The Chocolates

The Chocolates

“Hope you remember we have parent-teacher’s meet in Avi’s school today”, Deepa said while still sleepy.

“I have to leave for Singapore tonight after two important meetings today honey. It won’t be possible for me today. Please manage it this time”. Arun said. “Arun, this is what I have been doing for the last two meetings. You also have your responsibilities towards your son. He is your son too.” Deepa said.

And the fight continued. Arun and Deepa got married 4 years ago after a courtship of 2 years and both were working for multinational companies but their hectic work schedules seldom give them a chance to enjoy quality time together. With the complete responsibility of a new project, especially Arun was not able to spare enough time for the family.

Arun rushed to the office as usual in a bad mood leaving Deepa behind scolding. Deepa had taken a half day leave to attend the parent-teachers meet. They both were feeling that the real love that they used to feel for each other has really disappeared for some time now. It’s not just about the child but every small issue was becoming a reason of fight between them these days. She really misses those occasional gifts that Arun used to bring till sometime back just to express that he still loves her as much as he did before their marriage. But all that has disappeared since he was promoted to become a project director in the company. She even sometimes spies his mobile phone and laptop to confirm if he is seeing someone else out of her knowledge but she knew this wasn’t the case.

Arun called Deepa in the after noon about the meeting. She didn’t pick the phone at all. He tried to call once more after an hour but she couldn’t pick up this time being in a meeting and her ego didn’t allow her to call back after the meeting.

She reached home to find him already at home taking a shower. There were clothes spread all over their bed as he had to pack his luggage for the journey. Avi was in his room watching TV. Arun came out rubbing his hairs with the towel and asked “what happened at the the school, how is Avi performing?”

“Why do you care?” she replied in a rough voice.

“Oh Deepa I am really sorry that I couldn’t join you. You know I had to prepare for the presentation i have to give to Mr. Gonzelo in Singapore. You know this is only due to this project. Even I feel that I am not giving you time. Please tell me what happened at the meeting?” Arun asked again.

All this while Deepa’s eyes were searching for something desperately. If he is really apologetic then he must have brought it. Its not there on the sofa or the dining table not even in the almirah. She was searching for that favorite bunch of orchids and chocolates that he used to bring every time they had a fight.

“He just doesn’t care about me. He is definitely having another woman in his life.” She thought in her mind.

She went straight to the washroom for a shower without giving any reply. It didn’t take long for Arun to realize that she was still upset with him for not accompanying her for the parent-teachers meet. He was just thinking about this while wearing the shirt and he got a call from Mr. Gonzelo, the client. “Yes Mr. Gonzelo, the flight is at 10 o’clock and you can expect me in your office by tomorrow morning.” He hurriedly packed his bag and got ready to leave. Deepa was in the balcony pretending to read something but actually avoiding to face him. He went to the balcony and said, “I’ll be back in two days.’

She just hummed and gave him a plain look.

He rushed downstairs where office car was waiting for him and set off.

She wasn’t in a mood to cook so she ordered a pizza. Deepa made Avi sleep in her bed after the dinner and came to watch an old English movie in the drawing room but the weariness took over her and she slept off on the sofa.

It was around 12 in the night when her cell phone rang. She woke up with a shock. It was her friend Sumita. Deepa picked the call and even before she could say anything, Sumita shouted “Switch on the TV, Star news”. She sounded too scared. “Tell me what happened Sumita”. Sumita was Deepa’s friend and Deepa’s husband Kishore was also accompanying Arun on the flight to Singapore as they were working on the same project. She switched on the TV and tuned to star news. “The Singapore bound flight IC 401 has met with an accident on the runway at Mumbai Airport and caught fire. It’s too early to comment on the condition of the passengers but the severe ness of the accident suggests there would hardly be any survivors” the news reader said. Deepa was like nowhere. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Deepa, I am so scared?” Sumita said.Deepa was scared to the brim herself. She didn’t know when the phone slipped from her hand on the floor. She was cursing herself for this with no reasons. She tried Arun’s number but it was switched off. She could imagine the airhostess announcing “Passengers are requested to switch off their cell phones.”

She couldn’t help those drops running down her cheeks. She fainted while muttering “Arun don’t leave me. I can’t live without you.”

She regained her conscious only when water was sprinkled on her face and she find him in front of her. She hugged her tightly and started crying like a baby. “Why did you leave me, you know I can’t live without you.”  and started kissing his cheeks passionately. It took her sometime to notice a bunch of orchids and her favorite chocolates on the table. “How could I leave my Deepu angry on me? I missed my flight while buying these chocolates for you. Deepa your love saved my life today. I’ll never fight with you. You are my love and my life.” Arun said with gratefullnes in her voice and kissed her gently on her cheeks.

“If we don’t fight how will you get to buy chocolates then?” she said with a smile on her face.

“Where is Kishore?” Deepa asked after sometime.

“He had no chocolates to buy so he boarded the flight in time.” Arun replied and hugged her tight with all his strength. Deepa kept staring at those chocolates which saved Arun’s life.

 

AnujShailGupt

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