Wet roads, chaos and traffic jams colored the roads of New Delhi, the capital of India. Business was as usual. Street food was the buzzword even when the rain gods chose to be relentless. Food stalls had massive crowds. Everyone just wanted to chill and enjoy the torrential rains in their own special way. Labourers too felt like feasting with their cutting tea. Rich and poor just gave in to their moods and let their hair down. The wild wind was sparing no one. Plants seem to love to bathe themselves too as humans were having a blast. Cars parked along the road saw foodies gorging on their delish morsels while sitting in their vehicles. Some panicked, some rejoiced. Waterlogging was common in such a scenario. Many areas were worst hit but it still did not dull the spirit of the rainy season.

Gusts of strong wind fanned animals and humans. Dogs played in the rain in a mad frenzy. Many people took shelter under flyovers and trees. Cows and buffalos had a gala time just standing still. Children all decked up in their colorful rainy coats stomped their feet in the potholes. Whenever thunder and lightning struck they ran to their parents for protection. Ragpickers old or small were their own knights. In their soaking wet avatars they kept doing their duties. The naughty ones joined the dogs and rest was all fun and games. Bus stands were overflowing with people. Blaring horns added to the commotion but all was peaceful underground. The Delhi metro station was running smoothly. It had become the favourite means of transport in such weather conditions. 

Underground cafes saw lovers and couples sharing intimate vibes. Office goers were in a rush. People waiting for the next metro to arrive saw long disciplined queues. Shefali along with her husband was in one of the queues. In their mid thirties they made a cute pair. Shobhit Mehta had a very athletic look. He was the assistant manager in a PR agency that was located in Connaught Place, an upmarket of the capital. Rajiv Chowk, a metro station, was the meeting hub for his wife Shefali as from there they boarded the metro together for their home situated in Noida, a city in northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Shefali’s workplace was at Gurugram, a city in the southwest of New Delhi. She worked as a receptionist at one of the elite hotels near the airport. Rajiv Chowk made things easy for them. Shefali rested her head on Shobhit’s back while standing in the queue. Shobhit turned around for a minute, gave a peck on her shoulder and resumed texting.

The Kapoors on the contrary had to abandon their expensive sedan and wait at one of the metro queues to reach an important meeting on time. Real estate business is no child’s play. Bhavna, 40 years old and bearded Ajay Kapoor, 45+ years old were thorough professionals when it came to work. Linen shirt and trouser made Ajay look suave and aristocratic. Bhavna looked elegant in her chic chiffon sari. She had a little heavy frame but this made her look slimmer. High heels and a Louis Vuitton bag had attracted a lot of attention. There was an air of nonchalance around them which was understandable. Not often such sights made their way to the metro station. Her gold necklace was shimmering with diamonds. His cufflinks were of pure gold. 

Both the couples were to board the same metro going to Noida. The network was a little jammed for calls so Ajay played games on his cell while waiting for the metro to arrive. Bhavna had her earphones plugged in Ajay’s phone and was listening to music as her own battery had died. The couple looked very comfortable in their marriage. It gave that impression to the onlookers. There was no anxiety nor any vibe of discomfort. Shobhit and Shefali kept exchanging words that told the world that they loved to talk even when it was a public platform. Soft touching was a regular thing it seemed as they kept holding hands off and on. Most of the people at the metro station were alert for any announcements informing about any delay. The Kapoors and Mehtas were lost in their own world. 

The metro train arrived on time that made people heave a sigh of relief. Shefali and Bhavna looked at each other in envy while entering the metro compartment from their respective gates, and took their respective seats never to meet again. It was not an all ladies compartment. Their respective husbands stood in front of them while they were seated hence blocking the way. There was awe and jealousy written on Bhavna and Shefali’s faces. They both yearned and by the look of it wanted to exchange lives. While waiting in the queue they both had their own desires and observations. It was oblivious to the world but Shefali and Bhavna were having their own inner conversations with no audience. The metro compartment was a place of withdrawal and unheard whimper for both women.

At her end Bhavna was occupied with her thoughts. The chemistry Shefali shared with Shobhit will be a distant dream in her life. She was sure of it. The Kapoors had a loveless marriage in the blanket of riches. Ajay was gay and he loved Shefali’s brother. Shefali was in love with Ajay’s brother who was no more. A road accident had killed him while she was pregnant out of wedlock. Ajay came to the rescue and this way he was able to father the child he could have never given to Bhavna. It was an arrangement and both kept playing their part without any fuss, regret or ridicule. There was money, luxury and comforts but there was so much at stake. So much was hidden in the open. 

Shefali never could be that rich; she knew it when she saw Bhavna. It would take both Shobhit and Shefali many decades to reach the position of Kapoors. Both Shefali and Shobhit were involved in extra marital affairs to help sail the boat of life. The expenses were too high as they were parents to two handicapped twins. It demanded a lot from their lives. Frustration, distance and responsibilities pushed them to go astray. For the world they were a loving couple but penury, duties and limited income had exhausted them to the core. The metro meeting place was the only time they were together. On reaching home both the twins robbed the distant couples’ time. It was an arranged marriage and love did flourish initially but circumstances never could let them rise from the ashes.

The metro door opened when their destination arrived. The Kapoors were in a hurry and got down. The Mehtas were busy talking. Bhavna saw Shefali resting her head yet again on Shobhit’s tummy. There was peace and love both she thought to herself. When the metro started moving again Shefali lifted her head and saw the rich couple being ogled at by the less fortunate. She had sighed at the visual. If only both women knew what the other faced then envy, awe and wishes would have been so different.