Babita's Blunder (658 words)

When Sekhar mentioned over morning coffee that he would be away in Washington for two days on official work, Babita demurred. She had never stayed alone in this place. Though her house in Fort Lauderdale was independent, there were many adjoining houses on both sides. She was by nature timid.

Sekhar said with finality” Look honey, I cannot put off this trip. I will leave tomorrow morning and may have to be away for one night. I will be back by day after tomorrow night, you can be sure. You have to get adjusted to staying alone. There is no fear here.”

Babita woke up with a start the next day night when she heard a heavy truck pass through the road. Without moving she looked at the clock it was 1 am. Her child was fast asleep on the tiny cot adjacent to their king-size bed. When she opened her eyes fully and looked around, she was shocked to find a dark silhouette of a young man standing by the side of the door.

 The room was dark and Babita never liked the night light in her room as it disturbed her sleep. The street light that found its way through the curtained windows was adequate. She concluded it must be a burglar waiting to enter her bedroom to access the steel almirah. She did not move even a little in panic and had her eyes almost closed as if she were asleep. She cursed Sekhar for having left her alone. The figure came close to the child and stood staring at the child for a moment before moving towards her. When she was shivering in fear about its next step, It strangely tiptoed to another room.

Babita making sure the figure was not there, jumped out of the bed and locked the door. She rang 911 seeking help. In a few minutes, she saw to her relief, a couple of police cars with coloured lights blinking screeching to a halt outside her house. There was dazzling light from the cars. She gained confidence when she saw the policemen approaching the door. As she was waiting for the bell to ring, she heard voices in the living room

“You say you didn’t call us. But we got the panic message clearly with this address. Who else are there in the house?” asked one of the policemen in a gruff tone.

“My wife and child are sleeping on the first floor. There must be some mistake somewhere.”Babita heard the reply.

When she came down, she saw Sekhar to her surprise and surmised what had happened. She explained to the policemen how she mistook the shadowy figure for some burglar as her husband was supposed to come only the next day. There were profuse apologies by Sekhar for the surprise he wanted to give his wife and the loud laughter that followed the gaffe before the policemen left.

“Why are you angry? I thought you would be happy at my return. I saw you both asleep and did not want to disturb you. So, I went to the living room and read the unfinished novel. Come up and let us go to bed,” said Sekhar

One month later Sekhar had to go to New York for one day. He promised to come back by the next day evening. Babita was half asleep when she heard some noise possibly from her child. She found the child sleeping soundly. The clock struck 2 am. When she turned to the other side, she found the dark shadow standing near the door. Not to be taken in by her husband’s trick again, she smiled and said “I know you will come. I am waiting for you. Come and lie down by my side”

The shadow stood for a moment and then hesitantly moved towards her bed.

Sekhar was snoring heavily in his room on the 7th floor of Sheraton Manhattan in New York.