Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 9) An All - Consuming Love

"Maurya, stay here for the night," Brahim's request made Dharma uneasy.  She didn't want her friends to be on such casual terms with her boss, especially with a man as complex as Maurya.

"I don't think so Brahim. I would be troubling you too much."

"No of course not! Moreover, it is not advisable to drive so late, especially after drinks," Brahim insisted and Kamya seconded him.

"Well, if you insist, then I will take up your offer."

"Oh great, you can use my..." before Brahim could complete the sentence, Maurya cut short him, "I will take this couch. You don't have to give up your room for me."

"But..."

"No Brahim, I will stay only if you allow me this couch."

"Ok, you are welcome to use it..."

They hung around for some more time, chatting about various topics. Then Kamya who was almost on the verge of falling asleep excused herself. Some moments later, Brahim took off. Dharma and Maurya were the only ones left and Dharma cleared the room. She declined Maurya's help when she began to wash utensils. After cleaning the kitchen, when she passed the living room, she saw Maurya stretched on the couch. She hesitated, then wishing him goodnight, she moved to the bedroom that she and Kamya were sharing.

"Hand me a pillow..." Maurya demanded.  She searched for an extra pillow in the bedroom. Both Brahim and Kamya were asleep so she couldn't ask them. There wasn't an extra pillow.  Exchanging her pillow with a cushion, she took her pillow to Maurya. But before she handed him the pillow, she had one last question. He had an arm over his eyes but he hadn't yet slept.

"Why are you avoiding Rashika?" mustering the courage, she asked him finally.

He shifted his arm to glance at her. She was standing a few feet away from the couch with the pillow.

"None of your business. Now, pass me that pillow," he commanded. Flinging the pillow at Maurya who snatched it before it hit the floor, Dharma stalked back to the bedroom. Heading to the bathroom, she muttered about men who thought no end of themselves.

When she flopped on the bed, she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Tossing and turning on the couch, Maurya pushed the pillow under his head. The whiff of fragrance that enveloped the pillow, invaded him with its familiar potency. It impelled him to bury his face deeper into the pillow, prompting him to fall into an undisturbed sleep.

**********

When Dharma woke up the next morning, Maurya had already left. There was no sign of him in the living room. Brahim and Kamya were still asleep. Dharma made herself a cup of tea and settled on the balcony, basking in the warmth of the morning.  She was in no hurry because it was a Sunday and she would leave for the hostel after Brahim and Kamya woke up.

Last night was like a dream to her. She had not believed that Maurya would mingle with her friends with such ease. He had been a patient listener as Kamya narrated her ordeal. To Brahim, he had enthusiastically explained the vagaries of certain brands of cars and phones. Dharma had been the one to whom he spoke the least. However, it still irked her that he hadn't confessed the real reason for camping with her friends.

***************

Maurya switched on his phone and saw many missed calls from Rashika. In no hurry to reach her, he washed and had breakfast at his flat. He then headed to the farmhouse where Rashika was spending the weekend with her friends. Refusing to think about the previous night, Maurya concentrated on the work that had to be finished in the coming week. Driving through the gate of the sprawling farmhouse that Rashika's friend Arjun owned, Maurya parked his car next to Rashika's BMW. Striding to the main entrance, Maurya observed that last night's buoyant high mood had spilled over to the morning as he saw a couple of guys sprawled on the poolside with drinks.

The manservant who opened the door led him to a bright living room where the French windows gave easy access to the pool and the garden surrounding it.

"Saab is sleeping," the man announced tentatively.

"No problem! Can you tell Rashika that Maurya is here?" after a pause, he quizzed, "I hope you know who Rashika is."

"Yes, I know. I will tell her.”

Maurya paid attention to the house. The room was done up in pleasing colours, with careful consideration given to space and light. A maid offered him freshly made orange juice. Sipping the juice, he sauntered to the poolside and made himself comfortable on a deck chair. The pool was deep but not deep enough to dive.

"Why didn't you come last night?"

Maurya turned around slowly and saw a petulant Rashika, striking a defiant pose. Dressed in a long wrap-around with a halter neck, her shoulders were bare. Her hair was left open and her grey eyes avoided him.

"I told you I had a dinner appointment. Didn't you enjoy the weekend?" Maurya asked, rising from the deck chair and studying Rashika keenly. He was curious to know if his ploy worked.

Rashika nodded, staring at the pool. Arjun followed Rashika and greeted Maurya. In a crisp T-shirt and shorts, Arjun stood very close to Rashika, his eyes straying on her constantly.

"We were waiting for you long last night but you ditched Rashika at the last moment."

"Ditched?" Maurya asked sceptically and a faint colour crept up on Arjun's face. He stammered, "You know what I mean. Rashi was really upset that you didn't come."

"I am sure she must have been adequately comforted," Maurya's words urged Rashika to stare at him pointedly.

"What do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.

Maurya shrugged, "How could you miss me when you were surrounded by such wonderful friends? I wouldn't have..." he drawled.

Moving closer to Maurya, she murmured, "Arya, I missed you so much." She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Maurya darted a look at Arjun who seemed visibly uncomfortable. He had turned his face away and ran a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"I am sure you did," Maurya's words dripped with sarcasm.

"What matters is you are here now." She turned towards Arjun and directed, "Arjun, we will resume the game after the others are up. Then we will show Maurya the video we shot yesterday."

