It's been a month..
1837 Words
For the next few days Sarah was busy managing her household chores as well as touring her sister around Boston. While Bianca would give interviews in different universities, Sarah would accompany her, as Bianca was still not familiar with the roads of Boston. Moreover Sarah was an over protective sister, who believed that Bianca was still a kid.
"You don't have to follow me , dude." Bianca would complain.
"Shut up. Don't act smart. You are my responsibility." Sarah would snap back.
Anthony too appeared friendly towards Bianca but he was quite cold when he was alone with Sarah.
Sarah was confused at Anthony's bipolar attitude. " This man is going to be the end of me. In front of Bianca he acts so sweetly but turns a cold shoulder to me, as if blaming me for something." she wonders.
Its been almost a month since Bianca came to stay with Sarah and Anthony.
One evening Anthony came early and informed Sarah that they have to attend an award function as his company has been nominated for the best architectural firm.
Bianca hugged him and said excitedly " Congratulations brother in law. Let me get ready. I have not witnessed any award function all my life. Yooo am so excited."
"Well, am sorry Bianca, the organizers had only invited the spouses of the attendees. So maybe you have to keep your dream on hold" Anthony spoke to see a disappointed look take over Bianca's happy face.
" Oh, its OK. Then I will help Sarah dress up. Anyways she needs help in dressing up properly." Bianca replied happy that at least her sister will have a good time.
Preparing Sarah ready for any event was Bianca's responsibility before Sarah's marriage. Since Sarah hated applying make up, Bianca would always nag her about her inability to enhance her beautiful features.
"OK. Be ready by 7 p.m. then" saying that Anthony went to his room to freshen up and get dressed.
While Bianca grabbed Sarah and forcefully took her to the guest room. She rampaged her suitcase and took out a black off shoulder laced fish tail dress with a thigh high slit.
Sarah at first was not willing to wear that as she found it to be too gorgeous but Bianca forced her by saying "You better act like a lady now, Sarah. Do you want people to make fun of Anthony because he got married to a tomboy?"
"Shut up, don't blackmail. OK do what you want as long as you don't turn me into a joker." Sarah replied with a pout, pondering over Bianca's words. "Do I really look like a tomboy?" she questioned herself.
Dressed in a navy blue tuxedo, with his hair back brushed, Anthony looked handsome as always. He was pacing to and fro on the living room impatiently , as it was already 7.20 p.m. and there was no signs of both the sisters.
By 7.30 Sarah descended down the staircase , with Bianca helping her, as Bianca feared that Sarah might stumble upon and fall.
With nude makeup and hair tied into a loose bun, with soft twirls falling on her face Sarah looked breathtakingly beautiful.
But Anthony was irritated at Sarah for being late so much so that he didn't take any notice of her beauty. He just walked out of the door signalling Sarah to follow him.
Sarah was disappointed at his cold reaction. Hiding her disappointment and covering up Anthony's rude reaction, Sarah hugged her sister and advised "Lock the doors properly. Don't open the door to any one an......" her sentence was cut half as Bianca yelled "Stop it Sarah . You are such a melodrama queen. Get lost already,will you ?".
The drive to the event venue was a silent one. Anthony didn't even glance once at Sarah. He tried to drive fast beating the traffic.
Sarah gave up trying to get Anthony's attention. So she looked out of the window at the distant dark sky , upset at Anthony's coldness ."His insensitivity is back" she thought.
Once they reached the venue, without asking, Anthony held Sarah's hand as if to show that everything was fine.
Sarah looked at him bewildered at his move. They sat on a round table which they had to share with Max and Rihana.
Rihana was dressed in a red backless dress and grabbed the attention of everyone. Both the ladies air kissed each other while Max and Anthony looked at them amused.
The 4 settled on their seats. As expected Anthony's company bagged the award. Anthony went up the stage to receive the award and he gave a speech thanking Max and his employees. His employees who were sitting over another table cheered at him.
Sarah clapped heartily as she was proud of his success but she felt a pang of sadness hitting her as Anthony didn't mention her name. Like other husbands who credited their wives for their success, Sarah was expecting the same from Anthony. But Anthony didn't mention her name at all.
"Does he thinks that I haven't contributed anything in his life?" Sarah wondered bitterly.
After the awards were given away, a scrumptious buffet were awaiting for the attendees. The men talked with each other over drinks about business , politics and worldly affairs, while the ladies bonded with each other over topics like jewelry, fashion and so on.
