Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 10) The Inspiration

After stepping out of her hostel, Dharma began to dislike the subdued morning in no time. She loved sunny mornings when the sun's rays waltzed with one another to shimmer on the metropolis and its residents. At present, the rays struggled to emerge out of the hanging clouds and the city seemed swathed in a wearisome peppery stupor. The yellow headlights of the city bus pierced through the fog to announce its arrival.

Mrs. Singh was back to work and Dharma was delighted to see her. Although they had conversed over the phone many times, Dharma had not been able to visit her at her house. She was admonished by Mrs. Singh for the same, and after Dharma explained about Kamya's accident, Mrs. Singh wished for a speedy recovery for Kamya.

"You know Dharma, my husband has decided to take me out for a vacation. I won't be here for a week."

"Oh, where is he taking you?"

"His friends live in Mehsana so they invited us over."

"I have heard of the place somewhere," Dharma mused aloud

"Oh, it is quite a famous and old city near Ahmedabad and there are plenty of temples, old step-wells, and a Rajmahal to see."

"Sounds interesting!" Dharma acknowledged, thinking of the old lake behind the head office of Krishna Industries.

"Yeah, do you know there is also an ancient Sun Temple near Mehsana?"

"Sun temple? I thought only Konark had Sun temple."

"Oh, there are many Sun temples in India, some of them were destroyed by invading armies and some lay in ruins. They have Sun temples even in Egypt and China."

"Oh!"

"Yes, and this temple in Modhera was built in the tenth or eleventh century by the Chalukya dynasty."

And so, it dawned on Dharma, "Oh yes, now I remember seeing the glorious architecture on my laptop. It fascinated me."

"They even conduct annual dance festivals," Mrs. Singh furnished more details of the place.

The moment Dharma was at her desk, the first thing that she did was browse the internet for Modhera.

"Hey Dharma, you are coming to the show today na?" the pattern-maker asked her.

"What?" a distracted Dharma glanced at Pooja.

"You don't remember? It is Alka Balani's show. We planned to go together," Pooja reminded her.

"Oh yes, of course, we will go, what time?"

"We will leave around three. The show begins at four."

"Sure! I will finish some work by then."

There was only skeletal staff in the office. Most of them, including Rashika, Lekha, and Sonia were attending the shows of the fashion week. Turning back to the screen, she absorbed the image of the Sun temple and the surrounding monuments, which presented Dharma with an idea that renewed her aesthetic talent.

Although Rashika had stated that Lekha would continue to show bridal wear in Mughal theme, Dharma was sceptical about Maurya granting permission for the display. At the last meeting, she had somehow taken note of his uncertain speculation over Lekha's enthusiastic narration of the show's theme and location. Dharma had misgivings about the designs getting approval from him. Hence, she continued to sketch designs and prepare a theme for the show. She wanted to be on guard for the next meeting and didn't want to expose the same ignorance that had upset her previously.

The morning's contemplation also made her aware of something that confounded her. She realized that she was unusually attuned to Maurya's moods and thoughts. During her growing-up years, she had been well adapted to her friends' temperaments, but with Maurya, there was another level of familiarization. She hadn't even known him for long but she could discern to a great level what his thoughts or moods were from his impassive face as if she were the only one to whom he deemed fit to express his state of mind. Drawing a deep breath, she berated herself for being so naïve as to consider herself clever enough to understand a complex man like Maurya. She concluded that he, probably, gave much the same impression to everyone he met.

Loading her designs onto the file, she worked on a presentation with relevant details for the upcoming show of Index Fashions. She would keep it ready if Rashika and Lekha's designs were rejected.

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

Dharma was bowled over by the oomph and sparkle that were expressed unmistakeably in the designs of Alka Balani. The models that the designer had chosen displayed the right blend of sophistication and coyness. There were catcalls and cheering every time a model sashayed on the ramp. An apparent air of effervescence encompassed the auditorium.

Since all the seats were already occupied, Dharma and Pooja positioned themselves at the end of the row of seats in the auditorium. Like them, those who arrived late hovered near the door.

