The Yellow Frock

Rajani felt tense. Ten minutes before Ronojit had rushed out suddenly.

“But we have already checked from Bipin babu. Airports will have dispensers at frequent intervals,” Rajani had tried to stop him.

She did not like last minute change in plans. They had to leave for the airport in some time.

“Areee, you don’t understand. There will be many surfaces that we will end up touching. How did I miss it?” Ronojit had muttered, irritated with himself. “I will get it from Montu’s shop.”

Montu’s shop was right around the corner, and he should have been back, Rajani thought, looking at the phone. Rono at times just drove her up the wall! Rajani checked her purse…passport with the visa printout, tickets, dollars, pen, lipstick, comb....everything was in place. She had felt the crispness of the dollar notes, when Rono had got them. They looked unreal, like the money in their ‘monopoly’ set. She pushed Toto to the toilet, for the third time in the last one hour.

Waiting for Rono, will cause unnecessary delay. She set herself to locking up the house. Choton, the cab driver, from their local stand, would be here any moment. She tugged at the sequined pink top, part of her newly acquired wardrobe, and averted the eyes of her six-year old son, who had already asked her why she was differently dressed. Was it too short?

Hearing a loud honk, she peered out of the living room window and saw Choton looking up. Gesturing him to come, she quickly mapped the house, shutting the main electric line. The taps were off, doors and windows locked, the television and sofa covered…looked done. The front door was ajar, and when Choton rang the bell, she asked him to come inside and take the luggage. Choton took the bags and went down.

“Shut the lift doors properly,” Rajani called after him. Picking up Ronojit's phone and charger, and her purse, she locked the front door and instructed Toto to follow her.

Rajani was exhausted; 2020 had been trying. She and Toto had mostly been at home. Rono had been going to office from October. But all their picnics and social gatherings had stopped. This was the first holiday after travel started opening up, post pandemic. Her mother and Rono’s father, had been very upset that they were travelling.

“Take spare masks; don’t eat salads; sanitise your hands every half-an-hour…,” it had been a never-ending list from both parents. Even yesterday night they had gone over it, till Rajani had become exasperated.

It’s not that she did not understand; but the constant flow of pandemic related news at times made her edgy. “I have made a check-list with both of your suggestions. So please do not say anything more.”

She for one, was very happy that Bipin Sen, from Wanderlust, would be their guide and accompany them on the trip. Once she reached the airport and handed everything to him, she would just relax. Now where was Rono!

It was almost the middle of 2021, but the concerns with Covid-19 were not over. Even Choton was telling her that she should avoid all non-veg food, as Singapore had lot of Chinese people and they ate everything that moved! Choton’s comment made her angry. What irrational thought people were harbouring. Choton can be excused, because he was not traditionally ‘educated.’ But look at some world leaders, responsible people making statements with no thought towards its consequence. Rajani would have challenged the statement, but her irritation was now turning to worry. Rono had still not come. The tears threatened to appear. Was Ronojit in trouble? He was short tempered...had he picked up a fight? Had he been run over? It was almost half an hour. Ronojit's phone started ringing...

It was Rahul, Ronojit's colleague; they had reached the airport and were waiting for them. “Where are you? How long will it take?”

“Ronojit went out and is still not back,” said Rajani, her voice tear-stained.

They were waiting near the taxi. The bags had been arranged neatly. She was already imagining disasters and sweating profusely. Her well-planned chic look was on the verge of collapse.

“We are moving in, though there is enough time. They say three hours before flight time but will announce security check only before two hours,” said Rahul, sounding very experienced.

Rajani murmured an “Ok, see you soon,” and cut the line.

Toto was tugging at her hand and she crossly said, “What is it?”

“Babai,” said Toto, pointing at the bike, which had just turned the corner and stopped with a screech in front of their house.

And sure enough, it was Ronojit; he got down, adjusting his mask, and nodded to the driver, probably thanking him. He had a small packet in his hand. With Toto, Rajani and the driver looking at him with a spectrum of expressions...happiness, relief, bewilderment.......Rono quickly summarized the situation and looking at Rajani indicated that she should put on her mask in the taxi.

“Choton hurry up.....take the bypass...,” he said, as he maneuvered himself, after them, into the backseat. 

