“In a world full of infidelity, distrust, and divorces, Tapati and Akash’s love remains untouched, their bond growing stronger with time. In their prayers, they wish to grow old together, hand in hand.”
The entire day, Tapati barely got a chance to talk to her husband, Akash, as he was busy with office work.
But every evening, on his way back home, Akash would call her without fail. On one such cloudy evening, Akash called Tapati. Pouting in mock anger, she picked up the call and said,
“You don’t need to check on me. You wouldn’t understand how I spend my entire day alone at home. Just focus on your office work!”
Tapati said this to Akash every day. Hearing her complaints, the tired husband just smiled and replied,
“Don’t be angry, love. I’ll be home soon.”
“Alright. What will you bring for me?”
“A body full of sweat and a pocket full of love.”
After their playful banter, Tapati listed a few groceries for dinner and reminded Akash to be careful on his way home before hanging up.
The sky was heavy with clouds rain was imminent.
Remembering how much Akash loved khichuri (a rice and lentil dish) with omelets, Tapati quickly prepared the meal, set the table, and got ready. She applied a light stroke of kajal to her eyes, a soft pink lipstick, and tied her hair neatly before sitting on the balcony, waiting for Akash.
As soon as she saw Akash step out of the rickshaw, she rushed downstairs, took the grocery bag from his hand, and walked back with him. The rain had left him slightly drenched.
Dabbing his forehead with the edge of her sari, Tapati scolded, “You always carry an umbrella, yet you come home wet!”
Akash grinned. “If I didn’t get wet, how else would I get to smell the fragrance of your sari?”
Blushing, Tapati tried to move away, but Akash held her hand.
“Sit with me for a while. You complain all day that I’m never home now, where are you going?”
“Your shirt is wet, go change first. Let me check what you brought in the grocery bag.”
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“Not yet,” Akash said, taking out a bindi from his pocket and gently placing it on Tapati’s forehead. “I haven’t seen you wear one for two days. Why didn’t you tell me it was finished?”
Tapati smiled. “I knew you’d notice my bare forehead and bring one anyway. That’s why I didn’t say anything. Now go freshen up, I’ll set the table.”
After his shower, Akash saw khichuri and omelet waiting for him. He pulled Tapati up from her chair, hugged her tightly, and whispered,
“Why do you love me so much?”
“I can’t love you any less.”
“Ah, Tapati, I’m so lucky to have you. I’ll keep you close like this forever.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s eat now.”
“Today, I’ll feed you.”
Tapati’s eyes sparkled. “That would be wonderful.”
They ate together, chatting softly. After dinner, while Akash briefly checked his laptop, Tapati adjusted her bindi in the mirror. Removing her bangles, she remarked, “It’s raining heavily outside.”
Akash closed his laptop. “Let’s go to the balcony.”
Standing together, they stretched their hands out to feel the rain. Akash scooped some rainwater and playfully flicked it at Tapati’s face, making her shut her eyes as her hair flew wildly in the wind. Brushing her damp hair aside, he kissed her forehead and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Let’s go inside and rest.”
As thunder roared outside, Tapati buried her face in Akash’s chest, and he held her even tighter.
“You know, Tapati, when I hold you like this, all my tiredness disappears.”
The next morning, Tapati woke up first and gazed at Akash’s face for a while before kissing his forehead and heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
When she drew the curtains, the sunlight woke Akash. As soon as she sat beside him, he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
“Go freshen up, then have breakfast. You’ll be late for work.”
Before leaving, Tapati buttoned his shirt and reminded him, “Come home early. Be careful on the road. And don’t forget to eat the lunch I packed.”
Akash cupped her face, kissed her forehead, and left. Tapati stood on the balcony, watching his car disappear into the traffic. She lingered for a while before going back inside, lost in thoughts, perhaps today, Akash would bring her a rose on his way home.
