The woman took a long drag from her lit cigarette and as she exhaled, a cloud of ashy smoke enveloped her. Despite the years of smoking, her voice was still sweet and melodious as she sang, her tone raw yet alluring. She leaned back and savoured the moment, enjoying the sensation of the smoke filling her lungs. With a practised hand, she guided the burning cigar back to her lips and took another puff, the smoke floating out of her nose in a steady stream. The smell of tobacco was strong but not unpleasant, mingling with the notes of her song in a strange harmony.
She peered up at the constellations marking the sky and started lining them against the other while whispering their names under her lips.
It was midnight and the air was humid, the sky was clearer than in the day, dark and full of stars. Watching them came easy to her especially now that she was back in her hometown, back in her home. There were more trees around so the air was clean and fresh. Upon reaching the house, she had isolated herself in her room and hadn't moved ever since.
"Is that Aquila? No, it can't be. It's too late for me to see it."
The fan had accumulated a thick layer of dust, which was evident from the dull brown colour of its blades. As it rotated, it produced a creaking sound almost deafening in the quiet room. Nevertheless, the fan still managed to circulate cool air that provided some relief from the scorching summer heat. The woman was dressed in a tank top that was sticking to her skin from sweat. Beads of sweat were visible on her forehead, which she quickly wiped away with the back of her hand. She had locked the doors, ensuring that no one could interrupt her during this sombre hour. She was seated on top of the table, her legs crossed, lost in her thoughts while the fan spun overhead.
She leaned against the wall and took another drag of the cigar. The smoke burned her insides but it was refreshing. The scent unpleasant to others was heaven to her. She glanced down at the cigarette from whose edge a peculiar red was burning.
If Saidh were to see her like this he would…
Her eyes shrouded with pain and she glanced outside in hopes of finding a suitable distraction. Flashes of long hair, unshaved jaw and thin lips stretched into a grin and desert eyes that borrowed the stars from the sky entered her vision. She blew the smoke into the air. He would do nothing. She concluded.
The phone lit up in the dark room. Shadows of the objects lying here and there were projected on the walls. She glanced at the bed where the phone was lying. She held her hand holding the cigarette outside and knocked it aggressively against the wall. The blue wall outside was ruined by rain and termites building their homes over it. She threw the cigar outside knowing no one would be able to tell that she smoked by the morning.
She pulled her dark strands of hair tied up in a messy bun and let it flow until it reached the dip of her back. She jumped down the table and headed towards the bed. She left the windows open grabbed the t-shirt lying on the edge and pulled it down her head.
Her face reddened and she blew air inside her shirt before using it to wipe her face.
She turned on the phone and the room lit up once again. She used the screen light to guide her back to the table where her packet of cigarettes was. It was the last one left.
She picked it up and kept it inside the pocket of her skin-fit jeans hanging down the hanger. Ahaana patted her pocket before falling back onto the bed. With her arm covering her eyes and hair floating around her body, she peered up at the ceiling. She better remember to buy another packet if she needs to survive.
But for now, she needed to sleep.
_________
Burnt Coffee smeared with black Kohl took in the tall green-gold bamboo shoots that sprang up and reached the roof with awe. The empty canvas was filled with green and gold strokes that brushed and awoke an emotion inside her being.
Her fingers twitched to reach up and touch it but from the way it smelt, Ahaana could tell that it was still anew. The paint, the creation and the colours were all alive.
"Mam your tea."
"Ah yes." She eagerly took it from the lady's hands. "May I know where you bought this from? It's very pleasant to look at." she couldn't help but say.
The waitress stole a glance at the painting and smiled politely. "Oh no mam. We didn't buy that one. That painting along with the one on the right are actually gifts from a regular customer."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
She turned and flashed an easy smile. "May I know who the customer is?"
She did not intend to visit the newly built bakery in the town. Although, the shop was familiar to the town residents as it had been there for years. The bakery showcased the knowledge and expertise of the business owners, which was not lost on her. As she entered the bakery, she admired the neatly arranged wooden chairs and tables, and the dimly lit golden lights that hung down from the white ceiling, reflecting upon the russet walls inside the room where the paintings were held. The paintings were the first thing to catch her attention. She took a seat next to the glass door on the second floor of the building, enjoying the view of the reserved forest and the forest office. Although she had never visited that area, she planned to do so soon. It was then that she noticed it.
The bamboos.
"Ah, he? I'm sorry but I do not know his name. But he usually comes around during the opening hours. Unfortunately for you mam, he left before you came."
Her eyes lost their spark. "Oh." She spoke, a bit disappointed.
"I guess I'll just meet him tomorrow or someday else."
As the lady bobbed her head with a casual smile, she turned away from Ahaana and headed towards other tables to take more orders. This gave Ahaana a chance to concentrate on the artwork in front of her. The painting was a beautiful piece of art, with vibrant colours and intricate details. As she looked closely, Ahaana realised that the art style was somewhat familiar. It wasn't the same, but there were similarities that she couldn't ignore. She wondered if the artist had been inspired by another painter or if it was simply a coincidence. Despite the slight differences, Ahaana found the painting captivating and couldn't take her eyes off it.
Is this a coincidence?
She sipped her tea. When she did, her purple churidar's shawl embroidered with pink flowers slid up and down her smooth arm revealing the silver set of bangles that adorned her wrist that made a sound whenever they clashed together. The vibrant colour of the shawl was stark in contrast with her dusky complexion but it made her appear as a person out of an artwork herself, Not that she knew. But had Saidh been there, he would have reminded her that she was indeed a work of art.
As lovely as a butterfly taking its first flight. He would describe her.
Saidh…
The golden ring hugging the ring finger of her right hand glimmered under the light.