Sarah was soon bored with the ladies surrounding her. Useless conversations often gave her a headache. She excused herself and went to look for Anthony. She spotted Anthony and Max chilling on the open balcony, with drinks in their hands. Only the two off them were there on the balcony while the other men were hitting the bar.
She walked up to them but their conversation made her stop at the threshold.
"So how's everything at home? " Max asked Anthony puffing his cigarette.
"Home.. Anthony huffed "don't ask me man, this Bianca staying at my house is getting on my nerves now. Its been a month but she is not showing any signs of leaving ."
Max tried to reason him " Don't act as if you are being tortured so much. I have met her on your wedding day. She seemed to be a friendly girl to me."
"Over friendly , I would rather say. I cant handle so much of friendliness. She just fails to keep her mouth shut. All the time chattering and irritating me whenever am at home. Anyways who would want to throw away good things they get for free." Anthony said.
Confused Max asked "What good things?"
"Well you know my luxurious house, the beautiful estate " Anthony said proudly.
"O my good Lord. So you basically are proud of your success right?" Max asked in an unbelievable tone.
"Well to be honest I earned it. And I don't like it getting wasted on anyone." Anthony told arrogantly.
"So Sarah and her sister are random people in your life?" Max questioned
"Am not talking about Sarah. Bianca is not my family. She is a guest and like a dignified guest she should start packing up. I need my privacy back , man. I come home to have a peaceful time , but both the sisters would be constantly laughing and chattering with each other. Its driving me nuts now. OK at first I thought it was fine for her to stay for a few days, but its been a month." Anthony explained in a frustrated tone.
Max said nothing but looked at Anthony in disbelief. But Anthony was too frustrated and kept on venting his thoughts "Sarah also is not helping. She is not trying to send off her sister. She is just happy making my life miserable. She would prefer keeping her sister permanently just to make me miserable. This is why I din't want relationships. It sucks my mental peace and privacy, man"
"There you go. You have to blame Sarah for everything. How can she possibly throw out her sister?" Max spoke getting irritated with Anthony's behavior.
"Everything has to do with her. You remember she prepared that enormous breakfast? Well it was just to show you that how much she cares about me. She was just covering up for the chaos her sister would make during her stay. Both the sisters, I tell you are real players. First it was Sarah who trapped me emotionally and now her sister has come and settled in my house." Anthony spoke without even thinking that it might hurt Sarah badly if she comes to know about it.
It did hurt Sarah real bad. Positioning her self on the corner of the door , leaning to the wall, tears rolled down her eyes. She suddenly felt the earth beneath her feet moving away. Her heart was stuck by something that made breathing difficult for her. She gasped for air. Wiping her tears she tried to barge out of the banquet hall.
Rihana found her on the way and asked " Where you going honey? Are you not well." Rihana looked at Sarah with concern.
" Ya am fine. Am just having a mild migraine. I think I should leave before it gets worse." Sarah answered trying to maintain a calm voice.
"Oh but where is your husband? Isn't he going to accompany you?" Rihana asked curiously.
Hearing the word husband Sarah held her fist tight. "Well, its his day. Let him enjoy with his colleagues. I don't want to bother him over such a trivial issue. Anyways I already have booked a cab and it has already arrived" Sarah lied with a light smile.
Sensing something wrong with Sarah , Rihana din't want to hold her long. She hugged her and said in a consoling voice " You are going to be fine. Take care. Get home safely."
Sarah smiled at her and left the hall. While going down the elevator she called Anthony.
"Hello" she heard his surprised voice. "Ya, listen am going back home alone. I am having migraine. I need my medicine. I will lock the door and sleep, so please open it with your key, once you reach home" Sarah spoke fast and disconnected the call not waiting for Anthony to reply.
Anthony remained dumb trying to understand what Sarah had said. He looked at Max who was giving him a questioning glance and said "Sarah left for home."
Just then Rihana approached them and stood leaning by Max's side, with Max's arm wrapped around her waist. She looked at Anthony and spoke "Sarah looked lovely tonight. Pity that she had to leave the party."
At the mention of the word pretty, Anthony tried remembering Sarah's look for the evening. When they entered the hall he had given a brief look at her, indeed she was looking beautiful. He smiled at Rihana but didn't say anything. Looking at Max and Rihana, Anthony felt Sarah's absence.Suddenly he wanted to be with Sarah.
Absence becomes the greatest presence.
- Writer
