Malvaloca – A “Fragrant” Romance

Yesterday – 21 March – was “FRAGRANCE DAY” 

I wanted to post this love story of a “Fragrant” Romance yesterday – but – I did not get time to do so. 

So – Dear Reader – here is the “Fragrant” Romance story callled MALVALOCA 

This is one of my mushy romance stories – which I wrote 12 years ago – in 2005 – after my evening walk on Marine Drive – during which I got drenched in the rain...

MALVALOCA

Windy Monsoon Rains, A Mysterious Woman, An Intriguing Fragrance and A Romantic Interlude

Fiction Short Story - A Monsoon Romance

By 

VIKRAM KARVE 

 

I recognized her at once. 

She stood at the bus-stop near Worli – dishevelled in the windy rain – struggling with her umbrella – trying not to get wet. 

I stopped the car – opened the door and waved to her. 

She smiled – shut her folding umbrella – ran towards the car – got in – and closed the door.  

The moment she entered the car and sat down beside me – I sensed the distinctive aroma of her signature perfume – soft, relaxing aroma of scented geraniums – a delightful leafy rose fragrance, not too heady, a hint of spice, subtle yet alluring – a clean, exhilarating and utterly unique fragrance – an everlasting fragrance etched deep within me forever. 

She kept the wet umbrella near her feet – smoothed her hair with her hands – turned towards me – and said, “Thanks.”  

I changed gears – set the car into motion – and asked her, “Where shall I drop you...?” 

“Where are you going...?” she countered. 

“Churchgate...” I said. 

“Great. You can drop me on the way,” she said, “I live on Marine Drive.” 

“You live in Mumbai...? You have come back...?” 

“Yes.” 

“Oh – that’s great – a flat on Marine Drive – Successful NRI returning to one’s roots – is it...? He must be a successful head honcho in some MNC…” I said.

“I have come back alone...!” she said.

“Alone...?” 

“Yes. We broke up. My marriage did not work out.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay,” she paused for a moment and then she asked me, “You must be married...?” 

“No,” I answered. 

“Because of me...?” she asked.

“I don’t know...” 

“They told me you were very upset.” 

“They...?” 

“My parents told me that you were very upset and depressed...” she said.

“Oh – so your parents told you...?” I said.

“Tell me – what could I do...? I couldn’t marry both of you – could I...? I had to make a choice...” she said.

“And you made your choice – you dumped me and you chose him...” I said.

“Yes.” 

“The wrong choice...?” I said.

“Maybe…” 

For a little while we drove in silence – and then suddenly – out of the blue – she said, “I wish I had married you – maybe things would have worked out much better.” 

“Maybe,” I said.  

“Yes – maybe I really made the wrong choice,” she said wistfully. 

I did not say anything – I just remained silent. 

“How about you...?” she asked, “Any plans to get married...?” 

“I don’t know,” I said. 

We drove in silence. 

“Hey, I’ll get off here,” she suddenly said. 

“Here...?” I said slowing down the car – and steering left towards the footpath. 

“That’s where I stay,” she said pointing to a building, “Working Women’s Hostel.” 

“Working Women’s Hostel...? You live in the Working Women’s Hostel...?” I asked.

“Yes. Room number seven. Easy to remember – lucky seven,” she said.

Then – she opened the door of the car – hesitated – turned around – and asked me, “Why don’t you come in for a cup of coffee...?” 

“Thanks. Not now. I have an appointment,” I said.

“Okay. Maybe sometime later...?” she said.

“Maybe...” I said.

“Bye. And thanks for the ride,” she said.

“You’re most welcome,” I said.

She got out of the car – closed the door – gave me a smile and wave of thanks – turned around and walked away from my life once more. 

But the lingering fragrance of her enchanting perfume remained with me as I drove on to my rendezvous. 

My fiancée was waiting for me at Churchgate.  

“Hey,” my fiancée said, sniffing the air in the car, “What a lovely fragrance. A feminine perfume...?” 

“Malvaloca,” I said. 

“Malvaloca...?” 

“It’s a perfume made from scented geraniums...” I said.

“Wow...! What an enticing fragrance...! So – you are two “timing me” – is it...? You are giving rides to ravishing beauties wearing mysterious perfumes...?” my fiancée said with a mischievous smile.

“Maybe...” I laughed. 

I stopped the car by the seaside – opened the windows to let in the fresh sea breeze – and let the fresh sea breeze blow away all traces of the unique perfumed fragrance of Malvaloca.  

Then – I took my fiancée’s soft hands in mine – looked into her eyes – and I told her everything.

I told my fiancée everything.

Yes – I told her everything – absolutely everything...!!!

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This story MALVALOCA was written by me Vikram Karve in the year 2005 and posted online by me earlier in my blogs a number of times including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/a-rainy-evening-a-ravishing-beauty-a-mysterious-perfume_481900_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/12/malvaloca-my-favourite-short-stories.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/06/malvaloca-windy-monsoon-rains.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/04/a-perfumed-romance-malvaloca.html etc