Link to Previous Chapters are here – Spark & Spice Forever
Chapter 3
âShe must be stressed about something, bro! You have given her too much work, it seems.â Samir stopped running and added his 2 cents while catching his breath.
When Virat called Samir to meet him for a jogging session early in the morning, Samir instinctively knew something was troubling Virat.
âI cracked the same joke, yesterday,â Virat stopped too and raised his foot on a small platform to fasten his shoelaces. âBut, to be honest, Niyati is never stressed about being overworked. She is calm under pressure and chaos. Iâm sure, sheâll continue working even when the sky is falling. So, it isnât work-related stress. Itâs different this time. She believes weâve lost our spark.â
âWhat does that mean?â Samir raised his eyebrow.
âWhatever!â Virat stretched both his hands in the air, walking away.
âAnd you agreed with her?!â Samir confirmed, keeping his usual sadistic, funny face aside and donning the role of both a wise ear and a sage advice for Virat. He had to do it whenever Virat needed him, especially during his confusions revolving around Niyati. Samir had seen their relationship grow from the first moment they met at the airport to their marriage and beyond. At different times, Samir had been a silent witness, a patient listener, or a thoughtful advisor to Virat. Sometimes, he played all the roles together.
âOf course, not!â Virat combed his fingers through his hair, before resting his palms at the nape of his neck. âI donât believe it. I asked her to explain, so she came up with some ridiculous theory about people getting bored with their partners and drifting apart. She is now geared to find a solution for this non-issue.â
âSolution? Like, what?â Samir walked backwards on the running track, facing Virat.
Virat shrugged, âI wish I knew.â
âRelax. I donât think she will come up with a weird solution.â
âWhat if she does?â Virat shrugged, âWe need to do something before it overcomes her sane mind.â
âDo what?â
Virat replied in an investigative tone, âIf only I could get to know about her flow of thoughts, Iâm sure I can better prepare myself to manage the situation. Help me guess what is going on in Niyatiâs mind. I need to know.â
âLetâs start running again!â Samir chuckled.
âWhat!â
âRunning infuses a flow of fresh air into the lungs, improving the blood flow, thereby ensuring more oxygen to the brain. Helps to think better.â
âBe serious,â Virat growled.
âFine! Let me think again⊠deeply, this time,â Samir followed his cue and squeezed his eyes narrow, trying to think in the way Niyati would. Taking a few steps away with a sharp turn around, he spoke mysteriously, fixing his eyes on Viratâs face, âI hate to tell you thisâŠbut when women think their relationship with their man has changed, they are mostly thinking about two solutions.â
âWhat?â Virat had a bit of a clue and dreaded Samir would spill out exactly that.
âI said âmostlyâ but not alwaysâŠhowever⊠she may be thinking aboutâŠâ Samir let his sentence trail slowly.
Virat filled in the blanks with a frightful murmur, hating the sound of the word. âDivorce?â
âA baby?â Samir added.
âGoodness!â Virat almost gasped. It wasnât like they had never discussed it before, but whenever the topic of a baby arose, they had both felt it wasnât the right time.
Virat wondered if Niyati was now thinking of extending their family. But would she do that? She was aware of their common plans for the business in the coming year. Babies needed time and commitment. Were they ready for this responsibility? And even if they were, should kids be made as a solution to a coupleâs problems? To top it all, did they even have any serious problems between them? Their only problem, according to her, was that they were too comfortable with each other. They behaved like one unit. He didnât understand why it felt like a problem to her. He was perfectly happy like that.
For a short moment, Virat tucked his lower lip under his upper one. Raising his eyebrows, he murmured. âWhat do I do now?â
Samir sat down on the bench, thinking deeply. Virat followed him, looking at his face hopefully.
âListen⊠you must show her that you are concerned too. It would be best if you are the first to come up with a better solution before she presents a crazy one.â
Virat liked the idea. âHmmâŠokayâŠbut what solution?â
Samir shrugged. âDo something she likes. Take her on holiday. Plan it thoughtfully, keeping her in mind. For now, you can ask her out on a date, maybe?â
âInteresting!â Virat finally felt relieved. He was sure he could think of ways to distract Niyati.
