Delhi

Rina was staring absently at the door with their nameplate on it, holding a large bag of groceries. She hadn’t even rung the doorbell yet. She knew Maddy was at home. She even had the keys.  But she didn’t want to open the door just yet. She was so bored. Infact she was tired of being bored. She felt like they had fallen into this rut ever since they got married and they hadn’t done anything about it. Truth be told, she had a feeling Maddy didn’t even feel the rut.
She sighed, pulled out the keys from her pocket and opened the door. She ambled towards the kitchen to keep all the grocery bags down when she saw Maddy in the kitchen pouring out a cup of tea. She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back, gave her a quick hug and walked into the hall. As he sat down, he called out, “Rina…I made chai for you also haan. It’s on the katta.”
She shook her head and smiled. She should be grateful for the life she had. They had built for themselves a good life. They had found each other early on in life without each having to go through the hassles of single life in the twenties. They both had steady jobs. But she was still feeling this odd feeling of no excitement. She picked up the tea and walked slowly towards Maddy. She spotted his head over the sofa and opened her mouth to call him when he said, “Arre Rina, listen, before I forget…Shashi aunty called.”
She frowned and sat down on the sofa next to him. She put up an arm on the sofa and turned to face him. He smiled at her the way he always did when he saw her and said, “Kya hua? You okay?”
She smiled and nodded.
“What did she say? Man, it’s been so long since I spoke to her yaar! She must feel so bad.”
“She wanted to talk to you about Heer. Some plan she has and she wants your help. Call her na.” He handed her the landline.
She set the tea cup on the table in front and dialled the number.
“Rinaaaaa! How are you beta? Back from work?”
Rina grinned and replied, “Yes aunty! How are you? I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to call you! It’s been too long. Work and all has been crazy. Aap batao? Sab theek?”
“Yeah beta. All good. Heer as per usual is doing everything. Doesn’t really leave much for me to worry about. Speaking of Heer…”
“Is she alright, aunty?”
After a pause, she answered, “Essentially, yes. But I feel she could do with some change. A change of scenery. I was thinking of roping you in. What are your thoughts?”
Rina’s grin only grew wider. She promptly asked, “What a coincidence, aunty! I was looking for one myself. What did you have in mind?”

Author's Note: I find it so incredibly sweet that I put up one chapter and I get 6 comments from you guys and that too such kind ones! Guys, my heart has officially melted into a puddle. Here is chapter 2. Still early days. So much more to go! Let's see how long we take to get there.
Meanwhile, I hope you guys are all safe and at home. Hoping for good things and happiness for everyone!
S