'No Time to Wallow in the Mire'

Her eyes reflected the uncertainty which had surged within her at his words. He looked away; fully aware that it was he was responsible for her sadness and, above all, immeasurable confusion.

"Look, you don’t have to fret. I will be there,” he said in, what he would like to believe was, a calm and reassuring tone.

In an inaudible whisper she asked, “Will you?”
But he had turned towards his desk and was readying himself to depart for his umpteenth interview of the day. She sat on the edge of the unmade bed with the familiar traces of disorientation, wistfulness and immense grief in her eyes. He felt her watching him as he strapped his watch on, unplugged his cell-phone from its charger and ascertained that he had his wallet. He fiddled with the money-clip lying on the tabletop. Neer was afraid of being assaulted by Agni’s eyes, afraid of the guilt that would weigh upon him on seeing the expression they bore; and was, therefore, childishly delaying the moment he would have to turn around and face her. His hesitation, however, was not required.

With a jolt of surprise, he felt Agni’s arms around his waist, and her mouth against his ear as she whispered, “My disappointment shall rise to a whole new, irreparable level if you aren’t here in time, Mr. Neer Malhotra.” He barely had time to turn his head in her direction when she had lightly kissed his cheek and broken away with a soft chuckle. As she sauntered out of the room, she must have been anticipating a gaze of wonder upon her back, because she turned and smiled at him, and laughed after blowing him a kiss. Her eyes are surprisingly mirthful, he thought to himself, as he remained rooted to the spot, staring after her in amazement with a dumbfounded (and mildly bovine) expression upon his face. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he lifted his briefcase and walked out the door. “Women”, Neer muttered, ensuring the door was locked behind him and walking towards his car.

(Title courtesy: ‘Light my fire’ by The Doors)