Scattered Fates - a novel on the second partition of India

Chapter 13: THE MORNING AFTER

  The alarm woke Naga up with a start. He had a splitting hangover. Under normal circumstances he would have hit the snooze button a couple of times before finally rolling out of bed. Not today. Maya was lying next to him, naked under the sheets. He felt her back with his morning stiffness and glanced over her shoulder, she was still fast asleep, a small smile wrinkling her lips.

  She looks even more beautiful and fresh in the morning.

  Naga turned to his side, and stared at the table clock, as it ticked away. He was no longer a virgin, and she had been very patient with his clumsy lovemaking the night before. However, he somehow did not feel right.

  She may think I took advantage of her vulnerability.I better apologize.

  He struggled out of bed, grabbed a pair of shorts from the closet, and hurried out of the bedroom.

  The living room was a mess, and the dinner lay unpacked on the kitchen counter. Clothes were strewn all over the floor; two empty scotch bottles and half-full glasses lay on the coffee table.

  He rearranged the living room, cleaned up the mess and picked up the newspapers and milk from the front door.

  A hot cup of instant coffee should make me feel better.

  Naga picked up The Hindu and scanned the front page. He could not focus, threw the newspaper on the floor, and opened the window for some fresh air. Feeling better, he kept staring at the distance, thinking of ways to apologize.

  ‘Good Morning’ Maya called out from behind him. She was dressed in different attire, a T-shirt and shorts.

  ‘Good morning,’ he said, without looking her in the eye.

  ‘What's the matter? Not feeling well?’

  ‘I have a terrible hangover; we had a little too much to drink last night. I am sorry for taking advantage of the situation, I could not control myself,’ he said, still staring out the window.

  ‘Thanks for last night,’ she replied, ‘there is absolutely no need to apologize, I needed your comfort.’

  Relieved, Naga turned around, and saw a tear roll down her cheek. He rushed to her and held her in his hands, kissing her eyelids. ‘We have to call your son, remember?’

  ‘Yes, I do. Let me just freshen up.’

  ‘Take your time, I will take leave today, just cannot go to office with this headache.’

  ‘I have the perfect remedy for your hangover, haejangguk.’

  ‘What is haejangguk?

  ‘It is a pork-based hangover soup that Coreans have in the morning after a night of heavy drinking.The soup will warm your stomach, and you can feel the nutrients seeping their way back into your body.’

  ‘Can you make some for me? I can buy some pork from the meat shop downstairs.’

  ‘I too could do with some, but we need Corean spices for that and the preparation will take time.’

  ‘I have an idea. Why don't we go to Corea Town? I am sure the restaurants will serve haejangguk. I tasted different Corean meat and soup last night.’

  ‘Naga! Don't be naughty,’ she said give him a gentle punch. ‘That is a good idea, I can also buy kimchi and some spices.’

  ‘That's settled then, we make your phone call, and then go to Corea Town for brunch and shopping. On the way back I will drop you off at the University for your meeting with the old man.’