Someone tapped on Dharma's shoulder and when she swung around, she was surprised to see the thin-framed Tapan.

"Hey girls, enjoying?"

"Yes absolutely! I love her designs," Dharma answered in a rush, overwhelmed by the ingenuity of Alka's creations.

"I agree, hers is the only original creation here."

"When are you showing your designs?"

"Day after! You will come right?" he asked cordially, eyeing Pooja.

Pooja nodded fervently, gawking at Tapan with unabashed devotion. Tapan looked pleased with Pooja's blatant adoration. After working at Index Fashions for more than a couple of months, Dharma had figured that Tapan was considered something of a fashion wizard in the office. He was an acclaimed designer and his creations invariably captured the interest of the fashion paparazzi. When Dharma joined the office, she had not recognized Tapan and had taken him to be a maverick designer. Even when she had visited his outlandish office, she had not identified him to be the TP that the press often referred to. It was only recently that she had come to know about his reputation and that too only from Sonia. She had explained that after having Lekha as their only designer, it was a delightful surprise to the staff to have a popular designer like Tapan in their midst.

Now as Pooja beamed at him, Dharma replied, "Of course! I won't miss it. Finally, it will give me a chance to search for an omission in the celebrated TP's creation."

Tapan chortled with delight, "I knew the minute I saw you that you had evil intentions..."

"But naturally! What do you expect from a witch in disguise?"

Enjoying the direction of their conversation, Tapan's eyes dilated with brazen pleasure, "Is that what Lekha calls you now?"

Grinning, Dharma said, "Ah not in so many words but it is what I believe."

Pooja's eyes darted from Dharma to Tapan and back. She barely understood what they were speaking about but her pretty face turned red every time Tapan deigned to accord her a smile.

"Don't worry! Maurya would put her in place." His voice turned to a conspiring whisper as he asked, "So what do you think of Rashika?"

Dharma glanced at Pooja uneasily, not wanting to gossip in front of her. Clearly, Tapan enjoyed gossiping and he indulged in it with no holds barred.

"She is good. And that is all you are going to get from me," Dharma warned lightly.

Taking the cue from her, Tapan changed the subject. By the end of Alka Balani's show, Tapan had invited Pooja on a date.

They were the first ones to exit at the end of the show. Tapan took them to the coffee shop in the lobby. They stood chatting when Dharma was again hailed by a familiar voice. Swinging around, she saw Vishu Marco and Kedar.

"Dharma.... it is so nice to see you girl," hugging her close to him, Vishu exclaimed, "I guess, you have started to make a mark in the fashion world..."

"No way! I am still absorbing and learning. I have a long way to go," Dharma returned, observing that Vishu and Kedar were attired in coordinated colours.

"She is fibbing. Our chief has already taken a penchant for her," Tapan's words brought a faint colour to Dharma's face. She shot a look at Tapan but he seemed unruffled by her chagrin. Dharma was not sure if he had uttered them intentionally or unintentionally.

"What rubbish! I haven't yet displayed my designs. I am just a novice right now," Dharma averted the subject to Vishu's paintings and they began to chat about his works.

On their drive back, Tapan asked curiously, "How do you know Vishu and Kedar?"

"I met Kedar at one of our shows and he introduced me to Vishu," Dharma was unwilling to reveal her modelling for Vishu's painting. "Is Kedar modelling for your show?"

"Yep..." Tapan turned his attention to Pooja, flirting and barraging her with compliments. Dharma who was sitting at the back paid scant attention to Tapan or his conversation with Pooja. She was deep in thought over Tapan's comment regarding Maurya and his penchant for her. She was angry at Tapan for uttering such loose statements but if she expressed her annoyance, he would only get more curious. So, she sat quietly, watching the view outside.

Once or twice, Tapan caught her eyes through the rear-view mirror but her deadpan face forbade him from any suggestive wisecracks.

