‘Grace my house,’ said Tara extending her hand to Roopa. ‘I began wondering whether you would make it at all.’
‘Who won’t want the pleasure of your company?’ said Roopa warmly grabbing Tara’s hand.
‘You seem to have a great taste,’ said Roopa as Tara took her around the well-appointed place.
‘Thanks for your compliment,’ said Tara taking Roopa’s hand. ‘But it takes more than good taste to adorn a home. One has to make adjustments for that.’
‘Why, don’t I know,’ said Roopa pressing Tara’s shoulder sympathetically, ‘that the working couples have to put up with a lot many inconveniences?’
‘Enduring inconveniences may lead one up to a point,’ said Tara as the power supply was restored, ‘but it’s the compromises that count in today’s world.’
‘I don’t quite get you,’ said Roopa going blank.
Before she got the answer, the buzzer was on.
‘What a surprise!’ Roopa found Tara welcoming someone at the door.
‘Your thought got me into the mood,’ Roopa heard an ardent male voice, and turned her gaze instinctively to find a handsome man of about thirty-five taking Tara’s hand as he came in.
‘I’ve a guest,’ said Tara withdrawing her hand tentatively as he turned his gaze towards Roopa who kept staring at them wide-eyed.
‘Apologies for the trespass,’ he said as he came up to Roopa.
‘Not at all, she is Roopa my neighbor,’ said Tara in introduction. ‘He’s Ravi, my cousin.’
‘What a persona-synchronous name!’ he exclaimed as Roopa was flabbergasted.
‘How come you failed to tell me,’ he complained to Tara, while ogling at Roopa, ‘that you’ve such a marvelous friend!’
‘I had the pleasure,’ said Tara looking at Roopa in embarrassment, ‘of meeting her only yesterday.’
‘How lucky it’s my turn today!’ he said, without taking his eyes off Roopa.
‘I think it’s reciprocal,’ said Tara seemingly prompting Roopa. ‘What do you say Roopa?’
Though his forthrightness tickled Roopa’s psyche, her modesty reined in her enthusiasm, making her dumb.
‘You won’t find many like Ravi,’ said Tara, not hiding her familiarity. ‘I call him the businessman with romantic wings.’
‘That’s Tara for you,’ he said turning to Roopa, ‘an expert at handing out left-handed compliments.’
‘It seems you lost your wits after seeing Roopa,’ said Tara as if to clarify, ‘Haven’t you heard it said that love is a hackneyed expression unless backed by money? I was implying that you’ve the means to fan love in any woman’s heart. Isn’t it a fulsome compliment for a handsome guy?’