âAnyway, Arpita is going to meet Niyati at the office today. Letâs see if she talks to Arpita about it.â
Virat was surprised. âWhy office?â
âNo idea.â Samir shrugged. âSometimes, I wish I understood women better. But I donât. Now, take Arpita. She wants Niyati to design a dazzling, fancy gown for her.â
Virat gawked at him for a second before a soft chortle escaped from his lips. âMan! I donât want to sound mean, but âdazzling fancy gownâ and Arpita donât go together.â
âThis was mean!â Samir glared at him. âYou canât crack jokes on my wife.â
âSorry! But you surely know that it isnât her style. Arpita has always been unconventional, individualistic, and straightforward. Her style is simplistic. She has attended grand parties in elegant, charming but comfortable attire. She didnât opt for designer, gawdy stuff, even for your wedding or for my wedding. So, itâs hard to imagine her in a flashy dress.â
Samir nodded. âI thought so too when she mentioned it for the first time.â
âAny special occasion?â
âGod knows!â Samir sighed and twisted his lips cluelessly, âI was about to ask you if there was any special occasion around this time, that I might have forgotten.â
âIâm no good with dates either.â Virat raised his hands in the air and grinned. Swiping his tongue over his lower lip, he teased Samir, âBut looks like Iâm not the only one cornered this time. You are in the soup too. Iâm suddenly feeling so much better nowâŠaahaaa!â
âAre you laughing?â Samir squeezed his eyes, âSeriously, man! Did I laugh at you?â
âYou did.â Virat chuckled more, âNow, start running!â
The quip wasnât entirely a tease. It had been the mantra they had followed through their lives in all dire situations – when they were underprepared for some exam in school, or missed university deadlines for essay submissions, during teen break-ups, or when caught making mischief, when things went down a crazy spiral and nothing made sense, Virat and Samir would always turn to sports to channel their energies and think better. It didnât matter if things were sorted or not. Just the distraction through physical activity was enough to keep their minds occupied until they found a solution to the troubling situation. Samir often joked that their physical exercise routine was mainly a gift from their chaotic lives.
âŠ.
Niyati was pleasantly surprised to see Arpita visiting the office. Arpita was one of her favourite people in the world. From the day she first met Arpita and entered her apartment as a paying guest, she had always received a warm, comforting vibe from her.
She ordered coffee and sandwiches for them before taking Arpitaâs measurements for the gown.
âCan I now say Iâve managed to earn my sister-in-lawâs confidence in my work?â Niyati chuckled.
âCome on! It is the other way round,â Arpita was embarrassed, âYou donât even design anymore. You have so many designers, interns and staff working for you. Iâm so glad you agreed to design for me.â
Niyati smiled warmly, âOh, I love designing! Though, I donât get to design anymore because I have to manage so many projects at one time but I can never let go of the opportunity to see you wearing my design.â
She wrote the measurements and preferences in the design diary, while Arpita walked around Niyatiâs cabin observing the dĂ©cor and the display. Niyatiâs cabin was the most tastefully designed room in the office. Pastel theme in cookie and cream, subtle intricate motifs on the curtains, abstract paintings, classy upholstery, a large table to work on and a clothes rack where different designers and interns brought their work to get Niyatiâs approval. Arpitaâs jaw dropped in awe as she ran her fingers through the designer gowns hanging in a row.
âThese are so beautiful. So heavenly. I wouldnât have come to you if I didnât believe in your work. Itâs just that Iâve never wanted to get into designer wear before today,â Arpita spoke in a mesmerized voice, and after a small pause, she added, âBut this time, I want to look perfect.â
Niyati stopped writing in the diary and looked up. Something in Arpitaâs tone disturbed her. But what? She didnât know. Maybe Iâm overthinking. Carefully, Niyati asked, âAny special occasion?â
Arpita turned around to face Niyati and only smiled in reply. Niyati didnât ask again.
Sipping on her coffee, Arpita elaborated on how she wanted her gown in lace and brocade, made in layers and frills, embellished with sequins and diamonds. Niyati kept listening patiently, noting it down as meticulously as she could. This was the first time she was making something for Arpita. It had to be perfect. She tried not to judge Arpita but her choice surprised her. She had never heard Arpita talking about clothes before this.
âBy the way,â Arpita distracted Niyati from her thoughts.
âHmm?â Niyati smiled.
âCan I ask you something personal? Itâs⊠itâs kinda confidential.â Arpita spoke in a low voice, making it obvious that she expected Niyati to not discuss it with anyone, especially Virat or Samir.
âYou can count on me,â Niyati assured her.
âDo you know a good doctor? I mean, a good plastic surgeon? Iâm unable to get rid of this tire of flab.â Arpita pinched a layer of thin fat around her belly, making a helpless face. âDo you know someone who can cut it away?â
Niyati almost choked on the water in her mouth before she gulped it. âExcuse me?!â
Arpita continued, âAlso, these fine lines and wrinkles on my face are increasing. They are so annoying. Do you see them?â
Niyati nodded. âArenât these natural lines?â
âOf ageing?â
âYou are only in your twenties, Arpita,â Niyati reminded her. Confused, once again. Since when did Arpita care about looks and physical appearance? Though it wasnât wrong. Niyati never judged her clients, but it felt slightly unusual, coming from Arpita.
