Aakash woke up first and saw Meenakshi still asleep with exhaustion lingering on her face. Not wanting to disturb her, he gently picked up her phone and sent a message to her in-charge and informing them that she was unwell and would be taking leave.
He carefully slipped out of bed and placed his pillow beside her so she wouldn’t feel the emptiness in her sleep and quietly stepped into the bathroom to freshen up.
A little later, he walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. In the hall, Vishnu and Hema were having tea. They greeted him warmly and Hema handed him a cup of coffee.
“Aakash, the ‘For Rent’ board has already been taken down. I spoke to the association manager, and he said someone moved into that flat two days ago. There is nothing available in this building right now. I honestly think you both should stay here with us for a while. We really don’t have any problem at all.” Vishnu said and Aakash gave him a grateful smile.
“Thanks, Vishnu. But I think Meena and I need some time and space for ourselves. We want to start our new life properly. I’ll go look for a flat or an individual house for rent today itself.” Aakash said and glanced towards the bedroom.
“Meenakshi looked really tired, so I have already informed her school that she won’t be coming today. Let her rest. I’ll find us a place before the day ends.” he said.
Aakash finished his coffee, washed the cup in the sink and turned back toward the hall.
“I have taken leave today. I will stay home with Meenakshi, so you don’t have to worry.” Hema said and Aakash nodded gratefully.
Just then, Meenakshi walked out of the room, wiping her face with a towel. She had changed into a simple salwar and her face still carried traces of tiredness. She sat beside Aakash and he smiled softly at her before explaining his plan.
Meenakshi listened quietly and then handed him his wallet after he got ready. Aakash pulled her into a gentle hug and kissed her forehead.
“I will find us a home before the end of the day. Eat on time, take your medicines and get some rest. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said and Meenakshi nodded and together, they stepped out of the room.
“Come on, let’s go,” Vishnu said, twirling his bike key with a grin. Aakash smiled for the first time that morning and followed him downstairs.
Meanwhile, Hema served breakfast to Meenakshi and the two of them sat together in the balcony. Meenakshi stared into the distance, her thoughts still clouded by everything that had happened.
“I always knew his mother was selfish but what happened yesterday was too much. Aakash didn’t deserve any of it. He gave everything to that family and got nothing in return,” Meenakshi said and tears welled up in her eyes.
Hema gently wiped them away. “Don’t cry, Meenu. There are plenty of houses for rent. Aakash anna will definitely find one soon. And for the first time, you both are free. No one can interfere in your life anymore. This is the beginning of your happiness,” Hema said softly and Meenakshi nodded, trying to calm herself.
A few hours later, Hema and Meenakshi were in the kitchen preparing lunch. But Meenakshi was worried since Aakash still hadn’t called or messaged her. She stood absentmindedly with a knife in her hand until Hema gently took it away.
“Meenu… calm down. They’ll be fine and everything will work out. You are pregnant, you shouldn’t stress like this. Right now, the best thing you can do is take care of yourself,” Hema said.
Meenakshi nodded and forced herself to breathe. Hema handed her a glass of juice and Meenakshi gave her a small smile.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Meenakshi instinctively rushed forward but Hema stopped her.
“Slowly,” she said, taking her hand and walked with her to the door.
The moment Meenakshi opened it, her face lit up. Aakash and Vishnu stood there, smiling. They looked tired and worn out from the afternoon heat but there was unmistakable relief on Aakash’s face.
Hema immediately hurried to the kitchen and returned with water and juice for both the men.
“What happened?” Meenakshi asked anxiously and istead of answering, Aakash pulled her into a tight hug.
“We found a place,” he said softly near her ear and Meenakshi pulled back from the hug looking surprised.
“An apartment close to your school. I have already paid the advance and the owner has arranged for it to be cleaned today. It’ll be ready by evening. We can move in tomorrow morning. It will be ours now, Meena. Our home.” Aakash said further and a smile spread across his face.
Tears filled Meenakshi’s eyes instantly, this time from happiness.
“We should make a list of everything we need for the new place,” Aakash added.
“Alright, enough talking. Time to celebrate. First, all of you are eating lunch. Then both of you are resting before doing anything else.” Hema declared.
Aakash laughed softly and went into the guest room to freshen up. A little later, he stepped out of the bathroom and stood beside Meenakshi.
“It’s a two-bedroom flat. The master bedroom has a balcony. I know how much you love sitting outside. Are you happy?” he asked, cupping her face gently.
Meenakshi looked at him and wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest.
“I’ll be happy with you anywhere in this world, Aakash. The place doesn’t matter to me… only you do,” she whispered.
Aakash smiled, his eyes was shining with love and he held her closer. Later, they had lunch with Vishnu and Hema, after which Aakash and Meenakshi returned to their room to make a list of things needed for their new home.
“Aakash, let’s buy only the essentials for cooking for now. We can manage with a bed and a table, that’s more than enough. We don’t need anything else immediately. Let’s build our home slowly,” Meenakshi said, carefully noting down the kitchen items and Aakash looked at her with a soft smile.
