You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

ALMOST IN Love…

{5}

Jacob entered the elevator on 13^th floor and punched the button indicating the ground floor. The lift reached the 11^th floor undisturbed and the door opened. He sucked in a sudden breath of air. Dhwani entered the elevator dressed in a red sari and looked gorgeous enough to kill him. Apparently, she did not notice him and turned around her back to him. He stood still for a moment, even forgetting to breathe. She was barely a feet away from him and he simply couldn’t deny the magnetic hold she had on him.

‘Dhwani,’ he called out. His voice was almost hoarse.

She instantly turned back and flashed him a smile.

Damn! Do you really have to look so gorgeous?! That too in an elevator! You are killing me…

‘Hi Jake! What a coincidence! I have been thinking about you today.’

Her words left him dumbfounded. Unable to come with anything else to speak, he simply asked her why.

‘Tomorrow is Ahan’s birthday and he wants you to attend the birthday party. I was going to call you in the evening and invite you. Anyway I am glad that I could personally invite you,’ she said beaming at him. A couple and an old man entered the elevator on the 6^th floor. Dhwani moved a little closer to Jacob to make space for the others. Her jasmine perfume overwhelmed him and he literally took a step back. His self-control was being thrashed under her charm. Fortunately they did not continue their conversation until they were out of the elevator.

‘The party starts tomorrow evening at 6.30. We will be glad to have you home on this occasion.’

‘I will be there,’ he said immediately. He knew he would be going the moment she said that she wanted to invite him.

‘Thank you so much, Jake. Anu will be very happy to know that you are coming,’ she said politely.

‘My pleasure, Dhwani,’ he said forcing a smile on his face. Her name lingered on his tongue like a dewdrop on a flower. They both began walking towards the parking lot.

‘By the way, did you have some work here?’ she asked casually.

‘Yeah. I had to meet a producer who showed interest in producing my next movie. I came here to narrate the story.’

‘That’s nice. What did he say?’

‘Well, he liked it and agreed to produce my next short movie,’ he said with a smile of satisfaction. She stopped in her tracks and outstretched her hand.

‘Congratulations Jake! It’s such an amazing news. I am really happy for you.’

‘Thank you,’ he said shaking her hand. By then, they reached her blue Volkswagen Polo.

‘I was here for a meeting with one of our clients. Now, I am going back home. Shall I drop you?’ she offered.

Although Jacob was very much tempted to accept the offer, he thought the better of it.

‘No, thanks. I am riding my friend’s bike.’

‘Alright then, I will see you at home tomorrow. Bye, Jake.’

‘Sure. Bye, Dhwani.’

She got into her car and drove out of the parking lot. He stood there lost in her jasmine fragrance even after she was long gone.

***

‘Thank you, Ahan,’ said Jacob taking the cup of dessert from him. Ahan held his cup and sat next to him on the swing. The birthday celebrations had concluded some time ago and Ahan’s friends had left after dinner. Jacob was the only guest remaining. Dhwani introduced him to her parents who had flown down from Mumbai to join the celebration. Right now, she was dining with her parents whereas Jacob and Ahan were sitting in the garden.

‘This is not my birthday…’ said Ahan slowly. Jacob looked at him bewildered.

‘This was the day when mom saw me for the first time. I was born to daily wage labourers under extreme poverty. I had two elder brothers and one sister. My father was a drunkard and died very soon. My mother could not feed all of us and she sold me to a hotel owner in Raichur. I was working there as a cleaner when mom came one day to our hotel. She saw me and asked me why I was working there. Later she furiously fought with that owner and threatened to send him to jail for employing a child. He was so scared that he immediately agreed to send me with her,’ said Ahan with a fond smile. Jacob felt a lump in his throat. The young boy’s words touched his heart in a strange way and he immediately wanted to give him a hug. Yet he restrained himself.

