Chapter 23

I am screwed!

The thought of being homeless in a week's time has me breaking out in cold sweat. Maybe Purvi or one of the girls will let me stay at their place for a few days till I can figure something out.

"Ahem," Jeet clears his throat, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"I better get going," he says, shuffling from one foot to the other in discomfort. "Don't worry, we will come up with something," he pats my shoulder reassuringly.

I simply nod my head. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I was rather hoping for later.. much later. But now that the problem is staring me in the face, I better tackle it head on.

Once Jeet leaves, I take a good look at my apartment, touching the walls and my meagre furnishings. Leaving this place makes me sad and I resolve that I won't give up without a fight.

Today being Sunday, the society office is closed. I will approach them tomorrow and submit my request. Till then I will clean the house, so that I can show them I am a responsible tenant.

I change into my old black sweat shorts and grey spaghetti crop top and tie my hair up on the top of my head in a bun as the cleaning will be a sweaty, messy affair. The cleaning takes more time than usual as I have to mind my left foot, plus I had kept putting off the non-essential cleaning for a long time, a situation which has come back to bite me now.

"Oi, its past two. No wonder my stomach's been grumbling," I mutter to myself as I finally finish cleaning the house. I am on my way to the kitchen to make myself some two-minute noodles, when there is a sharp knock on the door.

Must be Savita aunty, bringing some homemade meal that she made. What perfect timing! In my excitement I open the door with a smile which immediately disappears when I see who's at the door.

"You?"

"Yes! Me! Mind if I come in?" Jeet answers smoothly. He looks at me from head to toe and smiles.. "Wow! you look... so .. umm different! " he exclaims, his eyes shining bright, before quickly moving away from me.

I don't budge from my door, blocking his entry. "What are you doing here?" I ask gravely, not allowing his backhanded compliment to faze me.

He takes a step closer and drops his voice. "Please let me in and I will explain everything." He's holding a leather duffel bag. Is he planning to kill me and put my body parts in the bag?

My heart is thudding in my chest. Whether in excitement of seeing Jeet and that too in a t-shirt accentuating his broad chest and flat stomach and jeans that cling to his lean hips like second skin, or, in panic at the unexpected and uninvited arrival, is anybody's guess, but I am inclining towards the former.

I am rooted to the spot. This is the first time I have seen Jeet in casuals and he looks hot!!

Jeet brings his ears close to mine and my breath stills. He whispers conspiratorially, "Tarana, Mr. Chavan is looking at us, please let me in, so as not to arouse his suspicions."

My eyes scan the compound. Jeet is right. Mr. Chavan is watching us from his house, very attentively. I move aside to let Jeet in and quickly close the door.

"You still haven't answered my question." I try to sound strong. I hope he hasn't noticed my panting.

"When I was leaving this morning, your Mr. Chavan accosted me near my car. He said he doubted that I was your husband and now that I was leaving, he was certain I would never be seen again. He broadly implied we had a one-night stand and he basically accused you, in not so many words, of being a woman of loose morals."

He said what?? Anger bubbles within me, replacing my carnal panting with an angry one.

Jeet continues, "In order to keep your good reputation and house, I told him I was just going to my office and will be coming back. Unfortunately, I could not call to warn you as you don't have your phone. And so here I am."

I quickly pull on a t-shirt over my tank top, hoping Jeet did not notice the ugly scars on my shoulder and stomach. I plonk down on the couch letting out a long sigh. This mess is getting murkier by the minute.

I look at Jeet holding my head in my hands, "What shall we do now?"

He sits in the couch as well, shaking his head. "I don't know. You tell me? I didn't plan on this getting complicated so quickly," he scratches his beard, thinking pensively.

Inhaling a deep breath, he turns to me, "If it is OK with you, I think we should keep this charade for a few days, till your neighbors buy our story. I will leave after that and you can say I was called on some urgent work and will be back after a month or so."

"And what happens after a month?"

"Hopefully by then the circumstances would have changed and you don't have to carry on with this ruse."

I mull over his suggestion, biting the inner flesh of my lower lip. He may have a point and just maybe, this will work. At the very least it will buy me some time to look for another house.

"OK Jeet, I agree with your suggestion. You stay here for the next two days and let's see how things work out. I hope your family is informed." He nods his head.

I bury my face in my hands as I continue, "I am sorry I am putting you through this inconvenience. I am sure you have much better things to do, than be forced to spend your time with me. You will never know how much I appreciate all that you are doing for me. I have no way to return this favour."

I look up at Jeet who has a sad longing look on his face, which he quickly masks as soon I turn to him. Is he sad that he is forced to spend the few days here, instead of being somewhere else?

"Yes. Right. This is only for show. Once you have your issues sorted, we can go our separate ways," he says with an unnecessary force in his voice.