“Why are you so late? Rahul called...they have reached and are waiting for us inside the airport,” Rajani said, as Choton started the engine.

“Here sanitise your hands properly,” Rono was extending the sanitiser towards Choton.

Then turning towards Rajani and Toto, he poured liberal amounts on their hands, and said, “You touched the lift. It’s always better to be careful.”

“Why did you get so late?”

“Montu did not have the 100 mil dispensers, so his brother took me to South City mall,” Rono said, as he checked his mobile.

“You went to South City for a sanitiser bottle?”

Suppressing the rising anger, she looked out of the window at the familiar city passing by. How insensitive of him...here she was waiting anxiously...thinking of all the misfortunes...

“Areee… am I so irresponsible?...don’t be upset. Just imagine holidays are back!”

And this was how Ronojit and Rajani Sanyal started their vacation.

Immigration went off smoothly; Rajani chatted with the immigration officer, who had made the fatal mistake of asking her the purpose of her Singapore visit. By the time she finished with her happy monologue (her mood had considerably improved after Dolon, Rahul's wife, had complimented her on her new look), the immigration officer knew the entire itinerary of the trip.

Most of the group had arrived. They were mostly Rono’s office colleagues. Dolon, Rahul and their 4-year old daughter perfectly complimented Rajani's family. Shankar and Vibha Das were a little older to the rest of the group, accompanied by their college-going daughter Sumi. Then there was Lokesh and Sushma, friends of their boss Nitin Rohatgi. Nitin was single and Rajani suspected that Sushma and Nitin had something going. Lokesh was a very quiet man, the type who got lost in a crowd. Nikita and Rohit Bagra, parents of Amit, were the last to arrive. Amit had joined the company during the lockdown period and this was the first time he was meeting the families. Apart from Dolon, Rajani did not know the others too well, having met them only at office parties. But given her extreme penchant for talking (Ronojit had developed a great interest in music during the work-from-home period, and most of the time, had his ears plugged), she was sure that she would know anything that was worth knowing, by the time they were back in Kolkata.

Bipin Sen had not arrived yet. Rajani checked her watch, settled back on the comfortable couch and relaxed. She had suppressed her desire to look around at the shops, as money spend here, would eat into shopping in Singapore. Toto and Dolon's daughter, Riya, were scribbling on their drawing books. Dolon had brought a set for each of them. She was determined that nagging children would not be trip-spoilers. Settled by Rajani's side, she said, “Don't you think it rather strange that Nitin and Sushma have strolled off for coffee, while Lokesh is snoring...” Rajani nodded her full support to the statement...this trip was going to be fun!

Baba went to bed early, so Rajani called her father-in-law.

“Baba, everything is fine. Toto has eaten and will fall asleep in sometime. I will call once we are at the hotel.”

“Ma, we are done with security check. But the flight has been delayed.” This was her third call to her mom. “I will call again, once we are on the flight.” Her ma, she knew, would be awake till the flight left.  

Their group was scattered; Rahul and Ronojit were trying to contact Mr. Sen...she could here Rahul saying....... “So, who will be coming with us? Is he on his way?....ohhhh alright...that would be great.....can I have Mr. Gupta's number? No, the flight is delayed...”

Thankfully they could take off their masks. An elaborate sanitisation process had ensured that. The women had taken their turns to the washroom to add a dash of lipstick. Rajani chatted with Dolon and Nikita for some time and when they got busy discussing fat-free food, she got impatient. The mandatory calls were done, and Rajani was free for people gazing.

There were some, snoring on the couches, with the total conviction that the ground staff would lift them bodily into the flights, if needed. Lokesh was hunched over the paper, and Mr. Bagra was busy with his phone. Amit was having an animated discussion with Toto and Riya, though Rajani could not for the life of her guess what it was. The children were listening pop-eyed, and Rajani smiled happily; Amit would keep the children busy, when they were tired of each other's company. There were laptop-carrying monks, burger eating pundits, and sari-wrapped Iscon devotees. The world was truly becoming global, thought Rajani…now who was that! Walking in smooth lazy strides was a man straight from the pages of GQ. He was coming straight at them...almost looking into Rajani's eyes, it seemed to her.

