Crossing the Mirage:Passing Through Youth

Just Deserts

Soon they were at the Honeycomb to the hearty welcome of the Chandras.

“What a reunion,” said Chandra hugging Sathya.

“What a pair you make!” Nithya couldn’t hide her admiration.

“We owe it all to you!” Sathya addressed Chandra.

“I feel, we owe it to Nithya no less,” said Prema, taking Nithya’s hand.

“What a twist of destiny!” said Chandra with mixed feelings.

‘Well, to push Vasu into the doghouse.’ Nithya thought with satisfaction.

By the time they sat for dinner, the logistics to stop Vasu in his tracks were worked out.

After Vasu came back, it was agreed that Prema would stay at the Honeycomb till she got her divorce. Well, Sathya would be a welcome guest all the time. That way, Vasu couldn’t cast any aspersions on Prema during the divorce proceedings. Besides, her presence would deter him from stalking Nithya. As Prema was averse to dealing with Vasu anymore, Nithya took it upon herself to deliver the missive penned by Prema for him. It was agreed that Nithya would invite Vasu to the Honeycomb, instead of her going to the Ritz, and deal with him appropriately. Well, Chandra and company would lie in wait just in case. Sathya, who was impressed by Nithya’s spiritedness, thought that Vasu could’ve met his nemesis in her.

The D-day came two days later, and as expected, Vasu rang up Nithya, only to be led into her trap.

“If it were okay for you here,” said Vasu in anticipation, as he came in, “why did you deny me all these days?”

“I called you for a different reason,” said Nithya feigning nervousness.

“Enough of leading me up the garden path,” said Vasu determinedly. “It's time I had you even if it comes to raping.”

“You'll turn cold if you hear the news.”

“Why, what happened?”

“Your letter has fallen into Chandra’s hands and he’s sore about us.”

“Good riddance bad rubbish,” he stated gleefully. “If he divorces you, my absurd proposal would no longer be absurd. Prema could take care of me and I’ll maintain you.”

“But sadly,” she said affecting pity, “Prema chose to desert you to see you get your just deserts.”

“What do you mean?”

“It's what Prema thinks that counts, isn't it?” she said as she handed him Prema’s fatal missive.

Vasu,

When you first disclosed your love, I made it known to you that I loved Sathya. Having told me about his affection for his classmate, when you goaded me to break with him, I believed you acted out of your own love for me. Well, all is fair in love and war, I thought. But it was only after our marriage that I realized you eyed me only for my money. Had I not burnt my bridges with Sathya, I would’ve walked out on you then and there. So I stayed put in a cold storage of a marriage.