Crimson Twilights by Megha Rathee Tokas

Author:Megha Rathee Tokas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Notion Press
Published: 2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

Neena and I sat having lunch together. I looked at her closely. She was ageing, definitely, but in her own unique style, a style that was so her. Never one to bother about too much makeup or fanfare, about covering her strands of grey, or the fine lines around her eyes, she was attractive, ethereally so. I also noticed, for maybe, the hundreth time that she always wore two engagement rings; Virat’s as well as mine. Noticing it yet again, I smiled to myself. I expected it from her, even years ago, when she sat in the car with me, just before we got married.

“If you want me to be a part of your life, please remember that Virat comes along,” she had said, in plain, but, firm words, in a tone that spelt dignity and self respect.

I loved her all the more for it.

Just when Neena was passing me a helping of rajmas, my second actually, which she politely but smirkingly pointed out, in rushed Vani. A bright, attractive girl at five feet six, long curly hair, like her mother’s, perpetual infectious smile on her face, like her father’s.

“Hey mom…hey Chief (as she lovingly addressed me, having dropped the ‘uncle’ years ago on a basket ball court!)

“Hi Vani. How was your day at school?” asked Neena, simultanously serving her lunch.

“Good. But I made a decision today.”

Neena and I looked at her, before chorusing, “And…what is it?”

“Today the teacher was filling up the forms for the Board exams. I refused to fill mine.”

“Why?”, stormed Neena, before I could open my mouth full of rajma chawal.

“I want to change my name for which I need to give an affidivit first, whatever it is.”

“Change your name? Naam Sushmita Sen rakhna hai kya?” chided I, giving her a wink.

“Nope. Vani Dhillon rakhna hai,” answered she, winking back.

I was stunned into speechlessness. I looked at her, my eyes misting, I looked at Neena, half expecting her to throw a fit of rage. But she was as statue like as I was.

Vani thought it best to leave us alone on the table, digesting what she had just announced. She picked up her plate and swiftly started moving out. She turned back midway, walked back, looked at Neena straight in the eye, just as Neena always did. “I want it,” she said, almost in a whisper. Then she left.

There was silence at the table, a very awkward silence. I looked at Neena. Tears welled up in her eyes. I started to cup her hand in mine, but somehow withdrew without doing it.

“I managed to keep you from becoming a father, but I could not keep fatherhood away from you,” said she almost in a trance. Looking straight at me, deep into my eyes, through the tears in her’s, she continued,

“Sorry, really sorry, and yes, thank you!”

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