To trust or not

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

SETTLING IN

Shikha handed over the address to her apartment to the driver and sank back into the seat, exhausted. It had been a long flight and an even longer wait for a taxi. At least, at this point of time, it felt like that. She pulled out the phone and dialled Shikhar’s number. He answered even before the first ring was through!! He had been waiting for her call, practically since she had boarded the flight. He had been unable to sleep all night, worrying himself sick.

It was only 8.30 a.m. back home. ‘Hello?? Di, how are you? What time did you land? Was the flight comfortable? Did you sleep?’ He fired a volley of questions at her, without even stopping to take a breath. Before she could answer him, her mother had grabbed the phone from her son’s hands. ‘Are you okay, Gudiya? What time is it? Did you eat something on the flight? Have you had chai…..how about breakfast?’

She had to choke back her tears before she could answer. Shikhar was on the line again. ‘Are you okay, Di? Why aren’t you answering?’ he asked, alarm obvious in his voice.

‘Did you not go for your morning run or are you already back after jogging, hmmm? Don’t tell me you were partying all through the night and never slept? Don’t you dare let any one of your freaky friends into my room!!’ she said trying to sound cheerful. Shikhar knew his sister was putting on a brave front and decided to follow her lead and continue with the ruse.

‘Ha!! You think I’m going to ask your permission before I party? I will give your room to anyone I want to, when I want to and you are not going to be able to do anything about it. Hee hee! Forget that now. Tell me what the airport was like? Was it big? Was it beautiful? Did you buy anything at duty free? I have heard so much about Narita airport. I’m going to come and visit you soon and check it out for myself. I am sure you wouldn’t have seen a thing! Tube vision that you have. Tell me na, please,’ Shikhar was back to his impish self. That made her smile, this time for real. It would make life easier for both her mother and her, too, if at least one of them could remain normal.

‘Oho!! Will you stop it now, Chhotu? How can I say anything when you are not giving me a chance to even open my mouth? Put me on speaker. I’ll answer all your questions together.’ She forced a short laugh, her stomach churning all the while, wishing with all her heart she was at home, with them, enjoying her morning cup of tea on the patio. Instead, she heard herself tell them all about the flight, the metro ride and the wait for the taxi.

‘Shikhar, I have almost reached my apartment. I shall call you after I get there. Bye, Bhai. Take care. Give my best to Mom. Love you. Bye,’ she cut his chattering short. She couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer and began to sob again, softly.

The taxi driver heard his passenger sniffling and looked at her in the rearview mirror. ‘Are you alright, Miss?’ She was pleasantly surprised to hear him making conversation in English. She looked up in the mirror. ‘Everything okay? You seem to have just landed.’ She only nodded her head. ‘Do you know anyone around here? Are you visiting? Or have you come for work?’

Again a volley of questions! What was it with everyone? She was tired and irritated and in no state or mood for small talk. Why was this man insisting upon making conversation? Why could he not keep driving? Why was her apartment so far? She was about to snap back at him but thought better and kept quiet. Managing a small smile, she asked, ‘How long will it take to get to Meguro Apartments? And Sakura Homes? Are they different or same?’

‘Meguro Apartments is one set of buildings in the Sakura Homes complex. It is not very far now. What number do you need to get to?’

She had not expected this question. ‘Why do you ask?’ she said, suddenly alert.

‘There are many blocks inside the premises and separate by-lanes to reach them. Your apartment number will indicate the block you need to get down at,’ he responded calmly, clearly understanding her apprehension.

Satisfied by his explanation, yet wary at the same time, she told him the number and then looked at him closely. She realized he was not a native. Seemed like a south Asian. Maybe he was from Bangladesh. Maybe Pakistan. Could have been from India too. But she was not interested in finding out. She was simply thankful that he had come by in time.

Finally, the car came to a halt in front of a tall, twenty-storeyed building. And yet it was one of the shorter towers in the complex. Shikha, who had dozed off during the drive, was woken up by the driver, who was calling out to her. ‘Miss. Miss, we have arrived at your building.’

‘Oh! I’m sorry! I slept off,’ sheepishly she mumbled.

‘I can understand. It is a long journey and you must be jet-lagged also. Where are you from? I’m from India. I guess you too, isn’t it?’ he smiled widely, happy to see someone from a familiar background.

She only smiled in return, offering no details. Shikhar had warned her enough number of times to be wary of strangers, overly friendly people, those offering unsolicited help and advice. Her cold response, however, had not deterred him even one bit. He continued to tell her where he was from, when he had come to Tokyo, his name and so many other details to which Shikha paid no heed.

‘I can understand why you do not want to speak with me. Please don’t mind me. I got carried away when I saw you-someone from back home. It is comforting to know there are others like me. But do keep my card just in case you need to get driven around. I am usually in this area, at least once a day,’ he said, offering her his card. She was stunned as to how plain her expressions were! The man had seen through her right away. That was something she would have to work upon mending. And soon!

‘How much do I need to pay?’ she asked, realizing she hadn’t checked the meter reading before getting into his car. He might just cheat her, which she felt he didn’t when he told her the fare.

‘Should I help you with your bags?’ he asked.

‘No, I think I will be fine,’ she managed.

‘Wait, I will help you to the lift. Please don’t worry. I’ll be gone soon enough. Just let me put your stuff inside the lift. Then I shall leave you to yourself,’ he persisted.

She could make out the genuineness in is voice. He really did want to help her. ‘Okay, if you insist,’ she said wearily, and followed him into the building, all her bravado and strength ebbing out of her system. She just wanted to lie down and sleep.