The Weekend

The Weekend

 

At breakfast, Pia after pouring a cup of tea, "Do you want another one?" she asked her husband Prashay.

 

"Gladly," he nodded as he glanced through his paper.

 

"Honey," she interrupted him again, "You know that I will not be home this weekend. I will leave this evening."

 

Prashay folded the newspaper together, looked at the clock and said, “Yes, I've seen it in the calendar. Besides, it is like every year."

 

Pia smiled, "Well, I just wanted to remind you again about it."

 

There was something curious about his wife this morning. Today she seemed quite lively. She looked different, with a cheerful smile on her face.

 

"Is something special today? Have you got a new hairstyle?" He looked closely, but the grey hairs were still present. The years had left their mark on her face. But I don’t look young either, he thought.

 

"No, I was not at the hairdresser," she replied. Maybe my happiness is evident, she thought and blushed.

 

 A few minutes later, Prashay took his briefcase and bid her goodbye, "Bye. I wish you a nice weekend."

 

Pia kissed him goodbye, surprised he looked at her in amazement. What's the matter with her? She never does that unless I ask for, he thought.

 

From the kitchen window she waved to him and got on with her daily routine.

 

Today, she had better things to do than to worry about the boring housework. The daily chores could wait, she reminded herself. She had to pack her bag.

 

She got a small suitcase from her closet and went to the living room. There it is, far back in the corner of the cupboard, she found, an old CD: Bollywood Romance.

 

Oh she remembers, how she loved the music. She inserted the CD in the player and put it out loud. "Saanso ko saanso mai dhalne do zara, Dheere se dhadkan ko badhne do zara..... hum tum, hum tum." As she floated slowly through the room, she recalled how she danced then.

 

She felt his hands stroke her back, slowly, very gently. His face so close to her. They danced cheek to cheek. She held him tight, merged into one.

 

"I should stop dreaming," Pia called herself to order, removed the CD from the player and went into the bedroom. She wouldn't forget her favorite music and placed it in the suitcase.

 

Like every year, she knew what she wanted to pack. The wine red velvet dress, she had already tried it last night. She was glad that it still fits her, after all these years. He will like it. Flashbacks fly to her.

 

"The color of your dress fits beautifully on your body, my dear." A kiss on her neck and it brings her back to senses.

 

She remembers something very important: the pearl necklace! I better not forget it in any case, otherwise the dress is not working, she thought. And the memories return, he had put it on her neck delicately, "Your skin shimmers like these pearls."

 

She tears herself away from her dreams and finds the box in which she had kept the necklace. When else would she get the opportunity to wear pearls? Very rare.

 

Now the perfume. The real thing.  Exotic by Estee Lauder. It was a Birthday gift. She rarely got something precious. Carefully, she grabbed the little bottle and put it in her suitcase.

 

From a drawer she brought out something that was wrapped in tissue paper. She carefully unwrapped it. A black silk negligee is revealed. Hesitantly, she holds it against her body. When can I wear it? She thinks. "Yes, it should be perfect for..." and she blushed.

 

Now it's the routine things. Makeup Bags, Clothes and all sorts of little things. And yes, the heels. It should match the red velvet dress for the nightly candlelight dinner. Afterwards, maybe dance in the small hotel. And again she is lost in her dreams.

 

Then she remembers the portable CD player. Without it they cannot hear the music together.

 

After packing, she took a splendid bubble bath and rubbed her body from top to bottom with scented body oil. Everything should be perfect.

 

When she was finished in the bathroom, she slipped into her dress and examined herself in the mirror. Her figure has changed only slightly in all these years. "Well, we are about to see some wrinkles," she quipped with a smile.

 

She was very happy. After one long year she was going to meet her Lover. Her eyes filled with excitement, she called Prashay. "I will leave now. Goodbye and take care of your health while I'm gone. Miss you."

 

"Goodbye, I will. You too take care and enjoy the weekend," replied her husband. His impatience spreading, he smiled to himself.

 

Finally, to meet his Mistress in this free weekend while his wife is gone. She will be glad that he has much time for her, he thought.

 

After Pia hung up the call, she called for a taxi. Her heart began to beat harder. I hope it is as beautiful as ever; she pondered; took her handbag and the suitcase and closed the door.

 

The taxi brought her to the station, where she got into a train. After two hours she finally reached a small hill station. Here, she had got to know him over 20 years ago.

 

From the station it is on foot. The path led through a pretty small park. Spurred on by the anticipation of this weekend she accelerated her steps. Perhaps he is expecting me, she thought.

 

As she entered the small romantic hotel, she was warmly welcomed. "As always, ma’am?" the doorman asked with a smile.

 

"Of course," replied Pia. "Like every year."

 

As she filled out the application, she asked softly, "Is he arrived yet?"

 

"Yes, ma'am. Your Husband arrived half an hour before," he replied with a bow and handed her the room key. A nice pair, he thought.

 

 Joyfully she remembered the agreement that they had several years ago. To refresh their relationship they will meet.

 

Not like husband and wife.

Like two lovers.

Once per year.

A long weekend.

                  

In this beautiful small hotel, in the city in which they came to know each other, many years ago.