“Hi everyone, I am Aditya Gupta...sorry for being late...I was almost dragged out of bed by chachu,” said the hunk.

Bipin Sen had some emergency issues and Aditya, the junior partner at Wanderlust, his uncle's company, had been asked to fill in. While the men gathered around Aditya talking about trip details, the women ogled; even Vibha, in her mid-fifties, was watching admiringly.

Adi, he said that was what friends called him, looked more la model than a travel guide. But he turned out to be an asset. He had requested the lady at the airline counter to send someone with the dinner boxes for all of them. On the way he had picked up some chocolates for the kids. Then he gave the good news; the company would be sponsoring the Marina Bay Sands trip, which previously was not included. What he did not tell them was the commission he had bargained for Wanderlust. He proved to be extremely skilled at other things; he managed to un-entangle Dolon's bracelet from Nikita's top, with Dolon giggling and Nikita looking bashful, while the men watched in admiration and envy; admiration for his deft expertise and envy at his luck. He drew a very life-like cow for Toto, who was determined to have a cow on the grassy pasture of his drawing. He could match Amit's knowledge of cricket and answer Sumi’s barrage of questions on south-east Asia. Rajani watched mesmerised, and Adi watched Rajani watching.

On board, Adi ensured that everyone was comfortable; made slight sitting changes and took the two youngest members to the front, to sit with him. It was when he came for Toto that he spoke for the first time to Rajani.

“I think Toto will enjoy sitting with me and Riya...you and Rono da can have a comfortable flight.”

Before Rajani could say anything, Adi said in a very low voice meant only for her, “You have beautiful eyes…they talk all the time....but only some can hear.”

With that he moved off to where Shankar and Vibha were having trouble pushing their over-sized bag into the luggage holder.

Ronojit had gone over to Nitin's seat to see that he was comfortably settled, after all Nitin was their boss. Sushma was sitting between Nitin and Lokesh…“Anyways none of my business,” Ronojit thought, as he walked back to his seat. He had specifically asked for a window seat. Someone had told him that the Sunderbans, which came into view, as they crossed land and entered the Bay of Bengal, looked beautiful. The vast delta, with the numerous tributaries and distributaries, were like the wrinkled bony hands of an old woman.

As he sank into his seat, he looked at Rajani, “At last we are off.”

Rajani looked distracted…

”What's the matter? Are you tense...don't worry...I will hold your hand when the plane takes off,” he smiled, knowing that Rajani became a bundle of nerves on take-off.

Aditya Gupta liked what he saw in Rajani. Adi, to his credit, was enthusiastic about everything; there was a natural joie de vivre in him that was contagious. Nothing he did, or was doing was a ‘put on.’ If he liked Rajani, or for that matter the scores of other women, who moved regularly in and out of his life, it was real. It was as real as it could be, for that point in Adi's life. He was not to blame, if women fell for his natural good looks and charm...he always reasoned with himself. He could see Rajani falling. For him, Rajani was a new experience...in his daily life he hardly interacted with married middle-class housewives. For Rajani, Adi was as unreal as a flying fox...his debonair look and earthy enthusiasm was a fatal combination.

The tea and snacks, served at an hour when the sky was still dark outside the window, woke them up. The scones smelled buttery and fresh. As they had their tea, the sky lighted up with the first rays of the sun. The manicured coast line of Singapore came into view as the orange-yellow sun started melting over the pale-blue fluffy clouds. The harbour was dotted with specks, small and big, ships anchored at a distance, and small fishing boats and buoys. Rajani had a good sleep, with her head on Rono’s shoulder, the tea had woken her up and now Singapore looked all set to welcome her.

The level of Covid-precaution at Changi was admirable. Floor markers ensured safe distancing at F&B outlets, check-in kiosks, security screening, immigration halls and baggage claim halls. Airport staff could be seen cleaning the frequently-touched surfaces. Passengers and crew of flights from certain countries passed through designated area with temperature screening arrangements. Adi had guided them expertly through the maze of regulations and now they were waiting in the Taxi pick-up area, for their travel bus.

The excitement was palpable as they piled into the comfortable 20-seater mini bus. Adi was supervising the luggage, while they settled in. The friendly Singaporean man, he said his name was Jerome Tan, laughingly said that it was too early for a can of Tiger, the local beer. The men groaned in a chorus, expressing their disappointment.

