The phone rang. As I picked up, a voice from the other end asked,
“Where are you?”
“I’m at Lonavala station, just got off the train,” I replied.
“Then why can’t I see you, dumbo?” It was Preeti teasing me.
“Don’t be so desperate, honey,” I tried to calm her.
“I’ve been waiting here for the last ten minutes. And you know I hate waiting.”
I gently tapped her shoulder from behind as I spotted her,
“Jaanam, dekh lo... mit gayi dooriyaan... main yahan hoon, yahan...”
“Oh, Shona, finally you’re here!” she exclaimed and hugged me tightly.
“Control, honey, control,” I muttered, noticing people around us staring.
“So, what’s the plan?” Preeti asked, absentmindedly playing with her hair as she stepped aside.
“The resort I booked is nearby. We’ll go there first and then plan the day,” I explained.
“Perfect, I’m starving!” Preeti said, eyes lighting up.
“Same here,” I winked.
“I’m talking about food, you pervert!” She punched my arm, rolling her eyes.
“Okay, okay. Let’s grab a rickshaw,” I laughed and hailed one.
At the resort, just as we got down, Preeti suddenly paused.
“But... I don’t have my ID card.”
“I knew you’d say that,” I smirked. “So, I brought a copy of your Aadhaar.”
“You cheat! How could you do that?” she shouted in mock anger.
“That’s not cheating, that’s smartness. And you know IIT guys are sharp.”
“Don’t show off. I’m also an IITian,” she shot back.
“But I’m your senior—one year wiser,” I boasted.
“Mr. Ronjoy Dasgupta, men don’t grow wise with age; they only grow old.”
“Please, not your philosophy lecture now, honey. Let’s just check in.”
Inside the room, Preeti immediately grabbed the menu card, calling room service and rattling off random food items.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked as I lay back on the bed.
“I was just wondering... You looked so nervous at check-in, but now you’re so energetic while ordering food.”
“Because I hate giving ID cards,” she explained, “but ordering food makes me happy!”
“I can totally see that,” I said, pulling her closer. “Your eyes say it all.” I pecked a kiss on her neck.
She suddenly shrieked.
“Navratna Oil?!”
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” I asked innocently.
“Who uses this hair oil in August?!”
“Come on, honey, it’s cool.”
“For me, it’s not cool at all. I can’t stand the smell!”
“Damn it! I left all my work to be here with you, and you’re bothered about my hair oil?” I snapped.
“Don’t be angry, Shona. You know I really can’t bear this smell,” she said softly.
“Fine. Looks like your love will destroy my choices— Kar dega barbaad, yeh ishq mujhe.”
“Love doesn’t destroy, Ronjoy. It creates new worlds,” she said poetically.
“Save your quotes for TED Talks,” I muttered, heading to the washroom for a head wash.
“I’ll be waiting for you, Shona,” she smiled.
When I came out, lunch was already served.
“Wow, it’s ready?” I asked, surprised.
“Yep, and I’m about to start. Hurry up.”
“And what about... us?” I teased with a grin.
“That can wait. First eat, or it’ll get cold!”
Grumbling, I switched on the TV.
“At least let me watch something.”
“Fine, I’m starting,” she shrugged.
I put on the Sony TV—Crime Patrol was playing. Soon, we were both eating her favourite Maharashtrian cuisine.
“Why do you love crime shows so much?” I asked.
“It’s not just crime. They highlight real issues in society. And you know I’ve joined a social start-up to work on such problems,” she explained.
“Just don’t end up becoming a politician someday.”
“Well, you never know what’s in store,” I winked.
After the heavy meal, she slid beside me.
“Game on now?” she whispered.
“Hmm… just let me finish this episode first,” I replied.
“Fine,” she sighed, pulling the blanket.
The next thing I knew, it was 4 PM and Preeti was shaking me.
“Ronjoy Babu, wake up! We need to go to Bhushi Dam.”
“Ugh! What about our game?” I groaned.
“Forget it. Your Crime Patrol spoiled everything!”
“Wait, don’t tell me... we fell asleep during the episode?”
“Correction—you did.” She laughed. “So next time, Satark Rahein!”
“Sorry, honey.”
“No need, just get ready,” she ordered playfully.
And so, groggy but smiling, I got out of bed, ready to head to Bhushi Dam with her.
Note: These passages are taken from Dr. Atul R. Thakare’s forthcoming novel.
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