Sugar Cube . (standard:romance, 4433 words)
Author: Shamoil Ahmad	Added: Feb 06 2012	Views/Reads: 2867/1889	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
There was impact of Venus on Rashda…she used to kiss Usman… Rashda’s beauty was enchanting…lips like jewel…teeth closely knit pearls…and Venus was perched high on Pisces while she was born a Virgo.

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glided in. “Do you hear...!” She darted in with a swagger and put her 
arms around the neck of Usman. He felt the softness of her breast on 
his person. His anger abated. “I have made phirni (a sweet delicacy) 
for you...!” Rashda said smiling disarmingly and for a while Usman felt 
it strange. Rashda often made phirni, but never did she allude to it in 
this manner. Usman could not help wondering as to what was so special 
about it today.... “Just bringing...!” And she sprinted off to the 
kitchen causing her bangles to clink and anklets to ring out that 
pleasing musical sound and sensed the presence of an intoxicating 
fragrance in the atmosphere. Rashda brought phirni in a cup. Usman's 
anger had evaporated. Putting a spoonful in his mouth, he said. “You 
prepare this delicacy every day, what is so special about it today...” 
“There is something special today...” Rashda continued to swagger. “Let 
me also be privy to it...” “How's the preparation...?” “Very tasty 
indeed...!” “Tell me what it is made of...?” “What it is made of...?” 
“You tell me...” Rashda deposited her cheek on Usman's shoulder. “Of 
milk....” Rashda burst into a peal of laughter. “Milk is the common 
ingredient...what else has been put into it...?” “Ground rice...?” 
“Ooonh...!” Rashda shook her affectedly; her ear tops began to dangle. 
“Then....?” “It's made of onion...” “Onion....?” Usman gave a start. 
“Yes, Sir...!” “Not easy to detect.” Usman said with an element of 
surprise in his voice. Rashda encircled Usman's neck with her arms and 
gradually began to brush his cheeks with her lips. Usman felt the 
shiver. But it did not happen that he put aside the cup of phirni and 
rolled over Rashda to.... Those men who do not covet other women do not 
treat their better-halves in this manner. This was not the time. It was 
not night yet and Usman had just returned from the office after daylong 
work and he was relishing phirni and was perennially wondering why he 
was not getting the feel of onion in it.... That is how it 
happens....Venus begins to superimpose on Saturn and no one gets to 
know about it...the process happens by and by, it moves gingerly...the 
impact is slow and steady.... When Meghnath was about to be born, 
Ravana wanted the auspicious moment to be on eleventh house on the 
ascendant of the constellation. But Saturn was a nonconformist by 
intent. All planets came together, but when the head of the child began 
to come out, Saturn put its foot down at the twelfth house....Ravana 
saw it. He attacked at the foot with his club. Ever since Saturn has 
been limping to cover distance and take two and a half year to go past 
one zodiac post. Saturn took one step forward towards Taurus and 
reached up to the entry door.... Usman was amazed at his stubbornness. 
“Assalam  Alaikum.” “Alaikum Assalam.” “I live in that flat in front of 
yours.” “Yeah...” Usman displayed lack of interest. “Does washerman 
come to your place...?” “Washerman...?” Usman was getting irritated. 
“Yes...! We have just about come here...do not know anything about...” 
“Washerman does not come here.” “Milk...? Milkman must be coming...” 
Usman's anger was getting better of him...he has come here on a 
pretext...wants to gain familiarity to come off and on...” Usman wanted 
to shut the door. Rashda looked from behind the curtain,” “Who is 
it...?” But seeing the young lad there, she retreated back. It occurred 
to Usman that there was a thin film of smile on Rashda's lips. He 
looked at the young lad. He seemed to be smiling too. “If he comes, 
please send him to my house...” The young lad said, then genuflected to 
Usman and left. Usman shut the door with force and put the latch on. 