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

All the staff members attended Tapan's fashion show. It was sponsored and organized by Krishna Industries.  The venue was a poolside of an indoor sports stadium. The pool was lit with hurricane lamps that were fitted around the swimming pool to present an ethereal aura. One side of the U-shaped stadium was reserved for VIPs and media. A pink carpet was draped on all sides of the pool. Someone asked Dharma and others to assist Tapan, who seemed flustered and grouchy. Dharma helped the models with their costumes. Amidst the chaos, Dharma saw Maurya having a pep talk with Tapan. The black trousers and the crisp ginger-brown blazer looked very attractive on Maurya. Dharma found the black silk shirt that he wore inside his blazer wolfish. While Dharma was lost in admiring him, Kedar tugged her arm and grabbed her attention. Thus, she missed Maurya spying on them or running his eyes over her outfit.

Dharma was dressed in white ankle-length narrow pants and a dark blue top. The darker blue fancy shrug completed her outfit. It was the only garment she owned that was expensive. Normally, she reserved it for special occasions.

When she went back to her seat, the show had just begun with the introduction of special guests. Dharma saw Rashika in a flimsy green sari. She looked gorgeous and was sitting beside Maurya proudly.

Dharma directed her attention to the show. Tapan had outdone himself by producing fashion based on medieval travellers. The fabrics displayed were a combination of textures but the contours and prints were bright and enduring, ideal for travel. Crayon bright, charcoal, and tea rose were the shades that stood out. With a timeless quality about the sleeves, necklines, and bodice, Tapan had created a line that took inspiration from the exploration and travel that had been abundant in the medieval period. He had given the theme a contemporary twist. Neither ruffled collars nor elaborate skirts could be seen. Glamorous and edgy with a touch of elusiveness, was the definition that came to mind. There were loud gasps and sighs at each model's entrance. The show stoppers wore a frosted ivory skirt suit and a men's suit, tailored in the same fabric. Kedar sauntered flamboyantly in the suit followed by a palanquin in which the model in the skirt suit sat demurely. The significance of the tableau was that even in a skirt suit, and hemmed in a seat in a craft, one could feel comfortable, fold their legs and relax. The skirt would not come in the way because it catered to such travelling; expensive, swift, and yet, it was drop-dead gorgeous. The palanquin was set on the floor and a model stepped out daintily. She took Kedar's hand, and together, they strutted around the pool. They waited for Tapan to appear and when he did, they lifted his hands high in acknowledgement. There was a standing ovation and all the models jostled around the designer. Waving and saluting, Tapan made a quick exit, the models following him in a row.

Even after reaching her office, Dharma could not stop thinking about Tapan and his art. It was truly, a revelation to her. She now wanted to make designs that matched Tapan's bold freshness. He had spun a tale about medieval travellers and wove it brilliantly with modern-day journeys. Dharma wished she possessed his prowess and acumen.

No wonder Maurya tolerated Tapan's eccentricities. Compared to Tapan's designs, she found her sketches lacklustre. Discarding them, she began to sketch once again. She yearned to see the pride and admiration in Maurya's eyes that she had witnessed when Tapan's show stopper was unveiled. It was not possible to compete with Tapan but she promised herself that she would create designs that would take Maurya's breath away. Tapan was an inspiration to her but Maurya was her drive.

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

When Chaitanya came out of the mental hospital in Bilaspur, he was furious with Seema's parents for hiding the truth about Seema's earlier therapy. If he had known that she had psychological issues, he would never have married her. Who would want to marry an insane woman? He felt cheated but he now had a weapon to wrangle out of the relationship without losing anything. His father-in-law had pleaded with him to not abandon his daughter. He had promised to let Chaitanya and Seema live in the sprawling bungalow in Bilaspur. Seema's parents would be moving to a much smaller flat on the outskirts of the town and the older man asked Chaitanya to take residence in the bungalow at once. Alone in the large house with Seema still in the hospital, Chaitanya began to plot the chase and trap of Dharma. He had followed Kamya to New Delhi and had located the hostel Dharma was staying in. Now, it was up to him to lay the trap. While Seema was busy bellowing to one and all that Dharma was the one destroying her marriage, Chaitanya was hell-bent on overcoming Dharma's rebuff and ensnaring her.