Chapter 06

MILIND

Milind, cigarette in his hand, slid the balcony curtain aside and looked down at the parking premises. The snowfall had stopped and the moon shone on the horizon after an early winter sunset. He would take Rohita to Snehal’s home after she woke up from her catnap. He took a drag of his cigarette, walked back to the couch, and sat.

The previous night, Rohita insisted he sleeps with her. Milind convinced her he needed some privacy to read his project documents and had gone to his room. He was attracted to her affectionate appeal, but he didn’t want to make a habit of sleeping with her. He should be focused on his goal of marrying Esha and should be loyal to her. Rohita showed her disappointment to sleep alone, but she remained quiet.

Milind heard the sound of a door latch. Rohita must have awoken, he thought.

She had slept soon after lunch, and jetlag had affected her sleeping pattern. Milind insisted on eating at an Indian restaurant, but Rohita preferred homemade food. He never expected she would prepare food so delicious.

Milind looked at Rohita, standing at the door near the kitchen. She smiled and approached him, adjusting her dress – a salwar kameez.

“Did you rest well?” Milind slid onto the couch and waved her to a seat beside him.

Rohita nodded. “I am comfortable now. I couldn’t sleep much last night.”

“It will take some time for you to get acclimated to the new place.” Milind put his arm on her back.

Rohita glanced out to the balcony. Her eyes glowed. “The parking lot is full of cars.”

“Everyone usually stays at home on Sundays.” He gently touched her shoulder. “Do you remember Snehal’s invitation?”

“Yes, I do.” Rohita’s lips curved into a smile. “I wanted to remind you about it. I am interested to meet her and Ajit.”

Milind wished to spend more time with them, and he should go there soon. “I will let Snehal know we are coming.” He picked up the phone from the table.

He called Snehal and waited for her to answer.

“Hi, Milind.” Snehal sounded excited. “How is Rohita?”

“She is doing well.” Milind waited for her to talk about her invitation.

“What time are we meeting?” Snehal asked.

Milind glanced at the wall clock. It was just after six. “At seven?”

“Okay, we look forward to seeing you both.”

“We’ll be there at seven sharp.” Milind ended the call.

He scooted towards Rohita. “We will leave in twenty minutes.”

“I will go and freshen up.” Rohita smiled before she left.

Milind watched her going towards the bedroom. He remembered he had met Ajit along with Snehal in an Indian grocery store. At that time, Milind had found Ajit mature and friendly.

Milind had told Snehal his tentative plan to get married before he had left for India. Snehal would ask him about how he met Rohita and married her. Snehal would be happy to meet Rohita, and they would become good friends. Rohita would seek Ajit’s guidance to pursue her career objectives and help Milind attain his goal with ease.

After he freshened up, Milind changed into a dark blue T-shirt and blue jeans. He combed his hair and sprayed the almond cologne before he went back to the living room.

Rohita was seated on the couch. In her purple top and grey pants, she appeared beautiful. Her thin, open lips, applied with a red lip gloss, appeared attractive. Her gold chain glistened on her neck, and its pendant enhanced the beauty of her broad chest.

“Shall we go?” Milind smiled with his heart racing.

Rohita rose and put her arms around his neck. “You look so handsome.” Her cheeks blushed as she tried to kiss him on his lips.

The lavender perfume from her hit Milind’s nostrils. He was tempted to kiss her but controlled his urge. He needed to be patient, and should not fall to her enticements. He loved Esha, and wouldn’t like to lose her.

“You too look beautiful.” He released their hug, went to the closet and put on his leather jacket. “We should go now or we’ll be late.”

Rohita donned her jacket and followed him.

The premises were lit with white halogen lamps. Milind cautioned Rohita to be careful as they walked on a cement pathway covered with ice silt. She crossed her hands across her chest to avoid the cold as she strode alongside him.

Milind located Snehal’s home and climbed the wooden stairs of their apartment. He rang the doorbell and waited.

Snehal opened the door. She appeared beautiful in her skinny fit dark blue pants and a pale green half sleeves top. Her fair cheeks shone with pink blush and her lips appeared prominent with a pink lip gloss. A few strands of hair dangled from the sides of her forehead.

She stared at Rohita with her eyes wide. “Welcome.” She backed away to make room for them to enter.

Milind hung his jacket in the closet.

Ajit, wearing a blue striped shirt and grey formal pants, was seated on a smaller couch. A smile crossed beneath his trimly cut mustache which appeared prominent on his fair, square-shaped face.

“Hi, Milind.” Ajit smiled at Rohita then looked at Milind. “Please welcome.”

Milind and Rohita sat on a larger couch. Snehal sat beside Ajit.

“Is Rohita comfortable with the New Jersey weather?” Ajit asked.

Rohita smiled, straightening. “Yes, I am getting adjusted. It will take a few more days to get fully acclimated.”