The window had begun to tease Usman. He found it sometimes 
closed...sometimes open...Usman would sometimes look out and would shut 
it with force. One day he came early from the office. The door was 
open. There was no need to press the call bell. Usman walked in. Window 
was open. Rashda was seated on a chair near the window. On the table 
there was a plate full of sweets. Usman gave a start when eyes fell on 
it. Rashda smiled. But Usman did not smile. He asked. “Where did u get 
this from?” “The one from that flat has given it.” “The one who...?” 
Usman first looked at her in a querulous manner, and then he looked out 
of the window. The lad was standing there, leaning against the window 
grill. He raised his hand in salutation the moment their eyes met. 
Usman got wild. He shut the window with great force and unleashed his 
anger on Rashda. “Why do you always keep sitting near the window...?” 
Rashda's face reddened. She rose and dropped herself on the bed burying 
her face down. And when the sound of her sobs reached the ears of 
Usman, he got worried. This was the first occasion when he had used 
such rude expressions for her. Rashda was sobbing bitterly and Usman 
was at a loss as to what he should do....Once he tried to touch Rashda, 
but she displayed her fangs...! Usman withdrew his hand. “I am bad...I 
ogle...I keep close to the window...Hiiii...Hiii...” Rashda began cry 
loudly... Usman felt mortified...unnecessarily rebuked her...how to 
mollify her now...? Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Usman 
opened the door. It was the same young lad. “Assalam  Alaikum.” 
“Alaikum Assalam.” “There was a religious congregation at my 
house....that was why phirni was sent...” “Thanks!” Usman said 
indifferently. “I had come to take the plate...” “What plate...?” 
“Phirni was sent in that plate...” Usman felt like asking if there was 
no servant to run these errands. But he stayed put there with this 
question in his mind. He went in and put the delicacies in another 
plate, washed clean his plate. Rashda in the meantime kept lying in 
that manner with her face buried down in the pillow. While taking the 
plate the young lad smiled. “I am Altaf...please come to our place 
sometime...!” Usman did not answer. He somehow wanted to get rid of the 
lad at the earliest...While taking leave, the lad once again 
genuflected and offered his salutation which Usman reciprocated with 
intense unease and irritation and could not help thinking that the guy 
was not going to leave them in peace soon enough... That is how it 
happens. Stubborn Saturn would not stop pursuing easily...and the evil 
spirits of Saturn could be made ineffective only by Mars. Saturn was 
black, Mars was red...Saturn is ice...Mars is fire...Saturn is the 
dispenser of sorrow and Mars is the symbol of danger...it is said that 
coming together of Saturn and Mars bodes ill. If it is housed in the 
fourth ascendant, it could destroy the household and if it is housed in 
the tenth ascendant, it could destroy business and prosperity. Saturn 
worked clandestinely. Mars was straight forward. Usman's horoscope 
showed his Mars was weak....meaning thereby that at the time of his 
birth he was not bestowed with the rays of Mars. Else, he would have 
stared back at Altaf at least once... “Yes, buddy...? Are your intents 
clean...? Sometimes you come here looking for washerman...sometimes you 
make the excuses of sweets...? If you are not in your senses, should I 
firm up your senses...?” But Usman could not say any of these. Instead, 
he unleashed his anger on Rashda. “Why do you always keep sitting near 
the window...?” Usman looked towards Rashda. She had now sat up. 
Although she had stopped sobbing now, her face was still red and her 
lips had contracted and had acquired the shape and hue of cherry. At 
long last it was Usman who took the initiative to break the imbroglio. 
“My fault...! Please forgive me...” Rashda wiped her nose clean with 
her apron...pulled her nose once or twice. “Could I get a cup of tea?” 
There was remorse in his voice. Freshness had not returned to Rashda's 
face till night. For major part of the time she remained silent. She 
responded in monosyllables whenever Usmani asked her anything and this 
made him restless. He was dying to get the usual feel of her touch to 
which he had become so much accustomed. The wine of nature was lying 
low on the bed. Usman did not dare to touch her. After midnight Rashda 
turned her side and in the process her waist came in contact with his 
hand. Usman moved closer and in the state of sleep Rashda moved into 
his bosom. Myrtle on the hands of Venus women sparkled immensely. 
