Wishful Thinking

As the morning sun sneaks into Dr Viraaj’s plush bedroom, he snatches the remote to draw the curtains lest Stuti should be woken; she loves to sleep through the winter mornings. Viraaj glances at her lovely face –amidst the bolsters, takes his Cashmere wrap and meanders to the garden. He sits in the garden chair, ruminating –"Should I be held guilty of abruptly replacing Kavita’s 19 years of care and concern with Stuti’s half a year of youthful love?"

When Kavita died three years back, Viraaj was left wading, unmindfully, through the mess of his life. By the end of that year, as if from nowhere, Stuti’s audacious decision to marry him came across. Viraaj and Stuti were the talk of the town for weeks that followed. The ‘Page-3’ folks of the city indicted Viraaj of lechery –for marrying a girl almost his daughter’s age. The ‘Kitty Party’ and ‘Beauty Saloon’ gossip alleged Stuti to be an opportunist bitch. But, both of them ignored the shit and worked on straightening their new life.

Stuti seems to be happy –smiling, doting and fond. But recently, Viraaj has been uneasy –though at her sexual peak of 24, Stuti never demands any physical pleasure beyond hugs and kisses! Not that he wants her to –rather he is thankful that she doesn’t. But he can’t help doubting her fidelity. Has she married him just for money? Has she befooled the super intelligent middle-aged Cardiologist at the snap of her fingers? Is she going around with someone her age?

Who should he turn to for answers –except Kaviraa? Stuti was Kaviraa’s teacher at High School, and both have ever since loved each-other dearly –so much so that on Kaviraa’s 16th birthday, they had to take Stuti along on their family holiday to Srinagar, as she refused to celebrate without Stuti. Viraaj’s chain of thoughts is interrupted by the phone call from Kaviraa. Though surprised at the telepathy, Viraaj is dead chuffed, “Hey my darling! So, you sensed that dad needs you?”

“Yup! I know… Confused about Stuti’s celibacy?”

He is startled yet another time. He shares a curious bond with his daughter. It is weird how she can read his mind despite being thousands of miles apart? Ashamed, Viraaj fumbles, “umm... ya... no... I mean…”

“Chill dad! Her father died when she was 7. Perhaps, she wants you to compensate for her lost dad. Believe me, God has made her exclusively for you. Treasure her, for she’ll shower all her adoration on you, without any of those choking wifely expectations. She will fill up your life with true love and devotion. You are a lucky man, dad… what is wishful thinking for every man, has turned out to be reality for you!”

Viraaj is sitting stock- still, trying to believe Kaviraa’s words. His nostrils are suddenly filled with Stuti’s patchouli fragrance; and before he can cognize his real feelings for her, Stuti sneaks into his lap and nuzzles his chest. Viraaj wraps her delicate body in a warm embrace, caresses her soft diva-ish hair and just smiles blissfully.