Born to burn

 HUD HUD DABBHANG, DABBHANG...  The phone seeked attention boisterously. 'Man is known by the company he keeps' was a thing of past. Today, the ringtone told or more of confirmed what kind of personality Hemant was. Who better than Disha could tell a better story? 

"Hello, yes? No, not today. Sir is flying to Singapore today by the 7pm flight with Samir Sir. Cancel his 6pm appointment." Disha directed the manager in being his boss's better pet. After all, she was best of all the domesticated keeps. Nodding and agreeing in unison to Hemant's idiosyncrasies. Not to mention, answering his calls and an ever ringing phone. 

"Manju, is the upma ready? Keep a slice of lemon in the corner and not on the heap. Mind you it should be cut in a quarter and not half also deseeded." Manju was habituated to this heap was instructions from her mistress every morning yet everytime they were hurled at her she found herself immersed in them totally unable to keep afloat. 

"Jaggubhai, open the gates, Sahab's SUV might be arriving any moment from the gym. Take care, Monto doesn't loiter in between." Another set of instructions parceled from the 1st floor dining room to the watchman's cabin.

The whole of Prestige Villa was set to welcome the Man of the House, Mr. Hemant Oberoi, the only burning flame of Oberoi Group of Textiles. The only heir to the empire after having defeated his own blood in the race to the throne. 

Jaggubhai offered his best prayers to the heavens lest he offended his master. The iron gates creaked and the SUV honked an entry. The stomping of the sport shoes on the climb to first floor echoed in Disha's heart. She smiled warmly at his ever cold face. Without a word or eye contact, Hemant settled on the breakfast table burrying himself in the Economics Times. 

A morsel into the oral orifice and it started blarring, "Years of reprimand have done no good to you! The same old mistake repeats frequently. Even the dead clock shows correct time twice a day but not a living mortal like you. The mistakes turning into blunders and boulders of blunders are at your sake. Good for nothing female. My mother was right the cowdung too is favourable but not you! An educated illiterate! I can... " Manju knew she had forgotten to deseed the lemon but the acid would be hurled on her mistress. She tried her level best to save the dignified lady from the flames of bashful wrath but today again she had failed miserably. 

The woman who commanded an entire army of Oberoi's faithfuls turned ash with Hemant's arrogant, dominating demeanour. Twenty years of humiliation and insults had made her a consuming person. There were only flames of pride and superiority wallowing her with no sparks of intimacy. Only regret of her marriage, she was childless and virgin! 

 Today too she absorbed the flames like a bucket of cool water or sand, she herself didn't know where she was heeding. 

The family grandeur too shown at Disha's excreta engulfing nature. She was a scavenger cleansing after Hemant's misdeeds. The shoulders never drooped with the burden of the family pride. Committed and calm she continued to burn like the wick but only the flame rose to fame. Hemant was after all The Man of the House!

"Why did you cancel my 6pm meeting with the client? Who tells you to mind your rural nosepin nostril in my sophisticated business?" The day going to be a challenge for her today. There was no use of voicing out her opinion on this. Hemant had forgotten his flight to Singapore and she would bear the burnt to it. 

The kitty party in the afternoon was a must attend for her. Licking asses of Hemant's business associates' wives was another task assigned. How she missed her simple yet rich middle class life! Books were her sole companions and debates were her soulmates. The one time debate champion now spoke only on celebrated occasions called Corporate Parties. 

The ladies hushed as Disha made her way to the table at Le Meridian were the kitty was held. Adjusting herself in the seat she heard sympathies being hurled at her, very unusual yet it was happening today. 

"It happens Disha, when our own husbands are busy we need to resort to these young candies for our that spark in the vagina. But we need to be careful that the flame doesn't burn our well carved identity." Mrs. Saxena's words brought no reaction to her haggard face. She very well knew the chewing gum here was Samir. But she was helpless. The wine brought no spirit to her dying soul. She escaped the misery by citing an emergency at home. 

HEMANT OBEROI the name flashed on her i-phone screen. Reluctantly, she received. "I have given you all the liberties and luxuries way beyond your expectations. Can't you just keep a secret a secret? The thing about Samir is spreading like wild fire. Be careful, lest the flames touch me!" Now this was something that shook Disha's bones. She quivered in fear of the impending doom. 

"Disha, I know you have feelings for Samir. Its natural but what about your marriage of twenty years. This penance will be ruined by the flame called Samir." Friends advised her and Hemant admonished her. The scapegoat had to burn the pastures. 

"Samir is a friend but not a muse. He is Hemant's flame. Hemant is a gay. I'm a married celibate of 20years." This cool reveal was not going to extinguish the flame that would soon destroy the Oberoi empire. The news would spreading like wildfire and Disha was already packing her bags for better pastures.