"Sorry, I can't join you," Maurya apologized, noting the relief on Arjun's face.

"What do you mean you can't Arya? You are here and that is what matters," Rashika demanded, pouting at him.

"I am here to let you know my unavailability in person. I have a meeting today and I can't miss it."

"It is Sunday Arya. If it is an important meeting, papa will attend," Rashika implored.

"No, I have to be there in person."

"Ok, then I will come with you," Rashika decided aloud.

"No, you stay here as planned," Maurya advised. He could see that Rashika was in two minds. Rashika and Arjun's exchange of glances confirmed to Maurya what he had hoped for all along.

"Don't worry Rashika. I won't mind if you are enjoying but you will have to excuse me," Maurya responded. Nodding at Arjun, he left quickly, not allowing a chance to Rashika to change her mind.

Driving back to the office, he wished that Rashika would follow her heart's desires. Watching the fog clear, he willed that his conscience too afforded him such clarity. The guard at the building greeted him cheerfully and he marched to his office, glad to be left alone with thoughts as convoluted as they could be.

Over the years, Maurya had worked diligently for Krishna Industries, hoping that Vasukinath would hand over the control of Krishna Industries to him. However, when Rashika had confessed that her father was searching for a groom, it had dawned on him that Vasukinath would always first look after the interests of his daughter, and only then would he consider Maurya for any major stakeholding in the company. It had occurred to Maurya then that Vasukinath's prospective son-in-law would be the first choice for the chairmanship and not Maurya. Honestly, he had also liked Rashika then. Hence, he had proposed to her at once but following the engagement, Rashika had grown unnecessarily possessive, curbing his freedom and encroaching on his privacy. The relationship had started to feel oppressive. He wanted to break off the engagement. But it would also mean disappointing Vasukinath Krishna. He didn't think that his mentor would forgive him for breaking the engagement.

And Maurya was not willing to surrender his hold on the company that he had built up with such devotion and determination. It was around the same time that he had recognized Arjun's infatuation with Rashika. Maurya did not mind it, in fact, it provided him with a crafty idea. If Rashika broke the engagement, then Maurya could bargain with Vasukinath for a major stake in Krishna Industries. Thus, he had begun to manoeuvre Rashika towards Arjun. When Rashika suggested the weekend idea of spending time at Arjun's farmhouse, Maurya had no plans of joining her. Nonetheless, it gave him a perfect chance to give shape to his plot. So, he had made himself absent over the weekend hoping that Rashika would succumb to Arjun's charms.

Without his presence, he had hoped that Arjun and Rashika would grow closer. From this morning's interaction, he had discerned that his plan was working. Something was definitely brewing between Arjun and Rashika but to what extent, he had to wait and see.

What had surprised him though, was Dharma's calculated guess about his manipulation. He was indeed steering Rashika the way he wanted. And he hoped that his conscience would forgive him if she found love and happiness with Arjun.

Nevertheless, under no circumstance was Maurya going to abandon his position in the company and the rewards that he had accumulated over the years through his hard work.  Even if he had to tolerate Rashika in his life, he would but he would not give up his control of the company. Krishna Industries was on the verge of acquiring two more companies, the execution of which would give him an indisputable edge over others in the industry. And he would be damned if he lost the chance just because he didn't love his fiancée.

Taking a break from his meandering thoughts, he recollected the contentment and pleasure that he had derived from being with Dharma's friends last night. The simple and sweet gathering had made him realize the absence of true friends in his life. It was the first time that he felt that he had been accepted for himself. Brahim or Kamya hadn't expected anything in return from him. He wished he had made a place for such genuine relationships in his life. Alas, he had been too busy chasing his goals.

Unlike him, Dharma accorded more importance to people in her life. Truth be told, he was envious of Dharma for having such caring people in her life. At once, he texted a thank you to all three of them.

***********

Arjun pestered Rashika to meet him on Monday evening. Rashika reluctantly met him at a café that was far away from her house or office.

"Thank god you came Rashi. I was missing you so much!"

"Are you crazy Arjun? How dare you harass me with so many texts and calls?"

"As if you didn't enjoy them! You answered every one of my texts Rashi," Arjun reminded her.

"If I hadn't replied, you would not have stopped. So why did you call me here?"

"To tell you that I miss you," he grabbed her hands and continued, "Rashi, this weekend was the best one I had. It was so wonderful to have you all by myself."

"Stop it, Arjun! You know it was a mistake. It should not have happened at all.”

"But it did happen. I love you, Rashi. How long are you going to pretend that you love that arrogant dork that your father appointed as your keeper?"

"Pretend? I am not pretending," Rashika burst out.

"Is that why you cheated on him?"

"That was a momentary lapse, Arjun. Don't you see he is the one I am going to spend my entire life with," Rashika extracted a tissue from the box on the table and blew her nose.

Arjun frowned at her. "Rashi, listen to yourself! You sound pathetic. As a friend, I am advising you to put a break on your engagement. He does not deserve you. If he had realized your importance in his life, he wouldn't leave you with me. I am sure he knows that I love you," Arjun's impassioned plea fell on deaf ears.

"Stop it! If I don't get Maurya, my life is not worth a dime. Do you hear me, Arjun?"

Rashika's proclamation stunned Arjun. She worried him. He didn't think that Rashika would be able to hold on to Maurya for long. But if she didn't, he hoped that she would not lose her mind.