"I spy you!" - 66

He nodded his head when she gave him the address. She was eager to know what his job was in this town. She was hoping again and again, is he going to be my partner? Would not be a dream-come-true for me if it is so?

She made all sorts of promises to the God. If Pushpahaasa became her partner for this assignment, she would enjoy every moment as if it would never happen again. She would allow him to do whatever he wanted to do with her.

‘This is very unjust thinking Vasupradha!’ her alter ego shouted. This can’t happen! You can’t be a doormat for someone else. You have your own life and self-esteem.

They caught an auto. When he told the address to the auto driver, she marveled at the deepness of his voice. So manly! How come God has given every beautiful thing to this one man!

The auto reached the destination. It was a single bedroom house. She went into the kitchen. She found everything available. She prepared tea and poured it in two glasses and collected a packet of biscuits she had found there and came to the hall.

He was sitting there on a chair. He was going through his mails using his iPhone.

She came and handed over a cup of tea. He absent mindedly drank it.

She sat in a chair next to his and sipped her tea. She also nibbled the biscuit. Her mind was in questioning her. Who is going to be her partner? Was she going to be there with that person (whoever it is) for a very long time? This man... has he come to drop me or has he some other hidden agenda to stay here? She did her minimum duty of a host by offering him tea and biscuits.

The time dragged.

He got up suddenly and said, “Please lock the door!” and went out closing the door. She slowly walked to the door and bolted it from inside. Now is the wait for the other person whoever it was.

Pushpahaasa went off as if his role is over, as if he has done is duty of reaching her safely to her destination. This is not fair! Her heart cried. But the man, her heart stealer was gone!

She went back to her chair and stretched her legs. She adjusted her backrest pillow to give some support to the back of her head and closed her eyes. She was thinking whether this was what she wanted in her life. Traveling to some strange place, ‘live’ with a stranger, risk the life in many ways.... she dozed off. She had no inkling of time. May be the bus travel had zapped her energy.

She was in deep sleep. She saw Pushpahaasa in her dream. Dream?.... no, it was a nightmare!

She was going on top of the hill alone. She suddenly slips and rolls down the hill. She grabs a branch of a tree and hangs on to her dear life. She was shouting for help. She saw Amruta coming from somewhere and throwing her belt to Vasupradha. Belt? Why it is not a dupatta?.... No! it was not Amruta, it was Pushpahaasa!

She got up with a start. Sweat was pouring out of forehead and back of her head. She became aware of a knock on the door. She got up unsteadily and opened the door.

It was dark and there was no light in front of the house. She could not make out who was standing at the door.  She tried to close the door and the person outside had put one foot inside!