43. Aftershocks
The news of Amanda's arrest was published in local newspapers and shown on local TV channels. In the era of internet, still one can read newspapers of other countries online but it is a rare chance that Richa will read any UK newspaper. Hence, Akshay thought that there is a rare chance that his family in India would ever know about this incident. However, his colleagues in the UK came to know about this incident.
Raghav was happy from inside however he did not show it on his face when he heard about this. Though he was a well-wisher of Akshay initially, still he turned hostile because of Akshay's rude behavior with him in recent past. But as Akshay was his senior, there were less chances of Raghav talking about this incident to Akshay's family. Next two weeks, Akshay had to go regularly to the police station for police interrogation however there was no evidence about Akshay's involvement in murder of Sofia. Later, police declared a clean chit and Akshay was now free from any danger.
Akshay was in touch with his family in India. But the phone talks didn't contain love. Just formal talks. Akshay used to tell stories in the night on phone for Arpit so that he can sleep. Richa showed less interest in talking to Akshay on phone.
Sometimes even if a person gets stumbled upon a stone, his original habit or behavioral patterns doesn't allow him to improve immediately. Akshay felt a ray of hope in the form of Rebecca.
Akshay once called Rebecca for dinner with him.
This time they did not go to the regular hotel where Sofia was working. Instead, they went to some other hotel.
They ordered red wine. Then both started drinking red wine.
Akshay suddenly started subject with her.
"Rebecca, I started liking you. Can we start a relationship? You are so liberal minded woman, so I thought of asking you!"
Hearing this Rebecca became furious.
"Sorry but I am already in a relationship!"
"So what? You are a liberal modern girl. I know you also like me. You can also have a parallel relationship with me!"
"What do you think Akshay? Because just you failed to get hold of Sofia for whatsoever reason, you will go to any other girl like me, and I will accept your offer? What do you think? Just because I am your junior, I will say yes under pressure. You are mad for sex. Nothing else! You see every woman as a sex object. Women is nothing but just a body for you to fuck!"
"What happened Rebecca? You are so liberal minded woman and why suddenly you started acting like a typical Indian woman?"
"Shame on you Akshay! You are making fun of women of your own country. Your own wife. Disgusting!"
"Indian women can't act as lover once she becomes a mother!"
"It’s not only Indian woman. Everywhere it's like that. A mother is a mother. Everywhere in the world, she is the same!"
"Oh, come on Yaar. You are talking bullshit!"
"You are bullshit, Akshay. A dirty bullshit. Marriage is not every time just sex and sex alone. Yes, it is an important part of a married life, but it's not the only part. There are many other aspects also! "
"Don't try to become my wife, Rebecca! Last time you said one person can fall into love with more than one person at the same time. And blah blah... What happened to that so called liberalism mindset of yours?"
Rebecca said laughing sarcastically, "Akshay, the same thing you told Raghav that don't try to become my wife who doubts on her husband. Considering your position and post in office, he further refrained from showing you the right direction in life because you reminded him of his place in your life as only a colleague but not as a friend. He had depicted the whole thing to me! He also knows that one of the reasons you are upset with your wife is her fatness. And hence when you asked me about Sofia and all, I said what you wanted to hear. Because I knew, you won't hear anything else opposing your point of view!"
She further continued.
"See Akshay, there are different type of people in the whole world having different views on sex. Maybe some are liberals, but I am not. I believe in only one life partner. And by the way do you want to see who my life partner is?"
"As per my knowledge Rebecca Madam, you are not yet married. So why didn't you get married to whoever you love?"
"Yes, we will be shortly getting married. Don't worry about that. And if you think that you will trouble me in the office because I have rejected relationship with you, then you are wrong. Better I resign!"
Akshay became angry after feeling dejected and threw glass full of water on the ground. It broke into pieces.
He sat silently feeling sorry for what he just did. A waiter came and collected the broken pieces.
"Let me tell you Akshay. You just got frustrated with your wife, then you tried your relationship with Sophia. It didn't materialize. Now all that frustration you’re venting on me. Disgusting!"
She went to the counter quickly to pay the bill and went home in her car. Akshay was not in his senses. He was shattered due to recent incidents.