You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

ALMOST IN Love…

{13}

Jacob was packing his bags in a hurry, because his train ticket had been confirmed just four hours before departure. Initially, he had decided to leave after another week in Bangalore, but changed his mind after speaking to Dhwani. He had already spent more than 20 days without seeing her and he missed her a lot. She missed him too, but never told it to him. She was certain that he would catch the very next train to Mangalore if she admitted it to him. Yet he could sense her longing over the phone and could no longer spend even one more minute at home. Immediately he booked his ticket but he was put on waiting list. As soon as he received the confirmation of berth, he started throwing his things into the bag without bothering to even fold his clothes. He frowned when he heard a soft tapping on the door. Despite the door being kept open, someone was knocking on it. He turned around and froze.

‘Can I have a word with you?’ asked Williams after clearing his throat. Jacob stood gaping at his father for a moment. Almost three years had elapsed after he had stopped speaking with him.

‘Sure…’ he replied awkwardly.

‘Leaving today?’ asked Williams sitting on the bed and noticing his bag. Jacob nodded his head.

‘My train is at 6pm.’

… And it would be really helpful if you would finish it soon. I am sure that Mom has already given you the details of my love life. Dad, you know that I am not going to listen to you, then why take the trouble of going all over it again?

Jacob’s mind voice was screaming in his head but he maintained a calm façade outside.

‘Sit down,’ said Williams curtly and Jacob quietly obeyed him. They both did not make any eye contact.

‘Ally is worried about you… she is disappointed that you have fallen in love and she finds your choice of wife very unsatisfactory.’

‘I am no­-’

Williams raised his hand to silence him.

‘Just answer my question. Do you love her?’

‘Yes.’

‘Tell me about her…’

Jacob briefly told him everything about Dhwani without any interruption from his listener. His father displayed no emotions unlike his mother.

‘You do understand why your mother is unhappy about your decision, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I know that it is not easy for her to accept.’

‘Does it not bother you that she is elder to you and by far more financially stable when compared to you? It could lead to ego problems later,’ said the father thoughtfully. 

Jacob did not even think for a second before answering.

‘No, it does not bother me. Why should it? We both love each other unconditionally! For me, age and money are just numbers, I don’t use them to measure happiness. Being with her, life makes sense to me… as far as her achievements and success are concerned, I am always proud of her.’

Williams let out a content sigh and placed his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. He looked at him startled by the sudden gesture.

‘Son… I have always criticized you. But, it was only with an intention of making you independent, so that you take responsibility for your decisions. When you quit a well-paid job to try your hand at direction which had no job security, I was very much disappointed. Yet you proved your mettle and I am proud of you, Jake. I have always been… I was worried that you might never find a woman who will understand you and accept you the way you are. But once again you proved me wrong. Dhwani is indeed a special girl and I can see that you are very serious about her. I trust your decision… you can marry her if you are certain that she is the one for you. Let me know when both you are ready to take the plunge, I will convince your mother,’ he said plainly. Jacob swallowed hard to not let his emotions overwhelm him. He wanted to hug his father right then, but controlled that impulse just in time. Williams stood up and went to the door.

‘Take care, son and come back soon,’ he said before walking out. Jacob could not believe what had just happened. He resumed packing his bag with a new vigour.

***

‘I am in Lotus mall to meet Lalana. Suddenly she called me yesterday and told me to meet her today evening,’ said Dhwani stepping on the escalator.

‘Has she arrived?’ asked Jacob over the phone.

‘Yeah. She said she is waiting for me at Baskin Robbin’s on the third floor.’

She reached the second floor and stepped onto the escalator.

‘By the way, how was yo-’

Dhwani was stupefied when her eyes caught him casually leaning against the glass railing. He grinned, clearly enjoying the expression on her face. Jacob disconnected the call and blew her a kiss. Instantly she was brought back to her senses and she blushed excitedly. She reached the third floor and walked up to him.

‘Oh my God! When did you come back? You never told me! How did you know that I was coming here?’ she asked him in one breath. He laughed shaking his head and gave her a warm hug. She embraced him back eagerly. They were seeing each other after 23 days.

‘My dear fool, I was the one who told Lalana to invite you to the mall today. I reached Mangalore at 2pm. I didn’t inform you that I was coming because the expression you gave on seeing me was priceless!’ he beamed.

‘Idiot,’ she admonished lovingly. He once again embraced her, more unyielding this time.

‘I love you so much, darling,’ he mumbled into her hair.

