Chapter 7: chapter 7

Mowri, looked mutely at him. She hadn't been expecting him to catch on. She didn't know what she had been expecting but not this.From the moment she had been told Arnab, was the one witha white full sleeves shirt with thin blue stripes and black pants she had seemed to be hooked. Yes, he was goodlooking so was his brother who sat next to him but there was something else too. He was intelligent she could make that out even as she was carrying the tray. He was watching everyone with a mild interest buthis eyes were alert, his stance was relaxed but he was aware of what was going on around him. He was a good looking man or so she had thought till she had seen him from a close proximity. Good looking was anunderstatement. He was handsome as hell with his long lean face and square jaw, thin well shaped lips and beautiful eyes. She was surprised to see he had long lashes it was something girls boasted about. His hair was short and neatly combed not unruly or long.Man she hated men who had hair like that.She was irritated. First it was the bloody dupatta, despite the pin it kept shifting.Second her mother had come in to thekitchen and repeated the instructions for the ten thousandth time. Third when she was made to sit next to biji it didn't matter Kulraj sat on the other side and then the idea of a terrace garden. She had been very conscious of the silent tall man walkingbehind her. She had been irritated withhow she had found his musky fragrance appealing. So when they had reached theterrace she had been relieved and she had decided to let a bit of her steam off. That was why she had been sarcastic. But his reply had put her off balance. And then the question. How had he read her so easily? Hewas a dangerous man but she needed to find her wits. So for the time being she shrugged."You are in the army I am told," she said instead."Yes," he replied still smiling.But she wasn't fooled. His eyes werewatching her with interest. Why was that?She hoped he wouldn't get any wrong ideas."Would you mind terribly if I removed this dupatta from my head," she said, "I am not used to it and it is irritating me," she said.So it was the dupatta Arnab, thought."Sure," he said, "whatever makes youcomfortable," he told her.And saw her heave a sigh of relief as she quickly removed the pin and then the dupatta. She shook her head. She looked up at him and found him watching her. She felta little conscious and quickly looked away.She was tall too so she didn't have to really crane her neck to see his face."If you don't like wearing dupatta on your head then why did you?" he asked curiously."Because showing a bit of tradition is good,"she said and at the quizzical look on his face explained, "not my words my chachi's," she said."Kulraj's mother," he said accurately.Mowri, nodded. She was surprised again that he remembered who it was or even whoKulraj was. But then he was intelligent. Howshe had come to that conclusion she didn'tknow but it was the truth and she somehowknew it."So you would do whatever she asks you to,"he asked."Normally I don't do anything anyone asks me to," she replied lightly which was also the truth it was better he knew what he was getting into than crib later, "I am my own person but biji had wanted me to behave nicely so," she said and shrugged.Arnab, thought about what she said. Ofcourse she was her own person and he wasgetting to understand what that look she had given her biji was all about. Maybe she had a strong personality and everyone would be worried if it came out then he might say no."Is that so I would say yes?" he asked.She looked at him. He did know what he was talking albout. He wasn't pretending to be smart he was. What answer should she give?If she tells him the truth then what happens?And if she doesn't then what? She decided to go with the truth. He seemed likea nice person even understanding she shouldprobably leave it to him to decide what hewanted to."Yes," she said softly.For a second and just for a second hethought he saw vulnerability. And thenthe next second it was gone. There was a strong resolution in those eyes. Strange he had thought her eyes were black actually they were brown. A deep brown now in the waning rays of the sun he could see more clearly. So she had been asked to behave properly so he would think of her as anice girl and say yes. How did she behave normally?"What do you do?" he asked."You don't know?" she counter asked but he heard the surprise.He shrugged. His mom had said she was a teacher but nothing in detail. Not that he had pressed her for it. He had been meaning to say no since the beginning but she had him curious and he kind of stalled his decision."I am a lecturer at Delhi University" she said proudly."Wow," he said genuinely, "how old are you?That is if you don't mind me asking," he said. Mowri, heard the sincerity of his compliment.He was polite when he asked her age. He seemed to be curious. So she decided to play along."Twenty nine," she replied quietly."A lecturer at that age is quite a feat," he said,"normally universities don't entertain such young teachers," he said."A temporary lecturer," she corrected,"and you are right. Universities don't have vacancies for permanent lecturers for my age but I do plan to do my Ph. D," she said."All the best," he said supporting her career plan."Thanks," she replied a little warmly.It meant the world to her that he thought she was doing a great thing because her family hadn't shown any support for her dreams.His sincerity was cutting through herbarriers. This wasn't good. At this rate shewould say yes."So here is a question," she said, "ifI decide to pursue my career and we get married would you be supportive?" she asked."Why not," he said, "just because you get married does not mean you have to stop living your life and start living another one. If I have the right to get ahead in my careerand reach my goals then you have an equal right to do the same. Only thing is if we decide to get married then you will have to be a bit flexible or well researched because my job comes with strings attached," heexplained, "and with that I mean frequent transfers, sometimes to places that are remote or dangerous, many times you will find yourself alone at home because of my work. It can get lonesome even frustratingso think carefully about it. But as far as your career goes if you want to pursue your Ph.D I would support any which way I can," he said."What about your family?" she asked point blank.He should have taken offence but he didn't because she didn't know them. And she had every right to ask that question. Getting married wasn't the easiest thing and that too to a stranger. Arranged marriages had that drawback unless you were in a longengagement, even then. He smiled."My mom was a teacher till she had heart problems," he said and saw a concerned look on her face, "that was when dad forbade her to work. As for dad he has always maintained that marriage is an