‘That’s never stopped you from visiting friends before.’
‘Drinks, ma’am?’ The eager young waiter had stuck a tray under her nose.
Lata picked up an unfamiliar-looking drink. A whisky or brandy or something. It smelled awful, even from a distance.
‘Oh!’ Malini retreated, shocked. ‘At least think of your husband! He’s been coming here every night, acting normal, trying to quell the rumours. And you’re just doing your best to fuel them.’
So that’s where Ajay had gone every night, trying to act as if nothing was wrong with his family or he wouldn’t have showed his face at the Club. Suddenly it all clicked into place.
***
She swayed, as it hit her all at once. The only reason Ajay had kept her on because he didn’t want people to believe that his wife could leave such a nice, successful doctor like himself for a penniless, young rogue. That’s the reason why he had quietly paid up the jewellery bill without a word. Rita had known that he would and that’s why she had ordered a new gold and platinum set along with it’s matching bracelet.
It was the first time that Lata had actually bought anything from them instead of exchanging or renting. If Mr Lal, the owner of Lakshmi Jewellers had been surprised, he had hidden it well. Specially in light of the recent scandal, this was very odd, indeed.
Rita had hushed up a protesting Lata and had asked Mr Lal to put it on Dr Ajay Saxena’s account. Mr Lal was only too happy to do so, as Dr Saxena’s family were one of their oldest customers.
Rita had been right. Ajay had not only paid up for the new clothes and shoes without a murmur when the bills came, he had also fallen into Rita’s plan of attending the Annual Dinner with them. Rita had collared him about that as soon as he’d set foot in the house one evening.
Ajay would do anything to keep his image intact. He couldn’t bear to be humiliated publicly, not least by his demure, little wife.
***
Suddenly, the loud music, and the chattering people all got to her and made the Club garden go around. She clutched at Malini to keep from falling.
‘You’re drunk!’ hissed Malini accusingly, drawing back.
Lata could only shake her head, unaware of the ironic smile on her face. How could she have been drunk when she hadn’t even taken a sip of that awful-smelling liquid. But she didn’t want to give Malini the satisfaction of being right, by putting the glass down on the nearby table.
Ajay appeared by her side, ever the solicitous husband.
‘Are you all right?’ The first words he’d spoken to her in weeks. Lata could have screamed at the irony of the charade that their marriage had become.
‘She’s drunk!’ hissed Malini to Ajay. They tried to shield Lata from curious looks, by standing between her and the crowd.
‘I’m not… but I soon will be…’ Lata was surprised that she could do such a good imitation of slurring her words, just like in films. Another hysterical giggle escaped her.
Malini took a step backwards. Ajay tried to take the glass out of her grasp. But Lata held on tight, as some of the awful-smelling liquid spilled onto her fingers.
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