Rashda was very keen to apply myrtle powder and make innumerable 
designs and icons on her person. She would apply oil in good measure in 
her palm and keep rubbing till it shone brilliantly. And then she would 
cup the face of Usman with her hands and look deep into his eyes, would 
laugh vigorously and say. “Look at it...is the colour brilliant 
enough...?” Usman would only feel the shiver down his spine....the soft 
and tender touch of her palm, the fresh fragrance of myrtle...it all 
looked like some birds were encircling around him in the limited, 
crammed space. One day Rashda applied myrtle in her feet as well. When 
Usman home, Rashda was lying flat. Her hair was untied and spread out. 
Usman sat close by and began to remove shoe lace. Rashda said in a 
swagger. “For God's sake...! Please...don't do any mischief...” 
“Why...?” “My hands and feet are tied...I won't be to do anything...” 
Usman smiled. Rashda moved a little closer. Her belly came in contact 
with his waist. Usman looked at her amorously. “Please...! No 
mischief...” Rashda swaggered again. What could Usman have done...? It 
would have pleased her if he had done something. That was how women 
gave hints of what they wanted. But those who do not dote on other 
women do not understand such hints. For them wives are not women, but 
pure better-halves. When Usman remained seated in that manner Rashda 
thundered. “Oh God...! How do I get up now...?” Usman put his hands 
under the scruff of her neck and pulled up and in the process her bosom 
came in contact with his shoulder, the end of the pillow moved a little 
and a book under it became visible. Usman inspected the book from all 
angles. It was a novel...'Unrequited Love'. On the first page of the 
novel there was a sketch of heart in red ink; an arrow piercing it with 
blood dripping down. Some illegible message was scribbled at the bottom 
of the page with the signature of ‘Altaf Hussain Tamanna' below it. 
Usman was surprised. There was no such book in the house...! Where did 
Rashda get it from...? Usman could not take it more. He asked her. 
“Whose book is this...?” “Altaf Saheb forgot it...” “Forgot it...?” 
Usman's face wrung. “He had come to see you. Waited outside on the 
chair and then left, forgetting the book.” “What business did he have 
with me...?” “He is our neighbour; that is why he came.” Rashda said 
jovially. “But why do you read such books...?” Usman said in 
irritation. Rashda's face went crimson. Usman got a fright. Will she 
again fling herself on the bed, burying her head down...? But Rashda 
continued to smile in the same manner as she spoke. “What should I do, 
tell me...? The whole day I remain closeted here. Got a book; so I read 
it to get some joy out of it.” And again she smiled with the same kind 
of swagger and amorousness.... “If you do not want, I'll not it...but 
how do I get up from the bed? Unpeel the myrtle from my feet....” Usman 
looked around. There was an old newspaper lying on the table nearby. He 
unfurled it and laid it down at her feet and began to scrub off myrtle 
from her feet. Rashda kept giggling. “It tickles...” Usman smiled too. 
But his smile was wrapped in mist. The visage of Altaf was revolving 
around his face. Tip-toeing she went to the tap, washed her hands and 
feet. With a towel she rubbed her hands and feet clean and in the same 
tip-toeing manner she returned to the room and garlanded Usman with her 
hands as she said. “Oh darling...! Why don't you meet...?” “Meet 
who...?” “Altaf Saheb...! He comes in your absence...it does not look 
good...” It seemed to Usman that Altaf was present in this house like 
an elf. Usman did not go to meet. But Altaf made an appearance in the 
evening. “Assalam  Alaikum.” “Alaikum Assalam.” “I had been longing to 
meet you.” He extended his hand. Usman took his hand without any 
interest. Yet, chair had to be offered. Rashda espied him from the 
corner of curtain and went inside the kitchen. “When did you come 
here...?” Usman asked, as if bored. “I bought this flat this very 
month.” “And where do you have your palace..?” “The poor man's hut is 
at Bhagalpur.” “What do you do?” “I have the business of furniture.” 
