James and I walked into the dentist’s and I mentally thanked God that this time it wasn’t for me . The thought of getting any dental work done is so disturbing that I have to prepare myself for weeks before the event. Today it was easy on me as James had a tooth to fix, and he took it as a job to be done. Men are such strange creatures. A headache and fever can be catastrophic for them and they lose age by seconds and have to be looked after like 6 year old boys . But dental surgeries, they can easily take in their stride , with no fuss– well at least for my man.
The reception was comfortable and plush and I picked up a magazine to read while James fiddled with the remote scanning different news channels. I was happily engrossed in a home décor magazine when the dentist called James in. I put my legs up on the sofa, made myself even more comfortable as I knew a good hour had to be passed . In between I heard my name Rachel and I looked up to the television– a middle aged businessman was being interviewed. Sir , the lady interviewer said- you have brought India great pride by bagging a prize order for industrial chemicals and detergents from Vietnam. We have read all about it but now we want to ask you something more personal ?. The lady interviewer persisted – Sir, I am sure our viewers would like to know why Bhavesh Kothari a Gujarati bachelor , has a chemical industry in Kolkatta by the name of Rachel detergents and chemicals? Wow I was on national television or at least my name was.
I was about to pick my phone when the gentleman on TV pulled my attention back as he said – I have named it after the young lady whom I fell in love with, years back. Interesting, I thought . James my husband was always drilling into me that men never lived in the past , whenever I would skilfully remind him of his past deeds on which my present actions were based. I looked up at the door of the clinic to see if he was coming out by any chance .
No luck , so I continued to hear what this interesting gentleman had to say. A middle age businessman man talking about his love rather than the top line of his company ? Sir where is the lady in question, continued the interviewer. Mr Kothari said – M’am I will only answer one more personal question about the lady, so please choose your question carefully and skillfully? I was all ears. The lady smiled, thought and asked – Sir was it love at first sight and if so where did it happen? The gentleman’s face lighted up and he said yes and in a night bus travelling from Jammu to Delhi. The interview soon ended and I picked up my phone . There was something disturbing about the interview on television and I became restless . For the life of me , I could not place the face of the man but the name rang a bell. Could it be a coincidence or was destiny playing a prank?
Where were you ? I mean why did you take so long I asked James as he walked out of the clinic door in 10 minutes. We were having a cup of tea and chatting. For God’s sake , I cant ask a dentist to hurry up Rachel. Obviously I had not chosen the right words . We drove back in silence and when we stopped at a red light I said – James ! would you wait for woman you love all your life ? Not if I have a toothache he replied grimly. I had obviously not chosen the right moment again, but I wasn’t able to contain my restlessness.
We had dinner and James asked if we should be doing a face time with our son studying in Singapore. Not today I said as I was crowded with confusing thoughts . I was more keen on talking to my friends today and share my confusion. Okay, I too will give it a miss today and we can catch up with him tomorrow. Rohan our only son was in his last year of MBA and we would try and chat at least every second day. We were watching television in bed when I could not resist asking James , even while I knew that this could bring on trouble ? James tell me , will you wait for a woman you love all your life ? He looked at me and said no I wont , why do you ask again and what is bothering you ? Are you waiting for someone or someone is waiting for you? In both the situations I am happy for you to go if you don’t take alimony. Beast ! I murmured at his indifference and turned to the other side.
I lay awake at night , utterly confused and undecided to believe what may be a possibility or was it my middle age , looking for excitement in life ? My mind travelled miles , taking off the years from the screen of my life . It was the year 1981 or 82 can’t remember. Bhavna , Arya and me had travelled to Kashmir during our Dussehra holidays . We were in our first year of college and with great difficulty we had got permission from our parents . What a blast we were having. Suddenly our trip was cut short as there was a terrorist alert and we had to cut short our trip. Our parents insisted that we take the first bus back. Disappointed we took a taxi to Jammu and then got ourselves booked on a night bus .