As the bus started, Jerome used a microphone and formally welcomed them. He was funny and warm. In about 20 minutes they reached their hotel in Serangoon. The check-in took some time, as there were two other big groups. Again Adi and Jerome managed everything between them. The children looked in wonder at the huge fish tanks while the ladies checked out the souvenir shops. Soon they checked into their respective rooms.

Their tour was going fine. Riya and Toto went crazy with excitement at the Jurong Bird’s Park, when they were selected to hold out the loops for the sun conures to fly through them. Sitting on the first row at the Dolphin Show, they squealed with delight at the dolphins doing acrobatic stunts. The adults loved the Universal Studios. Though only Amit and Sumi went for the roller coaster. Adi took Toto and Riya to the Shrek Show and later for Pizza and ice cream.

Rajani was miserable and the reason was Adi. She found it irritating when after reaching Sentosa, he strolled off in another direction talking animatedly on his phone; she felt jealous when he helped Dolon play roulette at Marina Bay; she felt left out when he took the men on a 'night out' at Clarke Quay; she was angry when he got lost with Sumi at the Mustafa Shopping Centre. Her usual chatty self was missing and Rono did not know whether to be happy or sad.

Their marriage had been an arranged one; not an unusual thing in India. She was happy; she had fallen in love with her husband over the last eight years. They had their regular disagreements, the once in a while serious fights, the happy making-up and the constant bankable presence of each other. People like Adi were not part of her world and she did not know how to handle him; he was not paying undue attention to her, but in a subtle way trying to make her jealous. She felt it.

She had caught his eye, once in a while, roving lazily over her body. He would be discussing business with Nitin and all of a sudden look straight into Rajani's eyes. On their shopping sojourn at China Town, yesterday, he had volunteered to carry the sleepy Toto. Ronojit had hurt his foot and was walking with a shuffle. Before Rajani could protest, Adi had effortlessly taken the sleepy child from her. As he bent down, very close to her, she could smell him; feel his warm breath on her neck, his fingers brushing ever so slightly against her arms. She shuddered and closed her eyes and in an instant he had moved away. Rajani had been left limp with desire.

It was their last day in Singapore and was unscheduled. Ronojit was very happy; he had got the DSLR that he was looking for, at a price that made him grin like a teenager. Rajani did not seem interested in shopping; she looked tired and lost.

“Don't you want to buy some perfumes?” Ronojit had asked, after they had visited the dollar shops and bought some cheap imitation watches, from Bugis market.

These made good gifts for the brigade of nieces and nephews.

“Not really...the trinkets and memorabilia from China Town are good gift items...I will keep a few for myself as souvenir of this trip,” Rajani had replied.

In the evening they decided to go to Clarke's, for a round of drinks and dinner. Adi had booked them two tables at Shiraz. The group had wanted to watch a belly dance performance.

Rajani had bought a pretty summer frock with yellow and orange pastel flowers that complimented her brown-gold complexion. She would never wear it back home...today was the day for it. When Dolon knocked on their door with a “hurry up you two...,” Ronojit answered, “Madam's not through,” as he went to open the door.

“How is your foot, Rono da?” Dolon asked, as she tumbled inside all excited.

The 30-inch waist of her jeans fitted her comfortably. “I have actually reduced,” she said happily, as Rajani and Rono laughed loudly.

“I have take pain killers, so I can manage to put the foot down.”

“Rajani you look beautiful,” Dolon said.

They went down to the foyer, where the others were waiting for them. Today the tour bus was not with them and they had asked the hotel to call for cabs.

Rajani was dressed to kill, Adi thought, as he checked her out. His eyes took in the soft curves of her breasts, the flaring hips, the brown ankles....the simple frock accentuated all those hidden secrets...her hair piled high in a simple catch, her neck long and proud...oh how he would like to trace them with his lips. Her skin was supple and Adi was reminded of fruity ripeness. Rajani felt his eyes boring through the thin cotton of her dress and burning her. She turned around slowly, pretentiously browsing the hotel showroom displays. She looked at Adi, across a sea of people, her eyes challenging him...