Knock, knock, knock....Rashda knocked at the door from behind. Usman 
extended his hand and took the tea tray and placed it on the tripod. 
After sipping tea, Altaf rose at once. “Bhai Saheb, allow me to take 
leave now...” “All right.” Usman too rose from chair. “Please come 
sometimes to my place...!” “Sure...” There was irritation in the voice 
of Usman. While going out, Altaf genuflected. Usman heaved a sigh of 
relief. All the four stars of Rohini fall in the realm of Taurus which 
houses Venus. Rohini is the consort of Saturn. Its face is like that of 
a wheel. There are five stars in it. The day when Altaf made his first 
appearance, Saturn was making entry into Taurus. Now Saturn was at the 
first stage of Rohini. Altaf kept coming and going. He would bring 
something or the other. Usman tried to stop him, but his Mars was weak. 
The only matter of satisfaction for him was that Rashda did not come in 
his presence. She would smile and knock from behind the door. One day 
Altaf brought a fish weighing two and a half kilogram. Usman kept 
saying no...no......but he was determined as he insisted it was from 
his own pond. Rashda was happy. She fried the fish. Usman ate the fish 
and a thorn got stuck in his throat. Rashda took a fistful of rice and 
shoved down his throat. He swallowed the thorn along with rice. That 
day Saturn got past the first stage. Rashda whispered into the ears of 
Usman... “Why not we offer him dinner...?' “Whom?” “Altaf Bhai?” “Keeps 
bringing something or the other every time he comes here...I don't like 
it.” “I don't like it too. But why does he do all this...?” Usman got 
an opportunity to protest. “That's why I say let's offer him dinner; 
that way we won't remain obliged to him.” Usman invited Altaf to 
dinner. Rashda laid plates on the table and stood behind the door. That 
was the first time Altaf came into the interiors of the house. Rashda 
knocked at the door. “Is anything required...?” Before Usman could say 
something, Altaf spoke out. “Thanks, Bhabhi...! The food is very well 
prepared...” What could Usman have said now...why are you talking....? 
Altaf thanked the profusely as he left and before leaving he said that 
next time he would bring special fragmented rice from his village. 
Rashda was exceedingly happy. And she kept showering kisses on Usman 
every now and then. Usman was thoroughly got drenched in rain.... But 
the very next day the rain was replaced by scorching sun. Rashda's lips 
had dried into cherry. She dropped on the bed and buried down her face. 
His office was closed that day. Usman was at home and was cleaning fans 
when suddenly Rashda remembered her elder sister. “Do you hear me...?” 
Rashda came smiling and put her hands around his neck. “What...?” Usman 
smiled too. “Wanted to send something to the sister...” “What will you 
send...?” “She is very fond of Amala ka Murabba.” “Let her come here.” 
“Whether she will come here or will return from there itself...” “Why 
will she not come here...? Her letter has come.” “What if she didn't 
come...?” “Then...?” “Why don't you go...?” Rashda fondled his earlobes 
with her lips. Usman felt tickled. “Should I go then...?” “Yes...!” 
Rashda planted her face on his face. It looked strange to Usman that he 
should carry Amala ka Murabba from Patna to Ranchi...she lived in 
Pakistan. She was with her parents these days. It was at Ranchi. From 
there she had addressed a letter to Rashda in which she had said she 
would be visiting them in a week. Usman tried to explain to Rashda... 
“She is herself coming here...going there would not be 
appropriate...she might think we do not want her to come to our 
place...!” Rashda went into silence zone. The swagger was gone. She 
remained silent the whole day. She answered Usman in monosyllables 
only. Usman was hugely disturbed. He had become accustomed to Rashda's 
coquetry. On an occasion or two he tried to grope his way in the dark 
to locate her body. Rashda brushed him aside. “I am unwell, please...” 
