BREATHLESS

BREATHLESS

 a short story by Suraksha Giri

           

           I had recently moved to this suburban neighborhood and had yet to settle into a full routine. This locality was very up market with large gated mansions or smart housing developments with swimming pool, clubhouse, and recreational areas. My husband had finally got the position he had worked for so hard and the perks included this large airy penthouse apartment with separate staff accommodation and a terrace lawn. The children loved the new house and had made several friends from the neighboring flats in the complex.

          The first few weeks flew by getting the home organized, recruiting the staff and putting things to order. I am not a working person which means anything to be done has to be done by me. Ashok my husband was fond of saying, ‘Gowri, you are free the whole day, please take care of these small matters.’ I was the planner, financial controller, housekeeper, event manager, nurse, tutor, teacher and a general-purpose support to my family. Everyone in the house now left half an hour early to school and office and I had this as my own time before the chores caught up.

             I was running an errand to the laundromat when I first met Nandita.

             ‘Hi, I’m Nandita from the first floor. So glad to finally see you and I am sure we will be great chums. Do come back and have coffee with me.’

              Before I could say a word Nandita flicked up her slender wrist, gave a yelp, ‘I am so late, George is going to throttle me. Bye love! See you soon for coffee.’

            A quick smile my way and Nandita was off at a smart trot towards her flashy sedan. I was fascinated by her manner, her talk, her style and her evident friendliness. I spoke of my meeting Nandita to my more sober neighbors and they all smiled but changed the subject. I gave it little thought and in a few days found myself going up in the elevator with Nandita. I wished a tentative hullo and received a blast of energy from Nanadita’s greeting.

              ‘Oh Gosh, its you. Sorry been so busy, no time to drop by. I am exhausted but do come for coffee to my place.’

           I was charmed and determined to reciprocate the warm gesture.

          ‘No Nandita, please come to my house. I have very nice filter coffee and have made some interesting snacks for the kids. Come and relax at my place.’

           Nandita gave me a sunny grin.

          ‘You’re an angel, love filter coffee, and hot snacks sounds yummy. Thanks sweetie.’

          I left Nandita in a comfy sofa chair, put on the AC, showed her the bathroom and went into the kitchen. Gita , the cook was still frying hot bondas, a light fragrant brown. The chutneys were ready and I asked her to prepare two coffees and serve everything in the living room.

         ‘Use the pretty napkins, Nandita amma has come so please be careful and smart.’            

          Gita looked up indifferently and continued her frying, while I rushed back to the living room.

          ‘Just a few minutes Nandita while the cook finishes her frying.’

          ‘Lucky you with a cook and in this penthouse. You are not working. What luxury! Look at my life. Rush, rush rush morning onwards. No children but George is like a child. I have to do everything for him, the big baby. And work! Deadlines and explosions. Sumeet is a taskmaster and every report has to be seen by me, or Sumeet doesn’t approve. Get someone else I tell them, but who listens. Only you take responsibility Nandita. So stressful. And the socializing. George is a party animal and we are invited to so many dos that we have to select. Do you entertain sweetie? You can have twenty five people here quite easily. What a treat these bondas and chutney. George loves these tiffins but where’s the time? Gita! Superb coffee. Is this goody bag for me? Thank you sweetie. You’re a doll and I am quite resurrected. Next time my place. Bye!’

             Nandita rushed out on her elegant heels leaving me breathless and unsettled.

             So it started , my friendship with this exotic creature who air kissed, tossed her long hair back, wore boots, drove herself around, had smart leather bags and praised my food lavishly. She was a proficient critic of Carnatic and Hindustani music attended salsa lessons, was the beloved of her inlaws (traditional Iyers) and adept in the 9 yards sari dressing.

              ‘You are an Iyer,’ I asked her, bewildered. ‘What about George?’

              ‘Oh George!’ Nandita dismissed him with a toss of her head. ‘It’s his nickname

St George and the dragon. He is so timid that I started calling Sivaranjan, George.’

              I soon had a fifth share for Nandita in the daily treats all ziplocked and ready to be sent down to the first floor.

              ‘Thanks sweetie, you’re a savior. Do be a pet and supervise the plumber this morning. I have told him to first get you before coming to the house. 9 ok ? I have to rush for a meeting, you know how Sumeet is. Thanks luv.’

              I was now running her errands, shopping and taking her messages, her house key co ordinator and personal repair supervisor. I had met George only once on the first floor landing, a soft faced slim man with an amused look on his face. George I was to learn was a brilliant corporate lawyer and worked as a senior partner in a prestigious law firm. I had been to their smart art deco home on several occasions, but always on an assignment for Nandita.

               Ashok made small jokes about the friendship.

              ‘Can you go to the bank this morning that is if madam Nandita can spare you, Gowri?’

              I would glare and hope to God that Nandita would not spring a surprise on me. What did I get out of this? The high excitement of being with an exotic creature, her racy events at the office, her party stories, quirky jokes and a feeling of great importance in being the recipient of her confidences.

              ‘She is manipulative,’said the other ladies, ‘she is only using you.’

              ‘Gowri you’ve developed a schoolgirl crush on Nandita,’ said Ashok. ‘Be careful and don’t get hurt.’

              I ignored all the snide remarks and ragging with a smug complacency.  

              Ashu my little boy returned home with burning fever and I was frightened at the rise in his temperature. Ashok was traveling, but I had the car and driver. Ashok insisted I go to the Child Hospital and bundling up Preeti, I rushed with Ashu to the hospital. Enroute a call from Nandita.

              ‘Hi Sweetie, where are you. I have had a tough day with Sumeet. Have you left any Ziploc goodies for me? I am starving. What? You are not at home. Ashu is sick. Poor baby. But don’t worry, kids are always sick and its nothing luv. Don’t panic and overreact. So no Ziploc for me. Will Gita have something or should I just manage. Look after yourselves and call me if you need anything.’  

              Ashu had celebral malaria and Ashok rushed back . We were keeping vigil at the hospital and kept Preeti back from school at home with Gita.

              ‘Mama, aunty Nandita dropped in last evening. She wanted to borrow our  step ladder. She asked where you were. I told her at hospital and she was very sad and asked about Ashu. She said she would call.’

              I did get a call from Nandita a couple of days later.

              ‘Sweetie how is Ashu? I had gone to your place to enquire. Did Preeti tell you. I think when people have sickness and trouble its private and best not to intrude. Gowri, you remember the muruku you got me the extra special ghee ones. Do you have some around? Sumeet and some others are coming by for drinks and I wanted to serve this as a snack. No. Ok. I’ll manage. You take care sweetie and give a kiss to Ashu. I miss you here, with all these activities but call me if you need anything. Bye!’

              Ashu was discharged after a week of hospitilisation, weak, irritable and clinging. Ashok and I had an act for everything, to get him to eat, drink or take some horrible medication. I stepped out one day a few days later to get some supplies, leaving Ashok in charge. At the entrance Nandita pulled up just as I was getting into my car.

              ‘Sweetie, Good to see you. Going out? Shopping? I may drop in a little later.       How I missed you.’

              Something hard and bitter pushed against my belly and gave me a stomach churn. Smiling casually I got into the car, rolled down the window and said, ‘Nandita, I am busy.’