CROSSROADS

CHAPTER 3

Over the next few days, the same routine played on like a broken record. The door turned out to be Dev’s favorite spot in the day. Though the vile, disgusting stench hung around for a couple of minutes, the rest of the journey was enjoyable.  

As for the balding man, he’d become less cold than their first meeting. He bore his large, white, horse-like teeth and chatted to glory with Dev. His dark skin, dazzling white teeth, and warm, kind eyes were intriguing. To top it off, he had a funny voice, like he had a mouth full of hot potatoes. 

“Kamal is the name,” said the balding man, “what’s yours?” 

“Dev.” 

Like every other day, the train pulled up at the crossing. Dev peeked out of the railings, searching for the beautiful young lady again. Other than his job, she had become his favourite part of the day. She was like a good luck charm that made his day blessed and complete. Everything that he set his heart and mind on happened like a piece of cake. Surely, there is something about her, he contemplated.  

Soon, he spotted her, feeding her chickens (as usual). He shook his head, feeling very amused. Seriously, this girl seems to be obsessed with the bird. 

Today, however, was not the same. Like a proud peacock with its glorious train feathers opened wide, her luscious, glossy wet hair was left open to its full magnificence. Freshly showered, she looked so divine. 

Then, he saw it: a mangalsutra adorning her neck and red, powdery sindoor on the parting of her hair. For some unknown reason, his heart sank. 

She’s married... Heart clenching, he slowly recoiled into himself. How come I never noticed this before? 

The train slithered forward, leaving his heart splattered all over the tracks. He attempted to shake off the weird, sick feeling bubbling in his gut. So what if she’s married, he scolded himself, what’s your problem? You don’t even know her! And get this, she doesn’t know you either. So, stay put and clear out.  

But deep down, he wished that he did know her.  

*** 

By the weekend, Dev was at the Saxena’s with his mother. He had tried pulling some fresh excuses to delay this meeting indefinitely, but Amala wasn’t up for any bullshit today. They were meeting the Saxena’s come what may, so here they were! 

He sat with his mother and the Saxena’s in their living room and tried to bore himself to death, but it wasn’t working. This whole procedure made him nervous, especially the girl’s dad, Rajan Saxena. He was a retired NRI, and not-so-friendly looking. With his haphazard smile, close-cut hair, square jaw and stony face, he looked more like a retired cop than an NRI.  

Dev dared not look at him. He feared that Rajan with his black, beady eyes could see right through him and access his deepest, dirtiest secrets, one that only he knew.  

“We’d love to meet Ruhi. Right, Dev?” he heard his mother’s voice out of nowhere.  

"Um, sure,” he cleared his throat. To have Rajan as a potential father-in-law worried him stiff, so much that he even forgot where he was and for what.   

“Someone’s blushing!” the elders teased to which Dev passed an awkward grin and wrung his hands.    

Who wouldn’t be with this guy glaring the ghost out of me, Dev thought about his potential father-in-law and avoided everyone’s gaze, especially Rajan’s. I’d rather be single for life than see his rigid face every day.  

Soon, Ruhi made her entrance, and Dev’s brains hit the brakes. To say that she was beautiful would be an understatement. She was like a top-earning model and had it all: Flawless, rosy skin, rich silky hair, bewitching eyes, attractive smile, and a perfect hourglass figure. It took him a moment to realize that he was wearing a goofy look on his face. He quickly straightened it out. 

From the corner of her eyes, Amala studied her son. “Come, Ruhi, come sit next to me,” she urged, but Ruhi politely refused and chose to stick around her family.  

“Go on, dear,” Rajan encouraged.  

Reluctantly, she sat next to Amala. When she did, her eyes met Dev’s. He squeezed out an acknowledging smile and she blushed hard.  

Amala put her through a series of questions while Dev watched her closely. She had a sweet voice and carried herself well. Any other guy would have blurted a ‘yes’ without a second thought, but he wasn’t ready yet. Didn’t want to be, rather.    

Then came the standard mandatory suggestion. “I’m sure that you both would like to spend some time together alone. Right, Dev?” Amala quickly turned to her son, to which he simply shrugged. “Sure...”  

“There’s no need to feel shy!” The elders teased and laughed again to which he turned into a bright shade of red. 

“Go on, Ruhi, take Dev with you,” said Mrs. Saxena.  

Ruhi got up and Dev followed suit. He followed her to her room (which was an earshot away from the living room) and sat down on a well-made bed. Dev leaned back a little and looked around. It was a dainty place with plenty of light. On a shelf were some animal figurines and stuffed toys. “Seems like you like pets?” He kicked off the conversation.  

“Yeah,” she smiled and stole a glance at him. 

“I guessed so,” he said, catching her eyes. “Do you like dogs?”  

“Yeah, had a little pug, he crossed the rainbow bridge a few months ago.” 

“Oh, I see,” he answered. “And didn’t he come back?” 

She raised an eyebrow. Clearly, he had never come across that phrase before. “Um… what I meant was that… he passed away,” she clarified awkwardly and added, “so he’s not coming back, unfortunately.”  

“Oh!” He cleared his throat and smothered an embarrassed cough. “Yeah, I got it. It’s really sad when they have to go.” 

“Hmm” She lowered her eyes. 

A brief, awkward silence followed before Dev decided to keep the conversation going. “I had a German Shepherd as a kid, you see, dad was in the army.” 

“Uh-huh.” 

“Well, he didn’t stay on much after dad passed away.” 

“Where’d he go?” 

“Um… he too... crossed that ‘bridge’ you were talking about?” 

“Oh, that’s… so bad.” Was he being funny? 

“Yes, it is. I’m sure that he’s in a great place though.” 

“True,” she commented.  

Dev found himself studying Ruhi yet again. Being beautiful and carrying oneself gracefully was a thing but he wondered if he’d end up liking her. He still wasn’t sure about going forward with this.  

That is when he realized that it was unusually quiet in the living room. “Isn’t it a bit quiet?” he asked in a low voice. 

Before she could respond, a voice shot from the living room. “You two got married already?”  

Laughter ensued. Inside and outside. 

***