You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

BREAK THE RULES

{3}

Rutva quickly combed her hair and tied it into a ponytail. Every day she barely took ten minutes before the mirror to get ready for work. When she reached the dining table, her younger brother Rishi and her father Dinesh were eating breakfast. Her mother Shalini, placed a plate of hot chapathis and paneer gravy on the table. Trying her level best to not look up at her, Rutva ate as quickly as she could.

Shalini [sternly]: What time did you come home yesterday?

Rutva clucked her tongue and glanced at Rishi. He did not move his eyes from his plate of food. She was certain that he had not yet told mother about the time. He was the one who stayed awake and opened the door for her when she came home late in the night. Last night also was nothing different.

Rutva [without looking up]: 11. 45

Shalini shot a piercing look at Dinesh but he concentrated on his newspaper as if their conversation had nothing to do with him.

Shalini: Why didn’t you leave early?

Rutva: Sorry amma. I got late. I dropped Partha home and came.

Shalini [shook her head disapprovingly]: It is high time you start behaving like a girl. I don’t know when you will understand this. [looking at Dinesh] You are the only one to be blamed for her behaviour.

Without waiting for a reply from her husband, she went into the kitchen. Dinesh folded the newspaper and fixed his gaze on Rutva.

Dinesh: Was it something important?

Rutva let out a sigh and told him everything about Partha’s problem, although omitting the part about his girlfriend. Rishi listened without paying attention to the details.

Dinesh: Hmmm… His parents are not going to agree easily. But it is indeed a wonderful opportunity and he should not miss it.

Rutva: I totally agree with you Dad. That’s what I told him too. Let’s see what he decides.

Rishi: I can’t understand why he would want to leave a cushy job and go join the Air Force to die [shrugging his shoulders].

Rutva narrowed her eyes and smacked his head lightly.

Rutva: Shut up! Not everyone who joins the armed forces is going to die. You know nothing about the pride in being a soldier. Once you see Puttu in the dress of an officer you will understand.

Rishi [shaking his head]: I am not going to risk my life like your friend. I will find a high paying job and enjoy life.

Rutva [smiling]: We’ll see Rish.

Dinesh: Anyway Ruti, you should make sure that you don’t stay out late. Your mother gets really worried. I trust you and I know you are responsible. But you should understand her concern for your safety.

She nodded her head understanding the mild reproach behind his words.

Rutva: I am sorry, Dad. Yesterday he was very disturbed and we kept talking for a long time.

Dinesh: Alright. I can understand. Take care while riding the bike.

Rutva smiled at his words. Her father always made sure that he remained impartial to both his children. Shalini was absolutely right when she blamed him for their daughter’s behaviour. Today Rutva considered herself in no way weaker than a man and lived life on her terms. Rishi also grew up in an environment where rules were same for him and his sister. He teased and fought with her like any other siblings. But the only difference was that he respected her immensely as a woman and treated his female peers with equal respect.

***

‘Damn!’ cursed Partha under his breath.

‘What happened?’ asked Rutva biting into a Dark Fantasy chocofill. They both were walking out of a Theater after watching a play. She loved watching plays and sometimes he accompanied her if he was free for the weekend. After his fight with Harini, he was actually bored on that Saturday and willingly agreed to go out with Rutva.

‘There are 10 missed calls from her,’ he said rubbing his forehead. She giggled at his reply and continued eating. They had put their mobile phones on silent during the play. To his bad luck, that was exactly when his girlfriend had called. Immediately he made her a frantic call. They had already walked up to the parking lot and she sat on his bike watching him pace impatiently.

‘Hello Harini, I am so sorry. My phone was on silent… no, I am outside… I am out with a friend…we had come to watch a play… I am sorry… no, but… I thought you are still angry with me… day before yesterday you didn’t pick my calls… try to understand dear… I didn’t mean to— alright it was my mistake…I said I am sorry…’

Rutva rolled her eyes at him and gave him a lopsided grin. He glared at her.

‘Please sweetie, I really miss you… Yeah, of course we can meet today… I will be there in twenty minutes. Love you,’ he said and disconnected the call with a smile.

‘Good news!’ he said beaming at Rutva.

