‘My dear man,’ said a pleased Tara, ‘you are exaggerating really.’
‘Am I not at a loss for words,’ he said, staring at Roopa, ‘to express even a fraction of my feelings?’ Though her eyes were downcast, Roopa could envisage the darts of his desire piercing her breasts.
Then the clock struck three as though to suggest that Roopa might comprehend the situation better in solitude.
‘I’ll make a move,’ said Roopa, rising.
‘I hope for the pleasure of meeting you,’ he said extending his hand, ‘again.’ Though Roopa failed to extend her hand for him, she grasped his stress on the ‘again’.
With an embarrassing look for a reply, Roopa departed in bewilderment. Having hurried home in time, she leapt over the steps only to realize that she had left her wallet behind. Swirling in confusion, she sank on the steps and dropped her head on her knees. When she recovered a little at length, she realized that her fist was aching and it was only then that she felt the accentuated sensation of the pearl, which she found herself gripping in her fist, and though she loosened her grip, yet she couldn’t bring herself to open the fist as her mind refused to comply.
‘Oh, what should I do with this?’ she wondered, opening up her palm at length and unable to come to a conclusion in her confusion, she tucked it inside her bra, and thought, ‘let me think about it later. Would he be at her place still! Wouldn’t he have left by now? Any way, how long can I hang on here?’
She walked back to Tara’s place languidly as if to buy time, and reaching for the buzzer finally, she virtually leaned on it, having got sapped by then. However, it was a while before a surprised Tara opened the door, only after due enquiry from within.
‘I’ve left my purse here,’ muttered Roopa apologetically, still leaning on the wall.
‘Is it so?’ said Tara, and gave way to her, having recovered from her own embarrassment, ‘I didn’t notice it.’
Roopa sprang into the room and pounced upon her purse lying by the sofa.
‘Why, you look sick,’ said Tara who was composed by then.
‘I don’t know,’ murmured Roopa for an answer.
‘I was just laid up in bed,’ Tara seemed to explain her being in lingerie.
‘I am sorry.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Tara. ‘Have some water and go.’
‘No thanks.’
‘Do take care,’ said Tara herself putting on the nightgown lying nearby.
‘It should pass,’ said Roopa and began to move out.
‘I’ll see you later,’ said Tara accompanying Roopa up to the wicket-gate.