We did away with the usual greetings and small talk. This was usual practice as phone time has become a luxury now. Although she spoke in hushed tones, she sounded relaxed. May be even a little cheerful.
"Is everything OK at home?" I asked.
"Mm hmm. Listen, can we go out this evening?" she queried with hope. There was expectation in her voice and also anxiety whether I would not be able to.
"Hmm..OK." Although I had a few approaching deadlines, I decided that I would take time to spend with her.
"I mean, if you're busy...I didn't mean to..." she trailed off, hardly masking her disappointment.
"No. It's fine. Really." I assured her.
"Great. 7pm tonight?"
"Sure, I'll pick you up when I get off work. But..."
"Yeah?"
"What about him?" I asked hesitatingly.
"He is...I've made arrangements." came back the reply in a hushed tone.
"Your mother?"
"Mm-hmm..."
I kept staring at the phone even after she had hung up. The phone seemed the only means of nourishing our relationship.
Though I quickly got back to work, I was basically counting the hours down. At thirty minutes past six, when I thought it wouldn't seem too odd, I slipped out of the office. For a Wednesday evening, traffic was pretty light. Within minutes, I was heading west along the freeway speeding towards my destination.
It was just before seven as I pulled into the street. I was surprised to see her waiting for me at the intersection, away from the apartment building. The evening sunlight was filtering through the leaves and highlighting her features even as the gentle breeze played with her black locks. She was fidgeting with her purse and gave furtive looks. She didn't take effort to hide her tension.
I pulled up beside her and she hesitated a moment before she got in. I couldn't help look into her tired eyes. She smiled at me and urged me to start.
When was the last time we had gone out? My mind traced out an obscure outing many months back. When things were different. We were just the two of us then. And the families were happy too. Everything was hunky dory. Until the the other man's arrival.
Her family approved him and took to him in a big way right away. And she got swept away by the chaos all around. And my side of the family rejoiced too. They saw reason and tried to rationalize what was happening around me. Sure, he was good looking and held much promise. He was all that I was and promised much more. I couldn't blame her then and won't blame her now.
On the big day, a couple of months back, when everyone was jostling to wish and congratulate her, she pulled me aside and promised that everything would be fine and same as before. I smiled and nodded, patting her hands that she quickly withdrew and joined him. I had been skeptical and this was her first attempt at making it come true.
"Shall we stop for a quick cup of coffee?" I offered.
"No dear. Not tonight...must be home soon." Of course. As expected. I smiled ruefully. Things would be same as before. Her words echoed in my ears.
"The usual place then?"
"Yes."
I pulled into the Babies-R-Us store to pick up an assortment of baby oils, lotions, powders and the regulatory 216-count box of diapers.
How the birth of a son changes everything!
