|Innaya|
They say the first impression is the last impression. I never believed in it. Because people knew how to put up the front before others. I had the best example before my eyes. I couldn't see what kind of a demon my father was under that pretense of loving and caring man. Then what right I had to believe that the first impression was the last impression? None. I would be the last person to ever trust in that.
Keeping everything aside, I could not help but feel that the woman I had just bumped into did not harbor any good intentions. I stared at the woman in a black sports bra and red shorts, smiling widely at the person behind me.
She had earphones plugged in her ears. Her neon color snickers stood out the most apart from that bright red lipstick. It looked as if she had just drunk the blood. That thought made me cringe internally. What was I thinking? Drank blood? Seriously? What was she? Vampire? Who drinks blood?
Despite her seductive appearance which was miles opposite of someone coming for the jog, I knew I had to apologize. It was my fault for bumping into her. However, the word of apology died down on my lips as I found her eyes glimmering with unhidden excitement. Without bothering to look at me, she strode past me. I frowned watching her leisurely trotting towards the man behind me.
"My my! Hey handsome. What a way to start my morning!"
I almost gagged at the way that woman started flirting with Eshan in that sickeningly honeyed voice. I knew my displeasure at bumping into her was increasing from the way her eyes racked over Eshan from head to toe. She wasn't even being least considerate about how her actions looked to onlookers.
"I thought I would never see you again. Ah, god truly took mercy on this pitiful one!" She dramatically sighed.
'Again?' My ears perked up as she started talking more as if they were familiar. I raised my eyes and looked directly at Eshan. The woman shifted at the same moment, and then I couldn't see her expressions, which I assumed were of the kind I wouldn't like. Besides, her way of talking really made my ears twitched.
Eshan helplessly looked at me as she blocked his path.
"No, no, handsome. Not today. Today, I won't let you go without taking your number." The woman adamantly stayed firm on her position. "How about coming to my place for coffee? I make the best coffee." She flicked her hair back, proudly posing with her right hand resting on her bare waist.
'Shameless.'
As much as I found her annoying, her actions of drawing Eshan towards her made me feel her liking for Eshan. To anyone else watching from the distance, her provocative actions would look like a chatting between two close friends. However, I knew better.
Having seen her blatantly ignoring the growing discomfort on Eshan's face, and her continuous failed attempts of catching his attention, I realized her intentions too well.
I decided to wait and see what Eshan would do. Firstly, I did not know who she was. Secondly, I wondered why my husband looked so stumped. He could have made his way around, no matter how pushy she was being. His lack of response made it looked as if he knew her. How closely he knew her, remained to be determined until I asked him.
"Innaya?" Eshan called out from the distance when he found that I had no intention of stepping in. Why should I? He was a grown-up man after all. He managed his company and so many people daily, so how could a measly woman be any obstacle hindering him? He was just not showing his temper for some reason.
"Huh?" Making no attempt of moving away or helping him, I just stayed put. Watching the woman in the clothing that was too bold for my liking, I wondered how it made her feel. I would never have the courage to wear something like that in the outside. Heck, I didn't even wear that in the comfort of my own home.
"Amy. A M Y... Do you understand? Handsome, how could you forget my name? Nobody forgets Amy." She did that hair flick action again, and I could visualize her thick red lipstick coated lips forming a pout from the way she was whining.
Eshan folded his arms across his chest, not bothering to pay attention to the woman who addressed herself as Amy- whom nobody forgets.
"Done enjoying my plight?" Eshan spoke, and his eyes held a hint of the plea.
I understood that he did not want to create a scene. Though there weren't many people, to begin with, or to put simple none were. However, I understood his reasoning. He was not the person to insult a woman. Moreover, he was restraining himself from getting angry before my eyes.
I sighed. Letting go of my earlier wish of being a bystander, I decided to intervene. I could not handle watching him being stuck, and on top of that, the face he made had tugged at my heart.
"Dear husband, are you planning to memorize her name? Shouldn't you be doing it for this wife of yours?" I raised my voice. I mentally face-palmed myself for being so coquettish. Was there any need for it? Maybe, the jealous wife in me was raising its head.
I tapped my right slipper clad foot on the pavement. I had no intention of going near to that woman. Eshan wanted a way out, I was giving him the opportunity.
It seemed like my voice and words shocked that woman for she abruptly spun in her place. That gave the opportunity to Eshan. He made use of it as he sidestepped her and rushed to me. I suppressed the laughter bubbling in my chest at the relieved expression on his face.
"WTF. Wife? Hey. Woman, who are you? Who's your husband?" Amy also moved toward us, but she was a little late.
Eshan had wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me by his side. "I'm her husband. Stop creating a scene here. My wife has spoken, and now you know this man here is not available. Let's leave, love. We won't be coming here again. This place had lots of annoying mosquitoes."
This time I laughed loudly hearing Eshan's words. I thought he wouldn't insult the woman, but I never thought his sharp tongue would be merciless.
He had shut her up instantly. I only got a brief moment to catch the fallen expression on Amy's face as if someone stole her money before Eshan pulled me in the direction of our home.
***