"Fine with me," I retort as I head towards the kitchen.

"I am making noodles for lunch. Would you like to have some?"

"Sure."

We both eat in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The thought of spending time alone with Jeet in my apartment has me running hot and cold at the same time.

After lunch, Jeet opens his laptop and starts working, while I finish my daily chores. He is fully immersed in his work, his brow furrowed in concentration, occasionally texting furiously on his phone. I sneak a glance at him now and then while I pass him and notice he is working on some complicated spreadsheets.

'This dude is working like he is running a major business instead of being just a management trainee.' Inner voice laughs.

I decide to leave him alone while I get myself ready. Jeet finally looks up when I stand in front of him, dressed in my usual salwar kameez.

"Leaving somewhere?" he asks with one eyebrow raised.

"Yeah. I will be back around seven."

"Where to? if I may ask? Just in case someone comes looking for you," he elaborates.

"I volunteer in the nearby slum through an NGO, teaching basic computer skills to young women. I do this every Sunday from five to seven. That's where I am headed now."

"Really?!" Jeet exclaims in astonishment. "Can I join you?" he asks hopefully.

"Sure. Why not?" I shrug, "we need more volunteers anyway."

Jeet's presence in my class is met by blushes and giggles from the young girls, who keep glancing in his direction throughout. I doubt whether any of them have paid attention to my teaching today.

After class is over, two girls walk up to me as I am cleaning the blackboard. "Didi?" they call out to me.

"Yes?"

"Is that man your boyfriend?" they ask over giggles, as only teenagers can.

"Ha! Ha! no. He is my colleague. We only work together."

"He is ekdum chikna. You should make him your boyfriend," more giggles and nudges. My cheeks burn at the proposition, but I immediately mask it with a stern look.

"Thank you for your suggestion, but I am happy the way I am. And you should not be concerned about boyfriends at this time. Concentrate on your studies and career, so you can make a better future for yourselves." With that lecture, I send them on their way.

"You were amazing with those girls," Jeet exclaims as we head back home in the autorickshaw. I smile and look at him "I think all their attention was focused on you today. I may have to repeat the class next week."

We talk more about the class and Jeet asks me questions about my volunteering and the NGO which I am happy to answer.

As we head a little further, we notice all street lights are off in our block. "Uh oh, it seems there is a power cut in our area."

Everything is pitch dark as we enter the house. I step on Jeet's foot, but he graciously refrains from saying anything. I scramble to find the candles and matches which as per Murphy's law will never be found when you need them. After some fumbling and blind groping around the house, where I accidentally felt up Jeet's leg as well, I found the candles and matchbox.

The house is awash with the soft glow of candle light, throwing long, flickering shadows onto the walls. My small little apartment feels even more smaller, making me highly aware of Jeet's enigmatic proximity. My heart races at a pace which would probably put Usain Bolt to shame.

We stand in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do next. My face is heating up and my throat is drying. In the orange candlelight Jeet's eyes look like golden glowing embers.

Jeet clears his throat. He must have caught me gawking at him like a love sick teenager. Shit!! awkward!

"I will make some dinner," I croak through my parched throat.

"Let's just order pizza," he suggests whipping out his phone. I of course agree. Who says no to pizza?

Since the lights are out and I don't have to cook, there's nothing much to do. It's too dark to read a book. Jeet pulls out his phone and checks his messages smiling at some, frowning at a few. His phone gives a warning beep of low battery and he puts it away. We sit in strained silence, neither initiating a conversation.

I have an idea. "Wanna play chess?" I ask. Jeet's face lights up which I take as a yes. I pull out the never used chess set from my cabinet, which I had won as a prize at an office event.

Jeet is concentrating on the moves, giving me a chance to watch him. He scratches his temple with his finger, his nose scrunched up and mouth puckered as is eyes dart over the chess board. Is he aware he makes these faces? Does he know he looks so darn cute like this?

"Your turn," he says giving a sly smile. I look at the board. Crap! I was so engrossed in checking Jeet out, I did not pay much attention to the game. My king is getting cornered. I thought I was good in chess, but Jeet is clearly way better. I am contemplating my next move, planning which piece I have to sacrifice, when there is a knock at the door.

Jeet jumps up, "Must be the pizza, I'll get it."

Buts it's not the pizza. It's Mr. Chavan. Again!

"Good evening," he enters without an invitation looking around the house.

"Chavan sir, what are you doing here at this time?" I ask getting up from the floor.

"Since your husband is here now, come tomorrow evening to the society office with passport size photos of both of you, and aadhar card. And if you have any photos of your wedding. I know of someone who can help with your wedding registration procedure."

Just then, the electricity is restored, turning the house blindingly bright.

Jeet and I look at each other. Jeet looks as shocked as I feel.

Damn! damn! damn!

I am screwed!!!!!