Chapter 08

ROHITA

Milind would come back from his office anytime. Rohita didn’t want to miss the opportunity to entice him tonight. She shouldn’t give up her efforts to appease Milind. He would get attracted to an eye-catching polka-dotted, transparent, orange sari with sleeveless blouse.

At times, she worried why Milind's behavior so erratic. Her attempts to make love ended up in humiliation, and her eagerness to know why he behaved so intensified with every night spent in loneliness. Unless she knew the reason, she wouldn’t discuss the matter with her parents.

Her pulse quickened, she strode to the bedroom and stood in front of the closet. Milind liked pale yellow, and he would be spellbound if she wore a transparent embroidery sari. His passion for women’s clothes and choice of color was evident to her when she shopped with him in Chennai. He had been helpful to her to pick a beautiful pair of salwar kameez and silk saris. Rohita made her mind to wear that dress

She took a warm shower before she dressed, and applied the pink blush, and mascara. A medium-size yellow bindi on her forehead matched with her attire. She lightly rubbed the red lip-gloss not to stand out with the rest of her makeup. Milind liked jasmine scent. She sprinkled it on her chest and made sure everything with her face was perfect before she went to the living room.

She sat on the couch. The greeting card lying on the table with red roses printed on it caught her eye. Her father had sent it on New Year’s Eve, congratulating her and Milind. She missed her parents. Her life became mundane, and she couldn’t venture out because of the harsh winter weather. Though she was busy reading her medical books, studying in solitude wasn’t her preferred habit.

Her thought process was interrupted by the footsteps on the stairs. It must be Milind, she thought.

She half-opened the door and peered through its crack.

“Hi, it’s me.” Milind smiled.

Rohita smiled back and backed away for him to enter.

Her expectation that Milind would cuddle her went wrong as Milind handed her his office bag, put out his shoes, and went straight to the couch.

Milind did not even care to look at me, let alone hugging and kissing. What’s wrong with him? Could a young man with a beautiful wife at home behave this way, Rohita wondered.

She stood near the door for a moment, her heart racing before she went to him.

“How are you, Milind? Is everything all right at work?” She sat beside him, placing his bag on the floor.

“It was a bit hectic as I had left a few tasks pending before I left for India. It would take a few more days for me to set right the work.”

“Will it be a problem for you going forward?” Rohita knitted her brows. “I am sure you will finish it soon.”

“No, I don’t think so.” Milind swallowed as he stared at the floor with his eyes widened. “Let’s not worry too much about it. I usually leave my office matters there itself.” He forced a smile.

“Would you like to have coffee?”

“I already had before I left, but I don’t mind sharing with you.” He stretched his arm on the headrest of the couch.

Rohita went and prepared two Nescafe. She placed a few tea biscuits in a saucer, placed the cups in the tray and went back.

Milind was looking at the greeting car with a smile lit on his face. He tossed it on the table and took the tray from Rohita. “The card is beautiful. I like the contents too.” He put the tray on the table.

“We will call my parents, and wish them.”

They savored a few sips of coffee in silence.

“Are we going out for dinner?” Milind placed the cup back on the table.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I don’t think I’m too tired to take you to a nearby Chinese or Mexican restaurant.”

Rohita inhaled a deep breath. Milind spoke quite friendly. A homemade food might attract him towards her. He would rest while she prepared the food, and wouldn’t complain in the bed about being tired to have sex. “I will treat you with chapati, kheer, and vegetable rice.”

Milind sipped his remaining coffee in silence and put the empty cup on the table. Is he not interested to eat at home? If he prefers to go out, I should agree and please him so that he would not disappoint me in the night.

“Rohita, let’s go out. I’ll take you to a beautiful Mexican restaurant.”

Rohita smiled with her heart lightened. “Okay, as you wish.”

She watched a friend’s series on TV while she waited for Milind to get ready.

