The car passed through the busy city streets, and I could see people rushing toward their destinations. Tension was etched on their faces, as if it were part of their morning routine—hurrying to offices, schools, and colleges.
The car stopped in front of a simple home, and Geetha madam gestured for me to follow her. She unlocked the door and opened it wide for me to enter. The house was simple, cozy, neat, and tidy. Geetha madam went into the open kitchen and returned with a bottle of water for me.
“Sit down, Meera. This is my home. I stay here during the weekdays and return to my hometown on weekends. It’s just a single bedroom, but I hope you can manage for a couple of days until the divorce is finalized. I’ll order something for us to eat,” she said.
Before I could reply, she settled on the single couch and placed an order for food.
“Madam, how did you arrive at the right time? I left my mobile in the kitchen, and before I could retrieve it, I was locked in the room. I was worried that Radhika Didi would call or message me, which could have landed her in trouble. Please talk to her and let her know I didn’t have my phone,” I said.
Geetha madam smiled and picked up my mobile from the tea table. I was completely shocked.
“Madam, this is my mobile… but how did you get this?” I asked, stunned.
“Last evening, I received a call from a man who said he wanted to help with your case and asked me to meet him. I drove to the place he mentioned and realized he was your father-in-law. After you were locked in the room, he managed to retrieve your mobile. From the last call history, he guessed I was your lawyer and called me to meet him. He returned your mobile and informed me that you were locked in the room. He promised to call me the moment your parents arrived. Today, I got the call as soon as they reached, so I came right away. He also left a parcel for you and asked me to tell you he was truly sorry.”
I was shocked by her words. Geetha madam opened the drawer on the table and handed me the small parcel my father-in-law had left for me.
I opened the parcel and found some money inside, a few notes folded neatly, others rolled up. It looked as though he had saved them over the years, and now he was leaving his savings for me. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I felt deeply grateful for his help.
The food arrived, and we ate together. Geetha madam was confident that Rakesh would show up soon to discuss a mutual settlement.
“Meera, I need to leave for court now. Lock the door if you feel scared being alone. I’ll make sure lunch is delivered, and call me if you need anything,” she said before walking out, leaving me in her home.
I locked the door and sat on the couch, looking around. She lived all alone in this small, simple home, yet she carried such strength and calmness within her. I wished I could have even half her confidence and courage.
When I entered the kitchen, I noticed a few unwashed vessels in the sink. She had done so much for me, the least I could do was help in whatever little way I could. I washed the dishes and cleaned the place up.
I was sure Rakesh and his mother would be discussing the case by now. Just as Geetha madam said, they must be scared of facing the consequences if the truth came out. I only hoped we could settle everything mutually, and I could finally leave this city for my own peace of mind.
I wondered what my parents might be doing now. What if Rakesh demanded money from them? They might even call me, asking me to return to him just to protect themselves but I didn’t care anymore. I’ve carried that burden for years, and I’m done with it.
I hadn’t thought much before leaving that hell, but now I remembered. My father hadn’t looked well. He seemed weak nothing like the strong man I’d known all my life. They might have been dressed well, but something about them felt off. Maybe age was taking its toll.
I didn’t realize how long I had been lost in thoughts, but it must have been hours, because my mobile started ringing. It was Geetha madam, she told me she had ordered food for me and promised to return early. She asked me to rest well until then. I smiled and thanked her for everything she was doing for me.
I needed to look for a place of my own once the divorce was finalized. I couldn’t burden her any longer.
The doorbell rang, and I peeped through the window to make sure it was the food delivery before opening the door.
After locking the door again, I sat down to eat and then called Radhika Didi. She answered on the first ring.
“Meera, how are you? I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning. Did they hurt you too much? I saw you leave with Geetha, and she told me she took you to her home. I just hope you’re doing alright,” she went on and on until she heard me chuckle.
“You’re laughing?” she asked, confusion lacing her tone.
“Didi, I’m fine. Yes, they locked me in the room so I couldn’t meet you. Please forgive me. Geetha madam arrived this morning with an inspector and rescued me from that hell. She’s warned Rakesh to settle things mutually. I think everything will go as expected. I’m at Geetha madam’s place now, and thank you so much for helping me. If not for you, I’d still be trapped there,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude.