‘I love you too…’ she whispered back. She freed herself from his sturdy arms and smiled at him. He held her hand and they both walked into the ice-cream parlour. Despite her protest, he adamantly ordered a double scoop ice-cream of her favourite flavour. He bought himself a single scoop and sat down facing her.

‘You should have taken a double scoop too,’ she said in with a hint of disapproval.

‘I rarely eat ice-cream. Only when I am with you I eat it, but I know that you love ice-cram. So stop being a stubborn kid and finish your double scoop.’

Her tinkling laughter filled the air.

‘By the way, I told mom about us,’ he said coolly after a few minutes. She looked up at him troubled.

‘What did amma say?’

‘She vehemently opposed our relationship. She gave me an ultimatum that if I marry you, I should never speak to her.’

Dhwani swallowed hard.

‘We shouldn’t hurt your parents. Amma was not wrong in opposing…’ she said softly. Jacob finished eating and kept aside the empty cup.

‘What do you mean, Inu? If you don’t want to hurt them, then we should say goodbye right now. Will you do it?’ he asked leaning forward. She kept staring at the ice-cream cone without eating. He took her right hand into his hands and held it securely.

‘Dhwani, look at me… we know that there would be a lot of opposition for our wedding. But that is something we both should deal with under any circumstance. I know it is going to be hard, but I am always there with you. Don’t worry, darling… and remember one thing. This is our life and you have spent a great deal of yours worrying about others, but not anymore. Start living your life, Inu. Don’t give a damn about what others say or think,’ he said gazing into her eyes. She quietly nodded her head.

‘But I am sure that you and mom will hit it off together within a short span of time,’ he said winking at her.

‘Do you really think so?’ she asked unsure.

‘I know so, because nobody can help falling in love with you once they get to know you.’

His words immediately brought a smile on her face and he kissed her hand.

‘Also, I have a good news for you. Dad spoke to me and said that he approves of our marriage. He has assured that he will convince mom.’

‘Wow! That’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell this first?’ she asked narrowing her eyes at him.

‘Well, I wanted to see how you would react to the bad news.’

‘You are such a brat!’ she said smacking his hand.

‘You should get used to it,’ he replied smugly. They both spent some more time in the ice-cream parlour and later stepped out. They were walking on the ground floor when Dhwani suddenly stopped in her tracks. She stared at a woman who was walking towards them with a little girl.

‘Hi Dhwani, how are you?’ asked the lady.

‘I am doing well Sudha. How are you?’ she asked after composing herself.

‘I am fine,’ she said politely and cast a curious glance at Jacob. He looked at Dhwani questioningly.

‘What is her name?’ asked Dhwani caressing the child’s head.

‘Impana. Say hi, chinnu.’

‘Hi aunty, hi uncle…’ said the child smiling shyly.

‘Sudha, meet Jacob, the love of my life,’ she said looking up at him. He smiled and held her hand firmly.

‘Hi Sudha,’ he wished her humbly.

‘Nice to meet you and I am really happy for you Dhwani. We both always felt guilty for what we did to you. In fact Aka-’

‘I am sorry, but we are in a hurry. Nice to see you after a long time. Bye Sudha. Bye, little princess,’ said Dhwani and kissed the little girl’s cheek. Within the next few minutes they both were out of the mall.

‘That was rude,’ he said winking at her.

‘Well, you are the one who said that I should live for myself. So I simply don’t care what she thinks. I never asked her to bring up the topic of her husband. Akash was my bitter past and I don’t want to hear anything about him,’ she said shrugging. Jacob gave her a lopsided grin and put his arm around her shoulder.

‘Okay, sweetheart,’ he said and gave her a light peck on the forehead.

My heart skips a beat each time you kiss me… every time!

***

‘What are you reading, appa?’ asked Dhwani entering the guestroom in her house. Her parents had flown down to spend two weeks with her. Ahan and her mother had gone to the supermarket to buy groceries for the month. She was waiting for an opportunity to speak to her father. He put down the business magazine and smiled warmly at his daughter.

‘Nothing important, Inu, come in.’

Dhwani went and sat in front of him. Jacob had already told his parents about her and it was time for her to do the same. Somehow, she felt that her father would understand her and think rationally before judging her. Mother was always complicated to deal with because her rationality was dominated by sentiments. Therefore it was a safe bet to break the news to him first and later use his help to convince her. Making a quick silent prayer, Dhwani smiled at him hesitantly.

‘So what does my daughter want to tell me?’ he asked her affectionately. Dhwani was not surprised that he instantly understood her restlessness. She shifted uncomfortably on the cot and looked up at her father. There was no point in mincing words.

‘Dad, I am in love.’

                                       To be continued...