Vimal heard a noise from the kitchen and with a groan he sauntered to check on it. He saw a figure dressed up in a saree, especially the exposed waist and the little fold made him gulp. He couldn’t avert his gaze and continued looking at the waist biting his lips and drooling over until he felt something on his chin. His trance broke and he saw a ladle raising his head. Before he could look at the woman he felt his ear being screwed and he screamed in pain shutting his eyes. He felt a pat on his shoulder and opened his eyes to look at the woman but was shocked to see his father looking at him with a worried expression.
Hari: Vimal, what happened to you ? why were you screaming ?
Vimal: Dad.. dad… I…. I mean… nothing dad.. just a dream..
Hari: Get ready and I will inform your mom to get you coffee.
Vimal threw the duvet and jumped out of the bed picking his wallet, mobile and car key.
Vimal: Dad, I just got remined of something. I will meet you at office, please handle mom for me. Love you dad.
He rushed out before Hari could stop him. Kavitha entered the room holding a cup of coffee and saw Hari lost in thoughts.
Kavitha: Where is Vimal ?
Hari: His friend needed some help so he left just now.
Kavitha: What is happening to him ? This is not the first time he is leaving abruptly. Is he ok ? Are you keeping an eye on him ?
Hari: Yeah he is ok..
Vimal drove his car and stopped it nearby a park and started hitting the steering in frustration.
Vimal: Who the hell are you ? why do you torture me like this ? For fuck sake I m not a pervert and I m not interested in any woman now. I just want to be in peace, Why don’t you let that happen ?
He leaned over the steering and closed his eyes but the waist wouldn’t let him be at peace. He groaned pulling his hair and started driving to his flat. He entered the washroom and stood under the shower to calm his mind.
Vimal walked out of his room star naked and picking up his mobile he called for the psycologist immediately and booked an appointment to him by afternoon. He opened the draw of his night stand and saw the things he had stuffed after seeing them in his dream especially with the woman of his dream.
He got dressed up and quickly drove to his office. He was working on a file when he was called by his father. He entered the room and saw his father seated on the couch with chess board placed before him.
Vimal: Dad, I thought you had some work but you seem to be so relaxed and playing the game of two.
Hari: Ofcourse I’m playing the game of two for a while now so thought of giving an end to it, what do you say ?
Vimal took a exaggerated breathe and settled opposite to his father knowing the hidden meaning behind his words.
Hari: Sometimes you should speak out your thought if you need a solution. Screaming out of sleep, walking out during middle of a conversation, looking lost in thoughts will not help you Vimal.
Vimal: Dad, I have booked an appointment with the psycologist. I will be fine and relieve you soon, please dad.. few more days or may be 2 months… thats it.. I will be back to normal. I can’t say anything other than this at this point.
Hari: If you say so…but you can always come to me, you know we are there for you.
Vimal bobed his head and took his leave to meet the psycologist. He entered his room and greeted him before they sat opposite to each other.
Vimal: Doctor, I have some serious problem recently, I mean .. I m being constantly haunted by a woman in my dreams. Most of the times, the dreams are so intimate and surprisingly very kinky too. I couldn’t remember her face but I remember every other thing about her. Its too disturbing and I couldn’t focus on anything. Its been hardly few months I got divorced and now this woman from my dream is terrifying me. Could it be because I m celibate for a while ?
Psycologist: Being celibate may be or may not be a reason depending on the person and how he manages his mind and physical needs.
Vimal: I m definitely not in a serious mind to think about sex after everything happened in my life.
Psycologist: In psychological perspective, dreams often reflect subconscious thoughts, desires, and experiences. If a man frequently thinks about marriage or his ideal partner, his mind may create a dream figure resembling his future wife. In your case may be your expectations in your wife and the divorce must have triggered your mind to rekindle the life you always wanted with your wife. It could also be Coincidence or Subconscious Recognition.
Vimal: What does that mean ?
Psycologist: Sometimes, people dream of a stranger who later turns out to be someone they meet in real life. This could be a coincidence or a case of subconscious recognition, where the brain picks up on familiar traits before consciously realizing it. The brain creates dream characters based on past experiences, current & future preferences and emotions. If a man has a certain type or qualities he subconsciously seeks in a partner, his brain may generate a dream figure that aligns with those preferences.
Vimal: But it feels more of sexual which is my concern.
Psycologist: Vimal, you don’t term it as just sex, its the way body, mind and soul of two persons interact with each other. Ofcourse there could be people having sex without emotions and only for phsical needs but your dream is more of intimacy and the love you are yearning from your patner. The kind of attention you are expecting from your partner.
Vimal: I don’t think all these dreams hold any value right now especially that the chapter of marriage is over in my life.
Psycologist: Nothing comes to an end unless your mind decides it for you. For now start meditating and spend sometime with your closed ones, travel to calm places to relax your mind for a peaceful sleep.
Vimal thanked the doctor and took his leave and drove back home. He stopped by a cafe to have coffee and was surprised to see Chaitra with her fiance. He didn’t want to disturb their time and tried to leave but Chaitra saw him and invited him to their table. She introduced each other and Vimal ordered coffee for him. He watched Chaitra talk casually with her fiance but he felt something in her eyes. Her fiance received a call and excused to answer it.