“Don’t thank me, Meera. This was the least I could do. I only wish I could’ve done something earlier to help you… but I was helpless, Meera. I could hear Rakesh and his mother arguing about the divorce, and I saw your parents leave shortly after you went with Geetha. I don’t know what they’re planning now. Rakesh didn’t even go to the office today, he’s still at home,” she said, and I knew he’d be sitting with his mother, plotting their next move.
“Take care, Meera. I’ll talk to you later,” she said before ending the call.
I glanced at the clock, it was just 2 p.m. I lay down on the floor, resting my head on my arms, staring at the ceiling fan.
My life had been like that fan, constantly spinning, with pain and people chasing me like the endless wings that never stopped turning.
I stood up, switched it off, and lay back down again, watching it slow to a stop.
No more running.
No more chasing.
It’s true, they stopped chasing me the moment I stopped running.
I fell asleep after a short while.
I felt something ease within me, as if my body was being carried through the air. A smile touched my lips at the lightness I felt. A cool breeze caressed my face, and I could hear the birds chirping and then, another sound reached my ears, one I’d only heard in movies and TV shows, the crashing of waves against the shore. But instead of fear, the sound soothed my heart.
The smell of samosas and chaat drifted through the air. I could hear the distant laughter of children playing and the gentle scolding voices of their parents trying to stop them. It was a rush of emotions — everything I had ever wanted to feel in life.
A man sat beside me by the shore, my head resting on his shoulder. My man. He kissed my crown like I was his entire world. We watched our four children play in the water, our hearts full and content.
No… no, this wasn’t what I wanted now.
I snapped my eyes open and stared at the blank ceiling. It was just a dream, a dream I no longer wished for.
Now, all I wanted was freedom — the freedom to breathe without someone constantly on my back, taunting me, using me for their benefit.
I sat leaning against the tea table, my body covered in sweat since I had turned off the fan. I wiped my face and neck with the pallu of my saree and walked into the kitchen to get some water.
Just then, the doorbell rang. I hurried to the window to check and saw Geetha madam standing outside. Quickly, I opened the door with a smile.
“Meera, I hope you had your lunch and a nap,” she said kindly.
I smiled and handed her a glass of water. She entered the kitchen to place the glass back — but when she returned, she looked at me like she had seen a ghost.
“Meera, you didn’t have to do that,” she said softly.
I understood that she meant washing the vessels.
“Madam, you do a lot for me. I would be breathing freedom only because of you. The least I can do is what I’m capable of,” I said, watching her shake her head in denial.
“That’s the problem, Meera. You always try to return favors when people do something for you, but at the same time, you expect others to stop expecting favors in return from you. You thank them, but you shouldn’t bind yourself to repay every act of kindness, not at the cost of your freedom, peace, or mental health. This is your life, Meera. You get to decide whom you seek help from and to whom you owe a return favor. Learn to set boundaries, know who deserves a thank you and who deserves something more.”
She was right. It was my fault. I had convinced myself that I owed my parents for giving me birth and raising me for a few years. I believed Dheeraj and Manoj harassed me because they thought I had to return the favor for the help they gave my parents. I became a slave. And Rakesh — he thought I was his slut because I stood weak in front of him. He believed he could do anything to me simply because he had helped my parents financially.
All my life, I had lived believing that life was about returning favors.
I looked at Geetha madam, who was smiling as if she knew she had broken something inside me — something that would finally let my wings flutter free.
“Thank you, madam.”
“Alright, Now, the reason I came back early is that I received a call from Rakesh. He wants to meet to discuss the settlement. He asked me to come to his office to discuss everything. Also, I got all the information about his divorces from his first and second wives. They went through the same hell as you. So, the case is strong. We can expect everything to be settled within a week.” she said.
“Madam, I want to accompany you to his office. I want to hear him myself,” I said immediately, and she looked shocked.
“Are you sure? Things could get ugly if he has other plans instead of agreeing to a mutual settlement.”
“Didn’t you tell me to stand up for myself? I want to face everything now. I think I’ve finally gained some confidence. I won’t let self-pity and fear pull me down anymore.”
She smiled at me — and I knew that was the sign.
I was moving on.
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A/N:
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