She opened her bleary eyes when the cat, all seven pounds of squirming flesh, climbed onto her belly. Everything seemed like a bad dream for Riya which she wanted to forget at any cost. But reality was different. Today when she was supposed to be having the time of her life with Robin, she is caught with this innocent creature who hardly understands a thing and may be like Riya herself can’t help but remain a silent spectator to last night’s events, which is not going to put things to normalcy for sure.
“Meow” Pussy seems to be in no mood to surrender, she gently tries to sneak inside the comforter that has been giving Riya the warmth she needs at the moment. A lifeless thing which was allowed to be with her in her most private moments with Robin. White black Zebra stripped large comforter brought by Robin on his way back from US and gifted to Riya on their first anniversary. Riya had expected something else and couldn’t hide her anger when Robin unwrapped and gave it to her on their big day.
“Most Weirdest gift for a wife” she exclaimed and walked off. Robin a man of simple choices had no clue as to what wrong he had done. From how much he had known her, he knew Riya loved simple things but how come that simple turned into weird so fast he had no idea. Last year when Riya was eagerly waiting to celebrate her first anniversary, Robin got a call that made him travel abroad for a meeting.
He left but with the assurance that he will be back with that special gift for his lady love. He frantically searched and then something stuck him “Riya is special and that gift should be something which will stay with her and will always remind her of our romantic bond”. Suddenly he saw that comforter and within fraction of a second decided “This is it, Riya is going to like it as it will give her the warmth that she needs in my absence and hopefully she will miss me more”. But things turned different when the poor thing was unwrapped by this young lady.
“Oh my God, how come you got this….? Didn’t you find something else. How could I fall in love with this man? may be Mom and Dad were right in judging Robin.” Robin tried his best to convince her but she was in no mood to listen. Finally, when Robin ordered a diamond pendant for her online, she was happy and all smiles. A picture in the social networking site with the pendant on and a caption “A lovely gift makes the evening worth remembering” was enough to boost her spirit.
Though she was elated she couldn’t forget that gesture of Robin of gifting a comforter. It rested in the first shelf of the closet and all thanks to Lata who does Riya’s laundry that the comforter could finally find its place in Riya’s bed. However, it couldn’t escape Riya’s brown eyes, poor thing had to be kept till the replacement was washed and was ready to be used. Hesitantly Riya used the same but no sooner fell in love with it. A self-confessed AC buff it has been her habit of putting the AC on and sneaking inside the quilt, summers are not spared too. The fluffy and soft piece was the best one Riya has had till date and in her mind, she praised Robin for his choice but looking at it as an “anniversary gift” would ignite her anger. Finally, when this summer she realized Robin’s birthday was just a day away she too
went on a shopping spree for hubby dear. She knew Robin didn’t like pets and that was enough to trigger her thought in a direction whose grave consequence she had never imagined.
“That’s Pussy …… so cute, like a soft toy” thought Riya when she examined her thoroughly at
the pet shop.
“This will be the best gift for Robin. Would love to see his reaction. Let him be in the same state as I was six months back . It’s going to be fun and maybe he too will realize his mistake in the process”. As soon as she tried to catch her with her palms, it jumped and sat on the
couch nestling nicely against the cushion.
“Let her be there, till I finish doing my stuff” exclaimed Riya and went on to set the dinner
table for the evening.
She cleaned the kitchen, and thought of baking Robin’s favorite chocolate cake. Robin loves it and Riya made sure it came out perfect. She set the timer and as soon as it beeped, she knew it was done. Leaving it in open air she thought of preparing lasagna which again topped Robin’s wish list any time.. Robin a self- confessed foodie loves tasting different cuisines but lasagna has never let any one take it’s place. Even Riya loved it and hence it was always their mutual choice. Suddenly there was a “thud” and her heart sank when she saw the cake bowl lying upside down on the kitchen floor and pussy leaking her feet sitting in the kitchen platform.