“I don’t want you to stress about anything. I’ll go this evening and get everything on this list. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange a small truck to bring our things from that house. We also need to bring our bike,” he said and Meenakshi nodded in agreement.
That evening, Aakash and Vishnu left to buy the items. When they returned, they were carrying just a single bag.
“Where are the rest of the things?” Meenakshi asked looking behind them, confused.
” Everything will be delivered directly to our new home tomorrow. For now, I only bought an induction stove and a vessel to boil milk, for our new beginning.” Aakash said with a smile.
The next morning, Aakash and Meenakshi, along with Vishnu and Hema, reached their new apartment. Their flat was on the fifth floor.
Aakash handed the keys to Meenakshi. With a small smile and a heart full of emotions, she unlocked the door. Together, they stepped inside followed by Vishnu and Hema. Their new home was simple and cozy, a small hall, two bedrooms and a kitchen. But to them, it felt perfect.
“This is beautiful,” Meenakshi said softly and Aakash watched her feeling content.
Without wasting a moment, Meenakshi placed the induction stove on the kitchen counter and kept the vessel filled with milk on it.
Aakash placed a framed picture of their favorite deities nearby. Meenakshi lit a small lamp and performed a simple pooja, praying for peace and happiness in their new home. Soon, the milk boiled over, a sign of prosperity and new beginnings.
They shared coffee together and just then, the delivery arrived with the items Aakash had ordered. Hema and Meenakshi began arranging the kitchen, placing the vessels neatly and soon the groceries were delivered as well.
“Meena, I just got a call from the truck driver. He wants me to be there, so I’ll leave now. Take care and order lunch for you and Hema,” Aakash said and gave her a quick smile before he left with Vishnu on his bike.
Balaram was sitting in the hall, reading the newspaper, when he noticed a truck stop in front of the gate.
He stepped outside and the truck driver informed him that he had been called to collect some furniture. Just then, Aakash arrived on his bike with Vishnu.
The moment Balaram saw him, his face softened. Aakash walked up to his father and hugged him warmly.
“We found a home for ourselves, Appa. I’m here our things from the room ” Aakash said and Balaram nodded silently and followed him inside.
Vishnu and the truck driver came along and the four of them went straight to the room Aakash stayed with Meenakshi. Padma, who had been in the kitchen, heard Aakash’s voice and rushed out. She froze at the sight of him helping the truck driver dismantle the bed.
“Aakash… please don’t leave. I’m sorry. Please forgive me,” she cried but Aakash looked at her with a faint smile.
“It’s okay, Ma. We have a new home now. I only need the things from this room,” he said calmly and carried the dismantled bed outside himself.
Soon, the cupboards, his work table and chair from the room were also loaded into the truck.
” Aakash, take the washing machine, fridge and AC too. They are all yours, you bought them.” Balaram said but Aakash shook his head immediately.
“No, Appa. I’m not taking anything from this house except what we have been using in the room. I can buy everything else for my home. We will manage.” he said and then stepped closer to his father.
“I’ll leave now. But you are always welcome to visit us.” he said and took out a piece of paper and handed him their new address.
Balaram accepted it and his eyes was moist. “I’ll inform Meenakshi’s father about everything. That man deserves to know the truth,” he said and Aakash nodded.
With one final look at the house that had held both his pain and memories, he mounted his bike. He drove away, not just towards a new home, but towards a new future… a new beginning.
Meanwhile, Rajesh finally walked out of his room after freshening up. Still groggy from the previous night, he called out casually,
“Sharmi ? Amma, where’s Sharmi? Please give me some coffee. And what were all those sounds earlier?” he asked and dropped onto the sofa lazily.
The very next second, Padma stormed towards him and started hitting his shoulder.
“Amma, What are you doing?”, Rajesh cried out in pain.
“What have you done, you idiot? You drank so much that you don’t even remember what happened last night. Because of you, Aakash left this house with his wife. Sharmi has gone too. She said not to contact her unless you change for the better ” Padma shouted through tears.
Rajesh stared at her in shock. His hand instinctively went to his forehead as fragments of the previous night flashed in his mind…the kitchen, Meenakshi’s frightened face and Aakash’s fury.
“Amma… I don’t remember everything. My friends forced me to drink. I swear, I’ll never do it again. Please forgive me,” he pleaded but Padma let out a bitter laugh.
“There is nothing left for you to fix now. He is gone. He came here today only to take his things from his room. He won’t listen to me anymore. We lost him.” she said and collapsed onto the sofa, defeated.
Rajesh slowly turned towards Balaram, who was sitting quietly, staring at his mobile as though nothing else mattered.
“Appa… please forgive me. I’m sorry,” Rajesh said softly.
Balaram slowly looked up and there was nothing but disgust in his eyes.
