to hell. He had thought about calling Anvita on phone but he had left it on his desk as he left in a hurry. Also, he had no time to stop and make a call. He jumped most of the traffic signals; he took shortcuts through footpaths; he dodged angry pedestrians, and he never thought twice to go the wrong side. He stopped nowhere despite heavy traffic and nevertheless it took him almost one and a half hour to reach the place. He ran to Naveen and he took him aside.

“Where the hell were you? I called you a hundred times.”

“Where are they?”

Atul was beginning to rush inside the pub.

“They’re not here.”

“What?”

He sounded like a cry.

“Stop behaving like horrible. They are still under the radar. That’s why I was calling you. Come with me.”

Naveen led him out toward the lift.

“Where are we going?”

He asked impatiently.

“Atul, it’s really bad news. I don’t want you to do anything stupid. And try not to make a scene. Stop them if possible, and do it without making a scene.”

“What the hell are you talking? Where are you taking me?”

Lift stopped. Naveen led him to the basement parking. Only a few cars were parked.

“Listen. I had followed him when he left with her. The way they were kissing... I was sure what they were up to. And I followed them here; you see that car? That’s where she’s with him, now.”

He pointed toward the farthest corner. He saw an SUV parked over there, and it sent chill down his stomach. It was a beast that has trapped his wife.

“I will kill that bastard!”

“Don't make a scene here, Atul. Just pull out her and go home. That’s what you are going to do now.”

Naveen kept advising him as he nearly ran towards the car. Atul’s mind was already filled with a few moments that he was going to see when he pulled out that door. He was going to see two animals in the arms of one another with lustful eyes, with displaced clothes. As in the middle of an adventure, she would be letting her ex-boyfriend plunge his thing deep into her with a sense of hurry, allowing him to claim everything she had vowed to her husband.

Atul was not sure he could stand that sight. But he was not going to sit on the fence. He reached for the handle and pulled it open as hatefully as he could.

Before he could see anything he heard a cry, a cry of her, and then he saw them. Darkness crept into his eyes and it turned red. And he saw naked flesh. Two pieces of them. Half of Atul’s heart and soul died then and there. The other half let out a cry.

“Bitch!”

He swiftly rushed in and grabbed her by her wrist which was resting against her chest.

“Hey!!!”

Varun shouted and at that exact moment, Atul’s eyes fell on her face.

It was not Anvita.

What?

He had halted breathing.

“What the fuck are you doing, Atul?”

He widened his eyes and looked at her face again, and again.

“Where’s Anvita?”

He jumped back, still unable to believe what he was witnessing.

“How the fuck I know, man?”

Varun yelled again.

The young woman sitting on his lap without any trace of clothing and probably with his dick still buried inside her tried to cover her breasts with her hands. There was too much to hide.

“There’s a mistake... I...”

He looked at Naveen. He took a look inside.

“What? Isn’t it Anvita?”

“For fuck’s sake, what’s going on here?”

The woman screamed.

“Just get lost, you scoundrels!”

She let go of her breasts and pulled the door back.

“Don't you know my wife?”

Atul turned and blazed at Naveen. Though he was not breathing right because of what had just happened, he was indeed feeling relieved. For God’s grace, it was not Anvita.

Naveen could not believe himself.

“What a fuck. I thought she’s your wife. I’ve been spying on her for all these days.”

The picture was clear. If he had been spying on the wrong woman, it means Anvita wasn’t the one he saw at the pub with Varun earlier too.

“You showed me his photo, and when he showed up with this girl, I think I got it wrong.”

He shrugged.

“You think, huh?”

Atul stared at him.

“Okay.” Naveen took a deep breath. “Just hold it. Are you not happy it’s not your wife anyway?”

He wanted to laugh louder and hug him.

“Of course I am happy. That’s why I am not beating the shit out of you, fucker!”

He was breathing alive now. He grabbed his hand as a friendly gesture.

But they had no idea how to handle Varun. He got out soon, fully dressed.

“Atul! You moron, you were spying on me because you thought I was fucking Anvita?”

He was furious.

“I am sorry Varun; extremely sorry. There was a huge, huge, gigantic confusion. This is my friend, Naveen. When he saw you with her, he informed me that he mistook her for Anvita. It is...”

“You are trying too hard to put all the shit on him, Atul.”

Varun said dismissively.

“No, please try to understand. There was a mistake. When he said Anvita getting into this car with you I didn’t really stop there to question him.”

Varun looked at Naveen and he readily apologized.

“It’s such a blunder mistake. I’ve seen Anvita at his wedding only. When I saw her for the first time since then... I got confused. It is...”

The girl stepped out of the vehicle. She was properly dressed now – in a T-shirt and jeans – and gave him a burning look.

“I am sorry...”