The bus travelling from Jammu to Delhi was almost full as people were fleeing in panic but we managed to get three random seats . We stood in the inside, at the back of the bus looking for empty seats. There were couple of seats but all single and at at distance from each other. All 3 of us would have to sit separate . Listen, I announced, I want some romance in my journey, so I am going to sit next to that quiet chap looking out of the window . You girls can take the other two. Bhavna warned me to behave and not create any trouble. My spirits were high and I slowly walked up to the young man I had spotted . I had not seen his face but as I sat down he smiled and acknowledged. Looked too decent and simple and not of my choice.
Chapter 2
What a journey it was ! Over the decades I had forgotten both the intensity of that romantic night , the gay abandon of youth, the promises, love and above all the deadly scare of terrorist attack . In fact over the years probably there was only one time that I remembered this journey and that was years back during Bhavna’s wedding ceremony when some of us friends were recollecting our fun and adventurous times together .
The night journey was a long one . It was only 6 pm in the evening when we started and we were scheduled to reach in the morning around 9 am or later as somewhere down the route we were also taking a diversion to avoid terrorist patches . As the bus rolled downhill the passengers from side to side coming downhill, me and my co-traveler on the same seat were uncomfortably close and several times he acknowledged the proximity with an awkward smile as if saying sorry. Within half an hour, I lost all sense of calm and quiet and said hello , I am Rachel and I am in college. The young man next to me smiled and said I am Bhavesh and I am an engineering graduate . Hmm I thought – man and machine not very interesting and asked so what is your specialization, not that I will understand very well. I am a psychology student.
He smiled and we got chatting. He had gone to visit his family deity in Jammu before starting his new business in industrial chemicals and detergents. Was a bit too much for me to digest but interestingly he knew a lot about my subject and had a keen interest in it . Bhavesh was the younger of two brothers and was very ambitious . He knew exactly what he had to and for a 23 year old he was very clear of his future . I told him about myself, my family and my ambitions and my friends travelling with me . He looked backed and picked up his hand to acknowledge both Arya and Bhavna sitting separately, Bhavna told me later that she was sure of this outcome.
Romance was not only in the air but throbbing in our veins. The enticing evening sky had just started becoming cloudy and the proximity between us forgot all inhibitions . The imminent danger of a terrorist attack and the actual danger of being shot down was thrown out of the window while we sang songs and looked deep into each others eyes . The dusk held no promise of dawn and we did not mind it . Within two hours we were discussing film songs , our likes and dislikes and our lives together . I guess I was carrying my heart on my sleeve and am sure he was too . Somewhere during the beginning of the journey itself we ended up holding hands and talking about our life together. When Bhavesh started discussing his family I asked , but Bhavesh we are from two different parts of the country, religion etc.
He smiled and said from my side there wont be any problem. You see in my dad’s family there are 6 brothers and none but my dad got married. My mom has 4 brothers and she is the only sister and married sibling. My elder brother is almost 5 years older and he has already announced much to my parents worry that he wont get married . I have completed my studies just recently and I am sure my parents will be very happy that I at least intend to get married . I was a budding psychologist so could not help thinking about this family trait – unmarried status ! . And your parents , he asked ? They will kill us , as we are South Indian Christians and don’t marry outside the community . Oh I wouldn’t want such a drastic outcome for you Bhavesh said worriedly . Not for me but the outcome will be for you , I said and we laughed together. Just then the lights of the bus were switched off and reality of the threat struck us created panic amongst the passengers .
The conductor announced in hushed tones that we were passing through a highly sensitive zone where the chances of terrorist attack were very high. I trembled and held on to Bhavesh and thought this may be the end of our Love story . The bus went quiet and the driver had switched off the headlights which was highly dangerous . Each curve that the bus took the passengers went even more quiet and dreaded the worst. Bhavesh sensed my fear and he reassured me .. dont worry nothing will happen.