I ducked into the shop and hid my face when I saw Alpana. A big shop—no trouble hiding there.
After so many days, how do I face her now? She left without a word, and I never saw her again. Can we speak after all these years?
A gleaming shop. Buy whatever you want if your pocket has money. The late afternoon light was falling across Alpana's eyes and face. She always looked beautiful in that light.
I watched her enchanting hands move the light aside as she handled the objects. I kept stealing glances at her. One by one, circles of light settled bright and leisurely on the checkered things. Alpana's gaze fixed on those circles.
The shopkeeper asked, "What do you need?"
"A small nonstick frying pan, please." She got her pan. The stream of light circles slowly shifted.
"Will a silicone square-shaped spoon do?" The spoon too was found. The light circles began shrinking.
"Hmm, a spatula, plastic mug, and aluminum pot. Oh yes, a packet each of incense sticks, candles... what else was there... I can't remember. I'll call when I remember, have Bablu bring it over, okay?"
I could see clearly—the circles of light went out, one by one. The evening lamp would be lit in Alpana's home.
I began to think—I too was supposed to buy rice, lentils, oil, salt today.
Hari uncle came forward and asked me, "What can I give you?"
I closed my eyes, hurled the circles of light at the vermillion in Alpana's hair-part, and laughed as I replied, "I need some darkness."