Atul began and Varun interrupted.

“Is this your wife?”

“No. No.”

He turned to her.

“Honey, this gentleman is the husband of one of my friend. And He thought you are his wife.”

“That’s the biggest bullshit I’ve ever heard in my life.”

She looked at Atul contemptuously, though he still felt she wasn’t as angry as he expected. She was still not completely out of shock.

“There was a mistake from us... I was so worried I jumped into the situation.”

“It’s not a mistake... It’s called a lifetime blunder. I don't deserve standing here in front of these idiots. Let’s go Varun. Drop me back.”

She turned away and sat inside the car. Atul apologised once again to Varun while he got behind the wheel. Varun stared him for once and drove away.

Atul and Naveen, particularly the latter, stood there like stupid monkeys.

They went to the bar and switched their booze mode on.

“How come you don’t remember Anvita’s face? You are really a moron, Naveen!”

Atul said.

“Whatever shit happened, it proved one thing for good. Your wife has no threat from this man. He’s got this girl!”

Naveen laughed. Atul agreed with him.

“And did you see it? I know you did, you did see it all, didn't you? She’s hot; hot means very hot.”

Naveen spoke in an animated way and they had started to laugh. They laughed over the incident and partied until very late. Atul did not return to office. He ended up leaving the bike at Naveen’s custody and had to hire a cab to get home.

He was skidding over the streets and pavements and courtyard and lift and corridor until he finally made his way home. There stood his angel, his love, his beautiful wife, who he thought he had lost, and he wanted to kiss her. He leaned forward and he found resistance.

“I want to kiss you, my dear. I love you. Let me kiss you.”

Atul sang in a slurred voice and swayed forward, and the next thing he felt was a tight slap across his face. It wasn’t that powerful to make him spit blood, but it dropped him down to the couch.

“I love you, baby...”

He smiled again.

She moved forward and slapped him again, with more force this time; and then another.

She held his face straight up.

“Did you seriously think I was fucking him?”

Atul had the knack to make the right choice for Anvita whenever he went shopping. The dresses, tops or even the sandals he gifted her would fit perfectly on her. Whenever he brought something new for her, he would insist her to wear it and show him immediately. When she would, she never missed the content smile on his face. Anvita felt pride every time this happened.

“How do you do this?” Anvita had asked him once. “It would take me hours to find one like this if I went shopping myself.”

“It’s simple,” Atul said. “When I see something impressive on someone I imagine you in that and after that, I just can't wait to see you in that. When you know what you want to have, it’s quite easy to have it, isn’t it?”

That’s when Anvita began to notice articles worn by the opposite sex. It was fun. By the end of the month, she had a long list to shop for Atul. And her first salary was proved too little to fulfil that list!

Atul laughed when he came to know how she had exhausted her salary on the first day on shopping itself. However, he embraced her with love and happiness that fulfilled her every list.

Another time she was out there shopping, she ran into Prithvi.

“Shopping alone?”

Anvita smiled, “I’m planning to surprise someone!”

“Wow!” Prithvi’s eyes dilated. “You have a very lucky husband, miss.”

His sincere response pleased Anvita. There was something about him that already made him her favourite among her students. He was like a younger brother who always wanted to see his sister happy.

Prithvi stayed with her to help her select one shirt for Atul. When she was making the payment, she noticed the girl at the next counter had also purchased the same shirt.

“Let’s hope our guys never meet each other.”

Anvita quipped.

Anvita went on to have a coffee with Prithvi after shopping.

“You had promised a coffee with me, remember?”

He asked.

“This is that!”

Anvita quipped.

“No, this is not. This is for helping you choose you the right shirt for your hubby…”

“Mmm…you are opportunistic.”

“Actually I am looking for a better opportunity so that I can take you to a better place than a cafe.”

“And which is…?”

“A pub...maybe.”

Anvita laughed it off.

“I can't believe you are asking your teacher out to a pub. That was a bad joke, a misfire.”

“My classes are going to finish soon. What about then?”

“No.”

“It’s not like what you may be thinking. After the class... Just half an hour…”

“I go to a pub only with one person; my hubby. It’s a rule.”

Anvita said.

However, it turned out Anvita had to break her own rule when Varun rang up her a week later. He wanted to introduce ‘someone’ to her.

Are you free?

“I am in the class. Who’s this someone?”

“It’s a surprise, dear. I’ll pick you up after the class.”

Anvita was disappointed when she saw him after the class. He was wearing the same shirt she had gifted Atul a week ago.

“Where did you get this?”

She asked.

“It’s a gift. Looking good?”

Anvita laughed.

“Are we going to see that person?”

Varun was puzzled.

“What happened? Is there anything wrong with it?”

“Nothing wrong with the shirt, gentleman.”
Next page: Chapter 16
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