24 Km from Mussourie, Dhanolti is a dreamy haven high above mist-filled valleys guarded by Himalayan peaks that seem to reach straight into the sky. The petite woman on the rustic wooden bench fit perfectly into the picture postcard scene of gentle rolling slopes, on a background of sheer blue; it’s seamless expanse punctuated by the snowy heights. Even the sun seemed to move slowly here, Nalini thought, as she gazed fondly at her son. She watched Abhimanyu chasing butterflies while they fluttered deeper and deeper into the bushes… and wondered if that wasn’t the exact way she’d been living her life… impossible relationships and elusive joys…
Married at 20 due to family obligation and forced out of it within two years by an unforgiving loyalty to her own notions of life, she had carved out a niche for herself on the political stage of Delhi. Today she played an important hand in the political ticking of Delhi. The years had slowly peeled away the bitterness left by her marriage, the memories sweetened by the one happiness her marriage had given her- Abhimanyu, the star of her eyes.
It had been quite a challenge to even think of pursuing a Post Graduation in Political Science as a single mother, but two year old Abhi turned out to be more an inspiration than her hindrance. As a University Secretary of the prestigious national political party, her spark and talent did not go unnoticed and she was directly inducted as the National Secretary of the youth wing of a national party.
In a profession where ‘conditions and compromises’ characterised every rung of the ladder, Nalini rose high on sheer charisma and professional talent. Within months she became the face and identity of the party youth wing. And now, after 4 years of party service, she had found her dream role- Public Relations In-charge for Delhi Region for the upcoming assembly elections. Of course, the pressure was high and elections were just 6 months away! It was at this time that she had to take one of the hardest calls after her divorce; she chose to enrol Abhi in boarding school at Dehradun so she could perform her job without compromising his education or childhood.
This was her monthly long weekend with Abhi. As the Sunday drew into dusk she began mentally checking off her agenda for the week.
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The woman who took charge of the Party office on Monday morning bore no resemblance to the tender, vulnerable mother in Mussourie. Dressed in a crisp kurti and cotton trousers, she left no doubts as to who was in charge. The Agency shortlistings had started.
“Yes, come in”, she called out. This was her fourth back-to-back meeting since morning.
Varun Sethi was the young dynamic owner of a leading Ad studio in Delhi.
‘But isn’t he a bit too young?’, she thought as she shook hands with him.
He met her appraising eyes and for a moment the world seemed hazel. He had never seen eyes that shade… the softness of Honey mixed with the bite of brandy.
“Mr. Sethi, can I see your presentation please?”; the snap in her voice pulled him back into reality.
“Yes, sure…”, and he launched into the automated presentation on his laptop, all he could think of was how different she was from what he’d imagined a 30 year old politician to be!
Did politicians have luxuriant dark hair that fell down in waves? Or radiant smiles that light up a room? Or eyes that shine in quite that way?
“Ma’am there’s been serious unrest at the University! …we need to go right now!”, her secretary rushed inside.
Within a minute she whisked the purse off her table and was out of the office. No apologies, no excuses.
Varun sat in the empty room contemplating his options.
It was destiny that rushed Nalini away on the day of the presentation, but it was also destiny that brought her in front of Varun again.
One early sunny day, as Varun walked into his gym in a posh locality of Delhi, whom should he see, but Nalini!
This woman was more of a surprise than he’d imagined.
"A health conscious politician!", Varun wondered as he stared at her.
Dressed in cotton slacks and leotards, Nalini looked much more like a poster girl for the perfect body than a youth leader!
"Oh! Hi…", Nalini had noticed Varun’s eyes on her, “I’m sorry… you are…?”
“Varun. Varun Sethi”, he said, "Quite a surprise… seeing you here!"
"Yeah! One needs to stay fit to serve the people”, she smiled.
“Of Course! Let me not keep you from your duties!”, he bowed with mock grandeur.
Nalini continued with her exercise routine, but her eyes kept turning to the tall, well-built man, watching his bronze muscles ripple with effort.
She noticed she wasn’t the only girl who had her eyes trained on him. The broad chest and packed abs were having their effect on many female fitness enthusiasts!
This time, he was the one who noticed her attention, and walked over. The sweat glistening on his shoulders held her eyes as she desperately tried to think of something to say that would keep her from betraying her thoughts.
Unable to think of anything, she assumed a compliment was the best escape, "You do have a perfect body! I have never seen a V-build in real life before!"
But he held the upper hand in charm, for he was back in a flash saying, "And I have never seen such a slim and beautiful politician even in fantasy!"
That was all that was needed to break the ice and her smile turned into bright laughter.
However, Nalini did not run into Varun for months after that one encounter in the Gym because of election work. Finally, Elections happened and all the hard work paid off. Now, she’d treat herself to a well-deserved vacation!
“Varun! What a pleasant surprise!”
It wasn’t possible. It was a full minute before Varun let himself believe that it really was Nalini he had run into; in Sector 17, Chandigarh of all places!
“Varun, what are you doing in Chandigarh?”, she asked.
