As I was climbing up the stairs, I checked at my watch and realised, Oh God! It’s already seven and I’m late. I rang the doorbell and my wife Tanushree opened the door. I entered in, saying, “Hurry up,  I’m getting late”. What’s wrong, Shridhar, guess you’ve taken some freelance assignments. Off lately you’ve been very prompt on reaching somewhere and moreover these days you aren’t informing me your whereabouts”, complained Tannu. Off lately you have not been having a tea with me.

I got irritated, but then I felt I wouldn’t want to spoil my evening in an argument with Tannu. I asked, “Tannu where’s my towel and keep my clothes ready. Instructing her, I jumped into the bathroom. I came out feeling fresh, both physically and mentally. Having dressed, I checked my mobile, there were thirteen missed calls and it was deliberately kept on silent mode. It was Sheeba and a peculiar feeling of being wanted aroused in me. I loved the juvenile feeling.

“Tannu, I would be late, do have your dinner’, saying this I closed the door and ran downwards towards my car. While driving I put on the stereo.The good old love ballads made me feel as if I was born to love and to be loved. I analysed, it would take at least an hour for me  to reach Sheeba’s place.I would be keeping her waiting for too long. But, today I have a surprise for her. The very thought of her reaction while receiving the gift brought about a feeling of bliss in me. Suddenly I noticed the backlight of my mobile blinking which was placed on the dashboard. It was Sheeba, “Darling I’m on the way. I’ve got a gift for you”. Saying this at a stretch, I kept my mobile back on the dashboard. I did not give her time to speak or else I knew I would have to concoct some stories.

After sometime I saw the backlight of my mobile flashing again, This time it was Tannu, I ignored it and did not bother to answer it. After a while it was Tannu again. Hesitantly I picked up the mobile and said harshly, “Tannu, I’m driving and I am not supposed to talk on mobile while driving”. Tannu intervened, saying, “I know, but then you did not take your handkerchief dear. Ok bye, and try to make it early.” I knew I was callous.

Amidst the melodious love songs within the car and the traffic outside I started thinking, it’s been nearly eight years since I married Tannu. We did have our share of teething problems in the initial years, but then later on it was normal. At times her ego and stubbornness gets on my nerve. But it never lasted long.

But then Sheeba was different. The very thought of her enhances my energy levels. Her expressive eyes, her dense and gracious hair, I love the way she smile. She’s got a fabulous dressing sense. Sometimes I feel that it’s Sheeba who fills the void in my life. I cannot keep her waiting for this long. I’m sick of giving false reasons to her. Today it’s fine, I can swathe it up with the gift I bought for her. Wow man!! It’s not easy picking gifts for a woman.

Goodness God! I thought, I am still at Bandra and with this traffic it would take precisely half an hour from here to Sheeba’s  place.. When would our Mumbai be Shanghai as proclaimed by our ministers. Such a chaos!!!. Oops!!! what’s Tannu doing here?, I thought. I saw a lady crossing the road. It was millionth fraction of a second, as the lady looked very similar to Tannu. Similar dress, similar height. For that matter anyone would ‘ve made a gaffe  but not for me. I knew I just left her at home.

I started wondering and talking to myself, Hey Shridhar , are you the same person who used to preach Tannu how to be a dedicated wife whereby camouflaging your insecurities and inhibitions. You behaved as though you could be the best possible man for her yet you were so obscure. You were a struggling Client Executive. Today you are an Area manager. And how much do you know about Sheeba I answered  myself , it’s few months ever since joined as Account executive .Oh No…..No…. it cannot be as I think.

Somewhere a guilt conscious started creeping within but I consoled my self, it’s nothing’s serious. It’s just for fun. .Every famous and successful are into this. It just proves that you too are one among them. You cannot be emotional. I know some guys into this but then I know their wives too. I wonder sometime why do I think too much. C’mon dear, we are in the 21^st century and one cannot sit in a shell, he needs to explore bounds and ends. Look at those successful people that we read in the Page 3 column.

I parked the car in it’s usual place. As I rang the bell, Tannu opened and was surprised to find me. You were supposed to be late, she asked.  I held her palm and placed a beautiful watch on it. She jumped with ecstasy and said, “it could be expensive, Shridhar, you are unpredictable, and I never knew you were so romantic”. and she kept on saying things that I could not hear. Finally I gathered words and asked her , “Can I take you out for dinner today”.