‘She admitted me in an orphanage and bore all my expenses. After a few months she came and said that she was going to adopt me. I didn’t even know what it meant at that time. All I understood was that I could call her mother. That was all I wanted…’ he said swallowing hard. Jacob gently squeezed his shoulder.

‘Your mother is an amazing woman. You mean the world to her.’

‘I know, sir. She has sacrificed so much for my happiness. Mom never worries about herself,’ he complained.

Just then they heard approaching footsteps and saw Dhwani walking up to them. Jacob’s respect for her grew manifold after hearing to Ahan’s words. He was being drawn to her even more than before.

‘How is the dessert?’ she asked cheerfully.

‘It’s very delicious,’ complimented Jacob. Suddenly he stood up remembering something and took out an envelope from his pocket.

‘I forgot to give your gift,’ he said winking at Ahan. He smiled at him and immediately opened the envelope and read the letter inside.

‘Thank you so much, sir. This is so cool!’ exclaimed Ahan. He was so excited that he hugged Jacob. He embraced him back and grinned at Dhwani. She watched her son in amusement.

‘By the way, you can call me uncle,’ said Jacob ruffling Ahan’s hair.

‘What gift is it?’ she asked unable to curtail her curiosity.

‘He has enrolled me in roller skating classes, mom!’

‘What?! That’s such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Jake.’

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ said Jacob politely.

Ahan left the garden saying that he had to show the gift to his grandparents. Dhwani sat down on the swing next to Jacob. Once again he could smell the fragrance of jasmine. He was certain that whenever he saw jasmine, she would be the only one on his mind.

‘How did you select this gift for him? I didn’t know that he was so much interested in roller skating. It never crossed my mind. The smile on his face was priceless,’ she said with gratitude saturating her voice.

‘We both are friends on Facebook and I had been chatting with him for a few times. Once he had mentioned that he fascinated skating. When I thought about buying him a gift, this was the first thing that struck my mind.’

‘Men understand boys…’

‘Yeah! It’s a man thing,’ he said playfully. She couldn’t help smiling at his comment.

‘You are an amazing woman, Dhwani. Ahan told me everything about how you found him.’

‘Did he? That’s strange. He never opens up with people so easily. Looks like he is really fond of you. I am lucky to have him in my life. He is the best son,’ she said softly.

‘But is that enough?’ he asked her intensely. She frowned at him.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Are you happy?’

‘Of course, I am! What sort of a question is that?’ she asked smiling uncomfortably.

‘Are you happy being a single mother?’ he persisted. Her face was grave.

‘I am happy being a mother. I don’t mind being single…’ she said meekly.

‘You cannot deny the truth that you need someone to share your life with.’

‘When I told my family that I was going to adopt Ahan, they were against it. My parents said that I could support him in every way possible but not adopt him. They feared that it would mean the end of my personal life and that’s exactly what happened. No man was prepared to accept me with my son and I gave up all hopes of finding one. Now it no longer matters to me,’ she said shrugging.

‘Do you think Ahan is happy about this? Have you ever thought about the guilt that child will be carrying in his heart? He is worried about you, Dhwani,’ said Jacob leaning forward. Her hair swayed in the light breeze and caressed his face. He felt a sudden urge to caress her hair but clenched his fist to keep a check on his impulse. She thought deeply about his sudden revelation.

‘I never gave it a thought…’ she whispered into the air.

‘Then it’s time you start thinking. If ever you feel the need for a friend, I am always here for you. Don’t ever think you are alone,’ he said affectionately. His words touched her heart and her lips curved into a slow smile which reached her eyes.

‘Thank you, Jake. I am happy that you came.’

‘Anything for you,’ he said reflecting back her smile.

For a few moments they sat there gazing into each other’s eyes. It did not feel strange and they were very comfortable in each other’s presence. It felt as if they had been doing it for years. Being together, just felt right…

What are you doing Jake??? This is insane! Stay away from her. She can never be yours…

                            To be continued...