equal partnership. So each is free to pursue what they want or sacrifice when the need arises.There is no such thing that girls can't do this or can't do that. We are pretty modern that way," he said.Mowri, seemed to digest everything he was saying. His deep voice was making her want to just keep listening. He had an amazing voice and the way he spoke made him so much more appealing, Too bad she just mightsay no."Thanks for explaining that," she said."You don't smile?" he asked."What?" she asked confused."Smile," he repeated, "you say thanks but you never smile," he said."Wow, you must have met a lot of smiling girls," she replied."Yes, I have," he said."Then make most of your experience because I don't smile often," she said and cringed inwardly. How was she to control the urge to retort?Of course, he must have met lots of girls if his mother was still looking out for more. She didn't let that bother her, though she didn't like that fact and she wondered why was that. And what of her agreement with biji that she will not give in to her instincts and behave. Before she could even form an apology he started talking again."Tell me something about yourself?" he said."Me?" she said, "What do you want to know?" she asked."Something that not a lot of people know about you," he said leaning against the balustrade, "not your hobbies or what you like or don't like. Something like yourpriorities or maybe what you are expecting out of this marriage," he suggested as he Crossed his arms across his chest.Mowri, thought about what he asked."Okay," she said, "I haven't given it much thought frankly I am expecting you to say no," she said and saw him raise his eyebrowsbut he didn't say anything, "yeah, must be sounding strange to you. It is surprising you don't know the reputationI carry" she said abit strangely."And what is that?" he asked quietly."A shrew," she replied casually."And why is that?" he asked."Because it is not set behavior for girls to be vocal about what they want or don't want or even like or dislike. One is not even supposed to hold an opinion or argue over things,"she said, "besides that I have shown thedoor to more than hundred so called eligible bachelors. Some even left weeping," she said proudly.Arnab, laughed. It was a full throated laugh.He wasn't laughing at her but the way shehad described so proudly that she had madethe 'eligible' bachelors cry he couldn't resistit. It had been a long time since he hadlaughed and it felt good. Ma was right heneeded to be happy. He had almost forgottenwhat it felt like."I am sorry" he said still smiling broadly, "Iwasn't laughing at you," he said."I know," she replied still a bit dazed at thesound of his laughter. It was so full of life andso uninhibited. She felt like smiling too butshe controlled it."So tell me why they cried?" he asked."Well, one cried because I threw a pitcher full of water on his head for asking me for compensating his parents funds that they had spernt on his education," she said and he shook his head in mirth, "another cried because he was such a mommy's boy he didn't know how to answer my concerns and I had used a few stern words," she said and shrugged, "hence my reputation.""So your grandmother made you promise tobehave," he said."Yes and because there were people comingto see Kulraj too," she said in a matter of factmanner."Have you always been your shrewish self orthere is a reason why you are like this?" heasked.Mowri, felt as if someone had injured her. Herpast was something she was still very angryabout. She controlled her temper by lookingaway. It may not be a big deal for most peoplebut it was for her. She tried to keep it there inthe past but it kept coming up. She wonderedhow he didn't know his mother did. Maybeshe hadn't told him.Arnab, felt as if the sun had gone into hiding.He watched pain and anger and regret chaseeach other on her face. There was somethingattached to that question something in herpast. Did ma know about it? Why didn't shetell him anything? He would have been morecareful."I am not ready to answer that question." she said a little haughtily.He heard the pain that she so desperatelytried to hide. He decided not to needle herabout it."That is acceptable," he said quietly watching her then cleared his throat to gain her attention, "so do you have any conditions you want to set before me," he asked.She let him change the topic. She wasgrateful to him for his sensitivity not that she told him."Well there are a few" she said, "hope they won't make you cry," she challenged."You can try," he said good naturedly, "but I will warn you it takes a lot to make me cry,"he said with a twinkle in his eyes."Here it goes," she said, "I don't believe in ,hierarchies among a husband and a wife, as far as I go they are equals," she said and waited for him to say something when he didn't she went on, "I am not the kind of person who does well with lies or cheating there has to be albsolute transparency in the relationship. I also want to do something with my life than just take care of the family or children," she went on. He didn't even blink his eye. So far so good. "I can't call a spade an ace or vice versa. I like to have my oWn opinions and ideas and I like to argue when I am in the mood," she said and he nodded, "also I am a decent cook but if you expect restaurant quality meals you have to look elsewhere," she told him point blank, "I am very straightforward so don't complain later I hurt your feelings," she said and he smiled at that, "also I am the least diplomaticperson ever. So for all you know if you get married to me you just might find yourself in one messy situation after another," she said, "so it is your turn to think carefully." she finished.She hoped she had put God's fear in him and he would run out screaming no. But when he just stood there with a smile on his face she looked curiously at him. She had given her worst some boys had run after the first condition but most had run after the third and he was still here."Great," he said, "now it is my turn," he said liking the way she had used that last part of her sentence picking up words from what he had told her earlier. She sure was a sharpone but a shrew, he had his doubts.And Mowri, didn't know what to say. Shejust stood there and gaped at him. He was something else. Not easily intimidated, smart, handsome as hell and understanding, They were such contrasting attributes. Andsomewhere secretly she liked him. He was polished, polite, and not presumptuous and seemed compassionate. He seemed to be thekind of person she would be happy with. But he had just said he had conditions too and that worried her because so far she hadnever reached this far in a conversation. That was because she hadn't wanted to and neither had the other person. Now she hadto listen to what he had to say just as he had listened to her so patiently. That was another problem she had forgotten to tell him aboutit, she was also impatient.******