The sequence of events could easily unfold before her mind’s eye and she ran to take hold of the baking tray. “Thank God” it’s all intact …………..”Riya thought and with her big eyes signaled the innocent being to go and take it’s place in the couch. For “Pussy” it was her first day at “Mathew house” and she was in no mood to surrender. With lightening speed, she went up, down and ventured into each and every closet which was open. It was as if she was having the time of her life where she has such a huge space to show her acrobatics. As soon as Riya finished up with her cooking, she asked Lata to clean the entire house and decorate the living area with balloons. She herself got ready and tied a small pink ribbon around Pussy’s neck too.
She knew that foreign clients are there and Robin would come home after dropping them off at the airport. A movie appeared to be the best option but suddenly she was disturbed with Pussy’s continuous “Meows”. “Maybe she is hungry” Riya thought and ran towards the kitchen to get some meat for her. Pussy dipped her face and went on chewing the same in one go which very well showed how hungry she has been. “it’s so nerve wracking to manage a pet” may be Riya had stated repenting her whimsical decision of bringing the brat home. Suddenly Riya’s thoughts were interrupted by the door bell sound and leaving Pussy with her bowl of meat she ran to open the door.
“Oh! Robin come baby,” She gave a tight hug to her man thereby wishing him for his big day in a soft murmur. “Hey, did you do all this?” Robin’s curiosity increased with each passing second. “Oh! Yeah!! there’s still more to come…………….” Riya said “It must be the best birthday ever” Robin exclaimed, as she dragged him close to her chest where he could feel the thumping sound of her heart and with his every single touch she seemed to melt. Riya didn’t want that moment to go but suddenly their most loving moment got a jolt with a loud noise.
“Oh! My God” Riya ran towards the kitchen and it must have been the fastest in her life. To her utter dismay Lasagna had made its way to the kitchen floor and cake to the mattress……………All thanks to pussy. Riya couldn’t believe what she saw and in a fist of anger yelled at the innocent animal at the
top of her voice. “How could you do it? Oh! My God! everything has been ruined, I shouldn’t have got you home.” Robin stood surprised, as if he was a mute spectator to the entire showdown. Finally, in a soft voice he asked “What’s the matter my love?” Then again he added “Who got this home? You know I don’t like pets…………….” Riya was speechless, she knew she can’t escape Robin’s anger and hence in a low tone murmured “This is your birthday gift…………. Robin”
“What? Are you crazy……..how could you ever think that way ?” Robin exclaimed
“Don’t get me wrong, Robin!!I just wanted to see how you would react and may be in the
process you realize your mistake of gifting me the comforter.” Riya said
“I pity your thought, Riya. Both the things are totally different. I chose comforter because I
felt you would like it and if I would have ever know your disliking, then I would have never
got the same at the first place but you clearly knew that I don’t like pets but still you got one
just to watch my reaction …………….enough of this nonsense” It was not difficult for Riya to
imagine Robin’s level of annoyance.
Riya was about to say sorry, when Robin banged the door and went off. As soon as Riya ran behind Robin, her feet slipped and she fell flat on the floor with a bang. She was in pain but deep within she knew that it was all self -created. She was the only one to be blamed at that moment for her miserable plight. Poor thing, She cleaned her face and finally taking a pain killer went to sleep.
Today she wants to erase all of yesterday’s events from her mind. “How can she fight with Robin?” “How can she behave in such a way?” A chill ran down her spine when she thought about all these. Lost in guilt she stares at “Pussy” who has nestled perfectly besides her. She gives her a pat at the back and tying her hair in the form of a poofy pony ventures out of the bedroom. As soon as she enters into the kitchen she is surprised to see everything in order. No more trash on the floor, no more napkins or broken glass pieces as kitchen is back to it’s usual self. Not only that living area is perfectly done………… “Oh my god!” tears start rolling down her eyes when she sees Robin with the breakfast tray.
“French toast and juice for my princess” Robin says as his eyes meet hers. With her aching feet Riya runs, runs to embrace her hubby, runs because she has realized her mistake, runs to hug him and say him sorry, runs because she loves him and can never let him go……………………………..
