Just Another Day !

Aniol shifted his position and looked at Namita, who glared at him with red burning eyes. She looks like Medusa. Bang! Came the bowl on the table and drops of milk spilled on the newly bought table cloth. Aniol jumped on his seat, taken aback by the sudden display of violence. He ran into the kitchen and got a paper towel to wipe off the mess. I better clean it before she blames me.

Namita tossed her long tangled hair, made it into a bun and pushed her clip inside. Her chest was heaving with anger. She stood for a minute and turned to Aniol, “What on earth made you think like that? I do so much for you and look at you. Do you really think about me. …”. Aniol lost her after the first sentence. His thought travelled back to the first part of the morning when he woke up with a big grin on this face. It was Saturday and he craved for this weekend to unwind the tiredness from work. Hmm, I got up, made tea for Nams and then….what happened? Did I not put the milk can outside, that’s a silly reason. Looking at the intensity of her anger, it seems much worse, must be…

“God! Are you even listening to me, Aniol. Now you will start ignoring me as if nothing happened. Good. If that is the way you will treat me and this situation, I will also have…”

Aniol got up, his head was buzzing with overdose of words, words that seemed cryptic. He took his cigarette pack and lighter, and stormed out of the house, leaving a baffled Namita behind.

Ah! My head is aching. I know I am doing a big mistake by walking out when she was still talking, but I need to get out. Aniol started walking, looking down at the narrow foothpath, jumping over every hole like a small kid.

It is Aniol’s 8th year in Pune. He had come over from US for a project expansion. The India offshore team was doing well and he wanted to expand the horizon and explore new possibilities. Within 2 months, he had defined new goals for them and soon he became their favourite. But Aniol missed home, he missed his friends, his family, the known roads and favourite joints that he frequently visited. And he yearned for Racheal, his ex who thought that Aniol was a self- obsessed freak.

His home-sickness became so evident by the end of the third month that one of his colleagues decided to call him for a dinner party. Aniol was excited about this party; it was an event after a long time. But soon the evening turned out to be a mental stress. Everybody knew everybody else and nobody had time for him. And he hated the way people ogled at him. The last thing he wanted was special attention from everyone. He wanted to mingle with the crowd; he wanted to be a part and not the talk of the party. Aniol took his beer bottle and sat on the sofa, looking at peoples’ faces. His eyes fell upon a girl with black velvet dress who kept shifting in her chair. She tossed her dark hair aside revealing the most beautiful skin that Aniol had seen. It seemed like honey, shining brightly under the light. Aniol took another sip and sat upright for a better view. Hmm looks like she bought the dress specially for this party. She is so uncomfortable, look at the way she is trying to avoid the ogling eyes of others… just like me.

Aniol stood up, emptied the bottled and tossed it in the bin. He stretched his shirt and walked up to her.
“Hi!”
“Oh! Hi…ah”.
“I am Aniol, I am Satish’s friend.”
“Oh ok. Me too.” She smiled and looked down at the knees. Aniol knew she was getting conscious about the length of the dress. “I am Namita, by the way.”
“Oh, what? Naaamita?”.
“N.A.M.I.T.A. Call me Nams, please. I think you will spoil my name.”
Aniol laughed out loud. “Do you want a drink, Nams?”.

It was Namita who showed Aniol the better side of Pune, the culture, the forts, the weekend getaways and the ever-vibrant night clubs. Aniol was in love with Pune and he no longer felt the eyes of the passersby haunting him. He got used to the attention and now he seemed to enjoy it. Aniol was in love with Namita.

Aniol grew tired of walking. He quickly entered the nearby park and sat down on the freshly cut grass. I am hungry and thirsty. I could have at least eaten something before leaving. Now I will find nothing if I go back home. Irritated with his sudden outburst, he lit a cigarette. He had promised Namita to leave smoking after their marriage. And they have been married for 2 good years now. Marriage…. Even that was such a dramatic moment.

Waiting in the café to meet Namita, Aniol was thinking about marriage. He was ready to pop the question of marriage any day. He just didn’t know whether to approach her or her family first, trying to be the ideal Indian groom who respects the elders. But he was ready to take the plunge. He wanted her more than anything else. His thought was interrupted by Namita, storming in. She sat down, pushed her hair and burst, “I don’t think I want to continue this anymore.”