Chaitra: Shouldn’t you be at office at this hours ?
Vimal: Had to meet someone important and I was driving back to office but a hot coffee would fix my headache.
Chaitra picked up a pain balm from her handbag and passed it to him.
Chaitra: This is the best pain balm and I use this everytime I feel head ache and its smell alone will soothe my pain. Try it.
Vimal chuckled hearing her words, not that he hasn’t used any pain balm but the way she was explaining as if he would have never heard of pain balm made him smile and picked a little with the tip of finger and massaged his forehead. Right in time his coffee was served and he sipped it feeling the pain wash away instantly.
Vimal: Thank you, it feels better. So how are things going on since you have only few days left for your big day ?
Chaitra: We started inviting and I will be visiting Aadhi tonight to invite her. I will visit uncle and aunty at their home tomorrow morning and how about you ? Where should I meet you to invite you ?
Vimal: Don’t bother inviting me with all your busy schedule. I will be there without fail and I m sure my whole family will be there for your wedding.
Chaitra’s fiance returned and she took leave passing a smile towards Vimal who watched them leave.
Vimal: There is no spark or excitement in your eyes while you speak of your wedding and he looks like a dumb. Could have found someone better.
He paid for the coffee and returned home to continue to his work.
Rishi and Aadhi returned home and she got changed into her usual shirt and shorts and followed Rishi to the kitchen like a puppy and he hoisted her sit on the island. Her hand immediately touched the little bump with a smile. Rishi kissed her cheek and bump before he started cooking. They heard door bell and Rishi rushed to check on it. He returned to the kitchen and carried Aadhi to the living and she squealed on seeing Chaitra. Both friends hugged each other and Chaitra touched her llittle bump and cooed talking to the baby.
Chaitra: Hi baby, I m your Chaitu aunty and I can’t wait to steal you from your mommy and her crushy baby.
Chaitra gave the invitation to them and Rishi too wished her. Aadhi hugged and read the details of the invitation. She couldn’t stop her mind from imagining her brother’s name in it.
Rishi: You both keep gossiping and I will get the dinner ready by the time.
Rishi returned to the kitchen and Aadhi sat with Chaitra.
Aadhi: Chaitu, are you happy, is everything ok ?
Chaitra: All cool and just few more days for me to join your married woman team.
Aadhi: I m so happy for you, be expressive of your wishes to him and hear his wishes too.
They were talking and laughing out loud until Rishi called them to join for dinner. He served them and Chaitra felt happy to see the way Rishi cared for Aadhi but she knew her soon to be husband would not be anywhere to close to Rishi or Vimal like Malini said but she knew it is absurd to expect a partner looking at someone. She was sure of building her home in a positive way.
Chaitra: You should have been a chef bro..
Rishi: I m ready to shut down the business and start a hotel. What say Aadhu ?
Chaitra: Grandpa and uncle will kill you if dare to abandon their baby.
Rishi chuckled at her answer and they continued having dinner. Later Chaitra took her leave requesting Rishi to send Aadhi atleast a day before the wedding.
Vimal woke up the next morning and got ready. He entered the kitchen and saw his mother preparing coffee. He took over the job and poured coffee to him and his mother. They returned to the living and Hari returned after his daily jogging in the garden.
Hari: You are ready so early ? I thought I would have to come to your room to wake you up.
Vimal: I said Chaitra will be arriving to invite you and mom to her wedding and I m planning to start early for office. I sent her a message that I m here since she wanted to invite me too.
Hari: Oh, yes… I will get ready in lightning speed.
Kavitha and Vimal chuckled on his words but true to it he walked out dressed up in record time and sat next to his wife. Right on time Chaitra entered with her mom Rani and father Prabhakar and was welcomed by Vimal, his dad and mom.
Prabhakar: We have no words to express our gratitude for the help your son has done to our daughter. I personally wanted to invite your family for her wedding.
Hari: You don’t have thank and lets not talk about that when we having a special day to talk about. Congrats Chaitra.. I still remember you and Aadhi running to the school and now you have all grown up.
Rani: I will talk to Aadhi and I want you all for all the rituals before wedding.
Kavitha: This is our family so we will be there for all the rituals. Call me if you need my help in anything.
Vimal: Yes aunty, please tell us and we would be happy to arrange everything. We have people who get arrangements done to your wish.
Chaitra: Will they do for free ?
Rani nudged Chaitra but Hari, Kavitha and Vimal laughed at her.
Hari: you don’t need to worry about the expenses Chaitra, you are my daughter too and I will be happy to do anything for you.
Prabhakar: She is just kidding, we have taken care of everything and you all please grace the wedding.
Vimal entered the kitchen and made coffee for them and Chaitra showed a super sign after sipping it.
Chaitra: Yesterday I had dinner with Aadhi and her crushy baby. He cooked the dinner and it was so amazing and now this coffee is just wow.
Vimal smiled at her words and her parents gave the invitation inviting them formally. Later Vimal drove to his office after Chaitra and her family left his home.