‘What? Did she find a good boyfriend?’ she asked with innocence dripping in her tone.

‘She already has the best one! By the way she wants to meet me today.’

‘All the best, Puttu. Then we should leave right away. Drop me to the bus-stand.’

She jumped down from the bike and put the remaining biscuit packet into her bag.

‘You are going with me,’ he said casually.

‘What?!’

‘Have you forgotten? You said that you would convince her,’ he said winking. Partha mounted his bike and put on the helmet. She crossed her arms and looked at him defiantly.

‘I know my way back home. You carry on,’ she said and turned around. But he held her hand in a vicious grip.

‘You are going with me, Ru. Even if I have to kidnap you, I will do it.’

She let out a sigh in defeat.

‘Do you really think that this is the right time? I think you should once again try talking to her alone. She will be shocked to see me.’

He shook his head with a smile.

‘Not at all. The moment I told that I was watching a play, she would have as much guessed that I was with you. The sooner you talk to her, the better. Otherwise I will have to spend more sleepless nights, please Ru…’

Wordlessly she mounted his bike. It was impossible for her to refuse when he beseeched her. Nevertheless she let out a silent prayer.

Oh God, please don’t let this end in a mess!!!

***

‘Hi Harini,’ said Rutva with a pleasant smile and shook hands with her. Harini was clearly surprised to see her accompany Partha.

‘Hi Rutva! What a pleasant surprise! It’s nice to see you after a long time,’ she said sweetly. The three of them sat down at a table on the rooftop restaurant. It was the favourite hangout of Partha and Harini. They both sat on one side while, Rutva sat on the opposite, facing them. They ordered some juice, coffee and sandwiches.

Harini: I thought you were coming alone. You didn’t tell me that Rutva was also coming.

Her voice was polite, but he could easily sense the disapproval in her tone. He glanced at Rutva for the fraction of a moment.

Partha: Hmmm… actuall—

Rutva: Actually Harini, I told him that I wanted to meet you. We had gone to watch a play. One of our friends had enacted in it and we couldn’t miss it. I hope I am not too much of a disturbance [smiling].

He shot her a look of gratitude. She had cleverly lied to save him from her line of fire.

Harini [smiling]: Not at all. In fact, it is good that you came. I was also thinking about meeting you. We both know the reason behind it.

She looked at Partha while saying the last sentence. Rutva nodded her head in assent.

Partha: I am sorry dear. I missed you so much.

Harini: I missed you too. At last, what have you decided?

Rutva tried her level best to not look at them and peered at the menu card.

Partha [letting out a sigh]: I am still confused. What do you want me to do? Your happiness is what matters to me.

His tone was earnest and sincere, but Rutva simply wanted to give him a tight slap hearing his words. She could not believe that he was giving Harini more prominence than his dream career.

Harini: Will you reject the offer if I don’t want you to go?

Partha: Is that what you want?

Harini: I don’t want to lose you Partha. I want you to stay with me.

Rutva looked at them incredulously and then fixed her stern gaze on Partha. Instantly, he turned towards his best friend as if she had called out to him aloud.

I am going to kill you, if you agree with her!

Partha: I don’t want to lose you either, but—

Rutva: Just a minute! Err…Harini I think we should talk before making a decision. There is no point in rushing into it.

Harini exchanged glances with her lover. She was clearly annoyed with Rutva.

Harini: Alright. But I have a condition. I want to speak to you in private.

He frowned at her.

Partha: What is the problem if I stay here? After all it is about my future that you both are going to speak.

Rutva: She is right, Puttu. Leave us alone for some time.

Seeing that both the ladies wanted him out of the place, he stood up to leave. Before going, he shot Rutva a meaningful glance and she discreetly nodded her head in assurance.

Harini: I don’t want him to join the Air Force. It is not safe, Rutva. I am sure that you agree with me. Please help me convince him to stay back.

There was concern and love behind her every word.

Rutva [coldy]: I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am not going to let him give up on his passion.

Harini was dumbfounded. Until then, she believed that Rutva was her only hope to stop Partha.

What sort of a best friend is she?! She wants to recklessly push him into peril…

                                      To be continued...