âDo you know ageing begins as early as the twenties?â Arpita replied.
âArpitaâŠwaitâŠwhat are you talking? Ageing?! God! No. You look prettier with every passing day. Age is bringing out the glow in you. And you look great!â
Arpita smiled again and didnât discuss it further.
Niyati had a row of questions in her mind. However, she had never probed anyone about their issues and choices before. It was personal, she had always believed. But for the first time, she wanted to do this. At the same time, she sensed discomfort in Arpitaâs attitude. Pestering her to divulge more could push her into a shell. Niyati decided to be patient and support Arpita silently. She didnât feel the need to tell Arpita that the design she wanted wasnât her style. Instead, Niyati assured Arpita that she was going to create a gorgeous gown for her.
âŠâŠ
Virat moved his finger on his phone screen, scrolling through the list of best restaurants in Paris for a dinner date. None of them appeared suitable for the purpose.
âShould I take her for a midnight boat ride, under Pont Marie or Pont Alexandre III ⊠tell her how much I love her?â he speculated. The next moment, he took a laboured breath refuting the idea. âNaah!â
âToo formal, eh?â
âToo awkward, as well.â
âShe will laugh. And she will tease me.â
âWeâve grown beyond that stage.â
He started scrolling again and found a few restaurants they had visited during their courtship phase. Precious memories started tumbling down taking him to the nostalgic lane reminding him of the café where they often sat for hours and spent time together.
âThis sounds like a workable plan!â he decided.
âŠâŠâŠâŠ..
âShall we leave the office together?â Virat called Niyati in the evening.
Niyati put on her wireless headphones and replied, âHey! Iâm not in the office. Iâm taking Maya Chachiâs diamond ring to the jeweller. She asked me to get the missing diamonds fixed personally. After that, I have an appointment with Dadiâs doctor. She wants me to meet him and understand her new medicine regimen from him.â
âArenât you tired?â Virat frowned. âAnd why do you have to do everything?â
âBecause there are some things which secretaries and assistants cannot do.â Niyati smiled, âAnyway, later Iâll be going to the factory for a quick visit before I come home. So, Iâll be late today.â
âWhy factory? The system was rolling smoothly, the last time I checked.â Virat switched off his laptop and picked up his aviators.
âYeah, I know. But I just wanted to make a random visit. I need to ensure that the new winter collection reaches the stores at least four weeks ahead of Christmas.â
âYou should have called one of the managers,â he suggested, âYou are working too hard.â
âLook whoâs talking! You always work that hard.â
âDo I? Should I change that?â he impulsively asked.
She smiled, âCome on! No, I didnât mean that. Do your work as you know the best.â
Virat heaved a sigh of relief. At least, it wasnât his work that had been bothering her. But then, what was it that made her think about weird theories?
Niyati broke his chain of thoughts, âVirat, I want to talk about something.â
His relief fizzled away. Confused, he asked, âAbout what?â
âIâll come back and discuss. Itâs better to talk in person.â Niyati replied. She wanted Virat to know about Arpitaâs visit today. He knew his sister well. Maybe he had an inkling about why she was behaving weirdly. They must ensure all was well with her. At the same time, she didnât want Virat to be worried over her random musings on a phone call.
Virat wondered about what Niyati wanted to discuss in person. Did she already have a crazy solution, like getting divorced or having a baby? He contemplated following Niyati to the factory. But then he gave it a pass and decided to wait for her to return.
âŠâŠ.
Viratâs phone rang while he was on his way home. As soon as he parked the car on one side of the road and answered the call, Dadu started speaking on the other end. âVirat, is Niyati with you?â
âNo Dadu, she is not.â
Before Virat could speak more, Dadu called Niyati and added her to the conference call with them.
âGood evening, Dadu,â Niyati said.
âVirat, Niyati, I want you both to drop everything you are doing and reach the Paris Club right now.â
âWhat happened, Dadu?â Both Virat and Niyati spoke in unison.
âA lot!â Dadu declared.
***
Part 3 – Starting was amusing. Samir giving advices to Virat. Lol. But he made him to think solution and sent him in their old memorable days. He was really thinking to do something so that she will forget about this missing S&S.
What has happened to Arpita? She is acting weird.
Now dadu too had something to discuss with both.
Now I am excited to know what ‘a lot’ is.
A lot to come ahead đ