Red Wheelbarrow 2008 text FINAL REVISED.indd - De Anza College

He looked around one last time and left the Café.
***
Soni waited until he came home; he usually came home
late, but today was later than usual. The news she heard on radio
was scary. She had been here less than year, but she was already so
attached to the place, the rolling hills, the lakes and the waterfalls.
She loved especially the peacocks that danced in the early mornings
in the backyard, Gazelles that walked in and out through the broken
fence and the amazingly colorful birds that chirped sitting on the
tall evergreen trees.
She smiled dreamily. In two days time, she was going to be
Mrs. Mitra. This was going to be her permanent home. Vishy was
showing interest in Mira. Maybe this place would be her sister’s
home too, as much as her own. Ajai Mitra—irascible, incorrigible,
overbearing and smug Mr. Ajai Mitra—would soon be hers.
When she heard the key turning in the door, she stood up,
trying to hide her pink cheeks from him.
“What are you doing up, so late?” he questioned her
shrugging off his jacket.
“I am trying to practice sleeping while standing up on one
leg.” She teased him.
He smiled. She was sassy and he loved it.
“Let’s see if you can sleep walk while hopping and kiss your
future husband,” he said blandly.
“I have a head ache!” she blushed.
“Even before we get married and have a honeymoon?” His
eyebrows went up. He came and stood close to her. His expression
changed as he looked at her.
“And if today were the last time you are going to see me for
the rest of our lives, what would you do?” he asked seriously.
Her eyes rounded with fear at the sudden intensity in his
voice. She looked about to cry. “What are you talking about?”
He turned away without answering.
“The news says there is trouble brewing. Are we in danger?”
the pulse in her throat started beating frantically.
Silently, Ajai pulled her into the Prayer room. He reached
to the small box containing the vermillion powder and took a
pinch between his fingers. Her eyes dilated with confusion. In a
Hindu marriage, when an unmarried man lined the vermillion in
an unmarried woman’s parted hairline, it signified marriage.
102 | Red Wheelbarrow