“It’s my hometown”, he replied as he regained his senses, “I’m on a de-stress break. Are you here on business?”
“It was business for a few days, but now I’m just enjoying the town!”
“Great! Chandigarh is quite a city, let me assure you! So… are you here with someone?”
“No… actually I stayed back; my friends have gone ahead to Delhi.”
“Oh! Ok… so why don’t you join me for dinner tonight? I’ll show you the Chandigarh you have never seen!”
“No… I’m busy tonight…”, she declined reluctantly.
The disappointment in his voice was palpable in his acceptance, “Oh… of course…”
“But I can manage tomorrow!”, she came back before his words were completed.
“Oh Great! Pick you up at 7.00 p.m. sharp from the Circuit House.”, his eyes shone with the eagerness he tried to hide in his voice.
Varun arrived punctual to the last second. His SUV crunched to a stop in front of the circuit house just as she was descending the short stairs into the courtyard. She was a vision in a flowing chiffon saree. Her sweet feminine perfume assailed his senses, as she slid gracefully beside him.
“So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see!”, he smiled as he put the SUV into gear.
She couldn’t help but admire the skilful way in which he manoeuvred the hulk of a vehicle. The way the nerves stood out on his sun-bronzed arm made her heart thud so loudly, she wondered if it could be heard over the roar of the engine. But before she could master her thoughts, the scene that rose in front of her eyes completely took her breath away!
They had just entered through towering gates and were driving through vast greens towards a magnificent Haveli that formed the backdrop for a dreamy fountain next to which Varun brought the vehicle to a stop.
“We’re here,” he whispered into her ear making the buzz erupt anew.
He made her feel so special as he offered his arm in a grand gesture and led her up the lavish stairway towards a veranda overlooking a silvery lake.
As she gazed onto the lake, the warmth of his body close to hers made her yearn for his arms around her. She could feel a magnetic attraction drawing them close. All through dinner, her eyes kept roaming to the metallic tan of his chest, the way he always left it exposed through his Blazer and Designer shirt; trademark Varun Sethi she thought.
“Let’s take a stroll, shall we? I’ll take you down to the lake.”, he broke into her thoughts causing her cheeks to flush pink.
“Sure!”, she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
As they approached the silvery waters of the lake, Varun said almost to himself, "You know the stars were my best friends during childhood. They’ve listened to me when there was nobody else in my life who would…"
"Varun! I had no idea you were so sensitive!"
In answer, he simply turned and gazed into the depths of her eyes, letting her into his own; revealing the truth they were both beginning to realize.
Nalini tried in vain to pull her gaze away from his and failing miserably, dropped her eyelids in a desperate measure to hide from her own emotions mirrored in Varun’s eyes.
He gently lifted up her chin, "You are beautiful". This was followed by an even longer pause.
"You are the first one to say that looking straight into my eyes".
Holding her hands, he pulled her so close that he could feel her warm breath on his chest.
"You know...", Varun started, but before he could say anything more, Nalini pressed her finger on his lips, letting the silence express the unsaid.
Gently, releasing her hand, she walked towards the moon shimmering in the water below. He walked across to her and slipping his arm around her waist, pulled her close. Her dark hair fell to one side and he kissed the delicate shoulder it exposed. Turning her around, he took her into his arms, and as they looked at each other in speechless admission of their feelings, their lips met in a passionate kiss.
His arms grabbed her to himself and her petite body gave in to the delicious strength that engulfed her entire being. But something at the back of her mind stirred, and she knew she had to stop. Slowly, and reluctantly, she pulled away from him; he understood and stood there simply looking at her and reveling in her mere presence.
The time in Chandigarh flew by like a few fleeting seconds and soon Nalini and Varun found themselves back in Delhi.
But the winds of change had stirred. Delhi, or indeed life, would never be the same again. Now, Nalini and Varun were together during every free moment of their time! Mostly, Nalini would drive down to Varun’s Studio. They would spend hours on Varun’s balcony… talking, sharing, laughing… and reveling in the presence of love.
Many pleasant months later, as she lay in Varun’s arms, Nalini asked, “Varun, this weekend, why don’t you join me on my trip to Mussourie? It’s a lovely season to be there… and you can meet Abhi too!”
She felt his shoulders stiffen as he lapsed into a thoughtful silence. “I’d love to Nalini”’ he started huskily, “but…”
“But…”, she smiled as she stood up and walked towards the city lights. Nothing was said between them for another hour, and then Nalini left.
It was Saturday evening. It was the first time since Chandigarh that Nalini had left town without saying goodbye and it felt awful. He missed her as he would miss a part of himself… he had been in relationships before, but none were as fulfilling as being with Nalini was… with her, he had learnt to be a better, stronger man, and now was the time to test his mettle. Would he go the extra mile to keep Nalini in his life?
“Heck yes!”, he exclaimed to himself!
Within minutes he was on the highway, the wind blowing through his hair, his collar slapping his chest as he whizzed passed the milestone- Mussourie, 223 km.
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