When she was done finishing her tea, she walked down the stairs. She had to inch closer to the wall to allow people to climb up the staircase. When it was done, she approached the cash counter and took ten rupees from her purse. She handed it over to the man sitting behind the counter and he accepted it with a blank face. Ahaana quietly exited the place and stood at the entrance for a good one minute thinking of where to go next. Eventually, she came to a decision and proceeded to walk over to the bus stand around where most of the shops were located.
She passed by familiar buildings and took in their conditions. Most of them were showing their age- they had worn-out paint and moss growing over it. Some shops she knew existed were closed, either forever or replaced by some other one. Some were even left with a 'place for rent call xxxxx xxxxx' sign placed or stuck before the shutter.
When Ahaana noticed that the shop which one of her seniors from college told her that their family runs still existed, she hurried in her footsteps and approached the shop. She opened the door on which the board was placed above with the shop's name. She read the name once again confirming she was at the right place.
Indigo.
She was welcomed by the chattering of the customers picking up different items of jewellery. The woman seated behind the table was busy flashing their items of the latest trends. Ahaana stood there awkwardly for a few minutes. But then their eyes met and the woman smiled politely at her.
"Welcome dear! What is it that you want?"
"Oh. I-" Ahaana was so absorbed in the thought of just entering the place and maybe meeting a familiar face that she didn't think of what to buy. But then her eyes flashed with determination and she spoke, "Oh yes, anklets. I needed anklets."
"Anklets huh? Hold on for a moment." She looked aside and called out, "Mole Akku! Show her the anklets dear."
"Yes, amma!" Said a voice from inside the shop. Then she appeared and Ahaana prepared herself for a chit-chat. "Are you the one who needed anklets?" The woman, unmistakenly her senior from college, asked.
"Yes."
"Right, a moment."
She turned around and pulled out a set of plastic boxes. She placed them each on the glass table and started setting them apart. Ahaana bit her lips and tapped on the glass anxiously, thinking of ways to start a conversation. But before she could, her senior spoke. "What kind do you want?"
"I don't really have any preference. But the ones that are trending these days please."
"Oh, that would be this one." She spoke looking up. She then paused and stared at her for a moment. "Have we ever met before? You just look familiar."
Ahaana laughed. "Of course, you know me senior. We were in the same department. We had the misfortune of acting in a short film created by James sir."
"Oh, you are that girl! It took me a while to recognize you."
Ahaana smiled. "Forgive me senior but I forgot your name."
"Oh no worries, I forgot yours too. It's Noora."
"Mine is Ahaana."
"Ahaana right. If I'm not mistaken you were the one who was in a relationship with our senior right?"
Ahaana smiled grimly. "Yes."
"Are you still together?"
"We are married actually." She said, showing off her ring. She was smiling but it did not reach her eyes.
A shocked smile appeared on her face. "Oh my god. You have finally done it. How are you guys doing?"
Ahaana froze. "We-"
The sound of boxes falling over interrupted their talk. Noora glanced over at her mom's side to see if there was something wrong but her mother was laughing at something. "Don't mind her. " She said, shaking her head, "What were you saying?"
"It's nothing."
"Amma, tell me if you need help!" she started to open the boxes. "Well now let's find you some good anklets."
Ahaana sighed. She glanced down at her feet, feeling like something was above her chappal. When she did, she noticed a silver bangle lying right beside her chappal with several others lying next to it. She crouched down and picked up the bangle. A pale hand entered her vision and started picking up the bangles.
Smoky eyes lifted and focused their gaze upon the intruder. He had skin paler than that of North Indians. His face was almost feminine with soft almond eyes that were darker that it almost seemed black. His nose was slender and his lips were pouty and so red that it contrasted against his pale skin. When their gazes met, she had to pause taken aback by his beauty.
A foreigner.
"No need to pick up" Noora's mother spoke in broken English.
The man looked at Noora's mother flashed her a gentle smile and shook his head in return. He placed all the collected bangles on top of the table and tapped a random rhythm over the glass. Noora's mother smiled gratefully back at him.
"Such a polite kid you are!"
The man tilted his head, confused. Noora spoke up, "She was saying that you are polite."
The man's lips formed an 'O' and he smiled briefly and both of them. He has a nice smile. She noticed.
"So child, which one you want?" asked Noora's mother. The man had a contemplating expression on his face as he stared at the bangles before him. He seemed to have a hard time picking one. His eyebrows creased into a frown but even that didn't take away the softness from his face.
Ahaana's hand moved before she could think and she picked up a simple designed bangle which was both elegant and minimalistic at the same time. She handed it over to the man out of habit. Ahaana blinked, shocked at her actions. Before she could pull away, the man took it from between her fingers. He inspected it and after contemplation handed it over to the woman. He then picked two others and handed them over as well. The man sighed and nodded, seemingly content with his choices.
"Anything more?"
"Anything else." Corrected Noora.
"Anything else?" Repeated the mother. The man waved his hands in dismissal. The woman counted the bangles and entered the price in her book. Seeing that the price was already entered, he took the bangle that Ahaana had picked and stared at it for a moment. He then turned his head. Ahaana tried too hard not to stare back but failed miserably as she found herself staring into the man's soul and flinching when she noticed that man had an incredibly startling stare as well. Her lips pulled up in the corners awkwardly. However, the man heeded no care for her awkwardness and passed her a grateful smile.
"Inna. Thank you for coming." The woman handed over the mini brown bag containing his items to him and he moved to the door, bowing down his head at the three of them when he left.
"Is he a regular?"
"You could say that. Though he only came here thrice. But he has a lingering presence so it is not easy to forget him." Noora explained.
I can see how. Ahaana found herself thinking.
"So how's your husband doing? What does he do these days?"
"He used to work at Infosys."
"Used to? Did he quit?"
Ahaana bit her quivering lip. "You see…"