Usman was hurt. Rashda's face was contorted. There was not even the 
remotest possibility of any rain happening anytime soon. “What 
happened...? Will you tell me anything...?” Usman entreated. In 
response Rashda broke into a sob... “I am only a maidservant....cook 
food...clean up things...I cannot even dare to send some small gift to 
my sister.” It pierced Usman... He took the morning bus to Ranchi. 
“Where did you send him...” “Khil...khil...khil...khil...” And Rashda 
would laugh gleefully that even nightingale could not match. Usman 
returned the following day after midnight. He rang the bell and Rashda 
at once opened the door. Usman entered the door and at once smelt a 
fragrance he had not smelt earlier. He felt there was something 
somewhere. He sharpened his olfactory organ and sniffed around...as if 
he was a giant in the fairyland trying to sniff the presence of humans. 
But Rashda at once put her hands round his neck...Usman was tired and 
wanted to get drenched thoroughly...and he did get drenched in the 
rain...Usman was thoroughly satiated and slept long. Usman rose at ten 
on clock. When he entered the bathroom to take the shower he descried a 
smoked out butt-end of a cigarette. He picked it up and looked at it 
intently for a while and then threw it out of the ventilator. Usman 
thought it must have flown in accidentally. After bath when he got 
ready to go to office, Altaf rang the bell and straightaway dashed 
inside the room. He was carrying a fish weighing two and a half 
kilogram and also two bagfuls of rice. “Bhai Saheb...this is the 
special fragmented rice from my own cultivated land....” “Where was the 
need for this...?” There was exasperation in the voice of Usman. He did 
not like the way he straightaway walked into the room. “You still take 
me for a stranger...?” Altaf peered into the eyes of Usman and said 
with a smile. Rashda quickly responded. “It makes very tasty pulao.” 
“That is why I have brought it that I shall relish biryani made by 
Bhabhi.” Usman remained silent. Aftab turned to Rashda. “Oil and 
condiments will also be required...?” “We have them here...” Rashda 
smiled. “Even then if anything is required please get it...” Altaf 
pulled out two hundred rupees note and extended towards Rashda. “No 
...! We don't need your money.” Rashda said. Usmani was boiling within, 
but Rashda's response gave him some respite. “Sorry...!” Altaf put 
money back into his purse. For a while there was tension in the air. 
When Altaf sought permission to leave, Rashda said,” come at noon to 
have lunch with us....” Altaf bowed with a smile and saying bye went 
out. After the departure of Altaf, Usman's tension was on the 
rise...how long will this go on...? He thought angrily. But Rashda 
suddenly clung close to Usman and said with an amorous swagger. “Take 
leave today...when you are at home, it feels good...” And she planted a 
passionate kiss on Usman. It eased his mental tension. Usman could not 
concentrate on his work at office. Somehow he cleared two or three 
files and taking leave for the day at lunch time, he went home. On 
entering the house, he smelt the same odour...human odour...! Altaf was 
seated inside and was smoking and Rashda was frying fish in the 
kitchen. Seeing Usman, she said. “Oh, what to do...? Altaf Bhai has 
brought oil and condiments in addition to lots of vegetables...!” Usman 
threw a cursory glance at all things. Rashda looked overjoyed. Usman 
quietly sat down in the room. Rashda made biryani and fried fish. While 
taking lunch, Altaf informed them that his flat was being whitewashed 
and all his things lay scattered all over the places in 
higgledy-piggledy manner. Rashda slowly whispered into the ears of 
Usman. “Look...! Is there any problem if Altaf Bhai retires in the 
other room till such time as...?” Usman was eating fish then. He felt a 
thorn was sticking in his throat...! Usman took some rice and swallowed 
it along with the thorn. 


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