The next day, I went to the restaurant and informed the manager that I would be leaving early in the evening. He didn’t question me, mostly because I had never asked for leave or permission in all these months. I focused on my work, and by evening, I reached the hospital.
I was shocked to see Akash sitting on the stool, glaring at our mother. The moment he saw me, he froze. We hadn’t spoken in years, and he hadn’t even called me after my divorce.
My mother quickly pushed the stool toward me, urging me to sit.
“What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be in college?” I asked Akash.
He clenched his jaw and shot another angry look at our mother.
“College and studies are for those who are born into families with values, families that don’t treat their children like burdens. I shouldn’t have joined college in the first place. It would’ve been better if I had gone to work. At least then, I would have had some money to take care of myself,” Akash said, and I had to force myself not to slap him.
“How dare you say that standing in front of me? Janani and I were denied everything just so they could give you everything. We stitched our clothes. We shared the same clothes our whole lives. Janani had dreams, I had my own dreams. But they sent me into a family of monsters who destroyed my life. They sold me to a man who had already been married twice, and he tortured me every single day. Nobody cared. Nobody came to save me from that hell. Did you ever think you had two sisters? Did you ever wonder what was happening in our lives? Have you ever tried talking to Janani all these years? Have you ever asked me what I was going through? They gave you everything and now, when they can’t, you blame them?” Akash stood still, unable to meet my eyes.
I shifted my gaze to my mother, who sat silently, as if drowning in shame. My father was awake too, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes.
“Stop crying, your tears won’t fix anything you ruined in our lives. I hate standing here, sharing the same air with all of you.” I snapped and my mother broke down into sobs.
I turned my attention to Akash. He was leaning against the wall beside the bed, avoiding my eyes.
“Akash, you may have never considered Janani and me as your sisters, but we always treated you as our brother. So listen carefully. Consider me a stranger helping you with your studies. For the next two years, I will pay for your college and every expense you need. Finish your engineering, get a job, and take care of them after that. Until then, I’ll send the money but only as a stranger,” I said, then looked at my mother, who stared at me in shock.
I walked out and headed to the nearby ATM, withdrawing the money I had saved over the months. I had been saving to find a permanent home for myself… a place where I could finally feel safe. Every ache, every blister, every hour I stood working was to build a life for myself. Yet here I was, emptying it all out for someone else.
Maybe I should just run away and finally focus on my own life. But I couldn’t. I didn’t want Akash to grow into another man who ends up destroying some other girl’s life. I wiped my tears, looked at the cash in my hand, and walked back into the hospital.
“How much is your semester fee?” I asked Akash and he glanced at our parents, then at me.
“Forty-five thousand,” he said quietly.
I counted the amount and handed it to him. Then I took out another ten thousand and gave it to my mother.
“Take this for the expenses. Discharge him, go back to the village, and get him treated at a government hospital. Don’t expect anything more from me. And if you want to do me one last favour, don’t call me. I will transfer money to your account every month until your son finishes his studies. If his liver fails, don’t expect me to give mine.” I spat the words and walked out, tears blurring my vision.
By the time I reached home, I broke down completely and cried over my fate.
I had gone to sleep starving, yet the emptiness in my stomach hurt far less than the ache in my heart.
The next day at the restaurant, everyone immediately noticed that I looked dull and that my usual smile was missing. Even the regular customers sensed it, and I hated myself for letting my mood affect others. This wasn’t me. I had never wronged even the people who hurt me so why should I let my pain spoil the day of those who simply expected my smile?
I took a five-minute break, drank a cup of tea, and went back to work as usual, but my mind kept warning me that what I earned now would be nowhere near enough for the burden I had taken on. After a long, tiring shift, I returned home feeling more exhausted than I had in months.
For the first time, I desperately wanted someone to hold me… someone to tell me that everything would be fine, even though I knew it wouldn’t. I longed for a hand to wipe my tears.
When I closed my eyes, I felt his touch, his fingers brushing my cheek as he wiped my tears away. “Shhh… calm down, Meera. You aren’t alone. You have me,” he whispered, gently caressing my hair. I lay down on the mattress, and he hugged me from behind, his hand softly stroking my arm.