They sat in silence for a moment.

“Milind, you didn’t tell me that you would marry Rohita,” Snehal said. “Did you know her before?”

Milind scratched his neck. I knew Esha, not Rohita. “I met her two days before the wedding.”

“Oh, that’s surprising,” Ajit said and everyone chuckled.

“I know, it happens in Indian weddings,” Ajit said. “I faced a similar situation. My parents chose Snehal. I just went to Mumbai and finished the wedding formalities.”

That might not work out for everyone, Milind thought. “Rohita is also my parents’ choice.”

Ajit turned to Rohita. “Are you also from Mysore?”

“Yes. I’m born and brought up there,” Rohita said.

“How do you feel about the home?” Snehal asked.

“I like the interior design,” Rohita said. “The house has all the amenities.”

Milind looked at Rohita in admiration for her social behavior. She answered Snehal and Ajit with patience. He wanted to talk to Ajit about her career goals, but left that matter to Rohita. She should take her initiative in achieving her goals.

After a few seconds of silence, Snehal rose. “Let’s go inside.”

Rohita smiled and went to the kitchen with her.

Milind talked to Ajit about his on-going project at his office. He spoke about his wedding and how fast his parents arranged it.

Ajit spoke about his work at the hospital, and their continued efforts to upgrade their unit with new medical instruments.

Milind found Ajit approachable, and friendly.

Snehal came back, wiping her hand with a napkin. “Dinner is ready.”

Milind went to the dining table and sat beside Rohita. Ajit and Snehal sat opposite them.

Several dishes sat on the table with hot curries and sambhar in them. The smell of Indian basmati rice and spicy masala permeated in the air.

Snehal served Milind a few pieces of chapati and capsicum curry.

“You prepared the food so soon,” Milind said.

“I had partially prepared everything before you came.” Snehal beamed a smile as she served curry to Rohita. “We garnished and heated the curries now.”

Ajit served himself a curry made out of green peas. “Milind can taste homemade food now.”

Milind chewed his food. It would not last forever, he thought. “Yes, I am lucky to have Rohita with me,” he said, trying not to sound pretentious.

“Milind told me you are a doctor?” Rohita said, munching her food.

Milind’s heart lightened. He’d waited for this moment and Rohita had asked at the right moment.

“Yes, I am a physician in a community hospital,” Ajit said. “I am glad to know that you finished your medical degree.”

Rohita smiled, her eyes sparkling.

Milind didn’t like to remain quiet, and he needed to push her career matter forward. “She is interested in working here as a doctor. You should help her in achieving her career goals.”

“Yes, I can.” Ajit served himself the basmati rice.

“Rohita, you can ask Ajit anything related to your career,” Milind said. “It’s good to have him near us.”

“Can you brief me about the procedure to work as a physician in America?” Rohita asked.

“With your MBBS degree, you’ve two options.”

“What are they?” Rohita sounded excited.

“You can attend the United States Medical Licentiate Exam – USMLE, and complete the residency before you start practicing. The second is to apply for a Master’s degree.”

Milind looked at Ajit in admiration. He spoke with confidence and sounded knowledgeable.

“Which option do you suggest for me?” Rohita asked.

“You can earn more if you have an additional degree. But you need financial support to study further.”

Milind’s pulse quickened. Further study would hamper his plan, and he couldn’t financially afford it. “It is wise for you to attend the USMLE and start working.”

Rohita frowned. “Well, I would like to study further.”

Milind didn’t want to argue in front of Snehal and Ajit. He would convince her in private after going home.

They finished dinner. Milind went back to his seat and sat beside Rohita.

Snehal gave them orange juice and sat beside Ajit.

Milind remembered his office work and wished to know from Snehal how things went in the past two weeks. “How is the work going on?”

Snehal placed the glass on the table. “Not all is well. A few employees were fired last week.” She tucked her curls behind her ear.

Milind’s heart raced. “Why---” He stumbled for words as he placed the juice on the table.

“They couldn’t finish the task on time. More so, product sales are not encouraging.”

“I had sensed the situation when I left for India,” Milind said. “My manager, Larry, was not happy with me when I asked for my leave extension.”

They finished their juice in silence.

Milind glanced at his watch. He couldn’t believe he spent two hours with them. “Allow us to leave. We’ll meet again next week or so.”

Ajit shook hands with Milind and Rohita.

“I need your guidance to apply for the USMLE exam,” Rohita said as she donned her jacket.

“You can call me anytime,” Ajit said with his lips quivered into a smile. “I am here to help you.”

Milind stepped down the stairs along with Rohita.

“Bye, see you soon,” Snehal said, peering from the door.

The get-together had been useful. Rohita knew about her career options from Ajit. Milind was apprehensive about her intention to study for her Masters as it would cost him financially. He could wait only for a few months as he needed to return to India to get married to Esha.