Milind came back. He appeared handsome in his purple checkered shirt and blue jeans. His face applied with a cream glowed in the yellow light. The smell of almond cologne hit her nostrils, and nausea coursed through her mind as he approached her.

She rose and held his arm. “I love you, Milind. You look so handsome in your shirt.” She kissed him on his lips.

Milind remained silent without responding and instead tried to dodge. She sensed his heart throbbing in his chest, and he slowly released her hug.

Rohita raised her head and locked her eyes on his.

He shifted his gaze away, unable to stare at her.

Is he hiding something from me? “What’s wrong, Milind? Are you not interested in making love?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m somehow---” he stumbled for words. He lowered his head, trying to pose innocently.

“Let me know if anything is troubling you.” Rohita looked him in anticipation, holding his hand.

He remained silent then, went to the closet and donned his jacket. “Let’s go and talk in the restaurant as you have been staying at home for two days.” He held the door opened.

Rohita let out a sigh. She wouldn’t want to protest and scream at him. Her wrong move would jeopardize her career goals, and spoil her plans to settle in America. Milind had been cooperative in helping her to work as a doctor. His sexual avoidance shouldn’t hinder her from achieving her goals.

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The sun had already set. Rohita sat in the passenger’s seat while Milind drove for twenty minutes to the TGI Fridays. He located a parking slot amidst many cars in the lot. Rohita stepped outside and paced towards him, her hands in her jacket pocket.

“You will like the Mexican food here.” Milind walked her towards the entrance, his hands on her back.

Rohita pressed herself to his torso when he pulled the glass door to enter. A white woman with her partner stood in front of the help desk, waiting for the attendant to escort. A white American waitress in her uniform escorted Rohita and Milind. Rohita strode past a few tables, her hand clasped in Milind’s, behind the waitress. The room was dimly lit with yellow lights and filled with the customer’s chitchat.

Rohita sat across from Milind, facing the outside view.

Milind leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “Are you feeling comfortable?” he asked, lips curling into a smile.

Rohita stretched her hands on the table. “Yes, quite a cozy atmosphere.” She looked around once and then stared back at him. “Is it your favorite place?”

“Yes, I like the ambiance and food here.” He slid the menu toward her. “Why don’t you take a look?”

Rohita flipped a few pages and then looked back at Milind. “What’s your usual item?”

Milind took the menu from her and pointed to an entree inside. “I like bean enchiladas.”

The waitress approached with a pen and a scribbling pad and looked at Milind.

When Milind asked Rohita her choice, she told Milind she would go with his favorite item. Milind ordered two margaritas on the rocks and two bean enchiladas with extra cheese.

Soon after the waitress left, Milind took out his phone from his jacket pocket, checked his messages, and started typing. His face beamed with a smile and he appeared exchanging text messages. Rohita wished to know who the other person was. “What are you doing?” She leaned forward, trying to look at his phone screen.

Milind took his hands away from her, with his smile gone. “Um… I am checking my emails.” He put his phone back in his pocket.

Rohita remained silent for the next couple of minutes and observed Milind avoiding her gaze. He continued staring outside and towards the other customers until the waitress came with the margaritas. Rohita was sure Milind texted someone. Why did he lie to me? Why he appeared so nervous?

As soon as the waitress left, Milind held his glass high. “I hope you like the drink.”

They clinked their glasses together, and Rohita took her sip. Not wanting to disturb the happy time, she said, “It tastes so good.” She controlled her urge to push further about his texting.

“How’s your work going?” Rohita set her glass on the table.

Milind sipped his margarita. “It’s tough.” He licked his lips and set the glass on the table. “I had to complete the pending work until this week.”

Wishing to know more, she took another sip. “Snehal told us some employees were fired.”

Milind cleared his throat. “Yes, they were not competent enough.” He bit his lower lip. “I expect tougher austerity measures going forward.”

Rohita’s pulse quickened as she remembered the news of many software engineers returning to India. She wanted Milind to perform well in his job to remain in America, at least until she joined a job to support him. Though Milind appeared confident, she wanted to make sure he did well. “I hope you don’t have any trouble shortly.”