“What? Are you breaking up with me? Nams, what just happened? You were fine this morning.”
“Yes, I am fine. Its just that, I like stability in life. I cannot live with this uncertainity and neither can my parents. And you have no right to play with our lives.”
“I am playing with your life or your parents? I don’t understand a thing Nams. I think you need a drink. You want your usual Cupp..”.
“NOO, I don’t Aniol. I want things that I can’t explain to you. I want a life like everyone else.”

The conversation went on for hours, before Aniol encrypted it to find out that Namita wanted to get married, exactly what he wanted. Marriage was quick, followed by honeymoon in the US so that Namita could get to know Aniol’s family, as well.

Aniol was happy in India. He found a friend, a wife and a family. Friend was Namita’s brother, Swapnil, the best person who can decipher her coded words and to hear Aniol out. Being a wife, Namita, gave a new direction to his life. And he loved Namita’s family who accepted him the way he is and loved him like their own. Aniol did everything to be part of this grand family, even learned the very language. Learning new language, that was also another fiasco!

Namita, came closer to Aniol and whispered, “Ani..Aniol, I want to learn Polish”
“Hmm..” Aniol was sleepy and in no state for small talks.
“Listen to me Aniol”. Namita pulled him to face her. “I want you to teach me Polish.”
“Why do you want to learn Polish..hmm?”.
“What do you mean why? I want to speak to your mother. See, you have learnt Marathi and Hindi so well.”
Aniol, opened his eyes wide, “My dear, you speak to my mother quite well in English. You both understand the language.”
“Well, don’t you think she would feel more comfortable speaking in her own native language?”.
“No. She doesn’t know Polish well and neither do I. Let’s sleep, you know it’s already 2.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t know? Aren’t you Polish by birth?”
“Yes, we are. But my ancestors moved to the US long back and nobody knows how to speak.”
“Rubbish… my cousins were born in the US too. Look at them, they speak Marathi so fluently. It’s just an excuse. Just say you won’t teach me. I can deal with that but not these funny excuses.”

Aniol had a sleepless night, not because of the fight that unfolded but because of the fear to learn Polish and then teach her. Books were bought which adorned the bookshelf. Namita never mentioned about her fascination to learn the new language anymore. It was like an incident that never happened.

Ouch! The cigarette stub burnt his finger. What time is it? I think I should tell Nams where I am or she will worry herself to death. Or torture me with her outburst. Damn! I left my phone at home. I better get going.

Aniol came home, fearing the repercussions of the afternoon. He rang the bell waiting for the wail to come from the other side. Namita opened the door and jumped on him and started crying.

“Hey, what happened? Its ok baby, don’t cry. Look I am sorry, for whatever I did.”.
“Where did you go? You know I thought you left me and went away.”.
Aniol laughed and held Namita to look at her. “Why would I leave you?”
“I don’t know. You are a Po…I mean… you don’t know Indian valu… I mean, forget it. I thought you left me, like Shridhar walked out on his wife. I thought you went back to the US. You know I was going to call the airport to find out about the flights”.
“Hey, hey, look at me. I am not leaving you and going anywhere. I love you and married you so that we can stay together always, ok?”.
“Ok”, sobbed Namita. “I feel good now, let’s go out for dinner today. Let us do something special. Are you hungry, should I make something? I love you, you know that right?”.

The day was more than Aniol could ask for. They went for a movie, ate at a poolside restaurant and made love like it was their first time.

Aniol loved mornings, especially Sunday mornings. It meant typical Polish breakfast by an Indian cook, Namita, followed by gardening. And he was amused today.

“Why are you smiling?”, enquired Namita.
Aniol laughed this time. “Why… you ask me. Well, because of you.”.
“Me, eh? And may I know why”, asked Namita, curious as to what she did to amuse him so much.
“Well, lets see. For first you thought I left you, then you thought I took the flight to Ohio. Then you thought I left for US wearing my Jackson t-shirt and torn shorts. You are funny Nams. I mean, where do you get these ideas from? You should make a movie, with dramatic endings and …”.
Aniol stopped, he looked at Namita’s eyes. Medusa.

The phone rang. Namita picked it up. “Yes Swapnil. I am fine and I don’t feel like talking to you. Why don’t you talk to your best friend.”.
She put the phone on the table and walked into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Aniol, sighed and picked up the phone, “Hey man. How are you doing?”.
“I am fine. But I don’t think you are. Whats happening?”.
Aniol, signed again, “Nothing, it’s just another day..”.