“Don’t call me Appa. I have only one son and all of you together drove him out of his own home. Now enjoy everything you wanted. But don’t ever talk to me again.” Balaram said and with that, he got up and walked into Aakash’s empty room.
Rajesh lowered his head in shame.
“Find a job. Bring Sharmi back with respect. Then go meet Aakash and apologize… though I doubt he’ll ever forgive you.” Padma said and Rajesh nodded silently.
For the first time in his life, the weight of his mistakes truly began to crush him.
Aakash pressed the doorbell and Meenakshi opened the door with a smile. With the truck driver’s help, Aakash and Vishnu carried the furniture inside and arranged everything in place.
Just then, another man appeared at the entrance with a delivery slip in hand.
“Sir, delivery for Aakash,” he said and Aakash frowned.
“You must have the wrong address. We aren’t expecting anything.” he said and before the delivery man could respond, Vishnu stepped forward and patted Aakash’s back.
“He is at the right address,” Vishnu said with a grin and the man wheeled in a brand-new washing machine. Aakash and Meenakshi looked at Vishnu and Hema in surprise.
“You don’t need anything fancy right now but you’ll definitely need a washing machine. Meenu is pregnant, she can’t sit and wash clothes. So this is our gift to both of you.” Hema said warmly and Meenakshi’s eyes welled up instantly.
“You both always know what we need before we do,” Aakash said.
Meenakshi hugged Hema tightly and thanked her, while Aakash pulled Vishnu into a brotherly hug.
“Now both of you should rest. We will leave now ” Vishnu said and with a final smile, Vishnu and Hema left.
Aakash locked the door behind them and Meenakshi gently wiped the sweat off his face with the edge of her saree pallu.
“You look exhausted, Aakash. Go take a bath and sleep for a while,” she said softly and Aakash nodded. Vishnu said. After a long shower, Aakash lay down on the bed and patted the space beside him.
Meenakshi smiled and lay down next to him. Aakash turned towards her and gently traced her lips with his finger.
“Our new home… our new bedroom…” he whispered and then he smiled mischievously.
“Don’t I deserve a kiss?” he asked and Meenakshi blushed, but before she could answer, Aakash leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was soft and lingering full of relief, love and the comfort of finally having a place that belonged only to them.
After a while, they curled up in each other’s arms and drifted into a peaceful sleep. Aakash woke up to an empty bed and glanced at the clock. It was already 6:30 in the evening. He stepped out into the kitchen and found Meenakshi making coffee.
“Where did you get milk from?” he asked, confused.
“There is a small shop beside the building. I just took the lift and bought a packet. You looked completely worn out, so I thought I’d make coffee for you.” Meenakshi smiled and handed him a cup.
Aakash took a sip and looked around their still half-empty home.
“We should buy a refrigerator and a sofa on EMI. And maybe a TV too.” he said but Meenakshi immediately shook her head.
“Stop making lists already. We don’t need everything at once. A fridge alone is enough for now. And we shall use the money from my account. No EMIs. No loans.” she said and Aakash smiled at her firmness.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Aakash and Meenakshi exchanged a look before he walked to the door. The moment he opened it, he froze. Standing outside were Meenakshi’s parents. At the same moment, Meenakshi walked out of the kitchen and stopped in surprise.
“Appa… Amma?” she whispered and Madhavan looked at her with concern.
“Meenakshi, why didn’t you tell us you were moving out? Your father-in-law called me. I was shocked to hear that you both were living separately.” Madhavan said worried.
Aakash quickly brought the only chair they had and asked Madhavan to sit. Radha quietly sat on the floor.
“Nothing serious happened, Mama. We just needed space and respect. I felt it was better for us to live separately. We only moved in this morning, so the house is still being set up.” Aakash said and Meenakshi made coffee for her parents.
“Aakash, Meenakshi is pregnant now. She needs proper care. If you don’t mind let her stay with us for a while. You can come too, at least until things settle here.” Madhavan said and the smile on Aakash’s face faded instantly. He stood beside Meenakshi and gently interlaced his fingers with hers.
“I understand your concern, Mama. But Meena is pregnant now and she needs to eat well for her and the baby, she has to rest well and feel safe. I can’t risk her health at this stage. I will take care of my wife.” Aakash said and his words were calm, but they hit Radha like a silent rebuke.
Even Meenakshi looked at him in surprise. Madhavan, however, only nodded. He slowly looked around the half-empty home.
“This house is nice,” he said softly and turned to Aakash.
“I didn’t do anything for Meenakshi during the wedding because you both wanted it simple. I had so many dreams for my daughter’s marriage and I couldn’t fulfill any of them. So will you allow me to buy a few things for your home? I know you may not want anything from us, but consider this a father’s wish.” Madhavan said as a request and Aakash looked at Meenakshi.
She gave him a small nod, asking him to agree.
“Buy us only a refrigerator, Mama. Nothing else.” Aakash said and Madhavan’s face lit up with happiness.
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A/N:
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