“I don’t know what to do, I agreed to send money every month until Akash finishes his studies. I already gave away most of my savings, and what I have left will only last a month or two. What will I do after that? I shouldn’t have gone to see them.” I mumbled.
He patted my head reassuringly. “If you hadn’t gone, there would be no difference between them and you. And if you hadn’t taken responsibility, you wouldn’t be the Meera I know. You only know how to love and care for others. As for the money… I’m sure my Meera will find a way. Now relax and sleep. You need rest for tomorrow.”
His words wrapped around me like warmth, and slowly, I closed my eyes.
I was on my way to the restaurant when my phone buzzed with a message. I unlocked it and saw a text from an unknown number.
“We are leaving for the village this evening. The doctor has prescribed medicines and said the treatment must continue without fail. I didn’t call because you told us not to disturb you for anything. I know you won’t want to meet us anymore, so Amma asked if you could come to the hospital this evening just once before we leave. Thank you for the help. I will finish my studies, and you won’t have to carry any burden because of me anymore. I’m sorry. If possible, please forgive me. – Akash.” the message read and I saved his number but chose not to reply.
When I reached the restaurant, I changed into my uniform and started my shift. I counted every tip I earned and sighed, knowing it still wouldn’t be enough. During my break, I sat on the stairs behind the restaurant, sipping tea and trying to think of ways to earn more money.
I looked at the time and realised I should leave now if I wanted to meet them one last time. I could stay back, work four more hours, and earn at least earn two hundred rupees in tips but the problem was different. I didn’t want the manager to think I was being irresponsible. And if I asked for permission, I would lose a full day’s salary. So I decided not to go.
Two hours later, I stepped behind the restaurant and called Akash. “Where are you?” I asked.
“We just got discharged. He couldn’t sit for too long, so I booked an ambulance. We’ll be leaving in ten minutes,” he said and I rubbed my forehead. I hadn’t even considered that he wouldn’t be able to travel by bus or train.
“I couldn’t get permission. Take care… and tell Amma I’ll transfer money for the travel.” I said quietly.
He thanked me, and I ended the call. I opened GPay, looked at the balance on my screen, and sighed. I transferred another seven thousand to her account and went back inside to continue my work.
I didn’t want to cry at my workplace. Everything else could wait.
At night, I opened Wattpad and smiled as I read the chapters I had missed over the last three days. The moment I started reading, I felt him beside me……an illusion that made my lips curve into a smile.
“You like me that much, is it?” he asked, and I hummed in response, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
“Wish I could be real and love you the way you want to be loved, Meera,” he said and I chuckled at how deep my imagination ran.
I turned to the empty side of the mattress and touched it gently. “Sometimes… fantasy is better than real life,” I whispered, felt him behind me again….only in my mind. I stayed quiet and kept staring at his picture on the cover page glowing on my screen.
Two days felt like two years, and finally it was my half-day off. I slept until noon and woke up to a knock on the door. Rubbing my eyes, I opened it and found Shanthi sister standing there, a bag in her hand. I let her in and closed the door behind us.
We sat on the still-spread mattress, and she gently tapped my cheek. “What happened to you, Meera? I’ve been watching you these days… you don’t look well at all, especially after meeting your parents. What happened?” she asked.
I didn’t answer immediately. I got up, washed my face, and returned. I was about to make coffee, but she stopped me and unpacked the food she had brought, serving it neatly onto a plate. I stared at it, and she nudged me firmly to eat.
I ate slowly while telling her everything that had happened. She listened, her eyes filling with pity. “I don’t know what to say, Meera. Why doesn’t God show you even a little mercy?” she whispered and I let out a sad chuckle.
“What are you planning to do now?” she asked as I washed my hands and came back to sit beside her.
“I’m planning to talk to the manager about extending my shift until 10:30. I don’t know how much he’ll pay for the extra hours, but at least it will help a little. And if I still can’t manage, I’ll work halfway through my leave days too,” I said.
She stared at me, shocked. “Are you mad, Meera? What do you think you are……a robot? Even a machine needs rest. Stop trying to work like one. Your health will deteriorate, and your family won’t come here to take care of you. You better drop this idea,” she scolded me.
I only smiled, and from that smile alone, she knew what my answer would be.
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A/N:
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