Perfect Adjustment

Sanjana was more than happy today; she was ecstatic and hopelessly in love. Abir had taken her on a river cruise.  She couldn't believe her luck. She pinched herself to check whether she was dreaming. 

She had been skeptical about love since her parents divorce; being a professional psychiatrist didn't make her life any easier. Every day she had to hear patients complain: mostly about unfaithful husbands, abusive spouses, failed relationships, tension in sexual intimacy, etc. Abir seemed different, very different from the type of men her female patients talked about. 

A gust of wind ruffled Sanjana's hair and the boat swayed slightly. Sanjana felt thankful for having experienced such a flawless evening. 

Abir interrupted her thoughts. "You look beautiful tonight, dear. I am so lucky to have met the girl of my dreams. Not everyone is lucky as I am, you know! Many spend a lifetime unable to find the right person."

Smiling, Sanjana remarked, "The right person doesn't exist, you need to adjust!"

"But with you I am not adjusting. You are simply perfect. Beautiful, intelligent, assertive, independent, everything I like. So what's the catch?"

Sanjana blushed. Abir was giving her too many compliments. It was becoming very embarrassing for her. Sanjana tried to change the topic by pointing to the sparkling carpet of stars above. He didn't notice; instead he grabbed her close and kissed her neck. The entire moment was so enticing that she felt dizzy with happiness. 

An hour later, they both embarked on land and strolled towards Abir's car, hand in hand.

When Sanjana noticed Abir wasn't offering her to go back to his apartment, she took the initiative to invite him to hers. 

The next day, Sanjana woke up to see Abir lying on the bed beside her, serene and comfortable. Feeling content she got up to make breakfast. She wanted Abir to taste her fabulous homemade croissants. On the kitchen countertop she noticed Abir's mobile phone. He had probably left it there in a hurry last night. She was just about to pick up the phone when it rang. A lady on the other end asked her who she was. 

She promptly replied "I am Sanjana, Abir's friend. Who are you?"

"I am Abir's wife. I just called to check on him. You must be his colleague! He said he would be out of town for an important meeting. What time is the meeting?"

Sanjana felt lightheaded. She hung up without replying. The voice on the other side had sounded very familiar…in fact, it sounded like her most recent patient Mishi who was having problems in her marriage because of her cheating husband. Sanjana looked back at Abir through the open doors; still sleeping quite comfortably.