Merging Past—Chapter 1…part 4

Right since her childhood, she had loved to teach. She used to collect the neighbourhood children and played teacher with them. The mothers loved her because she kept their kids from mischief. Kids loved her because she was a liberal teacher. She was happy as she was doing what she loved best.

It did not come as surprise to anyone when she became a teacher after completing her studies. Her dad was not much pleased though. He had wanted her to pursue medicine. That was not to be. Apart from teaching, she loved reading. At no time, she was without a book. In all her spare time, she read like as if there was no tomorrow.

Her parents wished for her to marry and settle down but she was not ready for that. She wanted to see the world a bit before she settled down. Anyway she thought that she was such a bookish girl so who would be interested in her? She hate to dress up, hated high heels, preferred a no make up look and was mostly in jeans and a loose shirt. Her ears and neck were bare too. She loved finger rings. More the merrier. IT was her one indulgence.

Her students were very fond of her. So were her colleagues. She was very motivational. She always tried new things. She kept changing her teaching methodology. Found new innovative ways to get across her points.

She taught mathematics and English. Such varied subjects. Both interested her. She wrote out plays for the school functions. Acting was not her forte but she liked to see her students enact plays. She taught them the nuances of acting.

Another thing, which interested her, was painting. She sketched whenever she had time. She loved to read about the great masters. Some days she wished to visit museums all over the world. Only thing she lacked was money.

Apart from all this, she worked for abused children too. It pained her to see kids being exploited. Especially girls. By their own relatives, even fathers. Most cases went unreported. She tried to persuade the girls to report these cases. It always was so difficult.

She wrote about those issues. Taking to poetry was easy for her. She loved the words painting a picture on the pages. She took up social issues and wrote about those. She tried to build up communities for the don trodden. No wonder she avoided marriage like the plague. Most did not share her enthusiasm.

IN the midst of all this, time just flew away. She got involved in her work and social services. Marriage was now a big no, no. She was a young girl any more. In India, marrying after 30 was not easy. That too for woman.

She had joined an art appreciation course. It was the third class when she saw him. He stood apart. He looked distinguished and did not belong to the crowd. She did not thing he would notice. She looked at him and then turned back to her book. After a while, she felt someone sitting next to her. She turned side ways. It was he.

‘Hello, I am Rishi Paul. And You?’

“Gemma.’

‘Just Gamma?’

‘Gemma Som.’

‘What do you do?’

‘I teach.’

‘painting?’

‘No, mathematics.’

“How come you are here?”

“I wanted to learn about arts. I was always interested in it since I was in school. I studied in school nearby.’ She named the school. He was impressed.

‘Are you married?’ he asked out of the blue moon.

‘no, are you?

‘no.’

‘good’. She was surprised to respond that way.

He just smiled. Got up and turns toward the lecture hall. After a while, she walked into there and found him to be the one who was going to lecture that day. So he too was a teacher, she thought.

He was an archaeologist who had been there at the right time. After the lecture was over, she lingered on for him. It was very unlike her. She seldom solicited strangers. He offered to drop her home after learning she would have taken a taxi. She did not drive. She had a phobia for it. She agreed. Somehow, in no time, they had shard their family histories. She was god at making friends. She made people feel at their ease. However, no one had done that for her. She kept herself away emotionally from people. She was wary that way. Nevertheless, he was different. He interested her, stimulated her mind. She was attracted towards him. She did not know how to let him know hat. She was no good at it. She had never felt this way for any man. She was no teenager. She was in her mid thirties. She should know better!

“Would you like to come for tea?’

“Let’s have tea somewhere other than your home’, he answered.
It was getting late. Her mother would worry. Yes, she lived with her mother. She nodded her head. She did not want to get away from him just yet. They reached the nearest café. After parking the car and locking it. He came to her side and held her hand as if he did that everyday. Electricity joltde through them both. She was still for a moment but did not show that it affected her. She curled her fingers around his and walked up to the elevator. They took a corner table. Before she could say anything, he had ordered dinner for them both. He did not ask her. She was amazed to know that whatever he had ordered, she would have ordered the same for herself. How and why?

Why was she so comfortable with him? Why did it feel she had known him always? It felt as if she had been searching for him without even being aware of it.

‘I feel the same way.’ He had read her thoughts. ‘I had always known that I would meet you like this. I have my instincts telling me that for years now. Do not ask me why or how. I just know it.’

She just looked at him. Her eyes filled with tears. She was seldom emotional like that. He held her hand and said, ’let us take one day at a time, ok?’

‘Yes.’

‘Now let’s eat.’

They started eating. However not before she had called her mother and told her that she was with a friend and get home a bit late. Her mother was not worried. She had always wanted Gemma to be happy and settled.

Rishi had travelled all over the world. He was never home. He had no one. All his family had perished in a road accident 10 years back. Therefore, he did not have any one to come home to. Until tonight.

“But I am not living at your place.’ Unthinkingly she blurted out.

‘Oh, you will. Not today but soon’. He said it very confidently. She did not reply but she knew he was right. He only had to ask, she would go anywhere with him. They had met only a few hours back but she instinctively trusted him. They finished their dinner in silence. He ordered a sundae for her with asking her. She loved sundaes. How did he know that? He did not say anything. He only looked at her and smiled.

She did not want to get up. They had to. He paid the bill and helped her get up from her seat. They walked down to the car. It was getting cold. He started the car and dropped her home. He did not linger. They had already exchanged phone numbers and had made a date for the next day. She could not wait to be with him. She slowly walked home. Her mother was there even before she rang the bell. She did not ask any questions. Although she must have seen the car. Gemma did not volunteer anything.

She went to her room, changed into a loose gown and plopped on her bed. Wishing for him to call her. As if he was waiting for it, he called her. She was thrilled to bits and went on talking to him. How long they talked and what about she did not remember in the morning. She got up late and was so tired getting ready for school. All day long, her mind was not with her. For once, she was unable to teach to the best of her abilities. She only wanted to get back home and wait for their date. It was very painful for her to get through the day.

When she finally got home, he saw his car in front of her home. She was suddenly elated. When she walked into the living room, she found her mother and him in the midst of a conversation and was very elated too. She was so happy that her mother liked him too. She would not have liked it if her mother had not liked Rishi. However, her fears were unfounded. Her mother was indeed warmed up to him.

She even asked him to stay for lunch and then left them both to be with each other. She sat down opposite him. He looked at her for a while and came around to her to sit along side her. She moved a little giving him space but he pulled her towards him

“Mother?’

‘Oh, she won’t come.”

She stopped her protests and let him hold her. She who hated to be touched by any one was very comfortable with his arms around her shoulder. She always liked to have hr space but with him, she did not feel the need. Slowly his fingers started to massage her neck. She again felt the electricity between them. He must have felt that too. He removed his hand from her and moved back to his place sitting opposite her. She did not ask why. She knew it. He could hardly give in to his and her passion while her mother was there. She was glad that they were not alone.

Mom came and told them that lunch was ready. She went to wash and change. When she came back, the food was already on the table.

He was all praise for the mother’s cooking. They kept discussing food. At every chance, he touched her hand. Her mother noticed but did not say anything. After lunch and collecting the dishes, her mother went to her room leaving them alone.

(1753 words)