Milind eyed at exit once, before looking back at her. “Let’s hope for the best.” He took the last sip of his margarita. “We can’t predict how things will turn out to be.”

Rohita realized she needed to be prepared for the worst. She did have Ravi’s support in case of untoward eventualities and can seek his advice. However, she needed to speed up her efforts to become a licensed doctor.

The waitress came with bean enchiladas and served. Rohita expected Milind to talk but he ate in silence. Perhaps the food was delicious and he was too hungry. After the dinner, Rohita waited for Milind to pay the bill and then walked out of the restaurant. She spoke to Milind about the weekend plan while she traveled back to her home.

As she collapsed on the couch in the living room, her glance shifted to the wall clock. It was 9:15 PM. She reminded herself of her plan for the night. She didn’t want to keep her marriage consummation in abeyance any longer and worry every night. Milind might be hiding something and she wished to know what it was. She rose and approached him in his bedroom. Milind was lying on the couch, legs stretched, and a cigarette in hand. When she stood in front of him for a few seconds, he sat straight and put out the cigarette.

She sat beside him, her heart racing. “Why are you so quiet?”

Milind coughed into his fist. “Well, perhaps I am tired.”

Milind might be correct. Rohita didn’t want to upset him anymore and wished to comfort him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I love you, darling.” She looked into his eyes and waited for him to return her kiss. Her heart sank when Milind rolled his eyes, avoiding her gaze. He appeared faking a smile and Rohita sensed his heart throbbing to his chest. With her mouth dry, she held Milind by his shoulder. “Are you all right, Milind?”

He turned his head away from her and unclasped her hands. “I am sorry, Rohita, I need to go out for a while.” He strode outside.

“Where are going, Milind?” Rohita asked.

“Don’t worry, I will be back soon.” Milind paced towards the living room.

Rohita’s mouth fell open at his response. She waited for him to return for a few minutes but Milind didn’t come back. She strode to her bedroom with a heavy heart. Rohita needed to speak with someone, perhaps with her parents. She threw herself face down on the bed and composed herself. Calling her parents might not be a solution. Maybe she could call her friend Ravi.

She walked back to the living room, grabbed her phone from the table, and tapped on Ravi’s number.

He answered after several rings. “Hi, Rohita.”

“Hi, are you asleep?”

“Um…no, not yet. I had planned to call you guys tomorrow.”

She too had expected his call on Sunday as he had called her every week. “It’s okay,” Rohita said. “What is the plan for the weekend?”

“Well, I may go to the office tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is Saturday.”

“Yeah, but I have work to complete. Our interim product release is scheduled for the next week.”

Rohita had heard about the hard work and busy schedules in America. She had been realizing it now. “Milind too complained about his stringent work schedules.” Milind kept busy in his work during the weekdays and wished to rest alone on weekends.

Rohita remembered Ravi had promised her he would visit New Jersey and she longed to see him. She paced towards the balcony door. “So, when are you visiting us?” she asked, glancing outside through the drape.

“Um…very soon,” Ravi said.

Rohita’s heart raced. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’ll wait until spring when it’s easier to travel. By the way, how is Milind?”

Milind’s Camry entered the premises. Phone in hand, Rohita closed the curtain and paced back to her bedroom. “He had gone out.” She threw herself on the bed, her belly down. “I will call you again on Sunday.”

Rohita ended her call, gaze fixed at the passage, looking for Milind. He strode towards his room, holding a brown paper bag.

An hour later when the cigarette smoke wafted around, Rohita realized Milind was still awake and she decided to take a look. She inserted a bookmark in her medical book and strode outside. Leaning inside his cracked door, she peeped inside. Milind stood facing the window, his phone clamped to his ear. The loud smooth jazz played inside dwarfed his conversation. Controlling her urge to enter, she turned around and went back. She would concentrate on her career instead of worrying about Milind’s erratic behavior.