Clarke was crowded and boisterous in weekend gaiety. They found their way to the bar and settled in. The drinks were served and soon the group was having a great time. The tables were laid out across the pedestrian walks and it was very festive. Rajani, sitting on a high stool, noticed quite a few men looking at her admiringly. The alcohol loosened tongues and lifted spirits and when Tatiyana, the belly dancer, came, she was greeted with loud cheering from all the tables. People from the surrounding bars, tourists passing by, moved forward to watch and soon a big circle had formed around her. The Turkish music was loud and the tempo was rising. The way the dancer was moving her body was exciting and hypnotic; Rajani needed to use the washroom and she got up and went inside. The washroom was engaged and the waitress showed her up a small flight of stairs to the washroom on the terrace.

The terrace overlooked the Singapore River, which was dotted with the tourist boats, lit up like lanterns. A slight breeze was blowing and it felt cool. The loud music was mesmerizing from here, flowing like warm honey. The skyline was so like the pictures she had seen - the tall beautiful structures with the bank logos, the iconic lotus-shaped Art Science Museum, and the huge boat-shaped swimming pool on the top of Marina Bay.

The sudden breath on her naked shoulder...and she knew Adi was there...just as she had known he would be...his breath smelled of beer...his hands were warm as they caressed her neck and bare arms... he pressed himself against her back...his hands went around and encircled her waist...a muted moan escaped from Rajani...she let go...his hands cupped her breast...the thumbs rubbing her nipple...ohh! how she wanted his mouth to enclose on them…Rajani turned around slowly…the moonlight was on Adi's face...she read the untamed desire in his eyes…She seemed to have lost sense of time or place. Pulling his face down she closed her eyes...she felt Adi's lips pressing on her willingly parted mouth...his tongue exploring her...her skin was exploding....driven by all the built-up of the last few days, Adi's lips followed the soft velvety dent of her throat, down they went...the buttons of her frock came open...his lips were hungry and rough. Adi turned her around and watched the moonlight caressing her body. He pulled the frock down and the moonlight played with Rajani's neck, shoulders, breasts, throwing a deep shadow below her stomach. Adi gazed...he seemed to imprint every tiny details in his mind...and then he drew her to him.

Somewhere through the haze of desire, she heard Rono’s voice. Anxious and calling to her. Someone was coming up.

“Madam are you feeling sick?” asked the waitress, who had guided her to the terrace.

Adi had gone inside the toilet.

Rajani still smoothing her dress said, “Yes, I am ok…just standing here. Down there it’s very crowded.”

She descended the stairs gently, running her hands through her hair, which had come open.

“What happened?” Ronojit was anxious.

“Oh just the beer...my head sort of reeled, so I sat down on the terrace...am fine now...”she mumbled.

Ronojit did not say anything more. They went back to the table. Adi's place was empty...Nitin, Rahul and a few others were dancing with Tatiyana. Shankar uncle was sitting morosely, his eyes bleary and red, Dolon was giggling and Sushma looked suspiciously at Rajani. Sumi was looking with frank admiration at a group of Australian boys.

“Where were you?” Sushma asked.

Before Rajani could answer, Ronojit said, “She is not used to beer and the drink and excitement got to her; she is fine now...night air always does you good…”

Their flight back home was at two in the afternoon. Adi had packed them off to the airport and stayed back, “Work, you know,” he had said. They had thanked him profusely and when Rajani had tried to make an eye contact, Adi had looked back with eyes that were fresh and smiling, without any remembrance of the night before. Rajani had felt something snap inside her.

On the bus, sitting beside Dolon, she had pretended to have a cold. Once at the airport, she had quickly sort out the toilet. The cold water steeled her tears. The departure process was relatively fast. Once settled at their designated departure gate, her eyes sought out Rono. Dependable Ronojit, who would go out of the way to get her a sun-screen with the correct UV protection because she was not careful of her own skin....who held her hand because she was nervous on a flight…who bought her a Burberry knowing that she wanted one but was restraining herself...

Rajani felt tired...all her limbs seemed to have turned into rubber...Rono was telling a story to Ria and Toto, the three of them huddled at the far end of the lounge. She dragged her tired body and walked the distance to where they was sitting. Without interrupting the story that he was reading out, he leaned back and pulled Rajani's head on his shoulder. Rajani shut her eyes; she was going home.