Mithra

CHASTE GANGES {6} ‘Take it,’ said Rajat and handed his elder brother a glass of chilled Mango milkshake. He took it, raising an eyebrow at his sudden display of affection. ‘Mom told me to give,’ he said curtly. ‘Well, that explains. You saved me from a heart-attack in the nick of the time,’ quipped Ronav. Rajat rolled his eyes and went inside. He stretched his legs on the low table and looked at the sprawling city before him. There was no doubt that Ronav missed Mumbai. He breathed in the humid breeze of the evening. He was home. Sunaina walked onto the balcony holding a glass and leaned against a pillar. Her son smiled at her. ‘It’s delicious mom.’ She smiled back at him and drank the milkshake. ‘So, how is work?’ she asked casually. ‘A little hectic, but I can manage. Nothing to stress about,’ he said shrugging. She let out a sigh and shook her head. ‘Then why did you get a transfer to Mumbai? You never even mentioned about it during your phone ...

CHASTE GANGES   {5} The trees bore a tired look. The temperature was a sweltering 34˚C. Nithyayuvani walked through the pathway lined with stone pillars on either side. Other than a few couples who did not mind the heat there were hardly any people in the Semmozhi Poonga. More people would start walking in after an hour or so. She had deliberately chosen this time because she knew the park would be almost empty. The previous night’s events did not let her mind rest in peace. The memory was so fresh that she could still smell his musky odour in the air. The taste of beer refused to leave her mouth. Or was it just her mind playing tricks on her senses? She found an empty wooden bench and sat down waiting for him. What will I say? Her mind drew blank on that question. She was certain that she had to confront him and the sooner, the better. Yet she was uncertain about how she would behave with him. There was anger for what he had done, yet there was also an unfathoma...